Laboratories

Laboratories of the Departments of the Center for Arid Farming and Conservation Agriculture Research’s

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First: Laboratories of the Agronomy Department

  1. Soil and Water Analysis Laboratory:

This laboratory specializes in conducting physical, chemical, and biological analyses of soil and water to support agricultural and environmental decision-making.

Importance of the analyses:

These analyses contribute to improving agricultural productivity, managing water resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring the safety of water for drinking and agricultural use.

The lab is equipped with devices such as:

  • Soil nutrient analyzer
  • Soil grinder
  • pH meters for soil and water
  • Soil moisture sensors
  • Soil and water salinity probes

The laboratory handles soil samples from fields and water samples to assess their suitability for agriculture.

  1. Agronomy Laboratory:

This lab focuses on studying the phenotypic traits and yield components of crops, with samples brought in directly from the field.

It includes devices such as:

  • Oil content analyzer
  • Leaf area meter
  • Chlorophyll meter
  • Test weight balance
  • A miniature weather station for field condition studies

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Second: Laboratories of the Genetic Resources Department

  1. Seed Gene Bank Laboratory:

This lab is responsible for depositing and preserving certified and promising seed varieties, as well as imported seeds from international centers and organizations. It performs germination, purity, and viability testing.

Equipment includes:

  • Seed counter
  • Seed test weight machine
  • Seed moisture analyzer
  • Precision balance
  • Mechanical spike thresher
  • Electric spike thresher
  1. Cold Room for Long-Term Seed Storage:

This room stores breeder seeds of various genetic structures of crops such as field peas, bread wheat, durum wheat, triticale, forage rye, and barley.

It also includes a refrigerator for short-term seed storage containing breeder seeds of bread wheat, durum wheat, sesame, barley, and sorghum, in addition to newly introduced varieties of safflower, chickpeas, lentils, and fava beans.

  1. Genetic Material Production Laboratory:

This lab is dedicated to producing breeder and foundation seeds of certified varieties, crop breeding and improvement, and the development of new varieties. It also handles the multiplication, maintenance, screening, and purification of crop varieties adapted to the environmental stresses in Nineveh Province in recent years—preserving local genetic resources, particularly those at risk of extinction.

  1. National Laboratory for the Detection of Genetically Modified Plant Inputs (Under Establishment):

This laboratory will test plant inputs, strains, and genetic structures entering the country. Activities include:

  • Detection of genetically modified plants and seeds
  • Identification of genes linked to phenotypic and physiological traits such as drought and salinity tolerance, especially in wheat and barley
  • Extraction and analysis of wild and cultivated plant materials to determine the type and concentration of medically active compounds—helping plant breeders choose optimal varieties for propagation and development

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Third: Laboratories of the Mechanization Technologies Department

  1. Agricultural Mechanization Technologies Laboratory:

This lab serves as the technical foundation for the Mechanization Technologies Department and supports other departments in research and development projects.

It is managed by experienced agricultural engineers specialized in machinery and equipment.

Main tasks include:

Maintenance, servicing, and future manufacturing (such as the seed drill manufacturing project) of machinery used by the center, including equipment for seeding, planting, fertilizing, irrigation, crop management, harvesting, and post-harvest processing (e.g., seed cleaning and grading stations(.

Available tools and equipment include:

  • Spare parts for the Delfino S3 plow
  • Spare parts for conservation agriculture seed drills
  • Spare parts for the seed processing plant
  • Smart irrigation system sensors and water flow meters
  • Sack sewing machine
  • Manual seed drill
  • High-pressure pump (washing pump)
  • Air compressor
  • Manual and mechanical tools for assembling/disassembling parts
  • Lubrication tools and oils for moving parts
  • Additional mechanical and manual tools.

Technical Stores: The department has two storerooms containing the machinery and equipment as follows:

  • New Holland 80 HP Agricultural Tractor.
  • Zero Tillage Seeder 11
  • Disc ZT Seeder (SAKALAK) 1
  • Chisel Plow 1
  • Delfino S3 Plow 1
  • Seed Purification and Grading Laboratory factory1
  • Water Transport Trailer with Pump 1

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Fourth: Laboratories of the Human Resources Development Department

  1. Audiovisual Media Laboratory:

One of the essential labs in the Human Resources Development Department, it focuses on preparing brochures and posters related to the center’s activities.

It is equipped with specialized cameras and studio equipment.

  1. Library Room:

A room affiliated with the Human Resources Development Department, containing:

  • Electronic Library: Includes a collection of research papers, theses, and agricultural books
  • Physical Library: Contains hard-copy books available for on-site reading
  • Multifunction Printer: For printing, photocopying, and scanning