Under the patronage of the respected President of the University of Kirkuk, Professor Dr. Imran Jamal Hassan, and under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Assistant Professor Dr. Osamah Ibrahim Ahmed, the Field Crops Department organized its 13th scientific seminar titled "Seeds of the Future." The event was attended by researchers and specialists in the agricultural field.
The seminar featured two lectures delivered by Dr. Yassin Obeid Nouri and Dr. Hussein Abdullah Ahmed. They explored opportunities for using modern agricultural technologies to increase productivity, reduce pesticide use, protect natural resources, and improve the quality of field crop seeds. They also emphasized the importance of advancing research in biotechnology and studying genetic material properties to enhance field crops, as well as supporting research by encouraging public sector involvement, developing innovative research projects, and promoting access to gene-editing technologies.
The seminar recommended:
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Increasing research on genetic variations that influence desirable traits, such as disease resistance and tolerance to environmental stresses like heat and drought, using modern genome engineering techniques such as gene sequencing and genetic modification to identify genes related to adaptation to these environmental challenges.
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Improving crop breeding strategies using genetic engineering and gene-editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas to develop crops with higher resilience to environmental stresses such as salinity and drought while ensuring productivity and quality.
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Enhancing collaboration between laboratory research and field applications to implement scientific research findings in real-world agricultural practices, contributing to the development of plant varieties that are resistant and adaptable to different climates.