A doctoral dissertation in agricultural engineering sciences discussing viruses that infect zucchini squash.

The College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Baghdad witnessed the defense of a doctoral dissertation titled “Study of the Complete Genome of Twin Viruses of the Genus *Begomovirus* that Infect Zucchini Squash and Preparation of an Immunological Diagnostic Kit for Them,” by Saad Mohsen Owaid from the Plant Protection Department  .

The study aimed to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of viruses associated with leaf curl on squash, including the leaf curl virus and the Palampur leaf curl virus on tomatoes.

The researcher recommended conducting broader studies and collecting more samples from various regions across Iraq, as well as controlling insect vectors, which are the primary cause of viral transmission from infected to healthy plants. He also suggested utilizing antibodies produced from injecting viral protein into rats and developing a virus detection kit, as this approach is cost-effective.

Congratulations to the researcher, and best wishes for continued success.