Category Archives: vol2-no2

Preliminary Study of Parasitoid Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on The Leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Plodia interpunctella H. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Rafeek Ali Abboud(1) Magda Mofleh(1) Hanan Habak(1) and Mohamad Ahmad Ahmad(2)

(1). Lattakia Research Center, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Magda Mofleh, Lattakia Research Center, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. E-Mail: magda.mofleh @yahoo.com).

Received: 19/08/ 2014                                     Accepted: 19/05/ 2015

Abstract:

In this study, the reproductive performance of the parasitoid Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against the leafminer T. absoluta and Plodia interpunctella H. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as alternate host was studied in the laboratory at Lattakia Agriculture Research Center, Lattakia, Syria, during  2011 and 2012 seasons. Parasitoid’s life tables were organized, and 5 full grown host larvae were presented to the parasitoid daily. Means development period (egg, larvae, and pupa) (X ± SD) for female parasitoids Bracon sp. were 7.86 ± 0.93 and 8.70 ± 0.73 days against P. interpunctella and T. absoluta, respectively. Values of intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were 0.132 and 0.186 on T. absoluta and P. interpunctella, respectively. Also the values of net reproductive rate (R0), Gross reproductive rate (GRR), and the finite rate of increase (λ) were higher on P. interpunctella than T. absoluta, but the generation period time (T) and the doubling time of population (DT) were shorter on P. interpunctella as compared with T. absoluta. This study clarified the capability of breeding the parasitoids Bracon sp.  at the lab against P. interpunctella to control T. absoluta in tomato fields.

Key words: Tuta absoluta, Plodia interpunctella, Bracon sp., Biological control.

Full paper in Arabic: دراسة أولية لحياتية الطفيل
Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) على عثة أوراق البندورة الأمريكية وعثة الطحين الهندية 

The Effect of Natural Syrian Zeolite on the Availability of Some Minerals in the Soil and Productivity of Wheat and Cotton in Gypsum Soils

Helal Gayerly(1) Samer Bregle(1) Muhamad Manhal Al Zubi*(1) Yahya Ramadan(2) Khaled Al Shebli(2) Amira Al Hafez(2) and Mayada Fattoum(2)

(1). Natural Resources Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Agricultural Research Center in Al Raqqa, GCSAR, Al Raqqa, Syria.

(*Corresponding author:Dr. Muhamad Manhal Al Zubi, Natural Resources Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. E-Mail: manhalzo@yahoo.com. Mobile phone: 00963933334783, Fax: 00963112121460).

Received: 15/03/ 2015                                     Accepted: 06/05/ 2015

Abstract:

This study aimed to determine the impact of Syrian Zeolite on some soil properties and productivity of wheat and cotton crops, which is planted in the gypsum soil at Beer Alhashem Research Station, Al-Raqa Agricultural Research Center, General commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Syria, begins from 2006 to 2010 seasons. Completely randomized block design was used with three replicates. The addition rates of zeolite were: (ZEO1)  at a rate of 90 m3/ha, (ZEO2) at a rate of 180 m3/ha, (ZEO3)  at a rate of  270 m3/ha, (ZEO4) at a rate of  360 m3/ha, (ZEO5)  at a rate of 450 m3/ha, and control without zeolite. Wheat variety (Bouhoth 6), and cotton variety (Raqaa5) were cultivated in a cropping rotation. The fertilizers were added according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MOAAR) recommendations. Soil, and zeolite were analyzed before cultivation. The results showed significant increment in the productivity of cotton with the increase in adding zeolite in third season (ZEO5treatment, which produced 2.42 ton/ha), also in the fourth season (ZEO3, and ZEO4treatments, which produced 3.23and 3.08 ton/ha, respectively). The results also clarified in wheat experiment, that ZEO1treatment gave the best production as compared with other treatments in all seasons (3.5, 4.57, 5.4, 2.79 ton grains/ha, respectively). The increase in wheat productivity was noticed in all zeolite treatments as compared with control in most seasons, and the addition of zeolite 90 m3/ha in wheat experiment was the best as compared with the other zeolite treatments, but the productivity of ZEO5treatment was less as compared with other zeolite treatments. It was noticed a significant increment in mineral nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium with the addition of zeolite in the soil after harvesting.

Keywords: Zeolite, Soil fertility, Gypsum lands, Wheat, Cotton.

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير خام الزيوليت الطبيعي السوري على إتاحة بعض العناصر المغذية في التربة وعلى إنتاجية محصولي القمح والقطن في الأراضي الجبسية

Effect of Drip Irrigation Methods (Mulched, Without Mulch) on Water Use and Production of Tomato Crop under Organic Farming

Abd Al-Kareem Jerdy(1) Bassam Oudeh*(1) Haitham Al-Abdalla(2) Tallal Al- Abdo(1) and Boshra khozam(2)

(1). Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Homs, Syria.
(2). Homs Agricultural Research Center, (GCSAR), Homs, Syria.

(*corresponding author: Eng. Bassam Oudeh, Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Homs, Syria. Mobile: 0988284819, Email: B_oudeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 12/07/ 2014                                     Accepted: 29/03/ 2015

Abstract

The study was carried out in Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research Center, Homs, Syria, during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons. Two methods of drip irrigation were applied (mulched, without mulch) on tomato crop to be compared with the traditional method (surface irrigation). The results showed that the average of the total water consumption for the drip irrigation (mulched) was 3345 m3/ha and percentage of saving water irrigation was 55% as compared with control (traditional surface irrigation), while the average of the total water consumption for the drip irrigation (without mulch) was 3785 m3/ha and percentage of the saving water irrigation was 49% as compared with control, although the average of the total water consumption for the traditional surface irrigation was 7426 m3/ha. In terms of farming method (traditional and organic) the production under drip irrigation (mulched) were 29.7 and 38.4 ton/ha, with an increment in yield of (60 and 68%) as compared with the control (surface irrigation) which were 18.6 and 22.9 ton/ha (traditional and organic), respectively. On the other hand the production under drip irrigation (without mulch), in terms of farming method (traditional and organic) were 38.4 and 45.1ton/ha with an increase in yield 106 and 97%, respectively as compared with the control.

Key words: Drip irrigation, Surface irrigation, Organic farming, Tomato, Production, Water consumption

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير طريقة الري بالتنقيط (مغطى ومكشوف) في الاستهلاك المائي وإنتاجية البندورة ضمن ظروف الزراعة العضوية

Performance of Some Primitive Wheat Genotypes and Correlation coefficient of Some Yield Components Under Rainfed Condition in Syria

Maysoun Muhammad saleh*(1) and Dyab Salem Moussa(2)

(1). Genetic Resources Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Scientific Agricultural Research Center of Al-Ghab, (GCSAR), Hama, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Maysoun Muhammad Saleh, Genetic Resources Department, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. Mobile phone: +963 0999312298).

Received: 19/04/2015                                      Accepted: 14/05/2015

Abstract

The study was conducted at Al-Ghab Research Centre, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria, during two growing seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Eight primitive wheat genotypes; C49, C57,and C64 belongs to Ttiticum carthlicum; P149,and P193 belongs to Ttiticum polonicum; D94, D124,  and D67 belongs to Ttiticum dicoccom, and two local cultivated varieties sham3, and sham5 (as control) were planted in randomized complete block design in three replications. Yield components (number of fertile tillers, number and weight of grains per spike and weight of thousand grain) were studied and compared to the  control and also the correlation coefficient  between the studied traits was determined. Results showed that the genotype D94 was significantly superior in number of fertile tillers comparing to both controls, and the genotype P194 was significantly superior in weight of grains per spike with an increase rate (76.65, 97.99)% as compared with both controls, sham3, and sham5, respectively, and also was significantly superior in weight of thousand grain with  an increase rate (72.73, 107.28)% as compared with both controls; sham3, and sham5 respectively. The results also showed a positive correlation between number of grains per spike and with each of weight of grains per spike and weight of thousand grain.

Key Words: Genotypes, Primitive wheat, Yield components, Correlation coefficient.

Full paper in Arabic: سلوك عدة طرز من القمح المبدئي ومعامل الارتباط لبعض مكونات الغلة ضمن ظروف الزراعة المطرية في سورية

 

 

Contribution of Awn in Grain Yield of Durum Wheat Under Drought Conditions

Abd Al Razzak Soud* (1) Mamoun Khaity (2) Sami Al Ghazali (1)  Fadi Abu-Rukba(3) and  Moead Almeselmani (4)

(1). Izraa Research Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) , Izraa, Daraa, Syria.
(2). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus  University, Syria.
(3). Daraa Research Center, (GCSAR) , Daraa, Syria.
(4). Department of biotechnology, (GCSAR), Damascus , Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng: Abd Al Razzak Soud, Izraa Research Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) , Izraa, Daraa, Syria).

Received: 01/02/ 2015                                     Accepted: 04/04/ 2015

Abstract

Six durum wheat varieties (Horany, Sham3, Sham5, Bouhouth 7, Bouhouth 11, and Doma1) were used to study the contribution of awns in grain yield. The experiment was carried out in Izraa Research Station, General Commission For Scientific Agricultural Research (GSAR), Daraa, Syria, during (2010/2011). Split plot design was used with three replications. The results showed a significant difference between varieties in percentage of awns contribution in grain yield. The percentage of awns contribution in grain yield for the control ranged between 7.22 – 11.93 % and increased to 14.84 – 21.16 % under drought conditions. Correlation coefficient between awn length and grain yield was positive, and high. The values of correlation coefficients were (*0.521, *0.695) for control and treatment, respectively at level of probability 0.05.

Key words: Durum wheat, Awn length, Drought, Grain filling.

Full paper in Arabic:مساهمة السفا في الغلة الحبية للقمح القاسي تحت ظروف الجفاف

The Effect of Water Stress on Some Physiological Characteristics of Two Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)  Monogerm Hybrids

Entessar AL-Jbawi* (1) Fadi Abbas (2)

(1). Sugar beet Research Department,  Crops Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research  (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Scientific Agriculture Research Center of Homs, (GCSAR). P.O.Box 626, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Entessar Al Jbawi, E-mail: dr.entessara@gmail.com).

Received: 02/02/ 2015                                     Accepted: 17/06/ 2015

Abstract:

The experiment was carried out in the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) at Homs Agricultural Research Center, Homs, Syria, during 2009-2010 seasons, at winter time, to study the effect of early water stress on some physiological characteristics of sugar beet. Two genotypes (Brigita and Dorotea), were subjected to water stress by withholding water for 40 days after rainfall ceased. A split plot design with three replicates was used. Results showed that, early drought stress had a significant effect on the studied parameters. Water content (WC%) and relative water content (RWC%) were decreased in all plant parts under drought condition as compared to control.  However, WC% in taproot decreased more than blades and petioles. RWC% decrement was less in mature leaves than in old and new leaves. Under drought stress, fresh and dry weight of tops and roots were decreased. Sugar beet genotypes showed the capability to regulate its osmotic potential by increasing sodium, potassium, and soluble sugars in both, tops and roots. Results also Indicated that drought stress caused an increasing value of fluorescence origin (fo), decreasing the values of fluorescence maximum (fm), and maximum yield of quantum in photo system-II, (fv/fm). The reduction in Dorotea genotype was more drastically compare to Brigita.

Key words: Water stress, Physiological characteristics, Sugar Beet.

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير الإجهاد المائي في بعض الصفات الفيزيولوجية لهجينين وحيدي الجنين من الشوندر السكري (Beta vulgaris L.)

Effect of Potato Variety and Pre-processing Treatment on Potato French Fries Quality

Mouwafak Jbour*(1) Widad Badran(1) Ghassan Shareef (2) and Ahmad Abdo(2)

(1). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Agricultural Research Center in Idlib, (GCSAR), Idlib, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Mouwafak Jbour, E-Mail:  jbour1974@yahoo.com).

Received: 07/10/ 2014                                     Accepted: 17/05/ 2015

Abstract

The research aimed to study the effect of three potato varieties (Agria, Liseta and Spunta) produced at Kafer Yahmool Research Station fields in Idlib, Syria, during 2010 and 2011 seasons, and also to study the effect of preprocessing treatments (storage temperature, storage period, and blanching) on some french-fries sensory traits. The results showed that there were significant differences among studied varieties in terms of the color and taste of the fries. Agria was the best variety under room temperature and when it stored under low temperature, whereas Liseta was the worst variety as compared to the other two varieties. Blanching for 10 min at a water temperature of 80°C, significantly improved fries color and removed the unacceptable brown color of potato samples which were stored under low temperature for a period of 40 or 80 days, it also improved significantly the taste and texture of the product. However, However, blanching for 30 min at a temperature of  65°C reduced the degree of color attraction resulting in pale color in Liseta variety.

Keywords: Potato, French-fries, Storage period, Storage temperature, Blanching

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير الصنف وبعض معاملات ما قبل التصنيع في نوعية أصابع البطاطا المقلية

Effect of the Type of the Starter and Inoculation Rate on the Characteristics of Labneh Made in a Direct Method Compared with the Traditional Labneh

Mohamad Alshehabi* (1) Faten hamed (1) and  Sayah Abou-ghorrah(2)

(1). Food Technology Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Food Science Department, Faulty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Mohamad Alshehabi: Masaken Barze, Damascus, Syria E-mail: mohamadalshehabi@yahoo.com. Mobile phone: 0932732831).

Received: 22/07/ 2014                                     Accepted: 23/04/ 2015

Abstract

The research aimed to study the effect of the starter type and the conditions of its use in the quality of labneh, which produced by the direct method. The total solids were increased in milk up to 26%, using powder milk free fat, and why milk powder, then this mixture was inoculated, using eight different starters, with addition rate of 4%, and then incubated for 8 hours at 45°c. The starter CH1 gave the best sensory characteristics for the product. The product (labneh) was remade, using the starter which was selected in the direct method with the following percentages (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, and 8%) to define the best inoculation percentage. The results showed that the best inoculation rate of the starter was 4% in terms of the the chemical and sensory characteristics. The results also showed  the superiority of  labneh made by direct method as compared with the labneh made in traditional method in terms of the chemical characteristics (total solids: 25.28%, fat: 7.55%, acidity:1.20), microbiological characteristics, yields, and the production costs. Regarding the sensory evaluation, labneh made in traditional method exceeded the labneh that made using other methods.

Key words: Labneh, Direct method, Traditional method, Starter.

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير نوع البادئ ونسبة التلقيح في خصائص اللبنة المصنعة بالطريقة المباشرة ومقارنتها مع اللبنة المصنعة بالطريقة التقليدية

The Effect of Socio- Economic Variables on the Safety Environmental Practices of the Rural Woman in Damascus Countryside Governorate

Kenan Fawazkamal Aldeen(1)

(1). Socio-Economic Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(Corresponding author: Dr. Kenan Fawazkamal Aldeen, Socio-Economic Research Administration, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. E-mail: Kenana76@Gmail.com).

Received: 22/02/ 2015                                     Accepted: 25/05/ 2015

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the environmental practices of rural women farmers, and to determine the impact of the socio- economic variables on the safety environmental practices in of Damascus countryside, Syria (Douma, Al Qtaifa, Al Tal, Yabroud, Al Nabk, Al Zbadani, Qatana, and Darya). To fulfill the objectives of the research, an analytical field study for the environmental practices of the rural women was conducted. A stratified sample size of 159 rural women was selected, on the basis of a questionnaire, which was filled by personal interview during 2011. The results showed that 57.2 % of the researchable were doing incorrect environmental practices. The results also showed a significant correlation between all of the independent variables i.e. researchable age, educational level, role in plant and animal production activities, the educational level of the husband, the hours number of housekeeping and agricultural work, social and health awareness, other tasks, and the dependent variable i.e. the safety environmental practices. Using the binary logistic regression analysis to determine the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable represented by the safety environmental practices of the rural women, the results exhibited the contribution percentage of the independent variables was (76.6%) of the dependent variable.

Key words: Environmental practices, Rural woman, Socio- economic variables

Full paper in Arabic: أثر المتغيرات الاقتصادية والاجتماعية في سلامة الممارسات البيئية للمرأة الريفية في محافظة ريف دمشق

 

The Relationship Between Dry Period Length and The Subsequent Daily Milk Yield in Holstein Cows Under Syrian Intensive Production Conditions

Obyda Al-Masr(1) Majed AL-Dakkak(1) Mansour Ahmad*(1) Mohammed Amin(1)  and Kahtan dayyop(2)

(1). Animal Wealth Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria.
(2). Fedio Diary Station, General Organization for Cattle, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mansour Ahmad, Animal Wealth Research Administration, (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria. E-mail: msh7273@yahoo.com).

Received: 14/04/2015                                      Accepted: 16/05/2015

Abstract:

This study was conducted at Fedio Dairy Station, General Organization for Cattle, Lattakia, Syria. Calving records of Holstein cows from 1989 to 2013 comprising 396  herds with 1646 calving events were used to evaluate the effect of the dry period length on the next daily milk production of Holstein cows. Dry period length (DP) of cows was grouped into 13 groups (group 1: 0-10, group 2: 11-20, group 3: 21-30, group 4: 31-40, group 5: 41-50, group 6: 51-60, group 7: 61-70, group 8: 71-80, group 9: 81-90, group 10: 91-100, group 11: 101-110, group 12: 111-120, and group 13: > 120 days). Average of DP was 85.13±1.64 days and 16.13±0.17 kg was the daily milk production in Holstein cows. The results clarified that the effect of dry period length (DP) was significant (P<0.05) on daily milk production. Also the cows within the DP groups of 41-60 had the greatest daily milk production in the next productive parity, while reduction or prolonging the dry period length led to cut down in the daily milk production. The conclusion was that the optimum length of the dry period length was (41-60 days), and the necessity of non-negligence or prolonging this period greatly (more than 100 days) because it increases the risks of culling in the cattle and shortens the length of milk production parity later, which decreases the economic earnings.

Keywords: Subsequent daily milk production, Dry period length, Holstein cows, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:العلاقة بين مدة التجفيف وإنتاج الحليب اليومي اللاحق عند أبقار الهولشتاين تحت ظروف الإنتاج المكثف في سورية