Fatima Alzhraa Enjrini ^1*, Imad Aldeen Alkhalaf ¹ and Njwa Moslmani ¹

1 Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Fatima Alzhraa Enjrini: fatimaenj92@gmail.com).

Received: 12/ 1/ 2026       Accepted: 31/ 3/ 2026

Abstract: 

Seed germination is one of the most sensitive stages in the plant life cycle, as it determines seedling establishment, subsequent growth, and ultimately crop productivity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical treatments, including ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) and microwave radiation, on germination parameters of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare L.) as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical treatments. The experiment was conducted at the Plant Environment and Pollution Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, using seeds of the white Arabic cultivar. Three treatment methods were applied: direct exposure, irrigation, and soaking in radiation-treated water. UV-C radiation (254 nm) was applied for durations of 10, 15, 30, and 60 minutes, while microwave radiation (2450 MHz) was applied for 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 seconds. Germination percentage, germination rate, and mean germination time were evaluated after 7 days. UV-C treatments significantly improved germination, reaching 99% germination and 14 seeds/day, with a reduced mean germination time of 1.6 days compared to 2.1 days in the control. In contrast, direct microwave exposure reduced germination to 1% and completely inhibited it at 60 seconds, while soaking treatments showed moderate improvement. These findings highlight the potential of UV-C to enhance germination under controlled conditions.

Keywords: Ultraviolet radiation, microwave radiation, germination percentage, germination rate, barley (Hordeum vulgare).

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF 

Ghiyath H. Soliman^1*

1Department of family and community medicine, faculty of medicine, tartous university, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ghiyath H. Soliman, Email: dr.gheath1983@gmail.com, Mobile: 00963966892190).

Received: 18/ 11/ 2025         Accepted: 22/04 / 2026

Abstract: 

Elevated concentrations of nitrates and nitrites in food and water pose significant risks to human health and the environment. This study aims to evaluate the levels of nitrates and nitrites in greenhouse-grown tomatoes in the coastal region of Syria. One hundred tomato samples were randomly collected from 50 greenhouses (two samples per greenhouse) across ten villages in Sahil Akkar, Tartous, Syria. A detailed information card was prepared for each greenhouse, documenting the greenhouse area, the types of fertilizers used, and the irrigation water source. Water samples were analyzed using a colorimeter, and nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the tomato samples were measured using a spectrophotometer. The findings revealed that the highest nitrate concentration was recorded in samples from Riyaf (307.87 mg/kg), while the lowest was detected in samples from A. Zibdi (101.26 mg/kg). Similarly, the highest nitrite concentration was observed in Riyaf (0.058 mg/kg), whereas the lowest was found in Dkaiki (0.066 mg/kg). The elevated nitrate and nitrite levels in the greenhouse samples may be attributed to the use of irrigation water containing high concentrations of these compounds, combined with the excessive application of mineral and organic fertilizers.

Keywords: Nitrates, Nitrites, Tomatoes, Fertilizer, Greenhouse. 

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Mohammed Hossam Bahlawan^1*, Mohammed Khaldoun Darmash¹, Youssef Al-Khalaf¹, Abdul Mohsen Al-Sayed Omar² and Wafaa Issa³

1 Department of Soil Science and Land Reclamation, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
2 Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
3 Department of Mathematical Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Yousef Khalaf, Email: yousef-khalaph@alepuniv.edu.sy).

Received: 25/ 1/ 2026      Accepted: 8/ 4/ 2026

Abstract: 

This research aims to study the impact of climate change at the Muslimiyah Research Station in Aleppo Governorate during the period from (2000-2025), specifically solar radiation, rainfall, soil surface temperatures, wind speed, and the reflection of these elements on soil moisture, by obtaining data from NASA. The results showed a clear increase in solar radiation and soil surface temperatures, and a noticeable decrease in rainfall, coupled with an increase in wind speeds at the Al-Musallamiyah research station. Rainfall was found to be the most significant factor affecting soil moisture, with a very strong, direct, and significant impact. Similarly, solar radiation had a strong, inverse, and significant effect on soil moisture. The effects of the other climatic elements (soil surface temperature and wind speed) were not significant. Furthermore, the soil moisture series exhibited a cyclical pattern of approximately eight years and eight months, but did not show a general trend of either increasing or decreasing.

Keywords: Climate change, drought, solar radiation, soil moisture.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Yazan N. Al-Hasan^1*, Hassan Abbas¹, and Emad Al-Horani²

1 Animal production Department. Faculty of Agriculture Engineering. Homs University, Syria
3 General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research, Syria
(*Corresponding author: Yazan N. Al-Hasan, Email: yalh8870@gmail.com).

Received: 13/ 11/ 2025      Accepted: 22/ 1/ 2026

Abstract: 

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of partially replacing soybean meal with different levels of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on the productive performance and feed efficiency of laying hens. The experiment lasted for 60 laying weeks, using 150 laying hens, randomly distributed into five experimental groups. Each group consisted of three replicates, with 10 hens per replicate. The first group (G0, control) was fed a standard diet. For the other four groups, BSFL meal was included at increasing levels: G1 (4%), G2 (6%), G3 (8%), and G4 (10%). All groups were subjected to the same management and care conditions throughout the experimental period. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) superiority of the group treated with 6% BSFL meal (G2) in all key productive parameters. This group recorded the highest egg production rate, egg weight, and daily egg mass. Furthermore, the same group (G2) achieved the best (lowest) feed conversion ratio, indicating its high economic efficiency compared to the control and other experimental groups is concluded from this study that the inclusion of black soldier fly larvae meal at a 6% level in the diets of laying hens is an effective strategy for improving productive performance and feed efficiency.

Keywords: Laying hens, black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens, productive performance, feed conversion ratio, soybean meal.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Yamen Al-Hasan^1*, Abdulla Alissa¹ and Mahmoud Al-Hamdan²

1 Department of Soil and Land Reclamation, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Homs University, Homs, Syria.
2 Homs Research Centre, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Homs, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Eng. Yamen Al-Hassan, Email: yamenalhasan71@gmail.com)

Received: 12/ 1/ 2026                Accepted: 4/ 3/ 2026

Abstract: 

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of individual and combined application of micronutrient fertilizers (zinc, iron, and molybdenum) on selected productivity indicators of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under field conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Homs Governorate, Syria, during the 2024 growing season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments included: control (no addition), individual application of zinc sulfate (5 kg ha⁻¹), chelated iron (5 kg ha⁻¹), ammonium molybdate (200 ml ha⁻¹), and combined applications of zinc + iron (2.5 + 2.5 kg ha⁻¹), zinc + molybdenum (2.5 kg ha⁻¹ + 100 ml ha⁻¹), iron + molybdenum (2.5 kg ha⁻¹ + 100 ml ha⁻¹), and a triple combination of zinc + iron + molybdenum (1.66 kg ha⁻¹ + 1.66 kg ha⁻¹ + 66.6 ml ha⁻¹).  The results revealed a significant improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in all measured indicators across the different treatments. The combined application of zinc and iron significantly outperformed the other treatments, recording the highest values for plant height (55 cm), number of pods per plant (86 pods/plant), number of seeds per plant (94 seeds/plant), and seed weight per plant (54 g/plant). This positive effect was reflected in total productivity, which reached its maximum (481 kg donum⁻¹) under the same treatment. Moreover, the combined treatment of zinc and molybdenum recorded the highest number of root nodules per plant (33 nodules/plant). The study concludes that adopting a balanced fertilization strategy, particularly the combination of Zinc and Iron, is the most effective approach for enhancing the overall productivity of chickpea.

Keywords: Chickpea, Balanced Fertilization, Zinc, Iron, Molybdenum, Production Indicators.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Yara Amer Zarba^1*

¹ Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Latakia, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Yara Amer Zarba, Email: yara.zarba@latakia-univ.edu.sy phone: 0992470255)

Received: 6/ 12/ 2025              Accepted: 26/ 3/ 2026

Abstract: 

Five introduced common bean (Vicia faba) genotypes (AGUADOLCE LB 1266 GIZE. 461, Baladi, Cypriot, and Spanish) were evaluated, obtained from the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research. During the 2024 planting season, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates was used to select the most productive varieties as improved, high-yielding varieties for the region. The remaining varieties with specific traits were also used as germplasm based on their superiority over local varieties for future breeding programs. The results indicated that common bean genotypes differed in a number of valuable characteristics due to their genetic and geographical variation. No single genotype contained all or most of the desired traits, due to the positive or negative correlation between the genes controlling the traits. The Spanish variety outperformed all studied varieties in pod length, number and weight of seeds per pod, and seed weight per plant. The Cypriot variety also significantly outperformed the local variety in early flowering characteristics, and the Giza461 and Spanish genetic varieties in ripening characteristics, and all studied varieties in terms of pod weight and 100-seed weight. In addition, the overall heritability values for productivity and its components were high. The studied traits are associated with high genetic progress and can be used as selection indicators in subsequent breeding efforts. Selection for seed yield can be achieved through selection for 100-seed weight and number of pods per plant, given their positive correlation. Furthermore, the high degree of heritability of these traits is dominant, with acceptable genetic advance.

Keywords: Genetic progression, degree of heritability, normal faba beans, correlation coefficient.         

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF                  

Wassim Mayya^1*

¹Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Wassim Mayya, Email: wassim.mayya@damascusuniversity.edu.sy.)

Received:  8/ 12/ 2025           Accepted:  9/ 2/ 2026 

Abstract: 

The current research involved studying the dietary spectrum of Acartia clausi and identifying its preferred food sources across different water layers. Its samples were collected vertically at a rate of two trips per month in the seasons continuously and gradually during the period between March and December 2025 in the coastal waters of Banias city. Hydrophysical and hydrochemical measurements were taken from three distinct areas with different environmental characteristics. The study included 63 A. clausi individuals, comprising 36 females and 27 males. The study encompassed the microstructure of the mandible and the contents of the gut, providing new data on its feeding conditions and behavior under the influence of various environmental factors. A. clausi was found to be an omnivorous species with a mixed diet consisting of diverse phytoplankton and zooplankton.

Keywords: The dietary spectrum, Mandible, Gut Content, Environmental Factors, Acartia Clausi.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Hanadi Al-Saloum^1*

1 General Feed Corporation, Hama Branch.
(*Corresponding author: Hanadi Al-Saloum, Email: hanadealsalum@gmail.com).

Received: 3/ 11/ 2025         Accepted: 4/ 1/ 2026

Abstract: 

The study aims to determine the values of the factors influencing the economic profitability derived from the cultivation and production of irrigated durum wheat in Syria during the period 2013–2020, and to assess the efficiency of its cultivation and production, both from an economic perspective and from the viewpoint of farmers. In addition, the study examines the development of production and economic indicators over the same period. To achieve these objectives, data relevant to the topic were obtained from the 2020 Annual Agricultural Statistical Bulletin. The results indicated that the cultivation and production of irrigated durum wheat in Syria are economically viable. The overall economic efficiency and total commercial efficiency were estimated at approximately 2.11 and 3.25, respectively, while the marketing efficiency reached around 95.34%. The total economic profit increased during the period 2017–2020 compared to 2013–2016, with a growth rate of 562.1%. The decline in yield per cultivated unit area and the increase in production costs contributed to reducing the achieved economic profit by about 83.84% and 55.77%, respectively. Conversely, the increase in the farm-gate price per unit weight raised the economic profit by approximately 1233.97%. The study recommends reducing overall production costs—particularly the costs of chemical fertilizers – and enhancing the productivity per unit of cultivated area for this crop.

Keywords: Irrigated durum wheat, efficiency, economic profitability, Syria.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Noura Jamal^1*

1 Dept. of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Latakia University, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Noura Jamal, Email: noura.jamal@latakia-univ.edu.sy, nouraaimjamal87@gmail.com, mob.: 0940722518).

Received: 26/ 9/ 2025       Accepted: 12/ 1/ 2026

Abstract: 

This research was conducted in the laboratories of the Food Sciences Department at the Faculty of Agricultural at Lattakia University during 2025. It aimed to study the extent of the effect of different types of aromatic plant powders (rosemary, anise, and marjoram) on some of the sensory properties of biscuits to determine the best mixtures, then conduct rheological tests for the dough and physical and chemical tests for the resulting biscuits, The biscuits were prepared using oats and wheat flour in a 1:1 ratio and a mixture of three different ingredients (rosemary, anise, and marjoram), and the maximum replacement ratios of each powder were determined based on the results of preliminary experiments. The Simplex Lattice Mixture Design (SLMD) was used to determine the effect of blends on the sensory characteristics of the produced biscuits, which included color, odor, texture, taste, bitter aftertaste, and overall acceptability. It was found that the optimum values for the mixture used for produced biscuit based on the maximum values of sensory characteristics were 0.125% rosemary, 1.525% anise and 0.85% marjoram. According to this mixture in theory, the color was 8.01, the odor was 7.79, the texture was 8.00, the taste was 7.70, the bitter aftertaste was 7.47 and the overall acceptability was 7.55. Experimentally perspective, the color was 7.8, the odor was 7.6, the texture was 7.90, the taste was 7.40, the bitter aftertaste was 7.5 and the overall acceptability was 7.6. When determining the physical characteristics of the resulting biscuits, which were represented by the spread ratio, it was noted that there were no significant differences between resulting biscuits and the control sample, while on the other hand, an increase in phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity was noted in the produced biscuits.

Keywords: Oatmeal, rosemary, anise, marjoram, Simplex Lattice Mixture Design (SLMD).

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Roula Bayerli¹ and Nour AL Qabbani^2*

¹ Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University, Syria.                                         

(*Corresponding author: Nour Al Qabbani, Email: nqabbani84@Gmail.com, 0947729325)

Received: 25/11 /2025                Accepted:4 /03 / 2026

Abstract: 

The present study was carried out in the green houses of Al-Adawi area of the Damascus Governorate, Syria, during the period from 2024-2025, to study the effect of foliar spraying treatments with Potassium humate (0, 2, 4, 6 ml/l), amino acids (0, 2, 4, 6 ml/l) and seaweed extract(0, 50, 100, 200 g/L) on the growth and productivity of pea plant hybrid Otterloo. The study contains 10 treatments with 5 replicates for each treatment. Data was calculated using Simple Random Design. Foliar application with Potassium humate at 6 ml/l resulted in highest plant height (80.85 cm). Moreover, foliar application of seaweed extract at 200 g/l resulted in the highest values (5.20,  48.30 cm2, 19.18, 6.33, 10.56 cm, 145.89 kg/donum  for number of brunches/ plant, leaf area, number of pods/ plant, number of seeds/ pod, pod length, and productivity respectively) were observed when sea weed extract was foliar sprayed at 200 g/l. The lowest values for the morphological and productivity parameters were recorded in control plant.

Keywords: Pea, Potassium humate, amino acid, seaweed extract, growth, productivity.

 Full paper in English: PDF