Morphological Characterization of Some Fig Genotypes in the Jabal el-Sheikh Region – Damascus Countryside Using Some Morphological and Quantity Characteristics

                 Yazn Saleh * (1) and Faisal Hamed (2)         

(1). Horticulture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria.     

(2). Prof. in Horticulture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria.                                                  

(*Corresponding Author: Yazn Saleh. Email: yzansalh96@gmail.com).

Received:   2/3/2024           Accepted:  26/6/2024

Abstract: 

This research was carried out in the village of Harfa, located in the Jabal Al-Sheikh Region of the Rural Damascus Governorate-Syria, during the two growth seasons (2022-2023/ 2023-2024). The aim of this research was to evaluate the morphological variation of six types of Fig (Ficus carica L.) spread in the Jabal Al-Sheikh Region, (Saidawi Kabir, Saidawi Sagheer, Malaki, Khudairy, Halabloub, Aswad). The morphological Characteristics were read based on the fig descriptor approved by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Some of morphological Characteristics were used to differ studied Fig sample, differentiation analysis showed significant differences, the shoot dimeter ranged between (10.3-12.5) mm, as for leaf length it ranged between (17.69-22.42) cm, the leaf width was between (10.72-13.19)cm. the Fig type Malaki leaves had the largest leaf area (291) cm2, while the leaves of Saidawi Sagheer had the smallest leaf area (227.49) cm2. The most studied fruits had the elongated shape as for the width to length ratio except two types Aswad and Khudairy which had spheric fruits. The fruits length ranged between (4.21-4.81) cm while the fruit width ranged between (3.76-4.46) cm the fruit weight was between (20.34-33.49) g. Cluster analysis divided the studied types into two main clusters, the first cluster combined (Malaki). while the second cluster combined the rest of the studied types.

Keywords: IPGRI, Fig, Ficus Carica L., Morphological Description; Quantity Characteristics.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

The physiological effect of foliar spray with urea and humic on vegetative growth and productivity of peach trees. cv.May crest

Yahya Yosof (1)

(1). Researcher, Administration of Horticulture Research, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Lattakia, Syria. Email: yahya.yosof@gmail.com)

Received:   17/4/2024         Accepted:  26/6/2024

Abstract: 

The experiment was conducted during two years (2022-2023) on Nectarine trees (May crest cv.) in beet shofan-tartous-to study the impact of different concentrations of urea and humic foliar spray and their interaction on the improvement of vegetative growth. It was found that the combined application of urea fertilizer and humus gave the highest significant effect compared to the individual application in most of the indicators studied, as the treatment (urea fertilizer at a concentration of 2 g/l + Humic 2 g/l) was superior to the rest of the treatments in terms of the average diameter of modern plants ( 0.65 mm, the percentage of dry matter in the leaves (55.22%), the percentage of phosphorus (0.32)%, and the percentage of potassium (1.85)% alcohol in the leaves, and the treatment (urea fertilizer at a concentration of 3 g/L + Humic 2 g/L) was significantly superior in terms and of the percentage of alcohol chlorophyll and in Leaves: The yield reached (1.39)% from the (urea fertilizer) treatment at a concentration of 3 g/l + Humic 2 g/l in terms of productivity (35.72) kg/tree and yield (2232.5) kg/dunum.

Keywords: Nectarine, Foliar spray, Urea, Humic.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

The effect of spraying with some plant and organic extracts on the production indicators of the Helwani grape variety and the quality of the fruits

Noufal  El-Radwan(1), Ghassan Telly(2) and Bayan Muzher (3)

(1). Postgraduate/PhD student- the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR).

(2) Research- Professor, Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture engineering, Al-Baath University.

(3) Researcher at the Pome and Grapevine Division Sweida, GCSAR.

(Corresponding Author: Noufal  EL-Radwan, Email: noufalrrr111@gmail.com )

Received:   22/2/2024         Accepted:  25/5/2024

Abstract: 

The research was carried out at Al-Mukhtariyya Research Station in Homs governate, during the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 on the grape bushes, Var. local Helwani, to study the effect of two concentrations of each of plant extracts (garlic and onion 5-10 ml/l, licorice 2-4 g/l), and organic extracts (seaweed and bake yeast 2.5-5 g/l) in some productivity indicators and grape fruits quality. Spray treatments were applied at three dates, two weeks before flowering, one week after setting, and four weeks after the second date. The experiment was designed according to a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The grapevines were mixedly pruned in mid-February, with a total wintering load of 160 eyes/grapevine. The results showed a significant superiority for yeast suspension and seaweed extract Alga 600 at both concentrations, as the amount of productivity per grapevine reached (69.73 and 74.6 kg), fruits content of total soluble solids TSS% ranged between (17.38 and 17.98 %), and the total sugars (16.19 and 16.74 %), followed by the licorice extract 2 g/l (58.83 kg/grapevin) by significant differences compared to rest of the treatments. The lowest productivity of the grapevine was in the treatments of garlic extracts at both concentrations and onion extract 10 ml/l, it ranged between (33.60 and 38.51 kg). This productivity was lower than the control treatment (42.06 kg), which achieved the hiegest significant value for the titratable acids in fruits (0.391%). Therefore, it is recommended to spray a suspension of bake yeast (2.5 g/l) on the three dates. To obtain a production estimated at approximately (42.28 kg/grapevin), as an alternative to seaweed products available in the markets due to their low costs, ease of preparation, and the absence of significant differences in production.

Keywords: Helwani grape variety, (plant, organic) extracts, production, quality of fruits.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Effect of adding broccoli extract on the quality specifications of yoghurt

Nadine Ali(1)* , Omer Zammar(2) and   Mohammed Massri(2)

(1): Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, AL-Baath University, Homs. Syria.

(2): Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, AL-Baath University, Homs. Syria

(*Corresponding author: Nadine Ali. E-Mail: nadinehasanali@gmail.com).

Received:   9/3/2024           Accepted:  23/6/2024

Abstract: 

This research aimed to enhance the antioxidant properties of yoghurt by adding aqueous extract of broccoli due to the richness of this vegetable in antioxidants and other nutrients, while adding color as an attractive factor for consumers. Accordingly, this extract was added to the yoghurt according to three concentrations (10, 15, 20)%. The physical, chemical and microbial properties of the resulting yoghurt were studied during a storage period of 14 days at a temperature of 4 °C. The pH decreased and the titratable acidity increased in all samples fortified with the addition and significantly compared to the control yoghurt sample. The most significant effect was at a concentration of 20% of the addition. Also, the phenolic content of yoghurt increased and the antioxidant activity increased with increasing concentration of the additive compared to the control yoghurt sample. The physical properties of the product improved with the addition during the cold storage period, as whey separation decreased, and the viscosity of the samples increased significantly compared to the control yoghurt sample. The addition formed a suitable medium for the growth of starter bacteria, the number of which increased significantly in yoghurt samples enriched with the addition of aqueous broccoli extract, and the number continued to increase during the cold storage period until the fourteenth day.

Keywords: broccoli, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, yoghurt, physical properties.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Assessment of the tolerance of some grapevine rootstocks to drought stress treatments using plant tissue culture technology

Mohsen*(1), Kh. AL-kountar(1), M.Amer(1) and O. Aljbaii(2)

(1). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural research, Al- Suwayda Scientific Agricultural Research Center

 (2). Damascus University

 (*Corresponding author: Wasim Mohsen, email: wasimmo6@yahoo.com )

            Received:   22/11/2024                   Accepted:  6/4/2025

Abstract: 

The research was carried out in Al-Suwayda research center during the period 2016-2019, seven American rootstocks of grapevine which is resistant to Phylloxera insect have been studied in vitro for its response to drought stress treatments, these rootstocks are775P VGVA 12, 140Ruggeri UBA05, 161 49 VGVA5, 157 11C UBA01 1103 Paulsen UBA01, Kober 5BB  UBA01, 779P UBA04. polyethylene glycol ( PEG6000 ) has been used for drought stress treatments, explants between 2-3 cm with two leaves have been planted in WPM liquid medium with ( 1mg/L Kin + 0.2 mg/L IBA + 0.2 mg/L GA3(  and added to it ( PEG6000 ) in this concentrations 0,2,4,6, and 8%, with paper bridges used to carry explants, the results were taken 60 days after planting for the rate of survival plants, shoot length, shoots number, leaves number, roots length, roots number and the extent of drought damage,   The results show a difference in rootstocks response to water stress based on the studied parameters. Progressive reduction in the studied parameters occurred as PEG6000 concentration increased compared with control., where each of the rootstocks, 140 Ruggeri, 775/p, 157/11C and Kober 5BB is the lowest decrease in most of the studied indicators. This indicates their good tolerance of the applied drought stress, while the rootstocks, 779/P 161/49 could not tolerant the drought stress well compared to the rest of the studied rootstocks, as the studied indicators decreased significantly.  The highest percentage of plants in plants was 8% PEG6000. Kober 5BB rootstock record a high level in shoots length reaching 6.78 cm on 2% PEG6000, treatment, it also recorded the average number of leaves was 7.2 leaf on the same one, while it did not register any significant difference between the control 2% PEG6000 treatment for shoots number, but for roots length it has recorded an average 9.7 cm. while 140Ruggeri did not register any significant difference between the control and the treatments for roots number excluding the treatment containing 8% PEG6000 which has recorded an average 1.01 root. drought injury varied depending on the rootstock and PEG6000 concentration, the deadest plants were observed on 8% PEG6000, the results show that Kober 5BB rootstock has the lowest level of injury degree reaching 1.3, while 161 49 rootstock has the highest level of injury degree reaching 1.8.

Keywords: American grape origins, dry stress, plant tissue transplantation.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

The relationship between rainwater, its permanent storage, and its contribution to agricultural production in latakia governorate

Muhammad Sulieman*(1), Nidal Darwish (1), Sawsan Haifa(2), and Hayan Suleman(1).

(1). Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture engineering, Latakia University, Latakia. Syria.

(2). Department of Soil and Water sciences, Faculty of Agriculture engineering, Latakia University, Latakia. Syria.

 ( *Corresponding author: Eng. Muhammad Sulieman. EmailMuhammad.suliemann@gmail.comMuhammad.sulieman@Tishreen.edu.sy  )

Received:   25/11/2024       Accepted:  23/4/2025

Abstract: 

The research was conducted in Latakia Governorate, during the year 2024, and aimed to analyze the descriptive characteristics of the water basin in Latakia governorate, assess the utilized dams, and estimate the contribution of irrigation water to agricultural production growth, based on the descriptive-analytical approach. The results indicated that the storage volume prediction equation, based on rainfall, shows that the main dams reach their maximum storage capacity (324.3 million cubic meters) when annual rainfall is 1526 millimeters/year. The relative weight of the irrigated tobacco area reached 41.2%, and the contribution of irrigation water to productivity increase was approximately 20%. The relative weight of irrigated area for eggplant, zucchini, and tomato was 99%, 92%, 85.2%, respectively. The contribution of irrigation water to productivity was about 75% for eggplant, 7% for zucchini, and 86.6% for tomato. The relative weight of the irrigated area for olives reached to 0.4%, and 23.5% for apples, while citrus is grown entirely under irrigation. The contribution of irrigation water to apple productivity was 27.7%. the research recommends utilizing the water surplus in Latakia for irrigation to enhance agricultural production, and expanding the use of modern irrigation methods to increase the contribution of irrigation water to crop productivity.

Keywords: Water– statistical analysis – Agricultural production – Dams-Latakia.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Invasive activity of the tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Swingle in Latakia Governorate

Zuheir Shater (1), Bassam Al-Saleh Al-Abed (2) and Hala Mansour*(1)

(1). Professor, Department of Forestry and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Syria.

(2). Lecturer, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Hala Mansour, hala18mansour6@gmail.com )

Received:   16/1/2024         Accepted:  2/6/2024

Abstract: 

This research aims to study the invasive activity of the tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima in Latakia Governorate, to determine the invasion risk, and to contribute to providing proposals to control it before it turns into a problem that costs the country a lot of effort and money. The spots of this species were identified through field tours that covered the governorate during the period 2022-2023. The sites where this species spread were identified and their environmental conditions (height above sea level, slope, exposure, nature of habitat) were described. The recorded spots were characterized in terms of area, number of individuals, and forest characteristics (diameters, heights, density). Four invasion severity degrees were identified based on this description. 102 spots, distributed throughout the entire Latakia Governorate, have been registered. The area of each spot ranged between 10 m2 and 25 hectares. The recorded spots were distributed from the sea level (Wadi Qandil and Ras Ibn Hani) to 1255m (Slenfe), and at various exposures and slopes. The spots were spread across six types of habitats: building sides, highway sides, home gardens, forest edges, waterways, and agricultural land. The number of spots with very high invasion risk reached 24, most of which are located in the Slenfe, while the number of spots with low risk was only 5. These results call for urgent measures to be taken by the authorities to stop the spread of this species, especially in high-risk hotspots, and to monitor other spots.

Key Words: Plant Invasive species, Ailanthus altissima tree, Environmental conditions, Plant Invasion risk.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Quantitative Estimation of Water Erosion in Wadi Attil Watershed- Swaida Using Erosion Potential Model (EPM)

Nibal Alsaleh(1)*,  Monuif Bouhasson(1)  and Sami Alhennawi(1)

(1). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research –Damscus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Nibal ALsaleh. E-Mail: nibalmalsaleh@gmail.com ).

Received:   12/2/2024         Accepted:  25/5/2024

Abstract

Water erosion is considered one of the most important problems facing agricultural soil in mountainous areas. In order to manage this problem, it is essential to estimate its rates and its spatial distribution. This study was conducted in Wady Atil watershed in western side of Jabal AL-Arab in swaida governorate south-western Syria, during the period 2017-2020. This study aims at estimate water erosion rates in the watershed, determine the spatial distribution of water erosion, and determine the factors affecting it. The study was conducted by using Erosion Potential Model (EPM), GIS, satellite data and field measurements. Results showed that water erosion rates ranged between 271.7-3172.2 m/km²/year. Meanwhile 43.8% of the watershed area was classified as severe erosion, these areas concentrated in the eastern part, 56% was classified as moderate erosion, these areas concentrated in the western part of the watershed. Results of the statistical analysis indicated that the EPM indicators combined affect water erosion rates by 83%. Rainfall has the largest role in determining erosion rates, followed by soil, slopes, vegetation, then temperature.

Keywords: water erosion, EPM, GIS, Watershed.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Reducing the concentration of phenolic compounds in Olive Mill Wastewater by cultivation of marine bacteria Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus xylosus

Mais  Zwan* (1) and  Ahmad Kara-Ali(2)

(1). Department of Marine Biology -High Institute of Marine Research- Tishreen University – Lattakia- Syria.

(2). Department of Marine Chemistry- High Institute of Marine Research – Tishreen University – Latakia- Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Mais  Zwan   E-Mail : maiszwan22@gmail.com ).

Received:   29/3/2024         Accepted:  25/5/2024

Abstract: 

The process of extracting olive oil produces toxic liquid wastes known as (OMW: Olive Mill Wastewater), which causes a serious environmental problem when disposed directly without treatment due to its high content of organic and phenolic substances. The present study aims to reduce the concentrations of phenolic compounds in OMW by cultivation the bacterial strains Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus xylosus isolated from sediment and marine porous waters respectively – from the coastal area of Latakia city – in media containing OMW with different dilutions (25, 50, 100)% at 30 oC for 30 days. After the incubation period had elapsed, the media were distilled at 157 oC and the extracts were analyzed using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at a maximum absorption wavelength of 275 nm. When B. cereus was used, a decrease in the concentrations of 2,6-dimethyl phenol, salicylic acid, and P-cresol was observed at all dilutions of OMW. It was also observed that the concentration of ferulic acid and Questeen increased, and the disappearance of chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, and vanillin with their presence in control extracts at all OMW dilutions. When using S. xylosus bacteria, there was a clear decrease in all the phenolic compounds studied, with the absence of chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid in the extracts of fermentation samples compared to their presence in control extracts. The bioremediation used in this study is low cost and has good efficacy in reducing the problem of environmental pollution caused by phenolic compounds in OMW with a clear efficacy of S. xylosus compared to B. cereus.

Keywords: Olive Mill Wastewater, Marine bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus xylosus, phenolic compounds, High performance liquid chromatography.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Biomonitoringair pollution with some heavy metals resulting from the M1 international highway using transplanted lichens.

Kamel Khalil * (1), Shahid Mostafa and (2) Rannem Aboud (1)

(1) Department of Environmental Prevention, Higher Institute for Environmental Research, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(2) Department of chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author:  kamel Khalil, d.kamelkhalil@tishreen.edu.sy ).

Received:   17/5/2024         Accepted:  8/7/2024

Abstract: 

This study aimed to monitor the state of pollution with some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) resulting from the M1 international Highway, using transplanted lichens as a Bioaccumulator of heavy metals. Therefore, samples of the Parmelia pastillifera were collected on 5/20/2022 from the Cedar – fir Reserve in the Slanfa area (Latakia city – Syria). Lichens samples were transported to the eastern side (prevailing westerly winds) of the M1 international highway at the beginning of the sixth month, 1/6/2022, to four locations at different distances from the highway (0 – 10 – 50 – 100 metres) and the transplanted lichens were hung with drilled nylon bags on trees in the sites at a height of (1.5-2) meters above the soil surface and left for 3 months (July, August, September). Concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) were estimated at the end of each month in the laboratories of the Higher Institute for Environmental Research with the aim of studying the relationship between these 4 elements. The results showed that the order of the metal content values accumulated in the transplanted lichens in the four sites and in all samples taken was as follows: zinc > copper > lead > cadmium. The metal content values were higher than the control, positive significant correlations were recorded between the studied metals. According to the values of the accumulation factor (EC ratio), the accumulation class for cadmium and copper was (severe to moderate), and the accumulation of lead (light to moderate) and zinc was (low). The studied metals recorded a negative correlation with distance (concentrations decreased with increasing distance from the highway), but it was not significant. The study concluded with the possibility of adopting the transplanted Parmelina pastillifera as a bioaccumulator to evaluate roadside pollution with heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) under the conditions of the study area.

Keywords: Transplanted Lichens, Bioaccumulator, Heavy Metal, M1 International Highway. Syria.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF