Lunar Agriculture in the Books of Arab Agriculture Between ‎the Centuries (6-12H/ 12-18 AD)‎

Fatema AbdAlrahman^*(1) and Mohammed Hisham AlNaasan⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Applied Science History, Institute of Arab Scientific Heritage, Aleppo University. Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Fatemaa Abraman. E-Mail: fa573507@gmail.com).

Received: 03/12/2018 Accepted: 26/01/2019

Abstract

The research aimed to focus on the genius of Arab agriculture scientists in the field of meteorology; the linkage between the cosmic aspects to an important aspect of agriculture, to determine the best dates for sowing the seeds of plant and the cultivation of leaf, vegetative and root crops, and the best date for conducting the agricultural practices such as pruning, weeding, irrigation and harvesting, according to the moon phase, i.e. the phases of lunar shining, Badr and Mehaq and between them from the first, second and third quadrants, in addition to correlate with the ascending and descending moon track to achieve the best results in accelerating and improving growth, concentration of aromatic oils in the vegetative parts of aromatic leafy plants and increasing the active ingredient in medicinal plants. When the moon in the ascending track it sends magnetic energy that attracts the plant’s juices and concentrates it in the peripheral parts, so the active ingredients increased, and it considered the best time to take the peripheral parts. On the other hand, when the moon is in the descending track in front of the towers, the moon sends energy that affects the roots and stimulates their activity, and it considered the best time for irrigation, where the root absorption of water is increased and therefore the quantities of waste water can be saved. Because of the importance of this subject, it was studied by the agriculture scientists in the period of time between the two centuries (6-12HD/ 12-18AD), and it was found that they had preceded the scientists of the west and modern science. The Arab scientist were the first who talked about it, and Ibn-Al- Awam Aladalusi of the century (6HD/12AD), was the pioneer in this field, he explained the reality of what the scholars of agriculture had said by the comparison of their theories with the theories of modern science, namely the tidal mechanism and Newton’s physical laws.

Key words: Lunar agriculture, Moon phases, Arab agriculture book, Agricultural heritage.

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The Effect of Grafting Method and Initial Compatibility of ‎Grafting between some Prunus cerasia Blanche and Almonds ‎Cultivars

Mohammad Nizam^*(1)Haitham Ismael⁽²⁾and Hafez Mahfoud⁽³⁾

(1). Latakia Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(2). Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(3). Department of Biotechnology Research, GCSAR, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Nizam. E-Mail: mohammad.nizam85@hotmail.com).

Received: 21/07/2019 Accepted: 09/09/2019

Abstract

The research was carried out during 2017 and 2018 on 24 shrubs of Prunus cerasia Blanche which naturally prevailing on 12 sites in the Syrian coast, to determine the initial compatibility of a collection of almonds cultivars (plum, peach and apricot) and P. cerasia rootstock. The findings showed that the plum cultivar was more significant (at 5% level) than apricot and peach cultivars in terms of grafting survival percentage, average length and thickness of annual shoots for both tongue grafting and T-budding methods. In addition, the apricot cultivar was more significant than peach cultivar in terms of grafting survival percentage and shoots length. The peach was more significant than studied apricot cultivar in terms of average of shoots thickness. LK1 and LK2 in Kassab location showed the best grafting results, where the grafting survival percentage, average shoot length and thickness were the highest for grafting with plum cultivar (86.66%, 48.16 cm, 3.9 mm) and (100%, 57 cm, 6.16 mm), respectively for both grafting methods.

Key words: Wild plum, Grafting method, Degree of compatibility.

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Study the Productivity and Qualitative Characteristics of ‎Grafting Muskmelon Palmeta F1 on Some Pumpkins ‎Rootstocks in Al-Ghab Region

Bassam Ibrahim Alsayed^*(1) Ahmad Majed Jalloul⁽¹⁾ and Nasr and Sheikh Suleiman⁽¹⁾

(1). Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(٭Corresponding author: Eng. Bassam Ibrahim Alsayed. E-mail: bsssa2014@gmail.com).

Received: 07/12/2018 Accepted: 31/01/2019

Abstract

This research was carried out at Al-Ghab, Hama Province, during the two agricultural seasons 2016 and 2017, to study the effect of some rootstocks on productivity quantitatively and qualitatively. The experimental design was randomized completely blocks design. The hybrid muskmelon Palmeta F1 was grafted on three rootstocks namely; Forza F1, Jawad F1, and Lagenaria siceraria. Mol, in addition to the control, and each treatment replicated 4 times. The results showed that grafting contributed to a significant increase in the average of total productivity and marketing, which attained the highest values in the plants grafted on pumpkin rootstock Lagenaria siceraria. Mol (5.85, 5.29 tons/dunum) compared to the control (2.33, 1.98 tons / dunum), respectively. Also, the grafted plants showed a significant increase in the thickness of the cortex, the size of the seed cavity and the firmness of the fruits. The chemical content of the fruits showed a significant decrease in the ratio of dry matter and total soluble solids of the plants that were grafted on the Jawad F1, and pumpkin Lagenaria siceraria. Mol rootstocks compared with the control and the plants that were grafted on Forza F1 rootstock. While the fruits of the grafted plants had high content of vitamin C compared to the control which gave the lowest value (12.49 mg/100 g).

Keywords: Muskmelon, Grafting, Rootstocks, Productivity, Vitamin C.

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The Effect of IBA (Indol-3-Butyric Acid) Treatment on ‎Rooting of Some Damask Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) ‎Rootstock Genotypes

Tharwat Salim Khaddour^*(1) Hafiz Mohammad Mahfouz⁽¹⁾ and Mazen Ali Nassour⁽²⁾

(1). Scientific Agricultural Research Center of Lattakia, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Tharwat Saleem Redwan. E-Mail: tharwat.redwan@yahoo.com).

Received: 26/06/2019 Accepted: 27/09/2019

Abstract

This study was conducted at glasshouse of ACSAD  nursery in Lattakia, during (2018 and 2019) using four genotypes of Rosa damascene (RD1, RD2, RD3 and RD4) treated with three different concentrations of IBA i.e.500, 1000 and 2000 ppm in addition to the control treatment 0 ppm, in order to determine the best concentration of IBA. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with two factors in four replicates. The results indicated that the use of  IBA encouraged the rooting at different rates according to the genotype and the concentration of IBA. Treatments (1000 and 2000) ppm were significantly higher than the other treatments in rooting rate (%(89.8- 88.27 respectively. The response of the rootstocks to IBA differed according to the studied genotypes. Genotypes RD1 and RD2 were superior when treated with 2000 ppm concentration in root percentage (90.2- 90.3)%, callus creation (80- 81)%, root number (8 and 8.1) and root length (5.41 and 5.4) cm respectively.

Keywords: Rosa damascena, Propagation, rootstock, Auxin IBA, Genotypes.

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Effect of Pruning and Foliar Spray with Nutritious Solution ‎‎(Huzone) on Quality of Watermelon Fruit (Niagara cv.) Under ‎the Conditions of Deir Al-Zour Governorate

Fawaz Al-haji Abboud⁽¹⁾ Ibrahim Al-Shetewi⁽¹⁾ and Nada Huseen ALAmeir^*(1)

(1). Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alfurat University, Deir Al-Zour, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Nada Huseen ALAmeir. E-Mail: nadaa10074@gmail.com).

Received: 16/11/2018 Accepted: 29/01/2019

Abstract

The research was carried out during 2017 and 2018 at a private farm in Deir Al-Zour in Agawat area on red watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) Niagara cultivar. The aim was to study the effect of different methods of pruning and foliar spray with nutritious solution on the quality of watermelons fruit by using different concentrations of the nutrient solution (Husone) (0, 2, 4 and 6) cm³\l per plant. The first time of spray was at the second real leaf formation, and the second spray was at the beginning of , while the third application was before two weeks of fruits maturity. Four pruning methods were followed, the first (A) was to keep three stems per plant and keep one fruit in each stem, the second (B) was to keep four stems per plant and keep one fruit in each stem, the third (C) was to keep five stems per plant and keep one fruit in each stem, and the control (without pruning). The experiment was laid out according to RCBD (factorial) with four replications. The results showed that there was a significant effect of pruning and Husone concentration in all studied traits. The control (without pruning) and the concentration of 0 cm³/L achieved the highest percentage of moisture in the fruits, which attained (94-93.6%) for the first and second seasons respectively, while the lowest value was when the plants pruned with four branches and sprayed with a concentration of 6 cm /L of Husone. The highest value of soluble solids was achieved when using the pruning method (A) with a concentrations of (4 and 6) cm³/L for the first and second seasons, while the lowest value was attained in the control which was not sprayed with Husone and reached (0.10 and 0.11%) for the first and second seasons, respectively. The results showed that the interaction between the pruning and Husone concentrations had a clear effect on the content of ascorbic acid in fruits, which reached the highest content when using the pruning method (A) with a concentration of 6 cm³/L (9 and 9.8 mg/100 g) for the first and second seasons respectively. The values decreased significantly in the control which was not sprayed with Husone. The highest fruit weight was achieved when using the pruning method (A) with a concentration of 4 cm³/L (9 and 10.7 Kg/fruit) for the first and second seasons respectively. while the lowest value was attained in the control which was not sprayed with Husone and reached (4.4 and 5 Kg/fruit) for the first and second seasons, respectively.

Key words: Watermelon, Nutrient solution (Huzone), Pruning, Fruits quality.

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Relationship of the Polymorphisms Resulted from Point ‎Mutations (G2572T and G2688C) on the HSP70 Gene with ‎the Productive Traits of Holstein Cows

Bashar Adham Ahmad*⁽¹⁾ and Wasan Jassim Al-Khazraji⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, Diyala University, Iraq.

(2). Department of Animal Production, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Bashar Adham Ahmad. E-Mail: basharadh83@gmail.com).

Received: 27/02/2020 Accepted: 29/03/2020

Abstract

The research was conducted at Taj Al-Nahrain Cows Station, located in Al-Qadisiya Governorate, Diwaniya District, which is 180 km from the center of Baghdad, for the period (19/3/2018 to 20/3/2019) and molecular genetic analyzes were conducted at the laboratory of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad. The samples were sent to the Korean Macrogen Corporation to read the sequence of nitrogenous bases for the HSP70 gene, and the relationship between the genetic variation caused by the two mutations was examined with the traits of milk (daily milk production, total milk production, peak production, persistence of production and length of milk season) and milk components (fat ratio, non-fat solids, density, protein ratio and lactose ratio) and the heat tolerance coefficient (summer heat tolerance coefficient, autumn heat tolerance coefficient, winter heat tolerance coefficient and general heat tolerance coefficient). The results showed the presence of the first mutation (G2572T) in three genotypes (GG=26 GT=14 TT=13) and allele frequency of (G 0.62 and T 0.38), while the second mutation (G2688C) appeared in two genotypes (GG=50 GC=3) and allele frequency of (G 0.97 and C 0.03), and the first mutation (G2572T) did not show significant effect on milk production traits, but significantly affected the fat ratio, where the individuals which were carrying the mutant genotype TT were superior. While the wild genotype GG significantly surpassed the two genotypes GT and TT in non-fatty solids, density, protein ratio and lactose ratio and the autumn and winter heat tolerance coefficient and general heat tolerance coefficient. The second mutation (G2688C) had no significant effect in the all traits.

Key words: Cow Holstein, Heat tolerance coefficient, Gene HSP70.

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Protection of Nephrotoxicity Caused by Anti-Cancer Agents in ‎Hamster Using Some Nutrition Compounds

Fadi Al-Mohammad^*⁽¹⁾ and Amad Hamdi Mokresh⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hamah University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Fadi Al-Mohammad. E-mail: fadi71985@gmail.com).

Received: 06/09/2019 Accepted: 17/10/2019

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on (108) of adult hamsters, at the laboratory of pathology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Hama, with the aim of studying the effect of honey, ginseng and vitamin E on nephrotoxicity after peritoneal injection of anti-cancer agents (doxorubicin and cisplatin) in hamsters, and to determine the extent of preventive effect for these materials on nephrotoxicity. The ages of hamster ranged from 3.5 to 4 months and their weights between 60-70 grams. The experimental animals were divided into nine groups, (12) hamsters in each group, according to the following: G1 (control), G2 (injection of anti-cancer without oral administration of any substance), G3 (anti-cancer injection + oral administration of honey), G4 (anti-cancer injection + oral administration of vitamin E), G5 (anti-cancer injection + oral administration of ginseng), G6 (anti-cancer injection + oral administration of honey and vitamin E), G7 (anti-cancer injection + oral administration of honey and ginseng), G8 (anti-cancer injection + oral administration of ginseng and vitamin E), G9 (anti-cancer injection + oral administration of honey, ginseng and vitamin E). The experiment continued for 6 weeks, after peritoneal injection of anticancer agents. Clinical symptoms were studied, and blood samples were taken from the lateral venous plexus of the eye at the end of the 6^th week to measure serum creatinine by Jaffe’s reaction method, then the anatomy of hamsters were executed to study histopathological changes of the kidney. The peritoneal injection with anti-cancer agents led to many clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, neurological disorders, loss of appetite and hair loss. The blood changes were in the form of high serum creatinine level which indicated to the damage of kidney and low glomerular filtration rate, but the histopathological changes were in the form of necrotic epithelial cells lining the renal tubules, necrosis of the renal glomerules and loss of their structure and building. It was also noted that oral administration of protective materials (honey, ginseng and vitamin E), led to the reduction of clinical symptoms, reduction of creatine levels, and preservation of the kidney histological structure in experimental animals. Therefore, The study recommends the use of these preventive materials during treatment with anti-cancer agents.

Key words: Anti-cancer agents, Nephrotoxicity, Hamster.

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Residual Effect of Some Heavy Elements in Propolis and Bees ‎Wax as an Indicator of Pollution in Latakia Governorate, ‎Syria

Vienna Hammoud^*(1) Khalil Moukayess⁽²⁾ and Liena salama⁽³⁾

(1). Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tartous University, Tartous, Syria.

(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(3). Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Vienna Hammoud. E-mail:viennahammoud@gmail.com).

Received: 19/03/2019 Accepted: 07/05/2019

Abstract

The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) in propolis and bees wax were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The samples were collected from five different locations of Latakia; Qardahah (Asitamo), Haffeh (Dabba), Jableh (Snouper), Latakia city (Al-Ramel Al-Shamali\ Autostrade of Al-Jomhouria) and Eastern Entryway to Latakia, during the spring and autumn in 2014. The results showed that there were significant differences in the concentrations of all tested elements between the locations, it was also demonstrated significant differences between the mean concentrations of all elements in propolis and bee wax except cadmium. The concentration of nickel, zinc and lead were significantly higher in propolis than bees wax, except the concentration of copper which was high in bees wax. The concentration of copper, zinc, nickel and lead was similar in both spring and autumn, unlike the concentration of cadmium in autumn (0.019 ppm) which was higher than in spring (0.009 ppm).

Key words: Bee, Propolis, Bees wax, Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Lead, Cadmium.

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Effect of Adding Pollen Palm Date to Diet on Some ‎Biochemical Blood Parameters of Japanese Quail Males ‎‎(Coturnix coturnix japonica)‎

Khalid C.K. Al-Salhie^*(1) Tarik F. Shawket⁽¹⁾ and Bashar A.M. Lehmood⁽²⁾

(1). Animal Production Department, Agriculture College, Basrah University, Iraq.

(2). The State Company for Agricultural Supplies, Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Khalid C.K. Al-Salhie. E-Mail: knnz1977@yahoo.com).

Received: 18/12/2019 Accepted: 13/03/2020

Abstract

A total of (240) of brown quail were used in the present study of one-day old. The birds were randomly distributed into five treatments. Each treatment contained 48 chicks with three replicates, each had 16 chicks. The treatments were as the following; the first (T1), the second (T2), the third (T3), the fourth (T4) and fifth (T5), which were diet on date palm pollen of (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg) for the aforementioned treatments, respectively. The results indicated a significant increase in the concentration of total protein and globulin in male serum of T3, T4 and T5 compared to other treatments. In addition, there was a significant increase in albumin concentration in the control treatment compared to other treatments. On the other hand, a significant decrease in H/L was found in the blood of T5 compared to other treatments. As well as, a significant increase in serum cholesterol, glucose, GOT and GPT were found in the control treatment compared to other treatments. It could be concluded that the addition of date palm pollens to brown quail diet increased the globulin and consequently immunity. On the other hand, the treatments decreased H/L ratio and liver enzymes (GPT and GOT).

Keywords: Quail, Date palm pollen, Blood parameters.

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Study the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of ‎Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) Pulp and Seed

Shamaail A. Saewan^*(1) Rawdhah M. Ali⁽¹⁾ Saher S. George⁽¹⁾ and Lina S. Mohammed⁽¹⁾

(1).Department of Food science, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Shamaail A. Saewan. E-Mail: shamaail@yahoo.com).

Received: 12/01/2020 Accepted: 12/03/2020

Abstract

The current study was conducted from November, 2017 to May, 2018. Tamarindus indica L. was purchased from commercial markets in Basrah city, southern Iraq. The pulp and seeds were isolated and dried separately at 40° C for 72 hours. The chemical composition was estimated. High significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for moisture, ash and carbohydrate contents between pulp and seeds. No significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for protein and lipids. 50% of ethanol solution extracts of pulp and seeds were prepared with different concentrations of (5, 25, 50, 75 and 100) mg/ml. Antioxidant activity, reducing power and FRAP (Ferric reducing/antioxidant power) were measured. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between the concentrations mentioned above and tamarind extracts (pulp and seed). High significant differences (P<0.05) were found for the concentration of 100 mg/ml of pulp extracts, while low significant differences for the concentration of 5 mg/ml of seed extract for all the mentioned tests in comparison with the standard compounds.

Key words: Tamarindus indica, Antioxidant activity, Chemical composition, Reducing power.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF