Genetic Analysis of Some Productivity Traits and Earliness in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Rawaa El-Shiekh Attiea*⁽¹⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rawaa El-Shiekh Attiea. E-Mail: dr. rawaa3@gmail.com).

Received: 12/11/2019 Accepted: 31/12/2019

Abstract

Genetic potential, combining ability, heterosis effects and heritability were studied in F1 genotypes of Gossypium hirsutum L., at Cotton Research Station in Deir Ezzor, Syria. Four parental genotypes (Aleppo 33/1 (P₁), Deir Ezzor 22 (P₂), Line 106 (P₃) and Line G73 (P₄)) and their six F1 half diallel progenies were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2011 season to study seed cotton yield (S.C.Y.kg/don.); lint percentage (L.P.%) and earliness percentage (E.P.%). Results showed significant (p≤0.01) differences among the genotypes, parents and crosses for seed cotton yield and lint percentage. Significant (p≤0.05) differences were observed for parent vs. crosses indication to average heterosis over all hybrids for the above two traits. For earliness, insignificant differences were showed among genotypes, crosses and parent vs. crosses, but significant (p≤0.05) differences were showed among parents. Results indicated that best genotypes which performed highest mean and general combining ability were: lines 106 and G73 for seed cotton yield; Deir Ezzor 22 for lint percentage and Aleppo 33-1 for earliness percentage. Thus, it could be suggested that these parental varieties could be utilized in a breeding program for improving these traits to pass favorable genes for improving hybrid and subsequently producing improved genotypes through the selection in segregating generations. Best crosses based on mean performance and/or heterosis and/or specific combining ability were Aleppo 33-1*G73 followed by Aleppo 33-1*line 106 for seed cotton yield; Aleppo 33-1*G73 for lint percentage and Line 106*G73 for earliness percentage. Suggesting that these crosses could be used in breeding program to improve such traits. On the other hand, results showed high value of H²_b % and low value of H²_n%for seed cotton yield, ascertained that dominance effects had great role in the existence of the variability of this trait, which insure that the expected gain from recurrent back crossing for seed cotton yield would be high in the breeding program. However, estimates of H²_b % and H²_n% for both of lint percentage and earliness percentage were high. Theses convergence of narrow and broad heritability values revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions played important roles in the inheritance of these two above traits, so breeding program should contain selection and hybridization for improving these traits.

Kay words: Cotton, Combining ability, Heterosis, Heritability.

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The Effect of Feeding Chrysoperla carnea Steph Adults with Some Nutritional Diets on Some of its Life and Reproduction Characteristics

Ammar Jloud^*(1) Nawal Kakeh⁽²⁾ Nayef Alsalti⁽²⁾ and Munir Alnabhan⁽³⁾

(1). Hama Center for Rearing Natural Enemies, Directorate of Agriculture, Hama, Syria.

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

(3). Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Hama, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ammar Jloud. E-Mail: a.jloud85@gmail.com).

Received: 02/11/2019 Accepted: 18/12/2019

Abstract

Green lacewing predator(Chrysoperla carnea) is polyphagous predator. It is currently mass-reared and used in biological control of insect pests. The experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions at 25±2°C and 65±5% RH at Hama Biological Control Center, during 2017, to find out a better and high efficiency nutritional diet for mass-rearing of adult of C. carnea. Four adult diets were tested under the laboratory conditions. Fertility, larval period, pupal period and adult longevity were studied. The results showed that the 1^st diet that contained of water, honey, yeast and pollen in a ratio of (9:3:1:1) respectively was better than all other diets, that contain a ratio of (1:1:1/ 6:2:1/ 9:3:1) of water, honey and yeast respectively. When the adults fed on 1^st diet the fertility of females was 409.33 eggs, larval period was 9.92 days, pupal period was 7.92 days and longevity of female and male were 51.5, 38.5 days.

Key words: Nutritional diets, Adult, Chrysoperla carnea.

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First Documented Record of Dogtooth Grouper Epinephelus caninus (Valenciennes, 1834), Perciformes, Serranidae, in the Syrian Marine Waters

Adib Ali Saad*⁽¹⁾ Ahmad Kamel  Solaiman⁽²⁾ and Hasan Haitham Alkusairy⁽¹⁾

(1). Marine Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Adib Ali Saad. E-Mail: adibsaad52@gmail.com).

Received: 02/05/2018 Accepted: 01/10/2018

Abstract

In this work, the first documented record of dogtooth grouper Epinephelus caninus in the Syria coast. A specimen (181 mm TL) was captured on 20^th February 2018 using a trap-net at a depth 30 m. The capture site was located 50 m off coast of Tartous city (35° 91´ E, 35° 87´ N). The identification of the present specimen of Epinephelus caninus was based on morphological features, colour, and morphometric measurements and meristic counts.

Keys words: Syrian coast, Eastern Mediterranean, Epinephelus caninus, First record.

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Influence of Cultivar and Harvest Date on the Productivity and Qualitative Characters of Apple Molasses

Bayan Mohammad Muzher^*(1) Ola Tawfeek Al-Halabi⁽¹⁾ and Anton Salim Anton⁽²⁾

(1). Pome and Grapevine Research Division, Horticultural Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Fruits Physiology Lab, Horticultural Department, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Bayan Muzher. E. mail: bmuzher@hotmail.com).

Received: 05/11/2018 Accepted: 16/12/2018

Abstract

The present research was carried out at Pome and Grapevine Division and Horticultural Department in General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) during 2011 and 2012 seasons to study the effect of cultivar and harvest date on the productivity and qualitative characters of apple molasses. Apple fruits were collected from Golden delicious, Starking delicious and Stark rimson cultivars in two harvest dates 5/10 and 5/11. Apple molasses was manufactured and stored in normal room temperature for one year. Results showed that the second harvest date significantly produced more quantity of molasses than the first one in all studied cultivars, and Golden delicious cultuvar revealed highest productivity (7.4 Kg apple fruits/1 Kg molasses), while Starking delicious cultivar revealed the highest productivity than the two studied cultivars in the first date (11.1 Kg apple fruits /1 Kg molasses). Chemical analysis of molasses showed that the second harvest date showed the highest content of TSS, TS, and titratable acidity in all cultivars compared with the first one, and Starking delicious molasses revealed the highest content of TSS and TS (74.75% and 64.37%, respectively) in comparison with the two other cultivars. The results indicated that after one year of storage, there were no significant differences in the color, flavor and chemical components of molasses. Consequently, apple molasses as a new product characterized by good qualitative characters.

Key words: Apple, Molasses, Total soluble solids, Total sugars.

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Effect of Some Plant Growth Hormones on Buds Formation and Callus Induction of Nasturtium Officinale R.Br. in vitro

Daniel Al-Awad⁽¹⁾ Maysaa Yazigi⁽¹⁾ and Reem Ebraheem^*(1)

(1). Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Tishreen university, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Reem Ebraheem, E-mail: ribraheem66@yahoo.com).

Received: 02/04/2018 Accepted: 19/06/2018

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of some plant growth hormones on the shoots formation and callus induction of Nasturtium officinale R.Br, in vitro. All experiments were carried out at the laboratory of Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Tishreen University during 2016 and 2017. Seedlings were grown on MS medium, then 0.5-1 cm of stem nodes were planted on the MS nutrient medium with 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/l of the cytokinin Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP). Stem nodes, leaves and petioles of leaves were planted on MS medium with various concentrations (1, 2) mg/l of the auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) in combination with various concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1) mg/l of BAP. The cultures were maintained in growth incubator at temperature 25±2 °C with a photoperiod of 16 hours light (2500-3000 lux) and 8 hours dark. The results showed that MS medium with 0.1 mg/l or 0.5 mg/l BAP was the best to propagate buds, where the average number of shoots ranged between 14-15, and some shoots formed roots. The MS medium supplement with 1mg/l of 2,4-D in combination with 0.5 mg/l BAP was the best medium for callus induction from all parts of the plant, and the stem nodes were the best plant parts used to form callus on MS medium in most of hormone concentrations; stem nodes recorded best rates of callus formation 83.75% then the petioles of leaves was 75% and the leaves was 66.75%, on the best medium.

Keywords: Nasturtium officinal R.Br, Tissue culture, Auxin, Cytokinin, Callus.

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Effect of Humic Acid Spray on Morphological and Yield Traits **of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) Var. Babylon Under Al-Hasaka Conditions**

Abboud Hamoud Aljasim^*(1)

(1). Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Furat University.

(*Corresponding author: E-Mail: abboudaljasim@gmail.com).

Received: 12/04/2018 Accepted: 06/07/2018

Abstract

The research was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture in Al-Hassaka governorate during 2016 and 2017 seasons. RCBD design with three replications was used. The aim was to study the effect of spray with humic acid on morphological traits and yield of Babylon cucumber variety in different growth stages in an average of three sprays at the fourth real leaf stage, then after 10 days for each spray. Three concentrations of humic acid were used i.e. 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm. The results showed that humic acid improved morphological traits of leaves, where the leaf length reached (18.33) cm, the width was (20) cm when humic acid was sprayed with 1500 ppm, while leaf length and width were 17.67 and 19 cm when sprayed with 500 ppm. The fruit length was (13.72 and 12.78) cm when humic acid sprayed with 1500 and 1000 ppm respectively. There was a significant increase most productivity traits when the concentrations 1000 and 1500 ppm were used compared to other treatments, where the fruit weight was (98 and 94 g) respectively, and the productivity was (4133 and 3498) kg/d respectively.

Key words: Humic acid, Cucumber, Morphological traits, Productivity.

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**The Effect of Growth Regulators, Time Collecting and Type of Cutting on Rooting of Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis( Male Trees Cuttings**

Imad Bilal^*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Imad Bilal. E-Mail: imad-b@arabscientist.org).

Received: 06/06/2018 Accepted: 07/09/2018

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Latakia, during (2011-2013) to study the propagation of male kiwi trees by wooden cuttings. Two dates for collecting cuttings (January and February) from kiwi trees were selected. On every date, the cuttings were divided into three groups according to cutting location on the shoot (basal, middle and apical). The NAA and IBA regulators were applied at two concentrations (5000, 6000 ppm). In addition, there were four treatments of the mixture of both growth regulators. The cuttings were planted within the glasshouse for 60 days under sprinkle irrigation conditions. Then, the effect of cutting collection date, cutting location on shoot and the concentration of growth regulators on; number of rooted cuttings, total number of roots, average root weight and volume, and average shoot weight and volume. The results showed that the first date (end of January) is more significant than end of February according to weight and volume of both root and shoot, also in number of rooted cuttings, where the rooting ratio was 64.9%, 54.3% respectively. According to cutting location on the shoot, the middle and basal cuttings were significantly increased in term of root weight (20.31 g, 19.81g), while the apical cutting was 15.55 g. According root volume, the result was 20.55cm³– 20.06 cm³ and 15.57 cm³ for apical cuttings. The NAA and IBA growth regulators showed different effect; where NAA was significantly superior to IBA, and the mixture treatments in terms of the average number of roots/cuttings. While IBA and the mixture treatments were significantly superior over NAA in terms of shoot weight and volume. The treatment with the mixture (IBA3000 + NAA3000 ppm) was significantly superior to the other treatments in terms of the average weight and volume of the roots. The treatment with the mixture (IBA1500 + NAA1500 ppm) was significantly superior to the other treatments in terms of the number of rooted cuttings by rooting (75%) compering to the control (28%).

Keywords: Kiwi (actinidia chinensis ), Collecting cutting dates, Wooden cuttings, Rooting, Male trees, Plant growth regulators.

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The Influence of IBA Auxin on Stem Cuttings Rooting of Some Prunus cerasia Blanche Shrubs

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

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

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

Received: 09/07/2018 Accepted: 16/09/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out in 2017 on twenty-four shrubs of Prunus cerasia Blanche naturally prevailing in 12 sites in the Syrian coast to determine the ability of their stem cuttings to rooting after treatment with different concentrations of IBA (Indole-3 Butyric Acid): 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm and the control. The findings showed that treatment (2000) ppm was the most significant and giving the highest rooting percentage, number of roots and root length for both wood and semi-wood cuttings. The shrubs LK1 and LK2 from Kassab location gave the best results for rooting of wood and semi-wood cuttings. LK1 shrub gave the highest rooting percentage, number of roots and root length for wood cuttings at concentration of 2000 ppm (26.66%, 4.33 root/cutting, 4.85 cm respectively). As for semi-wood cutting, the highest rooting percentage was for LK1 and LK2 shrubs at concentrations of (2000 and 4000) ppm (33.33)%, while the highest number of roots was for LK2 cuttings at concentration of (2000) ppm (6.19) root/cutting, and the highest root length was for LK1 cuttings at concentration of (2000) ppm (6.63) cm.

Key words: Wild plum, Stem cuttings, Prunus, IBA.

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**Some Biological Aspects of Golden Fish Carassius auratus from Tigris River, Tikrit/Iraq**

Ameer Suood Alwan^*(1) and Nehad Khorseed Wahab⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture. Iraq.

(2). Animal production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ameer Suood Alwan. E-Mail: ameer.suood@yahoo.com).

Received: 02/07/2019 Accepted: 02/10/2019

Abstract

Some biological aspects of golden fish Carassius auratus from Tigris River within Tikrit region studied from September 2013 to June 2014. Two hundred twenty-two fish (twenty-five males and one hundred ninety-seven females), their total length ranged from 11.5 to 29.0 cm and their total weight ranged between 19.36 to 399.76 g were caught. Regression coefficient (b) for the logarithmic relationship between length and weight was 3.22, 3.28 and 3.20 for males, females and both sexes, respectively. Condition factor (K) was 1.48, 1.50 and 1.49 for males, females and both sexes respectively. Condition factor increased with length for fish and differ between months. The highest gonad somatic index for males was 3.57 and it valued for females 9.24 in February. The spawning period extended from February to June. Sex ratio (males: females) tended toward females by 1:7.88 as well as in all months of the study, which ranged from 1:2.33 in October and 1:17 in May. The smallest mature male was 15 cm but for female it was 12.9 cm. The actual fertility ranged from of 1719 to 22185 eggs with average 7091 eggs and relative fertility ranged from 24.07 to 162.75 with an average of 92.57 g.

Key words: Biology, Carassius auratus, Tigris River, Tikrit, Iraq.

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Value Chain analysis of Production Units of Fancy Molasses from Sugarcane in Minya Governorate, Egypt

Harb El. Hasseen El-Bardisy*⁽¹⁾ and Mohamed Najy Bakr⁽¹⁾

(1). Agricultural Economics Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azher University at Assiut, Assiut, Egypt.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Harb El. Hasseen El-Bardisy. E-Mail: harb.ahmed@azhar.edu.eg).

Received: 17/10/2019 Accepted: 06/11/2019

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the value chain of fancy molasses production units by analyzing the business activities in the value chain, measuring job opportunities and identifying the main problems that affec the different actions in value chains of the production units in Egypt (the juicers). The study showed that there were idle capacities in the units of production estimated about 13 thousand tons annually during the period (2009/2010-2017/2018), which represented about 26% of the available production capacity, and there was an increase in the exports of fancy molasses or black honey during the study period at an annual rate did not prove statistically significant which estimated 0.25 tons. It was found that the most important stages of increasing chain value which need to focus on is the process of collecting reeds due to its high costs, which is estimated about 563 pounds/ton cane on average, and the estimated cost of producing per quintal (45 kg) of fancy molasses was about 210.50 pounds/quintal, which was considered the weighted selling price at which costs were equal to revenue. The study showed that final markets for sugar cane honey were represented in three main markets i.e. wholesale markets which accounted 74.51% of the total domestic market, retail markets which accounted 15.92% and street vendors which accounted 6.9%. The average of profit of wholesalers is about 828 pounds/quintal, which is more than 3 times of the value of buying a quintal in a wholesale price (270 g/quintal), and retailers earned about 729 pounds/quintal, which is more than twice of the value of buying a quintal in retail price (360 g/quintal) and street vendors earned about 759 pounds/quintal, which represented 1.9 times the purchase price. It was found that one fancy molasses quintal produced from honey cane provides about 0.25 job opportunities, and the average of net profit of quintal is 81.40 pounds/quintal for the sugar cane production units. The average cost per quintal of the study sample is 210.5 pounds/quintal. The price of sugar cane honey is increasing with the product movements throughout the supply chain, starting from the unit sale to the surroundings for 261 pounds/ quintal, 270 pounds/quintal for wholesalers, 360 pounds/quintal for retailers and 382.5 pounds/quintal for street vendors. The product price represented a very low percentage of the consumer price, which estimated 24% for wholesalers, 32% for retailers and 34% for street vendors. The recommendations were to develop production processes, especially inputs for small units and to focus on activities that generate chain value-added, and finance through wholesale markets, also the State adoption of the problems of producers and work on them, particularly during the period of production and marketing of the product which are considered as income-generating activities for medium level families, besides providing food for low-income people.

Key words: Value chain, Fancy molasses, production units, Production and manufacturing activities, Economic and marketing performance.

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