Study the Farmer’s Adoption of Agricultural Recommendations Regarding Date Palm in Wadi Al-Jah, Yemen

Ali Hassan Obaid Khalil^*(1)

(1). Agricultural Extension and Economic Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ibb University, Yemen.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Hassan Obaid Khalil. E-mail: alikhalil2@gmail.com).

Received: 12/05/2019 Accepted: 11/06/2019

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of palm date famers in Wadi Al-Jah district in Hodeida Governorate of Yemen, also, to evaluate to which extent the farmers applied the agricultural recommendations in order to increase the palm date production in the studied area. The total number of the respondent was 44 farmers who were selected randomly. A questionnaire was designed in order to fulfil the objectives of the study. The findings of study outlined that 100% farmers were not applying new techniques related to irrigation practices, 100% of them do not know an optimal quantity of irrigation water for the date palm cultivation, 97.3% were not fertilizing their date palm neither bio-fertilizers nor chemical, 80% were not practicing the recommended plant spacing and 85% were not practicing the fruit thinning. Regarding the diseases and pests of the date palm, the study also reported that 77.3% of the respondents indicated that the lesser date moth (Alhumara) was found as the first disease that affected their farms, 52.3 % were affected by the Frond borer. Moreover, the third pest is the Amitermis desertorium which the study indicated that the percentage of the infection was 29.5% of the respondents. In addition, the study revealed that 100% of farmers were not chemically treating the offshoots before planting.

Keywords: Date palm, Adoption of agricultural recommendations, Yemen.

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Analytical Study of the Most Important Factors Affecting Empowerment of Rural Women in Daraa, Syria

Fayez Jadallah Al-Mikdad*⁽¹⁾ Wael Zaki Habeeb⁽²⁾ and Hani Soleman Al-Hassoun⁽¹⁾

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

(2). Latakia Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Correspoding author: Dr. Fayez Jadallah Al-Mikdad. E-Mail: deepmokdad@yahoo.com).

Received: 20/05/2019 Accepted: 23/06/2019

Abstract

Rural women in Syria, especially those working in agriculture, have low level of access to agricultural productive resources, markets, services and finance, despite their significant contribution to agricultural work. This research aimed to identify the patterns of empowerment of rural women in Daraa Governorate in Syria and the most important factors affecting their empowerment. To achieve this objective, the research depended on data from secondary sources as well as primary data collected through a questionnaire designed to serve research objectives. The research was carried out during 2017 in Daraa Governorate (Izra’a and Al Sanamin regions). The results indicated that 76% of rural women were in the low category of the empowerment scale, with 66% of them were having poor decision-making capacity for agricultural work, 76% were having poor ownership of productive resources and 67% were suffering poor access to extension services and low level of ability to join any organization. The results indicated that 16% of the observed women were at the med level of empowerment whereas only 6% of them were at the high level of empowerment. SOWT analysis noted that women had a high level of experience in agricultural work, but were not qualified enough to manage their own enterprise. Moreover, despite considerable government interest to empower rural women, they still have little access to productive inputs.

Keywords: Empowerment, Rural Women, Social Statistics, SWOT Analysis, Daraa, Syria.

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Labor Lack and its Implications on Agricultural Production in Tartous Governorate

Leen Almukaddem*⁽¹⁾ Shaza Mayhoob⁽¹⁾ Safaa Ahmad⁽¹⁾ and Faten Edrees⁽²⁾

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

(2). Administration of Socio-Economics Research, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Leen Almukaddem. E-Mail: leeno1411@yahoo.com).

Received: 01/09/2018 Accepted: 15/10/2018

Abstract

The problem of labor scarcity is considered as a major obstacle in the agriculture sector, so this research aimed to study labor shortage, its causes and possible solutions. The study was conducted based on a random sample of 200 farmers distributed in 7 villages in Banias and Akkar Plain areas in Tartous governorate. The study showed that labor scarcity has affected the productivity of crops in almost all studied samples of farmers. The difference in the productivity of tomato crop was 4.8% and it for eggplant it was 6.7%, while the productivity of potato and peanut did not influence. The main reasons for labor scarcity were the high income provided by other non-agricultural businesses such as trade and local free jobs compared to agricultural work, seasonal agricultural work and the internal and external migration of young men. The study also showed that most farmers did not have agricultural machines that could save labor, because of the high cost of using machinery, small ownerships and lack of experience of using these machines. The study suggested that the agricultural extension should be directed toward encouraging farmers to use technologies, improving the level of living for the agricultural workers, by raising wages and establishing updated database including all the information about the agricultural workers, their wages and skills that could help in clarifying the situation of agricultural labor in Syria.

Key words: Human labor, Machinery, Agricultural production, Labor scarcity, Tartous governorates.

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Study of Genetic Variability and Traits Correlations in Some Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes under Wet and Dry Conditions in Syria

Abdullatef Ahmad Al-Assaf^*(¹⁾ Mohammad Shafik Hakim⁽²⁾ Mohammad Fadi Basmaji⁽¹⁾and Stefania Grando⁽³⁾

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

(2). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(3). International Center of Agricultural Research in Dry Area (ICARDA), Aleppo Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng: Abdullatef Ahmad Al-Assaf. E-Mail: a.alassaf74@gmail.com).

Received: 14/10/2018 Accepted: 29/11/2018

Abstract

Experiment was conducted out at Tal Hadya and Houmeimeh Stations in Aleppo Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Researche (GCSAR) during 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons. Forty-three barley genotypes were used with three replications under RCBD design. The aim of search was to study phenotypic, genetic and ecological variability, with heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations. Genotypes were evaluated for: plant height, spike length, grain number per spike, thousand kernel weight and grain yield, besides some root traits. The results showed a large variability through studied traits. The genetic and phenotypic variances were larger than ecological variance for most traits. The highest value for heritability was 91.12% for plant high. Under dry conditions, plant growth was significantly decreased as measured by all characters. The percentage of reduction, ranging from 66.96 % to 1.90 % was recorded on grain yield and kernel weight, respectively. The injury index ranging from 2,03 to 0.02 was recorded on grain yield and kernel weight, respectively. The correlation coefficients among characters were nearly the same in the wet and dry experiments. Positive and highly significant correlation (r=0.95**) was found between the percentage of reduction and injury index. Using GGE Biplot the genotypes were arranged in three, clearly separated groups that varied in their tolerance to drought stress. The genotypes: 4, 17, 16, 18 and 28 were tolerant to drought stress.

Key words: Barley, Genotypic variation, Genotypic correlation, Injury index, Drought tolerance.

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Using SSM Model to Simulate Growth of Durum Wheat “Cham 7” Under Gradual Levels of Supplemental Irrigation

Ahmad Shams Aldien Shaaban*⁽¹⁾ Ahmad Alhafez⁽²⁾ Abdullah Al-Yousef⁽²⁾ and Osama Al-Issa⁽³⁾

(1). Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Technical Engineering, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Aleppo Research Center, General Community for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(3). General Organization of Seed Multiplication, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ahmad Shams Aldien Shaaban. E-Mail: Shaabany57@gamail.com).

Received: 08/03/2018 Accepted: 05/09/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted to compare the effect of supplemental irrigation levels on some productivity traits and water use efficiency of durum wheat variety “Cham 7”, and use SSM simulation model to study the effect of supplemental irrigation scenarios on water consumption and grain yield (GY). For that, the study was carried out in two steps: the first one was a field experiment with completely randomized block design with three replications during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons at Srbaya Research Station. Three treatments of supplemental irrigation were used i.e. 33%, 66% and 95%, in addition to the rainfed treatment as a control. Water balance and water consumption were estimated depended on neutron prop readings. Yield and its components were taken at maturity. The second step was a simulation study using SSM simulation model based on daily climatic data during the period 2001-2011. The irrigation water quantities were added at rain rate at three dates according to results of field experiment. The results of field experiment showed an increase in grain yield of 72% and 59% for each season when using supplemental irrigation at 95% compared with the control. Significant differences were found in grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and weight of thousand grains for the two studied years. In addition, simulation results showed an existence of high significant differences for the studied traits. Positive regression correlation was observed between water use efficiency and GY, and between transpiration efficiency and GY. In addition, results showed that the supplemental irrigation subscribes to increase the grain yield of durum wheat crop in percentages 23.7, 40.7 and 49.2%, with increase of evapotranspiration values in a values of 21.8, 39.3 and 52% for treatments 33%, 66% and 95% respectively compared to the control (rainfed), and the increasing ratio of evaporation did not exceed 7.5% in extremes. When these ratios were transformed on country level, the adding of supplemental irrigation will increase national production of durum wheat about 201, 339 and 407 thousand tons for treatments 33%, 66% and 95% respectively compared with the control (rainfed).

Key Words: Simulation, Supplemental irrigation, Water balance, Evaporation, Transpiration Efficiency, Grain yield, Durum wheat.

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Effect of Osmotic Potential Induced by **Polyethylene Glycol (PEG₆₀₀₀) on the Germination of Five Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties**

Loubana Al-Saleh ⁽¹⁾ Bashar Hyass ⁽²⁾ and Fadi Abbas*⁽³⁾

(1). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Al Baath University, Homs, Syria.

(2). Agriculture Research Center of Homs, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Fadi Abbas. E-Mail: fadiab77@gmail.com).

Received: 01/12/2018 Accepted: 10/01/2019

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in the labs of Chemistry and Petroleum Engineering Faculty at AL-Baath University, Homs, during 2017. PEG₆₀₀₀ was applied to the germination media with low osmotic potentials (OP) i.e. 0, -3 and -6 bar, for screening 5 chickpea varieties under controlled conditions. Complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates was used. The results exhibited a genetic difference between the varieties concerning the response to the application of PEG₆₀₀₀ in the media. The germination percent was decreased with the decline of osmotic potential 0, -3 and -6 bar. The percentages of germination were 100, 93.67 and 70.73 % respectively, as compared with the control. While the speed of germination was 6.70, 4.98 and 2.22 respectively. The length of epicotyl and radicle were estimated in all of tested osmotic potentials, and the results showed that with decreasing the osmotic potential the length decreased, and the decrement in epicotyl was more than radicle. The variety Ghab5 achieved the lowest scores in growth declaim compare to the other varieties. The differences between genotypes in the response to drought stress using PEG₆₀₀₀ during germination, and the z-distribution analysis whish classified the varieties to tolerant and sensitive. Ghab5 and Ghab4 were considered as tolerant genotypes for drought stress, and could be sown successfully under the most drought conditions, compare to other varieties.

Key words: Osmotic potential, Polyethylene Glycol PEG₆₀₀₀, Germination stage, Chickpea.

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**Determination of Selection Indices in Soybeans (Glycine max L.) Genotypes under the Effect of Water Stress**

Mohamad Nael Khattab*⁽¹⁾ Nabil Habib⁽¹⁾ and Sahar Hanifa⁽¹⁾

(1). Crops Field Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohamad Nael Khattab. E-Mail: aboalabd876@gmail.com).

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

Abstract

The research was carried out in the coastal region (Ashrafieh village of Jibla district) and in the laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, during the season 2018 to study the effect of water stress on five soybeans genotypes (Sb335, Sb337, Sb339, Sb342, Sb344), to determine which of them more resistant to drought through productive indicators and their components, and to study the establishment of selectorial indices for production attributes to determine which of them can be considered as criterion for high productivity under water stress conditions. The experiment was carried out according to the split block design with three replicates. The water stress treatments were applicated in the main plots (from the beginning of the flowering stage and the beginning of the fullness of the pods), while the secondary plots included the five soybeans genotypes. Most of the studied traits showed high GCV values and were associated with a high inheritance coefficient indicating that these traits were relatively less affected by the environment. The results showed that water stress caused a significant decrease in productivity and all its studied components compared to normal irrigation treatment (control). Sb 335 genotype had the lowest reduction in all studied indicators, while the genotypes Sb 337 and Sb 344 were the most sensitive to stress. The decrease was due to the effect of water stress on the characteristics of the studied genotypes with the percentage of increase in the proline content. The productivity of seeds was positively and significant correlated with the weight of pods (r = 0.92 **) and the number of seeds per plant (r = 0.94 **). These traits showed high values of GCV, GA% and H²_B. This study indicated the possibility of using weight of pods and number of seeds per plant as selectorial criterion to improve seed productivity.

Key words: Soybeans, Water stress, Proline, Genetic variation, Correlation.

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Effect of Spraying with Humic Acids and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Some Growth and Productivity Traits of Maize **(Var. Gouta82)**

Wafaa Suleiman Khedr^*(1)

(1). Crops Field Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al Baath University, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Wafaa Suleiman Khedr. E-Mail: ghassankdr@gmail.com).

Received: 10/03/2018 Accepted: 03/10/2018

Abstract

The research was conducted during 2017season at a field in Talkalakh region in Western Area of Homs governorate. The research objectives were to study the effect of spraying humic acids 2.5cm³/l and adding nitrogen fertilizer on growth and productivity of maize variety (Gouta82). Three treatments of humic acids were used: control, one time of spraying after 15 days of planting and two times of spraying humic acids (the first one after 15 days of planting while the second one after 30 days of planting). Four levels of nitrogen fertilizer were used i.e. 0,60,90 and 120 kgN/ha. Spilt – plot design with three replications was applied. Humic acids treatment were allocated in the main plots but nitrogen fertilizer treatments were represented in the sub plots. Results showed that increasing number of spraying humic acids to two times caused an increase in: number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, plant height, ear characters, grain yield and its components. Also, increasing nitrogen fertilizer levels caused an increase in: number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, plant height, ear characters, grain yield and its components. Spraying humic acids two times and adding 120 kgN/ha gave the highest grain yield (7229.25) kg/ha.

Key words: Zea maize, Humic acids, Nitrogen fertilizer, Grain yield.

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**Effect of Sheep Dung and Phosphor Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Vicia faba L.**

Mohanad Rayed Azzam^*(1)

(1). Department of Biology, Faculty of Education for Girls, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author : Dr. Mohanad Rayed Azzam. E-mail Mohanadmokurz@gmail.com ).

Received: 11/07/2019 Accepted: 20/08/2019

Abstract

The research was carried out at farmer’s field in AL-Sofia area of Ramadi, Anbar province, Iraq, which located on the right bank of the Euphrates river during winter season 2018 to study the effect of sheep dung and phosphate fertilizer on the growth and yield of faba bean cultivar (Cyprus). Fermented sheep dung was added as a source of organic matter and at three levels (0, 3 and 5 ton/ha. As well as three levels of phosphate fertilizer (0, 50 and 75) kg P according to a factorial experiment, arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed significant differences between the levels of organic sheep dungs, and the addition of 5 ton/ha gave significantly the highest values of all studied traits: plant height, number of branches, dry weight, chlorophyll content in leaves, average weight of 1000 seeds and seed yield compared to the non-addition, which gave the lowest rates for the studied traits. While in terms of phosphor addition, the results showed significant differences between the levels of addition of phosphor on all growth and yield characteristics, and the addition of 75 kg P/ha gave the highest rates of plant height, number of branches, dry weight, chlorophyll content in leaves, average weight of 1000 seeds and seed yield, compared to non-addition. In terms of interaction, the treatments (5 ton/ha and 75 kg P/ha) and (5 ton/ha and 50 kg P/ha) were significant over all interactions in most of the studied traits.

Keywords: Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), Sheep dung, Phosphor fertilizer, Seed yield.

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**The Effect of Row Direction on the Productivity Traits of Some Sweet Corn Genotypes (Zea mays L. saccharata. sturt)**

Lubna Hydar^*(1)

(1). Crops Field Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Lubna Hydar. E-Mail: lubnanaser82@gmail.com).

Received: 07/03/2018 Accepted: 26/10/2018

Abstract

The present research was carried out at the Farms of Agricultural Secondary School in AL Salamieh city in Hama governorate during two seasons 2014 and 2015, to evaluate the productivity of four sweet corn genotypes i.e. Faihaa1, Konoz, Dimo and Mert under the effect of two row directions, in order to determine the best variety and the most suitable row direction in spring time. The results showed that yield components of north – south- row direction were higher than that of west-east-row direction. The results showed that there was significant increase in number of rows, number of grains in the row and thousand grain weight of ear under the treatment north – south- row direction. Also, the results showed that there was significant increase in number of rows and thousand grain weight in the genotype Mert compared to Konoz, Demo and Faihaa1.

Key words: Sweet corn. Genotypes, Row direction.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF