**Insects Associated with Sooty Mold Disease Alternaria alternata on Trees in Omer El-Mukhtar University Periphery, Libya**

Zahra Ibrahim El-Gali^*(1) Eman Gebreal Abdul-Raff⁽²⁾ and Kamlla Abdel-Rahim El-Wahsh⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Omer AlMuhktar University, Libya.

(2). Faculty of Natural Sources and Ecological sciences, Omer AlMuhktar University, Libya.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Zahra Ibrahim El-Gali. E. mail: zahra.ibrahim@omu.edu.ly).

Received: 10/05/2019 Accepted: 10/09/2019

Abstract

This study was conducted during the season 2017/2018 to evaluate the infection%, disease severity of sooty mold on fig, oleander and olive trees in Omer AlMukhtar University periphery, and identification of causal disease and associated insects with it, then confirmation of fungal growth on insect’s honeydew. Visits were weekly carried out from April until November during 2017/2018, and all samples were collected and checked under light microscope and stereomicroscope for insect’s observation, honeydew and fungal growth in laboratory. Also breeding of insect on tree seedlings from egg hatching until honeydew production for fungal culture on it. The results recorded that the highest infection with insects was noticed on olive trees (75.5%), followed by oleander (56.6%), then fig trees (30.3%), respectively, while, disease severity were reached to 69%, 53% and 13.5% on olive, fig and oleander respectively. The results of fungal isolation and insect’s identification showed to finding out Alternaria alternata on leaves and two suckers’ insects were correlated with sooty mold disease. Ceroplastes rusci on fig trees and Saissetia oleae on trees of olive and oleander. The fungus A. alternata had the ability for growth on honeydew on the leaf surface as mycelium and conidia without penetration their tissues.

Keywords: Sooty mold, Alternaria alternata, Insect scale, Trees, Libya.

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**Study of the Distribution of Phytophthora Species on Strawberry and Evaluation their Damages in Tartous Governorate, Syria**

Abd Alrahman Khafta^*(1)

(1). Plant Protection Department, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abd Alrahman Khafta. E-Mail: dr.khafateh54@yahoo.com).

Received: 18/10/2018 Accepted: 10/11/2018

Abstract

This study showed an increase in the damages of two fungus species of Phytophthora spp. on the sensitive genotypes of strawberry plant, at two locations (Arzona and Sefsafe) in Tartous governorate, during 2016 and 2017, which were grown in vivo. p. Cactorum which caused crown and leather rot was isolated and p. fragariae which was the causal agent of red stele root rot also was isolated on the selective medium CMA (corn meal agar) and (PARPNHB) compounds. The rate of the infection % and the severity % of red stele root rot were 16% and 5.8% in Arzona and reached 15% and 5.6 % respectively in Sefsafe. Regarding crown rot, the infection% was 13% and severity was 3.6% in Arzona, while the values reached 14% and 4.2% respectively in Sefsafe. In terms of leather rot, the infection % was 9% and severity was 3.2 % in Arzona, but the percentages accounted 8% and 3.1% respectively in Sefsafe.

Key words: Phytophthora strawberry, Crown rot, Red stele root rot, Leather rot.

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The First Record in Syria of the Heart Shaped Soft Scale Insect Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) Homoptera: Coccidae and Recording its Predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleopteran: Coccinellidae)

Rafeek Abboud^*(1) Majedah Mofleh⁽²⁾ Raeed Sbaih⁽³⁾ and Mohammad Ahmad⁽³⁾

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

(2). GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(3). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rafeek Abboud. E-Mail: abboud.rafeek@hotmail.com).

Received: 11/07/2019 Accepted: 15/08/2019

Abstract

Pyriform scale Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) (Homoptera: Coccidae) is a global spread in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the Mediterranean and the Americas. This study showed the first record of its presence in Syria in Jableh region in Latakia governorate on four different plant hosts: Laureus nobilis (Lauraceae), Myrtus communis (Myrtacea), Gardenia (Rubiaceae) and Citrus maxima (Rotaceae) in May 2019. Also, this study showed the first international record the presence of its predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleopteran: Coccinellidae) fed on eggs and nymphs of the Pyriform scale insect. The parasite Metaphychus sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was recorded too.

Key words: First record, Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell), Metaphychus sp. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, Syria.

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Interaction Between Agricultural Extension and Barley Farmers and the Most Important Problems of Production in Sweida Governorate

Safwan Abou Assaf^*(1) Bassam Al Atalah⁽¹⁾ Ghada Janoud⁽²⁾and Remal Saab⁽¹⁾

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

(2). Directorate of Agriculture and Agricultural Reform, Sweida, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Safwan Abou Assaf. E-Mail:aboassaf2011@hotmail.com).

Received: 21/06/2018 Accepted: 05/11/2018

Abstract

Agricultural policies and plans try to support barley as an important component of crop combination in Sweida governorate. The research aimed to identify the most important interactions between agricultural extension and barley farmers in Sweida governorate (located in the south of Syria), and to identify the most important problems of production facing barley farmers. To achieve these goals, different statistical tools were used including Spearman and Pearson coefficients and 4-point Likert scale. Data were collected from a random sample of barley farmers in Sweida governorate during season 2014/2015. The results revealed that interaction degree was weak in 51.74% of the sample and moderate in 30.23%. In spite of this result, there was a significantly positive relation between the interaction degree and each of: the presence of the agricultural extension unit in the village, registration in an agricultural cooperative, farmer’s age, experience in agriculture, the main work of the farmer (whether it is related to agriculture or not). The most important problems face barley production from the farmers’ point of view was the increase in labor and fuel prices. The participation of the farmer in the research and in the extension unit’s activities at all stages, is highly recommended to improve the interaction with agricultural extension and scientific research centers.

Keywords: Agricultural extension, Extension activities, Barley, Sweida governorate.

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Genotype x Environment Interaction and Stability for Grain Yield of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Tataricum Geartn)

Manoj Kandel⁽¹⁾and Jiban Shrestha*⁽²⁾

(1). Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Hill Crops Research Program (HCRP), Baiteshwor-4, Kabre, Dolakha, Nepal.

(2). Agriculture Botany Division, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal.

(*Corresponding author: manojkandel24@gmail.com).

Received: 23/08/20219 Accepted: 05/09/2019

Abstract

Stability analysis is an important step in developing cultivars. Seven buckwheat genotypes were evaluated at hilly regions of Nepal namely Dolakha, Ramechhap, Solukhumbu, Kaski, Dailekh, Surkhet, Jumla and Doti districts during winter seasons of 2017 and 2018 using randomized complete block design with three replications to identify stable and high yielding genotypes. The genotype × environment interaction for grain yield was significant (P≤0.05). The genotypes ACC#2227-1 (1.62 t/ha) and ACC#2223-1 (1.52 t/ha) were found higher sensitive to environment and produced higher mean grain yield across the locations. Joint regression analysis showed that genotypes ACC#2227-1 and ACC# 2223-1 had regression coefficient of 1.41 and 1.33, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R²) for genotypes, ACC#2227-1 and ACC#2223-1 were higher. The GGE biplot analysis showed that ACC#2227-1 and ACC#2223-1 were more stable and adaptive across the locations; therefore, they can be taken for general cultivation.

Keywords: Buckwheat, G×E interaction, Stability, Grain yield.

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**The Replacement Effect of Soybeans by Potatoes and Eggplant Peels on Common Carp Cyprinus carpio L. Juveniles Growth**

Khalid William Farnar^*(1)

(1). Department of Marine Vertebrate, Marine Science Center, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: khaled_msc62@yahoo.com).

Received: 12/06/2019 Accepted: 03/08/2019

Abstract

The replacement effect of soybeans by potatoes peels and eggplant peels was studied to feed the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. Juveniles under laboratory conditions in Marine Science Center, University of Basrah, with an initial length and weight of 2.2 ± 0.1405 cm and 1.819 ± 0.0753 g respectively, the experiment continued for a period of 60 days starting from April 2017. The aquariums were equipped with air pumps for 24 hours throughout the day, and the fishes were fed two meals daily. The environmental parameters within the limits appropriate for the growth of carp, the results showed a significant statistical difference in growth rates between fishes in experiment aquariums where the highest weight recorded at the end of the experiment for the Juveniles in the aquarium B which was 26.471 g, followed by Juveniles in the aquarium D was 21.453 g then the fishes in the aquarium C amounted to 18.186 g and finally the Juveniles in the aquarium A which recorded 16.984 g. The study showed that the replacement of soybeans by potatoes peels gave the best increase in weight at the end of the experiment as in the aquarium B which was 8.642 g/week compared with the aquarium D, C and A, that gave 7.371 and 5.731 and 5.367 g/week respectively, and with a daily weight increase during the experiment period amounted to 0.253, 0.409, 0.275 and 0.327g/day of experiment aquariums A, B, C and D respectively.

Key words: Soybeans, Potatoes peels, Eggplant peels, C. carpio.

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Effect of Host-Plant on Life Table Parameters of Potato Tuber Moth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)

Gassan Youssef^*(1)

(1). General Organization of Seed production, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Gassan Youssef. E-Mail:ghassanyoussef@hotmail.com).

Received: 14/04/2018 Accepted: 03/10/2018

Abstract

Life table studies for potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) were carried out on three host plants namely; potato tubers, Solanum tuberosum L. (Potato), eggplant fruits, Solanum melongena L. (Aubergine) and green tomatoes, Solanum esculentum Mill (Tomato), to evaluate the preferred host plant for feeding Ph. operculella larvae. The calculated biological parameters were: Net reproductive rate of increase (R₀), generation time (G_t), intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ) and population doubling time (D_t). Obtained results indicated that potato tubers proved to be the quite favorable for achieving the highest developmental and multiplication rates of Ph. operculella, followed by eggplant meanwhile tomato was the least favorable. The natural mortality figures; Apparent Mortality (AM), Real Mortality (RM) and Indispensable Mortality (IM) for larvae reared on potato tubers were 20.73, 17.00 and 13.34%, respectively. Meanwhile, the highest mortality rates were 32.58, 29.00 and 18.36% when larvae were fed on eggplant fruits. It is quite worth to mention out here that potato tubers are considered as the most attractive for feeding and rearing Ph. operculella for research purposes followed by egg-plant. Tomato seem to be the least acceptable host plant.

Key words: Host plants, Life tables, Potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella.

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Micropropagation of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Khadhrawy cv.

Wathiq Abdulmajeed^*(1) Zahra Al- Hattab⁽¹⁾ Mahmood Al- Ani⁽¹⁾ Shuker Ebraheem⁽¹⁾ and Jabbar Jabr⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Wathiq Abdulmajeed. E-Mail:zainab.goldy@yahoo.com).

Received: 06/04/2019 Accepted: 03/08/2019

Abstract

This research was conducted at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, Directorate of Agriculture Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Iraq, in 2017. The main objective was to establish the best method for In Vitro micropropagation of Khadhrawy economical Iraqi date palm cultivar. Shoot tips, lateral buds and leaf primordial were detached from the offshoots and surface was sterilized with 1% sodium hypochlorite with Tween 20. Explants were cultured on modified MS medium supplemented with 10 mg.l^-1 of NAA, 10 mg.l^-12,4-D, 10 mg.l^-1 NAA+ 2 mg.l^-1 2,4-D or 10 mg.l^-1 2,4-D + 2 mg.l^-1 NAA for callus initiation. Induced calli were transferred to regeneration medium. Regenerated shoots were rooted on medium supplemented with 1 mg.L^-1 IBA. The results showed that the highest quality of calli was induced on medium supplemented with 10 mg.l^-1 2,4-D + 2 mg.l¹ NAA which was significantly different from the other treatments. Moreover, the shoot tips were the best explants to induce calli from Khadrawy cultivar compared with leaf primordial and lateral buds. The interaction analysis showed that the highest quantity of calli was produced from shoot tips cultured on medium supplemented with 10 mg.l^-1 2,4-D + 2 mg.l^-1 NAA which was highly significant from all other combinations, while the lowest quantity of calli was produced from lateral buds cultured on medium supplemented with 10 mg.l^-1 NAA. The average number of plants regenerated from 0.5 g calli was 30 after 2 months. The rooted shoots were successfully acclimatized and transferred to the nursery.

Keywords: Date palm, Khadhrawy c.v., Micropropagation, 2,4-D, NAA

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**Generate Identification Key of Some Wild Trifolium L. Species Distributed in Syria Using Decision Tree**

Aya Kanawaty^*(1) Naseh Olabi⁽²⁾ and Ali Shehadeh⁽³⁾

(1). Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Aleppo University, Syria.

(2). International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria.

(3). International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Egypt.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Aya Kanawaty. E-Mail: aya.kanawaty87@gmail.com).

Received: 01/08/2017 Accepted: 20/02/2018

Abstract

Identification key of 60 species of Trifolium L. were made by using 84 morphological characters for seeds, which planted under greenhouse conditions and then when they were grown, and were compared with local floras for identifying, or as herbarium specimen. The 84 morphological characters studied were concern about habit, stem, leaf, stipule, inflorescence, peduncle, bracts, pedicel, calyx, corolla, fruiting head and seeds. All data was entered to Orange program (C4.5) to make decision tree. Results showed that 60 species of Trifolium L. could be identified with a limited number of characters (7 specific characters) compared with local floras, which require whole plant material to be identified, so that, there were selective character could separate species from each other, which could help researcher in plant taxonomy.

Keywords: Wild species, Trifolium, Identification key, Decision tree, Syria.

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In vitro **Conservation of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) var. Al-Baladi**

Rehab Al Mousa^*(1) Neveen Hassan⁽²⁾ Ramzy Stino⁽³⁾ and Amina Gomaa⁽³⁾

(1). Department of Biotechnology, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Damascus, Syria.

(2). National Gene Bank and Genetic Resources, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

(3). Pomology Department, Faculty of agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rehab Al Mousa. E-Mail: bebo_moussa13@yahoo.com).

Received: 04/01/2018 Accepted: 06/02/2018

Abstract

This study was conducted at the National Gene Bank, Egypt, from 2012 to 2014; to find out in vitro conservation protocol of guava (Psidium guajava L. var. Al-Baladi). The medium-term conservation study was initiated at 10 and 15°C under complete darkness conditions. Shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium with different concentrations (3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0%) of sucrose or sorbitol. After 6 months of conservation, up to 83.33% of explants survived on medium with 5.0% sorbitol at 15ºC, while the same survival% (66.67%) was noticed when explants conserved on medium with 6.0% of sorbitol at 15ºC and on medium with 5.0 or 6.0% of sorbitol at 10ºC. Regeneration%, shoot number of explant and shoot length were not affected by osmotic concentrations. Meanwhile, all explants lost their ability to regenerate new shoots when conserved for 6 months on medium with 3.0% sucrose (control) at 10ºC. Guava seeds recorded 100% germination when desiccated for 6 h before cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen.

Keywords: Guava, Medium-term conservation, Sucrose, Sorbitol, Cryopreservation, Desiccation.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF