**The Effect of Planting Dates and Varieties Interaction on Productivity and Some Morphological and Qualitative Traits of Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris var. crassa)**

Ahmad Mohanna⁽¹⁾ Entessar Al-Jbawi^*(2) and Julnar Mansour⁽¹⁾

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

(2). Sugar beet Research Department, Crops Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(^*Corresponding author: dr.entessara@gmail.com, dr.entessara@gcsar.gov.sy).

Received: 21/04/2019 Accepted: 07/05/2019

Abstract

Fodder beet is a high production crop, and is a very promising crop to be grown in Syria, and attention has grown to the cultivation of this crop. However, recommended agronomic practices for maximizing productivity are limited. A field experiment was conducted in season 2017/2018 to study the effect of planting date and varieties interaction on the production, and some qualitative and morphological traits of five fodder beet cultivars (Caribou, Varians, SV Four 16, Tarine and Lipari). The experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split plots arrangement with three replicates, planting dates (mid Feb. and mid Mar.) were assigned to the main plots and fodder beet cultivars were allotted to the sub plots. The results of the statistical analysis exhibited the superiority of mid Feb. date as compared with mid-March for all the studied traits. Varieties exhibited highly significant (p≤0.05) differences in most of the studied characteristics except plant number per hectare. Lipari and Tarine surpassed the other varieties in terms of the production, morphology and qualitative traits. The conclusion is to plant fodder beet in mid-February time in Homs, Syria, to attain the highest yield, and quality traits of fodder beet crop. Also, the study recommends further trials identify optimum agronomic practices especially harvesting date, fertilization and spacing in the other sites in Syria.

Key words: Planting date, Fodder beet, Production, Morphological and qualitative traits.

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Limestone Dust as an Abiotic Disease Factor Affecting Vegetables and Olives in Palestine

Hazem Sawalha^*(1) Lamya Shalabi⁽¹⁾ and Anan Hussein⁽²⁾ and Nasser Sholi⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Arab American University, Palestine.

(2). Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Arab American University, Palestine.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Hazem Sawalha. E-Mail: hazem.sawalha@aaup.edu).

Received: 28/01/2019 Accepted: 25/03/2019

Abstract

An experiment was carried out in 2011 to study the effect of limestone dust of quarries on agricultural crops of vegetables and olive trees. The effect of such dust on vegetables including tomato and pepper plants was studied in the open fields of the Arab American University of Jenin (AAUJ). In addition, the effect of such dust was studied on olive orchards nearby quarries in Qabatya region. The Two-Sample Test of Proportions (TSTP) was used as a statistical method to analyze data obtained from the studied regions. The results showed that plant exposure to dust causes drastic negative effect on leaf surface area and productivity for both vegetable crops and olive trees. Chlorophyll content and flowering percentages of pepper plants decreased with increasing the amount of dust. Furthermore, the results revealed that long-term exposure of olive trees to dust decreases oil productivity by 55.3-84.4% and minimizes the percentage of seed maturity and germination percentages.

Keywords: Limestone dust, Olive trees, Vegetable, Palestine.

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**The First Record of crossopriza maculipes (Araneae, Pholcidae) in Iraq**

Shurooq Abdullah Najim^*(1) and Azhar Mohammed Al-Khazali⁽²⁾

(1). Natural History Museum, Universty of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.

(2). Department of Science, Branch Biology, College of Basic Education, University of Sumer, Thi Qar. Iraq.

(*Corresponding auther: Dr. Shurooq Abdullah Najim. E-Mail: shurooqarachnida@gmail.com).

Received: 12/04/2019 Accepted: 18/05/2019

Abstract

The species Crossopriza maculipes (Spassky, 1934) was recorded in Iraq for the first time. The specimens were collected from six locations of Basrah province, which located south of Iraq (Al-mdaina, Al-hwair, Shatalarab, Abulkhaseeb, Safwan and Alzubair), during the period 1 December 2017-1 December 2018.

Key words: First record Crossopriza maculipes, Iraq, Pholcidae.

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**Allelopathic Effects of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera L.) on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Some Poaceous Crops**

Awadallah Belal Dafaalla*⁽¹⁾ and Salwa Gadkareem Osman⁽¹⁾

(1). Crop Protection Department, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan.

^(*Corresponding author. Dr. Awadallah Belal Dafaallah. E-mail: awadna@hotmail.com; awadna@uofg.edu.sd)

Received: 22/01/2019 Accepted: 24/03/2019

Abstract

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan in 2014/15 season to study the allelopathic effect of aqueous extract and powder of sodom apple (Calotropis procera L.) leaves on seed germination and seedling growth of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.), maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum vulgare L.). Treatments were arranged in completely randomized design with four replicates. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (P £ 0.05) and means were separated using LSD test. The results showed that the leaves aqueous extract of sodom apple significantly reduced seed germination and there was direct relationship between concentration and reduction in germination. Also, the results showed that incorporating the leaves powder into the soil at the rate of 1 – 5%, significantly, reduced plant height, number of leaves, and root length of crop seedlings as well as plant fresh and dry weight. In addition, the reduction in seedling growth was increased as the leaves powder increased in the soil. This study confirmed that the sodom apple had allelopathic effects on seed germination and seedling growth of the poaceous crops. Therefore, isolation and identification of allelochemical compounds from this plant could provide means to minimize their negative effects over the cultivated plants and potentially could provide structural models for the development of bio-herbicides.

Keywords: Allelopathic; Calotropis; Sorghum; Millet; Maize; Wheat.

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**Response of Peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) to Different Types and Doses of Boron Fertilizer under Deficit Irrigation Conditions**

Wael Fahme AL Rhman Al Shoummary⁽¹⁾ and Aiymen Ahmed AL-Abassi*⁽²⁾

(1). Agriculture Directorate of Anbar. Ministry of Agriculture, Anbar, Iraq.

(2). Education Directorate of Diyala. Ministry of Education, Diyala, Iraq.

(*Corrsponding author: Dr. Aiymen Ahmed AL-Abassi. E-Mail: aiymenahmed@yahoo.com).

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

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during summer season 2013 at AL-Anbar Governorate to study the response of peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) to different concentrations and types of boron under deficit irrigation conditions. A split-split plot design was laid out in three replications. Three concentrations of boron (0، 150، and 300) mg/l were sprayed. The experiment also included three levels of irrigation (50, 75 and 100) % of depth of irrigation. The results showed that the concentration of 150 mg/l of sprayed boron caused an increase in dry root and plant weight, pod yield and dressing ratio (12.50 g/plant, 380.96 g/plant,320.08 g/plant, %74.9 and 1.170 Kg/m³respectively. The level of 75% of depth of irrigation gave best indicators for both dry root and plant weight, pod yield and dressing ratio (48.17 cm, 14.83 g/plant, 452.23 g/plant, 357.25 g/plant and 87.6% respectively. The results also showed that the effect of triple interaction between types and concentrations of boron and levels of irrigation was insignificant for most of the traits except dry plant weight.

Keyword: Foliar spray. Boron. Irrigation levels, peanut.

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The Effect of Covering Rows with Polyethylene on Growth and Productivity of Two Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Genotypes

Ahmad Jarjanazi^*(1) and Safaa Arafa⁽²⁾

(1). Second Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Technical Agricultural Institute, Albaath University, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ahmad Jarjanazi. E-Mail: jarjnazi1965@gmail.com).

Received: 22/08/2017 Accepted: 14/10/2017

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effect of covering rows with two types of transparent and black polyethylene on the growth and productivity of two genotypes of eggplant (Alwardi and Black) under the conditions of Bseren, Hama government, Syria during 2014 season. Split plots design was used in this experiment, with three replications. The results showed that covering rows with polyethylene has a positive effect on the vegetative growth of eggplant in comparison with the control. This was reflected positively on production and early maturity. Eggplants genotypes that were covered with transparent polyethylene exceeded significantly the other eggplants genotypes that were covered with black polyethylene in all the studied traits. The early maturity was clear for covering plants with both transparent and black polyethylene slices in comparison to the control during the first month of picking up fruits. Both treatments of covering exceeded the control in terms of productivity by 46.14% and 20.41%, respectively.

Key words: Eggplant, Soil covering, Polyethylene slices, Productivity.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Effect of Plant Density and Phosphate Fertilizer on Some **Chemical Characteristics of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)**

Mohamead Abd ELAziz⁽¹⁾ and Hala Mohammad*⁽¹⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Hala Mohammad. E-Mail:

Received: 04/09/2017 Accepted: 07/11/2017

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Syrian coastal in Tartous governorate, during the growing season 2014, to study the effect of four plant densities (10.00, 13.33, 20.00, and 33.33) plant/m², and three levels of phosphate fertilizations (107.2, 160.8, 214.4 kg/ha of super phosphate P₂O₅ 46%), besides the control, on quality traits (nitrogen, crude protein, phosphorus and potassium) of the coriander plant. The experiment was designed in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with a split plot arrangement of treatments with three replications for each treatment. The results revealed significant differences between treatments for most of studied traits, in addition to an interaction effect between plant density and fertilization. Although, the densities (10, 13.33 .20 plant /m ²) varied in their effect, but it significantly outperformed the highest density (33.33 plant/m²). The treatment 10 plants/m² was more importance in terms of increasing the plant content of N, P, K. On the other hand, most of the measured characters were increased as a result of the increasing rates of phosphate fertilization. The treatment (160.8 kg/ha of P₂O₅) had a significant superiority upon on the rest of the treatments in terms of its effect on phosphor, nitrogen and crude protein, whereas the treatment )214.4 kg/ha (increased each of the content of the seeds of both of nitrogen and phosphor. The interaction effect between the highest plant density (33.33/m²) and the highest level of phosphor fertilization (214.4 kg/ha) had the superiority upon the other treatments in term of increasing each of seed content of P, N, protein, and K content of vegetative growth.

Key words: Coriander, Plant density, Phosphate fertilization, Vegetative growth, Seeds.

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**The Effect of Growth Regulator, Time Collection and Type of Cutting on Rooting of Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) Male Tree Cutting**

Imad Bilal*(1)

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

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

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at Latakia Agricultural Research Center, during (2011-2013), to study the propagation of male kiwi trees by wooden cuttings at two collecting dates (January and February). NAA and IBA regulators were applied at two concentrations (5000, 6000 ppm). In addition, of four treatments of the mixture of both regulators. The cuttings were planted within a glasshouse for 60 days under sprinkle irrigation conditions in order to study the effect of some factors (collecting date, location of cuttings on shoot, type of regulator and its concentrations) on some characters of cuttings (rooting ratio%, weight and size of roots, and weight and size of shoots. The results showed that the first collecting date (January) was significantly better in terms of weight and number of roots and shoots and rooted cuttings number. The rooting ratio was 64.9%, 54.3% respectively. According to cutting location on the shoot, the middle and basal cuttings were exceeded significantly the typical one in term of roots weight (20.31, 19.81, 15.55 g respectively) and also according to root size (20.55, 20.06, 15.57 cm³ respectively). The NAA and IBA regulators; had different effects, where the regulator (NAA) was significantly superior to the regulator (IBA) and the mixture treatments in terms of the average number of roots / cuttings. While the shoot weight and size were higher at IBA and mixture treatments than NAA. The mixture treatment 3000 ppm of (IBA + NAA) gave high values of roots weight and size. The treatment of 1500 ppm of mixture (IBA+ NAA) was significantly superior compared to the other treatments in terms of the number of rooted cuttings (75%) comparing to the control (28%).

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

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Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Technique to Detect Sheep Meat Adulteration

Raghdaa Aslan⁽¹⁾ Naiem Al Hussein⁽²⁾ Fateh Khatib⁽³⁾ Mustafa Asaeed⁽⁴⁾and Asmaa Maaz*⁽¹⁾

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

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

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

(4). Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Technical Engineering, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria. (*Corresponding author: Asmaa Maaz. E-Mail: asmaa.990@hotmail.com).

Received: 16/09/2017 Accepted: 24/10/2017

Abstract

Consumers, especially in poor countries, suffer from many kinds of meat adulteration by substituting cheaper and less nutritious meat with costly ones. Traditional morphological analysis or others based on component analysis are usually applied to identify undeclared meats, but these methods often produce incorrect or unreliable results, Therefore, finding more precise and reliable methods is critical in food authentication. DNA-based techniques have been widely used in this field due to their sensitivity, speed and high accuracy. In this study, species- specific PCR technique was employed to analysis 18 sheep meat samples to detect substitutions with beef, goat, chicken, turkey or pork meat. The detection process was based on specific primers targeting cytochrome b coding gene. The results showed that all samples were mixed with one or more types of meat. The expected fragment of DNA was obtained from each pair of other used primers. Cheating with goat meat was the most frequent among samples with a ratio of 94.44%. while the lowest frequent was with turkey 16.66%, and finally, adulteration with pork meat was not recorded in any sample.

Key Words: Species specific PCR, Meat adulteration, Cytochrome b gene.

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**Screening of Some Syrian Wheat (Triticum Spp.) Varieties for Osmotic Stress Tolerance Using Tissue Culture Technique**

Fahed Albiski^*(1) Ramzi Murshed⁽³⁾ Nour Al Qabbani⁽¹⁾Wasim Mohsen⁽²⁾ Bassam Al Atalah⁽²⁾ and Khouzama Al Kountar⁽²⁾

(1). General Organization of Biotechnology, Ministry of High Education, Damascus, Syria.

(2). Sweidaa Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(3). Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Fahed Albiski. E-Mail: fahedalbiski@yahoo.com).

Received: 23/08/2018 Accepted: 01/10/2018

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in order to study the effect of osmotic stress on some morphological parameters in eight Syrian wheat varieties (Triticum Spp.) using plant tissue culture technique. Osmotic stress was imposed by adding different concentrations of sorbitol to (C₆H₁₄O₆) the culture medium (0, 110, 220,330 and 440 mM), which are equal to -0.82, -1.09, -1.44, -1.79 and -2.14 MPa, respectively on the osmotic potential basis. Plant length (cm), number of leaves, number and length (cm) of roots, plant fresh and dry weights (g), plant water and dry weight content (%) were measured. Results revealed a genetic variability in the response of the investigated varieties for osmotic stress based on the studied parameters. Progressive reduction in the studied parameters occurred as osmotic stress increased compared to the control. Cluster analysis, based on the relative values of all the growth parameters response to osmotic stress, showed three distinct groups: the osmotic stress tolerant group, which included four varieties (Doma1, Bohouth11, Bohouth8 and Guolan2); the moderately osmotic stress tolerant group, included three varieties (Doma4, Cham3 and Bohouth7) and the osmotic stress susceptible group, included one variety (Cham10).

Keywords: Screening, Wheat, Osmotic stress, Sorbitol, Tissue culture, Cluster analysis.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF