Harvesting and Spreading of Water in Closed Contour Dykes for The Development of Vegetation Cover and Desertification Reduction in The Syrian Badia

Atef Abdul Aal^*(1)Linda Droubi⁽²⁾ and Ameera Al-Khazaal⁽³⁾

(1). Sweida Research Centre, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Latakia Research Centre. GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(3). Homs Research Centre, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Correspondin author: Eng. Atef Abdul Aal. E-Mail: atefabdulaal@yahoo.com).

Received: 25/12/2017 Accepted: 06/07/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out near one of the main seasonal valleys of the basin in Qaryatein village during the seasons 2009, 2010 and 2011, on a watershed area about 62 km², and an annual rainfall rate of 118 mm. The research designed to create four closed contour dykes with perpendicular bunds at each end of the dyke, according to the topographic slope, and the maximum height of 120 cm for the dyke, with diversion bunds on the valley bed, to concentrate the surface runoff, and turn part of it into the contour closed dykes, to study the effect of the average depth of storage (17 and 35 cm, and the control without storage), to ensure the appropriate soil moisture for the production of fodder crops (vetch, and barley), and to increase the pastoral grazing capacity under dry land conditions, as well as soil conservation and erosion control. Diversions of contour dykes converting part of the water runoff to only 29% of the total flood into the effluent outside the valley, where the lower areas were not deprived of flood water. The results showed the improve efficiency of the use of runoff water at a rainfall rate of (118 mm/year) to 400 mm/year due to storage behind the of dykes, and increase the soil moisture from (6%) in the control to more than (16%) behind the dykes. All depths of storage gave good productivity, amounted to an average of 2600 kg/ha barley seeds and 1600 kg/ha straw, 2600 kg/ha barley and 1600 kg/ha straw, but did not exceed 120 kg/ha seeds, 70 kg/ha straw. For vetch, the average yield was 2.300 kg/ha seeds, and 1850 kg/ha straw, while the control had 155 kg/ha seeds, and 110 kg/ha straw. Water erosion was controlled by (55%) compared to the control, without techniques, and the pastoral grazing capacity increased from 25 ha/head/year to less than 0.1 ha/head/year.

Keywords: Dams, Runoff, Water harvesting, Erosion.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

The Effect of Different Types of Organic Fertilizers on Some Soil Properties and Olive Trees Productivity in Homes Province, Syria

Dima AlSaid⁽¹⁾ Nisreen Nikedly⁽²⁾ Nabila Kredi⁽¹⁾ Malak Jzaeirly⁽¹⁾ Huda Masalati⁽²⁾ Salwa Wabeh⁽²⁾ Lama AlZein⁽²⁾ Bushra Khozam⁽²⁾ and Muhammad Manhal AlZoubi^*(1)

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

(2). Agricultural Research Center of Homs, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Muhammad Manhal Al Zoubi. E-Mail: manhalzo@yahoo.com).

Received: 13/07/2017 Accepted: 01/10/2017

Abstract

The effect of organic fertilizers (sheep manure, cow manure and olive residue compost) on some soil properties and olive productivity was studied at Homs Scientific Agriculture Research Center, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research (GCSAR)/Syria during the seasons 2013, 2014 and 2015. The experiment was designed on the basis of completely randomized block design (RCBD), with five treatments (control, cow manure, sheep manure, olive residue compost and mineral fertilizers), with three replicates. The organic fertilizers were added according to total nitrogen analysis of the organic fertilizers, also, depending on the mineral nitrogen analysis in the soil and the recommendations of Ministry of Agriculture. The results showed an increase in soil organic matter and soil total nitrogen in all treatments amended with organic fertilizers compared to the control. Meanwhile soil total nitrogen was significantly increased in treatment amended with olive residue compost compared to treatment amended with mineral fertilizers. Also, significant difference was noticed in soil available phosphorus in treatments amended with cow manure and sheep manure compared to the control, and in treatment amended with sheep manure compared to mineral fertilizers. Also, available potassium was significantly increased in treatment amended with sheep manure compared to the control. Furthermore, results showed significant differences in oil productivity of cow manure treatment (14.77%) compared to the control (11.27%). According to the yield average of the three seasons, it is concluded a significant increase in olive productivity (4.74, 0.29 and 12.16 ton/ha) respectively in treatment amended with sheep manure compared with the control (1.19, 0.013 and 5.65 ton/ha) respectively.

Key wards: Organic manure, Soil fertility, Olive residue compost.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Effect of Three Species of Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in of **Stimulating Systemic Resistance Against Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) of Tomato Plants**

Ramez M. Al Shami^*(1) Imad D. Ismail⁽¹⁾and Yaser Hammad⁽²⁾

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

(2). Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Ramez M. Al Shami. E-Mail: ramezalshami924@gemail.com).

Received: 30/06/2017 Accepted: 03/10/2017

Abstract

This experiment aimed to study the effect of three species of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (Frateuria aurantia, Bacillus megaterium and Azotobacter chroococcum) by inoculated seeds or seedlings of tomato plants on suppressed the effect of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in greenhouse in Tartus. Total phenols and photosynthesis pigments (chlorophyll A, B and carotenoids) were observed in fresh leaves of tomato plant after 30 Days of infection. Results showed, that treatment with single bacteria Frateuria aurantiawas was significantly higher in total phenol compared with Bacillus megateriumor, Azotobacter chroococcum, compared with the control healthy or infected. However, the bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum gave a significant increase in photosynthesis pigments compared with Bacillus megaterium or Frateuria aurantia. On the other hand, the mixed treatment of ABF+CMV (seeds and seedlings) showed highest increase in total phenol (37.75 and 47.09 mg/100g) consequently, photosynthesis pigments (chlorophyll A 0.973 and 1.065 mg/g), (chlorophyll B 0.872 and 0.903mg/g) and (carotenoids 0.972 and 0.995 mg/g) respectively. The increase in total phenols and photosynthesis pigments leads to the ability ofrhizobacterto stimulate systemic resistance and reduce the effect of the virus on tomato plants.

Keywords: CMV, PGPR, Tomato, Total phenols, Photosynthesis pigments.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

**Determination of the Optimum Laboratory Conditions for the Production of Crystal Protein by Bacillus thuringiensis KS3 Isolated from Iraqi Soils**

Khlood Abid-Alelah Alkhafaji^*(1) Samera Oda Khleoy⁽²⁾ Safaa Abid Alrahem Mahmoud⁽¹⁾ Shaemaa Rajab Farhan⁽¹⁾Sabreen Abid Alhadi Saleh⁽²⁾ and Mohamed Abid al- Rahem Abiallah⁽¹⁾

(1). Applied Microbiology Department, Center of Biotechnology, Directorate of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Science and Technology. Iraq.

(2). Biology Control Department, Pest Integrating Management Center, Directorate of Agricultural Research. Ministry of Science and Technology. Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Khlood Abid-Alelah Alkhafaji. E-Mail: khloodalkhafaji@yahoo.com).

Received: 15/03/2018 Accepted: 25/09/2018

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the optimum conditions for the production of crystal protein produced by a local Iraqi isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis KS3. This research was conducted at the laboratories of Directorate of Agricultural Research during the period from 2016 to 2017. Growth factors such as sugar, nitrogen sources and minerals were evaluated, also pH was determined. Environmental factors such as temperature, aeration and time of production were studied separately; Laurea Bertani broth (LB) was modified for optimal production of crystal protein. Sucrose gave the best concentration of protein which reached up to 4.49 mg/ml, while peptone could be used as a substitute of a tryptone as best nitrogen source. No significant differences among tryptone, soytone, beef extract and casein. The best C:N ratio was that of 2% peptone and 1.5% sucrose which gave 5.252 mg/ml. Magnesium sulfate increased the crystal protein concentration which reached to 7.92. No significant difference was observed between magnesium sulfate and manganese chloride. Medium equilibrated to pH 7.5 was used for highest crystal protein production compared with pHs 6.5, 7, and 8. Culture of Bacillus thuringiensis KS3 incubated for 72 h at 30^₀C with 120 rpm/min in a shaker incubator gave the best protein concentration.

Key words: Bacillus thuringiensis, delta toxin, sucrose, peptone, pH.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

The Efficacy of The Integration of Plant Extracts, Chemical Pesticides and Releasing The predator Phytoseiulus persimilis A-H in Controlling The Population of Tetranychus urticae K on Tomato in The Greenhouse Conditions

Ibrahim Aziz Saqr⁽¹⁾ Magedah Mohammad Mofleh⁽²⁾ and Randa Suleman^*(1)

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

(2). General Commission of Agricultural Scientific Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Randa Suleman. E-Mail: randasuliman65@gmail.com).

Received: 18/05/2018 Accepted: 05/06/2018

Abstract

The research was conducted in order to assess the efficacy of the integration between the use of the aqueous extracts of both Melia azedarach L. and Styrax officinalis L. and the pesticides Acetamiprid, Abamectin and Pyridaben and releasing the predator Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot in controlling the population of Tetranychus urticae Koch on tomato Lycopersicum esculentum under the greenhouse conditions. Results showed that both extracts M. azedarach L. and S. officinalis L. have an effect reached to 50.99 % and 40.29 %, respectively after 24 hours of the experiment with no significant difference between them. The efficacy increased to 77.19 % and 70.18 %, respectively in the fourth week after releasing the predator Ph. persimilis with a significant difference. The acaricide Pyridaben surpassed the Abamectin where the efficacy recorded 63.13 and 62.07%, respectively after 24 hours of the experiment but with no significant difference. The predator Ph. persimilis was able to generate a population that was able to control the population of T. urticae with integration of Abamectin in the fourth week of the experiment after releasing the predator. The efficacy recorded 86.03%, it had the highest effect comparing to the other treatments with a significant difference except with the Pyridaben treatment.

Key words: Plant extracts, Chemical pesticides, Tetranychus urticae, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Lycopersicum esculentum, syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

**The Efficacy of Some Fungicides, Insecticides, Acaricides and Foliar Fertilizers Against Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae Koch**

Atie Arab^*(1) Rawa Youssef⁽¹⁾ and Deena Faeud⁽¹⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Atie Arab. Email: atiearab@hotmail.com).

Received: 20/05/2017 Accepted: 23/09/2017

Abstract

Two experiments (in vitro and in greenhouse) were carried out at Agricultural Scientific Research Centre in Lattakia during 2014, to evaluate the efficacy of some fungicides, insecticides, acaricides and foliar fertilizers (methomyl, chlorpyriphos, flubendiamide, lufenuron, propamocarb hydrochloride, thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride, K₂O35%+SO₃45%, abamectin) against two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. on common beans plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) which were artificially infected with sensitive strain of two-spotted spider mite reared in the laboratory. The effectiveness of pesticides and foliar fertilizer were tested at the recommended concentrations. Results showed that some evaluated pesticides effectively reduced two–spotted spider mite population comparing with acaricide Abamecten. The insecticides chlorpyriphos and methomyl showed high effectiveness (100% and 89.11%) respectively, after 3 days of treatment under laboratory condition. Foliar fertilizer K₂O35%+SO₃45%, had relatively good efficacy (74.68%) with no significant differences versus acaricid Abamectin after 3 days of treatment under the greenhouse condition. On the other hand, the effectiveness of the fungicide chlorothalonill was relatively low (31.53%), after 7 days of treatment in the laboratory.

Key words: Two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, Chemical pesticides, Foliar fertilizers.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

The Effect of Legume Type, Energy Level, and Period of Exposure to Microwaves on the Response of Cowpea Weevil
Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Bruchidae: Coleoptera)

Emad Q. AL-Ebady^*(1) and Marwa M. Abdallah⁽¹⁾

(1). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Mosul University. Mosul, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr.Emad Q. AL-Ebady. E-Mail: semad82@yahoo.com).

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

Abstract

The research was executed at Plant Protection Department during 2017 and 2018 to study the effect of some legume types (Cowpea, Chickpea and pea), and energy level i.e. 200, 500, 800 watts to different exposure times 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds on the response cowpea weevil to microwave radiation. The results revealed that killing percentage in eggs, larvae, pupae and adults were varied according to the legume type and reached for cowpea, chickpea and pea (46.39, 42.22 and 59.44 % for eggs, but reached 51.39, 48.89 and 63.89 % for larvae, while it accounted 53.78, 43.61 and 45 % for pupae, finally the values were for adults 67.22, 53.89 and 51.11 respectively. The killing percentage mean of the insects stages proportionally increased with increasing the energy level 200, 500, 800 watt and reached 38.06, 46.39 and 63.61 % for eggs, and 44.53, 53.89 and 65.64 % for larva^‘s, and 41.53, 46.39 and 54.46 % for pupas and 42.22, 60 and 70 % for adults. The results also exhibited that the killing percentage of insect’s stages was increased with increasing the exposure times.

Keywords: Microwave radiation, Cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Evaluation of Local Isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) As control Agent for Potato Tuber Moth Phthorimaea operculella (Gelechiidae:Lepidoptera) Under Non-refrigerated Storage conditions

Nisreen Alsaoud^*(1) Doummar Nammour⁽¹⁾ and Ali Yaseen Ali⁽²⁾

(1). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Albaath University, Homs, Syria,

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Nisreen Alsaoud. E. mail nisreensoud@gmail.com).

Received: 16/07/2017 Accepted: 01/10/2017

Abstract

The efficacy of three native isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), with concentration of 1×10⁷spore/ml, were tested on potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Gelechiidae:Lepidoptera) under non-refrigerated storage conditions (28̊±2 C and R.H=50%± 5). The results showed the efficiency of the three isolates in the studied concentration to control the pest in store. These isolates showed superiority on control, where infection rates of tubers were 67, 83, 87.9, 100% for isolates C, D, B and control respectively, and reduced the severity of infection to 50.7, 63.2, 70.8, and 99.2% for isolates C, B, D and control respectively. The averages of emerged adults were 25, 15, 6.3, and 44.3 adults for isolates C, B, C and control respectively. Results showed that the fungus B. bassiana is an important control agent in integrated pest management for potato tuber moth in non-refrigerated stores.

Key words: Potato tuber moth, Beauveria bassiana, Phthorimaea operculella, Biological control.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Variance, Heritability, Genetic Advance and Correlation of Some Phenological, Morphological and Productivity Traits in Some **Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Genotypes**

Mohammad Nael Khattab^*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Nael Khattab. E-Mail:

Received: 11/03/2018 Accepted: 06/10/2018

Abstract

In this study some of the phenological, morphological and productivity characteristics of six safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes (local, Thick orange 480 ،Acar 6، Syrian-1, Gila and Son 11), were assessed using some genetic indicators (genetic and phenotypic variances, genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients, broad- sense heritability and genetic advance between seeds yield and its components) at Dmsrkho site in Latakia governorate, during two seasons (2014/2015) and (2015/2016). Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used with three replicates, to detect the genetic potentiality to be exploited to a maximum extent therefor, to determine the appropriate selectorial indices to improve safflower crop. Analysis of variance indicated that the genotypes differed significantly (P<0.05) for all studied characters, moreover, years effect and genotype by years interaction were significant for all studied traits. The values of mean and range revealed that there is wide variability among genotypes for most of the characters. The biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant, number of seeds per capitulum, number of capitulum per plant, number of branches per plant and harvest index exhibited wide range and high PCV and GCV giving an opportunity for improvement through election. Besides, these characters also had narrow differences between the values of PCV and GCV showing least influence of environment. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance observed for seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, 100 seed weight, plant height and number of seeds per capitulum indicated that these traits are governed by additive gene action. Hence, there are good chances of improvement of these traits through direct selection. The highest phenotypic correlations were observed between seed yield with some traits such as: biological yield/plant and No. of capitula/plant, thus these traits, may be used for selecting high yielding genotypes.

Keywords: Safflower, Heritability, Genetic advance, Genetic variance, Phenotypic variance, Correlation coefficient.

Full paper in English: PDF

Phosphate Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions by Syrian Zeolitic Ore: Kinetic Study

Zyad Hatem^*(1) Leila Habib⁽¹⁾ and Mohammad Ghafar⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Water and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Department of Environmental Chemistry, High Institute of Environmental Researches, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

* (Corresponding author: Zyad Hatem. E-Mail: zyad.s.hat@gmail.com).

Received: 11/09/2017 Accepted: 29/10/2017

Abstract

Kinetic study aimed to describe the performance of natural Syrian zeolitic ore (NSZO) for Phosphate (P) adsorption from aqueous solutions, and the contribution of NSZO components on P- adsorption. Obtained results demonstrated that parameter derived from kinetic models predicted two accompanied mechanisms affected P- adsorption: Intraparticle diffusion mechanism in presence of film diffusion. Besides, carbonate removal promoted P- adsorption more than 40 % comparing with the sample removed carbonate and oxides, this led to fact that the efficiency of NSZO in P adsorption belongs to iron oxides coatings zeolite particles, and it explains the decrease of adsorbed P in samples removed from Fe oxides and carbonate components.

Keywords: Phosphate removal, Zeolite, Kinetics, Purification, Intraparticle diffusion.

Full paper in English: PDF