Mahammad Manhal Al-Zubi^*(1) Moaammar Dayyoub⁽¹⁾ Wasim Adla⁽¹⁾ Rabiaa Al-Hayek⁽¹⁾ Mostafa Badda⁽¹⁾ Nada Ghaiba⁽¹⁾ Omar Jezdan⁽²⁾ and Ilham Taameh⁽²⁾

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

(2). Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Damascus, Syria.

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

Received: 19/07/2017                                Accepted: 30/11/2017

Abstract

An experiment was conducted for two seasons 2015 -2016, to study the effect of treated waste water (TWW) on some fodder crops productivity at Salamieh Research Center (GCSAR), on triticale and sesbania crops within crop rotation. This experiment was conducted with collaboration between (ACSAD) and (GCSAR). The experimental design was split plot design with three replicates, using drip irrigation (DI) and surface irrigation (SI) systems with two treatments namely fresh water (FW) and (TWW).  Soil and water were analyzed before cultivation. The results showed significant differences in the productivity of triticale grain yield of the treatments irrigated with (TWW) (2.06 ton/ha) compared to the treatments irrigated with (FW) (1.39 ton/ha). Also, significant differences in the productivity of sesbania green fodder yield of the treatments irrigated with (TWW) (39.18 ton/ha) compared to the treatments irrigated with (FW) (35.25 ton/ha). The increasing of triticale grain and straw yields were not significant in the treatments irrigated with (DI) (7.2 and 1.88 ton/ha, respectively) compared to the treatments irrigated with (SI) (1.57 and 6.71 ton/ha, respectively). Furthermore, results showed significant differences in productivity of sesbania green fodder yield in the treatments irrigated with (DI) (42.3 ton/ha) compared to the treatments irrigated with SI (32.13 ton/ha). Also, the differences in productivity of sesbania grain yield was significant in the treatments irrigated with (DI) (1.1 ton/ha) compared to the treatments irrigated with (SI) (0.74 ton/ha). No significant differences in soil heavy metals results when treatments irrigated with (TWW) or (FW), as well as treatments irrigated with DI or SI. It was noticed that there were no significant differences in plant heavy metals results in triticale crop, whereas, significant differences were noticed in heavy metals (Pb ,Cr, Co, Cd) in green fodder when treatments irrigated with (TWW) (5.38, 16.67, 5.73, and 0.14 mg/kg, respectively) compared to the treatments irrigated with (FW) (3.63, 12.5, 3.4, 0.11 mg/kg, respectively), taking into consideration that heavy metals accumulated in soil and plant were within acceptable limits.

Key words: Treated wastewater, Irrigation methods, Water quality, Heavy metals, Triticale, Sesbania.   

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Abdallah Karim Jabar⁽¹⁾ Ghanim Bahlul Nuni⁽¹⁾ and Mahmoud Radwan Mahmoud^*(1)

(1). Department of desertification combat, Faculty of Agriculture, Muthanna University, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mahmoud Radwan Mahmoud. E-Mail: modrn@windowslive.com).

Received: 27/11/2017                                Accepted: 26/03/2018

Abstract        

Field experiment was carried out at Research Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Muthanna University, Iraq, during 2014/2015 season, to study the effect of adding NPK, biofertilizers Bacillus Subtilis and Glomus Mosseae on the growth and yield of maize (Zea may L.). The treatments were i.e control (zero: no vaccine), biofertilizers Bacillus subtilis treatments, Glomus mosseae, both biofertilizers (F0, F1, F2 and F3),  respectively, Three levels of NPK liquid fertilizer i.e. 0, 5000, 7500 mg )C0, C1, and C2 respectively). The experiment design was RCBD with three replications arranged according to split plot. The results showed that the addition of the biofertilizers had a significant effect on the following traits: Plant height of (209.41 cm), and weight of 500 seeds (156.08 g) and yield seeds (6.96 kg/h). NPK fertilizer spraying showed a significant increase, C2 treatment had higher effect more than the other treatments on the following traits: Plant height (210.39 cm), plant nitrogen (22.20%), plant phosphorus (4.24%), plant potassium (17.99%), weight of 500 seeds (157.06 g), biological yield (373.39 kg/ha) and yield of seeds (6.91 kg).

Keywords: Zea mays L., Biofertilizers, Bacillus Subtilis, NPK, Mycorrhiza.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Rami Kaba^*(1) Hilal Ghayerly⁽²⁾ and Mohammad Khair Saadoun⁽¹⁾

(1). Al-Qamishli Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. of

(2). Administration of Natural Resources, GCSAR. Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rami Kaba. E-Mail: kaba.rami@gmail.com).

Received: 04/05/2017                                Accepted: 31/05/2017

Abstract

The research was carried out at Al-Qamishli Agricultural Research Center, GSAR, Syira, during the seasons 2011, 2012 and 2013, in order to estimate the effect of adding different levels of a crude Zeolite (T2-20 tons/ha, T_3- 40 tons/ha, in addition to the control (without adding Zeolite T1), on wheat productivity within a bilateral crop rotation was followed, consisted of wheat and chickpea, and on the content of  nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the surface layer of the soil .The research was conducted  using Complete Randomized Block Design with three replicates. The results showed that the addition of zeolite to the soil led to an increase in productivity more than control amounted to 326.4 kg/ha for T2 which represents 12.57% , and to 410 kg/ha for T₃ which represents 15.8%. Regarding productivity of straw, it is found that the addition of zeolite to the soil led to an increase in the amount of straw, it was 403 kg/ha for T2, which represents 10% and 538 kg/ha for T3 which represents 12 %. Also, it increased the amount of the available nitrogen and phosphorus by increasing the addition of the raw zeolite rates, and the highest value of the two indicators were reached at the level of 40 tons/ha. The statistical analysis confirmed the significant differences. As for potassium which, is able to be utilized by the plant has been increased by 10% and 17.5% with the increasing of zeolite addition at level 20 and 40 tons/ha, respectively. The highest increase in potassium was achieved at the add level 40 tons/ha.

Keywords: Natural zeolite, Wheat, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Yacine Boubazine^*(1) Ammar Ouffroukh⁽¹⁾

(1). Research Unit in Qasantina, National Algerian Institute of Agricultre Research, Qasantina, Algeria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Yacine Boubazine. E-Mail: yboubazine@yahoo.fr).

Received: 24/10/2017                                Accepted: 20/04/2018

Abstract:

A population of soft wheat which lives naturally on the edges of saline Ain Malilah’s Sebkha, located to the southeast of Qasantina from the east of Algeria, and four varieties i.e. HD1220, ARZ, AS and ANF, to evaluate their performance under several abiotic stresses conditions, and to study their response to fertilization, based on some phenological, morphological, chemical characteristics such as: Life cycle (from cultivation until the appearance of 1/4 spikes), germination potentiality, tellering, leaf area, total chlorophyll content, relative water content, carbohydrates content. The studied population (SBR) was characterized by some morphological traits such as: Short length of plants, reduced leaf area, no awn, very late life cycle which record delayed up to 35, 28, 19, and 17 compared to ARZ, HD1220, ANF and AS respectively. The population and the studied varieties showed significant variation in their response to abiotic stress conditions. Relative water content in leaves, leaf area and plant high declined significantly under severe water stress (25% of field capacity). The studied population showed high adaptability and low fertilizer requirements under conditions of salt stress and fertilization. The results recommend that the SBR population should be used in future selection programs, to improve some characteristics of wheat varieties to face various environmental stresses.

Key words: Soft wheat, Ain Malilah Sebkha, salty stress, water stress, fertilization.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Mohammed Dows*⁽¹⁾ Ahmad AL-Mowlem⁽²⁾ Rashad Basha ⁽¹⁾

(1). Central Highlands Regional Agricultural Research Station, Yemen.

(2). Northern Highlands Agricultural Research Station. Yemen. 

(* Corresponding author: Mohammed M. Dows. Email: mmydows1975@yahoo.com).

Received: 13/11/2017                                Accepted: 18/03/2018

Abstract

The study was carried out at Central Highlands Research Farm, in Yemen, during 2014 and 2015 seasons, to study the adaptation of five sorghum varieties introduced from (ICBA) and local variety (white sorghum) against climate changes, to obtain good quantity and high forage yield varieties. RCBD design with three replications was used. Results revealed a significant effect at p≤0.01 and p≤0.05 among varieties, years and interaction between varieties and years. High significant effect for introduced varieties over local variety in number of days to 50% of flowering, nodes height, plant height, green and dry matter yields, with percentages of 13.26, 34.47, 35.19, 173.69 and 200.72% respectively. While, local variety has superiority in stem diameter with 80.57%. Years recorded high significant effect on forage morphological and productivity features. Since, 2014 year has superiority in stem diameter and nodes height with 18.41 and 87.4% respectively over 2015 which recorded majority in green and dry matter forage yields 58.9 and 14.72 t/ha respectively, comparing with 2014 which gave 38.52 and 10.41 t/ha respectively, of range 51.58 and 40% for 2015 respectively. Interaction between varieties and years affected all studied traits except number of leaves/plant. Sweit Jumbo and Supine Dan sorghum varieties had highest green yield over two years 61.19 and 60.40 t/ha, respectively. These two introduced varieties could be recommended to be grown in Yemen for high yield and quality of forage.

Key words: Forage green yield, Forage sorghum, Yemen.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Mohamad Nael Khattab^*(1)

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

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

Received: 01/12/2017                                Accepted: 30/12/2017

Abstract

The research was conducted in Al-Bassa village, Lattakia Governorate/Syria, during the agricultural seasons 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, in order to study the most important economic traits of the selected plants from plant population of local vetch, which seeds was obtained from farmers who keep their local seeds and grow it season after another. The analysis of variance results (ANOVA) showed significant differences between the selected plants (200 plants) in all studied traits, which shows the importance and effectiveness of the individual selection to get high degree of homogeneity plants, which have many desired phenological, morphological, physiological and productivity characteristics of local vetch. Taking into consideration that seed productivity was adopted as a determining factor for the election. The study also showed the possibility of increasing the productivity of the local vetch populations through the use of superior plants selection (plants No. 9, 21, 26, 47, 52, 78, 105, 118, and 199), and the possibility of doubling production through the use of promising plants which were selected (plants No. 9, 26, 47, and 199), and use them in subsequent breeding programs, as they represent an important genetic tank of many desirable traits.

Key words: Vetch, Individual selection, Strain/line, Economical traits.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Ghassan Al Lahham* ⁽¹⁾ Elias Aweel ⁽¹⁾ Razan Al Najjar ⁽¹⁾ Majeda  Rwely ⁽¹⁾  Ghrood  Al Assod ⁽¹⁾  Riad  Balish⁽¹⁾ and Mohammed  Ali ⁽¹⁾

(1). Crops Research Administration, Genaral Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ghassan Al Lahham. E-Mail: gh_lahham@hotmail.com).

Received: 09/04/2017                                Accepted: 29/04/2017

Abstract

This study was carried out at Kharabu Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), during the growing seasons 2011 and 2012, to estimate phenotypic correlation, and path coefficient of some morphological and green fodder yield components (days to flowering, plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, number of tillers per plant, and green fodder yield (ton/ha)). Fifteen pearl millet crosses resulted from half diallel mating system between six inbred lines. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The results showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between green fodder yield, and plant height, number of leaves, and number of tillers per plant (r = 0.787 **, 0.689 **, 0.841 **), respectively, and between plant height, number of leaves and number of tillers per plant (r = 0.500 *, 0.734**), respectively, suggesting that these traits can be used to improve green fodder yield of pearl millet. Path analysis clarified that number of tillers per plant, plant height and number of leaves per plant had a direct effect on green fodder yields. Also plant height had an indirect effect on both number of tillers, and number of leaves per plant, which are the most important traits that contribute to green fodder yield (61.97%), therefore they can be adopted as a selection criterion, for improving the green fodder yield of pearl millet crop, in summer season during the scarcity of forage in Syria.

Keywords: Phenotypic correlation, Path analysis, Green fodder yields, Pearl millet.

Full paper in Arabic:PDF

Soad Atiya^*(1) Shahlaa Fartoos⁽¹⁾ Hassena Muaibed⁽¹⁾ and Labeeb Kadhum⁽¹⁾

(1): Directorate of Environmental and Water, Ministry of Science and Technology, Bagdad, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Soad Atiya. E-Mail: soadabdali@yahoo.com).

Received: 18/01/2018                                Accepted: 04/04/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted in 2016. The samples of rice Oryza sativa L. straw were collected from Dewania governorate/Iraq, and were brought to laboratory of Directorate of Environmental and Water in Ministry of Science and Technology. The samples were cleaned and milled, then stored in sterile containers. Local cellulolytic bacterial isolate was cultivated and isolated on mineral and cellulose medium, at 37 ºC for (24±2) hours, the bacterial isolate was diagnosed as Bacillus sp. depending on phenotypes of bacterial colonies on solid medium, microscopic characters and some biochemical tests. Milled rice straw was chemically treated with 1% of sodium hydroxide, then biological treatment by bacterial isolate Bacillus sp cultivate in mineral medium with alkali treated rice straw as carbone source and compared with cellulose standard medium. The bacterial growth was measured at 600 nm, which reached 0.974 in rice straw medium, while in cellulose medium reached 0.853. For glucose concentration, the value reached 250 µg/ml in rice straw medium, while in cellulose medium it was 210 µg/ml. The results concluded the possibility of getting rid of rice husks, which is an environmental contaminant, and to use it in the production of glucose.

Key word: Rice straw, Bacillus sp, Biological treatment, Glucose.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Salwa Al-Mohammad⁽¹⁾ Ibtissam Jassem^*(2) and Mai Lubbous⁽¹⁾

(1). Economic Department, Facultu of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Cooton Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ibtessam Jassem. E-Mail. e_sam_0@hotmail.com).

Received: 31/12/2016                                Accepted: 26/02/2017

Abstract

The aim of this research was to measure the technical efficiency of cotton farms with surface irrigation system using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in the field school in Idleb governorate. Preliminary data was collected based on field surveys, and random sampling. 34 farms in the villages of Meless and Segar were chosen for the season 2014. Results showed that the value of gross margin per area unit was approximately 7037 S.P/Dunam, and the net profit before subsidization was 2771 S.P/Dunam. The results of fixed returns model which applied on 16 farms, also showed that most of them were located in the village Siger, those villages used the least amount of input to reach a certain level of outputs, thus they had achieved economic efficiency in cotton production. The other farms, that did not achieve economic efficiency, should reduce the inputs in different proportions to become technically efficient without wasting resources while maintaining the same level of production. The results of variable returns model also showed that all the farms were inefficient, and this could be explained by the fact that all examined farms had applied almost equal inputs and had achieved a comparable productivity. According to that, the results were the same using this model. In terms of to allocative efficiency, 16 farms only achieved allocative efficiency (100%), thus, these farms had to continue to manage the farm at the same level. Those farms were working within the second production phase, which is the best phase economically. But the farms which did not achieve the allocative efficiency were working within the first production phase, which is characterized by increased output more than input. According to this the possibility of increasing production efficiency of the farms is through the application of modern agricultural techniques and developing varieties with a short life cycle. 

Keywords: Technical efficiency, Field schools, Cotton crop.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF