Study the Effect of Adding Different Concentrations of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on the Physiochemical and Quality Properties of Sponge Cake During Different Storage Periods

Batool Alansari^*(1)

(1). Department of Food Science, Agriculture college, University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Batool Alansari. E-Mail: Batool.Mahmod6@gmil.com).

Received: 14/11/2017 Accepted: 08/02/2018

Abstract

The current research was carried out between May and June to study the effect of adding different concentrations of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% on the physiochemical and quality characteristics of the sponge cake stored for (0, 5, 10 and 15) days. The results of the chemical composition of the flour used in the sponge cake mix showed that the percentages of protein and fat were 10.3 and 0.8% respectively, while the ash and carbohydrate levels were 0.65 and 76.75% respectively, the moisture percentage was 11.5%. The results of the sensory evaluation showed that the cake treated with 1% of fennel powder had good colour, texture and appearance in comparison with the other treatments, while the cake treated with 1.5% of fennel showed better flavour among other treatments. The results of the physical tests showed an increase in the weight and size of the sponge cake with the increase of fennel powder, while the specific size decreased compared to the standard sponge cake. The values of peroxide and the acidity of the sponge cake stored at room temperature for 15 days were decreased with the increase of the percentage of fennel powder in comparison with the standard sponge cake. The addition of fennel to cake mix effected positively on the final product.

Key words: peroxide number, sponge cake, sensory properties, storage ability.

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Effect of Temperature and Retention **Period on the activity of Olive Leaf Midge Dasineura oleae F. loew (Dipter: Cecidomyiidae) and its Endoparasitiod Platygaster demades Walker (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae)**

Zahraa M. Baidaq*⁽¹⁾ Ali M. Ramadhane⁽²⁾ and Randa Abu Tara⁽³⁾

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

(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(3(. Faculty of science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Zahraa Baidaq. E-Mail: Zahraaok2@hotmail.com).

Received: 22/11/2016 Accepted: 17/01/2017

Abstract

This work aimed to study the environmental factors influencing growth stopped of olive leaf midge Dasineura oleae F. loew (Dipter: Cecidomyiidae) and its host (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae) Platygaster demades Walker, such as temperature and reservation period. A series of experiments had been done to end this phenomena of larvae by changing temperatures from suitable temperature at 1±20 °C accompanied with different photoperiods 16 L: 8D and relative humidity of 75± 5% during 15, 30, and 60 days, to low temperature at 1 ±7 °C accompanied with complete darkness and relative humidity of 75± 5% for 15 days. This had been done after 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of growth stopped. The experiments showed that there was a strong correlation between P. demades and the host. The larval activity of P.demades was synchronized with the host at all stages in which an activity was recorded. The results showed that D. oleae enters in a real diapause, that can be ended as larvae was exposed to low temperature for more than 15 days. It has been shown that temperature is the limiting factor of D. oleae diapause and its parasitoid P. demades.

Keywords: Olive leaf midge, Dasineura oleae, Endoparasitiod, Platygaster demades, Diapause, Temperature.

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Effect of Seed Treatments of Tomato Variety Merel with Four PGPR Bacterial Strains on Promoting Peroxidase Enzyme Activity and Growth Improvement

Hanan Kawas ^*(1) Omar Hamudi⁽²⁾Ahmad Ahmad⁽³⁾ Imad Ismail⁽⁴⁾

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

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

(3). Agricultural Research Center of Tartous, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(4). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Hanan Kawas. E-Mail: hanankawas1@gmail.com).

Received: 18/12/2016 Accepted: 14/02/2017

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the effect of four bacterial strains (PGPR): Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA342, Serratia plymuthica HRO-C48, Bacillussubtillis B2g and B. subtillis FZB27 to improve the growth of tomato plants in the greenhouse. Bacterial strains were applied to the seeds in a concentration of (10¹⁰ cfu/ml), of each bacterial strain. The results showed the treatment with bacteria improved peroxidase enzyme activity at a rate of (2.15-6.35) % after 78 days of treatment compared with non-treated control (0.002) n mol, and a rate of (60.71- 232.14) % after 94 days compared with non-treated control (0.056) n mol. The treatment with bacteria increased the height of plant at a rate of (1-21.37)% compared with non-treated control (57.83) cm, and increased fresh weight of foliage at a rate of (9.25-122.56)% compared with non-treated control (317)g, while it increased dry weight of foliage at a rate of (3.89- 61.98)% compared with non-treated control (111.33)g, and increased fresh root weight at a rate of (22.39-310.48)% compared with non-treated control (22.33)g, and increased root dry weight at a rate of (9.09- 33.27)% compared with non-treated control (5.5)g, and increased number of fruits at a rate of (7.73-54.73)% compared with non-treated control (8.66 fruit), and increased weight of fruits at a rate of (5.69-60.33)% compared with non-treated control (105.33)g . The strain B27 had the highest values of the studied traits.

Key words: PGPR, Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA342, Serratia plymuthica HRO-C48, Bacillus subtillis B2g, B. subtillis FZB27, Tomato.

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Productivity Evaluation of Three Introduced Quinoa Varieties under Central Highlands Conditions in Yemen

Mohammed Yaha Daws^*(1) and Ahmed AL-Moallem⁽²⁾

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

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

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

Received: 13/11/2017 Accepted: 25/12/2017

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Research Station of Middle Heights, during 2014 and 2015 seasons. Three varieties of Quinoa were used i.e. Ames 13762, NSL 106398 and Ames 137, which were introduced from International Center for Bio Saline Agriculture (ICBA), and they were selected out of five varieties that were grown as observation lines in 2013, to get one variety, high forage and grain yields, also suitable for the local conditions. RCBD design with four replications was used. The traits that were studied were: Earliness, plant height, flowering at 50%, green forage, grain and dry matter yields. Results indicated that there were highly significant (p≤0.01) differences between seasons and varieties in respect to plant height, green forage, dry matter and grain yields. While, no significant effect for the interaction between varieties and seasons overall growth performances. Results indicated that seasons have significant effects on the green forage, grain and dry matter yields at p≤0.01 and p≤0.05. Ames 137 variety produced significantly higher green forage yield (58.88 t/ha) compared with NSL 106398 (37.13 t/ha) and Ames 13762 (50.38 t/ha) and has superiority in dry matter yield (23.75 t/ha) on same varieties, which recorded 15.13 and 19.50 t/ha respectively, and followed by NSL 106398. Results also showed high significant effect of the seasons on plant height, green forage, grain and dry matter yields. Season 2014 was the best, which recorded (151 cm), (52.33 t/ha), (1.6t/ha) and (20.83 t/ha) respectively, compared with 2015 season. Ames 137 variety has gained the highest degrees for animal receptiveness and farmer’s evaluation. The study recommended to use Ames 13762 for grain production, and Ames 137 for forage production.

Key words: Productivity traits, Quinoa varieties, Yemen.

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**Genetic Behavior of Some Quantitative Traits of Yellow Maize (Zea mays L.) Single Crosses**

Ali Wannows^*(1) Samir AL Ahmad⁽²⁾Ghassan AL Lahham⁽¹⁾ Razan AL Najjar⁽¹⁾Elias Aweel⁽¹⁾ and Reem AL Mansour⁽¹⁾

(1). Maize Research Department, Crops Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Wannows. E-Mail: aliwannows@yahoo.com).

Received: 11/02/2017 Accepted: 27/03/2017

Abstract

Half diallel set of crosses between six inbred lines of maize were executed at Maize Research Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Syria, during 2010 and 2011 seasons to study heterosis, general and specific combining ability components for grain yield (ton/ha), ear height, length and diameter (cm), and silking date (day) compared with control varieties Basel-1 and the hybrid Spirou S-4-985 to identify the best hybrid in terms of yield. Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) was used with three replicates. General (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability mean squares of the inbred lines, and crosses were significant for all traits, except SCA mean square for ear height. This showed the contribution of additive and non-additive gene action in those traits. The ratio of σ²_GCA/σ²_SCAshowed the dominance of additive gene action for ear height and length, but non-additive gene action for grain yield, and silking date. On the other hand, it indicated additive and non-additive gene action for ear diameter. Heterosis of all hybrids for all traits was significant compared with mid and better parents. The results confirmed that the lines IL.766-06, and IL.792-06 had a good GCA for grain yield, while four hybrids had a good SCA, which means the necessity to be included in yield trails, specifically the hybrid (IL.459-06 × IL.292-06) for grain yield.

Key words: Maize, Half diallel cross, GCA, SCA, Heterosis.

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Effect of Seed Rate, Spray with Sorghum Water Extracts and Weeding on Wheat Yield **(Triticum durum L.)**

Sami Al-Rajjo^*(1)Ahmad Mouhanna⁽¹⁾ and Fadi Abbas⁽²⁾

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

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Sami Al-Rajjo. E-Mail: sami.rajjo@yahoo.com).

Received: 20/01/2017 Accepted: 20/03/2017

Abstract

This research was conducted at Tal Shnan village, located at the eastern of Homs city, Syria during 2012/2013 growing season, using hard local wheat cultivar, Sham 5, to study the effect of seed rates (120, 150, 180, 210 kg/ha), spray with different parts of sorghum water extracts using different, and weeding on wheat yield and weeds accompany with the crop. Results showed that seed rate (180 kg/ha) achieved the highest biological yield and grain yield. Harvest index was increased with increasing seed rate. While, dry weight and number of weeds in 1m² were decreased with increasing seed rate. Spray with sorghum water extracts (1:10) by 5 L/ha after 60-80 days of sowing caused an increment in biological and grain yields. Also, a decrement in dry weight and number of weeds in 1m². Water extract of the stems achieved the highest values, followed by (stems+roots), then (stems+leaves) extracts, while (leaves+roots) attained the lowest values. This study concluded that sorghum water extract of the stems achieved a significant increment in wheat yield.

Key words: Seed rate, Sorghum water extracts, Weeding, Wheat.

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**Aromatic Oil Composition of Myrtle Myrtus communis L. Leaves in Syria**

Omar Farouk Fahel^*(1) Waleed Mansour⁽²⁾ Fateh Khatib⁽³⁾ and Bader AL-Deen Galab⁽¹⁾

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

(2). Department of Renewable Natural Resources and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Omar Farouk Fahel. E-mail: ofaroukfa@gmail.com).

Received: 17/12/2016 Accepted: 29/01/2017

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the quantity of essential oil extracted from myrtle Myrtus communis L leaves, by hydro distillation, and to identify the major and minor components, besides to determine its quantities in the essential oil by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry GC-MS. The samples were collected on November 2013 from eight different climatic locations (Aleppo, Zarzour, Al-zenea, Katra AL-Rayhan, Al- Rayhana, Kasab, Mashta al-Holou and Mosiaf). The quantity and composition of the essential oil were estimated on the basis of the leaves dry weight. Oil quantity varied between the studied genotypes from different locations, which range from 0.46 to 0.55 ml, with non-significant differences. Eighteen compounds were identified in myrtle essential oil, and there were significant differences in 13 compounds. 1,8-Cineole performed the highest rate (18.85%) compared with other components, followed by α-Pinene (16.93%). While the lowest percentage was (0.31%) of Myrcene. The results showed superiority of humid and sub-humid areas in having higher content of the monoterpenes hydrocarbon compounds, compared to the semi-arid areas. While semi-arid areas performed high content in oxygenated monoterpenes compounds. The total content of oil components ranged between (78.53 to 86.26) %. The proportion of the major and minor components reached (59.45-22.71%) respectively.

Key words: Essential oil, Myrtus communis L., Gas Chromatography, Oil components, Hydrodistillation.

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Marketing Efficiency of Sheep Milk and its Derivatives in the Middle Area (Homs & Hama)

Khetam Idris^*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Khetam Idris. E-Mail: vera_naya@yahoo.com).

Received: 25/12/2016 Accepted: 22/01/2017

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the value added and marketing efficiency of Syrian sheep milk which it utilized in livestock products. The central region of Syria (Homs and Hama) was selected, it has a comparative advantages of processing sheep milk products, according to a questionnaire of sheep owners sample. The questionnaire depended upon the type of breeding (resident, semi-nomadic and nomadic) in 2011. The results showed that the marketing of fresh milk is very important for the three groups of sheep breeders, followed by yogurt, then cheese, then the rest of the products, which has less comparative advantage such as shanklish, that made for the resident breeders only. The results showed that home manufacturing process was profitable, where the value added was achieved by manufacturing sheep milk into cheese, labna, ghee, yogurt, shanklish, and qarishah, respectively. The results showed that there are many marketing chains to market the products, starts from the producers who sell directly to the consumers, or to the retailers or to the wholesalers, or to the cheese makers. Heckman model with two steps was used to determine the marketing efficiency of sheep milk and its products. The effects of independent variables on farmers’ decisions to participate in the marketing with the best way were studied. The independent variables that affected positively milk processing and the quantities marketed were: The education level of the breeder, number of working years in the field of sheep breeding, stability, getting a loan, cattle size and the price of milk and cheese. While the independent variables that have significant and negative affect, in terms of the reduction of milk processing, and marketing were: Price of milk, permanent Bedouin, and distance to the nearest market to sell products.

Key words: Value-added, Marketing chains, Marketing efficiency, Marketing of sheep milk.

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Applying ARIMA Models for Forecasting the Production of Cotton Crop in Syria

Salwa Almohammad⁽¹⁾ Ibtessam Jasem^*(2) and Mai Lubboss⁽¹⁾

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

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

(*Correspoding author: Dr. Ibtessam Jasem. E-Mail: e_sam_0@hotmail.com).

Received: 31/12/2016 Accepted: 25/01/2017

Abstract

Prediction acquired a great importance in economic studies, that made the decision-makers draw economic and social policies for future, depending on the available data of the phenomenon history. Many economic prediction methods were used as Autoregressive Integrated Moving Averages (ARIMA). This model is a mixture of autoregressive technique and moving averages. The objective of this research is to use ARIMA models for predicting production area and productivity of cotton crop in Syria, and at the level of the major producing provinces (Al Hasakah, Aleppo, Rakka and Al-Ghab), because of their high accuracy in time series analysis and prediction. Annual data of the production area and productivity of irrigated cotton crop during the period (1985-2012) was used. The results revealed that ARIMA model (1.0.0) is the most appropriate one for predicting the production area and productivity of cotton in Syria up till 2020 according to the statistical tests of the accuracy of predictive models. The results suggested an increase in area and productivity for the next eight years with an annual growth rate higher than the annual growth rate for the studied period (1985-2012), where the annual growth rates of the area and production were (0.48% and 0.30%), respectively.

Keywords: ARIMA models, Cotton , Syria.

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Determination Some Indicators of Pregnancy Toxemia in Shami Goat During the Peripartum

Abdulnaser Al Omar^*(1) and Yasin Mohammad Almohsen⁽²⁾

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

(2). Function Organs Department, Faculty of Veterinary, Hama University. Hama, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abdulnaser Omar. E-Mail: abdnaser64@gmail.com).

Received: 31/05/2016 Accepted: 19/06/2016

Abstract

The study was carried out at Hama Research Center/Syria, during 2014/2015 season, using twenty-five heads of Shami goat in the late pregnancy period aiming to determine some indicators of pregnancy toxemia in Shami goat during the peripartum. The animals were classified into two groups, the first one was considered as control group, and the second group was an experimental group. The blood samples were taken from both groups in different stages of the late pregnancy using biochemistry tests (BHB, NEFA, glucose, total protein, albumin and triglyceride). A quick analyze of the PH and acetone in the urine were applicated, also tests of died goat liver were conducted. The clinical findings showed a loss in appetite, general weakness, a decrease in rumen movements and obstruction, but in the early stages the animals were tend to lend in parallel with nervous symptoms (weak vision or complete blindness, trembling in neck muscles, which twisted back), and before the death of the animal, the animal enter into a deep coma for one or two days. There was a significant (p≤ 0.01-0.001) increase in BHB and NEFA concentrations, and a significant (p≤0.05) decrease in glucose concentration (2-3 weeks of antepartum), and albumin one week before birth. There was a significant (p≤0.05) increase in Triglycerides concentration Tg one to three weeks of antepartum. It was noticed a tendency to acidosis of pH in the urine of the experiment group, also positive indicator (+++) in acetone, one week before birth. The anatomical characteristic of the dead animals showed weakness, empty intestine, uterus included two or three fetuses and inflating and white yellow or orange to yellow liver, with fatty texture and thick edges. The conclusion of the study confirmed the importunacy of some clinical-biochemical evaluations and acetone and pH tests of urine, in order to have early diagnosis, and to evaluate the risks of pregnancy toxemia in Shami goats before birth time, so this can help to take the proper procedures.

Key Words: Shami goat, Pregnancy Toxemia, NEFA, BHB, Glucose.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF