The Combining Ability for Grain Yield and Some Secondary Traits of Some Maize Crosses under Water Stress Conditions

Majeda AL- Rwaily*⁽¹⁾ Ayman Shehada AL-Ouda⁽²⁾Samir AL-Ahmad⁽¹⁾ and Rshad ALobaid⁽¹⁾

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

(2). Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Majeda Al-Rwaily. E-Mail: r.majeda@gmail.com).

Received: 09/07/2016 Accepted: 10/10/2016

Abstract

Half diallel cross among six inbred lines was conducted at the Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Deir Ezzor, during the growing season 2010. The fifteen crosses and the two local checks Ghoota82 and Basel-1 were evaluated during the growing season 2011, after being exposed to water stress during flowering and grain filling stages, in order to study the genetic behavior through estimating the general and specific combining ability of some secondary traits determining the grain yield i.e., anthesis silking interval, number of ears and per plant, number of grains per ear, 100 grain weight and harvest index, and to determine the response of maize genotypes for water stress through flowering and grain filling stages. The trial was conducted according to randomized block design, with tree replications. Results showed that GCA and SCA mean square of both lines and crosses were highly significant for most of the investigated traits indicating that inbred lines had variation and genetic diversity. The ratio σ²GCA /σ² SCA indicated the importance of the non-additive gene action for grain yield under water stress conditions during flowering and grain filling stages, while the non-additive gene action dominated of all other traits under water stress during the grain filling stage and full irrigation. The two lines p₃ (IL344T.C-2007) and p₂ (IL1081T.C-2009) revealed the best GCA. The hybrids p₂×p₃ (IL1081-2009×IL344-2007), and p₁×p₃ (IL441-2009×IL344-2007) showed the best SGA for grain yield trait.

Keywords: Maize. Combining ability, Water stress, Grain yield, Half diallel cross.

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Hydrological Study and Monitoring of Some Pollution Indexes of Nahr Al-Kabir Al-Shamali Basin

Hussam H. Husein^*(1) Mustafa Beda⁽²⁾ Eissa F. Ali⁽³⁾ Ibrahem Zaghteti⁽¹⁾ and Abeer Karbouj⁽²⁾

(1). General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research, Administration of Natural Resources Research, Damascus, Syria.

(2). General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research, Administration of Natural Resources Research, Department of Drainage and Water Quality, Damascus, Syria.

(3). General Commission for Remote Sensing, Lattkia Branch, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Hussam Haj Husien. E-Mail: hussam_syr1@yahoo.com).

Received: 24/07/2016 Accepted: 05/10/2016

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess water pollution of Nahral-Kabir Al-Shamali according to the Syrian National Standard (SNS), because of that the following thematic maps of water streams, water catchments, Water bodies, concentration and draining points were developed. Those thematic were carried out using ArcHydro extension of GIS in order to select sampling sites along the river course. Water samples were taken from 9 permanent measurement points along the river during two seasons 2009 and 2010. The locations were: Estuary, Souq al-Hal, Jisr Ata Allah, Al-Saffkoun, Kafrya, Khan Al- Jouz, Wadi Al- Sheikhan, Marj Al-Zhour and Ein Al-Ashra. However, The changes in elements concentration i.e. NO₃^–, NO₂^–, SO₄^-2, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Na⁺, K⁺, pH, TDS, EC and TOC were studied. The findings showed a variation in pH values by the changes in the studied observation points, but they had almost similar behavior for the observation point itself. The pH value exceeded the permissible limits of the Syrian National Standard (SNS) in the observation points of Souq Al-Hal, Jisr Ata Allah, Al-Saffkoun and Ein Al-Ashra in all the studied months. The highest pH value was 9.52 in June at Al-Saffkoun, while the lowest one was 7.83 in February at Marj Al-Zhour. According to the study findings, the same behavior was for EC values and total dissolved salts (TDS). Most of the observation points didn’t exceed the permissible EC values and total dissolved salts (TDS), except for the observation points of the Estuary and Souq Al-Hal, where the value exceeded the permissible limits in all the studied months, and the lowest EC value for both observation points were 0.803 and 0.93 in March, respectively, and for total dissolved salts (TDS) the lowest values were 372 and 386 mg/L. The highest values of EC were 1.33 and 1.745dS/m in January, respectively, and for total dissolved salts (TDS) the highest values for both points were 630 and 860 mg/l. In terms of Na, the study showed that the obtained values of the studied samples had no excess of permissible limits in SNS i.e. 69 mg/l except for the Estuary, where the value exceeded the permissible limits in most of the studied months, and the highest value was 117.4 mg/l in January. Mg concentration exceeded the permissible limits of SNS i.e. 60.8 mg/l in the Estuary and Souq Al-Hal in June and November, so the highest value was in the Estuary in November i.e. 69.31 mg/l. K values exceeded the permissible limits of SNS in all sites and months with the highest value of 19.3 in the Estuary in November and the lowest value of 2.3 mg/l in February at Kafrya site. TOC values exceeded the permissible limits of SNS in all months and for most sites, so the highest value was 14.85 mg/l in August at Souq Al-Hal, and the lowest value was 2.26mg/l in November at Kafrya. On the other hand, NO₂^–, and NO₃^–have had different behavior, where the nitrite values exceeded the permissible limits of SNS in most of the studied months except for March and August, which didn’t exceed these limits at any point of observation points. On the contrary, the nitrate values didn’t exceed the permissible limits of SNS at most observation points in most months, thus the highest value of nitrite was 0.8mg/l in February at Wadi Al- Sheikhan. The highest nitrate value was 80.76mg/l in June at the Estuary point. This is attributed to the untreated industrial wastewater of some factories (iron rolling and mineral oils) at Estuary point.

Keywords: Nahr al-Kabir al-Shamalli, Thematic maps.

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**A Study of Inhibition Activity of Lactobacillus spp. Against Fungi and Aflatoxin B1 in Vitro**

Keethar Rashid Majeed⁽¹⁾, Amal Khazem Ghadban⁽¹⁾ and Faleh Mehdi Saleh^*(1)

(1). Food technology Department, Factual of Agriculture, Al Basra University, Al Basra, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Faleh Mehdi Saleh. E-Mail: husienforever1@gmail.com).

Received: 27/07/2017 Accepted: 18/08/2017

Abstract

This study was conducted in April 2015 to August 2016, to investigate the inhibition activity of Lactobacillus spp. in vitro against fungi and aflatoxin using local isolates i.e., L. casi (AKF ₁), L. plantarum (AKF₂), L. casi (AKF ₃), L. plantarum (AKF ₄) and L. Jonsonii (AKF ₅). The results of the statistical analyses showed that AKF₄ exhibited the highest inhibition activity (97, 62.33 and 97%) among all isolates using live bacteria, thermally killed bacteria, and its metabolic compounds, respectively. In contrasts, the inhibition activity of AKF₃ were (59, 14.33 and 59%) using live bacteria, thermally killed bacteria, and its metabolic compounds, respectively. Furthermore, aflatoxin binding was studied in vitro using the isolates (AKF _1,2,3,4,5) in MRS media containing 200 ppb of aflatoxin B₁. The results revealed that using live bacteria of AKF₄ at concentration 1×10⁸ cfu/ml for 48 h showed highest binding percentage 99.9 %, while thermally killed bacteria of AKF_1,2,5 at concentration 500 ppb for 48 h gave the highest binding percentage 100 % at 37 °C and pH 6.5. In addition, AKF 4 had the highest binding percentage 100% for both 24 h and 48 h at the same conditions. Binding efficiency results of thermally killed bacteria was 100 %, while binding efficiency of live bacteria ranged between (99.87-100%) when the bacteria was washed with water, acetonitrile and phosphate buffer saline.

Keywords: Wheat, Lactobacillus, Aflatoxin Binding B1, Fungal growth inhibition.

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**Phytochemical Screening of Arum dioscorides L. Leaves**

Ahmad Mohieddin Abdulaziz AlAyoubi^*(1) Khalil Ibrahim Kurdi⁽¹⁾ Abdullah Ibrahim Kataa⁽¹⁾ and Saleh Tarif Trefi⁽²⁾

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

(2). Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Control Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Mr. Ahmad Mohieddin Abdulaziz Ayoubi. E-mail: Ayoubi2Ahmad@Gmail.com).

Received: 24/05/2016 Accepted: 10/08/2016

Abstract:

In this study, the active ingredients contents of Arum dioscorides syriacum Blume variety leaves were studied. Calcium oxalate needles (raphides) were detected, besides protein percentage was of 4.72%. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of the leaves of A. dioscorides L. has shown the presence of active phytochemicals: Flavonoids, coumarines, tannins, sterols, triterpenoids, saponins, amino acids, and alkaloids; while the cardiac glycosides, and anthranoids were absent. It was concluded that the extraction of A. dioscorides L. leaves by methanol with sonication for 20 minutes gave better yields than the extraction with steeping for 24 hours. The extraction yields were 8.86% and 7.64% respectively. Also the total phenolics content (TPC) of the methanolic extract of the leaves was 13.29 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/g dry plant, and the total flavonoids content (TFC) was 7.32 mg Rutin Equivalent/g dry plant.

Key words: Arum dioscorides L., Calcium oxalate (raphides), Active ingredients, Total Phenolics Content (TPC), Total flavonoids content (TFC).

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Economics of Rainfed Olive Production in Homs Governorate

Moammar Dayoub*⁽¹⁾Khetam Edrees⁽²⁾ and Nisreen Edrees⁽²⁾

(1). Salamieh Agricultural Research Centre, General Commission for scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Socio Economic Studies Directorate, Homs Agricultural Research Center, GCSR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Moammar Dayoub. E-Mail: m-dayoub@hotmail.com).

Received: 20/07/2016 Accepted: 20/08/2016

Abstract

The main objective of this research was the descriptive economic and econometric analysis of cost functions of rain fed olive in Homs Governorate/Syria. In addition, this study aimed to determent the economic efficiency that maximize profit. Primary data was collected in 2012 and 2013 through interviews with the farmers. The farms were divided according to stability zones to zone 1 and 2. According to the descriptive economic analysis of costs and returns of olive production, the highest average of production cost per kilogram of olives was (120.98) SP for zone (1) in 2013, and the lowest value was (76.76) SP for zone (2) in 2012. In general, an obvious increment in production costs was appeared; this is due to the increase in production supplies prices, and labor wages in 2013 when compare with 2012. Also, a significant increase in the cost of olive oil production in 2013 as compared with 2012. The olive oil cost of 1 Kg in zones 1 and 2 for the season 2012 were (436.58, 388.52), and (528.66, 522.83) in 2013, respectively, this is due to the influence of high temperature, and the fall of flowers, which led to a significant decrease in fruition, in addition to other reasons because of the crisis, included the rising in oil production costs, starting from labor wages, ending with the wages of wills and transportation. Using the econometric models of cost functions, the economic efficient size was computed. The optimal production, and area in zone 1 were in 2011 (3533.33 kg, 3.00 Ha), respectively, while in 2013 were (4021.74 kg 4.4 Ha), but in zone (2) the optimal production, and area were (3783.78 kg, 3.59 Ha) in 2012, while in 2013 were (4500 kg, 3.93 Ha), respectively. This increment in production, and area in 2013 due to the alternate fruit bearing phenomenon in olive trees, besides the increase in production costs. The study concluded the need to support production requirements, especially for rainfed olive, because it is considered an important income source for the families of the region, and contribute to the stability and sustainability of agricultural production.

Keywords: Econometric analysis, Costs of olive production, Rainfed, Economic efficiency.

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Some Factors Effecting Twins Lambing in the Syrian Awassi Sheep

Abd Al-Naser AL-Omar^*(1) Mohammad Roukbi⁽²⁾ Abd Al-Karem Sultan⁽¹⁾ and Ayman Dubaa^{( 3)}

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

(2). Aleppo Agriculture Research Center, (GSCAR), Damascus, Syria..

(3). Animal Wealth Research Administration, (GSCAR), Damascus, Syria.

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

Received: 04/07/2016 Accepted: 21/08/2017

Abstract
This study aimed to study the effect of birth type, age and year of the ewes, and season of lambing on multiple lambing in the Syrian Awassi sheep. The research was conducted at Jidrin Research Station of Awassi Sheep, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria, during seven seasons (2005-2011). Data of 4437 animals was collected (1976 ewes, 68 males, 2393 lambs). Birth date and type of birth (single, multiple) were registered. Also, multiple born births, number and percentage of dead lambs were recorded. The animals were divided into four groups: (1) Twin-born ewes that mated with multiple-born rams, (2) multiple born ewes that mated with single born rams, (3) single born ewes that mated with multiple born rams, and (4) single born ewes that mated with single born rams. The percentage of multiple births in groups (1), (2), (3) and (4) were (23.9%, 30.3%, 19.2% and 19.03%, respectively). Significant difference (p≤0.05) was noticed for the group (2) (mmultiple born ewes that mated with single born rams). Multiple lambing increased from 16.2% in 2005 to 25% in 2011. Season of lambing had a significant effect (p≤0.01) on multiple lambing. High significant correlation (r=0.99) between multiple lambing and the age of the ewe was resulted. The number of multiple births increased from 11.3% at the age of 2 years to 27.1% at the age of 5 years old. The average of mortality rate of lambs between birth and weaning was (6.4%) without a significant difference between single and twin born lambs. It has been concluded that multiple born ewes should be preferred and maintained for the selection programs to rise the multiple lambing and get the economic revenue of the Awassi sheep breed.
Key words: Animal birth type; Multiple lambing; Syrian Awassi sheep.

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Identification of Some Local Apple Cultivars and Genotypes Using SSR Markers

Bayan Muzher*⁽¹⁾ and Ola Al-Halabi⁽¹⁾

(1). Biotechnology Division, Apple Center Department, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Bayan Muzher. E-mail: bmuzher@hotmail.com).

Received: 24/08/2016 Accepted: 27/09/2016

Abstract

The current research was carried out during 2012-2013 to identify and screening some of local apple cultivars and genotypes, which distributed in different environmental regions using SSR markers. Fifteen local apple cultivars and genotypes were collected, in addition to two commercial cultivars; Golden delicious and Royal gala and three seedling genotypes. Genetic analysis were achieved using 16 SSR primer pairs, 15 of them were able to detect the polymorphism in the studied genotypes. The total number of polymorphic alleles was 40, with polymorphism percentage of 97.56%. The number of alleles ranged between 1- 4 alleles, with an average 2.56 alleles per locus. Genetic similarity ranged from 13 to 100%. The Cluster analysis divided the studied genotypes into two clusters, the first cluster included Golden delicious with Royal gala and the two seedling genotypes A and B in addition to most of genotypes collected from the coastal region, and Skarji cultivar, while the second cluster included C seedling genotype besides the local apple cultivars Sukari1, Sukari2, and Shmamti, also four local apple genotypes. Expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.495, while observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.285. Consequently, SSR markers were able to detect the genetic variability among studied genotypes that belong to local apple cultivars, which lead to reduce the time and efforts for determining their genetic identity.

Key words: Apple, Local cultivars, SSR, Genetic similarity.

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Effect of Different Treatments of Fertilizing on the Nutritional Status of Micronutrients on the Al-Helwani Grapevine

Mahmoud Al-Shihadat^*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mahmoud Al-Shihadat. E-Mail: mahmod.h.sh@hotmail.com).

Received: 14/06/2016 Accepted: 06/04/2016

Abstract

A research was carried out in Daraa Governorate, Syria, during three seasons (2008, 2009 and 2010) with 10 years old grapevines of cultivar Al-Helwani (Vitis vinifera L.) to study the effect of different treatments of fertilizing on the nutritional status of micronutrients. Three mineral fertilizer rates of (N.P.K) 75-25-50, 150-50-100, 300-100-200 Kg/ha were used, in addition to a control without fertilization. The triple super-phosphate was added by broadcast on the soil surface, and in bands on depth of 30 cm. All experiment trees were sprayed with a solution of fertilizer containing micronutrients iron sulphate 26% and zinc sulphate 24% and boric acid 17%, in a rate of 1g /L of each of the previous fertilizer compounds. Whereas the dried granulated manure was added with average 30 t/ha. The addition of organic manure led to improve the nutritional status of the grapevine throughout the increasing of the content of their petioles from the nutrients. There was a significant increase in the petioles content of the nutrients when organic manure was added comparing with other treatments, except petioles content of copper. A significant increasing in petioles content of (iron 249.61 PPM, manganese 195.56 PPM, boron 54.30 PPM, magnesium 0.430 %, and calcium 2.42 %) was observed when phosphate fertilizer was added in depth of soil comparing with broadcast treatments (iron 227.15 PPM, manganese 186.36 PPM, boron 52.51 PPM, magnesium 0.378 %, calcium 2.18 %). While there was no effect of phosphate placement on the content of petioles from copper. In opposite side, the concentration of zinc in the petioles decreased under the treatments of adding the phosphate in depth (36.27 PPM), comparing with their addition on soil surface (43.10 PPM). The third rate of fertilizer was the best of mineral fertilization in increasing the content of petioles from manganese (237.31 PPM) and boron (60.15 PPM). Whereas the first rate of mineral fertilizer was the best in increasing the content of petioles from copper (10.93PPM), zinc (49.71 PPM), magnesium (0.46 %) and calcium (2.46 %). At the same time, the second rate was the best rate in increasing the concentration of iron in the petioles (299.06 PPM), compared to the control (139.06 PPM). So it is advisable to add the organic manure in the vineyards for its positive impact in increasing the efficiency of absorption of mineral minor and major elements, and it is recommended the addition of phosphate fertilizer at a depth of 30 cm for its effect in increasing petioles content of iron and manganese, boron and magnesium.

Key words: Grapevine, Al-Helwani cultivar, Organic fertilization, Phosphate fertilizer, Microelements.

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Effect of Partial Root-zone Drying and Ridge Height on Water Use Efficiency of Potato Solanum tuberosum L. in Maareb Province, Yemen

Hazem Hezam Ahmed Al-Ashwal^*(1) and Bandar Mohsen Ahmed Almangathy⁽²⁾

(1). Soil and Water Department, Regional Research Station in North Heights, Jidr, General Organization of Agricultural Research and Extension, Sanaa, Yemen Republic.

(2). Horticulture Department, Eastern Area Research Station, Marib, Yemen Republic.

Received: 16/12/2016 Accepted: 15/02/2016

Abstract:

An experiment was conducted at a Research Farm, Eastern Regions of Agricultural Station, located in Almanien, Marib governorate, during 2009-2010 season, to study the effect of the partial root-zone drying PRD and ridge height on water use efficiency for potatoes in dry areas. The experiment was designed as factorial experiment (split plot design) to study two factors: first, irrigation method (I) included three treatments, full irrigation (FI), alternative partial irrigation (API), and fixed partial irrigation (FPA), and the second factor was ridge height (R) included two treatments, high ridge (LR), height of edge ranged between 35-30 cm, and small ridge (SR), height of edge ranged between 25-20 cm. Results showed that application of PRD had higher water use efficiency WUE 0.0696 and 0.0677 tons/mm. hectare for API and FPA, respectively as compared to FI 0.0461 tons/mm. hectare. WUE increased significantly by 50.98 % in API treatment without any significant effect on growth, and yield indicators. Results also showed that the PRD technique reduced evaporation, transpiration, evapotranspiration, and deep percolation rates 28.39%, 19.81%, 49.87%, and 50.71%, respectively, compared to full irrigation. Also, the ridge height and interactions did not affect significantly yield, and WUE.

Key words: Ridge height, Partial irrigation, Potato, Water use efficiency.

Full paper in Arabic: Effect of Partial Root-zone Drying and Ridge Height on Water Use Efficiency of Potato Solanum tuberosum L. in Maareb Province, Yemen

Effect of Fertilizing on the Nutritional Status of Helwani Grapevine, (Vitis vinifera L.)

Mahmoud Al-Shihadat^*(1)

(1). Horticulture Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR).

(*corresponding author: Dr. Mahmoud AL-Shihadat. Email: mahmod.h.sh@hotmail.com).

Received: 16/03/2016 Accepted: 18/04/2016

Abstract

The research was carried out in Daraa Governorate during three seasons (2008-2010), using ten years old grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) Helwani cultivar to study the influence of different mineral fertilization NPK, and the way of super-phosphate addition in the presence or absence of manure application on the nutritional status of grapes. Three levels of NPK fertilization were used (75:25:50,150:50:100, and 300:100:200 Kg/ha), in addition to a control without fertilization. Super-phosphate was either broadcasted on the soil surface or added in rows at a depth of 30 cm. Fermented sheep manure was applied at one rate of 30 ton/ha. Split-split plot design with three replications was used. The results showed that addition of manure improved the nutritional status of grapevine throughout increasing nutrient content of their petioles. There was a significant increase in the petioles content of the nutrients (nitrogen 1.33%, phosphorus 0.26%, potassium 1.87%) when organic manure was added compared to control (nitrogen 1.25% and 0.23% phosphorus, potassium 1.81%). A significant increment in petioles content of phosphorus was observed when phosphate fertilizer was added in-depth of 30 cm comparing with the broadcast treatment. There was no effect of the way of addition on the content of petioles from nitrogen and potassium. The third level of NPK was the best in increasing the content of petioles of nitrogen 1.46 %, phosphorus 0.28%, and potassium 1.97%. Therefore, it is recommended to add organic manure in the vineyards for its positive effect on improving the absorption efficiency of minerals. The addition of phosphate fertilizer at a depth of 30 cm is advisable because of its effect on increasing petioles content of phosphorus, which is a good indicator of the nutritional and health status of trees, and for its role in improving production quality and quantity.

Key words: Manuring, Mineral fertilization NPK, Phosphate fertilizer, Petioles, Grapevines.

Full paper in Arabic: Effect of Fertilizing on the Nutritional Status of Helwani Grapevine, (Vitis vinifera L.)