**Distribution of Citrus tristeza virus in Syrian Coast**

**Ensaf Akel*⁽¹⁾ and Imad Ismail⁽²⁾**

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

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ensaf Akel. Email: ensafakel5n4a@gmail.com).

Received: 24/04/2016 Accepted: 24/05/2016

Abstract

A survey of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) (CTV, Closterovirus, Closteroviridae) in citrus orchards in Syrian Coast was conducted between March and November 2011. 288 samples were collected (219 samples from old tree, and 69 samples from public and private nurseries) from three regions: Lattakia, Jablah, Banyas. Most of samples showed symptoms similar to symptoms caused by viral diseases. Tissue Blot Immuno binding Assay TBIA was used to detect CTV. Results showed the distribution of Citrus tristeza virus, in citrus orchards in Syrian Coast in different rations in Lattakia region (27.64%), Banyas (22.05%), and Jablah (19.58%). Virus was recorded on different citrus varieties, which belongs to different groups. The highest infection value was recorded on Sweet orange (35.92%), Mandarine (8.16%), Sour orange (6.25%), and Grapefruit (5%). Also the virus was recorded in some public and private nurseries, in Vdeo and Al Hanadi locations, so that is a serious indicator of virus prevalence, because the rootstocks are distributed to the farmers through these nurseries.

Key Words: Citrus, CTV, Survey, TBIA.

Full paper in Arabic: Distribution of Citrus tristeza virus in Syrian Coast

Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

Abdullatif Al Ghazzawi^*(1) Mahmoud Abu Ghoura⁽²⁾ Nabeel Al Ahmad Bek⁽¹⁾ and Raghda Al Baghdadi⁽¹⁾

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

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Abdullatif Al Ghazawi. E-Mail: Ghazawi11@gmail.com).

Received: 13/12/2015 Accepted: 28/04/2016

Abstract

Tomato stem pith necrosis disease which is caused by Pseudomonas corrugata Roberts & Scarlettis is one of the most important diseases infecting tomatoes which grown in the greenhouses that spreaded in the Syrian coast region. 40 isolates of P. corrugata were collected from Tartous and Latakia governorates, and their ability of infection, and virulence were evaluated. The most three virulent isolates (G12.1, G14.3 and G35) were chosen to test their infection ability on ten tomato hybrids which most grown in the greenhouses, depending on their susceptibility scale from 0 to 3. The tested isolates were varied in their virulence in Tartous and Latakia, and within the same governorate. Some isolates from Tartous (G35, G14.3 and G12.1) were superior in their ability of infection compared with the rest of isolates collected from both governorates against the plants of the hybrid Code 80 F1, the values of infection were 4.9, 4.7 and 4.4, respectively. Meanwhile, both Tartous isolate 107.1 and Latakia isolate 121.1 were in the last order in their ability of infection. The results showed also that all ten tested tomato hybrids were infected by the bacteria under the artificial inoculation conditions with variable degrees. The hybrid Saida was the highest susceptible with an average of infection 6.61 and the lowest was hybrid Sidra with an average of infection 2.31. The tested hybrids were divided according to the infection scale to high infected, moderate infected, and partially tolerant and tolerant.

Key words: Pith necrosis, Pseudomonas corrugata, Syria, Tomato hybrids.

Full paper in Arabic: Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

**First Record of Two Beetle Species of Mesquite Trees Prosopis juliflora (Sw) D.C. in Yemen**

Ismail Abdullah Muharram^*(1) Mohammed Saleh Al-Nossari⁽¹⁾ and Ahmed Mohammed Sallam⁽²⁾

(1). Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA), Yemen.

(2). Nasser Faculty of Agriculture, Aden University, Yemen.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ismail Abdullah Muharram. Email: imuharam@gmail.com).

Received: 18/02/2017 Accepted: 06/05/2017

Abstract

Mesquite trees Prosopis juliflora (Sw) D.C. are wide spread in different countries of the world including Yemen, and occupied the fertile and marginal lands. However, the areas of this plant are increasing rapidly in Yemen. Mesquite trees are a host for large number of insects, which can be used to reduce the spread of the trees, and control it within an integrated management system, including the insects that feed on the seeds and pods of this plant. This study was carried out during 2004-2005 seasons, in Tehama, Lahje, and Abian where the trees of Mesquite are spread widely. The collection of mature pods of these trees were put in the insects breeding boxes. In this manuscript four insects species were identified, which belong to Coleoptera order as follow: Algarobius prosopis (LeConts); Caryedon near serratus (Olivier); Bruchidius andrewesi (Pic) that belong to Bruchidae family; and lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) which belongs to Anobiidae family. Two species were recorded for the first time in Yemen, Caryedon serratus (Olivier), and Bruchidius andrewesi (Pic), but, the others species were well known in Yemen, as pests on different crops including prosopis.

Key words: Mesquite trees, Algarobius prosopis, Caryedon near serratus, Lasioderma serricorne, Bruchidius andrewesi, Yemen.

Full paper in English: First Record of Two Beetle Species of Mesquite Trees Prosopis juliflora (Sw) D.C. in Yemen

Deficit Irrigation Scheduling in Corn and Economic Feasibility Associated with it

Inaya Sh. Kanshow*⁽¹⁾Nidal Jhonny⁽²⁾ Rula Ziada⁽³⁾ Kowthar Hamed⁽⁴⁾ and Hussien ALAli⁽⁵⁾

(1). Al Qunaietra Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Al Qunaietra, Syria. (2). Natural Resources Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria. (3). Socioeconomic Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria. (4). Crops Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria. (5). Soil Lab, Al Qunaietra Agricultural Research Center, (GCSAR), Al Qunaietra, Syria.(*Corresponding author: Dr. Inaya Kanshow. E-Mail: inayakan@gmail.com).

Received: 10/12/ 2015 Accepted: 15/02/ 2016

Abstract

This research was conducted, at the Agricultural Research Center of Al Qunaeitra, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR)/Syria, during two growing seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) using hybrid corn i.e. Basil2, in order to determine the effect of deficit irrigation on grain yield and productivity of irrigation water. Seven levels of deficit irrigation were applied during growth stages, in addition to full irrigation as control (100% of field capacity). A complete randomized block design (RCBD) was applied, with three replicates. Results showed that the control, gave the highest significant value of grain yield (12460) kg/ha, and medium significant value of irrigation water use efficiency (3.97) kg/m. Increasing water stress caused a significant reduction in grain yield, reached (11360) kg/ha as the highest significant value if one irrigation is missed (466) m ³/ha^-1 in the grain filling stage, saving 15% of irrigation water, and the highest significant value of irrigation water use efficiency reached (4.23) kg/m ^-3, compared to the control, while the lowest significant value of grain yield reached (4713) kg//ha when the plants were exposed to water stress in vegetative, flowering and grain filling stages, saving 48% of irrigation water, associated with the lowest significant value of irrigation water use efficiency, which achieved (2.89) kg/m³.

Key words: Corn, Deficit irrigation, Grain yields, Irrigation water use efficiency.

Full paper in Arabic: Deficit Irrigation Scheduling in Corn and Economic Feasibility Associated with it

Isolation of Atmospheric Nitrogen Fixation Bacteria (Rhizobium) and its Effect on Growth and Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Solaf Hallwm^{* (1)} Ali Hyadar⁽¹⁾ Entesar Shabu⁽¹⁾and Nahed Nassour⁽¹⁾

(1). Lattakia Scientific Agricultural Research Centre, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. (*Corresponding author: Eng. Solaf Hallwm. E-mail: solaf.hallowm1975@gmail.com).

Received: 04/11/ 2015 Accepted: 31/01/ 2016

Abstract

The research aims to investigate the effect of atmospheric nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium and nitrogen fertilization on growth and productivity of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) under field condition. The experiment was conducted, in completely randomized block design, in Al-Snoubar Research Station, Scientific Research Center in Lattakia/Syria, during 2015 season. Two nitrogen levels (N₀%،N₅₀%،N₁₀₀%), were added based on soil analysis, in addition to control. Seeds were inoculated with two isolates (chickpea AZ₁, bean AZ₂, and control AZ₀). Results showed that the treatment (N₁₀₀, AZ₁) is the best in term of productivity, dry shoot weight, plant height, and number of grains per plant. Furthermore, the treatments (N_1OO%, N₅₀%) affected negatively the weight of 100 seeds. AZ₁ treatment, with all nitrogen levels, exceeded control in term of all traits.

Key words: Chickpea, Nitrogen fertilizer, Rhizobium.

Full paper in Arabic: Isolation of Atmospheric Nitrogen Fixation Bacteria (Rhizobium) and its Effect on Growth and Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

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Determining Some Stability Adaptation Parameters for Sugar Beet Commercial Varieties in Summer Sowing

Entessar Al Jbawi^*(1) Thamer Al Huniesh⁽¹⁾ Zuhair AL Jasem⁽²⁾ Nahla Al Mahmoud⁽¹⁾ and Hussien Al Zubi⁽¹⁾

(1). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. (2). Der Ezzor Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Der Ezzor, Syria. (*Corresponding author: Dr. Entesssar AL Jbawi: dr.entessara@gmail.com).

Received: 22/04/2016 Accepted: 15/05/2016

Abstract

The research was carried out to study the adaptation of 14 commercial monogerm cultivars of sugar beet in three successive years 2009-2011 at major sugar beet producing location in summer sowing time, Deir Ezzor, in Syria, and assess genotype by environment interaction, and to estimate the stability of the varieties performance according to the yield stability statistics (Ysi) for the studied traits of these varieties. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Data collected from each experiment were subjected to simple analysis of variance and after homogenization of error variance, combined analysis for four traits including Sucrose content% (SC), Purity % (P ), Root yield (RY ), and Sugar yield (SY ) were carried out. Combined analysis of variance over years, exhibited a significant differences (P≤0.05) between the varieties, indicating genetic differences. Results of yield stability statistics (Ysi) revealed that three of the monogerm sugar beet varieties (Rafal, Agora, and Sherif) were judged as stable for all of the studied traits, during the last three seasons, which is recommended to be planted in summer time in Deir Ezzor region.

Key words: Genotype-Environment Interaction (GEI), Stability analysis, Sugar beet.

Full paper in English: Determining Some Stability Adaptation Parameters for Sugar Beet Commercial Varieties in Summer Sowing

The Role of Zero Tillage in Economic Return of Rain-fed Lentils in Al-Qamishli and Al-Malikiyah (Al-Hasakah Governorate)

Alaa Hamo*⁽¹⁾ Shabab Nasser⁽¹⁾ and Khaled Sultan⁽¹⁾

(1). Economic Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University. Damascus. Syria. (*Corresponding author: Eng. Alaa hamo. E-Mail: alaasuliman@outlook.com).

Received: 29/02/2016 Accepted: 06/04/2016

Abstract

This study aims to define the role of zero tillage (ZT) in economic return for the lentils in the regions of Al-Qamishli and Al-Malikiyah (Al-Hasakah governorate). All farmers who followed ZT system in these regions has been selected. Sample size amounted to 200 randomly selected farmers, of which 100 follow ZT system, and the other 100 follow traditional cultivation. The economic analysis depended on estimating the average production costs, and economic returns for growing seasons 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. The results showed that the production cost in ZT is less than the TC by 12%, estimated to 56024, 63982 SYP/ha respectively. The net profit of ZT was about 391986 SYP/ha on average, with 7958 SYP/ha greater than TC. Moreover the average cost ZT compared to ZT has been reduced by 19.8%, estimated to 30 and 37 SYP/kg, respectively. The analysis showed that the ZT reduce the amount of fuel consumption, working hours, seeding rate and total cost by 67%, 56 %, 44%, 32%, respectively. While the yield has increased by 9%. This study revealed that ZT achieved an economic return higher than TC by 12 %.

Keywords: Zero tillage (ZT), Traditional cultivation (TC), Production costs, Economic return, Rain-fed lentils.

Full paper in English: The Role of Zero Tillage in Economic Return of Rain-fed Lentils in Al-Qamishli and Al-Malikiyah (Al-Hasakah Governorate)

Efficiency Evaluation of Some Nematophagous Fungi Against Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Cotton Plants in Syria

AL- Masri, M. ⁽¹⁾, S. Alarabi ⁽¹⁾, R. Albaka⁽¹⁾, M. Abed Al kader⁽²⁾ and K. Al-Assas ⁽²⁾

(1). Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General commission for scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. (2). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. (*Correspoding author: Dr. Maymounah Al-Masri. E-Mail: dr.maymonh-almasri@hotmail.com).

Received: 04/01/2016 Accepted: 28/03/2016

Abstract

The efficiency of 7 nematofagous fungi (Trichoderma harzianum, Monacrosporium eudermatum Strain 2024 (recently Arthrobotrys eudermatum), Arthrobotrys conoides Strain 2022, A. candida Strain 2012, Paecilomyces lilacinus Strain 14052 (recently Purpureocillium lilacinum), P. variotii Strain I and P. variotii Strain II) were evaluated against root-knot nematode M. incognita (race 3) on cotton plants (variety Aleppo 33) in pots under field conditions during 2012 at Hama Scientific Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR/Syria. The use of tested fungi reduced the number of egg masses on cotton roots, number of larvae in the soil, nematode reproduction rate, and improved cotton plants growth indicators comparing with the control plants (P≤0.05). The fungus A. conoides was the most efficient one in reducing the number of root gall (57%), while Paecilomyces fungi reduced significantly the egg hatching rates which ranged 13.2-18.2% comparing with the control that inoculated only with the nematode (63.5%), with no significant differences among them. Also, results showed significant differences with the relative efficiency rates for the two fungi (P.lilacinus and P. variotii Strain I), and nematicide Mocap (Ethoprop) in the reducing egg mass rates (52.3, 62.1, and 93.1, respectively). The effect of the fungus M. eudermatumwas was not only in the parasitism on the vermiform stages, but also it reduced the eggs average inside egg masses (455.8 egg\egg mass), similarly to the effect of nematicide Mocap (Ethoprop) treatment alone (203.7 egg\egg mass).

Key words: Cotton, Nematofagous Fungi, Meloidogyne incognita.

Full paper in Arabic: Efficiency Evaluation of Some Nematophagous Fungi Against Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Cotton Plants in Syria

Efficiency of Some Biotical-Fungi against Parasitic Nematode on Peanut Rhizosphere

Sobhya Al-Arabi*⁽¹⁾ Maymouna Al masri⁽¹⁾Rabieaa Al baka⁽¹⁾ Faysal Al Farawati⁽¹⁾and Mazen Albasaleh⁽¹⁾

(1). Plant Protection Research Administration, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. (*Corresponding author: Eng. Sobhya Al-Arabi. E-Mail: sobhia_alarabi@hotmail.com).

Received: 15/11/ 2015 Accepted: 01/01/ 2016

Abstract

Efficiency of some biotical-fungi (Fusarium moniliform, Trichoderma harzianum, Pacilomyces lilacinus, Gliocladium virens and nematicide Fenamiphos EC 40% (0.7 ml/l) were evaluated to reduce the density of parasitic nematode of peanut plants rhizosphere in Hama (Dimo) and Latakia (Eidiya) governorates, Syria, during 2011. Results showed that all tested biotical-fungi were efficient to control the parasitic nematode; they contributed in the growth of peanut plants and increased their productivity by 55% in comparison with control plants. An obvious effect of the application time of these fungi was recorded; the treatment at planting time was superior significantly with 97 to 100% compared with the treatment in the midseason after 70 days of planting of 52.7 to 74%. Meanwhile, no significant differences were recorded when these fungi were applied in two different regions (central and coastal) to decrease population of the parasitic nematode of peanut.

Keywords: Biotical-fungi, Fenamiphos, Fusarium moniliform, Pacilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum, Gliocladium virens, peanut, Syria.

Full paper in Arabi: Efficiency of Some Biotical-Fungi against Parasitic Nematode on Peanut Rhizosphere

Ensaf Akel*(1) and Imad Ismail(2)

Abstract

**Ensaf Akel*⁽¹⁾ and Imad Ismail⁽²⁾**