Preliminary Survey of Some Causal Agents of Tomato Stem Rot and Pith Necrosis in Greenhouses of the Coastal Region in Syria

Abd Al-lateef Al-Ghazzawi*⁽¹⁾ Mahmood Abu Ghoura⁽²⁾ Nabil Al-Beig⁽¹⁾ and Ragda Al-Baghdadi⁽¹⁾

(1). Administration Research of Plant Protection, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Abdullatif Al Ghazawi. E-mail: Ghazawi11@gmail.com. Mobile phone: +963 0991187894).

Abstract

Tomato stem pith necrosis disease has been observed in the greenhouses in Syria since the beginning of nineties in northern west of Aleppo, but recent surveys confirmed the existence of the disease in the coastal region (Tartous and Lattakia governorates), where tomato is cultivated intensively in greenhouses. The results of the survey showed that percentage of greenhouses infected with the disease in Tartous governorate during 2010 and 2011 were 17.7 % and 24.4% respectively, and the disease averages of spread were 0.19% and 0.28% respectively, where infected plants percentages were 0.72% and 0.97% respectively. The percentages of greenhouses infected with the disease in Lattakia governorate during the 2010 and 2011 were 23.20 and 24.86% respectively, and the disease averages of spread were 0.32 and 0.35% respectively, where infected plants percentages were 0.65% and 0.85% respectively. 60 isolates out of 100 isolates resulted from the survey, were characterized morphologically, physiologically and biochemically as Pseudomonas corrugate, where 12 isolates were identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum, and PCR was used to identify 4 isolates resulted from (pcc) with the aid of specific primers.

Key words: Tomato. Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, Pith necrosis, Pseudomonas corrugate. Lattakkia, Tartous.

Full paper in Arabic:حصر أولي لمسببات موت لب ساق البندورة في الزراعة المحمية في المنطقة الساحلية من سورية

Study Population Dynamic of Citrus Rust Mite Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophidae), and Test the Effect of Some Acaricides for Control and Record New Natural Enemy in Syrian Coast

Rafeek Abboud*⁽¹⁾ Majeda Mofleh⁽¹⁾ Raeed Sbaih⁽¹⁾ and Mohamad Ahmad⁽²⁾

(1). Agriculture Research Center in Lattakia, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research, (GCSAR), Lattakia, Syria.
(2).Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rafeek Abboud. E-mail: abboud.rafeek@hotmail.com).

Abstract

Citrus Rust Mite (CRM) continues to be a major pest on citrus in the Syrian coast, and other regions of the world. This study aimed to monitor the densities of CRM population dynamic, and survey its natural enemies and study the effect of some acaricides for control CRM on Valencia trees in the Syrian coast. The experiment was conducted in Vlencia trees field in Ciano Research Station, Latakia Agricultural Research Center, Syria. Four acaricides treatments (Fenbutatin-oxid 550 sc, Fenbutatin-oxid 500sc, sulfur 80% and Abamectin 1.8) according to the recommended rates were used, with four replicates per treatment and two trees per replicate, and untreated one as control. The percentage of rusting on fruit surface was estimated. A sample of 20 fruits of each tree was taken to count the mobile stages of CRM using manual microscope (20x) on an area of 1 cm² of each fruit. Also the natural enemies of CRM were detected. The mobile stages of CRM appeared in mid of July 2013, but in 2014 the appearance was late until mid of august, because of that the Population densities of CRM were lower in 2014 than 2013. This study recorded a new predator belongs to Cecidomyiidae, which feeding on CRM. Densities of CRM decreased significantly in all treatments with acaricides after one week of application during the two seasons. The maximum densities of CRM were achieved in the control treatment after two and five weeks in 2013 and 2014 respectively. In terms of number of the mobile stages of CRM after three weeks of acaricised application, no significant differences were noticed between the treated plots with acaricides, but they differed significantly with the control. Fenbutatin-oxid recorded the lowest number of damaged fruits in 2013, but in 2014 no damaged fruits were recorded in all acaricide treatments, damage in the control treatment. The results shows that all the tested acaricides were affective for controlling CRM on citrus when the application is at early time.

Keywords: Citrus rust mite, Natural enemies, Acaricides.

Full paper in Arabic: دراسة تغيرات كثافة مجتمع حلم صدأ الحمضيات واختبار مجموعة من المبيدات في مكافحته وتسجيل عدو حيوي جديد له في الساحل السوري

The Effect of Wild Boars on Agricultural Crops and Their Control in Salfit Governorate in Palestine

Hazem Sawalha^*(1) Nasreen Tarsha⁽¹⁾ Anan Hussein⁽²⁾ Imad Abu Al-Hassan⁽⁴⁾

(1). Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Arab American University, Palestine.
(2). Department of Physics, of Arts and Sciences, Arab American University, Palestine.
(3). Department of Arabic Language and Media, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Arab American University, Palestine.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Hazem Sawalha. E-Mail: hazem.sawalha@aauj.edu).

Received: 23/11/2015 Accepted: 14/03/2016

Abstract

The spread of wild boars in Palestine has increased and became a serious problem affecting agriculture sector. The animals has characterized to adapting the environment, which is full of fruit trees and forest. Wild boars have a high birth rate, which enable them to multiply quickly producing large number of offsprings. A study was conducted in Salfit governorate to examine the influence of wild boars on agricultural crops, as these animals have been considered the most serious pest that threatens agriculture in this area. The study includes several areas that represent the most fertile agricultural areas in Salfit governorate. The data was collected from target areas, using questionnaire, and interviews with farmers in those areas. The results indicated that the rates of damages were much greater in olive trees, vegetable crops, and field crops in the villages of Salfit, which approached 46%, 45% and 44%, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum rate of damage in fruit trees, stone fruits and shrubs was in the city of Salfit, which achieved 36%. Studying the prevalence of wild boars throughout the year showed that the highest prevalence was in June, reaching 19.5% and the lowest was in January by 2.4%. The study showed that the most successful and applicable methods of control were the use of poisons and fences, where the percentages of using such methods were 51% and 39.5% for poisons and fences, respectively, while as using traps was much lower than other methods and their use did not exceed 4%.

Key words: Wild Boar, Agricultural crops, Control methods, Palestine, Salfit.

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير الخنازير البرية في المحاصيل الزراعية وطرق مكافحتها في محافظة سلفيت في فلسطين

Molecular Study of Pear Psylla Cacopsylla spp. (Psyllidae: Hemiptera) in Middle and Southern Regions of Syria

Bassam Oudeh*⁽¹⁾ Wajih Kassis ⁽²⁾ and Randa Abu-Tara ⁽³⁾

(1). Mokhtaria Research Station, Agricultural Scientific Research Center at Homs, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Homs, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(3). Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Bassam Oudeh. E-Mail: B_oudeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 01/02/ 2015 Accepted: 31/07/ 2015

Abstract

Molecular study of pear psylla Cacopsylla spp. (Psylldae: Hemiptera) was carried out in the biotechnology laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University during the growing season 2013/ 2014. Samples were collected from four governorates located in middle and southern regions of Syria: Homs (Mokhtaria Research Station and Al- Rastan), Hama (Tezeen), Damascus rural (Al-Zabadany) and Al-Sweida (Al-Sweida Research Center). The results showed that genetic differences of pear psylla by using ISSR with 19 primers, only 12 primers were succeeded in amplifying the male ́s DNA of pear psylla. The total number of bands was 70, only 64 bands were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphism between males was (93.06%), males of pear psylla of Damascus rural and Al-Sweida were the most closer (86.12%), the cluster analysis separated the males of Hama in an independent first group, and the second was separated into two sub clusters, males of Al-Rastan and Mokhtaria Research Station were included in the first sub clusters, males of Damascus rural and Al-Sweida were included in the second. Only 15 primers were succeeded in amplifying the female ́s DNA of pear psylla. The total number of bands were 70, only 61 bands were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphism between females was (74.49%), females of Al-Rastan and Hama were the most closer (77.22%), the cluster analysis separated the females of Damascus rural in an independent first group, and the second group was separated into two sub clusters, females of Al-Sweida were included in the first sub clusters, and females of other regions were included in the second, as a conclusion, males and females of pear psylla were separated according to geographical distribution and species.

Key words: Pear psylla, Cacopsylla spp., Molecular study, ISSR , Syria

Full paper in Arabic:

دراسة جزيئية لحشرات بسيلا الأجاص (Cacopsylla spp. (Psyllidae: Hemiptera في المنطقتين الوسطى والجنوبية من سورية

Current Status of Powdery Mildews Diseases on Cucurbits in The Northeast of Syria

Omran Youssef⁽¹⁾ Alan Ramo*⁽¹⁾ and Sultan Shekhmus⁽¹⁾

(1). Al Qamishly Agriculture Research Center. General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Al Qamishly, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Alan Ramo. E-Mail: alanremo123@hotmail.com).

Received: 06/06/ 2015 Accepted: 07/08/ 2015

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the spread of powdery mildews diseases on cucurbits in the northeast of Syria during 2011. This study included 36 fields of cucurbits. The percentage and severity of infection was recorded. The infected samples were transported and tested in the lab. The fungus species were identified. Results showed that the spread of these diseases was 48.2% of the planted fields. The infection percentage and its severity varied from one region to another. The highest infection percentage (91.7%) was recorded in Almalekya region in Zone1-A. The average highest infection percentage was (50%) and the severity (9), recorded in Cucumis sativus L. Next were Al Qamishly region fields in Zone1-B, where the percentage of infected fields was 41.7% with an average highest infection percentage of 15% and a severity of 3. However, the lowest infection percentage was 25% in Rasalayn regions in Zone2. Here, the average highest infection percentage was (10%) and the average highest severity was (4). The plants of cucurbits were found to be infected by two species of fungi: Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sphaerotheca fuliginea. E.cichoracearum was found to infect three plant species (Cucumis sativus L., Citrullus vulgaris L., and Cucumis melo L.) and E.cichoracearum and S. fuliginea were able to infect together three plant species (Cucumis sativus L., Cucurbita pepo L. and Cucurbita maxima Duch.). Results also showed that the presence of the two fungus species on all their plant hosts was only in the conidial phase. The sexual phase was absent and the fruits of Cleistothecium were not found.

Key words: Cucurbitaceae, Powdery mildew, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: الحالة الراهنة لأمراض البياض الدقيقي على القرعيات في شمال شرقي سورية.

Preliminary Study of Parasitoid Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on The Leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Plodia interpunctella H. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Rafeek Ali Abboud⁽¹⁾ Magda Mofleh⁽¹⁾ Hanan Habak⁽¹⁾ and Mohamad Ahmad Ahmad⁽²⁾

(1). Lattakia Research Center, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Magda Mofleh, Lattakia Research Center, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. E-Mail: magda.mofleh @yahoo.com).

Received: 19/08/ 2014 Accepted: 19/05/ 2015

Abstract:

In this study, the reproductive performance of the parasitoid Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against the leafminer T. absoluta and Plodia interpunctella H. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as alternate host was studied in the laboratory at Lattakia Agriculture Research Center, Lattakia, Syria, during 2011 and 2012 seasons. Parasitoid’s life tables were organized, and 5 full grown host larvae were presented to the parasitoid daily. Means development period (egg, larvae, and pupa) (X ± SD) for female parasitoids Bracon sp. were 7.86 ± 0.93 and 8.70 ± 0.73 days against P. interpunctella and T. absoluta, respectively. Values of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) were 0.132 and 0.186 on T. absoluta and P. interpunctella, respectively. Also the values of net reproductive rate (R₀), Gross reproductive rate (GRR), and the finite rate of increase (λ) were higher on P. interpunctella than T. absoluta, but the generation period time (T) and the doubling time of population (DT) were shorter on P. interpunctella as compared with T. absoluta. This study clarified the capability of breeding the parasitoids Bracon sp. at the lab against P. interpunctella to control T. absoluta in tomato fields.

Key words: Tuta absoluta, Plodia interpunctella, Bracon sp., Biological control.

Full paper in Arabic: دراسة أولية لحياتية الطفيل
Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) على عثة أوراق البندورة الأمريكية وعثة الطحين الهندية

The Effect of Natural Syrian Zeolite on the Availability of Some Minerals in the Soil and Productivity of Wheat and Cotton in Gypsum Soils

Helal Gayerly⁽¹⁾ Samer Bregle⁽¹⁾ Muhamad Manhal Al Zubi*⁽¹⁾ Yahya Ramadan⁽²⁾ Khaled Al Shebli⁽²⁾ Amira Al Hafez⁽²⁾ and Mayada Fattoum⁽²⁾

(1). Natural Resources Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Agricultural Research Center in Al Raqqa, GCSAR, Al Raqqa, Syria.

(*Corresponding author:Dr. Muhamad Manhal Al Zubi, Natural Resources Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. E-Mail: manhalzo@yahoo.com. Mobile phone: 00963933334783, Fax: 00963112121460).

Received: 15/03/ 2015 Accepted: 06/05/ 2015

Abstract:

This study aimed to determine the impact of Syrian Zeolite on some soil properties and productivity of wheat and cotton crops, which is planted in the gypsum soil at Beer Alhashem Research Station, Al-Raqa Agricultural Research Center, General commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Syria, begins from 2006 to 2010 seasons. Completely randomized block design was used with three replicates. The addition rates of zeolite were: (ZEO1) at a rate of 90 m³/ha, (ZEO2) at a rate of 180 m³/ha, (ZEO3) at a rate of 270 m³/ha, (ZEO4) at a rate of 360 m³/ha, (ZEO5) at a rate of 450 m³/ha, and control without zeolite. Wheat variety (Bouhoth 6), and cotton variety (Raqaa5) were cultivated in a cropping rotation. The fertilizers were added according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MOAAR) recommendations. Soil, and zeolite were analyzed before cultivation. The results showed significant increment in the productivity of cotton with the increase in adding zeolite in third season (ZEO5treatment, which produced 2.42 ton/ha), also in the fourth season (ZEO3, and ZEO4treatments, which produced 3.23and 3.08 ton/ha, respectively). The results also clarified in wheat experiment, that ZEO1treatment gave the best production as compared with other treatments in all seasons (3.5, 4.57, 5.4, 2.79 ton grains/ha, respectively). The increase in wheat productivity was noticed in all zeolite treatments as compared with control in most seasons, and the addition of zeolite 90 m³/ha in wheat experiment was the best as compared with the other zeolite treatments, but the productivity of ZEO5treatment was less as compared with other zeolite treatments. It was noticed a significant increment in mineral nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium with the addition of zeolite in the soil after harvesting.

Keywords: Zeolite, Soil fertility, Gypsum lands, Wheat, Cotton.

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير خام الزيوليت الطبيعي السوري على إتاحة بعض العناصر المغذية في التربة وعلى إنتاجية محصولي القمح والقطن في الأراضي الجبسية

Effect of Drip Irrigation Methods (Mulched, Without Mulch) on Water Use and Production of Tomato Crop under Organic Farming

Abd Al-Kareem Jerdy⁽¹⁾Bassam Oudeh*⁽¹⁾Haitham Al-Abdalla⁽²⁾Tallal Al- Abdo⁽¹⁾ and Boshra khozam⁽²⁾

(1). Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Homs, Syria.
(2). Homs Agricultural Research Center, (GCSAR), Homs, Syria.

(*corresponding author: Eng. Bassam Oudeh, Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Homs, Syria. Mobile: 0988284819, Email: B_oudeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 12/07/ 2014 Accepted: 29/03/ 2015

Abstract

The study was carried out in Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research Center, Homs, Syria, during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons. Two methods of drip irrigation were applied (mulched, without mulch) on tomato crop to be compared with the traditional method (surface irrigation). The results showed that the average of the total water consumption for the drip irrigation (mulched) was 3345 m³/ha and percentage of saving water irrigation was 55% as compared with control (traditional surface irrigation), while the average of the total water consumption for the drip irrigation (without mulch) was 3785 m³/ha and percentage of the saving water irrigation was 49% as compared with control, although the average of the total water consumption for the traditional surface irrigation was 7426 m³/ha. In terms of farming method (traditional and organic) the production under drip irrigation (mulched) were 29.7 and 38.4 ton/ha, with an increment in yield of (60 and 68%) as compared with the control (surface irrigation) which were 18.6 and 22.9 ton/ha (traditional and organic), respectively. On the other hand the production under drip irrigation (without mulch), in terms of farming method (traditional and organic) were 38.4 and 45.1ton/ha with an increase in yield 106 and 97%, respectively as compared with the control.

Key words: Drip irrigation, Surface irrigation, Organic farming, Tomato, Production, Water consumption

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير طريقة الري بالتنقيط (مغطى ومكشوف) في الاستهلاك المائي وإنتاجية البندورة ضمن ظروف الزراعة العضوية

Performance of Some Primitive Wheat Genotypes and Correlation coefficient of Some Yield Components Under Rainfed Condition in Syria

Maysoun Muhammad saleh*⁽¹⁾ and Dyab Salem Moussa⁽²⁾

(1). Genetic Resources Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Scientific Agricultural Research Center of Al-Ghab, (GCSAR), Hama, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Maysoun Muhammad Saleh, Genetic Resources Department, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. Mobile phone: +963 0999312298).

Received: 19/04/2015 Accepted: 14/05/2015

Abstract

The study was conducted at Al-Ghab Research Centre, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria, during two growing seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Eight primitive wheat genotypes; C49, C57,and C64 belongs to Ttiticum carthlicum; P149,and P193 belongs to Ttiticum polonicum; D94, D124, and D67 belongs to Ttiticum dicoccom, and two local cultivated varieties sham3, and sham5 (as control) were planted in randomized complete block design in three replications. Yield components (number of fertile tillers, number and weight of grains per spike and weight of thousand grain) were studied and compared to the control and also the correlation coefficient between the studied traits was determined. Results showed that the genotype D94 was significantly superior in number of fertile tillers comparing to both controls, and the genotype P194 was significantly superior in weight of grains per spike with an increase rate (76.65, 97.99)% as compared with both controls, sham3, and sham5, respectively, and also was significantly superior in weight of thousand grain with an increase rate (72.73, 107.28)% as compared with both controls; sham3, and sham5 respectively. The results also showed a positive correlation between number of grains per spike and with each of weight of grains per spike and weight of thousand grain.

Key Words: Genotypes, Primitive wheat, Yield components, Correlation coefficient.

Full paper in Arabic: سلوك عدة طرز من القمح المبدئي ومعامل الارتباط لبعض مكونات الغلة ضمن ظروف الزراعة المطرية في سورية

Contribution of Awn in Grain Yield of Durum Wheat Under Drought Conditions

Abd Al Razzak Soud* ⁽¹⁾ Mamoun Khaity⁽²⁾ Sami Al Ghazali ⁽¹⁾ Fadi Abu-Rukba⁽³⁾and Moead Almeselmani ⁽⁴⁾

(1). Izraa Research Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) , Izraa, Daraa, Syria.
(2). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria.
(3). Daraa Research Center, (GCSAR) , Daraa, Syria.
(4). Department of biotechnology, (GCSAR), Damascus , Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng: Abd Al Razzak Soud, Izraa Research Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) , Izraa, Daraa, Syria).

Received: 01/02/ 2015 Accepted: 04/04/ 2015

Abstract

Six durum wheat varieties (Horany, Sham3, Sham5, Bouhouth 7, Bouhouth 11, and Doma1) were used to study the contribution of awns in grain yield. The experiment was carried out in Izraa Research Station, General Commission For Scientific Agricultural Research (GSAR), Daraa, Syria, during (2010/2011). Split plot design was used with three replications. The results showed a significant difference between varieties in percentage of awns contribution in grain yield. The percentage of awns contribution in grain yield for the control ranged between 7.22 – 11.93 % and increased to 14.84 – 21.16 % under drought conditions. Correlation coefficient between awn length and grain yield was positive, and high. The values of correlation coefficients were (*0.521, *0.695) for control and treatment, respectively at level of probability 0.05.

Key words: Durum wheat, Awn length, Drought, Grain filling.

Full paper in Arabic:مساهمة السفا في الغلة الحبية للقمح القاسي تحت ظروف الجفاف