The Effect of Water Stress on Some Physiological Characteristics of Two Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Monogerm Hybrids

Entessar AL-Jbawi* ⁽¹⁾ Fadi Abbas ⁽²⁾

(1). Sugar beet Research Department, Crops Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Scientific Agriculture Research Center of Homs, (GCSAR). P.O.Box 626, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Entessar Al Jbawi, E-mail: dr.entessara@gmail.com).

Received: 02/02/ 2015 Accepted: 17/06/ 2015

Abstract:

The experiment was carried out in the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) at Homs Agricultural Research Center, Homs, Syria, during 2009-2010 seasons, at winter time, to study the effect of early water stress on some physiological characteristics of sugar beet. Two genotypes (Brigita and Dorotea), were subjected to water stress by withholding water for 40 days after rainfall ceased. A split plot design with three replicates was used. Results showed that, early drought stress had a significant effect on the studied parameters. Water content (WC%) and relative water content (RWC%) were decreased in all plant parts under drought condition as compared to control. However, WC% in taproot decreased more than blades and petioles. RWC% decrement was less in mature leaves than in old and new leaves. Under drought stress, fresh and dry weight of tops and roots were decreased. Sugar beet genotypes showed the capability to regulate its osmotic potential by increasing sodium, potassium, and soluble sugars in both, tops and roots. Results also Indicated that drought stress caused an increasing value of fluorescence origin (fo), decreasing the values of fluorescence maximum (fm), and maximum yield of quantum in photo system-II, (fv/fm). The reduction in Dorotea genotype was more drastically compare to Brigita.

Key words: Water stress, Physiological characteristics, Sugar Beet.

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير الإجهاد المائي في بعض الصفات الفيزيولوجية لهجينين وحيدي الجنين من الشوندر السكري (Beta vulgaris L.)

Effect of Potato Variety and Pre-processing Treatment on Potato French Fries Quality

Mouwafak Jbour*⁽¹⁾ Widad Badran⁽¹⁾ Ghassan Shareef⁽²⁾ and Ahmad Abdo⁽²⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Mouwafak Jbour, E-Mail: jbour1974@yahoo.com).

Received: 07/10/ 2014 Accepted: 17/05/ 2015

Abstract

The research aimed to study the effect of three potato varieties (Agria, Liseta and Spunta) produced at Kafer Yahmool Research Station fields in Idlib, Syria, during 2010 and 2011 seasons, and also to study the effect of preprocessing treatments (storage temperature, storage period, and blanching) on some french-fries sensory traits. The results showed that there were significant differences among studied varieties in terms of the color and taste of the fries. Agria was the best variety under room temperature and when it stored under low temperature, whereas Liseta was the worst variety as compared to the other two varieties. Blanching for 10 min at a water temperature of 80°C, significantly improved fries color and removed the unacceptable brown color of potato samples which were stored under low temperature for a period of 40 or 80 days, it also improved significantly the taste and texture of the product. However, However, blanching for 30 min at a temperature of 65°C reduced the degree of color attraction resulting in pale color in Liseta variety.

Keywords: Potato, French-fries, Storage period, Storage temperature, Blanching

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير الصنف وبعض معاملات ما قبل التصنيع في نوعية أصابع البطاطا المقلية

Effect of the Type of the Starter and Inoculation Rate on the Characteristics of Labneh Made in a Direct Method Compared with the Traditional Labneh

Mohamad Alshehabi*⁽¹⁾ Faten hamed⁽¹⁾and Sayah Abou-ghorrah⁽²⁾

(1). Food Technology Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Food Science Department, Faulty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Mohamad Alshehabi^: Masaken Barze, Damascus, Syria E-mail: mohamadalshehabi@yahoo.com. Mobile phone: 0932732831).

Received: 22/07/ 2014 Accepted: 23/04/ 2015

Abstract

The research aimed to study the effect of the starter type and the conditions of its use in the quality of labneh, which produced by the direct method. The total solids were increased in milk up to 26%, using powder milk free fat, and why milk powder, then this mixture was inoculated, using eight different starters, with addition rate of 4%, and then incubated for 8 hours at 45°c. The starter CH1 gave the best sensory characteristics for the product. The product (labneh) was remade, using the starter which was selected in the direct method with the following percentages (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, and 8%) to define the best inoculation percentage. The results showed that the best inoculation rate of the starter was 4% in terms of the the chemical and sensory characteristics. The results also showed the superiority of labneh made by direct method as compared with the labneh made in traditional method in terms of the chemical characteristics (total solids: 25.28%, fat: 7.55%, acidity:1.20), microbiological characteristics, yields, and the production costs. Regarding the sensory evaluation, labneh made in traditional method exceeded the labneh that made using other methods.

Key words: Labneh, Direct method, Traditional method, Starter.

Full paper in Arabic: تأثير نوع البادئ ونسبة التلقيح في خصائص اللبنة المصنعة بالطريقة المباشرة ومقارنتها مع اللبنة المصنعة بالطريقة التقليدية

The Effect of Socio- Economic Variables on the Safety Environmental Practices of the Rural Woman in Damascus Countryside Governorate

Kenan Fawazkamal Aldeen⁽¹⁾

(1). Socio-Economic Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(Corresponding author: Dr. Kenan Fawazkamal Aldeen, Socio-Economic Research Administration, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria. E-mail: Kenana76@Gmail.com).

Received: 22/02/ 2015 Accepted: 25/05/ 2015

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the environmental practices of rural women farmers, and to determine the impact of the socio- economic variables on the safety environmental practices in of Damascus countryside, Syria (Douma, Al Qtaifa, Al Tal, Yabroud, Al Nabk, Al Zbadani, Qatana, and Darya). To fulfill the objectives of the research, an analytical field study for the environmental practices of the rural women was conducted. A stratified sample size of 159 rural women was selected, on the basis of a questionnaire, which was filled by personal interview during 2011. The results showed that 57.2 % of the researchable were doing incorrect environmental practices. The results also showed a significant correlation between all of the independent variables i.e. researchable age, educational level, role in plant and animal production activities, the educational level of the husband, the hours number of housekeeping and agricultural work, social and health awareness, other tasks, and the dependent variable i.e. the safety environmental practices. Using the binary logistic regression analysis to determine the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable represented by the safety environmental practices of the rural women, the results exhibited the contribution percentage of the independent variables was (76.6%) of the dependent variable.

Key words: Environmental practices, Rural woman, Socio- economic variables

Full paper in Arabic: أثر المتغيرات الاقتصادية والاجتماعية في سلامة الممارسات البيئية للمرأة الريفية في محافظة ريف دمشق

The Relationship Between Dry Period Length and The Subsequent Daily Milk Yield in Holstein Cows Under Syrian Intensive Production Conditions

Obyda Al-Masr⁽¹⁾ Majed AL-Dakkak⁽¹⁾ Mansour Ahmad*⁽¹⁾ Mohammed Amin⁽¹⁾ and Kahtan dayyop⁽²⁾

(1). Animal Wealth Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria.
(2). Fedio Diary Station, General Organization for Cattle, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mansour Ahmad, Animal Wealth Research Administration, (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria. E-mail: msh7273@yahoo.com).

Received: 14/04/2015 Accepted: 16/05/2015

Abstract:

This study was conducted at Fedio Dairy Station, General Organization for Cattle, Lattakia, Syria. Calving records of Holstein cows from 1989 to 2013 comprising 396 herds with 1646 calving events were used to evaluate the effect of the dry period length on the next daily milk production of Holstein cows. Dry period length (DP) of cows was grouped into 13 groups (group 1: 0-10, group 2: 11-20, group 3: 21-30, group 4: 31-40, group 5: 41-50, group 6: 51-60, group 7: 61-70, group 8: 71-80, group 9: 81-90, group 10: 91-100, group 11: 101-110, group 12: 111-120, and group 13: > 120 days). Average of DP was 85.13±1.64 days and 16.13±0.17 kg was the daily milk production in Holstein cows. The results clarified that the effect of dry period length (DP) was significant (P<0.05) on daily milk production. Also the cows within the DP groups of 41-60 had the greatest daily milk production in the next productive parity, while reduction or prolonging the dry period length led to cut down in the daily milk production. The conclusion was that the optimum length of the dry period length was (41-60 days), and the necessity of non-negligence or prolonging this period greatly (more than 100 days) because it increases the risks of culling in the cattle and shortens the length of milk production parity later, which decreases the economic earnings.

Keywords: Subsequent daily milk production, Dry period length, Holstein cows, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:العلاقة بين مدة التجفيف وإنتاج الحليب اليومي اللاحق عند أبقار الهولشتاين تحت ظروف الإنتاج المكثف في سورية

Epidemiological and Clinical Study of Clinical Mastitis in Awassi Ewes at Jedrin Station, Syria

Abd Al-Naser Al-Omar*⁽¹⁾ Mohamad Rokbi⁽²⁾ Sameer Al-Shareey⁽¹⁾ Abd Al-Fattah Hamada⁽³⁾

(1). Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria.
(2). Agricultural Research Center in Aleppo, GCSAR, Aleppo, Syria.
(3). Avico company for medical manufacturer, Hama, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Omar, Agricultural Research Center in Hama, GCSAR, Hama, Syria. E-mail: abdnaser64@gmail.com).

Received: 17/02/ 2015 Accepted: 23/04/ 2015

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine bacterial etiology, epidemiological and clinical features of clinical mastitis cases in Syrian, using Awassi ewes aged 2-6 years, which is hold for both milk and meat production. The research was done during the last twenty years (from 1993 to 2012) at Jedrine Research Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria. 75 milk samples was collected from clinical infected ewes in different times, and subjected to the bacteriological analysis and sensitive reactions. The percentage of clinical mastitis was 6.05% (261 out of 4247). There were a significant difference (p≤0.01) in terms of the percentage of infection by the three types of mastitis, the percentages were as follow: Acute (76.6%), gangrenous (18.8%), and chronic (4.6%). The percentage of the mastitis that was most often registered in one half was (73.94%), while in two halves the percentage was (26.05%). Most of the mastitis occurred during first two months after lambing (74%), the rest (26%) was after weaning of lambs. Chi-square test showed significant differences (p≤0.01) in the frequency of mastitis cases within different months after parturition, and in lactation seasons. In terms of frequency of mastitis cases the highest frequency was in the third production season (27.97%), where the ewes suffered more from clinical mastitis (p≤0.01), then the second production season (26.05%), and the lowest was the first production season (10.72%). Using hypothesis test to estimate the difference between two groups, Z value (Z=0.47) was within the normal range (±1.96), so there was no significant difference in the occurrence of mastitis between manual stripping and machine lactation. The results of bacterial analysis for 75 milk samples showed a bacterial growth in 62 samples (82.66%). The most prevalent isolated bacteria were staphylococcus aureus (32.85%), Pasteurella hymolytica(18.57%), E.coli(14.3%),
‎Klebsiella (11.4%), Actinomyces pyoges (10%), Stretococcus lactis (7.14%), and Bacillus subtilis (5.71%). The percentage of the ewes that recovered after the treatment by different antibiotics was 71.26%. Enroflouxacine showed high effectiveness for most isolated bacterial strains, followed by Gentamicin , then Norfloxacin, Oxytetracycline , Ampicillin, Sulfa compounds, and lastly Neomycin. Most bacterial strains were resistant to Penicillin and Erythromycine. The Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive to antibiotics, while the Actinobacillus pyogenes was more resistant, this ensure the necessity of the intensification of sanitary control for protection and prevention of mastitis especially during first two months after lambing, and in multi-partied ewes, and the treatment of the infected ewes with efficient antibiotics according to sensitivity tests, in addition to the improvement of environmental conditions in breeding stations for Awassi ewes.

Key words: Prevalence, Clinical mastitis, Awassi ewes, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:دراسة وبائية وسريرية لحالات التهاب الضرع لأغنام العواس في محطة جدرين، سورية

Using Grape Pruning and Apple Trees Pruning Residues With the Addition of Nutrient Solution in Feeding Growing Jabaly Goats, Syria.

Rana Alshohefe^*(1) Ali Alhawarin⁽¹⁾ Wathek Takea⁽¹⁾ and Jawad Sharaf⁽¹⁾

(1). Era Research Station for Jabaly Goat, Scientific Research Center in Swaida, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Swaida, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Rana Alshohefe, Era Research Station for Jabaly Goat, Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Swaida, (GCSAR), Swaida, Syria. E-mail: rraana81@gmail.com Tel: 016248256).

Received: 04/02/ 2015 Accepted: 07/05/ 2015

Abstract

The study was conducted at Era Research Station, Swaida Scientific Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Swaida, Syria, to improve growing of Jabaly goat strain (Swaida) during 2012 by using grapes and apple trees pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution (80% whey + 20% molasses) with rate 40% as diet in feeding growing Jabaly goat. The research was conducted using (27) heads of males growing goats, and (27) heads of females, both males and females were randomly divided into (3) groups, each group fed on the same protein and energy, as follow: G1: Which was fed on 75% concentrated diets + 25% straw with the addition of nutrient solution (control), G2: That was fed on 75% concentrated diets + 25% apple tree pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution, and G3: Which was fed on 75% concentrated diets + 25% grape pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution. Results for males showed significant difference (p≤0.05) in increasing weight, conversion efficiency, and cost of 1kg of body weight (p≤0.01). G3 surpassed both the control and G2 groups. For females the results showed no significant difference in the increasing weight, while there were a significant difference in conversion efficiency, and the cost of 1kg in body weight (p≤0.01). Also G3 group surpassed the control and G2 groups. The conclusion is that, the addition of grape and apple trees pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution of 25% to the growing diet, increased body weight and decreased the cost of production significantly.
Keywords: Jabaly goat, Apple pruning residues, Grape pruning residues, Whey, Nutrient solution, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:استخدام بقايا تقليم العنب والتفاح المعاملة بالسائل المغذي في تغذية الماعز الجبلي النامي، سورية

Population Changes of Pear Psylla Cacopsylla pyricola (F.) (Psyllidae:Hemiptera), and Monitoring of Natural Enemies in Homs, Syria

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

(1). General commission for Agricultural Research (GCSAR). Scientific Agriculture Research Centre of Homs. Al-Mukhtaryeh Research Station, Homs, Syria
(2). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(3). Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Bassam Oudeh: Scientific Agriculture Research Centre of Homs. Al-Mukhtaryeh Research Station, Homs, Syria. E-mail: B_oudeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 13/07/ 2014 Accepted: 27/11/ 2014

Abstract

The parasitoids and predators species associated with pear psylla Cacopsylla pyricolla (F.) were monitored in Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs, Syria, during seasons 2011 and 2012. The results showed presence of eleven predators and two parasitoids species. The predatory species belong to five orders: Heteroptera[Anthocoris nemoralis (F.), Orius horvanthi (Reuter) (Anthocoridae)], Neuroptera [Chrysoperla carnea (S.) (Chrysopidae)], Coleoptera [Coccinella septempunctata (L.), Oenopia conglobata (L.), Coccinella undecimpunctata (L.), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coccinellidae) and Rhagonycha fulva (Scop.) (Cantharidae), R. fulva is a new record on C. pyricola in Syria], Diptera [Eupeodes corollae (F.), Dermaptera [Forficula auricularia (L.) (Forficulidae), while the parasitoids belong to family Encyrtidae order Hymenoptera [Trechnites psyllae (R.) and Psyllaephagus euphyllurae (M.)]. The predator A. nemoralis was the most abundant with C. pyricolaranged from 45 to 49% comparison with other predator species trapped by beating tray. As well the parasitoid species T. psyllae was the most abundant with the pest ranged from 46 to 87% compared with other parasitoids attracted to the sticky traps. Both A.nemoralis and T. psyllae were the most coexisted ones with the pest, while the other predators and parasitoid species occurred in certain periods during the growing season, and most of parasitoids and predatorsabove responded directly to increase of prey population dynamic. The correlation was positive, and simple correlation coefficient of total parasitoids and predatorsabove in season 2011 was insignificant and positive with eggs and nymphs of the pest 0.23 and highly significant and positive with adults 0.41, while in season 2012 it was insignificant and positive with eggs 0.16 and highly significant and positive with nymphs 0.38 and adults 0.88 at probability level 5%. Therefore, the results showed that there are many parasitoids and predators that we can use to decrease pest populations.

Key words: Pears psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola F., Predators, Parasitoids, Survey, Population studies.

Full paper in Arabic : تغيرات مجتمع حشرة بسيلا الأجاص وحصر أعدائها الحيوية في محافظة حمص، سورية

Effect of Ethyl Acetate on the Number of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Ahmad Hussen AL-Saoud⁽¹⁾

(1). Albustan Agricultural Establishment. P.O.Box: 16760, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. E-mail: alsaoudahmad@hotmail.com.

Abstract

Aggregation pheromone traps, is the main element in the control program of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, in most of its distribution sites in the world. A field trial was conducted in randomized complete block design at Al Rahba farms (UAE) during May 2009 to May 2010 to study the effect of ethyl acetate (EA) on the number of weevils captured in dark red and yellow pheromone traps. Results showed that, the red palm weevil was found all over the year, and the peak adult population trapped was during March–May. The highest catches (35.96±1.96 weevils/trap/month) were in the red traps that contains ethyl acetate, with significantly higher number of red palm weevil than yellow. The capture rates were 27.32 and 18.32 weevils/trap/month for red and yellow traps, respectively. The capture rates were 30.77 and 15.40 weevils/trap/month for traps with and without ethyl acetate, respectively. The sex ratio (male: female) was 1:2.11.

Key words: Aggregation pheromone, Ethyl Acetate, Trap color, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus.

Full paper : Effect of Ethyl Acetate on the Number of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Cached in Dark Red and Yellow Aggregation Pheromone Traps

The Effects of N and P Fertilization Rates on Wheat Yield and some Soil Properties under Conservative Agriculture System in the First Establishment Zone

Rami Kaba*⁽²⁾Awhadis Arsaln⁽¹⁾MohamadKher Saadon⁽²⁾Nabeel Mohamad⁽²⁾Mohamad Hamo⁽²⁾& Sherzad Yosef⁽²⁾

(1). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria.
(2). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Al-Qamishli Agricultural Research Center, Al-Qamishli, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rami Kaba, Al-Qamishli, Syria. E-mail:kaba.rami@gmail.com).

Received: 14/07/ 2014 Accepted: 12/2/ 2015

Abstract

This research was conducted at the General commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research (GCSAR), AL Qamishli Scientific Agricultural Research Center, AL Qamishli , Syria. in the first establishment zone, according to the split plot design, where agricultural system (zero tillage, and traditional tillage) represented the main treatments and fertilizations the split treatments, with three replications. Four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (N₀, N₁ 100 kg/ha , N₂150 kg/ha , and N₃ 200 kg/ha) as Urea 46%, and three levels of phosphoric fertilizers (P₀ , P₁ 100 kg/ha, and P₂ 150 kg/ha) were used. Results of the three seasons 2008- 2011 showed that zero tillage treatments significantly over yielded traditional ones by 8-20 % , that can be attributed to different fertilization levels of N and P in addition to rain. Results also clarified that increasing of N fertilization at (P₀), has given significant increase in production on direct proportion with the increase of nitrogen fertilizing level (N₁, N₂, N₃) and reached in comparison with the control (110, 178, 217 kg/ha) in the traditional tillage, but in zero tillage the productivity at the tow levels (N₁, N₂) increased by (118-147 kg/ha) respectively. The increase has reduced at the level N₃to(113 kg/ha), but at (P₁) fertilizing level of zero tillage the yield increase of (N₁) reached (336) kg/ha, which significantly over yielded the (N₁,N₂) by (313, 247 kg/ha). While under traditional tillage the highest increase reached (313 kg/ha) under N₂ and the yield decreased 147 kg/ha under N₃. At (P₂) level and (N₀) level the increase in yield under zero tillage was(147 kg/ha),to become at N₁ level up to (216 kg/ha) and to reach at (N₂) to (376 kg/ha). Consequently, zero tillage significantly over yielded the traditional tillage. We recommend using zero tillage with (N₂, P₂) fertilization levels.

Keywords: Zero tillage ZT, Traditional tillage TT, Nitrogen fertilization N, Phosphor fertilization P, Wheat, Soil properties .

Full paper in Arabic : تأثير معدلات التسميد الآزوتي والفوسفوري في إنتاجية القمح وفي عدد من خصائص التربة تحت نظام الزراعة الحافظة في منطقة الاستقرار الأولى