Effect of planting dates and morphological characters on the resistance of maize to the large corn stalk borer (Sesamia cretica)

Nadine Asaad^1*, Reem Ali¹, Ghassan Naaseh¹, Rehab Hamdan¹, Abo Al alaa Zarka¹, Dema Darwish¹, Amal abo Khroob¹, Hadi Naser alaah¹, and Reem Mansour¹

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

(*Corresponding author: Nadine Asaad, Email: Nadineasaad20@gmail.com)

Received: 27/ 2/ 2025 Accepted: 6/ 7/ 2025

Abstract

The research was carried out at the Lattakia Research Center (Sianow) of General commission for Scientific Agricultural Research at Lattakia. during two growing seasons 2021-2022, to study. The effect of four planting dates (1April – 15 April – 1 May – 15May) on yield traits and related traits to borer of sweet corn (Faihaa 1). the experiment was designed according to the Completely Randomized Design (C. R.D) with three replications. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the second date was significantly to the rest of the dates in terms of early maturity and yield traits such as ear length and 100 kernel weight, with an increase percentage of (2.85%, 2.81%) respectively, on the rest of the planting dates. The second date also excelled in traits related to resistance borer, such as stem diameter and the length of the internode basal ring (LIBR), with an increase rate of (0.61%, 0.31%) respectively, over the rest of the dates. It also had the lowest percentage of the percentage of dead hearts, intensity of damage and the percentage of lost at this the planting date, while there were no significant differences between the four dates, in number of holes, and the results showed that the second date (April 15) significant in the productivity traits and escape from infection by maize stalk borer Sesamia cretica, of sweet corn (Faihaa 1), in the Syrian coast’ conditions. The result of the correlation coefficient showed that there is significant positive relationship between grain yield and some yield components while foe the traits which related to borer, there is significant an inverse correlation between the grain yield t and LIBR. There is significant positive relationship between, grain yield and diameter stalk.

Keywords: sesame, triple superphosphate, zinc sulfate, protein, oil.

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Genetic Criteria for Some Productivity Traits of Cotton Genotypes

Manal Madarati^1* and Ahmed Aljouma²

¹Aleppo Research Center, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, Syria.

²Cotton Research Administration, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Manal Madarati, Email: manalmadarati7@gmail.com ).

Received: 12/ 1/ 2025 Accepted: 29/ 9/ 2025

Abstract:

The experiment was conducted at Tal Hadya station in Aleppo, Cotton Research Department, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Center during 2022 season. Fifteen genotypes were used RCBD design with three replications to study the heterosis, inbreeding depression in F2, heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance. The results showed the high heterosis was followed by low genetic inbreeding depression in the hybrid (Line5 × Deir Al-Zour 22) for the number of actual bolls and boll weight which referred to the additive effect of genes in heritage these two objectives. Estimation of heterosis showed significant value in f1 in the hybrid (Raqqa 5 × Fantom) excelled f2 which indicated to transgressive segregation. The results showed high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for first sympodial branch height and boll weight. This clearly indicated the existence of additive genetic control. These characters could well be improved by selection.

Keywords: cotton, heterosis, inbreeding depression, heritability, genetic advance, genotypes.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Study of the factors affecting the evaluation of the performance of the cooperative agricultural bank in Syria

Mahmoud Amoudi^1* and Taleb Ahmad¹

¹Department of Statistics and Programming, Faculty of Economics, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Mahmoud Amoudi, Email: mahmoud323@gmail.com)

Received: 20/ 5/ 2025 Accepted: 21/ 7/ 2025

Abstract

The researcher aims to study and analyze the economic and performance indicators of the Syrian Agricultural Cooperative Bank. He then reduces the bank’s performance indicators to a smaller number of factors using factor analysis. This approach aims to determine the nature of the relationship between the bank’s performance variables and the economic factors influencing them in Syria using neural networks. This is based on data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics and periodic reports from the Central Bank of Syria and the Syrian Agricultural Bank for a time series spanning the period from 2005 to 2020. The results of the study demonstrated the possibility of reducing the performance variables of the Agricultural Cooperative Bank from eight variables to two main factors. Furthermore, by studying the relationship between the agricultural bank’s performance variables and the economic factors influencing them using a multi-layer perceptron neural network model, we concluded that economic factors had a significant impact on all the performance variables of the Agricultural Cooperative Bank. The most important economic factors influencing the performance of the Agricultural Cooperative Bank were investment variables and inflation rates on the first factor, and money supply and unemployment rates on the second factor.

Keywords: Agricultural Cooperative Bank, economic factors, neural networks, factor analysis.

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The Effect of Different Application Level of Tobacco Waste Compost and mineral fertilizer on the chemical composition of Zea mays leaves and some growth and production indicators

Mahar Heshma^1*, Mona Barakat² and Bolos Khoury³

¹Lattakia Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria.

²Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

³Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Mahar Heshma, Email: maharayash0@gmail.com )

Received: 23/ 4/ 2025 Accepted: 21/ 7/ 2025

Abstract:

A field agriculture experiment over two seasons was conducted using zea mays (Fayhaa hybrid) at Sanaaubar Research Station in spring of (2019-2021). The objective was to study the effect of application of levels of tobacco compost wastes (TWC) with mineral fertilizer to a sandy loam soil in vegetative total content of macronutrients content (N-P-K) at the stag of formation of the male inflorescence (VT) and in some of productivity indicators. Different levels of TWC C1=10- C2=20- C3=40 ton/ha and mineral fertilizer were applied mixing with F0=0, F1=25, F2=50 and F3=75% of mineral fertilizer (NPK) according to the recommended dose of the Ministry of agriculture (MOA). Study also includes farmer treatment, which represent 100 % of the recommended mineral fertilizers of MOA in addition of 15ton/h of cow manure. The experiment was used a completely randomized designed with three replicates for each treatment. A significant increase in N, P, K concentrations in shoots at the flowering stage was recorded by increasing of compost levels individual or mixed with mineral fertilizer. There was a positive effect of TWC on ear length, diameter, number of ear rows with increase of TWC level. The highest value of grain yield were in C3F3,CF (8.4-8.1)ton/h respectively.

Keywords: Wast Tobacco Compost, mineral fertilizer, zea mays.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Assessments of forest fire locations in Tartous governorate using remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Maher Saeid Ali^1*

¹Department of Ecology and Forestry, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Maher Saeid Ali, Email: maher.s.ali@tishreen.edu.sy)

Received: 21/ 5/ 2025 Accepted: 17/ 8/ 2025

Abstract

Forest fires, by their sudden and destructive nature, pose significant threats to natural ecosystems and human communities in a changing climate. In this regard, assessing and monitoring burned areas is a critical step in developing sustainable forest management measures. Since traditional forest fire monitoring is time-consuming and inaccurate, this problem must be addressed using remote sensing. This study aims to assess the dynamics of burned forest locations and the severity of fire disturbances during 2016–2020 in Tartous, using Landsat satellite image archives and spectral indices data. The study results indicate that during the period under study, approximately 3244.93 ha of forest area were burned in Tartous, including 2461.78 ha of forest cover in 2020 alone. The data were verified using modern standards to test the accuracy of the resulting maps. This study can be used to develop effective preventive measures by identifying the sites most vulnerable to forest fires.

Keywords: Forest fires, Sentinel, Tartous Governorate, NBR index, NDVI index.

Full paper in English: PDF.

Study of Some biological characteristics of the cucurbit fruit fly Dacus ciliates (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions on the hosts of zucchini and cucumber and its distribution on the Syrian coast

Magda Mofleh^1*, Hanan Habak¹, Samer Issa¹ and Mohammad Al-Allan²

1 General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Lattakia Research Center, Syria.
2 General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Plant Protection Research Administration, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Magda Mofleh, Email: magda.mofleh@yahoo.com)

Received: 23/ 6/ 2025 Accepted: 7/ 9/ 2025

Abstract:

The cucurbit fruit fly Dacus ciliatus (Loew) is found at various altitudes (5–1100 m) along the Syrian coast where it has recently spread in Syria (2023-2024). It affects several plant families in both protected and open field agriculture and infests several plant hosts (zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, luffa, watermelon, and tomato), with high infection rates observed in both cucumber and zucchini. In some fields, by the end of August, the infection rate reached 100%. The results showed a preference of D. ciliatus for zucchini fruits compared to cucumber, with the average number of larvae per fruit being (20.1 ± 3.8 and 14.8 ± 4.3 larvae/ fruit) respectively, with significant differences. As for life cycle indicators, the average egg incubation period was (1.9 ± 0.5 and 1.8 ± 0.4 days), larval stage duration (7.6 ± 0.7 and 6.5 ± 0.9 days), and pupal stage duration (9.6 ± 1.0 and 7.6 ± 2.0 days) on zucchini and cucumber fruits, respectively. The life cycle from egg until the complete insect emerges from the pupa took (26.7 ± 1.6) days on zucchini at an average temperature of (25±2)°C, and (23 ± 3.2) days on cucumber at (30±2)°C.

Keywords: Lesser cucurbit fly, zucchini, cucumber, life cycle, Syrian coast.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

An analytical economic study on the impact of the Syrian crisis on food security of livestock products

Leen Almukaddem^1*

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

(*Corresponding author: Leen Almukaddem, Email: leeno1411@yahoo.com, Mob.: 0933374718)

Received: 24/ 6/ 2025 Accepted: 3/ 9/ 2025

Abstract

This study highlights the impact of the Syrian crisis on the livestock sector and its products, assessing its contribution to achieving national food security by comparing two time periods: pre-crisis (2002–2011) and during the crisis (2012–2022). The study was based on secondary data collected from the agricultural statistical yearbook of the Ministry of Agriculture. The results indicated that livestock production experienced a significant decline during the crisis period. Although relative self-sufficiency was observed in some products, such as red meat and poultry, which reached 114.5% and 102.3% respectively during pre-crisis period. however, this self-sufficiency declined markedly during the crisis period to reach 98.7% and 96.7% respectively, reflecting significant challenges in ensuring food provision for the population. A comparison of the two study periods revealed a reduction in the average strategic stock of all livestock products, except for red meat and fish. with a deficit in the consumption quantities of poultry meat, milk, and eggs during the crisis period, leading to a decline in the food security coefficient for most animal products, particularly poultry meat, eggs, and milk, where the food security coefficient recorded of -0.017, -0.02, and -0.023, respectively. Therefore, the study recommends increasing the strategic stock of animal-based food commodities and emphasizes the need for effective policies to support the recovery of the sector and addressing future challenges.

Keywords: Livestock, Consumption Availability, Self-Sufficiency, Food Security, Strategic Stock.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

The effect of adding organic soil conditioners on the productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Lubna Albashshe^1*

¹General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Dier Azzor Reseach Center, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Lubna Albashshe, Email: lubnabashshe@gmail.com, Tel: 0982368870).

Received: 2/ 5/ 2025 Accepted: 29/ 9/ 2025

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the Saalo Research Station of the Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Deir ez-Zor with the aim of determining the effect of adding organic amendments on the productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The sesame crop was grown for the agricultural season (2021-2022). The experiment was designed using the completely randomized block method (RCBD), with three replicates for each treatment. Three types of fertilizers were used: decomposed cow manure (O) added at three rates (10, 20, 40) tons/ha, compost fertilizer (CO) made from crop residues: added at three rates (10, 20, 40) tons/hectare, and humic acid (H) was added to the soil (33) days after planting at a fixed concentration of (3 g.L-1) at three levels: (1, 2, 3) liters. per experimental plot compared to adding chemical fertilizer, which was added according to the recommended amount of Before the Ministry of Agriculture, in addition to the control treatment: no types of organic or mineral fertilizers were added. The results showed that the chemical N fertilization treatment was significantly superior to all treatments, and the highest value for the average grain yield was recorded at (95.67 kg/dunum). Although the (N) treatment was superior to the organic amendment treatments, it did not differ significantly from the (H2) and (CO3) and (O3) treatments, as each of the treatments gave yields that averaged (78.5), (75) and (72.3) kg/dunum, a difference from the (N) treatment (17.95, 21.6, 24.4) % respectively. As for the treatments organic amendments, there were significant differences between them. The increase in production was proportional with the increase in the amount organic amendments, except for (H2) treatment it was morally superior to the (H2) treatment.

Keywords: sesame, cow manure, compost, humic acid.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Survey of olive knot disease caused by (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi) on pomegranate in some coastal areas, and testing the susceptibility of cultivated varieties

Lara Salah Msallem^1* and Ibrahim Khdr Alabid¹

¹Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Lara Msallem, Email: : laramsallem616@gmail.com, Tel: :+963968783516).

Received: 8/ 2/ 2025 Accepted: 3/ 8/ 2025

Abstract:

Olive knot disease, caused by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi, is a disease affecting pomegranate trees in Mediterranean Region. Therefore, this research aimed to study disease’s prevalence, incidence, and severity in some coastal regions. The field survey was conducted during 2023-2024 on 24 pomegranate orchards in Latakia and Tartous provinces on the Syrian coastal region. The results showed that the disease was widespread of 70.83%, as the disease appeared only in 17 fields out of 24. The disease was recorded in both Lattakia and Tartous at 21.5% and 20.77% respectively. The infection average varied from region to another. The highest infection was recorded in Al-Hanady at 52%, while the disease was not observed in Al-Drouqiah and Baamra, The varieties susceptibility to Pseudomonas savastanoi pv.savastanoi varied from one to another, where the French variety was a susceptibility, while the sweet variety was tolerance. On the other hand, the results showed that the pomegranate isolate was able to infect olives, and the olive isolate was able to infect pomegranates, confirming that the pathogen is the same for both tree species, and that pomegranates are one of the hosts attacked by the bacteria, along with olives. the symptoms appeared in Olive more quickly than in pomegranates.

Keywords: Pomegranate knot disease, knot, incidence and severity of infection, Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastano.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

The effect of phosphorus fertilization and zinc spraying on some quality traits of sesame plant (Sesamum indicum L.)

Faten Samir Airangy1*, Saleh Kbaili1 and Abdelaziz Bouaissa2

¹Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

²Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Faten Airangy, Email: faten.airagy@gmail.com, Tel: 0941524880).

Received: 23/ 4/ 2025 Accepted: 21/ 7/ 2025

Abstract

The research was carried out in Al-Drouqiat village, Lattakia Governorate, Lattakia University for the year 2023-2024 to study some qualitative characteristics of sesame plants and oil production under the influence of five levels of phosphate fertilization (0, 40, 60, 80, 100) kg of triple superphosphate fertilizer TSP containing 46% of phosphorus pentoxide P2O5, and four concentrations of zinc spraying (0, 30, 60, 90) mg of zinc sulfate fertilizer Zn2SO4. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized complete block design with a single split plot arrangement and three replicates. The main plots included phosphate fertilization, while the secondary plots included zinc spraying. The results showed that the phosphate fertilization level of 100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/ha significantly outperformed all other fertilization levels, and the control had the highest mean for the trait he percentage of oil (52.07%), protein (23.13%), and ash (3.80%) in the seeds, and the highest oil yield was recorded at the level of 100 kg P2O5/ha (653.46 kg/ha), while the control achieved the highest average for the characteristics of carbohydrate percentage (12.29%), moisture (7.17%), and fiber (15.48%). The zinc spray concentration of 60 mg Zn2SO4/L gave the highest average of oil percentage (49.36%), protein (22.11%), and ash (3.78%) in the seeds, while the concentration of 90 mg Zn2SO4/L gave the highest oil yield (514.80 kg/ha). In contrast, the control achieved the highest average of carbohydrate percentage (10.80%), moisture (7.25%), and fiber (13.08%) in the seeds. The interaction (100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/h × 60 mg Zn2SO4/L) achieved a significant superiority with the highest value for the oil percentage trait (53.76%), protein (24.05%), and ash (3.90%) over all other interactions. The interaction (100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/h × 90 mg Zn2SO4/L) gave the highest value for the oil yield trait (715.55 kg/h), and there were no significant differences between it and the interaction (100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/h × 60 mg Zn2SO4/L) regarding the oil yield trait.

Keywords: sesame, triple superphosphate, zinc sulfate, protein, oil.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf