Saleh Saleh^1*, Shafik Hakim¹ and Abdullah Al-Yousef ²

1 Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Aleppo University, Syria.
2 General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Aleppo Research Center, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Saleh Saleh, Email: salehalsaleh989@gmail.com, Tel: 0938386194).

Received: 2/ 6/ 2025                 Accepted: 5/ 7/ 2025

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Hmeimeh Research Station, affiliated with the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Aleppo, over two growing seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021). The four hybrids and their parental lines were sown in three rows each on December 11, 2019, with the aim of producing seeds of the parental lines and obtaining F2 seeds. Backcrossing was also performed between F1 plants and their respective parents (BC1 with the first parent, and BC2 with the second parent). In the second season, the parents and the plant generations (F1, F2, BC1, BC2) of the four single crosses—(1) Arabi Aswad × Furat 3, (2) Arizona × Alanda-01, (3) Rihan-03 × Alanda-01, and (4) Arabi Abyad × Avit—were sown on December 9, 2020, in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Laboratory experiments were carried out in the Biotechnology Laboratory at the Aleppo Research Center using agar medium for root development. Root scanning and statistical analyses were conducted using the WinRHIZO software to calculate means of selected root traits and yield components and assess the correlation between them under drought conditions. The highest mean number of productive tillers was observed in the fourth hybrid (BC1) with the first parent (11.3), while the highest 1000-grain weight was recorded in the first hybrid (BC2) with the second parent (45.77 g). The highest single plant yield was found in the fourth hybrid with the second parent (23.48 g). Grain yield showed significant and positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations with root traits, including average root diameter (AD), root surface area (SA), root volume (V), and total root length (TRL). The third hybrid recorded the highest mean total root length, while the fourth hybrid exhibited the highest means for root surface area and average root diameter. The second hybrid had the highest total root length under drought stress.

Keywords: Barley, Correlation coefficient, Root traits, Root diameter, Root surface area.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Shady Mohammad Soliman^*1, Moussa Alsamara ¹, Mohammed Ahmad², Nawal Ali³

1 Higher Institute of Environmental Research, Lattakia University, Syria.
2Faculty of Science, Tartus University, Syria.
3Faculty of Science, Lattakia University, Syria
(*Corresponding author: Shady soliman, E mail: shady.soliman@latakia-univ.edu.sy, Mobile: 0955186636).

Received: 31/ 07/ 2025        Accepted: 23/ 11/ 2025

Abstract: 

The shelf life of eight liquid formulations for Trichoderma harzianum, comprising adhesives, emulsifiers, and surfactants, was evaluated. The tested formulations exhibited varying shelf lives, ranging from one month for the control (F8), consisting of water and spore suspension, to six months for the F5 formulation )which consisting of glycerol, Arabic gum, Tween 80, corn starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyethylene glycol, before the spore concentration significantly decreased. Formulations containing glycerol and protective polymers (PVP and PEG) exhibited higher fungal spore viability compared to the control and other treatments that did not contain these components. Glycerol played a significant role in increasing the shelf life of the formulations compared to carboxymethyl cellulose. The addition of corn starch to the formulations also enhanced shelf life and supported the stability of the formulations. Fungal growth continued during the first storage period, as it served as a nutrient medium. The results also demonstrated the importance of both PEG and PVP in supporting the stability and spore concentration in the F5 formulation for a longer period compared to other formulations. It was also observed that combining these polymers in a single formulation yielded better results than using them alone.

Keywords: polymers, solid state fermentation, formulation, conidia. Trichoderma.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Somar Mariam * ¹, Zuheir Shater¹ and Talal Amin¹

1 Department of Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture Engineering, University of Latakia, Lattakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Souhair Somar Mariam, E mail: mariamsomar80@yahoo.com).

Received: 30/ 09/ 2025     Accepted: 4/ 01/ 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between forest surface cover components and plant biodiversity, both compositionally and functionally, in Lattakia Governorate, Syria. The research was conducted during 2022 and 2023 in 67 square plots (400 m² each), distributed across the forests of the governorate and representing diverse topographic and edaphic conditions, within different types of forest habitats. In each sample, the percentage of surface cover components (rock exposure, stones, bare soil, organic litter, dead wood) was visually estimated, and plant surveys were conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method. Compositional diversity indices were calculated, and functional diversity was assessed based on two traits: life form and dispersal pattern. Correlations between biodiversity indices and surface cover components were measured using Spearman’s coefficient, and means were compared using the Mann-Whitney test at the 0.05 significance level. The results revealed significant differences in forest surface cover components according to the habitat type. Moreover, significant correlations were found between surface cover components and compositional diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, and evenness), whereas no significant correlation was observed with species richness index. The functional aspect of biodiversity was also affected by the forest surface cover components, particularly litter. Therophytes and geophytes were the most closely associated life forms with these components, while zoochory was the most closely associated dispersal pattern.

Keywords: surface cover components, compositional diversity, functional diversity, functional traits, habitats

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Souhair Habib*^1,2, Saleh Qabili ² and Nizar Moualla

1 General Commission for the Administration and Development of Al-Ghab, Hama , Syria.
2Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Lattakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Souhair Habib, E-Mail: souhairhabib90@gmail.com, Tel:0096985906233 ).

Received: 25/ 09/ 2025                 Accepted: 14/ 12/ 2025

Abstract

The study was conducted during the years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 on six vetch species (L. aphaca, L. blepharicarpus, L. digitatus, L. gorgoni, L. hierosolymitanus, and L. nissolia) which are widespread in different locations of Al-Ghab region, Syria, to evaluate the morphological and chemical diversity of these species. The results revealed significant morphological and productive variation in some of the studied traits such as plant height, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds per pod, and 100 seed weight as well as in chemical traits (protein, sugar, and phenol content in seeds) both among species and across different sites. The species L. aphaca exhibited the highest values for traits such as number of pods, while L. blepharicarpus outperformed others in 100-seed weight. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that the first two components together explained 90% of the total variation. The first component (70.76%) was associated with vegetative growth traits (such as number of leaves and plant height), while the second component (20.01%) was linked to productivity and biomass traits (such as fresh and dry plant weight). These results underscore the importance of wild Lathyrus types as valuable genetic resources for resilience to harsh environmental conditions and for improving productivity.

Keywords:Lathyrus, Morphological characteristics, Chemical composition, Principal component analysis (PCA).

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Sultan E. Sheikhmous^*1

1 Qamishli Center,General Commission of Scientific Agricultural Researches, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr.Sultan E. sheikhmous. E-Mail: sultan.sheikhmous@gmail.com).)

Received: 20/ 11/ 2025        Accepted: 12/ 01/ 2026

Abstract: 

The study was carried out in the Qiran village in the second stability zone in Al-Hassakah Governorate, northeastern Syria, during the 2023/2024 agricultural season. The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of different wheat varieties. In this study (10 soft wheat and 10 durum wheat) were used, grown in the governorate against the cereal leaf miner Syringopais temperatella Led. (Lepidoptera: Scythrididae) under field conditions, by calculating the percentage of infestation and evaluating the severity of damage using damage scale (1-6). The results showed, variation in the percentage of infestation and the severity of damage among the tested varieties. The highest average infestation rate was 87.18% and the severity of damage was 5 in the Douma 4 variety, while the lowest average infestation rate and severity were 50.60% and 3, respectively, in the Buhouth 6 variety among the soft varieties. Among the hard varieties, the highest average infestation rate and severity were 75.93% and 4.66, respectively, in the Buhouth 11 variety, while the lowest infestation rate and severity were 52.42% and 3.66, respectively, in the Douma 1 variety. The results indicate, that no varieties tested were resistant to the cereal leaf miner, but all were tolerance.  

Keywords:Wheat, Cereal leaf miner Syringopais temperatella Led., Variety susceptibility, Infestation rate, Damage severity.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Samer Al- Amer*¹

1 Syrian Grain company, Deir Ezzor, Syria
(*Corresponding author: Dr.Samer Al-Amer, E-mail: sa10.8.1978am@gmail.com).

Received: 23/ 11/ 2025     Accepted: 22/ 01/ 2026

Abstract: 

This research was conducted in the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering at Al-Furat University in Deir ez-Zor, Department of Plant Protection, during the 2024, and the purpose of  this research is to determine the  the possibility of using Bacillus thuringeinsis var kurstaki Bacteria in combating the potato tuber moth(Phthorimaea operculella) under laboratory conditions(Temperature 25º±1 , photoperiod 12 light:12 darkness , Humidity 70±5). Different concentrations of B.th bacterial suspension (%0.125 ,%0.25 ,% 0.5 , %1) were used to treat potato tubers on which potato tuber moth larvae fed. The percentage of death of F1 individuals of the potato tuber moth in the larval and pupal stages increased with increasing concentration of Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki  bacteria The 1% concentration was significantly superior to the other concentrations of B.th bacteria in increasing the percentage of death in the larval and pupal stages, as the percentage reached 78.8%. The percentage of deformed insects of the potato tuber moth increased at a concentration of 0.125%, compared to the concentration 0. 25%. and the control treatment. Where the percentage reached 3.83%. It was noted that the average weight of F1 pupae fed on tubers treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki bacteria decreased significantly and clearly at the 0.25% concentration of bacteria compared to the concentration 0.125%. and the control treatment.

Keywords:Bacteria Bacillus .thuringiensis var kurstaki. Potato tuber moth(Phthorimaea operculella). pupal. larva

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Zeinab Shabab 1*, Ghaithaa Wanas1 , and Aziza Ajouri 2

1 Dept. of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
2Dept. of soil section, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Zeinab Shabab E-mail: zeinab.shabab99@gmail.com).

Received: 24/ 10/ 2025        Accepted: 24/ 12/ 2025

Abstract

The study was carried out in an open field in the village of Al-Zahabiya, rural Aleppo, during the 2024 agricultural season, with the aim of investigating the effects of fertilization with Vermicompost tea and seaweed extract on the growth and productivity of the green bean cultivar (Bint Tima), using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications per treatment. The study comprised ten treatments: a control, mineral fertilizer (NPK), Vermicompost tea at two concentrations (10 and 15 g/L), seaweed extract at two concentrations (1 and 2 g/L), in addition to their combined applications. The results indicated that the applications of Vermicompost tea and seaweed extract, particularly their combined use, resulted in a reduction in the number of days to the onset of flowering and an increase in the number of flowers and pods, as well as the pod-setting percentage, compared to the control. Treatment T10 (Vermicompost tea 15 g/L + seaweed extract 2 g/L) demonstrated significantly superior performance over all other treatments. It recorded the lowest number of days to flowering (30.17 days), and the highest values for the number of flowers (116.72 flowers/plant), pod-setting percentage (62.36%), number of pods (72.79 pods/plant), productivity per plant (0.48 kg), and productivity per unit area (3.22 kg/m²). Furthermore, the Vermicompost tea 15 g/L treatment alone achieved the highest average pod weight (6.79 g) among all treatments. The two treatments (Vermicompost tea 10 g/L + seaweed extract 2 g/L) and (Vermicompost tea 15 g/L + seaweed extract 1 g/L) yielded comparable results, which were significantly superior to most other treatments. In contrast, the control treatment recorded the lowest values for all studied traits. These results demonstrate that the combined application of Vermicompost tea and seaweed extract is an effective and sustainable option for improving the growth and productivity of the green bean cultivar (Bint Tima) compared to mineral fertilization.

Keywords:Green bean, Vermicompost tea, Seaweed extract, Productivity.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Basel Arif Alsalman^1* and Adnan AL Dakka¹    

¹ Department of Animal diseases، Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hama University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Basel Alsalman, E-Mail: baselsalmann33@gmail.com ).

Received: 29/ 10/ 2025    Accepted: 28/ 01/ 2026

Abstract

The study was conducted on 18 cows of the Friesian Holstein breed and high-yielding local dairy breeds, with an average body weight ranging between 450–600 kg, and an average age between 4–9 years, including both pregnant and non-pregnant categories, during the period 2024–2025. These cows experienced prolonged primary recumbency for varying durations ranging from 24 hours to several days. They were located at the Jeb Ramleh Cattle Station affiliated with the General Organization for Cattle in Hama, in scattered farms in the Al-Ghab region, and in individually owned holdings in Hama Governorate. The cows were divided into three groups:  1. First group (Control): Included 6 pregnant cows in advanced pregnancy (about 7–9 months). All were clinically healthy, based on the results of clinical examinations conducted prior to the start of the research.  2. Second group (First experiment): Included 6 cows that experienced recumbency for varying periods ranging from 12–24 hours up to several days postpartum, as a result of parturient paresis. They were unable to stand after 24 hours of treatment, even after two consecutive attempts. 3. Third group (Second experiment): Included 6 cows that experienced prolonged secondary recumbency in the periparturient period, lying on the sternum or sometimes on the side after calving, for varying durations ranging from 24 hours to several days, due to musculoskeletal injuries or damage to the limbs or pelvic bones.  The results of the study in the field of general clinical examination of the control group cows showed that body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and pattern, appetite for food and water, and rumination were all within normal limits. In contrast, during the period of parturient paresis, body temperature showed a marked decrease, while heart rate was rapid. Appetite for food and water remained normal in the first experimental group, whereas all indicators were within physiological limits in the second experimental group.  The study results indicated significant differences in blood calcium concentration in the experimental cows, as well as in the enzymatic activity values of both CPK and LDH compared to the control group. The increase in the activity of these two enzymes occurs in cases of skeletal muscle damage, where their elevated activity constitutes an important laboratory criterion for diagnosing downer cow syndrome, even during its clinical course.

Keywords: Downer Cow Syndrome, Creatine phosphokinase, Lactate

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Zainab Al-Taqi * ¹ and Saja Abu Galoun¹

1 Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of science, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Zainab Al-Taqi. E-Mail: zynabaltaqy1987@gmail.com.)

Received: 1/06/ 2025      Accepted: 24/12/ 2025

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on 36 female white mice isolated after mating and ensuring pregnancy. The mice were divided into a control group of 18 females treated with water only, and a group treated with the alcoholic extract of the dill plant, Anethium graveolens. The group was divided into two groups based on concentration (5% – 10%), each containing 9 females treated with the extract only. The number of doses (18, 12, and 6) corresponded to the three gestational periods in mice. The animals were then dissected, and fetuses were counted for statistical analysis. The results demonstrated the effect of the dill extract on reducing the number of fetuses in the 10% extract group during the first gestation period, which corresponded to 6 doses.

Keywords: Dill, Anethium graveolens, alcoholic extract, adverse effects, embryos count.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

¹ Plant Protection Department, Lattakia Agricultural Scientific Research Center , Syria.

²Siano Research Station,  Lattakia Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Syria.

(*Corresponding author:Zahraa Baidaq , Email:bidzhraa32@gmail.com, Mobil: 00963991454922.)

Received: 18/08 /  2025                       Accepted: 9/12/ 2025

Abstract: 

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri  Kuwayama) was recorded as an invasive pest of citrus trees in Syria in 2024. During an investigation into the spread of this invasive pest in citrus orchards at the station, Siano Research, affiliated with the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Lattakia, observed a case of internal parasitism of a wasp species on Asian citrus psyllids by the research team in September 2024. The parasitoid was identified according to the taxonomic key for the Hymenoptera order, based on the shape of the mid-thorax plate and the distinctive shape of the pronotum. According to the study, the parasitoid belongs to the Eulophidae family, and the globally recorded species is Tamarixia radiate Waterston,1922. This is the first recorded parasitoid on Asian citrus psyllids on the Syrian coast.

Keywords: Asian citrus psyllid, Tamarixia radiata, Citrus, Syrian coast.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF