Rawan Khoraki 1*, Imad Aldeen Alkhalaf 1, and Amir Alhaj Sakur2

1 Dept. of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
2Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Rawan Khoraki , Email:khorakirawan8@gmail.com phone: 0968061808).

Received: 10/07 / 2025            Accepted: 6/11/ 2025

Abstract: 

Water resources (rivers, lakes, and canals) are increasingly contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants due to industrial expansion and intensive human activities, threatening these essential resources upon which various aspects of life depend. This study aims to investigate the effects of corn cob powder (Zea mays L.) on the quality of water. Treatment as an adsorbent, to remove zinc from contaminated aqueous solutions, where graded doses of the pH of treated corn cob powder were studied at a concentration of (200 ppm, at a constant temperature of 20) °C, at a contact period of 30) minutes, The samples were then filtered, and the pH of the (treated) corn cob powder solutions was measured. All studied samples were analyzed by analyzing the amount of zinc remaining in the samples after adsorption using manual volumetric titration with (EDTA) for all samples. The results were confirmed using atomic absorption spectroscopy.The results showed that the adsorption rate of the treated corn cob ranged between (18-53)% at a pH range of (3-10.4), and the optimal pH value was chosen for treated corn cobs at (1)g.

 Keywords: Zinc, corn cobs, adsorption, contaminated water, atomic absorption, pH.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Alaa Alshaal¹, Khozama Kountar¹, Rehab Almousa^2*, and  Shahinaz Abbas

1 Biotechnology Department,Laboratory and Quality Management General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Rehab Almousa, Email:bebo_moussa13@yahoo.com, Mobile: +963938163029)

Received: 27/04 /  2025                       Accepted: 14/12/ 2025

Abstract: 

This research was conducted in the laboratories of the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in Damascus/ Syria. Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) technique was used to determine the genetic relationship among 81 genotypes (13 varieties and 68 lines) of durum wheat. All the 12 primers produced a total of 96 amplification bands and a polymorphic percentage of 96.26 %. The number of bands per primer varied from a minimum of 4 bands for the primers ISSR14, ISSR6 to a maximum of 18 bands for the primer ISSR7 with an average of 7.7 bands per primer. The average of polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.337. The lowest distance (0.1111) was recorded between lines DW71 and DW77, this low value of the genetic distance indicates a great degree of genetic relationship. The largest distance (0.9722) was recorded between line DW74 and Bouhoth7, (0.9688) was recorded between line DW1 and the varieties Bouhoth5 and Cham7, indicating a far genetic relationship between them. It was noted from the genetic relationship tree that line DW81 was in a cluster by itself, while the other studied lines and varieties were fallen under the second cluster with varying degrees of genetic relationship. Our results indicate that the ISSR technique can be used as an important tool for characterization wheat genotypes, providing valuable information that helps breeders to select the most suitable varieties in plant breeding programs.

Keywords: Certificated Varieties and promising Lines, Durum wheat, Genetic relationship, ISSR technique.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Tawfeek Alnokary1*

1 Homs Research Center, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Tawfeek Alnokary, Email:twfekalnkary@gmail.com, Mobile: 0937259745).

Received: 27/10 / 2025       Accepted: 15/01/ 2026

Abstract: 

A field experiment was conducted in the Damascus countryside, Kafrin village, using four levels (0-15-30-45) tons/ha of each of the following: cities waste compost, olive pomace, sewage sludge, and cow manure. during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. the soil was planted with Zea Maize, salamiya-1, on (May 22/2017 and May 27/2018) , and the grains were harvested on (September 8/ 2017, and September 24/ 2018)  in the both  the first and second seasons, respectively. This was done to determine the effect of adding different levels of several types of organic fertilizers on Content Of Zea Maize of the oil, starch, and protein. The results showed that increasing the levels of organic fertilizers used in soil fertilization led to gradual increase in the oil, starch, and protein content of the corn Kernels, with significant difference appearing between most treatments. most treatments showed a significant advantage in the oil, starch, and protein content of the corn Kernels in both seasons of the study compared to the control (except for the oil content in the first season). The oil content reached 4,73% in the second season when the third level of cities waste compost was added compared to 4.11% in the control. Similarly, the starch and protein content reached 65.21% and 10.97%, respectively, in the second season after the addition of the third level of sewage sludge, compared to 61.02% and 8.97% respectively, in the control.  All treatment in the second season significantly outperformed the corresponding treatments in the first season.

Keywords: cities waste compost, Sewage sludge, Olive pomace , Oil, Strach, Protein.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Belal Alsayed1*

1 Latakia City Council , Latakia- Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Belal Alsayed, Email: rema.sheikh@latakia-univ.edu.sy).

Received: 15/07 / 2025      Accepted: 3/09 / 2026

Abstract: 

The research was conducted in the city of Lattakia on Al Maghreb Al Arabi Street in 2024. The research aims to evaluate the diversity of trees and the way they are arranged by applying basic design principles,  The research results showed that the street contains four species: filifera H. Washingtonia   Eucalyptus rostrata Schlecht . Ficus nitida L  Melia  azedrach L. The percentage of each species out of the total amounted to 49.07%, 25.92%, 15.74%, and 9.25%, respectively. Thus, we notice the lack of a regular distribution of individuals among the existing species, which reduces the importance of this diversity and its ability to achieve its goals. The species not planted in repeated units and in a specific proportion for each other, and its distribution is irregularly. These species were planted randomly, especially when dead trees were replaced by the concerned authorities in the municipality, where the available species were planted. But rather these species were distributed irregularly and the planting was done randomly. The results of the research showed that the absence of service operations, deformation of plants by passers-by, The research also showed that the average life expectancy for the E.rostrata Schlecht species reached (52) years, and for the F.nitida species (29) years. The results also showed that the majority of scientific rules weren’t observed regarding the tree’s relationship with the service and structural engineering elements of the street, which affected the identifiable and aesthetic value of the space.

 Keywords: street trees, urban environment, engineering elements, service elements, death of street trees.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Rema Sheikh^1*, Wafaa Rajab¹ and Abeer Ibrahem¹

¹ Environmental Prevention Department, Higher Institute for Environmental Research, Latakia University, Latakia- Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Rema sheikh, Email: rema.sheikh@latakia-univ.edu.sy)

Received: 21/10 / 2025     Accepted: 24/02 / 2026

Abstract: 

Plant biodiversity at the Ras Shamra archaeological site in Latakia Governorate was investigated during 2023 and 2024 through botanical surveys conducted across five environmentally homogeneous sectors, representing the site as comprehensively as possible. In each of these five sectors, a large sample plot of 100 m² was delineated and subdivided into 10 small subplot samples with an area 1 m², comprising five vegetation and five wall samples. Compositional biodiversity was assessed using quantitative indices (species richness, Shannon index, Simpson index) and analyzed statistically with the Kruskal–Wallis (KW) and Mann–Whitney (MW) tests at a 5% significance level. Functional biodiversity was estimated by studying the plant life forms (growth forms) representing the biological characteristics of the recorded species, alongside an analysis of the species’ uses at the site. The study revealed that the archaeological site exhibits high species richness, with 72 plant species recorded belonging to 38 plant families. Asteraceae was the most represented family, followed by Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Poaceae. The results of the statistical analysis of biodiversity indices indicated no significant differences among the vegetation samples, whereas significant differences were found among the wall samples. The dominant life form was herbaceous plants, constituting 42%, followed by shrub species (24%), tree species (18%), and Gramineae plants (7%). Climbing plants and bulbous species were the least represented life forms, forming 5% and 4%, respectively. The study recorded 55 medicinal species, 30 ornamental species, 11 toxic species, 6 edible species, and 9 grazing species, representing 42%, 23%, 20%, 8%, and 7%, respectively of the total species count (131 species) in site.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Compositional diversity, Functional diversity, Plant uses, Medicinal Plants, Archaeological Site, Ras Shamra.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Mohamad Galiya1 , Ali Mansour2 and Razan Balloul3*

1Zoolgy Department, Faculty of Science, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria.
2Instructor, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria.
3Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr.Razan Balloul, Email: razanballoul@gmail.com , razanhasanballoul@latakia-unv.edu.sy , mob.: 093233973).

Received: 8/01 /2026      Accepted: 9/02 /2026

Abstract: 

The research was conducted between November 2022 and November 2024 in aim of studying environment of birds found in Wadi Alayoun area (Hama Governorate) and identifying specific composition, classifying them, and showing their spatial and temporal distribution. Data of birds were collected by observation and taking remote photos for them. It was recorded 3462 individuals in total in sites of the research (Al-Bireh Dam, Didaban Forest, Al-Bireh plain). During the research, it was recorded five species belong to five genera (Muscicapidae) which are: Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca, Erithacus rubecula, Ficedula albicollis, Saxicola rubicola, Monticola saxatilis. Results showed that the species Erithacus rubecula is the widest spread species in Wadi al-Ayon area followed by Monticola saxatilis while the narrowest spread species was Saxicola rubicola.

Keywords: Muscicapidae, Bird Ecology, Wadi Alayoun, Erithacus rubecula.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Hasan y Husain1*

1Faculty of Dentistry and Pharmacy, Tartous University, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Hassan Hussein, Email:hasan.husain.628@gmail.com, Phone: 0934555312).

Received: 11/12 / 2025    Accepted: 24/02 / 2026

Abstract: 

The study was conducted in the Microbiology Laboratory at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University. Clove buds were obtained commercially, ground, and stored until use. Four clove bud extracts were used: methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and an aqueous extract at concentrations of 50 microliters. Their effects on two types of bacteria causing infectious diseases in poultry were studied: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Sensitivity tests were conducted on the studied bacteria using the previous extracts, and the study showed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were sensitive to the four extracts used. The use of the ethanolic extract with a concentration of 50 microliters gave the highest value in the average diameter of the bacterial growth inhibition ring. The average diameter of bacterial growth inhibition for the ethanolic extract was recorded at 14.25 mm for E. coli and 17.21 mm for S. aureus bacteria, followed by the methanolic extract, where the average diameter of bacterial growth inhibition was recorded at 12.56 mm for E. coli and 13.89 mm for S. aureus bacteria, compared to the DMSO 5% control. The results indicate that the use of clove bud extracts acts as biologically active compounds to control the spread of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Keywords: clove., Escherichia coli. Staphylococcus aureus.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Hussam Baroudi1* and Georgous Makhoul2

1 Researcher, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research, Latakia, Syria.
2 Professor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Latakia University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author :Dr. Hussam Baroudi, Email: hussambaroudi@gmail.com)

Received: 20/11 /2025      Accepted: 4/03 /2026

Abstract

This study was conducted at faculty of Agricultural, laboratory of seeds germination in Lattakia during the 2025 season, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments in breaking dormancy and promoting germination of Syrian black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) seeds. Seeds were collected from a local cultivar grown in Maten al-Sahel, Tartous Governorate, and subjected to pre-germination treatments including soaking in water (cold, warm, boiling), gibberellic acid (GA₃) at two concentrations (250 and 500 ppm), and chemical scarification with sulfuric acid. Treated seeds were sown in Petri dishes under light and dark conditions and monitored daily for 60 days. The results revealed significant differences among treatments. GA₃ at 250 ppm achieved the highest germination rate (100%) and germination index (3.33 under light, 3.09 under darkness). In contrast, water-based treatments showed limited effectiveness, with germination rates not exceeding 28%. Sulfuric acid treatment under light conditions resulted in a high germination index (4.00) but a relatively lower germination rate (82.33%), indicating possible damage to seed viability. These findings suggest that treatment efficacy depends not only on the applied substance but also on environmental conditions, highlighting the presence of physiological dormancy in black mulberry seeds that requires hormonal or environmental triggers to be overcome.

Keywords: Alshami Mulberry, Morus nigra L., seeds, germination, dormancy index.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Reem Aleed^1*, Yaser AL Suliman² and Nahala Al-Mahmo

1 GCSAR. Damascus, Syria.
2 Dair El-Zour Research Center. Dair El-Zour, GCSAR, Dair El-Zour, Syria.
(Corresponding author: Dr. Reem Aleed, Email: reem.ay.aleed@gmail.com, Phone: 0934555312).

Received:14 /12 / 2025     Accepted:24 /02 /2026

Abstract: 

The experiment was conducted at Saalo Research Station, affiliated with the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in Dair El-Zour, during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. Two sesame genotypes (Zuri and Hourani) were evaluated under three sowing dates (May 1, May 15, and June 1) and four plant densities (170, 200, 250, and 330 thousand plants per hectare). The experiment was laid out in a split–split plot design with three replications, aiming to study the effect of sowing date and plant density on the growth and productivity of sesame and to determine the most suitable genotype for cultivation in the study area. The following traits were recorded: number of days to flowering, number of days to physiological maturity, plant height, number of capsules per plant, thousand-seed weight, and seed yield. The plant density of 200 thousand plants per hectare resulted in a significant increase in the number of capsules per plant, thousand-seed weight, and seed yield. In contrast, increasing plant density from 200 to 330 thousand plants per hectare led to a reduction in these traits. The sowing date of May 15 significantly increased the number of days to maturity, thousand-seed weight, and seed yield compared with early and late sowing dates. Moreover, the Hourani genotype outperformed the Zuri genotype, producing the highest seed yield of 2747 kg ha⁻¹ when sown at a density of 200 thousand plants per hectare on May 15.

Keywords: Sowing date; Plant density; Growth; Seed yield; Sesame.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Amal Abdulhakeem Ahmed* ¹, Abdulraqeeb Ali¹  and Najeeb Mohamed²

1 Department of Horticulture and its Techniques, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen.
2Department of Soil, Water, and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen.

(*Corresponding author: Amal Abdulhakeem Ahmed . E-Mail: alshadadi99@gmail.com ).

Received: 23/ 09/ 2025       Accepted: 15/ 01/ 2026

Abstract: 

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different irrigation water salinity levels (0.75 (control), 2.99, 5.3, 7.5 dS•m⁻¹) on the vegetative growth of mango seedlings (Mangifera indica L.) cv. “Timor” for 90 days. The experiment was carried out under plastic tunnel conditions in Ibb Governorate, Yemen, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among salinity levels in the studied traits (stem length, number of leaves, and leaf area). Irrigation with 2.99 dS•m⁻¹ resulted in the highest increase in stem length (32.5%), whereas the control treatment (0.75 dS•m⁻¹) recorded the highest mean values for number of leaves (9.8 leaves/seedling) and leaf area (32.79 cm²). High salinity levels (≥ 5.3 dS•m⁻¹) significantly reduced all measured vegetative growth traits. Overall, the seedlings showed tolerance at low and moderate salinity levels, while higher concentrations negatively affected growth.

Keywords: Salinity, Mango Seedlings, Vegetative Growth, Irrigation Water, cv. Timor.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF