Ammar Daher⁽¹⁾, Mohamad Kanouh⁽¹⁾, and Abdulnabi Basheer⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria.

Received:   18/11/2024       Accepted:  6/04/2025

Abstract: 

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the fertility and feeding efficiency of the predatory Erythraeus (Erythraeus) phalangoides De Geer on those of each of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch and strawberries mite, Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov and Nikolskii. Average consumption of eggs, larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adult males and females of T. urticae by the predator E. (E.). phalangoides were: 15.91, 14.91, 13.87, 8.83, 6.55 and 8.63 from the previously mentioned prey stages, respectively. While the average amount of eggs laid when fed at the previous stages was: 24.13, 21.8, 21.69, 20.59, 19.84 and 20.29 respectively. Comparatively low numbers of different stages of T. turkestani were eaten by the predator. Average consumption of eggs, larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adult males and females of T. turkestani by the predator were: 13.4, 10.85, 9.66, 7.51, 6.7 and 6.75 from the previously mentioned prey stages, respectively. While the average amount of eggs laid when fed at the previous stages was: 23.07, 21.52, 21.32, 21.34, 20.78 and 21.05 respectively. The foregoing results showed that E. (E.). phalangoides can play an important role as a bio- control agent of two tetranychid mites T. urticae and T. turkestani.   

Keywords: Erythraeus (Erythraeus) phalangoides, Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus turkestani, feeding efficiency, Fertility.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Ali Sbieh*¹, Mohamed Matar², Qusay Alrhayeh¹ and  Wafaa Choumane³

(1) Agricultural scientific research centre in Lattakia. Syria. 

(2) Department of plant protection, Faculty of Agricultural engineering, Tishreen University, Lattakia. Syria.

(3) Biotechnology Centre, Tishreen University, Lattakia. Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Ali Sbieh, E-Mail: ali_sbeeh@hotmail.com)

Received:   19/3/2024         Accepted:  23/6/2024

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the efficiency of local isolates of the fungus Trichoderma sp. and the bacteria Bacillus subtilis in the biological control of Fusarium wilt disease of tomato, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici ‎‏ (‏FOL‏), in vitro and in the greenhouse. This research conducted in the Agriculture Research Centre in Lattakia during the years 2021 and 2022. The results showed the ability of the used isolates to inhibit the growth of Fusarium in in vitro, by 50% (by Bacillus subtilis) and 33% (by Trichoderma sp) on PDA medium. The results of planting in pots in greenhouse showed the ability of the fungus Trichoderma sp. and the bacteria Bacillus subtilis isolates to reduce the wilt severity percentage and to promote the growth of tomato plants compared to healthy and infected controls. The greenhouse trial confirmed the efficiency of tested isolates in decreasing the disease symptoms and increasing plant growth and production by 209.5%, by Bacillus subtilis isolate B.FZB27, compared to infected control.

Key words: Tomato, Biological control, Bacillus, Trichoderma sp, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici,

  Full paper in Arabic: PDF

A.N. Al-Omar ⁽¹⁾, A. Baradani ⁽²⁾, M. Baghdadi ⁽³⁾, and R. Al-Wada ⁽²⁾

(1). Research Director – General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama Research Center.

(2). Research Assistant – GCSAR – Hama Research Center.

(3). Researcher – GCSAR – Livestock Research Department.

(*Corresponding author:  A. N. Al-Omar, email: abdnaser64@gmail.com).

Received:   12/02/2024                Accepted:  15/05/2024

Abstract: 

The research was carried out at the Sheep Research Station of the Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Hama during the year 2023 on twenty-four heads of growing male Awassi sheep with an average starting weight of 40.15 kg and an average age of (218) days, aiming to use coriander hay instead of wheat hay in Fattening male Awassi. The experimental animals were divided into four groups according to the type and percentage of filler feed. The first group was fed, in addition to the concentrated diet, a diet filled with 100% wheat straw alone. The second group was fed 75% wheat straw + 25% coriander straw. The third group was fed 50% wheat straw and 50% coriander straw. The fourth group was fed 25% wheat straw + 75% coriander straw. Coriander, and the experiment lasted for (104) days. The results showed that the daily growth rates of the fattening lamb groups (first – control, second, third and fourth) amounted to (209.94, 174.68, 189.1 and 173.08) g/day, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that the averages of the first and third groups were superior to the averages of the second and fourth groups, and it was noted that there were no statistically significant differences between the averages of the first and third groups, at a significance level (0.05%). The average conversion factor for the lambs (first, second, third and fourth) was (7.8, 8.7, 9.4 and 9.5) kg feed/kg live weight, respectively. It was also shown that there was no significant difference between the averages of the first and second groups, and that they were superior to the averages of the third and fourth groups, at a significant level (0.05%). Estimating the average economic cost of producing 1 kg of live weight for the experimental lambs (first, second, third and fourth) amounted to (31069, 34146, 35374 and 37227) Syrian pounds, respectively, which indicates the possibility of using coriander hay as a filling fodder in fattening male Awassi, and the best of them was the second group. Which contains 25% coriander straw and 75% wheat straw (experimental groups), as it gave a conversion factor equivalent to wheat straw and without any health problems or negative effects on fattening indicators when used in the proportions studied, which provides an important economic return for breeders.

Keywords: Coriander Hay, Wheat Hay, Male Awassi sheep.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Raneem Shaddod*⁽¹⁾, Mona Barakat ⁽²⁾, Wafaa Ghandour ⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria

(2). Department of Soil and water science, Faculty of Agriculture, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria

(*Corresponding author: Raneem Shaddod, Email: ranimsh561@gmail.com )

Received:   26/1/2025         Accepted:  6/4/2025

Abstract

This research aimed to study vegetation cover changes in the Balouran Dam basin area in Latakia Governorate using NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index), using RS (Sensing Remote) and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) techniques, in addition to estimating the C-factor of the study area basin using NDVI. Satellite images taken in November from the Landsat-8 OLT satellite were used for the years (2013-2015-2020-2023) then, the Satellite images were processed using a program Arc GIS 10.8.2, and then a statistical analysis was conducted using a program Genstat to test the significant differences in NDVI values between (2013-2023) years. An inverse relationship was found between C-factor and NDVI, where the highest value of NDVI was 0.6 in 2013, where the vegetation was homogeneously distributed in the study area, while its lowest value was 0.42 in 2015, and there was an improvement in vegetation cover in 2023 compared to 2015, as the C-factor values decreased to between (0.39-0.91) in 2023.

Keywords: GIS, NDVI, C-factor, Balouran Dam, Latakia, syria.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Ibrahim MUBARAK⁽¹⁾* and Samir AL-AHMAD⁽¹⁾

(1). Scientific Agricultural Research Center of Tartous, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research – GCSAR, Tartous, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ibrahim MUBARAK, Email: imubarak1976@gmail.com, Mob.: 0932328681)

Received:   8/02/2025           Accepted:  26/06/2025

Abstract

Determining the optimal nitrogen fertilizer requirements and plant density of the sweet corn crop (Sugar king cultivar., the most widespread foreign cultivar in the Syrian coastal plains) is an urgent need from an economic and environmental point of view. Field experiments were conducted during two consecutive years 2022 and 2023 at the Zahid Water and Irrigation Research Station in Akkar Plain, to evaluate the response of this sweet corn cultivar to four planting distances 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm within planting row with 70-cm-row spacing, and to five levels of added nitrogen fertilization 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N/ha, with three replicates. Results showed that planting distance at 20 cm produced the highest crop yield. It decreased significantly with increasing planting distance; while it improved with the addition of nitrogen fertilizer up to 120 kg N/ha level, then it decreased significantly with increasing the applied N-fertilizer level. Unlike the common practice among local farmers in the study area, which is based on planting this sweet corn hybrid at large spacings (50 cm) and fertilizing it with large and exaggerated amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, it is recommended to adopt both planting distance at 20 cm and level of added nitrogen fertilization at 120 kg N/ha because of their higher economic return.

Keywords: Sugar king hybrid; Drip irrigation; Clay soil; Husked cob yield.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Reem Ali⁽¹⁾ *, Fatima Kiwan⁽¹⁾, Hayat Yaseen⁽²⁾, Ahmad Shaaban⁽³⁾,  Ghorood ALasood⁽⁴⁾ 

Reem Aleed⁽⁴⁾

(1).  Lattakia Research center, Lattakia, GCSAR, Syria.

(2).  Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Hama University, Hama, Syria.

(3). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(4). GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Reem Ali. E-Mail dr.reem.s.ali@gmail.com).

Received:18/11/2024          Accepted: 6/04/2025

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Al-Sanobar Research Station of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Lattakia during the 2023 agricultural season with the aim of studying the effect of the three planting dates (1^st May, 15^th May, 1^st June) on some morphological and productive characteristics of three sesame cultivars (Zori, Z3/1/1/10, Z3/3/1/10). The results showed a significant effect of planting dates on all studied characteristics except for the thousand-seed weight. The results of the second date were characterized by the best values for most of the studied characteristics. The cultivar Z3/1/1/10 outperformed most of the characteristics as it was the earliest in flowering (54.2 days) and maturity (121.3 days), number of branches (4.6 branches/plant), plant height (135.7 cm), number of seeds (67.8 seeds/capsule), and productivity (2502.2 kg/ha.

Key Words: planting dates, cultivars, morphological characteristics, productive characteristics, sesame.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Mohammed Massri^(1)* and Huda jansiz ⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Food Science, University Homs, Homs, Syria .

(*Corresponding author: Dr.Mohammed Massri. E-Maildr.mmmassri@ gmail.com, Tel:  0944555187)

Received: 10/10/2024          Accepted: 6/04/2025

Abstract: 

Drying is one of the common and simple methods used to preserve plant materials, as this method increases the validity of the material by removing water from it, which leads to reducing the chemical and enzymatic reactions, or even inhibiting them sometimes. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha piperita) and Jew’s Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L) leaves were used in this study to evaluate the effect of drying methods (sun drying and oven drying at 30 °C and 50 °C) on the quality characteristics of dried materials.  The moisture, water activity, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, total chlorine, color values *L, *a, *b and yield were estimated. The results showed that the moisture content in the fresh material and in the final dried product differed according to the type of material and the drying method used, as the higher drying temperature, due lower the moisture content in the leaves of the dried material, and the lowest moisture content was found in the oven drying method at 50°C. In the case of water activity, it was found that the lower the value of water activity when treated with oven drying at 50°C in dried Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha piperita) and Jew’s Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L)  leaves, with values of (0.379, 0.327 and 0.418) respectively. Also, a sharp decrease in vitamin C was observed with increasing drying temperature in all studied samples, for example, its value reached 55.64, 34.22, 25.17 and 12.13 (mg/100 g) in the fresh sample and by drying in the sun, in the oven at 30°C and in the oven at 50°C consecutively it was found that the highest values in total phenolic compounds were in oven drying at 30°C, then in solar drying, then in oven drying at 40°C, and the antioxidant activity values were the highest possible in oven drying at 30°C, and the highest content of total chlorophyll was found in the drying method at 30°C. It was found that the solar drying method was the best in terms of color values *L, *a, and *b.  For all the leaves of the studied samples. As for the effect of the drying method on the yield, it was found that the highest yield in the leaves of the studied plants after drying, it was found in the oven drying method at 30°C, as it reached 18.27, 20.66 and 28.97% Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha piperita) and Jew’s Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L)leaves, respectively.

Keywords: Drying methods, Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha piperita) and Jew’s Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L), quality characteristics

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Najwa Alafas^(1)* and  Wafaa Khedr⁽²⁾   

(2). Faculty of Agriculture, Homs University, Department of Main Science Homs, Syria.

(1). Faculty of Agriculture, Homs University, Department of Crops, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr: Najwa Alafas, E-mail: najwaalafas@gmail.com )

Received:4/03/2025                                Accepted:23/04/2025

Abstract: 

This research was carried out at a field during 2021-2022 season in Talkalakh region in Western Area-Homs to study the effect of spraying with seaweeds extract and plant density on some growth and productivity traits of faba bean crop (var. Kubrusy). Three concentrations of seaweeds extract were used (1, 1.5, 2) g/l in addition to the control treatment. Three densities were studied (12.5, 16.7 and 25 plants/m²)). A split plot design with three replications was used. Spraying with seaweeds extract (2)g/l caused a significant increase in: plant height (74.72) cm, number of branches/plant (4.51), pod length (11.83) cm, number of pods (11.08) pod/plant, weight of dry seeds (33.20) g/plant and seed yield (5747.22) kg/ha. Increasing plant density to (25) plant/m² caused an increase in: plant height (74.76) cm, the first pod height (18.25) cm and seed yield (5260.83) kg/ha, while it caused a significant decrease in: number of branches/plant (2.93), number of pods (6.47) pod/plant, weight of dry seeds (21.04) g/plant. Spraying (2) g/l of seaweeds extract and planting (25) plants/m² gave the highest seed yield (6859.17) kg/ha.

 Key words: Faba bean, seaweeds extract, plant density, seed yield.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Manar  alreyahi^*(1)

 (1). Lattakia- University , Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Manar M alreyahi, E-Mail: manaralreyahi4@gmail.com. phone:0932166690 ).

Received:31/07/2024          Accepted: 6/04/2025

Abstract: 

The research was carried out in the Tobacco Research Center (Jableh) During the agricultural season 2023-2024, By cultivating the tobacco variety (Baladi (Shak Al-Bent) And treated with amino acids (Glutamine N, Thiamine (T) and Gibberellic Acid G) At a concentration of (2 mg/L) and a rate of three sprays according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates per treatment to study its effect on some characteristics (Plant height (cm), number of leaves/plant, plant productivity (g), Leaf length and width (cm), Length / Width ratio and leaf area (cm²). The results showed the positive effect of treatment with amino acids and gibberellic acid on all the studied traits, It led to an increase in plant height, number of leaves/plant and plant productivity compared to the control, Leaf dimensions and area in plants treated with amino acids compared to controls, On the other hand, the amino acid (glutamine (N) showed superiority over (gibberellic acid (G) and thiamine (T) in plant height, which reached (44.3 cm), And in the number of leaves (14.5), the productivity of the plant (120.05 g),  the length of the leaf (31.87 cm), the width of the leaf (14.6 cm), and its area (316.54 cm2). Glutamine outperformed both thiamine and gibberellic acid in most of the properties studied, We recommend using amino acid and Gibberellic Acid G sprays on tobacco plants because of their positive effects on many morphological and productive characteristics.                                      

Keywords: Nicotiana tabacum- amino acids- Glutamine- thiamine gibberellic acid- Plant height- Yield- leaf area.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Alaa Afif ^(1)*

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

(*Corresponding author: Alaa Afif   E-Mail alaa.afef88@gmail.com,Telephone: 0982179887).

Received: 16/02/2025                          Accepted : 28/05/2025

Abstract: 

In order to find natural alternatives to chemical preservatives and reduce their side effects, the effectiveness of grapefruit, pomelo and lemon peel extracts was studied on two types of pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) isolated from chicken meat. Samples were collected from a poultry farm in Tartous and transported refrigerated to the laboratory. Their diagnosis was confirmed by culturing them on differentiating media and by biochemical tests. The results showed significant variation between the inhibition diameters, as the alcoholic pomelo peel extract outperformed all other extracts with a statistical significance of inhibition diameters of (14.50 mm), then the alcoholic grapefruit peel extract with a significance of (12.17 mm), then the alcoholic lemon peel extract with a significance of (11.83 mm), then the aqueous pomelo peel extract and aqueous grapefruit with a significance of (10.67 mm), followed by the aqueous lemon peel extract with a significance of (10.00 mm), then the antibiotics gentamicin with a significance of (9.67 mm), and fosfomycin with a significance of (5.83 mm). Thus, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of lemon peels, pomelo, and grapefruit show encouraging effectiveness that may qualify them as natural antimicrobials.

 Keywords: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,peels, lemon, pomelo, grapefruit.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF