Ibraheem Aziz Sakr⁽¹⁾, Mageda Muhammad Mufleh⁽²⁾, Randa Ahmad Suliman^*(1)

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.
(2). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Randa Ahmad Suliman. E-Mail: randasuliman65@gmail.com).

Received: 28/12/2017                                         Accepted: 10/04/2018

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of the aqueous extracts of three plants (Melia azedarach L., Smilax asepra L. and Styrax officinalis L.), three pesticides (acetamiprid, abamectin and pyridaben) and releasing of two predators (Phytoseiuls persimilis Athias–Henriot and Stethorus gilvifrons Mulsant) in controlling of Tetranychus urticae Koch populations in tomato greenhouse. At 1st week of applications, S.officinalis and M.azedarach extracts showed a significant efficacy of 64.79 % and 56.45 %, respectively, as well as a decline in the efficacy of the S.aspera extract was noticed (35.26%). The killing percentage reached up to 68.95% under the treatment of acaricide, and pyridaben after 24 hours of the treatments and exceeded up to 80 % at the 1^st week, simultaneously the abamactin showed high percentage (65.33 % and 78.43 % after 24 hours and 1^st week, respectively), while the efficacy of the pesticide acetamiprid was very low and reached the highest record of 37.28 % at the 1st week. The efficacy of the predators P. persimilis and S. gilvifrons simultaneously increased and controlled T.urticae populations three weeks after treatment, and P. persimilis showed more efficiency (53.72 % and 58.12% for P. persimilis and 35.71 % , 47.11% for S. gilvifrons, in the 3rd and the 4th week, respectively). The M. azedarach extracts was superior to all plant extracts with a significant difference. The efficacy of the treatments of both the plant extracts and the chemical pesticides reduced significantly in the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th weeks, as well as the natural-origin compound abamectin recorded high efficacy with no significant difference with the treatment of the specialized acaricide pyridaben, while there was a significant difference comparing with the other treatments.
Keywords: Plant extract, Chemical pesticides, Predator release, Tetranychus urticae, Stethorus gilvifrons, Phytoseiulus persimilis.

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Nissaf Karbout^*(1) Donia Gandoubi⁽²⁾ Nathem Brahim⁽³⁾ Mohammed Mousa⁽⁴⁾ and Habib Bosnina⁽⁴⁾

(1). National Institute of Agricultural Sciences. Tunisia.
(2). Arid Area Institute. Tunisia.
(3). Faculty of Science, Tunisia.
(4). Development and Environment Center, Burn University. Tunisia.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Nissaf Karbout. E-Mail: nissaf.karbout@yahoo.fr).

Received: 30/05/2018                       Accepted: 06/09/2018

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out according to complete randomize block design (R.C.B.D) with three replicates during three years 2014, 2015 and 2016 in Nafzaoua region in southern Tunisia, to study the impact of soil reclamation processes on soil and the production of Daklat El Nour. The results showed a decrease in the salinity ratio throughout the years of the experiment. In contrast, the palm tree had several important morphological changes, and the production increased up to 70%.
Keywords: Oasis, Southern Tunisia, Landfill.

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Adawya Abdul-Kareem^*(1) Kamal Nada⁽¹⁾ Abdul Kareem Al-Wazan⁽¹⁾ Shhad Riyadh Zaki⁽²⁾ and Manal Malik Sadoon⁽³⁾

(1). Water and Environment Directorate, Ministry of science and technology, Iraq.
(2) Faculty of Woman Science, Iraq.
(3) Faculty of Education, Iraq.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Adawya Abdul-Kareem. E-Mail: adaw2012@yahoo.com).

Received: 04/02/2018                                          Accepted: 19/05/2018

Abstract

This research focused on one of the stages of the conventional treatment of water in the purification stations, a process of coagulation, which enhanced by using alternatives to alum; such as Ferric Chloride and Poly Aluminum-chloride (PACl), which play an important role to reducing the turbidity of drinking water through the destabilization of colloids, which include organic and inorganic materials in order to increase the efficiency of sterilization and disposal of the side effects of sterilization (DBPS) and to minimize the problems of clogged sand filters due to an increase of the turbidity of water inside it. According to that, three types of coagulant agents were used for the purpose of comparison with each other to achieve the best efficiency in the process of reducing water turbidity through a process of coagulation improved by using (Jar-test). Different concentrations of coagulant agents of irrigation water were used depending on experiments. The results found that urinary chloride aluminum gave the highest efficiency in reducing turbidity by (84, 82 and 81%) according to the addition of concentration for coagulation (20 ppm, 10 ppm and 5ppm), respectively. The reduction rates in turbidity for Ferric chloride were (79, 78.2 and 78.1% ) by concentrations added, respectively, but for alum, the reduction rates in turbidity were (58, 56, and, 54%) by concentrations added, respectively.
Key words: Coagulants, Ferric Chloride, Turbidity, Water station.

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Adel Al-Dubakel⁽¹⁾ Sabah Al-Shatty^*(2) and Jalal Al-Noor⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Faulty of Agriculture, Basrah University, Basrah, Iraq.
(2). Department of Food Science, Faulty of Agriculture, Basrah University, Basrah, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Sabah Al-Shatty. E-Mail: sabahalshatty@yahoo.com).

Received: 24/09/2017                           Accepted: 23/03/2018

Abstract

The biological role of chitosan which was prepared by chemical method from shrimp waste Penaeus semisulcatus and the outer skeleton for marine crab Portunus pelagicus in some industrial and agricultural applications were studied. The concentration of prepared chitosan was 1% (w/v) at pH (4 and 8) for 12 hours in precipitation and chelating heavy metals (Lead, Zinc, Iron, Cupper and Cadmium) from of sewage water. Concentration of elements was measured by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer ) FAAS). The results of the study indicated that the concentration of the water elements was high before treated with chitosan. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in element concentration percentage after treated with crab chitosan. In contrast, shrimp chitosan displayed a minimum effect on decreasing the amount of heavy metals. Moreover, the results showed that the higher percentage for mineral adsorption was at pH (4 as compared with 8). The results confirmed the possibility of using chitosan in chelate and precipitate the mineral ions from polluted water.
Key words: Heavy metals, Sewage, Chitosan, Crustacean.

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Samer Kiwan^*(1) Nadim Khalil⁽²⁾ and Bayan Muzher⁽³⁾

(1). Sweida Agriculture Research Center, General Commission for Agriculture Scientific Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Soil Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriulture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.
                                                            (*Corresponding author: samer.kiwan@yahoo.com).

Received: 16/12/2017                             Accepted: 06/07/2018

Abstract

The study was carried out in apple orchard and at the laboratories of Agricultural Scientific Research Center, and Pome and Grapevine Division in Sweida (GCSAR), Syria, during the growing seasons of 2015 and 2016 to study the effect of organic residues, and boron and zinc addition on some soil characters, fruit set ratio and some fruits qualitative traits in Starking delicious apple cultivar in Sweida. The results revealed a significant decrease in soil-pH. And an increase in organic matter content compared with other treatments. A significant increase was observed in boron and zinc contents with the addition of organic residues and foliar spray application of boron and zinc (0.95 and 1.805 mg/kg, respectively), compared to control (0.505 and 0.926 mg/kg, respectively). The results revealed a significant increase in the rate of fruitlets in organic residues and foliar spray of boron and zinc together (38.18 %) compared with control (13.93%), while a significant increase was noticed in fruit weight in foliar spray of boron and foliar spray of zinc (236.8 g and 220.6 g, respectively), compared with control (187.9 g). The results revealed a significant increase in fruit firmness in organic manure and foliar spray of boron and zinc (8.087 kg/cm 2), and total soluble solids (15.22%) compared with other treatments. On the other hand, organic residues with foliar spray application of boron and organic residues with foliar spray of boron and zinc significantly achieved the highest value in total sugars (13.17% and 13.93 %, respectively) compared to the control (11.03%), while the results showed a significant increase in titratable acidity in the control (0.30%) compared to the other treatments. Consequently, the result showed that the addition of these fertilizers improves some soil characteristic, rate of fruitlets and some of the quantitative and qualitative traits of apple fruits.
Keywords: Apple, Foliar spray, Fruit set, Organic manure, Boron, Zinc.

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Zuheir Shater^*(1) Bassima Al Chikh⁽¹⁾ and Dimah Najjar⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Zuheir Shater. E-Mail: zuheirshater@yahoo.com).

Received: 18/02/2018                     Accepted: 12/05/2018

Abstract

The aim of this study was to study the plant species diversity at Al-Kahaf protected area in A-Sheikh Badr region, Tartous governorate, in terms of functional characteristics of the recorded plant species, its uses. The results can contribute in understanding, and determining the role of those plant species for ecosystem function and local community and help in the management of this protected area. Plant species diversity was studied on three versants; using the intercepted line method; and in the watercourses surrounding Al Kahaf castle. Additional surveys have also been conducted over the whole site. Life forms, dispersal types, and the uses of these species were recorded. The recorded species belong to 53 plant family. Fabaceae was the most represented family (17 species), followed by Asteraceae (12 species), and Lamiaceae (11 species). The number of families represented by one species was 29 species. The dominance life form on different slopes of the studied site was herbs (H) of 52%, followed by trees (T) 18%, shrub (S) and bulbs (B) of 11% for each, and liants (L) of 7%. The zoochores were the most present dispersal type on the studied versants of (57%), followed by barochores (22%), then anemochores (21%). On the other hand, the study recorded 56 medicinal species, 33 were ornamental species, 30 were grazing species, and 27 were edible species, while the number of poisonous species was 7 species, representing 37, 21, 20, 18 and 4% of the total number of species respectively. The results of this study can be incorporated into the management plan of the protected area.
Key Words: Al Kahaf reserve, Life form, Dispersal type, Slope effect, Plant biodiversity, Syria.

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Haitham Abdul Sattar AL Mamarry^*(1) Wathek Abdul Majeed⁽¹⁾ Aziz Hameid Majeed⁽¹⁾ Saleh Kalel Saleh⁽¹⁾ and Raed Jasem Mahammed⁽¹⁾

(1). Agriculture Science Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Haitham Abdul Sattar AL Mamarry.
                                                                                                   E-Mail: abd.hethem@yahoo.com).

Received: 26/03/2018                     Accepted: 06/09/2018

Abstract

Six inbred lines of maize namely; A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), E (5) and F (6) were used in half diallel cross. The seeds of inbred lines and its single cross hybrids were cultivated in an experiment using randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replicates, at Twaitha Research Station, Plant Breeding Improvement Center, Iraq, during autumn season (2016). The parents and F1 were significantly differed at 5% for number of days to tasseling and silking, plant height (cm), ear diameter (cm) and yield per plant. Some hybrids showed a significant desirable heterosis for studied traits such as days to tasseling and silking. While plant height and yield per plant for all hybrids showed a significant desirable heterosis (deviation of F1 from mid parents). The mean squares of general and specific combining ability were highly significant for all traits. The additive and dominance variances were differed from zero for all studied traits. The broad sense heritability values ​​were high for all studied traits. Narrow sense heritability was moderate for number of days to tasseling, plant height and ear diameter, but it was low for number of days to silking and yield per plant. The average degree of dominance was higher than one for all traits.
Key words: Heterosis, Combining ability, Gene action, Genetic parameters, Zea mays.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Manar Mohammad Alreyahi⁽¹⁾ and Majd Mohammad Darwish^*(1)

(1). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(* Corresponding author: Dr. Majd Darwish. E-mail: majds26@yahoo.com).

Received: 05/06/2018                     Accepted: 05/08/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out at Al Qardaha and Banias regions in the Syrian coast, according to the randomized complete block design RCBD, with three replicates, during the season (2016/2017). The effect of site on plant growth, development and productivity traits of faba bean hybrid (Super Simonia) have been studied by measuring some of phenological traits (days from planting to germination, and days from planting to flowering), vegetative growth and productivity parameters (number of branches pods/plant, number of seed/pod and 100 seeds weight) and seed total protein content (%). The results showed a significant difference in the response of Super Simonia hybrid in growth and development traits under two sites (Al Qardaha and Banias) conditions, and the plants in Banias site were significantly superior in most of the studied parameters. The research concluded to greater compatibility when Italian faba bean hybrid (Super Simonia) was cultivated under Banias site conditions as compared to Al Qardaha site, according to that the faba hybrid could be planted in Banias region and other areas which have similar environmental conditions.
Keywords: Vicia faba L., Syrian coast, Productivity, Total protein.

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Mohamed Abd Elaziz⁽¹⁾ and Mohamed Nael Khattab^*(2)

(1). Crops Field Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syia.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohamed Nael Khattab. E-Mail: aboalabd876@gmail.com).

Received: 08/06/2017                          Accepted: 19/09/2017

Abstract

Nine Syrian cotton genotypes i.e. Aleppo 33/1, Aleppo 118, Aleppo 90, Aleppo 40, Aleppo 124 Rakka5, Deir Al-Zour 22, Line 106 and Rusafa, were used for statistical and genetic analysis for productivity and some chemical indicators of seeds: Lint percentage%, cotton weight per plant/g, percent of oil in seeds and pulp, percent of protein in seeds and pulp, percent of humidity in seeds and pulp, to explore the potentiality of the genotypes in the studied region, and to establish a program for the production of cotton and seeds, also to determine the selective indecies to be used to improve cotton productivity and seed components, using randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment was conducted in Salhab village, Al-Ghab region, Hama governorate, Syria, during 2015 season. Analysis of variance indicated that the genotypes differ significantly at 5% for all studied characters, except for percentages of protein and moisture of cotton seeds core. This revealed large differences between genotypes in all traits. The genotypes i.e. Aleppo 40, Raqqa 5 and Aleppo 118 surpassed significantly the other genotype in all studied traits, and had high heritability values. Allepo40 gave the highest percentage of protein in seeds (28.37%), and moisture in seeds (8.57%), while Rakka5 resulted the highest oil and core protein percentages in seeds (21.67%, and 35,6%), respectively, but, Allepo118 had the highest oil percentage of seeds core (40.53%), pulp moisture (9.31%) and plant productivity (128.13 g). The heritability values for all studied characters ranged from 0.5 to 0.75. An increase in the percentage of oil and protein in the pulp compared to the seeds was noticed. The increment percentage in oil was 64.46% in Raqqa5 to 99.38% in Aleppo90, but the increase percentage in protein was 21.50% in Aleppo40 to 43.12% in Allepo124, this indicates the genetic variability between genotypes in the studied traits. The oil percentage was higher than protein in the seeds and pulp, also the percentage of increase for both. The average increase in oil and protein in the pulp and seed were (84.3% 30.97%, respectively). Some selection indices were detected depending on the positive significant correlation of some traits, especially lint percentage with cotton productivity (r²=0.437*). The cluster analysis showed a significant genetic diversity between the studied genotypes, this led to a fruitful hybridization in order to obtain high hybrid vigor.
Keywords: Cotton, Heritability, Genetic advance, Correlation coefficient.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Mohamed Abd Elaziz ^*(1)

(1). Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia. Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Abd-Al Azzi. E-Mail: mabdelaziz74@hotmail.com).

Received: 10/11/2017                    Accepted: 18/03/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out during 2015 and 2016 seasons at Arab El-Mulk village, Banias district, in Tartous Governorate, to study the effect of planting peanut seeds size (mixture, small, medium and large), and spraying plants with bread yeast (Saccaromyces serevisiae) concentration of (4%) in three treatments (control, once and twice), on biological yield (BY), Economic yield (EY) and some physiological indicators; yield index (YI), Harvest index (HI), crop index (CI) and seed index (SI). The experiment design was set as split plot in a randomized complete block with four replications. The seeds size considered the main factor, while spraying yeast allocated the sub plots. The results showed that seed size caused significant increases in all of the studied indicators. The large seeds gave better values of (BY) 210 g, (HI) 30.56%, (CI) 44.12%, (SI) 74.85 g, except (EY) compared with mix, small and med seeds. Also the results showed that there were no significant increase between mixture and medium seed size in (YE) and (HI), but there was a significant increase in (BY) and (SI), on the other hand the treatments; spray yeast for once and twice had significant increases compared to the control, and the twice yeast spraying gave better values (215.22 g ,63.98 g, 29.64%, 42.37 % and 73.45g ) of (BY , EY ,HI, CI and SI) respectively, compared to the control. The interaction between seeds size and bread yeast spraying caused a significant increase which achieved 15.78 % in (BY), 23.99 % in (EY), 9.74 in (HI), 13.68% in (CY) and 7.87g in (SI) compared to the interaction between untreated treatment and small seeds size.
Key words: Peanut plant, Seeds size, Bread yeast, Biological yield, Harvest yield.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF