Jamila Dirbas^*(1) 

(1). Cotton Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural    Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Jamila Dirbas. Email: jamila.dirbas@gmail.com).
       

Received: 05/08/2017                            Accepted: 14/12/2017

Abstract

The research was carried out at Tal Hedya Research Center in Aleppo, General Commission for Agriculture Scientific Research (GCSAR), Syria, during 2011 and 2012 seasons. Seven genotypes of cotton were used, and complete diallel hybridization was made to study general and specific combining ability of some productivity traits (sympodial branch number, actual boll number and seed cotton yield). General combining ability (GCA) indicated that the parental genotype Cherpan432 had a high significant GCA for sympodial branch number and actual boll number, but the parents Aleppo118 and Deir El-Zour22 had the high GCA for seed cotton yield. This is a clear indication that these parental genotypes had the largest number of additive genes action, which plays important role in the inheritance of the above-mentioned traits. The estimation of SCA values showed favorite and high significant values in many hybrids resulted from parents, which had highly significant GCA, which means that the gene action type is (additive x additive), and this refers that these hybrids possessing the largest number of additive genes. High heritability broad sense refers to importance of genetic variance in the inheritance of all characters, but heritability in narrow sense values were low in general, indicating the importance of dominance and epistasis genes in the inheritance. According to this result it is recommended to  follow  the cross method for improvement of the studied traits.                     Key words: Cotton, Productivity traits, Combining ability, Heritability.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Eyad Ahmad Elkhaled^*(1) Omar Hasson⁽²⁾ Basel Waked⁽²⁾ Jalal Ghazaleh⁽³⁾ Ali Ismail⁽¹⁾ Ghadir Hmeidan⁽¹⁾

(1). General Organization of Remote Sensing (GOSR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Directorate of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Sweida, Syria.
(3). Directorate of Planning and International Corporation, Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Eyad Al Khaled. E-Mail: dr.eyadalkhaled@gmail.com).

Received: 05/08/2017                      Accepted: 14/12/2017

Abstract

Remote sensing is one of most important technology that provides information on large areas in a short time. The study was carried out in Sweida governorate with the aim of calculating the area of strategic crops and its distribution for the agricultural season 2014/2015 by classifying satellite images-type (BKA). The images were received by the station at General Organization for Remote Sensing in Damascus, Syria. The spatial resolution of the satellite BELARUSIAN SPACECRAFT is 10.2 meters. The results showed that the spread of the three crops (wheat, barley and chickpea) was generally on the four sides of the governorate, especially barley crop. Chickpeas and wheat concentrated in the west and center but in scattered areas. The area of wheat crop according to image classification was 30494 ha which accounted 8.97% of the studied area (Sweida governorate without Badia). The degree of approach to the proportion of the Ministry of Agriculture was 95.19%. The area of barley crop resulting from the classification process was 16705 ha, which accounted 4.92% of the study area. While the area of barley according to the statistics of Ministry of Agriculture was about 15933 ha. The area of chickpea crop resulting from the classification process was 26063 ha which represented 7.67% of the studied area. The results showed that the accuracy of the total classification was 82.4%, which allows satellite image to be used in calculating the area of strategic crops and determine its locations and distribution.
Key words: Crop area estimation, Supervised classification, Wheat, Barley, Chickpeas.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Moammar Dayoub^*(1) and Rdah Fatom⁽¹⁾

(1). Agricultural Research Center of Salamieh, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Moammar Dayoub. E-Mail: m-dayoub@hotmail.com).

Received: 01/02/2017                    Accepted: 13/07/2017

Abstract

Legumes crops have a vital role in nutrition and in crop rotation. This study was conducted to assess the productivity and economic efficiency of some legumes crops (feed-fodder) in Salamieh district, Hama governorate, during 2011/2012 season. A random sample of 110 farmers were selected according to an application prepared for the purpose of the research. The results showed a high cost of the seed up to 19.76% of the total costs, while the cost of harvesting achieved up to 36% of the total costs, due to manual harvesting. The lentils and grass pea were profitable for the farmers at Salamieh district, where the average of overall rate of profit was (7.67, 21.92%) and the rate of the changing asset was (1.32 and 1.53) S.P. respectively. This is a proof of the investment efficiency of the available resources and production increase. While the profitability of chickpeas and vetch did not exceed 4%, and the rates of the changing asset were (1.21،1.26) S.P. respectively. Also, the results showed that the economic efficiency of all crops was greater than one. Grass peas had the highest economic efficiency (1.22), which indicates the efficiency of farmers in the use of fixed and variable capital. and thus, the feasibility of cultivation legumes crops in Salamieh. This study concluded to expand grass pea cultivation, as long as marketing market is available, also, improved varieties for automated harvesting, and high-productivity, to improve the farmers income and productivity.
Key words: Economic evaluation, Legumes crops, Costs, Profitability.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Maya Youssef Al-Abdala^(1)* Dr. Safwan Mutha Abou -Assaf⁽¹⁾ Remal Slman Saab⁽¹⁾ and Samar Hossam Aldeen Al-Ashaoush⁽¹⁾

(1). Economic and Social Studies Directorate, Sewida Research Center. General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Maya Youssef Al-Abdala. E-Mail: mayaabdala6@gmail.com).

Received: 10/04/2017                            Accepted: 04/05/2017

Abstract

The aim of this research was to analyze the current structure of Syrian apple exports, and highlighting the relative advantage of this crop and its competitive position on the markets of the key importing countries of Syrian apples. The analysis was based on secondary data published by FAO during 2000-2013. Descriptive statistical analyses were used, in addition to estimates of time trend equations to identify the evolution in quantity, value and price of both Syrian apple exports and imports, and to determine certain indicators of export competitiveness, besides to applicate the linear programming model for optimal distribution of Syrian apple exports. The most important result was that Egypt ranked first as the most important export market for Syrian apples, accounting an average of 51.49 % in terms of volume, and 55.7 % in terms of value of Syrian apple exports. Syria has a clear relative advantage of apples, the value of this index fluctuated around the general average, which was 5.14. The index of value stability of the exports reached the best level, which achieved in average 2.41 %, followed by price and volume of exports. Syrian apple export has a relative advantage in Italy, United States, Chile, France, Holland, New Zealand, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and Austria, where the ratios of the price of Syrian exports to the price of exports of each country during the period of the study were on average of approximately 77 %, 71 %, 99 %, 71 %, 73 %, 76 %, 85 %, 98 %, 83 %, and 85 %, respectively. Assuming an increase of 20 % in export availability, the results of the linear programming model showed that the total revenue was 8 457 893 000 $, which is 21 % higher than the actual revenue. The results also showed that the additional quantities of the exported as a percentage of the increase in availability would be 87.27 % for the UAE and 12.73 % for Egypt, without losing any of the other markets. The study recommended the necessity of being an integrated policy to encourage agricultural exports, especially for crops and products which Syria has a relative advantage, and competitiveness, also the availability of database to provide an information to serve the production and export sectors.
Key words: Apple crop, Clear relative advantage, Instability coefficient, Price competitiveness, Linear programming.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Hessain Ekkeh^*(1) Ghinwa Lababidi⁽¹⁾ Hussien Alzubi⁽²⁾ Moatasembellah Dekker⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technical Engineering, Aleppo University,                    Aleppo, Syria.
(2). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus,                          Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Eng. Hessain Ekkeh. E-Mail: HessainEkkeh@gmail.com).

Received: 23/04/2018                         Accepted: 16/06/2018

Abstract

The wide geographical spread and the exponential growth of the numbers of goats around the world clearly demonstrate the ability of these ruminants to adapt to harsh climates and grazing land. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of 42 samples of Syrian goats from many domestication stations including Jabali, Shami and hybrid (hybridization between both Shami and Jabali). The study was done by DNA extraction of these samples, application of SSR technology using 7 microstellite markers. The alleles number of markers were 29 alleles, at a rate of 4.1 allele for each genetic locus. The number of alleles of each locus ranged from 3 alleles in genetically markers (BMS1714, INRAD07, SRCRSP09) to 8 alleles at the genetic marker SRCRSP01. The rate of allele-frequency across all studied genetic sites ranged from 0.071429 with the molecular size of 210 bp for the McM527 genetic site to 0.97619 with a molecular size of 55 bp for the SRCRSP09 genetic site.
Key words: Goat, Molecular Characterization, Molecular Markers, Genetic diversity, SSR.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Zainab AL-Hussain^*(1) and AbaAljasem AL-Jibboury⁽²⁾

(1). Bio Techniques Research Center, Al-Nahrean University, Baghdad, Iraq.
(2). Agricultural and Food Research Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology,                        Baghdad, Iraq.

(Corresponding author: Dr. Zainab AL-Hussain. E-Mail: zainab.goldy@yahoo.com).

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

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Genetic Engineering Department in Agricultural Research Directorate in Ministry of Science and Technology/Iraq in 2013, to evaluate the effectiveness of aqueous extract of cogon grass at concentrations of (0.0 ,0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%) and Kinetin (0.0, 1.5, 3, 5) mg/L on microtuberization of two potato varieties; Daimond and Desire, in two separate experiments. All cultures were placed in a growth room chamber at temeratures of 18-20 °C with darkness for 90 days, until microtubers harvest. Data of microtuber per plant, diameters and weights were investigated. Results showed a positive effect of cogon grass extract at 2% on the number of microtubers and fresh weight (2.1, 104.41 mg, respectively) and at 1% on the diameter (5.52 mm). Desiree cultivar was the best in fresh weight of microtubers (188.41mg). The results of kinetin showed a significant effect on all of the studied traits. The superior kinetin concentration was 5.0 mg/L which gave the highest number of microtubers 2.22, while the concentrations 3.0 and 1.5 mg/L gave the highest values of diameter and weight ( 6.95 mm and 388.38 mg, respectively). The two cultivars did not differ significantly in number of microtubers, while Diamond cultivar was significantly higher in diameter and weight (6.86 mm and 363.45 mg, respectively).
Key words: Potato, Cogon grass, Aqueous extract, Kinetin, Microtubers.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Aysar Almemary^*(1) Bashar Z. Kassab Bashi⁽¹⁾ and Ayad Chachan Aldaoody⁽²⁾

(1). Horticulture and Landscape Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Mosul                    University, Iraq.
(2). Faculty of Education, Mosul, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Aysar Almemary. E-Mail: aysaralsalim@yahoo.com).

Received: 12/12/2017                     Accepted: 03/06/2018

Abstract

This investigation was carried out at Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, University of Mosul, Iraq during (2012-2014) on Catharanthus roseus Variety; Nirvana Pink Blush, which is one of the important medicinal plant, containing a group of alkaloids. Parts of leaves, nodes, and internodes were cultured on MS medium supplemented with NAA for callus initiation, data were taken after 28-day results refer that highest weight of callus; 0.612g, 0.639g ,0.835g were obtained from cultivated parts of leaves, nodes and internodes on MS medium supplemented with 1.0mg/l NAA respectively. Callus was initiated and cultured using parts of leaves, nodes and internodes on MS medium supplemented with BA and 1.0 mg/l of NAA, after 50 days. Vinblastine, vinblastine, vindoline, Ajmalicine were determined by HPLC, the highest absorption value for vinblastine was achieved from callus produced from cultured part of leaf on MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mg/l BA and 1.0 mg/l NAA at retention time of 12.686 with detected area of 955567, and the highest absorption value for vincristine at retention time of 17.940 with detected area of 2658303, from callus produced from cultured internodes on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BA and 1.0 mg/l NAA. The highest absorption value for vindoline at retention time of 21.113 with detected area 462847 from callus produced from cultured parts of leaf on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l BA and 1.0 mg/l NAA. While the highest absorption value for ajmalicine at retention time of 32.510 with detected area 462847, and from callus produced from cultured nodes on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l BA and 1.0 mg/l NAA
Key words: Catharanthus roseus , Callus, Nods, Alkaloids.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Imad Bilal^*(1) and Fadel Al-Kaiem⁽¹⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Imad Bilal. E-Mail: imad-b@arabscientist.org).

Received: 12/09/2017                       Accepted: 27/03/2018

Abstract

A study on the propagation of female kiwi trees (Hayward variety) by wooden cuttings, using plant growth regulators, was conducted at Latakia Agricultural Research Centre during the seasons 2009, 2011 and 2012. Two dates for collecting cuttings (January and February) from kiwi trees which were selected. On each date, the cuttings were divided into three groups according to cutting location on the shoot (basal, middle and apical). The NAA and IBA growth regulators were applied at several concentrations, in addition to two treatments of the mixture of both growth regulators. The cuttings were planted in the glasshouse for 60 days under spray irrigation conditions. The effect of cutting collection date, cutting position on shoot, and type and concentration of hormones were studied on: Number of rooted cuttings, total number of roots, average root weight and volume, and average canopy weight and volume. The results showed that February surpassed significantly January as a date of collection, also, the cuttings that were taken from the middle and apical shoots surpassed significantly the basal ones. As for the growth regulators, NAA treatment at concentration 5000 ppm was the best, giving an average of (22.31 root/cutting), versus the value of the control was (3.6 root/cutting), while the average weight was (38.18) g/cutting, and the control value was (3.8) g, but the volume was (39.67 cm3), and the control value was (5.9 cm3). IBA treatment at concentration 6000 ppm was significant only for rooting which achieved up to 78%, and the control (28%). NAA treatment at a concentration of 5000 ppm gave rooting by 66%.
Keywords: Kiwi (actinidia chinensis ), Rooting, Plant growth regulators.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Ola Al-Halabi^*(1) and Bayan Muzher⁽¹⁾

(1). Pome and Grapevine Division in Sweida, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture            Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syeia.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ola Al-Halabi. E-Mail: Ola_halabi@msn.com).

Received: 21/04/2017                     Accepted: 05/07/2017

Abstract

This investigation was conducted at Pome and grapevine Division in Sweida, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), and at Ira Agricultural Nursery, during 2011 and 2012 seasons, to detect the genetic variation among five apple seedling genotypes in Mafaala Malus communis fields, and within the seedlings produced from them, using 10 SSR primer pairs. The results showed the ability of 8 primer pairs to detect genetic variation among studied plants with polymorphism 100%. Genetic similarity was low among studied genotypes, the highest genetic similarity was 0.2 between B and E genotypes, while within each genotypes it was good among plants belong to A, B and C genotypes, while it was low in the genotypes D and E plants. Cluster analysis divided the studied plants into five groups, each group included one genotype plants with the mother. These results reflected the genetic distance among studied genotypes, thus it is necessary not to mix seeds for producing apple seedling rootstocks, and find one credible source for seeds. On the other hand, SSR technique is an important tool for genetic variation detection and germplasms purification.

Key words: Apple, Seedling rootstocks, Genetic variation, SSR.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Mohammed Kassem^{* (1)} and Amar Bayaa⁽¹⁾

(1). Laboratory of molecular markers of fungal plant diseases, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammed Kassem. E-Mail: agromohammad@gmail.com).

Received: 08/05/2017                                Accepted: 12/09/2017

Abstract:

The aim of this study is to determine the percentage of loss in yield of some durum wheat varieties against wheat leaf rust, and to identify whether the slow rusting has a positive effect in limiting yield loss. The study was carried out in the fields of experiments at Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria, 2015, included six durum wheat varieties (Cham1, Cham5, Douma1, Cham9, Beltagy and Massine), according split plot design, the first treatment of the main factor was infected by virulent races of p. trichina, where the second treatment was treated by the systematic fungicide (Bayfidan 250). Average coefficient of infection, area under the disease progress curve, average weight of a thousand grains, average productivity and the percentage of loss in both plots were calculated. Results were statistically analyzed according to Duncan distribution. The results showed a difference in the reaction of the studied cultivars against the pathogen in the seedling stage and the mature plant. The highest severity was in Doma 1 (90S), while Cham 9 and Beltagy were resistant. P.triticina reduced the WTG, and the highest reduction rate was 19% in Doma 1, and the loss of production was 30%, 7% in Douma 1, and Massine, respectively.  No losses in the two resistant varieties (Cham 9 and Beltagy), they considered as the vertical resistance model that prevent damage of wheat leaf rust. The most important result is that Massine as the model of slow rusting reduced productivity in order to become more productive than the susceptible productive variety (Doma 1), and can be used in epidemic zone in rust.

Key words: Wheat leaf rust, Puccinia triticina, Slow rusting, Vertical resistance, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF