Ghassan Al Lahham* ⁽¹⁾ Elias Aweel ⁽¹⁾ Razan Al Najjar ⁽¹⁾ Majeda  Rwely ⁽¹⁾  Ghrood  Al Assod ⁽¹⁾  Riad  Balish⁽¹⁾ and Mohammed  Ali ⁽¹⁾

(1). Crops Research Administration, Genaral Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ghassan Al Lahham. E-Mail: gh_lahham@hotmail.com).

Received: 09/04/2017                                Accepted: 29/04/2017

Abstract

This study was carried out at Kharabu Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), during the growing seasons 2011 and 2012, to estimate phenotypic correlation, and path coefficient of some morphological and green fodder yield components (days to flowering, plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, number of tillers per plant, and green fodder yield (ton/ha)). Fifteen pearl millet crosses resulted from half diallel mating system between six inbred lines. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The results showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between green fodder yield, and plant height, number of leaves, and number of tillers per plant (r = 0.787 **, 0.689 **, 0.841 **), respectively, and between plant height, number of leaves and number of tillers per plant (r = 0.500 *, 0.734**), respectively, suggesting that these traits can be used to improve green fodder yield of pearl millet. Path analysis clarified that number of tillers per plant, plant height and number of leaves per plant had a direct effect on green fodder yields. Also plant height had an indirect effect on both number of tillers, and number of leaves per plant, which are the most important traits that contribute to green fodder yield (61.97%), therefore they can be adopted as a selection criterion, for improving the green fodder yield of pearl millet crop, in summer season during the scarcity of forage in Syria.

Keywords: Phenotypic correlation, Path analysis, Green fodder yields, Pearl millet.

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Soad Atiya^*(1) Shahlaa Fartoos⁽¹⁾ Hassena Muaibed⁽¹⁾ and Labeeb Kadhum⁽¹⁾

(1): Directorate of Environmental and Water, Ministry of Science and Technology, Bagdad, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Soad Atiya. E-Mail: soadabdali@yahoo.com).

Received: 18/01/2018                                Accepted: 04/04/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted in 2016. The samples of rice Oryza sativa L. straw were collected from Dewania governorate/Iraq, and were brought to laboratory of Directorate of Environmental and Water in Ministry of Science and Technology. The samples were cleaned and milled, then stored in sterile containers. Local cellulolytic bacterial isolate was cultivated and isolated on mineral and cellulose medium, at 37 ºC for (24±2) hours, the bacterial isolate was diagnosed as Bacillus sp. depending on phenotypes of bacterial colonies on solid medium, microscopic characters and some biochemical tests. Milled rice straw was chemically treated with 1% of sodium hydroxide, then biological treatment by bacterial isolate Bacillus sp cultivate in mineral medium with alkali treated rice straw as carbone source and compared with cellulose standard medium. The bacterial growth was measured at 600 nm, which reached 0.974 in rice straw medium, while in cellulose medium reached 0.853. For glucose concentration, the value reached 250 µg/ml in rice straw medium, while in cellulose medium it was 210 µg/ml. The results concluded the possibility of getting rid of rice husks, which is an environmental contaminant, and to use it in the production of glucose.

Key word: Rice straw, Bacillus sp, Biological treatment, Glucose.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Salwa Al-Mohammad⁽¹⁾ Ibtissam Jassem^*(2) and Mai Lubbous⁽¹⁾

(1). Economic Department, Facultu of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Cooton Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ibtessam Jassem. E-Mail. e_sam_0@hotmail.com).

Received: 31/12/2016                                Accepted: 26/02/2017

Abstract

The aim of this research was to measure the technical efficiency of cotton farms with surface irrigation system using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in the field school in Idleb governorate. Preliminary data was collected based on field surveys, and random sampling. 34 farms in the villages of Meless and Segar were chosen for the season 2014. Results showed that the value of gross margin per area unit was approximately 7037 S.P/Dunam, and the net profit before subsidization was 2771 S.P/Dunam. The results of fixed returns model which applied on 16 farms, also showed that most of them were located in the village Siger, those villages used the least amount of input to reach a certain level of outputs, thus they had achieved economic efficiency in cotton production. The other farms, that did not achieve economic efficiency, should reduce the inputs in different proportions to become technically efficient without wasting resources while maintaining the same level of production. The results of variable returns model also showed that all the farms were inefficient, and this could be explained by the fact that all examined farms had applied almost equal inputs and had achieved a comparable productivity. According to that, the results were the same using this model. In terms of to allocative efficiency, 16 farms only achieved allocative efficiency (100%), thus, these farms had to continue to manage the farm at the same level. Those farms were working within the second production phase, which is the best phase economically. But the farms which did not achieve the allocative efficiency were working within the first production phase, which is characterized by increased output more than input. According to this the possibility of increasing production efficiency of the farms is through the application of modern agricultural techniques and developing varieties with a short life cycle. 

Keywords: Technical efficiency, Field schools, Cotton crop.

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Khetam Idris*(1)

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

(*Correspoding author: Dr. Khetam Idria. E-Mail: vera_naya@yahoo.com).

Received: 24/10/2017                                Accepted: 04/12/2017

Abstract

The research aimed to identify the current status of wheat in Syria during the period (2000-2012), and to study the energy of production and consumption, gap size, besides self-sufficiency ratio of wheat, as well as to highlight on the average per capita of the available for consumption, the annual average income per capita, and the annual population increase. The research also indicated the most important factors affecting the production and domestic consumption of wheat. The results had showed that the general trend of total production, cultivated area and productivity is a descending direction during the studied period. Also, the consumed amount of wheat during the studied period increased, with an average of (4084.42) thousand tons annually, while the average of domestic production amounted to about (4008.38) thousand tons for the same period. Besides the food gap of wheat ranged between a minimum value at (17.3) thousand tons in 2000, and a maximum value about 1660 thousand tons in 2009, the year in which consumption reached its maximum value in the time of studied series. The self-sufficiency ranged from (69.04%) in 2009 and (131.03)% in 2007 with an average of about (99.1)% during the period (2000 – 2012). The results also clarified that the rate per capita consumption and the population affected significantly the domestic consumption of wheat, and these variables explain about (91)% of the changes of the consumed wheat during the study period. Also, both cultivated area and yield had a significant effect on wheat production, and these variables explain about (95) % of the changes in the domestic production of wheat. It is also concluded that increasing self-sufficiency of wheat will take in the future for quite some time and it will be gradual. The results showed that the maximum of wheat self-sufficiency that could be achieved was approximately (242.86)%.

Key words: Wheat, Available for consumption, Self-sufficiency, Food gap.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Abd Alnasser Al-Omer*⁽¹⁾ and Yassin Almohsen⁽²⁾

(1). Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria.

(2). Internal Diseases – Faculty Of Veterinary Medicine- Hama Uni.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abd Alnasser Al-Omer. E-Mail: abdnaser64@gmail.com).

Received: 26/01/2017                                Accepted: 16/05/2017

Abstract

This study was carried out at Hamah Research Centre during 2014/2015 season on Shami goat flock (25 heads) in late pregnancy to determine some indicators of pregnancy toxemia in Shami goat. The blood samples were taken from both groups at different stages of late pregnancy to be used in several biochemistry tests (BHB, NEFA, glucose, total protein, albumin and triglyceride). The blood tests showed a significant increase (p≤0.01-0.001) in BHB and NEFA, and a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in glucose during 2-3 weeks antepartum, but one week antepartum for the albumin. But regarding triglyceride it was high (p≤0.05) during 1-3 weeks antepartum. It was noticed a trend to acidic pH in urine of the tested animals. Also, the acetone was positive (+++) one week before partum. In conclusion, it is important to evaluate some clinical and biochemical parameters, besides acetone and pH estimation in urine for the early diagnosis of risks of pregnancy toxemia in Shami goat’s prior the birth time. This can give time for owners to take some protection procedures.

Key words: Shami goat, Pregnancy toxemia, NEFA, BHB.

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Aziz Mahdi Abd Al-Shammari⁽¹⁾ Mohammed Ali Abood⁽²⁾  and Ghassan Jaafar Hamdi*⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Horticulture and Landscape, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Diyala, Iraq.

(2). Department of soil Science and Water Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Diyala, Iraq.

(^*Corresponding author: Ghassan Jaafar Hamdi. E-Mail: ghassanhamdi38@gmail.com).

Received: 01/04/2018                                Accepted: 03/07/2018

Abstract

The experiment was carried out during spring season 2016 to study the effect of foliar spraying treatment with Tecamin Flower 2.5 ml/L in comparison with distilled water, on growth of three hybrids of tomatoes at two different levels of irrigation (100 and 50 % of field capacity). Three sprays were conducted started from flowering with two weeks’ interval. The results showed that ‘Finenss’ hybrid had significant differences in plant height, branches per plant and leaves number per plant. ‘Hadeer’ hybrid had superiority in dry matter ratio and content of chlorophyll in leaves. Reducing the level of irrigation resulted in a significant decrease in plant height, total branches number, versus an increase in the leaves number per plant, total leaves area and the percentage of dry matter. The results showed that the treatment with Tecamin flower led to a significant increase in all indicators studied. The interaction treatments shoed that Hadeer hybrid irrigated in level 50 % and spraying of nutrient solution (Tecamin flower) had a significant increase in dry matter ratio and chlorophyll content in leaves. While the hybrid Finenss which irrigated in level 100 % with nutrient solution (Tecamin flower) had a significant increase in leaves number per plant and total leaves area.

Key words: Foliar spray, Deficit irrigation, Tomato, Amino acids.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Hussam Baroudi *⁽¹⁾ Georgous Makhoul⁽²⁾ and  Hafez  Mahfoud⁽³⁾

(1). Department of Citrus and Tropical Plants Researches, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.  

(3). Department of Biotechnology, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria. 

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

Received: 22/10/2017                                Accepted: 21/12/2017

Abstract

This study was conducted at glasshouse of Citrus and Tropical Research Department in Tartus governorate, and Olive Nursery in Latakia governorate, during 2015 to determine the influence of Indol-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) doses on hardwood and softwood top cuttings of three types of M. alba L. (B-1, B-5, KH-8) and three types of M. nigra L. (M-4, KH-9, KH-1) and one fruitless type (B-3), which spreads in different locations in Tartus, Syria. Hardwood cuttings were prepared during February from one-year-old shoots, and the softwood top cuttings were prepared during August in 2015. The cuttings were treated with different doses of IBA (1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm) in addition to the control application 0 ppm. The cuttings were planted in the glasshouses in order to root. The results indicated that the softwood cuttings had the highest average of rooting percentage, number of roots, and roots length comparing to the hardwood cuttings. The hardwood cuttings of the phenotype (KH-9) had a high significant difference comparing with the other phenotypes with average of rooting percentage (60%), length of roots (4.65 cm), and number of roots (2.6 unit/cutting). The concentration 4000 ppm of IBA was superior regarding rooting percentage, roots number, and length of roots over the other concentrations, while the softwood cuttings (M-4) phenotype was superior over the other phenotypes with average of length of roots (9.14 cm), and number of roots (6.73 unit/cutting). (KH-9, KH-8) phenotypes had the highest rooting percentage (53.33%), while the best treatment was found in 2000 ppm concentration of IBA comparing to other concentrations.

Keywords: White Mulberry, (Morus alba L.), (Morus nigra L.), Propagation, IBA.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Bayan Muzher^*(1) Ola Al-Halabi⁽¹⁾ Alaa Alzgair⁽¹⁾ and Samer Abou Hamdan⁽¹⁾

(1). Pome Research Department, Horticulture Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Bayan Muzher. Email: bmuzher@hotmail.com).

Received: 02/03/2017                                Accepted: 23/05/2017

Abstract

This investigation was carried out in the fields and laboratories of Pome and Grapevine Department, GCSAR/Syria, on some apple varieties i.e. Richared, Mutsu and Tourly Winsap to determine the optimal harvest date and its effect on storability. Fruits were harvested in (16/9, 26/9, 7/10, 17/10 and 30/10) depending on physical and chemical maturity indicators, and stored with the study of changing in quality indicators and weight lost monthly. The results showed that the studied varieties differed in their storability according to harvest date, Richared fruits in 26/9 showed long storage for seven months with weight loss of 4.9%, fruit firmness 6.4 kg/cm², and 18.7% TSS.  While the storability was six months for Mutsu fruits which harvested in 7/10 with weight loss of 4.4%, and fruit firmness 6.1 kg/cm², and finally, Tourly Winsap fruits which were stored for five months in 7 and 17/10 harvest dates with fruit firmness 5.1 kg/cm². Moreover, the three varieties were able to storage for three months when harvested in 30/10 with weight loss of 3.3%, 4.4% and 4.5% in Tourly Winsap, Richared and Mutsu respectively, which considered as consuming maturity for these varieties. These results indicated to the various storage periods according to fruits harvest time, and the storability, which assists in regulating offer and demand, and providing markets with fruits for long period, however harvesting at optimal time reducing the total weight loss, in addition to high quality indicators.

Key words: Apple, Harvest date, Weight loss, Storability.   

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Osamah Al- Abdallah*⁽¹⁾ Nabeel. Al- Ayoubi⁽²⁾ and Rawaa Babilie⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of tuber vegetables, Horticulture Research Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research. 

(2). Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Baath, Homs.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Osamah AL-Abdallah. E-Mail: samo773@live.com)

Received: 02/03/2017                                Accepted: 23/05/2017

Abstract

This research was conducted at AlTieba Research Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) in 2012 and 2013 seasons, to study the effect of different doses of gamma rays on growth and productivity of local garlic Allium sativum L. cultivar “Yabroudi” in Syria. Cloves were exposed to four different doses of gamma rays of ⁶⁰Co source (1, 2.5, 5, 10 Gray). Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used. The results showed the surviving plants after 60 days of planting declined with the increase of dose levels. The percentage of dead plants at the doses (2.5, 5 Gray) was 50 and 54 %, respectively. Also, it was possible to obtain a larger number of viable mutations. Therefore, they could be considered as close as to LD₅₀. The dose (10 Gray) had a negative effect on the length of the cloves’ germination period, leading to the death of all the plants after 60 days of planting, this could be considered lethal dose (LD₁₀₀). The response of the local garlic cultivar Yabroudi to the low-dose (1 Gray) of gamma ray was higher comparing with other doses. This is due to the positive effect of this dose (Stimulus) on the vegetative growth that was reflected on the productivity indicators. The productivity reached (4.50 kg/m²), which was significantly superior to the control (2.91 kg/ m²) and the two doses (2.5, 5 Gray), respectively (2.26, 1.60 kg/ m²).

Key words: Garlic, Yabroudi cultivar, Gamma rays.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF