Lama Ali Daragham ^1* and Majd Fater Naamah ¹

¹ Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Tishreen University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author Lama Ali Daragham, Email:  drrghamlamaas@gmail.com ).

Received: 3/ 11/ 2024          Accepted: 28/ 5/ 2025

Abstract

The research aimed to analyze the production efficiency of dairy farms in Lattakia Governorate by exploring the factors influencing them. To achieve the research objectives, data was collected from a stratified random sample of 196 farms during the year 2024, including 30 variables using a questionnaire. The research adopted a descriptive analytical approach, in addition to conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the main factors. The results of the principal components analysis (PCA) showed a significant impact of five factors on the production efficiency of dairy farms in Lattakia Governorate: high levels of incentives and training, infrastructure and technology, health and productivity, economic costs and challenges, and resource availability. These factors were reduced at the recycling stage to three main factors: government support and funding, environmental and health impacts, and modern technologies and effective management. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a statistically significant effect of the three factors on production efficiency. Based on these results, it is clear that improving training, infrastructure, and resource availability, in addition to adopting modern technologies, represent the basis for enhancing production efficiency on dairy farms.

Keywords: Factor analysis, production efficiency, farms, dairy cows, Lattakia.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Ali Jasem Dardar ^1*

¹ Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Ali Jasem Dardar, Email:  alidrdr2019@gmail.com, mob.: 0991075595)

Received: 13/ 1/ 2025      Accepted: 23/ 4/ 2025

Abstract

The study was conducted to study the effect of adding different proportions of rice milk to the preparation of yogurt from cow’s milk. 100% cow’s milk was used as a control, in addition to treatments of cow’s milk to which rice milk was added at different proportions (25%, 50%, and 75%). Fermentation was performed using a starter culture consisting of two strains of lactic acid bacteria: Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophiles, with the latter added at 2% and 3%. Fermentation was carried out at 45°C and continued until a pH of 4.6 was reached. The results showed that the concentration of total solids, fat, total protein, ash and acidity in rice milk were lower than those in cow’s milk, and that the fermentation time was shorter and the total acidity was higher in cow’s milk than in the treatments with added rice milk. The titratable acidity in treatments H, I and J was (0.77, 0.75 and 0.62) respectively, while in the control (0.83). It was shown that the addition of 50% rice milk had good sensory characteristics in the final product. Not only were lactic acid bacteria able to grow in rice milk, but their numbers and viability were also higher than in cow’s milk. Moreover, mixing rice milk with cow’s milk increased this effect.

Keywords: cow’s milk, rice milk, lactic fermentation, yogurt.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Ola Ali Merhej^1*

¹ General Organization of Remote Sensing (GORS), Lecturer- Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Ola Merhej, Email:  olamerhej@gmail.com,   mobile: 0932044199).

Received: 6/ 2/ 2025      Accepted: 15/ 6/ 2025

Abstract

The rapid change in land cover has become a major problem resulting from various factors in the Cedar and Fir protected area in Syria, even though it is under protection. This study aimed at evaluating the usefulness of monitoring changes in land cover in the Cedar and Fir protected area in Syria during the last 5 years (2018-2023), using two imageries from the Sentinel-2A (S2A) satellite and applying the Random Forest “RF” algorithm within Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The overall accuracy (OA) of classification in the resulting land cover maps was 93.4% in the 2018 map, and 92.7% in the 2023 map. The maps showed a decrease in forest cover in the protected area by 36.07% during the study period. In contrast, the results strongly support the use of the GEE platform and Sentinel 2A satellite data in parallel with the random forest algorithm to enhance the accuracy of land cover classification in mountainous regions. This study recommended the need to take rapid action to preserve the rare natural resources in the protected area.

Keywords: Cedar and Fir Protected Area, Google Earth Engine Platform, Random Forest, Remote Sensing, Land Cover Maps.

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Safaa Dakhil^1*, Ibrahim Saqr¹ and Rabab Absi

1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.
2 Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Aleppo University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Safaa Dakhil, Email:  safaadakhil5@gmail.com ).

Received: 17/ 5/ 2025      Accepted: 29/ 6/ 2025

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the economic impact of adopting a modern balanced feeding system for dairy cows and its role in enhancing livestock productivity. The research was conducted in Lattakia Governorate in 2024 through a field survey involving several dairy farms in Center of Lattakia and Jableh regions, Lattakia Governorate, Syria. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using economic and statistical methods via Excel and SPSS software. The results revealed that although the total annual cost per head was slightly higher when using modern feeding (25194720 SYP) compared to traditional feeding (28531200 SYP), the productivity per cow increased significantly. The average annual milk yield per cow was 6600 kg under the modern feeding regime versus 5400 kg with traditional feeding, reflecting a 22.2% increase. The findings underline the importance of promoting silage production, utilizing agricultural by-products, and encouraging local forage crop cultivation to enhance the profitability and sustainability of dairy farming.

Keywords: Traditional feeding, Modern balanced feeding, Total production cost.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Shadi Faskha^1* and Bahaa Alrahban²

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

² Plant Protection Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Shadi Faskha, Email:  Shadifaskha5@gmail.com )

Received: 17/ 5/ 2025      Accepted: 29/ 6/ 2025

Abstract

Effect of bio-inseticides: Azadrachtin, Emamectin benzoate, Spinosad and the pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana with a positive control, insecticide Chlorpyrifos was studied on the rate emergence of Trichogramma principium adults and their longevity after emergence when treating the eggs of the host Sitotroga cerealella parasitized in the pupal stage, under conditions of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center laboratory in Tartous during May 2023. The results showed that there were significant differences between insecticides in the rate of reducing the emergence of parasitoid adults compared to the control (distilled water), where chlorpyrifos achieved the highest reduction rate (99.52%), followed by spinosad with a reduction rate (82.80%) while the insecticides emamectin benzoate and azadrachtine reduced the emergence to (63.69, 51.50%) respectively. On the other hand, the results of the effect of insecticides on the longevity of parasitoid adults after their emergence showed that the chlorpyrifos and spinosad achieved the shortest period (0.20 and 0.42 days) respectively. The pathogenic fungus B. bassiana gave the longest survival period (8.18 days) compared to other insecticides, and the control outperformed all treatments, recording the longevity of (10.78) days.

Keywords: azadirachtin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, Trichogramma principium, Beauveria bassiana, chlorpyrifos.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Reem Ahmad Khalil^1*, Mouhamd Al-Azem¹ and Waseem Abdulwahed²

¹ Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Technical Engineering, Aleppo University, Syria.

² Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aleppo University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Reem Khalil, Email:  reem.khalil.1996.@gmail.com , mob.: 0930553162 )

Received: 11/ 6/ 2025      Accepted: 8/ 10/ 2025

Abstract

In this study, sweet orange fruits (Citrus sinensis) were sourced from local markets in Aleppo city. The fruits were manually juiced, and the extracted juice was subsequently mixed with maltodextrin. The resulting mixture was then subjected to spray drying—a technique widely employed in the food industry for producing fruit juice powders.  The investigation focused on evaluating selected physicochemical properties of three juice samples: fresh orange juice, orange juice supplemented with maltodextrin at a ratio of 4:1, and reconstituted juice obtained from the dried powder. The parameters assessed included: reducing sugars, total acidity, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), soluble solids content (°Brix), moisture content, viscosity, turbidity, and color attributes (L*, a*, b*). The yield of spray-dried orange juice supplemented with maltodextrin was 18.64%. Statistically significant differences were observed among the studied samples in terms of their physicochemical characteristics. Moisture and acidity levels were highest in the fresh juice prior to maltodextrin addition. Conversely, the incorporation of maltodextrin led to an increase in both viscosity and °Brix values. Spray drying had a pronounced impact on all measured parameters, particularly resulting in elevated turbidity and color intensity. On the other hand, reductions were noted in reducing sugars, acidity, and vitamin C content following drying, with final values of 1.201%, 3.525%, and 15.47 mg/100g, respectively.

Keywords: Orange Juice, Maltodextrin, Spray drying, Powder, Drying process, Vitamin C.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Reem Hamze^1* and Mouhamd Al-Azem¹

¹ Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Technical Engineering, Aleppo University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Reem Hamze, Email: hamzereem432@gmail.com )

Received: 26/ 7/ 2025      Accepted: 14/ 10/ 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to know the effect of adding hydrocolloids (Gum Arabic, Sodium alginate, a mixture of sodium alginate with gum Arabic) to orange juice, and determined some physical and chemical properties of the juice in order to provide information about the most acceptable product characteristics. Samples were prepared and alginate and gum Arabic were added at concentrations ranging from 0.25% to 3%, in addition to a sample without adding any hydrocolloids (control sample). Then, these samples were packaged, pasteurized, cooled to room temperature, until sensory evaluation was conducted to select the optimal concentration of each added colloid and adopt it for conducting some tests. The viscosity, color indices total dissolved solids (Brix%), titratable acidity and pH of the selected samples were measured. In general, it was found that hydrocolloids have an effect on the color indices, viscosity, total dissolved solids, pH and titratable acidity of orange juice. In addition, a commercial orange juice sample was included as a reference for comparison, and its value were presented descriptively without being subjected to statistical analysis.

Keywords: Orange Juice, Hydrocolloids, Gum Arabic, Alginate, Sensory Properties, Physicochemical properties.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Rawan Maher Khoraki^1*, Imad Aldeen Alkhalaf ² and Amir Alhaj Sakur

1 Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Syria.
2 Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Rawan Maher Khoraki, Email: khorakirawan8@gmail.com, 0968061808).

Received: 4/ 3/ 2025         Accepted: 28/ 5/ 2025

Abstract

Water is widely used in all aspects of daily life, and with the growth of various technologies and industries, all of these activities pollute water sources, especially rivers, streams, canals, and inland lakes, with various types of pollutants, including heavy metals. The research aims to study the effect of treated and untreated corn cob powder (Zea mays L.) as an adsorbent to remove zinc from polluted aqueous solutions. Different doses of corn cob powder processed from each solution were studied at graded concentrations (100 – 200 – 300 – 400 ppm), at a constant temperature of (20) degrees Celsius, and pH = 8, at different contact times. Then the samples were filtered and then the previously mentioned concentrations were measured using an atomic absorption device. The results showed that the adsorption percentage for the treated corn cobs ranged between (33-94%) between the two concentrations (100-400), respectively. In contrast, the percentages for the untreated corn cobs ranged between (0-18%), and the optimal economic adsorbent dose was chosen for the treated corn cobs (1.5).

Keywords: Zinc, corn cobs, adsorption, polluted water, atomic absorption.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Raghad Essa^1*, Ghaithaa Wanas¹, Aziza Ajour² and Marwan Alabi¹

¹ Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

² Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Raghad Essa, Email: raghadessa648@gmail.com).

Received: 28/ 4/ 2025       Accepted: 25/ 6/ 2025

Abstract

The research was conducted in Ain Al-Kroum village, Al-Ghab region, Hama Governorate, during the 2024 agricultural season to study the effect of two concentrations of humic acid (2, 4 g/L) and seaweed extract (1, 2 mL/L) on vegetative growth indicators and productivity per unit area of pepper (Capsicum annuum L., Antakli variety). The experiment included 9 treatments, including the control (0 g/L humic acid + 0 mL/L seaweed extract), with three replicates and 20 plants per treatment, following a split-plot design. The main plots were assigned to humic acid fertilization, while the subplots were assigned to foliar spraying with seaweed extract. The results showed significant improvements in plant growth and productivity when using humic acid, seaweed extract, or their combination. The H2A2 treatment (4 g/L humic acid + 2 mL/L seaweed extract) outperformed all other treatments, recording the highest values for vegetative growth indicators: average plant height of 60.93 cm, number of lateral branches of 8.26 branches/plant, number of leaves of 250.9 leaves/plant, and the highest productivity per unit area of 5.47 kg/m². In contrast, the control (H0A0) recorded the lowest values: 41.31 cm for plant height, 4.06 branches/plant, 195.9 leaves/plant, and 2.68 kg/m² for productivity. The H2 treatment (4 g/L humic acid) achieved the highest individual averages for vegetative growth (57.17 cm, 7.24 branches/plant, 241.1 leaves/plant) and productivity (4.85 kg/m²), while the A2 treatment (2 mL/L seaweed extract) recorded averages of 54.19 cm, 7.24 branches/plant, 232.5 leaves/plant, and 4.73 kg/m². These improvements are attributed to the combined effect of both factors, where humic acid enhances nutrient uptake, and seaweed extract promotes vegetative growth and fruit production through plant hormones and nutrients.

Keywords: Humic Acid, Pepper, Productivity, Seaweed Extract, Vegetative Growth.

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Ali Deeb1*, Ali Alkhatib2, and Raeed Gaafar1

1 Department Of Horticulture, Faculty Of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
2 General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Lattakia Research Center.
(*Corresponding author: Ali Deeb, Email: alikhalildip@gmail.com).

Received: 27/ 5/ 2024    Accepted: 25/ 8/ 2024

Abstract

The study was conducted during the year 2023 on Mediterranean tangerine trees (Mandarin baladi), grown at the Ciano Research Station of the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research. (Lattakia Research Center), in a field of 3,000 m2, at an altitude of about 125 m above sea level, with the aim of studying the effect of the rootstock and spraying with boron and zinc on some productive indicators of the trees of the studied cultivar. The study included three rootstocks, Troyer citrange, Citrumelo 4475 and Poncirus trifoliata (L. Raf), and spraying with boron, at a concentration of 200 ppm, and zinc at a concentration of 100 ppm, singly and mixed, this is on three dates (Two weeks before flowering, after fruit set, and one month after the second spray). The results confirmed the great role of the rootstock, as the rootstock Troyer Citrange outperformed the two rootstocks, Citromilo 4475 and the trifoliate orange, for all the studied indicators (percentage of set 21.63%, fruiting coefficient 8.57, tree production 93.64 kg/tree, and productivity 4.68 ton/donm). The rootstock, Citromilo 4475, outperformed the three-leaf orange rootstock, and with regard to foliar spraying treatments with two elements, Boron and zinc were observed to be superior to the treatment of spraying both elements together over the rest of the treatments for all the studied indicators. Also, the treatments spraying with boron and zinc individually outperformed the control treatment and without there being a significant difference between them with regard to the percentage of set and fruiting coefficient, and with the presence of a significant difference between them with regard to tree production and productivity in favor of the treatment. Spraying with the boron element. As for the mutual effect, the spraying treatment with boron and zinc together on the Troyer citrange rootstock was also the highest in value, (percentage of set 28.27%, fruiting coefficient 11.22, tree production 167.28 kg/tree, and productivity 8.36 ton/donm) and it outperformed the rest of the treatments and rootstocks.

Keywords: Mediterranean tangerine, rootstock, boron, zinc, productivity indicators.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF