Mais  Naoof ^(1)* and Roula Bayerli ⁽²⁾

(1). Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.  

(*Corresponding author:  Mais Naoof, Email: mais3462@gmail.com).

Received: 12/02/2025         Accepted:10/12/2024

Abstract: 

The experiment and Chemical analyses were carried out in the Biological Control Department in Hama Governorate and the laboratories of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering – Damascus University – Syria during the years (2020 – 2021 and 2021 – 2022). The aim of it was to studying the effect of the bio-fertilizer Trichoderma harzianum (at concentrations 10⁵ ,10⁶, 10⁷ spores/ml), indole acetic acid IAA (at concentrations of 50 and 100 ppm) and the interaction between them, in improving vegetative growth, fruits and productivity indicators of tomato plants (Shorouk variety).The experiment was designed according to a complete randomized block design. The results showed that treatment Trichoderma at 10⁵ spores/ml was superior to the other biofertilizer treatments and control with significant differences in morphological indicators (81.57 cm for plant height, 77.33 leaves for number of Leaves and 7853.3 cm² for leaf surface area), indicators related to fruits (4.13 Brix° for TSS, 4.55 for 4.47, 1.91 kg/cm²  for hardness) and production indicators (13.02 clusters for number of clusters/plant, 4.07 flowers for number of flowers set/cluster and 211.24 g for average fruit weight), While there were no significant differences between IAA 50 ppm and control. Also, the interaction treatment between Trichoderma at 10⁵ spores/ml with IAA 50 ppm was superior to the other treatments and control with significant differences in morphological indicators (92.22 cm for plant height, 85.28 leaves for number of Leaves and 8770.4 cm² for leaf surface area), indicators related to fruits (4.43 Brix° for TSS, 4.55 for pH) and production indicators (14.94 clusters for number of clusters/plant, 4.61 flowers for number of flowers set/cluster and 231.50 g for average fruit weight) and without significant differences with the treatment of Trichoderma at 10⁵ alone, while the treatment of Trichoderma alone (at 10⁵) was superior to the other treatments and to the control with significant differences for the fruit firmness indicator (2.28 kg/cm2). the treatments with Trichoderma at 10⁶ and 10⁷ spores/ml, IAA at 100 ppm and their interaction gave lowest value for all indicator.

Keywords: Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, biofertilizer, Trichoderma Harzianum, IAA, Productivity.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Ammar Askarieh ^(1)*, Nsreen Dib⁽¹⁾, Alisar Shaabow⁽¹⁾,Amal Haj Hassan⁽¹⁾, Omar Hamoudi⁽¹⁾,Ammar Abbas⁽¹⁾, Soulaf Haloum⁽¹⁾ and Rami Adraa⁽¹⁾

  (1). General Commission for Scientific Agriculture  Research, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ammar Askarieh . E-Mail: ammar.askarieh89@gmail.com, Mob: 0934373387).

Received: 19/06/2023           Accepted: 19/12/2023

Abstract: 

The research was carried out at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Lattakia, within a 400 m² greenhouse planted with lettuce, during the fall of 2022, with the aim of studying the effect of three types of compost prepared from pruning residues of citrus trees (Cc), olive trees (Oc) and greenhouse residues (Tc) on some vegetative and productivity parameters of lettuce grown under greenhouse conditions. Where the experiment included four treatments (control: soil without fertilization – compost prepared from the waste of pruning citrus trees (Cc) – compost prepared from the waste of pruning olive trees (Oc) – compost prepared from the waste of plants grown in protected houses (cucumbers and tomatoes) (Tc)) The experiment was distributed according to a randomized complete block design with four replicates for each treatment. The results were analyzed statistically using Genestate12 statistical analysis software, ANOVA analysis of variance test, and the LSD value was calculated at a significant level of 5%. The results showed that all treatments contributed to increasing the percentage of organic matter in the soil compared to the control, which helps to improve the spread of roots, and also contributed to the availability of nutrients needed for plant growth in a greater way, which contributes to increasing plant productivity, and the results also indicated that all treatments contributed to improving plant weight Whereas, the compost treatment (Tc) was the best among the treatments in increasing the stem weight (77.33 g) and the least in the compost treatment (Cc) (62.33 g). However, none of the treatments contributed to increasing the root weight without significant differences between the treatments and the control. The results also show the role of compost in increasing the weight of the pulp with significant differences between the treatments, as the highest pulp weight was recorded in the compost treatment (Cc) (172g), followed by the compost treatment (Tc) (165.3g) and the lowest was in the compost treatment (Oc) (137.3g) compared to control (145g). The results also show the role of treatment with different types of organic fertilizers in improving the representative surface area and improving the productive characteristics compared to the control. The highest productivity per unit area was recorded in (Cc) treatment (4.375 kg/m2) and the lowest in (Oc) treatment (3.465 kg/m2), with significant differences between the treatments. The treatment with different types of organic fertilizers also contributed to improving some qualitative characteristics of lettuce without significant differences between the treatments and the control. This confirms the role of organic additions to plant residues as an effective tool in maintaining and sustaining agriculture, increasing soil organic matter, improving soil fertility and increasing agricultural crop productivity.

Keywords: lettuce, organic fertilization, compost, plant waste, yield.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Talal  Fozo ^(1)* and Eman Matar ⁽²⁾

(1). Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattika, Syria.

(2). Administration of Horticulture Research, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Talal Fozo. Email: Talalfozo544@gmail.com).

Received:10/09/2023                Accepted:4/12/2023

Abstract: 

Almond is economically one of the important fruit crops especially nut fruits in Syria according to the fact that the wild genetic resources still exist along the Syrian forests, mountains, and hills. The study was conducted on the agricultural research center of Homs; Syria aimed to study self-incompatibility for some introduced Italian varieties of Almond. (Prunus amygdalus L.) Results revealed an existence of complete self-sterile varieties such as Feragnes and Don carlo, and varieties varied according to the results of free fertilization in fruit setting rates; for example Touno and Genco varieties had the highest fruit setting rates (32.9585% and 32.0996% respectively). However,Filippocco and Supernova varieties recorded the lowest fruit setting rates (11.7742% and 11.8184% respectively). Genco, Tuono,Doncarlo, Feragnes, Filippocco and Pepparudda varieties varied according to pollen viability between 88.6300% for Genco and 70.7100% for Pepparudda but in the other hand the variety Supernova pollen viability was the lowest by 60.4263%. Genco occupied the highest rank in pollen germination rate by 76.0763% butFilippocco had the lowest pollen germination rate by 60.4263; in parallel ofthat,Genco had the highest fertility index while the lowest was for Filippocco.

Keywords: Prunus amygdalus L., self-sterile, pollen viability, pollen germination

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Wasim Aljuhni^(1)* , Radwan Alkhatib ⁽²⁾  and  Mohammed Massri ⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria.

.(2) Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology, Damascus

(*Corresponding author:Wasim Aljuhni : E-Mail Wasim.aljuhni@gmail.com,T: 0951324670)

Received  : 1/07/2024                           Accepted :15/11/2024

Abstract: 

This study was conducted at the Biotechnology Center of Al-Baath University during 2022. The study aimed to investigate the impact of polysaccharide coating solutions enriched with nano zinc oxide and lemongrass oil on the marketing qualities and storage capabilities of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples stored at ambient temperature. Polysaccharide coating solutions were prepared from sodium alginate (ALG) and pectin (PEC), and were enriched with lemongrass essential oil (LG) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). Golden Delicious apple fruits were treated with prepared coating solutions, and fruits without any treatment were used as a control. The fruits were stored at a laboratory temperature (18 ± 3 °C) for 8 weeks. Changes in fruit characteristics during storage were studied. The indicators studied included weight loss, percentage of dissolved solids, Firmness, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. The results exhibited that treating apple fruits with polysaccharide emulsions containing lemongrass oil and ZNo-NPs were significantly (P<0.05) reduced undesirable changes in quality indicators during storage. Treating apple fruits with the double composite layer (layer by layer) consisting of (ALG+LGEO+ZnO-NPs) and (PEC+LGEO+ZnO-NPs) was significantly (P<0.05) superior to the other treatments in maintaining quality indicators during storage. The results of the study indicate the possibility of using polysaccharide emulsions enriched with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNo-NPs) and lemongrass essential oil to improve the marketing specifications and increase the storage capacity of stored apple fruits.

Keywords: Golden Delicious, polysaccharides, lemongrass essential oil, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNo-NPs), Storage capacity.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Huda jansiz^*(1)

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

Corresponding author*)  :Huda jansiz: E-Mail , hudajansiz2@ gmail.com,T: 0994975850)

Received  9/08/2024                           Accepted :6/01/2024

Abstract: 

The research aims to study the effect of different concentrations of ethanolic extract of propolis (1-5-10)% on the quality and physiological and chemical characteristics of strawberries stored at a temperature of (1±4) °C for 10 days after washing them with acetic acid3% and drying them at room temperature for two hours. The results of chemical analyses showed that the fruits treated with propolis 10% were superior in maintaining the moisture content, pH, and values of vitamin C and phenolic substances, flavonoids, anthocyanins, their weight, hardness, and TSS value, increasing the ash content, and decreasing the percentage of mold, noting that the control samples could not withstand storage for more than 5 days. In addition, there was an effect of covering with propolis on the values of the color index (a b L), as a decrease in the values of the color(index*L) was observed. As the storage period continued, the color tended to darken, but when treated with propolis at a concentration of 10%, the degree of brightness was higher (the fruits were lighter in color) As for the color index (*a), the value of (*a) increased towards red with the increase in the storage period, as the degree of redness increased with the increase in the concentration used, while the values of the yellowness index (*b) decreased with the continuation of the storage period. Strawberries treated with propolis 10% showed the best acceptance by the evaluators in terms of taste, color, smell and texture, and achieved the highest general acceptance by the consumer. Therefore, propolis can be used to extend the shelf life of strawberries and maintain their quality characteristics.

Keywords: Strawberries, ethanolic extract of propolis, physical properties, chemical composition. 

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Mohammed Al-haql^(1)*, Hoda Habbal ⁽¹⁾ and Bassam Al Oklah⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University, , Damascus, Syria.  

(2). Department of Food Technology –National Commission for Biotechnology, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Al-haql. E-mail Alhaql.moh@damascusuniversity.edu.sy. Mobile: 00963951954375).

Received: 5 / 01/  2025                    Accepted: 16 /03 /2025

Abstract: 

The research was conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Food Science at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University, and the National Commission for Biotechnology, between 2022 -2024. The aim was to comparatively study some physical properties (water activity, density, turbidity, and color) and functional properties (water or oil holding capacity, gel formation, solubility, emulsification, and foaming) of protein isolates from roasted and unroasted sesame husks. The results of the physical properties study showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the two protein isolates in terms of density, turbidity, and color indices. The functional properties study revealed that the roasted sesame husks protein isolate outperformed the unroasted one in oil-binding capacity (2.94 and 2.23 g/g, respectively) and gel formation ability (12% and 14%, respectively). The findings revealed a significant impact of both the roasting process and pH value on solubility, emulsification indices, and foaming properties. Both protein types exhibited comparable sensitivity to pH changes, with the highest values observed in the alkaline range (pH = 10) for solubility (74.14% and 79.41%), emulsification (82.74% and 84.52%), and foaming (101% and 128.86%) in roasted and unroasted sesame husk protein isolates, respectively. It can be concluded that both isolates exhibit good functional properties, offering promising potential for food applications.

Keywords: sesame Husks, protein, roasting, physical properties, solubility.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Tahani Alidee ^{(1) *} and Maytham Jales⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Food Technology-General Commission of Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Tahani Alidee. E-Mail: tahane.alidee@yahoo.com).

Received: 14/01/2024                 Accepted: 24/09/2024

Abstract: 

This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from Al-Shami mulberry leaves (Morus nigra) grown in Syria using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Minitab17 program for use in food and pharmaceutical industries later. The fresh leaves were collected from Khan Arnabah, Al Qunaitra Governorate, Syria, in 2022, shade-dried, and kept in a dry place until they were analyzed. The phenolic compounds were extracted using ultra-pure deionized water (extraction solvent) related to solvent:solid ratio and the mixture was put in a water bath at three temperatures (30, 40, and 50 C) for 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and the design included 30 experiments. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts was analyzed using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, whereas the antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH method. The TPC ranged from 11.47 to 43.97 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g, and the antioxidant activity ranged from 31.98 to 79.78%. The statistical results showed that the linear effects of temperature, the ratio of water, and the quadratic effect of temperature on TPC were significant. Whereas the linear effect of the temperature on antioxidant activity was significant (P≤0.05). The optimum results showed that the maximum TPC value (420.91 mg/100 g) with the highest antioxidant activity (71.56%) was observed at an extraction time of 45 min, a temperature of 50 °C, and a solvent-solid ratio of 30:1 by using water as an extraction solvent.

Keywords: Al-Shami mulberry, Morus nigra, Syria, phenolic compounds, DPPH, RSM.          

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Wissam Tahan⁽¹⁾, Nasr Sheikh Suliman⁽²⁾, Saleem Rai ⁽³⁾ and Hassan Ahmad ⁽³⁾

(1). Horticulture Department- Faculty of Agricultural Engineering- Tishreen niversity-

Lattakia, Syria.

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

(3). Tartous Agriculture Directorate- Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Reform. Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Wissam Tahan, E-Mail:  wissamou.ali1993@gmail.com, 0996124420)

Received: 5/10/2024                 Accepted: 9/03/2025

Abstract: 

The experiment was carried out in the governorate of Tartous, the village of Karto in the autumn of 2022, where the tomatoes (Dana hybrid) was treated with the cucumber mosaic virus and without it within the plastic house with the SALSICO compound spraying on the plants and adding with irrigation water with two concentrations: 3 and 6 ml/l, in addition to two treatments of the infected control not treated with the SALSICO compound and the healthy control not treated with the SALSICO compound, to study the indicators of vegetative growth and production, which were plant height, leaf surface area, the amount of total chlorophyll in the leaves and production in the experimental plants. The results showed that spray treatments were superior in average plant height, leaf surface area, total chlorophyll, and fruit weight over irrigation treatments at the same concentrations, with significant differences in tomato plants infected and uninfected with the cucumber mosaic virus compared to the healthy and infected control, and the highest average plant height, leaf surface area, total chlorophyll, and fruit weight were recorded in the plants uninfected and treated with the SALSICO compound in the spray treatment with a concentration of 6 ml/L, it reached (2.39 m/plant, 14,880 cm2/plant, 1,111 mg/g, 5.95 kg/plant) respectively, and with an increase rate of (47.53, 38.80, 28.43, and 44.76)%, respectively, compared to the healthy control. The results showed the effectiveness of the SALSICO compound at concentrations of 3 and 6 ml/l and with two treatment methods (spraying, irrigation) in stimulating vegetative and fruit growth and increasing productivity in protected tomato plants in the presence and absence of viral infection.

Keywords: SALSICO compound (sugar alcohols and salicylic acid), protected tomatoes, vegetative growth, production, cucumber mosaic virus.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Mohammad Saab^(1)* and Fateh Khatib⁽¹⁾

(1). Dept. of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding Author, Mohammad Saab, Email:Mohammad.Saab1995@gmail.com, Phone: +963938796193 )

Received: 23/05/2024                     Accepted: 19/01/2025

Abstract: 

Phytoplasma is a non-culturable, cell-wallless bacterium that infects various vegetable crops, including potatoes, which are considered one of the most important food vegetables grown in Aleppo Governorate. A phytoplasma infection survey and characterization of its symptoms were carried out in six potato fields planted in the fall season during 2022 in Tal Aran and Tal Hasel in Aleppo Governorate. Twenty-two apparently infected plant samples were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted from them, its concentration and purity were estimated, and its quality was tested. Nested PCR was performed in two stages using primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/ R16R2 to detect phytoplasma infection. The products were separated on 1% agarose gel and fragments of 1800bp in length were obtained for the first reaction and 1200bp in length for the second reaction. Six enzymes AluI, HinfI, BamHI, EcoRI, HhaI, Rsal were used in PCR-RFLP technique to digest the PCR products in the second stage. The digested products were separated on 2% agarose gel. The results were compared with reference studies to identify molecular groups and subgroups based on the 16S rRNA gene in phytoplasma. The nested PCR results showed that the collected potato samples were infected with phytoplasma by 77.27%. The average phytoplasma infection rate was 1% in both regions. The results of enzymatic digestion showed that the phytoplasma infecting potato belonged to the species Candidatus phytoplasma trifolii of the clover leaf group 16SrVI, and to the subgroup 16SrVI-A.

Key words: Potato, Phytoplasma, Molecular Characterization, PCR-RFLP technique, Purple top.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf

Lobna Rajab^*(1), Ibtisam Gazal⁽¹⁾  and Mohammad Ahmad⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tartus University, Tartus, Syria.

(*Corresponding Author, Lobna Rajab, E-mail: lobnarajabassiana@gmail.com).

Received:28/09/2024          Accepted: 24/02/2025

Abstract: 

The research was carried out at Latakia University, during 2022, and aimed to investigate the direct and endophytic effects of two indigenous isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuil. in protecting the cucumber plant from an infestation of Aphis gossypii under greenhouse conditions. The isolate B243 isolated from soil and the isolate N20 endophytically isolated from a cucumber plant were used for these experiments. The pathogenicity of these isolates against the cotton aphid A. gossypii was tested in the laboratory by feeding aphids on cucumber leaf discs dipped in the fungal spore suspension. The results showed a significant decrease in the resulting population size, reaching 44.35 and 58.49% compared with the control for both isolates B243 and N20, respectively. The effect of both isolates on the infestation of cucumber plants with A. gossypii was studied under greenhouse conditions using three inoculation methods: foliar spray before infested plants with aphids, foliar spray after infested plants with aphids, and root soaking with the spore suspension as the endophytic effect of the fungus. The ability of the fungus to colonize plant parts was also studied after each of these methods. The results showed that the fungus was able to colonize the leaves, roots, and stems after root soaking only. Application of B. bassiana, whether through root inoculation or direct spray after infestation, was effective in reducing the infestation of cucumber plants with cotton aphids in the greenhouse. Both treatments reduced the individual fertility and the community size by a reduction percentage of 85.39 and 74.02% for the community of each of B243 and N20, respectively.

Keywords: Entomopathogenic Fingi, Endophytic Colonization, Beauveria bassiana, Aphis gossypii.

Full Paper in Arabic: pdf