Mohamad Alomar ^(1)*, Roula Bayerli ⁽¹⁾ and Hanan Sharaby ⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Horticulture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding Author: Mohamad Alomar. E-Mail: m.alomar@damascusuniversity.edu.sy).

Received: 20/01/2023         Accepted: 14/02/2023

Abstract: 

This experiment was carried out in the green house of Al-Adawi area of the Damascus Governorate, and labs of Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University during the period 2020-2021, to study the effect of bio fertilizer, Azotobacter Chroococcum (0, 5, 10 ml/l) and Em1 (0, 4, 8 ml/l) and their interactions on parameters of soil fertility, morphological and chemical growth parameters of strawberry plant cv. Festival. The combination treatment of Azotobacter Chroococcum (10 ml/l) and Em1, (8 ml/l) resulted in the best soil fertility (7.18, 0.28 %, 16 mg/kg, 442.22 mg/kg for pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorous and available potassium respectively), and morphological, chemical growth parameters (2.73 runners, 117.93 cm, 4.27, 2.42 %, 0.49 %, 1.83 %, 3.56 mg/g wet weight, 1.29 mg/g wet weight, 1.07 mg/g wet weight for runners/plant, runners height, number of new plants/runners, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids respectively), The lowest values, however, were obtained in control non-treated plants.

Keywords: Strawberry Plant, Biofertilizer (Azotobacter Chroococcum), Biofertilizer (Em1).

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Rajab Mazen^(1)*, Mtawj Wael ⁽¹⁾  and Mahfoud Hafez⁽¹⁾

(1).  Research Centre of Lattakia, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research. GCSAR, Syria.

(*corresponding author: Rajab Mazen -, Email: mazenrajab@gmail.com).

Received:5/11/2022                Accepted:5/02/2023

Abstract: 

The research aims to study the bay leaf with high medicinal, aromatic, and industrial value in two locations in Lattakia (Kassab and Samra). Natural spread was determined and the phenotypic identity of laurel was established through a taxonomic key for fruits based on (fruit weight and size, shape index, and kernel-mottled trait) and then the genetic diversity of 20 phenotypes was studied using 10 RAPD primers. The percentage of oil extracted from fruits and leaves was estimated to select the best genotype. The percentage of seed germination was estimated and some selected genotypes were propagated by rooting mature cuttings, grafting, and cuttings. The results showed differences between the studied genotypes in terms of fruit shape (elongated, oval, spherical), gradient in size, weight, and mottled trait. The fruits of the KSS8 genotype were the best in terms of weight and size, with an average fruit weight (2.56 g) and an average size of (2.35 cm³) and its fruits were oval in shape. The results of RAPD showed a genetic diversity of bay leaf with a percentage of 78.3. The best genotypes KSS1, KSS5, KSS8 and KA0 were selected. Based on the percentage of oil in fruits that reached more than 58% in the tissues of the pericarp and more than 42% in the tissues of the endocarp, the percentage of seed germination was 85% without significant differences between the genotypes. The treatment 2000 ppm showed a rooting rate of more than 66% after 6 months. The percentage of grafting was 10%. We suggest introducing bay leaf into the agricultural system as a medicinal, aromatic, nutritional plant with a high investment value.

Keywords: Laurus nobilis, genetic diversity, propagation, oil extraction

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Layla Tabbara*⁽¹⁾, Nazmy. Abdel Hameid⁽²⁾ and Alaa. Bondok⁽²⁾

(1). Horticulture Research Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria.

(2). Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

(*corresponding author: Layla Tabbara-, Email: l.tabbarah@gmail.com)

Received:2/01/202 3                Accepted:14/02/2023

Abstract: 

This investigation was carried out during two successive seasons 2016 and 2017 on fruits of Valencia orange. The fruit samples were collected from orange orchard belonging to Wadi 3 by randomly from all over the orchard.  An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of some environmentally safe treatments to improve the storability of Valencia fruits during 2016 and 2017 seasons, which was Jojoba oil (1,3,5) %, castor oil (0.5, 1,2) %, yeast(1,2,3)%, seaweed(1,2,3)%, hot water (45ᵒC and commercial wax were used for proposed study, after  that, fruits were stored at a temperature of 5 ° C and 95% of  relative humidity for 60 days, it was determine the physical and chemical characteristics (fruits weight loss – juice ratio-   TSS/TA – total phenols). Results indicated that, castor oil (2 and 1) % and jojoba oil 5% reduced weight loss%, and deterioration phenols increase and increased juice ratio and TSS/TA rate, with significant differences compared to control. So the results show that, coating orange fruits with castor oil (1-2) % and jojoba oil (5) % the most effective in improve the storability of orange fruits Valencia orange.

Key word: Valencia orange, Jojoba oil, castor oil, commercial wax, hot water, yeast, seaweed.

 Full paper in English: pdf

Hawraa Tahseen Abd Ulwahid ^*(1) and Lamiaa M.S. Al-Freeh⁽¹⁾  

(1). Fied Crops Dept .College of Agriculture ,University of Basrah, Iraq.

(*corresponding author :Hawraa ulwahid E-mail : hawraathsyn95@gmail.com).

 Received:7/09/2023                 Accepted:12/11/2023

Abstract: 

During the winter agricultural season of 2022–2023, a field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station of the College of Agriculture – University of Basra, Karma Ali site, to find out how Rapeseed (Pactol-var) responded to topping and various ethephon concentrations, which are represented as follows: T = topping, E0 = 0 ethephon concentration, E1 = 1 ml L^-1 ethephon, and E2 =2 ml L^-1 ethephon, Which was applied during different stages of the crop’s life (elongation, flowering, branching) and has the symbol S1, S2, and S3, respectively,. Three replications of the experiment were carried out using the split-plot method in accordance with the randomized complete block design, with the topping and the ethephon occupying the main plots and the stages of the secondary plots. The following characteristics were studied: Number of branches, leaf area index, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, seed yield, protein percentage, protein yield, oil percentage, and oil yield. The results showed a significant effect of topping and ethephon on most of the studied traits. The E2 treatment and topping excelled in most of the studied traits if it gave the highest seed yield of 2.703- and 2.694-tons ha-1, respectively. Treatment S1 had the best results for all the studied traits and recorded the best yield of 2,431 tons ha-1. The combination E2 at stage S1 excelled in most of the studied traits and gave the best yield of 3,094 tons ha^-1.

Key words: Brassica napus L. (Canola) ، Ethephon،Topping, growth, oil

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Jana Youssef *⁽¹⁾ and Badie Samra ⁽¹⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Jana Youssef E-mail: janayoussef719@gmail.com)

Received:1/12/2022                 Accepted:16/01/2023

Abstract: 

This research was carried out at an agricultural field in Safita countryside, Tartous, 310 meters above sea level during the summer of 2021 to study the effect of treatments with gibberellic acid on the growth and productivity of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). This experiment was designed according to the randomized complete block design which included (5) treatments. Each treatment was replicated (4) times, and each replicate included (20) plants. Gibberellic acid-GA3 concentrations (0-100-200-300-400 ppm) were used as a foliar spray. The results showed that the treatment T3 (gibberellic acid 200ppm) was significantly superior in plant height (89.66) cm, number of secondary branches (12.35 branches/plant), number of leaves (116 leaf/plant), productivity (5.42) kg/m², number of flowers (41.5) flower/plant, fruit-set % (95.17)%, the percentage of fruit content of dry matter (12.30%), and its content of vitamin C (10.95) mg/100g in comparison with the rest of the studied treatments. The treatment with T2 (gibberellic acid 100 ppm) showed a significant difference over the rest of the treatments in most traits while the values of the control treatment were significantly lower than most of the treatments in all the studied traits; Therefore, the application of foliar spray of gibberellic acid at (200 ppm) concentration can improve the growth and productivity of the “Humsi” eggplant cultivar under field cultivation condition similar to the Safita region.

Keywords: Eggplant, Gibberellic Acid,  Growth Traits,  Production.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Georges Makhoul⁽¹⁾* and Rabab Dauob⁽¹⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Georges Makhoul, Email: georges.makhoul@tishreen.edu.sy)

Received:26/09/2022                 Accepted:22/01/2023

Abstract: 

The research was carried out in the nursery of Tishreen University and laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture to study the effect of soaking with gibberellic acid and stratification treatments, on extracting the embryos of seeds of the “Starking delicious apple” cultivar from their dormancy stage, and on increasing their germination percentage. The results showed that the cold and wet stratification at 5 ± 2̊C for 60 days after soaking with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 500 ppm for 24 hours led to an increase in seed germination percentage of Starking Delicious apple cultivar from 7.78% in the control to 76.67% as an average for the two studied years, followed by the stratification treatment for 90 days with a germination rate of 70.00% without any significant difference between them. The stratification treatment for 60 days after soaking with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 250 ppm for 24 hours and for 45 days after soaking with gibberellin acid at a concentration of 500 ppm for 24 hours revealed a germination percentage of 57.78% and 55.55% for each of them without any significant difference between them.

Keywords: Apples, “Starking delicious”, seeds germination, Scarification, GA3, Dormancy.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Ibrahim Hafez*⁽¹⁾, Imad Al-Issa⁽²⁾ and Ayham Asbah⁽²⁾

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

(2). Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria

(*Corresponding author: Ibrahim Hafez. E-Mail  eng.ibraheemhafez@gmail.com)

Received:21/08/2022                 Accepted:31/12/2022

Abstract: 

This research was carried out at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Hama, in seasons 2020, 2021 to study the effect of foliar spray of seaweed extract on the growth and productivity of the olive tree cv. Kaisi, Where the foliar spray was applied with seaweed extract called alga 600 in concentrate of (0.5 g/l) As per the commercial label of the extract According to treatments: A0 control without spraying seaweed extract, A1 one spray one week before flowering, A2 one spray after fruit set, A3 one spray one month before harvest, A4 two sprays (before flowering and after fruit set), A5 two sprays (after fruit set and one month before harvest) A6, three sprays (before flowering, after fruit set, and one month before harvest) with the addition of ground fertilization NBK according to the Fertilizer recommendation. The results of foliar fertilization showed a significant effect on the vegetative growth traits, as The treatment one month before harvest was superior to the rest of the treatments with a primary shoots length average 6.94 cm, while the control was 4.75 cm, while seaweed extract had a positive effect on the total number of flowers. Where the spraying treatment before flowering and after the fruit set contract was superior to the rest of the treatments, as the average number of flowers was 203.11 compared to the control with an average number of flowers 164.19, as well as in the percentage of fruit set, as the highest percentage of the contract when spraying treatment before flowering was 3.20% and in control 2.19% The results also showed a clear superiority in the productivity of the tree, especially the treatment before flowering and after the contract, Where the average tree productivity was 37.07 kg, and in the control it was 14.07 kg It was observed that there was a significant increase in the percentage of oil for the fruits, as a treatment a month before harvest was significantly superior to the rest of the treatments in both seasons, as the highest value of the oil percentage reached 20.28%, followed by a treatment before flowering, after fruit set and one month before harvest, with an oil percentage of 20.27 compared to the control 17.17% From the foregoing, it is recommended to use foliar spraying with seaweed extract at a concentration of 0.5 g/L on olive trees, Kaisi variety, and in three phenological stages before flowering, after fruit set and one month before harvest, to raise the average yield, increase the percentage of oil in fruits, improve the vegetative growth traits and flowering growth, and reduce the Alternate Phenomenon.

Key words: olives, Kaisi variety, seaweed extract, productivity, foliar spray.

Full paper in Arabic:  pdf

Hani Al-Hassoun^(1)* and  Fayez Al-Mikdad ⁽²⁾

(1). Socio-Economics, General Commission of Scientific Agricultural Research, Administration of Economic and Social Studies Research, Damascus, Syria.

(2). Socio-Economics, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Damascus, Syria.

(*Correspondence author: Dr. Hani Al-Hassoun, E.mail:Sehany2009@gmail.com).

Received: 4/01/2023                        Accepted: 25/01/2023

Abstract: 

The study was conducted in Hama Governorate, second stability zone, during agricultural season (2017/2018), relied on primary data for a simple random sample consisted of 400 farmers, and secondary data for the time series (2004-2018). Aimed to reach optimal winter cropping pattern which minimizes water use, using Operations Research Methodology. The results showed that reaching optimal winter pattern that achieves the lowest optimal use of water in agriculture, within the constraints of water and land resources, in addition to; preserving the diversity of prevalent winter crops production in the research area, requires reducing areas of anise, golden winter onions, garlic, cumin, spring potatoes, beans and chickpeas by (79%), (73%), (65%), (22%), (15%), (12%), (6%) respectively. In favor of increasing wheat and barley areas by (85%), (42%) over their average areas during (2016-2018), and excluding all other winter crops areas. The results of comparison with prevailing cropping pattern also showed that the optimal pattern requires larger quantities of water by (48.03%) than quantities of water for the prevailing pattern, because of increasing the area of optimal by (41.6%) over prevailing. And the production cost of the optimal cropping pattern is greater by (34.17%) than prevailing one, in contrast, the optimal cropping pattern achieves an increase of (30.41%), (27.32%) in total production value and net profit, compared with the prevailing cropping pattern during the period (2016-2018).

Keywords: Operation Research, Liner Programming, Simplex, Optimal Cropping Pattern, Hama

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Nour Fadel^(1)* and  Ibrahim Saker⁽²⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Nour Fadel, e-mail nouraf9899@gmail.com.)

Received: 17/11/2022         Accepted: 16/1/2023

Abstract: 

The research aims to study the economic feasibility of the production of mushroom seeds of both oyster and Agaricus. The descriptive curriculum and the case study methodology have been adopted to conduct this study. The fungus seed production project is a winning project, but it needs technical expertise, but this project can recover invested capital within an excellent period of time (1.26 years), generating profitable profits, if ideal and appropriate technical conditions, and has reached the profitability factor for production costs (143.7%), which is a very good indicator, while for invested capital (79.3%).The research recommends a series of recommendations, the most important of which is to encourage agricultural investors to enter into mushroom seed production through the provision of loans through agricultural banks, and to encourage existing centers to continue production and expand their productive capacity.

Keywords: Seed, mushrooms, Oyster, Agaricus, return feasibility.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Mohamed Yahya Daws⁽¹⁾*, Taha Yassin Al-Adimi⁽¹⁾ and Ali Qasim Ismai⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Developmen, College of Agriculture, Sana’a University, Sana’a Republic of

(*Corresponding author: Mohamed Yahya Daws. E-Mail:  Mohamed.daws2017@gmail.com).

                                  Received: 21/09/2023                     Accepted: 15/11/2023   

Abstract: 

The study aimed to identify the impact of some personal and economic characteristics of farmers on adopting modern technologies for tomato crops. The study was conducted in the Dhamar and Ibb governorates of the Republic of Yemen for the 2021-2022 season. The researcher used a social survey approach, through personal interviews, and a questionnaire form to collect data. The study relied on descriptive and quantitative analysis in data processing, using SPSS and EXCEL statistical analysis programs. The results showed that 80% of farmers adopted the seedling technique, 78% adopted the improved variety technique, 76% adopted the plastic shade netting technology, 74% adopted the mulch technique, and 32% adopted the tunnel farming technology for seedlings nursery. The results showed that 64% of farmers had a high adoption level, 16.7% had a medium adoption level, and 19.3% had a low adoption level. The correlations between the various variables were analyzed using the Pearson coefficient, and it was found that there is a positive significant correlation at the level of 1% between the level of adoption of modern technologies for the tomato crop and each of: gender, educational level, average ownership, and the degree of communication with extension, while a negative significant correlation at the level of 1% was found between the level of adoption and each of: age and number of family members. The study also highlighted that the most important problems and obstacles to adopting tomato technologies were transportation and production costs, insect and disease infestation, lack of loans, and lack of training. To improve the productivity and quality of the tomato crop, the state, represented by the concerned authorities, must address the problems that hinder the adoption of modern agricultural technologies and develop the necessary solutions to achieve effective agricultural development and improve the country’s economy.

Keywords: technology, tomato yield, farmers’ adoption, the effect of social  and economic factors. 

Full paper in Arabic:  pdf