Category Archives: vol3-no2

Genetic Behavior for Some Productive and Qualitative Traits of Soybean Genotypes [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Ghrood Al Aswd*(1)  Ghassan AL Lahham(1)  and Saoud Shehab(1)

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

 (*Corresponding author: Dr. Ghrood Al Aswd. E-Mail: ghroodaswd@yahoo.com).

Received: 28/10/ 2015                                     Accepted: 02/12/ 2015

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at the 1st May Station in General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Syria, during two successive seasons 2011 and 2012. The main objective was to study both the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities and mid and better-parents heterosis of days to flowering, 100 seeds weight, percent of oil, percent of protein and grain yield. Half diallel cross was employed in randomized complete blocks design with four replications. Results revealed the dominance of variances of specific combining ability of yield and 100 seeds weight, indicating the importance of non-additive gene action. Therefore, these traits were affected by the over-dominance gene effect, while the additive gene action was predominant for days to flowering, percent of oil and percent of protein, that means the last three characters were affected by partial-dominance gene effect. The hybrids Sb239×Sb308, Sb235×Sb305, Sb235×Sb298, Sb181×Sb305 and  Sb181×Sb235 showed a positive and significant heterosis values comparing with best parent for grain yield trait. Because of that they are subjected to the over dominance effect, and most of those hybrids owned significant and positive SCA, this is can be attributed to the strong genetic relationship between them, because their effect is related to the existence of dominance.

Keywords: Half- diallel cross, General and specific combining ability, Heterosis, Soybean.

Full paper in Arabic:

السلوكية الوراثية لبعض الصفات الإنتاجية والنوعية لطرز من فول الصويا  [.Glycine max (L.) Merr]

Evaluation of Some Morpho-Physiological Criteria in Wheat Genotypes to Osmotic Potential  by Polyethylene Glycol (PEG6000)

Ghassan Al Lahham*(1)    Zaynab Tadbeer(1)    Reem Al Mansour(1)  Razan Al Najjar(1) Riad Balish(1)  Mohammed  Ali (1) Saoud Shehab(1) and Thamer Al Henish(1)

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

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

Received: 26/08/ 2015                                     Accepted: 09/09/ 2015

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus/Syria, in 2012, to assess the performance of 15 genotypes of wheat at germination and seedling stages, under artificially imposed of three osmotic potential levels (-0.6, -0.8, -1 MPa), using specific concentrations of poly ethylene glycol PEG6000, in addition to the control, according to splitplot design, according to plant growth stage, with three replicates. The results showed significant differences (P≤0.01), among the genotypes. The genotypes (Hourani , Bohoth 7, Douma 1, Douma 41282, Douma 45367, Douma 4, Golan 2, h-8150) achieved the lowest reduction in relative drought tolerance index (RDTI) about (4, 2, 1, 8, 12, 9, 5, 3%) respectively. The media of osmotic potential caused a significantdecline in growing seedling, but the  genotypes  (Douma 1, HouraniBohoth 7, Douma 41282,Bohoth 8, Golan 2) had the highest seedling superioritywitha remarkableincreaseindry matteraccumulation(DMSI%)at the high level (-1MPa)  about (36، 30، 42 ، 43، 34، 34، 36، 43، 48%) respectively, compared with control. and classified as more tolerance for osmotic potential. A significant correlation between physiological  indicators was determinedwhich appear the importance ofrelative drought tolerance index, duringseed germination,whichreflected onroot lengthincrementlater (r=0.608 **) and havingstrong (r=0.743 **) under stress conditions, during the early growth stages of wheat.

Keywords: Osmotic potential, PEG6000, Relative drought tolerance index, Wheat.

Full paper in Arabic:

تقييم بعض المعايير المورفو-فيزيولوجية في تحمل طرز من القمح للإجهاد الحلولي باستخدام بولي إيثيلين غليكول  (PEG6000)

Path Coefficient and Correlation of Some Morphological and Yield Components Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Razzan Al Najjar*(1) Saoud Shehab(1) Ghassan Al Lahham(1) Ali Wannous(1)  Sameer Al Ahmad(1) and Thamer Al Henish(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Razzan Al Najjar. E-Mail: razanhamoda2009@gmail.com)

Received: 26/08/ 2015                                     Accepted: 18/09/ 2015

Abstract

The study carried out at Corn Research Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Damascus/Syria, during seasons 2011 and 2012, in order to estimate the correlation, and path coefficients of some yield components and morphological traits i.e. number of rows per ear, ear length and ear diameter (cm), number of grains per ear, 100 grain weight (g), grain yield of individual plant (g), plant height, and ear height(cm). In this study SH maize families were used, which are improved by the National Program in Syria. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The results showed a high significant positive correlation between grain yield of the individual plant, and each of plant height (r=0.879 **) ear length, height, and diameter (r=0.587 **, 0.818 **, 0.873 **) respectively, and number of grain per ear (r=0.863 **) and 100 grain weight (r=0.700 **), and number of rows per ear (r=0.798 **). According to that, those traits are considered selection criteria to improve grain yield in maize. The study of path analysis revealed that each of ear diameter, number of grain per row, and ear height, are the most studied traits that contribute of grain yield of individual plant (% 92.2), and thus they could be adopted as a selection criterion, in improving grain yield of maize crop.

Key word: Correlation coefficient, Path coefficient, Individual plant grain yield, Maize.

Full paper in Arabic:

معامل المسار والارتباط لبعض الصفات الشكيلة ومكونات الغلة الحبية في الذرة الصفراء (.Zea mays L)

Effect of Storage Period of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Piles on Technological and Manufacturer Traits of Roots

Entessar Al-Jbawi *(1) Ahmad Al Abdella(2)

(1). Sugar Beet Department, Crops Research Administration, General Commission for scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Agricultural Research Center in Der Al Zur, GCSAR, Der Alzur, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Entessar Al Jbawi. E-Mail: dr.entessara@gmail.com).

Received: 07/08/ 2015                                     Accepted: 22/08/ 2015

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons on autumn (15th of November), and summer sowing dates (1st of August) at Al Mureiia Research Station, Agricultural Research Center of Der Al Zur, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Syria, to study the effect of some agricultural treatments (varieties: one monogerm, and the other multigerm), and environmental conditions (the period after harvest during 1-10 days), and sowing dates (autumn and summer), on the technological and manufacture traits assigned in randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed that prolonging storage period of the harvested beet roots leads to high and gradually increment in the total soluble solids (brix %), from the first day to the last day of the studied storage period, and the percent of increment for all varieties in brix% at the end of storage period as compared with the first day were 36.08, 24.69% for autumn and summer sowing. In terms of sugar percentage, the percent of decrement in sucrose % at the end of storage period as compared with the first day was 21.76 and 12.48 % for autumn and winter sowing for all varieties, respectively. Also purity % decreased in a rate of 4.57% for autumn and 8.82% for summer sowing. In spite of high purity% at harvest for autumn sowing compared to summer sowing, but at the end of storage period the purity% on summer was higher (71.17%) when compared to autumn (68.26%). Water content decreased in a high percentage after 10 days of harvest, the decrease percentage was 14.58% in autumn and 7.16 in summer for all genotypes. Root weight also decreased in a rate of 26.48% in autumn and 26.48% for summer after 10 days of harvest. The conclusion is that the monogerm varieties are more resistant for deterioration compared to multigerm varieties. Also according to results of the study, it is obvious that sowing beet on summer is better than autumn sowing at harvest and pre harvest, to get the best quality characteristics, and good water content and root weight.

Key words: Sugar beet varieties, Storage period, Piles in fields, Autumn sowing, Summer sowing.

Full paper in Arabic:

تأثير فترة تخزين الشوندر السكري (.Beta vulgaris L) على شكل أكوام مكشوفة في الخصائص التكنولوجية والتصنيعية للجذور

Patulin Determination in Apple and Baby Food in the Local Market in Damascus City and its Countryside 

 Faten Hamed(1) and Tahani Alhaddad*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Tahani Alhaddad, Technology Food Department, General Commission for Scientific  Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria).

Received: 26/08/ 2015                                     Accepted: 09/09/ 2015

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determinate patulin contamination in apple fruits, and canned baby food (puree apple, with or without other fruits), in Damascus city and its countryside. A total of 20 samples of apple fruits and 10 samples of baby food were studied. The results showed that the recovery percentages were 83.1% and 80.3% in apple fruits, and baby food, respectively. The linearity of the method was (r2= 0.97) within the concentrates (50-250) ug/L, and the level of patulin in the studied samples of apple fruits was ranged from 57.4 to 183.2  ug/L, while the average content of patulin in apple fruits was48.68  ug/L, and the level of patulin in 50% (10 samples) of them was higher than 50 ug/L. The level of patulin in the studied samples of baby food was ranged from 55.3 to 81.5ug/L, and the average content of patulin in baby food was 20.46 ug/L but the level of patulin in 30% (3 samples) of them was higher than 10ug/L.

Key words: Patulin, Apple fruits, Baby food, Aspergillus, Penicillium.

Full paper in Arabic:تعيين الباتولين في التفاح وأغذية الأطفال المباعة في السوق المحلية لمدينة دمشق وريفها

Supply Response of the Most Important Vegetable Crops in Syria

Fayez AL-Mokdad*(1) and Ahamad AL-Rifa`ee(1)

(1). Administration of Socio Economic Research, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Fayez Al-Mokdad. E-Mail: deepmokdad@yahoo.com).

Received: 29/03/2016                                      Accepted: 06/05/2016

Abstract

It is not possible to dispense the vegetable needs of people in Syria. These crops are suffering considerable and sharp fluctuations in prices (including the product itself, competitive crops, and inputs prices). Price fluctuations are strongly effect the cultivated area of vegetable crops next year. This research aimed to estimate supply response of cultivated area to the changes of the above-mentioned prices during the period 1994-2013 in Syria. Nerlove Partial Adjustment Model is used, and Durbin-Watson statistic was used to examine the existence of autocorrelation problem in data. The results revealed that the changes in the cultivated area of the studied crops (Potato, Tomato, Onion, and Garlic) influenced by the changes in their own prices in addition to the prices of the other competitive crops. The adjustment parameter was 0.354, 0.590, 0.478, and 0.382 for each of these crops respectively. Estimated response elasticities showed the significant effect of the prices on the cultivated area, and in turn on the production of the vegetable crops. The study suggested considering these elasticities for agricultural planning and policy assessment.

Key Words: Supply response, Nerlove model, Partial adjustment, Price fluctuation,                      Response elasticity.

Full paper in Arabic:تقدير استجابة عرض أهمّ محاصيل الخضار في سورية

 

Economics of Wheat Production in the Work Area of the Project of Enhancing Food Security in Arab Countries/Syria

Abdullah Al-Youssef*(1) Ahmad Shams AldienShaaban(2) Ahmad Haj Suliman(1) Ahmed Mazid(3) Yasmeen Naal(1) and Salim Khoja(1)

 (1). Agriculture Research Center in Aleppo, General Communion for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Aleppo, Syria.
(2). Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.
(3). International Center of Agriculture Research in Dry Areas – ICARDA.

(* Corresponding author: Dr. Addullah Al-Youssef . Mobile: 0947273130.
Email: dr.abdalyoussef@gmail.com)

Received: 13/08/ 2015                                     Accepted: 16/09/ 2015

Abstract

The aim of this research is to estimate the technical efficiency levels, wheat production, and cost functions in the work area of “Enhancing Food Security in Arab Countries/Syria” Project. The research was conducted at Al-Bab region depending on 123 Questionnaires. The results revealed that variable costs represented about 67.49% and 65.45% of the total costs for both irrigated and rainfed wheat, respectively. The variable costs are also responsible for the variation the irrigated wheat yield by about 73.7% according to the stochastic frontier production function. The technical efficiency was (92.7%) for irrigated wheat and (79.7%) for rainfed wheat. In general, the technical efficiency of the sample was high, and this is an indication of the experience of the farmers in growing wheat crop. According to the estimates of cost functions, the optimum production accompanied with the lowest costs was 6946.4 kg/ha for irrigated wheat and 2422.2 kg/ha for rainfed wheat.

Key Words: Technical efficiency, Stochastic frontier analysis, Variable cost, Cost functions, Wheat, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:اقتصاديات إنتاج القمح في منطقة عمل مشروع تعزيز الأمن الغذائي في الأقطار العربية/سورية

Histological Study of Testicular Structure in Growing Syrian Buffalo Males

Nader Drbas*(1) and Solieman Salhab(2)

(1). Shatha Research Station, Agricultural Research Center in AL-Ghab, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Al Ghab, Syria.
(2). Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng: Nader Drbas. (GCSAR), Al Ghab, Syria).

Received: 05/07/ 2015                                     Accepted: 06/12/ 2015            

Abstract

This study was conducted at Shatha Station of Syrian Buffalo Improvement, Hamah governorate, Al-Ghab province, Animal Wealth Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR)/Syria, during 2011. Ten growing Syrian buffalo males aged 7 months were used. The body weight (BW), and testicular parenchyma sections had taken, and median diameters of somniferous tubules were measured monthly for 10 months, to determine the age at which spermatogenesis takes place, and when spermatozoa appears in the lumen of somniferous tubules (ST), as a predictable indicator of reaching puberty in the growing Syrian buffalo males. Results indicated that a gradual expansion in the diameter of (ST), also a development in Leydig cells, and appearance of Sertoli cells, with the advance in animal age. The average of (ST) was 172.7±2.8 µm in the age of 10 months, where the highest change in (ST) was recorded (P<0.05). At the age 16 months the average of (ST) was 250±6.1 µm, and spermatozoa in the lumen of somniferous tubules was noticed. Results showed positive significant correlations (p<0.01), between somniferous tubules and body weight (r= 0.983), also there was positive correlation between somniferous tubules and age of animal (r=0.978). It was concluded that puberty occurs in the growing Syrian buffalo males at approximately 16 months old, with an average in (BW) of 316 ± 14.1 kg.

Keywords: Syrian buffalo, Testis, Histological structure, Spermatogenesis, Sexual puberty.

Full paper in Arabic:دراسة نسيجية لبنية الخصى في ذكور الجاموس السوري النامية

Serological Surveys of Toxoplasmosis in Small Ruminants in Syria

Mohammad Roukbi*(1)  Abd AlNaser AL-Oumar(1) Khaled Al-Najjar(1) Zuhair Salam(1)  Hussien Al-Suleiman(2) Maamoun Mouri(2) and Shamel Jourie(2) and Abdo Al-Yousef

(1). Animal Wealth Research Administration, Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria.
(2). Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Al Roukbi. E-Mail: roukbi2008@yahoo.com).

Received: 09/07/ 2015                                     Accepted: 10/08/ 2015

Abstract

Serological surveys of Toxoplasma gondii were made ​​in ten provinces (governorates) and regions in Syria (Hama, Deir-Al-zoor, Homs, Palmyra, Al- Quamishli, Al-Raqqa, Aleppo, Daraa, Kounaitra, Damascus countryside, and Sweidaa), during a period started from 1stNovember to 31th December 2009, in order to elucidate the prevalence and distribution of toxoplasmosis in different parts of Syria. In total 806 blood samples were taken (748 in the second half of pregnancy and from aborted females after 21 days, and 58 from males) representing 12.22% of the total number of small ruminants surveyed, belonging to 26 small private ruminant breeds and 13 research stations, 8 for Awassi sheep and 5 form Damascus and Gabali goats, and subjected to serological analysis for IgG antibodies using Hemagglutination test HAT with a commercially available kit (Toxo-HAT, Fumouze laboratories, Lavalloise-Perret, France). The averages of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in all provinces, research stations and in flocks of breeders were, 14.9%, 13.98% and 19.46%, respectively. The results showed high seroprevelence specially in Palmyra (33.3 %), and Al- Quamishli (28.3%). High sero-positive reactions were registered in some research stations for sheep like Kasser al-Halabat in Palmyra (33.3%) and in both Jidrin and Wadi-Alazib; in Hama (14.9% and 10.4%, respectively). In herds of breeders high rates of positive results were recorded in Al-Quamishli and Raqqa (23.1% and 21.5% respectively). But some research stations for goats, Karahta (Damascus countryside), and Kodaneh (Kounaitra) stations were free from Toxoplasmosis. It was concluded from the serological investigation that the wide distribution of Toxoplasmosis is in the desert and marginal areas of Syrian and expands towards the north-east with significant differences (p< 0.01) in infection rate between research station and flocks of breeders in different locations (governorates).

Key words: Toxoplasmosis, Seroprevalence, Hemagglutination test HAT, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:دراسة مسحية  لداء المقوسات القندية عند المجترات الصغيرة في سورية

Genetic Evaluation for Milk Production, and Litter size at Birth and Weaning of Shami Goats

Kamel Fattal*(1) and Khaled Elnajjar(2)

(1). Breeding Shami Goats Research Station, Agricultural Research Center in Aleppo, General commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Aleppo, Syria.
(2). Animal Wealth Research Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding auathor: Dr. Kamel Fattal,. E-Mail: kamel1960@gmail.com).

Received: 23/04/ 2015                                     Accepted: 16/09/ 2015

Abstract

This study was conducted to study the productivity performance of Shami goats for milk production, and litter size weight at birth and weaning. Also to estimate the litter size at birth and weaning, and age, weight of goat when insemination. And determine the effect of some genetic factors (parents) and non-genetic (year of birth, parity, kids sex, age and weight at insemination) of the studied traits. And estimate some genetic parameters (heritability and genetic correlations) of the studied traits. Data was collected from the records at Hememah Research Station of Al Shami Goat Improvement, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Aleppo/Syria. during 2001 to 2010. Statistical analysis was made of the studied traits to figure out the genetic and environmental effects on it using SAS program. Duncan test was used to compare the means of the factors affecting the studied traits, and also the animal model was used to estimate the genetic parameters. Milk production, and litter size weight at birth and weaning were 424.46±67.24,  8.42±0.53 and 19.49±2.94 Kg, respectively. The litter size at birth and weaning, and age and weight at first insemination were 2.98 ± 0.04, 2.20 ± 0.19, and 46.73±0.57 kg, and 19.24±0.26/ month, respectively. It was found that the parents has a highly significant effect on the production of milk and insignificant effect on the litter size weight at birth and weaning. The effects of year of birth and parity were highly significant on all traits (milk production and litter size weight at birth and weaning). The impact of gender on the production of milk was not significant, while highly significant on birth litter size weight at birth and weaning. The linear model of the mother goat birth and its age at insemination any significant effects on the studied traits. The weight of goat at insemination had highly significant effect on milk production and the litter size weight at birth, while there were no significant differences in the weight of the goat at insemination on litter size weight at weaning. Estimates of heritability for milk production, and litter size weight at birth and weaning were 0.14, 0.08, 0.20, respectively. The values ​​of genetic correlations between milk production, and the litter size weight at birth and weaning were -0.17 and -0.01, respectively. While the genetic correlation between the litter size weight at birth and at weaning was 0.09. The study concluded that, the genetic correlation between milk production, and the litter size weight at birth and weaning was negative. This indicates that the increase in litter size weight at birth and weaning will lead to stress the body of the goat and this negatively affects the production of milk, although the study concluded a positive genetic relationship between litter size weight at birth and at weaning. According to that, litter size weight at weaning will considered as a selection breeding criteria, because it achieved the highest genetic variation compared with milk production and the litter size weight at birth. During selection it is very important to take into consideration the differentiation between the parents to increase the production of milk of female’s goats. The environmental conditions should be taken into account because of they affect all traits, especially goats weight at insemination, because of its big role in the values ​​of traits.

Key words: Genetic parameters, Shami goats, Milk production, Litter size at birth and weaning, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:التقويم الوراثي لصفات إنتاج الحليب وكتلة البطن عند الميلاد والفطام في الماعز الشامي