The Effect of Different Application Level of Tobacco Waste Compost and mineral fertilizer on the chemical composition of Zea mays leaves and some growth and production indicators

Mahar Heshma^1*, Mona Barakat² and Bolos Khoury³

¹Lattakia Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria.

²Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

³Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Mahar Heshma, Email: maharayash0@gmail.com )

Received: 23/ 4/ 2025 Accepted: 21/ 7/ 2025

Abstract:

A field agriculture experiment over two seasons was conducted using zea mays (Fayhaa hybrid) at Sanaaubar Research Station in spring of (2019-2021). The objective was to study the effect of application of levels of tobacco compost wastes (TWC) with mineral fertilizer to a sandy loam soil in vegetative total content of macronutrients content (N-P-K) at the stag of formation of the male inflorescence (VT) and in some of productivity indicators. Different levels of TWC C1=10- C2=20- C3=40 ton/ha and mineral fertilizer were applied mixing with F0=0, F1=25, F2=50 and F3=75% of mineral fertilizer (NPK) according to the recommended dose of the Ministry of agriculture (MOA). Study also includes farmer treatment, which represent 100 % of the recommended mineral fertilizers of MOA in addition of 15ton/h of cow manure. The experiment was used a completely randomized designed with three replicates for each treatment. A significant increase in N, P, K concentrations in shoots at the flowering stage was recorded by increasing of compost levels individual or mixed with mineral fertilizer. There was a positive effect of TWC on ear length, diameter, number of ear rows with increase of TWC level. The highest value of grain yield were in C3F3,CF (8.4-8.1)ton/h respectively.

Keywords: Wast Tobacco Compost, mineral fertilizer, zea mays.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Assessments of forest fire locations in Tartous governorate using remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Maher Saeid Ali^1*

¹Department of Ecology and Forestry, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Maher Saeid Ali, Email: maher.s.ali@tishreen.edu.sy)

Received: 21/ 5/ 2025 Accepted: 17/ 8/ 2025

Abstract

Forest fires, by their sudden and destructive nature, pose significant threats to natural ecosystems and human communities in a changing climate. In this regard, assessing and monitoring burned areas is a critical step in developing sustainable forest management measures. Since traditional forest fire monitoring is time-consuming and inaccurate, this problem must be addressed using remote sensing. This study aims to assess the dynamics of burned forest locations and the severity of fire disturbances during 2016–2020 in Tartous, using Landsat satellite image archives and spectral indices data. The study results indicate that during the period under study, approximately 3244.93 ha of forest area were burned in Tartous, including 2461.78 ha of forest cover in 2020 alone. The data were verified using modern standards to test the accuracy of the resulting maps. This study can be used to develop effective preventive measures by identifying the sites most vulnerable to forest fires.

Keywords: Forest fires, Sentinel, Tartous Governorate, NBR index, NDVI index.

Full paper in English: PDF.

The effect of adding organic soil conditioners on the productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Lubna Albashshe^1*

¹General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Dier Azzor Reseach Center, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Lubna Albashshe, Email: lubnabashshe@gmail.com, Tel: 0982368870).

Received: 2/ 5/ 2025 Accepted: 29/ 9/ 2025

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the Saalo Research Station of the Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Deir ez-Zor with the aim of determining the effect of adding organic amendments on the productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The sesame crop was grown for the agricultural season (2021-2022). The experiment was designed using the completely randomized block method (RCBD), with three replicates for each treatment. Three types of fertilizers were used: decomposed cow manure (O) added at three rates (10, 20, 40) tons/ha, compost fertilizer (CO) made from crop residues: added at three rates (10, 20, 40) tons/hectare, and humic acid (H) was added to the soil (33) days after planting at a fixed concentration of (3 g.L-1) at three levels: (1, 2, 3) liters. per experimental plot compared to adding chemical fertilizer, which was added according to the recommended amount of Before the Ministry of Agriculture, in addition to the control treatment: no types of organic or mineral fertilizers were added. The results showed that the chemical N fertilization treatment was significantly superior to all treatments, and the highest value for the average grain yield was recorded at (95.67 kg/dunum). Although the (N) treatment was superior to the organic amendment treatments, it did not differ significantly from the (H2) and (CO3) and (O3) treatments, as each of the treatments gave yields that averaged (78.5), (75) and (72.3) kg/dunum, a difference from the (N) treatment (17.95, 21.6, 24.4) % respectively. As for the treatments organic amendments, there were significant differences between them. The increase in production was proportional with the increase in the amount organic amendments, except for (H2) treatment it was morally superior to the (H2) treatment.

Keywords: sesame, cow manure, compost, humic acid.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

The Effect of altitude on plant species biodiversity in Latakia Governorate

Somar Mariam *¹, Zuheir Shater ¹and Talal Amin¹

1 Department of Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture Engineering, University of Latakia, Latakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Somar Mariam, E.mail:mariamsomar80@yahoo.com).

Received: 5/ 04/ 2025 Accepted: 29/ 09/ 2025

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the taxonomic and functional diversity of plant species in Latakia Governorate, and to contribute to understanding the effect of altitude on this diversity.The study was conducted during 2022 and 2023 in 67 samples area of 400 m2 each, distributed over four elevation zones (0-299, 300-599, 600-899, >900 m). In each sample, site data were collected and plant surveys were conducted using Braun-Planquet method. Taxonomic diversity indicators (Species Richness, Shannon index) were calculated in samples, and Sorenson index of similarity was used to calculate the percentage of vegetation similarity between the altitudinal belts. Functional diversity was studied through five elements, directly or indirectly related to ecosystem functions (sexual system, pollination pattern, life form, dispersion pattern and chorotype). Averages of species distribution ratios by functional characteristics were compared using Mann-Whitney test at 0.05 level, and Spearman coefficient was used to measure the correlation between biodiversity characteristics and altitude using the statistical software SPSS. The results showed a significant correlation between altitude and species richness (rSpearman = 0.28, p=0.02), also, many functional features were significantly associated with altitude. In addition, there was a clear difference in vegetation composition, between altitudinal zoness, through decreasing of Sorenson index values with altitude. The highest similarity was between the first and second zoness (39%), and the lowest similarity was between the first and fourth zones (31%), while the correlation between altitude and Shannon index was not significant (p>0.05). On the other hand, comparison of taxonomic diversity values between the altitudinal zones showed non-significant differences (p>0.05), while most of the significant differences in the ratios of functional traits between the zones, were between the first and fourth zones, such as differences in the proportion of dioecious species, hydrogams species, geophytes, and autochores. The study also showed a great diversity in geographic affiliation, as 26 different Chorotypes were recorded, and the distribution of these patterns was strongly associated with altitude, as European, Eurasian, Orophyte, Holarctic, Circumboreal and Oriental Mediterranean species prevailed at higher altitudes, while the rest of the Mediterranean species (Mediterranean, Central and Occidental Mediterranean), Irano-Turanian, Tropical and subtropical species prevailed at lower altitudes.

Keywords: taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, altitude, Chorotype.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

The impact of climate change on declining rainfall effectiveness and increasing severity and frequency of drought in Qamishli during the period 1958-2018

Michel Skaff¹, Rana Saker ^1*, Laila Abboud ¹and Eileen Mahfoud¹

¹Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Latakia University, Latakia , Syria

(*Corresponding author: Rana Saker, E-mail:rana.saker@tishreen.edu.sy ,0993294699).

Received: 19/ 05/ 2025 Accepted: 21/ 07/ 2025

Abstract:

Monthly meteorological data for temperature and precipitation for the period 1958-2018 were used to study changes in temperature and precipitation and their impact on the precipitation effectiveness and drought characteristics in Qamishli. The Thornthwaite index was used to calculate precipitation effectiveness. The Standardized Precipitation Indicex (SPI) and Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) were used to estimate drought severity and frequency during the study period. Box plots and descriptive statistical analysis were used to study temperature and precipitation characteristics.Trends were used to estimate the direction and value of change in elements and indicators.The significance of change was verified using the Mann-Kendall test.The point change analysis was also used to determine the periods of change.To compare and detect changes between the periods 1958-1988 and 1988-2018, the T-test with probability and the difference in the percentage of drought recurrence were used. The results showed a sharp and significant trend towards declining rainfall efficiency due to rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation. The results also indicated an increase in the severity and frequency of droughts in the last decades.

Keywords: Climate change, Precipitation effectiveness, drought. Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

The Effect of Adding Different Levels of Fertilizer Recommendations on some Morphological and Productive Traits of Cotton (Var: Aleppo 118) in Aleppo Governorate

Hanan El-Haj Omar1*, Aziza Ajouri1, Abdulghany Al-khalidi2, Ahmad Jumaa2, and Bader El-Dien Jalab3

1Dept. of Soil Science and Land Reclamation, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
2Cotton Research Administration, General Community for Scientific Agriculture Research, Aleppo, Syria.
3Resources Research Administration, General Community for Scientific Agriculture Research, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Hanan El-Haj Omar, E-Mail :hanan.gcsar77@gmail.com).

Received: 13/ 07/ 2025 Accepted: 7/ 09/ 2025

Abstract:

Many industrial crops are grown in Syria, and cotton is the most important of these crops, as it is grown for its fibers and oil is extracted from its seeds, in addition to its importance as fodder and the use of its remains as firewood for heating. Because it is an irrigated crop and its growth period is relatively long, it is necessary to determine the fertilizer requirements of (NPK). Therefore, a field experiment was carried out at the Tal Hadya Research Station in Aleppo during the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the aim of studying the effect of adding different levels of fertilizer recommendations on some morphological and production indicators of the cotton variety /Aleppo 118/ irrigated by drip irrigation. The experiment included 6 treatments depending on the fertilizer recommendation (75, 100% of the fertilizer recommendation for cotton from NPK elements, and 50, 75, 125% of the fertilizer recommendation for nitrogen with 100% for P and K elements, in addition to the control without fertilization). The results showed a decrease in the number of vegetative branches because of the nitrogen percentage being lower than 100% of the fertilizer recommendation. Reducing nitrogen to 50% also negatively affected the average number of fruiting branches, plant height, and the weight of nuts. While increasing the nitrogen percentage above the fertilizer recommendation was not effective in increasing the number of fruiting branches, plant height, and the weight of nuts. While the yield decreased when reducing the nitrogen or all elements to 75% of the fertilizer recommendation, a significant decrease was observed when reducing the nitrogen amount only to half, indicating that the current fertilizer recommendation is appropriate.

Keywords: Cotton, Productive traits, NPK, Fertilizer recommendation, Drip irrigation, Aleppo 118.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

A Study of plant biodiversity on the banks of some waterways in Latakia Governorate

Belal Alsayed 1*

1Latakia City Council, Latakia, Syria.

Received: 4/ 04/ 2025 Accepted: 7/ 09/ 2025

Abstract:

The study was conducted in three locations with watercourses in Latakia Governorate, which are in Western Siqa, in the crystallization of the Zuiba River in Dawir, Baabda-Jableh, and Wadi Beit Ana in Jableh, in the year 2023, with the aim of studying plant diversity on some water banks in the coastal region. The results of the research showed that the site of Wadi Beit Anah (Jableh) was the richest in plant species, as the number of species in it reached 31 species, while the number of plant species in the site of Western Siqa (Blouran) reached 22 species, while the Dwair site in Baabda – Zuwayba River was the least of the sites. The research results showed that the average specific richness according to the Shannon coefficient in the Wadi Beit Ana site was 2.89 bytes, in the Western Siqa site was 2.52 bytes, and in the Dwair Baabda-Zuwaiba site was 2.39 bytes. The results also showed Research shows that the similarity percentage according to Jaccard’s evidence is 7.35%.

Keywords: plant biodiversity, species richness, banks of waterways, riparian vegetation, Latakia.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Relationship between Rainfall and Surface Soil Moisture ‎within Time series in the Syrian Coast Using Remote Sensing ‎Data

Nada Wafik Mohammad^*(1) Waseem Al Mesber⁽²⁾ and Eyad Ahmad Al_Khaled⁽³⁾

(1). Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Damascus, Syria.

(2).Department of Soil, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria.

(3). General Organization of Remote Sensing, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Nada Wafik Mohammad. E-Mail: nada.muhammad1988@gmail.com

Received: 20/12/2020 Accepted: 09/02/2020

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Syrian coast region with the aim of studying the relationship between the amount of rain precipitation and the surface soil moisture at a depth of 10 cm for a time series starting from 2005 to 2010 and for this purpose data derived from satellite imagery of rain precipitation of type Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission TRMM was used for each month of the study period from the beginning of January 2005 to December 2010 to get a total of 72 images, in addition to the use of satellite images of surface soil moisture at a depth of 10 cm simultaneously with the space data of rain precipitation. Erdas Imagine and ArcGis software were used to process the images of rain precipitation and soil moisture and their outputs. The correlation between rain precipitation and soil surface moisture was also studied. The produced maps showed that the years 2008 and 2010 were the least recorded years of rain (579 and 544 mm), respectively, while the year 2009 was the highest recording of the precipitation of 1039 mm. This was in line with the maps produced for surface moisture, as the years that retain the highest surface moisture at a depth of 10 cm during this time series were 2009, 2006, 2007, 2005 and the lowest years recording the surface moisture during the studied time series were 2008 and 2010. The results also showed when studying the relationship between ground and surface moisture at the level of the study points and months of the year that rainfalls are concentrated in the months of January and February to decrease in March and April, to clearly decrease from May to almost no in August and July to start to rise from September to ascending until December was somewhat in line with the surface moisture maps. The study of the total correlation of the total time series showed a highly significant positive correlation between the amount of rain and surface moisture of 0.739^**. This relationship was at the level of months of the year of high positive correlation for months 1, 2, 4, 10, 11 and 12 and negative for months 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Key words: Remote sensing, Soil surface moisture, Rainfall, Syrian coast.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

A Hydrological Climatic Study for Tal Al-Tot Watershed in ‎Hama, Syria

Jamil Abbas⁽¹⁾ and Hafez Mahmoud AlSalman^*(1)

(1). Renewable Natural Resources and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Hafez Mahmoud AlSalman. E-Mail: hafsel80@gmail.com).

Received: 19/03/2019 Accepted: 17/07/2019

Abstract

The research was conducted in 2009 at Tal Al-Tot watershed in Salmiya, Hama governorate, with has an area of 281.3 km², in order to define the hydrologic situation and water balance, depending on topographic maps, geological maps, satellite image, GIS and climatic data (temperature, precipitation and evaporation), which were collected from a number of meteo stations in the study area, besides data from the Directorate of Water Resources in Hama, which included surface flow ratios and underground water levels, for number of the representing wells in the study area, to make a set of databases, also, the relation between the elements of water balance was studied, besides the ground water movement of the targeted watershed. The results indicated that the basin was elongated and the hydrographic net was dense and branched, and the concentration time was 10.14 hours. The water balance showed that most of the total rainfall is lost by evaporation, and the runoff was (23)%. The diagrams of the studied wells indicated to a decrease in water levels by 1 m/year, where the lowest level was in November. The comparison of groundwater with rainfall clarified that the infiltration took two months to recharge the aquifers. These findings highlighted the importance of focusing on hydrological study of the watershed to give good management that optimizes the use of water by determining volume of precipitation, water inflow, water outflow, storage and various requirements, then to develop of these resources through the dissemination of water harvesting techniques.

Key words: Watershed, Tal Al-Tot location, Water balance, Water loss.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Taxonomy of Imported Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional ‎Medicine in Aleppo

Abdel Aleem Bello^*(1) and Tawfik Al-Boshi⁽²⁾

(1). Plant Bilolgy Department, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Renewable Natural Resources and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: D. Abdel Aleem Bello. E-Mail: abdelaleembello@gmail.com).

Received: 24/09/2018 Accepted: 13/02/2019

Abstract

The medicinal plants were still used in traditional medicine in the city of Aleppo, despite the availability of prescribed chemical drugs, and the documentation of this medical knowledge is very important. The study included identification and classification of 52 imported medicinal plants belonging to 36 plant families, and used in traditional medicine in Aleppo city to treat many diseases and disorders. The samples were collected from the herbalist shops, and the data were collected from the herbalists and from the related references. The list of plants was arranged alphabetically by scientific name, recorded next to each plant, the plant part used, and the uses of each species in traditional medicine. The most representative families were Zingiberaceae and Fabaceae, with 5 plants (9.61%) each, followed by Lauraceae with 3 plants (5.77%). The most vegetative parts used were fruits from 16 plants (30.77%), followed by gums and oils from 8 plants (15.38%), then seeds from 6 plants (11.54%). The most common uses were the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in 27 plants (51.92%), followed by skin and hair, cardiovascular diseases and sexual problems in 10 plants (19.23%) each. Plants were classified according to the source as 22 plants from India (42.31%), 12 from China (23.08%), and 6 from Sudan (11.54%).

Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Traditional Medicine, Herbalists, Scientific classification, Plant family.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF