Study of Some Garbage Compost Properties Produced by Wadi Al-Hada Center for Solid Waste Treatment in Tartous

Hasan Alaa Aldeen⁽¹⁾ Saosan Haifa⁽²⁾ Ibrahim Nishfi⁽¹⁾ and Shafak Harfoush^*(1)

(1). Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng: Shafak Harfoush. E-Mail: shafakhar@hotmail.com).

Received: 29/04/2018 Accepted: 23/07/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out at the laboratories of the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, during the period 2/11/2016 to 2/12/2016. It aimed to study some of the compost characteristics of organic matter fermentation at Wadi Al – Huda Center for solid waste treatment in Tartous. Two experiments were carried out to identify the changes in its characteristics, the first experiment after the use in agriculture or over time after storage for a year with three replicates for each treatment, and the second for the compost filter after washing eight times and three replicates per leachate. The results showed good content of the organic material in the three compost treatments (new, planted, stored), and the percentage of organic matter significantly decreased after cultivation, C/N ratio= 1/13 and good content of major essential nutrients. The percentage of heavy elements within the permissible limits, without significant differences between the three treatments, but it was found that the salinity decreases after the use in agriculture and increased after storage significantly, while the value of pH was reduced by insignificant differences after storage and use in agriculture. The increase in the washed compost led to an intestinal increase in the value of pH and a significant decrease in the value of salinity and relative stability in the content of nutrients and heavy elements.

Keywords: Compost, Salinity, Acidity, Heavy elements, Organic matter.

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Tillage Forces Calculation Using Analytical Method

Abd Alkareem Abo Al-Kheer^*(1)

(1). Rural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agronomy, Aleppo University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abd Alkareem Abo Al-Kheer. E-mail: a.aboalkheer@hotmail.com).

Received: 14/05/2018 Accepted: 29/09/2018

Abstract

In this research, three models based on analytical approach were used for calculating tillage forces. The first model was based on Soehne’s approach, with some modifications to incorporate the adhesion force, the inertia force and the effects of the side crescents. The second model was based on Mckyes-Ali approach, the adhesion force and the inertia force were integrated to this model, and the failure angle was determined according the passive earth pressure theory. The third model was based on the findings of Perumpral and Swich, which were established on the Perumpral et al. model. The comparison between calculated and measured values showed that the performance of each model depended on tillage system parameters. In general, the performance of the second model was better than the first and the third models. In this work, the Multimodel Ensemble Prediction Method (MEPM) was applied, based on the precedent analytical models, and the calculated values were compared to measured ones. It was noted that the performance of the MEPM was better than all of three models.

Keywords: Tillage forces, Tillage tool, Soil failure, Tillage system parameters.

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The Effect of Calcium to Magnesium and Potassium Ratios on the Productivity and Fruit Quality of Tomato Grown in Hydroponics

Sara Sarko⁽¹⁾ and Ghiath Ahmad Alloush*⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(* Corresponding author: Dr. Ghiath Ahmad Alloush. E-mail: galloush@scs-net.org).

Received: 24/07/2018 Accepted: 12/11/2018

Abstract

A hydroponic experiment was conducted in a greenhouse during the spring-summer seasons of 2015 to investigate the effect of various ratios of Ca:Mg (4:6, 5:5, 7.5:2.5 and 10:0.5 mM/L^-1) and potassium (0.5, 3, and 4.5 mM/L^-1) on total fruit production, marketable fruits and quality of tomato fruits (cv. Shannon). The experiment consisted of 12 treatments with three replicates. Pots were completely randomized on the experimental plot. The results showed that the highest fruit production reached 4.72 kg/plant (fruit yield of 5 punches) in the treatment Ca:Mg (7.5:2.5) and 3 mM/L^-1 K. Physiological disorder symptoms on fruits along with small size (< 47 mm) decreased the percentage of marketable fruit production to 8% of total in treatment Ca:Mg (5:5) and 0.5 mM/L^-1, whereas marketable fruit production were 95% in the same Ca:Mg ratio but 4.5 mM/L^-1 K. pH dropped in fruits with increasing Ca:Mg ratios at all K concentrations in the nutrient solution. The decrease pH values became significant in Ca:Mg ratio (7.5:2.5) and 10:0.5. The reverse was true with total titratable acidity. TSS increased as Ca increased in the nutrient solution if K supply was adequate (4.5 mM), and reached 65.2 mg/g in the treatment Ca:Mg ratio (10:0.5). Vitamin C concentrations took the same trend as TSS, and values were between 30-45, which were higher than normally reported (15-25 mg/100 g). Nitrate concentrations, while increasing with increasing Ca and K concentrations in the nutrient solutions, were within normal range (less than 400 mg/L^-1)

Key words: Tomato, Hydroponic culture, Fruit yield, Vitamin C; Total acidity, TSS, pH, NO₃.

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Effect of Magnetized Water Irrigation on Some Growth Traits of Sunflower and its Content of Cadmium in Cd-Contaminated Soil

Samir Shamsham⁽¹⁾ and Faten Razouk*⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Soil and Land Reclamation, Faculty of Agriculture, AL Baath University, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Faten Razouk. E-Mail: fatenrazouk1979@gmail.com). Received: 20/04/2018 Accepted: 07/06/2018

Abstract

Phytoextraction technology is one of the most promising methods for reclamation of soils contaminated with heavy metals using plants, and sunflower is one of many plants that is used to reclaim cadmium contaminated soils. In order to test the efficiency of this technique, an experiment was conducted to study some growth indicators (length, fresh weight and dry weight) and the quantity of cadmium absorbed by the sunflower plant, Helianthus annus L. using six concentrations of cadmium (0, 1, 25, 50, 100 and 200) (mg/kg) Cd, and irrigated with two types of water (magnetized water and tap water). As a result, there was a significant increase in cadmium uptake by the plant when irrigated with magnetized water compared with the tap water-irrigated plant at the same concentrations of cadmium contamination to reach a maximum value of 50 mg/kg in the treatment of tap water irrigation, and at concentration 100 mg/kg in the treatment of magnetized water. The results also showed that the positive effect of magnetized water on most of the studied traits at different concentrations of cadmium compared to tap water.

Key words: Cadmium, Magnetized water, Growth indicators.

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**Studying Seed Germination of Introduced Jatropha Curcas L. and Tree Growth in Tartous Governorate**

Hassan Aladin⁽¹⁾ Muhammad Manhal Alzoubi⁽²⁾ and Evleen Farha^*(1)

(1). Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Administration of Water Resources, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Evleen Farha. E-Mail: evleenfarha@gmail.com).

Received: 04/03/2018 Accepted: 03/07/2018

Abstract

This research was accomplished within period from 2016 June to 2017 November at three locations in Tartous governorate viz. Al Thaora, Al Qumseia and Al Sorani. The seed germination of Jatropha curcas L. was studied by planting the seeds at Al Thaora and Al Sorani locations in three months of the year 2016 (June, July and August), and the growth of seedling was evaluated at Al Thaora, Al Qumseia and Al Sorani locations. The percentage of germination at Al Thaora was 97, 90 and 95 % which was better than at Al Sorani (70, 77.5 and 62.6) % in June, July and August respectively. The speed of germination was (8.82, 8.06 and 7.11) day/seed at Al Thaora and (11.11, 9.13 and 7.64) day/ seed at Al Sorani in June, July and August respectively. Germination was relatively homogenous in both locations. There were no differences in plant height between locations, and the diameter of stem at Al Thaora was better than Al Sorani, also the length and height of crown at Al Thaora was the best of the other locations.

Key words: Jatropha Curcas, Seed germination, Seedling growth.

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Study the Changes in The Quality of Treated Wastewater Resulting from Adra Station Within Irrigation Channels Feedback

Mostafa Beda*⁽¹⁾ Muhammad Haqqoun⁽¹⁾and Abeer Karbouj⁽¹⁾

(1). Administration of Natural Resources, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mostafa Beda. E-Mail: bedda.agri@hotmail.com).

Received: 17/03/2018 Accepted: 06/07/2018

Abstract

Adra Sewerage Processing Station receives sewage water for treatment and then pumps it again into open effluent canals to be used by farmers to irrigate their lands. However, the many infringements on open effluent canals by farmers and neighboring factories have changed the chemical properties of this water, leading to a decline in water quality and thus limiting the possibility of using this source for irrigation purpose. Therefore, this research aimed to monitor the changes occurred in some chemical characteristics of wastewater along effluent canal starting from settlement reservoir located after Adra Sewerage processing Station, extending along the effluent canal (PC2) and ending in Nashabia area, during the years 2010-2012. The results showed a significant increase in ammonium in PC2 compared to both MC and settlement reservoir, which amounted (35, 27 and 15) mg/l respectively, Nitrate concentration in PC2 and MC increased with a significant difference compared to the concentration in settlement reservoir, where it reached (10.5, 9.4 and 6.4) mg/l respectively, while the differences were not significant for nitrite concentration and pH between the three sites. The results also showed an increase in salinity in PC2 and MC with a significant difference compared to the settlement reservoir with a value of (1.32, 1.26 and 0.92) d.s/m respectively. Also, COD increased in PC2 and MC with a significant difference compared to the settlement reservoir by (225, 216 and 58) mg/l respectively. BOD value increased in PC2 and MC significantly than the increase in settlement reservoir.

Keywords: Settlement reservoir, MC, PC2, BOD, COD, Ammonium, Nitrate, EC.

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Study of Some Physical and Chemical Properties of El-Sen River Waters in Syrian Coastal Basin

Taher Cheikho⁽¹⁾ Mahmoud Haj Issa⁽²⁾ and Hadi Dayoub*⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Forestry and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Soil and Water Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Hadi Dayoub. E-mail: hadi.dayob.sy@gmail.com)

Received: 10/04/2018 Accepted: 29/09/2018

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the water quality of El-Sen River in the Syrian coastal basin for drinking and irrigation purposes. Water samples from four sites along the river bed were collected monthly during October 2013 to September 2014, and were analyzed for some important physical and chemical parameters. The study revealed that all of the studied parameters concentrations were found within the permissible limits for human consumption according to the Syrian and World Health Organization Standards. As well as these ions concentrations were found to be directly related to environmental and geologic features of the river basin, where limestone and dolomite formations occupy a large part of its surface. Piper and Schöeller-Berkaloff diagrams revealed that the water is of HCO₃-Ca-Mg type. According to U.S. Salinity Laboratory classification of irrigation water, all samples were under water type (C2-S1). Such water can be used for irrigation on almost all soils with little danger of the development of harmful levels of exchangeable sodium, and if a moderate amount of leaching occurs. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the means of electrical conductivity, sodium, potassium, sulfates, nitrates, nitrite and phosphates of sampling points. Application of Principal Components Analysis to physio-chemical data showed that the correlations with the first and the second factors (F1-F2) revealed the dissolution phenomenon of carbonate formations of limestone and dolomite.

Key words: El-Sen river, Water quality, Drinking water, Irrigation water.

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Growth and Biomass Study of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. in Merdash Location, Al-Ghab Province

Bashar Tobo^*⁽¹⁾ Hikmat Abbas⁽¹⁾ and Osama Radwan⁽¹⁾

(1). Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Bashar Tobo. E-Mail: bashar.tobo33@gmail.com).

Received: 22/10/2018 Accepted: 07/12/2018

Abstract

This research aimed to study the growth and biomass of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. in Al-Ghab region. Twenty-one circular samples were taken, the area of each sample was 400 m². The following measurements were taken for each sample: trees number (N), diameter at breast height (dbh) and total trees height (H). Ten (10) trees were chosen covering all diameter classes, to estimate the form factor and to construct the biomass. Wood volume and mean annual increment of Eucalyptus trees were calculated. In addition to the above, total biomass was calculated using an exponential function. The results showed that mean of the form factor of Eucalyptus trees in the study area was about 0.41, while the wood volume value reached to 249.25 m³/ha with tree density of 208 trees/ha. The mean of annual increment was 3.89 m³/ha/year. The results of this study demonstrated that the study area had high total biomass value with about 318.71 ton/ha.

Key words: Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn., Wood productivity, Biomass, Form factor.

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Effect of Biofertilizer, Humus Spraying and Magnesium Fertilization on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Volatile Oil of Parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill)

Mazin Mossa Abid Ameen⁽¹⁾ and Jamal Ahmed Abbass^*(1)

(1). Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Republic of Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Jamal Ahmed Abbass. E-Mail: jamal.selman@uokufa.edu.iq).

Received: 11/02/2019 Accepted: 18/05/2019

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in private farms, at Najaf province, Republic of Iraq, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons, with Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) as factorial experiment with three replicates and three factors. Means were compared by using Duncan Multiple Range Test at probability of 0.05. The first factor was seed bacterial inoculation with biofertilizer (Azotobacte chrooccum bacterial) with two levels (inoculation and non-inoculation), seeds were inoculated before sowing, and added second time as activated dose on soil surface with water irrigation after 90 days of sowing. the second factor was humus fertilizers (super humic) in three concentrations i.e. (0, 3 and 6 m.L^-1) with two sprayers, first at 3 – 4 true leaves on plant, and second after 20 days from the first spraying. The third factor was Hydrated magnesium sulfate fertilizer (MgSO₄.7H₂O Mg 10.5%) with three levels i.e. (0, 160 and 320 kg. D^-1), two doses were added, first half dose was added during seed sowing and the second half was added after 60 days from the first dose. Results showed that treatment inoculation with biofertilizer gave a significant increase in the total soluble carbohydrates in leaves, and volute oil quantity characteristics (oil yield and the percentage of volute oil), compared with control treatment which gave the lowest values for the above characteristics. Spraying with humus in a concentration of 3 m.L^-1 significantly increased the total soluble carbohydrates in leaves, oil yield and the percentage of volute oil compared with two concentrations for the two seasons, meanwhile the percentage of volute oil which non significantly difference with control treatment in the second seasons. Meanwhile spraying in concentration of 6 m. L^-1 significantly increased the physical characteristics of volute oil (Specific gravity, density and refractive index) compared with control treatment which gave the lowest values in the second season. Meanwhile there are no significant difference for spraying humus fertilizer on these characteristics in the first season. Also, fertilizer level of 320 kg.h^-1 of magnesium sulfate significantly supervised to control treatment and the level 160 kg.h^-1 gave the highest content of total soluble carbohydrates and all the quantity and physical characteristics of volute oil for two seasons, compared with control treatment which gave the highest values. Also, the interaction between the two and three factors gave significant effects on all studied characteristics. Also, the results showed that inoculation with biofertilizer, spraying with Humus in a concentration of 3 m.L^-1 and fertilization with magnesium sulfate at a level of 320 kg.h^-1 significantly increased the total soluble carbohydrates in leaves, volute oil yield, specific gravity, density and refractive index of volute oil for the two seasons, and the content of total phenol in the seed for the second season only.

Key words: Parsley, Bacterial inoculation, Humus fertilizers, Magnesium sulfate.

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Production of Biogas from the Co-Fermentation of Sweet Sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. and Animals Waste

Husein Al Zubi*⁽¹⁾ Fawaz Al Azma⁽²⁾ Rahim AboAlJadayel⁽²⁾ Nour AlAsaad⁽³⁾ Nabila Ali Basha⁽³⁾ and Mowafaq AbdAlRahim⁽⁴⁾

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

(2). General Organization of Biotechnology, Damascus, Syria.

(3). Biotechnology Department, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(4). Animal Wealth Research Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Husein Al Zubi. E-Mail: halzubi2015@gmail.com).

Received: 18/12/2018 Accepted: 10/04/2019

Abstract

This research was carried out at the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research and the National Commission for Biotechnology to optimize of methane gas production conditions by co-fermentation of sugar sorghum residues and animal (cow manure), using 10 kg mixture of fresh manure and 4 different percentages of sweet sorghum residue (i.e. 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%) of the total volume of the mixture at 32-35 °C and pH between 6.5 and 7.2. It was possible to locally design an experimental reactor for the production of methane gas, consisting of 30-liters container made of stainless steel tightly sealed, designed to suit the anaerobic digestion. Each one is connected to a 42-liter tank containing a free metal shaft. When the gas is produced from the ferment, it moves to the tank where it floats on the surface of the water, leading to a height of the bell in proportion to the size of the released gas. The design showed high efficiency. The increase in gas production since the first week until the sixth or the seventh week was repeated, a decline after the eighth week until stability due to the depletion of energy in the mixture used was noticed. The quantity of biogas produced increased with the increase in the percentage of sugar sorghum residues. The highest quantity of biogas was 3520.1 m³ when applying the mixture containing 50% of sugar sorghum residues and 50% of the cow manure at a temperature ranging between 32 to 35 ^هC and pH 7.2. A good organic fertilizer rich in its content of large and small fertilizers and in the appropriate quantities of the plant as well as containing a plant hormones, vitamins and growth regulators, free of pathogens, larvae, weed seeds and safe for both, the environment and for fertilizing use in all crops. This research is one of the first researches conducted in Syria to benefit from the residues of sugar sorghum in the production of biogas.

Key words: Biogas production, Sugar sorghum residues, Locally experimental reactor.

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Bashar Tobo*(1) Hikmat Abbas(1) and Osama Radwan(1)

Bashar Tobo^*⁽¹⁾ Hikmat Abbas⁽¹⁾ and Osama Radwan⁽¹⁾