Category Archives: Natural Resources

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.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

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.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

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.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

 

The Effect of Some Topographic Factors on the Total Phenolic Content of Arbutus andrachne L. Fruit (Jableh District)

Diana Hmaidosh*(1) Mahmoud Ali(1) Rim Salame(2) and Aziza Youssef (2)

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

(2). Department of pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Diana Hmaidosh. E-Mail: dianah1983@gmail.com).

Received: 13/09/2018                                Accepted: 22/10/2018

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of some topographic factors on the phenolic contents of the Arbutus andrachne L. plant. Plant samples (fruit) were collected from three aspects (south, west and north) at four altitudes (0-300, 300-600, 600-900, and ˃900m) in the countryside of Jableh in 2017. The fresh samples were squeezed, then the total contents of the phenolic compounds were determined by spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, expressing the result in (mg gallic acid/100g fw) using spectrophotometer. The results showed that southern aspects recorded the highest yield of phenolic contents of fruits (40±0.53 mg/100g), followed by the western aspect (39.66±0.61 mg/100g), and finally the northern aspect (38.7±0.5mg/100g). Also it was noticed a gradual increase in phenolic contents in the first altitude (38.85±0.55 mg/100g), to the fourth altitude (40±0.8mg/100g). The results showed the effect of some topographic factors affected the phenolic contents of Arbutus andrachne L., where the phenolic contents from southern aspect were higher than that of the other aspects, and the fourth altitude (˃900m) was found to be the best in terms of the richness with phenolic compounds of the plant fruit of Arbutus andrachne L.

Key words: Arbutus andrachne L., Total phenolic, Altitude, Aspect.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Effect of Mineral Fertilizers Application on Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Soils and Tomato Plant 

Naseer Abdul-Jabbar AlSaadie(1) Adnan Shibar falih(1) and Raghaa Mouhamad*(1)

(1). Agriculture Research Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
(*Corresponding author: Raghaa Mouhamad. Email: naseeralsaadie61@gmail.com).

Received: 14/04/2019                                Accepted: 01/06/2019

Abstract

Several samples were collected from the mineral fertilizers i.e. phosphate, nitrogen and potash that commonly used in Iraq, as well as samples of different soils with different chemical and physical properties, and tomato plants which were grown in it, in two regions i.e. Abu Ghraib and Jadriya. These two regions represent most of the soils of Iraq, with different periods of culture. The results of statistical analysis showed high significant differences present among accumulation of heavy metals rates in soils and tomato fruits according to varying culture dates and soil type. The overall average soil content of elements (Pb, Cd, Co, Ni) for a chemical fertilizer use periods 5, 10 and 25 years, were 7.6, 9.6 and 12.7 mg.kg-1 f respectively. The results showed that the average concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Co, Ni) for all periods of mineral fertilizer addition in Abu Ghraib (clay) and Jadriya (loam) were 11.0 and 8.9 mg kg-1 respectively. Overall mean of all heavy elements content in tomato fruits for the studied time periods were 0.733, 0.919 and 1.49 mg.kg-1 respectively, while the concentration of these elements in tomato fruits that grown in the two soil regions for all periods of fertilization were 1.18 and 0.909 mg.kg-1 respectively. Results also showed the existence of a positive significant correlation at 1% level of probability between soil content of heavy metals and culture periods, and heavy metals concentration in tomato fruits that grown in those soils. The average percentage of the cumulative increase of heavy metals (Ni, Co, Cd and Pb) as accompaniment impurities in the mineral fertilizers in soils amounted to 65.8, 29.8, 0.35 and 37.4% per year, while the increase percentage in tomato fruits were 15.6, 1.9, 0.15 and 2.4% for each of the above element respectively. Results also showed the presence of a significant effect between the fertilizer type and the content of heavy metals contaminated values. In general, depending fertilizer’s content of contaminated heavy metals, the fertilizer can be arranged as follows: Urea U < MAP fertilizer < NPK fertilizer < DAP fertilizer < Triple Super Phosphate TSP.

Key words: Mineral fertilizers, Heavy metals, Soil properties, Tomato.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Influence of Number of Boron Foliar Spray on the Productivity and Qualitative Traits and Leaves Content of Boron in Golden Delicious Apple Cultivar in Sweida

Sami Hennawi (1) Adnan Skaker (1) Talaat Amer (1) and Samer Kiwan*(1)

(1). Sweida Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damasucs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Samer Kiwan. Email: samer.kiwan@yahoo.com).

Received: 17/04/2018                                Accepted: 30/05/2018

Abstract

This research was carried out at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Sweida, GCSAR during the growing seasons of 2015 and 2016 to study the effect of number of foliar sprays of boron on the productivity and qualitative characters of Golden delicious apple cultivar. Boric acid foliar spray (1 g.l-1) was added for once, twice or three times besides the control (without addition). The results showed that, the average of productivity increased significantly when spraying three times of the boric acid, in the two seasons (69.35 kg/tree and 125.1 kg/tree respectively), while the average yield in the control treatment was the lowest compared to other treatments (43.53 kg/tree and 59.73 kg/tree respectively). The average grading of the fruit were; excellent, first, second, and third under the addition of foliar spray for three times with boric acid and soil fertilizer addition (6.06%, 60.74, 32.54%, and 0.66% respectively), but the grading percentage  under the addition of foliar spray for twice with the soil addition of fertilizer were 4.56%, 57% , 37.61% and 0.83%, respectively, while  under the control treatment the grading percentages were 0.79%, 26.23%, 57.76% and 15.22%, respectively. It was concluded that the application of these factors contributed in the increase of the average productivity and improved the quality of the fruits.

Keywords: Apples, Golden delicious, Boric acid, Productivity, Foliar spray.

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The Effect of Water Deficit on Peanut Yield Using Drip Irrigation Method

Shaban Sulaiman*(1) Ayham Asbah(1) Hussam Almuhamad(1) Nidal Aljouni(2) and Ahmd Zleta(2)

(1). Tizen Station, Hama Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(2). Administration of Natural Resources, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Shaban Sulaiman. E.mail: shaban7310@gmail.com).

Received: 05/09/2018                                Accepted: 25/10/2018

Abstract

This search was carried out at Tizen Station, Hama Agriculture Research Center, during 2011 and 2012 seasons. The aim of this study is to improve water efficiency and to determine the critical stage for peanut under different levels of irrigation and to study the effect of irrigation levels on yield. Complete randomized block design with four replicates was used. Four treatments of irrigation were applied, the first level (A 100%) was applied when the soil humidity was 75 % of field capacity. At the second level (B) the irrigation was done at 75 % of level A, while at the level C the irrigation was done at 50% of level A, and at the level D the irrigation was done at 25 % of level A. Drip irrigation was used and the irrigation control depended on the differences  of soil moisture by using Neutron Brobe. The values of ETO were calculated depending on meteo data of climatic station. The results indicated that the level A was superior to other levels in yield (3.643 ton/ha), but the best level in water efficiency and yield was level B (0.72 kg/m3, and 2.153 ton/ha), also the water requirement of this level was 2639 m3/ha.

Key words: Peanut, Drip irrigation, KC, Water deficit.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Evaluation of Natural Regeneration of Cedrus libani A. Richard in Some Afforested Sites in Tartous, Syria

Abeer Ibrahem*(1) Imad Qubaily(1) Ali Thabet(1) and Samaher damserko(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abeer Ibrahem. E-Mail: ink_abeer@yahoo.com).

Received: 17/10/2017                                Accepted: 23/02/2018

Abstract

The research aims to study the situation of natural regeneration of the Cedrus libani A. in some afforested sites (Alnabe Matah, and Mawla Hassan) in Tartous, Syria; in order to determine the causes of weakness of the natural regeneration of Cedrus libani  in these sites, by checking the vigor of Cedrus libani  seeds through the germination under the influence of some environmental factors, and determine the status of the natural regeneration of Cedrus libani  in the studied sites. The germination tests showed a good vigor of Cedrus libani seeds which collected from afforested Cedrus libani forest stands. The seedlings stage is the main obstacle of the success of Cedrus libani natural regeneration; since most of the seedlings had died in the first year of their life because of the summer drought.

Key Words: Cedrus libani, natural regeneration, Alnabe Matah afforested site, Mawla Hassan afforested site, Tartous, Syria.

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Hydrologic and Climatic Study of Al-Sanaober Watershed – Coastal Basin, Syria

Ammar Abbas*(1)

(1). Directorate of Natural Resources, Agricultural Rsearch Center in Latakia, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ammar Abbas. E-Mail: ammarabbas1984@hotmail.com).

Received: 27/05/2018                                Accepted: 16/09/2018

Abstract

This research was conducted by the year of 2011 in Al-Sanobar watershed in Latakia province, with an area of ​​1336 km2, in order to study the hydrological status, climate factors and water budget for this watershed. A dam was built on the watercourse with a storage capacity of 98 million m3. Depending on the topographic maps 1: 50,000, geological maps 1: 200000, satellite images, climatic data of the dam station (precipitation, temperature and evaporation), runoff data from the Directorate of Water Resources in Latakia, and land use data of the watershed, the geometric features of the basin, and water budget were studied and the land use map was prepared. The results of geometric characteristics showed that the watershed was elongated and the shape factor value was greater than (1), so the flood hazard was low. The results of the water budget showed that more than 65% of precipitation is lost by evaporation, and the runoff reaches 30%. The land use map showed that about 55% of total area is cultivated with olive and citrus.

Key words: Watershed, Al-Sanaobar river, Al Thowra Dam, Water budget, Water losses.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Studying the Relationship Between the Characteristics of the Plant and the Diversity of Birds in Fronloq Protected Area – Latakia

Basima Alcheikh (¹) and Maher Dayyoub*(²)

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

(2). Forestry Department, Directorate of Agriculture and agrarian reform, Fronloq Protected Area, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Maher Dayyoub. Email: maher.lat@gmail.com)

Received: 14/04/2018                                Accepted: 04/08/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out at Fronloq Protected Area in the northwestern part of Syria in Latakia, which has an area of ​​5390 ha, to study the relationship between the characteristics of the plant and the diversity of the birds. The point-counts method was used in the survey of birds. Thirty-two samples were identified covering the whole surface of the protected area as follows: 22 samples in the pine habitats, 4 samples in the oak habitats, 3 samples in mixed habitats, 3 samples in burned habitats. Several indicators were used to measure biodiversity, including qualitative richness, Shannon coefficient. Sixty-seven species of birds were recorded at the Fronloq Protected Area. The raptors accounted for 16.41% of all species. Parus ater and Troglodytes troglodytes were the most widely spread species in the reserve, while Fringilla coelebs were the most abundant. 24 species were reproduced in the reserve, including Parus ater, Pernis apivorus and Acipiter nisus. The results showed that the richness and abundance of birds in the oak habitat were significant more than the pine habitat and the burned habitat, while no significant differences were observed in the mixed forest. The richness of the birds was also positively correlated with the vegetation richness and the total vegetation coverage. The study found a positive effect of the vegetation richness of the shrub layer on the variety of birds in the reserve. The results also showed sensitivity of the birds to the disturbance caused by fire. The study recommended that data on the species living in the reserve should be completed before submitting any proposals.

Keywords: Birds, Biodiversity, Plants characteristics, Fronloq Protected Area.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF