**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.

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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.

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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.

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**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.

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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.

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Limestone Dust as an Abiotic Disease Factor Affecting Vegetables and Olives in Palestine

Hazem Sawalha^*(1) Lamya Shalabi⁽¹⁾ and Anan Hussein⁽²⁾ and Nasser Sholi⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Arab American University, Palestine.

(2). Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Arab American University, Palestine.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Hazem Sawalha. E-Mail: hazem.sawalha@aaup.edu).

Received: 28/01/2019 Accepted: 25/03/2019

Abstract

An experiment was carried out in 2011 to study the effect of limestone dust of quarries on agricultural crops of vegetables and olive trees. The effect of such dust on vegetables including tomato and pepper plants was studied in the open fields of the Arab American University of Jenin (AAUJ). In addition, the effect of such dust was studied on olive orchards nearby quarries in Qabatya region. The Two-Sample Test of Proportions (TSTP) was used as a statistical method to analyze data obtained from the studied regions. The results showed that plant exposure to dust causes drastic negative effect on leaf surface area and productivity for both vegetable crops and olive trees. Chlorophyll content and flowering percentages of pepper plants decreased with increasing the amount of dust. Furthermore, the results revealed that long-term exposure of olive trees to dust decreases oil productivity by 55.3-84.4% and minimizes the percentage of seed maturity and germination percentages.

Keywords: Limestone dust, Olive trees, Vegetable, Palestine.

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Phytochemical Detection of Active Ingredients in the Syrian Medicinal Plant Tribulus terrestris L. from the Family Zygophyllaceae

Abdel Aleem Bello^*(1)

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

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

Received: 15/07/2018 Accepted: 01/10/2018

Abstract

Syrian plants are a natural heritage and precious treasure, which efforts must be directed to study and discover their active constituents and benefits. One of these plants is Tribulus terrestris, which is naturally spread medicinal plant in Aleppo city. This research was carried out at the Laboratory of Plant Taxonomy and Medicinal Plants Research, Faculty of Science, Aleppo University, within the period 15/10/2017 and 5/6/2018. In this research, the active constituents in the extracts of this plant were detected using various chemical tests and specific reagents. Flavonoids, coumarins, glycosides, alkaloids, phenols and tannins were recorded in most extracts of the plant, while anthraquinones and fixed oils were not observed in any extract. Saponins were recorded in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts and in the aqueous extract of the fruits. The present study was unique in detecting coumarins and diterpenes in this plant. It was concluded that many medical activities of this plant can be interpreted by having a wide range of active constituents. Refer to previous studies, it is believed that this research on Tribulus terrestris is the first of its kind at the local level.

Keywords: Tribulus terrestris, Phytochemical screening, Active constituents.

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**Estimation of the Trees Height of Cupressus sempervirens L. Using the Mathematical Modelling in Misiaf Region**

Ali Thabit^*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Thabit. E-Mail: alithabt@yahoo.fr).

Received: 02/08/2018 Accepted: 24/09/2018

Abstract

The aim of this research was to design and test height-diameter models of Cupressus sempervirens in Misiaf, Syria. Modelling techniques were applied at four sampling plots that were selected throughout the natural distribution area of Cupressus sempervirens in Misiaf region. The tree height (h) and diameter at breast height (dbh) of eighty-four trees (84) were measured. Different forms of mathematical models (Michailoff, Parabel, Prodan, Petterson, Korsun, and Logarithmic) were selected to estimate the trees height of Cupressus sempervirens using diameter at breast height (dbh) as independent variable. Models were examined using different statistical tests i.e. absolute mean of the model error, relative mean of the model error, standard error of the absolute mean of the model error, model accuracy, model accuracy % and coefficient of determination R², which showed the proportion of the total variance that is explained by model. These statistical tests were done to select the best model to estimate the trees height of Cupressus sempervirens in Misiaf region in Syria. The results of model’s efficiency tests showed that the best function was Parabel equation, this model had a high R-squared value (R² = 60.8 %), less error value (0.21), and best accuracy value (m_x = 19 %). The results of this research could be a good tool in management of Cupressus sempervirens sites and could help forest managers in the future studies in the field.

Keywords: Cupressus sempervirens, Height–Diameter relationships, Mathematical modelling, Syria.

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