The Effect of Legume Type, Energy Level, and Period of Exposure to Microwaves on the Response of Cowpea Weevil
Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Bruchidae: Coleoptera)

Emad Q. AL-Ebady^*(1) and Marwa M. Abdallah⁽¹⁾

(1). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Mosul University. Mosul, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr.Emad Q. AL-Ebady. E-Mail: semad82@yahoo.com).

Received: 26/07/2018 Accepted: 10/10/2018

Abstract

The research was executed at Plant Protection Department during 2017 and 2018 to study the effect of some legume types (Cowpea, Chickpea and pea), and energy level i.e. 200, 500, 800 watts to different exposure times 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds on the response cowpea weevil to microwave radiation. The results revealed that killing percentage in eggs, larvae, pupae and adults were varied according to the legume type and reached for cowpea, chickpea and pea (46.39, 42.22 and 59.44 % for eggs, but reached 51.39, 48.89 and 63.89 % for larvae, while it accounted 53.78, 43.61 and 45 % for pupae, finally the values were for adults 67.22, 53.89 and 51.11 respectively. The killing percentage mean of the insects stages proportionally increased with increasing the energy level 200, 500, 800 watt and reached 38.06, 46.39 and 63.61 % for eggs, and 44.53, 53.89 and 65.64 % for larva^‘s, and 41.53, 46.39 and 54.46 % for pupas and 42.22, 60 and 70 % for adults. The results also exhibited that the killing percentage of insect’s stages was increased with increasing the exposure times.

Keywords: Microwave radiation, Cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus.

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Evaluation of Local Isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) As control Agent for Potato Tuber Moth Phthorimaea operculella (Gelechiidae:Lepidoptera) Under Non-refrigerated Storage conditions

Nisreen Alsaoud^*(1) Doummar Nammour⁽¹⁾ and Ali Yaseen Ali⁽²⁾

(1). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Albaath University, Homs, Syria,

(2). Tarsus Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Nisreen Alsaoud. E. mail nisreensoud@gmail.com).

Received: 16/07/2017 Accepted: 01/10/2017

Abstract

The efficacy of three native isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), with concentration of 1×10⁷spore/ml, were tested on potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Gelechiidae:Lepidoptera) under non-refrigerated storage conditions (28̊±2 C and R.H=50%± 5). The results showed the efficiency of the three isolates in the studied concentration to control the pest in store. These isolates showed superiority on control, where infection rates of tubers were 67, 83, 87.9, 100% for isolates C, D, B and control respectively, and reduced the severity of infection to 50.7, 63.2, 70.8, and 99.2% for isolates C, B, D and control respectively. The averages of emerged adults were 25, 15, 6.3, and 44.3 adults for isolates C, B, C and control respectively. Results showed that the fungus B. bassiana is an important control agent in integrated pest management for potato tuber moth in non-refrigerated stores.

Key words: Potato tuber moth, Beauveria bassiana, Phthorimaea operculella, Biological control.

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New Records of Three Larval Species of Erythraeidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) in a Citrus Orchard in Latakia, Syria

Ziad Barbar^*(1)

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ziad Barbar. E-Mail: ziadbarbar89@yahoo.com).

Received: 04/11/2017 Accepted: 14/12/2017

Abstract

Most larvae of Erythraeidae are considered as parasites of various insect species, and their adults seem to be effective generalist predators of several agricultural pests. Studies of this fauna is limited in Syria. The present study aimed to identify mite species of Erythraeidae in a pesticide-free citrus orchard in Latakia governorate/Syria. Surveys were carried out three times in 2016 and 2017. Three Erythraeid species were collected, and all belong to the genus Erythraeus: Erythraeus (Erythraeus) phalangoides, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) adanaensis and Erythraeus (Zaracarus) didonae. This is the first report of these species in Syria. Morphological remarks of each species were collected and provided.

Keywords: Acari, Erythraeidae, Erythraeus, larva, Syria.

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Effect of Temperature and Retention **Period on the activity of Olive Leaf Midge Dasineura oleae F. loew (Dipter: Cecidomyiidae) and its Endoparasitiod Platygaster demades Walker (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae)**

Zahraa M. Baidaq*⁽¹⁾ Ali M. Ramadhane⁽²⁾ and Randa Abu Tara⁽³⁾

(1). Agricultural Research Center of Latakia, General Commission of Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(3(. Faculty of science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Zahraa Baidaq. E-Mail: Zahraaok2@hotmail.com).

Received: 22/11/2016 Accepted: 17/01/2017

Abstract

This work aimed to study the environmental factors influencing growth stopped of olive leaf midge Dasineura oleae F. loew (Dipter: Cecidomyiidae) and its host (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae) Platygaster demades Walker, such as temperature and reservation period. A series of experiments had been done to end this phenomena of larvae by changing temperatures from suitable temperature at 1±20 °C accompanied with different photoperiods 16 L: 8D and relative humidity of 75± 5% during 15, 30, and 60 days, to low temperature at 1 ±7 °C accompanied with complete darkness and relative humidity of 75± 5% for 15 days. This had been done after 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of growth stopped. The experiments showed that there was a strong correlation between P. demades and the host. The larval activity of P.demades was synchronized with the host at all stages in which an activity was recorded. The results showed that D. oleae enters in a real diapause, that can be ended as larvae was exposed to low temperature for more than 15 days. It has been shown that temperature is the limiting factor of D. oleae diapause and its parasitoid P. demades.

Keywords: Olive leaf midge, Dasineura oleae, Endoparasitiod, Platygaster demades, Diapause, Temperature.

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Effect of Seed Treatments of Tomato Variety Merel with Four PGPR Bacterial Strains on Promoting Peroxidase Enzyme Activity and Growth Improvement

Hanan Kawas ^*(1) Omar Hamudi⁽²⁾Ahmad Ahmad⁽³⁾ Imad Ismail⁽⁴⁾

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(2). Agricultural Research Center of Latakia, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(3). Agricultural Research Center of Tartous, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(4). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Hanan Kawas. E-Mail: hanankawas1@gmail.com).

Received: 18/12/2016 Accepted: 14/02/2017

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the effect of four bacterial strains (PGPR): Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA342, Serratia plymuthica HRO-C48, Bacillussubtillis B2g and B. subtillis FZB27 to improve the growth of tomato plants in the greenhouse. Bacterial strains were applied to the seeds in a concentration of (10¹⁰ cfu/ml), of each bacterial strain. The results showed the treatment with bacteria improved peroxidase enzyme activity at a rate of (2.15-6.35) % after 78 days of treatment compared with non-treated control (0.002) n mol, and a rate of (60.71- 232.14) % after 94 days compared with non-treated control (0.056) n mol. The treatment with bacteria increased the height of plant at a rate of (1-21.37)% compared with non-treated control (57.83) cm, and increased fresh weight of foliage at a rate of (9.25-122.56)% compared with non-treated control (317)g, while it increased dry weight of foliage at a rate of (3.89- 61.98)% compared with non-treated control (111.33)g, and increased fresh root weight at a rate of (22.39-310.48)% compared with non-treated control (22.33)g, and increased root dry weight at a rate of (9.09- 33.27)% compared with non-treated control (5.5)g, and increased number of fruits at a rate of (7.73-54.73)% compared with non-treated control (8.66 fruit), and increased weight of fruits at a rate of (5.69-60.33)% compared with non-treated control (105.33)g . The strain B27 had the highest values of the studied traits.

Key words: PGPR, Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA342, Serratia plymuthica HRO-C48, Bacillus subtillis B2g, B. subtillis FZB27, Tomato.

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Methods for Maintaining Insect Cells Sf9 and its Morphological Characterization

Manal Saleh^*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Manal Saleh. E-Mail: manalcapno@gmail.com).

Received: 04/10/2016 Accepted: 18/11/2016

Abstract

The insect cell lines have a great importance in scientific research such as: Physiological and biological studies, producing biopesticides and vaccines, biotechnology and toxicology. The insect cell line Sf9, is derived from an immature pupal ovarian tissue of Spodoptera frugiperda. These cells were cultured, sub-cultured (more than 23 subculture) and cryopreserved. Morphological characterization of Sf9 cells were performed by using three staining methods i.e. Trypan blue, Wright, and Giemsa. Three different shapes of Sf9 cells were observed and they were: Spherical cells (large and small ones); fibroblast-like cells, and phagocytic cells. Two different populations of cells were identified in Sf9 cell cultures according to nuclear number: Mononucleated and polynucleated to ensure cells surviving.

Key word: Sf9 insect cell lines, Spodoptera frugiperda, Subculture, Cryopreservation, Morphological characterization.

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**First Record of Labidostomis diversifrons Lefevre Beetle on Pistachio Trees in Syria**

Mazen Bofaur^*(1) and Rami Bohamdan⁽¹⁾

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mazen Bofaur. E-Mail: mazenaudy@yahoo.com).

Received: 26/02/2017 Accepted: 14/09/2017

Abstract

Field survey has been conducted on a few orchards of pistachio vera in Sweida Governorate, Syria. The results of survey showed an expansion of new insect species for the first time in Syria, the leaf beetle Labidostomis diversifrons Lefevre, 1876 (Chrysomelidae; Coleoptera) which has been recorded on the trees of pistachio vera. The species classified depending on morphological features of entire insects, which caused direct injury to the leaves, and made the trees weakness and leafless. Different recourses have been observed for feeding, the beetle feeds on grasses such as: Lactuca virosa and Polygonum arenastrum.

Keywords: Labidostomis diversifrons L., pistachio vera, beetle, morphological features, Lactuca virosa, Syria.

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Evaluation the Impact of Both Predator Serangium parcesetosum Sicard and Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Controlling Citricola Scale Insect Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana) **and Olive Scale Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera:Coccidae) on Citrus, Syria**

Shadi Deeb⁽¹⁾ Rafik Abboud^*(1) Majeda Mofleh⁽¹⁾ and Muhammed Ahmad⁽²⁾

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

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rafik Abboud. E-Mail: abboud.rafeek@hotmail.com).

Received: 30/07/2017 Accepted: 10/11/2017

Abstract

The citricola scale Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana) and the olive scale insect Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) are considered economically important pests on citrus in the Syrian coast. This study was carried out at Ciano Research Station, Latakia Research Center/Syria, to evaluate the efficiency of the predators Serangium parcesetosum (Sicard), and Cilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to control both of pests within the cages. The study included six treatments, with three replicates per treatment. Citrus grasses isolated individually within cages, and infested in the first, second and third treatment by adults of citricola scale, and in the fourth, fifth and sixth treatments by adults of olive scale. The adults of S. parcesetosum were released after 30 days of the infection, in the first and fourth treatments, while the adults of C. bipustulatus were released in the second and fifth treatments at a rate of 2 adults/grass per a week, but the third and sixth treatments adopted as a control for comparison. The results showed the ability of the predators feeding on nymphs first age for each of the pests, and they were able to reduce the intensity of citricola scale nymphs by 97.8 and 99.2% in both predators C. bipustulatus and S. parcesetosum two weeks after the release, respectively, while the rate of decline in the control was 29.2% during the same period. Black scale nymph’s density also decreased by 99.9 and 99.4% in the treatments of predators C. bipustulatus and S. parcesetosum after three weeks of the launch, respectively. The results of this study showed the ability of each of predators C. bipustulatus and S. parcesetosum in control citricola scale and olive scale on citrus.

Key words: Biological control, Citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum, Olive scale, Saissetia oleae, Serangium parcesetosum, Cilocorus bipustulatus.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS ON PUPA VITALITY OF MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH EPHESTIA KUEHNIELLA (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

Mohammad Al-Allan*⁽¹⁾ Adel Almanofi⁽¹⁾ Nouredeen Zaher Hjej⁽¹⁾ Gaidaa Al Ameer⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Entomology, Administration of Plant Protection, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2) Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Administration of Horticulture Research, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Al Allan. E-Mail: allanmhd@gmail.com).

Received: 09/07/2016 Accepted: 10/10/2016

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the laboratory conditions at General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Damascus, Syria, in 2013, to test the effect of some plants oils i.e., mustard Sinapis arvensis, Camphor Cinnamomum camphora, Peppermint Mentha varidis, Cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum, clove Syzygium aromaticum, and ginger Zingiber officinale on Pupa vitality of Mediterranean Flour Moth Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Ten 10 virgins of Mediterranean flour moth were placed in a Petri dish, and a piece of cotton wet with 0.1 ml of one of the tested oils, with three replicates. Petri dishes left under laboratory room conditions until the emergence of adult insects, then the rate of dead larvae and the effectiveness of oils used were calculated. The results showed that the mortality rate of virgins was higher when using mustard oil followed by Camphor, Peppermint with no significant differences (p≤0.01) (26.67, 23.33, 20% respectively), while there were no significant differences among each of cinnamon, clove, ginger and control (6.67, 6.67, 3.33, 6.67%, respectively). It was noticed that there were no significant differences between peppermint, cinnamon, clove and control, whereas the differences were significant between mustard and camphor, and cinnamon, clove, ginger and control with the superiority of mustard and camphor oils. In respect of the effectiveness, mustard had the highest value (21.43%), followed by camphor and peppermint, but cinnamon and clove had no effectiveness. Ginger oil had a negative effectiveness, because it enhanced the activity of the pupa. The study recommends to use mustered oil as the best treatment to control the Pupa vitality of Mediterranean Flour Moth.

Key words: Essential oils, Mediterranean flour moth, Syria.

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Efficacy of Betanal Expert Herbicide and Application Time of Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers on the Productivity and Quality Traits of Sugar Beet

Abd Ul-Karim Al-Hmmad⁽¹⁾ Bahaa ALRahban^*(2) and Isood Al-Mihaymeed⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Furat University , Der Ezzur, Syria.

(2). Plant Protection Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Bahaa AlRahban. E-Mail: bahaarahban@gmail.com).

Received: 28/07/2016 Accepted: 31/08/2016

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on sugar beet crop, using Cawyinterpoly new, a multigerm cultivar, during the fall season of 2013\2014 at Halta village in Der- Ezzur governorate. Betanal expert herbicide, (75g/L Phenmedipham+25 g/L Desmedipham+ 151g/L Ethofumesat) was used as post-emergence treatment with an average of 2 L/ha for one application, manual weeding control for three times and non-weeded as a check. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were added by two ways: (1^st) whole quantities were added before planting; (2^nd) the quantities were divided and added in three times: one third before planting, one third after thinning, and one third after a month from thinning, besides the check without fertilization .The experiment was laid according to split plot design with three replicates. Broad-leaved weeds were dominated. Results showed that manually weeded treatment effectiveness was (100%), sugar yield (6.53 ton/ha ) and root yield (46.72 ton/ha) while Betanal expert herbicide treatment effectiveness resulted (89.78%, 6.27 ton/ha and 44.39 ton/ha) respectively. The un-weeded treatment surpassed significantly Betanal expert and manual weeding treatments in root sugar contents (17.18%), whereas there were no significant differences between manual weeding and Betanal expert herbicide in this trait. Splitting the quantity of fertilizer into three increased root yield (41.11 ton/ha) significantly as compared with adding the whole quantity before planting (38.56 ton/ha). However, there were no significant differences in sugar yield in terms of fertilizer methods. With respect of sugar content, adding whole quantity of fertilizer before planting gave higher root sugar content (16.67%) significantly compared with splitting the fertilizer to three (16.39%). The interaction between fertilization and weed control treatments affected only root sugar content significantly.

Key words: Sugar beet, Herbicide, Fertilization.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Abstract

Mohammad Al-Allan*(1) Adel Almanofi(1) Nouredeen Zaher Hjej(1) Gaidaa Al Ameer(2)

Abstract

Mohammad Al-Allan*⁽¹⁾ Adel Almanofi⁽¹⁾ Nouredeen Zaher Hjej⁽¹⁾ Gaidaa Al Ameer⁽²⁾