Category Archives: plant protection

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.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

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: (1st) whole quantities were added before planting; (2nd) 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

A Study of Inhibition Activity of Lactobacillus spp. Against Fungi and Aflatoxin B1 in Vitro

Keethar Rashid Majeed(1), Amal Khazem Ghadban(1) and Faleh Mehdi Saleh*(1)

(1). Food technology Department, Factual of Agriculture, Al Basra University, Al Basra, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Faleh Mehdi Saleh. E-Mail: husienforever1@gmail.com).

Received: 27/07/2017                       Accepted: 18/08/2017

Abstract

This study was conducted in April 2015 to August 2016, to investigate the inhibition activity of Lactobacillus spp. in vitro against fungi and aflatoxin using local isolates i.e., L. casi (AKF 1), L. plantarum (AKF2), L. casi (AKF 3), L. plantarum (AKF 4) and L. Jonsonii (AKF 5). The results of the statistical analyses showed that AKF4 exhibited the highest inhibition activity (97, 62.33 and 97%) among all isolates using live bacteria, thermally killed bacteria, and its metabolic compounds, respectively. In contrasts, the inhibition activity of AKF3 were (59, 14.33 and 59%) using live bacteria, thermally killed bacteria, and its metabolic compounds, respectively. Furthermore, aflatoxin binding was studied in vitro using the isolates (AKF 1,2,3,4,5) in MRS media containing 200 ppb of aflatoxin B1. The results revealed that using live bacteria of AKF4 at concentration 1×108 cfu/ml for 48 h showed highest binding percentage 99.9 %, while thermally killed bacteria of AKF1,2,5 at concentration 500 ppb for 48 h gave the highest binding percentage 100 % at 37 °C and pH 6.5. In addition, AKF 4 had the highest binding percentage 100% for both 24 h and 48 h at the same conditions. Binding efficiency results of thermally killed bacteria was 100 %, while binding efficiency of live bacteria ranged between (99.87-100%) when the bacteria was washed with water, acetonitrile and phosphate buffer saline.

Keywords: Wheat, Lactobacillus, Aflatoxin Binding B1, Fungal growth inhibition.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Distribution of Citrus tristeza virus in Syrian Coast

Ensaf Akel*(1) and Imad Ismail(2)

(1). Agricultural Research Center in Lattakia, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ensaf Akel. Email: ensafakel5n4a@gmail.com).

Received: 24/04/2016                         Accepted: 24/05/2016

Abstract

A survey of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) (CTV, Closterovirus, Closteroviridae) in citrus orchards in Syrian Coast was conducted between March and November 2011. 288 samples were collected (219 samples from old tree, and 69 samples from public and private nurseries) from three regions: Lattakia, Jablah, Banyas. Most of samples showed symptoms similar to symptoms caused by viral diseases. Tissue Blot Immuno binding Assay TBIA was used to detect CTV. Results showed the distribution of Citrus tristeza virus, in citrus orchards in Syrian Coast in different rations in Lattakia region (27.64%), Banyas (22.05%), and Jablah (19.58%). Virus was recorded on different citrus varieties, which belongs to different groups. The highest infection value was recorded on Sweet orange (35.92%), Mandarine (8.16%), Sour orange (6.25%), and Grapefruit (5%).  Also the virus was recorded in some public and private nurseries, in Vdeo and Al Hanadi locations, so that is a serious indicator of virus prevalence, because the rootstocks are distributed to the farmers through these nurseries.

 Key Words: Citrus, CTV, Survey, TBIA.

Full paper in Arabic: Distribution of Citrus tristeza virus in Syrian Coast

Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

Abdullatif Al Ghazzawi*(1) Mahmoud Abu Ghoura(2) Nabeel Al Ahmad Bek(1) and Raghda Al Baghdadi(1)

(1). Plant Protection Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Eng. Abdullatif Al Ghazawi. E-Mail: Ghazawi11@gmail.com).

Received: 13/12/2015                           Accepted: 28/04/2016

Abstract

Tomato stem pith necrosis disease which is caused by Pseudomonas corrugata Roberts & Scarlettis is one of the most important diseases infecting tomatoes which grown in the greenhouses that spreaded in the Syrian coast region. 40 isolates of P. corrugata were collected from Tartous and Latakia governorates, and their ability of infection, and virulence were evaluated. The most three virulent isolates (G12.1, G14.3 and G35) were chosen to test their infection ability on ten tomato hybrids which most grown in the greenhouses, depending on their susceptibility scale from 0 to 3. The tested isolates were varied in their virulence in Tartous and Latakia, and within the same governorate. Some isolates from Tartous (G35, G14.3 and G12.1) were superior in their ability of infection compared with the rest of isolates collected from both governorates against the plants of the hybrid Code 80 F1, the values of infection were 4.9, 4.7 and 4.4, respectively. Meanwhile, both Tartous isolate 107.1 and Latakia isolate 121.1 were in the last order in their ability of infection. The results showed also that all ten tested tomato hybrids were infected by the bacteria under the artificial inoculation conditions with variable degrees. The hybrid Saida was the highest susceptible with an average of infection 6.61 and the lowest was hybrid Sidra with an average of infection 2.31. The tested hybrids were divided according to the infection scale to high infected, moderate infected, and partially tolerant and tolerant.

Key words: Pith necrosis, Pseudomonas corrugata, Syria, Tomato hybrids.

Full paper in Arabic: Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

First Record of Two Beetle Species of Mesquite Trees Prosopis juliflora (Sw) D.C. in Yemen

Ismail Abdullah Muharram*(1) Mohammed Saleh Al-Nossari(1) and Ahmed Mohammed Sallam(2)

(1).  Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA), Yemen.
(2). Nasser Faculty of Agriculture, Aden University, Yemen.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ismail Abdullah Muharram. Email: imuharam@gmail.com).

Received: 18/02/2017                           Accepted: 06/05/2017

Abstract

Mesquite trees Prosopis juliflora (Sw) D.C. are wide spread in different countries of the world including Yemen, and occupied the fertile and marginal lands. However, the areas of this plant are increasing rapidly in Yemen. Mesquite trees are a host for large number of insects, which can be used to reduce the spread of the trees, and control it within an integrated management system, including the insects that feed on the seeds and pods of this plant. This study was carried out during 2004-2005 seasons, in Tehama, Lahje, and Abian where the trees of Mesquite are spread widely. The collection of mature pods of these trees were put in the insects breeding boxes. In this manuscript four insects species were identified, which belong to Coleoptera order as follow:  Algarobius prosopis (LeConts); Caryedon near serratus (Olivier); Bruchidius andrewesi (Pic) that belong to Bruchidae family; and lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) which belongs to Anobiidae family.  Two species were recorded for the first time in Yemen, Caryedon serratus (Olivier), and Bruchidius andrewesi (Pic), but, the others species were well known in Yemen, as pests on different crops including prosopis.

Key words: Mesquite trees, Algarobius prosopis, Caryedon near serratus, Lasioderma serricorne, Bruchidius andrewesi, Yemen.

Full paper in English: First Record of Two Beetle Species of Mesquite Trees Prosopis juliflora (Sw) D.C. in Yemen

Efficiency Evaluation of Some Nematophagous Fungi Against Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Cotton Plants in Syria

AL- Masri, M. (1), S. Alarabi (1), R. Albaka (1), M. Abed Al kader (2) and K. Al-Assas (2)

(1). Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General commission for scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus,  Syria.                                                             (2). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.                                                                                                        (*Correspoding author: Dr. Maymounah Al-Masri. E-Mail: dr.maymonh-almasri@hotmail.com).

Received: 04/01/2016                           Accepted: 28/03/2016

Abstract

The efficiency of 7 nematofagous fungi (Trichoderma harzianum, Monacrosporium eudermatum Strain 2024 (recently Arthrobotrys eudermatum), Arthrobotrys conoides Strain 2022, A. candida Strain 2012, Paecilomyces lilacinus Strain 14052 (recently Purpureocillium lilacinum), P. variotii Strain I and P. variotii Strain II) were evaluated against root-knot nematode M. incognita (race 3) on cotton plants (variety Aleppo 33) in pots under field conditions during 2012 at Hama Scientific Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR/Syria. The use of tested fungi reduced the number of egg masses on cotton roots, number of larvae in the soil, nematode reproduction rate, and improved cotton plants growth indicators comparing with the control plants (P≤0.05). The fungus A. conoides was the most efficient one in reducing the number of root gall (57%), while Paecilomyces fungi reduced significantly the egg hatching rates which ranged 13.2-18.2% comparing with the control that inoculated only with the nematode (63.5%), with no significant differences among them. Also, results showed significant differences with the relative efficiency rates for the two fungi (P.lilacinus and P. variotii Strain I), and nematicide Mocap (Ethoprop) in the reducing egg mass rates (52.3, 62.1, and 93.1, respectively). The effect of the fungus M. eudermatumwas was not only in the parasitism on the vermiform stages, but also it reduced the eggs average inside egg masses (455.8 egg\egg mass), similarly to the effect of nematicide Mocap (Ethoprop) treatment alone (203.7 egg\egg mass).

Key words: Cotton, Nematofagous Fungi, Meloidogyne incognita.

Full paper in Arabic: Efficiency Evaluation of Some Nematophagous Fungi Against Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Cotton Plants in Syria

Efficiency of Some Biotical-Fungi against Parasitic Nematode on Peanut Rhizosphere

Sobhya Al-Arabi*(1) Maymouna Al masri(1) Rabieaa Al baka(1) Faysal Al  Farawati(1) and Mazen Albasaleh(1)

(1). Plant Protection Research Administration, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.                                                 (*Corresponding author: Eng. Sobhya Al-Arabi. E-Mail: sobhia_alarabi@hotmail.com).

Received: 15/11/ 2015                           Accepted: 01/01/ 2016

Abstract

Efficiency of some biotical-fungi (Fusarium moniliform, Trichoderma harzianum, Pacilomyces lilacinus, Gliocladium virens and nematicide Fenamiphos EC 40% (0.7 ml/l) were evaluated to reduce the density of parasitic nematode of peanut plants rhizosphere in Hama (Dimo) and Latakia (Eidiya) governorates, Syria, during 2011. Results showed that all tested biotical-fungi were efficient to control the parasitic nematode; they contributed in the growth of peanut plants and increased their productivity by 55% in comparison with control plants. An obvious effect of the application time of these fungi was recorded; the treatment at planting time was superior significantly with 97 to 100% compared with the treatment in the midseason after 70 days of planting of 52.7 to 74%. Meanwhile, no significant differences were recorded when these fungi were applied in two different regions (central and coastal) to decrease population of the parasitic nematode of peanut.

Keywords: Biotical-fungi, Fenamiphos, Fusarium moniliform, Pacilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum, Gliocladium virens, peanut, Syria.

Full paper in Arabi: Efficiency of Some Biotical-Fungi against Parasitic Nematode on Peanut Rhizosphere

Study Population Dynamic of Citrus Rust Mite Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophidae), and Test the Effect of Some Acaricides for Control and Record New Natural Enemy in Syrian Coast

Rafeek Abboud*(1)  Majeda Mofleh(1) Raeed Sbaih(1) and Mohamad Ahmad(2)

(1). Agriculture Research Center in Lattakia, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research, (GCSAR), Lattakia, Syria.
(2).Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

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

Abstract

Citrus Rust Mite (CRM) continues to be a major pest on citrus in the Syrian coast, and other regions of the world. This study aimed to monitor the densities of CRM population dynamic, and survey its natural enemies and study the effect of some acaricides for control CRM on Valencia trees in the Syrian coast. The experiment was conducted in Vlencia trees field in Ciano Research Station, Latakia Agricultural Research Center, Syria. Four acaricides treatments (Fenbutatin-oxid 550 sc, Fenbutatin-oxid 500sc, sulfur 80% and Abamectin 1.8) according to the recommended rates were used, with four replicates per treatment and two trees per replicate, and untreated one as control. The percentage of rusting on fruit surface was estimated. A sample of 20 fruits of each tree was taken to count the mobile stages of CRM using manual microscope (20x) on an area of 1 cm2 of each fruit. Also the natural enemies of CRM were detected. The mobile stages of CRM appeared in mid of July 2013, but in 2014 the appearance was late until mid of august, because of that the Population densities of CRM were lower in 2014 than 2013. This study recorded a new predator belongs to Cecidomyiidae, which feeding on CRM. Densities of CRM decreased significantly in all treatments with acaricides after one week of application during the two seasons. The maximum densities of CRM were achieved in the control treatment after two and five weeks in 2013 and 2014 respectively. In terms of number of the mobile stages of CRM after three weeks of acaricised application, no significant differences were noticed between the treated plots with acaricides, but they differed significantly with the control. Fenbutatin-oxid recorded the lowest number of damaged fruits in 2013, but in 2014 no damaged fruits were recorded in all acaricide treatments, damage in the control treatment. The results shows that all the tested acaricides were affective for controlling CRM on citrus when the application is at early time.

Keywords: Citrus rust mite, Natural enemies, Acaricides.

Full paper in Arabic: دراسة تغيرات كثافة مجتمع حلم صدأ الحمضيات  واختبار مجموعة من المبيدات في مكافحته وتسجيل عدو حيوي جديد له في الساحل السوري

Molecular Study of Pear Psylla Cacopsylla spp. (Psyllidae:  Hemiptera) in Middle and Southern Regions of Syria

Bassam Oudeh*(1)  Wajih Kassis (2) and Randa Abu-Tara (3)

(1). Mokhtaria Research Station, Agricultural Scientific Research Center at Homs, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Homs, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(3). Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Bassam Oudeh. E-Mail: B_oudeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 01/02/ 2015                                     Accepted: 31/07/ 2015

Abstract

Molecular study of pear psylla Cacopsylla spp. (Psylldae: Hemiptera) was carried out in the biotechnology laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University during the growing season 2013/ 2014. Samples were collected from four governorates located in middle and southern regions of Syria: Homs (Mokhtaria Research Station and Al- Rastan), Hama (Tezeen), Damascus rural (Al-Zabadany) and Al-Sweida (Al-Sweida Research Center). The results showed that genetic differences of pear psylla by using ISSR with 19 primers, only 12 primers were succeeded in amplifying the male ́s DNA of pear psylla. The total number of bands was 70, only 64 bands were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphism between males was (93.06%), males of pear psylla of Damascus rural and Al-Sweida were the most closer (86.12%), the cluster analysis separated the males of  Hama in an independent first group, and the second was separated into two sub clusters, males of Al-Rastan and Mokhtaria Research Station were included in the first sub clusters,  males of Damascus rural and Al-Sweida were included in the second. Only 15 primers were succeeded in amplifying the female ́s DNA of pear psylla. The total number of bands were 70, only 61 bands were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphism between females was (74.49%), females of Al-Rastan and Hama were the most closer (77.22%), the cluster analysis separated the females of  Damascus rural in an independent first group, and the second group was separated into two sub clusters, females of Al-Sweida were included in the first sub clusters, and females of other regions were included in the second, as a conclusion, males and females of pear psylla were separated according to geographical distribution and species.

Key words: Pear psylla, Cacopsylla spp., Molecular study, ISSR , Syria

Full paper in Arabic:

 دراسة جزيئية لحشرات بسيلا الأجاص (Cacopsylla spp. (Psyllidae: Hemiptera في المنطقتين الوسطى والجنوبية من سورية