Effect of planting dates and morphological characters on the resistance of maize to the large corn stalk borer (Sesamia cretica)

Nadine Asaad^1*, Reem Ali¹, Ghassan Naaseh¹, Rehab Hamdan¹, Abo Al alaa Zarka¹, Dema Darwish¹, Amal abo Khroob¹, Hadi Naser alaah¹, and Reem Mansour¹

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

(*Corresponding author: Nadine Asaad, Email: Nadineasaad20@gmail.com)

Received: 27/ 2/ 2025 Accepted: 6/ 7/ 2025

Abstract

The research was carried out at the Lattakia Research Center (Sianow) of General commission for Scientific Agricultural Research at Lattakia. during two growing seasons 2021-2022, to study. The effect of four planting dates (1April – 15 April – 1 May – 15May) on yield traits and related traits to borer of sweet corn (Faihaa 1). the experiment was designed according to the Completely Randomized Design (C. R.D) with three replications. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the second date was significantly to the rest of the dates in terms of early maturity and yield traits such as ear length and 100 kernel weight, with an increase percentage of (2.85%, 2.81%) respectively, on the rest of the planting dates. The second date also excelled in traits related to resistance borer, such as stem diameter and the length of the internode basal ring (LIBR), with an increase rate of (0.61%, 0.31%) respectively, over the rest of the dates. It also had the lowest percentage of the percentage of dead hearts, intensity of damage and the percentage of lost at this the planting date, while there were no significant differences between the four dates, in number of holes, and the results showed that the second date (April 15) significant in the productivity traits and escape from infection by maize stalk borer Sesamia cretica, of sweet corn (Faihaa 1), in the Syrian coast’ conditions. The result of the correlation coefficient showed that there is significant positive relationship between grain yield and some yield components while foe the traits which related to borer, there is significant an inverse correlation between the grain yield t and LIBR. There is significant positive relationship between, grain yield and diameter stalk.

Keywords: sesame, triple superphosphate, zinc sulfate, protein, oil.

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Genetic Criteria for Some Productivity Traits of Cotton Genotypes

Manal Madarati^1* and Ahmed Aljouma²

¹Aleppo Research Center, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, Syria.

²Cotton Research Administration, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Manal Madarati, Email: manalmadarati7@gmail.com ).

Received: 12/ 1/ 2025 Accepted: 29/ 9/ 2025

Abstract:

The experiment was conducted at Tal Hadya station in Aleppo, Cotton Research Department, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Center during 2022 season. Fifteen genotypes were used RCBD design with three replications to study the heterosis, inbreeding depression in F2, heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance. The results showed the high heterosis was followed by low genetic inbreeding depression in the hybrid (Line5 × Deir Al-Zour 22) for the number of actual bolls and boll weight which referred to the additive effect of genes in heritage these two objectives. Estimation of heterosis showed significant value in f1 in the hybrid (Raqqa 5 × Fantom) excelled f2 which indicated to transgressive segregation. The results showed high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for first sympodial branch height and boll weight. This clearly indicated the existence of additive genetic control. These characters could well be improved by selection.

Keywords: cotton, heterosis, inbreeding depression, heritability, genetic advance, genotypes.

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The effect of phosphorus fertilization and zinc spraying on some quality traits of sesame plant (Sesamum indicum L.)

Faten Samir Airangy1*, Saleh Kbaili1 and Abdelaziz Bouaissa2

¹Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

²Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Faten Airangy, Email: faten.airagy@gmail.com, Tel: 0941524880).

Received: 23/ 4/ 2025 Accepted: 21/ 7/ 2025

Abstract

The research was carried out in Al-Drouqiat village, Lattakia Governorate, Lattakia University for the year 2023-2024 to study some qualitative characteristics of sesame plants and oil production under the influence of five levels of phosphate fertilization (0, 40, 60, 80, 100) kg of triple superphosphate fertilizer TSP containing 46% of phosphorus pentoxide P2O5, and four concentrations of zinc spraying (0, 30, 60, 90) mg of zinc sulfate fertilizer Zn2SO4. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized complete block design with a single split plot arrangement and three replicates. The main plots included phosphate fertilization, while the secondary plots included zinc spraying. The results showed that the phosphate fertilization level of 100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/ha significantly outperformed all other fertilization levels, and the control had the highest mean for the trait he percentage of oil (52.07%), protein (23.13%), and ash (3.80%) in the seeds, and the highest oil yield was recorded at the level of 100 kg P2O5/ha (653.46 kg/ha), while the control achieved the highest average for the characteristics of carbohydrate percentage (12.29%), moisture (7.17%), and fiber (15.48%). The zinc spray concentration of 60 mg Zn2SO4/L gave the highest average of oil percentage (49.36%), protein (22.11%), and ash (3.78%) in the seeds, while the concentration of 90 mg Zn2SO4/L gave the highest oil yield (514.80 kg/ha). In contrast, the control achieved the highest average of carbohydrate percentage (10.80%), moisture (7.25%), and fiber (13.08%) in the seeds. The interaction (100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/h × 60 mg Zn2SO4/L) achieved a significant superiority with the highest value for the oil percentage trait (53.76%), protein (24.05%), and ash (3.90%) over all other interactions. The interaction (100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/h × 90 mg Zn2SO4/L) gave the highest value for the oil yield trait (715.55 kg/h), and there were no significant differences between it and the interaction (100 kg TSP 46% P2O5/h × 60 mg Zn2SO4/L) regarding the oil yield trait.

Keywords: sesame, triple superphosphate, zinc sulfate, protein, oil.

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Calculating the averages of certain root traits and Yield characteristics and the correlation between them for varieties and single-cross hybrids of barely under dough stress

Saleh Saleh*^1, M. Shafik Hakim¹, and Abdullah Al-Yousef²

1Dept. of Field Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Aleppo, Aleppo,Syria.
2 Aleppo Center of Scientific Agriculture Research, Aleppo, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Saleh Saleh,Email: salehalsaleh989@gmail.com,Mob. 0938386194.)

Received: 2/ 06/ 2025 Accepted: 5/ 07/ 2025

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Hmeimeh Research Station, affiliated with the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Aleppo, over two growing seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021). Four barley single-cross hybrids and their parental lines were sown in three rows each on December 11, 2019, with the aim of producing seeds of the parental genotypes and obtaining F2 generation seeds. Backcrosses were also performed between F1 plants and their parents (BC1 with the first parent and BC2 with the second parent). Each row was 3 meters long, with a spacing of 30 cm between rows. In the second season, the parental lines and the plant populations (F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) of each of the four single-cross hybrids were sown on December 9, 2020, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to estimate correlation coefficients, path coefficients, and the relative importance of traits contributing to yield in the populations of the following four barley hybrids: (Arabi Aswad × Furat 3), (Arizona × Alanda-01), (Arabi Abyad × Avit), and(Rihan-03×Alanda-01). Grain yield showed a positive and significant phenotypic correlation with the number of productive tillers per plant(r=0.27), grain weight per spike(r =0.72), and number of grains per spike(r=0.81). Genotypic ally, it was positively and significantly correlated with the number of grains per spike(r=1) and grain weight per spike (r =1). Among the studied traits, the number of grains per spike (9.6380 had the highest direct positive contribution to yield, followed by the number of productive tillers per plant (4.452), which contributed indirectly through grain weight per spike (8.255) and thousand grain weight (1.543) in the four studied hybrids.

Keywords: Barley, Correlation Coefficient, Path Analysis, Dry Conditions, Relative Importance.

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The Effect of Na cl Stress and Treatment with Silver Nanoparticle on proline acid content in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Raneem Melhem*¹ , Lina Al-Naddaf ² and Ali Ziak ³

¹General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Homs Research Center, Syria

² University of Homs, Homs, Syria.

³ General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Hama Research Center, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Raneem Melhem. E-Mial: Raneem.melhem.9933@gmail.com).

Received: 22/ 07/ 2025 Accepted: 29/ 09/ 2025

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Homs Research Center. General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, and the Biotechnology Center at the University of Homs, to study the response of some physiological traits of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) to irrigation with solutions prepared from two concentrations of sodium chloride (4 and 6 mmos/cm), in addition to a control irrigated with fresh water. The seeds were also soaked in four concentrations of bio-prepared silver nanoparticles by adding aqueous leaf extract (1 and 3 cm³) to silver nitrate (10 and 20 cm³) alternately to obtain concentrations (1:10, 1:20, 3:10, and 3:20). Fenugreek seeds were soaked in these concentrations for a 15 minutes and planted in pots. The experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design with three replicates. The results showed a significant effect of increasing salinity concentrations on decreasing the relative water content and dry weight of the plant compared to the control irrigated with fresh water. Treatment with silver nanoparticles improved the values of these two indicators, and the 3:10 concentration (nanosilver:olive leaf extract) achieving the best values. Meanwhile, proline values increased with increasing saline concentration, and the 6 mmos/cm concentration recording the highest proline content in the leaves. Proline concentration also increased when the olive leaf aqueous extract concentration increased from 1 to 3 cm³, while proline content decreased when the silver nitrate concentration increased from 10 to 20 cm³for all treatments. The study concluded that when fenugreek is grown in saline conditions or when irrigation water sources are saline, the technique of soaking bio-prepared silver nanoparticles in olive leaf extract at a concentration of 3:10 for a 15 minutes before planting can be applied.

Keywords: Salt stress, silver nanoparticles, physiological characteristics Fenugreek.

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The Effect of Water Stress on the Most Important Economic Traits of Two Genotypes Oilseed Sunflower

Divana Youssef^*1

¹Department of Crops, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Lattakia, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Divana Youssef. E-Mail: Divanayousseef@gmail.com ).

Received: 28/ 06/ 2025 Accepted: 7/ 09/ 2025

Abstract:

The research was conducted in the Damsarkho area of Latakia Governorate, during the 2024 season. The research included two genetically derived sunflower seeds (Model 90 – Municipal variety) obtained from the Crops Department of the General Authority for Agricultural Scientific Research. They are two genetically distinct oil types, with fluctuating productivity. With the aim of searching for genetic models that are most suitable for local environmental conditions, and determining the effect of lack of irrigation water on growth characteristics, seed yield and their components. A factorial experiment was carried out according to the design of complete random sectors with three iterations, and the experiment included four levels of moisture stress: witness treatment, depletion of 25)%) of ready-made water, and other third treatments that represent 50% – 75% – 100% of field capacity during two stages from planting until the formation of the flower bud and from the formation of the flower bud until maturity. The results showed that the greater the water stress, the more the first of the two models entered the flowering and maturity stages compared to the witness. With the Model 90 outperforming the Badi variety under water stress in morphological characteristics (plant height) and all productive characteristics (disc diameter 15.63 cm, number of seeds per disc 1040.1 seeds, weight of 100 seeds 5.16 g, productivity 2.92 tons/e). The lack of morale when irrigating is 100-75% of the field capacity for most morphological and productive characteristics, and thus a large amount of irrigation water necessary to complete the sunflower life cycle can be provided without moral reduction in the value of characteristics, especially productivity. The value of proline also increased when water stress occurred compared to the witness, and the highest was in the municipal variety, 38.65 micromol/g.

Keywords: sunflower, water stress, prolin.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf

Predicting the Quantity of Agricultural Wastes Using WEKA ‎Application

Abdulwahed M. Aboukarima^*(1,2) Samy G. Hemeda⁽²⁾Mohamed S. El– Marazky⁽²⁾ Riham El_Oliemy⁽²⁾and Ibrahim S. Tabash⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Food Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(2). Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Giza, Egypt

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abdulwahed M. Aboukarima. E-Mail: aboukarima@gmail.com)

Received: 29/03/2020 Accepted: 06/06/2020

Abstract

In this study, a comparison was made between data mining tools in WEKA open source computer application to predict the amount of agricultural wastes in Egypt from the year 2006 to 2016. The amount of wastes was calculated according to the method presented in the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD). The results showed that the lowest amount of wastes was 13.57 million tons/year and the largest amount was 17.90 million tons/year. The results revealed that the data mining tool called Decision Table was the best tool for predicting the amount of agricultural wastes. The predicted lowest and the largest means were 2502.17 and 3579.66 thousand tons/year, respectively, while the mean actual value in the test data set was 3300.06 thousand tons/year. The study recommended that adequate attention was directed to forecast agricultural wastes amounts, as these wastes can be managed and utilized in the production of energy, compost or animal feed.

Key words: Machine learning, Agricultural wastes, Modeling, Environment.

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The Effect of Plant Density on the Morphological and ‎Production Traits of Some Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa ‎Willd) Varieties

Entessar Al Jbawi*⁽¹⁾ Manal Othman⁽¹⁾ Doaa Homsi⁽¹⁾ Nahla Al Mahmoud⁽¹⁾ Entessar Hasan⁽¹⁾ Thamer Al Huniesh⁽²⁾ Mu’ad Abdu-Latif Kiyyam⁽³⁾ and Mohammad Ali⁽²⁾

(1). Sugar Beet Research Department, Crops Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Crops Research Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(3). Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University, Jerash, Jordan.

(*corresponding author: Dr. Entessar Al Jbawi. E-Mial:dr.entessara@gmail.com).

Received: 10/03/2020 Accepted: 29/05/2020

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Karahta Agricultural Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), during 2018 season, to study the effect of six plant densities (10, 15 and 20 cm between plants within the row; 30 and 50 cm between rows) and five quinoa varieties i.e Giza, Titicaca, Red Carina, Q26 and NSL-106398) on the morphological and production traits. A factorial trial was executed according to Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results exhibited significant differences between plant densities of all studied traits. In terms of varieties, there were significant differences in plant height (cm), grain yield (Kg/ha) and bio-yield (Kg/ha), where the highest values were achieved at low densities. But there was a significant effect of the interaction between plant densities and varieties on bio-yield. The study recommends to grow quinoa using 100, 133 and 200 thousand plants per hectare, but the distance between should be 50 cm, to get the best morphological and production traits. Also, Red Carina and Titicaca varieties are recommended to be grown to get the highest grain yield (2747 and 2818 Kg/ha) and biological yield (6702 and 6561 Kg/ha) respectively, as compared with the other varieties.

Key words: Quinoa, Plant densities, Varieties.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Combining Ability and Gene Action in Single Crosses of ‎Maize (Zea mays L.) Using (Line×Tester) Method

Reem Saleem Ali^*(1) Samir AL-Ahmad⁽²⁾ Bolous Khoury⁽³⁾

(1). Agricultural Research Center of Lattakia, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

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

(3). Field Crops department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(* Corresponding author: Eng. Reem Ali. E-Mail: reem.s.ali@gmail.com).

Received: 11/03/2019 Accepted: 01/06/2019

Abstract

The present research was conducted at Lattakia Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria, to study combining ability and gene action of ear length (cm), number of rows per ear, number of kernels per row, and grain yield (ton/ha). Thirty crosses produced using Line × Tester method (10 × 3) in 2016 season which were evaluated during 2017 season. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated that non-additive gene action was more important than additive gene action in controlling all traits. The ratios σ²_GCA/σ²_SCA was less than one for all traits. General Combining Ability (GCA) effects showed that the lines (IL.291), (IL.358), and (IL.322) had good general combiners for grain yield. Specific Combining Ability (SCA) effects showed that the crosses (IL.21×IL.155), (IL.21×IL.1), (IL.121×IL.200), (IL.121×IL.322), (IL.121×IL.291) and (IL.197×IL.98) were the best F1 cross combination for grain yield. The Lines showed the highest contribution ratios in variation of grain yield (77.9%), ear length (42.8%) and number of rows per ear (61.8%), while the crosses showed the highest contribution ratios for number of kernels per row (65.9%).

Key words: Maize, Grain yield, Combining ability, Line × tester.

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Selection of Wheat Genotypes of Triticum Durum Desf. ‎Tolerant to Drought under Rainfed Condition Using Carbon ‎Isotope Discrimination Technique‎

Abdulwahid A Saif*⁽¹⁾ Aref alshamiri⁽¹⁾ and Ammar Wahbi⁽²⁾

(1). Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA), Yemen.

(2). Seibersdorf Laboratory, Vienna, Austria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abdulwahid A Saif. E-Mail: amozaid@yahoo.com).

Received: 07/03/2020 Accepted: 20/04/2020

Abstract

Five genotypes of local wheat: var. Alass24 (Shara No. 2, var. Alass25 (Shara No. 154), Advanced line No. 35, Advanced line No. 42, Advanced line No. 12 and the Arabi variety were planted at Bani Matar region, Al-Qalis site in Yemen, between 18-7/24 of the years 2014 and 2015 under rainfed conditions. The results showed a significant variation among genotypes in grain yield, biological yield, weight of 1000 grains, plant height, spike length, number of grains per spike, number of days to maturity, and harvest index. The variety Arabi and the two genotypes., Alass25 (Shara No.154) and Advanced line No.35 attained good yield compared to Alass24 genotype (Shara No.2), and the averages were 2033, 2016, 1965 and 1514 kg/ha respectively. The genotype Alass25 (Shara No.154) gave higher biological yield of 6891 kg/ha, and higher spike length (8.6 cm) with increased seeds number per spike (48.8), while the harvest index was lower (29.3.%), on the other hand Arabi variety gave lower values in terms of biological yield (4914 kg/ ha), length of spike (6.3 cm) and number of seeds per spike (17.4), while the harvest index was the highest (41.4), although both variety/genotype gave high grain yields. A positive correlation was found between grain yield and 1000 kernel weight, while correlation between yield, plant height and number of days to maturity was negative. A 1000 kernel weight positively correlated with both spike length and number of grain per spike. The length of spike was positively correlated with number of seeds per spike and number of days to maturity. Significant differences were found among genotypes for Δ¹³C in grain and Δ¹³C in leaves, the variety Arabic and Alass25 genotype (Shara No.154) attained higher values of Δ¹³C grain and Δ¹³C leaves compared with others, the values were 14.24 and 13.66 for grains and 18.33 and 17.99% for leaves. Both genotypes attained also the highest values of grain yield with highest harvest index. This is as indicator of an effectiveness of Carbon Isotope Discrimination (CID) as an efficient tool selection for high yielding variety combined with drought tolerance for both rainfed system and areas where irrigation water is limited. Grain yield of a variety is an important trait when selection for drought condition is requested, it correlated positively and significantly with number of seeds per spike and biological yield, while it correlated negatively with plant height and number of days to maturity. It was found also a positive correlation with Δ¹³C grain, while correlation was negative with Δ¹³C leaves. This means, breeders can select the genotype that has a higher Δ¹³C grain for drought conditions.

Key words: Δ¹³C, Wheat genotypes, Rainfed condition.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF