Category Archives: v6n2-2019

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.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Morphological Characterization of Some Carob Certaonia siliqua L. Genotypes Naturally Dispersed in Al-Bassit Area (Latakia -Syria)

Samer Nasser*(1) Talal Ameen(1) and Hafez Mahfoud(2)

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

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Samer Nasser. E-Mail: samer.na30@yahoo.com).

Received: 04/11/2018                                Accepted: 25/02/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted on 27 species of Ceratonia siliqua L. in the years 2014 and 2015 in the northwestern region of Latakia Governorate, which is considered one of the most important natural spread areas in Syria, in order to survay its spread and characterization morphologically to develop a classification key. The carob genotypes were surveyed in four locations (Daqaqa, Wadi Qandil, Um Al-Toyoor, and Al-Basset), and characterized morphologically based on 21 characteristics of the vegetative, syphilis, fruit and seed parts. The variation of the fruit tree was only 56%, and the cultivars were divided into three independent groups, compared to 53%, which were obtained by the analysis of the studied traits which were divided into five groups. The classification keys and morphological identity were obtained for the carob genotypes in the studied area. T8 genotype in Um Al-Toyoor location was superior in its fruits characters compared with the other genotypes.

Key words: Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), Classification key, Morphological genotype, Cluster analysis.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

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.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

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

A Survey of Barley Spot Diseases in North East of Syria and Evaluation the Sensitivity of Some Barley Varieties to Tan Spot Disease

Alan Ramo*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Alan Ramo. E-mail: alanremo123@hotmail.com).

Received: 29/03/2018                                Accepted: 05/10/2018

Abstract

This study aimed to conduct field survey of spot diseases of barley grown in zone1 and zone2 in the north eastern part of Syria in 2016 and 2017. Ten local varieties of barley were tested against tan spot (Helminthosporium tritici-repentis) disease under laboratory conditions. The plants were infested in two stages, the first was in tillering and booting stages, while the second was only in booting stage. Results of field survey showed that barley was infected with spot diseases caused by Helminthosporium tritici-repentis, Helminthosporium sativum, Alternaria alternate and Rhynchosporium secalis, the first species (H.tritici-repentis) was the most commonly distributed with rates reached  64.17% and 63.63% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The distribution of the second species (H.sativum) were  25.37% and 24.54% respectively. The third species (A.alternata) distribution were 5.97% and 4.54% respectively, while the fourth species (R. secalis) distribution rates were 4.47% and 7.27% in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Results also showed that “Arabi Aswad” variety was the most sensitive cultivar, while the varieties “Furat 2”, “Furat 3” and “Furat 6” were the most resistant at tillering stage, whereas at booting stage “Furat 7” was the most sensitive cultivar, and “Furat 2” and “Furat 6” were the most resistant cultivars. Values of ratio and severity of infection were less when the plants infected in booting stage comparing to its values at the same stage when the plants were infected in both tillering and booting stages.

Keywords: Field survey, Tan spot, Fungal spots, Helminthosporium tritici-repentis.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

The Effect of Biological Control of Two Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae Koch by Using the Predatory Mite Phytoseiulus Persimilis Athias-Henroit on Growth and Productivity of Some Climbing Beans Cultivars

Riad Tofik Zidan(1) Mohammad Ahmad  Ahmad(2) and Alisar Nadim Shaabow*(1)

(1). Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

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

(*Corresponding author:  Eng. Alisar Shaabow. E-Mail: alisar.nadeem@yahoo.com).

Received: 19/11/2018                                Accepted: 19/12/2018

Abstract

The study was carried out at a greenhouse in latakia center for rearing natural enemies during 2017 and 2018, in order to study the effect of  the biological control of the two spotted spider mites Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)  by using the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henroit (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on growth and productivity of five cultivars of climbing beans: Kentucky wonder white, Blue lake, Fatima, Purple Queen, and Zilioni Gigant. The results showed that releasing the predatory mite increased leaf area to 10294 cm2 compared with the prey treatment 5983 cm2, the net assimilation rate increased from 0.15 to 0.36 mg/cm2/day, and the productivity increased from 0.27 kg/m2 to 1.25 kg/m2, for both prey and predator treatments respectively. The results also showed that Kentucky Wonder White cultivar had the highest leaf area (9499 cm2) and productivity (1.18 kg/m2) with the existence of the predator.

Key words: Climbing bean, growth, Biological control, Tetranychus urticae Koc, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henroit.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Preliminary Study of Decay and Death Phenomenon in Kiwi Trees in the Syrian Coast

Abd Alrahman Khafta*(1)

(1). Plant Protection Department, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abd Alrahman Khafta. E-Mail: dr.khafateh54@yahoo.com).

Received: 02/10/2018                                Accepted: 02/11/2018

Abstract

Several years ago, in the Syrian coastal orchards, the phenomenon of the decline and death of kiwi trees was observed. This problem was addressed by several visits during the year 2017 to three Kiwi orchards in Harisoun, Qardaha and Burj Islam, in order to identify the problem and identify the cause/causes of the decline and death of kiwi trees. The results indicated that the incidence of the deterioration and death of kiwi trees reached 7% in the orchard in Harisoun. Several of pests associated with the phenomenon were isolated and identified as three genera of nematodes i.e. Meloidogyne sp., Tylenchus sp. and Pratylenchus sp. The fungi Fusarium solani, Verticillium albo- atrum, Fomitiporia mediterranea and the bacteria cancer Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae were isolated too.

Keyword: Kiwi trees, Meloidogyne sp., Tylenchus sp., Pratylenchus sp., Fusarium solani, Verticillium albo- atrum, Fomitiporia mediterranea, Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF