Category Archives: Vol 6 N3 2019

The Effect of Organic Chromium Supplementation on Some Productivity Parameters of Japanese Quail

Ahmed Sinan Ahmed Al-Obeidi(1) Ali Mohammed A. Rahim Al-Azzawi*(1) Mohammad Saleh Latif Al-Obaidi(1) Marwan Hashim Hasballah(1) and  Nour Hussein Alwan(1)

(1). Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Diyala University, Republic of Iraq.

(* Corresponding author: Ali Al-Azzawi, Email: Ali1993mu@yahoo.com).

Received: 03/12/2018                                Accepted: 04/07/2019

Abstract

The study was conducted in 2015 at the Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Diyala University in Iraq to determine the effect of adding different concentrations of organic chromium picolinate as additives to Japanese quail diets. 90 birds at age of 14 days and were divided into three groups according to diet (30 birds for each treatment with ten birds for each replicate). First group (T1) were fed without adding chrome (as control), second group (T2) were fed with 250 μg chrome/kg, and third group (T3) were fed with 500 μg chrome/kg.  The feed and water were added freely. Live weight, daily weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion rate were measured weekly. At the end of the study, six birds from each group were slaughtered to calculate the dressing percentage. The difference between live weights was not significant (P≤0.05) except at age of 35 days, where T3 surpassed the control treatment significantly (P≤0.05). No significant effects were observed on the daily weight gain, daily average of feed consumption and feed conversion rate at different weeks, but T3 treatment surpassed the control treatment significantly (P≤0.05) in dressing percentage.

Key words: Japanese quail, Chrome organic, Dressing percentage.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Determination of Genetic Persistency of Milk Production on Shami Goats under Semi-Intensive Rearing System

Hadil Obaid*(1) Kamel Fatal(2) Abd Al-Naser Al-Omar(3) and Emad Al-Masri(4)

(1). Hama Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GSCAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Aleppo Agricultural Research Center, (GSCAR), Damascus, Syria.

(3). Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agricultural, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Hadil Obaid. E-Mail: hadilobaid2017@gmail.com).

Received: 10/02/2018                                Accepted: 04/04/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted on Shami goat herd using milk production seasons during the period (2013-2017) at Hama Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR). A total data of 471 milking records was analyzed to study the genetic persistency of milk production of Shami goats under semi-intensive rearing system, using subtraction between genetic estimation to produce 120 days from genetic estimation to produce first 60 days of milk season.The average of milk production for the first 60 days and 120 days of the milk were (70.61±20.80) and (120.69±0.45) kg respectively. The production of the year had a significant effect on milk production at 60 days, also parity had a significant effect on milk production at 120 days of lactation period (P<0.01). while there were no significant effects of parity and kidding type on milk production at 60 days. Also, no significant effects were noticed for year production and kidding type on milk production at 120 days (P>0.05). Heritability values of milk production at 60 and 120 days were (0.18) and (0.75) respectively. The values of genetic persistence of males at 60 and 120 days reached the peak of (+40.34) and the lowest of (-39.6) kg. So, these estimates can be used to increase the economic return and improve the goat flock for milk persistency. The research concluded the possibility of improving milk persistency genetically for female Shami goat.

Keyword: Genetic persistency, Milk production, Shami goats, Heritability.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Growth and Reproduction of Largemouth Bennini Cyprinion macrostomum in Tigris River, Iraq

Ameer Suood Alwan Hamad*(1) and Nehad Khorsheed Wahab(2)

(1). Department. of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq.

(2). Animal production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tikrit University, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Ameer Suood Alwan Hamad. E-Mail: ameer.suood@yahoo.com).

Received: 02/07/2019                                Accepted: 27/08/2019

Abstract

Growth and reproduction of largemouth Bennini Cyprinion macrostomum was studied in Tigris river in Tikrit region, Iraq, during September 2013 to June 2014. 459 fish were collected, and the total length ranged between 11.8-24.7 cm and their total weight ranged from 19.9 to 184.58 g. The group of length of 14-16 cm accounted the largest percentage 40.52% of total fishing (1549) in September. The value of b=2.99 means that the growth was isometric. The condition factor ranged between 0.73-2.67 with average of 1.22. Condition factor differed according to sex and length. Sex ratio (male: female) tended to female 1:1.57. The highest gonadosomatic index for female was 7.17 and for male was 2.69 in June and the spawning period extended from May and June until August. The smallest length of a mature male reached 13.1 cm and in a mature female was 19.3 cm.

Key words: Growth, Reproduction, Cyprinion macrostomum, Tigris river, Iraq.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Study the Farmer’s Adoption of Agricultural Recommendations Regarding Date Palm in Wadi Al-Jah, Yemen

Ali Hassan Obaid Khalil*(1)

(1). Agricultural Extension and Economic Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ibb University, Yemen.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Hassan Obaid Khalil. E-mail: alikhalil2@gmail.com).

Received: 12/05/2019                                Accepted: 11/06/2019

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of palm date famers in Wadi Al-Jah district in Hodeida Governorate of Yemen, also, to evaluate to which extent the farmers applied the agricultural recommendations in order to increase the palm date production in the studied area. The total number of the respondent was 44 farmers who were selected randomly. A questionnaire was designed in order to fulfil the objectives of the study. The findings of study outlined that 100% farmers were not applying new techniques related to irrigation practices, 100% of them do not know an optimal quantity of irrigation water for the date palm cultivation, 97.3% were not fertilizing their date palm neither bio-fertilizers nor chemical, 80% were not practicing the recommended plant spacing and 85% were not practicing the fruit thinning. Regarding the diseases and pests of the date palm, the study also reported that 77.3% of the respondents indicated that the lesser date moth (Alhumara) was found as the first disease that affected their farms, 52.3 % were affected by the Frond borer. Moreover, the third pest is the Amitermis desertorium which the study indicated that the percentage of the infection was 29.5% of the respondents.  In addition, the study revealed that 100% of farmers were not chemically treating the offshoots before planting.

Keywords: Date palm, Adoption of agricultural recommendations, Yemen.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Analytical Study of the Most Important Factors Affecting Empowerment of Rural Women in Daraa, Syria

Fayez Jadallah Al-Mikdad*(1) Wael Zaki Habeeb(2) and Hani Soleman Al-Hassoun(1)

 (1). Socio Economic Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(2). Latakia Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Correspoding author: Dr. Fayez Jadallah Al-Mikdad. E-Mail: deepmokdad@yahoo.com).

Received: 20/05/2019                                Accepted: 23/06/2019

Abstract

Rural women in Syria, especially those working in agriculture, have low level of access to agricultural productive resources, markets, services and finance, despite their significant contribution to agricultural work. This research aimed to identify the patterns of empowerment of rural women in Daraa Governorate in Syria and the most important factors affecting their empowerment. To achieve this objective, the research depended on data from secondary sources as well as primary data collected through a questionnaire designed to serve research objectives. The research was carried out during 2017 in Daraa Governorate (Izra’a and Al Sanamin regions). The results indicated that 76% of rural women were in the low category of the empowerment scale, with 66% of them were having poor decision-making capacity for agricultural work, 76% were having poor ownership of productive resources and 67% were suffering poor access to extension services and low level of ability to join any organization. The results indicated that 16% of the observed women were at the med level of empowerment whereas only 6% of them were at the high level of empowerment. SOWT analysis noted that women had a high level of experience in agricultural work, but were not qualified enough to manage their own enterprise. Moreover, despite considerable government interest to empower rural women, they still have little access to productive inputs.

Keywords: Empowerment, Rural Women, Social Statistics, SWOT Analysis, Daraa, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Labor Lack and its Implications on Agricultural Production in Tartous Governorate

Leen Almukaddem*(1) Shaza Mayhoob(1) Safaa Ahmad(1) and Faten Edrees(2)

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

(2). Administration of Socio-Economics Research, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Leen Almukaddem. E-Mail: leeno1411@yahoo.com).

Received: 01/09/2018                                Accepted: 15/10/2018

Abstract

The problem of labor scarcity is considered as a major obstacle in the agriculture sector, so this research aimed to study labor shortage, its causes and possible solutions. The study was conducted based on a random sample of 200 farmers distributed in 7 villages in Banias and Akkar Plain areas in Tartous governorate. The study showed that labor scarcity has affected the productivity of crops in almost all studied samples of farmers. The difference in the productivity of tomato crop was 4.8% and it for eggplant it was 6.7%, while the productivity of potato and peanut did not influence. The main reasons for labor scarcity were the high income provided by other non-agricultural businesses such as trade and local free jobs compared to agricultural work, seasonal agricultural work and the internal and external migration of young men. The study also showed that most farmers did not have agricultural machines that could save labor, because of the high cost of using machinery, small ownerships and lack of experience of using these machines. The study suggested that the agricultural extension should be directed toward encouraging farmers to use technologies, improving the level of living for the agricultural workers, by raising wages and establishing updated database including all the information about the agricultural workers, their wages and skills that could help in clarifying the situation of agricultural labor in Syria.

Key words: Human labor, Machinery, Agricultural production, Labor scarcity, Tartous governorates.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Study of Genetic Variability and Traits Correlations in Some Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes under Wet and Dry Conditions in Syria

Abdullatef Ahmad Al-Assaf*(1) Mohammad Shafik Hakim(2) Mohammad Fadi Basmaji(1) and Stefania Grando(3)

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

(2). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(3). International Center of Agricultural Research in Dry Area (ICARDA), Aleppo Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng: Abdullatef Ahmad Al-Assaf. E-Mail: a.alassaf74@gmail.com).

Received: 14/10/2018                                Accepted: 29/11/2018

Abstract

Experiment was conducted out at Tal Hadya and Houmeimeh Stations in Aleppo Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Researche (GCSAR) during 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons. Forty-three barley genotypes were used with three replications under RCBD design. The aim of search was to study phenotypic, genetic and ecological variability, with heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations. Genotypes were evaluated for: plant height, spike length, grain number per spike, thousand kernel weight and grain yield, besides some root traits. The results showed a large variability through studied traits. The genetic and phenotypic variances were larger than ecological variance for most traits. The highest value for heritability was 91.12% for plant high. Under dry conditions, plant growth was significantly decreased as measured by all characters. The percentage of reduction, ranging from 66.96 % to 1.90 % was recorded on grain yield and kernel weight, respectively. The injury index ranging from 2,03 to 0.02 was recorded on grain yield and kernel weight, respectively. The correlation coefficients among characters were nearly the same in the wet and dry experiments. Positive and highly significant correlation (r=0.95**) was found between the percentage of reduction and injury index. Using GGE Biplot the genotypes were arranged in three, clearly separated groups that varied in their tolerance to drought stress. The genotypes: 4, 17, 16, 18 and 28 were tolerant to drought stress.

Key words: Barley, Genotypic variation, Genotypic correlation, Injury index, Drought tolerance.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Using SSM Model to Simulate Growth of Durum Wheat “Cham 7” Under Gradual Levels of Supplemental Irrigation

Ahmad Shams Aldien Shaaban*(1) Ahmad Alhafez(2) Abdullah Al-Yousef(2) and Osama Al-Issa(3)

(1). Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Technical Engineering, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Aleppo Research Center, General Community for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(3). General Organization of Seed Multiplication, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ahmad Shams Aldien Shaaban. E-Mail: Shaabany57@gamail.com).

Received: 08/03/2018                                Accepted: 05/09/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted to compare the effect of supplemental irrigation levels on some productivity traits and water use efficiency of durum wheat variety “Cham 7”, and use SSM simulation model to study the effect of supplemental irrigation scenarios on water consumption and grain yield (GY). For that, the study was carried out in two steps: the first one was a field experiment with completely randomized block design with three replications during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons at Srbaya Research Station. Three treatments of supplemental irrigation were used i.e. 33%, 66% and 95%, in addition to the rainfed treatment as a control. Water balance and water consumption were estimated depended on neutron prop readings. Yield and its components were taken at maturity. The second step was a simulation study using SSM simulation model based on daily climatic data during the period 2001-2011. The irrigation water quantities were added at rain rate at three dates according to results of field experiment. The results of field experiment showed an increase in grain yield of 72% and 59% for each season when using supplemental irrigation at 95% compared with the control. Significant differences were found in grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and weight of thousand grains for the two studied years. In addition, simulation results showed an existence of high significant differences for the studied traits. Positive regression correlation was observed between water use efficiency and GY, and between transpiration efficiency and GY. In addition, results showed that the supplemental irrigation subscribes to increase the grain yield of durum wheat crop in percentages 23.7, 40.7 and 49.2%, with increase of evapotranspiration values in a values of 21.8, 39.3 and 52% for treatments 33%, 66% and 95% respectively compared to the control (rainfed), and the increasing ratio of evaporation did not exceed 7.5% in extremes. When these ratios were transformed on country level, the adding of supplemental irrigation will increase national production of durum wheat about 201, 339 and 407 thousand tons for treatments 33%, 66% and 95% respectively compared with the control (rainfed).

Key Words: Simulation, Supplemental irrigation, Water balance, Evaporation, Transpiration Efficiency, Grain yield, Durum wheat.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Effect of Osmotic Potential Induced by Polyethylene Glycol (PEG6000) on the Germination of Five Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties

Loubana Al-Saleh (1) Bashar Hyass (2) and Fadi Abbas*(3)

(1). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Al Baath University, Homs, Syria.

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Fadi Abbas. E-Mail: fadiab77@gmail.com).

Received: 01/12/2018                                Accepted: 10/01/2019

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in the labs of Chemistry and Petroleum Engineering Faculty at AL-Baath University, Homs, during 2017. PEG6000 was applied to the germination media with low osmotic potentials (OP) i.e. 0, -3 and -6 bar, for screening 5 chickpea varieties under controlled conditions. Complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates was used. The results exhibited a genetic difference between the varieties concerning the response to the application of PEG6000 in the media. The germination percent was decreased with the decline of osmotic potential 0, -3 and -6 bar. The percentages of germination were 100, 93.67 and 70.73 % respectively, as compared with the control. While the speed of germination was 6.70, 4.98 and 2.22 respectively. The length of epicotyl and radicle were estimated in all of tested osmotic potentials, and the results showed that with decreasing the osmotic potential the length decreased, and the decrement in epicotyl was more than radicle. The variety Ghab5 achieved the lowest scores in growth declaim compare to the other varieties. The differences between genotypes in the response to drought stress using PEG6000 during germination, and the z-distribution analysis whish classified the varieties to tolerant and sensitive. Ghab5 and Ghab4 were considered as tolerant genotypes for drought stress, and could be sown successfully under the most drought conditions, compare to other varieties.

Key words: Osmotic potential, Polyethylene Glycol PEG6000, Germination stage, Chickpea.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Determination of Selection Indices in Soybeans (Glycine max L.) Genotypes under the Effect of Water Stress

Mohamad Nael Khattab*(1) Nabil Habib(1) and Sahar Hanifa(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohamad Nael Khattab. E-Mail: aboalabd876@gmail.com).

Received: 02/05/2018                                Accepted: 01/10/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out in the coastal region (Ashrafieh village of Jibla district) and in the laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, during the season 2018 to study the effect of water stress on five soybeans genotypes (Sb335, Sb337, Sb339, Sb342, Sb344), to determine which of them more resistant to drought through productive indicators and their components, and to study the establishment of selectorial indices for production attributes to determine which of them can be considered as criterion for high productivity under water stress conditions. The experiment was carried out according to the split block design with three replicates. The water stress treatments were applicated in the main plots (from the beginning of the flowering stage and the beginning of the fullness of the pods), while the secondary plots included the five soybeans genotypes. Most of the studied traits showed high GCV values and were associated with a high inheritance coefficient indicating that these traits were relatively less affected by the environment. The results showed that water stress caused a significant decrease in productivity and all its studied components compared to normal irrigation treatment (control). Sb 335 genotype had the lowest reduction in all studied indicators, while the genotypes Sb 337 and Sb 344 were the most sensitive to stress. The decrease was due to the effect of water stress on the characteristics of the studied genotypes with the percentage of increase in the proline content. The productivity of seeds was positively and significant correlated with the weight of pods (r = 0.92 **) and the number of seeds per plant (r = 0.94 **). These traits showed high values of GCV, GA% and H2B. This study indicated the possibility of using weight of pods and number of seeds per plant as selectorial criterion to improve seed productivity.

Key words: Soybeans, Water stress, Proline, Genetic variation, Correlation.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF