Category Archives: v6n4December 2019

Determination of the Optimal Sowing Date of Quinoa [Chenopodium quinoa Willd] in Some Syrian Areas

Saud Shehab*(1) Thamer Alhenish(1) Attalla Algareeb(1) Weal Melly(2) Ahmed Ez Aldeen(2) Ahmed Al Ali(2) Abd AL Nasser Alomar(2) Ryad Baleesh(1) and Mohamed Ali(1)

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

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Saud Shehab. E-Mail: saudshehab@gmail.com).

Received: 22/07/2018                                Accepted: 14/11/2018

Abstract

Experiments were carried out at Qarahta Research Station and Hama Research Center during the growing seasons 2016 and 2017. Four varieties were studied and three sowing dates, in order to identify the optimal planting date (1st February, 15th February and 15th March) and the best variety (NSL-106398, AMS-13923, AMS-13761 and Zeer) in terms of yield. The Results of compound analysis of flowering days showed significant differences (P≤0.05) between locations, planting dates and varieties. The earliest was Qarahta location, third sowing date and Zeer variety (75, 59, 72 days) respectively, the same differences obtained for physiological maturity on third sowing date (114 days) and Zeer variety (120 days). The plant height had significant differences between locations and varieties where the highest values were for Hama location (157 cm), second sowing date (149 cm) and AMS-137161variety (168 cm). The heads number per plant showed significant differences for location, sowing dates and varieties and the highest values were for Qarahta location, first sowing date and AMS-13923 variety (8, 9, 9 heads) respectively. The grain yield showed significant differences, the highest grain yield was in Hama (3.510 t/ha), first sowing date (2.980 t/ha) and Zeer variety (3.620 t/ha). Zeer and NSL-106398 varieties and early sowing dates from 1st to15th February are recommended to plant in Syria.

Key words: Quinoa, Sowing dates, Morphological characteristics, Quinoa yield.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Study of Genetic Diversity and Correlation of some Important Traits of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.( Genotypes Using Diversity Array Technology Markers (DArT)

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

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

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

(3). International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India.

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

Received: 13/11/2018                                Accepted: 02/12/2018

Abstract

The research was conducted in corporation between Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University and General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) and International Center for Agricultural Researches in Dry Area ICARDA at three locations: Tal Hadya, Homeimeh and Breda during two seasons 2008/2009 and 2099/2010. RCBD was used with three replications. The study aimed to estimate the genetic diversity in barley using 43 collected genotypes from seven different geographical regions in the world to be used in the breeding programs. In addition, to study the association between markers with grain yield and plant height and some root traits in barley seedlings under controlling conditions to determine assisted markers for selection this trait in dry areas. 70 DArT markers (Diversity Array Technology) were used in the DNA analysis, and 139 alleles were detected in the whole collection. The number of alleles detected per locus varied from zero to 2, with an average of 1.99 alleles per locus. The genetic diversity GD values ranged between zero and 0.5, with an average of 0.366, while the Polymorphism Information Content PIC values ranged between zero and 0.488 with average of 0.358. The high level of genetic diversity and the absence of genetic similarity among genotypes indicated high genetic variability levels within barley collection. The results indicated that the collection regions had high genetic diversity of barley genotypes. Moreover, there is a positive association between molecular markers and barley traits, as 27 markers were associated with the traits in whole barley genome.

Key words: Barley, Genetic diversity, Molecular markers, DArT, Association analysis.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

The Role of Drip Irrigation and Mulch on Changing Soil Moisture and Salinity and its Effect on Cotton Yield

Galia Abdel Majeed(1) Abdel Naser Aldarir(2) Ahmad Shams Aldien Shaaban(3) and Abdallah AL Yosef*(4)

(1). Research Center of AL-Haskeh, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Department of Rural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(3). Department of Biotechnologies Engineering, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(4). Research Center of Aleppo, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(* Corresponding author: Dr. Addullah Al-Youssef, Email: dr.abdalyoussef@gmail.com).

Received: 12/11/2018                                Accepted: 16/12/2018

Abstract

Drip irrigation and mulch is the best methods for increasing in cotton yield. A field experiment was implemented at the Research Station of AL-Hasaka governorate through 2011/2012, using randomized complete block design containing three levels of irrigation: the first treatment (A) was to irrigate 100% of water requirement, when the soil moisture went down to 80% of field capacity, with  sufficient quantity of water to raise the soil moisture to field capacity, and the second  treatment  (B) was irrigated at the same time of (A) treatment, but with 75% of the quantity of A, and the third treatment (C) was also at the same irrigation time, but with half the quantity of (A). Four methods of covering was adopted; drip irrigation without mulching, drip irrigation with white, black plastic film and straw cover as Mulch, with three replicates. The goal of the research was studying the effect of mulch on soil moisture and salinity of the soil profile of cotton, the distance was 35 cm, 17.5 cm, under the drop pipe and its effects on production. The results showed that in mulch condition the soil moisture did not differ all over the pipe, contrary to drip irrigation without mulching treatment in which the soil moisture was higher under drop pipe particularly, while the soil moisture decreased whenever the distance went away from the pipe. Salinity of soil rised whenever soil moisture decreased. Concentration of soil salinity increased in upper section (0-30 cm) in low irrigation treatment (C) and drip irrigation without mulching treatment compared with mulching treatment. So, the production varied between 1019-7081 kg/ha for straw mulch under 50% moisture and white mulch with 100% moisture respectively.

Keywords: Drip irrigation, Salinity, Plastic mulch, Deficit irrigation, Soil moisture, Cotton.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Effect of Herbicides on Some Characteristic of Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Ammar J. Al-Khaz’ali *(1) Reasan K. Shati (2) Maha N. Kadom (1) and Khudeir A. Salman(1)

(1). Projects and Stations Management Department, Office of Agriculture Research, MOA, Baghdad, Iraq.

(2). Faculty of Agriculture University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ammar J. Al-Khaz’ali. E-Mail: a_ammarjassim@yahoo.co.uk).

Received: 24/07/2019                                Accepted: 06/11/2019

Abstract

A field trial was conducted of Abu-Ghraib Research Station, Agriculture Research Office Research during the spring and fall times of 2016, to study the effect of new herbicides (60gm.h-1 Arrow, 600 cm3.h-1 Crew, 2000 cm3.h-1 Guradian and 2000 cm3.h-1 Proponit) on the performance of seven maize cultivars (Fajer 1, Baghdad 3, 5018, Al-Maha, Talar, Sara and Buhuth 106). The experiment was accomplished using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split plot arrangement. The Guradian treatment gave the highest value of Leaf Area Index (LAI) 2.18 and 2.35 at both seasons respectively, while the weedy treatment gave the lowest values (1.49 and 1.58) respectively. Crew treatment gave superior value of Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) 6.96 gm.m-2.day-1 at spring season, while Proponit treatment gave superior value at fall season 6.88 gm. m-2.day-1. The weed -free treatment gave superior value of grain yield and biological yield at both seasons 3.840, 4.866 and 17.99, 20.57 ton.ha-1, while Arrow treatment gave high value of harvesting index at both seasons 22.28% and 22.24 % respectively. The treatment weed-free with Buhuth106 gave superior value of grain 4.179 and 5.817 ton.ha-1 at both seasons respectively. While weedy treatment with Talar gave lowest value of grain yield in spring season was 1.449 and with Al-Maha in fall season 1.921 ton.ha-1. It can be concluded from this study that using good cultivars of highly competitive with the absence or reduction of weeds competition by using herbicides, it could lead to improve some growth index for maize and thus increase yield.

Key words:  Weeds, Zea mays, Cultivars, Herbicides.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Determination of Some Selection Indices in Wild Chickpea

Ghada Ahmad*(1) Maysoun Saleh(1) and Yousef Wjhani(1)

(1). Genetic Resources Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Ghada Ahmad. E-Mail:  ghadaahmad245@gmail.com).

Received: 01/10/2018                                Accepted: 21/11/2018

Abstract

16 genotypes belong to eight wild annual genotypes of chickpea which represented the common species in west Asia and north Africa were planted in Dara’a Research Centre (Ezra Station), General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Researche (GCSAR) in addition to local chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during 2011/2012 season in Randomized Complete Block Design RCBD with three replications, in order to study the correlation between studied traits and to determine selection indices for chickpea grain yield via path analysis to figure out direct and indirect effects and to define their contribution% in grain yield. The studied traits were (days to maturity, flower peduncle height, plant height, pod number per plant, first pod height, grain number per plant, hundred grain weight and grain yield per plant). Results showed that grain yield had a positive significant correlation with each of pod number and grain number per plant and hundred grain weight (0.615**, 0.633**, 0.606**) respectively, and with flower peduncle height (0.514*), and had negative correlation with days to maturity (-0.412*). Results of path coefficient analysis showed that all studied traits contributed  in grain yield in a rate of 65.2%, and the direct effect for each of pod number per plant and hundred grain weight on grain yield were high and positive (0.8066, 0.5122) respectively, while high but negative for each of days to maturity and grain number per plant and medium and negative for the first pod height and low and negative for flower peduncle height (-0.1709). Results showed also that pod number per plant had  the highest contribution in grain yield as a direct effect 65.07)) %, followed by the indirect and cooperate effect of number pod per plant and hundred grain weight (39.38) % then the direct effect of hundred grain weight (26.23) %, so they could be considered as selection indices for grain yield in chickpea.

Key words: Contribution%, Correlation, Path coefficient, Grain yield, Wild chickpea.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

The Effect of Planting Date on the Productivity Traits of Some Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. saccharata. sturt) Varieties

Loubna Nasr Haidar*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Loubna Nasr Haidar. E-Mail: lubnanaser82@gmail.com).

Received: 01/01/2018                                Accepted: 20/07/2018

Abstract

The present research is carried out at the Farms of Agricultural Secondary School in AL Salamieh city, Hama Governorate, Syria, during the season 2015 to evaluate the productivity of three sweet corn varieties; one was local variety, Faihaa1; and two Ukrainian varieties; Randevo F1 and Snekofa Karaliva F1 under the effect of different planting dates (1st and 15th April) in order to determine the best variety and the most suitable planting date in spring season. The results showed that the grain yield and yield components of Faihaa1 variety were higher than that of Randevo and Snekofa Karaliva in the first planting date (1st April). The increase of grain yield recorded were (3.38-2.86-ton/ha), and fresh ears yield with husks recorded were (1.88-0.58-ton/ha) respectively. Also, the results showed that there was significant increase in number of ears per plant, number of grains per ear and ear grain weight of Faihaa 1 variety compared to Randevo F1 and Snekofa Karaliva F1. And grain yield and yield components of Faihaa 1 were higher than Randevo F1 and Snekofa Karaliva F1. The highest grain yield was at the beginning of April for all varieties, and the fresh grain yield recorded was (9.01) ton/ha. The fresh grain yield and other productivity characters decreased on mid-April for all varieties. The results showed that there was significant increase in the productivity characters in Faihaa 1when it was planted at the beginning of April.

Key words: Sweet corn, Varieties, Planting dates. Productivity traits.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Estimation of Heterosis and Combining Ability For the yield Components in Single Crosses of Corn (Zea mays L.)

Haitham A. Sattar Saeid*(1) Azeez H. Majeed(1) and Aziz S. Shallal(1)

(1). Breeding and development Plant Center, Agricultural Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Haitham A. Sattar Saied. E-Mail: abd.hethem@yahoo.com).

Received: 19/09/2019                                Accepted: 20/11/2019

Abstract

The study used half diallel cross among six inbred lines of maize namely (1) DP198, (2) WA245, (3) HK258, (4) SA266, (5) AH401 and (6) IK58 were used. The seeds of inbred lines and its single cross hybrids were grown in an experiment using randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replicates at a field of Research Center of Plant Breeding Improvement (AL-Latefea Station(, during fall season of 2017 to evaluate the hybrids and to estimate heterosis and their general and specific combining ability. The studied characters were; days number to silking and tasseling 75%, plant height, ear diameter and length, number of rows per ear, number of grains per ear, 300 – kernel weight, yield per plant and protein and oil percentages. Some hybrids showed significant heterosis for most studied traits, for the single cross (1× 5) it reached (3.3) for days number of tasseling, and (127.7) for yield per plant. The squares mean of general and specific combining abilities at 0.01 level were highly significant for all traits except protein percentage, which did not appear a significance for general combining ability. Parents differed in their general combining ability effects, the results showed that the parent (6) had positive significant effects for most of the studied traits. So, the two lines (1 and 5) could be used in single hybrid production with desired traits, thereby using hybrid breeding.

Key words: Diallel cross, Single crosses, Heterosis, Combining ability.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Estimating of Genetic Parameters of Some Important Traits in Interspecific Hybrids of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf)

Yaman Jabbour*(1) Mohammad Shafik Hakim(1) Filippo M Bassi(2), Abdallah Al-Yossef (3) Maysoun M. Saleh(4) and Ahmad Shams Al-Dien Shaaban(5)

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

(2). International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria.

(3). Aleppo Agricultural Centre, General commission for scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(4). Genetic Resources Department, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(5) Dept. Of Biotech Engineering, Faculty of Technological Engineering, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Yaman Jabbour. E-Mail: yaman.jab@gmail.com).

Received: 13/10/2018                                Accepted: 22/11/2018

Abstract

The study was carried out during two seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 at Scientific Agriculture Research Center in Aleppo, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Syria to estimate narrow and board sense heritability, additive and dominance variances, dominance degree, expected genetic advance, genotypic and phenotypic correlations and path analysis between grain yield and study traits in interspecific hybrids of durum wheat. Nine parents were planted in the first season 2016/2017 in AL-Sofera location, five of them were primitive wheat (2 genotypes of T.dicoccum, 2 genotypes of T.carthlicum and one genotype of T.polonicum) which were used as male parents, while three cultivated varieties beside one line from ICARDA were used as female parents. North Carokina II design was used for crossing to produce 20 crosses groups (5×4). The genotypes were planted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications in Hemaima Station. Data was collected for phenological traits (No. of days to heading, No. of days to physiological maturity and grain filling period), morphological traits (plant height, spike length, peduncle length and awns length), and yield components (1000-kernels weight, number of grains per spike and grain weight/spike). The results showed significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits, additive gene action controlled all traits, the genes that controlled all traits showed partial dominance, board sense heritability was high for all traits, whereas the heritability in narrow sense was high for most of the traits except peduncle length, and awns length were mid. A high value for expected genetic advance associated with high narrow sense heritability were recorded for plant height, spike length, grain filling period, grain weight/spike, and thousand kernels weight. A positive high significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations was recorded between grain yield with (thousand kernels weight, number of grains per spike, grain weight/spike and awns length) whereas that correlation was negative and high significant with No. of days to heading. The grain weight/spike was the most studied trait that contribute in grain yield with positive direct effect (0.74) followed by awns length with positive direct effect (0.34), then number of days to heading with negative direct effect (-0.33) and finally, thousand kernels weight with positive direct effect (0.17), as for indirect effect the number of grains per spike was the most studied traits that contribute in grain yield (0.63) followed by thousand kernels weight (0.55) through the grain weight/spike. This study confirmed the importance of each (grain weight/spike, thousand kernels weight, awns length and early heading) as selection criterion for development drought tolerance genotypes.

Key words: Genetic parameters, Interspecific hybrids, North Carolina II, Durum wheat.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Evaluation Some Agronomic Traits in Some Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Genotypes

Yousef Wjhani*(1) and Maysoun Saleh(1) and Nader Alkarki(2)

(1). Genetic Resources Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Dara’a Agricultural Centre, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Yousef Wjhani. E-Mail: yowj2015@hotmail.com).

Received: 03/10/2018                                Accepted: 19/12/2018

Abstract

Thirteen local and entries tetraploid genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) were planted at Izra’a Station (Dar’a Centre), General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, during three seasons (2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016) under rainfed conditions, in addition to the local variety Sham3 as a check in a Randomized Complete Block Design RCBD with three replications. The studied traits were (days to maturity, plant height, spike number per plant, spike length, weight of grain per spike, weight of thousand grains and individual plant grain yield) in order to evaluate the variance between genotypes and seasons and the interaction between them, and to define the superior genotypes to provide them to the breeding programs. Results showed that the genotype wheat1527 was significantly superior in spike length, grain weight per spike, thousand grains weight, and individual plant grain in a rate of 36.92, 32.10, 21.43 and 36.47% respectively, compared to the check variety Sham3. Results also showed that the genotype wheat 1471 was significantly superior in spike number in a rate of 23.07% comparing to the check Sham3 as the number of spikes in plant was (10.67, 8.67) for each of them respectively. Each of plant grain yield, spike length, spike number per plant and days to maturity were all significantly superior during the season 2016 comparing to both seasons 2014 and 2015.

Key words: Genotypes, Durum wheat, Grain yield.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Ability of Natural Zeolite Ore to Bind Cadmium from Aqueous Solutions

Batool Salameh*(1) and Leila Habib(1)

  (1). Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*corresponding author: Eng: Batool Salameh. E-Mail: batoolzaka@gmail.com).

Received: 02/02/2018                                Accepted: 19/06/2018

Abstract

The objective of this study was first characterization of natural zeolite ore by the use of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and to study the ability of natural zeolite ore to bind Cadmium from aqueous solutions. Adsorption factors such as zeolite particles size, initial Cd concentration, shaking time, solution:zeolite ratio and pH were studied. Adsorption isotherms constructed then by the use of batch adsorption experiments. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to discuss adsorption data. XRD results showed that Analcime and Phillipsite are the main zeolitic minerals, and it contained non zeolitic minerals such as quartz, calcite and smectite minerals. Natural zeolite ore had high ability to remove cadmium from water solutions, and had 28 mg.g-1 as maximum adsorption capacity. Adsorption increased with increasing initial cadmium concentration, shaking time and initial pH degree. The pH 4-6 showed best range for adsorption. Adsorption is not affected by zeolite particle size and solution:zeolite ratio. This study was conducted at Soil Chemistry Laboratory during 2016/2017 except XRD which was conducted at the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria.

Key word: Zeolite ore, X Ray Diffraction, Adsorption, Cadmium.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF