Category Archives: v7n1 February 2020

Evaluation of Land Suitability for the Cultivation in A Chosen Area in Al-Hasaka Using GIS and LAMIS Program

Rukea El-Hassan*(1) Othman Hamal(2) and Younes Idris(3)          

(1). Natural Resources Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.        
(2). Department of Soil and Land Reclamation, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Euphrates, Der Ezzor, Syria.       

(3). General organization of Remote Sensing, Damascus. Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Rukea El-Hassan. E-Mail: rukeaalhasn@gmail.com).

Received: 02/05/2019                                Accepted: 01/10/2019

Abstract

This research was conducted at a selective area in Al Hasaka Governorate (Wadi Khribet Al Maliha) to evaluate the profitability of its lands to be grown and determine the optimum land use of it. A geo-pedological soil survey was initiated, and 10 soil profiles representing the physiographic units in the study area were collected for some chemical and physical properties analysis. Land evaluation was achieved using LAMIS (Land Management Information System) program under ArcView 3x platform. Evaluation was done by applying map-algebra on both crops’ requirements with parametric conditions of lands and climate characteristics. The results of the evaluation showed that 23.28 % of studied area had good suitability S1, 73.02% had moderate suitability S2, because of simple limitations (CaSo4, and active depth), and 3.62% had limited suitability because of moderate limitations (CaSo4, and frost).

Key words: Land suitability evaluation, LAMIS program, Geographic Information System, AL- Hasaka.

Full Paper in Arabic: Word

Height–Diameter Models of Pinus brutia Ten. at the Coastal Mountains of Al-Ghab in Syria

Somar Khalil(1) Ali Thabeet*(1) and Wadie khoury(1)

(1). Department of Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Thabeet. E-Mail: alithabt@yahoo.fr).

Received: 24/11/2018                                Accepted: 03/01/2019

Abstract

This article included testing the height curves using some statistical parameters i.e., absolute mean of model error, relative mean of model error %, absolute standard deviation of the mean model error, model accuracy, model accuracy % and coefficient of determination R2, to select the best model to estimate the height of Pinus brutia at the coastal mountains of Al Ghab in Syria, depending on one easy variable, which was the diameter of breast height. The objective of the study was to study height–diameter relationship as well as to obtain useful data in forest management. Ten height curve models were tested viz. Michailoff, Parabel, Prodan, Petterson, Korsun, Logarithmic, Pretzsch, Freese and Schreuder. The data of 104 trees was divided to estimate model parameters (71 trees) and the data for evaluation the models (33 trees). The results of model’s efficiency showed the adoption of the logarithmic model. This model had a high R-squared (R2 = 93.38%), and the values of average model error value of 0.06, model accuracy of 0.792, model error % was 0.589 and standard deviation of model error was 0.529.

Keywords: Pinus brutia, Height curves, Growth modelling, Syria.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Trends of Daily Temperature Extremes in the Coastal Region of Syria, 1986–2016

Heven Bouzo (1) and Taher Cheikho*(1)

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

 (*Corresponding author: Dr. Taher Cheikho. E-mail: taher.cheikho@yahoo.fr).

Received: 20/10/2019                                Accepted: 07/12/2019

Abstract

Climate change and its potential consequences are one of the major challenges facing human development in the 21st century and one of the most important environmental issues related to human life, prosperity and security. This study examined the trends in thirteen annual extreme indices of temperature over the period 1986-2016 at Lattakia and Safita in the Syrian coastal region. Analysis of annual time series trends of temperature indices using linear regression test and Man- Kendall test revealed that the coastal region is warming. Clear and significant increasing trends were found at both stations in the annual number of summer days and tropical nights, the annual average of maximum and minimum daily temperatures, warm days and warm nights and diurnal temperature range, and insignificant increasing trend in temperature of the hottest days. Clear and significant increasing trend was also found in the temperature of the warmest nights at Lattakia station. In contrast, clear significant decreasing trends were detected in the cool days and the cool nights, and insignificant decreasing trends in the temperature of the coldest nights. The temperature of the coldest days witnessed an insignificant decreasing trend at Lattakia station and an increasing trend at Safita station. Comparing the trends observed in the Syrian coast region suggests that, in general, the Lattakia station closer to the Mediterranean Sea warmed at a greater rate than Safita mountain station.    

Key words: Climate extreme indices, Daily temperature, Trends, Lattakia, Safita.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Studying the Dendrometric Characteristics of the Forest Stands in the Protected Area of Cedar and Fire in Slenfeh – Syria

Abeer Ibrahem*(1) and Samaher Damserko(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Abeer Ibrahem. E-Mail: ink_abeer@yahoo.com).

Received: 07/10/2018                                Accepted: 16/01/2019

Abstract

The research aimed to study the structure of the current forest stands at the Cedrus libani A. Richard natural forest on the eastern aspect of the coastal mountain range in Slenfeh, Syria. 48 samples were selected with an area of ​​100 m2. The dendrometric characteristics of forest stands (density, diameter, basal area and crown coverage) were identified in the selected samples. The forest measurements were compared using Wallis-Kruskal Test (KW) at 5 % level of significance using SPSS. The results showed that the forest stands were characterized by a high diversity of composition and structure. The Cedrus libani  was the dominant forest species, although its distributed is non homogeneously, in addition to another group of forest species which were Juniperus drupacea Labill., Quercus infectoria Oliv., Ostrya carpinifolia Scop., Quercus libani Oliv., Quercus cerris L. subsp. pseudocerris (Boiss.) Chalabi, Quercus brantii Lind., Fraxinus orunus L., and finally Quercus calliprinos Weeb. The Cedrus libani  was superior to other forest species in all its forest characteristics, while its juveniles declined in their forest characteristics against many other forest species.

Key Words: Forest structure, Dendrometric characteristics, Cedrus libani, Slenfeh, Syria.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Specific Composition of Fauna Fishes in the Lower Part of Alkabir Alshimali River (Latakia)

Issa Barakat*(1) Adeeb Saad(2) Abd Allatif Ali(3) and Taher Sheikho(1)

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

(2). Basic Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Syria.

(3). General Organization of Fishery, Jeblaeh, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Issa Barakat. E-Mail: issabarakat93@gmail.com).

Received: 12/02/2019                                Accepted: 25/03/2019

Abstract

The current research was carried out during the period July 2017 to June 2018 with the aim of determining the specific composition on the fauna of fishes at the lower part of Alkabir Alshimali River. Fish samples were collected from three locations, viz. Lake Aldamat, Industrial Zone and the Estuary area. The results showed the presence of twelve species of bony fish, where Cyprinidae was ranked first in terms of numerical abundance, with a ratio of 38.57% of the total catch during the study period, while Clariidae was the least abundant, which accounted 4.52% of the total catch. The species Planiliza abu was the most abundant species where it accounted 20.56% of the total catch, but Anguilla anguilla was the least abundant species with 4.21% of the total catch. The results also showed some differences in the species of fish that were named and classified in the current study from previous studies.

Keywords: Fauna of fish, Alkabir Alshimali River, Species structure.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Irrigation Scheduling of Maize Crop Under Different Levels of Sprinkler Irrigation and the Correlation with Some Productivity Traits

Ali Kinjo(1) Jamil Abbas(1) Rabee Zaina(2) andNeveen Hassoun*(1)

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

(2). Latakia Research Center, General Authority for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Neveen Hassoun. E.Mail: nevenhassoon80@gmail.com).

Received: 14/05/2019                                Accepted: 04/07/2019

Abstract

The research was conducted at Sit Kheris Agricultural Station in Latakia Agriculture Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) in Syria, during the season 2018. The maize variety (Gasper) was used. Three levels of irrigation were applied (70, 80 and 90%) of the total water requirements of plant in addition to the control (100%). The experiment was executed according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCED) with three replicates. Evapotranspiration values (ETo) were calculated by (Eto calculator ) program and the evaporation values of Class A Basin which were periodically taken in order to study the efficiency of water use efficiency, water  consumption and scheduling crop irrigation, in addition to the study of correlation and regression of productivity, and the most important components of maize variety under the conditions of the Syrian coast. The results showed a positive and strong correlation between ETo values ​​calculated using ETo calculator program and evaporation ETo values that were calculated by Class A basin (r = 0.975). The largest quantity of the total consumption of water was at flowering stage where it ranged between 619.92 m3/ha at the level of (70%) to 885.69 m3/ha at (100%), while the lowest was at the seedling stage where it ranged between 103.32 m3/ha at the level of (70%) to 147.69 m3/ha at (100%). The results also showed that there was a positive correlation between the productivity of the individual plant with the weight of 100 grains (r = 0.963 **) and moderate positive correlation with single leaf area (r=0.605), leaf area (r=0.603*), harvesting index (r = 0.537), and ear length (r = 0.489). The regression showed that applied irrigation program can increase the weight of 100 grains which will lead to an increase in the individual productivity of plant by 92%.

Key words: Irrigation scheduling, Evapotranspiration, Maize, Correlation coefficient, Regression coefficient.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Effectiveness of Kaolin, Silica and Zeolite Dusts Against Cowpea Beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) Under Laboratory Conditions

Ziad Chikh-Khamis(1) Ebraheem Al-Jouri*(2) and Rehab Esber(1)

(1). Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Engineering Faculty, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria.

(2)  . Insect Research Department, Plant Protection Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ebraheem Al-Jouri. E-mail: e-jouri@gcsar.gov.com and ejouri73@gmail.com).

Received: 13/08/2018                                Accepted: 30/01/2019

Abstract

Three types of inert dusts i.e. Kaolin, Silica and Zeolite, was tested against cowpea seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera, Bruchidae) adults at five concentrations viz. 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 g/kg cowpea seeds. The study was carried out at Biotechnology Research Center, Al-baath University.  mortality rates were calculated after 72 hours and effectiveness to reduce loss of seed weight damage rate and the reduction of adult emergence were calculated. The results showed the effectiveness of three dusts in increasing mortality rates with superiority to Kaolin which increased by 85.49% and with significant deference P≥0.01 compared to both dusts Silica 81.72% and Zeolite 82.93%, and the effectiveness increased with increasing the concentration. The maximum value was 85.58% at a concentration of 80 g/kg and the lowest value was 76.36% at a concentration of 5 g/kg. The relationship was positive between increasing concentration and increasing effectiveness of dusts in reducing seed loss, damage ratio and adult emergence, where the effectiveness at a concentration of 5 g/kg were 88.11, 88.59 and 89.07% respectively, and the effectiveness increased at a concentration of 80 g/kg were 98.54 and 98.14 and 98.28% respectively. Kaolin dust was superior over Silica and Zeolite where Kaolin effectiveness in reducing weight loss, damage and adult emergence were 99.71, 99.70 and 99.77%, respectively, while it was 87.06, 87.76 and 86.56%, respectively in case of Zeolite. The results of the study showed that Kaolin dust is the most effectiveness compared to Silca and Zeolite against Cowpea seed beetle.

Keywords: Kaolin, Silica, Zeolite, Cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Spot Diseases Survey on Barley in North Eastern of Syria and Evaluation the Response of Some Varieties Against Spot Blotch

Alan Remo*(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Alan Remo. E-Mail: alanremo123@hotmail.com).

Received: 16/10/2018                                Accepted: 24/02/2019

Abstract

Barley is an important crop in Syria, many fungal pathogens caused barley foliage diseases. So this study aimed to survey the main diseases in the region, identify the most frequent pathogenic fungi, and evaluate reaction of some released varieties of barley against Helminthosporium sativum at two stages, the first was at both tilling and extension, while the second was at the extension stage only, therefore, barley fields in the North Eastern Syria were  surveyed during the two growing seasons 2013 and 2014. The results showed spread some barley diseases such as Helminthosporium sativum, Alternaria alternate and Rhynchosporium secalis, in the region, and the most frequent pathogen was Helminthosporium sativum. Arabi Aswad variety was the most susceptible variety to H. sativum, while Furat 2, Furat 3 and “Furat 6” were the most resistant/tolerance at tiller stage, and Furat 7 was the most susceptible, while, Furat 2 and Furat 6 were the most resistant/tolerances cultivars in the extension stage.

Keywords: Syria, Barley, Leaf necrosis, Helminthosporium sativum.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Influence of Plant Density and cucumber mosaic virus Infection on the Productivity Traits of Beans Vicia faba L.

Yousef Mohamad(1) Emad Daoud Ismail(2) and Khaled Farid Al-Janad*(1)

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

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

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Khaled Farid Al-Janad. E-Mail: kh33j55@gmail.com).

Received: 06/12/2018                                Accepted: 16/02/2019

Abstract

The research was carried out during 2017/2018 growing season at Buqa Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Tishreen University in Lattakia, to study the effect of plant density and infection with mosaic cucumber virus on the productivity of beans (Vicia faba L.). The local bean variety was used with three plant densities (5, 10 and 20 plants/m2). Virus infection was made when the length of the plant reached 15 cm. The design of the experiment was carried out according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the arrange of split plot with three replicates. The treatments of infection were distributed to the main plots while the sub plots included the density treatments. Results showed that the plant density of (5 plants/m 2) surpassed the plant densities of (10, 20 plants/m2) in number of branches per plant and fresh green weight of the plant at pods formation stage and the number of pods per plant. The plant density of (20 Plants/m 2) surpassed the other densities (5 and10 plants/m2) in seed yield and weight of 100 seeds, and the height of the plant. The infected plants (E0) when planted at high density (20 plant/m2) had the highest seed yield and weight of 100 seeds. The infection with mosaic virus did not affect the height of the plant, and the healthy plants (E1) were superior to infected plants (E0) in all studied traits (The plant height had declined by 10.23- 12.17% and fresh green weigh for each plant by 0.76- 1.77% and the number of pods per plant had declined by 14.08- 31.76 % and  the seed yield by 13.80 – 19.84 % and weight of 100 seeds by 1.77-5.50 % in the infected plants by mosaic cucumber virus compared to the healthy plants )  

Key words: Normal bean, Plant density, Mosaic virus option, Productivity characteristics.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Host Susceptibility of Some Eggplant Cultivars Planting in Syria to Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Maimounh Almasri *(1) Sobhia Alarabi(1) and Roudaina Albaka(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Maimounh Almasri. E-Mail: dr.maymonh-almasri@hotmail.com).

Received: 29/09/2018                                Accepted: 19/01/2019

Abstract

Six eggplant cultivars (Ramses, Rayan, Yakut, Black beaty, Aydin siyoahi and Toros) were evaluated for their host suitability to Meloidogyne incognita in a completely randomized design experiment, with five replicates, for tow growing seasons 2015 and 2016 in outdoor pot experiments at the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria. 40 days after planting, seedlings were inoculated with 5,000 eggs and freshly hatched J2 /plant of M. incognita. Results showed that all cultivars were damaged by root-knot nematode infection (Gall index=5) and were supportive for nematode reproduction (RF> 1), ranging from susceptible to highly susceptible to the M. incognita. Cultivar Toros was the most supportive for multiplication of nematodes (RF = 4.7; 198.6 egg bags / 1 g root), while Aydin siyoahi was the lowest (RF = 1.3; 198.6 egg bags / 1 g root). A positive correlation was noticed between the nematode reproduction factor and both the number of root gall and egg masses/root (r = 0.55 and 0.99, respectively). There was also a significant decrease in plant height and vegetative weight compared to the control.

Key words:  Cultivar, Eggplant, Reproduction factor, Gall index, Meloidogyne incognita.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF