Tag Archives: Syria

New Records of Three Larval Species of Erythraeidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) in a Citrus Orchard in Latakia, Syria

Ziad Barbar*(1)

 (1). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ziad Barbar. E-Mail: ziadbarbar89@yahoo.com).

Received: 04/11/2017                              Accepted: 14/12/2017

Abstract

Most larvae of Erythraeidae are considered as parasites of various insect species, and their adults seem to be effective generalist predators of several agricultural pests. Studies of this fauna is limited in Syria. The present study aimed to identify mite species of Erythraeidae in a pesticide-free citrus orchard in Latakia governorate/Syria. Surveys were carried out three times in 2016 and 2017. Three Erythraeid species were collected, and all belong to the genus Erythraeus: Erythraeus (Erythraeus) phalangoides, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) adanaensis and Erythraeus (Zaracarus) didonae. This is the first report of these species in Syria. Morphological remarks of each species were collected and provided.

Keywords: Acari, Erythraeidae, Erythraeus, larva, Syria.

Full paper in English: PDF

Applying  ARIMA Models for Forecasting the Production of Cotton Crop in Syria

Salwa Almohammad(1) Ibtessam Jasem*(2) and Mai Lubboss(1)

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

(2). Cotton Crop Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Correspoding author: Dr. Ibtessam Jasem. E-Mail: e_sam_0@hotmail.com).

Received: 31/12/2016                           Accepted: 25/01/2017

Abstract

Prediction acquired a great importance in economic studies, that made the decision-makers draw economic and social policies for future, depending on the available data of the phenomenon history. Many economic prediction methods were used as Autoregressive Integrated Moving Averages (ARIMA). This model is a mixture of autoregressive technique and moving averages. The objective of this research is to use ARIMA models for predicting production area and productivity of cotton crop in Syria, and at the level of the major producing provinces (Al Hasakah, Aleppo, Rakka and Al-Ghab), because of their high accuracy in time series analysis and prediction. Annual data of the production area and productivity of irrigated cotton crop during the period (1985-2012) was used. The results revealed that ARIMA model (1.0.0) is the most appropriate one for predicting the production area and productivity of cotton in Syria up till 2020 according to the statistical tests of the accuracy of predictive models. The results suggested an increase in area and productivity for the next eight years with an annual growth rate higher than the annual growth rate for the studied period (1985-2012), where the annual growth rates of the area and production were (0.48% and 0.30%), respectively.

Keywords: ARIMA models, Cotton , Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

First Record of Labidostomis diversifrons Lefevre Beetle on Pistachio Trees in Syria

Mazen Bofaur*(1) and Rami Bohamdan(1)

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

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mazen Bofaur. E-Mail: mazenaudy@yahoo.com).

Received: 26/02/2017                                 Accepted: 14/09/2017

Abstract

Field survey has been conducted on a few orchards of pistachio vera in Sweida Governorate, Syria. The results of survey showed an expansion of new insect species for the first time in Syria, the leaf beetle Labidostomis diversifrons Lefevre, 1876 (Chrysomelidae; Coleoptera) which has been recorded on the trees of pistachio vera. The species classified depending on morphological features of entire insects, which caused direct injury to the leaves, and made the trees weakness and leafless. Different recourses have been observed for feeding, the beetle feeds on grasses such as: Lactuca virosa and Polygonum arenastrum.

Keywords: Labidostomis diversifrons L., pistachio vera, beetle, morphological features, Lactuca virosa, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS ON PUPA VITALITY OF MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH EPHESTIA KUEHNIELLA (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

Mohammad Al-Allan*(1) Adel Almanofi(1) Nouredeen Zaher Hjej(1) Gaidaa Al Ameer(2)

(1). Department of Entomology, Administration of Plant Protection, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2) Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Administration of Horticulture Research, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Al Allan. E-Mail: allanmhd@gmail.com).

Received: 09/07/2016                       Accepted: 10/10/2016

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the laboratory conditions at General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Damascus, Syria, in 2013, to test the effect of some plants oils i.e., mustard Sinapis arvensis, Camphor Cinnamomum camphora, Peppermint Mentha varidis, Cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum, clove Syzygium aromaticum, and ginger Zingiber officinale on Pupa vitality of Mediterranean Flour Moth Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Ten 10 virgins of Mediterranean flour moth were placed in a Petri dish, and a piece of cotton wet with 0.1 ml of one of the tested oils, with three replicates. Petri dishes left under laboratory room conditions until the emergence of adult insects, then the rate of dead larvae and the effectiveness of oils used were calculated. The results showed that the mortality rate of virgins was higher when using mustard oil followed by Camphor, Peppermint with no significant differences (p≤0.01) (26.67, 23.33, 20% respectively), while there were no significant differences among each of cinnamon, clove, ginger and control (6.67, 6.67, 3.33, 6.67%, respectively). It was noticed that there were no significant differences between peppermint, cinnamon, clove and control, whereas the differences were significant between mustard and camphor, and cinnamon, clove, ginger and control with the superiority of mustard and camphor oils. In respect of the effectiveness, mustard had the highest value (21.43%), followed by camphor and peppermint, but cinnamon and clove had no effectiveness. Ginger oil had a negative effectiveness, because it enhanced the activity of the pupa. The study recommends to use mustered oil as the best treatment to control the Pupa vitality of Mediterranean Flour Moth.

Key words: Essential oils, Mediterranean flour moth, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Taxonomic Study of Genus Atriplex spp. in Syrian Flora

Taxonomic Study of Genus Atriplex spp. in Syrian Flora

Basem Al Samman*(1) Abdullah Abo-Zakham(2) and Yousef Wejhani(1)

(1). Genetic Resources Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Renewable Natural Resources and Ecology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Basem Al Samman. Email: basemhsam1@yahoo.com).

Received: 24/05/2016                           Accepted: 10/08/2016

Abstract

In the course of an ongoing taxonomic study on the genus Atriplex, an extensive field trips has been carried out in Syria during the period 2009-2012. Eleven Atriplex species spread in 10 sites related to the Syrian governorates of Daraa, Hama, Homs, Deir Azzour, Hasaka, Aleppo and Lattakia were used in the study. These are: A.halimus, A.leucoclada, A.canescens, A.lentiformis, A.polycarpa, A.nummularia, A.glauca, A.hortensis, A.lindleyi, A.portulacoides,and A.hastata. As a result, a classification key was deduced according to more than 25 characterization indicators.

Key words: Flora, Atriplex L., Taxonomy, Characterization indicator, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: Taxonomic Study of Genus Atriplex spp. in Syrian Flora

Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

Abdullatif Al Ghazzawi*(1) Mahmoud Abu Ghoura(2) Nabeel Al Ahmad Bek(1) and Raghda Al Baghdadi(1)

(1). Plant Protection Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Eng. Abdullatif Al Ghazawi. E-Mail: Ghazawi11@gmail.com).

Received: 13/12/2015                           Accepted: 28/04/2016

Abstract

Tomato stem pith necrosis disease which is caused by Pseudomonas corrugata Roberts & Scarlettis is one of the most important diseases infecting tomatoes which grown in the greenhouses that spreaded in the Syrian coast region. 40 isolates of P. corrugata were collected from Tartous and Latakia governorates, and their ability of infection, and virulence were evaluated. The most three virulent isolates (G12.1, G14.3 and G35) were chosen to test their infection ability on ten tomato hybrids which most grown in the greenhouses, depending on their susceptibility scale from 0 to 3. The tested isolates were varied in their virulence in Tartous and Latakia, and within the same governorate. Some isolates from Tartous (G35, G14.3 and G12.1) were superior in their ability of infection compared with the rest of isolates collected from both governorates against the plants of the hybrid Code 80 F1, the values of infection were 4.9, 4.7 and 4.4, respectively. Meanwhile, both Tartous isolate 107.1 and Latakia isolate 121.1 were in the last order in their ability of infection. The results showed also that all ten tested tomato hybrids were infected by the bacteria under the artificial inoculation conditions with variable degrees. The hybrid Saida was the highest susceptible with an average of infection 6.61 and the lowest was hybrid Sidra with an average of infection 2.31. The tested hybrids were divided according to the infection scale to high infected, moderate infected, and partially tolerant and tolerant.

Key words: Pith necrosis, Pseudomonas corrugata, Syria, Tomato hybrids.

Full paper in Arabic: Evaluation of the Susceptibility of some Tomato Hybrids used in Greenhouses of Syrian Coast Against Bacterial Stem Pith Necrosis Disease

Efficiency of Some Biotical-Fungi against Parasitic Nematode on Peanut Rhizosphere

Sobhya Al-Arabi*(1) Maymouna Al masri(1) Rabieaa Al baka(1) Faysal Al  Farawati(1) and Mazen Albasaleh(1)

(1). Plant Protection Research Administration, General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.                                                 (*Corresponding author: Eng. Sobhya Al-Arabi. E-Mail: sobhia_alarabi@hotmail.com).

Received: 15/11/ 2015                           Accepted: 01/01/ 2016

Abstract

Efficiency of some biotical-fungi (Fusarium moniliform, Trichoderma harzianum, Pacilomyces lilacinus, Gliocladium virens and nematicide Fenamiphos EC 40% (0.7 ml/l) were evaluated to reduce the density of parasitic nematode of peanut plants rhizosphere in Hama (Dimo) and Latakia (Eidiya) governorates, Syria, during 2011. Results showed that all tested biotical-fungi were efficient to control the parasitic nematode; they contributed in the growth of peanut plants and increased their productivity by 55% in comparison with control plants. An obvious effect of the application time of these fungi was recorded; the treatment at planting time was superior significantly with 97 to 100% compared with the treatment in the midseason after 70 days of planting of 52.7 to 74%. Meanwhile, no significant differences were recorded when these fungi were applied in two different regions (central and coastal) to decrease population of the parasitic nematode of peanut.

Keywords: Biotical-fungi, Fenamiphos, Fusarium moniliform, Pacilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum, Gliocladium virens, peanut, Syria.

Full paper in Arabi: Efficiency of Some Biotical-Fungi against Parasitic Nematode on Peanut Rhizosphere

Fodder Beet (Beta Vulgaris var. crassa Mansf) Varieties Response to Harvest Dates under North East Conditions of Syria

Entessar Al-Jbawi*(1), Hussien Al Nazal(2) and Hussien Al Zubi(1)

(1). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus. Syria.
(2). Agricultural Research Centre in Al Raqqa, (GCSAR), Al Raqqa. Syria.

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

Received: 24/03/2016                                      Accepted: 04/04/2016

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted in AL Raqqa Agricultural Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Al Raqqa/Syria, during 2011/2012 season to investigate the response of two fodder beet varieties i.e Vermon, and Jamon, to three harvest dates (10 April, 25 April, and 10 May). Split plot design was used with three replicates. The statistical analysis exhibited no significant effect of harvesting dates (H), and varieties (V), on all the studied traits, but the difference between varieties were significant in terms of sucrose % (p≤0.05). It was notably that expanding harvest period leads to an introduction in most of studied traits. The results showed that Vermon surpassed Jamon (p≤0.05), in terms of sucrose% (27.3%). The percentage of variance confirmed that the most effective factor for the all studied traits was the harvest date, followed by the varieties, except for sucrose %, which varieties had the main and significant effect. It could be concluded that harvest date could be prolonged one month after it sown on 10th September, and used Vermon variety to get more sugar content in roots.

Keywords: Fodder beet, Harvest date, Yield and yield components, Syria.

full paper: Fodder Beet (Beta Vulgaris var. crassa Mansf) Varieties Response to Harvest Dates under North East Conditions of Syria.

Monitoring Changes in Vegetation cover in Agriculture Stability Zones of Syria Using Time Series NDVI/MODIS During 2000-2012

Eyad Alkhaled*(1) and Rada Kassouha(1)

(1). General Organization of Remote Sensing (GORS), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Eyad Al Khaled. E-Mail: eyadalkhaled@gmail.com).

Received: 27/07/ 2015                                     Accepted: 07/09/ 2015

Abstract

Drought is a natural phenomenon that decreases plants biomass, which can be monitored using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The study aimed to monitor the periodical and spatial changes of plant cover, and drought in Agriculture Stability Zones (ASZ) in Syria, using NDVI/MODIS images, and link them with the rainfall data during 2001- 2012. The results showed that the lowest NDVI values were recorded for zones 1 to 5; the averages during 2008 were 0.412, 0.259, 0.172, 0.131, and 0.109 respectively. The year 2008 was considered the most drought year during the studied period. On the other hand, the year 2003 was considered the least drought year during the same period. The averages of NDVI of the five zones were 0.55, 0.49, 0.37, 0.28, and 0.18 respectively. Al thought there was a high significant correlation (r=0.89*) between rainfall and NDVI during the studied period. The output maps of MODIS using NDVI for the studied period, which is classified to 13 classes, showed that the largest area was for zone 1 of the classes 7, 8, 9, and 10, and the NDVI values ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 which representing rain fed and irrigated crops, and a specific percentage of the horticulture. Zone2 was included in the classes 6,7, and 8 for the NDVI values that ranged from 0.2 to 0.5, which representing grass and rain fed crops, but zones 3 and 4 were included in the classes 5,6, and 7 for the NDVI values that ranged from 0.1 to 0.4, which representing low cover with grass and rain fed crops, finally Zone 5 was included in two classes; 4, and 5 which were dominant and representing low and semi grass cover, with an area about 91.3% of zone 5.

Key words: NDVI, Agricultural stability zones, Biomass, MODIS, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:

مراقبة التغيرات في الغطاء النباتي في مناطق الاستقرار الزراعي لسورية باستخدام القرينة النباتية NDVI من معطيات MODIS للسلسة الزمنية 2000-2012

Economics of Wheat Production in the Work Area of the Project of Enhancing Food Security in Arab Countries/Syria

Abdullah Al-Youssef*(1) Ahmad Shams AldienShaaban(2) Ahmad Haj Suliman(1) Ahmed Mazid(3) Yasmeen Naal(1) and Salim Khoja(1)

 (1). Agriculture Research Center in Aleppo, General Communion for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Aleppo, Syria.
(2). Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.
(3). International Center of Agriculture Research in Dry Areas – ICARDA.

(* Corresponding author: Dr. Addullah Al-Youssef . Mobile: 0947273130.
Email: dr.abdalyoussef@gmail.com)

Received: 13/08/ 2015                                     Accepted: 16/09/ 2015

Abstract

The aim of this research is to estimate the technical efficiency levels, wheat production, and cost functions in the work area of “Enhancing Food Security in Arab Countries/Syria” Project. The research was conducted at Al-Bab region depending on 123 Questionnaires. The results revealed that variable costs represented about 67.49% and 65.45% of the total costs for both irrigated and rainfed wheat, respectively. The variable costs are also responsible for the variation the irrigated wheat yield by about 73.7% according to the stochastic frontier production function. The technical efficiency was (92.7%) for irrigated wheat and (79.7%) for rainfed wheat. In general, the technical efficiency of the sample was high, and this is an indication of the experience of the farmers in growing wheat crop. According to the estimates of cost functions, the optimum production accompanied with the lowest costs was 6946.4 kg/ha for irrigated wheat and 2422.2 kg/ha for rainfed wheat.

Key Words: Technical efficiency, Stochastic frontier analysis, Variable cost, Cost functions, Wheat, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:اقتصاديات إنتاج القمح في منطقة عمل مشروع تعزيز الأمن الغذائي في الأقطار العربية/سورية