Tag Archives: Syria

Serological Surveys of Toxoplasmosis in Small Ruminants in Syria

Mohammad Roukbi*(1)  Abd AlNaser AL-Oumar(1) Khaled Al-Najjar(1) Zuhair Salam(1)  Hussien Al-Suleiman(2) Maamoun Mouri(2) and Shamel Jourie(2) and Abdo Al-Yousef

(1). Animal Wealth Research Administration, Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria.
(2). Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Al Roukbi. E-Mail: roukbi2008@yahoo.com).

Received: 09/07/ 2015                                     Accepted: 10/08/ 2015

Abstract

Serological surveys of Toxoplasma gondii were made ​​in ten provinces (governorates) and regions in Syria (Hama, Deir-Al-zoor, Homs, Palmyra, Al- Quamishli, Al-Raqqa, Aleppo, Daraa, Kounaitra, Damascus countryside, and Sweidaa), during a period started from 1stNovember to 31th December 2009, in order to elucidate the prevalence and distribution of toxoplasmosis in different parts of Syria. In total 806 blood samples were taken (748 in the second half of pregnancy and from aborted females after 21 days, and 58 from males) representing 12.22% of the total number of small ruminants surveyed, belonging to 26 small private ruminant breeds and 13 research stations, 8 for Awassi sheep and 5 form Damascus and Gabali goats, and subjected to serological analysis for IgG antibodies using Hemagglutination test HAT with a commercially available kit (Toxo-HAT, Fumouze laboratories, Lavalloise-Perret, France). The averages of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in all provinces, research stations and in flocks of breeders were, 14.9%, 13.98% and 19.46%, respectively. The results showed high seroprevelence specially in Palmyra (33.3 %), and Al- Quamishli (28.3%). High sero-positive reactions were registered in some research stations for sheep like Kasser al-Halabat in Palmyra (33.3%) and in both Jidrin and Wadi-Alazib; in Hama (14.9% and 10.4%, respectively). In herds of breeders high rates of positive results were recorded in Al-Quamishli and Raqqa (23.1% and 21.5% respectively). But some research stations for goats, Karahta (Damascus countryside), and Kodaneh (Kounaitra) stations were free from Toxoplasmosis. It was concluded from the serological investigation that the wide distribution of Toxoplasmosis is in the desert and marginal areas of Syrian and expands towards the north-east with significant differences (p< 0.01) in infection rate between research station and flocks of breeders in different locations (governorates).

Key words: Toxoplasmosis, Seroprevalence, Hemagglutination test HAT, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:دراسة مسحية  لداء المقوسات القندية عند المجترات الصغيرة في سورية

Genetic Evaluation for Milk Production, and Litter size at Birth and Weaning of Shami Goats

Kamel Fattal*(1) and Khaled Elnajjar(2)

(1). Breeding Shami Goats Research Station, Agricultural Research Center in Aleppo, General commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Aleppo, Syria.
(2). Animal Wealth Research Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding auathor: Dr. Kamel Fattal,. E-Mail: kamel1960@gmail.com).

Received: 23/04/ 2015                                     Accepted: 16/09/ 2015

Abstract

This study was conducted to study the productivity performance of Shami goats for milk production, and litter size weight at birth and weaning. Also to estimate the litter size at birth and weaning, and age, weight of goat when insemination. And determine the effect of some genetic factors (parents) and non-genetic (year of birth, parity, kids sex, age and weight at insemination) of the studied traits. And estimate some genetic parameters (heritability and genetic correlations) of the studied traits. Data was collected from the records at Hememah Research Station of Al Shami Goat Improvement, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Aleppo/Syria. during 2001 to 2010. Statistical analysis was made of the studied traits to figure out the genetic and environmental effects on it using SAS program. Duncan test was used to compare the means of the factors affecting the studied traits, and also the animal model was used to estimate the genetic parameters. Milk production, and litter size weight at birth and weaning were 424.46±67.24,  8.42±0.53 and 19.49±2.94 Kg, respectively. The litter size at birth and weaning, and age and weight at first insemination were 2.98 ± 0.04, 2.20 ± 0.19, and 46.73±0.57 kg, and 19.24±0.26/ month, respectively. It was found that the parents has a highly significant effect on the production of milk and insignificant effect on the litter size weight at birth and weaning. The effects of year of birth and parity were highly significant on all traits (milk production and litter size weight at birth and weaning). The impact of gender on the production of milk was not significant, while highly significant on birth litter size weight at birth and weaning. The linear model of the mother goat birth and its age at insemination any significant effects on the studied traits. The weight of goat at insemination had highly significant effect on milk production and the litter size weight at birth, while there were no significant differences in the weight of the goat at insemination on litter size weight at weaning. Estimates of heritability for milk production, and litter size weight at birth and weaning were 0.14, 0.08, 0.20, respectively. The values ​​of genetic correlations between milk production, and the litter size weight at birth and weaning were -0.17 and -0.01, respectively. While the genetic correlation between the litter size weight at birth and at weaning was 0.09. The study concluded that, the genetic correlation between milk production, and the litter size weight at birth and weaning was negative. This indicates that the increase in litter size weight at birth and weaning will lead to stress the body of the goat and this negatively affects the production of milk, although the study concluded a positive genetic relationship between litter size weight at birth and at weaning. According to that, litter size weight at weaning will considered as a selection breeding criteria, because it achieved the highest genetic variation compared with milk production and the litter size weight at birth. During selection it is very important to take into consideration the differentiation between the parents to increase the production of milk of female’s goats. The environmental conditions should be taken into account because of they affect all traits, especially goats weight at insemination, because of its big role in the values ​​of traits.

Key words: Genetic parameters, Shami goats, Milk production, Litter size at birth and weaning, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:التقويم الوراثي لصفات إنتاج الحليب وكتلة البطن عند الميلاد والفطام في الماعز الشامي

Early Detection of Brown Rust (Leaf Rust) Puccinia recondita in Wheat Plant Using Remote Sensing Techniques

Eyad Ahmad Al-khaled*(1) Basel Al-kai(2) and Asmaa Makdah(2)

(1). General Organization of Remote Sensing (GORS), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Albaath University, Homs, Syria.
(3). (GORS), Homs, Syria.

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

Received: 29/6/ 2015                           Accepted: 01/08/ 2015

Abstract

The experiment carried out during 2008-2009 season at Homs; the objective was to study the spectral characteristics of healthy and infected wheat plants with brown rust Puccinia recondita, and the possibility of early detection of this disease before the symptoms appearance of disease on the plants. The spectral characteristics of plants showed significance differences in reflectance values, for both healthy and inoculums plants after one week of artificial inoculation with fungi on 9/4/2009 within wavelength 750-1060 nm of near infrared NIR and short infrared wave SINW. The healthy plants recorded higher spectral reflectance values more than the infected plants in range of spectrum, the spectral reflectance value within the wavelength 790-810 nm was 64.68 % for healthy plants and 60.34 % for infected plants, and these differences in spectral reflectance values were increased between the healthy and infected plants in this spectral range with the appearance of disease symptoms on the infected plants, and with the increment of disease severity of the infected plants. In 21/5/2009 the spectral reflectance values in the wavelength 790-810 nm were 44.22 -33.65 % for healthy and infected plants, respectively. It was found that the differences in spectral reflectance values between healthy and infected plants were clear in the spectral area of near and short infrared, which represented the wavelength 750-1120 nanometers, and the best wavebands for early detection of brown rust disease were within the range 750 – 940 nanometers of the near infrared NIR spectral range. Where significant differences were found in this range after one week of inoculation with fungi or before almost 21 days from symptoms appearance of disease of the infected plants to the end of the growing season.

Key words: Wheat, Leaf rust, Spectral reflectance, Artificial inoculation, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:

الكشف المبكر عن الصدأ البني (صدأ الورقة) Puccinia recondita على نبات القمح باستخدام تقنيات الاستشعار عن بعد

Molecular Study of Pear Psylla Cacopsylla spp. (Psyllidae:  Hemiptera) in Middle and Southern Regions of Syria

Bassam Oudeh*(1)  Wajih Kassis (2) and Randa Abu-Tara (3)

(1). Mokhtaria Research Station, Agricultural Scientific Research Center at Homs, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Homs, Syria.
(2). Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(3). Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Bassam Oudeh. E-Mail: B_oudeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 01/02/ 2015                                     Accepted: 31/07/ 2015

Abstract

Molecular study of pear psylla Cacopsylla spp. (Psylldae: Hemiptera) was carried out in the biotechnology laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University during the growing season 2013/ 2014. Samples were collected from four governorates located in middle and southern regions of Syria: Homs (Mokhtaria Research Station and Al- Rastan), Hama (Tezeen), Damascus rural (Al-Zabadany) and Al-Sweida (Al-Sweida Research Center). The results showed that genetic differences of pear psylla by using ISSR with 19 primers, only 12 primers were succeeded in amplifying the male ́s DNA of pear psylla. The total number of bands was 70, only 64 bands were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphism between males was (93.06%), males of pear psylla of Damascus rural and Al-Sweida were the most closer (86.12%), the cluster analysis separated the males of  Hama in an independent first group, and the second was separated into two sub clusters, males of Al-Rastan and Mokhtaria Research Station were included in the first sub clusters,  males of Damascus rural and Al-Sweida were included in the second. Only 15 primers were succeeded in amplifying the female ́s DNA of pear psylla. The total number of bands were 70, only 61 bands were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphism between females was (74.49%), females of Al-Rastan and Hama were the most closer (77.22%), the cluster analysis separated the females of  Damascus rural in an independent first group, and the second group was separated into two sub clusters, females of Al-Sweida were included in the first sub clusters, and females of other regions were included in the second, as a conclusion, males and females of pear psylla were separated according to geographical distribution and species.

Key words: Pear psylla, Cacopsylla spp., Molecular study, ISSR , Syria

Full paper in Arabic:

 دراسة جزيئية لحشرات بسيلا الأجاص (Cacopsylla spp. (Psyllidae: Hemiptera في المنطقتين الوسطى والجنوبية من سورية

Current Status of Powdery Mildews Diseases on Cucurbits in The Northeast of Syria

Omran Youssef(1) Alan  Ramo*(1) and Sultan Shekhmus (1)

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

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

Received: 06/06/ 2015                                     Accepted: 07/08/ 2015

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the spread of powdery mildews diseases on cucurbits in the northeast of Syria during 2011. This study included 36 fields of cucurbits. The percentage and severity of infection was recorded. The infected samples were transported and tested in the lab. The fungus species were identified. Results showed that the spread of these diseases was 48.2% of the planted fields. The infection percentage and its severity varied from one region to another. The highest infection percentage (91.7%) was recorded in Almalekya region in Zone1-A. The average highest infection percentage was (50%) and the severity (9), recorded in Cucumis sativus L. Next were Al Qamishly region fields in Zone1-B, where the percentage of infected fields was 41.7% with an average highest infection percentage of 15% and a severity of 3. However, the lowest infection percentage was 25% in Rasalayn regions in Zone2. Here, the average highest infection percentage was (10%) and the average highest severity was (4). The plants of cucurbits were found to be infected by two species of fungi: Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sphaerotheca fuliginea. E.cichoracearum was found to infect three plant species (Cucumis sativus L., Citrullus vulgaris L., and Cucumis melo L.) and E.cichoracearum and S. fuliginea were able to infect together  three plant species (Cucumis sativus L., Cucurbita pepo L. and Cucurbita maxima Duch.). Results also showed that the presence of the two fungus species on all their plant hosts was only in the conidial phase. The sexual phase was absent and the fruits of Cleistothecium were not found.

Key words: Cucurbitaceae, Powdery mildew, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: الحالة الراهنة لأمراض البياض الدقيقي على القرعيات في شمال شرقي سورية.

The Relationship Between Dry Period Length and The Subsequent Daily Milk Yield in Holstein Cows Under Syrian Intensive Production Conditions

Obyda Al-Masr(1) Majed AL-Dakkak(1) Mansour Ahmad*(1) Mohammed Amin(1)  and Kahtan dayyop(2)

(1). Animal Wealth Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria.
(2). Fedio Diary Station, General Organization for Cattle, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Mansour Ahmad, Animal Wealth Research Administration, (GCSAR). Damascus, Syria. E-mail: msh7273@yahoo.com).

Received: 14/04/2015                                      Accepted: 16/05/2015

Abstract:

This study was conducted at Fedio Dairy Station, General Organization for Cattle, Lattakia, Syria. Calving records of Holstein cows from 1989 to 2013 comprising 396  herds with 1646 calving events were used to evaluate the effect of the dry period length on the next daily milk production of Holstein cows. Dry period length (DP) of cows was grouped into 13 groups (group 1: 0-10, group 2: 11-20, group 3: 21-30, group 4: 31-40, group 5: 41-50, group 6: 51-60, group 7: 61-70, group 8: 71-80, group 9: 81-90, group 10: 91-100, group 11: 101-110, group 12: 111-120, and group 13: > 120 days). Average of DP was 85.13±1.64 days and 16.13±0.17 kg was the daily milk production in Holstein cows. The results clarified that the effect of dry period length (DP) was significant (P<0.05) on daily milk production. Also the cows within the DP groups of 41-60 had the greatest daily milk production in the next productive parity, while reduction or prolonging the dry period length led to cut down in the daily milk production. The conclusion was that the optimum length of the dry period length was (41-60 days), and the necessity of non-negligence or prolonging this period greatly (more than 100 days) because it increases the risks of culling in the cattle and shortens the length of milk production parity later, which decreases the economic earnings.

Keywords: Subsequent daily milk production, Dry period length, Holstein cows, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:العلاقة بين مدة التجفيف وإنتاج الحليب اليومي اللاحق عند أبقار الهولشتاين تحت ظروف الإنتاج المكثف في سورية

Epidemiological and Clinical Study of Clinical Mastitis in Awassi Ewes at Jedrin Station, Syria 

Abd Al-Naser Al-Omar*(1) Mohamad Rokbi(2) Sameer Al-Shareey(1) Abd Al-Fattah Hamada(3)

(1). Agricultural Research Center in Hama, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria.
(2). Agricultural Research Center in Aleppo, GCSAR, Aleppo, Syria.
(3). Avico company for medical manufacturer, Hama, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Omar, Agricultural Research Center in Hama, GCSAR, Hama, Syria. E-mail: abdnaser64@gmail.com).

Received: 17/02/ 2015                                     Accepted: 23/04/ 2015 

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine bacterial etiology, epidemiological and clinical features of clinical mastitis cases in Syrian, using Awassi ewes aged 2-6 years, which is hold for both milk and meat production. The research was done during the last twenty years (from 1993 to 2012) at Jedrine Research Station, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Hama, Syria. 75 milk samples was collected from clinical infected ewes in different times, and subjected to the bacteriological analysis and sensitive reactions. The percentage of clinical mastitis was 6.05% (261 out of 4247). There were a significant difference (p≤0.01) in terms of the percentage of infection by the three types of mastitis, the percentages were as follow: Acute (76.6%), gangrenous (18.8%), and chronic (4.6%). The percentage of the mastitis that was most often registered in one half was (73.94%), while in two halves the percentage was (26.05%). Most of the mastitis occurred during first two months after lambing (74%), the rest (26%) was after weaning of lambs. Chi-square test showed significant differences (p≤0.01) in the frequency of mastitis cases within different months after parturition, and in lactation seasons. In terms of frequency of mastitis cases the highest frequency was in the third production season (27.97%), where the ewes suffered more from clinical mastitis (p≤0.01), then the second production season (26.05%), and the lowest was the first production season (10.72%). Using hypothesis test to estimate the difference between two groups, Z value (Z=0.47) was within the normal range (±1.96), so there was no significant difference in the occurrence of mastitis between manual stripping and machine lactation. The results of bacterial analysis for 75 milk samples showed a bacterial growth in 62 samples (82.66%). The most prevalent isolated bacteria were staphylococcus aureus (32.85%), Pasteurella hymolytica(18.57%), E.coli(14.3%),
‎Klebsiella (11.4%), Actinomyces pyoges (10%), Stretococcus lactis (7.14%), and Bacillus subtilis (5.71%). The percentage of the ewes that recovered after the treatment by different antibiotics was 71.26%. Enroflouxacine showed high effectiveness for most isolated bacterial strains, followed by Gentamicin ,  then Norfloxacin, Oxytetracycline , Ampicillin, Sulfa compounds, and lastly Neomycin. Most bacterial strains were resistant to Penicillin and Erythromycine. The Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive to antibiotics, while the Actinobacillus pyogenes was more resistant, this ensure the necessity of the intensification of sanitary control for protection and prevention of mastitis especially during first two months after lambing, and in multi-partied ewes, and the treatment of the infected ewes with efficient antibiotics according to sensitivity tests, in addition to the improvement of environmental conditions in breeding stations for Awassi ewes.

Key words: Prevalence, Clinical mastitis, Awassi ewes, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:دراسة وبائية وسريرية لحالات التهاب الضرع لأغنام العواس في محطة جدرين، سورية

Using Grape Pruning and Apple Trees Pruning Residues With the Addition of Nutrient Solution in Feeding Growing Jabaly Goats, Syria.

Rana Alshohefe*(1) Ali Alhawarin(1) Wathek Takea(1) and Jawad Sharaf(1)

(1). Era Research Station for Jabaly Goat, Scientific Research Center in Swaida, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Swaida, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Rana Alshohefe, Era Research Station for Jabaly Goat, Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Swaida, (GCSAR), Swaida, Syria. E-mail: rraana81@gmail.com Tel: 016248256).

Received: 04/02/ 2015         Accepted: 07/05/ 2015

Abstract

The study was conducted at Era Research Station, Swaida Scientific Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Swaida, Syria, to improve growing of Jabaly goat strain (Swaida) during 2012 by using grapes and apple trees pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution (80% whey + 20% molasses) with rate 40% as diet in feeding growing Jabaly goat. The research was conducted using (27) heads of males growing goats, and (27) heads of females, both males and females were randomly divided into (3) groups, each group fed on the same protein and energy, as follow: G1: Which was fed on 75% concentrated diets + 25% straw with the addition of nutrient solution (control), G2: That was fed on 75% concentrated diets + 25% apple tree pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution, and G3: Which was fed on 75% concentrated diets + 25% grape pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution. Results for males showed significant difference (p≤0.05) in increasing weight, conversion efficiency, and cost of 1kg of body weight (p≤0.01). G3 surpassed both the control and G2 groups. For females the results showed no significant difference in the increasing weight, while there were a significant difference in conversion efficiency, and the cost of 1kg in body weight (p≤0.01). Also G3 group surpassed the control and G2 groups. The conclusion is that, the addition of grape and apple trees pruning residues with the addition of nutrient solution of 25% to the growing diet, increased body weight and decreased the cost of production significantly.
Keywords: Jabaly goat, Apple pruning residues, Grape pruning residues, Whey, Nutrient solution, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic:استخدام بقايا تقليم العنب والتفاح المعاملة بالسائل المغذي في تغذية الماعز الجبلي النامي، سورية

Effect of Chemical Treatments Against Yellow Rust on The Infection and The Production of Wheat

Omran Youssef(1), Helim Youssef(1), Alan Ramo(1), Mahmoud Hasan(1), Sultan Shekhmous(1), Afrem Issa(1), Nawzad Suleman(1)& Abdul-Ruhman Issa(1)

(1). Al-Qamishli Agricultural Research Center, Al-Qamishli, Syria.

(Corresponding author: Dr. Omran Yousef: Al-Qamishli Agricultural Research Center, Al-Qamishli, Syria. E-mail: om_youssef@yahoo.com).

                            Received: 14 / 07 / 2014                         Accepted: 25 / 10 / 2014

Abstract:

Results of efficacy test of nine fungicides from different chemical groups in controlling yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformisf.sp. tritici on bread wheat Cham8 in 2011 in north-eastern Syria showed disease stop with 100% efficacy of Folicure (1 l/ha) after fifth day from spray and lasted for 20 days, Nativo with 94.64% efficacy, Marlo 88.23% and Folicure (0.5 l/ha) 86.51%, then followed by Bayfidan (84.79%) and Ortiva (80.79%), while the efficacy of all other fungicides was less than 70%. The tested fungicides did not show any clear toxicity on wheat except Foliogold which recorded neil toxicity, also Score, Marlo and Bayfidan but with lesser degree. Results did not show significant difference in spike length with different fungicides compared with the control. Results showed increase in number of grains per spike and thousand grains weight (TGW) for all tested fungicide compared with the control. Increase in yield was recorded with all fungicides compared with control except Foliogold and Sodium hydrogen carbonate 5%. The higher increase in yield was recorded with Folicure at two concentrations 1, 0.5 l/ha.

Key words: Chemical control, Fungicides, Syria, Wheat, Yellow Rust.

Full paper in Arabic::تأثير المعاملات الكيميائية ضد الصدأ الأصفر على إصابة القمح وإنتاجه