Determination of the Maximum Appearance Period of Capnodis tendebrionis in Al-Sweida-Syria Governorate and Testing the Efficacy of Some Pesticides on the Pest Adults

Bufaur, M., S. Al-Gkhami, R. Bohamdan, W. Ghanem and M. Dawara. 2021. Determination of the Maximum Appearance Period of Capnodis tendebrionisin Al-Sweida-Syria Governorate and Testing the Efficacy of Some Pesticides on the Pest Adults. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 268-272. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.268272 A weekly adults collection of Capnodis tendebrionis L. (Buprestidae; Coleoptera) was conducted for two seasons (2018, 2019) to determine the maximum insect adults appearance period. Early adult appearance was recorded in the first year in warm-dry months as compared to the second year in cold-wet months. Maximum insect adults appearance was recorded at the end of April during the first season and at the end of May in the second season. A field experiment was carried out to test the efficacy of some pesticides on controlling pest adults: Deltamethrin, 100g/l, Chlorpyriphos-ethyl 48% and Acetamiprid 20% as a foliar spray, and Deltamethrin 0.25% as dusting powder around the stem, in addition to the control. Results obtained showed that Chlorpyriphos-ethyl and the two Deltamethrin treatments were the best on adults and with significant differences compared with Acetamiprid treatment following the first and the second week after spraying in 2018, and the Deltamethrin as dusting powder and Chlorpyriphos-ethyl treatments were the best and with significant differences compared to other treatments were observed. Using Deltamethrin as dusting powder around the stem was highly efficient during three weeks after spraying as compared with other treatments in the two years. Keywords: Capnodis tendebrionis L., Maximum adult appearance period, Deltamethrin, Chlorpyriphos- ethyl and Acetamiprid

Effect of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus Infection on Some Growth Indicators of Pepper Hybrids Grown Under Plastic House Conditions in Lattakia Governorate, Syria

Hamdan, R.S., I.D. Ismail and I. Akel. 2021. Effect of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus Infection on Some Growth Indicators of Pepper Hybrids Grown Under Plastic House Conditions in Lattakia Governorate, Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 309-316. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.309316 This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) infection on some growth parameters of several pepper hybrids grown under protected cultivation along the Syrian coast. Four pepper hybrids (Capsicum annum) were tested, two hot (Lahab, Sirad) and two sweet (Nevada, Dallas) peppers. The research was carried out during the 2020-2021 growing season in a plastic house at the Agriculture Scientific Research Center in Lattakia, using a randomized complete block design, with 8 treatments, three replicates and 5 plants per replicate. The results obtained showed that the sweet pepper hybrids (Nevada, Dallas) were more sensitive to infection with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus than the hot pepper hybrids (Lahab, Sirad), without significant differences among them. The pepper hybrid Nevada did not show any apparent symptoms, and the effect of the virus on some growth parameters (number flowers, flower setting, and the leaf surface area) was evident in comparison with other hybrids, but the differences were not significant. The Dallas, Sirad and Lahab pepper hybrids showed visible symptoms in response to infection with infection rate of 93.33%, 80% and 80%, respectively. The effect of virus infection on the growth parameters of these hybrids was variable. The reduction in the flowers number of Nevada, Dallas, Cirad and Lahab after 45 days of infection was 33%, 31.10%, 10.23% and 5.07%, respectively, and also with a reduction in the number of flowers setting of 77.39%, 20.87%, 23.33% and 66.68%, respectively. The same was true for the leaf surface area, where reduction rate for the Nevada, Dallas, Sirad and Lahab hybrids 30 days after infection was 48.17%, 53.06%, 16.45% and 36.6%, respectively. Keywords: Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, pepper hybrids, growth parameter, host resistance, protected agriculture.

Measuring Adoption of Integrated Pest Management Practices by Citrus Farmers in Tartous Governorate, Syria

Faskha, S.M. 2021. Measuring Adoption of Integrated Pest Management Practices by Citrus Farmers in Tartous Governorate, Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 257-267. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-039.4.257267 A questionnaire study was conducted to analyze the IPM adoption by citrus farmers in Tartous Governorate during two seasons (2018 and 2019). The questionnaire was designed to collect the required information from a representative sample of farmers (370 farmers). Responses were tabulated, and the extracted data were statistically analyzed by using Chi–Square (X 2 ) at P=0.05. The results obtained indicated that the mean rate of farmer adoption was 5.55 points based on a 10-point scale. Accordingly, practices of the surveyed farmers came in the third level: “IPM level” (based on a proposed scale for adoption consisting of four levels, namely, conventional control, entry level IPM, normal IPM level, and bio-intensive IPM level). The implemented cultural practices, the handling of pesticides, and farmers' knowledge were at the forefront of good practices with mean index of attribute values of 0.66, 0.72 and 0.85, respectively. On the other hand, the Adoptability Index values showed that the non-use of attractant traps, planting mixed varieties, and voluntary lack of commitment to stop spraying (conservation biological control) were -0.46, -0.44 and -0.75, respectively, and those were among the most negative indicators in IPM practices adoption, although 31.35% of farmers did not use chemical control. Keywords: Integrated pest management, IPM, adoption, citrus, Syria.

Effect of Olive Mill Wastewater of in the Control of Olive Verticillium Wilt Caused by Verticillium dahlia Kleb

Muhrez, K.A., M.Z. Tawil and B. Barhoum. 2021. Effect of Olive Mill Wastewater of in the Control of Olive Verticillium Wilt Caused by Verticillium dahlia Kleb. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 273-280. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.273280 This research aimed to evaluate the application of olive mill wastewater in controlling Verticillium dahliae the causal agent of olive wilt disease on olive trees. This study was carried out on 2 years old olive local variety (Khderi) plants planted in pots after it has been artificial inoculated with V. dahliae, and severity was recorded within 90 days. Olive mill wastewater (omww) efficacy was estimated at the end of the experiment. Severity was increased from 8.89% before treatment to 28.89% 60 days after treatment, and decreased to 13.33% 90 days after treatment with omww 450 ml/l. Disease severity increased from 11.11% before treatment to 37.78% 60 days after treatment and decreased to 35.56% 90 days after treatment with omww 300 ml/l. Whereas, disease severity increased from 17.78% before treatment to 40% 90 days after treatment with azoxystrobin compared to the inoculated control where disease severity increased from 13.33% before treatment to 100% 90 days after treatment. Omww 450 ml/l had the highest efficacy of 80% followed by azoxystrobin 70%, and omww 300 ml/l 57.33%. It can be concluded that olive mill wastewater has a potential application as a bio-fungicide for the control of olive verticillium wilt disease. Keywords: Olive mill waste waters, Verticillium dahlia, olive, Fungicide.

The Potency of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Against the Stored Grain Insect Pest Sitophilus granarius L.

Jawalkar, N.B., S.P. Zambare and M.I. Al Ghannoum. 2021. The Potency of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Against the Stored Grain Insect Pest Sitophilus granarius L. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 323-328. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-039.4.323328 This study was conducted on six medicinal plants viz., Vitex negundo (leaves), Xanthium strumarium, Caesalpinia bonduc, Mucuna pruriens, Moringa oleifera (seed kernels), Tagetes erecta (petals) for their bio-insecticidal activity. The powders of various parts of plants were extracted using the MARS6 microwave acid digestion system. Three different concentrations (20, 30, and 40%) of plant extracts were tested against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for their bio-insecticidal activities under laboratory conditions. The results of statistical analysis showed a good performance of all plant extracts, especially at the high concentrations of the extracts, where they showed different levels of insect mortality and their developmental rate was also reduced leading to significant reduction in insect numbers. The mortality rate ranged was 0-100% with S. granarius adults (p < 0.01). There was significant correlation (R=1) between mortality rate and the concentration of plant extracts. However, the extract of Mucuna pruriens with solvents (Acetone + Petroleum Ether) showed the highest mortality rate of 100% at the three concentrations used (p < 0.01), whereas, the lowest average mortality of 43.3% (p < 0.01) was observed with Xanthium strumarium and Vitex negundo extracts with solvents (Methanol + n-Hexane) compared with 0% mortality in the control. All plant extracts have revealed insecticidal as well as propitious protective effect on grains, and it can be selected as effective control treatment after proper dose formulation to prevent weevil infestation in stored grains. Keywords: Bioinsecticide, stored grains, Sitophilus granarius, mortality, medicinal plants, MARS 6.

Susceptibility Assessment of Two Tomato Hybrids Against Tuta absoluta Infestation Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abdel-Razek, A.S., N.M. Abd El-Ghany, M.A. Gesraha, T.A. Elewa and A. Moussa. 2021. Susceptibility Assessment of Two Tomato Hybrids Against Tuta absoluta Infestation Under Greenhouse Conditions. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 317-322. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.317322 Tuta absoluta is a major insect pest which attack tomato plant varieties in Egypt. Several control attempts were carried out to avoid major crop losses by heavy application of chemical insecticides. The aim of the present study is to assess the susceptibility of infestation of T. absoluta of two tomato varieties (Shifa and Savera F1 hybrids) under greenhouse conditions. The tomato varieties were planted in two plantation periods at the district of Kom Hamada, El-Nubaria province, El-Behira Governorate. The susceptibility tests were done by random counting of leaf samples for the presence of T. absoluta mines and larvae. Both tomato varieties showed almost the same T. absoluta infestation level. Moreover, yield assessment was carried out for the two plantation periods by taking the average fruit weight yield (Kg/acre). The tomato yield results showed that Savera F1 hybrid tomato had higher yield compared to Shifa F1 hybrid variety, but such difference was not significant, However, the yield difference of both vireties between the two planting dates was significant. Keywords: Tomato, Tuta absoluta, susceptibility, leaf-mine, larvae, yield.

Induction of Systemic Resistance in Tomato Plants Against Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Protected Cultivation Using a Local Bacterial Isolate of Bacillus subtilis

Ghanem, H.M., E.H. Akel, Q.A. Al-Rhayeh and I.D. Ismail. 2021. Induction of Systemic Resistance in Tomato Plants Against Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Protected Cultivation Using a Local Bacterial Isolate of Bacillus subtilis. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 289-295. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-039.4.289295 This study was conducted at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Lattakia Governorate in a plastic house during the 2020/2021 growing season to evaluate the efficiency of the native bacterial isolate B.Ra.217 of Bacillus subtilis, in reducing infection of tomato plants with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), by treating tomato seeds and later watering the seedlings with a suspension of the tested bacteria at a concentration of 1x109 /ml, and then measuring incidence (%) and severity of virus infection, and estimating peroxidase enzyme activity. The results showed that 30 days after inoculation with tomato leaf curl virus, a decrease in virus infection rate and severity in virus-infected and bacteria-treated plants compared with virus-infected and untreated control plants was observed. The reduction in disease incidence and severity of infection reached 26.67% and 34.28%, respectively, with significant differences between the treatments. In addition, the activity of peroxidase enzyme 7 days after infection with the virus showed an increase in plants treated with bacteria only (0.1342 μmol/mg) and those treated with bacteria and virus-infected (0.0913 μmol/mg), compared with the healthy control plants (0.0958 μmol/mg), and virus-infected and untreated with bacteria (0.0570 µmol/mg). The results also showed 15 days after infection that the enzyme activity was higher in plants treated with bacteria only (0.1592 µmol/mg) compared with the healthy control (0.1415 µmol/mg) with significant differences, and also the differences were significant with the untreated infected plants (0.1002 µmol/mg), and with inoculated and treated plants (0.1372 µmol/mg). Thus, this bacterial isolate may have an important applied role in enhancing tomato plant resistance to the virus and consequently reducing its damage. Keywords: Bacillus subtilis B.Ra.217, TYLCV, peroxidase, incidence, severity of infestation, tomato plant

Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris Physiological Races in Chickpea Cultivated Areas in Al-Ghab Region, Syria

Alloush, L., S. Al-Maghribi and B. Barhom. 2021. Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris Physiological Races in Chickpea Cultivated Areas in Al-Ghab Region, Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 231-240. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.231240 Fusarium wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is one of the diseases that cause significant economic losses to the chickpea crop around the world, as infection with FOC can occurs during the different stages of plant growth. One of the best approaches to reduce the damage caused by FOC is by using resistant chickpea varieties. Hence, this study aimed to determine the physiological races of 25 FOC isolates collected from 20 agricultural sites belonging to six regulatory zones in the Al-Ghab region in Syria, based on their pathogenicity on 13 differential chickpea cultivars (C-104, JG -74, CPS-1, BG-215, BG-212, WR-315, Anniger, Chaffa, ILC482, L-550, K850-3/27, UC-27). The study was carried out during 2020 at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Al-Ghab. The results obtained showed that the tested isolates belong to races 0, 1B/C, 2, 3, 5, and 6. This is the first report of races 2 and 3 in Syria, and each of them constituted 28% of the total tested isolates, whereas 24% of the isolates were represented by race 0, and both races 5 and 1B/C occurred at 8% frequency, and race 6 included one isolate obtained from Abu Faraj site. Keywords: Chickpea, vascular wilt, physiological races, pathogenicity, Al-Ghab, Syria

Diagnosis and Inhibition of the Virulence Factor Phaseolenone of the Pathogenic Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina Using Some Chemical and Biological Methods

Al-Jbory, A.A.A. and A.A Hasan. 2021. Diagnosis and Inhibition of the Virulence Factor Phaseolenone of the Pathogenic Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina Using Some Chemical and Biological Methods. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 252-256. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-039.4.252256 Results obtained in this study confirmed the efficacy of some chemical and biological factors in reducing the concentration of Phaseolenone toxin produced by the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina grown on potato dextrose broth medium. The toxin concentrations were measured in different treatments using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The citric acid treatment at 5% concentration surpassed the other treatments (lactic acid, acetic acid, SDS salts, EDTA, bacterial filtrates of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis). Citric acid treatment reduced by 5% the toxin concentration to 1.74 microgram/ml compared to 6.94 microgram/ml for the control treatment. This reduction in Phaseolenone concentration was also noticed through the reduction of the area under the curve which amounted to 1.684% for the citric acid treatment compared with 6.814% for the control treatment. Keywords: Phaseolenone, Macrophomina Phaseolina, charcoal rot, mycotoxin.

Effect of Spraying Glyphosate Herbicide on Solanum elaeagnifolium in Uncultivated Fields and on Physicochemical and Biological Soil Characteristics

Bakkour, F., A. El-Meamar and Z. El-Naser. 2021. Effect of Spraying Glyphosate Herbicide on Solanum elaeagnifolium in Uncultivated Fields and on Physicochemical and Biological Soil Characteristics. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 296-308. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.296308 Glyphosate herbicide is used in uncultivated fields infested with Solanum elaeagnifolium plants several times a year in all Syrian governorates by the Ministry of Agriculture. This research aimed to study the effect of repeated spraying of glyphosate in uncultivated fields in five different locations in the Syrian governorates, Deir Ezzor (Tebni), Aleppo (Dakwani), Hama (Bostan AL-Omahat), Homs (ALZahoria) and Rural Damascus (Bohter) during the period 2017-2020, on the physiochemical and biological characteristics of the treated soils. Herbicide residues were measured in the leaves of the treated Solanum elaeagnifolium plants and in the soils surrounding the roots of the Solanum elaeagnifolium plants. It was found that the repetition of the pesticide spray 3 and 6 times during the study period did not alter the physical composition, salinity, pH and calcium carbonate content in all study locations. Whereas, spraying glyphosate 3 and 6 times increased the percentage of organic matter and phosphorus available, with a significant difference with the control. The values of available phosphorous after 6 pesticide spray applications reached 176, 203, 196, 227 and 205 mg/kg of soil in Deir Ezzor, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Rural Damascus, respectively. In addition, repeated spraying with glyphosate of the treated soils led to increase the average general bacteria and fungi populations. These indicators were increased with the increase in the number of pesticide sprays applied. Furthermore, the pesticide residues increased in the soil and Solanum elaeagnifolium leaves with the increase in number of pesticide sprays. Pesticide residue values after 6 sprays were 1.72, 3.53, 4.89, 4.43 and 2.29 mg/kg of soil in Deir Ezzor, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Rural Damascus locations, respectively. Keywords: Glyphosate, S. elaeagnifolium, residues, microorganisms, soil.