The impact of Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll. and Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt. in some phenological parameters of Orobanche ramosa L. in tomato fields

The impact of larvae feeding of of the agromyzid fly (Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt., and curculionid weevil (Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll.), inside shoots and seed capsules of branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa L.) which infested tomato, in some phenological parameters: shoot length, number capsules/shoot, wet and dry weight of shoot, were determined. The results indicate to the efficacy of larvae feeding in reduction of O. ramosa bio-mass, it caused significant reduction in the values of all studied parameters, of infested branched broomrape plants in comparison to healthy ones, While the mixed infestation of the both insects caused higher reduction in the values of these parameters, with high significant differences in: shoot length, number capsules/ shoot, and wet weight of infested shoot, in comparison with healthy ones. the reduction rate which resulted from mixed infestation reached to 55.5%, 58.8%, 76.7%, 57.2% for shoot length, number capsules/ shoot, wet weight and dry weigh respectively. The results indicate to the potential role of P. orobanchia and S. cyaneus in reduction the density of O. ramosa in tomato fields, at the Syrian coastal region.

Estimation of Heterosis and combining ability for yield and some fruit traits in tomato hybrids (Lycopersicom esculentum Mill.)

The research was conducted at Al-Jmmaseh station – the Agricultural Research Center in Tartous- to estimate heterosis, combining ability of yield and some fruit traits. Fifteen hybrids were produced by half diallel crossing method in 2013. These were evaluated in 2014. Most hybrids were characterized by highly significant heterosis values for all the studied traits compared with mid parents and better parents. Heterosis reached (87.76, 50.13)% for yield per plant, (71.44, 43.09)% for average of fruit weight, (19.67, 12.31)% for fruit length, (38.21, 21.43)% for fruit diameter, and (32.5, 20.46)% for number of locules per fruit in comparison with mid parents and better parents respectively. The best hybrids were: (Ou×H) (Ou×W) (Or×H) and maybe they could be promising hybrids if they had superiority in other important traits. Variance due to general and specific combining ability were highly significant for all traits. This ensured that both types of genetic action (additive and non-additive) controlled the inheritance of these traits. σ2GCA/σ2SCA ratio of the additive genetic action overcame the one of non-additive cation in these traits: number of locules per fruit, average of fruit weight and fruit diameter, while the non-additive genetic action was superior in fruit length and total yield.

Effect of irrigation method on growth and productivity of Tomato (Lycopersicon escolentum Mill) in plastic greenhouse

The experiment was carried out during2013-2014 Miaar Shaker village (Tartous) to determine the best method of irrigation on growth and productivity of Tomato plant in plastic green-house. Three method of irrigation were used in the experiment :(furrow surface , surface drip and subsurface drip irrigation). Growth of plants, productivity and fruit quality were studies. The results showed that surface and subsurface drip irrigation give more plant growth (leaves number and leaves area) more flowering and fruit production as compared with furrow irrigation method .The leaves number and leaves area in plant with surface drip irrigation was 31.49 leaves and 17078/plant while these number reached only to 22.91 leaves and 7057.86/plant in the furrow irrigation with significant difference . The productivity of plants was also higher in surface drip irrigation method(4.75 kg/ plant) without significant difference as compared with subsurface irrigation method and with significant difference as compared with furrow irrigation method (3.95 kg/ plant). The quality of fruits was better in surface drip irrigation (8.28% dry material ,5.02% TSS and 28.23mg vitamin c /100g) in fresh matter while these number were 7.18%, 4.98% and 20.96 mg/100g in furrow . The irrigation method haven't affect in the: plant length ,and acidity percentage.

The Effect of Potato Y Virusand Cucumber Mosaic Viruson the Growthof Tomato in Greenhouses

This research aimsto study the effect of single and mixed infection of Potato Y Virus (PVY) and Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV) on the number of leaves, number of branches, plant height and stem circumference of tomato plants (cv.Elegro and Local). The experiment was carried out in 2012 in a greenhouse in Tartous. Results show that the interactions in both varieties to virus infections are different. The mixed infections cause slight and weak effects compared to single infections. This is probably due to the antagonistic relationship between Potato Y virus and Cucumber mosaic virus and their effects on mean number of leaves, mean number of branches, mean height of plants, and mean stem circumference. Tomato plants' stems were (Elegro 106.42, 16.75, 103.58 cm, 4.84cm.; Local 94.42,15, 87.17 cm, 4.59 cm, respectively). Consequently, the timing of mixed infection playsarole in appearance, development and effect on other viruses.

The Effect of NaCl Salinity on Germination, Growth of Tomato Sprit and ES-30502 Rootstocks, and Nutrient Acquisition in Nutrient Culture

This study aim at investigating the tolerance of two tomato rootstock (Sprit and ES- 30502) widely speared in Syria and used for crafting some tomato hybrids grown in green houses for different salinity levels (0- 25- 50- 75- 100- 150 mM NaCl). The results show that the germination of rootstock Sprit seeds was not influenced by high salinity 150 mM despite a delay of 1-2 days compared with the control. A reduction of 15% was observed in the rootstock ES-30502 at 100 and 150 mM NaCl salinity levels, in addition to slower percentage rate of germination. In contrast, the effect of salinity on the development of the radical and rootlet was more pronounced in Sprit compared to ES- 30502. Salinity decreased the growth of both shoots and roots, and also decreased nutrient acquisition in both rootstocks, but to a lesser degree in ES-30502. The uptake of K was not greatly affected and concentrations in shoot remained normal. The concentrations of Ca and Mg were also not affected by salinity. The most pronounced effect of salinity was on nitrogen effect (NO3) which was reduced greatly in both rootstocks. This was accompanied by accumulation of free NO3 ions in the shoot tissue (58 and 45 % of total N uptake at salinity level of 150 mM). It is most likely that toxicity of Na and Cl ions, and consequent osmotic changes in cell tissue led to slower nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and accumulation of NO3.

Isolating and Identifying Root-Fungi (Mycorrhiza) Symbiotic with Tomato in the Syrian Coast

The objective of this study is to identify some species of mycorrhizal fungi coexisting with tomato roots in the Syrian coast. Samples were collected from five sites in two different regions: Lattakia (sites: Siano and ALbrjan) and Tartous (sites: Majdalon Elbahr, Mayaar Shaker and Hrysoon). Four samples of soil and tomato roots were collected from each site and mixed together to form a composite sample/site. Morphological characterization of isolated fungi was based on universally adopted taxonomic keys, and on the classification keys approved by the Plant Protection Research Institute of Iran. Six types of mycorrhizal fungi belonging to 5 species were identified in the different sites. Paraglomus laccaltum was present in one site (Siano), Septoglomus constrictum was isolated from 2 sites (Mayaar Shaker and Majdalon Elbahr), Claroideoglomus etunicatum was also isolated from 2 sites (Mayaar Shaker and Siano), Simiglomus hoi was present in 3 sites (Siano, Majdalon Elbahr and ALbrjan), Glomus fasciculatum was present in four sites (Siano, Mayaar Shaker, ALbrjan and Hrysoon) and Glomus clarum was present in four sites (Hrysoon, Siano, Mayaar Shaker, and Majdalon Elbahr).

An Alystic Study for Production and Marketing which face Tomato Crop At Syrian Coast

This research was done at Syrian coast (Lattakia and Tartous) where the research information were gather from 4 distributor area in (Tartous, Banias, Jableh, Kerdaha) during the period 2011-2012. (20) areas were choosed and Questionnaire was used with personality interview form for tomato farmers. The results signed to presence very strong correlation (r = 0.968) between production as dependent variable (y) and planted area at Syrian coast level as independent variable (x), whereas correlation was average (r = 0.620) between productivity as as dependent variable (y) and area as independent variable (x). The results also signed that (72.98%) of producing protectorate tomato was being marketed to wholesale market, whereas (22.07%) of production was being marketed to tomato past factories, (4.95%) was being marketed to processor factories for exterior export.

Isolation, identification and pathogenicity of Pythium spp. Causing tomato damping-off in greenhouses

This study was conducted in the Syrian coastal area to detect tomato seedlings damping-off disease, to identify and isolate fungi responsible of the disease and to evaluate their pathogenicity. Samples were collected from nurseries and greenhouses from four locations (Jableh and Ras Elain from Lattakia and Hressoun and Majdalon Elbahr from Tartous).

Changes in oxidative parameters and antioxidant systems during tomato fruit growth

This study was investigated at the laboratories of Horticultural department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University to measure the changes in oxidative and antioxidative parameters during tomato fruit growth. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) contents were analysed as indicators of oxidative processes. Results showed that H2O2 content decreased during fruit growth phase and slightly increased during ripening, meanwhile MDA content was found to increase only at the end of fruit ripening. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX, CAT) were modified during fruit growth. Activities of SOD, APX increased during fruit growth phase, meanwhile CAT activity increased during fruit maturation. The level of ascorbate increased during fruit growth. These changes in antioxidant metabolites and enzymes establish that the antioxidant system plays an important role in the both phases of tomato fruit growth.

Efficacy of Some Methyl Bromide Alternatives in Controlling Nematodes and on Production of Tomato Under Greenhouse Conditions

A study of the effectiveness of methyl bromide (MB) and some alternatives were carried out to determine their effects on soil sterilization, densitY of nematode and production of tomato (variety Karam) crop, under greenhouses conditions in Banias area, during 1999-2000.The treatments were as follows: MB (57g/m2), Dazomet GR 98%, organic matter + solarization (Biofumigation) and control. Results showed that the effectiveness in reducing the total nematode density were 97.5%, 66.1%, 28.8 and 0% respectively. The root knots index for Meloidogyne spp. were 0, 0.64, 0.83 and 1.83 respectively. The Bio-fumigation treatment didn't have any effect on reducing the nematode density, but increased the plant growth and yield. The crop yield were 190.67, 167.33, 185 and 157.67.kg/plot respectively and there was no significant difference between the MB and the Bio-fumigation treatments.