Evaluation of the performance of some wheat varieties under drought stress in tillering stage

This research was conducted at Izraa research station of The General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research during the growing season 2010/2011 to study the performance of six durum wheat varieties at early growth stage under water deficit stress. The experiment was designed using randomized complete block design with three replication. The statistical analysis results of the experiment clearly showed genetic variations among cultivars under water stress. Drought stress caused a depression in all studied traits. Mean yield decreased in average 31.7 %. The number of spiks/ m2 was the most trait affected by drought stress, It decreased in average 29.1% while biological yield decreased in average 24.26%. It was observed that the number of spikes per m2 was the highest in the variety Hourani (191) and the highest number of grain per spike (34.1) whereas the variety Bohouth7 and the variety hourani recorded the highest thousand grain weight (40.5 g). The statistical analysis results showed that the variety Cha5 a achieved the highest grain yield per m2 (239.4 g), whereas, the variety Bohouth7 recorded the lowest grain yield per m2 (182.8 g), under water deficit stress conditions.

Genetic behavior for some quantitative traits in a hybrid of durum wheat

This study was carried out at Karahta station, Department of Field Ccrops researches, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Researches (GCSAR), Damascus Country Side, Syria during the 2009-2010and 2010-2011 growing seasons to estimate gene action for grain yield and its components. Seeds of the durum wheat hybrid (Sham5 X Azgar1) were grown in three replicates. Results indicated that the used genotypes had good variation to be used as parents in wheat hybridization program to achieve significant genetic advance. Mean square results showed significant differences among mean values of the five populations for all studied traits in the hybrid and in most traits, epistasis or dominance gene action occupied the first rank to the genetic effects. It was suggested that selection for most studied traits in the subsequent generations is relatively more effective than in early generations.

Genetic relationships for yield and its components in durum wheat

This study was carried out at Karahta Station, Dept. of Field Crops Researches, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Researches (GCSAR) Damascus, Syria, during the growing seasons (2009-2010, 2010-2011). The crosses were grown inatrial using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates in order to evaluate number of spikes per plant, number of grains per spike, thousand kernel weight and grain yield per plant and estimate some genetic indices: broad scenes heritability (BSH), narrow scenes heritability (NSH), and genetic advance (GA). Seeds of five populations of the three evaluated single hybrids were formed by crossing of five inbred lines. Analysis of variance results showed significant differences among mean values of the five populations of each cross for all studied traits. The results revealed that the broad scenes heritability ranged between high and moderate for the following productivity traits (SP/PL, GR/SP, TKW and GY/P) and it was (75, 40, 57) (38, 80, 38) (74, 60, 85) and (73, 73, 71) for the three crosses, respectively. Additive gene action noticed on most traits indicated less selection cycles to improve these traits.

Genetic variability, heritability and heterosis in improvement of grain yield and quality traits in the hybrids of Durum wheat (Triticum durum L.)

This study was carried out through the cooperation between Faculty of Agricultural Damascus University and General Commission of Agricultural Scientific Researches in Karahta station of field crops researches during 2010- 2011 and 2011-2012 successive seasons. Four hybrids of durum wheat namely (Duma1*Sauady), (Buhuth9*Q88), (Sham7*Q130) and (Horaney*Q131) were evaluated to estimate heritability, genetic advance, heterosis and inbreeding depression for days to heading ,grain filing period, plant height, number of spikes per plant, and number of grains per plant. The mean average for all these traits revealed highly significant differences among crosses. Low in protein content trait (23-69%), medium in grain yield per plant (38-70) and high heritability in thousand kernel weight (62-81%) were found. All hybrids showed the highest for both mid and better parents heterosis for protein content and gluten traits. High heritability was accompanied by high genetic advance for thousand kernel weight. Low heritability was coupled with low genetic advance for grain yield per plant, protein content and gluten. However, greater magnitude of heritability coupled with higher genetic advance in some traits provided that these parameters were under the control of additive genetic effects. This indicates that selection should lead to fast genetic improvement of the material. Moreover, the high genetic correlations for most of the traits, suggested a strong inherent association among these traits at the genetic level. Thus these traits deserve better attention in future breeding programs for evolving better wheat in stress environments.

Economic efficiency for the cultivating of Durum wheat in AL-Hassaka governorate

The main objective was to study the economic efficiency of Durum wheat in AL-Hassaka governorate during the growing season of 2010/2011 through a stratified random sample included 119 farmers distributed in 10% of the target villages. The results showed that Duma 1 variety had achieved the highest proportion in relation to the rate of adoptions and the highest adoption rate compared with other varieties cultivated with irrigated Durum wheat in ALHassaka governorate. Sham 3 variety had also the highest adoption rate (47.47%) and widely distributed compared with other varieties Durum wheat cultivated as a rain fed crop. The results also showed that the net return of irrigated Durum wheat was in AL-malkia and amounted to 1653.17 Syrian Liras/ Dunum while losing -261.50 Syrian Liras per Donum in AL-kamshli. Duma 1 variety reached the highest net return (2443.58 Syrian Liras per Donum) of irrigated Durum wheat. The net return of rain fed Durum wheat was observed in AL-Malkia and amounted to 792.92 Syrian Liras per Donum while losing -158.18 Syrian Liras per Donum in AL-kamshli. Sham 7 variety had the highest net return of rain fed Durum wheat and amounted to 1847.48 Syrian Liras per Donum.

Inheritance of some quantitative characters in durum wheat

This study was carried out at Karahta station of field crops research department General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Researches (G.C.S.A.R.) Damascus Syria during the 2009 -2010 and 2010 -2011 growing seasons to estimate gene action, potency ratios, heterosis and Inbreeding depressions. Five population seeds of two single hybrids (Cham-5 × Azeghar-1), (Bohoth-5 × Gidara-2) were formed by crossing of four inbred lines. The crosses were subjected to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in order to evaluate plant height (PH), number of grains per spike (GRSP), flag leaf area (FLA), thousand kernel weight (TKY) and grain (p<0.05) yield per plant (GYP). Mean square results showed significant differences among mean values of the five populations for all studied traits in all crosses. Significant heterosis values compared to mid and better parent were observed for all traits with exception of (PH) (5.82, 1.62)%, (GRSP) (27.49 9.66)% and(TKY) (3.05 7.53)% for Cross-1. (GYP) (82.46, 96.63)% for Cross- 2. (GRSP) (9.09 5.14)%. The potency ratios exceeded (+1) in all traits and crosses except (PH) (-2.23) for Cross-2. Indicating that over-dominance towards low placement. The results indicated that Inbreeding depression values were significant for all traits in Cross-1 except for (GRSP) (10.33), and (TKY) (15.23). While its values were non- significant for all traits inCross-2except (GRSP) (25.46*). In most traits epestasis or dominant gene action occupied the first rank in controlling these traits in both crosses. It could be suggested that selection for most studied traits in the subsequent generations will be relatively more effective than in early generations.

Impact of Supplementary Irrigation on production of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum L.) in Quneitra Governorate

This research was conducted to determine the most responsive phenological stage for supplementary irrigation of the durum wheat in a primary stationary region. It consisted of six different water treatments in addition to control (non irrigated) : 1-From planting to seedling emergence; 2-From planting to tillering; 3-From planting to booting; 4-From planting to flowering; 5-From planting to the end of the milk stage; 6–Sowing irrigation and irrigation according to necessity throughout the milk stage. The study has been repeated in four blocks for three seasons from 2002 to 2005. The results of the first two seasons showed that the: The treatment from planting to booting, was canceled because of the rain and soil dampness during this growth period. A significant increase in production, water use efficiency, and one 1000 kernel weight, of both 5th and 6th treatments was noticed in comparison with other treatments and the control. Results of the three seasons were varied due to the environmental variation in temperature and amount of rainfall.

Contribution of flag-leaf in yield and its components in five improved varieties of Durum wheat (T. turgidumvar. durum)

Five improved genotypes of durum wheat (T. turgidum var. durum) (Lahn, Cham1, Gezira17, Bouhouth 5, and Acsad 65) were planted under the conditions of the agricultural region (Bouka) of the Faculty of Agriculture- Tishreen University during the agricultural year 2002-2003, with a split-plot arrangement to study the effects of flag leaf removal on grain yield and its components.The genotypes differed significantly in flag leaf area, stomatal frequency, yield parameters and protein content. Flag leaf removal significantly reduced plant height, number of spikelets/ spike, number of grains/ spike, 1000 kernels weight and grain yield, while grain protein content significantly increased. There was a positive correlation between the flag leaf area and 1000- kernels weight and grain yield, but protein content was negatively correlated with grain yield.

Effect of Different Levels of Soil Moisture On Seed Germination of Six Durum Wheat Cultivars (Triticum turgidum var. durum)

Six durum cultivars were compared in relation to germination percentage, mean germination time, and germination “Catch up” from stress under different soil moisture contents in the labs. Both soil moisture and cultivars have shown effects on the studied parameters. Increasing moisture tension had caused a significant reduction in the germination percentage. The cultivars differed in their germination. Haurani 27 and Cham3 showed a higher germination potential and their germination times were shorter than the two varieties Bohouth 5 and Cham1. The varieties Lahn and Senator Capelli were intermediate among the other examined cultivars.

The influence of Radiostimulation on Morphological and Yield components of two different Durum wheat varieties

This experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University (2001 – 2002), to assess the effect of radiostimulation of seeds of two durum wheat varieties (Hourani and Cham 3) on some morphological traits and yield components, by using three doses of gamma rays (10, 15, and 20 GY). The study showed significant differences among radiation doses. The high doses (15, 20 GY) caused a significant deterioration in growth and development of plants, as well as yield components of the two varieties.