Classification Study of Phytoplankton and Benthic Algae in the Water Basin Ain Hamad

  Razk Haddad

Abstract

This study has defined the types of the planktonic algae and the benthic dwellers which live in the water basin-Ain Hamad in Shakshouk Region in the western mountain (Lybia). The basin was found to harbour (12) Species of the Cyanoschizophuta, and (34) Sp. of the Chrysophycophyta, (31) Sp. of which belong to the class of   Diatomophycopsida, and three types belong to the class of Xanthophycopsida, and (20) Sp. of the green algae, and (9) Sp.  of which belong to the class of green algae and (9) Sp. belong to the class of Zygophycopsida and two Sp. belong to the Charophycopsida, were identfied properly .

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Growth and Flower Quality of Three Rosa hybrida Cultivars in Response to Rootstock

Safi, M.I.

Sawwan, J.S.

Abstract

Performance of three Rosa hybrida cultivars (First Red, Versilia, and Virginia) was evaluated either on their own roots or grafted onto three rootstocks (R. indica Major, R. canina Inermis, and R. hybrida Natal Briar) in a plastic house experiment. Parameters of plant growth and flower quality were investigated for two successive years (1999 and 2000).

Regardless of the rootstock, the three cultivars were superior (p<0.05) to the own rooted plants for all parameters studied when they were grafted onto rootstocks especially Natal Briar.

Irrespective of the cultivar, Natal Briar rootstock exhibited significantly higher flower length and diameter, more number of petals/flower, longer and thicker flower stem, greater flower fresh weight, better quality index, and higher number of nodes/stem compared to the other stocks (R. indica Major and R. canina Inermis) and the rooted cuttings.

Although, the late two rootstocks, R. indica and R. canina performed similarly, they were significantly better than the own rooted plants with respect to growth and flower quality. It is concluded that growth and flower quality of the used rose cultivars under prvailing conditions (plastic house) can be improved through proper selection of rootstock to graft them on. Furthermore, it is not advisable to grow rose plants on their own roots and it is recommended to screen out new scion/rootstock combinations for longer periods of time.

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Rose Vase Life and Water Relations in Response to Rootstock Type

Safi, M.I

Sawwan, J.S.

Abstract

Three cut flower rose varieties “First Red, Vesilia, and Virginia” grafted to three different rootstocks “Rosa indica, Rosa canina, and Natal Briar” and own rooted cuttings, were studied during the season of 1999, for their post harvest life, on the basis of fresh weight, dry weight, and water relations. Rose varieties grafted to the rootstocks “Rosa indica, Rosa canina, and Natal Briar” gave cut flowers with longer post harvest life, with a significant superiority for the latter one plant combinations, compared to the flowers from the cutting plants. Cut rose flower’s post harvest life correlated to the water balance more than to the dry weight percentage change in 9 days. The more the water balance (better water retention), shown by the flowers, the longer the vase life obtained. Flowers from grafted plants showed more water uptake, less water loss, higher water balance and consequently longer post harvest life (days from cut to senescence, at the time appearance of bent-neck or wilting of outer petals) is recorded.
 

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Study of Supply System of Barley Seed to Farmers in North and Central Ethiopia

Yonas Sahlu Selassie
Omar M. Kafawin
Nazir  Hadidi
Hani Saoub

Abstract

A survey was conducted during the 1998-99 growing season in the North Western and East Central parts of Ethiopia to study the supply system of barley seed.  Four zones were covered by the survey which are South Gondar, North Gondar, Arsi and Bale.A total of 300 seed samples were collected, as will as  a questionnaire was filled for every sample at the same time.  Seeds were largely supplied informally and most of the farmers used their own crop as seeds.  No case was recorded from the official formal seed sources.

The central part of the country especially the Arsi zone was found to contribute most of the improved cultivars seed samples. Comparisons between seed sources were less valid due to the large differences between sample sizes.  Moreover, significant differences were revealed only in very few cases. It was concluded from the study that proper marketing strategy of the formal seed supply system seemed necessary.  The informal system requires some support and should be strengthened. It is also recommended that suitable cultivars should be introduced.  Proper farmer to farmer seed exchanges, and introduction of appropriate technology in the processes of seed cleaning, treatment and storage are also recommended to upgrade the seed supply system.

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Influence Of Olive Fruit Harvesting Period On The Quality And Quantity Of Olive Oil

Walid Mofleh M. Al-Rousan

Abstract

Olive fruits of cultivar Nabali Muhassan were harvested at five different periods. Harvesting took place at three-weekly intervals throughout the experiment period, starting at 20^th of October. Pressing was performed at the end of each harvesting day using commercial olive mill. Average weight, flesh weight, moisture, oil content, and oil yield of olive fruits were measured at the days of collection. Olive oil samples were analyzed for acidity, peroxide value, iodine value, refractive index, Ultra violet absorbency and fatty acid composition. The results show that towards harvesting period there was an increase in olive oil content, oil yield, acidity, peroxide value, iodine value, UV absorption, lenoleic acid and some other fatty acids. While there were decreases in olive fruit moisture, oil content remained in pomace, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. While oleic acid quantity, refractive index (at 25°c), and saponification value were almost constant.

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 Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from

Fermented Green Olives in Western Algeria

Kacem Mourad
 Zadi-Karam Halima
Karam Nour-Eddine

Abstract

A total of 22-isolates of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from 10 samples of fermented green olives in Western Algeria. It was determined that, 11 of these isolates were Lactobacillus plantarum, 7 of them were Enterococcus faecalis and 4 of them were Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis. Of the 18 isolates examined for antagonistic activity, 3 isolates of Lactobacillus plantarum and one isolate of Enterococcus faecalis were able to give distinct zones of inhibition against 5 indicator strains of lactic acid bacteria. Cell free supernatants of Lactobacillus plantarum OL9 were active against others Gram-positive bacteria (Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Propionibacterium) and also against one strain of Gram-negative bacteria (Erwinia).
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Oxo -Rhenium(V) Complexes With Tridentate Schiff Base Ligands

Abdul Aziz  Kashta
Mohamad Jaber Al-Jeboori

Abstract

The reaction of Re(V)-oxo precursors [ReOX₃(PPh₃)₂] where (X = Cl or Br) and [(ReOCl₄)]^- under neutral conditions with the potentially binucleating benzylimine Schiff base ligands derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl phenol gave dimeric complexes of the type [ReOX₂L]₂, where (X = Cl or Br; L= C₂₃H₂₂ON₂, C₂₅H₂₆ON₂, or C₂₅H₂₆O₃N₂). All complexes have been characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, mass spectroscopy, FT-IR and microanalysis.  The study shows that the benzylimines ligand appear to bind in a symmetric manner to give dimeric complexes with seven coordinate Re atom_.
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Assessment of T3, T4, and TSH levels among Jordanians with suspected thyroid abnormalities who were referred by outpatient clinics during the period June 1999 - March 2002

Fahmi M. Mahmoud

 Abdul Aziz Kashta

 Said A. Shawar

Abstract

The occurrence of thyroid abnormality and its relationship to age and gender, were studied in a total of 6334 blood samples drawn from Jordanians suspected of thyroid disorders (2873 males and 3461 females). The patients who were referred by outpatient clinics, lived in the Great Amman District (Central Jordan), and their age ranged from 40-69 years.

The mean serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were 4.30 pmol/L for the males and 3.94 pmol/L for the female population. Abnormal FT3 values were found in 9.03% of the males and 8.38% of the females. Serum free thyroxin (FT4) levels were 15.33 pmol/L for males, and 15.55 pmol/L for females. Abnormal FT4 values was reported in 10.99% of the males and in 9.83% of the females.

TSH level averaged 2.18 mIU/L and 2.34 mIU/L for males and females, respectively, with 27.14% males and 28.56% females reporting abnormality.

The authors suggest that more studies are necessary, in order to assess the prevalence  of thyroidal disorders in the general population in Jordan.
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Heavy Metals Concentration in Soils Irrigated with Treated Wastewater in Jordan

Nawash M. Al-Ghezawi

Abstract

Heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils irrigated from Zarqa River were determined. Zarqa river receives its water from different sources at the period of sampling (end of summer season). Large portions originate from poorly treated wastewater produced from Khirbet As-Samra and small seepages along the river in addition to effluents from industrial activities along its banks. Soil samples irrigated for different periods were collected and analyzed for Fe, Mn, Ni, Al, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn content. Sampling was done at the end of the summer season in order to eliminate any impact of rain on irrigation water quality and leaching of heavy metals from the soil. The results showed that enrichment of all analyzed  heavy metals were found. The enrichment factor depends on the type of heavy metal and period of irrigation. The source of all  heavy metals can be attributed to its input from the wastewater with the exception of Fe and Al which are rich in soil and its increase with irrigation period can be due to leaching process.
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Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Cleanup in Stratified Formation by Water Displacement

Abdelaziz L. AL-Khlaifat

Abstract

Ground water contamination by non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) is a serious concern at many chemical industries and waste disposal sites. Many groundwater contamination incidents begin with the release of an essentially immiscible NAPL into the subsurface porous environment. Mathematical models are often used to evaluate the potential for ground water contamination resulting from NAPL in the unsaturated zone.

This paper derives a mathematical formulation to enhance our understanding of mobilization and displacement of NAPL during water flooding in stratified formations. The permeability was taken as a primary unknown variable in the developed mathematical model. An example is shown to confirm the applicability of the model. The results showed that the developed model is highly reliable in finding both water and NAPL flow rates as a function of time and to find the time required to remedy ground water NAPL contamination by water flooding.
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Correlation of Melt Flow Index on Sonic Modulus and Thermogravimetry of Low Density Polyethylene

  A.    Al-Hamdan
B.    Z. Mohamed

Abstract

The ultrasonic pulse-echo technique, thermogravimetry (TG) and its derivative (DTG) were utilized to study the correlation of melt flow-index (MFI) on the mechanical properties and thermal stability of low density polyethylene (LDPE) in nitrogen atmosphere. Both sonic modulus and decomposition temperature of the material increase continuously with decreasing MFI. This has been attributed to the increase in number of points of attraction and entanglement between molecules in the material with decreasing MFI.

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