Arab Journalists Research Articles

Constraints on AI: Arab Journalists’ experiences and perceptions of governmental restrictions on ChatGPT

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of Arab governmental restrictions on journalists’ use of ChatGPT, a leading Generative AI chatbot. Through interviews with 30 journalists from Syria, Libya, Jordan, and Egypt, the research reveals how journalists utilize ChatGPT and face severe censorship. These journalists perceive such censorship as violating their constitutional rights. The findings suggest that current digital legislation enables governments to exert greater control over information dissemination, undermining media independence. The study concludes that government actions to block ChatGPT access constitute a form of indirect or “soft” censorship within existing legal frameworks.

The Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Arab Newsrooms: Potentials and Challenges

Arab newsrooms and journalists are still attempting to process how to benefit from using artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily news production. Many have started experimenting with generative AI. However, in countries with strong economies, or in newsrooms funded by strong economies like in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, news organizations have endorsed AI technologies beyond ChatGPT and similar tools. The majority of Arab journalists, however, are yet to understand what is meant by AI. Very few news organizations in the region have strategically approached the question of AI. Arab newsrooms need to examine when and why they need to use AI technologies, whether they have the infrastructure or can afford the resources. Implementing AI in Arab newsrooms presents an additional set of challenges, including language complexities, cultural sensitivities, potential biases in algorithms, and the need for tailored solutions that resonate with local audiences. The ethical implications present its own set of challenges. ChatGPT has proven to generate inaccurate data in Arabic. Resources are to be put in place to ensure the model is trained on a diverse and comprehensive dataset of Arabic text. Implementing bias detection and mitigation techniques to ensure the models are free from biases and offensive content is crucial. Newsrooms operating in authoritarian regimes have to be aware of governments' attempts to use generative AI to whitewash and promote state-centered actions and policies. Maintaining editorial integrity remains an important consideration.

دور التدريب على تكنولوجيا الإعلام الجديد في تعزيز احترافية الصحفيين الاستقصائيين العرب

The rapid development in the field of digital world has affected many disciplines. Media industry is one of the most affected fields. Hence, journalists need to cope with the ongoing technological evolution and its latest updates. Investigative journalists need to pay attention to this even more than their colleagues in the field. Investigative journalism has in general been remarkably growing in recent years; yet, it still faces significant challenges in the Arab world in terms of the right to access information and the use of open sources. This study focuses on Arab investigative journalism and particularly studies the importance of training on using digital technology and its effects on professionality and high-quality investigative journalistic production. From this standpoint, this study aims to explore the impact of training on new media techniques on Arab journalists' professionalism. To achieve this goal, this study followed a qualitative methodology through in-depth interviews with twelve Arab journalists who are practitioners and interested in investigative journalism. This study concluded important results about the positive effects of training on new media technology: Gaining more theoretical knowledge and practical skills to apply the acquired knowledge. This would enhance the efficiency of journalists and improve the quality of their work and their competitiveness in the journalistic work sector.

Predicting the level of social media use among journalists: machine learning analysis

Within the long-drawn of COVID-19, the impact of social media is important for the public and journalists to re-engage with each other due to the relentless churning out of information. This paper investigates Arab journalists' use of social media during COVID-19 through Machine Learning (ML) models to predict future use and the main factor(s) deriving the respondents to such use. It aims to analyze the relationship between Arab journalists' online activity and their use of social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. To assess the frequency of social media usage among Arab journalists and its correlation with their primary tasks and accomplishments. To test the accuracy of these models, we collected 1,443 Arab journalists via an online survey in 2020 using a random sampling approach. Key variables like online active journalists, Facebook group usage, and frequency of usage were studied. The received responses were subjected to ML analysis such as K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree, and Ensemble Bagged Tree (EBT). The EBT predicted that Arab journalists would continue to rely on social media to various degrees as a viable source to fulfill their main tasks and accomplishments.

The Effect of Silica Nanoparticles Addition on Removal of Glyphosate Residue from Aqueous Solutions

Al-Tharwani, W.S., M.T. Mohammadali and I.M. Abd al-Ridha. 2024. The Effect of Silica Nanoparticles Addition on Removal of Glyphosate Residue from Aqueous Solutions. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 255-259. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001231 The aim of this study was to evaluate herbicide Tiller 48% SL (Glyphosate) residues in aqueous water by using silica nanoparticles as adsorption agent to remove glyphosate from aqueous solutions. Results obtained showed that when three concentrations of 10, 15 and 20 ml/L water were used, glyphosate concentration determined immediately after treatment was 3520, 5600 and 7955 mg/L, respectively. The concentration of the herbicide decreased with time and reached 1203 mg/L on the tenth day after treatment. No residues were detected by HPLC 21 days after treatment. The results of the study of the use of Nano-silica as an agent for the removal of glyphosate in aqueous solutions showed that the concentration 200 mg/L nano-silica achieved the highest rate of herbicide removal of 89.37%, outperforming the other two concentrations of 100 and 150 mg/L, which achieved 63.45 and 82.87% removal, respectively. Keywords: Glyphosate, residues, silica nanoparticles, adsorptio

First Record of the Caper Fly, Capparimyia savastani in Syria

El-Habib, A.F. 2024. First Record of the Caper Fly, Capparimyia savastani in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 260-262. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001238 Larvae of different ages were observed within the buds and fruits of the caper, Capparis spinosa (Capparidales: Capparidaceae) in AlMakhram area, Homs, Syria at several locations, and adult insects were captured with food traps. Based on the morphological characteristics of the adult insect, the caper fly, Capparimyia savastani (Martelli) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was recorded for the first time in Syria on the capers plant. This report includes morphological characteristics, life cycle, hosts, and geographical distribution. Keywords: Capers fly, Caparimyia savastani, capers, Syria.

Laboratory Evaluation of the Efficiency of The Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauvaria bassiana as a Biological Control Factor Against the Cucurbit Fly, Dacus ciliates

Al-Shweily, B.M., J.B. El-Zidawi and M.J. Hinnawi. 2024. Laboratory Evaluation of the Efficiency of The Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauvaria bassiana as a Biological Control Factor Against the Cucurbit Fly, Dacus ciliates. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 335-339. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001260 The cucurbit fly, Dacus ciliatus is a major pest which attack a wide range of crops and causes significant losses in agricultural production. Due to the high toxicity of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment, scientists focused on developing alternative safe methods to control this insect, including the use of biocontrol agents. Beauveria bassiana is one of the common fungi used as a bio-control agent. This entomopathogenic fungus was cultivated on Petri dishes containing PDA. The spore suspension of this fungus was prepared using sterilized distilled water, and three concentrations were used: 20×106 , 10×106 and 5×106 spores/ml. The effectiveness of these three concentrations was tested on larvae and pupae of the studied insect. The larval mortality rate ranged from 73.33% at the highest concentration to 33.33% at the lowest concentration used. Pupal mortality reached 66.66% at the highest concentration and 16.66% at the lowest concentration of spore suspension. Mortality rate was directly proportional to the spore suspension concentration of the entomopathogenic fungus. Keywords: Cucurbit fly, agricultural pest, biological control, Dacus ciliates, Beauveria bassiana, entomopathogenic fungi.

Two Parasitic Wasp Species: Ichneumon sarcitorius and I. ostentator in Iraq

Kareem, A.A., A. Alsendi, S. Al-Zurfi, A. Alamri and R.K. Aljaafari. 2024. Two Parasitic Wasp Species: Ichneumon sarcitorius and I. ostentator in Iraq. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 245-247. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001226 This study was carried out in Karbala and Najaf cities in June 2020. A sweeping net was used to collect the specimens during the survey. Results obtained indicated that the samples collected belong to the Ichneumonidae family (Order: Hymenoptera), one of the large and long Ichneumon wasps. This is the first report on the occurrence of two Ichneumon species, Ichneumon sarcitorius (Linnaeus, 1758) and I. ostentator (Heinrich, 1978), in the Al-Husayniya district of Karbala and Najaf provinces in Iraq. However, more survey is needed to identify their hosts in Iraq. Keywords: Ichneumon sarcitorius, Ichneumon ostentator, Taxonomy, Iraq

The Effect of Foliar Spray Application with Salicylic Acid and Bacillus subtilis AB1 on The Growth and Protection of Grapevine Bushes from Powdery Mildew Disease Caused by the Fungal Pathogen Uncinula necator

El-Mosto, E., Z. Hassani and M. Abou Shaar. 2024. The Effect of Foliar Spray Application with Salicylic Acid and Bacillus subtilis AB1 on The Growth and Protection of Grapevine Bushes from Powdery Mildew Disease Caused by the Fungal Pathogen Uncinula necator. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 328-334. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001244 This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar spray with three concentrations of salicylic acid (100, 200 and 300 mg/L), Bacillus subtilis AB1 at a concentration 2×106 cfu/ml, and the combined mutual effect of both, compared with a farmer's control on vegetative growth, clusters weight, productivity, and reduction of powdery mildew disease spread on grape vines. The growth length was significantly increased (140.7 cm) by applying the foliar spray of the bacteria + salicylic acid (200 mg/L) compared to the two treatments of salicylic acid 100 mg/L and the farmer's control (55.2 and 82.5 cm, respectively), whereas no significant differences were obtained between them and the rest of the treatments. The foliar spray with the treatment of both components (bacteria + salicylic acid 300 mg/L) was superior to all studied concentrations in relation to the average leaf surface area, clusters weight and productivity. All studied treatments reduced the severity of powdery mildew infection on leaves, except for salicylic acid at 200 mg/L (0.19) and no significant differences were recorded between all treatments (0.11-0.12) except for the two treatments (bacteria alone and farmer's control (0.15 and 0.14), respectively, in terms of reducing disease the severity of infection on fruit clusters. Keywords: Grapevine, salicylic acid, Bacillus subtilis AB1, vegetative growth, productivity, powdery mildew

Identification of Some Species of the Family Coccidae that Infest Fruit Orchards in Syria

Saleh, A.T. and A.M. Basheer. 2024. Identification of Some Species of the Family Coccidae that Infest Fruit Orchards in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 174-183. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001224 Soft scale insects are serious plant pests, are often small and highly cryptic. These pests are economically important in agriculture. Insect samples and infested plant parts were collected during the period April to June 2016 and 2017 from three locations (Al-Sanobar, Daba, and Jaba) and then brought to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center (BCSRC). The following soft scale insects of the order Coccomorpha and family Coccidae were identified: Coccus pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana, in Al-Sanobar and Dabba in Lattakia governorate in Java orange orchards, Saissetia oleae Olivier and C. pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana in Pomelo citrus tree in Daba locality, Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonscolombe at the third site Jaba, Quneitra governorate, in almond orchards, and to our knowledge is the first record in Syria. Identification and characterization of the soft scale insects was based on microscopic characters of adult female using slide-mounted specimens. Identification of pests is essential for the implementation of biological control programs. Keywords: Coccidae, soft scale insects, Syria

The Efficiency of Some Plant Extracts in Controlling the Larvae of the Cadelle Beetle, Tenebriodes mauritanicus in the Laboratory

Al-Saoud, N. 2024. The Efficiency of Some Plant Extracts in Controlling the Larvae of the Cadelle Beetle, Tenebriodes mauritanicus in the Laboratory. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 248-254. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001236 The efficacy of four acetone extracts of Melia azedarach, Zingiber pupureum, Thymus capitata and Mentha viridis, was tested as pesticides of plant origins in controlling the 4 th instar larvae of Tenebroides mauritanicus (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) under laboratory conditions. The extracts were applied at three concentrations 100, 50 and 25%. The results showed that the extract of ginger root had the highest mortality rate (90%), followed by M. azedarach fruits extract (83.33%), when 100% concentration was used. Meanwhile, thyme and mint leaf extracts caused 3.33 and 30% mortality, respectively, when the same concentration was used. The LC50 values for the ginger and the azedarach extracts were calculated on the first day after treatment and were 41.9 and 79.99% for both extracts, respectively. The results obtained 253 Arab J. Pl. Prot. Vol. 42, No. 2 (2024) indicated that the evaluated plant extracts were effective in controlling the cadelle beetle, which makes it a potential future component for use in integrated pest management programs. Keywords: Cadelle beetle, LC50, Tenebroides mauritanicus, plant extracts

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Some Pesticides and Plant Extracts in Controlling the Adults of Southern Cowpea Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Under Laboratory Conditions

Kashmar, I.Z.A. and M.T. Mohammadali. 2024. Evaluation of the Efficacy of Some Pesticides and Plant Extracts in Controlling the Adults of Southern Cowpea Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Under Laboratory Conditions. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 196-201. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001228 The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Coragen, Oxymatrine, and the fruits extracts of black pepper, Piper nigrum and leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulenses against adults of the southern cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, under laboratory conditions. The results obtained showed that the use of Coragen, achieved the highest mortality rates of 80.08, 83.24, and 95.00% at concentrations of 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 ml/L, respectively, 7 days after treatment, as compared to Oxymatrine, which caused a mortality rate of 70.00, 79.83, and 88.58%, respectively, at the same concentrations and after the same time period. Results also showed that the essential oil extract of black 200 مجلة وقاية النبات العربية، مجلد ،42 عدد 2 ) 2024( pepper fruits caused the highest mortality rate of adult insects at a concentration of 3 ml per liter, producing 75.00% mortality, compared to the treatment of eucalyptus extract, which produced 63.61% insect mortality, 7 days after treatment. Keywords: Oxymatrine, coragen, Callosobruchus maculatus, Pipper nigrum, Eucalyptus camaldulense, plant extracts.

Life Cycle and Characterization of Cedar Moth Insect (Dichelia cedricola) on Lebanese Cedar Trees (Cedrus libani) at The Cedar and Fir Reserve, Slenfeh, Syria

Hasan, R., M. Ali, A. Ramadan and O. Merhej. 2024. Life Cycle and Characterization of Cedar Moth Insect (Dichelia cedricola) on Lebanese Cedar Trees (Cedrus libani) at The Cedar and Fir Reserve, Slenfeh, Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 263-268. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001243 This study was carried out in the Cedar and Fir Reserve, Slenfeh, Syria during the period 2021-2022, where the Lebanese cedar moth, Dichelia cedricola (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was observed for the first time in Syria on the Lebanese cedar tree (Cedrus libani A. Rich.). Infestation symptoms were described and the most important biometric measurements of the different stages of the insect were recorded. The average body length of the fourth and fifth larval instars was 12.5±2.6 mm, the average length of the pupa was 9.7±1.2 mm. The average length of the female adult was 11.1±1.3 mm, and the wingspan was 18.7±2.6 mm. The average length of the male adult was 9.4±1.5 mm, and the wingspan was 15.7±2.6 mm. The life cycle of the insect was also investigated in the field, where the insect (in its different stages) was active from April to November. Caterpillars fed on needles and new buds and used needles for nesting and overwintering, which causes the leaves to fall and consequently cause damage to the tree. Control measures need to be investigated. Keywords: Cedar moth, Dichelia cedricola, Lebanese cedar. Cedrus libani, Life cycle

Diversity and Structure of Plant-Parasitic Nematode Communities in Some Olive Nurseries Along the Coastal Region of Syria

Ali, N. 2024. Diversity and Structure of Plant-Parasitic Nematode Communities in Some Olive Nurseries Along the Coastal Region of Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 281-290. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001258 Olive is one of the most important economic crops in Syria. Nurseries are often the main source for pathogens dissemination in olive orchards, especially soil-borne organisms such as Verticillium and plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN), and investigating their occurrence and distribution in olive nurseries seems of great importance. No scientific data on the distribution of PPN in olive nurseries along the Syrian coastal region is available. Therefore, the present study was conducted in order to: (i) explore for the first time the occurrence and diversity of PPN communities distributed in some olive nurseries along the Syrian coastal region, and (ii) compare the nematode diversity and their community structure between two olive varieties. One hundred eight soil samples were collected from different nurseries in Latakia and Tartous governorates, from two common olive varieties Khdiry and Qaissy. Taxonomical and functional indices were calculated and compared between olive varieties and soil mixture used. The community structure was defined by using principal component analysis (PCA). The results revealed the wide distribution of PPN in olive nurseries with a total of 17 genera identified. Aphelenchoides, Aphelenchus, Ditylenchus and Tylenchorhynchus were the most common. Impact of olive varieties or soil mixture on functional diversity was observed, but not on the taxonomical indices. PCA also revealed a distinct structure of communities in each of the two olive varieties as well as in the soil mixture. Economically important genera such as Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus were also recorded with high population densities in some nurseries, suggesting the inevitable introduction of such nematodes to olive orchards. Certification programs for plant propagation materials in nurseries seem extremely important to be adopted in Syrian nurseries to ensure the production and distribution of “healthy” seedlings to growers. Keywords: Diversity, nurseries, olive varieties; plant-parasitic nematodes, soil mixture, Syria

Effect of Some Biological Agents on Fungi Isolated from Roots and Soil around it of Cupressus spp. Trees

Al-Ameri, H.A. 2024. Effect of Some Biological Agents on Fungi Isolated from Roots and Soil around it of Cupressus spp. Trees. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 224-228. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001233 Relative occurrence of fungi associated with six root and six soil samples from the rhizosphere of Cupressus/cypruss trees with root rot, leaf blight or wilt symptoms were investigated. Results of the root samples (average of six samples) showed that the relative occurrence of Fusarium culmorum was the highest (36.81%), followed by F. solani (29.7%), Alternaria. alternate (14.19%), F. oxysporum (10.67%), R. solani (5.51%), Pythium spp. (1.69%), Helminthosporium spp. (0.85%), Bipolaris spp. (0.24%) and Stemphilium herbarum (0.18%). However, the average occurrence in the six soil rhizosphere samples was the highest for F. solani (41.28%), followed by R. solani (19.76%), F. culmorum (16.5%), F. oxysporum (8.77%), Bipolaris spp. (6.17%), A. alternata (3.99%), Pythium spp. (2.70%), Stemphylium herbarum (0.60%), and Helminthosporium spp. (0.27%). Results also showed that Trichoderma harzianum had a high antagonistic efficiency against the three studied fungi isolated from cypress tree roots and the surrounding soil, namely F. culmorum, F. solani and Helminthosporium spp. Based on 1-5 scale, the inhibition level was 1.0 against each of the pathogenic fungi F. culmorum, F. solani, and 2.0 against Helminthosporium spp. The results also showed that the use of B. subitlis as bacterial bio-control agent led to a significant inhibition of the growth of the three isolated fungi, F. culmorum, F. solani and Helminthosporium spp. cultured on PDA medium. Keywords: Bio-control agents, F. culmorum, F. solani, Cypress trees.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Fusarium tricinctum Causing Fruit Rot of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in Iraq

Thanoon, A.H. 2024. Morphological and Molecular Identification of Fusarium tricinctum Causing Fruit Rot of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in Iraq. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 168-173. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001241 In November 2019, samples of pumpkin fruits with post harvest rotting symptoms were collected from farmers' stores. The causative fungus was isolated from infected pumpkin fruits. Based on morphological traits, Koch's hypotheses and molecular diagnostic tests were employed to confirm the infection and identify the causal agent. Molecular diagnosis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the identity of the causal fungus. The results of electrophoresis using a 2% agarose gel showed the presence of a 550 bp amplified band. The ITS sequences were found to be homologous. to that of Fusarium tricinctum in GenBank database at a similarity level of 99%. GenBank assigned the number MZ166321.1 to the Iraqi isolate. This is the first record of F. tricinctum that causes post-harvest pumpkin rot in Iraq. Keywords: Pumpkin fruit rot, postharvest diseases, Fusarium tricinctum.

Effects of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus on Some Biological Aspects of the Fig Moth, Ephestia cautella

Kamil, S.H. 2024. Effects of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus on Some Biological Aspects of the Fig Moth, Ephestia cautella. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 377-381. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001245 This study evaluated the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of lemongrass on the third instar larvae of the date moth Ephestia cautella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The results obtained showed that there were toxic effects of aqueous extract, which produced the highest mortality rate of 43.35% at 5% concentration72 hours after treatment, whereas the lowest mortality rate of 17% was obtained at 0.5% concentration, 72 hours after treatment. The LC50 was 0.082%. The results indicated that the highest repellency rate of the aqueous extract was 71.33%, two hours after treatment, at 5% concentration, with significant decrease in repellency rate, 4 and 6 hours after treatment. The results also showed that the ethanolic extract gave higher mortality rate of 96.68% at the 5% concentration, and the lowest mortality rate of 43.33% at 0.05% concentration, 72 hours after treatment, with a LC50 of 0.008%. The repellency rates were highest (94.55%) at 5% concentration, 2 hours after exposure. In conclusion, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of lemon grass had good toxic and repellent effects that make them potential candidates for insect control of stored dates, as they are safe, eco-friendly and economically inexpensive products compared to chemical pesticides. Keywords: Plant extract, Lemongrass, control, Ephestia cautella.

Diapause Termination of Eggs of Silkworm, Bombyx mori Using Hydrochloric Acid and its Effect on the Insect’s Biological Characteristics

Okasha, I., A. Arab and H. Al-Roz. 2024. Diapause Termination of Eggs of Silkworm, Bombyx mori Using Hydrochloric Acid and its Effect on the Insect’s Biological Characteristics. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 149-154. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001229 The study was carried out in the summer and fall of 2022 at silkworm laboratory of the Lattakia Agricultural Scientific Research Center to study the effectiveness of hydrochloride acid in preventing embryonic diapaus and eggs hatching of silkworm, Bombyx mori L., and its effects on the insect's biological characteristics. The eggs were treated with hydrochloric acid solution during the summer breeding season, at 1, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after oviposition. The silkworm eggs were also treated in the fall season after cold storage for 45, 60 and 90 days at 5°C and 70-80% relative humidity. The results obtained showed that the highest hatchability rate was 96% when the eggs were treated at the age of 24 hours for 30 minutes. The results also showed that the highest effective rate of rearing (ERR) was 98.79% in eggs of 12 hours age. The highest average weight of the cocoon and shell was 1.64 and 0.33 g, respectively, when eggs were treated at the age of 1 hour for 30 min. Results also revealed that the effectiveness of hydrochloride acid in preventing diapause of stored eggs and the highest hatching rate was 95% of eggs stored for 90 days, and the ERR was 92.98%, 96.34% and 95.1% of eggs stored for 45, 60 and 90 days, respectively. Keywords: Silkworm, Eggs, Hatchability, Storage, hydrochloric acid.

Effect of Mulching Manures and Use of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora on Strawberry Fruit Yield Temnorhynchus baal and Meloidogyne javanica Under Field Conditions

Abd-Elgawad, M.M.M., L.W. Duncan, M.M.A. Hammam, F. El-Borai and I.E. Shehata. 2024. Effect of Mulching Manures and Use of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora on Strawberry Fruit Yield Temnorhynchus baal and Meloidogyne javanica Under Field Conditions. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 306-317. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001262 The importance of safe methods to manage strawberry pests has become more evident with increasing strawberry production and export in Egypt. Root damage by white grubs (Temnorhynchus baal larvae) and root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne javanica cause severe losses to strawberry fruit yield. Growers often rely on a few selective chemical pesticides to control these pests and to minimize pesticide residues in order to comply with maximum residue limits allowed for fruit export. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) that invade and kill grubs and reduce RKN population levels in the soil may be as effective as these insecticides in some cases. We evaluated the profitability of mulching strawberry with commonly used cow and/or chicken manure, with and without application of commercial Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in two farms for four consecutive years. All plots received chemical fertilizers. The designed drip irrigation system for EPN delivery in the farms insured efficient and even (P < 0.05) application of EPN in all treatments. Timing of EPN application varied due to import regulatory guidelines. All manure mulch treatments increased strawberry yield each year at a farm in Al-Qalyubia governorate, whereas yield remarkably increased in the fourth season at the farm in El-Beheira governorate. Compared to EPN-treated plots, 70% more (P = 0.06) insects were recovered in soil beneath dead plants in plots that did not receive EPNs. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora boosted fruit yield (P < 0.05) in the second and fourth years at El-Beheira and in all years at Al-Qalyubia. It reduced (P < 0.05) numbers of Meloidogyne javanica galls/egg masses on strawberry roots and juveniles in the soil in both farms. Mulches had no measurable effect on EPN performance, but suppressed pests and boosted plant productivity. The greatest yield enhancement by EPN occurred in the second year at El-Beheira farm when EPNs were applied shortly after planting (October), enabling early season control of the pests, but in the third year at Al-Qalyubia farm where the weather was generally warmer than that at El-Beheira, and therefore more suitable for EPN activity. Keywords: Strawberry yield, entomopathogenic nematodes, Meloidogyne, mulching, Egypt.

Effect of Standard and Nano-Urea on the Inhibition of the Fungus Aspergillus flavus Growth and Reduction of Aflatoxin B1 Production in the Laboratory

Hussein, A.H. and H.Z. Hussein. 2024. Effect of Standard and Nano-Urea on the Inhibition of the Fungus Aspergillus flavus Growth and Reduction of Aflatoxin B1 Production in the Laboratory. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 184-188. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001235 The results obtained from this study showed that the standard and nano-urea at concentrations 1, 2, and 3% inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus on PDA medium by 54.90, 72.55 and 100% for normal urea, and 60.78, 100 and 100% for nano-urea, respectively, compared with normal growth in the control treatment. The results obtained also showed that adding the most effective concentrations of normal and nano urea to corn kernels with A. flavus and stored for 30 days led to the inhibition of Aspergillus flavus growth and reduced aflatoxin production by 73.22 and 78.30%, respectively, as compared to the control treatment. In addition, results showed that adding regular urea at a concentration of 3% and nano-urea at a concentration of 2% to maize grains contaminated with AFB1 and stored for 30 days led to the reduction of aflatoxin B1 production by A. flavus by 78.74 and 83.36%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Keywords: Maize, Reduction ratio, Inhibition ratio, Nanotechnology, HPLC.