Jordan Valley Research Articles

Industrial apiculture in the Jordan valley during Biblical times with Anatolian honeybees

Although texts and wall paintings suggest that bees were kept in the Ancient Near East for the production of precious wax and honey, archaeological evidence for beekeeping has never been found. The Biblical term "honey" commonly was interpreted as the sweet product of fruits, such as dates and figs. The recent discovery of unfired clay cylinders similar to traditional hives still used in the Near East at the site of Tel Re ov in the Jordan valley in northern Israel suggests that a large-scale apiary was located inside the town, dating to the 10th-early 9th centuries B.C.E. This paper reports the discovery of remains of honeybee workers, drones, pupae, and larvae inside these hives. The exceptional preservation of these remains provides unequivocal identification of the clay cylinders as the most ancient beehives yet found. Morphometric analyses indicate that these bees differ from the local subspecies Apis mellifera syriaca and from all subspecies other than A. m. anatoliaca, which presently resides in parts of Turkey. This finding suggests either that the Western honeybee subspecies distribution has undergone rapid change during the last 3,000 years or that the ancient inhabitants of Tel Re ov imported bees superior to the local bees in terms of their milder temper and improved honey yield.

Intratesticular testosterone levels are high in rats maturing in the below the sea level enviroment of the jordan valley

intratesticular testosterone levels are high in rats maturing in the below the sea level enviroment of the jordan valley

STUDY OF WATER ROLE TOWARDS JORDAN VALLEY DEVELOPMENT BY RS AND GIS

Jordan an example of semi arid region in the Middle East has serious problems that related to the shortage of water resources and agriculture yield which leads to the incremental of desert area of the whole territory. The Jordan valley stills the resource of vegetations and cash crops because of water availability that coming through ghore canal from Yarmouk River. Remote sensing technique and geographic information system were the tool of collecting, analysis, and output data in short time and real mood. Besides that, science, technology, management, and money are the major parameters that affect the development of present study, if they are applied well by researchers, planners, and decision makers

Iron Age beehives at Tel Reḥov in the Jordan valley

Beehives were discovered in a densley built area in the Iron Age city of Reḥov (tenth-ninth century BC). They consisted of hollow clay cylinders, each with a little hole at one end (for the bee) and a removable lid at the other (for the bee keeper). These beehives, the earliest found in the Near East, were identified by analogy with examples pictured on Egyptian tombs and in use by traditional peoples. The suggested identification was confirmed by chemical analysis.

Proliferative visceral Isospora (atoxoplasmosis) with morbid impact on the Israeli sparrow Passer domesticus biblicus Hartert, 1904

House sparrows (Passer domesticus biblicus Hartert, 1904) caught in the Jordan valley, the coastal plain, and the desert region in Southern Israel were found massively infected with extraintestinal proliferative stages of Isospora, previously named Atoxoplasma. Infection coincided with Isospora spp. infections in the digestive tract. Prevalence of infection reached 70% among sparrows of all three regions; however, only in the Jordan valley did the severity of the sparrows compromised their survival. Healthy appearing captured birds showed symptoms of "going light" syndrome -- diarrhea, emaciation, and death. Birds succumbed within 48 h to 15 days after confinement to cages. Merozoites accumulated predominantly in the spleen but were rarely found in the peripheral blood. The parasite stages in the visceral leukocytes propagated by merogony and yielded single large waiting-stage merozoites. Visceral infections resulted in multifocal necrosis. Proliferative visceral Isospora infection (atoxoplasmosis) is one of the more severe causes of mortality among captive birds, free-ranging birds appear to coexist with the infection but succumb under capture stress.

Multi-disciplinary modeling, in stratigraphy and groundwater stratigraphy of the Jordan River basin

The study area is located along the Dead Sea Rift, the climate is considered arid in its southern margin near the Dead Sea, which is the lowest water reservoir found on the globe (412 m BSL), to semiarid in its northern part. During the last few decades, the water resources became depleted limiting the natural development of the agricultural settlements, which are the most common type of communities in the region. Previous studies suggested that a large amount of freshwater is lost as the result of salinization processes, which occur when fresh groundwater from the mountain aquifers, flow into the saline clastic Neogene aquifer complex. In order to comprehend this complex system, a detailed outlining of the regional hydrogeological system is essential. Since there are no boreholes, which penetrate the aquiferous rock sequences within the Rift, it was necessary to interpolate a large variety of data from several fields of geosciences. The methods applied included geological mapping, geophysical modeling based on interpretation of seismic profiles and geochemical modeling based on chemical and isotopic analysis of runoff, sediments and groundwater. The combined modeling based on results from the different types of analyses implied to several conclusions relevant to the regional water management policy: (1) groundwater becomes saline as it flows from the margins of the Rift to its center. Therefore, it is recommended to exploit it along the foothills of the rift escarpment. (2) Geophysical modeling indicated that the foothills and the Karstic mountain aquifer extend into the subsurface of the valley and can be farther exploited (up to 15 mm3 per annum) by relatively shallow wells. (3) Several mechanisms of groundwater salinization were deciphered: (a) the dense vertical faulting systems act as potential conduits for saline water, which flow-up from deep-seated sources and penetrate into the fresh aquifers. (b) Fresh groundwater in the clastic aquifer complex is rare, furthermore, two evaporates bodies were encountered (Auja and Zaharat el Qurein), also acting as sources for fresh water salinization. (c) Although the quantity of runoff recharge to the Jordan Valley aquifer complex is negligible, the increase in its salt-content (TDS) turns this negligible freshwater recharge to a significant contributor of salts.

Diversity and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) and their bacterial symbionts (γ-Proteobacteria: Enterobacteriaceae) in Jordan

Until now, only a few systematic surveys of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have been conducted in Middle Eastern countries. Many of the recovered EPN species in this region have shown to own distinctive qualities that enable their survival in unique environments, such as high temperatures and low moisture levels tolerance. These new species and strains, with unique environmental tolerances, are more suitable for their consideration in pest management programs in xerophytic regions. With this background in mind, we recently conducted a survey of EPN in Jordan. This study records for the first time the diversity and distribution of these nematodes and their bacterial symbionts in this country. Jordan’s three geographic regions: (1) the highlands, (2) Jordan valley and (3) the desert region were sampled. Within each region, natural habitats and agricultural regions characteristic to each region were considered for sampling purposes. Four EPN species including three Steinernema and one Heterorhabditis were recovered. Nematodes were identified using a combination of molecular markers and classic morphological diagnostic tools. Bacterial symbionts were identified by analysis of 16S rRNA sequences. Abiotic characteristics such as soil type, soil pH, and elevation were also recorded. We herein report the diversity of EPN species in Jordan and discuss their potential in Biocontrol and IPM programs for this country.

Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, flowering and yield of strawberry (<i>Fragaria X Ananassa duch</i>) grown under greenhouse conditions in the Jordan valley

A greenhouse experiment was carried out during the 2004/2005 season at Abu-Ghannam\'s farm in Kreimeh in the northern Jordan Valley-Jordan, to study the effects of fermented organic matter (made from sheep manure and annual weeds) used at four rates of 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 kg/m2 in comparison to conventional system (chemical fertilizers and pesticides) on growth, flowering and yield of the strawberry cultivar Honor. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates was adopted. The highest vegetative growth (leaves/plant, leaf area, plant fresh and dry weight) was found in the conventional treatment, while the highest root/canopy ratio was obtained by the 4.5 kg /m2 treatment. Organic matter advanced flowering date, while the conventional treatment delayed it. Runner production was not significantly affected by the type of treatment. The conventional treatment produced the highest fruit weight, total yield per replicate, and total yield per plant. Keywords: Strawberry; Fragaria X ananassa, vegetative growth, flowering; yield; organic, conventional Journal of Agriculture, Science & Technology Vol. 9 (1) 2007: pp. 3-14

The Cellulase and Pectinase Activities Associated with the Virulence of Indigenous Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Isolates in Jordan Valley

Twenty five isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were recovered from different infested fields of vegetable along the heavily cultivated crops in Jordan valley. Cellulase and pectinase activities of those isolates were detected using CMC and pectin agar media, respectively. Diameter of the clearing zones on those media represented the level of such enzymatic activities, characteristic of each isolate. The virulence of those isolates was studied using a squash (Cucurbita pipo) cultivar under a greenhouse condition. The significance of correlating the enzymatic activity with the virulence of the isolates was ascertained and discussed.

Effect of irrigation water on agricultural soil in Jordan valley: An example from arid area conditions

In Jordan, water rather than land is the determining factor for increasing the size and the productivity of the irrigated areas. Traditional surface irrigation is the general practice and the farmers themselves have been managing their water in terms of distribution and scheduling. The major developments in irrigation started in the 1950s, aiming at integrated rural development of the Jordan Valley, which would utilize Jordan's share of the water resources of the Jordan River System. Currently, irrigation is practiced in two main areas: the Jordan rift valley (JRV) and the Upland. The soil characteristics are subject to continuous changes based on a number of environmental factors. Many types of soil play a large part in classifying the plants into environmental groups. The macronutrients (N, P, K) and some of the heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) have been investigated in soil profiles irrigated by different water qualities. Two agricultural areas were selected for this purpose; one irrigated with fresh water from the Yarmouk River and the other irrigated with treated wastewater from King Talal Dam. In all farms, three trenches (inlet, middle and outlet of the row) were dug in the irrigated area, while in the non-irrigated area one trench was dug as a control. Each trench was 60 cm wide and 60 cm deep. Nine samples from each trench were collected at 20 cm intervals horizontally and vertically, making a total of 486 samples from all farms and control points. The results showed that the concentrations of the heavy metals in the soils from the selected farms lie within the accepted values. The results indicate that there are no adverse impacts of irrigation water for agricultural practices. It was also found that there was an increase in the concentration of nitrogen, potassium and phosphate in most of the selected farms, which reflects the extensive use of fertilizers. An awareness program is highly recommended in order to draw the attention of farmers to this serious problem.

The geochemistry of groundwater resources in the Jordan Valley: The impact of the Rift Valley brines

The chemical composition of groundwater in the Jordan Valley, along the section between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, is investigated in order to evaluate the origin of the groundwater resources and, in particular, to elucidate the role of deep brines on the chemical composition of the regional groundwater resources in the Jordan Valley. Samples were collected from shallow groundwater in research boreholes on two sites in the northern and southern parts of the Jordan Valley, adjacent to the Jordan River. Data is also compiled from previous published studies. Geochemical data (e.g., Br/Cl, Na/Cl and SO 4/Cl ratios) and B, O, Sr and S isotopic compositions are used to define groundwater groups, to map their distribution in the Jordan valley, and to evaluate their origin. The combined geochemical tools enabled the delineation of three major sources of solutes that differentially affect the quality of groundwater in the Jordan Valley: (1) flow and mixing with hypersaline brines with high Br/Cl (>2 × 10 −3) and low Na/Cl (<0.8) ratios; (2) dissolution of highly soluble salts (e.g., halite, gypsum) in the host sediments resulting in typically lower Br/Cl signal (<2 × 10 −3); and (3) recharge of anthropogenic effluents, primarily derived from evaporated agricultural return flow that has interacted (e.g., base-exchange reactions) with the overlying soil. It is shown that shallow saline groundwaters influenced by brine mixing exhibit a north–south variation in their Br/Cl and Na/Cl ratios. This chemical trend was observed also in hypersaline brines in the Jordan valley, which suggests a local mixing process between the water bodies.

Hydrochemical processes in the lower Jordan valley and in the Dead Sea area

Changes in the concentrations of major, some minor and trace elements occurring in both surface and groundwater of the lower Jordan River–Dead Sea drainage basin have been investigated in order to identify the characteristics of the regional aquifers and their recharge areas. Spider patterns of elements and rare earth distribution patterns pinpoint the characteristic chemical features of groundwater. As compared to seawater, the high Br/Cl ratios in groundwater are caused either by high Br/Cl ratios in precipitation, by leaching of Br from bituminous matter or by mixing with brines beyond the epsomite stage. The locations of groundwater samples with enhanced B contents coincide with the distribution of gypsum in the beds of the Lisan Formation, which produces water with nearly constant B/SO 4 2− molar ratios. Aeolian distribution of the unconsolidated Lisan sediments influences the B/SO 4 ratio in the area of Lake Tiberias and in the Jordan Highlands. The high Gd anomaly in the Dead Sea water is of geologic origin whereas that in the Jordan River and in Nahal (stream) Qidron is largely anthropogenic. The anthropogenic Gd input to the Dead Sea is insignificant compared to the actual amount in the water of the Dead Sea. Hot saline water encountered along the western shores of the Dead Sea with high Gd anomalies indicate that they contain large amounts of ancient Dead Sea water that mix (as hot ascending brines) with fresh water. The recharge area of groundwater in the lower Jordan Valley extends largely over limestone and dolomite outcrops of the Upper Cretaceous Judea Group. Weathering of locally underlying Lower Cretaceous volcanics in the area of Pezael–Beqaot, and Argaman yield groundwater with δ 34S(SO 4 2−) values ranging from − 2 to + 4‰. The presence of sulphide-bearing bodies in this area is attested to magnetic anomalies detected at depths of several kilometres. δ 34S(SO 4 2−) indicates very deep groundwater circulation. High δ 34S(SO 4 2−) > 15‰ is typical for marine sulphates from the Judea and Avedat Group limestone. The springs located along the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea discharge water replenished on the eastern Judea Mountains. The increase in the salinity of this water is due to brines flushed from sediments and from adjacent sedimentary rocks, which host entrapped brines from the precursors of the Dead Sea formed during the late stages of Lake Lisan. Fresher water flushes out these residual brines as a result of falling sea level. Salinity increase in groundwater is also affected by the ascent of deep-seated hot brines from pre-Sedom periods along the Rift faults. Calculations of mixing between fresh and highly saline end-members show that leaching of anhydrite from sediments, precipitation of calcite, formation of dolomite, albitization of plagioclase and ion exchange with abundant clay minerals control the major-element composition of the saline groundwater.

Sulphur and oxygen isotopic characters of dissolved sulphate in groundwater from the Pleistocene aquifer in the southern Jordan Valley (Jericho area, Palestine)

Sulphate and chloride concentrations in the shallow Pleistocene aquifer systems in the lower Jordan valley area indicate a general trend of increasing salinity eastward and southward. This study was conducted in one of the important sub-basins feeding the Pleo–Pleistocene aquifer in the Jericho area in the southern part of the valley using S and O isotopes of dissolved sulphate. The results show that sulphate has mainly two contributions to the groundwater. One is the surface seepage, which is present as a salty leachate form with the positive δ34Ssulphate values of primary gypsum in Lisan and Samara formations, and the second is the upwelling saline water which was in contact with a deep secondary gypsum, aragonites and salty rocks and rose up under heavy abstraction with depleted 34S in sulphate and relatively high sulphate and chloride content. The latest was clearly shown in the Arab Project wells to the east that is undergoing a continuous heavy abstraction. The isotopic signatures of S and O in these wells to the east show that this depleted 34S and highly concentrated sulphate might also indicate a dissolved sulphate originating from pyrite oxidation that results from the interaction with a pyrite-rich aquifer, which can well up with salty water under heavy abstraction and is oxidised in the upper aerobic shallow aquifer.

Formation of sequential basins along a strike–slip fault–Geophysical observations from the Dead Sea basin

The Dead Sea basin is often cited as one of the classic examples for the evolution of pull-apart basins along strike–slip faults. Despite its significance, the internal structure of the northern Dead Sea basin has never been addressed conclusively. In order to produce the first comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of this area, all available seismic data from the northern Dead Sea (lake)–lower Jordan valley (land) were combined. Results show that the northern Dead Sea basin is comprised of a system of tectonically controlled sub-basins delimited by the converging Western and Eastern boundary faults of the Dead Sea fault valley. These sub-basins grow shallower and smaller to the north and are separated by structural saddles marking the location of active transverse faults. The sedimentary fill within the sub-basins was found to be relatively thicker than previously interpreted. As a result of the findings of this study, the “classic” model for the development of pull-aparts, based on the Dead Sea, is revised. The new comprehensive compilation of data produced here for the first time was used to improve upon existing conceptual models and may advance the understanding of similar basinal systems elsewhere.

Haplotype structure at seven barley genes: relevance to gene pool bottlenecks, phylogeny of ear type and site of barley domestication

Archaeological remains indicate that the origin of western agriculture occurred in a brief period about 10,500 years ago in a region of the Middle East known as the Fertile Crescent, where the wild progenitors of several key agricultural cereal species are endemic. Domestication entailed the appearance of agronomic traits such as seed size and threshability. For a representative sample of 20 domesticated barley (Hordeum vulgare) lines, including 13 two-rowed and 7 six-rowed varieties, we determined the haplotypes at seven loci-Adh2, Adh3, Amy1, Dhn9, GAPDH, PEPC and WAXY encompassing 5,616 bases per line-and compared them to the haplotypes at the same loci for 25 wild forms (Hordeum spontaneum) collected within and outside the Fertile Crescent. In comparisons of wild versus domesticated barley, the number of haplotypes (70 vs. 17), average nucleotide diversity, pi, (0.0077 vs. 0.0028), and Watterson's theta at silent sites (0.0104 vs. 0.0028) was reduced in domesticated lines. Two loci, Amy1 and PEPC, were monomorphic in domesticated lines; Amy1 and GAPDH produced significant values of Tajima's D. At GAPDH, pi was slightly higher in domesticated than wild forms, due to divergent high-frequency haplotypes; for the remaining six loci, 87% of nucleotide diversity has been lost in the domesticated forms. Bottlenecks acting on neutrally evolving loci either during the domestication process, during subsequent breeding, or both, are sufficient to account for reduced diversity and the results of Tajima's test, without the need to evoke selection at these loci. Phylogenetic networks data uncover distinct wild and domesticated barley genotypes and suggest that barley may have been domesticated in the Jordan valley. Because, based on AFLP data, the domesticated Turkish cultivars had a genetic basis as large as that present in large germplasm collections, all comparisons provided in this paper are of general value more than being restricted to the Turkish barley germplasm.

Cucumber vein yellowing ipomovirus

<i>Cucumber vein yellowing ipomovirus</i>

Leucocytozoonosis in the Israeli sparrow, Passer domesticus biblicus Hartert 1904

Among the 91 house sparrows (Passer domesticus biblicus Hartert, 1904) examined and caught in the Jordan valley, Israel, 79% were found to be infected with Leucocytozoon fringillinarum Woodcock 1910. In the coastal plain of Israel (South of Tel Aviv), Leucocytozoon infection was found in only 3 out of 43 examined sparrows. In the birds examined, Leucocytozoon gametocytes were present, often in large numbers, in the circulating blood of the visceral organs, whereas they were only sporadic or even absent in the peripheral blood. Gametocytes were seen in the brain capillaries in only a few birds. Only one of the heavily infected sparrows was anemic. Leucocytozoon merozoites were present in the liver and kidneys in only a few infected birds. Merogonic infections did not induce any severe pathological changes, while the gametocyte congestion caused dilation of the blood vessels and sinuses. Tissue damage by the gametocyte parasitemia was most evident in the liver and kidneys. Leucocyte infiltration developed alongside the affected vessels; diffuse necrosis developed in the infiltrated areas. In the kidneys, many tubules were degenerated. Leucocytozoon gametocyte infection in sparrows is unique in that it appears to be confined, for most of its duration, to the visceral circulation, resulting in clinical consequences. Geographically, it is confined to habitats presumably supporting vectors.

Management of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier in the Gulf and Mediterranean region

The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier is the most deadly and dangerous pest of coconut, date, oil, sago and other palms. R. ferrugineus is distributed in over 33 countries over a wide range of area under different agro-climatic conditions and attacks more than two dozen palm species. In the Middle East the weevil is the most destructive pest of the date palms. The hidden nature of the pest attack makes timely detection of the infestation and control measures difficult. The earlier reviews provide details of biology and control methods viz. phyto-sanitary and preventive, curative, biological, baiting and trapping etc. Different combinations of above mentioned control methods have also been tried with varying degrees of success. Results of two major IPM programmes carried out in the gulf countries, the first during 1993-1998 mainly based on chemical and pheromone trapping and the second from 1998-2002 using bio-agents and pheromone trapping are discussed. In Jordan valley intensive pheromone trapping and incorporation of systemic insecticide in irrigation water could not control the pest even after three years. Development of ecofriendly pest control strategies like hybrid sterility, incompatibility and disruption of tolerance to high temperatures in Gulf and Mediterranean regions is suggested to combat the pest.

Relatedness Among Indiginous Members of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by Mycelial Compatibility and RAPD Analysis in the Jordan Valley

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum attacks most of the vegetable crops in the Jordan valley. Twenty-five samples/isolates were obtained in a complete coverage of that region. They were characterized for their mycelium incompatibility, and specific gene amplified using the primer SSREV/SSFWD. All isolates gave similar single band around 278 bp. Thirteen isolates were completely incompatible with the other 12 ones. The latter ones fell into four subgroups of mycelium incompatibility. RAPD analysis using three primers (OPA-2, OPA-10, and OPA-18) clustered the 25 isolates into subgroups in agreement with their morphological separation, indicating close correlation between amplified gene(s) and the gene(s) of incompatibility. All highly virulent isolates were among the group of 13, indicating a well established genomic type pathogen in this region.

Heterodera latipons on barley in Jordan

A survey of major barley-growing areas in Jordan was conducted to determine the prevalence and degree of infestation of the Mediterranean cereal cyst nematode (MCCN) Heterodera latipons. The nematode was found in several locations in the northern and southern Mediterranean and the eastern desert areas of Jordan, but it was not detected in the northern Jordan valley and the southern desert areas. In those areas where the cyst nematode occurred, the incidence varied between areas from 30 to 100%. The degree of infestation varied from moderate to very severe. Infestation was most severe in the fields of the Northern Mediterranean area. The MCCN completed one life cycle per growing season. Studies on three isolates of the nematode from three areas, Ar-Ramtha, Madaba, and Al- Karak, revealed that the morphometrics varied little among these isolates. These three isolates as a whole varied in their virulence to two commonly used barley cultivars, Rum and Acsade 106, being more virulent on cv. Rum than on cv. Acsade 106. However, the isolates also varied among each other in their virulence to the same cultivar, Ar-Ramtha being the most virulent on cv. Rum, Madaba the most virulent on cv. Acsade 106.