Visual symptoms and control of the Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abd Rabou AN, Radwan ES. 2017. Visual symptoms and control of the Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 322-329. The Red Palm Weevil –RPW (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier)(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has recently become one of the most destructive pests of Date Palms in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East. It is a serious pest threatening the Date Palm health and production, with the larva is the most destructive stage. The current study aims at introducing the visual symptoms and control techniques of the RPW in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Field surveys and institutional visits were applied to fulfill the purpose of the study. The current study documented that first local infestation of Date Palm trees with the RPW was discovered in late 2011. The introduction of infected offshoots from Egypt through earth tunnel trade and the ability of the adult RPW to fly long distance and cross borders seem to be main causes of the local infestations with the pest. Different control techniques have been adopted by the responsible parties to combat the RPW; with the integrated pest management (IPM) program was tracked and respected. Finally, the study recommends the cooperation of different parties and authorities to adopt appropriate policies to eliminate the RPW and to support farmers with the necessary pesticides and equipment to control this painful pest

The State of the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: A Questionnaire-based Study

The current study aims at documenting the trends on various aspects of the knowledge of farmers, workers and owners of Date Palm orchards regarding the state of the Date Palm sector in Deir Al-Balah region, Gaza Strip, Palestine. One hundred and fifty people (N=150) were selected randomly to fill a questionnaire especially designed to conduct this study. The results of the questionnaire survey revealed that 71.4% of the interviewed population had 3 dunum or less cultivated by Date Palms. The groundwater was the main irrigation source as claimed by 61.3% of the interviewed population; the rest depends on either rain water or reclaimed wastewater. The Hayani cultivar was grown by all respondents, though the majority ensured that the cultivation of diverse cultivars can help lower the risk of pest infestation. About two-thirds (62.0%) confirmed that the average production per a Date Palm tree was from 70 to 200 kg per year. All respondents were aware on the popular uses and industries based on Date Palm trees, and 70.0% of them produce various household products. The military operations of the Israeli occupation and the outbreak of RPW are crucial threats facing the Date Palm sector in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, 84.0% believed on advantages drawn by the Date Palm cultivation projects in the Gaza Strip to include the provision of self-sufficiency and food security, the improvement of productivity and national income and the reduction of unemployment which is an escalating problem in the Gaza Strip. Finally, the study recommends the improvement of the processes of Date Palm cultivation, production and marketing, and the cooperation of responsible parties to ensure a good sustainable development of the Date Palm sector in the Gaza Strip

Wild mammals in the Gaza Strip, with particular reference to Wadi Gaza

Mammalian fauna are considered good indicators of the degree of anthropogenic disturbance to the various ecosystems. Many mammalian species disappeared in the Gaza Strip during the last 5-6 decades and no efforts have been made to stop such disappearance. The present work aims at surveying the remnant wild mammals in the Gaza Strip; particularly in Wadi Gaza as a natural area. A total number of 15 mammalian species belonging to 5 orders and 11 families were recorded. Most mammalian species were of small sizes and residents. Seven disappeared mammalian species were mentioned by locals. The causes of disappearance were mostly anthropogenic and included the limited area of the Gaza Strip, over-population, residential and agricultural encroachment on the expense of natural areas and the over-exploitation of natural resources of which hunting was and stills a common practice threatening wildlife. The Israeli Occupation is still adversely affecting wildlife ecology in the area. Finally, the authors recommend improving cooperation of different parties to enhance the public awareness and to implement environmental laws and legislations to conserve nature and to protect wildlife

Influence of a vegetable fat blend on the texture, microstructure and sensory properties of kashar cheese

The possibility of using a commercial vegetable fat blend in Kashar cheese was investigated. Kashar cheeses were manufactured by replacing the milk fat (MF) with a vegetable fat (VF) blend. Kashar cheeses from whole milk were also manufactured to compare textural, microstructural, meltability, color and sensory characteristics during a ripening period of 90 days. The use of vegetable fat decreased the meltability, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness of the cheese; while increasing adhesiveness where springiness was not affected. Differences became less notable toward the end of ripening. Scanning electron micrographs displayed VF cheese with a compact network with small and uniform fat globules embedded in the protein matrix. The MF cheese exhibited an open protein matrix containing milk fat globules of various sizes and forms. The color analysis demonstrated significant differences between cheeses. Finally, all sensory characteristics of the cheese were affecte d by the vegetable fat blend.<br><br>La posibilidad de usar una mezcla de grasas vegetales comerciales en queso Kashar fue investigada. Los quesos Kashar fueron elaborados con una mezcla de grasas vegetales (VF) en lugar de grasa de leche (MF). Quesos Kashar con leche entera fueron también elaborados para comparar las características sensoriales, de color, de fusión, microestructurales y de textura durante el periodo de maduración de 90 días. El uso de grasas vegetales decreció la dureza y las propiedades de fusión, de cohesión, de gomosidad y de masticación e incremento la adhesividad mientras que la elasticidad no fue afectada. Las diferencias se hicieron menos notables hacia el final de la maduración. La micrografía electrónica de barrido de quesos VF mostro una red compacta con pequeños y uniformes glóbulos de grasa embebidos en la matriz de proteínas. Los quesos MF exhibieron una matriz de proteínas abierta conteniendo glóbulos de grasa de leche de varios tamaños y formas. El análisis del color demostró significativas diferencias entre los quesos. Finalmente, todas las características sensoriales del queso fueron afectadas por la mezcla de grasas vegetales

The Palestinian Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Preserved at the Biology Exhibitions of the Universities of the Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip (365 km2 ) of Palestine (27,000 km2 ) is home to a wealth of terrestrial vertebrate fauna. Some of these faunistic species find their ways to preservation at the local universities. Hence, the current study comes to document the Palestinian terrestrial vertebrate fauna acquired by the biology exhibitions (BEs) of Al-Azhar University, Islamic University of Gaza and Al-Aqsa University that are located at the Gaza City of the Gaza Strip. The amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals preserved at BEs of the universities in question were surveyed and scientifically classified during a three-month period extending from January to March, 2012. The study showed that all BEs of local universities are underdeveloped, lacking attention and suffer from specimen scarcity and good preservation. The BE at Al-Azhar University is the best in the arrangement and preservation of bird specimens. A total number of 200 specimens belonging to 54 terrestrial vertebrate fauna species, 39 families and 17 orders was recorded at BEs. Reptiles constituted 40.7% of the total species recorded, followed by birds (38.9%), mammals (14.8%) and amphibians (5.6%). The Islamic University of Gaza was considered the best in terms of the number of preserved species (39.8%), followed by Al-Azhar University (36.3%) and Al-Aqsa University (23.9%). The Common Toad (Bufo viridis) was the most preserved among the amphibian species recorded. Squamata was the biggest reptilian order, comprising 20 species (8 lizards and 12 snakes), with the Syrian Black Snake (Coluber jugularis asianus) was the commonest. The Palestine Viper (Vipera palaestinae) is endemic to Palestine and most venomous and dangerous to human health. The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was the largest Palestinian bird preserved at BE of Al-Azhar University. The Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) and the Common Badger (Meles meles) were the biggest mammalian specimens preserved, while the Palestine Mole-rat (Spalax leucodon ehrenbergi) was the only Palestine endemic species encountered among the preserved mammals. Finally, the improvement of BEs of local universities and the construction of a Central Museum of Natural History is highly recommended in order to change the Palestinians’ attitudes toward a sustainable ecological conservation in the Gaza Strip

NOTES ON THE PARASITOIDS OF THE SOFT BROWN SCALE, COCCUS HESPERIDUM (HEMIPTERA: COCCIDAE) IN EGYPT

NOTES ON THE PARASITOIDS OF THE SOFT BROWN SCALE, COCCUS HESPERIDUM (HEMIPTERA: COCCIDAE) IN EGYPT. Thirteen species of hymenopterous parasitoid were found in association with Coccus hesperidum at three locations in Egypt: 4 species of Aphelinidae (of which three were recorded for the first time); seven species of Encyrtidae (of which three were recorded for the first time), the first record of a species of Mymaridae, plus a species of Pteromalidae. The relative abundance of these parasitoids is discussed. Key words: survey, rearing methods, percentage parasitism, Coccophagus, Marietta, Diversinervis, Metaphycus, Microterys, Parachthrodryinus, Prochilonerus, Alaptus, Scutellista

Prediction of Citrus Wax Scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock (Hemiptera: Coccidae) Populations Using the Two IPCC's SRES Scenarios (A2 and B2) for 2050 and 2100 Years

The present work deals with the prediction of the populations of citrus wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensisduring 2050 and 2100 years compared with the pest populations of 2012 as well as the different effect of temperature on populations of 2000 and 2012 years in Sharkia governorate. The results indicated the existent of a relationship between mean temperature and nymph numbers of C. floridensis with a good fit to the data and a co-efficient of determination of R2= 0.908 and 0.957 for 2000 and 2012 years, respectively. Also, the existent of a relationship between mean temperature and adult numbers with a good fit to the data and the co-efficient of determination of R2=0.934 and 0.956 for 2000 and 2012 years, respectively. The nymph numbers for C. floridensis under two different climate change Scenario (A2 and B2) were also estimated. The results indicated that the increased in nymph numbers in 2012s & 2050s and 2012s & 2100s under A2, with average yearly increased, were 20.4% and 60.0%, respectively. While under B2 were 23.1% and 42.6%, respectively. Estimated adult numbers for C. floridensis under the two different climate change Scenario (A2 and B2). The results showed that the increased between nymph numbers in 2012s & 2050s and 2012s & 2100s under A2 with average yearly increased were 32.6 % and 103.0%, respectively. While under B2 were 37.9% and 72.5%, respectively. It is concluded that the increased temperatures during 2050 and 2100 will increased the population actively of C. floridensis in Egypt

الوضع الحالي لأشجار النخيل واستخداماتها في قطاع غزة - فلسطين

Abd Rabou AN, Radwan ES. 2017. The current status of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and its uses in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Biodiversitas 18: 1047-1061. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is considered one of the most important fruit cropsin Palestine. It has a major socio-economic importance due to its commercial, nutritional, environmental, social, health and religious values. Because of its importance as a resistant and strategic crop facing serious local threats like pest infestation, underdeveloped marketing and mismanagement, the current study comes to investigate the status of the date palm tree and its uses in the Gaza Strip. Field surveys and institutional visits were applied to fulfill the purpose of the study. The current study revealed a total number of 250,000 trees of date palm existing in the Gaza Strip, with 40% of the dates is concentrated in the Middle Governorate. At least, 19 cultivars have been recorded locally with the ‘Hayani’, ‘Barhee’ and ’Bentaisha’ being the most common. The average date production in the last few years was 12,000 - 15,000 ton per year. More than 40 industries and uses associated with the date palm tree have been observed in the Gaza Strip, with the handicraft production and food industries are the main creative uses by the Palestinian community. Finally, the study recommends the improvement of the processes of date palm cultivation, production, protection, and marketing. The cooperation of different parties is very essential to ensure good sustainable development and uses of the date palm in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.Abd Rabou AN, Radwan ES. 2017. The current status of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and its uses in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Biodiversitas 18: 1047-1061. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is considered one of the most important fruit cropsin Palestine. It has a major socio-economic importance due to its commercial, nutritional, environmental, social, health and religious values. Because of its importance as a resistant and strategic crop facing serious local threats like pest infestation, underdeveloped marketing and mismanagement, the current study comes to investigate the status of the date palm tree and its uses in the Gaza Strip. Field surveys and institutional visits were applied to fulfill the purpose of the study. The current study revealed a total number of 250,000 trees of date palm existing in the Gaza Strip, with 40% of the dates is concentrated in the Middle Governorate. At least, 19 cultivars have been recorded locally with the ‘Hayani’, ‘Barhee’ and ’Bentaisha’ being the most common. The average date production in the last few years was 12,000 - 15,000 ton per year. More than 40 industries and uses associated with the date palm tree have been observed in the Gaza Strip, with the handicraft production and food industries are the main creative uses by the Palestinian community. Finally, the study recommends the improvement of the processes of date palm cultivation, production, protection, and marketing. The cooperation of different parties is very essential to ensure good sustainable development and uses of the date palm in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Head space analysis of volatile compounds from buffalo and ewe's Samna (Ghee) and butter oil

The volatile flavour compounds of buffalo and ewe's butter oil and Samna (Ghee) were investigated by head space analysis. Twenty-two compounds were identified. They are grouped under volatile free fatty acids, volatile carbonyls (methyl ketones and aldehydes), alcohol and esters. The volatile free fatty acids and methyl ketones are the major constituents in the flavour of Samna, while esters, aldehydes and alcohols are minor constituents. Samna is characterized by higher volatile free fatty acids and methyl ketones compared to butter oil. Samna prepared from buffalo's cutter contains higher free fatty acids and less methyl ketones compared to ewe's Samna. which may explain differences in their flavour intensity and characteristics. Samna prepared from the naturally fermented buffalo butter was characterized by significant quantities of diacetyl.Peer Reviewe