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

INFLUENCE OF MAGNETIZED WATER ON THE GROWTH OF CORN (ZEA MAYS) SEEDLINGS

This study was conducted to evaluate the response of some growth characteristics of corn (Zea mays) seedlings for watering with magnetized water. For this experiment, we took corn seedlings and separated it into two sets. The first set watered with magnetized water and the second one was given tap water (control). The magnetized water was prepared by passing of tap water through the magnetization device at a relatively low speed and then collected into bottle for distribution. The seedlings were immediately watered after magnetization of water. The growthrelated aspects of corn seedlings were investigated for 7 weeks. The results of the current study revealed that the seedlings’ length, stem thickness, leaves number and leaves morphology were affected by magnetized water. Analysis of the results revealed the positive effects of magnetized water on the growth of corn seedlings. The seedlings that given magnetized water exhibited marked increases in shoot length, stem thickness and leaves number per seedling, and also changes of morphology of leaves over the control.أجريت هذه الدراسة لتقييم استجابة بعض خصائص النمو شتلة الذرة (زيا ميس) لسقي بالماء الممغنط. لهذه التجربة ، اتخذنا الذرة الشتلات وفصلها إلى مجموعتين. المجموعة الأولى تسقى بالماء الممغنط والثانية أعطيت واحد ماء الصنبور (السيطرة). تم تحضير الماء الممغنط بتمرير ماء الصنبور من خلال جهاز مغنطة بسرعة منخفضة نسبيا ثم جمعت في زجاجة ل توزيع. تم سقي الشتلات على الفور بعد مغنطة المياه. تم التحقيق في الجوانب المرتبطة بالنمو لشتلات الذرة لمدة 7 أسابيع. نتائج الدراسة الحالية كشفت أن طول الشتلات وسمك الساق وعدد الأوراق والأوراق المورفولوجية كانت تتأثر المياه الممغنطة. كشف تحليل النتائج الآثار الإيجابية للممغنطة الماء على نمو شتلات الذرة. الشتلات التي أعطت المياه الممغنطة عرضت ملحوظ يزيد في طول تبادل لاطلاق النار ، وسمك الجذعية ويترك عدد لكل الشتلات ، وكذلك تغييرات التشكل من الأوراق على السيطرة

EFFECT OF MICROWAVE TREATED WATER ON THE GROWTH OF CORN (ZEA MAYS) AND PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM) SEEDLINGS

This paper presents the investigation of the influence of microwave treated water on the growth of the plants. For this experiment, four groups of seedlings were used and subjected to the study. We took drinking water and divided it into four parts, each group was given only one part. The first group was given water that had been heated to boiling in a glass cup on a gas stove. The second and third group was given water that had been heated in a microwave to boiling (100 C) and 60 C respectively. The fourth group of seedlings was given water that had not been heated at all and used as control. The growth of seedlings was studied for 30 days. The analysis of the results shows that corn seedlings that exposed to microwaved water show lower growth rate in comparison to the control ones. Corn seedlings when watered with normal water or with water heated on the stove grew faster and have shoot length significantly bigger than the corns which were watered with water heated in a microwave at 60 C/100 C. On the other hand, pepper seedlings watered with either microwaved water or not microwaved water were found with no significant effects on their growth characteristics

RESPONSE OF CORN (ZEA MAYS), BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM) AND EGGPLANT (SOLANUM MELONGENA) SEEDLINGS TO WI-FI RADIATION.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the changes of growth related aspects of seedlings after being exposed to Wi-Fi radiation. Experiment was carried out by exposing seedlings to radiation from a Wi-Fi router. The test seedlings and the control were subjected to the same environment during four weeks. The results showed that corn seedlings when exposed to Wi-Fi radiation grew faster and have shoot length and stem thickness significantly larger than the other control. On the other hand basils and eggplants, both exposed and not exposed to Wi-Fi radiation, were found with no significant effects on the shoot length and stem thickness. Moreover Wi-Fi radiation significantly reduced the fresh weight of corns and basils, whereas eggplants were not affected. Furthermore Wi-Fi radiation significantly increased the dry weight of eggplants, whereas corns and basils were not affected. Finally, the results showed that Wi-Fi radiation significantly decreased the water content of three tested seedlings. The study concluded that the Wi-Fi radiation may alter growth related characters of seedlings

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

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

الوضع الحالي لشجرة النخيل واستخداماتها في قطاع غزة

Abstract Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is considered one of the most important fruit crops in Palestine. Its cultivation has been known for thousands of years. It has a major socio-economic importance due to its commercial, nutritional, environmental, social, health and religious values. It possesses a minimum water demand and tolerates high levels of salinity and harsh weather. Due to its importance as a resistant and strategic crop facing serious threats, the current study comes to investigate the current status of the Date Palm tree and its uses in the Gaza Strip. Field surveys and questionnaire interviews (N=150) were applied to fulfill the purpose of the study. The current study revealed a total number of 250,000 trees of Date Palm in the whole Gaza Strip. Its cultivation is more concentrated in the Middle Governorate. At least, 19 cultivars have been recorded locally with the Hayani, Barhee and Bentaisha are the most common. The average of balah production in the last years was 12,000 – 15,000 ton per year. The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) is a major serious pest threatening the sustainable production of the Date Palm sector in the Gaza Strip. The introduction of infected offshoots from Egypt and ability of adult weevils to fly long distance seem to be main causes of the local infections discovered in late 2011. Different control techniques have been adopted by the responsible parties to combat the insect. More than 40 industries have been found to be associated with Date Palm trees in the Gaza Strip. Handicraft production and food industries are the main creative uses of the Date Palm by the Palestinian community. The results of the questionnaire survey in the Middle Governorate pointed out that the Hayani cultivar was grown by all respondents. About 59% of the respondents suffered from the decrease of the number of Date Palm trees in their orchards due to different causes including Israeli procedures and pest attacks. The average production of the Date Palm tree reaches 130 kg per year. As far as wildlife is concerned, 55.3% of the respondents ensured the occurrence of tens of vertebrate faunistic species in their Date Palm orchards. All respondents were aware of the environmental values and the popular uses and industries achieved by Date Palm trees and this is a good sign of consideration. 70.7% of respondents were found to produce household products such as Ajwa, Eid cakes, molasses, etc. With regard to the threats facing the Date Palm sector in the Gaza Strip, 90.0% confirmed such risks and problems. The Israeli occupation with its military operations and the outbreak of RPW are main crucial threats. About 77% used a variety of chemical pesticides to combat and eliminate Date Palm pests. 84.0% believed that the local projects of Date Palm cultivation have several advantages such as the provision of self-sufficiency and food security, improvement of productivity and national income and reduction of unemployment rate. Finally, the study recommends the improvement of the processes of Date Palm cultivation, production and marketing, and the cooperation of the different parties to ensure good sustainable development of this sector in the Gaza Strip. Key words: Date Palm, cultivars, Red Palm Weevil, public uses, Gaza Strip.ملخص الدراسة تعتبر شجرة النخيل من المحاصيل الأكثر أهمية في فلسطين. عرفت زراعة النخيل في قطاع غزة منذ آلاف السنين. لشجرة النخيل أهمية اجتماعية اقتصادية نظراً لقيمتها التجارية والغذائية والبيئية والاجتماعية والصحية والدينية. وتتميز بأنها تتطلب الحد الأدنى من المياه وتتحمل مستويات عالية من الملوحة ومن الظروف القاسية. بالرغم من أهمية النخيل كمحصول استراتيجي مقاوم، إلا أنه يواجه مهددات خطيرة. وبالتالي هدفت الدراسة الحالية لتقصى الحالة الراهنة لأشجار النخيل واستخداماتها في قطاع غزة. تم عمل مسوحات ميدانية ومقابلات استبيانية (N = 150) لتحقيق هدف الدراسة. كشفت الدراسة الحالية أن العدد الكلي لأشجار النخيل في قطاع غزة حوالي 250 ألف شجرة، 67% منها هي أشجار مثمرة. تتركز زراعة النخيل بشكل كبير في المحافظة الوسطى. تم تسجيل تسعة عشر صنفاً على الأقل من أصناف النخيل والأصناف الأكثر شيوعاً هي الحياني والبرحي وبنت العيش. بلغ متوسط إنتاج البلح في السنوات الأخيرة 15,000-12,000 طن في السنة. تعتبر آفة سوسة النخيل الحمراء من الآفات الأكثر خطورة والتي تهدد الانتاج المستدام للنخيل في قطاع غزة. ويبدو أن ادخال الفسائل المصابة من مصر وقدرة الحشرة على الطيران لمسافات طويلة هو السبب الرئيسي في انتشار العدوى بهذه الآفة والتي اكتشفت في أواخر عام 2011. تم استخدام تقنيات مختلفة لمكافحة هذه الآفة من قبل الجهات المختصة. يوجد أكثر من 40 صناعة واستخداماً عاماُ تعتمد على أشجار النخيل في قطاع غزة. وتعتبر المشغولات اليدوية والصناعات الغذائية من أهم الاستخدامات في المجتمع الفلسطيني. أظهرت نتائج الاستبانة في المحافظة الوسطى أن صنف الحياني يزرع من قبل جميع المستجيبين. ويعاني%59 من المستجيبين من تناقص أعداد أشجار النخيل في بساتينهم لأسباب مختلفة من أهمها الممارسات الاسرائيلية ومهاجمة الآفات. يبلغ متوسط إنتاج شجرة النخيل 130كغم. وفيما يتعلق بالحياة البرية، أكد 55.3% من المستجيبين بوجود العشرات من الحيوانات الفقارية في بساتينهم. جميع المستجيبين كانوا واعين للقيم البيئية وللاستخدامات الشعبية والصناعات المرتبطة بشجرة النخيل وهذا مؤشر جيد يجب أن يؤخذ بعين الاعتبار. أكد جميع المستطلعين على وجود استخدامات شعبية وصناعات مرتبطة بشجرة النخيل. أشارت نتائج الدراسة إلى أن 70.7% من المستجيبين يقومون بإنتاج منتجات منزلية مثل العجوة، وكعك العيد، والدبس وغيرها. أما فيما يتعلق بالتهديدات والمخاطر التي تواجه قطاع النخيل في قطاع غزة, أكد 90.0% من المستجيبين على وجود مثل هذه المشاكل والمهددات ويعتبر الاحتلال الإسرائيلي وانتشار آفة سوسة النخيل الحمراء الأكثر تهديداً وخطورة. حوالي 77.3% من المستجيبين يستخدمون أنواع مختلفة من المبيدات الكيميائية لمكافحة الآفات التي تصيب أشجار النخيل. يعتقد 84.0% من المستجيبين أن مشاريع زراعة النخيل لها أهمية بيئية واقتصادية مثل ضمان الاكتفاء الذاتي والأمن الغذائي, زيادة الإنتاجية والدخل القومي, والحد من نسبة البطالة في المجتمع الفلسطيني. وأخيراً توصي الدراسة بتحسين عمليات زراعة وانتاج وتسويق النخيل, وعلى تعاون الجهات المختلفة لضمان التنمية المستدامة لهذا القطاع الزراعي البالغ الأهمية في قطاع غزة. كلمات مفتاحية: نخيل البلح, أصناف, سوسة النخيل الحمراء, الاستخدامات العامة, قطاع غزة

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

An Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Electromagnetic Radiations Emitted from Mobile Phone on General Health, pH, Flow Rate and Electrolytes Concentrations of Saliva …

During the recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in use of mobile phones which resulted in an increase of the exposure to electromagnetic radiations in our life. Human saliva is considered as a potential source of biomarkers to monitor changes that occur under pathological conditions. The main objective of the current experiment was to determine the effect of mobile phone radiation on general health, electrolytes and salivary function among Islamic University students who use mobile phones. A questionnaire was designed and applied to 167 healthy and 36 deaf female students to select cases whose meeting the inclusion criteria. A total of 103 students who met the inclusion criteria were included to investigate the influence of mobile phone radiations on their general health. For assessment of salivary parameters, a total of 55 students were chosen and classified into three groups. Group I was the

الأشجار والشجيرات المتزاجدة في الحرم الرئيس للجامعة الإسلامية بغزة، قطاع غزة، فلسطين

The Gaza Strip, which has a population of about 2.0 million and an area of about 365 km2, has many higher education institutions. The green quadrates, corridors and gardens of these institutions are commonly cultivated with many horticultural plants including trees and shrubs that provide many environmental, health, and aesthetic values. The Palestinian universities of the Gaza Strip have never been studied for the composition and numbers of their trees and shrubs. Therefore, the current study aims at identifying and recording the trees and shrubs prevailing and enhancing the ecology and environmental health aspects of the main campus of the Islamic University of Gaza (MC-IUG). Frequent surveys and observations were carried out during a six-month study extended from February, 2018 to July, 2018 in order to identify and totally count the trees and shrubs existing at MC-IUG. A total number of 2248 trees and shrubs belonging to 53 species, 25 families and 16 orders were identified and recorded at the MC-IUG. The Gymnosperms included 5 species (9.43%) only, while the Angiosperms was represented by 48 species (90.57%), of which the monocots were 9 species (16.98%) and the dicots were 39 species (73.59%). Rosales was the biggest order and comprised 9 (16.98%) of the recorded species. It was followed by Lamiales and Myrtales which comprised 5 (9.43%) for each. The orders Pinales, Arecales, Asparagales and Malpighiales were represented by 4 species (7.55%) for each. Moraceae was the biggest family and comprised 8 (15.09%) of the recorded species. It was followed by the two families Arecaceae and Asparagaceae, which comprised 5 species (9.43% for each). Six tree and shrub species (11.32%) of MC-IUG were found to exceed the threshold of 100 individuals for each. These comprised 1657 individuals (73.71%) of the 2248 counted. The Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) was, by far, the most common species. It comprised 31.98% of the individuals counted. This was followed by the Benjamin Fig (Ficus benjamina) (10.45%), Hopbush (Dodonea viscose) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera) (8.63% for each), Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola) (8.19%) and Weeping Fig (Ficus nitida) (5.82%). The majority of tree and shrub species 49 (92.45%) recoded in the current study are exotic, while the native ones are restricted to only 4 species (7.55%). Finally, the current study recommends the selection of tree and shrub species corresponding with the local prevailing environmental conditions in order to ensure the ecological and environmental health values needed by the university community.The Gaza Strip, which has a population of about 2.0 million and an area of about 365 km2, has many higher education institutions. The green quadrates, corridors and gardens of these institutions are commonly cultivated with many horticultural plants including trees and shrubs that provide many environmental, health, and aesthetic values. The Palestinian universities of the Gaza Strip have never been studied for the composition and numbers of their trees and shrubs. Therefore, the current study aims at identifying and recording the trees and shrubs prevailing and enhancing the ecology and environmental health aspects of the main campus of the Islamic University of Gaza (MC-IUG). Frequent surveys and observations were carried out during a six-month study extended from February, 2018 to July, 2018 in order to identify and totally count the trees and shrubs existing at MC-IUG. A total number of 2248 trees and shrubs belonging to 53 species, 25 families and 16 orders were identified and recorded at the MC-IUG. The Gymnosperms included 5 species (9.43%) only, while the Angiosperms was represented by 48 species (90.57%), of which the monocots were 9 species (16.98%) and the dicots were 39 species (73.59%). Rosales was the biggest order and comprised 9 (16.98%) of the recorded species. It was followed by Lamiales and Myrtales which comprised 5 (9.43%) for each. The orders Pinales, Arecales, Asparagales and Malpighiales were represented by 4 species (7.55%) for each. Moraceae was the biggest family and comprised 8 (15.09%) of the recorded species. It was followed by the two families Arecaceae and Asparagaceae, which comprised 5 species (9.43% for each). Six tree and shrub species (11.32%) of MC-IUG were found to exceed the threshold of 100 individuals for each. These comprised 1657 individuals (73.71%) of the 2248 counted. The Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) was, by far, the most common species. It comprised 31.98% of the individuals counted. This was followed by the Benjamin Fig (Ficus benjamina) (10.45%), Hopbush (Dodonea viscose) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera) (8.63% for each), Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola) (8.19%) and Weeping Fig (Ficus nitida) (5.82%). The majority of tree and shrub species 49 (92.45%) recoded in the current study are exotic, while the native ones are restricted to only 4 species (7.55%). Finally, the current study recommends the selection of tree and shrub species corresponding with the local prevailing environmental conditions in order to ensure the ecological and environmental health values needed by the university community