Agriculture Extension الإرشاد الزراعي

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Browsing Agriculture Extension الإرشاد الزراعي by Author "Rana Ali Saleh Hijawi"

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    The Effect of Cold Storage Treatment on The Germination of Saffron corms in Palestine Assessment of Biodiversity Knowledge, awareness and practices case study in Palestine
    (Al-Quds University, 2024-08-01) Rana Ali Saleh Hijawi; رنا علي صالح هيجاوي
    Abstract Palestine holds a great deal of biodiversity, including an extensive variety of wildflowers. This study aims to find the optimum storage conditions for saffron corms, enhancing cultivation and yield potentially leading to economic and conservation benefits for different native plants. The practical aspect of this study covered storage of 81 saffron corms of two different sizes at three different temperature treatments of (5 ºC,10 ºC,25 ºC) for a duration of 5 weeks before planting in garden settings following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising three blocks. The saffron flowers were assessed based on four criteria including germination rate and flowering success, leaf length, flower production and morphology and saffron yield. The most significant growth, flower production and saffron yield was seen in saffron corms stored at 25 ºC followed by 10 ºC and finally 5 ºC. Corms stored at 5 ºC produced short wrinkled leaves as well as few flowers; hence, few stigmas. Highlighting the positive relationship between moderate temperatures and saffron cultivation, in contrast with the negative impact of cooling pretreatment on the growth and development as well as yield of saffron unlike other cormous plants which require cooling to break dormancy. Additionally, larger corms yielded more saffron as compared to smaller corms when stored at the same temperature conditions, results which align with previous studies and shed a light on the possibility of utilizing optimum conditions to locally cultivate more native plants as well as saffron in central regions of the West bank. In the second portion of this study, a knowledge assessment survey was conducted in the West bank with the aim of understanding public knowledge, awareness and practices towards nature. The data collected from 385 respondents over a period of 3 months through a structured survey was analyzed on SPSS. This portion of the study emphasizes the need for systematic and aimed conservation strategies based on demographic- specific information to enhance and sustain community engagement and effective policies. According to the survey there was a positive correlation between knowledge in biodiversity and engagement (r=0.580, p =0.01), knowledge and positive behavior (r=0.571, p=0.001), as well as engagement with nature and positive behavior (r=0.635, p=0.001), the findings highlight the need for educational programs that enrich knowledge in individuals in order to encourage better attitudes and sustainable engagement for the future of biodiversity conservation.