Petroleum products are complex mixtures of hundreds of hydrocarbon compounds. Petroleum has been recognized as a potential environmental contaminant. This research was undertaken to evaluate the effect of petroleum hydrocarbon on soil characteristics and seeds germination in arid lands. Results indicated that bulk density and real density of the polluted samples are relatively higher and lower respectively then the corresponding values of the unpolluted soils. Percent ages of the clay fraction obtained with and without removing the cementing agents showed high and low values for % clay fraction respectively. Low calcium carbonate content was found in the polluted samples as a result of solubilization effects of the petroleum products on calcium carbonate particles. ECe values were very high in the polluted samples (ECe = 28.6 - 82.5 dS/m) and very low in the unpolluted samples (ECe = 2.75 - 2.79 dS/m). Soluble calcium and sulphat ions were the dominant ions in the saturation extract of unpolluted soil samples. Organic matter contents were high (4.94%) in the polluted soil and Low in the unpolluted soil (0.54%). Soil polluted with hydrocarbon was very high (7.13-7.5%) in the unpolluted soil and very low (0.63-0.71%) in the polluted soil. Total elemental contents shows that the most important metals with regard to potential hazards in the contaminated soils, are Cr, Pb, and Ni. Other heavy metals indicated low to medium concentration either in petroleum polluted or the non polluted soils. The concentration of toxic elements in the tested soils could be derived from petroleum pollution and/or from it's chemical weathering particularly under the relatively low pH of the polluted soils. Results indicated no barley seed emergence after 14 days in the polluted soil even after several leaching to alleviate the high level of salt concentrations in the polluted soil. The data reflect the serious effects of petroleum products on the deterioration of soil characteristics which reflected on the emergence of barley seeds.

Several soil-borne fungal pathogens attack soybean plants, causing seedling damping-off and root rot diseases, in Egypt. Isolation trials from rooted rots of soybean, collected from various locations at Gharbiya,  Kafr El-Sheikh and Minufiya governorates, revealed that Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and Macrophomina phaseolina were the most virulent and predominant pathogens. All the tested fungicides significantly reduced linear growth of the tested pathogens. Three known bioagents i.e. Trichoderma  harzianum, T. hamatum and  Bacillus subtilis were tested against such pathogens, and revealed  remarkable  effect in reducing mycelial growth on PDA medium. T. hamatum, mainly, grew over the mycelium of the tested pathogens. Under greenhouse conditions, both the fungicides and antagonists gave significant reductions of root rot severity, but fungicides were more effective than biocontrol agents in reducing the disease. Application of the selective antagonists and fungicides significantly decreased soybean root rot than untreated check, in naturally pathogen- infested fields. Plant growth and activity of nitrogenase enzyme were enhanced greatly, when the fungicides were applied compared with antagonists treatments.

The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the most destructive pest of date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. in Middle East particularly in ArabGulf countries. Distribution of RPW infestations in relation to some factors was studied in date palm farms in Qatif Governorate, EasternSaudi Arabia. For these studies, 80 farms containing over 11000 date-palm trees were inspected. A scale for grading the infestation severity was developed. Numerical, but not statistical differences were in infestation levels with RPW, were found among farms due to their location (desert or oasis), irrigation system (dripping or flooding), intercropping (with or without) and pruning condition (pruned or unpruned). However, too small farms (less than 100 palm trees/farm) or too large farms (over 1000 trees) were highly infested while farms of 400-800 trees/farm were the least infested. Over 42% of infestations were concentrated at or below the soil surface. Light or surface infestations formed 45% while severe or deep infestations formed 19% of total infestations. Trees of 5-10 years old were the most infested while trees over 15 years were the least infested.

Theimmediate and long term evaluating trails based on efficacy of soil solarization process and the pesticide Dazomit (98%) was worked out to control theroot-knot nematode on cucumber. The temperature rised significantly (4.0, 12.2, 13.3, 20.9)C° at the soil depths of (5,10,15,20) cm, respectively; when soil was covered with transparet plastic in July compared to nonsolarized soil (control). The results showed insignificant differences for the treatments combinations of soil solarization and the differences rates of Dazomit (98%) and the soil solarization alone in its ability in reducing numbers of theroot-knot nematode after one month of soil solarization and the treating with Dazomit (98%) reaching an efficacy ranged between 94-100% at the soil depth of 0-30cm. The results also indicated superior significancy of these treatments in preventing reforming the disease- causing aggregates of these nematode during the second season, with growth rates ranged between (2-5.8)% compared to(45-48.9)% at the end of first season, and the incidence was reduced with rates (96-98) % and the severity of infection rate (73-87)% at the end of season compared to (100)% in control treatment and indicated a high economic return (405%) for the solarization treatment alone compared to 5,18 and 83% in the three treatment combinations, respectively.

The seasonal flight activity of both sugarcane stem borer moths Sesamia cretica Led. (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) and Chilo agamemnon Bles. (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera)were monitored with Robinson light trap for two successive years 2005/2006 & 2006/ 2007 at El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station, Qena Governorate, to determine the proper time for releasing the egg-parasitoid, Trichogramma evanescens West. for biological control program to the two mentioned borers without any application with chemical pesticides. The obtained results showed that, the moths of the greater sugarcane stem borer, S. cretica had a main period of seasonal activity extended from spring to early summer (April to June) and had another four small peaks of seasonal activity at sugarcane fields occurred in April, June, July, and October. The small sugarcane stem borer moth, C. agamemnon had two main periods of seasonal activity at sugarcane fields. The first period extended from spring to early summer (March to June) and the moths probably recorded two broods during this period, whereas the second period was relatively smaller and occurred during July. Results of statistical analysis showed that, the combined effect of the three main weather factors (mean of min. & max. temperatures and %R.H.) two weeks earlier were responsible on the changes in the seasonal flight activity of S. cretica moths for 51.6% and 66.7% explained variance for the 1st and 2nd year, respectively. Also, these factors were responsible on the changes in the seasonal flight activity of C. agamemnon moths for 57.7% and 44.1% explained variance for 1st and 2nd year, respectively. So, it could be recommended that, the egg-parasitoid, Trichogramma evanescens releasing program must be started at mid- April for autumn and spring plantations, while for the next ratoons after two months from harvest and continued biweekly intervals to the end of June.

In order to produce neutral protease from Streptomyces microflavus, it was cultivated in basal medium containing soluble starch, potassium nitrate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium sulphate, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate and ferrous sulphate. Protease production increased with decreasing the ratio of culture broth to vessel volume 1:5 and shaking at 150 rpm. Protease production was low when pH was < 5 or > 9. The productivity of protease decreased sharply when the incubation temperature increased from 30 to 450C. The maximum yield of protease was obtained at the third day of incubation. Soluble starch and yeast extract were the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Supplementation with calcium carbonate enhanced protease production. In addition, the dipotassium hydrogen phosphate was the best phosphorous source. Para chloromercuribenzoic acid and phenyl methylsulfonylfloride had significant inhibitory effect on protease production.

Roasting process of carob pods at various temperatures for different times was carried out to study the effect of its process on the chemical constituents, minerals content, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Volatile compounds were also determined for roasted carob powders. The obtained results revealed that the protein content was 5.42% (on dry weight basis), which decreased with increasing the processing temperatures. Whereas, ash increased gradually by increasing the roasted temperatures but lipids was decreased. The predominant mineral in carob powders was calcium followed by sodium, potassium and magnesium, respectively whereas; the raw carob pods contain 21.07mg/g of total phenolic compounds. Roasting treatment caused to the degradation of phenolic compounds which increased with increasing the roasting temperatures. The antioxidant activity of the carob powders was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) as free radical scavenging. However, the activity of antioxidant was decreased owing to the roasting process. On the other hand, sensory characteristics for both hot drinks and prepared cakes showed greater preference, especially for samples contained roasted carob powders at 160˚C for 30 min. and/or 40min. compared with that in tested samples and control. Seven aroma compounds were positively identified by using GC–mass spectrometry. The major aroma compounds of carob powders were 3-methyl butanal and methyl propanal which was found in chocolate and it's responsible for chocolate flavor. Moreover, other volatile compounds were identified in roasted carob powders and which also found in dark chocolate such as 2-Heptanone, Pentan-2-ol and Linalool. Also, Nonane-2-one and Hexanal were found and identified in roasted carob powders.

Hot flow air currents were used in sheld dryers to dehydrate some vegetables (squash, peas, green beans, potatoes, yellow carrot, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, yellow pepper, red pepper, cauliflower and eggplant) which were used to prepare 8 recipes of dehydrated vegetable mixture (vegi-mix). Sensory evaluation indicated that, 4 recipes of vegi-mix's recorded the highest scores of sensory evaluation and considered the prefer recipes and stored at ambient temperature up to 3 months during which, the physicochemical composition, the antioxidants and microbiological examination were assessed. Results revealed that the recipe composed of yellow, green and red paper, cauliflower and eggplant to prepare the vegi-mix caused to increase of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and total carotenoids content. The moisture contents were in the range of (8.62-9.78%); ether extract (10.23-16.76%); total carbohydrate (51.6-53.6%); crude fiber (9.62-10.61%) and total calories (340.43-375.36 kcal/100g dry weight basis respectively) for the selected 4 recipes. On the other hand, the tested vegi-mix's being also as a good source of fibers, minerals and antioxidants. Changes in moisture, crude fibers, total solids, total carbohydrate, chlorophyll a and b and total carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds as well as total bacterial counts, yeast and mould counts, sporeforming bacterial counts content were also studied during 3 months of storage at ambient temperature. A little decremental was observed in total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids content through 3 months of storage for the tested vegi-mix's. Results also showed that all tested vegi-mix's. were microbiologically safe up to 3 months of storage and maintained original sensory properties. Therfore, dehydrated vegi-mix's composed of squash, peas, green beans, potatoes, carrot, tomatoes, onion, green, red and yellow pepper, cauliflower and eggplant without herbs considered as a good source of antioxidants, minerals, high nutritional value, good palatability and healthy safe through three months of storage at ambient temperature.

The efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beaveria bassiana Saudi Arabian isolate (B-SA3)was evaluated against the red palm weevil, Rynochophorus ferrungineus (Oliv.).The mentioned isolate was assessed on the different developmental stages of the red palm weevil through toxicity tests, i.e. determination of lethal concentration and lethal times to kill 50% of treated insects. The results showed that 8th instar larvae were the most tolerant followed by pupa to B.bassiana as their LC50 values were 3.75x 108 and 3.78x 107 conidia/ ml, respectively. Meanwhile, 4th instar larvae were the most susceptible to infection by B.bassiana (B-SA 3), as LC50 value was 3.25x 106 conidia/ ml, which proved insignificantly different to that determined in adult weevils, i.e. 4.18x 106 conidia /ml. Furthermore, LT50 values were very similar in these latter mentioned developmental stages in any considered concentration; meanwhile, LT50 was much longer in 8th instar larvae than the other considered instar and/or developmental stages. The fungus B. bassiana was most virulent to eggs of the red palm weevil as none of the eggs hatched following their treatment with any of the considered concentrations (ranging between 5x 109 to 5x105 conidia /ml). Moreover, germination viability of harvested conidia of B.bassiana stored at -4°C was insignificantly affected up to the 10th month storage period and was well above 90%. However, germination percentage of conidia then decreased to 70.27% after 16 months of storage. Also, the virulence of the stored conidia was tested after 1, 6, 12 and 16 months on adult red palm weevils, the LC50 values were 3.75x106, 4.66x106, 4.17x107 and 3.37x108 conidia/ ml, respectively. These results show that there was a significant decrease in the virulence of the tested fungus when the duration of storage period was more than 10 months.

A field experiment was carried out at Nubariah region Alexandria desert road located at 120 Km from Cairo, (Egypt) during 2005-2006 to study the degradation rates of five fungicides azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, fludioxonil, fenhexamid, and myclobu-tanil in strawberry fruits after application with their recommended rates under field conditions. The samples were collected in successive intervals after spraying and transported to Bioforsk refer-ence Lab, Ǻs, Norway for analysis by GC/MS. The fungicide residues on strawberry showed different degradation rates after treatment, with first-order kinetics. Half-lives (t0.5) were 1.92, 4.99, 3.68, 6.02 and 5.17 days for azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, fludioxonil, fenhexamid and myclobutanil, respectively.