Probiotics refer to microorganisms that exhibit a beneficial effect on the animals’ health through intestinal microbial balance. This investigation intends to identify and define the probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the digestive systems of ruminants. Bacterial strains were isolated purified and characterized based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. The isolates were identified using the 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing method. Most of the strains exhibited a decrease in the growth by increasing the concentration of the bile salt, NaCl, increasing the temperature over 37oC, and moving toward neutrality and alkalinity of the media. Strain Lactobacillus farraginis MD_A11 revealed the lowest decrease in the growth percentage when subjected to different bile salt concentrations of 5.96, 6.61, 6.85, 7.40, 7.53, and 7.64%, NaCl% concentrations of 1.40, 5.62, 6.48, 7.36, 7.39, 7.41, 7.42, 7.28, and 13.76%, raising the temperature over 37oC being 4.19 & 3.945%, different pH levels as compared to control, and it recorded the lowest medium pH after the third day being 4.20 with titrable acidity of 0.32%. Strain Lactobacillus farraginis MD_A11 could be recommended as a probiotic feed additive for ruminants to improve their growth performance and productivity.

Probiotics refer to the microorganisms that exhibit a beneficial effect on the animals’ health through intestinal microbial balance. This investigation intends to identify and define the probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the digestive systems of ruminants. Bacterial strains were isolated purified and characterized based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. The isolates were identified using the 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing method. Most of the strains exhibited a decrease in the growth by increasing the concentration of the bile salt, NaCl, increasing the temperature over 37˚C, and moving toward neutrality and alkalinity of the media. Strain Lactobacillus farraginis MD_A11 revealed the lowest de-crease in the growth percentage when subjected to different bile salt concentrations of 5.96, 6.61, 6.85, 7.40, 7.53, and 7.64%, NaCl% concentrations of 1.40, 5.62, 6.48, 7.36, 7.39, 7.41, 7.42, 7.28, and 13.76%, raising the temperature over 37oC being 4.19 & 3.945%, different pH levels as compared to control, and it recorded the lowest medium pH after the third day being 4.20 with titrable acidity of 0.32%. Strain Lactobacillus farraginis MD_A11 could be recommended as a probiotic feed additive for ruminants to improve their growth performance and productivity.

Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) isolated from cotton leaves was identified based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics as Methylobacterium rodiotolerance. Two field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of PPFM, methanol (10 and 30%) and a combination of bacteria and methanol on the growth, fruit quality, and yield of two strawberry cultivars (Florida and Festival). The main differences between the two cultivars are greater foliage fresh weight and early yield in cv. Florida while Festival cv. had a higher total yield per plant and greater anthocyanins and ascorbic acid contents. The greatest vegetative growth, dry matter percentage, potassium content, and carbohydrate content besides the earliest yield per plant were observed following spraying with PPFM or PPFM mixed with 10% methanol. Spraying with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield per plant, highest yield per feddan, and fruit quality. Spraying cv. Florida with PPFM resulted in the best early yield while spraying cv. Festival with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield and fruit quality. Spraying with PPFM appears to be the most efficient treatment for enhancing the total yield of Festival cv. by an average of 23.02 and 24.06 tons per feddan in the first and second seasons, respectively.

Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) isolated from cotton leaves was identified based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics as Methylobacterium rodiotolerance. Two field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of PPFM, methanol (10 and 30%) and a combination of bacteria and methanol on the growth, fruit quality, and yield of two strawberry cultivars (Florida and Festival). The main differences between the two cultivars are greater foliage fresh weight and early yield in cv. Florida while Festival cv. had a higher total yield per plant and greater anthocyanins and ascorbic acid contents. The greatest vegetative growth, dry matter percentage, potassium content, and carbohydrate content besides the earliest yield per plant were observed following spraying with PPFM or PPFM mixed with 10% methanol. Spraying with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield per plant, highest yield per feddan, and fruit quality. Spraying cv. Florida with PPFM resulted in the best early yield while spraying cv. Festival with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield and fruit quality. Spraying with PPFM appears to be the most efficient treatment for enhancing the total yield of Festival cv. by an average of 23.02 and 24.06 tons per feddan in the first and second seasons, respectively.

In order to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, the use of biological inoculants has been increased. Beneficial microorganisms are used to increase crop yields by stimulating plant growth through the production of phytohormones. In the present study, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production was analyzed in 18 bacterial isolates with Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) capabilities; 15 of these isolates were Rhizobium, and three were Serratia. All isolates have been characterized morphologically and biochemically, and their IAA production in the presence of tryptophan, a precursor for IAA biosynthesis, has been evaluated. IAA production was detected using the Salkowski reagent with CT-2200 spectrophotometer at 530 nm. The levels of IAA production varied between the different isolates. The top two IAA producers were selected for genetic identification using 16SrRNA primers (27F and 1492R). One of the Rhizobium isolates (NRC-R2) shared 95% sequence similarity with Rhizobium sp., according to a Blastn search in GenBank and Rhizobium leguminosarum, whereas the Serratia isolate (Ain Shams Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ACGEB)-S2 was 99.5% similar to Serratia sp. Accordingly, these two isolates could serve as biological sources for IAA.

In order to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, the use of biological inoculants has been increased. Beneficial microorganisms are used to increase crop yields by stimulating plant growth through the production of phytohormones. In the present study, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production was analyzed in 18 bacterial isolates with Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) capabilities; 15 of these isolates were Rhizobium, and three were Serratia. All isolates have been characterized morphologically and biochemically, and their IAA production in the presence of tryptophan, a precursor for IAA biosynthesis, has been evaluated. IAA production was detected using the Salkowski reagent with CT-2200 spectrophotometer at 530 nm. The levels of IAA production varied between the different isolates. The top two IAA producers were selected for genetic identification using 16SrRNA primers (27F and 1492R). One of the Rhizobium isolates (NRC-R2) shared 95% sequence similarity with Rhizobium sp., according to a Blastn search in GenBank and Rhizobium leguminosarum, whereas the Serratia isolate (Ain Shams Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ACGEB)-S2 was 99.5% similar to Serratia sp. In the near future, it is possible that these two isolates could serve as biological sources for IAA.

The dissipation behavior of three pesticides, bifenazate, spirodiclofen and abamectin was studied in strawberry fruits using a modified QuEChERS extraction technique. The residues of the tested acaricides were determined under field conditions after 1 hour (zero days), 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. The maximum residue limits (MRLs) were 2, 2, and 0.15 mg/kg for bifenazate, spirodiclofen and abamectin, respectively. The strawberry fruits could be used safely after 15 days from bifenazate spraying and after 3 days from spirodiclofen spraying. The concentration of abamectin after 21 days did not reach MRL. The half-life values (t1/2) of bifenazate, spirodiclofen, and abamectin in strawberry fruits were 0.99, 0.86, and 5.7 days, respectively.

The dissipation behavior of three pesticides, bifenazate, spirodiclofen and abamectin was studied in strawberry fruits using a modified QuEChERS extraction technique. The residues of the tested acaricides were determined under field conditions after 1 hour (zero days), 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. The maximum residue limits (MRLs) were 2, 2, and 0.15 mg/kg for bifenazate, spirodiclofen and abamectin, respectively. The strawberry fruits could be used safely after 15 days from bifenazate spraying and after 3 days from spirodiclofen spraying. The concentration of abamectin after 21 days did not reach MRL. The half-life values (t1/2) of bifenazate, spirodiclofen, and abamectin in strawberry fruits were 0.99, 0.86, and 5.7 days, respectively.

Stenotrophomonas sp. is a plant-associated rhizospheric bacteria. It can enhance plant productivity. It acts as a mineral dissolution and growth promoter for plants under salt-stress conditions. The selected isolates revealed the general morphological and biochemical characteristics of Stenotrophomonas sp. All the isolates exhibited the highest growth density after 15 hr. at 30oC, resistance to different levels of salinity, different pH levels, and different temperature degrees. Also, the isolates revealed their capabilities to solubilize phosphorus and potassium and to produce different phytohormones. The isolate X.M9 exhibited the highest growth performance in the form of 1.376,1.326,1.292,1.053 and 1.059 OD in most salts’ concentrations compared to all tested isolates respectively. In addition, it (X.M9) exhibited the highest resistance to low temperatures 10 and 15oC being 0.917 and 1.354 OD respectively. The isolate X.M9 recorded the highest IAA of 83.73 mg/100ml compared to all the tested isolates. The isolate X.M9 was identified using 16 SRNA sequencing and submitted to the GenBank database un-der accession number No: OP050187 as Stenotrophomonas rhizophila.

Stenotrophomonas sp. is a plant-associated rhizospheric bacteria. It has the capability to enhance plant productivity. It acts as a mineral dissolution and growth promoter for plants under salt-stress conditions. The selected isolates revealed the general morphological and biochemical characteristics of Stenotrophomonas sp. All the isolates exhibited the highest growth density after 15 hr. at 30˚C, resistance to different levels of salinity, different pH levels, and different temperature degrees. Also, the isolates revealed their capabilities to solubilize phosphorus and potassium and to pro-duce different phytohormones. The isolate X.M9 exhibited the highest growth performance in the form of 1.376,1.326,1.292,1.053 and 1.059 OD in most salts’ concentrations compared to all tested isolates respectively. As well it (X.M9) exhibited the highest resistance to low temperatures 10 and 15oC being 0.917 and 1.354 OD respectively. The isolate X.M9 recorded the highest IAA of 83.73 mg/100ml compared to all the tested isolates. The isolate X.M9 were identified using 16 SRNA sequencing and submitted to the GenBank database under accession number No: OP050187 as Stenotrophomonas rhizophila.

The experiment was carried out on three different vegetable crops, Cucumber Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae), eggplant Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae) and okra Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Malvaceae), during summer 2021, to investigate the effect of vegetation type on spider density and diversity. For this study, the pitfall trap method was used to collect spiders from the soil surface to ensure a comprehensive representation of all spider guilds. During this study, 20 species belonging to 6 families were collected. The results showed that a total of 374, 285 and 194 individuals belonging to 18, 17 and 15 species were recorded in okra, cucumber and eggplant fields respectively. Species diversity was greater in okra cultivation. Results also indicated that the Lycosidae family was the most abundant and dominant, representing 71.75%, followed by the Linyphiidae family of 90 individuals representing 10.55% of the whole obtained population. The most dominant species were Wadicosa fidelis 152, 98 and 67 individuals and Pardosa injucunda 111, 69 and 52 individuals in okra, cucumber and eggplant respectively. It is inferred from this study that the type of plant can have an impact on spider communities.

The experiment was carried out on three different vegetable crops, Cucumber Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae), eggplant Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae) and okra Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Malvaceae), during summer 2021, to investigate the effect of vegetation type on spider density and diversity. For this study, the pitfall trap method was used to collect spiders from the soil surface to ensure a comprehensive representation of all spider guilds. During this study, 20 species belonging to 6 families were collected. The results showed that a total of 374, 285 and 194 individuals belonging to 18, 17 and 15 species were recorded in okra, cucumber and eggplant fields respectively. Species diversity was greater in okra cultivation. Results also indicated that the Lycosidae family was the most abundant and dominant, representing 71.75%, followed by the Linyphiidae family of 90 individuals representing 10.55% of the whole obtained population. The most dominant species were Wadicosa fidelis 152, 98 and 67 individuals and Pardosa injucunda 111, 69 and 52 individuals in okra, cucumber and eggplant respectively. It is inferred from this study that the type of plant can have an impact on spider communities.

Worldwide, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most essential agro-economically food crops. To ensure its presence throughout the year for food processors and to extend its shelf life, it should be stored in cold temperatures. Despite the benefits of storage at low temperatures, it causes undesirable phenomena; one of them is cold-induced sweetening, which reduces the quality and the commercial value of the potato tubers. In this study, the CRISPR technology ″Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats″ has been used in potato cultivar Desiree via Agrobacterium mediated transformation to edit starch phosphorylase gene that is responsible for starch degradation in cold temperature storage, after regeneration steps. The regenerated plants were used in the screening of genome editing by Sanger sequencing and the ICE program. Screening results showed that Desiree 2 (DE2), Desiree 7 (DE7) and Desiree 27 (DE27) lines have mutations in sgRNA sequence that indicated a significant reduction in reduced sugar contents of tubers after cold storage for 90 and 120 days. The reduction mean values were 29.224, 35.078 and 35.862 in DE2, DE7 and DE27 respectively after 90 days and 83.212, 56.674 and 34.109 after 120 days without visible differences in plant morphology and tubers

Worldwide, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most essential agro-economically food crops. To ensure its presence throughout the year for food processors and to extend its shelf life, it should be stored in cold temperatures. Despite the benefits of storage at low temperatures, it causes undesirable phenomena; one of them is cold-induced sweetening, which reduces the quality and the commercial value of the potato tubers. In this study, the CRISPR technology ″Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats″ has been used in potato cultivar Desiree via Agrobacterium mediated transformation to edit starch phosphorylase gene that is responsible for starch degradation in cold temperature storage, after regeneration steps. The regenerated plants were used in the screening of genome editing by Sanger sequencing and the ICE program. Screening results showed that Desiree 2 (DE2), Desiree 7 (DE7) and Desiree 27 (DE27) lines have mutations in sgRNA sequence that indicated a significant reduction in reduced sugar contents of tubers after cold storage for 90 and 120 days. The reduction mean values were 29.224, 35.078 and 35.862 in DE2, DE7 and DE27 respectively after 90 days and 83.212, 56.674 and 34.109 after 120 days without visible differences in plant morphology and tubers

Nile tilapia is a freshwater fish of African origin, with productive and economic characteristics affecting global fish markets. The Oreochromis niloticus reference genome has a diploid set of 22 linkage groups (LGs) in addition to ungrouped sequences. A total of 42,622 genes have been identified, but 550 genomic gaps may include more. Our study focused on some of these genomic gaps, where appropriate primers were designed and then multiplied through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. From local samples, DNA was extracted and amplified with the new primers. Successful amplicons were sequenced and annotated using available bioinformatics tools. Five assessed sequences were annotated, of which three were newly predicted in O. niloticus, as mucin 1-like, and KLR genes, and SATB region. The other two sequences belonged to grid2 and trpm7 which were previously predicted. Although individual attempts to identify genomic gaps are not feasible in filling the large lack of information on the Nile tilapia genome, a good number and valuable new information has been reached. However, the following plan showed many technical problems, more time, effort and cost that could be avoided by suggesting the application of another technique, such as whole-genome sequencing, mapping, and assembly.

Nile tilapia is a freshwater fish of African origin, with productive and economical characteristics affecting global fish markets. The Oreochromis niloticus reference genome has a diploid set of 22 linkage groups (LGs) in addition to ungrouped sequences. A total of 42,622 genes have been identified, but 550 genomic gaps may include more. Our study focused on some of these genomic gaps, where appropriate primers were designed and then multiplied through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. From local samples, DNA was extracted and amplified with the new primers. Successful amplicons were sequenced and annotated using available bioinformatics tools. Five assessed sequences were annotated, of which three were newly predicted in O. niloticus, as mucin 1-like, and KLR genes, and SATB region. The other two sequences belonged to grid2 and trpm7 which were previously predicted. Although individual attempts to identify genomic gaps are not feasible in filling the large lack of information on the Nile tilapia genome, a good number and valuable new information has been reached. How-ever, the following plan showed many technical problems, more time, effort, and cost that could be avoided by suggesting the application of another technique, such as whole-genome sequencing, mapping, and assembly.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of choline chloride supplementation on the growth performance of feedlot calves. Thirty-two crossbred calves with a mean initial body weight of 305.71±4.09 Kg were divided into three groups of 10, 11 and 11 animals, randomly. The animals were distributed to one of three dietary treatments, control, choline15 and choline 30 (the rations supplemented with 0, 15 and 30 g choline chloride, respectively). The animals were fed on concentrate feed at a rate of about 2.15% of their live body weight and rice straw open access. Supplementing animal ration with choline chloride did not significantly affect all nutrients' digestibility and feeding value. The animals supplemented with 30 g choline chloride recorded significantly higher (P=0.037) total serum protein concentration compared to the other groups. The group received a ration supplemented with 30 g of choline chloride and recorded significantly higher final weight, total gain, and mean daily gain. Data showed significant improvement in TDN, CP and DCP conversion for the animal received ration supplemented with 30 g choline chloride compared to the control group. In conclusion, supplementing fattening calves' ration with rumen-protected choline could improve average daily gain and feed conversion.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of choline chloride supplementation on the growth performance of feedlot calves. Thirty-two crossbred calves with a mean initial body weight of 305.71 ±4.09 Kg were divided into three groups of 10, 11 and 11 animals, randomly. The animals were distributed to one of three dietary treatments, control, choline15 and choline 30 (the rations supplemented with 0, 15 and 30 g choline chloride, respectively). The animals were fed on concentrate feed at a rate of about 2.15% of their live body weight and rice straw open access. Supplementing animal ration with choline chloride did not significantly affect all nutrients digestibility and feeding value. The animals supplemented with 30 g choline chloride recorded significantly higher (P=0.037) total serum protein concentration compared to the other groups. The group received a ration supplemented with 30 g choline chloride and recorded significantly higher final weight, total gain, and mean daily gain. Data showed significant improvement in TDN, CP, and DCP conversion for the animal received ration supplemented with 30 g choline chloride compared to the control group. In conclusion, supplementing fattening calves' ration with rumen-protected choline could improve average daily gain and feed conversion.

This study evaluated the use of biologically treated olive mill wastewater (OMWW) for irrigation of pea plants, rather than discharging this nutrient-rich liquid and polluting the environment. Pea seeds were planted in pots containing soil irrigated with tap water (control), untreated (crude) OMWW, or OMWW treated with the fungus, Pleurotus columbinus, or algae Spirulina platensis or Wollea sp., with two NPK rates. Plant length shoot and root dry weight, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorophyll, and carotene contents were measured, along with to nitrogenase and dehydrogenase activity. The highest shoots' N and P contents were recorded in plants irrigated with Sp. platensis- treated OMWW + 100% NPK; while the highest K content was in plants irrigated with crude OMWW + 100% NPK. The highest dehydrogenase activity, 59.01 μg TPF/100 g soils, was recorded in plants irrigated with P. columbinus-treated OMWW supported with 75% NPK, while maximum nitrogenase activity (261.82 μmol/100g soil/day) occurred in plants irrigated with Wollea sp.-treated OMWW with 75% NPK. The highest content of chlorophylls a & b and carotene (0.838, 0.276, 0.252 mg/g dry weight, respectively) were found in plants irrigated with OMWW treated with Wollea sp. and 100% NPK. Thus, biologically-treated OMWW showed promising impacts on plant growth parameters.

This study evaluated the use of biologically treated olive mill wastewater (OMWW) for irrigation of pea plants, rather than discharging this nutrient-rich liquid and polluting the environment. Pea seeds were planted in pots containing soil irrigated with tap water (control), untreated (crude) OMWW, or OMWW treated with the fungus, Pleurotus columbinus, or algae Spirulina platensis or Wollea sp., with two NPK rates. Plant length shoot and root dry weight, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorophyll, and carotene contents were measured, along with to nitrogenase and dehydrogenase activity. The highest shoots N and P content were recorded in plants irrigated with Sp. Platensis-treated OMWW + 100% NPK; while the highest K content was in plants irrigated with crude OMWW + 100% NPK. The highest dehydrogenase activity, 59.01 μg TPF/100 g soils, was recorded in plants irrigated with P. columbinus-treated OMWW supported with 75% NPK, while maximum nitrogenase activity (261.82 μmol/100g soil/day) occurred in plants irrigated with Wollea sp.-treated OMWW with 75% NPK. The highest content of chlorophylls a & b and carotene (0.838, 0.276, 0.252 mg/g dry weight, respectively) were found in plants irrigated with OMWW treated with Wollea sp. and 100% NPK. Thus, biologically treated OMWW showed promising impacts on plant growth parameters.