The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between wheat yield cultivars (Sakha 93 and Giza 168) and antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities under different soil water content i.e. low, moderate and high content by Irrination at 806/6 ETo (1280m'/fed.), by, 100% ETo (1600m'/fed.) and120% ETo (1920m'/fed.), respectively. Two lysimeter experiments were carried out in two successive seasons i.e. 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 to estimate wheat yield and one experiment in plastic bags carried out of the greenhouse to determine the antioxidant enzymes of 28 days wheat plant under three different soil water content i.e. providIng wheat seedlings with aforementioned treatment. Exposing wheat cuitivars i.e. Giza 186 or Sakha 93 to water stress by Irrigation at 80% ETo (1280 m3/fad.) exerted an increase in CAT, SOD, POD, APX and PAL over those irrigated at 100% ETo (1600 m'/fad.) or at 120% ETo (1920 m'/fad.), but the previous enzyme activities in the tissue of Saka.93 surpassed of that of Giza 168 cuitivar. spike weight and weight of 100 grain/plant of Sakha 93 cuitivar overcome that of Giza 168 at low soil moisture content (80% ETo), whereas opposite results were obtained at high and moderate water content (120% and 100% ETo) in the first growing season (2006/2007) and spike weight/plant in second growing season (2007/2008). There was a proportional relationship between increasing soil moisture content and grain yield/plant but the difference between moderate water content 100% ETo (1600 m'/fed.) and high water content 120% ETo (1920 m3/fed.) was not significant. Providing 28 days wheat plant with low water content, decreased wheat yield/plant and its attributes comparing with moderate water content for the two studied cuitivars. The current study indicates that Sakha 93 cultivar was the most tolerant cuitivar compared with Giza 168.

The aim of this study was to use spreadsheet software (Excel) to solve linear programming models in formulating least cost rations of egg layers. The Ingredients used are corn, wheat, soybean meal, barley, wheat bran, protein concentrate, limestone, salt, dicalcuim phosphate, vitamin and mineral premix, vegetable oil. Results showed that the starter optimum ration for layers from (0 - 6) weeks, consist of these Ingredients (9.40, 26.91, 16.38, 38.71,' 4.51, 0.95, 1.09, 0.25, 1.18, 0.25, (Received April 18, 2009) (Accepted September 28, 2009) 0.33)% respectively and from (6-12) week of (0, 73.43, 8.72, 0, 14.37, 0, 0.99, 0.25, 1.39, 0.25, 0.57) % respectively, from (12-18) week (0, 78.36, 6.17, 0, 12.02, 0, 1.44, 0.25, 0.87, 0.25, 0.61)% respectively, from (18 week - start of production) (0, 15.55, 13.85, 0, 3.81, 0, 4.25, 0.25, 1.16, 0.25, 0.86 )% respectively, and during productive period from (0, 66.93, 10.62, 0,0, 9.09,9.01, 0.25, 3.82)% respectively, and the cost of these ration was 160.6, 130.70, 123.60, 145.22, 195.95) Iraqi Dinar/kg respectively. Results also show sensitivity report of allowable increase and decrease in ingredient cost and in constraint values and the shadow price.

Information related to pesticide practices in green beans and strawberry fields in some selected exportation farms in Egypt was obtained through questionnaire forms. Such forms were randomly distributed among different target exporters at Giza, Ismaellia, Sharkia, Behirah and Alfayoum governorates. Questionnaire outputs indicated that the percent of the rejected export by importers due to high levels of pesticide residues reached 11.11 and 7.69% in green beans and strawberry respectively. The recommended rates of the used pesticides established by the Ministry of Agriculture and/or EU guidelines were followed by 86.67 and 69.23% of these vegetables growers, respectively. Questionnaire outputs indicated that the percent of exporters who were repeating the application of all or each pesticide during the same season of green beans and strawberry reached 48.89 and 42.31%, respectively. Furthermore, 15.56 and 7.69% of growers followed the recommended Pre Harvest interval (PHI) for each pesticide used in green beans and strawberry. On the other hand, no storage period was followed by 40 and 76.92% of the exporters for green beans and strawberry, respectively. Concerning the transportation conditions data showed that 55.56 and 88.46% of the exporters used cooling trucks with green beans and strawberry, respectively.

Newly ecdysed fourth instar larvae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) were treated with LC50 of ecdysone agonist methoxyfenozide, to provide better insights into physiological symptoms and aspects induced by it as a mimic to the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E) action. Larvae ingest methoxyfenozide died within 2-3 days, and being trapped within their excuvae. They stopped feeding shortly before ecdysis. Treatment neither accelerated ecdysis nor ceased feeding, as soon as the larvae ingest such 20-E mimic. The continuous binding of the compound to the ecdysteroid receptors of S. littoralis larvae increased the titre of enzymes regulated by 20-E during the experimental time (3 days). Chitinase and phenoloxidase were activated after 6 and 12 hr from methoxyfenozide administration, respectively. The compound had no effect on chitin production, but endocuticle chitin degradation during moulting might be depressed as illustrated by the presence of higher amount of N-acetylglucosamine in control larvae than methoxyfenozide treated. It is suggested that methoxyfenozide might induces a precocious moult by initiating moulting cycle, but its main toxic effect is due to the fact that its level remains high during moulting and don’t decrease for allowing other hormones necessary for successful moulting to be released.

Individual and integrated effects of three weed control treatments H [weedy control (H1); Butralin (H2) and manual twice hoeing (H3)] , three hill spacing , D [10 (D1), 15 (D2) and 20 cm (D3)] and two soybean varieties, V [ Giza 111 (V1) and Giza 21 (V2)] on dry matter (DM) of associated weeds, growth traits and parameters, nutrients uptake and seed yield, were the intended aim of the present study. To achieve this aim, split- split plot arrangement was used, where tested variables; H, D and V were allocated in main-, sub- and sub-sub plot, respectively, at newly reclaimed soil of the experimental farm "Demo" of Fac. Agric., Fayoum Univ., during 2006 and 2007 summer seasons. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: Dry weight of weeds were deppressed by twice manual hoeing, dense planting, chemical control and the interaction of H2D2V2 in the first sample and H3 V1 in the second sample.Maximum values of soybean height, number of branches, LA and LAI were obtained by H2 or H3 depending on the sample as well as the studied variety. Soybean density had a significant effect on plant growth (height, DM and LA). In addition CGR and NAR as well as N, P, and K were affected by H3 and H2. Several dual and triointeractions significantly affected the growth traits. Manual hoeing, H3 (1490 kg/fed) out yielded Butralin treatment, H2 (1000kg/fed) and both surpassed the weedy control one, H1 (530 kg/fed). Closest spacing, D1 (1080 kg) followed by intermediate one, D2 (1060 kg) produced markedly by higher seed yield/fed that of the widest spacing (890 kg). V2 (1080kg) out yielded V1 (940 kg/fed). H3 D1 (1840), D2 V2 (1500) and H3D2 (1260) as well as H3D1V2 (1890 kg/fed) were the most effective interactions on soybean yield. The obtained results revealed that, in such newly reclaimed land, the maximum yield with improved quality of soybean could be obtained from Giza 21 planted in closed spacing (10cm) and treated with manual hoeing twice.

The honey dew moth Cryptoblabes gnidiella Milliere is one of the most important insect pests of stored garlic. Data revealed that, Egyptian (Baladi) cultivar was the least susceptible to attacke by this insect . After four months of storage, the infestation percentages were 21.68% for Egyptian (Balady) cultivar as compared to 32.39% for Sids 40, 44.88% for American and 70.99% for Chinese cultivar. The oil content of the four garlic cultivars were measured along four months of storage. Data showed that the four cultivars were differed significantly in this respect. The highest weight of volatile oils, 436.8 mg/100g was fined in the Egyptian cultivar whereas the Chinese cultivar had 340.6 mg/100g. The correlation coefficients “r” values showed highly significant and negative relationship between infestation percentages and volatile oils weight (mg) . The main components of the volatile oils of the tested four garlic cultivars were separated by GC- MS analysis. Nine sulfur compounds were separated and identified, the major compound was Diallyl trisulfide (i.e. 49.82, 46.23, 46.17 and 44.89%) for Egyptian, Sids 40, Chinese and American cultivars, respectively. Allyl methyl trisulfide ranged from 11.40 to 23.15%. On the other hand percentage of total soluble solids (TSS%) for the four cultivars were almost the same trend during the storage period extended for four months or slightly increased. These data indicate the importance of the type and quantity of volatile oils and its component in protection of stored garlic from infestation by C. gnidiella.

The present study is a trial to investigate the toxic effects of the bio-pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on male reproductive system of rats. Rats received dietary doses each approximately equivalent to 1/10 or 1/100 of the LD50 value of the Bt bio-pesticide (Agerin) for 90 consecutive days. Sex organs weight, semen picture, concentrations of the hormones [i.e., testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)], and histopathological changes in testes were the criteria used to evaluate the reproductive toxicity on the treated rats. Btat the higher dose caused a significant decrease in the weight of testes and seminal vesicles as compared with control. Both Bt doses decreased sperm count associated with an increase in the morphologically abnormal spermatozoa; however sperm motility was significantly decreased in treated rats with the higher dose only. The concentration of serum testosterone was significantly reduced in both treated groups; however LH and FSH levels were significantly reduced in treated rats with the higher dose. Histopathological examination of Agerin-treated male rat's testes revealed that both Bt doses caused testicular degeneration in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, Agerin may decreases fertility in adult male rats by affecting the concentrations of pituitary gonadotrophins, testosterone and thus subsequent spermatogenic impairment

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 current work aims to evaluate the effect of different periods of organic farming on some soils qualities compared with the traditional system. Several farms varied in their soil nature and periods of practicing organic farming system were chosen. The farms are located in Belbes, El-Manayef, El-Fayoum and El- Behera areas. Moreover, the study also involved adjacent traditional managed farms. The evaluation was based on the weighted values of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the 0-50 cm and 0-100 cm soil depths. The considered soil properties weresoil organic matter (SOM); bulk density; porosity; available water; penetration resistance, mean soil particles weight diameter (MWD), cation exchange capacity and total microbial count. The obtained results indicated that soilbiological parameters were less important than the physical or thechemical factors. Principle component1, (PC1) scores indicated that 79.97% and 78.05 % of total variance are attributed to the 0-50 cm soil depth of the organic and conventional managed soils, respectively. In the meantime, 75.72 and 71.94 % are related to the 0-100 cm soil depth for the two farming systems, (Organic and conventional) in the same sequence. The only significantfactor contributing to PC2 was total count; PC2 indicatedthat (10.29 and 10.87% of the totalvariance are accounted for 0-50 and 0-100 cm soil depth of organic farming as well as 15.3 and 16.68% of the totalvariance for 0-50 and 0-100 cm soil depth of conventional farming system, respectively.

This study aimed basically at identifying the level of rural women adoption of environmental practices in Menufiya Governorate. This main obective was achieved throw the followinge sub-objectives : determining the environmental knowledge level of rural women, identifying the dgree of rural women application of environmental practices, determining the factors which correlated  with each of the environmental knowledge level and dgree of rural women application of  environmental  practiece. The study was carried out in two villeges in Menufiya Governorate, the first villege was Monshiat Bakhaty which belongs to Shebien Elkom district and the sconede villege was Sahel Elgawaber which belongs to El shohadaa district. 100 rural women were selected randomly from each village. The study findings were: the environmental knowledge level was high as 83.5% from respondents. About 47% from respondents were applying the environmental practices. There were four independent variables (social participation, culturel cosmoplitness, geographical cosmoplitness, age) explained together 16.3 % of the total variance of the environmental knowledge level. There were six independent variables (family monthly incom, environmental situation at the village, cultural cosmoplitness, family education, geographical cosmoplitness, environmental knowledge) explained together 55.5% of the total variance of the environmental application dgree.