Morphological structure and different characters of achene is most important from the taxonomic point of view. In present study achene shape, colour, size, texture and pappus type were recorded for 20 taxa of Asteraceae by using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Examination of pappus by SEM recorded 6 groups; (1- Scarbous barbellate fine bristles and scarbous barbellate bristles, 2- Scarbous subulate scales free, 3- Scarious scales, 4- Paleaceous scales corona, 5- Plumose bristles and 6- Capillary barbellate). Also eight patterns were recognized based on surface sculpturing pattern: reticulate, with two subtypes, tuberculate, sulcate, puncticulate, colliculate, aculeate, lineate and striate. The data proved useful in the construction of a dichotomous indented key to the studied taxa. Twenty-two characters with 85 characters stats were used to generate anatomical key using the DELTA key-generating programs.

Sixteen flax genotypes {13 promising lines and 3 check varieties viz., Giza 8 (oil type), Sakha 1 (dual purpose type) and Sakha 3 (fiber type)} were evaluated for straw, seed, oil yields and their related traits under twelve different environments; four locations (Sakha, Etay El-Baroud, Ismailia and Giza Exp. Stations through three successive seasons (2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14). These materials were evaluated in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the twelve above-mentioned environments. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes (G), environments (E) and G x E interaction for all studied traits except straw weight per plant, indicating a wide range of variation among genotypes, environments and these genotypes exhibited differential response to environmental conditions. The significant variance due to residual for all characters except both straw weight per plant and oil yield per fad indicated that genotypes differed with respect to their stability suggesting that prediction would be difficult, which means that mean performance alone would not be appropriate. Interaction component of variance (σ2ge) was less than the genotypic variance (σ2g) for all characters, indicating that genotypes differ in their genetic potential for these traits. This was reflected in high heritability and low discrepancy between phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficients of variability values for these traits indicating the possibility of using each of long fiber percentage, plant height and technical stem length as selection indices for improving straw weight per plant, as well as, using 1000-seed weight and capsules number per plant as selection indices for improving seed weight per plant. Yield stability (YSi) statistic indicated that S.541-C/3 and S.541-D/10 gave high mean performance and stability for straw, fiber, seed and oil yields per fad in addition to oil percentage, capsules number per plant and 1000-seed weight. Therefore, the two genotypes well be released under the name Giza 11 and Giza 12, respectively. These newly released varieties are of dual purpose type for straw, fiber, seed and oil yield. They may replace the low yielding cultivars Giza 8, Sakha 1 and Sakha 3.

Susceptibility of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae) larvae, pupae and adults to entomopathogenic nematode, Steirnernema carpocapsae and two fungal species; Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae was investigated under laboratory conditions. Applied concentrations against the last instar larvae and different ages of the pupae, using leaf and soil treatments, were 250, 500,1000 IJs/ml for the nematode and 108, 109,1010 spores/ml for the fungi. Soil applications of the nematode and fungi resulted to high mortality (100, 100 and 93.3%) of4thinstar larvae while low pupal mortality (46.7,30and 23.3% ),respectively. In leaf treatment a high level of larval mortality (93.3, 90 and 80%) was recorded revealing S. carpocapsae, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, respectively. The present study also showed also susceptibility of Tuta absoluta adults to the three pathoens. The results demonstrated suitability of entomopathogenic nematode and fungi for controlling T. absoluta.

Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Egypt during spring 2013 and 2014 using summer squash (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) for studying the effects of PGPR strains. The objective of the first experiment was to study the efficiency of single, double and triple inoculations of Azospirillum brasilense (AC1), Bacillus subtilis (AC2) and Serratia marcescens (BM1) on summer squash fruit characters. Results showed that the double inoculations of tested PGPR strains in addition to single inoculation with Serratia marcescens produced non-significant higher fruit yield and average fruit weight compared to triple inoculation (AC1+AC2+BM1) and single inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense. However, non-inoculated control plants and plants inoculated with Bacillus subtilis showed lower fruit yield and average fruit weight. From the previous results, it concluded that the double inoculation were better than single and triple inoculations. However, the aim of the second experiment was to evaluate the efficiency of PGPR under N and P fertilization levels on plant growth, yield and nutrients uptake of summer squash as well as soil nutrient availability (available N and P). As per main effects, generally, plant growth, fruit yield, nutrients uptake and availability enhanced significantly by increasing N and P levels, except half dose of P which gave statistically equivalent values of plant fresh and dry weight as well as nitrogen uptake in shoots and fruits in addition to P in shoots compared to full dose. Also, main effect of PGPR showed that the inoculated plants gave significantly higher plant growth, fruit yield, nutrient uptake and availability compared to un-inoculated control plants. Inoculated plants with PGPR strains under full dose of N and P gave mostly highest plant growth, fruit yield, nutrients uptake and availability. This effect was at significant level in terms of fruit yield, soil nutrient availability and some nutrients uptake such as K in the shoots and N the fruits. Furthermore, PGPR significantly reduced P fertilizer application without any reduction in squash yield, especially under no and half dose of N fertilizer. Results revealed that the efficiency of PGPR strains increased by P increasing and decreased by N increasing.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of partial substitution (10 and 15%) of wheat flour by sorghum or chickpea flour on quality parameters of sponge cake and biscuit. Chickpea flour contained the highest percentage of protein, lipids, ash and crude fiber. Water absorption was increased by replacement of wheat flour with sorghum or chickpea flour. From the obtained data, it could be seen that the deleterious effect of adding sorghum flour to wheat flour on the rheological properties was more pronounced than that happened when chickpea flour was added. Cake prepared with sorghum flour had less pronounced improvements in its chemical composition rather than those of chickpea. With regard to volume and specific volume, cake prepared with 10% chickpea flour with or without cake improver recorded the highest values. Cake prepared by chickpea flour had no any unfavorable sensory change especially for the cake produced by cake improver.  Crude protein, lipids, ash and crude fiber contents were increased progressively in all biscuit samples with increasing of either the sorghum or chickpea flour levels. Also, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the thickness and spread ratio of control biscuit compared to that of sorghum or chickpea- wheat composite flour.  It is worth mentioning that the substitution of wheat flour with chickpea flour gave biscuit more sensory acceptable.

The need to increase the organic soil matter for sustainable production to match food security under semi-arid Egyptian conditions (high temperature, low preception, shortage of organic fertilizer etc..) led to looking for new sources of oragnic materials such as  modern composting technologies and increase the effeiency of recycling. The field experiment was carried out during the two winter successive seasons of 2011 and 2012 under open field conditions in protected cultivation site, Central Laboratory for Agriculture Climate (CLAC), Agriculture Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. Peas (Pisum sativum), cv. Lincolin was used in this study. The study aimed to investigate the use of vermicompost as alternative organic fertilizer by different rates (15, 20 and 25 m3/feddan) compared to cattle manure (20 m3/feddan as a control) combained with two plant distances (30 and 50 cm) which  performed in split plot design. The obtained results indicate that increasing the rate of vermicompost from 15 to 25 m3/feddan led to increase the values of physical and chemical properties of both pea plants and yield characteristics. The highest vegetative growth characteristics were recorded by application rate of 25 m3/feddan combined with 50 cm plant distance followed by 20 m3/feddan combined with 30 cm compared to the other treatments. The application rate of vermicompost 25 m3/feddan combined with plant distance 30 cm gave the highest yield of peas per feddan. Concerning, the highest fruit quality parameters were estimated under application rate of vermicompost 20 m3/feddan combined with 50 cm. The recommended treatment under this study conditions was the use of vermicompost 25 m3/feddan combined with 30 cm followed by 20 m3/feddan combined with 30 cm of plant distance. The vermicomposting of organic wastes and applied it to the soil as an organic fertilizer instead of burial or inceneration led to store CO2 in the soil and decrease its emission.

This work was carried out on six pomegranate cultivars namely: Wardy, Araby , Manfalouty , Nab El Gamal, Hhegazy, and Montakhab through two successive seasons grown in a private farm at Assuit government trees were about 13 years and planting distance was 5X5m . Assuit is governorate considered one of the most important pomegranate producers and exporters in Egypt. The yield and some fruit physical and chemical properties of six different  pomegranate cultivars (Punica Granatum L.) were investigated. This investigation aimed to study  tree yield and the main   fruit   characteristics   of six commercial pomegranate cultivars. The average fruit yield / tree  lies  between 38.10–59.90 kg, fruit weight130.96– 399.77g, fruit volume 125.7–520 cm³,  fruit   diameter 6.23– 9.60 c   fruit shape   index  1.00–1.10 respectively . Fruit   dry matter20.49 – 38.57, in addition, total soluble solid content was found between 8.00–16.67, titratable acidity ranged between 0. 25– 0.53, TSS / Acid ratio between 0.27–0.63, total sugars 9.13–% 11.86, reducing sugars 1.22%–5.80, respectively. Finally it could be concluded that, Manfalouty and Hegazy cultivars recorded most excellent physical, chemical and visual characteristics which are preferred.

Resulted in the opening of the Egyptian society to the outside world, and the work of many Egyptians in  the Petroleum States to increase the level of their income on the one hand and increasing population growth rates of  Egypt on the other hand which is reflected to increase the amounts and rates of food commodities consumption in general, and Edible Oil and fats, in particular, where The per capita consumption of Edible Oil about 15 kg/year, which gives an indication of the increased size of the food gap of Edible Oil where the problem was in that Edible Oil become one of the most important sources of the increase in the cost of Egyptian agricultural imports as a result of the application of the GATT as the cost of the Edible Oil imports by about 47 % of the increase in the total value of Egyptian agricultural imports posing a heavy burden on the balance of payments, and then the research aimed to analyze the impact of different variables to determine the most important determinants of consumption of Edible Oil and fats.           To be included in the Egyptian agricultural policy to help the decision-maker to take the necessary corrective actions about it. Where the study found several factors affecting the consumption of Edible Oil and fats can be limited to the most important are as follows: The per capita consumption of Edible Oil (of Human unit).  The per capita expenditure on Edible Oil, the effect of the price / income  ratio of group of Edible Oil and fats, the frequency of frying in the same oil, the function of the head of household, the average price of a kilogram of vegetable ghee, the volume of containers of Edible Oil, Types of pot keeping the oil after use, the use of oil in a frying more than one type of food, rising per capita income (Human Unit), increase the rate of  per capita consumption (of Human unit), the proliferation of fast food shops, as well as shops , beans and falafel, increasing individual consumption of fast food, especially after the revolution due length of waiting of individuals in the Egyptian street . The study pointed out many of the expectations and proposals could limit the most important are as follows: Increasing the area of ​​land cultivated oily crops, need to focus on projects in Toshka and the Qattara Depression and the cultivation of parts of the northern coast, the return to agricultural rotation system of enter including the Oileeds, restart Edible Oil factories with full capacity both in the stages of refining of raw Oil imported or Edible Oil extraction from locally grown Oileeds, rationalizing the use of Edible Oil in domestic consumption.

The present  study was carried out during two successive seasons, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, at the Agricultural Research Station; El-Otouria, Sheehaniya, Doha, Qatar; to investigate the response of  two tomato cultivars (Isabella and Milas) to biofertilizers and amino acids. Two biofertilizer treatments, rizobacterien at a rate of 2 and 4 liter per feddan and one of amino acid (Delfan) at a rate of 200 ppm, were used. Chicken manure, at a rate of 10 tons/ feddan, was the control treatment. Results showed the superiority of Isabella compared to Milas in terms of vegetative growth and fruit yield. Using Rizobacterien at a rate of 4 liter/feddan plus Delfan (amino acids) at a rate of 200 ppm  increased growth and fruit chemical characters, earliness and total yield. The average fruit weight per plant was significantly high under Rizobacteria at a rate of 4 liter/feddan plus Delfan (amino acids) at a rate of 200 ppm. The lowest vegetative growth, fruit and yield characters were obtained from Rizobacteria at a rate of 2 liter/feddan. The water productivity results showed that all treatments led to the increase of fruit yield. Isabella cultivar had higher water productivity than Milas cultivar. Using of Rizobacterien at a rate of four liter/feddan also increased the water productivity. The same trend was obtained by using Delfan at a rate of 200 ppm. Concerning water productivity, Isabella cultivar had higher water productivity 16.7 and 17.2 kg of tomato fruits per cubic meter of irrigation water (m3) compared with Milas cultivar which produced15.9 and 16.5 kg tomato fruits per cubic meter of irrigation water for first and second seasons, respectively. Isabella cultivar plus amino acid (Delfan) gave the highest water productivity 19.1 and 19.7 kg of tomato fruits per m3 water for first and second seasons, respectively compared the other treatments.

This study was carried out during 2012 and 2013 seasons in the Horticultural Research Station at Kanater El- Khairiya, Qualiobeya Governorate to throw light on the effect of different types and rates of fertilizer treatments on the rates of infestation of the cowpea plants, Vigna unguiculata L. by different pests Tetranychus urticae, T. cucurbitacearum (eggs and motile stages), Bemisia tabaci (eggs, nymphs, pupae & adults), Thrips tabaci (nymphs & adults) and green Jassids and on the resultant crop yield. Data revealed that treatment with NPK mixture recorded the highest infestation rate by T. urticae Koch, T.cucurbitacearum (Sayed) and T. tabaci in the two seasons, while the K2O fertilizer revealed the lowest infestation rates. Moreover, the N2 fertilizer recorded the highest infestation with whitefly and Jassids. The brown scale insects, Coccus hesperidium Linnaeus were firstly recorded in Egypt on cowpea plants but throughout the first season only. The mixture treatments resulted highest yield (2428.3 &2675 Kg./fed.) followed by Micro-element treatments (1500 &1658.3 Kg./fed.) then K2O fertilizer treatment (1416.7 & 1553.3 Kg. /fed.) in 2012 and 2013, respectively; being significantly higher than control which recorded (756.0 & 845.0 Kg. / fed.) for the two seasons.   However, the results showed a significant improvement in the uptake of NPK over the control, so it increased the production.