Weeds represent the most serious problem in wheat in Egypt. For their control, two field exper-iments were carried out during two winter seasons (2004/2005) and (2005/2006) at National Re-search Centre experimental station at Shalakan, Kalubia Governorate. Some groups of herbicides (Dirby, Harmony extra, Granstar, Ecopart, Illoxan, Topic and Arelon) as well as hand weeding and unweeded treatments were evaluated in wheat. In addition, herbicide combinations were also as-sessed. Harmony extra at 24 g / fed. provided ac-ceptable control for broad leaved weeds but failed to control completely narrow-leaved weeds. Topic at 140 g / fed. provided great control of narrow weeds (97.68% reduction in dry weight after 90 days from sowing). Mixtures of both Harmony extra +Topic at rates (18 g / fed. +105 g / fed.) were better than Harmony extra alone for weed control (99.19 % control, 90 days after sowing) and grain yield. Concerning the other herbicides, Granstar + Topic were effective in controlling both broad and narrow weeds. The efficacy of Harmony extra + Illoxan was lower (91.2% con-trol). Overall, Arelon or mixture of Harmony extra +Topic were the most effective treatments with regard to weed control and wheat growth, yield and its attributes. However, no carryover damage with all used herbicides was observed on wheat. Estimating individual amino acids in the yielded grain revealed increase in essential and nonessen-tial amino acids due to single or combined appli-cation of herbicides. Pronounced increase was recorded with Harmony extra and Topic

A field experiment was carried out in sandy soil to elucidate the possibility of using chloride form as a partial source for potassium in fertiga-tion of banana plants grown on a sandy soil. Growth, fruit yield and quality as well as plant nutritional status and Cl accumulation within both plant leaves and rhizosphere beside an economical elucidation were taken in to consideration to ac-complish such evaluation. Eleven gradual increas-ing KCl: KNO3 (0:100 - 100:0) ratios were applied with maintaining the concentration of all macro and micro nutrients except Cl constant. Obtained data indicated that increasing Cl existence didn’t adversely affect plant growth under this experi-ment. Treatments of 10:90 followed by 50:50 as well as 70:30 followed by 80:20 and either 90:10 or 10:90 (KCl:KNO3) were most stimulating treatments for increasing pseudo stem diameter and leaves number, respectively. Although total fruit yield bunch as well as number and length of fingers are less sensitive to increasing KCl:KNO3 ratio, number of hands/bunch and diameters of fingers were significantly and positively affected by increasing KCl existence. Treatment of 80:20 KCl:KNO3 was the most significant superior one for all measured fruit yield parameters. Although Cl content increased significantly in banana leaves and root surrounding area with increasing Cl ex-istence in the fertigation solutions, recorded con-tents seemed to be in safe ranges whereas no chlo-ride necroses symptoms were appeared at banana leaves. Contents of N, P and K as well as Cl in plant leaves were significantly, although in fluctu-ating manner, affected by increasing chloride oc-currence in fertigation solution. The encountered response of N, P and K contents seemed to be not only a resultant of increasing Cl occurrence in the root media but also as a reflection to changing the N form (NH4 and urea) compensating N-NO3 de-cline in the fertigation solutions having high Cl concentrations. The relatively high supplements of Cl (80:20 followed by 70:30 KCl: KNO3) recorded the highest economical net return. It could be con-cluded that KCl can be perfectly used in fertigat-ing banana plants grown on sandy soils. To in-crease safety of using chloride under such condi-tions, more work could be suggested particularly what concerns with calculating irrigation and leaching water requirements to prevent chloride accumulation in the root zone.

Two field experiments were carried out during the two successive seasons of 2005 and 2006 at Banha (Qalubia Governorate) to study the effect of three rates of poultry manures (50, 75 and 100 N unit/fed.) and the biofertilizer nitrogen (nitroben) on growth, yield, quality and chemical composi-tion of squash. Obtained data showed that using 100 N unit/fed. from poultry manure gave the highest vegetative growth characters, yield and quality. Application 100 N unit/fed. from poultry manure also increased the nitrogen percentage and heavy metals in squash tissues. In addition, using nitroben biofertilizer gave the highest vegetative growth characters, yield, quality and nitrogen per-centage. On the contrary, nitroben biofertilizer reduced the heavy metals in squash tissues

The present study aims to use microwave pow-er to facilitate the extraction of pectin from dried mango peels, and also to explore the effect of power on some quality parameters of the resultant pectin. Chemical composition of dried mango peels ascertained a high percent of total pectin, being 16.01 % (on dry weight basis). With respect to microwave heating, the optimal experimented power was 600W, and 6 minutes as the best short holding time, which gave 12.80 % yield, 86.54% recovery and 77.20% anhydrogalacturonic acid (AGA) of extracted pectin. Comparing to the commercial pectin, the results of some physico–chemical characterstics of isolated pectin, revealed that the pectin isolated by microwave heating from mango peels, being to some extent analogous to the commercial pectin with respect to its qualities, such as high methoxyl pectin, high degree of estri-fication (DE), and high percent of AGA besides its high viscosity, followed by the pectin isolated using the conventional method. Statistical analysis of organoleptic data showed no significant differ-ences between strawberry jam prepared by using commercial pectin and that treated with pectin isolated by microwave heating as affecting their texture, color, taste and preference. Besides, high significant differences were detected between var-ious concentrations of added pectin, with respect to the texture alone. Generally, the utilization of pectin isolated from mango peels using microwave heating in jam processing gave high quality attrib-utes resembling that of the commercial pectin when added to strawberry jam and this would also lead to gain economical benefits.

Sixteen yeast isolates from various sources in-cluding molasses, foodstuffs, concentrated juices and soils were identified using simplified API 20 C AUX yeast identification system and random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). The isolates were found to belong to 11 species; Candida famata, C. glabra-ta, C. krusei / inconspicua, C. norvegensis, C. col-liculosa, Cryptococcus humicolus, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Kloeckera spp., Geotrichum capita-tum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. API and RAPD-PCR proved to be useful and convenient taxonomic tools for rapid identification at the spe-cies level, proving that at least two techniques are needed for precise identification. RAPD-PCR pro-cedure is faster than traditional characterization techniques; the identification of a single colony was typically achieved in less than 10 hr.

Bacterial angular leaf spot disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans is one of the most important foliage disease of cucumber. The present work was planned to control the dis-ease using six inducers i.e. salicylic acid, cobalt sulphate, di-basic potassium phosphate, lithium chloride, potassium silicate and tri-potassium phosphate, in addition two bioagents named Pseu-domonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were applied as foliar treatments to induce systemic resistance in cucumber plants against bacterial angular leaf spot disease. The most effective in-ducers were salicylic acid, dibasic potassium phosphate and lithium chloride, respectively. On the other hand, Bacillus subtilis was least effective one followed by potassium silicate and Ps. fluo-rescens, respectively. While, tri-potassium phos-phate, cobalt sulphate were moderate in this re-spect. Efficacy of used inducers prolonged about till six weeks after treatment.The inducers were shown to increase phenolic compounds of cucumber leaves, whereas after two weeks of treatment up to six weeks, free and total phenol in the treated plants showed higher amounts than those in the untreated ones. Another trend was obtained with conjugated phenol. A positive correlation had been noticed between ef-ficacy of inducers and accumulated amounts of free and total phenol in cucumber leaves, i.e. the higher inducer efficacy the higher free and total phenol accumulation.

The effects of planting date on the evapotran-spiration (ETC) were studied for Tomato, Egg-plant, Squash, Cucumber, Carrot, Potato, Onion, and Watermelon, in Riyadh, Makkah, Njran, Al-Qassim, Eastern region, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Aseeir, Al-Madenah, Hail and Jazan Regions based on the crop pattern in each region. The ETC of each crop was estimated based on Penman-Monteith Equa-tion. The results showed that the ETC for crops planted in January, February, March, April or Maywere higher than those crops planed in September, October, November, or December. The average ETC was higher when planting date was closer to summer months (June, July and August). Also, the results showed differences in ETC among the dif-ferent regions. The ETC in Al-Madenah region was higher than the other regions for Tomato and Eggplant. While, Riyadh region had the highest ETC values compared with the other regions for Squash, Cucumber, Carrot, Potato, Onion, and Water melon

The corn stem borers larvae (species Sesamia cretica Led., Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. and Os-trinia nubilalis (Hübner)) are considered the major pests attacking Zea mays L. The larvae bore into stems and ears which cause a significant decrease of both quantity and quality of yield. This research was completed at Eastern region of Syria during 2004 and 2005 corn growing season, aiming to control these corn borer species with some insec-ticides; Avaunt 150SC (Indoxacarb 150 g / L),Sumialpha 5EC (Esfenvalerate 50 g / L), Proclaim 05SG (Emamectin benzoate 50 g / Kg), Comply 25WP (Fenoxycarb 205 g / Kg) and Agerin 6.5WP (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki 32000 IU / Mg). The results showed that in corn attacked by Sesa-mia cretica, Sesamia nonagrioides and Ostrinia nubilalis the infested rate reached up to 38 % on stems and 18.5 % on ears at control plots. Results also showed high efficacy of insecticides Avaunt 150SC, Sumialpha 5EC, Proclaim 05SG, Comply 25WP and Agerin 6.5WP in reducing the infested rate in stems to about 6, 8.1, 11.5, 13.5 and 21.2 %, respectively. And to about 4.5, 6.1, 7.2, 7.9 and 11.1 % in ears by Avaunt 150SC, Sumialpha 5EC, Proclaim 05SG, Comply 25WP and Agerin 6.5WP, respectively. These results gave rise to a positive increase in the yield of corn seeds.

Proline’s content was estimated in different organs of durum wheat; dry wheat seeds (caryopsis), seeds during germination, second and third leave’s level in different degrees of water alimentation: 75%, 50.0, 42.5, 35.0, 25.0 and 12.5% of the field capacity. Four genotypes of durum wheat Triticum durum DESF were studied from three different origins; Algeria, France and Mexico. Results showed that proline’s content was low in dry wheat and in seeds during germination, and increased by decrease of water supplies. This amino acid estimation during experimentation, allowed us to classify the studied genotypes into 3 main groups: - Genotypes with high proline accumulation (Mexicali). - Genotypes with low proline accumulation (Clairdoc). - Two intermediate genotypes MBB and OZ. These differences among genotypes can be exploited in parietal selection with relation towater deficit.

Four different date palm male types were chosen to evaluate which male could be recommended to use as a pollinator for Barhi date palm cv. grown in Egypt. Three male types namely Ghanamy, Fard and Boyr were grown in the Fruit Trees Experimental Station at Dibba, Fojaira, UAE, and the fourth male was an individual Sewy satellite seedling grown in Egypt. Number of spathe/palm; spathe weight, length, & width ; pollen grains weight / spathe ; average of strand length as well as pollen grains germination % were determined for each male date palm tree from each male type . Moreover, pollen grains from each male type were used as a pollinator to evaluate their effect on fruit set and fruit quality of Barhi date palm cv. This study was carried out during both 2004&2005 seasons. Data showed that both Ghanamy and Fard male type were superior in their morphological characters as compared with Boyr or Sewy satellite seedling male type. Boyr male type showed the lowest values of morphological characters. On the other hand, there were no great differences in pollen grains germination percentage. Moreover, the results clearly indicated that Ghanamy pollen recorded the highest significant fruit set percentage and bunch weight (Kg) in both seasons of study. While, Fard pollen produced the highest fruit weight (g), length, diameter, flesh weight& thickness and flesh %. Boyr and Sewy pollen showed the highest ratio of fruit length / diameter in both seasons. Data also revealed that dates that were picked from bunches pollinated with Fard pollen had the highest total soluble salts (T.S.S) value and the lowest tannins content.