The study examines factors affecting sprinkler irrigation system distribution uniformity, including sprinkler type, operating pressure and computer software design. The pressures used were 1.5, 2.1, and 2.5 bar for spray nozzles 4A and 17A, and 1.7, 2, 2.5, and 3 bar for rotor nozzles 1 and 3. The results showed a strong correlation, with (R2) values of 0.996 and 0.973, between SIDUL-Program (Sprinkler Irrigation Distribution Uniformity for Landscape–Program) and Excel program with respect to coefficient of uniformity (CU) and distribution uniformity (DU) respectively, suggesting a strong correlation between the two programs. The HEDIA program validated the SIDUL–Program, revealing a 0.42% difference in CU values between the two programs for rotor nozzle 3, indicating also a strong correlation (R2 = 0.953) between the two programs. The results showed that DU for spray 4A at a pressure of 2.1 bar was 7.4%, higher than DU at a pressure of 1.5 bar; the CU for spray 17A was 11.9% higher, as supported by manufacturer specifications. The study concluded that calculating CU and DU using the SIDUL–Program is critical for assessing sprinkler performance in irrigation systems since it considers factors such as soil type, irrigation 1methods and location; in addition to being easy to use and accurate com-pared to other programs.

This investigation was performed during the 2018 and 2019 seasons in a private vineyard to study the effect of calcium, magnesium fertigation and molybdenum foliar sprays on the yield and fruit quality of Flame seedless table grape cultivar. The experimental layout was arranged in a split-plot design. All treatments were applied on three dates: after the bud burst stage, at the fruit set stage and veraison stage. The results showed that the combined application of 30 Kg calcium with 20 Kg magnesium fertigation and foliar spraying of 30 ppm molybdenum was the most effective among all treatments in terms of enhancing vegetative growth characteristics, increasing leaf content of total chlorophylls and mineral elements as well as improving yield and fruit quality attributes.

Using integrated in silico and in vitro experiments, the antiviral capabilities of green tea and licorice extracts were evaluated against the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). It was noted that the number of induced necrotic local lesions of TMV decreased by increasing extract concentrations and thus it is considered concentration dependent on the extracts’ active compounds. Properties of eleven compounds belonging to licorice and green tea were obtained from databases to examine their activities in silico. A molecular docking simulation was performed between these agents and the protein coat of the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The highest effective compounds were glycyrrhetic acid, liquiritin and EGCG. ADMET studies revealed good overall properties of nine non-toxic compounds based on their predicted pharmacokinetic, physicochemical, drug-likeness and toxic properties. Based on docking energy and mode of interaction, these compounds showed strong binding with the protein coat of TMV. The antiviral effect may be due to the most effective compounds with the highest affinity namely glycyr-rhetic acid, liquiritin and isoliquiritin. As a conclusion, the promising value of our titled extracts is the anti-TMV activity and pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties of their active constituents.

The research was conducted to assess the impact of various organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) var. Calcuttia Single using a randomized complete block design with eight treatments including vermicompost, farmyard manure, poultry manure, charcoal, NPK fertilizer, and their combinations in triplicates. Measurements of vegetative and reproductive parameters were recorded at 35, 55 and 85 DAT. Results revealed that compared to the control, poultry manure and vermicompost, singly or combined with NPK, significantly enhanced both vegetative and reproductive traits. Poultry manure resulted in the tallest plants (126.21 cm), the highest number of branches (29.93), and the largest flowers (14.11 cm diameter), with the earliest flowering (51.33 days). Vermicompost showed effectiveness in plant height (117.37 cm), number of branches (28.80), plant spread (81.43 cm) and flower number (40.47) The control plot exhibited the least effectiveness in all parameters. These findings highlight the significant role of organic fertilizers in enhancing the growth and yield of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) var. Calcuttia Single.

The research aimed to isolate and characterize local entomopathogenic fungi from different agricultural ecosystems and assess their pathogenicity against cowpea aphid. Forty soil samples were collected from different ecosystems. In total, 38 fungal isolates were collected from the cadavers' exteriors of Galleria mellonella larvae. Microscopic observation of these fungal isolates revealed that they belonged to nine fungal genera among them Metarhizium sp. (3 isolates) and Beauveria sp. (5 isolates). Primary experiments showed different bioactivities of the isolates of the two selected genera against the target insect. Only Metarhizium isolates (M3 & M5) and Beauveria isolates (B1 & B5) were selected for further investigations. Identification of fungal cultures by morphological characters, molecular characterization, ITS sequencing, and NCBI Blast showed that two isolates were confirmed as M. anisopliae and two isolates as B. bassiana. The bioassay evaluation revealed that M. anisopliae (M3 and M5) and B. bassiana (B1) exhibited significant virulence against A. craccivora, as evidenced by their high LT50 and LC50 values and substantial sporulation on the cadavers. Therefore, they could be used for the formulation of pesticides targeting this pest on cowpea and other vegetable crops.

The Tomato Chlorosis Criniviruses (ToCV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl Geminivirus (TYLCV), which naturally infecting and limited to the phloem, have caused a drastic reduction in tomato yield. The current study aims to determine the incidence of single and mixed viruses using biological, serological and molecular PCR methods in natural tomato plants. The incidence of mixed infection was found more frequently, followed by ToCV and TYLCV (42.3, 28.8, 17.8 in 2020 and 49.1, 29.7 and 19.1% in 2021, respectively). ToCV causes chlorosis, TYLCV causes leaf curl and yellowing, while mixed ToCV & TYLCV cause progress symptoms. By using the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and coat protein (CP) genes, ToCV and TYLCV isolates could be identified. These isolates were recorded in GenBank under accession codes "ON951644.1" and "OP265136.1" respectively. Host plants responded differently to severe and common disease density between ToCV and TYLCV. The transmitted whitefly could distinguish between ToCV and TYLCV within 15-20 minutes of the acquisition period. ToCV increases in fields with high whitefly populations, requiring further research to understand effects and reduce harm.

Imidacloprid is a systematic neonicotinoid widely used to combat piercing-sucking insects; however, neonicotinoids, despite having low effects on vertebrates, showed high adverse effects on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Glutathione-S-transferases (GST) are an important constituent of the defense system in detoxifying invading chemicals. This work examines the effects of imidacloprid on GST activity in vivo and in vitro conditions. Results revealed that there are two responses of GST activity toward IMI treatment; first, stimulation of enzyme activity to combat and detoxify the insecticide. Second, direct inhibition of GST, which is confirmed by the in vitro inhibition with IC50 887.42 ppm. At a short exposure time to IMI (2 hours) at an IMI concentration of 0.35 ppm, the enzyme was stimulated up to 113% while increasing exposure time or IMI concentration, the inhibition effect dominates.

Heat stress is an environmental problem that can negatively impact tomato productivity by reducing fruit setting and disrupting pollen development. The present study aims to understand the molecular mechanism of heat tolerance induced by L-ascorbic acid. Plants were grown in the summer of 2022 (day and night temperatures were 34.4°C and 25.2°C respectively). The plants were divided into two groups: one was sprayed with L-ascorbic acid (0.5 mM) and the other served as a control. Growth parameters, antioxidant enzymes, proline, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde levels in the leaves were determined. Additionally, a molecular docking allowed understanding the interaction between the antioxidant enzymes and L-ascorbic acid. Results indicated that L-ascorbic acid increased antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase), proline content, fruit setting and growth indicators (shoot and root fresh and dry weight). It also reduced hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels in tomato leaves. Furthermore, the in-silico analysis revealed that L-ascorbic acid binding energies toward antioxidant enzymes were similar to those of known activators. In conclusion, foliar application of L-ascorbic acid (0.5 mM) effectively mitigated heat stress effects, activating antioxidant enzymes and eliminating reactive oxygen species, ultimately resulting in increased fruit setting.

The Red and White pakestanian mulberry cultivars and Baladi mulberry trees were propagated by using medium hardwood cuttings pre-pared in November, December and January, and treated with the growth regulators IBA and NAA (0, 2000, 4000 and 6000 ppm) during 2020 and 2021 seasons. The hardwood cuttings treatment was planted in wooden frames inside the greenhouse in a cultivation medium consisting of peat moss and sand (1:3 v/v respectively). Data showed that Baladi mulberry cultivar gave the highest values of rooting percentage while the White Pakestanian gave the highest values for the number of roots per cutting. Concerning growth regulator treatments, IBA at 6000 gave the highest significant number of roots per cutting followed by NAA at 6000 ppm. In the interaction between the two studied factors, the highest rooting percentage was found by NAA at 6000 ppm for Baladi and White cultivars. While the highest values of root number and root length were resulted by IBA at 6000 ppm followed by NAA at 6000 ppm for Baladi and White mulberry cultivars. The C/N ratio in Baladi and White cultivars cuttings was highest in hardwood cuttings prepared in November. While the values of C/N ratio in Red mulberry cultivar cuttings were highest in hardwood cuttings prepared in January.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is considered one of the main food crops in many countries worldwide. The present work was planned to manage potato black-leg disease using organic treatments as well as mineral-nitrogenous treatments, in addition to examining their effects on the pathogenic bacterium (Pectobacterium atrosepticum) population under artificial inoculation conditions. The obtained data indicated that applications of cabbage, onion and peppermint dry ground leaves as organic matters, and applications of ammonium super-phosphate, potassium sulfate and urea as mineral-nitrogenous fertilizers reduced P. atrosepticum population and black-leg disease of potato compared with the control treatment. In addition, these treatments led to increasing potato yield, while the beneficial effects increased with increasing their doses compared with the control treatment. Meanwhile, the organic matter appeared highly effective compared with mineral-nitrogenous fertilizers in disease reduction. However, mineral-nitrogenous fertilizers appeared highly effective in increasing potato yield. Meanwhile, onion dry ground leaves (organic matter) and urea (nitrogenous fertilizer) were the most effective on the pathogenic bacterium population and severity of the disease compared with other treatments