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

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.

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.

In this study, the essential oils of rosemary and sage were used to improve cake by two methods either addition or spraying at different concentra-tion on cup cake after 30 min. from baking. The components of essential oils were identified using Gas Chromatography (GC). These oils were eval-uated for inhibitory effect against some pathogenic bacteria especially that may contaminate cake dur-ing handling and storage periods. The effect of these oils at different levels and methods on the sensory characteristics of the produced cake was studied. The results showed that the addition of essential oil of rosemary or sage to cake formula at 1% level increased the acceptability of cakes. While when the rosemary or sage oil sprayed on the cup cake crust after 30 min. of baking at 0.06% or 0.18% level, resulted in a higher over all acceptability scores compared with the other lev-els and cake control. During the storage periods of cakes, using 1.5 % level of rosemary or 0.5% of sage oil added to the formula level resulted in a good acceptability after four and two weeks re-spectively, of storage periods. By using 0.06% concentrations of sage oil sprayed on cup cake crust after 30 min. of baking, the cake had accept-ed during the four weeks of storage periods. Mold growth appeared after 19 and 28 days due to addi-tion of 1% either rosemary or sage oils to the cake formula Meanwhile, the essential oils sprayed at level of 0.12 % of both, the mold appeared after 29 and 33 days for rosemary and sage respective-ly. Also by using the essential oils of rosemary or sage as spray on cake layers, most of bacterial strains and mold-yeast were not detected during the storage periods of cake at room temperature (25 – 30oC). The inhibition of growth of Salmonel-la and E-Coli was noted at 30 μl /disk of rosemary oil and 40 μl /disk for inhibition growth of Bacil-lus Cereus. While the inhibition growth of Salmo-nella, Staph aureus and E-Coli were observed at 40μl /disk of sage oil and at 50 μl/ disk for inhibi-tion growth of Bacillus Cereus.

In seeking economic production of microbial cellulose, the available and low cost commercial kombucha starter, contains mainly Acetobacter xylinum and Saccharomyces sp., were used under static condition. The best medium composition was black tea extract (1.0 g /100 ml H2O), sucrose (20%) and corn steep liquor, CSL (1%) at 26-28oC for 10 days. The cellulose yield (1.3 g /100 ml) and productive rate (1.3 X 10-3 g / day /ml) were higher than some reported values. Addition of folic acid or its building block p-aminobenzoic acid at additive concentrations 0.20% led to dou-bling the yield (2.37 and 2.43 g / 100 ml culture respectively) and the productive rate (2.37 X 10-3 and 2.43 X 10-3 g / day / ml respectively). Scan-ning electron micrograph showed the structure of the produced microbial cellulose fibrils without any microbial flora after treatment with 1% NaOH.

Combinations of different spices were used at variable concentrations in the preparation of vari-ous curry blends. The sample showed the highest sensory attributes in comparison with control cur-ry sample was compounded with different spices, onion and garlic at variable concentrations in cor-responding seasoning blend. The oleoresin of the seasoning blend that possessed the highest quality scores was prepared and subjected to freeze drying process after dispersion on suitable carrier. The flavour contribution percentages of the character-istic notes; light sweet top, medium aromatic, full boiled spicy and pungent spicy were calculated for each curry and seasoning blends. The hydro dis-tilled (HD) oils of the selected curry and its con-stituents were subjected to GC-MS analysis. The results revealed the high contribution of the com-ponents possess spicy note in the raw curry sam-ple. The components possess pungent notes showed less representation. β-Caryophellene was the major compounds in the HD oil of raw season-ing blends followed by δ-carene and ar-turmenone. The qualitative and quantitative varia-tion in the volatile compounds separated from the HD oil of the freeze dried sample may be attribut-ed to the interaction between such components and the used carrier (10% maltodextrin in water).

Avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill) cv. Fuerte and white sapote (Casimiroa edulis) cv. Rotaceae cultivated in Egypt were collected at different maturity stages:green mature,commercial ripe and over ripe stages. The headspace volatiles of each maturity stage was isolated and subjected to gas chromatography- mass spectrometric analy-sis. A total of 43 components were identified in avocado aroma including; terpenes (15), esters (8), aldehydes (8), alcohols (6), ketones (2), thiazoles (l), pyridines (1), toluene and acetic acid, where as 18 compounds were, identified in casimiroa aro-ma, they contained (4) esters, (6) alcohols, (4) aldehydes, (3) terpenes and (1) ketone. Ethanol (Z)-3- hexenol and (E)-2- hexenal were the major constituents in green and ripe fruits of avocado whereas they decreased at the final stage of matu-ration. Over ripe avocado fruits had the highest content of esters (ethyl ethanoate, ethyl acetate and methyl propanoate) and terpenoides especially d-limonene and z-nerolidol. Esters and alcohols comprised more than 85% of the total concentra-tion of volatiles in casimiroa fruits during three stages of maturation. The highest content of ethyl butanoate (sweet and fruity aroma) and ethanol revealed the most prominent effect on consumer acceptability of the cosimiroa flavour attributes. It is obvious that maturation of the fruits was associ-ated with remarkable changes in the volatiles that mainly affect their flavour.

The antioxidaitve activity of Maillard reaction products MRPs) from heated whey added to butter was investigated. The antioxidant efficiency changed with different concentrations of MRPs used during storage period at 45ºC. Peroxide val-ue, thiobarbituric acid, acid value, carbonyl com-pounds and free fatty acids of butter were in-creased with storage. Their rate of increase de-creased with increasing the added amount of MRPs to butter.

Individuals of the oriental hornet, Vespa orien-talis Fab. were monitored at the apiary of Faculty of Agriculture .Ain Shams University throughout the year of 2006. The individual which was first detected in early spring at the first week of Febru-ary was the mated queens, later during the last week of April workers were appeared. At the first week of September individuals large in size ap-peared which were workers with developed ovary and not a new queen as believed previously. New queens started to appear at the second week of November after about three weeks from appear-ance the drones which appear at the last week of October. The numbers of ovarioles varied from 7 to 8 for each ovary in queens either in spring or in autumn. On the other hand the numbers of ovari-oles were only 7 for each ovary in workers either normal or with developed ovary. The measure-ments of the spermatheca showed no significant differences between all female individuals. The average numbers of spermatozoa in the queen's spermatheca of spring queen hornet were 1.486± 0.370 million spermatozoa and in the new queens who appear in the end of the year, the numbers of spermatozoa recorded 1.343±0.332 million. The counts of spermatozoa in the seminal vesicles of drone hornet recorded 2.336 ± 0.408 million sperms per drone.