This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of salt stress on amino acid profile and proximate analysis of fenugreek germination samples of two varieties: Giza 2 and Giza 30 for three days. The germination of sterilized fenugreek seeds was conducted using tap water and NaCl solution (2,000 ppm) where higher salt concentration lowered fenugreek germination quality. The germination of fenugreek seeds using tap water or brine increased the crude protein in both dry Giza 2 and Giza 30 seed varieties. Furthermore, sedative sprouts of Giza 30 recorded the highest crude protein (30.60%), fat (6.20%) and energy (333.13 kcal/g) while the use of sterilized Giza 2 seed variety recorded a higher percentage of carbohydrates (43.3%), fiber (8.10%) and ash (6.60%). Alternatively, although amino acid profiles indicated that aspartic acid and proline were most abundant in fenugreek sprouts, sulfur amino acids (cysteine and methionine) demonstrated the least values of the two varieties. Adopting saline water in germinating fenugreek seeds for the two Giza 2 and Giza 30 varieties decreased all amino acid contents compared with those of tap water treatment.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of salt stress on amino acid profile and proximate analysis of fenugreek germination samples of two varieties: Giza 2 and Giza 30 for three days. The germination of sterilized fenugreek seeds was conducted using tap water and NaCl solution (2,000 ppm) where higher salt concentration lowered fenugreek germination quality. The germination of fenugreek seeds using tap water or brine increased the crude protein in both dry Giza 2 and Giza 30 seed varieties. Furthermore, sedative sprouts of Giza 30 recorded the highest crude protein (30.60%), fat (6.20%) and energy (333.13 kcal/g) while the use of sterilized Giza 2 seed variety recorded a higher percentage of carbohydrates (43.3%), fiber (8.10%) and ash (6.60%). Alternatively, although amino acid profiles indicated that aspartic acid and proline were most abundant in fenugreek sprouts, sulfur amino acids (cysteine and methionine) demonstrated the least values of the two varieties. Adopting saline water in germinating fenugreek seeds for the two Giza 2 and Giza 30 varieties decreased all amino acid contents compared with those of tap water treatment.

This study determined the ability of Orius laevigatus to consume different stages of Bemisia tabaci at various densities. Additionally, the use of B. tabaci as food and its effect on the life cycle parameters and female fecundity of Orius predator developmental stages were investigated. The results showed that O. laevigatus could consume whitefly at various stages and complete its preimaginal and postimaginal stages, with B. tabaci eggs, nymph instars, and adults as the only available food source. The consumption and fecundity of O. laevigatus were influenced by feeding on different stages of B. tabaci. Furthermore, the females of this predator consumed more eggs, fourth nymphal instar, and adults than the first, second, and third instar nymphs of B. tabaci on a different density level. The mean numbers of consumptions at different stages of B. tabaci increased with increasing prey densities. The result simply that O. laevigatus can be used as a predator in the biological control of tobacco whiteflies.

This study determined the ability of Orius laevigatus to consume different stages of Bemisia tabaci at various densities. Additionally, the use of B. tabaci as food and its effect on the life cycle parameters and female fecundity of Orius predator developmental stages were investigated. The results showed that O. laevigatus could consume whitefly at various stages and complete its preimaginal and postimaginal stages, with B. tabaci eggs, nymph instars, and adults as the only available food source. The consumption and fecundity of O. laevigatus were influenced by feeding on different stages of B. tabaci. Furthermore, the females of this predator consumed more eggs, fourth nymphal instar, and adults than the first, second, and third instar nymphs of B. tabaci on a different density level. The mean numbers of consumptions at different stages of B. tabaci increased with increasing prey densities. The result simply that O. laevigatus can be used as a predator in the biological control of tobacco whiteflies.

In this study, we examined eight white inbred lines of maize and their F1 crosses under normal and drought stress conditions to estimate their combining ability for grain yield and associated traits. The results showed significant correlation (mean squares) of irrigation treatment with the studied traits. The effects of parents, crosses, and genotypes were all determined to be highly significant under both irrigation levels. Grain yield and other traits showed significant differences (mean squares) associated with both General combining ability (GCA) and Specific combining ability (SCA) under both irrigation regimes, demonstrating the importance of both additive and nonadditive genetic effects in the expression of performance traits. The parental line (P-86) had positive and highly significant GCA effects, as well as the crosses (P-17×P-96), (P-8×P-96), (P-8×P-171), (P-24×P-86), (P-86×P-96), (P-86×P-171), and (P-96×P-171) which then gave the highest specific combinations under both irrigation regimes for grain yield and some of the associated traits. The highest level of heterosis (heterobeltiosis) for grain yield was obtained in the crosses (P-8×P-96), (P-8×P-137), (P-8×P-171), (P-96×P137), and (P-96×P-171) under both irrigation regimes.

In this study, we examined eight white inbred lines of maize and their F1 crosses under normal and drought stress conditions to estimate their combining ability for grain yield and associated traits. The results showed significant correlation (mean squares) of irrigation treatment with the studied traits. The effects of parents, crosses, and genotypes were all determined to be highly significant under both irrigation levels. Grain yield and other traits showed significant differences (mean squares) associated with both General combining ability (GCA) and Specific combining ability (SCA) under both irrigation regimes, demonstrating the importance of both additive and nonadditive genetic effects in the expression of performance traits. The parental line (P-86) had positive and highly significant GCA effects, as well as the crosses (P-17×P-96), (P-8×P-96), (P-8×P-171), (P-24×P-86), (P-86×P-96), (P-86×P-171), and (P-96×P-171) which then gave the highest specific combinations under both irrigation regimes for grain yield and some of the associated traits. The highest level of heterosis (heterobeltiosis) for grain yield was obtained in the crosses (P-8×P-96), (P-8×P-137), (P-8×P-171), (P-96×P137), and (P-96×P-171) under both irrigation regimes.

DNA barcoding is a valuable tool for molecular identification of plant materials, which is primarily employed to guarantee the nature and therapeutic value of all available medicinal plants. Identification is crucial for the illegal medicinal plant trade, safe use, and preventing adulteration. In this study, DNA barcoding was used to evaluate and confirm the identification of some medicinal plants from the El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve (OBR). Two DNA regions, rbcL and ITS were selected due to their universality, ease of amplification and sequencing, and ability to identify taxa at the generic and species levels. The ITS region demonstrated a higher capacity for species discrimination power than the rbcL region. It assisted in identifying four of eight plants more precisely than rbcL. Together, ITS and rbcL could be used for plant species identification, conservation, and trade control of valuable plant resources.

DNA barcoding is a valuable tool for molecular identification of plant materials, which is primarily employed to guarantee the nature and therapeutic value of all available medicinal plants. Identification is crucial for the illegal medicinal plant trade, safe use, and preventing adulteration. In this study, DNA barcoding was used to evaluate and confirm the identification of some medicinal plants from the El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve (OBR). Two DNA regions, rbcL and ITS were selected due to their universality, ease of amplification and sequencing, and ability to identify taxa at the generic and species levels. The ITS region demonstrated a higher capacity for species discrimination power than the rbcL region. It assisted in identifying four of eight plants more precisely than rbcL. Together, ITS and rbcL could be used for plant species identification, conservation, and trade control of valuable plant resources.

The study aimed to evaluate the performance of 15 exotic indeterminate genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to determine their suitability for cultivation under greenhouse conditions. The study material was obtained from two globally known gene banks, namely, the Center for Genetic Resources of the Netherlands and the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN-Global) of the United States Department of Agriculture. One locally registered hybrid, Asya, was used as the control. The experimental layout was a complete randomized block design with three replications. The data collected were vegetative, flowering, and fruit characteristics as well as the number of fruits and both early and total yield per plant. High significant differences were observed among the exotic genotypes and control for all the studied attributes. The mean control values of fruit weight, firmness and pericarp thickness were significantly high, and several of the exotic genotypes exceeded the control values for vegetative, flowering, and yield characteristics under study. The genotypes coded as G.21 (Allround), G.18 (Alicante), G.6 (Marsol), G.7 (Harzer Kind) and G.3 (Robar) are promising for their overall performance in the total yield per plant and can be recommended for further exploitation to produce hybrids.

The study aimed to evaluate the performance of 15 exotic indeterminate genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to determine their suitability for cultivation under greenhouse conditions. The study material was obtained from two globally known gene banks, namely, the Center for Genetic Resources of the Netherlands and the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN-Global) of the United States Department of Agriculture. One locally registered hybrid, Asya, was used as the control. The experimental layout was a complete randomized block design with three replications. The data collected were vegetative, flowering, and fruit characteristics as well as the number of fruits and both early and total yield per plant. High significant differences were observed among the exotic genotypes and control for all the studied attributes. The mean control values of fruit weight, firmness and pericarp thickness were significantly high, and several of the exotic genotypes exceeded the control values for vegetative, flowering, and yield characteristics under study. The genotypes coded as G.21 (Allround), G.18 (Alicante), G.6 (Marsol), G.7 (Harzer Kind) and G.3 (Robar) are promising for their overall performance in the total yield per plant and can be recommended for further exploitation to produce hybrids.

The experiments were conducted during seasons (summer, au-tumn, winter, and spring) 2020–2021 to study the activities of invertase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and alkaline phosphatase (AlkP) as well as the determination of total proteins. These activities were determined in the bodies of adult honeybee worker, Apis mellifera, (house and forager bees) after feeding on three different diet groups (A) pollen cake, (B) supplementary diet and (C) control group during the four seasons. Group (A) received 50 g pollen cake + 250 ml honey syrup (2 honey: 1 water)/colony/three-day intervals, group (B) received 50 g Brewer’s yeast chickpea cake fortified with 4.2% pollen + 250 ml sugar syrup (2 sugar: 1 water) while group (C) received 250 ml sugar syrup (1 sugar: 1 water) only. Results indicated that the highest increase in total proteins was found in group B during the autumn season with house bees. Invertase activity was high in group A during the summer season with forager bees. The highest ATPase activity was observed in group B during the spring season with house bees, whereas the highest AlkP activities were found in group A during the autumn season with house bees.

The experiments were conducted during seasons (summer, au-tumn, winter, and spring) 2020–2021 to study the activities of invertase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and alkaline phosphatase (AlkP) as well as the determination of total proteins. These activities were determined in the bodies of adult honeybee worker, Apis mellifera, (house and forager bees) after feeding on three different diet groups (A) pollen cake, (B) supplementary diet and (C) control group during the four seasons. Group (A) received 50 g pollen cake + 250 ml honey syrup (2 honey: 1 water)/colony/three-day intervals, group (B) received 50 g Brewer’s yeast chickpea cake fortified with 4.2% pollen + 250 ml sugar syrup (2 sugar: 1 water) while group (C) received 250 ml sugar syrup (1 sugar: 1 water) only. Results indicated that the highest increase in total proteins was found in group B during the autumn season with house bees. Invertase activity was high in group A during the summer season with forager bees. The highest ATPase activity was observed in group B during the spring season with house bees, whereas the highest AlkP activities were found in group A during the autumn season with house bees.

Four agro-wastes were evaluated as substrates for bioethanol production. Seven of the pioneer isolates in the production of cellulase, xylanase and laccase enzymes were selected for soluble sugar and bioethanol production. The highest level of soluble sugar was produced on sugar beet pulp followed by corn cobs. The experimental design included using soybean okara and sesame husk as nitrogen sources added to the production medium. Extraordinary soluble sugar yields were obtained on sugar beet pulp or corn cobs in combination with soybean okara or sesame husk at the concentration of (0.3%) of either. Different concentrations of corn cobs or sugar beet (5, 10, 15, g/100 m medium) were mixed with optimal concentrations of nitrogen sources. Results showed that 10 g of sugar beet or corn cobs achieved the highest soluble sugar yield. The efficiency of four strains of S. cerevisiae for bioethanol production was investigated, S.cerevisiae (AUMC 14720) recorded the highest level of bioethanol on fermentable fungal broth after four days at 30°C.

Four agro-wastes were evaluated as substrates for bioethanol production. Seven of the pioneer isolates in the production of cellulase, xylanase and laccase enzymes were selected for soluble sugar and bioethanol production. The highest level of soluble sugar was produced on sugar beet pulp followed by corn cobs. The experimental design included using soybean okara and sesame husk as nitrogen sources added to the production medium. Extraordinary soluble sugar yields were obtained on sugar beet pulp or corn cobs in combination with soybean okara or sesame husk at the concentration of (0.3%) of either. Different concentrations of corn cobs or sugar beet (5, 10, 15, g/100 m medium) were mixed with optimal concentrations of nitrogen sources. Results showed that 10 g of sugar beet or corn cobs achieved the highest soluble sugar yield. The efficiency of four strains of S. cerevisiae for bioethanol production was investigated, S.cerevisiae (AUMC 14720) recorded the highest level of bioethanol on fermentable fungal broth after four days at 30°C.

Tamarix nilotica is a perennial halophyte growing naturally at the Mediterranean coastal salt marshes. Vegetative parts were collected in two successive winters and summers to investigate the seasonal effects on the ecomorphological and physiological responses of T. nilotica. The results indicated that either in winter or summer seasons, T. nilotica can reduce the effect of soil salinity by excreting salts outside its body through salt glands. Summer season was characterized by low content of soil moisture (due to rare rainfall), high soil EC, high light intensity and high temperature; there-fore, plant induced certain morphoanatomical changes in leaves and stem to face the previously mentioned adverse conditions. The most remarkable changes to reduce transpiration process was found by decreasing leaf area and increasing cuticle thickness and mesophyll tissue thickness. In addition, the most marked physiological changes in summer were the significant in-crease in total phenols, proline, free amino acids and total soluble sugars. These compounds can work as osmotic regulators and/or antioxidants. These features enhance the defensive mechanism against dehydration and permit T. nilotica to tolerate the stress conditions in salt marsh habitat.

Tamarix nilotica is a perennial halophyte growing naturally at the Mediterranean coastal salt marshes. Vegetative parts were collected in two successive winters and summers to investigate the seasonal effects on the ecomorphological and physiological responses of T. nilotica. The results indicated that either in winter or summer seasons, T. nilotica can reduce the effect of soil salinity by excreting salts outside its body through salt glands. Summer season was characterized by low content of soil moisture (due to rare rainfall), high soil EC, high light intensity and high temperature; there-fore, plant induced certain morphoanatomical changes in leaves and stem to face the previously mentioned adverse conditions. The most remarkable changes to reduce transpiration process was found by decreasing leaf area and increasing cuticle thickness and mesophyll tissue thickness. In addition, the most marked physiological changes in summer were the significant in-crease in total phenols, proline, free amino acids and total soluble sugars. These compounds can work as osmotic regulators and/or antioxidants. These features enhance the defensive mechanism against dehydration and permit T. nilotica to tolerate the stress conditions in salt marsh habitat.

A field experiment was conducted in new reclaimed areas to improve avocado trees water productivity cultivated under deficit irrigation and mulching. The deficit irrigation treatments were 90, 80, 70, and 60% of reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Results revealed that The average water requirements during different avocado trees physiological growth stages were 613, 1509, 1755, 1391, and 632 m3 /fed for flowering to end of fruit set, fruit set to approximately 50% of the expected market fruit size, during the fruit growth stage, during the fruit ripening stage, and during the flower bud formation stage, respectively. These values represent approximately 10.4%, 25.6%, 29.7%, 23.6%, and 10.7% of the total yearly water requirement. The averages irrigation frequency were 2.45, 2.61, 2.72, 2.87, and 3.91day for 100, 90, 80, 70 and 60% ETo treatments, respectively. The highest crop water productivity value of 1.24 kg/m3 water was attained at 70% ETo followed by 1.18 kg/m3 water at 80% ETo while the least crop water productivity (1.06 kg/m3 water) was realized at 100% ETo. The crop water requirement of 5110 m3 /fed/year with high irrigation frequency is recommended for mulched sandy soil cultivated with avocado trees.

A field experiment was conducted in new reclaimed areas to improve avocado trees water productivity cultivated under deficit irrigation and mulching. The deficit irrigation treatments were 90, 80, 70, and 60% of reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Results revealed that The average water requirements during different avocado trees physiological growth stages were 613, 1509, 1755, 1391, and 632 m3 /fed for flowering to end of fruit set, fruit set to approximately 50% of the expected market fruit size, during the fruit growth stage, during the fruit ripening stage, and during the flower bud formation stage, respectively. These values represent approximately 10.4%, 25.6%, 29.7%, 23.6%, and 10.7% of the total yearly water requirement. The averages irrigation frequency were 2.45, 2.61, 2.72, 2.87, and 3.91day for 100, 90, 80, 70 and 60% ETo treatments, respectively. The highest crop water productivity value of 1.24 kg/m3 water was attained at 70% ETo followed by 1.18 kg/m3 water at 80% ETo while the least crop water productivity (1.06 kg/m3 water) was realized at 100% ETo. The crop water requirement of 5110 m3 /fed/year with high irrigation frequency is recommended for mulched sandy soil cultivated with avocado trees.

This study focused on the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of the ethanol extracts of golden berry calyx and fruits. The phytochemical analysis of calyx and fruit extracts revealed high total phenols and flavonoids. High antioxidant capacity was recorded for fruit extracts. Fruit extracts also gave the highest antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium. Furthermore, tomato paste was prepared using sodium benzoate and golden berry extract as food preservatives. The incorporation of golden berry extract and chemical preservatives maintained the paste quality indicators over the control samples. A rapid decline in total antioxidant capacity was also observed in control samples (21.6%) as compared with the treated samples (15.21% and 15.41% for sodium benzoate and golden berry extract, respectively) after 30 days of storage. This study demonstrated that dried fruit extract with high phytochemical and antimicrobial properties could be used as a natural food preservative.

This study focused on the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of the ethanol extracts of golden berry calyx and fruits. The phytochemical analysis of calyx and fruit extracts revealed high total phenols and flavonoids. High antioxidant capacity was recorded for fruit extracts. Fruit extracts also gave the highest antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium. Furthermore, tomato paste was prepared using sodium benzoate and golden berry extract as food preservatives. The incorporation of golden berry extract and chemical preservatives maintained the paste quality indicators over the control samples. A rapid decline in total antioxidant capacity was also observed in control samples (21.6%) as compared with the treated samples (15.21% and 15.41% for sodium benzoate and golden berry extract, respectively) after 30 days of storage. This study demonstrated that dried fruit extract with high phytochemical and antimicrobial properties could be used as a natural food preservative.