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.

A study was carried out in a mango orchard on reclaimed land for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. The experiment was implemented on fifteen years old mango trees “Fagri Kalan” budded on seedling mango rootstock and planted at 4 × 4 m. This experiment involved two soil growth stimulants (K humate, magnetite) and foliar application with cobalt. The experiment involved two factors, the first one was soil application with K humate by two levels (50 and 100 g/tree/year) and magnetite by two levels (250 and 500 g/tree /year) plus control, whereas the second factor was a foliar application with Co as cobalt sulfate by three levels (0, 15, and 30 ppm Co). The experiment was carried out in a factorial experiment in split plot design with three replicates whereas each replicate was represented by two trees. Result indicated that soil application with K humate at 100 g/tree followed by magnetite at 250 g/tree or foliar application with Co at 15 ppm alone or the combination between (K humate at 100 g/tree and cobalt at 15 ppm) gave the highest values of yield/tree, fruit weight, TSS, reducing sugars, leaf N, P, K, and Fe content of “Fagri Kalan” mango trees grown under salinity conditions.

A study was carried out in a mango orchard on reclaimed land for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. The experiment was implemented on fifteen years old mango trees “Fagri Kalan” budded on seedling mango rootstock and planted at 4 × 4 m. This experiment involved two soil growth stimulants (K humate, magnetite) and foliar application with cobalt. The experiment involved two factors, the first one was soil application with K humate by two levels (50 and 100 g/tree/year) and magnetite by two levels (250 and 500 g/tree /year) plus control, whereas the second factor was a foliar application with Co as cobalt sulfate by three levels (0, 15, and 30 ppm Co). The experiment was carried out in a factorial experiment in split plot design with three replicates whereas each replicate was represented by two trees. Result indicated that soil application with K humate at 100 g/tree followed by magnetite at 250 g/tree or foliar application with Co at 15 ppm alone or the combination between (K humate at 100 g/tree and cobalt at 15 ppm) gave the highest values of yield/tree, fruit weight, TSS, reducing sugars, leaf N, P, K, and Fe content of “Fagri Kalan” mango trees grown under salinity conditions.

A pot study was conducted to investigate the potential of alfalfa for phytoremediation of soil artificially contaminated with different concentrations of Pb and Cd and their combinations. Harvested plants were divided and used for two purposes: (1) separation into roots and shoots, which were digested to determine N, P, K, Pb and Cd concentrations, and (2) the use of fresh shoots to prepare alfalfa extract representing each treatment. Subsequently, lettuce seedlings were grown in the same pots with the same soil and without adding fertilizers; the alfalfa shoot extract prepared from each treatment was added to the treatment itself. Lettuce crops harvested after 67 days from transplanting were divided into roots and shoots which were digested to determine the previously studied elements. In addition, soil samples were collected after harvesting alfalfa and lettuce plants and prepared for chemical analyses. Results showed that alfalfa is an effective accumulator plant for the phytoremediation of Pb- and Cd-contaminated soils. In addition, using the alfalfa shoot extract to fertilize lettuce crops was beneficial to their growth without any risk of translocation of heavy metals. Thus, we recommend adding alfalfa to crop rotations, especially where soils are contaminated with heavy metals.

A pot study was conducted to investigate the potential of alfalfa for phytoremediation of soil artificially contaminated with different concentrations of Pb and Cd and their combinations. Harvested plants were divided and used for two purposes: (1) separation into roots and shoots, which were digested to determine N, P, K, Pb and Cd concentrations, and (2) the use of fresh shoots to prepare alfalfa extract representing each treatment. Subsequently, lettuce seedlings were grown in the same pots with the same soil and without adding fertilizers; the alfalfa shoot extract prepared from each treatment was added to the treatment itself. Lettuce crops harvested after 67 days from transplanting were divided into roots and shoots which were digested to determine the previously studied elements. In addition, soil samples were collected after harvesting alfalfa and lettuce plants and prepared for chemical analyses. Results showed that alfalfa is an effective accumulator plant for the phytoremediation of Pb- and Cd-contaminated soils. In addition, using the alfalfa shoot extract to fertilize lettuce crops was beneficial to their growth without any risk of translocation of heavy metals. Thus, we recommend adding alfalfa to crop rotations, especially where soils are contaminated with heavy metals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The study investigated the influence of traditional nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) mineral fertilizers and nano-fertilizers on yield, and its attributes, and fiber characters of two Egyptian cotton varieties Giza 94 and Giza 96. The design of the experiment was a split- plot with four replicates. Results indicated that Giza 94 cultivar surpassed Giza 96 in agronomic characteristics, although Giza 96 exhibited the highest fiber reading. Nano-chitosan (NPK)-fertilization significantly improved the mean value of boll weight, seed yield, lint yield, lint percentage, upper half mean (UHM), fiber uniformity index, fiber tenacity, and Micronaire value in both seasons. Conversely, the most minimal values for the aforementioned characteristics were recorded with the control NPK fertilizer over the two seasons.

The study investigated the influence of traditional nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) mineral fertilizers and nano-fertilizers on yield, and its attributes, and fiber characters of two Egyptian cotton varieties Giza 94 and Giza 96. The design of the experiment was a split- plot with four replicates. Results indicated that Giza 94 cultivar surpassed Giza 96 in agronomic characteristics, although Giza 96 exhibited the highest fiber reading. Nano-chitosan (NPK)-fertilization significantly improved the mean value of boll weight, seed yield, lint yield, lint percentage, upper half mean (UHM), fiber uniformity index, fiber tenacity, and Micronaire value in both seasons. Conversely, the most minimal values for the aforementioned characteristics were recorded with the control NPK fertilizer over the two seasons.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of amino acid and vitamin foliar applications on improving iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production and quality during the summer. First, two hybrids (Patagonia and Bruma) were grown hydroponically in June 2018 and 2019. Then, for five consecutive weeks, plants were sprayed once a week with Stress Free (a commercial product comprising 0.5% vitamins [vitamin B complex/ascorbic acid] and 0.5% selenomethionine) at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g/L and Aminomad (20% free amino acids) at concentrations of 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 cm3 /L. Investigations revealed that all plant growth aspects were positively improved with all foliar spray treatments than with the control. Furthermore, while mineral contents (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) showed positive responses to the applied treatments, the highest dose of amino acids showed the highest marketable and total yield effects among all foliar spray treatments with the Patagonia hybrid. However, the marketable and total yield of lettuce heads was lowest with the control treatment without spraying.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of amino acid and vitamin foliar applications on improving iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production and quality during the summer. First, two hybrids (Patagonia and Bruma) were grown hydroponically in June 2018 and 2019. Then, for five consecutive weeks, plants were sprayed once a week with Stress Free (a commercial product comprising 0.5% vitamins [vitamin B complex/ascorbic acid] and 0.5% selenomethionine) at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g/L and Aminomad (20% free amino acids) at concentrations of 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 cm3 /L. Investigations revealed that all plant growth aspects were positively improved with all foliar spray treatments than with the control. Furthermore, while mineral contents (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) showed positive responses to the applied treatments, the highest dose of amino acids showed the highest marketable and total yield effects among all foliar spray treatments with the Patagonia hybrid. However, the marketable and total yield of lettuce heads was lowest with the control treatment without spraying.

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.