Two field experiments were conducted during the two successive seasons of 2007 and 2008 at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Agricultural Research Center, at EL-Serw, Damietta Gover-norate Egypt, to study the effect of the bio horm and weed control treatments (Bentazon, Py-razosoulfuron, Fenoxaprop, Penoxsulam, Bentazon + Fenoxaprop, Bentazon + Penoxsulam, Pyrazosoulfuron + Fenoxaprop, Pyrazosoulfuron + Penoxsulam, twice hand weeding and un- weeded check ) on growth, yield, its components and NPK percentage in grains of direct seeded rice as well as associated weeds in salinity soil. Results illustrated that appli-cation of bio horm increased fresh and dry weight of total weeds. Spraying bio horm after 50 days from sowing (DFS) markedly increased rice growth characters (plant height, number of productive till-ers, fresh and dry weight of rice plants), yield and yield components (panicle length, number of pani-cles/m2, weight of 1000 grain, grain and straw yield) and N, P and K% of grain rice, as compared with untreated treatment. All weed control treat-ments caused significant reduction on number, fresh and dry weight of total weeds/m2 after 60 DFS in both seasons. Pyrazosoulfuron treatment gave the highest decrease in total number of weeds followed by Pyrazosoulfuron + Penoxsulam and Pyrazosoulfuron + Fenoxaprop treatments. Pyrazosoulfuron + Fenoxaprop treatment gave the highest decrease in total fresh weight of weeds followed by Bentazon + Penoxsulam, Pyrazosoul-furon and Pyrazosoulfuron + Penoxsulam, respec-tively in the first season. While, in the second sea-son Pyrazosoulfuron treatment gave the lowest values of total fresh weight of weeds. Meanwhile, Bentazon + Penoxsulam was more effective than other treatments in reducing the dry weight of total weeds in both seasons. All herbicidal treatments and hand weeding increased significantly growth, yield, yield components and chemical composition of grain rice. Bentazon + Penoxsulam was superior treatment for increasing number of productive tillers, number of panicles / m2, 1000- grain weight and grain and straw yield as well as NPK percent-age of rice grains in both seasons. While, the same treatment Bentazon + Penoxsulam recorded the highest values of plant height, fresh and dry weight of whole plant and panical length in the first season. While, Pyrazosoulfuron + Penoxsulam gave the highest increment in plant height, fresh and dry weight of whole plant and straw yield in the second season. The interaction between bio horm and weed management treatments had significant effect on total fresh and dry weight of weeds, num-ber of productive tillers and 1000 grain weight. Pyrazosoulfuron produced the maximum values of number of productive tillers when bio horm was used in the second season, while, application of Bentazon + Penoxsulam gave the highest values of 1000 grain weight when bio horm was used in the second season. It could be concluded that using the bioregulator (bio horm) resulted in incre-ment of growth and productivity of rice crop under salinity soils. Using the combinations of herbicides caused more reduction of weeds and increased rice grain yield.

A detailed survey was carried out for 8 Foster grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) groves in Sennar area (13˚ 37΄ N, 33˚ 37΄ E) representing Sudan Central Clay Plain. Trees were budded on Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.). Soil and leaf samples were collected and analyzed according to standard procedures. Soil analyses included particle size distribution, pH (paste), ECe, SAR, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe and Mn. Leaf nutrient  levels  determination included N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and Mn. Yield per tree was recorded for one season and quality parameters were measured for fruits sampled from representative trees. Results indicated that, soil texture of the orchards ranged between clay and clay loam. Although the orchards were receiving the same cultural practices, yet, they were significantly different in some soil and plant constituents. All orchards were non-saline and non-sodic of slightly to moderately alkaline reaction. Soil and plant were deficient in nitrogen and zinc with high leaf phosphorus, magnesium, iron and deficit calcium levels. Mean fruit yield ranged between 0.93 and 7.76 tons ha-1 with an average of 4.35 tons ha-1, which is considered lower than world average. A low % TSS (total soluble solids), low ascorbic acid content and high % green color on fruit surface are evidents of low quality fruits. The low yield and poor quality fruits in this area were attributed to unsuitable soil conditions and the poor management practices

Studies were accomplished to identify the important factors affecting successful virgin queens production in Sohag during 2007 and 2008 years. In order to find out the best teaching for rearing virgin queens by grafting method. Markedly differences in the mean number of virgin queens between single and double grafting methods, specially in spring and autumn seasons; in spring mean number of accepted cells of 43.77 with 37.66 emerged queens and 49.85 with 47.07 emerged queens were obtained when single and double grafting were used methods respectively. Spring season was favorable for queens rearing, followed by autumn and summer, while winter season came the latest. There was a clear relationship between larval age at grafting and the larval acceptance, one day old worker larvae gave the highest number of virgin queens emerged. On the other hand, the queen must be removed outside the hive 48 hrs before starting larval grafting to obtain the highest numbers of accepted queen cells. In general, double grafting, situating the cell cups frame in the hive center of the hive and fitting the cell cups on the top and bottom bar, gave the best method for queens acceptance and queens production. However, cell cups fitted on the edges of the bars were successfully reared when ambient temperatures were high in spring season, but queen cells in the center of the hive's brood nest were correlated with higher temperature and had a greater chance for emergence.

Larva of cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis ate and digested an average of 13.79 and 10.82g, respectively of untreated castor bean leaves during its whole sixth instar. These amounts significantly reduced when larvae were fed on leaves treated with different concentrations of neem seed kernel methanolic extract. The reduction was concentration dependent, i.e., an increase in neem extract concentration caused an obvious decrease in the amount of ingested or digested leaves. The consumption and digestion indices are always negative indicating that treated castor bean leaves are not preferred by S. littoralis larvae for feeding. These indices decreased as the concentrations of neem extract increased. Approximate digestibility in S. littoralis sixth instar larvae averaged 78.50%. This percentage insignificantly fluctuated between 77.71 and 81.08% when larvae were fed on castor bean leaves treated with different concentrations of neem extract. Efficiencies of conversion of ingested and digested food to body substances (ECI and ECD) are an overall indicators for ability of S. littoralis larvae to utilize ingested and digested food for growth and food storage in the insect. Such values depend upon the food digestibility, its nutritional values and the ingestion rates. ECI and ECD in larvae fed on untreated leavesreached 22.25 and 28.25%, respectively. These values decreased after feeding the larvae on treated leaves. The decrease was gradually occurred as the concentration of neem extract increased to reach the minimum value at the highest concentration (0.025%).

In the present study a suitable methodology is developed for estimating crop area by integrating remote sensing and GIS based on land survey approach. Area frame surveys are common approaches to gather land cover data. In contrast to mapping approaches, area frame sampling is a statistical method. Based on the visual observation of sample geo-referenced points, area estimates are computed and used as a valid generalization without studying the entire area under investigation. The approach has also the important advantage of not involving/disturbing the land owners and the farmers. The survey concerning the estimation of yield for the major crop will be carried out by cutting small samples in the field. The sample covers the whole Nile valley and the delta, the observed area is about 35000 km² and the distance from South to North is about 1000 km. Digital topographic maps 1:5000 and SPOT5 satellite Images was used, 2,5m resolution, Ortho-rectified (DTM). The survey used the WGS84, Universal Transverse Mercator 36 N, which parameter are given hereafter. Three thousands sites were visited during the winter crop survey, the sample could be constituted of a sub-set of these sites and one point will be designed in each of the selected sites. If this point is wheat, it will be included in the yield sample and visited at harvest time. The sub sample is defined as points of observation, 250m x 250m apart; there are 10 points of observation, which are called points. They are located in two lines East-West of 5 points. There suits of winter survey of Nile Delta and Nile valley is about 12591563 Feddan. The main results of the field survey were that the total cultivation area is almost 76609500 Feddan. The cultivation area is covered about 61% of the total Nile Delta and Nile valley. Field crop is the major area in the Nile valley and Nile Delta, its cover about 48% of the total area of the NileValley and Nile Delta. Furthermore, the field crops cover about 79% of the total cultivation area.

Gum Arabic (GA), a natural plant extract, is frequently used for the preparation and stabilization of flavor emulsions that is commonly used in soft drink and flavored beverage industry. This study aimed to reduce the amount of GA in some flavor model emulsions for cost effectiveness and studying the effect of that on the stability of these emulsions against gravitational separation during storage. Five flavor model emulsions were formulated using pure citral and cinnamic aldehyde and their mixtures at different weight ratios. Results indicated that a flavor/gum ratio 1:1 or 1:0.5 was not able to stabilize the particle size of all emulsions which is manifested by increase in size by many folds during storage. Similarly, four of the flavor model emulsions showed instability behavior (creaming or sedimentation) toward gravitational separation at the same flavor/gum ratios. However, only one flavor model emulsion out of the five models showed a high stability against gravitational separation at flavor/gum ratio 1:1 or even 1:0.5. That emulsion model was characterized by having a density matching (similarity) between its dispersed flavor phase and its continuous water phase. This indicates the possibility of formulating some flavor emulsions with reduced amounts of gum Arabic only by matching the density between the flavor phase and the continuous phase of the emulsion.

In view of balady bread in Egypt is considered as backbone in diets, accordingly, in this study wheat flour (82%) extraction treated by microwave at 2,4 and 6 minutes, that target to modify starch wheat flour by heating. The rheological properties were studied by using farinograph and extensograph apparatus. Falling number and amylose percent were determined. Balady bread samples were sensory evaluated and staling rate was evaluated. The wheat flour, crust and crumb layers of balady bread were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of farinograph indicated that, water absorption arrival time, dough development time and dough stability increased while dough weakening decreased in wheat flour treated by microwave compared with wheat flour untreated (control). The results of extensograph revealed that, dough extensibility, resistance to extension and dough energy increased while proportional number decreased in wheat flour treated by microwave compared with control. Falling number decreased while amylose percent increased when microwave treatment increased from 2 to 6 minutes. Sensory evaluation showed slight decrease in values of both color crust and color crumb while, values of both taste and flavor slightly increased but not significantly different, meanwhile, values of crumb distribution significantly increased in balady bread samples prepared from wheat flour treated by microwave compared with balady bread prepared from untreated wheat flour (control). Wheat flour treated by microwave led to delay staling of balady bread and imilorated freshness of balady bread. The examination by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that average size of starch granules increased from 26.10 mm in untreated wheat flour (control) to 29.37 mm in treated wheat flour by microwave at 6 minutes.

ABSTRACT   Two field experiments were conducted during the two successive seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 at Sakha Agric. Res. Station, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate to study the effect of four harvesting dates i.e. 135, 145, 155 and 165 days after sowing on yield and its quality of six flax genotypes namely, Sakha1, Sakha 2, Sakha 3 and Giza 9 varieties and two new promising strains (strain 16 and strain 22). This study was laid out in a split-plot design, with four replications, the main plots were allocated to the six flax genotypes, whereas, the sub-plots contained the harvesting dates. The obtained results could be summarized as follow:       Sakha 3 and Giza 9 varieties gave the highest means for technical length, fiber yield/plant as well as per fed., fiber length, fiber percentage, fiber strength, fiber fineness, germination % and crude protein %, whereas strain 22 (yellow seed) surpassed the other flax genotypes which produced the highest values for No. of seeds/plants, seed yield/fed., oil content and oil yield/fed.      The harvest date of 155 days after sowing showed significant increases in stem diameter, straw yield/plant as well as per fed. fiber yield and its quality and crude protein % compared to the other three dates (135, 145 and 165 days after sowing). However, delayed harvesting date to 165 days after sowing recorded significant increase in technical length, upper branching zone length, seed yield and its related characters, germination %, seedling vigour, seed index, volume of 1000-seed, oil content and oil yield/fed. The interactions among the studied factors had significant effects on straw yield/fed., No. of capsules/plants, fiber strength and germination % in the first season of study, while the characters of the upper branching zone length, seed yield/fed., oil yield/fed., fiber length and oil content in both seasons.

Two Field experiments were conducted during the two summer seasons of 2007 and 2008 at EL-Serw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta Governorate, Egypt to study the effect of the time removal of weeds on associated weeds, growth, yield and its components in direct seeded rice in salinity land. Echinochilon crus – galli, Echinochilon colunum, Cyperus difformis, Cyperus longus and Dicanthium annulatum  were the major weed species. Competition beyond 8 and 10 weeks from sowing and weed competition for the whole season caused drastic reduction in the panicle length, number of panicles / m2 weight of 1000grain and grain yield. Grain yield of rice increased significantly with the increase of the duration of weed-free period. Weed free for the whole season and weed free for 10,8,6 and 4 weeks from sowing and weed removal at 4 and 6 weeks from sowing gave good results in this respect in both seasons. The period during 4 and 6 weeks after sowing was found to be an important factor in crop/weed competition. Weed cause 20 to 95% yield loss. Direct seeded rice ecosystems are most vulnerable to weed competition. Weed free is the most common and predominant method of control and is cost-effective. In direct seeded rice emergence of weeds begins with the germinating rice seedlings. This leads to competition between weeds and crop right from the very early stages. The degree of yield losses would depend on the type of weeds and the stage and duration of their competition with the crop. It could be concluded that the critical period of weed competition in direct seeded rice among 4- 6 weeks from rice sowing, thus it's important to remove the weeds at this time.

Experiments were carried out on honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) during the winter of 2008 and spring of 2009 using colonies wintered with five levels of varroa infestation (0.0, 3.8, 9.0, 13.1 and 22.9%) in the Central Region of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The goal of the present work is to determine varroa treatment thresholds and colony collapse level. Response variables examined included varroa mite infestation level (%), cm2 of brood number of frames of brood, number of frames covered with adult honey bees and mites recovered on sticky boards. The data obtained reveled that no significant differences were noticed in cm2 of brood, number of frames of brood, and number of frames of bees in colonies (range of 0.0 to 9.0% varroa infestation or 0.0 – 0.9 mites/bee). Colonies with 13.1% infestation (0.13 mites/bee) exhibited a significant reduction in all measures of performance. The present results suggested that honey bee colonies can tolerate a level of 9.0% varroa infestation (0.9 mites/bee) during the winter without evidence of colony injury. It also suggested that 13.1% infestation (0.13 mites/bee) is the colony collapse or economic injury threshold in the Central Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also colonies with 12.3 or more mites falling on sticky boards after 48-hour period were likely to have lower populations of bees and brood the following spring.