Achieving the maximum productive economic efficiency to use the available resources is considered one of the most important objectives of the agricultural economic policy, and since the agricultural area is limited, therefore the decision to choose the appropriate crop for agriculture is subject to many considerations, perhaps the most important of which is the expected revenue of these crops, as it reflects many important factors that affect decisions farming at farms, such as prices and expected production of agricultural crops. The research problem is represented in the following question: How competitive and affect the cultivated area different crops, and do changes occur from one period to another? The research aims to compare the Competitive of the most important winter crops on agricultural land during the two periods (2014-2015), (2017-2018). The most important results were as follows: It was found that there are other factors that determine the cultivated area other than the farm prices for some crops, namely wheat, barley, onions, flax, and potatoes during the period (2014- 2015), barley, lentils, and lupine during the period (2017-2018). Low price elasticity and response was shown for chickpeas, lupine, fenugreek, tomatoes during the period (2014-2015), wheat, beans, sugar beets, persistent clover, onions, garlic, flax, tomatoes, and potatoes during the period (2017-2018). It was found that there were crops that responded more in the period (2017-2018) than the period (2014-2015), which were wheat, chickpeas, fenugreek, onions, flax, tomato and potatoes. It turns out that both chickpeas and lupine were exposed to competition from the rest of the crops during the two periods, and that wheat, broad bean, sugar beet, and flax did not compete for them in the second period, and on the other hand, clover, onions, and garlic continued to compete with other crops. Decreased Competition in the period (2017-2018) was shown in general compared to the period (2014- 2015). It was found that wheat and garlic were the most Interchangeability competitive, and tomatoes, broad bean, lentils and sugar beets were the most competitive crops of other crops, that lupine, fenugreek, and onions were the most competitive with other crops for the period (2014-2015). It was found that broad bean, clover, and clover Tahreesh were the most Interchangeability competitive, and barley, lentils, and potatoes were the most competitive crops of other crops, that flax, wheat, lupine, and tomato were the most competitive with other crops for the period (2017-2018). It shows the dynamics and instability of the agricultural map (with some being affected less) despite the convergence of periods. The research recommends, in order achieving maximum economic efficiency and production for the use of available resources, following: The agricultural policies applicable must be consistent with the changes that occur in the competitive of crops. Considerate the dynamics and instability of the agricultural map when setting agricultural policies. Factors other than prices must be used when determining the cultivated area of some crops, as a result of their lack of effect on some crops and their weak effect on others. Providing appropriate means (not necessarily financial support - Extension services, for example) to improve competition for some strategic crops.

یعد محصول القمح من أهم محاصیل الحبوب الغذائیة فی مصر و یعتبر سلعة إستیراتیجیة، وتعتبر مصر أکبر مستورد للقمح علی مستوی العالم، ودائما تتجه الدول النامیة لإستیراد المواد الغذائیة التی تعانی عجزاً فی إنتاجها لسد العجز الغذائی لها و یلاحظ أن کمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح تزداد سنویا حیث زاد المتوسط السنوی لکمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح خلال فترة الدراسة (2001- 2018) من 6.9 إلی 11 ملیون طن، وقد ظهرت مشکلة البحث أن غالبیة الدراسات تهتم بالتعرف علی العوامل المحددة للکمیات الواردة من القمح و فی المقابل لایوجد إهتمام ملحوظ بالعوامل المحددة لجودة تلک الواردات لذلک إستهدف البحث الوقوف علی أهم العوامل المحلیة التی تؤثر علی الکمیات الواردة من القمح، و کذلک أهم العوامل التی یعزی إلیها أسباب الرفض لبعض الکمیات غیر المطابقة لمواصفات الجودة والسلامة ومن هذا الهدف الرئیسی تندرج مجموعة من الأهداف الفرعیة تتمثل فی دراسة تطور الواردات المصریة من القمح، دراسة التوزیع الجغرافی للواردات المصریة من القمح، التعرف علی أهم العوامل الداخلیة المؤثرة علی کمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح، الأسباب المختلفة للرفض وفق التشریعات و المواصفات القیاسیة المصریة ذات العلاقة. واوضحت النتائج أن أهم العوامل الداخلیة المؤثرة علی کمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح تتمثل فی السعر الإستیرادی والإنتاج المحلی وعدد السکان، حیث تبین من التقدیر الإحصائی وجود علاقة طردیة تتفق مع المنطق الإقتصادی بین کمیة الواردات من القمح و بین عدد السکان و ثبتت معنویتها إحصایاً حیث أنه کلما زاد عدد السکان بمقدار ملیون نسمة تزداد کمیة الواردات بمقدار معنوی إحصائیاً بلغ حوالی 0.32 ملیون طن، کما إتضح أیضاً وجود علاقة عکسیة متفقة أیضا مع المنطق الإقتصادی بین کمیة الواردات من القمح و الإنتاج المحلی ثبتت معنویتها إحصائیاً حیث أنه کلما زاد الإنتاج المحلی بمقدار ملیون طن تنخفض کمیة الواردات بمقدار معنوی إحصائیاً بلغ نحو 1.03 ملیون طن سنویاً. کما تبین أیضاً عدم ثبوت معنویة تأثیر متوسط قیمة الوحدة الإستیرادیة حیث أن القمح سلعة إستیراتیجیة لایمکن الإستغناء عنها. کما تبین انه خلال الفترة (2007 – 2018) رصد عدد الرسائل المرفوضة من أهم الدول الموردة للقمح لمصر وأسباب رفضها لعدم مطابقتها للمواصفات و التشریعات المصریة حیث بلغ إجمالی عدد الرسائل المرفوضة فی تلک الفترة تقریباً 2937 رسالة بکمیة بلغت حوالی 2664.87 ألف طن وفیما یتعلق بأهم أسباب زیادة نسبة المرفوض من الواردات المصریة من القمح تبین أنها ترجع إلی إرتفاع نسبة الشوائب التی تتمثل فی إرتفاع نسبة حبوب القمح التالفة هذه النسبة تبلغ حوالی 55.5% من إجمالی أسباب الرفض، بینما جاءت مشکلة المواد الغریبة الغیر عضویة فی المرکز الثانی بنسبة حوالی 42.7 % من إجمالی أسباب الرفض.

The effect of lavender, lemongrass and thyme volatile oils as a supplementary cold storage treatments on quality preservation of fresh cut herb of Menthe piperita L. , during storage for 15 days at 5°C and 7°C followed by 5 days at 20°C, as a marketing condition simulation, was evaluated during 2018 and 2019 seasons. Physical properties, chemical constituents, respiration rate and volatile oil contents were recorded. The results illustrated that discarded herb %, weight loss %, and external appearance (scale) were greatly affected by both factors of the study. The great effect in this respect was obtained with storage at 5°C than 7°C and the effect was also continuous during marketing period at 20°C. An evident decrease in discarded herb % and weight loss % were obtained due to the applied treatments, whereas external appearance values were higher with applied treatments than control during cold storage durations and marketing period. Aromatic oils treatments with 0.50% of lavender, lemongrass and thyme oils were effective than 0.25% of the three aromatic oils. However, chemical constituents i.e total chlorophyll, L-ascorbic acid and total phenols of fresh cut herb were scored highly increases by storage at 5°C than at 7°C storage conditions. Furthermore, The richest chemical constituents mentioned above were obtained with 0.50% of the three aromatic oils treatments and with superior for marketing durations for 5 days at 20°C. On contrary, total acidity of fresh cut herb recorded the minimum values with applied treatments than control (except the treatment of 0.25% thyme oil) during all cold storage durations and marketing period. On the reverse , electrolyte leakage and respiration rate values were controlled and minimized with the applied aromatic oils treatments under 5°C or 7°C cold storage conditions and followed by 5 days at 20°C as a marketing period. The decreases of both electrolyte leakage and respiration rate of fresh cut herb either with cold storage or due to the applied treatments are considered a good indicators to increase storage longevity and high quality. Meanwhile, volatile oil was greatly affected by both cold storage conditions and supplementary refrigeration treatments with lavender, lemongrass and thyme aromatic oils. Conclusively , it could be concluded that the peppermint fresh cut herb can be treated with lavender, lemongrass and thyme aromatic oils before storage at 5°C for 15 days , handling and marketing under 20°C to conserve the quality of the herb.

Broccoli heads (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) Sakura F1 Hybrid were get from private farm in alnuwbaria Beheira Government. Heads were harvested at the appropriate stage of harvesting on 22th and 13th February 2017 and 2018, respectively, and then transported immediately to Horticulture Research Institute, ARC. The impact of edible coatings and packaging on the postharvest appearance and compositional quality changes of separated florets broccoli stored at 0°C were determined. Separated florets rinsed with chlorinated water (150 ppm) then washed by distilled water. The samples were then allowed to dry. Broccoli florets were dipped in chitosan solution at 0.5 and 1% concentration for 3 min. Carboxymethyl cellulose solution at 0.5 and 1% concentration for 3 min and distilled water represented as control. All treatments were dried and packed in non-perforated polypropylene bags (non-PPPb) or micro-perforated polypropylene bags (micro-PPPb) and stored at 0°C for 20 days plus 2 days at 10°C (shelf life). Results showed that loss of weight, decay, off odor, discoloration and peroxidase activity, of broccoli florets were increased as the storage period increased, while general appearance, total chlorophyll and total phenolic content were increased. For the influence of packaging material the results showed that there were significant differences between packaging materials on quality of florets. Broccoli florets which packed in non-perforated polypropylene bags (non-PPPb) had better florets quality as compared with those packed in micro-perforated polypropylene bags (micro-PPPb) during storage plus shelf life. Chitosan at 0.5 or 1% is the huge influence in reducing weight loss%, decay (score) peroxidase enzyme activity, off odor (score), discoloration (score) as well as in maintaining total chlorophyll and total phenolic contents during storage plus shelf life. Furthermore, florets dipped in chitosan 1% and then packed in non-PPPb was the most effective treatment in retarding loss of quality attributes, through the storage periods and helped in retarding deterioration and gave florets with good appearance after 20 days at 0°C plus 2 days at 10°C (shelf life) without decay.

This research study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 at the farm located within the vicinity of the Arid lands Agriculture graduated studies and Research Institute (ALARI), Shobra Elkheima, Qalyobia governorate, Egypt, under an unheated plastic-house (25 m length x 9 m width x 3.5 m height). The experiments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications, and the result data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Chrysanthemum (Denderanthema grandiflora Ramat) cv. Zembla was employed in this research imported initially from DELIFLOR Company, in the Netherlands. Seedlings were planted in different substrate cultures to determine the most suitable local mixes for their cultivation and maximum production. Three of them were chosen from the local environment namely Water hyacinth, Palm fiber and Sugar-cane refuse in addition to Sawdust and Peat moss. The seedlings were planted into pots filled with eleven substrate culture mixes as follow: Water hyacinth (WH), WH + peat moss (1:1), Palm fibers (PF), PF + Peat moss (1:1), Coarse sawdust (CS), CS + Peat moss (1:1), Fine sawdust (FS), FS + peat moss (1:1), Sugar-Cane refuse (SC), SC + Peat moss (1:1) and Peat moss. The results indicated that the substrate combination of PF + peat moss (1:1) and WH + peat moss (1:1) gave higher significant values when compared to other remaining substrate with regards to vegetative parameters, i.e. plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant and greenness of leaves as SPAD reading values. Also flower diameter exhibited a higher significant increase when PF + peat moss (1:1) + WH+ peat moss substrate combination was used compared to the other remaining substrates. Flower vase life also was influenced by the local substrate used in bringing up the cut-flowers and showed longer standing in the preservative solution when flowers were obtained from both of WH + peat moss (1:1) and Palm fiber + peat moss (1:1) compared to other substrate culture mixtures.

Six weeks feeding trial using 210 one-day old unsexed Cobb 500 chicks was carried out to study the effects of addingphytase enzyme on growth performance, blood parametersand bone characteristics in broiler chicks. Three starter diets were used from 1 to 21 days; T100 {100% of Ca & non-phytate phosphorus NPP requirements (1.00% Ca and 0.50% NPP)}; T75{75% of Ca & NPP requirements (0.75% Ca and 0.38% NPP)} and T50 {50% of Ca & NPP requirements (0.51% Ca and 0.25% NPP)}. Three grower diets were used from 22 to 42 days; T100 {100% of Ca & NPP requirements (0.91% Ca and 0.46% NPP)}; T75{75% of Ca & NPP requirements( 0.68% Ca and 0.34% NPP)} and T50{50% of Ca & NPP requirements (0.45% Ca and 0.23% NPP)}. Seven dietary treatments were distributed according to diets fed consecutively during starter and grower phases as; (100/100) fed starter T100 then grower T100; (100/75) fed starter T100 then grower T75; (100/50) fed starter T100 then grower T50; (75/75) fed starter T75 then grower T75; (75/50) fed starter T75 then grower T50 and (50/50) fed starter T50 then grower T50.All diets added phytase enzyme (FTU 10000/Ton). Each treatment comprised of 30 chicks in 3 replicates of 10 chicks each. Results showed that live body weight and weight gain did not significantly affected by restricted Ca and NPP diets at starter period, where weight gain was significantly affected at grower period. Birds group received diet containing 100/75 with phytase (T3) gave the highest significant values for LBW and BWG, then 50/50 with phytase (T7) as compared with the other experimental groups during the grower and overall periods.Feed consumption and conversion ratio values were no significant differences among groups fed different dietary treatments during starter and grower phases. Plasma P concentrations was significantly affected however plasma Ca concentrations, GOT and GPT valueswere not significantly affected by the reduction of dietary Ca and NPPwith adding phytase. Percentages of tibia ash, Ca and P were significantly affected by dietary treatments. Supplementation of phytasehas a significant effect ontibia breaking strength, while supplementation of phytase hasn’t any effect on tibia Seedorindex.It is obvious that, the best performance was seen with (100/75) diet without any adverse effect on productive performance, blood parameters and most of tibia measurements and chemical composition.

Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) flies are the dangerous insect pests of fruit, vegetables, and nuts over the world. This study provides the published information on toxicity, biochemical effects and some biological measurements of the peach fly, B. zonata by using some plant extracts (phytochemicals) namely Moringa oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M. oleifera leaf extract, which would be more informative for publication facilitating related to integrated pest management (IPM) strategies of B. zonata. Effect of different concentrations of M. oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M. oleifera leaf extract on biochemical effects (total proteins, total carbohydrates and acetylcholine esterase enzyme) and some biological aspects (pupal mortality, pupal duration, adult emergence, emerged deformed adult and malformation score) of the peach fly, B. zonata were studied. Results showed that M. oleifera oil is highly toxic to pupae of the peach fly, B. zonata with LC50 of 2.569, 2.773 and 2.370 ml/L and LC90 of 85.459, 92.171 and 18.314 ml/L in yellow, sandy and clay soils respectively. Whereas lemon peel oil come in the second position in order of toxicity and M. oleifera leaf extract was the least toxic compound. These results cleared that concentrations of total proteins, total carbohydrates and acetylcholine esterase enzyme activity markedly decreased in pupae of B. zonata after exposure to M. oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M. oleifera leaf extract with highly significant effects compared with control. Obtained results showed that an inhibitory action of M. oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M.oleifera leaf extract at all each of concentration levels when mixed with three types of soils namely, yellow soil, sandy soil and clay soil compared with untreated . These results suggest that three tested plant extracts has the probably to be used as a natural plant productions to control of the peach fly, B. zonata.

Six local Egyptian commercial cultivars of family Lamiaceae, two cultivars of genus Ocimum L. (Basil), two cultivars of genus Menthe L. (Mint), and two cultivars of genus Thymus L. (Thyme) were analyzed for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase Large (rbcL) gene at the level of DNA sequences. All samples successfully amplified the ± 630 bp fragment. Additionally, the results of alignment analysis using BLASTN tools divulged that the sequence of DNA rbcL for the two local basil cultivars (Basil1 & Basil2) has similarities with (Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum kilimandscharicum and Ocimum gratissimum) 100, 99.69, 99.37 and 99.06 respectively. In addition, two local mint cultivars (Mint 1 and Mint 2) has similarities with Mentha spicata, Mentha_pulegium, Mentha canadensis and Mentha menthaefolia, 99.85, 99.84, 99.69 and 99.53 respectively. For thyme local cultivars (Thyme1 and Thyme2), Thym1 cultivar sample genotype is genetic closely with species, (Thymus alsinoides and Thymus sibthorpii) with 99.69 and 99.84 respectively and they located nearest from the cluster (Thymus genus) members in phylogenetic trees while, Thym2 is located after the cluster with Artemisia genus belonging to family Asteraceae. The reason of this result may be occurring due to that a Thym2 genotype comes from local marketing, which some of them are selling it as a thymus genus however, it is belongs to Artemisia genus and has similarities with with seven species of Artemisia genus (Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia gmelinii, Artemisia selengensis, Artemisia scoparia, Artemisia maritima, Artemisia capillaris and Artemisia fukudo). Using of rbcL DNA barcode proves to be effective in identifying the plants from the family level up to the genus level. This study demonstrates the efficiency of using rbcL barcoding primer to classify family Lamiaceae phylogenetically. It is also concluded that the rbcL gene showed genuine potentials to distinguish the plant Egypt species under investigation into the proper family and genus. s to distinguish the plant Egypt species under investigation into the proper family and genus.

Acalypha shrubs Acalypha wilkesiana Mull.(Euphorbiaceae) found to be favorable host for the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgate (Cockerell)( Pseudococcidae) . This mealybug species is attacked all plant parts and caused considerable damages to this host. Some ecological aspects were carried out on F. virgata infesting acalypha shrubs throughout two successive years (2014-2015) and (2015-2016) in Qalyubiya Governorate. Results obtained showed that population density was more abundant during the second year than the first one, the annual means of total population were 62.02 and 52.01 individuals/leaf), respectively. Also, results revealed that, seasonal abundance of F. virgata found to be active from June to January of next year. The population density was reached its maximum activity on October during both years being 123.0 and 145.2 individuals /leaf for the first and second year, respectively. The prevailing main average temperature and relative humidity were ranging between 22.8°C, 24.2°C and 67%, 64% for the 1st and 2nd years, respectively. These conditions seemed to be favorable conditions for insect activity. After this activity period all stages of this species were disappeared from all plant parts. This phenomenon indicate that this mealybug species was overwinter during winter and spring seasons till the next summer. From these findings it could be stated that any control measurements must be early applied during June, at the beginning of activity period of this mealybug species. Also, results clarified that F. virgate was passed through two annual overlapping field generations on acalypha shrubs. Duration of the first generation was ranged between 80-85 days which occurred during summer months. While the second generation was lasted 75 days and occurred during autumn. Statistical analysis revealed that separate effect of each mean, two weeks earlier of the four selected weather factors on changes in population density of F. virgata most factors had insignificant effects except mean minimum temperature which had positive significant effects throughout the both years (r coefficient values were 0.589 and 0.677). While the combined effects of the four selected factors (mean minimum, maximum temperature, average temperature and mean percentage of relative humidity), two weeks earlier, had significant effects, as a group on the change in population density especially during (2014-2015) , the explained variance was 79.2% and F value 14.4.

Two hundred and ten unsexed broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) at 7 day of age were used to study the effect of dietary supplementation of different Copper (Cu) forms i.e. inorganic (copper sulfate, CuSO4), organic (copper methionine Cu2-Met) or nano inorganic copper particles (Cu-NP) on the productive performance, hematological and biochemical constituents of blood and immune response of broiler chicks. They were randomly divided into seven dietary treatments with five replicate cages per treatment, six chicks for each. The first group was fed the basal diet without any supplementation (control); while the 2nd and 3rd groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppm of inorganic Cu (copper sulfate, CuSO4), respectively. The 4th and 5th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppm of organic Cu (copper methionine Cu2-Met), respectively. The 6th and 7th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppb of nano inorganic copper (Cu-NP), respectively. Results showed that chicks fed the basal diet supplemented with different forms of Cu had significantly better LBW, BWG, FCR, economic efficiency and production index. Both organic and nano Cu-fed groups showed significantly better productive performance traits compared with the inorganic Cu – fed groups. Supplementation of different Cu forms decreased serum levels of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), whereas RBCs count, hemoglobin, PCV, glucose, globulin, thyroid hormones (T3-T4), immunoglobulin (IgM, IgG), and antioxidant enzymes activity (TAC– GPX- GSH-SOD) were significantly increased compared with the control treatment. Additionally, Cu supplementation increased lactobacillus sp. while decreased total bacterial count (Salmonella, E. coli and Proteus) compared with the control group. In conclusion, Cu supplementation improved the growth performance, immune response and physiological status of broiler chickens. Broilers fed organic and nano Cu-supplemented diets had better growth performance and immune response than those fed inorganic copper.