Information related to pesticide practices in green beans and strawberry fields in some selected exportation farms in Egypt was obtained through questionnaire forms. Such forms were randomly distributed among different target exporters at Giza, Ismaellia, Sharkia, Behirah and Alfayoum governorates. Questionnaire outputs indicated that the percent of the rejected export by importers due to high levels of pesticide residues reached 11.11 and 7.69% in green beans and strawberry respectively. The recommended rates of the used pesticides established by the Ministry of Agriculture and/or EU guidelines were followed by 86.67 and 69.23% of these vegetables growers, respectively. Questionnaire outputs indicated that the percent of exporters who were repeating the application of all or each pesticide during the same season of green beans and strawberry reached 48.89 and 42.31%, respectively. Furthermore, 15.56 and 7.69% of growers followed the recommended Pre Harvest interval (PHI) for each pesticide used in green beans and strawberry. On the other hand, no storage period was followed by 40 and 76.92% of the exporters for green beans and strawberry, respectively. Concerning the transportation conditions data showed that 55.56 and 88.46% of the exporters used cooling trucks with green beans and strawberry, respectively.

Newly ecdysed fourth instar larvae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) were treated with LC50 of ecdysone agonist methoxyfenozide, to provide better insights into physiological symptoms and aspects induced by it as a mimic to the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E) action. Larvae ingest methoxyfenozide died within 2-3 days, and being trapped within their excuvae. They stopped feeding shortly before ecdysis. Treatment neither accelerated ecdysis nor ceased feeding, as soon as the larvae ingest such 20-E mimic. The continuous binding of the compound to the ecdysteroid receptors of S. littoralis larvae increased the titre of enzymes regulated by 20-E during the experimental time (3 days). Chitinase and phenoloxidase were activated after 6 and 12 hr from methoxyfenozide administration, respectively. The compound had no effect on chitin production, but endocuticle chitin degradation during moulting might be depressed as illustrated by the presence of higher amount of N-acetylglucosamine in control larvae than methoxyfenozide treated. It is suggested that methoxyfenozide might induces a precocious moult by initiating moulting cycle, but its main toxic effect is due to the fact that its level remains high during moulting and don’t decrease for allowing other hormones necessary for successful moulting to be released.

Individual and integrated effects of three weed control treatments H [weedy control (H1); Butralin (H2) and manual twice hoeing (H3)] , three hill spacing , D [10 (D1), 15 (D2) and 20 cm (D3)] and two soybean varieties, V [ Giza 111 (V1) and Giza 21 (V2)] on dry matter (DM) of associated weeds, growth traits and parameters, nutrients uptake and seed yield, were the intended aim of the present study. To achieve this aim, split- split plot arrangement was used, where tested variables; H, D and V were allocated in main-, sub- and sub-sub plot, respectively, at newly reclaimed soil of the experimental farm "Demo" of Fac. Agric., Fayoum Univ., during 2006 and 2007 summer seasons. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: Dry weight of weeds were deppressed by twice manual hoeing, dense planting, chemical control and the interaction of H2D2V2 in the first sample and H3 V1 in the second sample.Maximum values of soybean height, number of branches, LA and LAI were obtained by H2 or H3 depending on the sample as well as the studied variety. Soybean density had a significant effect on plant growth (height, DM and LA). In addition CGR and NAR as well as N, P, and K were affected by H3 and H2. Several dual and triointeractions significantly affected the growth traits. Manual hoeing, H3 (1490 kg/fed) out yielded Butralin treatment, H2 (1000kg/fed) and both surpassed the weedy control one, H1 (530 kg/fed). Closest spacing, D1 (1080 kg) followed by intermediate one, D2 (1060 kg) produced markedly by higher seed yield/fed that of the widest spacing (890 kg). V2 (1080kg) out yielded V1 (940 kg/fed). H3 D1 (1840), D2 V2 (1500) and H3D2 (1260) as well as H3D1V2 (1890 kg/fed) were the most effective interactions on soybean yield. The obtained results revealed that, in such newly reclaimed land, the maximum yield with improved quality of soybean could be obtained from Giza 21 planted in closed spacing (10cm) and treated with manual hoeing twice.

The honey dew moth Cryptoblabes gnidiella Milliere is one of the most important insect pests of stored garlic. Data revealed that, Egyptian (Baladi) cultivar was the least susceptible to attacke by this insect . After four months of storage, the infestation percentages were 21.68% for Egyptian (Balady) cultivar as compared to 32.39% for Sids 40, 44.88% for American and 70.99% for Chinese cultivar. The oil content of the four garlic cultivars were measured along four months of storage. Data showed that the four cultivars were differed significantly in this respect. The highest weight of volatile oils, 436.8 mg/100g was fined in the Egyptian cultivar whereas the Chinese cultivar had 340.6 mg/100g. The correlation coefficients “r” values showed highly significant and negative relationship between infestation percentages and volatile oils weight (mg) . The main components of the volatile oils of the tested four garlic cultivars were separated by GC- MS analysis. Nine sulfur compounds were separated and identified, the major compound was Diallyl trisulfide (i.e. 49.82, 46.23, 46.17 and 44.89%) for Egyptian, Sids 40, Chinese and American cultivars, respectively. Allyl methyl trisulfide ranged from 11.40 to 23.15%. On the other hand percentage of total soluble solids (TSS%) for the four cultivars were almost the same trend during the storage period extended for four months or slightly increased. These data indicate the importance of the type and quantity of volatile oils and its component in protection of stored garlic from infestation by C. gnidiella.

The present study is a trial to investigate the toxic effects of the bio-pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on male reproductive system of rats. Rats received dietary doses each approximately equivalent to 1/10 or 1/100 of the LD50 value of the Bt bio-pesticide (Agerin) for 90 consecutive days. Sex organs weight, semen picture, concentrations of the hormones [i.e., testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)], and histopathological changes in testes were the criteria used to evaluate the reproductive toxicity on the treated rats. Btat the higher dose caused a significant decrease in the weight of testes and seminal vesicles as compared with control. Both Bt doses decreased sperm count associated with an increase in the morphologically abnormal spermatozoa; however sperm motility was significantly decreased in treated rats with the higher dose only. The concentration of serum testosterone was significantly reduced in both treated groups; however LH and FSH levels were significantly reduced in treated rats with the higher dose. Histopathological examination of Agerin-treated male rat's testes revealed that both Bt doses caused testicular degeneration in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, Agerin may decreases fertility in adult male rats by affecting the concentrations of pituitary gonadotrophins, testosterone and thus subsequent spermatogenic impairment

Hot flow air currents were used in sheld dryers to dehydrate some vegetables (squash, peas, green beans, potatoes, yellow carrot, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, yellow pepper, red pepper, cauliflower and eggplant) which were used to prepare 8 recipes of dehydrated vegetable mixture (vegi-mix). Sensory evaluation indicated that, 4 recipes of vegi-mix's recorded the highest scores of sensory evaluation and considered the prefer recipes and stored at ambient temperature up to 3 months during which, the physicochemical composition, the antioxidants and microbiological examination were assessed. Results revealed that the recipe composed of yellow, green and red paper, cauliflower and eggplant to prepare the vegi-mix caused to increase of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and total carotenoids content. The moisture contents were in the range of (8.62-9.78%); ether extract (10.23-16.76%); total carbohydrate (51.6-53.6%); crude fiber (9.62-10.61%) and total calories (340.43-375.36 kcal/100g dry weight basis respectively) for the selected 4 recipes. On the other hand, the tested vegi-mix's being also as a good source of fibers, minerals and antioxidants. Changes in moisture, crude fibers, total solids, total carbohydrate, chlorophyll a and b and total carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds as well as total bacterial counts, yeast and mould counts, sporeforming bacterial counts content were also studied during 3 months of storage at ambient temperature. A little decremental was observed in total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids content through 3 months of storage for the tested vegi-mix's. Results also showed that all tested vegi-mix's. were microbiologically safe up to 3 months of storage and maintained original sensory properties. Therfore, dehydrated vegi-mix's composed of squash, peas, green beans, potatoes, carrot, tomatoes, onion, green, red and yellow pepper, cauliflower and eggplant without herbs considered as a good source of antioxidants, minerals, high nutritional value, good palatability and healthy safe through three months of storage at ambient temperature.

The current work aims to evaluate the effect of different periods of organic farming on some soils qualities compared with the traditional system. Several farms varied in their soil nature and periods of practicing organic farming system were chosen. The farms are located in Belbes, El-Manayef, El-Fayoum and El- Behera areas. Moreover, the study also involved adjacent traditional managed farms. The evaluation was based on the weighted values of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the 0-50 cm and 0-100 cm soil depths. The considered soil properties weresoil organic matter (SOM); bulk density; porosity; available water; penetration resistance, mean soil particles weight diameter (MWD), cation exchange capacity and total microbial count. The obtained results indicated that soilbiological parameters were less important than the physical or thechemical factors. Principle component1, (PC1) scores indicated that 79.97% and 78.05 % of total variance are attributed to the 0-50 cm soil depth of the organic and conventional managed soils, respectively. In the meantime, 75.72 and 71.94 % are related to the 0-100 cm soil depth for the two farming systems, (Organic and conventional) in the same sequence. The only significantfactor contributing to PC2 was total count; PC2 indicatedthat (10.29 and 10.87% of the totalvariance are accounted for 0-50 and 0-100 cm soil depth of organic farming as well as 15.3 and 16.68% of the totalvariance for 0-50 and 0-100 cm soil depth of conventional farming system, respectively.

This study aimed basically at identifying the level of rural women adoption of environmental practices in Menufiya Governorate. This main obective was achieved throw the followinge sub-objectives : determining the environmental knowledge level of rural women, identifying the dgree of rural women application of environmental practices, determining the factors which correlated  with each of the environmental knowledge level and dgree of rural women application of  environmental  practiece. The study was carried out in two villeges in Menufiya Governorate, the first villege was Monshiat Bakhaty which belongs to Shebien Elkom district and the sconede villege was Sahel Elgawaber which belongs to El shohadaa district. 100 rural women were selected randomly from each village. The study findings were: the environmental knowledge level was high as 83.5% from respondents. About 47% from respondents were applying the environmental practices. There were four independent variables (social participation, culturel cosmoplitness, geographical cosmoplitness, age) explained together 16.3 % of the total variance of the environmental knowledge level. There were six independent variables (family monthly incom, environmental situation at the village, cultural cosmoplitness, family education, geographical cosmoplitness, environmental knowledge) explained together 55.5% of the total variance of the environmental application dgree.

s of broccoli using steam or immersion in hot water as traditional technology and storage conditions by either canning or freezing on the content of compounds with antioxidant properties, i.e. vitamin C, carotenoids, chlorophyll, polyphenol and flavonoid compounds parameters was investigated. Results show that the content of carotenoids was 11.41µg/g while the content of chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B was 30.66 and 9.79µg/g, respectively. The content of both carotenoids and total chlorophyll were decreased after being treated prior to different period storage for 3 and 6 month. Fresh broccoli had 40.45µg/g total chlorophyll this content decreased more significantly for the control (fresh broccoli) than for treated and different storage samples. The content of vitamin C was 124.24 mg/100g. Frozen broccoli after blanching by steam and immersion in hot water at 0 times decreased the percent of ascorbic to 83.85 and 75.89%, respectively.  Jarred and canned broccoli with dill, coriander and parsley additives showed decrease in ascorbic acid to 45.98 and 40.55% meanwhile, jarred and canned broccoli without additives decreased ascorbic acid to 43.34 and 39.01%, respectively. Total polyphenols and flavonoids were 276.82 and 7.64 mg/100g on fresh weight. These contents were decreased after processing and different storage conditions. The present of antioxidant activity in fresh broccoli was 75.50%. The degradation of antioxidant activity was increased after 6 month period. The highest degradation observed with canned broccoli without additive while the lowest degradation showed with frozen broccoli blanched by steam which the percents of total antioxidant activities were14.84 and 29.65 %, respectively. The content of ferrous and zinc was 6.4 and 3.9 mg/100g on dry weight. Ferrous increased to 7.0 and 8.4 mg/100g with Jarred with dill, coriander and parsley additives and storage for 3 and 6 month broccoli and to 9.3 and 8.7 mg/100g with canned broccoli with dill, coriander and parsley additives.

The objectives of this research were to investigate physical, chemical and sensory quality attributes and their relation of newly formulated vegan cake. Tiger nut milk (TNM) and alginate-lecithin gel (ALG) were used as the replacement of buffalo, s milk and whole egg at the levels of 50 and 100 %, respectively, in addition to, 50 % mixture (50 % TNM and 50 % ALG) and 100 % mixture (100 % TNM and 100 % ALG) . The results revealed that the lactose content of buffalo, s milk was 5.56%, while, TNM was free lactose. TNM is a good source of many elements as buffalo, s milk such as K, P, Ca, Na and Mg. Whole egg had significantly higher foam capacity than the alginate-lecithin gel . In contrast, alginate-lecithin gel exhibited higher foam stability than whole egg. The foam volume of alginate-lecithin gel characterized with stability during 60 min under testing as compared with whole egg that collapsed after 20 min. Concerning emulsifying activity index (EAI), both ALG and whole egg not showed significant difference (p>0.05). Emulsifying stability index (ESI) of alginate-lecithin gel was stable during 60 min under testing as compared with the whole egg that was stable till 40 min. The presence of replacement increased the batter viscosity at ambient temperature over the control value from 19.65 to 21.71-44.54 poise. Among different replacement, 100 % mixtures showed the highest batter viscosity of 44.54 p followed by 100% ALG (38.72 p), 50% ALG (34.29 p) and 50% mixtures (31.03 p). Control batter had a specific gravity of 0.892 g/cc, whereas batter replacing with 50% ALG, 100% ALG, 50% mixtures and 100 % mixtures had a batter specific gravity of 0.992, 1.009, 1.013 and 1.047 g/cc, respectively. The protein and fat contents of control samples were higher (10.42% and 26.63 %, respectively) than vegan cake samples replaced with TNM and ALG. The total carbohydrate content increased with increasing the replacement levels of TNM and ALG in vegan cake. High staling values (high freshness) of vegan cake samples reached 336.59 % and 334.08 % with vegan cake containing 100 % mixtures and 100 % ALG, respectively, in comparison to the staling of control (299.19 %) at zero time. The lower reduction in staling value was achieved in vegan cake prepared 100 % mixtures and 100 % ALG, since the staling value reduced by 10.29 % and 12.41 %, respectively, in comparison to 15.68 % for control sample after 21 days of storage at room temperature. High stability in specific volume during storage was achieved in the presence of 100 % ALG and 100 % mixture since, the specific volume was reduced by only 7.88 % and 8.83 %, respectively, in comparison to 25.99 % for control sample. The presence of ALG and mixtures decreased the hardness value from 79.46 to 36.28 and 66.11 Newton, indicating improvement in the texture of cake. Cakes containing ALG and mixtures showed lower decrement in moisture content and lower increment in hardness during storage at room temperature. Cake samples prepared with different levels of ALG and mixtures were better quality and showed significantly superior sensory properties scores than cake samples prepared with different levels of TNM which coincided with control sample at zero time. Vegan cake samples stored gave higher values and were be desirable till the end of storage period. Therefore, vegan cake could be successfully made from tiger nut milk and alginate-lecithin gel as the fully replacement of buffalos, milk and whole egg, respectively. In addition to, increase freshness, specific volume and storage at room temperature for 21 days.