This study was conducted to investigate the effects of five essential oils (garlic, Allium sativum; camphor, Cinnamomum camphor; menthol, Mentha sp.; cinnamon, Cinnamomum erum; and clove, Dianthus sp.) on wax moth larvae and adult honeybee workers under laboratory conditions. Cinnamon, garlic, menthol, clove, and camphor oils were found to be highly effective against wax moth larvae, with 100 percent mortality achieved after 48 and 96 hours for cinnamon and garlic oils respectively, and after 120 hours for clove and mint oils. Camphor oil provided 96.60% accumulative mortality after 120 hrs. Moreover, all the essential oils were highly safe for adult honeybee workers under laboratory conditions. Accumulative corrected mortality rates after 72 hr were 15.96, 9.02, 13.18, 29.16, and 8.88% for treatments with cinnamon, clove, camphor, mint, and garlic oils respectively.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of five essential oils (garlic, Allium sativum; camphor, Cinnamomum camphor; menthol, Mentha sp.; cinnamon, Cinnamomum erum; and clove, Dianthus sp.) on wax moth larvae and adult honeybee workers under laboratory conditions. Cinnamon, garlic, menthol, clove, and camphor oils were found to be highly effective against wax moth larvae, with 100 percent mortality achieved after 48 and 96 hours for cinnamon and garlic oils respectively, and after 120 hours for clove and mint oils. Camphor oil provided 96.60% accumulative mortality after 120 hrs. Moreover, all the essential oils were highly safe for adult honeybee workers under laboratory conditions. Accumulative corrected mortality rates after 72 hr were 15.96, 9.02, 13.18, 29.16, and 8.88% for treatments with cinnamon, clove, camphor, mint, and garlic oils respectively.

The present study was conducted to evaluate 50 wheat genotypes for their productivity and stability under eight environmental conditions. Wheat genotypes were sown at two planting dates under two nitrogen fertilization treatments during the winter seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/202. The analysis of variance showed that the mean squares of genotypes, sowing dates, and nitrogen fertilization treatments were significant for the number of spikes/plants, the number of kernels/spikes, 1000-kernel weight, and grain yield/plant. The results showed that sowing at the favorable date using 80 kg N/fed increased all studied traits. This study revealed that line numbers 9 and 10 exhibited general adaptability across different environments; hence, these lines are considered promising and could be exploited in breeding programs for wheat improvement.

The present study was conducted to evaluate 50 wheat genotypes for their productivity and stability under eight environmental conditions. Wheat genotypes were sown at two planting dates under two nitrogen fertilization treatments during the winter seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/202. The analysis of variance showed that the mean squares of genotypes, sowing dates, and nitrogen fertilization treatments were significant for the number of spikes/plants, the number of kernels/spikes, 1000-kernel weight, and grain yield/plant. The results showed that sowing at the favorable date using 80 kg N/fed increased all studied traits. This study revealed that line numbers 9 and 10 exhibited general adaptability across different environments; hence, these lines are considered promising and could be exploited in breeding programs for wheat improvement.

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.

The main objectives of this study were to use rye grain in the diet of Turkish sheep as a substitute for barley grain and to understand the bio-logical value of rye in feeding lambs and weight gain. Animals were divided into 3 experimental groups with 3 replicates in each group. Control group (T1) received standard diet with barely grain while groups T2 and T3 fed on diets with substitution of 20 and 30% barely grain by rye grain. The results of the study showed that lambs fed on 20% rye seeds have a significant high-er weight gain as a results of better feed intake and feed conversion.

The main objectives of this study were to use rye grain in the diet of Turkish sheep as a substitute for barley grain and to understand the bio-logical value of rye in feeding lambs and weight gain. Animals were divided into 3 experimental groups with 3 replicates in each group. Control group (T1) received standard diet with barely grain while groups T2 and T3 fed on diets with substitution of 20 and 30% barely grain by rye grain. The results of the study showed that lambs fed on 20% rye seeds have a significant high-er weight gain as a results of better feed intake and feed conversion.

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.

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.

Two field experiments were conducted during in 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons to study the impact of integration among mineral and nanoparticle nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels on yield traits and chemical characters of some canola genotypes grown under salt stress conditions. Four treatments of N fertilization (190 kg N/ha as recommended dose; 50% of the recommended, 95 kg N/ha+nano nitrogen (5 L/ha); 25 % of the recommended, 47.5 kg N/ha+nano-nitrogen (5 L/ha), and nano-nitrogen (rate of 5 L/ha). canola genotypes (Trabber, Agamax, and Serw4) performance were assessed under three levels of saline irrigation water (control, 2000, and 4000 mg L-1). Results showed that increasing salinity levels up to 4000 mg L-1 led to decreasing in all studied yield parameters compared with those of control (tap water). Trabber genotype excelled significantly in most of the yield characteristics. Integration between nanoscale and mineral nitrogen fertilizer, i.e. 95 kg N/ha+5 nano N L/ha) showed superiority over all applied N treatments, recording the highest values. It could be concluded that since application of 95 kg N/ha+5 nano N L/ha exploiting the nano form of N saves about 50% of applied nitrogen in canola under saline conditions. Accordingly, nanoparticles help the environmental pollution to be reduced.

Two field experiments were conducted during in 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons to study the impact of integration among mineral and nanoparticle nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels on yield traits and chemical characters of some canola genotypes grown under salt stress conditions. Four treatments of N fertilization (190 kg N/ha as recommended dose; 50% of the recommended, 95 kg N/ha+nano nitrogen (5 L/ha); 25 % of the recommended, 47.5 kg N/ha+nano-nitrogen (5 L/ha), and nano-nitrogen (rate of 5 L/ha). canola genotypes (Trabber, Agamax, and Serw4) performance were assessed under three levels of saline irrigation water (control, 2000, and 4000 mg L-1). Results showed that increasing salinity levels up to 4000 mg L-1 led to decreasing in all studied yield parameters compared with those of control (tap water). Trabber genotype excelled significantly in most of the yield characteristics. Integration between nanoscale and mineral nitrogen fertilizer, i.e. 95 kg N/ha+5 nano N L/ha) showed superiority over all applied N treatments, recording the highest values. It could be concluded that since application of 95 kg N/ha+5 nano N L/ha exploiting the nano form of N saves about 50% of applied nitrogen in canola under saline conditions. Accordingly, nanoparticles help the environmental pollution to be reduced.

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.

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.

This study examined the macro and trace element contents as well as the cytotoxicity of Laurencia obtusa, Ulva lactuca, and Padina pavonica algae collected from the Mediterranean coast of Egypt (Alexandria coast). The results indicated that the seaweed samples contained high concentrations of Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, P and Fe. The Cu and Zn contents of the algae were in the ranges of 0.39-0.95 mg/100 g dw and 0.11-0.49 mg/100 g dw respectively. Fresh red algae contained the highest level of Zn and Cu, whereas the iodine level was 1.52, 1.27 and 1.01 mg/100g in fresh each of Padina pavonica, Laurencia obtuse and Ulva lactuca respectively. Fresh red, fresh green, dry green, dry red, in addition to fresh and dried brown algae had maximum lead (Pb) levels of 0.16, 0.14, 0.13, 0.12, 0.04 and 0.02 g/100 g respectively. Fresh red algae contained the highest Cd and Mn levels, whereas dried brown algae exhibited the lowest Cd and Mn concentrations. Different extracts of fresh and dried brown algae exhibited significant larvicidal activity against brine shrimp. LC50 values indicated that dry samples were more cytotoxic than fresh samples.

This study examined the macro and trace element contents as well as the cytotoxicity of Laurencia obtusa, Ulva lactuca, and Padina pavonica algae collected from the Mediterranean coast of Egypt (Alexandria coast). The results indicated that the seaweed samples contained high concentrations of Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, P and Fe. The Cu and Zn contents of the algae were in the ranges of 0.39-0.95 mg/100 g dw and 0.11-0.49 mg/100 g dw respectively. Fresh red algae contained the highest level of Zn and Cu, whereas the iodine level was 1.52, 1.27 and 1.01 mg/100g in fresh each of Padina pavonica, Laurencia obtuse and Ulva lactuca respectively. Fresh red, fresh green, dry green, dry red, in addition to fresh and dried brown algae had maximum lead (Pb) levels of 0.16, 0.14, 0.13, 0.12, 0.04 and 0.02 g/100 g respectively. Fresh red algae contained the highest Cd and Mn levels, whereas dried brown algae exhibited the lowest Cd and Mn concentrations. Different extracts of fresh and dried brown algae exhibited significant larvicidal activity against brine shrimp. LC50 values indicated that dry samples were more cytotoxic than fresh samples.