This study was carried out during the two successive seasons (2017 and 2018) on the first and second ratoon of healthy uniform banana cv. Williams (Musa spp.) Plants grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in a private orchard located at El-Tahadi region, Cairo Alexandria desert road, Behaira governorate, Egypt. The investigation aimed to study the effect of different slow release potassium fertilizer (SRKF) (50% K2O) rates (100%, 75% and 50%) were added as soil drench during mid March, mid June and mid September while, potassium sulphate dose used in control treatment was added at monthly intervals as soil application from mid March until mid October on vegetative growth, productivity, total yield income and net return/feddan of banana plants. The obtained results showed that, all treatments had a significant effect on enhancing the vegetative growth parameters, i.e. number of green leaves /plant, plant total assimilation area (m2/plant), leaf total chlorophyll content (CCI) and leaf macro element content (N, P and K) as (%) as well as leaf micro element content (Fe, Zn and Mn) as (ppm). Also, improving yield (ton/feddan), bunch weight (kg), number of hands/bunch, hand weight (kg), number of fingers/hand, finger weight (g), finger length (cm), finger circumference (cm), finger pulp weight (g), finger pulp/peel (ratio), TSS (%), TSS/TA (ratio), total sugars (%). In addition, the total yield income (1000 LE) and net return/feddan (1000 LE) in both seasons. Moreover, all treatments had no significant effect on plant pseudostem height (cm), pseudostem circumferences (cm) and leaf area (m2) of plant in both seasons and bunch length (cm) in the first season only. Treatment of: slow release potassium at 100% gave the highest values of physical and chemical properties of banana plants cv. Williams in both seasons compared to, control treatment (100% potassium sulphate) and slow release potassium at 50% gave the lowest values.

The current study investigated the influence of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in the operation and the maintenance of the facilities of improved areas in Egypt. With the establishment of irrigation improvement projects, it was planned that WUAs would play an important role in improving water management and ensuring the sustainability of the improved system through enhancing the cooperation between farmers, scheduling the irrigation and maintaining the improved Mesqas (distributaries). The current study aims to check the actual situation after the implementation of irrigation improvement projects through collecting data from samples according to design questionnaires in the improved areas, and analyzing the collected data to investigate the influence of these associations. The results showed that the influence of WUAs in Egypt was still very limited. Irrigation practices were close to the old trend, which was targeting by irrigation improvement projects. The improved system was operated based on the natural relationships between farmers, with no predefined irrigation schedule targeting improving water management. The operator was the main person, and his role was just to arrange the irrigation based on the reservation of the farmers. Old lifting points were still used in the new system. This gave the farmers the chance to work individually, which could decrease the direct conflicts between them, but it had negative impact on water use efficiency. The maintenance of the system was poor, and the target was just to make the system work without considering the sustainability of the system. The study discussed the reasons behind the weak influence of WUAs including the characteristics of such organizations and different factors that affect their performance. In addition, the study suggested the required steps to improve the capacities of these organizations and to enhance the coordination between farmers including the precise distribution of water supply, and the support from the government.

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.

The increasing demand of consumers who look for natural safe products and associated health risks of chemically treated and refined goods food products led to the introduction of alternative technologies for Preservation and maintenance of dietary freshness. One of such Preservation technology requires the use of Lactobacilli as starter culture for the preservation of food matrixes planned. The present study was designed to evaluate sweet whey low-cost by- product of dairy manufacture as a substrate for the selection of Lactobacilli with proven antibacterial activity to be used as biopreservation for fermented dairy product. Human population has used dairy products, including milk, as a source for Lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The positive impact of the given bacteria as a diet supplement has been of concern to researchers. The target of this study is to examine Lactobacillus species isolated from dairy products i.e. raw milk alongside cheese, with potential activities. Using the Sweet whey as growth medium for Lactic acid bacteria. Also, tested of antibacterial activities. Sweet whey (sw) proved to be suitable medium alternative to the expensive commercial De Man-Regosa-Sharp medium for the growth and production of antibacterial substances by isolated lactic acid bacteria isolates. Therefore, was used throughout the present work. A number of 32 isolates were obtained from raw cow milk (16 isolates), goat milk (9 isolates) and cottage cheese (7 isolates) using the specific De Man-RegosaSharp medium (MRS) for the isolation of LAB, these isolates were identified up to genus as strains of Lactobacillus spp. Among 32 isolates of Lactobacillus spp., there are twenty four isolates antagonized of the all seven tested pathogenic bacteria. The screened Lactobacillus spp. isolates were characterized and selected the best bio agent isolate against pathogens was identified using 16s DNA gene to Lactobacillus brevis. This strain was resistant to NaCl (2-6.5 %), produces dioxide carbon (CO2) and showed good growth in different temperature (10°, 15, 45°C) and fermented of many sugars. As per the outcomes shown herein, the strain in question was thought to be antimicrobial bacterium produced a variety of metabolites, including butyric, formic, lactic, citric, and sorbic acid. The given set of activities adds to microbiological safety by helping control microorganism growth, and inhibiting pathogenic bacteria by using the lower-cost sweet whey. Therefore, more detailed work on isolating and characterizing antibacterial bacteria from the locally produces dairy items, and augmenting their growth could be needed for the creation of biopreservative foods.

Pseudomonas fluorescens is one of plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) members which has a major role in the biological control of bacterial and fungal pathogens. A research was conducted at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Qalubyia governorate intended for isolating Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate, efficient in antibiotic production. For isolation, soil samples, collected from Faculty of agriculture farm soil at depth of 10 cm, were screened for Ps. fluorescens isolates by cultivating the samples on King’s medium. Out of 30 isolates obtained, one was selected based on its high lipid content, because of the lipid’s correlation to antibiotic production and inhibitory activity. The selected isolate was characterized by morphological, physiological, biochemical tests then confirmed its identity by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and named Pseudomonas fluorescens NBRC-14160 16srRNA. Morphological features showed that Ps. fluorescens NBRC-14160 has large colonies, with irregular surface, opaque, producing green fluorescent pigments. Cells are short rods, Gram negative. Physiological features indicated that Ps. fluorescens NBRC-14160 is capable of producing several exoenzymes including lipase, phospholipase, protease and chitinase and incapable of producing amylase and cellulase. Carbohydrate fermentation tests were positive for fructose, glucose, D-glucose, and galactose, forming acids after 24 hrs. of incubation at 30˚C. However, it loses the ability to ferment inositol, mannose, xylose, mannitol, raffinose and rhamnose sugars. It’s lipid content was 607 mg/g. Inhibitory activity was studied by the method of disc diffusion test against nine pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive bacterial pathogen towards P. fluorescens NBRC-14160 with a 4.5 cm zone of inhibition, while Serratia marscens had 0.95 cm zone. Aspergillus niger and Alternaria solani were the most sensitive fungal pathogens towards P. fluorescens NBRC-14160 with 2.55 and 2.5 cm of inhibition zone, respectively. However, the most resistant fungus was Fusarium oxysporum with 1.3 cm inhibition zone.

This study aimed to work out the microbiological quality of roasted chicken ready to eat meals (n=240), swabs of labor surfaces in contact with food (n=390), and the food handlers hands (n=90) in catering services within the university dormitory females to assure a secure supply of food for colleges students. The results obtained appeared no contamination with L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Clostridium perfringens before the applying of the HACCP framework. While the fluctuation within the microbial numerous total viable bacteria, total molds and yeasts, B. cereus, Staph. aureus, spore-formers, and coliforms in served meals ascribed to inadequate handling or processing procedures, multiplication of microorganisms during thawing and cutting of chicken, poor hygiene of utensils, and equipment as well as the survival of microorganisms to the cooking process. The examined chicken samples from receiving to serving were 1.12×105 , 7.4 X 103, 2.8 X 104 , and 1.6 X 103 in washing chicken, thawing, and washing steps respectively. The lowest value was 3.98×103 , 3.2 X 102 , 1.2 x 103 , and 6.1 X 102 in serving, dressing, washing, and receiving steps, respectively. Swabs samples analysis which taken before and after HACCP application from handlers, utensils, equipment and work surfaces observed different levels of significance in the reduction of microbial load in one or more of selected examination. Application of the HACCP framework shows a low rate of examined microorganism with a decreasing percentage reached 100% of 1 or more microbial groups in the statistically serving step (p < 0.05) which demonstrates a critical impact of HACCP application. HACCP framework can be moreover utilize to control the safety and quality of prepared ready to eat meals, based on microbiological specifications to improve the microbiological and healthy quality of foods to reduces the reliance on the end product inspection that ultimately resulted in improving food safety, reducing costs associated with food hazards.

Iraq is one of the agricultural countries in the world. Agriculture is the second source of income after oil in Iraq. Agricultural development is a link between scientific research and agricultural extension because the use of scientific knowledge in agriculture has become very important, which has prompted many countries to increase their investment in scientific research. There is a main agricultural extension department in Baghdad, in addition to agricultural extension departments in the provinces. The aim of this study was to determine the actual relationship between the agricultural research and extension organizations in Iraq throw knowing the importance of activities that achieve the relationship and implementation level according to respondents' opinions. The study aimed also to identify the barriers facing the relationship between the agricultural research and extension organizations and respondents' suggestions that strength the link between the researches and agricultural extension agents. This study was conducted on group of researchers and extension agents who work in Agricultural Extension and Cooperation Department and Agricultural Researches Department. A random sample of 40% was selected. The total was (38) agricultural extension agents and (35) agricultural researchers. A questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Version 24.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics including percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize the data. The most important results showed that the relationship between agricultural research and extension organizations was weak, while a high percentage of respondents believed that the relationship between them was very important. The study illustrated that the most important barrier facing the relationship between the agricultural research and extension organizations was the absence of regulations and laws that organize the relationship between them. The most important suggestions that respondents believed to strengthen the relationship are the establishment of legislations that organize the relationship and work through the research and extension teams and establishment of permanent committees to coordinate the work between them. In addition, the study found that the communication between agricultural researchers and extension agents was informal. Furthermore, the study recommended that the relationship should be continued, and that multiple organizational and administrative methods should be used to strengthen the linkages between agricultural research and extension organizations. Also, the study recommended that agricultural researchers and extension agents should participate in planning and implementing agricultural extension programs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of replacing alfalfa hay with graded levels of fennel and basil straws in the diets of growing rabbits aged from 5 to 11 weeks. Eighty-four unsexed, weaned New Zealand white rabbits, aged 5 weeks, were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (12 rabbits/treatment): A control diet; three diets the basil hay substituted for 25%, 50% and 75% of alfalfa straw; and three diets the fennel hay replaced 25%, 50% and 75% of alfalfa straw. Results obtained showed that replacement of alfalfa hay with 25 % fennel straw significantly reduced average daily gain compared with the other experimental treatments, while no significant difference was observed among the other experimental treatments during the stage 5-8 week. On the contrary, the animals fed diets contained 25 % fennel straw gave significantly higher average body weight gain compared with the other experimental groups and no significant differences were observed among the other experimental treatments during 8-11 weeks. Regarding body weight gain during the total period from 5 to 11 weeks of age, the result indicates that no significant differences among all treatments were detected. The values of FCR showed no significant differences within all tested groups. Rabbits group fed B50% recorded the highest significant digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, TDN and DCP when compared to all groups. Levels of basil straw and fennel straw in rabbit diets induced an insignificant effect on hemicellulose. There were higher dressing and hot carcass percentages were recorded with rabbits fed B50%. Plasma values of total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol or Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration were not significantly affected due to adding basil straw and fennel straw to rabbit diets. Replacement alfalfa hay with fennel and basil straw resulted in decrease feed cost. Rabbits fed B25% showed higher economic efficiency percentage compared to the other treatments. The results revealed that using basil straw and fennel straw at 25% in growing NZW rabbit diets had no detrimental effects on productive performance, the physiological and biochemical status and it could be used economically instead of alfalfa hay.

Environmental heat stress is one of the most challenging conditions in the world which have adverse impact on the industry of poultry. Broiler chicken strains are delicate to heat stress primarily due to not having sweat glands. The current study was aimed to investigate the effects of heat stress exposed on growth performance and Bio-physiological characteristics for (Cobb, Hubbard and Arbor Acres broiler hybrids) under the summer season when environmental conditions of Egypt were revealed. A total of three hundred one day old (one hundred birds from each hybrid) at one day of age were brooding under the same conditions of water, diet consumed, breeding system, vaccines and medications used during the period birds life even slaughtering age. The three strains were randomly divided into twelve groups (three strains "Cobb, Hubbard and Arbor Acres" X two treatments "control group and heat exposed group" X two replicates X twenty five chicks).The degrees of environmental temperature and relative humidity during housing are (Environmental temperature = 32°±2 Celsius degree, Relative humidity =50±5 percentage) for control group and (Environmental temperature =40°±2 Celsius degree, Relative humidity= 20±5 percentage) for the heat stressed group. The body weight, body weight gain, edible parts of carcass (carcass, thigh, drum, breast muscles and giblets weight) and inedible parts of carcass (blood, feathers, head and legs weight) were recorded to heat stressed group and control group. Lymphatic organs such as spleen, thymus and bursa weight were measured also. The last results concluded that the Cobb strain showed the best growth performance and carcass characteristics under heat stress condition, while the Arbor Acres strain considered the best strain which didn't effected a lot in their rectal temperature such another strains with heat exposure. The Arbor Acres strain for each group (control and treated) have the highest viability. The control group and Hubbard strain showed an increase in bursa weight compared to heat exposed group and another strains. It was concluded that the Cobb strain has the best performance under heat stress comparing to the other strains broiler chicken.

The effect of magnetic water compared with saline water , nano-Mg at 100 and 200 ppm and nano-Zn at 50 and 100 ppm treatments and their combinations on lemongrass plants (Cymbopogen citratus L.) was studied during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.Vegetative growth parameters including plant height, number of tillers/ plant, leaf area, herb fresh and dry weights were greatly affected by both studied factors. Magnetic water treatments recorded the highest values of all vegetative growth parameters compared with saline water. However, all nanoparticles of Mg and Zn treatments were superior than control in promoting vegetative growth parameters and the treatments of 100 ppm nano-Zn and 200 ppm nano-Mg recorded the maximum values of vegetative growth parameters. The combined treatments showed that the highest values of vegetative growth measurements were obtained in plants irrigated with magnetic water and sprayed with 100 ppm nano-Zn, in both cuts In 1st and 2ndseasons.N, P, K and Mg contents were significantly higher in lemongrass plants irrigated with magnetic water than those irrigated with saline water. Moreover, the treatments of 100 ppm nano-Zn exhibited the highest significant values of N, P, K, whereas 100 and 200 ppm of nano-Mg treatments were superior in recording the highest values of Mg content, in the two seasons. The combination treatments of lemongrass plants irrigated with magnetic water and sprayed with 100 ppm nano-Zn or 200 ppm nano-Mg produced the richest values of N, P and K% D.W., whereas, the treatments of magnetic water combined with 100 or 200 ppm of nano-Mg produced the best Mg content.A great effect of magnetic water irrigation on increasing Fe and Zn contents than saline water treatments. The treatments of 50 and 100 ppm of nano-Zn were more effective than control and other treatments in maximizing Fe and Zn levels. The combined treatments of lemongrass plants irrigated with magnetic water and sprayed with 100 ppm of nano-Zn exhibited the highest values of Fe and Zn% D.W. in most cases. Additionally, total chlorophyll greatly increased in lemongrass plants irrigated with magnetic water than those irrigated with saline water, whereas the treatment of 200 ppm nano-Mg increased it than others. Interaction effect showed that, plants irrigated with magnetic water and sprayed with nano-Mg at 200 ppm exhibited the highest values of total chlorophyll.Proline and glycine betaine contents were greatly decreased with magnetic water treatment compared with saline water. Meanwhile, all applied treatments were effective in decreasing the levels of both constituents than control, which considered a good indicator to alleviation of water salinity stress on lemongrass plants through magnetic water and nanoparticles of Mg and Zn applications. Finally, volatile oil %, was greatly increased in lemongrass plants irrigated with magnetic water, especially the treatment of nano-Zn at 100 ppm as compared of others in this respect in both cuts and the two studied seasons. The interaction between the two studied factors was significant which means that both factors act together in improving volatile oil content in lemongrass herb