Dairy cattle in Sudan are traditionally fed on separate concentrate and roughage diets. Because of the high cost of forages, feeding strategies should be attempted to reduce feeding costs. A traditional dairy ration (As-fed), composed of 49% sorghum grains (SG), 29.4% groundnut seed cake (GSC), 19.6% wheat bran (WB), 1% limestone (LS) and 1% salt (NaCl), was used as a control. The test ration was a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of 40% SG, 23% groundnut seed hulls (GSH), 20% GSC, 15% WB, 1% LS and 1 % NaCl. The control traditional ration was fed at 10 Kg/cow/day together with 7 Kg sorghum chaff. Two levels of TMR were used with alfalfa hay (AH); (17 Kg TMR + 1 Kg   AH/cow/day and 15 Kg TMR + 2 Kg AH. Three cross-bred dairy cows (European x Local) were used with the feeding regimes in a 3x3 Latin square design.  Cows consumed similar amounts of DM, CP and ME and produced similar quantities of milk (P > 0.05).  TMR had no effects (P > 0.05) on the composition of milk. The cost for TMR was decreased by 19%.TMR was thus effective in reducing feeding costs without affecting milk production and composition.

Dairy cattle in Sudan are traditionally fed on separate concentrate and roughage diets. Because of the high cost of forages, feeding strategies should be attempted to reduce feeding costs. A traditional dairy ration (As-fed), composed of 49% sorghum grains (SG), 29.4% groundnut seed cake (GSC), 19.6% wheat bran (WB), 1% limestone (LS) and 1% salt (NaCl), was used as a control. The test ration was a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of 40% SG, 23% groundnut seed hulls (GSH), 20% GSC, 15% WB, 1% LS and 1 % NaCl. The control traditional ration was fed at 10 Kg/cow/day together with 7 Kg sorghum chaff. Two levels of TMR were used with alfalfa hay (AH); (17 Kg TMR + 1 Kg   AH/cow/day and 15 Kg TMR + 2 Kg AH. Three cross-bred dairy cows (European x Local) were used with the feeding regimes in a 3x3 Latin square design.  Cows consumed similar amounts of DM, CP and ME and produced similar quantities of milk (P > 0.05).  TMR had no effects (P > 0.05) on the composition of milk. The cost for TMR was decreased by 19%.TMR was thus effective in reducing feeding costs without affecting milk production and composition.

The research aims to evaluate the efficacy of different levels of potassium fertilizer (8 g/plant K2O) as well as the insecticides neemix, spinosad, and imidacloprid at the rates of 6 ml, 0.33 ml, and 0.33 g/L water, respectively,  for the management of brinjal fruits and shoot borer. The two-factor randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Significant minimum shoot damage was recorded in the plots treated with imidacloprid (0%), spinosad (1.67%) and neemix (5.0%) at 81 days after planting. Similarly, a significant minimum fruit infestation (2.90%) was recorded with imidacloprid, which was lower than those of spinosad (15.16%) and neemix (19.63%). The application of potassium fertilizer at a rate of 8 g/plant showed a significant reduction in shoot infestation (2.50%) 81 days after planting. The minimum percentage yield of infested fruit was reported with spinosad (1.03%), which was at par with other insecticidal treatments. Considering the negative impacts of chemical pesticides, neemix 6 ml/L water in combination with potassium fertilizer at 8 g/plant is recommended.

The research aims to evaluate the efficacy of different levels of potassium fertilizer (8 g/plant K2O) as well as the insecticides neemix, spinosad, and imidacloprid at the rates of 6 ml, 0.33 ml, and 0.33 g/L water, respectively,  for the management of brinjal fruits and shoot borer. The two-factor randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Significant minimum shoot damage was recorded in the plots treated with imidacloprid (0%), spinosad (1.67%) and neemix (5.0%) at 81 days after planting. Similarly, a significant minimum fruit infestation (2.90%) was recorded with imidacloprid, which was lower than those of spinosad (15.16%) and neemix (19.63%). The application of potassium fertilizer at a rate of 8 g/plant showed a significant reduction in shoot infestation (2.50%) 81 days after planting. The minimum percentage yield of infested fruit was reported with spinosad (1.03%), which was at par with other insecticidal treatments. Considering the negative impacts of chemical pesticides, neemix 6 ml/L water in combination with potassium fertilizer at 8 g/plant is recommended.

This study aimed to use the organic polymer, chitosan, as a flocculant for harvesting microalgae Chlorella. sp. Various polymer concentrations were tested. Within three min, 50 mg/L of chitosan showed the highest efficiency (98.9±0.5%), at pH 6.3, while the lowest efficiency (86.7±0.5%) was observed at pH 7.5. Harvesting efficiency in this study was chitosan concentration dependent. The present study showed that chitosan can be a promising and sustainable solution as an organic source and environmentally friendly flocculant. Additionally, it has excellent harvest productivity and requires minimum effort for quick outcomes.

This study aimed to use the organic polymer, chitosan, as a flocculant for harvesting microalgae Chlorella. sp. Various polymer concentrations were tested. Within three min, 50 mg/L of chitosan showed the highest efficiency (98.9±0.5%), at pH 6.3, while the lowest efficiency (86.7±0.5%) was observed at pH 7.5. Harvesting efficiency in this study was chitosan concentration dependent. The present study showed that chitosan can be a promising and sustainable solution as an organic source and environmentally friendly flocculant. Additionally, it has excellent harvest productivity and requires minimum effort for quick outcomes.

Congo red (CR) is an anionic dye that is released from various industries and demonstrates a negative effect on the environment and human health. Dye`s elimination from the environment is an important challenge; therefore, the aim of this study was the application of unhydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse wastes, after acid hydrolysis, drying, grinding and including cellulose acetate to form different composite sheets. The composite sheets were applied in the 3Rs (Removal of Congo red using the composite sheet, Recover of the Congo red after removal using ethanol, and Reuse of the composite sheet many times) processes. The Congo red removal efficiency by the composite sheets was optimized using two statistical methods, One Factor at A Time (OFAT) and General Factorial Design. Afterward, isotherms models and kinetics studies were investigated; moreover, the reusability was also examined. The results exhibited that, the Congo red removal efficiency of 76.27 % was achieved for 500 ppm of the dye using the composite sheet with a concentration of 7 g/L; at a pH value of 7.0 and a contact time of 240 min. Interestingly, the composite sheets have been applied for 3Rs (Removal, Recovery, Reuse) cycles 5 times.

Congo red (CR) is an anionic dye that is released from various industries and demonstrates a negative effect on the environment and human health. Dye`s elimination from the environment is an important challenge; therefore, the aim of this study was the application of unhydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse wastes, after acid hydrolysis, drying, grinding and including cellulose acetate to form different composite sheets. The composite sheets were applied in the 3Rs (Removal of Congo red using the composite sheet, Recover of the Congo red after removal using ethanol, and Reuse of the composite sheet many times) processes. The Congo red removal efficiency by the composite sheets was optimized using two statistical methods, One Factor at A Time (OFAT) and General Factorial Design. Afterward, isotherms models and kinetics studies were investigated; moreover, the reusability was also examined. The results exhibited that, the Congo red removal efficiency of 76.27 % was achieved for 500 ppm of the dye using the composite sheet with a concentration of 7 g/L; at a pH value of 7.0 and a contact time of 240 min. Interestingly, the composite sheets have been applied for 3Rs (Removal, Recovery, Reuse) cycles 5 times.

Potato tuber starch characteristic is influenced by the ratio of amylose to amylopectin, which is affected by the granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) gene. GBSS gene expression was decreased in the leaves of the Desiree potato variety utilizing genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9. Constructs encoding Cas9 gene and sgRNAs targeting GBSS gene were inserted into plant leaves using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation delivery. The results obtained lines with mutations in GBSS genes accounting for 21% of regenerated shoots. The identification of mutations within one base pair of the used guide sequence provided further evidence of the considerable similarity between the target region around the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) position and the used guide sequence. Transforming DNA into potato leaves produced mutants that lacked the Cas9 gene. Using microscopic inspection of iodine-stained starch granules, the increase of amylopectin in the starch granules of editing potato tubers was evaluated.

Potato tuber starch characteristic is influenced by the ratio of amylose to amylopectin, which is affected by the granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) gene. GBSS gene expression was decreased in the leaves of the Desiree potato variety utilizing genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9. Constructs encoding Cas9 gene and sgRNAs targeting GBSS gene were inserted into plant leaves using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation delivery. The results obtained lines with mutations in GBSS genes accounting for 21% of regenerated shoots. The identification of mutations within one base pair of the used guide sequence provided further evidence of the considerable similarity between the target region around the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) position and the used guide sequence. Transforming DNA into potato leaves produced mutants that lacked the Cas9 gene. Using microscopic inspection of iodine-stained starch granules, the increase of amylopectin in the starch granules of editing potato tubers was evaluated.

In this study, human-safe lactic acid microorganisms (LAM) were isolated from food samples to be used as potential additives for human food. Samples from various food sources (artisanal cheeses, fermented chickpeas, fermented rice, natural yogurt, pickles, and raw milk) were used to inoculate de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) and malt agar plates, which were incubated at 30°C for 48 h or 37°C for 72 h to isolate lactic acid bacteria and yeast, respectively. Out of 120 isolates (85 bacteria and 35 yeast), 75 isolates showed γ-hemolytic activity and were considered “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) isolates. After testing their growth rate under the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions, including acidic pH and specific bile salt concentrations, we selected 30 isolates. Then, we evaluated the fermentative abilities of these 30 isolates on nine types of carbohydrates, their total acidity, and their antagonistic activity against five human pathogens. Based on the results of these tests, four isolates were selected for identification using the Biolog program and 16S rRNA sequencing for bacteria and 18S rRNA sequencing for yeast and found to be Bacillus bingmayongesis (FJAT-13831), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (R094), Pediococcus pentosaceus (DSM 20336), and one yeast isolate as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SaCe1 26S).

In this study, human-safe lactic acid microorganisms (LAM) were isolated from food samples to be used as potential additives for human food. Samples from various food sources (artisanal cheeses, fermented chickpeas, fermented rice, natural yogurt, pickles, and raw milk) were used to inoculate de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) and malt agar plates, which were incubated at 30°C for 48 h or 37°C for 72 h to isolate lactic acid bacteria and yeast, respectively. Out of 120 isolates (85 bacteria and 35 yeast), 75 isolates showed γ-hemolytic activity and were considered “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) isolates. After testing their growth rate under the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions, including acidic pH and specific bile salt concentrations, we selected 30 isolates. Then, we evaluated the fermentative abilities of these 30 isolates on nine types of carbohydrates, their total acidity, and their antagonistic activity against five human pathogens. Based on the results of these tests, four isolates were selected for identification using the Biolog program and 16S rRNA sequencing for bacteria and 18S rRNA sequencing for yeast and found to be Bacillus bingmayongesis (FJAT-13831),Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (R094), Pediococcus pentosaceus (DSM20336), and one yeast isolate as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SaCe1 26S).

Ephedra is the most widely and largest widespread genus in the Gnetopsida, a subgroup of the gymnosperms. This research was done to find out how gamma radiation affected the in vitro growth of callus and suspension cultures. In addition, the effect of gamma rays (γ-rays) on the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine concentrations was evaluated through HPLC analysis. The cell suspension and callus cultures were formed on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium (MS) supplemented with 0.5 mg/l kinetin (Kn), and 3 mg/l of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and exposed to variable gamma radiation doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 Gray). Highly significant differences in both fresh and dry callus weights were recorded due to the effect of gamma rays (γ-rays). The findings demonstrated that in the cell suspension and callus cultures, 15 Gray achieved the highest fresh and dry weights when compared to the control. Similarly, the highest concentrations of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were found in suspension and callus cultures compared to control at 15 Gray.

Ephedra is the most widely and largest widespread genus in the Gnetopsida, a subgroup of the gymnosperms. This research was done to find out how gamma radiation affected the in vitro growth of callus and suspension cultures. In addition, the effect of gamma rays (γ-rays) on the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine concentrations was evaluated through HPLC analysis. The cell suspension and callus cultures were formed on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium (MS) supplemented with 0.5 mg/l kinetin (Kn), and 3 mg/l of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and exposed to variable gamma radiation doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 Gray). Highly significant differences in both fresh and dry callus weights were recorded due to the effect of gamma rays (γ-rays). The findings demonstrated that in the cell suspension and callus cultures, 15 Gray achieved the highest fresh and dry weights when compared to the control. Similarly, the highest concentrations of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were found in suspension and callus cultures compared to control at 15 Gray.

Tillage as one of the agricultural practices consumes the largest amount of energy, which reflects on the total production cost. The artificial neural network (ANN) technique was utilized in the current study to opti-mize the performance of the tillage process. The ANN-modeled multilayer perceptron network with a backpropagation learning algorithm and momen-tum term was used by the PYTHON program. The ANN inputs were: the implement type, soil texture, moisture, bulk density, width, speed, and depth. The draught was the output (kN). Five layers composed the ANN model's optimal configuration (13-64-16-4-1). The linear and rectified linear units (ReLU) functions were utilized with hidden layers and the output layer, re-spectively. Momentum term and learning rate were 0.00003 and 0.9 respec-tively. The iteration number was 1000 epochs and stopped at 290 epochs. The coefficient of determination in the test datasets was high (0.92) while the difference between actual and predicted output was low (2.08). Bulk den-sity and depth were the main determinants of the draft. The evaluation of the developed model for chisel, moldboard, and disk plow gave satisfactory re-sults of 0.985, 0.924, and 0.917. In comparison to the ANNs, the regression model's correlation coefficient for predicting draught force was the lowest (0.373).

Machine learning models, Artificial neural network, Tillage performance, Energy needs, draught Tillage as one of the agricultural practices consumes the largest amount of energy, which reflects on the total production cost. The artificial neural network (ANN) technique was utilized in the current study to optimize the performance of the tillage process. The ANN-modeled multilayer perceptron network with a backpropagation learning algorithm and momentum term was used by the PYTHON program. The ANN inputs were the implement type, soil texture, moisture, bulk density, width, speed, and depth. The draught was the output (kN). Five layers composed the ANN model's optimal configuration (13-64-16-4-1). The linear and rectified linear units (ReLU) functions were utilized with hidden layers and the output layer, respectively. Momentum term and learning rate were 0.00003 and 0.9 respectively. The iteration number was 1000 epochs and stopped at 290 epochs. The coefficient of determination in the test datasets was high (0.92) while the difference between actual and predicted output was low (2.08). Bulk density and depth were the main determinants of the draft. The evaluation of the developed model for chisel, moldboard, and disk plow gave satisfactory results of 0.985, 0.924, and 0.917. In comparison to the ANNs, the regression model's correlation coefficient for predicting draught force was the lowest (0.373).

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the second sugar crop for sugar production after sugar cane worldwide. This plant is subjected to the infestation of several insect pests that cause considerable damage, especially leafhoppers, that can transmit phytopathogens (e.g., phytoplasma). In this work, we identified and described the leafhopper, Hebata (Alboneurasca) decipiens, in addition to the detection and molecular identification of Candidatus Phytoplasma that was transmitted by this leafhopper on sugar beet plants from naturally infected sugar beet plants to an uninfected one. The 16S rDNA gene from phytoplasma was amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and directly sequenced using specific primer pairs DNA fragments. The resulting sequences were analyzed and compared with another phytoplasma sequence available at GenBank sequences performing BLAST using DNAMAN.

The second sugar crop of sugar production after sugar cane world-wide is sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). This plant is subjected to the infestation of several insect pests that cause considerable damage, especially leafhoppers, that can transmit phytopathogens (e.g., phytoplasma). In this work, we identified and described the leafhopper, Hebata (Alboneurasca) decipiens, in addition to detection and molecular identification of Candidatus Phyto-plasma that was transmitted by this leafhopper on sugar beet plants from naturally infected sugar beet plants to an uninfected one. The 16S rDNA gene from phytoplasma was amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and directly sequenced using specific primer pairs DNA fragments. The resulting sequences were analyzed and compared with another phytoplasma sequence available at GenBank sequences performing BLAST using DNAMAN.

This work aims to examine the quality features of functional cam-el ice cream (8% fat) prepared by replacing the cream with a solid milk fat fraction (SMF), a liquid milk fat fraction (LMF) and LMF: SMF (2:1 v/v) in the ice cream mixtures. All samples were assessed for their physiochemical and rheological characteristics and the sensory quality of the ice cream mixtures and resulting ice cream. The results clarified that the type of milk fat fraction affected the viscosity of the ice cream mixtures. Also, the whipping ability decreased gradually with the increasing slip melting point of the fraction used. The use of SMF in the ice cream mix decreased the adsorption of protein and fat destabilization, characterized by the slowest melting compared to ice cream with other milk fat sources. The highest and lowest hardness values were found in ice cream mixtures made with SMF and LMF, respectively. In conclusion, ice cream was successfully made by replacing the milk cream fat fractions. Cream substitution with SMF followed by LMF: SMF (2:1 v/v) is recommended in arid and semi-arid regions and improved the whipping ability, overrun, and flavor scores, which were lower when using SMF.

The aim of this work is to examine the quality features of functional camel ice cream (8% fat) prepared by replacing the cream with a solid milk fat fraction (SMF), a liquid milk fat fraction (LMF) and LMF:SMF (2:1 v/v) in the ice cream mixtures. All samples were assessed for their physio-chemical and rheological characteristics and the sensory quality of the ice cream mixtures and resulting ice cream. The results clarified that the type of milk fat fraction affected the viscosity of the ice cream mixtures. Also, the whipping ability decreased gradually with increasing slip melting point of the fraction used. The use of SMF in the ice cream mix decreased the adsorption of protein and fat destabilization, characterized by the slowest melting compared to ice cream with other milk fat sources. The highest and lowest hardness values were found in ice cream mixtures made with SMF and LMF, respectively. In conclusion, ice cream was successfully made by replacing the milk cream fat fractions. Cream substitution with SMF followed by LMF:SMF (2:1 v/v) is recommended in arid and semi-arid regions and improved the whipping ability, overrun, and flavor scores, which were lower when using SMF.