Ageratum houstonianum Mill and Tagetes erecta L. (Asteraceae) were subjected to hydrodis-tillation as well as the stepwise extraction with organic solvents. Crude extracts and the hydrodis-tilled essential oils (E.O) were bioevaluated against two phytopathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora megasperma in vitro. The volatile fraction from both plants showed a good antifungal activity towards the tested fungi, EC50s were 91 and 1369 ppm for R. solani and 84 and 1571 ppm for P. megasperma with Ageratum essential oil (E.O) and Tagetes E.O, respectively. But generally; Ageratum E.O was found to be more effective in reducing mycelium growth of R. solani and P. megasperma (EC50 = 91 and 84 ppm respectively) than Tagetes E.O. Chemical compo-sition of Tagetes E.O and Ageratum E.O; fractions F1 (solid) and F2 (liquid) fractions were investi-gated by GC-MS analysis. Interestingly, heterocy-clic benzopyrane compound (Precocene II) was only component which has been detected in Ager-atum E.O fraction F1. Precocene II seems to be the fungitoxic active components in Ageratum E.O and its fractions. However, monoterpenic hydro-carbons were correlated with the fungitoxic effect of Tagetes E.O. In the green house experiments, Tagetes E.O and Ageratum E.O fraction F1 showed a clear selectivity towards tested patho-gens; Rhizoctonia solanii and Phytophthora megasperma. Ageratum E.O; fractions F1 was found to be much more fungitoxic activity than Tagetes E.O. Tagetes E.O and Ageratum E.O frac-tions F1 were controlled the 90.91% of Root-Rot disease in bean caused by Phytophthora megasperma, while the percentage of disease con-trol was only 36.36% for Rhizoctonia solani.

Rapid estimations of diameter minus lumen(D-L), and outer perimeter of cotton fibers (P) inmicrons, as a biological fineness of Egyptian cottoncould be calculated with satisfactory levels ofaccuracy from hair weight (H.W) in m/tex andmaturity ratio )MR) obtained from Micromat data(new F/MT instrument), using the following equations:2Circularity x 3.14 x 1.52Hs (Standard finenessDiameter (microns) or Final format (D) (microns) = 1.205 HsorCircularit y × 1.524 x 3.14 x HsPerimeter (microns) or Final format (P) (microns) = 3.7853 HsResults of the current study suggested thatmore attention should be focused on meaning andmeasurements of the three values of biologicalfineness (i.e.) diameter (D), perimeter (P) (microns)and standard fineness (Hs) m/tex. whichcan be derived from the data obtained from Micromatinstrument.

This study was conducted in a sandy soil at Ali Mubarak Village Research Farm, South Tahrir Horticulture Research Station, Behaira Gover-norate, during the two successive seasons of 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 on sweet corn Jubilee hybrid. The study aimed to determine the best treatments of nitrogen fertigation level and chelat-ed calcium foliar application on the productivity and quality of sweet corn. The obtained results indicated that increasing nitrogen fertigation level (100, 120, 140 to 160) kg N/fed. and (or) chelated calcium (12% Ca++) concentration (500 and 1000 ppm Ca EDTA) led to increasing the vegetative growth (leaf area, plant height, fresh and dry weight), chemical composition (total chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium in leaves) and yield characters (ear length, ear diame-ter, weight of 1000 seed, unhusked ear, husked ear and total yield) The promising treatment was 160 kg N/Fed. combined with 1000 ppm Ca EDTA under similar prevailing conditions of the present studying in a sandy soil

This study was carried out during two succes-sive seasons 2005 and 2006 on Anna apple trees budded on Balady apple rootstock, grown in sandy soil at (4 x 4m) apart under drip irrigation system, in a private farm at El-Khatatba, Monofia Gover-norate. A comparative study of some weed control treatments have been studied on Anna apple trees with its associated weeds. The tested weed control methods were using different colours of polyeth-ylene for mulching (green, blue, red, black and transparent), rice straw mulch, hand hoeing twice and two herbicides (Glyfosinate and Glyphosate) comparing with unweeded (control). All weed control treatments revented a significant reduction in fresh and dry weight of annual broad-leaved weeds, annual grasses, perennial and total weeds as compared with un weeded. The most effective treatments in decreasing fresh and dry weight of annual broad-leaves weeds were rice straw mulch-ing, followed by black polyethylene mulch and Glyfosinate. While, rice straw, black polyethylene and Glyphosate treatments were the most effective in decreasing fresh and dry weight of grass and total weeds. Also, the highest decrement in fresh and dry weight of perennial weeds were obtained by rice straw mulching and Glyphosate treatments. Moreover, results showed a remarkable improve-ment in growth, nutritional status of apple trees and yield (kg/tree). Also, physical and chemical properties of the fruits were improved. The most pronounced treatment developed under such study on the growth reduction of different grown weeds, meanwhile increased the apple tree growth, fruit yield associated with higher fruit quality was in rice straw mulching, black polyethylene mulching, Glyphosate treatments followed by hand hoeing twice treatment.Finally, it could be concluded that soil mulch-ing with rice straw can be used as a method for weed control in apple orchards. This method de-veloped such advantages over herbicides, polyeth-ylene mulch and hand hoeing in this concern. The possibility of using rice straw mulch for their many positive effects such as low coasts, in har-mony with ecosystem without no harmful residual effect especially for exported fruits and for pro-ducing safe fruits for human nutrition. In addi-tions, soil mulch with rice straw improving growth, leaves mineral contents as well as pro-duced higher yield and better quality of apple fruits.

Many countries are interested in production of Mushroom because of its high nutritive value. In Egypt, production of Mushroom is about 0.06% of the world production. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the economic feasibility of Mushroom production to evaluate the predicted profits in Egypt. The results showed that production of Mushroom significantly increased by 0.15 thousand ton/year. China, U.S.A and Germany are the top producing countries where 46.11% from the total world production is produced by these countries. The top exporting countries are China, Poland and Ireland since they export 57.67% from the total world exports of Mushroom. Meanwhile, Germany, Japan, England and U.S.A. are the top importing countries which import about 574.82% thousand tons/year through (2002- 2004). The study revealed that production of Mushroom is profitable as an enterprise for small investors in Egypt. Total production costs per year is about L.E. 8000. This small project gives two work opportunities and income of L.E. 12 thousand per year. The Internal rate of return of the enterprise is about 35% and the Payback period is about three years. Mushroom, the simple rate of return on investment is about 36%. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the least Internal rate of return supposing reduction of total income, is about 10% or increasing the total costs by 10%, the least Internal rate of return reached to14%. Whereas, simple rate of return on investment was estimated by 24% which was more than the interest rate in commercial banks that reached 10%. Therefore, This study recommends encouraging young-people enterprises in rural communities in new lands to produce Mushroom, by introducing technical consults, financial facilities for small investors. Also, limiting production and marketing difficulties, improving efficiency of marketing systems. In addition to maximizing production of Mushroom for exporting to the international markets and organizing training courses for spotting light on the economic feasibility of Mushroom to increase number of the investors to produce Mushroom.

This study aims at clarifying the most important factors that control using and recycling of farm residues. Also, determining the contribution of these factors in the quantity used or recycled by the farmer. The results showed that, the most im-portant factors for amount percentage of wheat straw used as forage, were number of farm ani-mals, price of green forage/ ton and straw stores which together accounted for 78% of the amount percentage. On the other hand, the most important factors for sold quantity of wheat straw were number of farm animals and transporting means which together accounted for 51% in that amount. The study showed also that the most important factors of the recycled amount of rice straw werecosts of recycling rice straw to forage and fertiliz-er, price of compost/ ton and price of nitrogen fertilizers/ ton. These factors together accounted for 88% of the total variability of the recycled amount. The most import contributing factors in the amount of maize straw recycled to silage were straw recycling costs, number of farm animals and extension. These factors contributed to 87% in that recycled amount. The most contributing factors in the cotton straw used as fuel were number of fami-ly members and oil fuel used. These two factors accounted for 66% of variation of straw amount. The study recommends that establishment of agri-cultural policy is necessary to get rid of farm resi-dues using modern technology i.e recycling of farm residues to reduce environment pollution and to develop the agricultural sector to achieve sus-tainable agricultural development.

In a trial to isolate and identify ectomycorrhi-zal fungi for the first time in Egypt 13 sporocarpes associated with rang of plants grown on Egyptian soils were collected, to be used for this purpose. Fungal isolates were obtained from collected spo-rocarpes and tested for ectomycorrhiza formation with Bauhinia sp. and Pinus seedlings. The paper sandwich technique was used for simultaneous inoculation of root apices Bauhinia to produce synchronously developing ectomycorrhizas. Typi-cal ectomycorrhizal roots were obtained within 14 days after inoculation with the collected strains. The isolates tested for ectomycorrhiza formation with Pinus sp. to ensure their identity by for-mation of distinct root characteristics on this host. Root colonization levels varied markedly among the tested fungal strains with respect to growth enhancement and NPK uptake of Pinus shoots and roots.

This work was carried out in two successive summer plantations of 2004 and 2005 on potatoes cv. Spunta at Abou Awad village , Aga, Dakahlia Governorate, to study the influence of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi , nitrogen and potassium fertilization at rates of 50, 75 and 100% of recommended rate / fed. with foliar spraying of micronutrients (Fe150 , Zn 75, and Mn 75 ppm) and their interactions on plant growth , yield and its components, as well as chemical composition .Application of the tested rates of nitrogen and the potassium induced significant increase in vegetative characteristics (plant height, foliage fresh and foliage dry weight) total tuber yield (t/fed) , number of tubers/plant and tuber weight/plant, tuber dry matter , starch and nitrate content in tuber, as well as N,P and K concentra-tions in the leaves and micronutrients in the leaves (Fe, Mn and Zn) in both seasons.Similarly, plant height, chlorophyll content, fo-liage fresh and dry weights , total yield (t/fed), number of tubers , tuber weight/ plant, tuber dry weight , starch and nitrate content in tuber, NPK concentration in leaves and tubers , micronutrient content (Fe, Zn and Mn) in leaves gave the highest values with inoculation by VA Mycorrhizal fungi and some micronutrients .The interaction between NK, VAM fungi and micronutrient gave the highest values of vege-tative growth characteristics, number of tu-bers/plant, NPK in leaves and tubers and micronu-trients (Zn and Mn) in leaves when potatoes was fertilized with 100% NK of the recommended rate and inoculate with VAM fungi plus foliar spraying by micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Mn).as well as total yield (t/fed), tuber weight/plant, tuber dry weight, starch content in tuber , Mn and Zn in leaves, while The lowest content of nitrate in tubers was found when plants were applied with 50 (%) NK of recommended rate with inoculation by VA My-corrhizal fungi.Generally, the best results were obtained when potato received 75 % of NK of the recommended rate, inoculated by VA Mycorrhizal fungi and sprayed with micronutrients at dose of Fe 150, Mn 75 and Zn 75 ppm. This treatment resulted in the highest total tuber yield and its components and reduced chemical fertilizer inputs.

The objective of the present study was to eval-uate the effect of using one method of estrus syn-chronization programs on Jersy cattle reproductive performance under arid land environment, by ap-plying a specific doses of prostaglandin F2α (two injections of 5ml for cow), to increase the repro-ductive efficiency of the animals, through regulat-ing time of pregnancy and parturition. Forty non-pregnant, healthy cows were taken randomly from the original stock of Hada Al Sham Research sta-tion which belong to king Abdul Aziz University and were classified into two groups, treatment and control groups. Results obtained showed that: es-trus synchronization program using two injections of prostaglandin F2α showed that, statistically, there is no significant difference in the plasma progesterone concentration between treated and control groups. Jersy cows treated with prosta-glandin F2α showed estrus in a shorter period compared to the control group. The percentage of animals showed estrus was 75 ٪ in treated group, compared with 65% in control group which showed 84 ٪. The pregnancy rate in treated group was 86.66 ٪, versus 69.23٪ in the control group. Service period length (SPL) was 97 days for the treatedgroup, compared to 104 days for the control group. There is a significant (P0.01) difference in the plasma progesterone concentration between both groups during pregnancy, which was higher in the treated group.- The differences in the plasma progesterone con-centration between both groups after parturition were not significant. Estrus synchronization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under arid land environment was considered as an application of new technology to improve reproductive effi-ciency of animals, and to regulate time of breed-ing and parturition in the herd. This will lead to a great important in the management of the ani-mal production branches.

Laboratory experments and field traits were carried out on the efficiency of selected three con-centrations of each Garlic Gard extract and a mix-ture of chili oil of mustard extract (Valoram) based on fourth instar larvae of the insect. Garlic Gard extract was used in a concentrations of: 1 cm3/L, 0.5 cm3/L and 0.25 cm3/L. The mortality percentages were: 87.5 %, 83.3 % and 66.6 % respectively. The mixture of chili extract and oil of mustard extract was used in a concentrations of : 2 cm3/L, 1 cm3/L and 0.5 cm3/L The mortality per-centages were : 100%, 100% and 73% respect-tively. Garlic Gard extract when used in a field with concentrations of : 8 cm3/L, 6 cm3/L and 4 cm3/L mortality percentages were: 23.3%, 3.3% and 3.3% respectively, and for pupation were : 83.3 %, 49.9% and 36.6% respectively, also the mixture of chili extract and oil of mustard was used in a concentrations of: 20 cm3/L, 10 cm3/L and 7 cm3/L the mortality percentage: 46.6%, 6.6% and 6.6% respectively. And for pupation: 89.9%, 83.3% and 66.6% respectively. Laboratory experiments showed that the mixture of chili ex-tract and of mustard oil was highly effective against insect and more effective than Garlic Gard extract. Field traits showed that both Garlic Gard extract and the mixture of chili extract, and oil of mustard showed repellent effect and Killer materi-als to insects. The mortality percentage was high in using Valoram in comparison with Garlic Gard.