Biological studies on the Hawaiian beet webworm, Hymenia recurvalis were carried out under laboratory conditions of 18.6 ± 2°C and 70 ± 5% R. H. The incubation period ranged between 5 and 7 days with a mean of 6.0 ± 0.3 days. The mean durations of larval, prepupal and pupal stages were 26.29 ± 0.3, 5.04 ± 0.08 and 16.86 ± 0.18 days, respectively. Mean adult longevities were 28.42 ± 1.80 and 26.08 ± 1.83 days, ranging between 19-41 and 15-37 days for female and male, respectively. The sex ratio was about 1 : 1.3 (♀ : ♂ ). Accumulative thermal units needed for certain biological features of H. recuurvalis were calculated and the estimated thermal thresholds were 10.97, 12.14, 10.49 and 13.55°C for egg, larval, pre – pupal and pupal stages, respectively. The corresponding values for the thermal units needed for development of these stages were 51.49, 168.47, 47.88 and 102.59 day degree at 25°C for the respective stages.

An experiment was conducted for two summer seasons (2000 and 2001) to study the effect of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers on performance of rainfed pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) grown on clay loam soil at University of Zalingei site, Western Darfour states, Sudan. The experimental design used was spilt-plot design with five replications. Four nitrogen treatments (0, 30, 60 and 80 kg N/ha) and four phosphorus treatments (0, 15, 30 and 60 kg P/ha) were used. Nitrogen treatments were assigned to the main plots and phosphorus levels were allotted to the sub-plots. Urea (46% N) and triple superphosphate (48% P2O5) were used as sources of nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. Phosphorus treatments were applied at sowing, whereas nitrogen fertilizer was split into two equal doses, one was added four days after emergence and the second was three weeks after sowing.  Results of the experiments showed that application of nitrogen increased the plant height over the control. The increments were in range of 5.7% - 16.1%. Leaf area index (LAI), grain and stover yields were significantly affected by nitrogen application. The increments over control were in the range of 39% - 92.3%, 10.1% - 112.7% and 34.1% - 126.9% for LAI, grain yield and stover yield, respectively. Regarding phosphorus, the results revealed that phosphorus addition had a significant effect on plant height, LAI, grain and stover yields. The increments over control ranged from 2.4% - 11.3%, 6.3% - 17.9%, 6.7% - 24.6% and 6.8% - 35.4% for plant height, LAI, grain and stover yields, respectively. The interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus had a significant effect only on LAI and plant height at the sixth week measurement in the first and second seasons, respectively. The tallest plants were obtained from 3N × 3P treatment whereas the greatest LAI was obtained by 3N × 2P treatment

This study was conducted for comparing three slow release N fertilizers namely, sulphur-coated urea (SCU), phosphorus – coated urea (PCU) and Enciabene with the conventional fast release N fertilizer namely ammonium nitrate each at the recommended rate of N i.e., 1000 g N/tree/year for growth characters on the three growth flushes, percentages of leaf N, P and K in the Spring growth cycle, date of first bloom, number of panicles/tree, fruit retention %, yield as well as physical and chemical characters of fruits in two mango cvs Figri Kelan and Keitt during 2004 and 2005 seasons. Results showed that suppling the trees of both mango cvs with the three slow release N fertilizers were superior to the application of the fast one in improving shoot length, number of leaves / shoot and leaf area in the three growth cycles, percentages of leaf N, number of panicles / tree as well as physical and chemical properies of the fruits. The slow release N fertilizers slightly advanced first bloom date. Application of sulphur-coated urea (SCU), phosphorus-coated urea (PCU) and Enciabene (ENC) in a descending order, was very favorable in this connection. These results were true for both mango cvs. It is suggested to fertilize the trees of both mango cvs Figri Kelan and Keitt with N at 1000g/tree/year as sulphur-coated urea fertilizer (2.4 Kg/tree/year) for obtaining an economical yield with fairly good fruit quality

Twenty nine actinomycetes isolates were isolated from Burullos Lake and characterized taxonomically for 62 phenotypic traits including morphological; biochemical, nutritional, substrate utilization and anti-microbial activities.  The results were analyzed by numerical techniques using the simple matching coefficient (SSM) and UPGMA clustering. At 54% similarity level, the majority of the isolates were grouped into six phena (A, B, C, D, E and F). Only two isolates were grouped separately and formed two single clusters at the same level of similarity. A representative isolate from each phenon was identified. The isolates were found to be Streptoverticillum morookaense, Nocardia brasiliensis, Streptomyces alanosinicus, Streptomyces globosus and Streptomyces gancidicus

New fruit juice blends which contain several potent antioxidants (carotenoides, ascorbic acid and selenium) in combination with other favorable aspects of flavor and color were tried. The trial included locally produced fruits such as Kaki, Papaya, Guava and Pomegranate. Five blends were prepared with different percentages of the prepared juices in trying to maximize the required nutrients such as carotenoides, ascorbic acid and other micro-nutrients. The best blend which had the highest content of ascorbic acid 45.73mg/100gm was blend No.(2) which contained 30% kaki, 30% papaya, 30% guava and 10% pomegranate  whereas blend No.(4) (50% kaki, 30% papaya, 10% guava, and 10% pomegranate had the highest content of carotenoids (33.58 mg/100gm). Selenium content of different blends were almost always the same. Organoleptic scores revealed that the best consumer preference was for blends No. (2 and 4). As for main components of different blends a slight difference could be observed between percentages of sugars and titratable acidity.

A field experiment was carried out for two seasons 2001 and 2002 at Ismailia Agric. Res. Station to study the comparative effect of farmyard manure (FYM) application, individually or in combination with natural minerals, as sources of micronutrients. Such effect was studied during successive growth stages of wheat (vegetative stage, flowering stage and harvest stage), as well as after maize harvesting, on plant growth, nutrients uptake and wheat - maize productivity. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Two levels of FYM (2 % and 3 %) and three natural minerals, i.e., magnetite (iron oxide, Mag.), basic slag (Bas.) and manganese dust (Md.) at three rates 0.02 %, 0.05 % and 0.07%, respectively. Obtained results revealed that, at vegetative stage, mineral fertilizers (MF) treatment positively affected the dry matter of both shoots and roots of wheat plants along with contents of nitrogen and potassium in both shoots and roots as well as shoot/root ratios. At flowering stage, obtained data showed that applied farmyard manure at the rate of 3 % (F2) significantly affected the dry matter of both shoots and roots as well as their contents of N, P and K. A similar trend was obtained for micronutrients uptake at the two indicated growth stages of wheat, which recorded high values when FYM, at a rate of 3 % (F2), was applied. On the other hand, obtained results indicated that applied FYM at the rate of 2 % (F1) with high rate (0.07 %) of each of the used natural minerals and FYM at the rate of 3 % (F2) in combination with the moderate rate (0.05 %) of such minerals recorded high values of all tested parameters. In addition, Basic slag (Bas.), generally, gave the highest values, over control, of dry matter content and macronutrients uptake during the studied two growth stages of wheat, (vegetative and flowering stages). The agronomic yield components of wheat (straw, grains and weight of 1000 grains) were increased when MF was applied; such significant increases were obtained in maize yield (residual effect) as a result of applied FYM individually or combined with natural minerals.

Random samples were collected from Giza Qualubyia and Minufyia Governorates during summer, autumn and winter 2001. The collected samples were litter, poultry food and feather from chickens, ducks, pekeeny ducks, geese, rabbits (as a domestic animals) and quails, rozella birds, zebra birds and kockteel birds (as a wild animals which were in captivity). Mites belonging to twenty-seven families of four suborders; viz., Gamasida, Actinedida, Acaridida and Oribatida plus the hypopal stage of family Acaridae, were collected. Out of 27 families, 24, 14 and 11 were found in Qaliobia, Giza and Minufyia Governorates, respectively. However, number of mites, percentage of occurrence and dominance differentiated families in and between localities. Number of mites during autumn season was the highest representing 21 families followed by summer then winter. Hypopal stage represented about 20% of mite population in autumn season while no hypopal stage in summer but nil in winter. Litter harbored mites of all 27 families and hypopal stage which was not found in feather and food. The percentage of mites and hypopal stage was 89.39% in litter, followed by feather (9.51%) then food (1.1%). Only 6 and 5 families were found in food and feather respectively. Feather of Pekeeny ducks harbored 49.5% of mites while chicken’s feather harbored 42.6%. The percentage of mites in leftover food was 89% while it was 11% in food before feeding. The most common mite families in this study were Acaridae, Glycyphagidae Pyroglyphidae, Cheyletidae, Ascidae and Dermanyssidae.  Declaration of the role of the animals under investigation and their habitat as a source of stored product mites also the dominance of occurrence of the recorded mite families were discussed in details

The study was aimed to shed light upon the factors affecting on the safety and health status of babies of young mothers. The study includes 60 young mothers of ages between 14 to 18 years in Mekka (El-mokarrama). The results showed that 53.33% of the studied cases having normal weights up to delivery and 40% of them were less than 16 years; a trend that make them suffering from several diseases. Results also showed that 60% of young mothers prefer the Governmental hospital for delivery and 83.33% of these cases had only one delivery that achieved normally, while 33.33% of the young mothers having two successive deliveries with a period in between of less than one year.  In spite of the importance of normal breast feeding, it was extended only for 6 months in 48.33% of the cases while 11.66% of young mothers extend breast feeding to one and halve years. A bortion case was occurred in only one case of the tested young mother representing 26.66% and some times it occurs in two cases with a level of 6.66% of the tested sample. Regarding the weight of the babies delivered for young mother they indicate less weight than the normal (2.5 Kg) representing 23.33%, and 73.33% of the babes realize good health status. On the other hand, hepatitis was found to occur with a level 50% and vomiting 21.66% and 11.66% of babies suffering from each of intestinal trends, food allergy and Bronchitis aspects. Food history proved that 66.6% of the young mothers prefer white bread followed by rice (31.67%). The normal bread (Balady) and potatoes showed a level of acceptance of 31.67% and 25% respectively. Young mothers prefer to consume sugars (71.67%) followed by chocolates (51.61) and 68.3% of them prefer to use vegetable oils, while 75% consume poultry / week. The consumption of dairy by young mothers was some what lowered (40%) than that of cheese which was 51.67%. The ratio for ready to eat foods that was found to be accepted by the investigated young mothers was 45% (Tea), 25% (Coffee), 18.3% (carbonated beverages), and 38.3% (Fruit Juices).

This study was carried out to compare, on  the basis of some biochemical nature, five generations of backcrossing resulting from six crosses between  four varieties of durum wheat (M,  W,  S and P) as three crosses  MxW,  MxS, and PxW along with their reciprocals  WxM,  SxM, and WxP. A sufficient knowledge of the biochemical characteristics of the grain and their genetic transmissions, allows their use in selection.  These characteristics can be used as criteria for selection of seeds for more judicious orientation. From the obtained results, a relative variability appeared at the various varieties and their descendants for the studied parameters (the weight of thousand grains, content of protein, moisture content, the volume of sedimentation and capacity of hydration of the gluten). Generally, the studied samples are relatively rich in proteins.  The descendants of cross MxW have on average a significant volume of sedimentation, they can be used for wheat improving.  For the moisture content, cross MxW records the greatest value with a more significant descendants BC5.  With regard to the polymorphism of the glutenines, some bands were transmitted by the recurrent parent varieties used as female parents.

This investigation has been performed in Mariout Research Station, Desert Research Center (D.R.C.) throughout two successive growing seasons of 2002 / 2003 and 2003 / 2004. Canary grass plants were raised under 9 treatments which were the combinations of 3 biofertilizer sources i.e. Azotobacter, Azospirillum and uninoculated control and 3 micronutrients i.e. 2% FeSo4, 1% MnSO4 and control. The treatments were arranged in split-plot design with three replications.           The important results obtained can be summarized as follows: 1-    Maximum values of all growth parameters tested of canary grass plants were obtained when seeds were inoculated with Azotobacter compared to inoculation with Azospirillum or uninoculated control. Fresh and dry forage yields followed the same trend of growth parameters in their response to the different biofertilizer resources. 2-     All growth and forage yield traits of canary grass plants were increased when the plants were sprayed with 2% FeSo4 compared to spraying with 1% MnSo4 or control treatment.