Abstract: The present study was carried out from November (2015) - October (2017) to determine the toxicological effects of pesticides exposure on agricultural application workers. Blood samples of the investigated workers were collected from Giza, Qalyubiyah and El-Buhayrah Governorates, Egypt. Thirty male individuals represented pesticide application workers were involved from the three governorates. Also, 25 male individuals (aged 18-55 years) were selected randomly from Cairo Governorate to represent the unexposed (control) group. Ten ml of blood sample per individual was collected and serological analysis for hematological (RBCs, TLC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC), biochemical (ALT, AST, total protein, urea, creatinine and uric acid) and oxidative stress (GSH.R, MDA and AChE) parameters were carried out. Results: About 53% of workers involved was with an average level of education, between 18 and 35 years of age (57%), working in their field for 6 to 10 years (40%), about eight hours a day for six days a week on average (67%). Hb, MCH, MCHC, ALT, AST, AlP, TP, urea, creatinine and MDA were increased significantly by 5.58, 9.23, 3.75, 55.49, 42.44, 30.07, 6.83, 49.33, 25.48, and 133.02% respectively. While the levels of Alb, GSH.R and AChE activity were significantly decreased by 14.51, 8.33 and 21.04% respectively. a significant positive correlation between exposure duration and ALT, AST, creatinine, urea and MDA. While, there were significant negative correlations between exposure duration and total protein, alkaline phosphatase, AChE Activity, GSH.R, RBCs, Hb, PCV, MCV and MCH. Conclusions: Increasing of pesticide application workers vital parameters gives an indication of the occurrence of various health consequences due to chronic exposure to pesticides. These results can be explained by the fact that the negligence of workers in following occupational safety and health measures from wearing protective tasks, not smoking, drinking and eating during the application of pesticides, resulting from the low awareness of workers about the risks of the materials dealt with and the decrease in their educational and cultural level increases the chances of exposure to the pesticide. On the health of the worker.

Abstract Dried rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis Lamiaceae), and dried clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) were irradiated with γ-irradiation by Cobalt-60 as an irradiation source at different doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30kGy) as an effective method for sterilization, pasteurization and food decontamination, considered as safe method , and stored for 12months at room temperature (22±3 0C). The evaluation of irradiation depended on the chemical studies and antioxidant activity of extracted essential oils. Results showed significant difference for the essential oils yield (content %) at different doses during storage time. Compounds were fractionated and identified by GC/MS for extracted essential oils from each of non – irradiated and irradiated dried rosemary leaves and dried clove buds samples, the main components of essential oil extracted from either non-irradiated or irradiated rosemary leaves were 1,8 cineole, camphor and γ-pinene 26.36, 12.63 and 16.98%, respectively, while, eugenol was the major component in clove essential oil (which extracted from non-irradiated and irradiated samples (81.69%). No differences were noticed in the % of essential oils constituents. Antioxidant activity as % of DPPH scavenging increased with the increasing of essential oils concentrations (250 up to 2500ppm). Furthermore, the effect of adding these extracted oils from non-irradiated and irradiated samples as well as their mixture (1:1) on the threshold odor scores of sunflower oil (Mean of acceptable odor levels) was observed. Rancimat test shown the high oxidative stability in sunflower oil supplemented with 0.3% clove essential oil which extracted from 15kGy irradiated sample was 11.99 hrs, its relative stability was 144.11% comparing with the oxidative stability of sunflower oil supplemented with 0.5% rosemary essential oil extracted from non-irradiated sample (9.76hrs) with 117.3% relative stability. Adding different concentrations of rosemary, clove buds essential oils which extracted from different irradiation doses samples and their mixture (1:1) caused slightly increasing in oxidative stability of sunflower oil.

ABSTRACT The effect of different nitrogen sources (glucosamine sulfate, ammonium sulfate, aspartic acid, phenylalanine and peptone) in comparison to sodium nitrate, the major nitrogen compound in basal agar Czapek’s synthetic medium growth were studied on the linear growth of Rhizoctonia solani and its pathogenicity on faba bean germinated seeds. Ammonium sulfate exhibited faster liner growth and showed the same effect as the basal medium with sodium nitrate while, glucosamine sulfate showed less growth rate compared with sodium nitrate. Glucosamine sulfate and ammonium sulfate showed significant reduction in number of infection cushions which led to significant decrease of disease index in vitro. Our results showed strongly significant positive correlations between disease index and both of diameters of hyphae and number of infection cushions while, very weak correlation coefficient was found between disease index and linear growth of R. solani. Under greenhouse conditions, glucosamine sulfate or peptone as a sole nitrogen sources in food requirements of Rhizoctonia solani inoculum depressed the virulence of the fungus. The effect of different amounts of glucosamine sulfate was determined on fungal growth rate, infection cushions, disease index in vitro and polyphenol oxidase activity. Increasing amount of glucosamine sulfate showed significantly reduction of growth rate in comparison to the basal medium with sodium nitrate. All seeds subjected to R. solani grown on different amount of glucosamine sulfate showed the lower number of infection cushions, disease index and polyphenol oxidase activity compared with sodium nitrate. Under greenhouse conditions, disease index showed significantly decreased effect when glucosamine sulfate used as soil applications and showed better effect on shoot weight and root weight compared with control plants treated with sodium nitrate. Our study proposes that glucosamine sulfate may acts as controlling factor of pathogenicity genes of R. solani. Key words: Rhizoctonia solani, faba bean, Vicia faba, nitrogen sources, glucosamine sulfate, pathogenicity.

The aim of this research was to utilization of the salt whey and milk permeate to produce exopolysaccharides (EPSs). Where cheese whey is simultaneously an effluent with nutritional value and a strong organic and saline content. However, it is drained in the sewers, the EPSs are highly heterogeneous polymers produced by different species of bacteria and have recently been attracting considerable attention from biotechnologists because of their potential applications in many fields. Thus, we have isolated some halophilic bacteria that showed the ability to produce EPS from whey and milk permeate. A total of 46 strains of moderately halophilic bacteria were isolated from two types of samples. The first type was dairy samples (Baramily cheese whey and mish cheese), while the second type was water samples (salty lake water and its sediments) of Wadi El-Natrun Valley (lakes Hamra, UmRisha, and Baida), Beheira Governorate, Egypt. From isolated strains there are twelve strains were having the ability to produce exopolysaccharides but only seven strains can produce EPS from whey and milk permeate. The growth conditions i.e. concentrations of NaCl, pH value and different incubation temperature, of isolates were determined. The effect of these conditions on the production of EPS was investigated. The obtained results indicated that the optimum conditions for the production of EPS by these strains were 10 % NaCl, pH 7 and the optimum incubation temperature was 37°C. Three strains showed the highest production of exopolysaccharides. These strains were identified using two methods the first method was biology system and the second one was 16S rRNA sequence analysis method. It could be identified as Alteribacillus bidgolensis and Bacillus licheniformis. Alteribacillus bidgolensis (strain P4B) produced the highest amount of EPS (52 g/L) from whey followed by Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 13) (42 g/L), while the highest amount of EPS produced from milk permeate was (43 g/L) by Alteribacillus bidgolensis (strain P4B) followed by Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 13) (36 g/L).

The current experiment was carried out in the Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra El-Kheima, Qualubia governorate, during the oriental hornet active season extended from September 1st until end of December, 2015, to estimate the daily counts of the oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis L.) as well as its population dynamics during its active season. The experimental apiary was contained twenty four honeybee colonies, each contented seven frames covered with adult bees and four frames of brood. The wasp’s traps were used for capturing the wasps during the day. The data indicated that, the total numbers of wasps caught in September were 204, 394 and 114 wasps/trap in the three periods, respectively. There were significant differences between all the tested periods where the highest population of wasps caught was during the noon period (12pm – 3pm) followed by the morning period (9am – 12pm), while the afternoon and evening period (3pm – 9am of next day) recorded the lowest population of wasps caught in the traps, the same trend was recorded in October and November months. It also summarized that, the average means of wasps captured for tested months were 8.79, 21.99, 13.42 and 1.10 wasps/trap for September, October, November and December 2015, respectively. The highest population of oriental hornet captured by the traps was recorded during October month, followed by November and September; meanwhile the population captured during December was the lowest, with significant deference between them. For daily count, the mean average numbers of wasps captured by the traps were 10.20, 17.55 and 6.22 wasps/trap for the three periods (9am – 12pm, 12pm – 3pm and 3pm – 9am of next day), respectively. The highest numbers of wasps captured by the traps were recorded during the noon period (12pm – 3pm) followed by morning period (9am – 12pm), meanwhile the afternoon and evening period (3pm – 9am of next day) recorded the lowest numbers of wasps captured by the traps, with significant deference between all the tested period. Overall the highest numbers of oriental hornet captured by wasp’s traps were recorded in October month during the noon period, 12pm – 3pm and averaged (33.15 wasps/trap), followed by November month during the same period 12pm – 3pm (20.50 wasps/trap).

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of acidifiers on growth performance and immunity of the African catfish C. gariepinus. This experiment was carried out in the wet lab of Fish Production Branch, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University. A total of 120 fish were selected as healthy catfish which had a uniform size and average weight of 94.93 ± 0.89 g. A thirty of catfish were used in each treatment divided into three replicates as (10 fish/ quadrate tank). Four experimental diets were formulated at 35 % crude protein with different levels of organic acid blend (OAB); diet was supplemented with 0, 2, 4 and 6 ml of organic acid per kilogram diet. Growth parameters, apparent digestibility of crude protein and ether extract were measured. The chemical proximate analysis for whole-body of fish was conducted at the end of the experimental period. Hematological parameters of fish and liver function enzymes were also measured. The fish group fed on 0.6 % organic acids blend showed the highest significance (P < 0.05) increase in total weight gain (438 ± 14.24 g), specific growth rate, best feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio and highest protein efficiency than the rest of experimental groups. The highest apparent digestibility for crude protein were achieved in the third fish group which fed diet supplemented with acidifiers at 4 ml / kg diet and have significant difference (P < 0.05) with other groups. Data obtained in hepatosomatic index % showed no significant difference among different treatment refers to the health status of liver. However, ALAT  and ASAT recorded high values in the higher group of OAB-treated fish indicating that liver could be affected. Hematological parameters were in normal range except for PCV, Hb, RBCs, and WBCs count which were decreased in the high dose of treated fish. Finally, it could be concluded that using of acidifiers as feed additives at lower doses can enhance growth, productivity and immunity of the African catfish (C. gariepinus).

Salinity is a major limiting factor for tomato crop growth and productivity especially in arid and semi arid lands region. Therefore this study was conducted to study the effect of applying sugar beet molasses, priming tomato seedling in saline water and Fe-EDHHA on mitigating salinity negative effects on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)  hybrid super strain B (salinity sensitive hybrid). Seedlings of tomato hybrid were transplanted on April 4th in both seasons 2014 and 2015 in pots contains washed sandy soil, and irrigated with saline water with EC of  2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm. Beet molasses and Fe – EDHHA were applied at  rates of 200 and 300 kg / fed. for beet molasses and 3 and 4 kg / fed. for Fe – EDHHA. Priming tomato seedlings in saline water treatment was applied at 5 and 6 dS/m for 24 hours.  Data showed that all plant growth aspects such as plant height, leaf area, plant fresh and dry weights were improved under beet molasses, Fe and priming tomato seedlings in saline water treatments compared to none treated plants (control). Yield parameters also followed the same trend. Among treatments, beet molasses at a rate of 200 kg / fed. recorded the highest significant effect in mitigating salinity negative effects. It could be concluded that beet molasses, priming tomato seedling in saline water and Fe – EDHHA treatments were more effective and efficient in mitigating salinity stress on tomato plants.

ve seasons, 2012 and 2013 in a private orchard in Barshom vallage located at El-Kalubia Governorate Egypt. Washington Navel Orange trees (Citrus Sinensis) budded on sour orange rootstock (Citrus aurantium, L.) were 7- years- old and planted at 5 x 5 meters under basin irrigation system. This investigation aimed to study the effect of selenium (Se) levels (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 ppm)  as foliar spray on growth, yield, fruit quality, leaf mineral content and enzymes activity of Washington Navel orange trees. The obtained data showed that, selenium had a significant promotive effect on growth, yield, fruit quality, leaf mineral content and enzymes activity of Washington Navel orange trees. Results indicated that treatment of Se at 40 ppm gave the highest significant results, whereas, treatment 160 ppm gave the highest fruit selenium content.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) belongs to the family Asteraceae. The current study used the fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (F-AFLP) technique for evaluating the genetic diversity among 14 sunflower genotypes including eight agronomical traits. Highly significant difference between genotypes was observed for all studied traits (p≤ 0.01). The results of correlation between the studied traits (p≤ 0.05) revealed that positive correlations were observed between most of the traits. Six F-AFLP combination were succeeded in the development of 178 molecular markers within a total of 1007 polymorphic bands, with 97.42% polymorphic percentage. Concerning the molecular markers associated traits, 73 were observed related to morphological and yield component traits. These results may facilitate the simultaneous selection of several economic traits and can thus improve the efficacy of selection based on F-AFLP in the sunflower breeding programs.