Feeding flaxseed to dairy animals improve milk production and reproductive performance. So, the objective of our study was to investigate effect of inclusion flaxseed in Damascus goat's ration on its reproductive performance. Twenty-four Damascus goats (31.40 ±0.50 kg weight and 2-3 years old) were divided into three groups (randomly, eight animals each). The basic diet of  control group (T1) consisted of 56.67% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and 33.33% Alfalfa hay, while the groups T2 and T3 supplemented with 10% full fat soya, 5% flaxseed + 5% full fat soya and 10% flaxseed, respectively. Inclusion flaxseed in goat’s ration at rate of 5 and 10% resulted in significant increase in all nutrients digestibility, except nitrogen free extract digestibility (NFE) as well as the nutritive values as total digestible nutrients (TDN). Dry matter intakes (DMI) of the different experimental groups were comparable. Goats in T3 recorded the highest does conceived, twinning, conception and kidding rates % as well as total kids born, than other groups (T1 and T2). On the hand T3 recorded the lowest aborted does and barren does (Zero) compared to T1 and T2. Animals of T3 recorded significant higher of total protein, globulin, Albumin and urea concentration than T1 and T2. Concerning lipids profile, the animals of T3 recorded significant lower triglycerides, cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein concentration than those of T1 and T2. While the animals of T3 recorded significant higher High-density lipoprotein concentration compared to  T2 and T1. The body weight of does is not significantly affected by any of three treatments. In conclusion, flaxseed supplementations in Damascus goat's diets during the gestation period lead to improve total tract digestibility, reduced blood lipids and normalize renal and hepatic functions and improved its reproductive performance, especially those fed on diets containing 10% flaxseed.

This reasearch work aimed to fine-tune micropropagation of Paulownia tomentosa in addition to assessing the genetic stability of in vitro raised clones from it. Paulownia tomentosa explants were surface sterilized using clorox (commercial bleach 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) at 10, 20, 25 and 30% + 0.5 g/l mercuric chloride (HgCl2) at different duration times, i.e. 10, 15, 20 and 25 min. In the multiplication stage, shoots were transferred to MS medium at ¾ strength containing BAP and Kin each at (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/l). Whereas, the rooting medium was MS medium at ¾ strength with IBA and NAA treatments each at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/l. Sterilized explant with 30% Clorox for 20 min recorded highest survival percentage. The treatment of Kin at 4 mg/l gave higher significant shoot length. Whereas BAP application at 2 and 4 mg/l gave highest significant value of both shoot number and leaf number. Both IBA and NAA at 0.5 or 1 mg/l gave highest significant root number/shoot. Whereas, auxin at 4 mg/l gave highest significant root lengths. Young plantlets resulted from in vitro were acclimitized successfully in a mixture of peat moss: perlit (2: 1) by volume that showed 85.93% survival.  The genetic stability of in vitro raised Paulownia tomentosa clones was assessed by using intersimple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers. All of the three ISSR primers screened, produced clear, reproducible and scorable bands.      The molecular size of Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) products generated 22 fragments by these ISSR ranged from ≈460 to18660 bp. All banding profiles from micropropagated plants were monomorphic and similar to those of the mother plant, indicating 100% similarity. This confirmed the true to type nature of the in vitro raised clones.

Brown rot disease of Canino apricots and FlordaPrince peaches is a major serious decay disease during cold storage in Egypt and worldwide, Infection of stone fruits may occur during blooming until harvest harvest which cause decay during cold storage. The effect of fungicide safe alternatives, (Chemical salts and Inducing resistance). The effect of fungicide safe alternatives, i.e. sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, potassium sorbate, potassium silicate,boric acid and salicylic acid, on growth of Monilinia laxa M. fructigena and Monilinia sp. as major pathogens on apricots and peaches ,was investigated at different concentrations ranged from 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm amended in PDA in vitro. Sodium bicarbonate at 1000 ppm completely suppressed the growth of the three isolates of Monilinia spp., Calcium chloride at 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm, did not show any suppression of M. laxa or Monilinia sp., while it suppressed M. fructigena when used at ≥4000 ppm. Potassium silicate did not show considerable effectiveness against different tested isolates of Monilinia spp. IC50 values (chemical concentration that reduce fungal growth to 50%) of sodium bicarbonate, potassium sorbate and salicylic acid on M. fructigena were less than 1000 ppm. On M. laxa, only sodium bicarbonate showed IC50 less than 1000 ppm, while the IC50 values of potassium sorbate and boric acid were less than 2000 ppm. Regarding Monilinia sp. sodium bicarbonate and potassium sorbate IC50 values were less than 1000 ppm. Generally, sodium bicarbonate, potassium sorbate and salicylic acid showed IC50 values less than 1000 ppm, 2000 ppm, and 3000 ppm, respectively.   These salts and inducers at 3000 ppm, were used as three preharvest sprays starting at growth stage no. 64 and then repeated twice at 10 days intervals in orchard located at Qualyubia and Ismailia, during seasons 2015 and 2016. These salts and acids were also adopted at 3000 ppm on naturally infected or artificially inoculated fruits after harvest at growth stage no. 81 during season 2016. Sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, potassium sorbate and boric acid were the most effective treatments to control brown rot disease on apricots and peaches during cold storage at 0oC and 90% RH for 15 days and 30 days, either these chemicals were sprayed preharvest or adopted after harvest. These treatments maintained fruit quality regarding firmness and acidity.

To explore the antibacterial activities of Allium sativium (garlic) extract was tested against two waterborne pathogenic strains isolated from River Nile, to mitigate the increase of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics. The two isolates were identified as Enterobacter cloacae DSM 3264 BRB & Enterobacter cloacae MB11506_1CHB by MALDI-Tof-MS. Aqueous, methanolic and oil extraction of garlic were tested for their inhibitory activity against the selected strains using well diffusion method. Enterobacter sp. were more sensitive towards oil extract with inhibition zone 2.3 cm rather than aqueous and methanolic extractions with was 50%. Analysis of garlic essential oil by GC-MS dedicated six sulfur compounds represented 25% of total detected compounds in the oil.

he aim of the present study was to optimize the extraction conditions of green tea aqueous extract [green tea concentration (G) and extraction temperature (T)]. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the highest radical scavenging activity (RSA), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power (RP) of the prepared green tea extract. Effect of green tea aqueous extract prepared using the optimal conditions on the liver cirrhosis retardation in rats was also investigated. Two-factors central composite design was established to determine the effects of G or T and radical scavenging holding time as independent variables on RSA, FRAP and RP as dependent variables. The optimum G, T and holding time with maximum RSA were 1.0 %, 88.7 °C for 25 min, with a predicted RSA of 81.3 % (r2=0.9115) compared to the BHT, which had a scavenging value of 87.4 % at concentration 150 ppm and holding time 30 min The same predicted concentration and temperature obtained with the highest FRAP and RP were 2.566 and 1.687 with r2 0.9780 and 0.9550, respectively. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were 81.2 mg gallic acid equivalent and 33.5 mg quercetin equivalent per 100 ml green tea extract. The extract prepared at optimal conditions was used for treatment of cirrhotic rats by CCl4. Insignificant (P≥0.05) differences were observed between the green tea group and control group in obtained total protein or albumin values. Total protein and albumin were dramatically decreased in the group treated by CCL4.  The same trend was observed with studying the transaminase enzymes. Histopathological sections appeared the effect of green tea extract on the retardation of liver cirrhosis in rats.

The current study was carried out to check the completion of label information and determine the physico- chemical properties of commercial pesticides samples traded in the Egyptian markets. Twenty-nine market samples were collected during the years 2015 and 2016 for commercial formulations produced by different manufacturers from pesticide shops in four governorates (Cairo, Giza, Qaluobia and Sharqia). The collected samples included 18 preparations in the form of Emulsifiable Concentrates(EC), 11 in the form wettable powder (WP). Physico- chemical properties were determined for each formulation according to international standard methods (CIPAC, 2003) through tests of pH value, Persistent Foam, Emulsion Stability, Suspencibility and Wettability. The obtained results showed that although the label data was complete for many of the packages, some information found be missing. The missing information was related to directions for use (4%), safety precautions and first aid (7%), anti-dote (12%), hazard category (6%), Pre-Harvest Interval, (PHI) (17%), registration number (13%) and Batch number (18%). Regarding physico- chemical properties, the obtained data indicated that there was a difference in the percentage of the foam layer for the tested formulations of chlorprifos-ethyl (6 preparations) (Tafaban 48%EC, Pyrifos El-Nasr 48% EC, Pestiban 48% EC, Pyriban-A 48% EC, Chlorfan 48% EC and Chlorzan 48% EC). These preparations were in accordance with international standards in terms of emulsion stability after half an hour, while the mismatching samples showed that the formed layer exceeded the standard volume after two hours of maximum limits, and failed to test emulsion stability after 24.5 hours, as well as in the free oil layer formed at the same time. The results of the emulsion stability tests showed four other tested formulations, namely, lambda chalothrin (Fly Free 5% EC), chlorpyrifos – methyl (Pyrodan 50% EC), and two different formulations for malathion (Agrothion 57% EC and Malason Extra 57% EC), all of which conform to standard specifications in terms of level of foam layer, as well as complete emulsification after half an hour. The cream layer after half an hour was identical. However, the difference and mismatch in three formulations appeared after two hours of emulsification, where the percentage of the cream layer exceeded the allowed limits, and the free oil layer was not conforming to specifications, (after two hours or 24.5 hours). Also, the tested preparations of abamectin (Demectin 1.8% EC and Gold 1.8% EC) and emamectin benzoate (Basha 1.9% EC and Excellent 1.9% EC) have been successful in the tests of Persistent Foam, Emulsion stability (cream layer and free oil layer formed after half an hour and two hours as well as 24.5 hours). Comparing the efficiency of emulsification among other EC formulations including fenitrothion (Sumithion 50% EC), diazinon (Diazinox 60% EC) and profenofos (Sylian 72% EC and Teleton 72% EC) conformed to specifications in terms of level of foam layer. However, both Sumithion and Diazinox failed to stabilize, forming a creamy layer that exceeded the standard the maximum limit after two hours. For WP formulations, some have successfully passed the suspensibility test, while other formulations, including preparations of Bacillus thuringensis bacteria (Agerin 6.5% WP, Dipel 2X 6.4% WP and Protecto 9.4%WP). have not been successful. These results confirm the importance of developing monitoring and surveillance activities for pesticides formulations traded on the market, and to develop special means for checking the quality of products and detecting products that are counterfeit or non-conforming to the declared specifications or National and International standards.

A new proposal method for quantitative pollen analysis of pollen grains in each gram of bee honey was described, using aNeubauer improved chamber for leucocytes and erythrocytes counting. The study was conducted at the Bee Research Unit, Dept. of plant protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra El-kheimah, Al Qalyubia, Egypt on 36 samples of citrus and clover honeys. 18 samples were collected from 5 apiaries under study in Qalyubia Governorate; Kanater, Shalakan, Tookh, Khankah and Shoubra El kheimah and 18 samples were collected from local market in 5 Governorates in Egypt; Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, Gharbia and Sharqia, during their seasons of production in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The results showed that 2.8 % of the samples were poor in their content of pollen grains (2000-10000 pollen grains /g honey), 77.8 % of the samples were rich in their content of pollen grains (10000-50000 pollen grains /g honey), 11.1% of the samples were more rich in their content of pollen grain (50000 -100000 pollen grains /g honey) and 8.3% of the samples were very rich in their content of pollen grain (>100000 pollen grains /g honey).

Acute renal failure (ARF) was induced by glycerol or paracetamol in experimental rats to evaluate the curative effects of gum Arabic and Boswellia sp. through different blood biochemical assays and hematological analyses. Results revealed presence of significant (P<0.05) increases in the levels of urea, creatinine, potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-) and blood acidity (H+), and significant (P<0.05) decreases in the levels of calcium (Ca+2) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the rats treated only with glycerol or paracetamol in the positive control groups compared to the negative control group. These results indicated that glycerol or paracetamol caused ARF in these groups of rats whereas the blood analyses illustrated ARF symptoms such as increasing of urea and creatinine, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, blood acidosis and anemia occurring in the positive control groups.  The blood analyses also illustrated recovery of these symptoms in the treated rats with gum Arabic and Boswellia sp. in drinking water (10% w/v) for 30 days. This indicated the curative effects of gum Arabic and Boswellia sp. against ARF induced by glycerol or paracetamol as evidenced by restoring the kidney function tests such as urea, creatinine, blood electrolytes and other parameters like serum glucose, proteins and hematological indices to their normal values during the experiment period. The therapeutic effects of both plants against ARF may be due to their antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activity.

Pots experiment was conducted in the experimental farm of Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams Univ. during the seasons of 2015 and 2016 to investigate the effect of grafting on salt tolerance of watermelon plants. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus, Hybrid F1) Aswan1 was grafted onto the rootstock of Flexifort pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata) and irrigated with four different concentrations of NaCl (0.0, 2000, 4000, 6000 ppm). Two samples were taken at  20 and 40 days after planting (DAP). Plant height, leaf numbers and area, branches number, root length, and shoot and root fresh and dry weights were negitavly affected by salinity in ungrafted plants and this effect was directly proportional to NaCl concentrations. On the contrary, grafting positively affected the aforementioned parameters and minimized the harmful effect of salinity. Furthermore, grafted plants showed higher growth vigor comparing with ungrafted control plants or plants received the same treatment of NaCl and these effects were mostly siginificant. An increase in membrane permeability (MP) was detected at 20 and 40 DAP by application of different levels of NaCl salinity and this effect was positively correlated with NaCl concentration. Grafted plants showed decreasing in MP with 12.7% higher LRWC than ungrafted plants. Under 2000, 4000, 6000 NaCl ppm salinity levels, the values of salt injury index recorded 15.1, 26.5 and 37.5 in ungrafted plants at 20 DAP comparing with 0.0, 6.9 and 12.9 in grafted ones.

Possibility of manipulating some of the efficient strains of fluorescent pseudomonads to manage the root-infecting pathogens of maize was studied throughout this study.  Out of 110 isolates 24 of Pseudomonas species, recovered from the plant rhizosphere showed to have inhibitory effect against two major root-infecting pathogens of maize, namely Cephalosporium maydis and Fusarium verticillioides in vitro. Pot experiment revealed that just 4 isolates could reduce infection with both pathogens and enhance the plant growth as well. Based on the genotypic identifications of these four isolates showed that they were: Pseudomonas putida strain Pau9, P. putida strainPau11, P. putida strain Psf3 and P. aeruginosa strain Psf9.