Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Egypt during spring 2013 and 2014 using summer squash (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) for studying the effects of PGPR strains. The objective of the first experiment was to study the efficiency of single, double and triple inoculations of Azospirillum brasilense (AC1), Bacillus subtilis (AC2) and Serratia marcescens (BM1) on summer squash fruit characters. Results showed that the double inoculations of tested PGPR strains in addition to single inoculation with Serratia marcescens produced non-significant higher fruit yield and average fruit weight compared to triple inoculation (AC1+AC2+BM1) and single inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense. However, non-inoculated control plants and plants inoculated with Bacillus subtilis showed lower fruit yield and average fruit weight. From the previous results, it concluded that the double inoculation were better than single and triple inoculations. However, the aim of the second experiment was to evaluate the efficiency of PGPR under N and P fertilization levels on plant growth, yield and nutrients uptake of summer squash as well as soil nutrient availability (available N and P). As per main effects, generally, plant growth, fruit yield, nutrients uptake and availability enhanced significantly by increasing N and P levels, except half dose of P which gave statistically equivalent values of plant fresh and dry weight as well as nitrogen uptake in shoots and fruits in addition to P in shoots compared to full dose. Also, main effect of PGPR showed that the inoculated plants gave significantly higher plant growth, fruit yield, nutrient uptake and availability compared to un-inoculated control plants. Inoculated plants with PGPR strains under full dose of N and P gave mostly highest plant growth, fruit yield, nutrients uptake and availability. This effect was at significant level in terms of fruit yield, soil nutrient availability and some nutrients uptake such as K in the shoots and N the fruits. Furthermore, PGPR significantly reduced P fertilizer application without any reduction in squash yield, especially under no and half dose of N fertilizer. Results revealed that the efficiency of PGPR strains increased by P increasing and decreased by N increasing.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of partial substitution (10 and 15%) of wheat flour by sorghum or chickpea flour on quality parameters of sponge cake and biscuit. Chickpea flour contained the highest percentage of protein, lipids, ash and crude fiber. Water absorption was increased by replacement of wheat flour with sorghum or chickpea flour. From the obtained data, it could be seen that the deleterious effect of adding sorghum flour to wheat flour on the rheological properties was more pronounced than that happened when chickpea flour was added. Cake prepared with sorghum flour had less pronounced improvements in its chemical composition rather than those of chickpea. With regard to volume and specific volume, cake prepared with 10% chickpea flour with or without cake improver recorded the highest values. Cake prepared by chickpea flour had no any unfavorable sensory change especially for the cake produced by cake improver.  Crude protein, lipids, ash and crude fiber contents were increased progressively in all biscuit samples with increasing of either the sorghum or chickpea flour levels. Also, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the thickness and spread ratio of control biscuit compared to that of sorghum or chickpea- wheat composite flour.  It is worth mentioning that the substitution of wheat flour with chickpea flour gave biscuit more sensory acceptable.

Two field trials were conducted at Giza Research Station, with split plot design with three replicates during the two successive summer seasons in 2012 and 2013. The aim of this study was to find out the effect of cotingen for covering seed by four treatments (zero, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 g kg-1 grain) and six nitrogen fertilizer levels (control, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg fed.-1) on maize yield and yield attributes of single cross 10 cultivar. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the importance of yield components and to predict the yield under different levels of nitrogen and cotingen rates. Nitrogen levels exhibited significant effect for all studied traits, while cotingen were significant for100-kernels weight; shelling% and grain yield traits only. The interaction between cotingen and Nitrogen was significant for row per ear, shelling% and grain yield. Meanwhile, stepwise linear regression analysis showed that 100-kernels weight, number of kernels per row and shelling% were the most important contributing traits to yield (R2 = 82.11%). The nitrogen rates for maximum yield derived from the four statistical models (linear, logarithmic, quadratic, and exponential) describing the response of yield, using the R2statistic to select a model, which shows how each of the models fits the data. The quadratic model best described the yield responses observed in this study. Further confirms the role of nitrogen and cotingen fertilizers in increasing yield production in maize. The 5th N rate under 3rdcotingen (120 Kg fed-1 + 22.5 and 15g kg-1 grain) produced the highest yield being 34.70 and 34.65 ard. fed-1 over all treatments. This is very close to recommendations. The 4th N (90Kg fed-1) rate under any cotingen level produced higher yield than any nitrogen rate only. Economically, considering optimum N fertilization rate, 105.18 Kg fed-1 nitrogen and 22.5 g kg-1 grain cotingen was the most reasonable level. This is considerably below the current recommendation. Therefore, results confirmed that higher cotingen treatment decreased the optimal nitrogen and increased the yield.

Ninety nine yeast isolates were isolated from surface of apple, grape, orange and tomato fruits. The isolates were tested in vivo in preliminary study for biocontrol potential against green mould of navel orange fruit. According to primary screening, twenty two isolates were selected to continue the secondary screening (phase one) using different concentrations of the washed yeast cells in water suspension to evaluate their biocontrol efficacy at 21±1°C. Among twelve yeast isolates were passed to the secondary screening (phase two) at 7±1°C, washed cells of yeast isolates CT 503, CT 507, CT 508, CT 512 and CT 550 at 1x109, 2x108 and 1x108 CFU/ml produced complete protection for 21 days to wounded navel orange fruits inoculated with spore suspension of Penicillium degitatum  (1x104 conidia /ml).  Meantime, no lesions developed on the navel orange fruits treated with the yeast isolates CT 503, CT 507 (Debaryomyces hansenii var. hansenii strain C) and CT 512 (Endomycopsella vivi) at 6.6x107CFU/ml, while the percentage of rot reduction of the isolate CT 550 (Candida edax) was 99.81%. Culture filtrate of twenty two different yeast isolates used in secondary screening (phase one) did not prevent decay of wounded navel orange fruits but had an inhibitory effect on rot development. The relative abilities of the promising yeast isolates (CT 503, CT 507, CT 512 and CT 550) to induce disease resistance against P. digitatum on navel orange fruits were studied. Inoculation of promising yeast isolates significantly triggered induction of resistance in navel orange fruits. The lesion diameters of green mould 66 hours later after inoculation by spore suspension of P. digitatum  in a neighbouring wound that was made approximately 6 mm away from the initial woundwhich inoculated withthe isolates CT 512, CT 550, CT 507 and CT 503 were reduced by 25.5%, 20.5%, 16.7% and 14.1%, respectively. In this respect, there were no significant differences among the three different isolates CT 503, CT 507 and CT 550.

Fattening cattle projects represents an important role in the agricultural economy, as these activities contribute by about 36% of the total value of agricultural production, amounting to about 159.09 billion Egyptian pounds. The average value of medium term livestock loans presented by the Bank of Development and Agricultural Credit during the period (2000-2012) was about (3 – 7.8) million Egyptian pounds, respectively. The search was a problem in that in spite of the availability of many economic possibilities and productive conditions that support and strength the chances of success of fattening cattle projects New Valley Governorate it was shown that Governorate has a Weak Contribution in Live stock Production. The objectives of these research is studying productive and economic efficiency for fattening cattle through some economic and technical relations to identify the most important factors that affect the economic efficiency in production. These objectives   has been realizing depending on two methods of data collection, the first depends on secondary data, and the second depends on the primary data through using questionnaires to collect data a sample of  cattle breeders at (Mott, acement, balat villages) at Dakhla district. The study used qualitative and quantitative statistical methods to achieve the objectives of the study, such as the equations of time trend in it's linear and quadratic, cubic, forms and use multi-phased regression method. The most important results that research can be summarized as follows: Decrease in short-term current value animal loans by annual rate of about 0.37 million pounds.  Decrease in short-term real terms animal loans by an annual rate of about 0.23 million pounds. Decrease in medium-term current value animal loans by an annual rate of about 0.95 million pounds.  Decrease in medium-term real terms animal loans by an annual rate of about 0.34 million pounds.  Increase numbers of cows by an annual rate of about 11.1 thousand units.  Decrease the numbers of buffalo by an annual rate of about 0.03 thousand units. Increase the numbers of sheep by an annual rate of about 4.9 thousand units. It shows also the in significance of increasing    the numbers of goats. Declining numbers of camels by an annual rate of about 0.28 thousand units. Results of calculating the production function of calves for total sample of the study shows a statistical significant positive relationship between gross flesh and the quantity of each of green fodder, concentrated and dry, employment and the weight of the animal at the beginning of the grow-out period, as an increase in the amount of those variables respectively by 1% leads to an increase in the amount of output by about 0.055%, 0.692%, 0.161%, 0.008%, 0.037%. Results showing also that the marginal product of feed for total sample was about 7.79, 75.68, 17.39 kg live weight of feed green, concentrated, dry, respectively, means that the marginal product of concentrated feed greater than the marginal product of other feed refers to preferential use of concentrated feed production red meat. The optimum weight and maximizing profit weight for the total sample was about 445, 495 kg.   In light of results, the research recommends the following:   Expansion in the establishment of livestock production projects, and work to support and encourage breeders by increase loans, and to facilitate the procedures for obtaining it. 2. Increasing the concentrated feed production in deferent areas to be compatible with the geographical distribution of animal wealth.

To evaluate the performance of micro-catchment water harvesting techniques in combating desertification and the land degradation  in the arid and semi- arid  areas in Syria, this study was conducted at Debah Site of Hama Steppe / Syria, about 100 km north east of Hama city, about 70 km of Salamieh city and about 60 km north east of Hamra area. Community-based approach was introduced as an alternative to better manage the available and degraded resources. The micro-catchment water harvesting techniques were tested at the site (manually prepared semi-circular, contour ridges). Tow spacing (6 and 12m), and three fodder species: (Atriplex halimus, Atriplex leucoclada and Salsolavermiculata) were compared. Statistical analysis of the 2011-2012 showed high efficiency of micro-catchment water harvesting techniques in improving land productivity through increasing soil moisture content and shrub growth and shrub survival rates as compared to the control without water harvesting. Atriplex halimus recorded the highest survival rates and biomass as compared to other species.

Seventeen genotypes (G) of bread wheat (14 promising lines and 3 commercial cultivars) were evaluated for mean performance and stability of grain yield/plant, grain protein content and dry gluten percentage under 16 environments (two locations (L), two sowing dates(D) and four fertilization treatments (F)). The resultsconfirmed the existence of considerable genetic variation among genotypes and their performance was significantly affected by different environments for the studied traits. Kalubia locations recorded the highest mean values for grain yield/plant while; Fayoum location recorded the highest mean values for the two quality traits. Yield and quality traits were significantly increased on early (recommended) sowing dates at Kalubia and Fayoum locations than on late sowing dates. Applying biofertilizer only gave the lowest mean performance in all traits, but adding mineral N besides biofertilizer markedly increased grain yield/plant and the two quality traits. However, insignificant differences existed between the rate of nitrogen recommended (80kg N/fed.) and the rate of (biofertilizer + 60kgN/fed.), indicating that biofertilizer could be efficient in reducing costs of the expensive mineral N and reducing environmental pollution. On an average highest values of grain yield/plant were recorded by the promising wheat lines no. 10 (24.57 g), no. 9 (22.50 g), and no. 11 (21.64 g) as compared to the best check cultivar Giza 168. Meantime, this cultivar surpassed the other genotypes in protein and dry gluten percentages. Concerning phenotypic stability, the three superior lines no. 10, 9 and 11 gave the highest mean values (x¯) of grain/plant coupled with significant regression coefficient (bi) values higher than unity and significant deviation from regression (S2di), thus they considered specifically adapted to favourable environments.

This study aimed to conduct content analysis of Shams agricultural magazine, through: 1) analyzing the content of the magazine’s topics in terms of number and area, 2) analyzing the content of magazine’s images in the covers and internal pages in terms of number and area, and 3) measuring magazine’s readability using Flesch’s equations for reading ease and human interest. In order to achieve these objectives, the study performed the content analysis on the magazine issues published in 2014 (12 issues). Frequencies and percentages were used for result presentation. Findings of the study could be summarized as: the most frequent sections was ads, while the least frequent sections were irrigation, soils and the issue file. Regarding the topics, results show that the most frequent topics were fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and field crops within all magazine’s sections except the agricultural mechanization section. Results also showed that citrus topics has ranked first among fruit crops, cabbage among vegetable crops, wheat & corn among field crops, and timber trees among ornamental plants. The results also reported that all of the magazine’s front covers depends on one single image except one issue which depends on a colored area, fruits images ranked first followed by field crops, medicinal and aromatic crops. Regarding the back cover, one half of the issues relied on one image and the other half depends on more than one image or colored area, and the majority of those pictures belongs to vegetables and fruit crops. The most frequent images within the inside pages were in the ads and horticulture sections, while the least frequent images were in the sections of irrigation and soils. With regard to measuring the magazine’s readability, results shows that the overall average sentence length was 40 word/phrase, which goes beyond the proper average for reading ease. With respect to the human interest, results showed that most of issues (January, April, June, August, October, November, and December) located within the medium suspense category according to the degree of human interest. Overall, the magazine’s human interest degree (14.18) made it a medium suspense magazine according to the Flesch’s human interest formula. At the end, the study concludes some recommendations for improving the contents and readability of Shams agricultural magazine.

Agriculture Investments play important role in agriculture sector, It contributes about 15.4 of total GDP for the period (1995 / 1996 - 2013 / 2014).  The research problem was the decrease in the contribution of the agricultural investment in the total investment and this has lead to a decrease in the contribution of the agriculture sector in the Egyptian Gross demostic products (GDP).  The results showed that agricultural sector contributes with about 5.6% of the total investments between different economic sectors. The study showed that there was an efficiency in the agricultural private investment and in total agricultural investment while there was unefficiency in the agricultural public investment. The study showed that the most important determinants of agricultural investment in Egypt were agricultural gross domestic product, GDP, the agricultural income, reclaimed area, interest rate of agricultural loans and agricultural labor. The agricultural investment value is inversely proportional to both of the interest rates of agricultural loans and the volume of agricultural labor, where by decreasing both of the interest rates of agricultural loans and size of agricultural labor by about 1% leads to an increase in agricultural investments with about 0.17, 1.88 billion pounds respectively, the reason of decline in the agricultural employment size was to expand in using the technology in the agricultural sector. From the estimated model indicators that increasing both of the agricultural gross domestic product and GDP and agricultural income with about 1% leads to increase agricultural investments with about 0.413 , 40, 30 million pounds, respectively, and by increasing the reclaimed area with about 1% the investment increased with about 3.2 million pounds. The study showed that ARIMA model was the most suitable model for forecasting public, private and total agricultural investment. The forecasted figures for public investment were about 3.4, 3.01, 3.04 billion pounds for the years 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, respectively while forecasting for the private agricultural investment were about 6.14, 3.99, 2.65 billion pounds, respectively for the same years. While forecasting for total agricultural investment will be about 10.04, 7.64, and 5.79 billion pounds during the forecasted years. Finally the study recommended some important and topical recommendations for raising the agricultural investment such as: 1. Unify the agencies responsible for data source of investments to design a correct and clear investment map. 2. Stimulate agricultural investment projects by reducing the taxes through designing good tax and investment policies. 3. To Integrate the young graduates and small farmers in great cooperation for land reclamation and other agricultural projects by the help and stimulation of Agricultural Development And Credit Bank.

The current research aimed to investigating the current situation of the research stations of Desert Research Center and possibility of achieving its roles in the development of the Desert communities, identifying barriers facing and badly affect its role from the viewpoint of its employees, in addition to identifying the current and expected role of these stations from the viewpoints of the surrounded farmers. Thirty six research stations’ employees represent about 32.7% of the total number of employees were selected from the studied research stations. In addition to twenty surrounded farmer were selected belonging to each station with a total number of 80. The research depends on the description approach to achieve its objectives. Frequencies, percentages, average, and weighted average were used for result presentation and analysis.      The main results were   1-   Lack of efforts for employees’ trainings that could affect their role in developing the desert communities they working in. 2-   There are several barriers faced the studied research stations and the employees suggests several points to overcome these barriers. 3-   More than two thirds of respondents (67.5%) were located in low and medium level of the role, that represent the low role of the studied research stations in the development of desert communities 4-   There are several activities and services were expected by the surrounded farmers that could activate the stations’ developmental roles. At the end, based on the research findings, four recommendations were formulated to activation the research stations’ role s in serving and development of desert communities.