Nanoparticles (NPs), especially from micronutrients, are recently motivated for replacing their common mineral counterparts. To evaluate their comparative efficacy, this investigation was conducted to estimate the impact of foliar application of zinc through different sources on productivity, fruit quality and improve marketable fruit of “Wonderful” pomegranate trees. The field experiment was performed during two seasons (2017 and 2018) on seven - year old pomegranate trees “Wonderful” cv., cultivated in a private “Hegazi” farm located at 57 km. from Cairo on the road to Alex., Egypt. Four sources of zinc named “Zinc Sulphate, Zinc mannitol complex, Bio-Nano zinc (Bio Zn NPs) and Zinc Oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NPs) with four rates from each other were sprayed twice (the first before one week from full bloom and the second after a month from the first). So the experiment included seventeen treatments in a sample study spread in a randomized complete block design by five replicates. Results explicated that the greatest significant values of fruit set% were recorded by Bio Nano Zinc (Bio Zn NPs) treatments especially (400 ppm Bio-Nano Zinc (Bio Zn NPs)). Spraying with (3000, 4000 ppm Zn mannitol complex) and (300, 400 ppm Bio-Nano Zinc (Bio Zn NPs)) showed significantly the greatest values of productivity, improves marketable fruits and fruit quality of “Wonderful” pomegranate trees. So it could be recommended by spraying “Wonderful” pomegranate trees by 3000 ppm Zinc mannitol complex or 300 ppm Bio-Nano zinc (Bio Zn NPs). Another important point is that the application of Bio Zn NPs fertilizer at around 10% from the commercial dose of zinc sulphate resulted in the same results without any change in the productivity, further researches are needed to study a further low level of Zinc Oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NPs) below (100 ppm Zinc Oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NPs)) which may be improving yield and fruit quality

The current study investigated the influence of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in the operation and the maintenance of the facilities of improved areas in Egypt. With the establishment of irrigation improvement projects, it was planned that WUAs would play an important role in improving water management and ensuring the sustainability of the improved system through enhancing the cooperation between farmers, scheduling the irrigation and maintaining the improved Mesqas (distributaries). The current study aims to check the actual situation after the implementation of irrigation improvement projects through collecting data from samples according to design questionnaires in the improved areas, and analyzing the collected data to investigate the influence of these associations. The results showed that the influence of WUAs in Egypt was still very limited. Irrigation practices were close to the old trend, which was targeting by irrigation improvement projects. The improved system was operated based on the natural relationships between farmers, with no predefined irrigation schedule targeting improving water management. The operator was the main person, and his role was just to arrange the irrigation based on the reservation of the farmers. Old lifting points were still used in the new system. This gave the farmers the chance to work individually, which could decrease the direct conflicts between them, but it had negative impact on water use efficiency. The maintenance of the system was poor, and the target was just to make the system work without considering the sustainability of the system. The study discussed the reasons behind the weak influence of WUAs including the characteristics of such organizations and different factors that affect their performance. In addition, the study suggested the required steps to improve the capacities of these organizations and to enhance the coordination between farmers including the precise distribution of water supply, and the support from the government.

The present study aimed to produce function yoghurt drink fortified with different types of herbal extracts (Ginger, Amla, Curcuma) and assess its therapeutic effect in hepatitis rats. The rats were randomly divided into two main groups. The first group were control (-) (6 rats) was fed on a standard diet, while the second group (30 rats) were fed on standard diet and injected it by CCl4 "for two weeks" to induce chronic damage in the liver (hepatitis) then divided into five groups (6 rats each group), then treated by plain drinking yoghurt and different herbal drinking yoghurt fortified with different types of herbs extract. Different Biological attributes were determined. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and chemical properties were evaluated in herbal extracts and yoghurt product and their hepatoprotective effect of each alone evaluated in albino rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced liver injury. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters and histopathological studies. The results indicated that functional flavoured drinking yoghurt containing herbal extract exhibited no significant differences were observed in total solids, fat, protein, ash, and lactose content them control samples. Drinking yoghurt fortified with Curcuma exhibited highest content of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content among all treatments. Also, rats fed on diet supplemented with drinking yoghurt fortified with Curcuma for 28 days showed higher potential hepatoprotective effects compared to liver injury control group (IC). The rats succeeded to restore the biochemical parameters and improved the histological alteration of the liver. This improvement was pronounced partly in the group received drinking yoghurt fortified with Ginger and Amla herbal extracts while, the group received drinking yoghurt fortified with Curcuma herbal extract were improved totally. It could be concluded that drinking yoghurt fortified with different herbal extract especially Curcuma can be used as ingredients in functional foods for people suffering from liver diseases.

Acalypha shrubs Acalypha wilkesiana Mull.(Euphorbiaceae) found to be favorable host for the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgate (Cockerell)( Pseudococcidae) . This mealybug species is attacked all plant parts and caused considerable damages to this host. Some ecological aspects were carried out on F. virgata infesting acalypha shrubs throughout two successive years (2014-2015) and (2015-2016) in Qalyubiya Governorate. Results obtained showed that population density was more abundant during the second year than the first one, the annual means of total population were 62.02 and 52.01 individuals/leaf), respectively. Also, results revealed that, seasonal abundance of F. virgata found to be active from June to January of next year. The population density was reached its maximum activity on October during both years being 123.0 and 145.2 individuals /leaf for the first and second year, respectively. The prevailing main average temperature and relative humidity were ranging between 22.8°C, 24.2°C and 67%, 64% for the 1st and 2nd years, respectively. These conditions seemed to be favorable conditions for insect activity. After this activity period all stages of this species were disappeared from all plant parts. This phenomenon indicate that this mealybug species was overwinter during winter and spring seasons till the next summer. From these findings it could be stated that any control measurements must be early applied during June, at the beginning of activity period of this mealybug species. Also, results clarified that F. virgate was passed through two annual overlapping field generations on acalypha shrubs. Duration of the first generation was ranged between 80-85 days which occurred during summer months. While the second generation was lasted 75 days and occurred during autumn. Statistical analysis revealed that separate effect of each mean, two weeks earlier of the four selected weather factors on changes in population density of F. virgata most factors had insignificant effects except mean minimum temperature which had positive significant effects throughout the both years (r coefficient values were 0.589 and 0.677). While the combined effects of the four selected factors (mean minimum, maximum temperature, average temperature and mean percentage of relative humidity), two weeks earlier, had significant effects, as a group on the change in population density especially during (2014-2015) , the explained variance was 79.2% and F value 14.4.

The present work aimed to optimize amino acids production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 35s from chicken feather using response surface methodology (RSM) and applying the produced amino acids in biological control of powdery mildew disease. Variables affecting amino acids production from B. amyloliquefaciens 35s were screened using Plackett Burman design. Factors showed to be significant to produce amino acids were optimized using central composite design (CCD) of RSM at three coded levels (-1, 0, +1). All obtained data were analyzed by ANOVA with post hoc multiple comparison analysis performed using Tukey’s HSD. TGY (tryptone, glucose, yeast extract) was the basal medium. Impacts of medium components were studied using Plackett-Burman design. “Design Expert 12” StateEase was used to analyze the experimental Plackett- Burman design. Feather, yeast extract, CaCO3, KH2PO4 and agitation rate (using shake flask) were optimized statistically by the CCD design of the RSM. Validation of statistical model of the medium components was done by carrying out the experiment at optimum conditions of the process parameters as determined by the model. Amino acids types were identified by amino acid analyzer. Among the significant medium components, feather, yeast extract, CaCO3, KH2PO4 and agitation rate showed to have significant effect on amino acids production. Predicted maximum amino acids production was observed near the mid-point concentrations of the mentioned above factors and the experimental value (6.55 g/l) was very close to the predicted value of (6.60 g/l) predicted by the model. Amino acid analyzer analysis for the produced amino acids shows the release of asparagine, threonine, serine, glutamine, proline, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenyl alanine, histidine, lysine and arginine, respectively. Effect of chicken feather hydrolysate on cucumber powdery mildew disease was tested by applying foliar application with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% v/v), then degree of infection and sporulation on cucumber plants were assessed. The lowest concentration of chicken feather hydrolysate showed the lowest effect on disease index. Conversely, cucumber resistance increased by the increasing of feather’s hydrolysate concentrations associated with a clear reduction in the disease index and sporulation. Aside from, extra foliar application showed a decrease in the disease index for all concentrations compared with untreated plants. Foliar application with 20% concentration of chicken feather hydrolysate had the highest stimulation of the studied oxidative enzymes i.e., peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Pseudomonas fluorescens is one of plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) members which has a major role in the biological control of bacterial and fungal pathogens. A research was conducted at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Qalubyia governorate intended for isolating Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate, efficient in antibiotic production. For isolation, soil samples, collected from Faculty of agriculture farm soil at depth of 10 cm, were screened for Ps. fluorescens isolates by cultivating the samples on King’s medium. Out of 30 isolates obtained, one was selected based on its high lipid content, because of the lipid’s correlation to antibiotic production and inhibitory activity. The selected isolate was characterized by morphological, physiological, biochemical tests then confirmed its identity by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and named Pseudomonas fluorescens NBRC-14160 16srRNA. Morphological features showed that Ps. fluorescens NBRC-14160 has large colonies, with irregular surface, opaque, producing green fluorescent pigments. Cells are short rods, Gram negative. Physiological features indicated that Ps. fluorescens NBRC-14160 is capable of producing several exoenzymes including lipase, phospholipase, protease and chitinase and incapable of producing amylase and cellulase. Carbohydrate fermentation tests were positive for fructose, glucose, D-glucose, and galactose, forming acids after 24 hrs. of incubation at 30˚C. However, it loses the ability to ferment inositol, mannose, xylose, mannitol, raffinose and rhamnose sugars. It’s lipid content was 607 mg/g. Inhibitory activity was studied by the method of disc diffusion test against nine pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive bacterial pathogen towards P. fluorescens NBRC-14160 with a 4.5 cm zone of inhibition, while Serratia marscens had 0.95 cm zone. Aspergillus niger and Alternaria solani were the most sensitive fungal pathogens towards P. fluorescens NBRC-14160 with 2.55 and 2.5 cm of inhibition zone, respectively. However, the most resistant fungus was Fusarium oxysporum with 1.3 cm inhibition zone.

Artificial intelligent provides diverse solutions for the complex problems in agriculture research. The study aimed to use three models of artificial neural networks (Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN), Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) and Radial-Basis Neural Network (RBNN)) in the field of wheat yield prediction. 27-year data for the period (1986-2012) were utilized to improve the models and four-year data (2013 and 2016) were used to estimate the models, to compare their outputs with the measured data. Prediction data was not entered in the process of building neural network models. The results showed that the optimal configuration of the FFNN model consists of 40 neurons in the hidden layer (8-40-1). The Tan Sigmoid activation function was used in both the hidden layer and the output layer using all of these models (anterior neural feeding network and the regression neural network and radial base neural network) in the 4-year wheat yield forecast field for production (2013-2016) by applying 8 input parameters that were result of NMMS (8.6%, 7.6% and 15.7% resp.), To find that FFNN and GRNN provide the best result from BRNN because while the information set was large or in a wide range, then the range data ranges from -1 to +1 (normalization data) , GRNN gives better outcomes after the information or sample data were in large range.

This study aimed to measure the effect of treated wastewater on the performance of pressure irrigation network components and compare it with domestic water. The experiments were conducted in Eastown and Lake View sites in the Fifth Settlement - New Cairo, at N = 30° 01' 14.4", E = 31° 51' 60.9" and N = 30° 02' 22", E = 31° 44' 31.3", respectively, and the experiments were done in (2019). The area under investigation was 155 m², divided into three plots (5×5 m) for spray irrigation, there areas were planted with turf grass (passpalm 10), and three plots (5×2 m) for drip irrigation, there areas were planted with shrubs (Lantana camara nana) and trees (Calistemon viminalis). By irrigation with two types of water: treated wastewater and domestic water with the use of two types of filters in the Lake View site (a screen filter and a sandy filter) and the use of one type of filters in the Eastown site, which is screen filter. The washing process was carried out manually and automatically. The results showed significant effects on the components of the network and on the general appearance of the vitality and shape of the cultivated surfaces. The most important results obtained were: • Emission uniformity for drip system in Lake View site, was higher when using automatic operation with treated wastewater by (5 and 6%) for on-line dripper and built-in dripper, respectively, than manual operation, while, in Eastown site emission uniformity was higher when using automatic operation with treated wastewater by (2.3 and 4.9 %) for on-line dripper and built-in dripper, respectively, than manual operation. • Distribution uniformity for spray system was higher when using automatic operation with treated wastewater by (5 and 5.1%) in Lake View site and Eastown site, respectively, than manual operation. • Clogging ratio in Lake View site by using manual operation with treated wastewater was (40 and 48%) for on-line dripper and built-in dripper, respectively. Clogging ratio using automatic operation was (20 and 25%) for on-line dripper and built-in dripper, respectively, while, in Eastown site by using manual operation with treated wastewater was (34.5 and 44.7%) for on-line dripper and built-in dripper, respectively, and by using automatic operation was (18.75 and 22%) for online dripper and built-in dripper, respectively. It was higher with manual operation than automatic operation and higher with treated wastewater than domestic water. • The concentration of total suspended solids was less by (93.6 and 97.9%) with manual and automatic operations, respectively in Lake View site, while, it was less by (50 and 60%) with manual and automatic operations, respectively, in Eastown site. • The turf quality index (color, density, ground cover) gave the highest degree when using treated wastewater with automatic operation, which is due to the nutrients in treated wastewater. • It is preferable to use sand filters before the mesh filters with treated wastewater to reduce the percentage of clogging with impurities instead of using only mesh filters.

Achieving the maximum productive economic efficiency to use the available resources is considered one of the most important objectives of the agricultural economic policy, and since the agricultural area is limited, therefore the decision to choose the appropriate crop for agriculture is subject to many considerations, perhaps the most important of which is the expected revenue of these crops, as it reflects many important factors that affect decisions farming at farms, such as prices and expected production of agricultural crops. The research problem is represented in the following question: How competitive and affect the cultivated area different crops, and do changes occur from one period to another? The research aims to compare the Competitive of the most important winter crops on agricultural land during the two periods (2014-2015), (2017-2018). The most important results were as follows: It was found that there are other factors that determine the cultivated area other than the farm prices for some crops, namely wheat, barley, onions, flax, and potatoes during the period (2014- 2015), barley, lentils, and lupine during the period (2017-2018). Low price elasticity and response was shown for chickpeas, lupine, fenugreek, tomatoes during the period (2014-2015), wheat, beans, sugar beets, persistent clover, onions, garlic, flax, tomatoes, and potatoes during the period (2017-2018). It was found that there were crops that responded more in the period (2017-2018) than the period (2014-2015), which were wheat, chickpeas, fenugreek, onions, flax, tomato and potatoes. It turns out that both chickpeas and lupine were exposed to competition from the rest of the crops during the two periods, and that wheat, broad bean, sugar beet, and flax did not compete for them in the second period, and on the other hand, clover, onions, and garlic continued to compete with other crops. Decreased Competition in the period (2017-2018) was shown in general compared to the period (2014- 2015). It was found that wheat and garlic were the most Interchangeability competitive, and tomatoes, broad bean, lentils and sugar beets were the most competitive crops of other crops, that lupine, fenugreek, and onions were the most competitive with other crops for the period (2014-2015). It was found that broad bean, clover, and clover Tahreesh were the most Interchangeability competitive, and barley, lentils, and potatoes were the most competitive crops of other crops, that flax, wheat, lupine, and tomato were the most competitive with other crops for the period (2017-2018). It shows the dynamics and instability of the agricultural map (with some being affected less) despite the convergence of periods. The research recommends, in order achieving maximum economic efficiency and production for the use of available resources, following: The agricultural policies applicable must be consistent with the changes that occur in the competitive of crops. Considerate the dynamics and instability of the agricultural map when setting agricultural policies. Factors other than prices must be used when determining the cultivated area of some crops, as a result of their lack of effect on some crops and their weak effect on others. Providing appropriate means (not necessarily financial support - Extension services, for example) to improve competition for some strategic crops.

یعد محصول القمح من أهم محاصیل الحبوب الغذائیة فی مصر و یعتبر سلعة إستیراتیجیة، وتعتبر مصر أکبر مستورد للقمح علی مستوی العالم، ودائما تتجه الدول النامیة لإستیراد المواد الغذائیة التی تعانی عجزاً فی إنتاجها لسد العجز الغذائی لها و یلاحظ أن کمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح تزداد سنویا حیث زاد المتوسط السنوی لکمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح خلال فترة الدراسة (2001- 2018) من 6.9 إلی 11 ملیون طن، وقد ظهرت مشکلة البحث أن غالبیة الدراسات تهتم بالتعرف علی العوامل المحددة للکمیات الواردة من القمح و فی المقابل لایوجد إهتمام ملحوظ بالعوامل المحددة لجودة تلک الواردات لذلک إستهدف البحث الوقوف علی أهم العوامل المحلیة التی تؤثر علی الکمیات الواردة من القمح، و کذلک أهم العوامل التی یعزی إلیها أسباب الرفض لبعض الکمیات غیر المطابقة لمواصفات الجودة والسلامة ومن هذا الهدف الرئیسی تندرج مجموعة من الأهداف الفرعیة تتمثل فی دراسة تطور الواردات المصریة من القمح، دراسة التوزیع الجغرافی للواردات المصریة من القمح، التعرف علی أهم العوامل الداخلیة المؤثرة علی کمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح، الأسباب المختلفة للرفض وفق التشریعات و المواصفات القیاسیة المصریة ذات العلاقة. واوضحت النتائج أن أهم العوامل الداخلیة المؤثرة علی کمیة الواردات المصریة من القمح تتمثل فی السعر الإستیرادی والإنتاج المحلی وعدد السکان، حیث تبین من التقدیر الإحصائی وجود علاقة طردیة تتفق مع المنطق الإقتصادی بین کمیة الواردات من القمح و بین عدد السکان و ثبتت معنویتها إحصایاً حیث أنه کلما زاد عدد السکان بمقدار ملیون نسمة تزداد کمیة الواردات بمقدار معنوی إحصائیاً بلغ حوالی 0.32 ملیون طن، کما إتضح أیضاً وجود علاقة عکسیة متفقة أیضا مع المنطق الإقتصادی بین کمیة الواردات من القمح و الإنتاج المحلی ثبتت معنویتها إحصائیاً حیث أنه کلما زاد الإنتاج المحلی بمقدار ملیون طن تنخفض کمیة الواردات بمقدار معنوی إحصائیاً بلغ نحو 1.03 ملیون طن سنویاً. کما تبین أیضاً عدم ثبوت معنویة تأثیر متوسط قیمة الوحدة الإستیرادیة حیث أن القمح سلعة إستیراتیجیة لایمکن الإستغناء عنها. کما تبین انه خلال الفترة (2007 – 2018) رصد عدد الرسائل المرفوضة من أهم الدول الموردة للقمح لمصر وأسباب رفضها لعدم مطابقتها للمواصفات و التشریعات المصریة حیث بلغ إجمالی عدد الرسائل المرفوضة فی تلک الفترة تقریباً 2937 رسالة بکمیة بلغت حوالی 2664.87 ألف طن وفیما یتعلق بأهم أسباب زیادة نسبة المرفوض من الواردات المصریة من القمح تبین أنها ترجع إلی إرتفاع نسبة الشوائب التی تتمثل فی إرتفاع نسبة حبوب القمح التالفة هذه النسبة تبلغ حوالی 55.5% من إجمالی أسباب الرفض، بینما جاءت مشکلة المواد الغریبة الغیر عضویة فی المرکز الثانی بنسبة حوالی 42.7 % من إجمالی أسباب الرفض.