The second sugar crop of sugar production after sugar cane world-wide is sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). This plant is subjected to the infestation of several insect pests that cause considerable damage, especially leafhoppers, that can transmit phytopathogens (e.g., phytoplasma). In this work, we identified and described the leafhopper, Hebata (Alboneurasca) decipiens, in addition to detection and molecular identification of Candidatus Phyto-plasma that was transmitted by this leafhopper on sugar beet plants from naturally infected sugar beet plants to an uninfected one. The 16S rDNA gene from phytoplasma was amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and directly sequenced using specific primer pairs DNA fragments. The resulting sequences were analyzed and compared with another phytoplasma sequence available at GenBank sequences performing BLAST using DNAMAN.

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the second sugar crop for sugar production after sugar cane worldwide. This plant is subjected to the infestation of several insect pests that cause considerable damage, especially leafhoppers, that can transmit phytopathogens (e.g., phytoplasma). In this work, we identified and described the leafhopper, Hebata (Alboneurasca) decipiens, in addition to the detection and molecular identification of Candidatus Phytoplasma that was transmitted by this leafhopper on sugar beet plants from naturally infected sugar beet plants to an uninfected one. The 16S rDNA gene from phytoplasma was amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and directly sequenced using specific primer pairs DNA fragments. The resulting sequences were analyzed and compared with another phytoplasma sequence available at GenBank sequences performing BLAST using DNAMAN.

Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) isolated from cotton leaves was identified based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics as Methylobacterium rodiotolerance. Two field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of PPFM, methanol (10 and 30%) and a combination of bacteria and methanol on the growth, fruit quality, and yield of two strawberry cultivars (Florida and Festival). The main differences between the two cultivars are greater foliage fresh weight and early yield in cv. Florida while Festival cv. had a higher total yield per plant and greater anthocyanins and ascorbic acid contents. The greatest vegetative growth, dry matter percentage, potassium content, and carbohydrate content besides the earliest yield per plant were observed following spraying with PPFM or PPFM mixed with 10% methanol. Spraying with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield per plant, highest yield per feddan, and fruit quality. Spraying cv. Florida with PPFM resulted in the best early yield while spraying cv. Festival with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield and fruit quality. Spraying with PPFM appears to be the most efficient treatment for enhancing the total yield of Festival cv. by an average of 23.02 and 24.06 tons per feddan in the first and second seasons, respectively.

Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) isolated from cotton leaves was identified based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics as Methylobacterium rodiotolerance. Two field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of PPFM, methanol (10 and 30%) and a combination of bacteria and methanol on the growth, fruit quality, and yield of two strawberry cultivars (Florida and Festival). The main differences between the two cultivars are greater foliage fresh weight and early yield in cv. Florida while Festival cv. had a higher total yield per plant and greater anthocyanins and ascorbic acid contents. The greatest vegetative growth, dry matter percentage, potassium content, and carbohydrate content besides the earliest yield per plant were observed following spraying with PPFM or PPFM mixed with 10% methanol. Spraying with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield per plant, highest yield per feddan, and fruit quality. Spraying cv. Florida with PPFM resulted in the best early yield while spraying cv. Festival with PPFM resulted in the highest total yield and fruit quality. Spraying with PPFM appears to be the most efficient treatment for enhancing the total yield of Festival cv. by an average of 23.02 and 24.06 tons per feddan in the first and second seasons, respectively.

In order to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, the use of biological inoculants has been increased. Beneficial microorganisms are used to increase crop yields by stimulating plant growth through the production of phytohormones. In the present study, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production was analyzed in 18 bacterial isolates with Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) capabilities; 15 of these isolates were Rhizobium, and three were Serratia. All isolates have been characterized morphologically and biochemically, and their IAA production in the presence of tryptophan, a precursor for IAA biosynthesis, has been evaluated. IAA production was detected using the Salkowski reagent with CT-2200 spectrophotometer at 530 nm. The levels of IAA production varied between the different isolates. The top two IAA producers were selected for genetic identification using 16SrRNA primers (27F and 1492R). One of the Rhizobium isolates (NRC-R2) shared 95% sequence similarity with Rhizobium sp., according to a Blastn search in GenBank and Rhizobium leguminosarum, whereas the Serratia isolate (Ain Shams Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ACGEB)-S2 was 99.5% similar to Serratia sp. In the near future, it is possible that these two isolates could serve as biological sources for IAA.

In order to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, the use of biological inoculants has been increased. Beneficial microorganisms are used to increase crop yields by stimulating plant growth through the production of phytohormones. In the present study, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production was analyzed in 18 bacterial isolates with Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) capabilities; 15 of these isolates were Rhizobium, and three were Serratia. All isolates have been characterized morphologically and biochemically, and their IAA production in the presence of tryptophan, a precursor for IAA biosynthesis, has been evaluated. IAA production was detected using the Salkowski reagent with CT-2200 spectrophotometer at 530 nm. The levels of IAA production varied between the different isolates. The top two IAA producers were selected for genetic identification using 16SrRNA primers (27F and 1492R). One of the Rhizobium isolates (NRC-R2) shared 95% sequence similarity with Rhizobium sp., according to a Blastn search in GenBank and Rhizobium leguminosarum, whereas the Serratia isolate (Ain Shams Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ACGEB)-S2 was 99.5% similar to Serratia sp. Accordingly, these two isolates could serve as biological sources for IAA.

The aim of this work is to examine the quality features of functional camel ice cream (8% fat) prepared by replacing the cream with a solid milk fat fraction (SMF), a liquid milk fat fraction (LMF) and LMF:SMF (2:1 v/v) in the ice cream mixtures. All samples were assessed for their physio-chemical and rheological characteristics and the sensory quality of the ice cream mixtures and resulting ice cream. The results clarified that the type of milk fat fraction affected the viscosity of the ice cream mixtures. Also, the whipping ability decreased gradually with increasing slip melting point of the fraction used. The use of SMF in the ice cream mix decreased the adsorption of protein and fat destabilization, characterized by the slowest melting compared to ice cream with other milk fat sources. The highest and lowest hardness values were found in ice cream mixtures made with SMF and LMF, respectively. In conclusion, ice cream was successfully made by replacing the milk cream fat fractions. Cream substitution with SMF followed by LMF:SMF (2:1 v/v) is recommended in arid and semi-arid regions and improved the whipping ability, overrun, and flavor scores, which were lower when using SMF.

This work aims to examine the quality features of functional cam-el ice cream (8% fat) prepared by replacing the cream with a solid milk fat fraction (SMF), a liquid milk fat fraction (LMF) and LMF: SMF (2:1 v/v) in the ice cream mixtures. All samples were assessed for their physiochemical and rheological characteristics and the sensory quality of the ice cream mixtures and resulting ice cream. The results clarified that the type of milk fat fraction affected the viscosity of the ice cream mixtures. Also, the whipping ability decreased gradually with the increasing slip melting point of the fraction used. The use of SMF in the ice cream mix decreased the adsorption of protein and fat destabilization, characterized by the slowest melting compared to ice cream with other milk fat sources. The highest and lowest hardness values were found in ice cream mixtures made with SMF and LMF, respectively. In conclusion, ice cream was successfully made by replacing the milk cream fat fractions. Cream substitution with SMF followed by LMF: SMF (2:1 v/v) is recommended in arid and semi-arid regions and improved the whipping ability, overrun, and flavor scores, which were lower when using SMF.

In this study, human-safe lactic acid microorganisms (LAM) were isolated from food samples to be used as potential additives for human food. Samples from various food sources (artisanal cheeses, fermented chickpeas, fermented rice, natural yogurt, pickles, and raw milk) were used to inoculate de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) and malt agar plates, which were incubated at 30°C for 48 h or 37°C for 72 h to isolate lactic acid bacteria and yeast, respectively. Out of 120 isolates (85 bacteria and 35 yeast), 75 isolates showed γ-hemolytic activity and were considered “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) isolates. After testing their growth rate under the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions, including acidic pH and specific bile salt concentrations, we selected 30 isolates. Then, we evaluated the fermentative abilities of these 30 isolates on nine types of carbohydrates, their total acidity, and their antagonistic activity against five human pathogens. Based on the results of these tests, four isolates were selected for identification using the Biolog program and 16S rRNA sequencing for bacteria and 18S rRNA sequencing for yeast and found to be Bacillus bingmayongesis (FJAT-13831),Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (R094), Pediococcus pentosaceus (DSM20336), and one yeast isolate as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SaCe1 26S).

In this study, human-safe lactic acid microorganisms (LAM) were isolated from food samples to be used as potential additives for human food. Samples from various food sources (artisanal cheeses, fermented chickpeas, fermented rice, natural yogurt, pickles, and raw milk) were used to inoculate de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) and malt agar plates, which were incubated at 30°C for 48 h or 37°C for 72 h to isolate lactic acid bacteria and yeast, respectively. Out of 120 isolates (85 bacteria and 35 yeast), 75 isolates showed γ-hemolytic activity and were considered “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) isolates. After testing their growth rate under the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions, including acidic pH and specific bile salt concentrations, we selected 30 isolates. Then, we evaluated the fermentative abilities of these 30 isolates on nine types of carbohydrates, their total acidity, and their antagonistic activity against five human pathogens. Based on the results of these tests, four isolates were selected for identification using the Biolog program and 16S rRNA sequencing for bacteria and 18S rRNA sequencing for yeast and found to be Bacillus bingmayongesis (FJAT-13831), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (R094), Pediococcus pentosaceus (DSM 20336), and one yeast isolate as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SaCe1 26S).

Dairy cattle in Sudan are traditionally fed on separate concentrate and roughage diets. Because of the high cost of forages, feeding strategies should be attempted to reduce feeding costs. A traditional dairy ration (As-fed), composed of 49% sorghum grains (SG), 29.4% groundnut seed cake (GSC), 19.6% wheat bran (WB), 1% limestone (LS) and 1% salt (NaCl), was used as a control. The test ration was a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of 40% SG, 23% groundnut seed hulls (GSH), 20% GSC, 15% WB, 1% LS and 1 % NaCl. The control traditional ration was fed at 10 Kg/cow/day together with 7 Kg sorghum chaff. Two levels of TMR were used with alfalfa hay (AH); (17 Kg TMR + 1 Kg   AH/cow/day and 15 Kg TMR + 2 Kg AH. Three cross-bred dairy cows (European x Local) were used with the feeding regimes in a 3x3 Latin square design.  Cows consumed similar amounts of DM, CP and ME and produced similar quantities of milk (P > 0.05).  TMR had no effects (P > 0.05) on the composition of milk. The cost for TMR was decreased by 19%.TMR was thus effective in reducing feeding costs without affecting milk production and composition.

Dairy cattle in Sudan are traditionally fed on separate concentrate and roughage diets. Because of the high cost of forages, feeding strategies should be attempted to reduce feeding costs. A traditional dairy ration (As-fed), composed of 49% sorghum grains (SG), 29.4% groundnut seed cake (GSC), 19.6% wheat bran (WB), 1% limestone (LS) and 1% salt (NaCl), was used as a control. The test ration was a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of 40% SG, 23% groundnut seed hulls (GSH), 20% GSC, 15% WB, 1% LS and 1 % NaCl. The control traditional ration was fed at 10 Kg/cow/day together with 7 Kg sorghum chaff. Two levels of TMR were used with alfalfa hay (AH); (17 Kg TMR + 1 Kg   AH/cow/day and 15 Kg TMR + 2 Kg AH. Three cross-bred dairy cows (European x Local) were used with the feeding regimes in a 3x3 Latin square design.  Cows consumed similar amounts of DM, CP and ME and produced similar quantities of milk (P > 0.05).  TMR had no effects (P > 0.05) on the composition of milk. The cost for TMR was decreased by 19%.TMR was thus effective in reducing feeding costs without affecting milk production and composition.

This study evaluated the use of biologically treated olive mill wastewater (OMWW) for irrigation of pea plants, rather than discharging this nutrient-rich liquid and polluting the environment. Pea seeds were planted in pots containing soil irrigated with tap water (control), untreated (crude) OMWW, or OMWW treated with the fungus, Pleurotus columbinus, or algae Spirulina platensis or Wollea sp., with two NPK rates. Plant length shoot and root dry weight, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorophyll, and carotene contents were measured, along with to nitrogenase and dehydrogenase activity. The highest shoots N and P content were recorded in plants irrigated with Sp. Platensis-treated OMWW + 100% NPK; while the highest K content was in plants irrigated with crude OMWW + 100% NPK. The highest dehydrogenase activity, 59.01 μg TPF/100 g soils, was recorded in plants irrigated with P. columbinus-treated OMWW supported with 75% NPK, while maximum nitrogenase activity (261.82 μmol/100g soil/day) occurred in plants irrigated with Wollea sp.-treated OMWW with 75% NPK. The highest content of chlorophylls a & b and carotene (0.838, 0.276, 0.252 mg/g dry weight, respectively) were found in plants irrigated with OMWW treated with Wollea sp. and 100% NPK. Thus, biologically treated OMWW showed promising impacts on plant growth parameters.

This study evaluated the use of biologically treated olive mill wastewater (OMWW) for irrigation of pea plants, rather than discharging this nutrient-rich liquid and polluting the environment. Pea seeds were planted in pots containing soil irrigated with tap water (control), untreated (crude) OMWW, or OMWW treated with the fungus, Pleurotus columbinus, or algae Spirulina platensis or Wollea sp., with two NPK rates. Plant length shoot and root dry weight, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorophyll, and carotene contents were measured, along with to nitrogenase and dehydrogenase activity. The highest shoots' N and P contents were recorded in plants irrigated with Sp. platensis- treated OMWW + 100% NPK; while the highest K content was in plants irrigated with crude OMWW + 100% NPK. The highest dehydrogenase activity, 59.01 μg TPF/100 g soils, was recorded in plants irrigated with P. columbinus-treated OMWW supported with 75% NPK, while maximum nitrogenase activity (261.82 μmol/100g soil/day) occurred in plants irrigated with Wollea sp.-treated OMWW with 75% NPK. The highest content of chlorophylls a & b and carotene (0.838, 0.276, 0.252 mg/g dry weight, respectively) were found in plants irrigated with OMWW treated with Wollea sp. and 100% NPK. Thus, biologically-treated OMWW showed promising impacts on plant growth parameters.

Three years old uniform vines for cv. "Melody syn. Blagratwo" seedless table grape were selected, and three levels of bud load were trimmed, namely 60, 72, and 78 buds/ vine. The findings revealed that vegetative growth traits, characteristics of yield and bunch quality were significantly affected by all different pruning levels of cane length in both seasons of this study. Highest bud load vines (78 buds/vine) produced the greatest yield and cluster number but had a negative effect on the percentage of bud behavior, shoot thickness, shoot length, weight of annual pruning (Kg/vine), cluster and berry quality parameters. In contrast, lowest vine bud load (78 buds/vine) had a better bud behavior, vegetative growth traits, cluster characteristics and berry characteristics but both bunch numbers and yield were reduced. In addition, vines pruned with bud load of 72 buds per vine significantly showed the best outcomes, since it successfully struck a balance be-tween features of vegetative growth, yield, cluster and berry physical and quality attributes in both seasons.

Three years old uniform vines for cv. "Melody syn. Blagratwo" seedless table grape were selected, and three levels of bud load were trimmed, namely 60, 72, and 78 buds/ vine. The findings revealed that vegetative growth traits, characteristics of yield and bunch quality were significantly affected by all different pruning levels of cane length in both seasons of this study. Highest bud load vines (78 buds/vine) produced the greatest yield and cluster number but had a negative effect on the percentage of bud behavior, shoot thickness, shoot length, weight of annual pruning (Kg/vine), cluster and berry quality parameters. In contrast, lowest vine bud load (78 buds/vine) had a better bud behavior, vegetative growth traits, cluster characteristics and berry characteristics but both bunch numbers and yield were reduced. In addition, vines pruned with bud load of 72 buds per vine significantly showed the best outcomes, since it successfully struck a balance be-tween features of vegetative growth, yield, cluster and berry physical and quality attributes in both seasons.

Machine learning models, Artificial neural network, Tillage performance, Energy needs, draught Tillage as one of the agricultural practices consumes the largest amount of energy, which reflects on the total production cost. The artificial neural network (ANN) technique was utilized in the current study to optimize the performance of the tillage process. The ANN-modeled multilayer perceptron network with a backpropagation learning algorithm and momentum term was used by the PYTHON program. The ANN inputs were the implement type, soil texture, moisture, bulk density, width, speed, and depth. The draught was the output (kN). Five layers composed the ANN model's optimal configuration (13-64-16-4-1). The linear and rectified linear units (ReLU) functions were utilized with hidden layers and the output layer, respectively. Momentum term and learning rate were 0.00003 and 0.9 respectively. The iteration number was 1000 epochs and stopped at 290 epochs. The coefficient of determination in the test datasets was high (0.92) while the difference between actual and predicted output was low (2.08). Bulk density and depth were the main determinants of the draft. The evaluation of the developed model for chisel, moldboard, and disk plow gave satisfactory results of 0.985, 0.924, and 0.917. In comparison to the ANNs, the regression model's correlation coefficient for predicting draught force was the lowest (0.373).

Tillage as one of the agricultural practices consumes the largest amount of energy, which reflects on the total production cost. The artificial neural network (ANN) technique was utilized in the current study to opti-mize the performance of the tillage process. The ANN-modeled multilayer perceptron network with a backpropagation learning algorithm and momen-tum term was used by the PYTHON program. The ANN inputs were: the implement type, soil texture, moisture, bulk density, width, speed, and depth. The draught was the output (kN). Five layers composed the ANN model's optimal configuration (13-64-16-4-1). The linear and rectified linear units (ReLU) functions were utilized with hidden layers and the output layer, re-spectively. Momentum term and learning rate were 0.00003 and 0.9 respec-tively. The iteration number was 1000 epochs and stopped at 290 epochs. The coefficient of determination in the test datasets was high (0.92) while the difference between actual and predicted output was low (2.08). Bulk den-sity and depth were the main determinants of the draft. The evaluation of the developed model for chisel, moldboard, and disk plow gave satisfactory re-sults of 0.985, 0.924, and 0.917. In comparison to the ANNs, the regression model's correlation coefficient for predicting draught force was the lowest (0.373).

Nile tilapia is a freshwater fish of African origin, with productive and economical characteristics affecting global fish markets. The Oreochromis niloticus reference genome has a diploid set of 22 linkage groups (LGs) in addition to ungrouped sequences. A total of 42,622 genes have been identified, but 550 genomic gaps may include more. Our study focused on some of these genomic gaps, where appropriate primers were designed and then multiplied through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. From local samples, DNA was extracted and amplified with the new primers. Successful amplicons were sequenced and annotated using available bioinformatics tools. Five assessed sequences were annotated, of which three were newly predicted in O. niloticus, as mucin 1-like, and KLR genes, and SATB region. The other two sequences belonged to grid2 and trpm7 which were previously predicted. Although individual attempts to identify genomic gaps are not feasible in filling the large lack of information on the Nile tilapia genome, a good number and valuable new information has been reached. How-ever, the following plan showed many technical problems, more time, effort, and cost that could be avoided by suggesting the application of another technique, such as whole-genome sequencing, mapping, and assembly.

Nile tilapia is a freshwater fish of African origin, with productive and economic characteristics affecting global fish markets. The Oreochromis niloticus reference genome has a diploid set of 22 linkage groups (LGs) in addition to ungrouped sequences. A total of 42,622 genes have been identified, but 550 genomic gaps may include more. Our study focused on some of these genomic gaps, where appropriate primers were designed and then multiplied through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. From local samples, DNA was extracted and amplified with the new primers. Successful amplicons were sequenced and annotated using available bioinformatics tools. Five assessed sequences were annotated, of which three were newly predicted in O. niloticus, as mucin 1-like, and KLR genes, and SATB region. The other two sequences belonged to grid2 and trpm7 which were previously predicted. Although individual attempts to identify genomic gaps are not feasible in filling the large lack of information on the Nile tilapia genome, a good number and valuable new information has been reached. However, the following plan showed many technical problems, more time, effort and cost that could be avoided by suggesting the application of another technique, such as whole-genome sequencing, mapping, and assembly.