An experimental field trial was conducted in seasons of 2015 and 2016 at Giza Experimental Station of Agricultural Research Centre (ARC), Egypt to evaluate the foliar spray effect with transpiration regulators (Potassium, Kaolin and Ascorbic acid) and three levels of irrigations (100%, 80% and 60% of Et0) on yield, its attributes, and water productivity of two sunflower cultivars (Giza 102 and Solala 120). The factorial treatments were arranged in split- split plot design with three replications. The irrigation levels (100%, 80% and 60% of Et0) were devoted for main plots, while subplots contained the three spraying treatments of transpiration regulators. (Potassium at 1%, Kaolin at 3% and Ascorbic acid at 100 ppm), in addition to control treatment (water spray). Sub-sub plots were occupied by the two sunflower cultivars (Giza 102 and Solala 120). Obtained results proved that, increasing irrigation levels up to (80- 100%) caused significant increase in all growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll), relative water content (RWC %) and seed oil %. Also, yield parameters being head diameter, 1000-seed weight and seed yield) show significant reduction under water deficit. Foliar spray with (Potassium at 1%, Kaolin at 3% and Ascorbic acid at 100 ppm), positively affected all the growth and physiological criteria of the tested plants compared with control. Generally, under low irrigation levels, application of transpiration regulators effectively reduced the detrimental impact of drought stress on growth, yield and its components of the two used cultivars in the two seasons. While, foliar spraying of potassium under 100% of Et0 gave the best treatment in this respect. Concerning cultivars, WUE (water use efficiency) for Solala 120 was significantly higher than for Giza 102 in the two seasons. All interactions among factors under study due to WUE were not significant in 2015 and 2016 seasons.

The effect of two probiotic products with Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) as source of dietary protein and/or energy in ruminant diets on the growth performance and some blood parame-ters of Barki lamps were evaluated. Two com-mercial probiotic formulas (ZAD and ICEC-Trol) were administrated directly with theirap-plications: P1 (without probiotic), P2 (ZAD), P3 (ZAD + ICEC-Trol), the combination of four different rations: R1 (control), R2 (PKC as source of energy), R3 (PKC as source of en-ergy and protein) and R4 (PKC as source of protein). Barki lambs (n=96, 35kg average body weight) were randomly assigned to 12 experimental groups in a completely random-ized block design. (8 lambs for each group) and fed for 47 days. ZAD probiotic was ap-plied at 2 ml/head/day and ICEC-TROL was applied at 3 g/head/day. Animals weight gain and average daily gain were measured and Glucose, total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus were measured. Results showed that animals fed control ration (R1) with P2, R2 with P3 and R4 with P3 showed highest (P<0.05) total weight gain (10.75, 10.88 and 10.56, respectively) and average daily gain (0.229, 0.231 and 0.225, respectively). ZAD probiotic improved serum total protein, globu-lin, glucose when using with PKC in lambs’ rations. In conclusion, using PKC as a source of energy or protein, with two sources of pro-biotics in lambs’ rations showed to be more ef-fective in weight gain, while using one probi-otic (ZAD) is enough for fattening with tradi-tional rations.

Five probiotic bacterial strains (Lactobacillus plantarumATCC 14917,Lactobacillus caseiDSM 20011, Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC20552, Lactococcus thermophilus DSM 20259,and Bifidobacterium longum B41409) were used as monoculture, and combined with them as co-cultures for the fermentation of soymilk. The total number is 20 co-cultures, separated similarly into two parts, the first half of each co-culture consisted of two strains, and the second half of each co-culture consists of three strains. The findings revealed that these cultures were capable of fermenting soymilk at only 8 h with a pH drop of between 4.42 and 4.89. Among 25 cultures, eight cultures (3 monoculture of L. plantarumATCC 14917 (C1),Lc. thermophilusDSM 20259 (C4), and B. longum B41409 (C5) and co-cultures of two strains L. plantarum ATCC 14917+ Lc. thermophiles DSM 20259 (C8) and of three strains L. plantarum ATCC 14917 + Lc. thermophilus DSM 20259 + B. longum B41409 (C18), L. plantarum ATCC 14917+ L. caseiDSM 20011+ Lc. thermophilus DSM 20259 (C19), L. caseiDSM 20011+ L. acidophilus ATCC20552+ Lc. thermophilus DSM 20259 (C22), and L. acidophilus ATCC20552+ Lc. thermophilus DSM 20259 + B. longum B41409 (C25)) which recorded the greatest significant viability of bacterial cells, titratable acidity, total organic acids (lactic, acetic, and propionic acids) contented, and pH in fermented soymilk ranged from 9.26 to 9.98 Log CFU/mL, 3.06 to 3.32 %, 19.90 to 18.40 g/L (lactic acid), 13.30 to 12.30 g/L (acetic acid), and 16.35 to15.00 g/L (propionic acid), and 4.38 to 4.62. The soy yogurt produced from the selected fermentation of soymilk was more preferred in the chemical composition of protein, carbohydrate, and fat contents than non-fermented soymilk.So the results show that the integrative use of probiotics may achieve the nutritional value of soymilk after fermentation had been improved by probiotic strains, therefore, making it a more health-beneficial functional food.

Twelve local Zaraiby goats with average live body weight of 10.71±0.23 kg (5-6 months). Animals were divided into three comparable groups. Goats in first group were fed without supplement (control group) or sup-plemented with 25% ordinary cobalt and 25% nanocobalt from cobalt requirements (NRC, 1985). The results showed that no significant difference (P>0.05) among experimental groups for DMI and CPI values. However, there was a highest significant difference (P<0.05) in average daily gain, total gain, and feed efficiency (kg gain/ kg DMI) for nanoco-balt group. Nutrients digestibility values as DM, CP, CF, NFC, ADF, NDF, cellulose and hemicellulose in addition to percentage of TDN in nanocobalt treatment were higher sig-nificantly than those others groups. But the ra-tio of nitrogen balance in goats' diet with nano-cobalt group was less than that using ordinary cobalt and control group. While the DE (Mcal/Kg DMI) ratio was no significant differ-ences observed among groups. Rumen pH and TVFA’s values after 3 and 6 hours of feeding, the control and the ordinary cobalt groups in-creased (P<0.05) more than the nanocobalt group. After 3hrs, adding nanocobalt has lower significant values for NH3-N than those others. Where, the control group recorded the lowest value. No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed at 0, 3and 6 hrs. after feeding for all blood parameters. There was a slight in-crease for most of body measurements with nanocobalt supplement. It could be concluded that adding nanocobalt for goats' rations en-hanced growth performance, digestibility coef-ficients, rumen parameters and slightly body measurements without any diverse effect on animals' health.

Rearing mulberry silkworm was found to be dependent on leaves quality of mulberry trees, larvae of mulberry silkworm fed on two species of mulberry trees Morus alba and Mo-rus nigra were treated with foliar fertilizer (Basfoliar 20-19-19 SP contains 20% N, 19% P2O5, 19% K2O, 5% NO3, 3.6% NH4 and 11.4% NH2) with three different concentra-tions,1%, 3% and 6% in addition to control treatment for comparison. When larvae were fed on leaves of mulberry trees one day after Treatment, high mortality (up to 100%) was observed specially with 6% concentration. Mean weights of larvae, cocoons and cocoon shell and fecundity were negatively affected when compared to control. On the other hand, when larvae were fed on leaves of mulberry trees, no mortality occurred after two weeks of treatment in all concentrations, in addition, the mean weights of larvae at the end of 4th and 5th instar larvae, cocoons and cocoon shell s in-creased at 3% concentration compared with other concentrations and control. The highest fecundity occurred in female moths when lar-vae were fed on leaves of M .nigra compared with M. alba as well as 3% concentration com-pared with other concentrations and control.

Accelerating global warming and water scarcity and improving water use efficiency are considered essential factors for achieving adequate crop development and productivity. Therefore, the authors targeted the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (Ps1) for improving growth, productivity, and water use efficiency of broccoli plants (Brassica olercea L. var. italica, cv. Belstar F1) under various irrigation regimes i.e., 50, 75, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Two greenhouse experiments were carried out in clayey soil. The combined inoculation of endomycorrhizae and Ps. fluorescens (Ps1) improved water use efficiency and consequently vegetative growth and yield. Under the applied irrigation regime 75% ETc of broccoli inoculated with both endomycorrhizae and Ps. fluorescens (Ps1) showed higher head weight (616 and 647 gram) than those grown under the irrigation regime 75% ETc combined with endomycorrhizae (568 and 559 gram) during the two seasons, respectively. However, a minimum yield value of 149 and 142 grams per plant was recorded for un-inoculated plants grown under 50% irrigation regime during both seasons. In conclusion, the combined inoculation with endomycorrhizae and Ps. fluorescens (Ps1) under irrigation regime 75% ETc was the optimum combination for increasing water stress resistance and broccoli productivity under water scar-city circumstances.

Aphid is a major insect pest attacking ornamental plants. It causes great damage by reducing the economic values of plants. The investigated research aims to determine the relation between leaf biochemical components, morphological structures of plant leaf surface and the susceptibility of seven ornamental plants to Aphid Infestation. Highest recorded aphid infestation was observed on Tecoma stans during 2017 and 2018 seasons followed by Rosa damascena and Jasminum grandiflorum. There was no rec-orded infestation on four inspected ornamental plants, Ruta graveolens, Schefflera actinophylla, Nerium oleander and Bougainvillea spectabilis. Activity of antioxidant enzymes plays as defense line when increasing the insect population density. Biochemical components are varied among different plants that prevents or reduces insect infestation, as tannins, total phenol, and Phenol oxidase. Trichomes are considered as main morphological character in plant defense system. These results enhanced utilization resistant ornamental plants due to preventing aphid infestation. It is considered one of the integrated pest management programs, that achieves health environment without more insecticidal application.

A pot experiment was carried out in seventeen levels of fertilization to evaluate the effect of the bio-fertilizer mixture alone or in combination with chemical fertilizer (NPK) on Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill). Bio-fertilizer was a mixture of Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus circulans and Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. Results indicated that the use of bio-fertilizer at 3.75 ml/pot four times with 25% of NPK gave the highest significant values of vegetative growth, yield parameters, and NPK uptake; how-ever, fertilizing with bio-fertilizers without NPK application showed the lowest significant values in the two experimental seasons. The same addition of bio-fertilizer gave the highest significant values of total microbial count of soil and increased cumulative CO2; whereas the addition of 100% NPK gave the lowest significant values in both seasons. The full dose of NPK significantly increased volatile oil percentage while the addition of bio-fertilizer only significantly decreased it in both seasons. GC analysis of essential oil showed that the highest percentage of anethol (12.77 %) was obtained by applying 3.75 ml/pot bio-fertilizer added one time + 25% NPK and de-creased estragole (72.78%).

Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) flies are the dangerous insect pests of fruit, vegetables, and nuts over the world. This study provides the published information on toxicity, biochemical effects and some biological measurements of the peach fly, B. zonata by using some plant extracts (phytochemicals) namely Moringa oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M. oleifera leaf extract, which would be more informative for publication facilitating related to integrated pest management (IPM) strategies of B. zonata. Effect of different concentrations of M. oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M. oleifera leaf extract on biochemical effects (total proteins, total carbohydrates and acetylcholine esterase enzyme) and some biological aspects (pupal mortality, pupal duration, adult emergence, emerged deformed adult and malformation score) of the peach fly, B. zonata were studied. Results showed that M. oleifera oil is highly toxic to pupae of the peach fly, B. zonata with LC50 of 2.569, 2.773 and 2.370 ml/L and LC90 of 85.459, 92.171 and 18.314 ml/L in yellow, sandy and clay soils respectively. Whereas lemon peel oil come in the second position in order of toxicity and M. oleifera leaf extract was the least toxic compound. These results cleared that concentrations of total proteins, total carbohydrates and acetylcholine esterase enzyme activity markedly decreased in pupae of B. zonata after exposure to M. oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M. oleifera leaf extract with highly significant effects compared with control. Obtained results showed that an inhibitory action of M. oleifera oil, lemon peel oil and M.oleifera leaf extract at all each of concentration levels when mixed with three types of soils namely, yellow soil, sandy soil and clay soil compared with untreated . These results suggest that three tested plant extracts has the probably to be used as a natural plant productions to control of the peach fly, B. zonata.

Six local Egyptian commercial cultivars of family Lamiaceae, two cultivars of genus Ocimum L. (Basil), two cultivars of genus Menthe L. (Mint), and two cultivars of genus Thymus L. (Thyme) were analyzed for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase Large (rbcL) gene at the level of DNA sequences. All samples successfully amplified the ± 630 bp fragment. Additionally, the results of alignment analysis using BLASTN tools divulged that the sequence of DNA rbcL for the two local basil cultivars (Basil1 & Basil2) has similarities with (Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum kilimandscharicum and Ocimum gratissimum) 100, 99.69, 99.37 and 99.06 respectively. In addition, two local mint cultivars (Mint 1 and Mint 2) has similarities with Mentha spicata, Mentha_pulegium, Mentha canadensis and Mentha menthaefolia, 99.85, 99.84, 99.69 and 99.53 respectively. For thyme local cultivars (Thyme1 and Thyme2), Thym1 cultivar sample genotype is genetic closely with species, (Thymus alsinoides and Thymus sibthorpii) with 99.69 and 99.84 respectively and they located nearest from the cluster (Thymus genus) members in phylogenetic trees while, Thym2 is located after the cluster with Artemisia genus belonging to family Asteraceae. The reason of this result may be occurring due to that a Thym2 genotype comes from local marketing, which some of them are selling it as a thymus genus however, it is belongs to Artemisia genus and has similarities with with seven species of Artemisia genus (Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia gmelinii, Artemisia selengensis, Artemisia scoparia, Artemisia maritima, Artemisia capillaris and Artemisia fukudo). Using of rbcL DNA barcode proves to be effective in identifying the plants from the family level up to the genus level. This study demonstrates the efficiency of using rbcL barcoding primer to classify family Lamiaceae phylogenetically. It is also concluded that the rbcL gene showed genuine potentials to distinguish the plant Egypt species under investigation into the proper family and genus. s to distinguish the plant Egypt species under investigation into the proper family and genus.