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This work was carried out in a Private Farm at Kofor Negm Village, Elibrahimia District (N, 31° 33′ 47.11″ E 6.23″ 43′ 30°), Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during the two consecutive winter seasons of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 to study the influence of different potassium fertilizer sources [potassium citrate (36.5%K2O), potassium thiosulphate (35% K2O) and potassium silicate (18% K2O) as foliar spray], different intercropping systems (sole crop of each components as control, 1: 1, 1: 2, 2: 1 and 2: 2 as row ratio of coriander: garlic) and their combination treatments on growth parameters, yield components and chemical constituents of garlic crop. The findings showed that, when coriander was intercropped with garlic at a ratio of 1: 2 as opposed to sole crop and the other intercropping systems under study, the highest benefits were obtained in terms of growth (plant height, number of leaves per plant, and total plant dry weight), yield components (bulb diameter, number of cloves per bulb, and average bulb weight), as well as N, P, K, and total carbohydrates percentage in garlic cloves. Compared to the other sources of potassium under study, potassium silicate application as a foliar spray four times/seasons produced a higher bulbs yield per feddan. The results indicated that, the development and production of the garlic crop can be maximized by using an intercropping system of 1 ridge of coriander: 2 ridges of garlic and potassium silicate application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted at a private farm in Taha El-Marg Village, Diarb Negm District, Al Sharqia Governorate, Egypt during the two consecutive winter seasons of 2020/ 2021 and 2021/2022. This experiment was done to study the effect of intercropping systems between caraway: garlic at different row ratio (sole crop of each as control, 1: 2, 2: 1 and 2: 2, respectively), different potassium rates (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg K2O/feddan) and their combination on growth and yield of caraway and garlic plants. Main plots consisted in the intercropping systems and the subplots were constituted by the potassium fertilization rates. Alternating two rows of caraway with two rows of garlic significantly increased plant height, number of branches per plant, plant fresh weight, number of umbels per plant and fruit yield per plant compared to sole caraway planting. Also, using 1: 2 intercropping system gave the highest values regard plant height, plant fresh weight and bulb fresh weight compared to sole garlic planting. Moreover, the highest potassium fertilization rate (75 kg K2O /feddan) gave the highest values in growth traits and yield components of caraway and garlic crops compared to control. Sole crop of caraway and garlic significantly recorded the highest values of fruits and bulbs yield per feddan compared to intercropping systems under study. In general, the combination between intercropping system and potassium affected growth and yield components of both crops and the best treatment in this regard was 2: 2 system for caraway and 1: 2 for garlic and 75 kg K2O/feddan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of genetic variability is crucial in developing new genotypes with desired yield and quality traits. This evaluation allows breeders to identify superior germplasm, breeding genotypes with specific combinations, and enhance crop performance across diverse environmental conditions. Hence, this study aimed to study the performance of ten eggplant genotypes (Solanum melongena L.); i.e., Little Fingers (LF), Ping Tung (PT), Antigua (An), Aswad (As), Japanese White Egg (JWE), Apple Green (AG), Rotonda Bianca Stumata di Rosa (BSR), Korean Red (KR), Black Oblong (BO) and Black Very Long (BL). In addition, to explore genetic advance and correlation among studied traits under three intra-row plant spacings, (30, 45 and 60 cm). The study was performed at Zagazig District, Egypt during the two successive summer seasons of 2017 and 2018. The results indicated significant variation among the tested genotypes.The broad sense heritability (hb 2) exhibited the highest percentage at narrow planting spaces and decreased with increased spaces in all studied traits. Broad sense heritabilities were moderate magnitude for number of branches (39% and 30.9%) at 45 and 60 cm spaces, respectively. Genetic advance (GA %) was high for all studied traits except number of branches. High heritability estimates and a high predicted genetic advance indicated that these qualities and genotypes could be effective in developing breeding programs to increase fruit quality and yield. Strong genetic correlations between morphological and yield-related variables were found via correlation studies. The path analysis results showed that the fruit weight had the largest direct effect on yield/ plant (2.984 and 3.11) followed by number of fruits (0.579 and 1.525), and branches number/ plant (0.161 and 0.304) at 30 and 45 cm planting spaces, respectively. While the branches number/ plant exhibited the largest direct effect on yield/ plant (5.341) followed by fruit length (3.328), and fruit diameter (0.625) at 60 cm planting space, indicating the effectiveness of direct selection for these traits for developing high yielding genotypes of eggplant under different planting spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The saw-toothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) is an important pest of many stored product foods. The effect of insect infestation on four various of whole food kinds as semi-dry date, dry date fruits, white sesame and reddish yellow sesame seeds as well as four food kinds of crushed seeds (chickpea, corn, rice and groundnut) as compared with standard diet (wheat flour, crushed wheat and dry yeast powder at 5:5:1, respectively) was investigated in the laboratory of Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt. Insect parameters on the tested food kinds as regards to resistance were duration of developmental stages, number of F1 progeny, growth index and weight loss (%) after one month of storage. All tested parameters were significantly affected by food kinds except the duration of pupal stage in whole foods. The shortest mean insect complete developmental period was 19.85 days on standard diet, while the longest one was 29.18 days on whole reddish yellow sesame seeds and 35.05 days on crushed groundnut. Values of the growth index (GI) increased from 3.22 to 3.76 on whole reddish yellow sesame seeds and crushed chickpea, respectively compared to 4.64 on standard diet. The wet weight loss (%) ranged from 0.50 and 0.67% in whole sesame seeds (white and reddish yellow) and crushed groundnut, suscessively compared to11.17% in standard diet. The relative wet weight loss (%) in whole seeds reached its minimum (1.94%) in each of whole white and reddish yellow sesame seeds and reached its maximum (43.23%) in standard diet, while in crushed foods, the lowest value was 3.16% in crushed groundnut as compared with the standard diet which recorded the highest percent 52.76%. All tested foods either whole or crushed were infested with O. surinamensis and no completely immune food was found free from the insect infestation but the insect preferred crushed foods and some foods than another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A filed experiment was carried out at a private farm located at Qaha District, Qalubayia governorate, Egypt, during the two successive summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 to evaluate growth and productivity of seven new dry bean genotypes (DB-2-435, DB-5-485, DB-5-486, DB-5-487, DB-5-489, DB-7-4 and DB-7-31) in additional to three commercial cultivars (Giza 3, Giza 6 and Nebraska) under different plant densities, i.e., 5 cm one row, 10 cm one row, 5 cm 2 rows and 10 cm 2 rows/ridge. These treatments were arranged in a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plant densities were randomly distributed in the main plot and genotypes were randomly arranged in the sub plot. As average two seasons, sowing seeds of genotypes DB-5-485, DB-5-487, DB-5-489 at 10 cm on one side increased number of branches/plant, leaf area/plant, dry weight/plant and total chlorophyll in leaf tissues, followed by the interaction between sowing at 10 cm on one side and Nebraska cultivar regarding total chlorophyll in both seasons. In general, the interaction between sowing at 10 cm on one side and Nebraska cultivar or genotype DB-5-485 increased number of seeds/pod, yield/plant in both seasons. Respecting total yield, the interaction between sowing at 5 or 10 cm on two sides and Nebraska cultivar or the genotype DB5-485 gave the highest values of total yield /fed., however, the interaction between sowing at 5 cm on one row and DB-5-486 genotype gave the lowest total yield/fed. (0.781 ton/fed.) as average of two seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated control program for peaches and apples powdery mildew was evaluatedboth Burg Al-Arab and South of Tahreer regions. In the first season, the efficiency of the program’s fungicides were tested in terms of the number of sprays and the most appropriate time to repeat the sprays, as well as the best effective fungicides. It was found that they all treatments were effective in controlling the disease. The best time to repeat spraying was from seven up to 10 days. In the second season, the chosen fungicides were evaluated compared with the farm fungicides individually, and the general control (sprayed with water only). On the other hand, evaluation of essential oils and fertilizers were done individually. The results showed the efficiency of systemic fungicide (Scor), copper and sulfur (preventive fungicides) and cinnamon oil and chitosan as Eco - friendly alternatives in controlling the disease. In the third season all tested fungicides used at the dormancy stage of trees at first January before buds swelling, data showed that all fungicides indicate high effect in decreasing the disease comparing with control at the in first of May compared to the control (100% disease severity). The tested fungicides gave 2.9% and 3.3% in case of peach at Borg Al-Arab and South of Tahreer respectively and 6%, 8.6% in apple at Borg Al-Arab and South of Tahreer respectively. At the fourth season all treatments combined in the integrated program were done at beginning spray (at 8 January while dormancy stage of trees) on apple. The tested program showed significant reduction on peach and apple powdery mildew compared to the control (100% disease severity) at the end of tested program comparing with the farm of tested program in case of peach and apple at Borg Al-Arab and South of Tahreer respectively, in May before harvest. In the fifth season the same tested program applied at t at the first of November during the winter tree service. The tested program was effective in control peach and apple powdery disease in locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments had been conducted using different pesticides commonly used on vegetable crops searching for suitable compound could be successfully used in controlling of the glassy clover snail, Monacha cartusiana, during the activity period at Sharkia Governorate. The obtained data clearly showed, the percent reductions of snail under field conditions were significantly differed from one pesticide to another and from vegetable crop to another more over the date of examination after application was also affected in addition to; densities of infestation, the crop cultivation rates, ecological behavior of the snails and types of dispersion in each crop. Since, the tested pesticides reduced snails’ population in squash with varying degrees, the general means of percent reduction three days after application recorded maximum reduction with malathion and methomyl with 57.26 and 53.61% reduction, while the least effects were recorded with imidacloprid and acetamiprid with 31.25 and 27.07%. The same trend was observed two and three weeks after application with a slight increase or decrease in reduction percentages with all tested compounds. On the other site, the tested pesticides reducing populations on cabbage one week after application with maximum reduction by methomyl and malathion, 56.09 and 52.51%, while the least effects were recorded with acetamiprid and imidacloprid with 30.61and 26.51% reduction, respectively. When regarding reducing in snails’ populations on eggplant three weeks after application, the highest effect was recorded with malathion; moderate effect was with fipronil while imidacloprid showed the least effect in reduction. As soon as, on tomato one week after application, the reduction recorded with malathion was 57.25% followed by methomyl 53.60%, while with imidacloprid 31.25% and acetamiprid 27.07% reduction percentages. On green pea the efficacy of pesticides after the third week of application reducing the populations with highest effect by methomyl; moderate effect with fipronil while the least effect recorded with imidacloprid. While in spinach one week after application the reduction percentages recorded 59.24% with methomyl, 55.47% with malathion, 32.33% with acetamiprid and 28.01% reduction, with imidacloprid moreover the same trend was observed two and three weeks after application. Generally, the molluscicidal determination of all tested pesticides in controlling the glassy clover snail, M. cartusiana infesting vegetable crops under field conditions at Sharkia Governorate could be arranged as; total general means of percent reduction, after four weeks of application as follows: Methomyl < Malathion < Emamectin benzoate < Fipronil < Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid with percentage reductions of 59.06, 54.24, 47.77, 43.26, 30.75 and 28.96%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pots experiment was designed in two summer successive seasons of 2017 and 2018 at the wire house of the Agric. Bot. Dept., Fac. Agric. Zagazig Univ., Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Common bean plants cv. Giza 3 were foliar sprayed with different concentrations of humic acid, proline, naphthalene acetic acid and distilled water (as a control) under sea water salinity levels, i.e. 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm and tap water (500 ppm) as a control, to examine its effects on growth, photosynthetic pigments, proline content, yield and leaf anatomy of common bean plants. Results revealed that most studied traits, i.e., plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf area, fresh weight of roots, stems and leaves, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a+b and carotenoids) and yield expressed as number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, number of seeds/ plant, 100-seed weight and length of pod as well as leaf anatomical parameters. Most aforementioned features were significantly decreased with increasing sea water levels up to the highest level (3000 ppm) comparison with control (tap water). On the contrary, proline content in leaves was increased with increasing salinity levels up to 3000 ppm. On the other hand, spraying common bean plants with humic acid at 2 and 4g/L, proline at 50 and 100 ppm and naphthalene acetic acid at 25 and 50 ppm had a positive significant effect in most studied traits compared to control (distilled water). In general, the most favorable treatments were foliar spray common bean plants with humic acid at 2g/L followed by proline at 100 ppm then naphthalene acetic acid at 25 ppm, respectively compared to control (distilled water). It could be concluded that spraying of humic acid, proline and naphthalene acetic acid mitigate the harmful effect of sea water salinity on common bean plants and the best treatment was interaction between irrigation with tap water or sea water at 1000 ppm and spraying by humic acid at 2 g/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation was conducted at the, Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt during 2016 and 2017 summer seasons to study the growth and forage yield of Pearl millet. The experiment was arranged in a split plot design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two cutting dates [early at 56 days after sowing (DAS), and late at 63 DAS for the 1st cut, and after 35 and 42 days from the 1st and 2nd cuts for the 2nd and 3rd cuts] respectively and three nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels viz. 15, 30 and 45 kg N/fad./cut. The results indicated that late cutting date significantly produced the highest growth values for each of plant height (238.2 cm), leaf area/plant (4970.2 cm2) and fresh forage weight (164.9 (g)/plant). Also, the highest fresh and dry forage yields (16.88 and 3.541 ton/fad), the highest total fresh seasonal yield (TFSY) and total dry seasonal yield (TDSY) 37.98 and 7.11 ton/fad., were as well recorded by late cutting in both seasons. Apparently, the highest obtained value of each studied growth traits and the forage yield during both growing seasons was achieved by increasing N fertilizer level up to the highest amount (45 kg N/fad./cut), followed by 30 and 15 kg N/fad./cut, respectively. The significant interaction effect between the two studied factors on forage yield indicated that the highest (TDSY) (7.607 ton/fad.) of pearl millet was obtainable at late cutting date under application of 45 kg N/fad./ cut. The results of the present study has concluded that, cutting at 63 DAS followed by 42 and 35 days interval for next cuts (three cuts) with application of 45 kg N/fad./cut is optimum for better growth and yield performance in pearl millet cultivar “Shandaweel 1” under the agro-climatic conditions of Sharkia Governorate in Egypt and similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted in order to assess nutritional knowledge and food behavior of osteoporosis among women in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Sources of information about osteoporosis and dietary intake of participants were also evaluated. This research was a descriptiveanalytical study. Data was collected using a questionnaire that was distributed to 300 women from Sharkia Governorate (150 healthy women and 150 patients diagnosed with osteoporosis). Results estimated that the most of healthy women (39.33%) were between 24 < 40 years old. While (38.70%) were between 40 - 55 years old in patients. The highest percentage of educational level for healthy women was 44% (secondary school), whereas, in patients was 43.3% (bachelor). The largest proportion of healthy women and patients had family income from 2000 < 4000 LE per month. 66% of healthy women hadn't relative suffering from osteoporosis. 48% of patients had fractions. Also, the results indicated that there were statistically significant differences in healthy women and patients and their age, education, job, marital status, history of osteoporosis in the family, menstruation, fractures, calcium and vitamin D supplements and physical exercises. Television appear to play the main role for osteoporosis information for respondents. The highest percentage of participants had average level of general knowledge, knowledge of rick factors and knowledge of protective factors about osteoporosis. The majority of healthy women and patients (68 and 71.3%), respectively, had average level about food behavior. There were statically significant differences between participants (healthy women and patients) and levels of knowledge about general knowledge, protective factors and total knowledge for osteoporosis. Most of respondents who had average level of knowledge have high education level. Healthy women (30.3%) and patients (45.5%) who had average level of knowledge have fractures and this association is statically significant. The results showed that most of participants who had average level of food behavior, were from average level of total knowledge about osteoporosis and this association is statically significant. The results illustrated that the highest percentage of patients took less than recommended dietary allowance of macronutrients and micronutrients which are important to prevent osteoporosis. It can be concluded that the most of subjects had average level of knowledge and food behavior about osteoporosis, while, low percentage had high level. Therefore, the recommendions are the use of television programs to raise awareness for all people about the prevention of osteoporosis, more effort from doctors and healthcare providers to inform patients about preventing and treating from osteoporosis and attention the government to this subject in its health policies and make more efforts to inform people especially women about osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was carried out at Ghazala Experimental Farm, Fac. Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt, during the two successive winter seasons of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017, to estimates the genetic parameters for Balady cabbage, using North Carolina Mating Design II. Ten selected plants were used for this study (five as males and other five as females) from Balady cabbage population. Results of this study showed insignificant mean squares for male × female interaction for all the studied traits, except that for stem diameter, leaf width, wrapper leaves weight per plant and head height, which were highly significant. Estimations of additive variance (σ2A) were higher than dominance variance (σ2D) for stem diameter, leaf width, head height, head diameter and head weight per plant (yield), indicate the important of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Nevertheless, σ2D was higher than σ2A for stem height from wrapper leaves to head, leaf length, and wrapper leaf number and weight per plant, so that the dominance was played very important role in the inheritance of these traits. The heritability in broad-sense ranged from -4.30% for stem height up to wrapper leaves to 83.80% for leaf width. While, narrow-sense of heritability ranged from -2.10% for stem height up to wrapper leaves to 97.35% for head height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of a survey carried out on land gastropods infesting major field,vegetable and fruit crops in 12 villages (localities) representing four districts (counties) of Dakahlia governorate through the seasonal activity period of gastropod species during two successive growing seasons 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 revealed the occurrence of three land snail species and one slug species belonging to order: Stylommatophora. snail species were, the glassy clover snail Monacha cartusiana (Muller) family: Hygromiidae, the brown garden (chocolate-band) snail Eobania vermiculata (Muller) family: Helicidae and the succineid snail Succinea sp., family: Succineidae, while the slug species was Deroceras sp., family: Agriolimacidae. The identified species varied in their incidence according to host plant, locality and season. In this respect, M. cartusiana snail has the upper hand, since it was detected in most of all surveyed localities infesting the majority of examined crops. It was more abundant on field and vegetable crops compared to fruit trees. E. vermiculata was found on all examined fruit crops. It was not detected on any of the studied field or vegetable crops at all surveyed localities. On contrary, the succineid snail Succinea sp. was found on field and vegetable only, it was not observed infesting fruit crops. On the other hand, the slug Deroceras sp. was found in certain localities infesting all examined crops except wheat, broad bean and potato. Population density of M. curtusiana differed from host plant to another and from locality to another. Among field and vegetable crops, Egyptian clover and lettuce gained the highest values while wheat and potato showed the lowest ones. Since, the highest number of this snail on Egyptian clover and lettuce were counted in Borg ElNour village (Aga district) and Batra village (Talkha district) during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons with values 29.9, 25.6 (21.1, 19.5) and 27.7, 23.2 (24.4, 22.5) snails per 50 x 50cm², respectively. Whereas, other identified gastropod species were found with relatively lower occurrence and population density on the infested crops. The seasonal population behavior of the predominant species, M. cartusiana was monitored on Egyptian clover and wheat during two successive seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021). It was found that population density increased during spring months as compared to low or moderate values during autumn and winter months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in the Experimental Farm, Fac. Agric., Zagazig Univ., Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during 2015 and 2016 seasons to find out the effect of irrigation intervals (10 and 16 days) under four bio and mineral fertilization treatments on physiological, anatomical features, growth and yield of yellow maize cultivar single cross 168. The combined analysis detected significant decrease in maize leaf photosynthetic pigments, photochemical activity, histological features, growth and most yield attributes of maize due to prolonging the irrigation interval to 16 days except each of plant height, ear leaf area, ear length and diameter, number of rows per ear and number of grains per ear which were not significantly affected by irrigation interval. The bio and mineral fertilization treatments caused significant effects on all previous traits. Combined application of biofertilizers with 60 or 80% of the recommended levels of NP gave significant increments in values of leaf photosynthetic pigments, photochemical activity, histological features, growth and yield attributes of maize except both plant height and number of rows per ear which were not significantly affected by fertilization treatments. The interactions between the studied factors had significant effects on some growth and yield attributes. These results are quite interesting as they refers to a complementary positive role between biofertization, mineral NP fertilization and soil moisture content and hence help in minimizing the use of mineral NP fertilizers beyond to 40%. Cerealin + Phosphorein + 60% NP under 16-days irrigation interval treatment can be suggested as a recommended treatment to obtain a promising maize grain yield, saving irrigation water and to minimize soil pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objectives of the study can be summarized as follows: (i) studying the production performance and economic efficiency for different types of dairy cows. (ii) studying the main dairy production problems or constraints affecting the milk productivity and total return per dairy head. The main results can be summarized as follows: (i) the total costs per kg of milk is estimated at 6.84 LE/kg for baladi cow, 4.77 LE/kg for crossbred cow and 5.35 LE/kg for buffalo cow. (ii) the net total costs per kg of milk (i.e., total costs less non-milk return) is estimated at 2.74 LE/kg for baladi cow, 2.07 LE/kg for crossbred cow and 2.59 LE/kg for buffalo cow. (iii) the gross margins and the net profits per kg of milk for baladi cow, crossbred cow and buffalo cow are estimated at 1.44 LE/kg, 1.21 LE/kg; 2.02 LE/kg, 1.88 LE/kg and 3.04 LE/kg as well as 2.86 LE/kg, respectively. (iv) the farmer incentive per kg of milk is estimated at 31% for baladi cow, 48% for crossbred cow and 53% for buffalo cow. (v) the milk quantities produced from the studied cows increase when the problem degrees decrease. (ii) the total returns from milk per head increase when the problem degrees decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study carried out during two successive seasons 2019 and 2020 at Elbaramun experimental Farm, Horticulture Research Station, Dakahlia, Egypt to select superior genotypes with a good performance in traits of interest from a tomatillo heterogeneous population of the local variety “Balady”. In addition, estimation the genetic gains with the simultaneous selection of yield component traits and soluble solids content. A population derived from “Balady” was used in current study as a basic material. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Different vegetative growth and fruit characters were estimated. Results showed that, moderate to high positive genetic gains (ΔG %) were obtained along the evaluated traits ranged from 0.086% to 32.33% for shape index and marketable fruit yield. Regarding earliness traits, genetic gain by selection estimated by 6.862% and 12.97% for early fruit number and early yield, respectively. In addition, the great genetic gain observed was for the marketable fruit yield that recorded 32.33%.Regarding the total soluble solids, a selection gain with 5.616% at 60 old days was obtained after first cycle of selection comparing with the original population. Twenty individuals for each studied trait represent about 8% of selection intensity, showed best values regarding each evaluated trait. The results revealed that the selection for TSS in tomatillo at 45 old days did not gave remarkable gain by selection, (1.538 %) indicating that the selection for this trait would be better at advanced stage of maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to improve Banana crop growth and productivity by planting cultivars that may be tolerant to banana diseases with high productivity and quality. Three imported cultivars (Zeef, Grand Nine, and Canary) were planted in private orchard in El Salhya District, Sharkia Govemorate, Egypt in two consecutive seasons of2016 and 2017. The results of this work indicated that Zeef and Grand Nine were significantly higher in growth parameters such as plants length and number of functional leaves than Canary. Similar results were noticed in productivity parameters where Zeef plants and Grand Nine were significantly higher than Canary such as total yield, bunch weight, bunch length, finger length and diameter, while no clear differences were found in quality components. Also the second season 2017 (the first sucker) was higher than the first one (Mother) in the three cultivars in all parameters. Also Zeef plants and Grand Nine recorded the highest value for each of antioxidants enzymes, soluble sugars and proline, this reflects that defense system in both cultivars was stronger than Canary cultivar, so they were more tolerant to diseases than Canary plants. Therefore the general evaluation showed that Zeef and Grand Nine banana cultivars are considered promising cultivars for the Egyptian conditions with high productivity and quality and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was carried out at Vegetable Private Farm at Bani Amer Village, Zagazig Distract, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt during the two successive summer seasons of 2017 and 2018, to study the performance of ten eggplant genotypes; i.e., Little Fingers (L.F.), Ping Tung (P.T.), Antigua (An.), Aswad (As.), Japanese White Egg (J.W.E.), Apple Green (A.G.), Rotonda Bianca Stumata di Rosa ( R.B.S.), Korean Red (K.R.), Black Oblong (B.O.) and Black very Long (B.V.L.); under three intra- row plant spacings, (30, 45 and 60 cm). The ten cultivars were evaluate in clay soil and surface irrigation. The ten cultivars were evaluated transplanting R.B.S. and B.V.L. cvs. at 45 cm gave the tallest plants. Transplanting A.G. and K.R. cvs. at 60 cm increased number of branches and number of leaves/ plant without significant differences between each other the case of number of branches/ plant in both seasons. Transplanting K.R. and B.O. cvs. at 60 cm increased leaf area and dry weight of leaves, respectively. However, transplanting R.B.S. cv. at 60 cm increased both chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll (a+b) in leaf tissues, While the interaction between transplanting K.R. cv. on spacing at 30 cm gave the lowest concentration of chlorophyll a, b, total (a+b) and carotenoids in leaf tissues of eggplant in 2018 season. With respect yield and its components, planting P.T. cv. at 60 cm and B.O. cv. at 45 increased number of fruits/plant, yield/plant, respectively. While planting As. cv. at 30 cm increased average fruit weight and total yield /fad. In the 2nd season, planting K.R. cv. at 60 cm, B.O. cv. at 45 cm, B.O. cv. at 60 cm and B.O. cv. at 30 cm increased number of fruits/ plant, average fruit weight, yield/ plant and total yield/ fad., respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out in the laboratory of agricultural microbiology Department, faculty of agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt, in summer and winter seasons 2013 and 2014. In order to study the aflatoxin Ml (AFM1) contamination in milk, kareish cheese and yoghurt. AFMI was detected in raw milk in only 10 out of 12 samples (83.3%) in each season. Winter season had higher AFMI concentration than summer season with the mean values of 311.8 and 207.0 ng/1, respectively. AFMI was detected in all samples of kareish cheese (24 samples) in summer as well as in winter season. Winter season had higher AFMI concentration than summer season with average values of 651.36 and 527.40 ng/kg, respectively. The present results observed that 83.33% of cheese sample examined exceeding the limits of EU (50 ng/kg), and (70.83%) of cheese samples examined exceeding the limits of codex (500 ng/kg) in both summer and winter seasons. In yoghurt, the AFMI did not detect in 3 out of 12 samples of yoghurt tested. In summer season the positive samples ranged from 31.46 to 66.05 ng/kg with average of 39.13 ng/kg. AFMI did not detect in only one out of 12 samples tested in winter season. Also, the positive samples ranged from 56.6 to 84.14 ng/kg with an average of 64.68 ng/kg. Cheese had a higher concentration of AFMI than both raw milk and yoghurt. Also, yoghurt had the lowest concentration of AFMI comparing to raw milk and cheese. Heating treatments reduced the concentrations of AFMI in all raw milk samples tested. Boiling caused 26.71 % degradion of AFMI, whereas pasteurization caused only 15.45% degradation. In yoghurt, two strains of probiotic bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis) individually were gradually reduced the concentration of AFMI in contaminated milk with 25 ppt, as a function of time with complete elimination by the end of storage period (3 days) at refrigerator, while the cocktail of the two strains showed more ability for reducing AFMI. Both probiotic bacteria (L. acidophilus and B. lactis) showed more ability for reducing AFMI in contaminated milk with 50.0 ppt or 75 ppt.The most important reductions of AFMI concentration were 41.80 ppt (45.3%), 2.6 ppt (69.90%) and 7.12 ppt (92.8%) which achieved by using the same concentration individually of each strain and in combination, respectively, in contaminated milk with 75ppt after two days. No AFMI was detected using combined strains after three days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]