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Unlike edaphic factors, it is difficult to control climatic conditions and their changes that affect plant growth and development. To deal with such posture, farmers have to cultivate their crops at the right time. From this point, over two–year of 2014 and 2015, a field experiment was performed at El-Nubaria region, El-Behaira Governorate, Egypt, to assess the response of sunflower to different combinations between sowing dates (early, mid and delayed) and ascorbic acid treatments (with ascorbic acid and without ascorbic acid). Ascorbic acid was sprayed at 30, 40 and 50 days after sowing. The results showed that sowing sunflower in mid sowing (May 21) achieved the highest values of cumulative heat units utilization efficiency as well as all growth and yield traits, while the lowest values were recorded under the delayed sowing date (June 21). Application of ascorbic acid was effective for promoting growth and yield traits under all studied sowing dates. Ascorbic acid achieved 11.6, 10.1, 10.7 and 12.9% increases under early sowing, and 9.5, 6.6, 8.6 and 10.3% increases under delayed sowing in head diameter, seed weight plant−1, seed yield and oil yield, respectively. Comparing to mid sowing × without ascorbic acid, application of ascorbic acid alleviated seed yield losses associated early sowing from 15.7–6.6% and from 23.0–16.4% with delayed one. In conclusion, for remediating the thermal stressful impacts of early or late sowing of sunflower, farmers are advised to treat crop plants with ascorbic acid to avoid yield losses.

Food bait which is rich in nitrogen has an intensive impact on physiology and behavior of fruit flies. Addition of ammonia to food baits can improve their effectiveness and the pH-level of these baits plays an important role in attracting fruit flies, since the effectiveness of bait is diminished by decreasing the pH-level. Therefore, the current study examined the effectiveness of several mixtures of the protein-based bait, Buminal, and ammonia compounds (ammonium acetate, ammonium chloride, di-ammonium phosphate and phosphoric acid) in attracting the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. Traps provided with each of these different mixtures were hanged in two fruit orchards (Novel orang and Mandarin) and examined in three-day intervals for 12 day period. In each inspection time, fifty milliliters of each mixture in the field were taken to estimate the pH-level. Regardless, the concentration of ammonia compounds, addition of di-ammonium phosphate to Buminal attracted more fruit flies than other mixtures. Further, all the tested mixtures attracted more females than males in both orchards. Although, the highest captures of C. capitata were by mixture of Buminal 5%+di-ammonium phosphate 1%, it did not coincide with changing in pH levels of this mixture. Only, the changes in pH-level of Buminal 5%+di-ammonium phosphate 2% led to significant increase in the number of trapped flies. This study might suggest that increasing the pH-level of food lure above 7.6 might adversely decline the number of trapped flies. Buminal+di-ammonium phosphate mixture can be generalized in IPM programs for C. capitata in Egyptian fruit farms.

Background The objective of this work is to identify the most proper herbicidal treatment on sugar beet to compare different single weed control herbicide doses on sugar beet traits and associated weeds as well as yield and quality under sandy soil conditions. Therefore, two field experiments were conducted during the winter seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 at the Experimental Farm of the National Research Centre, El-Beheira Governorate. Tigro at 1.0 and 0.750 l fed−1, Betasana-Trio at 0.675 and at 0.9 l fed−1, Select Super at 0.5 and 0.375 l fed−1 and Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1 besides the unweeded and hand weeded twice were used. Results The results showed that the herbicides Betasana-Trio at 0.9 l fed−1, Tigro at 1.0 l fed−1 and Betasana-Trio at 0.675 l fed−1 when sprayed twice could effectively and/or completely eliminate the broadleaved weeds associated with sugar beet plants. Moreover, the results indicated and confirmed that Tigro and Betasana-Trio herbicides are effective in controlling broadleaved weeds. Similar tendency was recorded for the narrow-leaved weeds, where Select Super or Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1 as well as Select Super at 0.375 l fed−1 could completely eliminate or minimize the narrow-leaved weeds associated with sugar beet plants. The greatest significant root length, root diameters and root yield plant−1 were recorded when hand weeding twice followed by Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1 without significant differences. Gross sugar % ranged between 12.08 and 15 .7% and extractable sugar % ranged between 8.97 and 13.8% for Betasana-Trio at 0.09 l fed−1 and Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1. Conclusion Betanal MaxxPro gave the highest values of root and biological yield ton fed−1. Betanal MaxxPro followed by hand weeding treatment twice resulted in the greatest sugar yield fed−1. The highest sugar yield resulted from the herbicidal treatment with Betanal MaxxPro or Tigro at 1.0 l fed−1, which gave the greatest gross and extractable sugar yield fed−1 and exceeded the hand weeding treatment by 10.4 and 7.8%.

Maximizing the utilization of water unit is of paramount importance in arid zones and worldwide. This is even more significant when plants are subjected to both thermal and water stress. Hence, a two-year (2014 and 2015 seasons) field trial was carried out to study the effect of three sowing dates (April 21, May 21, and June 21); two irrigation levels (I100 and I85) and two ascorbic acid rates, ASA (0 and 450 mg L−1), on physiological and biochemical traits, productivity and water use efficiency (WUE) of sunflower. Results showed that subjecting sunflower plants to water deficit under any sowing date caused decreases in chlorophyll, carotenoids, oil% and seed yield and an increase in proline content. As averages of the two seasons, ASA treated plants caused increases in seed yield amounted to 11.7%, 10.6% and 8.4% with I100 and 5.1%, 14.4% and 7.7% with I85 compared to non-treated plants sown in April, May and June, respectively. In ASA treated plots, WUE values of sowing in April x I100 or sowing in June x I85 in 2014 and sowing in May x I85 in 2015 were as similar as that of conventional practice (sowing in May x I100 × 0 mg L−1 ASA). Accordingly, results clarify that ASA can be used successfully in sunflower management programs, particularly under abiotic stresses e.g. unfavorable heat and drought.

The efficiency of methyl eugenol diluted with oleic acid was evaluated against the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata(Saunders) in guava and mandarin orchards. Four concentrations (98, 75, 50 and 25 %) weretested by using yellow Jackson trap. The obtained results indicated that B. zonata males showed different degrees of attractancy for the different tested concentrations in both orchards.In guava orchards, methyl eugenol attracted the highest numbers of B. zonata males at a concentration of 75% followed by 98, 50 and 25% with a general mean of 74.8, 66.37, 51.49 and 29.52 individuals/trap / week, respectively. Also, in mandarin the concentration of75% exhibited the highest attractiveness (19.05) for PFF males, while the concentration of 50% ranked the second group and recorded the moderate level of attractiveness (14.47) followed by 25% (11.78) and 98% (10.68individuals/trap / week). The regression of the attractiveness of each tested concentration to PFF males over 70 days in guava and mandarin orchards revealed that the potentiality of the tested varied according to the concentration used. However, the efficiency of methyl eugenol at 75% concentration slightly decreased by the time in comparison with other tested concentrations in both orchards.

This study was conducted to evaluate the bioherbicidal properties of orange peelsagainst canary grass and cheeseweed mallow and the response of common bean plants.Two successive pot experiments were conducted with twelve treatments. The first fourtreatments were applied by incorporating of orange peels powder with the soil surface atsuccessive rates (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/pot) one week pre-sowing of common bean. Inthe other corresponding four treatments, the orange peels powder was incorporated withthe soil surface at the same rates but directly at the same time with sowing of commonbean seeds. Additionally, four untreated control treatments were applied for comparison.The recorded results revealed the inhibitory allelopathic effects of orange peels powderon both weeds with direct relationship between the orange peels rate and it's inhibitoryeffects. However, the pre-sowing treatments were more effective than the others whichapplied at the time of sowing. Orange peels at 40g/pot at one week pre-sowing gave thehighest inhibitory effect on both weeds. This superior treatment subsequently recordedthe highest growth parameters and yield traits of common bean. Estimated phenoliccompounds, flavonoids and essential oils in orange peels may be responsible for thisinhibitory effect.

Hidrogenionic potential (pH) of the baits plays a fundamental role in attracting fruit flies. So, the purposes of this study were to study the effect of pH-level on the ability of protein-based bai...

The present investigation aims to evaluate efficacy of adding some ammonium compounds to Conserve (GF-120) when used at different concentrations, (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0% (wt./vol.) on attraction of the Mediterranean fruit fly (MFF). These compounds included; ammonium acetate (AA), Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and ammonium carbonate (AC). The relationship between attraction flies and pH values of the bait solution was also investigated. Field experiments were carried out at Dakahlia Governorate during October 2017 at Guava and Citrus orchards. The obtained results indicated a positive relationship between concentrations of all tested ammonium compounds and the number of attracted flies to GF-120 concentrations. Also, there were positive responses between pH values and the attracted flies (females, males or total). Females responded significantly more than males to pH values. Additions of 3% DAP or 2-3% AC to GF-120 enhanced its attraction to Ceratitis capitata, potentially increasing the bait's efficacy in applying integrated pest management programs for C. capitata.

Peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered one of the most economic important insect pest for several kinds of fruit species. Present work seeks to explore for the preparation of a novel composite based on petroleum coke with polyethylene, oleic acid and natural rubber as a dispenser for methyl eugunol. This target aims to get efficient dispenser composite to attract PFF males under field conditions in comparison with standard liquid lure dispenser (cotton wick). In addition to favorably regulate the release rate of methyl eugenol (ME) to extend its effectiveness and stability for PFF attraction in comparison with standard lure dispenser (cotton wick) by using Jackson traps under field conditions. The obtained results showed that Composite prolonged the length of effective field ME duration to 18 weeks or longer; while, the length of effective field duration of cotton wick dispenser was 8 weeks only. The ability of cotton wick dispenser to attract PFF males was higher than that of Composite during the first six weeks (with no significant differences between the two dispensers in some of these weeks). On contrary, from the 7th week till the end of the experiments, Composite dispenser showed significantly higher ability to attract PFF males. Efficacy from Composite dispenser did not significantly affected by the time passed after hanging traps; while, ME released from cotton wick dispenser decreased significantly by the time passed. On another hand, the efficacy of Composite dispenser did not significantly affected by air temperature degrees; while, the efficacy of cotton wick dispenser was significantly affected by air temperature degrees. Therefore, it could be concluded that the prepared composite may efficiently replace the cotton wick and could be applied at large scale in integrated pest management programs for PFF.

Water stress reduces crop production significantly, and climate change has further aggravated the problem mainly in arid and semi-arid regions. This was the first study on the possible effects of β-sitosterol application in ameliorating the deleterious changes in wheat induced by water stress under field condition and drip irrigation regimes. A field experiment with the split-plot design was conducted, and wheat plants were foliar sprayed with four β-sitosterol (BBS) concentrations (0, 25, 75, and 100 mg L−1) and two irrigation regimes [50 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)]. Water stress without BBS treatment reduced biological yield, grain yield, harvest index, and photosynthetic efficiency significantly by 28.9%, 42.8%, 19.6%, and 20.5% compared with the well-watered plants, respectively. Proline content increased in water-stressed and BSS-treated plants, owing to a significant role in cellular osmotic adjustment. Application of BSS was effective in reducing the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hence the malondialdehyde content significantly in water-stressed and well-watered wheat plants. Application of BSS up-regulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD, and APX) significantly and increased the content of tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and carotene thereby reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species. The increased antioxidant system in BSS treated plants was further supported by the expression level of SOD and dehydrin genes in both water-stressed and well-watered plants. In the present study, the application of BBS at 100 mg L−1 was beneficial and can be recommended for improving the growth and yield of the wheat crop under water stress.

About 900.000 ha of Egypt’s agricultural lands are suffering from salinity build-up problem. Therefore, two field experiments were conducted in split-split plot design with four replications to study α‑tocopherols foliar application with 100 and 200 ppm and hand hoeing (two and three hand hoeing, plus unweeded) and their interactive effects on growth, osmoprotectants, mineral contents, seed yield, yield components, and nutritive value of the lupine plants and its associated weeds grown under salt-affected soil at 1.30, 3.20 and 4.23 dS m−1. Three hand hoeing treatment achieved the highest weed depression expressed in the lowest number and dry matter of broad-leaved, narrow-leaved and total weeds, and reduction % in dry matter were 80.75, 78.25 and 79.26 % compared with unweeded, respectively. Salinity stress significantly decreased total chlorophyll content, leaf area index and plant dry weight, while α‑tocopherol and hoeing increased in all previous traits relative to corresponding controls. Lupine seed yield, yield components, and oils, carbohydrates, proteins, carotenoids and alkaloids in the yielded seeds were significantly reduced by increasing salinity levels, meanwhile hoeing and α‑tocopherol treatments improved them. Total essential amino acids were decreased by increasing salinity levels and increased by increasing α‑tocopherol concentrations and number of hoeing treatments. It could be concluded that α‑tocopherol especially at 200 ppm partially alleviated the harmful effects of salinity stress on the growth of lupine plants and nutritive value of the yielded seeds. Three hand hoeing treatment was the optimum and safe method in controlling weeds associated with lupine plant grown under salinity stress.

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wied), is ranked as the most economically important fruit fly worldwide. The trials were carried out at Dakahlia Governorate (Aga district) in navel and Valencia orange orchards. Evaluation periods extended to eight weeks in two experimental sites. This study was carried out to evaluate the field efficiency of five amounts of trimedlure (TML) (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 cm3) mounted inside traps to determine the optimal one that could be used for detection, survey and monitoring the C. capitata male flies in integrated pest control programs. The obtained results pointed out that the TML could be used successfully by 1.5 or 2.0 cm3 and consequently reduce the economic costs of the pest control.

Two field experiments were carried out in two successive seasons to examine the effect of weed management on wheat crop under saline condition and how herbicides can interact with foliar application with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to improve weed suppression and enhance crop growth and productivity under salinity stress. Clodinafop-propargyl was the best option to attain acceptable grassy weeds control. Increasing IAA from 0 up to 150 ppm significantly increased number and dry weight of grassy weeds in wheat after 80 days from sowing. Application of IAA at 150 ppm recorded the highest number and dry weight of weeds. Clodinafop-propargyl produced the lowest values of number and dry weight of weeds as well as nutrients uptake by weeds when water spraying was added. While application of IAA at 150 ppm gave the maximum values of flag leaf area, SPAD meter values, number of spike/m2, spike length, number of spikelets/spike, grains number/spike, grains weight/spike, as well as grain, straw, and total crude protein, phosphorus and potassium percentages when clodinafop-propargyl treatment was applied. It could be concluded that using IAA at 150 ppm resulted in enhancement of growth and productivity of wheat crop when integrated with clodinafop-propargyl treatment under salinity condition.

Phosphorus ( P) is considered limiting factor for growth and productivity of legume crops . Two field experiments were conducted at the experimental Farm of Tag El- Ezz Station, Dakahlia Governorate ,Egypt during 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons, to study the productivity of three faba bean cultivars namely ( Sakha 1, Nubria 1 and Giza 843) under three phosphorus levels, i.e. (15.5, 23.25 and 31Kg P2O5/fad.)with three types from solubilizing phosphate fungi ,i.e. ( Aspergillus Oryza, Aspergillus Niger and Penicillium Purpurogenum ). The results indicated that there were significant differences among the tested varieties in most characters studied in both seasons and combined analysis. Sakha 1 gave the highest values of nodules and root weight compared with other cultivars. Adding super phosphate at the rate of 31 kg P2O5 gave the highest values of nodules and roots weight compared with the other phosphorus levels and using fungi A .Niger recorded increase in nodules and root weight after 45 and 60 days from sowing in both seasons. On the other hand, growth and yield attributes as well as seed yield /fad. were significantly increased with the increase of phosphours level from 15.5 to 31 kg P2O5/fad. Inoculation faba bean seeds with A. Niger and A. Oryza gave the highest values for seed yield and yield attributes for all faba bean varieties in both seasons and combined analysis . on the other hand Sakha 1 produced the highest seed yield .( 8.18, 8.28 and 8.23 ardab/fad.) compared with 7.83 ,8.03 and 7.93 ardab/fad. for Nubria 1 and (8.02,8.25 and 8.15 ardab/fad.) for Giza 843 in both seasons and combined analysis respectively. The results obtained revealed that , there are significant differences in P% values , between studied cultivars , Sakha 1 gave the highest values compared with the other cultivars . On the other hand, adding 31 Kg P2O5 and the inoculation with A. Niger gave the highly significantly P% in roots and shoots in both seasons . Also the interactions effect between all studied factors on P% in root and shoot are highly significantly in both seasons

Population fluctuations of the white mango scale insect, Aulacaspis tubercularis, Newstead, (Coccoidea: Diaspididae) had been studied in mango orchards located at two governorates, (Damietta and Gharbya) in the northern of Egyp during 2010. The obtained data revealed that A. tubercularis recorded three peaks at Damietta governorate; these peaks were recorded during February, June and August 2010 when 35.5, 39.1 and 127.1 individuals/leaf were recorded, respectively. At Gharbyia governorate two peaks during April 2010, (48.9 individuals/leaf) and July 2010, (32.6 individuals/leaf).The variables of temperature and relative humidity had slight effects on A. tubercularis population. On the other hand, A. tubercularis preferred south direction than the other cardinal directions (north, east and west) and center of mango tree canopy. Also, this pest preferred the upper surface of leaves during cold month (winter months) and preferred the lower surface of leaves during the hot months (summer months). The sex ratio had been recorded as 34.6:1 (male: females) at Damietta district, while, at Gharbayia governorate, it had been recorded as 20.5:1.

Spinosad, Lufenuron and Malathion were evaluated in controlling olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) under field conditions by using partial bait spray and killing bags during fruiting seasons of 2008 and 2009. The obtained results showed that the percentages of B. oleae populations and fruit infestation were obviously low in treated plots with Lufenuron, Spinosad and Malathion, respectively in comparison with control plot which were relatively high. The mean reduction percentages in B. oleae population in treated plots with Lufenuron, Spinosad and Malathion were 86.2±8.2, 77.3±3.0 and 71.3±11.2% during 2008 season and 74.8±10.1, 71.9±9.4 and 70.2±7.2% during 2009 season, respectively. While, the mean reduction percentages in fruit infestation by B. oleae larvae in treated plots with Lufenuron, Spinosad and Malathion were 77.5±6.5 & 73.1±5.1, 76.9±5.2 & 71.5±5.1 and 70.8±6.8 & 64.9±6.2% during 2008 & 2009 seasons, respectively.

Dois experimentos de campo foram conduzidos na fazenda experimental do Centro de Pesquisa Nacional em Shalakan, Kalubia Governorate, Egito, durante 2006 e 2007, para estudar o efeito de tres herbicidas de pre-emergencia, prometryn [doses de 0.75, 1.5 e 2.25 kg ha-1], oxadiargyl [doses de 240, 480 e 720 g ha-1] e butralin [doses de 1.20, 2.40 e 3.36 kg ha-1], dois tratamentos capinados e um controle sem capina, avaliando a infestacao de plantas daninhas, a nodulacao, o crescimento, o rendimento, e os componentes do rendimento em plantas de soja. Dois tratamentos resultaram em maior reducao de plantas daninhas expressa em menores pesos frescos e secos das plantas dicotiledoneas, gramineas e total. A percentagem de materias das plantas daninhas comparada ao tratamento sem capina foi de 98.3, 92.64 e 96.9% em dicotiledoneas, gramineas e total de plantas infestantes, respectivamente. A aplicacao de tres herbicidas em doses maiores ou nas doses recomendadas reduziu significantemente o peso fresco e seco das plantas daninhas comparado com o tratamento com capina. Os resultados indicaram que todos os tres herbicidas nas maiores doses diminuiram o numero, peso fresco e seco dos nodulos, raiz, caule e peso seco total da planta, enquanto duas capinas manuais aumentaram significativamente das caracteristicas citadas. Duas capinas manuais e os herbicidas de pre-emergencia aplicados nas doses recomendadas aumentaram o rendimento da soja e seus atributos. Duas capinas manuais produziram maiores numeros de vagens por planta, peso de vagem por planta e numero de sementes por planta em 140,7; 150,0 e 59,8%, respectivamente, comparado ao tratamento capinado. Por outro lado, oxadiargyl aplicado na dose recomendada (480 g ha-1) apresentou maior rendimento de semente (g planta-1), rendimento de semente (kg ha-1) e rendimento biologico (g planta-1) que o tratamento sem capina em 87,3; 85,0 e 88,2%, respectivamente. Prometryn na dose de 1,50 kg ha-1, seguido de duas capinas manuais produziu a maior percentagem de proteina na parte aerea e sementes como tambem de oleo na semente, comparado a outros tratamentos de controle de plantas daninhas.

Organic crop production, whether for export or local consumption, is increasing to avoid the residual effects of synthetic herbicides in foods, soil, and water, toxicity to other nontarget organisms, and herbicide-resistant weed populations. Organic farmers consistently ranked weed management as one of their most important production problems. Therefore, a 2-year study was conducted under 15-year-old mandarin trees to compare the effects of rice straw mulch, cattail mulch, black plastic mulch, hand hoeing, cultivation, glyphosate, and unweeded control treatments on weed control, fruit yield, and fruit quality. The greatest control (94%–100%) of weeds occurred with the plastic mulch (200 or 150 μm) and three mulch layers of rice straw or cattail. Covering soil with cattail or rice straw mulch (two layers) gave 85% to 98% control of weeds. Uncontrolled weeds in the weedy control caused significant reduction in yield and fruit quality and decreased the yield/tree by 62% compared with hand hoe treatment. Plastic mulches of 200 and 150 μm, cattail (Cyprus articulatus L.) mulch (two or three layers) and two mulch layers of rice (Oryza sativa L.) straw treatments significantly increased the fruit yield/tree by 24%, 18%, 20%, 11%, and 12% more than cultivation treatment, respectively, without significant differences among these superior treatments. Soil mulching with three layers of rice straw, cultivation, glyphosate, and 80-μm plastic mulch treatments caused a significant reduction in weed density and weed biomass, but gave lower yield than superior treatments. Total soluble solids of fruits was unaffected by any of the weed management strategies, whereas values of total acidity and vitamin C were significantly lower in the unwedded control than most weeded treatments. These results demonstrate that two layers of cattail or rice straw mulch could be used effectively for controlling weeds in citrus groves. Their effectiveness in controlling weeds may increase their use in agriculture systems with a concomitant decrease in the need for synthetic herbicides. Further studies are needed to evaluate their side effects on beneficial organisms, diseases, and insects.