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This study was designed to evaluate the quality of yoghurt sold in Assiut city, Egypt, in which a total of 60 samples of Baladi, pasteurized plain and pasteurized flavored (20 each) were collected randomly. The sensory evaluation was based on visual, texture and flavor. Syneresis was applied for rheological properties and pH for physical properties. Chemical analysis was applied through moisture, TS, fat and SNF%. Also, titratable acidity% and starch were detected. The microbiological examination for coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, anaerobes and yeasts & molds were counted. The achieved results showed that the sensory evaluation of the pasteurized plain and pasteurized flavored samples was of higher scores than the Baladi samples, however on contrast, syneresis was higher in the Baladi samples. The average values of pH were 4.9, 4.89 and 4.83 for the Baladi, pasteurized plain and pasteurized flavored samples, respectively. For the fat content, the Baladi samples had higher fat%, followed by the pasteurized plain then the pasteurized flavored types. All the examined Baladi samples were starch free, while 70 & 65% of the pasteurized plain and pasteurized flavored types were positive, respectively. The average values of titratable acidity% were 0.91, 0.82 and 0.75, respectively. The microbiological examination cleared that the Baladi samples were more contaminated for coliforms, fecal coliforms and E. coli, while, the pasteurized plain and pasteurized flavored samples were more contaminated for anaerobes. It was found that 85% of the total examined samples were unacceptable according to the Egyptian Standards for their content of yeasts and molds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two field experiments were conducted at Kafr El Sheikh Gov., Egypt, during two winter growing seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022). The objective of this study was to improve some chemical and physical properties of soil and the yield and water productivity of faba beans (Viciafaba L.), Cv. Sakha-4 by application of gypsum, compost, and some nanoparticles in salt-affected soils. The experimental treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. The main plots had the following soil amendments: T1: control treatment, T2: 10 tons compost/hectare, T3: soil gypsum requirement (GR) of 8.59 ton ha−1, and T4: GR + 10 tons compost/hectare. The subplots were treated with foliar application as follows: no treatment, manganese nanoparticles (Mn-NPs), selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs), and Mn-NPs + Se-NPs. According to the findings, the application of compost + GR significantly decreased soil salinity (EC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and soil bulk density (BD). However soil porosity, soil penetration resistance (SPRa), and basic soil infiltration (IR) were significantly increased. On the other hand, the results revealed significant positive effects onthe 100-grain weight as well as proline, chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase, and catalase contents due to the interaction between gypsum + compost and Mn-NPs + Se-NPs, which enhanced the productivity of both the seed and straw yields of faba beans compared to the alternative treatments. In addition, the seed yield and irrigation water productivity (PIW, kg m3) of faba beans were significantly increased with addition of gypsum and compost and foliar application of nanoparticles. The highest values of these parameters were achieved due to the interaction between gypsum + compost and Mn-NPs + Se-NPs. It can be concluded that application of GR of 8.59 ton ha−1 and 10 ton ha−1 compost as well as foliar application of Mn-NPs and Se-NPs may be a key strategy for improving some chemical and physical properties of soil and the yield and water productivity of faba beans in salt-affected soil under these experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted at the farm of Agricultural Research Station, Sakha, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt, from the beginning of the 2019 winter season to the end of the 2021 summer season. It aimed to study the performance of some wheat and rice Egyptian cultivars under various organic and inorganic fertilization treatments. The interactions between fertilizer treatment and the wheat and rice cultivars were significant in all studied seasons. Masr 2 cultivar gave the highest grain yield with fertilized by NPK alone or compost +2/3NPK. Concerning the rice crop yield, the highest rice grain yield was found in the combination of Sakha 108 with the application of NPK alone. Application of compost alone or combined with chemical fertilizer reduced the soil pH significantly compared to the control after harvesting rice and wheat. Electrical conductivity showed an increasing trend with the application of NPK fertilizer. The application of rice straw compost increased the organic matter percentage. - Adding organic fertilizer increases the available nitrogen in the soil. The highest values of available soil phosphorus were recorded when 2/3 of NPK fertilizer was applied with compost. Organic materials treatments enhance available potassium in the studied seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TWO fieldexperiments were carried out at El-Serw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta Governorate, Egypt during two successive winter growing seasons of 2018/ 2019 and 2019/2020 to study the effect of mole drains (with 2 and 4 m distance and 30 and 40 cm depth) and two planting methods (basins and furrows) on saline soil chemical properties, fertilely and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Sakha 93) productivity. The obtained data showed that, increasing in mole depth and decrease the distance between the moles reduced sail pH, EC, ESP and the content of OM and available N, P and K. These decreases with furrows planting method were higher than those found with basins planting method. In addition, the high straw and grains yields (kgfed-1 ) of wheat plants as well as its content and uptake of N, P, K and protein were found with 2 m distance and 40 cm depth of mole drains in furrow planting methods. These results concluded that, under saline soil conditions, furrows planting method performed than basins one with applying mole drains as well as application of both organic and mineral fertilizer in suitable amounts and forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wheat is a strategic crop in Egypt. Its local consumption is increasing continuously accordingly; Egypt has become the largest wheat importer worldwide. The sustainable approach for increasing wheat productivity is probably through organic additives. For this reason, animal, chicken and plant residues were collected from an experimental farm for preparation of (1) plant residue compost (PRC) via composting a mixture of air-dried and chopped rice and soybean straw at a rate of 1:1 and (2) animal residue compost (ARC) via composting a mixture of chicken and cattle manure at a rate of 1:1. The main aim of this study is to compare between the implications of amending a clayey soil with animal versus plant residues for improving soil physical and chemical characteristics. Also, this study considers the changes in soil fertility owing to these additives, hence their outcomes on wheat growth and productivity. To achieve this goal, a field investigation was conducted following a split-split design in which the two types of composts were plotted in main plots while the rates of compost application (15 and 25 Mg per hectare) were plotted in subplots. Non-amended control plots were also included for data comparison. All plots were cultivated with wheat seeds in winter 2018 and received the recommended doses of NPK fertilizers to compare between the two types of composts as conditioners not as fertilizers. The experiment lasted for 160 days until maturity. All composts improved considerably soil physical (soil bulk density, total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and penetration resistance) and chemical (soil organic matter and CEC) characterises, especially with increasing their rate of application. In this concern, the results of the two types of composts were comparable. Also, these additives boosted grain and straw yields, yield components (spike length, spike weight, number of spikelets/spike, 100-grain weight). Moreover, they enriched soils with N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in available forms; hence raised their contents within wheat shoots and grains, with superiority for ARC versus PRC. There were significant positive correlations between shoot and grain yields in relation to the nutritional status of these plant parts. Accordingly, organic additives, especially animal residues, should be included in the coming sustainable approaches for increasing wheat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of soil properties and phytochemical compounds including the amino acid profile is at the base of this study, which investigates the adaptive behavior of three legumes plants Acacia tortilis (Forssk.), Alhagi graecorum Boiss. and Retama raetam (Forsk.) collected from Wadi Sudr, South-West Sinai, Egypt. The ANOVA displayed that most mechanical and chemical properties of the soil associated with the three plant species were significantly affected by plants and depths and their interaction (p<0.01). Also, water content was significantly affected by plants, seasons, depths and their interaction (p<0.01). As for plant analysis, the plants, seasons and their interaction was significant (p<0.05 or p<0.01) for most amino acid profiles, photosynthetic pigment contents and chemical compositions of three legumes species in Wadi Sudr region. The amount of most chemical properties was higher in the soil associated with R. raetam compared to the soil of the other plants. Most amino acids, photosynthetic pigments, Na+, K+ and SO4 2-concentrations of the three studied plants in the dry season were higher than in the wet season. According to PCA, the PCA1 and PCA2 extracted had eigenvalue >1 and mainly distinguished the soil and plant variables in different groups across the three studied plants. According to biplot and based on the plants studied, PCA1 and PCA2 with the highest variability showed positive or negative correlation to soil and plant variables, but, they differed in their degree of significance/insignificance and consistency in quantity. The PCA revealed high positive correlations among some soil variables as well as among some amino acid profile and other plant variables under the plants studied. Some soil variables were positively correlated with some amino acids such as leucine, phenylalanine, valine, lysine, aspartic, arginine, serine and isoleucine as well as some photosynthetic pigments and other plant chemical concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Agronomy is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Food & Dairy Sciences is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Dairy Science is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Two field experiments were carried out at El- Road village, Sahl El-Hossinia, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during two winter growing seasons: 2017/18 and 2018/2019 to study the effect of different calcium sources (calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate and calcium nitrate) at different rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/fed) on some soil properties and garlic plants productivity under saline soil conditions. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replicates. The results showed that applications of different calcium sources at high rates decreased soil salinity and increased available macro and micronutrients contents in soil. The plant height (cm), No. of leaves/plant, No. of cloves / bulb and bulb diameter (cm) were increased with increasing calcium sources rates due to more reduction in soil salinity. While the application of the three calcium sources significantly increased fresh and dry weight of garlic bulb /plant (g) of the two growing seasons, the weight of garlic clover /plant (g) and bulb yield (ton/fed) significantly increased with increasing application rates of each calcium source in the second season. The interaction between calcium sources and rates showed significant increases in N, P and K concentration of bulb plants and significant decreases in Na+ concentration at both seasons. Calcium sulphate application reduced proline content, while chlorophyll contents were increased. Calcium nitrate application increased the protein contents (%) of garlic plants. These results cleared that calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate and calcium nitrate can be used at a rate of 300 kg/fed to improve soil properties and to increase yield and yield components of garlic plant grown under saline soil condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) is a rapidly increasing yearly herb that grow in Egypt and West Asia countries, although now grown around the globe. The herp is often known as garden cress (GC). Their seeds have a wealth of protein, fiber, omega-3 acids, iron and other vital nutrients. The chemical composition, minerals contents, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and functional properties of GC seeds powder were investigated. The results revealed that GC seeds powder contained 7.05% moisture, 19.73% crude protein, 14.18% crude fat, 35.45% carbohydrate, 18.79% crude fibers and 4.8% ash. In addition, potassium (2955.50 mg/100g) was the most abundant element in GC seeds followed by phosphorus (947.32 mg/100g) and magnesium (322.00 mg/100g). The extract of GC seeds had a 157.24 mg/g of total phenols and 75.01 mg/g of total flavonoids. Gallic acid and hisperidin were the most abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds in GC seed extract being 3001.75 and 4934.99 μg/100g, respectively. After 120 min of DPPH tests, the antioxidant activity of GC extract achieved 89.75%. The ability of GC seeds to water holding capacity (WHC) was 4.51 ml/g, 2.79 ml/g for oil holding capacity (OHC) with 44.54% of emulsifying activity (EA). It could be conducted that GC seeds are recommended in order to enhance nutritional quality and functional properties as food supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Egypt is the largest wheat importer globally, the government is aiming to find alternatives to reduce wheat imports and to cultivate reclaimed lands. Comparative studies were conducted to investigate the effect of substituting portions of wheat flour with quinoa, cassava and guar flours at levels of 20%, 30%, and 5%, respectively, on chemical, rheological and sensory characteristics of the Egyptian balady bread that is currently produced from wheat only and to enhance its nutritional and baking quality. The study was carried out in the Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. Results proved that guar gave poor sensory characteristics, in addition to its insignificant substitution level (5%). Substituting wheat flour with 20% quinoa resulted in elevating protein, fat and fiber percentages than that of wheat flour (16.4, 2.15 and 1.01%, respectively). Bread made from quinoa–wheat blend gave the lowest fungal count and the highest shelf life (8 days), but resulted in significant changes in stability, volumes, texture, and structure. Substituting wheat with 30% cassava gave the highest carbohydrate content, didn't change any of the rheological properties and no significant difference was noticed between wheat flour and 30% cassava–wheat bread in all sensory tests. Substituting wheat with quinoa or cassava at the above-mentioned percentages is acceptable and appropriate in terms of their flavor. Although cassava has higher substitution level than that of quinoa, still, we recommend expanding quinoa cultivation in Egypt due to its acceptability, suitability to the Egyptian environment, health benefits, low input cost and more importantly its high protein and fiber contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lysimeter experiment was carried out twice in consecutive two years (2014-15 and 2015-16) at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt to study the effect of three irrigation levels water (i.e., 100, 110 and 120% field capacity (FC), two rates of gypsum (G) (i.e., 50 and 100% G) and three sources of nitrogen (90 kg nitrogen (N), 10 t compost (C) and 7.5 t C + 45 kg N (CN) fed-1 (fed = 4200 m²)) on grain yield of wheat, water relations and soil chemical properties. Water consumptive use (WCU) was markedly increased due to the increase of the level of irrigation, rate of gypsum (G) and CN source (7.5 t C + 45 kg N fed-1). Irrigation with water amount equal to 120% FC recorded the highest values of WCU 1433 and 1570 m³fed-1 in both seasons. Water productivity (kg grain m-3 water) for either water application (WA) in both seasons or WCU in the second season was decreased by increasing level of irrigation from 100 to 120% FC in the second season, while the inverse was true for WCU in the first season. The highest mean values of water productivity for WCU 1.816 and 1.791 kg m-3 were obtained with the irrigation level of 120% FC in the first season and 100% FC in the second season, respectively. Gypsum rate and N source have an effect on the productivity of irrigation water (WP) for WA and WCU, where the highest mean values for both the two irrigations efficiency were recorded under 100% G requirements and CN (7.5 t C + 45 kg N fed-1). The interaction of 110% FC × 100% G × 7.5 t C + 45 kg N fed-1 produced the highest values of WP for WA (1.245 and 1.374 kg grain m-3 WA) in both seasons. Grain yield fedd.-1 was increased significantly with the irrigation level from 100 to 120% FC in both seasons, G rate and CN source. Grain yield (GY) did not differ significantly due to the levels of irrigation water between 120 and 110% FC in both years. Application of 100% G and 7.5 t C + 45 kg N fed-1 at any irrigation level were among those treatments having high GY, being insignificant. The mean values of electrical conductivity (acidity; ECe) and soil sodicity (SARe) were affected by irrigation treatments, G rates and nitrogen sources. A stronger reduction in soil ECe and SARe were recorded under the irrigation level of 120%FC, 100% G and 10 t compost in both seasons. While the soils ECe and SARe were increased by application of chemical N fertilizer alone or with compost. Therefore, it can be concluded that irrigation with water amount equal to 110 or 120% FC, 100% G requirements and 7.5 t C and 45 kg N fed-1 was the best treatment for getting high GY, improving the soil chemical properties, nutrients availability and increasing the water productivity of salt-affected soil in North Delta of Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity concentrations of some radionuclides (238U, 234U, 230Th, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 235U) were measured by γ‐ray spectrometry in order to study their behavior and the relation between them in Carboniferous rock samples collected from Gabal (mountain) Um‐Hamd, southwestern Sinai, Egypt. The whole samples are located in the two limbs and trough of a synclinal form structure to identify the radionuclides migration processes which have occurred in these rock samples. The average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K measured in the all samples except sandy dolostone sample are higher than the worldwide average values as reported by UNSCEAR 2008. The activity ratios (234U/238U) for half of the samples are in equilibrium, while the other half samples are below unity indicates migration‐out of uranium. The hazard indices were also calculated. The variations in lithologic types and the configuration of the structural synform played its roles beside the physical and chemical properties of different radionuclides in their fractionations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Menoufia Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Meat and meat products differ in their physical and chemical properties depending on the characteristic of meat cuts, the additional material and the method of manufacture. The present investigation was planned to evaluate the physical and chemical quality for some types of local meat products, such as beef burger and luncheon, collected from local markets in Zagazig city, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Microbiological and physicochemical proprieties of nine meat products (3 samples of beef burger of Americana, Halwani and Fragello, 3 samples of beef luncheon of Americana, Halwani and Fragello and 3 samples of chicken luncheon of Americana, Halwani and Fragello) were carried out. The obtained results declared that samples of beef burger produced by Fragello contained the lowest parameter of total protein (14.7%), while samples of beef burger produced by Americana showed the highest values (16.90%). Beef and chicken luncheon produced by Fragello contained the highest values of total protein (16.0% and 15.05%) respectively. Also, samples of beef burger and beef, chicken luncheon produced by Fragello contained the highest values of total fat. Regarding the microbiological evaluation, results showed that the lowest content of total bacteria count was observed in different meat products such as luncheon Halwani, coliform group and staphylococci were not detected in all products. Also, beef burger, beef and chicken luncheon samples of Halawani had high values of yellowness (b), and redness (a). However, the microbiological evaluation indicated that Halwani products were the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To study the effect of ground water salinity and sodicity on some soil chemical properties, the selected area under study comprised the nearest northern fringes of Qaroun lake shoreline, which considered as the main outlet of drainage water of El Fayoum Govemorate via many drainage canals. The parent materials of most lands are more related to calcareous coarse textured nature. These soils were put under reclamation in sequence more than ten years ago, and most of their lands were put under cultivation. The newly cultivation, surface irrigation and the insufficient drainage system make up water ground table raised. In general, soil chemical properties showed that most of the soil profiles under investigation suffer from salinity appearances. Therefore, it is accepted that such soils might need to reclamation and amelioration processes. The relationships between different soil variables and ground water characteristics reflect highly positive correlation between soil salinity and ground water salinity, whereas, the reverse was observed with ground water depth, which showed a negative and highly significant correlation. In order to permanently improve the studied soil area , it is necessary to not only leach salts , but also to have adequate drainage .The drainage system must provide a lot amounts let for the removal of the leachates as well as keep the water table deep enough to prevent salt ground water from moving up to the root zone . Gypsum must be added according to gypsum requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation is a key factor for different physiological aspects of fruit trees. Therefore, such irrigation protocols that can save water consumption during irrigation and maintain fruit trees productivity are an essential goal especially under semiarid climate conditions. The aim of this 3-year apricot study was to investigate the effect of four deficit irrigation (DI) treatments (control, moderate regulated deficit irrigation: RDIm, severe RDI: RDIs and continuous DI: CDI) on 15 tree physiological properties (chilling requirement—CR, heat requirement—HR, days from end—dormancy until fruit harvest—DEDFH, sum of growing degree days—sGDD, total number of buds—TNB, number of flower buds—NFB, number of vegetative buds—NVB, starting date of flowering—SDF, number of opened flower buds—NOFB, flower bud abscission—FBA, fruit set—FS, seasonal vegetative growth—SVG, fruit number per tree—FNT, fruit weight—FW, fruit yield—FY), and on two tree chemical properties (total soluble carbohydrates—TSC and total proline content—TPC) on apricot cultivars 'Ninfa' and 'Canino' in Egypt. Results showed that both DI treatments and cultivars significantly influenced the values of CR, HR, TNB, SDF, NOFB, FS, SVG, FNT, FY, TSC, and TPC. Values of FBA were significantly affected by years and DI treatments, while sGDD by years and cultivars. Values of DEDFH, NFB, and FW were significantly influenced only by cultivars, while NVB only by DI treatments. The RDIm treatment gave the most acceptable values for most measured properties compared to the fully irrigated control treatment. Prediction based model analysis demonstrated that generalized linear models (GLMs) can be predictors for the measured tree properties in the DI treatments. The best goodness-of-fit of the predicted GLMs was reached for HR, NOFB, FS, SVG, FNT, TSC, and TPC. In all the four DI treatments, 22 pair-variables (TNB versus (vs.) NFB, TNB vs. NOFB, TNB vs. NOFB, NFB vs. NOFB, NFB vs. FNT, NFB vs. FY, NFB vs. FW, NOFB vs. SVG, NOFB vs. FNT, NOFB vs. FY, FS vs. FNT, FS vs. FY, SVG vs. FNT, SVG vs. FY, SVG vs. TSC, FNT vs. FY, FY vs. FW, CR vs. TSC, HR vs. TNB, HR vs. NFB, HR vs. FNT, HR vs. FY, and NOFB vs. FBA) correlated significantly in Pearson correlation and regression analyses. Principal component analyses explained 82% of the total variance and PC1, PC2, and PC3 explained 23, 21, and 15% of the total variance and correlated with the HR, TNB, FS, FNT and FY; FBA, SVG, TSC, and TPC; and NFB, NVB and NOFB, respectively, indicating strong connections among tree physiological and chemical properties. In conclusion, DI techniques using moderate water deficits can be managed successfully in apricot production under semiarid Mediterranean climate conditions such as the one in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthesis and characterization of Nano-Bentonite. • Influence of bentonite and nano bentonite application on properties of sandy soils. • Physical and chemical properties of sandy soils. There is an emerging importance for improving the productivity of sandy soils, and enhancing the efficiency of feeding use, especially with the newly reclaimed soil in Egypt. The present study aims to assess the influence of bentonite and nano bentonite application on the physical and chemical properties of sandy soils. Nano-particles of bentonite were prepared by Sonochemical,and bentonite and nano bentonite were characterized by (XRD), (XRF), (AFM), surface area and (FTIR). Field and pot experiments were carried out for studying the impact of adding bentonite (T1)5 ton ha−1, (T2) 10 ton ha−1 and nano bentonite (T3) 250 kg ha-1, (T4)500 kg ha−1 on some sandy soil properties and its nutritional states; Total porosity (TP); Bulk density (Bd); available water (AW); water holding capacity (WHC) and availability of macronutrients. Data indicated that addition of bentonite and nano bentonite resulted in an increase of available water (AW) and water holding capacity (WHC), compared to the control in pot and field experiments (surface 0−20 cm). The increase in AW and WHC was highest at T4, and lowest at T1 treatment. Results showed that T4 treatments significantly increased the biological yield, grain yield and (100-grain weight, 1000-grain weight) of wheat, in comparison to all the treatments in both experiments. The best treatments of nano bentonite were ultimately T4, followed by T2 of raw bentonite, which gave the highest values of elements content (N, P and K) in the soil or grain and straw of wheat crop whether in pots or in field experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosetta and Damietta are the main branches of the Nile River in Egypt. They provide the required freshwater for different usage for about 20 million people. In the present study, chemical and biological indices were used to assess the water quality and provide a full image of the environmental status in the investigated area. Generally, the chemical parameters, except the dissolved oxygen, were at higher levels in Rosetta Branch when compared to Damietta Branch. Also, Damietta Branch frequently showed the presence of the macroinvertebrate families that are bioindicators of moderate and good water quality. Contrarily, the most resistant species to pollution were frequently recorded in the Rosetta Branch. According to Canadian WQI, the water of Rosetta Branch is classified from "marginal" to "poor" for the drinking and aquatic life uses and "fair" to "good" for irrigation usage. On the other side, the water quality of Damietta Branch is classified as "fair" with respect to drinking water and "good" to aquatic life and irrigation. Based on using macroinvertebrate families as bioindicators, the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) index and the Nile Biotic Pollution Index (NBPI) indicated that the water quality of the Damietta Branch was within "moderate" class, while Rosetta Branch is categorized from "very polluted" to "extremely polluted" classes. The results proved that both BMWP and NBPI have coincided with the CWQI for the drinking and aquatic life indices (p < 0.0001) indicating the validity of BMWP and NBPI to assess the water quality of the investigated area.