Comparison among three different testers for the evaluation of new maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.)

This study aimed to evaluate twenty elite yellow maize inbred lines as well as the suitable tester among threedifferent. The elite inbred lines were crossed as female parents with three testers as male parents, i.e.Gem.Pop.(Broad genetic base), Single cross 101(Narrow genetic base) and Inbred line 100 (Narrow genetic base) at theExperiment Research Station of Moshtohor, Benha University, Egypt during 2014 growing summer season. Theresulting 60 top crosses with three commercial check hybrids i.e. SC.155, SC. Pioneer 3080 and TWC.352 wereevaluated in a yield trail in two sowing dates during 2015 growing summer season. Each experiment was laid outin randomized complete block design with three replications. The recommended packages of agronomic practiceswere followed to achieve a good yield. The morphological and agronomical evaluated traits included eardiameter (ED), number of rows per ear (NRE), number of kernels per row (NKR), 100-kernel weight (100KW) andgrain yield per acre (1 hectare= 2.5 acre) (GYPA). The results showed significant mean square for sowing dates forall traits except for (NRE) and (NKR). The parental inbred lines (L-4, L-5, L-10, L-12, L-13, L-14 and L-19) possessedhigh GCA effects for grain yield. The inbred tester resulted the best combiner among the testers and expressedthe best SCA effect over all crosses. Therefore, inbred line or single cross tester is preferred as it may permit quickerutilization of new lines in commercial hybrids especially if the tester is already in commercial use

Integrated Effects of Potassium Humate and Planting Density on Growth, Physiological Traits and Yield of <i>Vicia faba</i> L. Grown in Newly Reclaimed Soil

Several agronomic factors, including planting density, affect plant growth and final yield. New soil suffers from severe fertility shortage and crop productivity. Potassium humate (KH) application improves soil fertility and plant performance under new soil conditions. Therefore, this investigation was performed in two seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 to study the impact of KH application at the rate of 50 kg hectare−1 (ha−1) on growth, yield, physio-biochemical attributes, plant water status and nutrients in faba bean plants grown in newly reclaimed soil under three planting densities, i.e., D1 = 222.222 plants ha−1 (15 × 60 cm), D2 = 166.666 plants ha−1 (20 × 60 cm) and D3 = 133.333 plants ha−1 (25 × 60 cm). The results showed that KH application enhanced tissue water status by increasing the membrane stability index (MSI%) and relative water content (RWC%), while electric leakage (EL%) was reduced, alongside increased growth attributes physio-biochemical properties and nutrients. These results were positively reflected by the improved yield and its components (i.e., number of pods plant−1, 100-seed weight, seed yield plant−1 and seed yield ha−1) in favor of the medium planting density (166.666 plants ha−1). The results of the current study showed that the application of KH with the medium planting density (20 × 60 cm) was the best treatment combination to enhance the performance and productivity (2.97 ton ha−1) of faba bean plants grown under newly reclaimed soil conditions

Phylogenetic study of Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi in sheep from Egypt: Molecular evidence and genetic characterization

Background and Aim: Ovine theileriosis caused by Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi is an important infectious disease affecting small ruminants in regions of the tropic and subtropic zones. There is limited studies about ovine theileriosis in Egypt; so the present study aims to assess the occurrence of ovine theileriosis in Egypt at the molecular level. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 115 randomly selected sheep, which were apparently healthy; the ages of the sampled sheep ranged from 1 to 5 years old, from a local breed (barkae and balade), and showed no symptoms indicating infection with Theileria spp. The study was conducted in three governorates representing Lower Egypt (Menoufia and Beheira) and Upper Egypt (El-Wady El-Geded). All blood samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and semi-nested PCR to target Theileria spp. 18S rRNA genes. Positive samples were sequenced, and these sequences were analyzed using nucleotide basic local alignment search tool (BLAST). Results: Six animals (5.22%) were PCR-positive carriers for ovine theileriosis. Nucleotide BLAST and phylogenetic analyses of the six obtained sequences showed that T. ovis was present in five animals (4.37%) in Menoufia (n=2) and El-Wady El-Geded (n=3), whereas T. lestoquardi was detected in 1 animal (0.87%) in El-Wady El-Geded. Conclusion: This study is the first to provide molecular evidence, genetic characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of ovine Theileria spp. in Egypt. Specifically, T. lestoquardi and T. ovis carrier statuses of sheep were confirmed. These results highlight the importance of developing an effective control strategy against ovine theileriosis carriers that might develop and/or spread theileriosis