Antioxidant properties and lipid profile of Diplotaxis harra, Pulicaria incisa and Avicennia marina

The aim of the present study was to investigate lipids (fatty acids, sterols and tocopherols) profile of Pulicaria incisa, Diplotaxis harra and Avicennia marina grown in Egypt. Linoleic acid followed by palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids in the P. incisa. Oleic followed by stearic were the main acids in D. harra, while palmitic followed by oleic were the major fatty acids found in A. marina. Sterol markers of P. incisa were campesterol followed by stigmasterol and β-sitosterol. In D. harra β-sitosterol followed by stigmasterol and Δ5-avensterol were the major sterols, while campesterol followed by β-sitosterol and Δ7-avensterol were main sterols of A. marina. Tocopherols were also estimated in high levels, wherein d-tocopherol was the main tocopherol in all plants. Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts of the plants were compared with methanolic solution of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid during thiocyanate assay. Moreover, methanolic extracts of the whole plants exhibited strong antiradical potential against DPPH radicals. Information provided by the present study is of importance for further investigations of P. incisa, D. harra and A. marina and utilization of the plants as a raw material of bioactive compounds

Effect of Foliar Application of Potassium and Boron on Yield and Fruit Quality of "Florida Prince" Peach Trees

Aims: study the effect of foliar application of potassium and boron on yield and fruit quality of "Florida Prince" peach trees. Study Design: The treatments were applied and arranged in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment included seven replicates with one tree for each replicate. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted during 2013 and 2014 seasons on "Florida Prince" Peach cultivar. The trees were at 8 years old and grafted on “Nemagard” rootstock. They were planted at 3.5 × 5 m apart and grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in a private orchard located at El-Nubaria, Beheira governorate, Egypt. Methodology: Potassium sulphate with 1%, 1.5% and 2% was used in combination with + Boric acid with 0.1%, 0.2% and .05% two times at at fruit set and at the onset of coloring, in the two seasons. Results: Our obtained results proved that potassium sulphate (2%) + boric acid (0.05%) and potassium sulphate (2%) + boric acid (0.1%) were the best combinations. They gave the highest increment in fruit yield, quality and leaf and fruit mineral content from potassium and boron in the two seasons over control or the other treatments. Conclusion: The foliar application of potassium or boron singly has a good effect on yield and fruit quality of "Florida Prince" peach trees and by usage both of them in combination, their impact will be greater

Microbial Products and Biofertilizers in Improving Growth and Productivity of Apple – a Review

The excessive use of mineral fertilizers causes many negative consequences for the environment as well as potentially dangerous effects of chemical residues in plant tissues on the health of human and animal consumers. Bio-fertilizers are formulations of beneficial micro­organisms, which upon application can increase the availability of nutrients by their biological activity and help to improve soil health. Microbes involved in the formulation of bio-fertilizers not only mobilize N and P but mediate the process of producing crops and foods naturally. This method avoids the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and genetically modified organisms to influence the growth of crops. In addition to their role in enhancing the growth of the plants, biofertilizers can act as biocontrol agents in the rhizosphere at the same time. Biofertilizers are very safe for human, animal and environment. The use of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas, Acetobacter, Burkholderia, Bacillus, Paenibacillus and some members of the Enterobacteriaceae is gaining worldwide importance and acceptance and appears to be the trend for the future