EFFECT OF NITROGEN FERTIGATION LEVELS AND CHELATED CAL-CIUM FOLIAR APPLICATION ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SWEET CORN

This study was conducted in a sandy soil at Ali Mubarak Village Research Farm, South Tahrir Horticulture Research Station, Behaira Gover-norate, during the two successive seasons of 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 on sweet corn Jubilee hybrid. The study aimed to determine the best treatments of nitrogen fertigation level and chelat-ed calcium foliar application on the productivity and quality of sweet corn. The obtained results indicated that increasing nitrogen fertigation level (100, 120, 140 to 160) kg N/fed. and (or) chelated calcium (12% Ca++) concentration (500 and 1000 ppm Ca EDTA) led to increasing the vegetative growth (leaf area, plant height, fresh and dry weight), chemical composition (total chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium in leaves) and yield characters (ear length, ear diame-ter, weight of 1000 seed, unhusked ear, husked ear and total yield) The promising treatment was 160 kg N/Fed. combined with 1000 ppm Ca EDTA under similar prevailing conditions of the present studying in a sandy soi

EFFECTS OF SOWING DATE AND PINCHING ON BROCCOLI SEED PRODUCTION

A field experiment was conducted at the exper-imental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra Elkheima, Kalubia governorate, during 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 seasons to study the effects of three sowing dates, i.e., the first of each of September, October and November, and four pinching treatments (pinching the apical head just after appearance, pinching the main head at the marketable stage, pinching the axillary head just after appearance (disbudding) and without pinching) on broccoli plants (Brassica olerasea var Italica), cultivar “Emperor”. Plants were grown in Kaliobia under loamy soil conditions. Plants of the second sowing date (first of October) produced the tallest plants and the highest number of leaves per plant. Plants grown on the first of October plantation, pinching the main head at the marketable stage or the com-bination between them recorded the highest values of number of siliques/ plant, number of seeds/ plant, and seed yield

EFFECT OF MYCORRHIZAE AND DIFFERENT RATES OF NPK ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO PLANT UNDER NORTH SINAI CONDITIONS

The experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizae (Glomus sp. and Gigspora sp.) application on the vegetative growth and yield of tomato plants (Alisa cultivar), and its relevance to the mineral fertilizers requirements as NPK during the seasons of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. The experiments were conducted at Baloza Research Station, Desert Research Center, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replicates, every replicate included 4 treatments (75 and100% of the recommended mineral fertilizer only or combined with the mycorrhizae treatment). The results showed that mycorrhizae application significantly increased the vegetative growth characters of tomato plant such as plant height, number of shoots, number of leaves, stem diameter, fresh and dry weights and yield. There were no significant differences in the vegetative growth characteristics of tomato plants receiving 75% of mineral fertilizers in addition to mycorrhizae application as compared with plants receiving 100% of mineral fertilizers only, except for the fresh weight of plants. The plants were received 100% of the recommended mineral fertilizers combined with mycorrhizae treatment gave the highest values of vegetative growth characters and yield. Therefore, we recommended that, using of mycorrhizae could be affective to maximize the utilization of mineral fertilizers, in addition, the mycorrhizea is ecofriendly, economically and consid ered as one of the most important bio-fertilizer resources

WHEATGRASS JUICE AND ITS NUTRITIONAL VALUE AS AFFECTED BY SPROUTING CONDITION

Wheatgrass juice is the young grass of the common wheat plant (Triticum aestivum) freshly juiced for human consumption. The objective of the investigation performed was to assess the nutritional value of wheatgrass juice under laboratory and open field conditions at two different cuts. Protein, chlorophyll contents, minerals content (Ca, Fe, Mg, Zn and Se) and amino acids content as well as phytochemical constituents were determined. Grown wheatgrass at laboratory caused an increase of the protein content of its juice over open field condition. High chlorophyll content was observed under open field especially at second cut. Most of minerals content underwent to increase under open field except Mg content. Aspartic acid was recorded the highest amino acid in both laboratory and open field. Total essential amino acids were increased under open field condition at both first and second cut followed by first cut at laboratory. No big changes of natural phytochemicals constituents can shown between laboratory and open field condition while it was more pronounced compare with wheat seeds. The study suggested that sprouting wheat seeds at laboratory and open field improve the nutritional value of grass juice with preferably to laboratory condition especially at first cut and for saving agricultural land

Improved shelf-life and consumer acceptance of fresh-cut and fried potato strips by an edible coating of garden cress seed mucilage

Coatings that reduce the fat content of fried food are an alternate option to reach both health concerns and consumer demand. Mucilage of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) seed extract (MSE) was modified into an edible coating with or without ascorbic acid (AA) to coat fresh-cut potato strips during cold storage (5 °C and 95% RH for 12 days) and subsequent frying. Physical attributes such as color, weight loss, and texture of potato strips coated with MSE solutions with or without AA showed that coatings efficiently delayed browning, reduced weight loss, and maintained the texture during cold storage. Moreover, MSE with AA provided the most favorable results in terms of reduction in oil uptake. In addition, the total microbial count was lower for MSE-coated samples when compared to the control during the cold storage. MSE coating also performed well on sensory attributes, showing no off flavors or color changes. As a result, the edible coating of garden cress mucilage could be a promising application for extending shelf-life and reducing the oil uptake of fresh-cut potato strips

EFFECT OF POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) AND PLANTING METHODS ON SWEET CORN PRODUCTIVITYEFFECT OF POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) AND PLANTING METHODS ON SWEET CORN PRODUCTIVITY

This study was conducted in loamy soil at Qaha Experimental Station, Horticulture Research Institute, ARC, Kalubia governorate, during 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 seasons to study the effect of PEG and planting methods on sweet corn productivity. The obtained results indicated that GSS 9377 F1 hybrid plants produced vigorous growth and higher early and total yield than those of Endeavor F1 hybrid. Direct seeding in the open field or under tunnels increased plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves/plant, plant fresh weight, unhusked ear weight, husked ear weight and total yield compared to transplanting methods. Transplanting produced the higher early yield ei-ther with open field or under tunnels. Primed seeds of sweet corn F1 hybrids (GSS 9377 and Endeavor) in PEG 6000 dalton for 6 hours at the concentration of 400 g/L produced taller plants with thicker stem diameter, higher number of leaves/plant and greater fresh weight, higher un-husked and husked ear weight, ear length, higher TSS as well as early and total yield compared to check untreated seed

EFFECT OF USING SOIL CONDITIONERS ON TOMATO YIELD AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY

The current study was performed to investigate effect of three water regimes as well as, three different soil conditioners on the yield and fruit quality of tomato. The studied water regimes were namely; 60, 80 and 100% of class A pan. However; the tested soil conditioners were “soil hanz”, “Olygo plus” and “Bioconditioner”. Impact of the two investigated factors was studied separately, as well as, the interaction.  The experiment was carried out at El-Dolify Farm, Khatatba, Monofia Governorate during seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Tomato hybrid Yara F1 was used in this investigation. The obtained results confirmed that, using the “Soil hanz” due to the significant increments in all tested parameters related to the yield and the fruit quality. Moreover; interaction between “Soil hanz” and any of the three tested water regimes was significantly the best in number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, early, marketable and total yield.  In addition; it was concluded from the results that; chemical properties of the tomato fruits were improved by applying the “Soil hanz”. Concerning the water use efficiency, it was found that, all of the tested soil conditioners resulted a significant effect related to water use efficiency compared to un-treated treatment (control).  Whereas, irrigated the tomato plants under this experimental condition confirmed the validation of using the 80% irrigation regime for irrigation without significant losses in the crop yield

Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Improve the Color and Berry Quality of Table Grapes Cv. Crimson Seedless

Producing high-quality table grapes is becoming a challenge in the warmer area of the world due to the global increase in temperature, which negatively affects anthocyanin biosynthesis and other fruit quality attributes. Nanotechnology is a growing field that can be a very useful tool to improve crop productivity and sustainability. The red color is one of the major fruit quality parameters that determine table grape marketability. This study aimed to investigate the role of the zinc element in improving the marketable characteristics of Crimson seedless (Vitis vinifera L.) table grape berries i.e., color, firmness, total soluble solids and sugars; besides its role in activating PAL and SOD enzymatic systems. Additionally, this paper investigated the additive advantages of zinc when applied in nanometric form. Five concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnO NPs (0, 25, 50, 100 and 250 ppm), were compared to zinc oxide in mineral form at a concentration of 250 ppm to investigate their effects on the marketable characteristics of Crimson seedless grape cultivar. The treatments were applied as foliar spray on three-year-old Crimson seedless vines grafted on Richter 110 rootstock grown in one of the major table grape production area in Egypt. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized block design and each vine was sprayed with five letters of the solution. The use of the lowest concentration (25 ppm) of ZnO NPs achieved the highest significant enzyme activity (PAL and SOD). Moreover, the T.S.S, sugars and anthocyanin content in berries increased significantly in association of decreasing acidity. On the other hand, the use of a 50 ppm concentration led to an increase in fruit firmness. Collectively, our data showed that 25 ppm of zinc nanoparticles improved PAL and SOD enzymes activity, improved red coloration in table grape and was more effective than the 250 ppm zinc oxide mineral form

Exogenous Application of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Mitigates Salt-Induced Oxidative Damage in Sorghum Plants through Regulation Growth, Leaf Pigments, Ionic Homeostasis, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Expression of Salt Stress Responsive Genes

In plants, α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is considered a dithiol short-chain fatty acid with several strong antioxidative properties. To date, no data are conclusive regarding its effects as an exogenous application on salt stressed sorghum plants. In this study, we investigated the effect of 20 µM ALA as a foliar application on salt-stressed sorghum plants (0, 75 and 150 mM as NaCl). Under saline conditions, the applied-ALA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) stimulated plant growth, indicated by improving both fresh and dry shoot weights. A similar trend was observed in the photosynthetic pigments, including Chl a, Chl b and carotenoids. This improvement was associated with an obvious increase in the membrane stability index (MSI). At the same time, an obvious decrease in the salt induced oxidative damages was seen when the concentration of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced in the salt stressed leaf tissues. Generally, ALA-treated plants demonstrated higher antioxidant enzyme activity than in the ALA-untreated plants. A moderate level of salinity (75 mM) induced the highest activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (G-POX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Meanwhile, the highest activity of catalase (CAT) was seen with 150 mM NaCl. Interestingly, applied-ALA led to a substantial decrease in the concentration of both Na and the Na/K ratio. In contrast, K and Ca exhibited a considerable increase in this respect. The role of ALA in the regulation of K+/Na+ selectivity under saline condition was confirmed through a molecular study (RT-PCR). It was found that ALA treatment downregulated the relative gene expression of plasma membrane (SOS1) and vacuolar (NHX1) Na+/H+ antiporters. In contrast, the high-affinity potassium transporter protein (HKT1) was upregulated

Exogenous Application of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Mitigates Salt-Induced Oxidative Damage in Sorghum Plants through Regulation Growth, Leaf Pigments, Ionic Homeostasis, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Expression of Salt Stress Responsive Genes

In plants, α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is considered a dithiol short-chain fatty acid with several strong antioxidative properties. To date, no data are conclusive regarding its effects as an exogenous application on salt stressed sorghum plants. In this study, we investigated the effect of 20 µM ALA as a foliar application on salt-stressed sorghum plants (0, 75 and 150 mM as NaCl). Under saline conditions, the applied-ALA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) stimulated plant growth, indicated by improving both fresh and dry shoot weights. A similar trend was observed in the photosynthetic pigments, including Chl a, Chl b and carotenoids. This improvement was associated with an obvious increase in the membrane stability index (MSI). At the same time, an obvious decrease in the salt induced oxidative damages was seen when the concentration of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced in the salt stressed leaf tissues. Generally, ALA-treated plants demonstrated higher antioxidant enzyme activity than in the ALA-untreated plants. A moderate level of salinity (75 mM) induced the highest activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (G-POX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Meanwhile, the highest activity of catalase (CAT) was seen with 150 mM NaCl. Interestingly, applied-ALA led to a substantial decrease in the concentration of both Na and the Na/K ratio. In contrast, K and Ca exhibited a considerable increase in this respect. The role of ALA in the regulation of K+/Na+ selectivity under saline condition was confirmed through a molecular study (RT-PCR). It was found that ALA treatment downregulated the relative gene expression of plasma membrane (SOS1) and vacuolar (NHX1) Na+/H+ antiporters. In contrast, the high-affinity potassium transporter protein (HKT1) was upregulated