INFLUENCE OF VERMICOMPOST AND PLANT DENSITY ON SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF PEAS

The need to increase the organic soil matter for sustainable production to match food security under semi-arid Egyptian conditions (high temperature, low preception, shortage of organic fertilizer etc..) led to looking for new sources of oragnic materials such as  modern composting technologies and increase the effeiency of recycling. The field experiment was carried out during the two winter successive seasons of 2011 and 2012 under open field conditions in protected cultivation site, Central Laboratory for Agriculture Climate (CLAC), Agriculture Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. Peas (Pisum sativum), cv. Lincolin was used in this study. The study aimed to investigate the use of vermicompost as alternative organic fertilizer by different rates (15, 20 and 25 m3/feddan) compared to cattle manure (20 m3/feddan as a control) combained with two plant distances (30 and 50 cm) which  performed in split plot design. The obtained results indicate that increasing the rate of vermicompost from 15 to 25 m3/feddan led to increase the values of physical and chemical properties of both pea plants and yield characteristics. The highest vegetative growth characteristics were recorded by application rate of 25 m3/feddan combined with 50 cm plant distance followed by 20 m3/feddan combined with 30 cm compared to the other treatments. The application rate of vermicompost 25 m3/feddan combined with plant distance 30 cm gave the highest yield of peas per feddan. Concerning, the highest fruit quality parameters were estimated under application rate of vermicompost 20 m3/feddan combined with 50 cm. The recommended treatment under this study conditions was the use of vermicompost 25 m3/feddan combined with 30 cm followed by 20 m3/feddan combined with 30 cm of plant distance. The vermicomposting of organic wastes and applied it to the soil as an organic fertilizer instead of burial or inceneration led to store CO2 in the soil and decrease its emission

MAXIMIZING POTATO PRODUCTION VIA NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND PLANT SPACING

The potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) vs. valor were exposed to different levels of nitrogen fertilizer (60, 100, 140, 180 kg N/feddan (4200 m2)) and in-row plant spacing (12.5, 25 and 50 cm) for maximizing the yield production to match food security needs under climate change impacts on Delta region,  Egypt. The experiment was carried out during two growing seasons (2010/2011 and 2011/2012) in split plot design at El-Bossily Farm, Agricultural Research Center, El-Behira Governorate, Egypt. The vegetative growth characteristics and yield parameters were measured. The result of this study verified that increasing nitrogen level up to 180 kg N/feddan significantly increased the vegetative growth, total and marketable yields than the other N treatments. The in-row plant spacing 50 cm was significantly increased vegetative growth and yield (kg/plant), but the total yield (kg/m2) had different trend. The highest total yield /m2 was obtained by 12.5 cm treatment. The interaction effect of 180 kg/feddan of N and 12.5cm in-row plant spacing were increased the total tuber yield (kg/m2) significantly. In contrary, the best marketable yield (tubers > 35 mm) /m2 was obtained by 25 and 50 cm in-row plants.  This study was concluded that the best agronomic practices for potato production obtained by application 180 kg N/feddan of with in-row plant spacing 25 cm treatment. The economical consideration of the different treatments showed that the best total net income was obtained by 180 kg/feddan N with 50 cm in-row plant spacing

Association of altered serum levels of Chemerin, Paraoxonase-1 (PON1), Asymmetric Dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and obesitin the development of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in Egyptian women

Chemerinwas recently added to the adipokine family and was identified in human ovarian follicles and follicular fluid that suggests a direct correlation between chemerin and PCOS. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) is involved in endothelial dysfunctionthe atherogenic potential of ADMA has been investigated in young patients with PCOS. Oxidative stress is considered to be implicated in the pathophysiology of PCOS.Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an antioxidant enzyme and its concentration has been shown to be inversely associated with oxidative stress. Objectives: Evaluation of serum chemerin, ADMA, PON1in obese and non-obese polycystic ovarian patients to postulate their role in pathogenesis of PCOS. Methods: Ninetynuligravida women aged 20-35 (60 with PCOS and 30 controls) were recruited. Fasting blood was obtained on day 2 or 3 of the menstrual cycle. Clinical evaluation, hormonal profile, Chemerin, ADMA and PON1 were assessed. Results: There was a significant increase in serum chemerinlevels in PCOS obese group when compared with PCOS non obese patients and healthy controls non obese and obese respectively. Serum ADMA level was increased significantly in PCOS obese group as compared to the PCOS non obese group , control non obese and control obese. Paraoxonase was decreased stepwise significantly from the control non obese group and control obese group to PCOS non obese patients then PCOS obese patients to. Conclusions: it could be suggested that increased chemerin has a role in PCOS development andaltered ADMA and PON1 associated withobesity and oxidative stress may exacerbate the condition

Increasing Soil Organic Matter Content as a Key Factor for Sustainable Production of Sweet Pepper

Intensive agriculture under plastic houses need to increase organic soil matter for sustainable production to match demands of food security, especially under semi-arid Egyptian conditions. Climate change impacts on agricultural production and the need to mitigate green house’s gases (GHG’s) worked as a driving forces to pay more attention to soil organic matter content and to offer different methods (aerobic composting and vermicomposting) for recycling different organic wastes (agricultural residues and organic urban wastes). The study aimed to investigate increasing organic soil matter content in sandy soil by different rates and types of soil amendments as well as investigate their effects on vegetative growth and yield of sweet pepper using a split plot design with three replicates. The study was carried out during two growing autumn seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 at El-Bossily farm, CLAC, Agricultural Research Center, Behaira Governorate, Egypt. Sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) cv. Godion F1 was the test crop and vermicompost, compost and cattle manure at the rates of 2, 4 and 6% (1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 m3/plastic house of 540m2) were the soil amendment treatments. Results obtained indicate that increasing rate of the different soil amendments from 1.8 to 5.4 m3/plastic house led to increase in vegetative growth and significantly enhanced early and total yield of sweet pepper. The highest values of stem diameter, total leaf area, yield and N, P were recorded by vermicompost, while cattle manure recorded the highest plant height, number of leaves and K contents (%). Vermicomposting of organic urban wastes and composting of agricultural residues to produce organic fertilizers instead of burning or incineration compared to cattle manure led to the sequestrating of CO2 in the soil by 605, 430 and 286 kg/ton and conserved nitrogen fertilizer by 17.1, 11.4 and 16.9 kg/ton of vermicompost, compost and cattle manure respectively. The use of vermicompost as a soil amendment at the rate of 4% gave the highest economic sweet pepper yield. Organic urban wastes could create a good source for producing soil amendment. Increasing organic soil matter content played a vital role in crop production

Smart Hydroponic Greenhouse (Sensing, Monitoring and Control) Prototype Based on Arduino and IOT

Aims: Sensing, monitoring and control the micro-climate measurements and environmental conditions of greenhouse prototype to create a smart hydroponic greenhouse for maximizing the food production as well as minimizing the ecological footprint under the climate change impacts, Coved 19 crisis, and natural resources shortages. Study Design: Factorial with 3 replicates. Place and Duration of Study: Central Laboratory for Agriculture Climate (CLAC), Agriculture Research Center, Egypt during 2020. Methodology: Two systems of hydroponic culture, nutrient film technique (NFT) and deep flow technique (DFT) that cultivated by lettuce plants were established under greenhouse (polycarbonate) prototype (0.8 * 1.2 * 0.6 m) designed with artificial grown light and cooling system. Based on Arduino Mega 2560 that programmed via the Arduino IDE program, different sensors and actuators were used to establishing the smart greenhouse. Internet of things (IoT) via Node MCU ESP 8266 that programmed to transmitted the data every 30 min. to the internet web google platform (Firebase) for presenting the real-time records and hosting the data. Vegetative characteristics; yield parameters and N, P, and K contents of lettuce plants were measured. Results: the smart greenhouse worked according to the programming of Arduino Mega and Node MCU with high efficiency. Google firebase platform displays the real-time records and hosts about 100 thousand different sensor records during the lettuce season. Decreasing the distance between the lettuce and artificial lightning source led to increasing the intensity of light that had a positive impact on lettuce growth but it wasn't sufficient to give a high quality of lettuce yield under the experiment. NFT system gave higher values of average No. of leaves and fresh weight of lettuce plants than DFT system that presented higher plant length. Conclusion: Integrated monitoring and control system and IOT provide a wireless sensors network that offered a high capability of accessing huge data anywhere and anytime. Smart management of nutrient solution (TDS, pH, temperature, and level), without smart control, were not useful enough regarding the rapid solution changes and the need for a high response

The Potential of Soilless Culture Systems in Producing Tomato and Cucumber under Greenhouse Conditions

Aims: Assess The sustainable production of tomato and cucumber under greenhouse conditions for meeting the challenges of natural resources shortage, food security and economic. Study Design:  Two experiments performed in complete randomized blocks with three replicates. Place and Duration of Study: Central Laboratory for Agriculture Climate (CLAC), Agriculture Research Center, Egypt, during two autumn seasons of 2018 and 2019 (tomato) and two spring seasons of 2019 and 2020 (cucumber). Methodology: Different soilless culture systems for producing tomato and cucumber under greenhouse were investigated: Hydroponic systems (Nutrient film technique (NFT) and deep flow technique (DFT)); and substrate systems (Dutch bucket, pot, container, and horizontal bag). Vegetative characteristics, yield parameters, N, P, and K contents, and environmental impact assessment were measured.    Results: Substrate systems gave the highest vegetative growth characteristics, yield parameters, N, P and K contents of tomato and cucumber leaves, as well as the highest power use efficiencies compared to hydroponic systems. Container and bags systems gave the highest results of tomato and cucumber vegetative growth, respectively, but the highest yield and net profits records belonged to bags and pots respectively.  Bags substrate system gave the highest net profit yield (10.1Kg/ plant and  21881 LE / greenhouse) of tomato plant under plastic house followed by container system that presented the highest yield (10.6 Kg/ plant) but the total cost mainly substrate cost contributed to reduce its net profit yield. While for the highest yield and net profit of cucumber, the pots system (8.1Kg/ plant and  13243 LE / greenhouse) followed container system (7.65Kg/ plant and  9045 LE / greenhouse) and bags system (7.15Kg/ plant and  10270 LE / greenhouse) were recommended. The lowest yield, the highest average power use, cost and efficiency and lowest total cost were estimated by NFT system in both of tomato and cucumber investigations. Conclusion: The substrate systems presented more sustainability for tomato and cucumber production under plastichouse conditions. Bags substrate system gave the highest net profit yield of tomato plant under plastic house followed by container system that presented the highest yield but the total cost mainly substrate cost contributed to reduce its net profit yield. While for the highest yield and net profit of cucumber, the pots system followed container system and bags system  were recommended. The lowest yield, the highest average power use, cost and efficiency and lowest total cost were estimated by NFT system in both of tomato and cucumber investigations

The Potential Use of Vermicompost in Soilless Culture for Producing Strawberry

The need for recycling organic wastes should be one of the priorities of urban as well as rural regions under the climate change impacts to minimize the consumption of natural sources. Two studies were conducted out during two successive winter seasons at the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Giza, Egypt. The first study (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) was to investigate the effect of vermicompost as an alternative organic substrate mixed with different mineral substrate perlite, vermiculite and sand (20 : 80% v/v)  compared to peat moss + perlite (50 : 50% v/v) combined with different sources of nutrient solutions (vermicompost-tea, compost-tea and chemical) on the growth and yield of strawberry. Improving the physical and chemical properties of substrates (Sand and perlite) by vermicompost investigated in the second study (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) by mixing vermicompost with sand and perlite instead of peat moss in different proportions of 15:85, 30:70 and 45:55%(v/v) respectively compared to sand 100% and perlite 100%. Strawberry cv., Sweet charley and Festival F1 hybrid were cultivated under unheated plastic house and low tunnels in the first and second experiments respectively. The obtained data of the first study revealed that chemical nutrient solution recorded the highest values of vegetative, yield (337 and 359 g/plant) and quality characteristics of strawberry, while using vermicompost as a substrate mix combined with different substrates had a positive significant effect compared to control. Vermicompost + sand followed by vermicompost + vermiculite recorded the highest results of vegetative, yield (327 and 356 - 329 and 346 g/plant) respectively and quality characteristics of strawberry.  The second experiment illustrated that increasing the vermicompost rate had a negative significant impacts on growth and yield of strawberry. In general the substrate mixture of vermicompost + sand (15: 85%) gave the highest growth, yield (552 and 585 g/plant), quality and chemical contents. Also, vermicompost with sand mixtures generally recorded the highest yield compared to the vermicompost with perlite mixtures

Pridelava krompirja z uporabo različnih količin kalijevih gnojil in pršenja z izvlečkov glistin deževnikov (vermi-wash

The use of vermi-wash as organic source and potassium nutrients were investigated under this study. A field experiment was carried out during two successive summer seasons of 2017 and 2018 under open field conditions in Dokki experimental location, Agricultural Research Center, Giza Governorate, Egypt. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of applying different potassium rates 140, 280 and 420 kg K2O per hectare combined with spray vermi-wash for two, four, six times as well as spray water (control) on vegetative growth, yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum ‘Spunta’). The applications of potassium rates and vermi-wash sprays affected significantly the potato vegetative growth, total and marketable tuber yield as well as nutrient contents (N, P and K %) of potato leaves. Increasing potassium rate from 140 to 280 kg K2O per hectare enhanced total yield. Increasing potassium application to 420 kg K2O per hectare led to decrease the vegetative growth and productivity compared to 280 kg K2O per hectare.  Regarding the vermi-wash spray applications, data revealed that two times spray of vermi-wash enhanced vegetative growth and productivity, while increasing spraying of vermi-wash to more than two times led to decrease of potato vegetative growth and productivity.V raziskavi je bila preučevana uporaba vermivoša kot organskega vira in kalijevih gnojil. Poljski poskus je bil izveden v dveh zaporednih poletnih sezonaha, 2017 in 2018 na poskusni postaji v Dokki, Kmetijskega raziskovalnega centra v Gizi, Egypt. Namen raziskave je bil ovrednotiti učinke uporabe različnih odmerkov kalijevih gnojil, 140, 280 in 420 kg K2O ha−1 v kombinaciji z 1-,2-,3-,4- in 6-kratnim pršenjem z vermivošem in pršenjem z vodo kot kontrolo na vegetativno rast in pridelek krompirja (Solanum tuberosum ‘Spunta’). Uporaba odmerkov kalijevih gnojil in pršenje z vermivošem sta značilno vplivala na vegetativno rast kropmpirja, na celokupni in tržni pridelek gomoljev kot tudi na vsebnost hranil (N, P in K %) v listih krompirja. Povečanje odmerka kalija iz 140 na 280 kg K2O ha−1 je povečalo celokupni pridelek. Nadalnje povečanje odmerkov kalija na 420 kg K2O ha−1 je zmanjšalo vegetativno rast in produktivnost v primerjavi z odmerkom 280 kg K2O ha−1. Glede pršenja z vermivošem so rezultati pokazali, da je dvakratno pršenje pospešilo vegetativno rast in produktivnost, več kot dvakratna uporaba pa je oba parametra zmanjšala