Quantitative Estimation of Saline-Soil Amelioration Using Remote-Sensing Indices in Arid Land for Better Management

Soil salinity and sodicity are significant issues worldwide. In particular, they represent the most dominant types of degraded lands, especially in arid and semi-arid regions with minimal rainfall. Furthermore, in these areas, human activities mainly contribute to increasing the degree of soil salinity, especially in dry areas. This study developed a model for mapping soil salinity and sodicity using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). It also provided salinity management techniques (leaching and gypsum requirements) to ameliorate soil and improve crop productivity. The model results showed a high correlation between the soil electrical conductivity (ECe) and remote-sensing spectral indices SIA, SI3, VSSI, and SI9 (R-2 = 0.90, 0.89, 0.87, and 0.83), respectively. In contrast, it showed a low correlation between ECe and SI5 (R-2 = 0.21). The salt-affected soils in the study area cover about 56% of cultivated land, of which the spatial distribution of different soil salinity levels ranged from low soil salinity of 44% of the salinized cultivated land, moderate soil salinity of 27% of salinized cultivated land, high soil salinity of 29% of the salinized cultivated land, and extreme soil salinity of 1% of the salinized cultivated land. The leaching water requirement (LR) depths ranged from 0.1 to 0.30 m ha(-1), while the gypsum requirement (GR) ranged from 0.1 to 9 ton ha(-1)

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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The prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt

Aim: This study aims to record and update the prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt during the period from January to December 2017. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 donkeys (10 donkeys each month) were examined at Giza zoo abattoir through bimonthly visits. The examined donkeys were obtained from five governorates (Giza [20], Fayoum [40], Beni Suef [30], Monofia [20], and Assiut [10]). The animals were grouped according to age and sex. Results: All examined donkeys were positive with at least one internal or even external parasitic species. The overall prevalence rate was 100%. A total of 11 helminths species (10 nematodes and 1 metacestode); 7 protozoal and 7 arthropod species were collected. The number of each parasite and intensity of infection with regard to age and sex was recorded. Conclusion: All examined donkeys were infected with parasites with an overall prevalence of 100%. So, we recommended following up and continuous treatment of such diseased animal