Evaluation of Allelopathic Potential of Rumex dentatus Root Extract and Allelochemicals on Cicer arietinum

The present study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of root extract of Rumex dentatus L. and various allelochemicals on some physiological parameters in roots of Cicer arietinum L. The tested allelochemicals were benzoic, caffeic, cinnamic, ferulic, gallic, sinapic and vanillic acids. Seed germination of Cicer was inhibited by Rumex extract. Lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide production increased gradually in response to extract concentration as well as allelochemicals treatment. The total soluble protein decreased whereas the total phenol increased under the various treatments. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD: 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT: 1.11.1.6) increased continuously with increasing extract concentration. However, peroxidase (POD: 1.11.1.7) increased sharply at 2% (w/v) followed by reduction at the higher concentrations and reached 1.1 U g-1 fresh weight at 10% (w/v) which was still higher than that of the control value. Ferulic acid was the most effective inducer for SOD activity followed by cinnamic acid. The POD activity increased remarkably particularly with cinnamic, benzoic and gallic acids. Sinapic, ferulic and coumaric acids enhanced CAT activity by 150.4%, 139.5% and 124.4%, respectively. The results reveal the possible use of R. dentatus as bioherbicide

Basin Analysis of the Late Cretaceous Sediments in United Arab Emirates

Abstract: The Late Cretaceous Simsima Formation has been proved to be one of the most prolific reservoirs in the Arabian Basin, but still needs more investigations to be ultimately exploited.This promising formation has been subjected to a comprehensive study by various geologic disciplines to build up an adequate basin model for such formation. The study revealed that the Late Cretaceous Simsima Formation could be classified into two facies. These are Planktonic Foraminiferal Biomicrite (open marine source rock facies outcropped at Jabal Qarn El-Barr); and Rudistids Algal Foraminiferal Biomicrite (shallow marine reservoir rock facies exposed at Jabal Buhays and Jabal Malaqet) facies. This facies distribution indicates that the Late Cretaceous sea deepened towards the NNW of UAE ( Jabal Qarn El-Barr section). X-Ray diffraction analysis ensured the occurrence of open marine minerals (kaolinite and montmorillonite) within the Late Cretaceous Simsima Formation that outcropped at Jabal Qarn El-Barr. So, the Late Cretaceous Simsima Formation could act as an effective source rock (newly approved) in the northern part of UAE and a prolific reservoir rock in the other parts of UAE. The geochemical analyses also supported the occurrence of source rock facies (high TOC varies from 0.4 to 1.3 wt% and low Pr/Ph ratio) within the Late Cretaceous Simsima Formation. The petrophysical and petrographical investigations proved intercrystalline, vuggy and fracture porosity (varies from 0 to 31%) and permeability ranges from 0 to 850 md for the reservoir facies of Late Cretaceous Simsima Formation. Moreover, the occurrence of anticlinal and thrusted structures (almost acting as sealing faults) within the fractured limestones of the Late Cretaceous Simsima Formation would enhance the probability for hydrocarbon entrapment within these rocks

Plant communities along the international coastal highway of Nile delta, Egypt

The construction of highways promotes several changes in the roadside habitat, vegetation, and plant invasion. The present study aimed to describe the plant communities-environment interactions of the international coastal highway from Port-Said to Abu-Qir, northern Nile delta coast of Egypt. A total of 146 species (83 annuals, 4 biennials, and 59 perennials), belonging to 116 genera and 33 families were recorded in 80 stands. The Mediterranean chorotype is the most represented. The cluster analysis of stands yielded four communities. The community I was dominated by Silybum mariannum, community II was dominated by Mesembryanthemum crystalinum, Community III is the largest one and was co-dominated by Hordeum murinum and Senecio glaucus and community IV was co-dominated by Cakile maritima and S. glaucus. Diversity indices showed more richness of communities II and more evenness of community IV. Electric conductivity, porosity, soil texture, Na+, Cl- and bicarbonate showed significant variation among communities. The soil of C. maritima and S. glaucus community was more saline (1.78 ms cm-1). The application of CCA showed that communities II and III were mainly correlated with salinity and organic matter. The present study revealed that roadside habitat of the international coastal highway dominated by different plant communities which correlated with the habitat structure, salinity, and anthropogenic activities. Furthermore, nine invasive species were recorded in this study which could be attributed to the increment of human activities after the construction of the highway

Anatomical investigation of three emergent Cyperus species growing naturally on the canal banks of the Nile delta, Egypt

The genus Cyperus is a large genus with about 600 species, widespread all over the world. The present work contains anatomical descriptions of culms and leaves anatomy of three taxa of Cyprus spp. (Cyperus alopecuroides, C. articulates and C. papyrus). Cyperus spp. were collected from canal banks of Nile Delta. The culms in transverse section of all examined species were triangular except for C. articulates which was circular. The ground tissue differentiated into parenchyma cells with thin walls and small, triangular intercellular spaces, while C. articulates has large hollow pith. Vascular bundles are small, angular and scattered throughout the thin-walled ground tissue. Leaf anatomy of C. alopecuroides and C. papyrus is an example of the isobilateral mesophyll with palisade parenchyma on both sides, enlarged epidermal cells referred to as hing cells found in the middle of the blade. The center of the leaf is occupied by a large vascular bundle surrounded by a bundle sheath.   &nbsp

Glyphosate-induced liver and kidney dysfunction, oxidative stress, immunosuppression in Nile tilapia, but ginger showed a protection role

The water-borne herbicides are involved in the toxicity of aquatic animals resulting in impaired health status and low productivity. Dietary medicinal herbs present a practical solution to relieve the impacts of herbicides toxicity on the performances of aquatic animals. Herein, we investigated the toxicity of commercial glyphosate-induced oxidative stress, immunosuppression, liver and kidney dysfunction, and the protective role of ginger or ginger nanoparticles in Nile tilapia. Fish were allocated into four groups: the first group presented the control without glyphosate toxicity and ginger feeding, the second group intoxicated with glyphosate at 0.6 mg/L and fed ginger free diet, the third group intoxicated with glyphosate and fed ginger at 2.5 g/kg, and the fourth group intoxicated with glyphosate and fed ginger nanoparticles at 2.5 g/kg. Fish were kept under the experimental conditions for four weeks, and the samples of blood and tissues were collected after 2 and 4 weeks. Markedly, fish exposed to glyphosate showed the highest ALT and AST activities, glucose and cortisol levels, and malondialdehyde levels (MDA) in gills and tissues. While fish in the control and fish intoxicated with glyphosate and fed ginger nanoparticles had the lowest ALT and AST activities, glucose and cortisol levels, and MDA levels after 2 and 4 weeks (P \u3c 0.05). Fish fed dietary ginger had lower ALT and AST activities, glucose and cortisol levels, and MDA levels than the glyphosate intoxicated group after 2 and 4 weeks (P \u3c 0.05). Interestingly, fish-fed ginger nanoparticles showed lower urea and creatinine levels and higher total protein, albumin, and globulin than the glyphosate intoxicated group (P \u3c 0.05) and similar to the control (P \u3e 0.05). Further, fish intoxicated with glyphosate and fed ginger nanoparticles had the highest GSH, lysozyme activity, and immunoglobulin levels after 2 and 4 weeks (P \u3c 0.05). In conclusion, ginger nanoparticles are superior to the standard ginger form in enhancing the antioxidative and immune responses of Nile tilapia exposed to glyphosate

Studies on Some Parasitic Diseases in Oreochromis niloticus Fish Hatchery with Emphasis to Life Stages

This study was conducted on 210 Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) of different life stages including (100 fry, 100 fingerlings and 10 broodstocks) obtained from a private fish hatchery at Kafer El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt; during August 2014. The hatchery complains 30% mortality among fry and fingerlings while no mortalities was recorded among broodstocks. Parasitological examination revealed heavy infestation with Triochodina species (sp.) in all examined life stages at a prevalence rate 100%. In addition, Gyrodactylus sp. was recorded in gills of fry, fingerlings and broodstocks at a rate of 5, 12, and 10 %, respectively. Kidneys and gills of all examined life stages showed heavy infestations with Myxosporean sp., with 100 % prevalence rate. Haemogregarina sp. was described in the blood of fingerlings and gill tissues of broodstocks. Additionally, Encysted metacerceria was observed in gills of broodstocks. The recovered parasites were demonstrated hisopathologically in the gill and kidney tissues of the examined fish. The histopathological examination revealed that the infested gills exhibited serious lesions such as hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the lining epithelial cells of the gill filaments, fusion and necrosis of secondary lamellae and vasodilatation. The lining epithelium of the renal tubules showed degenerative and necrotic changes with the presence of various developmental stages of myxosporidia. In conclusion, fry and fingerlings exhibited high mortalities, while no mortality was recorded among broodstocks, regardless the intensity of infestation and severity of pathological alterations which was intense in broodstocks

FISH- MAPPING AND STANDARD GTG-BANDING KARYOTYPE OF THREE EGYPTIAN SHEEP BREEDS.

Standardized karyotyping by GTG- banding technique and physical chromosome mapping by Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (FISH) were utilized to characterize the three Egyptian breeds of sheep (Barki, Rahmani and Ossimi). Blood samples were collected from 15 individuals from each breed of sheep. G-banded chromosomes revealed that the karyotype macrostructure was highly conserved and in considerable accordance to the standard karyotype of the Ovis aries. The chromosome diploid number was 54 (2n=54, XX / XY). The karyotype formula was 2n, 54 = Lm6 + Ma22 + Sa24+ sex chromosomes. Physical chromosome mapping of the three breeds (Barki, Rahmani and Ossimi) was carried out by localization of two subtelomeric SSR and two (SPRN) related specific sequences. The two subtelomeric SSR sequences revealed six different loci in five chromosomes (1p37, 1p36 and 17q26 with the EPCDV008 probe) and (2q45, 4q22 and 24q24 with the EPCDV016 probe), respectively. In addition the two (SPRN) related specific sequences were successful in differentiating among the three breeds. The probe OriaBAC273H7 hybridized to a similar locus (20q13) in breeds Rahmani and Ossimi, while, in Barki, it hybridized to a different locus (22q24). However, probe OriaBAC265G4 hybridized to three different loci (17q25, 22q24 and 20q13) in Barki, Rahmani and Ossimi, respectively

Does a plant detect its neighbor if it is kin or stranger? Evidence from a common garden experiment

Unlike vagile organisms, plants perform a wide range of phenotypic responses to cope with environmental stresses. A special case of interaction with external factors is the ability of plants to recognize genetic relatedness of neighbour plants, actually well known as kin recognition. The present work aimed to provide a valuable contribution to the field of kin recognition in plants through a common garden experiment. To avoid bias involved in pot experiments, we perform an experiment in unconstrained root growth conditions comparing the development of coupled kin, non-kin and solitary plants of Xanthium italicum. Biometrics of plants with different genetic relatedness were measured, then architecture and competitive interaction were assessed using the relative interaction index (RII) for above and belowground portions of plants. X. italicum showed different allocation depending on the neighbourhood. Root biomass was declined in plants growing with kin compared to non-kin coupled plants, while plants coupled with kin allocated more shoot than roots compared to solitary plants. RII explains phenotypic response of decreased competition in roots rather than in shoots. Despite high values of RII for the aboveground portion, the architectural analysis of shoot, number, angle and length of branches and roots reveals dramatic but indistinctive change in the structure of plants growing near kin or non kin compared to a solitary plant. These results confirm phenotypic responses of kin recognition in unconstrained environment

Monitoring of pesticide residues in some Egyptian herbs, fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: One hundred thirty two samples of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices collected from Egyptian local markets were analyzed for pesticide residues. Contamination with pesticide residues reached 54.55% while samples free from contamination reached 45.45%. Only one sample from 132 analyzed samples violated the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of the Codex Committee. From the 132 analyzed samples, 72 samples (54.55%) were contaminated, from which 43.18% contaminated with residues from one pesticide residue, 6.06% with 2 residues and 5.3% with more than 2 residues. In addition, 2 caraway and one fennel samples contained 4 pesticide residues, one sample of marjoram contained 5 pesticide residues and one mint sample contained 6 pesticide residues. Six of the pesticides detected as residues in the analyzed food items were considered to be carcinogens at different levels of assurance