Improvement of growth and nutritional quality of Moringa oleifera using different biofertilizers

AbstractMoringa seeds were cultivated in polyethylene bags (1kg capacity) filled with clay loamy soil. Bags were treated with microorganisms using three methods of inoculation i.e. soil inoculation (single or mixed cultures); leaf inoculation (single culture), and soil and leaf inoculation (mixed inoculation). Plants were harvested after 3months of cultivation. Shoot and root lengths, shoot and root dry weights, leaves fresh and dry weights, vitamin C g/g fresh leaf, protein g/g leaves dry weight and mineral contents (Mg, P, K, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu) were recorded. Biofertilization by different inoculation methods increased most of the parameters tested. The highest records of shoot and root lengths, and shoot and root dry weights were obtained with soil inoculation with mixed cultures of (Azotobacter chroococcum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and (Azot. chroococcum and Bacillus circulans). The same trend in respect of Vitamin C was obtained. But, the highest protein contents (g/g dry weight leaves) were obtained with soil inoculation with (Azot. chroococcum and B. circulans), (Bacillus megatherium) and (Azot. chroococcum and S. cerevisiae), which gave 0.73, 0.59 and 0.58gprotein/g leaves dry weight respectively. Generally, soil inoculation with either B. megatherium, B. circulans, (Azot. chroococcum and Pseudomonas fluorescens), (Azot. chroococcum and B. circulans), Azot. chroococcum, and (Azospirillum brazilense and B. megatherium) gave the highest records of Mg, P, K, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu respectively

Effect of different resin cements on shear bond strength of CAD-CAM crowns fabricated from hybrid materials.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent)CAD/CAM crowns have become popular due to the many advantages associated with this technology. Optimal bonding adhesion is crucial for the durability of these indirect restorations and many factors influence this crucial step. Currently, there is no consensus or evidence-based guidelines on the best adhesion protocol for CAD/CAM crowns fabricated from hybrid materials. This study was aimed at investigating the influence of three types of resin cements on the shear bond strength of a hybrid CAD/CAM material in vitro

GREEN PEA SPROUT RESPONSE TO MICROBIAL INOCULATION AND INCREASING ATMOSPHERIC CO2 CONCENTRATION

Baby pea (pisum sativum L.) shoots is a new ready to eat baby leaf vegetable sprouts in Egypt. The overall quality change of baby pea shoots is greatly affected by surrounding environmental conditions especially increased elevation of carbon dioxide concentration in the air. This work focus on the impacts of predicted climate changes conditions on the quality of baby pea shoots by using two carbon dioxide concentrations (600 and 800 ppm) compared with ambient air (control) in interaction with three microbial inoculants and their combinations, in semi-automated growth chambers using tray sprouting method. The obtained results showed the largest yield of pea sprouts per unit area in 800 ppm CO2 concentration with increasing about 20% more than ambient air (control) followed by 600 ppm with increasing about 9.4% than ambient air. Also, it revealed that using CO2 at 800 ppm increased pea sprout crude protein content 37.8%, lipid 46.9% and energy 19.5% per unit area when compared to ambient air. While pea sprout treated by 800 ppm CO2 and inoculated by combination of  Az. chroococcum + B. megaterium + Ps. fluorescens recorded the highest significant shoot length in the second cut and highest significant chlorophyll in first and second being 13.25 cm, 57.3 and 58.9 μg Chl./cm (SPAD) and the highest significant protein, lipids, and ash content being 48.65, 4.95, 10.69% as well as the highest significant mineral values of P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn being 0.545, 3.535, 0.620% and 61.3 ppm respectively. Current study suggests that high CO2 concentration in the presence of Az. chroococcum + B.  megaterium + Ps. fluorescens improve the yield and the quality of baby pea shoots

POTENTIALITY OF USING A. PINNATA TO BIOREMEDIATE DIFFERENT HEAVY METALS FROM POLLUTED DRAINING WATER

Azolla pinnata is a small aquatic fern which considered as a multipurpose organism. It isused in bioremediation to remove heavy metals from polluted draining waters. In view of its potentiality, Azolla pinnata were tested for their growth on different media (Yoshida, peat moss, and Soil media) to select the best medium for the growth of Azolla. Then the best medium was examined for the potentiality of Azolla to withstand a different concentration of different heavy metals. Yoshida medium was the most suitable medium, as it recorded the highest significant records in fresh and dry weight, being 25.38 and 1.69 g/ pot respectively, the doubling time was 5.43 days, NPK% being 3.87, 0.85 and 1.95% respectively and nitrogenase activity being 14.32 μmol C2H4/ g dry weight. / hr). The fresh and dry weight of Azolla exposed to Pb+2,Co+2 or Cu+2, was found to be increased by increasing the concentration of the metals from 5 to 35 ppm/liter, then they decreased when the fern exposed to 45 ppm/liter for all of them. While, doubling time decreased gradually by increasing the concentration of Pb+2 , Co+2  orCu+2 from 5 to 35 ppm/liter and started to increase by increasing the concentration of Pb+2 to 45 ppm/liter in the medium

MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ISOLATED FROM EGYPTIAN ENVIRONMENT

In a trial to isolate and identify ectomycorrhi-zal fungi for the first time in Egypt 13 sporocarpes associated with rang of plants grown on Egyptian soils were collected, to be used for this purpose. Fungal isolates were obtained from collected spo-rocarpes and tested for ectomycorrhiza formation with Bauhinia sp. and Pinus seedlings. The paper sandwich technique was used for simultaneous inoculation of root apices Bauhinia to produce synchronously developing ectomycorrhizas. Typi-cal ectomycorrhizal roots were obtained within 14 days after inoculation with the collected strains. The isolates tested for ectomycorrhiza formation with Pinus sp. to ensure their identity by for-mation of distinct root characteristics on this host. Root colonization levels varied markedly among the tested fungal strains with respect to growth enhancement and NPK uptake of Pinus shoots and roots

Salicornia bigelovii, S. brachiata and S. herbacea:Their Nutritional Characteristics and an Evaluation of Their Potential as Salt Substitutes

Excessive sodium (salt) intake in our diet is a main contributor to hypertension and a major risk factor for cardiovascular illnesses. As a result, research has made great efforts to develop salt alternatives, and Salicornia spp. offers a very high potential in the food industry for its promising functional characteristics. This review focuses on the nutritional profile, health effects and commercial potential of three specific species of the Salicornia genus: S. bigelovii, S. brachiata and S. herbacea. It also addresses the methods that are used to produce them as salt substitutes. Owing to the antinutritional and anti-inflammatory effects of its bioactive compounds, Salicornia spp. can serve as an organic biological preservative in foods with better consumer appeal when compared with chemical preservatives that are common in the food industry. Overall, the commercial use of these underutilized species will help to improve food security

EFFECT OF CERTAIN PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS ISOLATES ON THE INFECTION OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE, MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA IN TOMATO AND EGGPLANT AND THE PLANT GROWTH

Under screen house conditions, two experiments were carried out to evaluate certain bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates regarding reproductive potential of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, infecting tomato or eggplant. Results on tomato revealed that, on the basis of average total percentages nematode reduction, the over topped results were gained with P. fluorescens (Pf2) which recorded the highest significant (P≤0.05) average nematode reduction (61.3%) and higher percentage reduction of females (77%) per plant. The second rank was obtained by Pf3 which reduced all nematode numbers as an average of 56.9%.On the basis of average total percentages plant growth and weight of fruit increases, four bacterial treatments can be ranked in a descending order as follows: Pf9 > Pf4>Pf1and Pf7, as they achieved the highest average total percentages increases of 96.0, 47.3, 38.2and 29.8%, respectively compared to other treatments and untreated check. Regarding to eggplant, the over topped results observed was achieved by P. fluorescens (Pf10) which recorded the highest average total nematode reduction (66.2%) with higher reduction of (J2s) in roots (89.9%) per plant and in soil (78.8%) per pot. The second rank was obtained by Pf9 and Pf2 where they reduced all nematode numbers as averages of 55.9% and 54.9%, respectively. Also Pseudomonas isolates enhanced the plant growth of eggplant, averages were found in a descending order as follows: Pf1 (20.0%), Pf9 (18.7%) and Pf10 (18.3%) . It is worthy to note that the most distinct growth criteria was fresh weight of roots as it achieved higher percentage increase (58.1%) by using Pf9 followed by Pf1 as it caused 40.6% increase compared to untreated check. The highest average percentage of fresh weight of shoot were recorded for Pf10 (26.4%) and Pf8 (22.1%). Whereas for dry weight Pf3 (29.8%) and Pf2 (19.1%). In conclusion, the tested biocontrol agent was efficient in controlling the root-knot nematode on tested plants

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ENCAPSULATED PROBIOTIC BACTERIA SUPPLEMENTATION TO RUMINANT RATIONS

The aim of this study was to in vitro evaluate encapsulated probiotic supplementation to ruminant rationson degradation and fermentation parameters. The ration consisted of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% concentrate feed mixture. Encapsulated and not encapsulated probiotic were supplemented with level of 106cfu/kg of the total dry matter of ration (DM) and compared with encapsulation media (Sodium Alginate, SA) and control (not supplemented ration). DM and OM degradation and total gas production as well as fermentation parameters of the incubated samples were determined after 24 h of fermentation. Significant (P<0.01) increases in in-vitro DM degradability was observed for the experimental ration supplemented with encapsulated or not encapsulated probiotics at levels (106 CFU/ kg DM) and SA treatment compared to control ration. Also, significant (P<0.05) improvement in OM degradability was recorded for the ration supplemented with not encapsulated probiotics bacteria compared to the other treatments. Moreover no significant differences were observed between the control ration and the rations supplemented with encapsulated probiotics or SA only, as well as no significant difference was recorded between the ration supplemented with encapsulated probiotics and the ration supplemented with SA only. Probiotics bacteria supple mentation in the form of not encapsulated probiotic resulted significant increases in in vitro total gas production per sample and per g DM, OM, dDM, NDF and ADF after 24 hours incubation period compared to the other experimental rations (control, encapsulated probiotic and SA). While significant increase in total gas production per g dOM was observed for not encapsulated probiotic compared to encapsulated probiotic only. It could be concluded that, using encapsulated probiotics bacteria had no significant effect on DM degradability and may be induce decrease in gas production and fermentation parameters

IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIA SUPPLEMENTATION TO RUMINANT RATIONS

The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of different level of probiotic supplementation to ruminant rations, using in-vitro batch culture technique to determine degradation and fermentation parameters. In vitro experimental ration was formulated, the ration consisted of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% concentrate feed mixture. Three level of probiotic supplementation (106, 108, 1010 cfu/kg DM) were evaluated. DM and total gas production as well as fermentation parameters of the incubated samples were determined after 24 hrs. of fermentation. Slightly increases (P>0.05) in in-vitro dry matter degradability were observed for the ration supplemented with probiotics bacteria at different levels (106,108 and 1010 cfu/ kg DM) compared to control ration. Probiotics bacteria supplementation with different level (106,108 and 1010 cfu/ kg DM) led to significant (P<0.001) increases in organic matter degradability and total gas production per sample and per g DM, OM, NDF and ADF compared to the not supplemented ration (control ration), and no significant differences were observed among the different levels of probiotics supplementation. Significant increase in total volatile fatty acid concentration after 24 hours' incubation period compared to the not supplemented ration. On the other hand, the treatment supplemented with probiotic recorded lower ammonia concentration compared to the control group. It could be concluded that, adding  probiotics bacteria supplementation to experimental ration resulted increase DM and OM degradability and using dose 106 CFU/kg DM feed is sufficient to induce improvement in degradability and fermentation parameter