EFFECT OF AMINO ACIDS ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF Rosa hybrid L. PLANT GROWING IN NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE AND SOLID SUBSTRATE SOILLESS CULTURE

Rosa hybrida (cv. Red Dino) was grown at the experimental site of the Hort. Dept., Fac. Agric., University of Zagazig, Egypt, during the two consecutive seasons of 2017 and 2018. Aiming to evaluate the effect of different amino acid types (glutamine, methionine, phenylalanine and proline), soilless culture methods (nutrient film technique and solid substrate culture) and their combination treatments on growth and flowering of rose plant. These experiments were performed as a split-plot in complete randomized block design with three replicates. The results showed that in most cases phenylalanine acid gave the highest values of growth parameters (plant height, number and weight of leaves, leaf length and width as well as root length) compared to the other amino acid types under study. The same trend was obtained concerning flowering parameters (flowers number, weight and diameter per plant, flower stalk length as well as vase life of cut flowers) during both seasons. The solid substrate culture (SSC) in most cases gave correspondingly higher values of above mentioned parameters (except that of flowering date and flowers vase life) than the nutrient film technique (NFT). Total chlorophyll content (SPAD) was significantly increased with SSC compared to NFT. The best combination treatment, from the productive point of view, was treating plants with phenylalanine acid at 200 ppm and culturing in solid substrate soilless culture (mixture of granulated sand and peat).

EVALUATION OF SOME CHICKPEA GENOTYPES TO BACTERIAL INOCULATION

Field experiment was carried out during the two successive seasons (2015-2016 and 2016-2017) at Sids Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Bani Swif Governorate, Egypt, to evaluate the response of some new chickpea genotypes cultivated under Egyptian soil conditions for rhizobial inoculation alone or in combination with foliar inoculation of Pink Pigmented Facultatively Methylotrophic bacteria (PPFMs) as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). Nodulation status, some vegetative growth and yield parameters were determined. The obtained results cleared that all chickpea genotypes tested were positively responded to the native soil rhizobia and formed root nodules. Rhizobial inoculation alone or in combination with foliar application of PPFMs bacteria (5 L fed-1) scored significant increases in nodule numbers, plant dry weight, yield per plant as well as seed yield at the both seasons as compared to untreated treatments. Using rhizobial inoculation and PPFMs bacteria emphasized the superiority and gave of the highest values at all tested parameters. Generally, the second season gave the highest values at all plant tested parameters as compared to uninoculated ones. Chickpea genotypes GT3, GT4 and GT7 emphasized higher response to cultivated under Egyptian soil conditions and gave higher values for nodules number and dry weight, growth parameters i.e. plant dry weight and plant N-content and yield parameters i.e. yield per plant, seed index and seed yield ton. fed-1 as compared to chickpea variety G195.

IDENTIFICATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF Eugenia aromatica AND ITS BIO-EFFICACY AGAINST Sitophilus oryzae (L.) AND Tribolium castaneum (HERBST)

In this investigation plant oil and powder of E. aromatica were evaluated under laboratory conditions to determine their toxicity, fumigant effect and impact on F1 progeny of S. oryzae and T. castaneum adults. Essential oil and powder of flower buds obtained from Eugenia aromatica were purified and analyzed by Gas-Chromatography–Mass Spectrometer (GC-MC). The results obtained showed that the two products of E. aromatica had good disorders on the all tested parameters. For toxicity and fumigant effect the oil was the premier compared to powder. In addition, that the two products completely prevented the F1 emergence of the two insects. In respect of the toxicity and fumigation the T. castaneum was more tolerant than S. oryzae adults. Phytochemical analysis showed that euegnol (89.62%) was the premier component of essential oil, while euegnol (78.66%), caryophyllene (6.30%), -a-Terpinyl acetate (1.35%) were the major components for its powder. These findings suggest application of E. aromatica products as suitable tools as a potential source of insecticides, alternative to synthetic insecticides or using these products in integrated pest management program against stored product insects, especially S. oryzae or T. castaneum adults.

EFFECT OF SOWING DATES AND FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH MORINGA LEAF EXTRACT, SEAWEED EXTRACT AND POTASSIUM SULPHATE FERTILIZER ON GROWTH, YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SWEET FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) PLANT

Climate change and population growth are the two most important challengers faced by today. So that, two field experiments were carried out at the Horticulture Research Farm of El- Baramoon, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, during the two winter seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 to evaluate the response of sweet fennel to foliar application with moringa leaf extract, seaweed extract and potassium sulphate levels in addition to control treatment under two sowing dates, i.e., 15th October and 15th November. The best results were recorded when sweet fennel seeds were sown on 15th October compared with sowing 15th November in the both tested seasons. Also, foliar spraying with seaweed, moringa leaf extracts and potassium sulphate improved vegetative growth, i.e., plant height; number of leaves and branches per plant and fresh and dry weight per plant as well as yield component, i.e., bulb length; bulb diameter; bulb thickness; seed yield, i.e., number of umbels per plant, weight of seeds per plant and weight of seeds per feddan and essential oil traits than sprayed with tap water (control) during the two seasons. The interaction between sowing dates 15th October and spraying with seaweed extract at 2 g / l resulted in higher values of studied traits in sweet fennel. Thus, we provide the evidence for sowing sweet fennel on the early date (15th October) then spraying the plants with seaweed extract at 1 and / or 2 g / l to produce higher vegetative growth, seed yield and essential oil traits in sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill).

YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF WONDERFUL POMEGRANATE TREES (Punica granatum L.) AS INFLUENCED BY SPRAYING ROYAL JELLY

Nutritional status, yield and fruit quality of Wonderful pomegranate trees grown in sandy calcareous soil in response to spraying Royal jelly at 0.0125, 0.0250 and 0.050% and frequencies, once (at the end May) twice (at the end of May and again at mid-June) and three applications (at the end May, mid-June and the end of August) were investigated during 2017 and 2018 seasons. spraying Royal jelly was very effective in improving the leaf area, leaf chlorophylls contents and total carotenoids, N, P, and K, yield and fruit quality rather than non- application. The gradual Increasing in Royal jelly concentration and frequencies was remarkably enhancing yield and fruit quality. However, non-significant differences were observed between the two heights concentrations. The best results with regard to vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of Wonderful pomegranate trees grown under sandy calcareous soil were obtained when the trees received three sprays of Royal jelly at 0.05%. However non-significant differences were obtained between the two highest concentrations of Royal Jelly namely; 0.0250 and 0.050%.

EFFECT OF Trichoderma harzianum AND Aneurinobacillus migulanus APPLICATIONS ON AUXIN, GIBBERELLIC ACID AND ABSCISIC ACID CONTENT OF GLADIOLUS CORMS INFECTED WITH Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Gladioli

Growing gladiolus corms in soil-less culture fertilized by soluble nutrients raised the question of how both Trichoderma harzianum and Aneurinobacillus migulanus enhance plant growth and provide protection against infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli. Changes in the concentrations of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) gibberellic acid (GA3), indole acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were determined in gladiolus corms following treatment with T. harzianum, A. migulanus and F. oxysporum f.sp. gladioli. The presence of these PGRs in corms was confirmed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the compounds quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Concentrations of both GA3 and IAA increased linearly in all corms over the 10 days after treatments; lowest concentrations of both PGRs were consistently found in corms inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli. In contrast, highest concentrations of both GA3 and IAA occurred in corms treated with T. harzianum alone. Highest concentrations of ABA, however, were found in corms inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli, regardless of the presence of T. harzianum or A. migulanus. Treatments with T. harzianum or A. migulanus in the absence of F. oxysporum f.sp. gladioli maintained ABA concentrations at the same levels as control corms. These results indicate that promotion of Gladiolus growth by T. harzianum or A. migulanus may be partly mediated through stimulation of the production of GA3 and IAA in corm tissues. Increases in these PGRs may also be a mediator in the biological control activity shown by T. harzianum or A. migulanus.

POSTHARVEST QUALITY AND CHILLING INJURY OF “SUCCARY” POMEGRANATES AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT PACKAGING TYPES

Fully ripe 'Succary' pomegranate fruits were harvested from a private orchard in Ismailia, Egypt in 2015 & 2016 seasons. The fruits were packed in: 1- freely packed fruits (control) 2- sealed fresh bags of high ethylene absorption (HEA) 3- perforated polyethylene )PPE( 4- polyethylene (PE) film (stretchable cling film) 5- commercial PVC (poly vinyl chloride) pages. All packaging treatments were stored at 5 ºC and 90 – 95% RH for 12 weeks. Samples were taken every 2 weeks followed by 4 days at 20˚C. Fruit weight (g) rind thickness (mm), aril /fruit (%), juice content %, juice colour, SSC, acidity%, total sugars%, total phenols% and vitamin C were evaluated at harvest time. Chilling injury of the fruit was reduced by all packaging types. Changes in acidity, and SSC of the packed fruits were lower than that of freely packed fruits (control) during storage period. Cold storage at 5 °C with packaging treatments would be the best for preserving the freshness and vitamin C, increasing antioxidant activity, reducing chilling injury and maintaining fruit quality. Consequently, the fruits were more commercially acceptable.

IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF Eucalyptus citriodora PLANT

This work was carried out in Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of Prof. Dr. Abd El-Fatah Helmy Belal, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, North Sinai, Egypt during the period from 2016 to 2018. This study was conducted to study the effect of medium type, explant source and growth regulator type and concentration on micropropagation of E. citriodora plant which is grown in Sinai Peninsula. Results showed that full strength of Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) was the most suitable medium for seed germination and shoot growth. Meanwhile, addition of BA at 1.00 mg l-1 was effective for improving shoot growth and development. Also, multiplying of shoots was enhanced by using nodal cutting explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.00 mg l-1 BA plus 1.00 mg l-1 NAA. On the other hand, shoot rooting was achieved by using MS medium supplemented with 2.50 mg l-1 IBA. It is worth to mention that obtained plantlets were successfully acclimatized (80% survivability) in a combination of peatmoss, vermiculite and washed sand or peatmoss and vermiculite at equal volumes.

EFFECT OF CULTIVARS, GROWTH REGULATOR AND SUB-CULTURE ON THE PLANTLET SHOOTS FORMATION AND RAPD ANALYSIS OF STRAWBERRY CULTURES IN VITRO

This experiment amid to study the effect of cultivars, growth regulator and number of sub-cultures on the shoots formation of strawberry plantlets during multiplication stage and Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of strawberry cultures in vitro during the fourth sub-culture. This experiment included 40 treatments, which were the combination between two strawberry cultivars (Festival and Sweet Charlie), five treatments of growth regulator (BA and GA3) and four number of sub-cultures during shoots formation (multiplication stage). The obtained results showed that, the maximum increment of growth measurement of strawberry plantlets were recorded by Sweet Charlie cultivar .In addition , using ½ MS-medium without supplemented with any growth regulators (BA and GA3) being the superior treatment for increasing both number of leaves per shoot and shoot length. On the other hand, generally, the fourth sub-culture being the most effective treatment on the growth measurement of strawberry plantlets during multiplication stage. Furthermore, Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis varied according to the two tested cultivars and the type of for production of disease resistant plants and in plant breeding and crop improvement programs (Mohamed, 2003).

NOVEL ROLE OF 6-N-PENTYL-6H-PYRAN-2-ONE PRODUCED BY Trichoderma harzianum IN HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Secondary metabolites play a pivotal role in the antagonistic activities of some biocontrol species of Trichoderma sp. T. harzianum used previously as biological control agent against different pathogens. In this work, the effect of F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli on the major secondary metabolites secreted by biocontrol strain of T. harzianum in Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) cultures were investigated and quantified; followed by investigating the effect of the previous microorganisms on T. harzianumsecondary metabolites secreted in Gladiolus grandiflorus corms tissues under controlled conditions. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Liquid chromatography Mass spectroscopy (LC/MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques were used in this study to determine the major secondary metabolites. This is the first report recording the isolation, characterization and quantification of 6-n-pentyl-6H-pyran-2-one (6PP) and harzianic acid (HA) from the treated corms with T. harzianum. The secreted amounts from both metabolites were increased in the pre treated corms with T. harzianum followed by infection with F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli. Results provided better understandings of the interaction mechanism between T. harzianum, F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli which could be used in the future in different gene expression studies and will help in using them as bio fertilizers in biocontrol field.