The objective of the present study was to evaluate how susceptible Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) populations are to Metarhizium robertsii and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in laboratory conditions. Larvae of T. absoluta were tested both separately and in combination with B. thuringiensis (Bt) at 1.5 µl/L, and with M. robertsii at 1 × 104, 1 × 105 and 1 × 106 spores/ml. Maximum mortality of 4th instar larvae was documented for M. robertsii (1 × 106 spores/ml) and B. thuringiensis (1.5 µl/L) were combined. In comparison with the controls, larval mortality, pupation and adult emergence rates of larvae of both instars were significantly lower when M. robertsii (1 × 106 spores/ml) and B. thuringiensis (1.5 µl/L) were applied in combination. Our results suggest that the combination of entomopathogenic fungi and the insecticidal protein of B. thuringiensis can be exploited as potential biocontrol agents against T. absoluta.

Introduction: Different types of land use, practices and management can alter biogeochemical cycling of a piece of land by the effect it produces on soil properties. The conversion of forest land to agricultural land and wastelands to forest land use have been in practice from primordial days due to land hunger and reclamation. Materials and Methods: Soil samples from two land use area [forest soil (FoS) and farmland soil (FmLS)] were sampled at two depths i.e., 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm and analyzed for biogeochemical properties. The soils were then used to raise seedlings of P. biglobosa for a period of 14 weeks. Results: The results shows that P. biglobosa grown with FmLS at 15–30 cm depth and watered twice daily performed better across all growth parameters tested (stem height: 9.83; total height: 20.33 and leaf number: 16.0). Conclusion: Land use history, soil depth and watering regime are some major abiotic factors that determine soil nutrient deposit, balance and microbial activities and these affect vegetation and types of crop that can grow in a given area.

Annona squamosa L. is an important fruit crop worldwide, which has become an important crop as a result of its tasty flavor, nutritional value and antioxidant activities. This study aimed at the determination of the phytochemicals and antioxidant compounds present in fruits, seeds and leaves of A. squamosa grown in four sites in Egypt (Menofia, Giza, Alexandria and Mansoura). The highest levels of carbohydrates, folic acid, potassium and calcium of fruits were recorded at Mansoura. The highest contents of protein and sodium were recorded at Alexandria. Flavonoids, total phenols and vitamin C as well as the activity of peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes were the highest at Menofia. The fruits at Giza had a high content of iron, beside the high enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT) at Giza and also at Alexandria. In seeds, carbohydrates, vitamin C and the activity of CAT, POX and PPO enzymes recorded the highest values at Giza. Flavonoids, total phenol and folic acid were the highest at Menofia, beside the high content of protein was found also as well as at the Alexandria. Vitamin C recorded a high content at Mansoura. In leaves, the highest values of bioactive compounds (flavonoids, total phenol, folic acid, and vitamin C), PPO activity and K+ content were the highest at Giza. The total pigments, protein and Na+ recorded the highest levels at Mansoura. Meanwhile, total carbohydrates as well as CAT and POX activities have a high value at Menofia. Ca2+ and Fe2+ have the highest content at Alexandria. Potassium, sodium, calcium and iron of roots recorded the highest contents at Mansoura followed by Alexandria and Giza.

Field experiments were conducted at Badeggi (Lat. 9°45’N and Long. 6°07’E) in the rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the response of some physiological traits of hungry rice (D. exilis) to sowing methods and nitrogen rates. The treatments consisted of two sowing methods (broadcasting and drilling at 30 cm inter-row spacing) and three nitrogen rates (0, 30 and 60 kg N). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results obtained showed that plant dry matter was significantly higher in the drilling method of sowing at 6 and 12 weeks after sowing (WAS) and the lowest plant dry matter was recorded in broadcasting in both years of studies. While nitrogen at all rates showed no significant influence on plant dry matter at 6 WAS also in both years of studies. While at 12 WAS in both years of investigation, nitrogen applied at 60 kg N ha-1 produced significantly higher plant dry matter in both years. Significantly higher crop growth rate (CGR) at 6 and 12 WAS was recorded in drilling method of sowing and lowest was obtained in broadcasting method of sowing in both years. Nitrogen showed no significant influence on CGR in both sampling years. Relative growth rate (RGR) was significantly higher in broadcasting method of sowing and the lowest was recorded in the drilling method at 6 and 12 WAS in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Significantly higher grain yield was produced in drilling method of sowing and nitrogen at the rate of 30 kg N ha-1, while the lowest grain yield was obtained in the broadcasting method when nitrogen was not applied.