Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

NULL

NULL

NULL

This study is to validate the utilization of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to model the head of Primus linear accelerator, thereafter, using it to estimate the energy fluence distribution (EFD), the percentage depth dose (PDD), and beam profiles. Materials and Methods: The BEAMNRC code that is based on the EGSNRC code has been used for modeling the linear accelerator head for 10 MeV electron beam with different applicator sizes (10 × 10, 15 × 15, and 20 × 20 cm2). The phase space was acquired from BEAMNRC at the end of each applicator and then used as an input file to DOSXYZNRC and BEAMDP to calculate the EFD, PDD, and beam profiles. Results: There were a good consistency between the outcomes of the MC simulation and measured PDD and off‐axis dose profiles that performed in a water phantom for all applicators. The PDD for the applicators proved to be favorable as a direct comparison of R100, R90, R80, and R50 yielded results of 2 mm, while it was 6 mm in R100 for the applicator 15 × 15 cm2. The discrepancies in the surface doses (3%) showed a quick decline in the build‐up region and differences reached 0% within the first 2.4 mm. For the beam profiles comparison, the differences ranged from 2% (2 mm) to 3% (6 mm) for all applicators. Conclusion: Our examination demonstrated that the MC simulation by BEAMNRC code was accurate in modeling the Primus linear accelerator head.

This study is to validate the utilization of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to model the head of Primus linear accelerator, thereafter, using it to estimate the energy fluence distribution (EFD), the percentage depth dose (PDD), and beam profiles. Materials and Methods: The BEAMNRC code that is based on the EGSNRC code has been used for modeling the linear accelerator head for 10 MeV electron beam with different applicator sizes (10 × 10, 15 × 15, and 20 × 20 cm2). The phase space was acquired from BEAMNRC at the end of each applicator and then used as an input file to DOSXYZNRC and BEAMDP to calculate the EFD, PDD, and beam profiles. Results: There were a good consistency between the outcomes of the MC simulation and measured PDD and off‐axis dose profiles that performed in a water phantom for all applicators. The PDD for the applicators proved to be favorable as a direct comparison of R100, R90, R80, and R50 yielded results of 2 mm, while it was 6 mm in R100 for the applicator 15 × 15 cm2. The discrepancies in the surface doses (3%) showed a quick decline in the build‐up region and differences reached 0% within the first 2.4 mm. For the beam profiles comparison, the differences ranged from 2% (2 mm) to 3% (6 mm) for all applicators. Conclusion: Our examination demonstrated that the MC simulation by BEAMNRC code was accurate in modeling the Primus linear accelerator head.

ADOPTION of quality protein maize in Egyptian maize breeding programs would maximize the nutritional value of maize products. However, the assessment of adaptability of exotic quality protein maize germplasms is an important step before incorporating them in breeding programs. The current studies consisted of two experiments including a preliminary evaluation of some exotic quality protein maize inbreds and combine eight adapted elite inbreds into a halfdiallel cross. The current study revealed that CML158 exhibited the highest significant general combining ability effect with an average grain yield/plant of 53.0g. While CML492 contained the highest percentages of both protein (14.5%) and tryptophan (1.02%) with the highest values of general combining ability effects. Based on specific combining ability, the best parental combination for grain yield/plant was CML182×CML184, which yielded 239g and exceeded the average grain yield/plant of all hybrids (201.5g). It seems that CML143 possesses favorable alleles for increasing the percentage of protein (CML143×CML557) and tryptophan (CML158×CML491 and CML143×CML182) because it was a common parent in the best parental combinations for both traits. Mid-parent heterosis % varied from trait to trait; however, the highest amount of heterosis was detected in grain yield/plant due to its polygenic state. In conclusion, superior hybrids in yield and quality were detected. These hybrids need further evaluations across years and locations to assess stability. These hybrids can be considered as a cheap and sustainable source of high protein and tryptophan content for human consumption, which might play a magnificent role in food security in Egypt.