Abstract Background: Common bunt (caused by Tilletia caries and T. foetida) has been considered as a major disease in wheat following rust (Puccinia spp.) in the Near East and is economically important in the Great Plains, USA. Despite the fact that it can be easily controlled using seed treatment with fungicides, fungicides often cannot or may not be used in organic and low-input fields. Planting common bunt resistant genotypes is an alternative. Results: To identify resistance genes for Nebraska common bunt race, the global set of differential lines were inoculated. Nine differential lines carrying nine different genes had 0% infected heads and seemed to be resistant to Nebraska race). To understand the genetic basis of the resistance in Nebraska winter wheat, a set of 330 genotypes were inoculated and evaluated under field conditions in two locations. Out of the 330 genotypes, 62 genotypes had different degrees of resistance. Moreover, plant height, chlorophyll content and days to heading were scored in both locations. Using genome-wide association study, 123 SNPs located on fourteen chromosomes were identified to be associated with the resistance. Different degrees of linkage disequilibrium was found between the significant SNPs and they explained 1.00 to 9.00% of the phenotypic variance, indicating the presence of many minor QTLs controlling the resistance. Conclusion: Based on the chromosomal location of some of the known genes, some SNPs may be associated with Bt1, Bt6, Bt11 and Bt12 resistance loci. The remaining significant SNPs may be novel alleles that were not reported previously. Common bunt resistance seems to be an independent trait as no correlation was found between a number of infected heads and chlorophyll content, days to heading or plant height.

Abstract Background: Common bunt (caused by Tilletia caries and T. foetida) has been considered as a major disease in wheat following rust (Puccinia spp.) in the Near East and is economically important in the Great Plains, USA. Despite the fact that it can be easily controlled using seed treatment with fungicides, fungicides often cannot or may not be used in organic and low-input fields. Planting common bunt resistant genotypes is an alternative. Results: To identify resistance genes for Nebraska common bunt race, the global set of differential lines were inoculated. Nine differential lines carrying nine different genes had 0% infected heads and seemed to be resistant to Nebraska race). To understand the genetic basis of the resistance in Nebraska winter wheat, a set of 330 genotypes were inoculated and evaluated under field conditions in two locations. Out of the 330 genotypes, 62 genotypes had different degrees of resistance. Moreover, plant height, chlorophyll content and days to heading were scored in both locations. Using genome-wide association study, 123 SNPs located on fourteen chromosomes were identified to be associated with the resistance. Different degrees of linkage disequilibrium was found between the significant SNPs and they explained 1.00 to 9.00% of the phenotypic variance, indicating the presence of many minor QTLs controlling the resistance. Conclusion: Based on the chromosomal location of some of the known genes, some SNPs may be associated with Bt1, Bt6, Bt11 and Bt12 resistance loci. The remaining significant SNPs may be novel alleles that were not reported previously. Common bunt resistance seems to be an independent trait as no correlation was found between a number of infected heads and chlorophyll content, days to heading or plant height.

A field experiment was conducted for two successive years to investigate the conventional propagation of Rosa hybrida cv. Eiffel Tower using stem cuttings as affected by the growing season of the year, cutting type and the application of indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) at different concentrations. Uniform cutting types ~ 15-20 cm long (apical, median and basal) were collected from the current year growth of healthy mother plants. Then the cutting bases (2-3 cm) were soaked for 20 minutes in different concentrations of IBA (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) and the lower end of the cuttings were stuck into 14-cm plastic pots filled with a peat: perlite mixture (1:1v/v). The obtained results statistically analyzed by ANOVA showed that rooting percentage of stem cuttings, number of roots and root length varied according to cutting type, concentration of IBA and growing season. The median cutting type was significantly superior to the other types in both autumn and spring seasons. IBA application significantly improved rooting percentage, root number and root length of the treated cuttings comparing to the untreated ones (control). A significant interaction between cutting type and IBA concentrations was observed on most of the characteristics measured during the autumn season only.

A field experiment was conducted for two successive years to investigate the conventional propagation of Rosa hybrida cv. Eiffel Tower using stem cuttings as affected by the growing season of the year, cutting type and the application of indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) at different concentrations. Uniform cutting types ~ 15-20 cm long (apical, median and basal) were collected from the current year growth of healthy mother plants. Then the cutting bases (2-3 cm) were soaked for 20 minutes in different concentrations of IBA (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) and the lower end of the cuttings were stuck into 14-cm plastic pots filled with a peat: perlite mixture (1:1v/v). The obtained results statistically analyzed by ANOVA showed that rooting percentage of stem cuttings, number of roots and root length varied according to cutting type, concentration of IBA and growing season. The median cutting type was significantly superior to the other types in both autumn and spring seasons. IBA application significantly improved rooting percentage, root number and root length of the treated cuttings comparing to the untreated ones (control). A significant interaction between cutting type and IBA concentrations was observed on most of the characteristics measured during the autumn season only.

A field experiment was conducted for two successive years to investigate the conventional propagation of Rosa hybrida cv. Eiffel Tower using stem cuttings as affected by the growing season of the year, cutting type and the application of indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) at different concentrations. Uniform cutting types ~ 15-20 cm long (apical, median and basal) were collected from the current year growth of healthy mother plants. Then the cutting bases (2-3 cm) were soaked for 20 minutes in different concentrations of IBA (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) and the lower end of the cuttings were stuck into 14-cm plastic pots filled with a peat: perlite mixture (1:1v/v). The obtained results statistically analyzed by ANOVA showed that rooting percentage of stem cuttings, number of roots and root length varied according to cutting type, concentration of IBA and growing season. The median cutting type was significantly superior to the other types in both autumn and spring seasons. IBA application significantly improved rooting percentage, root number and root length of the treated cuttings comparing to the untreated ones (control). A significant interaction between cutting type and IBA concentrations was observed on most of the characteristics measured during the autumn season only.

A field experiment was conducted for two successive years to investigate the conventional propagation of Rosa hybrida cv. Eiffel Tower using stem cuttings as affected by the growing season of the year, cutting type and the application of indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) at different concentrations. Uniform cutting types ~ 15-20 cm long (apical, median and basal) were collected from the current year growth of healthy mother plants. Then the cutting bases (2-3 cm) were soaked for 20 minutes in different concentrations of IBA (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) and the lower end of the cuttings were stuck into 14-cm plastic pots filled with a peat: perlite mixture (1:1v/v). The obtained results statistically analyzed by ANOVA showed that rooting percentage of stem cuttings, number of roots and root length varied according to cutting type, concentration of IBA and growing season. The median cutting type was significantly superior to the other types in both autumn and spring seasons. IBA application significantly improved rooting percentage, root number and root length of the treated cuttings comparing to the untreated ones (control). A significant interaction between cutting type and IBA concentrations was observed on most of the characteristics measured during the autumn season only.

Most potato growers apply phosphorus (P) before cultivation and there is little information available about P fertigation for drip-irrigated potato. A field experiment was conducted during 2017 and 2018 to study the effect of P fertigation on P uptake and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown on a calcareous sandy soil. Three frequencies of P fertigation (daily, every 2 days and every 3 days) and two forms of P (urea phosphate (UP) and monopotassium phosphate (MPP)) were examined. UP reduced the soil pH by 7.2% and increased the P availability by 24% compared to MPP. Daily P fertigation increased P concentrations in the petioles of potato by 19–47% compared to the application every 3 days. Water and P were used more efficiently under daily P fertigation treatments and the use of acidic fertiliser (UP) was more efficient in this respect. The injection of UP with irrigation water every day caused a 22% increase in the marketable yield of potato compared to the injection of MPP every 3 days. It can be recommended that for potato grown on sandy calcareous soils, UP must be added daily to obtain high economic return and minimise the negative environmental effects of unsustainably high P rates.

Limited water availability in arid and semi-arid wheat production systems increases the need of applying efficient drip irrigation systems. However, there is little information available about the optimum level of nitrogen (N) fertilization for drip-irrigated wheat. A two-years field study in the semi-arid region of Upper Egypt was carried out in a randomized complete block design to investigate the response of drip-irrigated wheat to three levels of N fertilization (N120 D 120, N180 D 180, and N240 D 240 kg ha¡1). N240 increased the uptake of N, P, and K by 66.3, 48.6, and 43.5%, respectively, as compared to N120. The application of N240 increased the grain yield by 28.4 and 40.4% and water use efficiency by 27.6 and 41.8% the first and second season, respectively, as compared to N120. Based on the obtained results, it is recommended to fertilize drip-irrigated wheat by 240 kg ha¡1.

Shortage of water in arid and semi-arid regions increases the need of applying efficient drip irrigation system. A two-year field study in the semiarid region of Upper Egypt was carried in randomized complete block design with four replicates. Wheat plants were irrigated by 100 or 75% of water requirements (I100 D 5,370 and I75 D 4,027 m3 ha¡1). Irrigation of wheat by I100 increased growth and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compared to low irrigation level. I100 caused 14 and 5% increase in straw and biological yield, respectively, compared to I75. Grain yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were higher by 20 and 59% in the case of I75 compared to I100. The use of deficit irrigation in drip-irrigated wheat under arid conditions is an effective tool to maximize efficiency of water use; moreover, 4,027 m3 ha¡1 is the optimum irrigation rate for maximum WUE and grain yield.

Little information is available about the Cd-phytoextraction mechanism by quail bush [Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.)S. Wats]. A pot experiment was conducted using a Cd-polluted soil (50 mg kg−1) to explore mechanism of Cd-phytoextraction by quail bush as well as the role of EDTA and vinasse as mobilizing agents. EDTA was applied ata rate of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mmol kg−1, while vinasse was applied at a rate of 0, 4, 8, and 16 ml kg−1. EDTA hadnegative effects on the physiochemical properties of the soil. In contrast of EDAT, vinasse caused a remarkablebetterment in soil conditions where it increased the soil structure and porosity by 35 and 48% and increased thesoil acidity by 8.3%. Growth of roots and shoots reduced by 29 and 33%, respectively; when EDTA was appliedat a rate of 3 mmol kg−1, on the other hand the application of 16 ml of vinasse kg−1increased the roots andshoots growth by 20 and 21%, respectively. The highest rate of vinasse induced a 31% increase in chlorophyllcontent but 3 mmol of EDTA caused a great negative stress in plant growth and induced a 78% increase inproline content. EDTA and vinasse enhanced the transfer of Cd from soil to roots and from roots to shoots. Quailbush amended with vinasse at a rate of 16 ml kg−1was able to remove 8.34% of the total soil Cd during a100 days, while that amended with 3 mmol of EDTA was able to remove 5.51%. EDTA was more effective inincreasing Cd availability and uptake, but sugarcane vinasse was more effective in enhancing the Cd-phytoex-traction. Based on the obtained results, using sugarcane vinasse to enhance Cd-phytoextraction by quail bush isan effective plan to remediate Cd-contaminated soils.