The survey conducted to assess the incidence of root-knot nematode on pomegranate in five localities (El-Badary, Manfalout, Sedfa, Sahel-Selim and El- Fath) in Assiut governorate. Results showed that 490 out of 500 samples were infested with root-knot nematode showing 98% infestation. Maximum infestation was found in El-Badary, Manfalout and El-Fath (100%), while the minimum was observed in Sahel-Selim (94%) followed by Sedfa (96%). In growing season 2013, the highest occurrence of root-knot nematode second stage was in pomegranate orchards of Sahel-Selim locality (394 J2/100 g soil), but the lowest number was found in Sedfa county (88.8 J2/100 g soil). In 2014, the highest number of juveniles per 100 g soil was observed in El-Fath county (275.4), whereas Manfalout county was the lowest infection (134.2). Bioagents (fungi, bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes) were isolated from pomegranate rhizosphere and evaluated against root-knot nematode J2 mortality percent in vitro. Among 29 fungal culture filtrates, the highest effect was found in culture filtrate of 3 isolates (2, 3 and 10) with average mortality percent 8.33, 10.01 and 9.22, respectively with nonsignificant. The fungal isolate No. 3 was selected and identified as Fusarium verticilloids. From 17 isolates of bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes, the highest mortality was observed in case of isolates No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and 16 with average 24.22, 23.69, 25.59, 25.82, 26.52, 22.13 and 25.24 mortality percent respectively, with nonsignificantly difference. According to morphological and physiological characteristics, isolates No. 10, 11, 12 and 16 were identified as Xenorhabdus beddingii, Streptomyces halstedii, Pantoea agglomerans and Pichia guilliermondii.

The survey conducted to assess the incidence of root-knot nematode on pomegranate in five localities (El-Badary, Manfalout, Sedfa, Sahel-Selim and El- Fath) in Assiut governorate. Results showed that 490 out of 500 samples were infested with root-knot nematode showing 98% infestation. Maximum infestation was found in El-Badary, Manfalout and El-Fath (100%), while the minimum was observed in Sahel-Selim (94%) followed by Sedfa (96%). In growing season 2013, the highest occurrence of root-knot nematode second stage was in pomegranate orchards of Sahel-Selim locality (394 J2/100 g soil), but the lowest number was found in Sedfa county (88.8 J2/100 g soil). In 2014, the highest number of juveniles per 100 g soil was observed in El-Fath county (275.4), whereas Manfalout county was the lowest infection (134.2). Bioagents (fungi, bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes) were isolated from pomegranate rhizosphere and evaluated against root-knot nematode J2 mortality percent in vitro. Among 29 fungal culture filtrates, the highest effect was found in culture filtrate of 3 isolates (2, 3 and 10) with average mortality percent 8.33, 10.01 and 9.22, respectively with nonsignificant. The fungal isolate No. 3 was selected and identified as Fusarium verticilloids. From 17 isolates of bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes, the highest mortality was observed in case of isolates No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and 16 with average 24.22, 23.69, 25.59, 25.82, 26.52, 22.13 and 25.24 mortality percent respectively, with nonsignificantly difference. According to morphological and physiological characteristics, isolates No. 10, 11, 12 and 16 were identified as Xenorhabdus beddingii, Streptomyces halstedii, Pantoea agglomerans and Pichia guilliermondii.

Influences of intermittent light regime as a tool to enhance egg production, egg quality, and blood parameters of laying hens were investigated. A total of 270 hens of Rhode Island Red (during 20 to 36 wk of age) were used to investigate the effects of intermittent light regime in completely randomized design. The birds were divided into 3 equal groups (6 replicates of 15 birds each) and housed in floor pens. The first group was served as non-treated control (C) and was exposed to continuous and constant light for 16 h light/day throughout the experimental period. Whereas, birds of the other groups were exposed to intermittent lights for 20 min/h + 40 min of constant light (T1; FLASH20) and 40 min/h + 20 min of constant light (T2; FLASH40) during the 16 h of light period. Hens of T1 group showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest concentration of total antioxidant capacity and the lowest one of malondialdehyde in comparison with the other groups. Hens of T1 group had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the greatest egg laying rate and egg mass in comparison with the other counterparts. Feed consumption was similar in the groups under study. Hens exposed to FLASH20 had the lowest (P ≤ 0.05) FCR when compared with the other treatments. Eggs produced from hens exposed to FLASH20 had the highest value of shell thickness followed by the control and then that of those exposed to FLASH40. There were insignificant differences among the treatments in body weight of hens and all of other egg quality and egg problem traits. In conclusion, intermittent light regime of 20 min/h was the most efficient in comparison with the other ones. Finally, intermittent light regime of 20 min/h during laying period (during 20 to 36 wk of age) is highly recommended.

Influences of intermittent light regime as a tool to enhance egg production, egg quality, and blood parameters of laying hens were investigated. A total of 270 hens of Rhode Island Red (during 20 to 36 wk of age) were used to investigate the effects of intermittent light regime in completely randomized design. The birds were divided into 3 equal groups (6 replicates of 15 birds each) and housed in floor pens. The first group was served as non-treated control (C) and was exposed to continuous and constant light for 16 h light/day throughout the experimental period. Whereas, birds of the other groups were exposed to intermittent lights for 20 min/h + 40 min of constant light (T1; FLASH20) and 40 min/h + 20 min of constant light (T2; FLASH40) during the 16 h of light period. Hens of T1 group showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest concentration of total antioxidant capacity and the lowest one of malondialdehyde in comparison with the other groups. Hens of T1 group had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the greatest egg laying rate and egg mass in comparison with the other counterparts. Feed consumption was similar in the groups under study. Hens exposed to FLASH20 had the lowest (P ≤ 0.05) FCR when compared with the other treatments. Eggs produced from hens exposed to FLASH20 had the highest value of shell thickness followed by the control and then that of those exposed to FLASH40. There were insignificant differences among the treatments in body weight of hens and all of other egg quality and egg problem traits. In conclusion, intermittent light regime of 20 min/h was the most efficient in comparison with the other ones. Finally, intermittent light regime of 20 min/h during laying period (during 20 to 36 wk of age) is highly recommended.

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Little is known about the effect of punicalagin extracted from pomegranate or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin on enhancing the productive and reproductive performance in rabbits that gestate for the first time. The impact of punicalagin alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin on maiden doe body weight, progesterone concentrations, conception rate, gestation rate, litter size, and kit weight was investigated in this study. A completely randomized and balanced experimental design was used to allocate 21 naturally mated maiden does at 6 months of age into the following three treatment groups of 7 does each: Control - intramuscular injection with sterilized water only; Treatment 1 - pre-mating intramuscular injection with punicalagin (100 µg/doe) twice a week and once 3 days post-mating; and Treatment 2 - pre-mating intramuscular injection with punicalagin twice a week and human chorionic gonadotropin (25 IU/doe) once 3 days post-mating. Progesterone was assayed from blood samples taken from the ear marginal vein at mating, post-mating, gestation, and post-kindling phases when all does were weighed. Results indicated significantly positive impacts of punicalagin alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin on all doe reproductive traits, birth, and weaning weights of kits. The study clearly demonstrated an improvement in doe fertility, reproductive performance, and kit survival to weaning. In conclusion, PL and PL+HCG improved maternal body weights and their offspring as well as pregnancy outcomes of young rabbits particularly in the 2nd pregnancy, hence findings of this study could be recommended for improving reproductive health and fertility in maiden rabbit does.

Little is known about the effect of punicalagin extracted from pomegranate or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin on enhancing the productive and reproductive performance in rabbits that gestate for the first time. The impact of punicalagin alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin on maiden doe body weight, progesterone concentrations, conception rate, gestation rate, litter size, and kit weight was investigated in this study. A completely randomized and balanced experimental design was used to allocate 21 naturally mated maiden does at 6 months of age into the following three treatment groups of 7 does each: Control - intramuscular injection with sterilized water only; Treatment 1 - pre-mating intramuscular injection with punicalagin (100 µg/doe) twice a week and once 3 days post-mating; and Treatment 2 - pre-mating intramuscular injection with punicalagin twice a week and human chorionic gonadotropin (25 IU/doe) once 3 days post-mating. Progesterone was assayed from blood samples taken from the ear marginal vein at mating, post-mating, gestation, and post-kindling phases when all does were weighed. Results indicated significantly positive impacts of punicalagin alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin on all doe reproductive traits, birth, and weaning weights of kits. The study clearly demonstrated an improvement in doe fertility, reproductive performance, and kit survival to weaning. In conclusion, PL and PL+HCG improved maternal body weights and their offspring as well as pregnancy outcomes of young rabbits particularly in the 2nd pregnancy, hence findings of this study could be recommended for improving reproductive health and fertility in maiden rabbit does.

Drought adversely affects crop growth, development and yield. This study assessed genetic variation in a panel of wheat lines to water deficit and identified the QTLs governing this relationship via GWAS. A panel of 290 lines of the Wheat Association Mapping Initiative (WAMI) population were evaluated under well-irrigated and drought-stressed conditions. Stress tolerance indices were calculated to assess the response of wheat genotypes to water deficit. GWAS was performed using 15,737 SNP markers and six phenotypic traits. Evaluated traits were significantly affected across environments indicating variations in response to drought and ambient conditions. Heritability degrees were moderate to high and ranged from 0.39 to 0.93%. GWAS identified 205 significant marker-trait associations for the six studied phenotypic traits under well-irrigated and drought stress conditions. A positive correlation was found between drought stress index (STI) and plant grain yield (PGY) under both well-irrigated and stressed conditions. A linear relationship between STI and PGY under stressed conditions (PGYs) was observed. STI is the best index for prediction of high yielding genotypes. The WAMI population is a valuable source for improving drought tolerance in wheat. The study revealed significant marker–trait associations with a high degree of genetic diversity underlying different mechanisms for adaptation to drought-prone environments.

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