This study was conducted to define the best auxin application method with or without the inoculation with beneficial microorganism (Bacillus subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi “AMF”) to improve rooting characteristics of F. benjamina air-layers. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design. Seven combined treatments of auxin concentrations and application methods (control, 50 and 100 ppm IBA in rooting substrate, 1500 and 3000 ppm IBA by painting girdled zone, 1500 and 3000 ppm IBA in talc paste) were assigned to the main plots. The sub-plots comprehended the application of B. subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in addition to the control. Data recorded on air-layers performance exhibited significant variation among different application methods and concentrations of IBA compared with the control with clear superiority of applying IBA at 3000 ppm by painting girdled zone in enhancing rooting%, number, length, fresh and dry weights of roots per rooted air-layer, as well as total contents of both carbohydrates and phenolics, and showed the shortest period required for root appearance. Similar trend was noticed regarding survival percentage, increment in plant height and number of leaves and shoots after detaching air-layers from mother plants. All root and growth characteristics showed significant increment when air-layers were treated with B. subtilis or AMF compared to the control with clear superiority of B. subtilis. The combined treatment of IBA at 3000 ppm by painting girdled zone and B. subtilis recorded the highest rooting (100%) and survival percentages (100%) and the best root and growth characteristics. This treatment could be recommended for propagation of Ficus benjamina by air layering.

This study was conducted to define the best auxin application method with or without the inoculation with beneficial microorganism (Bacillus subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi “AMF”) to improve rooting characteristics of F. benjamina air-layers. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design. Seven combined treatments of auxin concentrations and application methods (control, 50 and 100 ppm IBA in rooting substrate, 1500 and 3000 ppm IBA by painting girdled zone, 1500 and 3000 ppm IBA in talc paste) were assigned to the main plots. The sub-plots comprehended the application of B. subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in addition to the control. Data recorded on air-layers performance exhibited significant variation among different application methods and concentrations of IBA compared with the control with clear superiority of applying IBA at 3000 ppm by painting girdled zone in enhancing rooting%, number, length, fresh and dry weights of roots per rooted air-layer, as well as total contents of both carbohydrates and phenolics, and showed the shortest period required for root appearance. Similar trend was noticed regarding survival percentage, increment in plant height and number of leaves and shoots after detaching air-layers from mother plants. All root and growth characteristics showed significant increment when air-layers were treated with B. subtilis or AMF compared to the control with clear superiority of B. subtilis. The combined treatment of IBA at 3000 ppm by painting girdled zone and B. subtilis recorded the highest rooting (100%) and survival percentages (100%) and the best root and growth characteristics. This treatment could be recommended for propagation of Ficus benjamina by air layering.

This study was conducted to define the best auxin application method with or without the inoculation with beneficial microorganism (Bacillus subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi “AMF”) to improve rooting characteristics of F. benjamina air-layers. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design. Seven combined treatments of auxin concentrations and application methods (control, 50 and 100 ppm IBA in rooting substrate, 1500 and 3000 ppm IBA by painting girdled zone, 1500 and 3000 ppm IBA in talc paste) were assigned to the main plots. The sub-plots comprehended the application of B. subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in addition to the control. Data recorded on air-layers performance exhibited significant variation among different application methods and concentrations of IBA compared with the control with clear superiority of applying IBA at 3000 ppm by painting girdled zone in enhancing rooting%, number, length, fresh and dry weights of roots per rooted air-layer, as well as total contents of both carbohydrates and phenolics, and showed the shortest period required for root appearance. Similar trend was noticed regarding survival percentage, increment in plant height and number of leaves and shoots after detaching air-layers from mother plants. All root and growth characteristics showed significant increment when air-layers were treated with B. subtilis or AMF compared to the control with clear superiority of B. subtilis. The combined treatment of IBA at 3000 ppm by painting girdled zone and B. subtilis recorded the highest rooting (100%) and survival percentages (100%) and the best root and growth characteristics. This treatment could be recommended for propagation of Ficus benjamina by air layering.

In order to study the effect of foliar spray by antioxidant (salicylic and ascorbic acids) and intercropping patterns on the production of both maize and soybean. Two field experiments were conducted at Agronomy Department Farm, Agriculture Faculty, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt during 2016 and 2017 seasons. Two factors were studied, the first one was foliar application of Antioxidant compounds (control, ascorbic acid at 200 ppm, salicylic acid at 200 ppm and ascorbic acid + salicylic acid at 200 ppm). Four intercropping patterns were used (maize-soybean 2:2, maize-soybean 2:1, sole maize and sole soybean) as a second factor. The obtained results showed that: The results indicated that foliar spraying with antioxidant and intercropping patterns enhanced significantly all traits in this study except plant height of maize in both seasons. Thus, the highest values of measured traits where observed from plants which sprayed with salicylic acid at rate of 200 ppm of the two crops in the two successful seasons. Maximum yield and its attributes of maize were produced from the sole maize sown followed by the intercropping pattern of 2:1 of maize and soybean in both seasons. In addition, maximum soybean yield and its related traits were produced from the sole sown followed by the intercropping pattern 2:2 of maize and soybean in both seasons. It could be concluded that intercropping pattern 2:2 of maize and soybean with foliar spraying salicylic acid at rate of 200 ppm recorded the maximum of land equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary advantage index (MAI) of the unit area under Assiut Government condition.

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Department Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons to study the effect of preceding crop, rates and splitting of nitrogen fertilizer on bread wheat production and nitrogen use efficiency. The experiment was carried out in randomization complete block design (RCBD) using split-split plot arrangement with three replications. Cropping system (corn-clover-wheat and corn-fallow-wheat) were assigned in main-plots while nitrogen fertilizer rates (56.25, 75.00 and 93.75 kg N/fed) were allotted in sub-plots and splitting doses of nitrogen (two, three and four equal doses) were allocated in sub-sub plots. The obtained data showed that plant height, spike length, number of spikes/m2, number of grains/spike, weight of grains/spike, seed index, grain yield, straw yield and nitrogen use efficiency were significantly affected by cropping sequence in favor of planting wheat after clover (fahl berseem) in the two growing seasons except nitrogen use efficiency in the first season. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates resulted in significant increase in all previous traits except nitrogen use efficiency trait which was decreased by increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates in both seasons. Moreover, splitting nitrogen rates into four equal doses significantly increased all studied traits as compared to three or two equal splits in the two growing seasons. Also, all interactions had a significant effect on all studied traits in both seasons. The highest mean values of grain yield (27.47 and 28.22 ard/fed in the first and second seasons, respectively) were obtained from the sequence of corn-clover-wheat when received highest nitrogen rate (93.75 kg N/fed) which was applied at four equal doses.

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Department Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons to study the effect of preceding crop, rates and splitting of nitrogen fertilizer on bread wheat production and nitrogen use efficiency. The experiment was carried out in randomization complete block design (RCBD) using split-split plot arrangement with three replications. Cropping system (corn-clover-wheat and corn-fallow-wheat) were assigned in main-plots while nitrogen fertilizer rates (56.25, 75.00 and 93.75 kg N/fed) were allotted in sub-plots and splitting doses of nitrogen (two, three and four equal doses) were allocated in sub-sub plots. The obtained data showed that plant height, spike length, number of spikes/m2, number of grains/spike, weight of grains/spike, seed index, grain yield, straw yield and nitrogen use efficiency were significantly affected by cropping sequence in favor of planting wheat after clover (fahl berseem) in the two growing seasons except nitrogen use efficiency in the first season. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates resulted in significant increase in all previous traits except nitrogen use efficiency trait which was decreased by increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates in both seasons. Moreover, splitting nitrogen rates into four equal doses significantly increased all studied traits as compared to three or two equal splits in the two growing seasons. Also, all interactions had a significant effect on all studied traits in both seasons. The highest mean values of grain yield (27.47 and 28.22 ard/fed in the first and second seasons, respectively) were obtained from the sequence of corn-clover-wheat when received highest nitrogen rate (93.75 kg N/fed) which was applied at four equal doses.

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Department Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons to study the effect of preceding crop, rates and splitting of nitrogen fertilizer on bread wheat production and nitrogen use efficiency. The experiment was carried out in randomization complete block design (RCBD) using split-split plot arrangement with three replications. Cropping system (corn-clover-wheat and corn-fallow-wheat) were assigned in main-plots while nitrogen fertilizer rates (56.25, 75.00 and 93.75 kg N/fed) were allotted in sub-plots and splitting doses of nitrogen (two, three and four equal doses) were allocated in sub-sub plots. The obtained data showed that plant height, spike length, number of spikes/m2, number of grains/spike, weight of grains/spike, seed index, grain yield, straw yield and nitrogen use efficiency were significantly affected by cropping sequence in favor of planting wheat after clover (fahl berseem) in the two growing seasons except nitrogen use efficiency in the first season. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates resulted in significant increase in all previous traits except nitrogen use efficiency trait which was decreased by increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates in both seasons. Moreover, splitting nitrogen rates into four equal doses significantly increased all studied traits as compared to three or two equal splits in the two growing seasons. Also, all interactions had a significant effect on all studied traits in both seasons. The highest mean values of grain yield (27.47 and 28.22 ard/fed in the first and second seasons, respectively) were obtained from the sequence of corn-clover-wheat when received highest nitrogen rate (93.75 kg N/fed) which was applied at four equal doses.

During the last two decades, it was shown that some specific nutrients play an important role in growth, reproduction and immunity. Among of these nutrients, BC (β-carotene) is required not only for maintaining vitality of the tissues in the reproductive tract but also for keeping the body in good health in general. Also there is a possible role of β-carotene as protective nutrient against cancer has been reported. As well other studies reported that β-carotene protects against lung cancer and probably against stomach cancer and it may also be protective against cancers of ovary, cervix, breast and other cancers except the cancers of colon or rectum. Feed of sheep is mainly poor in vitamin A, simply because of deficient BC in roughages, cereal stubble wheat straw, stored alfalfa hay and barely grain. Although green forages are the major source of carotenoids including β-carotene (BC), but they are not available throughout the year. This means that BC should be taken from exogenous sources in order to cover the deficiency of vitamin A from one side and to fill the tissue vitamin A reserves from the other side. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of BC on LBW, age at puberty, number and percentage of estrus coming post-puberty, types of estrous cycle following puberty and P4 and E2 profiles at puberty and pre-and post- puberty in Farafra ewe lambs. The study contained 48 ewe lambs with mean body weight 13.25 ± 0.43 kg and divided into two equal groups (24 per each), the first group was injected i.m. with arachis oil (peanut oil) and considered control for the other treated group because it can be metabolized easily in the body, the second group was injected i.m. 0.1 mg/kg by BC loaded on arachis oil 2 times a week for 4 months starting from weaning period to age at puberty. Beside detection of estrus by a ram, P4 value was taken as a marker in determining age at puberty. Olive oil can not be used for long time because of its destruction of the tissues. All ewe lambs were fed maintenance ration and housed in semi-open pens under Upper-Egypt environment conditions, El-Minia Governorate. P4 Blood samples (10 ml/animal) were withdrawn from 6 animals per each group (control and treatment) by jugular vein puncture into tubes without anticoagulant.After clotting blood samples were centrifuged at 3,000×g for 10 min to separate the sera, which was stored at −20°C until P4 and E2 assay. Both BC and vit. A were assayed by colorimetric method.

During the last two decades, it was shown that some specific nutrients play an important role in growth, reproduction and immunity. Among of these nutrients, BC (β-carotene) is required not only for maintaining vitality of the tissues in the reproductive tract but also for keeping the body in good health in general. Also there is a possible role of β-carotene as protective nutrient against cancer has been reported. As well other studies reported that β-carotene protects against lung cancer and probably against stomach cancer and it may also be protective against cancers of ovary, cervix, breast and other cancers except the cancers of colon or rectum. Feed of sheep is mainly poor in vitamin A, simply because of deficient BC in roughages, cereal stubble wheat straw, stored alfalfa hay and barely grain. Although green forages are the major source of carotenoids including β-carotene (BC), but they are not available throughout the year. This means that BC should be taken from exogenous sources in order to cover the deficiency of vitamin A from one side and to fill the tissue vitamin A reserves from the other side. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of BC on LBW, age at puberty, number and percentage of estrus coming post-puberty, types of estrous cycle following puberty and P4 and E2 profiles at puberty and pre-and post- puberty in Farafra ewe lambs. The study contained 48 ewe lambs with mean body weight 13.25 ± 0.43 kg and divided into two equal groups (24 per each), the first group was injected i.m. with arachis oil (peanut oil) and considered control for the other treated group because it can be metabolized easily in the body, the second group was injected i.m. 0.1 mg/kg by BC loaded on arachis oil 2 times a week for 4 months starting from weaning period to age at puberty. Beside detection of estrus by a ram, P4 value was taken as a marker in determining age at puberty. Olive oil can not be used for long time because of its destruction of the tissues. All ewe lambs were fed maintenance ration and housed in semi-open pens under Upper-Egypt environment conditions, El-Minia Governorate. P4 Blood samples (10 ml/animal) were withdrawn from 6 animals per each group (control and treatment) by jugular vein puncture into tubes without anticoagulant.After clotting blood samples were centrifuged at 3,000×g for 10 min to separate the sera, which was stored at −20°C until P4 and E2 assay. Both BC and vit. A were assayed by colorimetric method.

The aim of this study was to assess live body weight (LBW), percentages of total body fluids (TBF), extracellular fluids (ECF), intracellular fluids (ICF), plasma volume (PV), and concentrations of aldosterone (ALD), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in dry, early and late pregnant ewes in summer (July-August) and winter (FebruaryMarch). A total of adult healthy 48 ewes with different physiological statuses (8 dry ewes, 8 early pregnant ewes at 22-35 d of pregnancy, and late pregnant ewes at 144-145 d of pregnancy) were chosen by random way and housed in semi-open pens under the normal environmental conditions, Mallawi Sheep Farm ElMinia Governorate, Upper Egypt. TBW was determined by injecting j.v. 0.5 ml Urea solution/kg LBW, ECF was determined by injecting j.v. 0.25 ml sodium Thiosianate solution (5%) /kg LBW, PV was determined by injecting j.v. Evan's blue solution (0.5%) 0.1 ml/kg LBW, and ICF was calculated by subtract TBW from ECF. Before feed intake, blood samples were collected (6:00 a.m.) from all ewes via j.v. puncture for plasma aldosterone, Na and K determination. Results of this study indicate that LBW and Na concentration of dry and pregnant ewes were greater (P0.05) in summer than winter. K concentration in dry and early pregnancy was greater (P0.05) in winter than summer, but it was greater (P0.05) in late pregnancy in summer than winter. K concentration had a negative correlation with TBF, ICF and PV. Ald. concentrations and PV % in dry and pregnant ewes were greater in winter than summer. TBF and ECF percentages in dry ewes were similar in summer and winter, while they were (P0.05) greater in early and late pregnancy in summer than winter. ICF % in the dry ewes was (P0.05) greater in winter than summer, while the ICF % in early and late pregnancy was similar of both summer and winter. In conclusion, LBW of dry and pregnant ewes increased with increasing TBF % and Na concentration in summer, Ald. concentrations of dry and pregnant ewes increased with increasing Na and K concentrations and PV % in winter. K concentration had negative correlations with TBF, ICF and PV compartments. These results can be used to maintain body fluids and plasma volume responsible for the optimal cellular functions in sheep, particularly in summer.