ABSTRACT Twenty-six genotypes of sunflower (16 F1-hybrids, four female lines, four restorer lines and two check varieties; Sakha 53 and Giza 102) were evaluated under two contrasting environments, i.e., loamy sand and clay soils in season 2016. Genotypes mean squares of the studied traits was significant (P0.01) either in the separate or in the combined analysis. The differences between the two environments were significant for all traits except head diameter (HD). The genotype x environment interaction was significant for all traits. Furthermore, most of the variability was for environment, except for husk %. Mean squares of the combined analysis of female and testers lines was significant (P0.01) for all traits. These results indicate the presence of additive variance. Mean squares of parents vs. crosses and lines x testers were significant for all traits, indicating the presence of non-additive in the inheritance of these traits. The combined analysis indicated that mean squares of lines x environment was significant for all traits, except for HD. Mean squares of testers x environment was significant except for days to 50% flowering and HD. The interaction mean squares of LxTxE were significant for all traits, indicating the interaction of non-additive gene effects with environment. The results of the combined analysis indicated that the ratio 2A/2D was less than unity for all traits, and the role of dominance was more important than that of additive effects. The results of GCA indicated that none of the female or male lines was the best combiner for all traits. Thirteen out of the 16 hybrids were significantly (P0.01to P0.05) earlier than the earliest check cultivar Giza 102. The performance of the F1-hybrids in days to 50% flowering were mostly related to the GCA of the parents rather than the SCA of the hybrids. The combined analysis of plant height showed that eight hybrids gave negative SCA effects. All the F1-hybrids were significantly (P0.01) shorter than the two check cultivars. Based on the combined analysis; eight hybrids had positive SCA for head diameter; but none exceeded the check variety in head diameter. Based on the combined analysis 8 hybrids showed negative SCA for husk%, the performance of all hybrids was significantly (P0.01) lower in husk % than the better check Sakha 53. The combined analysis of oil % indicated that five hybrids showed significant positive SCA, four of them exceeded significantly (P0.01 to P0.01) the better check cultivar Giza 102. The combined SCA effects of seed yield/head (SY/P) were positive and significant for three hybrids (A7 x RF1, A15 x RF3 and A21 x RF5). The performance of the first hybrid (46.45 g/head) was significantly (P0.01) better than the better check Giza 102 (41.21 g/head). The hybrids performance was not in accordance with sign and significance of SCA of SY/P. Furthermore, the GCA of the parents was far from yielding ability. The combined SCA of five hybrids for oil yield/head were positive and significant (P0.01). The performance of the first hybrid (A7 x Rf1) (18.18 g) exceeded significantly (P0.01) the better check Giza 102 in oil yield/head (15.43 g). It could be concluded that the performance of the hybrids was not in accordance with the sign and significance of the SCA effects. This could be due to that the ratio of 2A/2D was less than unity and the dominance effects were more important than additive in the inheritance of all traits, and evaluation of hybrids should be at a variety of environments. Key words: Line tester analysis, Helianthus annuus L., GCA, SCA.

ABSTRACT Twenty-six genotypes of sunflower (16 F1-hybrids, four female lines, four restorer lines and two check varieties; Sakha 53 and Giza 102) were evaluated under two contrasting environments, i.e., loamy sand and clay soils in season 2016. Genotypes mean squares of the studied traits was significant (P0.01) either in the separate or in the combined analysis. The differences between the two environments were significant for all traits except head diameter (HD). The genotype x environment interaction was significant for all traits. Furthermore, most of the variability was for environment, except for husk %. Mean squares of the combined analysis of female and testers lines was significant (P0.01) for all traits. These results indicate the presence of additive variance. Mean squares of parents vs. crosses and lines x testers were significant for all traits, indicating the presence of non-additive in the inheritance of these traits. The combined analysis indicated that mean squares of lines x environment was significant for all traits, except for HD. Mean squares of testers x environment was significant except for days to 50% flowering and HD. The interaction mean squares of LxTxE were significant for all traits, indicating the interaction of non-additive gene effects with environment. The results of the combined analysis indicated that the ratio 2A/2D was less than unity for all traits, and the role of dominance was more important than that of additive effects. The results of GCA indicated that none of the female or male lines was the best combiner for all traits. Thirteen out of the 16 hybrids were significantly (P0.01to P0.05) earlier than the earliest check cultivar Giza 102. The performance of the F1-hybrids in days to 50% flowering were mostly related to the GCA of the parents rather than the SCA of the hybrids. The combined analysis of plant height showed that eight hybrids gave negative SCA effects. All the F1-hybrids were significantly (P0.01) shorter than the two check cultivars. Based on the combined analysis; eight hybrids had positive SCA for head diameter; but none exceeded the check variety in head diameter. Based on the combined analysis 8 hybrids showed negative SCA for husk%, the performance of all hybrids was significantly (P0.01) lower in husk % than the better check Sakha 53. The combined analysis of oil % indicated that five hybrids showed significant positive SCA, four of them exceeded significantly (P0.01 to P0.01) the better check cultivar Giza 102. The combined SCA effects of seed yield/head (SY/P) were positive and significant for three hybrids (A7 x RF1, A15 x RF3 and A21 x RF5). The performance of the first hybrid (46.45 g/head) was significantly (P0.01) better than the better check Giza 102 (41.21 g/head). The hybrids performance was not in accordance with sign and significance of SCA of SY/P. Furthermore, the GCA of the parents was far from yielding ability. The combined SCA of five hybrids for oil yield/head were positive and significant (P0.01). The performance of the first hybrid (A7 x Rf1) (18.18 g) exceeded significantly (P0.01) the better check Giza 102 in oil yield/head (15.43 g). It could be concluded that the performance of the hybrids was not in accordance with the sign and significance of the SCA effects. This could be due to that the ratio of 2A/2D was less than unity and the dominance effects were more important than additive in the inheritance of all traits, and evaluation of hybrids should be at a variety of environments. Key words: Line tester analysis, Helianthus annuus L., GCA, SCA.

Biochar prepared from corn stalks is used as a source of phosphorus in this study. The hypotheses were to investigate effects of biochar applications in clay soil on availability, changes of phosphorus pools and maximum adsorption of phosphorus as well as corn growth. The soil was placed in plastic pots with each contains 3 kg of this soil. Biochar was added at levels of 0 (control), 6.5 (B1), 19 (B2), and 38 (B3) g pot−1. In this experiment, the pot was planted with corn (Zea mays). The results of this study revealed that the biochar application enhanced available phosphorus (Olsen-P) from 11.51 to 17.10 mg kg−1. Adding biochar significantly increased the amount of NH4Cl-P, NaHCO3-Po, and NaOH I-Po fractions (p ≤ 0.05), but it significantly decreased HCl-Pi fraction (p ≤ 0.05). Addition of biochar at the highest level increased the fresh and dry matter productions by up to about 75 and 48.7%, respectively, compared to the control. The phosphorus uptake by corn plants significantly increased with increasing levels of biochar. The removal efficiency (% sorption) and maximum adsorption (b) of phosphorus increased with increasing level of biochar addition compared to control. Consequently, it is recommended to add biochar produced from corn stalks to the soil in order to substitute phosphate fertilizers.

Most arid and semi-arid soils, especially calcareous sandy soils, are widely distributed in the Middle East region; the deficiency in their content of many nutrients particularly phosphorus and organic matter limits crops production. This study aimed to assess the effects of adding biochar (B) with farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM) on some soil properties, phosphorus (P) availability, and barley growth in calcareous sandy soil. The pot experiment includes the following treatments: Control, B, B + FYM (1:1), B + PM (1:1), B + FYM (2:1), B + PM (2:1), FYM + B (2:1), and PM + B (2:1). Biochar combined with FYM and PM enhanced the water holding capacity (WHC) and soil organic matter (SOM) content in calcareous sandy soil. Phosphorus availability was increased significantly by applying biochar mixed with farmyard manure and poultry manure at all treatments. Green biomass of barley improved because of adding biochar alone, poultry manure alone, and biochar co-applied with poultry manure at all mixing ratios. Biochar application caused significant increases in phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) by barley plants compared to all other treatments, except for the control. We recommend adding biochar either individually or mixed with poultry manure to improve the productivity of calcareous sandy soil.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an indispensable food in Egypt. Expected heat events during growing season diminishes both yield and quality. Hence, identifying stable genotypes is paramount for faba bean breeders. Seed yield per plant for a set of sixteen-faba bean genotypes were evaluated under favorable, heat and drought conditions in two locations across two growing seasons. We used various statistical approaches to detect stable genotypes across diverse environmental conditions. The broad-sense heritability showed moderate value (0.44) for seed yield per plant. Environment, genotype and genotype-by-environment interaction explained 66%, 9% and 25% of the treatment sum of squares, respectively. According to additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) stability value, the two genotypes 11 and 5 were stable and yielded more than the average of all genotypes. Based on sites regression analysis (SREG) stability value, genotype 11 and 7 were stable and yielded more than the average. Genotype 8 showed the most stable performance and yielded lower than the average of all genotypes. The Spearman’s rank correlations among different stability parameters were variable. The current study might be beneficial to faba bean breeders to detect stable and high yielding genotypes. These genotypes can be used in the breeding programs to develop superior varieties that can stand against diverse environmental conditions.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an indispensable food in Egypt. Expected heat events during growing season diminishes both yield and quality. Hence, identifying stable genotypes is paramount for faba bean breeders. Seed yield per plant for a set of sixteen-faba bean genotypes were evaluated under favorable, heat and drought conditions in two locations across two growing seasons. We used various statistical approaches to detect stable genotypes across diverse environmental conditions. The broad-sense heritability showed moderate value (0.44) for seed yield per plant. Environment, genotype and genotype-by-environment interaction explained 66%, 9% and 25% of the treatment sum of squares, respectively. According to additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) stability value, the two genotypes 11 and 5 were stable and yielded more than the average of all genotypes. Based on sites regression analysis (SREG) stability value, genotype 11 and 7 were stable and yielded more than the average. Genotype 8 showed the most stable performance and yielded lower than the average of all genotypes. The Spearman’s rank correlations among different stability parameters were variable. The current study might be beneficial to faba bean breeders to detect stable and high yielding genotypes. These genotypes can be used in the breeding programs to develop superior varieties that can stand against diverse environmental conditions.

تعتبر محافظة الوادي الجديد من أكبر محافظات مصر مساحة حيث تبلغ حوالي 4400 كم2 بما يعادل حوالى 44٪ من المساحة الكلية لجمهورية مصر العربية وحوالي 66٪ من مساحة الصحراء الغربية وهذه المساحة تشمل ثلاث واحات هي الخارجة والداخلة والفرافرة وتقسم إلى خمس مراكز إدارية بالمحافظة وهم: مركز الخارجة- مركز الداخلة - مركز الفرافرة - مركز باريس- مركز بلاط والعاصمة هي الخارجة( ) وتعتبر المياه الجوفية المورد المائي الوحيد المتاح لكافة الأغراض (شرب، صناعة، زراعة) بالمحافظة. ويحتل قطاع الزراعة المكانة الأولى بين القطاعات الإنتاجية المكونة للبنيان الاقتصادي بالمحافظة , ونظرا لأهمية محصول القمح كمحصول استراتيجي يستخدم في غذاء الإنسان بالإضافة إلى انه يعتبر مصدر لتغذية الحيوان فهو من أهم المحاصيل الحقلية المزروعة بالمحافظة حيث بلغت مساحته حوالي 158.8ألف فدان موسم 2015/2016 تمثل حوالي 67.8٪ من إجمالي المساحة المزروعة بالمحاصيل الحقلية الشتوية

تعتبر محافظة الوادي الجديد من أكبر محافظات مصر مساحة حيث تبلغ حوالي 4400 كم2 بما يعادل حوالى 44٪ من المساحة الكلية لجمهورية مصر العربية وحوالي 66٪ من مساحة الصحراء الغربية وهذه المساحة تشمل ثلاث واحات هي الخارجة والداخلة والفرافرة وتقسم إلى خمس مراكز إدارية بالمحافظة وهم: مركز الخارجة- مركز الداخلة - مركز الفرافرة - مركز باريس- مركز بلاط والعاصمة هي الخارجة( ) وتعتبر المياه الجوفية المورد المائي الوحيد المتاح لكافة الأغراض (شرب، صناعة، زراعة) بالمحافظة. ويحتل قطاع الزراعة المكانة الأولى بين القطاعات الإنتاجية المكونة للبنيان الاقتصادي بالمحافظة , ونظرا لأهمية محصول القمح كمحصول استراتيجي يستخدم في غذاء الإنسان بالإضافة إلى انه يعتبر مصدر لتغذية الحيوان فهو من أهم المحاصيل الحقلية المزروعة بالمحافظة حيث بلغت مساحته حوالي 158.8ألف فدان موسم 2015/2016 تمثل حوالي 67.8٪ من إجمالي المساحة المزروعة بالمحاصيل الحقلية الشتوية

تعتبر محافظة الوادي الجديد من أكبر محافظات مصر مساحة حيث تبلغ حوالي 4400 كم2 بما يعادل حوالى 44٪ من المساحة الكلية لجمهورية مصر العربية وحوالي 66٪ من مساحة الصحراء الغربية وهذه المساحة تشمل ثلاث واحات هي الخارجة والداخلة والفرافرة وتقسم إلى خمس مراكز إدارية بالمحافظة وهم: مركز الخارجة- مركز الداخلة - مركز الفرافرة - مركز باريس- مركز بلاط والعاصمة هي الخارجة( ) وتعتبر المياه الجوفية المورد المائي الوحيد المتاح لكافة الأغراض (شرب، صناعة، زراعة) بالمحافظة. ويحتل قطاع الزراعة المكانة الأولى بين القطاعات الإنتاجية المكونة للبنيان الاقتصادي بالمحافظة , ونظرا لأهمية محصول القمح كمحصول استراتيجي يستخدم في غذاء الإنسان بالإضافة إلى انه يعتبر مصدر لتغذية الحيوان فهو من أهم المحاصيل الحقلية المزروعة بالمحافظة حيث بلغت مساحته حوالي 158.8ألف فدان موسم 2015/2016 تمثل حوالي 67.8٪ من إجمالي المساحة المزروعة بالمحاصيل الحقلية الشتوية

يعتبر قطاع التصدير من القطاعات الرئيسية والتي تؤدي دوراً هاماً في تحقيق النمو الإقتصادي في مصر، فهو أحد المصادر الهامة لتوفير النقد الأجنبي اللازم لتمويل التنمية الإقتصادية والإجتماعية الشاملة للبلاد، ووفقا للإحصاءات المنشورة ( ) في عام 2016 فقد بلغت قيمة الصادرات الكلية المصرية حوالي 22,51 مليار دولار، بما يعادل حوالي 6,76٪ من قيمة الناتج المحلي الإجمالي والبالغ حوالي 332,79 مليار دولار، بينما تمثل قيمة الصادرات الزراعية المصرية حوالي5,10 مليار دولار، بما يعادل حوالي 22,66٪ من إجمالي قيمة الصادرات الكلية المصرية، وحوالي1,53٪ من قيمة الناتج المحلي الإجمالي، وحوالي 13,15٪ من قيمة الناتج المحلي الزراعي والبالغ حوالي 38,78 مليار دولار. ووفقا للإحصاءات المنشورة لمتوسط الفترة (2012-2016) (2) فإن قيمة صادرات العنب المصري تبلغ حوالي 222,20 مليون دولار بما يعادل 4,36٪ من إجمالي قيمة الصادرات الزراعية المصرية، كما تمثل حوالي 0,99٪ من إجمالي قيمة الصادرات الكلية المصرية خلال الفترة المذكوره.