A new species of mite, Acarophenax dominicai was described and illustrated based on male and phoretic female. The new species was reported parasitizing of lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) eggs infested wheat grains. Adult females of this species most closely resemble those of Acarophenax lacunatus Cross and Krantz (1964). The new species is separable from A. lacunatus by its smaller size, ornamentations on dorsum and venter, the shape of tergite margins; aggenital plate; gnathosoma, as well as the chaetotaxy of legs I-IV. Holotype female and five paratype females; holotype male and four paratype males, were deposited in the Acari collection of Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt. Some biological aspects are provided. Female mite produces one close d eggs capsule and remains alive until the capsule comes out. Female mites settle on the dorsum of host female during the pre-oviposition period, then leave the host in the period of oviposition and feed on egg’s contents. Male mites are ephemeral and may not emerge from the gravid-female. Mite sex ratios are highly skewed, with an average of 19.7 ± 0.3: 0.77 ± 0.23 females to males (mite progeny/eggs capsule/gravid-female). When females reach adulthood, mating take place either within the gravid-female (if present) or with a male which has previously emerged from another eggs capsule. Male mites are not parasitic and had poor locomotion abilities

The effect of high and low temperature and microwave radiation on the adult of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) infested wheat seeds was studied. At high temperature (55°C), 29% of the death occurred after 30 minutes and the complete death occurred after 60 minutes. The lethal time of 50% mortality (LT50) and lethal time of 90% mortality (LT90) values were 36.96 and 63.4 minutes. Cold temperature (-7°C) caused 12% mortality after 20 minutes and complete succumb was obtained after 75 minutes. The LT50 and LT90 values were 38.6 and 71.3 minutes. Microwave at power of 2450 MHZ caused 33% mortality after 10 seconds and 100% mortality after 35 seconds. The LT50 and LT90 values on this power were 12.8 and 26.3 seconds. The mean germination rate of wheat seeds was 5% for microwave treatment (2450 MHZ, 30 seconds). However, 70% germination rate was achieved when the seeds were exposed to low temperature (-7°C, 3 months), and 77.5% when high temperature (55°C, 60 minutes) were used. In conclusion, the present study showed that, cold temperature (-7°c), high temperature (55°c), and microwave radiation had been successfully controlled R. dominica in a short period of time, however, microwave radiation had adverse effects on the germination of wheat seeds. Radiation seeds should therefore not be used in planting

The present study focused on determining: the developmental rate of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda at four constant temperatures, (21±1, 24±1, 29±1 and 34±1°C), the number of degree-days (DD’s) needed for each stage to finish development, and overall egg-to-adult development, to compute certain biological parameters used in pest prediction. According to the study the development of one generation required around 21, 26. 44 and 47 days at 21, 24, 29 and 34°C. the mean incubation periods were determined to be 4.4, 3.7, 2.1 and 1.3 days at 21, 24, 29 and 34°C, respectively. As the temperature rose, the mean amount of time needed for the adult stage to mature the ovaries and begin laying eggs dropped (from 6.1 days at 21°C to 3.1 days at 34°C). Recorded were generation time, (rm) and (λ), threshold of development (t0), and the average thermal units in degree-days (DD’s). The research of heat requirements of the pest is very important to calculate the thermal heat units that is necessary for this invasive pest's growth and development, hence the annual field generations can be predicted in addition to draw up a planning IPM strategy for this harmful pest.

Ras cheese, a type of hard cheese, is widely recognized and holds considerable importance in Egypt and various
other regions. This cheese is often subjected to high-humidity storage conditions, fostering the proliferation of
fungi and yeasts that can impact its quality. This study aims to examine the ability of various Lactobacillus strains
as protective adjunct cultures against fungal growth, and to determine the mycotoxin production and enzymatic
activities of isolated fungi found in Ras cheese. The experimental design comprised several treatments: Control
was made using Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus; T1, T2 and T3 involved control +
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus and Lacticaseibacillus casei, respectively. On Czapek dextrose agar
medium, control exhibited the highest fungal count at fresh status (525 ± 46 CFU/g), whereas T3 displayed the
lowest value (277 ± 60 CFU/g). T2 with Lb. helveticus showed the lowest total fungal count (302 ± 79 CFU/g)
and had higher antifungal activity in stored cheese than Lb. acidophilus (344 ± 53 CFU/g) and Lb. casei (323 ±
73 CFU/g) at 90-day ripening. T1 yielded the highest count in fresh samples (363 ± 66 CFU/g), while T3 presented the lowest count after 90-days (243 ± 59 CFU/g) on PDA medium. Moreover, Aspergillus flavus and
Aspergillus niger were the predominant fungi in control after 90-days, with reduced occurrences in probiotic treated cheeses. The absence of mycotoxins was verified in Ras cheese; however, isolates of A. flavus showed
the ability to generate aflatoxin B1 and G1, whereas isolates of A. niger could produce ochratoxin A. Both
A. flavus and A. niger isolates exhibited the potential to produce lipases and proteases. The introduction of
probiotics into Ras cheese may serve as an essential environmentally friendly approach to mitigate fungal
presence and diminish the production of undesirable enzymes that compromise the quality and safety of hard
cheeses.
 

In bee diets, nectar is the primary source of carbohydrates. During scarcity of bee flora, such as in winter, beekeepers typically provide supplemental sugar syrup as a nectar substitute. We examined four types of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and a mixture of fructose and glucose) on bee longevity, bee appetitive, and their impact on pollen digestion. The results showed that sucrose and glucose had extended the longevity in cages. Bees preferred sucrose at a 50% concentration since they consumed more than the other sugar types in cages and in the multiple-choice test experiment in apiary. Bees given sucrose solution consumed the most pollen. In contrast, the cages provided the fructose solution consumed the least amount of pollen, increasing body fat percentage, which can be considered evidence of a digestive disorder. Generally, the type of sugar affects bee’s benefits from nutrition. Finally, sucrose is the best type of sugar and is considered the ideal substitute for nectar.

In Egypt, grapes, Vitis vinifera are an important agricultural export crop. The use of various synthetic pesticides is essential to control diseases and pests for export purposes. Pesticide residues are a significant concern for food safety and quality in the Egyptian grape industry. This study evaluated the concentrations of pesticide residues in grape samples taken from five local markets in Assiut Governorate using LC-MS/MS. Fourteen types of pesticide residues were identified. The data from this study indicated that some pesticide residues exceeded the maximum residue limit set by regulatory authorities. These pesticide residues included carbendazim, buprofezin, pendimethalin, metolachlor, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, dimethoate, and omethoate. Continuous research and policy actions are necessary to ensure the safety of the food supply. The study emphasized the need for improved pesticide management, oversight, and farmer education to ensure food safety and reduce the risk of harmful pesticide residues being consumed through grape consumption. Suggestions were made to strengthen legal frameworks and promote integrated pest management strategies in the grape industry.

Population activity of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) inhabiting cucumber plants was studied during two successive seasons of 2020 and 2021 at Manflout and Qusia districts, Assiut governorate, Egypt. The eight tested cucumber cultivars slightly differed in population densities of T. urticae stages (motile and immotile) in both seasons and areas.  The obtained results showed that the spider mite T. urticae activity increased in summer plantation during the two studied seasons. Bahie and Barcoda cultivars showed the highest numbers of the pest all stages in Manflout during the summer of 2020, with an average of 30.86 individuals for Bahie cultivar and 40.47 individuals for Barcoda one. Meanwhile, 39 and Barcoda cultivars gave an average of 38.04 and 23.20 individuals at Qusia during both studied seasons. The current study found that all cucumber cultivars were sensitive to the infestation with the two-spotted spider mite, but the sensitivity varies from one cultivar to another.

Soil and plant contamination with pesticides and heavy metals have significant effects on human health. There may be an interaction effect (synergistic or antagonistic) between them that can increase the risk of their presence in certain amounts. A pot experiment was conducted using four pesticides (acetamiprid, emamectin benzoate, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam) applied on Lew mallow (Chorcoruis olitorus) plants grown on contaminated and uncontaminated soils. Some heavy metals and pesticide residues were determined. Treating plants with different pesticides increased the soil content of pesticide residues, and the increases were much higher in previously contaminated soils compared with the uncontaminated ones. Soil content of pesticide residues in contaminated soil can be arranged in descending order as follows: acetamiprid > thiamethoxam > imidacloprid > emamectin benzoate with increases by 707, 373, 287, and 124%, respectively, compared to the control. The highest antagonism was found between Acetamiprid and soil Zn, Emamectin benzoate and soil Pb, Imidacloprid and Mn in soil and plant, Thiamethoxam and plant Zn. The highest synergistic relationships were found between Acetamiprid with Pb and Ni in plant, emamectin benzoate with Mn and Cd, in soil and plant’s Mn, imidacloprid and plant Zn, thiamethoxam and Pb in soil and Cd in plant.

Contamination by spent engine oil represents a significant global environmental challenge as it poses a major hazard to human health, animals, plants, microorganisms, the soil ecosystem, and aquatic ecosystems. This study assumes that some amendments differ significantly in their ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons. Therefore, this incubation study was conducted to investigate the effect of different types of inorganic and organic amendments (zeolite, bone char, banana leaves biochar, and wood chips biochar) on carbon emissions (CO₂-C) and the kinetics of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHC) degradation in artificial petroleum-contaminated soil. These amendments were added to the soil under study at a dose of 3% (w/w). At the end of the incubation period, applying zeolite, bone char, banana leaves biochar, and wood chips biochar to artificial petroleum-contaminated soil significantly reduced cumulative CO₂-C emissions compared to the control. The banana leaves biochar significantly decreased TPHC concentrations in artificial petroleum-contaminated soil compared to the control treatment. At the end of the incubation period, adding banana leaves biochar to the soil showed high degradation efficiencies of TPHC which was 36% higher than soil before incubation. The effectiveness of applying amendments used in this experiment on the degradation of TPHC increase was in the order of banana leaves biochar > bone char > wood chips biochar > control > zeolite. The second-order model described the kinetics of total petroleum hydrocarbons better than the first-order model. Banana leaves biochar added to the soil resulted in a significant increase in the degradation rate constant of total petroleum hydrocarbons (k₂) compared with the control. A higher k₂ value indicates that TPHC degrades more rapidly. The half-life of TPHC degradation in the soil was decreased significantly by adding banana leaves biochar. According to the second-order equation, the half-lives of control, zeolite, bone char, banana leaves biochar, and wood chips biochar were 4.0, 5.3, 2.7, 1.0, and 3.6 years, respectively. The banana leaves biochar amendment might be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than other organic amendments because it has the high potential for carbon sequestration and remediate petroleum-contaminated soil, which would increase the sustainable use of petroleum-contaminated soil leading to preserving the environment.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is an important vegetable crop worldwide. In   this study, response of Cabbage crop (cv. Korsina) to five different (animal, poultry, plant, plant + animal, poultry + animal) organic manure treatments as compared to the chemical fertilization (control) was evaluated under field conditions in two consecutive seasons of    2019/2020 and 2020/2021. The aim of the experiments was to determine the best organic fertilizer (manure) option (whether plant, animal, poultry) for better growth and head yield   of cabbage, and to determine the best organic combination on cabbage growth. Various    vegetative parameters were measured including head length with and without wrapper      leaves, stem length, inner and outer stem diameters, and total head yield. The results of  our study showed that some vegetative growth parameters such as stem length, and inner and outer stem diameters were significantly enhanced by the different manure treatments. Cabbage plants fertilized with plant manure had the highest mean values of total head       yield. The second best treatment for enhancing total head yield of cabbage was the mixture of plant and animal manure fertilizer. We conclude that plant manure can be used either alone or in combination with animal manure for growing the studied cabbage         cultivar.