Neonicotinoids are the most widely used from all existing pesticides. So, in purpose to discover new pesticides being more effective against the aphid, twelve heterocyclic compounds neonicotinoid analogs have been prepared in a pure state; pyrimidothienotetrahydroisoquinolines 1–12 and their toxicity as potential insecticidal agents against cowpea Aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch was screened. Their characterizations by using spectroscopic analyses were performed. The toxicity data exhibited that the 8-chloropyrimidine compound 4 is more toxic about 2-fold than a reference insecticide, acetamiprid. The other screened compounds showed weak to strong toxicological activities against cowpea aphid.

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used from all existing pesticides. So, in purpose to discover new pesticides being more effective against the aphid, twelve heterocyclic compounds neonicotinoid analogs have been prepared in a pure state; pyrimidothienotetrahydroisoquinolines 1–12 and their toxicity as potential insecticidal agents against cowpea Aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch was screened. Their characterizations by using spectroscopic analyses were performed. The toxicity data exhibited that the 8-chloropyrimidine compound 4 is more toxic about 2-fold than a reference insecticide, acetamiprid. The other screened compounds showed weak to strong toxicological activities against cowpea aphid.

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 soil at A.R.C., Arab El-Awamer Res. Stn., and clay soil at Assiut Univ. Exper. Farm 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, indicating differential responses of genotypes to the two environments. The sixteen hybrids showed negative significant heterosis (P0.01) for 50% flowering from the earlier check Giza 102 (standard heterosis; SH %), which ranged from -8.39 to -18.44% under loamy sand soil, and from -2.80 to -12.92% under clay soil. The heterotic effects were higher under loamy sand than under clay soil. The combined data showed that 4, 5 and 12 hybrids were significantly earlier than the mid-parent, better parent and the earlier check; respectively. The combined data over the two environments of plant height indicated that 15 hybrids showed negative significant standard heterosis ranged from -8.42 to -25.16%. This gives a good opportunity to select short sunflower hybrids. All the hybrids showed negative SH% for head diameter, and none of them exceeded the check variety in 100-SW. Otherwise, all the hybrids showed negative significant (P0.01) heterosis in husk% from the better check Sakha 53 either at the two environments or at the combined data. Over environments the SH% in oil% was positive and significant (p≤ 0.01) for four hybrids (ranged from 4.47 to 9.83%), for three hybrids in kernel weight and for one hybrid in number of seeds/head. Mid-parent heterosis in seed yield/head was positive and significant (P0.01) for 14 and 13 hybrids under loamy sand and clay soil; respectively, eight and three hybrids showed positive and significant BPH heterosis in seed yield/head under the respective environments. The positive and significant (P0.01) BPH in seed yield/head ranged from 16.54 to 685.33% under loamy sand soil, and from 13.42 to 70.38% under clay soil. Otherwise, only one hybrid No. 1 (A7 x Rf1) gave positive significant (P0.01) heterosis from the check hybrids Sakha 53 under clay soil and combined data. Mid-parent heterosis in oil yield/head was positive and significant (P0.01) for 14 hybrids under both environments and ranged from 3.35 to 823.12% under loamy sand, and from 3.01 to 151.88% under clay soil. Eight and three hybrids gave positive significant (P0.01) BPH under loamy sand and clay soil; respectively. The BPH in oil yield/head ranged from 9.48 to 708.95% and from 3.91 to 66.06% under the two respective environments. Standard heterosis in oil yield/head from the better check cultivar was positive and significant for five hybrids under loamy sand, one hybrid under clay soil and two hybrids in the combined data. Key words: Heterosis, Helianthus annuus L., Standard heterosis

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 soil at A.R.C., Arab El-Awamer Res. Stn., and clay soil at Assiut Univ. Exper. Farm 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, indicating differential responses of genotypes to the two environments. The sixteen hybrids showed negative significant heterosis (P0.01) for 50% flowering from the earlier check Giza 102 (standard heterosis; SH %), which ranged from -8.39 to -18.44% under loamy sand soil, and from -2.80 to -12.92% under clay soil. The heterotic effects were higher under loamy sand than under clay soil. The combined data showed that 4, 5 and 12 hybrids were significantly earlier than the mid-parent, better parent and the earlier check; respectively. The combined data over the two environments of plant height indicated that 15 hybrids showed negative significant standard heterosis ranged from -8.42 to -25.16%. This gives a good opportunity to select short sunflower hybrids. All the hybrids showed negative SH% for head diameter, and none of them exceeded the check variety in 100-SW. Otherwise, all the hybrids showed negative significant (P0.01) heterosis in husk% from the better check Sakha 53 either at the two environments or at the combined data. Over environments the SH% in oil% was positive and significant (p≤ 0.01) for four hybrids (ranged from 4.47 to 9.83%), for three hybrids in kernel weight and for one hybrid in number of seeds/head. Mid-parent heterosis in seed yield/head was positive and significant (P0.01) for 14 and 13 hybrids under loamy sand and clay soil; respectively, eight and three hybrids showed positive and significant BPH heterosis in seed yield/head under the respective environments. The positive and significant (P0.01) BPH in seed yield/head ranged from 16.54 to 685.33% under loamy sand soil, and from 13.42 to 70.38% under clay soil. Otherwise, only one hybrid No. 1 (A7 x Rf1) gave positive significant (P0.01) heterosis from the check hybrids Sakha 53 under clay soil and combined data. Mid-parent heterosis in oil yield/head was positive and significant (P0.01) for 14 hybrids under both environments and ranged from 3.35 to 823.12% under loamy sand, and from 3.01 to 151.88% under clay soil. Eight and three hybrids gave positive significant (P0.01) BPH under loamy sand and clay soil; respectively. The BPH in oil yield/head ranged from 9.48 to 708.95% and from 3.91 to 66.06% under the two respective environments. Standard heterosis in oil yield/head from the better check cultivar was positive and significant for five hybrids under loamy sand, one hybrid under clay soil and two hybrids in the combined data. Key words: Heterosis, Helianthus annuus L., Standard heterosis

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 soil at A.R.C., Arab El-Awamer Res. Stn., and clay soil at Assiut Univ. Exper. Farm in season 2016. Genotypes mean squares of 13 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, indicating differential responses of genotypes to the two environments. The F1-hybrids, females and males were earlier than the two checks in days to 50% flowering. The fertile clay soil delayed days to 50% flowering than loamy sand soil. The phenotypic (PCV%) and genotypic (GCV%) coefficients of variability were low, and heritability in broad sense was intermediate (43.17%) for days to 50% flowering. The combined analysis of plant height showed high PCV (13.58%), GCV (11.81%) and heritability (75.58%). The GCV of head diameter was high and reached 15.95, 14.41 and 11.84% at loamy sand, clay soil and combined analysis; respectively. Stalk diameter was larger at clay than at loamy sand soil, and heritability estimates were 74.19, 77.05 and 66.67% at loamy sand, clay soil and combined analysis; respectively. Four of the F1-hybrids was heavier in 100-seed weight than the checks. The GCV and heritability estimates were high for 100-seed weight. Husk % and husk; g of 100 seeds tended to be higher at loamy sand than at clay soil. The combined means of oil % showed that five hybrids significantly exceeded the better check Giza 102. Oil % was higher at loamy sand than at clay soil. Heritability estimates of oil % were high at both locations (97.86 and 86.25%) and very low (5.69%) from the combined analysis, because of the large mean squares of GxE interaction. Kernel weight in 100 seeds was higher at loamy sand than at clay soil. The GCV and heritability estimates were high for kernel weight. Number of seeds/head was higher at clay soil than at loamy sand. Three F1-hybrids significantly exceeded Sakha53in kernel weight from the combined data. The GCV and heritability estimates were high for NS/H. Seed yield/head and oil yield/head were higher at loamy sand than at clay soil, and four F1-hybrids were significantly better than the check. High estimates of GCV and heritability were high for NS/H. The GCV estimates in seed yield were 43.48, 39.33 and 33.57%, and heritability were 98.85, 96.67 and 75.22% at loamy sand, clay soil and combined analysis; respectively. The resulted indicated that the genetic materials should be evaluated under diverse environments to get reliable estimates of genetic parameters. Key words: Helianthus annuus L., PCV, GCV, heritability, evaluation under two environments.

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 soil at A.R.C., Arab El-Awamer Res. Stn., and clay soil at Assiut Univ. Exper. Farm in season 2016. Genotypes mean squares of 13 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, indicating differential responses of genotypes to the two environments. The F1-hybrids, females and males were earlier than the two checks in days to 50% flowering. The fertile clay soil delayed days to 50% flowering than loamy sand soil. The phenotypic (PCV%) and genotypic (GCV%) coefficients of variability were low, and heritability in broad sense was intermediate (43.17%) for days to 50% flowering. The combined analysis of plant height showed high PCV (13.58%), GCV (11.81%) and heritability (75.58%). The GCV of head diameter was high and reached 15.95, 14.41 and 11.84% at loamy sand, clay soil and combined analysis; respectively. Stalk diameter was larger at clay than at loamy sand soil, and heritability estimates were 74.19, 77.05 and 66.67% at loamy sand, clay soil and combined analysis; respectively. Four of the F1-hybrids was heavier in 100-seed weight than the checks. The GCV and heritability estimates were high for 100-seed weight. Husk % and husk; g of 100 seeds tended to be higher at loamy sand than at clay soil. The combined means of oil % showed that five hybrids significantly exceeded the better check Giza 102. Oil % was higher at loamy sand than at clay soil. Heritability estimates of oil % were high at both locations (97.86 and 86.25%) and very low (5.69%) from the combined analysis, because of the large mean squares of GxE interaction. Kernel weight in 100 seeds was higher at loamy sand than at clay soil. The GCV and heritability estimates were high for kernel weight. Number of seeds/head was higher at clay soil than at loamy sand. Three F1-hybrids significantly exceeded Sakha53in kernel weight from the combined data. The GCV and heritability estimates were high for NS/H. Seed yield/head and oil yield/head were higher at loamy sand than at clay soil, and four F1-hybrids were significantly better than the check. High estimates of GCV and heritability were high for NS/H. The GCV estimates in seed yield were 43.48, 39.33 and 33.57%, and heritability were 98.85, 96.67 and 75.22% at loamy sand, clay soil and combined analysis; respectively. The resulted indicated that the genetic materials should be evaluated under diverse environments to get reliable estimates of genetic parameters. Key words: Helianthus annuus L., PCV, GCV, heritability, evaluation under two environments.

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.