In the current study, the effect of fumigation with three doses (3, 5 and 7 g/ton) of phosphine (PH 3) on wheat grains sustained at 10% and 14% moisture content (MC) for 6 months was evaluated. At the 10 % MC, percentage of germination and speed of germination index (SGI) of wheat grains as well as the average length of the shoot and primary root of seedlings showed marked increase in response to PH 3 treatment compared to control (non-fumigated grains). On the other hand, the percentage of abnormal seedlings decreased with the increase in PH3 doses. Nearly similar effects of PH 3 were observed on wheat grains and seedlings kept at 14% MC. Four fungal isolates expected to be new records on wheat grains were diagnosed on both morphological and molecular bases. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that two strains were classified as Alternaria ventricosa AUMC 14510 (MT974152) and Cladosporium allicinum AUMC 14511 (MT974153), which recorded here for the first time in Egypt. The other two strains showed lower similarity with related species in the GenBank and were described as potentially new species assigned as Bipolaris sp. AUMC 14512 (MT974154) and Alternaria sp. AUMC 14513 (MT974155). The amylolytic, cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities of these fungi were assayed in submerged fermentation. A. ventricosa and Alternaria sp. were the highest amylase producers registering specific activities of 65.5 IU/mg and 75.7 IU/mg respectively. C. allicinum was superior in the production of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and xylanase gaining 93.1 IU/ml, 64.46 IU/ml and 23.9 IU/ml for the three enzymes respectively.

In the current study, the effect of fumigation with three doses (3, 5 and 7 g/ton) of phosphine (PH 3) on wheat grains sustained at 10% and 14% moisture content (MC) for 6 months was evaluated. At the 10 % MC, percentage of germination and speed of germination index (SGI) of wheat grains as well as the average length of the shoot and primary root of seedlings showed marked increase in response to PH 3 treatment compared to control (non-fumigated grains). On the other hand, the percentage of abnormal seedlings decreased with the increase in PH3 doses. Nearly similar effects of PH 3 were observed on wheat grains and seedlings kept at 14% MC. Four fungal isolates expected to be new records on wheat grains were diagnosed on both morphological and molecular bases. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that two strains were classified as Alternaria ventricosa AUMC 14510 (MT974152) and Cladosporium allicinum AUMC 14511 (MT974153), which recorded here for the first time in Egypt. The other two strains showed lower similarity with related species in the GenBank and were described as potentially new species assigned as Bipolaris sp. AUMC 14512 (MT974154) and Alternaria sp. AUMC 14513 (MT974155). The amylolytic, cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities of these fungi were assayed in submerged fermentation. A. ventricosa and Alternaria sp. were the highest amylase producers registering specific activities of 65.5 IU/mg and 75.7 IU/mg respectively. C. allicinum was superior in the production of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and xylanase gaining 93.1 IU/ml, 64.46 IU/ml and 23.9 IU/ml for the three enzymes respectively.

There are different methods that have been recently applied to develop a process to manufacture low‐fat Feta cheese (LFC) with acceptable flavor and texture. The objective of this study was to produce LFC from skim buffalo's milk (SBM) using Streptococcus thermophilus (ST) and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (LB) as control LFC (T1) incorporated with other probiotic adjunct cultures (PAC), such as Lactobacillus casei (LBC) in T2, Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) in T3, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (LL) in T4. The SBM was pasteurized and inoculated with 3% of starter cultures; then, 0.4% of rennet and 3% of salt were added. After coagulation, the cheese was cut, packed, and stored at 4°C. The chemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of LFC were monitored during 14 days of storage. The moisture, acidity, total protein (TP), salt, and fat of LFC were approximately 75.0%, 1.0%, 17.0%, 3.0%, and 1.2%, respectively, after 14 days of storage at 4°C. The viability of PAC was high (5–7 log cfu/g) at the end of storage, which makes LFC a functional product with a valuable source of probiotic. Moreover, the adjunct cultures improved (p .05) the sensory characteristics of LFC, including the texture and flavor.

There are different methods that have been recently applied to develop a process to manufacture low‐fat Feta cheese (LFC) with acceptable flavor and texture. The objective of this study was to produce LFC from skim buffalo's milk (SBM) using Streptococcus thermophilus (ST) and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (LB) as control LFC (T1) incorporated with other probiotic adjunct cultures (PAC), such as Lactobacillus casei (LBC) in T2, Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) in T3, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (LL) in T4. The SBM was pasteurized and inoculated with 3% of starter cultures; then, 0.4% of rennet and 3% of salt were added. After coagulation, the cheese was cut, packed, and stored at 4°C. The chemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of LFC were monitored during 14 days of storage. The moisture, acidity, total protein (TP), salt, and fat of LFC were approximately 75.0%, 1.0%, 17.0%, 3.0%, and 1.2%, respectively, after 14 days of storage at 4°C. The viability of PAC was high (5–7 log cfu/g) at the end of storage, which makes LFC a functional product with a valuable source of probiotic. Moreover, the adjunct cultures improved (p .05) the sensory characteristics of LFC, including the texture and flavor.

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.

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.

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