Seeds:
Mature seeds are usually not yet present on a plant that bears the flowers necessary for identification. However, in some genera like Mentzelia and Epilobium seed characters may actually be used as categories in the key. In such cases seeds may be obtained from more mature individuals or even from fruits of the pereding year. The various seed Testing Laboratories have developed a technique whereby they can identify the seeds and small fruits of common weeds when they come in as contaminate in crop seeds, but, here the actual possibilities are limited of course. Many different kinds of seed are sold to farmers and homeowners each year. So, most be assured of getting correct of seed, it is important to be able to identify the seed needed. Also, if a mixure of seed is present, it is important to be able to determine if weed seed are mixure. Some seeds of these weeds are poisonous to human and animals. Seeds have different characteristics, some seeds are long, short, flat, round or three cornered while others are smooth or rough and seed weeds have solid color, two-toned or multi-colored

Seed identification of 40 common weed species belonging to 20 families, and 38 genera that is very necessary for researchers, farmers, seed production industry and detection of weed seeds in imported or exported plant materials in quarantine work was conducted at the Weed Research Laboratory, in Giza. Full mature specimens of weed seeds were collected from the farms of Shandaweel, Sids, El Serw research stations during 2008/2009 winter and 2010 summer seasons. Description was depending on seed surface, colour, size and shape, family name and taxonomical names. Surface type identification of seeds of these species was recorded according to the scheme adapted from Murley (1951). Seeds were scanned and their pictures included in the text. Such seeds were used as a nucleus of weed seed herbarium of Weed Research Laboratory in Giza which will play as a backbone of visual comparison in weed identification process. Seed herbarium is arranged alphabetically according to families, genera and species for identifying unknown weed seeds in imported grains.

Unit I
Chapter 1 - Weed flora of wheat fields in Egyptgavernorates during 1992-2002 winter seasons
Abstract

Weed survey was carried out in 6480 wheat fields selected from 17 different governorates during 10 successive winter seasons (1992/93 – 2001/02). 41 weed species were recorded in Upper Egypt belonging to 32 genera and 13 families. The most dominant weeds were Phalaris minor, Polypogon monspeliensis, and Avena sterilis as annual grasses, Rumex dentatus as annual broad leaf weed and Convolvulus arvensis as perennial broad leaf weed. In the Nile Delta 52 weed species belonging to 41 genera and 16 families were detected. The most dominant weeds were Avena sterilis, Phalaris minor and Polypogon monspeliensis as annual grasses and Convolvulus arvensis as perennial broad leaf weed.

Weed research is very important for agriculture and land reclamation in Egypt, Ministry of agriculture & land reclamation aims to solve farmer problems and maximize production and improve land and water resources through strategy of sustainable development, which is adopted by ministry of agriculture.

In this connection weeds are reported to cause production losses estimated by 14% while losses due to insect pests and plant diseases are estimated by 15 and 13% respectively. For this reason ministry of agriculture is very interested in research to generate technologies and transferring it to farmer fields to decrease these losses and increase their production and keep environment without pollution.

Integrated weed management is of great importance for realizing high yield of field crops. Major weed problems in wheat have to address narrow and broadleaf weeds especially wild oats, which started as a major problem by the middle of the eighties. Faba bean also suffers stresses of Orobanche as main constraint threatening this crop. The prevention of yields losses due to weeds in these two crops and other winter crops as lentil and barley is very important approach for increasing cereals and legumes by weed research scientists.

Although weed research in ARC started many years ago, yet much emphasis on effective weed management research in major field crops took place during the last two decades. In this respect, numerous data and results of backup research and applied research have been accumulated during the last several years. It is worthwhile to mention that progress on effective weed management in farmer’s fields and consequently higher yield of major winter crops was realized due to close link and cooperation between researchers and extension staff. Thus research results were disseminated to farmer fields and the adoption and impact of such work was much appreciated by the agriculture community of Egypt.

This publication is meant to document the success story of weed management in Egypt. So that the experience as model of research and technology transfer can be shared by other scientists nationally and
internationally. Much appreciation is due to scientists, extension staff and farmers and above all ARC and Ministry of Agriculture EU and ICARDA and many others for their encouragement and financial support to whom this work is dedicated.

This country paper summarises about survey and identification of Orobanche species and their host ranges in Egypt, germination and development of the parasite, and methods of control. These methods include cultural methods i.e hand removal, flooding, crop rotation, including different crop sequences with clover , flax, femugreek, soybean, maize, lupin and tomoato, sowing date through Novermber and December months and its relationship with soil temperature, depth of faba bean seeds, irrigation frequency and soil additives, solarization, biological control by – Phytomyza orobanchia, breeding for tolerant varieties and chemical control by glyphoste, imazaquin and imazethapyr. These studies coverd a historical period from 1929 until 1998. This paper also considers the problems which face Orobanche control, and suggests strategies for solving these problems using adaptive research on Orobanche biology and control and training extension agents for Orobanche control through use of a computer – Based expert system .