ABSTRACT: This investigation was carried out at two different locations (Gemmeiza and Mallawy).New seventeen yellow inbred lines of maize were top crossed to two line testers (Gm. 1021 and Gm. 1002) to produce thirty four top crosses in summer season of 2004 and evaluated in addition with two checks (S.C. 155 and S.C. 3084) in summer season of 2005 under the two locations. Highly significant differences were recorded between the two locations. Moreover, mean squares of crosses and their partitioning lines, testers and lines x testers interaction were significant and highly significant for most studied traits. Based on the combined analysis of the two locations, the non-additive genetic variance was more important than the additive genetic variance in the inheritance of all studied traits except, ear position and number of rows/ear. The inbred line Gm. 376 gave positive significant and desirable GCA effects for grain yield, number of kernels/row and ear length, while, four inbred lines gave significant and desirable GCA effects for grain yield only. The inbred lines Gm. 377, Gm. 379 and Gm.381 exhibited negative significant and desirable GCA effects towards earliness and dwarfness. The inbred lines Gm. 373, Gm. 381 and Gm. 383 showed significant and desirable GCA effects for resistance to late wilt disease. On the other hand, the line tester Gm 1002 showed negative significant and desirable GCA effects towards earliness, dwarfness, while, it showed positive significant for ear length and grain yield. On the other side, the line tester Gm. 1021 exhibited desirable GCA effects for resistance to late wilt disease, ear diameter and number of rows/ear. Five top crosses exhibited desirable SCA effects for grain yield, i.e., (Gm.371 x Gm. 1021) , (Gm.377 x Gm. 1021) , (Gm.378 x Gm. 1002), (Gm.381 x Gm. 1021) and (Gm.386 x Gm. 1002), while, the single cross Gm. 386 x Gm. 1002 gave highly significant and desirable of SCA effects for grain yield, ear length, number of rows/ear and number of kernels/row in addition to five top crosses i.e. Gm 382 x Gm 1021 (31.9 ard/fad.), Gm 385 x Gm 1021 (31.6 ard/fad), Gm 383 x Gm. 1021 (31.5 ard/fad.), Gm. 385 x Gm. 1002 (31.4 ard/fad) and Gm 387 x Gm 1002 (31.4 ard/fad) out yielded than the commercial crosses S.C. 155 (28.7 ard/fad.) and S.C. 3084 (31.2 ard/fad) for grain yield and most agronomic traits. The relative increasing percentage of grain yield (ard/fad) for the top crosses with inbred line Gm 1021 as tester, ranged from -35.9% to 2.2%and from -30.3% to 11.2% relative to S.C. 3084 and S.C. 155, respectively. The highest percentage values of the relative increasing for the top crosses with inbred line Gm 1021 as tester were obtained from the two crosses (Gm.385 x 1021) and (Gm382 x 1021). The relative increasing percentage of grain yield for the top crosses with inbred line Gm 1002 as tester, ranged from -57.4% to 0.3% and from -53.7% to 9.1% relative to SC 3084 and SC 155, respectively. The highest percentage values of the relative increasing for the top crosses with inbred line Gm 1002 as tester were obtained from two crosses (Gm387 x 1002) and (Gm385 x 1002). These results are of great utilization for maize breeder to be involved in breeding program to improve grain yield and its contributing characters.
Key words: Maize, Zea mays L, Line x tester, Combining ability ,Top crosses.

ABSTRACT
This experiment was conducted in 2004 and 2005 seasons to study response of two hybrid rice varieties H1 (SK 2034), H2 (SK 2046) and the pure line cultivars Sakha 101 to three levels of nitrogen fertilizer and three sowing dates. Three nitrogen levels used were (55, 110 and 165 kg N/ha). Three sowing dates were (15th April, 1st May and 15th May). Results showed that H2 surpassed other varieties under study in number of days from sowing to (maximum tillering and panicle initiation),leaf area index at complete heading, LAI and CGR at 74 days after sowing, amylose content, and grain yield (t/ha). In the other hand H1 gave the highest value of no of days from sowing up to heading date, LAI and CGR at period 60 and 67 days after sowing. While Sakha 101, outperform in protein content and light penetration. H2 with 165 KgN/ha, gave the highest value of LAI at 1st may date of sowing. However H1 with 165 KgN/ha) gave the highest value in chlorophyll content. All attributes studied were increased with 165 (kg N/ha. 1st May gave the highest value of number of days from sowing up to maximum tillering, panicle initiation, leaf area index at complete heading, LAI, C.G.R at three dates after sowing (60,67 and 74 ), Amylose content, and grain yield except light penetration were decreased.

Key words: Hybrid rice, Sowing date, N - level.

ABSTRACT
The present investigation was carried out at Qalapshoo Agriculture Research Station, Bilqas district, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, during the two growing seasons of 2004 /2005 and 2005 /2006 in sandy soil. Two field experiments were conducted to study the effect of farmyard manure (FYM) at rates of (16.7, 33.3 and 50 t/ha.), and elemental sulphur levels of (Zero, 238, 476 and 714 Kg/ha.) and foliar application treatments (control, Nofatrin, Cetrin and EM) on yield and its components and quality of flax variety (Sakha 2). The results obtained could be summarized as follows :
Increasing farmyard manure (FYM) rates from 16.7 up to 50 t/ha. significantly increased technical stem length, seed yields per plant and per hectare in the first season, fruiting zone length, stem diameter and number of seeds / capsule in the second season. Straw yield/plant as well as per hectare and straw with capsules yield /ha., fiber yield /ha. fiber length, fiber percentage, fiber strength and fineness, number of capsules and seeds/plant, seed index and oil percentage in both seasons.
Increasing elemental sulphur level from Zero up to 714 Kg S/ha. significantly increased stem diameter in the second season only. Technical stem length, fruiting zone length, straw yield per plant and per hectare, straw with capsules yield/ha. fiber yield /ha., fiber length, fiber percentage, fiber strength and fineness, number of capsules and seeds/plant, number of seeds/capsule, seed index, seed yields per plant and per hectare and oil percentage in both seasons.
Nofatrin application significantly increased fiber yield /ha., fiber percentage and fiber strength and fineness. Cetrin application significantly increased stem diameter, straw yield per plant as well as per hectare, straw with capsules yield /ha., number of capsules and seeds/plant, number of seeds/capsule, seed index, seed yields per plant and per hectare and oil percentage. EM spray significantly increased technical stem length in the first season only, fruiting zone length and fiber length in both seasons.
The interaction among the experimental factors had a significant effect on most characteristics under study, it could be concluded that the highest straw and seed yields were obtained at 50 t FYM /ha. with 714 Kg S/ha. plus spray and with Cetrin, whereas the highest fiber yield was achieved at 50 t FYM /ha. and 714 Kg S/ha. and spray with Nofatrin.


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Keywords: Flax, Linseed, Linum usitatissimum L., fertilizer, farmyard manure, sulphur, foliar application, FYM, EM

ABSTRACT
The present investigation was carried out at Qalapshoo Agriculture Research Station, Bilqas district, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, during the two growing seasons of 2004 /2005 and 2005 /2006 in sandy soil. Two field experiments were conducted to study the effect of farmyard manure (FYM) at rates of (16.7, 33.3 and 50 t/ha.), and elemental sulphur levels of (Zero, 238, 476 and 714 Kg/ha.) and foliar application treatments (control, Nofatrin, Cetrin and EM) on yield and its components and quality of flax variety (Sakha 2). The results obtained could be summarized as follows :
Increasing farmyard manure (FYM) rates from 16.7 up to 50 t/ha. significantly increased technical stem length, seed yields per plant and per hectare in the first season, fruiting zone length, stem diameter and number of seeds / capsule in the second season. Straw yield/plant as well as per hectare and straw with capsules yield /ha., fiber yield /ha. fiber length, fiber percentage, fiber strength and fineness, number of capsules and seeds/plant, seed index and oil percentage in both seasons.
Increasing elemental sulphur level from Zero up to 714 Kg S/ha. significantly increased stem diameter in the second season only. Technical stem length, fruiting zone length, straw yield per plant and per hectare, straw with capsules yield/ha. fiber yield /ha., fiber length, fiber percentage, fiber strength and fineness, number of capsules and seeds/plant, number of seeds/capsule, seed index, seed yields per plant and per hectare and oil percentage in both seasons.
Nofatrin application significantly increased fiber yield /ha., fiber percentage and fiber strength and fineness. Cetrin application significantly increased stem diameter, straw yield per plant as well as per hectare, straw with capsules yield /ha., number of capsules and seeds/plant, number of seeds/capsule, seed index, seed yields per plant and per hectare and oil percentage. EM spray significantly increased technical stem length in the first season only, fruiting zone length and fiber length in both seasons.
The interaction among the experimental factors had a significant effect on most characteristics under study, it could be concluded that the highest straw and seed yields were obtained at 50 t FYM /ha. with 714 Kg S/ha. plus spray and with Cetrin, whereas the highest fiber yield was achieved at 50 t FYM /ha. and 714 Kg S/ha. and spray with Nofatrin.


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Keywords: Flax, Linseed, Linum usitatissimum L., fertilizer, farmyard manure, sulphur, foliar application, FYM, EM

ABSTRACT

Two field experiments were conducted at Qalapshoo Agricultural Experimental Research Station, which belong to Bilqas District-Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt during the two growing seasons of 2004 /2005 and 2005 /2006 in sandy soil. The objectives of this study was conducted to study the effect of three organic matter ( farmyard manure, compost and town refuse) in addition to clay at three rates ( 7, 14 and 21 t/ha.).

The most important results revealed that addition of organic matter forms had a significant effect on most characteristics in both seasons. Addition the clay significantly increased fruiting zone length in the first season, technical stem length, fiber yields per plant and per hectare, fiber percentage, fiber length, number of seeds/plant and seed index in both seasons. Adding farmyard manure significantly increased fibers strength and fineness, number of capsules/plant, seed yields per plant as well as per hectare and percentage in both seasons. Town refuse application significantly increased straw yields per plant and per hectare, straw with capsules yield/ha. and number of seeds/capsule in both seasons. Increasing organic fertilizers rate from 7 up to 21 t/ha. significantly increased straw and straw with capsules yields/ha. in first season, technical stem length, straw yield/plant, fiber yields per plant and per hectare, fiber percentage, fiber length, fibers strength and fineness, number of seeds/plant and oil percentage in both seasons, number of capsules/plant and number of seeds/capsule in the second seasons, seed index , seed yields per plant as well as per hectare in the first season. The interactions between the two factors under study on yield and quality of flax variety Sakha 2 were significant in most characteristics in both seasons.

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Keywords: Flax, Linum usitatissimum L., Linseed, Clay, Farmyard manure, Compost, Town refuse, rates, yield and quality

With decreasing water availability for agriculture, and increasing demand for rice, water apply in rice production systems has to be well managed to increase its productivity. This investigation aimed to study the effect of scheduling irrigation based on Class A Pan Evaporation on grain yield and water use of two rice cultivars. Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm of Rice Research and Training Center, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt during 2003 and 2004 summer seasons. The two experiments were laid out in a split plot design, with four replications, where the main plots were occupied by irrigation every six days with applied water equal 1.0 , 1.5 and 2.0 times of accumulative pan evaporation (APE) as well as continuous flooding as a traditional irrigation (check treatment). However, the sub plots were assigned to rice cultivars i.e. Sakha 101 and Sakha 102.
The main results revealed no significant differences in grain yield among irrigation treatments having continuous flooding and irrigation every six days interval with applied water equal 1.5 and 2.0 times of APE . At the same time, they significantly produced higher grain yield and most of its components than irrigation every six days interval with applied water equal 1.0 of APE.
Rice cv. Sakha 101 produced higher dry matter, number of tillers/m2, number of panicls/m2, panicle length, total grains/panicle, sink capacity, panicle weight, and grain yield. However, cv. Sakha 102 surpassed Sakha 101 in plant height and 1000-grain weight. Over both seasons, irrigation water amounts applied were 10495, 13769, 17044, and 15878 m3/ha for irrigation every six days interval with applied water equal 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of APE as well as continuous flooding treatments, respectively. Water requirements for rice cvs. Sakha 101 and Sakha 102 were 14868 and 13725 m3/ha, respectively. Irrigation water applied equal 1.0 of APE had the highest value of water utilization efficiency (WUtE) compared to other irrigation schedules using Class A Pan and the continuous flooding as well. Mean WUtE ranged from 0.659 to 0.704 kg rice/m3 water for Sakha 101, while it was between 0.681 and 0.721 kg rice/m3 water for Sakha 102 in 2003 and 2004 seasons, respectively. The quantity of water used in producing one kg of rice was higher in irrigation every six days with water applied equal 2.0 times of APE, followed by contentious flooding, however, irrigation water every six days with applied equal 1.5 and 1.0 of APE came in between.
Therefore, watering every six days interval with applied water equal 1.5 times of APE using Sakha 101 and Sakha 102 could be applied under shortage of irrigation water.

Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of Rice Research and Training Center (RRTC), Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt, during 2005 and 2006 summer seasons to study the effect of cut-off irrigation dates on grain yield and quality of some Egyptian rice cultivars for determine the optimum timing of last irrigation to rice field. Such experiments were laid out in a split-plot design, with four replications. The main plots consisted of three rice cultivars, viz. Sakha 101, Sakha 102 and Sakha 104, however, the sub-plots were occupied by four cut-off dates of irrigation, viz. termination of irrigation at complete heading, 7, 14 and 21 days after complete heading. The main results revealed that rice cultivars varied in panicle dry matter (g) and panicle growth rate (g/day/panicle) from heading to harvest time under different cut-off dates of irrigation. Panicle growth rate increased at a very fast rate and reached maximum in earlier stages for Sakha 102 and Sakha 104 than for Sakha 101, thereafter the rate of increase was slow, followed by a slight decrease. Sakha 101 recorded significantly the highest grain yield of 8.99 and 9.79 t/ha in 2005 and 2006 seasons, respectively, accompanied with maximum values of panicles number/m2, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, sink capacity, panicle density and panicle grain weight. However, Sakha 102 recorded the highest and significant values of unfilled grain percentage, one thousand grain weight, moisture content in grains, milling recovery (hulling, milling, head rice and broken rice %) and protein content. No significant difference was found between Sakha 102 and Sakha 104 in hulling, milling and head rice percentage. The results, also, showed that delay in withholding of irrigation significantly increased the grain yield and its components (panicle length, no. of grains/panicle, panicle density, panicle grain weight and 1000-grain weight) but, reduced the unfilled grains percentage compared with earlier cut-off dates of irrigation at complete heading. Higher moisture percentage in grains (17.64 and 15.99 %) was recorded when delay last irrigation up to 21 days of heading and resulted in higher head rice recovery (67.36 and 66.91 %) and lower broken rice (5.40 and 6.02 %) in both seasons, respectively, whereas withholding irrigation just after heading reduced moisture content, and increased broken rice recovery. Over both seasons, panicle length, number of spikelets/panicle, sink capacity, panicle grain weight, moisture content and milling recovery (hulling, milling and head rice percentage) showed positive and highly correlation coefficients with grain yield. Also, positive correlation coefficient was found between grain yield with panicle density and protein content. However, unfilled grains and broken rice percentage had negative and highly significant correlation coefficients with grain yield. Generally, withholding of irrigation 21 days after compete heading is considered as the optimum timing of last irrigation to rice field to get high grain yield and quality of rice cultivars under the same conditions of study.

Two field experiments were conducted at Rice Research and Training Center, Sakha Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt in 2004 and 2005 summer seasons to study the effect of balanced fertilizers on productivity of hybrid and inbred rice varieties.
Six fertilizer treatments of N, P, K and Zn were applied as kg/ha. These combinations were as follows 0-0-0-0 (T1), 165-0-0-0 (T2), 165-36-57-0 (T3), 165-36-0-24 (T4), 165-0-57-24 (T5) and 165-36-57-24 (T6) for the four elements, respectively. Split plot design, with four replications, was used. The rice varieties were laid out in the main plots, while fertilizer treatments were in the sub plots. The rice varieties included two hybrids (SK2034 H and SK2047 H) and one inbred (Sakha 104). The results revealed that the hybrids were superior over the inbred in growth characters (dry matter/m2, leaf area index and chlorophyll content), grain yield and yield components. Also, N, P, K and Zn concentrations were higher in grains and straw of hybrids than in those of the inbred. By contrast, Sakha 104 was superior over the hybrids in plant height and 1000-grain weight.
Under the experimental sites, (T6) treatment gave the highest values of dry matter (DM), leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content, plant height, grain and straw yield and yield components (no. of panicles/m2-panicle weight, no. of spikelets/panicle, no. of filled grains/panicle and 1000-grain weight) as well as the highest N, P, K and Zn concentration in grains and straw and ranked first followed by (T3, T4, T5) treatments with insignificant differences existed among them which ranked second. Applying nitrogen only, (T2) treatment was intermediate in these respects.
The interaction between rice cultivars and fertilizer treatments in both seasons were significant for DM, LAI, no. of spikelets/panicle, no. of filled grain/panicle, no. of tillers/m2, no. of panicles/m2 and grain yield (t/ha)
In fact, these results may reveal that the absence of P, K and Zn show significant effect on growth, yield and its components when hybrid and inbred rice varieties were preceded by wheat, therefore, the balanced fertilizers is necessary to increase plant vigor and hence its productivity, as compared with the untreated (control) or missing application of these elements with nitrogen.

Two field experiments were conducted at the Rice Research and Training Center (RRTC), Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt in 2004 and 2005 growing seasons. The present attempt aimed to study the effect of three different spacings (20 x 15, 20 x 20 and 20 x 30 cm) and three number of seedlings/hill (2, 4 and 6 seedling/hill) on growth, grain yield and its components of two rice cultivars (hybrid rice SK2047H and Giza 178, inbred rice). The most important findings of this research could be summarized as follows:
Significant differences were detected between the two rice cultivars in growth, grain yield and its components in the two seasons. The hybrid rice cultivar, SK2047H significantly exceeded the inbred rice cultivar, Giza 178 in growth characters, grain yield and most of its components. Hybrid SK2047H recorded the highest plant height, dry matter production, crop growth rate, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, biomass production, number of panicles/hill, panicles weight, 1000-grain weight, number of filled grains/panicle, grain yield as well as harvest index.
Seedling planted at a sparse spacing (20 x 20 and 20 x 30 cm) produced higher leaf area index (LAI), highest value of light penetration, panicle weight, number of filled grains/panicle, grain filling period than seedling planted at a dense spacing (20 x 15 cm). Closer spacing (20 x 15 cm) gave higher dry weight, crop growth rate (CGR), plant height, sterility percentage than wider spacing. In the same time seedlings plant at 20 x 20 cm was benefit for rice growth and grain yield where, produced the highest number of panicles/hill, biomass yield, grain yield (t/ha) and harvest index.
Crops planted at two seedlings per hill gave significantly higher panicle weight, 1000-grain weight, grains filling period and harvest index (HI). While, six seedlings/hill resulted in lower in panicle weight, 1000-grain weight, number of filled grains/panicle, number of panicle/hill, biomass yield, harvest index and grain yield. In the same time, gave higher dry weight, leaf area index and sterility % compared with two seedlings/hill. Two or four seedlings/hill recorded the highest value of light penetration, number of filled grains/panicle, number of panicles/hill, 1000-grain weight, biomass and grain yield, but, crop growth rate (CGR) and chlorophyll content were not affected.
The interaction between rice cultivars and plant spacings was significant for DM, CGR and light penetration. Also, statistical analysis revealed significant interaction effect between cultivars and no. of seedlings per hill for 1000-grain weight, sterility %, number of panicles/hill and grain yield. In addition, this effect between spacing and number of seedlings/hill was significant for light penetration.
For getting high yield, the hybrid rice (SK2047H) should be transplanted as two seedlings per hill in a 20 x 20 cm spacing. As for the inbred rice (Giza 178), it should be transplanted as four seedlings per hill at the same aforementioned spacing.

Greenhouse and field experiments were carried out in sandy soil at Ismailia Agricultural Experiment Research Station to determine the effect of five soil amendments on peanut yield and its diseases incidence. Yield components and quality in addition to pre-and post-emergence damping-off, pod rot and nematode incidence were determined in two peanut cultivars (Gregory and Giza 6) using split-plot design with four replicates.
The results indicated that the Gregory cultivar surpassed, significantly, Giza 6 regarding plant growth parameters, yield and yield components. It was also less susceptible to pre- and post-emergence damping-off pathogens and nematode infection in 2003 and 2004 growing seasons. Adding gypsum increased plant height, number of branches/plant, 100-seed weight, shelling percentage, pod weight and oil yield followed by farmyard manure and wheat straw for most of these characters.
Fusarium spp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Aspergillus spp., Pythium spp. and Meloidogyne spp. were isolated from peanut cultivated in Ismailia Agric Res. Station. Amending soil with gypsum gave the highest reduction of F. solani, M. phaseolina, R. solani and S. rolfsii incidence on the damped-off seedlings and rotted pods in greenhouse. Also, gypsum was the most effective treatment in the field experiments reducing the pre-, post-emergence damping-off, pod rots and nematode infections in both cultivars in the two tested growing seasons. There was a significant interaction between peanut cultivars and treatments in seven out of eleven studied characters in their combined data.
The foreign cultivar, Gregory, was the best in all characters than the local one, Giza
6, So it is recommended to be cultivated in that area and could be evaluated in other peanut producing areas of Egypt. Also, the promising soil amendments should be considered in the integrated pest management and peanut production enhancement programs.
Key words: soil amendments, peanut, damping-off, pod rots and nematode infection.