This study was conducted during the period from 2016 to 2018. Seven different strains of melon (Cucumis melo L.) were tested for their response to Tetranychus urticae. Data revealed that, all plant growth parameters were affected significantly with infestation of T. urticae; leaf area which considered the main source of mite feeding was the most affected one. However, (L5) had the lowest leaf area (24.98 cm2 ) while (L7) recorded the highest leaf area (41.26 cm). Also, accumulated moving stages in (L2) showed the lowest population density with an average of 1.70 individual /in2 during 4 weeks, of season 2016. During season 2017, the highest leaf area was in hybrids (L4×L1) and (L4×L2) with an average 62.93 and 61.86 cm2 . All hybrids explained three levels of infestation; high level was observed in hybrids (L6×L2), (L5×L2) and (L7×L1) and accumulated the population density of moving stages with an average of 80.70, 70.60 and 61.40 individual /in2 . While medium level was recorded in hybrids (L5×L1 and L7×L2) and the third, low level of infestation was recorded in hybrids (L6×L1, L4×L1, L3×L2, L3×L1 and L4×L2) and moving stages average were 2.70, 3.30, 3.70, 3.90 and 5.30 individual /in2 so these hybrids were resistant to infestation of T .urticae . Regarding horticultural characters obtained data on total yield ranged from 4015.0 to 2185.0 g/plant; (L4) gave the highest value of total yield. Estimates of broad sense heritability were high for all studied traits indicating minor role of the environment. The results showed significant and highly significant mean squares for both general combining ability and specific combining ability in all studied traits, indicating the important role of both additive and non-additive gene effects in the expression of these traits. Highly significant SCA effects in all studied traits were recorded for the crosses (L3×L2), (L5×L2), (L6×L2) and (L3×L1).

The purpose of this study was to estimate heterosis, general and specific combining ability in melon hybrids to identify the best combinations during the period from 2017 to 2019 at the Vegetable Research Farm, Horticultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Kaha and Dokki, Egypt. Six parents and their respective hybrids were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The following traits were assessed of: main stem length, number of leaves, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, flesh thickness, fruit cavity, fruit shape index, TSS and total yield/fed. The heterotic expression for total yield was the most important trait in this investigation. Potence ratio that measured the average of dominance confirmed the partial dominance for plant length and total yield but over-dominance appeared in the other characters. The range of both types of F1 heterosis for studied characters indicated that the expression of heterosis varied according to different crosses and characters investigated. The results showed significant and highly significant mean squares for both GCA and SCA in all studied traits except fruit shape index, indicating the important role of both additive and non-additive gene effects in the expression of these traits. However, a greater ratio of GCA/SCA than unity as detected for number of leaves, fruit diameter, fruit weight, TSS and total yield revealing that the inheritance of these traits mainly was controlled by additive gene action. The estimates of GCA effects in individual parental genotypes of the F'1s generation were significant and highly significant for the most studied traits. However, the crosses (P1×P3) and (P2×P4) achieved highly SCA effects for the most traits in this study, which means that GCA effects of the parents were reflected in the SCA effects in the crosses for the most studied traits.

Twenty four Friesian cows at 2 nd lactating season with average live body weight (LBW) 383 Kg.Animals were randomly distributed into four similar groups (6 animal each), to be fed concentrate feed mixture (CFM) containing cotton seed cake or soybean meal or DDGS as a source of protein in rations B, C and D, respectively compared to that containing each of them in ration A as a control ration.Feeding trial lasted about 210 days and animals fed CFM, berseem hay and rice straw with rate of 60, 25 and 15% respectively.These proportions were chosen to achieve approximately isonitrogenous rations containing a bout 13 % CP.The results obtained showed that digestibility coefficient of OM,CP,EE and NFE for ration D (containing DDGS) showed significant (P<0.05)higher than the others, while differences in DM and CF digestibility were higher significant (P<0.05) with feeding on ration C than A or B but without significant effect with ration D. Feeding values for ration D expressed as TDN (%), DCP (%), DE and ME (M cal / Kg DM) were significant (P<0.05)higher than the other rations.Ration D containing DDGS tended to significant (P<0.05)increased for both actual milk (9.028 kg) and 4% FCM yield (8.906 kg) and improved milk composition and their yields than rations A and B. Feed efficiency as kg DM/Kg actual milk or kg 4% FCM yields was the best with ration D, than the other rations.Ration D showed the cheapest feed cost to get one kg actual milk (2.072 LE) or kg 4% FCM yield (2.100 LE).Also, ration D gave the highest net revenue (35.464LE) and economical efficiency (1.90).The mean values of the NH 3 -N, Total -N and NPN (mg/100ml) concentrations were significant (P<0.05)higher by feeding on ration D. Blood parameters showed that there were no adverse effects, however these parameters were within the normal values.

A field Experiments were carried out during two winter successive seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 at Sakha Agricultural Research Station.Agricultural Research Center at the north region of Delta Egypt, to illustrate the importance of studying sowing dates of some wheat cultivars.Ten cultivars of bread wheat (Sakha 93, Sakha 94, Giza 168, Misr 1, Misr 2, Gemmeiza 9, Gemmeiza 11, Sids12, Shandawel 1 and Giza 171) were sown at 20 th October, 20 th November and 20 th December.Sowing date were separated and wheat cultivars were distributed randomly in the every experiment.The results indicated that there were significant differences among the three sowing dates for all studied traits in both seasons.Sowing on 20 th October recorded the lowest days to heading and straw yield, longest time to maturity.Meanwhile, sowing on 20 st November recorded the tallest plants, highest number of spikes/m 2 , number of grains/spike and grain yield.On the other hand, sowing on 20 th December recorded the decreases in yield and increases in protein percentage.The differences among bread wheat cultivars were significant in both seasons.Misr 2 recorded the highest number of days to heading and maturity.Sakha 94 recorded the highest number of tillers/m 2 .Giza 171 produced the highest values for 1000-grain weight.Misr 2 and Sakha 94 recorded the highest number of grains/spike and straw yield.Meanwhile, Misr 1 and Gemmeiza 9 recorded the highest grain and straw yields/Fed.Giza 168 recorded the highest values for both of harvest index and protein percentage.Sakha 94 recorded the highest number of days to heading and maturity and plant height when sowing on 20 November.Gemmeiza 11and Giza 171 recorded the highest values for 1000-grain weight in two seasons when sowing on 20 November.It can be concluded that sowing Giza 168 and Misr 1 on different sowing dates, sowing Gimaza 9, Gemmeiza 11, Shandaweel 1 and Giza 171 on optimum date and sowing Misr 2 on the late date are recommended for optimum grain at Kafr elsheikh area.

This study aimed to use dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a replacement of yellow corn in sheep rations. The trial was carried out at Animal House of Animal Production Research Institute; Agriculture Research Center, Egypt. Laboratory evaluation of seven concentrate feed mixtures (CFM) containingDDGS at the rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% was carried out. Rations with 10, 20 and 30% DDGS as the best dry matter (DMD) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) were chosen to be used in total mixed rations and were compared with control ration in digestibility and feeding trials. Twenty-four Rahmany lambs averaging 22.79 kg live body weight (LBW) were chosen and randomly divided into four similar groups (6 in each) and assigned to receive four experimental rations (A,B,C and D rations) containing CFM with rate of 0, 10, 20 and 30% DDGS respectively. Additionally, berseem hay (BH) and rice straw (RS) beside CFM were offered to all animals during the trial at therate of 25: 25: 50, respectively. The feeding trial lasted 150 days. Body weight changes and feed intake were recorded as well as feed and economical efficiencies were estimated. Also, four digestibility trials were carried out to determine the digestibility and nutritive values of the experimental rations. Samples of rumen liquer and blood serum were taken to measure some rumen and blood parameters. The results showed that: 1- The chemical composition of experimental rations containing different levels of DDGS was almost similar in DM, OM and NFE. It showed somewhat higher in CP and EE% and lower CF% with increasing DDGS levels. 2- Increasing DDGS level up to 30% significantly (P<0.05) increased DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE digestibilities, while increasing DDGS from 10 to 20% appeared to have higher nutrient digestibility with no significant differences, except for NFE digestibility. 3- All experimental rations containing DDGS (rations B, C and D) have higher nutritive values compared with control ration (ration A). Ration D containing 30% DDGS had thethe highest (P<0.05) values for TDN (64.15%) and DCP (9.36%) while there were no significances in the DE (2.83 MCal/ Kg DM) was not significant. 4- Averages daily gains were 109, 116, 124 and 137 gm/day for animals fed rations A,B, C and D, respectively, showing highly significantly (P<0.05) higher gains for lambs given ration D. Increasing DDGS levels from 10 to 20% increased LBW gains with no significant differences. However, the improvements in daily gains were 6.42, 13.76 and 25.69% with rations B,C and D, respectively. 5- Feed utilization efficiency expressed as kg DM or TDN per Kg gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher with ration D containing 30% DDGS, while increasing DDGS from 10 to 20% improved feed efficiency, but not significantly. However, increasing DDGS levels in experimental rations had no significant effecton utilization efficiency of DCP. Moreover, animals fed ration D (containing 30% DDGS) gave the highest gross margin, revenue and economical efficiency with the lowest feed cost per kg weight gain. 6- Animals fed rations containing DDGS (rations B, C and D) showed normal values of rumen and blood parameters with no adverse effects on animal performance. Generally, it may be concluded that inclusion DDGS in the rations of growing lambs at the rate of 30% tended to increase all nutrient digestibilities and nutritive values. Moreover, lambs fed ration containing 30% DDGS had higher weight gain, better fed utilization efficiency and lowest feed cost. The highest gross margin and revenue were recorded for the 30% DDGS rations with no adverse effect on ruminal and blood parameters.

The field experiment was conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, ARC, Egypt during 2008/09 and 2009/10 wheat growing seasons.Eight genotypes of bread wheat were evaluated under irrigated as well as water stress with nitrogen fertilizer rates; 25, 50 and 75 kg N/fad.This study was performed as split-split plot design using four replications.Measurements were taken on grain yield and related traits.The stress susceptibility index was calculated.The results show that irrigation regime had highly significant effects on all characters, except for kernel weight in the second season.Moreover, all characters differed significantly among N application rates at active except for kernel weight in the second season.Highly significant genotype differences occurred for all characters in both seasons.Sids 12 recorded the highest grain yield in both seasons.Plants fertilized with 75 kg N/fad under normal irrigation recorded the highest grain yield compared with those under stress treatment in the first season.Sids 13 recorded the highest number of spikes/m 2 under normal irrigation in the first season.Line 2 recorded the heaviest kernel weight under normal irrigation without differences with Line 1 and Gemmeiza 11 under the same condition of irrigation in the first season.The highest number of kernels per spike was obtained from Sids 12 under normal irrigation in 2008/09 season.Sids 12, Shandaweel 1 and Sids 13 recorded the highest grain yield under normal irrigation in 2008/09 season.Sids 12 recorded the highest number of kernels per spike under 75 kg N/fad in the second season.Line 2, Sakha 93, Giza 168 and Sids 13 were the most tolerant genotype showing least reduction in grain yield (the lowest value of stress susceptibility index).In conclusion, these cultivars could be used in wheat breeding program to develop new bread wheat cultivars tolerant to water stress.