The present investigation were conducted over two consecutive seasons (2020 and 2021) in a private vineyard located at El-Sadat Region, Menoufiya Governorate, Egypt on ‘Early Sweet’ grapevines. Two field experiments were carried out, the first to assess the impact of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) on soil hydraulic properties. The second experiment to assess the effect of SAP on the growth, quality, yield, and water use efficiency of ‘Early Sweet’ grapevines under different levels of irrigation water, where the soil was treated with 900, 600, 300, or 0 g SAP/vine/season, and different levels of irrigation (100%, 80%, and 60% ETc). The results of the first experiment showed an improvement in the hydraulic properties of the soil, which increased with increasing SAP doses, which can reduce the amount of irrigation water. The results of the second experiment revealed that the percentage of bud burst was increased gradually by decreasing irrigation water level and increasing SAP doses. As for bud fruitful, 80% ETc recorded the highest values using the application of 900 and 600 g SAP doses. Moreover, the application of 900g SAP under 80% ETc gave the highest values of growth parameters (shoot length, leaves number/shoot, total leaf surface area/vine, coefficient of wood ripening, chlorophyll content and leaf mineral constituents). Furthermore, the results showed that the physical and chemical characteristics of berries and clusters were increased by increasing SAP doses under 80% ETc. Concerning the yield and water use efficiency, the application of 900g SAP under 80% ETc gave the highest significant values.

Study region: The Nile Delta, EgyptStudy focus: Shallow groundwater (GW) and soil salinity are major issues for irrigated agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, but more research is needed to link both issues with evapotranspiration. Satellite-based evapotranspiration from Landsat images (ETLS) has the potential to be an efficient method of estimating evapotranspiration (ET), which can integrate ETLS with groundwater and soil salinity, particularly in data-scarce areas. This study examines shallow GW and soil salinity effects on crop water use in the North Nile Delta during the summer season of 2017 and winter season of 2017/2018.New hydrological insights for the region: The ETLS was moderately affected by groundwater depth (GWD), decreasing from 4.3 to 4.0 mm day 1 when GWD was reduced from 75 to 120 cm, then increasing to 4.4 mm day 1 when GWD was increased to 140 cm. The study also highlighted a significant negative correlation between ETgw and GWD; which increased with shallower GW (>75 cm) and then decreased with deeper GW. The shallower the GW, the greater the contribution to crop water requirements, with GW contributing 1.6 and 1.7 mm day 1 for seed melon and cotton, respectively, while GW contributed 0.9 mm day 1 for sugar beet and 1.3 mm day 1 for wheat and clover. The study's findings highlight the importance of remote sensing and GIS techniques for quickly and cheaply assessing the impact of shallow GW and soil salinity on evapotranspiration over large geographic areas.

Soil salinity and sodicity are significant issues worldwide. In particular, they represent the most dominant types of degraded lands, especially in arid and semi-arid regions with minimal rainfall. Furthermore, in these areas, human activities mainly contribute to increasing the degree of soil salinity, especially in dry areas. This study developed a model for mapping soil salinity and sodicity using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). It also provided salinity management techniques (leaching and gypsum requirements) to ameliorate soil and improve crop productivity. The model results showed a high correlation between the soil electrical conductivity (ECe) and remote-sensing spectral indices SIA, SI3, VSSI, and SI9 (R2 = 0.90, 0.89, 0.87, and 0.83), respectively. In contrast, it showed a low correlation between ECe and SI5 (R2 = 0.21). The salt-affected soils in the study area cover about 56% of cultivated land, of which the spatial distribution of different soil salinity levels ranged from low soil salinity of 44% of the salinized cultivated land, moderate soil salinity of 27% of salinized cultivated land, high soil salinity of 29% of the salinized cultivated land, and extreme soil salinity of 1% of the salinized cultivated land. The leaching water requirement (LR) depths ranged from 0.1 to 0.30 m ha−1, while the gypsum requirement (GR) ranged from 0.1 to 9 ton ha−1.

Gamma radiation was successfully utilized to formulate conducting polyaniline/glycidyl methacrylate containing TiO 2 [(PANI/GMA)-TiO 2 ]. The pattern of X-ray diffraction of the produced polymers indicated the existence of TiO 2 inside the composite, with peaks connected to the TiO 2 centred at 2ϴ = 25.3°, 27.5°, 37°, 38°, 41.37°, 48.1°, 54.26°, and 55.2°. The interaction between TiO 2 and PANI/GMA caused the distinctive FTIR peaks of PANI to shift to a higher wavenumber in [(PANI/ GMA)-TiO 2 ] nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to evaluate these composites’ morphological and structural aspects. The thermal stability tests utilizing thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrated that the inclusion of TiO 2 leads to enhancing thermal stability. The electrical conductivity of the material as determined by the LCR Meter was around 10 -3 (S/cm), indicating that it might be used as an electro-conductive substance.

The availability of irrigation water needs to be modified by some irrigation management and the application of water-rationalizing strategies.Therefore, field experiments were conducted in two successive winter sessions during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 at Sakha Agricultural Research Station Farm, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt.This research was carried out to study the effect of irrigation number/season ie.using only sowing irrigation (I1), sowing irrigation+ one irrigation (I2) and sowing irrigation+ two irrigations (I3) and application of some soil amendments (zeolite and compost) and their combinations on some soil properties, some water relations and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Giza 2000.Results showed that the values of seasonal water applied, actual consumptive use (CU) out of two seasons took the following descending order: I3 > I2 > I1.While, I1 gave the highest values of water productivity (WP), and irrigation water productivity (IWP).The plots that received sowing irrigation+ two irrigations (I3) with zeolite+compost showed a pronounced improvement of soil salinity (ECe), Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), soil bulk density (BD), soil basic infiltration rate (IR), and yield and its components of barley.The application of zeolite and compost alleviated the adverse effect of drought on soil properties and barley productivity.

A Soil Sustainability Index (SSI) is developed based on integration of Soil Degradation Rate (SDR), Soil Fertility Index (SFI), Soil Quality Index (SQI) and Soil Resilience Rate (SRR). SDI, SRR, SQI, and SFI resemble in being measurable from soil attributes that reveal the soil-environment functionality. This approach index was calculated based on four vertices, which are represented by the SDR and SRR exploring the inherent soil properties, SOI; capacity of the soil to function, and SFI; the presence of adequately available plant nutrients. The four studied indices were categorized as low, moderate and high classes with percentages of total area for the study area for SFI being: 4.01, 54.46, 31.21%; and for SQI: 19.26, 30.27, 40.15%; while for SDR: 34.00, 29.19, 26.48%; and SRR: 17.80, 56.99 and 14.89%. The SSI was calculated to assess the current state of the soil under the influence of different agricultural management practices. It depends on the area of the square where SQI, SFI, SDR and SRR are the four vertices of the square. The proposed SSI equation obtaining results of: 7.65, 41.88, and 40.15% of total area as low, moderate and high classes, respectively. This work obtained new formula and definition for soil sustainability.

Two field experiments were conducted at the Sakha Agric. Res. Station Farm, Kafr El-Sheikh Gov., North Nile Delta to assess the influence of the alternate furrow irrigation on water conservation and maize productivity during two consecutive summer seasons (2019 and 2020). The location is located at 31 0 -07' N Latitude, 30 0 -57'E Longitude, with an elevation of around 6 m above mean sea level. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four repetitions was used to cultivate maize (Giza 310). Irrigation was applied to furrows in three ways: a) watering every furrows (traditional irrigation) with 15-day interval (EFI 15 ), b) alternate irrigation (watering every other furrows) 10-day interval (A1/1E 10 ), and c) alternative irrigation one by one fixed (A1/1C 10 ). During the growing season, one furrow is irrigated while the other is left unwater next door. The following is a summary of the findings: 1-The highest maize yield (3945.55 kg fed -1 ) was obtained with A1/1E 10 treatment, while the lowest yield (3703.5 kg fed -1 ) was recorded with the EFI 15 system. 2-A1/1E 10 was the best irrigation treatment since it achieved the highest grain yield and saved irrigation water by about 19.8% (663.5 m 3 ) compared to the traditional irrigation treatment (EFI 15 ). 3- Alternate irrigation (A1/1E 10 ) recorded the highest values of oil and protein % in grain and increased the benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and net return (NR) as compared with other irrigation regimes. 4-In addition, A1/1C 10 treatment achieved the highest water productivity (1.92 kg/m 3 ).

Aims: In the long run, reusing low-quality water in Egypt's agricultural sector directly or after mixing with fresh water to compensate for water supply constraints can be hazardous to plants and soil. As a result, some appropriate management must be considered. For this reason, a field experiment was implemented in winter seasons 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 at Sakha Agric. Res. Station Farm, Kafr El-Sheikh Gov., Egypt. This study aims to assess the impacts of zeolite and vermicompost as well their combinations on alleviation of low-quality water impacts on physicochemical properties of clayey soil and wheat productivity. Study Design: complete randomized block design with three replicates. Results: The application of 2.40 Mg Z ha-1 was found to be the most effective on soil properties and plant growth. This treatment reduced soil EC, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, and ESP values the most (52.90 percent, 83.21 percent, 30.43 percent, 6.04 percent, 91.82 percent, 19.83 percent, and 70.73 percent, respectively), while increasing the K+ value by 32.47 percent. It also achieved the highest increases in plant height, 1000-grain weight, grain, and straw yields (35.92%, 9.60%, 42.77%, and 25.61%, respectively) when compared to untreated soil. With 2.40 Mg VC ha-1, the greatest changes in bulk density, total porosity, and CEC (-9.23, 9.30, and 10.54 percent, respectively) were obtained. The applications of 1.80 Mg Z with 0.6 Mg VC ha-1 and 0.6 Mg Z ha-1 with 1.80 Mg VC ha-1, on the other hand, resulted in the greatest increases in soil moisture content, drainable pores (DP), and water holding pores (WHP). Furthermore, 0.6 Mg Z combined with 1.80 Mg VC ha-1 significantly increased the available N, P, and K in the soil. The addition of 2.4 tons Z/ha increased the WP and resulted in a high economically appealing wheat. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the application of Z and VC is a new strategy for alleviating abiotic stress and improving wheat growth. Z application was more effective than VC on improving soil physicochemical properties and improving the water productivity and achieve high economical attractiveness wheat irrigated by low-quality water.

Co-polymeric hydrogels containing poly (Acrylamide /Epichlorohydrine) P(AAm/EPI) with different acrylamide and Epichlorohydrine content were fabricated by gamma radiation at different irradiation doses as adsorbent materials for wastewater treatment. The mechanisms of radiation-induced crosslinking of hydrogel in aqueous solution has been evaluated. The gel contents and the swelling/diffusion kinetic parameters were evaluated at different irradiation doses, and the result confirm a non-fichian mechanism. The shape, surface morphology, and porosity of P (AAm/ Epi) hydrogel were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Adsorption experiments were carried out for the removal of sulphate and phosphate ions from wastewater using P(AAm/EPI) hydrogels as adsorbent materials. The isotherm data were analyzed by Freundlich equation. The equilibrium isotherm results show a better fitting (R2 > 0.9) to the Freundlich model for all anions. The calculated regeneration efficiency (%) values of sulphate and phosphate ions found to be ranged between 63.2 (%) and 46 (%).The relatively higher regeneration efficiency (%) and keeping the hydrogels its shape without any deformation promising to use the same hydrogels further times which decrease the economic cost.

Soil salinity and climate change have a negative impact on global food production and security, especially in arid regions with limited water resources. Despite the importance of planting methods, irrigation, and soil amendments in improving crop yield, their combined impact on saline soil properties and cereal crop yield is unknown. Therefore, the current study investigated the combined effect of soil amendments (i.e., compost, C and zeolite, Z) and planting methods such as raised bed (M1) and conventional (M2), and different fractions of leaching requirements from irrigation water, such as 5% (L1) and 10% (L2), on the soil physio-chemical properties and wheat and maize productivity in an arid region. The combined application of C + Z, L2, and M1 decreased soil salinity (EC) and sodicity (ESP) after wheat production by 37.4 and 28.0%, respectively, and significantly decreased by these factors by 41.0 and 43.0% after a maize growing season. Accordingly, wheat and maize yield increased by 16.0% and 35.0%, respectively under such a combination of treatments, when compared to crops grown on unamended soil, irrigated with lower leaching fraction and planted using conventional methods. This demonstrates the significance of using a combination of organic and inorganic amendments, appropriate leaching requirements and the raised bed planting method as an environmentally friendly approach to reclaiming saline soils and improving cereal crop production, which is required for global food security.

The preparation of interpenetrating hydrogel networks (IPN) based on cross-linked poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone/Dextran) P(NVP/Dex) and poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone/Dextran)-Ag nanocomposites P(NVP/Dex)-Ag prepared by gamma radiation. Highly stable and uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles have been obtained within hydrogel networks as nanoreactors via in situ reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as reducing agent. The formation of P(NVP/Dex)-Ag has been confirmed by fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The ultraviolet visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy measurements show a distinct characteristic absorption peaks around 420 nm indicating the formation of silver nanoparticles. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results confirm the increase in thermal stability by incorporation of silver nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and dynamic light scattering (DLS) results demonstrate that the hydrogels have regulated the silver nanoparticles size to a nanoscale with a range between 9.9–15.1 nm and 47.1–73.7 nm respectivelly. The combination of silver nanoparticles with Doxorubicin (DOX) as a model of antitumor drug forms a new biocompatible nano-drug. Our results show that, the mixing of silver nanoparticles with Doxorubicin can effectively increase the antitumor activity and enhance the cytotoxicity.

A facile one step phytosynthesis technique was used to prepare Ag-RGO nanocomposites with different silver loading ratios up to 30% Ag-RGO by weight using pomegranate peel extract (PPE) as reducing and capping agent. These green synthesized Ag-RGO nanocomposites were characterized using XRD, Raman and TEM techniques. The adsorption capacity of Ag-RGO is evaluated under variable experimental conditions such as; contact time, a dosage of adsorbent and initial concentration of heavy metals. The adsorption kinetic data were studied, and the uptake process was well described by the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and Pseudo second-order kinetic model.

Gamma radiation synthesis of Polyaniline/glycidyl methacrylate [P(ANI/GMA)] and Polyaniline/glycidyl methacrylate/Ag2O (P(ANI/GMA)-Ag2O were prepared by adding different concentrations of AgNO3 to the prepared Polyaniline/glycidyl methacrylate. The formation of the function groups of P(ANI/GMA) and P(ANI/ GMA)-Ag2O nanocomposites have been investigated by FT-IR. The X-ray patterns of P(ANI/GMA)-Ag2O nanocomposites showed more than crystalline peaks proving the existence of Ag2O nanoparticles within the polymeric composite at 2 theta = 27.7 degrees and 32.3 degrees. The surface morphology and the average particle size of the prepared P (ANI/GMA) and P(ANI/GMA)/Ag2O nanocomposites have been determined using Scan electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM), respectively. The results indicate that the spherical form of Ag2O nanocomposites is predominant with average size 3.57, 5.7 and 10.3 nm for AgNO3 contents 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5%. The particle size measured by DLS was found to be 78.82 and 81.68 nm for P(ANI/GMA) and P(ANI/ GMA)-Ag2O (0.3%), respectively. The electrical conductivity of P(ANI/GMA) not only increased by adding Ag2O but also by increasing Ag2O contents. The results showed that the electrical conductivity of P(ANI/GMA) increases from 1.343 x 10(-3) to 0.181 x 10(-2) S/cm for Ag2O contents (0.3 and 0.5)%, respectively. The aforementioned results suggest the possibility for use of P (ANI/GMA) - Ag2O nanocomposites in different industrial applications including solar cells and charge storage.

Dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate was grafted onto chitosan using gamma irradiation technique. The grafting (%) was increased with irradiation dose increment. The presences of Cu+2 and Ag+ with different concentrations (1 and 2%) in the properties of composites were examined. The prepared copolymers composites were characterized by FTIR, TGA, SEM, XRD and the electrical conductivity. The TGA indicates improvement of thermal stability for chitosan-g-PDMAEMA/metals ions composite. Crystallinity and swelling (%) of the grafted samples decreased with increasing the grafting level. Also the electrical conductivity chitosan-g-PDMAEMA/Ag+ (2%) composite have enhanced properties than original chitosan-g-PDMAEMA and chitosan-g-PDMAEMA/Cu+2 copolymers composite.

In Egypt, surface irrigation and irrigation till the tail end of the furrows or borders are commonly used with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and other crops, but they lead to poor aeration and ineffective use of water and fertilizers. Therefore, raised beds planting method and cut-off irrigation improve wheat productivity and raise water and fertilizer use efficiencies. A field experiment was carried out in two winter growing seasons (2017/18 and 2018/19) at Sakha Agricultural Research Station Farm, Kafr EL-sheikh Governorate. The objective was to evaluate the impact of raised bed and irrigation cut-off on growth and yield of wheat (Misr-1 variety), some water relations and the contribution of ground water table on water consumption. A split plot design was used with three replicates. The main plots were occupied by raised bed treatments: farmer's conventional flat planting method (F1), furrow 60 cm width (F2) and furrow 120 cm width (F3). The sub plots were devoted to irrigation cut-off treatments: cut-off at 100% of strip length, C100% (control), cut-off at 90% of strip length (C90%) and cut-off at 80% of strip length (C80%). The results revealed that C90% combined with F3 achieved the lowest values of seasonal applied water and water consumptive use and the highest values of water productivity (9.69 L.E m-3), water application efficiency (Ea) and grain and straw yields. On the other hand, C80% recorded the highest contribution value of ground water table (CGWT) of water consumption (21.4%), leading to increase of water saving. (with 34.05% increase)

Radiation synthesis of reverse osmosis membranes were carried out by grafting of N-Isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) and ZnO nanoparticles incorporation onto polyamide thin film composite reverse osmosis membranes PA(TFC). The effect of monomer concentration, radiation time and concentration of ZnO nanoparticles on the grafting percent were investigated. The properties of the prepared grafted reverse osmosis membranes were characterized by using different analytical tools such as contact angles goniometer, Fourier transform IR (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The performance of the reverse osmosis process of the neat and the modified PA(TFC) membranes in terms of water flux and salt rejection (%) was investigated. The chlorine and biofouling resistance properties of the neat and the modified PA(TFC) membrane were evaluated. It is found that, the performance of the modified ZnO NPs/P(NIPAM)-g-PA(TFC) membrane is much better than the neat PA(TFC) membrane.

Cotton textile grafted by chitosan hydroxyethyl methacrylate has been prepared by gamma radiation as a polymeric stabilizer for ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The grafting percent and swelling property of the prepared grafted polymer in bi-distilled water were studied and the results showed that the swelling percent of the plain textile is higher than that of all different compositions. The morphology and structure of plain textile, grafted textile and nano-ZnO/grafted textile were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The presence of ZnO in the prepared samples was examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The particle size of the formed ZnO NPs has been estimated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate the nanoscale of the ZnO particles. Nano-ZnO/grafted textile was tested against some pathogenic strains, and the results show that the nano-ZnO/grafted textile was able to attenuate bacterial growth of MRSA and Klebsiella pneumoniae after 24 h of direct contact. Also, release of potassium ions, loss of absorbing materials and decrease of membrane surface potential were noticed, indicating alteration of cell membrane permeability. Furthermore, SEM observation showed bacterial cell deformation for growth on the nano-ZnO/grafted textile. These results have been promising in the antibacterial field.

Polyaniline/glycidyl methacrylate P(ANI/GMA) and Polyaniline/glycidyl methacrylate-TiO2 [P(ANI/GMA)-TiO2] nanocomposite materials have been prepared by gamma radiation. The synthesized polymers were characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) which proving the existence of TiO2 nanoparticles within the composite and the peaks related to the TiO2 nanoparticles centered at 2θ = 25.3°, 27.5°, 37°, 38°, 41.37°, 48.1°, 54.26°, and 55.2°. The characteristic FTIR peaks of P(ANI) are shifted to a higher wave number in P(ANI/GMA)-TiO2 nanocomposites due to interaction between TiO2 and P(ANI/GMA). Morphological and structural properties of these composites have also been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal stability studies using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed that the introduction of TiO2 leads to increase the thermal stability. TEM image of P(ANI/GMA)-TiO2 indicate that the particle size of TiO2 was found to be with mean sizes 19 and 60 nm at TiO2 content (0.1 and 0.5)%. The electrical conductivity measured using LCR Meter was around 10−3 S/cm which can be a good candidate as electro-conductive material.