The improvement of saline and sodic soils aims to reduce the dissolved salts in the soil solution. In this context, an integrated management approach is required, which not only improves its effectiveness in improving soil properties but also increases water productivity and yields. To mitigate the negative effects of soil salinity, improvement of soil properties and yield –water productivity of rice plant, a field trial was carried out at El-Hamoul region, Kafer El-Sheikh, Egypt, during the summer seasons of 2019 and 2020. The experiments were conducted in split plot design, with three replicates. The main plots were assigned to soil amendments (control, compost (C) 10.0 Mg ha-1, gypsum (G) 100% from gypsum requirement 13.512 Mg ha-1 and G+C).Sub main plots were assigned to foliar application (control (tap water), compost tea (50 L ha-1), proline (3.6 g ha-1), and combination of compost tea + proilne). Generally, results showed that the impacts of main plots were in the following order: compost + gypsum ˃ gypsum ˃ compost ˃ control in both growing seasons. Also, soil amendments had a significant effect on decreasing some soil chemical properties i.e. pH, EC, ESP and increasing of CEC compared control treatment. The treatment compost +gypsum more pronounced the other treatment on soil bulk density and total porosity. Soil basic infiltration rate (IR) and hydraulic conductivity (K) high significantly increased by application of compost, gypsum and gypsum + compost and recorded the highest value by application of compost + gypsum. Chlorophyll, proline content, 1000-grain weight, straw and grain yield of rice were significant increased and recorded the highest values due to the interaction between compost + gypsum and foliar of compost tea and proline during two growing seasons. Water productivity (WP) and productivity of irrigation water (PIW) for grain yield of rice were high significantly increased and recorded the highest values due to the interaction between soil amendments, compost tea and proline. Total return, net return, benefit cost ratio and total return from water unit for rice yield were significant increased with treatment and recorded highest values due the interaction compost + gypsum and foliar  application of compost tea and proline.

This study provides a theoretical framework for the role of renewable energy in mitigating the climate change in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The abundancy of renewable resources and widely accessible technology are the key drivers for the renewable energy business in the GCC. However, lack of effective policies and regulations, along with subsidized fuel prices, are slowing down the implementation of renewable resource options. This study will illustrate the potential, the challenges, and the barriers of implementing renewable energy technologies in the GCC region. In addition, this research empirically examines the impact of renewable energy sources and other factors in the GCC countries in reducing the carbon dioxide emissions, using pooled ordinary least square regression analysis with fixed effect specification. The results indicate that renewable energy consumption, GDP per capita, and electrical power consumption have a statistically significant impact on CO 2 emissions.

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Irrigation with intensive intercropping, in water scarce region is evaluated and optimized. Water productivity (WP) is taken as an indicator and quantified. A field experiment was carried out in Sakha Agricultural Research Station in Egypt during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons. A split plot design was applied, main plots were devoted for irrigation treatments of two (I1), three (I2) and four (I3) irrigations. Whereas fennouil, red radish and brassica crops were intercropped with faba bean in the sub-plots. Results showed that the highest yield and yield attributes of faba bean were obtained from irrigation treatment of I3, faba bean with fennouil intercropping and the interaction between faba bean intercropping with fennouil and irrigation treatment of I3 in both seasons. Water consumptive use was increased by 17% and 24% after irrigation treatment of I2 and I3 compared to I1. Applied water were reduced by 21.6% and 8.2% for I1 and I2 compared to I3. The highest value of WP was obtained from the interaction between irrigation treatment I3 and faba bean with fennouil intercropping. It could be concluded that applying the interaction of I1 and faba bean with fennouil intercropping, because it saved significant amount of irrigation water and enhanced water productivity.

This study included was conducted during 2017 and 2018 seasons on 21year-old Balady mandarin trees (Citrus reticulata) budded on sour orange rootstock grown, to investigate the possibility of reducing the amount of mineral fertilizers by using organic and biofertilizers of Balady Mandarin trees. Trees planted at 5x5 meters, grown in clay loam with and irrigated by flood irrigation system. Seven fertilization treatments were applied as follows: 100% mineral NPK fertilizers (control), 100% organic fertilizers (enrichment compost with two natural rocks, rock phosphate and feldspar), 100% biofertilizers (nitrobien, phosphorien and potassiumag), 50% mineral fertilizers + 50% organic fertilizers, 50% mineral fertilizers + 50% biofertilizers, 50% organic fertilizers + 50% biofertilizers and 33.3% mineral fertilizers + 33.3% organic fertilizers + 33.3% biofertilizers. The results indicated that there is a possibility of using organic and biofertilizers as a partial substitute of mineral fertilizers. As this study confirmed the application of mineral, organic and bio-fertilizers at equal ratios (1:1:1) was the best management system for ensuring the best vegetative growth traits, achieving the highest yield with its components, improving the physical and chemical characteristics of fruits and increasing leaf mineral content of Balady Mandarin trees.

Water is the basis of life. The plants have different water needs. Sunflower is one of the most important oil crop in Egypt and 3 rd in the world. In light of the limited water resources available and the problems of marketing and export, studies are being conducted seriously to find solutions to get the maximum benefit from the crop and give the highest yield. In this study, the impact of skipping irrigation on sunflower yield, protein, oil, crop-water relations as well as crop-water functions was evaluated. Both productivity parameters were determined regarding seed yield, protein and oil content. Results showed that skipping the second irrigation following sowing (SIFS) recorded several advantages such as: nearly the same yield as obtained with full irrigation, 9% water saving and the highest water productivity in connection with consumptive use (WP) and productivity of irrigation water (PIW) with low effect on seed yield, protein and oil content.

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