In 2007, five maize inbred lines were crossed in all possible combinations without reciprocals by using a half diallel crosses mating design to obtain 10 single cross. Inbred parents and their F1 single crosses were evaluated through 2008 season to evaluate the role of general and specific combining ability and heterosis for some agronomic traits. Results indicated that mean squares of genotypes were highly significant for all studied traits, i.e., ear diameter, ear length, number of kernels/row, 100-kernel weight, ear yield per plant, grain yield per plant and shelling percentage. General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) mean squares were highly significant for all studied traits. The GCA/SCA ratio was less than unity for all studied traits; this means that these traits are predominantly controlled by non-additive gene action. Significant positive GCA effects were found for all studied traits. Based on GCA estimates, it could be concluded that the best combiners were Rg5 and Rg8 inbred lines for most of studied traits. This result indicated that these inbred lines could be considered as good combiners for improving these traits. Significant positive SCA effects were found for all studied traits. Based on SCA effects, it could be concluded that the best crosses for ear diameter and 100-kernels weigh was G507AxG516; for ear length was G516xRg8; for kernels number/row was G516xG278; for ear yield/plant, grain yield/plant and Shelling percentage was G278xRg5. These crosses could be selected and used in breeding programs for improving these traits. Results showed positive significant heterosis values for all studied traits. The best crosses over both their mid-parents and better-parents for ear diameter and 100-kernel weigh was G507AxG516; for ear length and kernels number/row was G516xG278; for ear yield/plant and grain yield/plant was G278xRg8 and for Shelling percentage was G278xRg5.

In 2007, five maize inbred lines were crossed in all possible combinations without reciprocals by using a half diallel crosses mating design to obtain 10 single cross. Inbred parents and their F1 single crosses were evaluated through 2008 season to evaluate the role of general and specific combining ability and heterosis for some agronomic traits. Results indicated that mean squares of genotypes were highly significant for all studied traits i.e. ear diameter, ear length, number of kernels/row, 100-kernel weight, ear yield per plant, grain yield per plant and shelling percentage. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares were highly significant for all studied traits. The GCA/SCA ratio was less than unity for all studied traits; this means that these traits are predominantly controlled by nonadditive gene action. Significant positive GCA effects were found for all studied traits. Based on GCA estimates, it could be concluded that the best combiners were Rg5 and Rg8 inbred lines for most of studied traits. This result indicated that these inbred lines could be considered as good combiners for improving these traits. Significant positive SCA effects were found for all studied traits. Based on SCA effects, it could be concluded that the best crosses for ear diameter and 100kernels weigh was G507A X G516 for ear length was G516 X Rg8 for kernels number/row was G516 X G278 for ear yield/plant, grain yield/plant and Shelling percentage was G278 X Rg5. These crosses could be selected and used in breeding programs for improving these traits. Results showed positive significant heterosis values for all studied traits. The best crosses over both their mid-parents and better-parents for ear diameter and 100-kernel weigh was G507A x G516 for ear length and kernels number/row was G516 x G278; for ear yield/plant and grain yield/plant was G278 x Rg8 and for Shelling percentage was G278 x Rg5.

Extremely declining zinc is so prevalent in soils particularly in Egypt and affects the production of rice. Field trials were performed at El-Senblawin, Dakahlia Governorate 2017 and 2018 seasons to evaluate the influences of different methods of Zn application on rice growth and yield characteristics. The experiment included Zn seed soaking and foliar applications. Soaking treatments, 0, 50, 100, 200 mg/L ZnSO4, and recommend mineral & Zinc nanoparticle treatments as foliar, 0, 30, 60 mg/L, and zinc sulphate. Split plot design were used in three replications. Results showed significant in two seasons at seed soaking and foliar treats. The seed soaking in 200 mg/L ZnSO4 increased plant height, tillers/hill, grains/panicle, weight of grains/panicle, 1000 kernel weight, and total grain yield (t/fed) of rice among the different of Zn application in two seasons. Use 60 mg/L as foliar is significant seedling development. Also, demonstrated by a positive association between the Zn concentration in germinating seeds and the combined roots and shooting of dry weight after foliar Zn. Four foliar Zn treatments (ZnSO4) were applied to rice plants at different stages of growth. The interaction between seed soaking 200 and foliar 60 mg/L ZnSO4 boost agronomic traits. To conclude, Zn in rice seed can be effectively raised by foliar and soaking. Seeds with high Zn provide both agronomic and nutritional benefits. Since wide spread occurrence of Zn deficiency in human populations is associated with low dietary Zn intake, special attention should be paid to foliar treatments in rice.

In 2016 five maize inbred lines were crossed in all possible combinations without reciprocals by using a half diallel crosses mating design to obtain 10 single crosses. Parental inbred lines and their F 1 single crosses were evaluated through 2017 season to evaluate the role of general and specific combining ability, heterosis and the morphological characteristics. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Results showed that mean squares of genotypes, general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for all studied yield traits. The GCA/SCA ratio was less than unity for all studied traits, this means that these traits are predominantly controlled by non-additive gene action. Positive significant GCA effects were found for all studied traits. Based on GCA estimates, it could be concluded that the best combiners were Inb 209 and Inb 239 for most of studied traits. This result indicated that these inbred lines could be considered as good combiners for improving yield and its attributes. Positive significant SCA effects were found for all studied traits. Based on SCA effects, the best crosses for ear diameter, 100-kernel weigh and kernel number/row was C1; for ear length was C10 and for ear weight/plant, grain weight/plant and shelling percentage was C8. Results showed positive significant heterosis values for all studied yield traits. The best crosses over both their mid-parents and betterparents for ear diameter and 100-kernel weigh was C2; for ear length and kernel number/row was C5; for ear weight/plant and grain weight/plant was C9 and for shelling percentage was C8.

Laboratory experiments Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) was carried out during the 2010 season. RAPD-PCR products from five maize genotypes generated by random primer A03 with molecular weight of (

Field experiments were conducted in the 2018 and 2019 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agriculture Research Station, Kafr-ELSheikh, and laboratory experiments conducted at Seed Technology Department, Field Crops Research Institute A.R.C. Giza, Egypt. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different potassium application methods as follow, control treatment (no potassium application), 50 Kg K2O/ha as one basal batch and two splits, ½ as basal and ½ at 25 days after sowing and foliar potassium concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 % K2O) on Giza 179 rice variety. Twelve combinations were performed in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Yield attributes and grain yield, as well as grain quality charcteristics which involved grain dimension, milling recovery charcteristics, amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC), gelatinization temperature (GT), and kernel elongation, were estimated. The findings revealed that splitting potassium fertilizer plus applying foliar application at the rate of 1.0 % lead to preferable yield attributes outcome, outstripped grain yield by 12.63 and 11.93 %, and ameliorated both of head rice percentage by 9.87 and 8.29 %, AC content by 4.19 and 4.02 % and decreased GC by 0.59 and 0.88 %, respectively in both seasons compared with one batch basal application. Using splitting potassium application plus foliar spray at 1.0 % K2O can apply to Giza 179 rice variety to optimize both of grain quantity and quality outcomes. Influence of different potassium treatments exhibited a significant effect on Seed Technology characteristics results.

Two field experiments was conducted during the summer seasons of 2017 and 2018 to evaluate and identify five teosinte genotypes. A total of morphological characterization depends on stem anthocyanin coloration of sheath of the first leaf (ACS), shape of tip of the first leaf (ShT), wavy surface of blade (WSB), blade attitude of leaf just above upper ear (BAL), anthocyanin coloration of sheath in the middle of plant (ACSh), brace roots(ACBR), fresh anthers and flag leaf angle also, sparse types of spikelet. Values of quantitative traits i.e. fresh and dry yield (kg/plot) and its total, leaf ear width and length, plant height, No. of leaves/plante, No. of tillers and 100 grains weight were varied from trait to other mainly due to genetic background. Molecular marker RAPD analysis polymorphisms among genotypes were detected by five random primers. The high level of polymorphism was occurred with primer OP-C4 which showed 57.1% polymorphism, while the low level of polymorphism was 16.7 % in primer OP-A10. Cluster analysis showed differences between the genotypes which separated into two main clusters, the first cluster was further divided into two sub-clusters (IA and IB), sub-cluster IA Included Balady, Sakha and Dammietta, sub-cluster IB included Gemmeiza3 while, Gemmeiza4 was in a separate cluster. The results of this research of great importance to select the right material which can be used in plant breeding programs as they help for introducing a new variety. Farmer field trails are suggested before the submission of these new varieties to registration testing and its release.