ABSTRACT:In a clay loam soil in the Middle Egypt, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil inoculation with red yeast (Phaffia rhodozyma) on growth, physiological characteristics and tubers production of Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus L.). Jerusalem artichoke plants' growth was motivated as a result of the increased microbial activities in the treated soil; also, tubers yield/plant was significantly increased. Soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates at yield stage were found to decrease in the treated Jerusalem artichoke shoots than in control ones. Also, red yeast significantly enhanced inulin content in tubers of the treated than that of the non-treated Jerusalem artichoke plants. Results also showed that this yeast isolate improved soil properties by increasing t he total count of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Application of red yeast as a bio-fertilizer of a plant promoting microorganisms is promising to enhance plant growth and yield, stimulate translocation of carbohydrates towards tubers and decreased the need for chemical fertilizers resulting in, organic matter with lower costs.

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oringa oleifera is an important and promising tree, growing in many arid and semi-arid areas. Moringa plant is effective and suitable source of nutrition and medication. The present work was carried out to study the response of two barley genotypes to a foliar application of moringa leaf extract (MLE) as a growth enhancer at the vegetative stage. The obtained result showed enhanced antioxidants activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase & catalase) in leaves of the barley genotypes under MLE application compared to the control. Similar results were detected in the case of plant growth, leaf photosynthetic pigments, building material and some minerals contents in both tested barley genotypes. In contrasts, lower malonadialdehyde (MDA) content was obtained under MLE treatment in the studied barley genotypes. The application of MLE resulted in good growth stimulation. Better enhancement was detected in Giza124 than Giza129 barley genotypes. In conclusion, foliar treatment with MLE as a bio-growth enhancer improves the antioxidant capacity and plant secondary metabolites of barley leaves. Thus, Moringa oleifera leaf extract is recommended to be applied widely as a bio-organic fertilizer for various crops due to its good productivity, highly nutritive and antioxidant system and low cost.