Black-ripe olives (Olea europaea cv. Ascolano, Manzanillo, Mission, and Sevillano), intended for oil extraction, were stored at 5 °C for 6−8 weeks to evaluate their postharvest physiology and quality changes. Also, samples of olives were placed at 20 °C for 2 weeks to determine the deterioration rate of four cultivars at ambient temperature. Fruit quality evaluations included color, visual quality, fruit firmness, mass loss, and water and oil content. Decay incidence, physiological disorders, and respiration and ethylene production rates of the olives were also recorded. Olive oil quality was determined by analysis of titratable acidity, peroxide value, K 232 and K 270 coefficients, and fatty acid composition of the olives. Fruit and oil quality of Ascolano and Manzanillo cultivars deteriorated more rapidly than that of Mission and Sevillano olives. Black-ripe Manzanillo and Ascolano olives could be stored with good air circulation at 5 °C for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, whereas Mission and Sevillano cultivars could be stored for 6−8 weeks at 5 °C with maintenance of good fruit and oil quality. Keywords: Olea europaea; olive; cultivar; fatty acids; olive oil; quality; storage

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Water salinity is a limiting factor stressed plants and associated with low wheat productivity in new reclaimed areas in Egypt such as North Sinai. Sea water is available water resources and renewable and non-exploited, it is necessary to maximize use of this water through scientific research for use in irrigation of wheat, to increase the cultivated area and thus, increase production towards self-sufficiency. So, two field experiments were carried out seasons aiming to investigate the response of three wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivum. L.; Masr 1 , Masr 2, Sakha 93 ) to four mixing ratios between well-water and sea water (control, 3:1, 2:1 and 1:1). Plants were subjected to salinity treatments at 60 days after sowing (DAS). Results showed that Masr 2 and Masr 1 cvs were superior for yield and its attributes, the superiority was obtained from Masr 2 cv as well as seed content of proline and protein. Also, dry leaf content of Na + and Cl -2 were higher for Masr 2 as compared to the other studied cultivars under low mixing ratio (3:1 Well water: Sea water), while, the K + concentration was decreased with the same treatment of Masr 2 . For soil analysis, EC, Na + , Mg +2 , K + , HCO 3 -2 and Clincreased but Ca -2 decreased under the highest mixing ratio (1 Well water: 1 Sea water). So, it could be recommended to cultivate Masr 2 wheat cultivar under North Sinai conditions, using mixing ratio 3 Well water : 1 Sea water to maximize the benefit of sea water and gain economic productivity of bread wheat in this area and similar regions.

Kalamata" olive trees (Olea europea L.) about 10-years-old of nearly moderate vigor and productivity grown in sandy loam soil were selected. The trees were planted at 6×7 m apart under drip irrigation system. All trees received regularly the annual horticultural practices as usually adopted in the orchards. The four organic fertilizer sources i.e., fish scrap 2.5 Kg/ tree/ year, goat manure 16.8 Kg/tree/year, chicken manure 7.8 Kg/tree / year and olive pomace 8.5 Kg/tree/year; were applied with combination of biofertilizers Nitrobein 150 g/tree/year and Protamine ® 1.5% and dissolving in one liter of water then added to the soil at three times, at 70% full-bloom, after fruit set and a month later. According to the results obtained in this study, it is possible to recommend the use of organic fertilization, especially fish scrap, through the addition of bio-fertilization using Nitrobein with amino acid Protamine at a concentration of 1.5% combined. This treatment improved the vegetative growth and the leaf mineral content of olive trees to protecting the environment from the problems of pollution resulting from mineral fertilization as well as the use of environmental waste.

Acacia tortilis (subsp. raddiana) Trees are very important in Qatar. The trees play an important role as a source for animals feed and for environmental enhancement by combating desertification and firewood. This study was carried out in the Genetic Resources Department, Biotechnology Center, Ministry of Environment, Qatar and Egyptian Deserts Gene Bank, Egypt. The aim of the study was to enhance the response of Acacia tortilis subspecies tortilis seeds when exposed to some chemical and physical treatments, such as mechanical scarification, chemical scarification, GA3 (Gibberellic acid), dry heat treatment, Potassium nitrate (KNO3) in solutions of water, sulphuric acid (H2SO4), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), tap water and boiling water--all intended to increase germination percentage. The obtained results revealed significant differences in the germination percentage of Acacia tortilis seeds exposed to different dormancy treatments. The highest germination percentage was 76 % achieved with boiling water treatment. Treating seeds with 98% concentrated sulphuric acid for periods of 10, 20, 25 and 30 minutes enhanced germination percentage by 33%, 67%, 70%, 75%, respectively. The lowest germination percentage was seen in untreated seeds, 25%.