A field experiment was conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station Farm, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, during the two growing seasons 2013 and 2014 to study the effect of irrigation scheduling; irrigation at 50 (I 1), 65(I 2) and 80% (I 3) of accumulative pan evaporation (APE) and four systems of sole and intercropping pattern; 1: 1 (P 1), 1: 2 (P 2) rows for sunflower cv. Sakha 53, forage cowpea cv. balady, sole sunflower (P 3) and sole cowpea (P 4) in a split plot design with three replications. The important findings could be concluded as follows: The highest values of water applied and consumptive use were recorded under I 1 in the two growing seasons and the values were 57.9 and 59.1 cm for water applied and 48.89 and 50.25 cm for water consumed in the first and second season, respectively. On the other hand, the highest mean values of water productively (WP) and productivity of irrigation water (PIW) were recorded under I 3 (lowest water applied and consumed) for two crops in the two seasons and the value tended to reduce, gradually, with increasing the irrigation water applied, for planting pattern in 1:2 sunflower/cowpea intercropping pattern gave the highest PIW under I 3 where the values were 0.368 and 0.352 kg m-3 of sunflower plus 0.746 and 0.714 kg m-3 in 2013 and 2014 growing seasons, respectively. Likewise, WP takes the same trend in the two growing seasons. Results showed also, all characteristics of sunflower and cowpea were significantly affected by irrigation scheduling and intercropping systems in both seasons. For sunflower; plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, weight of seeds plant-1 ,100seed weight, seed yield fed-1 and oil % gave the highest values under irrigation scheduling I 2 and the 1: 2 planting pattern. All of the evaluated growth, yield and yield components traits for cowpea plants; plant height , stem diameter , number of leaves plant-1 , dry seed yield , dry matter yield ,dry matter % , crude protein % and crude fiber % exhibited higher figures under irrigation scheduling (I 2) and the 1 : 2 planting pattern (P 2). Land equivalent ratio (LER) exhibited higher values with I 3 irrigation scheduling and 1:2 sunflower/ cowpea planting pattern. The highest total income was attained with the 1: 2 planting pattern and I 2 irrigation scheduling.

Two field experiments were conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, during the two successive seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The investigation was aimed to maximize water productivity by intercropping onion on sugar beet through investigate the effect of irrigation and intercropping treatments on onion and sugar beet yield, yield components, quality and some water relations in the North Middle Nile Delta region (31 0 07ˉ N Latitude and 30 0 57ˉ E longitude with an elevation of about 6 metres above mean sea level). The experimental design was split plot with three replicates, the main plots were randomly assigned by three irrigation treatments, I1 (irrigation with 0.8 Ep), I2 (irrigation with 1.0 Ep) and I3 (irrigation with 1.2 Ep), while sub main plots were also randomly assigned by intercropping treatments, D1 (Intercropping onion with sugar beet by planting sugar beet as in pure stand and planting one row only of onion on the back of bed as in pure stand), D2 (Intercropping onion with sugar beet by planting sugar beet as in pure stand and planting two row only of onion on the back of bed as in pure stand), D3 (Intercropping onion with sugar beet by planting sugar beet as in pure stand and planting three row only of onion on the back of bed as in pure stand), D4 (pure stand of sugar beet was planted in bed 120 cm width, spaced 20 cm between hills on both sides of beds to give 35000 plants/ fad.) and D5 (pure stand of onion with planted in rows on the back of bed, 120 cm width, 15 cm between rows and hills). The main results can be summarized as follows:  The highest values for water applied (Wa) and consumptive use (Cu) were recorded under irrigation treatment I3 and the values are 69.03 cm. (2899.41 m 3 /fed.), 73.23 cm. (3075.55 m 3 / fed.) for Wa and 41.26 cm. (1733.13 m 3 /fed.) and 42.25 cm. (1774.55 m 3 / fed.) for Cu in the first and second growing seasons, respectively. Meanwhile, the lowest overall mean values for Wa and Cu were recorded under irrigation treatment I1 and the values are 60.89 cm. (2557.33 m 3 /fed.) and 34.84 cm (1463.26 m 3 /fed.) for Wa and Cu, respectively. For intercropping treatments, didn't have any effect on Wa but for Cu, the highest mean values were recorded under D4. On the other hand, the lowest recorded under D5. Generally, the values of Cu can be descended in order D4 > D3 > D2 > D1 > D5 in the two seasons.  The highest values for water productivity (WP) and productivity of irrigation water (PIW) were recorded under I2 and the values are 23.3 and 22.3 kg/ m 3 for WP and 10.3 and 9.3 kg/ m 3 for PIW in the first and second growing seasons, respectively. Meanwhile, the lowest mean values were recorded under I3 and the values are 18.4 and 17.7 kg/ m 3 for WP and 8.5 and 8.0 kg/ m 3 for PIW in the first and second growing seasons, respectively. For consumptive use efficiency (Ecu), the highest values were recorded under I3 and the values are 45.98 and 44.69% but the lowest were recorded under I1 and the values are 42.86% and 40.38% in the...

The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of soil amendments (i.e., phosphogypsum and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)) separately or their combination on exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), soil enzymes’ activity (urease and dehydrogenase), pigment content, relative water content (RWC), antioxidant enzymatic activity, oxidative stress, productivity, and quality of quinoa under deficient irrigation conditions in two field experiments during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 seasons under salt-affected soil. Results revealed that ESP, soil urease activity, soil dehydrogenase activity, leaf chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids, leaf K content, RWC, SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and POD (peroxidase) activities were declined, resulting in overproduction of leaf Na content, proline content, and oxidative stress indicators (H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage) under water stress and soil salinity, which negatively influence yield-related traits, productivity, and seed quality of quinoa. However, amendment of salt-affected soil with combined phosphogypsum and seed inoculation with PGPR under deficient irrigation conditions was more effective than singular application and control plots in ameliorating the harmful effects of water stress and soil salinity. Additionally, combined application limited Na uptake in leaves and increased K uptake and leaf chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids as well as improved SOD, CAT, and POD activities to ameliorate oxidative stress indicators (H2O2, MDA, and electrolyte leakage), which eventually positively reflected on productivity and quality in quinoa. We conclude that the potential utilization of phosphogypsum and PGPR are very promising as sustainable eco-friendly strategies to improve quinoa tolerance to water stress under soil salinity.

In intercropping system, the utilization of different nutrients and water is an effective, as well as the risk of failure of cultivated crops is lessened. Field experiments were conducted at Sakha Experimental Farm Kafer EL-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during two successive growing seasons 2017/18 and 2018/19 to investigate the effect of intercropping faba bean (CV. Giza 843) with sugar beet (CV. Geloria) grown under water stress and furrow width treatments on growth, yields, quality and some water relations for both crops .Split-plot design was used in the current investigation, the main plots contained three levels of water stress (two, three and four irrigations through the whole growing season in addition sowing irrigation for all treatment),while the sub -plots contained three furrow width(60, 90and 120cm) for faba bean. Sugar beet seeds were sown on the two sides and faba bean seeds were sown on upper ridge at furrow width 120 cm (C). The highest values for growth traits, yields for sugar beet and faba bean intercropping, applied and consumed water were obtained when plants were irrigated four irrigations (I3) and the furrow width 120 cm, but it was recorded the lowest values of water efficiencies. A significant interaction effect was found between the two factors of irrigation and furrow width on most of studied traits. The highest Land Equivalent Ratios (LER; 1.54 and 1.52) and the highest total income (15399.95 and 15030.45 L.E.) were obtained irrigation treatment (I3) and furrow width 120 cm.

FIELD experiment was conducted at Sakha Agric. Res. Station, Kafer EL-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons to study the relative advantage of intercropping faba bean (variety Giza 643) with sugar beet (variety Geloria) and its impact on yield and quality attributes of both crops. A split plot design with three replications was used. The treatments of faba bean sowing distance (10, 20 and 30 cm) allocated in the main plots, while, the ten combination of nitrogen levels with bio fertilizers (90, 72, 54, 36 kg N/fad, 72, 54, 36 kg N/fad + Cerealine, 72, 54, 36 kg N/fad + Rizobacterine) were arranged in sub plots, the obtained results showed that:

during 2007 and 2008 years. It was intended to find out the most suitable treatments for propagation of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus cv Aurantiaca by using the tissue culture technique. So, the study was done using explants from juvenile leaves and seeds of the plant. The results emphasized that using 30% Clorox for 15 min and 30% Clorox for 10-20 min, respectively for sterilization of explants gave the best result of (100%) survival and free of contamination of leaf and seeds explants. BA at 0.5 mg/l and 1.0 or 2.0 mg/l NAA were the best concentrations for callus formation from leaves. Furthermore, the use of BA on plantlet formation of seeds was not significant when BA was used at either 0.0 or 0.5 mg/l with the different concentrations of NAA and 1.0 mg/l BA plus either 2.0 or 4.0 mg/l NAA. Leaves explant was better than seeds for number of shoots when cultured on the multiplication medium. MS medium plus 1.0 mg/l Kin and 0.5 mg/l NAA was mor the most appropriate for shoot formation from leafs callus. MS medium plus 2.0 mg/l Kin was favoured for number of shoot from seeds. The shoots of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus cv Aurantiaca were successfully rooted when cultured in MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l IBA. Plantlets after root development exhibited 100% survival in plastic pots filled with peat moss and sand at a ratio of 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 (by volume).

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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.