Contaminated soils can cause a potential risk into the health of the environment and soil as well as the quality and productivity of plants. The objectives of our study were to investigate the integrative advantageous effects of foliar ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) (60 mg Zn NPs L−1), rice straw biochar (RSB; 8.0 t ha−1), cow-manure biochar (CMB, 8.0 t ha−1), and a combination thereof (50% of each) on sunflowers grown in agricultural land irrigated with polluted wastewater for the long term (≈50 years). The availability of heavy metals (HMs) in soil, HMs accumulation in whole biomass aboveground, growth, productivity, and quality characteristics of the sunflower were investigated. The combination treatment significantly minimized the availability of HMs in soil, and, consequently, substantially lessened the uptake of HMs by the sunflower, compared to treatments of ZnO NPs and control (i.e., untreated soil). The application of the combination treatment reduced the availability of Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd in the soil by 78.6%, 115.3%, 153.3%, and 178.5% in comparison to untreated plots post-harvest, respectively. Compared to untreated plots, it also reduced the Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd in plant biomass by 1.13, 5.19, 3.88, and 0.26 mg kg−1 DM, respectively. Furthermore, combination treatment followed by biochar as an individual application caused a significant improvement in sunflower productivity and quality in comparison to untreated soil. For instance, seed yield ha−1, 100-seed weight, and number of seeds per head obtained from the combination treatment was greater than the results obtained from the untreated plots by 42.6%, 47.0%, and 50.4%, respectively. In summary, the combined treatment of NPs and both RSB and CMB is recommended as a result of their positive influence on sunflower oil quality and yield as well as on minimizing the negative influences of HMs.

Rice production under salinity stress is a critical challenge facing many countries, particularly those in arid and semi-arid regions. This challenge could be handled by applying novel approaches to overcome yield limiting factors and improve resource use efficiency. The usage of nanoparticles (NPs) could be a beneficial approach to managing the growing problem of soil salinity. The aim of our study was to investigate the advantageous effects of soaking and foliar application of silicon (Si) and selenium (Se), (NPs-Si at 12.5 mg L−1 and NPs-Se at 6.25 mg L−1) on root characteristics, moropho-physiological traits, and yields of two rice varieties (i.e., Giza 177 as a salt sensitive and Giza 178 as a salt tolerant) grown in saline soil compared to untreated plants (control treatment). Results showed that soaking NPs-Se resulted in the highest value of root thickness for Giza 178 (0.90 mm, 0.95 mm) and root volume (153.30 cm3, 154.30 cm3), while Giza 177 recorded 0.83 mm, 0.81 mm for root thickness and 143.30 cm3, 141.30 cm3 for root volume in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively. Soaking NPs-Se, NPs-Si and foliar application of NPs-Se at BT resulted in the highest relative water content and dry matter, while foliar application of NPs-Si at BT gave the highest leaf area index of rice plants compared to the other treatments. Giza 178 (i.e., salt tolerant variety) significantly surpassed Giza 177 (i.e., salt sensitive variety) in the main yield components such as panicle number and filled grains/ panicle, while Giza 177 significantly exceeded Giza 178 in the panicle weight, 1000-grain weight, and unfilled grains number/ panicle. Soaking NPs-Se and foliar application of NPs-Si at BT resulted in the highest grain yield of 5.41 and 5.34 t ha−1 during 2018 and 5.00 and 4.91 t ha−1 during 2019, respectively. The salt sensitive variety (Giza 177) had the highest Na+ leaf content and Na+/K+ ratio as well as the lowest K+ leaf content during both seasons. Applying nano nutrients such as NPs-Si and NPs-Se improved the yield components of the salt sensitive variety (Giza 177) by enhancing its ion selectivity. Both NPs-Si and NPs-Se had almost the same mode of action to mitigate the harmful salinity and enhance plant growth, and subsequently improved the grain yield. In summary, the application of NPs-Si and NPs-Se is recommended as a result of their positive influence on rice growth and yield as well as minimizing the negative effects of salt stress.

Given the expectancy of the water supply becoming scarce in the future and more expensive, water conservation during wheat production processes has become very crucial especially in saline sodic soil. Biochar and salicylic acid (SA) were used to assess the potential to alleviate the influences of depletion of available soil moisture (DAM) on physicochemical, physiological, biochemical attributes, as well as wheat production absorption (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Misr 1) and macro-elements. Two seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) of field trials were investigated using twelve combinations of three water treatments (50%, 70%, and 90% DAM) and foliar- and soil-applied treatments (control, biochar, salicylic acid, and biochar + SA). Biochar treated plots amplified soil physicochemical attributes, leading to improved physiological traits and antioxidant enzymes, as well as yield related traits under water limitation conditions in both years. Similarly, synergistic use of biochar and salicylic acid greatly augmented the designed characteristics such as chlorophyll a, b, K+ content, relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and intrinsic water use efficiency, whilst exhibited inhibitory effects on proline content, electrolyte leakage, Na+ content SOD, POX, CAT, and MDA, consequently increased 1000-grain weight, number of grains spike−1, grain yield, as well nutrient uptake (N, P, K) under water limitation condition in both years, followed by treatment of sole biochar or SA compared to unamended plots treatment (control). Wheat productivity achieved further increasing at 70% DAM alongside synergistic use of biochar and SA which was on par with 50% DAM under unamended plots (control). It is concluded from the findings that coupled application of biochar alongside salicylic acid accomplished an efficient approach to mitigate the injurious influences of water limitation, along with further improvement of the soil, physiology, biochemical attributes, and wheat yield, as well nutrient uptake, under saline sodic soil.

Several agronomic factors, including planting density, affect plant growth and final yield. New soil suffers from severe fertility shortage and crop productivity. Potassium humate (KH) application improves soil fertility and plant performance under new soil conditions. Therefore, this investigation was performed in two seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 to study the impact of KH application at the rate of 50 kg hectare−1 (ha−1) on growth, yield, physio-biochemical attributes, plant water status and nutrients in faba bean plants grown in newly reclaimed soil under three planting densities, i.e., D1 = 222.222 plants ha−1 (15 × 60 cm), D2 = 166.666 plants ha−1 (20 × 60 cm) and D3 = 133.333 plants ha−1 (25 × 60 cm). The results showed that KH application enhanced tissue water status by increasing the membrane stability index (MSI%) and relative water content (RWC%), while electric leakage (EL%) was reduced, alongside increased growth attributes physio-biochemical properties and nutrients. These results were positively reflected by the improved yield and its components (i.e., number of pods plant−1, 100-seed weight, seed yield plant−1 and seed yield ha−1) in favor of the medium planting density (166.666 plants ha−1). The results of the current study showed that the application of KH with the medium planting density (20 × 60 cm) was the best treatment combination to enhance the performance and productivity (2.97 ton ha−1) of faba bean plants grown under newly reclaimed soil conditions.

Two field experiments were conducted during two successive seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 at Nubaria area, Alexandria Governorate, in order to study the effect of foliar application of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentrations of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 L /400 L water/fed and potassium fertilizer levels (24, 36 and 48 kg K2O/fed.) on yield and physiological characters of sugar beet plant (Beta vulgaris L.) under newly reclaimed soils. A split plot design with four replications was used. Results revealed that foliar application of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of 1.5 l/fed recorded highest root diameter and root fresh weight/plant, as well as, sucrose%, root and sugar yields/fed., while, foliar application of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of at 2 l/fed gave tallest root and percentage of root impurities (-amino-N, Na and K). Fertilization of potassium at rate of 48 kg K2O/fed gave highest values of root length, root diameter, the percentage of -N, Na, K as well as root and sugar yields/fed in both seasons. On the contrary, a gradual reduction in sucrose% had been detected with the increase in potassium level over 36 kg K2O/fed, while application of potassium at rate of 24 kg K2O/fed recorded the lowest values in all characters in both seasons. The interaction between foliar spraying of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of 1.5 l/fed and potassium fertilizer at rate of 48 kg K2O /fed significantly affected root and sugar yields/fed and sucrose% in both seasons. It could be summarized that, application of potassium at rate of 48 kg K2O /fed and foliar spraying of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of 1.5 l/fed significantly k,affected root diameter and root fresh weight, root and sugar yields/fed. as well as sucrose% INTRODUCION Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) one of the most important genus of Chenopodiaceae family, its family includes approximately 1400 species (Watson and Dallwitz, 1992). Sugar beet became one of the important sugar crops; its roots are processed into white sugar, pulp and molasses for food, feed or industrial applications and are rarely used as a raw commodity. A typical sugar beet root consists of 75.9% water, 2.6% non-sugars, 18.0% sugar and 5.5% pulp. In the sugar fraction 83.1% is recovered as crystalline sucrose, 12.5% is recovered as molasses (Bichsel, 1987). Sugar beet plays a prominent role for sugar production, about 37.27% of locally sugar production, (CCSC, 2010), it grows well in the new reclaimed soils; maturity take short time compared to sugar cane and contains high sugar content. Many environmental and agronomic factors influenced sugar beet quantity and quality as fertilization and sowing methods. Improvement of sugar beet

Intercropping system greatly contributes to crop intensification and production by its effective utilization of resources as compared with monoculture cropping system. The current investigation was conducted at a sugar beet field at El-Riad Districts, Kafrelsheikh Governorate during 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons. The study aimed to investigating the effect of intercropping sugar beet with either onion or garlic on the density of major sugar beet insects. Also, the influence of intercropping on sugar beet yield and yield components and quality was a main target. The economics of such intercropping systems were considered. A split plot design with three replications was used. The main plots were assigned to the intercropping pattern and the sub-plot was allocated to the plant spacing of the second crop The sole sugar beet plots displayed the highest infestations with cotton leaf worm, beet fly, tortoise beetle and beet moth. The lowest infestations were detected in plots having sugar beet intercropped with onion, while the moderate infestations were found in case of sugar beet intercropped with garlic. On the other hand, the insect infestations appeared to be lowest with narrow spacing (25 cm) of onion or garlic hills, but highest with wider spacing (75cm). Concerning the yield, the sole sugar beet produced the highest foliage, root, sugar percentage and total sugar. The values were less in case of sugar beetonion system, and least in case of sugar beetgarlic system. Chemical analysis of sugar beet plants revealed no significant differences among intercropping systems concerning with sodium, Alpha amino-nitrogen α-N and potassium. From the economic point of view, sugar beet intercropped with 25cm-onion gave the highest gross income (14.890 L.E./ fed), followed by that at 50 cm (14.110 L.E./ fed). The sole sugar beet displayed 12.556 L.E., while that intercropped with 75 cm-onion or garlic gave the lowest income 11.90 and 11.520 L.E., respectively. It could be concluded that intercropping sugar beet with 25 cmonion maximized the growers' income and reduced insect pest infestations.

Two field experiments were conducted during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons at Nubaria Region, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt in order to study the integrated effect of mineral nitrogen and biofertilizer (85 kg N/fed as recommended dose (control), 65 kg N/fed + 066 g Cerealin as biofertilizer and 45 kg N/fed + 066 g Cerealin) on three sweet sorghum varieties i.e., Sorgo, Brandes and Planter. Results showed that Planter variety recorded the highest values of morphological characters i.e. stalk height, stalk diameter, leaf area, stripped, and juice yields as well as chlorophyll a and b concentrations compared with Sorgo and Brandes in both seasons. On the other hand, in both seasons syrup yield was significantly increased in Brands variety compared with other two varieties. In both seasons Planter variety gave the highest values of physiological characters i.e., sucrose%, pH value, total soluble solids%, purity% and extracted juice%, while, Sorgo variety recorded the highest value in reducing sugar. The treatment of 65 kg N/fed + 066 g Cerealin gave the greatest concentrations of chlorophyll a and b in both seasons also gave the greatest values of stalk height, diameter and leaf area in the first season only, while, stripped stalks and juice yields recorded the highest values in both seasons. In the first season there was no significant difference in juice yield at the rate of 85 kg N/fed compared with 65 kg N/fed 066 g Cerealin, while, in the second season both treatments did not significantly differed in stripped stalks yield. Nitrogete fertilizer at rate of 65 kg N/fed + 600 g Cerealin gave the highest values of sucrose%, purity% and juice extraction% in both seasons. The interactions between Planter variety and 65 kg N/fed + 066 g Cerealin gave the greatest values in stripped stalks, juice and syrup yields followed by Brandes and Sorgo in both seasons.

One of the main problems of lowland rice cultivation and production is the shortage of irrigation water, which effects the vegetative growth rate and the amount of yield and its component. In this study, afield experiment was conducted to find out the impact of some plant growth regulating substance on rice cultivars namely; Giza179 cultivar and Giza177 cultivar grown under different irrigation intervals in 2015 and 2016 growing season sat the farm of Agricultural Research Station, Sakha, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt. The Experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with Strip-split plot arrangements. Main plots consisted of the three irrigation intervals namely; irrigation every 4 days (I1), irrigation every 8 days (I2) and irrigation every 12 days (I3), while sub plots devoted torice cultivars while the sub-sub plots contained the four levels of plant growth regulators: T1: spraying by cytokinein with concentration of 20 ppm, T2: spraying by abscisic acid with concentration of 15 ppm (ABA), T3: spraying by proline with concentration of 80ppm, T4: control (without any spray).The recorded data were chlorophyll content (SPAD), plant height (cm) at harvest, number of panicle (m-2), panicle weight (g), number of filled grains/panicle, number of unfilled grains/panicle, 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield (t/ha) and straw yield (t/ha). The main results indicated that irrigation every 4 and 8-days intervals cause an increase in all the previous studied characters, while irrigation every 12 days significantly reduced it. Spraying the tested rice cultivars by three growth regulators increased all studied characters as compared with control treatment. spraying Giza 179 cultivar with Cytokinin under the different irrigation intervals surpassed Giza177 cultivar and gave the highest value in all the studied characters expect 1000-grain weight followed by ABA. Spraying the two tested cultivars by Cytokinin under irrigation every 12 days which cause water stress relief the harmful of stress in the plant and increase the yield by about 3.2 t/ha specially with Giza179 cultivar as compared with control (without any growth regulator). Moreover, the application of cytokinein extend irrigation intervals from irrigation every 4 days up to irrigation every 8 days without any significant reduction in the yield. these results are benefit for farmers which safer from shortage of irrigation water in their rice field.