This investigation was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Assiut University during the summers of 2000 and 2001 to study the responses of two sunflower hybrids (Vidoc and Euroflora) to planting dates (May 1 st , June 1 st and July 1 st ) and planting densities (55,533, 83,300 and 166,600 plants/ha). The results indicated that the two varieties differed highly significantly in all studied traits except oil yield/ha. The highest seed yield (3.64 t/ha) was obtained with the variety Vidoc. In addition, the results revealed that the planting date exerted a highly significant influence on all vegetative growth traits along with yield and its components. Increasing plant density increased the seed and oil yield/ha. By contrast, the stem diameter, head diameter, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant decreased with increasing plant density.The interaction between varieties and plant density had a highly significant effect on head diameter. The greatest head diameter (20.06 cm) was recorded for the variety Vidoc planted at lower density. Concerning the interaction between planting density and planting date, the highest seed yield (4.47 t/ha) was obtained from dense plants at the early sowing date, and the highest oil % (45.32) at the late planting date and the lowest plant density.The second order interaction exerted a highly significant influence on stem and head diameter in addition to seed yield/plant, where the highest value (78.13 g/plant) was obtained with the variety Vidoc planted on May 1 st at the lowest plant density.

Experiments involving the intercropping faba bean with each of lupin, fenugreek and Egyptian clover as well as growing faba bean alone were carried out at Assiut University on a farm naturally infested with Orobanche in two seasons. The major objective of the study was to investigate the effect of different intercropping combinations with faba bean on the infestation with Orobanche. The results obtained revealed that intercropping faba bean with each of lupin, fenugreek and Egyptian clover markedly reduced the Orobanche crenata Forsk infestation of faba bean. the number of branches, the height of the first pod, the number of pods, the seed yield and the number and dry weight of Orobanche spikes were significantly affected by the intercropping treatments, but these had no significant influence on plant height, straw yield or 100-seed weight. intercropping faba bean with each of lupin, fenugreek and Egyptian clover increased the faba bean seed yield, consequently the economic return was also increased.

Recently, the use of biostimulants as natural and eco-friendly fertilizers has received increasing attention because of their efficiency in terms of improving crops’ qualitative and quantitative parameters, i.e., growth, yield, and chemical composition. We studied the effect of four biostimulants—humic acid (20 g/L), vermicompost tea (15 mL/L), moringa leaf extract (1:30 v/v), and yeast extract (5 g/L), with tap water as a control treatment—on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of snap beans. The experiment was designed using a complete randomized block with triplicates. The results showed a significant improvement in treated plant performance (growth and yield), chlorophyll, and chemical composition compared to untreated plants. Using moringa leaf extract increased the plant height, number of leaves and branches/plant, and fresh and dry weight. Additionally, the diameter of the treated plant stems and the quality of the crop and pods were also significantly higher than those of plants treated with vermicompost or humic acid extract. It is also noted that the profile of amino acids was improved using all tested biostimulants. This leads to the conclusion that the addition of moringa leaf extract and vermicompost tea not only positively affects the qualitative and quantitative properties of snap bean but is also reflected in its nutritional value as a plant-based food.

-Introduction. Algerian oases are characterized by a diversification of local fruit species and cultivars. However, this diversity is subject to erosion. To preserve the genetic heritage, we undertook the first work on the inventory of fruit species crops in the region of Touggourt in south-eastern Algeria. Materials and methods. Our working methods were based on surveys carried out on farms in the Oued Righ region according to a questionnaire that met our objectives. For this, we divided the study region into three zones and in each zone we selected ten farms for the inventory of fruit species cultivated. Results and discussion. The results of our investigations allowed us to identify thirteen species, including four species with a wide distribution (pomegranate tree, apricot tree, fig tree and vine). The local genetic diversity of these species is little known. The varieties or cultivars inventoried have local names given by the farmers in the region according to certain morphological characteristics of the fruit. We surveyed five cultivars for the fig tree, two cultivars for the pomegranate tree, two cultivars for the vine, and two apricot tree cultivars. The study of the biodiversity of fruit trees in the Oued Righ region showed high richness of the species and cultivars; some are local and others are endemic to the region. Better knowledge of genetic diversity will begin with tests of behavior and characterization of the different genotypes encountered to dispel the ambiguities and to highlight the actual composition of populations or varieties of different species.Algeria / Sahara / oases / biodiversity / fruit crops / farm surveys / erosion La biodiversité des espèces fruitières dans la vallée de Oued Righ : cas de la région de Touggourt (Algérie).Résumé -Introduction. Les oasis algériennes se caractérisent par une diversification des espèces fruitières locales et de leurs cultivars. Cependant, cette diversité est sujette à l'érosion. Afin de préserver le patrimoine génétique, nous avons entrepris un premier travail d'inventaire des cultures fruitières dans la région de Touggourt au sud-est de l'Algérie. Matériel et méthodes. Nos méthodes de travail ont été basées sur des enquêtes menées dans les exploitations agricoles de la région d'Oued Righ à partir d'un questionnaire orienté vers nos objectifs. Pour cela, nous avons divisé la zone d'étude en trois zones et, dans chaque zone, nous avons sélectionné dix fermes qui ont donné lieu à un inventaire des espèces fruitières cultivées. Résultats et discussion. Les résultats de nos enquêtes nous ont permis d'identifier treize espèces, dont quatre avec une large distribution (grenadier, abricotier, figuier et vigne). La diversité génétique locale de ces espèces est peu connue. Les variétés ou cultivars inventoriés portent des noms locaux donnés par les agriculteurs de la région en fonction de certaines caractéristiques morphologiques du fruit. En ce sens, nous avons identifié cinq cultivars pour le figuier, deux cultivars pour le grenadier, deux cultiva...

The potential radical scavenging, antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS) and bioactive constituents of several plant aqueous extracts (Curcuma longa, CL; Myristica fragrans, MF; Zingiber officinale, ZO; Cymbopogon citratus, CC and Thymus vulgaris, TV as well as their mixture) were investigated. The effect of these extracts on quality aspects (sensory characteristic, color traits, and Thiobarbituric acid) of rabbit meat during a 16-day cold (4 ± 2 °C) storage were investigated. Total phenolics and flavonoid contents of all extracts ranged from 13.27 ± 0.57 to 25.23 ± 0.49 mg GAE/g and 6.57 ± 0.22 to 13.24 ± 0.19 mg quercetin/g, respectively. The aqueous extract of MF had the highest (p ≤ 0.05) ABTS scavenging activity (4.55 μ mol Te/g dry extract), whereas the highest (p < 0.05) DPPH scavenging activity was detected in ZO extract (9.32 μ mol Te/g dry extract). Identification of extracts’ bioactive compounds by GC-MS revealed that Eugenol (34.51%), Cinnamaldehyde (44.71%), Carvacrol (40.49%), Eicosane aldehyde (31.73%), and thymol (50.04%) are the first abundant bioactive compounds of CL, MF, ZO, CC, and TV aqueous extracts, respectively. Generally, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of all cold stored rabbit meat increased (p < 0.05) by increasing the storage time. The lowest TBARS values were detected for the samples treated with 0.2% of plant extracts mixture, which increased the shelf life of cold-stored rabbits by 50%. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in both L* and b* were observed with extended storage time. Meanwhile, the redness of the cold stored rabbit meat had an opposite trend. Treating the cold stored rabbit meat with 0.2% of the extract’s mixture doubled the storage time with acceptable odor and taste. The results indicated that the studied plant extracts may be effective against rancidity and may be used as a natural antioxidant to prolong the shelf life of cold-stored rabbit meat.