Metabolic changes in water content, total carbohydrates, total sugars, reducing sugars, anthocyanin, total free amino acids, proline and total indoles in shoots of "Anna" apple (Malus sylvestris, Mill) trees were investigated during dormancy and bud break under the effect of foliar application of four onion extract rates (5, 10, 15 and 20%). Flowering percentage and fruit yield characteristics (i.e., fruit-set, number of fruits tree-1 and fruit yield tree-1) were increased, while number of days recorded to reach full bloom were reduced with the application of both onion extract rates (15 or 20%). In addition, contents of total carbohydrates, total sugars, reducing sugars, anthocyanin, total free amino acids, proline and total indoles in shoots were significantly increased in floral buds, particularly during bud break. In contrast, the content of free phenols was reduced. The best results were obtained from the rate of onion extract at the level of 20% followed by 15% that could be recommended for early and high percentage of flowering and increased yield by regulating the metabolism of amino acids, including proline and indoles in apple floral buds.

This investigation was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2006 and 2007 to investigate the effect of potassium nitrate, garlic extract and onion extract on bud break, growth, yield and some chemical constituents of "Anna" apple (Malus sylvestris, Mill) variety. The trees were grown in loamy sand soil, and sprayed with six treatments (potassium nitrate 10%), garlic extract (20%), onion extract (20%), potassium nitrate (5%) mixed with garlic extract (10%), potassium nitrate (5%) mixed with onion extract (10%) and control. Generally, it was found that all studied growth parameters, date of flower bud break, percentage of bud break, fruit-setting ,fruit weight, fruit size, fruit number/tree, yield/tree (kg) and some chemical constituents of leaves (total chlorophyll ,total carbohydrates, total protein, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents) and some chemical constituents of fruits (Total Soluble Solids (T.S.S.), T.S.S/ acid ratio, vitamin C, water content %, total free amino acids, total carbohydrates, total sugars and reducing sugars) were increased with the application of the different treatments. The best results were obtained from the treatments of potassium nitrate at 5% mixed with onion extract at 10%, potassium nitrate at 5% mixed with garlic extract at 10% and potassium nitrate at 10%. On the contrary, the same treatments decreased total acidity and total phenols in fruits as compared to the control. It could be recommended to use potassium nitrate at 5% in combination with onion extract or garlic extract at 10% for improving bud break, growth, yield and chemical constituents of apple trees or fruits.

No abstract

Water use (WU), water use efficiency (WUE), growth, productivity of Picual and Arbequina olive cultivars were studied under two irrigation systems (flood and drip) during 2007and 2008 seasons.Results showed that, seasonal water use of olive trees grown under flood and drip irrigation was 704.04 and 446.95 mm/feddan/year, respectively (average of the two seasons). Olive trees subjected to drip irrigation produced the highest yield/tree 16.6 Kg (average of the two seasons). Yield decreased by about 23.67% when trees were exposed to flood irrigation system. Yield efficiency and water use efficiency of olive tress had the same trend. The maximum values, in this respect, were obtained by olive trees grown under drip irrigation followed in a descending order by flood irrigation, respectively.On the contrary, olive trees grown under flood irrigation system gave higher values of vegetative growth parameters and percent of fruit dry weight. However, it gave less fruit yield as well as percent of oil in flesh dry weight. Olive trees grown under drip irrigation system gave the highest value of oil% per flesh dry weight (43.99% average of the two seasons). Meanwhile, this percent decreased by about 8.54% when trees were irrigated by flood irrigation.Moreover, from the obtained data, it is clear that Picual cv. had that bigger tree canopy, fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit dry matter and fruit oil content more than Arbequina cv.Consequently, it could be recommended cultivate trees of Picual cv. in the new reclaimed land as it was more suitable than Arbequina cv.

This investigation was carried out during two successive seasons of 2007 and 2008 to study the effect of boron and molybdenum foliar sprays on growth, yield, berry quality and some chemical constituents of "Superior" grapevine cultivar. The vines were grown in loamy sand soil. The treatments were (control, B 100 ppm, B 200 ppm, Mo 50 ppm, Mo 100 ppm, B 100 ppm + Mo 50 ppm, B 100 ppm + Mo 100ppm, B 200 ppm + Mo 50 ppm and B 200 ppm + Mo 100 ppm. Generally, it was found that all treatments increased leaf area, shoot length, cane thickness, cluster weight(g), fresh and dry weight(g) of 100 berries compared with control. Yield per vine also increased by all treatments except Mo 50ppm. On the other hand, Mo treatments reduced total sugars (%) and TSS in berries. Acidity percentage in fruit juice decreased by foliar spray of boron and molybdenum. Total Carbohydrates, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, N, P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn in leaves increased by boron and molybdenum foliar spray. Key Words: Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L), Boron, Molybdenum, growth, yield, chemical constituents. INTRODUCTION Grape (Vitis vinifera, L) is considered the most popular and favorite fruit crop in the world including Egypt, for being has an excellent flavors, nice test and high nutritional values. It can grow under different environmental conditions (Abd El-Galil et al., 2003).Boron is a vital element in the development and growth of new cells, in the fertilization of flowers, in the carbohydrate metabolism, and in the translocation of starch and sugars. It is indispensable in the nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism, in the synthesis of aminoacids and proteins. It has a role in the RNA and DNA synthesis, in the embrionary development, and in the hormonal regulation. Boron shows very low mobility within the plant (Bergmann 1979, Keller 2005.Janaki, et al. (2004) emphasized that boron of foliar application significantly increased the N,P and K content in the petiole while the Ca content decreased with increase in boron spray due to negative interaction of Ca with B. As regards to micronutrients, Cu, Mn increased while Fe content decreased.Pawel (2005) Black currant bushes were foliar or soil supplied with B (as boric acid). The results showed that vigor of black currant bushes, weight of 100 berries, soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity of fruit were unaffected by B fertilization. Foliar B sprays increased B concentrations in flowers and leaves, and also enhanced the fruit set and as well as cropping of black currants. Soil B application enhanced leaf B status but had no effect on flower B level and yield. These results indicate that foliar B sprays applied at or around the time of flowering should be recommended for black currant