The blossom blight phase of fire blight disease on pear trees, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora (Burrill), was typically managed by applying the antibiotic, streptomycin sulfate and copper, to trees during blossom. Biological control agents of fire blight can be achieved by applying nonpathogenic bacteria, viz. Bacillus subtilis or Pantoea agglomerans and plant extract, viz. Harmel (Peganum harmala L.) during open flowers as spraying treatments. The objective of this study was to examine the alternative bactericides against bacterium E. amylovora in vitro and in vivo during two seasons (2013-2014) in Al-Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Our results revealed the ability of these antagonistic bacteria and plant extract can decreased fire blight severity on pear trees. Further studies at different locations in Egypt with large scale  application  would allow us to make stronger recommendations including their ability to prevent disease and used them as main component in integrated pest management program.

Seven chemical insecticides were tested for their ovicidal activity against Spodoptera littoralis eggs, using two methods, namely dipping of tafla leaves containing 0-1 day old eggs and o-day old eggs were deposited on insecticide residues on tafla leaves. Rynaxypyr was the most promising. It was taken as the standard insecticide and given an arbitrary index value of 100 units, when 0-1 day old eggs were treated directly by dipping in insecticide solution. As for the indirect ovicidal activity, emamectin benzoate came first and was given arbitrary index value of 100 units. On the other hand spinetoram, in comparison showed the least indirect ovicidal effect. Regarding the inhibitory action, it was obvious that rynaxypyr and indoxacarb exhibited high inhibitory activity (100%) in suppressing the number of deposited eggs when moths were subjected to 100 ppm and it was followed closely by pyridalyl, emamectin benzoate and spinetoram being 97.8, 97.0 and 95.3%, respectively. However, all insecticides showed variable degrees of inhibition at the least concentration tested (0.1 ppm), except spinosad and spinetoram having no inhibition activity for deposited eggs.