Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research

Induction of Water-Deficit Tolerance in Rice through Gamma Mutagenesis

Almoatazbellah Ali El-Mouhamady, Mohammed Mohammed El-Hawary — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Rice is a strategic crop essential for Egyptian national food security; however, climate change and escalating water scarcity pose severe threats to its sustainable production. From this point, gamma rays with its safe doses were used to genetic improvement in the Egyptian rice cultivar (Sakha 102) and for elicitation five rice mutants classified as highly drought tolerated besides, its high yielding. The six rice accessions were evaluated across two growing seasons under normal and drought conditions. Yield components, physiological and biochemical attributes besides, water stress tolerance indices were the most important parameters tested under both treatments for screening the highest rice genotypes tolerated to drought stress under stress conditions. Results indicated that significant genetic variability (P < 0.01) was observed for all physiological and yield traits. Furthermore, drought stress severely
reduced yield components, particularly in the local cultivar "Sakha 102" (DSI > 1.87; YR: 0.27). Conversely, induced mutagenesis significantly improved drought resilience. Also, mutant 5 demonstrated superior tolerance, maintaining the highest grain yield (51.68 g) and 1000-grain weight (36.97 g) under stress by maximizing glycine betaine (77.68) and trehalose (60.45) accumulation. As
well, strong positive correlations were confirmed between osmoprotectants and yield attributes under stress, notably between proline and 1000-grain weight (r = 0.96). Further, high broad-sense heritability (> 70%) coupled with high genetic advance (18.59% - 26.45%) for grain yield under stress confirmed the governance of additive gene action. Ultimately, these findings identify Mutant 5 as a high-potential donor line and validate biochemical osmoprotection as a reliable selection criterion, offering a vital genetic tool to secure future rice production amidst future climatic challenges like high level of drought stress.

Biological and Physical Control Measures to Manage White Rot Disease Incidence in Onion and Garlic under Natural Field Conditions

Mohamed S. A. Khalil, Amany A. Ramadan — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

White rot caused by the soil borne fungus Stromatinia cepivora (Berk.) Whetzel, is the most destructive disease affecting onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) crops in Egypt and worldwide. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of soil solarization alone or integrated with bio-control agents, in controlling white rot disease incidence in onion and garlic crops as well as their resulting yield. The data obtained revealed significant reduction and increase in yield for garlic and onion crops when cultivated using treated seeds or transplants with biocontrol agents, followed by planting in solarized soil and subsequent cultivation in solarized soil alone. The garlic bulb-seeds immersed in growth suspension of P. oxalicum; B. pumilus followed by B. subtilis revealed the lowest disease incidence. Meanwhile, high records of disease incidence were recorded in un-solarized soil. Furthermore, the treatment of bio-agents combined with soil solarization resulted in a significant increase in garlic bulb yield compared with plants grown in un-solarized soil. Onion plants showed similar results concerning disease incidence and harvested yield. The current study aims to utilize the hot weather months in Egypt to apply soil mulching technique for controlling serious soilborne plant pathogens. This can be done either alone or in conjunction with biological agents as part of an integrated pest management program.

Application of Microalgae and their Nanocomposites for Food Biopreservation

Donia H. M. Elkomy, Hoda Mahrous, Ahmed A. Tayel — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The present review indicates the increasing significance of natural bioactive compounds and nanomaterials in food bio preservation, in which Spirulina platensis, chitosan, and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are emphasized. These include powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that such agents have which render them as viable substitutes to the traditional chemical preservatives.
Their personal properties, biological functions, and actions as well as the novel developments of nanotechnology, which improve their stability, functionality, and topography in food systems are reviewed. Particular emphasis is directed to integrated applications in which natural compounds and nanomaterials have a synergetic effect on microbial control and food quality. Despite the promising
prospects of these bio preservative strategies, there are aspects of safety, toxicity testing, migration, and regulatory policies. In general, the presented work underlines that combining natural bioactive compounds with nanotechnology may provide real sustainable methods of shelf life extension and food safety, and those additional studies are necessary to guarantee safe large-scale use.

Some Physiological and Immunological Responses of Growing Barki Lambs Fed on Biologically Treated Trimming Waste of Mandarin Trees in Siwa Oasis

Muhammed A-H. El-Rayes — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing traditional roughage with trimming waste of mandarin trees (TWMT), either untreated or biologically treated with Bio-Magic (BM), on thermorespiratory responses, hematological, biochemical, thyroid hormonal profiles, and immunological status of growing Barki lambs under the environmental conditions of Siwa Oasis. Thirty-three weaned Barki lambs (aged 5 months, average weight 31.56 ± 0.48 kg) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (11 lambs per group) for a 4-month trial. The control group (CR) received Berseem Hay (BH) + Concentrate Feed Mixture (CFM). The untreated group (UR) was fed TWMT + CFM. The treated group (TR) received TWMT + CFM biologically treated with Bio-Magic at a rate of 10 kg fresh
matter/ton CFM. Feed was offered as 70% CFM of total requirements, with roughage provided ad libitum. The results showed that biological treatment (TR) significantly reduced skin temperature, respiration rate, and heart rate compared to the control group, indicating improved thermal comfort and heat adaptability in Siwa Oasis conditions. Lambs in the TR group showed a significant increase in RBC count (8.24×106 / mm3), Hemoglobin (11.15 g dL-1), and PCV% (30.37%), as well as total WBCs count (11.59× 103/ cells / mm3) compared to UR and CR groups. TR significantly elevated Total Protein (8.55 g dL-1) and Albumin (4.19 g dL-1), while maintaining normal globulin levels. Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) were significantly higher in the TR group (5.89 ng mL-1 and 98.70 ng mL-1) respectively, indicating enhanced metabolic rate and nutrient utilization. Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT, Alk. Ph) and kidney markers (Creatinine and Urea) remained within healthy physiological ranges, showing a slight decrease in blood urea, which reflects improved ruminal nitrogen utilization efficiency without any systemic toxicity. TR significantly enhanced Immunoglobulin G (IgG: 2.33 ng mL-1), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC: 0.90 nmol mL-1), and Interleukins (IL-2 and IL-6) compared to untreated and control rations. Lipid parameters (Total Lipids, Total Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL) were significantly decreased in TWMT-fed groups (TR and UR), likely due to the active phytochemicals (flavonoids and tannins) present in mandarin residues. Conclusion: Utilizing biologically treated trimming waste of mandarin trees (TWMT + Bio-Magic) as a non-conventional roughage source can successfully replace traditional roughages. It improves growth performance, metabolic efficiency, antioxidant activity, and immune response without adverse effects on liver or kidney functions, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective feeding strategy in arid region oasis conditions.