Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36858220170201Performance of Ten Maize Hybrids Under Water Stress and Calcareous Soil Conditions.41483708910.21608/jssae.2017.37089ENA. HablizaMaize Res. Dept., Field Crops Res. Inst., ARC, EgyptA. AbdelhalimWater Req. and Field Irri . Res. Dept., Soils, Water and Env. Res. Inst., ARC, EgyptJournal Article20170120A field experiment was conducted at Nubaria agricultural research station during the 2007 and 2008 summer seasons. Two irrigation regimes e.g. 100 and 75% of maize water requirements, respectively, under drip irrigation system and ten (5 single-cross (SC) plus 5 three-way cross (TWC) maize hybrids and their interaction were assessed. The experimental design was a split-plot with three replications, where the main plots represented two irrigation regimes and the sub-plots were assigned to the ten maize hybrids. The main findings could be summarized as follows: Significant decreases in grain yield were observed under deficit irrigation comparing with adequate one in 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> seasons. Plant height and ear height exhibited similar trends, however, the differences did not reach the significant level due to irrigation regimes. An opposite trend was recorded for number of days to mid-silking, anthesis -silking interval and leaf proline content traits, where 75% irrigation regime resulted in higher values of such traits in the two seasons of study, comparable with 100% irrigation regime.As for maize hybrid types, notable opposite trends in grain yield were found, where TWC hybrids average increased by 1.80% more than SC hybrids in 2007 season, meanwhile SC hybrids averaged surpassed that of TWC hybrids average by 1.87% in 2008 season. Additionally,TWC hybrids exhibited shorter values of days to mid-silking and anthesis- silking interval (day) compared with SC hybrids, in the two seasons of study. The average of leaf proline content was higher for SC hybrids, comparable with TWC hybrids. On average basis, SC hybrids exhibited higher value of (DSI) than TWC hybrids in 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> seasons, and SC10 maize hybrid exhibited the potentiality of grain yield with the adequate irrigation regime, in 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> seasons. Under 75% irrigation regime, TWC.321, TWC.324, TWC.327 and SC.162 exhibited higher grain yield in 2007, while in 2008, TWC.321, SC.10 and SC.162 gave higher grain yield.The amounts of applied irrigation water were 8000 and 6070 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>-1</sup> for the 100% and 75% irrigation treatments, respectively. Average crop water productivity values increased with decreasing applied water, where, under 75% irrigation regime CWP was increased in 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> seasons, comparable with 100% irrigation regime. Under stress conditions, average CWP value for the TWC hybrids was higher by 13.48% in 2007, and seemed to be negligible (0.79%) in 2008 season comparing with SC hybrids, respectively. An opposite trend was notable under 100% irrigation regime, where average CWP value for the SC hybrids was higher by 5.26 and 3.62%, respectively, in 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> seasons. The highest CWP values (3.39 and 2.88 kg m<sup>-3</sup>), respectively, in 2007 and 2008 seasons were obtained with SC10 hybrid as irrigated at 100% regime interaction. https://jssae.journals.ekb.eg/article_37089_a21a30d0e03b63ff7b4f6c3411c2d17a.pdfMansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36858220170201Developing a Unit for Chaff Bagging During Threshing49563709810.21608/jssae.2017.37098ENW. El-FakhranyAgricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agri. Res. Center.S. ShalabyAgricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agri. Res. Center.W. El-BalkimyAgricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agri. Res. Center.Journal Article20170228The aim of the present study is to develop a bagging device depends primarily on a cyclone and fits for bagging the wheat chaff during threshing operation. The developed device was constructed in El-Gemeza Agricultural Research Station El-Gharbia Governorate. For obtaining high performance of the developed device; some parameters were tested at different levels such as; air outlet diameter of 50, 90 and 120 cm, mesh holes diameter of 3, 6 and 10 mm latterly thresher air velocity of 14.4, 17.9, 20.1 and 23.6 m/s. The air velocity at air outlet and chaff outlet were measured, also the chaff losses, grain losses, impurity ratio and cleaning efficiency were determined.The highest air velocity at air outlet of 5.4 m/s was obtained at air outlet diameter of 90 cm, mesh holes diameter of 10 mm and thresher air velocity of 23.6 m/s. The lowest values of air velocity at chaff outlet, chaff losses and grain losses of 0.2 m/s, 0.36% and 0 respectively were obtained at air outlet diameter of 120 cm, mesh holes diameter of 10 mm and thresher air velocity of 14.4 m/s. The lowest value of impurity ratio of 0.03% and the corresponding cleaning efficiency of 97.7% were obtained at air outlet diameter of 120 cm, mesh holes diameter of 10 mm and thresher air velocity of 23.6 m/s.https://jssae.journals.ekb.eg/article_37098_afd6e2c7d9295d730a786ceacc5312a3.pdfMansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36858220170201Soil Calssification and Land Evaluation Studies of Some Soil in The North –East Asyut Governorate Egypt Useing Remote Sensing and Gis57653708210.21608/jssae.2017.37082ENM. WahdanSoils Water and Environment Research Instituted, Agricultural, Resarch Center, Giza , Egypt.Journal Article20170130The North-East desert outskirt of Asyut Governorate. Egypt ,i.e. adjacent to both sides of Cairo-Asyut Eastern Desert road is considered a promising area for agricultural .utilization as well as a model for representing some landscape features in the Eastern Desert, Egypt, So ,it selected to be identified within the content of soil geomorphic units ,soil morphological physic-chemical, soil classification and evaluation for agriculture irrigated .Based on the guidelines of landsate data ETM 7(Enhanced Thematic Mapper7) and the geomorphic units approach for the studied area were identified . The investigated area includes the main geomorphic units are wadies, Bajada, Pediplain and Rocky plateau. Seventy –five mini pits were located and studied for setting up the geomorphic boundaries and characteristic of soil map legend. Also, the variation of soil characteristics between the main identified. geomorphic units were represented by twenty soil profiles which to be full morphologically described . According to morphological ,physical and chemical properties the studied soils have been classified and could be categorized into order"Aridisols"and two sub group leveles as Typic Haplocalcids ,and Lithic Haplocalcids and order Entisols which corresponded to Typic Torriorthents .Land capability evaluation of the identified geomorphic units were evaluated to assess the supreme current and potential suitability for giving the maximum out puts.The current land suitability could be categorized into three suitability classes ,i,e moderately suitable (S2),marginally suitable (S3)and not suitable(N), besides eight subclasses (S2sᴤ,sз,s4); (S3sᴤ,sз,s4); (S3s1,sᴤ,sз,n) ;(S3sᴤ,sз,s4,n); (S3sᴤ,sз,s4); (S3sᴤ,s4,n);(N t,s1,sᴤ,sз,s4,n) and (Nt,s1,sᴤ,sз,n) which are suffering from some soil properties i.e. soil texture (s2),soil profile depth (s1),CaCOз(s3);Gypsum(s4) topography (t)salinity and alkalinity (n)as soil limitations with different intensity degrees (slight to severe).By applying the improvement practices for achieving the potential condition ,the suitable classes would be become three classes (S2), (S3), and (N) ,besides seven subclasses i,e (S2sᴤ,s4. S2sᴤ,sз,s4; S2s1, sᴤ, sз, s4; S3sᴤ,s4,; S3sᴤ,sз,s4; S3s1, sᴤ,sз,s4 and N1s1,sᴤ,sз,s4. https://jssae.journals.ekb.eg/article_37082_f9ad8a4d0fab718758d058bfd30e3bcf.pdfMansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36858220170201Intermittent Irrigation in Rice Production as a Tool to Mitigate the Expected Water Scarcity67723709110.21608/jssae.2017.37091ENA. AbdelhalimWater Requirement and Field Irrigation Research Department, Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC).Tahany NoreldinWater Requirement and Field Irrigation Research Department, Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC).H. Abdel - BaqeyWater Requirement and Field Irrigation Research Department, Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC).Journal Article20170203The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different irrigation regimes on yield, yield attributes and water productivity. The adopted irrigation regimes were classified as follows:(oncontinuous flooding treatments (irrigation every 6 days with 7 cm depth (I1) and irrigation every 6 days with 5 cm depth (I2)) and intermittent irrigation treatments (irrigation every 6 days with 3 cm depth (I3), irrigation every 12 days with 7 cm depth (I4), irrigation every 12 days with 5 cm depth (I5) and irrigation every 12 days with 3 cm depth (I6)) on the yield and yield attributes of two rice cultivars (Giza178) and (Oraby2), in addition to its effect on water productivity.The results showed that there were significant differences between continuous flooding treatments and intermittent irrigation treatments on all the studied traits and there were no significant differences between the cultivars. Under I1, highest rice yield and water productivity for both cultivars were attained. Application of I2 or I3 caused 7 or 11% yield losses averaged over cultivars and seasons and saved 8 or 13% of the applied water.The highest water productivity (WP) was attained by Giza178 under I2 for both cultivars. The results also showed that application of I6 resulted in similar water productivity value as I1 for both cultivars and seasons.Thus, under expected water scarcity, Giza178 can be cultivated using I6 to attain the highest WP under intermittent irrigation treatments. Furthermore, legume crop need to cultivate it before rice to improve soil quality and increase yield.https://jssae.journals.ekb.eg/article_37091_b1c6a071f9095eb6b8f4282c5ff345ed.pdfMansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36858220170201A Stationery Loading Unit for Measuring Farm Tractors Power in PTO73763709410.21608/jssae.2017.37094ENM. MinyawiAgricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, EgyptJournal Article20170207The torque and power of a tractor are two important decision making factors when buying an agricultural tractor. These factors are generally extracted through PTO tractor testing. Such testing is accomplished using a device called dynamometer. Since commercial dynamometers are expensive, research efforts are encouraged to develop similar dynamometer for tractor tests. The aim of this study was to fabricate and adapt an automobile brake system to become a PTO shaft brake loading system for measuring torque and power. A commercial torque transducer was fixed to the tractor PTO for both toque and rotational speed measurements. Tests were performed on a Helwan 35 IMT tractor with 26.12 kW of power. The laboratory demonstration test showed that the measurement of torque magnitude at PTO of the tractor was satisfactory. The results were compared to those obtained through loading the same tractor with a shop AW commercial dynamometer and the relative error between the data sets was -2.59%. A t–test showed no significant differences in the averages of power. Considering the results of this study, the PTO shaft brake loading system can feasibly applied to tractor performance evaluation.https://jssae.journals.ekb.eg/article_37094_8cf67f7817de50c7d08cfafe4502f476.pdfMansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36858220170201Soil-Less Seed Germination and Root Growth of Date Palm Affected by Biochar and Metal Nanoparticles77843709510.21608/jssae.2017.37095ENE. MarzoukDivision of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, North Sinai 45516, EgyptJournal Article20170214Nanomaterials and organic derived-biochar are proposed to be the materials for the new millennium, particularly in agricultural sector. Smarter use of these materials in crop production could be achievable to solve a lot of problems. However, a thorough understanding of the interactions of nanoparticles and biochar with plants is required prior to general recommendation. The present study serves to investigate the impact of silver (Ag) and zinc (Zn) nanoparticles (NPs) and biochar on a problematic seed germination and seedling early growth rate of Zaghloul date palm (<em>Phoenix dactylifera</em>). Two laboratory experiments were undertaken in soil-less culture systems; (i) soil-less petri dish was used to improve the seed germination of date palm under different concentrations of AgNPs (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 mgl<sup>-1</sup>) and biochar (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 g/petri dish) and (ii) hydroponic system was used to study the impact of ZnNPs (0, 0.002, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.05 and 0.1 %) in root growth rate of date palm according to the results obtained from experiment (i). The results showed that a significant increasing in seed germination rates for all treatments compare with the control. Although higher concentration of AgNPs (40 mgl<sup>-1</sup>) and biochar ( 3 and 5 g / petri dish) showed an increasing values of seed germination comparing to the control, they pose initial inhibitory effect of seed germination comparing to their lower concentrations. However, the addition of either 20 mg AgNPs l<sup>-1</sup> or 2 g / petri dish biochar showed the highest germination values. These concentrations were further studied under hydroponic culture system to investigate the effect of ZnNPs on root growth rate of date palm. The addition of ZnNPs improves root growth rate of date palm for all treatments. However, the root growth empirical model confirms that the seed initially treated by 2 g/ petri dish biochar had a superior root growth comparing to seed initially treated by AgNPs. Therefore, we recommend using both treatments (AgNPs and biochar), at lower concentrations, combined by nanofertilzer of ZnNPs to improve Zaghloul seed germination and seedling growth.https://jssae.journals.ekb.eg/article_37095_c76adfdbbb3e34f3289ae59e907ec517.pdfMansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36858220170201Fertility Evaluation of Some Soils in Damietta Governorate, Egypt Using GIS85923709310.21608/jssae.2017.37093ENA. ElnaggarDept. of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt.Kh. El-HamdiDept. of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt.T. DaibesDept. of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt.Journal Article20170218Intensification of agricultural productivity, use of high yield crops, and loss of Nile deposits after building the High Dam have resulted in significant reduction in soil fertility. Accordingly, there is a critical need for evaluating soil fertility of alluvial soils in the Nile-Delta of Egypt as well as the newly reclaimed areas developed on sand dunes in the northern part of Nile-Delta. This work focus on studying the spatial variability within physiochemical properties and evaluating fertility of Damietta Governorate soils by using GIS techniques. For that reason, 30 geo-referenced and representative soil profiles were randomly distributed within the studied area and soil samples were collected at three depth intervals (0-30, 30-60, and 60-90 cm). Soil samples were analyzed for their physical, chemical and fertility properties. Water samples were also collected from irrigation and drainage canals in close proximity from each soil profile. These samples were also analyzed for their quality parameters. Ordinary Kriging (OK) was used in surface interpolation of soil physical and chemical properties in the studied area. Also, the ASLE model was used to evaluate land capability and suitability for crop Productivity.The obtained results indicated that the spatial distribution of the studied physical and chemical properties was highly associated with the origin of soil parent material. The higher values of clay content, saturation percentage (SP), organic matter (OM( and available NPK were found on soils developed on alluvial deposits, whereas the lower values were found in soils developed on sand dunes and marine deposits along the Mediterranean coast. The soil index of the studied soils ranged between excellent and good based on their physical and chemical properties. Soil fertility index was fit into two classes (poor and very poor). Water quality ranged between excellent and good, whereas the environmental conditions in the studied area were good. The final land capability index indicated that soils in the studied are fit into two classes (fair and poor). Land suitability for the selected crops varied from very suitable to permanently unsuitable. However, the former class represents the majority of the studied area. Most of the limitations for crop productivity were mainly associated with soil salinity, sodicity, heavy soil-texture, poor drainage and soil depth. However, these limitations can be eliminated through using proper fertility and land management practices.https://jssae.journals.ekb.eg/article_37093_cc6eec44ce286c280ead237d2117a803.pdf