Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301USING THIOPAQ SULFUR FOR REDUCING NH3 VOLATILIZATION FROM CALCAREOUS SOILS AND INCREASING N USE2652775543910.21608/jssae.2011.55439ENAmal H. MahmoudLaboratory of Soil Salinity and Alkalinity Res., Inst. of Soil, Water and Environment Res., Agricultural Research Center, Pakkous, Alexandria.Kh. A. RatebLaboratory of Soil Salinity and Alkalinity Res., Inst. of Soil, Water and Environment Res., Agricultural Research Center, Pakkous, Alexandria.Journal Article20110224A laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of different rates (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) of THIOPAQ elemental sulfur (TES) application to the urea amended calcareous soils on NH<sub>3</sub>-N volatilization from soil surface and on N uptake efficiency by corn plants. In incubation experiment under laboratory conditions, daily ammonia loss was measured for up to 30 days after surface urea-N applied to soil (200 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>) using closed dynamic airflow system. Results showed that daily NH<sub>3</sub>-N loss in tested soils were in the order: M. Ismail > Adam > Abu Bakr soils within the first 18 days of incubation then turned to Abu Bakr > Adam > M. Ismail soils until the end of experiment. Total NH<sub>3</sub>-N volatilization from urea-treated soils were 50.3, 49.8 and 66.6% of applied N in Abu Bakr, Adam and M. Ismail soils, respectively. Significant reductions in NH<sub>3</sub>-N volatilization were observed in urea amended with TES and this reduction increased by increasing applied TES rate. The percentage inhibition in NH<sub>3</sub>-N loss as a result of application of different TES to tested soils ranged between 14.60-37.52, 75.28 – 84.52 and 70.00 – 77.42 in Abu Bakr, Adam and M. Ismail soils, respectively. The reduction in NH<sub>3</sub>-N loss by TES was accompanied by a decrease in soil pH and increase in concentrations of water soluble SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>. It is concluded that application of TES by rates 0.1 and 0.5 tons ha<sup>-1 </sup>had significant effect in reducing ammonia volatilization from surface applied urea. Results of greenhouse experiment showed that TES application and <em>T. thiooxidans</em> inoculation had significant effects on biomass production and N uptake by corn plant. Soil inoculation without addition of S increased N uptake in both shoots and roots by 22.25 and 19.5%, respectively, and reflects the promoting role for bacteria on N uptake. TES application significantly increased N uptake by plant shoots and roots and more uptake was obtained with applied TES and inoculation with <em>T. thiooxidans</em>. Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301EFFECT OF DEFICIT IRRIGATION AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON COWPEA YIELD, ITS COMPONENTS AND WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN NORTH DELTA OF EGYPT.2792935543510.21608/jssae.2011.55435ENGh. Sh. El-AtawySoils, Water and Environment Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Center, Giza, EgyptM. H. KasemVeg. Res. Dep., Hort. Res. Inst. Agric. Res. Center, Giza, EgyptJournal Article20110228Two field experiments were performed at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, (31° 05’ N latitude and 30° 56’ E longitude), Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, during the two growing summer seasons of 2009 and 2010, to study the effect of deficit irrigation by watering after 50%, 70% and 90% of available soil moisture deficit (ASMD) and four levels of nitrogen fertilization at 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg N fed.<sup>-1</sup> on cowpea yield, its components and water productivity in North Delta of Egypt. A split-plot design with four replicates was used. Mean values of seasonal water consumptive use were 42.17, 37.05 and 30.12cm in the 1<sup>st</sup> season and 41.22, 36.51 and 29.67 cm in the 2<sup>nd</sup> season for the 50%, 70% and 90% of ASMD, respectively and seasonal amounts of irrigation water applied for cowpea were 63.10 cm, 54.09 cm and 43.10 cm in the 1<sup>st</sup> season and 61.66, 53.33 and 42.40 cm in the 2<sup>nd</sup> season for 50%, 70% and 90% of ASMD, respectively. Results revealed that the highest values of plant height, number of leaves plant<sup>-1</sup>, number of branches plant<sup>-1</sup> and chlorophyll content were obtained from irrigation at 50% of ASMD in the first season, while the highest values of seed yield plant<sup>-1</sup>, seed yield fed.<sup>-1 </sup>and number of pods plant<sup>-1</sup> were obtained from irrigation at 70% of ASMD in the both seasons. The mean results showed that adding 40 kg N fed.<sup>-1 </sup>significantly increased plant height, number of leaves plant<sup>-1</sup>, number of branches plant<sup>-1</sup> and chlorophyll content in both seasons, while adding 30 kg N fed.<sup>-1</sup> gave the highest mean values of seed yield plant<sup>-1</sup>, seed yield fed.<sup>-1</sup>,number of pods plant<sup>-1</sup> and 100-seed weight in both seasons. The highest values of water productivity (WP) and productivity of irrigation water (PIW) were 0.763and 0.541kg m<sup>-3 </sup> in the 1<sup>st</sup> season and 0.568 and 0.403 kg of seeds m<sup>-3 in the 2nd</sup> season as a result of irrigation at 90% of ASMD and fertilization with 30 kg N fed.<sup>-1 in the both seasons. Irrigation at 90% of ASMD enhanced WP by 29.7 and 33.4% and PIW by 35.9 and 39.7% compared to irrigation at 50% of ASMD in the two seasons, respectively. WP and PIW increased by increasing N application up to 30 kg N fed.-1</sup>. It can be recommended that the best results under the experimental conditions were irrigating cowpea cultivars at 70% of ASMD and fertilization with 30 kg N fed.<sup>-1</sup>.Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301EFFECT OF NATURAL AND MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS ON AIR CONTAMINANTS OF POULTRY HOUSING IN AL-AHSA (ESTERN PROVINCE), SAUDI ARABIA2953145544310.21608/jssae.2011.55443ENE. A. AlmuhannaDept. Agric. Systems Engineering, King Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaJournal Article20110301 A field study was conducted to assess the effect of natural and mechanical ventilation systems on air contaminants of poultry housing under eastern province of Saudi Arabia climatic conditions. The concentration and particles size distribution of airborne particles and gases were measured and analyzed inside two different poultry housing. The obtained data showed that, the mean total suspended particles concentration (TSP) inside the poultry housing that used natural ventilation system (N.V.) was 12.47 mg/m<sup>3</sup>, the particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 10 µm (PM<sub>10</sub>) concentration was 4.81 mg/m<sup>3</sup>, and the particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) concentration was 0.18 mg/m<sup>3</sup>. Whereas, in the poultry housing used mechanical ventilation system (M.V.), these concentrations, respectively, were 4.61, 2.26, and 0.09 mg/m<sup>3</sup>. The TSP values were greater than the suggested threshold values for indoor air contaminants in livestock building, however, the PM<sub>2.5</sub> values of both housing did not exceed the suggested threshold values for indoor air contaminants in livestock building. The geometric mean diameter (GMD) based on the mass concentration of particles in the natural and mechanical ventilation systems was 8.63 and 8.38 μm, respectively. The concentration of ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>), carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>), sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), oxides of nitrogen (NO<sub>2</sub>), and hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) was also measured inside the poultry housing. The obtained results also revealed that, the ammonia was the dominant gas in both housing. Moreover, the majority of gases did not exceed the threshold values. Using the mechanical ventilation system, the concentration of airborne particles and toxic gases inside the poultry house was strongly affected by the barn ventilation rate.Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON SOIL NUTRIENTS AVAILABILITY AND WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY.3153265544510.21608/jssae.2011.55445ENS. A. HammadSoil Sci. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ., Egypt.H. A. MeshrefSoil Sci. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ., Egypt.T. M. El-ZeherySoil Sci. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ., Egypt.K. F. FoudaSoil Sci. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ., Egypt.Journal Article20110304Soils degraded physically and nutritionally due to continuous use of chemical fertilizers under intensive agricultural. Management of N is the key for sustainable and profitable wheat production in a low N-soil availability. So a field experiment was conducted on a clay soil using wheat (Triticum aestivum) Giza 168 variety during 2008 / 2009 season at Agricultural Experimental Station of Fac. Agric, Mansoura Univ., to study the influence of combined use of mineral fertilizers (urea) and organic fertilizers in the form of farmyard manure (FYM), composted rice straw (CRS) and their combinations on wheat productivity, nutrients availability and monitoring soil organic matter (SOM) status in soil at certain times 45, 88 and 155 days from wheat planting. The randomize complete blocks design with three replications was used. The mineral fertilizer (urea) was applied at the rate of N<sub>1</sub>=60 and N<sub>2</sub>=120 kg urea fed<sup>-1</sup>.The amounts of various organic fertilizers used were (10 and 20 m<sup>3</sup> fed<sup>-1</sup>), for both FYM and CRS. Organic fertilizers added either alone or in combinations with urea to the soil. Results indicated that the maximum increase in grain yield (54.66 and 56.55 % over untreated control) and straw yield (1660.50 and 1710.99 g.m<sup>2</sup>) were recorded with N<sub>2</sub>FYM<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>CRS<sub>2</sub> respectively. All combination of organic (FYM or CRS) and inorganic fertilizers gave the optimum availability of NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>, P, K concentration in soil beside the enhancement of soil organic matter percentage (SOM) as compared to the other treatments. Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301RESPONSE OF LE-CONTE PEAR TREES GROWN UNDER EGYPTIAN CODITION TO SOME FOLIAR APPLICATIONS AND SOIL SPRAYING WITH AGAR SOLUTION.3273405543710.21608/jssae.2011.55437ENA. A. A. MohamedPlant Nutrition Dept., Soil, Water and Environ. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Centre, Giza, Egypt.Zeinab M. A. KhalilPlant Nutrition Dept., Soil, Water and Environ. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Centre, Giza, Egypt.A. F. E. El-RmahHorticulture Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Centre, Giza, Egypt.M. A. El-AkabawyPlant Nutrition Dept., Soil, Water and Environ. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Centre, Giza, Egypt.Journal Article20110308The present investigation was carried out during two successive seasons of 2008 and 2009 at El-Kassasin Research Station (sandy loam soil) under drip irrigation system, on Le-Conte pear trees.
The work aimed at studying the effectiveness of foliar application treatments with soluble K<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> (SOP), putrescine, chelated micronutrients (Fe + Zn + Mn) solely or in combination and soil spray treatment with Agar solution (as soil conditioner) in improving pear vegetative growth, fruit yield and its quality.
The obtained results showed a pronounced enhancement in the studied vegetative growth characters (No.of leaves and leaf area), chlorophyll (A), chlorophyll (B) and carotene contents as a result of foliar spray treatments. Moreover, these treatments corrected the nutritional status of trees leading to significant increases in fruit yield and an improvement in fruit quality characters (fruit weight, size, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, and TSS/acidity ratio).
The best results were obtained with the treatment of combination between "potassium + putrescine + micronutrients" which achieved percentage increases over control; 24.5% in fruit yield, 12.6% in fruit weight and 13.4% in fruit size.
This investigation also showed a promising result concerning using Agar solution, as a soil conditioner. Such treatment exhibited positive responses in all the studied growth parameters and fruit yield. Yet, it might need more time than two seasons in order to have remarkable beneficial effects; as a soil conditioner, being used under drip irrigation system.Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301WATER SAVING USING GATED PIPES UNDER SOME EFFECTIVE IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT NORTH NILE DELTA.3413555545010.21608/jssae.2011.55450ENE. M. El-HadidiSoils Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura Univ..Samia M. El-MarsafawyCentral Lab. for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), ARC.I.M. Abdel-FattahSoils, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), ARC.Journal Article20110312A field experiment was conducted during the two summer growing seasons 2009 and 2010 at the Demonstration Field for Modern Irrigation Systems at Sakha Agricultural Research Station. The main objective of this study was to find out some practical effective ways regarding saving water particularly under the present status of water shortage facing Egypt.
Gated pipes as improved surface irrigation technique was used for irrigating maize and the studied irrigation practices were; traditional irrigation or every furrow irrigation (EFI-Trt.A), cut-off irrigation (Trt.B), in addition two techniques of alternative furrow irrigation either fixed (FAI-Trt.C) or nonfixed alternate furrow irrigation (EAI-Trt.D). Moreover, two methods regarding computation of irrigation water should be applied; Ibrahim (Trt.E) and Penman-Monteith (Trt.F).
Obtained findings indicated that some suitable techniques could be practiced regarding water saving without significant reduction in marketable grain yield. The mean values of maize grain yield can be ranked as; 3.6, 3.4=3.4, 3.3=3.3 and 2.8 ton.fed<sup>-1</sup> obtained under treatments; E, B, D, A, C and F, respectively. While the highest water saving of nearly 12% equaled 353 m<sup>3</sup>.fed<sup>-1</sup> or about 880 million m<sup>3</sup> at the national level (2.5 million feddan, 1 fed= 0.42 ha) could be obtained by; using gated pipes as improved surface irrigation, laser land leveling and executing either cut-off or alternate irrigation techniques.
Moreover, accurate computation of irrigation water should be applied without excess or less than the actual water needs for the growing plants and depending on the availability of climate elements. In this direction, either Ibrahim equation that mainly depending upon pan evaporation and suitable for the studied area or the FAO Penman-Monteith equation could be used in computing irrigation water. Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301COMPOSTING OF DECIDUOUS TREES LEAVES AND CATTLE DUNG: EFFECT OF TURNING OPERATION IN PROCESS PERFORMANCE3573785545110.21608/jssae.2011.55451ENS. M. AbdellatifDept. of Agric. Engineering, Faculty of Agric., Mans. Univ.M. A. ElsaadanyDept. of Agric. Engineering, Faculty of Agric., Mans. Univ.S. M. S. ShalabyDept. of Agric. Engineering, Faculty of Agric., Mans. Univ.Journal Article20110316The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of composting fallen leaves and cattle dung and the effect of turning frequency on final compost quality. A bioreactor vessel was designed, manufactured, and situated on the roof of the Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, MansouraUniversity for rapid composting of admixture leaves and cattle dung from November 2008 until June 2010. This bioreactor vessel is conical in shape (right frustum of cone) and made of double layer of stainless steel sheet 1 mm thick with a net volume of 0.1094 m<sup>3</sup>. A series of experiments were executed to investigate some engineering factors affecting performance of composting process such as; size of fallen leaves and stirring or turning frequency. Laboratory tests were also carried out to assess and evaluate some physical and chemical properties of raw composting materials, fresh compost, and final compost after curing process. Two different particle sizes of fallen leaves (shredded leaves of 2.0-5.5 mm and complete leaves) and one aeration rate (0.007 m<sup>3</sup>/min) were functioned. Two different levels of manual stirring (without and with stirring once every six days) were used. The obtained results revealed that, to maximize the microbial activity and speed up the composting process of admixture materials, they would be aerated by a rate of 0.007 m<sup>3</sup>/min, stirred once every six days, and shredded fallen leaves to a smaller particles size. The obtained results also showed that, the final compost contented Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) of 3.181%, 0.318%, and 3.790%, respectively. They also revealed that, there were no weed seeds found in all treatment samples of fresh and final composts. Rising up the temperature of admixture materials and persisting from the first day until the end of fifth day during the thermophilic phase caused in destructed of pathogens and other organisms.Mansoura University, Faculty of AgricultureJournal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering2090-36852320110301AVAILABILITY OF SOME NUTRIENTS AND RICE YIELD AS AFFECTED BY RICE STRAW FERTILIZATION UNDER CONTINUOUS FLOODING AND SATURATION.3793925544810.21608/jssae.2011.55448ENE.E. GewailyRice Res. and Training Center, Field Crops Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Center, Egypt.E. S. NaeemRice Res. and Training Center, Field Crops Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Center, Egypt.T. F. MetwallyRice Res. and Training Center, Field Crops Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Center, Egypt.I. E. Nasr El-DinSoils, Water and Environment Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Center, Egypt.Journal Article20110320A field experiment was conducted during the two successive summer seasons of 2009 and 2010 in using clayey soil at the farm of Rice Research and Training Center, Sakha District, Kafer El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, to investigate the effect of rice straw incorporation in the soil under continuous flooding and continuous saturation on availability of some nutrients in the soil (ammonium, nitrate, phosphorus and potassium) and rice yield. Utilization of 165 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> gave the highest values of rice grain yield but without any significant differences with 5 tons rice straw ha<sup>-1</sup> + 110 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>. The largest amounts of nutrients (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> and P) availability were found with continuous flooding. While, the highest values of NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> and K availability were found under continuous saturation. The continuous flooding treatment gave more grain yield as compared with continuous saturation treatment.