Plant Production Research Institute

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus, L.) is an important essential oilseed crops which rank third after soybean and peanut in the world for total production. Nano-fertilizers improve soil quality, thus, plant growth rendition and finesse grains. For optimizing productivity, study aimed to evaluate seven genotypes (G-245, G-465, A-770, G-775, G-880, G-990 and Giza120 cv.) under four treatments (NPK Nano100, 75, 50 %, conventional as control) on growth, oil and seed yield. Two field experiments were carried out at farm in Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, North Sinai, Egypt during 2021 and 2022 summer seasons. Results indicated that implementation 100, 75% Nano gave superiority of vegetative growth. Early maturity was observed in Nano 50% x G-880 genotype which gave the lowest days to flowering and harvesting. Maximum non-hull oil yield and yield components except 100-seed weight were recorded in Giza120 x 100% Nano. Commonly, Giza120 with all Nano treatments, particularly 100%, whereby, gave the heavier weight in seed, non-hull protein yield and protein content in both seasons, followed by G-245 genotype x 100% Nano in seed yield. Control treatment x G-465 followed by G-245 gave superiority in hull and non-hull oil content in both seasons ampersand hull oil yield in 2022 season.

Abstract Ensuring the biocompatibility of medical devices (MDs) is essential for regulatory compliance and user safety. Under the evolving requirements of the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745), products that come into contact with mucosal surfaces – such as those intended for oral use – must be supported by robust biocompatibility data. This study evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity and irritation potential of the medical device hydropastilky in comparison with a benchmark product of similar composition and intended use, following ISO 10993 guidelines. Hydropastilky are designed to moisturise, protect, and support the regeneration of the oral and throat mucosa. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) assay (ISO 10993-5). Hydro pastilky maintained cell viability above 50% at an extract concentration of up to 34.5%. Cytotoxic effects observed at higher concentrations were attributed to the strong hydrating and water-binding properties of the product, which posed challenges during extract preparation and likely impacted cell osmolarity as well. The benchmark product yielded comparable results. To generate more physiologically relevant data, irritation testing was performed using 3D reconstructed human epidermal (EpiDerm™) and oral mucosal (EpiOral™) models (ISO 10993-23). Both products demonstrated tissue viabilities above 50%, with most values exceeding 75%, confirming their non-irritant classification after prolonged exposure of 18 hours. These findings support the biocompatibility as well as biosimilarity of hydropastilky and the benchmark product and highlight the role of new approach methodologies (NAMs) in meeting modern regulatory expectations.

Endophytic fungi offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic insecticides, providing targeted pest control with reduced environmental toxicity and lower risk of resistance development. In this study, four endophytic fungi were isolated from Olea europaea and their ethyl acetate extracts’ larvicidal efficacy of Culex pipiens. Boxplot distributions revealed a positive correlation between metabolite concentration and larval mortality, with higher doses inducing greater lethality. Extracts 1 and 2 exhibited the highest larvicidal activity, with median mortality rates exceeding 60%, while Extracts 3 and 4 demonstrated significantly weaker effects. Dose-response curves further confirmed the potency of Extracts 1 and 2, with lower LC₅₀ values (148.36 and 153.36 µg/mL) compared to Extracts 3 and 4. The histological analysis revealed a dose-dependent impact, with minimal tissue alterations at 25–50 µg/mL, while 150–200 µg/mL caused severe disorganization, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. The most potent isolates, Aspergillus niger(Extract 1) and Aspergillus flavus(Extract 2), were identified morphologically and molecularly, with NCBI accession numbers PQ269689 and PQ269690, respectively. GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive compounds, including oleic acid and hexadecanoic acid, supporting their insecticidal potential. These findings highlight A. niger and A. flavus ethyl acetate extracts as promising sources of bioinsecticides for pest control.

Overuse of synthetic pesticides causes problems for humans and the environment or leads to insect resistance to insecticides, so plant extracts and essential oils have gained popularity as an environmentally acceptable alternative to chemical pesticides. This study investigated the toxicity of Delonix regia leaf and seed extracts, protein patterns, and genetic distance analysis against the 5th instar larvae of cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis Boisaduval. Methanol, petroleum ether, and acetone extracts of leaves and seeds of D. regia were used to coat castor leaves for ingestion by the 5th instar of S. littoralis larvae. The seeds’ methanol and petroleum ether extracts were the most effective (100 and 98 Mortality%), with LC50 values of 0.887 and 1.795 g/L, respectively, 24 h post-treatments. Data showed that D. regia extracts affected consequences of protein changes compared to untreated S. littoralis larvae resulted in genetic changes, as well as inhibition of the insect’s important α-amylases, forming protein complexes, and influencing normal growth and development. GC-MS analysis of the chemical composition of the seed extract revealed 18 compounds with high levels of stigmasterol, 2-methyl-4-vinylphenol, benzoic acid, 3-hydroxy, and squalene with percentages of 43.07%, 21.33%, 14.51%, and 14.12%, respectively. As a result, we concluded that D. regia seed extracts had the potential to control Spodoptera littoralis larvae.

Today, MALDI-ToF MS is an established technique to characterize and identify pathogenic bacteria. The technique is increasingly applied by clinical microbiological laboratories that use commercially available complete solutions, including spectra databases covering clinically relevant bacteria. Such databases are validated for clinical, or research applications, but are often less comprehensive concerning highly pathogenic bacteria (HPB). To improve MALDI-ToF MS diagnostics of HPB we initiated a program to develop protocols for reliable and MALDI-compatible microbial inactivation and to acquire mass spectra thereof many years ago. As a result of this project, databases covering HPB, closely related bacteria, and bacteria of clinical relevance have been made publicly available on platforms such as ZENODO. This publication in detail describes the most recent version of this database. The dataset contains a total of 11,055 spectra from altogether 1,601 microbial strains and 264 species and is primarily intended to improve the diagnosis of HPB. We hope that our MALDI-ToF MS data may also be a valuable resource for developing machine learning-based bacterial identification and classification methods.

This study was managed to isolate and identify entomopathogenic nematodes from Egypt. In addition, the pathogenicity and toxicity of these isolated nematodes on Spodoptera littoralis and Agrotis ipsilon larvae were declared. Also, hemolymph protein patterns of uninfected and infected larvae of S. littoralis and/or A. ipsilon were screened. Results declare that EPNs were extracted from soil samples of Egyptian mango trees in Ismailia, Governorate, only 2% of soil samples were positive for the nematode Heterorhabditis which was confirmed by the morphological signs of dead Galleria larvae which turned dark-red colour and recorded the bioluminescence phenomena in the dark. Also, all tested Heterorhabditis strains induce a positive influence on larval mortality while a negative influence on pupation and adult emergence against both insects Spodoptera littoralis and A. ipsilon. After infection of S.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a polyphagous pest that attacks different cultivated crops and causes serious damage. The destructive stage is the larval stage, whose caterpillars consumes the host plants' reproductive and vegetative components and cause high grain yield loss. The present work aims to study the efficient of some environmentally friendly compounds (XenTari 54% WG "Bacillus thuringiensis", Orange oil, Garlic Oil, Plesiva star 60% WG and Tracer 24% SC) of managing fall armyworm S. frugiperda larvae and their effect on resistance enzymes. revealed that the mortality percentage of the Plesiva star 60% WG recorded the highest reduction percentage 56.8% and the lowest reduction was XenTari 54% WG treatment recorded the 6.6%. According to statistical analysis there are significant differences between the 20 treatments whereas the mean of reduction percentage to S. frugiperda 4 th larvae instar after spraying, divided into 18 groups. In terms of how the tested compounds affected the activities of certain enzymes, it was found that, in comparison to the control, the activity of the invertase enzyme was considerably decreased by five of the investigated compounds. The enzyme phenoloxidas all treatments resulted in the inhibition were significant differences between the control and every other course of action. However, there were no appreciable variations between Plesiva star 60% WG and garlic oil. Phenoloxidase enzyme activities showed inverse significant correlation with the total corrected mortality percentage whereas r=0.77, Data showed a considerable increase in acetylcholinesterase activity in the larvae of S. frugiperda under five treatments; compared to the control.

Maladera modesta (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) infesting many plants and has become a serious pest since 2016 on citrus and strawberry crops, The adults feed on the leaves, buds and flowers of several plants The C-shaped larvae (white grubs) feed on roots The study was conducted as a part of a comprehensive baseline survey and population density of M. modesta infesting medicinal, aromatically and ornamental plants in a different region (Rawdat Al-Nil Park, Al-Firdaws Compound for the Armed Force, International Park and Nubaria) and studied the of M. modesta at (Giza and Beheira) during two successive seasons. The results indicated that the twenty-four plants are more infected by M. modesta. The population density recorded that, the general weekly mean number of M. modesta was more abundant at Beheira Governorate than recoded at Giza Governorate throughout two successive seasons 2021 and 2022. The statistical analysis of the total mean number of M. modesta showed a significant difference at <0.0001 for two different locations. At Giza Governorate showed that the adults recorded its highest levels of infestation in the months (June, October, September, July, Augusta, May, April, November and March) However, the months of January, February and December, insect population was absent. At Beheira Governorate, showed that the adults recorded their highest levels of infestation in the months of (June, Augusta, July, September, April, May, October and March), and the months of January, February, November and December, insect population was absent.

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, is an important food and forage legume worldwide. The cowpea weevil is a major cowpea pest that causes damage both in the field and during storage. This study investigated the effects of some foliar treatments, including three foliar fertilizers (Ca, K, B) and two growth regulators (mepiquat chloride (MC) and forchlorfenuron (CPPU) on the cowpea yield and its components. Furthermore, evaluating the susceptibility and resistance of cowpea seeds resulting from the previous treatments against the C. maculatus insect. The results showed that all foliar sprays had significant effects on yield and its components in both seasons compared with the control. The highest yield was achieved by CPPU treatment, followed by K treatment, and the lowest yield was achieved by MC treatment. The results of the free-choice and no-choice tests revealed that cowpea seeds treated with MC treatment were the most susceptible to C. maculatus attack. At the same time, cowpea seeds treated with K and CPPU treatments showed their resistance to infestation by the same insect. Foliar application of K and CPPU treatments could be used in integrated pest management programs to reduce the risk of pesticides to human health and increase crop production.