eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
1
8
18629
Original Article
Taxonomic Consequences of Seed Morphology and Anatomy in Three Lupinus Species (Fabaceae-Genisteae)
Ream Marzouk
reammarzouk@yahoo.com
1
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
The objective of this paper is to study seed coat morphological and anatomical features of three Lupinus
species; L. albus L., L. digitatus Forssk. and L. angustifolius L., in order to reveal the taxonomic
relationships among them. Among seed coat macromorphological characters used were seed dimensions,
seed weight and testa color, while those of the hilum were lens and macula raphalis. Seed coat
micromorphological features revealed a similarity between L. digitatus and L. angustifolius since the
outer periclinal walls of the isodiametric epidermal cells are tuberculate. The summit of each tubercle
takes the form of umbrella with a central elevation in the former species, while each tubercle possesses
long and narrow tips in the latter one. However, in L. albus the outer periclinal walls of the isodiametric
epidermal cells are combination between pusticulate and reticulate. The anatomy of seed coat of Lupinus
species shows that it is formed of two layers, the exotesta and the mesotesta. The exotesta is
distinguished into two sublayers; the outer epidermis which is formed of malpighian cellulosic thickwalled
cells (macrosclereids) and the inner hypodermis of hourglass thick-walled cells with large
intercellular spaces (osteosclereids). On the other hand the mesotesta layer is formed of parenchyma
cells. L. angustifolius, L. digitatus and L. albus displayed the same intermediate cotyledon type with
some specification for L. albus.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18629_6e8312355e6017e16acfa5dbe45a3ba2.pdf
Cotyledon anatomy
Fabaceae
Lupinus albus
Lupinus digitatus
Lupinus angustifolius
seed macromorphology
seed coat
seed coat micromorphology
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
9
20
18630
Original Article
Vegetation and Environment of Gebel Serbal, South Sinai, Egypt
Raafat Abd El-Wahab
raafat_hassan@yahoo.com
1
Mohamed Zaghloul
zaghloul_mohamed@yahoo.com
2
Abd El-Raouf Moustafa
3
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
This study aimed to analyze the floristic composition and the distributional behavior of plant
communities in relation to the main physiographic features and soil properties in Gebel Serbal. Canopy
cover of plant species and altitude were measured in 58 stands (20 m x 20 m). Gravel percentage, soil
texture, hygroscopic moisture, pH, electric conductivity, total carbonate, total nitrogen, available
phosphorus, and soil organic matter were determined in each stand. The results revealed that Serbal
Mountain is characterized by distinguished microhabitats and low to moderate human impact that result
in unique floristic composition and vegetation patterns. One hundred and six species were identified in
this study including 11 endemic species, and 36 characteristic species. Based on multivariate analyses,
seven main plant communities were recognized in Gebel Serbal area. Distribution of the plant
communities was more related to altitude, hygroscopic moisture, and gravel percentage rather than to
sand, silt and clay fractions, soil organic matter, and total nitrogen. The present study indicates that Gebel
Serbal is the most diverse area in South Sinai, and has a high conservation value. We recommend that
Gebel Serbal, a part of St. Katherine Protectorate, should be declared as habitat/species management
area.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18630_b5e3a2d6fb81b45677ff26c785ceb86d.pdf
Gebel Serbal
Mountainous habitats
plant communities
Multivariate Analysis
edaphic factors
endemic species
conservation
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
21
30
18631
Original Article
Effectiveness of Short-Deep Treatment Beds for Biological Management of Domestic Wastewater
Ahmed Dewedar
1
Ishrak Khafagi
ishrakkhafagi@yahoo.com
2
Hesham Abdulla
3
Marwa Abdel Kareem
4
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Biological treatment of domestic wastewater using constructed wetlands is gaining acceptance worldwide
due to low cost and simple operation and maintenance. A treatment system (BIOWATSYST) was
established at Abo-Attwa Experimental Station, Ismailia, Egypt in 1998. The system consists of six
parallel short-deep treatment beds, three sterilization ponds and a disinfection pond. The beds were filled
with gravel and/or sand. Four beds were planted with Phragmites australis and two beds were planted
with Cyprus papyrus. The study evaluates the performance of the treatment beds for the removal of
nutrients and pathogens from primary treated domestic wastewater, with minimizing the length of the
treatment beds. Maximum removal efficiency was 76.3% for the biochemical oxygen demand, 83.9% for
chemical oxygen demand, 59.2% for total suspended solids, 58.6% for organic matter, and 22.1% for the
total nitrogen. Maximum removal efficiency was 82.6% for fecal coliforms, 79.8% for fecal enterococci,
and 87.4% for the coliphages. The results revealed that sand bed was the most effective treatment bed for
the removal of both nutrient and pathogenic bacteria from primary treated domestic wastewater.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18631_7cd02f991f8c34b655050a5b261f9884.pdf
Constructed wetland
Cyprus papyrus
Phragmites australis
physicochemical monitoring
Sewage
Wastewater
biological management
treatment beds
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
31
35
18632
Original Article
Distribution of the Invasive Species Caulerpa prolifera along the Coasts of the Suez Canal, Egypt
Muhammad Hegazi
hegazi16054@yahoo.com
1
Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Seven years-round since 1999, distribution and percentage cover were investigated in Caulerpa prolifera
collected from 13 stations along the coast of the Suez Canal at different depths and from different types
of substrates as well as from monthly collected samples in a dense unshaded meadow at
a depth of 3-7 m at Great Bitter lakes. Caulerpa prolifera start increasing their cover in Spring and
continued to increase into Autumn, with maximum cover in Winter. The seasonality patterns have been
correlated with changes in light, temperature, desiccation and grazing. A rapid spread and high
abundance of the invaded Caulerpa prolifera were observed on sandy or muddy sea bottom in shallow
protected area of the Great Bitter Lakes. Caulerpa prolifera changes the ecology of area by reducing the
abundance of native marine fauna and flora.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18632_c067b33655280cbd567415ca94e5349d.pdf
Caulerpa prolifera
chlorophyta
Seaweeds
invasion
Bitter Lakes
Suez Canal
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
37
42
18633
Original Article
Comparative Efficiency of Cyperus papyrus and Phragmites australis for Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals
Ahmed Dewedar
1
Ishrak Khafagi
ishrakkhafagi@yahoo.com
2
Akram Abu-Seadah
3
Alaa El-Din Rashad
4
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Biological and Geological Department, Faculty of Education, Suez Canal University, Suez, Egypt
Biological and Geological Department, Faculty of Education, Suez Canal University, Suez, Egypt
The present study intended to compare the efficiency of the wetland plants Phragmites australis (cav.)
Trin. ex Steudel and Cyperus papyrus L. for the accumulation of heavy metals. Maximum accumulation
of the heavy metals Pb (132.5-175 μg/g DW), Zn (97.5-100 μg/g DW) and Cr (80.5-90 μg/g DW) was
recorded in roots of the two wetland plants C. papyrus and P. australis, respectively. Cadmium showed
the lowest metal accumulation in the tissues of both plants (0.55-5.5 μg/g DW). C. papyrus roots
accumulated higher levels of most metals than those of P. australis. Heavy metals were shown to be not
only accumulated in roots of both plants but also were translocated to the shoots and accumulated in the
harvestable plant parts. The results showed variation in the levels of the heavy metals accumulated in the
different parts of C. papyrus and P. australis, in spite of being planted at the same site and subjected to
the same conditions. The potential use of Phragmites australis and Cyperus papyrus in phytoremediation
is also discussed
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18633_b2657f704012074385a8c3da488780f9.pdf
Phytoremediation
Cyperus papyrus
Phragmites australis
common reed
Heavy metals
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
43
52
18634
Original Article
Quantitative Phytosociological Study of Some Halophytes and Xerophytes in Egypt
Ibrahim Mashaly
iamashaly1950@yahoo.com
1
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
The present study was carried out on some halophytes and xerophytes in the Deltaic Mediterranean
coastal salt marshes, desert of north and south Sinai and the northern part of the Red Sea coastal desert by
studying their distribution and response to prevailing environmental factors. Vegetation and soil were
sampled in 56 stands representing different saline and xeric habitat types. Relative values of frequency,
density and cover were determined for each perennial species and were then added to provide an estimate
of its importance value. Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) classified the stands into
four defined vegetation groups using importance values of plant species. Detrended Correspondence
Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were used to study species-environment
relationships. The vegetation groups obtained by TWINSPAN classification were distinguishable and had
a clear pattern of segregation on the ordination planes. Moisture content, porosity, sand fraction, sodium
cation, electrical conductivity (EC) and chloride contents were the most important soil factors for the
distribution of halophytic species. While the contents of calcium carbonate, magnesium and calcium
cations, total nitrogen, silt and clay fractions and the soil reaction (pH) were the most effective soil
factors affecting the distribution of xerophytic species.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18634_649e421757eee9d5c07a4825bae05a1c.pdf
classification
edaphic factors
halophytes
ordination
Xerophytes
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
53
60
18636
Original Article
Temporal Variation in the Epiphytes of Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica from South Sinai, Northern Red Sea
Muhammad Hegazi
1
Abeer Amin
abeeramin2003@yahoo.com
2
Mona Gaballah
3
Marine Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Algal epiphytes were examined for 12 months at Shura El-Roweysia and several tidal levels on the shore
of South Sinai dominated by Laurencia obtusa and Cystoseira myrica. Sixty seven species of the
epiphytes were recorded (41 Bacillariophyta, 20 Cyanophyta, 3 Chlorophyta and 3 Pyrrhophyta). An
inverse relationship between percentage cover of L. obtusa and their epiphytes were observed to be
affected by desiccation stress due to frequent emersion of the intertidal flat and exposure to strong
radiation, while high cover percentage of C. myrica was associated with the high number of epiphytes.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18636_dd004e7d5972aa2f79e5a23f7f479090.pdf
Epiphytes
Seaweeds
Laurencia obtusa
Cystoseira myrica
South Sinai
Red Sea
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
61
66
18637
Original Article
Response of Some Marjoram Cultivars to Fertilization under Sandy Soil Conditions II- Origanum majorana marcelka, Origanum majorana blart, Origanum majorana, Origanum majorana kruiden, and Origanum majorana (local)
Kareem El Tobgy
1
Yaser Osman
yasser123ok@yahoo.com
2
Hamdy Atta-Alla
3
Central Laboratory, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Department, Desert Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
The present work was carried out in 2001 and 2002 seasons in the Experimental Farm of Faculty of
Agriculture, Suez Canal, Ismailia University, to evaluate the production of some marjoram cultivars
namely Origanum majorana marcelka, Origanum majorana blart, Origanum majorana and Origanum
majorana kruiden compared to local one Origanum majorana (Syn. Majorana hortensis M.) grown
under sandy soil conditions and normal fertilization doses of organic manure (20 m3), calcium super
phosphate (300 kg/feddan), ammonium sulphate (300 kg/feddan) and potassium sulphate (100
kg/feddan) were added. The results revealed that Origanum majorana marcelka was superior in growth
characters in terms of number of branches and both plant fresh and dry weights. Moreover, it gave high
oil percentage in the two seasons (1.14% and 1.02%, v/w) compared to the local cultivar (0.69% and
0.71%, v/w). Also, it was pioneer in the oil constituents, as it recorded the highest total of oxygenated
and hydrocarbon compounds in the oil (94.02%) compared to the other studied cultivars. Identification
of volatile components was performed using the modern technique of Gas Chromatography equipped
with Head Solid State technique. The major oxygenated compounds of Origanum majorana marcelka
were terpinene-4-ol, linalyl acetate and linalool (19.11, 17.01 and 16.54%, compared to the local
cultivar, 17.97, 13.99 and 15.59%, respectively).
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18637_61672ae9f838bc13e3a4d27973fc2a5e.pdf
Essential oil constituents
Head Solid State technique
oregano
origanum cultivars
sandy soil
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
67
73
18638
Original Article
The Use of Frankia Spores As Inocula For Casuarina equisetifolia Plants
Waiel Sayed
farghaly11@lycos.com
1
Hamdi Zahran
2
Wessam Salem
3
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science at Qena, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
Spores of four Frankia-Casuarina strains were tested for their ability to infect and fix atmospheric
nitrogen in combination with Casuarina equisetifolia plants, after being stored for 3 and 6 months in
different media. The media used were liquid cultures (BAP) and wet or dry polyacrylamide. The Frankia
strains used were: UGL020601, UGL020604, HFPCcI3 and ORS021001. Inoculation with stored spore
inocula showed reduction in total nitrogen content. The reduction ranged between 33 and 88% of freshly
prepared spores-inoculated plants, depending on strain and the inoculum type. The wet gel-incorporated
Frankia strains scored the best values within all treatments. In general, the reduction in plant total
nitrogen was lower after 3 months than after 6 months of storage at 7°C for all treatments indicating
better performance after short storage. The number of nodules decreased gradually with the increase in
storage time for all strains and treatments. For all the tested strains, spores scored better values for
root/shoot and nodules/plant ratios (i.e. lower and higher ratios) for all strains stored for 3 months, as wet
gel, than for other treatments. Dry powdered gel may have an advantage of long "shelf- life" than the
other treatments and may be used also as a preservation medium for large-scale inoculation with Frankia.
In general, it is recommended to store dry or wet gel-immobilized Frankia spores in the refrigerator for
up to 3 months for commercial purposes.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18638_b32b091f470f83192504028fbe03d502.pdf
Casuarina equisetifolia
Frankia
Polyacrylamide gel
spores
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
75
80
18639
Original Article
The Characteristic Algal Mats and Flora of El-Timsah Lake
Gihan El-Shoubaky
dr_gehan@yahoo.com
1
Adel Hamed
2
Biological and Geological Sciences Department, Faculty of Education, Suez Canal University, Port Said, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
The study attempted to characterize the physicochemical limnology and the algal community of
El-Timsah Lake during March 2004 to May 2005. The physicochemical limnology plays a key role in the
blooming characteristic of benthic mats during spring season. Two mats were recognized visually of
green and black colours. The green mat was constructed by the mechanical entanglement of filaments of
Cladophora with four species of diatoms trapped within the filaments. In addition, the mat also bears
fragments of Ulva, Enteromorpha and Chaetomorpha. The black mat was constructed primarily from
filaments of Oscillatoria nigroviridis with two genera of coccoid cyanobacteria and some diatom species.
Mat-forming algae grow initially on the bottom, but often “breaks away” to create numerous floating
pads on the surface of the lake. Although, marine macroscopic algae were identified during this
investigation, a brackish stratification was consistently confirmed by the appearance of some indicators
of brackish type of diatoms such as Melosira nummuloids, Achnanthes brevipes var. intermedia,
Skeletonema subsalsum, Navicula capitata, Navicula digitoradiata and Surirella brebissonii.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18639_c361ead4733444567837f3ff26039afd.pdf
Algal mats
brackish stratification
El-Timsah Lake
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
81
89
18640
Original Article
Depositional Environments, Facies Pattern and Marine Plants Distribution in Ras Muhammad Area, Sinai, Egypt
Ibtehal Abdel-Rahman
ibtehal_fathi@yahoo.com
1
Muhammad Hegazi
2
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Marine Science Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Ras Muhammad Marine National Park is located on faulted and uplifted Neogene blocks that are
partially covered by Quaternary limestones of predominantly coralgal facies. The physiography of the
reefal limestone cropping out in the area and also the present-day depositional environments are
tectonically controlled. Surface morphology observations show that earthquake pools that cut through the
uplifted Pleistocene reefs indicate continuing recent movements, as indicated by numerous records of
seismic activity in the study area. The morphostructural-generated depositional facies patterns on the
peninsula are a wide tidal belt with tidal shoals and coastal spits, barrier and fringing reefs, three
elongated embayments, Hiddan Bay, mangrove and tidal channels, Ras Muhammad pool and sabkha, and
earthquake pools (two earth fissures). The distribution of marine plants is described for each area. The
abundance of algae in Ras Muhammad appeared to be inversely related to the abundance of living corals.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18640_c331a695e05833b8b72e29d340c93b1a.pdf
Depositional environments
morphostructural setting
marine plants
Ras Muhammad
Sinai
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
91
96
18641
Original Article
Endophytic Actinomycetes of Some Medicinal Plants in Saint Katherine Area, Egypt
Sahar El-Shatoury
selshatoury@hotmail.com
1
Hesham Abdulla
2
Omnia El-Kraly
3
Waleed El-Kazzaz
4
Ahmed Dewedar
5
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
A number of 41 morphologically different endophytic actinomycete isolates were recovered from
surface-sterilized medicinal plants; Artemisia herba-alba, Echinops spinosus, Mentha longifolia and
Ballota undulate. A simplified method for selective recovery of actinomycetes from internal plant tissues
is described. Successful recovery was achieved on the media: starch-casein agar, 1/10 diluted starch
casein agar, tap water-yeast extract agar and MG-plant extract agar. Preliminary description of the
isolates, according to microscopic examination and amino acid composition of the cell wall
hydrolystates, indicated prevalence of genus Streptomyces. The highest number of endophytic
actinomycetes was recovered from Mentha longifolia and represented 34% of the isolates. Organic
extracts of the growth metabolites from the cultures were tested for cytotoxicity against Artemia salina as
well as for antimicrobial activities against 4 reference bacterial strains, 6 clinical bacterial cultures and
two clinical fungal cultures. Variable activities were obtained with different actinomycete isolates; the
highest activity could be detected against Gardnerella vaginitis and Shigella boydii strain ATCC 9207;
being represented in 29% of the isolates in both cases. For the first time, the isolation of endophytic
actinomycetes from Saint Katherine wild plants is reported and their potential use as novel source of
bioactive compounds is discussed.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18641_c0f56e168f85df9947f8805fb460ead0.pdf
antimicrobial activity
Cytotoxicity
endophytic actinomycetes
medicinal plants
Saint Katherine
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
97
101
18642
Original Article
Biodetermination of Plant Saponins Content by Using Trichoderma viride
Usama Mahalel
mahalel71@aswu.edu.eg
1
Mahmoud Moustafa
2
Soad El-Zayat
soadalzayat@hotmail.com
3
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 81528 Aswan, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 81528 Aswan, Egypt
The saponins contents of six Egyptian plants; Alhagi maurorum, Lippia nodiflora, Pergularia tomentosa,
Spergularia marina, Tribulus terrestris and Zygophyllum album were biologically determined by using
Trichoderma viride Pers. a sensitive fungus to saponins. Potato-glucose medium was used in culturing
the fungus. The experiment revealed that the high value of saponins contents was recorded in Spergularia
marina (6.06 mg/100 ml). Whereas, the minimum value was recorded in Lippia nodiflora and Alhagi
maurorum (1.14 and 1.88 mg/100 ml, respectively).
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18642_7bb5e5b165efd49cb40e89979adc9919.pdf
Trichoderma viride
Pergularia tomentosa
Spergularia marina
Alhagi maurorum
Lippia nodiflora
Zygophyllum album
saponins
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
103
109
18643
Original Article
Non-chemical Control of Potato Early Blight Caused by Alternaria alternata
Omar Abdul Wahid
oabdulwahid@yahoo.com
1
Ismail Ismail
2
Ahmed Abo-Esha
3
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Department of Microbiology, Soil, water and environmental Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
Early blight of potato caused by Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler is one of the factors that affect
potato production. Using chemical control to reduce disease severity represent another risk for
agriculture. Biological control, using microorganisms, as well as plant extract and compost are safe
measures that give reliable control. Applying either measure of control reduced disease incidence to less
than 2% during two successive seasons. Microbial spray of diseased potato reduced the disease to various
extents. Trichoderma sp. was the most effective among all tested microorganisms, followed by
Penicillium sp. On the other hand, alcoholic extract of three plants was more effective than their water
extract. However, water extract showed highly significant reduction of disease incidence. Polygonum
gave the highest reduction of disease incidence in both cases. Also water extract of compost greatly
suppressed early blight when applied as spray to potato leaves. Duration of extraction may affect the
ability of compost extract to suppress disease. All results were comparable to that of fungicides.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18643_f0016434b10dc1a5433f026bf3737ea0.pdf
Trichoderma
compost
plant extract
potato blight
non chemical control
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
111
118
18644
Original Article
Microbial Diversity in Two Egyptian Soils
Said Badr El-Din
1
Samir Radwan
2
Wafaa Zidan
somicnrc@yahoo.com
3
Moawad Zahra
4
Agricultural Microbiology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Agricultural Microbiology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Agricultural Microbiology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Agricultural Microbiology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt
Microbial DNA extracted from two soil samples collected from Beni-Suef and Kafr El-Sheikh were
subjected to PCR amplification with primers specific for 16S rDNA gene and cloned in linear pCR 2.1
plasmid vector. Recombinants were transformed into Escherichia coli competent cells. Sixty clone
inserts (30 from each soil sample) were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analyses. Forty
sequences of the sixty clones were affiliated with previously recognized bacterial groups. Thirty six of
these had closest relatives among cultured taxa and clustered primarily with three divisions containing
microrganisms commonly associated with soil: Proteobacteria, Gram-positive organisms, and
Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides group. The results also showed the presence of one clone related to
Nirospira retrieved from Beni-Suef soil, one clone from Archaea kingdom retrieved from Kafr El-Sheikh
soil, and three clones affiliated to the newly described Holophaga-Acidobacterium phylum in both Beni-
Suef and Kafr El-Sheikh soils. Seven sequences grouped with known divisions but had closest relatives
among soil taxa known only from rDNA sequences analysis. Twelve clone sequences were distantly
related to known sequences. Many of these sequences may represent new bacterial divisions.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18644_8c770375517c8638f8472078a0e50ebc.pdf
Archaea
Beni-Suef
Holophaga-Acidobacterium
Kafr El-Sheikh
microbial diversity
Phylogenetic analysis
Proteobacteria
soil DNA
16S rDNA
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
119
126
18645
Original Article
Accelerating Textile Dye Bioremoval by Aeration
Wafaa Abd El-Rahim
wafaa10m@hotmail.com
1
Ola El-Ardy
2
Hassan Moawad
3
Agricultural Microbiology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Chemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Agricultural Microbiology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
A series of batch and bioreactors experiments were carried out for absorption of dis-azo dyes present in
textile mill effluents under different aeration conditions. One fungal strain with five rates of air was
used to absorb direct brown dye. Five liters bioreactors were applied to study the removal performance.
The experimental results are compared for various operating conditions. The effects of airflow rate
(1/8, ¼, ½, 1, 2 v/v min) inlet on the dye removing were assessed. It was found that the rate of aeration
of ½ v/v min induced increase in dye removal percentages (72%) and fungal biomass (9.2 g); at the rate
of aeration of 2 v/v min, high dye removal percentage (77%) was recorded with a decrease in biomass
dry weight at the end of the incubation time. The results also indicated that the biomass dry weight
obtained at three flow rates of aeration was more or less similar until the end of the growth stage (after
incubation for three days). The results obtained indicate that using low rate of aeration (1/8, ¼, ½ v/v
min) was better for dye biosorption than high rate (1, 2 v/v min), and therefore it is recommended for
dis-azo dye removing.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18645_b77dab663f2109095cfa6fa8cc460b9a.pdf
Aeration
batch fermenter
fungal strain
removing of dis-azo
Textile dyes
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
127
138
18646
Original Article
Landforms, Vegetation, and Soil Quality in South Sinai, Egypt
Raafat Abd El-Wahab
raafat_hassan@yahoo.com
1
Abd El-Monem Zayed
2
Abd El-Raouf Moustafa
3
Jeffery Klopatek
4
Mohamed Helmy
5
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Science, Arizona State University, Arizona, USA
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
The present study focused on the assessment of soil quality in South Sinai, an arid to extremely arid
region, particularly the effect of landform type and vegetation on some of the studied soil properties.
Vegetation and soil surveys were carried out in 200 plots selected in 8 different landforms. Soil
productivity was evaluated using corn Zea mays seed plantation in greenhouse pot experiment. Some soil
properties in addition to nutrients uptake in shoots and roots of corn were analyzed. The obtained results
showed a variation in soil texture, water holding capacity, and nutrient elements among different
landforms and vegetative cover categories. Soil pH, EC, silt and clay content, water holding capacity, and
soil organic matter are the most important soil parameters or driving variables that influence the
availability of soil nutrients and control coverage and structure of vegetation. Soil quality index was
constructed based on rating of these driving variables. The provided model of soil quality index is
specific for surface soil and it could be useful in evaluation and management of soil resources in arid
ecosystems. Water availability is shown to be the key variable in controlling soil productivity. Total plant
cover and vegetation structure are considered the easy visual indicators for preliminary inspection of soil
properties, soil productivity, and soil quality.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18646_8a6f74c94093e6083a540620d4177784.pdf
Arid lands
Landforms
soil productivity
Soil quality index
South Sinai
Vegetation
water availability
eng
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
1687-5052
2090-2786
2018-11-01
1
2
139
147
18647
Original Article
Genetic Relatedness among Six Common Phoenix dactylifera (Palmae) Cultivars in Ismailia Region, Egypt
Hisham Deif
hmdeif@hotmail.com
1
Mohamed Karam
2
Mohamed Beltagi
3
Hassan Hassan
4
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, University of El-Faiyum, El-Faiyum, Egypt
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41552 Ismailia, Egypt
3Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41552 Ismailia, Egypt
SDS-PAGE electrophoretic analysis of young leaves protein was used to asses the genetic relatedness
among 54 specimens belonging to 6 common cultivars of Phoenix dactylifera L. (Aglany, Amry, Haiany,
Bent Aisha, Samany, and Zaghloul), that were collected from 7 different locations in Ismailia region. A
total of 10 different protein bands were collectively detected in the gels of the 54 studied specimens. The
resulted protein profile comprised one monomorphic band. The maximum number of bands observed was
10 bands found in one specimen of Zaghloul cultivar. While the minimum number of bands observed
was three bands found in one specimen of Aglany cultivar and two specimens of Bent Aisha cultivar. The
data of the allele frequencies of the six studied date palm cultivars revealed that all the alleles in Haiany
cultivar were monomorphic, except in three loci with the lowest percentage of polymorphic loci (30%).
While Bent Aisha and Aglany cultivars have the highest polymorphism (70% and 80%, respectively). In
addition, it was found that the ratio of gene diversity/locus varied greatly within the specimens of the six
studied date palm cultivars. Agglomerative cluster analysis, based on the genetic distances of the studied
54 specimens, revealed the variations and relatedness among the six collected cultivars.
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18647_e63c7aa8aa02eeb39694ce8cdaea89dc.pdf
Allele frequency
Genetic distances
Ismailia region
Palmae
Phoenix dactylifera cultivars
SDS-PAGE Electrophoresis