Emam Nofal’s research while affiliated with Kafrelsheikh University and other places

SING either brackish or saline water is one of the most critical and serious problem in cultivation of ornamental shrubs in Mediterranean areas. So, an investigation was performed during 2021 and 2022 seasons to reveal the tolerance of Brazilian cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) transplants to salinity of irrigation water. The applied doses of natural Siwa halite for water salinization were 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 g L-1 under the Egyptian climatic conditions. The results indicated that mean values of survival rate were gradually decreased by increasing the salinity level to be 58.33 and 70.0 % in the seasons, respectively after applying 10.0 g L-1. Similarly, were the mean values of vegetative and root growth parameters, which linearly decreased with increasing applied salinity dose up to 10.0 g L-1 , with exception for 2.0 and 4.0 g L-1 ones which significantly improved values of most growth traits in most cases of both seasons. Also, salinized water at 6.0 g L-1 recorded better results compared to the control in some characters either in the first or in the second season. The same trend was observed for the results of leaf chemical composition, with the exception of K, Na, Cl and proline contents, which recorded a progressive increase with the gradual increase in applied salinity level ranged from 2 to 3 folds comparing with the control. The salt resistance index percentages were also improved by both 2.0 and 4.0 g L-1 saline water treatments, but significantly declined afterwards to reach 81.5 and 73.7 % by 10.0 g L-1 , showing the high ability of such plant to cope with high salt stress. Accordingly, under conditions of fresh water rarity, it could be recommended irrigation of Brazilian cherry transplants using saline water up to 6.0 g L-1 dose to keep quality and decorative value of such plant.

Turfgrasses are considered an important part of the landscape and ecological system of golf courses, sports fields, parks, and home lawns. Turfgrass species are affected by many abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, cold, heat, waterlogging, and heavy metals) and biotic stresses (mainly diseases and pests). In the current study, seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) and Tifway bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy × C. Dactylon) were selected because they are popular turfgrasses frequently used for outdoor lawns and sport fields. The effect of the combined stress from both soil salinity and cold on these warm season grasses was investigated. Some selected organic and inorganic amendments (i.e., humic acid, ferrous sulphate, and silicon) were applied as foliar sprays five times during the winter season from late October to March. This was repeated over two years in field trials involving salt-affected soils. The physiological and chemical parameters of the plants, including plant height; fresh and dry weight per plot; total chlorophyll content; and nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and potassium content, were measured. The results showed that all the studied amendments improved the growth of seashore paspalum and Tifway bermudagrass during this period compared to the control, with a greater improvement observed when using ferrous sulphate and humic acid compared to silicon. For seashore paspalum, the highest chlorophyll content in April was recorded after the application of ferrous sulphate at a level of 1000 ppm. The current research indicates that when grown on salt-affected soils, these amendments can be used in warm-season grasses to maintain turf quality during cold periods of the year. Further research is needed to examine any negative long-term effects of these amendments and to explain their mechanisms.