Mohamed A Salama’s scientific contributions

This study was conducted in two districts (Zagazig and Huseinia) of Sharkia governorate to through some lights about the breeding features of the Palm Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis. In total, 32 nests were recorded in different habitats during the period of study. The total number of monitored nests (old and new) was differed from one year to another being 34, 54 and 37 nests for 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The percentages of nests with eggs (active nests) were also differed from one year to another recording 62.16%, 79.4% and 87.03% for 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The average number of eggs/active nest (clutch size) was relatively similar for the years of study ranged between 1.72 to 1.77 eggs/nests. The mean period of eggs incubation was ranged between 15-16.7 days. Hatchability % of the eggs laid was differed according to the season of the year, whereas the highest value was recorded in summer season (86.39%) while the lowest was occurred in autumn (72.67%). Fledging period was prolonged during winter and autumn and shortened during summer and spring. The highest breeding success was recorded in spring season (95%) and the lowest one was occurred in winter season (79.05%). Numbers of fledges were less than the number of hatched chicks and differed according to the season of the years recording the least numbers in Winter and the highest numbers in Spring and Autumn. The number of clutches per each monitored pairs per a year was differed from one pair to another and from one season to another for the same pair, however, it was irregular in most cases due to different consideration.

Salama, M.A., M.I. Aamir, A.A. Gh. Farag, M.A. Issa and M.A. Hendawy. 2024. Estimating the Damage of Birds to Wheat, Gurma Melon and Cowpea Crops During the Ripening Period at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(4): 552-557. https://doi. The damage caused by birds to wheat crop is increasing during the ripening stage. The house sparrow, Passer domesticus niloticus is the main bird pest that attacks wheat spikes during the ripening stage (milk, dough, and mature levels) during 2020 and 2021 seasons. The 6 th week of the ripening period suffered the highest damage in all samples compared with other weeks. The samples collected from the field edge showed the highest damage, with 13.05 and 6.75% yield loss during 2020 and 2021, respectively. The samples collected at 6 m from borders didn't show any damage. The statistical analysis indicated that there were significant differences between the tested distances in all weeks of the repining stage during 2020 and 2021 seasons. The gurma melon fruits were attacked by hooded crow, Corvus corone during the ripening stage and the mean proportion of damaged fruits reached 9.47% at the 6 th week of fruit development. The special features of the gurma melon plants made it easy for hooded crows to land and take off, thus the birds attacked the crop at any point in the field, thus there was no significant difference between the fruit damage level and distance from the field border. Cowpea was an attractive crop for many bird species such as pigeons and house sparrows. Birds did attack the cowpea pods during the ripening stage, with 6.97% damage during this stage.