Egyptian Soil Research Articles

Climate Change and the Possibility of Tea Production in the Egyptian Soils

Climate Change and the Possibility of Tea Production in the Egyptian Soils

Unlocking the Potential of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria to Enhance Drought Tolerance in Egyptian Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) represent a promising strategy for enhancing plant resilience and yields under drought-stress conditions. This study isolated and characterized PGPR from wheat rhizosphere soil in Egypt. Four PGPR strains were evaluated for an array of plant growth-promoting traits, including IAA production, biofilm formation, siderophore production, nitrogen fixation, ACC deaminase activity, phosphate solubilization, and antagonistic potential. Molecular identification via 16S rRNA sequencing classified three isolates (MMH101, MMH102, and MMH103) within the Bacillus genus and one isolate (MMH104) as Myroides sp. Greenhouse experiments examined the effects of PGPR inoculation on the drought-stressed Egyptian wheat cultivar, Gimmeza-9. Wheat plants inoculated with PGPR isolates showed dramatic improvements in growth parameters and stress tolerance indicators compared to non-inoculated controls when subjected to a 10-day drought period, with Bacillus rugosus (MMH101) inoculation resulting in increases of 61.8% in fresh biomass, 77.2% in dry biomass, 108.5% shoot length, and 134.9% root length. PGPR treatments also elevated the chlorophyll and proline content while reducing malondialdehyde levels. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of PGPR inoculation in enhancing the morphology, physiology, and drought stress resilience of wheat. Isolated PGPR strains hold promise as biofertilizers for improving cereal productivity under water-deficit conditions.

Alpha-sitosterol: a new antiviral agent produced by Streptomyces misakiensis and its potential activity against Newcastle disease virus

BackgroundNewcastle Disease Virus (NDV) causes severe economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Hence, this study aimed to discover a novel bioactive antiviral agent for controlling NDV. Streptomyces misakiensis was isolated from Egyptian soil and its secondary metabolites were identified using infrared spectroscopy (IR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The inhibitory activity of bioactive metabolite against NDV were examined. Three experimental groups of 10-day-old specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs (SPF-ECEs), including the bioactive metabolite control group, NDV control positive group, and α-sitosterol and NDV mixture-treated group were inoculated.Resultsα-sitosterol (Ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol), a secondary metabolite of S. misakiensis, completely inhibited hemagglutination (HA) activity of the NDV strain. The HA activity of the NDV strain was 8 log2 and 9 log2 for 0.5 and 0.75% RBCs, respectively. The NDV HA activity for the two concentrations of RBCs was significantly (P < 0.0001) inhibited after α-sitosterol treatment. There was a significant (P < 0.0001) decrease in the log 2 of HA activity, with values of − 0.500 (75%, chicken RBCs) before inoculation in SPF-ECEs and − 1.161 (50%, RBCs) and − 1.403 (75%, RBCs) following SPF-ECE inoculation. Compared to ECEs inoculated with NDV alone, the α-sitosterol-treated group showed improvement in histological lesion ratings for chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) and hepatic tissues. The CAM of the α-sitosterol- inoculated SPF-ECEs was preserved. The epithelial and stromal layers were noticeably thicker with extensive hemorrhages, clogged vasculatures, and certain inflammatory cells in the stroma layer in the NDV group. However, mild edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the CAM of the treated group. ECEs inoculated with α-sitosterol alone showed normal histology of the hepatic acini, central veins, and portal triads. Severe degenerative alterations, including steatosis, clogged sinusoids, and central veins, were observed in ECEs inoculated with NDV. Mild hepatic degenerative alterations, with perivascular round cell infiltration, were observed in the treated group.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to highlight that the potentially bioactive secondary metabolite, α-sitosterol, belonging to the terpene family, has the potential to be a biological weapon against virulent NDV. It could be used for the development of innovative antiviral drugs to control NDV after further clinical investigation.

Nodule formation efficiency evaluation and nifH gene detection of Rhizobium species isolated from Egyptian soil

Nodule formation efficiency evaluation and nifH gene detection of Rhizobium species isolated from Egyptian soil

Lytic phages isolated from Egypt for biocontrol of potato soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum

Pectobacterium carotovorum is an economically important phytopathogen causing destructive bacterial soft rot disease in many ornamental plants and fruit and vegetable crops worldwide, including potato. Phage therapy is a promising and environmentally safe alternative to combat bacterial diseases either in the field or during storage. In this study, we characterized two novel P. carotovorum-specific phages, designated PcaP1EGY and PcaP2EGY, isolated from soil in Egypt. We also sequenced the genomes of the two phages, which are the first two complete genome sequences determined for P. carotovorum-infecting podoviruses from Egypt. Phages PcaP1EGY and PcaP2EGY have a high phage titer of 1012 PFU/mL and growth characteristics of an exclusively lytic life cycle. Both phages displayed specificity to and visible lysis activity against all four tested strains of P. carotovorum. They both had a latent period of 30 min and a high burst size of approximately 599 PFU/infected cell for PcaP1EGY and 570 for PcaP2EGY. Additionally, they exhibited remarkable survivability under a wide range of pH, temperature, salt concentration and UV exposure conditions. Both phages, when used alone or in combination, significantly reduced in vitro growth of P. carotovorum after 4 h at all tested multiplicity of infection. Phages PcaP1EGY and PcaP2EGY offered significant protection for both potato tubers and potato plants against soft rot disease caused by P. carotovorum in both our tuber maceration test and greenhouse pot experiment as compared to tubers/plants inoculated with P. carotovorum without receiving any phage treatment. Our results suggest that phages PcaP1EGY and PcaP2EGY have great biocontrol potential against potato soft rot disease caused by P. carotovorum either in the field or during storage after harvest.

Modeling study of adsorption isotherms of chlorantraniliprole and dinotefuran on soil

Knowledge of pesticide adsorption characteristics is essential to predict their behavior in soil. The adsorption equilibrium isotherms of two insecticides chlorantraniliprole (CAP) and dinotefuran (DNF) on two common Egyptian soil types, clay loam and sandy loam were studied and modeled. To predict the adsorption isotherms and to determine the adsorption parameters, ten isotherm models: Langmuir (five linear forms), Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Elovick, Fowler-Guggenheim, Kiselev, Jovanoic, Harkins-Jura, and Halsey were applied on experimental data. The results revealed that the adsorption isotherm models fitted the data in the order of Halsey &gt; Freundlich &gt; Jovanoic &gt; Langmuir isotherme. The models of Harkins-Jura, Elovich, Temkin, and Fowler-Guggenheim are not applicable to predict the adsorption isotherms of the tested insecticides. In order to determine the best-fit isotherm, the correlation coefficient (R2), comparing the experimental (exp) and calculated (cal) adsorption data, and a normalized standard deviation (Δg%) were used to evaluate the data. Therefore, the isotherm models Halsey and Freundlich could be used to predict the adsorption characteristics of CAP and DNF in the common Egyptian soil types, clay loam and sandy loam. Consequently, the mathematical models Halsey, Freundlich, and Jovanoic can describe the fate of CAP and DNF and can be used to control Egyptian soil contamination.

Promising Egyptian soil bacterial isolates for hydrocarbon waste biodegradation: petroleum wax

Promising Egyptian soil bacterial isolates for hydrocarbon waste biodegradation: petroleum wax

Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus terreus HDJZ-ZWM and Paecilomyces variotii as polyextremophilic fungi isolated from Egyptian soil.

Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus terreus HDJZ-ZWM and Paecilomyces variotii as polyextremophilic fungi isolated from Egyptian soil.

Experimental and finite-element study for improvement of the swelling characteristics of expansive soil in Egypt using coarse soil

Experimental and finite-element study for improvement of the swelling characteristics of expansive soil in Egypt using coarse soil

Identification and molecular characterization of arginine deiminase-producing bacteria in Egyptian soil from various soil environments

Identification and molecular characterization of arginine deiminase-producing bacteria in Egyptian soil from various soil environments

The application of deep neural networks for the prediction of California Bearing Ratio of road subgrade soil

California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the subgrade soil is one of the essential values for the design and construction of the asphalt pavement of highway projects. However, the estimation of the CBR value through laboratory tests is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Thus, this study focuses on providing artificial neural network (ANN) prediction models that can be efficiently used for the prediction of the CBR value of the subgrade soil in Egypt from the grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, and compaction parameters. 240 ANNs with different hyperparameters are investigated in order to optimize the hyperparameters so that the final chosen ANN can provide accurate results. The analysis shows that the deep neural networks outperform the shallow ANNs. Finally, comparing the performance of the ANNs with the traditional multiple linear regression (MLR) shows that ANNs outperform the MLR models as the ANNs have much better performance and can generate highly accurate predictions.

Enhancing the Availability of Potassium in New Egyptian Soils using Biochar Produced from Olive Stone Waste

The warming phenomenon is one of the most difficult challenges of the times. Agricultural waste decomposition contributes to global warming due to the increase in greenhouse gases. Carbon sequestering is used to reduce greenhouse gases to mitigate the warming phenomenon. Applying biochar is one of the most important tools for sequestering carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years. Paper aims to produce olive stone biochar (OSB) and apply it to soils to study its effect on soil properties and the status of K (Quantity/Intensity of K). Biochar was produced from olive stone waste at 650°C and applied at rates of 0, 1, 2, and 5% in two investigated soils (sandy and calcareous) to study its effects on soil properties and growth of the wheat plants. Results of biochar analysis indicated that it possesses several functional groups and essential elements (N, P, and K), a large surface area (394.25 m2 g-1), and an average fine diameter (0.8 µm). The application of OSB improved several soil properties, including water holding capacity, %porosity, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, and availability of some nutrients, especially potassium. Additionally, it increased the soluble-K and ammonium acetate (NH4OAc-K) levels in the investigated soils. The potential buffering capacity of K (PBCK), activity ratio of K (ARK), and labile K (KL) were also enhanced. Moreover, OSB application improved the wheat plant’s height, root depth, dry matter, and NPK content. Therefore, we concluded that biochar is beneficial for sequestering carbon for the long-term and improving soil fertility.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from isolated actinomycetes strains and their impact on the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon

Nanomaterials have been produced with the use of bio-nanotechnology, which is a low-cost approach. Currently, research is being conducted to determine whether actinomycetes isolated from Egyptian soil can biosynthesize Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and characterized by using the following techniques: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The most promising actinomycetes isolate were identified, morphologically, biochemically, and molecularly. Streptomyces avermitilis Azhar A.4 was found to be able to reduce silver metal nanoparticles from silver nitrate in nine isolates collected from Egyptian soil. Toxicity of biosynthesized against 2nd and 4th larval instar of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was estimated. In addition, activity of certain vital antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes as well as midgut histology of treated larvae were also investigated. The results showed appositive correlations between larval mortality percentage (y) and bio-AgNPs concentrations (x) with excellent (R2). The 4th larval instar was more susceptible than 2nd larval instar with LC50 (with 95% confirmed limits) =8.61 (2.76–13.89) and 26.44(13.25–35.58) ppml−1, respectively of 5 days from treatment. The initial stages of biosynthesized AgNps exposure showed significant increases in carboxylesterase (CarE) and peroxidases (PODs) activity followed by significant suppression after 5 days pos-exposure. While protease activity was significantly decreased by increasing time post-exposure. Midgut histology showed abnormality and progressive damage by increasing time post exposure leading to complete destruction of midgut cells after 5 days from exposure. These results make biosynthesized AgNPs an appropriate alternative to chemical insecticide in A. ipsilon management.

The production of biosurfactants by local fungi isolated from Egyptian soil

One of the most important sources of biomolecules is soil fungi which have unique metabolic and physiologic features. The present study investigates the ability of local fungi isolated from Egyptian soil to produce biosurfactants. The oil displacement area (ODA) test was used to study the effect of three different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, and salinity) on the stability of produced biosurfactants. The study aimed also to reuse four vegetable oils (sunflower oil, olive oil, waste frying oil, and corn oil), which are widely used in the daily activities of the Egyptians, for the enhancement of the production and activity of biosurfactants by fungal isolates. The highest production of biosurfactants was observed by Aspergillus wentii, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium sp. The results showed that most of the biosurfactants were stable at a wide range of temperatures, alkaline pH, and high salinity. Sunflower oil followed by waste frying oil showed the highest enhancement effects. Olive oil showed moderate enhancement while corn oil showed the lowest effect. Thus, it can be concluded local soil fungi are considered a promising potential source to produce biosurfactants. It can be concluded that our study is the first study that mentioned the ability of A. wentii isolated from the soil as a biosurfactant producer.

The Brazilian archaeological program in Egypt: the first six years on TT123: assembling the puzzle

Created in 2015, the Brazilian Archaeological Program in Egypt (BAPE) develops transversal and participatory research on Egyptian soil. Since 2016, BAPE has been developing, together with the Egyptian government, an excavation project for Theban Tomb 123, located in Sheikh Abdel Qurna, Luxor, known as the Amenemhet Project. Tomb 123 served as a burial ground during the Pharaonic period and is currently a modern residence for Qurnawi families. This paper presents the first results of the research conducted at the site, offering a first interpretation based on the data collected so far, from an archaeological, historical and ethnographic perspective.

Identification of Antimicrobial Metabolites from the Egyptian Soil-Derived Amycolatopsis keratiniphila Revealed by Untargeted Metabolomics and Molecular Docking.

Actinomycetes are prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens has prompted us to search for potential natural antimicrobial agents. Herein, we report the isolation of rare actinobacteria from Egyptian soil. The strain was identified as Amycolatopsis keratiniphila DPA04 using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Cultivation profiling, followed by chemical and antimicrobial evaluation of crude extracts, revealed the activity of DPA04 ISP-2 and M1 culture extracts against Gram-positive bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values ranged from 19.5 to 39 µg/mL. Chemical analysis of the crude extracts using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF) led to the identification of 45 metabolites of different chemical classes. In addition, ECO-0501 was identified in the cultures with significant antimicrobial activity. Multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is reported to be related to the multidrug efflux pump (MATE). ECO-0501 and its related metabolites were subjected to molecular docking studies against the MATE receptor as a proposed mechanism of action. ECO-0501 and its derivatives (AK_1 and N-demethyl ECO-0501) had better binding scores (-12.93, -12.24, and -11.92 kcal/mol) than the co-crystallized 4HY inhibitor (-8.99 kcal/mol) making them promising candidates as MATE inhibitors. Finally, our work established that natural products from this strain could be useful therapeutic tools for controlling infectious diseases.

A comparative technical study for estimating seeped water from irrigation canals in the Middle Egypt (Case study: El-Sont branch canal network)

Integrating with the national project of irrigation canal lining in the Egyptian countryside, the present study is introduced. The study presents a technical comparison of differential equations that are usually used for estimating the seeped water from the earthen irrigation canals. The quantities of irrigation water that are lost due to seepage are great enough to decrease the wide gap between the needed and available water quantities that Egypt seriously suffers from. So, the accurate estimation of the seeped water quantities is very important. The study aims to select the suitable seepage equations for the Egyptian soil, climate, and the currently used distributed irrigation system. It is also to assess the understudy network by estimating the lost water quantities due to seepage by using the designed water sections’ dimensions and comparing the results with those obtained using the existing field dimensions. In addition, to determining the agricultural area that can be added to the current served area after preserving such great quantities. From the Assiut countryside, the El-Sont canal and its network were chosen to be a case study. After a careful technical reading of the seepage equations that researchers introduced previously, the closest relationships to the case study were used. Results indicated that using the suggested relationship by Nazir Ahmed and the Indian equation, gave the maximum seepage quantities for the entire El-Sont canal network with about 21.5% of the total canal head discharge. Most of this lost water can be saved due to the implementation of the national project for irrigation canal lining. This large amount of preserved water can be used to irrigate 15% of the currently served area.

Identification and molecular characterization of arginine deiminase-producing bacteria in Egyptian soil from various soil environments

Identification and molecular characterization of arginine deiminase-producing bacteria in Egyptian soil from various soil environments

Assessment of the acute toxicity of agrochemicals on earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa) using filter paper contact and soil mixing tests

Abstract. El-Aswad AF, Fouad MR, Aly MI. 2023. Assessment of the acute toxicity of agrochemicals on earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa) using filter paper contact and soil mixing tests. Asian J Agric 7: 14-19. Earthworms are suitable bioindicators of chemical contamination in terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, adult earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa Savigny, 1826), which are common in Egyptian rice fields were used to study the side effects of fenitrothion and thiobencarb. Also, it was used two common Egyptian soil types; alluvial soil (clay soil) and the calcareous soil (sandy clay loam soil). Two tests were used; filter paper contact test at 24, 48 and 72 h, and the soil mixing test at 5 and 10 days. The effect of both pesticides on mortality of earthworm was insignificant at 24 h with a low mortality percentage. LC50 value of fenitrothion and thiobencarb were 83.16, 288.26, 24.67, and 39.98 µg a.i mL-1 at 48 and 72 h, respectively. Based on the LC50 values, fenitrothion was 3.5 and 1.6 times more toxic than thiobencarb at 48 and 72 h, respectively. At 5 and 10 days after treatment, respectively, the LC50 for fenitrothion in the soil mixing test decreased from 334.27 to 55.45 in clay soil and from (415.90) to (25.00) in sandy soil. Regarding to fenitrothion in soil mixing test, the LC50 was reduced from 334.27 to 55.45 in clay soil and from 415.90 to 25.00 in sandy soil at 5 and 10 days after treatment, respectively. Also, the LC50 of thiobencarb in clay soil was decreased from 0.93 to 0.41 and from 55.28 to 10.65 at 5 and 10 days, respectively. In general, a positive relation was recorded between the tested pesticide toxicity on earthworm and concentrations, and also exposure time. Fenitrothion was more toxic on earthworm in contact filter paper test than thiobencarb. While, in clay soil, fenitrothion was least toxic to the earthworm in soil mixing test, this could be attributed to the slow degradation in the worms and subsequently less elimination of the metabolites as well as attributed to its higher adsorption and lower desorption in soil.

Remarkable improvement of levansucrase production from a newly isolated Aspergillus niger MK788296 strain using agro-industrial wastes through statistical optimization techniques

Background and objectiveMicrobial levansucrase (LS) is a good source for the production of biologically active fructo-oligosaccharides and levan, which have diverse applications in pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, recent studies have focused on the enhancement of LS production through searching for potent microbial producers and optimization of the fermentation conditions. The present study aimed to use agro-industrial waste as a cost-effective carbon source for LS production and maximize the enzyme yield by optimization of the cultural conditions.Materials and methodsA potent fungal producer of LS was isolated from an Egyptian soil sample that was collected from Giza Governorate at a depth of 5 cm and identified based on internal transcribed spacer identification and then submitted to the gene bank database. The production of LS by the isolated strain was optimized by evaluating the best fermentation state and agro-industrial waste to be used in the fermentation process. After that, further optimization of culture medium composition was established by two statistical designs: the Plackett–Burman design followed by central composite design.Results and conclusionThe isolated strain was identified asAspergillus nigerMK788296. The first optimization approach declared that using the submerged fermentation technique and utilizing potato peels as the main carbon source led to a 2.4-fold increase in LS production. The statistical optimization resulted in a massive LS production (18870.3 U/ml) with a 59.4-fold increase in enzyme yield than the nonoptimized culture conditions.