Sunflower is the most important source of edible oil and fourth-largest oilseed crop in the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of using two organic fertilizers from various sources (compost coupled with biofertilizer (CCB), filter mud cake (FMC)) and comparing them to conventional inorganic fertilizers in their effect on the quality of sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, and soil properties. The data showed that the highest value of dry weight, plant height, disk dry weight in addition to chlorophyll content, and phenolic secondary metabolites in oil was measured after the application of inorganic fertilizer, while the use of organic fertilizer contributed to a substantial increase in the production yield of sunflower seeds, oil, and a high stalk yield compared with inorganic treatment. Oils produced from organic fertilizer (CCB and FMC) gave higher blue color values than inorganic ones and the most transparent oil was inorganic while the organic treatments produced darkest oils. The results for chemical composition of sunflower seeds showed nonsignificant differences for protein and ash among all treatments while a significant difference with regard to oil content was recorded, in which the FMC recorded the highest oil content followed by compost (CCB), and finally came the inorganic treatment. Organic fertilizers are a valuable source of organic material and nutrients essential for plants and can be safely used for soil, crops, and the environment.

By integrating various irrigation and agriculture management techniques, it is possible to considerably improve water productivity. In order to examine the impact of irrigation scheduling (1.0 and 1.2 pan evaporation coefficient), planting method (ridge and raised bed), and potassium silicate foliar application (0 ppm and 100 ppm) on maize (Zea mays L) growth, yield, and water-related factors, a two-season field experiment was conducted in a hot-dry climate region of southern Egypt during 2017 and 2018. The results showed that the seasonal irrigation requirement and consumptive use were higher at 1.2 than the 1.0 pan evaporation coefficient, irrespective of the planting methods. Raised bed planting method saved about 19% of applied water (two seasons average) compared to the ridge planting method. Plants treated with potassium silicates attained higher yields compared to the control, irrespective of the irrigation level and planting method. Moreover, irrigation at 1.2 pan evaporation resulted in the lowest daily ETc values, i.e., 3.15, 6.0, 6.7, and 2.8 mm for plant growth stages, i.e., ini, dev, mid and late. This resulted in the lowest Kc values (0.47, 0.91, 1.16, and 0.61) at different plant growth stages (ini, dev, mid and late). Based on the study findings, it is recommended to use a deficit irrigation of 0.15% based on accumulated pan evaporation values of 1.2, coupled with raised bed planting method and the application of 100 ppm potassium silicates, for optimal maize water productivity and net return.

In order to study the effect of calcium-potassium Equilibrium in hydroponics culture nutrient solution on growth, nutritional status and productivity of tomato plants (cv. Red spring) an experiment was conducted at a private hydroponic farm in Qena Governorate through the Soils and Water department, faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Egypt. The site is at (latitude 26° 11' 22.2'' N to Longitude 32° 44' 25.5'' E), and 81 m above sea level. Tomato plants were grown hydroponically using six types of nutrient solution: 1) standard solution adapted with nutritive needs of tomato plants (balanced in Ca and K), 2) Ca deficient solution, 3) Ca excess solution, 4) K deficient solution, 5) K excess solution and 6) Ca and K excess solution. The obtained results showed that, Compared to balanced Ca-K solution or those deficient in Ca or K content, “Red Spring” tomato plants grown in nutrient solution rich Ca or in K or rich in both Ca and K present higher and significant growth parameters, cluster number/plant and fruit numbers/cluster. Significant differences were obtained in leaves mineral contents (N, P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn) as a result of varying Ca-K equilibrium of nutrient solution. However, the antagonism between Ca, K and Mg Clearly observed. Fruit physical and chemical characteristics significantly affected by varying the Ca-K equilibrium in the nutrient solution.