Biodiversity and Sustainable Developmentsci.helwan.edu.eg/files/2016/10/Proposed-programme-and-abstracts.… · Management and Evaluation, Gene bank Department, Leibniz Institute

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Biodiversity and Sustainable Development

A Humboldt Kolleg Organized As

Helwan University First International Conference

Helwan University Convention Center.15 and 16, 10, 2016

Proposed program - Saturday 15.10.2016

09:00 – 10:00 Registration

10:00 –11:00 Opening Ceremony and Sponsors Talks

11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break

Session 1

Chairpersons : Prof. Mohamed E. Osman, Prof. Shehata E. Hassan, Prof. Laila El-Sadik

11:30 – 11:55

11:55 – 12:20

12:20 – 12:55

12:55 – 13:10

13:10 – 13:55

13:55 – 14:00

The Role of ex-situ Gene Banks in Biodiversity Conservation (Andreas Börner: Head

Management and Evaluation, Gene bank Department, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics

and Crop Plant Research, Germany).

Why Gene Banks?: An Overview of the National Gene Banks of Egypt (Haniya El Itriby:

Director of the Egyptian Gene Bank).

Biodiversity of Animals in Africa (Hassan Sobhy: Cairo University, Institute of African

Research and Studies).

Diversity of Plant-Associated Rhizobacteria (Nabil Hegazi: Cairo University, Faculty of

Agriculture).

Biodiversity of Fungi in Egypt (Ahmad Moharram: Assiut University, Faculty of Science)

DNA Barcoding and Fingerprinting for Authentication of Genetic Resources (Abdelfattah

Badr: Helwan University, Faculty of Science).

14:00 – 15:00 Lunch break

Session 2

Chairpersons : Prof. Hasnaa Hosny, Prof. Naser Barakat, Prof. Fawzy M. Salama

15:00 – 15:20

15:20 – 15:40

15:40 – 16:00

16:00 – 16:20

16:20 – 16:40

16:40 – 17:00

Botanical Gardens of the World as Centers of Biodiversity Conservation: Past, Present and

Future (Chandralkant B. Salunkhe: Post Graduate Center of Botany, Krishna

Mahavidyalaya, Rethare (Bk.), India).

The Ex-situ Conservation and Management of Plant Genetic Resources in Jordan: NCARE

Gene Bank (Sabah Saifan: Plant Genetic Resources and biodiversity, NCARE, Jordan)

Are herbaria useful in biodiversity? Implications for conservation (Monier M. Abd El-

Ghani: Cairo University, Faculty of Science).

Maximizing the Use of Wild Medicinal Plants for the Development of Sustainable

Populations in South East Egypt (Ahmed A. Elkhouly: Desert Research Center)

Cultivation of the Energy Plant Jatropha curcas Under Mediterranean Climate in the North

African Countries: Case Study of the Jatro-Med Project. (Mohamed Rashad and others:

City for Scientific Research and Biotechnology Applications, Egypt).

Achieving the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation: Case Study from Krishna Botanical

Garden, Maharashtra State, India (Subhash U. Shinde and Chandrakant B. Salunkhe).

17:00 – 17:30 Scientific Poster Session

18:00 – 20:00 Dinner and social program

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Proposed program - Sunday 16.10.2016

Session 3

Chairpersons: Prof. Safia Ghazy, Prof. Selim Henidy, Prof. Hassan T. Hassan

9:00- 9:20

9:20 – 9:40

9:40- 10:00

The Role of Protected Areas in biodiversity Conservation (Eng. Ahmed Salama: Egyptian

Environmental Affairs Agency “EEAA”).

Community Participation in Biodiversity Management: Case Study of Oba Hill Forest

Reserve, Osun State, Nigeria. (Munir Wahab: Department of Fisheries & Wildlife

Management Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria)

)زهرة بوسراج وآخرين( التنوع البيولوجي و التغيرات المناخية: التأثير والتأثر

Session 4 (A)

Chairpersons : Prof. Mona Osman, Prof. Mohamed H. Mona, Prof. Hoda El-Hindawy

10:00 – 10:20

10:20 – 10:40

10:40 – 11:00

11:00 – 11:20

11:20 – 11:40

11:40 – 12:00

Diversity, Abundance and Natural Products of Marine Sponge-Associated Actinomycetes

(Usama R. Abdelmohsen and others: University of Wurzburg, Germany).

Fungi Associated with Maize and Sorghum Grains and their Potential of Amylase and Aflatoxins

Production. (Eshraq, Al-Amery and others: Assiut University, Faculty of Science)

In Meiosis and Cancer: DNA Double Strand Breaks Repair (Emad A Ahmed: Assiut

University, Faculty of Science)).

Biodiversity Conservation: Egypt as a Case Study (Samy A. Saber: Al Azhar Univerisity)

Hormonal Control of the Phase Polyphenism of the Desert Locust (Amer Ibrahim Rawfik:

Assiut University, Faculty of Science).

Diatoms as Bioindicators of Littoral Zone: A Case Study (Nermin El Semary: Helwan

University, Faculty of Science).

Session 4 (B)

Chairpersons : Prof. Ahmed K. Hegazy, Prof. Abdel Raouf Mostafa, Prof. Salama, M. El-Darir

10:00 – 10:20

10:20 – 10:40

10:40 – 11:00

11:00 – 11:20

11:20 – 11:40

11:40 – 12:00

Composition and Pattern of Alien Flora of Egypt (Kamal Shaltout: Tanta University,

Faculty of Science).

On the Ecology, Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of the Northern Mediterranean

Lakes in Egypt (Ebrahim Mashaly: Mansoura University, Faculty of Science).

Services and Goods Introduced by Sand Trapping Plants (Nebkhas) in Degraded Arid

Environments: Combating Desertification and Biodiversity Loss (Magdi El Bana: Port

Said University, Faculty of Science)

Plant Diversity of the Egyptian Northern Lakes (Tarek Galal: Helwan University, Faculty of

Science).

Soil Seed Bank and Maintaining Evolutionary Potential of Threatened Species Under Prospected

Climate Change. (Mohamed Zaghloul and Others: Sues Canal University, Faculty of

Science).

Plant Life of Wadi El Rayan Ramsar Site, Fayoum, Egypt. (Abdelwahab A. Afefe and

others, Cairo University, Institute of African Research and Studies, EEAA)

12:00 – 12:30 Coffee Break

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Session 5

Chairpersons: Prof. Galal Elgemeie, Prof. Ibrahim Zeid, Prof. Hasan A. Soliman,Prof. Helmy Omran

12:30 – 13:00

13:00 – 13:30

13:30 – 14:00

DAAD Information Talk by Mr. Mohamed Fathy DAAD Program Coordinator in the

DAAD Cairo office

Evaluation of Individual and Institutional R&D Performance, Achievements (Mohamed M.

El-Fouly : National Research Centre)

Impact of Scientific Research on the Society (Egypt Science &Technology Observatory

Office in the ASRT)

14:00 - 14:30 Workshop for Young Scientists on Proposal Writing and Application for AvH Fellowship.

Presented by Ashraf Abbadi and Moemen Hanafy

14:30 – 15:30 Lunch break

Session 6 (A): Plant Genetics

Chairpersons: Prof. Magda Soliman, Prof. Hanaa Hegazy, Prof. Soliman Haroun

15:30 – 15:50

15:50 – 16:10

16:10 – 16:30

16:30 – 16:50

16:50 – 17:10

Diversity in Root Traits: Implication for Cereals breeding (Adel H.M. Abdel Ghani: Mutah

University, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan).

VRS2 Regulates Hormone-Mediated Inflorescence Patterning in Barley. (Helmy M. Youssef

and others: IPK-Gatersleben, Germany)

Controlled Deterioration Affects Viability of Barley Genebank Accessions (Rasha

Tarawneh and others: IPK-Gatersleben, Germany.

Genome-Wide Association and Linkage Studies Revealed QTL and Putative Genes Linked to

Seed Longevity in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.). (Mai Allam and others: National

Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. 3Justus Liebig University, Gießen,Germany, IPK-

Gatersleben, Germany.

γ-Radiation of Phaseolus vulgaris (Cultivar Abo Yossif) Induces New Phenotypic Features

(Mohamed E. El-Lithy and others: Menofiys University, Faculty of Science).

Session 6 (B): Plant Ecology and Taxonomy

Chairpersons: Wafaa Amer, Mohamed E. Tantawy, Gamal M. Fahmy

15:30 – 15:50

15:50 – 16:10

16:10 – 16:30

16:30 – 16:50

16:50 – 17:10

Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) in Circum-Mediterranean

Countries with Special Emphasis of the Egyptian Species (Ahmed H. El-Banhawy: Suez

Canal University, Faculty of Science)

Economic Potentiality and Sustainable Management of Some Wetland Plants in the Deltaic

Mediterranean Coast of Egypt (Elsayed M.A. Nafea: Suez University, Faculty of Fish

Resources).

Diversity of the Garden Flora in Nile Delta, Egypt (Esraa Ammar and others: Tanta

University, Faculty of Science).

Effect of Different Habitats on Ecophysiological and Molecular Characters of Two Vicia

species from Egyptian Soils (Dalia Fahmy and others: Menofiya University, Faculty of

Science).

Urban Floristic Biodiversity in Assiut City, Egypt. (A. Faried and A. Amro: Assiut

University, Faculty of Science, Assiut, Egypt)

http://www.asrt.sci.eg/index.php/asrt-departments/estio

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17:10 – 17:30 Closing Session, Discussions and Recommendations

Potential Sponsors

Optional: Monday 17, 2016 – Trip to Protected Reserve or Sightseeing Tour

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The Role of ex-situ Gene Banks in Biodiversity Conservation

A. Börner1, M. Allam

2,1, M.A. Rehman Arif

3,1,M. Agacka-Mołdoch

4,1, M. Börner

5,1, R. Tarawneh

1, U.

Lohwasser1, M. Nagel

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1Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany,

2National Research

Center, Cairo, Egypt,3Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Pakistan

4Institute of Soil

Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Puławy, Poland, 5Enza Zaden Research & Development

B.V. Enkhuizen, The Netherlands

Plant genetic resources play a major role for global food security. The most significant and widespread mean of

preserving plant genetic resources is ex situ conservation. World-wide 7.4 million accessions are stored in about

1,750ex situgenebanks. One of the ten largest ex situ collections of our globe is located at the Leibniz Institute of

Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben, Germany, conserving 150,000 accessions from 3,200

plant species and 780 genera. Since the majority of genebank holdings globally are stored as seed, seed storability is

of exceptional importance for germplasm conservation. At IPK research on seed longevity was initiated for a range

of crops and wild relatives stored over decades. Historical germination data accumulated during 35 years of seed

monitoring were analysed to predict species specific seed longevities at IPK storage conditions. The study

considered 75 species. In total 157,402 observations comprising 79,075 accessions were analysed. Beside

interspecific differences variation was also detected within species and genetic analyses were initiated using long

term stored and experimental aged materials. The complex trait seed longevity was studied exploiting classical

quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis and association genetics. Association-based trait mapping, largely and

effectively used in human genetics, is an innovative methodology in detecting genes. We present results obtained for

wheat, barley, oilseed rape and tobacco.

Why Gene Banks?: An Overview of the National Gene Banks of Egypt

Hanaiya El Itriby

President of National Gene Bank, Egypt

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) play an important role towards sustainable development in

agriculture as they provide the raw material from which new crop varieties are developed thus increasing food

production and contributing to food security thereby playing a role in overcoming hunger and poverty. The rapid

erosion of genetic resources (GR) globally led the United Nations to developinternational agreements: the

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, on

conserving biological diversity, using its components in a sustainable way and to share fairly and equitably the

benefits arising from the use of GRs. Based on the interdependent nature of plant genetic resources for food and

agriculture(PGRFA), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic resources for Food and Agriculture was initiated by

FAO in 2002. The Treaty sets guidelines for collecting, identifying, evaluating, maintaining and documenting

PGRFA. Egypt has been a signatory to and ratified the Convention of Biological Diversity since 1994 and also the

International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 2004. In this context, the Ministry of

Agriculture and Land Reclamation activated the already existing Plant Genetic Resources Programme since 1994 by

establishing the National Gene Bank (NGB) in 2003 under the umbrella of the Agricultural Research Center. The

NGB was inaugurated on the sixth of October 2004 with the mandate of exsitu conservation of PGRFA and to act as

the focal point to the Commission of GR and to ITPGRFA. The NGB organization consists of four genetic resources

departments: Field Crops, Genetic Resources, Horticultural Crops, Animal Genetic Resources and Soil

microorganisms. It also comprises short, medium and long term seed storage facilities, laboratories (Cytogenetics,

Molecular Genetics,Chemical Analysis, In vitro plant tissue culture storage and cryopreservation, animal GR

cryopreservation, and microorganism lab). Among the infrastructure present at NGB is a 5 acre field for

regeneration of PGR, greenhouses, Herbarium and a small botanical garden.

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Biodiversity of Animals in Africa

Hassan Mohamed Sobhy

Institute of African Research and Studies Cairo University

Biodiversity is a synonym for biotic or biological diversity. It may be defined as the number, variety and variability

of living organisms at all levels within aregion. Three levels of diversity are highlighted: genetic diversity, species

or organismal diversity and ecosystem or ecological diversity – including functional variety and the variety of

interactions . Some definitions specify landscape diversity as well. Biodiversity equals the difference between

speciation and extinction . Speciation refers to the evolutionary development of new species while extinction refers

to the loss of existing species. This definition considers biodiversity from the perspective of organismal diversity.

Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth after Asia (30.2 million km²). Africa is also the second most

populous continent after Asia, With 1.0 billion people. There are 54 countries in Africa. Ecologically, Africa is

home to eight major biomes (Biome is a large and distinct group of ecosystems that shares a similar environment of

vegetation and fauna.).Africa holds approximately 30 per cent of the earth’s minerals including 40 per cent of the

gold, 60 per cent of the cobalt and 90 per cent of its platinum. In recent years, oil production has been the main

contributor towards Africa’s economic growth. There are also grazing and agricultural lands that can support

farming economies, as evidenced by the 56.6 per cent of Africa’s labour force engaged in agriculture. African

continent is rich in biodiversity, in the other hand the continent suffers from several threatens like habitat

destruction, poaching, increasing populations, human encroachment, civil unrest and the introduction of non-native

species. This has been exacerbated by administrative problems, inadequate personnel and funding problems. Africa

contains over 3000 protected areas including 198 Marine Protected Areas, 50 Biosphere Reserves, and 80 Wetlands

of International Importance. Eight of the world’s 34 international biodiversity hotspots are in Africa. Of the world’s

4700 mammal species, one-quarter occur in Africa (1229 species). Huge populations of mammals are found in the

eastern and southern savannahs, including at least 79 species of antelope. Africa also has more than 2000 species of

birds-one-fifth of the world’s total-and at least 2000 species of fish, more than any other continent. In addition,

Africa has about 950 amphibian species. New species of amphibians and reptiles are still being discovered.

Diversity of Plant-associated Rhizobacteria

Nabil Hegazi*and Silke Ruppel

Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; and Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops

(IGZ),Grossbeeren, Germany. *Alexander von Humboldt Fellow

The “microbiome” is the collection of the genomes of the microbes in a particular ecosystem. It does not refer only

to the microorganisms involved but also encompasses their theatres of activity; their inhabiting the environment and

creating a sort of “mini-ecosystem. The consortiums of microbiomes play central roles in virtually every

biogeochemical cycle on earth, driving global carbon and nutrient cycling with direct feedback on ecosystem

functioning and productivity. Every higher organism investigated, from plants, insects, and fish up to mice, apes,

and humans, harbours a microbiome. While research on the human microbiome is booming, less attention has been

paid to the microbiome of plants. Plant microbiomes are structured and form complex, interconnected microbial

networks (microbiome structure). Within these networks, different taxa have different roles (microbiome functions).

Keystone species have been identified that could be crucial for plant health, plant nutrition and ecosystem

functioning. The new major frontier is now to link microbiome composition to function. It has long been recognized

that plants associate with microbes, and a wide range of studies have demonstrated that plant organs, such as roots

(rhizosphere, ecto-rhizozphere and endo-rhizosphere) or leaves (phyllosphere, epiphytic and endophytic) harbor

complex and diverse communities of fungi and bacteria that live either inside the tissues or on the surface. Up to a

few thousand bacterial and fungal taxa colonize plant roots and leaves, and sometimes can be surprisingly similar.

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The culturable community of microbiome represents >1-10%, and the remaining un-culturable community of > 90-

99% is only explored by the developed culture-independent high-throughput techniques. Such molecular tools have

discovered more than 85 novel bacterial phyla since 1987; most of which have not yet been cultured. Therefore, the

culturable community does not represent the total phylogenetic diversity, and the huge biotechnological potential of

such unexplored populations is still concealed within unculturable populations. And, there is a compelling need to

induce culturability of new bacterial entities that cannot be obtained directly from sequencing efforts alone, and play

significant environmental roles. Methodological developments over the last decade have led to the recovery of

unculturable from various populated habitats, e.g. the use of dilute nutrient media, long-term incubation,

encapsulating individual cells into gel microdroplets (GMD), diffusion chambers, and the soil substrate membrane

system. In this context and since 2012, we introduced the novel approach of using plant-only-based culture media

for increasing culturability and recovery of plant-associated microbiome. We were able to demonstrate that such

culture media, without any amendment, are sufficient and efficient for culturing rhizobacteria, and progressively

recovering their in situ populations. Results of 16S rDNA-DGGE fingerprints and G3 PhyloChip microarray

confirmed that plant-only-based culture media supported higher diversity and significant increases in the richness of

endo-rhizobacteria. Compared to the chemically-synthetic culture media, they resolved differentmicrobiome

composition. Specifically, significant differences inthe relative abundance of the major/top 9 classes

(Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Betaproteobacteria, Bacteroidia, Clostridia,

Planctomycetia and Flavobacteriia), and higher incidence of unculturable phyla. We are convinced that the wide

application of this novel approachpotentially opens up new horizons for culturing unculturable bacteria tounveil new

microbial partners of great importance to plant nutrition and health. Further, there is a strong need to revise the long-

established information on the ecology of culturable plant microbiome that has resulted from the sole use of

chemically-synthetic culture media.

Biodiversity of fungi in Egypt

Ahmad M. Moharram

Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

E-mail: [email protected]

Fungi represent one of the most diverse groups of organisms on earth. They play fundamental role as decomposers,

mutualists or pathogens of plants and animals. Fungi comprise about 100,000 described species but the actual extent

of global fungal diversity is estimated at 0.8 to 5.1 million species. In Egypt, there are at least 2281 species

belonging to 755 genera of fungi recovered from different ecological habitats. Fresh water fungi were surveyed in

the River Nile, irrigation canals as well as in ponds and the High Dam Lake. At least 186 taxa of zoosporic fungi

were recorded.Winter months were often the richest with common species belonging to the genera Achlya,

Isoachlya, Dictyuchus, Saprolegnia, Allomyces,Aqualindrella and Aphanomyces. New taxa of fresh water

Ascomycetes have been described including Aniptodera aegyptiacus, A. crocinus, Annulata scusnilensis, Janula

aswanii, Paoayensis aegyptiacus, Porosphaerellopsis stromaticola and Rivulicola alba. Marine fungi associated

with mangroves and decayed wood have recently been surveyed leading to the discovery of new taxa such as

Halosarpheia unicellularis, Swampomyces aegyptiacus, S. clavatispora and Halazoonmelhae. Terrestrial fungi were

extensively surveyed in soil, air, seeds, grains, fleshy fruits, dairy productsand various decomposing organic

materials. Common genera include Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Rhizopus and Mucor. Plant pathogenic fungi

mailto:[email protected]

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within the genera Pythium, Phytophthora, Sclerotium, Sclerotinia, Cercospora in addition to species involved in

rusts, smuts, downy- and powdery mildews have been studied. Few species of mycorhizal fungi have been described

from soil and plant roots. Edible macro-fungi within the genera Morchella, Terfezia, and Tirmania were rarely

recorded in Egypt. Fungi associated with human, animal and insect diseases are frequently reported.

DNA Barcoding and Fingerprinting for Authentication of Genetic Resources

Abdelfattah Badr

Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

Genetic resources include both wild species and domesticated forms reflecting the main areas of use. Agriculture

and animal production have changed more in the last century than in the past 10,000 years. Animal production is

becoming more industrial, very productive, very narrow and defined. Currently very few genetic resources produce

the majority of meat and milk. In plants, 10,000 species were used for food since the establishment of agriculture,

today just 12 species provide over 70 percent of the food and four crops – rice, maize, wheat and potatoes – make up

over 50 percent of the food supply and only 30 crops provide 90 percent of the world's calorie intake by man.

Extensive breeding has narrowed the genetic pool of the domesticated plants and animals and efforts have been

recently made to collect and preserve genetic resources. The strategy for the conservation of genetic resources

includes the application of in situ/ (on farm measures, focused on ecosystem conservation and ex situ methods,

Focused on species conservation. Several biotechnology tools have been applied in genetic resources conservation.

Of these DNA barcoding and fingerprinting are widely used for identification and authentication of collected

materials. The applied approaches include sequence based methods known as DNA barcoding focused on sequence

of few chloroplast genes in plants i.e. the rbcL, encoding the large subunit of the photosynthetic enzyme rubisco, the

matK maturase encoding gene and the rpoB, rpoC1 and rpoC2 genes for RNA polymerase. In animals, analysis of

one locus (COI, Cytochrome) is extensively used. The most commonly used nuclear gene is the ITS region (internal

transcribed spacer region) of the18 S rDNA in Eukaryotes and 16 S rDNA in prokaryotes. In addition, several

molecular markers are applied for identification and authentication of genetic resources; these include, Isozyme

markers, RFLP, RAPD, ISSR, AFLP, Microsatellite markers and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs). These

markers are used for diversity analysis of germplasm, targeting phylogenetic relationship, development of core

collection, gene flow study, germplasm identification, genetic purity/ genetic stability and Identification of

duplicates. The talk deals with the application of some of these markers for identification and authentication of

genetic resources.

Botanical Gardens of the World as Centres of Biodiversity Conservation: Past, Present and

Future

ChandralkantB. Salunkhe

Post Graduate Center of Botany, Krishna Mahavidyalaya, Rethare (Bk.) - 415 108, M.S., India.

Botanical gardens are the unique and distinctive kind of scientific and cultural institutions. They have made major

botanical and horticultural contributions to our societies. The world's first botanical garden was created in Padua,

Italy in 1545. This garden is the original of all botanical gardens throughout the world and represents the birth of

science and understanding of the relationship between nature and culture. There are currently around 3,000 botanical

gardens and arboreta in existence in 180 countries around the world. Royal botanical Garden, Kew, UK; Oxford

botanical garden, Oxford; Hortus Botanicus, Leiden, The Netherlands; Bogor botanical garden, Bogor, Indonesia;

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South China botanical garden, Guangzhou, China and many other have played an important role in biodiversity

conservation. Garden tourism is increasing largely in the last 10 to 15 years. Botanical gardens with their valuable

diverse natural resources display will play a vital role in tourism within the context of sustainable tourism

expansion. Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay are the major contributors to the Singaporean

economy. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden near Pattaya is the most attractive tourist destination in Thailand.

Botanical gardens are effective with networks at national, regional and international levels. Over the centuries,

botanical gardens have learned to adapt to advances and changing circumstances. After a long period the emphasis

changed during the past 25-30 years and the conservation of biodiversity became a primary concern for most of the

gardens. Today’s botanical gardens are more complex organizations than garden of last century. New botanical

gardens are being established throughout the world often as botanical resource centers. About half of all botanic

gardens in existence today have been established in the last 50 years. In recent years botanical gardens have begun

to influence and shape international agenda including United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for

achieving more sustainable future by 2020. Botanical gardens will greatly help in reconnecting peoples with nature,

raising awareness of biodiversity conservation, societal benefits, and as sustainable tools for improving physical and

mental health. Establishment of botanical gardens with native plants instead of parks with exotics are needed in

future urban planning and designs as a priority agenda. Enjoying ‘botanical holiday' with amazing plant diversity in

botanical gardens will be an effective remedy as nature based solution for problems associated with urbanization and

climate change in Anthropocene.

The Ex situ Conservation and Management of Plant Genetic Resources in Jordan: NCARE

genebank

Saifan S.

Sobhia saifan, PhD. Plant Genetic Resources and biodiversity.Head NCARE genebank, National Center for

Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE). P.O.Box 639-Baqa'19381 Jordan, E-mail:

[email protected], [email protected].

Jordan has diverse range of ecosystems which reflect high plant diversity of 9.1 species/100 km² and comprises

about 1% of the world Flora. Jordan is a part of the Fertile Crescent and its most likely centre of domestication of

crops of cereals (wheat, barley, oat), food legumes (lentils, chickpeas) and forage legumes (Vicia spp., Medicago

spp.). The updated checklist of about 2565 species listed important and diverse Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) and

Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) that contains important crop gene pool diversity of: wheat (Triticum monococcum, T.

durum, T. turgidum), barley (Hordeum spontaneum), oat (Avena sativa), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), lentil (Lens

culinaris, L. orientalis), bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), pea (Pisum sativum), and various forages (Medicago sativa,

Trifolium campestri, Trigonella spp, Onobrychis spp., Lathyrus spp, and several Vicia spp.), oil-producing plants

(Brassica, Eruca spp.), melons (Cucumis and Cucurbita spp.), vegetables (Brassica, Daucus, Eruca, Allium,

Asparagus, Lactuca,), fruit crops (Pyrus, Ficus, Amygdalus, Pistacia, Olea europaea, Ceratonia siliqua) and dye

plants (Crocus spp) and other medicinal and ornamental plants. This diversity in CWR elects Jordan to be of

significant important part of the Fertile Crescent region for global food security. In addition, the diversity of

landraces of crops that have been maintained by farmers comprises important genetic material that could be directly

utilized in agricultural development, among landraces are five local varieties of wheat and two tomato varieties have

been improved by farmers for drought and salinity and other productive traits. The framed Ex situ and in situ

conservation strategies and programs in Jordan have been conceded since 1992. The Ex situ conservation is carried



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out by the National Gene bank at the National center for agricultural research and extension where conservation

programs and activities encourage collection, conservation and management of PGR for sustainable utilization

through integrating farmers and rural communities in management process. The NCARE gene bank hosts more than

4516 accessions representing 675 species belong to 89 vascular plant families and comprises diversity around 26.3%

of Jordan flora and 0.27% of the global flora. This diversity conserved under 11 plant categories each needs

particular management. The major conservation occurred for wild species and CWR (2058 accession) followed by

crops of cereals (882 acc) and legumes (677). The accessions information are linked to database where gap analysis

conducted frequently. The gene bank collaborated with biotechnology laboratories of molecular biology and tissue

culture where in vitro conservation and diversity analysis carried out. Currently the accessions conserved in Jordan

gene bank are available for exchange and expect to integrate food security programs.

Are herbaria usefulin biodiversity? Implications for conservation

Monier M. Abd El-Ghani

The Herbarium, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University

The herbarium (botanical museum) is a store-house of irreplaceable knowledge of botanical collections, and is a

significant reference for assessing and cataloguing the plant diversity of a particular region. One hundred uses of

herbaria are identified. Herbarium collections form the main source of data for scientists involved in botanical

research. Examples of such researches are preparation of identification guides, checklists and floras, description of

new species and/or production of distribution maps. Such researches help clarify evolutionary relationships among

groups of plants, aid in decision making, environmental studies and conservation of biodiversity. It can also be a

valuable source of DNA material for molecular studies. Plant specimens stored in herbaria are being used to

document the impacts of global change on humans and nature. Herbarium-based studies are profound. Herbarium

collections and photographic images represent alternative data sources for researches in phytogeography and

biogeography. There is an urgent need for comprehensive national databases on alien plant species: a major threat to

biodiversity. Maintenance and conservation of national (major and minor) herbaria are recommended.

Maximizing the Use of Wild Medicinal Plants for the Development of Sustainable

Populations In South East Egypt

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdellatif Elkhouly

Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. [email protected]

This study is conducted in the area from Shalateen - Halayeb area at South East part of Egypt. This study aimed to

maintenance and organize uses of medical wild plants to maximize the economic return in this area, also to increase

the Bedouin ratio in the total market value of medicinal plants that they collect and increase their value. Forty six

stands represent 13 localities are selected to study the distribution, habitats, density, productivity, chemical

constituents, and active materials of the medicinal plants in the study area. The marketing study for the medicinal

plants recorded in this area is conducted through Survey the local market and determine the types of products to be

developed (oil extraction, herbal teas, wholesale), the types of customers and their requirements and create a brand

for our products, develop the packaging and design a holder for the products. Forty four medicinal and aromatic


11





species are recorded in the study area. These plants are distributed in eight habitats. The highest value of density of

the medicinal plants is recorded in Zygophyllum simplex, followed by Rumex vesicarius and Chenopodium murale.

Rhizophora mucronata had the highest value of productivity followed by Avicenna marina and Lycium shawii,

respectively. The ash contents ranges between 3.34% (Balanities aegyptiaca) to 32.86% (Salvadora persica).

Tannins present in all plant samples under investigations, the highest value was observed in R. mucronata (5.178%),

while the lowest value was detected in Plantago afra (0.007%). Saponins were detected in sixteen species. These

Plants contained phenolic contents ranges from 5.284% as highest value of R. mucronata to 0.039 of Leptadenia

pyrotechnica. The highest concentration of alkaloid (10.943%) was detected in Z. simplex while the lowest one was

detected in R. mucronata with percentages of (0.02%).Nine plant species contained oil with different ranges of

concentrations. The marketing study revealed that more than 50% of the herbs export are sold in bulk. None of the

most requested herbs exported are from Shalateen. The local marketing and the customers of five medicinal species

selected from these species are surveyed. The package type and the package form of these plants are designed and

named as (Shala-Tea) product. These plants are: Senna (Senna italica), Lavender Cotton (Achillea fragrantissima),

Desert Dates (Balanities aegyptiaca), Bitter Apple (Citrullus colocynthis), Kaf Mariam (Anastatica hierochuntica),

and Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa).

Cultivation of the Energy Plant Jatropha curcasunder Mediterranean Climate in the North

African Countries: Case Study of the Jatro-Med Project

M. Rashad1, E.G. Papazoglou

2*, A. Outzourhit

3, L. Pari

4,A. Sadi

5

1.City for Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg Elarab, Postal Code: 21934, Alexandria,

Egypt. Email: [email protected], Tel. 002034599308; 2. Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos st.,

11855, Athens, Greece. Email: [email protected], Tel. 00302105294315; 3. Centre de Developpement de la Region

de Tensift, BP 3670 Amerchiche, Marrakech, Morocco. Email: [email protected], Tel. 0021224438161; 4.

Consiglio per la Ricerca e Sperimentazione in Agricoltura Agricultural Research Council – CRA, Via Nazionale, 82,

00184 Rome, Italy. Email: [email protected], Tel. 00390690675249; 5. Centre de Développement des Energies

Renouvelables, BP62, Route de l'Observatoire, Bouzaréah, 16340, Algeria. Email: [email protected], 0021321901816

The potentials of Jatropha curcas L. under the pedo-climatic and socio-economic conditions of lowincome rural

sites of Egypt, Morocco and Algeria are investigated by the 5-year EU funded JatroMed (Evaluation of the energy

crop Jatropha curcas as a mean to promote sustainable and renewable energy in the Mediterranean region)

project(www.jatromed.aua.gr). The aim of the project was to demonstrate to small farmers, rural communities and

stakeholders the possibility to cover their energy needs with jatropha’s bio-oil, and to make them familiar with the

crop cultivation and the multiple uses of the produced oil and by-products. For that purpose demonstration fields

have been established next to small villages without or with limited access to electricity and eight jatropha

genotypes are evaluated. Each genotype is cultivated in 1 ha and is treated with different fertilization, irrigation and

pruning combinations. Apart from that, a harvest device was developed and validated by field tests. The

socioeconomic and environmental impact assessment was accomplished. A “training the trainers” event for

agronomists, stakeholders, etc, and three seminars targeted to farmers, rural population, women, etc, were organized

every year in each target country. The results showed that jatropha seems to be an ideal energy crop for low income

rural areas to cover the energy needs of poor farmers and small villages having limited access to other energy

sources.The results revealed that the best performed genotype in Egypt and Algeria was the non-toxic Michoacán

and in Morocco was the JCLMax 3,0. The mechanical harvesting research and testing showed that a shaker

harvester should be proposed rather than sophisticated and expensive large scale harvesting machines. In conclusion,

Jatropha curcas seems to be an ideal low-input energy crop for low income rural areas to cover the energy needs of

poor farmers and small villages with limited access to other energy sources.






http://www.jatromed.aua.gr/

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Achieving the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation: Case Study from Krishna Botanical

Garden, Maharashtra State, India

Subhash U. Shinde and Chandrakant B. Salunkhe

Post Graduate Center of Botany, Krishna Mahavidyalaya, Rethare (Bk.) – 415 108, M.S., India.

[email protected]

Krishna botanical garden has actively participated in the efforts to reach the targets of GSPC for 2020. The garden

has formed a strategy for the conservation of threatened endemic plants which are listed in Red Data Book, IUCN

and CITES. Western Ghats in India is one of the 34 hot spots of the world’s biodiversity. Out of 17,000 species of

flowering plants reported to occur within India, Western Ghats harbors over 4000 species of flowering plants of

which 1500 are known to be endemic. Some of the important threatened endemic plants of Western Ghats conserved

in the garden include Artocarpus hirsutus Lamk. Calophyllum apetalum Willd., Decaschistia trilobata Wight,

Delphinium malabaricum (Huth) Munz., Dichanthium jainii (Deshpande & Hemadri) Deshpande, Dichanthium

odoratum (D. Lisboa) Jain & Deshpande, Erinocarpus nimmonii Grah. ex Dalz., Frerea indica Dalz., Garcinia

indica Chois, Garcinia talbotii Raiz. ex Sant., Holigarna arnottiana Hook.f., Holigarna grahamii (Wight) Kurz,

Hopeaponga (Dennst.) Mabberley, Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent., Polyalthia fragrans (Dalz.) Bedd., Rauvolfia

serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz., Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd., Syzygium laetum (Buch.-Ham.) Gandhi and Vateria

indica Linn. The Garden has established conservatory for endemic grasses of Western Ghats. The programs like

poster and brochure exhibitions about GSPC targets (2011-2020), endemic plants of Western Ghats, sacred groves

have been organized to create awareness and educate public especially youths and students. About 130 wild

medicinal and aromatic plants are grown in garden which is used in various indigenous systems of medicine like

Ayurveda and oral local health traditions including the tribal medicine. The experts from botanical garden have

completed Tree census program of Karad city in Maharashtra state with the help of local NGO’s and students. The

present paper will explore endemic plant conservation efforts and educational program activities at Krishna

Botanical garden in relation with achieving GSPC targets by 2020.

The Role of Protected Areas in biodiversity Conservation

Eng. Ahmed Salama

Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency “EEAA”).

Community Participation in Biodiversity Management: Case Study of Oba Hill Forest

Reserve, Osun State, Nigeria

Wahab, M.K.A

Deptartment of Fisheries & Wildlife Management Osun State University, Osogbo.


13





Protection of natural resources had seen to be sterile due to the neglect of local people from conservation processes

that brought about the reversal of local ownership in the control given to protected area managers and government

authorities. Towards effective conservation of resources, it is suggest that local people should be involved in

management process. This maturation resulted to a new understanding of the dynamics of ecology, where nature is

recognize as an index of dynamic, changing, with man a part of, not separate from it, but as an integrated part of the

whole. Primary data elicited in the research was by structured interview schedule through randomized design

method in five villages that are in close proximity to the site (Akinleye, Aba-ayo, Isero, Ileko-oba, and Patara).

Questionnaires were administered by hundred respondents in the chosen villages (twenty in each of the five

communities). Retrieved data analyzed was through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that

majority of respondents benefited from the reserve, accepted and believed in its protection. The levels of

involvement in participation (47%) depict the respondent’s interest in the forest resources protection while (53%)

were against it. The challenges facing community participation in resource management were less recognition

resulting low interest and lack of public awareness on conservation management. Summarily, all these

aforementioned barriers associated to Oba hill forest reserve should be check mated if sound and meaningful support

of conservation process is expect from the communities.

التنوع البيولوجي و التغيرات المناخية: التأثير والتأثر

وآخرين زهرة بوسراج

عنابة -جامعة باجي مختار

ئر غير إن التنوع البيولوجي هو المصطلح الدال على تنوع الحياة على كوكب األرض، و تسبب الضغوط البشرية على النظم االيكولوجية تغيرات و خساعدالت لم يشهدها التاريخ من قبل. و من المرجح أن يكون تغير المناخ العامل الدافع الرئيسي المباشر لضياع التنوع مسبوقة للتنوع البيولوجي بم

أو الغريبة من البيولوجي، و من المرجح أن تحد التغيرات المتوقعة في المناخ بالتالزم مع التغير في استخدام األراضي و انتشار األنواع غير المألوفةلمواجهة هذه المخاطر، يستوجب اتباع سبل التنمية المستدامة للحفاظ على على هذه الثروة األنواع على الهجرة و تعجل من ضياع األنواع.قدرة بعض

يد هذه ، ذلك أن استخدام التنوع البيولوجي بطريقة مستدامة يعني استخدام الموارد الطبيعية بمعدل يتيح الفرصة لألرض إلعادة تجد-التنوع البيولوجي–نحاول من خالل هذه المداخلة ابراز أسباب تغير المناخ و تأثيراته على التنوع الموارد، و هي طريقة لضمان احتياجات األجيال الحالية و المقبلة.

التنوع البيولوجي بطريقة البيولوجي، باإلضافة إلى الروابط المختلفة بين التنوع البيولوجي و تغير المناخ، و في النهاية نحاول إبراز سبل استخدام مستدامة.

Diversity, abundance and natural products of marine sponge-associated actinomycetes

Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen1, Ebaa M. El-Hossary

2and Ute Hentschel

1

1Department of Botany II, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg, Julius-von-

Sachs-Platz 3, 97082 Würzburg, Germany 2National Centre for Radiation Research & Technology, Egyptian Atomic

Energy Authority, Ahmed El-Zomor St. 3, El-Zohoor Dist., Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.

Actinomycetes are known for their unprecedented ability to produce novel lead compounds of clinical and

pharmaceutical importance. Our contribution focuses on the diversity, abundance, and methodological approaches

14





targeting marine sponge-associated actinomycetes. Various approaches encompassing co-cultivation, elicitation

experiments, bioassay-guided isolation, as well as –omics (genomics, metabolomics) were employed towards this

goal. We will report on the following findings: (i) Chemical analysis based on bioassay-guided fractionation resulted

in the isolation of the novel cyclic lipopeptides, cyclodysidins A-D, from Streptomyces sp. RV15 associated with the

marine sponge Dysidea tupha. From the same strain, one naphthoquinone derivative SF2446A2 was isolated and

showed new antichlamydial and antischistosomal activities. (ii) Diazepinomicin, a dibenzodiazepine alkaloid, was

isolated from strain Micromonospora sp. RV115 derived from the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba. Using

chemical as well as cell-based assays, a strong antioxidant potential of diazepinomicin was demonstrated. Moreover,

diazepinomicin inhibited the proteases rhodesain and cathepsin L. (iii) A new O-glycosylated xanthone derivative,

microluside A, was isolated from the broth culture of Micrococcus sp. EG45 cultivated from the Red Sea sponge

Spheciospongia vagabunda. Microluside A exhibited antibacterial potential against Enterococcus faecalis JH212

and Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8325.5 (iv) Using metabolomics to dereplicate the marine sponge-associated

Actinokineospora sp. EG49 cultivated from the Red Sea sponge Spheciospongia vagabunda, 20 compounds were

identified, many of which are unknown. Bioassay-guided isolation of the same strain led to the isolation of new anti-

trypanosomal and antioxidant angucyclines named actinosporins A-D. Interestingly, co-cultivation of the two

sponge-derived actinomycetes, Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163, induced biosynthesis of

three natural products that were not detected in the single culture of either microorganism. These were N-(2-

hydroxyphenyl)-acetamide, 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine and 5a,6,11a,12-tetrahydro-5a,11a-dimethyl-1,4-

benzoxazino[3,2-b][1,4]benzoxazine. The phenazine derivative was active against Bacillus sp. P25, Trypanosoma

brucei and interestingly, against Actinokineospora sp. EG49. Our results highlight marine sponges as a prolific

resource for taxonomically novel and rare actinomycetes with potential for drug discovery.

Fungi Associated with Maize and Sorghum Grains and their Potential of Amylase and

Aflatoxins Production

Abdel- Sater,M. A. 1, Abdel- Hafez,S. I. I.

1, Nemmat, A. Hussein

1* and

Eshraq, A. AL- Amery2

1Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt;

2Microbiology

Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Taiz University, Yemen; *Corresponding author: Nemmat A. Hussein,

email: [email protected]

Maize and sorghum are very important cereals in Yemen as well as other countries. Fungal growth, enzymes and

mycotoxin production are considered to be limiting factors in grain deterioration, resulting in quality loss. Using

direct-plating technique, Forty-seven species belonging to 18 genera of fungi were isolated fromNaOCl- treated and

untreated maize and sorghum grain samples (20 samples each) on Czapek’s agar (Cz) and Czapek’s supplemented

with 40% sucrose agar (Cz40S) media. The total number of genera and species recorded on sorghum (14 genera and

28 species) were relatively higher than those recorded on maize grains (7 and 17). The highest total count (553

CFUs/ 400 grains) and number of genera (14) and species (27) were recorded from untreated sorghum grains on Cz

medium. The highest frequencies were held by Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Eurotiumam stelodami, E. rubrum, E.

repens, Fusarium verticillioides and Rhizopus stolonifer. Among 138 isolates screened for their ability to produce

amylase enzyme,110 isolates could produce this enzyme, of which A. terreus and F. solani (3 isolates each) and S.

brevicaulis (1) exhibited the highest production. HPLC analysis revealed that out of 6 strains of A. flavus tested,

strain No. AUMC11311 showed the highest production of aflatoxin B1 and B2 while the highest value of aflatoxin

G2was produced by strain No. AUMC11317. It could be concluded that, fungi growing on grains and have the

abilities of producing enzymes and/or aflatoxins might cause degradation and spoilage of these grains.

In meiosis and cancer: DNA double strand breaks repair


15





Emad A Ahmed Assiut University, Faculty of Science

Of all types of DNA damage, DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) represent the greatest threat to cell viability and

genome integrity. In a cell, DSBs can be generated during various physiological processes, such as V(D)J

recombination, class switch recombination, or during (meiotic recombination). DSBs are also induced by exogenous

agents such as ionizing radiation (IR). The failure to repair DSBs, or misrepair, can result in cell death or large-scale

chromosome changes including deletions, translocations, and chromosome fusions that decrease genome stability

and are hallmarks of cancer cells. In recent years advent has been seen in using nonmammalian models (such

as Drosophila, C. elegans, zebra fish, and yeast) for drug discovery and cancer researches. The speaker and other

co-authors have studied/analyzed DNA damage response during meiosis in yeast and mice and after exposure to

ionizing radiation (high and low doses of IR) in many mutant mice phenotypes, cell lines and in mini-pigs. Recent

advances in signaling and detecting DSBs during yeast and mammalian meiosis shall be discussed.

Biodiversity Conservation: Egypt as a Case Study

Samy A. Saber

Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

Biodiversity is the wealth of earth of different species, genes, and the ecosystem they formulate. The earth planet

was occupied by humans since the beginning of the humanity. People have been concerned about their environment

and especially its ability to provide them with food, water and other resources, these resources were freely available

for exploitation to support development. Human beings can coexist only with the abundance and diverse of nature

because living things are interdependent and intricately linked. Since ancient times Egypt was known by its high

biodiversity and has relied on her wealth of natural resources to sustain its civilization. At least 40 per cent of the

world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources and the opportunity

for medical discoveries. In the late 20th

century we are coming to realize that biological resources have limits, and

that we are exceeding those limits and thereby reducing biological diversity. Human and climate change affected

biodiversity dramatically. Each year, more people are added to the human population than ever before, species are

becoming extinct at the fastest rate known in geological history, and climate appears to be changing more rapidly

than ever. Here we will address the status of biodiversity in Egypt and its opportunity in sustainable development.

Hormonal Control of the Phase Polyphenism of the Desert Locust

Amer Ibrahim Rawfik

Assiut University, Faculty of Science

Locusts show density-dependent continuous phase polyphenism; they appear in two forms or phases, gregarious and

solitary, and there is a continuous range of intermediates between the extreme phases. The endocrine control of

phase polyphenism has been the most intensively studied in desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, Indeed, results of

investigations over the past 15 years, provide some of the most detailed information on the endocrine mechanisms

that potentially regulate desert locust phase polyphenism. In addition, recent studies on the juvenile hormone titres,

ecdysteroid titres, the discovery of [His7]-corazonin as dark-colour-inducing neuropeptide (DCIN) and the

involvement of serotonin pulse in the metathoracic ganglion that triggers behavioural gregarization in the desert

locust have yielded not only a good progress in our understanding the endocrine control of phase polyphenism but

16





also unexpected results which indicate that the endocrine control of desert locust phase polyphenism is more

complex than envisioned by the classical model. This review gives an overview of the progress made to date in

elucidating the hormonal control of the desert locust phase polyphenism. Moreover, this review will summarize

these findings and present some questions that still need to be answered.

Diatoms as Bioindicators of Littoral Zone: A Case Study

Nermin Adel El Semary Department of Botany & Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

Email:[email protected], [email protected], Fax: 002-25552468

Diversity of diatoms was examined from littoral zone water, Suez Governorate, Egypt having fossil fuel-operated

boats around. HPLC analysis of the water showed presence of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the

carcinogen benz[a]anthracene being highest in concentration. Pennate diatoms dominated the diatom community.

Interestingly, a number of genera that were originally thought to be freshwater species also appeared in the littoral

zone. There was a large number of Foraminifera and testate amoeba that can be used as co-indicators of pollution.

Navicula salinarum, Toxarium heenedyanum, Synedra famelica, Nitzschia sp. and Ardissonea crystalline may be

used as indicators of polyaromatic hydrocarbon pollution. The role of these diatoms in the bioremediation and

counteracting organic pollution of coastal water can be explored in the future.

Composition and Pattern of Alien Species in the Egyptian Flora

Kamal H. Shaltout

Botany Department - Faculty of Science - Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt. [email protected],

The present study aims to determine the alien and invasive species in the Egyptian flora, their origin and lags

between the time of the first record and that of rapid growth. A list of alien species was prepared from literature,

field trips and herbaria. The national distribution was gathered from the literature, while the global distribution was

assessed according to the system of Good who divided the globe into six kingdoms, three subkingdoms and thirty

nine floristic regions. The year of the first record was detected by searching in the references, and sometimes by

checking herbarium sheets deposited in national herbaria. The final list included 136 species classified into three

categories: 49 casuals, 81 naturalized and 6 invasive species. Most of these species occur in the Nile region (108

species = 79 %) mainly due to the increasing human activities. Four natural and eight anthropogenic habitats were

supporting the distribution of these species. Many of these species belong to the Boreal and Palaeotropical

Kingdoms. Forty nine species matched with each of the periods of 1850-1900 and 1950-2000. Time lags of the

invasive species ranged between 15 (Azolla filiculoides) and 181 years (Dalbergia sissoo). The dynamic patterns of


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benz%28a%29anthracene


17





alien species over a long period (≥ 500 years) as well as the role of hybridization in their spreading will be assessed

in a future study.

On the Ecology, Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of the Northern Mediterranean

Lakes in Egypt (Case Study: Lake Manzala)

I.A. Mashaly

Botany Department - Faculty of Science - Mansoura University – Egypt.

This presentation is a trial to illustrate the ecology of plant life and vegetation controlling the survival and

long term dynamics of biodiversity of Lake Manzala, as well as the sustainable development of this wetland

ecosystem. From a sustainable point of view, Lake Manzala vegetation is threatened by the desalination of lake due

to the high amount of drainage water from minor and major drains terminating in the lake along the western and

southern shores. It is necessary to emphasize that Lake Manzala vegetation in fact demand urgent management

action to conserve its threatened and unique biodiversity. The conservation of Lake Manzala biodiversity must be

considered as a societal enthusiast, because the human economics’ activities are associated with sustainability of

Lake Manzala biodiversity. The framework of Egyptian National Conservation Strategy provided an instructive

approach for sustainable utilization of the biodiversity. The threat of genetic erosion in Lake Manzala as a result of

desalination could lead to extinction of many neglected and under-utilized plant genetic resources. So, National

Gene Banks in collaboration of other national partners have to be enhanced the conservation and restoration of the

threatened and unique biodiversity of Lake Manzala in order to protect those biodiversity from extinction.

Services and Goods Introduced by Sand Trapping Plants (Nebkhas) in Degraded Arid

Environments: Combating Desertification and Biodiversity Loss

Magdy I. El-Bana

Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said 42521 Egypt

Wind erosion is the principal mechanism of desertification that affects ecosystem services and goods of arid and

semi-arid environments of the world. In these environments, several native plant species naturally fix windblown

materials in stable, phytogenic mounds ‘nebkhas’, but none of them are currently used to combat desertification and

biodiversity loss. In the coastal and inland arid dunes of Sinai, Saudi Arabia and Libya, a variety of such species

were investigated, not only for sand stabilisation, but also to promote biodiversity and introduce many services and

goods by creating habitats for other species, since nebkhas locally improve microclimate and soil fertility. The

investigations explore the potential of a new, natural rehabilitation technique to control the leakage of scarce natural

resources from degraded arid landscapes. They also present evidence that, depending on human impact and

landscape, nebkhas can trigger long-term ecosystem processes and functions.

Plant Diversity of the Egyptian Northern Lakes

Tarek M.Galal

Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University

18





Five wetland lakes of global importance for the migratory birds, extend along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast:

Mariut (63 km2) at the western coast, Edku (126 km

2), Burullus (410 km

2) and Manzala (1200 km

2) at the Deltaic

coast and Bardawil (650 km2) at the Sinai coast. The current status of the vegetation of these lakes was studied on

the light of severe human impacts in this region. All these lakes, except Bardawil, receive excessive amounts of

agricultural and industrial drainage water that is loaded with different pollutants; in addition to over-fishing, over-

grazing and over-cutting. Some 402 plant species (approx. 19% of the whole Egyptian flora), categorized into 32

plant communities, were identified in these lakes. Seven of these species are endemics. Lake Bardawil is still

characterized by pristine conditions, followed by Lake Burullus; both are declared as Ramsar sites for the

conservation of the migratory birds. On the other hand, Lake Mariut is subjected to severe human impact including

habitat destruction and modification. This paper focuses also on the Egyptian efforts for the conservation and

management of these wetlands which include declaring the whole Lake Burullus, part of Lake Manzala (i.e. Ashtum

Al-Gamil) and part of Lake Bardawil (i.e. Zaranik) as managed protected areas. Formal management plans, based on

the ecosystem approach, are applied in Lakes Burullus and Zaranik protected areas.

Soil Seed Bank and Maintaining Evolutionary Potential of Threatened Species Under

Prospected Climate Change

Mohamed Zaghloul and Others

Sues Canal University, Faculty of Science

Plant Life of Wadi El Rayan Ramsar Site, Fayoum, Egypt

Abdelwahab A. Afefe¹*, El-Bialy E. Hatab¹ Mohamed S. Abbas², and El-SayedI. Gaber²

¹Nature Conservation Sector, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), ²Natural Resources Department,

Institute of African Research and Studies, Cairo University, * Corresponding author, e-mail:

[email protected]

Wadi El Rayan located in Egypt at the Sahara ecoregion the Palearctic ecozone (the world's largest hot desert). This

study provides analysis of the vegetation composition at 10 sites in Wadi El Rayan Protected Area. A total of 17

vascular plant species belonging to 13 families were recorded in the wetland and desert ecosystems around lakes of

Wadi El Rayan in 2013. The vegetation is mainly consists of sparsely distributed xerophytic and halophytic plants

except in wetlands ecosystem around the lakes where it is characterized by some of the hydrophytic and halophytic

plants. Most of the recorded species belongs to the Pluri-regional global floristic regions (8 species = 47%), Bi-

regional (7 species = 41%) and Monoregionl (2 species = 12%). The determination of the life forms of recorded

species indicated that the phanerophytes form included (6 species), followed by Geophytes Helophytes (4 species),

while the Chamaephytes (3 species). A higher number of species was recorded from the Lower lake (13 species)

than the Upper Lake (9 species). The most frequently recorded species were Phragmites australis, Tamarix nilotica,

Juncus rigidus and Alhagi graecorum: the first two were the most successful species as they grow in a variety of

ecosystems and habitats. The importance value index (I.V.I) for dominant species in Wadi El Rayan showed that the

Phragmites australis recorded of (165.316); followed by Tamarix nilotica (117.841) and Juncus rigidus (27.378).

Conservation and sustainable management of the floral biodiversity in Wadi El Rayan required stopping the severe

human impacts that lead to eliminate certain plant populations and hence the modification of the complex plant

communities into simple fragile once.


19





DAAD Information

Mr. Mohamed Fathy

DAAD Program Coordinator in the DAAD Cairo office

Evaluation of individual and institutional R&D performance, achievements and impact on

the society

Mohamed M. El-Fouly

Fertilizer Technology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki – Giza – Egypt. [email protected]

Monitoring and Evaluation of different activities in public sector is gaining wide importance to assess how far

activities are performed and how far the implemented activities are reaching the expected outcome and impact.

Research and Development activities are subjected to M&E to examine how far they are assisting in reaching the

development goals of a given country. Assessing the performance of individual researchers is also important for

further promotion, awarding awards, etc. There are different biometric measures to assess and evaluate individuals.

However, their application cannot guarantee a fair and good assessment. Evaluating individuals should use different

measures and indicators depending on the position of the individual person, researcher, associate professor, and

professor and on the purpose of the evaluation, promotion, awarding prizes, etc. The widely used indicators as

impact factor of the journals to assess the individual work, the citation index, etc. cannot be used in all cases. Impact

factor is depending very much among others on the field of research and the citation index is depending on the

organization doing the search and the journals under assessments. This point will be discussed in details. Individual

assessment should be mainly an assessment of the scientific work itself and its impact and not just looking in the

biometrics, which are very questionable. Institutional evaluation is even more complex. Unfortunately, it is not done

in Egypt. The author could not find systematic institutional evaluation of R&D activities in universities or R&D

institutions, except using the number of publications and other indicators, which are collected by the science and

innovation observatory, which are not evaluations as such, but rather monitoring of activities. Evaluations of

structural units takes not only these parameters into consideration, but much more others. Out of these, the outcomes

and impact of R&D activities, comparing the organizational unit with similar units of other organizations,

importance of fields of work to the society. The author studied models of M&E of R&D institutions and in

universities through an A.v. Humbildt stay in Germany. The presentation will cover also some of the German

experiences.

Workshop for young scientists on proposal writing and application for AvH fellowship.

Ashraf Abbadi and Moemen Hanafy

Diversity in Root Traits: Implication for Cereals Breeding

Adel H. Abdel-Ghani

Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Jordan, P. O. Box 7, Karak,

Jordan, E mail: [email protected]



20





In direct selection for genotypes with a vigorous root system could enhance the adaptation under drought and

nutrient deficit soils. Although extensive genetic variation for root architecture has been reported, root traits have

been seldom considered as selection criteria to improve yield in cereals, mainly because characterization of root

morphology in the field is laborious, inaccurate and time consuming. Characterization of root traits under

hydroponic condition has the advantage of screening a high number of genotypes in a small space (in a growth

chamber) within a short period of time (2-3 weeks). Thus, it saves the time and effort required for screening

genotypes with vigorous root systems and consequently might be helpful for rapid screening of high yielding

genotypes.

VRS2 Regulates Hormone-Mediated Inflorescence Patterning in Barley

Helmy M. Youssef and others

Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany; Faculty of

Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

Plant architecture has clear agronomic and economic implications for crop plants, such as wheat and barley, as it is a

critical factor for determining grain yield. Despite this, only little molecular information is available about how

grain-bearing inflorescences, called spikes, are formed and maintain their regular, distichous pattern. In the present

study we elucidate the molecular and hormonal role of the Six-rowed spike 2 (Vrs2)—a SHORT INTERNODES

(SHI) transcriptional regulator during barley inflorescence and shoot development. Here we show that Vrs2 is

specifically involved in floral organ patterning and phase duration by maintaining hormonal homeostasis and

gradients during normal spike development; but similarly influenced plant stature traits. Furthermore, we establish a

link between the SHI-protein family and sucrose metabolism during organ growth and development which may have

implications for deeper molecular insights into crops’ inflorescence and plant architecture.

Controlled Deterioration Affects Viability of Barley Genebank Accessions

Rasha Tarawneh, Manuela Nagel, Andreas Börner

Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK Gatersleben), StadtSeeland, Germany

The ability of seeds to maintain their viability after long-term storage is a crucial trait for germplasm

conservation. Barley is among the four most important crops globally with an annual production of 130

million tons (FAO, 2013). More than 470,000 accessions are stored in gene banks worldwide (FAO 2010)

whereby the Federal German ex situ gene bank for horticultural and agricultural crops at IPK Gatersleben

houses more than 21,000 accessions. As other crops, barley seed longevity is influenced by environmental

cusses during development and genetic factors. In addition, seed moisture content and temperature during

long-term storage affect strongly deterioration rate. In order to understand the genetic background of seed

deterioration, the so-called controlled seed deterioration (CD) was applied to 184 gene bank accessions

genotyped by the 9K SNP array. CD test was conducted at 60% RH and 45°C for 15 days. After treatment

and over all accessions, total germination decrease from 93.75 ± 10.06% to 66.45 ± 27.01%. Significant

different germination behaviour was observed between accessions that used for further genome-wide

association analysis in order to reveal genetic basis and natural variation of seed deterioration.

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GWAS and Linkage Studies Revealed QTL and Putative Genes Linked to Seed Longevity

in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

Mai Allam1, 2

, Manuela Nage11, Rod Snowdon

3, Wolfgang Friedt

3, Andreas Börner

1

1Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, 06466, Germany.

2National

Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. 3Justus Liebig University, Gießen, 35392, Germany.

Seed longevity is important trait for long-term storage of genotypes required in plant breeding. As most worldwide

accessions are stored as desiccation-tolerant (orthodox) seeds, seed longevity determines regeneration frequency and

is, hence of high importance for gene bank management. Seed longevity is complex trait which influenced by wide

base of genetic background and environmental factors. The present study attempts to quantify the genetic basis for

seed longevity in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) by investigating seed sets double haploid population and association

panel. Linkage QTL mapping was performed using 475 SSR and AFLP markers and employed to examine seed

longevity of Express x V8 (ExV) mapping population using progenies of three harvests (ExV-5 from 2005, ExV-9

from 2009 and ExV-12 from 2012). The three seed sets were investigated for seed vigour after different years of

ambient storage (natural ageing) and different periods of controlled deterioration (experimental ageing). Genome-

wide association (GWAS) study approach was used to investigate the association panel ASSYST (215 individuals,

genotyped with 4001 bi-allelic 6K SNP markers). In ExV: The germination speed and the proportion of root and

shoot abnormal seedlings proved to be the most predictive sub-traits for seed longevity. Identical QTL in ExV-5 for

natural and experimental ageing were detected on chromosomes A7 and A9 and in ExV-9 on chromosomes A10 and

C3. Further, identical loci were found in natural aged ExV-5 and experimental aged ExV-9 and ExV-12 on

chromosome C3. In ASSYST: Common positions were detected in 14 positions across the whole genome. Time to

reach 50% of germination (T50) and normal seedling’s root length (RL) recorded the highly significant MTA among

twelve tested traits. Gene ontology and annotation analysis of MTAs physical positions displayed highly significant

genes associated with T50, which were involved in seed development and cell wall thickness. Furthermore, RL was

linked to genes which playing roles in embryonic seed morphogenesis and regulation of seed germination.

γ-Radiation of Phaseolus vulgaris (Cultivar Abo Yossif) Induces New Phenotypic Features

Mohamed E. El-Lithy1, *

, Shaimaa H. Abdelgawad1, Abdelfattah Badr

2

1 Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin al Kawm, Egypt, 2 Botany and

Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, 11790 Cairo, Egypt.

Plant radiation usually generated genetic variation that might be reflected phenotypically. This work deals with the

effects of γ-radiation on the morphological and molecular characteristics of the M3 plants of Phaseolus vulgaris

cultivar Abo Yossif. Seeds of the cultivar Abo Yossif were exposed to three low doses of γ-radiation (50, 100, 300

Gy). At the morphological level, for M3 plants: time to germinate and flower; color of hypocotyl, panicle, leaf

venation, flower petals and pod and shape of first foliage leaf apex were recorded. Molecular polymorphism

associated with exposure to γ-radiation was investigated using 4 RAPD and 1 ISSR primers. Results showed that γ-

radiation induces wide variation in seed coat color. Also, some individuals showed pink color for hypocotyl, panicle,

leaf venation, flower petals and pods. The molecular characterization showed different genetic patterns. Such results

considered as a good resources to study the underlying gene(s) that govern these traits.

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Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) in Circum-Mediterranean

Countries with Special Emphasis of the Egyptian Species

Ahmed H. El-Banhawy

Suez Canal University, Faculty of Science

Economic Potentiality and Sustainable Management of Some Wetland Plants in the Deltaic

Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

Elsayed M.A. Nafea

Suez University, Faculty of Fish Resources

This study aims toinvestigate the nutritive values of some plant species naturally growing in the coastal Deltaic

Mediterranean wetlands of Egypt for sustainable management and uses; these are: Arthrocnemum macrostachyum

(Moric) Koch, Atriplex portulacoides L., Bassia indica (Weight) A. J. Scott, Chenopodium album L.,

Halocnemumstrobilaceum (Pall.), M. Bieb) (Chenopodiaceae), Amaranthus hybridus L. (Amaranthaceae),

Portulacaoleraceae L. (Portulacaceae), Bolboschoenus glaucus, (Cyperaceae), Sesbania sesban L. (Fabaceae) and

Pluchea dioscoroides (L.) DC. (Asteraceae) as their over growth and domination cause serious environmental

problems, to suggest the possible economic uses for these plants as a tools of sustainable management. The mean

and standard deviation of physicochemical characteristics of soil samples collected underneath the studied species

were carried out to be considered at cultivation of these plants. The determination of lipid, crude protein, total

nitrogen, total phosphorus, total carbohydrates, crude fiber, ash content and dry weight as well as Na+, K

+ and Ca

+

cations in the dry mater showed great variation among the studied species. The highest mean lipid contents were

49.2 and 39.1 mg/g dry wt. in S. sesban and P. oleraceae respectively, while the highest mean protein content was in

S.sesban and Ch. album with values of 239.5 and 191.6 mg/g dry wt., respectively. The highest mean carbohydrates

content was recorded in P. oleraceae and A. hybridus with values of 211.3 and 291 mg/g dry wt, respectively. The

relatively high contents of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in some selected plant species make them suitable

candidates to be used as animal feed stalk and natural organic fertilizers with safe manner could be use in newly

reclaimed lands. The high contents of Na+, K

+ and Ca

+ ions in some studied plants make them also as a good source

of mineral salts in food formulas, and as a tool for desalinization in salt affected lands in the coastal Egyptian

wetland habitats.

Diversity of the Garden Flora in Nile Delta, Egypt

K. Shaltout, D. Ahmed, M. El – Beheiry, E. Ammar

23





Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt

This study aims to answer the following questions: 1- what are diversity and distribution of the ornamental plants in

Nile Delta and its outskirts?, 2- what are their annual cyclic distribution? and 3- what are the economic goods and

environmental services which they offer?. One hundred and 55 field visits were conducted to many districts in Nile

Delta including Greater Cairo and Alexandria during summer 2012 to summer 2014. In the present study, 2392

species were recorded, belonging to 940 genera and 176 families. Fabaceae was the most represented family, Ficus

was the most represented genus, and trees-shrubs were the most represented growth form. Most of the species were

propagated by seeds (71.4 %), followed by cutting (36.6 %).Twentytwo groups were resulted after the application of

TWINSPAN and DCA: 5 groups included only one garden, 2 groups included 2 gardens; while other 2 groups

included more than 30 gardens. Group 7 (Orman Garden) had the highest species richness (984 species group-1),

while G 20, which includes 34 gardens, had the highest species turnover (7.2). Of the 2392 ornamental species

recognized in Nile Delta, 73.2 % offer at least one potential or actual economic good. Decorative plants were the

most common plants, while grazing plants were the least. In addition, 54.6 % of the ornamental species had at least

one environmental service; shade sources were the most represented, while hedge plants were the least. This study is

the first attempt to evaluate the agro-diversity in Nile Delta and introduces for the scientific community a baseline

data for evaluating the agro-biodiversity in Egypt as a whole.

Effect of Different Habitats on Ecophysiological and Molecular Characters of Two Vicia

species from Egyptian Soils

Mohamed E. El-Lithy

1, *, Dalia F. Slima

1, Hassan E. Hassan

1

1Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shibin Al-Kawm, Egypt.

Distribution and survival of plants in their natural habitats in fact, is due to the impact of the environmental factors

prevailing in such habitats. Vicia monantha Retz. and Vicia sativa L. have great agronomic potential especially in

drought areas. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of 16 different natural habitats on: growth-related traits,

mineral content and nutritional value of twoV. species. Also, the genetic profile of the plants will be investigated. A

significant variation was observed between plants collected from different habitats for the majority of the studied

traits of the two V. species. For V. sativaa significant correlation between the seed weight, the percentage of Ca,

carbohydrates and dry matter intake against soil characters (coarse sand%, pH value, Ca, Mg, Cl and HCO3) was

indicated. For V. monantha, a significant correlation was observed between plant height, number of seeds/pod, crude

protein, organic matter, total digestible nitrogen, digestible dry matter, dry matter intake, relative feed value,

nutritive value versus soil characters (medium sand%, pH value, Ca, Mg and Cl). Regarding nutritional value, V.

sativa recorded higher crude proteins (31.5%) more than Medicago sativa (23%) and Trifolium alexandrinum

(19.9%) and a higher crude fats (31.6%) more than M. sativa (25.1%).Also, the results indicated that RAPD

fingerprinting was a useful method for detecting the genetic variation that present among plants. From our data we

can conclude that different habitats cause great variation in the growth criteria as well as the genetic makeup.

Urban Floristic Biodiversityin Assiut City, Egypt

24





A. Faried

* and A. Amro

Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

The floristic biodiversity of five main environments (Public gardens, Home gardens, Agricultural lands, waste lands

and wet lands) were investigated during March-August 2016. The data collected from 32 stands covering two

University Campuses (Assiut University and El-Azhar University) and many other Nile gardens. This study aims to

investigate the life forms, chorology, dispersal types and environmental importance of 119 species including 9

subspecies and 5 varieties belonging to 97 genera and 33 different families. Poaceae, Asteracea, Fabaceae and

Euphorbiaceae elements represented 56% of the total recorded flora. Annual herbs represented the largest life form

of this flora (40.3%), followed by annual grasses (16.8%) meanwhile the shrubs and trees represented only about

11% of urban flora. Investigation of this flora dispersal types revealed that 18.5% of the recorded flora was

belonging to the Ballochore type followed by the Microsclerochore and Pogonochore (16% for each). The

cosmopolitan and paleotropic elements had the highest percentages among the represented chorotypes (38% totally).

Documents

Biodiversity and Sustainable Developmentsci.helwan.edu.eg/files/2016/10/Proposed-programme-and-abstracts.… · Management and Evaluation, Gene bank Department, Leibniz Institute