Diversity of microflora associated to the flora of north Sinai, Egypt

Hegazi and Fayez are professors at Cairo University, Egypt. Their partnership generated well-known publications in plant-microbe interactions. Decades of research in Sinai, together with Prof. Wafa Amer of Cairo University and Dr. Amal Othman of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, resulted in the presented comprehensive book.

The unique Sinai environment is currently subjected to changes due to the on-going agricultural and urban development projects. This includes the mega project of Al- Salam canal, that reuses the agricultural drainage water of the Delta mixed with Nile water (2:1, v/v), for cultivating ca 400,000 acres in north Sinai. As dramatic environmental changes and upsets are anticipated, efforts are made to survey and document the diversity of native flora and associated microflora in the major areas assigned to agricultural development. Microorganisms associated with the various root spheres (Ecto-rhizosphere, endo-rhizosphere) and plant canopy (phyllosphere) were cultured and estimated, e.g. total bacteria, spore-formers and nitrogen-fixers (diazotrophs). The book presents the wonder of diversity and richness of north Sinai plant-microbe environments. Detailed information is presented regarding botanical information of dominant plants, associated bacteria in the root spheres and phyllosphere, as well as the taxonomic position of the hundreds of diazotrophs isolated