Advances in Agriculture and Biology

Evaluation of agronomic performance and grain yield stability of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes in East Shewa zone, Oromia

Temesgen Dinsa, Urgaya Balcha — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A field experiment was conducted at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, as well as in the Lume and Dugda Districts, during the main cropping seasons of 2022 and 2023. The purpose of this study was to identify stable and high yielder bread wheat genotypes in the East Shewa Zone across three distinct districts. These districts exhibit varying environmental conditions and altitudes, with a diversity of soil types characterized by differing compositions. A total of fifteen genotypes were precisely evaluated utilizing a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype, environment, and their interaction on grain yield. Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis indicated that the environment significantly influenced yield, accounting for 48.78% of the total variation, followed by genotype (23.89%) and genotype × environment interaction (16.19%). The first two interaction principal components (IPCA-I and IPCA-II) explained 44.6% and 27.7% of the genotype × environment interaction, respectively, and were used to assess stability. Based on stability parameters (ASV and GGE-Biplot) and mean grain yield, genotypes G-6, G-1, and G-5 were identified as stable and high-yielding candidates for potential release. AMMI and GGE-biplot analyses revealed specific adaptation patterns among genotypes, with some performing better in particular environments. These findings highlight the importance of multi-environmental trials for accurate genotype evaluation. Given their yield and stability, genotypes G-6, G-1, and G-5 were promising resources for improving bread wheat productivity in East Shewa Zone and similar agro-ecologies. We recommend further validation trials and farmer participatory evaluations to ensure acceptability and performance under on-farm conditions. Additionally, these superior genotypes could be used as parents in future breeding programs. © 2024 The Author(s)

Assessing the effect of carbide waste-contaminated soil on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Maize is a critical global staple crop but its productivity is often constrained by soil fertility issues, including waste contaminants. This study investigated the impact of soil contaminated with carbide waste (CW), an industrial by-product rich in calcium hydroxide, probably as a soil amendment to enhance maize growth and yield. Maize was grown in soils amended with 0-160 g/kg of CW in a screen house study replicated 5 times in completely randomized design. Plants (100%) survived at 20 g/kg; 40% at 40 g/kg; and 20% at 60-80 g/kg; with 0% survival under 100-160 g/kg. CW insignificantly (p>0.05) improved plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf size, number of roots and root length at 20 g/kg, and reduced them significantly (p<0.05) at 40-80 g/kg compared to the control. CW also significantly increased vegetative biomass and grain yield at 20 g/kg with significant reduction at 40 g/kg while those that survived at 60-80 g/kg did not produce grains. Grain moisture content increased insignificantly at 20-40 g/kg with ash highest at 40 g/kg. Crude fiber decreased at higher concentrations, and crude protein increased with increasing application level, peaking at 40 g/kg. N, P, K and Ca increased significantly with increasing waste reflecting enhanced nutrient uptake. CW led to grain heavy metal accumulation but below permissible limit in foods. CW at 20 g/kg can be used to enhance maize production while higher concentrations should be avoided as are capable of detrimental effect on the crop with grains’ elevated heavy metal concentrations. © 2024 The Author(s)

Assessment of genetic variability for aluminum tolerance in cowpea accessions screened in pots under field conditions

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Aluminum toxicity is a major factor limiting crop productivity on acid soils, thus limiting food production. This study assessed the level of genetic diversity for aluminum tolerance in cowpea and the inter-character association of important traits for the effective selection of tolerant genotypes. Ten accessions of the crop were screened in pots filled with topsoil employing a 10 × 4 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The four aluminum treatments imposed were 0, 50, 100, and 200 µM AlCl₃. The study found significant differences among accessions for all traits. Aluminum treatment affected all traits except seeds/plant and seed yield, with significant interaction effects for traits except emergence percentage and plant height. Heritability was high (≥ 60%) for all traits except pods/plant, which had moderate heritability (57.98%). Genetic advance was high (≥ 20%) for all traits except days to flowering (11.08%) and plant height (15.87%), showing moderate values. Based on aluminum tolerance indices, AC03, AC04, AC05, AC06, AC08, and AC09 were classified as highly tolerant, AC02 as moderately tolerant, while AC01, AC07, and AC10 were highly susceptible. Consequently, selection for the traits with high heritability and genetic advance would result in genetic gain and breeding progress for aluminum tolerance in cowpea for acidic soils in Nigeria and other tropical regions. © 2024 The Author(s)

Comparative study of biodegradation potential of foreign and indigenous bacteria of pharmaceutical effluent

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Pharmaceutical effluents, which contain organic compounds and other contaminants, are commonly found in wastewater. The ability of microorganisms to break down particular contaminants and their diversity are key components of this wastewater treatment procedure. A growing problem for the environment and human health is the constant release of these substances into surface waters. This study aimed to evaluate the biodegradation potential of indigenous and foreign bacteria in breaking down pharmaceutical effluents in the Irewolede region of Ilorin City, Kwara State, Nigeria, could break down the effluents. To ascertain the effectiveness of the treatment, the physicochemical characteristics of the pharmaceutical effluent were evaluated both before and after the procedure. Samples were collected from the effluent, and the biodegradation process was monitored using standard microbiological and analytical techniques. Physicochemical properties including total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), growth (Optical density, OD), pH, and degradation efficiency, were analyzed at the Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin. Our investigation revealed that sample A had a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) value of 80.36 followed by sample B, indicating a higher level of organic pollution in sample A, followed by sample B. Pseudomonas putida showed less turbidity in effluent B, while seawater-isolated bacteria produced higher turbidity in sample A and moderate turbidity in sample B. While all bacterial isolates exhibited minimal reductions in BOD, they were effective in reducing TSS and TDS by over 50 %. This suggests that, while BOD reduction was limited, the bacteria could still contribute to the removal of suspended solids and dissolved solids from the effluent. This study demonstrated that Bacillus species, E. coli, K. oxytoca, P. putida, Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococuss aureus are promising bioremediation microbes for purifying pharmaceutical effluents and other organic wastes released into the environment. © 2024 The Author(s)

Agricultural productivity in developing countries and influence of climate change on agriculture

Kenneth Omokhafe, Lelia Dongo , Emmanuel Imoren — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Agricultural productivity is critical to the supply of food and fiber required to support good quality life, more so with increasing World population. In this regard, developing countries are at the risk of food scarcity. The primary objective of this paper was to evaluate the trend of agricultural productivity in Low Income (LI) and Lower Middle Income (LMI) countries in comparison with High Income (HI) countries. A secondary objective was the evaluation of the effect of climate change on agriculture in Nigeria. Metadata was collated on agricultural total factor productivity and per capita income from 1960 to 2000. The data was regrouped into class data of five years interval. The class data was analyzed using means, correlation and regression analysis. The High Income countries had a regular sigmoid curve for agricultural productivity. LMI countries had an undulating regression curve though with a short stable period. The curve for LI countries was unstable. In multiple regression, HI countries recorded a high regression coefficient of 0.97 compared with 0.06 and 0.35 in LMI and LI respectively. The intersection point, i.e. the constant was -0.83. This negative constant supports previous reports on World food crises. The options of cross sectorial policy formulation/implementation, North-South and South-South Cooperation were suggested to ensure that the entire World system works in unison to respond positively to the challenges of food and nutrition security. This is moreso as agriculture in developing countries is mainly nature dependent, hence vulnerable to the effect of climate change. In this regard, the effect of climate change on agriculture in Nigeria was studied, with a situation report and recommendations. © 2024 The Author(s)

Optimizing organic manure and plastic mulching to improve cucumber performance, soil water and thermal conditions of an Alfisol in a humid and tropical region

Gabriel Oladele Awe , Halimat Oluwatosin Adelakun — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A field experiment was conducted during the 2022 dry season to investigate the effect of organic manure and plastic mulch on soil water and thermal regimes and cucumber growth, yield and water use efficiency at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti southwest Nigeria. The experiment was 2- factorial, laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The organic manure factor consisted of poultry, piggery and no manure while the mulching factor comprised black plastic mulch and no mulch. Soil water content and temperature of the 0 - 10 and 10 - 20 cm layers of the field were monitored while cucumber growth parameters, yield components and water use efficiency data were also collected. Soil temperature was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in mulch treatment compared to no mulch treatment in both 0 - 10 cm surface and 10 - 20 cm subsurface soil layers. Conversely, organic manure did not affect (p > 0.05) soil temperature although it was highest in no manure treatment. Mulching significantly (p < 0.05) increased soil water content while poultry manure treatment had the highest soil water content during the growing cycle. Mulching significantly (p < 0.05) increased the number of leaves, leaf area and vine length of cucumber. Both organic manure and mulching significantly (p < 0.05) influenced leaf temperature, number of fruits but not fruit length, fruit diameter, yield and water use efficiency. Furthermore, the combined application of plastic mulch and poultry manure gave the highest yield and water use efficiency of cucumber. It showed that combined poultry manure and plastic mulch could be an ideal combination for soil and water management and conservation for sustainable cucumber production in this area. © 2024 The Author(s)

Addition of urea fertilizer to Crocober Plus Liquid Organic Fertilizer improves growth and yield of corn plants (Zea mays L.)

Jamilah, Irma Suryani, Aslan Sari Thesiwati , Afrirona Diyanti — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to determine the effect of adding urea to Crocober Plus liquid organic fertilizer (CP LOF) on the growth and yield of corn. The research was conducted from March to July 2024 on dry land in Aia Pacah, Koto Tangah District, Padang City. The study employed a factorial completely randomized design (CRD). The first factor involved the addition of urea at doses of 0 g/L CP LOF, 5 g/L CP LOF, and 10 g/L CP LOF. The second factor was the concentration of CP LOF at 0 ml/L water, 25 ml/L water, and 50 ml/L water, with three replications. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level, followed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the same level. The results showed that the combination of urea fertilizer and CP LOF significantly affected parameters such as plant height, total leaf area, 75% tasseling age, grain weight per sample plant, and 100-grain weight. The addition of 10 g urea/L CP LOF resulted in better growth and yield of corn compared to lower urea doses. The application of 50 ml/L CP LOF increased dry grain yield, reaching 6.33 tons/ha. Further research is needed to explore higher doses of CP LOF to achieve optimal corn yields. © 2024 The Author(s)

Subsistence farming and rural food security: A review

Muhammad Tahir Iqbal — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Subsistence farming is a set of techniques used by the poor rural farmers to meet their food and nutritional requirements. Through increasing revenues and food supplies, subsistence farming provides poor households with a foundation for improving their household food security and ultimately producing extra income for other household needs. In the past, rural households were largely self-sufficient in producing their own food. However, recent research indicates a remarkable increase in market purchases made by both urban and rural households. In addition to enhancing livelihoods and assisting to reduce the high food prices, the subsistence farming can play a significant role for lowering food prices both in rural and urban areas. This paper helps us to understand the importance of subsistence farming that how it is useful to rural farmer for getting food and income for other needs. To meet their food needs, many smallholders rely mainly on rainfed, low-input subsistence farming. However, the majority of rural households cannot consistently produce enough food through subsistence farming to prevent starvation. In order to guarantee long-term food security, subsistence agriculture production can be increased by motivating the farmer for better production by using sustainable and better inputs. This will be possible only when farmer be facilitating by providing low price organic and inorganic fertilizer and by lowering transport and transaction cost. This study will be helpful for policymakers, development experts, and anyone interested in how nations facing comparable difficulties to rural economic growth. © 2018 The Author(s)

Exploring the effect of nitrogen levels on yield and yield attributes of diverse open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) of maize (Zea mays)

Muhammad Azam, Beena Saeed, Sajjad Khan, Danish Zafar — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A field trial was carried out during the Kharif season of 2022 at the Agronomy Research Farm, University of Swabi. The trial was designed as a 3×3 factorial experiment, involving three varieties (CIMMYT FATA, DSW, and Kaptan) which were allocated to the main plots. Three levels of nitrogen (200, 150, and 100 kg ha−1) were applied to the subplots. A plot size of 22.5 m², having 6 rows 75 cm apart with plant-to-plant distance of 25 cm was maintained. The concerned maize varieties were sown at the first week of July 2022. The required amount of N was applied at the time of second irrigation using urea fertilizer. Similarly, the recommended dose of phosphorus (TSP) and potassium (KCl) were applied at a rate of 60 kg ha^-1 prior to the final ploughing. The field was cultivated twice with a cultivator and rotavator, and then leveled with a back leveler. Irrigation was managed according to weather conditions, and the water needs of the crop. Among the different maize varieties, Jalal variety significantly (p<0.05) delayed tasseling (54 days) and silking (61days), Plant height (193 cm), ear length (18.9 cm), 1000 grain weight (31 g), grains per ear (422), grain yield (5030 kg ha^-1) and biological yield (12337 kg ha^-1) were all improved when compared to DSW and CIMMYT FATA cultivars. However, the harvest index (43.7%) was highest for the DSW variety. The application of 200 kg ha^-1delayed silking (60 days) and tasseling (53 days), as well as enhanced plant height (192 cm), ear length (18.8 cm), grains per ear (411), thousand seed weight (305 g), biological yield (12036 kg ha^-1), and grain yield (4995 kg ha^-1) as compared to 100 and 150 kg N ha^-1. Based on the study's findings, it is recommended that nitrogen be supplied at a rate of 200 kg ha^-1and the Jalal variety be used to boost maize yield as well as yield components in the study area. © 2023 The Author(s)

Assessment of nematode-induced diseases in chili fields of Karachi: Implications for sustainable crop management

Asmat Ullah, Asma Hamid, Syed Muneer Shah, Amna Khan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Nematodes represent significant pathogens affecting chili (Capsicum spp.) production, leading to various diseases that significantly reduce crop yield. This study conducted a comprehensive survey in chili fields located at the University of Karachi near the UBIT department and one field in Gadap Town to assess nematode populations. A total of fifteen soil samples were randomly collected from plant roots and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory, revealing a diverse array of nematodes. Identified species included Longidorus elongatus, Pratylenchuscoffeae, Tylenchorhynchus elegans, Helicotylenchusdigonicus, Hoplolaimus indicus, Tylenchus spp., Ditylenchus spp., Hemicriconemoides spp., Aphelenchus spp., and Xiphinema spp., alongside numerous free-living nematodes. The populations of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) were notably high, comprising various genera and species that actively attack chili plants, resulting in symptoms such as yellowing, stunting, wilting, dieback, decline, leaf distortion, root rots, gall formation, leaf drop, and other detrimental effects. The taxonomy and systematics of these nematode genera and species are comprehensively discussed, supported by detailed descriptions, illustrations, and photographs. Understanding the diversity and impact of nematodes on chili crops is crucial for implementing effective management strategies. This study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable nematode control measures to mitigate yield losses and ensure the long-term sustainability of chili production. © 2023 The Author(s)

A preliminary study on the diversity of termites in twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) of Pakistan

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Termites are eusocial cellulophagous isopterus insects belonging to phylum Arthopoda, class insecta and order Blattodea. They are a dominant group of invertebrate decomposers that inhabit the arid and semi-arid zone of the world. They exhibit division of labor among the individuals of their colony based on their morphology, physiology and behavior. They feed on dead and decayed wood, woody plants, animal dung, soil, timber and all the cellulosic products. They are involved in ecosystem services like nutrient cycling, enhancement of biodiversity and soil structuring etc. But on the other hand, they damage the wooden furniture, agricultural fields and all other cellulose based products. By keeping in view the ecosystem services and the economic losses rendered by them, the current study was planned to investigate the species diversity of termites in Rawalpindi and Islamabad city. The termite samples were collected from houses, animal dung, soil and trees of the study area with the help of camel hair brush, wooden sticks and X- rays sheets. Identification was done with the help of a key under the supervision of an expert entomologist. From the collected samples of termites, two species Coptotermes heimi (Family Rhinotermitidae) and Odontotermes horai (Family Termitidae) were identified. Data obtained regarding the relative abundance of termites indicated that maximum relative abundance (45.6%) of termites species was recorded during the 4^th sampling period (June - August) due to higher humidity. Odontotermes horai (55.07%) was a more abundant termite species than Coptotermes heimi (44.93%). The overall diversity for termite species was 49.49% on Simpson scale while 68.80 % on Shannon diversity index. This study will provide basic knowledge regarding the abundance of termites and different habitats inhabited by termites. It is helpful for the understanding of basic eco-biology of termites. Furthermore, it will help entomologists in designing effective control measures. © 2022 The Author(s)

Effect of biochar-based rhizobium biofertilizer on groundnut production

Mavra Shakeel, Khalid Mehmood, Rifat Hayat, Khafsa Malik — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) belongs to the leguminosae family and is cultivated as cash and oil crop. To obtain its high yield, synthetic fertilizers are being used, but they have negative effects on soil microbes including Rhizobium. To resolve this issue, the use of biofertilizer instead of synthetic fertilizer is an alternative option. Therefore, this study was planned to use biochar-based biofertilizers for groundnut production. Quality parameters of biochar based biofertilizers were observed. The four treatments T1 (Control), T2 (Recommended fertilizer N/P 30-100 kg ha^-1), T3 (Biochar + Half N/P 15-50 kg ha^-1) and T4 (Biochar) were used for the production of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) variety “Bari 2016”. The quality parameters results revealed that after six months, the number of cells reduced from 10⁶/g carrier to 10⁴/g carrier and moisture content from 40% to 16% while there was no change in pH (7). In a field experiment, Data indicated that T3 (Biochar + Half N/P 15-50 kg ha^-1) showed the best results as compared to other treatments. T3 showed the maximum number of pods per plot (633), pods per plant (64), mature pods (59), and immature pods (5). Out of 59 mature pods, T3 showed 58 filled pods and 1 unfilled pod. Among 58 filled pods, T3 showed 15 pods had 1 seed, 19 pods had 2 seeds and 24 pods had 3 seeds. Similarly, T3 showed maximum plant height (21.2 inches), no of branches (36), No. of lateral roots (142), root length (9.8 inches) and root nodules (115) per plant. The data was recorded at harvesting time. The 100 seed weight 65.3 g and shelling percentage 68.9 % were recorded. It was concluded that biochar has a positive impact on groundnut yield. The research finding will be helpful in future for farmers to select biofertilizers as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers for obtaining high yield and maintaining soil health. © 2023 The Author(s)

Evaluating the rice genotypes at various growth stages under agro-climatic conditions of Dera Ismail Khan

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This research study was conducted for evaluation of 5 genotypes of rice (KANGNI-27, MATHRA, E-107, E-94, and IRRI-06) for different traits at various growth stages. The experiment was done at the Agriculture Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan during the kharif season of 2020. The study was designed as RCBD with three replications. Data was recorded including length of seedlings, length of leaf, width of leaf, number of tillers, and height of plant at various growth stages, at nursery stage, after 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of plantation. At the nursery stage, genotype MATHRA showed the high seedling length (48.89 cm), genotype IRRI-06 had the longest leaves (18.44 cm), and genotype E-94 had the widest leaves (6.78 mm). After 10 days of plantation, the genotype KANGNI-27 had the highest number of tillers (4.33), genotype MATHRA had the longest leaves (21.67 cm), and genotype E-94 had the widest leaves (7.22 mm). Twenty days after transplantation, genotype KANGNI-27 had the highest number of tillers (10.78), genotype MATHRA had the longest leaves (32.67 cm), and genotype IRRI-06 had the widest leaves (8.11 mm). Likewise, 30 days after transplantation, the genotype E-94 had the highest number of tillers (16.22), genotype MATHRA had the longest leaves (36.78 cm), and genotype KANGNI-27 had the widest leaves (10.11 mm). Moreover, at 40 days after transplantation, genotype MATHRA showed the tallest height of plant (36.78 cm). These findings can be used in future breeding programs to develop new rice varieties that are better adapted to Dera Ismail Khan climatic conditions. © 2023 The Author(s)

A comprehensive analysis of agronomic practices for cultivation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Cotton, a versatile natural resource, holds a significant place in global socioeconomic dynamics. As the foremost source of natural textile fiber and a substantial contributor to oilseed production, cotton's impact on various sectors is great. Pakistan, a major player in cotton production and consumption, faces challenges in optimizing its yield due to multiple constraints. To enhance production, strategic agronomic interventions are imperative. The Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan carried out a research study in 2023 to evaluate how sowing date and plant spacing affect different growth and yield characteristics in two cotton varieties, CIM-496 and CIM-499. The different treatments resulted in significant differences in the number of monopodial branches, sympodial branches, plant population, plant height, days until the first flower appeared, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, and seed cotton yield per plant. Sowing in the third week of April typically led to better outcomes in comparison to sowing later in May and June, particularly in terms of branch development, plant population, plant height, and yield characteristics. In the same way, increased plant spacing, especially at 39 cm, appeared to support improved growth and yield characteristics when compared to tighter spacing. CIM-499 displayed slightly superior performance compared to CIM-496 across different treatments. The significance of considering both the timing of sowing and the distance between plants in maximizing cotton growth and yield is illustrated by these results, providing valuable knowledge for implementing crop management techniques to improve productivity and quality. © 2023 The Author(s)

Effect of gibberellic acid on in vitro propagation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The impact of various applications of gibberellic acid (GA3) was studied on potato varieties at the rate of 1 mg/l, 1.5 mg/l and 2 mg/l especially for the Lady Rosette cultivar. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on different growth parameters of potato plants such as no. of plantlets, total no. of stems and total number of leaves. This research was conducted at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Agriculture Research, Gilgit Baltistan to culture potato seedlings. Thirty beakers were used under various treatments and different growth and developmental parameters were examined i.e., number of plantlets, total number of stems and total number of leaves. The findings showed significant differences (p > 0.05) in growth among the different concentrations of gibberellic acid throughout the study period. Based on the results, the treatment with 1 mg/l gibberellic acid was found to be the most effective for leaf propagation in potato. Conversely, the treatment with 2 mg/l gibberellic acid showed the lowest values for the mentioned parameters. Lady Rosetta exhibited the highest number of leaves with good strength, recording 36 leaves, followed by 1 mg/l with 32 leaves, and 1.5 mg/l with 31 leaves. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the optimization of potato plant propagation, specifically leaf production. The future applications include commercial potato cultivation, seed potato production, potato breeding programs, controlled environment agriculture, and further academic research in the field. © 2022 The Author(s)

Effect of different sowing dates, planting methods and irrigation intervals on performance of wheat varieties under agro-climatic conditions of Bahawalpur region

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Wheat is considered one of the most important staple foods of Pakistan that plays a substantial role to address the food security challenges. Due to increase in water scarcity in southern region of Pakistan, wheat production is highly affected during winter season. The research was conducted to investigate the response of wheat varieties under different moisture regimes, sowing dates and planting methods at Regional Agricultural Research Institute (RARI), Bahawalpur, Pakistan in 2021. Under experiment 1, five genotypes of wheat [V1 (18003), V2 (180059), V3 (BF-1019), V4 (195715), and V5 (Ghazi-19)] showed significant variations in plant height, spike length and plant density across different irrigation regimes. In experiment 2, the effect of sowing dates on eight wheat genotypes was evaluated. Growth parameters displayed diverse responses based on sowing time in this experiment. Experiment 3 investigated the effect of different planting methods on the growth and yield of wheat genotype Ghazi-2019. The results revealed significant variations in plant height, spike length and plant density by applying different planting methods. Planting of wheat variety Ghazi-2019 on ridges exposed best results with highest yield per square meter and per hectare. The outcomes of this research provide valuable insights that overall yield of wheat genotypes was enhanced under Bahawalpur agro-climatic conditions by optimizing cultivation practices and considering genotype-specific characteristics, sowing time and sowing methods. The findings proposed that genotype selection, sowing time and sowing method all can influence wheat growth and productivity and emphasize on the need for comprehensive strategies for maximum agricultural productivity under diverse environmental conditions. © 2022 The Author(s)

Survey and characterization of nematode populations affecting onion and spinach crops in Karachi, Pakistan

Naveed Hameed, Asmat Ullah, Zuama Khan, Sumera Aslam, Amir Afzal — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Vegetables are an important source of micronutrients, which can help malnourished people throughout the world and improve their health. In many countries, spinach and Onion are popular vegetables that help to overcome micronutrient deficiencies. Current technology and advances have greatly aided agricultural productivity, while most of the producers have overlooked several critical aspects that might help to reduce yield losses. Particularly, root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.) and cyst (Heterodera spp.) nematodes are thought to be among the most significant plant pests on a variety of crop plants. They have a wide host range, a brief life cycle and a rapid rate of multiplication. This research study conducted an extensive survey of nematode populations affecting onion and spinach crops in Karachi, Pakistan. Soil samples were collected from farmers’ fields and the UBIT field at the University of Karachi. The survey identified a total of 10 different genera of plant parasitic nematodes including Longidorus elongatus, Hemicriconemoides communis, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Hoplolaimus columbus, Bitylenchus brevilineatus, Aphelenchus avenae, Pratylenchus coffeae, Seinura spp., Filenchus spp., and Helicotylenchus spp., along with free-living soil nematodes. Notably, some genera, such as Longidorus elongatus, Bitylenchus brevilineatus, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Hemicriconemoides communis, and Seinura spp., were reported for the first time in onion and spinach crops in Pakistan. The study also provided systematic information, morphometric data, and illustrations of these genera. The findings highlight the importance of understanding and managing nematode populations in onion and spinach crops to ensure sustainable agricultural practices in Karachi, Pakistan. © 2022 The Author(s)

Characterization of rice germplasms based on various seedling traits and growth stages

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Rice is very important for Pakistan’s economy. To increase rice exports and ensure food security, it is essential to plan development patterns and select the best rice genotypes for cultivation. This research was done at the Agricultural Research Institute in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan during the Kharif season, 2020. The study characterized five rice varieties by inspecting various seedling’s attributes and growth stages. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to minimize bias in the study. Data collected at 10, 20, 30, and 40 days after transplantation (DAT) disclosed significant variations among rice genotypes. At the nursery stage, seedling length, leaf length, and leaf width varied significantly, with DR-82 showing the highest seedling length (59 cm). The number of tillers per plant, leaf length, and leaf width at 10, 20, 30, and 40 DAT also exhibited substantial differences among genotypes. DR-82 consistently displayed dominant performance in terms of tillers and leaf length. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences in seedling traits, and mean performance results that emphasized the unique characteristics of each genotype. The study provides valuable insights into rice breeding, cultivation, and selection of genotypes suitable for general cultivation. These findings contributed to the optimization of rice production practices, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistani rice in the international market and supporting the country’s economic growth. © 2022 The Author(s)

Physiochemical characteristics, nutritional properties and health benefits of palm oil: A review

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Since some decades palm oil obtained from tropical plant, Elaeis guineneensis has become major concern due to its high yielding characters. It can solve many health-related issues of humans and also used as economic development tool by many countries. It is basically lipid, which is extracted from mesocrap, a flashy part of palm oil tree. This oil is higher in oleic acid and lower in palmatic acid, so it is easy to process into vegetable oil. In crude palm oil, there are approximately 11 distinct carotenoids. Amongst these, Alfa and beta carotenes are the two most important carotenoids in palm oil. Palm oil, as an antioxidant, is frequently used to treat cancer in addition to being a nutrient-rich source of food, making it very significant for human health. Palm oil's fatty saturated acid to unsaturated acid ratio is very near to one. There is discussion about its effects on the environment as well as human health, so we decided to review all the articles related physiochemical characteristics, nutritional properties and health benefits of palm oil. In conclusion, palm oil emerges as a versatile commodity with significant economic and nutritional value, highlighted by its high productivity and diverse applications. However, the balance between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in palm oil necessitates careful consideration due to its implications for cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health. As research continues to unveil both benefits and concerns associated with palm oil consumption, further exploration and nuanced understanding are crucial for informed decision-making and sustainable utilization in various sectors. © 2020 The Author(s)

Optimization of Agrobacterium mediated callus-based transformation protocol for rice (Super Basmati) and GUS expression

Khalid Mehmood, Muhammad Arshad, Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Shaukat Ali — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food in many countries of the world. The world population is increasing at a tremendous rate. The demand of food is increasing but supply is limited due to decrease of agriculture land, biotic and abiotic stresses. There is need of time to increase the yield of food crops including rice by incorporating resistance genes that will improve the ability of cultivar to resist biotic and abiotic stresses. Agrobacterium mediated callus-based transformation is one of the techniques for insertion of gene of interest. This study was an attempt to evaluate the response of four cultivars (Super Basmati, Basmati 370, Basmati 385 and Shaheen Basmati) of rice for regeneration and transformation on the basis of hygromycine. The cultivar super basmati responded best response so further GUS expression of this cultivar was done to check the transformation efficiency. The EHA101 Agrobacterium strain, plasmid containing GUS gene was used to evaluate the transformation rate. The factors affecting transformation process were optimized. The results revealed that 500 mg/L of cefotaxime was best concentration to decontaminate the left-over bacteria. The 50 mg/L of hygromycine was optimized as lethal dose for selection of transformed calli. The (100 µM/L) of acetosyringone in cocultivation media enhanced the ability of Agrobacterium to deliver the required gene in the calli. Out of four cultivars of rice, super basmati showed the best response for regeneration and transformation. The 24% GUS expression was recorded in the leaves of super basmati. © 2021 The Author(s)

Potential and constraints of growing sunflower crop in Pakistan: An updated review

Imtiaz Ahmad Mumtaz — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Sunflower scientifically known as Helianthus annuus belongs to family Asteraceae. First time in Pakistan, sunflower was cultivated in 1960’s. Crop of sunflower is known as having great abilities and it can positively meet upcoming edible oil requirements of Pakistan. In Punjab, it was reported that during 2018-2019 areas under sunflower cultivation was 29919 hectares with production of 56777 tones. Sunflower has the capacity to fulfill the future oil requirements of Pakistan because it has high necessary oil ingredients. There are two kinds of sunflower oil; one is with high oleic and second with linoleic contents. By weight the seed of sunflower has 47% fats, and the quantity of protein is about 20-30%. In one tablespoon of seed, the amount of energy is above 48 %. Farmers are facing constraints while growing the sunflower crop in the country. These constraints are locust attack, non-availability of sufficient water, lack of technical knowledge of farmers, more nutrient requirements, less production, loss by different living organisms, non-availability of pure seed, attack by insect pests and different diseases and other competent crops. Some other problems are market related problems as there are no proper markets in the region which adversely affects the cultivation of sunflower. © 2020 The Author(s)

Antimicrobial activity of Latex of Calotropis gigantea against some bacteria

Kamal Nasir, Muhammad Amjad Khan — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Medicinal plants contain a plethora of biologically active compounds synthesized through primary and secondary metabolism, offering diverse therapeutic potentials. Calotropis gigantea L., commonly known as milkweed emerges as a promising candidate due to its extensive traditional use and scientifically proven medicinal properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Calotropis gigantea latex extract against different types of harmful bacteria. The present study consisted of assembling Calotropis gigantea latex from plants in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, followed by extraction and preparation of an aqueous extract. The agar well diffusion method with appropriate controls was used as antimicrobial assays. In order to determine relative percentage inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), crude latex extract was used. The findings exhibited significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus, and Escherichia coli using latex extract compared to controls. The zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus was measured as 30 ± 1 mm, for Lactobacillus was measured as 16 ± 1 mm, and for Escherichia coli zone of inhibition was measured as 24.6 ± 0.5 mm. With a confidence level of p<0.05, these results have been confirmed by data analysis. The relative percentage inhibition was measured as 290.5% for Staphylococcus aureus, 200.4% was measured for Lactobacillus, and a remarkable 381.1% was measured for Escherichia coli. In the case of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, a minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.5 g ml was measured with Lactobacillus showing slightly higher MICs at 125 g ml. These findings indicate the significant antimicrobial potential of Calotropis gigantea latex extract against a diverse range of microorganisms, emphasizing its promising therapeutic applications in combating microbial infections. Further research is needed to explore its mechanisms and optimize its medicinal properties. © 2020 The Author(s)

Optimization of factors affecting callus-based gene transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Callus based gene transformation is a method used to modify and improve agronomic traits of crops. There are various factors which affect the gene transformation process. The most important factors are cultivar, age of callus, growth regulator, optical density of Agrobacterium culture, acetosyringone concentration, infection and cocultivation time, cefotaxime and hygromycin concentration etc in pre-selection and selection media. Therefore, for gene transformation of each crop, these factors must be optimized for successful and maximum gene transformation. This study was planned to optimize these factors for transformation of DREB1A gene via Agrobacterium EHA101 strain, and plasmid containing hygromycin resistance gene. The calli of four wheat cultivars were used. The results showed that 50 mg/L of hygromycin was optimized as a lethal dose for selection of transformed calli. The other parameters like optical density 0.8, and 300 μM of acetosyrinogne were optimized to enhance the process of infection and transfer of gene. 5 minutes infection time of Agrobacterium to wheat calli and 48-hour cocultivation time was optimized for each cultivar of wheat. 500 mg/L cefotaxime was optimized to eliminate Agrobacterium after cocultivation. Overall, the callus of Lasani-08 showed maximum transformation out of four wheat cultivars based on hyrgromycin resistance. This optimized protocol will be helpful in future for transfer of other genes in wheat cultivars. © 2020 The Author(s)

A comprehensive review on sustainable management of rice straw for resource conservation and environmental protection

Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Adeel, Abdul Latif — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This article provides information about the crop residue management present in rice-wheat cropping system in China and Indian Subcontinent. It focuses on the importance of sustainable crop residue management for environmental conservation, crop productivity and health risk mitigation. The study brings attention to what is usually viewed as residue has value, it stresses on the importance of converting residue to enhance soil fertility and to fulfill crop nutrient requirements. The incorporation of wheat and rice residues into the soil is shown to support sustainable crop production and increases soil organic matter and nutrient levels. On the other hand, combusting these residues results in environmental pollution, various health hazards and reduction of valuable nutrients. There are several ways for rice straw management, some of which are discussed here i.e., off-farm composting and in-situ incorporation. Although these methods have advantages, they are also laborious and time consuming. These limitations are solved by innovative methods such as the Turbo Happy Seeder. Moreover, the article emphasizes the necessity for farmers to shift from burning residues (which causes several hazards) to eco-friendly alternatives backed up by financial incentives and technological innovations. It addresses the potential of biochar, a carbon-rich byproduct produced due to biomass pyrolysis, for improving soil quality and lowering emissions of greenhouse gases. Biochar has the capacity to retain nutrients and water due to which it is regarded as a valuable soil amendment that enhances soil quality. It also emphasizes the efficiency of energy conversion in thermal processes using rice straw as biomass feedstock, which contributes to sustainable energy generation source. In conclusion, it stresses the role of rice straw management in fortifying soil fertility and ensuring agricultural sustainability within rice-based cropping systems. Managing the residue not only helps farmers but also helps in resource preservation and environmental protection. © 2022 The Author(s)

Growth of maize is improved by the combined use of natural and synthetic nutritional sources of potassium: A review

Khalid Mehmood, Saima Nasreem, Abdul Latif, Adnan Noor Shah — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Maize, being the third most important cereal crop, is used as a source of nutrition, poultry feeds and for other industrial purposes. In industries, it is used in making flakes, custard, varnishes, paints and many more. It is an important source of human diet containing vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₅vitamin and B₆ (pyridoxine)), nutrients (phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron and selenium, potassium and calcium) and other phytochemicals important for human well-being. Potassium (K) has an important role in regulating many plants’ functions like photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, cellular homeostasis and growth. By keeping in view all these regulating functions, K can be an important source in increasing crop yield of maize while making it more nutritious. Soil is an important source of K as it contains a more exchangeable form of K but in some conditions like calcareous soil, salinity stress, drought and biotic or abiotic stress cause severe deficiency of K in plants. In such situations, exogenous K can play a helpful role in high maize production. This present review deals with natural and synthetic sources of K that are being used for increasing maize production. Synthetic sources of K include inorganic fertilizers like NPK, muriate of potash, sulphate of potash and potassium thiosulphate, while natural sources include organic manure, cattle dung, compost of different crop residues, wood ash, rocky minerals and biofertilizers. In some cases, both the natural and synthetic sources of K are used in combined form to get significant results. © 2022 The Author(s)

Current status, challenges and technological breakthrough of organic agriculture with a focus on Pakistan

Qaisar Abbas — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The world's population growth and environmental deterioration pose a threat to food production, and it is urgent to find suitable solutions. Organic farming is an environmentally beneficial method of agricultural production that guarantees food safety, minimizes health issues, encourages environmental preservation, and creates job possibilities for nearby people. Biopesticides are biological pest control agents that manipulate living things. Microbial pesticides, biochemical pesticides, and plant-incorporated protectants are all types of biopesticides (PIPs). Microbial biopesticides are substances made from microorganisms that can be used to treat plant diseases and insect pests that harm agricultural crops year after year. In the global economy that is reliant on agriculture, they can be crucial for crop security. It is essential right now to encourage farmers all around the world to employ these microbial biopesticides. In Pakistan's national economy, organic agriculture is extremely important. The year-round cultivation of valuable crops, fruits, and vegetables is made possible by the geographic and biological diversity of the region. To make organic farming practical, it is vital to pay attention to the farmers' objectives for alternative approaches. In Pakistan, the adoption of organic farming could have a beneficial and notable impact on farmers’ livelihood in terms of profitability, compatibility, productivity, and sustainability. Organic certification is absolutely necessary to raise the market value on both a national and worldwide scale. © 2022 The Author(s)

Production and physico-chemical properties of biochar and its impact on phosphorous release for soil improvement: A review

Abbas Ali Abid , Abdul Latif — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Through a process known as pyrolysis, biomass of various biological origins is thermally decomposed to produce biochar, a solid carbon-rich substance. Biochar has enormous potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering carbon in the soil, revitalizing depleted soils, and reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers in agricultural practices. Furthermore, it improves the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties while raising healthier plant growth. As a result of these attributes, there is a growing interest in integrating its utilization in agriculture, soil and land rehabilitation, and strategies aimed at mitigating climate change. The impact of biochar application can range from neutral to highly beneficial, contingent upon several factors, such as the source of the raw materials, the conditions during carbonization, the frequency and method of application, as well as the quantity applied. A suitable niche that biochar can provide for soil bacteria can lead to an improved pattern of growth and proliferation. The vital mineral phosphorus (P), which is usually lacking in plant nutrition, must be managed sustainably in order to preserve soil fertility and crop yield over the long term. Biochar may also help to improve P availability in soil by providing habitat and carbon supply to phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) which can solubilize P compounds of low solubility. Integrated application of biochar and PSB can therefore, be exploited as ecofriendly strategy for the enhancement of PSB activity in soil to mobilize higher P for increased plant productivity. In conclusion, this review suggests that improving soil chemical properties by adding biochar not only requires consideration of biochar application rates and chemical properties but also the local soil environmental factors, especially soil initial pH and sand content of the soil, should be considered. © 2023 The Author(s)

Mitigation of pest pressure in crops by the foliar application of vegetable extract and cultivation of marigold as a companion crop: A review

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Tomato cultivation in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab region, faces challenges due to extreme weather conditions and pest attacks, impacting growth and production. This review explores strategies to mitigate pest pressure in tomato crops including allelopathy, botanical sprays, and companion planting with marigold. Companion planting with marigold effectively controls fruit borers and manages Meloidogyne incongnita, a root-knot nematode. The article also discusses challenges in the Capsicum genus due to pests like whiteflies, thrips, and jassid. Botanical extracts, such as ginger, have proven effective in managing jassid infestations. Additionally, companion cropping with marigold has shown to bolster tomato production by diminishing pest attacks on the roots and exhibiting positive effects on - crops such as cabbage and chili. However, when chili was cultivated alongside maize and sweet potato, it causes reduction in the production of chili. These insights underscore the significance of innovative approaches, such as companion planting, for sustainable pest management, while aiming to augment crop yields. The article provides an extensive overview of various botanical extracts and synthetic insecticides tested in pest management. These include Eucalyptus, Bakayan (Melia azedarach), Chilli (Capsicum annum), Thyme (Thymus volgaris), Onion (Allium cepa), and Steward 150 EC (Indoxicarb). The efficacy of these botanical extracts in controlling pests in crops like tomato, marigold, basil, and celery is evaluated, emphasizing the potential of certain botanical extracts, such as marigold, owing to their allelopathic properties. Additionally, the practice of companion cropping with mint, okra, and leek is highlighted as an effective strategy in curbing whitefly infestations in tomatoes. The current manuscript also examines the use of botanical fungicides like cinnamon and clove extracts to combat plant diseases. Conclusively, the botanical extracts including onion, bakayan, and chilli, hold promise as substitutes for synthetic insecticides due to their accessibility, safety, and their minimal adverse effects on natural enemies and non-target species. © 2023 The Author(s)

A discussion on maize transformation during the last two decades (2002–2022): An update on present trends and future prospects

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Over the past decades, improvements in plant biotechnology have been used to produce genetically modified maize cultivars that have the potential to tolerate various stresses and as a result maize production has increased in the world. GM maize varieties having various traits i.e. disease resistance and abiotic stress tolerance denote 30% of the world’s maize cultivated area. Genetic transformation in maize has been successfully achieved for the development of trait specific genotypes. Traditionally, some barriers in maize tolerance to certain traits still exist that can never be accomplished and to fill this gap, maize biotechnology has developed and commercialized GM maize varieties as an alternative to conventional breeding methods. Though various stresses i.e. biotic and abiotic can affect maize production but among other abiotic stresses, drought is a major issue that directly disrupts maize yield and productivity across the globe. Drought tolerant gene isolation and their transformation into maize are the key steps towards technological improvements. Agrobacterium mediated gene transformation in maize is widely used for the stable integration and transient expression pattern through optimized tissue culture protocols. This review mainly represents updated success in gene transformation in maize in the last two decades in terms of achievements, their uses and future prospects of GM maize cultivars. © 2023 The Author(s)

Effect of planting methods and pinching techniques on the growth, flowering, and seed production of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Syed Fiaz Hussain Shah, Iftikhar Ahmad — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This research study aimed to assess the impact of different planting methods (ridge and bed planting) and pinching techniques on the growth, flowering, and seed production of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). The experiments were conducted at the Floricultural Research Substation in Multan, Pakistan. The ridge planting method (T1) and bed planting method (T2) were employed, along with pinching treatments (T1) at a height of 30 cm compared to a control group (T2). Various growth, floral development, flower weight measurements, and seed metrics were systematically recorded and analyzed. The results demonstrated that bed planting significantly influenced Marigold plant growth, leading to taller plants, more leaves, and a higher population compared to ridge planting. Bed planting also accelerated floral development, with earlier spike emergence, quicker floret opening, and a greater number of florets plant^-1. Pinching resulted in shorter plants and promoted more lateral branches and a higher number of flowers plant^-1 compared to the control group. The pinched plants displayed reduced single fresh and dried flower weights, but the control group consistently produced heavier flowers. Additionally, pinching contributed to a reduction in the number of seeds flower^-1 but increased the average seed yield plant^-1 compared to the control group. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing planting methods and employing pinching techniques to enhance the growth, flowering, and seed production of African Marigold. The study emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate cultivation practices to maximize the economic returns for flower growers and traders in the floriculture industry. © 2020 The Author(s)

Plant parasitic nematodes associated with wheat and maize

Sehar Rubab, Shahina Fayyaz, Asmatullah — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Nematodes associated with wheat and maize cause different diseases and reduced their yield. Survey was carried out in wheat and maize fields at the University of Karachi near Department of Environmental Studies, mooti baag, Nursery (NNRC) and Crops Diseases Research Institute (CDRI). During survey a total of 16 soil samples were collected randomly from the roots of the plants. After laboratory analysis many plant parasitic nematodes were identified in which Longidorus pisi, Tylenchorhynchus annulatus, Helicotylenchus egypteansis, Hoplolaimus indicus, Hemicriconemoides mangiferae., Pratylenchus spp, Tylenchus spp., Hetrodera spp., Aphelenchus spp. and Rotylenchus spp. are included. A large number of free-living nematodes were also found along with plant parasitic nematodes. In the CDRI wheat samples were collected the large amount of population of free living nematodes were present. Whereas the population of plant parasitic nematodes were not sufficient. From mooti baag, Department of Environmental Studies and Nursery of NNRC sample of maize were collected in which more plant parasitic nematodes were found. © 2020 The Author(s)

Evaluation of secondary metabolites profile and antioxidant potential of Terminalia chebula and Glycyrrhiza glabra

Zia ullah Khan, Naveed Khan, Zahid Hussain — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the antioxidant potential and secondary metabolite profiles of Terminalia chebula and Glycyrrhiza glabra, medicinal plants native to Swat, Pakistan. Terminalia chebula, or black myrobalan, is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as licorice, has a rich history of traditional medicinal use for over 4000 years. The study focuses on evaluating the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant activity of both plants. The study explores the importance of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, terpenes, anthraquinones, essential oils, and steroids, in both Terminalia chebula and Glycyrrhiza glabra. The antioxidant activity of these plants is crucial in combating oxidative stress and preventing various health conditions associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS). The methodology involves the collection of seeds from local markets, grinding them into powder, and extracting them with 70% ethanol. The samples are then subjected to various analyses, including total phenolic and flavonoid content determination and antioxidant activity evaluation using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results indicate that both Terminalia chebula and Glycyrrhiza glabra exhibit significant levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, with remarkable antioxidant activity. Glycyrrhiza glabra demonstrates higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to Terminalia chebula. The study concludes that these medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications, highlighting the importance of exploring and harnessing the pharmacological benefits of traditional medicinal plants for human health. © 2020 The Author(s)

Micropropagation of disease-free banana genotype 8818-william for field cultivation

Zafarullah, Zahid Hussain, Khalid Mehmood — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Banana is an economically important fruit crop that belongs to the genus Musa and is the main source of food in the world. The production of banana is affected by wide range of pathogenic organisms such as fungi, viruses, bacteria, insects, and nematodes. The conventional methods for the production of disease-free banana are hard to practice and time consuming. The micropropagation technique can be used to produce genetically same, disease free and pest resistant banana plants for commercial purposes. In the present study, the micropropagation technique has been used for the production of disease-free banana genotype 8818-William. During the micropropagation, evaluate the shoot multiplication, root induction and survival rate from the same explant source under similar physiological condition. The shoot multiplication rate of the explants was found to be significantly different with standard deviation of explant 1 (0.894), explant 2 (2.39), explant 3 (5.76), explant 4 (56.4) and explant 5 (108.9). The root induction frequency was also found to be different. The mean survival rate of about 83% was obtained for the plantlets grown under acclimatized conditions. The micropropagation technique can be successfully utilized for the production of disease-free banana plants with commercial applications. © 2021 The Author(s)

In vitro response of sugarcane buds by the application of various sterilants

Ahmad Ali, Aysha Saddiqa, Sayed Tariq Shah, Huma Fatima — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

The high production costs in Pakistan make the country less competitive in sugar markets, both locally and globally, due to factors such as poor performance and lower sugar recovery. Numerous factors contribute to the low yield, with one notable issue being the absence of a rapid method for multiplying seeds. Furthermore, the identification of a desired clone typically requires six to seven years to produce enough better seed. This extended duration creates a bottleneck in crucial breeding programs. Now-a-days, the method of plant tissue culture has grown to be an effective tool for research, resolving both fundamental and applied issues in plant biotechnology. Therefore, the current study was carried out at Nuclear Institute for Food & Agriculture (NIFA), Tarnab, Peshawar. The apical buds from 6-8-months old, in good health, disease free Cp77flash400 variety seed canes were used as explants sources. The results revealed that minimum contamination frequency (60%) and the highest survival rate of (40%) of explants was recorded by the application of HgCl₂, 0.1% for minutes. During this study various concentration of BAP supplemented with MS basal media were also assessed on in vitro shoot regeneration frequency, days taken to initiate the shoot induction responses and the total number of initial shoots each explants. The highest regeneration frequency (86.45%), minimum days (12.8) spent to initiate shoot. On MS basal media supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP, the greatest number of primordial shoots per explants (9.5) was observed. The current study has led to the conclusion that every new variety that wants to achieve quick shoot initiation, shoot multiplication, and shoot elongation needs an effective protocol. MS basal media enriched with 1.0 mg/l was proved to be ideal for in vitro shoot regenerating in sugar cane variety Cp77flash400. © 2021 The Author(s)

Exploring the effects of indole butyric acid (IBA) on in vitro growth of potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

In this study the effect of different concentration of indole butyric acid (IBA) was examined on in vitro propagation of potato (Solanum tuberosum). Three doses of IBA (1 ml, 2 ml, and 3 ml) were applied in liquid medium to potato explants of Asterix variety. The main purpose of this study was to optimize the dosage of IBA that would develop the best results for potato micropropagation. The experiments were conducted at Gilgit Baltistan's Agriculture Lab. Various parameters such as number of roots, roots length, and total weight were measured after exposing Asterix explants to varying concentrations of IBA. All tests were conducted under aseptic conditions. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for analyzing the collected data. Throughout the study period, the results indicated significant differences (p>0.05) in potato growth among different concentrations of IBA. Among the different treatments, the Asterix potato variety exhibited the longest root length (11.1 cm) treated with 1 mL of IBA compared to the other concentrations. The IBA dose of 1 ml also proved to be the most effective in promoting the number of roots (9) in the Asterix variety. In this experimentation, 1 ml of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) addition to the solution resulted in a major rise in the number of leaves (9) in Asterix plants. These findings have significant implications for future micropropagation and cultivation of potato plants. The ideal concentration of 1 ml of indole butyric acid (IBA) to promote root population can be used to develop effective and inexpensive protocols for in vitro potato propagation. © 2021 The Author(s)

Effect of seed priming and seed dressing on germination and growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Rashid Abbas, Ghazanfar Ullah, Asma Hamid, Mohammad Safdar Baloch — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

This research is conducted to examine the impacts of several seed treatments such as scaling of seed on early growth and other developmental parameters of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop. The vigorous seeds of cotton genotype “GH-Uhad” were sown in different growth media including loamy soil, brick red soil, ash, press mud, bio-fertilizer and in control zone after treatment with amino acids, potash, sugar, moringa leaf extract, and water. Results showed that only 2.5 days were taken to exhibit the shortest mean emergence time with ash and bio-fertilizer treatment and the longest time with 5.2-5.23 days were required with loam and press mud. For growth parameters, the tallest cotton plants (47 cm) were measured with highest fresh shoot (43.5 g) and fresh root (4.3 g) weight with loam and PGR (plant growth regulator) Treatment in comparison of press mud treatment with shortest plant height (33.5 cm), lowest weight of fresh shoot (14.4 g) and fresh root (1.5 g). In case of dry root weight, loam and PGR treatments displayed the highest weight (1.34 g), while the press mud had the lowest (0.39 g). In addition, the longest root length (21 cm) was recorded with the treatments of loam and PGR however the brick red Treatment had the shortest root length (11.75 cm). Overall, the results demonstrate that seed dressing with bio-fertilizers, especially in loam soil, can significantly enhance cotton germination and early growth, suggesting its potential for improving cotton crop performance in arid regions. © 2021 The Author(s)

Role of adaptation strategies for climate change and nutrients management tools in Gilgit Baltistan’s agriculture

Mir Muhammad Noroz, Adnan Noor Shah, Abdul Latif — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Climate change threatens global food security by raising greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a rise in overall temperatures. Global warming and its negative consequences are increasing in Pakistan and are also visible in Gilgit-Baltistan's ecosystems. Different adaptation strategies greatly impact farmers’ lives and provide support to their social, cultural, financial, and human aspects for ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Human and economic assets have significant effects on smallholders' adaptation techniques for their livelihoods. Local farming traditionally has been a substantial share to food production and nutrients in Baltistan's mountainous districts. But macro and micronutrient deficiencies had been reported in most of the soils, which can be furnished through various nutrient control practices. Though few attempts have been made to improve the agriculture of this region, agriculture overall is not in good shape, and it requires attention from Government, NGOs, and academia. The main reason behind this miserable condition is due to no substantial field crop production or soil management advances have been designed and implemented. Conventional methods are still being practiced. Aside from a lack of land, poor seedling, outdated agricultural practices, and inexperienced labor are also major roadblocks to modern agriculture and its sustainability against changing climatic conditions. On a small scale, the application of phosphorus (P) to the soil improved both crop yield and yield-related factors. Better effects have been received from mixed use of seed priming and soil P utility. The foliar utility of macro and micronutrients additionally produced better crop yield and yield components. Similarly, foliar utility of micronutrients (zinc and boron) improved yield over the years. © 2021 The Author(s)

Biostimulants and salinity: Crosstalk in improving growth and salt tolerance mechanism in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Mubashar Iqbal , Abdul Ahad Qureshi — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Crop development of various economically important horticultural crops faces substantial limitations due to various abiotic stresses. These pressures contribute to over 70% of the yield gap. Notably, salt stress has become increasingly significant in crop production in recent years. Salinity triggers ionic, osmotic, and oxidative disturbances, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species, decreased water potential, membrane dysfunction, reduced rates of photosynthesis, and lower nitrogen assimilation. All of these factors significantly impede crop growth and yield. A potential and effective approach to alleviate salt stress involves the use of plant extracts obtained from natural sources as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. These extracts are rich sources of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolics, which play pivotal roles in redox metabolism regulation and enhancing plant growth. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) with its diverse applications in food, cosmetics, and medicine, offers essential oil rich in beneficial properties, including antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. Humic acid is recognized for improving soil conditions and promoting plant growth. Saline soils present a major hindrance to plant development, impacting seed germination and seedling growth. Plants employ various adaptive mechanisms to endure challenging environmental conditions. Biostimulants, which consist of diverse compounds derived from microbial and plant sources, play a vital role in promoting plant growth and alleviating environmental stress. These products impact plant physiology, metabolic processes, and nutrient absorption, presenting an innovative method to address salinity issues. The article highlights the significance of seaweed extracts, humic acid, and vegetable extracts as valuable elements in augmenting both crop yield and quality. Furthermore, this assessment illuminates how plants react to different biostimulants, showcasing benefits such as amplified root growth, improved nutrient assimilation, and increased resilience to stress. © 2021 The Author(s)

A review on the growth, yield and oil contents of Brassica under rainfed conditions

Khalid Mehmood, Saima Nasreen, Abdul Latif, Adnan Noor Shah — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Brassica species have been considered an important source of oil in worldwide. These are being cultivated either as a vegetable, fodder or oil purpose. Their oil can be used for cooking and in different industries depending on their oil contents. The oil containing high quantity of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and linolenic acid) is highly suitable for cooking. Phytochemicals present in Brassica reduces the oxidative stress and prevent cancer in human. The growth and yield of Brassica species in rainfed areas depends on rainfall. Rainfed agriculture is most commonly practiced by poor community of many countries including Pakistan. The problems with rainfed areas are irregularity in rainfall, results in waterlogging due to heavy rainfall or drought stress due to low rainfall. The other problems are soil erosion, nutrient deficiency, weed infestation and crusting that limit the growth and yield of crops of these lands. Brassica species are highly susceptible to drought stress from flowering to seed producing stage, their oil contents reduced due to water stress. This review article highlights the growth, oil content and yield of various Brassica species under rainfed conditions. It also highlights the Brassica species that performs best in terms of growth, oil content and yield in rainfed conditions. Many numbers of studies reported that Brassica has high growth rate, fresh and dry biomass, if rainfall is just before or after the flowering stage. Oil contents reduce when precipitation rate is low, but some varieties have been reported having high growth rate, oil content and biological yield in rainfed condition. These varieties should be recommended to farmers for cultivation in rainfed areas. © 2021 The Author(s)

Deciphering physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of potato under salinity stress: A comprehensive review

Muhammad Shah Zaman, Abdul Ahad Qureshi — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Among abiotic factors, salinity poses a serious danger to agriculture on a worldwide scale, seriously impairing crop productivity. Salinity has a significant impact on food security, making potato (Solanum tuberosum) a promising crop for the future. Due to ion toxicity brought on by osmotic stress during salt stress, potato plant growth is impeded. High salinity levels induce osmotic stress, significantly disrupting the overall physiological health of plants. This disruption manifests in various ways, including the onset of nutritional imbalances, hindrance in detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane impairment, and decreased photosynthetic activity. The broad spectrum of impact adversely influences crucial physiological and biochemical processes in plants. These encompass maintaining water balance, regulating transpiration and respiration, optimizing water usage efficiency, preserving hormonal balance, controlling leaf area, overseeing germination, and hindering the production of antioxidants. The increased permeability of the plasma membrane and subsequent chemical leakage due to ROS during salinity stress result in water imbalance and plasmolysis. However, potato plants effectively manage oxidative stress induced by salinity by upregulating both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities. In response to counteracting the detrimental effects of salinity, plants synthesize osmoprotectants such as proline, polyols (including sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, and maltitol), and quaternary ammonium compounds such as glycine betaine. Many proteins and their interactions regulate the complex and varied pathways that contribute to the salt response and tolerance. This review intends to refocus emphasis on the need to investigate the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses now in place and subsequently create viable mitigating solutions for salt stress in potatoes. © 2018 The Author(s)

A discussion on integrated effect of compost and urea fertilizer on growth and yield of crops: An updated review

Shahzad Ahmad, Maria Aslam — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The degradation of soil fertility presents a significant hurdle in maintaining agricultural production across many nations. Sole reliance on either inorganic or organic fertilizers can yield both advantageous and detrimental impacts on plant growth, nutrient availability, and soil health. Integrating organic waste and compost into agricultural practices stands as a key approach to harnessing valuable sources of organic matter (OM) and nutrients, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural methods. Moreover, the enhancement of composts with chemical fertilizers can significantly boost the agronomic efficiency by decreasing the required fertilizer quantity while simultaneously elevating the compost quality. While organic fertilizer can improve soil physical and biological activity, it has a lower nutrient content, requiring larger quantities for plant growth. On one hand, inorganic fertilizers provide an immediate and rapid supply of essential nutrients directly available to plants. However, the continual use of inorganic fertilizers results in the depletion of soil organic matter, increased soil acidity, and environmental pollution. Therefore, an integrated nutrient management system serves as a viable approach for cost-efficient and sustainable soil fertility management. This system involves the combination of both inorganic and organic materials to enhance soil fertility and productivity without causing detrimental environmental impacts. This study aims to assess the effects of blending compost with urea fertilizer on specific aspects of soil fertility and productivity. The findings indicate that a strategic combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers enhances productivity without compromising yield quality. Moreover, it significantly boosts soil fertility beyond what can be achieved by using either organic or inorganic fertilizers separately. Additionally, enriched compost reduces application rates from tonnes to kilograms per hectare, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers to a certain extent. This farmer-friendly approach is economically acceptable and environmentally sustainable as it reduces compost application rates, saves N fertilizer, and recycles organic waste while potentially reducing N losses to the environment. © 2018 The Author(s)

Varietal performance against sucking insect pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Multan ecological conditions

Mohsin Ali, Muhammad Rafiq Shahid — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The ten cotton varieties were screened for resistance against whitefly, jassid and thrips at the experimental farm of Cotton Research Institute (CRI), Multan. Among the selected genotypes, SLH-284 exhibited relative resistance to whitefly, while VH-156 showed low susceptibility to thrips (0.7/Leaf). Notably, SLH-284 displayed greater resistance to whitefly attack. In August, a high jassid population (5.6/Leaf) was observed. Cotton genotypes BH-167, FH-113, and VH-148 were found to be susceptible to high infestations of insect pests, resulting in reduced cotton yield. In addition, jassid indicated peak population during August. The result indicated that VH-156 showed the resistance against thrips. From this experiment, it was observed that low infestation of whitefly and thrips occurred on SLH-284 and VH-156 cultivars. So, the overall results showed that VH-156 and SLH-284 can be used in IPM program. The study aimed to explore the impact of varied spacing and abiotic factors such as temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity on the population dynamics of sucking insect pests (specifically Bemisia tabaci, Thrips tabaci, and Amrasca devastans) within unsprayed conditions. A simple correlation analysis was employed to discern the relationships between these variables. The results of the analysis revealed that rainfall and temperature had a significant and positive impact on jassid populations, whereas relative humidity showed a non-significant effect. Similarly, temperature exerted a positive influence on both thrips and whitefly populations, while relative humidity and rainfall did not exhibit a significant impact on thrips. For whitefly, a significant and positive correlation was observed with relative humidity, but rainfall did not show a significant impact. To further quantify the relationships, Multivariate Regression Analysis computed the coefficient of determination (R2). The results indicated that temperature, humidity, and rainfall collectively influenced 53 %, 36.8 %, and 66.4 % of the population fluctuation of jassid, thrips, and whitefly, respectively. These findings underscore the intricate interplay of abiotic factors in shaping the dynamics of sucking insect pests, providing valuable insights into the environmental determinants of their populations under unsprayed conditions. © 2018 The Author(s)

Evaluation of insect pest infestation and yield losses in maize crop in Maina, district Malakand

Maqsood Ahmad, Shahzad Ahmad — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Maize (Zea mays) is the third most significant cereal crop in Pakistan. It plays a crucial role in the local diet and serves as a vital component in livestock fodder and poultry feed. Moreover, it has gained commercial importance in the food industry, contributing to the production of items such as corn oil, cornflakes, popcorn, and Rafhan. Its yield is severely affected by insect pests. Therefore, this study investigated the insect pest infestation and associated yield losses in maize crops in Maina, District Malakand. The experiment recorded the percentage of plant infestation by insect pests and quantified the resultant losses. Maize stem borer (Chilo partelus) exhibited a significant infestation of 23.50 %, followed by maize aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) at 15 % during the tasseling stage. Shootfly (Atherigona soccata) showed early-stage infestation with 9 %, and maize jassid (Zygenia sp) appeared with a population of 2 jassids/sweep net. Armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) was also identified as a pest with 7.1 % plant infestation. The cumulative grain losses due to these pests were calculated as 1112 kg/ha. Maize cultivation in Pakistan holds significant economic importance, contributing to various sectors, and sustaining local diets. In this context, effective pest management strategies are crucial for optimizing maize yields. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of insect pest infestation and emphasizes the need for proactive measures to mitigate yield losses in maize cultivation. © 2018 The Author(s)

Integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers improves soil health, growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Qaisar Abbas, Afshan Shafique — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is vital for global food security due to its nutrition and widespread consumption. To support the growing population, using both organic and inorganic fertilizers enhances soil health and wheat yield. Mineral fertilizers directly affect crop yield and soil quality. Soil organic matter (SOM) is a crucial component for soil quality, microbial activity, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. The interaction between fertilizer uses and soil health is a complex phenomenon. The choice of fertilizer type, amount and application method impacts soil microbial populations and properties. Long-term balance fertilizer application enhances soil microbial biomass, with multiple factors like nitrogen source and application method as well. Sustainable agriculture and environmental health require both organic and mineral fertilizers use for better production. Public education on fertilizer synergy, crop yields and soil health are essential to enhance the productivity of agricultural products. Excessive inorganic fertilizer use leads to adverse consequences, including heavy metal accumulation, pollution, and environmental degradation. Organic fertilizers offer a more sustainable soil fertility approach, improving soil properties and crop yields. Application methods, like band spreading, trailing hose and burial, reduce nutrient loss and enhance soil structure. Combining organic and inorganic fertilizers is more effective for crop growth and yield, addressing limited arable land and global food demand. Fertilizers have been vital in ensuring food security for the expanding world population. With the population projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, integrated soil nutrient management is crucial. Fertilizer use also impacts soil erosion, leading to topsoil loss and soil health decline. Nutrient-rich topsoil is vulnerable to erosion, especially in regions with inadequate fertilizer use. Proper nutrient management is a key to mitigating soil erosion and protecting soil and the environment. Research into the relationship between fertilizer use, crop production and soil erosion is needed for sustainable agricultural practices. © 2019 The Author(s)

Current status and challenges to sugarcane crop in Pakistan: A review

Ghulam Rasool, Naveed Arslan — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

In Pakistan sugarcane is an important agricultural cash crop after cotton. Availability of cultivated land resources and competition between supply of energy and various other commodities like food, sugar, milk and grain have some connotations worldwide. We analyzed internet databases and scientific papers to highlight key facts about the history, current status, distribution, and trends of sugarcane cultivation in Pakistan. Results of this analysis showed that due to many constraints like insect pests, diseases, low yielding varieties and marketing imbalance, area under sugarcane cultivation and yield is very low. Therefore, increased investment in research and policies are needed to increase production of sugarcane. At micro level, it is very crucial to aware the sugarcane growers about the alternative beneficial methods of cultivation and at the macro level making of policies to enhance the efficiency of agriculture. Sowing time, type of soils, selection of varieties, utilization of various other inputs and availability of irrigational water has a great puff on the cultivation of sugarcane crop. When considering input costs and sugarcane productivity, key inputs include urea, DAP, potash, irrigation water, farmyard manure, seed costs, and labor for harvesting. © 2019 The Author(s)

Performance of exotic tulip cultivars under agro-climatic conditions of Multan

Javed Iqbal, Syed Fiaz Hussain Shah, Iftikhar Ahmad — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The tulip (Tulipa spp.) is a widely recognized ornamental flower, appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and diverse varieties. This research aimed to evaluate the performance of twelve exotic tulip cultivars namely Syneda King, Amesterdam, Apricot Fox, White Density, Benvan Zanteen, Yellow King, Leen VD Mark, Syneda Orange, Red Gender, White Prince, Escape, and Antarcia under the agro-climatic conditions of Multan, Pakistan. The study conducted at the Horticultural Research Substation for Floriculture and Landscaping during 2016-17, employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated significant variability among the cultivars in terms of days to sprouting, number of leaves per plant, days to flowering, number of flowers per plant, plant height, number of bulbs per plant, bulb diameter, and bulb weight. The cultivar Red prince exhibited the shortest sprouting time (19.38 days), while Antarcia took the longest time for flowering emergence (90.59 days). Syneda King yielded the highest number of leaves per plant (6.87), flowers per plant (3.00), and bulbs per plant (3.20), as well as the largest bulb diameter (3.82 cm) and heaviest bulbs (16.62 g). The findings provide valuable insights for tulip cultivation in Multan addressing challenges such as lack of awareness, limited propagation material availability, and high production costs. The results contribute to the promotion of the floriculture industry in Multan, facilitating local farmers in cut-flower production and meeting the demands of the local market. © 2019 The Author(s)

Assessment of nitrate levels in soil and water quality for sustainable agriculture in district Muzaffargarh, Pakistan

Zeeshan Akram, Muhammad Tahir Iqbal — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

This research study focuses on assessing the levels of nitrate (NO₃-) in soil and groundwater in various regions of district Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. Nitrate, a compound comprising one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms, can accumulate in soil due to nitrogen fertilizer application and potentially leach into groundwater, leading to contamination problems. The study collected soil samples at different depths from tehsil Muzaffargarh, Kot Adu, Ali Pur, and Jatoi to analyze nitrate concentrations. The results indicated that nitrate levels varied across depths, with the highest concentrations observed at 60-90 cm. Nitrate tended to decrease at greater depths (90-120 cm) due to capillary action, which transported nitrates upward with water movement. Water samples from canals and underground sources were also analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and ion concentrations. The canal water was found suitable for irrigation, while the underground water was marginally fit. Hence, this study provides valuable insights into the distribution of nitrate in soil profiles and water sources in district Muzaffargarh. It suggests that current nitrate levels do not pose immediate contamination risks, but ongoing monitoring and responsible agricultural practices are essential to maintain safe nitrate levels in both soil and groundwater. © 2019 The Author(s)

Morphological analysis of cold-tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) plants expressing CBF3 gene

Sabir Hussain Shah, Shaukat Ali, Ghulam Muhammad Ali — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

This research endeavor sought to assess the morphological attributes of transgenic tomato plants expressing the AtCBF3 gene in comparison to their non-transgenic (NT) counterparts under standard growth conditions. The study focused on three distinct tomato lines (Rio Grande, Moneymaker, and Roma) evaluating a range of characteristics. The findings revealed that transgenic plants carrying the AtCBF3 gene exhibited no statistically significant variations in parameters such as plant height, leaf count, fresh weight, dry weight, root length, days to flowering, and flower count when compared to their non-transgenic counterparts. However, remarkable differences were evident among the various genotypes concerning these morphological traits. Transgenic plants generally exhibited comparable or slightly reduced performance in terms of plant height, fresh weight, and number of flowers compared to NT plants. Notably, transgenic Rio Grande showed the highest values for plant height, root length, and number of flowers. Additionally, transgenic plants exhibited non-significant differences in first fruit set, number of fruit per plant, fruit diameter, fruit mean weight, and number of seeds per fruit compared to NT plants. The study concludes that under normal conditions, the AtCBF3 gene driven by the lip9 promoter did not significantly influence various morpho-agronomical and yield parameters in tomato plants. The study provides insights into the morphological characteristics of transgenic tomato plants expressing the AtCBF3 gene emphasizing the importance of considering genotypic variations in transgenic crops. The implications of the cold-inducible nature of the promoter and the need for further investigations into specific gene-environment interactions are highlighted. © 2019 The Author(s)

Effect of phytohormones on root development of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

This research study investigated the effect of phytohormones on root development in three varieties (Barna, Kuroda, and Bartina) of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The study was conducted at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Agriculture Research Directorate, Gilgit. The Murashige and Skoog medium was used as the plant growth medium for the experiments. Different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and Gibberellic acid (GA3) were supplemented to the medium to find out their effects on root development. The root length, root weight, number of roots, and total root weight were measured as parameters for root proliferation. The addition of IBA and GA3 to the medium resulted in increased root length in all potato varieties. The highest shoot lengths were recorded in the 2 ml IBA treatment, with values of 6.50 cm for Barna, 7.03 cm for Kuroda, and 6.80 cm for Bartina. The tuber weight increased with higher concentrations of GA3 (1 ml, 1.5 ml, and 2 ml) for all three varieties. The highest mean tuber weights were recorded in the 2 ml GA3 treatment, with values of 7.46 g for Barna, 6.20 g for Kuroda, and 6.86 g for Bartina. The research findings suggest that the application of phytohormones specifically IBA and GA₃ can significantly enhance root development in these varieties. The concentration of phytohormones identified in this study may pave the way for the development of targeted and efficient protocols in potato micropropagation ultimately contributing to sustainable and efficient agricultural practices in the future. . Conclusively, these results can contribute to the improvement of potato production through tissue culture techniques. © 2019 The Author(s)

Evaluation of high-yielding groundnut genotypes in preliminary trials at NARC, Islamabad, Pakistan

Muhammad Haseeb Ur Rehman, Nazakat Nawaz, Muhammad Jahanzaib, Ghulam Rasool — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is a very vital legume crop which is usually grown in rain fed areas of Pakistan. Productivity potential of groundnut genotypes in our cropping systems is very important for the development of an agricultural system that is sustainable, environmentally passionate and has a capacity to produce enough production to fulfill the demand of the people for groundnut. To increase production it is the need of the hour to evaluate and identify the best suiting genotypes of groundnut. Fifteen genotypes of groundnut were planted for the purpose of evaluation. All the agronomic or cultural practice was kept same for the genotypes under evaluation. The study was conducted at Oil Seed Program, National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad, Pakistan. The experiment used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The study was aimed to assess and identify the genotypes/cultivars, which produce high yield for general adoption in the country. The results of the study revealed that genotype GP-1265 was the highest yielding genotype which produced 2293 kg ha^-1 dry pod yield, while the second one genotype was PG-1267 which produced 2201.9 kg ha^-1 dry pod yield. The lowest yield was obtained from the cultivar BARD-479 i.e., 1456.6 kg ha^-1. Among the fifteen entries evaluated in these preliminary yield trials, PG-1265 showed the maximum mean dry pods yield of 2293.3 kg ha^-1 as compared to check variety BARD-479 with mean dry pods yield of 1132 kg ha^-1. This showed that per hectare yield of PG-1265 was 36 percent more as compared to check variety BARD-479, which is the most common and popular variety of Pothohar region of Pakistan. However, dry pod yield is highly correlated with pod yield per plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield. © 2019 The Author(s)

Evaluation of cotton genotypes for host plant resistance to sucking insects and bollworms: A study on leaf morphology and insect population dynamics

Talib Ashraf — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

This research study investigates host plant resistance in various cotton varieties against sucking insects and bollworms, focusing on leaf morphology and insect population dynamics. The study was conducted at Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan to explore the diverse challenges faced by cotton growers ranging from production and protection issues to marketing hurdles. The research assesses promising cotton strains included in the National Coordinated Varietal Trial 2003-2004 for their resistance or susceptibility to insect pests under unsprayed conditions. Varieties CIM-2, CIM-7, CIM-8, CIM-9, and CIM-22 were evaluated through a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Morphological characteristics such as leaf thickness, hair length, and hair density were measured for providing valuable insights into the physiological features of each variety. Population dynamics of Jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula), Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), and Thrips (Thrips tabaci) were documented for each variety revealing variations in susceptibility. Additionally, a comprehensive field survey conducted in Multan on July 27, 2004, offered a snapshot of cotton insect pests and crop development status in different areas. Farmers' practices and the prevalence of the Cotton Leaf Curl Virus were documented in pest management strategies. Varietal impact on cotton insect pests and crop parameters were analyzed and highlighted notable variations among varieties. Economic threshold levels for whiteflies, jassids, thrips, and bollworms were established. The findings emphasized the resistance conferred by specific morphological traits. For instance, CIM-2's hair density, length, and leaf thickness contributed to resistance against pests. In conclusion, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of host plant resistance in cotton varieties offering practical insights for growers and researchers to optimize crop management strategies. The findings contribute valuable information to address the complex challenges faced by cotton growers and enhance sustainable cotton production practices. © 2018 The Author(s)

Effect of sowing time, advanced genotype, and potassium application on seed cotton yield in relay cropping with wheat

Javed Iqbal, Syed Fiaz Hussain Shah, Iftikhar Ahmad — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

This research study was conducted at Central Cotton Research Institute Multan during 2016 to evaluate the effect of sowing dates on seed cotton yield of different Bt cultivars. Experimental design was split plot. Sowing dates were kept in main block and genotypes in sub plot with four replications. The plot size was 30 × 20 ft. An experiment was conducted at central cotton research institute Multan during 2016 to evaluate the effect of sowing dates on seed cotton yield of different conventional cultivars. Experimental design was split plot. Sowing dates were kept in main block and genotypes in sub plot with three repeats. The findings indicate that the height of cotton plants, the number of nodes, and the quantity of buds decreased when planting was delayed. In contrast, earlier sowing resulted in a higher yield compared to later sowing. This outcome is likely attributed to the more effective utilization of agro-resources. Therefore, it is advisable to engage in early sowing of cotton in the primary (conventional) zone of Pakistan for optimal harvesting of agro-environmental factors and enhanced economic benefits for the farming community, aligning with practices in other cotton-producing nations. Among genotypes Cyto-122 gave maximum plant height, number of nodes and number of buds as compared to the other genotypes Cyto-124, CIM-620 and FH-942. © 2018 The Author(s)

Effect of fertilizers and chiseling techniques on optimizing growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Cotton contributes significantly to the production of oilseeds and textile fiber globally, and it is an important component of the socioeconomic and political environment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of commercial sulfuric acid and nitrogen, irrigation intervals, phosphatic fertilizer application, and chiseling on cotton growth and yield. The investigation was carried out using a split-plot setup with three replications at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, Pakistan. Nitrogen levels (N1 = 50 kg ha^-1, N2 = 100 kg ha^-1, N3 =150 kg ha^-1) were kept in main plots, while sulphuric acid (S1= 0 kg ha^-1, S2= 125 kg ha^-1, S3 = 250 kg ha^-1and S4 = 375 kg ha^-1) was randomized in sub plots respectively. The results showed that watering interval and chiseling had a substantial impact on plant height and the quantity of fruiting parts per plant. Compared to other treatments, interculturing produced higher plant height and more fruiting parts when paired with chiseling and an 8-day irrigation interval. The height and fruiting sections of cotton plants showed a positive link with the long-term effects of phosphatic fertilizer application in wheat crop. The impact of several phosphorus delivery techniques on plant height and fruiting parts varied in bed-furrow planting; hand application without mixing prior to sowing yielded the best results. The application of commercial sulfuric acid, in conjunction with nitrogen, positively affected both plant height and fruiting parts. Increased fruiting parts and plant height were a result of higher sulfuric acid dosages; nitrogen application had no visible impact. These findings can contribute to the development of effective strategies for cotton cultivation, leading to increased productivity and profitability for cotton farmers. © 2018 The Author(s)