G. Senthilmurugan @ Viji¹*, S. Sekar¹, K. Suresh²

¹Department of Botany, Thiagarajar College, Theppakulam, Madurai, Tamilnadu State, India.

²Department of Botany, Saraswathy Narayanan College, Perungudi, Madurai, Tamil Nadu State,

India.

*Corresponding author: e-mail: viji.m6@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The present study deals with enzyme analysis of endophytic new Streptomyces sp.viji10 isolated from the velamen roots of Vanda spathulata is an epiphytic orchid plant. The plant root samples were collected from Alagar kovil Hills, Madurai district, Tamilnadu state, India. An endophytic Streptomyces sp was isolated by using NA (Nutrient Agar) medium; it was then identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The endophytic actinomycete culture to produce different enzymes was analyzed. The endophytic actinomycete culture has the ability to produce cellulase enzyme (except amylase, laccase, lipase and protease). The result of the study suggested that endophytic Streptomyces sp associated with velamen roots of Vanda spathulata plant are potential source of cellulase enzyme production.

Keywords: Enzyme analysis, Streptomyces sp.viji10, Vanda spathulata, Velamen roots

Sajjad Khan^1*, Shad Khan Khalil¹, Amanullah¹, Zahir Shah²

¹Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

²Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: agronomist_kpk@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers play a vital role in the establishment of good crop stand and phenology. In this regard a field experiment was conducted at Livestock Research and Development Station, Surezai, Peshawar, for two crops seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. Experimental treatments consisted of poultry manure (2, 4 and 6 ton ha^-1) farm yard manure (2, 4 and 6 ton ha^-1) and nitrogen (60 and 90 kg N ha^-1). Eighteen different combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers were applied to wheat crop. Poultry manure, farm yard manure and nitrogen significantly affected, leaves tiller^-1, plant height, spike length and days to maturity. Higher leaves tiller^-1, plant height and more days to maturity was observed with application of 6 tons poultry manure, 6 tons farm yard manure ha^-1 and 60 kg N ha^-1, while poor crop stand and phonological characteristics were observed in control plots. Good crop stand and phenological characteristics were observed with integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. It is concluded that a combine dose of 6 ton poultry manure, 6 tons farm yard manure ha^-1 and 90 kg N ha^-1 is recommended for good crop stand and phenology in wheat.

Keywords: Wheat crop stand, Phenology, Poultry manure, Farm Yard Manure, Nitrogen

Adetunji Charles Oluwaseun¹*, Arowora Kayode A¹, Fawole Oluyemisi Bolajoko², Adetunji Juliana Bunmi³ and Olagbaju AR¹

¹Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute, Km 3 Asa Dam Road, P.M.B. 1489, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

²University of Ilorin, Department of Agronomy, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

³University of Ilorin, Department of Biochemistry, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author e-mail: charliguitar@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Edible coating has been used for preserving the quality and safety of fresh fruit and vegetables. The ability of polysaccharide-based (carboxy methyl cellulose and corn starch) coatings to extend the shelf life and quality of cucumber fruit during storage at ambient  temperature of 25-28^oC and relative humidity of  83-95%  was investigated . The results indicated that coated cucumber showed a significant delay in weight loss, firmness, pH, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and total microbial counts compared to uncoated ones. Sensory evaluation results showed that coatings maintained the visual quality of the cucumber during the storage time. The results suggested using carboxy methyl cellulose and corn starch can extend the shelf life of cucumber during storage in ECS for 7 weeks.

Keywords: Carboxy methyl cellulose, Corn starch, Cucumber fruit, Edible coatings

Muhammad Aslam¹, Ashiq Hussain Sangh², Laila Khalid^3* and Shamaun Javed⁴

¹Senior Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy), ²Senior Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection)

^3,4Assistant Research Officer, Department of Adaptive Research Farm, Rahim Yar Khan Punjab- Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: laila_kld@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of two successive years 2007 and 2008.  The Effect of different levels of nitrogen and plant population on growth and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm Rahim Yar Khan in RCBD with Split plot arrangement in three replications. Field trials to study the effect of nitrogen doses (28, 56 and 84 kg ha^-1) and levels of plant population (74100, 98800 and 123500 plants ha^-1) on growth and yield of cotton variety BH-160 were evaluated. The levels of nitrogen and plant population significantly affected the plant height, number of mature bolls plant^-1, seed cotton weight boll^-1, and seed cotton yield ha^-1. The interaction between nitrogen levels and plant population was non significant in plant height and number of mature boll plant^-1 while significant in boll weight and seed cotton yield ha^-1.  Two years average data of yield and yield components showed that application of nitrogen @ 84kg ha^-1 gave significantly the highest seed cotton yield (2138 kg ha^-1) over Nitrogen doses of 28 and 56 kg ha^-1. Plant population of 98800 plants ha^-1 produced the highest seed cotton yield (2234 kg ha^-1). Maximum seed cotton yield (2327 kg ha^-1) was produced at the Nitrogen level of 84 kg ha^-1 and with plant population of 98800 plants ha^-1.

Keywords: Gossypium hirsutum L., Plant population and Nitrogen doses.

Chandrasekar R¹*, Murugan K², Bhatacharyya A³

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, 238, Burt Hall, Biotechnology Core

Facility, Kansas State University,   Manhattan 66506, KS, USA

²Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046,

Tamilnadu, India
³Vidyasagar  College for Women,  Department of Zoology, Sankar Ghosh Lane, Kolkata-

700006, India.

*Corresponding author: e-mail: biochandrus@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Determination and expression of sex in insects are important not only in basic biology but also in practical applications. The external morphological characters were evaluated for the determination of sex in Amsacta albistriga Walk. (Lepidoptera:Arctiidea) during the pupal stage for laboratory studies. Among the various parameters examined, size, length, weight, location of genital pore, anal pore and the ratio of distance between genital and anal pores are found to be reliable criteria for sexing pupae.  In addition, Storage protein1 (SP1) appropriately called as “female specific protein” could contribute towards the confirmation of the individual’s sex.  In A. albistriga, the SP1 was separated on 10% SDS-PAGE and their identity was confirmed using immunoblot analysis. This paper deals with two issues simultaneously: A simple technique to separate male and female pupae of A. albistriga in livable conditions for further behavioral, physiological and molecular studies. The efficient contribution of SP1 as a biochemical marker and its exploitation in reproduction and integrated pest management.

Keywords: anal pore, female specific protein, genital pore, storage protein 1, reproduction

Muhammad Abu Sufyan¹, Azhar Mahmood^1,5,  Anser Ali^2,3, Muhammad Mudassar Maqbool²

and Muhammad Ahmad^4*

¹Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.

²UAF, Sub-Campus, College of Agriculture, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

³Department of Crop Science and Biotechnology, Dankook University, South Korea

⁴Agriculture Adaptive Research Complex, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan

⁵Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: mahmada2003@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

With the objective to investigate the growth and yield response of three wheat varieties at two different sowing dates, a field study was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement and replicated four times. The cultivars were Inqalab-91, Uqaab-2000 and AS-2002, whereas sowing dates were 24.11.03 and S_­2 = 14.12.03, respectively. The sowing date was randomized in main plot and cultivars were randomized in sub plot. The study revealed that increase in all yield components (fertile tillers, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight) of wheat was observed in November sown crop. The cultivar AS-2002 performed better than the rest of two cultivars. Cultivar AS-2002 with the highest grain yield of 3647 kg ha^-1 and early (November) sowing were considered suitable for farmers under agro ecological conditions of Sheikhupura.  

Keywords: Wheat cultivars, Sowing date, Growth, Yield components