Category Archives: b_original_articles

Wajiha¹, Rabia Afridi¹, Humera Afridi², Kausar Saeed³, Maaz⁴

¹Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

²Department of Zoology, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan

³Department of Zoology, University of Buner KP, Pakistan

⁴Department of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar

 Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted during September 2015-August 2016 to know the perception of people living in expansive territory of district Buner, KP Pakistan on CC. Methodology: Sample size of 384 was selected. This study was based on stratified random sampling technique using a structured and detailed questionnaire for collection of data. Among educated respondents (84.48%) questionnaires were distributed while from illiterate ones (15.10%) semi structured interviews were conducted. Sociodemographic variables and knowledge of CC was explored by cross tabulation and measured using chi square tests. 

Results: The study revealed that majority of the participants (86.7%) had some knowledge of CC but (13.3%) did not. Respondents (89.5%) claimed that CC had negative impacts on the livelihoods of residents. The people in the area have realized the causes of the CC that is deforestation, anthropogenic activities and increased population.

Conclusion: The recruited respondents had sufficient knowledge of CC and its impact on their livelihoods. Present study revealed that extreme cold winters of district Buner has been changed to a warmer and mild weather over time. The impacts of CC were in the form of negatively affected livelihoods which is still in progression on the majority of the participants. Negative impacts of CC experienced by respondents (89.50%) are in the form of flooding, loss of biodiversity and various diseases while some respondents (10.50%) experienced positive impact of CC.

Recommendations: Human activities contributing to CC should be reduced. Communities should be made aware of CC and its harmful effects through different awareness campaigns.

Keywords: climate change, perception, greenhouse gases.

Aqila Shaheen*, Rabia Tariq and Abdul Khaliq

Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, The University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

 Abstract 

The absolute use of inorganic fertilizers, growing of exhaustive crops, nutrient losses with runoff and leaching under mountainous sub humid conditions has declined the soil fertility and productivity. The field experiment was carried out to study the comparative and interactive effect of organic and inorganic amendments on soybean growth, yield and soil properties. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments combination were control (no amendments); 100 kg N ha^-1 from urea nitrogen (UN100); 100 kg N ha^-1 from poultry manure (PMN100); 100 kg N ha^-1 from sawdust (SDN100); 100 kg N ha^-1 from UN + PM (UN50 + PMN50); 100 kg N ha^-1 from UN + SD (UN50 + SDN50); 100 kg N ha^-1 from PM + SD (PMN50 + SDN50); 100 kg N ha^-1 from UN + SD + PM (UN50 + SDN25 + PMN25). Results indicated higher crop growth in UN50 + SDN25 + PMN25_. However, SDN100 showed lower growth but higher than control.UN100 had statistically higher grain yield (1322.7 kg ha^-1) and it was non-significant with UN50+PMN50 and UN50+ PMN25+SDN25. Nitrogen uptake (156.55 kg ha^-1) was higher in UN100, UN50+ PMN50 and UN50+ PMN25+SDN25. Post-harvest soil properties showed the minimum pH in SDN100 and higher organic matter in organic and integrated applications. The higher phosphorus contents were in UN50+PMN50_. This study showed that SD and PM combined with urea have potential in soybean growth enhancement, yield increase and in improvement of soil properties.

Keywords: Poultry manure, sawdust, integrated nutrient management, soybean

Imran Bodlah¹*, Muhammad Tariq Rasheed¹ and Muhammad Adnan Bodlah²

¹ Laboratory of Biosystematics, Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

² Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

Abstract

New distributional records of Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon) from Gilgit Baltistan during 2016, Pakistan are provided. It was first reported in1961 from Lahore (capital city of Punjab Province), Pakistan. Here we report it for the first time from Gilgit Baltistan, formerly known as the Northern Areas, highly a mountainous area in comparison to Lahore. This study indicates the distribution of T. rufonigra from plane to mountainous areas in Pakistan. Main identification characters illustrated with micrographs, synonymy, distribution, measurements and habitats are given for further research.

Keywords: Distribution, Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon), Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Muhammad Asghar Hassan¹, Imran Bodlah^2*, Khalid Mahmood³ and Ansa Tamkeen⁴

^1,2 Department of Entomology, Faculty of Crop and Food Sciences, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

^3,4 Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Abstract

Four species (2 genera) of family Sepsidae (Diptera) are first time reported from various localities of district Skardu (Gilgit-Baltistan). Among these, Sepsis barbata Becker, 1907, Sepsis punctum (Fabricius1974), Sepsis thoracica (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) and Decachaetophora aeneipes de Meijere, 1913 are first time reported from district Skardu, while Sepsis thoracica (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) is new record for Gilgit-Baltistan. Micrographs for identified species, their diagnostic characters, local distribution and remarks are provided.

Keywords: Distribution, black scavenger flies, Sepsidae, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan.

Imran Bodlah^1*, Muhammad Adnan Bodlah², Ambreen Jahandad³,

Ammara Gull-e-Fareen¹and Tasleem Akhter¹

¹Laboratory of Biosystematics, Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi

²Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

³Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract

Psyllid species, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1907 is reported for the first time on a new host plant, Murraya sp. from different areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Details regarding synonyms, description of characters with photographs and field observations are provided to facilitate readers of this document.

Keywords: Diaphorina citri, Asian citrus psyllid, New host, genitalia.

Faheem M.¹, A. Sajjad², R. M. Shafique¹, A. Rehman¹ and M. N. Aslam²

¹CABI Central and West Asia, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, ²University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Nine insecticides were evaluated against three wheat aphid species (Rhopalosiphum padi L., Schizaphis graminum Rond. and Sitobion avenae F.) and their Coccinellid predators at recommended field doses under field conditions during wheat growing season 2012-13. The insecticides were malathion (Malathion®), carbosulfan (Advantage®), imidacloprid (Confidor®), thiamethoxam (Actara®), pymetrozine (Plenum®), aliphatic hydrocarbons+mineral oil (Diver®), azadirachtin+salannin (Neemosal®), mineral oil (Foliol®), bifenthrin (Talstar®) at recommended field doses, i.e.,1235 ml, 1235 ml, 198 ml, 60gm, 988, 494 ml, 2470 ml, 4940 ml and 618 ml, respectively. Malathion, bifenthrin and thiamethoxam effectively reduced the population of S. graminum while bifenthrin and imidacloprid were more effective against S. avenae. All the insecticides were more effective against R. padi than for S. graminum and S. avenae. However, bifenthrin, malathion, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, pymetrozine and carbosulfan significantly lowered the population of R. padi. Aliphatic hydrocarbons+mineral oil, azadirachtin+salannin and mineral oil could not significantly lower the population of S. graminum and S. avenae. Imidacloprid proved to be effective against all aphid species yet it was the safest against coccinellids. Thiamethoxam showed the maximum decrease in coccinellid populations followed by malathion, pymetrozine and carbosulfan.

Keywords: Wheat aphids, field efficacy, Insecticides, coccinellids