Category Archives: b_original_articles

Muhammad Usman Raja¹*, Muhammad Waseem Ali¹, Farid Asif Shaheen²

¹Department of Plant Pathology, ²Department of Entomology,

PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Pea (Pisumsativum L) is a major legume grown in Pakistan which used both as fresh vegetable and canned food. However, pea production in Pakistan is under stress due to various abiotic and biotic factors. Among biotic, the most destructive is bacterial blight caused by Pseudomonassyringae pv pisi(Ppi). Therefore, in present study different pathogenicity assays were performed to observe the innate immunity present in different commercial pea cultivars against Ppi isolated from pea seeds. The results of pathogenicity assays showed that leaf detach method was best method for symptom development as it took 2 days in comparison to foliar injection and soil drenching methods where incubation period prolonged for 6-8 days respectively. Pea varieties viz. DMR-4, DMR-7 Green forest, Rondo and Dasan showed susceptibility against Ppi isolates in all three methods of inoculations. Commercially growing pea germplasm is not showing resistance against Ppi which considered a looming threat to pea productions all over the world. Therefore, an extensive screening of commercial pea germplasm against local bacterial isolates needed to be performed to avoid future crop failure. 

Keywords: Pea, Pisumsativum L, Pseudomonas syringaepvpisi, Bacterial blight

D. Dongock Nguemo ^1*, J. Tchoumboue ² and E. Youmbi ³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundere,Ngaoundere- Cameroon

²Department of Zootechny, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultura Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon

³Department of Plant Biology & Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I. Yaounde, Cameroon

 ABSTRACT 

In order to assess the influence of seasons on the exploitation of mellliferous plants by Apis mellifera adansonii, seasonal pollen spectra of 104 honey samples collected between  September 2010 and March 2011  in the Highlands area of west Cameroon (LN 5°21.459–5°35.449 and LE 10°04.729–10°26.249) were analysed using melissopalynology methods. The aim was to evaluate the influence of seasons on the exploitation of melliferous plants by A. mellifera adansonii. The spectrum of bee-plants exploited during the rainy season was large and diversified compared to the dry season. Asteraceae and Caesalpiniaceae were the most represented families for the dry and the rainy seasons, respectively. Asteraceae was also the most represented family in the two seasons. The spontaneous Eucalyptus saligna and Terminalia mantaly were much foraged during the two seasons. Flowers of herbs were highly exploited in both the seasons and white colour flowers were frequently foraged. Honey of rainy season was more diversified with four distinguished colours. Predominant and important minor was significantly higher in rainy season compared to the dry season. The frequency of pollen in honey varied considerably with seasons and availability of blooming vegetation exploited by honeybees. Irrespective of vegetation diversity with seasonal variation, honeybee visits were very specific to some plants species.

Keywords: melliferous plants, season, biological characteristic, honey colour, Cameroon

Umer Farooq¹, Ejaz Ahmed Khan¹, Abdul Aziz Khakwani¹, Saeed Ahmed², Nazeer Ahmed*³ and Gohar Zaman⁴

¹Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan-Pakistan

²State University of Londrina Centre of Agriculture Sciences Londrina, Parana (PR) Brazil

³Key Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Northwest A&F University. Yangling, China

⁴Department of Environmental Science COMSATS University, Vehari campus Multan, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The research was performed, at Agronomic Research Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, to assess the impact of sowing time and seeding density on grain yield of wheat variety Gomal-08. Treatments included three dates of sowing as D₁ (Oct-25), D₂ (Nov-20), D₃ (Dec-15) and three seeding rates (kg ha^-1) of S₁-100, S₂-120, S₃-150. Almost all yield parameters showed significant variability among treatments means. Maximum grain spike^-1(g), number of fertile tillers m^-2, spike length (cm), economic yield (t ha^-1) and thousand grain weight (g) were recorded in D₁(Oct-25) and D₂ (Nov-20) with S₁ and S₂ as compared to late planted wheat with higher seed rate applied.

Keywords: Wheat, Plant Density, Sowing Date, Production

Imran Bodlah^1*, Hamza Ali¹, Muhammad Akram^2, Muhammad Naeem¹, Ata ul Mohsin¹ and Muhammad Asif Aziz¹

¹ Laboratory of Biosystematics, Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. ² Plant Protection, Pest warning and Quality control of Pesticides, Chakwal, Pakistan

 ABSTRACT 

Three species of Genus Polistes (Vespidae: Hymenoptera) are reported for the first time from different localities of district Layyah (Punjab), Pakistan. Main identification characters, distribution and micrographs have been provided for future field and research identification.

Keywords: Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Genus Polistes, Layyah, Punjab

Rafaqat Hussain Shah^1*, Mohammad Safdar Baloch¹, Muhammad Zubair², Ejaz Ahmad Khan¹, Muhammad Ahmad³ and Ghulam Abbas⁴

¹ Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. ² The Department of Forestry and Range Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan, ³Agrivcultural Training Institute, Karor Lal Eason, Layyah, Pakistan, ⁴Adaptive Research Farm, Karor Lal Eason, Layyah, Pakistan

 ABSTRACT 

The research trial was conducted under laboratory conditions at Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan in order to study phytotoxic effects of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) aqueous extract taken from its leaves, stem and root on germination and seedling growth of wheat. There were five treatments viz. 100g, 200g, 300g, and 400g aqueous leaves, stem and root extract of mesquite including tap water as control. It was evident from the results that by using different concentrations of aqueous extract of mesquite, seed germination and seedling growth of wheat were inhibited. The maximum reduction in germination and seedling growth was noted by applying higher concentration (400g) of aqueous extracts of mesquite. Hence, it is concluded that seed germination and seedling growth of wheat is inhibited due to presence of water soluble allelochemicals in aqueous leaves, stem and root extracts of mesquite at 400 g for 72 hours. These allelochemicals have negative effects on growth and development of wheat. It is, therefore, recommended not to cultivate wheat crop near the mesquite.

Keywords: Phytotoxicity, Prosopis juliflora, extract, germination, seedling vigor, wheat

Muhammad Asif Aziz¹, Muhammad Irfan¹, Imran Bodlah¹ and Muhammad Hanif²

¹Department of Entomology, ²Department of  Mathematics and Statistics

Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 

ABSTRACT 

Biological and demographic parameters of cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) were studied on four different Brassica hosts; Cabbage, Broccoli, China cabbage, and Knol khol under laboratory conditions. Age-stage, two-sex life table studies showed significantly higher intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and finite rate of increase (λ)  on China cabbage followed by Broccoli and Cabbage. Performance of cabbage aphids remained comparatively low on Knol khol in terms of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate. Total duration of immature stages was significantly longer on Knol khol than Cabbage and China cabbage, however, adult pre-reproductive period showed non-significant variation. Reproductive period, adult longevity and female fecundity upon all the studied plant species were significantly different. The minimum fecundity and adult longevity were observed on Knol khol. The probability of surviving nymph to adult female was 0.25, 0.35, 0.50 and 0.60 on Cabbage, Knol khol, Broccoli and China cabbage, respectively. The gross reproductive rate, life expectancy and age stage reproductive values were also minimal on Knol khol. On the basis of present life table studies, China cabbage remained the most susceptible host followed by both Broccoli and Cabbage while Knol khol proved to be the most unsuitable host. Present studies confirm Knol khol as comparatively more resistant against cabbage aphid and suitable to be cultivated as important vegetable crop in Pothwar region of Punjab.

Keywords: Brevicoryne brassicae, Brassica, life table, development, fecundity, age-stage two-sex

Zahid Iqbal1*, Taseer Ashraf1, Aamir Ali Khan2, Riaz Hussain3, Mohiuddin Mudassar4

1Department of Pharmacology, Al-Nafees Medical College, Isra University, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2Department of Pathology, Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental College, Multan, Pakistan, 3Department of Pathobiology, University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, 4Department of Pathology, Al-Nafees Medical College, Isra University, Islamabad, Pakistan

 ABSTRACT 

The objective of this study was to assess the antihyperlipidemic efficacy of cinnamon powder in albino rats. For this purpose 180 adult albino rats (average weight 210 ± 11 grams) were purchased and divided into six groups. In rats blood lipid profile was raised using cholesterol @ 400mg/Kg body weight of rat which was mixed into rat feed for first 15 days of the study. Cinnamon bark powder equivalent to 1gm/kg, 2gm/kg, 4gm/kg and 6gm/kg was administered to the rats of treatment groups 15-60 days. Treatment control group was given Simvastatin at the dose rate of 0.6mg/Kg body weight. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days in sterilized gel tubes by direct heart puncturing. Serum was separated and analyzed for lipid profile parameters using reagent kits. Findings of present study revealed that various doses of Cinnamomum cassiae powder improved the serum lipid profile in albino rats by reducing Total Lipids, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol levels in cinnamon treated groups. Furthermore, the most significant effect was shown by 6 mg/kg dose level. From the results of the present study, it was concluded that Cinnamon powder has curative effect against hyperlipidemia.

Keywords: Cinnamon, Antihyperlipidemic efficacy, Albino rats, Lipid profile, Cholesterol

Muhammad Younas1*, Momna Abdul Rehman2,

Abdi Hussain3, Liaqat Ali4 and Masood Qadir Waqar5

1Senior Subject Matter Specialist (FM&FE), Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura,

2Assisant Research Officer (FM&FE), Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura,

3Senior Scientific Officer, Social Sciences Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad,

4Assistant Research Officer, Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura,

5Director of Agriculture, Adaptive Research Punjab, Lahore

 ABSTRACT 

The study was conducted in three of the four districts of Adaptive Research Zone, Sheikhupura; which contains Sheikhupura, Lahore and Kasur districts for economic comparison of direct seeded (DSR) and transplanted super basmati rice during Kharif-2014. Average yield, cost of production, net economic benefits and benefit cost ratio for DSR and transplanted rice was calculated. Extent of area under DSR technology was also determined. Farmers growing both DSR and transplanted rice were selected using purposive sampling technique and sample size was 36. Data was collected by face to face interview by using a well-structured questionnaire having personal, farm related and cost variables. The results revealed that DSR technology was adopted on 22.8% of rice area on surveyed farms. Average paddy yield, total cost of production, net economic benefits per hectare and BCR for direct seeded rice were 3.09, Rs.112047, Rs.15014, 1.11 and for transplanted the figures were 3.19, Rs. 134882, Rs.-8433, 0.95 respectively. Thus, in the year 2014, farmers gained profit from practicing DSR technology and born loss from transplanted rice crop. It was found that farmers were growing DSR through seven different sowing methods and using different seed rates. Moreover, weeds infestation is a major problem in DSR technology that can be overcome through a combination of cultural as well chemical control methods. It was concluded that DSR is a promising technology subject to weeds management. Better coordination between research, extension and farming community can bring fruitful results with respect to adoption of DSR technology.

Keywords: DSR, Transplanted rice, Net Benefits, BCR