Category Archives: b_original_articles

Department of Plant Pathology,The University of Agriculture,Peshawar-Pakistan.

 

A survey was conducted in Peshawar division to determine the incidence of early blight of tomato caused by Alternari asolani. High disease incidence (100%) was recorded in Pathwarbala, Sufaid sang, kanderysadin and Shahibala. Regiaftezai and Malakandhir had the lowest (50%) incidence of the disease. Alternaria solani was successfully isolated on PDA medium from the infected tomato leaves of three locations. Comparison of the isolates showed Regilalma isolate to be the most vigorous. The conidia of this isolate were found to be wider than those of the other isolates. All the three isolates grew better at pH 6.0 and 5.5 as compared to pH4.5. Regilalma and Nasir bagh isolates registered more abundant growth than the Malakandhir isolate. These result shows that isolates of Alternaria solani may differ in their growth and virulence over short distances.

Keywords: Alternaria solani, disease incidence, PDA medium, pH, isolates.

1Department of Horticulture, 2Department of Plant Pathology,

The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan

The research work was conducted at Newly Developmental Farm (NDF), Horticulture Section, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2012. The objective was to find out the optimum dose of Farm yard manure and poultry manure for the growth and yield of Strawberry plants and to find out the survival rate of cultivar Chandler of Strawberry during the frost of the fall season. In this study, organic matter, farmyard manure and poultry manure were used for percent plant survival, plant height (cm), number of branches plant-1 and number of leaves plant-1 of Strawberry Cv. Chandler where the greater percentage of plant survival, plant height, number of branches and leaves were obtained in plants treated with farmyard manure compared to poultry manure.

Keywords: Frageria ananassa Duch, Chandler, Farmyard Manure (FYM), Poultry manure

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

3, 4 Assistant Research Officers Adaptive Research Farm Rahim Yar Khan.

 

A study was conducted in three successive seasons during 2008-10 on sandy loam soil at Adaptive Research Farm, Rahim Yar Khan. The objective was to investigate the response of cotton (cv.MNH-786) to different levels and times of application of potash. The treatments comprised three potassium doses (0, 62.5 and 125 kg ha-1) and applied at different times (full on sowing, full at 1st irrigation and ½ at sowing + ½ at 1st irrigation). Potassium doses applied at different times significantly affected seed cotton yield. On an average the highest seed cotton yield (3030.75 kg ha-1) was obtained when crop was fertilized at the rate of 125 kg ha-1 K (full sowing) followed by 62.5 kg ha-1 K full at sowing (2875.25 kg ha-1). So potassium fertilizer application at sowing proved more beneficial than its split application at sowing and 1st irrigation. The lowest yield was noted in control (2258.52 kg ha-1) where no potassium fertilizer was applied. Hence application of K at economical doses of 62.5 kg ha-1 is recommended in ecological zone of Bahawalpur.

Keywords: potash, application time, dose rate, cotton yield, fertilizer doses

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, East Shoa, Ethiopia

 

Experiments were conducted in a laboratory and in storage structures in the field between 2008 – 2009, to assess the amount of the CO2 and O2 produced and the modified atmospheres produced (gas mixtures) as protectants of maize grains against the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.).The production of modified atmospheres (MAs) by composting fresh cow dung, chopped fresh sugarcane and chopped dry maize stubble each wetted at 60% moisture content was studied. The MAs were produced in plastic cans (bio-generators). The measurement of the MAs produced using Riken Infrared Gas Analyzer, Model RI-550A for CO2 and portable oxygen meter for O2 indicated that the highest CO2 levels were produced in fresh cow dung (25%) and fresh sugarcane (23%) following 48hr incubation period. These substrates gave the lower O2 content (3.5% and 3.7%, respectively) compared to the dry maize stubble which resulted in lower CO2 level (9%) and the highest O2 content (19%). The efficacy of the MAs produced by these substrates was also studied in simulated storage structures in the field by letting the produced gas mixtures to storage structures containing 3 quintals of weevil susceptible BH-540 maize variety. Analysis of variances showed that application of modified atmosphere to the maize grains stored in airtight storage structures can effectively control maize weevils. Significantly (p<0.01) higher mean numbers of weevils mortality and lower mean number and weight of damaged grains and weight losses were recorded in maize grains treated with Quickphose (fumigant standard check) and modified atmospheres from fresh cow dung and fresh sugarcane. The gas produced from the digestion of fresh cow dung and fresh sugar cane significantly (p<0.01) reduced the progress of maize weevils infestation. Germination test did not show any variation among the treatments. The result of this study showed that the gas from biological digestion of fresh cow dung and chopped sugar cane can be used as control option for maize storage pest in airtight storages. However, rate and frequency of application and economic feasibility should be studied before commercial application of the technique.

Keywords: Maize weevils, fresh cow dung, dry maize, chemical, plastic seal

1 Soil Chemistry section, ISCES, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad

2 Biochemistry Section, PHRC, Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad

Phosphorus is one of the major plant growth limiting nutrients and in Pakistan its deficiency found in 90% soils due to alkaline calcareous nature of soils. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria are efficient in supplying nutrients to plants by solubilizing the unavailable/insoluble (P) in soil or by promoting extensive root growth through 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC-deaminase) activity. This study was conducted to assess the effects of phosphate-soluibilizing rhizobacteria and their impact on wheat growth under axenic conditions. Initially rhizobacteria (S1 to S10) were isolated through enrichment by rock phosphate [Ca3 (PO4)2] and ACC as sole P and N source, respecitively. After isolation, identification and characterization of these strains was done for root colonization, P-solubilization, in vitro ACC-deminase ctivity, auxin production and chitinase activity. The results revealed that rhizobacterial isolate S8 was best strain and showed 2.6 fold higher fresh weight, 2.7 fold higher shoot length and 4 fold higher root length of wheat over uninoculated control. Similarly, S8 was best root colonizer in wheat rhizosphere (8.0 x 10-7 cfu g-1) while isolate S9 showed the highest P- solubilization i.e. 14.36 ppm, S2 showed maximum ACC-deaminase activity (1.8 μmol α-ketobutyrate) and S4 showed highest auxin production (36.77 mgL-1). This study concluded that S8 strain efficiently solubilize phosphate alongwith ACC-deaminase trait which improved the growth of wheat under axenic conditions.

Keywords: Rock phosphate, Phosphate Solubilizing bacteria (PSB), ACC-deaminase.

1Department of Entomology, 2Department Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS Agriculture University Rawalpindi

 

Studies were conducted to evaluate different neem extracts i.e., Neem leaf extract (10%), Neem seed oil (2.5%), Neem seed cake extract(10%), Neem seed kernel extract (10%) in comparison with imidacloprid (Confidor 70 WG) against different morphs of mustard aphid on Brassaica napus L. Among the all treatments imidacloprid and Neem seed oil resulted in maximum (100%) reduction over precount including nymph, wingless and winged adults of Lipaphis erysimi, followed Neem seed cake extract (86.13, 89.90 & 68.48%) and Neem seed kernel extract (77.41, 55.11&34.26%).Imidacloprid and neem seed oil showed negative impact on the population increase index of parasitoids and predators of L. erysimi. All neem extracts had positive population increase index of mummified aphids. Neem leaf extract resulted in negative population increase index in case of predators. Neem seed kernel extract showed positive index in case of green lacewing and lady bird beetle larvae and Neem seed Cake extract showed positive population increase index in case of only lady bird beetle larvae. Maximum repellency effect was observed with both Neem leaf extract and Neem Cake Extract (97.92%) and minimum in case of Neem seed kernel extract (89.58%). Neem seed oil resulted in maximum mortality of aphids followed by Neem Cake Extract. Reproduction (nymphs/aphid) was minimum with Neem seed oil followed by Neem Cake Extract. Highest net income was obtained by application of imidacloprid followed by Neem seed oil followed by Neem seed cake extract. Being effective against aphids and comparatively safer against natural enemies neem products especially Neem cake extract may be used in eco friendly management of mustard aphid on B. napus.

Keywords: Neem leaf extract, Neem seed oil, Neem seed extracts, imidacloprid, Lipaphis erysimi, canola

Bako Agricultural Research Center, West Shoa, Ethiopia

 

Some farmers’ practices (layering of tef over sorghum with 20% proportion, mixing sorghum with tef at 30% w/w, mixing sorghum with partially grinded hot pepper at the rate of 2% w/w and 1% w/w) including Malathion 5% D and untreated check were evaluated against stored sorghum insect pests at Bako Research Center, Western Ethiopia, from 2010/11-2011/12G.C. Besides, combinations of different rates of Malathion 5% D and Neem seed powder were evaluated against maize weevils in the laboratory at Bako from February – July 2012. Number and weight of damaged grains significantly (p<0.05) higher in layering of tef over sorghum with 20% w/w, mixing sorghum with tef at 30% w/w and untreated check than the other treatments. Similarly, percent weight losses significantly (p<0.05) lower in mixing sorghum with hot pepper at 2% and 1% w/w than the other treatments, which was similar to standard check. As to combine treatments, mortality in all of the treatment combinations ranged from 3.33-100%, while that of the untreated check ranged from 0-5.33% following 90 days after infestation. Similarly, the number of progeny weevils emerged, percentages of grain damaged and seed weight losses in all of the treatment combinations were significantly lower than that of the untreated check 90 days after infestation. Significantly (P<0.05) higher percentages of mortality, lower percentages of damaged grains and seed weight losses were observed in the Malathion dust at 40% and 50% combined with neem seed powder than that of the other treatments next to the standard check 156 days after infestation. From these studies, it can be concluded that mixing sorghum with partially grindedhot pepper at the rate of 2% w/w and 1% w/w can be used to protect stored sorghum insect pests and combinations of malathion and neem seed powder at 40%+20% and 50%+10% can be used to protect maize from the maize weevil.

Keywords: Neem seed powder, Farmers practices, Malathion 5% D, stored sorghum and maize insect pest

Sustainable Agriculture Program, WWF-Pakistan

 

Biogas is a very important alternate renewable energy source for the Pakistan where more than 60% population lives in rural areas having no access to natural gas. Government aims to exploit the maximum potential of biogas plants within next 10 years. In conjunction with the efforts, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has installed 2,000 biogas plants in areas along Indus River which were affected by heavy flood during monsoon of 2010. Measuring social impacts of any development project is an important tool to understand its adaptability in any community. The social benefits of biogas plants have widely been accepted in different parts of the world but these may vary across the communities and geographical areas. Current study is a first empirical contribution towards understanding the social impacts of biogas plants on rural communities of Sindh, Pakistan. Besides improving kitchen environment and reducing the disease incidences, biogas plants also significantly reduced fuel wood consumption and its cost (ca. 48%) without consuming extra working hours.

Keywords: biogas plants, renewable, energy, social impacts, Pakistan.

1Can Tho University, 2National University of Laos, 3Louisiana State University,

4Tram Chim National Park, 5Mahasarakham University, Thailand

 

Tram Chim is a remnant wetland of the plain of reeds that drained prior to reunification. Tram Chim was most well known for being home to the Eastern Sarus Crane (Grus antigone sharpii) and many other water birds. One of the most essential things here is how to control the water levels effectively. Keeping the water too long and the water levels too high can destroy the ecosystem in Tram Chim while drying up the water and making the area too dried cause fire problems. The first objective was to analyze the hydrology of Tram Chim through a water budget and by assessing the variability and connectivity. The second objective was to survey the types of soils present and understand the processes involved. We found the water velocity at Tram Chim was close to zero. The pH values at Tram Chim indicate that water levels at unit A4 have kept too dry for too long, causing acid soils to oxidize, creating acid water when the wet season occurs. Due to this problem, many managers at Tram Chim attempt to restore the hydrology by regulating the water management in Tram Chim National Park.

Keywords: Tram Chim, sarus crane, soil, hydrology, fire, melaleuca, acid sulfate soil, rice, eleocharis, ischaemum, wetland

Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences. The University of Poonch, Rawalakot,

Azad Jammu & Kashmir-Pakistan

 

Conventional practices of farming in mountainous and hilly topographic features of Rawalakot Azad Kashmir-Pakistan accelerate runoff and erosion. To study effect of tillage and integrated nutrient management practices field study was conducted in 2009. Layout of experiment was split plot with four main plots of shallow (0-15 cm) and deep tillage (15-30 cm) with residues (wheat straw; 4 Mg ha-1) and without residues incorporation. Four tillage levels were: S (Shallow tillage), SR (Shallow tillage with residues; wheat straw @ 4 Mg ha-1), D (Deep tillage) and DR (Deep tillage with residues; wheat straw @ 4 Mg ha-1). Sub plots were having three fertilizer levels viz. F0 (control), F1 (Recommended rate of inorganic fertilizers at per hectare rate; 120 Kg N-90 Kg P2O5-60 Kg K2O) and F3 (application of farm yard manure (FYM @ 7692 kg ha-1) + 60 Kg N- 90 Kg P2O5-60 Kg K2O ha-1). Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher wheat grain yield of 2.9 kg ha-1 was obtained under D while wheat straw yield was statistically similar under all tillage practices. Fertilizer’s level F2 and F3 increased grain yield and straw yield compare to F0 but between F2 and F3 statistically no difference was observed. Statistically higher Water Use efficiency (WUE) was obtained for D (4.56 kg ha-1 mm-1) and lower with S (2.79 kg ha-1 mm-1). Among fertilizers levels F2 gave higher WUE (4.24 kg ha-1 mm-1) which is similar to F1 (3.78 kg ha-1 mm-1).

Keywords: Farm yard manure, residues incorporation, Tillage practices, water storage, wheat