Category Archives: b_original_articles

Original Articles

EFFECT OF MICRONUTRIENT (ZINC) ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MUSTARD VARIETIES

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Hakim Ali Sahito*, Abdul Waheed Solangi, Abdul Ghani Lanjar,
Abdul Hafeez Solangi and Sajjad Ali Khuhro
Department of Entomology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam- Sindh.
 
ABSTRACT
Two varieties (Early Mustard and S-9) were evaluated against six Zn levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kg Zn ha-1). Significant improvements in the plant growth, seed yield and oil contents increased with increasing Zn levels. The results revealed that there was a significant improvement in the growth, seed yield and oil content with increasing Zn levels, irrespectively. The highest Zn level of 10 kg ha-1 resulted 216 cm plant height, 10.86 branches plant-1, took 55.66 days to initiate flowering, 574.50 pods plant-1, 17.61 g weight of seeds plant-1, 3.63 g seed index, 2037.20 seed yield kg ha-1 and 36.80 percent oil as the highest output. In case of varieties, S-9 ranked 1st with 216.50 cm plant height, 10.84 branches plant-1, took 56.33 days to initiate flowering, 581.11 pods plant-1, 17.82 g weight of seeds plant-1, 3.66 g seed index, 1960.30 seed yield kg ha-1 and 36.80 percent oil content; while variety Early Mustard resulted 186.56 cm plant height, 9.25 branches plant-1, took 52.72 days to initiate flowering, 484.67 pods plant-1, 14.50 g weight of seeds plant-1, 2.90 g seed index, 1677.90 seed yield kg ha-1 and 35.13 percent oil content. It is suggested that for achieving economically higher seed yields in mustard, the Zn application to mustard may be done at the rate of 8 kg ha-1. Moreover, variety S-9 may preferably grow for obtaining higher seed and oil contact yields.
Keywords: Zinc; growth; yield and mustard

GROWTH RATE OF DIFFERENT ISOLATES OF FUSARIUM SOLANI, THE CAUSE OF ROOT ROT OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L).

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Fayaz Ahmad*, Hakim Khan, Rifat Ali, and Ijaz Ahmad
Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan

ABSTRACT
Fusarium solani is a phytopathogenic fungus and is an important causal agent of several crop diseases, such as root and fruit rot of Cucurbita spp., root and stem rot of pea, root rot of okra. The objective of current research was to determine the growth rate of different isolates of Fusarium solani, the cause of root rot of okra, in Peshawar. Five isolates of Fusarium solani collected from five different places and were investigated for growth rate of the colonies. Highest colony growth rate (86.3 mm) was recorded for isolate collected from Achini payan and lowest (60 mm) for isolate collected from Palosi. Under In vitro.
Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus L, Fusarium solani, Colony growth rate

THE EFFECT OF Cr (VI) ON SILK WORM (BOMBYX MORI) FED ON IN VITRO ACCUMULATED MULBERRY LEAVES

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Muhammad Arslan Shoukat1, Shahzad Ashraf2*, Muazzam Ali3, Zafar Iqbal4,
Mirza Imran Shahzad2, H. R. Chaudary2, Nuzhat Sial3, Zahra Batool3.
1. Department of Agriculture, Yazman, Bahawalpur2. University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, TheIslamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur3. Department of Life Sciences, TheIslamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur4. Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
 
ABSTRACT
Heavy metals take route to higher trophic levels by first of all accumulating in harvestable parts of plants like leaves. Higher the trophic level the amount of metal increase and affect every higher trophic level. Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is used as template to assess the biotransformation of heavy metal in a food chain from soil to plant then insect. The mulberry plants were irrigated with synthetic effluent of Cr (VI) (100mg/L with pH 4.5) and the treated soil, mulberry plant leaves, silkworm body, cuticle, alimentary canal, silk glands, silk cocoons and their excreta were sampled to check Cr (VI) contents accumulated by using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The concentration of Cr (VI) in soil and mulberry leaves tend to increase with increase in irrigation times. On the other hand, the contents of Cr (VI) in B. mori larvae and the excreta were in considerable amount but decrease with the increase in larval instars, yet most of Cr (VI) remains in its body. Cr (VI) found in B. mori body was liable for toxic effects on its life cycle and the body growth and silk production was also inhibited under the effect of Cr (VI) accumulation. A considerable amount of Cr (VI) was also found deposited in the silk glands, cuticle and alimentary canal, and concentration of Cr (VI) in larval body increased B. mori death rate significantly.
Keywords: Bombyx mori, sriculture, bio-transformation, heavy metal.

STAND STATUS AND YIELD ECONOMICS OF ACACIA SENEGAL (L) WILD AT ABDERAFI, NORTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

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Tatek Dejene1, Omarsherif Mohamed1, and Haile Adamu2
1Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Forestry Research Center, P.o.Box 30708 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeiet agricultural Research Center,
P.o.Box, 32 Debre Zeiet, Ethiopia
 
ABSTRACT
Acacia senegal (L) Wild, is an important indigenous multipurpose tree species known for its gum arabic product. The species has diverse ecological and economic benefits. Despite its benefits, information on its stand status and yield potential is lacking particularly in the northern Ethiopia. Here we studied the stand status and yield economics of A.senegal at Abderafi, north western Ethiopia. A total of 52 sample plots of size 20 x 20 m were used for counting matured trees at 300m intervals by laying parallel transects with 500m regular interval. Smaller sample plots of size 5 x 5 m nested in the center of each plot were used for measuring saplings. Besides, the gum yield ha-1 year-1 was estimated by multiplying the mean A.senegal stem density ha-1. The result revealed that A.senegal is the dominant tree species constituted 70.70% of the vegetation with the mean density of 356 stems ha-1. The population structure of A.senegal showed an inverted J-shape suggesting stable and healthy population. Also, the mean number of A.senegal trees from which gum arabic can be produced with DBH ≥ 4cm found 211stems ha-1 indicating adequate number of matured trees for gum production. Accordingly, 190 to 422Kg ha-1 year-1 of gum arabic could be harvested that could worth $US ca 950 to 2110 ha-1 year-1. More interesting, the regeneration status of A.senegal trees in the stand showed a huge potential to enhance the sustainable utilization of gum arabic from the natural stand in the study area.
Keywords: Abderafi, Acacia senegal, Dry land, Regeneration, and yield

EFFECTS OF COBALT INDUCED STRESS ON TRITICUM AESTIVUM L. CROP

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Banashree Sarma, Prema Devi, Nirmali Gogoi,* Yendrembam Menaka Devi
Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Assam – 784028, India
 
ABSTRACT
This experiment was conducted with different concentrations of cobalt (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants for quantification of its effects on growth performance in a sand culture medium using Hoagland solution. Germination was tested in petri dishes using same treatments. Inhibitory effect of Co on germination percent was observed from 200ppm of Co while vigor index decreased with increasing Co concentration. No negative effect of Co on germination index was found up to 300 ppm while beyond that higher percent inhibition of wheat seed germination was recorded. An enhancing effect on plant height, leaf number, leaf area and dry matter production was observed up to 200ppm of Co treatment while higher concentrations showed detrimental effect of the same. Chlorophyll a/b increased and chlorophyll stability index decreased with increasing Co concentration from 300 ppm onwards. Results from analysis of above ground plant biomass showed higher accumulation of Co with increasing concentration in the medium. However, at 100 ppm of Co treatment, significantly higher grain accumulation of Co was recorded compared to 500ppm of Co treatment. From these findings, it can be summarised that at lower concentrations (up to 200ppm) Co has an enhancing effect on growth of wheat crop and it has a good phyto-extracting ability for cobalt
Keywords: Cobalt, Wheat, Morphological parameters, Chlorophyll pigment, Plant accumulation

DETECTION OF CHROMIUM IN HAIR SAMPLES OF MALE TANNERY WORKERS NEAR GAJJU MATAH

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Ridha Kamran*, Moneeza Abbas, Samina Sarwar
Lahore College for Women University, Lahore
 
ABSTRACT
Investigate the level of chromium in male tannery workers and their general health status. Chromium level was measured in hair samples of male tannery workers of different age groups. Group-I included workers that belong to age group of 15-30 years, Group-II included workers that range from 31-46 years and Group-III included workers that belong to age group of above 47 years. Chromium concentration in all age group was very high as compared to permissible limit (mean values: 30.76mg/l, 39.77mg/l and 65.0mg/l). A strong positive correlation was also existed between workers and their ages as there is an increasing trend of Cr concentration with age. It can be concluded from the analysis of data that the concentration of chromium in hair samples of male tannery workers was very high and they were suffering from different diseases (blood pressure, skin infection, jaundice, respiratory disorder) due to the exposure to the precarious occupational hazards.
Keywords: Health hazards, chromium, tannery, workers and correlation.

PRODUCTION POTENTIAL AND ECONOMICS OF WHEAT AS INFLUENCED BY LIMING IN NORTH EASTERN REGION OF BANGLADESH

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Md. Rayhan Shaheb1, Mahmudul Islam Nazrul1 and M. Ataur Rahman2
1Senior Scientific Officer, On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh and 2Principal Scientific Officer, Regional Wheat Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh
 
ABSTRACT
Soil acidification threatens dry land crop production in the soils of entire Sylhet region in Bangladesh. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of lime doses with agroeconomic performances of wheat varieties to lower soil acidity and increase wheat production in a direct-seeded system. Field trail was carried out at Eastern Surma Kushiara Flood Plain soil (AEZ 20) of Sylhet in the three consecutive years of 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. Treatments of wheat varieties (Bijoy, Prodip, Sufi, BARI Gom-25 and BARI Gom-26) and lime (0 and 1.5 tha-1) arranged in a split-plot design. Lime was applied in main plots and varieties are distributed randomly in sub plots. Soil was sampled in November 2010 to assess pH and Low pH was evident at the depth of fertilizer placement (0-30 cm). Broadcast lime increased pH up to 6.0 in 2013. The result revealed that most of the yield component viz. spikes m-2, thousand grain weight and grain yield of wheat was significantly influenced by liming. There were variations in lime response among the wheat varieties. Results observed that all the varieties performed well in the liming plot (3.39-4.09 tha-1) and BARI Gom-26 produced the maximum yield (4.09 tha-1) among them compare to non liming one (2.48-2.97 tha-1). Cost benefit analysis indicated that the highest BCR was recorded in BARI Gom-26 in the liming plot that was 24% more compared to non liming plot. However, the index of relative adaptability of wheat was the maximum in BARI Gom-26 and it could be cultivated at acidic soil in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Keywords: Soil acidity, liming, wheat, economic analysis, relative adaptability index.

IMMUNE RESPONSE OF RABBITS TO HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA VACCINE FORMULATIONS ADJUVANTED WITH MONTANIDE ISA-206, PARAFFIN OIL AND ALUM

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Mohi-ud-din, Mudassar.*1, Mudasser, Habib. 2, Zahid, Iqbal. 3 Iftikhar, Hussain. 4
1Department of Pathology, Al-Nafees Medical College, Isra University, Islamabad Campus, Islamabad.
2Animal Sciences Divison, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad.
3Department of Pharmacology, Al-Nafees Medical College, Isra University, Islamabad Campus, Islamabad.
4Institute of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
 
ABSTRACT
Based on safety and sound immunological principles for animal vaccines, there arises a need for identifying rational standards for selection of different adjuvant formulations. Montanide ISA206 (W/O/W) was used in this study to prepare the vaccine and was compared with already available paraffin oil and alum adjuvanted hemorrhagic septicemia vaccines. All the three vaccines were prepared according to the standard procedures keeping the antigen amount same in all the three vaccine formulations. The goal of the study was to ascertain immune response in rabbits against several Pasteurella multocida vaccine preparations including Montanide adjuvanted, paraffin oil based and alum-precipitated vaccines. Forty male adult rabbits were divided into four groups namely A, B, C and D and kept in separate cages. Rabbits in groups A, B and C were vaccinated via subcutaneous route with 0.3ml dose of Montanide vaccine, oil based vaccine and alum-precipitated vaccine respectively. A booster dose of 0.3 ml of same preparation was given 15 days post-vaccination. Rabbits in group D were kept unvaccinated as negative control. All rabbits were bled pre-vaccination and then every 7 days post-vaccination for nine weeks and sera were subjected to indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA) and geometric mean titres of anti-Pasteurella multocida antibodies were determined. The mean and standard errors were also determined. Results showed that Montanide ISA206 (W/O/W) adjuvanted vaccine gave higher antibody titres as compared with oil based and alum-precipitated vaccines.
Keywords: Montanide ISA-206; Pasteurella multocida; Hemorrhagic septicemia vaccine; Geometric mean titre; Immune response

ESSENTIAL MINERAL AND TOXIC ELEMENTS IN OYSTER MUSHROOM (Pleurotus florida) CULTIVATED ON WATER HYACINTH AND RICE STRAW

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S. Bandopadhyay *
Department of Botany, Sonamukhi College, Bankura, W.B., India
 
ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the concentration of three mineral elements (Fe, Zn, Cu) and three toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As) in the cultivation substrate (1:1 mixture of water hyacinth and rice straw) as well as in the cultivated oyster mushrooms Pleurotus florida grown on this substrate. The mean concentrations (mg kg-1 dry weight) obtained for Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and As in the mushrooms were 172, 52.3, 10.5, 2.3, 0.95 and 0.7 whereas in the cultivation substrate were 201.5, 56.5, 11.9, 7.2, 2.7 and 2.4 respectively. The contents of Fe, Zn and Cu minerals are in consonance with the reports in literature. Pb and Cd contents are however slightly higher than some of the reports in literature but are within the of recommended safe dietary intake limits established by FAO/WHO expert committee. The coefficient of accumulation of these elements in the mushroom were also calculated by comparing with their concentration in the cultivation substrate and was found in the order of Zn ˃ Cu ˃ Fe ˃ Cd ˃ Pb ˃ As indicating P.florida as good accumulator of the minerals. In terms of nutritional aspects, taking into account the recommended dietary allowances or provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by FAO/WHO, optimum dietary intake of average 100 g day-1 fresh mushroom of P.florida grown on water hyacinth and rice straw is beneficial for health and poses no toxicological risk.
Keywords: Mineral, Pleurotus florida, rice straw, substrate, toxic elements, water hyacinth.

DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION DENSITY OF THE GHOST CRAB, OCYPODE CURSOR (LINNEAUS, 1758) IN YUMURTALIK BEACH, TURKEY

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Canan Türeli1*, Irem Nur Yeşilyurt1, Erhan Akamca1, Unal Erdem2
1Department of Basic Science, Fisheries Faculty, Çukurova University, Adana-Turkey
2 Department of Aquatic Products, Vocational School of Technical Sciences,
Marmara University, Istanbul-Turkey

ABSTRACT
The distribution and population density of the ghost crab, Ocypode cursor were studied in Yumurtalik Beach,Turkey during summer, 2009. Burrow densities of ghost crab were measured at three beach zones in relation to the Reference Datum (RD) with middle heights of 2, 4, and 9 m, which were located at medi-olittoral, supra-littoral, and sub-terrestrial fringe, respectively.Generally, individuals occurred above 1 m in height in relation to RD and peaked between 2 and 4 m. A range from 0 to 4.2 burrows/m2 was obtained, and the total number of crabs on this beach (approximately is 2256 km2) ranging from 18.99 burrows/m2 to 56.41 burrows/m2. Significant differences in the mean burrow density were found among three zones. Low densities were recorded in the sub-terrestrial zone in September and peak density in the supralittoral zone in August. In general crabs followed a clumped dispersion on Yumurtalik beach. In total 986 burrow diameters were measured where diameter ranged from 3 to 97.8 mm. The results provided evidence that Yumurtalik Beach can provide suitable habitats for O. cursor population. Ocypode cursor is not vulnerable to the anthropogenic disturbances and environmental alterations found at Yumurtalık Beach.
Keywords: Ghost crab, Ocypode cursor, Yumurtalık Beach, Turkey, Zonation, Burrows, Density