Tag Archives: 1(1)

Why there was need of Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology?

Zahid Iqbal*
Department of Pharmacology, Isra University, Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
& Managing Editor, Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology

*Corresponding author: e-mail: zahid.iqbal@isra.edu.pk

 

Knowledge is exploding with every moment and science is discovering new horizons with every passing day. To encompass this knowledge and, particularly disseminate it to the scientific community free of cost, was the major inspiring force behind the launch of Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology (AJAB). Another factor that motivated us was the narrow spectrum of the most of existing journals which cover only one or two specific fields and do not focus on interdisciplinary approach. The need was deeply felt by our team members and we decided to start a journal which would focus on all interrelated disciplines of agricultural and other biological sciences. From here we perceived the idea of the name of our new journal “Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology”. We also decided that this would be online only to save the wastage of paper as most of the scientific literature is accessed through internet and people are least interested in printed copies of the articles. We deliberated a lot over free access of the journal and concluded in its favor, keeping in view the basic right of every human being to have free access to the knowledge of scientific discoveries and literature. It was also decided that AJAB will publish original research manuscripts, short communications and review articles on environmental, plant, animal and human sciences. Environmental sciences will cover areas of soil related research, residues and food quality. Plant sciences will focus on plant diversity, distribution, genetics, bioinformatics and biotechnology related issues. Animal sciences will deal with the health and diseases of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and their treatment related research. Human sciences will relate to different aspects of health and diseases of humans and various issues arising in medical sciences. The first issue of AJAB is before you and we hope your constructive feedback to improve its matter and quality.

Morphology and natural enemies of Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) (Homoptera: aphididae) from Punjab, Pakistan

Imran Bodlah*, Muhammad Naeem and Tasleem Akhter
Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: imranbodlah@gmail.com

Abstract

Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) (Homoptera: Aphididae) is recorded from Pothohar tract of Punjab Province of Pakistan from different localities on Lagerstroemia indica L. A taxonomic note along with necessary measurements is discussed. Drawings of important characters are given. Its host range, world distribution and distribution in Pakistan have been given. Information regarding the natural enemies of this aphid pest has also been given.                                                               

Keywords: Tinocallis kahawaluokalani, Morphology, Natural enemies, Pakistan

Life table studies of Trilocha virescence (Bombycidae: lepidoptera) on Ficus nitida

Muhammad Asif Aziz1*, Ayesha Iftkhar1 and Muhammad Hanif2
1Department of Entomology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2Department of Mathematics and Statistics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: asifaziz572@gmail.com

Abstract

The life table of Trilocha virescence was constructed in the laboratory which is a serious Lepidopterous pest of Ficus nitida. The study declared different impact of larval and adult mortality on the population. Pre reproductive mortality was 30% and 70 percent of the individuals’ survived upto the maturity and took part in reproduction. Larval mortality was greater in 1st instar than all other stages. No mortality was observed in 4th and 5th larval instar in subsequent stages. High mortality during 1st instar may exert significant negative effect on the insect population and may be best used for applying control tactics. The net reproductive rate of the insect was 45.44 per individual per generation.

Keywords: Trilocha virescence, Stage specific, Life expectancy, Mortality rate, Survivorship

Pollinators visiting summer vegetables ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena)

Imran Bodlah* and Muhammad Waqar
Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: imranbodlah@gmail.com

Abstract

The forging activity of insect pollinators visiting the summer vegetables i.e. Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) and Eggplant or Brinjal (Solanum melongena) observed. Two orders Hymenoptera and Diptera were identified as the major pollinators of these vegetables. The order Hymenoptera include six species (Apis Sp., Bombus sp., Xylocopa sp., Halictus sp. and two unidentified species 1 from Halictidae family and 1 from Megachilidae families) and order diptera include there 3 species of pollinators (Eristalinus sp. and 1 un-identified specie from family Syrphidae and Muscidae each). The foraging rate was much higher early in the morning i.e. 6-7 am. Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) have the more abundant number of insects pollinating it followed by Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) and Brinjal (Solanum melongena). The total number if insect pollinators show that the order hymenoptera include the most abundant number of insect pollinators.

Keywords: Pollinators, Summer vegetables, Ridge gourd, Bitter gourd, Brinjal

A comprehensive overview of recent advances in drought stress tolerance research in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Rashid Mehmood Rana*, Shoaib Ur Rehman, Junaid Ahmed1 and Muhammad Bilal
Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: rashid_cabb@hotmail.com

Abstract

Wheat is an important food crop grown worldwide and used as staple food in many countries. Its production is affected by several factors including abiotic stresses and drought is one of the most damaging and frequently occurring abiotic stresses. Several efforts have been made to address and cope with it at morphological, physiological and molecular levels, have been summarized. Different morphological and physiological traits identified through successive efforts include osmotic adjustment, cell membrane stability and stomatal conductance and showed positive correlation with drought tolerance. Some quantitative trait loci have also been discovered in wheat genome on chromosome 4A that showed significant association with this mechanism. Proteomic and gene functional analysis revealed the genes involved in vital biological pathways (e.g., reactive oxygen species scavenging, etc.) and showed significant correlation with drought tolerance. Therefore, the information generated through both the QTLs and gene functional analysis could be utilized to achieve drought tolerance in wheat.

Keywords: Biological pathways; Gene expression; Osmotic adjustment; Quantitative trait loci

Global prevalence of dengue viral infection, its pathogenesis, diagnostic and preventive approaches

Humaira Zafar*1, Kiran Tauseef Bukhari1 and Ghulam Mustafa Lodhi2
1Department of Pathology, Al Nafees Medical College, Isra University, Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
2Department of Physiology, Al Nafees Medical College, Isra University, Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: dr.humairazafar@yahoo.com

Abstract

Dengue viral infection (DVI) is amongst a big Global health challenges. The clinical manifestations of disease ranges from subclinical Dengue fever (DF) to the complicated dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Reason behind this is the absence of specific tetravalent vaccine and the antivirals. The mortality rate with the infection might exceed upto 5%. Therefore, there is a dire need to emphasize the adoption of preventive strategies and to control the vector Aedes aegypti mosquito population. Moreover, the regular cross sectional, age stratified, serological surveys are the surveillance tools for monitoring the impact of Dengue prevention/ control and a better way to plan for potential epidemics.

Keywords: Dengue Fever Global Prevalence, Dengue Pathogenesis, Dengue Infection Diagnosis

Co-inoculation with Rhizobium and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for inducing salinity tolerance in mung bean under field condition of semi arid climate

Muhammad Aamir1, Ana Aslam1, Muhammad Yahya Khan1, Muhammad Usman Jamshaid1, Maqshoof Ahmad2, Hafiz Naeem Asghar1* and Zahir Ahmad Zahir1
1 Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2 University College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

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

Abstract

Salinity stress severely affects the growth, nodulation and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). However, its growth can be improved under salinity stress by inoculation/co-inoculation with rhizobia and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase enzyme. ACC-deaminase containing bacteria regulate the stress induced ethylene production by hydrolyzing the ACC (immediate precursor of ethylene) into ammonia and ketobutyric acid, thus improve plant growth by lowering the ethylene level. A study was conducted under salt affected field conditions where pre-isolated strains of Rhizobium and PGPR were used alone as well as in combination for mitigating the salinity stress on growth, nodulation and yield of mung bean by following the randomized complete block design (RCBD). The data were recorded and analyzed statistically to see the difference among treatments.

Keywords: ACC-deaminase, salt stress, rhizobia, legume, Vigna radiata L.

Host plants of leaf worm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) in Pakistan

Munir Ahmad1*, Abdul Ghaffar2 and Muhammad Rafiq2
1Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Murree Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2Entomology Section, Central Cotton Research Institute, Old Shujabad Road, Multan Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: maqmunir@gmail.com

Abstract

Spodoptera litura is a notorious leaf feeding insect pest of more than one hundred plants around the Asia-Pacific region. Host plant survey for two years from three different locations in cotton belt revealed 27 plant species as host plants of S. litura belonging to 25 genera of 14 families including cultivated crops, vegetables, weeds, fruits and ornamental plants. Major host plants on which it thrived for maximum period were Gossypium hirsutum L., Ricinus communis L., Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L., Colocasia esculenta L., Trianthema portulacastrum L. and Sesbania sesban L.. Eggs were also collected from tree plants but larvae did not complete their development. Reliance of S. litura on major plant species of cultivated crops necessitates their regular monitoring especially during March to April for their population abundance and early warning for their management on commercial crops like cotton.

Keywords: Spodoptera litura, host selection, major host plants, host preference