Exploring the Role of Foliar Application of Aspirin on Growth and Productivity of Wheat under Control and Rainfed Conditions

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid) is an important signal molecule modulating plant responses to stress. Drought significantly decreased the growth rate and impaired the yield of wheat. Acetylsalicylic acid can improve the performance of wheat under both well-watered and drought conditions. Applying salicylic acid at a relatively low concentration positively impacted the physiological, yield, and growth parameters. In order to determine the effect of foliar application of Aspirin levels on growth, yield, and its components of wheat, two experiments, i.e., control and rainfed, were conducted to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid were carried out at glasshouse of Research Area, Department of Agronomy and university research farm Koont of PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi during cropping season 2019-20. Four treatments of Aspirin (Control, 120 mg/L, 180 mg/L, and 240 mg/L) for glasshouse (Control, 20 g/L, 30 g/L, 40 g/L) for rainfed were applied, which are to be known as As0, As1, As2, and As3 for both experiments. Foliar application of Aspirin solution sprayed at growth stage 37 on the Zadoks scale. Results of experiments revealed that for the 180mg/L of Aspirin (As2), improved growth parameters such as plant height, spike length, number of spikelets, and increased the wheat crop yield. In contrast, for the rainfed experiment, the plant height, spike length, number of spikelets, and increased yield were observed by applying 30 g/L (As2) of Aspirin, and the lowest results of these parameters were recorded in control treatment for both control and rainfed experiments. The overall results of this study showed that among the levels of Aspirin, the application of treatment As2 both for control and rainfed experiment, i.e., 180 mg/L for control and 30 g/L for rainfed Aspirin, have positively impacted the growth and yield parameters of wheat and bought improvement in wheat production under plant stress environment.

ESCALATION IN RICE (Oryza sativa L.) SEED STRENGTH AND SUCCESSIVE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH POTASSIUM HUMATE

Seed strength is an important agronomic traits and considered as an indicator of crop yield and economic value. Different concentrations of potassium humate i.e. 0, 250, 500, 750 and 100 mg per kilogram were applied on the seeds of Basmati rice and their influence was observed. After treatment with the potassium humate various vegetative (plant height; root, shoot length; fresh and dry biomass of root and shoot) and reproductive growth (number of tillers, flowers, grains, weight of 100 grains) parameters were recorded. It was observed that 500 mg/kg concentration of potassium humate has given potential results as compared to rest of the concentrations. It was also observed that an increment in the concentration from 500mg/kg has ceased a number of physiological functions of the rice plants under trial.

Determination of Pesticide Residues in Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) from Upper Punjab Districts of Pakistan

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is grown from mid-October to the end of April in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Gujranwala Districts of the Punjab. A huge amounts of pesticides especially fungicides are sprayed on it indiscriminately to protect it from different diseases and fungal attacks. Present experiment was planned for determination of pesticide residues in strawberry. For this purpose, 40 samples of strawberry were collected from Sheikhupura, Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujranwala districts of Punjab, Pakistan for determination of residues of Malathion, Chlorpyrifos, Profenofos, Atrazine, Carbofuron, Tricyclazole, Difenoconazole, Azoxystrobin, Tebuconazole and Cypermethrin in strawberry. The accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, limit of detection and quantification were measured. The recovery ranged from 89.3 % to 108% with RSD ranging from 1.66 % to 14.2 %. The linearity showed reliable range (0.995–0.999). The limit of detection ranged from 0.006 to 0.04 μg g-1. Data showed that all the samples contain multi-residues of different pesticides. Among these 40 samples pesticide residues were most often found. All the samples contained multiresidues of different pesticides. The percentage of samples having pesticides residues are , Carbofuron (50 %), Malathion (37.50 %), Profenofos (32.50 %), Chlorpyrifos(25 %), Cypermethrin (20 %), Difenoconazole in (47.50 %), Tricyclazol in ( 52.50 %), Tebuconazole in (50.00 %), and Azoxystrobin in (20 %) of the samples analyzed.

An Overview on the Factors Affecting Water-soluble Carbohydrates Concentration during Ensiling of Silage

Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) concentration during the ensiling process is influenced by both controllable and uncontrollable factors such as temperature, moisture level, fertilizers, additives nutrients, and time of ensiling of silage. The WSC contents may vary among the different fodder and forage species. The ensiling temperature has a limiting impact on water-soluble carbohydrates and their concentration decrease with increasing temperature. Crops should be harvested at optimum moisture and dry matter level to reach the required concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates to produce organic acids. Water-soluble carbohydrate concentration decreased with the crop's maturity due to the accumulation of carbohydrates in the grains. The evening cut has more concentration of WSC than that of the morning cut due to the photosynthesis process. The contents of WSC can be increased by using different kinds of additives during the ensiling process. Ensiling time has not much influence on the water-soluble carbohydrates. To understand these factors, we have a detailed review of the factors affecting the WSC of silage.

Effects of Environmental Factors on Diversity of Orthopteran Population in District Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

Environment is the predominant factor for deciding the appropriation and abundanceof Orthoptera species globally. During present study, the impact of major environmental factors on abrupt occurrence of Orthoptera species was examined. Orthopterans landed on vast agricultural fields of cotton, wheat, maize, sugarcane and other standing crops in fertile parts and sandy regions of district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. The survey on different localities of district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab was conducted from January to December 2019, special attention was paid during rainy season. The total 4908 specimens of order Orthoptera, suborder Caelifera belonged to 8 species were collected from different localities of tehsils Sadiqabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur and Liaqatpur of district Rahim Yar Khan. The highest number of population, 2080 belonged to Schistocerca gregaria and lowest number of individuals belonged to Acrida exaltata were 135. However, other six species i.e., Peokilocerus pictus, Oxya hyla hyla, Sphingonotus savignyi, Heteracris littoralis, Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus, Diabolocatantops innotabilis were 1090, 480, 386, 355, 195, 187 respectively. Among them 3472 were males and 1436 were females. The % relative abundance of Orthoptera species recoded from agricultural areas was 61.63 and 38.36 from desert areas. The species diversity indices, richness and equity of agricultural areas were 0.7766, 5.0377, 2.0110 and 0.8600 and sandy areas were 0.5132, 2.3663, 1.5268 and 0.6595 respectively. The highest numbers of specimens collected in the month of October were 1084 due to favourable environmental factors while lowest 112 specimens in the month of January due to unfavourable conditions. The abundance of Orthoptera populations were coincidence with different environmental factors i.e., temperature, humidity and rainfall in different months of year.

Influence of Foliage Applied Zinc on Growth and Yield of Hybrids Sunflower (Helianthus Annus L.)

The aim of study was to evaluate the influence of foliage applied zinc on growth, yield and oil contents of hybrid sunflower. Experimental treatments comprise of two sunflower hybrids viz. H1= Hysun-33 and H2= S-278 and three zinc levels viz. T1= Control (no application), T2=1% ZnSO4 and T3 = 2% ZnSO4. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement and repeated thrice. Data regarding growth, yield and oil contents was collected by using standard procedures. Results revealed that sunflower hybrid Hysun-33 gained maximum plant height (210.67cm), stem diameter (2.427), Head diameter (15.533) achene number (852), achene yield (189.19 t ha-1), leaf area (789.56cm2) and oil contents (40.423%) followed by sunflower hybrid S-278. Zinc application significantly improved the yield and oil contents. In this regard, maximum plant height (194.67 cm), stem diameter (2.718cm), head diameter (14.633 cm), achene number (842.17), achene yield (194.56 t ha-1), leaf area (782.5cm2) and oil contents (40.12%) from 2% foliar application of zinc followed by 1% foliar application of zinc. Whereas, minimum plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, achene number, achene yield, leaf area and oil contents were recorded from control where no zinc was applied. Interaction of sunflower hybrids with zinc was also significant. In this contest, maximum plant height (231.67cm), stem diameter (2.917cm), head diameter (15.7cm), achene number (925.0), achene yield (205.89 t ha-1), leaf area (801.33cm2) and oil contents (41.65%) were recorded from sunflower hybrid hysun-33 with 2% application of zinc followed by sunflower hybrid S-278 with 1% zinc foliar application. In Conclusion, sunflower hybrid along with the 2% foliar application of zinc is most suitable combination to achieve higher yield and oil contents.

Effect of Phosphorus Application Methods on Growth and Yield of Maize under Water Deficit Conditions

A field study was conducted to investigate effect of phosphorus and different levels of irrigation on growth and yield of maize at the Agronomic Research Area, Faculty of Agricultural sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, during autumn 2016.The Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot courses of action having three replications with net plot size of 4m x 3m. The crop was sown in 75 cm spaced rows, while plant to plant distance was maintained at 30 cm with the help of dibbler. Experimental treatments comprised of two irrigation level sand four phosphorus levels. The crop was harvested at maturity and the data were recorded by using the standard procedures. Maximum grain yield was obtained at full irrigation levels where phosphorus was applied @ 100 kg ha-1. All the growth and yield parameter increased with full irrigation levels with application of Phosphorus at the rate of 100 kg ha-1 while it was decreased where half irrigation was applied. Increase in P2O5 rates upto100 kg ha-1 enhanced the plant height, cob length, cob weight, thousands grain weight, Beyond application of 100 kg P2O5 ha-1 there was no significant increase in number of grains cob-1, thousand grain weight and other growth parameters. It is recommended that maize crop should preferably be fertilized @ 100 kg Phosphorus per hectare to get maximum grain yield under the ecological conditions of Multan.

Utilization of Rhizobacteria and Spent Mushroom Compost for the Management of Bacterial Wilt of Potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most important staple food in the world after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). In Pakistan, potato crop is cultivated over an area of 191.6 million hectares. On an average potato production in Pakistan is 20 tonnes per hectare.A target has set by The Government of Pakistan to produce about 4.871 million tons potatoes during Rabi Season 2020-21. (Federal Committee on Agriculture FCA) The potato production exceeds 376 million tonnes harvested from an area of 19.25 million hectares in the world (FAOSTAT 2018). Ralstonia solanacearum causing bacterial wilt is a major threat to potato production. Management through biocontrol agents is one of the best methods that can replace synthetic chemical-based formulations. In the current study combine effect of antagonist rhizobacteria as biocontrol agent and spent mushroom compost as biofertilizer were tested against bacterial wilt disease pathogen. Potato plant samples infected with R. solanacearum and rhizobacteria were collected from potato growing fields in Rawalpindi. Out of twenty tested antagonistic rhizobacterial isolates, only three viz., Rh10, Rh12 and Rh 15 showed maximum inhibitory effect against R. solanacearum. In another experiment different combinations of treatments containing rhizobacteria alone or combined with fresh and spent mushroom composts were also tested against the bacterial wilt pathogen under laboratory conditions. Combination of rhizobacteria along with weathered compost (T5) reduced the disease incidence to 15.92 % when compared against 77.81 % in control after six weeks. Significant increase in plant height up to 41.83 cm was also observed as compared to control viz., 35.5cm. Similarly, T2 (only fresh compost), T3 (containing fresh compost along with rhizobacteria) and T4 (rhizobacteria along with weathered compost) also showed better results as compared to against control (T0) where there was no application of rhizobacteria and compost. Application of rhizobacterial along with spent mushroom compost can significantly reduce the disease incidence along with the improvement in plant growth parameters.

Sugarcane Farmers Perception, Comprehension Regarding Climate Change and its Mitigation Through Adoption of Cultural Practices

Sugarcane is an important cash crop in Pakistan. Recently, the average per hectare production of sugarcane is low due to climatic variation. Therefore, sugarcane farmers are threatened by this emerging issue that has drastically affected their livelihoods, food security, and sustainability. This study was designed to analyze the perception, comprehension, and adoption of cultural practices in the mitigation of the impact of climate change. For this purpose, district Rahim yar khan was selected purposively from the Province of Punjab as the universe of the study; as one of the highly cultivated areas among all districts of Punjab. From selected districts, two tehsils were randomly selected, namely Sadiqabad and Kanpur. From each selected tehsil, 5 villages were selected using randomized sampling technique. In each selected village, 18 sugarcane farmers were selected randomly thus, making a total of 180 respondents. The data were collected through quantitative methods. A pre-tested and well-structured interview schedule was developed for the collection of information from sugarcane farmers. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results indicated that there was a significant difference between the two groups, adopter and non-adopters of mitigation strategies towards climate change. The results revealed that the majority (98.3 % and 75 %) of the growers reported that an increase in temperature and deforestation for the last five years respectively. Moreover, residues burring and deforestation were major causes of climate change followed by an excess of CO2 from agriculture activities and farm operations. The study recommended that the adoption of cultural practices in mitigation of the impact of climate change should be promoted through information sources.

Antifungal Potential of Selected Medicinal Plants Against Post-Harvest Fungi of Tomato

Tomato belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is an essential vegetable crop of Pakistan. Production of tomato affected by viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases. Some post-harvest tomato fungal pathogens like Aspergillus, Alternaria, Fusarium and Rhizopus are major contributors to tomato fruit losses. The current research was focused to control these post-harvest fungal problems of tomato by application of some botanical extracts because these have no harmful residual effects like fungicides which influence fruit value and human health. For this purpose, infected samples were collected from a local market. Then fungi were isolated from these infected samples on PDA culture media. These purified fungal cultures were inoculated to healthy tomato fruits to confirm the pathogenicity of these fungal isolates. During management, trials inoculated fruits from each group were coated with different concentrations of Curcuma longa, Mentha piperita and Ocimum basilicum. A completely randomized design (CRD) was followed in these experiments with three replications. Data regarding the infected fruit area was recorded following the standard procedures Fisher’ s analysis of variance technique was used for analyzing the data and a significant differences test (LSD) was used for comparing differences among treatments using least at 5 % probability. The turmeric plant was more efficient than Basil and mint. At 200ppm concentration, the turmeric inhibits 80.1 % growth of Alternaria alternata on PDA media, but the growth rate was reduced up to 31.6% at 50_ppm concentration. Growth inhibition significantly reduced as concentration increased from 50ppm to 200 ppm concentration.