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To evaluate the analgesic and physiological effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and medetomindine in domestic goats. Thirty healthy goats (aged 1-2 years and body weight 22±3.17 kg) were divided into five groups (6 goats/group). Group 1 animals were considered as a control; groups 2 and 3 animals were given 5µg kg-1 and 20µg kg-1 medetomidine IM respectively; group 4 animals were stimulated with EA for 30 mins and group 5 animals were given EA in combination with 5µg kg-1 medetomidine IM. The pain threshold in groups 2 and 3 animals were increased significantly (p< 0.05) at 15 to 60 mins compared to group 1. Group 5 animals showed increase (p< 0.05) in the pain threshold at 15 to 60 mins compared to animals in group 2 and group 4. Goats in groups 2 and 3 showed decrease (p< 0.05) in heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure and rectal temperature, whereas animals in group 5 showed less effect on these physiological parameters. Furthermore, goats in group 5 did not have any effect on blood cell count, serum chemistry, or liver health status. The combination of EA plus 5 µg kg-1 medetomidine produced adequate antinociception with minimal physiological alteration suggesting that, an effective strategy for clinical observation and minor surgical procedures in domestic goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat grain yield decreases by 1.50% per day with a subsequent delay in optimum sowing and the crop becomes vulnerable to numerous abiotic and biotic stresses. However, climate change had apparent effects on the environment and created an alarming scenario for wheat breeders to tackle the problem in different ways. The present research is aimed to identify the stable wheat genotypes through stress selection indices, principal component, and biplot analyses under genotype by environment interaction with non-stress and stress environments. Thirty-six wheat genotypes were appraised through genotype by environment interactions under optimum (non-stressed) and late (stressed) planting environments during 2017-18 at the Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pirsabak - Nowshera, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. In addition to stress selection indices, the principal component and biplot analyses were also used to assess the performance and stability of the wheat genotypes under non-stress and stress environments. Genotypes, planting environments, and genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) revealed significant differences for the majority of the traits. Across both planting environments, cultivar Pakistan-13 produced the highest grain yield, followed by genotypes Zincol-16 and PR-122. Under optimum planting environment, the best performing cultivar was Israr-17, followed by two other genotypes NIFA-Lalma-13 and Paseena-17. However, genotypes PR-122, Zincol-16, and Pakistan-13 produced higher grain yields under the stressed environment. According to stress selection indices, principal component, and biplot analyses, wheat cultivars Pirsabak-13, Zincol-16, and PR-122 were found as the most tolerant and high-yielding genotypes and could be used as source material for the development of stress-tolerant genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine nut or chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) is considered one of the most valuable non-timber forest species (NTFP) of Pakistan Pine nut is a rich source of many valuable food constituents including unsaturated fatty acids, sugar, vitamins and minerals. Due to the poor management policies and heavy exploitation, it has been listed as threatened species by the IUCN. Pine nuts lose their quality and nutritional value due to poor processing technologies that tend to lower their acceptability in big markets. In order to increase the market value of pine nuts, research institutes should work in collaboration to conserve this endangered valuable species by developing good quality pest-resistant seeds. Moreover, they should propose such treatments which help to extend the shelf life of pine nut seeds during processing and storage on a commercial level. Meanwhile, the government should launch new projects to understand the dynamics of the pine nuts life cycle together with sustainable conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus is vital nutrient for the crop yield, and Breeding rice for tolerant to low phosphorus, efficient in uptake and assimilation is the best way for sustainable production. This study aimed to evaluate Bangladeshi rice cultivars and introgression lines (INLs) under phosphorus deficient soil to understand the genetic variation in deficiency tolerance. A total of 28 rice genotypes from various ecotypes such as Aus, Aman, Boro and Jhum and INLs were collected and grown in pot contained highly phosphorus deficient soil in the rooftop polythene shed house during October 2019 to March 2020. A phosphorus deficiency susceptible variety, IR 64, was used as control, and experiment was conducted following randomized complete block design with two replications. Biomass related traits such as dry weight (DW) and relative dry weight (RDW, %) were analyzed at early vegetative stage. Visual score based on the responses to artificial drought occurred due to absence of water for 5 consecutive days because of government imposed Covid-19 lockdown were also evaluated in a scale of 0 to 4. Plants showed wide variation in the measured traits in both in the phosphorus added normal or phosphorus deficient conditions. Two patterns of responses were observed. One pattern was similar to susceptible control IR 64 and another is highly sensitive to P-deficiency. Cluster analysis resulted four groups (I to IV). Group I consist of four rice varieties including Pathar kuchi, Lal dhan, INL-9, and INL-30, and showed low DW and low tolerances to phosphorus deficiency and artificial drought. Group II contain nine accessions including IR 64, Murali, Kuti Agrani, Kernaicha, and five INLs, and showed higher DW and susceptibility to phosphorus deficiency and artificial drought. Group III had medium DW and highly sensitive to phosphorus deficient condition and the accessions Kali jira and Aus (Awned) were included. Two jhum variety, Renkhoa Dhan and Galongpru, and seven INLs belong to the group IV which showed medium DW but tolerant to phosphorus deficiency and artificial drought compare to other groups. The genetic variations of DW and RDW under phosphorus deficient and artificial drought conditions were clarified among rice varieties in Bangladesh and INLs with IR 64 genetic background, and several varieties and INLs were found as the promising materials for further breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current breeding program, the development of new wheat genotypes with greater genetic potential has become an enduring target to assist in food security. Wheat breeders are also trying to develop such genotypes that can fetch maximum return with limiting resources. Line-by-tester combining ability analysis was carried out during 2015-2018 to determine the genetic divergence, general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) among lines, testers, and line by tester interactions, and legacy of agronomic traits in wheat. Six wheat lines i.e., IBWSN-177, IBWSN-52, IBWSN- 131, SRN-09111, PR-107, and NR-21, and three testers i.e., Pirsabak-15, Shahkar-13, and Pakhtunkhwa-15 were crossed in a line by tester mating fashion. After advancing the generation, eighteen F2 populations and nine parental genotypes were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications and assessed through line by tester combining ability. Analysis of variance revealed significant (p=0.01) variations among genotypes (parental cultivars and F2 populations) for the studied traits. According to combining ability analysis, lines revealed significant (p=0.01) variances for days to heading and harvest index, while merely significant (p=0.05) for plant height and flag leaf area. However, line by tester interactions revealed significant (p=0.01) differences for all the variables. Parental genotypes IBWSN-131, Shahkar-13, and F2 populations IBWSN-131 × Pakhtunkhwa-15, IBWSN-131 × Shahkar-13, and PR107 × Shahkar-13 were identified as promising general and specific combiners which performed better for earliness and yield traits. High by high, high by low and low by high general combiners were involved in F2 populations with promising SCA and best mean performance. In comparative involvement to the total variance, the lines and L × T F2 populations had a maximum share for the majority of the traits. Ratios of GCA to SCA variances and degree of dominance revealed that all the traits were managed by dominant gene action. Non-additive gene action suggested that selection of promising populations should be postponed to later segregating generations for further improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The different scientific studies have identified the beneficial physiological role and effects of functional foods (FFs). No doubt the knowledge of nutrition is primarily important in addressing human physical and physiological health along with human wellness. The study is planned to explore the consumers' knowledge about the different attributes of FFs and their consumption pattern. A purposive multistage random sampling design was used for the selection of 400 consumers of FFs from four major cities of Pakistan. The shopping centers and consumers were randomly selected. The analysis demonstrates that about more than 30 percent of the consumers had knowledge to a great extent of perceived quality, appearance package, organoleptic, functionality, price and brand attributes and about 40 percent of the consumers had knowledge to some extent of these attributes. Analysis reflects that from 33 to 86 percent of consumers were using often modified cereals, oats, bread, canola oil, orange juice, grape juice, modified yogurt, milk fortified with vitamins, green tea, energy drinks, ginger, and turmeric. It is suggested that creating awareness and building confidence about FFs among consumers will be useful for promotion of FFs in Pakistan. As the elder family members are more concerned about their health, they should motivate their children to adopt good food habits which are imperative to improve their quality of life. The FFs providers and manufactures should equip their R&D department with the latest development in functional foods sector through coordinating food scientists, university food experts and industrialists for manufacturing the specific food products which are beneficial for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive use of antibiotics in animal feed and development of antimicrobial resistance has led to the development of probiotics to improve the rate of livestock productivity. The present study was designed to isolate breed specific lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains as animal probiotics. Sixty-eight gram-positive and catalase-negative strains were isolated, from the gastrointestinal tract and milk of Nilli Ravi buffaloes. For the selection of the buffalo probiotic, the viable capability of the isolated strains in a medium with different rumen conditions and antimicrobial activity were determined. Six strains (NMCC- PI, NMCC- PT, NMCC- P3n, NMCC- P7, NMCC- P8 and NMCC- F) showed a positive antibacterial as well as maximum cellular viability. These strains were identified as Enterococcus lactis (NMCC- PI) Pediococcus pentosaceus (NMCC- PT, MK014295), Enterococcus faecalis (NMCC-P3n) Lactobacillus fermentum (NMCC-P7), Pediococcus acidilactici (NMCC-P8) and Enterococcus ratti (NMCC-F) through 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. All strains fulfilled the basic criteria of animal probiotic properties however P. acidilactici (NMCC-P8) showed best result in terms of survivability at low pH (2.0), better antimicrobial activity and maximum enzymatic potential. Present results demonstrated that P. acidilactici may serve as a promising candidate probiotic for use in the buffalo dairy industry. This study was the unique to select LAB, with the potential to be used as probiotic from Nilli Ravi buffalo ruminal gut based on the ruminal-gut conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow rust is one of the major production constraints of wheat in Pakistan. To accelerate development of rust resistant cultivars, field testing may be accompanied with molecular genotyping. In the present studies, 56 F1 wheat hybrids were developed through 8×8 full diallel crosses during 2014-15. All the 56 F1 wheat hybrids along with parental genotypes were evaluated during 2015-16 under rainfed and irrigated conditions to identify yellow rust resistant genotypes. Pooled analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P < 0.01) differences among the genotypes for final rust severity, relative area under disease progress curve and average co-efficient of infection. Under both environments, 41 genotypes showed high, 7 moderate while remaining genotypes showed low level of partial resistance. Under rainfed condition, genotypes PS-05×AH, PS-05 and PS-13×PS-05 while under irrigated condition, Lal-13×JB, PS-05×Lal-13, PS-05×Tat-96 and JB×PS-05 were partially resistant in the field. The presence of yellow rust resistance genes, Yr5, Yr17 and Yr18, were confirmed in 76%, 78% and 37% genotypes respectively, using molecular markers, which were present either individually or in combinations of two or three genes. Among the parents, PS-13, JB and PS-05 performed well under both conditions. Under irrigated condition, cross combinations, Lal-13×JB, KW×PS-05 and JB×AH while under rainfed condition, genotypes PS-05×PJ-11, Tat-96×AH and JB×AH, showed best performance in terms of yield and rust resistance. Cluster analysis grouped majority of partial resistance genotypes into sub cluster G1. Field testing and molecular markers analysis, revealed the presence of variability in resistance among the studied genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In existing era of molecular breeding, conventional breeding has sustainable foundation, and molecular marker applications are certified through classical breeding. The present study was carried out with the objectives to determine the genetic variability, combining ability effects among populations, and gene action for maturity and yield traits in wheat. Six wheat lines i.e., IBWSN-177, IBWSN-52, IBWSN131, SRN-09111, PR-107 and NR-21, and three testers i.e., Pakhtunkhwa-15, Pirsabak-15 and Shahkar-13 were crossed during 2015-16 in a line by tester matting design. After advancing the generation during 2016-17, the parental lines and testers, and their eighteen F2 populations were grown during 2017-18 in randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant (p=0.01) differences were observed among genotypes for all the traits. Line by tester F2populations revealed significant (p=0.01) variations for all the traits. However, testers were significant (p=0.01) for days to maturity, spikelets per spike and 1000-grain weight. Parental lines IBWSN-131 and IBWSN-52,testers Pakhtunkhwa-15 and Shahkar-13, and F2 populations IBWSN-131 × Pakhtunkhwa-15, SRN-09111 × Pakhtunkhwa-15 and PR-107 × Shahkar-13revealed significant (p=0.01) GCA and SCA effects and acknowledged as best general and specific combiners for various traits. High × high, high × low and low × high general combiners were involved in F2 populations with promising SCA and best mean performance. In proportional contribution, F2 populations has maximum share to total variance for the majority of the traits. The ratios of GCA to SCA, and average degree of dominance were smaller and greater than unity, respectively, which revealed that non-additive gene effects governed all the traits. Due to non-additive gene action, the selection of promising populations in terms of maturity and yield traits should be delayed to later segregating generations. The said promising populations could be used in future breeding program to develop early maturing and high yielding wheat genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato fruit rot caused by fungi is the most common postharvest problem. The fungi are responsible for spoilage of produce between harvest and consumption. This study analyzed the distribution of tomato fruit rot using descriptive as well as geostatistical techniques and diversity of associated fungal species. Descriptive statistics indicated that the rot incidence and severity ranged from 10.22-44.17% and 0.7 - 7.10 mm. Geostatistical techniques were used to predict the spatial dependency class. Results revealed that rot incidence data had a nugget/sill ratio of 0.487 inferring moderate spatial dependence, whereas severity inferring weak spatial dependence with nugget/sill ratio of 0.221. Furthermore, geostatistical analysis was also applied to examine spatial variability within-field using semivariogram and kriged maps. The maps of current study showed spatial distribution of rot incidence and severity in the study area. These digital maps will be helpful to develop pre-and post-harvest management strategies against tomato fruit rot. A total of nine fungal species were isolated from infected tomato fruit namely; Geotrichum candidum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Bipolaris, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Culvularia lunata and Penicillum digitatum. Aspergillus flavus was dominating species (17.02%) followed by Fusarium oxysporum (14.89%) and Alternaria alternata (12.76%), while Culvularia lunata has the least occurrence (6.38%). This study provides information about post-harvest rotting fungi of tomato to the growers, extension workers and researchers in the district Gilgit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric analysis based on 40 morphological (quantitative and qualitative) characters were used to evaluate the patterns of morphological variations and to better understand the taxonomic relationship of the whole genus of Eriobotrya. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis and principal coordinate analysis were performed for both quantitative and qualitative morphological characters. Result of factor analysis revealed that leaf blade length and width, bract shape, bract length and width, sepal length, petal length and width, petal state, style number, fruit length and width were highly positive significant, whereas pedicel length and style state were highly negative significant. Cluster analysis revealed that all the taxa of the genus grouped into 4 clusters. Cluster 1 included 18 taxa (E. bengalensis, E. bengalensis var. angustifolia, E. bengalensis var. intermedia, E. stipularis, E. dubia, E. serrata, E. obovata, E. poilanei, E. elliptica var. petelotii, E. longifolia, E. angustifolia, E. petiolata, E. deflexa, E. deflexa var. buisanensis, E. kwangsiensis, E. fulvicoma, E. cavaleriei and E. glabrescens). Cluster II included 16 taxa (E. henryi, E. seguinii, E. hookeriana, E. japonica, E. × daduheensis, E. malipoensis, E. elliptica, E. grandiflora, E. fragrans, E. fragrans var. furfuracea, E. prinoides, E. prinoides var. laotica, E. salwinensis, E. tengyuehensis, E. latifolia and E. glabrescens var. victoriensis). Two species (E. wardii and E. platyphylla) formed a distinct cluster and considered to be doubtful to the genus. The quantitative and qualitative characters studies will be particularly useful for further identification and systematic of the genus Eriobotrya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperature stress at reproductive stage is a prominent factor in various crop plants for yield reduction particularly wheat. In current study the performance of 50 wheat genotypes was analyzed under high temperature stress. To ascertain genetic diversity and population structure, 25 SSR markers were employed. The study was conducted for two consecutive years during 2016-17 and 2017-18 under normal and high temperature stress using randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Significant variation was found among genotypes, treatment and year factors for all the studied traits. Harvest index showed highest value of broad sense heritabilty 95.58. Genotype by trait biplot on the basis of relative performance dataset showed highest variation for yield traits (grains/spike and yield) followed by plant height, peduncle length and days to physiological maturity. The genotypes Yecora-70 and Shafaq-06 appeared tolerant because these genotypes showed less reduction in yield under heat stress. Population structure analysis grouped the genotypes into three sub-populations (A, B and C) which consisted of 15, 18 and 17 genotypes in each subpopulation, respectively. Genetic diversity values were ranged from 0.12 to 0.56 and polymorphism information contents (PIC) value from 0.11 to 0.45. Overall, the germplasm under investigation revealed low level of genetic polymorphism. Therefore, to combat challenges being posed by climate change wheat germplasm should be enriched by introducing novel genetic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to assess impact of MFSCs on the farming community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in terms of performances of two subgroups i.e. member and non-member farmers. A quantitative research design has been used with survey as strategy of inquiry conducted from 480 respondents across Swat, Mardan, DI Khan and Abbotabad districts. The study argues theoretically and indicates empirically that member respondents of MFSC were more competitive as compared to non-member farmers. In the same way the member farmers of MFSC were more prudent in terms of farm inputs usage and enjoyed higher yield across a variety of crops. The overall impact of MFSC is satisfactory, albeit room for improvement exists in areas such as by providing good variety seeds, proper fertilizer and effective utilization of combined harvesting machine. The study unveils the need to subsidize rent of agricultural machineries and prices of basic farm inputs through farmer centered policies. Further, the geographical scatterings of the MFSC keep farmers at a disadvantage which can be offset through establishment of sub-MFSC in vicinity of farmers across various districts. The study contributes to a better economic understanding of indigenous farming practices in vogue as used by autonomous and registered-member of MFSCs in local context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality traits play an important role in sugarcane clonal selection programs. The present investigation was carried out to study the association of quality traits with cane yield to establish an appropriate selection strategy based on quality characters. Sixteen sugarcane genotypes comprising two check cultivars were studied at Sugar Crops Research Institute Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations were observed for all the traits with cane yield (t ha-1) except purity %. Similarly brix % and polarized sugar % showed highly significant and positive correlation with sugar recovery % at genotypic (0.66**, 0.74**) and phenotypic (0.67**, 0.79**) levels. Highly significant correlation of brix % with polarized sugar % at genotypic (1.00**) and phenotypic (0.95**) levels were observed. Path analysis showed that highest positive direct effect on cane yield (t ha-1) is exerted by sugar recovery % at genotypic (0.42) and phenotypic (1.94) levels. It is suggested that the quality parameters should be taken in to consideration in clonal selection program for evolving improved sugarcane genotypes. Moreover the genotypes (MS-92-CP-99, MS-2000-Ho-360, MS-2003-HS-274 and MS-91-CP-523) with high cane yield and sugar recovery should be evaluated further [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bolting (pre-mature flowering) produced before completion of normal life cycle which directly affects the bulb yield in onion. The experiments were conducted in two consecutive seasons during 2013-14 and 2014-15 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times at Agricultural Research Institute, Mingora Swat. Nursery of onion cultivar Swat-1 was raised and healthy seedlings were transplanted on five different dates (15th Nov, 1st Dec, 15th Dec, 1 st Jan, 15th Jan). Four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (75, 100, 125, 150 kg ha-1) were applied with the objective to determine its influence on inflorescence development in onion bulb crop. Bolting percentage gradually decreased with increase in nitrogen fertilizer. Maximum bolting percentage was recorded in early transplanting and gradually declined with delay in transplanting. Bolting incidence did not occurred in very late transplanting (15th Jan) irrespective of the rate of nitrogen applied. Plant height, stem thickness, bulb diameter, bulb weight and total yield increased with increase in nitrogen fertilizer and conversely showed a downward trend with delay in transplanting. Nitrogen doses didn’t significantly influenced leaves per plant. Early transplanting took maximum days to maturity than late transplanting. Maturity was delayed with increase in nitrogen fertilizer. Percent cull decreased with increase in the rate of nitrogen fertilizer. Marketable yield was maximum at mid transplanting (15th Dec) with maximum dose of nitrogen fertilizer. It can be concluded that 150 kg N ha-1 should be applied and transplanting should be delayed up to December 15th to avoid bolting and have maximum marketable yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alnus nitida is a monophyletic species of the Sino-Japanese belt i.e., western Himalayas and Hindu Kush region. The current study was aimed to explore vegetation structure, role of edaphic and climatic factors on distribution, plant zonation and conservation status of this Alder species in the western Himalayas and Hindu Kush parts of the Sino-Japanese region. The standard quadrat method was used for vegetation sampling. All the collected data were analyzed through Two-way Cluster Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Indicator Species Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis using PC-ORD and CANOCO software's. Google Earth Path software (V 1.4.6) was used for the calculation of Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area Of Occupancy (AOO) in conjunction with IUCN red list criteria for evaluation of conservation status of Alnus nitida. A total of 146 plant species associated with Alnus nitida were reported belonging to 106 genera and 47 families from the region which clustered in 3 major zones. It was concluded that electrical conductivity, phosphorus concentration along with sandy loam soil condition and grazing pressure were the main environmental variables that play a significant role in vegetation structure, associated flora and distinct co-indicators of the Alnus nitida in the Sino-Japanese belt. The current study will provide a baseline for further comprehensive studies on Alnus nitida to explore its sustainable use and conservation priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic factors severely affect, alter and limit the yield and quality of the plants. Among them, a significant stress to plant growth and quality is given by cold or low temperature. In order to minimize or localize the cold stress, plants adopt mechanisms in the form of elevated expression levels of cold responsive genes. In the present study, expression of cold responsive genes in sugarcane cultivars namely SPSG-394, CP-77400 and CP-851491 was performed along with expression analysis of these genes in wild sugarcane Saccharum spontaneum L. Expression of the stress responsive genes was detected through performing a cold stress experiment at 4°C for 0, 12 and 24 hours treatment. Tissues subsequent to stress treatment were collected and cryopreserved at -80C for RNA extraction. Quantification of expression levels of stress responsive genes namely CBF1, CBF2, CBF3 and WCOR14 was performed with the help of semi-quantitative RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). The results indicated that CBF1, CBF2 and CBF3 were abundantly expressed in all three sugarcane cultivars whereas their expression was higher in S. spontaneum L than in their commercial counterparts. Expression of the gene WCOR14 was seen to be higher in both commercial and sugarcane wild relative. Those amplified products were sequenced and then aligned using Basic Local Alignment Tool (BLAST) at NCBI, which demonstrated that genes CBF1, CBF3 and WCOR14 had conserved domains with other known stress-responsive genes like DREB and CO14. However, CBF2 encoded an uncharacterized protein and a conserved domain (gypsy type transposon). From all the above, we can conclude that the expression quantities of the stressresponsive genes were elevated in sugarcane cultivars SPSG-394 and CP-851491 exposed to cold stimuli and this factor could be contributive towards their ability to withstand higher cold stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beetal is a large-sized goat breed in Pakistan, produce an average from 1.5 to 3 liters of milk on daily basis and is known for several features, including heat tolerance, prolificacy, and multi-purpose utilization. In spite of such remarkable features, gross anatomical characteristics of these goats are still not explored. Therefore, this preliminary study was designed to measure clinically important landmarks in the skull of adult Beetal goat in both sex as an attempt to provide a baseline data. Skulls (n=20) of Beetal goats (10 each of males and females) were used in the study. The skulls of both sexes were collected from apparently clinically healthy goats after slaughtering at an abattoir and treated according to the hot water maceration procedures. Biometric parameters were measured with the help of a digital vernier calliper. Descriptive statistics of the measured skull parameters did not show statistically significant differences between male and female adult Beetal goat. However, the studied parameters demonstrated variations from previously reported data in other breeds of goat and sheep. The measured anatomical standards are of clinical significance and will aid in regional nerve blocks and archaeological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Climate change; technical progress; crops yield; ARDL model; Pakistan EN Climate change technical progress crops yield ARDL model Pakistan INTRODUCTION Climate change has direct and disastrous effects on agriculture segment since it specifically relies upon weather variability (Meza and Silva, 2009). In the short-run, the temperature has a negative and significant effect on the wheat yield which means that a 1 percent rise in temperature will lead to a 1.02 percent decrease in wheat yield. Climate change, technical progress, crops yield, ARDL model, Pakistan. [Extracted from the article]

The genetic potential, inbreeding depression, heritability, selection response and correlation were studied during 2011-12 in parental cultivars and their F3 populations of upland cotton at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Eight upland cotton genotypes i.e., SLH-284, CIM-446, CIM-473, CIM-496, CIM-499, CIM-506, CIM-554 and CIM-707 and their 56 F3 populations were sown in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Mean squares revealed significant differences among the parental lines and F3 populations for all the characters. On average, the F3 populations showed best performance than parental cultivars for yield contributing traits and eventually increased seed cotton yield. Majority of the F3 populations revealed inbreeding depression for various traits. However, some of the F3 populations revealed negative values for inbreeding depression by transgressing their F2 populations in performance. The PCV and GCV values were comparable for almost all the traits which revealed that genotypes played greater role rather than environment and indicating less influence of environment on majority of the traits. Heritabilities (broad sense) were low to high with desirable selection response for all the traits. Seed cotton yield had significant positive correlation with all the traits, except days to first flowering where the association was non-significant. Parental cultivars viz., CIM-496, SLH-284, CIM-554 and CIM-707 and their F3 populations i.e. CIM-506 × SLH-284, CIM-707 × CIM-554, CIM-473 × CIM-496, SLH-284 × CIM-707, SLH-284 × CIM-473 and CIM-473 × CIM-707 revealed maximum values for seed cotton yield and major yield contributing traits. The promising F3 populations authenticated stability even after segregation which can be further studied for enhancement in seed cotton and lint yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earth ecosystem is facing instability in the present era due to unbridled devastating human activities across the globe. as a result we are losing species globally day by day. Indian Rock Python (Python molurus molurus) commonly recognized and pronounced as Indian Python, is considered as one among the list of larger size non-venomous snakes which is widely distributed all through Indian subcontinent particularly in Indus valley as well as Punjab region of Pakistan reaching up to Kashmir. It has been included in near threatened class in the IUCN Red List of species (IUCN, 1996). Jurgen et al., 1988). It dwells in a broad range of living conditions ranging from dry to rocky and from rocky to scrubs as well as moist jungles (Murphy and Henderson, 1997; De Vosjoli, 1991; Jurgen et al., 1988), the main evidence for its common name i.e. Indian Rock Python (Avadhani, 2005). As far as Pakistan is concerned, most of the python rich or inhabited localities are being preferably transformed into agricultural lands which are resultantly restricting it to the Southern Sindh, Indus Valley and its tributaries or the riparian zone (Masroor, 2012). But as a matter of fact, even in these areas it is noted to be diminishing at fast rate (Azam et al., 2007). Only a few pythons have been reported in district Sanghar in Sindh, Deva Vatala National Park, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Goursi et al., 2012), District Narowal (Shakargarh), and Gujarat are on the verge of extinction as reported by Khan, 2006. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to compare the six Phosphate extractants applied on fourteen different soil types. The extractants used include Acetic acid, Sodium acetate buffer (Morgan solution), Ammonium acetate buffer (Modified Morgan's solution), Sodium bicarbonate (Olsen extractant), Acidified ammonium fluoride (Bray - I reagent) and Anion Exchange Resin (AER). The fourteen soil were different in soil properties as pH, Organic matter content, Fe, Al and soil texture. The soil were grouped in to two on the basis of pH (acidic and alkaline). The results showed that Phosphate extracted by various extractant showed significant difference at 1% level of probability. The highest Phosphate concentration was measured in different soil by using the Bray I extractant. The lowest was determined in AER. Significant correlations have been found between the extractant except for Bray which showed non - significant correlation. Comparing the effectiveness of soil pH showed positive correlation between the extractants at pH range of 5.2 to 6.3. While at higher pH in range of 6.3 to 7.9 was non - significant. It may be concluded from the result that Bray I was effective in extracting P concentration from soil in acidic condition while Acetic acid and Sodium Bicarbonate (Olse reagent) were more effective under slightly acidic to alkaline condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield of chickpea in Pakistan is unexpectedly low and unstable that may be due to biotic and abiotic stresses. To combat with these stresses, genetic make of chickpea should be improved incorporating important genes. For successful gene incorporation, an efficient tissue culture system may be established. Therefore, this study was conducted in two local chickpea genotypes namely Bittle-98 and Dasht-2000 for the establishment of an efficient tissue culture system. Among various concentrations of BAP, MS medium fortified with 3.0 mg/l BAP showed the highest multiple shoot formation (69.2 and 70.66%) in cvs Dasht-2000 and Bittle-98, respectively. Similarly, the highest elongation of regenerated shoots (58.33 and 91.66%) was recorded in Bittle-98 and Dasht-2000, respectively on MS media supplemented with 0.25 mg/l IAA. The highest rooting formation (60 and 80%) was recorded in Dasht-2000 and Bittle-98, respectively on MS media having 1.0 mg/l IBA. Half Embryo with single cotyledon was found to be the best explant for genetic transformation. During this study, hygromycin (75 mg/l), acetosyringone (100 μM) and cefotaxime sodium (500 mg/l) were found to be optimum for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in chickpea. The putative transgenic plants were subjected to GUS and microscopic observations that confirmed the presence of uidA gene in both genotypes. The optimized protocols will provide a base line to improve transformation system and incorporate important genes in chickpea in future research programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a persistently emerging problem all over the world. The constituents of therapeutic plant extracts play a key role in antimicrobial drug discovery. Extracts of 36 medicinal plant species of Pakistan origin that belong to 33 genera and 24 families were tested against the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition the extracts of 23 plant species classified in 21 genera and 17 families were assessed against the bacterial clinical isolates (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa), using the agar well diffusion method. As a result, 10 plant extracts exhibited different properties against the specific bacterial strains. Some plant extracts were also tested against the clinical P. aeruginosa and S. aureus isolates. Among the tested samples, Haleej, Anaar and Kali Mirch exhibited the highest relative percentage inhibition against S. aureus while Kala Zeera, Abhal and Khobani showed the highest inhibition against P. aeruginosa. In addition Anar exhibited the highest inhibition against the clinical S. aureus isolate while Pista followed by Zeera showed the highest inhibition against the clinical P. aeruginosa isolate. The results obtained in our present study might help explain the ethnobotanical importance of the screened plant species for the treatment of conjunctivitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addition of undesired effluents to the environment has resulted in massive destruction of the ecosystem due to the persistent nature of the toxicants. The growth pattern of the plants species growing in urban and sub-urban areas are being affected negatively by various pollutants. In order to adapt and survive in hostile environment, different species exhibits a number of transformations and as a result some species restrain better adaptability and growth. The present study was carried out to investigate the histological alterations as an adaptive response as well as soil and air cleaning characteristics of different Hibiscus cultivars against industrial effluents. The root and stem fresh samples of Hibiscus cultivars were collected from polluted areas of Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. The transverse sections of the root and stem samples were stained and observed by using light microscopy. The presented data clearly depict altered anatomical features depending upon presences of toxicants in the rhizosphere. The modified anatomical attributes like thick stem epidermis, increased epidermal cell area high vascular tissue and enhanced cortical cell area in H. rosa-sinensis cv. Cooperi alba and Lemon chiffon respectively confer the better adaptation to polluted conditions. The knowledge is likely to be helpful for devising plant based decontamination strategies for industrially polluted environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to quantify the nutrient composition, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility (in vitro) and methane (CH4) emission potential of commonly used tropical forages in rabbits. Seven fodder species, namely, Trifolium alexandrinum, Trifolium resupinatum, Avena sativa, Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, Brassica campestris, Cichorium intybus; and seven grass species, namely, Pennisetum purpureum, Panicum antidotale, Cenchrus ciliaris, Pennisetum orientale, Setaria anceps and Atriplex lentiformis were evaluated at early, mid and late stages of maturity. At each maturity, samples were collected from four replicate plots of each species, and subsequently analyzed for the contents of dry matter (DM) and nutrient composition. The DM and NDF degradability, and CH4 emission was measured using an in vitro gas production system. The CH4 concentration in the gas was measured using Gas Chromatography. Large variation (P < 0.001) was observed for contents of all measured chemical components among the forage species. With advancing maturity, the contents of crude protein (CP), ether extract, and hemicelluloses decreased (P ⃞ 0.001) with concomitant increase (P ⃞ 0.001) in NDF content. Moreover, in vitro DM and NDF degradability decreased (P ⃞ 0.001) and CH4 emission increased (P ⃞ 0.001) with increasing maturity. Overall, the fodder species had higher fiber digestibility and produce less CH4 as compared to grass species, and among the fodder species T. alexandrinum had higher fiber degradability (48%) and produced less CH4 (7.2 ml/ 100 g organic matter) at early maturity, and could be an ideally fed to rabbits as forage sources. This study highlights that forage species and harvest maturity has a profound influence on nutrients supply to rabbit and on CH4 emission to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic nematodes as alternatives to chemical pesticides for management of insect pests of various crop is an environmentally safe approach. Compatibility of Steinernema feltiae, S. asiaticum, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and H. indica with seven chemical and biopesticides (imidacloprid (0.60 ml/L), spinosad (0.45 g/L), azadirachtin (1.5 ml/L), abamectin (1.25 ml/L), emamectin (0.20 ml/L), lambda-cyhalothrin (0.15 ml/L) and radiant (1.5 g/L) against Galleria mellonella was evaluated in lab. H. bacteriophora survived best as compared to all other entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) species in all tested chemicals. S. feltiae survival was higher in imidacloprid followed by lambda-cyhalothrin, while abamectin proved to be lethal for S. feltiae. Azadirachtin and lambda-cyhalothrin proved to be compatible with H. bacteriophora as its survival was higher as compared to the rest of chemicals while radiant proved to be less friendly for its survival. Emamectin followed by abamectin were more compatible with S. asiaticum whereas radiant was least compatible. Exposure of H. indica to spinosad and emamectin resulted in greater survival of nematodes while survival was lower when applied with lambda-cyhalothrin and radiant. Survival of S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora was higher when compared to H. indica and S. asiaticum. The infectivity of S. feltiae was the maximum when used with imidacloprid and lambda-cyhalothrin. H. bacteriophora proved to be more compatible with imidacloprid, azadirachtin, emamactin and lambda-cyhalothrin. S. asiaticum and H. indica were compatible with emamectin. Among all tested chemicals, EPN species were sensitive to abamectin. These results showed that EPN species. with better compatibility with evaluated pesticides may be included in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rabbit phenotypes and production systems (traditional vs. intensive) on the production performance of indigenous rabbits in Northern Pakistan. A total of 128 rabbits from four distinct phenotypes, denoted as white, black and white, brown and black, were allotted to a traditional (household subsistence) and intensive (modern husbandry and balanced feeding) production systems for a period of 12 months. Compared to the traditional production system, mean litter size was large (P < 0.05) at birth (6.47 vs. 5.13) and weaning (5.84 vs. 4.41), while the pre-weaning mortality was lower (P ≤ 0.05; 9.41 vs. 13.6%) under the intensive production system. Inter-kindling interval was lower (P ≤ 0.05; 53.3 vs. 84.7 days) and the rate of annual kindling was higher (P ≤ 0.05; 6.58 vs. 4.29) under the traditional system. However, the mean weight of doe at first kindling (1329 vs. 1199 g) and the mean weight of kit at weaning (348 vs. 308 g) was higher (P ≤ 0.05) under the intensive production system. This study develops the first dataset on the production performance of rabbits raised in Northern Pakistan under traditional and intensive production systems, and shows that the production performance of indigenous rabbits can be improved under the intensive production systems, and brown phenotypes are more efficient in terms of weight gain at weaning and first kindling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune systems of species are basically dynamic for evolution and survival, and the animal selection patterns in innate immune loci are of prodigious importance in molecular evolutionary research. Interferon alpha (IFN-α) plays a fundamental role in innate immune response with biological and antiviral activity. In the current study, the IFN-α gene was genetically and phylogenetically characterized in thirty Beetal goats by direct sequencing. Genomic DNA was isolated and sequencing analysis of IFN-α gene revealed two missense substitutions (A83G: Lys28Arg, A127G: Thr43Ala) and one synonymous substitution (A144G). Phylogenetic analysis and genetic distance showed the specieswise clustering and higher genetic distance with other goats. This information in Pakistani indigenous goats may provide useful insights into the design of molecular selection strategies for genetic improvement of animal and further biological studies in other goat breeds may provide evolutionary way to acquire better disease resistant animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable agriculture production is only possible through good soil health attainted through balanced use of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The imbalanced fertilizer application is a major cause of low sugarcane yield and deterioration of soil. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of combined application of compost and inorganic fertilizers on spring planted sugarcane for two consecutive years (2013-14 and 2014-15) at the Research Farm, Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute (SSRI) Jhang, Pakistan. Experiment was comprised of different compost and fertilizer combinations viz. compost (1124 kg ha-1) alone, fertilizer (168:112:112 kg NPK ha-1) alone, compost (843 kg ha-1) + fertilizer (42:28:28 kg NPK ha-1), compost (562 kg ha-1) + fertilizer (84:56:56 kg NPK ha-1), compost (281 kg ha-1) + fertilizer (126:84:84 kg NPK ha-1) and compost (1124 kg ha-1) + fertilizer (42:28:28 kg NPK ha-1). The study was managed under randomized complete block design with three replications. Sugarcane variety S2003-US-114 (CPF-248) was used as medium for the trial. Results revealed the average maximum leaf area index (7.73), crop growth rate (11.19) and net assimilation rate (2.47) recorded from combined application of compost (1124 kg ha-1) with fertilizer (42:28:28 kg NPK ha-1). Highest average number of millable canes (14), cane length (260 cm), weight per stripped cane (0.86 kg), un-stripped cane yield (138.42 t ha-1), stripped cane yield (116.27 t ha-1) and sugar recovery (13.49%) were recorded in compost (1124 kg ha-1) + fertilizer (42:28:28 kg NPK ha-1) followed by compost (562 kg ha-1) + fertilizer (84:56:56 kg NPK ha-1) and fertilizer alone at (168:112:112 kg NPK ha-1) during both the years. There was minute difference in yield among the years due to change in environmental conditions during both crop growing season. The average maximum benefit cost ratio 1.78 was also gained from compost (1124 kg ha-1) + fertilizer (42:28:28 kg NPK ha-1) application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of traditional agriculture into knowledge-based agriculture and shift from cereal to high value agriculture predominantly depends on extension work. So far, many extension programs have been launched to close the existing gap. Model farm service center (MFSC) is a public-private partnership program established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan with the aim to promote agricultural activity and bring progressive changes in the farming communities. The main focus of this study is to investigate the impact of MFSCs on farming and evaluate the farmers' activities under this program. This study further compares the knowledge, skills, linkages and available facilities of the members and non-member respondents. For data collection four districts namely Swat, Mardan, Abbottabad and Dera Ismail Khan (D.I Khan) were purposely selected. From each of these four districts 120 respondents i.e. 60 member and 60 non-member farmers were randomly selected for data collection. SPSS statistical software was used for data analysis. Results of the study show that most of the farmers are of about 45 years of age or below and their main source of income is from agriculture. Most of these respondents stay in direct contact with the agriculture office for improving their skills and knowledge regarding agriculture. Results of the study further reveal that agricultural agents regularly visit their areas/farms. Most of the respondents use their own agricultural machinery during farming and cultivate their own or fellow farmer seed instead of buying it from MFSC or other input dealers. It is also found that the yield of member respondent is more than that of nonmember respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryzasativa L.) is an important crop that vital to the lives of billions of people providing almost 23percent of the calories intake. Most of the yield related traits are quantitative in nature. To improve these traits, quantitatively traits loci (QTL) are needed to be identified. Major QTLs have the tendency to be detected across populations and it mainly depends on high phenotypic variations for respective traits. Panicle characteristics are the main determinant of rice yield. Several investigations related to the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these traits have been reported. Present studies were carried out to screen the QTLs in Malaysian rice cultivars for the selection of desirable plants through marker assisted breeding. Malaysian rice cultivars were evaluated for three panicle traits; panicle length, number of panicle per plant and number of grains per panicle. Eight microsatellite markers, which have shown association with panicle traits in the literature, were selected to identify the microsatellite loci for panicle traits. Among these microsatellites markers, RM310 distinguished the Malaysian rice varieties based on number of grains per panicle. It is therefore suggested to utilize microsatellite marker RM 310 in molecular screening of rice breeding populations to identify the plant possessing high numbers of grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variability, heritability and correlation studies were carried out among F4 populations of upland cotton during 2014 at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Eight upland cotton genotypes i.e. SLH-284, CIM-446, CIM- 473, CIM-496, CIM-499, CIM-506, CIM-554 and CIM-707 and their 59 F4 populations were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Genotype means revealed highly significant differences for all the traits. On average, the F4 populations showed best performance than parental cultivars for yield attributing traits and eventually increased the seed cotton yield. Heritabilities (broad sense) were moderate to high in magnitude for all the traits. Major yield components i.e., plant height, bolls per sympodia, boll weight and seeds per boll revealed significant (p≤0.01) positive correlation with seed cotton yield. However, monopodia showed non-significant positive correlation. Overall, the F4 populations CIM-707 × CIM-506 S1, CIM-446 × CIM-284 S2, SLH-284 × CIM-499 S2 and CIM-554 × CIM-473 S2 exhibited maximum boll weight and bolls per sympodia and eventually the seed cotton yield. Results further revealed that F4 populations with larger genetic potential, positive association between yield and yield contributing traits and moderate to high heritability could guide intensive selection for improvement in segregating populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are one of the natural sources of bioactive molecules with potential abilities against different stress conditions. During pathogenic exposure, an array of biologically active molecules like reactive oxygen intermediates, phytoalexins and defense peptides are synthesized as measure of plant resistance to combat the intensifying conditions. Such molecules play a key role in advancement in potential therapeutics development. Psoralea corylifolia (P. corylifolia), a medicinal herb was evaluated under fungal stress and normal conditions for its inherent bioactive potential. Under fungal stress plant protein/peptide extracts showed greater antioxidant potential evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity assay. Mutagenicity of the extracts showed that the plant was safe to use. Hemolytic activity assay exhibited increased percentage in induced seedling extracts that instigates possible applications of extracts against cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex has a vital importance in the life of human beings; propagation of human life and society at large is mainly dependent upon its disciplined fulfillment. Thus all the divine religions made the marriage as an institution of legal relationship between man and woman through the family system. It is understood that society and civilization require for their existence a certain amount of regulation of sexual expression. However, it is also a fact that what is seen as being beneficial to society is not always considered by an individual as being beneficial to him. Humanity has been dwindling between the two extremes with reference to sexuality. Today, porn is advertised under the banner of sex education by including it in the syllabus of some educational systems. In all times and at all levels of human culture instructions in the matters of sex have been closely bound up with the social mores and the prevailing codes of ethics applied to sexual conduct. In the development of these codes, religion has of course been a dominant factor. The Quranic teachings related to human sexuality are of the most sober nature, which have further been explained in different Traditions of the Holy Prophet. This paper discusses the Quranic verses related to some aspects of human sexuality as the most idealistic method of educatinghuman beings about this significant subject. We believe that if those provisions were not revealed, then Muslims may have diverted from accomplishing the path of natural sexual desire to unnatural lust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic potential and combining ability were studied in 6 × 6 F1 cross of Gossypium hirsutum L. at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Six parental genotypes (CIM-446, CIM-496, CIM-499, CIM-506, CIM-554 and CIM- 707) and their 30 F1 diallel progenies were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant (p<0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for bolls per sympodia, bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield per plant, lint % and lint index. F1 hybrids showed significant increase over parental means for all the traits. Mean squares due to GCA and SCA were highly significant for all the traits. The GCA mean squares were higher than SCA for majority traits which revealed that additive genes controlled the inheritance. Utilization of best general combiners (CIM-446 and CIM-554) as one of the parents produced promising F1 population (CIM-446 × CIM-554, CIM-446 × CIM-496 and CIM-506 × CIM-554) with desirable SCA and mean performance for yield and fiber traits. Therefore, high × low, low × high and in some cases high × high GCA parents showed best performance for majority traits. Correlation of seed cotton yield was significantly positive with yield related traits however, the association was negative with lint %. Additive gene action controlled the inheritance, and selection in above promising hybrids could be used in early segregating generations and in hybrid cotton production to enhance the seed cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytase is an enzyme which breakdown the complex organic (unavailable) forms of phosphorous such as phytic acid into simpler inorganic (available) forms. Aim of the present study was to isolate, characterize and optimize physicochemical conditions of phytase producing bacteria. Phytase producing bacterial isolates were screened on phosphate solubilizing media. Isolates (PHY02, PHY03, PHY06, PHY07, PHY12, and PHY30) were identified by morphological, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics as Lactobacillus casei, Enterobacter intermedius, Bacillus badius, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., and Klebsiella spp., respectively. All isolates (PHY02, PHY03, PHY06, PHY07, PHY12, and PHY30) produced optimum level of phytase on 37°C (27, 9, 19, 40, 19, and 32 IU/ml, respectively), pH 6.5 (26, 15, 19, 41, 19, and 32 IU/ml, respectively) and 1% NaCl (27, 15, 17, 41, 18, and 32 IU/ml, respectively). PHY03, PHY06, PHY07 and PHY12 had significantly higher (P<0.05) enzyme production when glucose was used as sole source of corbon, while 0.3% lactose was preferred by PHY02 and PHY30. Peptone was preferred nitrogen sources for PHY02, PHY12, PHY07 and PHY30, while tryptone was preferred by PHY03 and PHY06, respectively. Phytase producing bacterial isolates may be further analyzed and developed as indigenous biofertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty two advanced lines of bread wheat including 6 approved varieties were used to study morpho-physiological diversity under drought conditions at post-anthesis stage based on 18 plant characters. A multivariate approach including correlation, principal component and cluster analysis was used to quantify the variability among the wheat lines. Correlation analysis showed that grain yield was positively correlated with yield attribute like head weight, spike length, spikelets per spike, grains per spike, days to heading and days to maturity. Grain yield, on the other hand, did not show any positive association with physiological traits. Relative water content was positively correlated with head weight and negatively associated with excised leaf weight loss. Head weight was negatively correlated with residual transpiration. Principal component (PC) analysis resulted in six principal components (PCs) having Eigen value >1 which contributed 70.908% of the total variability amongst the wheat genotypes assessed for various morph-physiological traits. The PC I contributed maximum towards the variability (24.108%) and this variability was mainly conditioned by yield attributes like spikelets per spike, grains per spike, days to heading, head weight, flag leaf area, spike length and grain yield. PC analysis also supported the results of correlation analysis that yield components were not correlated with the physiological characters. Cluster analysis grouped 52 genotypes into 4 clusters. Cluster 1 comprised of 17 genotypes, cluster 2 of 16 while cluster 3 had 6 and cluster 4 contained 13 genotypes. Cluster 1 comprised of lines having high values for grain yield attribute, while cluster 2 lines showed drought tolerance characters like high relative water content and less residual transpiration. Altogether, this research showed that enormous amount of morpo-physiological variation was present in this group of genotypes which could be helpful for selection of favourable cultivars for drought tolerance in bread wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the acute toxicity effects of Pb2+ on essential trace metals behavior and histopathology of Crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). The median lethal concentration (96 h LC50) of Pb2+ was determined to be 29.07 mgL-1 in a semi-static bioassay. The fish were exposed to sublethal concentration of 5mgL-1 as environmentally relevant Pb2+ for a period of 96 h. Trace metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe and Ca) levels were determined in the gill, liver, kidney and muscles tissue by ICP-OES. Regression analysis revealed that Pb2+ exposure had negative impact on the level of Cu, Zn, Fe and Ca in certain tissues (P<0.05;P<0.01). Histopathological changes in the gills of exposed fish were characterized by lamellar shrinkage, disruption of cartilaginous core, epithelial lifting, lamellar shortening with desquamation and curling of the secondary lamella. The trunk kidney had severe shrinkage of glomeruli, hypoplasia of hemopoietic tissue as well as mild glomerular and tubular necrosis. The liver showed cellular edema, necrosis of hepatocytes with nuclear degeneration and pyknotic nuclei. The brain exhibited severe proliferation of glial cells, cellular necrosis, severe perivascular edema and satellitosis. These results clearly depict the deleterious effects of Pb2+ on trace metal metabolism and tissue architecture of Crucain carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of replacing vitamin E with Grape Polyphenol (GPP) on growth performance, relative organs weight and antioxidant status of broilers was examined in the present study. A total of 280 Hubbard broiler chicks were randomly divided into 28 experimental units of 10 chicks each. A basal starter diet (control) was formulated having 22.5% CP, 3200 kcal/kg ME and 100-ppm vitamin E. The other dietary treatments were obtained by fortifying the basal diet with 25 (low GPP; LGPP), 50 (medium GPP; MGPP) and 75 ppm (high GPP; HGPP) GPP in place of vitamin E. Likewise, a finisher basal diet (20% CP and 3200 kcal/kg ME) and other dietary treatments were formulated having same proportions of GPP and vitamin E as in starter diets. Each dietary treatment was randomly assigned to seven replicate pens. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio remained unaltered among different treatment groups during all growth periods. However, free radical scavenging activity in breast and leg muscles increased quadratically (P<0.05) with MGPP showing the highest antioxidant status (P<0.05). The organs like kidney and heart showed linear depression in weight by increasing GPP concentration while relatively lower weight of liver was observed in MGPP diet. In conclusion, replacing vitamin E with GPP in broiler diets did not exhibit difference in performance however, better antioxidant status was observed by addition of 50 mg/kg of GPP in the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five wheat genotypes including local wheat as a check were tested for grain yield stability at three different locations under rained conditions during 2006-07 in highland of Balochistan, Pakistan. These genotypes were exposed to different soil type, soil fertility, moisture levels and temperature. The G × E interaction mean squares were non-significant for grain yield. The mean square due to pooled deviations were, however highly significant indicating significant difference among five genotypes for non liner response. The overall mean grain yield performance of genotypes acroö environments ranged from 1198 to 2203 kg/ha. The stability parameters indicated regreöion coefficient (bi) value ranging from 0.998 in AZRC-3 to 1.004 in local wheat cultivar. Cultivar AZRC-3 having by values close to unity with higher grain yield showed consistent performance under different environments and considered as stable and widely adopted. This cultivar also showed the ideal stable performance with regard to mean grain yield of 2203 kg/ha, regreöion coefficient value of 0.998 and dispersion value of 0.002 followed by cultivar AZRC-2 (1999 kg/ha) with regreöion coefficient value of 0.999 and dispersion value (0.000). Based on bi and S2d values cultivar AZRC-4 was found to be stable for specific adaptation in favorable environments and produced good yield with regreöion coefficient > 1.0. Whereas, cultivars AZRC-1, AZRC-2 and AZRC-3 having values close to unity with higher grain yield showed consistent performance over different environments and could be considered as stable and widely adapted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple (Malusdomesticaborkh) is one of the popular fruit with an annual global production of several million tones. The use of apple in food production industry led to the generation of huge waste materials in the form of peels and pomace. Owing to the high amounts of lignocellulosics present in the wastes, these can be served as substrate for the production of plant cell-wall degrading enzymes (CWDE). The present study describes the potential of an indigenously isolated strain of Aspergillusfumigatusto produce plant CWDE using apple peels under submerged as well solid-state fermentation. It was observed that the strain was able to produce higher activity of pectinase and xylanase under both the types of fermentation at 30° as well as at 40°C. While less titers of filter paperase, endoglucanase, β-glucosidase was obtained. However, the production of plant CWDE was influenced when the apple peels were supplemented with carboxymethyl cellulose, xylan, pectin and lactose. Interestingly, a structurally irrelevant substrate, lactose, acted as inducer, particularly for the production of pectinase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of replacing soybean meal with silkworm meal on production performance, apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent nutrients digestibility in broiler during starter phase. Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated by stepwise i.e. 0% (SM0), 25% (SM25), 50% (SM50), 75% (SM75) and 100% (SM100) replacement of soybean meal with silkworm meal in broiler ration. Two hundred and fifty broiler day-old chicks were divided into twenty-five replicate groups (n=10), with five replicates per diet using a completely randomized design. The silkworm meal analysis showed higher levels of crude protein (57.6 ± 1.50%) and crude fat (23.3 ± 0.21%). The silkworm meal has higher contents (g/100g of total amino acids) of lysine (7.52 ± 0.376) and methionine (3.88 ± 0.376), but was slightly deficient in tryptophan (1.70 ± 0.413). Mean intake of feed, gain in body weight and dressing percentage were higher (P < 0.05) in group SM75 in comparison with other groups. Moreover, better (P < 0.05) FCR was observed for SM0 (1.58± 0.031) and SM75 (1.59 ± 0.071) groups than SM50 (1.62 ± 0.030) group. The AME was higher (P < 0.05) in group SM75 and SM100 in comparison with other groups. The digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash and N free extract did not differ (P > 0.05). The organoleptic quality parameters were not altered (P > 0.05) due to replacement of soybean meal by silkworm meal. The findings of the present study revealed that silkworm meal may effectively be used by replacing 75% soybean meal as low-cost protein ingredient in broiler ration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]