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Present study was conducted at Surgarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2018-19 to evaluate twelve (12) exotic sugarcane clones imported from Philippines for biometric traits and diseases resistance in local climatic conditions. These clones were put in preliminary yield trials (4th stage) of varietal development program to evaluate their performance in comparison with local check varieties HSF 240 and CPF 249. The exotic genotypes along with local checks were subjected to randomized complete block design (RCBD) by keeping three replications during crop season 2018-19. Six biometric traits like germination%, tillers per plant, no. of canes, cane weight, cane yield and sugar contents along with resistance to two major diseases viz. red rot and smut of sugarcane were studied. Two-sided Dunnett’s multiple test was used for comprehensive comparison among bimetric traits. The results of this study indicated that all the clones differed significantly for their agronomic traits. Although some varieties of Philippines showed better performance for cane yield (PSR 01-46, 184.7 t/ha) as compared to check varieties but they could not surpass them for sugar contents (11.54%) and also found susceptible to red rot and smut diseases. Only three exotic clones viz. PSR 01-28, PSR 98-11 and PSR 99-182 were promoted to next selection stage of varietal development program on the basis of higher or comparable cane yield (120.7, 141.7 and 105.3 t/ha, respectively) than check varieties and diseases reaction. However, the sugar contents of these exotic clones were found at par with check varieties and thus further testing and evaluation is required to improve adaptability and stability for consistent performance under local agro-ecological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, water shortage, and costlier inputs are main issues in sugarcane productivity across sugarcane growing areas of the country. Sugarcane is a valuable cash crop and rewarding sector of agriculture. Varietal development process depends upon selection of successive clonal generations; among these preliminary yield trial (Nursery-III) is fourth selection stage. Thirty four (34) clones were tested in three sets using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replication during 2017-18 at research farm of Sugarcane Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The clones were evaluated using five basic biometric parameters keeping in view the farmer's and miller's demand. The genetic variability and performance of all clones was checked by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Among all 34 clones, 16 clones were promoted into next selection stage while taking HSF-240 and SPF-245 as check varieties. The clones S2015-SL-10, S2015-SL-89, S2015-SL-101 and S2015-SL-624 produced sugar yield more than 13 tons per hectare. These clones may give future hope for current varietal development program subject to showing good performance in next selection stages because further selection stages will decide the fate of suchclones. The promising clones among these may be selected as candidate variety for approval after evaluating their performance in farmer's field trials and under national trials in different sugarcane growing areas of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in the Department of Agriculture Extension, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad during 2018 to assess the impact of sustainable agricultural extension policy on service delivery to the farmers. The production of the agriculture sector can be enhanced if the delivery of services to farmers by the extension workers are organized and rationalized through sustainable agricultural extension policies. Keeping in view the emerging threats and issues hampering the sustainable development in Pakistan, there is a need to streamline existing agricultural extension systems on modern grounds through bringing transformation, innovation, and compatibility in it as a national agricultural extension policy. Pakistan has an agriculture-based economy that still lacks a comprehensive national agricultural extension policy to cope with all these looming threats. Agricultural extension professionals from Department of Agricultural Extension Services were considered as a population of the study. Data were collected throughout the whole country. A total of 24 districts were selected keeping in view the accessibility and financial resources. A total of 10 agricultural extension professionals per district were selected. The proportionate sampling technique was used for sample selection from each province. A structured questionnaire was developed for data collection. The study concluded that the impact of agricultural extension policy would be higher on strengthening farmers’ contact. Furthermore, the impact of agricultural extension policy on different profession-related activities was significantly dependent on competencies and skills enhancement opportunities of extension field staff in agricultural extension setup. The study recommended that the national agricultural extension policy is very much necessary to make the efforts for agricultural development more coherent and coordinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted under the laboratory conditions in the Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2014 to investigate the effect of supplementation of lysine on nutrient digestibility in the juveniles of Labeo rohita. Seven experimental diets were formulated by supplementing 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% lysine and designated as D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7, respectively. To test each diet, two replicates with 20 fish each (average weight 3.526±0.056g) were assigned. The experiment was performed within the time duration of 60 days. Water quality parameters like dissolved oxygen (5.8-7.3 mg/L), temperature (24.9-28.7°C) and pH (7.4-8.6) were maintained throughout this period. Results showed that lysine supplementation in fish diet increased the digestibility of crude protein and dry matter. Maximum digestibility of crude protein and dry matter was observed at lysine level of 1.5 and 2.5%, respectively. However, it was observed that digestibility of crude fat decreased in response to lysine supplementation. In conclusion, it was found that lysine supplementation improved the nutrient digestibility performance of juveniles of L. rohita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insecticides, indispensable in crop-protection, leave behind the toxic residues of various kinds, which may lead to a variety of metabolic and systemic dysfunctions in man and other non-target organisms through dietary intake. Therefore, this study was conducted in the Department of Entomology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan during the year 2015. to evaluate the residual level of insecticides. Optimized analytical methods using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were adopted for the simultaneous screening of roughly 22 insecticides in fruits, vegetables, pollen, nectar and water samples in three zones of Punjab Pakistan. Out of total of 143 samples analyzed (59 fruits & vegetables, 36 pollen, 36 nectar and 27 water samples), 50 samples (34.96%) were found positive for one or more insecticides. Fruits and vegetables 24(40.67%), pollen 8(22.22%) and nectar 6(16.66%) and water 18(66.67%) samples were found positive. Total 13 insecticides were detected in 27 water-samples of three zones of Punjab (Pakistan) ranging from 0.02 to 0.8 µg/L. Different insecticides including carbosulfan, profenofos, cypermethrin, endosulfan sulfate and chlorpyriphos-methyl were frequently detected in the fruit and vegetable samples. The results suggest that consumers of Punjab province are exposed to the lower concentrations of insecticides that can cause long-lasting disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken the Department of Entomology, University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha Pakistan during the year 2015. The objective was to determine the population dynamics of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in citrus orchards of central Punjab (Pakistan) and also to assess the influence of prevailing abiotic weather factors on its population fluctuations. Random sampling was done from 7-9 years old orchards of Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and sweet orange; mosambi cultivar (C. sinensis) in three citrus growing localities including Faisalabad, Sargodha and Toba Tek Singh districts. Psyllids nymphs and adults were counted with weekly intervals from February to May from 30 cm apical portions of shoots on four sides of each plant. Mean population of both adults and nymphs of Asian citrus psyllids was found higher at Sargodha than other two localities most probably due to prevailing agro-climatic conditions of Sargodha region which are favourable for citrus and, hence, for its insect pests. Average population (± SE) of psyllid nymphs and adults was recorded on Kinnow mandrin as 5.72 ± 0.95 and 5.33 ± 1.17 for Faisalabad, 12.28 ± 0.64 and 6.28 ± 0.63 for Sargodha and 8.06 ± 1.00 and 9.56 ± 0.77 for Toba Tek Singh, respectively. Likewise, average population (+ SE) of psyllid nymphs and adults on sweet orange was recorded as 17.67 ± 1.47 and 8.06 ± 1.21 for Faisalabad, 36.11 ± 2.06 and 16.28 ± 0.63 for sargodha and 13.17 ± 1.89 and 11.17 ± 1.32 for Toba Tek Singh, respectively. Average maximum population of Asian citrus psyllids was recorded in mid-February (34.5 ± 3.3 individuals twig-1) and mid-May (38.5 ± 5.2 individuals twig-1) and minimum in end February (16.3 ± 4.4 individuals twig-1) and end March (17.2.5 ± 3.8 individuals twig-1); on both citrus cultivars at all localities studied. Mean weekly temperature (R-1 value = 51.3) and relative humidity (R2 value = 51.6) explained significantly psyllid population. Together the three abiotic weather factors explained approximately 69% of the Asian citrus psyllid population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted at Institute of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2012 to sort out technical as well as environmental efficiency related to sugarcane crop in district Faisalabad. Stochastic production frontier approach (SFA) was used to estimate determinants. Primary data (120 respondents) were collected by conducting surveys of four villages of district Faisalabad through simple random sampling. The results showed that sugarcane producers were 88.8 percent technically efficient. Environmental efficiency for use of nitrogenous fertilizer alone was estimated at 50.2 percent and for pesticide alone was estimated at 38 percent. Environmental efficiency for both nitrogenous fertilizer and pesticide environmental efficiency was estimated at 45 percent because of more efficient use of fertilizer. This study also depicted that medium and large famers were environmentally less efficient as compared to small farmers. The findings suggest that role of agricultural extension is a big question. There is a need to train the farmers in a manner to achieve higher and efficient yield. Program should be initiated to educate the farmers regarding the optimum quantity use of inputs and at proper timings. Farmers should be informed to use recommended level of pesticide and fertilizer for the production of sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present research work was conducted at Fish Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad Pakistan during the year 2013 to investigate the effect of phytase and citric acid on scale mineralization in Rohu, Labeo rohita juveniles fed on soybean meal based diet. Three levels of each of phytase (0, 750 and 1000 FTU/kg) and citric acid (0, 1.5 and 3%) were supplemented in 33 factorial arrangement under CRD resulting in the formulation of nine experimental diets. Results indicated improved (P<0.05) contents of P, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn in scales of juveniles in response to phytase supplementation. Similarly, improved (P<0.05) deposition of these minerals was also recorded in juveniles having citric acid supplemented diet. However, a significant interaction among both the supplements (phytase and citric acid) was only observed for P and Ca deposition. In conclusion, phytase and citric acid supplementations in soybean meal based diet enhanced the bioavailability of minerals to L. rohita juveniles, resulting in improved scales mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus crop is attacked by one of the major insect pests known as citrus leaf miner (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella stainton that caused extensive damage in both nurseries and orchards in Pakistan. Population density of P. citrella was monitored in Citrus reticulata (Blanco orchards for 2 years by scouting weekly for larval-induced mines on the leaf surface. Current study was conducted at Department of Entomology, University of Sargodha during 2014 and 2015 to check seasonal abudance of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on mandarin (Spindales: Rutaceae) Groves in Pakistan. The results showed that there was no significant difference of P. Citrella incidence in different tehsils of Sargodha. The significantly higher population of P. citrella was observed in September during both study years. While in January to March the P. Citrella populations were observed minimum. The overall, density of P. citrella was greater during 2015 (65%) compared to 2014 (61%). The abiotic factors such as temperature showed significantly positive correlation with an infestation of P. citrella, however, humidity did not show any significant effect on P. citrella infestation during both years. As seen from the results, the P. citrella infestation was more pronounced in September during both years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study was conducted at Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan during 2020 to determine the effectiveness of different fruit bagging materials to reduce the fruit fly infestation and also to check their impact on skin color of developing fruits and also upon the fruit quality in citrus variety "kinnow mandarin". The fruits were covered with four types of bagging materials such as perforated polyethylene, butter paper, muslin cloth bag and brown paper. No fruit fly infestation was observed in fruits covered with different types of bags as compared with unwrapped fruits. However, 12.43% fruit fly infestation was recorded in non wrapped bags. Fruits covered with brown paper bags and butter paper bags did not show any blemish problem and were also free from citrus canker. Bagging with perforated polyethylene, brown paper and butter paper materials also resulted in improving the fruit colour. None of the bagging material resulted in increase in fruit size (length x width) and fruit weight in citrus fruits. Statistically, the highest amount of juice weight (54.22 g) was detected in fruits enveloped in brown papers followed by butter paper bag (53.31 g), perforated polyethylene bags (50.89 g), muslin cloth bag (48.43 g) and non-bagged (47.43 g) fruits. The highest amount of TSS was found in fruits wrapped in brown paper bags (11.67%) followed by muslin cloth bag (11.41%) and were statistically at par with each other but significantly different with perforated polyethylene bags (11.11%), butter paper bags (10.35%) and un-wrapped fruits (10.60%). Lowest (0.87%) and highest (1.02%) acidity was observed in fruits wrapped with brown paper and muslin cloth bags, respectively was observed. In short bagging material could be used to protect citrus from fruitfly attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The farmer's practice of buring the crop residues to clear the land before sowing is seen in various crop zones in Pakistan. In rice-wheat cropping system in Punjab, rice stubble is considered as a big problem for farmers. The crop stubbles damage the implements like cultivator rotavator that is why farmers prefers to burn these stubbles before preparation. The burning of rice stubble ease the field operations for wheat sowing but deteriorate the air and soil quality. To solve this problem of farmers, a research experiment was conducted during 2017-18 and 2018-19 at Agronomic Research Station Farooqabad to evaluate the effect of various sowing techniques on yields parameter and economics of wheat crop under rice wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid down with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments included viz.T1: sowing with happy seeder (Zero tillage), T2: sowing of wheat without burning of rice stubble (Conventional Technique), T3: sowing of wheat by field preparation with Rotavator (two times), T4: sowing of wheat after burning stubbles of rice crop. The results of all treatments were significantly differed with each other. Maximum plant height (95 cm and 97 cm), numbers of productive tillers/m² (325 tillers/m² and 328 tillers/m2), thousand grain weight (39 g and 42 g), grain yield (3880 and 3700 kg/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.36 and 2.25) were recorded from the treatment where wheat crop was sown with happy seeder (zero tillage) during study years 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively than other techniques. It was concluded that farmers mayfetch higher yield and economics in wheat by sowing with happy seeder in rice wheat cropping system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted during the year 2019 at Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Domestic food insecurity is a major challenge in many underdeveloped nations which has been prioritized in their domestic economic policies. In rural areas, females are accountable for food cultivation, food making, storage, and household resource management but their critical roles as food producers and food providers have not been entirely acknowledged. So, this study investigates the roles of rural females in the provision of domestic food security. In the present research, cross-sectional research was conducted and data was collected from three districts of Punjab, Pakistan through a structured interview schedule from 420 rural households through a simple random sampling method. Outcomes stated that North Punjab (Chakwal) had a high 60.7% food-security position; (Faisalabad) Central Punjab had a medium 52.2% food-security status while South Punjab (Vehari) had a low 40.0% food-security status. The outcomes revealed that in food production, 67% of women participated as labor force, in food access 23% of women participated in income-generating activities and 57.4% of females were engaged in buying food, in food utilization 77% of females contributed in processing, making and distributing of food for members of the family. Overall in Punjab, only 15.2% of females have a great extent of awareness about healthy food. Regionally, South Punjab has low 7.9%, Central Punjab has medium 16.4% and North Punjab has high 21.4% knowledge and awareness about nutritious food. Binary logistic regression presented a positive effect between female education, women's revenue, females' decision-making authority, females' knowledge and control over capital in guaranteeing domestic food security whereas female's age and family size had an adverse outcome with family food-security status. The study recommended that it is essential to enhance females' income-generating opportunities through the provision of education, training, and provide equal access to resources for sustainable household food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is a summer vegetable and ranks among the major vegetables in tropical world including many Afro-Asian countries. However, this crop is attacked by many species of insect pests among which the most destructive species are okra fruit and shoot borers (Helicoverpa armigera and Earias vittella, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) which cause considerable loss to okra crop each year. As screening of plant material against insect pests is a cost-effective and eco-friendly pest management approach, this in-situ study evaluated 12 genotypes of okra for their relative tolerance or susceptibility against lepidopterous shoot and fruit borers under the indigenous agro-climatic conditions of Sargodha district. The experiment was conducted at research area College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan in April 2017 and was repeated again in April 2018. Experimental design was Randomised Complete Block Design and each treatment had three independent replications. Weekly data regarding the shoot and fruit infestation by lepidopterous borers were collected from randomly selected plants from each plot and were subjected factorial analyses of variance. Results revealed a significant differential response of okra genotypes to the incidence of shoot and fruit infestation by these okra borers. Genotypes sabzpari and green wonder were comparatively the most resistant or tolerant to borers' infestation exhibiting minimum shoot and fruit infestations (12-14 and 8-13%, respectively); while genotypes pusa swani and parbhani karanti were the most susceptible with maximum shoot and fruit infestations (36-40 and 20-21%, respectively). Moreover, crude protein content of fresh okra fruits was found significantly and negatively correlated with the mean percent fruit infestation. We therefore recommend sabzpari and green wonder to the indigenous farmers for commercial okra production and for better combating okra shoot and fruit borer infestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of maturity stage of olive fruit on quality of olive sherbet was investigated at Horticulture Research Station, Soon Valley Nowshera, District Khushab, Pakistan during the year 2011-12 to assess optimum harvesting time of olive fruit for preparation of its sherbet. Olive fruit was harvested at different maturity stages i.e. yellow green, semi ripened with black tinges and fully ripened black olive. Olive sherbet (syrup) was prepared by standard method and was analyzed for various quality parameters i.e. color, TSS, taste, aroma and shelf life. The results revealed that sherbet developed from the fruit harvested at fully ripened black olive maturity stage proved best for quality parameters i.e. color (gold), TSS (71.29%), Taste (6.94 scare), Aroma (6.84 score) and shelf life (344.20 days). Sherbet developed from yellow green olive fruit proved as inferior in quality with the lowest values of quality parameters. A pragmatic recommendation may be given to olive growers and processing industry regarding suitable harvesting time for preparation of olive sherbet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]