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The aim of this study was to prepare cookies from common wheat and maize composite flour. The formulations of the study were F0 (100% wheat flour), F1 (90% wheat flour + 10% maize flour), F2 (80% wheat flour + 20% maize flour), F3 (70% wheat flour + 30% maize flour), F4 (60% wheat flour + 40% maize flour), F5(50% wheat flour + 50% maize flour), and F6 (100% maize flour). Physicochemical analysis of the cookies showed the different trend from F0 to F6. Mean score for moisture content increased and the ranged between F0-F6 (3.24-3.29%), other physicochemical parameters showed decreasing trend like ash (0.80-0.73%), fat 24.23-23.94%), protein (8.20-7.68%), fiber (6.47-6.38%) while NFE increased slowly (57.86-58.60%). The color of the cookies ranged from F0-F6 (6.88-6.93), taste ranged F0-F6 (6.82- 6.04) and texture ranged F0-F6 (6.91-6.15). Maximum overall acceptability was recorded in F2 (7.32) proceeded by F0 (6.99) whereas minimum mean score was recorded in F6 (6.37) proceeded by F5(6.47). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the impact of integrated use of biochar and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on soil physicochemical properties at various growth stages of maize and subsequent wheat crop. Biochar was applied before sowing, while N application was carried out in splits to the crops. The study was conducted in district Buner, Pakistan using randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement. Biochar was applied at the rates of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ton/ha as the main plot factor. The immediate effect of biochar was assessed on maize crop integrated with four levels of N viz. 0, 100,150 and 200 kg/ha applied as sub-plot factor. The residual impact of the previously applied biochar levels coupled with fresh applications of N at the rate of 0, 80, 120 and 200 kg/ha was assessed on subsequent wheat crop grown on the same plots. The soil physicochemical properties were evaluated in the beginning, reproductive stage and at maturity of each crop. The average values of soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), N, P and K of the soil before sowing of maize crop were found to be 8.2, 0.37 dS/m, 0.95%, 1.74 mg/kg, 3.45 mg/kg, 61.5 mg/kg, respectively. Biochar and N application significantly (p≤0.05) increased soil pH whereas soil OM was substantially enhanced only with biochar at the reproductive stage of maize. However, at this stage, the effect of biochar and N application was not significant (p≥0.05) on soil EC. At maturity stage of maize crop, soil pH, OM and EC were not significantly (p≥0.05) varied from that at reproductive stage. Residual biochar significantly (p≤0.05) increased soil pH and OM at reproductive stage of wheat. Similarly, the effect of both residual biochar and different N levels was not significant (p≥0.05) on soil EC. However, at maturity stage of wheat crop soil OM, was significantly (p≤0.05) increased with biochar residues and N applications, whereas soil pH was only influenced by residual biochar. The effect of N was not significant (p≥0.05) on soil pH and EC at maturity stage of wheat crop. As biochar improve the soil physicochemical properties therefore biochar application along with N fertilizer might be helpful in maintaining healthy soil for better crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on forecasting the production and yield of food crops in Pakistan. Utilizing the "Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average" (ARIMA) model and data from 1948 to 2011. The data was obtained from Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Islamabad and various Economic Surveys of Pakistan. The result predicts that wheat (production and yield) forecast for 2029-30 to be about 37188 thousand tons and 3454 kg ha-1, respectively. The rice (production and yield) forecast for 2029-30 will be about 7176 thousand tons and 2630 kg ha-1, respectively. The maize (production and yield) forecast for 2029-30 will be about 5784 thousand tons and 6088 kg ha-1, respectively. In short, the production growth rate of wheat, rice and maize was higher in 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]