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The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of essential oils against fungal pathogens including the chemical analysis (GC-MS) of the most effective essential oil.

Blue mold caused by Penicillium species is a major fungal disease threatening the viticulture industry in Pakistan, responsible for deteriorating the quality of grapes during handling, transportation, and distribution. Identification-based approaches of Penicillium species provide a better strategy on accurate diagnosis and effective management. In this study, 13 isolates were recovered from symptomatic grape bunches at five main fruit markets of Rawalpindi district, Punjab province. Based on morphological data and multi-loci phylogenetic analysis, the isolates were identified as two distinct species viz. Penicillium expansum (eight isolates) and Penicillium crustosum (five isolates). Meanwhile, the pathogenicity test of Penicillium isolates presented by the inoculation of grape bunches showed various degrees of severity. For improving the fruit quality and eliminating the needs of synthetic fungicides, botanicals such as thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale L.), and carum (Carum capticum L.) essential oils (EOs) at concentrations of 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5 mg/mL were evaluated. In vitro studies indicated that thyme EO showed a highly significant reduction of fungal growth. Furthermore, the experiments related to reducing the decay development and average weight loss percentage of grapes revealed similar findings. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that thyme EO can be used as an eco-friendly botanical fungicide against Penicillium spp. causing blue mold disease.

Crop growth models can be valuable tools for researchers, academia, extension educators, and policy makers/planners for the evaluation of sustainable and long-term husbandry practices. Determining the optimum sowing window, which can be determined using crop growth models, is imperative under changing climate conditions. Thus, the main objectives herein were to 1) assess the performance of the cropping system model-crop environment resource synthesis-maize model for hybrids and sowing dates in the spring and autumn, and 2) determine the optimum sowing window in 15 districts of Punjab, Pakistan. In the spring experiment, 3 hybrids (P-33M15, M-DK6525, and S-NK8441) were planted in the main plots and then on 5 different sowing dates (January 15th, February 5th, February 25th, March 15th, and April 5th), they were planted in the subplots. In the autumn experiment, 3 hybrids (P-30R50, M-DK6714, and S-NK6621) were planted in the main plots and then on 5 different sowing dates (June 15th, July 5th, July 25th, August 15th, and September 5th), they were planted in the subplots. Model calibration and evaluation results were better in the spring and autumn. Performance of the model was good for the grain yield in the autumn (mean percentage difference (MPD): 7.47% to 8.90%) compared to the spring (MPD: 9.42% to 11.72%). Model evaluation was good for the early sowing dates (January 15th and February 5th) (error range: 6.26% to 9.65%) compared to the delayed dates (February 25th to April 5th) (error range: 9.34 to 14.91%). In the autumn, the model showed better performance for the delayed sowing dates (February 25th and August 15th) (error range: 5.22% to 9.43%) compared to the early dates (June 15th and July 5th) (error range: 8.56% to 11.27%). The model simulated good growth, development, grain yield, and yield components in the spring and autumn and of both 2016 and 2017. For the model application simulation of data over the long-term (1980 to 2017), the optimum sowing window in the spring was January 15th to March 5th and for the autumn it was July 23rd to August 27th for the 15 districts in Punjab, Pakistan. Simulation of the sowing dates for the whole year indicated that the spring was better compared to the autumn for obtaining the maximum grain yield. The results of the model were in line with the recommendations of the agricultural extension department for the sowing window for spring and autumn maize. It is therefore suggested that farmers should complete the sowing of spring and autumn maize within the sowing window to attain a higher yield of maize in arid and semiarid areas of Punjab, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit yield depends on spray management techniques, i.e., uniformity, time, quantity, and precision of application. Due to variability in tree canopies, it is difficult to manage spray applications properly. Old orchard sprayers apply continuous spray without differentiating between size, density and spaces between canopies, causing drift losses and environmental hazards. Keeping this in view, conventional sprayer was modified to double sided vertical boom type sprayer, which was equipped with infrared sensors, solenoid valves and Arduino Mega microcontroller, programmed with Arduino IDE. Vertical booms consist of eight nozzles, four on each side, height and width of which were adjustable according to groove age. Each pair of nozzles was controlled independently for variable rate of application with respect to canopy characteristics. Spray coverage and vertical distribution of real time variable rate sprayer (RTVRS) were analyzed and compared with conventional sprayer. Average spray coverage at discharge rates, 800 and 1200 L/hr was 5.37, 9.18 μL/cm² with RTVRS and 3.87, 6.63 μL/cm² with conventional sprayer respectively. Vertical distribution was measured for 3 m canopy height, which was divided into 3 equal sections. Percent spray deposits of RTVRS were 22.2%, 54.06%, 23.78% and conventional sprayer were 17.75%, 59.03%, 23.17% from lower to upper section, while the skewness towards top was -0.35 and -0.48 respectively. RTVRS showed promising results as compared to conventional sprayer and better replacement to address the current issues related to farmers and environment. Moreover, the cost of production is also 5 to 10 times less than imported crop sprayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To find out different bacterial isolates of urinary tract infection (UTI) in neonates with late onset sepsis (LOS) at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, Nishtar Hospital Multan. Period: August 2020 to February 2021. Material & Methods: A total of 176 neonates with LOS and culture positive UTI were enrolled. The urine samples were sent to the institutional laboratory for isolation and identification of the causative agents. Baseline information like age, gender, socioeconomic status, family system and maternal literacy were noted. Once registered, the urine samples were sent to the laboratory of the hospital for isolation and identification of the causative agents. Urine samples were collected within 48 hours of admission. Results: Of the 176 neonates, 110 (62.5%) were male while 66 (37.5%) were female. Overall, mean age was 8.64±5.22 days. There were 90 (51.1%) neonates who belonged to rural areas and 86 (48.9%) to urban areas. Poor socioeconomic status was noted in 116 (65.9%) neonates. In terms of maternal literacy, 118 (67.0%) mothers were illiterate. Overall, mean gestational age was 38.59 ± 2.17 weeks. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the predominant causative organism noted among 146 (83.0%) neonates whereas Klebsiella was seen in 23 (13.1%) while other bacterial isolates were Proteus 2 (1.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 (0.6%), Enterobacter aerogenes 1 (0.6%), Enterococcus fecalis 1 (0.6%), Staphylococcus aureus 1 (0.6%) and Group B Streptococcus 1 (0.6%). Conclusion: High frequency of Escherichia coli was observed followed by Klebsiella among neonates having urinary tract infection presenting with late onset of sepsis in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As many antagonistic plants are being continuously explored for their nematicidal potential against nematodes, therefore, in the present study two antagonistic plants viz. Cannabis sativa and Azadirachta indica at different doses viz. 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 g per kg of the soil were evaluated against Meloidogyne javanica on peach with the objective to curtail reliance on hazardous chemicals. Soil amendments of both the plants significantly reduced number of galls, eggmasses and eggs per eggmass on peach, root, soil, and total populations and reproduction factor of the nematode. Both the plants caused statistically similar reductions in these parameters at all the concentrations with few exceptions. However, the reductions caused by C. sativa were comparatively more than those by A. indica. The maximum reductions were observed at a dose of 15 g per kg of soil while the reductions were found to be the minimum with the lowest dose of 2.5 g per kg of soil. Similarly, the per cent reductions over control caused by both the plants were found to be dose dependent. As the concentration of the plant material increased, there was a corresponding decrease in the values of these parameters and the relationships were found to be inversely proportional. It is concluded from the present study that incorporation of C. sativa and A. indica in the soil as organic amendments can work very well as nematicides and can be successfully used for controlling root-knot nematodes replacing traditional chemical treatments and avoiding environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) root extract in controlling rootknot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita species and to determine its effectiveness as an intercropped plant on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) morphological and quality traits as well as on soil attributes. The results of the in vivo study revealed that the highest mortality rate (82.33%) of nematodes was observed in T3 treatment (3:1 marigold root extract in distilled water) after 72 hours while minimum egg hatching (9.33) by nematodes was obtained after 12 hours with a similar concentration. Whereas, the pot experiment of intercropping with tomato showed that after 45 days of transplanting, the maximum plant height (79.14 cm), number of leaves (28.22) and leaf area (24.46 cm²) in tomato were obtained in the T3 treatment (Tomato 1 + Marigold 2 + Root knot nematodes (RKN) 1). Similarly, maximum fruit TSS (4.90 °brix) and shelf life (8.67 days) were observed with the same treatment. Concerning root-knot nematode infestation, the maximum number of galls (39.33) and eggs (38.66) on the tomato root system were recorded in T4 (Tomato 2 + Marigold 1 + RKN 2). However, the soil analysis of intercropped crops showed that there was no significant impact of marigold and tomato intercropping on soil pH and electrical conductivity, while this intercropping scheme slightly decreased soil nutrient levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]