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Wheat straw chopper is a resource conservation technology that makes chaff from combine-harvested wheat straw and saves the environment from smoke pollution, if straw is burnt in the field. Field performance of this technology has not been evaluated yet, although this technology has been adopted in Pakistan for many years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of an improved version of wheat straw chopper in combine-harvested wheat fields of southern Punjab and to determine the economics of this machine. Five test plots ranging from 0.39 to 0.61 ha were selected to determine the performance of this machine. Results revealed that a 75 hp tractor was suitable for operating this machine. Average operating speed of chopper was 2.7 km h-1. Average effective field capacity of chopper was 0.40 ha h-1 and field efficiency was 67.9%. Amount of chaff recovered was 2404 kg ha-1 and chaff recovery from straw was 61.1%. The operating cost of chopper setup was Rs. 5,262 ha-1. Total worth of recovered chaff was Rs. 24042 ha-1 (@ Rs. 10 kg-1). Net gain in terms of recovered wheat straw was Rs. 18780 ha-1. The break even point (use) of this machine for harvesting own fields and rental fields was 77 h (31 ha) and 266 h (105.5 ha), respectively. Wheat straw chopper is a profitable technology that is getting momentum in combine-harvested wheat fields of the country, which saves chaff for cattle feed and increases the benefit of the farmer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision agriculture is to fine-tune the agricultural production system by emergence and convergence of several information-based technologies for enhancing profit and reducing environmental risks. These technologies have demonstrated to provide benefits to farmers as well as reduced environmental stresses in the developed world. Present paper provides an overview of precision agriculture and examines the potentials, prospects, implications, issues and relevance of precision agricultural applications in Pakistani agricultural system. There is a scope of many precision technologies to be implemented in the country. In this perspective, farmers and government authorities should look forward to adopt new and sustainable technologies to increase the efficiency of available resources and reduce the input costs. Before this, the effectiveness of precision technologies needs to be realised in Pakistan through field experiments and land management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive, chiefly used for high quality edible oil and pickling, is a traditionally an important fruit crop of Mediterranean basin. Its cultivation has expanded to different parts of the world including Pakistan. The ability of olive to thrive on marginal and rocky lands has made it a popular fruit crop in Potohar. The present study was planned to investigate the impact of organic media and NPK levels on growth of olive seedlings. The research material consisted of 150 olive seedlings. The experiment was laid out following Complete Randomized Block Design with three replications at field area of Department of Horticulture, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan during 2018-19. There were 10 treatments of organic media and NPK doses with different combinations. Data were recorded for various traits viz., plant height, number of leaves and primary branches, leaf fresh weight, root length, root fresh weight, chlorophyll and NPK content. Data recorded were analyzed statistically using Statistix 8.1 software to ascertain significance and means were compared using LSD at 5% probability level. Results revealed that treatment T6 (FYM + Silt + Dose 3 i.e. 7.5 g NPK) was found most ideal growing media for most of traits like number of primary branches, root length, fresh root weight and chlorophyll content in olive seedlings. Hence it is recommended that growth media comprising of silt, FYM and 7.5 g NPK should be used for growing olive seedlings successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]