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The increasing greenhouse gas emission and global warming during climate change result in sudden and extreme weather occasions. Climate change is affecting sugarcane production in the world, especially in the developing countries because of poor forecasting systems and mitigating strategies, sudden occurrence of pests and diseases. Varieties play an important role for sustainable sugarcane production. Varieties either lose their potential after few years release in field or become susceptible to pests and diseases under day by day changing climatic scenario. To combat climate changes and replace of exiting sugarcane varieties, different field experiments were planned at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Sugarcane Research Station, Khanpur and zonal testing of Sugarcane clone in adaptability trials at Progressive Sugarcane growers from 2002 to 2019 . All experiments were designed in randomized complete block design in three replications. Sugarcane clone S2003-US-127 were used in all experiments along with standards varieties HSF-240, CPF-249, SPF-234 and CPF-246. It is concluded from the study that sugarcane clone S2003-US-127 fetched higher cane yield (111.3 t/ha), sugar yield (14.1 t/ha), sugar recovery (12.72%) and higher economic Index than HSF-240, CPF-249, SPF-234 and CPF-246HSF. It is fast growing and matures earlier in 240-270 days. It has CPF 250 is resistant to red rot and smut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leafworm Spodoptera litura Fabricius is a highly polyphagous pest of food, forage, vegetable and horticultural crops. This sporadic species is becoming an emerging threat to the potato crop in central Punjab and is being evidenced infesting potato crop in Sargodha, Faisalabad and Okara districts. This in-vitro study assessed the comparative feeding preference, food consumption and utilization rates and larval development of S. litura on different white and red skinned potato cultivars. Feeding bioassays revealed that all parameters including leaf weight loss, larval weight gain, relative food consumption and growth rates and conversion efficiency of the ingested food were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Exotic potato cultivars Diamant, Desiree and Asterix exhibited maximum leaf consumption and larval weight gain (i.e. 264.61, 259.37 and 233.01 mg and 121.46, 120.17, 120.13 mg, respectively) concomitantly with maximum values of relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR) and ingested food conversion efficiency (ECI). Cultivars Lady Rosetta, Cardinal, Ajax, Kuroda and Sante exhibited intermediate values. Minimum feeding preference and susceptibility to S. litura was shown by the native potato cultivars Faisalabad Red and Faisalabad White with minimum food consumption, larval weight gain, RGR, RCR and ECI values, and hence are recommended to indigenous potato growers for commercial cultivation in areas where S. litura threatens potato crop. [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]

Objectives: To evaluate the use of FEV6 and FEV1/FEV6 as an alternative of FVC and FEV1/FVC in determining airways restriction and obstruction. Study Design: Cross sectional Study. Setting: Department of pulmonology, DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. Period: 6 months (January-June, 2017). Material & Methods: Sample size of 250 patients, with 45-80 years of age who can exhale for 6 seconds were included in the study. Reference equations were used to detect lower normal limits (LNL) of FEV6, FVC, FEV1/FEV6 and FEV1/FVC. A person was said to have obstruction if FEV1/FVC was below LNL. We considered a person to have restriction if FVC was below LNL without any obstructive pattern. FEV1/FEV6 and FEV6 sensitivity and specificity were determined from this data. Results: Sensitivity of FEV1/FEV6 was 97.4% while specificity was 85.2%, in case of airway obstruction positive predictive value was 96.5% and negative predictive value was 88.5%. In case of restrictive pattern detected by spirometry a sensitivity of FEV6 was 96.5 % and 85.71 % was specificity 97.6% was PPVs and 80% was NPVs. Values were close to LNL in case when difference was noted between two indexes. Conclusion: Instead of FEV1/FVC, FEV1/FEV6 can be used for diagnosing airway obstruction, particularly for screening population having high risk for COPD. For determining restrictive pattern by spirometry FEV6 can also be used instead of FVC by providing less confusing and easier results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Faisalabad during 2018-20. The key focus was to evaluate the performance of an American clone CP 00-1101 at various stages of varietal development program. The clone was provided by Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB) during 2017. At beginning, its brix was recorded with intervals which showed an increase during the 2nd year leading to better adaptation. Its performance of recovery was recorded better as compared to local check varieties. However, its performance in case of yield was lower as compared to standard varieties. Further testing and evaluation of this clones is needed to check more adaptability and stability of general characteristics to move into next varietal development stages. It looks future promising clone of Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad which will be decided after further experimentation in different region of country. [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]

The present investigation was carried out to analyze the socio-economic status of the sugarcane growers who laid drip irrigation system to know their perception of advantages related with the technology in sugarcane, and to identify the constraints in adoption by interviewing 60 growers from district Faisalabad. It was found that drip irrigation technology was popularized among the farmers of all income levels and low-income level was not a constraint for adoption of this technology due to loan arrangements from government institutions. The water saving measures apart from drip irrigation adopted by the respondents included trash mulching, application of additional potash and alternate furrow irrigation. However, after adopting drip irrigation, all the respondents realized water and labor saving and 91.33 per cent farmers obtained higher cane yield than conventional flood irrigation with reduced impact of drought. On average, the respondents got 29.75 per cent increase in cane yield compared to normal irrigation methods. The constraints encountered by most of the respondents in adoption were clogging of drippers, damage of lateral tubes during harvest, rat damage and poor after sales service. In spite of these constraints, all the farmers favored the continued adoption of this technology. The study also helps to get a better understanding of the performance of drip irrigation in farmer's fields and their apprehensions of this fast-spreading technology in sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The groundwater is one of the most important sources for fulfilling daily needs. Groundwater for drinking purposes is the biggest source in Pakistan, but due to population explosion, the rapid development of industrialization, deforestation, urbani zation and unplanned housing sche mes on agricultural lands are the major reasons for groundwater contamination and deterioration. The work emphasized evaluating the physicochemical characteristics of the groundwater of the two cities of Punjab, Faisalabad and Sargodha for drinking purposes. Overall thirty samples were collected in triplicate, fifteen from each city, Faisalabad and Sargodha, respectively. Physicochemical parameters, trace elements and microbiological analysis were conducted. The results revealed that the quantities of Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Chloride (Cl-), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were significantly higher than the permissible limits of WHO in the majority of the samples from Sargodha, while TDS, Total Hardness (TH), were higher in most samples of Faisalabad. The studied trace elements Aluminum (Al), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobal t (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) were found under safe limits of WHO except Cr, Cd, Se and Mn in Sargodha city and in Faisalabad Se and Cd were found to be crossing WHO levels in few locations. The samples from Faisalabad were found microbiologically unsafe as compared to Sargodha. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the area's most dominantanion was chloride. Many processes are involved in changing water chemistry, and the water quality was controlled by rock water interaction and evaporation procedures. The study concluded that the area's water was brackish; due to this, the water was found unsui table for drinking purposes. Therefore, the supply of safe water and water treatment plant installations are highly recommended in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E and Hepatitis A virus both are highly prevalent in Pakistan mainly present as a sporadic disease. The aim of the current study is to isolate and characterized the specific genotype of Hepatitis E virus from water bodies of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Drinking and sewage samples were qualitatively analyzed by using RT-PCR. HEV Genotype 1 strain was recovered from sewage water of Faisalabad. Prevalence of HEV and HAV in sewage water propose the possibility of gradual decline in the protection level of the circulated vaccine in the Pakistani population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research study, thirteen crosses of sugarcane fuzz received at Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) Faisalabad from West Indies Central Sugarcane Breeding Station (WICSBS) Barbados were tested and evaluated for initial stages of varietal development program. This study was important as for the first time West Indian sugarcane germplasm was evaluated in Pakistan. The comparison was made with check (approved) varieties to promote into next selection stage. The sowing of fuzz at SRI started during 1st week of July 2019 as humidity level and temperature becomes more favorable for its germination. The selection of seedlings was made during the month of November 2019 and 234 clones were promoted to nursery-I. Similarly, 42 clones were advanced to nursery-II. The numbers were reduced tosix in preliminary yield trial when red rot and other disease screening were applied during nursery-II. The clones were planted 1.2m x 1.2m at seedlings stage, 1.2m x 4m at N-I stage, 2.4m x 4m at N-II stage while three replications at preliminary yield trials. The clones showing better performance were carried out to next selection stage of varietal development program during selection process in the month of October each year. Further testing and evaluation of these clones is needed to check more adaptability and stability of general characteristics to proceed into net varietal development stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out in the Department of Forestry and Range Management, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2007 to 2009. In this study, economic comparison of agriculture (sugarcane cultivation) with agro-forestry (sugarcane cultivation in combination with trees) was made in Tehsil Kamalia, district Toba Take Singh. Net present worth and return on investment were used as economic tools. Total sample size comprised 80 farmers; 40 involved in sugarcane cultivation and 40 in sugarcane cultivation in combination with trees. Thus total number of observations was 240; 120 for agriculture and 120 for agro-forestry. Comparison of both land use systems was made on the basis of average expenditures and revenues per year. Discounting was carried out @ 12 percent to bring cost and benefit streams at same currency value. The benefit cost ratio of sugarcane system was computed as 2.26 whereas net present worth was found as Rs. 149810.2. Benefit cost ratio of sugarcane in combination with trees was computed to b~ 2.28 whereas net present worth was found to be Rs. 151098.5. Net benefits of tree based sugarcane system were computed as 0.86 percent more than sole sugarcane system. So farmers are recommended to adopt sugarcane in combination with trees system on the basis of this research. Though there was no prominent difference between these systems, yet agro-forestry can be recommended as the trees under this system not only provide timber, fuel and other physical output but also give countless environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]