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Brassica rapa is an important oilseed crop in Pakistan. It is a rich source of oil and contains 40%-46% oil. In addition, its meal has 38%-40% protein. Given their high levels of erucic acid and glucosinolate, mustard and rapeseed oil is unhealthy as regular cooking oil. A dire need to exploit the genetic variability of rapeseed germplasm is necessary to improve the performance of cultivars. The line × tester analysis helped estimate various types of gene actions that are important to quantitative traits. The key to successful research is selecting suitable lines and testers and designing good mating patterns. Choosing and developing genotypes with high yield and fatty acid profiles are the major concern of rapeseed breeders. The current research on hybridization and evaluation of Brassica rapa accessions sought better harvest and its related traits from the selected germplasm. The combining ability effects determination used line × tester analysis in rapeseed. The accessions' variability analysis exhibited extremely significant differences in yield and related traits. Recorded data for different morphological and yield-related qualities provided days till 50% flowering, the number of major branches per plant, and the number of secondary branches per plant had positive and significant general combining ability estimates, and all yield-related variables had extremely notable specific combining ability estimates. All the yield-related characteristics displayed a favorable and substantial connection in the examined germplasm. Among the lines, 28244, 40980, and 40981 occurred to be the best general combiners showing the additive gene action. The cross combinations, 40977 × 26283, 40979 × 26283, and 40981 × 26283, indicated significant specific combining ability effects, which showed the non-additive genetic effects of total variance due to the dominance and/or epistasis. The results suggested that the research material used in the remarkable study can benefit by improving yield and fatty acids-related components and can further enhance upcoming breeding programs based on strong particular combining ability impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate changes and poor soil nutrient profiles in sub-tropics are determinant factors to estimate crop productivity. This study aims to evaluate the impact of phytohormones, e.g., indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3), on mung bean yield, seed nutritional profile, and soil N availability in the sub-tropical region of Pakistan. The mung bean plants were treated with three levels (0, 30, and 60 mg L−1) of IAA and GA3 individually and/or in combination using a hydraulic sprayer. The amendments were applied in the flowering stage (approximately 25 days after germination) in a randomized complete block design. The results revealed that the 60 mg L−1 concentration of IAA and GA3 led to significant changes in the growth and yield traits compared to non-treated plants. For example, GA3 positively influenced the biological yield (35.0%), total carbohydrate (7.0%), protein (16.0%), and nitrogen (14.0%) contents in mung bean seeds, compared to the control (CK). Additionally, the combined foliar treatment of IAA and GA3 (IAA2 + GA2) displayed a much stronger influence on yield attributes, such as the number of pods by 66.0%, pods' weights by 142.0%, and seed yield by 106.5%, compared with the CK. Mung bean plants showed a significant improvement in leaf photosynthetic pigments under a higher level (60 mg L−1) of sole and combined treatments of IAA and GA3. Moreover, except abscisic acid, the endogenous concentration of IAA, GA3, and zeatin was enhanced by 193.0%, 67.0%, and 175.0% after the combined application of IAA and GA3 (IAA2 + GA2) compared to the CK treatment. In addition, soil N availability was increased by 72.8% under the IAA2 treatment and 61.5% under IAA2 + GA2, respectively, compared with the control plot. It was concluded that the combined treatment of IAA and GA3 (IAA2 + GA2) followed by the sole application of GA3 and IAA at a 60 mg L−1 concentration were most effective treatments to improve the morpho-physiology and nutrient profile of mung beans; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms need to be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out on the farmer field under the supervision of the Department of Plant Protection and Quality Control of Pesticides during 2020 and 2021. Barley cultivar 'Haider-93' was sown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications to examine the effect of two levels ofnitrogen fertilizer, 50 and 100 kg/ha along with control (no fertilizer), on population fluctuation of aphid and on barley yield components like grain protein (%), 1000-grain weight and the barley grain yield. Aphid incidence was recorded throughout the cropping season. The results revealed that peak infestation of aphids per tiller were recorded in the 3rd week of February in successive year. The study indicated a significant relationship between nitrogen fertilizer and aphid population density per tiller. The mean aphid population per tiller was recorded a significantly higher (34.12 ± 0.81 and 28.65 ± 0.17 for the years 2020 and 2021, respectively) at 100 kg/ha of nitrogen level while lowest infestation (14.51 ± 0.20 and 12.30 ± 0.10 aphids per tiller for the year 2020 and 2021, respectively) was recorded at 0 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer level at 100 kg/ha gave significantly higher grain protein (12.80 ± 0.17 and 13.70 ± 0.26% for the years 2020 and 2021, respectively) and grain yield (2758.75 ± 60.82 and 2673.79 ± 61.88 kg/ha produce for the year 2020 and 2021, respectively) of the barley crop. However, treatment differences for 1000-grain weight (g) were recorded as non-significant. These findings suggest that the nitrogen fertilizer at 100 kg/ha level produced significantly higher grain protein (%) and grain yield at the same time, also supported the higher infestation of aphids per tiller. Still, this aphid density did not affect the accumulation of grain protein (%) and grain yield of the barley crop. The results of this study might be used for decision-making to apply nitrogen fertilizer for better grain yield of barley crop but at the same time considering the colonizing aphid population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study was designed during 2019-2020 at Agricultural Research Farm, Agronomy (Fodder Production) Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan with main objective to evaluate the varying supplementary dietary levels of Moringa oleifera fresh leaves for optimum production in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. A trial of 9 buffaloes was selected having 3-4 parity and were divided into 3 groups: A, B and C. Buffaloes in group A, B and C were supplementary fed 2 kg, 3 kg and 4 kg Moringa oleifera fresh leaves per day for one week each. The influence of Moringa oleifera fresh leaves was studies on following parameters: animal weight gain, milk yield and milk composition. The collected data were analyzed statistically. The result of this study indicated that optimum weight gain was found in the animals supplementarily fed 4 kg Moringa oleifera fresh leaves per day and average body weight of animals increased from 669, 503 and 644 kg to 678, 507 and 651 kg in group A, B and C, respectively. Similarly animals fed 4 kg Moringa oleifera fresh leaves per day yielded optimum milk production as compared to other groups of animals wherein average milk yield was increased from 5.05, 6.50 and 5.45 liters to 5.6, 6.7 and 5.9 liters in group A, B and C, respectively. Total solids in the milk were also increased in the treatment where 4 kg Moringa oleifera fresh leaves were fed to animals per day where fat % increased from 6.5, 6.9 and 6.8 to 6.8, 7.0 and 6.9, Crude protein % from 4.72, 4.5 and 4.51 to 4.81, 4.64 and 4.6 % and calcium % increased from 0.112, 0.117 and 0.101 to 0.13, 0.129 and 0.116 in group A, B and C, respectively. It was concluded that in addition to all other feeding requirements, 4 kg dietary Moringa oleifera fresh leaves might affect the body weight and production performance of Nili-Ravi buffaloes positively without any ill effects on milk aroma and appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proximate body composition implies composition of water, ash, protein and lipids. Basic purpose of the present work was to avow nutritious status of Scomberoides commersonnianus. Therefore, current study analysis was performed to analyze body composition of the studied fish. A total of 73 specimens of S. commersonnianus having different size, ranged 94.5 to 1183g of body weight and 20.5 to 56.9 cm in total length were randomly chosen from Arabian Sea Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan for analysis of proximate study. The mean percent values of different constituents were 73.95% water, 3.58% ash, 3.98% fat, 18.48% protein and 22.46% organic contents in wet weight of the fish. The relationships of percent H2O with other constituents in wet body weight were found to be highly significant (P<0.001), however the relation with percent ash, fat, organic contents and protein in dry body weight were non-significant (P>0.05). Highly significant relationships were also observed for fish size (weight and total length) with all other body constituents in log-transformed data. Condition factor had highly significant relationships with percent ash, water, protein, organic contents while significant relation was observed with percent fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the host preference and development of Sitotroga cerealella as well as its effect on the quality of Trichogramma chilonis under laboratory conditions at Agriculture Research Institute (ARI), Tarnab, Peshawar-Pakistan during, 2017-2018. The cereals (maize, oat, wheat and barley) were evaluated on the basis of total adult emergence, egg laying ability, developmental time of S. cerealella and enhancing parasitism along with sex ratio of T. chilonis raised on eggs from moths reared on cereals. The response of cereals to S. cerealella in no choice test revealed significantly greater adult emergence (18.9±12.6) and egg laying efficiency (82.2±6.8 eggs/female) with shortest developmental time (27.6±0.6 days) in wheat, while adult emergence (9.62±6.1) was less in maize grains. In choice test, significant effect of developmental time of S. cerealella was observed with wheat (27.4±0.2 days) and barley (27.2±0.2 days) allowing short duration. Similarly, T. chilonis preference to eggs of S. cerealella adults reared on different cereals showed that percent egg parasitism (89.6±1.7, 85.2±2.1), percent adult emergence (95.6 ±1.3, 92.1±1.4) and female sex ratio (73.1±0.7, 69.6±1.2) of T. chilonis was significantly high in moth eggs reared on maize and wheat in no choice conditions respectively. In choice test, sex ratio was significant and maximum females (70.4±0.5, 77.4±0.6) were observed in eggs from moth reared on wheat and maize. A positive strong correlation of percent adult moth emergence with protein and strong negative between development time and moisture content and carbohydrate was observed. Wheat proved to be suitable as host with high bio-chemical contents for mass rearing of S. cerealella that provide maximum moths in short duration and their eggs yield more of T. chilonis, thus recommended for production system of T. chilonis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Extensive research work has been done on proximate analysis of the fish around the world but very little analysis on marine fish Terapon jarbua have been performed. Therefore, the current analysis was carried out to analyze the proximate composition of T. jarbua. 70 samples of T. jarbua ranging from 18.00-29.90 cm in length and 119.60-429.50 g in body weight were collected from Fisheries Harbour, Karachi Pakistan. The mean percentage of constituents were found to be for water 73.22%, ash 6.72%, fat 3.45% and protein 16.62% in the whole wet weight of body of T. jarbua. % water represented correlation with highly significant value (P<0.001) with protein, ash, fat and organic constituents in wet weight. Fish body weight represented highly significant (P<0.001) positive relation to all the studied body constituents in log transformed data. Total length also represented highly-significant positive relation to all the studied body constituents except for fat which showed nonsignificant correlation (P>0.05). Fulton's condition factor showed nonsignificant relations to whole percent (%) body constituents except percent (%) ash, which showed least significant relation (P<0.05) for T. jarbua. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between plants and fluoride occurs due to the contamination by fluoride of air, soil, and ground water. Fluoride pollution is worldwide and may cause serious damage to plants and consequently affect both livestock and human beings. Air pollution by fluoride is widespread in Pakistan and affects crop production. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact in maize (Zea mays L.) of 15 days treatment with sodium fluoride (NaF), in concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 20, and 50 mg/L, on germination percentage, root and shoot length, vigor index, total chlorophyll content, and total protein content. The group size was 50 seeds for each analysis. Increasing concentrations of NaF resulted in reductions in the germination percentage, root and shoot length, vigor index, and total protein content. Our finding that the total chlorophyll content increased with a peak at 20 mg/L NaF and a value at 50 mg/L still above the control value was anomalous compared to the literature. It was concluded that fluoride had a negative effect on the crop productivity of Zea mays L. and that soil contamination by fluoride should be prevented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a leading food legume primarily grown in marginal areas and consumed all over the world. However, its production is limited owing to zinc (Zn) deficiency in many chickpea-based cropping systems. This study was conducted over two years to evaluate the effect of Zn application through seed treatments on productivity and grain Zn biofortification of kabuli and desi chickpea types in Punjab, Pakistan. Pre-optimised doses of Zn were applied as (i) seed priming (0.001 m Zn) and (ii) seed coating (5 mg Zn kg–1 seed), using ZnSO4.7H2O (33% Zn). Hydropriming (soaking in water) and non-primed dry seeds were used as control treatments. Zinc seed treatments significantly improved leghemoglobin contents, nodulation, grain yield, grain Zn yield, grain bioavailable Zn, grain minerals and grain Zn concentration compared with control treatments in both chickpea types. During both years, kabuli chickpea receiving Zn seed coating had higher grain yield (2.22 and 2.73 t ha–1) and grain Zn yield (103 and 129 g ha–1) than kabuli receiving other treatments. Likewise, during both study years, maximum grain bioavailable Zn (4.58 and 4.55 mg Zn day–1) was recorded with Zn seed coating in both chickpea types. Kabuli chickpea had more grain bioavailable Zn than desi. With regard to seed treatments, desi chickpea was more responsive to Zn osmopriming, whereas kabuli was more responsive to Zn seed coating. In conclusion, Zn seed treatments, as seed priming and seed coating, are effective methods for improving the productivity, grain quality and Zn biofortification of both desi and kabuli chickpea. Zinc (Zn) deficiency is one of the major causes of low chickpea productivity. This study concluded that Zn application, as seed priming and seed coating, is effective and economical for improving the productivity and grain quality, including Zn biofortification, of both desi and kabuli chickpea types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is now a consensus that global warming causes climate change and is a worldwide threat, which presents a great challenge for the 21st century. Arid, semiarid, and tropical regions of the world including Pakistan, where climate change is enhancing salinization and is restricting plant growth and production by reducing nutrient uptake and increasing osmotic stresses. Keeping in view all these interlinked predicted climatic change, present study was aimed to determine the effect of osmopriming with Polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) for osmotic potential (Ψs = −0.2MPa), hydropriming, thermopriming on cultivars of Capsicum annuum L. analyzing germination indices, physiological and biochemical attributes under induced salinity stress of 60 mM and 80 mM sodium chloride chosen from deleterious effect of these concentrations in preliminary screening experiment. Results indicated highest tolerance in the osmoprimed seeds (PEG-4000) to lower salt stress significantly at p <.001 based on chlorophyll "a" (chlo "a"), chlorophyll "a" and "b" ratio (chlo a/b ratio), total chlorophyll content (TCC) and carotenoid content (CC) resulting less deterioration of photosynthetic pigments whereas; maximum total proline content (TPC) (p <.001), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) at p =.01) and ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) at p <.05 in hydroprimed seeds reflecting the ability of selected cultivars to resist oxidations. It is concluded that high salinity altered many metabolic processes due to high osmotic potential inside the cell which is considered an alarming situation for the forthcoming climate change in Pakistan and required climate-smart agriculture to lower the negative impact forthcoming salinization, before it might affect global crop production drastically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan has been constantly deficient in its oil seed production and it is very difficult to meet the edible oil requirement of its ever-increasing population. A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Northern Pakistan during winter (2013-14). Five sulphur levels (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 kg·ha-1) and times of application (at seedling, bolting and flowering stages) were used for the canola variety Abasin-95. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated four times on a 5 m × 3.2 m plot size. The results showed that the sulphur-applied plots gave the highest seed yield, biological yield, glucosinolate, erucic acid, oil content, protein content, oleic acid and linoleic acid compared to the control plots. Sulphur applied at the rate of 60 kg·ha-1 and applied at the bolting stage increased seed yield, biological yield, oil content, and protein content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of wheat grain can impact the farmer's income and also affect human health. The interaction between the planting time and genetic information indicated a significant effect. Determining correct planting time that can exploit the result of interaction between genotypes and atmosphere that enhance the production and grain quality. The main objective of this study was to choose the more suitable planting dates that maximize the wheat production and quality of wheat grain in cotton-wheat cropping system at different locations. Four wheat cultivars were planted at November 10th, 20th, December 1st, and December 10th at three different cottonwheat system growing districts, i.e., Bahawalpur, Khanewal, and Multan during both years. Late sown crop December 10th recorded maximum protein content (16.32%), starch contents (55.24%), and gluten content (34.19%) while early sown crop showed maximum moisture content (23.33%). Cultivar ASS-2011 demonstrated maximum protein content (13.47%), moisture content (10.73%), and starch content (55.09% and gluten content (33.66%). Year-II recorded the maximum protein content 11.95% moisture content 13.91%, starch content (53.89%), and gluten content 4.90% as compared 1st year in case of wheat crop. Wheat cultivar AAS-2011 showed best results regarding quality attributes in case of the late sown condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane is the world's largest cultivated crop by biomass and is the main source of sugar and biofuel. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) enzymes are directly involved in the synthesis of sucrose. Here, we analyzed and compared one of the important gene families involved in sucrose metabolism in a high and low sucrose sugarcane cultivar. A comprehensive in silico analysis of the SoSPS family displayed their phylogenetic relationship, gene and protein structure, miRNA targets, protein interaction network (PPI), gene ontology and collinearity. This was followed by a spatial expression analysis in two different sugarcane varieties. The phylogenetic reconstruction distributed AtSPS, ZmSPS, OsSPS, SoSPS and SbSPS into three main groups (A, B, C). The regulatory region of SoSPS genes carries ABRE , ARE , G-box, and MYC as the most dominant cis-regulatory elements. The PPI analysis predicted a total of 14 unique proteins interacting with SPS. The predominant expression of SPS in chloroplast clearly indicates that they are the most active in the organelle which is the hub of photosynthesis. Similarly, gene ontology attributed SPS to sucrose phosphate synthase and glucosyl transferase molecular functions, as well as sucrose biosynthetic and disaccharide biological processes. Overall, the expression of SPS in CPF252 (high sucrose variety) was higher in leaf and culm as compared to that of CPF 251 (low sucrose variety). In brief, this study adds to the present literature about sugarcane, sucrose metabolism and role of SPS in sucrose metabolism thereby opening up further avenues of research in crop improvement., Competing Interests: Jiban Shrestha is an Academic Editor for PeerJ., (©2023 Niazi et al.)

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known for the eminent global disease burden responsible for encumbering public health. Development of an effective vaccine is the major need of the day; however, several obstacles loom ahead of this objective. One of the major barriers is that as a RNA virus, it mutates rapidly resulting in high sequence divergence and several viral isolates in the world. The glycoprotein 2 (gpE2) is the primary component of HCV envelope with direct interaction with the host cell surface receptors; it is an indispensable target of neutralizing antibodies and hence, should be a fundamental component of vaccine design. Objectives: This study focused on B-cells and T-cells epitopes prediction in HCV gpE2, particularly in 3a genotype, in Pakistan and identification of the conserved epitopes among various 3a isolates at global level, principally conserved across HCV major genotypes. Materials and Methods: Epitope finding was done by using online available bioinformatics tools including Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), ProPred-I, and ProPred. Conservation of these epitopes was found by aligning selected gpE2 sequences using MultAlin online software and conservancy analysis tool available at IEDB. Results: Many B-cell and T-cell epitopes predicted in gpE2 were found conserved among HCV 3a genotypes whereas few were conserved in other genotypes anticipating these epitopes as potential candidates of producing strong B-cell and T-cell response against HCV 3a and other genotypes. Conclusions: HCV gpE2 is an ideal target for HCV vaccine. Prediction of epitope immunogenicity and characterization on the basis of peptide sequences will be significantly helpful for development of a heterologous vaccine against HCV variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of poultry manure (PM) and four inorganic phosphorus (P) fertilizers sources, i.e., diammonium phosphate (DAP), single super phosphate (SSP), nitrophos (NP) and triple super phosphate (TSP) on crop production and P utilization efficiency (PUE) of maize was studied. Both inorganic P fertilizers and PM applied alone or combined in 50:50 proportions at equivalent rate of 90 kg P2O5ha−1. Results indicated that inorganic P sources with PM significantly increased plant height, leaf area and chlorophyll content. Average values showed that combined application of inorganic P with PM increased grain yield by 19 and 41% over inorganic P and PM alone, respectively. Similarly, increase in P-uptake due to the combined application of inorganic P + PM was 17% compared to sole inorganic P. Phosphorus utilization efficiency of inorganic P was increased with PM and the highest PUE was recorded in DAP + PM. Generally, combination of DAP + PM proved superior over the remaining P fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during kharif, 2011 to evaluate the impact of different nitrogen and zinc sulphate levels on the phenology, yield and quality of maize. Maize hybrid "Pioneer (SS-2525)" was subjected to four rates of N (0, 200, 250 and 300 kg/ha) and ZnSO4 (0, 9, 18 and 27 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a RCBD with factorial arrangement having net plot size of 3m x 5m. The results showed that nitrogen and zinc sulphate application significantly affected the growth, yield and quality parameters of maize. Maximum days to 50 percent tasseling (53.1) and silking (56.7) were recorded at 300 kg N level. Minimum number of days for 50 percent completion of tasseling (45.5) and silking (49.1) were recorded in application of 27 kg ZnSO4. In case of interaction of N and Zn, minimum days to 50 percent tasseling and silking (44.3 and 48.3) alongwith maximum plant height (242.3 cm), number of grains per cob (539.6), 1000-grain weight (316.0g), grain yield (7.9 t/ha) and protein contents (9.9%) were noted in N3Zn3 level (300 kg N + 27 kg ZnSO4). These results indicated that these traits linearly increased with increasing levels of N and ZnSO4 upto their maximum rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Moringa oleifera has been reported as super food owing to its high nutritional value which has largely been explored in leaves with limited reports from other parts. Therefore, comparative study was designed to determine the nutritional components of different parts of M. oelifera found in Karachi, Pakistan. Samples were collected from multiple parts of M. oleifera plant. Proximate, minerals and Vitamin C analysis was carried out as per Association of Official Analytical Chemists(AOAC) methods. Amino acid contents were estimated using Amino Acid Analyzer. The protein content(g/100g dry weight basis) was high in the leaves with stalks and leaves samples compared to seedpods and stem. Caloric contents were in the order of leaves>leaves with stalk>seedpods>stem. The contents of different minerals(Ca, Fe and K) and Vitamin C varied from parts to parts with leaves showed comparatively high amount of Vitamin C and calcium. Total amino acid contents of different parts were in the order of leaves>flowers>seedpods. In conclusion, all the studied parts of M. oleifera have nutritional significance. However, leaves and seed pods due to their comparatively higher nutritional value can be more beneficial as dietary supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]