Search

study was carried out to determine the population growth of aphids and their effect on photosynthesis and yield components of late sown varieties of canola (Brassica napus L.) during the growing season of 2010-2011 at Multan, Pakistan. Canola varieties Can Raya, Con-I, Con-II and Westar were sown in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Six rows were planted in each plot of respective varieties. Two rows were sprayed with imidachloprid 20 SL @ 80ml/acre twice duiing the season, two were sprayed four times (aphid protected) and two were not sprayed (aphid infested / in each plot. The mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) was the most abundant species on the crop. The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. was also found in very small numbers. Peak aphid population was on 19th February on the varieties Can Raya and Con-I, whereas on Con-II and Westar the peak population was noted on 5th March. Aphid numbers per plant did not vary among different varieties in both sprayed and unsprayed plots. Photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll was lower in aphid infested plants as compared to that in aphid protected plants in all the varieties. However, water use efficiency, internal CO2 concentration and transpiration rate did not differ in aphid infested and aphid protected plants in any of the varieties. There was a significant yield reduction in aphid infested plots when compared with plots where two sprays were applied in all varieties. Application of two insecticides to late sown B. napus varieties could not recover the total losses caused by aphids. Highest yield was recorded in variety Con I, where plants were sprayed twice and not sprayed. Westar suffered the highest losses in yield from aphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Profenofos, an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor insecticide, has been used for the management of various lepidopteron pests of many crops in Pakistan. In the present study, we investigated the impact of insecticide resistance on fitness cost in Spodoptera litura, and evaluated cross resistance to other insecticides. The effect of profenofos on different life history parameters including survival rate, female ratio, fecundity and hatchability, intrinsic rate of population increase and biotic potential was determined. Significant differences associated with fitness costs were revealed. A field collected S. litura strain was selected by exposure to profenofos in the laboratory (Profen-SEL) and after 14 generations of selection it developed a 52-fold resistance to this insecticide. The Profen-SEL strain showed high cross-resistance to chlorpyrifos (62-fold), but very low to no cross resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin (2.34-fold) or methomyl (0.80-fold), respectively. The resistant strain had a relative fitness of 0.38 with a low larval survival rate, longer larval duration, longer male pupal duration, longer development time, low emergence rate of healthy adults, fecundity and hatchability compared with an unselected strain. The intrinsic rate of natural population increase, mean relative growth rate and biotic potential were lower for the selected strain compared with an unselected strain. Development of resistance may cause fitness costs for the resistant strain. This study provided important information for understanding profenofos resistance and facilitating a better strategy for the management of resistance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mango, Mangifera indica L. ranks second in the fruit industry of Pakistan. Gall midges complex has been recently reported as one of the major pests from all mango growing areas of Pakistan. Dasineura amaramanjarae Grover is significant mango gall midge pest as its larvae feed in flower buds and may cause 100% reduction in yield. We recorded this pest from all mango growing areas of the Punjab including Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan. Higher infestation was noted on mango trees in commercial orchards as compared to the trees scattered in small patches in farmer fields grown for personal consumption. Yellow sticky traps were more effective than green, blue, and colorless traps for monitoring of adults. During two consecutive growing seasons the adults of the pest were observed from February to April at Rahim Yar Khan. The use of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) with integration of racking of soil under the mango tree was the second best option after bifenthrin for the control of the pest followed by spray of NSKE on mango canopy on the soil, and the racking of soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gall midges are major pests in all of the mango areas of the world. They damage many parts of the plant including the bark, shoots, leaves, pre and post flowering shoot buds, inflorescence buds, axillaries, flowers, newly formed fruit and twigs. A complex of gall midges damages mango in Pakistan. Dasineura amaramanjarae Grover, 1965, one such midge pest that feeds on mango inflorescence, has been first time recorded here. In this study, we report its phenology, population dynamics and within tree distribution from Punjab Pakistan. The gall midge was active from February to April with a population peak in March. The flower buds were the only parts for oviposition and the larvae moved to soil for pupation after feeding inside the buds. No stage of the pest was observed from mango trees from May to January when flowers were not available. Studies on within tree distribution through trapping of the larvae with funnel rings indicated that D. amaramanjarae was not uniformly distributed vertically and horizontally in mango tree canopy. Highest numbers of D. amaramanjarae larvae were found at the height 1.5m from ground and southern side of tree canopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pakistan, a survey for mango gall midges and their natural enemies was initiated for the first time in 2007. Of the gall midge species recorded from mango Procontarinia matteiana Kieffer & Cecconi was one of the most serious pests damaging leaves. It forms solitary or grouped galls on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. In case of severe attack, leaves become curled, ultimately dry and fall, thus indirectly impacting plant yield. It was recorded from all mango growing areas surveyed in Punjab including Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. Females oviposited on newly developed leaves, larval and pupal stages were completed in galls and adults emerged from galls through small holes. It was active from March to November. At Rahim Yar Khan every year two peaks of its population were observed first in March/April and second in September/October. It underwent diapause as pupae in galls from December to February. The phenology of two parasitoids, Closterocerus pulcherrimus and Synopeas temporale reared from galls of P. matteiana was well synchronized with their host. Their population was low in the year 2008 however with conservation measures it increased during 2009-10 in experimental orchard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to screen varieties of brinjal, Solanum melongena L. sown in autumn for resistance to cotton jassid, Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla (Ishida). Brinjal seedlings of nine varieties, viz, Bemisal, Black Beauty, Black Pearl, Dilnasheen, Hybrid 888, Hybrid 3715, Hybrid Shilpa, Nirala and Round Black were grown in pots and transplanting was done on September 04, 2011. Experiment was planned in a randomized complete block design. Number of jassids (adults + nymphs) were counted in early morning hours on the underside of three leaves from each plant by randomly selecting two plants from each of the two middle rows of plots. Jassids were counted from three leaves, i.e., one from the upper one third, one from the middle one third and one from the lower one third of each plant. Highest number of the cotton jassid was observed on the Black Beauty variety, whereas varieties Nirala and Hybrid 3715 had the lowest number of jassid per leaf on most of the sampling dates. Seasonal mean number of jassid per leaf on different varieties was in the order; Black Beauty (14.7±0.4) > Dilnasheen (3.8±0.17) > Hybrid Shilpa = Round Black (3.3±0.2) >Bemisal (3.0±0.16) > Hybrid 888 (2.7±0.13) > Black Pearl (2.5±0.19) > Hybrid 3715 (2.4±0.19) > Nirala (2.3±0.13 ). In this respect Black Beauty was considered the most susceptible variety bearing the highest number of jassid per leaf (14.6±0.4). Subsiquently, Dilnasheen, Hybrid Shilpa, Round Black, Bemisal, with jassid number from 3.3±0.2 to 3.8±0.17 per leaf., were moderately resistant and Hybrid 888, Black Pearl, Hybrid 3715 and Nirala, with jassid population ranging from 2.3 to 2.7 per leaf, were resistant against jassid. It is concluded that all the varieties screened, except Black Beauty, can be part of integrated management strategy for cotton jassid on brinjal. Jassid per leaf on all the varieties started to build from 49 days after transplanting (DAP) and reached a peak on 63 DAP. Thereafter number per leaf decreased up 84 DAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex of sucking and bollworm pests attack cotton crop in Pakistan. Cotton jassid, Amrasca devastans (Dist.), cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), and thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lind.) are regular sucking insect pests, whereas spotted bollworms, Earias spp., Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund.) and American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) are regular bollworm insect pests. Insecticides were the only option to manage these insect pests before introduction of Cry I Ac toxic gene harboring cotton. After the introduction of Bt cotton the insecticides are mainly applied for sucking insect pests. We report patterns of insecticides used before introduction of Bt cotton from 2001 to 2003 cropping years of Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur districts of Punjab. Average numbers of sprays were 4.64, 6.65 and 8.90 per unit area during crop years 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. Insect pests received diversity of insecticides. New insecticides were applied in the highest proportion and reached 56% during 2003. Imidacloprid, acetamiprid and diafenthiuron were the dominant insecticides to manage sucking insect pests and ranged 26.07 to 33.44% among all the insecticides used during three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: House flies are of major public health concerns in areas with poor sanitation and hygienic conditions. Unfortunately, sanitation and hygiene have always been ignored in dairy farms particularly in the developing or low-income countries. Management of these flies mostly depends on the awareness regarding associated hazards and protective measures taken by the people to minimize risks associated with flies. The present study therefore explores the knowledge, attitude and practices taken by dairy farmers in Punjab, Pakistan against house flies. Methods: The present study was based on a cross sectional self administered survey to a convenience sample of 173 small scale dairy farmers in four localities - Multan, Lahore, Shorkot and Faisalabad - of Pakistan. The relationships between socio-demographics, knowledge and preventive practices were investigated through logistic regression analysis and chi-square test of association. Results: Considerable number of dairy farmers 71/173 (41.04%) had no idea about the problems associated with house flies. Although 77/173 (44.51%) dairy farmers reported house flies as disease transmitters, only 23 (29.87%) farmers were familiar with diseases and 22 (28.57%) had somewhat idea of the mode of disease transmission. We found a positive association between dairy farmer's education level and overall knowledge of house flies in multivariate analysis. Farmer's education level and knowledge of the house flies breeding sites had a positive association with the adoption of house fly prevention practices by the respondents. However, knowledge of the problems associated with house flies and preventive measures had no association with house fly prevention practices. Conclusion: The present ethnoentomological survey provides information about knowledge, attitude and practices of dairy farmers related to house flies in Punjab, Pakistan. We conclude that the farmers' education level and knowledge of the breeding sites had a positive association with the adoption of prevention practices against house flies. The study also highlights the need of targeting the lack of knowledge of dairy farmers for the successful management of house flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the effect of plant spacing on populations of cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae and mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi, yield components and soil contents of late sown canola, Brassica napus, in Pakistan. The aphid densities were recorded every week from the top 10 cm of the inflorescence by gently beating it six times on a white plastic sheet from beginning of aphid appearance until the time of harvest. Results reveal that populations of both aphid species were not significantly different on plants in all three spacings of B. napus. Plant height, yield, oil contents, number of racemes, numbers of pods per plant and pod length were likewise not significantly different among all the treatments.

The research was conducted to study the occurrence of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), on chili, Capsicum frutescens L., in Multan, Punjab (Pakistan). In 2007 five chili varieties were planted whereas in 2008 one variety was planted on three different dates. B. tabaci adults were recorded per plant. Whitefly was active during May in both years and did not exceed two adults per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the effect of conventional and neonicotinoid insecticides against aphids on canola at Multan, Pakistan. The study showed that all the insecticides were toxic to aphids after seven days of application. It also found higher numbers of both aphid species in untreated plots of canola. The results demonstrated lower densities of both the species after nine days of application in plots. The study suggested not to apply insecticides at pod-filling stage to control aphids on canola.

The article discusses a study aimed at quantifying the relative densities of cabbage and mustard aphids on Raya, Brassica Juncea and screen for promising varieties of Raya that may be resistant against the two aphids in Multan and Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The experiments were performed at the Agriculture Farm, University College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University and the Multan and Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Bahawalpur during the crop seasons 2002-03. It suggests that there is no variety that can be declared resistant and recommends the application of insecticides for aphid control on B. juncea.

The article presents a study which examined the resistance of the canola, Brassica napus L., and Raya, Brassica juncea, cultivated genotypes against the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L., and mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi, in Multan, Pakistan. The study was conducted at the Bahuddin Zakariya University's Experimental Farm of the University College of Agriculture in Multan. Based on the results, the aphid densities on each of the canola genotypes tested are the same throughout the six week period.

Syrphid flies, Ischiodon scutellaris (Fabricius) and Episyrphus balteatus (DeGeer), are among the most common aphidophagous species in wheat growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Exploit predatory species efficiently in any biological control program requires an in-depth understanding of predator and prey interactions. The present study was conducted aiming to explore and compare the predatory potential of these predatory species against the wheat aphid, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) along with their relative fitness at different temperatures in terms of duration of lifecycle stages under laboratory conditions. The shortest egg and pupal durations were observed at 33 °C, followed by 27 and 23 °C. Females of both species had longer life span (20.4 and 22.4 days) compared to the respective males (17.2 and 16.2 days). The pupal stage for I. scutellaris was significantly shorter than for E. balteatus at different temperatures; but statistically insignificant differences were found for any other life stage. The larvae of I. scutellaris consumed significantly more aphids (438.16) than E. balteatus (398.37) during their larval life span, and this difference was significant during the 1st and 3rd instars. However, the average daily prey intake of both species was found similar until the 10th day after hatching, and thereafter, I. scutellaris consumed significantly higher numbers of aphids/day. Obtained results may offer a baseline data for future conservation studies on biological control of aphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red cotton bug, Dysdercus koenigii (Fabricius) is an important emerging economic pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum Linnaeus in Pakistan. Insecticides are the primary management tactics to suppress populations of this pest. However, resistance to insecticides evolves due to substantial and repeated applications. The resistance to pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and biopesticides have been evaluated in many pests worldwide, nevertheless lack of information in D. koenigii. Therefore, the aforementioned insecticide resistance in five field populations of D. koenigii collected from Multan, Makhdoom Rashid, Jahanian, Lodhran and Vehari districts of Punjab, Pakistan during 2015-2017 was determined by using seed dip method. Based on the present results, D. koenigii has developed moderate to very high resistance to acetamiprid (RR = 33-433) and imidacloprid (RR = 21-173), low to high resistance to emamectin benzoate (RR = 14-52), and very low to high resistance to spinosad (RR = 4.13-54), compared to the susceptible population. However, all field populations of D. koenigii remained susceptible to deltamethrin (RR = 0.62-2.17) and lambda-cyhalothrin (RR = 0.91-1.97). A rotational use of pyrethroids with provision of other integrated pest management tactics is recommended to manage insecticide resistance in D. koenigii., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fine roots play an important role in the overall functions of individual plants. Previous studies showed that fertilization and available soil resources have a notably profound effect on fine root, but there is lack of study centered on how fine root morphology, physiology, and chemistry respond to biochar with N additions. Different levels of biochar (0, 10, 15, and 20 g) and N (0, 2, 4 and 6 g) were applied to Acer mono seedling plants in a field nursery. The root system morphology and root chemistry and physiology were evaluated in line with root length, root diameter, SRL, N and N: C and root respiration. Biochar and N significantly affected root morphology, chemistry and root respiration. Morphological, chemical and physiological parameters were found to be at their maximum with 20 g biochar and 6 g N; however, no significant effect was noted on fourth- and fifth-order roots. Furthermore, a significant increase in root respiration was recognized with the increase in root tissue N concentration and the negative relationship of root respiration with higher branch order. Thus, overall, study parameters indicate that biochar and nitrogen positively influence the Acer mono fine root, and therefore should be used to improve fine root health.

Crop nutrient management is an essential component of any cropping system. With increasing concerns over environmental protection, improvement in fertilizer use efficiencies has become a prime goal in global agriculture system. Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important nutrients, and strategies are required to optimize its use in important arable crops like cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) that has great significance. Sustainable P use in crop production could significantly avoid environmental hazards resulting from over-P fertilization. Crop growth modeling has emerged as an effective tool to assess and predict the optimal nutrient requirements for different crops. In present study, Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) sub-model CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton-P was evaluated to estimate the observed and simulated P use in two cotton cultivars grown at three P application rates under the semi-arid climate of southern Punjab, Pakistan. The results revealed that both the cultivars performed best at medium rate of P application (57 kg ha -1 ) in terms of days to anthesis, days to maturity, seed cotton yield, total dry matter production, and harvest index during 2013 and 2014. Cultivar FH-142 performed better than MNH-886 in terms of different yield components. There was a good agreement between observed and simulated days to anthesis (0 to 1 day), days to maturity (0 to 2 days), seed cotton yield, total dry matter, and harvest index with an error of -4.4 to 15%, 12-7.5%, and 13-9.5% in MNH-886 and for FH-142, 4-16%, 19-11%, and 16-8.3% for growing years 2013 and 2014, respectively. CROPGRO-Cotton-P would be a useful tool to forecast cotton yield under different levels of P in cotton production system of the semi-arid climate of Southern Punjab.

Background: Involvement of both columns in acetabular fractures is a common presentation; these fractures create a challenging situation for the surgeons in terms of understanding the dimensions of osseous injury and selection of surgical approach. The study was done with an objective to evaluate the efficacy of single posterior approach for acetabular fractures involving both columns directly reducing the posterior wall and column and indirectly reducing the anterior column., Methods: An evaluation of 25 adult patients 18 male and 7 female presenting in the accident and emergency department of Khyber Teaching Hospital from December 2013 to June 2015 having acetabular fracture involving both the anterior and posterior column were included in this case series study. All patients were operated within 8 days of injury by a single operating team. Exposing and reducing the posterior acetabular column through kockerlengenbeck approach did open reduction and internal fixation with reconstruction plate and cortical screws. Additional lag screw was used to stabilize anterior column after indirect reduction with confirmation through C- arm and digital palpation through the greater sciatic notch. Patients were followed up for 6 months and Harris Hip score was evaluated after the end of the follow up period and the result was analysed., Results: Majority of the patients 20 out of 25 had haris hip score more than 90 after 6 months of the operative management., Conclusions: It is suggested that acetabular that fractures involving both the acetabular columns in certain situations, may be managed by a single posterior approach as it is associated with good clinical outcome and involves lesser soft tissue complications.

Background: The developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is regarded as one of the commonest congenital deformities. Its incidence has been estimated to be one in 60 live births according to some estimates. Different forms of treatment modalities have been suggested and their success depends on the age of the patient. The study was done with the objectives to observe the post-operative complications of open reduction in patients with DDH and to determine the possible risk factors associated with these complications., Methods: A total of 60 patients were enrolled with DDH in this descriptive cross-sectional study from August 2013 to November 2015. After obtaining an informed consent, the patients underwent open reduction and in some cases, subsequent osteotomy. The patients were followed-up at three months intervals for at least 9 months to look for development of complications, if any., Results: The mean age of the patients was 31.32 ± 2.52 months. Majority 45 (75%) of the study population was female. The most common complication observed was osteonecrosis (5 patients; 8.33%) followed by residual dysplasia and re-dislocation in 3 (5%) patients each. Infection was identified as a complication in 2 (3.33%) patients. When stratified with complications of open reduction, female sex and bilateral hip involvement were found to have a significant association with the development of complications., Conclusion: Female sex and bilateral hip involvement confer a greater risk of developing a complication following open reduction for DDH.

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is a common and distressing problem. Only those patients who failed conservative treatment should undergo surgery. The anterior cervical disectomy is the procedure which offers maximal exposure of the disc space. It easily removes the portion of disc which compresses the nerve root. Possibility of developing late kyphosis from disc space collapse supported the fusion procedure after single level disectomy. The goal of instrumentation is to provide immediate stability, increase fusion rate, prevent graft failure, improve rehabilitation process and possibly no need for external orthosis. Objective of study was To see the results and complications of cervical disectomy thru anterior approach and fusion and stabilisation with titanium made plate., Methods: This was a prospective study, comprised of 32 patients admitted during period from 2005-2008. Patients presented with radiculopathy or radiculo-myelopathy were evaluated. MRI was carried out in all the cases. Each patient was carefully evaluated to confirm clinico-radiological correlation and patients with significant disc and failure of conservative treatment were included in the study., Results: Males were 28 (87.5%) and female were 4 (12.5%). Twenty patients (62.5%) were in fourth decade. C5-6 was involved in 18 (56.25%) patients. No significant postoperative complications noted. Persistent neck and back pain noted in patients in disectomy group without plating., Conclusion: Anterior cervical disectomy, fusion and stabilisation with plating is a safe and easy procedure in single level cervical disc disease without significant complications.