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The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of Zinc (Zn) and Boron (B) on agro-morphological and seed quality attributes of Camelina sativa. The experiment consisted of 3 levels (2%, 4% and 6%) of each mentioned nutrients along with control (no application of micronutrients). Means were calculated and subjected to analysis of variance and LSD analysis, at 5 % level of significance. Following parameters viz., plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, number of seeds per siliquae, thousand seed weight (g), grain yield (kg/ha), harvest index (%), dry matter accumulation (g/m2), crop growth rate (g/m2/day), biological yield (kg/ha), and oil yield (kg/ha) were evaluated. All subjected treatments were tested for every tested parameter, and results revealed significant values comparative to control. It was observed that foliar application of both boron and zinc micronutrients yielded maximum in all parameters in comparison with control which seems promising to improve crop development, oil yield and harvest index of Camelina sativa L.

Dryland agricultural system is under threat due to climate extremes and unsustainable management. Understanding of climate change impact is important to design adaptation options for dry land agricultural systems. Thus, the present review was conducted with the objectives to identify gaps and suggest technology-based intervention that can support dry land farming under changing climate. Careful management of the available agricultural resources in the region is a current need, as it will play crucial role in the coming decades to ensure food security, reduce poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. Technology based regional collaborative interventions among Universities, Institutions, Growers, Companies etc. for water conservation, supplemental irrigation, foliar sprays, integrated nutrient management, resilient crops-based cropping systems, artificial intelligence, and precision agriculture (modeling and remote sensing) are needed to support agriculture of the region. Different process-based models have been used in different regions around the world to quantify the impacts of climate change at field, regional, and national scales to design management options for dryland cropping systems. Modeling include water and nutrient management, ideotype designing, modification in tillage practices, application of cover crops, insect, and disease management. However, diversification in the mixed and integrated crop and livestock farming system is needed to have profitable, sustainable business. The main focus in this work is to recommend different agro-adaptation measures to be part of policies for sustainable agricultural production systems in future.

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is renowned for its excellent potential of converting unavailable forms of phosphorus (P) to a simpler available form in the soil. This P availability not only...

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Silica gel on the growth and yield of Camelina sativa. A pot experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications at Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. The experiment consisted of 4 levels (0.15 mg/g, 0.30 mg/g, 0.45 mg/g and 0.60 mg/g) of each mentioned nutrient along with control. The data were recorded and analyzed according to recommended procedure for following parameters viz., germination %, root and shoot length (cm), root and shoot biomass (g), relative water content of leaf and leaf membrane stability index. It was observed that 0.60 mg/g silica gel application increased the seed germination (80%), root length (6.67) cm, shoot length (35.33) cm, root biomass (1.7) g, shoot biomass (5.57) g, relative water content of leaf (0.69) and leaf membrane stability index (0.07). The study concluded that significant effect of silica gel application is crucial and important to improve vegetative attributes of false flax.

Waste production is associated with human inhabitation and its rate is increasing over time. Globally, the major proportion of waste is disposed of through landfilling and open dumping, which is en...

Recently, there is an increasing trend of using metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture due to their potential role in remediating soil pollution and improving nutrient utilization from fertilizers. However, evidence suggested that these NPs were toxic to the soil life and their associated functions, and this toxicity depended on their dose, type, and size. Here, a dose-dependent (5, 50, and 100 mg kg−1 soil) toxicity of NiO NPs on poultry manure (PM: 136 kg N ha−1) decomposition, nutrient mineralization, and herbage N uptake were studied in a standard pot experiment. The NPs doses were mixed with PM and applied in soil-filled pots where then ryegrass was sown. Results revealed that the lowest dose significantly increased microbial biomass (C and N) and respiration from PM, whereas a high dose reduced these parameters. This decrease in such parameters by the highest NPs dose resulted in 13 and 41% lower soil mineral N and plant available K from PM, respectively. Moreover, such effects resulted in 32 and 35% lower herbage shoot and root N uptakes from PM in this treatment. Both intermediate and high doses decreased herbage shoot Ni uptake from PM by 33 and 34%, respectively. However, all NPs doses did not influence soil Ni content from PM. Hence, our results indicated that high NPs dose (100 mg kg−1) was toxic to decomposition, nutrient mineralization, and herbage N uptake from PM. Therefore, such NiONPs toxicity should be considered before recommending their use in agriculture for soil remediation or optimizing nutrient use efficiency of fertilizers.

Foliar epidermal features were based on the micromorphology of trichomes types, epidermal cells and stomatal complex. Even though each feature has its own limited taxonomic value but collectively these characteristics may be systematically important especially for the discrimination and identification of complex and problematic taxa. The systematics significance of nonglandular (NGTs) and glandular trichomes (GTs), stomatal complex and epidermal cells of Lamiaceous flora were analyzed by using the light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Variations on the observed epidermal appendages were divided into two basic types: glandular and nonglandular. GTs can be divided into subtypes: sessile capitate, subsessile capitate, and barrel and sunken. NGTs were also divided into subtypes: dendritic, stellate, conical, falcate, simple and 1-6 cells long having granulate and smooth surface ornamentation. NGTs were the most dominant features of both adaxial and abaxial surfaces of all observed taxa. Vitex negundo, Isodon rugosus, Colebrookea oppositifolia, and Marrubium vulgare could be demarked because of their twisted like appearance of NGTs at the abaxial surface. The Lamiaceae had both hypostomatic and amphistomatic leaf. Stomata were observed as diacytic, anisocytic, and anomocytic. Epidermal cells were found to be irregular, isodiametric, and rectangular. Based on these characters a taxonomic key was developed to delimit the closely related taxa. Distribution and morphology of the foliar epidermal trichomes through SEM highlight an important taxonomic tool used by the taxonomists as an aid to the correct identification of problematic Lamiaceae taxa.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a noxious annual weed rapidly spreading in cropped areas of the irrigated Punjab and other parts of Pakistan. It has become a major threat to grazing lands and crops in Punjab province. The main objective of this study was to explore the efficacy of different herbicides with various concentrations viz. pendimethalin, S-metolachlor + atrazine, bromoxynil + 2-methyl-4-chloorphenoxyacetic acid, and atrazine at their recommended (407, 711, 445 and 469 g a.i./ha, respectively), 50% lower and 50% higher doses against Parthenium hysterophorus L. Weeds were allowed to grow in a field for three years (2010-2013) where this spring maize experiment was conducted during the years 2013 and 2014. All herbicide treatments at their recommended and higher doses significantly reduced Parthenium dry weight. Minimum density (2.3 and 2.0/m) and dry biomass (39.74 and 43.47 g/m) of parthenium weed was observed with S-metolachlor + atrazine at 711.36 g/ha treatment during 2013 and 2014, respective...

Optimizing nitrogen (N) application timings and rate can improve nutrient uptake and nutrient efficiencies in wheat, particularly under rainfed conditions. Climatic stress in the form of high temperature and drought resulted in the decreased crop physiological traits, hastened maturity and, ultimately, caused lower grain yield. The impact of N application rates as full and split dose at three diverse locations of rainfed Pothwar, Pakistan was studied through field experiments for two years (2013&ndash, 14 and 2014&ndash, 15). Treatments include T1 = control (no fertilizer applied), full dose of N applied at the time of crop sowing, i.e., T2 = 50 kg N ha&minus, 1, T3 = 100 kg N ha&minus, 1 and T4 = 150 kg N ha&minus, 1, and split application of N at different timings at different stages of the crop, called split application of N, i.e., T5: application of 50 kg N ha&minus, 1 (15 kg N ha&minus, 1 (sowing, BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) 0): 20 kg N ha&minus, 1 (tillering, BBCH20): 15 kg N ha&minus, 1 (anthesis, BBCH 60), T6: application of 100 kg N ha&minus, 1 (30 kg N ha&minus, 1 (sowing, BBCH 0): 40 kg N ha&minus, 1 (tillering, BBCH 20): 30 kg N ha&minus, 1 (anthesis, BBCH 60) and T7: application of 150 kg N ha&minus, 1 (45 kg N ha&minus, 1 (sowing, BBCH 0): 60 kg N ha&minus, 1 (tillering, BBCH 20): 45 kg N ha&minus, 1 (anthesis, BBCH 60). The three study sites were Islamabad (high rainfall with optimum temperature), University Research Farm (URF)-Chakwal Road, Koont (medium rainfall with moderate temperature), and Talagang (low rainfall with high temperature). Results revealed that the highest stomatal conductance (0.80 mole H2O m&minus, 2 s&minus, 1), net photosynthetic rate (20.07 &mu, mole CO2 m&minus, 1), transpiration rate (9.58 mmole H2O m&minus, 1), intercellular CO2 concentration (329.25 &mu, mole CO2 mol&minus, 1 air), SPAD values (58.86%) and proline contents (35.42 &mu, g g&minus, 1) were obtained from split application of N (T6 = split N100) compared to control and full dose N treatments. Among the sites, these physiological traits remained highest at Islamabad and lowest at Talagang, while between the years, the maximum values of the measured parameters were obtained during 2013&ndash, 14. A similar trend was observed for crop total N, N efficiencies, and agronomic traits of the crop. The results suggested that the optimum N application rate at appropriate timings can help to harvest the real benefits of N. The split dose resulted in the maximum performance of the crop from the physiological parameters to the agronomic traits of the crop.

Optimizing the nitrogen (N) timings and rate can improve nutrient uptake, and nutrient-efficiencies, especially of N in wheat under the changing climate scenario. Climatic stress in the form of high temperature and drought resulted in the decreased crop physiology and, ultimately, grain yield. Taking the example of rainfed wheat, we quantified the impact of N application rates as full and split-dose at three variable sites of rainfed Pothwar, Pakistan by conducting field experiments for two years (2013-14 and 201-15). Treatments include, T1 = Control (No fertilizer applied), full dose of N applied at the time of crop sowing, i.e. T2 = 50 kg N ha-1, T3 = 100 kg N ha-1 and T4 = 150 kg N ha-1 and split application of N at different timings during different stages of the crop called as split application of N, i.e. T5: Application of 50 kg N ha-1 (15 kg N ha-1 (Sowing) : 20 kg N ha-1 (Tillering) :15 kg N ha-1 (Anthesis), T6: Application of 100 kg N ha-1 (30 kg N ha-1 (Sowing): 40 kg N ha-1 (Tillering) : 30 kg N ha-1 (Anthesis) and T7: Application of 150 kg N ha-1(45 kg N ha-1 (Sowing) : 60 kg N ha-1 (Tillering) : 45 kg N ha-1 (Anthesis). Three study sites include viz. Islamabad (High rainfall with optimum temperature), University Research Farm (URF)-Koont (Medium rainfall with moderate temperature), and Talagang (low rainfall with high temperature). Results showed that the highest stomatal conductance (0.80 mole m-2 sec-1), net photosynthetic rate (20.07 μmole m-2s-1), transpiration rate (9.58 mmole m-2s-1), intercellular CO2 concentration (329.25 μmole CO2 mol-1 air), SPAD values (58.86 %) and proline contents (35.42 μg g-1) were obtained for split application of N (T6 = Split N100) compared to control and full dose of N treatments. Among sites, these physiological traits remained highest at Islamabad and lowest at Talagang, while among years, maximum values of the measured parameters were obtained in 2013-14. A similar trend was observed for crop total N, N efficiencies, and agronomic traits of the crop. Our results suggest that optimum N application rate and its suitable timings can help to harvest real benefits of N as in our findings, split dose resulted in the maximum performance of the crop from physiological parameters to the agronomic traits of the rainfed wheat crop.

Waste management is necessary for environmental and economic sustainability, but it depends upon socioeconomic, political, and environmental factors. More countries are shifting toward recycling as compared to landfilling; thus, different researchers have presented the zero waste concept, considering the importance of sustainability. This review was conducted to provide information about different well established and new/emerging technologies which could be used to recover nutrients from wastes and bring zero waste concepts in practical life. Technologies can be broadly divided into the triangle of nutrient accumulation, extraction, and release. Physicochemical mechanisms, plants, and microorganisms (algae and prokaryotic) could be used to accumulate nutrients. Extraction of nutrient is possible through electrodialysis and crystallization while nutrient release can occur via thermochemical and biochemical treatments. Primary nutrients, i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are used globally and are non-renewable. Augmented upsurges in prices of inorganic fertilizers and required discharge restrictions on nutrients have stimulated technological developments. Thus, well-proven technologies, such as biochar, composting, vermicomposting, composting with biochar, pyrolysis, and new emerging technologies (forward osmosis and electro-dialysis) have potential to recover nutrients from wastes. Therefore, reviewing the present and imminent potential of these technologies for adaptation of nutrient recycling from wastes is of great importance. Since waste management is a significant concern all over the globe and technologies, e.g., landfill, combustion, incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification, are available to manage generated wastes, they have adverse impacts on society and on the environment. Thus, climate-friendly technologies, such as composting, biodegradation, and anaerobic decomposition, with the generation of non-biodegradable wastes need to be adopted to ensure a sustainable future environment. Furthermore, environmental impacts of technology could be quantified by life cycle assessment (LCA). Therefore, LCA could be used to evaluate the performance of different environmentally-friendly technologies in waste management and in the designing of future policies. LCA, in combination with other approaches, may prove helpful in the development of strategies and policies for the selection of dynamic products and processes.

Sorghum is an important forage crop having good drought tolerance and high dry matter accumulation in a short growing season, and grown under diversified environments. Based on this, a 2-year field study was executed to evaluate the effect of seed rate and nitrogen (N) levels on the fiber quality of forage sorghum cultivars harvested at different growth stages under semiarid condition. Three forage sorghum cultivars (‘JS–2002’, ‘JS–263’ and ‘Chakwal Sorghum’) were sown with three N levels (0, 60 and 120 kg ha−1) by using three seed rates (75, 100 and 125 kg ha−1). Results showed that cv. ‘JS–2002’ had higher contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and cellulose, while ‘JS–263’ produced greater soluble carbohydrate, total digestible nutrients (TDN), relative feed value (RFV) and net energy (NE) than other cultivars. Increasing N rates (0–120 kg ha−1) enhanced ADF, ADL, RFV and NE, but not NDF and TDN. Similarly, increased seed rate enhanced accumulation of NDF, ADF and ADL, while caused reduction of TDN, RFV and NE. In conclusion, cv. ‘JS–2002’ performed better than the other two cultivars, whereas, sorghum seeded at 75 kg ha−1 with 120 kg N ha−1 application produced better quality forage at 50% heading stage.

Field experiments were carried out during two consecutive years at the National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, with the hypothesis that seed rate and nitrogen (N) application improves plant morphology, yield production and brix value of forage sorghum cultivars. Twenty-seven treatment combinations comprising three sorghum cultivars, namely, ‘JS–2002,’ ‘Chakwal sorghum’ and ‘JS–263’ were sown with three seed rates (75, 100 and 125 kg ha−1) and three N levels (0, 60 and 120 kg ha−1). Experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design with split–split plot arrangement in triplicate. Seed rate changed the plant morphology, yield traits and brix value variably. Increasing N application (0–120 kg ha−1) had a positive impact on growth and yield traits except brix value. Results revealed that ‘JS–2002’ surpassed the other two cultivars for plant height, number of leaves, leaf area per plant, leaf to stem ratio, green forage yield and dry biomass yield, dry matter content and brix value at given developmental stages at seed rate of 125 kg ha−1 with applied N level of 120 kg ha−1, during both the years. The highest N application (120 kg ha−1) in ‘JS–2002’ gave an increase of 45% forage yield as compared to control.

In present study, different foliar treatments were applied on peanut to check their ameliorative effect on Fe deficiency. In hydroponics experiments, foliar applications of FeSO4, Fe-EDTA, sequestrene and ferric chloride were applied to check their effect on Fe deficiency chlorosis in two varieties of peanut already screened as BARI-2000 (Fe deficiency tolerant) and BARD-699 (Fe deficiency sensitive). Sequestrene proved to be more effective in increasing the growth of plant. Photosynthetic rate increased up to 58 and 70% in BARI-2000 and BARD-699 respectively as compared to control with foliar application of sequestrene. Similarly higher active Fe concentration was recorded in both genotypes. Up to 14 and 41% increase in active Fe concentration was observed. Various morpho physiological parameters including root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh and shoot dry weights, SPAD values, photosynthetic and transpiration rates showed that BARD-699 was more responsive to foliar applications, while foliar application of sequestrene can be used in correcting Fe deficiency in both genotypes. Active Fe was significantly correlated with different morphological parameters in both genotypes. The results of presense experiment suggested that foliar applications were helpful in correction Fe deficiency in peanut and growth can be enhanced.

Rainwater harvesting in small dams has good potential to provide supplementary agricultural irrigation during critical crop growth stages. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate cropping patterns: fallow–wheat (FW), mash–wheat (MaW), sorghum–wheat (SW), maize (grain)–wheat (MW), maize (grain)–gram (MG) and mung–canola (MuC); under two conditions: irrigated (Command area of Pira Fatehial small dam) and rainfed (Un-command area) on sandy loam soil during three years (2009 to 2011). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design, three factor factorial (cropping patterns, irrigated/non-irrigated conditions and years) using four replications. The highest grain yield of wheat (5.6 Mg ha−1) was obtained from the MaW cropping pattern as compared to those from MW, FW and SW cropping patterns. Summer crops (sorghum fodder, maize grain and mash) performed excellent under irrigated conditions. Water use efficiency of wheat (14.3 kg ha−1mm−1) following mash under both the conditions exhibited higher values than when compared with those from SW, FW and MW cropping patterns. However, nutrient use efficiency in SW cropping pattern surpassed the others. Performance of all crops remained better under the irrigated condition during both all seasons and years, as rainfall deficiency was compensated by supplementary irrigations. Hence, this study concluded that farmers having water resources for supplemental irrigation should adopt the MW cropping pattern, based on grain yield, efficient utilization of available supplemental water and better utilization of nutrients. Similarly, based on improved nutrient utilization and monitory outputs, the MaW sequence should be followed in rain-fed areas for better resource management. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Silicon has the potential to improve drought tolerance in crops. Seeds primed with silicon were used in the present study to explore its potential benefit to withstand water stress. Seeds of two wheat varieties, NARC-2009 and Chakwal-50, were sown in pots after priming with distilled water and different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%) of silicon sources (silicic acid, sodium silicate and silica gel) at PMAS, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. Maximum silicon uptake at three-leaf stage (0.028 µg g−1 dry weight (DW)), anthesis (0.072 µg g−1 DW) and maturity (0.103 µg g−1 DW) was recorded for silica gel. Silicon uptake increased significantly in response to increase in Si concentration from 0.5% to 1.5%. Leaf membrane stability index, epicuticular wax, relative water content and proline remained maximum – 78.90%, 2.6 mg g−1 DW, 83.88% and 54.90 µg g−1 – for silica gel treatments compared with others. Silica gel with 1.5% silicon concentration resulted in maximum spike length (14.3 cm), biological ...

In Pothwar area of Punjab Pakistan (33 o N to 74 o E), intensive soil tillage, soil erosion and low crop residue input are the reasons which have lead to the deterioration of soil structure. Structurally unstable soils are more susceptible to erosion which, in turn, leads to poor crop productivity. Therefore, a field study was conducted in dry land region of Punjab, Pakistan to improve soil physical health at campus of University R esearch Farm (PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi). Two different grades (Laboratory and commercial grade) of humic acid along with eight levels were applied for two years. The treatments were HL 0 (control), HL 1 10 kg H.A ha - 1 , HL 2

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) production in the rainfed area of Pothwar Pakistan is extremely vulnerable to high temperature. The expected increase in temperature due to global warming should result in shorter crop life cycles, and thus lower biomass and grain yield. Two major factors control wheat phenological development: temperature and photoperiod. To evaluate wheat development in response to these factors, we conducted experiments that created diverse temperature and daylength conditions by adjusting the crop sowing time. The study was conducted during 2013-14 and 2014-15 using five spring wheat genotypes, four sowing times, at three sites under rainfed management in Pothwar, Pakistan. Wheat crops experienced more cold days with early sowing, but later sowing dates resulted in higher temperatures, especially from anthesis to maturity. These treatments produced large differences in phenology, biomass production, and yield. To investigate whether growing degree days (GDD) and photoperiod algorithms could predict wheat phenology under these changing conditions, GDD was calculated based on the method proposed by Wang and Engel while photoperiod followed the approach introduced in the APSIM crop growth model. GDD was calculated separately and in combination with photoperiod from germination to anthesis. For the grain filling period, only GDD was calculated. The observed and predicted number of days to anthesis and maturity were in good agreement, showing that the combination of GDD and photoperiod algorithms provided good estimations of spring wheat phenology under variable temperature and daylength conditions.

In the present work, the potential of novel cultivar of safflower seed crop with highest 52% oil contents is evaluated for the first time as a feedstock for biodiesel synthesis. The specific aim of this study was to optimize the transesterification process for maximum biodiesel yield using different parameters and to evaluate its fuel compatibility with mineral diesel. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) of safflower oil were produced by standard transesterification process using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst. Optimum biodiesel yield of 98% achieved at 65°C, 5:1 methanol: oil molar ratio, 0.32 g catalyst concentration, and reaction time of 80 min. The kinematic viscosity@ 40°C (cSt), flash point, sulfur contents (wt%), pour point and cloud point of pure safflower oil biodiesel (SOB) were found to be 5.32 mm2/s, 80°C, 0.00041%, –9°C and –11°C, respectively. These together with other fuel parameters were in accordance with ASTM standards. The results obtained indicate that SOB appears to be the potenti...