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Crop management practices are crucially important to increased yield and quality. This research study was planned to investigate the effects of different levels of NPK and sowing methods on maize. Results showed that different NPK levels and sowing methods significantly affected the growth and yield traits of maize (p<0.05). The better results for plant height (cm), leaf area index, cob length (cm), grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, grain yield (kg ha-1), protein content (%) total sugars (%) and starch (%) were recorded when crop-fertilized NPK with 150-120-120 kg ha-1. However, all these parameters were marginally different compared to NPK rate of 120-90-90 kg ha-1, except for plant height (cm). This treatment produced significantly higher grain yield and quality traits of maize compared to lower and control treatment. Minimum values for plant height (cm), leaf area index, cob length (cm), grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, grain yield kg ha-1, protein content (%), total sugars (%) and starch (%) were noted in the control treatment. In case of sowing methods, ridge sowing produced maximum plant height (cm), leaf area index, 50% days to tasselling and yield contributing characters like cob length (cm), grains cob-1, 1000-grain weight (g) and grain yield (kg ha-1) of maize as compared to broadcasting and drilling sowing methods. But sowing methods did not significantly affected the quality characteristics of maize, particularly protein content (%), total sugars (%) and starch (%). Among different sowing methods, ridge sowing method produced the maximum grain yield kg ha-1 of maize as compared to drilling and broadcasting. Considering the results comprehensively, the NPK rate of 120-90-90 kg ha-1 under ridge method would be the best management practice for maize cultivation:. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity stress is one of the most serious environmental factors adversely affects plant growth and yield in Pakistan and around the world. Little millet (Panicum colonum L.) is an important cereal crop which is principal source of food and is extensively grown in Pakistan and other areas of the world. The pot experiment was carried out in CRD design with six treatments including control contained three replications in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Hamdard University Karachi. Plants of Little millet (Panicum colonum L.) watered as 00 mM control, 120 mM of each NaCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, mixture of salts and natural salt concentrations. The overall osmotic potential increased by about 57% on 120 (mM) concentration of mixture of salts. Satisfactory K+/Na+ ratio was obtained from 120 mM of CaCl2 treatment, sufficient Ca2+ (mM) content was noted in 120 mM of mixture of salts treatment in the cell sap of (Panicum colonum L.) leaves as compared to other treatments and control, respectively. However, increased osmotic potential about 58 and 88% on 120 mM of mixture of salts and natural salt, such condition of osmotic potential under various chloride stress conditions for little millet (Panicum colonum L.) claimed to be stress tolerant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry stable aggregates, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and aggregate‐associated carbon are measured as vital factors for preserving soil quality. Different land use systems strongly impacts the services of the ecosystem to influence soil degradation and loss of carbon. Little is known about the dry aggregates stability and SOC stocks in the dry, semiarid region of Balochistan, Pakistan or how these resist land degradation. This study aimed to assess the impact of several land‐use systems on SOC stocks, the distribution of soil aggregates, and the carbon management index. The treatments consisted of five land‐use systems, namely, grassland, cropland, fallow land, forests, and vegetation, typically prevail in the region. Three layers of soil were used to sample it (0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm) and sieved into five aggregate classes (>8, 8–5, 5–2, 2–0.25, and <0.25 mm). The grasslands had significant higher SOC concentrations (12.83 g kg−1), SOC stocks (19.44 mg ha−1), liability index (0.89 g kg−1), nonlabile C (9.56 g kg−1), labile C (0.35 g kg−1), carbon management index (204.6), and easily oxidizable carbon (3.27 g kg−1), when compared with fallow land. Moreover, grassland and forestland soils contained larger macroaggregates (>0.25 mm), although the fallow land‐use system had a higher degree of micro aggregates (<0.25 mm). We found strong relationship of soil SOC with SOC concentration of soil aggregates and other labile fractions of carbon. Therefore, grassland and forestland promotes the aggregate‐associated SOC and carbon management index by enhancing the soil aggregation and is therefore a possible managing option to develop the SOC sequestration potential of eroded dry soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limiting of water resource and traditional farming practices are threatening the sustainability of important minor crops in Pakistan, including berseem, which is a key source of fodder for dairy farms. Each year, 2% reduction of cultivated area, low yield and grower's nonpreference (to rotate or replace wheat-cotton pattern) factors are adversely affecting the livestock sector. Consequently, animal rearing business is suffering badly due to lack of fresh forage in the country. Therefore, a three-replicated randomized complete block design (RCBD) field experiment was conducted during rabi season to evaluate berseem crop in term of yield and profit under existing farming practice (85:115:00 NPK kg ha-1 + 12 irrigations with 15 days intervals) and optimized treatments (70:100:30 NPK kg ha-1, 55:85:15 NPK kg ha-1 + 12, 08, 04 irrigations + 15, 18, 21 days intervals). The net plot size was 12 m2 with a pH range of 8.1 silty clay loam soil type. In addition, the climate was monitored as well, there was no rainfall observed during the entire crop period. The analysis of statistical data showed a significant (p < 0.05) vegetative, reproductive and economic performance of berseem in optimized farming practices compared to traditional practice. Thus, maximum plant height, leaves plant-1, branches plant-1, plant weight, fodder and seed yield, net profit, and profit on $-1 (81.8 cm, 100.8, 36.0, 19.3 (g), 72.0 t, 829.30 kg ha-1, $1910.8 ha-1, $2.03 respectably) were measured from treatment 70:100:30 NPK kg ha-1 + 12 irrigations at 15 days intervals, which is recommended to the farmers of synonymic agro-environmental conditions. Furthermore, the treatment 70:100:30 NPK kg ha-1 + 8 irrigations was also better with the aspect of satisfactory outcome and 33% less use of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]