Effect of Different Levels of Phosphorus and Method of Application on the Growth and Yield of Wheat

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the productivity of wheat under different levels of phosphorus and method of application at Department of Agronomy, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. Experiment was laid out in a RCBD (factorial) with three replications. The treatments were four phosphorus levels (P1 = 0 Kg?ha–1 + Recommended Nitrogen, P2 = 30 Kg?ha–1 + Recommended Nitrogen, P3 = 60 Kg?ha–1 + Recommended Nitrogen and P4 = 90 Kg?ha–1 + Recommended Nitrogen) and two placement methods (A1 = Drilling method and A2 = Broadcast method). The statistical analysis of phosphorus levels and placement exhibited significant differences to the maturity days, plant height, tiller production, spike length, grains per spike, seed index, harvest index and grain yield ha–1. However, the interactions of P levels and placement in all crop characters were non-significant except the grain yield/ha–1. The results revealed that application of 90 kg P ha–1 prolonged 143 days for maturity, taller plants (100.16 cm), more tiller plant–1 (13.50), lengthy spikes (12.83 cm), more grains spike–1 (51.33), heavier seed index (48.16 g), better harvest index (50.82%) and satisfactory grain yield (4240.50 Kg?ha–1). The unit increase in grain yield was positively correlated with the increased values of observed crop parameters by extending the values of maturity r = 0.85, plant height r = 0.94, tillers plant r = 0.96, spike length r = 0.95, grains spik–1 r = 0.97, seed index r = 0.95 and harvest index r = 0.97. It was concluded that 90 kg P ha–1 was superior level of phosphorus if, applied with seed drilling for obtaining satisfactory grain yield of wheat crop.

Effect of Boron Soil Application on Nutrients Efficiency in Tobacco Leaf

The present study was based on the general hypothesis that boron may affect the accumulation and utilization of other nutrients in plant. For this purpose a field experiment was carried out to find out the influence of boron on the different nutrients content in FCV tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) at TRS Khan Garhi, Mardan, during 2010-2011. Two varieties TM-2008 and Speight G-28 were tested and six levels of boron (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 kg&middotha-1) were applied in the form of boric acid, in randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement and replicated thrice. Results indicated that the yield of tobacco crop increased with 1 kg&middotB&middotha-1 and then decreased sequence wise in both varieties. N and P concentrations were significantly affected by applied boron. Similarly, potassium was increased which is a good indication for a better quality of tobacco crop. Application of boron significantly increased the concentrations of boron nutrients ratios such as K/B;Cl/B and Mn/Fe were decreased while K/Cl and Zn/Cu ratios were increased at lower boron concentrations but decreased at higher concentrations of boron. The fertilizer use efficiency of both the cultivars showed similar trend;however, Speight G-28 was more efficient than TM-2008 in boron accumulation. The overall results revealed that the application of boron should be encouraged for balancing nutrients concentration, thus getting higher yield in the prevailing conditions.

Heterosis and Combing Ability in F1 Population of Hexaploid Wheat (<i>Triticum Aestivum</i>L.)

The heterosis, heterobeltiosis, general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were examined during Rabi (crop season) of 2013-2014 in hexaploid wheat genotypes. The experiment for this study was conducted at the Botanical Garden, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan. The breeding material was comprised of four parents (Imdad, TD-1, SKD-1, and Moomal). These parents were crossed in half partial mating fashion;thus, six possible cross combinations (F1s) were obtained (Imdad × TD-1, Imdad × SKD-1, Imdad × Moomal, TD-1 × SKD-1, TD-1 × Moomal, and SKD-1 × Moomal). A three-replicated RCB Design was used. The mean squares corresponding to different traits of various hexaploid wheat genotypes indicated significant (P F1 hybrids) effects for the characters (plant height, tillers plant-1, spike length, spikelets spike-1, seeds spike-1, seed index, and grain yield plant-1). The mean performance of F1 hybrids differed significantly (P < 0.01) for all the traits studied. Among the parents, Imdad and TD-1 proved to be better general combiners for almost all the studied traits. In regards to SCA effects, the F1 hybrids Imdad × TD-1 and Imdad × SKD-1 expressed higher SCA and heterotic effects for most of the studied traits.

Study on Growth Effects of Major-Nutrients Composition to Banana Cultivation in Coastal Areas of Sindh, Pakistan

The composition of major nutrients, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), is a critical factor in banana cultivation and also influences crop yield. This study was aimed to analyze the concentrations of NPK in different banana growing locations of coastal areas of Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 15 composite soil samples at the depth of 0 - 15 and 15 - 30 cm and the same number of banana leaves were collected. The samples were analyzed for the concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn and Cl concentrations. Results showed that the surface and sub-surface soils of coastal areas were heavy in texture, non-saline, medium alkaline and moderately calcareous in nature. Medium to adequate in Organic Matter (OM), medium in total nitrogen, medium to optimum in available phosphorus, medium to high in exchangeable potassium and deficient in available zinc at both tested depths. The analysis of soluble anions indicated that the carbonates were absent and that chlorides were dominant as compared with bicarbonates. Nitrogen and zinc concentrations of banana leaves were below the critical level, whereas P, K, Mn and chloride ion concentration were above the critical levels. In addition, the relative percentages for K, Ca and Mg were 57.72 to 61.72, 19.05 to 21.00 and 17.70 to 20.00 respectively.

Effect of Water Stress on the Growth and Yield of Cotton Crop (<i>Gossypium hirsutum</i>L.)

Cotton is one of the most important fibre crops playing a key role in economic and social affairs of the world. Water is a critical factor which influences on growth and yield of the cotton crop. Scarcity of water has put tremendous pressure on scientists to introduce drought tolerant cotton varieties. This study was aimed to determine water stress effects on the growth and yield of cotton. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of number of irrigations on the growth and yield of cotton during 2014. The field trial was conducted at the Experimental Fields of Agronomy Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, Pakistan. A three replicated Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed to layout the experiment having plot size of 2.5 m × 5 m (12.5 m2). Four cotton varieties i.e. NIAB-78, Shahbaz-95, Sindh-1 and TH-224/87 were chosen for this study based on their frequent farmer usage. All the agronomic practices were performed according to standard procedures. Results showed that all the growth and yield components of cotton were significantly (P 0.05) affected by irrigation frequencies. The cotton crop irrigated six times at 21 days interval showed better results with 138.16 cm plant height, 1.45 monopodial branches per plant, 21.83 sympodial branches per plant, 44.58 bolls per plant, 33.86% G.O.T., and 26.97 mm staple length, 149.84 g seed cotton yield per plant and 2271.16 kg·ha-1 seed cotton yield. This study concluded that variety NIAB-78 showed superiority over Shahbaz-95, Sindh-1 and TH-224/87 in almost all the characters of economic importance, and the cotton crop received 6 irrigations at 21 days interval resulted in significantly economical overall performance as compared with 5 irrigations or 4 irrigations with higher seed cotton yield.

Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction for Identification of the Pathogen and Management of Potato Soft Rot with Zinc Application

Effect of different Zinc doses was investigated against Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica, the potato blackleg/soft rot causing organism, during 2009 and 2010 in Department of Plant Pathology and Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan. Out of 200 tested samples, 21 of them were proved to be Eca. However, these tentative Eca isolates showed some characteristics which were unexpected for Eca. We, therefore, decided to perform Polymerase Chain Reaction using Eca-specific primers, Eca1F and Eca2R for confirm identification. For disease management, at the time of sowing, pots containing 5 kg sterilized soil were applied with Zinc in four different treatments i.e. 8 mg, 10 mg, 12 mg and 14 mg along with one control. Results indicated that 12 mg (4.8 kg Zn ha-1) were better doses in controlling the disease up to 73% and increasing the yield up to 117% as compared to control plants.

Optimizing Yield and Quality of Canola Cultivars Using Various Potash Levels

The response of several canola cultivars to different potassium (K) levels was investigated in terms of various agronomic parameters including yields, oil and protein contents in a trial conducted at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan in Rabi 2010-11. Three cultivars including Bulbul-98, Abaseen-95 and Dure-NIFA, with five levels of potassium i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg&middotha-1 were used in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with four replications and factorial arrangement. A larger number of days to 50% flowering (116.6 days), plant height (203.8 cm), leaf area index (4.4), 1000 grain weight (3.5 g), biological yield (13189.3 kg&middotha-1), grain yield (1799.2 kg&middotha-1) and harvest index (13.9%) were obtained in K applied plots than the plots where K was not applied. The highest oil (45.1%) and protein (27.7%) was obtained in plots where K was applied at the rate of 120 and 90 kg&middotha-1, respectively. Among cultivars, Bulbul-98 and Abaseen-95 had higher seed yield and oil percentage. Bulbul-98 had more protein content than Abaseen-95 and Durre-NIFA. On average, cultivars gave higher and at par grain yield at 60, 90 and 120 kg&middotha-1. However, they produced higher and at par oil and protein percentage at 90 and 120 kg&middotha-1. Bul-bul-98 and Abaseen-95 are recommended for higher grain yield and oil content for general culti-vation in Peshawar valley. However, for higher protein content, Bulbul-98 is better. Potassium applied at 60 kg&middotha-1 is recommended for higher grain yield, however, for higher oil and protein content, K at 90 kg&middotha-1 is recommended.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Organic Farming in Peshawar-Pakistan

This study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the adoption of organic farming in Peshawar-Pakistan. A total of 100 respondents were randomly selected from the four different cultivated areas of Peshawar, namely Palosi, Regi, Ternab and Pushtakhara. Binary logistic re-gression was used in this study to categorize the organic farming into adoption and non-adoption. The purpose of this model was to check the event probability for a categorical response variable with two outcomes. The results of the binary logistic show that factors affecting adoption of organic farming have a significant effect on the farmer productivity. Moreover, cost, productivity, profitability, compatibility and efficiency have a positive and significant effect. Thus, it is obvious that adopting organic farming not only to increase the farmer income but also to protect environmental pollution by avoiding the toxic chemical and fertilizer. Finally, we suggest that government agencies, extension and research institution should play a vital role to strengthen the awareness and advantages of organic farming.

Immobilization of Lead and Cadmium in Contaminated Soil Using Amendments: A Review

Since the inception of industrial revolution, metal refining plants using pyrometallurgical processes have generated the prodigious emissions of lead(Pb) and cadmium(Cd). As the core target of such pollutants, a large number of soils are nowadays contaminated over widespread areas, posing a great threat to public health worldwide. Unlike organic pollutants, Pb and Cd do not undergo chemical or microbial breakdown and stay likely in site for longer duration after their release. Immobilization is an in-situ remediation technique that uses cost-effective soil amendments to reduce Pb and Cd availability in the contaminated soils. The Pb and Cd contamination in the soil environment is reviewed with focus on source enrichment, speciation and associated health risks, and immobilization options using various soil amendments. Commonly applied and emerging cost-effective soil amendments for Pb and Cd immobilization include phosphate compounds, liming, animal manure, biosolids, metal oxides, and biochar. These immobilizing agents could reduce the transfer of metal pollutants or residues to food web(plant uptake and leaching to subsurface water) and their long-term sustainability in heavy metal fixation needs further assessment.

Use of Biochar as an Amendment for Remediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils:Prospects and Challenges

Biochar(BC), known as the new black gold, is a stable, novel carbonaceous by-product that is synthesized through pyrolysis of biological materials in the absence of O_2.Recently, an emerging interest in the application of BC as a robust soil amendment has given rise to a broad research area in science and technology.It is considered a promising remediation option for heavy metal(HM)-contaminated soils to reduce HM bioavailability to plants.Remediation efficacy of BC depends on the porosity, composition,pyrolysis temperature, feedstock, and residence time of pyrolysis.This review article aimed to present an overview of BC use in the immobilization of HMs, i.e., Cd, As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cr, and Sb, in contaminated soils.The remaining uncertain factors, including the specific soil HM immobilization mechanisms, long-term beneficial effects, and potential environmental risks associated with BC application are analyzed.Future research must be conducted to ensure that the management of environmental pollution is in accord with ecological sustainability and adaptation of the black gold biotechnology on a commercial basis for immobilization of HMs in contaminated soils.

Mycoremediation of Potentially Toxic Trace Elements--a Biological Tool for Soil Cleanup:A Review

Anthropogenic and geogenic activities release potentially toxic trace elements （PTEs） that impact human health and the envi- ronment. Increasing environmental pollution stresses the need for environmentally friendly remediation technologies. Physico-chemical treatments are effective, but are costly and generate secondary pollution on- or off-site. Phytoremediation is a biological treatment that provides positive results for PTE eradication with few limitations. Mycoremediation, a type of bioremediation to use macrofungi （mushrooms） for PTE extraction from polluted sites, is the best option for soil cleanup. This review highlights the scope, mechanisms, and potentials of mycoremediation. Mushrooms produce a variety of extracellular enzymes that degrade polycyclic aromatic hydro- carbons （PAHs）, polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs）, pesticides, dyes, and petroleum hydrocarbons into simpler compounds. Cadmium （Cd）, lead （Pb）, mercury （Hg）, chromium （Cr）, copper （Cu）, zinc （Zn）, and iron （Fe） have been effectively extracted by Phellinus badius, Amanita spissa, Lactarius piperatus, Suillus grevillei, Agaricus bisporous, Trieholoma terreum, and Fomes fomentarius, re- spectively. Mycoremediation is affected by environmental and genetic factors, such as pH, substrate, mycelium age, enzyme type, and ecology. The bioaccumulation factor （BAF） can make clear the effectiveness of a mushroom for the extraction of PTEs from the substrate. Higher BAF values of Cd （4.34）, Pb （2.75）, Cu （9）, and Hg （95） have been reported for Amanita muscaria, Hypholoma fasciculare, Russula foetens, and Boletus pinophilus, respectively, demonstrating their effectiveness and suitability for mycoremediation of PTEs.