Effect of Salts Stress on the Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In order to study the effect of salts stress on the growth and yield of wheat (cv. Inqalab), a pot experiment was conducted in the wire-house of the Department of Soil Science, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam. The soil was artificially salinized to a range of salinity levels i.e . EC 2.16, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 dS·m-1 with different salts (MgCl2 + CaCl2 + Na2SO4). The salinized soil used for the experiment was sandy clay in texture, alkaline in reaction (pH > 7.0) and moderate in organic matter (0.95%) content. The results showed that with increasing salinity there was an increase in the ECe, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl- and decrease in the K+, SAR and ESP values of the soil Increasing salinity, progressively decreased plant height, spike length, number of spikelets spike-1 1000 grain weight and yield (straw and grain). Adverse effects of salts on plants were associated with the accumulation of less K+ and more Na+ and Cl- in their flag leaf sap, grains and straw. This resulted in lower K+:5Na+ ratio in flag leaf sap, grains and straw of wheat plants. These results indicated that the effects of salts stress were greater at 10 than at 8, 6 and 4 EC dS·m-1.

Correlation and Regression Analysis for Yield Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes

The present research work was carried out at Southern Wheat Research Station, Tandojam during the growing season 2013-14 in order to work out correlation and regression analysis for yield traits in wheat genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Eight bread wheat genotypes such as Mehran, Sarsabz, TJ-83, SKD-1, Inqlab, A. Sattar, Sehar and Sassui were used to examine correlation and regression. Seven traits, viz.;plant height, tillers plant-1, spike length, spikelet’s spike-1, grains spike-1, seed index and grain yield plant-1 were studied. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for plant height, tillers plant-1, spike length, spikelet’s spike-1, grains spike-1, seed index and grain yield plant-1. Based on mean performance, variety Sarsabz gave maximum plant height (95.46), produced maximum tillers plant-1 (4.40), gave more grain spike-1 (63.13), TJ-83 gave highest seed index (47.260), and was next ranker in spike length-1 (12.07), spikelet’s spike-1 (19.13), grains spike-1 (59.86), and grain yield plant-1 (9.86) among the genotypes. The phenotypic correlations revealed that tillers plant-1 and grains spike-1 were highly positively associated;hence these yield components can be used as reliable selection criteria to improve grain yield in wheat. Thus estimation of correlation and regression analysis among yield and yield components may provide effective selection criteria to improve wheat grain yield. The results from correlation and regression of plant height indicated significantly positive association with spikelet’s spike-1, tillers plant-1 and grains spike-1 which revealed that increase in plant height will cause corresponding increase in associated traits.

Smart Building Design to Improve the Energy Consumption at an Office Room

Buildings are becoming smarter as a result of a variety of advanced technologies that enable energy management, optimal space utilization, and smart surveillance for safety, among other things. Energy-efficient smart building ideas and execution are of great interest and top priority due to the building’s occupants’ misused and high-power consumption. This paper addresses the design and execution of an energy management system that includes a solar power system for generating power for the building’s needs and a PIR-based automation system for efficient power use. This project was carried out at the Military Technological College (MTC) in Muscat, in the system engineering department’s offices. This project seeks to generate power for the building’s energy needs using solar photovoltaic panels and reduce energy consumption within the office using a PIR-based automation system. The results demonstrate that after the breakeven point (the time it takes to recoup the initial investment), it can provide power to the building for another 17 years. The calculations and practical results presented in this study approve that the system is extremely helpful.

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.

Screening Selected Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Genotypes for Yield Performance in Sindh, Pakistan

The present study was carried out during the year 2013-14 on the screening of the selected linseed genotypes for yield performance in Sindh, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out at the experimental fields of Oilseeds Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam in a three replicated randomized complete block design. Twelve linseed genotypes (L-53, C-W-2, Shikarpur 2, P-16-4, L-8, 11-106, Hala 3, L-17, Santane, Summit, L-10 and check llsi 90) were screened for their agronomic performance and correlations amongst yield and its contributing traits were calculated. The analysis of variance suggested significant (P < 0.05) variation among linseed genotypes for all the traits studied in this experiment. Most of the genotypes attained flowering and maturity earlier than the check variety;while P-16-4 surpassed Ilsi-90 for primary branches;and most of the remaining genotypes were at par with the commercial check for primary branches. Genotype L-10 surpassed the commercial check for capsules plant-1 and L-8 was at par with the commercial check;while none of the genotypes could surpass commercial check variety for seed index, but 11-106, Hala-3 and Summit also showed promising performance regarding the seed index. All the genotypes tested in this experiment such as L-53, C-W-2, Shikarpur 2, P-16-4, L-8, 11-106, Hala 3, L-17, Santane, Summit, L-10 surpassed the commercial check variety Ilsi-90 for seed yield plot-1. The correlation coefficient for yield and its contributing traits of linseed genotypes showed a positive and significant (P < 0.05) association for primary branches plant-1 vs seed yield plant-1 (r = 0.3334*), days to maturity vs spike length (r = 0.5384**), days to 75% flowering vs days to 90% maturity (r = 0.4073**), days to 75% flowering vs seed index (r = 0.4291**), days to 90% maturity vs seed index (r = 0.3973**) and seed index v/s seed yield plot-1 (r = 0.5160**). Negative and significant (P < 0.05) association was observed for primary branches plant-1 vs days to maturity (r = -0.368*), capsules plant-1 vs days to maturity (r = -0.3567*), days to 90% maturity vs seed yield plant-1 (r = -0.4156**) and days to 90% maturity vs seed yield plot-1 (r = -0.3423*). The new genotypes possess the potential to become future varieties for general cultivation in Sindh province.

Residual effects of tobacco biochar along with different fixing agents on stabilization of trace elements in multi-metal contaminated soils

The residual effect of tobacco biochar(TB≥500°C)mono and co-application with Cahydroxide(CH),Ca-bentonite(CB)and natural zeolite(NZ)on the bio-availability of trace elements TE(s)in alkaline soils has not been deeply studied yet.A pot study that had earlier been investigated TB mono and blended with CH,CB and NZ on the immobilization of Pb,Cu Cd,and Zn by Chinese cabbage.Maize crop in the rotation was selected as test plant to assess the residual impact of amendments on stabilization of Pb,Cu Cd,and Zn in mine polluted(M-P),smelter heavily and low polluted(S-HP and S-LP,respectively)soils.The obtained results showed that stabilization of Pb,Cd,Cu and Zn reached 63.84% with TB+CB,61.19% with TB+CH,83.31% with TB+CH and 35.27% with TB+CH for M-P soil,36.46% with TB+NZ,38.46% with TB+NZ,19.40% with TB+CH and 62.43% with TB+CH for S-LP soil,52.94%TB+NZ,57.65% with TB+NZ,52.94% with TB+NZ,and 28.44% with TB+CH for S-LP soil.Conversely,TB+CH and TB alone had mobilized Pb and Zn up to19.29% and 34.96% in M-P soil.The mobility of Zn reached 8.38% with TB+CB and 66.03% with TB for S-HP and S-LP soils.The uptake and accumulation of Pb,Cd,Cu and Zn in shoot and root were reduced in three polluted soils.Overall,the combination of TB along with CH,CB and NZ has been proven to be effective in Pb,Cd,Cu and Zn polluted mine/smelter soils restoration.