Effects of Humic Acid and Crop Residues on Soil and Wheat Nitrogen Contents

This study was conducted with the aim of finding humic acid and crop residues effects on soil and wheat nitrogen at New Development Farm, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during winter 2009-2010. The experiment was laid out in RCB design having four replications. Different levels (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 kg ha-1) of Humic acid were applied at sowing time. Mungbean (5 tons ha-1), wheat straw (10 tons ha-1) and mungbean (2.5 tons ha-1) + wheat straw (5 tons ha-1) were incorporated 30 days before sowing. Our results showed higher mineral and total nitrogen (7.32 and 0.43, respectively) mg kg-1 in soil and also higher nitrogen in stem, leaves and grains (2.3, 4.6 and 21.1, respectively) mg kg-1 at maturity in those plots in which 2.5 kg ha-1 of humic acid was applied. Higher mineral and total nitrogen (7.04 and 0.5, respectively) mg kg-1 in soil and also higher nitrogen in leaves (5.5) mg kg-1 at pre-anthesis, while at maturity stage in stem, leaves and grain (5.5, 2.1, 4.2 and 20.8) g kg-1 was recorded in those plots in which 5 tons ha-1 mung bean was incorporated. Our experimental results suggest the use of 5 tons ha-1 of mungbean residues with 2.5 kg ha-1 of humic acid to improve soil fertility availability of more nitrogen in wheat plants to increase the crop yield and grains quality.

Potential of AM Fungi in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals and Effect on Yield of Wheat Crop

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the potential of AM fungi in phytoremediation of heavy metals and its effect on yield of wheat crop. The experiment was conducted in CR Design with four replications during rabi 2012-13. Data showed no increase in grain and shoot yields by AMF inoculation with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn at different levels but increased root yield, plant height, spike length and hundred grains weight of wheat as compared with uninoculated crop. Post-harvest soil Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contents of 2, 4.4, 2.8 and 2.9 mg·kg-1, respectively were maximum in uninoculated plants treated with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn at triple of recommended level. No increases in plant P, N, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn uptakes were observed by the inoculation of AMF when compared with uninoculated crop. Maximum plant Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn uptakes of 160.5, 206, 1914.6 and 2653 g·ha-1, respectively were recorded in uninoculated plants applied with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn at triple of recommended levels. Wheat roots infection intensity by AMF increased with higher AMF soil spores density. Results suggest the potential of phytoremediation of contaminated soil to be improved by the inoculation of crops with AMF.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungal Inoculation with Compost on Yield and Phosphorous Uptake of Berseem in Alkaline Calcareous Soil

An experiment was conducted in pots under natural conditions in alkaline calcareous soil to determine berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) yield and P uptake as affected by Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation with compost prepared from fresh animal dung and rock phosphate. Data indicated that berseem shoot and roots yields increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by inoculation of indigenous mycorrhiza (AMF-I) and half dose of compost. Shoot yield increased as 98% and 76% roots yield as 60% and 52% over control and N and K fertilizers. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased plant N and P uptake by berseem was observed in the treatment inoculated by commercial mycorrhiza (AMF-II) with full dose of compost followed by the inoculation of AMF-II with half dose of compost. Plants uptake of Cu, Mn and Fe was improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by the inoculation of AMF-II with half dose of compost, while Zn uptake was increased in the treatment of AMF-II inoculation with full dose of compost. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased soil spores density of AMF as 27 spores per 20 g soil was noted by inoculation of AMF-I with half dose of compost, while maximum roots infection intensity in berseem was observed by the inoculation of AMF-I with full dose of compost. Results suggest that inoculation of AMF with compost has potential to improve berseem yields and plants nutrients uptake under given soil conditions.

Effect of Foliar Application of Micronutrients on Fruit Quality of Peach

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar spray of micronutrients on quality of peach fruits at Horticulture Farm, University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2010. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete design with six treatments and four replications on peach orchards (early grand). Our pre-treatment soil analysis showed silt loam soil class, alkaline and calcareous in nature and adequate in organic matter. The soil was deficient in P, Zn, Fe and B, whereas adequate in Mn and Cu. The fruit quality was evaluated and maximum fruit length, diameter and yield were noted in T6 (Zn + Cu + Fe + Mn + B). The juice pH decreased and the juice acidity increased in a linear fashion after foliar spray of micronutrients. The total soluble solids of fresh fruit juice ranged 7.01%-8.88% and vitamin C ranged from 4.80%-7.90% after foliar spray. So the foliar spray of micronutrients significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected the quality of peach fruit.

Genetic diversity and conservation of two threatened dipterocarps(Dipterocarpaceae) in southeast Vietnam

Two threatened dipterocarp species,Dipterocarpus costatus and Dipterocarpus alatus are well-known endangered species in lowland forests of southeastern Vietnam,primarily from habitat loss and over-exploitation of their wood.To develop conservation strategies for these species,we analyzed 242 samples using nine microsatellite markers to determine the genetic variability within and among five populations of D.alatus and three of D.costatus,representing the natural range of dipterocarps in Southeast Vietnam.Results indicated low levels of genetic variability within populations with an average gene diversity of 0.223 for D.alatus and 0.152 for D.costatus.Results of bottleneck tests indicated a reduction in population size of both species(P>0.05).Genetic differentiation among populations was high(FST=0.347 for D.costatus and 0.274 for D.alatus),indicating limited gene flow(Nm=0.662 for D.costatus and 0.47 for D.alatus)and isolated populations related to geographical distances.Analysis of molecular variance showed high genetic variation within populations(72.92%for D.alatus and 60.81%for D.costatus)compared to among populations.Bayesian analysis and UPGMA tree also indicated the two optimal genetic clusters related to geographical distances.These results will provide a platform for the conservation,management and restoration of these species.

Effect of Composted Rock Phosphate with Organic Materials on Yield and Phosphorus Uptake of Berseem and Maize

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of composts prepared from different organic materials with rock phosphate (RP) on yield and P uptake of berseem and their residual effect on maize crop (cv. Azam) during 2011-2012. Composts prepared from RP fed farm yard manure (FYM), simple FYM, organic waste and city garbage were applied at the rate based on their P concentrations. Composts significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased total dry matter weight of Berseem in first and second cut over control. Residual effect of the prepared composts was determined on yield and plant P uptake of maize in the same layout of Berseem. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher maize grain yield, total dry matter yield and stover yield of 3161 kg·ha-1, 9633 kg·ha-1 and 6472 kg·ha-1, respectively were recorded by the residual effect of compost of organic waste with half dose of SSP. Thousand grains weight of 220 g was noted in the treatment of residual effect of compost of RP fed FYM with half dose of SSP. Post harvest soil N and P concentrations improved with composting. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) increases in N and P uptake by berseem and maize plants were observed with added composts. Results suggest that the use of composts prepared from different organic materials with RP is environmental friendly and has potential to improve crops yield and plants N and P uptakes for a prolonged time.

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.

Supply Response Analysis of Rice Growers in District Gujranwala, Pakistan

The study was designed to estimate the restricted profit function in district Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from 100 respondents using proportional allocation sampling tech-nique. The analysis was done using SHAZAM software. The results indicate that the farmers are price-responsive. Rice own price elasticity was 1.873. The output supply elasticity of rice with re-spect to education, land, fertilizer price and irrigation cost were 0.0.169, 1.274, -0.873 and -0.953 respectively. Irrigation demand elasticity with respect to education, land, fertilizer price, irrigation cost and output price were 0.14, 1.14, -0.783, -1.84 and 1.78 respectively. Fertilizer demand elasticity with respect to education, land, fertilizer price, irrigation cost and output price was 0.023, 0.792, -1.65, -0.85 and 1.851 respectively. Lastly, the elasticity of profit with respect to education, land, fertilizer price, irrigation cost and output price was 0.20, 1.10, -0.83, -1.136 and 1.92 respectively. The study recommends that Government should provide consistent electricity with stable rates, so that, they irrigate their fields through electric tube wells and ultimately their cost of irrigation decreases. The study also suggests that government should stabilized fertilizer prices to encourage its application. Furthermore, government should raise procurement price of rice to encourage its supply this;it in turn will also increase the profit of the farmer.