Effect of calcium and light on the germination of Urochondra setulosa under different salts

Urochondra setulosa （Trin.） C.E. Hubbard is a coastal halophytic grass thriving on the coastal dunes along the Pakistani seashore. This grass could be useful in coastal sand dune stabilization using seawater irrigation. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that Ca^2＋ （0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 50.0 mmol/L） alleviates the adverse effects of KC1, MgSO4, NaC1 and Na2SO4 at 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mmol/L on the germination of Urochondra setulosa. Seed germination was inhibited with increase in salt concentration with few seeds germinated at and above 400 mmol/L concentration. No seed germinated in any of the KC1 treatments. Inclusion of CaC12 substantially alleviated the inhibitory effects of all salts. Germination was higher under photoperiod in comparison to those seeds germinated under complete darkness. Among the CaC12 concentrations used, 10 mmol/L was most effective in alleviating salinity effects and allowing few seeds to germinate at 1000 mmol/L KC1, MgSO4, NaC1 and Na2SO4 solution.

Vegetation-environment relationship in conifer dominating forests of the mountainous range of Indus Kohistan in northern Pakistan

Environmental variables play a crucial role in shaping vegetation structure,mainly in mountainous ecosystems.Different studies have attempted to identify the environment-vegetation relationship of Conifer Dominating Forests(CDF)worldwide.However,due to differences in local climate and soil composition,different environmental drivers can be found.By applying multivariate analysis techniques,this study investigated the vegetation-environment relationship of CDF of Indus Kohistan in northern Pakistan.Our results showed that CDF of Indus Kohistan are distributed in five distinct ecological groups,which are dominated by different trees and understory species.A total of 7 trees and 71 understory species were recorded from the sampling sites.Cedrus deodara was the leading species among four groups,having the highest importance value(IV),density and basal area.Group I was dominated by Pinus wallichiana with the second highest importance value,density and basal area.In addition,elevation,slope,maximum water holding capacity(MWHC),soil moisture(SM),total organic matter(TOM),sodium,phosphorus and nickel showed highly significant influence on composition and distribution pattern of Indus Kohistan vegetation.Therefore,this study shows a new evidence of vegetation-environment relationship,pointing out specific drivers of vegetation structure in CDF of Indus Kohistan region in northern Pakistan.

Toxicity of Fusarium solani Strains on Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina)

Discovery of anticancer drugs that must kill or disable tumor cells in the presence of normal cells without undue toxicity is an extraordinary challenge. Cytotoxicity of plant or fungal materials is considered as the presence of antitumor compounds. Brine shrimp lethality for larvae （nauplii） is used as prescreening test for the antitumor compounds. In this study, culture filtrates of eight strains of Fusarium solani isolated from seeds of various crops were tested for the toxic effect on brine shrimp. Five of the strains （TS, S-29, B-17, C-10, W-5） showed highest toxic effect and three of the strains （SR, T-9, L-25） showed low toxic activity on brine shrimp. Toxic activity reduced when culture filtrates were diluted. However, F. solani strains TS, B-17, SR, T-9 and L-25 caused more than 30% mortality at 1：10 dilution. Toxic activity was slightly reduced when the filtrates were neutralized with sodium hydroxide indicating possible role of pH of culture filtrate on toxicity. Lyophilized filtrates of these strains showed less activity as compared to un-lyophilized filtrates, n-Hexane soluble fraction was obtained only in three strains which showed mild toxicity whereas chloroform soluble fraction was obtained in negligible quantity and could not further be proceeded. Toxic effect of these strains showed variation from strain to strain. Compounds from F. solani could be exploited for the development of toxic compounds.

Population structure,age and growth rates of conifer species and their relation to environmental variables at Malam Jabba,Swat District,Pakistan

This study focuses on age,growth rate and diameter distribution of pine forests in the Malam Jabba area,Swat District,Pakistan.Wood core samples were taken from twenty stands.Picea smithiana was the oldest at 234 years with a 112-cm diameter.Abies pindrow was 125 years with an 80-cm diameter while the oldest Pinus wallichiana was 122 years with 75-cm diameter.The fastest overall growth rate of 1.5±0.1 year/cm was for P.wallichiana on a west-facing aspect,while the slowest 5.8±2.6 year/cm growth was P.smithiana on an eastfacing exposure.P.wallichiana and A.pindrow exhibited marked differences in growth rates over a 5-year period.The highest growth was by P.wallichiana from 1966 to 2006.A.pindrow showed less growth over the same years,such pattern simultaneously reverse from 1911 to 1965.The relationship between diameter and age,diameter and growth rate and age and growth rate were correlated.P.wallichiana and A.pindrow ages were correlated with diameter and growth rates.P.smithiana age was positive correlated with diameter.Generally,topographic and edaphic factors did not show significant correlations with growth rates,although some appreciable correlations were recorded.The growth of P.wallichiana was correlated with elevation while A.pindrow was correlated with maximum water retaining capacity.Diameter and age produced uneven size classes and many size gaps,which could be the result of anthropogenic disturbances.

Divergent consequences of bio-resources on morphological plasticity and biochemical responses in early-stage leguminous species:Sustainable productivity approaches

Inorganic resources can be detrimental to the environment when exploited.In comparison,organic resources help balance the soil’s carbon and nitrogen(C/N)ratio,enhance soil fertility and benefit ecological protection.Current climate crises,rapid urbanization,and fast population growth are causing many natural forests to be converted to agricultural and industrial lands to fulfill ever-increasing food and developmental requirements.Application of different bio-resources becomes necessary for sustainable productivity of available lands.This study explores the effects of various organic amendments on the growth,morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of three leguminous tree species:Dalbergia sissoo,Vachellia nilotica,and Acacia ampliceps,concerning sustainable productivity.One-year-old healthy,disease-free,and homogenous seedlings were used as study material in a greenhouse pot experiment.Four organic amendments,i.e.,compost(CMP),cow dung(CD),poultry manure(PM),and biochar(BC),along with a control(CK)treatment,were applied.Results showed that all the organic amendments performed significantly better(P<0.05)than CK.CD produced the most significant results,followed by BC application,while PM influence was the least.Among all treatments and species,the maximum values of root length,root biomass,chlorophyll content,carotenoids,catalase,and total phenolic content were recorded under the CD treatment.Whereas for plant height and collar diameter,no big differences were observed between CD and BC(P=0.054).While comparing species,V.nilotica growth was significantly enhanced under organic amendments,followed by A.ampliceps.Combined and comparative results of studied parameters conclude that CD and BC were the most effective organic amendments,which greatly improved the growth of experimental leguminous tree species;this makes these two biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agricultural productivity.Our study contributes toward an enhanced understanding of plant’s morpho-physiological responses,biochemical growth patterns,controls,and activities under different bio-fertilizers.

Hepatoprotective potential of three sargassum species from Karachi coast against carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen intoxication

Objective:To assess the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extracts of Sargassum variegatum(S.variegatum),Sargassum tenerrimum(S.tenerrimum)and Sargassum binderi occurring at Karachi coast against carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))and acetaminophen intoxication in rats.Methods:Sargassum species were collected at low tide from Buleji beach at Karachi coast.Effect of ethanol extracts of Sargassum spp.,on lipid parameter,serum glucose and kidney function was examined.Liver damage in rats was induced by CCl_(4) or acetaminophen.Rats were administered with ethanol extracts of S.tenerrimum,S.variegatum and Sargassum binderi at 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 14 days separately.Hepatotoxicity was determined in terms of cardiac and liver enzymes and other biochemical parameters.Results:S.variegatum showed highest activity by reducing the elevated level of hepatic enzymes,bilirubin,serum glucose,triglyceride with restoration of cholesterol.Urea and creatinine concentrations were also significantly(P<0.05)reduced as compared to acetaminophen intoxicated rats.S.tenerrimum and S.variegatum showed moderate activity against CCl_(4) hepatic toxicity.Conclusions:The protective role of S.variegatum against acetaminophen liver damage and its positive impact on disturbed lipid,glucose metabolism,kidney dysfunction and S.tenerrimum against CCl_(4) liver toxicity suggest that Sargassum species offer a non-chemical means for the treatment of toxicity mediated liver damage.

沼液与化肥配施对耕层土壤化学性状及玉米产量品质的影响

以玉米品种登海605为试材,研究沼液与化肥配施对耕层土壤化学性状及玉米产量、品质的影响。基于等氮原则,共设6个处理,即处理1:CK(空白);处理2:CF(常规施肥,基肥为有机肥与化肥配施,追肥为化肥);处理3:40%ZF+60%HF(40%沼液+60%化肥);处理4:60%ZF+40%HF(60%沼液+40%化肥);处理5:80%ZF+20%HF(80%沼液+20%化肥);处理6:100%ZF(全沼液)。结果表明,施用沼液能提高土壤有机质含量,且提高幅度与沼液用量呈正相关关系。苗期CF处理土壤速效养分含量明显高于沼液处理,但至成熟期60%ZF+40%HF处理土壤速效养分含量最高。与CF相比,施用沼液提高土壤盐分含量和pH值,玉米成熟期40%ZF+60%HF、60%ZF+40%HF、80%ZF+20%HF、100%ZF处理的土壤盐分含量和pH值分别增加22.48%、47.50%、59.78%、71.25%和1.19%、2.25%、3.00%、3.84%。成熟期玉米秸秆养分含量、籽粒产量与品质均以60%ZF+40%HF处理最高,方差分析表明,该处理与80%ZF+20%HF处理产量无显著差异。综合分析认为,60%沼液与40%化肥配施适合玉米生长对养分的需求,产量最高,品质最优。

沼液与化肥不同比例配施对番茄产量和品质的影响

采用随机区组设计,共6个处理,分别为CK(空白对照)、CF(有机肥基施和化肥追施)、ZF 40%+HF 60%(40%沼液+60%化肥)、ZF 60%+HF 40%(60%沼液+40%化肥)、ZF 80%+HF 20%(80%沼液+20%化肥)、ZF 100%(纯沼液),研究了沼液与化肥不同比例配施对番茄产量和品质的影响。结果表明,沼液与化肥配施提高了番茄叶片叶绿素含量,其中以ZF 60%+HF 40%处理最高,且在番茄定植后的30、65和110 d分别比CF和ZF 100%处理提高了3.74%和7.52%、3.36%和21.38%、30.76%和37.22%。沼液与化肥配施提高了番茄果实中维生素C和可溶性糖含量,降低了可滴定酸含量,沼液施用量越多,对果实品质改善效果越明显。番茄产量以ZF 60%+HF 40%处理最高,分别是CK、CF、ZF 40%+HF 60%、ZF 80%+HF 20%、ZF处理的1.58倍、1.15倍、1.08倍、1.12倍和1.21倍。ZF80%+HF 20%和ZF100%处理果实中检测到铜、锌等重金属,所有处理均未检出抗生素。综合分析认为,ZF 60%+HF 40%处理能明显提高番茄产量和改善果实品质。

沼液与化肥配施对苹果生长及土壤理化性状的影响——以烟台红富士苹果为例

以10年生苹果树品种烟台红富士为试验试材,探讨苹果的生长情况、土壤理化性质同沼液化肥搭配施用比例的关系,期望为沼液作肥料进行利用提供科学依据。各组所施肥料含氮量相等,设置7种处理:处理1,CK(空白);处理2,CF(基肥为牛粪有机肥,追肥为化肥);处理3,40%ZF+60%HF(40%沼液+60%化肥);处理4,60%ZF+40%HF(60%沼液+40%化肥);处理5,80%ZF+20%HF(80%沼液+20%化肥);处理6,100%ZF(全沼液);处理7,100%HF(全化肥)。结果表明,施用沼液能使土壤有机质含量、盐分含量和pH值提高。与100%HF处理比较,搭配施用的沼液与化肥在果树花期能够使土壤速效养分含量降低,至果实成熟期又升高,其中以40%ZF+60%HF处理最高。沼液与化肥配施不仅能提高苹果产量,而且能增加果实中糖度、维生素C含量和硬度,降低果实的酸度。综合果实品质和产量而言,40%ZF+60%HF处理最好,但与60%ZF+40%HF处理无显著差异。80%ZF+20%HF处理与100%ZF处理果实中检出Cu和Zn的残留,抗生素均未检出。综合统计分析认为,40%ZF+60%HF配施较适合苹果的生长。

软体沼气工程聚乙烯土工膜技术性能与成本分析

该研究以软体沼气工程聚乙烯土工膜为研究对象,对其技术性能和产品成本进行比对分析,以期为软体沼气工程膜材料提供理论参考与建议。研究材料为工程上常用的1.0~2.0 mm厚度的普通高密度聚乙烯土工膜(GH-1)、环保用光面高密度聚乙烯土工膜(GH-2S)、环保用单/双糙面高密度聚乙烯土工膜(GH-2T)和低密度聚乙烯土工膜(GL-1)。研究结果表明,2.0 mm厚度的不同型号土工膜材料成本是1.0 mm厚度土工膜的1.6~2.0倍;膜拉伸屈服强度以GH-2T为最高,而膜拉伸断裂强度和平均抗穿刺强度则以GH-2S为最高;膜的厚度与膜的抗老化、抗紫外线及使用年限无显著相关性。综合分析认为,高密度聚乙烯土工膜GH-2S材料成本适中,在抗拉伸性能、抗穿刺强度、抗紫外线和抗老化能力及使用年限方面具有不同程度的优势,可为软体沼气工程首选膜材料。