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.

Residual Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties and Yield of Maize (<i>Zea mays L.</i>) under Different Cropping Systems

A field experiment was conducted to examine the residual influence of biochar applied previously to an established experiment at the Agriculture University Research Farm, Peshawar on soil properties and yield of maize crop during summer 2016. The experiment was established in RCB design with split plot arrangements having cropping systems (CS) in main plots and biochar (BC) in sub-plots. Cropping systems were: 1) wheat-mung bean;2) wheat-maize;3) chickpea-maize;and 4) chickpea-mung bean. During the past three seasons, each cropping system received biochar at 0, 40, 60 and 80 t&#183ha&#451 along with recommended dose of NPK in each season. For this study, maize was planted after chickpea and wheat in summer 2016. The results showed that grain yield, cobs weight and total N uptake of maize was significantly greater for chickpea-maize than for wheat-maize cropping system. Soil organic C was also significantly higher in soil under chickpea-maize than under wheat-maize cropping system. However, other yield components such as stover yield, harvest index and N concentration in grain and stover of maize and soil properties such as pH, EC and mineral N were non-significantly affected by cropping systems. With respect to residual effect of biochar grain yield of maize and bulk density of soil were maximum for treatment receiving biochar at 40 t&#183ha&#451 whereas cobs weight soil pH and mineral N were highest receiving biochar at 60 t&#183ha&#451. Moreover, N concentration in stover, N uptake and soil organic C were maximum for treatment receiving biochar at 80 t&#183ha&#451. However, stover yield, harvest index, N concentration in grain, and soil EC were non-significantly affected by biochar treatments. However interactions between CS × BC were significant for yield and yield parameters of maize and for soil properties (bulk density mineral N), while non-significant for harvest index, soil organic C, pH and EC. It was concluded that chickpea-maize cropping system performed better in terms of improving yield and yield components of maize and in improving soil properties. Application of biochar to previous crops also improved yield and yield parameters of the following maize as well as soil properties. Thus we recommend that legumes must be involved in cropping system for sustainable and higher productivity and improved soil properties. However, further studies are suggested to find out suitable dose of biochar for sustainable and economic crop productivity and soil fertility.

Phosphorus Solubility from Rock Phosphate Mixed Compost with Sulphur Application and Its Effect on Yield and Phosphorus Uptake of Wheat Crop

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sulphur application with Rock phosphate mixed compost on phosphorus (P) solubility and its effect on yield and P uptake of wheat crop. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar. The experiment was conducted during rabi 2015-16 with plot size of 3 m × 5 m. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were applied at the rate of 120, 90 and 60 kg&#183ha-1 in the form of urea, compost, or single super phosphate and potassium sulphate, respectively. Elemental sulphur was applied at the rate of 10, 20 and 30 kg&#183ha-1 at the time of sowing. Results showed that sulphur applied with compost significantly improved wheat yield and yield components, soil organic matter, soil total N and AB-DTPA extractable P contents, plant N and P concentrations and their uptake, plant micronutrients concentration and their uptakes. No significant changes were noted in soil pH, ECe and lime contents. Maximum grain yield of 4076 kg&#183ha-1, total dry matter yield 9721 kg&#183ha-1, straw yield 5644 kg&#183ha-1, plant height 98.3 cm, spike length 11.2 cm, grain per spike 61.0, thousand grain weight 50.2 g were recorded on the application of S at the rate 20 kg&#183ha-1 with compost. The highest soil organic matter content of 1.41% was found for the application of S at the rate of 10 kg&#183ha-1 with compost. Maximum soil total N content of 1756 mg&#183kg-1 and P 5.7 mg&#183kg-1 were observed by the application of double recommended S with compost. Plant N uptakes of 125.7 kg&#183ha-1, and P uptake of 17.5 kg&#183ha-1, were maximum with application of compost and S @ 20 kg&#183ha-1. Highest plant uptake of Fe 0.56 kg&#183ha-1, Zn 0.41 kg&#183ha-1, Cu 0.16 kg&#183ha-1 and Mn 0.93 kg&#183ha-1 were found by the application of full recommended S with compost. Results suggested that S at the rate of 20 kg&#183ha-1 application with compost prepared from farm yard manure and rock phosphate proved better combination to enhance wheat yield, yield components and nutrients uptakes of wheat crop.

Dry Matter Partitioning and Harvest Index Differ in Rice Genotypes with Variable Rates of Phosphorus and Zinc Nutrition

Phosphorus （P） and zinc （Zn） deficiencies are the major problems that decrease crop productivity under rice-wheat cropping system. Field experiments were conducted to investigate impacts of P （0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/hm^2） and Zn levels （0, 5, 10 and 15 kg/hm^2） on dry matter （DM） accumulation and partitioning, and harvest index of three rice genotypes ＇fine （Bamati-385） vs. coarse （F-Malakand and Pukhraj）＇ at various growth stages （tiliering, heading and physiological maturity）. The experiments were conducted at farmers＇ field at Batkhela in Northwestern Pakistan for two years in summer 2011 and 2012. The two year pooled data reveled that there were no differences in percent of DM partitioning into leaves and culms with application of different P and Zn levels, and genotypes at tillering. The highest P level （120 kg/hm^2） partitioned more DM into panicles than leaves and culms at heading and physiological maturity stages. The highest Zn level （15 kg/hm^2） accumulated more DM and partitioned more DM into panicles than leaves and culms at heading and physiological maturity stages. The hybrid rice （Pukhraj） produced and partitioned more DM into panicles than F-Malakand and Bamati-385 at heading and physiological maturity stages. Higher DM accumulation and greater amounts of partitioning into panicles at heading and physiological maturity stages was noticed with increase in P and Zn levels, and the increase was significantly higher in the coarse rice genotypes than fine. We concluded that the growing hybrid rice with application of 120 kg/hm^2 P ＋ 15 kg/hm^2 Zn not only increases total DM accumulation and partitioned greater amounts into the reproductive plant parts （panicles） but also results in higher harvest index.

Influence of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization on quality of canola(Brassica napus L.) under rainfed conditions

Field experiments were conducted at Cereal Crops Research Institute, Pirsabak, Nowshera, Pakistan, during winter 2003~2004 and 2004~2005 to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and sulfur levels and methods of nitrogen application on canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Bulbul-98) under rainfed conditions. Four levels of S (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg/ha) and three levels of N (40, 60, and 80 kg/ha) and a control treatment with both nutrients at zero level were included in the experiments. Sulfur levels were applied at sowing while N levels were applied by three methods (100% soil application, 90% soil+10% foliar application, and 80% soil +20% foliar application). The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block (RCB) design having four replications. Oil content increased significantly up to 20 kg S/ha but further increase in S level did not enhance oil content. Glucosinolate content increased from 13.6 to 24.6 μmol/g as S rate was increased from 0 to 30 kg/ha. Protein content increased from 22.4% to 23.2% as S rate was increased from 0 to 20 kg/ha. Oil content responded negatively to the increasing N levels. The highest N level resulted in the highest values for protein (23.5%) and glucosinolate (19.9 μmol/g) contents. Methods of N application had no significant impact on any parameters under study.

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen on Grain Yield andYield Components of Hybrid Rice in Northwestern Pakistan

Field experiments were conducted to assess the impact of various organic sources, inorganicnitrogen （N） and the different combinations of inorganic N （urea） ＋ organic source on the yieldcomponents （YC） and grain yield （GY） of hybrid rice （Oryza sativa L., Pukhraj） under rice-wheat system.The experiments were conducted at Batkhela （Malakand）, Northwestern Pakistan, in 2011 and 2012.Our results revealed that YC and GY ranked first for the hybrid rice when applied with sole inorganic N（urea）, followed by the application of N in mixture （urea ＋ organic sources）, while the control plots （no Napplied） ranked in the bottom. Among the six organic sources （three animal manures： poultry, sheepand cattle; three crop residues： onion, berseem and wheat）, application of N in the form of poultrymanure was superior in terms of higher YC and GY. When applying 120 kg/hm2 N source, 75% N fromurea ＋ 25% N from organic source resulted in higher YC and GY in 2011, while applying 50% N fromurea ＋ 50% N from organic sources caused higher YC and GY in 2012. Therefore, the combinedapplication of N sources in the form of urea ＋ organic source can produce good performances in termsof higher YC and GY of rice under rice-wheat cropping system.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Phosphorous on Growth of Roselle(Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

To investigate the performance of organic and inorganic phosphorous on growth of Roselle （Hibiscus sabdariffa L.）, an experiment was carried out at Newly Developmental Farm （NDF）, Horticulture Section, the university of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan, during 2012. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design （RCBD） with split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The chemical fertilizer Single Super Phosphate （SSP） was used as inorganic source of phosphorus, while Organic Phosphate （OP） from organic product produced by Niha corporation containing 20% organic mineralized P205, was used as the source of organic phosphorous. Both the sources of fertilizer were applied at the rate of 10, 20, 30 40 and 50 kg. hm2 and control. The statistical analysis of data revealed that both the sources and levels of phosphorus significantly affected most of the growth parameters of Roselle except germination percentage and survival percentage. Plant height （112.09 era）, numbers of leave plant1 （177.87）, numbers of branch plant1 （4.08）, leaf areas （126.60 cm2）, days to flowering （142.83）, fresh flower weight （2.56 g）, fresh calyx weight （1.70 g）, dry calyx weight （0.43 g）, numbers of calyces （94.10）, numbers of root plant-1 （11.03）, root length （22.67 cm） and root weight （27.50 g） were observed in plants fertilized with organic source of phosphorous. Phosphorous levels significantly affected all of the parameters except germination percentage and survival percentage. The maximum plant height （124.39 cm）, numbers of branches （5.32）, numbers of leave plantl （204.89）, leaf areas （148.14 cm2）, fresh flower weight （3.32 g）, fresh calyx weight （2.04 g）, dry calyx weight （0.51 g）, numbers of calyces （105.30）, numbers of root plant-1 （12.78）, root length （24.50 cm） and root weight （29.94 g） were observed in plants fertilized with 40 kg. hm-2 phosphorous and the maximum numbers of days to flowering （148.17） were observed in the control plants. It was concluded from the experimental results that organic phosphorous at the rate 40 kg. hm2 would be used for better production of Roselle under agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.

Effects of Convolvulus arvensis Water Extract on Germination of Okra Under Different Seed Sizes

Convolvulus arvensis is a toxic allelopathic weed that suppresses germination and growth of crops. The prime object of present study was to investigate effect of Convolvulus arvensis water extract on germination and performance of okra with different seed sizes. The seeds of okra variety pusa green were separated into three different sizes, viz large size （4.00-5.00 mm）, medium size （3.00-3.50 mm） and small size （2.00-3.50 mm）, and then soaked in allelopathic plant bindweed water extract and kept in patrisdishes for germination into the germinator at 15℃. The experiment was laid out using Complete Randomized Design （CRD） with three replications. The results showed that after sowing of 12 days the highest germination was observed in non-treated seeds as compared to seeds treated in Convolvulus arvensis water extract for 1 h, further non-treated large seeds produced maximum plants as compared to treated small seeds after sowing of 24 days. Meanwhile, root length, shoot length, root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight were recorded higher in non-treated large seeds as compared to small seeds soaked for 1 h in Convolvulus arvensis allelopthic water extract. It could be found that Convolvulus arvensis affected germination, seed growth and overall performance of okra, further presence Convolvulus arvensis in crops could cause negative impact on germination and integrity of okra crops.

Evaluation of Wheat Varietal Performance under Different Nitrogen Sources

Nitrogen fertilization plays a very important role for crop productivity. New developed wheat varieties need proper fertilization for improved crop productivity. The present study was carried out to quantify, the effects of nitrogen derived from urea and FYM on the four newly developed wheat varieties i.e. Siran-2009, Ata Habib, Janbaz-2009 and Pirsabak-2008 for yield improvement, quality and soil fertility status. The N treatments were control, 100% of the recommended nitrogen from urea as well as FYM, and 50% from each source. The experiment was carried out at New Developmental Farm, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar Pakistan, during Rabi 2011-2012. Results of the data showed that Janbaz-2009 was more responsive to biological yield (11,011 kg·ha-1), grain yield (4339 kg·ha-1), and nitrogen use efficiency (14.8%), whereas Siran-2010 performed better for grain N contents (2.31%). Plots having both urea and FYM had improved biological yield (11,958 kg·ha-1), and grain yield (4901 kg·ha-1). Urea application had improved straw N contents (0.92%) in addition to Mix application of urea and FYM (0.93%). Mix application of both sources and sole FYM had higher grains N content (2.25%), whereas control plots in addition to mix application had improved nitrogen use efficiency (14.8%). Siran-2010 and Janbaz-2009 performed better in FYM and mix FYM and urea plots for most of the parameters. It was concluded from the experiment that Janbaz-2009 had improved yield and yield components, whereas Siran-2010 had improved the grain N content. Similarly, Mix application of FYM and urea had improved crop productivity, soil fertility and grains as well as straw N content. Thus wheat varieties Janbaz-2009 sown in mix FYM and urea is recommended for general cultivation in agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.

Sorghum:Nutritional Factors,Bioactive Compounds,Pharmaceutical and Application in Food Systems:A Review

After wheat,rice,maize,and barley,sorghum is the fifth most widely grown cereal on the planet.Due to its high production,drought resistance,and heat tolerance,this crop is replacing maize in some areas.Sorghum is available in a variety of colors,including cream,lemon-yellow,red,and even black.The principal grain anatomical components are pericarp,germ or embryo and endosperm.This review provides an overview of key sorghum grain components,including starches,fiber,proteins,lipids,and vitamins.Also,we summarized phenolic compounds,flavonoids,tannins,carotenoids,vitamin E,amines,Policosanols and Phytosterols in sorghum grains.Sorghum is used to manufacture bread and porridge,and it provides a significant source of energy and nutrition for humans;sorghum is extensively farmed for animal feed.However,because the natural components in sorghum are useful in the development of healthy and functional foods,sorghum farming for both biofuel production and human consumption is gaining popularity.Pigmented sorghum grain is high in antioxidants such as polyphenols,primarily tannins,which have a variety of health benefits,including antiproliferative properties linked to the prevention of certain cancers,antioxidant activities linked to the prevention of diseases linked to oxidative stress,and anti-inflammatory effects,as well as improving glucose metabolism.Because these chemicals cannot be assimilated,their application in the food business has been limited,as sorghum is regarded as a lownutritional grain due to the presence of anti-nutritional components such as strong tannins,which form complexes with proteins and iron,limiting their digestibility.This review aims to show the utilization of sorghum as a source of bioactive chemicals and the value they bestow on human health due to the general biological potential it possesses.

Interactive Effects of Potassium and Phosphorus on Phenology and Grain Yield of Sunflower in Northwest Pakistan

Potassium(K) and phosphorus(P) applications improve growth,increase yield and yield components of sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.) on K and P deficient soils in Northwest Pakistan.A field experiment was conducted using sunflower cv.Hysun-33 at the New Developmental Research Farm of KPK Agricultural University,Peshawar,Pakistan,during summer 2006.The experimental design was a randomized complete block in split plot arrangements,with six levels of K(0,25,50,75,100,and 125 kg K ha-1) as main plots and four levels of P(0,45,90,and 135 kg P ha-1) as sub-plots with three replications.Sunflower yield and yield components responded positively to K and P fertilization but the magnitude of response varied with the levels of K and P.Days to flowering and maturity,grains per head,1000-grain weight,shelling percentage,and grain yield increased tremendously in the K and P-fertilized plots as compared to the control with no K and P applied.The combined application of 100 kg K and 45 kg P ha-1 significantly increased yield components,grain yield,harvest index,and shelling percentage of sunflower,suggesting that 100 kg K ha-1 in combination with 45 kg P ha-1 could maximize productivity of sunflower planted after wheat on the K and P deficient soils in the study area.