Conservation status evaluation of Berberis species across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges, Pakistan using IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria

Berberis species medicinal plants in Pakistan are endangered, high-value with important eco-cultural, commercial and livelihood roles in mountain communities. To assess the geographical distribution of Berberis species across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges in Pakistan, we used IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria （2001） to calculate the extent of occurrence （EOO, 〈100 km^2） and the area of occupancy （AOO, 〈10 km^2） of Berberis pseudumbellata subsp, pseudumbellata and B. pseudumbellata subsp. gilgitica. Overgrazing and habitat loss were key population- limiting factors. The two subspecies had contrasting responses to temperature, elevation, precipitation and insect susceptibility. B. pseudumbellata subsp, gilgitica is endemic to Gilgit-Baltistan and grows in single-cropping zone （ar- eas 〉 200 m a.s.1.）. Status evaluation revealed that both subspecies meet the criteria set for critically endangered species. Prolonged disregard of its declining population trend might lead to its extinction; therefore, integrated con- servation efforts are necessary.

Characterization of Endophytic Microorganisms of Rice(Oryza sativa L.)Potentials for Blast Disease Biocontrol and Plant Growth Promoting Agents

One hundred twenty-five endophytic microorganisms were isolated from the roots,stems,and leaves of four prominent rice cultivars growing in temperate regions.Their potential to combat rice blast disease and promote plant growth was investigated.The dual culture tests highlighted the strong antagonistic activity of five fungal(ranging from 89%–70%)and five bacterial(72%–61%)endophytes.Subsequent examination focused on volatile compounds produced by selected isolates to counter the blast pathogen.Among these,the highest chitinase(13.76μg mL−1)and siderophore(56.64%),was exhibited by Aspergillus flavus,and the highest HCN production was shown by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia(36.15μM mL−1).In terms of growth promotion traits,Aspergillus flavus and Enterobacter cloacae excelled in activities viz,phosphorous solubilization,ammonia production,auxin and gibberellic acid production,and nitrogen fixation.The Identity of these endophytes was confirmed through molecular analysis as Trichoderma afroharzianum,Trichoderma harzianum,Penicillium rubens,Aspergillus flavus,Stenotrophomonas rhizophila,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia,Bacillus cereus,Enterobacter cloacae,and Bacillus licheniformis.Under greenhouse conditions,the highest disease control was shown by isolate Bacillus licheniformis and A.flavus with an inhibition of 79%,followed by S.rhizophila(77%)and T.afroharzianum(73%).The overall results of this study showed that Bacillus licheniformis and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila have great potential to be used as bio-stimulant and biocontrol agents to manage rice blast disease.

Pork Meat Quality of Preto Alentejano and Commercial Largewhite Landrace Cross

This work aimed to evaluate the physical-chemical characteristics of pork from a local breed （Portuguese black pork called Preto Alentejano） and a commercial breed. Sixteen animals were used, 4 females and 4 males from each breed. Animals had 80-100 kg of live weight. The longissimus muscle between the 5th thoracic vertebra and the 10th lumbar vertebra was used in the analysis. Samples were analysed for protein, fat, pigments, ashes, dry mater, water-holding capacity, and texture. Results of fat and pigments contents indicate signiifcant （P〈0.05 and P〈0.01） differences for all treatments. For protein, ashes, dry mater, water-holding capacity and texture, no signiifcant differences were found for sex. In the analysis of fatty acids composition, ten were detected, being the main ones C16：0, C18：0, C16：1, C18：1, C18：2. There was a predominance of monounsaturated fatty acids （MUFA）, followed by saturated （SFA） and polyunsaturated （PUFA）. Differences were signiifcant for sex （P〈0.01） and breed （P〈0.01）. Preto Alentejano breed and females presented the higher percentages of SFA （P〈0.01） and MUFA （P〈0.001） fatty acids. Differences between breeds might be due to breed production system and feed differences.

Effect of Breed and Sex on Pork Meat Sensory Evaluation

This work had an objective to evaluate the sensory quality of two categories of pork meat from a commercial pork meat and a selected meat from the Portuguese black pork (Preto Alentejano breed). Sixteen animals were used, 8 females and 8 males from each breed. Animals had 80 - 100 kg of live weight. The longissimus muscle between the 5th thoracic vertebra and the 10th lumbar vertebra was used in the analysis. Sensory analysis was performed by a trained taste panel of 10 elements, in 5 sessions. All evaluation conditions were standardized, and the attributes studied were odor intensity, toughness, juiciness and flavor intensity. The taste panel found differences mainly between breeds. The panellists scored Preto Alentejano meat as being juicier, tenderer, and with richer taste than Commercial meat. The higher juiciness score of Preto Alentejano meat was probably attributable to the higher intramuscular fat content compared with Commercial meat. The Commercial pork was characterized mainly by high toughness.

Farmers'participatory selection of new rice varieties to boost production under temperate agro-ecosystems

In mountain agriculture, early maturity, high grain yield and high biomass are generally considered as farmer preferred traits in rice crop in addition to a multiple set of traits collectively responsible for variety adoption or rejection. The varieties tested only on station evaluation trials without taking the data from the farmers＇ fields by not including farmers as partners for variety evaluation are the reasons of low adoption of varieties. In this regard, a participatory methodology was followed by conducting a number of participatory trials in the farmers＇ fields during 2012-2014 in six districts of Kashmir Valley, India. The mother trials in the farmers＇ fields showed that the test variety SKUA-408 consistently and significantly out yielded Jhelum and farmers＇ variety followed by Shalimar rice 3 （SR3）. The other released varieties like SR1 and SR2 could not perform nicely in the farmers＇ fields because of late maturity. After making the t-test comparison of baby trials （paired plots）, the mean yield superiority of test varieties SKUA-408, SR3, and SKUA-403 over farmers＇ variety during 2013 was around 23, 25, and 22％, respectively, whereas in 2014 the respective yield advantage was recorded as 16.3, 17.7, and 16.2％. In all districts, SKUA-408 and SR3 were significantly preferred by farmers （P〈0.05 or 0.01） in terms of pre-harvest traits namely, tillering ability and general phenotypic acceptability, early maturity and biomass and for post-harvest traits such as general cooking quality besides, the intention to grow the variety for next year. Adoption and dissemination of SKUA-408 began in 2014 from the farm-saved seed in the form of farmer to farmer seed exchange. Farmers are the end users of a variety so the decision by the farmers while judging the variety should be taken into consideration to make the varietal choice more effective for its widespread adoption.

Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to highlight the issues and problems of tourism planning, policy formulation and implementation in Gilgit-Baltistan-mountainous region of Pakistan-a place which is abound with worth seeing natural scenes and also hub of world＇s highest mountain ranges. Tourism in many countries plays an important role in improving not only economic conditions but it also has been used as a tool to preserve environment. Tourism policy is part of national development policy in many countries, but in Pakistan this sector has been ignored in terms of proper policy formulation and also it was not considered as a potential sector for economic betterment. Although Pakistan, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan is replete with tourism resources, haplessly policy makers never focused on this sector in capitalizing these tourism resources. It also covers the traditional practices of 4 As （Access, Attractions, Accommodation and Acceptance） in Gilgit-Baltistan. In Pakistan, there have been different laws and regulations formulated with the passage of time but they have not been implemented properly. In Pakistan, tourism policy was first prepared in 1983 but it was not enforced appropriately. According to ranking of WEF T＆T （World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism） competitiveness index, Pakistan is ranked below average in policy formulation and implementation.

Oxypropylation of Brazilian Pine-Fruit Shell Evaluated by Principal Component Analysis

Pine-fruit shell (PFS) is a lignocellulosic residue derived from the fruit of Araucaria angustifolia, a coniferoustree native of South America, part of a whole vegetation of the Atlantic Forest, found in the South and Southwestof Brazil. In this work PFS will be characterized and used in the production of PFS-based polyols throughoxypropylation. Three series were chosen (PFS/propylene oxide (PO) (w/v, g/mL) of 30/70, 20/80 and 10/90)with four catalyst levels (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, (w/w, PFS based)). Oxypropylation occurred at moderateconditions of temperature, pressure and time giving rise to liquid polyols with a homopolymer content (PPO)ranging from 4-65%, a hydroxyl number (IOH) between 257-605 mg KOH/g and viscosities (V) varying from0.76 Pa.s to 373.90 Pa.s (20°C) for the series 20/80 and 10/90, while for the series 30/70, the viscosity reachedvalues higher than 500 Pa.s, 20°C. The unreacted PFS (UR) varied between 3.6% and 77.4% (PFS-basis). Afterthe PFS-based polyols production and characterization, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed inorder to evaluate the established interactions between the used formulation variables and the obtained polyolproperties. The PCA analysis allowed to clarify the interactions between PFS and PO contents and the finalbiopolyol properties (PPO, IOH, V and UR). This approach showed to be a simple method to rationally analyzethe influence of the input formulation variables on the final polyol properties.

Distribution,Etiology,Molecular Genetics and Management Perspectives of Northern Corn Leaf Blight of Maize(Zea mays L.)

Maize is cultivated extensively throughout the world and has the highest production among cereals.However,Northern corn leaf blight(NCLB)disease caused by Exherohilum turcicum,is the most devastating limiting factor of maize production.The disease causes immense losses to corn yield if it develops prior or during the tasseling and silking stages of crop development.It has a worldwide distribution and its development is favoured by cool to moderate temperatures with high relative humidity.The prevalence of the disease has increased in recent years and new races of the pathogen have been reported worldwide.The fungus E.turcicum is highly variable in nature.Though different management strategies have proved effective to reduce economic losses from NCLB,the development of varieties with resistance to E.turcicum is the most efficient and inexpensive way for disease management.Qualitative resistance for NCLB governed by Ht genes is a race-specific resistance which leads to a higher level of resistance.However,some Ht genes can easily become ineffective under the high pressure of virulent strains of the pathogen.Hence,it is imperative to understand and examine the consistency of the genomic locations of quantitative trait loci for resistance to NCLB in diverse maize populations.The breeding approaches for pyramiding resistant genes against E.turcicum in maize can impart NCLB resistance under high disease pressure environments.Furthermore,the genome editing approaches like CRISPR-cas9 and RNAi can also prove vital for developing NCLB resistant maize cultivars.As such this review delivers emphasis on the importance and current status of the disease,racial spectrum of the pathogen,genetic nature and breeding approaches for resistance and management strategies of the disease in a sustainable manner.

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System Assessment of the Nutrients Limiting and Nutritional Status of Tomato

Tomato is an important field crop,and nutritional imbalances frequently reduce its yield.Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System(DRIS),uses ratios for nutrient deficiency diagnosis instead of absolute concentration in plant tests.In this study,local DRIS norms for the field tomatoes were established and the nutrient(s)limiting tomatoes yield were determined.Tomato leaves were analyzed for nutrients,to identify nutritional status using the DRIS approach.One hundred tomatoes fields were selected from Chatter Plain Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Sheikupura Punjab Pakistan.The first fully matured leaf was sampled,rinsed,dried and ground for analyzing P,K,Ca,Mg,Cu,Fe,Mn and Zn using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer(ICP AES).Plant tissue N and S were measured by the combustion method.The tomatoes yields were recorded at each location.The data were divided into high-yielding(≥3.79 kg/10 plant)and low-yielding(<3.79 kg/10 plant)populations and norms were computed using standard DRIS procedures.High-yielding plant population had a statistically greater mean S and Fe than the low-yielding population.The average balance index,the sum of functions,for S and Fe were−11.04 and−5.17 which reflected deficiency of S and Fe.Plant nutrients norms established may optimize plant nutrition in field tomatoes for high yield.

A comparison study of the nutritional, mineral and volatile compositions of three dry forms of ginger rhizomes, and antioxidant properties of their ethanolic and aqueous extracts

Objective:To compare the most accessible dry forms of ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale) used as a spice and as a remedy in order to choose the best ginger for medicinal purpose. Methods:Freshly air dried ginger, commercially dry rhizomes and ginger available in powder form are investigated in terms of nutritional values (proximate and mineral compositions) and volatiles profile. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts (decoctions and infusions) were prepared for total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents determination. Also, three standard tests were established in order to estimate the best extract with the better antioxidant potential. Results:The results showed unlike proximate composition revealing different nutritional values. In fact, freshly dried ginger contained much ash, while already dry samples contained much protein. In addition, mineral contents of studied samples indicated their dissimilar richness especially in Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Fe, and Mn. Solid phase micro-extraction gave volatile profiles with many interesting compounds, only 26 from the 51 identified components were common to studied samples with bioactive compounds predominance in freshly dried sample. Also, the antioxidant potential established by three different tests was higher in already dry samples and was positively correlated with their higher contents in the determined phytochemicals. The ethanolic extracts showed higher antioxidant activities than aqueous extracts. Decoctions and infusions were almost similar proving that long cooking time did not affect ginger antioxidant potential. Conclusions:This work highlighted the benefits of traditional preparations of ginger as sources of bioactive compounds, namely antioxidants, and proved that the available commercial samples are not identical and encouraged analyzing samples before uses depending on needs.

Rhizosphere microbiomes can regulate plant drought tolerance

Beneficial root-associated rhizospheric microbes play a key role in maintaining host plant growth and can potentially allow drought-resilient crop production. The complex interaction of root-associated microbes mainly depends on soil type, plant genotype, and soil moisture. However, drought is the most devastating environmental stress that strongly reduces soil biota and can restrict plant growth and yield. In this review, we discussed our mechanistic understanding of drought and microbial response traits. Additionally, we highlighted the role of beneficial microbes and plant-derived metabolites in alleviating drought stress and improving crop growth. We proposed that future research might focus on evaluating the dynamics of root-beneficial microbes under field drought conditions. The integrative use of ecology, microbial, and molecular approaches may serve as a promising strategy to produce more drought-resilient and sustainable crops.