Study on Growth Effects of Major-Nutrients Composition to Banana Cultivation in Coastal Areas of Sindh, Pakistan

The composition of major nutrients, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), is a critical factor in banana cultivation and also influences crop yield. This study was aimed to analyze the concentrations of NPK in different banana growing locations of coastal areas of Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 15 composite soil samples at the depth of 0 - 15 and 15 - 30 cm and the same number of banana leaves were collected. The samples were analyzed for the concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn and Cl concentrations. Results showed that the surface and sub-surface soils of coastal areas were heavy in texture, non-saline, medium alkaline and moderately calcareous in nature. Medium to adequate in Organic Matter (OM), medium in total nitrogen, medium to optimum in available phosphorus, medium to high in exchangeable potassium and deficient in available zinc at both tested depths. The analysis of soluble anions indicated that the carbonates were absent and that chlorides were dominant as compared with bicarbonates. Nitrogen and zinc concentrations of banana leaves were below the critical level, whereas P, K, Mn and chloride ion concentration were above the critical levels. In addition, the relative percentages for K, Ca and Mg were 57.72 to 61.72, 19.05 to 21.00 and 17.70 to 20.00 respectively.

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.

A Machine Learning-Based Attack Detection and Prevention System in Vehicular Named Data Networking

Named Data Networking(NDN)is gaining a significant attention in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks(VANET)due to its in-network content caching,name-based routing,and mobility-supporting characteristics.Nevertheless,existing NDN faces three significant challenges,including security,privacy,and routing.In particular,security attacks,such as Content Poisoning Attacks(CPA),can jeopardize legitimate vehicles with malicious content.For instance,attacker host vehicles can serve consumers with invalid information,which has dire consequences,including road accidents.In such a situation,trust in the content-providing vehicles brings a new challenge.On the other hand,ensuring privacy and preventing unauthorized access in vehicular(VNDN)is another challenge.Moreover,NDN’s pull-based content retrieval mechanism is inefficient for delivering emergency messages in VNDN.In this connection,our contribution is threefold.Unlike existing rule-based reputation evaluation,we propose a Machine Learning(ML)-based reputation evaluation mechanism that identifies CPA attackers and legitimate nodes.Based on ML evaluation results,vehicles accept or discard served content.Secondly,we exploit a decentralized blockchain system to ensure vehicles’privacy by maintaining their information in a secure digital ledger.Finally,we improve the default routing mechanism of VNDN from pull to a push-based content dissemination using Publish-Subscribe(Pub-Sub)approach.We implemented and evaluated our ML-based classification model on a publicly accessible BurST-Asutralian dataset for Misbehavior Detection(BurST-ADMA).We used five(05)hybrid ML classifiers,including Logistic Regression,Decision Tree,K-Nearest Neighbors,Random Forest,and Gaussian Naive Bayes.The qualitative results indicate that Random Forest has achieved the highest average accuracy rate of 100%.Our proposed research offers the most accurate solution to detect CPA in VNDN for safe,secure,and reliable vehicle communication.

土壤压实对土壤物理性质及小麦氮磷钾吸收的影响(英文)

为了研究土壤压实对土壤物理性质以及小麦养分吸收情况的影响,在2006和2007年进行了两轮田间试验。试验中,先用旋耕机对田块进行旋耕,耕深10 cm,然后使用手扶式、轮式、履带式拖拉机在旋耕后的田块中通过1次(T1)、2次(T2)、4次(T3)以对土壤进行压实处理,对照组(T4)不作任何压实处理。压实处理后再次对土壤表层进行浅旋耕,耕深5 cm,耕后用播种机进行小麦播种,小麦品种为南京-601。试验结果发现,次表层土壤的压实处理显著影响次表层土壤的容重,孔隙度,小麦蛋白质含量以及植物中N、P、K的含量。除次表层的土壤容重在T3组中最大,T4组中最小外,其他参数值在T4组中最大,T3组中最小。并且,随着次表层土壤压实程度的增加,几乎所有的参数(土壤容重除外)都有所减少。不过,与第一年相比,参数值在第二年略有增加。总之,土壤压实严重破坏土壤结构,不利于小麦对养分的吸收。

山新杨PdPapGH12基因克隆及其响应胁迫的组织表达

为筛选林木抗性基因,培育高抗转基因林木,以山新杨(Populus davidiana×P.alba var.pyramidlis)为试材,采用RT-PCR技术克隆获得1560 bp的PdPapGH12(Potri.004G109200.1)基因cDNA,生物信息学分析表明该基因编码519个氨基酸,该蛋白属于亲水性酸性蛋白。依据亚细胞定位预测结果推测其在胞内发挥水解的作用。蛋白结构分析发现PdPapGH12与4个杨树品种的9条GHs序列具有高度一致性。qRT-PCR分析显示,PdPapGH12在茎基、老叶和根中表达量更高。并发现200 mmol/L NaCl、pH为10的Na_(2)CO_(3)溶液和聚乙二醇6000(PEG 6000;质量分数30%)胁迫48 h其在茎尖、叶和根中均上调表达;5种植物致病病原真菌胁迫48 h均使其在茎尖的表达下调。只有核盘菌使其在叶中表达显著上调;尖孢镰刀菌、链格孢菌和立枯丝核菌使其在根内表达显著上调。受激素诱导48 h,ABA(100μmol/L)仅使其在根部表达上调;SA(100μmol/L)仅使其在叶中表达上调,而JA(100μmol/L)使其在叶和根中的表达均上调。结果表明PdPapGH12参与植物抵抗逆境胁迫和激素诱导的信号途径。

Adjuvant effects of saponins on animal immune responses

Vaccines require optimal adjuvants including immunopotentiator and delivery systems to offer long term protection from infectious diseases in animals and man. Initially it was believed that adjuvants are responsible for promoting strong and sustainable antibody responses. Now it has been shown that adjuvants influence the isotype and avidity of antibody and also affect the properties of cell-mediated immunity. Mostly oil emulsions, lipopolysaccharides, polymers, saponins, liposomes, cytokines, ISCOMs (immunostimulating complexes), Freund’s complete adjuvant, Freund’s incomplete adjuvant, alums, bacterial toxins etc., are common adjuvants under investigation. Saponin based adjuvants have the ability to stimulate the cell mediated immune system as well as to enhance antibody production and have the advantage that only a low dose is needed for adjuvant activity. In the present study the importance of adjuvants, their role and the effect of saponin in immune system is reviewed.

Improvement of the efficacy of influenza vaccination (H5N1) in chicken by using extract of Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS)

Seeds of a Chinese traditional medicine plant, Cochinchina momordica were used in the present study for the improvement of influenza vaccine (H5N1) in chicken. Crude extraction from Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS) was obtained by ethanol extraction method. In experiment No. 1, two weeks old chickens were immunized with influenza vaccine (H5N1) alone or combined with ECMS (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/dose). Serum IgG antibody levels (by ELISA) as well as effects on daily weight gain were measured on 0, 7, 14 and 28th day after immunization. Results revealed that all ECMS groups numerically increased the antibody levels while 10 and 20 μg/dose groups significantly (P<0.05) enhanced total IgG antibody on day 28, when compared with control. Average daily weight gain was also significantly higher in 20 μg/dose ECMS group. Adjuvant effect was also confirmed in experiment No. 2 when chickens were immunized with 20 μg/dose ECMS and antibody titer was measured through hemagglutination inhibition (HI). It is concluded that ECMS has potential to improve the immune responses and deserve further study as an adjuvant.

Comparative study of Anaplasma parasites in tick carrying buffaloes and cattle

A comparative study on the prevalence of Anaplasma parasite was conducted on ticks carrying buffaloes and cattle. Five hundred blood samples of both animals (250 of each) were collected during February, March and April. Thin blood smears on glass slides were made, fixed in 100% methyl alcohol and examined. Microscopic examination revealed that 205 (41%) animals had Anaplasma parasites, out of which 89, 44 and 72 animals had Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale and mixed infection respectively. Infected buffaloes and cattle were 75 and 130 respectively. The infection in female was 53 and 92 in buffaloes and cattle respectively. Twenty-two and 92 blood samples of male were found positive in buffaloes and cattle respectively. Com- parative study revealed that the cattle were 26.82% more susceptible than buffaloes. The parasite prevailing percentage in female of both animals was slightly higher than that of the male. This investigation was aimed at studying the comparative prevalence of Anaplasma parasite in tick carrying buffaloes and cattle.

Study of cellulolytic soil fungi and two nova species and new medium

This study is aimed at identifying and determining the percentage of occurrence frequency of cellulose decomposing soil fungi. The soil samples were inoculated into culture plates prepared in Sabouraud medium under sterilized conditions and incubated at 30 °C for 4 to 7 d. The identified fungal species were incubated in self-designed cellulose medium for testing their cellulolytic ability. Forty-two species, including 2 nova species, representing sixteen genera showed growth and sporulation in the cellulose medium. Most of the isolated species were from genus Aspergillus and Penicillium. Aspergillus niger and Mucor hie-malis showed highest occurrence frequency (45% and 36% respectively), as these species were collected from about 80% of soil samples. Being agar free and cheaper, the new fungal medium designed showed results equivalent to Sabouraud medium.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of Pai forest vegetation in Pakistan assessed by RS and GIS

Pai, an arid forest in Sindh Province of Pakistan, is important for the environmental, social, economic development and conservation of ecosystems of the province. Considering the significance of the forest for Sindh and the calls from the local population for its deforestation, we quantified the spatial and temporal variation in the vegetation of the forest and land surface temperature （LST） using optical and thermal Landsat satellite data. Our analysis of temporal （1987-2014） images with ArcGIS 10.1 revealed that the dense forest area was greatest at 725 ha （37 % of the total forest area） during 2013 while it was smallest at 217 ha （11%） in 1992. The sparse forest area peaked during 1987 at 1115 ha （58 %） under shrubs whereas it was smallest at 840 ha （43 %） in 1992, and the maximum deforestation of Pai forest occurred during 1992. Spatial change in vegetation over a period of about 27 years （1987-2014） revealed that vegetation increased on an area of 735 ha （37 %）, decreased on 427 ha （22 %）, and there was no change on 808 ha （41%） of the forest. Variation in temperature between shaded （dense forest） and unshaded areas （bare land） of the forest was from 6 to 10 ℃. While the temperature difference between areas with sparse forest and bare land ranged from 4 to 6℃. An inverse relationship between LST and NDVI of Pai forest with coefficients of determination of 0.944 and 0.917 was observed when NDVI was plotted against minimum and maximum LST, respectively. The vegetation in the forest increased with time and the areas of more dense Pai forest supported lower surface temperature and thus air temperature.

Review:Importance of ticks and their chemical and immunological control in livestock

The medical and economic importance of ticks has long been recognized due to their ability to transmit diseases to humans and animals. Ticks cause great economic losses to livestock, and adversely affect livestock hosts in several ways. Loss of blood is a direct effect of ticks acting as potential vector for haemo-protozoa and helminth parasites. Blood sucking by large numbers of ticks causes reduction in live weight and anemia among domestic animals, while their bites also reduce the quality of hides. However, major losses caused by ticks are due to their ability to transmit protozoan, rickettsial and viral diseases of live-stock, which are of great economic importance world-wide. There are quite a few methods for controlling ticks, but every method has certain shortcomings. The present review is focused on ticks importance and their control.

Two farnesyl pyrophosphate synthases,GhFPS1–2,in Gossypium hirsutum are involved in the biosynthesis of farnesol to attract parasitoid wasps

Sesquiterpenoids play an import role in the direct or indirect defense of plants.Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthases(FPSs)catalyze the biosynthesis of farnesyl pyrophosphate,which is a key precursor of farnesol and(E)-β-farnesene.In the current study,two FPS genes in Gossypium hirsutum,GhFPS1 and GhFPS2,were heterologously cloned and functionally characterized in a greenhouse setting.The open reading frames for full-length GhFPS1 and GhFPS2 were each 1029 nucleotides,and encoded two proteins of 342 amino acids with molecular weights of 39.4 kDa.The deduced amino acid sequences of GhFPS1–2 showed high identity to FPSs of other plants.Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that GhFPS1 and GhFPS2 were highly expressed in G.hirsutum leaves,and were upregulated in methyl jasmonate(MeJA)-,methyl salicylate(MeSA)-and aphid infestation-treated cotton plants.The recombinant proteins of either GhFPS1 or GhFPS2 plus calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase could convert geranyl diphosphate(GPP)or isopentenyl diphosphate(IPP)to one major product,farnesol.Moreover,in electrophysiological response and Y-tube olfactometer assays,farnesol showed obvious attractiveness to female Aphidius gifuensis,which is an important parasitic wasp of aphids.Our findings suggest that two GhFPSs are involved in farnesol biosynthesis and they play a crucial role in indirect defense of cotton against aphid infestation.

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.

Effect of Water Stress on the Growth and Yield of Cotton Crop (<i>Gossypium hirsutum</i>L.)

Cotton is one of the most important fibre crops playing a key role in economic and social affairs of the world. Water is a critical factor which influences on growth and yield of the cotton crop. Scarcity of water has put tremendous pressure on scientists to introduce drought tolerant cotton varieties. This study was aimed to determine water stress effects on the growth and yield of cotton. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of number of irrigations on the growth and yield of cotton during 2014. The field trial was conducted at the Experimental Fields of Agronomy Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, Pakistan. A three replicated Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed to layout the experiment having plot size of 2.5 m × 5 m (12.5 m2). Four cotton varieties i.e. NIAB-78, Shahbaz-95, Sindh-1 and TH-224/87 were chosen for this study based on their frequent farmer usage. All the agronomic practices were performed according to standard procedures. Results showed that all the growth and yield components of cotton were significantly (P 0.05) affected by irrigation frequencies. The cotton crop irrigated six times at 21 days interval showed better results with 138.16 cm plant height, 1.45 monopodial branches per plant, 21.83 sympodial branches per plant, 44.58 bolls per plant, 33.86% G.O.T., and 26.97 mm staple length, 149.84 g seed cotton yield per plant and 2271.16 kg·ha-1 seed cotton yield. This study concluded that variety NIAB-78 showed superiority over Shahbaz-95, Sindh-1 and TH-224/87 in almost all the characters of economic importance, and the cotton crop received 6 irrigations at 21 days interval resulted in significantly economical overall performance as compared with 5 irrigations or 4 irrigations with higher seed cotton yield.

Performance, Immune, and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens as Affected by Thyme and Licorice or Enzyme Supplemented Diets

Numbers of 300 day-old broiler chickens through a CRD design with 5 treatments, 3 replicates and 20 chicks in each pen were used to evaluate the effect of thyme (T), licorice (L), thyme + licorice (TL), and enzyme supplemented (E) diets on performance, immune and carcass characteristics. According to the results, performance traits, immune indices, and carcass traits in herbal medicine and enzyme supplemented diets were improved significantly than control diet (P < 0.05). Weight gain and FCR in T and E groups were significantly higher and lower than other groups respectively (P < 0.05). Internal organs such as abdominal fat and liver weight as indicators of lipogenesis rate were decreased in T, L, and TL diets than control or E diet significantly (P < 0.05). Immune organs such as burse and spleen weight as indicators of immune situation were increased in TL diet than other treatments significantly (P < 0.05). These findings indicated that thyme and licorice singly or in combination as organic herbal medicine can affect performance, carcass and immune characteristics. Also an improved immune organ such as burse or spleen in this study indicates that this herbal medicine can promote the immune situation and efficacy of health and livability.

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.

The effect of different initial densities of nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) on the build-up of Pasteuria penetrans population

Pasteuria penetrans will build-up faster where there is a high initial nematode density and can suppress root-knot nematode populations in the roots of tomato plants. The effect of different initial densities of nematode (Meloidogyne javanica)(150, 750, 1500, 3000) and P. penetrans infected females (F1, F3) densities (F0=control and AC=absolute control without nematode or P. penetrans inoculum) on the build-up of Pasteuria population was investigated over four crop cycles. Two major points of interest were highlighted. First, that within a confined soil volume, densities of P. penetrans can increase >100 times within 2 or 3 crop cycles. Second, from a relatively small amount of spore inoculum, infection of the host is very high. There were more infected females in the higher P. penetrans doses. The root growth data confirms the greater number of females in the controls particularly at the higher inoculum densities in the third and fourth crops. P. penetrans generally caused the fresh root weights to be higher than those in the control. P. penetrans has shown greater reduction of egg masses per plant at most densities.The effects of different initial densities of M. javanica and P. penetrans on the development of the pest and parasite populations were monitored. And no attempt was made to return the P. penetrans spores to the pots after each crop so the build-up in actual numbers of infected females and spores under natural conditions may be underestimated.

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.

Proliferation, Multiplication and Improvement of Micro-Propagation System for Mass Clonal Production of Rose through Shoot Tip Culture

Present study was conducted to assess the regeneration potential and producing mass-clonal seedlings of Rose through shoot tip culture. A total of 40 explants were cultured on each of basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, NAA and GA. The observations on the survival rate, days taken to initiate the shoots, total number of shoots and length of shoots, initiation of roots, total number of root, length of roots and number of leaves were investigated. Rose regenerated on MS-Basal medium (control) without addition of growth hormones showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower survival rate and did not show shoots up to the end of experiments. MS-Basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, NAA and GA showed increasing rate of survival. MS-Basal medium supplemented with highest BAP, NAA and GA concentration (MS-SV) has taken least time to initiate the shoots, whilst supplemented in concentrations of 0.5 and/or 1.0 mg/L, respectively revealed more time. Rooted plants were transplanted into the substrate and acclimatized in the laboratory greenhouse (humid cavity). The acclimatization in the humid cavity showed optimistic effect on the number of survived plants.