Southern Punjab of Pakistan known as the cotton zone, study was conducted to examine cost benefit analysis of cotton cultivation in district Muzaffargarh (core cotton zone), Punjab in 2015-16. The focus of the study was to evaluate economic analysis of cotton production and financial impact of cotton growers in cotton cultivation. A sample of one hundred cotton growers were randomly selected and directly interviewed for pretested questionnaire. Benefit cost ratio estimated 1.479 which denoted the profitability of cotton cultivation. Econometric model of cotton profit function was examined, price of output and quantity produced of cotton positively affect profit, while cost of production negatively affect profit. It was determined Cropped Area, Land Preparation, Seed, Fertilizer, Pesticides, Irrigation and Labor statically significant and positively affects cotton production. Proper policies are pertinent to input prices and output of cotton mandatory for cotton growers to increase profitability and refining socio-economic status in farming community.
5 Abstract: In the southeast of the algerian Sahara (Touggourt), the host plant determination of Brachytrupes megacephalus was studied by faeces analysis (microscopic observations). The experimentation was conducted in mid August until the end of September 2014. The main results of faeces analysis showed that the plants consumed by B. megacephalus belong to 8 families: Arecaceae (Phoenix dactylifera), Apocynaceae (Nerium oleander), Asteraceae (Chrysanthemum), Myoporaceae (Myoporum sandwicense), Plumbaginaceae (Armeria maritima), Rosaceae (Prunus armeniaca), Solanaceae (Solanum lycopersicum) and Triochylaceae (Cherry fantasia and White Kristina). Phoenix dactylifera is the most preferred host species by the adults of Brachytrupes megacephalus, with a consumption rate 85,87%.
3 Abstract: Globalization and extended liberalization of the economies, during the last two decades, has made possible the transnational movement of capital. This capital movement includes the flows of foreign direct investment across economies. Pakistan economy is one of the beneficiaries of inflows of foreign direct investment. On the other hand, Pakistan economy has experienced terrorist activities during the last three decades or so. Terrorism has adversely affected the socio-economic spectrum of Pakistan. The present analysis is an attempt to investigate the impact of terrorism on inflows of foreign direct investment in Pakistan. The autoregressive distributive lag approach to cointegration is employed for the econometric analysis. The empirical results confirm adverse impact of terrorism on inflows of foreign direct investment both in long run and short run. Terrorism attacks measured by sectarian violence affect FDI inflows negatively and significantly over the long run period. Stock market capitalization and human capital are positively and significantly associated with FDI inflows in Pakistan. The short run dynamics of the variables are analyzed by error correction model. The error correction term is significant confirming the long run causality from independent variables to FDI inflows. The results of the empirical analysis are statistically robust.
The utility of large scale standardized DNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools are now increasing in the area of plant systematics and evolution while a short DNA segment can be effectively used for the identification of species. However the consensus is still lacked about the precise DNA segments that are to be used for identification. DNA barcoding was proposed as a technique for recognizing and identifying a eukaryotic species through comparison of sequences of a standard short DNA fragment referred as a DNA barcode from an unknown specimen to a library of reference sequences from known species. An optimal DNA barcode region is a small fragment which is present in all representatives of the major taxonomic group which is accompanied by invariable nucleotide sequence in all members of the same species, but with enough variation to discriminate among the species. DNA barcoding is accomplished in animals in which Cytochrome c oxidase gene (CO1) is utilized as a barcode but finding a barcode in plants is proved to be a challenge. Several fragments of DNA (rbcL, matK, rpoB, rpoC, trnh-psbA etc) or combination of these segments have been proposed for identification of plants and systematic studies. Internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA are also evolving as a potential barcode for the major plant groups. With no doubts DNA barcoding will be reshaped in the future. The present review highlights the potential of DNA barcoding for the characterization of land plants and future prospects.
Fertilizers are artificial substances which contain chemical elements that are required by plants for robust growth and productivity of crops. Fertilizers are applied to soils to increase the soil fertility which is the capacity of soil to supply essentail nutrients to plants for their growth and development. Modern chemical fertilizers include one or more elements, but the most important elements in plant nutrition are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which are called primary nutrients. Of primary nutrients, nitrogen is considered to be the most important one and is required by the crops in the greatest quantities. Nitrogenous fertilizers mostly used by local faarmers include urea (46% N), calcium ammonium nitrate CAN (26% N) and ammonium sulphate (21% N + 24% sulphur). Phosphatic fertilizers include single super phosphate (18% P O + 12% sulphur), 25 Triple superphosphate (46% P O + 1.5% sulphur), Di-ammonium phosphate (46% P O + 18% N) and 25 25 Mono-ammonium phosphate (52% P O + 11% N + 2% sulphur). Potassium is supplied to plants as K O. 25 2 Sulphate of potash (50% K O + 18% sulphur) and Muriate of potash (60% K O) are two important potassic 22
A series of Ethyl formate (EF) concentration from 76 to 380 gL were applied onto 2 metric tons of 1 dry cocoa beans. The fumigations were carried out on a semi commercial storage condition in a field warehouse. Dry cocoa beans treated with EF were analyzed for pH, titrable acidity and microscopic scanning with environmental scanning electronic microscopic (ESEM). The cocoa liquor produced from beans treated with EF was tested for viscosity and sensory tests. Whilst the cocoa butter extracted from fumigated beans was analyzed for melting properties and triacylglycerol (TAG) composition. The finding indicated that the pH and titrable acidity were significantly different (p<0.05) at EF concentration of 380gL compared to other samples 1 and slightly higher than control. The microscopic view for both fumigated and non fumigated samples did not show any different. The viscosity of samples was increased with increasing EF concentration; however the sensory evaluation did not indicate significant difference (p>0.05) for all attributes tested. The melting characteristic did not show any changes among samples compared to control, except for melting enthalpy which increased slightly in all samples. This minor increment did not influence the melting behavior of cocoa butter. There was no change in TAG composition detected in fumigated cocoa butter, therefore EF was not absorbed into fat in cocoa beans. With these evidences, it can be concluded that EF did not affects the quality of cocoa beans, cocoa liquor and cocoa butter.
The effects of ethanol leaf-extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides on liver enzymes were investigated in albino rats using spectrophotometric methods. Sixteen albino rats were grouped into four (A, B, C and D). Animals were administered the extract through oral intubation at the doses (mg/kg) of 0, 200, 400 and 600 respectively for two weeks. The blood samples were collected on the fifteenth day following the last day of administration. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities (u/l) recorded 28.77±1.39, 27.72±1.52, 25.92±1.34 and 23.83±1.57 for the animals in groups A, B, C and D respectively with corresponding activities (u/l) of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as 76.57±2.58, 74.99±1.62, 71.61±2.01 and 70.23±1.34. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities (u/l) recorded 70.14±2.27, 67.04±2.32, 65.17±1.87 and 59.19±2.04 for the animals in groups A, B, C and D respectively. The results recorded a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase of the animals that received the ethanol leaf-extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides. Thus ethanol leaf-extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides could be hepato-protective.
The field experiment was carried out during the two growing seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014, at the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Egypt, in order to investigate the effecting of the pre-sowing laser irradiation (He-Ne) combined with different concentrations of iron nanoparticles on growth and yield of pea. Seed laser irradiation treatments were the control (untreated seeds) and 2, 5 and 10 exposure min. Iron oxide nanoparticles experiment by using different concentrations of Fe O Nps (0, 100, 300, 3 4 500) in addition to 500 ppm chelated iron. Leaf area, dry weight per plant, leaf chlorophyll reading, Fe and Mn, pod protein, pod number and yield per feddan were determined. Results indicated that pre sowing seed He-Ne laser irradiation for 10 min. exposure time combined with 300 INPs increased significantly all tested parametes. In this study, it could be concluded that separately or combined He-Ne laser irradiation at 10 minutes and 300 ppm of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe O ) gave the best growth parameters and highest yield, compared to 3 4 the control.
3 Abstract: The effect of seawater salinity in different concentrations (0,25,50,75 and 100 %) on seedling growth parameters for plants, Blue panic grass (Panicumantidotale Retz), Sudan grass (Sorghum drummondii), Rhodes grass (Chlorisgyana Knuth) family Poaceae and Mangrove gerygone (Gerygonelevigaster) family Acathizideae which were planted in King Abdul-Aziz University nursery in the two seasons of 2012 and 2013 years was studied. Results clearly showed that highly significant effect in germination ratio for all studied plant seeds. The proportion of the average daily germination in family Poaceae was decreased from 90 to 60 %, 80 -50 % and 100 - 10 %. While it increased in family Acathizideae with increasing seawater levels from 0 - 100 % for Blue panic, Rhodes grass, Sudan grass and Mangrove plants, respectively. Also plants fresh and dry weight, shoot and root lengths.Leaf area and photosynthetic pigments and ions content showed the same trend for all plants studied.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development in Pakistan. The data for this study was obtained from face to face interviews with 124 respondents using structured questionnaire. The study used descriptive statistics and regression technique to determine the important factors affecting the SMEs in Pakistan. The regression results show that financial access, managerial skills and government support are the most important factors contributing to SMEs development in Pakistan. The results indicate that the SMEs in Pakistan are not technology oriented. The findings of the study might help the businessmen to understand the important factors that play significant role to develop their businesses. The study suggests that policy makers can consider the findings in formulating policy which may create an environment that is feasible for the development of SMEs in Pakistan.
Genetic variation among five Egyptian alfalfa varieties have been studied based on forage yield and yield components performance, isozymes and seed storage protein. A field trial was carried out at the experimental farm of Giza Research Station, ARC, Giza, Egypt. The trial included five Egyptian alfalfa varieties namely; Giza-1, Ismailia-1, Ismailia-94, New Valley and Siwa-1. Twenty cuts were obtained during 2013 and 2014. The combined analysis across the two years revealed that significant differences were found among the studied alfalfa varieties for plant height, tillers m , leafiness and dry forage yield ton fed . New Valley recorded the 21
A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine whether mycorrhiza reduces the impact of water stress on cocoa seedlings. The effects of two factors - mycorrhizae and watering - on growth and physiology of cocoa seedlings were monitored for 10 weeks. Four treatments were derived from combinations of these factors as follows: -M-W (without mycorrhizae + water stress); -M+W (without mycorrhizae + regular watering); +M-W (with mycorrhizae + water stress) and +M+W (with mycorrhizae + regular watering). Watering was done with 500 ml of water every 3 days and 6 days for the regularly watered and water-stressed treatments, respectively. Results show that mycorrhizae did not colonize roots of cocoa seedlings and hence did not influence their response to water stress. High P content of the soil was likely to have been the main reason for absence of mycorrhizal colonization. Water stress negatively influenced most plant growth and physiological parameters, though significance (p < 0.05) of its effect was more noticeable in seedling height. A soil with low or moderate P content would be required to study whether mycorrhiza reduces the impact of water stress on cocoa seedlings.
The article is devoted to the method of technical equipment configuration and functioning mode for chemical-engineering systems of the designed multi-product chemical plant. The method is based on the representation of this problem (MINLP) as a task hierarchy: a task of system functioning mode selection (NLP) and tasks of technical equipment configuration for system stages (IP). The indispensable conditions for the task solvability and iteration algorithm for task concurrent solution are described. The task features in a case of functioning mode parameters and technical equipment configurations updating for the chemical-engineering system of the operating plant under the variation of its productivity scheme are considered: equipment of any stage may comprise parallel main apparatuses with different pursuits and basic dimensions; main apparatuses of any stage may successively process several synthesis steps of some product. A practical example of the offered method application is given.
2 Abstract: An on-farm research was conducted in 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons at the Linkage Farm of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to assess the effects of cultivars and NPK fertilizer rates on foliage and sucker production of taro in the plains of Nsukka. The experiment was laid out in a 5 x 6 factorial in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in which factor A forms five taro cultivars comprising Nkpong, Odogolo, Nworoko, Coco- lndia and Nachi,while factor B consists of six rates of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer thus: 0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg/ha. There were 30 treatment combinations with three replicates. Statistical analysis of variance was done on the field data collected using Gestate 7.1 second edition. F-LSD was applied to detect significant differences between two treatment means at 5% probability level. The results showed that Coco India cultivar significantly (P = 0.05) produced the highest number of leaves and suckers per plant across the measuring intervals in the two seasons. Application of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer produced variations in the parameters at the different rates at different stage of measuring intervals
An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during Boro season of 2014 to study the effects of reduced rates of N, P, K, S and Zn on the growth and yield of BRRI dhan29 rice. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. There were seven treatments such as T : control; T : Recommended 12 Fertilizer Dose (RFD); T : 60% of RFD; T : 70% of RFD; T : 80% of RFD; T : 90% of RFD and T : 110% of RFD. 3456 7 The recommended fertilizer doses applied for the experiment were 100 kg N ha , 15 kg P ha , 50 kg K ha , 15 11 1 MoP, gypsum and zinc sulphate, respectively. The full doses of TSP, MoP, gypsum and zinc sulphate were applied as basal dose during final land preparation while urea was applied in three equal splits. The grain and straw yields as well as biological yield of BRRI dhan29 were significantly affected due to different treatments. The highest grain yield of 5.12 t ha was observed in the plot where treatment T were applied which 1 5 containing 80% of RFD which was statistically identical to those recorded in the treatments T (Recommended 2 fertilizer dose), T (90% of RFD) and T (110% of RFD). Effective tillers hill , filled grains panicle , unfilled 67 11 5 and panicle length were higher where treatment T (80% of RFD) was applied. Therefore, the treatment having 5 80% of RFD fertilizer performed better than RFD and other treatments. The results obtained clearly indicated that to increase the crop yield 80% of RFD may be practiced instead of RFD for higher grain yield as they were statistically similar.
Pomegranate peel (PP) and activated carbon produced from Pomegranate peel (PPAC) was used as adsorbent to remove Pb , Cu and Cr ions from polluted water. The activated carbon produced was
Three barley F7 Single Seed Descent crosses, of which twelve Random Inbred Lines (RILs) in additionto their respective parents were used in this study. The six barley parents varied in their adaptation levels todrought. Three parents were fully adapted to drought; (Arta, Harmal and Zanbaka) and another three(Pitayo/Cam, Gustoe and M64-76/Bon) were poorly adapted to harsh environments. AFLP is a novel DNAfingerprinting technique was used to assess the genetic diversity among barley RILs derived from differentcrosses. The molecular assessment estimated the genetic diversity of barely lines and provided indicesconsistent with those reported earlier on the magnitude of heritability estimates. The results indicated theimportance of genetic diversity assessment for crop breeding, where the adaptation levels of barley parents todrought contribute directly to the heritability estimates. Key words: Drought adaptation Genetic diversity Barley AFLP INTRODUCTION Furthermore, the limited amount of genetic variability inDuring the last decades extensive progress has been through selection in a given environment. Therefore, theachieved in the assessment of genetic diversity in barley, detailed knowledge of environmental parameters at aprimarily due to the efficient use of high yielding barley certain collection site can help determining the role ofgermplasm accompanied with extensive evaluation using relevant climatic factors influencing the geneticmolecular marker techniques. Detailed knowledge on differentiation and adaptation of genotypes to theirgenetic diversity present on molecular level may enhance environments [3]. This knowledge might help selectingbarley breeding today by efficient selection of parental most suitable parental lines for population developmentlines and marker assisted selection procedures. and breeding programs. Better understanding of genetic diversity of barley Molecular markers are not subject to environmental(
3 Abstract: Forage sorghum is considered to be the most heat and drought resistant summer forage with a fairly high green forage yield. Forage sorghum is more economical to grow as compared to forage maize with fairly high economic returns. The total area under forages in 2012 in Punjab was 1.82 million hectares with green forage production of 38.8 million tons. The land area of Punjab under forage sorghum in 2012 was 0.588 million hectares with production of 7.984 million tons. The average production of forage sorghum (13 t ha ) in Punjab 1
