Lufenuron, an acyl urea insecticide, is widely used in agriculture, but its ecotoxicological impact on freshwater fish remains poorly understood. The present study investigated the biochemical and antioxidant responses of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) following chronic exposure to sublethal concentrations of lufenuron (2-4 µg/L) for 33 days. A total of 60 fish were randomly distributed into control and treatment groups, and tissues, including liver, kidney, gills, heart and brain, were sampled on Days 11, 22 and 33. Antioxidant enzyme activities-superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH)-were quantified spectrophotometrically. Results revealed organ-specific responses to lufenuron exposure. SOD and GSH levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all examined tissues, indicating enhanced defence against oxidative stress. In contrast, POD activity declined in the gills and kidney but increased in the liver, brain and heart. CAT activity was elevated in the liver, kidney and gills but decreased markedly in the heart and brain, suggesting tissue-dependent vulnerability to oxidative damage. Overall, the findings demonstrate that lufenuron induces oxidative stress in C. idella, disrupting enzymatic antioxidant defences in detoxifying and non-detoxifying organs. Antioxidant enzymes are thus reliable biomarkers for assessing the ecological risks of pesticide contamination in aquatic environments.

Star Channa, a newly introduced desi chickpea cultivar, is known for its high yield potential, large seed size, and built-in resistance to key chickpea diseases such as Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight. It received approval in 2021 from the Punjab Seed Council for widespread cultivation in irrigated and rain-fed areas of Punjab, Pakistan. The variety was evolved through artificial hybridization between female parent 98004 and male parent 5A015, utilizing bulk and pedigree methods of plant selection during various stages of breeding at the Arid Zone Research Institute in Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan. The selected line was tagged as TG1305 and then included in a series of yield assessments, pathological, entomological, and agronomic trials. Star Channa demonstrated a commendable average yield potential ranging from 3800 to 4000 kg/ha. It takes 88-90 days to reach 50% flowering and 138-145 days to reach 90% pod maturity. The seed size is bold, while seeds per pod ranged from 01 to 02. It has a 100-seed weight of 29-30 g, the number of pods per plant ranges from 75 to 80, the plant height is 65-68 cm, and the grain color is brown. As far as the quality is concerned, the protein percentage is high enough (23.9%) with desirable ash (3.63%) and crude fat contents (3.72%). It exhibited good yield potential when cultivated during October by maintaining a seed rate of 75 kg/ha and a fertilizer dose of 23-57-00 NPK kg/ha. In essence, Star Channa (TG1305) represents itself as a resilient and disease-resistant cultivar evolved to flourish in diverse environments and contribute to a sustainable farming system.

Argan tree (Argania spinosa) is a medium-sized, multipurpose, thorny tree of calcareous semi-arid regions. Initial attempts were made to introduce it into the arid regions of Pakistan. Effects of different seed sowing techniques and soil types on plant growth parameters were evaluated throughout the year. Seed sowing techniques were compared based on their impact on germination (%), germination period (days), plant growth (cm), plant height at 45 and 90 days after germination (DAG), number of leaves at 45 and 90 DAG, root length at 45 and 90 DAG and survival rate with different combinations of soil types (sandy, loamy, organic matter, farm yard manure, coconut peat, sand: peat and sand: organic matter (1:1). Results revealed that seed cracking and soaking for 96 hours and improved germination rates (59.2 and 38.6%), reduced germination periods (14 and 26 days), better overall plant growth compared and enhanced survival rate of 75.16 and 60.18%, respectively as compared to un-soaked and un-cracked seeds. Coconut peat showed the most favorable conditions for seedling establishment and early growth with highest germination (71.65%), survival rate (85.62%), lowest germination period (10 days) and the lowest seed deterioration (28.64%) among all treatments. Coconut peat had the highest plant growth rate per day of 0.36 cm/day, followed by sandy soil (0.23 cm/day) and the lowest growth rate exhibited by loamy soil of 0.10 cm/day during the suitable environmental conditions. Seed germination and plant growth are strong negative correlation with the higher temperatures (>30°C) and lower humidity.

Red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, causes severe damage to economically important crops, fruits, vegetables, ornamentals etc. Management of red spider mite largely depends on chemicals. Application of insecticides may cause massive outbreaks of mite population. Sublethal effects of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and acetamiprid doses were investigated on life-table parameters of red spider mite. All neonicotinoids revealed significant effects on life characteristics i.e. development duration and fecundity of red spider mite. Mites treated with imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and acetamiprid significantly reduced the net reproductive rate (Ro). No significant difference in finite rates of increase (λ) was observed among the treatments. Imidacloprid reduces the egg duration and mean generation time (T). Emerged adult longevity was shorter when exposed to insecticides. The total adult longevity was significantly reduced by the insecticides in comparison with the control. Highest mean generation time was observed in acetamiprid treated mites. The results suggested that sublethal effects of tested insecticides affected the biological parameters of red spider mite.

P ulses offer highly nutritious food and play a unique role in sustainable crop production by maintaining soil health and productivity Sujatha and Bharpoda (2017).Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) generally referred to as green gram,

The use of living organisms, Predators, parasitoids and microorganisms likewise fungi, bacteria and viruses has proven to be a viable and sustainable pest management technique. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are currently used as biocontrol agents and are alternatives of synthetic insecticides in sustainable agriculture. The bio-efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food legume.In Pakistan, yield potential of chickpea is low due to the prevalence of Fusarium wilt.Present investigations were conducted at Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan during winter 2021.Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) following three replications.Thirty chickpea genotypes were examined for their resistant levels against Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum ciceris (FOC).Six exhibited resistant response with <10% disease incidence and seven genotypes were moderately resistant (11-20% DI) against wilt pathogen.However, five genotypes recorded moderately susceptible response (21-29% DI) and five genotypes showed susceptible response (30-50% DI) moreover; the remaining seven genotypes expressed highly susceptible response with maximum percent disease index (PDI) (>50%).Maximum and minimum disease incidence was recorded on CH-32/10 (7.26%) and D-15024 (69.61%) genotypes, respectively.It is concluded that chickpea resistant genotypes including CH-32/10, TG-1410 identified in present study might be helpful in different breeding programs against wilting pathogen.Among six fungicides (Fosetyle aluminium, Derosal, Shinkar, Ridomil gold, Cabrio Top, Acrobate) Fosetyle aluminium caused maximum disease reduction (75.16%) at the concentration of 3 g/liter of water followed by Derosal carbendazim) (65.76),Shinkar (59.44),Ridomil gold (52.41),Cabrio Top (44.17) and acrobat (41.86) respectively on comparison to control.Results are also helpful for the farmers for timely management of fusarium wilt.

Almost 160 plant species are being infested by whiteflies (Aleyrodidae) throughout South Asian countries including Pakistan. Whiteflies are tiny, sap-sucking insects that may become an abundant pest in vegetable and ornamental plantings, especially during warm weather. Whitefly was initially controlled by using different synthetic chemicals, but now resistance is developed in sucking pests against different groups of chemicals, so the trend has now lifted towards the use of biological control agents. Predatory mites are voracious predators that can feed on all instars of whiteflies including adults. The objective of this trial was to check the population fluctuation of predatory mites on chilies in relation to metrological factors and to know the feeding rates of predatory mites against whiteflies instars under laboratory conditions. According to the results, the maximum population (3.49) of a predatory mite on chilies leaves was observed in the last week of March, while the minimum population (1.34) was observed during 3rd week of February and March which was mainly due to heavy rainfall (34mm in February and 46mm in March). Overall, there was also a small increase in the population with the temperature rise. To evaluate the predatory potential, four treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4), were considered by using different instars of mites in each cell as prey with a predator and T4 as control. Fifteen individuals of each stage of whitefly from eggs to 4th instar were provided in different cells of each predatory mite. The results showed that predatory behavior tends to decrease while feeding against the egg stage to the 4th instar. As in the case of Treatment # 3 (T3), the feeding was gradually reduced against prey from 7.33 to 5.00 while feeding on the 1st to 4th instar. The predatory potential of T1 was less than T3 due to fewer mites in T1 (2/cell). Thus, it is concluded that predatory mites can be used as potential biocontrol agents against all stages of Bemisia species.

Acetaminophen is a widely used medicine with antipyretic and analgesic effects.N-acetyl-P-benzoquinoneimine accumulation after a high-dose of acetaminophen leads to hepatotoxicity, depletion of glutathione stores, and suppression of the antioxidant defense mechanism.As a result, N-acetyl-P-benzoquinoneimine cannot be eliminated from the body and hepatotoxicity occurs.In this study, the effects of the separate and combined use of ozone and L-carnitine in high-dose acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity was investigated.A total of 56 female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 8 groups of seven rats.Acetaminophen was administered orally as a single dose to induce liver damage, and 0.5 mg/kg of 95% oxygen plus 5% ozone gas mixture was administered intraperitoneally.After 1-hour APAP administration, Lcarnitine were given 500 mg/kg by intraperitoneally.Serum and tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters were measured to deduce their combined effect.ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis.Acetaminophen+L-carnitine+ozone administration caused a significant decrease in the levels of serum malondialdehyde, total oxidant level, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and tissue malondialdehyde, total oxidant status levels, while it led to a significant increase in the levels of tissue and serum total antioxidant levels.Nonetheless, a clear evidence of superiority over the sole use of ozone or L-carnitine in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity was not present.It was concluded that ozone, L-carnitine and ozone+L-carnitine treatments in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity protected the organism against the harmful effects of free radicals and activated the antioxidant mechanism by suppressing oxidative stress.

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda belongs to order Lepidoptera and family Noctuidae, is becoming a serious threat in maize growing areas of the world. Firstly, it was reported from African countries and caused significant economic crop losses. Recently the pest has been reported from various areas of Pakistan and knowledge of biomorphic characters was important. By keeping in view, the current study was conducted. The study resulted that complete metamorphosis was observed. The eggs were white to yellow in colour and dome in shape with 2-3 days of the incubation period. The egg width and thickness were recorded as 0.22 and 0.19 mm, respectively. Six larval instars were recorded. The pinacula of each seta was well recorded on all larval instar but more conspicuous in the last instar (6th) as compared to others. Inverted Y line was present on larvae head that mostly differentiates this species from other reported Spodoptera species. First, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth larval head capsule width was 0.18±0.02, 0.29±0.00, 0.50±0.01, 0.76±0.47, 1.10±0.13 and 1.98±0.12 mm, respectively. The length and width of the 6th instar larva were 26.98±2.93 and 3.90±0.00 mm, respectively. The total larval period was 15-20 days on maize leaves. Obtect pupa was whitish green.  Male was short-lived than female. The pre oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition periods were 2-5, 2-4 and 4-6 days, respectively. The study will be proved fruitful for coming researchers and farmers to control this pest.

The effect of intercropping on the diversity of mesostigmatid soil mites was investigated in three types of citrus orchards of four selected districts in replicated field experiment. Maximum Shannon diversity (H'=2.11) was recorded from citrus + barseem intercropped orchards while minimum (H'=2.03) from citrus orchards without intercropping. Maximum mean abundance and richness of Mesostigmata (9.22 +/- 0.57, S=4.40 +/- 0.18) was reported from citrus orchards without intercropping while minimum values for abundance and richness (7.46 +/- 0.42. S=4.06 +/- 0.17) from citrus + wheat intercropped orchards. Community structure of mites showed that Ameroseiidae, Ascidiae, Laelapidae, Pachylaelapidae was found maximum from citrus orchards without intercropping Melicheridae and Phytoseiidae from citrus + wheat intercropped while, Parasitidae, Sejidae and Uropodidae was recorded most abundant from citrus + barseem intercropped orchards.

Studies were conducted to evaluate the life history parameters and predatory potential of a stigmaeid mite Agistemus buntex Chaudhri against Tetranychus urticae Dufour at three constant temperatures viz., 20, 25 and 30 degrees C. At 25 degrees C, egg, larvae, protonymph, deutonymph and egg to adult stages were completed in 7.36, 3.00 2.44, 2.34 and 15.14 days, respectively for male, and 8.48, 3.98, 3.69, 3.52 and 19.67 days, respectively for the female. The development time was longer at other two temperatures. Daily fecundity, total fecundity and sex ratio was much greater at 25 degrees C compared to 20 and 30 degrees C. The lower development threshold was found to be 6.65 and 8.35 degrees C for A. buntex female and male, respectively. Degree day requirements (DD) for A. buntex were 346.02 DD for female and 250 DD for the male. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) of A. buntex was recorded as 0.11 at 25 degrees C. Finite rate of increase (lambda) values for A. buntex were found to be 1.07, 1.12 and 1.11 at 20, 25 and 30 degrees C respectively. From obtained results, it can be concluded that A. buntex can become a strong candidate for biological control of T. urticae in Pakistan and elsewhere along-with other control strategies. The findings will serve as baseline information to better understand the biology of the pest, which can be utilized in an effective management program.

Seven F1 hybrids involving nine varieties/ lines of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) were evaluated to identify superior cross combination. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete bock design to estimate hetero sis and heterobeltosis of grain yield and yield components. Significant differences among genotypes were observed in all the characters studied. The magnitud e of hybrid vigour varied significantly between hybrids. Heterosis for plant height varied from -2.33% to 15.57%. The heterotic effects in primary and secondary branches varied from -20.06% to 58.52% and from -20.70% to 49.08% respectively. Heterosis for number of pods plant -1 , number of seeds pod -1 and 100-seed weight respectively varied from 41.89% to 59.68%, 26.39% to 48.03% and -33.24% to 33.18%. Maximum heterosis and heterobeltosis for plant height and secondary branches were observed in cross combination K0014-10 × K0066-10 while cross K0019-10 × K0031-10 exhibited maximum heterosis and heterobeltosis for primary branches and number of seed palnt -1 whereas cross K0014-10 × K0052-10 reflect maximum heterosis and heterobeltosis 33.18% & 30.84% for 100 seed weight and for seed yield plant -1 97.37% and 76.47% respectively. Broad sense heritability for different traits studied ranged from 63.14% to 77.18%. High heterosis, heritability and genetic advance were observed for num ber of pod plant -1 which could be utilized for identification of best segregat es from crosses K0031-10 × K0052-10, K0019-10 × K0026-10 and K0019-10 × K0031-10. Superior hybrids from this study could be used for the improvement of more than one character through selection of single plants with combination of various traits.

Study was aimed at the use of indigenous medicinal plants to check the invasion of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) against wheat grains. Acetone leaf extracts of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and garlic (Allium sativum) were used to evaluate their antifedant, toxicant, and growth regulatory effects against adults of T. castaneum. Four concentrations (5, 10, 15 and 20 %) of each extractalong-with a control treatment with five replications were applied. Thirty adults of T. castaneum were subjected to different treatments. Results painted that percent mortality was directly proportional to increasing concentration of extracts. Both A. sativum and C. longa significantly reduced the larval, pupal and adult emergence as well as percent weight loss (at α 5%) but A. sativum performed better as compared to the C. longa. Hence it can be concluded that both the botanicals can be used as effective tool against T. castaneum along-with other IPM tactics.