Red sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis L.) has become one of the most troublesome weeds for direct-seeded rice (DSR). The degree of cost-effectiveness of any weed control strategy against this weed needs accurate information about its critical timing of weed removal (CTWR) in DSR production system. A two-year field study was executed to estimate yield losses and critical period of competition of red sprangletop weed in the fine-grain DSR. Experimental treatments were crop-weed competition periods of 7, 8, 9, 10 weeks after emergence (WAE) of rice crop. A full season weed free and weed infested plots were also kept as controls for comparison purpose. Results exhibited that during both years, each successive prolongation in weed competition period significantly increased red sprangletop dry weight and its N, P and K uptake causing significant reduction in yield attributes and paddy yield. Consequently, during years 2018 and 2019, the highest values of weed dry weight (1168 and 1452 kg ha(-1), respectively) and N, P and K uptakes (33.5 and 41.7, 7.67 and 9.62, 31.1 and 42.3 kg ha(-1), respectively) were recorded with full season red sprangletop competition. In comparison to weed free control, this treatment resulted in the highest reduction in plant height (30-49%), panicle length (23-45%), tillers m(-2) (66-78%), grains panicle(-1) (42-61%), 1000-grain weight (31-24%), paddy yield (65-75%) and biological yield (67-70%). The logistic model estimated the CTWR of red sprangletop in DSR to be initial 33-49 DAE and 31-52 DAE in order to prevent 10% yield losses during years 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is an invasive, ubiquitous and infamous herbaceous weed causing suppression of natural vegetation and crop plants. The identification of phytotoxins in local weed species (Datura stramonium, Achyranthes aspera, Chenopodium album, Calotropis procera, C. murale and Melilotus indica) was done through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to check their herbicidal potential against P. hysterophorus. Additionally, filter paper petri plate based and soil filled pot experiments were conducted in laboratory and wire house to evaluate the pre- and post-emergence herbicidal potential of plant water extract of D. stramonium alone and in combination with A. aspera, C. album, C. procera, C. murale and M. indica at 2.5, 5 and 10% (w/v) concentrations against germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus. The phytotoxins detected in extracts of these plant species were quercetin, gallic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, m-coumaric, sinapinic, caffeic, benzoic and syringic acids with variable concentrations. Total highest concentration of phytotoxins (61.37 mg L-1) was found in A. aspera while the lowest concentration (7.69 mg L-1) was found in C. album aqueous extract. Significant reduction in germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus was shown by all extract combinations that increased in direct proportion to their concentrations. The 10% water extract of D. stramonium in combination with C. procera and A. aspera proved to be the best as they resulted maximum reductions in germination percentage (100 and 95%), shoot length (67 and 62%), and shoot dry weight (67 and 78%) of P. hysterophorus, respectively.

Leptochloa chinensis L. commonly called red sprangletop is a new problematic weed of rice (Oryza sativa L.) sown under dry conditions in Pakistan and caused a drastic reduction in its yield and quality. Scientific inquiry was conducted concerning the germination ecology of this weed in direct-seeded rice. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of pH, salinity, temperature, seed burial depth, and water ponding conditions on the germination of L. chinensis. In five different experiments, six variable pHs ranging from 5 to 10; six salinity levels viz. 0 (Distilled water), 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM, 200 mM, 250 mM and 300 mM; six variable temperatures viz. 20oC, 25oC, 30oC, 35oC, 40oC and 45oC; seven different burial depths viz. 0 cm (on soil surface), 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm and 6 cm; and different water ponding depths viz. 0 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm and 6 cm were kept as experimental treatments. The results revealed that within the pH range of 6-7 and 35oC temperature, L. chinensis seeds attained the highest germination percentages (78% and 92%, respectively). A gradual significant decline in germination of L. chinensis was noted by the increase in NaCl concentration from 0 to 200 mM, sowing depth from 1 to 5 cm, and flooding depth from 0 to 4 cm. However, beyond 200 mM NaCl concentration, 5 cm sowing depth, and 4 cm flooding depth, no L. chinensis seed could germinate/emerge. According to the 3-parameters logistic model estimation, 50% germination of the maximum germination of L. chinensis occurred at 102 mM NaCl concentration, 1.56 cm burial depth, and 2.2 cm flooding depth.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivation using bud nodes is a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional planting methods. However, poor seedling establishment limits its success. Hydropriming and nano-priming with iron (Fe) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) offer innovative strategies to enhance seedling growth by improving nutrient availability and stress tolerance. This study assessed the impact of ten different seed priming techniques (i.e., control (unprimed bud nodes), hydropriming (with distilled waters), and nano-priming with 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L−1 Fe and ZnO NPs on sprouting percentage, growth and biochemical attributes of sugarcane cultivar ‘NSG 59’ during 2021 and 2022. Hydropriming followed by nano-priming with 50 mg L−1 and Fe NPs and 75 mg L−1 ZnO NPs significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved sprouting percentage (40

Oat is an important winter fodder crop grown in large areas all over the world. Oat is a good source of nutrition and energy, but it is poor in zinc. Presently, livestock is suffering from malnutrition due to a deficiency of zinc, which has a greater impact on livestock and ultimately on human health. An easy and cost-effective approach to adding nutrients to plants without altering their genetic makeup is agronomic biofortification. Application of nutrients to oat via bio-fortification may enhance the overall biomass production and quality of fodder. Hence, a field study was performed to understand the impact of bio-fortification with zinc on quality along with biomass production of oats. Treatment comprised of control (No Zn), Zn at 4 kg soil application, Zn at 6 kg soil application, Zn at 8 kg soil application, Zn at 4 kg soil application + 0.5% zinc sulfate as foliar application, Zn at 6 kg soil application + 0.5% zinc sulfate as foliar application and Zn at 8 kg soil application + 0.5% zinc sulfate as foliar application. The study revealed that Zn at 6 kg soil application + 0.5% zinc sulfate foliar application produced maximum plant height (207.7 cm), leaf area index (15.78), crop growth rate (9.1 gm -2 day -1 ), stem diameter (0.073 cm), number of tillers (204), fresh fodder yield (76.6 tha -1 ), dry matter yield (32.27 tha -1 ), ash contents (10.3%) and plant zinc contents (70.0 ppm). Control treatment produced maximum crude fiber contents (40.70%), acid detergent fiber contents (35.77%), and neutral detergent fiber contents (72.71%). In conclusion, the bio-fortification of zinc not only enhanced the biomass and yield of oat but also increased the availability of zinc in plants.

The combined use of organic and chemical fertilizers may prove to be an excellent option for maintaining soil health, increasing fertilizer use efficiency, and improving crop quality and yield of maize. So, with this objective in mind a pot experiment was conducted to find out the effectiveness of organic and synthetic fertilizers on the yield and quality of maize crop. Two organic fertilizer levels (FYM and Press-mud @ 2% and 4% of each) were tested separately and in combination with recommended NPK fertilizers (160: 80: 60 kg ha-1). The experimental units were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. The results showed that the combined use of NPK + press mud @ 4% caused a significant increase in grain numbers per cob (8.6%), weight of grains per cob (11.5%), grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, stalk yield, and oil and protein contents up to 11.5%, 6.3%, 19.7%, 12.6% and 12.0%, respectively as compared to the control treatment. The oil and protein contents were also improved significantly over the sole application of NPK fertilizer. Soil health was also improved due to the combined use of synthetic fertilizer with 4% press mud and 2% FYM. It is concluded that integrated use of NPK fertilizers and press mud @ 4% not only increased the quality and yield of maize, but it also improved soil health.

Weeds are serious pests in rice sown under direct-seeded rice (DSR) technology.Herbicide-based weed management is becoming increasingly popular, but there is a dire need to choose appropriate herbicides and their effective dose for controlling weeds in DSR fields.A field trial was conducted to appraise the comparative efficacy of three post-emergent herbicides applied at different doses [Clover 20% EC (bispyribac sodium) at 39.54, 59.30, and 79.07 g a.i.ha -1 , Pyranex Gold 30% WDG (bispyribac sodium + bensulfuron methyl) at 74.13, 111.20, and 148.26 g a.i.ha -1 , and Puma Super 7.5% EW (fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) at 46.33 and 92.66 g a.i.ha -1 ] at 20 days after sowing (DAS) for weed control and paddy yield performance under DSR system.A weedy check was retained as control.Results revealed that Clover and Pyranex Gold applied at either dose significantly (p≤0.05)reduced the population and growth of Cyperus iria (90-97% weed density and 93-97% weed dry biomass) and Echinochloa colona (94-97% weed density and weed dry biomass) weeds over control, while Puma Super proved efficient in suppressing Leptochloa chinensis and Echinochloa colona weeds.Among all the tested treatments, application of Puma Super at 92.66 g a.i.ha -1 furnished the highest number of tillers (137.3 in 2014 and 141.3 in 2015), grains panicle -1 (77 in 2014 and 79 in 2015), final paddy yield (1983.8 and 1570 kg ha -1 in 2014 and 2015, respectively), and net economic returns (Rs.95915 ha -1 ), followed by the use of Puma Super at 46.33 g a.i.ha -1 which offered the next best economic benefits (Rs.81906 ha -1 ).Thus, applying Puma Super at 92.66 g a.i.ha -1 is appeared viable approach to control grassy weed flora and ensure higher paddy yield with higher economic returns when rice is sown under DSR technology.

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the role of thiourea exogenous application (0 mg/L and 100 mg/L) on the morphological, physiological, and yield traits of two varieties of tomato (Naqeeb and Nadir) under different salt stress treatments (0, 60, and 120 mM) in completely randomized design (CRD). The imposition of salinity by rooting medium showed that salt stress reduced plant height by 20%, fresh shoot weight by 50%, dry shoot weight by 78%, fresh root weight by 43%, dry root weight by 84%, root length by 34%, shoot length by 32%, shoot K+ by 47%, Ca2+ by 70%, chlorophyll a by 30%, chlorophyll b by 67%, and the number of seeds per berry by 53%, while shoot Na+ ions were increased by 90% in comparison to those grown with control treatment. However, the exogenous application of thiourea significantly enhanced dry root weight by 25% and the number of seeds per berry by 20% in comparison to untreated plants with thiourea when grown under salt stress. Salt stress resulted in a reduction in the number of berries, weight per berry, number of seeds per berry, and seed weight in both varieties, while thiourea foliar application increased these yield parameters. On the other hand, the Nadir variety surpassed Naqeeb in plant height (+13%), root length (+31%) and shoot length (+11%), fresh shoot weight (+42%) and dry shoot weight (+11%), fresh root weight (+29%), dry root weight (+25%), area of leaf (+26%), chlorophyll a (+32%), and chlorophyll b (+24%). In conclusion, the exogenous application of thiourea can be used to mitigate salt stress in tomato plants since it can improve the growth, physiological, and yield traits of this strategic crop.

Oilseed crops require several micronutrients to support their physiological functions and reproductive phases. A deficiency of these nutrients can significantly reduce the yield and oil quality of oilseed crops. Soil application of micronutrients can reduce their deficiency and improve plant growth, yield, and oil quality. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop that produces oil with low levels of saturated fat and high levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which renders it a widely used cooking oil. However, the yield and oil quality of oilseed rape are significantly affected by the deficiency of boron (B) and zinc (Zn). This two-year field study determined the influence of sole and combined soil application of B and Zn on the physiological attributes of plants, seed and oil yields, and oil quality under semiarid climatic conditions. Nine different B and Z combinations, i.e., B0 + Zn0 (control), B0 + Zn8, B0 + Zn10, B1 + Zn0, B1 + Zn8, B1 + Zn10, B2 + Zn0, B2 + Zn8, and B2 + Zn10 (kg ha−1), were included in the study. Sole and combined application of B and Zn significantly altered physiological attributes, seed and oil yields, and oil quality. The highest values for plant height, number of siliques per plant, number of seeds per silique, 1000-seed weight, seed and oil yields, oil quality (higher stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and lower erucic acid), and physiological traits (protein concentration, soluble sugar concentration, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis and transpiration rates, and stomatal conductance) were recorded with the combined application of 2 + 8 kg ha−1 B and Zn, respectively, during both years of this study. The lowest values of yield- and oil-quality-related traits and physiological attributes were recorded for the control treatment. A dose-dependent improvement was recorded in B and Zn contents in leaves, and the highest values were recorded with the combined soil application of 2 + 10 kg ha−1 B + Zn, respectively. It can be concluded that 2 + 8 kg ha−1 B + Zn should be applied to oilseed rape for higher seed and oil yields and better oil quality under semiarid climatic conditions.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a globally prominent oil seed. Sulfur is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of crop plants. Compared with other crops, oilseed crops require more sulfur for their role in oil biosynthesis and as an essential constituent of amino acids, vitamins, proteins, and enzyme structure. Its deficiency results in poor utilization of NPK and, ultimately, crop reduction in yield and quality. Hence, the study investigated the effect of different levels of sulfur on the harvest and quality attributes of various sunflower hybrids. The experiment comprised four sulfur levels (0, 20, 30, 40, and 50 kg per ha) and four sunflower hybrids coded as C124 × RH344, C112 × RSIN82, C116 × RH344, and C208 × RH445. The recorded data underwent analysis statistically using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique, and treatment means comparison followed Tukey’s honest significant difference test (HSD) at a 5% probability level. The results showed maximum plant height at maturity (75.80 cm), head diameter (17.90 cm), leaf area per plant (2,309.21 mm2), 100-achene weight (10.60 g), achene yield (2,806.61 kg ha-1), harvest index (26.58%), and oil content (48.46%), while minimum days to flower initiation (40.33 days) were evident when sowing hybrid C124 × RH344 with an application of 20 kg per ha sulfur.

P akistan is facing shortage of edible oil as gap between its demand and yield is increasing day by day.Local production and demand of edible oil are 0.374 and 3.291 million tones, respectively.The gap of 2.917 m. tones of edible oil is bridged up by import that is of value US$ 3.419 billion.Increase in edible oil is vital to meet domestic demand and industrial products while also conserving foreign currency, Abstract | To identify the influence of the integrated boron and zinc application on canola's (Brassica juncea) growth, quality and yield, a field trial was performed at research farm, Agriculture College, University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan during winter season 2020-21.Treatments comprised of three B (0, 1, and 2 kg ha -1 ) and three Zn (0, 8, and 10 kg ha -1 ) levels and their all-possible combinations as their basal application to soil as boric acid and ZnSO 4 fertilizers, respectively.RCBD with three blocks was applied.Seed of AARI Canola variety was sown in 45 cm apart rows.Maximum CGR (155 g m -2 day -1 ), total dry matter (10663 kg ha -1 ), LAD (360 days), LAI (4.6), and NAR (34.4 g m -2 day -1 ), plant height (195.0 cm), and silique length (6.06 cm) biological yield (15.67 tons ha -1 ), seed yield (3.85 t ha -1 ) and oil yield (1188.3 kg ha -1 ) of canola were recorded with 2 kg ha -1 B + 10 kg ha -1 Zn treatment.The enhancement in seed and oil yield of canola seems to be due to improvement in seeds per silique (29) and 1000-seed weight (4.25 g).A synergistic relationship might exist between these two nutrients as their combined application showed greater effect in enhancing growth and yield of canola over sole application.Further, both nutrients enhanced the uptake of each other.We concluded that the application of 10 kg ha -1 zinc combined with 2 kg ha -1 boron can maximize the canola yield, net benefit (Rs.706765) and benefit cost ratio (3.47), and therefore recommend this a feasible production technology for canola.

In the present era, direct-seeding is a viable alternative of traditional transplanting of rice for farmers due to water and labour shortage. It has the potential to ensure water and labour saving along with higher productivity of water. Study was performed to assess the critical period of weed-crop competition i.e. time period during which weeds cause maximum reduction of yield in dry direct-seeded basmati rice during two consecutive summer seasons of the years 2015 and 2016. This experiment consisted of 6 weed competition periods [0, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after crop emergence (WAE)] and 6 weed-free periods (0, 2, 3, 4, and 5 WAE) by mixed weed flora. The experiment was executed in randomized complete block design having four replications. With the increasing duration of the weed-crop competition, the productive tillers, grains per panicle, and 1000-grain weight were decreased gradually. A whole season competition with mixed weed flora reduced rice grain yield up to 90% and increased N, P, and K uptake by weeds up to 28, 5, and 28 kg ha 1, respectively. In dry direct-sown rice, the critical time of weed removal as estimated by the three-parameter logistic model was 1.4-6.3 WAE and 2.8-4.8 WAE to save 10 and 20% grain yield, respectively. Hence it is concluded that dry direct-seeded rice crop should be kept weed free during this time period of crop growing season.

IntroductionL ivestock sector of Pakistan has an important role in Pakistans agriculture system as a major portion of land area used in Pakistan is under fodder and forage cultivation.In agriculture, livestock as a subsector contributes a major part to value addition in agriculture.Currently, it contributes 60.6% to overall agriculture and 11.7% to GDP during 2019-20.Gross value addition increased with 2.5% during last year (Pakistan Economic Survey, 2019-20).There is continuous growth in population, urbanization is increasing, per capita income is increasing and apart from all this, there are increasing opportunities for Abstract | Silage is the term used for forage with a high moisture content preserved by fermentation.The main objectives of making silage are to preserve forage for use in those seasons when fresh forage is not available, to preserve forage when there is a surplus of it during the growing season, and to preserve forage that cannot be grazed.The experiment was carried out at research area, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha to evaluate the combined effect of sunflower and maize crop for the quality production of silage for enhancing the growth and production in the animals.Six maize hybrids were used along with the sunflower, tree were twelve treatments, each maize with sunflower as intercrop and only maize hybrids as solo crop.Outcome of research revealed that both of sunflower heads and maize plants have better combination for the silage production and the quality parameters like pH, moisture content, protein content, fat content and ash contents.The moisture contents of both the samples and combined silage had not much difference among them, but the protein content, fat content and the pH of the combined silage had remarkable difference among them.The Syngenta-8711 + sunflower and Monsanto-6142 + sunflower varieties were best and had maximum mean values for most of quality parameters, (Fat contents: 14.99%, moisture contents: 38.

: Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees (Chinese sprangletop) is a weed that is becoming a serious threat in upland and lowland rice. A field study was conducted at the Agronomic Research Farm, University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan, during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the effect of L. chinensis density on the yield of direct-seeded fine rice. Treatments comprised of L. chinensis densities of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 plants m-2, and the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications of each treatment. The results suggest that the presence of L. chinensis significantly hampered the grain yield of direct-seeded rice. Weed infestation caused 63% and 69% yield losses where 25 L. chinensis plants m-2 were sustained in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Yield reduction was due to the reduction in 1000-grain weight (22.9 and 29.1%), number of tillers m-2 (65.8 and 60.0%), and number of grains panicle-1 (53.3 and 60%) in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The highest weed infestation (25 plants m-2) produced the highest weed dry biomass (687 and 669 g m-2), N uptake (19.3 and 19.3 kg ha-1), P uptake (1.92 and 2.32 kg ha-1), and K uptake (20.53 and 20.27 kg ha-1) in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The lowest weed infestation (5 plants m-2) produced minimum weed dry biomass (47 and 85 g m-2), N uptake (1.6 and 2.9), P uptake (0.3 and 0.5), and K uptake (1.7 and 30 kg ha-1) in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The economic threshold of L. chinensis as estimated to cause 6.73% and 6.08% yield loss by the prediction model was 1.70 and 1.73 plants m-2 during 2018 and 2019, respectively. It can be concluded that L. chinensis is a serious weed in direct-seeded rice and it should be controlled when its density reaches 1.70-1.73 plants m-2 to avoid significant yield losses.

Background and objectives: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is an important summer fodder all over the world. Phosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient which plays significant role in the growth and development of crop plants. The P is deficit in most of the Pakistani soils. Bio-stimulants are organic compounds that could enhance vegetative growth, development, nutrients' uptake and tolerance of the plants to abiotic stresses. Methods: This two-years field experiment determined the effect of different P levels and growth stimulant (actibion) on yield and quality of forage sorghum. The P levels were 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha(-1) and biostimulant (1250 ml ha(-1)) was applied at 20, 30 and 40 days after sowing (DAS), while distilled water was sprayed as control. Results: The results revealed that the highest values for plant height (241.70 and 237.03 cm), stem diameter (1.59 and 1.41 cm), number of leaves per plant (15.4 and 14.80), leaf area per plant (3016.8 and 2575.3 cm(2)), chlorophyll contents (46.17 and 44.34), fresh forage yield (47.83 and 45.33 ton ha(-1)) and dry matter yield (13.84 and 13.02 ton ha(-1)) were recorded with 60 kg ha(-1) P and bio-stimulant application at 30 DAS. The similar trend was observed for crude protein (9.53 and 13.01 %). Total ash contents, plant P contents (0.17 % and 0.16 %) were improved when 90 kg ha(-1) P was applied along with biostimulant application at 30 DAS. However, no application of P and bio-stimulant resulted in the highest values of NDF and ADF. Conclusion: It is concluded that 60 kg ha(-1) P application along with foliar application of bio-stimulant at 30 DAS is optimum for improving yield and quality components of forage sorghum. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Knowledge of crop-weed competition dynamics is necessary for implementation of cost-effective weed eradication strategy. To quantify yield loss and estimate critical competition period of weeds in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop, two-year field study was executed at research area, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan during winter seasons (2016-17 and 2017-18). Treatments comprised of three row spacings viz., S 1 = 15 cm, S2 = 20 cm and S3 = 25 cm and twelve crop-weed competition periods viz., weedy until 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 days and till harvesting and weed free until 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 days and till harvesting. Data indicated significant increases in plant height (5%), number of productive tillers count m-2 (2%), grain count per spike (7%), 1000-grain weight (9%), biological yield (7%) and grain yield (15%) of barley in 15 cm row spacing over the other row spacings. On the other hand, significant reduction in weed dry weight (4%) was recorded in 15 cm row spacing followed by 20 cm and 25 cm row spacings. Means data of both years showed that weed free until harvest had a significant improvement in plant height (20%), productive tiller m-2 (13%), grains per spike (57%), 1000-grain weight (67%), biological yield (27%) and grain yield (50%) compared to weedy until harvest. The logistic model supported the field study results and suggested that critical weed free period (CWFP) and critical time for weed removal (CTWR) for barley to avoid 10% yield losses were 73-74 days and 16-18 days after crop emergence (DAE). The model also predicted that wider crop row spacing resulted an extension of 1 day in in CTWR and CWFP for getting better crop yield while maintaining higher farmers??? earning. To our cognizance, we are the first who established facts regarding the weed competition period under different row spacing???s in barley crop in Pakistan other scientists could avail to develop efficacious weed management plans in other areas of the country.

Sawdust as a soilless growth substrate for plants is becoming popular in greenhouse production. However, fresh sawdust often requires time for decomposition before it is ready for use as a growth substrate. We studied whether amendments of banana peels (as a source of potassium), eggshells (as a source of calcium), and urea (as a source of nitrogen) in non-composted fresh chinaberry (Melia azedarach) sawdust could enhance its potential as a growth medium. In two pot experiments, the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) was evaluated using mixtures of non-composted M. azedarach sawdust. The treatments were: (T1) 100% soil (control) (vol/vol); (T2) 100% M. azedarach sawdust (vol/vol); (T3) 80% M. azedarach sawdust +20% banana peel (vol/vol); (T4) 60% M. azedarach sawdust +20% banana peel +20% eggshell (vol/vol); and (T5) 60% M. azedarach sawdust +20% banana peel +20% eggshell (vol/vol) +91 kg N ha−1 (urea). There was no significant difference between the treatments regarding seed germination and okra emergence, but leaf area, chlorophyll content index, plant biomass, number of pods per plant−1, fresh pods, and dry weight were significantly lower in pots with fresh sawdust mixtures. Organic amendments of banana peels and eggshells improved the sawdust substrate. Adding a further 91 kg N hectare−1 improved the growth but was insufficient to produce the same yield of okra as in non-fertilized sandy clay loam soil. We cannot exclude that non-composted M. azedarach sawdust may be a potential growth substrate for okra, but the amendments added were not enough to obtain the same yields as when okra was grown in soil.

One of the alternative ways of sugarcane sett planting is to sow excised sugarcane buds, popularly called as budchips. Despite the advantages of budchip technology, sugarcane growers are failed to achived higher production under field conditions due to rapid exhaustion of small sized storage tissue (budchip). Evaluate the role of varied concentrations of nephtahline acetic acid and calcium chloride on growth, production and quality of budships in semi-arid condition during two consecutive spring seasons of 2018 and 2019. Results from both years 2018 and 2019, showed that significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved in sprouting establishment (86%), leaf area index (11.98 and 11.96), leaf area duration (1272 and 1293 days), crop growth rate (11.58 and 11.02 g m-2 day-1), net assimilation rate (2.53 and 2.55 g m-2 day-1), cane height (203 and 224 cm), number of tillers m-2 (27 and 26), cane diameter (2.97 and 3.01 cm), stripped cane yield (101.98 and 98.52 t ha-1), commercial can sugar (14.45 and 14.39%), sugar yield (16.77 and 16.75 t ha-1) were recorded in budchips soaked with CaCl2 2% + NAA 2 ppm. In above studied traits, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) minimum was recorded in budchips soaked with CaCl2 0% + NAA 0 ppm (control). On the basis of above results, it might be recommended to farmers who want to adopt this budchip technology should soaked budchips within 2% solution of CaCl2 with 2 ppm NAA that was suitable for improving growth, yield and quality of sugarcane budchip.