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The following are the titles and abstracts of the research papers published in Vol. 17 No.  Issue No 4 (October- December, 2002), of Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research:

ANDROGENETIC RESPONSE OF WHEAT CROSSES DERIVED FROM DIVERSE PARENTAL MATERIAL

Muhammad Iqbal, N.S. Kisana, M.Y. Mujahid, Iftikhar Ahmad, Zaheer Ahmed,. M. Asif and S.Z. Mustafa

ABSTRACT: An experiment was conducted to study the and androgenetic response of twelve wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crosses derived from diverse parental mate­rial including local wheats from high elevation areas of Pakistan. Anthers were cultured on agar solidified Potato-2 and N-6 induction medium. Regeneration was carried out on 190-2 medium. A total of 6920 anthers were cultured and 247 calli/ embryoids were obtained from all the crosses. The highest callus induction (15%) was noted for the cross Sannine/Blue Silver/Barbet-1 followed by 6.9-for NR 152/ Punjab 96. Of the total 86 regenerated plantlets, 62 were green while 24 were al­bino. Depending on the genotype, the frequency of callus induction ranged from 0.82 to 15 %, with a mean of 4.84%. Plantlet regeneration ranged from 0 to 100% with an average of 50%. Shagestsi/Blue Silver/Rabe/2* MO88 exhibited 100 % plantlet regeneration for all the calli plated. Total as well as green plantlet regeneration ranged from 0 to 100 %. Green plantlets/ 100 anthers varied from 0 to 7 with an average of 1.46 for all the crosses tested. Mean percent callus induction for all the crosses was higher (5.9) on Potato-2 medium than that on N-6 (3.3). Green plantlets / 100 anthers were higher on N-6 (2.2) than on P-2 (0.7) medium.

Key Words: Triticum aestivum; Androgenetic Response; Agar Medium; Callus Induction; Regeneration; Diverse Parental Material; Pakistan.

SOYBEAN SEED YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT IRRIGATION REGIMES AT DIFFERENT REPRODUCTIVE STAGES

M. Aslam, Naseer A. Khan and M. Siddique Mirza*

ABSTRACT: Development of an efficient and economical irrigation manage­ment system for soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is essential to apply irrigations at specific stages of reproductive ontogeny. Soybean cultivar, williams-82 was subjected to a factorial set of irrigated treatments: R1 to R2 flowering (F), R3 to R4 pod elongation (P) and R5 to R6 seed enlargement (S). The experiment was conducted for two years in spring 1986 and 1987 on a clay-loam soil at the National Agricul­tural Research Centre, Islamabad. An F-irrigation at flowering stage had great effect on seed yield (2253 kg/ha). Almost similar yield response was observed for an F-S irrigation and F-P-S irrigation, soybean seed yield for S-irrigation, P-irrigation, F-P and P-S irrigations were significantly lower than a single F-irrigation, F-S and FP­S irrigation. Also a single irrigation at pod elongation stage (P) and seed enlarge­ment stage (S) enhanced more yield than dual irrigations of F-P and P-S

Key Words: Glycine max; Irrigation Scheduling; Reproductive Stages; Crop Yield; Yield Components; Pakistan.

INPUTS FOR PRODUCTION OF WHEAT IN PAKISTAN

Muhammad Azam Khan*

ABSTRACT: The energetics of the wheat crop on rainfed farms have been worked out and compared with the farms having canal and Tubewell irrigation. A survey was conducted to investigate the pattern of energy used in production of wheat. The information was recorded from selected farms through biweekly visits. Results indicated that the farmers on bullock operated farms used more family labour than tractor oper­ated farms, whereas, farmers on tractor operated farms used more casual labour. Bul­locks were main source of power for all farms operations on bullock operated farms, however, threshing was performed with tractor driven threshers on almost all farms. Farmers on Tubewell irrigated farms used maximum energy to irrigate their crop.

Key Words: Wheat; Energy; Threshing; Rainfed; Irrigation; Production; Pakistan.

RESPONSE OF WHEAT TO SELECTED INDIGENOU AZORHIZOBIUM

Shahida N. Khokhar", Abdur Razzaq and Abdul Majeed**

ABSTRACT:  Two separate experiments were conducted to determine the re­sponse of wheat to selected indigenous azorhizobium inoculations in a low fertil­ity soil at NARC, Islamabad. First experiment, a 2-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) included two wheat varieties (Chakwal 86 and Kohistan 90) and three diazotrophs namely NFD-srn2/95 (Azorhizobium caulinodans, indigenous), IRBG 42 (Azorhizobium caulinodans, exotic) and PAC-19/1(8k-8/Tha18, Chickpea-rhizobium). The second experiment, a single factor RCBD, included wheat variety, MH97, treated with NFD-srn2/95, IRBG 42, NFD/srn-2/95+ IRBG 42, and mixed inoculant in combination with two nitrogen levels (50kg/ha and 100kg/ha) and an uninoculated control. Results indicated significant effect of Azorhizobium inoculation in both experiments as well as significant inoculation x variety interaction, in the first experiment. Significant differences in terms of root dry biomass, total nitrogen/ plant and 1000-grain weight were observed in the first experiment. Inoculation with PAC-19/1 and NFD-srn2/95 resulted in 50% and 30% more nitrogen accumula­tion in shoot, respectively. Highest grain yield of 5163 kg/ha was obtained in vari­ety Kohistan 90 inoculated with IRBG 42. In second experiment, number of tillers, root dry biomass, nitrogen content, and grain yield differed significantly between the treatments. All inoculated treatments, except mixed inoculant application, produced significantly higher grain yield than control. Inoculation brought an in­crease in the range of 35%-99% in grain yield over uninoculated unfertilized control

Key Words: Wheat; Diazotroph; Azorhizobium; Inoculation; Nitrogen; Grain Yield; Root Dry Biomass; Pakistan.

EFFECT OF POLISHING TIME AND PRESSURE ON QUALITY CHARATERISTICS OF RICE GRAIN

M. Arshed Karim*

ABSTRACT: Since totally unpolished rice has poor cooking quality, a certain amount of polishing for the removal of the outermost bran layers is essential. To determine the best combination of polishing time and pressure with respect to obtaining optimum quantity/ quality, the brown rice (head grains) of a rice strain 4048 was milled for 10, 20, 30 and 40 seconds against 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 lbs pressure in a Burrows mcGill Polisher No. 3. The quality characteristics studied were: total milling recovery, head rice recovery, whiteness of milled rice, protein content of grain, grain length and bursting upon cooking. Both, total milled rice and head rice reduced while the whiteness of milled rice improved significantly with an increase in polishing time and or pressure. The protein content decreased gradually with an increase in time and pressure of milling but the effect was non-significant. The cooked grain length increased with an increase in milling degree upto a stage, beyond which it declined. The increase in bursting of grains on cooking. A combination of 20 seconds polishing time with 2 lbs pressure or 20 seconds polishing time with 3 lbs pressure was found to be the best combination for obtaining the optimum quality as well as the quality of milled rice.

Key Words: Rice; Polishing Time; Bran Layers; Total Milling; Recovery; Pressure; Grain Length; Pakistan.

EFFECT OF BARIUM ON GERMINATION AND EARLY GROWTH OF MAIZE SEEDLINGS AND ITS REVERSAL BY NUTRITION AND GIBBERELLIC ACID

Javed Iqbal and Fauzia Ijaz*

ABSTRACT:  Maize seeds were soaked in 0-100 mM BaC12 for 24h followed by soaking of one batch of seeds in 100 mM GA, (Gibberellic acid) for 8h. Subsequently seeds were germinated and grown in four batches: Ba-treated in distilled water; Ba-treated in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution; Ba-GA3 treated in distill water; Ba-treated in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution; Ba-GA 3 treated distilled water and Ba-GA 3 treated in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution. There was a general decline in germination and inhibition of growth in seedlings raised from Ba-treated seeds, at all doses except at 0.1 mM, where a significant improvement in all growth parameters were observed. Both nutrient solution and GA3 treatment reduced the toxic effects of Ba on germination and growth. The effects of GA 3+ nutrient solution were synergistic as maximum restoration to the effects of Ba were observed when GA, treated seeds were grown in nutrient medium. It is concluded that both nutrition solution and GA 3 were effective in reversing the Ba induced suppression of germination and inhibition in root -shoot length, and dry weights.

Key Words: Maize; Barium; Germination; Root-shoot Length; Dry Weight; Gibberellic Acid, Pakistan.

WILD OATS (AVENA FATUA L.) SEED VIABILITY AND DORMANCY AS INFLUENCED BY SEED AGE AND SIZE; AND THE VARIABLE GERMINATION TEMPERATURE REGIMES

Shahida Khalid* and Sadar Uddin Siddiqui**

ABSTRACT: Avena fatua L. (wild oats) spikelets collected during 1984-1989, were separated for germination studies in year 1990 into basal (1st) medium (2nd) and small (3rd) seed, at the National Agricultural Centre, Islamabad. The optimum night/day temperature for the germination of the basal seed was found to be 10/ 20°C, while for the 2nd seed 5/20°C proved to be a better temperature regime. Basal seed germination improved with increase in seed storage time and dormancy de­creased with age. The third seed had a potential viability of upto 25% determined by TTC test. In germination, seed age played a primary role, which was then influenced by temperature regime. Drought stress during the growing season may be respon­sible for the production of more dormant seeds.

Key Words: Avena fatua, Potential Viability; Germination; Temperature; Seed Size; Seed Age; Dormancy; Pakistan.

EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SAFFLOWER (CARTHAMUS TINCTORMS L.) GENOTYPES UNDER RAINFED CONDITION;

Muhammad Akmal, Masood Amjad Rana, Shahzad Asad and Nasir M. Cheema*

ABSTRACT: A replicated field trial consisting of 10 entries including a local check Thori-78 was conducted during rabi 1992-93 at National agricultural research Centre, Islamabad. Significant differences were observed at 5% probability level in seed yield, oil content, number of achene/plant, hundred seed weight and plant height among the genotypes. The variety PI-307060 produced the highest seed yield of 833 kg/ha, followed by PI-262424 with a yield of 813 kg/ha. CB-32 produced the highest oil content of 35.40%, PI-262424 produced the maximum (39) number of achene/plant, dholka Sindh produced the maximum (5.4 g) hundred seed weight plant, while Thori-78/28 was the short stature with a plant height of 114 cm. The check (Thori-78) having 313 kg/ha seed yield, 30.51% oil content, 32 achenes per plant, 5.3g hundred seed weight and 121 cm plant height

Key Words: Carthamus tinctorius; Genotypes; Oil Content; Achenes; Crop Yield; Pakistan

COMBINING ABILITY FOR SOME AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN ALFALFA (MEDICAGO SATIVA L.)

N.C. Roy*, V.N. Jettopujov and N.M. Solanik**

ABSTRACT: An 8x8 diallel analysis was done for determining the combining ability for different agronomic characters in alfalfa (Medicago saliva L). Combining ability analysis revealed that number of tillers/plant, leafiness, yield of green mass plant, yield of dry matter/plant, protein content in dry matter (%) and seed yield plant were controlled by both additive and nonadditive gene action. The gca variances were higher than the sca variances for the character studied indicating the nonadditive gene action in the present materials. There was a direct relationship between the performance of hybrids and their sca effect in a majority of the case The cross between the two best general combiners did not have high sea effect in a cases. Only high x low and low x high cross combinations gave the best sca effect in the most cases. The parent Bordsckaya mestnaya was the best combiner for leafiness, yield of green mass/plant and yield of dry matter/plant, while AUPX for protein content in dry matter (%) and seed yield/plant, and K-36614 appeared as best parent for number of tillers/plant.

Key Words: Medicago saliva; Diallel Cross; Combining Ability; Gca Effect; Sca Effect; Russia

PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT PEARL MILLET VARIETIES UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS

Muhammad Akmal, Muhammad Naeem, Shahzad Nasim and Abdul Shakoor*

ABSTRACT:  A replicated field trial consisting of nine varieties including C-47 as a check was conducted during kharif 1989. Significant differences were observed in grain yield, stover yield, days to 50% flowering and plant height among the varieties. Y-84 produced the highest grain yield of 1666 kg/ha followed by DB-V (1611 kg/ha) and MP-155 (1500 kg/ha). Y-84 and MH-285 each produced the highest stover yield of 12.22 t/ha. MP-201 was the earliest variety to 50% flowering (54 days), while DBR-III was the tallest variety having a plant height of 219 cm. The check variety C-47 produced a grain yield of 722 kg/ha, with a stover yield of 6.11 t/ha, it flowered in 77 days and was 212 cm tall.

Key Words: Pennisetum americanum, Varieties; Rainfed Farming; Crop Yield; Yield Components; Pakistan

SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION IN RABI AND KHARIF SEASONS UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS IN PAKISTAN

Abdul Rashid, Rehmat Ullah Khan*, Ian N. Morrison and John Duek*

ABSTRACT:  Two separate experiments were conducted under rainfed con­ditions at NARC, Islamabad, during rabi and kharif 1985 and 1986. In first case two imported hybrid seed of NK-212, Cargill 204 and two open pollinated varieties Noor and Shams were tested for yield comparison whereas in second case NK-212 was studied under various population including 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 thousand plants/ha to determine the optimum plant population for both the seasons, respectively. In rabi 1985, no significant differences oc­curred between yield of NK-212 and Cargill 204 hybrid sunflowers and the open-­pollinated varieties, Noor and Shams. In contrast, NK-212 yielded more than the other three entries in the kharif season that year. Although NK-212 ex­hibited good tolerance to charcoal rot, it proved high susceptibility to head rot (Rhizopus sp.) and in rabi 1986 it was severely attacked by this disease. While Cargill 204 yielded more than other entries. In separate experiments, the mean yield of NK-212 was 40% less in rabi than in the kharif season, almost certainly the result of differences in seasonal precipitation and evapotranspirative demand. In the dry rabi season, yield was unaffected as stand densities in­creased from 40 to 80 thousand plant/ha. However, under the high rainfall conditions of kharif season the yield of NK-212 was influenced by stand density, with 50,000 plants/ha resulting in the highest mean yield (1994 kg/ha) when the results were combined for both years. As density increased, plant height also increased, whereas head size and 1000-seed weight decreased. Seed yield was correlated positively with both seed weight and head size up to the 60,000 plants/ha population. The present study was undertaken to find out the best sunflower genotype and optimum plant population for NK-212 for yield in rabi and kharif season under rainfed conditions.

Key Words: Sunflower; Hybrid; Open-Pollinated; Charcoal Rot; Plant Population; Agronomii Characteristics; Pakistan.

AFFECTING BLIGHT DISEASE DEVELOPMENT AND SEVERITY BY ASCOCHYTA RABIEI (PASS.) LAB. IN CHICKPEA

S.M. Iqbal, A. Ghafoor, I. Ahmad* and N. Ayub**

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to understand the role of epidemiological factors of chickpea blight such as inoculum potential, plant age, effect of leaf wetness and incubation period, under green house conditions. A positive correlation was observed between disease severity and inoculum concentration. The chickpea  cultivars; Punjab-91 and C-727 were inoculated with spore suspension of A. rabiei at different physiological stages from 2-12 weeks (seedling to reproductive stage) after sowing. Disease severity was more on 2-weeks old seedlings than the adult plants. Incubation period for 3 and 4 days when sprayed with water 1 or 2 times a day had a pronounced effect.

Key Words: Chickpea, Blight, Epidemic, Spore Concentration, Plant Age, Infection, Incubi Period, Relative Humidity, Pakistan.

SCREENING OF SUGARCANE CULTIVARS AGAINST THE BORERS INFESTATION

A.G. Khanzada*

             ABSTRACT:  Fifty varieties of sugarcane were screened for their relative degree of tolerance and susceptibility against top and stem borers attack. The experiment was carried out for two consecutive autumn seasons i.e., 1990-91­(plant) and 1991-92 (ratoon) crops, to determine the impact of related intensity of borers infestation in both the crops. It is concluded from the study that highly significant variation due to borer damage were recorded for cultivars. None of the variety recorded is immune to the borer attack. A classified varietal behaviour according to the borer infestation of both the plantation, was also recorded.

Key Words: Sugarcane; Varieties; Tolerance; Screening; Borer Infestation; Pakistan 

LAND EQUIVALENT RATIOS AS INFLUENCED BY PLANTING GEOMETRY AND LEGUMES INTERCROPPING SYSTEM

Abdur Rashid*, Himayatullah* *, Imtiaz Ahmad* and M. Aslam*

ABSTRACT: The impact of planting geometry and legumes intercropping on the land equivalent ratios (LER) was studied at the Arid Zone Research Farm, Rata Kulachi, D.I. Khan. The highest LER of 1.55 and 1.56 was recorded with double row (30/90 cm) strip of sorghum + two rows of mungbean as intercrop between the 90 cm space of sorghum strips during 1999 and 2000, respectively. This suggested that sole cropping of sorghum would require 55 and 56 percent more area to achieve equivalent yield of the intercropped sorghum (double rows of sorghum + two rows of mungbean). The data further indicated that planting geometry significantly af­fected the grain yield of sorghum as well as those of intercrops. Double rows (30/90 cm) strips planting pattern significantly increased the grain yield by 4.88 and 6.90 percent than single rows 60 cm apart and triple rows (30/120 cm) strip planting pattern, respectively during 1999-00. Similar trend was observed in 2000-01. The grain yield of inter crop was 22.62% and 23.80% more in double and triple rows strip planting pattern than single row (0.349 t/ha), respectively, during 1999. The same trend was followed in the year 2000-01. However, sole sorghum produced more grain yield than sorghum associated with legumes in both the years. The in­teraction between planting geometry and legumes intercropping as regards grain yield of sorghum and intercrops was found non-significant in both the years. How­ever, sole sorghum planted in the geometrical pattern of double rows strips pro­duced more grain yield of 5.98 and 5.82 t/ha as compared to other treatments of interaction during 1999 and 2000, respectively.

Key Words: Sorghum bicolor; Planting Geometry; Legumes Intercrops; Land Equivalent Ratios; Grain Yield; Pakistan.

EFFECT OF SOIL TO WATER RATIOS ON CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SALINE-SODIC AND NORMAL SOIL

Muhammad Afzal* and M. Yasin**

ABSTRACT:  In a laboratory study, effect of soil to water ratios on pH, soluble salts and exchangeable cations status of saline-sodic and normal soil series was studied. The soil to water ratios tested against saturated paste method were 1:1, 1:2, 1:5 and 1:10. Soluble ions (Na, Ca+Mg, C03+HC03 and S04 except Cl) increased in all soils with in­creasing moisture contents. The pH of soil increased at all soil to water ratios except soil No. 3 and 4 where it decreased at 1:5 and 1:10 ratio. The exchangeable Na and K decreased while exchangeable Ca + Mg increased with increasing moisture contents. The exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) calculated at various soil to water ratios decreased as compared to that at saturated percentage. Since the saturation percent­age was directly related to field conditions. The saturated paste method is the best for accurate determination of pH, soluble salts and exchangeable captions and thus for clas­sification and reclamation of salt-affected soils.

Key Words: Saline-Sodic Soil; Soil/ Water Ratio; Chemical Properties; Saturation; Classifi­cation; Reclamation; Pakistan.

EFFECT OF CARD CYLINDER SPEED ON THE COTTON SLIVER AND YARN QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Iftikhar Ahmad Mian, Shahid Saleem Shad* and Muhammad Ali Nadeem**

ABSTRACT: In the present study, four different speeds of card cylinder i.e. 375 rpm, 400 rpm, 425 rpm and 450 rpm were driven, while taker in and doffer speeds were kept constant i.e., 638 rpm and 34 rpm respectively. The yarn was spun for 30", it was found that cylinder speed 425 rpm produced better quality of sliver and yarn.

Key Words: Cotton; Carding, Yarn; Fibre Technology; Pakistan.

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING ON PERFORMANCE OF LATE PREGNANCY GOATS AND PRE-WEANING KIDS AND PROFITABILITY

A.U. Cheema, M.Q. Khan, M. Azeem and M. Ayaz*

ABSTRACT: Effect of supplemented feed on body weight, milk yield and composition, birth weight and subsequent growth performance of kids till weaning was evaluated on sixty hairy goats. Supplementation had no effect (P>0.10) on goats weight gain and birth weight of kids. Weaning weight (average 10.6 vs 8.1 kg) and  average daily weight gain (92 vs 63 g) of kids from supplemented goats was greater (P<0.5) than those from non-supplemented. Kid mortality (3% vs 13%) was decreased (P<0.5) as a result of supplemental feeding to their dams. Supplemented goats had greater milk production (P<0.05) than non-supplemented (average 412 vs 190 ml). Supplementation had no effect (P>0.10) on milk quality (fat, protein, lactose, ash and solid contents). The net benefit of kids from dams supplemented 0.5kg ration daily and 0.75kg on every other day is higher than those from non-supplemented (Rs. 301 and 304 vs Rs. 245/kg), respectively. Marginal rate of return for changing from no supplementation to 0.75kg ration on every other day is 128%. Thus supplementation increased milk yield, which resulted in higher weight gain in kids and decreased mortality, consequently higher economic return

Key Words: Goats; Pregnancy; Supplementary Feeding; Birth Weight; Weaning Weight; Weight Gain; Milk Yield; Milk Quality; Profitability; Pakistan.

EVALUATION OF WHEAT GENOTYPES FOR PERFORMANCE AND ADAPTIBILITY UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS

Abdur Razzaq and M. Munir

ABSTRACT: In four wheat varieties/ genotypes were evaluated under rainfed areas of northern Punjab on farmer's fields at 47 locations from 1982-83 to 186-87. The two wheat varieties Pak-81 and S-19    (Junco"S") outyielded the check variety Lyp-73 in all four years. On an average, these two varieties outyielded the check variety by more than 16%. The newly developed variety Barani-83 yielded slightly more than LYP-73 but significantly less than the Pak-81 and S-19. these two varieties/ genotypes performed well in drought also. The relative performance of all the four varieties was same with no difference under two tillage treatments (deep vs. shallow) during 1985-86.

Key words: wheat; Variety; Yield; Adaptability; Rainfed Conditions; Pakistan