PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH -
ABSTRACTS -19(4)
Titles and abstracts of the research papers published in September - December, 2006, Vol. 19, Issue No 4. of Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research
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ZERO TILLAGE WHEAT PRODUCTION
IN RICE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM: EVIDENCE
FROM FARMERS' FIELD
Muhammad Aslam Gill*
ABSTRACT: To assess the farmer's point of view about the adoption of zero tillage technology a survey was conducted from massive demonstrations in pilot production programme of zero tillage wheat cultivation in rice-based cropping system of the Punjab. After observing good germination, more than 90% farmers told that zero tillage wheat cultivation is possible and it would be successful. Almost all farmers (91.1%) responded that zero tillage technology is cost saving. The other advantages observed by the farmers were; timely planting of wheat (43.2%), better fertilizer and seed placement (39.5%), better germination (37.8%), labour and time saving (26.2%), less weeds (23.3%), and more yield (16.7%). However, equipment used for zero tillage wheat technology has problems and constraints on the part of farmers for wider adoption.
Key Words: Zero Tillage; Cultivation; Fertilizers; Germination; Seeds; Pakistan.
TRITICALE RESPONSE TO
NITROGEN AND SOWING RATES ON YIELD AND
YIELD RELATED TRAITS
M. Basbag, A. Alp* and B. Samanci**
ABSTRACT: A study was conducted during 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 to determine the effect of nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) and sowing rates (80, 130, 180 and 230 kg /ha) on yield and yield related traits of Triticale at research fields of Dicle University, in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Plant height, spike length, yield and protein content of the seeds increased with increasing nitrogen level. The highest seed yield (2011.2 kg/ha) was obtained from 120 kg/ha nitrogen level sowing rate also affected spike length, spikelet number, 1000-seed weight and protein content.
Key Words: Triticale; Nitrogen; Sowing Rates; Seed Yield; Yield Components; Turkey.
PATH COEFFICIENT AND CORRELATION OF YIELD AND YIELD ASSOCIATED TRAITS IN CANDIDATE BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) LINES
Tila Muhammad, Sajjad Haider, Muhammad Jamil Qureshi, Gul Sanat Shah and Roshan Zamir*
ABSTRACT: Yield and yield contributing traits were studied in candidate bread wheat lines to find out the genetic contribution of the different characters towards grain yield at NIFA, Peshawar during 2001-02. All the characteristics studied differed significantly from each other. Days to heading showed negative and significant correlation with harvest index and grain yield but was negative and non-significant with the biological yield. Days to maturity were negatively correlated at both genotypic and phenotypic levels with biological yield, harvest index and grain yield and level of correlations were significant with harvest index and grain yield. Plant height showed negative genotypic and phenotypic correlation with harvest index and grain yield. Biological yield had positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations with harvest index and grain yield. Harvest index had positive and highly significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with grain yield. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients revealed that important characters influencing grain yield are harvest index and biological yield. Path analysis showed the importance in order of harvest index, biological yield, plant height, days to maturity and days to heading with grain yield.
Key Words: Triticum aestivum; Correlation; Harvest Index; Biological Yield; Yield; Yield Components; Pakistan.
A.S. 2002, A NEW HIGH
YIELDING, DISEASE RESISTANT AND HEAT TOLERANT
WHEAT VARIETY
Muhammad Aqil Khan and Mumtaz Hussain*
ABSTRACT: A.S. 2002-a bold seeded variety developed by crossing a durum-derived line CBD 71 with bread wheat line CB316, was tested in a series of station and national yield tests during 1997 and 2002 for yield performance, rust resistance and bread/chapatti quality. It was compared with Inqilab-91 in 35 trials and with local checks in 62 trials. It exceeded Inqilab-91 by 13.19% and MH 97 by 5.7% in station trials. In national trials (NUWYTs, 2000-01), it out-yielded Inqilab-91 by 7.3% in early and by 17.06% in late tests. Its superiority over local checks was 3.17% and 8.0%, respectively, in early and late tests during the same year. In heat tolerance trial, it exceeded Inqilab 91 by 9.9% and local check by 18%. In second year's national testing (2002-03), the yield differences were non-significant, however. All trials counted, it had 9.8% and 4.9% yield edge over Inqilab-91 and local checks, respectively. It proved resistant to yellow and leaf rusts and had acceptable baking quality. It was approved for cultivation by Punjab Seed Council in November, 2002.
Key Words: Breeding; Wheat Variety; Resistant; Disease; Heat; High Yielding;Yield Trials; Pakistan.
SH-2002, A NEW HIGH YIELDING AND DISEASE RESISTANT WHEAT VARIETY
Muhammad Aqil Khan, Sajid Rasul, Zaheer Sikandar Bhatti*
ABSTRACT: SH-2002, a new wheat variety was developed by crossing Inqilab 91 x Fink 'S' to further diversify the varieties available to the farmers for cultivation. It was widely tested throughout Punjab in a series of trials of different category. In 105 trials, it excelled in yield over Inqilab 91 and other checks. It is resistant to yellow and brown rusts and has good baking/chapatti quality. It was released for general cultivation in November, 2002 by Punjab Seed Council and is expected to enhance and stabilize yield in the province/country.
Key Words: Wheat; Variety; Breeding; Resistance; Disease; High Yielding; Pakistan.
IMPACT OF BLENDING RATIO AND
TECHNIQUES ON THE QUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF 24's POLYESTER/COTTON YARN
Shahid Saleem Shad, M. Iqbal Javed and Asim Mumtaz*
ABSTRACT: Conversion of cotton fibres into yarn has now become a highly technical process according to its utility. The quality characters depend upon the ratio of polyester and cotton in the blend and also the blending technique adopted during fibre to yarn spinning. The quality characters such as single yarn strength, yarn elongation and rupture per kilometer of yarn were directly proportional to the ratio of polyester with cotton in the blend. However, drawframe blending produced better quality yarn as compared to blowroom blending, lap former blending and simplex blending.
Key Words: Blending; Polyester; Cotton; Techniques; Ratio; Pakistan.
EFFECT OF Zn ON THE PANICLE STRUCTURE AND YIELD OF COARSE RICE, IR-6
Nasir Mahmood Cheema, Noor Ullah and Najib Ullah Khan*
ABSTRACT: The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of four zinc levels on the growth and yield of coarse rice cv IR-6 at Faisalabad, Pakistan during 1991. All the four zinc levels viz. 2.5, 5.0 7.5 and 10 kg ZnSO4/ha caused increase in yield and yield component of IR-6 as compared with control. Final plant height, number of tillers/hill, panicle bearing tillers, number of primary and secondary spikelets; panicle size, 1000-grain weight, paddy and straw yield and harvest index showed positive correlation with the increase in ZnSO4 levels from 2.5 to 10 kg/ha. However, sterility percentage decreased as the level of ZnSO4 increased. All the yield components exhibited significant increase, except harvest index, though, had increased but not significantly indicating that a still higher level of zinc may be required to obtain a significant difference or otherwise. It is concluded that not only Basmati rice, but the coarse rice like IR-6 is also affected by various levels of zinc for growth and yield of rice.
Key Words: Rice; Zinc Levels; Yields; Yield Components; Pakistan.
MONETARY ADVANTAGES OF
IMPROVED CROPPING PATTERN
FOR RAINFED AREA
Sher Mahmood Shah, M.Y. Mirza and Naazar Ali*
ABSTRACT: Field study was conducted to enhance the production of soybean and income of the rainfed farmers, at Fatehjang during 1992, 1993 and 1994. Soybean was cultivated under the improved crop production technology on two separate pieces of land. One piece was kept under improved cropping system (wheat-soybean-wheat) whereas other piece was selected from the land used in wheat-fallow-wheat system. Cost of production in both systems was separately counted for. Thus monetary advantages per unit area were much more higher in the improved cropping system than in the prevailing one. It presented the evidence to predict how the improved cropping pattern influence the choice of improved soybean production technology in rainfed tracts.
Key Words: Soybean; Cropping System; Production; Cultivation; Pakistan.
APPLICATION OF PRE-EMERGENCE HERBICIDES IN SPRING SOYBEAN
Sher Mahmood Shah, M. Aslam, M. Yasin Mirza and Naeemullah*
ABSTRACT: A study to evaluate the weed control in soybean was conducted during spring 1993, 1994 and 1995 at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. Pre-emergence application treatments were Pendimethalin, Paraquat + Pendimethalin, Paraquat + Atrazine, hand weeding and weedy check against four soybean genotypes, NARC-III, NARC-IV, NARC-V and Williams-82. In hand-weeded plots; weeding was done twice each year during the early growth stages and no weeding was done in weedy check. Over all effect of weeds control treatments was found significant on seed yield. In weedy check plots a lot of weeds were growing and yield of 1374 kg/ha was the lowest and 37.6% less than the treatment, Paraquat + Pendimethalin in the trial. Hand weeding resulted in significantly higher yield than weedy check but lower than herbicide treated plots. Paraquat + Pendimethalin gave significantly higher yield of 1890 kg/ha followed by the Pendimethalin giving 1640 kg/ha. Pendimethalin was observed effective in weeds control but in combination with Paraquat showed excellent performance.
Key Words: Soybean; Pre-emergence; Herbicides; Weeds; Pakistan.
PREDICTION OF LEVEL OF
PARTIAL RESISTANCE IN SPRING WHEAT TO LEAF RUST
IN FIELD THROUGH COMPONENT ANALYSIS IN GREENHOUSE
Maqsood Qamar*
ABSTRACT: Nine spring wheat cultivars were tested in green house both at adult plant and seedling stage and in field conditions for their partial resistance (PR) to wheat leaf rust. Level of PR was assessed from latency period (LP) and infection frequency (IF) in adult plant stage while in seedling stage it was evaluated from LP, IF, percentage of early aborted infection units without plant cell necrosis (EA-N%) and colony diameter of infection units of one single-pustule isolate of Puccinia triticina. In a field test, area under disease progress curve was calculated to assess the level of PR. A low IF, long LP, high EA-N% and a small colony diameter of fungus isolate were moderately associated with a low Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) assessed in the field. However, PR measured in field cannot completely be explained from the component analysis data in the green house.
Key Words: Triticum aestivum;
Puccinia triticina; Wheat Leaf Rust; Partial Resistance; Non-hypersensitive
Resistance; Durable Resistance; Hypersensitive Resistance; Netherlands.
BIOLOGICAL EFFICIENCY OF
COMPONENT CROPS IN DIFFERENT GEOMETRICAL
PATTERNS OF WHEAT-LINSEED INTERCROPPING
Muhammad Shafi Nazir, M. Saeed, Inamullah Khan and A. Ghaffar*
ABSTRACT: An experiment to determine the biological efficiency and agro-economic relationships of component crops in wheat-linseed intercropping under different geometrical patterns, was conducted on sandy-clay loam soil at Faisalabad (Pakistan). Wheat was sown in 100-cm spaced 4, 6, 8, and 10-row strips and was intercropped with three rows of linseed. The component crops were also grown alone in 30-cm spaced single row. Wheat grain yield was reduced by 25.6%, 19.2%, 14.7% and 11.9% by intercropping linseed in wheat grown in the pattern of 4, 6 and 10-row strips, respectively. However, at the cost of this much reduction in wheat yield, linseed gave an additional yield of 516, 412, 335 and 323 kg/ha in the respective patterns which resulted in yield advantages of 41%, 31%, 29% and 27%, respectively over sole cropping of wheat. Intercropping also generated higher net monetary gain/ha (Rs. 12378-12826) than monocropped wheat (Rs. 11034) and linseed (Rs. 4249).
Key Words: Biological Efficiency; Geometrical Patterns; Wheat Linseed Intercropping; Crop Yields; Land Equivalent Ratio; Comparative Income; Pakistan.
GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MAIZE CULTIVARS IN KHUSHAB DISTRICT
Zulfiqar Ali, A.M. Haqqani, Ashiq Saleem and Allah Bakhsh*
ABSTRACT: The study pertaining to yield and economic potential of six maize genotypes was conducted at Tehsil Noorpur Thal, District Khushab on sandy clay loam soil. The experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) was sown on March 12, 2000 and harvested on June 13, 2000. The cultivars differed significantly from each other with regard to leaf area per plant, plant height at maturity, cob length, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. The highest leaf area per plant (5073.15 cm2) was recorded in Composit-17 while maximum plant height was observed in R-799 (182.21 cm). Composit-17 produced significantly higher 1000-grain weight (233.45 g) and higher grain yield (3664 kg/ha) than rest of the varieties. Composit-17 had significantly higher harvest Index and maximum economic return (Rs. 17059/ha) than rest of the five cultivars. It can be deduced from this study that Composit-17 is the best cultivar for commercial cultivation in Khushab District.
Key Words: Maize; Leaf Area; Plant Height; Cob Length; Yield; Harvest Index; Pakistan.
SULPHUR UPTAKE AND
YIELD OF SOYBEAN AS INFLUENCED BY
SULPHUR FERTILIZATION
Shamima Nasreen and A.T.M. Farid*
ABSTRACT: Effect of sulphur fertilization (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg/ha) on sulphur uptake and seed yield was studied in Sohag and Bangladesh Soybean-4 varieties in the field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 in Grey Terrace soil (Albaquept). Addition of sulphur fertilizer exerted significant influence on the yield and yield attributes of soybean varieties. Sulphur uptake also significantly responded to the application of sulphur fertilizer. Variety Bangladesh Soybean-4 was found superior to Sohag in respect of sulphur uptake and yield. Greater sulphur utilization was observed at lower levels of fertilizer application. Seed yield and sulphur uptake were increased with the application of 40 kg/ ha for Sohag and 60 kg/ha for Bangladesh Soybean-4. Response of seed yield to added sulphur was quadratic. The economic optimum doses were found to be 49 kg S/ha for Sohag and 52 kg S/ha for Bangladesh Soybean-4, yielding 2060 and 2354 kg/ha, respectively.
Key Words: Soybean; Varieties; Sulphur Fertilizer; Sulphur Uptake; Yield; Bangladesh.
EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS
APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH AND NODULATION OF
INOCULATED CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)
Farah Nosheen and Nosheen Shafique*
ABSTRACT: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), being the most important pulse crop has extensive nodulation system. Inoculated chickpea V. CMC. 77S was supplied with different doses of phosphorous 0,15, 30 and 45 ppm. The experiment was laid out following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. After germination data were recorded after every 15 days in respect of different parameters i.e. number of nodules, plant height, fresh and oven-dry weight of root and shoot. Up to 30 days, nodulation showed a significant decline, but after that rhizobial activity recovered and showed non-significant difference in T1 and T3. However, all other growth parameters plant height, fresh and oven-dry weight of root and shoot showed a significant linear increase.
Key Words: Cicer arietinum; Inoculation; Phosphorus; Germination; Plant Height; Root; Shoot; Pakistan.
AGRONOMIC TRAITS AND
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME
EXOTIC VARIETIES OF SUGARCANE
Maqbool Akhtar, Muhammad Jamil and Sagheer Ahmad*
ABSTRACT: Four exotic sugarcane varieties (GT-1, GT-7, GT-11, F-134) with a standard variety BL-4, were evaluated for their agronomic traits at National Agricultural Research Centre during 1999-2001. Morphological characters of the exotic varieties were also described. The results of the study indicated that all the varieties produced similar number of millable canes/ha during 1999-2000 and different number of millable canes during 2000-01 with similar Brix value at harvest. Stalk height was the maximum in variety GT-11 (2.30, 2.34 m), whereas, stalk diameter was the maximum in variety GT-1 (32.23 mm). Cane yield ranged from the minimum of 112.00 t/ha in variety BL-4 to the maximum of 144.4 t/ha in variety GT-11 during 1999-2000 and 118 and 148 t/ha during 2000-01, respectively. Mean leaf length, number of green leaves and width of leaf lamina/blade was different in all the varieties. These varieties were similar in leaf sheath colour and other leaf characters but differed in carriage. Shape of the dewlap and its size was different in all the varieties. Shape of ligule was similar in GT-1 and GT-11 but different from GT-7 and F-134. Ligular process or auricle was similar in GT-1 and GT-7. It was also similar in GT-11 and F0-134 but different from other two varieties. All the varieties varied in diameter and colour of the stalks, bud groove characters, width and colour of growth ring, and width of root zone. Ivory markings were present on stalks of all the varieties. All the varieties were different in bud size and shape, all having flanges.
Key Words: Sugarcane; Varieties; Agronomic Traits; Morphological Character; Harvest; Yield; Bud Size; Pakistan.
SCREENING OF SOYBEAN ENTRIES AGAINST VARIOUS DISEASES UNDER NATURAL CONDITIONS DURING AUTUMN 2001 AT NARC
Shehzad Asad, Fauzia Sohail*, Mansab Ali**, Hussain Shah and Nazir Ali***
ABSTRACT: Ninety nine soybean entries were screened in different sets of experiments against three commonly occurring diseases, bacterial pustule caused by Xanthomonas campestris, anthracnose caused by Colletotricum truncatum, and yellow mosaic caused by bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) at NARC, under natural field conditions during autumn 2001. Bacterial pustule was prevalent on 68 entries in varying degrees while anthracnose was observed on 67 entries in varying degrees. BYMV was observed on 64 entries, however, incidence of BYMV was found higher on few entries as compared to other diseases. Symptoms of any other disease were not recorded. This work is of preliminary nature on soybean pathology in Pakistan.
Key Words: Soybean; Bacterial Pustule; Anthracnose; Yellow Mosaic Virus; Preliminary Yield Trial; Incidence; Prevalence; Pakistan.
CHARACTERIZATION AND
OPTIMIZATION OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT BACTERIAL
STRAINS FOR POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES (PHAS) PRODUCTION
Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Nazia Jamil and Shahida Hussnain*
ABSTRACT: In this investigation, sugarcane soil, sewage water and soil containing long chain hydrocarbons was screened to obtain bacterial strains that were able to synthesize poly-ß-hydroxyalkanoates (PHA). The potential to synthesize PHA was tested qualitatively by Sudan Black staining of colonies growing in glucose and sucrose, then further confirmed by amplifying the PhaC gene through PCR. Sixteen bacterial strains were isolated, purified and characterized for Gram reaction, biochemical analysis and PHA production. Isolates showed a wide range of tolerance to different commonly used antibiotics. PHA extraction was done by solvent extraction and hypochlorite digestion method. PHA production was optimized for different nitrogen concentrations.
Key Words: Sewage Water; Poly-ß-hydroxyalkanoates; PhaC; Pakistan.
SUITABILITY OF EXOTIC ROSE CULTIVARS FOR THE CLIMATE OF PESHAWAR-1
Ahmed Aziz Kurd, Noor-ul-Amin* and Shokat Ali**
ABSTRACT: Twenty-four cultivars of hybrid tea rose and floribunda were studied during 1997 and 1998 in pots and in field. The data were recorded on flowering and their persistence during high temperatures of June and July, and in low temperatures of November and December. Rose cultivars "Cover Girl", "Pascali" and "Negret" had flowering during temperatures of 22o-38oC and 1.6o-26.6oC, where as all other rose cultivars cease to flower. The three rose cultivars were not sensitive to fluctuation in temperatures.
Key Words: Rose; Hybrid Flowering; Temperature; Pakistan.
EFFECT OF VARIOUS EXTENDERS
ON SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS OF
BEETAL BUCK (CAPRA HIRCUS)
Aoun Raza, M. Aleem, M. Amir Saeed, K. Saeed and A. Ashfaq*
ABSTRACT: The artificial use of germ cells genetically superior bucks can enhance the growth potential of goat population to meet the shortage of mutton meat in Pakistan for daily slaughtering, sacrificial events, skin, hair and goat milk too. Beneficial use of superior germ cells can be made only when there is extension of life of germ cells for long periods, maintenance of motility of spermatozoa and increase in number of doses of ejaculate, for which an extender of choice has to be developed. Semen characteristics of 40 ejaculates of bucks were evaluated. Pooled samples of ejaculates having motility estimates of at least 60% were used for evaluation. After washing of seminal plasma with physiological normal saline (20% ringer solution) and centrifugation at 1000xg for 10 minutes to remove the sperm toxic factor Lecithinase-A. Pooled semen samples were extended in tris yolk fructose citric acid (TYFCA), milk yolk (MY), and egg yolk citrate (EYC) extenders. Samples were extended using one step extension at a ratio of 1:60 in such a way that each milliliter of semen contained 30x106 progressively motile spermatozoa. Finally extended semen samples were placed at 5oC and 37oC for evaluation of motility percentage after every 24 hours interval and livability (hours) and absolute index of livability of spermatozoa, respectively. Mean ± SE values of ejaculates of bucks for volume, pH, mass motility, individual motility percentage, sperm cell concentration, live and dead percentage, sperm abnormalities was recorded and post-extension motility percentage at 5oC, livability (hours) and absolute index of livability of spermatozoa of pooled semen at 37oC was recorded. Significant differences were observed (P <0.01) in post extension motility percentage at 5oC, at all intervals except at 120 hours interval where difference was nonsignificant (P > 0.05) between MY and EYC extenders. Post extension motility percentage at 5oC was highest in TYFCA than MY and EYC extenders. Post extension livability (hours) of spermatozoa at 37oC differs significantly (P < 0.05) amongst all extenders except between TYFCA and MY extenders. Absolute index of livability at 37oC shows significant differences (P < 0.01) for all extenders under statistical analysis. Livability (hours) and absolute index of livability was higher in TYFCA than MY and EYC extenders. Based on these results and effect of extenders on semen characteristics of beetal buck Tris-yolk-fructose-citric acid was developed as an extender of choice for short-term preservation of semen of beetal buck.
Key Words: Beetal Buck; Germ Cells; Motility; Seminal Plasma: Normal Saline: Citric Acid; Preservation; Pakistan.
CHANGES IN PHENOLIC ACID
CONTENTS IN FOUR SOYBEAN VARIETIES AFTER
INOCULATION BY FUSARIUM SOLANI (RESEARCH NOTE)
Soaliha Ahmed, Abida Mushtaq Bangash and Hajra Azhar Ali*
ABSTRACT: Changes in free and bound phenolic acid content of four different varieties of soybean i.e., Williams 82, FS 85, NARC 90I and NARC 90II were studied after artificial inoculation with conidia of Fusarium solani. Significant increase in both free and bound phenolic acids was observed in all the four varieties after inoculation. The increase in free phenolic acids was more pronounced in Williams 82 and NARC 90I and 90II whereas bound phenolic acids were significantly higher in Williams 82 and FS 85. The increase in free phenolic acids was higher than the bound phenolic acids.
Key Words: Soybean; F usarium solani; RNA; Varieties; Pakistan.
[Last updation: Dec. 28, 2006]
