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The quality and marketing of horticultural crops is affected by the feeding of thrips on plant tissues. Thrips commonly feed upon the gladiolus and different vegetative and floral parts of gladioli are attacked by them. Application of chemical insecticides provides effective control of insect pest in short period of time. The present investigation was carried out on Jasminum sambac against flower thrips for efficacy of insecticides. To conduct this experiment, six insecticides viz., imidacloprid 20Sl, Spinosad 240SC, Spintoram 120SC, Chlophenapyre, Imidacloprid+fipronil and abamectin were applied. Thrips population was observed on jasmine flower before application of insecticides and thrips mortality data was noted after 24, 72 and 168 hours of insecticides spray. The maximum mortality of thrips was recorded in Imidacloprid+fipronil (68.45%) and Spinosad (65.45%) after 24 hours of insecticides spray. The lowest mortality of thrips was counted in abamectin and imidacloprid. Population of thrips was reduced after 72 and 168 hours as compared to 24 hours after insecticides spray. It is concluded from the findings of investigation that the insecticide (Imidacloprid+fipronil) was found effective against the population of thrips after 24, 72 and 168 hours in years, 2021 and 2022, respectively when compared to other insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve yield and shelf life of stock can enhance economic value to flowers growers globally. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various bio-stimulants on yield and quality of stock. Three cultivars of stock, viz. 'Cheerful White', 'Iron Rose' and 'Iron White' foliarly sprayed by bio-stimulants (Isabion and Tecamin Max) with three different concentrations (1 ppm, 3 ppm, and 5 ppm) with the different number of sprays (1, 2, or 3 sprays). The first spray was applied after one month of transplanting, while the other two were applied at fortnight intervals after the first spray. Fisher's Analysis of variance revealed that Isabion at 1 ppm as 1 spray, 3 ppm as 3 sprays, and 5 ppm as 3 sprays produced the highest plant height for three cultivars of stock. 'Cheerful White' had the highest stem length when plants were sprayed once at 1 ppm Isabion. Among cultivars, 'Iron Rose', produced highest leaf area (42.8 cm2) with 3 ppm Isabion application, when sprayed only one time. Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times with Isabion produced the thickest stem diameter followed by 2 and 1 sprays. 'Cheerful White' had maximum leaf total chlorophyll contents, followed by 'Iron White' and 'Iron Rose' (69.1 SPAD and 68.8 SPAD, respectively). Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times had the longest vase life. Cheerful White proved early cultivar of stock while Iron White were late cultivars when grown in agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad. Tecamoin Mix is recommended biostimulant for quality production of Mathiola incoma L. rather than isabion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve yield and shelf life of stock can enhance economic value to flowers growers globally. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various bio-stimulants on yield and quality of stock. Three cultivars of stock, viz. ‘Cheerful White’, ‘Iron Rose’ and ‘Iron White’ foliarly sprayed by bio-stimulants (Isabion and Tecamin Max) with three different concentrations (1 ppm, 3 ppm, and 5 ppm) with the different number of sprays (1, 2, or 3 sprays). The first spray was applied after one month of transplanting, while the other two were applied at fortnight intervals after the first spray. Fisher’s Analysis of variance revealed that Isabion at 1 ppm as 1 spray, 3 ppm as 3 sprays, and 5 ppm as 3 sprays produced the highest plant height for three cultivars of stock. ‘Cheerful White’ had the highest stem length when plants were sprayed once at 1 ppm Isabion. Among cultivars, ‘Iron Rose’, produced highest leaf area (42.8 cm² ) with 3 ppm Isabion application, when sprayed only one time. Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times with Isabion produced the thickest stem diameter followed by 2 and 1 sprays. ‘Cheerful White’ had maximum leaf total chlorophyll contents, followed by ‘Iron White’ and ‘Iron Rose’ (69.1 SPAD and 68.8 SPAD, respectively). Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times had the longest vase life. Cheerful White proved early cultivar of stock while Iron White were late cultivars when grown in agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad. Tecamoin Mix is recommended biostimulant for quality production of Mathiola incoma L. rather than isabion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various seed conditioning techniques were assessed for uniform germination, seedling vigor, and flower production in zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.). Two initial laboratory experiments evaluated the timing and frequency of seed magnetic stimulation to select the most promising treatments for field production testing and flowering. In the first experiment, a 3% moringa leaf extract (MLE) showed the earliest (2.8 d) and the highest germination rate (90%) with an average root length of 4.2 cm. Hydro-priming resulted in the largest seedling fresh weight (0.8 g), seedling shoot length (5.8 cm), and seedling vigor index (980). The seedling vigor index was determined by multiplying the percent germination with the seedling length (cm). In the second experiment, seeds treated at 25 mT for 5 min. showed the highest (65%) and earliest (3.2 d) germination (T50) although not significantly different from treatments with 50 mT for 5 or 10 min. or 75 mT for 5 min. In field trials, seeds primed with MLE alone or in combination with magnetically treated water (MTW) produced the tallest plants (104 cm) with longer internodes and the largest canopy diameter (42.4 cm). Using MLE along with MTW produced greater plant fresh weight (137 g), more flowers (27.5), and larger flower diameter (9.7 cm) similar to the results of using MTW alone. In summary, seeds primed with MLE in combination with untreated water or MTW resulted in improved plant growth and yield characteristics and may be recommended to commercial growers of zinnia or other annual flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to develop indigenous soilless substrate compositions for improved growth, flower yield, stem quality and vase life of cut antirrhinum. Two experiments comprised of seven substrate compositions with variable ratios of saw dust (SD), peanut hulls (PH) and sugarcane pressmud (a by-product of sugar industry, which is rich in nutrients) or coco-coir (CC), rice hulls (RH) and sugarcane pressmud (PM) were used. Seeds were sown in plastic plug trays containing CC, silt (soil extracted from canal) and PM (1:1:1; v/v/v) substrate for seedling development and transplanted at the two to four leaf stage into lily crates with the treatment substrates. Plants grown in substrates containing SD + PH + PM (experiment I) indicated that plants grown in these soilless compositions died before flowering, while those grown in silt (control) performed best. While in experiment II, the highest quality plants were grown in 50% CC + 40% RH +10% PM. Quality was defined as plants with shortest production time (days), tallest plant height (cm), optimal leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), highest leaf area (cm²), fresh and dry weight (g), longest vase life (days). Substrates containing CC, RH and PM (50% + 40% + 10%; v/v/v) were superior to substrates of SD, PH and PM. For commercial cut ant [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to develop indigenous soilless substrate compositions for improved growth, flower yield, stem quality and vase life of cut antirrhinum. Two experiments comprised of seven substrate compositions with variable ratios of saw dust (SD), peanut hulls (PH) and sugarcane pressmud (a by-product of sugar industry, which is rich in nutrients) or coco-coir (CC), rice hulls (RH) and sugarcane pressmud (PM) were used. Seeds were sown in plastic plug trays containing CC, silt (soil extracted from canal) and PM (1:1:1; v/v/v) substrate for seedling development and transplanted at the two to four leaf stage into lily crates with the treatment substrates. Plants grown in substrates containing SD + PH + PM (experiment I) indicated that plants grown in these soilless compositions died before flowering, while those grown in silt (control) performed best. While in experiment II, the highest quality plants were grown in 50% CC + 40% RH +10% PM. Quality was defined as plants with shortest production time (days), tallest plant height (cm), optimal leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), highest leaf area (cm2 ), fresh and dry weight (g), longest vase life (days). Substrates containing CC, RH and PM (50% + 40% + 10%; v/v/v) were superior to substrates of SD, PH and PM. For commercial cut antirrhinum production, substrates with locally available components of CC, RH and RM can be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of seed priming (halopriming with 25 mM, 50 mM and 100 mM of calcium chloride (CaCl2), potassium nitrate (KNO3), potassium chloride (KCl) and Hydropriming) on germination and seedling vigor of Gerbera jamesonii and Zinnia elegans. Seeds of Gerbera jamesonii and Zinnia elegans were primed in salt solutions and distilled water for 24 h and 12 h, respectively, and germinated at 25 ± 1 °C with 40-60% R.H. in 16/8 hours day/night conditions. Results revealed that pre-sowing seed treatment particularly halopriming with CaCl2 was the most effective for invigoration of gerbera and zinnia seeds. For Gerbera jamesonii, 25 mM CaCl2 and for Zinnia elegans, 50 mM CaCl2 proved best priming treatments followed by 100 mM KCl and 50 to 100 mM KNO3 for both tested species. This was interpreted by reduced time to 50% germination (1.2 d for gerbera and 2.4 d for zinnia), higher final germination %age (11% for gerbera and 7% for zinnia), seedling vigor (83% for gerbera and 46% for zinnia), and fresh weight (0.95 g for gerbera and 2.29 g for zinnia) and dry weight (0.3 g for gerbera and 0.5 g for zinnia) of the seedlings. These halopriming treatments (25 to 50 mM CaCl2 or 50 to 100 mM KCl and KNO3) can be commercially used by the growers for early, uniform and healthy nursery stand of the tested species, which can ensure uniform maturity and flower harvesting of ornamentals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field efficacy of different management techniques were studied against thrips (Thrips tabaci) nymph and adult populations in garlic crop during the year 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design having two factors with three replications and six treatments. Treatments Emamectin 1.9 EC @ 750 ml ha-1, orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel extract @ 5%, neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extract @ 5%, neem oil @ 3%, green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea @ 3 eggs plant-1, were applied three times. A total of 30 plants in each treatment were selected randomly for the data collection at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days intervals. Peak population of thrips (51.27 plant-1) was noticed during the last week of April. Results regarding different treatments showed that Emamectin was effective exhibiting minimum mean number of T. tabaci (nymphs 1.74 plant-1 and adults 1.31 plant-1) as compared to the rest of treatments. This was followed by orange peel extract and neem seed extract treated plots where 3.35 and 3.26 nymphs plant-1 and 2.60 and 2.69 adults plant-1 respectively were recorded. The data further showed that the plots treated with neem oil and C. carnea recorded mean number of 3.18 and 6.41 nymphs plant-1 and 2.52 and 5.68 adults plant-1, respectively. Emamectin treated plots also showed promising results in terms of plant height and number of leaves by recording maximum plant height (84.2 cm) and maximum number of leaves (8.76 plant-1). Neem seed extract and neem oil treated plots showed average plant height of 70.4 and 69.3 cm with average number of leaves of 8.24 and 8.18 plant-1, respectively. Plots treated with Emamectin also resulted in maximum yield i.e. 19.3 tons ha-1, while only 11.4 tons ha-1 was obtained from the control plots. It is obvious from the above results that the use of Emamectin along with botanical extracts are effective in controlling T. tabaci infestation, and hence may be used in garlic crop for managing this serious pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field efficacy of different management techniques were studied against thrips (Thrips tabaci) nymph and adult populations in garlic crop during the year 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design having two factors with three replications and six treatments. Treatments Emamectin 1.9 EC @ 750 ml ha-1, orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel extract @ 5%, neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extract @ 5%, neem oil @ 3%, green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea @ 3 eggs plant-1, were applied three times. A total of 30 plants in each treatment were selected randomly for the data collection at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days intervals. Peak population of thrips (51.27 plant-1) was noticed during the last week of April. Results regarding different treatments showed that Emamectin was effective exhibiting minimum mean number of T. tabaci (nymphs 1.74 plant-1 and adults 1.31 plant-1) as compared to the rest of treatments. This was followed by orange peel extract and neem seed extract treated plots where 3.35 and 3.26 nymphs plant-1 and 2.60 and 2.69 adults plant-1 respectively were recorded. The data further showed that the plots treated with neem oil and C. carnea recorded mean number of 3.18 and 6.41 nymphs plant-1 and 2.52 and 5.68 adults plant-1, respectively. Emamectin treated plots also showed promising results in terms of plant height and number of leaves by recording maximum plant height (84.2 cm) and maximum number of leaves (8.76 plant-1). Neem seed extract and neem oil treated plots showed average plant height of 70.4 and 69.3 cm with average number of leaves of 8.24 and 8.18 plant-1, respectively. Plots treated with Emamectin also resulted in maximum yield i.e. 19.3 tons ha-1, while only 11.4 tons ha-1 was obtained from the control plots. It is obvious from the above results that the use of Emamectin along with botanical extracts are effective in controlling T. tabaci infestation, and hence may be used in garlic crop for managing this serious pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of socioeconomic characteristics as well as the farm size of wheat productivity in district Peshawar. Wheat is the main staple food item of the country's population and the largest grain crop as well. Pakistan has been regularly importing wheat, except for the few years. This study is based on primary data collected in 2019 from district Peshawar.A sample of 200 (160 large and 40 small) wheat growers weretaken from twelve selected villages of Peshawar. An unpaired t-test was used to test the differences in the socioeconomic factors and farm sizes on the wheat production. Chow test were used for structural differences and dummy variable were introduced in the production function to test any significant productivity differentials (if any) between two farm groups. A significant difference was found awing to the socioeconomic factors of two farm groups. Moreover, the Chow F-Ratio confirmed the differences between small and large farms in terms of yield. The statistical value of dummy variable posted higher productivity for the large farms (almost 14%). Hence, results call for higher attention to be diverted to small farms as majority of land owners in Peshawar. The farmer's have small holdings and lack of adequate access to inputs, agriculture credit and extension services left them technically inefficient. In addition, it is suggested that government and private sector should initiate programs to educate and train the farmers in order to bring advance techniques or improve theirconventional agriculture practices to increase wheat productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field survey was conducted in rice-wheat cropping system of Gujranwala zone, Pakistan during Kharif season 2020 to estimate the economic viability and profitability analysis of mechanically transplanted rice (MTR) in comparison to conventional manual transplanting (CT). Convenience and snow-ball non probability sampling method was used due to less adoption rate of MTR with a sample size of 240. Among targeted MTR growers 72% had 6-row riding type mechanical transplanters (MT), 18% had 4-row walk after type MT and 10% had 8-row riding type MT. Super Basmati and PK 386 were found more adopted varieties with 47% and 38% share of rice area. An 11-13% improved yield and 16-20% more net returns estimated with MTR by acquiring required plant population in the field despite of paying 6.17% more operational cost for sowing and transplanting nursery. For service users of MT on rental basis the 292-303 values (variety wise) of marginal rate of returns (MRR%) was calculated. The project appraisal method of financial analysis illustrated the viability of MTR from the owner user or service provider's point of view as calculated by the indicators like benefit cost ratio, net present value, internal rate of return, payback period (yr) and breakeven point (ha yr-1). Hence, the adaptation of MTR would give farmers the opportunity to increase the productivity of rice crop and their farm income by coping the issues like labor scarcity, less plant population, delay in transplanting with more aged nursery, improper fixation of nursery plants in the soil etc. The study results projected mechanically transplanting area (ha) for riding type MT as well as for walk after type MT respectively as 64.78 and 28 annually. Accordingly, there would be 36.15 (000 ha) mechanically transplanted area (5.41%) of province Punjab, Pakistan annually after completion of the Govt. prevailing project on rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]