Search

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]

The high input feeding system has been found most efficient in fodder-scarce areas of Pakistan. However, the economic worth of the system is questionable due to the high feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the goats. The current study was planned to improve the Beetal male kid's performance using a compensatory growth tool. A total of twelve male Beetal kids with an average weight of 20±2 kg and approximately 6 months old were randomly selected and kept for 85 days including 15 days of an adjustment period. There were two phases of the experiment. During the restriction phase; the animals were divided into three groups i.e. T1=feeding @2% of body weight (BW), T2=feeding @3% of BW, and T3=feeding @4% of BW. In the re-alimentation phase; all the animals were fed ad-libitum. The animals were kept in individual pens and were offered total mixed pelleted ration by following NRC recommended feeding standards. All the animals had free access to fresh and clean water. They were kept under the same husbandry practices. The results showed that ADG was highest (P<0.001) in T3 (887 g/d) followed by T2 and T2 due to higher intake during restriction phase. However, this was reversed in re-alimentation phase where the ADG was highest (P<0.001) in T1 (153 g/d) followed by T2 (112.10 g/d) and T3 (100.08 g/d) mainly due to compensatory growth phenomena. The ADFI data also support the ADG trend as it was higher in the groups showing higher gains. This trend was also followed by body measurements. The FCR was significantly (P=0.014) lower (6.83) in the T1 group during the re-alimentation period followed by T2 and T3. Total feed cost was also significantly (P<0.05) lower in T1 (Rs. 1938). Serum glucose was also higher (P=0.04) in group T1 (63.11 mg/dl) and least in T3 (55.97 mg/dl). This is also confirming the physiological modification in feed restricted animals that are responsible for compensatory growth. It is concluded that the growth performance of Beetal male kids can be improved by giving them restricted feeding @2% BW followed by re-alimentation which also improves the feed efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and enormous increase in population are causing food insecurity situation in developing countries like Pakistan. Major food crops are seemed failing to fulfill food requirements hence, it is imperative to search for alternate food sources. Ber could be very handy alternate food crop if its yield and quality is enhanced. Grafting is a widely used technique to improve yield, disease resistance and fruit quality. This work aims to assess the effect of grafting on production, fruit ripening, physical and chemical properties, and nutritional quality of the fruit. Rootstock has a great influence on plant growth and development, including fruit ripening. However, the presence of a cross-interaction between grafting and rootstock is often neglected. To explore cross-interaction between grafting and rootstock on different fruit yield and quality traits, we examined the scion-root interaction of four scion cultivars viz. Delhi White, Suffen, Karela and Mahmud Wali during March-April 2013-14. After the establishment of plant, data were recorded for yield and fruit quality traits during three consecutive years (2016-19). Results showed that Dehli White grafted plants produced maximum yield kg/plant (60.33, 71.43, 78.00) followed by Mehmud Wali, Karela and Suffen scion grafts. Suffen grafted plants produced better quality fruits in terms of total soluble solids (TSS) (14.67, 15.45, 16.56 Brix0), pH and Ascorbate content followed by Karela, Mehmud Wali and Dehli White scion graft. Based on findings of the experiment, it could be recommended that Mahmud Wali and Suffen scions should be used to be propagated on local rootstocks to enhance yield as well as fruit quality that will contribute in ensuring food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was conducted to assess the potential role of phosphorus (P) on growth and yield of Phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.). Healthy phalsa plants were fertilized with P2O5 @ 50g, 100g and 150g plant-1. Data were recorded on number of fruit bush-1, yield bush-1 (kg), single fruit weight (g), fruit diameter (cm), number of fruiting nodes, length of new shoot (cm), number of sprouted shoots cane-1 and leaf area (cm2). Treatments were applied under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in triplicates and means were compared by Tukey's HSD test. Association of the biological traits of phalsa with phosphorus was further estimated by correlation analysis. Results indicated that phosphorus application @ 150g plant-1 has improved various traits i.e. number of fruit bush-1 (4866.7), yield bush-1 (2.19 kg), single fruit weight (0.656 g), number of fruiting nodes (12.18) and number of sprouted shoots cane-1 (13.89). However, vegetative characters particularly leaf area showed negative correlation (-0.264) with the increased amount of phosphorus. Fruit diameter (p=0.993) and length of new shoot (p=0.122) did not exhibited any correlation with applied phosphorus. Overall it is concluded that phosphorus is not only helpful but necessarily required for fruit quality and optimum yield of phalsa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]