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The current survey was designed to study the infections of Theileria spp. (Theileria lestoquardi and T. ovis) in small ruminants through PCR and microscopy in Musa Pak Shaheed, Multan district, Pakistan amidst 2013. A total of 200 small ruminants (93 sheep and 107 goats) without any apparent signs of theileriosis were examined to diagnose Theileria piroplasms. During sampling, blood was amassed by puncturing the jugular vein in eppendorf comprising EDTA as anticoagulant coated tubes for the detection of Theileria piroplasms. DNA was extracted from collected samples and subjected to PCR amplification to determine ovine and caprine theileriosis. Through a questionnaire, the data regarding animals as well as herds characteristics were gathered to define the risk factors favors the spread of Theileria spp. infection. 24% and 8.5% Theileria infection identified through PCR and microscopic examination during present investigation. The PCR detected 14.5% and 9.5% Theileria piroplasms infection in sheep and goats, respectively. Among Theileria species, PCR identified the incidence of T. lestoquardi and T. ovis was 16.5% and 5% respectively while 6% blood samples revealed mixed infection of both species in overall small ruminants. The infection rate of T. lestoquardi was higher (9.5% and 7%) than T. ovis (3% and 2%) in sheep and goats respectively. Statistically significant correlation revealed between theileriosis and animal species, different age groups, presence of ticks, herd size and herd composition in small ruminants. The outcomes of the current survey ratified PCR amplification is discernible, specific and sensitive assay for diagnosis of ovine and caprine theileriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the important staple crops over the world. Potato crop is threatening by a number of biotic stresses which not only affect plant health and yield but also the quality of the produce. Among biotic diseases, fungal stem and tuber rot are the most common diseases that cause significant loss in potato production in Punjab province, Pakistan. Neocosmospora rubicola was found as a new pathogen causing stem rot of potato in the potato growing area of district Kasur. Symptoms of the N. rubicola infected potato plants were necrotic stem lesions near the collar region. Causal organism was isolated from the infected tissues, purified and identified on the basis of morphological characters, nucleotide sequences of internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and partial beta tubulin gene. Phylogenetic analysis was also conducted to determine the phylogenetic relationship of this species with other reported species of this genus. Pathogenic potential of the isolate was verified by artificially inoculating the spores of pathogen in healthy plants. Appearance of same symptoms and re-isolation of N. rubicola from infected tissue confirmed Koch's pathogenicity postulates. Association of N. rubicola causing stem rot in potato is never reported before in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes have different preferences for habitats on the basis of their feeding habits and behavior. Spatial hotspots are the target areas in precise control. The diversity indices and habitat web structures are the tools which can be helpful in controlling disease vector in case of epidemic. In this study, microhabitats were specified, surveys were conducted to explore specified microhabitats in Chakwal district of Pothwar region, Punjab, Pakistan. After qualitative and quantitative sorting, checklist of mosquitoes along with diversity indices and quantitative habitat web were prepared, which point out the hotspots of different mosquito species. In this study, a total of 580 specimens, comprising twelve mosquito species belonging to five genera were collected, which were deposited in the Biosystematics Laboratory of Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. Results show that Park, Forest area, and scrapyard were the most abundant habitats respectively, while the least abundant habitat was crop area. Parks were found to be the richest habitat, while graveyards were the least rich habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is one of the most important and widely distributed horticultural vegetable crops in the world. It is economically attractive to farmers, due to its short duration for ripping which increases productivity. Thus, it is becoming an indispensable source of farmer's income in Pakistan. The production of tomato has been decreased considerably during the last five years. The present study has been conducted to explore the farmer's socio-economic characteristics, affecting the tomato production in district Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A multi-stage-sampling technique and interview method were adopted for data collection. A sample of 160 tomato (Kharif ) growers was drawn from 16 villages of district Peshawar. Chi-Square and Pearson Rank correlation tests were employed to find out the association and correlation between level of productivity and socio-economic characteristics of tomato growers such as education level, work involvement, family size, farming experience, age, and source of income and land size. The results showed a highly significant positive relationship of tomato production with all socio-economic factors except female involvement in the study area. Therefore, extension services and training should be fortified through extension agents for those farmers having no basic education for improving their skills and production of tomato, in turn it will contribute the demands of tomato at provincial and national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broccoli production for more than just food has created needs to expend its cultivation spectrum in Pakistan. Present studies conducted during 2016-17 and were designed to understand socio-economic and agronomic constraints associated with adoption of broccoli in Pakistan. Growers and other stakeholders were contacted by personal visits, telephone calls and distribution of the structured questionnaire. Information was collected from Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK) provinces, Kashmir and Islamabad. A total of 167 farmers and amateurs growers, engaged in the cultivation of high value or medicinal crops were contacted. Out of these, 68 found as broccoli growers and most probably due to shyness only 37 contributed in data collection process. In the perspectives of health-promoting properties of broccoli 62% were unaware of health benefits and 7% aware of beneficial properties against heart diseases. In case of selection of varieties 37% were unaware of the name of variety and 22% cultivate "Marathon" while a small group was cultivating other improved varieties. In case of agronomic input 96% farmers were applying fertilizers and observing other recommendations for cauliflower. In case of postharvest handling 49 % were not specific for packing material whereas broccoli leaves were being used for wrapping of florets by 30% while 21.6% farmers were using paper for wrapping. The present studies concluded that broccoli has great potential for adoption especially for smallholding growers. But it needs government and media assistance for creating awareness for its health benefits and crop production technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broccoli production for more than just food has created needs to expend its cultivation spectrum in Pakistan. Present studies conducted during 2016-17 and were designed to understand socio-economic and agronomic constraints associated with adoption of broccoli in Pakistan. Growers and other stakeholders were contacted by personal visits, telephone calls and distribution of the structured questionnaire. Information was collected from Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK) provinces, Kashmir and Islamabad. A total of 167 farmers and amateurs growers, engaged in the cultivation of high value or medicinal crops were contacted. Out of these, 68 found as broccoli growers and most probably due to shyness only 37 contributed in data collection process. In the perspectives of health-promoting properties of broccoli 62% were unaware of health benefits and 7% aware of beneficial properties against heart diseases. In case of selection of varieties 37% were unaware of the name of variety and 22% cultivate “Marathon” while a small group was cultivating other improved varieties. In case of agronomic input 96% farmers were applying fertilizers and observing other recommendations for cauliflower. In case of postharvest handling 49 % were not specific for packing material whereas broccoli leaves were being used for wrapping of florets by 30% while 21.6% farmers were using paper for wrapping. The present studies concluded that broccoli has great potential for adoption especially for smallholding growers. But it needs government and media assistance for creating awareness for its health benefits and crop production technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortage is becoming a serious concern for all crops and particularly for cotton, which has been a major export contributor of Pakistan. In this scenario, drought-tolerant cotton cultivars with zero tillage could be the best option. This research aims to quantify the impact of limited water on lint yield and quality of cotton genotypes. An experiment was managed in a split plot, randomized complete block design, replicated thrice at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan. The experiment was conducted in 2016 using treatments irrigation intervals (10, 15, 20 and 25 days) and Bt cotton varieties (MNH-886, CRIS-342, and CRIS-134) as main- and sub-plots treatments, respectively. Total irrigation water used in irrigation treatments, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days intervals were 1125, 750, 560, and 450 mm, respectively. Each experimental unit was 10 × 3 m². Results showed that all the parameters under study had a significant response to the treatments irrigation intervals. Irrigation intervals of 10 days produced more sympodial branches (14) and higher plant height (131cm) as compared to other irrigation intervals. Higher bolls (19 / plant), boll weight (2.9 g), seed cotton (2424 kg ha-1), ginning out turn (GOT, 37%), fiber length (28.1mm), fiber strength (29.5 g per tex) and micronaire value (3.5 μg per inch) were achieved from irrigation interval of 25 days. Interaction effects (irrigation x varieties) revealed that variety CRIS-134 in combination with 25 days irrigation interval conserved 60 % more water, produced 60.5% more bolls per plant, 21.1% higher GOT, 48.7% higher seed cotton yield, and 12.4% higher fiber length compared to all other combinations. Results indicate that CRIS-134 with 25 days irrigation interval in zero tillage system is more advantageous and adaptable in agro-ecological conditions of Dera Ismail Khan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortage is becoming a serious concern for all crops and particularly for cotton, which has been a major export contributor of Pakistan. In this scenario, drought-tolerant cotton cultivars with zero tillage could be the best option. This research aims to quantify the impact of limited water on lint yield and quality of cotton genotypes. An experiment was managed in a split plot, randomized complete block design, replicated thrice at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan. The experiment was conducted in 2016 using treatments irrigation intervals (10, 15, 20 and 25 days) and Bt cotton varieties (MNH-886, CRIS-342, and CRIS-134) as main- and sub-plots treatments, respectively. Total irrigation water used in irrigation treatments, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days intervals were 1125, 750, 560, and 450 mm, respectively. Each experimental unit was 10 × 3 m2. Results showed that all the parameters under study had a significant response to the treatments irrigation intervals. Irrigation intervals of 10 days produced more sympodial branches (14) and higher plant height (131cm) as compared to other irrigation intervals. Higher bolls (19 / plant), boll weight (2.9 g), seed cotton (2424 kg ha-1), ginning out turn (GOT, 37%), fiber length (28.1mm), fiber strength (29.5 g per tex) and micronaire value (3.5 µg per inch) were achieved from irrigation interval of 25 days. Interaction effects (irrigation x varieties) revealed that variety CRIS-134 in combination with 25 days irrigation interval conserved 60% more water, produced 60.5% more bolls per plant, 21.1% higher GOT, 48.7% higher seed cotton yield, and 12.4% higher fiber length compared to all other combinations. Results indicate that CRIS-134 with 25 days irrigation interval in zero tillage system is more advantageous and adaptable in agro-ecological conditions of Dera Ismail Khan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]