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The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices at the farm level is essential for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and creating sustainable food systems. This study explored the nexus of women’s empowerment in agriculture and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Pakistan. A face-to-face survey using multistage simple random and purposive sampling techniques was used to collect the data from 384 Pakistani women farmers. A partial least-squares structural equation model was used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that empowering women in agricultural asset control (β = 0.38, p < 0.01) positively influences the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices on farms. Similarly, women’s empowerment in decision-making (β = 0.41, p < 0.01) also significantly affects the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, women’s empowerment in legal rights (β = 0.14, p < 0.01), productivity and skills (β = 0.15, p < 0.01), and information and communication technology (β = 0.19, p = 0.02) significantly increases farm-level adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beyond the concerns associated with marginalised groups' underrepresentation, we posited that socio-demographic aspects and associated stigma provoke gendered social exclusion among older adults. Although these linkages have been frequently acknowledged, concrete evidence remains complicated. In a sample of 384 older adults from various administrative zones of the Lahore metropolitan, we examined that gendered social exclusion is typically connected with socio-demographic stereotypes. Statistics revealed that 72.3% of older adults reported social exclusion. Homemakers and non-workers were more prone to experience social exclusion than employed respondents. Findings further discovered that the social exclusion rates were more significant among older women (93.1%) than older men (47.5%). Among older women, those involved in some employment, having a personal income, living in higher-income households and joint families with their children or peers, and having access to a private car were less possibly socially excluded. The substantial gender aspect of social exclusion appears to be provoked by a gender-based socio-cultural context, limiting older women's participation in daily socio-economic pursuits. Finally, possible consequences of increased social exclusion among older women and strategies to cater to this emerging issue are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground validation of satellite-based precipitation products (SPPs) is very important for their hydroclimatic application. This study evaluated the performance assessment of four soil moisture-based SPPs (SM2Rain, SM2Rain- ASCAT, SM2Rain-CCI, and GPM-SM2Rain). All data of SPPs were compared with 64 weather stations in Pakistan from January 2005 to December 2020. All SPPs estimations were evaluated on daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly scales, over the whole spatial domain, and at point-to-pixel scale. Widely used evaluation indices (root mean square error (RMSE), correlation coefficient (CC), bias, and relative bias (rBias)) along with categorical indices (false alarm ratio (FAR), probability of detection (POD), success ratio (SR), and critical success index (CSI) were evaluated for performance analysis. The results of our study signposted that: (1) On a monthly scale, all SPPs estimations were in better agreement with gauge estimations as compared to daily scales. Moreover, SM2Rain and GPM-SM2Rain products accurately traced the spatio-temporal variability with CC >0.7 and rBIAS within the acceptable range (±10) of the whole country. (2) On a seasonal scale (spring, summer, winter, and autumn), GPM-SM2Rain performed more satisfactorily as compared to all other SPPs. (3) All SPPs performed better at capturing light precipitation events, as indicated by the Probability Density Function (PDF); however, in the summer season, all SPPs displayed considerable over/underestimates with respect to PDF (%). Moreover, GPM-SM2RAIN beat all other SPPs in terms of probability of detection. Consequently, we suggest the daily and monthly use of GPM-SM2Rain and SM2Rain for hydro climate applications in a semi-arid climate zone (Pakistan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted at Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to monitor the impact assessment of tillage systems on soil health indicators by integrating organic and inorganic resources to sustain wheat production in arid and semi-arid conditions i.e. high temperature and low rainfall. The field experiment was conducted in 2019-20 and carried out in alkaline soil (pH 8.2) with low organic matter (0.45%) to grow wheat after rice and treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design. Farmyard manure (FYM 20.5 Mg/ha), rice crop residues application (CRA 100%) and chemical fertilizers (CF) N-P-K 100-80-60 kg/ha, respectively were used under conventional and conservation tillage systems. During this research different growth and yield parameters were noted and evaluated the level of N, P, K and organic matter contents from soil and plant at the harvest. The results indicated that the combined application of FYM and CRA with CF improved the chlorophyll contents (20% in conventional tillage and 39% in conservation tillage) which helped in nutrient translocation (N, P, K) and increased growth, biological and grain yield by improving soil organic carbon (SOC) and organic matter contents in soil. Growth parameter i.e. germination percentage upto 64%, plant height 27% and spike length upto 35% were increased by T7. The conservation tillage method was the best where we used T7 i.e. CF + 25% FYM + 50% CRA, and CF + 50% FYM + 25% CRA by conserving moisture and built OM (0.90%), soil organic carbon (0.49%) and mineral nutrition in soil as well as in wheat leaves. It is concluded that the integrated use of organic and inorganic resources are helpful for sustainable wheat production by enhancing fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) to improve soil health especially in arid to semi-arid climate conditions in alkaline soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The validity of two reanalysis (ERA5 and MEERA2) and seven satellite-based (CHIRPS, IMERG, PERSIANN-CCS, PERSIANN-CDR, PERSIANN-PDIR, PERSIANN, and TRMM) precipitation products was assessed in relation to the observations of in situ weather stations installed in different topographical and climatic regions of Pakistan. From 2010 to 2018, all precipitation products were evaluated on daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual bases at a point-to-pixel scale and over the entire spatial domain. The accuracy of the products was evaluated using commonly used evaluation and categorical indices, including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Correlation Coefficient (CC), Bias, Relative Bias (rBias), Critical Success Index (CSI), Success Ratio (SR) Probability of Detection (POD), and False Alarm Ratio (FAR). The results show that: (1) Over the entire country, the spatio-temporal distribution of observed precipitation could be represented by IMERG and TRMM products. (2) All products (reanalysis and SPPs) demonstrated good agreement with the reference data at the monthly scale compared to the daily data (CC > 0.7 at monthly scale). (3) All other products were outperformed by IMERG and TRMM in terms of their capacity to detect precipitation events throughout the year, regardless of the season (i.e., winter, spring, summer, and autumn). Furthermore, both products (IMERG and TRMM) consistently depicted the incidence of precipitation events across Pakistan's various topography and climatic regimes. (4) Generally, CHIRPS and ERA5 products showed moderate performances in the plan areas. PERSIANN, PERSIANN-CCS, PDIR, PERSIANN-CDR, and MEERA2 products were uncertain to detect the occurrence and precipitation over the higher intensities and altitudes. Considering the finding of this assessment, we recommend the use of daily and monthly estimates of the IMERG product for hydro climatic studies in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to a vast range of medicinal and edible waterbird species due to its diverse geographical environment. Waterbird species have been used for various ailments and cultural practices since ancient times, while ethno-pharmacological applications and cultural uses of waterbird species in this area have seldom been documented. This study is the first ethnomedicinal and cultural assessment of waterbird species, and the first compilation and listing of all known data on these species in Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from native respondents (N = 100). To analyze the data, principal component analysis (PCA), relative frequency of citation (RFC), fidelity level (FL%), relative popularity level (RPL), rank order priority, and similarity index were used. Results: In total, 64 waterbird species were utilized in cultural practices, of which 40 species are used to cure different infectious and chronic diseases such as cold, cough, flu, fever, respiratory disorders, asthma, TB, gastric ulcers, kidney stones, male impotency, obesity, paralysis, piles, cancer, arthritis, body pain, and weakness. PCA showed significant differences in the use of waterbird species among the local inhabitants of the study area, separated along the axis-2 (p < 0.05). The FL% of waterbird species varied from 12 to 100%. 100% FL was analyzed for four waterbird species, i.e., Charadrius mongolus (cold), Gallicrex cinerea (asthma), Anas platyrhynchos (cancer), and Esacus recurvirostris (body weakness). In this study, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) was the most popular species used in the healthcare system of Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with high RFC (4.06), FL% (100), and RPL (1.0) values. Conclusion: We concluded that waterbird species are more used for medicine and food purposes in the study area. However, in vitro/in vivo assessment of biochemical activities of waterbird species with a maximum FL% might be significant to produce novel drugs. Recent research shows important ethno-ornithological information about native people and their links with waterbird species, which might be helpful for the sustainable use of waterbird diversity in the research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on antioxidant potential of cheddar cheese utilizing milk from cow and buffalo sources during ripening was conducted in 2019-20 at Institute of Food science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Pakistan. The cheese samples were placed at the controlled atmosphere (4°C) for ripening and were ripened for 3, 6 and 9 months. This research was conducted to evaluate antioxidant ability of cheddar cheese during ripening. Freeze dried water (WSE) and ethanol soluble fractions (ESE) of cheddar (cow and buffalo) were prepared and monitored for their antioxidant activities during ripening. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) of soluble fractions (WSE and ESE) was determined. Higher TAA was found in WSE (59.900 ± 1.59 μg/g trolox equivalent) and higher reducing power was observed in ESE (27.734 ± 5.76 μg/g) of buffalo milk cheddar cheese after 9 months of ripening. Increased values were found for total phenolic content (TPC) in freeze dried WSE (69.572 ± 5.88 μg/g gallic acid equivalent) and for DPPH in freeze-dried ESE (1436.1 ± 4.95 μmol/ml trolox equivalent) of cow milk cheddar cheese after 9 months of ripening. In short, it (cheddar cheese) can be utilized in manufacturing of functional foods due to its increased antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is 5th most populous country in the world and striving to achieve population equilibrium. Unfortunately, one in five women in Pakistan has not been using contraceptives and thus bearing unwanted pregnancies. Female's participation in their own matters and benefits from social, economic, and political spheres has remained very low. Gender inequality is often cited as a barrier to improving women's sexual and reproductive health outcomes, including contraceptive use. Pakistan is ranked at 148th place out of the 149 countries in Global Gender Gap Report 2018, which indicates very high gender inequality. Keeping in view this fact, we investigated the impact of women's decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use among married women age 15–49 years in Pakistan. Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2018 data has been used for analysis by using descriptive statistics, association tests, and multiple logistic regression. Women's participation in making four household decisions: access to health care; large household purchases; what to do with the husband earning and freedom to visit family and relatives have been used as women's decision-making autonomy. The results indicated that women's decision-making autonomy has been positively associated with contraceptive use. Women's age, province of residence, education level, household wealth status, number of children, time since last sex, and awareness about family planning services have also been found statistically significantly associated with contraceptive use. The current study suggests integrating the interventions for women's decision-making autonomy into family planning programs. For this purpose, the development of community-based awareness programs for women's decision-making autonomy and contraceptive use could be useful interventions to achieve population equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early age marriage is associated with a range of poor social, economic, physical, and health outcomes for adolescent girls and their descendants. Early age marriage is a crime and violation of human rights. Female early age marriage is a serious issue in Pakistan. The objective of the current study has been to find the key determinants of early age marriages of females in Pakistan. The respondents of the study have been married females in the age group of 15–49 years. The nationally representative household survey data "Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) 2017-18" has been used for the analysis. The analysis has been done using descriptive statistics, association tests, and logistic regression. The results indicate that the variables included in the analysis are statistically significant. As compared to poorest, the odds ratios associated with poorer, middle, richer, richest have been 0.795, 0.722, 0.579, and 0.532 respectively. As compared to illiterate, the odds ratios associated with a primary, secondary, and a higher level of education have been: 0.954, 0.531, and 0.141 respectively. As compared to working females the odds ratio associated with not working has been 1.169. The odds ratios associated with Balochi, Saraiki, Pushto, Sindhi, Punjabi, and other ethnic groups have been 1.694, 1.499, 1.447, 1.195, 0.906, and 1.31 respectively. Being an urban resident has an odds ratio of 0.897 against the rural resident. It is concluded that higher education level of female, better household wealth status, working female job status and media exposure reduces the likelihood of girls' early age marriages in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the study was to determine the suitable selection method for genetic improvement in chickpea. The current investigation was conducted at the research area of the Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan. Twelve chickpea genotypes were sown in RCBD following three replicates. Data regarding primary & secondary per plant, days for maturity, plant height as well as potential yield were recorded. The measured data were analyzed to principal component analysis (PCA), correlation, and path coefficient analysis. Analysis of variants revealed good variation among the accessions for the data recorded traits. Principal coefficient analysis differentiates all the traits into six PCs. Two components expressed more than one Eigenvalue which collectively contributed 80.12% towards the genetic variation. High positive loadings were expressed by the secondary branches per plant and pods per plant in all components. Path analysis revealed that secondary branches/plants expressed the highest direct positive effect (0.872) grain yield followed by the pods per plant (0.623). Analysis of correlation coefficient also confirmed the highest significant contribution of secondary branches per plant (91.57%) followed by pods (78.12%) and each plant's primary branches (64%). It was proved from the current experiment that Plants with secondary branches as well as pods may be focused on while assessing meaningful selection criteria for genetic improvement in chickpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the study was to determine the suitable selection method for genetic improvement in chickpea. The current investigation was conducted at the research area of the Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan. Twelve chickpea genotypes were sown in RCBD following three replicates. Data regarding primary & secondary per plant, days for maturity, plant height as well as potential yield were recorded. The measured data were analyzed to principal component analysis (PCA), correlation, and path coefficient analysis. Analysis of variants revealed good variation among the accessions for the data recorded traits. Principal coefficient analysis differentiates all the traits into six PCs. Two components expressed more than one Eigenvalue which collectively contributed 80.12% towards the genetic variation. High positive loadings were expressed by the secondary branches per plant and pods per plant in all components. Path analysis revealed that secondary branches/plants expressed the highest direct positive effect (0.872) grain yield followed by the pods per plant (0.623). Analysis of correlation coefficient also confirmed the highest significant contribution of secondary branches per plant (91.57%) followed by pods (78.12%) and each plant's primary branches (64%). It was proved from the current experiment that Plants with secondary branches as well as pods may be focused on while assessing meaningful selection criteria for genetic improvement in chickpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population is increasing rapidly globally, and urban expansion of the cities has become an extensive trend in developing nations. Urban expansion patterns, such as transportation structure and road networks, affect transportation planning. This research was conducted on a mega project in Lahore city of Pakistan, i.e., the Lahore Ring Road (LRR) project. Limited research focused on the beneficiary assessment of the road project, and this research was carried out to fill this research gap. This research aims to evaluate the beneficiary assessment of DHA Phase 8 and Halloki Settlement along the Lahore Ring Road. The simple Random Sampling technique was used to conduct the household survey in the study area. This study concluded that most of the residents did not modify their houses nor increase the built-up area and height after the introduction of the project. This study inferred that the rental potential was high at some locations and low at old existing settlements. This research further concluded that community participation was ignored, and public facilities were not improved in the study area. But a project of LRR was very much beneficial and alive for the residents of Lahore city. Community participation should be enhanced in such types of megaprojects, and allied facilities in the nearby community should be upgraded. This research will be helpful for policymakers, urban planners, transportation planners, development authorities, and other stakeholders in planning future road projects in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to analyze the phytochemical profile of Euphorbia prostrata Aiton through GC-MS and identification of possible antifungal, antibacterial and other pesticidal compounds through literature survey. Whole plant material of the weed was collected from Lahore, Pakistan and shade dried followed by two-week extraction in ethyl acetate. The filtrates were analyzed by GC-MS that showed the presence of 19 compounds. The major compound in the extract was 9,19-cyclolanost-24-en-3-ol, (3β)- (24.62%) followed by 9,19-cyclolanostan-3-ol, 24-methylene-, (3β)- (19.51%) and γ-sitosterol (12.51%). Other compounds were phytol (8.11%), n-hexadecanoic acid (6.15%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)- (4.90%), neophytadiene (4.88%), cyclohexane, 1,3,5-triphenyl- (3.71%), hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (3.04%), phenol, 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl- (2.42%), octadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (2.24%), octacosane (2.11%), 1-heptacosanol (1.71%), stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3-ol, (3β,24Z)- (1.71%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- (1.29%), oxirane, hexadecyl- (1.21), 9,12- octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (1.05%), Z-8-methyl-9-tetradecenoic acid (1.01%), and 9-octadecyne (0.76%). Literature survey revealed that eight compounds possess antibacterial, antifungal, nematicidal and/or insecticidal properties. Most of the pesticidal compounds were antibacterial in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]