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In the current study, the leafhopper genus Exitianus Ball is reviewed based on around 200 specimens sampled from various regions of Pakistan during 2019-2021. The study revealed the presence of two species, Exitianus nanus (Distant) and Exitianus indicus (Distant) in the region. Their morphological descriptions, an identification key, and photographs are given. Specimens of all examined materials are deposited at the department of Entomology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nutritional quality of wheat bread can be enhanced by incorporating certain nutrient-rich ingredients in its formulation. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of incorporating chamomile and wild thyme powder in wheat bread to further improve its nutritional profile. For this purpose, three composite test breads (CWB) were prepared by incorporating chamomile and wild thyme at an equal proportion of 1, 2 and 3%. Proximate analyses of wheat flour, chamomile powder, thyme powder, a mixture of chamomile and wild thyme at the ratio of 1:1, control bread (CB) and composite test bread samples were performed using standard methods. In-vitro starch digestibility and total starch were determined by Megazyme starch assay kit. A nine-point hedonic scale assessed bread samples for consumer acceptance. The findings of proximate composition showed a significant increase in ash at 2 and 3 % incorporation. The fiber content also significantly increased at the incorporation ratio of 1, 2 and 3%. In CWB, fat concentration at 2 and 3% incorporation remained almost equal to that of CB. The protein content increased "significantly in a dose-dependent manner with the increasing incorporation of these two herbs" when compared with the CB. When the carbohydrate content of both breads was compared, the functional bread had significantly lower values (p, for all trends < 0.05), respectively, as the ratio of incorporation increased. Total starch (TS) and DS reduced non-significantly at 1 and 2 % and significantly at 3% incorporation as compared with CB. Resistant starch (RS) content of CWB increased significantly (p<0.05) at 1, 2 and 3% incorporation of these herbs with high RS at the highest level of incorporation. Slowly digestible starch (SDS) content non-significantly decreased. Rapidly digestible starch (RDS) reduced significantly (p<0.05) at 1% compared with CB, with no significant change at 1 and 2 and 2 and 3 % incorporation. SDI decreased significantly (p<0.05) with the increasing rate of incorporation of chamomile and wild thyme in the CWB. The acceptability score of test bread was ≥6 on a 9-point hedonic scale. It was concluded that this incorporation significantly improved the bread's nutritional properties and starch digestibility and was acceptable for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), aphid population, and environmental factors are normally used to monitor the disease severity as these factors are interconnected. In the present study, ten potato varieties viz., FSD white, FD 8-1, FD 71-1, Tota 704, Kuruda, FD 74-41, FD 76-24, SH 216-A, N 96-25 and FD 74-50 were evaluated against PLRV. The range of disease incidence was from 15.93% to 64.58%. Moreover, susceptible reaction was observed in five varieties (FD 71-1, Tota-704, FSD white, FD 76-24 and FD 8-1). Two varieties (Kuruda and SH 216 A) were moderately resistant, while three varieties, FD 74-41, FD 74-50 and N 96-25 were found to be moderately susceptible. In susceptible varieties, disease severity was significantly correlated with temperature (max and min), and relative humidity (RH). Whereas, disease severity in moderate resistant varieties also showed a significant correlation with temperature. However, disease severity in the moderate resistant varieties were significantly correlated with the temperature and relative humidity. Highest disease incidence (39.33%) was recorded at maximum temperature 19°C. However, the disease severity was found to be highest (21.33%) in minimum temperature at 5°C. The disease severity was highest at the highest aphid population. Highest population of aphids 33 was recorded at the 27°C and lowest of 6 at 5°C. Hence, it is concluded that PLRV incidence generally influenced by environmental factors and aphid population. It is proposed that PLRV can be managed through resistant varieties and monitoring of aphid population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was conducted at Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI), Bhakkar (Punjab) during the kharif season 2011 to test the comparative efficacy of synthetic insecticides (Confidar 200 SL @ 250 ml acre-1, Mospilan 20 SP @ 250 ml acre-1, Actara 25 WG @ 48 gm acre -1) and neem oil concentrations (Neem oil 1%, Neem oil 2% and Neem oil 3%) against thrips in mungbean crop. The Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Mospilan 20 SP treated plot comparatively showed least per inflorescence population of thrips (5.08) followed but not significantly different to Actara 25 WG with 5.75 thrips per inflorescence. Among neem oil concentrations tested, although, all the concentrations (1, 2 and 3%) showed comparatively low per inflorescence population of thrips than control plot but neem oil 3% showed comparatively least per inflorescence population of thrips (10.83). Among neem oil concentrations tested, neem oil 3% showed comparatively more population reduction (25.51%) of thrips than other tested concentrations of neem oil. In case of synthetic insecticides Mospilan 20 SP followed by Actara 25 WG was found most effective insecticide against thrips while Neem oil 3% showed good results against thrips as compared to the other neem oil concentrations tested in the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cotton is the king of fibers and it is an important cash crop of tropical and subtropical regions. The present research was carried out to evaluate the comparative efficacy of different against the cotton leaf curl virus vector (Bemisia tabaci) and indirectly the disease incidence. Leaves extracts of four plant extracts i.e. Calotropis gigantea, Zingiber officinale, Allium cepa and Azadirachta indica were evaluated at 3% concentration against eggs hatchability and adult emergence of the whitefly in lab condition. Two consecutive sprays were applied to assess the relative impact of different plant extracts against adult whitefly population and the disease incidence of cotton leaf curl virus disease in filed conditions. Azadirachta indica was found most effective to inhibit the egg hatchability and adult emergence as compared to other plant extracts applied in lab conditions. In field conditions, Azadirachta indica was found most effective to minimize whitefly population and to lower the disease incidence. From the present study, we may conclude that the leaf extract of Azadirachta indica at 3% concentration may be used to minimize the whitefly population and to lower the disease incidence of cotton leaf curl virus disease under filed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]