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This study attempts to develop an allometric model for biomass estimation of Chirpine (Pinus roxberghii) an important species of subtropical pine ecosystems in the Himalayas. Data was collected through destructive sampling of 32 sample trees growing in subtropical pine forests of Hazara Forest Region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of the selected sample trees ranged from (12-93 cm) and height (H) varied between 9.50-40.10 m. Allometric equation was developed through testing different allometric models. The best fit model was obtained through logarithmic transformation of response and explanatory variables. It was found that square of DBH and H (D²H) was the best independent variable for predicting above ground biomass of an individual tree. The equation was also evaluated and compared with the existing generic allometric equations. Results showed that the allometric equation developed in this study gave more reliable estimates of aboveground biomass. A strong relationship (r² = 0.99) found for tree biomass as response variable and DBH with height as explanatory variables. The significance of the model was demonstrated by F and P values. The model was found a good fit on the basis of values of sum of square (SS) of the residuals and standard error. Homogeneity of variance and normality of residuals were also validated for checking accuracy of the model. The result can be used for estimation of the above ground biomass and carbon stocks in subtropical pine forests of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other areas which represent similar ecological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastitis is one of the major prevailing and costly diseases in dairy cattle and buffaloes. This study describes the current prevalence of mastitis in lactating cattle, and buffaloes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2019-2020, to identify bacterial pathogens of mastitis, and to determine the antimicrobial resistance. A total of 1013 milk samples belonging to 726 cattle and 287 buffaloes were examined to detect clinical mastitis (CM) and subclinical mastitis (SCM). Mastitic milk samples (n=541) were further used to investigate the prevalence of bacteria associated with mastitis and their antimicrobial susceptibilities by standard disc diffusion assay. The results showed that the prevalence of CM and SCM was 21.2% and 62.3% in cattle, while 17.8% and 68.9% in buffaloes, respectively. Additionally, it was noted that CM was higher in cattle, while SCM was higher in buffaloes. Amongst the bacterial isolates from mastitic milk the prevalence of Staphylococci spp. (24.6%) was at highest, which was followed by Escherichia coli (23.7%), then Streptococci spp. (8%) Salmonella spp. (5.9%), Klebsiella spp. (5.7%), Candida spp. (4.1%), and Proteus spp. (1.5%). The isolated bacteria were mostly resistant to ampicillin (96.5%), sulphamethoxazole (96.5%), streptomycin (95.1%), oxytetracycline (85%), and amoxicillin (78.1%). However, the isolates were highly susceptible to enrofloxacin (86.2%), gentamicin (83.5%), and florfenicol (82.6%). This study might be helpful to the clinicians and researchers associated with the dairy industry for designing prophylactic as well as therapeutic strategies for the control of bovine mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastitis is one of the major prevailing and costly diseases in dairy cattle and buffaloes. This study describes the current prevalence of mastitis in lactating cattle, and buffaloes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2019-2020, to identify bacterial pathogens of mastitis, and to determine the antimicrobial resistance. A total of 1013 milk samples belonging to 726 cattle and 287 buffaloes were examined to detect clinical mastitis (CM) and subclinical mastitis (SCM). Mastitic milk samples (n=541) were further used to investigate the prevalence of bacteria associated with mastitis and their antimicrobial susceptibilities by standard disc diffusion assay. The results showed that the prevalence of CM and SCM was 21.2% and 62.3% in cattle, while 17.8% and 68.9% in buffaloes, respectively. Additionally, it was noted that CM was higher in cattle, while SCM was higher in buffaloes. Amongst the bacterial isolates from mastitic milk the prevalence of Staphylococci spp. (24.6%) was at highest, which was followed by Escherichia coli (23.7%), then Streptococci spp. (8%) Salmonella spp. (5.9%), Klebsiella spp. (5.7%), Candida spp. (4.1%), and Proteus spp. (1.5%). The isolated bacteria were mostly resistant to ampicillin (96.5%), sulphamethoxazole (96.5%), streptomycin (95.1%), oxytetracycline (85%), and amoxicillin (78.1%). However, the isolates were highly susceptible to enrofloxacin (86.2%), gentamicin (83.5%), and florfenicol (82.6%). This study might be helpful to the clinicians and researchers associated with the dairy industry for designing prophylactic as well as therapeutic strategies for the control of bovine mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the present study two animal species (cattle and buffalo) were selected. A total of 800 samples were collected from different areas of District Lakki Marwat and District Peshawar. All the samples were processed through different diagnostic techniques, including Microscopy, ELISA and Real-time PCR for diagnosis of Theileria parva at Veterinary Research Institute Peshawar. The overall prevalence for Theileriosis was 27.75% through Real-time PCR, followed by Indirect ELISA (24.62%) and Microscopy (11.37%). Transect wise high prevalence for Theileria parva was observed in Lakki Marwat with 33.5% for Real-time PCR, significantly different at P<0.05 from Peshawar. Cattle showed 100% more positive results as compared to Buffalo. All the techniques showed highest prevalence of Theileria parva for female population as compared to male population. Age wise prevalence was not significantly different for both the species. Prevalence was high in animals < 1-year age. It was found that PCR is more sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for diagnosis of Theileria parva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]