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Tarbela Dam is a wetland in Pakistan but most of the natural landscape has been deforested and modified due to deforestation. The present study was planned to know avian diversity of Tarbela Dam, Indus River, Pakistan, which was unexplored till now. This one year research was carried out in the vicinity of the Tarbela reservoir, Indus River, Pakistan, from March 2018 to February 2019. The data were collected early in the morning (4:00 am to 7:00 am) and before sunset (5:00 pm to 6:00 pm). Data were collected from eight sub sites i.e. Kalabat, Galla, Pehure, Sobra, Labadam, Kiara, Balongi and Kabbal. During the study period, the total avian population recorded was 2697 while species were 63. The Shannon-wiener diversity index was as Kalabat (3.666), Galla (3.762), Pehure (3.662), Sobra (3.765), Labadam (3.63), Kiara (3.783), Balongi (3.585) and Kabbal (3.703). The highest Evenness index (E= 0.7993) was noted from Sobra and the lowest Evenness index (E= 0.6182) was documented from Pehure. The highest Richness/Margalef (R=10.03) was recorded from Pehure and Kiara. It may be concluded that Tarbela Dam has high avian diversity to date and should be declared a Ramsar site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary intrusions emphasize on dynamic facets of phytonutrients due to strong antioxidant capacity. For the purpose, turmeric polyphenol i.e. curcumin was firstly extracted through conventional and supercritical extraction techniques following the preparation of microcapsule using maltodextrin and gelatin as enrobing material by freeze drying method. Afterwards, four types of designer bread weremade; turmeric (T1), microencapsulated nutraceuticalCSE (T2) and nutraceuticalSFE enriched breads (T3) along with control (T0). Physicochemical profile of resultant prototypes showed that addition of microencapsulated nutraceuticalSFE enhanced volume and phenolics from 572.60±7.56 to 686.20±8.25 cm³ and50.22±1.70 to 81.12±3.48 mg GAE/100g whilst hardness decreased from 2.97±0.11 to 3.36±0.10 kg/cm² compared to control. Furthermore, hedonic response also improved with maximum scores for bread volume, crust color, symmetry and evenness in bake;8.01±0.39, 7.04±0.21, 3.83±0.16 and 1.94±0.05, respectively. Regarding internal parameters, highest scores for grain, crumb color, aroma, taste and texture were 12.32±0.38, 8.14±0.26,8.05±0.26, 16.41±0.61 and 13.02±0.52, correspondingly. Conclusively, microencapsulated nutraceuticalSFE enhances both antioxidant and sensorial profile of designer bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at high level and cost-effective production of phytase by Aspergillus niger under solid state fermentation adopting the response surface optimization method. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and Central composite design (CCD) of Response surface methodology (RSM) were employed for screening and optimization of cultural conditions for maximum phytase production. Among 8 factors, incubation temperature, initial pH, incubation period, NH4NO3 and tween-40 were identified as significant factors by Plackett-Burman design (PBD) due to their positive effect on phytase production. Then, the optimization of these significant factors was conducted by Central Composite design (CCD), and incubation period (6 days), incubation temperature (35°C), initial pH (6), NH4NO3 (0.75%) and tween-40 (0.6%) were found to be optimum levels for best enzyme production. After statistical optimization, maximum amount of phytase production was obtained i.e. 406.45 IU/g, as it was 297.25 IU/g using conventional one factor at a time (OFAT) optimization approach. There was 1.37-fold increase in phytase yield using response surface methodology (RSM). These results indicated the efficacy of the response surface methodology to enhance phytase production by Aspergillus niger using solid state fermentation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has emerged as the most prominent global environmental issues and there is a need to evaluate its impact on agriculture. It is need of the hour to determine suitable transplanting time for rice in this changing climate scenario to have better yield. The experiment was conducted to study the response of transplanting dates and seedlings densities on fine rice variety "Super Basmati" at Agronomic Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan during 2017. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block design with three replications, because of two factors and four levels of each; split plot design was carried out. Main plots were assigned seedlings hill-1 viz. 1, 2, 3 and 4 seedlings, while sub-plots were of four different transplanting dates i.e. 18th July, 25th July, 1st August and 8th August. Data was recorded on flag leaf area (cm2), chlorophyll content (µ g cm-2), plant height (cm), number of fertile tillers hill-1, number of unfertile tillers hill-1, panicle length (cm), spikelet fertility (%), number of grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight(g), biological yield (kg ha-1), grain yield (kg ha-1), benefit cost ratio (BCR) and Harvest index (%). Seedling density showed significant differences for traits such as unfertile tiller hill-1, while transplanting dates also indicated significant differences for biological yield, grain yield, plant height, spikelet fertility (%), 1000-grain yield and number of unfertile tiller per plant. Seedling densities and transplanting dates interaction also showed significant differences for various parameters under study. Data revealed that 3 seedlings hill-1 transplanted on 18th July gave maximum grain yield (4700 kg ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.70). Therefore, fine rice variety "Super Basmati" is recommended for transplanting on 18th July by using 3 seedling hill-1 under the environmental conditions of Dera Ismail khan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adesha Cameron 1912, Indadesha Quicke 1986 and Aneuradesha Quicke 1986 are rarely found genera previously recorded only from India and Malaysia. In the present study these genera are reported for the first time from Pakistan, represented by four species: Indadesha achterbergi Quicke, Aneuradesha harleyi Quicke, Adesha albolineata Cameron and Adesha acuta Quicke collected from four host plants viz., guava (Psidium guajava), citrus (Citrus reticulata), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and maize (Zea mays). Effects of ecological factors and weather conditions on the distribution of recorded taxa were also studied from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Chakwal. The study reveals that members of the tribe Adeshini are more likely to be found from April to August and with low rainfall. An illustrated key to genera and species from Pakistan, host plants, abundance, distribution and spatio-temporal graphical representation of Adeshini related to weather parameters are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of new crop varieties with desirable traits is a continuous process. A crop variety becomes susceptible to various biotic and abiotic plant stresses with the passage of time, thus, necessitating replacement by genotypes possessing better productivity potential and inbuilt tolerance against different stresses. In this perspective, this article reports the progress of a new chickpea kabuli variety "Noor-2013" developed through conventional plant breeding techniques and possesses improved yield potential, extra bold seed size and ability to tolerate different diseases. In 1999-00, two local genotypes, K-96033 (female parent) and K-92029 (male parent) were crossed to create genetic variability for grain size by selecting high yielding recombinants with bold grains. For this purpose, from filial generation one (F1) seed, an F2 population was raised and 299 single plant selections (SPS) were made which were advanced to subsequent generations (F3 to F5) over the years in plant-to-row progenies using the pedigree method of plant selection. Only high yielding recombinants with bold grains were advanced to the next generations. Finally, a promising uniform line "K-60062" later named as "Noor-2013" with pedigree C.19/19/19/109/148/161/62 was selected from F6 recombinants during 2005-06. Later, this line was evaluated for yield potential, and disease reaction during 2006-2013. On an average in different yield trials (station, adaptation and national), this strain produced 32.3% higher yield in comparison to check varieties/standards (Punjab-Noor, CM-2008, CM-2000 and Noor-91). In this process, the candidate variety "Noor-13" achieved a potential yield of 3282 kg ha-1 in national uniform yield trials (NUYTs) during 2010-11 conducted at Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI), Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan. The grains of this new variety is beige in colour, ram-headed with the 100-grain weight of 34 g. Wider-canopy spread with semi-erect to semi-spread growth habit, bold grains, higher grain yield, resistance to fusarium oxysporum and moderately resistance to ascochyta rabiei are its salient characteristics. This article concludes that the art of conventional plant breeding still leads the modern era of biotechnology in crop varietal development with desirable traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae; Xanthopimpla; Pothwar; New country record EN Ichneumonidae Pimplinae Xanthopimpla Pothwar New country record INTRODUCTION Pimplinae is the most studied group of family Ichneumonidae as parasitoids of important Lepidopterous pest of agriculture crops (Brooks and Wahl, 1987; Matsumoto and Konishi, 2007). Townes and Chiu (1970) described the genus Xanthopimpla from Indo-Australian area with 22 species groups to classify the large number of species. Xanthopimpla punctata, Xanthopimpla stremmator, and Xanthopimpla flavelinate are reported as new additions from Pothwar region of Pakistan. Pimpia transversalis Vollenhoven, 1879 Xanthopimpla ruficornis Krieger, 1899 Zanthopimpla appendiculata Cameron, 1902 Xanthopimpla brunneciornis Cameron, 1903 Xanthopimpla kandyensis Cameron, 1905 Xanthopimpla lissonola Cameron, 1906 Neopimpla punctata Kvroiwa, 1908 Xanthopimpla punctata Morley, 1913 Diagnosis: Areola complete enclosed by carina 0.4-0.5x as long as wide. [Extracted from the article]

Byline: K. Mubeen, M. A. Nadeem, A. Tanveer and Z. A. Zahir ABSTRACT Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effects of water extracts of sorghum and sunflower alone [...]

Metals play an important role in the biological functions of our body, but their bio toxic effects can be harmful and can disturb the normal body functions. Metals are elevating in the environment due to rapid industrialization, and other anthropogenic activities. Toxic metals are bio accumulated by insectivorous bats due to their foraging habits and high trophic level. As the bio-accumulation of toxic pollutants is one of the major reasons of bat decline in the world, this study was carried out to quantify heavy metal concentrations in the kidney, liver, and heart of micro-bats collected from different areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Our findings showed significant difference in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in liver, heart and kidneys. Significant differences were observed for Pb and Zn concentrations in the liver of the six species under observation while Cu and Pb levels in the kidney and heart varied significantly. This study provides a base for future monitoring of metals in bats for management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unpredictability associated with recent climatic changes like rainfall, drought and heat has affected agricultural crop productions severely, worldwide including Pakistan. Various stresses, particularly drought and specifically "terminal drought" is largely affecting chickpea production in its major growing environments of arid and semi-arid tropics. This demands availability of drought-tolerant chickpea genotypes to mitigate such yield losses. For this purpose, separate experiments under normal and drought-stressed conditions were conducted for three consecutive years (2014-17). The plant material comprised sixty genotypes, laid out in an alpha-lattice design. No irrigation was applied to drought-stressed experiments while normal experiments were irrigated twice at critical growth stages. Twelve drought-tolerance relevant parameters were computed from grain yield under normal (Yp) and drought-stressed (Ys) environments. These included mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), harmonic mean (HM), tolerance index (TI), drought resistance index (DRI), relative drought index (RDI), stress susceptibility index (SSI), stress tolerance index (STI), modified stress tolerance index for normal (k[sub 1]STI), modified stress tolerance index for stressed (k[sub 2]STI), yield index (YI) and yield stability index (YSI). Variance analyses suggested significant differences among all the indices computed. High to moderate genotypic and phenotypic variances alongwith GCV, PCV indicated prevalence of additive gene action for TI, Yp, Ys, HM, GMP, MP, SSI, k[sub 2]STI, DRI and k[sub 1]STI. Estimates of heritability and genetic advance were high for TI, Yp, Ys, HM, GMP and MP. Positive and significant correlation of Yp with Ys, MP, GMP, HM, TI, SSI, STI, k[sub 1]STI, k[sub 2]STI, YI and Ys with MP, GMP, HM, DRI, RDI, STI, k[sub 1]STI, k[sub 2]STI, YI, YSI suggested that these are the superior predictors of grain yield under normal and stressed conditions, respectively. Principal component analysis dissected PC1 and PC2 with eigenvalues > 1 and explicated 59.5% and 38.1% of the total variability, respectively and assorted stress-tolerant and susceptible genotypes. Based on the results, genotypes K-01006, K-01101, K-01104, K- 01105 and K-01111 were declared as most stable under both stress and non-stressed environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sowing depth can affect seedling establishment due to poor remobilization and translocation of seed reserves towards newly growing maize seedling sinks. A pot study was conducted to investigate the relationship between seedling phytomass and phosphorus (P) source-sink as affected by three sowing depths. Uniform maize seeds were planted in plastic pots at 2, 5 or 8 cm sowing depths and placed in a completely randomized design. Results revealed that seed phytomass, P hydrolysis and P translocation to newly growing sinks were significantly (p=0.05) higher at shallow sowing depths compared to deeper ones. Seed P source was efficiently utilized by seedlings at 2 cm depth due to higher P loading to leaves (60%) and roots (34%). However, developed seedling sinks at deeper depths caused a significant increase in leaf P concentrations, expressing a poor utilization of P source in terms of seedling phytomass. Results suggested a good relationship of source-sink for P remobilization and translocation at shallow showing depth and sowing seeds at 2 cm depth could results in better source P utilization and healthy crop stand for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is one of the most commonly used fruit in Pakistan. The study was conducted to evaluate the elemental profile (Mineral matter) of Citrus sinensis collected from five tehsils of District Sargodha i.e. Silanwali (T1), Sahiwal (T2), Bhalwaal (T3), Bhehra (T4) and Sargodha city (T5). Each tehsil consists of three replicates. Elemental analysis was carried out according to (AOAC, 1998). Results showed that T1 and T2 contain slightly higher concentration of minerals (Cr 0.066, Pb 1.676, Mg 71.667 and Cu 4.043, Zn 66.273, K 173.42 mg/Kg), respectively than T3, T4 and T5. Fluctuation in elemental profile in C. sinensis collected from five tehsils may be due to environmental factors (soil composition, water, temperature, light, different cultivars, etc.) or may be due to spatial variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exploratory study was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of dead poultry and litter compost during different stages of composting in winter season. The present study was conducted under completely randomized design (CRD) by repeating the experimental trial for three times. For this purpose, three compost bins were loaded with organic waste comprising dead poultry and litter by following the internationally accepted standard method of bin filling. Sampling was done at the end of each phase to record the data for physico-chemical, mineral and microbiological parameters. The data were analyzed by using ANOVA technique under CRD. The results indicated higher maximum temperature, maximum moisture, and crude protein in primary phase, average temperature in secondary phase, dry matter, ash, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium content in curing phase of composting. However, nitrogen content, C:N ratio and bacterial count were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced during curing phase of composting. It may be stated that composting technology is an environmentally safe method of dead birds' disposal that can be used to convert organic waste into useful organic fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of distribution and habitat use of a species, whose conservation status are under concern, is crucial to get information useful to establish any conservation plan. The Scaly ant-eater (Manis crassicaudata) is an "Endangered" insectivore lacking vital ecological studies in the Asian region. The current study investigated its distribution, abundance and habitat use in the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad. The animal species showed a patchy distribution in the park ranging from 462m to 1046m above sea level. The depths of its two types of burrows (feeding and sleeping) and the numbers of active and inactive sleeping burrows were found significantly different (p< 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively). A very low population density (0.36/km2) of the Scaly ant-eater was recorded in the park. Vegetation analysis of the study area revealed Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia modesta, and Pinus roxburghii as dominant trees, Dodonaea viscosa and Lantana camara as dominant shrubs and Cynodon dactylon as dominant herb species. The Scaly ant-eater showed a phyto-association with Lantana camara, and Punica granatum for making its permanent burrows, and Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia modesta tree species for obtaining its insect food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) known as common green lacewing, its adult feeds only on plant nectars and larva is the voracious feeder of aphids and hence used in biological control of insect pests. In present study, the effective storage temperatures at optimum durations for the developmental stages of C. carnea under laboratory conditions was carried out. The consequence of storage duration and low temperatures on the different developmental stages of C. carnea at egg, larval, pre-pupal and pupal stages revealed that the storage of eggs at temperatures of 6, 12, 14 and 16°C gave short term storage up to 15-20 days with minimum detrimental effects to the developing embryo. Whereas, 8 and 10°C conditions of storage suited for both short and long term storage for 40 days. It is inferred from the results that whenever, needed to conserve strains of C. carnea in laboratories for experimentation or field releases, the storage at low temperatures of 8oC proved effective for both short and long term durations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core objective of current research is to explore the functional properties of diets containing raw and processed oat bran to combat lifestyle disorders i.e. cardiovascular diseases. For the purpose, raw oat bran was procured from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad and it was processed through extrusion technique. In addition, three types of studies were conducted on the basis of diets i.e. study I (normal rats), study II (hypercholesterolemic rats) and study III (diabetic rats). Moreover, the efficacy study was carried out to observe the effects of different levels of raw and processed oat bran on biological profile of blood Sprauge-Dawley rats. Results showed that the cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides level reduction was found significantly different when raw and processed oat bran diets fed to normal, hypercholesterolemic and diabetic rats. The highest reduction was recorded when fed on diet containing 30% processed oat bran. The processed oat bran exhibited more reduction as compared to raw oat bran. Conclusively, it is suggested that processed oat bran should be introduced in diet based therapy to control lifestyle-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical characteristics of High oleic acid fraction (HOF) of Moringa oleifera oil (MOO) was compared with sunflower, soybean and canola oils. HOF of MOO was obtained by dry fractionation at 0°C. Iodine value and C18:1 in HOF increased from 61.55 to 82.47 points and 70.29% to 81.15%, respectively. Cloud point of HOF was 1.1°C as compared to 10.2°C in MOO. The induction period of HOF was greater than all the vegetable oils tested in this investigation. HOF can be used as a source of edible oil with better health attributes and superior storage stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted during the 2 year period from 2008 and 2009 to determine the effects of three seeding dates and seven weed control methods in DSR. The results suggested that seeding in the first week of July reduced weed density and biomaö, increased kernel weight, leaf area index, and kernel yield compared to seeding rice in the first week of July. Amongst weed control methods, penoxsulam followed by hand-hoeing at 30 days after seeding (DAS) reduced weed density as low as = 6 and = 28 plants m-2 at 35 DAS and at harvest, respectively during both the years which was comparable with hand-hoeing at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. In addition, rice yield attributes including number of tillers, kernel weight, leaf area index, leaf area duration were higher, while kernel yield in this treatment was 70 and 61% higher compared to nontreated control during 2008 and 2009, respectively. A foliar spray of sorghum and sunflower water extract at 20 and 40 DAS and sorghum mulch at 6 t ha-1 were effective for weed control and secured kernel yield respectively, > 33% and 27% higher compared with the non-treated control. However, they were not as effective as penoxsulam, bispyribac-sodium, and/ or hand-hoeing treatments. The interaction effect of seeding time and weed control methods was significant for most of the variables. It is concluded that penoxsulam would be an additional chemical tool if integrated with hand-hoeing for weed control in DSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insecticides resistance against fourteen field populations of Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Chichawatni, District Sahiwal, Pakistan to six insecticides viz., trichlorfon, malathion (Organophosphates), bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin (Pyrethorids) , methomyl (Carbamate) and spinosad (Microbial) was assessed by topical assay under laboratory conditions. In insecticides bioassay, trichlorfon was observed susceptible to high resistance level (1.01-fold to 41.13-fold), bifenthrin and malathion were found susceptible to moderate resistance level (1.00-fold to 14.27-fold and 1.00-fold to 20.37-fold), lambda-cyhalothrin and spinosad were showed susceptible to low resistance (1.00-fold to 9.57-fold and 1.20 -fold to 9.95-fold), while effect of methomyl were remained as susceptible to all the tested populations. From the results it is concluded that methomyl was remained susceptible to all the tested populations, while other five tested insecticides have developed the resistance against B. zonata populations, which required adopting new strategies to overcome resistance in this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the indirect panel method is used to compute the velocity distribution over the surface of a symmetric aerofoil for which the exact result is present. To check the accuracy of the method; the computed flow velocity is compared to the exact result for the flow over the surface of a symmetric aerofoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study aims to present the prototype for Portable Smart Mini Patient Monitor for improved healthcare outcomes and patient-based care that records and displays the vital physiological signs including heartbeats, body temperature, ECG, and SPO2. The device has designed with multiple sensors connected with Arduino UNO and interfaced with an LCD display that provide real-time acquisition of the patient's data. The recent era of medical advancement and digitization has embarked on the need for efficient and innovative medical devices that provide better admittance to competent and dynamic patient care like the smart mini patient monitor to facilitate substantial diagnosis and treatment of patients' medical diseases by accurately identifying the pattern and effect of the ailment along with the improved patient experience and healthcare outcomes. The research aims to provide better healthcare opportunities to the patients on daily bases and improve the overall healthcare delivery system and make it work simultaneously with the increased population yearning for medical attention. The smart mini patient monitor was used for the detection of vital signs for five human subjects. The acquired results were then calibrated with a thermometer and BIOPAC device. The main idea of the study dwells upon the incorporation of multiple sensors into one portable device that yields multiple physiological signals at one time with utmost precision and can be easily tracked, stored, and used for medical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: An experiment was conducted to determine the comparative biology of Trilocha varians on different host plants such as Ficus benjamina, Ficus religiosa, Ficus carica and Ficus elastica under laboratory conditions at 26.50C temperature and 60.5% relative humidity. Results showed that growth and development of T. varians completed successfully on F. benjamina. It was observed that only F. benjamina was the preferable host for T. varians. After one day of hatching from eggs, larvae were died on the F. carica and F. elastica while some larvae were fully developed on F. religiosa. The study concluded that F. benjamina was the major host plant followed by F. religiosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]