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Weed infestation is a major problem and matter of concern as it reduces yield as well as quality of many crops including sugar beet. Manual weeding is very tedious, costly, time consuming and most probably non-availability of trained and skillful labor is another issue. Keeping in view these facts, an experiment was performed to evaluate the efficacy of dual gold on the weed biomass (g m-2) and on the growth and yield components of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. California-KWS during 2013-14 and 2014-15. The study was performed using RCBD having five treatments and three replications. The treatments included different application times (pre-emergence application and application after 15, 30 and 45 days after emergence) of dual gold (Smetolachlor) and a control (weedy check). Data were recorded on fresh and dry weed biomasses (g m-2), number of leaves plant-1, leaf area plant-1 (cm²), leaf and root weights plant-1 (g), sucrose (%), TSS (%), root and sugar yields (t ha-1). The results showed significant variation among the treatments for all parameters during both years of study. Among the treatments, the dual gold (S-metolachlor) applied as preemergence reduced weed fresh and dry biomasses (g m-2) and also enhanced number of leaves plant-1, leaf area (cm²), leaf and root weight plant-1, sucrose (%), TSS (%), root and sugar yields (t ha-1) during both years. Hence, it is concluded that dual gold (Smetolachlor) applied as pre-emergence is best for eradicating weeds at early stages of growth and hence improving yield and quality of sugar beet under Dera Ismail Khan conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth stimulation due to ultra-low doses of different herbicides in several crop species has been observed both in controlled as well as in the field conditions; however available data of hermetic effects on weeds growth is very limited. This study investigates the promotive effect of low doses of atrazine on growth of Tribulus terrestris. Pot experiments were conducted at Agronomic Research Area, collage of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, during 2019. Six different concentrations of atrazine [0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 g a.i. ha-1] were applied as post emergence herbicides at 3-4 leaves stage of the weeds under two different water regimes (60 % and 100 % water concentrations). Results revealed that increase in plant chlorophyll content, fresh weight, dry weight, root length and shoot length were observed after spraying of atrazine @ 5, 10 and 20 g a.i. ha-1 at 100 % water concentration. Doses of atrazine above 20 g a.i. ha-1 negatively affect the growth of Tribulus terrestris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two year research trials were designed to check the enhancing effect of NPK with various organic manures on radish production at Agricultural Faculty, Gomal University, D.I.Khan, during 2011-13. Experiments were conducted in pots using completely randomized design, comprising 6 treatments (control, NPK + FYM, NPK + PM, NPK + GM, NPK + PrM and NPK + SS) and 3 replications. Data for leaves' count plant-1, leaf length (cm), leaves weight (g plant-1), root size (length & diameter), root weight (g plant-1), total biomass (g plant-1), root yield (t ha-1) were collected and analysed. Results showed significant improvement in almost all studied parameters with the application of NPK and different organic manures. Highest mean data for all the parameters studied were recorded in NPK + PM, as maximum leaves' count (21.67 and 22.33 plant-1), leaf length (32.20 and 38.33 cm), leaves weight (66.00 and 63.67 g plant-1), root length (29.87 and 29.37 cm), root diameter (4.01 and 3.83 cm), root weight (285.00 and 274.00 g plant-1), total biomass (351.00 and 337.67 g plant-1) and root yield (80.42 and 77.80 t ha-1) were produced in it both the years, respectively. It was trailed by NPK + GM and NPK + SS amongst all the other treatments used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different planting dates (15th September, 1st October, 15th October, 1st November and 15th November) on the growth and yield of Rocco F1 and Galabrease varieties of broccoli under semi-arid condition of Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a splitplot arrangement with three replications. Varieties were assigned to main plots and planting dates were allotted to sub-plots. Growth parameters viz. head diameter, number of axillary shoots, leaf chlorophyll content and days taken to maturity: and yield parameters such as fresh and dry biomass, apical head weight, axillary shoots weight and total marketable yield were measured. Results showed that Rocco F1 performed better than Galabrease on all the growth parameters except leaf chlorophyll value. Maximum head weight (315.84 g), axillary shoots weight (180.99 g), fresh biomass (67.85 t/ha), dry biomass (12.43 t/ha) and total yield (19.83 t/ha) was recorded in Rocco F1. The increase in all yield parameters of Rocco F1 over Galabrease was more than 100 %. As regards planting dates, 1st October proved significantly better than other planting dates on various growth and yield parameters. Planting of broccoli latter than 1st October reduced growth and yields significantly and linearly. The decrease in total yields ranged from 13.88 to 181.37 % when broccoli was planted earlier than 1st October or later than this date. Interactions between varieties and various planting dates were significant. It is concluded from the present findings that Rocco F1 proved better than Galabrease while best planting time for both the varieties was found to be the first week of October. Planting of broccoli earlier or later than first week of October adversely affected the yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muskmelon is the most important fruit crop of arid and semi-arid regions and salinity as the most prevailing substance in such areas. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate salt tolerance of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes based on some morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes in hydroponic system in the growth chamber of Plant Physiology Program, Crop sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan during 2011-12. Seven muskmelon genotypes (T-96, Ravi, Mankera, White Candy, Bukhara, Surkh Kharboza and Adventa-1701) were sown in plastic trays for germination and then shifted to 3L nutrient solution in hydroponics containers. Fourteen days old plants were subjected to 0, 100, and 200 mM NaCl for sixteen days. Increasing levels of salt stress substantially declined the shoot and root biomass, plant height, root length and leaf area in all the tested muskmelon genotypes; however, genotypes differed in their response. Increasing level of salt also decreased the tested physiological and biochemical attributes; although genotypes T-96 and Mankera had higher photosynthesis (4.9 and 4.3 μmol m-2 s-1), stomatal conductance (142 and 132 mmol m-2 s-1), and higher K+/Na+ ratio (1.22 and 1.11%) respectively at maximum salt level. Genotypes T-96 and Mankera were found salt tolerant, Ravi and White Candy as moderate and remaining genotypes as salt sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to check the outcome of different weed management techniques on the growth and yield of Pea cv. Meteor at Vegetable Research Area, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan, during 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six treatments including control (weedy check), Stomp (pendimethalin) @ 2.5 L ha-1, Dual gold (S-metolachlor) @ 2.5 L ha-1, threehand weeding (20, 40 and 60 DAS), transparent plastic mulch and black plastic mulch. Each treatment was replicated three times. Data on days to germination and flowering, weed density, fresh and dry weed biomass, plant height, pods plant-1, pod length, seeds pod-1andseed yield ha-1were recorded and analyzed statistically. Weed density, fresh and dry biomass of weed were significantly reduced by different weed management techniques. Whereas, all plant growth, yield and yield contributing traits were considerably improved due to weed management. Significant variations existed among different weed management strategies regarding all parameters. The maximum pod yield (5.11 t ha-1) was recorded from hand weeded plots, followed by black plastic (4.84) and Dual gold (4.10 t ha-1). Stomp (2.61 t ha-1) and clear plastic (2.55 t ha-1) were statistically at par with respect to pod yields. It was concluded from the results that highest yield of pea and effective weed control were achieved by three hand weeding followed by black plastic mulch. However, maximum value of BCR (2.33) was obtained in Dual gold followed by hand weeding (2.24), suggesting that for large scale pea production, application of Dual gold @ 2.5 L ha-1 was economical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though Pea is considered as one of the most important winter vegetable belonging to leguminoseae family is also very much prune to weed infestation. A study was conducted to observe the effect of various weed management techniques on weed density, plant growth, yield and yield contributing traits of pea. The experiments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with six treatments replicated thrice. During 2011-12, the earliest germination (5.33 days) took place in plots where black plastic and transparent plastic were laid out as mulch, followed by control and hand weeding plots (6.33 days). The significantly tallest plants (65.57 cm), lowest weed density (13.43 m²), minimum fresh weed biomass (35.72 g/m²), lowest dry weed biomass (12.54 g/m²), maximum number of pod per plant (21.03), the longest pods (7.54 cm), the highest weight of fresh pods per plant (44.17 g), number of gains per pod (8.02) and 100-grains weight (50.73 g) were recorded in hand weeded plots. Hand weeding recorded substantial increase in pod yield (8.63 t ha-1) which was significantly the highest from all other treatments. In 2012-13, the significantly highest number of days taken to 50% flowering (65.33) was recorded in plots covered with white plastic. The lowest weed density (14.20 g/m²), least fresh weed biomass (42.32 g/ m²), the lowest dry weed biomass (15.19 g/ m²), maximum number of pod per plant (14.76), the highest weight of fresh pods per plant (44.17 g), the longest pods (6.97 cm), maximum number of gains per pod (6.43) and the highest 100-grains weight (52.06 g) were recorded in hand weeded plots. Significantly the highest pod yield (7.66 t ha-1) was also recorded in hand weeding. It was concluded that during both the years, hand weeding surpassed all other techniques in minimizing weeds density, weeds fresh and dry biomass enhancing all other growth and yield parameters followed by transparent plastic mulch, black plastic mulch, Dual Gold and Stomp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was carried out to check the response of different organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of radish, at Horticulture Departmental experimental area, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D.I. Khan. The experiment was laid out in RCD with seven treatments replicated thrice. The treatments included control, farm yard manure (FYM) @ 25 t ha-1, poultry manure (PM) @ 10 t ha-1, goat manure (GM) @ 15 t ha-1, press mud (PrM) @ 20 t ha-1, sewage sludge (SS) @ 20 t ha-1 and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) @ 120-65-100 kg ha. Data on leaf plant-1, leaf length (cm, fresh leaf weight plant (g, dry leaf weight plant-1 (g), root length (cm, root diameter (cm), fresh root weight plant (g), dry root weight plant (g, total biomass plant-1 (g), root yield pot-1 (g) and root yield (t ha-1) were recorded and analyzed statistically. The results revealed that all growth attributes and yield were significantly enhanced by the application of organic manures and NPK. The highest values were found in NPK treated plants followed by PM, GM, SS, PrM and FYM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the impact of different nutrient sources viz., bio-fertilizer (effective microorganisms) with or without organic manure (Farmyard Manure) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK) on the quality characteristics of tomato. The pot experiment was conducted by combining 7 treatments in completely randomized design with 3 replications. The results revealed that nutrient sources significantly affected different quality parameters including; physicochemical (vitamin C, lycopene, total soluble solids and pericarp thickness); sensory (fruit color, fruit flavor and fruit firmness) and shelf life. It was concluded that bio-fertilizer integrated with Farmyard Manure emerged as better nutrient source over other treatments. Benefits of bio fertilizer application were more in the presence of Farmyard Manure on quality of tomato in comparison with NPK. No work has been previously published to study the effect of effective microorganisms on taste active components of vegetable or fruit crops, and their correlation with physicochemical attributes and shelf life. Data are provided for the researchers for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different growing media on the growth and development of stock (Matthiola incana). Seven different growing media including soil (100%), leaf mold (100%), coconut husk (100%), soil + leaf mold (50:50), soil + coconut husk (50:50), leaf mold + coconut husk (50:50) and soil + leaf mold + coconut husk (33:33:33) were used to check the growth of Stock plants in pots. Data was recorded for different parameters including days to flower initiation, days to flowering, plant height (cm), leaves per plant, branches per plant, flowering clusters per plant, flowers per cluster, flowers per plant and flower persistence life (days), during this course of study. The overall performance of Stock was better in media having leaf mold as it took least days to flower initiation (75.83), maximum plant height (21.43 cm), flowering clusters per plant (4.11), number of flowers per cluster (8.45 days), flowers per plant (34.66). For better growth and flowering of Stock plant, leaf mold can be used as growing media in pots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Langra and Samar Bahisht Chaunsa varieties of mango fruit were harvested at hard green stage of maturity. The samples were coated with coconut oil, natural ghee (clarified butter) and potassium metabisulphite; and stored at 20, 30 and 40C till their ripening. The fruit was analyzed for various physical and chemical characteristics at the harvest as well as at the ripened stage. In addition, ethylene production rate, weight loss and waste percent were measured. The obtained results indicated that every coating has significantly different impact over the quality and shelf life of the fruit under the limit of P ≤ 0.05. The ripening rate, weight loss and waste percentage were low, whereas the shelf life was longer and the quality was better for a particular storage temperature in case of natural ghee coating as compared with others, concluding that this novel coating was better than all we applied. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Mango fruit ( Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most popular fruits all over the world as it has attractive color, delicious taste and excellent nutritional properties. However, mangoes are climacteric and ripe rapidly after it is harvested that limits its storage, handling and transport potential. Therefore, we have coated the fruit with three different materials to prolong the shelf life while keeping the quality of the fruit high. Therefore, our research work has lot of potential in food and fruit industry and can be exploited by farmers, industrialists and exporters of mango fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten mango cultivars viz. Alphanso, Anwar Retual, Dusehri, Fajri, Gulab-e-Khas, Langra, Malda, Sanglakhi, Sindhri and Suwarnareeka were evaluated in the Department of Horticulture, Gomal University, D. I. Khan, Pakistan during 2006. Langra and Malda fruits matured earlier while fruits of Fajri and Sanglakhi matured late. Malda produced higher number of fruits per panicle (55) while Alphanso and Sanglakhi gave minimum fruits (22.67). Alphanso and Fajri produced longer fruits (15.20 and 14.43 cm) while minimum fruit length was recorded in Anwar Retual (6.30 cm). Fajri excelled in fruit weight (455.9 g), seed weight (48.67 g), peel weight (84.99 g) and pulp weight (329.63g) as compared to all other cultivars. Suwarnareeka had higher percentage of pulp (92.40) while cultivar Gulab-e-Khas showed the lowest pulp percentage (61.41). However, Gulab-e-Khas excelled in vitamin C and sugars. These chemical characteristics ranged from 131-179.7 mg/100g and 15-20 percent, respectively in the cultivars studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of different levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of radish was studied at Gomal University, D. I. Khan, Pakistan during winter season 2007. Five N levels (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg/ha) alongwith a control (no nitrogen) were tried. The results showed that higher N levels gave better results for all parameters studied. Maximum number of leaves (18.70, 18.17 and 18.10), leaf length (33.33, 32.80 and 31.10 cm), weight of leaves (160.67, 132.83 and 140.82 g), root length (23.77, 22.10 and 22.23 cm), root diameter (4.43, 4.87 and 4.15 cm), root weight (139.28, 122.73 and 127.16 g) and yield (99.88, 85.10 and 89.24 t/ha) were recorded when N was applied @ 200, 250 and 150 kg per hectare, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of three planting densities (20, 30 and 40 plants/m²) on bulb yield and yield related traits of five cultivars of onion (Naurang Local, Panyalla Local, Phulkara, Shah Alam Local and Swat-I) was studied in the Department of Horticulture, Gomal University, D.I.Khan, Pakistan during the years 2004-05 and 2005-06. The results revealed that planting densities influenced onion bulb yield and yield contributing parameters significantly. Maximum number of leaves, leaf length, bulb diameter and average bulb weight were recorded in thinly populated crop (20 plants/m²). The highest bulb yield was achieved in medium populated crop (30 plants/m²) followed by thinly (20 plants/m²) and thickly populated crops (40 plants/m²)during both years. Cultivars varied significantly with respect to number of leaves, leaf length, bulb diameter, weight of bulbs and bulb yield. Among cultivars, Shah Alam Local surpassed all cultivars in various parameters, followed by Naurang Local, Panyalla Local and Swat-I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan during the year 2005-06. Effect of different levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivar Rapid Greens was evaluated. Six nitrogen levels (0-control, 80, 110, 140, 170 and 200 kg / ha) were applied alongwith PK @ 60-60 kg per hectare. The results revealed that N application @ 140 kg significantly improved the plant height (15.22 cm), number of leaves / plant (19.43), leaf width (16.90 cm), plant spread (26.20 cm), stem width (1.65 cm), plant weight (90.46 g) and yield (11.25 t / ha). The results also showed that level of 140 kg significantly differed from other treatments in increasing growth and yield of lettuce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research project to evaluate the effect of different plant spacing on the production of cauliflower was conducted at Horticulture Research Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, NWFP, Pakistan. Six different plant spacing viz., 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 cm were used. The results revealed significant variations in all the parameters and amongst various plant spacing, 45 cm spacing showed the best response for all the parameters. Maximum plant height (49.33 cm), curd diameter (19.13 cm), maximum curd weight (1.23 kg plant(-1)) and yield (30.77 t ha(-1)) were recorded in the plots where the plants were spaced 45 cm apart.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different growing media on the growth and development of Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata). Seven different growing media including sand, silt, leaf mold, sand + silt, sand + leaf mold, silt + leaf mold and sand + silt + leaf mold, were used to check the growth and development of dahlia in pots. The over all best performance was recorded in media sand + silt + leaf mold for almost all the parameters; plant height (42.08 cm), stem thickness (1.93 cm), number of branches per plant (3.6), minimum days to flowering (91.66), number of flowers per plant (10.6), number of petals per flower (13), diameter of flower (8.8 cm) and vase life of flower (5 days). The media leaf mold alone also performed significantly well for all the parameters including the maximum 42.55 leaves per plant. Sand, when used alone as a growing medium showed the least response and provided unsatisfactory results for all the parameters.