Agricultural Sciences Journal

ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC DIVERSITY BY USING AGROMORPHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN LOCAL SAFFLOWER GENOTYPES UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS OF POTHOHAR, PAKISTAN

2024-09-13T11:40:58+00:00

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is well known oilseed crop, cultivated in major pockets of the world for superior quality vegetable seed oil. Study under discussion was planned to review Safflower germplasm (thirty-six lines) for genetic divergence by using agro-morphological parameters in rainfed environment. The research was organized using complete randomized design having three repeats in the 2022-23 Rabi growing season at Gram Breeding Research Sub-Station, Attock. Findings from variance analysis were significant among genotypes with respect to days in flowers initiation, days for flower completion, days for maturity, plant height(cm), no. of capsules plant^-1, no. of branches plant^-1, 100 seed weight (g), plot yield, seed yield (kg/ha), oil contents (%), oil yield (kg/ha), biological yield (kg/ha), harvest index% and non-significant for days to maturity. The extent of Phenotypic variance co-efficient (PCV) was higher than Genotypic variance co-efficient (GCV) in almost all parameters. However, both values were same in biological yield and plot yield. Higher heritability together with higher genetic advance in biological yield, seed yield, and plot yield implied that genetic factors in comparison with environmental conditions are more effective and should be amenable to selection by breeders. As higher genetic variation was depicted in safflower germplasm for agro-morphological parameters. Therefore, it may be utilized in germplasm execution and potential safflower breeding objectives.

ACCESSIONS DISSECTION OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM) USING CLUSTER AND PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS

2024-04-07T08:50:41+00:00

A research trial for sixty-two (62) wheat accessions was conducted at Arid Zone Research Centre, D. I. Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan to check variations in germplasm, heritability and genetic advance The experiment was triplicated with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with plot size 18x5m². Data were recorded for days to headings, days to maturity, flag leaf area, plant height, No. of tillers plant^-1, peduncle length, spike length, spikelet spike^-1, No. of grains spike^-1, grain yield plant^-1, 1000-grains weight and further subjected to Analysis of Variation (ANOVA) and Least Significant Differences amongst the means to check the significant at 5% probability level. For phenotypic and genotypic correlation high magnitude of (71.19%) was recorded in spike density and lowest in plant height (1.89%). Whereas for GCV maximum was noted for spike length (14.64%). Maximum Hbs and GA was estimated in plant height with values (98.06%) and (35.95%) respectively. Whereas the trait spikelets spike^-1 exhibited minimum values for Hbs (26.29%) and GA (1.46%). High heritability means the trait Plant height is additively controlled. The grain yield plant^-1 was higher in peduncle length, tillers plant^-1, thousand grain weight, grain number spike^-1 and spike density. Grain yield plant^-1 was recorded as highest by genotypes in Cluster-I and Cluster-IV. Principal component analysis presented an eigen value of greater than 1 for first four components and contributed to 73% of total variation while important yield related attributes were highest in PC1 and PC2.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE ZONES ON EXOTIC DATE PALM GERMPLASM

2024-10-30T16:46:43+00:00

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a remarkable crop in arid/semi-arid zone of the world. South region of Punjab, Pakistan is best suited for date culture, but abrupt change in climate is alarming. A research study was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Bahawalpur on five years old plants of 15 date palm exotic cultivars viz Sultana, Shishi, Sugai, Nabtul-Saif, Khudri, Khalas, Barhee, Amber, Ajwa, Medjoul, Raziz, Lulu, Nemeishi, Zamli and Dhaki (as Control) during 2019-2021. Three years’ data were recorded on temperature, humidity, rainfall, plant height, stem girth, number of fronds, frond length, frond width, number of pinnae per frond, fermented fruit %, yield and economic return per plant (Khalal & Tamar), reduction in yield from Khalal to Tamar. Nabtul-Saif excelled in plant height (4.5m), stem girth (2.5m), number of fronds (39), frond length (2.7m), frond width (81cm) and quantity of pinnae per frond (153). Barhee proved to be the best as Khalal due to its tolerance against rains (24% fermented fruit) and the highest average Khalal yield (75kg), fetching maximum income (7000 PKR) per plant. Ajwa variety led in Tamar yield (37kg) due to lesser reduction in yield (40%) from Khalal to Tamar earning maximum return (6200 PKR) per plant from its Tamar. Medjoul variety showed versatility as it was less affected by Monsoon rains (25% fermented fruit) higher Khalal (70kg) and Tamar yield (36kg) with higher return (6200 PKR) from Tamar. Khudri with 53% and Nemeishi with 48% fermented fruit were badly affected from Monsoon rains. Based on the results, Barhee variety is more suitable for south Punjab region.

IMPROVING NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY AND FIBER QUALITY OF COTTON THROUGH COMMERCIAL VALUE ADDED FERTILIZER

2023-08-19T10:56:15+00:00

Nitrogen (N) plays a crucial role in the growth and physiological functions of plants. However, it has been observed that plants typically utilize less than 50% of the applied nitrogen fertilizer, while the remaining nitrogen is lost from the system through processes like leaching, denitrification, and ammonia volatilization, thus impacting nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in cotton. To address this issue, there has been a recent introduction of commercially available value-added fertilizers aimed at increasing NUE. In this context, a field experiment was conducted in 2021 at the Latif experimental farm of Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, Pakistan to assess the effects of a specific value-added fertilizer, Zarkhez Plus, on cotton fiber quality. The experiment included seven different treatments with three replications, following a randomized complete block design. The treatments were as follows: T1 represented standard farming practice with urea, DAP, and MOP fertilizers; T2 included the standard farming practice with the addition of Zingro and Zoron; T3 consisted of 100% Zarkhez Green Plus along with 100% standard urea; T4 comprised 80% Zarkhez Green Plus, 100% standard urea, and Zingro and Zoron; T5 involved 100% Zarkhez Green Plus, 100% standard urea, and Zingro and Zoron; T6 included 100% Zarkhez Green Plus, 75% standard urea, and Zingro and Zoron; and T7 consisted of 100% Zarkhez Green Plus, 50% standard urea, and Zingro and Zoron. The results of the experiment revealed that Zarkhez Plus significantly enhanced and about 10% increase in various plant growth parameters such as plant height, number of buds, flowers, bolls, opened/closed bolls, root biomass, and seed cotton yield compared to the other treatments. Additionally, quality parameters including staple length, micronaire, fiber length, and 10-12 increase in NUE were improved by the application of Zarkhez Plus. Moreover, it was observed that with the application of ZKZ Plus, 25% of the standard urea could be saved, while also positively affecting soil quality, although further assessment is needed in this regard. Overall, Zarkhez Plus demonstrated potential as a value-added fertilizer for enhancing cotton yield, fiber quality, and NUE.

UNVEILING THE IMPACT OF ABIOTIC STRESSES ON ONION YIELD: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

2024-09-30T09:53:51+00:00

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a globally significant spice and economic crop, valued for its substantial role in foreign exchange due to high export demand. Onion growth, production, and yield are influenced by different types of abiotic stresses, including salinity, waterlogging, heat, cold, and drought. Insufficient water availability leads to reduced productivity, making a consistent water supply essential for enhancing onion yield. Onions are vulnerable to salt stress particularly, which affects bulb height, the number of bulbs per unit area, and fresh weight, as well as the quality of the harvested bulbs. Waterlogging also significantly impacts bulb development and bulb yield at different growth stages, potentially hindering the movement of nutrients from the source to the sink, thereby decreasing yield. Additionally, the surrounding climate can influence the flavor and taste of onions. Temperature plays a key role in bulbing, with its effects varying among different onion varieties. As temperatures rise, the number of leaves per bulb typically decreases, while bulb weight, bulb diameter, and bulbing index (the ratio of bulb to neck diameter) generally increase. Onions are also affected by salinity, which significantly impacts both bulb yield and quality. This review offers a comprehensive overview of how abiotic stresses affect onion yield.