Agricultural Sciences Journal

IMPACT OF LEGUMES ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF YELLOW MEALWORM, TENEBRIO MOLITOR L.

2026-06-08T07:48:21+00:00

Yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has been recognized as a renewable protein source due to its amazning ability to process organic waste. Diet optimization is a key to achieve the better outcomes in the commercial farming of mealworms. Some previous studies have shown that various legume based proteinaceous diets can positively affect biological characteristics of mealworms. In the present study, we evaluated different combinations of three legumes i.e. Vigna unguiculata L. (lobia) and Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea) and Vigna radiata L. (mungbean) regarding their impact on biological responses of mealworms. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in legume diet mixes in terms of larval period, larval weight, pupal period, pupal weight and total development period to adult. The mealworms fed on 100 percent mungbean showed the shortest larval and pupal periods (76.8 ± 0.51 and 15 ± 0.258 days, respectively) while those fed on 100 percent lobia showed the longest larval and pupal periods (92.3 ± 0.44 and 23.2 ± 0.327 days, respectively). Similarly, mealworms fed on 100 percent mungbean exhibited the highest larval and pupal weights (0.12 ± 0.001 and 0.938 ± 0.002g, respectively) and required shortest developmental period to reach adulthood (91.85 ± 0.612 days) compared with those reared on 100% lobia. There was no significant difference in pupation and emergence rates among the treatments. Overall, mungbean diets improved growth performance and development rate of yellow mealworms. Future research should evaluate supplementation of traditional wheat bran with mungbean in order to achieve the optimum mealworm production on sustainable basis. Subsequently, how prolonged feeding on mungbean diet can impact growth performance should also be studied.

EFFECT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES EXTRACT ON THE GROWTH OF VACHELLIA NILOTICA (KIKAR) AT SEEDLING LEVEL

2026-05-11T04:05:45+00:00

Vachellia nilotica is one of the most valuable timber species in Pakistan. This medium-sized thorny tree is evergreen. A semiarid subtropical environment is ideal for it. Nevertheless, it is able to thrive in driest regions. It has dual medicinal and forage uses. For furniture making, its wood is one of the top tree species in Pakistan. After Dalbergia sissooo, furniture of this species is best in terms of quality and durability. It is a slow growing tree. For its faster growth, artificial and organic fertilizers are used at nursery level. In the present study, four treatments were given to the plants excluding the control to evaluate the response of plants. There were eight plants in each treatment and number of replications was three. Thus total number of seedlings in the experiment was 120. A relatively unique method was used in this study for improving its growth rate. Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) was applied to the seedlings of Vachellia nilotica at concentrations of 0% (control) 2% (T₁), 4% (T₂), 6% (T₃) and 8% (T₄). Data analysis revealed that MLE application significantly enhanced most growth parameters compared to the control. Among the Treatments, 6% MLE (T3) produced the highest shoot and root biomass in Vachellia nilotica. The highest leaves fresh weight was observed in T1 (2% MLE) followed by T₀ (Control), T4 (8% MLE) and T3 (6% MLE). Highest root mass allocation was noted in T₂. This study clearly indicates that all concentrations of MLE increased the overall growth of the plants. However, the best performance was recorded under T3 (6% MLE) and T4 (8% MLE). So it is recommended to apply 6% or 8% MLE for best growth of seedlings of Vachellia nilotica.

OPTIMIZATION OF IN-PLANTA TRANSFORMATION EFFICIENCY IN MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA L.) USING AN AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED APPROACH

2026-05-19T05:06:43+00:00

In planta transformation is a promising technique for genetic modification in mungbean (Vigna radiate L.), yet its efficiency is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to assess the impact of genotype, Agrobacterium culture concentration, and floral bud stage on transformation efficiency. The transformation process was evaluated using β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining, wherein successfully transformed embryos exhibited a blue coloration. The expression of the GUS gene was confirmed through visual examination and microscopic analysis. Results indicated that genotype significantly influenced transformation efficiency, with NM-19 exhibiting the highest mean transformation rate (6.0758%), whereas NCM-2013 had the lowest (0.050%). Similarly, Agrobacterium culture concentration played a crucial role, where an optical density (OD) of 1.0 at the late floral bud stage yielded the highest transformation efficiency (5.3483%). Conversely, lower transformation rates were observed at an OD of 0.5 during the early floral bud stage (2.9258%). The interaction between genotype and culture concentration was also significant, with NM-19 at OD 1.0 achieving the highest transformation efficiency (6.5500%). Additionally, the late floral bud stage resulted in significantly higher transformation efficiency compared to the early floral bud stage. Statistical analysis using ANOVA confirmed the significant effects of genotype, culture concentration, and floral bud stage on transformation efficiency. The findings suggest that selecting an appropriate genotype, optimizing bacterial culture concentration, and targeting the late floral bud stage can enhance transformation success in mungbean. These insights contribute to improving genetic transformation protocols for mungbean and may facilitate advancements in legume biotechnology.

A SURVEY ON COVID-19 VACCINE ACCEPTANCE AND CONCERN AMONG PAKISTANIS

2026-06-03T15:13:35+00:00

The current study aims to assess the beliefs of the general public in Pakistan towards conspiracy theories, acceptance, concern, and preference for the COVID-19 vaccine availability and efficacy (Especially our targeted population was from southern Punjab) as this can help planning preventive actions against COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online self-administered questionnaire from February 2022 till May 2022 in which 605 people from southern Punjab participated.

SUSTAINABLE MECHANIZATION OF GROUNDNUT DECORTICATION: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ENGINEERING INNOVATIONS, PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION AND POSTHARVEST LOSS REDUCTION

2026-03-05T18:32:59+00:00

Groundnut is the sixth most important oilseed crop with a wide range of applications in the food, light and chemical industries. In developing countries, the unavailability of post-harvest processing machinery results in the kernel price being twice that of the pod, which is a major challenge to achieve its potential yield. Mechanized shelling is necessary for post-harvest processing and for producing quality products. An effective way to improve the quality of products is by reducing the kernel damage percentage during decortication. Therefore, the research on reducing the kernel damage percentage has a significant effect in mechanized peanut-shelling. Despite the existing technology in Pakistan not compatible with the high-quality shelling requirements of farmers and industry, as Pakistan is the 5^th largest groundnut producer in the world. This review focuses on the transition between manual to mechanized operations such as the use of cost-effective pedal, dual, and motor-operated decorticators. It comprises the influence of design variables such as machine speed, clearance and the moisture content on the machine shelling efficiency and kernel damage percentage. This manuscript also offers a roadmap towards sustainable mechanization by overcoming technical barriers and socio-economic limitations to improve productivity and minimize post-harvest losses. It is expected to provide a reference for effectively reducing kernel damage percentage, improving the quality of shelled kernels and promoting the sustainable development of groundnut decortication.