Agricultural Sciences Journal

OVIPOSITIONAL PREFERENCES OF THE PEACH FRUIT FLY (BACTROCERA ZONATA, SAUNDERS) (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) AMONG DIFFERENT HOST FRUITS

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata S. (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a highly polyphagous pest responsible for significant damage to orchard fruits due to the egg-laying behavior of females. However, understanding and manipulating this ovipositional behavior can help mitigate fruit damage. This study aimed to assess the ovipositional preference behavior of B. zonata on different host fruits under controlled laboratory conditions. The experiments consisted of both "no-choice" and "choice" setups to evaluate various oviposition-related parameters: the number of fruit visits, duration of visits, oviposition attempts, successful ovipositions, and the duration of oviposition completion. Guava (Psidium guajava L.), banana (Mangifera indica L.), and papaya (Carica papaya L.) were selected as host fruits for this study. In the "no-choice" experiments, the type of host fruit significantly influenced the number and duration of fruit visits by B. zonata females. Banana was the most visited fruit, while papaya had the longest visit duration. Despite differences in fruit characteristics, no significant variation was observed in the number or duration of ovipositions among the fruits, and no oviposition activity was recorded on guava. In the "choice" experiments, the duration of fruit visits and the number of oviposition attempts varied significantly among the host fruits. Interestingly, guava was the only fruit where B. zonata females exhibited oviposition activity, while no oviposition behavior was observed on banana and papaya. These findings provide insights into the behavioral preferences of B. zonata females, which can inform pest management strategies. Incorporating this knowledge into biological control programs may contribute to reducing agricultural losses caused by this pest.

DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF COTTON SEED COATING MACHINE

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mechanical seed coating has been globally adapted to protect them from fungus, soil-borne diseases, and other harmful substances. In crop production, attaining the potential yield is the main concern of farmers. Among the other problems of low yield, fungal attack is associated with germination stage. To avoid this problem, farmers are using fungicides with the help of bags or clothes. The traditional method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, costly as well as inefficient for uniform coating of seed. To address this challenge and to speed up seed coating process, a manually/motor-operated seed coating machine was designed at CAD/CAM Lab by using Auto CAD software and developed at Agricultural Engineering Workshop of Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. The newly developed machine was tested at two levels, manually/motor-operated and compared with a traditional method. Its performance was evaluated using (metalaxyl + mancozeb) fungicide under three treatments levels: T1 (traditional coating method), T2 (manual coating method), and T3 (mechanical coating method). The data from the experiment on fully coated seed percentage, semi-coated seed percentage, and uncoated seed percentage were collected and statistically analyzed by using Statistix 8.1. Mechanical seed coating method T3 demonstrates superior results, achieving coating efficiencies of 79.2%, 85.4%, and 93.2% at 2-, 4-, and 6-minutes’ intervals, respectively. The machine offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for cotton-seed treatment, significantly enhancing seed coating uniformity and reducing seed breakage compared to conventional practices.

DETERMINATION OF SOURCE OF RESISTANCE IN WHEAT AGAINST BACTERIAL LEAF STREAK AND MORPHO-BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF XANTHOMONAS TRANSLUCENS PV. UNDULOSA

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Current research effort was directed focusing on evaluating the wheat germplasm for determination of source of resistance against the bacterial leaf streak (BLS) disease and the morpho-biochemical characterization of Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa (Xtu), the causative agent of bacterial leaf streak of wheat. The bacterium Xtu showed yellow, mucoid, circular and convex shaped growth when cultured on artificial growth media (NA). Gram staining, Catalase, KOH and Kovacs oxidase tests were employed that confirmed the Xtu as gram negative (-ve) bacterium. Fifteen wheat varieties/advanced lines were evaluated against BLS disease employing Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to estimate the disease incidence over two years (2023 and 2024). Screening results for both years revealed that only one advanced line (PBG Line 8) expressed highly resistant response while two varieties PBG Line 1 and NARC-2008 exhibited resistant response. Two advanced lines (PBG Line 2 and PBG Line 5) were observed as moderately resistant while, moderately susceptible response was shown by FSD-2008, PBG Line 4, Ujala-2016, PBG Line 3, PBG Line 7 and PBG Line 6. The remaining varieties/advanced lines Umeed-2014, Zincol 2015, PBG Line 9 and PBG Line 10 showed susceptible response. The successful screening of wheat germplasm for resistance to bacterial leaf streak disease is an important source of resistance for breeding programs. Future research should prioritize leveraging this resource to develop enhanced cultivars and strengthen integrated management strategies for bacterial leaf streak disease (BLS). This approach will support the advancement of disease-resistant varieties and promote more effective, sustainable disease management solutions.

ASSESSMENT OF YIELD RELATED TRAITS OF RICE CULTIVARS AND EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT PESTICIDES AGAINST SCIRPOPHAGA INCERTULAS WALKER (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food crop worldwide. Yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas Walker) is considered a major pest of rice. The present study aimed to evaluate the yield-contributing traits of different rice cultivars and to assess the efficacy of various control strategies against yellow stem borer under field conditions. Seven rice cultivars—C1 (Chenab Basmati), C2 (PK-386), C3 (KSK-133), C4 (KSK-434), C5 (Super Basmati), C6 (KSK-282), and C7 (Kissan Basmati)—were collected from the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, and evaluated for their yield performance. Additionally, PK 1121 Aromatic was transplanted at Madina Colony, Meclod Gunj, Bahawalnagar during the 2020 season to study YSB infestation and its management. Key yield parameters included the number of tillers per plant, grains per panicle, 100-grain weight (g), and spike length (cm). Among the cultivars, the yield potential ranked as C7 > C3 > C6 > C4 > C1 > C5 > C2. The efficacy of neem extract (30ml/L), chlorpyrifos (1ml/L), and Metarhizium anisopliae (2ml/L) was tested against YSB, along with a control treatment. Chlorpyrifos (T2) showed the highest effectiveness, with dead hearts recorded as 20.00%, 13.33%, and 13.30% and white heads as 23.66%, 20.33%, and 19.00% after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd applications respectively. Neem extract (T1) showed moderate effectiveness with dead hearts at 33.33%, 22.11%, and 20.99% and white heads at 28.99%, 24.99%, and 22.85%. M. anisopliae (T3) resulted in dead hearts of 28.66%, 20.67%, and 19.75% and white heads of 26.21%, 23.23%, and 22.57%. The control showed the highest infestation with dead hearts of 40.33%, 39.54%, and 42.11%, and white heads of 37.12%, 38.23%, and 40.14%. In conclusion, the number of tillers per plant, grains per panicle, 100-grain weight, and spike length are critical yield-determining traits. Neem extract and M. anisopliae were effective alternatives to chemical pesticides in reducing yellow stem borer infestation.

A REVIEW OF STUBBLE BURNING-INDUCED SMOG: RIPPLE EFFECTS ON SOIL ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN HEALTH

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Smog pollution poses a significant threat to the environment, public health, agriculture, and economy of Pakistan. This paper elucidates the mechanisms involved in the generation of smog, impact on the environment and key recommendations to address this pressing issue. It accords much attention to crucial sources which include industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, burning of crop residue, and unfavorable meteorological conditions with a major focus on urban centers especially Lahore, Multan, and Islamabad. The detrimental adverse effects on agriculture include reduction of photosynthetic rate and a decrease in crop yield, soil health deterioration, and high economic losses to the farming community. Concurrently, smog poses a severe public health risk exacerbating diseases such as respiratory and cardiovascular ailments. Socioeconomic repercussions include escalating healthcare costs, loss of labor productivity, and environmental degradation. Addressing these challenges necessitates integrated approaches combining strict environmental protection policy measures, developments and advancements in clean technologies, and effective large-scale public awareness campaigns. By synthesizing currently available data and identifying critical knowledge gaps, this review aims to recommend sustainable development policies and strategies to mitigate the pervasive impacts of smog on Pakistan's environment and society.