Genetic Variability and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield Related Traits in Helianthus Annus

The experiment was conducted in the research area of the department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The research material were comprised of 20 genotypes of sunflower (G-16, G-30, G-32, G-36, G-44, G-45, G-61, G-64, G-66, G-68, G-86, A-2, A-14, A-23, A-56, A-60, A-61, A-79, A-133 and A-185). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the year 2013. Results revealed that the strongest correlation of seed yield was observed with 1000-grain weight at genotypic level, 1000 grain weight and oil contents were positively and significantly correlated at phenotypic and genotypic levels with total achene weight. So the 1000-seed weight and oil contents are important yield components and could be used as selection criteria to improve seed yield. In path coefficient, highest positive indirect effect of chlorophyll was through oil content. While that direct selection for oil contents, Fresh head diameter, Plant height and days to 50% flowering will give the best results for total achene weight per plant. Keywords: G-16, sunflower, 1000 grain weight, chlorophyll and oil contents

Differentiation between heuristic and meticulous domain of financial risk taking propensity

Relaxing the assumption of rational human being, this study examined the risk taking aspect of financial decision making. In this study financial risk taking propensity is explored with altogether new facet and classify it in two domains. First domain highlights advantageous aspect for wealth and economic prosperity while second can be a menace for wealth and prosperity. Literature is precisely collected to sharpen this peculiarity and to reach on imperative determinants of each domain. Objective is to create differentiation (distinction, discrepancy, peculiarity) between affective (heuristic) and cognitive domain of financial risk taking propensity using empirical approach.  Our results predict that in heuristic domain the bias of dispositional affect and propensity to rely on emotions are significantly dominant factors to take risky investment. Whereas, in beneficial risk taking domain (called cognitive), financial literacy, financial self-efficacy, stock market knowledge and thoughtful analytical processing style found to have significant impact. The evidences reported in this study not only support insightful investment decisions but also elaborate risky behavior of renowned financial players

A Path to an Understanding of the Internet Use and Its Impact on the Academic Achievement of Social Science Students

The purpose of this study is to assess the use and impacts of internet on academic success of Social Science student studying in the public sector Universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Survey research method using a questionnaire was employed for data collection from a sample of 303 Social Science students spread over five public sector universities of KP. The response rate was 66% and the data was analyzed through SPSS 20.0 using descriptive and inferential statistics. The key findings show that male respondents reported being more experienced in internet use than female and about 84% of the students agreed with the importance of getting the internet use training. University graduates mainly used internet for Social Networking Sites (SNSs), e-mail and academic purposes and were highly satisfied with e-reference material, SNSs and audio/visual resources. Similarly, watching sports online and using shopping and trading websites online correlates with students’ lower Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Furthermore, frequent use of indexes and abstracts, technical reports and presentations available on slide share correlates with graduates’ higher CGPA. Besides these the students reported that, the slow speed of internet, electricity shortage and restrictions on students from their parents to use internet due to the availability of immoral sites on internet were the problems in their internet use. This is the first study in KP, Pakistan that dealt with this important topic by covering a large number of social science students from large number of universities

INCORPORATING THE INTERNET IN LEARNING BY THE MANAGEMENT SCIENCE STUDENTS AND ITS EFFECT ON THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Abstract Purpose: The study was planned with a clear purpose to examine how Management Science students incorporate the internet in their education and what outcomes it has on their academic performance. Research Design: A quantitative survey approach was adopted. For this purpose data were collected from a sample of 225 Management Science students scattered in five selected universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan using non-random proportionate sampling technique. Key Findings: The findings of the study indicate that 55% of students do not possess personal computer/Laptops. A vast majority of the respondents (79%) used the internet at their homes and 80% students agreed to the importance of internet use training. Students’Internet use for chatting with friends and family and for spending leisure time negatively affect CGPA but spending more time on academic online resources enhance their academic results. Similarly, their computer problems solving skills have positive effects on their CGPA but the problems of slow internet connectivity, electricity shortage, and much more information to deal with badly effect students’ academic performance. Conclusions: The internet use has a significant co-relationship with the students’ academic success. Therefore, the research suggests the authorities to provide training in the light of findings of this study, which would undoubtedly improve the academic output of the Management Science Students in the Universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Microfacies Analysis and Source Rock Potential of Nammal Formation, Western Salt Range Pakistan

The present study investigates the microfacies and source rock potential of the Eocene Nammal Formation in the Nammal Gorge Section, western Salt Range, Pakistan. The Nammal Formation consists of light grey to creamy color limestones, olive green to grey shales and light grey marls. Twelve rock samples of limestone were collected for microfacies analysis and nine samples of limestone and shale were analyzed for determination of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content and source rock potential of the Nammal Formation. Thin section studies of rock samples revealed four microfacies, i.e., mudstones, wackestones, wackestones to packstones and packstones. Microfacies analysis showed that intraclast, planktons and some small benthic foraminifera,pelecypods and opperculina are present in the Nammal Formation. The type of microfacies and abundance of planktons suggest deposition on a carbonate ramp platform within outer neritic to distal shelf environment in the study area. The Nammal Formation presents a coarsening upwards trend and rise in sea level during its deposition. The average TOC value of nine samples of shale is 0.0812 which shows very little organic matter and poor source rock potential of the Nammal Formation

Review of short term and long term performance of initial public offering

In today’s modern corporate world the concept of initial public offerings has gained much importance because it’s over and under performance can significantly affect the success of company. The current study aims at conducting a nonsystematic review of literature on the concept of initial public offering in order to understand its meaning and dimensions. In this regard a thorough review of existing literature has done and it has found that initial public offering concept has been explained by theorists in different ways. It meaning has significantly changed with changes in the business trends of corporate world. It was further found that over performance in short run and underperformance in the long run of initial public offering has remained mystified for the researchers although the performance of initial public offerings has significant effect on success or failure of a company. It is therefore concluded that the researchers should try to comprehend the conceptual nature and dimensions of initial public offering by examining its effects on the success of companies. In this way the companies in modern corporate world can ensure their success through effective utilization of initial public offerings

Foliar boron spray for improved yield, oil quality and water use efficiency in water stressed sunflower

Boron (B) is a mineral considered essential for improving sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) resistance to drought. B supplements (0, 15-, 30- and 45 mg L-1) under well-watered and variable water deficit levels (64 and 53 mm irrigation depths) were evaluated for their effects on growth, oil quality and water use efficiency (WUE) in a field study for two consecutive years (i.e. 2011 and 2012). The duration of 50% inflorescence emergence, 50% flowering and 50% maturity stages were reduced with increasing moisture stress. All B application rates improved sunflower growth compared to no B control treatment. The moisture deficit treatments of 64 and 53 mm irrigation depths significantly (p<0.05) reduced the yield-related components. Achenes/head, achenes weight and achene yield under water stress conditions were considerably improved by foliar application of B at 30 mg L-1. An increase in protein contents and a decrease in oil contents were observed with B foliar application under moisture deficit treatments. Foliar application of B (30 mg L-1) on water stressed plants also resulted in increased WUE. The highest net benefits were achieved with B concentration of 30 mg L-1 under well-watered and mild deficit water level of 64 mm irrigation depth. The highest application rate of B (45 mg L-1) gave the best results at the most severe water deficit level. In conclusion, the B rates of 30 and 41 mg L-1 performed best for improving drought tolerance in terms of higher sunflower productivity under mild and higher water deficit conditions

Calcium carbide (CaC2): Effect on fruit set and yield of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Langra

Application of slow release calcium carbide (CaC2) to the soil are thought to improve plant growth and yield through the generation of acetylene, which inhibits nitrification, thereby reducing nitrogen losses which may be converted to physiologically significant concentrations of the plant growth regulator ethylene. The effects of different application rates of slow release of CaC2 on the growth and development of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Langra were studied in a field trial in 2009. The rates were 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 g of CaC2 per tree. The NPK was applied at the rate of 2 kg: 1 kg: 1 kg per plant respectively in the form of Urea, DAP and SOP. Half dose of N with whole P and K was applied before flowering, along with the application of CaC2. Results show that number of leaves per flush, leaf area, leaf area index, transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate, final fruit drop, yield per plant, fruit weight, fruit volume, pulp weight, peel weight, juice weight and fruit skin color were significantly affected by the calcium carbide treatment while number of new flushes per branch, number of flowers, flower drop percentage, fruit percentage and stone weight remained unaffected. It was also concluded that cv. Langra showed positive response to different doses of wax-coated CaC2. However, T4 (30 g CaC2 plus NP and K fertilizers) was the most effective treatment with respect to yield and other growth parameters.Keywords: Calcium carbide, Mangifera indica L., stomatal conductance, physiological attributes, total soluble solids, fruit set.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(23), pp. 3669-367

A Review of Numerical Simulation Strategies for Hydraulic Fracturing, Natural Fracture Reactivation and Induced Microseismicity Prediction

Hydraulic fracturing, natural fracture reactivation and resulting induced microseismicity are interconnected phenomena involved in shale gas exploitation. Due to their multi-physics and their complexity, deep understanding of these phenomena as well as their mutual interaction require the adoption of coupled mechanical and fluid flow approaches. Modeling these systems is a challenging procedure as the involved processes take place on different scales of space and also require adequate multidisciplinary knowledge. An extensive literature review is presented here to provide knowledge on the modeling approaches adopted for these coupled problems. The review is intended as a guide to select effective modeling approaches for problems of different complexit

Estimation of Combining Ability for the Development of Hybrid Genotypes in Helianthus annuus L

Plant materials were developed by L×T crossing fashion of nine lines and four testers and their thirty six hybrids were sown in field during 2011 in RCBD design with three replications. Genetic variability, general and specific combining abilities among genotypes was assessed under the research area of department of plant breeding and genetics, university of agriculture, faisalabad, Pakistan. The Line G-93, and G-79 expressed highly significant GCA effects for days to flowering, days to maturity, internodal length, head diameter, %age of filled achenes, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents but they showed best general combiner. Among testers A-85 expressed highly significant GCA effects for days to flowering, days to maturity, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents whereas A-5 exibited best general combiner for days to flowering, days to maturity, internodal length, achene yield per plant and oil contents. The cross G-65×A-85 revealed highest SCA effect for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, head diameter, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents. The results of analysis of variance were determine among entries for all the traits at significant level (p ? 0.01-0.05). Key words: GCA, SCA, line × tester, oil contents and yield