Impact of Different Potassium (K) Application on Oil Content of Brassica under Field Condition

Pakistan is confronting a chronic scarcity of domestic edible oil requirements and Brassica, a second largest contributor after cottonseed to the indigenous edible oil production, can play a vital role in saving the huge amount of hard earned foreign exchange of Pakistan. One of the major issues with brassica oil seed production is the water requirement of the brassica crop. To address the problem, field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of potassium and water stress levels on canola (Brassica napus) under field conditions. Seed weight (4.86 g), grain yield (2335.1 kg ha-1), biological yield (8398.7 kg ha-1) and harvest index (27.73 %) were recorded with increase in potassium level up to 120 kg ha-1 and with full irrigation. Maximum oil content (49.9%) were observed in the plants treated with full irrigation of 120 kg K ha-1. Keywords: Brassica, Potassium,Oil Content, Variety, Irrigation, Water Stress, Biological Yield, Hravest Index

Investigation of the oxidative degradation mechanisms and melt stabilisation of a new generation metallocene polytehylene

The two main objectives of the research work conducted were firstly, to investigate the processing and rheological characteristics of a new generation metallocene catalysed linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), in order to establish the thermal oxidative degradation mechanism, and secondly, to examine the role of selected commercial stabilisers on the melt stability of the polymers. The unstabilised m-LLDPE polymer was extruded (pass I) using a twin screw extruder, at different temperatures (210-285°C) and screw speeds (50-20rpm) and was subjected to multiple extrusions (passes, 2-5) carried out under the same processing conditions used in the first pass. A traditional Ziegler/Natta catalysed linear low density polyethylene (z-LLDPE) produced by the same manufacturer was also subjected to a similar processing regime in order to compare the processability and the oxidative degradation mechanism (s) of the new m-LLDPE with that of the more traditional z-LLDPE. The effect of some of the main extrusion characteristics of the polymers (m-LLDPE and z-LLDPE) on their melt rheological behaviour was investigated by examining their melt flow performance monitored at two fixed low shear rate values, and their rheological behaviour investigated over the entire shear rates experienced during extrusion using a twin-bore capillary rheometer. Capillary rheometric measurements, which determine the viscous and elastic properties of polymers, have shown that both polymers are shear thinning but the m-LLDPE has a higher viscosity than z-LLDPE and the extent of reduction in viscosity of the former when the extrusion temperature was increased from 210°C to 285°C was much higher than in the case of the z-LLDPE polymer. This was supplied by the findings that the m-LLDPE polymer required higher power consumption under all extrusion conditions examined. It was fUliher revealed that the m-LLDPE undergoes a higher extent of melt fracture, the onset of which occurs under much lower shear rates than the Ziegler-based polymer and this was attributed to its higher shear viscosity and narrower molecular weight distribution (MWD). Melt flow measurements and GPC have shown that after the first extrusion pass, the initial narrower MWD of m-LLDPE is retained (compared to z-LLDPE), but upon further multiple extrusion passes it undergoes much faster broadening of its MWD which shifts to higher Mw polymer fractions, paliicularly at the high screw speeds. The MWD of z-LLDPE polymer on the other hand shifts towards the lower Mw end. All the evidence suggest therefore the m-LLDPE undergoes predominantly cross-linking reactions under all processing conditions whereas z-LLDPE undergoes both cross-linking and chain scission reactions with the latter occurring predominantly under more severe processing conditions (higher temperatures and screw speeds, 285°CI200rpm). The stabilisation of both polymers with synergistic combinations of a hindered phenol (Irganox 1076) and a phosphite (Weston 399) at low concentrations has shown a high extent of melt stabilisation in both polymers (extrusion temperatures 210-285°C and screw speeds 50-200rpm). The best Irganox 1076/Weston 399 system was found to be at an optimum 1:4 w/w ratio, respectively and was found to be most effective in the z-LLDPE polymer. The melt stabilising effectiveness of a Vitamin E/Ultranox 626 system used at a fraction of the total concentration of Irganox 1076/Weston 399 system was found to be higher in both polymers (under all extrusion conditions). It was found that AOs which operate primarily as alkyl (Re) radical scavengers are the most effective in inhibiting the thermal oxidative degradation of m-LLDPE in the melt; this polymer was shown to degrade in the melt primarily via alky radicals resulting in crosslinking. Metallocene polymers stabilised with single antioxidants of Irganox HP 136 (a lactone) and Irganox E201 (vitamin E) produced the highest extent of melt stability and the least discolouration during processing (260°C/1 OOrpm). Furthermore, synergistic combinations of Irganox HP I 36/Ultranox 626 (XP-60) system produced very high levels of melt and colour stability (comparable to the Vitamin E based systems) in the mLLDPE polymer. The addition of Irganox 1076 to an Irganox HP 136/Ultranox 626 system was found not to result in increasing melt stability but gave rise to increasing discolouration of the m-LLDPE polymer. The blending of a hydroxylamine (lrgastab FS042) with a lactone and Vitamin E (in combination with a phosphite) did not increase melt stability but induced severe discolouration of resultant polymer samples

To Establish the Yield Response Factor (Ky) of Different Soybean Varieties in Northern Area of Pakistan

A field study was conducted on clay loam soil at the Agriculture research institute, Swat during Kharif 2012. Main objective of the study was to determine the yield response factor on maximum,optimal and minimum irrigation levels of soybean varieties, using two varieties (swat 84 and malakand 96) having four replicates and four irrigation levels. Relative yield response (Ky) were determined from relative yield decrease (1-Ya/Ym) and relative evapotranspiration deficit (1-ETa /ETm). Ky values on I1(I40) of variety V1 (Swat 84) were recorded from 0.38 to 1.48 and Ky values on I1of V2(Malakand 96) were recorded from 0.82 to 2.78. Ky values on I2(I60)of variety V1 were recorded from 0.37 to 1.77, and Ky value on I2 of V2 were recorded from 0.79 to 3.23. Ky values on I3(I80) of variety V1 were recorded from 0.30 to 1.52, and Ky values on I3 of V2 were recorded from 0.47 to 3.14. Ky values of variety V1 ranged from 0.30 to 1.77, for V2 it ranged from 0.47 to 3.23.Hence it is concluded that among both the varieties V2 performed better on irrigation two (V2I2), thereforethis strategy is recommended for irrigated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Bentuk Hunian Informal: Studi Kasus tentang Hunian Bertahap di Kampung Melayu Semarang

Permukiman informal mendominasi struktrur kota-kota di dunia dan menjadi tempat tinggal bagi mayoritas penduduk kota. Tahun 2014 tercatat sebanyak 29.7%, atau setara 881 juta penduduk perkotaan di negara-negara berkembang yang tinggal di hunian informal. Selama lebih dari 50 tahun, sudah dilakukan upaya untuk menghadapi keberadaan hunian informal, tetapi tantangan permukiman informal tidak bisa diatasi hanya dengan penggusuran. Pemerintah telah berupaya melakukan peningkatan kualitas fisik Kampung Melayu melalui program KOTAKU yang berfokus menata kawasan hunian informal agar sesuai dengan standar yang ditetapkan. Program tersebut seharusnya juga dapat mengakomodasi kebutuhan spasial penduduk sehingga perlu untuk memahami lokasi secara mendalam untuk dapat mengetahui kebutuhan spasial penduduk yang dilihat dari kondisi fisik eksisting dan bentuk penyediaan huniannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji karakteristik fisik hunian informal di Kampung Melayu yang berfokus pada hunian informal di Jalan Melayu Tengah. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Data dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis isi dan analisis deskriptif. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa kondisi hunian menggunakan pencampuran material permanen dan non-permanen, fasilitas terbatas dan kondisi infrastruktur tidak sesuai standar, ruang publik terbatas pada ruang jalan dan drainase yang diokupansi hunian. Penduduk melakukan berbagai bentuk hunian bertahap yang dibangun berdasarkan kebutuhan spasial penghuninya

Estimation of finite population mean by using minimum and maximum values in stratified random sampling

In this paper we have suggested an improved class of ratio type estimators in estimating the finite population mean when information on minimum and maximum values of the auxiliary variable is known. The properties of the suggested class of estimators in terms of bias and mean square error are obtained up to first order of approximation. Two data sets are used for efficiency comparisons

Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Soybean Water Requirement and Yield in District Swat

A field study was conducted on clay loam soil at the Agriculture research institute, Swat during Kharif 2012. Main objective of the study was to compare the physiological parameter and yield of soybean using two varieties (swat 84 and malakand 96) having four replicates and four irrigation level. The mean of days to emergence for I40, I60, I80, I100 were 7, 6, 7 and 6 respectively. Days to emergence m-2 mean for I40, I60, I80, I100 were 17, 15, 16 and 16 respectively. The mean of plant height for I40, I60, I80, I100 were 69, 71, 71 and 74 respectively. Days to anthesis mean for I40, I60, I80, I100 were 73, 76, 76 and 77 respectively. Days to maturity, mean for I40, I60, I80, I100 were 95, 98, 96 and102 respectively. The plant height and days to maturity were found statistically significant (P ? 0.05) for the selected soybean varieties Results showed that among both the varieties V2 performed better on irrigation four (V2I100) therefore, it is recommended for irrigated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Effect of water deficiency and potassium application on plant growth, osmolytes and grain yield of Brassica napus cultivars

One of the major issues with brassica oil seed production is the water requirement of the brassica crop. To address the problem, field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of potassium (K) and water deficiency levels on canola (Brassica napus L.). Analysis of the data revealed that application of K, irrigation and interactions between irrigation and cultivar (I × C), irrigation and potassium (I × K), potassium and cultivar (K × C), and irrigation and cultivar and potassium (I × C × K) had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on shoot proline content, relative water content, plant fresh weight and grain yield. Potassium application, irrigation and interaction between I × C, K × C, and I × C × K had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on shoot sugar content. Water deficiency increased shoot proline and sugar contents and decreased relative water content. Potassium application increased shoot proline level in a dose dependent manner. Minimum proline and sugar contents and maximum relative water content, plant fresh and dry eight and yield were obtained when 100% irrigation was applied. Maximum grain yield was obtained upon application of 100% irrigation in combination with 120 kg ha–1 K

The Response of Different Soybean Varieties Yield and Yield Components to Different Reduced Irrigation Levels in District Swat of Pakistan

A field study was conducted on clay loam soil at the Agriculture research institute, Swat during Kharif 2012. Main objective of the study was to compare the yield, yield components and harvest index of soybean using two varieties (swat 84 and malakand 96) having four replicates and four irrigation level. Mean of productive pods for I40, I60, I80, I100 were 1078, 1039, 1237 and 1257 respectively. The grain yield mean was obtained for V1 and V2 was 2969 and 3302 respectively and mean of grain yield for I40, I60, I80, I100 were 2724, 2963, 3317 and 3536. Mean of biological yield for I40, I60, I80 and I100 were 6042,6131, 6392, 6558 respectively.Mean harvest index 44% was recorded for V1 and  45% for V2. Results showed that among both the varieties V2 performed better on irrigation four (V2I100) therefore, it is recommended for irrigated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakista

Groundwater Investigation by Using Resistivity Survey in Peshawar, Pakistan

Resistivity survey was conducted in Peshawar to investigate groundwater using Terrameter SAS 4000. Six sites were selected for the studies through feasibility survey to identify feasible points for conducting survey. Data collected was analyzed using 1X1D software which uses principal of conventional theory of curve matching. Resistivity values were compared with standard table of resistivity values of geological formations through which depths to water table was estimated, which were compared to the existing surrounding wells. These local results showed that shallow depths estimated for groundwater table were at Pakistan Forest Institute as saturated sand and gravel, for an average depth to water table of 23 m with respect to ground surface. In University Campus/Professor Colony, Biotechnology, Hayatabad Township site 1, and Site 2 the local groundwater level mostly in sand and gravel materials were at depths of 41 m, 37 m, 92 m and 82 m for different resistivity values. Study concludes that Instead of natural surface flow and seepage, there should be storage in the permeable zone or open dug wells within the planned storages for artificial recharge. Furthermore use of geophysical tools for groundwater investigation provides easy and quick approach as compared to conventional methods of groundwater investigations. Keywords: Groundwater. Resistivity survey. Terrameter SAS 4000. 1X1D software. Geophysical tools. Georefrencing