Expression and sequence characterization of growth hormone binding protein of Nili-Ravi buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) was isolated from the liver of Nili-Ravi buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplified and sequence characterized. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated high degree sequence identities (97.3 to 99.6%) of BbGHBP cDNA with Bos taurus, Ovis aries and Capra hircus. An expression plasmid was constructed for the production of BbGHBP in Escherichia coli BL21 (RIPL) CodonPlus under the control of T7lac promoter. On induction with isopropyl β-D thiogalactopyranoside, the BbGHBP was expressed at levels >30% of the total E. coli proteins. The target protein expressed as inclusion bodies was solubilized in denaturing solution and refolded by step/pulsatile dilution method using cysteine and cystine redox potential. Purification to near homogeniety (>98%) was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography with a recovery yield of 64%. Mass spectrometric analysis of the purified BbGHBP showed a single peak of 30,756 Da. A radioprotein assay evaluated the binding affinity of recombinant BbGHBP with iodinated bovine growth hormone (bGH) which demonstrated active conformation of BbGHBP. These results demonstrate high expression and sequence characterization of BbGHBP in Nili-Ravi buffaloes and provide the basis for the assessment of BbGHBP in other breeds of buffalo.Keywords: Liver, Nili-Ravi buffalo, GHBP, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, radioprotein binding assay, refoldin

Gastric Antral Web in a 103-Year-Old Patient

Copyright © 2011 Waheed Gul et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 1

Effect of Deficit Irrigations and Sowing Methods on Mung Bean Productivity

A field experiment was designed to study the response of Mungbean to deficit irrigation levels and sowing methods. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement replicated three times. Water treatments were controlled at I0 (zero percent irrigation), I33 (33% of full irrigation), I67 (67% of full irrigation) and I100 (full irrigation). Full irrigation was determined on the basis of 65% management allowed deficit (MAD). Results shows that I67 and I100 not significant for pods plant-1 while these were highly significant for the sowing methods. The pods per plant are highly significant for I0 and I33 levels. The sowing methods and irrigation levels both have significant impact on grain yield and biological yield. The biological yields continuously and consistently increase with the increase in irrigation levels. The harvest index of Mungbean and its water productivity both increase in irrigation levels certain level. The maximum irrigation applied at 65% MAD substantially decreases the Mungbean water productivity when compared to the harvest index. It was concluded that Mungbean MAD in semi-arid region of Peshawar may be exploited further; more moisture contents may be further extracted before applying next irrigation in raised bed technique in special and as usual in flat beds. Keywords: Deficit irrigation, Irrigation levels, Sowing method, Growth attributes, Mung bean

Impact of Community Orgnizations (CO’S) on Rice Productivity in District Malakand Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The research study was conducted in selected villages of district Malakand to study the impact of Community Organizations (CO’s) on rice productivity. A total of 70 respondents having different characteristics were interviewed. The main dependent variable was rice productivity which was studied in relation to other variables, inputs and in their application. Contact with various government departments and private sector by (CO’s) to the respondents. The results of the research study show that 7% of the farmers stated the problem of low productivity due to insect/pest attack, reasons were increase cost of the of the insecticides and pesticides. Majority of the respondents as 42.9 % purchased their seed for growing rice crop while the second dominant group was those with their own seed numbered about 32.9 %. Some of the respondents were those who used to grow seed of their own as well they also purchased some of the seed from market, were about 22.9 %. Majority of the sample respondents stated that their source of information regarding various inputs was (CO’s) following by Agri. Extension and fellow farmers. The satisfaction level of the sampled respondents was 81.4 % while 82.9 % sampled respondents stated that their production was increased due to the assistance and credit provided to them by (CO’s). The statistics of the paired T-test shows that the result was highly significant at the rate of 5% sample size and the production was increased by 10.39 % which show the effectiveness of (CO’s) activities in the area. It was concluded from the study that majority of respondents were literate, got proper technical assistance from (CO’s), agricultural extension departments and private companies. On the basis of findings it was recommended that all type of farmers should be involved in such activities and state should encourage the organizations to increase the productivity of various crops, the same techniques of assistance and credit should be adopted for other regions of the country. Keywords: Community Organizations, Rice productivity, variables, statics, technical assistance

Effect of Deficit Irrigations and Sowing Methods on Mung Bean Productivity

A field experiment was designed to study the response of Mungbean to deficit irrigation levels and sowing methods. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement replicated three times. Water treatments were controlled at I0 (zero percent irrigation), I33 (33% of full irrigation), I67 (67% of full irrigation) and I100 (full irrigation). Full irrigation was determined on the basis of 65% management allowed deficit (MAD). Results shows that I67 and I100 not significant for pods plant-1 while these were highly significant for the sowing methods. The pods per plant are highly significant for I0 and I33 levels. The sowing methods and irrigation levels both have significant impact on grain yield and biological yield. The biological yields continuously and consistently increase with the increase in irrigation levels. The harvest index of Mungbean and its water productivity both increase in irrigation levels certain level. The maximum irrigation applied at 65% MAD substantially decreases the Mungbean water productivity when compared to the harvest index. It was concluded that Mungbean MAD in semi-arid region of Peshawar may be exploited further; more moisture contents may be further extracted before applying next irrigation in raised bed technique in special and as usual in flat beds. Keywords: Deficit irrigation, Irrigation levels, Sowing method, Growth attributes, Mung bean

Assesment of Salinity and Alkalinity of Groundwater and It Relation to the Geochemical Propersties of Soil in a Specific Site of Lasbela Region

The study was conducted on assessment of salinity and alkalinity of groundwater and it relation to the geochemical properties of soil in a specific site of Lasbela region during 2013-14. Field data was collected through questionnaires. Water and soil samples were collected from 32 randomly selected sites. Both soil and water were analyzed for Electrical Conductivity and SAR by following standard procedures. The general trend line showed that soil salinity increased with an increase in water salinity. ECw has significantly affected the soil properties sites. The Alkanity levels both at water and soil differ significantly with each other. Alkanity of soil is increasing with the application of sodic water. Alkanity levels of groundwater used for irrigation of crops didn’t have a significant relation for soil Alkanity at different sites of the study area. There is an inverse relationship between Electrical conductivity and Sodium Adsorption Ratio. The saline groundwater quality from the irrigation to the whole region is although causing reduction in soil alkanity but it is causing lesser impact when compared to the individual sites in the study area. Keywords: Salinity, Alkanity, Sodium Absorption Ratio, Electrical Conductivity, Assessmen

Characterization of Salinity and Sodicity Levels in Groundwater and Their Impact on the Yield of Banana (Musa Indicata) in District Lasbela

The study on characterization of different levels of salinity and sodicity was carried in district Lasbela during 2012-2013.The study area is situated between 24°-54 and 26°-37 north latitude and 64°-02 and 67°-28 east longitude. Lasbela’s geography and landscape is diverse and interesting. A total no 32 groundwater samples were collected from the study area. Water was characterized in accordance to the diagram for the classification of irrigation waters based on EC and SAR values. 94 % of the sites were falling in the high salinity class of C3 where as only 6% of the sites were falling in the C4 class. On the other hand, nearly 81% of the sites have SAR values below 10, which fall in the low category of sodicity S1. Hence only 19% of the sites have medium SAR. The percentage of the salts of the same site is higher when compared to its sodicity. The combined ECw-SAR classification of groundwater of 81% of the samples are in C3-S1 class followed by the respective classes of C4-S1 and C4-S2 at 13% and 6% of the groundwater analysed. Such water is classified as highly and very highly saline for irrigation. The average yield of banana in the whole area was 7447 kg/ha/year. ECw has no impact on yield of crops in the region. However a weak but general increase in salinity shows a bit increasing trend in yield while a minute increase in salinity shows a decreasing trend. Also SAR has no noimpact on yield of crops in the region. This might be because of use of such water that was entirely feasible particularly on light (sandy) soils. The present groundwater may be considerably better under many conditions that might be usable which be able to be successfully be applied to produce good yields of salt tolerant crops. Keywords: Lasbela, Groundwater Quality, Salinity, Sodicity, Yield, Banana, USDA

Comparative Study of Crop Water Requirement of Traditional and Hybrid Sorghum Varieties

An experiment was conducted to compare the crop water requirement of traditional and hybrid sorghum varieties at University of Agriculture Peshawar research farm. Soil moisture samples were collected to calculate Actual evapotranspiration for each variety. Maximum actual evapotranspiration of hybrid variety at full irrigation was 52% more than traditional variety at rainfed conditions (with pre irrigation). The crop coefficient (Kc) for different stages of V1Io, V2Io, V1I1, V2I1, V1I2 and V2I2 ranged from 0.24-0.55, 0.27-0.61, 0.49-0.86, 0.47-0.92, 0.37-0.88 and 0.39-1.00 to respective values of FAO ranging from 0.35-1.1. Both the local and hybrid varieties are not significantly different from each other in terms of water productivity at all irrigation levels. Highest crop water productivity (0.61 kg m-3) was observed for V2I1 and lowest (0.43 kg m-3) for V1I0. Yield of hybrid variety was 62% more than the lowest grain yield of traditional variety under rainfed condition. At the full irrigation for traditional variety this percentage reduces to 59%. The reduction is only due to change in variety. Maximum harvest index (21%) was recorded for V2I1 and minimum (11%) for V1Io. Keywords: Crop water productivity, traditional and hybrid sorghum, soil moisture sampling, full Irrigation, evapotranspiration.