Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of Some Morphological and Quality Traits in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

The aim of present study was to enhance the efficiency of selection by developing new artificial variables which will serve as selection criterion. Brix value and sucrose percentage were positively and highly significantly correlated. Both of these showed positive significant association with cane diameter, dry matter content and commercial cane sugar (CCS). Strong positive correlation was found between CCS and juice contents. The PCA revealed that first 4 PCs explained more than 85% of the total variation. The PC1 added 35.4% share to the total variation while the share of PC2 was 27.2%. The contribution of PC3 and PC4 was 14.3% and 8.7% respectively. The remaining nine PCs explained only about 15% of the total variation. By probing screen plot it was evident that first 9 PCs have considerable variability while in remaining 4 PCs differences were negligible. Biplot exposed that in the PC1 and PC2 together internodal length and commercial cane sugar (CCS) showed minimum differences while other traits showed more differences. The information thus acquired from the research could be utilized to frame the suitable selection scheme to develop clones of the best commercial merits, suitable for cultivation in different environments

Methyl 2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate

The title compound, C11H8O4, features an almost planar molecule (r.m.s. deviation = 0.033 Å for all non-H atoms). In the crystal, the molecules are linked via C-H...O hydrogen bonds, forming two-dimensional networks lying parallel to (1-21)

Irrigation Water Quality Based on Hydro Chemical Analysis, District Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

The global renewable fresh water resources are finite and are rapidly diminishing due to increase population at an alarming rate. This situation inclined the former community to switch over to alternative strategies. Water use practices in the country are not in accordance with water conservation and quality requirements. Tube well water is one of the most common resources to support the irrigation in situation of canal water scarcity. However, tube well water has its bad effects on soil properties and crop yield, considering the importance of tube well water, present study was conducted for the quality assessment of tube well water to provide guidelines to farmer and researches for better crop production by adopting water management strategies. Tube well water quality is major contribution factor towards the low yields of crops in Pakistan, as it is not fit for irrigation in most of the areas. Total 17337 water samples were collected from all the four tehsils of district Rahim Yar Khan during the year July 2003 to June 2010. These samples were analyzed and categorized according to suitability criteria of water quality evaluation. 45 percent water samples were found fit, 11 percent were marginally fit and 44 percent water samples were found unfit for irrigation purpose. Majority of water samples were found hazardous for irrigation purpose. There is need to analyze the existing water resources and recommending comprehensive conservation and management strategy in view of catering the planning requirements for the future. Keywords: EC, Ground water, Pakistan, Rahim Yar Khan, RSC, SAR

Strength properties of polymer mortar panels using methyl methacrylate solution of waste expanded polystyrene as binder

The present study examines the applicability of polymermortarpanels using a methylmethacrylate (MMA) solution of wasteexpandedpolystyrene (EPS) to develop effective recycling processes for the EPS, referring to the strengthproperties of a polymer-impregnated mortarpanel with almost the same performance as commercial products. An MMA solution of EPS is prepared by dissolving EPS in MMA, and unreinforced and steel fiber-reinforced polymermortars are mixed using the EPS-MMA-based solution as a liquid resin or binder. Polymermortarpanels (PMPs) using the EPS-MMA-based polymermortars without and with steel fiber and crimped wire cloth reinforcements and steel fiber-reinforced polymer-impregnated mortarpanel (PIMP) are prepared on trial, and tested for flexural behavior under four-point loading. The EPS-MMA-based PMPs are more ductile than the PIMP, and have a high load-bearing capacity. Consequently, they can replace PIMP in practical applications

Distribution and Indexation of Plant Available Nutrients of Soils in the District Bahawalpur, Pakistan

A total of 2600 soil samples collected from all tehsils of Bahawalpur district (590 samples from tehsil Bahawalpur, 227 samples from Khair Pur Tamewali, 594 samples from Ahmed Pur East, 439 samples from Hasilpur and 750 soil samples from Yazman) were tested in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during 2011-2013. Soil characteristics of Bahawalpur district were evaluated through physical and chemical analyses. Representative soil samples received/collected from farmers fields were analyzed for texture, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic matter (OM), available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents. Texture of the soils varied from sandy loam to loam. About 75% soils had EC values within the normal range (< 4 dS m-1). The pH values of 94% soils ranged from 7.5 to 8.5 with an average of 8.09 and 5% soils had pH > 8.5. About 96% soils were poor (< 0.86%) in organic matter and only 4% samples had satisfactory level of organic matter (0.86-1.29%). About 63% soils were poor(< 7 ppm) in available phosphorus, 30 % samples had satisfactory level of available phosphorus (7-14 ppm) and only 7% samples had adequate level of available phosphorus (>14 ppm) contents. The K status of most of soils was in satisfactory (63%) and adequate range (23%). The nutrient index values of Bahawalpur soils in respect of SOM and P were poor, whereas satisfactory for potassium. Depending upon the soil analysis, farmers were guided and fertilizer recommendations were served according to crop, soil and water/rainfall conditions for harvesting higher yield of different crops. Keywords: Soil Analysis, EC, pH, SOM, P, K, Bahawalpur, Nutrient inde

When technology-based learning is the only option : evaluating perceived usefulness of social media

During unusual times involving discontinued face to face sessions in formal education settings, mobile learning (m-learning) involving social networking sites has become a popular alternative since students are always in possession of handheld electronic devices. When connection through technology was the only option due to social distancing in current pandemic, students who were already active extensive users of social networks found online learning as a new way of getting formal education. The objective of this study was to explore how the state of student’s behavioral intention for social media based online learning is driven by external factors like subjective norm and self-efficacy. To fulfill this aim, this study uses a quantitative approach to study the factors that mediate the decision behavior of students towards social media employed as a learning platform and use of m-learning involving social networks. A sample of management science students (n= 255) from four universities participated in the research. Analysis of data suggested that subjective norm and self-efficacy were significant predictors for student participation in e-learning initiatives involving social media and networks. The proposed serial mediation model revealed that self-efficacy and perceived usefulness in that order were playing a positive significant role in student use of social networking for learning. No significant differences were observed between either gender when self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, and use of social media in education were considered. © 202

Exploiting Genotypic Variability among Cotton Cultivars for Potassium Use Efficiency

Crop responses to potassium in Pakistan are sporadic. Furthermore farmers are reluctant to use K fertilizer, depleting K in soil. Cultivation of efficient K-utilization genotypes may be a promising alternate strategy. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to study the differential growth response and K-utilization efficiency among cotton genotypes. We evaluated growth response and potassium utilization efficiency of 7 cotton cultivars grown under adequate (3.0 mM) and deficient (0.3 mM) K supply in hydroponics. Cultivars were grown for 4-5 weeks to study growth physiological parameters relating tolerance against K deficiency. Cultivars differed significantly in biomass production, shoot K concentration, uptake and use efficiency at both levels of K supply. Shoot and root biomass production was significantly decreased due to K deficiency stress. Reduction in shoot dry matter varied significantly among cultivars and efficient cultivars showed minimum reduction in shoot dry matter due to K deficiency. The result indicated significant genetic differences in K utilization efficiency among cotton cultivars which can be exploited for breeding efficient cultivars to be grown under low K soils especially in low input sustainable agriculture Keywords: Cotton, potassium, genetic variations, nutrient use efficienc

Evaluation of Ground Water Quality for Irrigation Purpose of the Areas of District Bahawalnagar, Pakistan

Water is life line for all living creation including human beings. Economy of Pakistan is agricultural based and it mainly dependent on canal supplies. Before the introduction of irrigation system the water table was sufficiently deep but due to lack of drainage facilities and improper management practices, adopting by the farmers, the water table came up resulting water logging & salinity problems. Indus basin abundant resources of ground water, the quality of which various from sweets to very saline in different tracts. However a thin layer of good quality is present almost everywhere, where exists an immense potential for the use of these water resources for agriculture, municipal and industrial use. Keeping in this view a detailed study was carried out to provide guidelines to farmers and researches for better crop production by adopting water management practices. Total 23600 water samples were collected from all the five tehsils of district Bahawalnagar during the year July 2003 to June 2010. These samples were analyzed and categorized according to suitability criteria of water quality evaluation. 38.64 percent water samples were found fit, 7.65 percent were marginally fit and 53.7 percent water samples were found unfit for irrigation purpose. Majority of water samples were found hazardous for irrigation purpose. Almost all the area has highly saline water, which is affected yield of various crops. Keywords: EC, SAR, RSC, Ground water, Bahawalnagar, Pakistan