Repellent potential of medicinal oils against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) under laboratory conditions

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine repellency of five local medicinal oils i.e., neem Azadirachta indica A. Juss., castor Ricinus communis L., rapeseed Brassica napus L., lettuce Lactuca sativa L. and chamomile Anthemis cotula L. against Tribolium castaneum Herbst, each applied at 0.1, 0.5- and 1.0-ml doses. A glass cylinder divided into A, B and C sections with one end close was used. Fifty grams of wheat flour was placed at A and C ends. Twenty freshly emerged T. castaneum was released at the center of cylinder (B). The data was recorded after one-, two- and three-days to count number of T. castaneum at A and C for calculating percentage repellency. All the oils showed repellent potential against T. castaneum as their repellency increased with dose and time exposure. After three days, 100% repellency of T. castaneum was recorded in 0.5- and 1.0-ml doses of neem oil, followed by 6.67±3.33% repellency at 0.1 ml neem oil. After three days, the maximum repellency of T. castaneum in rapeseed, castor, chamomile, and lettuce was 86.67±7.26, 76.67±6.01, 76.67±4.41, and 75.00±7.64%, respectively, all recorded at 1.0 ml dose. Overall, neem oil exhibited significantly more repellency of T. castaneum, whereas castor, lettuce, rapeseed and chamomile were found non-significant with each other. Among doses, although highest repellency was recorded at 1.0 ml dose, but not significantly different from 0.5 ml dose of the individual oil. Therefore, 0.5 ml should be applied per 50 grams of wheat flour to get effective repellency of T. castaneum

Impact of Different Oils as Biopesticide against Sucking Insect Pests in Cotton

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various botanical products on population of sucking complex on cotton crop. The study was conducted at the experimental area of Entomology section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tando Jam during the Kharif Season-2004. Five bio-pesticides i.e. neem oil (500ml/acre), cooking oil (750 ml/acre), linseed oil (750ml/acre), hing (290gm/acre) and cotton oil (750ml/acre) were applied twice against sucking complex (jassid, thrip and whitefly) and compared with an untreated control. It was observed that the efficacy of different bio-pesticides against sucking complex (jassid, whitefly and thrips) varied significantly. All products reduced pest population during both sprays. On an average, neem oil (63.27%) and cotton oil (62.01%) were found to be superior in reducing sucking pest, followed by hing (58.25%), cooking oil (57.18%) and linseed oil (55.24%) respectively

The Effect of the Different Transgenic BT Cotton Technology on the Fiber Quality

Transgenic crops that contain Cry genes from B. thuringiensis (Bt) were commercialized in many countries and widely adopted by farmers over the last 17 years. The cultivation of transgenic crops expressing B. thuringiensis (Bt) toxins to control insect pests provides both economical and environmental benefits from reductions in chemical insecticide use, effective control of pests and minimal impact on non-target organisms. The objective of this research was to know the effect of different transgenic Bt cotton on the fiber quality of different Bt cotton varieties. Three transgenic Bt cotton varieties CCR141, CCRI79 and Bollgard II were planted in the field of Institute of Cotton Research Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences during 2012 and 2013. Randomly 50 bolls lint sample were collected from top, middle and bottom of the cotton plants. The fiber obtained from the boll samples was used to measure the cotton fiber staple length (mm), staple elongation (%), staple micronaire value, staple strength (cN/tex) and staple uniformity (%) by using HVI equipment at Supervision, Inspection and Testing Center of cotton Quality, China. The result shows that lint quality characters of transgenic cotton varieties were not significantly affected compared with conventional non Bt variety during 2012 and 2013 but fiber strength is significantly affected during 2013. In conclusion there was no effect of transgenic Bt cotton on the fiber quality of cotton during 2012 and 2013

The Effect of the Different Transgenic BT Cotton Technology on the Fiber Quality

Transgenic crops that contain Cry genes from B. thuringiensis (Bt) were commercialized in many countries and widely adopted by farmers over the last 17 years. The cultivation of transgenic crops expressing B. thuringiensis (Bt) toxins to control insect pests provides both economical and environmental benefits from reductions in chemical insecticide use, effective control of pests and minimal impact on non-target organisms. The objective of this research was to know the effect of different transgenic Bt cotton on the fiber quality of different Bt cotton varieties. Three transgenic Bt cotton varieties CCR141, CCRI79 and Bollgard II were planted in the field of Institute of Cotton Research Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences during 2012 and 2013. Randomly 50 bolls lint sample were collected from top, middle and bottom of the cotton plants. The fiber obtained from the boll samples was used to measure the cotton fiber staple length (mm), staple elongation (%), staple micronaire value, staple strength (cN/tex) and staple uniformity (%) by using HVI equipment at Supervision, Inspection and Testing Center of cotton Quality, China. The result shows that lint quality characters of transgenic cotton varieties were not significantly affected compared with conventional non Bt variety during 2012 and 2013 but fiber strength is significantly affected during 2013. In conclusion there was no effect of transgenic Bt cotton on the fiber quality of cotton during 2012 and 2013

Performance of pheromone and light traps in monitoring and management of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tuta absoluta is an invasive, oligophagous pest that has been recently reported from Pakistan. Although originated from South America, it has now introduced and spread in almost all the tomato growing areas of the globe including Pakistan. Therefore, delta type pheromone traps containing synthetic 0.8 mg pheromone along with various colored light traps i.e., red, blue, golden, white, and green were evaluated for the monitoring and management of T. absoluta. Weekly observations were taken for the mean capture of T. absoluta moths in traps along with mean infestation percentage on leaves, stems and fruits of tomato. Results indicated that all the traps were found effective to attract T. absoluta moths, but they vary in their effectiveness to capture moths. Pheromone traps capture only males, whereas light traps attracted both the sexes. Significantly the highest number of males were captured in female synthesized pheromone traps, followed by golden color light traps, whereas red color light traps capture least number of males. Males captured in blue, white, and green color light traps were not significantly different from each other. Significantly the highest number of females were captured in golden color light traps, followed by blue color trap, whereas females capture in white and green color light traps were not significantly different from each other. The least number of females were captured in red color light traps. The tomatoes grown in golden color light and pheromone traps significantly suffered the lowest infestation, followed by blue, white, and green color light traps, whereas maximum damage was observed in red color light trap treatment. Only temperature showed a significant but very weak influence on the performance of various traps to attract T. absoluta moths. Therefore, studies should be undertaken to evaluate various combination of light traps with pheromone to maximize the capture T. absoluta moths, that could not only help in its early monitoring and detection but could lead to its mass destruction

Population Fluctuation and Damage Potential of Red Flour Beetle on Different Dry Fruits under Laboratory Conditions

The study was conducted to determine the population fluctuation of red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum on different dry fruits under laboratory conditions from 6th March 2015 to 24th July 2015. Four different dry fruits viz; T1 (almonds), T2 (walnuts), T3 (peanuts), T4 (cashew nuts) and T5 (wheat as control) were used in the experiment. The standard weight of 50g of every dry fruit was kept in plastic jars and covered with muslin cloth. Ten pairs of beetles were released in each jar. Observations were recorded at fortnight interval and population of the live beetles was counted. Results of the study showed that the population of red flour beetles gradually increased in all the treatments control with respect to time. The highest overall mean population of T. castaneum was recorded in wheat (61.61±10.02) followed by cashew nuts (52.90±8.26), almonds (50.01±7.81) and walnuts (43.56±5.89). The lowest population of red flour beetles (27.41±8.26) was recorded in peanut. The highest weight loss was recorded in wheat (18.8 %), followed by cashew nuts (15.6%), almonds (14%), walnuts (11.2%) and peanuts (8%) respectively

Influence of Varying Temperature on Life Stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) under Laboratory Conditions

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different temperatures on life stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on frozen eggs of Sitotroga crealella. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions at | department of Plant Protection, SAU, Tandojam Sindh, Pakistan during 2013-14. The result revealed that the maximum hatching 88 % of eggs was recorded at 28 ºC followed by 25, 31, 22, 34 and 37 ºC. The highest mortality (dx) was recorded in first instar at 34 ºC followed by at 22, 31, 37, 25 and 28 ºC, whereas, minimum (dx) was recorded in third instar and pupal stages as well. The highest and lowest apparent mortality (100qx) was observed in the first instar and egg stages at 37 ºC. The data further depicted that the highest survival fraction (Sx) was recorded as (0.98) in second instar, third instar and pupa at 28 ºC, whereas, the lowest (Sx) was observed as (0.13) in the first instar at 37 ºC. The maximum indispensable mortality (IM) was 42 in egg stage at 37 ºC and lowest 1.0 in pupal stage at all temperature regimes. The number of the surviving at the beginning of the stage (lx) was highest 39 adults emerged at 28 ºC followed by 31, 24, 20 and 5 adults emerged at 25, 31, 22 and 34 ºC, respectively. On the other hand, minimum total generation mortality (K) was recorded as 0.11 at 28 ºC followed by 0.21, 0.32, 0.40, and 1.00 at 25, 31, 22 and 34 ºC, respectively. The minimum duration from egg to adult emergence was 12.0 days at 34 ºC and maximum 23.5 days at 22 ºC. There was significant difference between the duration and treatments (

Rearing of Adult Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on Different Artificial Diets in the laboratory

A laboratory study was conducted on rearing of adult Green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on different artificial diets. Study was conducted under laboratory conditions at | department of Plant Protection, SAU, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan during 2013-14 to determined better artificial diet for mass rearing of adult C. carnea. Six diets containing water:honey:yeast i.e., D1 (20ml:2g:2g), D2 (20ml:4g:2g), D3 (20ml:6g:2g), water:sugar:yeast D4(20ml:2g:2g), D5 (20ml:4g:2g), D6 (20 ml:6g:2g) and two diets containing water:gur:yeast i.e., D7 (20ml:2g:2g), D8(20ml:4g:2g), D9 (20 ml:6g:2g) were tested. The results showed that maximum pre-oviposition period (11.5 ± 3.95 days) recorded, oviposition period (18.0 ± 0.91 days) and post-oviposition period (5.0 ± 0.71 days) was recorded on D4, D9 and D1, respectively. Minimum pre-oviposition period (7.25 ± 0.25 days), oviposition period (5.0 ± 1.73 days) and post-oviposition period (2.5 ± 0.87 days) was recorded on D8, D4, and D7, respectively. The highest fecundity (342.5 ± 89.55 eggs) was recorded on D9, whereas the lowest fecundity (42.5 ± 5.48 eggs) was recorded on D4. The eggs laid by female fed on D4 took lesser time (1.75 ± 0.66 days) to hatch. Maximum larval and pupal longevity was recorded in larvae of adults fed on D9. The adults lived longer for 30.0 ± 0.91 days on D9. The maximum egg hatching (55 %), larval-pupal transformation (45 %) and adults emergence (30 %) was recorded on D9. It is concluded that D9was found the best one for mass rearing of adult C. carnea

Effect of Varying Levels of Nitrogen on the Growth and Yield of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Nitrogen (N) fertilization at higher rates enhances the yield of crop plants; however, overuse of N in cultivation of crop not only decreased Nitrogen Use Efficiency of crop plants but caused severe environmental pollution. Hence, the optimum use of N is perquisite for sustainable development of Agriculture. This study was carried out during 2016, to evaluate the effect of various nitrogen applications on the economic performance of muskmelon. This research work was laid out at experimental site of Horticulture orchard SAU Tandojam with three replications in RCBD. The growth and yield performance of muskmelon was assessed by using six nitrogen (N) levels viz; 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1. Two varieties including Chandny and golden tumbro were used in the current study.The result showed that effect of different nitrogen doses on the economic important parameters of muskmelon was significant (