Contemporary challenges confronting Islamic banking & finance

The philosophy of Islamic economics is "brining economics in consonance with Shariah", guiding Islamic banking and finance to abolish interest from operations, has reported a monumental growth, envisaged the most lucrative and unsusceptible segment of the economy. Islamic finance is undoubtedly flourishing worldwide entails trajectory development but at other front it encounters a number of impediments in development since its inception. The emphasis of this study is to encapsulate in tabular form, the contemporary problems and challenges Islamic finance has encountered during the span of last 28-years from 1988 to 2015. The austere Shariah compliance; regulatory and prudential challenges; misconception among western society about Islamic banking philosophy; unavailability of money and capital market for scant Islamic financial instruments; piercing competition; privation of Islamic banking and finance awareness; absence of uniform reporting standards; complexities of regulatory and supervisory issues; lack of central supervisory body, governance and dearth of consensus among Shariah scholars been the precarious challenges among many others. A unified central regulatory and supervisory mechanism required in converging sprinkled Islamic finance practices and to foster a synchronized and standardized regulatory framework consensus need to be developed among all Shariah scholar

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

Boron, zinc and microtone effects on growth, chlorophyll contents and yield attributes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar

The micronutrient required in minute quantity and their deficiency leads to diminished growth and yield of crops. The effect of soil application of Zinc (Zn), Boron (B) and Microtone (MT) on growth, chlorophyll contents, mineral profile and yield components were investigated in rice at Chakkanwali Reclamation Research Station District, Gujranwala, Pakistan in the year 2011. Seven treatments which includes Zn 33% at 3 kg/acre, Zn 33% at 6 kg/acre, B 11.3% at 1.5 kg/acre, B 11.3% at 3 kg/acre, Zn + B at 3 + 1.5 kg/acre, Zn + B at 6 + 3 kg/acre and MT + Zn 6% + B + Fe + Mn + Cu 1% each at 500 ml/acre, and F0 considered as the control were used. The results reveal that foliar application of Zn and B (Zn + B at 6 + 3 kg/acre) were proved as the best balanced fertilizer dose for higher growth and yield response. The plant height, tiller/plant, panicle length, kernels/plant, filled kernel/plant, productive kernel, straw, paddy and biological yield increased up to 29.75, 38.40, 28.19, 25.81, 36.52, 38.52, 32.47, 38.27 and 31.79%, respectively. The chlorophyll contents, B and Zn contents in rice plant also increased significantly as compared to the control. However, the B, Zn and MT application reduced the amylase and protein contents of rice plant at all treatment levels.Keywords: Micronutrients, rice crop, growth, chlorophyll contents, Oryza sativa L., yield attribute

Impact of different moisture regimes and nitrogen rates on yield and yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.)

Nitrogen and irrigation, both are essential to determine the yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.). A field study was accomplished to determine the upshots of different levels of irrigation and varying nitrogen rates on yield, yield contributing attributes and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of maize hybrid on sandy clay loam soil. Different nitrogen rates and moisture regime treatments comprised of N0 = 0, N1 = 100 and N2 = 200kg N ha-1, I1 (25 mm water deficit), I2 (50 mm water deficit), I3 (three irrigations during vegetative development + one irrigation at tasseling stage) and I4 (three irrigations during vegetative development + one irrigation at tasseling stage + one irrigation at silking stage + one irrigation at grain filling stage), respectively. Results showed that maximum grain yield (7.04 t ha-1) was recorded when six irrigations were applied (three irrigations during vegetative development + one irrigation at tasseling stage + one irrigation at silking stage + one irrigation at grain filling stage) coupled with 200 kg N ha-1 (N2 × I4). The lowest grain yield (2.08 t ha-1) was obtained in response to 25 mm water deficits. Overall, N2 × I2 also gave a positive response in terms of yield attributes but highest plant height (160.80 cm), cob length (29.00 cm), number of grains per cob (308.33), 1000-grain weight (294.33 g) and biological yield (25.67 t ha-1) with maximum coefficient of correlation (R2) values (0.9399; 0.8851; 0.9161; 0.8743 and 0.9126), respectively, was attained with N2 × I4 treatment combinations. The superior (RUE) radiation use efficiency (5.33 g MJ-1) with higher R2 value (0.8821) was significantly affected by nitrogen rates and irrigation levels as obtained from N2 × I4 treatment. However, in all treatment combinations, N2 × I4 was superior by producing the highest maize grain yield.Keywords: Moisture regimes, nitrogen rates, deficit irrigation, Zea mays L., radiation use efficiency, maize yiel

Impact of nitrogen nutrition and moisture deficits on growth, yield and radiation use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Crop production in arid and semi arid areas is restricted by soil deficiencies in moisture and plant nutrients, especially nitrogen. In order to evaluate the impact of nitrogen nutrition and moisture deficits on growth, yield and radiation use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a field experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, during 2008 to 2009. The study comprised of four nitrogen levels, that is, N0 = control, N1 = 60, N2 = 120 and N3 = 180 kg N ha-1 and three water deficit levels, that is, I1 = irrigation at 25 mm potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD), I2 = irrigation at 50 mm potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD), I3 = irrigation at 75 mm potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD). Results of the study revealed that maximum grain yield (6.72 t ha-1) was obtained in the case of N3 (180 kg N ha-1) when I2 = irrigation at 50 mm potential soil moisture deficit (I2 × N3) was applied in contrast to lowest grain yield (2.00 t ha-1) in response to I3= irrigation at 75 mm potential soil moisture deficit × no nitrogen (control) (I3 × N0). Highest plant height (86.27 cm), number of spike bearing tillers m-2 (320), grains per spike (49.73), 1000-grain weight (50.55 g), biological yield (15.48 t ha-1), straw yield (8.76 t ha-1) and harvest index (43.42%) increased with increasing levels of nitrogen. The maximum value of these parameters was also observed in I2 where irrigation was applied at 50 mm potential soil moisture deficit. The maximum value of RUE for TDM (6.45 g MJ-1) was observed in I2 × N3 irrigation at 50 mm potential soil moisture deficit and nitrogen (180 kg ha-1) treatment combination. Similarly, maximum RUE for grain yield (2.80 g MJ-1) was observed for nitrogen (50 mm potential soil moisture deficit and 180 kg N ha-1).Keywords: Wheat, nitrogen nutrition, moisture deficits, radiation use efficiency, yield, Triticum aestivum L

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

Evaluation of seed priming on germination of Gladiolus alatus

Seed priming improves seed performance under environmental conditions. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of different priming treatments on germination behavior of Gladiolus alatus. The experiment was conducted under complete randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Seed priming was done with different concentration of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and hydropriming. All the treatments had significant effect on germination percentage, germination test in growth room, time for 50% germination and mean germination time. Results show that maximum invigoration was observed in seeds osmoprimed at lower concentrations of KNO3 and with hydropriming while minimum invigoration was observed at higher concentration of KNO3-. It was concluded that germination percentage can be increased by using lower concentrations of KNO3 and with hydropriming.Key words: Priming, hydropriming, gladiolus, germination

Analysis of morphological traits in different host plants associated with resistance to Phenacoccus solenopsis- an invasive pest in Pakistan

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera) is a sucking insect pest and is polyphagous in nature. Twenty five (25) different host plants were screened against P. solenopsis and their  physicomorphic traits were determined to correlate their role against pest population. Among the tested plant species, most favorable host plants of mealy bug on the basis of population were Gossypium hirsutum (69.74±10.5), Solamum melongena (62.41±10.0), Helianthus annuus (61.83±10.0), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (61.1±10.0) and Lantana camara (55.83±9.75), but the least preferred plants were tandla Digera arvensis (1.57±1.00) and Conyza bonariensis (3.83±1.75). Significant variations were observed in all the morphological plant characters recorded from different plant species. The maximum leaf thickness per plant was 2.04±0.23 ìm in plant species S. melongena while minimum thickness of leaf was recorded from lehli (0.25±0.02 ìm). Maximum trichome density per plant was 444±72.4 in sunflower followed by 411.6±19.6, 399±52, 391.6±22.0, in C. bonariensis, Abelmoschus esculentus and Withania somnifera respectively but minimum were 2.33±1.45 in Chinopodium morale, followed by 2.66±1.4, and 3±2.08 in Portulaca oleracea and Trianthema portulacastrum respectively. The maximum hair length per plant (2.62±0.07 mm) was of sunflower followed by 2.55±0.03 mm in okra, 2.53±0.06 mm in both S. melongena and G. hirsutum. It was concluded that plant characters including trichome density and hair length favor mealy bug population showing r-values of 0.357* and 0.190 respectively but leaf size and leaf width (leaf area and leaf thickness) exerted negative effect on pest population showing r-values of -0.172 and -0.285 respectively.Key words: Phenacoccus solenopsis, invasive species, physicomorphic traits, resistance