Investigation of Irrigation Water Requirement and Evapotranspiration for Water Resource Management in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Water scarcity and water quality degradation are exacerbated by climate change in all countries, including Pakistan. The use of water in agriculture is one of the most predominant resources, so reducing consumption and improving resource management is of utmost importance. In the past few decades, excessive irrigation has led to severe water scarcity and reduced water quality. This study determined the irrigation requirements for cotton, rice, and wheat, using the CROPWAT model in Southern Punjab (Multan District). In the study area, evapotranspiration ranged from 1.8 to 10.24 mm/day, while effective rainfall ranged from 2 to 31.3 mm. Rice, cotton, and wheat each required 996.4, 623.3, and 209.5 mm of irrigation, respectively. Among rice, cotton, and wheat, the total net irrigation was 72.4, 67.8, and 44.1 mm, respectively, while the total gross irrigation was 103.5, 99.8, and 63 mm. The CROPWAT model showed a moderately useful result for identifying irrigation needs in Southern Punjab. The study emphasizes the need for groundwater harvesting and water management technologies to implement a water management system that reduces water shortages

Climate change risk perception and adaptation to climate smart agriculture are required to increase wheat production for food security

Climate change poses a serious risk to wheat farmers in many regions of the world. The present study was conducted in the Sialkot District, Punjab, Pakistan, to investigate climate change trends during the past thirty years and to determine farmers’ knowledge and perceptions about climate change. The study also addresses the impacts of climate change on wheat production, current adaptation strategies, and limitations in adaptations to climate-smart agriculture (CSA) through a questionnaire-based survey. The historical weather data from the past thirty years indicated an increase in the mean annual minimum and maximum temperature and a decrease in annual total precipitation. Wheat productivity during the past thirty years showed an increasing trend but it was inconsistent. The respondents’ perception of climate change indicated that the literate farmers and those with broad farming experience were more knowledgeable about the climatic effects on wheat production. However, the survey results showed that the age of the farmers did not affect their perceptions. The current management practices are primarily based on prior experiences (70%) and traditional practices (30%). The standard management practices to increase farm productivity include an increase in fertilizer use (70%), a decrease in manure use (24%), and intercropping or switching to other crop cultivations (60%). The farmers stated that their reasons for limited adaptation to climate smart farm practices (CSFP) were due to their lack of knowledge and skills (86%), lack of modern technologies (74%), economic constraints (78%), politics (86%), and social influences (74%). Based on the survey results, the study suggests that addressing these gaps can increase farm-level wheat productivity to increase resilience. This can be achieved by introducing stateof- the-art farming practices through farmer training and by providing institutional services with a focus on climate-specific farm consultation services, leading to climate-smart agricultural practices for improved food security. Highlights - Literate farmers are more aware of climate change as compared to illiterate farmers. - The farmers emphasized the increase in both the summer and winter temperature. - Rainfall is identified as a major climate threat in the study area. - The farmers identified that the highest impact of climate change occurred during the harvest phase of wheat. - The farmers stated that the limited adoption of climate smart agricultural practices is due to lack of knowledge and technological, economic, and other gaps

Deforestation perspectives of dry temperate forests: main drivers and possible strategies

Deforestation is the accelerating factor of climate change in developing countries. The German Watch Report 2020 had rated Pakistan number seventh most affected country due to adverse impacts of climate change. The problem of deforestation poses an existential danger to the forest-depleted country. It is of utmost importance to predict the main drivers to control deforestation. This study was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022 in dry temperate forests of the Chilas to investigate the current condition, causes of deforestation, and predicted the main drivers by using a binary regression model. Stratified random sampling techniques and fixed area plot method were used and taken ground measurements during field inventory to access current situation of deforestation. While a non-probability quota sampling technique and semi-structured questionnaire were utilized for the determination of main drivers of deforestation through respondent’s survey. The forest inventory result showed that most trees fall in immature and sub-mature (mainly in 10–20 and 20–30 cm) diameter classes while the binary logistic regression model predicted dominating four primary drivers (unsustainable fuel wood extraction, unsustainable timber extraction and urban crawling and rural expansion/habituation, and free and uncontrolled livestock grazing) and one secondary driver (wood for energy needs). To address the underlying causes of deforestation, the government must supply alternate energy sources, as well as other economic possibilities to reduce dependency on forests

Photon shot-noise limited transient absorption soft X-ray spectroscopy at the European XFEL

Femtosecond transient soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) is a very promising technique that can be employed at X-ray Free Electron Lasers (FELs) to investigate out-of-equilibrium dynamics for material and energy research. Here we present a dedicated setup for soft X-rays available at the Spectroscopy & Coherent Scattering (SCS) instrument at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (EuXFEL). It consists of a beam-splitting off-axis zone plate (BOZ) used in transmission to create three copies of the incoming beam, which are used to measure the transmitted intensity through the excited and unexcited sample, as well as to monitor the incoming intensity. Since these three intensity signals are detected shot-by-shot and simultaneously, this setup allows normalized shot-by-shot analysis of the transmission. For photon detection, the DSSC imaging detector, which is capable of recording up to 800 images at 4.5 MHz frame rate during the FEL burst, is employed and allows approaching the photon shot-noise limit. We review the setup and its capabilities, as well as the online and offline analysis tools provided to users.Comment: 11 figure

Growth and physiology of basmati rice under conventional and water-saving production systems

Jabran, Khawar/0000-0001-8512-3330;WOS: 000403930600012Conventionally flooded rice (CFR) requires enormous water and labor inputs. Water scarcity aspires for cultivation of water-saving rice. Growth response and physiology of basmati rice genotypes under the water-saving production systems has not been reported yet. Studies were conducted for 2 years to compare the growth and physiology of three rice cultivars (Super Basmati, Basmati-2000 and Shaheen Basmati), under high (CFR), medium (alternate wetting and drying [AWD]) and low water input (aerobic rice [AR]) systems. Leaf area index, crop growth rate, leaf area duration and dry matter accumulation were higher for AR followed by AWD and CFR, respectively. Shaheen Basmati had a lower growth and relative water contents than Super Basmati and Basmati-2000, probably due to its shorter stature and shorter life cycle. Photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of rice cultivars in the different production were affected only at reproductive stage. Basmati-2000 grown as AR had the highest photosynthetic rate followed by the same cultivar under AWD. The results of this study provide us an idea that basmati cultivars can attain a high growth and development with low water input. This would be helpful to grow rice successfully under water-short rice-growing environments

Investigation of Irrigation Water Requirement and Evapotranspiration for Water Resource Management in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Water scarcity and water quality degradation are exacerbated by climate change in all countries, including Pakistan. The use of water in agriculture is one of the most predominant resources, so reducing consumption and improving resource management is of utmost importance. In the past few decades, excessive irrigation has led to severe water scarcity and reduced water quality. This study determined the irrigation requirements for cotton, rice, and wheat, using the CROPWAT model in Southern Punjab (Multan District). In the study area, evapotranspiration ranged from 1.8 to 10.24 mm/day, while effective rainfall ranged from 2 to 31.3 mm. Rice, cotton, and wheat each required 996.4, 623.3, and 209.5 mm of irrigation, respectively. Among rice, cotton, and wheat, the total net irrigation was 72.4, 67.8, and 44.1 mm, respectively, while the total gross irrigation was 103.5, 99.8, and 63 mm. The CROPWAT model showed a moderately useful result for identifying irrigation needs in Southern Punjab. The study emphasizes the need for groundwater harvesting and water management technologies to implement a water management system that reduces water shortages

Investigation of Irrigation Water Requirement and Evapotranspiration for Water Resource Management in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Water scarcity and water quality degradation are exacerbated by climate change in all countries, including Pakistan. The use of water in agriculture is one of the most predominant resources, so reducing consumption and improving resource management is of utmost importance. In the past few decades, excessive irrigation has led to severe water scarcity and reduced water quality. This study determined the irrigation requirements for cotton, rice, and wheat, using the CROPWAT model in Southern Punjab (Multan District). In the study area, evapotranspiration ranged from 1.8 to 10.24 mm/day, while effective rainfall ranged from 2 to 31.3 mm. Rice, cotton, and wheat each required 996.4, 623.3, and 209.5 mm of irrigation, respectively. Among rice, cotton, and wheat, the total net irrigation was 72.4, 67.8, and 44.1 mm, respectively, while the total gross irrigation was 103.5, 99.8, and 63 mm. The CROPWAT model showed a moderately useful result for identifying irrigation needs in Southern Punjab. The study emphasizes the need for groundwater harvesting and water management technologies to implement a water management system that reduces water shortages

Vitamin D status correlates with the markers of cystic fibrosis-related pulmonary disease

Background: The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency remains high in cystic fibrosis despite daily supplementation. Vitamin D as an immunomodulator has been related to lower respiratory tract infections in children. The present study was undertaken to examine the association between vitamin D status and markers of cystic fibrosis-related pulmonary disease including exacerbations, bacterial colonization and pulmonary function. Methods: The study includes review of records of 51 cystic fibrosis patients. Baseline patient variables and serum vitamin D levels were recorded. Based on vitamin D levels study patients were divided into three groups: vitamin-D sufficient (≥20 ng/mL), vitamin-D insufficient (12 to 20 ng/mL), and vitamin D-deficient (≤12 ng/ml). Results: The proportion of children with deficient, insufficient and sufficient vitamin D levels were 47.1%, 15.7%, and 37.2%, respectively. Female sex, bacterial colonization and a greater number of exacerbations were associated with highest odds of developing vitamin D deficiency in patients with CF with 1.77 (0.22–4.61) (p = 0.002), 2.9(0.57−14.82) (p = 0.011), and 5.12 (1.28−20.50) (p = 0.021) respectively. The comparison of vitamin-D levels taken during exacerbations, colonization and during routine follow-up were significant [16.04 (7.42−27.91), 24.3 (15.5−32.4) and 48.54 (18.37−78.7) ng/ml, p < 0.001]. The FEV1 was determined in 24 patients; the comparison was significant between vitamin D-deficient and -sufficient groups [0.75 (0.717−0.777) vs. 0.82 (0.74−0.92) p < 0.05]. Conclusion: We concluded that vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in children with CF, despite daily supplementation of the vitamin in diet. Further, vitamin D deficiency was associated with a higher rate of pulmonary exacerbations and higher incidence of pulmonary bacterial colonization. In addition, in younger patients, low vitamin D levels were associated with reduced pulmonary function. Key Words: bacterial colonization, cystic fibrosis, lung function, pulmonary exacerbation, vitamin D deficienc

A Novel Shift in the Absorbance Maxima of Methyl Orange with Calcination Temperature of Green Tin Dioxide Nanoparticle-Induced Photocatalytic Activity

Background: The photocatalytic degradation of toxic organic compounds has received great attention for the past several years. Dyes, such as methyl orange (MO), are one of the major pollutants which create environmental hazards in the hydrosphere, living organisms and human beings. During photocatalytic degradation, NPs are activated in the presence of UV–Vis radiation which in turn creates a redox environment in the system and behaves as a sensitizer for light-induced redox mechanisms. Tin oxide (SnO2) is one of the prominent, but less investigated, nanomaterials compared to titanium oxide (TiO2) and Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). Methods: Herein, Buxus wallichiana (B. wallichiana) leaf extract was utilized as a reducing and capping agent for the biosynthesis of SnO2 NPs. The effects of the calcination temperature on their photocatalytic, structure and surface properties were then examined. The degree of crystallinity and the crystallite size were determined through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The pore size and surface area were calculated by Burnett–Emmitt–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) methods based on nitrogen desorption data. Morphological changes were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical behavior was analyzed through UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) data and the band gap subsequently calculated. The photocatalytic efficiency of SnO2 NPs was evaluated by double beam UV–Vis spectrophotometry under the influence of initial MO concentration, catalyst dose and pH of MO solution. The surface functional moieties were identified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. All the calcined SnO2 NPs were used as photocatalysts for the mineralization of MO in aqueous media. Results: The degree of crystallinity and the crystallite size increased with the calcination temperature. The transmittance edge obtained for all the calcined SnO2 NPs shows a maximum absorbance in the visible range (λ-max = 464 nm). Moving toward higher wavelengths, a sudden intense red shift (from 464 nm to 500 nm), attributed to the incorporation of a hydroxyl radical at the ortho-position in the benzene ring associated with the dimethylamine group of MO, was observed in the absorbance of the samples calcined up to 300 °C. The percentage degradation of MO was found to decrease with increasing calcination temperatures. The optimal photocatalytic activity toward MO (15 ppm) in a solution of pH = 6 was obtained with 15 mg SnO2 NPs calcined at 100 °C. Conclusions: UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy demonstrates that the absorption spectra of MO are strongly modified by the calcination temperature. This work opens new avenues for the use of SnO2 NPs as photocatalysts against the degradation of industrial effluents enriched with different dyes

Table1_Deforestation perspectives of dry temperate forests: main drivers and possible strategies.XLSX

Deforestation is the accelerating factor of climate change in developing countries. The German Watch Report 2020 had rated Pakistan number seventh most affected country due to adverse impacts of climate change. The problem of deforestation poses an existential danger to the forest-depleted country. It is of utmost importance to predict the main drivers to control deforestation. This study was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022 in dry temperate forests of the Chilas to investigate the current condition, causes of deforestation, and predicted the main drivers by using a binary regression model. Stratified random sampling techniques and fixed area plot method were used and taken ground measurements during field inventory to access current situation of deforestation. While a non-probability quota sampling technique and semi-structured questionnaire were utilized for the determination of main drivers of deforestation through respondent’s survey. The forest inventory result showed that most trees fall in immature and sub-mature (mainly in 10–20 and 20–30 cm) diameter classes while the binary logistic regression model predicted dominating four primary drivers (unsustainable fuel wood extraction, unsustainable timber extraction and urban crawling and rural expansion/habituation, and free and uncontrolled livestock grazing) and one secondary driver (wood for energy needs). To address the underlying causes of deforestation, the government must supply alternate energy sources, as well as other economic possibilities to reduce dependency on forests.</p