Effect of Halopriming on Seed Germination and Seedling Vigor of Solanaceous Vegetables

Present study was conducted on seed priming of solanaceous vegetables to explore effects of seed priming on seed germination and vigor of the seedlings. The part of the seed priming was done at the Postgraduate laboratory and another part of seedling growth at the Orchard, Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The seeds were halo primed with NaCl solution (w/v) by maintaining EC at 1, 2, 3 and 4 dS m-1 for 18 hours. The seeds were also primed with distilled water (Hydropriming) and unprimed seeds were taken as control treatment. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The data was recorded on seed germination (%), mean germination time (days), germination index (GI), seedling vigor index (SVI), shoot length (mm), root length (mm), fresh weight of shoot, fresh weight of root and electrolyte leakage of leaf (%). The results revealed that all the observed parameters in the present study were significantly (P<0.05) affected by seed priming treatments and solanaceous vegetables. The results reveals that most of the germination and growth related attributes of the seedlings were observed decreased with increasing levels of NaCl. The best mean results for germination (96.66%), seedling vigor index (1190.9), shoot length (122.48 mm), root length (32.77 mm), fresh weight of shoot (1.99 g) and fresh weight of root (0.60 g) were observed from the treatment where seeds were primed in NaCl solution by maintaining EC of 1 dS m-1.  However, minimum mean germination time (4.44 days) and leakage of the electrolytes was observed from hydro and unprimed seeds, respectively. The interactive effect of seed priming and solanaceous vegetables was also observed highly significant. On the basis of interaction, tomato and chillies produced statistically similar results for germination percentage (100; 100%), germination index (7.73; 8.13) seedling vigor index(1264; 1302), shoot length (126.10; 129.87 mm), root length (34; 33.66 mm), and fresh weight of shoot (2.80; 2.38 g) in response to the treatment where seeds were primed in NaCl solution had EC level of 1 dS m-1. Regarding comparison of the solanaceous vegetables, tomato exhibited the best mean results for most of the parameters included germination percentage (65.56), seedling vigor index (663.02), shoot length (93.61 mm), fresh weight of shoot (1.75 g) and fresh weight of root (0.46 g). The lowest leakage of the electrolytes (10.50%) and minmum mean days to germination (6.22 days) were recorded in Chillies. However, fresh weight of root had statistically no differences among solanceous vegetables. Keywords: Vegetables, seed vigor, priming, Germinatio

Microbial dynamics during various activities in residential areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Bioaerosols are ubiquitous in the atmosphere with their levels affected by a variety of environmental factors as well as type of activities being carried out at any specific time. The present study investigated how indoor activities influence bioaerosol concentrations in five residential houses of Lahore. Agar coated petri plates were exposed face upwards for twenty minutes in kitchens and living rooms during activity and non-activity periods. The temperature and relative humidity levels were noted as well. The bioaerosol concentrations in kitchens during the activity time ranged between 1022 to 4481 cfu/m3 and in living rooms from 1179 to 3183 cfu/m3 . Lower values were observed during non-activity periods. A paired-t test revealed a significant difference in bacterial loads during activity and non-activity times in both micro-environments (p = 0.038 in kitchen and p = 0.021 in living room). The predominant species identified were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. which are a common constituent of the indoor environment and are known to be opportunistic pathogens as well

Determinants of individual investors investment decision in Pakistan stock exchange

Financial wellbeing of individual investor is driven by sound investment decision making ability. This study investigates the determinants influencing investment decision making behaviour among individual equity investors. Primarily, the study investigated the direct impact of financial literacy, behavioural and environmental factors on investment decision making behaviour and financial risk tolerance. The study further highlighted the mediating effect of financial risk tolerance in the relationship between financial literacy, behavioural factors, environmental factors and investment decision making behaviour among individual equity investors. Finally, the study explored the moderating impact of financial experience in the relationship between financial literacy and financial risk tolerance. Using quantitative research design and multi-stage random, and convenience sampling, a survey questionnaire collected data from 382 registered individual investors of Pakistan Stock Exchange. The measurement model was tested by using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) techniques. Structural model tested the relationships between the constructs and revealed a positive and significant impact of financial literacy, behavioural and environmental factors on investment decision making behaviour and financial risk tolerance among individual equity investors. Similarly, financial risk tolerance mediated the relationship between the determinants such as financial literacy, behavioural factors, environmental factors, and investment decision making behaviour. Moreover, the research discovered slightly increased but insignificant contribution of financial experience as moderator between the relationship of financial literacy and financial risk tolerance. Hence, this study adds empirically by discovering mediating role of financial risk tolerance between the constructs of the model. This study suggests different measures to policymakers for improving financial literacy among individual investors. It also proposes significant functional insights for stockbrokers, investment advisors, and financial managers through examining the investment decision making behaviour of individual equity investors