Response of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) to Potassium and Planting Depth

A research work was carried to find out the effect of planting depths, potassium levels and their interaction during the year 2012. The corms of tuberose were planted at a depth of 5, 10, and 15 cm and were fertilized with four levels of potassium 0, 50, 100 and 150 Kg of K2O per hectare using K2SO4 as a source of K2O. Result of the study revealed that planting depth of 15 cm significantly increased length of spike (56.9 cm), number of florets spike-1 (54.84), and plant height (103.13) cm. Planting depth of 5cm cause decreased number of days to last floret opening (180.08). Potassium level of 150 kg of K2O ha-1 length of spike (55.24 cm), number of florets spike-1 (49.2) and plant height (100.29 cm). Planting depth of 15 cm and fertilizer application of 150 kg of K2O ha-1proved to be superior regarding length of spike opening (64.4cm), number of florets spike-1 (62.2) and plant height (106.20 cm). Hence planting tuberose at a depth of 15cm and fertilizer application of 150 kg of K2O ha-1 is recommended for commercial cultivation of tuberose. Keywords: Tuberose; Potassium; Planting Depth; Number of Florets Spike-1; Spike Length

Assessment Of Iba (Indole Butyric Acid) Levels And Planting Time For Rooting And Growth Of Alstonia Cuttings

An experiment to assess different levels of IBA (Indole Butyric Acid) and planting time on rooting and growth of Alstonia cuttings was conducted at Ornamental Horticulture Nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. The experiment was carried out using RCBD design with split plot arrangement. There were five levels of IBA 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% that were prepared by mixing IBA with talc powder. Cuttings were obtained from healthy, vigorous growing trees which were 15-20 cm long and 2-3 nodes. Leaves were removed from the cuttings and were treated with IBA than planted in plastic bags filled with mixture of sand, clay and FYM with the ratio of 1:1:1 on three different planting times 15th March, 30th March and 14th April. IBA level of 10% showed best results regarding leaf area plant-1(26.032 cm2), sprout length(18.096 cm), stem diameter (14.44 mm), number of roots plant-1 (15.613), root diameter (3.412 mm) while number of  leaves plant-1 (17.27), root length (14.24 cm) and survival percentage (70%) was best recorded when treated with IBA at level of 5%. However, sprouting percentage and days to bud sprouting were not significantly affected by different levels of IBA. It is observed from the study that there was no significant effect of planting time over any parameter however good results were observed in cuttings planted at 14th April regarding leaf area plant-1, sprout length, stem diameter, number of roots plant-1, number of leaves plant-1, root length, root diameter and survival percentage while sprouting percentage and days to bud sprouting were best when planted at 15th March. IBA at 10% level and 14th April as planting time resulted in overall best performance and hence recommended for treating and planting cuttings of Alstonia. Keywords: Alstonia, Growth attribute, Planting times, IBA

Effect of Nitrogenous Fertilizer on the Vegetative Growth and Yield Attribute of Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of chemical fertilizer on the pea growth and yield attributes. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chemical fertilizer alone and in combination. This study consists of three different nitrogen levels (90, 100 and 110 kg ha-1as urea), three different levels of phosphorus (60, 70 and 80 P2O5 kg ha-1 as DAP) and their combination. Treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that both the single and combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer increased the growth and yield attribute of the pea plant. Maximum number of primary (6.91) and secondary branches per plant (7.97), number of leaves per plant (12.50) and plant height (51.24 cm) was attained by the combine application of P80+N110. Similarly, the maximum increase in yield parameters such as pod length (7.5 cm), number of pods per plant(7.23), pod weight (12.50 g) and number of grains per pod was obtained in P80+N110. In general, combined application of fertilizers significantly increased all the growth and yield attribute of the pea plant when compared to fertilizers applied alone with respect to control

The Influence of Plastic Mulching Materials and Sowing Dates on the Yield and Yield Components of Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

The use of plastic mulches affects the microclimate in the vicinity of the plant by modifying the radiation on the soil surface and reduce the loss of water. Pea is more nutritious and 2nd food source after cereals at Pakistan, but due to lake of proper management, yield is still not up to mark as compare to developed world. To reduce this problem, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of mulching material and sowing dates on the yield of Pea. The study consisted of three different mulching materials (Polythene Black, Polythene Blue and Polythene Brown) with three different sowing dates (1st, 15th and 30th October) arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results showed that different sowing dates and mulching materials had significant effect on the yield parameters of Pea. Regarding sowing dates, maximum days to pod formation (8.08 days), pods plant?1 (21.25), Pod weight (18.84 g) and pod yield (4.39 tons ha?1) were noted in pea sown on October 1st. Whereas, minimum data of days to pod formation (3.08 days), pod plant?1 (15.34), pod weight (13.17 g) and pod yields (2.69tons ha?1) were recorded in pea sown on October 30th. In case of mulching types maximum number of pods plant?1 (19.00), pod length (6.89 cm), seeds pod?1 (7.78), pod weight (17.34 g) and pod yield (3.69 tons ha?1) were observed in pea mulched with Polythene Black, while minimum pods plant-1, pod length, seeds pod-1, pod weight and pod yield were found in control. The study suggested that pea should be sown on October 1st while mulched with Polythene Black to produce maximum yield and production in agro environment of district Peshawar

Drought increases heat tolerance of leaf respiration in Eucalyptus globulus saplings grown under both ambient and elevated atmospheric [CO₂] and temperature

Climate change is resulting in increasing atmospheric [CO₂], rising growth temperature (T), and greater frequency/severity of drought, with each factor having the potential to alter the respiratory metabolism of leaves. Here, the effects of elevated atmospheric [CO₂], sustained warming, and drought on leaf dark respiration (R(dark)), and the short-term T response of R(dark) were examined in Eucalyptus globulus. Comparisons were made using seedlings grown under different [CO₂], T, and drought treatments. Using high resolution T-response curves of R(dark) measured over the 15-65 °C range, it was found that elevated [CO₂], elevated growth T, and drought had little effect on rates of R(dark) measured at T <35 °C and that there was no interactive effect of [CO₂], growth T, and drought on T response of R(dark). However, drought increased R(dark) at high leaf T typical of heatwave events (35-45 °C), and increased the measuring T at which maximal rates of R(dark) occurred (Tmax) by 8 °C (from 52 °C in well-watered plants to 60 °C in drought-treated plants). Leaf starch and soluble sugars decreased under drought and elevated growth T, respectively, but no effect was found under elevated [CO₂]. Elevated [CO₂] increased the Q₁₀ of R(dark) (i.e. proportional rise in R(dark) per 10 °C) over the 15-35 °C range, while drought increased Q₁₀ values between 35 °C and 45 °C. Collectively, the study highlights the dynamic nature of the T dependence of R dark in plants experiencing future climate change scenarios, particularly with respect to drought and elevated [CO₂].This work was funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC FT0991448, DP1093759, and CE140100008, to OKA; and DP0879531, to DTT). This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under its Forest Industries Climate Change Research Fund programme. Support for the renovation of the Hawkesbury Forest Experiment tree chambers to improve T and humidity control of the WTC was provided as part of an initiative of the Australian Government through the Education Investment Fund supporting research infrastructure

Study protocol of DIVERGE, the first genetic epidemiological study of major depressive disorder in Pakistan

INTRODUCTION: Globally, 80% of the burdenof major depressive disorder (MDD) pertains to low- and middle-income countries. Research into genetic and environmental risk factors has the potential to uncover disease mechanisms that may contribute to better diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, yet has so far been largely limited to participants with European ancestry from high-income countries. The DIVERGE study was established to help overcome this gap and investigate genetic and environmental risk factors for MDD in Pakistan. METHODS: DIVERGE aims to enrol 9000 cases and 4000 controls in hospitals across the country. Here, we provide the rationale for DIVERGE, describe the study protocol and characterise the sample using data from the first 500cases. Exploratory data analysis is performed to describe demographics, socioeconomic status, environmental risk factors, family history of mental illness and psychopathology. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Many participants had severe depression with 74% of patients who experienced multiple depressive episodes. It was a common practice to seek help for mental health struggles from faith healers and religious leaders. Socioeconomic variables reflected the local context with a large proportion of women not having access to any education and the majority of participants reporting no savings. CONCLUSION: DIVERGE is a carefully designed case-control study of MDD in Pakistan that captures diverse risk factors. As the largest genetic study in Pakistan, DIVERGE helps address the severe underrepresentation of people from South Asian countries in genetic as well as psychiatric research

Response of plant respiration to past and future climates

Since the industrial revolution, atmospheric CO{u2082} concentrations have increased from below 300 {u00B5}L L{u207B}{u00B9} to the current 387 {u00B5}L L{u207B}{u00B9} , and are likely to rise to 700 {u00B5}L L{u207B}{u00B9} in the coming decades. Associated with the rise in atmospheric [CO{u2082}] have been an increase in global temperatures and the frequency of severe droughts. To predict the impact of climate change on the biosphere, one must understand the effects of a range of abiotic (particularly increasing atmospheric [CO{u2082}], growth temperatures and drought) and biotic (e.g. symbioses with fungi) factors on plant respiration (R) rates. While much is known about effect of climate variables on rates of photosynthesis and plant productivity, little is known about the climate responses of leaf and root R. In this thesis, I sought to understand how a wide environmental envelope that encompasses past and future climate scenarios affects rates of plant R, with particular focus being given to the effects of subambient to elevated atmospheric CO{u2082} concentrations. Additional studies were conducted to assess the main and interactive effects of atmospheric [CO{u2082}] with water availability, differences in growth temperature, and colonization of roots by mycorrhizal fungi. In seeking to understand how past and future climates, particularly atmospheric CO{u2082} concentrations impact on the carbon economy of plants, I conducted two experiments using contrasting plant species: soybean (Glycine max L.) and Sydney Blue Gum Eucalyptus saligna Sm. For soybean, plants were grown in pots and developed in growth cabinets differing in CO{u2082} concentrations. In this study, I combined a functional growth analysis with measurements of photosynthetic and respiratory processes. Crucially, I quantified the impacts of growth under 290, 400 and 700 {u00B5}L L{u207B}{u00B9} atmospheric [CO{u2082}] on root and leaf R (both in light (Rlight; determined using the Kok method) and dark (Rdark), with short-term changes in measurement [CO{u2082}] and [O{u2082}] being used to further explore the relationship between light inhibition of leaf R and photorespiratory flux. My data showed that elevated [CO{u2082}] resulted in higher relative growth rates (RGR). Moreover, in contrast to the inhibitory effect of low [CO{u2082}] on light-saturated photosynthesis, growth [CO{u2082}] had no significant effect on rates of R in both roots and leaves. To further explore the impact of atmospheric [CO{u2082}] on leaf and root R of soybean, I conducted an additional experiment using mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants under two growth CO{u2082} concentrations [ambient (400 {u00B5}L L{u207B}{u00B9}) and elevated (700 {u00B5}L L{u207B}{u00B9} ) ] . Here, I tested the hypothesis that plants whose roots are colonized by arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi would exhibit higher rates of photosynthesis and root R than plants whose roots are not colonized by AM fungi.. Surprisingly, there was no significant difference in the relative growth rate (RGR), rate of photosynthesis, leaf or roots R rates, across the four treatment combinations. To establish the effect of past and future climates on leaf R rates on Eucalyptus, I conducted an experiment under glasshouse conditions, which was CO{u2082} and temperature controlled. Plants were raised in pots. Well-watered and drought-treated plants were grown under conditions differing in growth [CO{u2082}] (280,400 and 640 {u00B5}L L{u207B}{u00B9}) and temperature (26 and 30{u00B0}C). Rates of leaf R in both darkness (Rdark) and in the light (Rlight) were measured. Growth [CO{u2082}] and temperature had little impact on area-based rates of Rdark or Rlighb with the latter indicating little thermal acclimation to the 4{u00B0}C difference in growth temperature (it was short term temperature subjection). However, sustained drought resulted in reduced rates of Rdark, Rlight and light-saturated photosynthesis (Asat) , with the inhibitory effect of drought on Asat and Rlight being greater than on Rdark. Finally, my study from both species provided strong evidence that rates of leaf Rlight were lower than those of Rdark, (with light inhibiting leaf R by 17-47%) and that variations in Rlight can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy from knowledge of the underlying rates of Rdark and associated rates of photosynthetic capacity. Collectively, my research findings highlight the main and interactive effects of several important abiotic factors on plant R, with the results providing a novel framework via which rates of Rlight can be predicted using readily available gas exchange parameters

Comparison of phonological awareness between children with cochlear implants and children with hearing aids

Introduction: Advanced phonological skills are important for the acquisition of reading skills. Children with hearing impairment have reading skills are weaker than others because of auditory inputs and due to the defect in phonological skills. The use of hearing aids and cochlear implants help to collect information on people who are hard of hearing.Material and Methods: This descriptive - analytic study was done on 12 children with cochlear implant and 12 children with hearing aids that was selected from second grades students of Tehran primary schools. Children's phonological performance was assessed by phonological subtests of Nama reading test and the data were analyzed using SPSS 16.Results: The results showed that the means of scores of children with cochlear implants in Rhyme task were significantly greater than the children with hearing aids (P=0.034). But in means of scores of Phone deletion and Nonword reading tasks were not significant different between two groups (P=0.919, P=0.670).Discussion: Cochlear implant with accessibility auditory inputs can facilitated the acquisition of phonological awareness skills in hearing loss children. But whereas the other language inputs such as sight and touch input helped to developing these skills, children with hearing aids too also can acquisition these skills

Assessment of Palmitoyl and Sulphate Conjugated Glycol Chitosan for Development of Polymeric Micelles

Introduction: Amphiphilic copolymers are capable of forming core shell-like structures at the critical micellar concentration (CMC); hence, they can serve as drug carriers. Thus, in the present work, polymeric micelles based on novel chitosan derivative were synthesized. Methods: Block copolymer of palmitoyl glycol chitosan sulfate (PGCS) was prepared by grafting palmitoyl and sulfate groups serving as hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions, respectively. Then, fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and spectral changes in iodine/iodide mixture were carried out. Results: FTIR studies confirmed the formation of palmitoyl glycol chitosan sulfate (PGCS) and spectral changes in iodine/iodide mixture indicated CMC which lies in the range of 0.003-0.2 mg/ml. Conclusion: Therefore, our study indicated that polymeric micelles based on palmitoyl glycol chitosan sulphate could be used as a prospective carrier for water insoluble drugs