Evaluation of Genetic Parameters for Yield and Yield Related Attributes in Black Seed (Nigella sativa L.) Accessions under Rainfed Conditions

To investigate the interrelationship between quantitative characters in black seed (Nigella sativa L.) accessions, field experiments were conducted with 13 black seed (Nigella sativa L.) accessions under rainfed conditions using a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Barani Agricultural research Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan. Heritability values were greater for germination percentage, primary branches per plant, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, 1000 grain weight and grain yield (kg/ha) demonstrating that these attributes are controlled mainly by additive genes and that selection of such attributes may be successful for improving grain yield. Number of grains per pod, 1000- grain weight, number of pods per plant, primary branches per plant and 1000-grain weight had positive and highly significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with grain yield. Number of pods per plant, primary branches per plant, number of grains per pod and 1000-grain weight also had a positive direct effect on grain yield. It can be concluded that grain yield in black seed can be improved by selecting an ideotype having greater number of pods per plant as well as higher number of grains per pod and 1000-grain weight. Keywords: Variability, heritability, correlation, path coefficient, Nigella sativ

Association Analysis in Linseed (Linum Usitatissimum L.)

Fifteen advanced lines of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) were evaluated to identify the relationship of grain yield and its related attributes during 2010-11 at Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan. Grain yield (kg/ha) had significant and positive association with plant height, number of primary branches plant-1, number of capsule plant-1, number of grains capsule-1 and 1000 grain weight both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Therefore focusing on these traits would improve breeding efficiency of linseed in the future breeding programs. Path analysis demonstrated that plant height, number of primary branches plant-1, number of capsule plant-1, number of grains capsule-1 and 1000 grain weight had the positive direct effect in determining the grain yield (kg/ha) in linseed. According to these results, breeding for high grain yielding cultivars of linseed, number of capsule plant-1 should be kept in mind firstly followed by 1000 grain weight, number of grains capsule-1, number of primary branches plant-1and plant height. Key Words: genotypic correlation, phenotypic correlation, path analysis, Linsee

Estimation of Some Genetic Parameters and Inter-Relationship of Grain Yield and Yield Related Attributes in Certain Exotic Lines of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. )

To estimates the heritability, genetic advance and interrelationship of yield and yield related attribute in certain exotic lines of wheat introduced from ICARDA (International Center for Agriculture Research in Dry Areas), a field experiment was carried out in the research area of Plant Breeding and Genetic, PMAS, University of Arid Agricultural Rawalpindi during 2010-11. The research materials comprised of twenty three wheat genotypes including a local check variety (Chakwal 97) were planted in randomized completed block design with three replications.  Data were recorded and analyzed on plant height, days to maturity, No. of tillers m-2, spike length, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield Kg/ha. The genotypes were highly significant for all the traits except for days to maturity where non significantly difference was observed. Maximum broad sense heritability was observed for grain yield per plot (93.34) while minimum value (7.82) was recorded for days to maturity. Value of genetic advance range from minimum 0.23 for days to maturity to maximum (589.49) for grain yield (Kg/ha) was assessed. Genotypic correlation coefficient was observed greater in magnitude has compared to phonotypic correlation coefficient in maximum character pairs. Phonotypic and genotypic correlation coefficient of grain yield with No. spikelets/spike, days to maturity, No. of tillers/m2 and No. of grains/spike was observed positive and significant whereas plant height and spike length was found has deterrent traits for grain yield improvement because these characters showed negative association with grain yield. Keywords: Heritability, Genetic Advance, Phenotypic Correlation, Genotypic Correlation, Whea

Characters Association Analysis in Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Twenty genotypes of safflower was evaluated to study the genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients and path effects of yield related traits on grain yield during rabi cropping season 2011-12 at Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan. Grain yield (kg/ha) correlated significantly and positively with plant height, boll diameter, number of grains per boll, 1000 grain weight and days to maturity. Thus these characters are the key yield contributing attributes to be given selection pressure for improving yield. The result of path analysis showed highest and positive direct effect of number of grains per boll followed by 1000 grain weight and plant height on grain yield (kg/ha). Key words: Genotypic correlations, phenotypic correlation, path analysis, safflowe

Genetics And Interrelationship of Yield and Yield Related Attributes in Some Genotypes of Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) Under Rainfed Conditions

In order to estimate variability, heritability, genetic advance and relationship of grain yield with other yield related attributes, the experiments were carried out in field research Area of Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan during two rabi growing seasons 2011-12 and 2012-13. The experimental materials were comprised of 40 genotypes of safflower and were sown in randomized complete block design with three replications each year. The analysis of variance showed that all the safflower genotypes were significantly different for all the traits studied except days to physiological maturity. Among the attributes studied the estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were generally higher than the genetic coefficient of variation (GCV).  Highest GCV was found in grain filing rate plant-1 (49.34 & 48.25) followed by seed yield plant-1 (49.09 & 48.18) during 2011-12 & 2012-13 respectively. Grain filing rate plant-1 showed maximum PCV (49.78 & 48.96) followed by seed yield plant-1 (49.64 & 49.44) during both years (2011-12 & 2012-13) respectively. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was measured in biological yield plant-1, harvest index (%), number of heads plant-1, and seed yield plant-1. These results revealed that high estimates of heritability and genetic advance for these traits would be helpful for the plant breeders to select the suitable combination and to achieve the enviable level of seed yield potential in safflower under arid environment conditions. The correlation results of two year studies revealed that seed yield plant-1 had significant and positive relationship with days to maturity, plant height, biological yield plant-1, number of seeds head-1, 1000-grain weight, grain filing rate plant-1, effective head weight, number of primary branches  plant-1 and plant height. On the other hand, days to 50% flowering, days to physiological maturity, number of seeds head-1, seed weight head-1 and 1000- grain weight showed low heritability with low genetic advance. Key words: Safflower, Rainfed, Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance, Correlatio

Performance Based Evaluation and Selection of Different Promising Lines of Rapeseed (Brassica Napus L.) for the Shattering Tolerance

To evaluate the ten promising lines of Brassica napus against the shattering tolerance, the experiments were carried out in split plot design in the research area of Barani Agricultural Research Institute; Chakwal, Pakistan during two rabi growing season 2011-12 & 2012-13 under rainfed conditions. The main plot was harvested in five different harvesting dates including: HarD1 = Harvesting at physiological maturity of crop, HarD2= 7 days after the first harvesting of each promising line, HarD3= 15 days after the first harvesting of each promising line, HarD4= 21 days after the first harvesting of each promising line, HarD5= 30 days after the first harvesting of each promising line. The difference of grain yield (kg/ha) of each promising line in different harvesting dates with compare to its grain yield (kg/ha) in first harvesting date (HarD1-HarDi) were measured as indices of shattering. The combine analysis of variance of two year revealed that all the promising lines were significant different for harvesting date, harvesting date x promising lines interaction effect and also year and its interaction effects to each study factors. In the present experiment, the promising line 12CBN008 & 10CBN004 had grain yield 1089 kg/ha & 897 kg/ha respectively. The significant difference of genotypes x harvesting dates confirmed different level of shattering of all promising lines in different harvesting dates. The magnitude of grain yield shattering loss was increased in 4th and 5th harvesting dates. On the basis of shattering tolerance among all the promising lines the 11CBN010 was more tolerant to shattering and 11CBN005 were relatively more susceptible to shattering. Keywords: Rapeseed, Harvesting date, Shattering toleranc

Optimal sizing and technical assessment of a hybrid renewable energy solution for off-grid community center power

Decentralized energy generation systems based on renewable sources have significant potential to assist in the sustainable development of developing countries. The small-scale integration of hybrid renewable energy systems in off-grid communities has not been thoroughly researched. The primary objective is to develop a preliminary design for a PV/biogas hybrid system that can meet the energy needs of an off-grid community center. A survey was conducted to calculate the energy demands of an off-grid community center and a hybrid renewable system has been designed to supply the electricity. The optimum designed system is evaluated by the PVSYST simulation software and SuperPro Designer software. The annual production of the PV system is 34428 kWh/year, specific production is 1118 kWh/kWp/year, and the performance ratio is 81.72%. All the factors that contribute to energy loss are considered in designing a PV system. The average operating efficiency of the inverter is 92.6%, and global inverter losses are 2752.4 kWh. The biogas simulation findings show an adequate match with the composition of conventional biogas and contains 89.64% methane and 5.99% carbon dioxide content. Two sensitivity analyses of biogas based on hydraulic retention time and moisture content have been performed. Measurements readings of hourly data are used to analyse the performance of PV, biogas system as well as the hybrid system performance. At day time, the maximum power generation of the hybrid PV/Biogas and the maximum load demand of the community at that time are 25.2 kW and 24.31 kW, respectively. At night time, the maximum power generation of the hybrid system and the maximum load demand are 9 kW and 8.3 kW, respectively. The power factor (PF) of the system fluctuates between 0.92 and 0.98 and the frequency of the system is constant at 50 HZ

Identification of drought tolerant Chickpea genotypes through multi trait stability index

Drought is a major and constantly increasing abiotic stress factor, thus limiting chickpea production. Like other crops, Kabuli Chickpea genotypes are screened for drought stress through Multi-environment trials (METs). Although, METs analysis is generally executed taking into account only one trait, which provides less significant reliability for the recommendation of genotypes as compared to multi trait-based analysis. Multi trait-based analysis could be used to recommend genotypes across diverse environments. Hence, current research was conducted for selection of superior genotypes through multi-trait stability index (MTSI) by using mixed and fixed effect models under six diverse environments. The genotypic stability was computed for all traits individually using the weighted average of absolute scores from the singular value decomposition of the matrix of best linear unbiased predictions for the genotype vs environment interaction (GEI) effects produced by a linear mixed-effect model index. A superiority index, WAASBY was measured to reflect the MPS (Mean performance and stability). The selection differential for the WAASBY index was 11.2%, 18.49% and 23.30% for grain yield (GY), primary branches per plant (PBP) and Stomatal Conductance (STOMA) respectively. Positive selection differential (0.80% < selection differential < 13.00%) were examined for traits averaged desired to be increased and negative (-0.57% < selection differential <-0.23%) for those traits desired to be reduced. The MTSI may be valuable to the plant breeders for the selection of genotypes based on many characters as being strong and simple selection process. Analysis of MTSI for multiple environments revealed that, the genotypes G20, G86, G31, G28, G116, G12, G105, G45, G50, G10, G30, G117, G81, G48, G85, G17, G32, G4, and G37 were the most stable and high yielding out of 120 chickpea genotypes, probably due to high MPS of selected traits under various environments. It is concluded that identified traits can be utilized as genitors in hybridization programs for the development of drought tolerant Kabuli Chickpea breeding material. (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Optimization of Standalone Photovoltaic Drip Irrigation System: A Simulation Study

This paper presents the optimal design of a photovoltaic (PV) drip irrigation system. Designing a PV system is based on calculated motor power, solar irradiance level and other meteorological parameters at a certain geographical location. Therefore, a simulation study of the designed PV system were performed by a PVGIS simulation tool. The PVGIS simulation tool analyzes the potential of power generation with optimal PV modules tilt angle and orientation on a monthly and annual basis, and an analysis of the overall shading situation (horizon) as well as the internal shading between the PV module rows. The selection of water pump and motor depends upon the depth of water table and desired discharge and head to operate the irrigation system. Furthermore, a locally developed Solar-Drip Simulation Tool (SoSiT) was used for load and supply optimization. Based on ambient temperature, solar irradiation and water requirements, SoSiT calculates net generation by a PV system and resultant water output of the irrigation system. The particular drip irrigation site has two zones; the maximum water requirement for zone 1 (row crop) is 50,918.40 Liters/day and for zone 2 (orchards) is 56,908.80 L/day. From PVGIS simulation results, the maximum daily energy production of the designed PV system was 6.48 kWh and monthly energy production was 201 kWh in the month of May. SoSiT results showed that the PV system fulfilled the required crop requirement by only using 28% of the potential water supply, and 72% of the potential water supply from a solar-powered pump was not used. This value is high, and it is recommended to grow more or different crops to utilize the fuel-free electricity from the PV system. The unit cost of PV-powered drip irrigation is USD 0.1013/kWh, which is 4.74% and 66.26% lower than the cost of subsidized electricity and diesel, respectively

The Socio-Economic Impact of Using Photovoltaic (PV) Energy for High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems: A Case Study

This paper presents the results of a field study undertaken all over the Punjab, Pakistan, to evaluate the socio-economic and climatic impact of photovoltaic-operated high-efficiency irrigation systems (HEIS), i.e., drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Nearly half of the rural population relies on agriculture for a living, and the recent energy crisis has had a negative impact on rural communities. Farmers’ reliance on fossil fuels for the operation of irrigation systems has increased exponentially, resulting in the high costs of agricultural production. Primary data regarding on-farm agriculture and irrigation practices used in this study were collected through an intensive on-farm survey, while secondary data were taken from published reports and statistics. The results of the current investigation show that the installation of PV systems has resulted in the increased adoption of high-efficiency irrigation systems, a reduction in the high operational costs incurred on account of old diesel-powered pumping systems (with an annual saving of 6.6 million liters of diesel), a 100% increase in farmer’s income, a reduction of 17,622 tons of CO2 emissions per annum, and 41% savings in water. The unit cost of PV-powered HEIS was found to be 0.1219 USD/kWh, which was 4% and 66% less than subsidized electricity cost and diesel cost, respectively