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Abstract: Nitrogen (N) fertilization at optimum quantity to cultivated plants is essential for sustainable crop productivity. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of nitrogen fertilizers on the growth and yield traits of tomato during 2016, at the experimental field of Orchard, Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. Six nitrogen treatment doses were tested (T1 =control (untreated), T2 = 30 N kg ha-1, T3 = 60 N kg ha-1, T4 = 90 N kg ha-1, T5 = 120 N kg ha-1 and T6 = 150 N kg ha-1.). The data were recorded on the number of branches plant-1, days to flowering, days to fruiting, number of fruits plant-1, weight of single fruit (g), yield plot-1 and yield ha-1 (tons). The results demonstrated that N fertilization showed significant influence on both vegetative and reproductive traits of tomato. On the contrary, plants which were not fertilized with N displayed minimum values for all investigated traits. The highest N level (150 kg ha-1) showed maximum number of branches (5.51) plant-1, minimum day to flowering (42.43) less days to fruiting (46.00), more fruits plant-1 (31.00) maximum weight of single fruit (46.50 g) and highest fruit yield plot-1 (21.01 kg) and per hectare (14008 tons), respectively. It was concluded that the crop growth and productivity was significantly influenced by various levels of nitrogen. However, 150 N kg ha-1 as compared to 120 N and other concentrations considerably displayed better performance in terms of vegetative and reproductive traits of tomato. Hence for optimum growth and economically higher yield, the tomato crop may be fertilized with 150 N kg ha-1. Keywords: Nitrogen, Growth, Yield, Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). |
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Abstract: Chromium is a known heavy metal and recognized as a carcinogen to the biological systems. Previously isolated Cr (VI) resistant Exiguobacterium UE1 and UE4 were used in this study. These strains were analysed for exopolysaccharides (EPS) production for the remediation of Cr (VI) contaminated soils. Both the strains could tolerate about 250µg/ml of Cr (VI) stress. Strain UE1 showed 100% Cr (VI) removal whereas UE4 reduced 99.2% at an initial concentration of K2CrO4 100µgml-1. Optimum growth was observed at 37ºC and pH 7 for both strains. Strains exhibited significant EPS production under Cr (VI) stress and non-stress conditions. However, UE1 showed increased production of released as well as loosely bound EPS (0.36g/100ml and 0.152g/100ml respectively) under Cr (VI) supplemented condition. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) technique confirmed the presence of sugars in EPS samples after hydrolysis. Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed the involvement of various functional groups such as hydroxyl group and aromatic compounds in the binding of Cr (VI) ions to the EPS. These findings suggest that strains UE1 and UE4 isolated from local tanneries of Pakistan can be used for remediation of Cr (VI) pollutes soils. Keywords: Chromium reduction, exopolysaccharides, protein estimation, tanning industries, bioremediation, heavy metals, FTIR and TLC etc |
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Abstract: Sustainable crop management relies on the combined use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with manures (control, farmyard manure, sesbania and cluster bean) as main split and mineral fertilizer rates (control, 40-30, 60-45, 80-60, 90-70 and 120-90 kg N-P2O5 ha-1) as sub-split. The manures significantly influenced shoot dry weight, N, P and K uptake and soil properties. Conversely, the rates of mineral fertilizers did not have any effect on soil properties, however, significantly enhanced the shoot dry weight and N, P and K uptake. The combined use of manures and mineral fertilizers had a significant effect on shoot P uptake. Farmyard manure was the best manure amendment with 13% reduction in bulk density and 51% increase in organic matter content over control. Incorporation of farmyard manure increased the shoot dry weight and N, P and K uptake, respectively by 8, 14, 11 and 8% over control. Among rates of mineral fertilizers, recommended rate of mineral fertilizer (120-90 kg N-P2O5 ha-1) was the best treatment with corresponding increase of 26, 81, 56 and 55% in shoot dry weight, N, P and K uptake over control. Integration of farmyard manure with recommended rate of mineral fertilizer enhanced shoot P uptake by 17% as compared to solo application of mineral fertilizers. Through this study, it was concluded that farmyard manure at 6 tons ha-1 coupled with mineral fertilizer rate of 120-90 kg N-P2O5 ha-1 was the best source for sustainable soil health and wheat production. . Keywords: Cluster bean, farmyard manure, green manure, organic, sesbania, whea. |
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Abstract: The Logarithmic Transformation is widely used to address the skewness and assumes the normality assumption of the bioequivalence data but this may not be true in all cases unless the underlying assumption is taken into account and verified that the randomly generated data is normally distributed in the BE studies. Instead of restoring the normality in the data, the Log-Transformation may introduce new problems like inducing skewness with an increase in variability, which are even more difficult to deal with, then the original problem of non-normal distribution of data. Pharmacokinetic parameters, derived from the real biodata of the bioequivalence study of Glimepiride 4mg tablet was statistically analyzed, with and without, Log-Transformation through ANOVA and the two were compared for normality assumption through the standard testing for normality like Shapiro-Wilk and Q-Q Plots. The comparison of the conclusive results from both approaches, linear and log-transformed data, does not conclude any significant difference. A further investigation is required to strengthen this notion and to identify the circumstances and situations where the deterministic parameters are ascertained to select a suitable model for the data analysis and conclusion. The alternative analytic methods that eliminate the need of transforming non-normal data distributions prior to analysis, like Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney two one-sided test which has been recommended by Hauschke et al., Hodges-Lehmann estimator or the other newer analytic distribution-free methods, that are not dependent on the distribution of data like the generalized estimating equations (GEE) are recommended. Keywords: Bioequivalence, Log-transformation, Normality, Normal Distribution, Log-Normal Distribution, Skewness, Confidence Interval, Hypothesis testing, Outliers |
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Abstract: This study aims to investigate the possible influence of different atmospheric forcing on intensification/dissipation of tropical cyclonic “Nilofar” in Arabian Sea appeared during the last week of October, 2014 which exhibited abrupt intensification and dissipation as well. The cyclone was monitored by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) of Pakistan Meteorological Department and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) continuously, issued warnings and advisories with the help of available synoptic observations, satellite data and numerical models. Almost all the essential ingredients for intensification and tracking of the cyclone were studied and monitored accurately. Although the track forecast of the cyclone remained up to mark; but great errors occurred in intensity forecast. The atmospheric vertical wind shear could not be studied accurately. The intensity of wind shear itself is dependent on both; the local and global atmospheric forcing and climate variables, reoccurring periodically, especially while occurring two or more at the same time. More studies are required for influence of these climate variables while co-occurring at the same time period. This study will help weather forecasters to pay special attention on variation of climate factors affecting the wind shear for proper forecasting of tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea for the safety of coastal communities along the coast. Keywords: Tropical cyclone, Nilofar, Climate variables, Co-occurring. |