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Showing papers in "Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences in 2014"



Journal Article
TL;DR: Compared biochars produced from two feedstocks at three temperatures (300, 400 and 500°C), biochar yield decreased significantly with increasing pyrolysis temperature, while ash contents were increased.
Abstract: Variation in pyrolytic temperatures and feedstocks affects the yield and nutrient composition of biochar. Selection of suitable feedstock and optimum pyrolytic temperature is crucial before using it for agricultural purposes. We compared biochars produced from two feedstocks (wheat straw and rice) at three temperatures (300, 400 and 500°C). Biochar yield decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing pyrolysis temperature, while ash contents were increased. The cation exchange capacity was significantly higher (119 cmolc kg -1 ) at temperature 400°C. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and carbon content of biochars increased significantly with increasing temperature and maximum pH (10.4) and EC (3.35 dS m -1 ) were observed in rice straw biochar (WSB) at 500°C and carbon content (662 g kg -1 ) in wheat straw biochar (RSB) at 500°C. Concentration of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) increased significantly with increasing temperature, while of nitrogen (N) decreased. Overall, the maximum N (13.8 g kg -1 at 300°C) and P (3.4 g kg -1 at 500°C) concentrations were observed in WSB while, maximum K (48 g kg -1

48 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, photo-catalytic treatment, a state-of-the-art technique, reduced the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity significantly and brought them within the permissible limit.
Abstract: Present study was conducted to appraise the possibility of photo-catalytic detoxification of industrial wastewater samples. The waste water samples were subjected to ultra violet radiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and titanium dioxide in order to evaluate the treatment effect on the basis of cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, microbial load reduction and improvement in water quality parameters. The bioassays such as allium cepa , heamolytic and Ames tests were used to assess the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity. The photo-catalytic treatment, a state of the art technique, reduced the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity significantly and brought them within the permissible limit. Water quality parameters i.e. BOD, COD, DO, pH, TDS and TSS of waste water samples were also considerably improved. It is revealed that the advanced oxidation process can be successfully used for toxicity removal, improvement in water quality parameters and therefore, the processed wastewater could possibly be used for irrigation purposes.

47 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Gladiolus plants were sprayed thrice with different concentrations of gibberellic acid, benzylaminopurine and salicylic acid in order to improve the vegetative, floral and physiological attributes.
Abstract: Gladiolus is very popular among ornamental bulbous plants mainly used as cut flower and greatly demanded in the world floral market. Production of inferior quality spikes is one of the major hurdles for their export. The research was conducted under Faisalabad conditions to evaluate the use of plant growth regulators in order to improve the vegetative, floral and physiological attributes. Gladiolus plants were sprayed thrice with different concentrations (0.1, 0.4, 0.7 and 1mM) of gibberellic acid, benzylaminopurine and salicylic acid at three leaf stage, five leaf stage and slipping stage. Foliar application of 1mM gibberellic acid increased the plant height (122.14cm), spike length (58.41cm), florets spike -1 (13.49), corm diameter (4.43cm), corm weight (25.34g) and total cormel weight (20.45g) compared to benzylaminopurine and salicylic acid. Gibberellic acid at 1mM concentration also increased the total chlorophyll content to 7.72mg/g, total carotenoids (1.61mg/g), total soluble sugars (3.68mg/g) followed by application of benzylaminopurine. Salicylic acid application at 1mM concentration decreased the number of days to flower (64.93) compared to 76.12 days in non treated plants.

38 citations



Journal Article
TL;DR: Silicon application to drought stressed maize plants was better to improve the growth and dry matter could be attributed to improved osmotic adjustment, photosynthetic rate and lowered transpiration.
Abstract: Current water scarcity is an emerging issue in semi-arid regions like Pakistan and cause of deterioration in productivity of crops to reduce crop yield all over the world. Silicon is known to be better against the deleterious effects of drought on plant growth and development. A pot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Si nutrition (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) on the growth of a relatively drought tolerant (P-33H25) and sensitive (FH-810) maize hybrids. Two levels of soil water content were used viz. 100 and 60% of field capacity. Water deficit condition in soil significantly reduced morphological and physiological attributes of maize plants. Silicon application significantly improved the plant height, leaf area per plant, primary root length, dry matter of shoot and roots and plant dry matter, water relation and gas exchange characteristics of both maize cultivars under water deficit condition. Poor growth of drought stressed plants was significantly improved with Si application. The silicon fertilized (100 mg/kg) drought stressed plants of hybrid P-33H25 produced maximum (21.68% more) plant dry matter as compared to plants that were not provided with silicon nutrition. Nonetheless, silicon application (150 mg/kg) resulted in maximum increase (26.03%) in plant dry weight of hybrid FH-810 plants that were grown under limited moisture supply i.e., 60% FC. In conclusion silicon application to drought stressed maize plants was better to improve the growth and dry matter could be attributed to improved osmotic adjustment, photosynthetic rate and lowered transpiration.

28 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Five okra cultivars were rated as moderately resistant as these cultivars showed less damage by the nematode as compared to susceptible and moderately and highly susceptible cultivars and their use could provide a useful tool to control root-knot nematodes.
Abstract: Twelve okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cultivars were evaluated for their characterization of susceptibility and resistance responses to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). Plants of test okra cultivars were inoculated with 3000 freshly hatched second stage juveniles of M. incognita. The nematode caused reductions in various growth parameters of all the cultivars to varying levels over their respective controls. None of the cultivars was found immune, highly resistant or resistant. The cultivar ‘Sharmeeli’ was found to be highly susceptible as maximum galls (>100) were recorded on the roots of this cultivar. The cultivar also showed maximum reductions in growth parameters. The cultivars Anmol and Okra Sindha were found to be susceptible (71-100 galls). In the same way, the cultivars Sabz Pari, Super Star, PMS-55 and PMS Beauty appeared as moderately susceptible (31-70 galls) and reductions in growth parameters of these cultivars were comparatively less severe as compared to those observed in the case of susceptible and highly susceptible cultivars. Five cultivars viz. Sanam, Dikshah, Arka Anamika, Ikra-1 and Ikra-2 (11-30 galls) were rated as moderately resistant as these cultivars showed less damage by the nematode as compared to susceptible and moderately and highly susceptible cultivars and their use could provide a useful tool to control root-knot nematodes.

26 citations



Journal Article
TL;DR: The study demonstrates the potent antifungal activities of these plants with potential practical applications in the treatment of charcoal rot disease of Mungbean by improving seedling emergence of mungbean in a dose responsive manner.
Abstract: Antifungal potential of twenty antagonistic plants was assessed against the most damaging phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. All the test plants inhibited the growth of M. phaseolina significantly to varying levels. The maximum inhibition was observed with Carum copticum (83.5%), Azadirachta indica (76.1%) and Nigella sativa (70.4%) at 10% concentration. The powders of Olea europaea, Cassia angustifolia, Ocimum americanum and Lawsonia inermis caused more than 50% reductions in the growth of the fungus. Percentage inhibition was found to be significantly higher at higher concentrations of all the plants as compared to lower ones. The treatment of seeds with decoctions of these plants improved seedling emergence of mungbean in a dose responsive manner. The maximum seedling emergence was observed when the seeds were treated with C. copticum (83.3%) followed by A. indica (80.0%) at 10%. The study demonstrates the potent antifungal activities of these plants with potential practical applications in the treatment of charcoal rot disease of Mungbean.

25 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of foliar application of calcium chloride (CaCl2), putrescine (PUT) and salicylic acid (SA) on fruit yield and physicochemical characteristics of "Florida King" peach cultivar was evaluated for two consecutive years.
Abstract: Despite the ample increase in peach growing area, improvement in quality and average yield is still negligible. The influence of foliar application of calcium chloride (CaCl2), putrescine (PUT) and salicylic acid (SA) on fruit yield and physicochemical characteristics of ‘Florida King’ peach cultivar was evaluated for two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). Results indicated that, application of CaCl2 (1%), PUT (1, 2 and 3 mM) and SA (2 and 3 mM) increased fruit weight, fruit diameter, pulp: stone ratio and yield compared to control. In addition, fruit harvested from these growth elicitors treated trees did not show significant difference in total soluble solids and total sugar contents. All treatments resulted in higher fruit firmness, acidity and ascorbic acid contents than control. Higher calcium treatments proved toxic and significantly increased the calcium level in leaves and fruit. From present work it can be referred that spraying of CaCl2, PUT and SA, significantly affected yield, and physico-chemical characteristics of peach cv. ‘Florida King’. These growth elicitors are considered safe chemicals and can be applied to enhance production and improve fruit quality of peach without compromising the food safety standards.

25 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: It can be concluded from the short-term experiments under controlled conditions that removal of cotyledons helps effective screening of bacterial inocula compared to seedlings with intact cotYledons.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to isolate and characterize plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from the rhizosphere of field-grown maize. Among the five bacterial isolates obtained in the present study, the isolates M1, M7 and ZN1 showed typical Azospirillum-like cell morphology, motility and high sequence similarity of 16S rDNA to the genus Azospirillum. The isolates M25 and M28 were identified on the bases of 16S rRNA sequence analysis as Achromobacter and Rhodococcus, respectively. All the five isolates obtained in the present study produced phytohormone IAA in pure culture but phosphatesolubilization activity was detected only in pure cultures of Achromobacter strain M25 and Rhodococcus strain M28. The isolates were tested as inoculants for maize seedlings grown in sterilized sand from which cotyledons were removed at an early growth stage to deprive the seedlings of internal nutrient source and harvested after 5 weeks. For comparison, seedlings with intact cotyledons were used as control. In addition inoculated plants were grown in non-sterilized soil in earthen pots and harvested at maturity. In both the short-term inoculation experiments carried out in sterilized sand as well as in long-term inoculation experiment in earthen pots all the inoculated strains improved plant growth compared to respective noninoculated controls. However, unlike the seedlings with intact cotyledons, the pattern regarding the efficiency of growth promotion by inoculated strains (Azospirillum strains ZN1>M7>M1>Achromobacter strain M25>Rhodococcus strain M28) was the same in plants with detached cotyledons and the plants grown to maturity in non-sterilized soil. It can be concluded from the short-term experiments under controlled conditions that removal of cotyledons helps effective screening of bacterial inocula compared to seedlings with intact cotyledons.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Exogenous application of abscisic acid helps in mitigating drought stress by improving growth, development and yield of sunflower in three sunflower genotypes exposed to varied irrigation regimes.
Abstract: Sunflower genotypes perform differently under different water regimes. Drought stress at various growth stages drastically reduces the growth, development and yield of sunflower hybrids. However, exogenous application of abscisic acid helps in mitigating drought stress by improving growth, development and yield of sunflower. In the present study, three sunflower hybrids viz. DK-4040 (large stature), S-278 (medium stature) and SF-187 (short stature) were exposed to varied irrigation regimes and abscisic acid application schedule i.e. T

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, a rotary rheometer has been used to measure temperature dependence kinematic viscosity of fuel and blends, and a digital densitometer with the fuel scale was used to calculate the temperature dependence density of fuel.
Abstract: This paper deals with the flow behaviour conventional petrol, bioethanol and their blends, especially E15 and E85. The temperature dependence density and kinematic viscosity of samples have been measured and modelled. The rotary rheometer has been used to the measuring temperature dependence kinematic viscosity of fuel and blends. The digital densitometer with the fuel scale has been used to the measuring temperature dependence density of fuel and blends. The range of temperature measurement has been stated from the –10 to 40°C. The mathematic models (polynomial and exponential function) have been created according to the general formulae. The coefficients of determination R 2 have achieved high values 0.99 for temperature dependence density and from 0.89 to 0.97 for temperature dependence kinematic viscosity. The created mathematical models could be used to the predict flow behaviour of petrol, bioethanol and their blends.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The findings of this study suggest that the organic amendments can be used to ameliorate phosphorus fixation of acid soils to improve crop production on these soils.
Abstract: Most soils in the tropics are acidic, highly weathered, less fertile, and fix phosphorus. Organic amendments such as compost and biochar can be used to increase the nutrients availability in these soils. Thus, the objectives of this study were to (i) improve soil phosphorus availability using biochar and compost produced using chicken litter and pineapple leaves as feedstock, respectively and (ii) determine if the use of biochar, and compost could improve nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium uptake and dry matter production of Zea mays L. cultivated in tropical acid soil. An incubation study was carried out for 90 days. The treatments evaluated were soil only (T0), 300 g soil + 8.24 g ERP (T1), 300 g soil + 8.24 g ERP + 28.8 g biochar (T2), 300 g soil + 8.24 g ERP + 14.4 g compost (T3), and 300 g soil + 8.24 g ERP + 14.4 g compost + 28.8 g biochar (T4). Pot experiment was carried out using maize hybrid F1 as test crop. The treatments evaluated were 7 kg soil only (unfertilized condition) (T0), 7 kg soil + recommended NPK (5 g urea + 8.24 g ERP + 2.58 g MOP (T1), 7 kg soil + 5 g Urea + 8.24 g ERP + 2.58 g MOP + 769 g biochar (T2), 7 kg soil + 5 g Urea + 8.24 g ERP + 2.58 g MOP + 385 g compost (T3), and 7 kg soil + 5 g Urea + 8.24 g ERP + 2.58 g MOP + 385 g compost + 769 g biochar (T4). The organic amendments increased availability of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the soil. They also increased soil pH to near neutral such that the soil’s exchangeable aluminium and extractable iron which fix soil phosphorus were significantly reduced. As a result, phosphorus availability (total phosphorus, available phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus fractions, and organic phosphorus) in the soil was increased. The organic amendments also improved Zea mays L. nutrient uptake and dry matter production. The findings of this study suggest that the organic amendments can be used to ameliorate phosphorus fixation of acid soils to improve crop production on these soils.


Journal Article
TL;DR: The exogenous application of GB at all three critical growth stages improved the drought tolerance of plants and improved the growth, yield and physiological performance of wheat, however, grain filling stage was found more responsive.
Abstract: Drought is the major abiotic limiting factor for healthy crop growth. Glycinebetaine applied under drought mitigates the adverse effect of drought and improved the plant’s tolerance. The present investigation was conducted to find out the response of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (Lasani-2008, Auqab-2000) under water deficit conditions to exogenous application of 100 mM glycinebetaine at different growth stages, Zadoks GS 22, GS 60 and GS 73, representing tillering, flower initiation and grain filling stages, respectively. The objective was to find out the best glycinebetaine (GB) application stage for mitigating the negative effect of drought stress on wheat plants. During investigation various growth traits (plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant) and physiological parameters (water potential, osmotic potential and turgor potential) of crop were recorded using standard procedures. Drought stress at all three critical growth stages adversely affected (P<0.05) all the growth, yield and physiological components of wheat plant. The exogenous application of GB at all three critical growth stages improved the drought tolerance of plants and improved the growth, yield and physiological performance of wheat, however, grain filling stage was found more responsive.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, Moringa (M.) oleifera, known as the “miracle tree”, is greatly esteemed for its unique nutritional and medicinal value, it contains essential, disease-preventing nutrients.
Abstract: Plants are claimed as folk medicine for their therapeutic activity. Moringa (M.) oleifera, known as the “miracle tree”, is greatly esteemed for its unique nutritional and medicinal value. Nutritively, it contains essential, disease-preventing nutrients. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts of plants have anthelmintic activity through paralysis of helminths. The compounds found responsible so far for their anthelmintic activities include: niazirinin, glycoside, niazirin and three glycosides from mustard oil, niaziminin A, B and 4[4’-O-acetylα -L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl] isothiocyanate isolated from leaves; Dglucose, D-mannose, ascorbic acid, protein and polysaccharide isolated from mature flowers; 0-[2’-hydroxy-3’-(2’’heptenyloxy)] propylundecanoate, methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate, thiocarbanates, isothiocyanate, nitriles, 0-ethyl-4-[(α-1rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl] carbamate, and β-sitosterol isolated from whole pods of M. oleifera. Parasites are one of the major causes of diseases in human and animals. Due to parasitic infections livestock industry suffers from huge economic losses. The parasites which have been treated using different parts of M. oleifera include: Dracunculiasis (guinea worm), schistosomes and trypanosomes. Plant extracts may serve as potential candidates in future to exterminate helminthiasis in human and livestock populations. Hence, isolation, characterization and in vivo and in vitro efficacy trials of M. oleifera derivatives on scientific grounds are direly needed to elucidate it as a noteworthy candidate as neutraceutical and anthelmintic.


Journal Article
TL;DR: The molecular basis of tomato resistance against fungal pathogens is demonstrated and will be helpful for researchers to improve such resistance in tomato varieties under development.
Abstract: Tomato has a significant share in human food items and its yield should necessarily be enhanced against a number of its fungal pathogens. Use of plant innate resistance against pathogens is an effective and the cheapest tool of crop protection. Furthermore, proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of plant explore the qualitative and quantitative basis of this resistance, which is helpful to design future agriculture plans. Therefore, constitutive antifungal resistance of tomato varieties commonly cultivated in Pakistan has been evaluated on the basis of their transcriptome and protein profiles. Study disclosed the fact that six pathogenesis related genes belonging to families PR1, PR2, PR3, PR7 and MT2bL exhibited higher transcriptional rate in comparison with gene Chitinase 3 acidic, which showed lower expression in resistant tomato variety. According to the semi quantitative RT-PRCR results, Osmotin-like PR5 doesn’t regulate constitutive antifungal resistance and shows equal expression with the varying resistance of plants. Moreover, resistant tomato plants had four additional protein species in their cellular contents, ranging in size 40-52 kDa. Those proteins might be resistance ensuring factors of tomato as they were absent in susceptible plant protein profile. This study demonstrates the molecular basis of tomato resistance against fungal pathogens and will be helpful for researchers to improve such resistance in tomato varieties under development.


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the residue level of some selected pesticides (Dichloro diphenyl tricthloro ethane, DDT, DDE, endosulfan, aldrin, bifentrhin, permethrin, and detlamethrin) in milk samples collected from the cotton growing belt of the Punjab province was analyzed on HPLC system.
Abstract: The present study work was aimed at to monitor the residue level of some selected pesticides (Dichloro diphenyl tricthloro ethane, Dichloro diphenyl dichloro ethylene, endosulfan, aldrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, and bifenthrin) in milk samples collected from the cotton growing belt of the Punjab province. The residue level of these pesticides in dairy milk samples was analyzed on High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system. About 70% of the collected samples were found contaminated with either of the analyzed pesticides. Aldrine was detected in 35% samples with mean concentration level of 0.68-g/ml, ranged between 0.32 -g/ml and 5.19-g/ml. However, DDT, DDE, and endosulfan prevailed comparatively in lower percentage such as 10%, 9%, and 7%, respectively. DDT ranges between .003-g/ml and 0.40-g/ml, with mean concentration level of 0.01 -g/ml. Whereas DDE is present with mean residue level of 0.04-g/ml, ranging from 0.15-g/ml to 1.23-g/ml. Lower level of DDT residues in milk indicates that the further application of DDT has been ceased which is also reported by other monitory studies conducted in most of the countries. Mean concentration level of the Endosulfan in milk was 0.13-g/ml. Among pyrethroids pesticides detected in milk samples, bifentrhin was present with the highest mean concentration level of 1.68-g/ml followed by permethrin with mean residue level of 1.24-g/m. The mean residue level of cypermethrin and deltamethrin was 0.23-g/ml and 0.21-g/ml respectively. The results also indicated that 23%, 21%, 18% and 7% of the milk samples were contaminated with cypermethrin, bifenthrin, permethrin and detlamethrin, respectively.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the results of the combined use of bio-slurry and chemical fertilizers were significantly better than those of liquid slurry alone, and the results showed that total N, P, K, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contents were improved significantly by integrated use of Bio-Slurry with fertilizers.
Abstract: -1 for spinach, and NPK @ 125-75-60 kg ha -1 for chilli), liquid slurry on the basis of recommended dose (RD) of N, dried slurry on the basis of RD of N , farm yard manure on the basis of RD of N, Half of the RD of N from chemical fertilizer and half from liquid slurry, Half of the RD of N from chemical fertilizer and half from dried slurry, Half of the RD of N from chemical fertilizer and half from farm yard manure, were applied before sowing of spinach and chilli and all the organic material was well mixed with soil. The results revealed that the highest yield (56.0 t ha -1 ) of spinach (total two cuttings) and chilli (3.06 t ha -1 ) was obtained with chemical fertilizer which was at par where half of the RD of N from chemical fertilizers and half from liquid slurry was applied. The results of the combined use of liquid slurry and chemical fertilizers were significantly better than those of liquid slurry alone. The plant analysis showed that total N, P, K, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contents were improved significantly by integrated use of bio-slurry with fertilizers.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The results suggest that rapid improvement in reducing canopy temperature of the plant material is possible through breeding and selection in F 3 population, and that additive, dominance and epistatic component were involved in the inheritance of canopy temperature.
Abstract: The present study was conducted with the objective to assess germplasm of American cotton for heat tolerance using canopy temperature. For this purpose seventy varieties/lines of Upland cotton were screened out at flowering stage. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the germplasm lines. Three tolerant (MNH552, FH1000 and NIAB111) and three susceptible lines (Cedix ST-362 (GL), LRA5166 and 4F) were selected. The tolerant and susceptible genotypes were crossed to develop F 1 seed of the three crosses. Six generations i.e. F 1, F 2, BC 1 and BC 2 of each cross were grown along with their parents under normal and high temperature in the field following RCBD with three replications. At flowering stage, canopy temperature was measured in both the temperature regimes. Indices of heat tolerance were calculated for genetic investigation. Generation means analysis of the data revealed that additive, dominance and epistatic component were involved in the inheritance of canopy temperature. However genetic variance analysis showed that canopy temperature was predominantly controlled by additive genes, and thus estimates of h 2 ns were high. These results suggest that rapid improvement in reducing canopy temperature of the plant material is possible through breeding and selection in F 3 population.


Journal Article
TL;DR: It was concluded that chlorpyrifos at 10 and 12 mg/kg BW rendered various clinical, pathological alterations in internal organs and was also involved in genotoxicity.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the testicular and genotoxic effects of chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide, in adult male Japanese quail. For this purpose a total of 75 sexually mature birds were procured and randomly kept in five equal groups. Chlorpyrifos was given @ 0, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mg/kg BW orally for 36 days to experimental birds present in all groups (A-E). Adverse effects such as gasping, depression, watery droppings, decreased foam production, tremors and less frequency of mounting with pen mates were evident in a dose-dependent manner. Chlorpyrifos decreased feed intake, body weight and relative weight of testes, liver and kidneys as compared to control birds. Histopathological examination of seminiferous tubules of testes at higher concentration of chlorpyrifos (10 and 12 mg/kg BW) revealed less number of spermatogenic cell layers, increased number of degenerated spermatozoa and multinucleated giant cells. Furthermore, histopathological examination of liver tissues indicated extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation. Moreover, mild to moderate congestion with sporadic tubular epithelial cell necrosis was observed in kidneys. Significantly increased comet tail length confirmed DNA damage at higher concentration of chlorpyrifos in isolated lymphocyte and bone marrow cells. It was concluded that chlorpyrifos at 10 and 12 mg/kg BW rendered various clinical, pathological alterations in internal organs and was also involved in genotoxicity.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and three housekeeping genes, gyrB, rpoB and atpD, of strain NCCP-644 T showed the highest similarity with members of the genus Acinetobacter.
Abstract: T, was isolated from a textile dyeing wastewater treatment pond. The optimum (and ranges of) temperature and pH for growth of strain NCCP-644 T was 20-25 ○ C (3-37 ○ C) and 7–8 (6-10), respectively. The strain can tolerate 0-3% NaCl (w/v) and heavy metals (Cr 2700 ppm, As 3000 ppm, Pb 2100 ppm and Cu 2700 ppm) in tryptic soya agar medium. The sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and three housekeeping genes, gyrB, rpoB and atpD, of strain NCCP644 T showed the highest similarity (98.3, 91.9, 95.3 and 96.6 %, respectively) with the strain "Acinetobacter kyonggiensis" KSL5401-037 T . Phylogenetic analyses from the sequence of the16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoB genes also revealed the affiliation of NCCP-644 T with members of the genus Acinetobacter. The chemotaxonomic data [major quinones as Q-9; major cellular fatty acids as summed feature 3 (iso-C15 :0 2OH/C16 :1ω7c) followed by C18:1 ω9c, C16:0, and C12:0 3-OH; major polar lipids as diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl monomethyl ethanol, phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol and one unknown phospholipid] also support the affiliation of strain NCCP-644 T with the genus Acinetobacter. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NCCP-644 T

Journal Article
TL;DR: It has been observed that co-inoculation of Rhizobium and Pseudomonas was the most effective treatment to reduce the inhibitory effect of salinity on CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll content.
Abstract: Plant growth, physiology, and quality parameters are affected by higher levels of ethylene under salinity stress. Certain plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can successfully be used to alleviate the detrimental effects of salinity-stress induced ethylene by degrading its immediate precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), through the activity of ACCdeaminase enzyme. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Rhizobium and Pseudomonas containing ACC-deaminase for their ability to reduce the negative impact of salinity stress on physiology and quality parameters of mung bean. Results showed that salinity stress adversely affected the CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll contents in mung bean however; inoculation with either Rhizobium or Pseudomonas significantly reduced the adverse effect of salinity. It has been observed that co-inoculation of Rhizobium and Pseudomonas was the most effective treatment to reduce the inhibitory effect of salinity on CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll content. Co-inoculation also improved the nutrient balance and increased the phosphorus and protein concentration in grain of mung bean. The results suggested that such strains could be effective for reducing the deleterious effects of salinity on growth, physiology and quality of mung bean.

Journal Article
TL;DR: By adjusting factors affected rooting, the ideal in vitro roots development and proper handling of the plantlets during rooting stage was achieved within a short period of time and the survival percentage of ex vitro plants exceeded 90%.
Abstract: Date palm is a dioecious, perennial monocot plant species of the Arecaceae family cultivated in 56 countries including European and American countries. The success of date palm micropropagation is strongly linked to the in vitro root quality. The identical shoots of 8-10 cm long of three different varieties (vars.) were cultured in rooting experiment to study the combined impact of genotype, sucrose concentration, activated charcoal (AC), basal salts (MS or MS & B5) and subculture number. The adventitious roots were planned to be initiated on media included different combinations of sucrose and basal salts for a couple of subcultures (each a month) and after then were transferred onto media contained 1.5 and 3.0 g/l AC for additional two subcultures. Findings indicated that using 40 g/l sucrose in the rooting medium encouraged the adventitious roots production where 5 roots per plantlet of 7.8 cm long and 1.4 mm width were averagely induced. The average leaves number reached 3-4 leaves per plantlet, leaf length 18-28 cm and the leaf width 3.5-6.9 mm. Full strength of MS basal salts proved better than macro elements of B5 & micro elements of MS. The leaves and roots growth was affected by the genotype since the shoots of var. Gajar were initiated before other two varieties and in higher number. Incorporation of 3.0 g/l AC to the rooting medium found to be necessary to enhance the whole plantlet growth as the length of white roots and leaves increased. AC addition encouraged the secondary and tertiary roots formation. By adjusting factors affected rooting, the ideal in vitro roots have been achieved within a short period of time (4 months) and the survival percentage of ex vitro plants exceeded 90%. The in vitro roots development and proper handling of the plantlets during rooting stage was described in current study.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The present study concluded that genotypes Nesser, Dharwar Dry, Inqilab-91, among others, served as good combiners while Bakhar-2002 × 9247, DHarwar Dry × 9021, Bakhar -2002 ×9244, and Nesser × 9244 are promising cross combinations.
Abstract: The threat of climate change has instilled a demand for multi-faceted genetic diversity coupled with resourceful tools and technologies to attain biotic and abiotic resistance in crops. The present study was designed to investigate and compare common physiological and morphological traits under normal and water-stressed conditions. Seven selected (Pakistani, Indian and CIMMYT) water stress-tolerant (WST) genotypes were crossed with seven local water stress-susceptible (WSS) lines using a line × tester mating approach. The hybrids, together with parents, were sown in two different environments. Combining ability effects determined the behavior of both parents as well as offspring and allowed the best combiners for different traits to be selected. Different traits showed additive and non-additive types of gene action under both environmental conditions. The present study concluded that genotypes Nesser, Dharwar Dry, Inqilab-91, among others, served as good combiners while Bakhar-2002 × 9247, Dharwar Dry × 9021, Bakhar-2002 × 9244, and Nesser × 9244 are promising cross combinations. Regarding grain yield, genotype 9252 and Dharwar Dry performed best under normal irrigation and water-stressed conditions, respectively. A change in water provision resulted in a shift in gene action, broad sense heritability and proportional share that each trait contributed. When these traits were pooled, it was possible to discriminate between WST and WSS genotypes and, through line × tester experiments, develop droughtand water stresstolerant lines based on morphological markers under changing climatic conditions.