Abdul Basir

Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria Nullify the Antagonistic Effect of Soil Calcification on Bioavailability of Phosphorus in Alkaline Soils

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) reduce the negative effects of soil calcification on soil phosphorus (P) nutrition. In this incubation study, we explored the ability of PSB (control and inoculated) to release P from different P sources [single super phosphate (SSP), rock phosphate (RP), poultry manure (PM) and farm yard manure (FYM)] with various soil lime contents (4.78, 10, 15 and 20%) in alkaline soil. PSB inoculation progressively enriched Olsen extractable P from all sources compared to the control over the course of 56 days; however, this increase was greater from organic sources (PM and FYM) than from mineral P sources (SSP and RP). Lime addition to the soil decreased bioavailable P, but this effect was largely neutralized by PSB inoculation. PSB were the most viable in soil inoculated with PSB and amended with organic sources, while lime addition decreased PSB survival. Our findings imply that PSB inoculation can counteract the antagonistic effect of soil calcification on bioavailable P when it is applied using both mineral and organic sources, although organic sources support this process more efficiently than do mineral P sources. Therefore, PSB inoculation combined with organic manure application is one of the best options for improving soil P nutrition.

Design and SAR Analysis of Wearable Antenna on Various Parts of Human Body, Using Conventional and Artificial Ground Planes

This paper presents design and specific absorption rate analysis of a 2.4 GHz wearable patch antenna on a conventional and electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) ground planes, under normal and bent conditions. Wearable materials are used in the design of the antenna and EBG surfaces. A woven fabric (Zelt) is used as a conductive material and a 3 mm thicker Wash Cotton is used as a substrate. The dielectric constant and tangent loss of the substrate are 1.51 and 0.02 respectively. The volume of the proposed antenna is 113×96.4×3 mm3. The metamaterial surface is used as a high impedance surface which shields the body from the hazards of electromagnetic radiations to reduce the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). For on-body analysis a three layer model (containing skin, fats and muscles) of human arm is used. Antenna employing the EBG ground plane gives safe value of SAR (i.e. 1.77W/kg 2W/kg). The efficiency of the EBG based antenna is improved from 52 to 74%, relative to the conventional counterpart. The proposed antenna can be used in wearable electronics and smart clothing.

Design of tetra-band frequency reconfigurable antenna for portable wireless applications

This paper presents the design of multi and wide band frequency reconfigurable monopole antenna, using FR4 as a substrate with thickness of 1.6mm. The radiating element is printed on a truncated metallic ground plane. The antenna works in a single-band and two dual-band modes using two switches. The single-band (WiMAX at 3.45GHz) mode is obtained when both switches (SW1 and SW2) are in OFF state. The first Dual-band (Wi-Fi at 2.45 GHz and WLAN at 5.45 GHz) mode is achieved when one particular switch of the two switches is turned ON. When both switches are turned ON, the antenna functions in the second dual band mode(GSM at 1.8GHz and WLAN at 5.45GHz). This monopole antenna is designed using computer simulation technology 2011(CST Microwave studio). The designed antennas performance is examined on the basis of return loss, radiation pattern, Gain,Efficiency and VSWR.

Response of Tillage, Nitrogen and Stubble Management on Phenology and Crop Establishment of Wheat

Field study was conducted at Cereal Crops Research Institute Pirsabak Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during 2009-2011 in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having four replications. Three tillage systems (TS) [minimum, conventional and deep] were laid out in main plots, whereas the subplots were six maize stubble management (SM) practices such as removal, burning and incorporation with and without nitrogen (N; 120 kg ha -1 ) application. The objective of the study was to examine the treatment effects on phenology, establishment and yield of succeeding wheat crop. Result showed that wheat phenology except days to emergence was not affected by different TS however; early emergence (10 days) was observed in minimum tillage rather than conventional and deep tillage system. Nitrogen fertilization (120 kg N ha -1 ) enhanced days to phenological observations, while no significant variation in days to emergence and physiological maturity were recorded among SM practices, however; stubble incorporation delayed the booting and anthesis stage compared to burning and removing. Minimum tillage improved emergence, tillers and grain yield (3134 kg ha -1 ) compared to deep tillage systems. Nitrogen fertilization at the rate of 120 kg ha -1 and maize stubble incorporation prior to wheat sowing also improved emergence, tillers, plant height and grain yield compared to control and stubble removal or burning. It is concluded from current study that maize stubble incorporation with recommended dose of fertilizer N (120 kg ha -1 ) prior to wheat sowing delayed phenology, and improved wheat establishment and yield under minimum tillage in a continuous cereal based cropping system instead of stubble burning and removal.

Author Correction: Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria Nullify the Antagonistic Effect of Soil Calcification on Bioavailability of Phosphorus in Alkaline Soils

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Wheat phenology and density and fresh and dry weight of weeds as affected by potassium sources levels and tillage practices

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of potassium sources, levels and tillage practice on wheat phenology, weeds density, fresh and dry weight at New Developmental Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar during Rabi 2012. Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with split plot arrangement having three replications was used. Tillage practices (chisel plough, mould board plough and rotavator) were allotted to main plots while K sources (Sulphate of Potash-SOP and Muriate of Potash-MOP) with levels (30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha) were applied to sub plots. Among different tillage systems, rotavator has significantly increased weed density (54 weeds m), weeds fresh weight (98 gm) and dry weight (65 gm) as compared to mould board and chisel plough. SOP has significantly delayed anthesis(138 days), grain fill duration (29 days) and physiological maturity (167 days) were taken by subplots which received K in the form of sulphate of potash (SOP). While in case of potassium levels maximum days to anthesis (140), grain fill duration (29) and physiological maturity (168) were counted for K applied at the rate of 120 kg ha. Control plot had resulted minimum values for all aforesaid parameters. It is concluded from the experiment that rotavatorhad increased weeds density, fresh and dry weight. However, on the other hand chisel plough had significantly reduced weed density, fresh and dry weight. It is therefore, chisel plough and SOP at the rate of 60 kg ha is recommended to control weeds and delay wheat phenology.

Impacts of tillage, stubble management, and nitrogen on wheat production and soil properties

Abstract: In continuous cereal-based crop rotation, inappropriate residue management such as burning and removing may deteriorate soil properties and crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different tillage systems (TSs), nitrogen fertilization, and maize (Zea mays L.) stubble management (SM) on subsequent wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop and soil properties. The experiment consisted of three TSs, i.e., shallowing with rotavator (0–10 cm), conventional (0–20 cm), and deep tillage (0–30 cm) as main plots, whereas the subplots were SM (removal, burning, or incorporation) with or without 120 kg N ha-1 as urea. The treatments were laid out in a split-plot fashion with whole-plot factor in a randomized complete block design. Shallow tillage (ST) increased wheat yield and soil moisture retention, soil mineral N, total N, and organic carbon. Similarly, stubble incorporation with N fertilization enhanced grain yield and soil properties as compared with the stubble removed or burning treatments. Synergetic effects were noted between ST and residue incorporation with N fertilization for grain yield and soil N response. We conclude that in a cereal-based cropping system, ST and maize stubble incorporation accompanied by N fertilization can improve soil properties and productivity of subsequent wheat crop in existing soil conditions.

Impact of rhizobial inoculum and inorganic fertilizers on nutrients (NPK) availability and uptake in wheat crop

Abstract. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of rhizobial inoculums and inorganic fertilizers on NP availability, soil microbial activity, wheat NPK concentration and uptake. These experiments were consisted of two factors, four inoculums (no, lentil, peas, and chickpeas) and two NPK doses (120:90:60 and 96:72:48 kg ha-1). Inoculums significantly increased plant total NPK concentration by 39, 57, and 37%, and their uptake by 66, 86, and 56%, respectively. Peas inoculum was most efficient in wheat NPK concentration and uptake. The interactive effect of inoculums and NPK demonstrated that peas and lentil inoculums with 20% less NPK had statistically better role than full NPK without inoculation. AB-DTPA extractible P and mineral N were progressively increased with incubation periods and exhibited significant differences between inoculated and uninoculated treatments during all incubation intervals for NP except at day 7 for N. Peas inoculum showed maximum mean net NP availability of 131.5 and 3.48 mg kg-1 over 56 d of incubation, respectively. Significantly higher cumulative CO2 of 1429 mg kg-1 with a net increase of 866 mg kg-1 was recorded for peas inoculums during 12 d of incubation interval. It is concluded that peas rhizobium could be used as a plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria for wheat and other cereal crops.

Spreading of bio-wastes onto soil surfaces to control pathogens: human health and environmental consequences.

Thousands of tons of animal and human wastes are produced every day across the globe. Their continuous use as fertilizers or soil amendments on agricultural lands has raised severe health and environmental concerns. Incorporating bio-wastes into the soil is one of the best management strategies to control the run-off of nutrients from the soil surface and, in turn, protect freshwater. However, exposing bio-waste to sunlight in the field is considered to be one of the most cost-effective methods to control pathogens. Considering the differences among different bio-waste management strategies, there is a need for a review of the current knowledge on the practice of spreading bio-wastes onto the soil surface. Specifically, this information would help us to better understand the fate of pathogens upon their exposure to the open environment, how the presence of bio-waste on the soil surface can threaten humans and the environment, and the costs and benefits of surface-applied bio-wastes. Current review of the literature revealed a lack of understanding of the factors responsible for killing pathogens on the soil surface. More than 150 pathogens (including different viruses, bacteria, protozoan and helminth) have been reported to be present in different bio-wastes, but the majority of studies have focused on a few common pathogens. Similarly, over the last decade, each year at least 1 new pathogen is being reported which can threat public health but there is a paucity of knowledge concerning the fate of pathogens under field conditions. Similarly, the techniques used for the detection of pathogens were found to be variable and inconclusive, making it difficult to compare the results of different studies. Therefore, given that the tools for the evaluation of pathogens have serious limitations and the survival characteristics of many (old and emerging) pathogens are yet to be discovered, the spreading of bio-wastes (treated or untreated) onto the soil surface (i.e., unincorporated) may not only further increase the threat for human health but also further aggravate the environment.