Aftab Afzal

Higher soybean yield by inoculation with N-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria

Phosphorus availability for soybean growth is frequently low because P reacts with iron, aluminum and calcium in soil to form insoluble phosphates. The increasing price of phosphatic fertilizers is a major obstacle faced by farmers for application of recommended P doses. Low yield of soybean in Pakistan is also lowering adoption by farmers of this oilseed crop. These issues could be solved by inoculation of beneficial microorganisms that enhance the availability of N and P to the plant. Here, we tested the effect of inoculation of Bradyrhizobium or Pseudomonas, or both, in the presence and absence of P2O5 fertilizer, on soybean yield. Experiments were carried out in pots and the field during 2004 and 2005 under natural conditions. The bacterial strains were applied in broth culture in the pots at the seedling stage or as a seed treatment in the field. Our results showed that co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium and Pseudomonas strains with the P2O5 treatment resulted in increased grain yield of 38% in pot experiments and 12% in the field experiment, compared with the P2O5 treatment alone. Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain TAL 377 produced 74.64 μg/mL indole acetic acid and 261.2 μg/mL gibberellic acid. Similarly, Pseudomonas strain 54RB produced 8.034 μg/mL indole acetic acid and 1766 μg/mL gibberellic acid. The survival efficiency of Bradyrhizobium was up to 46% higher due to co-inoculation and P2O5 as compared with its single inoculation. On the other hand, Pseudomonas survival efficiency was up to 33% higher with added P2O5 as compared with its single inoculation.

Investigation of traditional medicinal floral knowledge of Sarban Hills, Abbottabad, KP, Pakistan

ETHNO PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ethno medicinal traditional knowledge regarding the uses of indigenous medicinal plants for treating various human infectious diseases is totally in hold of the elder community members. The young generation is not much aware about such vital traditional medicinal practices. AIM OF STUDY To document, accumulate and widely disseminate the massive indigenous knowledge of centurys practiced therapeutic uses of medicinal plants by the local people living in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 134 local inhabitants (78 male and 56 female) were interviewed through questionnaire method. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed through the use value, fidelity level index and relative frequency citation. Plants specimen were preserved and mounted on herbarium sheets and labeled, cataloged and deposited with voucher numbers in Hazara University Herbarium, Mansehra, Pakistan (HUP). RESULTS 74 plant species belonging to 70 genera and 42 families were documented in the current study. These medicinal plant species are used commonly as an ethno medicine against 56 various diseases such as digestive disorder, cough, pain and skin diseases etc. Herbaceous plant species were the dominant among plants studied which were 57% of the total plants, followed by shrubs (23%) and trees (20%). Asteraceae was the leading family among collected medicinal plant species (10.81%). Maximum medicinal plant species were used for treatment of digestive disorders (9.09%) and cough (7.44%). Most widely part used is leaf (27.9%), followed by fruit (13.5%) and seed (13.5%) for the treatment of different ailments by the traditional healers. The medicinal plant species with greater use values were Berberis lycium (0.91) and Cannabis sativa (0.81). The medicinal plant species with maximum fidelity level were Ziziphus jujuba (100%) and Lonicera caprifolium (92.31%) whereas the medicinal with most relative frequency citation were B. lycium (0.313), Ziziphus nummularia (0.276). The comparative result reveals that 36% of medicinal plant species were reported for the first time from Abbottabad regarding their uses, whereas 26% of plant species were reported with different medicinal uses. Brugmansia suaveolens and Allium griffithianum were recorded for the first time from Pakistan as well as from other countries across the globe for currently reported medicinal uses. CONCLUSION The current study revealed the importance to document and launch list of all possible plants that are used in ethno medicinal practices in the study area. Future antimicrobial, antivirals, and pharmacological studies are required to ratify the efficacy and safety of the medicinal plants species.

Contributions to the phytotherapies of digestive disorders: Traditional knowledge and cultural drivers of Manoor Valley, Northern Pakistan

ETHNO PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ethno medicinal traditional knowledge regarding the uses of indigenous medicinal plants used for various human digestive disorders are mostly known to the elder community members. As the young generation is not much aware about such vital traditional medicinal practice because they rely on elders. AIM OF STUDY To document, accumulate and widely disseminate the massive indigenous knowledge of centurys practiced therapeutic uses of medicinal plants by the local people living in this remote area. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 63 local inhabitants (39 males and 24 females) were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed through the use value (UVi), fidelity level index (FL%) and relative frequency citations (RFCs), consensus index (CI%) and informant consensus factor (FIC). For novel uses all the plants were checked with previously published articles on same disease by analyzing through Jaccard index (JI) and Sorensens similarity index (QS). Plants specimen were preserved, mounted and labeled on the herbarium sheets, cataloged and deposited with voucher numbers in Hazara University Herbarium, Mansehra, Pakistan (HUP). RESULTS 44 plant species belonging to 44 genera and 28 families were documented in the current study. These medicinal plant species were used commonly as an ethno medicine against 26 various digestive disorders out of which most frequently occurred are; stomach ache, diarrhea, indigestion, constipation and inflammation etc. Herbaceous plant species were the dominant among plants studied which were 64% of the total plants, followed by trees (20%) and shrubs (16%). Lamiaceae was the leading family among collected medicinal plant species (13.6%). Maximum medicinal plant species were used for treatment of stomach ache (11.7%), diarrhea and indigestion (10.9% each). Most widely used parts were leaves (41% citations), fruit and whole plant (12% citations each) for medication of various digestive problems by the traditional drivers. Dominated medicinal plants with most use values were Ficus carica having (UVi=0.90) and Trifolium repens (UVi=0.84). Based on the RFC values, the most cited medicinal plant species by the traditional drivers were Ficus carica (0.43) and Berberis lycium (0.41), while most respondents percentage was noticed for same plant species calculated through consensus index (CI%=42.9% and 41.3%) respectively. The medicinal plant species with highest fidelity level was of Grewia optiva, Juglans regia and Sorbaria tomentosa each cited 100% for anthelmintic, easy digestion and Diarrhea respectively. Due to representation by only single medicinal plant taxa (Nt=1), the digestive diseases viz. cholera, colon cancer, emetic, internal injuries, kill microorganisms, Soothing, tumor and urine suppression had maximum FIC value. The analytical result reveals that 57% of medicinal plant species were reported for the first time regarding their uses. new medicinal uses of Anaphalis contorta, Caltha palustris, Pinus wallichiana, Plantago himalaica were recorded for the first time from Pakistan and Aralia cachemirica, Bupleurum longicaule, Pleurospermum stellatum, Potentilla argentea and Juglans regia across the globe for currently reported medicinal uses. Besides this, all the mentioned plant species were reported for the first time for digestive disorders from Manoor Valley as no single study up-till now has been conducted ethno medicinally. CONCLUSION The present study revealed the importance to document and launch list of all the possible plants that are used in traditional medicinal practices against digestive disorders in the unexplored study area and to show the important medicinal plants for future biological, phytochemical and pharmacological experimentation regarding digestive problems.

A novel survey of the ethno medicinal knowledge of dental problems in Manoor Valley (Northern Himalaya), Pakistan

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In the study area, the traditional knowledge and cultural practices of utilizing medicinal plants in the human healthcare is primarily restricted to the old age members of the community, while younger generation is mostly unaware of the natural wealth usage. AIM OF THE STUDY We provide the first ever ethno medicinal insights into the management of dental disorders in Pakistan. The prime objective of the study was to explore novel knowledge of these local and remote community members and share it with rest of the world in documented form. MATERIALS AND METHODS Field surveys were arranged for collection and documentation of medicinal plants of Manoor valley during 2015. Total 71 local inhabitants were interviewed randomly through questionnaire. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed using the use value (UVi), relative frequency citations (RFCs), fidelity level index (FL%) and consensus index (CI%). For novel uses all plants were thoroughly checked with previously published articles on the same disorder and analyzed through Jaccard index (JI) and Sorensens similarity index (QS). The collected specimens after confirmation were submitted to the Herbarium, Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan (HUP). RESULTS In present study 25 plants belonging to 17 families are reported, these plants were used commonly as ethno medicine. There were herbs (64%), shrubs (20%) and trees (16%) whereas, Lamiaceae with 4 species was the leading family. Majority of medicinal plant species were used in treatment of toothache (38%), wound healing (19%), gum infections (16%) whereas and lowest percentage of species were used for mouth ulcer as well as teeth powder (3%). Leaves were the most widely part used plant part in the treatment of different diseases (36%). Dominated medicinal plants with high used values were Juglans regia (UVi=0.94), Rumex dentatus (0.89) and Indigofera heterantha (0.88). Based on the RFC values, the most valuable and cited medicinal plant species used by the traditional drivers are Juglans regia having (RFCs=0.69) and Rumex dentatus (0.58). CI results show that most respondents percentage was for Juglans regia having CI%=69%, followed by Rumex dentatus (57.7%). Medicinal plants with high fidelity level and reported for one dental disorder were Berberis lycium, Geranium wallichianum, Lathyrus aphaca, Platanus orientalis, Sedum spp. and Urtica dioica for toothache. Further, new medicinal uses of Abies pindrow, Ajuga integrifolia, Berberis lycium, Urtica dioica, Indigofera heterantha were recorded for the first time from Pakistan and Astragalus grahamianus, Corydalis cornuta, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus muricatus, Rumex hastatus, Stellaria media, Tagetes minuta, Taraxacum officinale and Lathyrus aphaca, across the world for the current reported medicinal uses. All mentioned plant species are reported for the first time ever for dental disorders from Manoor Valley. Nonetheless, this is a novel study as no single ethno medicinal study on dental disorder up-till now has been reported from Pakistan. CONCLUSION The present study is the first ever documentation of ethno medicinal practices aiming at the dental disorders in Pakistan, which resulted in 64% of medicinal uses new claims. So, the reported species of remote valley should be further evaluated for proper experimentation and pharmacological activities to authenticate their current traditional usage. Field observation revealed vegetation of the area was generally threatened due to its unwise use by the local communities. Trends like deforestation, over grazing, habitat fragmentation and introduction of the exotic taxa were the visible threats. So conservation of such an important natural God gifted treasure is mandatory.

Graphical dataset on important medicinal plants used for curing dental issues in Manoor Valley, Mansehra, Pakistan

The graphical dataset in this paper is related to the research article entitled “A novel survey of the ethno medicinal knowledge of dental problems in Manoor Valley (Northern Himalaya), Pakistan” (I.U. Rahman, F. Ijaz, Z. Iqbal, A. Afzal, N. Ali, M. Afzal, M.A. Khan, S. Muhammad, G. Qadir, M. Asif, 2016) [1]. This article describes how the local community of Manoor Valley practices cultural / traditional knowledge for dental problems. For the recorded data of 25 medicinal plants, six quantitative ethnomedicinal statistical approaches / equations were used. Out of these indices, four were used to measure the most imported and cited medicinal plant species while two for the comparative analysis to evaluate the novelty of work.

Determination of lytic enzyme activities of indigenous Trichoderma isolates from Pakistan.

Abstract This study investigated lytic enzyme activities in three indigenous Trichoderma strains namely, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma sp. Native Trichoderma strains and a virulent strain of Rhizoctonia solani isolated from infected bean plants were also included in the study. Enzyme activities were determined by measuring sugar reduction by dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method using suitable substrates. The antagonists were cultured in minimal salt medium with the following modifications: medium A (1 g of glucose), medium B (0.5 g of glucose + 0.5 g of deactivated R. solani mycelia), medium C (1.0 g of deactivated respective antagonist mycelium) and medium D (1 g of deactivated R. solani mycelia). T asperellum showed presence of higher amounts of chitinases, β-1, 3-glucanases and xylanases in extracellular protein extracts from medium D as compared to medium A. While, the higher activities of glucosidases and endoglucanses were shown in medium D extracts by T. harzianum. β-glucosidase activities were lower compared with other enzymes; however, activities of the extracts of medium D were significantly different. T. asperellum exhibited maximum inhibition (97.7%). On the other hand, Trichoderma sp. did not show any effect on mycelia growth of R. solani on crude extract.

Interaction of Rhizobium and Pseudomonas with Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) in Potted Soil with or Without P2O5

The effect of inoculation of Rhizobium or Pseudomonas, or both, in the presence and absence of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) fertilizer on wheat yield was tested. The experiment was conducted outdoors in potted soil during two consecutive years under natural conditions. Rhizobial strain (Thal 8-chickpea nodulating bacteria) and Pseudomonas strain (54RB), both indigenous P solubilizers were applied in broth culture at seedling stage. Fertilizer in the form of P2O5 was an additional treatment applied at sowing time. Results revealed that inoculation of Pseudomonas strain in presence of phosphorus (P) fertilizer increased yield up to 41.8% when it was compared with only P fertilizer applied. Co-inoculation of Rhizobium and Pseudomonas strains with the P2O5 treatment however resulted in increased grains yield by 10% over the P2O5 treatment alone. It is inferred that inoculation with Rhizobium and Pseudomonas combined with P2O5 is not only environmentally beneficial but also economically sound and productive, with wheat yield increases of 10% to 42%.

Traditional and ethnomedicinal dermatology practices in Pakistan

In spite of the remarkable achievements in the health care sector over recent decades, inequities in accessibility and affordability of these facilities coexist throughout Pakistan, which has led us to explore and document the cultural knowledge of medicinal plants used in skin disorders by the local community members of Manoor Valley, Pakistan. Field investigations were undertaken during the summer seasons of 2015-2017, and cultural practices of medicinal plants usage for treating various ailments were gathered through interviews with the local inhabitants. Ethnomedicinal insights of the medicinal plants used for skin ailments were gained with recorded data assessed through different statistical packages for evaluation of principal components analysis, species disease curve, and two-way cluster analysis. We conclude that plants play an important role as ethnomedicine in daily life and especially in the health care of the people living in the study area.

Plant Resources and Human Ecology of Tarnawai area, District Abbottabad, Pakistan

Main purpose of this study was to investigate the ethno-ecological profile of Tarnawai, Abbottabad District, KP, Pakistan. Tarnawai is located at elevation of 1524 m. It is situated between 34°16′15’ North and 73°17′47’ East. Questionnaires were used during interviews for the documentation of data. Plants were photographed, collected, and pressed in the post interviw field surveys. During field visits GPS, camera, presser, field notebook, polythene bags, twig cutter, pen, trowel, tags, and scissor were also used. Ethno-ecological data were recorded from 89 informants including 45% male, 51% female, and 4% hakims. A total of 71 plant species were documented belonging to 37 plant families and 63 genera with a share of 45% herbs, 24% trees and 13% shrubs. The leading plant family was Rosaceae with eight plant species followed by others. A total of 43 plant species were used for 35 various ailments by the local inhabitants. Almost nine plant species belonging to different families were used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Juglans regia was the most cited medicinal plant species with a use value (UVi = 0.98) and relative frequency citations (RFCs = 0.46). Due to overexploitation and lack of proper training, plants are increasingly threatened. There must be guidelines for work to improve the local management system for all the natural plant resources. There must be resource ownership and decision-making processes within the local communities.

Lead and manganese accumulation on leaves of road side plants from Mauripor to Hawks Bay road, Karachi, Pakistan

In order to investigate the heavy metals accumulation and their effects on roadside trees Conocarpus erectus. The total content of Pb and Mn was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry was conducted. Average concentration 10.578 ± 3.48 μg/gm of Pb and 91.98 ± 30.03 μg/gm of Mn was found. Moreover, there were variations in the level of both these heavy metals in different samples of Conocarpus tree that were collected from different locations along the road side due to different level of exposure to Pb and Mn. This physiological response of Conocarpus plant towards Pb and Mn suggests that roadside plants are good indicators of heavy metals accumulation and their subsequent effects on the environment. The tremendous increase in auto vehicles in recent years has caused the environment to become a continuous source of pollutants, including heavy metals. Plants show considerable amount of lead and other metals in their tissues near busy roads (Dalal and Bairgi 1985, Rashid and Mukherjee 1990, Iqbal et al. 1999). Tetra-ethyl lead, which is an anti-knocking additive, is added to gasoline, that escapes from auto exhaust and mix into the air, soil and water (Iqbal and Shazia 2004). Lead has long been known as a potential health hazard (Shannon and Graef 1996). A number of studies have determined lead concentrations in dust, soil, particulates, and leaf samples in different urban areas around the world. Dust is a significant source of lead and can raise the blood lead levels in humans, particularly in children (Aydinalp and Marinova 2004). Manganese is used as a component of tyre and motor oil (Shaikh et al. 2006). Particulate type air pollutants such as ash, dirt and grit land on the top of leaves do not enter the leaf but may damage it by mechanical abrasion of surface. Particulate matter can also block the sun light and there by reduce the food processing ability of the plants. Deposition of lead on leaves mainly depends upon the characteristics of the leaf surface and the wind speed, and to lesser extent on the other environmental conditions like temperature, humidity etc. (Agarwal 1991). The plants, growing near highways are usually exposed to more automobile lead and manganese discharge than any other location. Small amount of lead, manganese and other heavy metals can penetrate the cuticle probably through stomata and other openings. In an earlier study, it has been found that stomata of plants growing on roadside and central district of Karachi are blocked to the extent of 20 50% depending on the location (Ahmed et al. 2005). The present study was conducted in order to investigate heavy-metals (Pb and Mn) accumulation and their effects on roadside trees Conocarpus (Conocarpus erectus) in the Mauripor to Hawks bay Road. Leaf samples of Conocarpus erictus tree were collected from eight kilometers area (from Mauripur to fish point (Beach Bar-BQ Restaurant), along Hawks bay road Karachi, Pakistan. There were four rows of plants; each row was composed of 1500 plants, so there were approximately *Author for correspondence: . Department of Botany, Hazara University Mansehra 21300, KP, Pakistan.