Asif Iqbal

Epidemiology of Eimeria and associated risk factors in cattle of district Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, species characterization, and associated risk factors with Eimeria of cattle of district Toba Tek Singh from April, 2009 to March, 2010. Of the total 584 fecal samples examined for Eimeria, 275 (47.09%) were found infected with six species of Eimeria. Among the identified species of Eimeria, Eimeria bovis was found to be the highest prevalent species (52.36%), followed in order by Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria canadensis, Eimeria ellipsoidalis, Eimeria alabamensis, and Eimeria cylindrica with prevalence of 48.27%, 34.83%, 29.31%, 24.14%, and 8.62% respectively. Peak prevalence was observed in August. Cattle were infected more frequently during rainy (60.32%) and post-rainy seasons (59.25%). Calves had significantly higher prevalence (P < 0.05) of Eimeria than adults while higher prevalence of Eimeria was observed in female cattle. Among management and husbandry practices, feeding system, watering system, housing system, floor type, and herd size strongly influenced the prevalence of Eimeria in cattle. Coccidiosis was more prevalent in ground feeding system, pond-watered animals, closed housing system, and non-cemented floor type (P < 0.05) as compared to trough feeding system, tap watered animals, open housing system, and partially cemented floor types, respectively. Breed and body condition of animals were not found risk factors (P > 0.05) influencing prevalence of Eimeria.

Growth and Productivity Response of Hybrid Rice to Application of Animal Manures, Plant Residues and Phosphorus

The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of organic sources (animal manures vs. plant residues at the rate of 10 t ha−1 each) on the productivity of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) production under different levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg P ha−1) fertilization. Two separate field experiments were conducted. In experiment (1), impact of three animal manures sources (cattle, sheep, and poultry manures) and P levels were studied along with one control plot (no animal manure and P applied) was investigated. In experiment (2), three plant residues sources (peach leaves, garlic residues, and wheat straw) and P levels were studied along with one control plot (no plant residues and P applied). Both the experiments were carried out on small land farmer field at District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (Northwest Pakistan) during summer 2015. The results revealed that in both experiments the control plot had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) less productivity than the average of all treated plots with organic sources and P level. The increase in P levels in both experiments (animal manure vs. plant residues) resulted in higher rice productivity (90 > 60 > 30 > 0 kg P ha−1). In the experiment under animal manures, application of poultry manure increased rice productivity as compared with sheep and cattle manures (poultry > sheep > cattle manures). In the experiment under plant residues, application of peach leaves or garlic residues had higher rice productivity than wheat straw (peach leaves = garlic residues > wheat straw). On average, rice grown under animal manures produced about 20% higher grain yield than rice grown under crop residues. We conclude from this study that application of 90 kg P ha−1 along with combined application of animal manures, especially poultry manure increases rice productivity. Also, the use of either garlic residues or peach leaves, never applied before as organic manures, can increase crop productivity and will help in degraded soil for sustainable soil management.

Foliar Phosphorus and Zinc Application Improve Growth and Productivityof Maize (Zea mays L.) Under Moisture Stress conditions in Semi-Arid Climates

Foliar fertilizers application is beneficial for improving growth, yield and yield components of field crops under moisture stress condition in semiarid climates. Field experiment was conducted to study the response of dryland maize (Zea mays L., cv. Azam) to foliar phosphorus (1, 2 and 3% P) and zinc levels (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% Zn) and their application time (T1=at boot stage and T2=at silking stage) at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar during summer 2014. The experiment was conducted under moisture stress condition (with three irrigations only: 1st at emergence, 2nd at knee height and third at seed development stage). The results revealed that foliar treated plots (rest) had significantly (P<0.05) better growth, higher yield components and grain yield than control (no foliar spray). Plots applied with 3% foliar P had improved growth and resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher yield and yield components. Yield and yield components of maize increased significantly (P<0.05) with 0.3% foliar Zn application. Maize growth, yield and yield components also increased significantly (P<0.05) when foliar nutrients were applied at early stage (booting) than late (silking) application. It was concluded from this study that application of 3% foliar P+0.3% foliar Zn at boot stage improve growth and increase maize productivity and profitability under moisture stress condition in semiarid climates.

Spatio-temporal reconciliation to lessen losses in yield and quality of forage soybean (Glycine max L.) in soybean-sorghum intercropping systems

Bragantia, Campinas, v. 77, n. 2, p.283-291, 2018 ABSTRACT: Soybean suffers a serious blow to forage yield and quality while in intercropping with cereal forages like sorghum. The aim of this field investigation was to optimize planting time and spatial arrangement for boosting yield, quality and profitability of intercropped soybean. Treatments included soybean sown 20 days before and after sorghum under different spatial arrangements (3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2 and 3-3 row proportions). The factorial arrangement was used to employ randomized complete block design (RCBD) for experimental execution with four replicates. Soybean sown 20 days prior to sorghum in 2-3 row replacement series was effective in yielding the highest yield attributes of soybean, which led to the highest green forage yield and dry matter biomass. The same intercropping system proved to be superior in generating the highest net income and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) (4.31). CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT Article

PGPR Inoculated-Seed Increases the Productivity of Forage Sorghum under Fertilized Conditions

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are used for seed inoculation. This study was carried out to determine the influence of seed inoculation with PGPR and different nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels on the productivity and quality of fodder sorghum. The study was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) under factorial arrangement at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during, 2014. The experiment composed of N and P levels such as 0%, 50%, 75% and 100% of recommended doses ha -1 and seed inoculation with PGPR 1 ( Azotobacter brasilense + Pseudomonas fluorescens ) and PGPR 2 ( Azotobacter chroococcum + Pseudomonas flurescens ) with un-inoculated seeds as control. The results revealed that application of N and P, and seed inoculation appreciably increased the productivity and quality of sorghum. Maximum green fodder yield (63.12 t ha -1 ), dry matter yield (14.51 t ha -1 ), crude protein (11.02%) and ash contents (8.97%) were recorded with recommended dose of NP. Regarding seed inoculation maximum green fodder yield (62.40 t ha -1 ), dry matter yield (14.09 t ha -1 ), crude protein (10.59%) and ash contents (9.07%) were recorded with PGPR 1. In conclusion, application of recommended dose of NP and seed inoculation with PGPR 1 significantly improved the forage productivity and quality of sorghum.

Consequences of diverse use of nitrogen sources on grain yield, grain quality and growth attributes of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.)

A two year field experiment was conducted to check the consequences of diverse use of nitrogen sources on grain yield, grain quality and growth attributes of hybrid maize ( Zea mays L.) at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during Autumn 2008 and 2009. Experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement comprising 3 replications with a net plot size of 3 × 5 m. Treatment comprised two hybrids: that is, H 1 (Pioneer-30Y87) and H 2 (Pioneer-31R88) with combination of six nitrogen sources S0 : Control (0) kg N ha -1 , S1: Urea (50%) + Poultry manure (50%), S2: Urea (50%) + Farm Yard Manure (50%) , S3: Urea (50%) + Pressmud of sugarcane manure (50%), S4: Urea (50%) + Compost (50%), S5: Urea (50%) + (PM+FYM+PMS+ Compost) 50% . Results of grain yield (t ha -1 ), grain protein content (%) grain oil content (%), leaf area index, leaf area duration, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate was found to be significant during 2008 and 2009. It was concluded that hybrid maize H 1 (Pioneer - 30Y87) produced better grain yield (6.14 t ha -1 ) during 2008 when nitrogen sources S1: Urea (50%) + Poultry manure (50%) was applied in combination as compared to grain yield (6.0 t ha-1) in hybrid H2 (Pioneer -31R88) during 2009. Growth and quality attributes also performed better in 2008 as compared to 2009 at nitrogen sources S1: Urea (50%) + Poultry manure (50%). Key words : Nitrogen sources, hybrid maize, yield, growth, quality.