Muhammad Afzal

Integrated management of Helicoverpa armigera in chickpea in rainfed areas of Punjab, Pakistan

The pod borer Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important insect pest of chickpea and several other crops in Asia, Africa and Australia. The present studies were carried out on integration of various practices for the management of H. armigera in Punjab, Pakistan, during 2004-05. Chickpea variety ‘CM-2000’ was selected for evaluating various strategies such as cultural, mechanical, biological, microbial, and chemical control, individually and in various possible combinations, for the management of H. armigera at three different locations. Integration of weeding, hand picking and indoxacarb (an oxadiazine insecticide) proved to be the most effective in reducing the larval population and pod infestation and resulted in the maximum grain yield. The larval population of the combined effect of these practices was not significantly different from hand picking + indoxacarb, weeding + indoxacarb, and indoxacarb alone. Hand picking in combination with Bacillus thuringiensis, and weeding + hand picking, also controlled the larval population significantly, but was inferior to the above treatments. The release of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) did not control H. armigera. It was concluded on the basis of the cost — benefit ratio that hand picking was the most cost-effective method for the control of H. armigera, while the maximum increase in grain yield was obtained in plots with weeding, hand picking, and indoxacarb.

Role of phytase supplementation in improving nutrient digestibility and growth performance for Labeo rohita fingerlings fed on canola meal-based diet

ABSTRACT The present feeding trial was conducted to assess the optimal level of phytase supplementation required for maximum nutrient absorption and growth performance of Labeo rohita fingerlings fed canola meal-based diet. A standard diet having 30.21% protein and an energy value of 4.26 kcalg−1 was used as reference diet. The experimental diet having similar protein and caloric density was formulated by using 70% reference diet and 30% of canola meal as test ingredient. This experimental diet was then divided into seven test diets and were supplemented by graded levels (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 FTU kg−1) of phytase enzyme. Chromic oxide was used in reference and test diets as an inert marker. Results showed that phytase supplementation at 750 FTU kg−1 level effectively increased apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein (64%), crude fat (76%) and gross energy (68%) as compared to reference and other phytase-supplemented diets. The results of present study showed increased growth and feed performance of fingerlings in response to phytase supplementation. Maximum performance was obtained by the fish fed on test diet having 750 FTU kg−1 level. It was concluded that 750 FTU kg−1 level of phytase supplementation in canola meal-based diet is sufficient for increasing nutrient digestibility and growth performance of L. rohita fingerlings.

Acidified Diet Increases the Trace Mineral Content in Whole Body Fish Labeo rohita Fingerlings

| The present study was designed to check minerals in fish body with organic acid supplemented diets in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Five experimental diets were prepared containing organic acid (0%), malic acid (2%), citric acid (2%), formic acid (2%), lactic acid (2%) and designed as “OA1, OA2, OA3, OA4 and OA5”, respectively. Eight weeks experimental trail were performed. Water quality characteristics (dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature) were checked daily throughout the trail. Results concluded that the body mineralization in L. rohita was increased by supplementation of organic acid. The maximum body mineralization was noted in fish fed with the dietary group OA3 that contain citric acid and minimum mineralization was noted in the diet OA5 containing lactic acid when compared with other dietary treatments. In conclusion, citric acid showed best response as compared to other dietary supplemented organic groups. Article History Received: April 04, 2018 Revised: June 13, 2018 Accepted: June 20, 2018 Published: August 04, 2018 Authors’ Contributions LS executed the research. MA supervised the study. SZHS did statistical analysis. MF helped in compiling the data. HN and QS helped in writing the article.

Dicyandiamide application improved nitrogen use efficiency and decreased nitrogen losses in wheat-maize crop rotation in Loess Plateau

ABSTRACT Inhibition of nitrification as a mitigation tool to abate nitrogen (N) losses and improve N use efficiency (NUE) is a promising technology. Nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide, DCD) was evaluated in two consecutive wheat-maize rotations (2015–2017), with two different N fertilizer levels applied in wheat (160, 220 kg N ha−1) and maize (180, 280 kg N ha−1). More NH4+-N contents (101% and 102% in wheat and 74% and 73% in maize) and less NO3–-N contents (37% and 43% in wheat and 46% and 57% in maize) were observed at both N levels treated with DCD compared to without DCD. Higher pH, lower EC and reduced NO3–-N accumulation were the other benefits of DCD. The NO3–-N accumulation within the 0–200 cm soil profile was significantly less at both N levels with DCD (66 mg kg−1 and 121 mg kg−1) compared to without DCD (96 mg kg−1 and 169 mg kg−1). Application of DCD also improved the growth and yield in both crops. Increase in NUE from 38% to 49% in wheat and 27% to 33% in maize with DCD at higher N level was also observed. Overall, the effectiveness of DCD in retarding the nitrification process was higher in wheat than maize.

Nutrient digestibility performance by rohu (Labeo rohita) juveniles fed acidified and phytase pre-treated sunflower meal-based diet

ABSTRACT The present research work was conducted to investigate the effects of microbial phytase and citric acid supplementations on nutrient digestibility performance by rohu (Labeo rohita) juveniles fed a sunflower meal (SFM)-based diet. The basal diet was supplemented with two levels of phytase (0 and 1000 FTU/kg) and each level of this phytase-supplemented diet was further supplemented with two levels of citric acid (0% and 2%). Chromic oxide (1%), as an inert marker, was added to the diet to determine nutrient digestibility. Results showed that digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract was significantly (p < .05) enhanced by citric acid supplementation. Similarly, phytase pretreatment also resulted in improved (p <.05) digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract. Also, citric acid and phytase supplementation improved (p < .05) the digestibility of P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe. Nevertheless, the addition of both supplements (citric acid and phytase) simultaneously did not produce any interaction for the digestibility of these minerals. Hence, it is concluded that phytase (1000 FTU/kg) and citric acid (2%) supplementation to an SFM meal-based diet improved the nutrient digestibility in L. rohita juveniles.