Muhammad Umer Chattha

Biofortification of Wheat Cultivars to Combat Zinc Deficiency

Zinc (Zn) deficiency caused by inadequate dietary intake is a global nutritional problem, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, zinc biofortification of wheat and other cereal crops is being urgently addressed and highly prioritized as a research topic. A field study was planned to evaluate the influence of zinc application on grain yield, grain zinc content, and grain phytic acid concentrations of wheat cultivars, and the relationships between these parameters. Three wheat cultivars, C1 = Faisalabad-2008, C2 = Punjab-2011, and C3 = Millet-2011 were tested with five different methods of zinc application: T1 = control, T2 = seed priming, T3 = soil application, T4 = foliar application, and T5 = soil + foliar application. It was found that grain yield and grain zinc were positively correlated, whereas, grain phytic acid and grain zinc were significantly negatively correlated. Results also revealed that T5, T3, and T4 considerably increased grain yield; however, T2 only slightly enhanced grain yield. Grain zinc concentration increased from 33.1 and 33.7 mg kg−1 in T1 to 62.3 and 63.1 mg kg−1 in T5 in 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, respectively. In particular, T5 markedly decreased grain phytic acid content; however, maximum concentration was recorded in T1. Moreover, all the tested cultivars exhibited considerable variation in grain yield, grain zinc, and grain phytic acid content. In conclusion, T5 was found to be most suitable for both optimum grain yield and grain biofortification of wheat.

Efficacy of Extraction Methods of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract for Enhanced Growth and Yield of Wheat

A field study was conducted to assess effective method to get Moringa leaf extract, through its response on growth and yield traits of wheat. Extracts of whole or chopped and dry or fresh Moringa leaves were used exogenously i.e. pre-sowing seed soaking as well as water diluted solution based foliar spray application at tillering and booting stages. Significantly higher growth response in term of leaf area index, leaf area duration, and crop growth rate was observed when combination of 30 times diluted moringa leaf extract (MLE) was applied at both crop stages. Yield contributing traits of wheat such as fertile tillers, spikelet’s spikelet’s per spike, grains per spike, 1000 grain weight, biological and grain yields were recorded in significantly higher due to 30 times diluted fresh MLE followed by 20 times dilution of Moringa dried leaf powder (DLP). While, control treatment and hydro-priming showed at comparable results in the form of significantly lesser fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain or biological yields. Conclusively, 30 times diluted MLE proved the best among the treatments combinations for improved wheat growth and yield however, the biochemical features responsible for such promotive response are yet to be investigated prior to dissemination of this technology to the farmer field.

Forage Yield and Quality of Sweet Sorghum as Influenced by Sowing Methods and Harvesting Times

Sowing methods and harvesting times are the important management considerations for getting the optimum yield and quality of fodder crops. This study, investigated the influence of sowing methods and harvesting times on the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. Chinese sweet sorghum was grown by broadcast method, 30 cm apart lines and 45 cm apart lines and harvested after 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing, respectively. All the tested sowing patterns and harvesting times considerably affected the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. However, sowing in 30 cm apart rows produced maximum leaves per plant (13.09), fresh forage yield (38.1 t ha -1 ), dry matter yield (4.85 t ha -1 ), crude proteins (8.9%), ash contents (11%) and sugar contents (12.8%), respectively. Similarly, harvesting after 90 days of sowing gave highest leaves per plant (14.72), fresh forage yield (45.1 t ha -1 ), dry matter yield (5.60 t ha -1 ), ash contents (12.2%) and sugar contents (14.1%), respectively. These results suggested that sowing in 30 cm apart lines and harvesting after 90 days of sowing improved the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum under the semiarid region of Faisalabad.

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.

The Role of Potassium in Plants under Drought Stress: Mini Review

Drought stress is a major catastrophe to plant productivity. Drought stress significantly reduces the crop yield and quality, and probably exceeds losses from all other stresses. Potassium (K + ) is an essential nutrient and affects the growth and development, and it also contribute significantly towards plants survival under drought stress. In this mini review we discussed the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying K induced alleviation of drought stress.