Different Locations In Pakistan Research Articles

Evaluating the Performance of Potato Genotypes Across Diverse Climatic Conditions

Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) is a globally important crop plant producing high yields of nutritionally valuable food in the form of tubers. Growing conditions across Pakistan are not uniform and it is important to dissect the genotype by environment interaction to identify the material suited to a particular environment. In this study, fifteen potato genotypes, namely FD49-28, FD3-10, FD1-8, SH-19, SH-90, SH-330, SH-80, SH-95, SH-216A, and SH-103, along with standard varieties SH-5, Cardinal, and Diamant, were evaluated for their adaptability across four different locations in Pakistan during the autumn season of 2019-20 and typical agronomic practices were performed and a number of parameters including tuber yield were assessed. Results for tuber grades indicated that the genotypes FD3-10, SH-5, and SH-216A demonstrated better performance. Furthermore, the genotypes FD8-1 and FD1-10 showed a higher level of tolerance to tuber diseases, indicating their potential for disease resistance in potato cultivation. Regarding tuber yield, SH-216A and FD49-28 were the top-performing genotypes, achieving significantly higher yields of 27 t/ha and 26.2 t/ha, respectively, when compared to the other varieties, including the standard ones. The material evaluated and information provided can be used to improve production methods for the industry.

Adaptation and High Yield Performance of Honglian Type Hybrid Rice in Pakistan with Desirable Agricultural Traits

Honglian type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is one of the three known major CMS types of rice (Oryza sativa L.) commercially used in hybrid rice seed production. Hybrid rice generated by the Honglian type CMS is a special group of hybrid rice, having distinct agricultural characteristics. The main objective of the study was to screen out the Honglian hybrid rice adapted for growing in Pakistan based on desirable traits. Different Honglian-type hybrid rice varietieswere tested locally in different locations in Pakistan based on various desirabletraits. Three Honglian types of hybrids (HP1, HP2, HP3) performed well, had better agricultural traits and showed high yield potential over the check variety. Different qualitative and quantitative traits were studied to conclude the advantages of these varieties for Pakistani local adaptation evaluations. Forty-eight SSR markers were used to study the genetic diversities of the hybrids. Nine selected polymorphic SSR markers (RM-219, RM-236, RM-274, RM-253, RM-424, RM-567, RM-258, RM-481, RM-493) showed genetic variations among Honglian hybrid rice varieties through PCR analysis. In 2019 and 2020, the increment of the yield potential of HP1, HP2 and HP3 was better (+43.90%, +35.44%, +37.13% and +30.91%, +33.37%, +33.62%, respectively, in both years)than the check variety KSK-133. All the desirable traits were analyzed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The principal components with more than one eigenvalue showed more variability. The average variability of 74.78% was observed among genotypes and their desirable traits in both years. National Uniform Yield Trial (NUYT) and Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability (DUS) trials are being conducted under the supervision of National Coordinated Rice (NCR) and Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSCRD), Government of Pakistan. In the 2020 trial, the average yield of 104 rice varieties/hybrids was 8608 kg/ha; HP1, HP2 and HP3 (8709 kg/ha, 8833 kg/ha, and 9338 kg/ha, respectively) were all higher than the average yield, and HP3 yield was higher than over check varieties (D-121, Guard-53). In the 2021 trial, the average yield of 137 varieties was 7616 kg/ha; the HP1 yield (7863 kg/ha) was higher than the average overcheck varieties/hybrids. Various qualitative and quantitative traits showed desirable genetic diversity among the rice hybrids. It was also observed that, under higher temperatures, the seeds setting rate of Honglian-type hybrid rice was stable, which is the guarantee for stable yield and rice production in Pakistan. Moreover, it was considerably better, suggesting that Honglian-type hybrid rice varieties can be grown in Pakistan because they are less risky under climate change, especially the global warming challenges.

Physicochemical and adulteration study of fresh milk collected from different locations in Pakistan

The present research was carried out to assess raw milk's quality as collected from the commercial markets of the Mardan district (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). The locality from which milk samples were collected included; Bijligar (BG), Manga (M), Chamthara (CM), Main Bazar Mardan (MB), Mahidherai (MD), and Sharif Abad (SB), located in district Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A total of 36 milk samples were collected at the rate of 6 samples per location. The outcome of the data exhibited that the percentage of protein content was highest (3.34%) in MB and SA (3.30%), while lower percentages were recorded in sample M (3.03%) and CM 93.06%). Maximum pH were shown in M and BG to be 7.55 and 7.33, respectively. For fats content, the highest percentage of fats was witnessed in MB as 4.04%, and minimum fats content was noted in Sample M as 3.57%. Water content was highest in Sample SA and BG at 15.85% and 15.64%, respectively. Qualitative analysis of adulterants like detergents, Formalin, starch, and Hydrogen peroxide was also carried out for all the collected samples. Adulteration results were positive for all the milk samples, with the highest being in samples MB (30%), while all the remaining samples had adulteration at 20% each. Both MB and CM samples were adulterated with urea, while the remaining 4 were adulterated with neutralizers. Thus, it may be summarized from the whole analysis that the milk available in commercial markets of district Mardan was adulterated with different adulterants and is not recommended for consumption.

Examining the Role of Clean Drinking Water Plants in Mitigating Drinking Water-Induced Morbidity

Access to clean drinking water is essentially required for human existence. It is a formalized fact that contaminated drinking water poses a serious threat to human life as the endowment of unpolluted drinking water to Pakistan’s inhabitants is the local government’s foremost duty. Thus, to conquer this purpose, the local government, with the coordination of the community development department (CD), fixed drinking water filtration plants at several places in Lahore. This study aimed to discover the health threats and health-associated costs endured by households in the target study areas and the effects of drinking water on infants’ and children’s health in areas having and lacking water filtration plants by employing the health lifestyle model. Moreover, this study compared waterborne disease incidence in households in targeted areas with and without local government filtration plants. For this purpose, a multistage random sampling technique was employed to collect the data from 300 households residing at different locations in Pakistan. This study revealed that people who make life choices to drink filtration plants’ water installed by the local government are less likely to contract waterborne diseases. Besides, class circumstances such as the size of the family, education of the family head, and plant water usage are highly correlated to the quality and use of drinking water and, ultimately, to the health-associated outcomes by improving a healthy lifestyle. In contrast, the age of the household head was found to be insignificant in making choices regarding drinking water choices and reducing waterborne illness. The more the education of the family head, the fewer family members found to indulge in practices for using plant water. Thus, infants/children and other people are less likely to contract waterborne incidents in areas equipped with these filtration plants. Moreover, the probability of contracting waterborne illness is higher in males than in females in areas lacking filtration plants.

Estimation of Genetic Variances and Stability Components of Yield-Related Traits of Green Super Rice at Multi-Environmental Conditions in Pakistan

Identifying adopted Green Super Rice (GSR) under different agro-ecological locations in Pakistan is crucial to sustaining the high productivity of rice. For this purpose, the multi-location trials of GSR were conducted to evaluate the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability, and stability in eight different locations in Pakistan. The experimental trial was laid out in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications at each location. The combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) manifested significant variations for tested genotypes (g), locations (L), years (Y), genotype × year (GY), and genotype × location (GL) interactions revealing the influence of environmental factors (L and Y) on yield traits. High broad-sense heritability estimates were observed for all the studied traits representing low environmental influence over the expression of traits. Noticeably, GSR 48 showed maximum stability than all other lines in the univariate model across the two years for grain yield and related traits data. Multivariate stability analysis characterized GSR 305 and GSR 252 as the highest yielding with optimum stability across the eight tested locations. Overall, Narowal, Muzaffargarh, and Swat were the most stable locations for GSR cultivation in Pakistan. In conclusion, this study revealed that G×E interactions were an important source of rice yield variation, and its AMMI and biplots analysis are efficient tools for visualizing the response of genotypes to different locations.

Evaluating the suitability of two parametric wind speed distributions: a case study from Pakistan

The most suitable energy source for human use is wind energy which is inexpensive and supports to fulfill the energy demand of the large population. In Pakistan, different wind energy projects are under progress in different potential sites to deal with the energy crises and environmental pollution. Therefore, it is need of the hour to identify all the wind energy potential sites in Pakistan. For that purpose, different wind speed distributions are used. The wind speed distribution is described by the application of probability density functions (pdfs) to evaluate the wind energy potential. The two-parameter Weibull probability density function is used extensively for the applications of wind energy. In this study, we studied the hourly wind speed data for the period of 2017–18 from five different locations in Pakistan is selected for modeling using specific pdfs. The models consist of parametric models that are used for this purpose. The log-likelihood, AIC, BIC, RMSE (root mean square error) and R2 (coefficient of determination) provides the basis for the evaluation of wind speed data with the application of suitable distribution. Results indicate that, Gamma and extreme value distributions provide generally the best fit to the wind speed data for all stations.

Performance and Economic Analysis of Concentrated Solar Power Generation for Pakistan

In Pakistan, the utilization of renewable energy sources is increasing in order to reduce the electricity supply and demand gap. However, concentrated solar power (CSP) generation has not been considered in the country even though it has gained considerable attention worldwide. This study, as such, investigates the potential, performance, and economic analyses of four CSP technologies for different locations in Pakistan. Initially, an assessment of CSP sites, including solar resource, land, and water availability, was undertaken. Then, performance simulations of CSP technologies for four different locations of Pakistan, namely Quetta, Hyderabad, Multan, and Peshawar, were examined. For all cases, highest energy production was achieved in summers and lowest in winters, and CSP plants with evaporative cooling were found to be efficient compared to air cooling. The results also revealed that the Quetta and Hyderabad regions were promising for CSP development while parabolic tough (PT) and solar power tower (SPT) were the suitable CSP technologies for these regions. Specifically, the SPT plant with air cooling could be a favorable option for energy production in Quetta. Lastly, economic analyses revealed the financial feasibility of CSP plants in Pakistan since the levelized cost of energy is found to be significantly low.

A study to correlate LCPC rock abrasivity test results with petrographic and geomechanical rock properties

Rock abrasivity is very much influenced by the petrographic and physico-mechanical properties of rock and hence its assessment from common geomechanical rock properties is helpful for rock engineers in estimating excavation costs. In this paper LCPC and CERCHAR abrasivity tests, as well as a complete suite of mechanical and physical rock properties tests, were conducted on 51 rock samples collected from different locations in Pakistan. Moreover, petrographical studies of 48 rock specimens were performed along with the computation of Schimazek's F-value (F-value) and Rock Abrasivity Index (RAI). For the analysis of test results least square regression was employed. Initially the LCPC abrasivity coefficient (ABR) values were correlated with CERCHAR abrasivity index tests and reasonable relationships were observed. Statistically meaningful relationships were found between ABR and geotechnical wear indices (F-value and RAI). Possible correlations of LCPC test results with rock properties are also discussed. Finally multiple regression analysis was applied to find statistically significant correlation of ABR with petrographical and physico-mechanical rock properties. Test results show that RAI, Brazilian tensile strength and mean quartz grain size (Ø-qtz) prove to be the statistically best predictors of ABR from the rock properties determined. The developed correlations are specifically intended for rock engineers involved in designing excavation projects.

Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hybrid Grid-Connected/PV/Wind System in Pakistan

In view of the current energy crisis prevailing in Pakistan, renewable energy resources are considered as practical and economical alternatives. In this work, technical as well as economic aspects of hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and wind systems connected to commercial grid are investigated for selected locations of Pakistan. A pre-feasibility study of the renewable resources was done using NREL’s Geospatial Toolkit having a broad meteorological database and additionally, a database of various renewable energy system components from different manufacturers. The locations were selected on the basis of favorable environmental criteria based on meteorological data e.g. daily, monthly and annual profiles of solar irradiance, temperatures, wind speeds etc. The suggested hybrid system was simulated in NREL’s HOMER software over the system life span as guaranteed by the manufacturers. Performances and economic impacts of various components constituting the system in different locations were then analyzed to draw a conclusion with respect to the least calculated Net Present Cost (NPC). Finally, an optimum hybrid system with most appropriate components was suggested for the location that rendered least NPC. The consumer-end advantages of such systems over grid-alone system were also presented. The system was simulated for four different locations in Pakistan and was shown that it could input an adequate amount of energy into the main grid.

Study and numerical modeling of 1945 Makran tsunami due to a probable submarine landslide

The Makran subduction zone (MSZ), located along the southern coasts of Iran and Pakistan, has experienced some deadly earthquakes and tsunamis, including the destructive 1945 Makran tsunami that led to more than 4000 fatalities. In spite of past studies on 1945 Makran tsunami, there are still unresolved problems, particularly on mismatches between the tsunami wave heights and arrival times with reported observations at different locations. The significant disagreement between the results of numerical models and existing data supports the existence of another mechanism involved during the generation of the tsunami. In the present study, a submarine landslide, triggered by the 1945 Earthquake, is studied as the major source of 1945 Makran tsunami. The simulation of seismic 1945 Tsunami, using high-resolution bathymetry data with a fine nested grid to increase the accuracy of modeled tsunami wave heights, confirms the large discrepancies between the reported tsunami waves and simulated values. Assuming the location and dimensions of a probable landslide, the GEOWAVE model, a combination of TOPICS and FUNWAVE models, is applied to model the non-seismic 1945 Tsunami. The simulated landslide tsunami demonstrates a fair agreement with the reported tsunami wave heights at different locations in Pakistan, Iran and India. The arrival times of tsunami waves at Pasni and Karachi in Pakistan can also be interpreted if the occurrence time of the probable submarine landslide is assumed with 3.5 h delay after the quake. The study highlights the potential danger of a non-seismic landslide tsunami in unconsolidated sediments at the MSZ and the necessity of the development of suitable countermeasures against other potential Makran tsunamis in future.

Resistance in the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) in Pakistan to selected organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides

The mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis is a destructive pest of cotton with the potential to develop resistance to most chemical classes of insecticides. Six populations of P. solenopsis from cotton crops at six different locations in Pakistan were evaluated for resistance to selected organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides. Resistance ratios (RRs) at LC50 were in the range of 2.7–13.3 fold for chlorpyrifos, 11.6–30.2 fold for profenofos and for the three pyrethroids tested were 10.6–46.4 for bifenthrin, 5.8–25.2 for deltamethrin and 4.1–25.0 for lambda-cyhalothrin. This is the first report of resistance to organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides in Pakistani populations of P. solenopsis. Regular insecticide resistance monitoring programs are needed to prevent field control failures. Moreover, integrated approaches including the judicious use of insecticides and rotation of insecticides with different modes of action are needed to delay the development of insecticide resistance in P. solenopsis.

Characterization of olive oils obtained from wild olive trees (Olea ferruginea Royle) in Pakistan

Pakistan is lacking in edible oils and large amounts of resources are being used to import these. Olea ferruginea Royle (Oleaceae), locally known as Kahu, is native to Northern part of the country, and the fruit of this tree is currently not being utilized for any useful purpose. The present study was conducted to exploit a new source of virgin olive oil (OWOT) based on chemical composition and quality parameters. The fruits from wild olive trees were collected from different locations in Pakistan (i.e. Bhara Kahu, Kotli Sattian and Dir Swat); whereas a reference sample (OCOT) of a local variety (Zaitoon II) Olea europaea L. was collected from Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal (BARIC) for comparison. The basic quality characteristics of oils such as free acidity, peroxide value, specific UV absorptions and sensory analysis demonstrated that the oils belong to the “lampante olive oil” commercial category due to low quality of processed olives. Some minor discrepancies with respect to the standard olive oil composition (linoleic acid slight exceeding 1% and traces of erucic acid and brassicasterol) were found that should be further studied to understand their etiology. Concerning minor compounds, tocopherols were found in low quantities whereas higher amounts of β-carotene and lutein were observed in OWOT compared to OCOT. Finally, OWOTs showed a relatively low quantity of hydrophilic phenols that proportionally expressed three times less antioxidant activity compared with OCOT. Careful control of fruit quality and good practices before olive milling could improve not only quality of the product, but also provide a new promising source of edible virgin oils.

Analysis of Metal Content of Samples of Gloriosa Superba L (Colchicaceae) Collected from Two Different Locations in Pakistan

Purpose: To determine the metallic content of different parts of Gloriosa superba collected from two different locations in Pakistan, and also to assess their nutritious values and toxic levels.Methods: The plant material and soil were collected from two different locations - polluted and unpolluted. Wet digestion method was used for the preparation of samples (whole plant and soil) followed by analysis using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (for micronutrients) and flame photometry (for macronutrients).Results: Of the detected micronutrients, high concentrations of Zn, Fe and Mn were noted for samples collected from both areas. These values were within permissible limits. Samples collected from the polluted area contained Cu (7.5 – 13.0 ppm), Cr (1.4 − 1.9 ppm) and Ni (0.3 − 2.0 ppm), all of which exceeded acceptable limits; the same nutrients were mostly within acceptable limits for samples collected from the unpolluted area. Significant presence of macronutrients - Ca, Na and K - were observed in samples obtained from both areas.Conclusion: Proper validation of medicinal plants used for therapeutic purposes should be mandatory on safety grounds to protect consumers from contaminants.Keywords: Gloriosa superba, Micronutrients, Macronutrients, Toxicity, Metal ions, Medicinal plants

Studies on contamination level of aflatoxins in some cereals and beans of Pakistan

The occurrence of aflatoxins in some cereals and beans was surveyed in this study. One hundred and sixty samples of cereals and beans were purchased from retail shops and local markets of different locations in Pakistan. The samples were analyzed for total aflatoxins to using immune affinity (IAC) clean up with liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. The results showed the percentage of contamination for total aflatoxins in the samples such as in; rice (25%), broken rice (15%), wheat (20%), maize (40%) barley (20%) and sorghum (30%), while in red kidney beans (20%), split peas (27%), chick pea (10%), cow pea (20%), and soybean (15%). The highest contamination levels of aflatoxins were found in one wheat sample (15.5 μg/kg), one maize sample (13.0 μg/kg) and one barley sample (12.6 μg/kg). Among all the contaminated samples, two rice, one rice broken, two wheat, three maize, two barley, one sorghum, one red kidney beans, one split peas and two soybeans were above the suggested limit for total aflatoxins (4 μg/kg), set by EU regulations.

Physical and spectroscopic characterization of Pakistani honey

Saif-ur-Rehman, Zia Farooq Khan, and Tahir Maqbool. 2008. Physical and spectroscopic characterization of Pakistani honey. Cien. Inv. Agr. 35(2):199-204. Honey is a naturally sweet and viscous fl uid produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from the nectar of r fl owers that, by defi nition, does not include any other substances. The objectives of this work were to characterize Pakistani honey, physically and chemically in relation to international standards, and to study the effects of adulteration with sugar syrup on the physical properties of honey. For this purpose, 200 honey samples obtained from 15 different locations in Pakistan, ranging from desert to hilly areas, were collected in 2005-2006. Samples were prepared by the acid digestion method. Physical properties, conductance, surface tension, and pH were determined using digital instruments. The most abundant minerals found in Pakistani honey samples were K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni and Co, with K accounting for almost 83% of the total mineral composition. Most Pakistani honey samples met international standards. However, some samples showed altered parameters, refl ecting possible adulteration. A considerable change in viscosity was observed only in adulterated honey samples containing more than 50% of a saturated sugar solution.

Physical and spectroscopic characterization of Pakistani honey. Cien. Inv. Agr. 35(2):199-204.

Honey is a naturally sweet and viscous fluid produced by honeybees ( Apis mellifera ) from the nectar of flowers that, by definition, does not include any other substances. The objectives of this work were to characterize Pakistani honey, physically and chemically in relation to international standards, and to study the effects of adulteration with sugar syrup on the physical properties of honey. For this purpose, 200 honey samples obtained from 15 different locations in Pakistan, ranging from desert to hilly areas, were collected in 2005-2006. Samples were prepared by the acid digestion method. Physical properties, conductance, surface tension, and pH were determined using digital instruments. The most abundant minerals found in Pakistani honey samples were K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni and Co, with K accounting for almost 83% of the total mineral composition. Most Pakistani honey samples met international standards. However, some samples showed altered parameters, reflecting possible adulteration. A considerable change in viscosity was observed only in adulterated honey samples containing more than 50% of a saturated sugar solution.

Electrophoretic identification of hard white spring wheats grown at different locations in Pakistan in different years

Electrophoretic identification of hard white spring wheats grown at different locations in Pakistan in different years

Electrophoretic identification of hard white spring wheats grown at different locations in Pakistan in different years

Pakistani wheats were identified via acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE) of gliadin proteins. Gliadin electrophoretograms of wheat cultivars were qualitatively independent of growth locations and years. The Pakistani wheat Faisalabad 83 and the American wheat KS84HW196 contained an intense gliadin band in the region of the relative mobility 50 band of Marquis. That band was readily distinguishable and was followed by distinct intense double bands in the same position as those of Marquis, and can be used as a reference for mobility assignments in wheat cultivar identification work. Minor differences in band intensities across locations and years were noticed. Identification tables based on band mobilities relative to Marquis and relative intensities were established.

Evaluation of empirically derived PVT properties for Pakistani crude oils

This study evaluates the most frequently used pressure-volume-temperature ( PVT) empirical correlations for Pakistani crude oil samples. The evaluation is performed by using an unpublished data set of 22 bottomhole fluid samples collected from different locations in Pakistan. Based on statistical error analysis, suitable correlations for field applications are recommended for estimating bubblepoint pressure, oil formation volume factor (FVF), oil compressibility and oil viscosity.

Exploitation of potassium by various crop species from primary minerals in soils rich in micas

We investigated the question of whether exchangeable K+ is a reliable factor for K+ availability to plants on representative arable soils (Aridisols) rich in K+-bearing minerals. Five soils with different textures were collected from different locations in Pakistan and used for pot experiments. The soils were separated into sand, silt, and clay fractions and quartz sand was added to each fraction to bring it to 1 kg per kg whole soil, i.e., for each fraction the quartz sand replaced the weight of the two excluded fractions. On these soil fraction-quartz mixtures wheat, elephant grass, maize, and barley were cultivated in a rotational sequence. Growth on the sand mixture was very poor and except for the elephant grass all species showed severe K+-deficiency symptoms. Growth on the mixture with silt and clay fractions was much better than on the sand fraction; there was no major difference in growth and K+ supply to plants whether grown on silt or clay, although the clay fraction was rich and the silt fraction poor in exchangeable K+. On both these fractions the plant-available K+ supply was suboptimal and the plants showed deficiency symptoms except for the elephant grass. This plant species had a relatively low growth rate but it grew similarly on sand, silt, and clay and did not show any K+ deficiency symptoms, with the K+ concentration in the plant tops indicating a sufficient K+ supply regardless of which soil fraction the plants were grown in. The reason for this finding is not yet understood and needs further investigation. It is concluded that on soils rich in mica, exchangeable K+ alone is a poor indicator of K+ availability to plants and that mica concentrations in the silt and clay fraction are of greater importance in supplying crops with K+ than exchangeable K+.