Locations Of Punjab Research Articles

Optimizing phosphorus requirement of seed potato through organic and inorganic sources in north-west India

Phosphorus optimization is essential to maximize seed-size potato productivity and reduce the occurrence of over-sized and under-sized tubers. A field experiment was conducted for two years at the two locations in Punjab, India to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic phosphorus management on seed potato productivity. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three organic (farmyard manure, biofertilizer, and control) treatments in main plots and five fertilizer phosphorus (0, 46.9, 62.5, 93.8, and 125 kg/ha P2O5) treatments in subplots. The application of farmyard manure (50 t/ha) resulted in a significant increase in growth and yield attributes, tuber yield, seed size (3.5–4.5 cm) tuber number, and economic returns. The percentage increase in seed size tuber number and tuber yield with farmyard manure over the control was 36.6% and 29.3%, respectively. Among the fertilizer phosphorus levels, the highest growth attributes, tuber yield, seed size tuber number and economic returns were obtained with a 125 kg/ha. The application of 125 kg/ha fertilizer phosphorus resulted in a 36.3% and 23.0% (mean) increase in seed size tuber number and tuber yield compared to the unfertilized phosphorus (0 kg/ha). No significant organic sources x fertilizer phosphorus levels interaction effects were found on any of the traits evaluated at both locations. The result of this study indicates that P management can play an important role in increasing seed size and productivity.

Prevalence of Household Food Security and Health-related Quality of Life: Special Consideration on the Expectant Mothers in Punjab

Household food security (HFS) affects the quality and adequacy of nutrition and can significantly impact an individual’s health. The study aims to examine the association between HFS and maternal quality of life in Punjab. The cross-sectional study was conducted in the northern Indian state of Punjab from January to March 2021 on 384 expectant mothers. The urban health facilities were chosen using the random cluster selection approach from geographical locations in Punjab, India. A well-structured questionnaire was adapted from HFS and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) that was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate the socioeconomic status and food security. HFS and HR-QOL relationship was studied using multilinear regression. The results revealed that 43.9% of expectant women experienced food insecurity. Mean (±SD) scores for the domains of ‘social performance’ (84.4 ± 16.6) and ‘role limitation due to physical reasons’ (64.5 ± 35.5) were the highest in pregnant women. Quality of life scores for expectant mothers with food insecurity were the lowest. Due to physical reasons, role constraint scored the weakest for pregnant women with food insecurity (64.3 ± 45.5, 69.1 ± 43.2 and 49.3 ± 57.2, respectively, for mild, moderate and severe food insecurity). High-risk pregnant women screened for HFS in their primary prenatal care can increase their diet quality and quantity. Additionally, there is a need for multi-level actions such as policy development, resource allocation and proper amenities to ensure expectant mothers have access to nutritious food. JEL Codes: D1, I0, I30, I31

Exploring GGE biplot, stability index, correlation, and clustering analysis for growth and seed yield-related traits in celery (Apium graveolens L.)

The effect of genotype by environment interaction is one of the limiting factor for successfully identifying superior genotypes in plant breeding programs. The study aimed to identify celery genotypes with high and stable yields across different environments by assessing genotype-environment (GE) interactions, stability indices, and associations between agronomic parameters. Twenty celery genotypes were sown in randomized complete block design field trials at three locations in Punjab, India, viz., Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur during 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2020–21. Phenotypic data for thirteen agronomic parameters were collected for GE interactions study. The investigation mainly focused on the significance of GGE biplots in explaining GE interactions based on seed yield-related traits. Results revealed significant differences in genotypes, locations, years, and interactions in the studied traits. The WAASB (weighted average of absolute sScores) stability index estimation was highlighted to identify superior genotypes with maximum seed yield and high stability. The investigation specified the suitability of MTSI (multi-trait stability index), which considers multiple traits through genotype-ideotype distance, for assessing stability. Seed yield showed a positive and significant correlation with primary branches and umbels per plant that would be effective in simultaneous selection for multiple traits. Based on MTSI, three genotypes, PAU1, PAU9, and PAU10, were identified as stable and high-yielding across all three tested locations. The investigation suggests that efforts should focus on identifying location-specific genotypes using multi-location and multi-year data for varietal releases rather than emphasizing the overall performance of genotypes.

Relationship of ENSO and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to Characterize Drought at Different Locations of Punjab, India

Drought is generally considered as a deficiency in precipitation over an extended period usually a season or more. It is a natural hazard that differs from other hazards since it has a slow onset, evolves over months or even years and its severity is often difficult to determine. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is a widely used index to characterize drought on a range of timescales. In this study SPI was calculated annually and season (Kharif and Rabi) wise to correlate drought with ENSO events at different locations of Punjab viz. Amritsar, Ballowal Saunkhri, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Patiala. The historical data of rainfall for different locations of Punjab viz. Amritsar (1971-2017), Ballowal Saunkhri (1984-2018), Bathinda (1971-2018), Ludhiana (1971-2018) and Patiala (1971-2018) were collected from the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, PAU, Ludhiana and Met Centre, India Meteorological Department, Chandigarh. It was found that at all the locations very strong El Nino of 1997-98 resulted in above normal rainfall. Drought like conditions was observed during El Nino years as value of SPI was negative but with few exceptions. The SPI values were positive during La Nina and neutral years. Droughts during kharif season were found to be more related to El Nino years compared to La Nina years.

Rainfall Variability and Rice Production: An Assessment Based on the Variability in Indian Monsoon and Ground Water Level of Punjab, India

In Punjab, 99 per cent of total cultivated area is under irrigation but it is at the cost of declining ground water table. Due to rainfall variability and very high requirement of water in rice crop, which occupy large area in the state during kharif season, has further deteriorated the situation of water resources. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the relationship between declining groundwater level, variable monsoonal rainfall and rice yield of different agroclimatic zones of Punjab. The historical data of rainfall for different locations of Punjab viz. Amritsar (1998-2017), Ballowal Saunkhri (1998-2017), Bathinda (1998-2017), Ludhiana (1998-2017) and Patiala (1998-2017) was collected from the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, PAU, Ludhiana and Met Centre, IMD Chandigarh. The productivity data of rice was collected from indiastat.com and Statistical Abstract of Punjab whereas the data related to groundwater table (1998-2017) were collected from the Central Ground Water Board, Punjab. It was observed that the ground water table level showed significant decrease after 2005 at all locations and there was a positive correlation between rice yield and ground water table at all the locations except at Amritsar where it was negatively correlated. The deficit rainfall years showed very less impact on rice yield which has increased continuously. However, the relationship between groundwater table and rainfall indicated that deficit monsoonal rainfall led to further decline in groundwater table as it was not recharged.

Avaliação de minerais essenciais e análise físico-química do mel fresco de origem floral produzido por Apis mellifera

Honey is one of the best nutritious substances in the world, having different services in the body functions regulation. Ten elements (K, Na, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se) from honey samples were analyzed from 80 different locations of Punjab and ten floras. The aim of the present study was to determine the quality and quantity of minerals and Physico-chemical analysis in honey. A flame photometer was used to measure the concentration of major minerals (K, Ca and Na). The concentration of micro minerals (Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Se) was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The concentration of macro-elements obtained was as follow (in ppm): K (166-1732), Na (107-418) and Ca (07-99), while the concentration of microelements (in ppm) Co (1-2), Cr (>1), Mn (<1), Mo (1.818), Ni (1.911), Pb (<1) and Se (1.968). The most abundant minerals were potassium, calcium and sodium, ranging between 396-810.5, 17.5-640.63 and 169.88-238.62 ppm, respectively. However, the trace mineral elements of honey were obtained in the order of decreasing Se > Co > Ni > Pb > Cr > Mo > Mn. The findings showed that all the heavy metals like Co, Cr, Ni and Pb were present in trace amounts and close to International Honey Quality Standard. The result of given honey samples represented highest value of moisture (31.23%), color (80 mm pfund), pH (8.23), acidity (72.02 meq/kg), electrical conductivity (0.85 ms/cm) and ash contents (0.83%).

Seasonal incidence of Tephritids fruit flies (Tephritidae: Diptera) in different locations of Punjab and their correlation with weather parameters

Seasonal incidence of Tephritids fruit flies (Tephritidae: Diptera) in different locations of Punjab and their correlation with weather parameters

Evaluation and selection sunflower hybrids for seed yield under different environmental conditions of Punjab

Estimation of environmental effects are essential for selection of genotypes for general cultivation at various regions. With this aim a research trial was conducted during spring, 2021 to evaluate suitability and stability of eight sunflower hybrids developed by Oilseeds Research Institute, Faisalabad (ORI, FSD), against two check hybrids at different locations in Punjab. The prime objective of this experimentation was to evaluate and classified sunflower hybrids by multivariate method of principal component analysis (PCA) using the GGE biplot software for their yield. Statistix 8.1 was used to analyze the recorded data and GGE biplot was used for Principal Component Analysis and pictorial demonstration of data. Analysis of variance showed presence of significant variation between hybrids, environments and their interaction. Sunflower hybrid FH-555 showed highest mean yield in Punjab followed by FH-741. The first two principal components present 76% of the total variation. Results indicated that the hybrid FH-740 and FH-751 are best suitable for Multan, hybrid FH-741 and FH-732 for Muzaffargarh, FH-555 for RajanPur, Hysun-33, FH-331, FH-675, FH-648 and S-278 for Faisalabad region. The hybrid FH-741 is highly stable hybrid in yield performance across the environments. The case of this hybrid (FH-741) was submitted in Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) and got approval for general cultivation in whole Pakistan during 2022. Again the case was submitted in Punjab Seed Council (PSC) and got approval for general cultivation in Punjab during 2023. Keywords: Genetic variability, micro yield trial, stability, seed yield, statistix 8.1.

Stripe rust resistance gene(s) postulation in wheat germplasm with the help of differentials and tagged molecular markers

Thirteen known Yr gene-associated markers pertaining to genes (Yr5,Yr10,Yr15,Yr24/Yr26) were used to identify the genes in selected wheat germplasm which were found resistant under field conditions at two locations in Punjab, India against stripe rust. In field evaluation, 38 genotypes exhibited highly resistant response, with a final rust severity (FRS) ranging from 0 to TR. Seven genotypes expressed a resistant to moderately resistant response with FRS ranging from 5MR–10S. In race-specific phenotying against most prevalent pathotypes of Pucciniastriiformistritici (46S119,110S119 &238S119) by seedling reaction test (SRT) 14 genotypes (29.2%) were found to be immune (IT = 0), 28 genotypes (58.3%) were resistant (IT = 1), and 3 genotypes (6.3%) were moderately resistant (IT = 2). Yr5 was detected in sixteen lines with the help of two markers Xwmc175 and Xgwm120 linked with Yr5. Yr10 was detected in ten lines with the marker Xpsp3000 and Yr15 was detected in fourteen lines with two linked markers; Xgwm413 and Xgwm273. Likewise, Yr24/26 was detected in 15 lines with two linked markers, namely Xbarc181 and Xbarc187. Based on the race specific phenotyping data and marker data, fourteen lines were found to carry a single gene, 16 showed the presence of two gene combinations, and seven genotypes were found to have a combination of three genes. Frequencies of Yr5, Yr15 and Yr26/Yr24 was high among test wheat germplasm in comparison to Yr10.

Wet and Dry Spell Analysis for Crop Planning in Central Plain Zone of Punjab Using Markov Chain Method

A study was conducted during 2017–2018 at department of climate change and agricultural meteorology, PAU, Ludhiana to find out the initial and conditional probability of occurrence of wet and dry spell of rainfall at different locations of Punjab, the analysis was carried out using Markov Chain Method (MCM). The historical data of rainfall for three locations of Punjab viz. Amritsar (1971–2017), Ludhiana (1971–2018) and Patiala (1971–2018) were collected from the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, PAU, Ludhiana and Met Centre, India Meteorological Department, Chandigarh. At Amritsar the chances of occurrence of wet spell were highest during 28th SMW i.e., 72% followed by 68% during 30th and 31st SMW respectively. The conditional probability calculated at Ludhiana showed that the probability of wet spell followed by wet spell was highest (71%) during 28th SMW followed by 66 per cent during 30th and 32nd SMW. At Patiala the probability of wet spell was highest (69%) during 33rd week followed by 63% during 29th SMW. The conditional probability also showed that dry spell followed by dry spell occurred more frequently than wet spell followed by wet spell.

Assessment of potential toxicological risk for public health of heavy metal iron in diverse wheat varieties irrigated with various types of waste water in South Asian country

Various field trials were performed at different locations of Punjab, Pakistan to study the effect of trace metals on uptake of iron (Fe) and wheat productivity as well as the health risk assessment by ingestion of wheat grains grown with application of different irrigation sources. The experimental design was laid out in RCBD having four replications. Soil samples were taken before sowing of crop from 0 to 15 cm depth and Triticum astivum samples were taken after irrigation through different water treatments examined for pollution load index (PLI), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), translocation factor (TF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), daily intake of metal (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) parameters. Fe concentrations in soil from five districts where wheat types watered with 3 different supplies ranged from 30.28 to 41.03 mg/kg and in grain sample ranged between 1.36 and 6.74 mg/kg. All the samples had DIM values of Fe were observed lower than standard tolerable limits and values of HRI less than 1 which indicates that there is no Fe toxicity due to utilization of wheat grains.

Field efficacy of biorational and chemical insecticides against mango leaf hoppers (Amritodus atkinsoni and Idioscopus spp.)

Mango hopper is an important pest of mango that causes severe losses in yield and lower quality of fruit. The objective of the study was to investigate the susceptibility of mango hopper to the selected chemical and botanical insecticides and to find out the efficacy of different concentrations of selected insecticides/botanicals in controlling the mango hopper in the field conditions. Field experiments were conducted at four locations of Punjab, viz. Gurdaspur (Regional Research Station), Hoshiarpur [Government Garden and Fruit Nursery, Khiala Bulanda; FRS, Gangian; Jhandia Kalan (Ropar)] to evaluate different botanicals and chemicals along with Malathion 50 EC as check insecticide during 2019–21. Results indicated that lambda-cyhalothrin 5 ec @1.0 ml/l, imidacloprid 17.8 SL @0.4 ml/l, deltamethrin 2.8 ec @0.5 ml/l, thiamethoxam 25 wg @0.1 g/l, dimethoate 30 ec @1.65 ml/l, buprofezin 25 sc @2.0 ml/l, oxydemeton methyl 25 ec @1.0 ml/l and malathion 50 ec @1.5 ml/l were found significantly effective against mango leaf hoppers with reduction in population from 90–60%. PAU homemade neem extract @14 ml/l and PAU homemade dharek extract @4 ml/l resulted in 28–80% reduction, respectively. These wide options will help the farmers for opting wide range of insecticides and botanicals for need based spraying of these insecticides instead of schedule sprayings.

EFFECT OF GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND VARIETY ON MILLING, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND COOKING PROPERTIES OF PROMINENT RICE VARIETIES GROWN IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

The aim of this study was to check the cooking quality of Basmati varieties grown at different locations in Punjab, Pakistan. This experiment was conducted in a factorial design arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. The factors considered were variety (Super Basmati, PK 1121 aromatic and Basmati 515), and geographical region (Kala shah kaku (KSK), Faisalabad, Bahawalnagar, Farooqabad and Sargodha). Collected cleaned Paddy samples were converted to white rice and analyzed for milling, chemical and cooking properties. Data revealed significant impacts of variety and location on rice quality traits. The variety Super basmati was the most consistent in terms of grain length, amylose, alkali-spreading value and elongation ratio (E/R) among all studied locations. The mean grain length of studied varieties ranged from 7.18 to 8.50 mm. The alkali spreading value ranged from 4.00 to 7.0. Basmati-515 grown at Farooqabad had significantly more grain elongation (2.08) compared to others. The protein content was intermediate in all the studied varieties grown at all regions (6.80 to 7.50 %). The maximum values for average grain length (AGL) (8.50), cooked grain length (CGL) (17.45) and E/R (2.08) were found in PK 1121 Aromatic at KSK and Farooqabad respectively. This study can help the researchers to decide suitable area for specific rice varieties.

Effect of foliar-applied urea on symbiotic parameters, yield and monetary returns of irrigated chickpea

A field experiment was conducted at five locations in Punjab, India to study the effect of foliar application of urea (nitrogen) on the symbiotic parameters, growth, yield, quality, and monetary parameters of chickpea under irrigated conditions. The experiment consisted of foliar application of 2% urea at flowering stage, pod formation stage, at both the stages (flowering + pod formation), and control (no application) treatment. Application of 2% urea at flowering and pod formation stages recorded the highest number of nodules, dry weight of nodules, plant height and yield parameters. Improvement in these parameters led to significantly higher chickpea yield, by a margin of 26.0, 39.7, 14.1, 12.6 and 22.4 per cent as compared to control at Ludhiana (2017-18), Ludhiana (2018-19), Bathinda, Ballowal Saunkhri and Faridkot, respectively. On the basis of pooled mean of all the trials, foliar application of urea at both stages (flowering as well as pod formation) improved the grain yield by 19.3% over control, protein content by 12.7% and net monetary returns by 30.4% as compared to control treatment. It can be concluded that foliar application of 2% urea at flowering as well as pod formation stages should be done in chickpea under irrigated conditions for obtaining higher grain yield and net returns along with improved protein content, which can help in the fulfillment of protein requirement of the vegetarian population.

Geometric Morphometrics Analysis of Inter-Population Wing Shape Variations in Bats

Background: The cryptic diversity of bat fauna in Pakistan demands to incorporate an efficient and reliable approach for morphological species identification. The traditional taxonomic approaches are effective in exploring variations of characters but have proved to be less efficient in quantifying the interspecific and intraspecific differences. Geometric morphometric method has recently act as an efficient tool to analyze the overall changes in shape and size of biological features. The present study is therefore conducted to exploit the use of geometric morphometric methods along with traditional morphological measurements to examine the size and shape differences among four geographically isolated population groups of insectivorous bat species (Pipistrellus coromandra). &#x0D; Methods: Specimens were collected from different locations of Punjab, Pakistan. Twelve well-defined landmarks to quantify the variation in right wing of bats were analyzed using geometric morphometric tools and wing measurements of 5 selected parameters were also taken using traditional morphological measurements. &#x0D; Results: The results of external measurements for wing overlapped for most part among the different studied population groups. Fur colour photographs displayed in the inter-population had shown visible change from dark brown to light brown giving an indication of more morphological differences. Regarding the geometric morphometric results, wing-shape differences were found to dominate in inter-population as compared to intra-population for bats species (Pipistrellus coromandra) which clearly reflects the effects of habitat factors on different populations phenotypically. The wireframe for the first two PCs indicated an overall shape change trend with the displacement of landmark points representing the expansion along the upper wing margins in PC1 compared to PC2. &#x0D; Conclusion: The current study has successfully explored the power of geometric morphometric in reflecting the variations in wing shape among different populations of bats species (Pipistrellus coromandra).

Differential Effects of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Used as Soil Application vis-à-vis Root Dip of Seedlings on the Performance of Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Three Distinct Agro-climatic Zones of Indian Punjab

ABSTRACT The effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) vary with their mode of inoculation, location, and dose of inorganic fertilizers applied. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the proper PGPR along with its mode of inoculation for each soil–plant system. Here, six combinations of PGPRs applied through root dip of onion seedlings were used with both 75% NPK and 100% NPK. Their performance was compared with a biofertilizer commercialized by Punjab Agricultural University as soil application (T9), two biofertilizers from Indian Agricultural Research Institute used as root dip of seedlings (T7 and T8), and two uninoculated controls [100% NPK (T0) and 75% NPK (T16)] at three locations of Punjab, India. Since interaction (PGPR × location) effects were significant, only one out of six PGPR treatments, viz. T6 (100% NPK + Azotobacter + Sphingobacterium + Burkholderia), performed consistently well across locations and gave maximum 20-bulb weight, bulb yield, net returns, and benefit:cost ratio. This treatment (T6) yielded at par with T7 and T8 but was superior to T9, which in turn yielded at par with T0 and T16 at all locations. Colonization of onion roots by beneficial natural resident arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was higher in T6 than in control and penetration was higher when PGPRs were integrated with 75% NPK than with 100% NPK. Utilization of PGPRs with 100% NPK in light textured soils having low fertility along with poor water holding capacity and with 75% NPK in heavy textured soils having high fertility coupled with high moisture holding capacity is advocated.

Biochemical characterization and synergistic effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria against Fusarium oxysporum in pigeonpea, (Cajanus cajan)

Soil management today is dominated by toxic chemical fertilizers that pose a serious health and environmental risk. Beneficial soil microbes play a promising role in sustainable agriculture when used as biofertilizers. Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an ancient protein-rich leguminous pulse in India. Twelve different locations in Punjab (India) provided rhizospheric soil samples and the growth rates of 35 isolates were assessed at various temperatures. To identify potential plant growthpromoting traits with antifungal properties, morphological and biochemical characterization were carried out. Compared to uninoculated pigeonpea seeds, inoculated seeds with rhizoisolates showed a significant increase in growth parameters in greenhouse pot conditions. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) are a good way to increase crop yields while also controlling disease outbreaks.

GGE biplot analysis for seed production potential of European carrot (Daucus carota L.) genotypes in plains and submountenous zones of Punjab

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is grown worldwide in two different groups namely Asian and European. However the seed production of European cultivars is not possible in tropical and sub-tropical areas with less chilling period. The present study was planned to find the suitable areas in Punjab near foothills of Himalaya for seed production of European cultivars. Therefore fifteen carrot genotypes stecklings were transplanted in three dates of sowing i.e. first week of December, first week of January and first week of February at two locations of Punjab namely Ludhiana and Langroya. Seed yield traits like number of branches, number of seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield per hectare were recorded. Combined analysis of variance showed highly significant differences for GE (genotype?environment) interaction indicating the possibility of stable genotypes. Seed production was better in location Langroya and better than location Ludhiana. Most of the genotypes showed stable performance with regard to seed yield and yield parameters in first week of December and first week of January by GGE Biplot. Number of branches were significantly higher in genotype Pusa Meghali which was statistically at par with P-3, PCO-4. Similarly PCO-4 showed maximum number of seeds per plant and PCO-6 showed the highest seed weight per plant and 100 seed weight. Moreover, seed yield per hectare for genotypes PCO-4, PCO-6 was significantly higher than other genotypes. The study showed that European cultivars of carrot i.e. Pusa Meghali, PCO-4 and PCO-6 cultivars can produce seed in submontaneous zones of Punjab.

To compare the effectiveness of dynamic optotype and LogMAR visual acuity chart among cataract patients

Background: Dynamic Visual acuity is described as the visual acuity which is evaluated with motion; which required in Ophthalmic and Optometric routine eye evaluation. LogMAR chart is widely used in ophthalmic and Optometric investigation, although it’s an excellent visual acuity chart but its unable to evaluate dynamic visual acuity. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of dynamic Optotype visual acuity chart and logMAR visual acuity chart on cataract patient. Methodology: This was a descriptive study limited to individual aged 50 years & above who were selected for cataract surgery & brought to Sankara eye hospital Ludhiana from different locations of Punjab. Patient excluded from the study were those who had surgery for traumatic cataract, pterygium, corneal pathology & retinal pathology. Data was collected over 3-month period from January 2020 to March 2020. The case sheet of Sankara eye hospital was used to record the following: Demographic data, visual acuity, current prescription & other existing ocular pathology. Result: 75 subjects were included for the study out of which 35 (46.67%) were male and 40 (53.34%) were female. The mean age of the subjects was 63.8 ± 6.12 years. Out of the 92 eyes, 20 were prescribed glasses and 72 were left uncorrected at the baseline. The prescribed group at baseline was considered as Controls and the non-prescribed group at baseline was considered as Cases. Conclusion: The result of dynamic optotype visual acuity and LogMAR are similar in visual acuity measurements. There is hardly any difference between both optotypes. As this study was performed. The visual acuity was almost identical in LogMAR and dynamic visual acuity test. The time taken to perform dynamic optotype chart was less. So, the study concludes that dynamic optotype is faster visual acuity chart which is equivalent to LogMAR and productive with illiterate population.

EXPLORING THE BEST NP RATIO FOR WHEAT IN PERSPECTIVE OF PRESENT FARMERS' BUDGET FOR FERTILIZER

Farming community has a limited budget for various inputs like fertilizers for crops. Farmers usually allocate more money to nitrogen fertilizers while spending less money on phosphorus. Field experiments were carried out at farmers' fields to explore the effect of various ratios of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer while keeping the farmers' budget constant. Fertilizer experiments were conducted on wheat in Punjab Pakistan during years 2015-16 to 2017-18 at different locations in Punjab. Five different ratios (4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1.7:1) of N and P were used with treatments of 152-37-0, 137-46-0, 117-58-0, 108-64-0, 160-114-0. Recommended dose of 160-114-60 kg ha-1 of N-P2O5-K2O was also applied for additional information. At maturity, crop was harvested and data of wheat grain for each site were recorded. During the year 2015-16, 12 sites produced higher wheat yield with NP ratio of 1.7:1 (T4) out of 14 field sites. Similarly in 2016-17, out of 19, 18 experimental sites produced higher grain yield with T4 as economically best fertilizer combination. Similar results were obtained during 2017-18 with T4 and out of 17, 15 experimental sites produced comparatively higher grain yield. Recommended dose @ 160-114-60 kg ha-1 produced highest grain yield. However, among farmer budget treatments, T4-a combination of nitrogen@108 kg ha-1 and phosphorus@64 kg ha-1 gave higher wheat production. It is concluded that farmers can increase the yield of wheat just by balancing the fertilizer and increasing the phosphorus use in place of nitrogen. Keywords: nitrogen, phosphorus, budget, wheat, grain.