Plants Of Pakistan Research Articles

Comparative analysis using EIA for developed and developing countries: case studies of hydroelectric power plants in Pakistan, Norway and Sweden

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an important legislative and scientific tool that may assist and improve the quality assistance for the decision-making process in sustainable development. Here, a comparison of EIAs from three cases of hydropower projects in Pakistan, Norway and Sweden is reported. A huge difference concerning the incorporation of environmental considerations into the decisionmaking process between developed and developing countries is observed. The EIA system of Pakistan appears to be less efficient in the application and review process. In addition, the appraisal of issues, the decision-making process and evaluation through post-monitoring is not as well performed in Pakistan as in cases of hydroelectric power plants in Sweden and Norway. The key reason for this shortcoming is misconceptions about the EIA process, which initially receives intense attention but becomes weakened by the time of implementation. This implies that there is a need to adopt simplified and flexible EIA techniques suitable for the infrastructure and resources of a specific country, taking into account institutional, technical and financial constraints. Improvements are required in public participation, awareness, as well as in environmental control and data system sectors in Pakistan, besides simply enacting legislation to achieve the goals of the EIA system.

DOCUMENTATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PAKISTAN

Indigenous knowledge of wild and cultivated plant use is linked to local culture and history. It should be regarded as a body of knowledge that has continually developed over time without the outside assistance of formal science. Pakistan has 18 different types of ecological zones with a variety of habitat types like the coastal Mangrove forests, the desert subtropical foothills dry and moist areas, the alpine pastures etc. with diverse ethnic composition and ancient civilization. It has rich flora of over 6000 species of flowering plants, conifers and ferns with about 4000 fungal species and 1000 algae are so far reported to occur in different provinces including Kashmir. A very large number is found in northern and northwestern parts of the country. It was estimated in early 1950 that up to 84% of the Pakistani population is dependent on traditional medicine for all or most of their medical needs. Even now, in some parts of the reported area the percentage may be the same or even higher. Western-style allopathic medicines are relatively expensive compared to the traditional herbal medicine, and for people living in hilly areas, usually not available. The use of medicinal plants to cure diseases and relieve physical suffering of both humans and animals, goes back to ancient times. It has been reported that approximately 400-600 medicinal plants are more frequently used in herbal preparations and while several species, which are common in certain areas, are known to be used locally in traditional preparations, they have not been scientifically investigated for wider use. A lot more work therefore needs to be done with regard to collecting and compiling indigenous knowledge of plants, especially amongst living in the western mountains.

German ultrafiltration technology chosen for use in drinking-water plants in Pakistan

German manufacturers of components for water-treatment systems Siemens and KSB Aktiengesellschaft have ordered ultrafiltration modules from Inge Watertechnologies AG for the ‘Clean Drinking Water for All’ project in Pakistan. The aim is to install drinking-water treatment plants in all of the country's 35 provinces, as this brief case study explains.

Phylogenetic analysis of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations from cotton plants in Pakistan, China, and Egypt

Bemisia tabaci is a species complex, of which the B and Q biotypes are globally distributed. B. tabaci feeds on more than 600 plant species including cotton, which is one of the main crops in Pakistan. In this study, the biotypes/haplotypes of B. tabaci populations collected from cotton plants in Pakistan, China, and Egypt were identified, and their phylogenetic relationships were investigated. None of the populations from Pakistan or Egypt belonged to the B or Q biotype: all 16 samples from Pakistan belonged to haplotype “PCG-1” and it is a group of unresolved populations all from Pakistan, while all three populations from Egypt belonged to unresolved haplotype “ECG.” The three populations from China belonged to the B biotype. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PCG-1, ECG, and B biotypes clustered into different clades even though they share the same cotton plant species as their host. The association between the outbreaks of cotton leaf curl disease and the occurrence of the PCG haplotype of B. tabaci in Pakistan is discussed.

Suitability of multistage enthalpy extraction technology for power plants in Pakistan

AbstractMultistage enthalpy extraction technology (MEET) provides an improvement in integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology and offers an attractive alternative of conventional pulverised coal and natural gas power generation. It certainly improves efficiency and allows better emission compliance. Although the operating cost of IGCC is low, high capital costs threaten its competitiveness. Improvements in turbine design and gas clean-up system have been the focus of studies to make it economical. The competitive nature of power generation industry has so far threatened IGCC technology. For a country such as Pakistan where generation of electrical energy is of major concern, all options including effective coal utilisation need to be pursued. The option of employing MEET is worth considering, which offers considerable process improvement and allows the utilisation of a variety of coals. Multistage enthalpy extraction technology (MEET) technology is briefly discussed here along with its suit...

On-Line Monitoring of Hydropower Plants in Pakistan

On-Line Monitoring of Hydropower Plants in Pakistan

In vitro enzyme inhibition activities of crude ethanolic extracts derived from medicinal plants of Pakistan

Twenty two crude ethanolic extracts from 14 indigenous medicinal plants were subjected to enzyme inhibition screening against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and lipoxygenase enzymes (LO). Three extracts showed activity against AChE, nine extracts were found to be active against BChE and four extracts inhibited the enzyme LO. The most significant inhibition activities (≥50%) were found in extracts derived from Aloe vera (leaves), Alpinia galanga (rhizome), Curcuma longa (rhizome), Cymbopogon citratus (leaves), Ocimum americanum (leaves), Ocimum americanum (stem) and Withania somnifera (roots).

Chickpea wilt: identification and toxicity of 8- O-methyl-fusarubin from Fusarium acutatum

Fusarium acutatum was isolated from wilting chickpea plants in Pakistan. Filtrates from cultures grown on a defined liquid medium caused permanent wilting of chickpea cuttings and killed cells, isolated enzymically from healthy plants, in a bioassay. Toxic activity was retained by a cyano solid phase extraction cartridge and the toxin was isolated by elution from the cartridge in acetonitrile and Si-gel thin layer chromatography of the eluate. Analytical HPLC of the compound on a cyano column with diode array detection gave a single peak with a homogeneous spectrum and λ max at 224 and 281 nm. NMR and mass spectral studies showed that the toxin was 8- O-methyl-fusarubin. The pure compound caused permanent wilting of chickpea cuttings and the LD50 value in the cell bioassay was 327 ng/ml.

Effect of Punica granatum and Syzygium cumini on body weights in ethylene glycol-induced kidney stone rats

Punica granatum L. (PG) and Syzygium cumini L. (SC) are commonly used medicinal plants in Pakistan. All over the world, 80% of individuals show decrease in their body weight during kidney illness. In this study, PG and SC showed that during the treatment of the kidney stone disease they also exert positive effects on the body weights of rats having ethylene glycol-induced kidney stone. Body weights of all groups including control, KS model, PG and SC rats were assessed by relative body weight. Rats having ethylene glycol-induced kidney stone showed a decrease in body weight as compared with control group. PG and SC groups at doses of 250 and 350g showed gradual increase in body weight during the illness and exhibited that both plant’s products have nutritional values which play a key role in the maintenance and improvement in health by increasing the body weights. Comparing the effect of PG and SC on body weight, we found that SC fruits extract at dose of 250mg showed better effect on the body weight of rats than PG flowers extract.

Variation of terrestrial ecosystem recorded by stable carbon isotopes of fossils in northern China during the Quaternary

Stable carbon isotopes of C3 and C4 plants have completely distinct δ13C values respectively. Carbonate in tooth enamel of herbivorous mammals is significantly and regularly enriched in 13C compared to source carbon. As a result, we can reconstruct distributions of C3 and C4 plants in geological history based on carbon isotopes of mammalian tooth enamel. Carbon isotopes of 70 mammalian tooth enamel samples from 11 Quaternary localities in northern China are analyzed. This analysis indicates that C3 plants were dominant in the terrestrial ecosystem of northern China during the Quaternary, which is completely different from Pakistan with relatively close latitudes where C4 plants were absolutely dominant. The great difference was caused by the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. A simulation implied that a marked temperature decrease would happen in the north side of the Tibetan Plateau, but a temperature increase in the south side. The warming condition caused the transition from C3 to C4 plants in Pakistan situated in the south side of this plateau. In the north side, on the contrary, the cooling condition restrained the distribution of C4 plants. As a result, C3 plants have been dominant in northern China until now.

Multiple infection, recombination and genome relationships among begomovirus isolates found in cotton and other plants in Pakistan.

Begomoviruses occur in many plant species in Pakistan and are associated with an epidemic of cotton leaf curl disease that has developed since 1985. PCR analysis with primer pairs specific for each of four already sequenced types of DNA-A of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV-PK types a, 26, 72b and 804a), or for okra yellow vein mosaic virus (OYVMV), indicated that many individual naturally infected plants of cotton and other malvaceous species contained two or three begomovirus sequences. Similarly, sequence differences among overlapping fragments of begomovirus DNA-A, amplified from individual naturally infected plants, indicated much multiple infection in malvaceous and non-malvaceous species. Some cotton plants contained DNA-A sequences typical of begomoviruses from non-malvaceous species, and some non-malvaceous plants contained sequences typical of CLCuV-PK. Some DNA-A sequences were chimaeric; they each included elements typical of different types of CLCuV-PK, or of different malvaceous and/or non-malvaceous begomoviruses. Often an apparent recombination site occurred at the origin of replication. No complete CLCuV-PK DNA-A sequence was found in malvaceous or non-malvaceous species collected in Pakistan outside the area of the cotton leaf curl epidemic but chimaeric sequences, including a part that was typical of CLCuV-PK DNA-A, did occur there. We suggest that recombination among such pre-existing sequences was crucial for the emergence of CLCuV-PK. Recombination, following multiple infection, could also explain the network of relationships among many of the begomoviruses found in the Indian subcontinent, and their evolutionary divergence, as a group, from begomoviruses causing similar diseases in other geographical regions.

Azoarcus spp. and their interactions with grass roots

The current knowledge on the divergence within the genus Azoarcus and about interactions with grasses is summarized. Grass-associated members of this genus of diazotrophs have only been isolated from a salt- and flood-tolerant pioneer plant in Pakistan, Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth). Members of these bacteria belong to the beta subclass of the Proteobacteria, most closely related to purple bacteria such as Rhodocyclus purpureus. The isolates from one single host plant showed a surprising divergence, consisting of five groups of Azoarcus distinct at the species level. Molecular diagnostic tests, which are based on 16S ribosomal RNA sequences, allowed preliminary assignment of isolates to Azoarcus by PCR amplification and sequencing of PCR products. Moreover, the moleculer tests enabled us to detect an unculturable strain in Kallar grass roots, stressing that classical cultivation techniques at times fail to detect some groups of the microbial population. Using similar techniques, sequences rooting in the Azoarcus clade were also detected in field-grown rice, indicating that the natural host range might extend to rice. In gnotobiotic laboratory cultures, a member of Azoarcus is able to colonize rice roots endophytically: bacteria invade the roots in the zone of elongation and differentiation, colonize the cortex intra- and inter-cellularly, and penetrate deeply into the vascular system, entering xylem vessels, allowing systemic spreading into the rice shoot. Recently, we detected expression of nitrogenase of Azoarcus cells inside roots of rice seedlings, a result encouraging us to analyze interactions with rice in detail.

Noise problem in a polyester fiber plant in Pakistan.

Noise study has been undertaken in the three units of a polyester fiber plant. The level and frequency characteristics of the prevailing noise have been studied and speech interference levels evaluated. The results are discussed with reference to the maximum permissible occupational noise exposure limits as allowed by the ISO and other national standards. Some recommendations have also been made to provide safety measures to the workers against high level noise in these units.

Quantitative Survey of Rutin-containing Plants Part 1

AbstractQuantitative estimation of rutin in fresh leafy shoots, fruits and fruit peels of thirty four plants of Pakistan was carried out. The highest amounts were found in seeds of Sophora secundiflora (8.4%) and leaves of Mangifera indica (5.2%).

On the Quality and Some Ecological Effects of Wastewater Effluents from Two Chemical Industrial Plants in Pakistan

Four samples of water were taken for analysis from Kala Shah Kaku Industrial Estate, near Lahore, Pakistan. These were:I) ‘Pure’ water of the channel Dek Nullah,II) Wastewater of Ravi Rayon Limited,III) Wastewater of Ittehad Chemicals, andIV) Dek Nullah ‘polluted’ water after the discharge into it of wastewater from two industries, namely Ravi Rayon Limited and Ittehad Chemicals.The analysis of these waters showed that sample I was the best in quality (medium-salinity and low-sodium water: C2-S1), sample II was of the quality class C3-S1 (high-salinity and low-sodium water), sample III was found to be of the poorest quality (very-high-salinity and very-high-sodium water: C4-S4), while sample IV was of relatively bad quality (high-salinity and mediumsodium water: C3-S2). Only the wastewater of Ittehad Chemicals had some sediment in it, the qualitative analysis of which showed the presence of oxalates, sodium, iron, and magnesium.The study of planktonic biota in Dek Nullah ‘pure’ and ‘polluted’ waters showed that they were more diverse in the former than in the latter; indeed, unless Bacteria are classed as fauna, there was no representative of these last in the ‘polluted’ water.The industrial wastewater effluents are being discharged into Dek Nullah, and this ‘polluted’ water is being used for irrigation by the farmers operating along its downstream course. The effects of this water on Rice germination were studied, and it was found that such germination was significantly greater in Dek Nullah ‘pure’ water than in its ‘polluted’ water.Dek Nullah ‘polluted’ water may deteriorate further with time, as more and more wastes are added to it, and it may have deleterious effects on soils when used for irrigation purposes—causing salinity and sodicity problems unless proper management techniques are adopted.