A comparison of the effect of organic acids and dicalcium phosphate supplementation on phosphorus bioavailability,growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of Labeo rohita fingerlings

The effect of organic acids (OA) and dicalcium phosphate (P_i) supplementation in the feed of Labeo rohita fingerlings was studied by formulating seven practical diets, designed as D1 with no feed additives {dicalcium phosphorus (P_i) and organic acid (OA) blend} while, D2, D3, D4 and D5 were supplemented with P_i at the graded levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg, respectively, whereas D6 and D7 contained blend of OA at 15 and 30 g/kg, respectively. The diet supplemented with OA blend exhibited increase (p < .05) in growth of L. rohita fingerlings compared with the diet supplemented with P_i. The OA supplementation at both levels showed significant improvement in nutrients digestibility and minerals absorption in fingerlings. Moreover, in case of muscle proximate composition, crude fat (CF) and crude protein (CP) were increased (p < .05) with the inclusion of OA blend in the diet while crude ash (CA) was improved by P_i supplementation. Additionally, digestive enzyme activities were not affected (p ? .05) by OA blend supplementation while increased activities were observed in the fingerlings fed with P_i diet. Consequently, supplementation of OA blend in the diet improved the growth performance and nutrient status while P_i enhanced digestive enzyme activities of L. rohita fingerlings.     

Chemometric Methods to Predict of Pb in Urban Soil from Port Pirie,South Australia,using Spectrally Active of Soil Carbon

A total of 73 soil samples were initially analyzed for lead (Pb) concentration as an indicator of the environment impact of smelter activity in the Port Pirie, South Australia. Chemometric techniques were used to assess the ability of near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy to predict soil Pb using spectrally active soil characteristics such as soil carbon (C). The result indicated a strong linear relationship between log-transformed data of soil Pb and spectral reflectance in the range between 500 and 612 nm with R² = 0.54 and a low root-mean-square error (RMSE_v = 0.38) for the validation mode with an acceptable ratio of performance to deviation and ratio of error range (1.6 and 7.7, respectively). This study suggested that NIR spectroscopy based on auxiliary spectrally active components is a rapid and noninvasive assessment technique and has the ability to determine Pb contamination in urban soil to be useful in environmental health risk assessment.     

Effect of humic acid on growth and crop nutrient status of wheat on two different soils

The effect of plant-derived humic acid (PDHA) and coal-derived humic acid (CDHA) on wheat growth was tested on two alkaline calcareous soils in pots. Humic acid derived from plant and coal materials was applied at the rate 0 (control), 50 and 100 kg/ha to wheat in pots carrying two soils viz. clayey loam soil and sandy loam soil separately. Data was collected on plant growth parameters such as spike weight, grain and straw weight, and plant nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients). Results showed that spike weight increased by 19%, 15%, and 26%, and 11% with application of PDHA at the rate of 50 and 100 mg/kg in clayey loam and sandy loam soil, respectively. Grain yield show an increase of 21% and 11% over control with application of PDHA and CDHA at the rate of 50 mg/kg on both soils, respectively, and 10% and 22% with application of PDHA and CDHA at the rate of 100 mg/kg on both soils.     

Evaluation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) single cross hybrids under heat stress condition

Sunflower is an important oilseed crop, which shows susceptibility to heat stress. In this study, 63 single cross hybrids were evaluated under heat stress condition for 2 years and compared with the two commercial hybrids. Genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) was used to differentiate single cross hybrids on the basis of multiple traits. GGE biplot showed that several single cross hybrids had higher seed yield potential than standard check. Moreover, seed yield per plant (SYP) was related to pollen viability percentage, showing that achene yield was the product of high gametophytic fertility under heat stress. Hybrids having high seed yield potential under heat stress had lower cell membrane injury. GGE biplot for SYP and its components showed that single cross hybrids were characterized into two major groups. Group I was further characterized into two sub group. Group Ia included hybrids with high 100-SW, while group Ib had the hybrids with high number of seeds per head and head diameter. Group II had the hybrids with high kernel weight and kernel to seed ratio. The hybrids could be recommended according to their potential utilization in the seed industry.     

Evaluation of foot and mouth vaccination for yak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos grunniens</Emphasis>) in Pakistan

In northern Pakistan, many farming communities rely on domestic yak (Bos grunniens) as a principle source of income. A 2006 participatory disease surveillance report from this region indicated that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the most prevalent annual disease of yak. Our objectives of this study were to determine exposure levels of yak to FMD virus; implement a vaccination program based on current, regional FMD virus serotypes and subtypes; and quantify immune responses following vaccination. Blood samples were used to determine pre-vaccination exposure of animals to FMD virus by antibody presence to non-structural proteins of FMD virus using a 3-ABC trapping indirect ELISA. Vaccine used consisted of FMD serotypes ‘O’ (PanAsia-2), ‘A’ (Iran-05), and ‘Asia-1’ (Shamir), but changed later during the study to match newly circulating viruses in the country (‘O’-PanAsia-2; ‘A’-Turk-06 and Asia-1-Sindh-08). Three hundred sixty-three blood samples were tested from selected villages to determine pre-vaccination FMD virus exposure in yak with an average of 37.7%. Immune responses from initial vaccination and booster dose 30 days later showed clear protective levels (as mean percent inhibition) of antibodies against structural proteins of serotypes ‘O,’ ‘A,’ and ‘Asia-1.’ These responses remained above threshold positive level even at day 210 following initial vaccination. Results of sero-surveillance and anecdotal information of repeated FMD outbreaks demonstrate the persistence of FMD virus of yak in northern Pakistan. Laboratory results and field observations clearly indicated that yak can be protected against FMD with a good quality vaccine with FMD serotype(s) matching current, regionally circulating FMD virus.     

Weed Control

Abstract

Research into weed control in Iraq is largely the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture. The recommendations which the Department of Weed Control have made on the basis of this research are presented. The principal weed species of Iraq are listed with some indication of their occurrence and importance. Both research and control of weeds in Iraq are limited at present.     

Effect of high temperatures on survival and longevity of the predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant

The effect of high temperature on survival and longevity of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) female adults was studied in the laboratory by daily exposure of the beetles to 35°C (mean r.h. 52%) combined with 1-, 2- and 3-h intervals of thermal treatment at 38, 40, 42 and 44°C (r.h. 46–48%). Fifty percent of females survived until the 12th–13th day of the thermal treatment at 38°C (depending on the exposure time), the 2nd–10th day at 40°C for 1–2 h exposure and the 4th–5th day at 42°C for 1 h exposure. Survival was 25–38% on the 1st–2nd day of the thermal treatment at 40, 42 and 44°C for 3, 2 and 1 h of exposure, respectively. Three hours of exposure of female C. montrouzieri at 42°C and 2 h exposure at 44°C were lethal for the beetles. Mean longevity of the predator was 33.13?±?1.22 days at 35°C and was significantly shorter as the temperature of the thermal treatments increased from 38^o to 44°C. These results suggest that daily temperature regimes of 35°C combined with 38–40°C for 1–3 h are marginal for the survival and longevity of the C. montrouzieri, whereas temperatures above 42°C are lethal even at short exposure. These results can partly justify the inability of C. montrouzieri to be permanently established in Pakistan environments and could contribute to a pre-evaluation assay of its potential adaptability in such environmental systems.     

Effects of Potassium Humate Fertilizers and Irrigation Rate on Potato Yield and Consumptive Use under Drip Irrigation Method

The current study was carried out at Agricultural College, University of Baghdad in the vegetable farm, Department of Horticulture during 2013 spring growing season. Yield response to irrigation of different crops is of major importance in production planning where water resources are limited. This study aims to determine the effect of different irrigation treatment （deficit irrigation） and potassium humate fertilizer on yield, content of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphor in tuber of potato and water use efficiency in the Abu-Graib Region, Iraq. Potato was grown under drip irrigation with three treatments： irrigation applied when evaporation 75%, 100% and 125% from pan A, and three potassium humate fertilizers： 0, 1.2 and 2.4 kg/ha with three times additions. The seasonal potato evapotranspiration ranged from 267 mm to 372 mm. The drip irrigation treatment had significant effecting tuber yield of potato recorder 29,530, 27,630 and 24,880 kg/ha for 125%, 100% and 75% from pan A evapotranspiration, respectively. Humus fertilizers addition has the lowest value of ETa 309 mm and maximum value of yield 2,930 kg/ha. Water use efficiency （WUE） and irrigation water use efficiency （IWUE） values increased with increasing humus fertilizers, recording 9.92, 14.52, 8.59, 12.42 and 7.51, 10.70 kg/m3 for potassium humate K3 （2.4 kg/ha）, K2 （1.2 kg/ha） and KI （0.0 kg/ha）, respectively. Plants irrigated with 125% from class pans A evaporation, produced a significant increase in N, P and K content in tubers recorder 0.96%, 0.58% and 1.52%, respectively. Potassium humus-fertilizer significant differences among K1, K2 and K3 on high of plants reached 41.52, 50.08 and 56.39 cm, respectively, number of stems/plant 2.69, 3.22 and 3.78, respectively, leaves area index recorder 2.80, 3.35 and 3.73.     

Efficacy of Ceranock Attract and Kill System as a Control Method of Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata in Apricot Orchards in Central Iraq

A field experiment was conducted using Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in apricot orchards, Central of lraq during the 2013 field season. Control program was implemented in three orchards of mixed apricot varieties. Ceranock traps were hung in each tree of two separate orchards. Delta and McPhail traps were used to monitor Medfly population density in each treated and control orchards. Results indicated that Medfly activity in apricot orchards started during the last week of April coincided with the beginning of maturity for fruits of early varieties. The total of trapped insects in monitoring traps after one week of Ceranock application were 0, 1 and 31 adults for the 1st, 2nd and the control orchards, respectively. Three weeks later and on, the number of trapped adults started to increase dramatically. At the end of apricot season and after 45 days of Ceranock trap application, the number of trapped insects in monitoring traps reached 110, 111 and 2,349 adults/week, respectively, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd orchard. The use of Ceranock traps reduced Medfly population density by 86%-97%. The percentage of fruit injuries in early maturing varieties were 0.75%, 1% and 34% for the 1st, 2nd and control orchards, respectively. While, late varieties were 2% and 3% for 1st and 2nd orchards, and 69% for the control. The percentage of reduction in fruit damages reached to 95% and 97%, respectively in the 1st and 2nd orchard. The results of this study demonstrate clearly the efficacy of Ceranock bait station, ＂attract and kill＂ system as a control measure for Medfly in apricot orchards.     

Production analysis of broiler farming in central Punjab,Pakistan

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study examined the analysis of personal and production performance of broiler farming in 10 cities of central Punjab (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara,...