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Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is one of four major cash crops with high importance for sugar industry in Pakistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate biomass of ratoon sugarcane in response to organic supplements and coated fertilizer under three irrigation levels. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement of factors, replicated three times. Ratoon sugarcane clone CPF-249 was exposed to four levels of natural amendments or synthetic fertilizers and three irrigation levels during two growing seasons. Results suggested significant effects of dose and time of synthetic fertilizer application on all agronomic traits. All quality parameters were statistically non-¬significant, except for cane sugar recovery% (CSR) and commercial cane sugar concentration (CCS). Results of this study indicate that maximum millable cane yield was achieved under 100% irrigation and polymer coated Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizer during 2016-17 with production of 13.2 stalks/m2 and 14.1stalks/m2 whereas, millable cane yield was reduced in both treatments in 2017-18. Maximum stripped cane yields of 47.7 and 40.8 t ha-1 were recorded under 100% irrigation level and polymer coated SSP fertilizer, respectively. A significant reduction in yield was observed at 50% irrigation and no fertilizer application. The maximum cane sugar recovery of 14.0 and 13.6% was achieved when plants were treated with polymer coated single super phosphate (SSP) fertilizer under 100% of recommended irrigation during the 2nd growing season.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the main source of food for the world population. The present study was aimed to find resistant germplasm against the leaf rust disease by screening the available varieties/lines and to study the relationship between abiotic environmental factors and leaf rust disease severity. Four hundred and eighty-seven wheat varieties/lines were screened against leaf rust disease under nursery conditions. No variety/line was found immune to the disease. Only four varieties/lines were resistant, six were moderately resistant, ninety-six varieties/lines were found moderately susceptible and 380 were found susceptible against the leaf rust infection. The relationship between maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and leaf rust disease severity on three susceptible wheat varieties (Hashim-08, SKD-1 and Khiram) was assessed using linear regression models. A strong negative linear relationship between leaf rust disease and maximum temperature was observed. Maximum disease severity was noted at 23-24 maximum temperature (oC). The relationship between leaf rust disease severity and minimum temperature was found positive and maximum disease severity was recorded at 15-16°C. Disease severity increased with the decrease of relative humidity. Maximum disease severity was recorded when relative humidity was between 84-85%. Maximum disease severity was recorded when rainfall was between 1-2mm.

Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) is devastating and widespread in potato fields. It is not only a cause of yield loss around the globe but also in Pakistan. Symptoms expression also characterize primary and secondary infection. Pathogen detection systems lead to the pathogen management system. Moreover, environmental conditions help make disease predictive model, leading to making plans to protect crops from the infectious virus infection. This review makes an overview of potato leaf roll transmission and its management. Symptomology and transmission of the virus through vector help are formulating the management strategies. The current literature helps the researchers to develop the genetical resistant and ecofriendly management against PLRV.

Bioactive compounds are non-nutritive and functional nutrients of food commodities. They play a vital role in human health and reduce the chances of chronic diseases including cancer. Plants, animals and microbes are all source of different bioactive compounds. The conversion of macro particles in small particles to nano-meter is termed as nanotechnology. Encapsulation is the process of covering the active ingredient in protective core and the process at nano level is termed as nano-encapsulation. The active material is made safe from outer environmental threats and the bioactivity of bioactive compounds is extended. Emulsification, coacervation, nano-precipitation and emulsification-solvent evaporation techniques are important techniques to achieve nano-encapsulation. Nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds may also decrease the degradation and improves solubility and availability of bioactive compounds. Techniques for encapsulation may be develop keeping in view their biosafety issues. Efficiency of nano-encapsulation may depend upon the choice of best technique for encapsulation. Different techniques for encapsulation have been discussed within this review.

Cereal aphid, Sitobion avenae (Homoptera: Aphididae), is one of the destructive pests of wheat and other crops around the globe. Irrational utilization of highly toxic synthetic chemicals against this particular pest has led to several issues of health and environment. In such case, there is a need to find out the control measures, which are less toxic and friendly to environment. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of aqueous extracts of four indigenous plants, i.e. akk (Calotropis procera), lemon (Citrus limon), neem (Azadirachta indica) and dhatura (Datura alba), against S. avenae in laboratory conditions. Toxicity bioassays were conducted according to Completely Randomized Design using 2% aqueous extracts with three replications. Results showed a differential response of aphids to all botanical extracts. Aphid mortality increased with the exposure time with maximum values (i.e. 39.52, 31.75, 26.76 and 24.07% for A. indica, C. procera, C. limon and D. alba extracts, respectively) recorded at 72 h post-treatment. Similarly, A. indica extract exhibited minimum fecundity (2.67 offspring per adult) and adult body weight (340.09 µg) and maximum nymphal development time (9.32 days), followed by C. procera, C. limon and D. alba. Overall study results suggest that A. indica and C. procera extracts would be effective botanical options for combating aphid infestations on wheat and other cereal crops.

This study was carried out for developing high yielding cotton genotypes having fiber superiority under drought stress conditions. Five upland cotton accessions were screened out as drought tolerant and three as drought susceptible on the basis of root shoot parameters. The results of root shoot screening experiment were verified in field screening on the basis of agronomical and physiological parameters. These eight genotypes were grown in glass house conditions and crossed in line × tester mating design. During the next cotton season, these fifteen cotton hybrids and parents were sown in field conditions. Traits related to yield and fiber quality under the study showed significant variations among the accessions and their half sibs. Furthermore, the line MS-64 and tester BH-176 had better yield performance under water stress. The cross combinations viz., GS-444 × MPS-11, and COOKER-315 × Cyto-62 were the best for yield contributing traits. These combinations may be helpful for germplasm enhancement on large scale under water scarcity.