Waqas Ashraf¹, ShahbazTalib Sahi², Amer Habib², Atta Ur Rehman Khan³, Muhammad Ahmad Zeshan*⁴, Anum Intisar⁴, Absar Ahmad⁵

¹Department of Plant Pathology, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

²Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

³Department of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

⁴Department of Plant Pathology, University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

⁵University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Macrophomina phaseolina is the devastating fungus of many crops. For this study, infected maize samples were collected from four districts (Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal and Pakpatan). Twenty-four isolates of M. phaseolina were isolated from infected maize samples and their growth was evaluated at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C as well as at 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 pH. The growth of fungal isolates was significantly affected by different levels of pH and temperature. Higher mean dry mycelial weight was observed at 35ºC followed by 40ºC. Higher mean dry mycelial weight at pH 6.5 and 7.0, clearly indicated the preference of isolates to particular range of pH. Mean dry mycelial weight was increased with increase in pH and temperature.

Keywords: Global warming, Mycelial weight, Macrophomina phaseolina, Temperature, pH

Mubashar Hussain¹*, Iqra Mustafa¹, Muhammad Faheem Malik¹, Sharon Zulifqar¹, Zaheer Abbas²

¹Department of Zoology, ²Department of Statistics, University of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Coccinella septempunctata is an important natural enemy of several pest species attacking various crops in Pakistan. Mostly pests are managed by the use of pesticides in crops and ornamentals, thus, impact of pesticides needs to be evaluated on voracity of predatory beetle. The effect of Imidacloprid and Bifenthrin on predation of adult beetles predating on Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) was evaluated under laboratory conditions (25 ± 2 ºC and 65 ± 5 % RH) at Systematics and Pest Management Laboratory, Department of Zoology University of Gujrat. The significant differences in the mortality of C. septempunctata were observed amongst control and other treatments. The adult beetles showed highest mortality (91.66 % and 83.83%) when subjected to Bifenthrin (0.7%) after 48 and 24 h of exposure, respectively. Whereas the adult beetles demonstrated highest mortality (75 % and 72.66 %) when exposed to Imidacloprid (0.7%) after 48 and 24 h of exposure, respectively. The statistical analysis yielded non-significant differences were recorded at lower concentrations of both pesticides. C. septempunctata showed lower mean predation of 20.66, 18.66 and 16 when exposed to 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 % Bifenthrin after 24 h, respectively. The voracity of C. septempunctata was significantly affected by Imidacloprid and Bifenthrin. The study emphasized that non target beneficial species are affected due to residual insecticidal spray effects reducing their population and increasing more dependency on hazardous chemical toxicants.

 Keywords: Pesticides, Voracity, Non-target species, Coccinellids

Asma Tariq¹, Sumera Afsheen^1*, Mobushir Hussain¹, Ahmed Zia³, Syed Shakeel Shah^2*,

Sabila Afzal², Inamullah Khan⁴, Yousaf Hayat⁵

¹Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

²Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Sub-Campus Narowal, Pakistan

³National Insect Museum, National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan

⁴Department of Plant Protection, Agricultural University Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan

⁵Department of Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan

Abstract

In this study we used dried leaf powders of five plants i.e., Syzygium cumini, Citrus limon, Momordica charantia, Eucalyptus globulus and Piper nigrum against Callosobruchus chinensis infesting chickpea seeds during storage. Free choice and no choice tests were conducted. Plant powders were applied at dose of 2% (w/w). Efficacy of all plant powders were compared by orientation, oviposition, adult mortality and adult emergence of the pulse beetle. Effect of plant powder on germination of seed was also observed by germination test. Leaf powder of M. charantia was found to be more effective while leaf powder of S. cumini was found to be least effective in adult mortality and oviposition deterrence. Furthermore, the results showed that leaf powders of all plants had no effects on germination of seeds.

 Keywords: Leaf Powders, Chickpea seeds, Seed viability, Pulse beetle

Saboor Ahmad, Muhammad Asif Aziz, Munir Ahmad, Imran Bodlah

Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract

The studies were conducted to compare the hygienic and grooming behavior of honey bees (Apis mellifera Ligustica) headed by new (0-year) and old queens (1-year) against Varroa mites at Apiculture Research Farm, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi during 2013-14. Worker bees removed 91.56, 95.11 and 98.52 % dead brood in colonies headed by new queens, while 75.22, 82.78 and 88.78%, in colonies headed by old queens; after 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Similarly, significant differences were observed regarding the removal of artificially introduced Varroa mites between both types of colonies; bees in colonies headed by new queens removed 74.67 and 84.67%, while the bees headed by old queens removed 52.67 and 66.67% artificially introduced Varroa mites from brood cells after 5 and 7 days, respectively. The  mean percentage of  leg deformed Varroa mites due to grooming behavior of adult bees in colonies with new and old queens was 67.45 and 57.83%, and mites with deformed dorsal shield was 27.03% and 20.71%, respectively. Colonies with new queens exhibited better hygienic and grooming behavior against the Varroa mite as compared to those having old queens. Replacing old queens with new queens every year is suggested for better management of Varroa mite in Pothwar region of Punjab.

 Keywords: Hygienic behavior, Apis mellifera Ligustica, Varroa mite, Pothwar, Punjab

Moneeza Abbas*, Sofia Nousheen, Rabia Fazal

Assistant Professor, Environmental Science Department, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Chromium is one of the widely used heavy metal used on industrial scale and is root cause of a number of health related problems in humans as well as animals. Chromium not only release into environment from natural sources but also from industries. Tanning of leather include various steps ranging from pretreatment to dying which involves worker’s direct contact with chemicals like chromium and which is responsible for causing serious health problems. Present study was conducted for quantitative estimation of chromium in nail samples of workers of   hide market situated in Shadbagh Lahore near Railway station. General health condition of workers was also assessed through questionnaire. Nail samples of workers were collected, treated, then analyzed in atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), and results obtained were than analyzed statistically. Results thus gathered were also compared reported values under permissible limit. From results it has been confirmed that concentration of chromium (0.6540 ± 0.039 mg/kg) is significantly high in workers of hide market and they are also suffering from different respiratory problems, skin allergies, and blood pressure. It has also been concluded that this problem is needed to be tackled by adoption of remedial and mitigation measures. Effective and substantial programs are recommended for increasing public awareness about chromium contamination and health effects by social mobilization and community participation.

 Keywords: Chromium, Nails, Hide market, Workers and health effects