[Environment] Chief Editor Iftikhar A. Raja comsats institute of Information Technology Abbottabad (Pakistan)

ABSTRACT

Atrazine is an important selective herbicide and is used worldwide in agriculture for controlling weeds in crops like maize, sorghum, sugarcane, soybeans and wheat. Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop grown worldwide after wheat and rice. Like its global application, atrazine is extensively used in Pakistan to eliminate weeds from various crops including maize. It has been reported that atrazine negatively affect the non-targeted organisms in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. However, it has not been scientifically investigated before if atrazine application has adverse effect on maize or not. Therefore, the present study was proposed to evaluate the effect of atrazine on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of maize. The present results indicated that atrazine adversely effected the growth and development of maize seedlings as parameters like germination, seedling growth, chlorophyll contents, total soluble sugar, proline and total proteins were impaired by atrazine stress. The present investigations provide an insight in understanding the effects of atrazine on the non-target host crops. The proposed study is helpful in assessment and understanding of the adverse effects of this herbicide on cereal crops.
DAE-24

PREVALENCE OF MICROORGANISMS IN RAW VEGETABLES IRRIGATED WITH WASTEWATER
Reenum Anwar ^a, Imran Hashmi ^a*

^a Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE),

SCEE, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

[e-mail], [e-mail]
ABSTRACT

Recycling and reuse of wastewater for agricultural purposes is a very sustainable approach to overcome the shortage of water. It is important to recognise the health risk associated with this approach. Domestic wastewater usually carries the full spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the bacterial contamination in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) irrigated with wastewater. The designated biological indicator mostly used in rules and regulations are coliforms and E. coli, indicating the occurrence of faecal contamination in wastewater. NARC certified seeds were used in the study. Seeds were sown in the pots having 500g soil and irrigated with wastewater for 3 months. Physicochemical parameters of wastewater were investigated which includes COD (225 ± 49), pH (7.6 ± 0.5), DO, EC and TSS (299 ± 113). MF technique was used for coliforms detection. Germination percentage observed was 95.5%. Vegetables were examined for bacterial contamination. Highest coliform count was shown in spinach plant roots and shoots i.e. 6.44 and 6.02 log₁₀ CFU/g. HPC results also indicate that spinach has more bacterial count as compared to lettuce. Bacterial count of Spinach and Lettuce was 5.07 and 4.67 log₁₀ CFU/g. Helminth egg contamination was highest in lettuce as compared to spinach. Raw vegetables irrigated with wastewater pose serious threats to human health.

DAE-33

SIMULATING COTTON PERFORMANCE FOR PHOSPHORUS IN ARID VEHARI BY USING DSSAT MODEL
Asad Amin¹, Wajid Nasim^1,2, Muhammad Nadeem¹, Muhammad Mubeen^1*,

Liaqat Ali³, Hafiz Mohkum Hammad¹

¹COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari-Pakistan

² International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier (IAMM) Montpellier-FRANCE

³Adaptive Research Farm, Vehari-Pakistan

[e-mail]
ABSTRACT

High phosphorus (P) use efficiency in crops could significantly avoid environmental hazards resulting from over-fertilization like eutrophication. This field study was carried out on two cotton varieties varying in plant structure to find its response to P fertilizer under the climatic conditions of Vehari, Pakistan. The treatments consisted of two cotton varieties (FVH-142 and MNH-886) and three phosphorus rates (0, 57 and 114 kg P₂ O₅ ha^-1) and arranged in split plot design with three replications. The results showed that both cultivars performed better at application of 57 kg P ha^-1 in terms of seed cotton yield. So it would be wastage of resources if we apply more P as it may cause environmental problems. The cultivar FH-142 performed better than MNH-886 in terms of various yield and yield components. Data collected from the treatments were used for simulation in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) sub-model CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton. The CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton was calibrated with P level of 57 kg ha^-1 which was found to be a non-stress treatment; the error %age found for total dry matter, harvest index and seed cotton yield was 7 %, 0.09% and 15% in MNH-886 and for FH-142 error of 11%, 0.08% and 16%, respectively. Similarly, during evaluation, there was a good agreement between observed and stimulated values of total dry matter and harvest index (error ranging from 1.32 to 26% and 1.54 to 10.95%, respectively). So DSSAT should be used for future yield forecasting in cotton for different phosphorus levels under climatic conditions of Vehari.

DAE-35

METABOLIC RESPONSES IN MAIZE SEEDLINGS UNDER ARSENIC STRESS
¹Samrana Zahir, ¹Sidra Tahira, ¹Azizullah Azizullah, ²Insaf Ullah Khan, ²Nazim Ali, ¹Waheed Murad, ²MK Daud

¹Department of Botany, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat

²Department of Biotechnology and GE, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat

[e-mail], [e-mail]
ABSTRACT

Trace heavy metal, such as arsenic, is an important environmental pollutant, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. The presence of arsenic in the atmosphere, soil, and water can cause serious problems to all organisms, and its ubiquitous bioavailability can result in bioaccumulation in the food chain. The general objective of our work was to determine the acute toxicity of arsenic in maize seedlings. The effect of different levels (50, 100, 200 mg/L) of arsenic (as arsenic trioxide As₂O₃) on biochemical characteristics was determined under laboratory conditions with three independents replicates in sand media. Biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll a and ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺) increased at 50 mg/L/, chlorophyll b increased and carotenoids significantly decreased at 200 mg/L. Cellular viability or oxidizing ability of the cells was observed to decrease with rise in As concentrations the electrolyte leakage (EL), showed a minor decreased at lower concentration and increased at higher concentration as compared to control.Oxidative metabolites (MDA,H₂O₂) significantly decreased at 200 mg/L, CAT and SOD increased with increasing concentration of arsenic and POD increased at 100 mg/L. Total soluble protein, total soluble sugar decreased at 200mg/L. Proline increased at 200mg/L significantly. These declines at higher doses of As could be due the sensitive nature of maize seedlings. In our present experiment, we can conclude that As caused changes in maize seedlings in dose dependent manner.

DAE-36

EXTRACTABILITY AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF MERCURY IN FRESH AND COMPOSTED MANURES OF DIFFERENT LIVESTOCK
Aneesah Pervaiz*, Faridullah*, and Imran Ali Khan*

Department of Environmental Sciences,

COMSATS Institute of information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

[e-mail]

ABSTRACT

Compost has been identified as an alternative to fertilizer to increase soil fertility and crop production in organic farming. For the sustainable nutrient management of crops, it is important to understand the effects of fertilizer or manure application on the chemical forms of elements in soil. Compost and fresh animal manures from four different sources, including Buffalo (BF), Cow (CW), Goat (GT) and Poultry (PL) were selected to determine the metal concentrations. Addition of manure compost increased total organic matter, macronutrients, and micronutrients in the amended soils according to rate of compost applications. Total metals were determined by AAS (atomic absorption spectrophotometer). The extractability of elements varied considerably depending on type of livestock and extraction method. Mercury (Hg) fractions extracted by reagents varied in order NaOH > KNO₃ > H₂O > EDTA > HNO₃. Composted manure samples differed for Hg as GT > BF > PL > CW while for fresh manure samples it differed as GT > CW > PL > BF. Greater concentration of Hg was found in GT fresh and minimum in BF fresh. The reduction of Hg in samples of PL prepared by acid digestion is rapidly and quantitatively effected by composting. Analytical results indicate that composting of animal manures encourages soil microbial activity, which promotes the soil's trace mineral supply, improving plant nutrition. It can be concluded that manure compost produced locally could be a suitable organic fertilizer or organic farming.

DAE-37

LEACHABILITY OF LEAD IN THE AGRICULTURE FIELD SOIL AMENDED WITH DAM SEDIMENTS
* Bushra Haroon , * Faridullah and *Hajira Haroon

Department of Environmental Science

COMSATS Institute of information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

[e-mail]

ABSTRACT

Soil can be contaminated with heavy metals from several sources including industrial sites and lead arsenate used as a pesticide. This study aims to investigate Lead (Pb) concentrations in the leachates. The samples were collected from polluted soil irrigated with Hattar Industrial Waste Water i.e. Soils were sampled from top and sub layer of Wheat field soil and Onion field soil. The dam sediments were mixed with the polluted soil at a ratio of 5%. Dam material was mixed in the upper layer of the column (0 cm- 20 cm). Water was applied at fixed leaching fraction of 0.3 - 0.4. After each irrigation events, leachate was collected within 24 hours and immediately transferred to the laboratory for chemical analysis. Pb was determined during 12 leaching events.The amount of water leached out from each treatment was recorded after each irrigation event. Pb was measured in the soil column after the leaching process ceased. Pb concentrations in the soil were determined using polarized Zeeman atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Model Z-2300, Hitachi, Japan). The concentration of Pb in the leachate varied in the order of TSW >SSW. Highest value of Pb was in the leachate of top soil of wheat, while minimum value was in the leachate of sub soil of wheat. By the addition of dam sediments as amendment in the polluted soil resulting decreasing the Pb concentration in the soil. It is concluded that as the leaching event increases then the concentration of heavy metals in the soil decreases. It will help to reduce the lead contamination in the soil.

DAE-38

ANTAGONISTIC IMPACT OF HIGH AND LOW EC AND SAR ON LEAFY CROP PRODUCTION
Haroon Ur Rasheed, Faridullah and *Bilawal Rasheed

Department of Environmental Sciences,

COMSATS Institute of information Technology Abbottabad, Pakistan

[e-mail], [e-mail]

* Department of Agriculture, University of Haripur, Pakistan

[e-mail]
ABSTRACT

Many researchers correlate the high SAR with diminish in crop productivity. Irrigation water be inflicted with low SAR also antagonistic the production of leafy vegetables. Current study critical the paucity of calcium and magnesium w.r.t sodium. In present study vegetable like spinach was irrigated with different concentration of SAR and EC. Physico/chemical analysis of water and crop yield was observe in the study. High dosage of SAR > 8 exceeding the permissible limit dwindle the production significantly. Increasing concentration of any one (Ca, Mg and Na) of the following causing inadequacies of remaining two. Likewise it was perceive that at very low concentration of Ca, Mg and Na (SAR < 5) impact the production. In this study optimum range of EC (0.50 dS/m – 0.54 dS/m) and SAR (5.90 – 6.5) increase the production of leafy vegetable. Ca in a cell help in transportation of other elements but at low concentration it causes malfunction of tips of root and buds and magnesium used by plants due to its activation of different enzymes and deficiency linked with chlorosis. It was concluded that upsurge and inadequate of these nutrient resulting decrease in production.

DAE-39

EFFECT OF ORGANIC WASTE ON THE AVAILABILITY AND PLANT UPTAKE OF CALCIUM IN COMPOST AMENDED SOILS
Imran Ali Khan*, Faridullah* and Aneesah Pervaiz*

* Department of Environmental Sciences

COMSATS Institute of information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
ABSTRACT

Waste materials from four different sources, including Animal Waste Fresh (AWF), Animal Waste Compost (AWC), Mixed Waste Fresh (MWF), and Mixed Waste Compost (MWC) were selected to determine the total calcium (Ca). The concentration of total Ca in manure varied as MWC > AWF > MWF > AWC. Total form of Ca in pre sowing soil was found highest in MWF and lowest in AWF while in post-harvest soil it was found maximum in MWF and minimum in AWF. The higher ratios for composts versus manure for Ca suggests that this element is more liable to acid leaching after composting. Composting of Municipal Solid Waste has been reported to increase total and extractable soil Ca concentrations. Analytical results indicated that composting of animal manures enhance the availability of essential nutrients and improved plant nutrition. The use of composted animal manures as soil amendment could be economically productive and would potentially ameliorate the major concerns associated with organic waste.

DAE-44

EFFECT OF TRAFFIC POLLUTION ON THE ANATOMY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA IN DISTRICT KARAK, PAKISTAN
Muhammad Yaqub, Waheed Murad, Shafiq ur Rehman, *Aziz ullah Aziz ullah

Department of Botany, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat

* [e-mail]
ABSTRACT

Roadside pollution caused by traffic is a major environmental issue all over the world. An experimental trial was conducted to study the effect of traffic pollution on different anatomical and biochemical parameters of Ziziphus jujuba. Three sampling sites were selected at the main Indus highway in district Karak of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Leaf samples of the test species were collected from each site at 0 m, 50 m, 100 m, and 500 m distance from the road side. Different parameters including size of leaf (width and length), density of open and closed stomata, concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids, proline and size of epidermis, cortex, xylem, phloem and pith were used as end points. It was found that plants near to the road had large number of closed stomata as compared to those away from the road. Similarly, size of the epidermis, cortex, xylem, phloem, and pith were found to be smaller in plants near to road as compared to those away from roadside. The concentrations of Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b and total Carotenoids were also observed to be affected by roadside pollution. Proline concentration, a stress indicator, was higher in plants near to road than in those away from the roadside. It can be concluded from this study that roadside pollution can be a threat to Ziziphus jujuba population in the studied area.

DAE-45

BIOPESTICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF NEEM SEEDS AND TURMERIC RHIZOME EXTRACTS AGAINST OKRA PESTS
¹Uzair Muhammad, ²Tariq Nawaz Khattak, ³Zia Ur Rehman, ¹Waheed Murad, ^1*Azizullah Azizullah

¹Department of Botany, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan

²Research Officer, NIFA, Peshawar, Pakistan

³Department of Biotechnology and GE, Kohat University of Science and Technology,

Kohat, Pakistan

[e-mail]
ABSTRACT

The use of chemical pesticides is a common practice to control pests and increase crops yield. However, the use of chemical pesticides causes several problems like pesticide pollution, elimination of beneficial fauna and flora and various health problems in humans. Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative approaches to reduce the sole dependence on synthetic pesticides. The present study was conducted to screen the extract of Neem seeds and Turmeric rhizome for pesticidal activities against okra pests. Experiments were conducted in field with four plots. One plot was kept as a control (unsprayed) and one was sprayed with synthetic pesticides, one with Neem seeds extract and one with Turmeric rhizome extract with regular intervals. The effect on number of pests, plant growth and yield was observed at regular intervals. A significant reduction in pests was recorded in all the treatments as compared to the control. Both the extracts were found to be more effective than the synthetic pesticides in controlling okra pests. Both the extracts had stimulatory effects on okra growth and yield as compared to the control as synthetic pesticides. For example, the total yield of plots sprayed with Neem (53.3 kg plot^-1) and Turmeric extract (47.7 kg plot^-1) was higher than the yield of control plot (33.8 kg plot^-1) and plot sprayed with synthetic pesticides (39 kg plot^-1). It is concluded that Neem and Turmeric extracts can be used as alternative of synthetic pesticides for controlling pests attacks on okra.

DAE-49

ETHNOMEDICO PROFILE OF INDIGENOUS FLORA OF TEHSIL BARNALA DISTRICT BHIMBER AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Muhammad Ishtiaq^*, Mehwish Maqbool, Tanveer Hussain, Shehzad Azam

Department of Botany, Mirpur University of Science & Technology

Bhimber Campus, Bhimber Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

[e-mail]

ABSTRACT

An ethnomedicinal profile was generated to explore medicinal potential of indigenous plants for of Tehsil Barnala District Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir used against renal disorders. A comprehensive and spatial survey from three locations was conducted by using questionnaire methodology consisting on open-ended and closed-ended interview strategy. A total of 155 informants (70 male and 85 female) were interviewed from local community people and rural hakims (herbalists). The analysis generated checklist of 50 plants which belonged to 35 families. Commonly used plant parts were fruits (26.3%), leave (12.7%) and seeds (16.45%) and frequent usable forms were: tea mixture (26.34%), cold extract (18.73%), decoction (17.1%) and dry powder (13.65%). Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) values in all the three selected localities were; 0.653, 1.256, 0.483 in Malot, Dandar and Kadhala, respectively. Fidelity Level (FL%) of these plant species was also calculated and it was determined that most commonly used plant species against renal problems in these areas are: Ricinus communis, Rosa damascena, Punica granatum, Zingiber officinale, Zea mays, Daucus carota, Raphanus sativus, Mentha longifolia, Aloe barbadensis, Musa paradisiaca, Phyllanthus emblica and Achyranthus aspera. Phytochemical analysis of different plants was also done in lab for finding out the biochemistry of these plants. Plants of Punica granatum, Datura inoxia, Aloe barbadensis, Phyllanthus emblica and Ricinus communis were tested for confirmation of terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and anthraquinones.

DAE-50

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON WOOD OF PINUS ROXBURGHII (PINACEAE) IN MUZAFFARABAD AZAD KASHMIR, PAKISTAN
Pazeer Iqbal¹, Muhammad Ishtiaq^2*, Mehwish Maqbool², Tanveer Hussain², Shehzad Azam²

Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffarabad-Pakistan

Department of Botany, Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST),

Bhimber Campus, Bhimber Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The wood of 5 trees of Pinus roxburghii from two different areas of Tehsil Muzaffarabad was quantitatively analyzed. One of the areas Muzaffarabad city (p) is highly polluted by air pollution as compare to another area Pirchanasi (up) has hardly any pollution. The morphologically modifications were observed in plants height, 11 from (up) and 7 m from (p). found in samples of the most polluted region were in general in agreement with those present in woods from unfavorable environments, such as water-stressed sites. Since the water is not a limiting factor in the area, pollution is believed to be responsible for the modified wood structure. Woody trees increase in girth by the activity of meristematic tissue called vascular cambium. The vascular cambium comprises fusiform and ray initials, which give rise to vertically oriented elements that is, vessels, fibers, tracheids etc. and horizontally oriented elements that is, rays. The present research based study reveals that there is reduction in dimensions and proportions of fusiform and ray initials in Juglans regia growing under impact of pollution. By means of anatomical observations, this research examines the behavior of Salix alba L. under different conditions (polluted and non-polluted sites) palisade cells of mesophyll are less in number from (p) area i.e 04 while 06 from (up). The purpose of this research based study was to evaluate their response in relation to the anthropic impact. The variation in mesophyll thickness, the structure of conducting and mechanic tissues, the distribution and the frequency of the stomata in both upper and lower epidermis was followed.

DAE-54

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICINAL FLORA IN THE BALAKOT VALLEY, KP, PAKISTAN