Background Biodiversity data is crucial for sustainable development and making decisions regarding natural resources and its conservation. The study goal was to use quantitative ecological approaches to determine the species richness and diversity of wild flora and the ultimate impact of environmental factors on vegetation dynamics. Methods Quadrats having sizes of 1×1 for herbs, 5×5 for shrubs, and 10×10 m2 for trees were used. Various phytosociological characteristics were investigated in association with a wide variety of environmental variables. Soil analysis based on texture, moisture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), available potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) were examined. The existing state of vegetation along the River Chenab was assessed using SWOT analysis and a future conservation strategy was devised. Results One hundred twenty different plant speies were divided into 51 families including 92 dicots, 17 monocots, 6 pteridophytes and 1 bryophyte species. Herbs accounted for 89 followed by shrubs (16 species) and trees (15 species). Correlation analysis revealed a highly positive correlation between relative density and relative frequency (0.956**). Shannon and Simpson’s diversity indices elaborated that site 3 and 7 with clay loamy soil had non-significant alpha diversity and varies from site to site. Diversity analysis showed that site 10 was most diverse (22.25) in terms of species richness. The principal coordinate analysis expressed that different environmental variables including OM, soil pH, P, K, and EC affect vegetation significantly, therefore, loamy soil showed presence and dispersal of more vegetation as compared to loam, sandy and sandy loam soils. Further, 170 ppm of available potassium had significant affect on plant diversity and distribution. Conclusion Asteraceae family was found dominant as dicot while poaceae among monocot. Adhatoda vasica was one of the unique species and found in Head Maralla site. For evenness, site 3 had maximum value 0.971. Most of the soil represented loamy soil texture where site 2 and 4 possess high soil moisture content. SWOT analysis revealed strengths as people prefered plants for medicine, food and economic purposes. In weakness, agricultural practices, soil erosion and flooding affected the vegetation. In opportunities, Forest and Irrigation Departments were planting plants for the restoration of ecosystem. Threats include anthropogenic activities overgrazing, urbanization and road infrastructure at Head Maralla, habitat fragmentation at Head Khanki, and extensive fish farming at Head Qadirabad. Future conservation efforts should be concentrated on SWOT analysis outcome in terms of stopping illegal consumption of natural resources, restoration of plant biodiversity through reforestation, designating protected areas and multiplying rare species locally.

Spentwash is a rich source of organic matter and essential plant nutrients in addition to excess salts. Sugar mills in Pakistan discharge about 3.48 million tons of spentwash annually, with no proper procedures for its disposal or utilization. To test the effect of diluted spentwash on soil and the soil's ability to support plant growth, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) variety CPF-237 was planted. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design involving factorial combination of four concentrations of each spentwash (0, 10, 20, and 30%) and mineral fertilizers (0, 1/3, 2/3, and the full recommended rate of NP). The 10% spentwash plus 2/3 mineral fertilizer treatment substituted 33% each of N and P and 100% of K, saving mineral fertilizer cost (Rs. 48600 ∼ US$458) in addition to 29.54% increase in yield over full NP fertilizer. The same treatment also improved the soil organic matter (65%), N (20%), P (25%), and K (230%) over full NP treatment alone. An increase in the salt content of the soil was detected within the prescribed limits, with the exception of HCO.

Ten hybrid exotic sugar beet varieties were tested under four locations in southern-zone of Sindh during 2009-10. Experiments was in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated thrice. Seeds were planted on top of the ridges by using 2-3 seeds per hole. Plant to plant and row to row space was maintained at 20 and 100 cm, respectively. Nitrogen (120 kg ha-1) and phosphorus (100 kg ha-1) applied in the form of Urea and DAP, while the potassium was excluded completely. The values of physico-chemical properties of experimental soils were in a wide range. The soils were slightly alkaline in nature (pH 7.68-8.46) with 1.66-8.78 dSm-1 EC, 3.62-7.84 ppm available phosphorus, 128-364 ppm available potassium, 5.50-60.54 meq L-1 exchangeable sodium, 11-51.4 meq L-1 soluble calcium + magnesium. The textural class was clay-clay loam. The germination (74 %) was higher at location Hussainy Agricultural Farm Matiari. The yield was higher at NSTHRI Thatta, Ramesh Agricultural Farm Sujawal and Hussainy Agricultural Farm Matiari, all were statistically at par (60.41 to 62.57 t ha-1). The sugar recovery was higher (14.44 %) at RAF Sujawal. Among varieties, the germination percent was statistically at par for all varieties (67.26-70.75 %) except the Esteban and California (66.25-66.76 %). The higher sugar beet yield (64.03 t ha-1) was noted in SD-12970, however the varieties Sandrina, SD-PAK 07/07 and SD-PAK 09/07 were statistical at par with the variety SD-12970. Maximum sugar recovery of 13.88 % was noted in SD-PAK 07/07. The varieties Antek, SD-PAK 04/06 and SD-PAK 09/07 were statistically likewise with SD-PAK 07/07. The growth performance of Antek, California, SD12970, SD-PAK 09/07 and SD-PAK 07/07 found better under climatic condition of southern-zone of Sinsh

The whiteflies are polyphagous, host, and feed on the sap of sugarcane leaves may cause a loss in yield production. This study was designed to screen out the fifteen sugarcane genotypes to recognize their comparative resistance/susceptibility during 2014-15 and 2015-16. The whitefly attack was first found in June, rapidly increased in August, and reached its maximum population in October. After that, the population gradually declined from November to December. The highest 1.80 per cm2 leaf-1 population of whitefly (nymph + puparia) was recorded on YT-53, followed by 1.56 per cm2 leaf-1 in S-2007-AUS-384, which showed moderate susceptibility. The genotypes Hoth-127, NARC-1, and CP-TJ-349, exhibited less susceptible responses with an average range of 1.01-1.50 per cm2 leaf-1. The other genotypes, i.e., CP-TJ-349, Hoth-326, Th-910, S-2005-CSSG-33, S-2007-AUS-384, Hoth-2109, LAM-76/TJ-803, Th-1201, S-2009-CPSG-06, S-1996-NSG-197, NARC-2, and Th-1210 showed resistance response with an average range of 0.01-1.00 per cm2 leaf-1. The maximum Host Plant Susceptibility Indices (HPSIs) during 2015 (16% and 15%), 2016 (13% and 14%), and cumulative (16% and 14%) were recorded in YT-53 and S-2007-AUS-384, respectively. Based on the cumulative result of HPSIs, these genotypes keep in the moderately susceptible category. Similarly, the genotypes Hoth-127, NARC-1, and CP-TJ-349 showed intermediate HPSIs (12, 11, and 9% respectively, found to be less susceptible. While the genotypes, i.e., Hoth-326, Th-910, S-2005-CSSG-33, LAM-76/TJ-803, Hoth-2109, Th-1201, S-1996-NSG-197, S-2009-CPSG-06, NARC-2, and Th-1210 were recorded minimum HPSIs in the range of 1-8% possibly found to be resistant.

The heavy rainfall caused biggest ever natural rain flood in River Indus in the history of Pakistan during 2010. The deltaic district Thatta of Sindh Pakistan hit by flood with breach came out at Dyke near Thatta city on right bank of River Indus.  The soil sampling was carried out in month July 2010 prior to flood for routine soil analysis. After flood again soil samples from 13 same sites of pre flood spots were collected at two depths, 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Aim was to observe soil physic-chemical properties and nutrient status of pre-flood and post flood conditions. Soil sand pH and SAR were found significantly higher in post-flood conditions whereas clay and OM were found high in pre-flood conditions. The nutrients status of N, P, Ca and Mg were depleted however K remained satisfactory in post-flood conditions. In post flood conditions the pH and SAR were positive and significantly correlated with each other indicated disperse of soil. The information obtained from this study will be helpful to develop flood qualification strategies and proper management of soil.