The aim of the present study was to determine the protective effects of pomegranate juice in tris‐based extender on semen parameters, computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) motion characteristics and field fertility of post‐thawed Nili Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Two consecutive ejaculates/collection from each of the five adult Nili Ravi buffalo bulls were collected with artificial vagina at 42°C for a period of 7 weeks, diluted in extender containing different concentrations of pomegranate juice (0.0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%). Diluted samples were packed and frozen in 0.54 ml French straws. The addition of 10% pomegranate juice in extender significantly improved post‐thaw sperm morphology (%), motilities (CASA total motility, progressive motility (%) as well as VAP, VSL, VCL, STR, DAP, DSL) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Plasma membrane, acrosome membrane and DNA integrity were significantly higher in extender with 10% pomegranate juice than the control group (p < 0.05). Field fertility rate (60.39% vs. 46.53%) was higher (p < 0.05) in extender with 10% pomegranate juice as compared to the control. It is therefore concluded that the addition of 10% pomegranate juice in tris‐based extender improves post‐thaw semen parameters, CASA motion dynamics and field fertility in Nili Ravi buffaloes.
Gossypium hirsutum L. is also called upland cotton or Mexican cotton. It is the most widely cultivated species of cotton in the whole world. Globally, about 90% of all cotton production comes from the cultivars derived from this species. Some genetic parameters like monopodial branches per plant, sympodial branches per plant, sympodial branch length, bolls per plant, boll weight, sympo-boll distance, Ginning Out Turn%, staple length (rg = 0.9199**), and fiber strength along with seed cotton yield were evaluated for their potential utilization via selection in seed cotton yield improvement. Significant positive genetic correlations were estimated for monopodial branches per plant (rg = 0.9722**), sympodial branches per plant (rg = 0.7098**), sympodial branch length (rg = 0.617**), bolls per plant (rg = 0.8271**), boll weight (rg = 0.8065**), sympo-boll distance (rg = 0.6507**), Ginning Out Turn (GOT)% (rg = 0.7541**), staple length (rg = 0.9199**), and fiber strength (rg = 0.7534**) with seed cotton yield. A path analysis of all the yield traits under study revealed strong positive direct effects of monopodial branch length (1.1556), sympo-boll distance (0.8173) and staple length (0.7633), while plant height exerted a highly strong direct negative effect (-1.2096) on yield. It is concluded that a direct selection based on monopodial branch length and sympo-boll distance, and staple length is effective, whereas, monopodial branch length, and sympodial branch length are good selection indicators via bolls per plant for yield improvement in cotton.
The extensive use of synthetic pesticides has a harmful impact on the environment, plants and animal health. It is a big challenge for all farming systems to develop novel approaches, which are eco-friendly and improve food quality. As compared to synthetic pesticides, the use of beneficial microbes is the best option to maintain the environmental condition because they are cost-effective and ecofriendly. In the recent era, biological antagonistic microorganisms (Trichoderma spp.) are the best approach to control the soil-borne fungal pathogens associated with plant roots of agriculturally important crops. Due to fast growth and rhizospheric colonization ability, this fungus competes with other pathogenic soil-borne fungi by producing different metabolites (volatile and non-volatile). Trichoderma protected the plants from pathogenic fungi through mycoparasitic and antibiosis capability. Furthermore, it has the ability to improve plant health by inducing SAR (Systemic acquired resistance), ISR (Induce systemic resistance), producing antifungal enzymes (α-1, 3-glucanases, Trichodermaketone, and trichodermin) and antioxidant enzymes that strengthen the immune system by increasing activities of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) after pathogen attack. Development of bio-fungicide formulation by using the spore of Trichoderma species (T. harzianum, T. viride, and T. virens) are most effective against soil-borne pathogenic fungi at different concentrations and temperatures. This review article has significantly focused on gathering and summarizing the most recent literature to highlight the visible production and application of Trichoderma as a biomonitoring and biocontrol agent in plant diseases management program.
Selection of tree species under agroforestry systems is crucial to sustain the productivity of a crop. In present study, allelopathic effects of the leaf litters of 5 trees named Rose wood (Dalbergia sissoo), Guava (Pisidium guajava), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) and Jaman (Syzygium cumini) species on wheat growth and yield was examined. Leaf litter of each tress species was mixed in soil with two doses @ 100 and 200 g of leaves of each species per pot. Higher shoot length, shoot dry weight, number of spikelets per spike and biological yield were recorded in 200 g sun dried Jaman (Syzygium cumini) leaves. Total number of tillers per plant and number of ears per plant were higher under the application of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves (200 g sun dried) as compared to other treatments. Spike length, grain yield per pot, number of grains per pot and harvest index were maximum in 200 g sun-dried Sacred fig (Ficu sreligiosa) leaves. Majority of the parameters were promoted at lower doses of leaves per pot, however, at higher doses they started inhibiting the growth and grain yield of wheat.
T he Sahiwal breed of cattle is native breed of Pakistan. Sahiwal breed is reputed to be known for its high tolerance against harsh climate, tropical disease resistance and having high production potential in least resource availability, making it one of the best cattle breeds of tropical regions (Ilatsia et al., 2011). Originating from Pakistan, the breed has now spread to almost 29 other countries including 12 African countries (McSweeney and Mackie, 2012). The breed is also a part of many breeding plans to develop new breeds where tropical climate dominates e.g. Australian Friesian Sahiwal in Australia. Therefore, there has been ever increasing demand for the semen of Sahi-wal cattle in Pakistan in general and globally in particular (Singh et al., 2015). Health and management of donor bulls is empirical for production of semen having good quality and quantity. Quality of semen is a function of various factors and season is most important among those. Season affects the reproductive performance of bulls through its major meteorological components like temperature, humidity, daylength and rainfall (Bhakat et al., 2009). A recent study conducted on Friesian bulls in Libya (Alragubi, 2015) indicated that higher atmospheric temperature in summer season adversely affect different biological and physical characteristics of semen.
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