International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 85

Abstract: Yield reduction in okra production is mostly associated with cultivation of marginal lands or continuous land cultivation. Hence, the need for sustainable approach to resuscitating soil fertility through Tithonia diversifolia manure application may alter microbial population. Two soil depths [Topsoil (0-15 cm) and Subsoil (15-30 cm)], three levels of Tithonia manure applications (control, half recommended and recommended at 120 kg N/ha) and three okras varieties (Clemson spineless, LD88 and NHAe 47-4) were evaluated in completely randomized design replicated thrice. Soil bacterial and fungal colonies were higher in the topsoil compared to the subsoil and increased with increase in level of tithonia manure application under topsoil, while the inverse was observed under subsoil condition for bacteria colony-forming units and mycorrhizal spore count. Under topsoil, LD88 variety treated with recommended rate of tithonia manure had the highest biomass dry matter (79.4 g). Significantly higher leaf area (395.92 mm²) and biomass dry matter (66.89 g) were produced by NHAe 47-4 and Clemson spineless treated with recommended rate of tithonia manure compared to their respective controls (181.37 mm² and 29.63 g) under subsoil. Varieties LD88 and Clemson spineless combined with recommended rates of tithonia manure were suggested for topsoil and subsoil conditions, respectively.  

Abstract: This research was carried out at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar to evaluate the performance of maize inbred lines derived from maize variety Sarhad White regarding grain yield and morphological traits and identifying superior inbred lines based on test cross performance. Test crosses were evaluated in replicated trial along with two tester, one check and 16 parental inbred lines for comparison in a 7×7 partially balanced lattice square design with two replications. Results revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for most of the traits. Jalal TC-230-a and TC-63-1 took the maximum days to tasseling and Jalal TC-101-2 showed maximum days to anthesis. Maximum day to silking and anthesis silking interval were recorded in Jalal TC-94. Maximum plant height was observed in Jalal TC-33 (164.5 cm) and Kiramat TC-9-6-1 (141.50 cm). Maximum 100 kernal weight was recorded in Jalal TC-101-2 (40.55 g). Kiramat TC-89-b produced the highest grain yield (6808 kg ha^-1). From these results, it can be concluded that Kiramat TC-89-b, having highest yield, could be promoted for further selfing. Jalal TC-9-6, TC-9-6-1, TC-12-1, TC-63-1, TC-76-2b, TC-89b, TC-163, TC-205, TC-230a, TC-211 and Kiramat TC-9-6, TC-9-6-1, TC-12-1, TC-33, TC-76-2b, TC-89b, TC-94, TC-101-2, 150-c, TC-163, TC-230-a, 205, 211, 226-2 in addition to having satisfactory grain yield could be used for selfing. Among parental lines (selfed lines) 9-6-1, 9-6, 10-2, 226-2, 33, 63-1, 76-2, 163, 89-b, 205 and 211 were promising for grain yield and morphological traits.