Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Dissemination of Bt cotton in cotton growing belt of Pakistan
Get PDFAbstractBackground: Adoptability of biotech crops has climbed up dramatically in the world from 1.7 million hectares in its introductory period in 1996 to 170 million hectare in 2012. Area planted to biotech crop increased to over one-fourth of the world total in 2005-06. The data collected also demonstrates that developing countries like Pakistan are making tremendous development in production of Biotech crops especially cotton.Methodology: Random samples have been collected and received from different cotton growing areas of Pakistan from 2007 to date for Bt gene confirmation and expression. Genomic DNA was isolated and analyzed through internal reference primers from SadI gene of cotton genome. Samples were analyzed by PCR for detection of Bt genes including CEMB Cry1Ac+2A double Bt gene. ELISA was done for confirmation of Bt protein by using Envirologix Quantiplate ELISA kit Cry1Ab/Ac Cat # AP003 and Quantiplate ELISA kit Cry2A Cat # AP005 according to manufacturer instruction.Results: Development of Bt Cotton in Pakistan is as old as in advanced countries of the world. Pakistan has become the fourth country of the world for production of indigenous Bt cotton by utilizing their local cotton varieties for genetic modifications. The support of various documentary proofs like research articles, patents, projects, Ph. D and M.Phil studies generated by Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) greatly strengthen the data of Bt cotton development in Pakistan. Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC)declared locally developed Bt cotton as the best performing of all over Pakistan among other international product.Conclusion: Progress made in development of indigenous Bt cotton variety by CEMB Pakistan and their excellent performance in field determined their increased adoptability ratio in farmers. The formal approval process which is going to be completed in near future will open the doors for farmers and breeders to utilize this material for better economy of Pakistan
Prevalence of different foliar and tuber diseases on different varieties of potato
Get PDFBackground: Potato is a starchy and tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family. The annually consumed diet of an average global citizen in the first decade of the 21st century included about 33 kg (73 lbs) of potato. Potato has become an important strategic vegetable crop of Pakistan. Therefore, potato health management has assumed new proportions which require continuous monitoring and mapping of the disease problems in the country.Methodology: In this study thirty genotypes of potato were evaluated for resistance/tolerance against foliar and tuber diseases. The trial was conducted in accordance with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and the results were statistically analyzed. Different normal agronomic and plant protection measures were carried out in the crop. Data regarding disease incidence was recorded.Results: Results indicated soil and seed borne diseases are most widespread and are likely to become major threat to potato production in Pakistan. Among these stem canker (Rhizoctonia solani) and black scurf, fusarium wilt and common scab (Streptomyces scabies) are major diseases and present in almost all production zones. Among viral diseases, potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) was the major disease. Mop top virus has been also found on some genotypes. Significant correlation was reported among emergence percentage, potato leaf roll virus, early blight of potato, black leg, potato virus Y (PVY), fusarium wilt, rhizocotonia and potato yield.Conclusion: It was found that emergence percentage was significantly correlated with PLRV, PVY, fusarium wilt, rhizocotonia and potato yield while negative and significant correlation was reported for black leg and cracking. The significant correlations indicated that emergence was greatly affected by attack of different pathogens and potato yield also decreased due to loss of emergence
Last Decade of Dengue – and the Next One
Get PDFAbstractBackground: Before 1970, only 9 countries had dengue. Until 1998, there were 1.2 billion dengue infected cases in 56 different countries around the globe. To date it is prevalent in all of 6 WHO regions. Mortality rate is thought to be 2.5% as it varies from country to country. These figures are not surely depicting exact situation as many cases from most parts of the underdeveloped and developing countries go unreported due to number of reasons but one thing is sure that it is on accelerating note.Methodology: In this study, total number of dengue victims around the globe from year 2000-2009 was estimated. Data were collected from World Health Organization (WHO), different health and country specific emergency dealing agenciesand hospitals. We have shown dengue statistics in annotated maps of international regions where dengue has affected in certain. In a country specific (Pakistan) study we have determined most vulnerable population group among society, their age, gender and immunological profile against dengue virus. Moreover, most prevalent serotype of dengue virus is determined by surveying the current data.Results: It is estimated that there were 24,956 lives lost world wide during 2000-2009 as a consequence of dengue infection (DF/DHF/DSS) with an average CFR of 0.24%. These figures are approximate as we have not included the unauthentic source figures from non-reporting (to WHO) countries or not having an official database. A total of 10,178,624 clinical cases had been reported during that period with highest share of Americas of 6,586,785 cases.Conclusion: Our estimate suggests that number of dengue cases got elevated in first decade of 21st century but death rate is not that higher as 2-2.5% which is estimated. Dengue is spreading and finding novel places as temperature and travelling is getting increased