Perianal abscesses are one of the most common general surgical emergencies and the management of this can be variable. The aim of our study was to assess the management strategy used by different grades of surgeons in the surgical management of an acute perianal abscess. A retrospective analysis was carried out of all patients presenting with an abscess in the perianal region over a two-year period from January 2006 to December 2007. Patient demographics and co-morbidities were noted. The management strategies of different grades of operating surgeon were analysed. During the two-year period, 147 patients presented with a perianal abscess of whom 52 (28%) had recurrent abscess. Fistulae were identified in 30 patients, with more than half picked up by consultants (P = 0.00001). Consultants performed fistulotomy and Seton insertion in 50% and 17% of patients respectively, whilst registrars performed these procedures in only 4% and 8% of patients (p < 0.00001). Whilst surgical management of the perianal abscess is one of the most common surgical emergency procedures performed by the surgical trainees, input from a senior clinician improves the identification and definitive management of an underlying fistula. This study reinforces the importance of involvement of senior surgeons in the management of this common condition.

‘ Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus nobilis L.× Citrus deliciosa T.) is an important marketable fruit of the world. It is mainstay of citrus industry in Pakistan, having great export potential. But out of total production of the country only 10% of the produce meets the international quality standard for export. Pre-harvest fruit drop and poor fruit quality could be associated with various issues including the plant nutrition. Most of the farmers do not pay attention to the supply of micro nutrients which are already deficient in the soil. Furthermore, their mobility within plants is also a question. Zinc (Zn) is amongst those micronutrients which affect the quality and postharvest life of the fruit and its deficiency in Pakistani soils is already reported by many researchers. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the influence of pre-harvest applications of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4; 0, 0.4%, 0.6% or 0.8%) on pre-harvest fruit drop, yield and fruit quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin at harvest. The treatments were applied during the month of October i.e. 4 months prior to harvest. The applied Zn sprays had significant effect on yield and quality of the “Kinnow” fruit. Amongst different foliar applications of ZnSO4applied four months before harvest, 0.6% ZnSO4 significantly reduced pre-harvest fruit drop (10.08%) as compared to untreated control trees (46.45%). Similarly, the maximum number of fruits harvested per tree (627), fruit weight (192.9 g), juice percentage (42.2%), total soluble solids (9.5 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (35.5 mg 100 g-1) and sugar contents (17.4) were also found significantly higher with 0.6% ZnSO4 treatment as compared to rest of treatments and control. Foliar application of 0.6% ZnSO4 also significantly improved total antioxidants (TAO) and total phenolic contents (TPC) in fruit. In conclusion, foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.6%) four months prior to harvest reduced pre-harvest fruit drop, increase yield with improved quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin fruit.

| Agricultural economy of Pakistan is vital for provision of food and employment for 207.77 million populations. This economy is mainly threatened by salinity which is expanding to 6.28 mha, thus developing wasteland of 2 m ha due to presence of highsalinity. The injudicious use of brackish underground water is one of the major factorsresponsible for increased salinity ultimately effecting productivity in Pakistan. Salinity hasdevastating socio- economic impact on farmer’s micro economy in Pakistan, directly impactingliving standard, migration, health, the crumbling of houses, and harming tocommunication and transport. The study in hand was designed to investigate the impact of salinity on irrigated area, uncultivated area and wheat area in Punjab using panel data of four agriculture census conducted in1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010 in all districts of Punjab. Fixed and random effect model was applied on panel data of Punjab. The area left uncultivated by farmer due to presence of salinity was found to be significantly and positively related to area under salinity in the country. The percent area under wheat crop has inverse relationship with salinity indicating strength of wheat cultivation against salinity. It is therefore three prong strategy is recommended with different roles and responsibility on the part of Farming community, public sector and research institutions. Results of the study have important implications for planners and policy makers in developing projects to mitigate salinity in the country.

| This study has summarized research and field observations of the work that was conducted from 2015 to 2016 at field area of the Range Land Research Institute (RRI), National Agriculture Research Centre(NARC), Islamabad to evaluate the effect of Common Vetch ( Vicia sativa L .) legume on growth and yield of Rye grass ( Lolium multiflorium L ). Data regarding the physical-chemical analysis of the soil (ph, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, organic matter and available phosphorus), crop parameter (Number of tillers, number of leaves, plant height, fresh land dry weight and crude protein) and meteorological data regarding rain fall, temperature, pan evaporation, sunshine and wind speed for interpreting results along with their statistical analysis as fixing legume with grass has improved the forage quality. Overall, these results has suggested that grass-legume mixtures can improve livestock and pasture productivity, sustainability and as well as to fix atmospheric nitrogen and this may improve soil N status also. These mixtures were also recommended for use in the semi-arid region of Pakistan as it would be beneficial economically.

The energy crisis and increasing fossil fuel prices due to increasing demands, controlled supplies, and global political unrest have adversely affected agricultural productivity and farm profitability across the globe and Pakistan is not an exception. To cope with this issue of energy deficiency in agriculture, the best alternate strategy is to take advantage of biomass and solid waste potential. In low-income countries such as Pakistan, the greenhouse heating system mostly relies on fossil fuels such as diesel, gasoline, and LPG. Farmers are reluctant to adopt greenhouse farming due to the continuously rising prices of the fossil fuels. To reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy, the objective of this study was to utilize biomass from crop residues to develop an efficient and economical biomass furnace that could heat greenhouses to protect the crop from seasonal temperature effects. Modifications made to the biomass furnace, such as the incorporation of insulation around the walls of the furnace, providing turbulators in fire tubes, and a secondary heat exchanger (heat recovery system) in the chimney, have increased the thermal efficiency of the biomass furnace by about 21.7%. A drastic reduction in hazardous elements of flue gases was observed due to the addition of a water scrubber smoke filter in the exit line of the flue. The efficiency of the biomass furnace ranged from 50.42% to 54.18%, whereas the heating efficiency of the diesel-fired heater was 71.19%. On the basis of the equal heating value of the fuels, the unit material and operating costs of the biomass furnace for wood, cotton stalks, corn cobs, and cow dung were USD 2.04, 1.86, 1.78, and 2.00 respectively against USD 4.67/h for the diesel heater. The capital and operating costs of the biomass furnace were about 50% and 43.7% of the diesel heater respectively, resulting in a seasonal saving of about 1573 USD. The produced smoke was tested as environmental friendly under the prescribed limits of the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS), which shows potential for its large-scale adoption and wider applications.

This study analyzes the trends and compound growth rates of Pakistan’s oilseed crops from the year 1971-72 to 2021-22. The acreage, production, and yields of essential crops such as rapeseed-mustard and canola, sunflower, peanut, sesame, soybean, safflower, linseed, and castor seed are examined using trend analysis and compound growth rate estimations. The study's conclusions show a marked change in favor of a greater reliance on imported edible oilseeds and a decline in indigenous production. Despite this, certain crops, such as mustard and rapeseed, have a positive production trend, indicating increased agricultural efficiency. Groundnut cultivation area and production have increased significantly, while sesame has remained consistent with recent yield gains. Sunflower exhibits exceptional expansion, while soybean suffers a loss in cultivation area but a minor increase in yield. Safflower has fluctuations, with recent yield gains, and linseed has favorable yield trends despite area and output losses. Castor seed cultivation and output are dropping, while yields are increasing slightly. This study emphasizes the need for strategic agricultural policies to ensure food security and sustainability in the face of shifting trends and challenges in Pakistan's edible oilseed industry.