Globally, optimized doses of exogenously applied growth regulators hold the potential to sustainably boost the growth and productivity of leguminous crops, including green gram. A field investigation was undertaken at the Agronomy Farm of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan in 2021–2022 to determine the highest-performing doses of foliar-applied salicylic acid (S₁ = 0 and S₂ = 75 ppm) and gibberellic acid (G₁ = 0, G₂ = 30, G₃ = 60, G₄ = 90 and G₅ = 120 ppm) for green gram (cv. NIAB-MUNG 2011) sown under irrigated conditions in a semiarid climate. The response variables included physiological growth traits (CGR and net assimilation rate (NAR)), yield attributes (plant height (PH), PBs and the number of pods per plant⁻¹ (NP), pod length (PL) and SW, grain (GY) and biological yields (BY), the biosynthesis of pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll along with carotenoids) and protein (P) contents. The results revealed that S₂G₅ remained unmatched in that it exhibited the highest crop growth rate, while it remained on par with S₂G₄ and S₂G₃ in terms of its net assimilation rate. Additionally, S₂G₅ maximized plant height, the number of pod-bearing branches and pods per plant, pod length, seed number per pod⁻¹ and 1000-seed weight, which led to the highest grain yield and biological yield (104% and 69% greater than those of the control, respectively). Moreover, the same treatment combination also surpassed the rest of the treatments because it recorded the largest amounts of chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and the P content was increased to 24% greater than that observed for the control treatment. Thus, the exogenous application of salicylic acid (75 ppm) and gibberellic acid (120 ppm) might be recommended to green gram growers to sustainably increase the plant’s yield and nutritional value, and these findings may serve as a baseline for conducting more studies to test higher doses of these growth regulators.

Background: Plants have widely been used and documented for their therapeutic potential in many parts of the world. There are, however, few reports on the use of plants for the treatment of diseases of equines. To this end, participatory epidemiology and rapid rural appraisal techniques were used to document the plants having pharmacotherapeutic significance against different ailments of equines in selected population of Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A survey was conducted to interview a total of 450 respondents (150 from each of the districts of Faisalabad, Lahore and Sargodha of Pakistan) to collect information about disease recognition of the equines and their treatment on a well − structured questionnaire. A total of 60 plants belonging to 40 families were documented. An inventory was developed depicting detailed information of plants used in treatment of different conditions of equines. Results: The top ten species of plants used were: Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale, Vernonia anthelmintica, Capsicum annum, Brassica campestris, Trachyspermum ammi, Anethum graveolens, Picrorhiza kurroa, Azadirachta indica, and Citrullus colocynthis. Seeds were the most frequently used (n = 16/60) parts, followed by leaves (n = 12/60) and fruits (n = 11/60) of plants. Based on the combination of different parts of plants used in different ratios and variation in their dose or mode of preparation led to a large number of recipes/remedies against wounds, lameness, bronchitis, colic, anorexia, dermatitis, weakness, parasitism (internal & external), fever, heat stress, urine retention, swelling, toxemia, and indigestion. Conclusions: This study generated lot of data on phytomedicinal approach for the treatment of ailments in the equines in some selected areas. It would, therefore, be imperative to expand similar studies in other parts of Pakistan and elsewhere. Moreover, use of the documented plants may be validated employing standard scientific procedures, which may have their application in the drug discovery/development by the pharmaceutical industry.

Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is valued for its excellent forage quality and ratooning capacity, especially as a winter fodder crop. This study examined the effects of sowing dates and cutting intervals on the yield and quality of Egyptian clover. The experiment was conducted at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot layout and three replicates. Two factors were studied: sowing dates (D1 = 16 October, D2 = 31 October, D3 = 15 November) and cutting intervals (C1 = 60 days after sowing (DAS), C2 = 75 DAS, C3 = 90 DAS). Sowing dates were kept in main plots while the cutting interval were in subplots. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's analysis of variance, and significant differences were evaluated with the LSD test at 5% probability. Results indicated that the highest plant population (164), plant height (84.3 cm), green forage yield (50.03 t ha⁻¹), and dry matter percentage (33.47%) were achieved in plots sown on 16th-31st October and harvested at 90 DAS (D1C3), whereas a decline in quality was observed when harvesting was done at 90 DAS. A balanced forage yield and quality was observed when harvesting was done 75 DAS. Based on these findings, sowing Egyptian clover in Mid-end October and harvesting at 75 DAS is recommended to optimize both forage yield and nutritional quality.

Changes in climate, development of new hybrids and soil fertility status has influenced nutrient application rates worldwide. A field experiment was carried out to determine the response of maize to combined application of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the semi-arid conditions of Faisalabad. Research was planned at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment was replicated three times and laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement keeping a net plot size of 8 m x 3 m. The experiment was comprised of two main factors (i) Nitrogen levels (100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) and (ii) Phosphorus levels (50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1). Nitrogen doses were kept in main plots, while phosphorous doses in subplots. During experimentation, observations regarding phenology, growth, yield and yield related traits were recorded. Collected data was analysed using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique. MSTAT-C was used for statistical analysis and means were compared at 5% probability level of HSD test. Highest values for parameters were attained where N and P were applied with dose 200 and 150 kg ha-1, respectively. While, minimum values attained where with 100 and 50 kg ha-1 N and P, respectively. Interaction of both remained non-significant.