The effects of exogenously applied Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE), nitrogen and potassium were studied on the productivity and quality of two cotton cultivars (CIM-573) and transgenic Bt cotton (CIM-598). The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) factorial experiment was conducted at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan (30.2639 °N, 71.5101 °E; 123 m asl), during 2016 and 2017, with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed the significance of cotton cultivars and foliar applications for the majority of traits studied, in both years. The CIM-573 had superiority for most of the traits studied in 2016 and 2017 trials, while the CIM-598 cultivar had significantly higher record for chlorophyll content, seed cotton yield, mean boll weight, and seed index in 2016 and sympodial branches per plant in 2017. Foliar application of Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) and synthetic fertilizers showed significant differences for the traits studied compared to the distilled water. Exogenous application of MLE has a positive effect on photosynthetic and enzymatic activities that improve the efficiency of nutrients that are utilized, thereby improving the growth, seed cotton yield and quality of cotton cultivars tested. All the interaction effects had a significant influence on the traits studied, except ginning percentage in 2016. The interaction between the conventional cotton cultivar (CIM 573) and exogenous application of MLE + nitrogen + potassium had significantly higher effect on plant height, cotton yield, staple length, fiber maturity, and fiber strength for the 2017 trial and was superior for the quality parameters in 2017. The interaction of the Bt cotton cultivar (CIM 598) and the foliar application of MLE + nitrogen + potassium had superiority in cotton yield, yield components and the quality parameters in the 2017 trial. Both the CIM 573 and CIM 598 cotton cultivars had consistent expressions for all quality traits studied, although they did fluctuate in their expression to these agronomic traits between the field trials of 2016 and 2017. Additive gene effects could be the explanation for the unstable effects of yield and the related traits in the different environmental conditions of the field trials in the two years. Our results suggest that the exogenous application of MLE alone and in combination with nitrogen and potassium could be used to improve the productivity and the quality of these cotton cultivars. The correlation coefficients indicate strong associations between the agronomic and quality traits, indicating that one or more yield parameters could be used as selection criteria to improve the productivity and quality of cotton.

The study pertaining to evaluation of different levels of potassium and zinc fertilizers on the growth and yield of wheat was conducted at Chakkanwali Reclamation Research Station District Gujranwala during Rabi 2015-16. Randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement used to lay out this experiment. Before sowing the seeds, the following nutrients were homogeneously incorporated into the soil; K 1 =0kgha-1 , K 2 =125kgha-1 , K 3 =250kgha-1 and K 4 =375kgha-1 and Zn 1 =0kgha-1 , Zn 2 =5kgha-1 , Zn 3 =10kgha-1 and Zn 4 =15kgha-1. Data regarding various agronomic traits (plant height, number of fertile tillers per unit area, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index) of crop were recorded by using standard procedures. The data collected were analyzed statistically by adopting the computer software MSTAT C and LSD at 5% probability was used to compare the differences among treatments' means. Application of potassium fertilizer (375kgha-1) and zinc (15kgha-1) significantly improved the growth and yield parameters of wheat.

Plant growth regulators and improved planting density are the innovative techniques in the establishment of more productive cotton crop. A field study was planned to assess the role of growth regulators in the resource utilization efficiency of cotton cultivars under different row spacing at Agronomic Research Area, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan and Usmania Agricultural Farm, Shujaabad during Kharif 2012. The study was comprised of cotton cultivars viz. CIM-573 and CIM-598, cultivated under conventional (75 cm), medium (50 cm) and improved ultra-narrow row spacing (25 cm) and foliar spray of growth regulators viz. moringa leaf extract (MLE) and mepiquat chloride (MC), either alone or in combination, distilled water as a control. The application of MLE alone and in combination (MLE + MC) showed the promoting effect on crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, leaf area index, leaf area duration, sympodial branches and number of bolls leading to higher seed cotton yield of both cotton cultivars grown under conventional row spacing. While application of MC averts the plant growth without considerably improving the productivity. MLE being rich source of growth promoting hormone and nutrients showed its potential to a far greater extent under conventional row spacing in efficient utilization of available resources compared to MC and distilled water.

Background: Natural and synthetic plant growth regulators are essential for plant health, likewise these regulators also play a role in increasing organic production productivity and improving quality and yield stability. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of foliar applied plant growth regulators, i.e., moringa leaf extract (MLE) and mepiquat chloride (MC) alone and in combination MC and MLE on the conventional cotton cultivar (CIM 573) and transgenic one (CIM 598). The growth regulators were applied at the start of bloom, 45 and 90 days after blooming. Results: The application of MC and MLE at 90 days after blooming significantly improved the relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, the number of bolls per plant, and seed cotton yield. Likewise, the combined application of MLE and MC at 90 days after blooming significantly boosted the nitrogen uptake in locules, as well as the phosphorus and potassium uptake in the leaves of both cotton cultivars. The application of MLE alone has considerably improved the nitrogen uptake in leaves, and phosphorus and potassium contents in locules of Bt and conventional cotton cultivars. Similarly, Bt cotton treated with MLE at 90 days after blooming produced significantly higher ginning out turn and oil contents. Treatment in combination (MLE + MC) at 90 days after blooming produced considerably higher micronaire value, fiber strength, and staple length in conventional cultivar. Conclusion: The natural growth enhancer, MLE is a rich source of minerals and zeatin, improving the nutrient absorption and quality of cotton fiber in both conventional and Bt cotton cultivars.

Background Appropriate agronomic practices are required to ensure high and sustainable crop yields. Timely sowing of wheat at an optimum seeding rate plays an important role in weed management and obtaining higher crop yields. Objective This study assessed the impact of agronomic practices, i.e., herbicide application, sowing dates and seeding rates on weed management and productivity of wheat. Methods Experimental treatments comprised of three sowing dates (20 November, 5 December, and 30 December), three seeding rates (120, 160, and [...] Abstract Background Appropriate agronomic practices are required to ensure high and sustainable crop yields. Timely sowing of wheat at an optimum seeding rate plays an important role in weed management and obtaining higher crop yields. Objective This study assessed the impact of agronomic practices, i.e., herbicide application, sowing dates and seeding rates on weed management and productivity of wheat. Methods Experimental treatments comprised of three sowing dates (20 November, 5 December, and 30 December), three seeding rates (120, 160, and

| An experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar application of CaCl 2 on alleviation of the adverse effects of water stress on maize (CV. Azam). The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) using pots in a glass house and comprised of 2 irrigations (irrigated and water stress) and three concentrations of CaCl 2 (5, 10 and 15 mM CaCl 2 .2H 2 O) as foliar spray on maize seedlings 20 days after emergence (DAE). Water was sprayed as untreated control on maize seedlings 20 DAE. After foliar application, the plants were regularly irrigated upto one week and water stress was imposed by withholding water from half of the pots for 20 days. Data were recorded on the relative water content (RWC), proline, sugar content and transcripts abundance of Lhcb2 gene in the selected leaves. Application of CaCl 2 increased the RWC, proline and sugar content as well as the Lhcb2 expression in the leaves under both irrigation conditions; however, the effect was more prominent under water stress. In the control plants, water stress decreased RWC (-57%) and Lhcb2 transcript abundance (-44.37%) but increased proline (9.02 fold) and sugar content (3.42 fold) after 20 days. Significantly higher RWC (82.00 and 55.67%), proline (4.13 and 13.29 nmol·g -1 FW) and sugar content (51.19 and 102.00 mg·g -1 FW) under irrigated and water stressed conditions, respectively, was noted when 10 mM CaCl 2 was applied as foliar spray. Furthermore, 10 mM CaCl 2 application enhanced the Lhcb2 transcripts by 18 and 62% under irrigated and water stress conditions, respectively. These results demonstrate the importance of CaCl 2 foliar application on the improvement in the water relations and biochemical adaptation, resulting in improvement in the performance of plants under water deficit conditions. These results also demonstrated that senescence, which is a type of cell death program that could be inappropriately activated during drought, was also delayed in the supplemented seedlings as highlighted by a high RWC and expression of the Lhcb2 gene.