GU Journal of Phytosciences

Comparative Analysis of Drought Indices on Google Earth Engine

2024-03-02T12:19:31+00:00

Drought poses significant environmental and humanitarian challenges, impacting diverse regions and ecosystems while also affecting the well-being of people. Access to precise and timely information regarding vegetation conditions is essential to mitigating its adverse effects, a goal that can be achieved through the application of remote sensing techniques. The Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform presents a robust toolkit and an extensive repository of geospatial data that can enhance efforts to monitor and address drought. In Pakistan, a nation susceptible to droughts and natural calamities, this research leverages GEE to oversee drought incidents across croplands and gauge their severity using indices such as the Vegetation Health Index (VHI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and Temperature Condition Index (TCI). A time-series analysis is performed to monitor the trend of drought conditions over time. Further study of correlation is done between various kinds of drought indicators (VCI, NDVI, TCI, and VHI) and LST. The study demonstrates a substantial inverse relationship between NDVI and TVX, demonstrating that healthier vegetation corresponds with lower general environmental factors. Furthermore, VCI, TCI, and VHI show positive correlations, showing their interconnection, while TVX has a negative influence on all indices. Temporal changes showed a growing tendency in VHI and VCI, which is indicative of a future with robust vegetation in Punjab.

Microscopic Determination of Adulterations Through Powder Microscopy in Medicinal Plants Kasni and Anjbar (Cichorium intybus L. and Polygonum aviculare L.) Collected from the Local Market of Okara City

2024-03-18T03:13:29+00:00

Herbal plants are essential foundation of medicine and without them there is no existence of life on Earth. In the present research work the powder of two medicinal plants Cichorium intybus L. (common name: kasni) and Polygonum aviculare L. (common name: anjbar) were analyzed under microscope to set the quality standards for adulteration in medicinal plants. These plants were collected from market of Okara. Besides microscopic characters pharmacognostic, physico-chemical and proximate analysis were also found out. Organoleptic study reveals the presence of Anomocytic stomata, helical thickenings, trichome, multicellular fiber, epidermal cells and cortical cells in Cichorium intybus L. plant. While in Polygonum aviculare L. scalariform thickening, lignified fiber and multicellular trichomes were observed. The proximate analysis of both plants revealed high percentage of dry matter (95.54% in cichorium intybus) which highlights its nutritional value. Fiber content was also high 37% in cichorium intybus) quality and can be used to treat constipation and bowl movements. Values of nitrogen free extracts are noticeable (59.58% in polygonum aviculare) indicating the presence of starch which is important source of energy for humans. Fluorescent analysis of these plants displays different colors at different wavelengths due to different magnitude of photon emitted in powder of sample. Ash values of both plants cichorium intybus 7.4% and polygonum aviculare 6.6% are also in safe range representing low contamination in crude samples. This study is a benchmark and provides baseline data to compare the results of the collected plant species to confirm and verify on the basis of their anatomical features.

Occurrence and Distribution of Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacteria in Local Rice Fields of Dera Ghazi Khan

2024-03-17T05:39:44+00:00

Sulfur is an essential nutrient for achieving profitable crop production as it plays a crucial role in chlorophyll formation and protein synthesis. It also contributes to the composition of chemical substances and enhances seed oil content. This study was conducted during the winter season of 2018^-19 at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and the impact of sulfur on seed yield and oil content of canola was investigated. The treatments consisted of four levels (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg ha^-1) and three sources (single super phosphate, ammonium sulfate, and gypsum) of sulfur. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a split plot arrangement, and the data were analyzed using Fisher's analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a significance level of p≤ 0.05. The means of the treatments were compared using Tukey's HSD test at a 5% probability level. Results showed that the application of sulfur in the form of ammonium sulfate at 30 kg ha^-1 had a significant impact on the growth, yield, and quality of canola. The highest values for plant height (165 cm), number of branches (18), number of siliqua (291), 1000 seed weight (5.8 g), seed yield (2299 kg ha^-1), biological yield (8368.0 kg ha^-1), protein content (13.7%), and oil content (37.5%) were observed ammonium sulfate treatment at 30 kg ha^-1. It is concluded that ammonium sulfate emerged as the most effective sulfur source, significantly enhancing the yield characteristics and quality traits of winter canola followed by single super phosphate and gypsum. While, the protein and oil contents, as well as grain yield, showed a progressive increase by increasing concentration level of sulfur source.

Efficacy of Inorganic and Organic Amendments on Wheat Crop (Triticum aestivum L.) Productivity

2024-03-18T03:26:55+00:00

Wheat stands as the predominant staple food crop in Pakistan, covering the largest agricultural expanse. Despite its widespread cultivation, the per-acre yield lags considerably behind global benchmarks. This lower productivity can be attributed to various factors, including suboptimal soil health, elevated pH levels and deficient organic matter in soil. The significance of organic matter has been underappreciated in this context. In light of the crucial role played by organic matter, this study was conducted at the warehouse of Ghazi University in Dera Ghazi Khan. The primary objective was to explore the combined impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers application on wheat growth and productivity. The study specifically aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Recommended NPK alone and in combination with Zinc-coated DAP, Vermicompost (VC), Farmyard manure (FYD), Poultry manure (PM), and rice husk (RH).The experiment was meticulously designed following a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) having three replicates. Each experimental pot contained 10kg of loamy soil, and the wheat genotype used was 'Faisalabad 2008.' The experimental findings revealed that the introduction of organic amendments significantly influenced various parameters of wheat crop growth. Notably, the combinations of NPK+PM and NPK+RH demonstrated the most favourable results. Furthermore, these organic amendments led to improvements in both the fresh and dry biomass of the wheat.

Medicinal Importance of Ginger (Zingiber officinale),A Systematic Review

2024-03-17T05:49:44+00:00

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a medicinal plant that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for its therapeutic properties. The rhizome is the edible part of the plant and contains bioactive compounds like gingerols, shogaols, paradols and zingerone that contribute to its pharmacological effects. This review summarizes the bioactive components and pharmacological activities of ginger related to cardioprotection, anti-infective, neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-cramping, gastrointestinal, antineoplastic, anti-Parkinson's, anti-aging, anti-COVID-19, anti-osteoarthritic, antimicrobial, antiobesity and antidiabetic effects. Ginger demonstrates cardioprotective effects by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and platelet aggregation. It exhibits antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties against various pathogens. Neuroprotective abilities are evidenced through protection of dopamine neurons and anti-inflammatory effects in models of Parkinson's disease. Analgesic and anti-cramping activities are mediated through modulation of serotonin receptors. Ginger improves chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and gastrointestinal motility. It has shown synergistic anticancer effects and reduced tumor size when combined with chemotherapy drugs. Topical application protects against UV-induced skin aging. Inhibitory effects against COVID-19 viral proteins and anti-inflammatory effects make it a potential adjuvant therapy. Through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger reduces osteoarthritis pain and improves mobility. Antimicrobial effects are exerted through disruption of bacterial membranes, biofilm and microbial virulence. Antiobesity effects are mediated by inhibition of adipogenesis and enhancement of lipid metabolism. Antidiabetic abilities are demonstrated through reduction in glucose, glycated hemoglobin and insulin levels. Ginger possesses a diverse range of pharmacological activities, largely attributed to its bioactive compounds, which make it a multi-target functional food and potential therapeutic for numerous conditions associated with aging. Further clinical research can help validate its traditional uses and reveal additional therapeutic applications.