Effect of potash application on growth, yield and yield components of spring maize hybrids
Productivity of spring maize hybrids was compared under different levels of potash at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture KPK Peshawar during spring, 2014. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Four levels of K2O @ 0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha , and four spring maize hybrids viz., 30K08, 2031, CS200 and 3025 were studied. The texture of the experimental area soil was silty clay loam with alkaline nature (pH 7.5-7.8). The soil was deficient in total N (≤ 0.53g kg soil) and K (≤ 92 mg kg) soil. A uniform dose of 150 kg N ha and 90 kg P ha in the form of urea and DAP was applied. Nitrogen was applied in two equal splits i.e. 50% at sowing and 50% at 2 irrigation. Sulphate of potash was used as a source of potash. All K and P dose was applied at sowing time. Results exhibited that there was a considerable effect of K2O levels on plant height, leaf area and yield and yield components except number of ears plant and plants at harvest. Applying K2O at the level of 90 kg ha boosted yield and yield components yet increasing level of K2O above 90 90 kg ha had no profound effect. Among the hybrids, CS200 performed better by producing more grain and biological yield. Hence for obtaining higher grain yield, Hybrid-CS200 with application of K2O at the rate of @ 90 kg ha -1 is recommended. Keyword: Potash levels; spring maize hybrids; yield and yield components
Physiological and Morphological Traits of Agronomic Crops Influenced By Climate Change
Climate refers to the average weather conditions in a place over many years (usually at least 30 years, to account for the range of natural variations from one year to the next). For example, the climate in Swat Pakistan (Especially upper swat) is cold and snowy in the winter, while Peshawar Pakistan climate is hot and humid. The climate in one area, like the Swat or Peshawar, is called a regional climate. The regional climates have great importance in respect of agricultural productivity, food security, and livelihood. Recent studies have showed that plants and crop responded positively to reginal climate and showed ameliorating effect in term of grain yield, plant height, thousand grain weight, dry matter portioning, biological yield, oil yield, and quality of the crops [1-13].
The status of FAO and codex alimentarius developments on vegetable proteins
The FAO is interested in increasing world protein supplies both by advising and assisting developing countries to increase their production of staple foods and by encouraging the development of technology to produce protein concentrates both from vegetable and animal sources to supplement diets which are low in protein content. Recent revisions of the amount of protein required in the diet in relation to total per capita energy requirements and the difficulties encountered in introducing novel foods into established dietary patterns has led FAO to concentrate on increased agricultural productions in developing countries as the primary means of combatting malnutrition. In the meantime, in North America and Europe, advances in the technology of processing vegetable proteins has given highly acceptable products simulating meats which are being used as meat extenders and meat analogues. The consequent increase in vegetable protein production has revealed a need for international, agreement on standardization, and it has been agreed that this will be undertaken by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards’ Programme. The program operates chiefly through the Codex Alimentarius, Commission, an international governmental body, the purpose of which is to protect consumers against health hazard in food and against fraud. The Commission, which has 116 member governments, controls an intensive program of work covering the composition, labeling, additives, contaminants, pesticide residues, hygiene, sampling and analysis aspects of foods and has established a procedure which allows member governments ample opportunity to reach agreement on food standards and to accept them for incorporation into national legislation. The Codex Commission, at its 12th session, decided to establish a Committee on Vegetable Proteins with the following terms of references: “to elaborate definitions and world-wide standards for vegetable protein products deriving from soybeams, cottonseed, groundnuts, cereals and from other vegetable sources as they come into use for human consumption, and to elaborate guidelines on utilization of such vegetable protein products in the food supply system, on nutritional requirements and safety on labeling and on other aspects as may seem appropriate.” The question of which country will host the Committee is still under discussion.