Sustainable agriculture and fertilizer practices in Pakistan Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan’s economy. It has a total area of 79.61 million hectare, and the total area used for crop production is only 22 million ha. Of which about 18 million ha (80 percent) are irrigated. Pakistan agriculture accounts for 24 percent of the growth […]
The Mining of Precious Minerals in Pakistan In nominal terms, Pakistan’s economy is the 47th largest economy in the world but in the terms of Purchasing Power Parity, Pakistan is on number 27th. The economy of Pakistan is semi-industrialized which mainly encompasses chemicals, textile, food processing, agriculture, mining and many other industries. Just like the textile […]
Pollution in Pakistan and its solutions POLLUTION IN Pakistan is a major environmental and economic concern, growing hastily with the increase in population, mainly due to poor pollution management, public awareness and weak enforcement of environmental policies. Among the major types of the pollution in the country are air, water and solid waste pollutions. Being […]
The Pakistan water quality crisis Water is essential for the survival of all living things. Without water, humans would die in a few days, crops would not grow and food would run short. Access to clean water is as important as access to water itself. The health and economic effects of polluted water are well-documented. […]
Watermelon A member of the Cucumber family, native to tropical Africa, the watermelon needs a long, dry growing season. Soil, for good watermelons, should be light, fertile, deep, and well drained. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is preferred. Preparing the planting bed Soil preparation should begin the fall before planting. At that time, turn […]
Growing Watermelon in the Home Garden History Africa is considered to be the native home of the watermelon. It was found growing wild by Livingstone in 1854. On the American continent, watermelons were grown as early as 1629 in Massachusetts, and prior to 1664 in Florida. Climate The watermelon is tender to frost and requires […]
Cattle Breeds in Pakistan Cattle belong to the family Bovidae. European cattle are non-humped and belong to the species Bos taurus, while the cattle found in Pakistan are humped and belong to the species Bos indicus. Cattle belong to the family Bovidae. European cattle are non-humped and belong to the species Bos taurus, while the cattle found in Pakistan are humped and […]
Corn Rootworms Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte Northern Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence Southern Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber Appearance and Life History Male (left) and Female (right) western corn rootworms Photo by B. Christine Corn rootworms are important insect pest of corn in the Midwest. Two species of rootworms that may cause severe damage to […]
Western Corn Rootworm Quick Facts… Western corn rootworm larvae feed on root hairs and small roots; larger rootworms feed on primary roots. Crop rotation is the most consistent and economical means of controlling western corn rootworm populations. Cultural practices that promote strong root systems and a vigorous crop will make corn more tolerant to rootworm […]
Corn: More Active Genes in Roots Mean Higher Yields Hybrid plants provide much higher yield than their homozygous parents. Plant breeders have known this for more than 100 years and used this effect called heterosis for richer harvests. Until now, science has puzzled over the molecular processes underlying this phenomenon. Researchers at the University of […]
Rice Cultivates Green Batteries from Plant Purpurin, left, extracted from madder root, center, is chemically lithiated, right, for use as an organic cathode in batteries. The material was developed as a less expensive, easier-to-recycle alternative to cobalt oxide cathodes now used in lithium-ion batteries. Here’s a reason to be glad about madder: The climbing plant […]
Farm Soil Determines Environmental Fate of Phosphorous Just 20 years ago, the soils of the Amazon basin were thought unsuitable for large-scale agriculture, but then industrial agriculture — and the ability to fertilize on a massive scale — came to the Amazon. A rhea looks out among the thriving soybean plants in a field in […]
Using Their Genes Against Them: Fighting Insect Pests with Genetic Targeting When you look out on a golden-yellow field of oilseed rape you might not think you’re seeing a battleground, but crops including oilseed rape, wheat, potato and tomato are engaged in a constant fight with pests and disease, trying to stay one step ahead. […]
Strawberry cultivation Pakistan is producing a limited quantity of strawberries which are either eaten or used in preparing ice-cream, jam, jelly, pickle, cake or milk shake. The fruit fetches Rs100 to Rs120 per kg in big cities. The wholesale price of the fruit comes down to Rs 50 per kg during the second fortnight of […]
Maize: cereal with a variety of uses MAIZE ranks third most grown crop in the world with an area of more than 118 million hectares with an annual production of about 600 million metric tones. In Pakistan, maize is the fourth largest grown crop after wheat, cotton and rice. The area under maize here is […]
Production Technology (CPT) of GRAPES in Pakistan INTRODUCTION The European grape (Vitis vinifera) is the most important species of the family Vitaceae. Two other commercial species are V.labrusca and V.rotundifolia. Biological Classification Kingdom Plantae Division Magnoliophyta Class Magnoliopsida Order Vitales Family Vitaceae Genus Vitis Species V. vinifera ———————————————————– OUTLINE OF THE TOPIC a) Introduction […]
Beet Production Douglas C. Sanders Extension Horticultural Specialist Department of Horticultural Science College of Agriculture & Life Sciences North Carolina State University Beets have been cultivated for centuries. Though grown mostly for the roots, beet greens are also popular in many areas. Beets are a common item in vegetable gardens, but few are produced in […]
Growing Beets in the Home Garden Climatic Requirements Beets prefer a cooler climate although they are tolerant of heat. Temperatures of 60 to 65 F and bright sunny days are ideal for beet plant growth and development. They can withstand cold weather short of severe freezing, making them a good long-season crop. Soils Beets prefer […]
Profitability of vegetable cultivation Considerable diversification has occurred in the economy of Pakistan. Industrial, transport and communication, and energy sectors have expanded. Yet, agriculture remains the largest by contributing 23.3 per cent to the GDP and employing 42.1 per cent of total labour force. Textile, sugar and many other industries depend on this sector […]
Peanut I. History: The cultivated peanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), originated in South America (Bolivia and adjoining countries) and is now grown throughout the tropical an warm temperate regions of the, world. This crop was grown widely by native peoples of the New World at the time of European expansion in the sixteenth century and […]