Prof. Dr. Tariq Mukhtar | PMAS Arid Agricultural university.Rawalpindi,Pakistan (original) (raw)

Papers by Prof. Dr. Tariq Mukhtar

The population dynamics of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Ypono... more The population dynamics of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) was investigated at three farms on the Western side of the Sydney Basin, Australia, from November 2003 to October 2004. Adult populations were monitored fortnightly by counting the number that was trapped on yellow sticky traps, which peaked around November to December (summer) in all three farms, with virtually no trap catches in the winter months (June-August). The seasonal trend of adult DBM showed a higher number per trap in summer, ranging from 34.5-41.7 compared with the other seasons. Larval and pupal densities were highest in summer (2.0-4.0 and 3.3-5.1 per plant, respectively), while the lowest numbers were recorded in winter. Rainfall had a significant impact on the DBM populations. The activity (numbers and parasitism) of the DBM parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum Héllen (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was recorded in all three farms, with the population showing a synchron...

International Journal of Phytopathology, 2022

The per acre yield of chili in Pakistan is quite low as compared to large producers of this veget... more The per acre yield of chili in Pakistan is quite low as compared to large producers of this vegetable in the world and can be attributed to an assortment of factors both biotic as well as abiotic. Among biotic factors, chili is susceptible to damping off caused by Pythium spp. and causes lots of damage in Pakistan. There is scantly information on the incidence and severity of Pythium associated with chili. Therefore, the current studies were carried out to determine the incidence and severity of Pythium in the Pothwar region of Pakistan. An overall incidence of 14.08% of Pythium damping off was recorded on chili in Pothwar. Attock showed the maximum incidence of 19.86% followed by Rawalpindi and Chakwal districts having 16.22% and 10.22% disease incidences respectively. Jhelum had the minimum disease incidence of 10.05%. Disease severity was the maximum in district Attock (11.03%) followed by Rawalpindi (9.11%), and was the minimum in Chakwal (5.42%) followed by Jhelum (5.67%). The finding of these studies will be helpful for the farmers in designing control strategies for this pathogen accordingly.

Mycopathologia, 2019

The aim of the current research was to explore the impact of biochar and Mesorhizobium ciceri to ... more The aim of the current research was to explore the impact of biochar and Mesorhizobium ciceri to enhance nodulation and antagonistic expression against soil-borne pathogens nalely Phytophthora medicaginis, Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.). Chickpea plants grown in vermiculate medium were treated with 5% green waste biochar, nitrate, M. ciceri and one was synergetic treatment (biochar + M. ciceri ) which showed significant difference from other treatments and control plants producing an average 60 nodule in each plant with 57.90 mg average weight as compare to M. ciceri , green waste biochar and nitrate treated plant producing 31, 39 and 7 nodules per plant with a weight of 39.5, 46.5 and 35.6 mg nodule -1 , respectively after 60 days of growth. Control plants produced no nodules in first and 2 nd harvest but in 3 rd harvest , just 2 nodules per plant were observed with 30.5 mg weight. Synergistic treatment also showed a significant difference in sho...

Journal of Food Protection, 2021

This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of mycobiota and aflatoxin (AF) B1 contamin... more This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of mycobiota and aflatoxin (AF) B1 contamination in sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones of the Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, 100 sesame seed samples were collected directly from the fields of major sesame-producing areas in rainfed and irrigated zones. The agar plate method was used for isolation of mycobiota, and thin-layer chromatography was used to determine AFB1 concentrations. Seed samples were then stored for 12 months. After 12 months, the seeds were again analyzed for mycobiota and AFB1 for comparison. All samples were positive for fungal growth under fresh and stored conditions. Twenty-one fungal species of 10 genera were isolated. Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent contaminant found in fresh and stored sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones, followed by Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, and Fusarium oxysporum. The least prevalent fungi were Aspergillus ochraceus and Cladosporium oxys...

Gesunde Pflanzen, 2020

Charcoal rot incited by Macrophomina phaseolina is one of the major diseases of green gram and bl... more Charcoal rot incited by Macrophomina phaseolina is one of the major diseases of green gram and black gram in Pakistan reducing yields up to 40%. As there are no long-term control strategies for this seed- and soil-borne pathogen, therefore, in the present study, seven indigenous species of Trichoderma were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo effectiveness against M. phaseolina with the objective to identify alternatives to pernicious fungicides. All seven species of Trichoderma significantly retarded the growth of M. phaseolina in vitro. Maximum reduction (79.63%) was observed with T. harzianum followed by T. hamatum (76.3%) while T. pseudokoningii caused the minimum decrease (58.14%) in growth of the fungus. Similarly, Trichoderma species had significant effects on number and size of sclerotia. M. phaseolina produced the minimum number of sclerotia in the presence of T. hamatum followed by T. harzianum causing reductions of 69.5 and 66.84% over control, respectively. The maximum reduction in size of sclerotia was caused by T. harzianum. The maximum plant survival of green and black gram was obtained with T. harzianum followed by T. hamatum and T. viride. The maximum individual germination of 86.67% was achieved with T. harzianum at a concentration of 2 × 108 (propagules/ml), while the minimum (33.33%) was recorded with T. pseudokoningii at 2 × 104. Trichoderma concentrations also had significant effects on plant survival, being the maximum at the highest concentration. The plant survival decreased as the concentrations of the antagonists decreased showing a direct relationship between plant survival and concentrations.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

The study of the population dynamics of citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) in a producti... more The study of the population dynamics of citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) in a production area is required for the assessment of damaging potential of the nematode to citrus, identification of key factors that influence population densities, and to devise effective management strategies. In the present study, seasonal fluctuations in the population densities of T. semipenetrans were studied in two citrus orchards naturally infested with citrus nematode during the year 2014. The effect of soil temperature was also evaluated on the populations of the nematode. The nematode populations differed significantly at both the soil depths. The populations were significantly higher at a depth of 30 cm as compared to 45 cm throughout the year at both the orchards. Similarly, females per gram of roots also followed the same pattern. The number of nematodes in the soil and females in the roots were the higher during the months of April to June and August-September showing two peaks throughout the year. The regression analysis between temperature and number of nematodes in the soil and females in the roots showed highly significant results at both the orchards. A direct relationship was observed between nematode population and temperature. Maximum nematode and female populations were observed at a temperature ranging between 26°C to 29°C at a soil depth of 30 cm. On the other hand, minimum populations were recorded at a temperature range of 9°C to 12°C. Similar trends were observed at the soil depth of 45 cm. It is concluded from the present study that the management of nematode including application of nematicides should be started in the spring season, just prior to the first root flush, to protect the new roots from nematode infection.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

The conditions for deploying entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in Pakistan can be harsh and the su... more The conditions for deploying entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in Pakistan can be harsh and the survival of infective juveniles (IJ) following inundative applications would be quite short. The application of EPN in cadavers may be appropriate because of the non-availability of industrially produced isolates. Therefore, in the present studies, Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor were compared for invasion and production of IJ of Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Both the nematodes caused 100% mortality of the test insects within 6 days. The mean numbers of IJ of S. feltiae invading each G. mellonella, T. molitor medium and small were significantly greater (11.2, 15.2 and 11.4 IJ, respectively) than those of H. bacteriophora (2.8 IJ each per G. mellonella and T. molitor medium and 3 IJ per T. molitor small). Contrarily, there was greater emergence of IJ of H. bacteriophora than S. feltiae in all the treatments. The mean numbers of H. bacteriophora emerging from G. mellonella larvae were 272,600 from T. molitor medium were 194,600 and in T. molitor small were 21,900. Whereas, emergence of the mean numbers of S. feltiae IJ emerging from G. mellonella were 136,000 from T. molitor medium were 51,200 and in T. molitor small were 12,940, respectively. G. mellonella was found to be more susceptible host than T. molitor. Likewise, S. feltiae proved to be more aggressive than H. bacteriophora. The results of this study showed that greater numbers of EPN could be produced in G. mellonella than in T. molitor.

Publons reviews and discussion, 2017

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 2017

Pakistan Journal of Phytopathology, 2000

Attachment of Pasteuria penetrans spores to the cuticle of Meloidogyne javanica was studied after... more Attachment of Pasteuria penetrans spores to the cuticle of Meloidogyne javanica was studied after the application of leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica, Calotropis procera, Datura stramonium, Tagetes minuta and Ricinus communis in pot experiments. D. stramonium reduced spore ...

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2016

Root-knot nematodes are considered among the top five major plant pathogens and the first among t... more Root-knot nematodes are considered among the top five major plant pathogens and the first among the ten most important genera of plant parasitic nematodes in the world (Mukhtar et al., 2013a). They attack different crop plants including vegetables causing severe growth retardation due to formation of typical galls. They have been found implicated with other plant pathogens like Ralstonia solanacearum in aggravating wilt diseases (Iqbal and Mukhtar, 2014; Iqbal et al., 2014; Aslam et al., 2015; Shahbaz et al., 2015). In Pakistan Meloidogyne incognita is the dominant species and found throughout the okra-producing regions where it substantially affects growth and yield (Hussain et al., 2012; 2015). Sikora and Fernandez (2005) reported severe attack of root-knot disease caused by Meloidogyne spp. on okra and yield losses up to 27%. The yield losses caused by root-knot nematodes are due to buildup of inoculum of this pathogen (Kayani et al., 2013) and continuous growing of similar okra ...

Effects of culture filtrate of Verticillium chlamydosporium were evaluated on mortality of larvae... more Effects of culture filtrate of Verticillium chlamydosporium were evaluated on mortality of larvae and hatching of eggs of Meloidogyne javanica. Mortality of M. javanica larvae was found to be directly proportional to concentrations of culture filtrate of V. chlamydosporium and duration of exposure. Maximum mortality of larvae (65.5%) was observed in 100% concentration of culture filtrate after 72 h followed by 80 % concentration which caused 53.25 % mortality. Similarly different dilutions of culture filtrate significantly inhibited hatching of M. javanica eggs. Larval emergence was, however, inversely proportional to filtrate concentrations. Significant lower hatching was observed in 100 % concentration.

Pakistan Journal of Nematology, 2016

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are one of the promising alternatives to synthetic insecticides ... more Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are one of the promising alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the control of insect pests. For successful insect management, EPNs must be established in the soil and remain infective, persistent and pathogenic for long periods. The present study investigated on the emergence of Steinernema feltiae infective juveniles (IJ) from infected Galleria mellonella cadavers in moist and dry conditions. A significantly high number of infective juveniles of S. feltiae emerged in moist conditions as compared to dry. A positive correlation was found between the weight of the Galleria larvae at infection and the numbers of IJ recovered in the moist as compared with dry conditions.

Journal of entomology and zoology studies, 2017

The research was done to evaluate the resistant/susceptibility of thirteen different okra varieti... more The research was done to evaluate the resistant/susceptibility of thirteen different okra varieties against Helicoverpa armigera in the field conditions. At preliminary screening thirteen different varieties were evaluated. Among them three comparatively resistant were Arka Anamika, Bindi Sabazpari and Bindi Punjab selection, three intermediate resistant were Baharti Kaspoori, NS-810 and Rama Krishna and three comparatively susceptible were OH-152, RK-516 and Tarnab Nargis. In final screening the nine different varieties were screened on the basis of shoot infestation. The minimum shoot infestation was recorded on variety Arka Anamika with 5.69% shoot infestation and the maximum shoot infestation was recorded on Tarnab Nargis 12.21% shoot infestation. The Arka Anamika variety proved to be comparatively resistant while the Tarnab Nargis proved to be the comparatively susceptible variety in the final screening.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2018

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important nutritious crops in the world. In Pakistan, this... more Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important nutritious crops in the world. In Pakistan, this is the 3 rd largest cultivated crop. The yield of maize is greatly affected by many insect pests and maize borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) has been identified as one of the major limiting factors to maize production throughout the world. As the information regarding its distribution is lacking therefore, its incidence and prevalence was determined in seven major maize growing districts of Punjab during 2016. The maximum overall incidence of maize borer (12%) was recorded in Khanewal district followed by Multan (6%) while it was the minimum (1%) in district Okara. On the other hand, maximum prevalence of maize borer was observed in district Vehari (100%) followed by districts of Khanewal and Multan (73%) while minimum prevalence of 33% was recorded in district Sahiwal. As regards cultivars, maximum incidence of maize borer (13%) was recorded on cultivar 8621 followed by C1543 (10%) and the minimum was found on cultivar 71R88 and Desi. No infestation of the borer was observed on cultivars 88R88, 30T87 and 15P43. It is concluded that maize borer has been found fairly distributed in the major growing districts of Punjab; hence strict control measures should be adopted to minimize its damage. Some cultivars were found resistant to the borer infestation and are recommended for cultivation.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2020

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2021

The novel coronavirus took the whole world by storm and in no time spread across the globe and cl... more The novel coronavirus took the whole world by storm and in no time spread across the globe and claimed many lives. The most affected countries of the world are USA, Brazil, India, Italy, Iran, Spain, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom and Peru. In Pakistan, the pilgrims from Iran became the major source of spread of the virus in the country, as the Government did not impose quarantine measures to restrict their movement. In Pakistan, the most affected province was Sindh followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to WHO, the most common symptoms are fever, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue and diarrhea and shortness of breath in severe cases. The virus attacks throat, lungs and trachea converting them to virus factories to infect more cells. It attacks not only lungs but also other vital organs of the body like kidneys and heart. It is spread from human to human through respiratory droplets or direct contact. Moreover, there have been reports of the mixed infec...

The population dynamics of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Ypono... more The population dynamics of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) was investigated at three farms on the Western side of the Sydney Basin, Australia, from November 2003 to October 2004. Adult populations were monitored fortnightly by counting the number that was trapped on yellow sticky traps, which peaked around November to December (summer) in all three farms, with virtually no trap catches in the winter months (June-August). The seasonal trend of adult DBM showed a higher number per trap in summer, ranging from 34.5-41.7 compared with the other seasons. Larval and pupal densities were highest in summer (2.0-4.0 and 3.3-5.1 per plant, respectively), while the lowest numbers were recorded in winter. Rainfall had a significant impact on the DBM populations. The activity (numbers and parasitism) of the DBM parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum Héllen (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was recorded in all three farms, with the population showing a synchron...

International Journal of Phytopathology, 2022

The per acre yield of chili in Pakistan is quite low as compared to large producers of this veget... more The per acre yield of chili in Pakistan is quite low as compared to large producers of this vegetable in the world and can be attributed to an assortment of factors both biotic as well as abiotic. Among biotic factors, chili is susceptible to damping off caused by Pythium spp. and causes lots of damage in Pakistan. There is scantly information on the incidence and severity of Pythium associated with chili. Therefore, the current studies were carried out to determine the incidence and severity of Pythium in the Pothwar region of Pakistan. An overall incidence of 14.08% of Pythium damping off was recorded on chili in Pothwar. Attock showed the maximum incidence of 19.86% followed by Rawalpindi and Chakwal districts having 16.22% and 10.22% disease incidences respectively. Jhelum had the minimum disease incidence of 10.05%. Disease severity was the maximum in district Attock (11.03%) followed by Rawalpindi (9.11%), and was the minimum in Chakwal (5.42%) followed by Jhelum (5.67%). The finding of these studies will be helpful for the farmers in designing control strategies for this pathogen accordingly.

Mycopathologia, 2019

The aim of the current research was to explore the impact of biochar and Mesorhizobium ciceri to ... more The aim of the current research was to explore the impact of biochar and Mesorhizobium ciceri to enhance nodulation and antagonistic expression against soil-borne pathogens nalely Phytophthora medicaginis, Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.). Chickpea plants grown in vermiculate medium were treated with 5% green waste biochar, nitrate, M. ciceri and one was synergetic treatment (biochar + M. ciceri ) which showed significant difference from other treatments and control plants producing an average 60 nodule in each plant with 57.90 mg average weight as compare to M. ciceri , green waste biochar and nitrate treated plant producing 31, 39 and 7 nodules per plant with a weight of 39.5, 46.5 and 35.6 mg nodule -1 , respectively after 60 days of growth. Control plants produced no nodules in first and 2 nd harvest but in 3 rd harvest , just 2 nodules per plant were observed with 30.5 mg weight. Synergistic treatment also showed a significant difference in sho...

Journal of Food Protection, 2021

This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of mycobiota and aflatoxin (AF) B1 contamin... more This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of mycobiota and aflatoxin (AF) B1 contamination in sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones of the Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, 100 sesame seed samples were collected directly from the fields of major sesame-producing areas in rainfed and irrigated zones. The agar plate method was used for isolation of mycobiota, and thin-layer chromatography was used to determine AFB1 concentrations. Seed samples were then stored for 12 months. After 12 months, the seeds were again analyzed for mycobiota and AFB1 for comparison. All samples were positive for fungal growth under fresh and stored conditions. Twenty-one fungal species of 10 genera were isolated. Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent contaminant found in fresh and stored sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones, followed by Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, and Fusarium oxysporum. The least prevalent fungi were Aspergillus ochraceus and Cladosporium oxys...

Gesunde Pflanzen, 2020

Charcoal rot incited by Macrophomina phaseolina is one of the major diseases of green gram and bl... more Charcoal rot incited by Macrophomina phaseolina is one of the major diseases of green gram and black gram in Pakistan reducing yields up to 40%. As there are no long-term control strategies for this seed- and soil-borne pathogen, therefore, in the present study, seven indigenous species of Trichoderma were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo effectiveness against M. phaseolina with the objective to identify alternatives to pernicious fungicides. All seven species of Trichoderma significantly retarded the growth of M. phaseolina in vitro. Maximum reduction (79.63%) was observed with T. harzianum followed by T. hamatum (76.3%) while T. pseudokoningii caused the minimum decrease (58.14%) in growth of the fungus. Similarly, Trichoderma species had significant effects on number and size of sclerotia. M. phaseolina produced the minimum number of sclerotia in the presence of T. hamatum followed by T. harzianum causing reductions of 69.5 and 66.84% over control, respectively. The maximum reduction in size of sclerotia was caused by T. harzianum. The maximum plant survival of green and black gram was obtained with T. harzianum followed by T. hamatum and T. viride. The maximum individual germination of 86.67% was achieved with T. harzianum at a concentration of 2 × 108 (propagules/ml), while the minimum (33.33%) was recorded with T. pseudokoningii at 2 × 104. Trichoderma concentrations also had significant effects on plant survival, being the maximum at the highest concentration. The plant survival decreased as the concentrations of the antagonists decreased showing a direct relationship between plant survival and concentrations.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

The study of the population dynamics of citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) in a producti... more The study of the population dynamics of citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) in a production area is required for the assessment of damaging potential of the nematode to citrus, identification of key factors that influence population densities, and to devise effective management strategies. In the present study, seasonal fluctuations in the population densities of T. semipenetrans were studied in two citrus orchards naturally infested with citrus nematode during the year 2014. The effect of soil temperature was also evaluated on the populations of the nematode. The nematode populations differed significantly at both the soil depths. The populations were significantly higher at a depth of 30 cm as compared to 45 cm throughout the year at both the orchards. Similarly, females per gram of roots also followed the same pattern. The number of nematodes in the soil and females in the roots were the higher during the months of April to June and August-September showing two peaks throughout the year. The regression analysis between temperature and number of nematodes in the soil and females in the roots showed highly significant results at both the orchards. A direct relationship was observed between nematode population and temperature. Maximum nematode and female populations were observed at a temperature ranging between 26°C to 29°C at a soil depth of 30 cm. On the other hand, minimum populations were recorded at a temperature range of 9°C to 12°C. Similar trends were observed at the soil depth of 45 cm. It is concluded from the present study that the management of nematode including application of nematicides should be started in the spring season, just prior to the first root flush, to protect the new roots from nematode infection.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

The conditions for deploying entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in Pakistan can be harsh and the su... more The conditions for deploying entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in Pakistan can be harsh and the survival of infective juveniles (IJ) following inundative applications would be quite short. The application of EPN in cadavers may be appropriate because of the non-availability of industrially produced isolates. Therefore, in the present studies, Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor were compared for invasion and production of IJ of Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Both the nematodes caused 100% mortality of the test insects within 6 days. The mean numbers of IJ of S. feltiae invading each G. mellonella, T. molitor medium and small were significantly greater (11.2, 15.2 and 11.4 IJ, respectively) than those of H. bacteriophora (2.8 IJ each per G. mellonella and T. molitor medium and 3 IJ per T. molitor small). Contrarily, there was greater emergence of IJ of H. bacteriophora than S. feltiae in all the treatments. The mean numbers of H. bacteriophora emerging from G. mellonella larvae were 272,600 from T. molitor medium were 194,600 and in T. molitor small were 21,900. Whereas, emergence of the mean numbers of S. feltiae IJ emerging from G. mellonella were 136,000 from T. molitor medium were 51,200 and in T. molitor small were 12,940, respectively. G. mellonella was found to be more susceptible host than T. molitor. Likewise, S. feltiae proved to be more aggressive than H. bacteriophora. The results of this study showed that greater numbers of EPN could be produced in G. mellonella than in T. molitor.

Publons reviews and discussion, 2017

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 2017

Pakistan Journal of Phytopathology, 2000

Attachment of Pasteuria penetrans spores to the cuticle of Meloidogyne javanica was studied after... more Attachment of Pasteuria penetrans spores to the cuticle of Meloidogyne javanica was studied after the application of leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica, Calotropis procera, Datura stramonium, Tagetes minuta and Ricinus communis in pot experiments. D. stramonium reduced spore ...

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2016

Root-knot nematodes are considered among the top five major plant pathogens and the first among t... more Root-knot nematodes are considered among the top five major plant pathogens and the first among the ten most important genera of plant parasitic nematodes in the world (Mukhtar et al., 2013a). They attack different crop plants including vegetables causing severe growth retardation due to formation of typical galls. They have been found implicated with other plant pathogens like Ralstonia solanacearum in aggravating wilt diseases (Iqbal and Mukhtar, 2014; Iqbal et al., 2014; Aslam et al., 2015; Shahbaz et al., 2015). In Pakistan Meloidogyne incognita is the dominant species and found throughout the okra-producing regions where it substantially affects growth and yield (Hussain et al., 2012; 2015). Sikora and Fernandez (2005) reported severe attack of root-knot disease caused by Meloidogyne spp. on okra and yield losses up to 27%. The yield losses caused by root-knot nematodes are due to buildup of inoculum of this pathogen (Kayani et al., 2013) and continuous growing of similar okra ...

Effects of culture filtrate of Verticillium chlamydosporium were evaluated on mortality of larvae... more Effects of culture filtrate of Verticillium chlamydosporium were evaluated on mortality of larvae and hatching of eggs of Meloidogyne javanica. Mortality of M. javanica larvae was found to be directly proportional to concentrations of culture filtrate of V. chlamydosporium and duration of exposure. Maximum mortality of larvae (65.5%) was observed in 100% concentration of culture filtrate after 72 h followed by 80 % concentration which caused 53.25 % mortality. Similarly different dilutions of culture filtrate significantly inhibited hatching of M. javanica eggs. Larval emergence was, however, inversely proportional to filtrate concentrations. Significant lower hatching was observed in 100 % concentration.

Pakistan Journal of Nematology, 2016

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are one of the promising alternatives to synthetic insecticides ... more Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are one of the promising alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the control of insect pests. For successful insect management, EPNs must be established in the soil and remain infective, persistent and pathogenic for long periods. The present study investigated on the emergence of Steinernema feltiae infective juveniles (IJ) from infected Galleria mellonella cadavers in moist and dry conditions. A significantly high number of infective juveniles of S. feltiae emerged in moist conditions as compared to dry. A positive correlation was found between the weight of the Galleria larvae at infection and the numbers of IJ recovered in the moist as compared with dry conditions.

Journal of entomology and zoology studies, 2017

The research was done to evaluate the resistant/susceptibility of thirteen different okra varieti... more The research was done to evaluate the resistant/susceptibility of thirteen different okra varieties against Helicoverpa armigera in the field conditions. At preliminary screening thirteen different varieties were evaluated. Among them three comparatively resistant were Arka Anamika, Bindi Sabazpari and Bindi Punjab selection, three intermediate resistant were Baharti Kaspoori, NS-810 and Rama Krishna and three comparatively susceptible were OH-152, RK-516 and Tarnab Nargis. In final screening the nine different varieties were screened on the basis of shoot infestation. The minimum shoot infestation was recorded on variety Arka Anamika with 5.69% shoot infestation and the maximum shoot infestation was recorded on Tarnab Nargis 12.21% shoot infestation. The Arka Anamika variety proved to be comparatively resistant while the Tarnab Nargis proved to be the comparatively susceptible variety in the final screening.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2018

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important nutritious crops in the world. In Pakistan, this... more Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important nutritious crops in the world. In Pakistan, this is the 3 rd largest cultivated crop. The yield of maize is greatly affected by many insect pests and maize borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) has been identified as one of the major limiting factors to maize production throughout the world. As the information regarding its distribution is lacking therefore, its incidence and prevalence was determined in seven major maize growing districts of Punjab during 2016. The maximum overall incidence of maize borer (12%) was recorded in Khanewal district followed by Multan (6%) while it was the minimum (1%) in district Okara. On the other hand, maximum prevalence of maize borer was observed in district Vehari (100%) followed by districts of Khanewal and Multan (73%) while minimum prevalence of 33% was recorded in district Sahiwal. As regards cultivars, maximum incidence of maize borer (13%) was recorded on cultivar 8621 followed by C1543 (10%) and the minimum was found on cultivar 71R88 and Desi. No infestation of the borer was observed on cultivars 88R88, 30T87 and 15P43. It is concluded that maize borer has been found fairly distributed in the major growing districts of Punjab; hence strict control measures should be adopted to minimize its damage. Some cultivars were found resistant to the borer infestation and are recommended for cultivation.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2020

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2021

The novel coronavirus took the whole world by storm and in no time spread across the globe and cl... more The novel coronavirus took the whole world by storm and in no time spread across the globe and claimed many lives. The most affected countries of the world are USA, Brazil, India, Italy, Iran, Spain, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom and Peru. In Pakistan, the pilgrims from Iran became the major source of spread of the virus in the country, as the Government did not impose quarantine measures to restrict their movement. In Pakistan, the most affected province was Sindh followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to WHO, the most common symptoms are fever, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue and diarrhea and shortness of breath in severe cases. The virus attacks throat, lungs and trachea converting them to virus factories to infect more cells. It attacks not only lungs but also other vital organs of the body like kidneys and heart. It is spread from human to human through respiratory droplets or direct contact. Moreover, there have been reports of the mixed infec...