Abstract Background Sowing dates and weed management practices could alter several phenological phases of direct seeded rice. However, limited is known about the impacts of these aspects on phenology, thermal efficiencies, and agro-meteorological indices of direct seeded rice. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of sowing dates and weed management strategies on phenology, thermal efficiencies, and agro-meteorological indices of direct seeded rice. Methods Two sowing dates [10th May (early) and 3rd June (late)] and six weed management strategies [i.e., weedy-check, 4-time mechanical weeding (weed-free), bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor as pre-emergence, oxyfluorfen as pre-emergence, bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor as pre-emergence + 2,4-D as post-emergence, and oxyfluorfen as pre-emergence + 2,4-D as post-emergence] were included in the study. Results Early sowing took more days to reach various phenological phases, accumulated higher heat units, and recorded significantly higher thermal efficiencies, and yield than late sowing. Mechanical weeding took more time to complete different developmental stages, hence, accumulated higher heat units and recorded significantly higher thermal-use efficiencies and yield followed by application of bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor as pre-emergence + 2,4-D as post-emergence. Conclusion Earlier sowing with 4 mechanical weedings or successive pre-emergence application of bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor followed by post-emergence application of 2,4-D is recommended for better phenological development and yield of direct seeded rice. rice However phenology agrometeorological agro meteorological 10th th early (early rd (late) i.e., ie i e [i.e. weedycheck, weedycheck weedy check, check weedy-check 4time weedfree, weedfree free , (weed-free) preemergence, preemergence pre emergence, emergence 2,4D 24D D 2,4 2 postemergence, postemergence post stages hence thermaluse use postemergence. emergence. (late i.e. [i.e (weed-free 4D 24 2, i.e

Abstract Background: Conventional method of rice cultivation has proven to be resource intensive, limiting its long term sustainability. On the contrary direct seeding offers a potential rice establishment method provided its increased susceptibility to weed infestation is taken care of. Objective: The principle aim of this study was to evaluate both pre- and post-emergence herbicides for effective weed suppression, while optimizing time window for herbicide application. Methods: A comprehensive two year study was conducted to assess the efficacy of new generation pre- and post-emergence herbicides including pendimethalin followed by 2,4-D, penoxsulam, pyrozosulfuron ethyl + pretilachlor, triafamone + ethoxysulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, fenoxyprop p-ethyl along with weed-free and weedy check treatments. Results: All herbicides substantially reduced weed biomass by 58–94% at 45 days after sowing. Pre- mix triafamone + ethoxysulfuron proved most effective against grasses and sedges, followed by penoxulam for sedges and pendimethalin followed by 2,4 -D for broadleaved weeds (BLW). Herbicide application significantly improved yield-related parameters compared to the weedy check. Application of pre-mix triafamone + ethoxysulfuron excelled, yielding 7.3 tons per hectare, a remarkable 383% increase over the weedy check. Key yield attributes such as panicles per square meter (349), grains per panicle (91), and 1,000-grain weight (25 g) were significantly elevated due to the application of triafamone + ethoxysulfuron (60 g a.i ha-1). Conclusion: Application of triafamone+ ethoxysulfuron an early post emergence herbicide witnessed significantly greater seed yield which was comparable to weed free situation besides, controlling diverse weed flora with higher weed control efficiency of 87 to 90%. Background intensive sustainability Objective pre postemergence suppression Methods 2,4D, 24D D D, 2 4 2,4-D penoxsulam pretilachlor pethyl p weedfree treatments Results 5894 58 94 58–94 sowing Pre 24 2, BLW. BLW . (BLW) yieldrelated related premix excelled 73 7 3 7. hectare 383 349, 349 , (349) 91, 91 (91) 1,000grain 1000grain grain 1,000 1 000 25 (2 60 (6 ai i ha1. ha1 ha ha-1) Conclusion besides 8 90 90% 4D 2,4D 589 5 9 58–9 (BLW 38 34 (349 (91 000grain 1000 1,00 00 ( 6 ha-1 58– (34 (9 100 1,0 0 ha- (3 10 1,

Abstract This study was aimed to determine the retention of bioactive fatty acids and oxidative stability of fish powder (FP) supplemented extruded products. The Labeo rohita fish meat was minced, microwave vacuum dried, and extruded. Product formulations containing FP (0-25%) and semolina (75-100%) were optimized using response surface methodology. The maximum bioactive fatty acids retention was 94.84% in the final product. The highest values of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were 87.97% and 85.66% at 25 °C for 30 and 60 days. Maximum TBARS values were 0.42 and 0.44 mg MDA/kg at 25 °C for 0 and 30 days, respectively. The highest carbonyl contents were 6.02, 7.67, 9.37 nmol/mg protein for 0, 30, and 60 days of storage at 25 °C, respectively. The moderate barrel exit temperature (125 °C) and feed moisture contents (20%) and high screw speed (150 rpm), FP (25%) exhibit the highest retention of PUFAs in a product.

Abstract This study was performed to screen out the various species of ‘Cucurbitaceae’ family, musk melon (Kalash and Durga), bottle gourd (Crystal Long and Nuefield) and squash (Green Round, and Squash Malika) against the salt stress. All genotypes were treated with five different levels of NaCl (T0 = control, T1 = 1.5 dS m-1, T2 = 3.0 dS m-1, T3 = 4.5 dS m-1 and T4 = 6.0 dS m-1) and half strength of Hoagland’s nutrients solution as the base nutrient solution. Results showed that the bottle gourd varieties “Nuefield” and “Crystal Long” performed best by maintaining the highest germination (93.2% and 85.6%), number of leaves per plant (4.5 and 5.7), shoot length (16.84 cm and 16.14 cm), root length (13.48 cm and 13.00 cm), plant fresh weight (942.2 g and 918.6 g), plant dry weight (118.4 g and 107.5 g), leaf area (171.2 cm2 and 169.1 cm2), chlorophyll content (3.5 μg/cm-2 and 3.4 μg/cm-2) with low chloride (1.57 ppm and 1.59 ppm) and sodium content (0.47 ppm and 0.51 ppm) under salt stress followed by varieties of Squash (Green Round, and Squash Malika) and musk melon (Kalash and Durga). It was also found that a higher level of salinity (4.5 dS m-1 and 6.0 dS m-1) has more adverse effects on the performance of all selected genotypes. Conclusively, it can be recommended that as compared to all tested species, bottle gourd varieties “Nuefield” and “Crystal Long” have the ability to withstand against salinity stress and should be planted under salt stress conditions.

Abstract In traditional row and strip cowpea-sorghum intercropping systems, cowpea forage yield reduces significantly due to intense competition and dominance of sorghum in acquiring growth resources. This field study evaluated novel mixed strip intercropping systems of forage cowpea and sorghum having different number of crops rows arranged under different spatial arrangements. Cowpea was intercropped with sorghum in 8, 12 and 16 rows strips with row-row spacing of 30, 45 and 60 cm. In each strip, equal number of rows of cowpea and sorghum were maintained. Factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design with three replicates was used to execute the field trials during summer seasons of 2013 and 2014. Strips having 12 rows and 60 cm row-row spacing positively affected all agronomic variables of cowpea which led to maximum forage yield (22.2 and 23.7 t ha-1 during 2013 and 2014 respectively) and dry matter biomass (6.63 and 6.94 t ha-1 during 2013 and 2014 respectively). In contrast, 8-rows strips having line spacing of 30 cm outperformed other intercropping systems by yielding the maximum herbage yield and dry matter biomass of sorghum. The intercropping system comprising of 12-rows strips with 60 cm row-row spacing remained superior in recording the maximum crude protein, fats and total ash along with the minimum fiber content of cowpea. In addition, this intercropping system under rest of spatial arrangements also remained unmatched, while 16-rows strips under all planting geometries remained inferior to other intercropping systems. Thus, cowpea intercropping with sorghum in 12-rows strips having 60 cm spacing offers biologically viable solution to improve biomass and forage quality of cowpea in intercropping with sorghum.

Resumen En los sistemas tradicionales de cultivo intercalado de frijol caupí y sorgo en franjas y filas, el rendimiento de forraje del frijol caupí se reduce significativamente debido a la intensa competencia y al dominio del sorgo en la adquisición de recursos para el cultivo. Este estudio de campo evaluó novedosos sistemas de cultivo intercalado en franjas mixtas de frijol caupí forrajero y sorgo con diferente número de filas de cultivo en diferentes disposiciones espaciales. El frijol caupí se intercaló con el sorgo en franjas de 8, 12 y 16 filas con un espaciamiento de 30, 45 y 60 cm entre las filas. En cada franja se mantuvo igual número de filas de frijol caupí y sorgo. Para la ejecución de los ensayos de campo durante las temporadas de verano de 2013 y 2014 se utilizó un diseño factorial en bloques completos aleatorizados con tres repeticiones. Las franjas con 12 filas y un espaciamiento de 60 cm entre las filas afectaron positivamente a todas las variables agronómicas del frijol caupí que condujeron al máximo rendimiento forrajero (22.2 y 23.7 t/ha en 2013 y 2014, respectivamente) y de biomasa de materia seca (6.63 y 6.94 t/ha en 2013 y 2014, respectivamente). En cambio, las franjas de 8 filas con un espaciamiento de 30 cm superaron a otros sistemas de cultivo intercalado al obtener el rendimiento máximo de hierba y de biomasa de materia seca del sorgo. El sistema de cultivo intercalado compuesto por franjas de 12 filas con un espaciamiento de 60 cm entre las filas siguió siendo superior, al registrar el contenido máximo de proteína bruta, grasas y cenizas junto con el mínimo contenido de fibra de frijol caupí. Además, este sistema de cultivo intercalado bajo el resto de las disposiciones espaciales también permaneció incomparable, mientras que las franjas de 16 filas bajo todas las geometrías de siembra permanecieron inferiores a otros sistemas de cultivo intercalado. Por lo tanto, el cultivo intercalado de frijol caupí con sorgo en franjas de 12 filas con un espaciado de 60 cm ofrece una solución biológicamente viable para mejorar la biomasa y la calidad del forraje del caupí en cultivo intercalado con sorgo.

ABSTRACT Cereal-legumes intercropping is among the most economical and effective agronomic strategies to boost forage biomass production, nutritional quality and monetary returns. This review synthesizes the research findings on how intercropping affects productivity, quality, competitiveness and economic viability of sorghum-legumes mixed, row and strip intercropping systems under varied pedo-climatic conditions. Though component crops show yield reductions in row (additive and row-replacement series), mixed (seed blended crops) and strip intercropping systems, in general overall productivity per unit land area increases to a great extent. The significantly higher resource capturing with better utilization efficacy by intercrops in temporal and spatial dimensions helps explain their greater productivity. In addition, forage intercrops result in improved nutritional quality as legumes contain protein in double quantity than cereals. Cereal-legumes intercropping systems yield higher quantities of lush green forage with improved quality traits, which ultimately increase monetary benefits. Furthermore, legumes inclusion as an intercrop with cereals has the potential to serve as a nitrogen-saving strategy due to the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) process. Moreover, cereal-legume intercropping systems are effective in reducing weed infestations and soil erosion by providing extended soil cover, as well as in increasing water use efficiency and improving soil fertility. However, despite a significant increase in overall productivity, component crops suffer yield losses in intercropping systems owing to competition for the finite divisible pool of growth resources. Thus, there is a dire need to optimize spatial and temporal arrangements in sorghum-legumes intercropping systems to achieve maximum productivity and economic returns.

Abstract Introduction Papillary thyroid carcinoma has a very high rate of lateral neck node metastases, and there is almost unanimity concerning the fact that some sort of formal neck dissection must be performed to address the clinical neck disease in these cases. Although there is an agreement that levels II to IV need to be cleared in these patients, the clearance of level V is debatable. Objectives We herein have tried to analyze various papers that have documented a structured approach to neck dissection in these patients. Moreover, we have also tried to consider this issue through various aspects, like spinal accessory nerve injury and the impact of neck recurrence on survival. Data Synthesis The PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), and Ovid databases were searched for studies written in English that focused on lateral neck dissection (levels II–IV or II–V) for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Case reports with 10 patients or less were excluded. Conclusions The current evidence is equivocal whether to clear level V or not, and the studies published on this issue are very heterogeneous. Level II-IV versus level II-V selective neck dissections in node-positive papillary thyroid carcinoma patients is far from categorical, with pros and cons for both approaches. Hence, we feel that there is a need for more robust homogeneous data in order to provide an answer to this question.

Abstract Broomrapes (Orobanche sp.) are root holoparasitic plants causing severe damage to various families of horticultural crops. A Preliminary survey was carried in tomato fields infested with orobanche in Potohar plateau of Pakistan. Results indicated that each planting bed comprising10-12 tomato plants contained 7-8 parasitic weeds. Overall survey indicated the 65-70% plants suffered partial or complete yield loss. Further, it was estimated that the number of weeds inhabiting plant-1 was ranged from 2-4. Yield loss was estimated at 57.17 tons/ha while in terms of financial loss, it was 2579.87 $/ha. Hence total estimated loss on the total surveyed area of 16 hectares was 41395.85 $. The high potential of tomato cultivation in Pakistan reinforces the urgent protection measures to resolve this emerging issue.

Abstract Introduction There is difference of opinion about the placement of the drain in thyroid surgeries, and, to the best of our knowledge, the efficacy of drainless total thyroidectomy regarding various parameters of thyroid lesions has not been well-established. Objective To report our experience with drainless total thyroidectomy, and to define an appropriate patient population for its performance. Methods This is a retrospective case analysis of the patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for intrathyroidal lesions with or without central neck dissection in a tertiary referral hospital (number = 74). The patients, who had undergone total thyroidectomy without any drain insertion, were analyzed, and the relationships among various parameters of thyroid lesions were noted in relation to seroma and hematoma formation. Results Seroma formation was noted only in 5 out of 74 patents (6.75%). All of the seromas that occurred were observed in patients with thyroid lesions < 4 cm, and 4 out of 5 seromas were observed in patients with a malignant pathology. There was no statistically significant difference in seroma formation between patients younger or older than 50 years of age. The nature of the lesion, whether benign or malignant, did not affect the formation of seroma. Of interest is the fact that none of the 10 patients who had central neck dissection performed as part of their treatment developed seroma. Conclusions Drainless total thyroidectomy is safe across all age groups for patients harboring either benign or malignant thyroid pathologies. However, caution is to be observed in opting for drainless total thyroidectomy in patients with large lesions (> 5 cm)

Abstract: Sustainable production of quality forages in sufficient quantities constitutes one of the biggest challenges for profitable dairy farming. Forage legumes including cowpea offer a feasible solution to meet this task but planting geometry for spreading and erect types of varieties needs to be optimized. Two cowpea varieties (P-518 and Rawan-2003) were sown to different row spacing (30, 45 and 60 cm), while broadcasted crops were kept for comparison. Factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed to carry out the field trial with four replicates. Dry matter biomass, quality variables, net income and benefit-cost ratio were taken as experimental variables. Rawan-2003 (spreading type) sown at 45 cm spaced rows gave significantly (P≤0.01) higher dry matter biomass (8.26 and 9.03 t ha-1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively) along with significantly (P≤0.05) improved forage quality (especially higher crude protein and lower crude fiber contents). The same variety and spatial arrangement resulted in the highest net income and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) (4.66 and 4.85 in 2013 and 2014 respectively). P-518 (erect type) gave better results with closer inter-row spacing (30 cm spaced rows), while broadcasting of both cowpea varieties proved to be inferior to all other spatial arrangements.

Resumen: La producción sustentable de forrajes de calidad en cantidades suficientes constituye uno de los mayores retos para la ganadería lechera rentable. Leguminosas forrajeras incluyendo el frijol caupí ofrecen una solución factible para cumplir con esta tarea, pero se deben optimizar los arreglos de la siembra y la selección de variedades rastreras y erectas. Se sembraron dos variedades de frijol (P-518 y Rawan-2003) con diferente espaciamiento entre surcos (30, 45 y 60 cm), mientras que cultivos ya establecidos se mantuvieron para la comparación. Se utilizó un arreglo factorial de diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones para llevar a cabo el ensayo de campo. Biomasa de materia seca, las variables de calidad, ingreso neto y relación beneficio-costo se tomaron como variables experimentales. Rawan-2003 (tipo rastrero) sembrado en hileras de 45 cm de espaciado dio significativamente (P≤0.01), mayor biomasa de materia seca (8.26 y 9,03 t ha-1 en 2013 y 2014, respectivamente) y mejoró significativamente (P≤0.05) la calidad del forraje (mayor proteína cruda y menor contenido de fibra cruda). La misma variedad y arreglo espacial resultaron en el mayor ingreso neto y relación beneficio-costo (BCR) (4.66 y 4.85 en 2013 y 2014 respectivamente). El tipo erguido P-518 dio mejores resultados con espaciamiento entre surcos más cercanos (30 cm), mientras que las variedades de frijol testigo demostraron ser inferiores a todos los otros arreglos espaciales.