The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (factorial) with three replications having net plot size 3x4m=(12m 2). The effect of three sowing dates 25 th October, 10 th November and 25 th November on three hybrid maize varieties Pioneer 1543, Syngenta 4841 and Monsanto DK-6142 was studied. Yield components and grain quality parameters such as plant height, number of cobs per plant, cob length, grains per cob, grain yield, protein, starch and oil content of maize varieties were significantly affected by different sowing dates. It was concluded from the finding of present research work that all quantity and quality traits were promising when the sowing was completed up to 25 th October. Further delay of the sowing had negative effects on the performance of quantity and quality of maize. Hybrid maize variety Pioneer 1543 was promising variety which gave the grain yield more than 8312 kg ha-1 .

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The amounts of polyphenols at several stages of oil palm empty-fruit bunch (EFB) composting, the types of phenol compounds in several types of EFB composting processes and the effects of phenol compounds on EFB composting in an earthworm population were evaluated under field conditions. The amount of extractable phenols from decomposed EFB increased at the early stage of decomposition and decreased with increasing age of the EFB compost. The phenol content in soil with added EFB did not differ from that in the control soil. Under an open system and in the presence of soil, the phenol released from EFB easily degraded. The empty fruit bunches released phenol into their surroundings and no harmful effects were found on the earthworm population under the natural system. Using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) was identified in fresh EFB which was similar to the type of phenol compound in composted and field-decomposed EFB; 2,6bis(1,1-dimethylethyl). In contrast, no phenolic compounds were detected in the vermicomposted EFB. This means that the vermicomposting process can be used to degrade toxic compounds such as phenol. Compared to normal compost, vermicompost contains fewer toxic compounds, which might be related to its advanced decomposition stages.

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of conjunctive use of saline and fresh water on the growth and biomass of cotton crop and to observe varietal variability for salinity tolerance and ion contents of cotton genotypes. Four cotton genotypes (Sindh-1, BT-121, CRISS-494, CRISS-588) were irrigated with four treatments, C1 (control+ tape water), C2 (EC 4.0 dS m-1, throughout growth period), ( (six irrigation with C2 + six irrigation with C1), C3 (EC 8.0 dS m-1, throughout growth period), (six irrigation C1+ six irrigation C3), (six irrigation C3+ six irrigation C1), C4 (EC 12.0 dS m-1, throughout growth period), (six irrigation C1+ six irrigation C4). The results showed that highest fresh biomass, plant height, number of leaves plant-1, number of bolls and boll weight was obtained in the treatment where tape water was used. Whereas, these parameters were decrease significantly with the increasing salinity levels from 4 to 12 dS m-1 and when saline water was applied continuously throughout growth period. The cotton genotypes Sindh-1 and Bt-21 performed well under conjunctive use of saline and fresh water with maximum values in compare to genotypes CRIS 494 and 588. The Na+ and Cl- accumulation in cotton leaves and in soil significantly increased with rising EC levels of irrigation water. However, Na+ and Cl- contents were found more in CRIS 494 and CRIS 588 than Sindh-1 and Bt1. It is concluded that Sindh-1 and Bt-121 may be cultivated in saline areas with alternate irrigation.