Lettuce is an important crop that is grown commercially for salad purposes. To increase production of lettuce, synthetic fertilizers are applied. However, an excess of synthetic fertilizers is hazardous for the human body and also affects soil and environmental conditions. Alternative methods are available to enhance the production of lettuce, e.g., application of moringa leaf extract (MLE), which is also environmentally friendly. As MLE is a plant-based organic product, there are no side effects. The research was conducted at the Ornamental Nursery, Department of Horticulture, University of Agriculture Peshawar, during the 2020–21 season. The study was laid out in two-factor randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement with three replications. The two factors were MLE concentration (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% v/v) and five lettuce cultivars (Red Laurel, Red Oakleaf, Milky White, Romaine, and Large Speed). Lettuce cultivars were sprayed with the required MLE concentrations at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplantation, while an extra application of MLE was given before bolting to the plants left for seed production. It was observed that lettuce cv. Red Laurel produced maximum fresh and dry head weight. Maximum plant height was recorded for cv. Red Oakleaf. Maximum leaves, head diameter, head height, root length, seed yield, and leaf area were noted in cv. Milky White. Cultivar Romaine took the maximum number of days to flowering and seed production. It also provided maximum chlorophyll content and the best taste. Moreover, MLE also had substantial effects on the growth and yield of lettuce cultivars. Here, maximum plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, head diameter, days to flowering, root length, head height, seed yield, days to seed production, chlorophyll content, and fresh and dry head weights were produced by plants sprayed with 8% (v/v) MLE. It is concluded that MLE, a useful growth promoter, has a considerable effect on the growth and development of lettuce cultivars and is thus recommended for organic production of the crop.

No abstract

The research on "Quality of date palm cultivars response to storage at different days intervals" was carried out at Agriculture Research Station, Sarai Nawrang Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the year 2014. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized design (CRD) with two factors repeated three times. The fruits harvested from date cultivars (Khudravi, Abdullahwali, Azadi and Shakri), were kept for a period of (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 days). The storage performance of date cultivars such as weight loss (%), decaying percentage, yellow color (%), brown color (%) and black color (%) of fruits were significantly observed. Cultivar Azadi showed the lowest weight loss (6.39%), decaying (0.50%), black color (45.29%) and maximum brown color (25.39%), yellow color (25.39%), while lowest weight loss (0%), decaying (0%) on 0 days, maximum black color (100%), minimum yellow color (0%) and brown color (0%) noted on 20 days of storage. Interactive effect of cultivar Azadi and 20 days storage intervals perform better for minimum weight loss, decay percentage, yellow color, brown color and maximum black color, hence recommended for the postharvest life of date palm.

Biplot analysis was conducted to estimate the combining ability of ten parental genotypes using 7×3: Line×Tester data of 21 F 1 hybrids in (Brassica napus L.) for seed yield and oil content. The data obtained from all the three replications of experimental material in randomized complete block design were subjected to analysis of variance to check the null hypothesis of the equality of means. Significant differences (P≤0.01) were found among the parents, F 1 hybrids and Line×Tester interaction for the variables seed yield plant -1 and oil content. The genotypes CA-4 and DH-6 were the promising for seed yield plant -1 (36.8 g) and oil content (51.2%), respectively. Among the hybrids DH-3×CA-4 and DH-4×CA-4 were best for seed yield plant -1 (51.1 g) and oil content (52.1%). The GGE biplot displayed DH-8 and DH-2 as the best general combiners for seed yield and oil content, respectively. The best specific combiner for seed yield plant -1 was DH-3 whereas; for oil content DH-2 was ranked first. Among the testers CA-5 and CA-4 were ranked first on the basis of GCA for seed yield plant -1 and oil content, respectively. The GGE biplot graphic allowed a rapid and effective overview of General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) effects of the inbred lines; best lines and tester, as well as their performance in crosses.