Proper management of agro-based resources is a major baseline for precision agriculture (Lambin and Meyfroidt, 2011). In Pakistan, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a widely cultivated fiber crop with limited available resources, namely selection of low-graded cultivars, imbalanced nutrient application, inadequate irrigation water supply, and so on, which contributes towards lower per capita yield production (Bibi et al., 2011;. Among the different resources, nitrogen is an important plant nutrient required in larger quantities by the cotton crop to enhance its productivity (

Irrigation water is the basic resource to exploit the potential of cotton crop under an arid or a semi-arid environment. Under limited water conditions, various compatible solutes like glycinebetaine are being used to ameliorate the drought stress. Exogenous application of glycinebetaine (GB): GB 1 (100 mg L-1), GB 0 (no application) was done in adequate water (DS 0) and in drought stress condition (DS 1) at arid environment during the growing seasons of years 2009 and 2010. Results demonstrated that application of GB improved the physiological processes of crop leading to better crop performance. Exogenous application of GB increased the drought tolerance with remarkable improvement in photosynthetic process and exhibited higher growth and yield. It was further noted that this technique was economically sustained; predicted higher radiation and water-use-efficiency; and can be applied in limited water condition to avoid yield losses.

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A study was conducted on the toxicity potential of six insecticides (Lesenta 80% WG, Trunk 20% SC, Karate 2.5 EC, Route 57 EC, Refree 5% SC and Thimet 5G) against the sugarcane black bug (C. excavatus) at two different locations in tehsil Kot Addu District Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. Seven treatments including control with three replications were maintained following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were applied at their recommended doses and mortality data were recorded before and after 24 followed by 48, 72 and 168 hours of application. The results revealed that all the insecticides significantly suppressed the target pest population compared to control. Route 57 EC (Malathion) was revealed as most effective insecticide due to causing highest mortality in both locations 84.29% and 84.44% followed by Trunk 20 % SC (Clothinadion) with 80.03% and 79.88% mortality of the target pest after 168 hours of application. Whereas Karate 2.5 EC (Lambda cyhalothrin) was evaluated as least effective with 51.95% and 52.97% mortality at both locations, respectively. Our results suggest that Route 57 EC (Malathion) @ 500 ml per acre is effective against sugarcane black bug and can be used for the chemical management of this pest.