No abstract

Summary Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) are highly contagious and have the potential to spread very rapidly irrespective of the national borders, causing serious economic losses. These diseases cause high morbidity and mortality in susceptible animal populations. Furthermore, the extent of their consequences may significantly affect the food security and national economics. In Pakistan, the main TADs include rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, foot and mouth disease and avian influenza. In the present paper the status of these diseases in Pakistan is discussed.

The study was conducted at Upazila Livestock Office from 1 st January to 31 th March, 2010 to observe the prevalence of PPR in goat at Mirzaganj upazila in Patuakhali District. A total of 183 goats were examined based on the clinical signs and gross pathological lesions of which 92 were PPR affected makes up 50.27%. After categorizing the animals according to their breed, age and vaccination history it was revealed that Black Bengal goats were more susceptible (54.93 %) than Jamunapari (31.38 %). The prevalence of PPR was maximum 63.33% at age category of 7-12 months, in compare with 44.68%, 41.87%, 45.45% at age category of ≤ 6 months, 13-18 months and ≥ 19 months respectively. Non-vaccinated goats were more susceptible (66.40%) to PPR infection than vaccinated goats (19.56%). Parental (I/M) Oxytetracycline was more effective (64%) than parental (I/M) Sulphadimidine (44%) along with symptomatic treatment. PPR causes higher mortality and heavy economic losses in every year which may be reduced substantially by proper vaccination and other managemental approaches.

Control of animal and poultry diseases is one of the primary objectives of government livestock departments in Pakistan. Main emphasis is given to the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases (TADs), i.e. rinderpest, foot and mouth disease (FMD), Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and avian influenza (AI) in the country. Recently (2007), the Office International des Epizooties has certified Pakistan as a rinderpest-free country but other TADs are still a threat to the livestock and poultry sectors in the country and the region at large. Keeping in view the significance of livestock and poultry industry for the livelihood of the farmers as well as the economy of the country, a network of diagnostic facilities has been established both at federal and provincial levels. The National Veterinary Laboratory (NVL) Islamabad has been designated as a referral laboratory for the diagnosis of rinderpest, FMD and PPR. Presence of these viruses is confirmed using ELISA. Diagnosis and monitoring of AI is the responsibility of National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases Animal Health, Animal Sciences Institute, Islamabad where hemagglutination, agar-gel-precipitin test (AGPT), ELISA and PCR are employed to confirm the diseases. In each of the four provinces, the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) plays a central role to investigate an outbreak and implement measures to contain infection. Besides VRIs, district diagnostic laboratories have also been established to provide basic diagnostic facilities to the farmers. Undiagnosed cases or samples collected from TADs are referred to either the concerned VRI or the NVL for further analysis. The Animal Sciences Institute (ASI) at the National Agricultural Research Centre and eight veterinary universities/faculties also play an important role in the development/improvement of new assays/biologics and dissemination of knowledge to other institutes in the country. The present status of TADs and recommendations for harmonizing the diagnostic tools for these diseases are discussed.

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of four different media based hydroponics on plant growth, yield and nutritional values at Biochemistry laboratory of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Bangladesh during November 2014 to April 2015. Tomato plants were grown in closed soilless system where Hoagland solution as nutrient solution and jute fiber, cotton (jhut), coconut husk as substrate. Among four types of media, the media composed with Hoagland solution and jute fiber showed good impact on growth and nutritional values than the other three media (media of Hoagland solution with coconut husk, Hoagland solution with cotton and only Hoagland solution. It was revealed that the highest plant height, yield, vitamin C, fruit protein, fat and fiber content of all were related to media combination of jute fiber and Hoagland solution. Among all the verities, the highest plant height (106 cm), yield (5.3 kg plant -1 ), fruit Vitamin C content (64.54 mg 100 g -1 ), fruit protein (17.67 %), fat (5.2%) and fiber (7.9%) content was recorded from Patharkuchi tomato variety.