Red rot disease affects sugarcane production adversely throughout the world. Intensive cropping and uninterrupted use of chemicals results in evolution of new pathotypes which can infect the resistant cultivars. Bacillus sp. inhabiting plant rhizosphere can protect the plants from multiple pathogens. In the present study, two antagonistic strains Bacillus subtilis NH-100 and Bacillus sp. NH-217 were able to maintain their population at 9.0 log CFU g -1 in sugarcane filter cake until nine months. These strains were compatibile to the indigenous bacteria of sugarcane filter cake which maintained their population at 7.8-8.0 log CFU g -1 . The developed bioformulation induced the activity of various defense-related enzymes (0.6-6.9 change in absorbance min -1 g -1 of tissue), suppressed the red rot disease and enhanced crop yield under field conditions. This formulation could be used as potential biopesticide to control red rot disease of sugarcane.

Some reproductive parameters of collared pika Ochotona rufescens Gray, 1842 were studied during the winter from Ziarat Valley, Baluchistan. Out o f 195 animals cap tured, 105 (53.8%) were males and 90 (46.2%) females. Males were bigger and heavier than non-pregnant females. Mean litter size according to embryo count was 3.6 ± 1.6 (range: 1 -7 young/female), and by placental scars 4.48 ± 0.30 (range: 2 -6 young/ female). Mean HBL o f primiparous females was less than multiparous females. The higher fecundity rate o f pika helps to attain its pest status in apple orchards.Vertebrate Pest Control Laboratory, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, P.O. Box -8401, University Campus, Pakistan