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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Feeding Potential of Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) Against Sucking Insect Pests
Pages 554-558
Aslam Bukero, Maqsood Anwar Rustamani, Ghulam Hussain Abro and Abdul Mubeen Lodhi

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.74

Published: 26 December 2014

Open Access

Abstract: This laboratory experiment was conducted to find out the feeding performance and larval development of Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricuis) on Aphis gossypii (Glov.), Bemisia tabaci (Ginn.) and Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Distant) at 26 ± 2ºC temperature and 65 ± 5% relative humidity. The result indicated that the 3rd and 4th instar larvae of the beetle consumed 76.20 ± 3.44 and 79.7 ± 0.77 nymphs of A. gossypii /day followed by (23.0 ± 0.77) and (23.4 ± 0.75) nymphs of B. tabaci and (19.73 ± 1.17) and (21.55 ± 0.77) nymphs of A. b. biguttula, respectively as compared to 1st and 2nd instar larvae. Adult female consumed maximum (101.0 ± 0.55) nymphs of A. gossypii /day followed by (26.90 ± 0.27) nymphs of B. tabaci and (22.16 ± 0.20) nymphsof A. b. biguttula as compared to male. The result further revealed that the 4th instar larva consumed highest number 159.4 ± 7.35 of A. gossypii nymphs during its life span followed by (93.8 ± 3.02) and (86.2 ± 3.09) nymphs of B. tabaci and A. b. biguttula, respectively. Similarly, the adult female devoured highest number of nymphs (3040.2 ± 26.4) of A. gossypii followed by B. tabaci (807.0±8.1) and A. b. biguttula (664.98±6.0) during its life span as compare to male. The shortest life span was recorded on A. gossypii as compared to A. b. biguttula and B. tabaci, There was highly significant difference in consumption rate and development period of larvae and adult beetles on different prey species (P<0.05).

Keywords: Feeding efficiency, developmental period, Menochilus sexmaculatus, Aphis gossypii, Bemisia tabaci, Amrasca biguttula biguttula.

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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Role of Mass Media in Dissemination of Agricultural Technology among the Farmers of Jaffarabad District of Balochistan
Pages 525-531
Inayatullah Memon, Khalid N. Panhwar, Rafique A. Chandio, Abdul Latif Bhutto and Aijaz A. Khooharo

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.70

Published: 18 December 2014

Open Access

Abstract: Agricultural extension is essentially a message delivery system organized to convey the latest findings ofagricultural research to farmers. Effective communication is therefore, the prime requirement in extension work. This study conducted during 2013 attempted to examine the role of mass media in dissemination of agricultural technology among the farmers of Jaffarabad district of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The results revealed majority of the respondents were male (80%), belonged to the age group of 31-40 years (45.35%), and with formal education of (31%). Information regarding agricultural farming revealed that three-fourth (75%) of the respondents owned personal land, medium size of farms (12.5-50.0 acres) were more common (52%). Majority (70.93%) of the respondents perceived that the sources of media used in the area are highly conventional. About two third (66.28%) of the respondents perceived that the sources of media for agricultural information was highly accessible. Relative majority of the respondents (40.70%) supposed to prefer listening to agricultural programs between 8 pm to 12.00 am; 33.72% respondents showed preference for listening to agricultural programs from 4.00 -8.00 pm. Majority (70.93%) of the respondents considered the information receiving through mass media is highly relevant in solving agriculture problems. Majority (41.86%) of the respondents reported infrastructural development due to agricultural information received through mass media and 22.09 percent found that agricultural information received through mass media was helpful in capacity building. Regarding major obstacles in receiving information, 31.40 percent respondents reported power failure, followed by high cost (24.42%), and poor signals (12.79%).

Keywords: Mass Media, Agricultural Technology Transfer, and Agricultural Extension.

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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Techniques to Identify and Test PCB Faults with Proposed Solution
Pages 532-536

Ambreen Insaf, Mirza Salman Baig, Zeeshan Alam Nayyar and Mirza Aman Baig

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.71

Published: 18 December 2014

Open Access

Abstract: Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are getting more complex day by day because of vast and modern technology. Analyzing PCB’s failure and their reason of failing is a challenging task but despite how faulty they may be, they can be diagnosed and repair. Modern PCBs consist of fine pitch components including unidentified, non-testable and customized parts, which make it difficult to troubleshoot and repair. Modern PCBs cannot test and repair using generic Automatic Test Equipments (ATEs), unlike simple ones. Successful repair of such types of PCBs is an art more than science. PCB troubleshooting and fault analysis needs a good theoretical knowledge and analytical thinking. It is not something, which can only study from books, but it can gain through constant troubleshooting and experiencing. Keeping in view above mentioned problems this research focused on exploring diagnosis skills and techniques used to identify faults in such Integrated Circuits (ICs) and components using VI instrument. As a result, reducing equipment downtime and high costs need in PCB repairs.

Keywords: Troubleshoot and repair, VI instrument, customized components, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), defective component.

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Ambreen Insaf, Mirza Salman Baig, Zeeshan Alam Nayyar and Mirza Aman Baig

Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

An Assessment of Wheat Procurement Issues in Jafferabad District of Balochistan
Pages 537-542
Parvez A. Rind, Abdul Latif Bhutto, Rafique A. Chandio, Khalid N. Panhwar and Aijaz A. Khooharo

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.72

Published: 18 December 2014

Open Access

Abstract: Exploitation of farmers’ profit margins by middlemen is well documented and reported by various studies. In this regard, public sector initiated support price and procurement policies especially for wheat. Presently, Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) is a key procurement agency in Pakistan. It has been reported that in certain cases, PASSCO do not reach directly to farmers for the purchase of wheat. Hence, the role of middlemen in procurement of wheat is once again emerging and leaving low profit margins for the farmers. In this regard, this study aimed to assess wheat procurement issues in Jaffarabad district of Balochistan. Quite a large majority of the respondents were aware about seed dealers (69.4%), whole sellers (66.6%) and commission agents (62.5%). On the other hand, majority (55.5%) of the respondents were not aware about procurement centers of PASSCO. Price variation by various wheat procurement agencies was observed from Rs. 22.50kg-1 offered by seed dealer to Rs. 31.25 kg-1 offered by PASSCO. One fourth (25.0%) of the respondents opted “lack availability of gunny bags” as one of the top most problem in selling wheat while 20.8% respondents reported for timely availability (especially during harvesting season) of gunny bags as a serious problem. Lack of coordination was reported by 13.8% while the same proportion of the respondents was of the opinion “delay in announcement of the support price” is one of the most important issues. Majority (94.44%) of the farmers suggested that the transport facilities should be provided to farming community for transport of their wheat from farm to market.

Keywords: Wheat Procurement, PASSCO, Support Price..

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