technology in agriculture

INTRODUCTION This article will discuss about the harmful effects of pesticides (especially insecticides) use on human health. The pesticides applied to crops, household etc. are not only mitigating pest problem but they are also a source of extreme and permanent damage to human health and environment.  Pesticides  are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. They include;  Insecticides - kill insects Fungicides - used to kill fungi Biocides - used to kill microbes Herbicides - used to kill herbs and weeds Rodenticides - used against rodents e.g., rats. Pediculicide [against lice ( Pediculus humanus )]  Fumigants etc. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE Used in agriculture, industry, household and medicine.  A major factor for rise in Agriculture productivity in 20th century.  Nearly all insecticides have the potential to significantly alter ecosystems;  Many are toxic to humans; others are concentrated in the food chain.  Uncertainty ab

INTRODUCTION Insecticides form a major proportion of the agricultural products being produced in the country and imported. The importance and impact of the insecticides on the farm can not be denied. Both in terms of the useful and residual effects. Similarly they form a major part of the agriculture industry. There is an excess of availability of the insecticides in the agriculture markets. The product available is of mixed quality from highest standards of the multinational and local companies to the lesser quality products of some of the small local manufacturers. In my recently concluded agriculture market study, I collected literature related to the insecticides available in the market both from well reputed and local pesticide companies. And in this blog post, I will be highlighting the types of formulations which were available.  Table: List of Commercially available Formulation of Insecticides common in Punjab ABBR. NAME ABBR. NAME EC Emulsifiable concentrates SP Water-soluble

INTRODUCTION Cowpea (  ????? ) is one of the most important legumes being cultivated in the semi-arid and sub-humid tropics for its grain and fodder purposes. Among all the legumes, cowpea has much tolerance to drought, it is a warm weather crop and hence well adapted to dry regions. So, its world production and acreage has increased dramatically in the last 25 years. In Pakistan, it is grown mainly as Kharif crop, with sorghum and millet intercropping.  Black-eyed Pea NOMENCLATURE Vernacular Names:  Cowpea, Southern pea (USA), Blacke-eyed pea (Common), Crowder pea (USA), Lobia (Pakistan, India), Rawan (Pakistan),  other local names in different world countries include fiebe, coupe and so on.  Technical Name:   Vigna unguiculata  (L.) Walp. (It also has many synonyms but this name is more commonly used.) BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION Kingdom Plantae Division Magnoliophyta Class Magnoliopsida Order Fabales Family Fabaceae Genus Vigna Species V.  unguiculata  (L.) Walp. Yardlong Pea Four cu

INTRODUCTION Vigna unguiculata  (L.) Walp. is locally known as Lobia or Lohbia  (?????)  or Rawaan in Pakistan and   Black-eyed Pea ( Vigna unguiculata  subsp.  unguiculata ) is commonly available cowpea subspecies in Pakistan. It is a multipurpose crop but it has not been given much priority in the selection among the rest of the pulses like Mung bean, Mash bean, Lentil (Masoor) and Chickpea (Chanay). But due to its multipurpose nature the agriculture departments in Punjab, Pakistan are importing its exotic varieties and running trials on them. And at the same time, farmers are also being educated about the usefulness of this crop. Epigeal germination of Vigna unguiculata L. IMPORTANCE   i.  It has more protein contents then rest of the legumes.  ii.  Its leaf and immature pods can be used as vegetable. iii.  Its green leaves are rich source of proteins. iv.  It can also be used to enhance the fertility of the soil because of it root nodule formation.  v.  It can also be cultivated as

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION                Kingdom           Plantae                Division            Mangoliophyta                Class                Liliopsida                Order               Cyperales                Family              Poaceae                Genus                Triticum                Species             T.  aestivum  L. Intro to Wheat Genetics and Production Technology (Cover) WHEAT TAXONOMY In the 10,000 years of cultivation and selection process by man, wheat has evolved into numerous forms depending on morphological and genetic characteristics.          Common Name        Traditional Classification (Dorofeev et al. 1979)                                       (Diploid (2x) Wild, Hulled) i) Wild einkorn                                   Triticum boeoticum  Boiss.                                       (Diploid (2x) Domesticated, Hulled) ii) Einkorn                                         Triticum Monococcum  L.                                       (Tetraploid