Effect of Temperature on Life Cycle of Spodoptera frugiperda under Laboratory Conditions

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Diptera:Lepidoptera) is a destructive pest of agricultural crops especially maize in many countries including Pakistan. The environmental factors like temperature play significant role in the growth and development of insect pests. It is very important to know the proper knowledge about effect of temperature on the development of Spodoptera frugiperda before managing this pest. For this purpose, the current study was conducted to check the effect of temperature (20 and 26◦C) on the life cycle of S. frugiperda under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the developmental times of all stages (eggs, larvae and pupae) were inversely related to temperature. The incubation period of eggs was 4.01±0.00b and 2.00±0.00b at 20 and 26◦C, respectively. The development time of first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth larval instar was 3.51±0.10b, 3.04±0.15b, 2.33±0.10b, 2.97±0.14b, 3.45±0.19b and 4.99± 0.22b, respectively at 20◦C while 2.77±0.13c, 2.89±0.20bc, 2.09±0.12bc, 2.22±0.17bc, 2.90±0.23c and 3.56±0.19b, respectively at 26◦C. The time of growth and development was increased at low temperature while reduced at high temperature. The food consumption rate and molting period of larvae can increase at high temperature for complete their growth and development. The current study concluded that environmental factors like temperature are highly effect the insect pests morphology and biology.</jats:p

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Modelling For Soil Fertility Measurements: A Review

Basic soil composition, or more precisely, soil organic matter, soil clay mineralogy and soil texture have been in the core of most infrared spectroscopy research for soils. Of course, nutrient availability, soil structure, soil microbial activity and soil fertility have also been a major subject of interest over the past two decades. The determination of soil nutrients is now becoming a routine work at large scale to gain high yield. The large number of soil nutrients determining techniques are used. The current paper presented that among tested techniques, Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is a best technique which has been used widely with minimum time, low in cost, ecofriendly and rapid determination of chemical, physical properties and organic matter present in soil. Obviously, this useful technique can be used to estimate properties such as mineral composition, SOM, water, percentage of carbon, nitrogen and clay content. It could be used directly in soil mapping, for monitoring soil, for making inferences about its quality and function, and making geomorphological interpretations of its distribution. The development of most accurate and trustworthy NIRS approaches are required.</jats:p

Evolution of situational factors in blended learning systems interfaces during COVID-19: An analytical study

The world has been undergoing tremendous transformation since early 2020 with the occurrence of a global pandemic of COVID-19. While it will take several years of study and research to understand the true effect of this pandemic on society, it is worthy of noting that it has already transformed our methods of leading lives. One of the areas, highly impacted by a pandemic is education. In order to deliver education in a distance learning manner, more and more academic institutions have been acquiring IT systems to deliver education to the students in the confines and safety of their homes. Saudi Electronic University (SEU) has been pioneering the application of online systems for blended learning in not just Saudi Arabia but the whole middle east and north Africa region. The reliance on systems at SEU for maintaining education standards during pandemics has increased. This has provided the opportunity to researchers in various fields of IT and computing to study evolving role of such systems in traditional and blended models of education. Situational Factors (SFs) are key elements that affect the acceptability of systems by stakeholders. This paper describes the outcome of the study that was carried out to identify critical Situational Factors that play a major role in the acceptance or otherwise of systems in the academic sphere during pandemic times. The results have shown that knowledge, communication, and trust are the most important situational factors for blended learning applications. The case studies and findings are presented followed by a brief analysis of results.</jats:p

Preferable Host Plants of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae in Southern Punjab Pakistan under Laboratory Conditions

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is considered an important noctuid moth pest of agricultural crops all over the world and recently become an invasive pest in Pakistan. The crops belonging to Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae families are highly affected with this pest. The description of host plants is very important in understanding the biology, ecology and application of most effective techniques against the pest. By keeping in view, the importance of this pest, the current study was conducted to evaluate the most preferable host plant such as maize, potato, cabbage, cotton and lehli for this pest in the study area. The results showed that cabbage and maize were the most suitable hosts for larval feeding. The incubation period was recorded 2.00 and 2.12 days on cabbage and maize, respectively. The developmental period of larvae was found longer on cabbage as compared to maize. Potato, cotton and lehli were not found suitable for pest rearing. The study concluded that maize and cabbage are the most suitable hosts for S. frugiperda larvae under natural and controlled conditions.</jats:p

Representation of Comical Traces In ‘Peter’s Articles

Born in 1898 to a learned family in Peshawar, Professor Ahmad Shah Bukhari became famous for his pen name Peter Bukhari. He was fluent in Urdu, Persian, Pashto and English. His correct pronunciation of the English language was famous.  Peter Bukhari’s writings on Urdu language and literature were simultaneously humorous with essays, excellent critical essays and excellent translations, but they were not limited to the genres of literature but also became experts in journalism (serious, sound and broadcasting). Also called a diplomat. The great thing about him  is that he does not allow his humour to be tainted with ridicule and satire. His humour is a pure mixture of  humour and sweetness . There is not so much bitterness in it that it becomes satire and there is not so much open humour that it falls with seriousness. His subtle humour comes from his unique perspective. In addition to Peter’s fascinating essays and translations, many of his books have been published. He was a brilliant speaker, present-minded and a tycoon whose many amusing and interesting things are known. Apart from reading in the hostel, in memory of the deceased, dogs, Mabel and me, many of his interesting articles and letters are especially popular among the readers.</jats:p

Comparative Pragmatic Study of Print Media Discourse in Baluchistan Newspapers Headlines

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;  &#x0D; In the last two decades the power of mass media has influenced the society and recently, the public interest for media activities has increased tremendously. Similarly, in this advanced technological age, many jobs are associated with media coverage, for example, military actions, affiliation of public with political and social activities, and intentions, actions and attitudes of community etc. For the transmission of these actions in news and newspapers headlines, powerful and influencing strategies are adopted in the use of language. Many characteristics of language are determined through its use and one of them is known as pragmatic approach. But, in Baluchistan context neither, an appropriate focus is provided to research study for pragmatic analysis nor is Searle’s taxonomy of speech acts studied in Baluchistan newspapers headlines. In this research, efforts have been made to fill up this gap in existing literature. The sample of study is selected from three Baluchistan newspapers i.e. Express (Quetta), Baluchistan Times and Tular (Noshkay) headlines. Forty news headlines are taken from selected three newspapers. Almost all the news statements are obtained from front pages and these headlines are analyzed in the light of Searle’s taxonomy of speech acts. The findings of study suggest that Searle’s taxonomy of speech act is applicable to selected Baluchistan newspapers headlines and statements are loaded with different intended meanings. The statistical analysis of the study reveals the effective employment of Representatives (assertives) speech acts in newspapers headlines. In conclusion it can be suggested that there might be specific intentions of the speakers in the news headlines.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; </jats:p