Seasonal abundance and distribution of dragonflies in upper Siran valley of District Mansehra Pakistan / Abundância sazonal e distribuição de libélulas no vale superior de Siran, distrito de Mansehra, Paquistão

Abstract Present study was conducted to study seasonal abundance and distribution of dragonflies in upper Siran valley district Mansehra Pakistan. To collect data, eleven localities were visited for three consecutive years (2016-2018). Results come up with a sum of 300 specimens identified under three families, eight genera and twenty species. Highest seasonal abundance recorded during summer and spring were 80.67% and 13.33% respectively while minimum 6.00% was recorded during early autumn. Dominant species observed were, Orthetrum chrysis (14.00%), followed by O. gluacum (12.00%), Palpoleura sexmaculata sexmaculata (11.33%) and O. cancellatum cancellatum (8.00%). However the highest population of dragonflies was found in Munda Gucha with a percentage of 11.33 followed by Jabbar (11.00%) and Sachan (9.67%). The lowest populations were recorded in Suham (6.00%), Dadar (7.67%) and Jabori (7.67%). The surveyed valley showed diverse Anisopterous fauna and thus further extensive surveys are recommended that can come up with more important species from the area.

Resumo O presente estudo foi realizado para verificar a abundância sazonal e a distribuição de libélulas no vale superior de Siran, distrito de Mansehra, Paquistão. Para a coleta de dados, 11 localidades foram visitadas por três anos consecutivos (2016-2018). Os resultados apresentaram uma soma de 300 espécimes identificados em três famílias, 8 gêneros e 20 espécies. A maior abundância sazonal registrada durante o verão e a primavera foi de 80,67% e 13,33%, respectivamente, enquanto o mínimo de 6% foi registrado no início do outono. As espécies dominantes observadas foram Orthetrum chrysis (14%), seguido por O. gluacum (12%), Palpoleura sexmaculata sexmaculata (11,33%) e O. cancellatum cancellatum (8%). No entanto, a maior população de libélulas foi encontrada em Munda Gucha (11,33%), seguida por Jabbar (11%) e Sachan (9,67%). As populações mais baixas foram registradas em Suham (6%), Dadar (7,67%) e Jabori (7,67%). O vale pesquisado mostrou fauna Anisopterous diversificada, e, portanto, recomenda-se a realização de mais pesquisas que possam apresentar mais espécies importantes da área.

Change in malate dehydrogenase and alpha amylase activities in Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi treated granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius / Mudança nas atividades de malato desidrogenase e alfa amilase em Rubus fruticosus e gorgulho tratado com Valeriana jatamansi, Sitophilus granarius

Poor storage conditions provide favorable environment to stored grain pests for their growth. The bio-pesticides are the best alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Present study was conducted to compare toxicity of Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius and subsequent changes in enzyme activity responsible for grain damage. In current research 5 g of R. fruticosus fruit and V. jatamansi rhizome powders were tested separately against S. granarius, in 50 g wheat whole grains for seven days in comparison with the control. The enzymatic activity of malate dehydrogenase and α-amylase was observed in the cellular extracts of S. granarius. The insects were crushed and homogenized in phosphate-buffer solution and centrifuged at 10000 rpm for 5 minutes. For the enzymatic measurement supernatant was tested; the spectrophotometer was adjusted at 340 nm. The reagents were mixed and incubated at 25 °C for five minutes. The cuvettes were placed in the experimental and reference sites of spectrophotometer and recorded the change in absorbance for 3-4 minutes. There was 5.60% and 14.92% reduction in the activity of malate dehydrogenase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. The alpha amylase enzyme activity was 6.82% reduced and 63.63% increase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. Present study addresses that both plant powders are effective against granary weevil by altering enzyme activities so both the plant powders can be used as bio-pesticides against the stored grains pests.

As más condições de armazenamento proporcionam um ambiente favorável às pragas armazenadas para o crescimento. Os biopesticidas são as melhores alternativas aos pesticidas sintéticos. O presente estudo foi conduzido para comparar a toxicidade de Rubus fruticosus e Valeriana jatamansi contra gorgulhos, Sitophilus granarius e subsequentes alterações na atividade enzimática responsáveis ​​por danos aos grãos. Na pesquisa atual, 5 g de frutos de R. fruticosus e pós de rizoma de V. jatamansi foram testados separadamente contra S. granarius, em 50 g de grãos integrais de trigo por sete dias, em comparação com o controle. A atividade enzimática da malato desidrogenase e α-amilase foi observada nos extratos celulares de S. granarius. Os insetos foram esmagados e homogeneizados em solução tampão fosfato e centrifugados a 10000 rpm por 5 minutos. Para a medição enzimática, o sobrenadante foi testado; o espectrofotômetro foi ajustado a 340 nm. Os reagentes foram misturados e incubados a 25 °C por cinco minutos. As cubetas foram colocadas nos locais experimentais e de referência do espectrofotômetro e registradas as alterações na absorbância por 3-4 minutos. Houve redução de 5,60% e 14,92% na atividade da malato desidrogenase em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. A atividade da enzima alfa amilase foi reduzida em 6,82% e aumento de 63,63% em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. O presente estudo aborda que ambos os pós de plantas são eficazes contra o gorgulho do celeiro, alterando as atividades enzimáticas, de modo que ambos os pós de plantas possam ser usados ​​como biopesticidas contra pragas de grãos armazenados.

Change in malate dehydrogenase and alpha amylase activities in Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi treated granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius

Abstract Poor storage conditions provide favorable environment to stored grain pests for their growth. The bio-pesticides are the best alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Present study was conducted to compare toxicity of Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius and subsequent changes in enzyme activity responsible for grain damage. In current research 5 g of R. fruticosus fruit and V. jatamansi rhizome powders were tested separately against S. granarius, in 50 g wheat whole grains for seven days in comparison with the control. The enzymatic activity of malate dehydrogenase and -amylase was observed in the cellular extracts of S. granarius. The insects were crushed and homogenized in phosphate-buffer solution and centrifuged at 10000 rpm for 5 minutes. For the enzymatic measurement supernatant was tested; the spectrophotometer was adjusted at 340 nm. The reagents were mixed and incubated at 25 °C for five minutes. The cuvettes were placed in the experimental and reference sites of spectrophotometer and recorded the change in absorbance for 3-4 minutes. There was 5.60% and 14.92% reduction in the activity of malate dehydrogenase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. The alpha amylase enzyme activity was 6.82% reduced and 63.63% increase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. Present study addresses that both plant powders are effective against granary weevil by altering enzyme activities so both the plant powders can be used as bio-pesticides against the stored grains pests.

Resumo As más condições de armazenamento proporcionam um ambiente favorável às pragas armazenadas para o crescimento. Os biopesticidas são as melhores alternativas aos pesticidas sintéticos. O presente estudo foi conduzido para comparar a toxicidade de Rubus fruticosus e Valeriana jatamansi contra gorgulhos, Sitophilus granarius e subsequentes alterações na atividade enzimática responsáveis por danos aos grãos. Na pesquisa atual, 5 g de frutos de R. fruticosus e pós de rizoma de V. jatamansi foram testados separadamente contra S. granarius, em 50 g de grãos integrais de trigo por sete dias, em comparação com o controle. A atividade enzimática da malato desidrogenase e -amilase foi observada nos extratos celulares de S. granarius. Os insetos foram esmagados e homogeneizados em solução tampão fosfato e centrifugados a 10000 rpm por 5 minutos. Para a medição enzimática, o sobrenadante foi testado; o espectrofotômetro foi ajustado a 340 nm. Os reagentes foram misturados e incubados a 25 °C por cinco minutos. As cubetas foram colocadas nos locais experimentais e de referência do espectrofotômetro e registradas as alterações na absorbância por 3-4 minutos. Houve redução de 5,60% e 14,92% na atividade da malato desidrogenase em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. A atividade da enzima alfa amilase foi reduzida em 6,82% e aumento de 63,63% em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. O presente estudo aborda que ambos os pós de plantas são eficazes contra o gorgulho do celeiro, alterando as atividades enzimáticas, de modo que ambos os pós de plantas possam ser usados como biopesticidas contra pragas de grãos armazenados.

Seasonal abundance and distribution of dragonflies in upper Siran valley of District Mansehra Pakistan

Abstract Present study was conducted to study seasonal abundance and distribution of dragonflies in upper Siran valley district Mansehra Pakistan. To collect data, eleven localities were visited for three consecutive years (2016-2018). Results come up with a sum of 300 specimens identified under three families, eight genera and twenty species. Highest seasonal abundance recorded during summer and spring were 80.67% and 13.33% respectively while minimum 6.00% was recorded during early autumn. Dominant species observed were, Orthetrum chrysis (14.00%), followed by O. gluacum (12.00%), Palpoleura sexmaculata sexmaculata (11.33%) and O. cancellatum cancellatum (8.00%). However the highest population of dragonflies was found in Munda Gucha with a percentage of 11.33 followed by Jabbar (11.00%) and Sachan (9.67%). The lowest populations were recorded in Suham (6.00%), Dadar (7.67%) and Jabori (7.67%). The surveyed valley showed diverse Anisopterous fauna and thus further extensive surveys are recommended that can come up with more important species from the area.

Resumo O presente estudo foi realizado para verificar a abundância sazonal e a distribuição de libélulas no vale superior de Siran, distrito de Mansehra, Paquistão. Para a coleta de dados, 11 localidades foram visitadas por três anos consecutivos (2016-2018). Os resultados apresentaram uma soma de 300 espécimes identificados em três famílias, 8 gêneros e 20 espécies. A maior abundância sazonal registrada durante o verão e a primavera foi de 80,67% e 13,33%, respectivamente, enquanto o mínimo de 6% foi registrado no início do outono. As espécies dominantes observadas foram Orthetrum chrysis (14%), seguido por O. gluacum (12%), Palpoleura sexmaculata sexmaculata (11,33%) e O. cancellatum cancellatum (8%). No entanto, a maior população de libélulas foi encontrada em Munda Gucha (11,33%), seguida por Jabbar (11%) e Sachan (9,67%). As populações mais baixas foram registradas em Suham (6%), Dadar (7,67%) e Jabori (7,67%). O vale pesquisado mostrou fauna Anisopterous diversificada, e, portanto, recomenda-se a realização de mais pesquisas que possam apresentar mais espécies importantes da área.

Enhancing Bio-Available Phosphorous in Soil Through Sulfur Oxidation by Thiobacilli.

Aims: The objectives were to evaluate the phosphate solubilization efficiency of different Thiobacilli strains and to find out the best combination of sulfur and Thiobacilli for enhancing bio-available P in soil. Study Design: An experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology and Soil Fertility Labs, Department of Soil Science and Soil and Water Conservation, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Microbiology and Soil Chemistry Labs, Auriga Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan, between May 2011 and November 2012. Methodology: Fifty Thiobacilli strains were isolated from ten different ecologies. Then an incubation study of soil was performed wherein the most efficient four Thiobacilli strains were inoculated in combination with three different levels of elemental sulfur to determine pH, water soluble sulfur, sequential P fractions and bio-available phosphorous contents in the incubated soil. Results: All the four Thiobacillus strains (IW16, SW2, IW1 and IW14) dropped pH of the incubated soil along with three doses of S° (50, 75 and 100 kg ha-1). However, Thiobacillus strains IW16 and SW2 reduced soil pH quite sharply from 7.90 to 7.12 (net reduction of 0.78 points) and 7.28 (net reduction of 0.62 points) respectively where inoculated with S° @ 100 kg ha-1. The best P solubilizer was Thiobacillus strain IW16 and the best dose of S° was @ 100 kg ha-1 and their combination enhanced maximum quantity of P (22.26 mg kg-1) in the soil by solubilizing already present insoluble calcium bounded P fractions like octacalcium phosphate (Ca8-P) and apatite (Ca10-P). Conclusion: The present study suggests the use of Thiobacilli along with elemental sulfur for the dissolution and enhancement of bio-available P in alkaline and calcareous soils.