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Muhammad Uzair Khan ¹, Kanwal Nazim ², Moinuddin Ahmed ¹, Syed Shahid Shaukat ³, Sikander Khan Sherwani ⁴

Affiliations
1 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Center,University of Karachi,Pakistan
2 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, Pakistan
3 Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology Karachi, Pakistan
4 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

The Various industrial wastes contain organic matter and some essential nutrients which are needed for the normal plant growth. This study evaluates the effects of biological recycling of fiber industry sludge and its ash in different concentrations i.e. sludge 25 and 50g/6kg and ash 25 and 50g/6kg of some plants. Seed germination, seedling growth, survival, and dry weight of shoots and ischolar_mains of three test species: Zea mays and Phaseolus lanatus (crop species) and Trifolium alexandrianum L. (fodder species) were observed. Heavy metal accumulation in soil and plant dry biomass was also analyzed. The results showed that plant species responded differently in different treatments. The results of ANOVA described that the seed germination and other growth parameters of all species were significantly suppressed at 50 g ash treatment. The highly sensitive response of shoot and ischolar_main growth was determined in P.lanatus. However, dry weights of shoots and ischolar_mains of T.alexandrianum were significantly reduced in all treatments. The analysis of heavy metals showed significantly high concentration in soil (P<0.001), while the accumulation of heavy metals in plants' dry biomass was also significantly different among treatments. It is highly recommended that industrial sludge and ashes must be properly checked before applying in any crop field as organic substitute. This study provides crucial information regarding quality and quantity of nutrients necessary prior to suggesting the suitability of an industrial waste as a fertilizer.

Keywords

Fiber Industry Sludge ,ash,plant Species

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Syed Shahid Shaukat ¹, Kanwal Nazim ², Muhammad Uzair Khan ², Qadeer Muhammad Ali ², Moinuddin Ahmed ³

Affiliations
1 Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi, PK
2 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, PK
3 Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology, Department of Botany Federal Urdu University Karachi, PK

Abstract

Mangrove cover along the coast of Pakistan is decreasing day by day due to various disturbances particularly harvesting and cutting. Therefore, there is a need to observe changes in population of mangrove with known and unknown disturbance history. The present study deals with the population structure and dynamics of a dominant mangrove species Avicennia marina with a complete life table from seedling to mature trees in Pakistani coast. The causes and factors for the variation in six stages were also determined that predict the population structure after small and large scale disturbances. The survival (lx) of individuals of A. marina showed a gradual decline from seedling to mature trees at all locations. However, there was a rapid decline from seedling to juvenile stages at all sites. In disturbed stands population of seedlings showed lesser density compared to undisturbed areas. It is hoped that this study will help in the management and conservation planning of mangrove forests at the coastal areas of Pakistan.

Keywords

Population Structure, Avicennia marina, Life Table, Survival (lx), Juvenile

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Kanwal Nazim ¹, Paras Siddiqui ², Qadeer Muhammad Ali ¹, Muhammad Uzair Khan ¹, Moinuddin Ahmed ³, Rahmatullah Jillani ², Siraj Munir ²

Affiliations
1 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Center (MRCC), University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
2 Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Karachi, PK
3 Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK

Abstract

During the past few years, the increasing pressure of anthropogenic activities along the shoreline of Pakistan (i.e. Machar colony) led to the clearing of habitats for the construction of houses and industrial development. In this study Remote Sensing Technique is used to evaluate this loss and assess the change in mangrove habitats within Machar colony. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the impact resulting from human development on the mangrove distribution in the study area. A field work is carried out to observe the actual situation while satellite images are processed on temporal basis to visualize the synoptic view of the situation. Furthermore the physico-chemical analysis of soil and leaves is also carried out to determine the pollution status on the site. Change detection is applied and mangrove in the study area is found a decrease of about 16% from 2006 to 2012. It is concluded that the cutting of mangrove and encroachment are the main factors in destroying mangrove trees from this area. From physio-chemical analysis it was concluded that polluted waste water in this colony nourishing mangrove plants instead of harming while the only factor involved in destroying of mangrove is encroachment.

Keywords

Mangrove Forest, Satellite Images

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Samina Perveen ¹, Kanwal Nazimjit ², Muhammad Uzair Khan ³, Sikander Khan Sherwani ⁴, Haroon Ahmad ⁴

Affiliations
1 Marine Fishery Department, Karachi, Pakistan, PK
2 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, PK
3 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, PK
4 Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, AU

Abstract

The current study was aimed to evaluate the coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in surimi prodcut. The study was conducted in two consecutive years (2007 and 2008). The results showed that Coliform was highest in counts followed by S. aureus, fecal coliforms and E. coli.

Keywords

Surimi Product, Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus.

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Rubina Perween ¹, Nida Afroz ², Toqeer Ahmed Rao ³, Muhammad Uzair Khan ⁴, Kanwal Nazim ⁴, Atia Naeem ⁵

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK
2 Centre of Excellence Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
3 Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK
4 Marine Reference Collection Center, University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
5 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology, Karachi, PK

Abstract

This work was conducted to investigate microbiological studies including fungal isolation and total bacterial count in fresh bovine milk samples available in District East of Karachi division. Sampling was done in morning period in the months of November and December. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) were used for fungal assessment while nutrient agar for bacterial counts. The mycobiota comprised of eleven fungal spp. (Aspergillus candidus, A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. terreus, Mucor recemosus, M. muceda, Penicillium notatum, Pythium indosium and Rhizopus insidosium) while Aspergillus flavus(65 %) and A. niger (80%) exposed the highest frequency of occurrence. The range of bacterial counts was recorded as 0.2 X 106 12.2 X 106cfu ml-1 and results were compared with literature values and guidelines of American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Keywords

Biodiversity of Microbes, Bovine Milk Vend.

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Shaheena Arshad Khan ¹, Kanwal Nazim ¹, Muhammad Abid ¹, Muhammad Uzair Khan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, PK

Abstract

Most of the agricultural countries are undergoing in pathogenic problems. Seaweeds have potential to produce a variety of bioactive compounds against pathogenic microorganisms. So, this review article will provide knowledge for the screening of seaweeds and their fungicidal/ nematicidal activities against soil born plant pathogens.

Keywords

Fungicidal, Nematicidal, Soil-Borne, Seaweeds.

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Iram Gul ¹, Rehman Ullah Khan ¹, Sultan Mehmood ¹, Saad Ullah Khan ¹, Shahzeb ¹, Sikandar Khan Sherwani ², Sakina Mussarat ³, Sakina Mussarat ³, Muhammad Uzair Khan ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, University of Science & Technology, Bannu, PK
2 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK
3 Department of Botany, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, PK
4 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Center (MRCC), University of Karachi, Karach, PK

Abstract

The present research work was carried out in September and October 2013 to analyze the vegetation of Latamber and its outskirts of District Karak by quadrate method. The research area was divided mainly into three stands keeping in view the morphology and edaphic factors of the research area.1. Plain area, 2. Floody sandy area and 3.Mountain area. The plain area was analyzed by quadrate method and taken forty quadrates and the dominant community was Cynodon-Nerium-Community on the basis of important value index. In the floody sandy area total thirty quadrates were thrown randomly and the dominant community was Eucalyptus-Saccharum-Community on the basis of important value index. The vegetation of mountain area was analyzed also by using total thirty quadrates which show the dominant community of Cymbopogon-Nerium-Community on the basis of important value index. After completing the whole vegetation analysis of the area; it was concluded that the community Cynodon-Nerium found to be the most dominant in plain area with 28.83 % Cynodon dactylon and 25.55 % Nerium indicum, while in the mountain area the dominant community was Cymbopogon nerium with this percentage, Cymbopogon distense 30.63 % and Nerium indicum 27.37 %. Similarly the floody sandy area was dominated by Eucalyptus-Saccharum-community with 30.63 % eucalyptus species and 29 % Saccharum spontanum.

Keywords

Vegetation Analysis, Quadrate Method, Latamber, Karak.

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