Progressive and Retrogressive Phenomena of Economic Activity in Africa

This study examines the concept of globalisation in its characteristics ramifications. The research used empiricism or an empirical method of data collection and analysis. The research used feasibility and affordability in gathering of data for the work using empirical approach in which statistics and figures from credible sources are relied on. The data obtained were discussed using empirical methodological analysis where some themes are identified and discussed from the topic of the study using scientific tools such as tables, charts, bars and figures where necessary. The research discovered that globalisation is not a good phenomenon in African continent owing to slow economic growth, trade disequilibrium and parallel development comparatively because of disadvantages in terms of export, volume of trade exchange and low level of technological development. The research recommends that there is an urgent need for the African countries to restrategise and reshape their economic and political interest at the global level through the creation of a competitive means of relevance at the global centre-stage of world economy and politics.

Drought Induced Morpho-Physiological Changes in Okra and its Mitigation By

Okra is an important vegetable crop known for its high nutritional value. It needs frequent irrigation for good economic yield. Despite the fact that Pakistan has world’s best irrigation system, it is amongst world’s most water stressed countries. Keeping in view the upcoming water shortage in future, a study composed of four different experiments was conducted during summer season for two consecutive years (i.e. 2013 and 2014). In first experiment, to find out critical crop growth stage and to assess harmful effects of drought on okra growth, quality and yield parameters, deficit irrigation (50% less water than normal requirement) was applied at seedling (S), vegetative (V) and reproductive (R) stage, alone as well as in all possible combinations (i.e. S+V, V+R, S+R, S+V+R). While in second and third experiment the foliar application of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid at different growth stages of okra (2 leaf stage, 4 leaf stage, flowering stage and their combinations) was evaluated for drought mitigation. Additionally, in fourth experiment inoculation of okra seed with different doses of azotobacter prior to seed sowing were also tested under drought conditions. Results of study revealed that drought at seedling stage increased plant mortality percentage. However, the survived plants successfully recovered and gave good yield while drought at vegetative and reproductive stage was highly destructive for morphological and reproductive traits, respectively. However, drought at all growth stages (S+V+R) was found most destructive as compared to single stage. Foliar application of 2 mM salicylic acid at 4 leaf + flowering stage improved okra yield, while application of 2 mM ascorbic acid at 2 leaf + 4 leaf + flowering stage showed good results under water stress conditions. After application of ascorbic acid and salicylic acid revealed significant results in case of morphological (plant height, stem diameter, internodal distance, root length, root shoot ratio, number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area and leaf area index), physiological (photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, relative leaf water contents and cell membrane permeability), biochemical (N, K, Ca and chlorophyll pigments) and yield traits (pod length, pod weight, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, fruit yield/plant, fruit yield/ha, seed yield/plant and seed yield/ha). Seed inoculation with 1.5 g per 10 g okra seed was found superior in improving all parameters under water stress conditions except number of branches/plant, total dry matter contents, phosphorus concentration, pod diameter, number of seeds/pod and 1000 seed weight.