Representation of Gender in Pakistani Comedy Dramas

Media in its various forms has become a significant part of everyday social life. It influences both how we see ourselves and the world around us to some extent. At different screens of media, images of men and women are presented in different ways and with different characteristics. Studies have been conducted at large regarding representation of gender in movies and television drama serials. This paper was meant to be an addition to this vast canvas of research through analysis of gender representation in the comedy dramas of Pakistan. According to West and Zimmerman’s theory of ‘doing gender’, gender is performed by the people in their everyday actions and interactions. Keeping in view the concept of doing gender this study analyzed roles of males and females and tried to find out how different characters maintain their gender identities in comedy dramas. Results suggested that the characters were, at many places, observed to be acting contrary to the roles associated to their genders by the society. They did or performed gender to maintain their identities.

Prevalence and Management of Meloidogyne Graminicola Golden and Birchfield on Rice Oryza Sativa L.

Meloidogyne graminicola is one of the major pest threatening rice production in the world. Studies to estimate M. graminicola prevalence and incidence were conducted during 2014-2016 in rice fields of Faisalabad and Chiniot districts of central Punjab, Pakistan. Studies revealed variation in prevalence and incidence of M. graminicola at both districts. Maximum prevalence of M. graminicola was observed 22.5% and 27.5% in Chiniot and Faisalabad respectively during the rice growing season of 2016, while, 20% from Chiniot and 25% from Faisalabad during 2015 and minimum prevalence was recorded 17.5% and 20% during 2014 respectively. The severity of nematode attack on the rice roots and infested fields was based on different attributes like galling index, root-knot nematodes (RKN) per root system, RKN per 100ml of soil, stylet bearing nematodes and non-stylet bearing nematodes were recorded with varying degree of infestation at various locations. Meloidogyne graminicola isolates were recovered from soil and root samples. The isolates were identified on the basis of perineal pattern and ITS based sequencing. Eleven alternate host plant species were examined in this study that showed varying degree of M. graminicola infestation. ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of eight isolates indicated that most of the isolates from this study clustered together with isolates of India, Nepal, Vietnam and China. The results indicate that rice is severely attacked by M. graminicola, necessitating the development of appropriate control measures for its management in rice and other crops related to gramineae family. Twelve cultivars of rice and forty eight advance lines showed different reaction against M. graminicola i.e. tolerant, partially tolerant, susceptible and highly susceptible. Response of forty eight advance lines and 12 cultivars against root knot nematode M. graminicola were observed. Among twelve cultivars Basmati Pak, Super Basmati, PK-386 and Sheen Basmati showed susceptible reaction while Basmati 385 showed highly susceptible reaction and rest seven varieties were moderately susceptible (PS-2, Kashmir basmati, IR-24) and partial tolerant (Basmati-2000, NIAB IR-9, Basmati-198, Basmati 515 ). Among 48 advance lines ten lines showed tolerant reaction, fourteen lines showed partial tolerant, fifteen advance lines showed moderately susceptible and eight advance lines showed susceptible response. Nematicidal potential of five synthetic chemicals i.e., Furadan Rugby, Match, Polo and Matanza were tested against M. graminicola at their standard (S), half (S/2) and double dose (2S) levels. Results of in vitro study disclosed that all chemicals except Polo significantly inhibited egg hatching and J2s mortality of M. graminicola. Furadan, Rugby, Match and Matanza were found effective to inhibit 88.4, 86.3, 89.7 and 81.0% egg hatching, respectively as compare to control while Polo inhibited only 32% egg hatching. Moreover, Furadan and Rugby significantly inhibited the invasion and development of nematodes on rice compared to control. In field study, all chemicals were applied either as root dip or soil application. Match, Furadan and Matanza treated plants observed significantly lower number of eggs and J2s against control. Both applications methods were effective, but soil application was the best. All the chemicals applied either as root dip or soil application improved plant height, shoot weight, grain weight by inhibiting nematode reproduction i.e., gall formation, development of adult females, eggs and nematode population in soil except Rugby that caused phytotoxic effects on plants. All the chemicals were found more effective at their standard dose than double or half dose. In conclusion, soil application of all tested chemicals in this study except Rugby seemed viable option for chemicall control of M. graminicola in rice fields of Pakistan.