The undertaken project “Impact of Bt and non-Bt cotton on insect biodiversity” was carried out for two cotton seasons, 2006-07, which included the survey and experimentations. The survey study was conducted to know the farmers’ perception of insect pests and pest management practices in Bt cotton. The experimentations were consisted the field and laboratory experiments. The field experiments were conducted to determine the impact of transgenic Bt cotton on the target and non-target insect community in replicated field trails under sprayed and unsprayed conditions, in comparisons with its parent non-Bt conventional cotton. The laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of Bt toxin on the biological traits (larval mortality, larval development time and pupal weight) of Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera exigua by feeding larvae on the leaves and flower-bolls of Bt and non-Bt cotton. The results revealed that transgenic Bt cotton (IR-FH-901), containing Cry1Ac proved to be highly effective against specific lepidopterous pests and the susceptibility of target pests was in the order of american bollworm> spotted bollworm> pink bollworm >armyworm. The pooled data of all observations showed significantly lower population of bollworm complex (american, spotted and pink bollworms) in Bt cotton. Bt cotton proved not to be so effective against armyworm but some sub-lethal effects have been observed in term of increased larval development time and reduction in pupal weight. It was not effective against sucking insect pests and average 3-4 insecticide applications were used to control these pests in sprayed plots of Bt and non-Bt cotton. The diversities of non-target insect community and sub-communities (pests, beneficials, pollinators and visitors) as measured by Shannon-Weaver diversity index showed no significant differences in species abundance, richness, diversity and evenness in the unsprayed Bt and non-Bt cotton during two successive years. But the differences were found between sprayed and unsprayed plots. The higher diversity indices in insecticide treated plots suggest that insecticide sprays had a significant impact in eliminating the rare species and hence increased the diversity due to higher evenness among the species. The reduced insecticide use in Bt cotton increased the stability of rare species and have a positive impact on beneficial insect community. The seed treatment in transgenic Bt cotton proved to be very effective in controlling sucking insect pests complex during early stages of crop. Although, Bt cotton significantly reduced the use of insecticides against bollworms, but farmers still relied heavily on the chemicals to control these pests, as they were not sure of its effectiveness against target pests, because, they were easily convinced by the commercial advertisements of pesticide companies. The results revealed that the judicious use of insecticides in Bt cotton at economic threshold level was provided the salubrious conditions for beneficial insects conservation. The efficacy of Bt insecticidal protein in different plant parts was in the order of leaves>flower-bolls. The increased larval population in Bt cotton at later stages of crop indicated spatial and temporal variation of Cry1Ac toxin expression. The studies highlight that researchers, technology providers and administrators should ensure the effective and highest level of Bt toxin expression in appropriate plant parts at the requisite time, particularly late in the season.
پروفیسر عبدالمعید خاں افسوس ہے گزشتہ ماہ کی ۲۵/تاریخ کوپروفیسر عبدالمعید خاں کابھی انتقال ہوگیا۔ مرحوم برصغیر کے اساتذہ ٔ عربی واسلامیات میں ایک نمایاں مقام رکھتے تھے۔ انھوں نے پہلے قاہرہ میں کئی برس مقیم رہ کر وہاں سے ڈی۔لٹ کی ڈگری لی اور پھر کیمبرج سے پی۔ایچ ڈی کیا۔اس کے بعد جامعہ عثمانیہ سے وابستہ ہوئے تو ایسے کہ ساری زندگی یہیں بیت دی۔ابھی دوتین برس ہوئے وہ صدر شعبۂ عربی کے عہدہ سے سبکدوش ہوئے تھے۔ ۳۵برس سے اسلامیات کے مشہور اوربلند پایہ سہ ماہی رسالہ’’اسلامک کلچر‘‘کے ایڈیٹر اوربارہ برس سے دائرۃ المعارف کے ناظم تھے۔ اس درمیان میں امریکہ اور یورپ کے جامعات میں وزیٹنگ پروفیسر کی حیثیت سے بھی کام کرتے رہے۔ بیرونی ممالک کے بعض سفروں میں راقم الحروف اوروہ دونوں ہم سفر تھے۔اخلاق وعادات کے اعتبار سے بہت سادہ اورمنکسر المزاج تھے۔ اگرچہ انھوں نے بہت کم لکھاہے اوراس کی وجہ یہ ہے کہ وہ شروع سے ہی خرابی صحت کاشکار تھے اوراسی سبب سے ڈاکٹروں کی ہدایت کے مطابق عمر بھرمجرد رہے، لیکن جوکچھ لکھاہے بہت سخت لکھاہے۔ عمر۶۶برس کے لگ بھگ ہوگی۔ عقیدہ اورعمل کے لحاظ سے پکے اورسچے مسلمان تھے۔ اﷲ تعالیٰ ان کو مغفرت کی نعمت سے سرفراز فرمائے۔ [اکتوبر۱۹۷۳ء]
Allah has revealed Holy Quran to guide and transform the lives of human being. According to Hadith, Quran was revealed in seven dialects because it is the name of wisdom. So, seven alphabets have numerous philosophies and benefits embedded in them. In this article introduction of Quran along with literal and figurative meanings have been elaborated. Details of seven alphabets have been explained vividly besides literal and figurative meanings of seven alphabets have been expounded. After that three important axioms of savants have been narrated. Amongst them, Imam Razi’s axiom is cited specially. In the last, modern axiom is given with explanation in a lucid way. A part from that, the logics and reasons behind the revelation of Quran in seven dialects have been deliberated including revelation of Quran in Arabic language, affection of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) for Ummah, convenience for Muslim Nation, satisfaction for nature, eradication of linguistic bias amongst Arabs, consensus of two commands, narration of two commands of different versions. Abundance of virtues, legitimacy of Qur’an, statures of readers and replicators of readers and others have been mooted exhaustively. In the end, article is summarized in the light of modern era.
QURANIC CONCEPT OF SOCIETY AND MODERN CHALLENGES The thesis has been divided into five chapters. Details are as under: First chapter deals with the social structure of life. Since human beings are the basic pillars of social 1ife, so in this chapter the real worth of man has been discussed in detail. Validity of Darwin's Concept of Evolution has been discussed. The concept of the Quranic teaching on the subject has been also given comparatively. Second chapter deals with civilization and culture. The procedure adopted by the Holy Prophet to convert the existing Arabic culture into Islamic one has been discussed in detail and it is also discussed that how Islamic values have been made part and parcel of uncivilized Arab culture. Third chapter deals with the elements of society. The important elements of society in the light of Quranic message and the ways and means to reform society as per the Quran, has been explained in detail. Fourth chapter consists of values. It is a very vast and all encompassing term which covers all social maters. Important social values recommended for society by the Quran have been discussed in this chapter. Fifth and final chapter has been dedicated for discussion of challenges which Muslim society may suffer. The Quranic teachings are most natural and useful for reformation of human society. However, in practical modern life there are certain proЫems and hindrances which modern Muslim societies are confronted with. In this chapter such difficulties and challenges have been pointed out and some measures have been recommended to eliminate these proЫems.