Intensive agriculture has degraded the soil and yield owing to reduction in organic matter. Increasing cost and nutrient losses, associated with the inorganic fertilizers always demand some alternate arrangements. Maize (being a C4 crop) based cropping systems exploit available soil nutrient resources in an exhaustive manner which ultimately reduces the fertility status of the soils. Integrated nutrient management approaches with green manuring (GM) and composted poultry manure (CPM) may improve this situation. Two years’ field experiments on maize, comprising four consecutive seasons (autumn 2016, spring 2017, autumn 2017 and spring 2018) were carried out at Agronomic Research area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. GM and CPM were used as tools to enhance soil productivity and agronomic nutrient efficiency in two experiments which were continued side by side. In first experiment, production potential of maize was evaluated under six levels of nitrogen i.e., 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of recommended dose with and without GM. In second experiment, again performance of maize was observed under six levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) i.e., 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of their respective recommended dose in combination with two levels of CPM (control & 3 ton ha-1). Results showed that in both the experiments regarding N and NPK levels with GM and CPM respectively, maximum values of number of grain rows per cob, number of grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and agronomic N efficiency were obtained where 100% rate was applied in autumn, 2016. However across the two years, statistically no difference were found in all plant growth results between 60% and 100% fertilizer rates, while the 60% rate was more economical than 100%. Application of N and NPK at 100% rate during both the experiments produced highest plant height, cob diameter and biological compared with lower levels. In the first experiment, GM improved grain yield in almost every season (21% in autumn 2016, 33% in spring 2017, 37% in autumn 2017 & 48% in spring 2018). Likewise, GM also resulted in substantial increase in soil organic matter (OM) (40% 67%, 88% & 88%), available N (55%, 140%, 210% & 219%), total P (14%, 69%, 112% & 128%) respectively. Similarly, the results of second experiment disclosed that CPM improved grain yield in all seasons (21% in autumn 2016, 26% in spring 2017, 36% in autumn 2017 & 51% in spring, 2018). CPM also resulted in significant increase in OM (30%, 84%, 41% & 120%), available N (60%, 166%, 219% & 231%), total P (35%, 58%, 89% & 127%), and total potassium (K) (14%, 15%, 23% & 26%) respectively. In conclusion, continuous application of GM/CPM for two years along with 60% N/NPK rates economized the cost of production, improved soil health and maize yield on sustainable basis.
نور حسین نور میواتی(۱۹۴۵ء۔پ) چوہان کی ریاست الور(بھارت) کے علاقہ سپوات میں پیدا ہوئے ۔ قیام پاکستان کے بعد ان کے والدین بھارت سے ہجرت کر کے موضع رام رائیاں تحصیل ڈسکہ میں آباد ہو گئے۔ (۱۰۰۴) نور میواتی نظم گو اور غزل گو شاعرہیں۔ ان کے ہاں روایت اور جدت کا امتزاج ملتا ہے۔ وہ طبقاتی تفاوت کے خلاف اپنی شاعری میں نفرت آمیز احتجاج کی صدا بلند کرتے نظر آتے ہیں۔ ان کے ہاں سیاسی اور سماجی شعور بھی ملتا ہے۔ انھیں بھوک، غربت، جبر ،اقربا پروری اور نا انصافی سے نفرت ہے۔ وہ اپنی شاعری میں ظلم و ستم ،بد امنی ،خوف ،دہشت گردی اور منافقت سے بھر پور استحصالی نظام کے خلاف صدائے احتجاج بلند کرتے نظر آتے ہیں:
رہتے ہیں شب و روز دھماکوں کے جہاں میں
ہر صبح نئی آہ و بکا دیکھ رہا ہوں
مکتب میں سیاست کی ہوا دیکھ رہا ہوں
قانون کو پاؤں میں دبا دیکھ رہا ہوں
â۱۰۰۵)
نور میواتی کی شاعری مبالغہ آرائی سے پاک ہے ۔وہ ایک حقیقت پسند انسان اور فنکار ہیں۔ وہ اپنی فن کاری میں حقیقت اور حق گوئی کو نظر انداز نہیں کر تے۔ سچائی اور صداقت ان کی شاعری کی ایک اہم خوبی ہے۔ انسانی زندگی غم اور خوشی کا مجموعہ ہے۔ ایسا نہیں کہ جس کے پاس غم ہے اس کے پاس خوشی نہیں اور ایسا بھی نہیں کہ جس کا دامن خوشیوں سے بھرا ہووہ غم سے دو چار نہیں ہوتا۔ میواتی انسان کی زندگی کی تلخ حقیقت کو جا بجا اپنی شاعری میں بیان کرتے ہیں:
Almighty Allah created the man, endowed him with intellect and raised prophets among humanity for guidance. The scriptures were revealed by him which contained Divine commandments. Allah granted the prophets the power to show miracles to prove the truth of His message. Every prophet was endowed with miracles according to the need of hour and divine wisdom. The prophethood continued generation after generation and the prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace and greeting) is the last in the chain of prophets. He was stengthened with countless miracles by Allah. Among these miracles, the Holy Qur`an is the greatest which is a universal and eternal miracle of the last prophet (peace be upon him).
The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of specially designed hands-on activities in developing conceptual understanding of the scientific method. It has been discussed in nature of science texts that the scientific method is an approach to undertake scientific investigations but it is not the only method. There could be non-linearity and non-rigidity in the sequence of the investigation process and the chance of serendipity during scientific discoveries is always present. However, several research studies have shown that teachers have a vague understanding of the scientific method or think that it is to be followed rigidly. This qualitative study which summarizes the research conducted on six middle school science teachers from Shining Light private school in Karachi. The data collection tools were pre-test, worksheets, observational checklist, reflective diary, and post-test. The purpose of the pre-test was to develop an understanding of the teachers’ prior knowledge of the scientific method which was followed by three half day workshops spread over six weeks.Five activities were designed and implemented in the workshop to develop the teachers’ understanding of the scientific method. After the workshop, a post-test was administered to assess the learning of the participants about the scientific method. The pre and post-test were same in order to track the conceptual understanding of participants as related to the scientific method. The findings of this research study report that participants who had a partial understanding in the pre-test developed a sound understanding of the scientific method in the post-test. Teachers grasped the key ideas that there is non-linearity, flexibility and serendipity during scientific investigations. The steps in the scientific method need not be followed in sequential order. The findings of the study illustrate that the hands-on activities facilitate teachers in improving conceptual understanding of the scientific method. Further, this teaching strategy was also effective in developing the communication skills; creating discussion, enhancing active engagement and altering misconceptions in the learners. Thus, this study concludes that naïve ideas of the scientific method can be improved by employing hands-on activities. However, it was challenging to design and implement the hands-on activities without pedagogical content knowledge and guidance of the supervisor. Hence, this study brings the implications for the science teachers and teacher educators that they should employ hands-on activities in the classroom because it is vital to understand the actual essence of scientific method.