Investigations into production potential of maize (Zea maize L. cv. Pioneer 30-Y- 87) as affected by intercropping, planting geometry, population dynamics and fertilizer management was carried out at the Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, in two field experiments during Kharif 2006 and 2007. Both experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with split arrangements. First experiment consisted of three nitrogen levels (150, 200 and 250 kg ha -1 ), two zinc levels (0 and 15 kg ha -1 ) and three population densities (57100, 71400, and 999000 plants ha -1 ). Fertilizers were kept in main plots and plant densities in sub-plots. Second experiment comprised of three intercropping systems i.e. maize alone, maize + mungbean (Vigna radiate L.) and maize + mashbean (Vigna mungo L.) and three planting geometries (70 cm apart single row planting, 105/35 cm apart paired row planting, and 140/35 cm apart three row planting, respectively), keeping planting geometries in main plots while intercropping systems in sub-plots. Sowing was done with the help of a dibbler to ensure desired plant population. The results of the experiments are briefly described as under. In the first experiment, growth and development of maize crop was maximum with increase in nitrogen from 150 to 250 kg ha + 15 kg Zn ha -1 and consequently, yield (24 %) and yield components increased. LAI, LAD, and CGR increased with increasing plant populations. Although, yield components decreased with elevated plant densities yet grain yield increased due to more number of plants per unit area. In the second experiment, maize crop sown in double row strips proved superior to other planting geometries in terms of yield and yield components. Although intercropping of legumes in maize reduced growth and development, yield components and finally the grain yield of maize, however additional benefits obtained from intercrops compensated more than the losses in maize production. The effect of planting geometries and intercropping systems was non-significant on grain quality of maize.
Arabian Peninsula was famous for its language expertise and linguistic expressions at the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The poets and language experts would spend most of their lives to attain excellence in Arabic language and literature. It was during such time that a man named Muhammad (ﷺ) emerged, whose linguistic expression was remarkable, accurate and amazing. He was also quite familiar with the dialects and accents of every tribe of Arabia. It was the surprising effect of this linguistic excellence that people tagged him with different titles such as Poet, Sorcerer, Kāhin (soothsayer), Majnūn (One possessed by Jinn), and insane man with insane message. Allah Almighty revealed Qur’ānic verses not only to answer such allegations but also entrusted him to present commentary of the Holy Qur’ān to the people who would called him illiterate. This article will try to find out the Qur’ānic commentary on the linguistic expressions of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as a miracle of revelation. The method of research is descriptive analytical and historical. The discussion of verses of Qur’ān and the explanations of the experts of Qur’ān through the comments of orientalists have been included to support the arguments. First Part of the paper discusses status of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as an illiterate man with his remarkable linguistic expressions of Qur’ān due to which he was awarded different titles such as poet, sorcerer and insane. The second part explains the Qur’ānic response to accusations on Prophet (ﷺ) raised by the opponents. In the third part, some intellectual arguments of Qur’ān and opinions of orientalist have been discussed to support the Qur’ānic responses in favor of linguistic expressions of an “Ummi” Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) which is followed by findings and conclusion of the whole discussion.
A Hermeneutic Study of Metaphor and Meaning Making in Bulleh Shah's Poetry This interdisciplinary, qualitative study addresses key issues of relationship between language, meaning and life. It makes an entry, through Bulleh Shah’s Punjabi poetry as a case, into the conceptual world of Sufi poetry as an authentic domain of knowledge, and argues that mystics’ language articulates profound, high truths. This research focuses on metaphor as a discursive strategy that embodies abstract concepts in concrete images to perform ontological, epistemological and cognitive functions. Ricoeur’s (2004) poetic hermeneutics of recovery underpins the theoretical approaches and ways of interpretation of the mystical discourse of Bulleh Shah. A detailed hermeneutic analysis and interpretation of Alif, one of the dominant metaphors for God in Sufi literature, is followed by the focus converging on three universal metaphors in mystical literature - Love, Journey and Transformation, expressed under culture-specific images in Bulleh Shah’s poetry. This study explores new vistas of research, looks at the interconnections between the sacred and the secular, the local and the universal, broadens the parameters of English Studies, and introduces a new paradigm shift that revises the relationship of English language and literature with local cultural and literary traditions in the perspective of sacred literature, and opens up the indigenous discourse in local context. It questions the assumed centrality of English literature in the English discipline, challenges the fixity of its canons and conventions, and replenishes the complete dearth of serious academic work on local literature by admitting Punjabi Sufi poetry as appropriate subject for study in English Studies. My application of Western theories of language and metaphor to Punjabi Sufi poetry and its hermeneutic interpretation in English language incorporates it in English Studies. This study also adds to Translation Studies by looking at the issue of untranslatability of metaphor in mythic language and letter mysticism, and offers possibilities to future researchers to reread and rethink about the interconnections between English literature and local literatures, and include more voices from the peripheries in the construct of English Studies.