Home > Regulation of Growth and Some Key Physiological and Biochemical Attributes in Salt Stressed Plants of Rice Oryza Sativa L. by Exogenous Application of Nitric Oxide
Regulation of Growth and Some Key Physiological and Biochemical Attributes in Salt Stressed Plants of Rice Oryza Sativa L. by Exogenous Application of Nitric Oxide
Keeping in view the newly discovered role of nitric oxide in plant growth, development and salt tolerance, an initial experiment was carried out for optimization of nitric oxide concentrations, which were most effective in improving the seed germination rate and early seedlings growth in rice under saline stress. Pre-sowing seed treatment with varying levels (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mM) of nitric oxide was applied to seeds of four rice cultivars (Shaheen Basmati, Basmati PB-95, KS-282 and IRRI-6), which were subjected to two levels (0 and 80 mM) of salt stress. Salt stress markedly inhibited the seed germination attributes and early seedlings growth in all four rice cultivars. Of all nitric oxide levels 0.5 mM was slightly effective, however, 0.1 and 0.2 mM were most effective in improving seed germination attributes and early seedlings growth of salt stressed rice plants. The both levels (0.1 and 0.2 mM), which were found relatively more effective in first experiment, were used in the yield experiment to study the regulatory role of nitric oxide on various growth, physiological and biochemical attributes of salt stressed rice plants. In this experiment both pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar spray modes were adopted for exogenous addition of nitric oxide to salt stressed rice plants. Salt stress caused a marked suppression growth, chlorophyll content, gas exchange attributes, chlorophyll fluorescence, uptake of essential nutrients, total phenolics and yield content while increased tissue Na+ and Cl- , proline, ascorbic acid, MDA, H2O2 and the activity of antioxidant enzymes including CAT, POD and SOD in all four rice cultivars. Of both nitric oxide levels, 0.1 mM was relatively more effective in improving growth and physiological attributes of salt stressed rice plants as compared to 0.2 mM. Of all four rice cultivars, Shaheen Basmati and IRRI-6 performed better for chlorophyll content, gas exchange attributes and activity of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, POD and CAT), while KS-282 and IRRI-6 performed better for, total phenolics and yield content. Overall, exogenous nitric oxide treatment was effective in improving fresh and dry biomasses (in both shoots and roots), chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, water relation attributes, K+/Na+ ratio, Ca2+ content, activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and proline content, while in decreasing Na+ and Cl- ions, MDA and H2O2 content.
Pakistan emerged on the map of world in 1947 as an Islamic state on the basis of two nation theory. Islam was the main binding force behind that unprecedented successful struggle. The inherent education system of Pakistan was greatly influenced by British and Indian education system. Since independence, various education policies and plans were formulated to align our education system with our philosophical foundation. During period 1983-1998, population education was integrated in school curriculum in three phases. The main objective of study was to evaluate the objectives of curricula on basis of Islamic philosophy. This study was delimited secondary school curriculum for class 1-10. The researcher used document analysis and expert review. The data obtained were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted statistically. The findings of study revealed that Population education remained a controversial area among curriculum developers.
Background: Patient satisfaction is one of the key indicators by which the quality of healthcare service is evaluated. The World Conference of Family Doctors African Chapter's (WONCA-Africa) encourages Family Medicine practices to regularly assess their patients' satisfaction as one of the criteria for benchmarking and auditing the quality of primary care in Africa. The Kenyan government, in a quest to improve primary care provision, has formulated policy to make family physicians essential players in coordinating and enhancing standards of primary care.
Objective: This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with the quality of primary health care services provided by family physicians at the Family Medicine Clinic Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study using a modified version of the post-consultation General Practice Assessment Questionnaire (GPAQ-R) was conducted. A total of 317 patients were selected through systematic random sampling. Level of satisfaction was calculated by averaging summing the total scores of different domains in the questionnaire. The cut off for the level of satisfaction was 82 points out of a possible 128 points. Exploratory Factor analysis derived factors affecting overall satisfaction. The correlation of the independent variables with overall satisfaction was analysed using the Chi-Square test.
Results: Of the 310 study respondents, 93% were satisfied with the care provided. The overall mean patient satisfaction score (standard deviation) was 103.14 (14.2). Factors that mostly contributed to overall patient satisfaction were effective communication (variance 31 %) and timeliness of care (variance 8 %). Patients with long-standing conditions were more satisfied than those with acute conditions. (99.01 % v 90 %, p=0.006).
Conclusion and recommendation: Patients were highly satisfied with the care provided at the Family Medicine Clinic. Communication and timeliness of care contributed to overall satisfaction. Patients' with chronic conditions were found to be satisfied with the care provided. Additional research that incorporates a care provider's perspective may be required to better elucidate enablement and empathy as factors that affect patient satisfaction. Furthermore, we recommend a study that addresses financial accessibility, infrastructure and clinical competencies of care providers in the assessment.