Nutritionally balanced mixture of ingredients provided to fish, support the maintenance, growth, reproductive performance, flesh quality and health of the animals at an acceptable cost. The feed supplementation affects the water quality and culture systems. Aflatoxins are a family of ex- tremely toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic compounds produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. The present study was planned to study the effect of aflatoxin B1 on growth and his- tology of various development stages of Catla catla. For this purpose three trials were conducted on the different age groups i.e. advanced fry, fingerlings and on fingerling fish intra peritonially. Aspergillus parasiticus. National Road Racing League (NRRL) 2999 was grown on rice for afla- toxin production in Quality Operation Lab. Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Uni- versity of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore). A total number of 25 healthy Catla catla weighing 150±10 gm were collected from Fish Farm of the University and maintained in glass aquaria. The fish were supplied with a commercial fish ration (fish meal, maize gluten meal, soyabean meal, sunflower meal, rice polish, molases) previously analyzed without detectable af- o latoxin B1. The water temperature was kept at 29±2 C throughout the experiment. Aflatoxin B1 was administered intra peritoneally beneath the pelvic fin in each Catla catla weighing 150 gm. Dosages prepared were 0.09 ml aflatoxin B1/1cc distilled water, 0.180ml/1.5 cc distilled water, 0.271ml/2 cc distilled water, 0.361ml/2.5 cc distilled water 0.451 ml/3 cc distilled water which was here after regarded as 10 ppb, 20ppb, 30ppb, 40ppb, 50ppb respectively and served as dif- ferent treatments. Control group, however, did not receive any aflatoxin B1. Blood was sampled over 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours and 120 hours and collected from the caudal vein, gills and heart using a medical syringe previously rinsed with 2.7% ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) solution for laboratory analysis. Haematological parameters, like red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin (HB), albumen (ALB), and globulin(GLB) levels, A:G and Total Protein were determined. The result showed that Catla catla is very susceptible to aflatoxin intoxication. If injected intraperitoneally its toxicity spread immediately to each and every part of its body, hold control of each organ, destabilize, and disrupts its function changing its products or making of its own will. The cas- cade of events totally damages the functioning and viability of an organ ultimately succumbing the animal. In the 2nd experiment, advanced fry Catla catla were used as an experimental animals and studies were conducted for the period of three months. There were 5 treatments and a control with two replicates in each.180 advanced fry were randomly stocked having 15 No. each glass aquaria. 30% crude protein containing feed ingredients such as fish meal, maize gluten meal, soya bean meal, sunflower meal, rice polish and molasses were analyzed for the presence or absence of tox- ins by qualitative and quantitative methods. Control group was free of aflatoxins while the re- maining 5 treatment received aflatoxin in the order of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppb hereafter termed as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5. All the fishes in various groups were regularly and equally fed at the rate of 5% of their body weight daily. Response to feed was measured in growth increments and his- topathological damages to the tissues /cells in vital organs. All the water quality parameters were monitored on fortnightly basis. At the end of the experiment, all fishes were harvested weighed, measured and dissected for histopathological studies. The result showed that the advanced fry of Catla catla were more susceptible as compared to fingerlings. Fishes in control group grew much better than those exposed to aflatoxin containing feed. In the 3rd trial, fingerling of Catla catla were stocked in the aquariums for the period of three months. In this trial aflatoxin produced in the trial was mixed in feed at various proportions to elucidate its effect on growth performance of fingerlings Catla catla. For this experiment 10 fin- gerling were stocked into twelve glass aquaria containing twenty liter of water. One control without aflatoxin B1 while other five test groups with duplicate received aflatoxin B1. After twelve week experimental period, liver, kidney and intestine were collected from the control and aflatoxin B1 exposed groups for histopathological studies of fingerlings. Feed ingredients such as fish meal, maize gluten meal, soya bean meal, sunflower meal, rice polish and molasses were analysed for the presence or absence of toxins by qualitative and quantitative methods. The re- sults showed that Catla catla is very susceptible to aflatoxin intoxication. If administered orally its toxicity spread slowly and steadily with the increments of dosage. The control aquarium showed the best growth while growth decreased from T1 to T5 when aflatoxin B1 dose increased in the feed. This cascade of events totally damaged the functioning and viability of an organ ul- timately succumbing the animal to death.
Education plays a very important role in the life of individulals, society and the state. Dawa, tarbiya and modern media are also considered informal parts of education. Edcuational issues being confronted by the Pakistani community today are not mere outcome of recent government policies but are rather extension of legacy of our colonial past. Aligarh is the symmbol of Westernized modern education advocated by pro-West Sir Syed Ahamd Khan whereas Deoband is the role model of religious education sponsored by the religious elite of that time. The former is deprived of religious education and tarbiya while the latter ignores secular knowledge and skills. The need of the hour is that we get rid of this educational dichotomy and develop an holistic educational system integrating healthy aspecths of both these streams so that graduates of general and modern education do benefit from religious norms; and graduates of religious education are also well aware of modern knowledge and skills. We will discuss these issues in this paper in perspective of Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Ghazi’s reflections on this topic.
This dissertation encompasses a multifaceted study comprised of floristic diversity, ethnobotany, vegetation profile, assessment of some selected ethnomedicinal and palatable forage plants for elemental nutrition, proximate composition and secondary metabolites, palatability, seasonal availability and animal preference of forage/fodder plants of Tall Dardyal. The study was conducted during 2013-2015. Sum 324 plant species belonging to 251 genera and 93 families were recorded from the area. Out of these, 78 families were dicots, 08 monocots, 02 gymnosperms and 05 pteridophytes. Monocot genera were 32 and dicot genera, 206. Gymnosperms and pteridophytes have 04 and 09 genera respectively. Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae and Papillionaceae were the dominant families of the area. The flora included 297 wild species (91.66%) while 27 cultivated species (8.33%). Deciduous species were 298(91.97%) and evergreen 26(8.02%), 311 non-spiny (95.98%) and 13(4.01%) were spiny species. Heliophytes and sciophytes were 248(76.54%) and 76(23.45%) respectively. Of the total 324 species, 217 species (66.97%) were of dry habitat, 92 species (28.39%) of moist habitat and 15 species (4.62%) were aquatic. Therophytes were the dominant life form followed by hemicryptophytes with regard to biological spectrum. The predominant leaf size spectra were microphylls followed by nanophylls, mesophylls and leptophylls. As regards the leaf types, 245 species (75.61%) had simple leaves, whereas 76 species (23.45%) had compound leaves. Aphyllous were represented by only 03 species (0.92%). Forty nine plant communities were established, among these 17 herbs communities, 16 shrubs and trees communities each in the selected sub-localities (stands). Plant communities were established on the basis of percent frequency value using TWINSPAN analysis with β-diversity dissimilarity index under JUICE 7.0. These communities were comprised of 108 plant species. Among these, 75 were herbs, 18 shrubs and 15 trees. Species ordination of each sub-locality for herbs, shrubs and trees were performed by Principle Component Analysis (PCA) using CANOCO Version 4.5. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 224 plant species were used by the local inhabitants for various livelihood. Among these 125(56.30%) species were used as fodder/forage; 78(35.13%) species for fuel purpose; 75(33.78%) species as xvii medicinal plants; 17(33.78%) as vegetables; 12(5.40%) species as timber wood and 11(4.95%) species for thatching purpose. Eight (3.60%) species were planted as fence around cultivated fields for protection against the grazing animals. Six (2.70%) species were used for making furniture and 05(2.25%) species each as brooms making and ornamental. Four plant species each (1.80%) was used as cereals and fruits. The ratio of poisonous plant species was 04(1.80%). Three plant species (1.35%) were swarmed by honey bees which contributed to honey production. Dish washing and herbal tea plant species (2 species, each, 0.90%) were also found. Origanum vulgare was used by the indigenes as a detergent for washing dairy dishes. Fiber yielding, condiment/spice and milk curding plant species (01 species, each, 0.45%) were used by the local inhabitants. Ethnomedicinal relevance showed that 71 medicinal plant secies belonging to 48 families were used to treat about 40 human disorders. Family Rosaceae (08 species) was predominantly followed by Lamiaceae (06 species), Asteraceae (04 species), Amaranthaceae and Pinaceae with three species each. Ajuga integrifolia, Thymus linearis, Artemisia vulgaris, Berberis lycium, Dysphania botrys and Sarcococca saligna were frequently used in the local health care system to treat various ailments. Common diseases treated with these medicinal plant species were arthritis, kidney stone, typhoid fever, stomach problems, hepatitis, jaundice and diabetes. Herbal therapies revealed that majority of medicinal plants were wild herbs followed by wild shrubs and wild trees. Plant parts used as herbal remedies comprised of leaves followed by whole plant, fruits, bark, seed, root, young shoot, rhizome, fresh flower, fruit pulp, husk and resin. Oral mode of administration was the principle method followed by topical treatment. Decoction was the most common herbal preparation followed by powder, infusion, juice, paste, chewing, warming, oil and milk mix. Macro and micro-nutrients were found in herb species at all the three phenological stages in descending order of Mg > Ca > Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Ni > Co > Cu > Cd = Na > Cr whereas Ag was absent in Dysphania botrys. These elements, in shrubs, were found in the order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Co > Zn > Na > Cd > Cr > Ag. Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana and Elaeagnus umbellata were investigated for mineral nutrients. They were present in the order of Ca > Fe > Mg > Mn > Pb > Zn > Ni and Co, Cu, Na, Cd, Cr and Ag showed variation in quantity. Proximate xviii analysis (moisture, ash, crude fats, crude fibers, soluble proteins and carbohydrates) at three phenological stages of the selected plants showed variation, decreased and increased tendency towards maturity stage. The secondary metabolites were predominantly found in ethanolic crude extract followed by ethyl-acetate and chloroform fractions and rarely observed in nhexane fraction. The palatable plant species were 122, among them, 78 species were herbs, 14 species were shrubs and 30 species were trees. The seasonal availability of palatable forage plants revealed that 95 were available in April, 111 in May, 97 in June, 91 in July, 88 in August, 68 in September, 47 in October, 27 in November and 07 species in December. Goats and sheep preferred 44 species, among them 04 species were herbs, 13 were shrubs and 27 species were trees. There were 43 herb species commonly used as fodder by cow, buffalo and donkey. Out of these, 09 species were exclusively preferred by cow, buffalo. Soil textural class was mostly loamy and clay loam with pH from 5.0 to 6.9. Organic matter contents were 1.06 to 1.59% and lime was in the range of 8.2 to 10.1%. Macro and micronutrients i.e. Nitrogen was present in the range of 0.07 to 0.25%, Ca 0.01 to 0.1%, Mg 0.005 to 0.05%, Phosphorus 1.02 to 6.08 mg kg-1, Potassium 82 to 130 mg kg-1, Copper 0.3 to 0.9 mg kg-1, Iron 2.2 to 4.5 mg kg-1, Zinc 0.7 to 1.7 mg kg-1 and Manganese 0.4 to 1.3 mg kg-1. The study provides a baseline for the vegetation of the area, which can further be used in a variety of ways for scientific exploration and wellbeing of the associated communities of the area.