Disparity in Political Participation on Social Media Public Sphere among Male and Female Students

Social media has become a key term in new participatory political discourse. Previous studies argued that youth is least interested in democracies and politics; hence, this study aims to explore the role of social media in increasing political participation among male and female university students. Data was collected from a sample of 340 students, chosen from equal gender proportion of five universities with purposive sampling technique to conduct quantitative survey research. The findings of study revealed a positive relationship between political participation and social media usage of students. It also confirms that majority respondents were using social media for political information but the trend is more popular among the male students as compared to females. Male participants were more involved in discussing politics and posting political content on social media, while females were more active in actionable politics like casting vote. The study concludes that social media is playing a significant role in enhancing political participation among university students and predicts a better future of democracies in social media world as new technology provides the language that young voters understand. It also realized that measures are required to attract female students towards participatory politics in Pakistan. ______

Impact of Carbohydrate-Nitrogen Ratio and Photosynthetic Activities on Plant Growth, Fruit Yield and Quality of ‘Kinnow’ Mandarin Citrus Nobilis Lour. X Citrus Deliciosa Tenora

The current study was conducted to determine the effects of balance use of fertilization particularly nitrogen with or without biostimulant on Carbohydrate-Nitrogenratio (C:N) and photosynthesis and then effect of both on production and quality of fruits. Three different experiments were planned and executed. In the first experiment, different nitrogen doses (1200, 900 and 600 g) along with humic acid (HA) (120 ml of 8% solution) per plant were applied in three installments and these plants were compared with control plants (receiving 1200 g N in two installments) for vegetative and reproductive growth. Application of 900 g N per tree with 120 ml HA was found the best regarding the increase in photosynthesis (4.47) and low C:N ratio (4.78) of plant at fruit setting stage which improved the yield (956 fruit/plant) and other quality related parameter of ‘Kinnow’. Maximum TSS (12.20 oBrix), ascorbic acid (44.96 mg/100g), total sugars (13.69%), reducing sugars (5.44%), non-reducing sugars (7.57%), phenolic compounds (398.55 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidants (90.13 Ic μg/L) were also recorded in the fruit of this treatment. This treatment had also effect on plant growth with an increase of 20.64 cm in plant height and 37.25 cm3 in canopy volume. In second experiment three concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid (AA) were used for the optimization of best dose. The results elucidated stimulating effects of SA (6 mM) and AA (120 ppm) on photosynthesis and nitrogen use and decreased the C:N ratio of the plants. These effects indicate maximum utilization of carbohydrates in growth and development of the plant. Plants treated with SA (6 mM) showed higher values of biochemical parameters of ‘Kinnow’ fruits such as TSS (12.00 oBrix), ascorbic acid (46.51 mg/100g), fructose (2.95%), glucose (2.85%), sucrose (7.90%), phenolic compounds (360.42 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidants (89.55 (Ic μg/L). Application of AA (120 ppm) improved ascorbic acid (46.51 mg/100g), reducing sugars (4.23%), non-reducing sugars (8.50%), antioxidants (87.63 μg/L) and phenolic compounds (365.24 mg GAE/100 g) in fruit. Plant growth was significantly affected by the above mentioned treatment of SA (6 mM) with an increase of 22.46 cm in plant height and 23.45 cm3 increase in canopy volume. In third experiment combined effect of N, SA and AA was in confirmation with the previous results of photosynthesis, C:N ratio and productivity of the plant. Plants treated with combined dose of SA, AA and N showed higher biochemical parameters of ‘Kinnow’ fruits such as TSS (12.20 oBrix), ascorbic acid (54.64 mg/100g), total sugars (14.30%), reducing sugars (1.81%), non-reducing 2 sugars (12.49%). Maximum total phenolic compounds (394.58 mg GAE/100 g) were also noted in the fruit of this treatment. Effect of this treatment was depicted with an increase of 24.85 cm in plant height, 2.34 cm in stem girth and 35.65 cm3 in canopy volume. Correlation between fruit yield and biochemical/physiological parameters showed significant effect on fruit yield. Correlation was found significant between C:N ratio and physiological parameters, such as photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration in plants. All these physiological process have direct or indirect relation with fruit production. The yield potential of a plant can be measured directly from total number of fruit per plant, however in this study involvement of photosynthetic activities in relation to C:N ratio at different growth stages of plant could be proved a good predictor of fruit yield. Conclusively, application of 900 g N per tree and 120ml HA in equal three splits (before flowering, fruit setting and fruit maturation) along with recommended doses phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) (600 and 600g) per tree can be used effectively to build synergistic photosynthetic and C:N ratio to improve the leaf nutrient status, fruit yield and quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin.