Economic Effect of Different Plant Establishment Technoques on Rice, Oryza Sativa Production

Tahir Hussain Awan, Inalyat Ali, M. Ehsan Safdar, Mirza M. Ashraf and Muhammad Yaqub

Abstract
Economic effect of different plant establishment techniques on rice (Oryza sativa L.) production was studied at Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore during kharif season 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. In this experiment, seven planting techniques were compared with the conventional method of transplanting. Five direct seeding techniques (drilling of soaked seed in wattar soil, drilling of soaked seed on raised beds-2 rows on each bed, drilling of soaked seed in zero-tilled soil, broadcasting of soaked seed in wattar soil and broadcasting of sprouted seed in puddled soil) and three transplanting techniques (parachute transplanting, line transplanting and farmer method of random transplanting) were included. The results showed that plant height, productive tillers/m2, filled grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight, root length and paddy yield were significantly high in line transplanting and minimum in drill sowing of soaked seed in zero-tilled soil. Sterility was low in line transplanting (12.53%) and farmer method of random transplanting (13.07%) but high in drilling of soaked seed in zero-tillage (16.05%) and broadcasting of soaked seed in wattar soil (15.38%). Economics of planting methods showed that cost-benefit-ratio increased in case of line transplanting (1:1.62) due to maximum paddy yield followed by drilling in zero tilled soil (1:1.47). Although paddy yield in zero tillage drilling was the lowest but the cost-benefit ratio was better than the other six methods due to less cultivation cost. The lowest benefit was obtained in case of farmers practice (random transplanting).

Keywords: Oryza sativa, sowing methods; seedlings; broadcasting; agronomic characters; Pakistan.

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Comparison of Seed Potato Produced from Different Rapid Multiplication Sources Againts PVX, PVY, And PVS Throug Eliza

Muhammad Burhan, Muhammad Aslam Khan, Muhammad Irfanullah, Muhammad Ishfaq and Muhammad Ehsan Javed

Abstract
These studies were conducted at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2004. In these studies, 216 leaf samples of three potato varieties (Cardinal, Diamant and Desiree) were compared to know the status of material being produced by rapid multiplication sources through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against potato virus X (PVX), potato virus Y (PVY) and potato virus S (PVS). The samples were collected from three sources i.e. Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) and National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE). Out of 72 samples of each variety from three sources, two samples of Cardinal, three samples of Diamant and four samples of Desiree were infected with PVX. Maximum PVX recovery (2.88%) was found in PSC samples as compared to NIBGE (2.16%) and AARI (1.44%). Three samples of each Cardinal and Diamant and five samples of Desiree were infected with PVY. Maximum PVY was found in PSC samples (5.04%) followed by NIBGE (2.16%) and AARI (0.72%). Three samples of Cardinal, four of Diamant and seven samples of Desiree were infected with PVS from three sources. Maximum PVS recovery (5.46%) was found in PSC samples followed by NIBGE (2.88%) and AARI (1.44%) samples.

Keywords: Solanum tuberosum; cultivars; viruses; testing; Pakistan.

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Identification of restores and Maintainers for Developing Hibrid Rice

M. Sabar, M. Akhter, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Syed Sultan Ali and Mushtaq Ahmad

Abstract
Some genetic material was evaluated at Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore during 2002-2004 for its use in hybrid rice technology. One hundred and nine rice genotypes were evaluated for their status in hybrid rice parental gene pool. Twenty restorers and 26 maintainers have been identified for use in hybrid rice research programme. Maintainer lines possessing desirable characteristics will be converted into cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines to utilize for the development of rice hybrids.

Keywords: Oryza sativa; genotypes; crossbreeding; hybrids; Pakistan.

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Utilization of Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis for Seed Yield Improvement in Mustard, Brassica Juncea

Muhammad Akbar, Usman Saleem, Tahira, Muhammad Yaqub and Nasim Iqbal

Abstract
These studies were conducted at Oilseeds Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad during 2001-02. Eight lines alongwith two varieties of Brassica juncea L. were evaluated for plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant through genotypic coefficient variability, broad sense heritability, genetic advance, correlations and path coefficient analysis. Siliquae per plant was found as strong trait for seed yield improvement because it had higher genotypic coefficient variability, broad sense heritability, genetic advance, highly significant positive correlation and maximum direct contribution for improving seed yield.

Keywords: Brassica juncea; genotypes; agronomic characters, Pakistan.

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Analysis on Combining Ability of Metric Traits in Bread Wheat, Triticum Aestivum

Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry Muhammad Sajad and Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf

Abstract
These studies were conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2003-04. Combining ability studies were performed in a 5 x 5 complete diallel cross of five wheat genotypes for traits like plant height, flag leaf area, number of tillers per plant, peduncle length, spike density, number of spikelets per spike, spike length, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant. General combining ability variance was highly significant for all the characters studied except number of spikelets per spike and grain yield per plant where it was significant and non-significant for number of tillers per plant and 1000-grain weight. Specific combining ability variance was highly significant for all the characters except spike density, which was non-significant. Reciprocal effects were highly significant for number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant, significant for spike density and spike length and non-significant for all other traits. Additive gene effects controlled the expression of all the traits as is evident by greater means squares for general combining ability except peduncle length where an expression of additive gene effects was noted.

Keywords: Triticum aestivum; genotypes; crossbreeding; agronomic characters; Pakistan.

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Current Status of National Winter Wheat Breeding in Turkey

T. Akar, S. Yazar, E. Dönmez, M. Avcý and F. Düþünceli

Abstract
Turkey with 21 million ton production is one of the most important wheat producing countries in the world. Winter-type bread and durum wheat cultivation are predominant through Trace Region, Central and Eastern Anatolia and Transitional Zones. Wheat improvement has long history in winter zones of the country and a lot of winter type bread and durum wheat cultivars suitable for winter zones of the country have been developed by different institutes during the last 20 years. Some of these (Ikizce 96, Pehlivan, Yakar, Altay-2000, Kýzýltan and C-1252) have replaced the commonly cultivated cultivars (Bezostaja-1 , Gerek-79 and Kunduru-1149) due to their higher yield (10-15 %), quality levels (441-447 bread volume and 10- 15 semolina colour) and resistance to yellow rust (0-20 MS). Especially newly developed some hard and soft white bread wheat cultivars (Tosunbey and Bayraktar) and a durum wheat cultivar (Mirzabey) are widely demanded by the milling, macaroni and burger industries by their 15-20 percent higher yield level, 0-10 MS yellow rust resistance and higher bread volume and semolina colour. After acceptances of Royalty Laws in Turkey in 2004, a new period was started for wheat breeding. Some structural changes are going to be made to increase efficiency of wheat breeding studies through the country. In this paper, success in wheat breeding programmes under rainfed conditions in general and CRIFC’s wheat breeding programmes in particular, are going to be summarized.

Keywords: Winter wheat; cultivars; agronomic characters; Turkey.

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Using R in Introductory Statistics Courses with the pmg Graphical User Interface

John Verzani CUNY / College of Staten Island
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/verzani.html

Abstract
The pmg add-on package for the open source statistics software R is described. This package provides a simple to use graphical user interface (GUI) that allows introductory statistics students, without advanced computing skills, to quickly create the graphical and numeric summaries expected of them.

Keywords: Statistics software; Statistical computing; R; Introductory statistics; EDA; Exploratory data analysis.

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Collaboration in Learning and Teaching Statistics

Cary J. Roseth, Joan B. Garfield, and Dani Ben-Zvi Michigan State University, USA,

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/roseth.html
Copyright © 2008 by Cary J. Roseth, Joan B. Garfield, and Dani Ben-Zvi all rights reserved.

Abstract
This paper provides practical examples of how statistics educators may apply a cooperative framework to classroom teaching and teacher collaboration. Building on the premise that statistics instruction ought to resemble statistical practice, an inherently cooperative enterprise, our purpose is to highlight specific ways in which cooperative methods may translate to statistics education. So doing, we hope to address the concerns of those statistics educators who are reluctant to adopt more student-centered teaching strategies, as well as those educators who have tried these methods but ultimately returned to more traditional, teacher-centered instruction.

Keywords: Collaboration; Cooperative learning; Collaborative teaching; Statistics education.

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A Comparison of Computer-Assisted Instruction and the Traditional Method of Teaching Basic Statistics

Carmelita Y. Ragasa University of the East Manila
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/ragasa.html
Copyright © 2008 by Carmelita Y. Ragasa all rights reserved.

Abstract.
The objective of the study is to determine if there is a significant difference in the effects of the treatment and control groups on achievement as well as on attitude as measured by the posttest. A class of 38 sophomore college students in the basic statistics taught with the use of computer-assisted instruction and another class of 15 students with the use of the traditional method from the University of the East, Manila (SY 2003-2004) were the focus of this study. The research method used was the quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design. The statistical tool was the Multiple Analysis of Covariance. The researcher made use of the CD-ROM prepared by Math Advantage (1997) to serve as the teaching medium for the experimental group. The following summarizes the findings of the study. The achievement posttest of the treatment group has higher estimated marginal means than the control group and it is reversed in the attitude posttest. Using Hotelling’s Trace for the multivariate test, the achievement pretest, attitude pretest, and the two groups have a significant effect on the dependent variables, achievement posttest and attitude posttest. Using covariates to control for the effects of additional variables that might affect performance the attitude pretest accounts for about 56% of the variability in the two groups while achievement pretest about 15%. Levene’s test shows that the homogeneity of variances assumption between the two groups is met for achievement posttest but not for attitude posttest. The univariate effects for achievement posttest that are significant are achievement pretest, college entrance test overall score, and groups. The univariate effects that are significant for attitude posttest are attitude pretest and high school general weighted average.

Keywords: Descriptive statistics; Multimedia; Learning.

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Reasoning and Communicating in the Language of Statistics

Carol S. Parke Duquesne University
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/parke.html
Copyright © 2008 by Carol S. Parke all rights reserved.

Abstract
Although graduate students in education are frequently required to write papers throughout their coursework, they typically have limited experience in communicating in the language of statistics, both verbally and in written form. To succeed in their future careers, students must be provided with opportunities to develop deep understandings of concepts, develop reasoning skills, and become familiar with verbalizing and writing about statistics. The instructional approach described here spans the entire semester of a statistics course and consists of several aspects including cognitively rich individual assignments, small group activities, and a student-led scoring activity. To demonstrate the impact of this approach on student learning, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from students in two statistics courses. Several assessments indicate improvement in students’ reasoning and understanding, written and verbal communication, and confidence.

Keywords: Conceptual understanding; Confidence; Interpretation of results; Verbal communication; Written communication.

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A Photographic View of Cumulative Distribution Functions

Robert W. Jernigan American University, Washington, DC
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/jernigan.html
Copyright © 2008 by Robert W. Jernigan all rights reserved.

Abstract
This article shows a concrete and easy recognizable view of a cumulative distribution function(cdf). Photograph views of the search tabs on dictionaries are used to increase students’ understanding and facility with the concept of a cumulative distribution function. Projects for student investigations are also given. This motivation and view helps the cdf become a bit more tangible and understandable.

Keywords: Alphabet; Kolmogorov; Probability distribution function(pdf); Scrabble; Smirnov; Student projects.

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Keeping it real, keeping them interested and keeping it in their minds

Peter P. Howley The University of Newcastle
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/howley.html
Copyright © 2008 by Peter P. Howley all rights reserved.

Abstract.
As part of many universities’ Business degrees, students will undertake an introductory statistics course. Lecturers need to help these students appreciate and recognise the value of possessing quantitative skills and to learn and apply such skills. Three components to teaching that address these aims as well as the interdependence of these components as part of a process which enhances the teaching environment and student outcomes are described. Methods and examples to perform the techniques and ideas are provided along with a discussion of their implementation and effectiveness after delivery in a large first year course.

Keywords: Teaching introductory statistics; Pedagogy; Increasing student confidence; Improved learning methods; Teaching materials.

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The Lure of Statistics in Data Mining

Lovleen Kumar Grover and Rajni Mehra Guru Nanak Dev University, India,

BBK DAV College for Women, India
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/grover.html
Copyright © 2008 by Lovleen Kumar Grover and Rajni Mehra all rights reserved.

Abstract
The field of Data Mining like Statistics concerns itself with "learning from data" or "turning data into information". For statisticians the term "Data mining" has a pejorative meaning. Instead of finding useful patterns in large volumes of data as in the case of Statistics, data mining has the connotation of searching for data to fit preconceived ideas. Here we try to discuss the similarities and differences as well as the relationships between statisticians and data miners. This article is intended to bridge some of the gap between the people of these two communities.

Keywords: Censored data; Databases; Data dredging; Data fishing; Data mining; Exploratory data analysis; Knowledge discover in data mining; Truncated data.

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The Effect of a Student-Designed Data Collection Project on Attitudes Toward Statistics

Lisa J. Carnell High Point University
Journal of Statistics Education Volume 16, Number 1 (2008), www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n1/carnell.html
Copyright © 2008 by Lisa J. Carnell all rights reserved.

Abstract
Students often enter an introductory statistics class with less than positive attitudes about the subject. They tend to believe statistics is difficult and irrelevant to their lives. Observational evidence from previous studies suggests including projects in a statistics course may enhance students’ attitudes toward statistics. This study examines the relationship between inclusion of a student-designed data collection project in an introductory statistics course and 6 components comprising students’ attitudes toward statistics. The sample consisted of 42 college students enrolled in an introductory statistics course. Comparisons of those who completed the student-designed data collection project (n = 24) and those who did not complete the project (n = 18) suggest that inclusion of a project may not significantly impact students’ attitudes toward statistics. However, these findings must be viewed as only a preliminary step in the study of the effect of projects on attitudes toward statistics.

Keywords: Attitudinal scale; Statistics education; Project-based learning; Comparative study.

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