Journal of Pure and applied Agriculture

Assessment and management strategies for soil pollution in Pakistan: A review

2024-03-14T04:22:50+05:00

Soil pollution is a pressing environmental issue in Pakistan, with adverse implications for agriculture, human health, and ecosystem sustainability. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of soil pollution in Pakistan, focusing on assessment, management strategies, policy frameworks, remediation techniques, contamination sources, monitoring, and research priorities. The study highlights the urgency of addressing soil pollution and its detrimental impacts on the environment and human health. It explores various assessment methods, including soil sampling, laboratory analysis, remote sensing, and geospatial technologies, emphasizing the importance of data interpretation and mapping for understanding the extent and severity of soil pollution. The review discussed the role of robust policy frameworks and regulatory mechanisms in preventing and controlling soil pollution, with a particular emphasis on industrial pollution control, agricultural practices, waste management, and the use of hazardous substances. It further investigates innovative approaches and technologies for soil remediation, such as bioremediation, electrokinetic remediation, and nanotechnology. Additionally, the review highlights the significance of research priorities, including soil pollution characterization, emerging contaminants, socio-economic impacts, and policy and governance aspects. The findings of this review contribute to enhancing knowledge and informing effective soil pollution management strategies in Pakistan, while also providing valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide.

Unveiling water stress responses in rice: Identifying traits for enhanced water-use efficiency

2024-02-19T10:38:37+05:00

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a primary source of nutrition for more than half of the world's population. Rice in the reproductive stages is highly susceptible to water stress, and deficit irrigation leads to a significant decrease in the grain yield. Under such conditions, it is imperative for plant breeders to explore the genetic potential of rice for better yield and quality under limiting watering conditions. Four rice varieties, viz. Super-Basmati (V1), Super Kinat (V2), V-385 (V3) and V-386 (V4) are sown under split-plot design in field conditions. For this, we evaluated the four rice varieties for stage-specific watering thresholds under two distinct water conditions, including normal water conditions (T1) and water deficit conditions (T2), throughout the growth period. The nursery was transplanted in the field after 30-40 days after sowing. The field capacity was measured by estimating the soil water content at 50% and was maintained throughout the growing season. After the harvest, data was recorded for the following traits i.e., plant height (PH), Number of fertile tillers per plant (NFT), Number of fertile tillers per plant (NTP), number of seeds per spike (SPS), days to maturity (DM), number of grains per plant (GPP), 1000 seed weight (TSW), seed length (SL), and seed weight (SW). ANOVA results represent that all these traits are significant except seed length (SL). All four varieties show different responses under normal and drought conditions. Under normal conditions, V4 had significantly lower seed weight than other genotypes, whereas, under water stress conditions, V3 and V4 outperformed V1 and V2 with significantly higher seed weight. Notably V-386, adapt to water stress with increased plant height and improved seed production per spike. However, this resilience comes at a cost, as V-386 exhibits delayed maturity under drought conditions compared to normal circumstances. The association among all morphological traits was studied using Pearson correlation analysis. The results of the correlation study under water deficit conditions showed a completely different trend as compared to normal water application. Principal component analysis was performed to visualize the relationships among the traits among all four varieties. This research suggests that the recorded traits can serve as a selection tool for predicting water-use-efficient genotypes in rice.

Early selection and assessment of drought tolerance in bread wheat germplasm

2024-02-19T10:19:54+05:00

Drought can significantly impact on wheat and can lead to reduced yields, lower quality grains, increased susceptibility to pests and disease in many parts of the world. An experiment was conducted to investigate the response of 100 wheat genotypes in the seedling stage under normal and drought conditions using a Completely Randomized Design. The analysis of variances (ANOVA) showed a highly significant difference among the genotypes in all studied traits. The results of correlation displayed a positive result with all traits expect root length in normal and drought conditions. Among the genotypes namely G-217 (Chakwal-97), G-5 (Pakitan-13), G-307 (Kohsar-95), G-17 (NIFA-LALMA) and G-38 (Shahkar-13) showed highest mean values, while the genotypes namely G-301 (BARS-09), G-104 (AS-02), G-10 (AARI-2011), G-202 (Sehar-06) and G-37 (Miraj-2008) exhibited the lowest means values. The Pearson correlation results indicated that all seedling variables, except for root length under normal and drought stress, displayed high positive and significant coefficients of association. However, root length exhibited negative and non-significant association with other studied traits and its selection seems not to be promising criteria for this germplasm for drought stress. Overall results suggested that selection for chlorophyll content, shoot length, root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight, turgid weight and seedling dry weight at seedling stage would improve genetic gain for drought tolerance.

Solanum nigrum Linn: An analysis of the therapeutic properties of plant

2024-02-19T09:04:06+05:00

Solanum nigrum (black nightshade) is an indigenous medicinal plant that has been utilized in traditional medical systems for ages. S. nigrum includes bioactive substances such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and saponins, according to phytochemical research. Extracts and isolated chemicals indicate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, immune-stimulating, therapeutic, and heart-protective effects. S. nigrum extracts, in particular, limit cancer cell growth, minimize chemically induced organ damage, alter immunological function, and provide protection against oxidative stress, according to animal and cell culture studies. S. nigrum has traditionally been used for the prevention of symptoms such as discomfort, inflammation, infections, and problems with the gastrointestinal tract. While preliminary research suggests that S. nigrum has therapeutic potential, more phytochemical, toxicological, and epidemiological investigations are needed to fully characterize its efficacy, safety, bioactive components, mechanisms of action, and transpose folk practices into scientifically supported medicinal applications. Overall, this comprehensive study reveals the varied therapeutic qualities of S. nigrum that demand further exploration. It is important to note that further research is still needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and evaluate its safety and efficacy in humans.

Response of Triticum aestivum cultivars to salt stress with reference to different biochemical attributes

2024-03-14T04:16:16+05:00

Different abiotic stresses, especially salinity and drought predicted to be increase with global change. Most of the soil degradation caused through this salt stress has a major negative impact on crops growth and production, particularly in the world’s arid and semi-arid regions. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is an important food-crop in Pakistan and contributes 60 % of dietary supplement for human being. Production of this crop can be enhanced up-to marginal and moderately salt affected areas through using salt tolerant varieties of this crop. Present investigation highlighted this aim through using six local wheat varieties for screening their salt tolerance in terms of biochemical traits such as photosynthetic pigments, primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, antioxidant enzyme activities and endogenous hormones level of Triticum aestivum cultivars. The experiment was completely randomized design and six selected Triticum aestivum varieties, were irrigated with NaCl (0 and 150 mM). Salinity exposure causes degradation in chlorophyll and reduction in endogenous IAA level under high salt application. Furthermore, obtained results indicated that ratio of chlorophyll, total carotenoids, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, phenols, as well as lycopene and proline, antioxidant, ascorbate-peroxidase, catalase, flavonoids, lipid-peroxidation, tannins, β-carotene, guaiacol-peroxidase endogenous ascorbic acid and salicylic acid increase with increasing salinity. Results of present research suggested that wheat variety F. Sarhad is more tolerant. Further, this variety must be tested in the fields of salt affected areas for better yield.

Impact of various soil amendments on root knot nematodes and plant growth attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

2024-02-19T10:28:35+05:00

Root-knot nematodes are important plant pests that can cause significant damage to a wide range of crops, leading to yield losses and economic impact. The experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different organic soil amendments on nematode population and plant growth attributes. The experiment was conducted using various soil amendments, including Farmyard Manure (FYM), Rock Phosphate (RP), Poultry Manure (PM), and Biochar (BC), at two concentration levels. Their effects were assessed based on various plant growth and nematode population parameters. The results indicated the highest gall population was observed in the Farmyard Manure (FYM-5%), with 24.3 galls per plant. Gall index, a measure of nematode infestation severity, showed variation among the treatments. Rock Phosphate (RP-5%) had the highest gall index of 6.4. Poultry Manure (PM-5%) exhibited the highest population, with 39.4 egg masses per plant. The Farmyard Manure (FYM-10%) treatment had the highest nematode population 120 per 250 cm³ of soil. Female populations in the soil, Poultry Manure (PM-5%) had the highest count, with 65.4 females per 250 cm³ of soil. The plant growth attributes displayed significant variations depending on the type and concentration of the soil amendment. Plant height was significantly influenced by the type of soil amendment, with the Farmyard Manure (FYM-10%) treatment resulting in the tallest plants (40.5 cm). The number of leaves per plant varied among the treatments, where Poultry Manure (both 5% and 10% concentrations) exhibiting the highest leaves (31 and 36, respectively). Root length (cm) has significant positive correlation with gall index r=0.252 and 0.955 at lower and upper limits respectively. Similarly fresh plant weight (g) had significant positive correlation with egg masses/plant r=0.976 and 0.954 at lower and upper limits respectively.

Estimation of drought resilience potential of rice genotypes: A PEG-based evaluation

2024-02-19T10:11:50+05:00

Rice is a crucial global staple food grown in various climates. However, the increasing scarcity of freshwater resources poses a significant challenge to rice production. Drought, a consequence of climate change, is a main problem to rice yield, affecting its yield significantly. This study evaluated drought tolerance in 25 rice genotypes in a research trial AYT-3 using various concentrations of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as an osmotic stress inducer. Results indicated significant variations in drought tolerance index among the genotypes. Notably, AYT 3-9 exhibited the highest root length stress tolerance index (RLSTI), AYT 3-22 displayed the highest shoot length stress tolerance index (SLSTI), and AYT 3-24 showed the highest plant fresh weight stress tolerance index (PFWSTI). Root properties and growth were essential for drought resilience, with deep and extensive root systems contributing to tolerance. However, leaf growth was reduced due to restricted water potential under drought stress. While germination stress tolerance index (GSTI) did not vary significantly, the study highlighted the importance of early germination evaluation in drought tolerance assessment. Genotypes resilient to 15% PEG concentration may be suitable for breeding programs to develop drought-tolerant rice cultivars. This research emphasized the potential of early screening techniques to select genotypes with superior drought tolerance, essential for ensuring food security in regions vulnerable to water scarcity.