Journal of Pure and Applied Agriculture

Unveiling the therapeutic potential of Ficus benghalensis: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities

Ali Hassan — 2025-12-03

Traditional medicinal systems offer a valuable repository of knowledge for identifying biologically active plant species. Plants have been a cornerstone of traditional and modern medicine due to their diverse bioactive compounds. Among the plethora of medicinal plants, the Ficus genus holds particular importance, and Ficus benghalensis stands out for its sacred status and extensive applications. A species revered in Ayurveda and Siddha, it has been extensively utilized in South Asian traditional medicinal systems. Its common name, the Banyan tree, reflects its deep cultural and medicinal roots in the region. This review comprehensively examines the phytochemical profile and pharmacological activities of various plant parts, with a particular emphasis on the fruit's potential therapeutic applications. The plant's phytochemical constituents, including phenolics, flavanols, and terpenes, contribute to its multifaceted pharmacological properties. Advanced analytical techniques have identified key compounds such as bergenin, leukocyanidin, and β-sitosterol, which are largely responsible for its observed bioactivity. These properties encompass antioxidative, antimutagenic, and antidiabetic effects, as well as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antiproliferative activities. F. benghalensis exhibits wound healing, antimicrobial, and anti-helminthic properties, along with anticancer and hair growth promotion effects. Its immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and antistress activities further underscore its medicinal value. Despite its extensive traditional use, a significant gap remains between empirical applications and validated scientific evidence for many of its purported benefits. Future research directions may involve investigating unexplored pharmacological aspects of F. benghalensis, potentially leading to the development of innovative therapeutic agents. Elucidating the plant's mechanisms of action and optimizing its bioactive compounds through modern drug delivery systems could significantly enhance its therapeutic potential.

Advances in genetic approaches for sustainable insect pest management

Muhammad Usman Asif — 2025-12-03

Insect pests have contributed significantly to agricultural losses as well as to the spread of vector born infectious diseases globally for the last two decades. Insecticides use is the most significant strategy among the farmers for pest management; however, this practice has been posing considerable hazards to population health and their surroundings. Additionally, extensive insecticide application has also contributed to resistance in a wide range of insect pests. Genetic pest mitigation strategy like sterile insect technique (SIT) has successfully eradicated various damaging pests globally. This technique is based on the mass release of genetically modified organisms into the ecosystem. However, sterilization by traditional methods declines the mating competitiveness and overall vitality of released sterile males. To overcome these limitations different sterility approaches i.e. release of insects carrying dominant lethal (RIDL), incompatible insect technique (IIT) utilizing Wolbachia and autosomal-linked X- chromosome shredders have also been proposed as a substitute to traditional SIT approach. Although these first-generation genetic SIT approaches signify considerable progress, each method has certain drawbacks. Thus, application of highly advanced SIT based approaches would be logistically beneficial that could efficiently separate sexes and at the same time sterilize males, while ensuring that their fitness will not be significantly affected. CRISPR has facilitated the establishment of innovative system called precision guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) that allows concurrent sterilization and sexing, facilitates release of eggs and ensures emergence of sterile males. In the upcoming time, this technique could be utilized against both insect vectors responsible for transmission of human diseases and agricultural pests for reduction in prevalence of both human diseases and crop losses, respectively, thereby eliminating the necessity of dangerous synthetic chemicals and advancing insect pest management. This review briefly discusses all these SIT based approaches regarding their mechanisms, advantages, successful application against different target pests and drawbacks.

Climate change and sugarcane production options in Pakistan: A perspective review

Muhammad Waqas Mazhar — 2025-12-03

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is one of Pakistan’s most important commercial crops, primarily cultivated in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. It plays a vital role in the national economy by supporting the sugar industry, rural livelihoods, and agricultural GDP. However, the sustainability of sugarcane production is increasingly threatened by changing climatic conditions. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and frequent heatwaves are adversely affecting crop physiology, water availability, and sucrose accumulation. Research indicates that sugarcane yield in Pakistan may decline by 6–10 % with each 1 °C rise in mean temperature, particularly in semi-arid regions. In addition, water scarcity, salinity build-up, and the spread of climate-favoured pests further compound yield instability. To sustain production and improve resilience, adaptive measures such as the introduction of drought- and heat-tolerant varieties, adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, and optimization of sowing and harvesting times have shown considerable potential. Improved ratoon management, integrated nutrient use, and the application of climate-smart tools such as crop modelling and remote sensing are also being explored to enhance resource-use efficiency and forecast yield performance. This review synthesizes the impacts of climate variability on sugarcane cultivation in Pakistan and outlines key adaptation and mitigation strategies necessary to secure the crop’s long-term sustainability and contribution to national food and energy security.

Evaluating the effect of iron sulphate on growth, yield, and physiological responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Kashaf ul Khair — 2025-12-03

All creatures require iron (Fe) as a micronutrient. Plants often suffer from iron deficiency because iron has a low bioavailability in aerobic, calcareous, or high-pH soils. Wheat is staple food crop of our country, but its growth is often constrained by deficiencies of essential micronutrients, particularly copper, boron and iron, which require external supplementation for optimal plant development. To cope with this problem, a pot experiment was conducted in the Botanical Garden, Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) under factorial layout with 03 replicates of 02 wheat varieties (Pakistan-2013 and Akbar-2019). Ferrous Sulphate (FeSO₄.7H₂O) was applied through soil at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 ppm, along with control were used. During this experiment, different morpho-physiological parameters, such plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, spike length, number of spikes per pot, number of spikelets per spike and number of leaves per pot, relative water content, total chlorophyll content and total carotenoids content, were noted. To assess the effect of FeSO₄·7H₂O, antioxidant enzyme matrix activity, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, and catalase (CAT) activity were also determined. The result of wheat variety Akbar-2019 showed significantly high vegetative growth at 30 ppm while wheat variety, Pakistan-2013, showed the maximum growth at 20 ppm of FeSO₄·7H₂O. The physiological parameters were maximum at 30 ppm of FeSO₄·7H₂O for wheat variety Akbar-2019. Among the antioxidant enzymes, CAT and GPX exhibited maximal activity at 10 ppm FeSO₄·7H₂O in the Akbar-2019 variety, while APX reached its highest activity at 20 ppm in Pakistan-13, indicating varietal differences in Fe responsiveness. However, more investigation is required to carry out extended field studies at the molecular level to comprehend the underlying mechanisms.

Evaluating morphological, physiological, biochemical and phytoremediation properties of summer flowers in Cu-contaminating soils

Musfirah Masood — 2025-12-03

Agricultural soils contaminated with copper (Cu) are a serious environmental issue for crops and human health. Whereas the information on Cu toxicity and its collection in ornamental plants is largely scarce. This study aimed to decontaminate the Cu polluted soil by growing summer flowers, specifically Celosia plumose, Polianthes tuberose, and Zinnia elegans. Seedling pots were exposed to different doses of Cu (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L^-1) using a completely randomized design (CRD). The findings revealed that all potted plants subjected to the lower doses Cu (<50 mgL^-1) showed betterment in the physio-morphological and biochemical traits while higher doses of Cu (>50 mg L^-1) significantly deteriorated all these aspects. Among all the mentioned ornamental plants, tuberose significantly retained the shoot length (18 %), shoot fresh weight (25 %), root dry weight (32 %) at 50 mg L^-1. Additionally, Cu at 50 mg L^-1also increased the values of membrane stability index (18 %), net photosynthetic rate (34 %), stomatal conductance (23 %), chlorophyll contents (17 %) than control. Moreover, application of Cu (50 mg L^-1) strengthened the activities of superoxide dismutase (9 %) while lowering the hydrogen peroxide content (63 %) with respect to control. Tuberose showed higher tolerance potential against Cu toxicity than Celosia and Zinnia based on maximum values of bio-concentration factor (7.24) and translocation factor (1.61) at 50 mg L^-1of Cu. Conclusively, ornamental plants especially tuberose could be used to reduce the soil Cu level, hence better the agricultural crops health and productivity.

Effect of biochar coated potassium fertilizer on yield and nutritional value of maize

Mafia Bashir — 2025-12-03

Potassium (K) plays a critical function in the production of maize because it is essential to several physiological and biochemical processes that increase crop resilience and yield. A pot experiment on impact of biochar coated K on maize production was conducted in research area of university of Sargodha. The experiment was conducted in triplicate and comprised of 11 treatments. T1= control, T2= KCI @ 50 kg ha^-1, T3 = K₂SO₄@ 50 kg ha^-1, T4 = KCI @ 50 kg ha^-1+ 1 % BCM, T5 = KCI @ 50 kg ha^-1+ 2 % BCM, T6 = K₂SO₄@ 50 kg ha^-1+ 1 % BCM, T7= K₂SO₄@ 50 kg ha^-1+ 2 % BCM, T8= KCI @ 25 kg ha^-1+ 1 % BCM, T9= KCI @ 25 kg ha^-1+ 2 % BCM, T10 = K₂SO₄@ 25 kg ha^-1 + 1 % BCM, T11= K₂SO₄@ 25 kg ha^-1 + 2 % BCM respectively. All treatments were applied two weeks after sowing. Results indicated that maximum K concentration was found where K was applied as K₂SO₄@ 50 kg ha^-1 + 2 % BCM. Thus, the mode of soil application of K had beneficial effect on nutritional composition of maize and yield.

Weed control, yield and profitability of peas as influenced by integrated chemical and mechanical methods

Naveed Akhtar — 2025-12-03

Pre- or post-emergence herbicides alone are insufficient to manage heavy infestation of diverse weed flora in peas. Integrated use of chemical weed control along with mechanical weeding could give better weed management. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the comparative effects of using post-emergence herbicides (flumetsulam and bentazone) or rotary weeding, either alone or in combination with pre-emergence herbicides (s-metolachlor and pendimethalin) on yield of peas. Results revealed that mechanical weed control with rotary weeder [15, 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS)] was the most effective with the greatest reduction in total weed density and dry biomass (94-96%), and increase in pods plant^-1, fresh pod weight, fresh pod yield (144-185%), and benefit-cost ratio (1.88). Pre-emergence application of s-metolachlor and/or pendimethalin followed by post-emergence application of bentazone could be ranked second regarding weed control; however, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin + post-emergence application of bentazone gave better yield and profitability than pre-emergence application of s-metolachlor + post-emergence application of bentazone. A significant negative relationship of total weed dry biomass with fresh pod yield indicated that yield loss was associated with weed flora and could be reduced by better weed control. Conclusively, sole rotary weeding (15, 30 and 45 DAS) or integration of pre-emergence pendimethalin application with post-emergence bentazone application gave better weed control along with higher pod yield and profitability of peas.

Comparing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers against bio-solids for P-utilization by maize under alkaline calcareous soil conditions

Kamran Haider — 2025-12-03

Maize is a widely grown cereal crop that serves multiple purposes regarding food and industrial use. Climatic conditions of Pakistan are arid to semi-arid, and our soils are also phosphorus deficient. To combat this problem, phosphatic fertilizers are applied but low solubilization and high prices of phosphatic fertilizers are the major constraints in use of P fertilizers in large amounts. The common inorganic P sources are very costly, and have low fertilizer use efficiency; therefore, bioavailability of P needs to be enhanced using innovative measures. Keeping in view, a pot study was performed for enhancing maize growth and P bioavailability from treated bio-solid in comparison to conventional P fertilizers. De-watered treated bio-solid was used. Hybrid (PFP209) variety of maize crop was used against various sources of P fertilizers. There were 9 treatments with 3 replications: T1 = Control (ck); T2 = DAP @ 80 kg ha^-1; T3 = Nitrophos @ 130 kg ha^-1; T4 = Fe₂SO₄Treated Bio-solid-I @ 400 kg ha^-1; T5 = Fe₂SO₄Treated Bio-solid-I @ 800 kg ha^-1; T6 = Fe₂SO₄Treated Bio-solid-I @ 1200 kg ha^-1; T7 = KH₂PO₄Treated Bio-solid-II @ 400 kg ha^-1; T8 = KH₂PO₄Treated Bio-solid-II @ 800 kg ha^-1 and T9 = KH₂PO₄Treated Bio-solid-II @ 1200 kg ha^-1. It was noticed that both treated bio-solids when applied at higher rates (1200 kg ha^-1) produced significant beneficial effects on plant biomass. The highest values for most growth parameters were recorded with bio-solid-II treated with KH₂PO₄ @ 1200 kg ha^-1 with plant height (192.17 cm), shoot dry weight (178.5 g), root dry weight (89.33 g), stem diameter (28.5 mm), P content in shoot (0.51 mg g^-1) and root (0.36 mg g^-1) of maize.

Impact of grazing duration on stress biomarkers and heat shock protein (HSP) expression in Kachhi sheep

Memoona Subhopoto — 2025-12-03

This study examined the impact of varying grazing durations on stress biomarkers and heat shock protein (HSP) expression in Kachhi sheep under heat stress conditions. Fifteen lambs were randomly assigned into three groups (n=5): morning grazing (KMG; 7:00 AM–11:00 AM), hot hours grazing (KHG; 11:00 AM–3:00 PM), and evening grazing (KEG; 3:00 PM–7:00 PM), with all lambs receiving a basal diet of green fodder and concentrate in addition to grazing. The 90-day trial included fortnightly recording of physiological parameters (rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate), as well as blood sampling on days 0 and 90 for hematological, hormonal, biochemical, oxidative stress, and gene expression analysis. Rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate were recorded using standard methods; rectal temperature was significantly higher (p<0.05) in KHG lambs, while pulse and respiration rates did not differ significantly (p>0.05). Hematological parameters (RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC), analyzed using an automatic Nihon Kohden analyzer, showed non-significant differences (p>0.05) among the groups. Hormonal level (T3, T4, cortisol), measured by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) on a Cobas-e analyzer, revealed higher T4 in KMG and KEG lambs. In contrast, T3 and cortisol levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) across groups. Oxidative stress parameters (SOD, GSH-Px, MDA), assessed using assay kits, also showed non-significant variation (p>0.05). Serum biochemical parameters, analyzed using a Roche Hitachi C311 analyzer, indicated significant differences (p<0.05) in glucose, total protein, sodium, and potassium. At the same time calcium, magnesium, AST, ALT, creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels were not significantly affected (p>0.05). Gene expression of HSP-70 and HSP-90, determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), showed significant upregulation in KHG lambs and downregulation in KMG and KEG lambs. These findings suggest that morning grazing mitigates heat stress in Kachhi lambs by improving physiological responses, stabilizing hormonal levels, and reducing cellular stress, thereby enhancing overall health and performance.

Lead induced changes in biomimetic and physiological attributes of Soybean (Glycine max)

Nasreen Akhtar — 2025-12-03

Glycine max is a plant that is widely used in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the growth, physiological responses, and bioaccumulation and translocation of lead (Pb) in different tissues of soybean under different doses of Pb. In this study, plants were irrigated with Pb contaminated water, and different treatments of contaminated water were prepared by adding 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 mg Pb L^-1 along with distilled water as a control. The plants were subjected to treatment in three phases (i) 65 days after sowing, (ii) 72 days after sown, and (iii) 79 days after sowing. The pots were placed in randomized complete design (CRD), and each treatment was replicated three times. Results show that biomasses of shoot, root, and pods were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by 63.88 to 78.98% in comparison to control treatment. Likewise, 100 mg Pb L^-1treatments resulted in a decrease in the number of pods, number of seeds, and 100 seed weight by 46-67 to 66.70% in comparison to control treatment. In this study, Pb treatments significantly reduced different gaseous traits of soybean i.e., net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (Gs) thereby increased CO₂ concentration in the plant tissues (Ci). Higher dose of Pb (e.g. 100 mg Pb L^-1) reduced the value of A by 58.55% as compared to the control treatment. Similarly, 100 mg Pb L^-1 treatment decreased chlorophyll score by 65.13% over that of the control treatment. Furthermore, we observed higher bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and reduced translocation factors (TF) under higher doses of Pb. Moreover, Pb stress negatively correlated (r ranged from -0.95 to -0.99) with A, E, Gs and chlorophyll scores. It is concluded that Glycine max L. Merrill had a low tolerance against Pb toxicity. Moreover, Pb toxicity due to accumulation seeds could pose a health risk.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria combined with macronutrients treatments improve growth and market quality of cut sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Usama Bin Arif — 2025-12-03

Cut sunflower represents a significant cut crop within Pakistan's floriculture sector, benefiting from favourable agro-climatic conditions. However, the visual quality of ornamental plants has an essential association to a proper balance of nutrients. Qualitative aspects such as plant height, shape, and colouration are directly affected by mineral nutrition, along with various environmental factors. Recently plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) combined with appropriate macro and micronutrients promising approach to enhance the growth and quality of ornamental plants. The significance of cut sunflower in the cut market is noteworthy. Therefore, this study was executed to improve the growth and maintain the market quality of cut sunflower cv. ‘Vincent’ by using various PGPR and macronutrients concentrations with control viz. T0: Control, T1: NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed, T2: Bacillus spp., T3: Pseudomonas spp., T4: PGPR injection, T5: Bacillus spp. + NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed, T6: Pseudomonas spp. + NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed, T7: PGPR injection + NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed. The application of Bacillus spp. + NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed, Pseudomonas spp. + NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed, PGPR injection + NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed resulted in higher flower visual quality, plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, flower diameter, blooming period, plant fresh and dry weight compared to control treatment. Among studied treatments Pseudomonas spp. + NPK (20: 20: 20), 60 g/m² bed exhibited higher plant nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, organic matter and organic carbon contents. In conclusion, PGPR combined with macronutrients treatments effectively improves the growth attributes and maintains the market quality of cut sunflower cv. ‘Vincent’.