"Plant and Environment" stands as an open-access, peer-reviewed journal committed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in Plant Sciences. Our publication endeavors to showcase original research and review articles that illuminate fresh insights across a spectrum of disciplines, spanning Soil Science, Agronomy, Biotechnology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Plant-Environment Interactions, Breeding, Forestry, Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Plant Pathology, Environmental Science, and their implications. With a dedication to scholarly excellence, we invite contributions from researchers, scholars, and practitioners, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas that enriches our collective understanding of the intricate relationships between plants and their surrounding environments.
Effects of Sowing Dates on Wheat Phenology, Thermal Indices, Heat Use Efficiency, and Grain Yield under Rising Temperature Conditions
Climate change has significantly altered wheat phenology and productivity, necessitating effective adaptation strategies to sustain crop production. This study evaluated the influence of different sowing dates on wheat phenological development, thermal indices, heat use efficiency, and grain yield under changing climatic conditions, supported by an analysis of long-term temperature trends. Field experiments were conducted using three sowing dates: 20 November (SD1), 30 November (SD2), and 10 December (SD3). Phenological observations were used to estimate growing degree days, photothermal index (PTI), and heat use efficiency (HUE), while long-term climatic records were analyzed to assess decadal warming trends and their implications for wheat production. The results showed that PTI decreased during the early growth stages (germination to tillering) but increased from tillering to flowering across all sowing dates. The highest grain heat use efficiency (4.74 kg ha⁻¹ °C⁻¹ day⁻¹) was recorded under SD2, followed by SD3 (4.08 kg ha⁻¹ °C⁻¹ day⁻¹) and SD1 (2.79 kg ha⁻¹ °C⁻¹ day⁻¹). Grain yield was significantly affected by sowing date, with the maximum yield (13,982 kg ha⁻¹) obtained under SD2, declining significantly to 12,029 kg ha⁻¹ under SD3. These findings indicate that optimizing sowing time is an effective adaptation strategy for mitigating the adverse effects of rising temperatures on wheat phenology and productivity. Based on the present study, sowing around 30 November is recommended to improve thermal use efficiency and maximize grain yield under warming climatic conditions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Plant and Environment
Climate Change and Environmental Stress-Driven Phytochemical Modulation in Medicinal Plants: Implications for Human Health and Disease Management
Medicinal plants are an essential source of bioactive compounds for traditional and modern healthcare. However, climate change and environmental degradation increasingly influence plant physiology, secondary metabolism, and phytochemical composition, affecting the quality, safety, and therapeutic efficacy of herbal medicines. This review synthesizes current evidence on the effects of climatic factors, including elevated temperature, increased atmospheric CO₂, drought, salinity, altered precipitation, and ultraviolet radiation, together with environmental pollutants such as heavy metals and pesticide residues, on the biosynthesis of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites. Environmental stress modifies carbon allocation, redox homeostasis, oxidative signaling, and metabolic pathways, thereby regulating the accumulation of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and other specialized metabolites. While moderate stress can enhance the production of valuable phytochemicals, prolonged or severe stress often reduces medicinal quality, destabilizes metabolite profiles, promotes contaminant accumulation, and increases toxicological risks. These phytochemical alterations may influence the effectiveness of plant-derived therapies for cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. The review emphasizes integrating plant stress biology, metabolomics, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and quality-control strategies to develop climate-resilient cultivation systems and standardized production frameworks. Such interdisciplinary approaches are essential to ensure the safety, efficacy, sustainability, and global accessibility of medicinal plant-based therapeutics under rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Plant and Environment
Variation in Proximate Composition and Nutrient Interrelationships in Commonly Consumed Vegetables
The rapid increase in global population, coupled with environmental challenges and declining agricultural resources, has intensified the demand for affordable and nutrient-rich food sources to ensure food and nutritional security. Vegetables are essential components of a healthy diet due to their rich content of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds, and play a key role in preventing micronutrient deficiencies and chronic diseases. The present study evaluated the proximate composition of six commonly consumed vegetables: spinach (Spinacia oleracea), carrot (Daucus carota), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea), onion (Allium cepa), capsicum (Capsicum annuum), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum). Standard AOAC methods were used to determine moisture, ash, crude fiber, protein, and nitrogen, along with derived parameters including dry matter, organic matter, carbohydrate content, moisture to dry matter ratio, and ash to organic matter ratio. Significant variation (p ≤ 0.05) was observed among vegetables. Capsicum exhibited the highest protein (25.38%) and nitrogen (4.06%), while coriander showed the highest fiber (25.01%) and ash content (9.06%). Carrot had the highest moisture (20.00%) and moisture to dry matter ratio (0.25), whereas onion recorded the highest dry matter (90.00%) and carbohydrate content (66.57%). Spinach showed the highest organic matter (95.94%), while coriander and capsicum exhibited higher ash to organic matter ratios. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between nitrogen and protein, while moisture was inversely related to dry matter and carbohydrates. These findings highlight the nutritional diversity of commonly consumed vegetables and emphasize the importance of dietary diversity for achieving balanced nutrition and improving public health.
Assessing the growth response and behavioral adaptations of Eucalyptus camaldulensis to dust pollution
Dust pollution poses significant environmental challenges, affecting plant growth and ecosystem stability in both natural and managed environments. Eucalyptus camaldulensis, commonly known as the River Red Gum, is an important tree species due to its rapid growth, adaptability, and widespread use in reforestation and land reclamation programs. This study was designed to evaluate the growth potential and physiological responses of Eucalyptus camaldulensis under different levels and sources of dust pollution. A pot experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Institute of Forest Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Five treatments were applied, including T1 (Control), T2 (Charcoal dust), T3 (Wood dust), T4 (Soil dust), and T5 (Cement dust), each with three replicates to ensure statistical reliability. The results showed that dust pollution significantly affected plant physiological performance, while Eucalyptus camaldulensis exhibited moderate tolerance under stress conditions. The maximum chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents (0.94 mg g⁻¹ FW and 0.67 mg g⁻¹ FW, respectively) were recorded in the control treatment (T1), whereas the minimum values (0.52 mg g⁻¹ FW and 0.41 mg g⁻¹ FW, respectively) were observed under charcoal dust (T2). Overall, charcoal dust was the most harmful treatment, followed by cement, soil, and wood dust in terms of negative effects on physiological attributes. This study highlights the potential role of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in mitigating dust pollution impacts. The findings provide useful insights into plant stress physiology and support its application in environmental management, urban plantations, and ecological restoration programs.
Ecological Indicators of Water Quality, Avian Diversity, and Habitat Degradation at Drigh Lake Ramsar Wetland, Sindh, Pakistan
Drigh Lake, a Ramsar wetland in Sindh, Pakistan, is experiencing increasing ecological stress due to anthropogenic activities and hydrological disturbances. This study presents an integrated ecological assessment linking water quality, macrophyte composition, fish diversity, and avian assembles to evaluate the habitat condition and biodiversity status of the lake. Water samples were collected from four sampling stations and analyzed for key physicochemical parameters. Most parameters remained within National Environmental Quality Standards; however, total dissolved solids, hardness, and chlorides exceeded World Health Organization guidelines, particularly during seasonal low-water conditions. The lake supported notable biological diversity, including 10 macrophyte species, 15 fish species, and 44 bird species comprising resident and migratory waterbirds. Field observations revealed dense macrophyte growth, reduced open-water areas, and the presence of invasive fish species, which collectively influenced bird distribution and habitat use. Seasonal water fluctuations, nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff, and habitat disturbance were identified as key drivers of ecological degradation. The decline in several migratory bird species highlights the sensitivity of avifauna to changes in water quality and habitat structure. The findings emphasize the need for improved freshwater inflow management, control of invasive species, reduction of pollution sources, and implementation of targeted conservation strategies to restore ecological balance and protect biodiversity at this Ramsar site.
Foliar Application of Kaolin Enhances Physiological and Biochemical Resilience of Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) Under Salt Stress
Salt stress is a major abiotic constraint limiting crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), an important industrial and forage crop, is highly sensitive to salinity, which adversely affects its physiological and biochemical functions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar-applied kaolin in mitigating salt stress in guar plants. A pot experiment was performed using clay loam soil selected based on its physicochemical properties. Salinity stress was imposed by adding a calculated amount of NaCl to the soil, while kaolin was applied foliarly at concentrations of 2% and 4%. Physiological attributes including photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, substomatal CO₂ concentration, transpiration rate, and chlorophyll content were measured. Osmolyte accumulation (proline and soluble sugars) and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and POD) were also assessed. The results indicated that salinity significantly reduced plant physiological performance; however, foliar application of kaolin markedly improved photosynthetic rate (1.83-fold), stomatal conductance (24%), substomatal CO₂ concentration (11%), and chlorophyll content, while reducing transpiration rate by 54% compared to untreated plants under saline conditions. Kaolin treatment enhanced osmolyte accumulation, with proline and soluble sugars increasing by (2.56-fold) and (1.37-fold), respectively, contributing to improved osmotic adjustment. Additionally, antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly elevated in kaolin-treated plants, facilitating reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification and reducing oxidative damage under salt stress. These findings suggest that foliar application of kaolin is an effective and sustainable strategy to improve guar growth, physiological efficiency, and biochemical resilience under saline environments.
Soil–Plant Interactions Mediated by Aquatic Weed Biochar
Freshwater ecosystems across the world are under threat from numerous invasive species and especially aggressive types of aquatic weeds. The use of aquatic weed biochar has many benefits. Biochar derived from aquatic weeds can enhance soil structure, increase the diversity of soil microbial community, and promote plant growth. This review presents the development of aquatic weed biochars and their physiochemical properties. The article also discusses how aquatic weed biochar improves soil physical structure and aggregation, enhances the diversity and functionality of soil microbial communities, and increases plant growth, and productivity. Moreover, it considers the mechanism of biochar–soil–plant interaction, environmental benefits, limitations, and the need for further research. In addition, aquatic weed biochar contributes to carbon sequestration, helping mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from soils. Its application provides a sustainable method for managing invasive aquatic weeds, which otherwise threaten freshwater biodiversity. Its use offers a sustainable way of controlling invasive aquatic weeds which otherwise pose a threat to freshwater biodiversity. Recent research has shown that biochar made of aquatic weeds enhances nutrient retention, soil erosion and water-holding capacity, which is especially useful in degraded or nutrient-deficient soils. The application of aquatic weed biochar to agricultural and environmental activities is consistent with the principles of the circular bioeconomy because the waste biomass is transformed into a sustainable amendment of the soil. Biochars made of aquatic weeds have enormous potential in sustainable and circular bioeconomy applications and soil management.
Biochar and Compost Effects on Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties: Implications for Remediation and Climate Mitigation
Soil degradation driven by intensive agriculture, land-use change, and climate variability threatens global food security and ecosystem sustainability. Organic amendments such as biochar and compost are increasingly recognized as climate-smart strategies for soil restoration and sustainable agricultural production. This review evaluates the individual and combined effects of biochar and compost on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, with emphasis on soil remediation and climate change mitigation. Published literature was synthesized to assess impacts on soil health, carbon sequestration, nutrient dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, and contaminant remediation across diverse agroecosystems. Biochar enhances soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient retention, and long-term carbon stabilization because of its porous structure, large surface area, and chemical stability. Compost supplies labile organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms, thereby improving nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Their combined application often generates synergistic benefits, including enhanced nutrient-use efficiency, microbial activity, crop productivity, and soil resilience. Co-application also mitigates methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ammonia (NH₃) emissions while increasing soil carbon sequestration. Furthermore, biochar–compost systems promote contaminant immobilization and degradation through adsorption, complexation, and microbial processes. Overall, amendment effectiveness depends on feedstock characteristics, production conditions, soil properties, climate, and application rates. Future research should prioritize long-term field studies, mechanistic investigations, and economic assessments to optimize sustainable soil management.
Sustainable Management of Saline Soils by Using Organic and Inorganic Amendments: Implications for Wheat Growth and Production
Soil salinity is a major constraint to agricultural productivity in Pakistan, affecting approximately 6.68 million hectares of irrigated land and significantly limiting wheat production. This study evaluated the integrated effects of compost, gypsum, and bentonite on soil physicochemical properties and wheat performance under saline conditions. A pot experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replications, including a control, recommended NPK fertilizer, and different amendment combinations. The combined amendments significantly (P < 0.05) improved soil properties compared with the control and NPK treatment. The treatment comprising 50% compost + 5% gypsum + 5% bentonite reduced soil electrical conductivity by 34% and decreased pH from 8.59 to 8.14, indicating effective salinity mitigation. Treatments with higher compost proportions significantly increased soil organic matter by 87% and enhanced available phosphorus and potassium. Improve soil conditions translated into enhanced crop performance. Integrated treatments increased germination by 26%, chlorophyll content by 42%, grain yield by 39%, and 100-grain weight by 82% relative to the control. Plant nitrogen and potassium uptake were also substantially improved, particularly under the 75% compost + 3% gypsum + 5% bentonite treatment. In contrast, recommended NPK fertilizer alone had minimal effect under saline conditions. Overall, the combined application of compost, gypsum, and bentonite demonstrated synergistic benefits in mitigating salinity stress and improving wheat productivity, highlighting its potential as a sustainable strategy for rehabilitating salt-affected soils.
Copyright (c) 2024 Plant and Environment
Aquatic Weed-Derived Biochar: Impacts on Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Agriculture
The unregulated spread of aquatic weeds like Eichhornia crassipies, Typha angustifolia, Hydrilla verticillata, Lemna spp, and Pistia stratiotes can trigger significant ecological, agronomic, and socio-economic problems by worsening water quality, affecting water availability to farms, and disrupting the nutrient cycle. By collecting recent empirical findings and global peer-reviewed literature, this review detail the potential of biochar derived from aquatic weeds to serve as a multi-faceted tool for ecosystem restoration, and for agricultural and climate change mitigation. Due to the significant nutrient levels and the high biomass yield of aquatic weeds, they tend to be a good feedstock for biochar production. The biochar from these weeds produces a carbon-rich material with desirable physicochemical properties that improve soil structure and nutrient retention, enhance microbial activity, stimulate crop growth, and sequester carbon for the long term thus mitigating climate change. Furthermore, biochar from aquatic weeds possesses a significant sorption capacity for contaminants and excess nutrients, thus water quality is improved, and the control of eutrophication is more achievable. Alkalinity, salinity, and contaminant accumulation from the biochar may create environmental risks, thus control of feedstock pyrolysis, and other environmental variables, is very important.
Copyright (c) 2022 Plant and Environment
Impact of Moringa and Seaweed Priming on Seedling Establishment, Early Leaf Development, and Nodule Formation in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)
Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) productivity in Pakistan remains low due to weak crop establishment and frequent early-season stresses. Seed priming with botanical and seaweed-based biostimulants offers a simple way to boost early vigor without relying entirely on synthetic inputs. This field study was performed to examine the effect of moringa leaf extract (MLE) and Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (SWE), on early growth of mung bean under semi-arid conditions. Seven seed priming treatments including MLE 1.5%, MLE 3%, SWE 0.2%, SWE 0.5%, MLE (1.5%) + SWE (0.2%), MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%) and control (unprimed seed), each with three replications were evaluated to check their impact on germination (%), field emergence (%), seedling vigor index (SVI), nodules per plant, and leaf area at 20 days after sowing (DAS). All priming treatments increased germination compared to control (91.33%), with the highest values observed in MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%) (97.00%) and MLE 1.5% (96.33%). MLE 3% and combination of both MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%) improved seedling vigor index (SVI) up to 1747 and 1757, respectively as compared to control (1519). Emergence followed a similar trend, rising to 94.33% under MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%). SWE positively impacted early nodulation and SWE 0.5% produced maximum (17.33) nodules plant⁻¹. MLE 1.5% demonstrated highest Leaf area at 20 DAS (200.44 cm²), while most other priming treatments slightly improved leaf area relative to the control. Given the findings of this study, seed priming with MLE and SWE without foliar application significantly enhances early growth, nodulation, and canopy development in mung bean.
Effect of Biological and Physical Seed Priming on Root Traits, Nodulation and Proline Contents of Mung Bean under Water Stress
Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is frequently grown on marginal lands in semi-arid regions where intermittent drought limits crop establishment, nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation. Seed priming is known to improve crop performance under such conditions. A field experiment was conducted under water-limited conditions to evaluate the effects of biological and physical priming methods on root traits, nodulation and proline accumulation in mung beans. Seeds of cultivar PRI Mung-218 were subjected to eight pre-sowing treatments: metabolites of Trichoderma harzianum, T. hamatum, T. viride or their mixture, Rhizobium seed coating; magnetopriming; ultrasonication and unprimed control, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Physiological and morphological observations focused on leaf proline at 20 days after sowing (DAS), root length and root dry weight (RDW) at 20, 40 and 60 DAS, and nodule number at 20 and 40 DAS. The Trichoderma metabolite treatments enhanced proline content (up to 2.12 µmol g⁻¹ fresh weight) relative to the control (1.38 µmol g⁻¹). In contrast, root system expansion was more pronounced under Rhizobium priming and magnetopriming. By 60 DAS, RDW increased to 2.74–2.75 g plant⁻¹ under these treatments compared with 2.32 g plant⁻¹ in the control, and root length extended to 44.18 cm under Rhizobium priming versus 37.61 cm in the unprimed plants. Nodulation also responded strongly to Rhizobium, with 35 nodules per plant at 40 DAS compared with 17.67 in the control. All priming treatments improved crop performance compared with the control; however, they operated through distinct physiological pathways. Trichoderma metabolites mainly reinforced osmotic adjustment, whereas Rhizobium and magnetopriming improved root architecture, with Rhizobium additionally enhancing nodulation. These divergent pathways highlight that seed priming in mung bean does not simply enhance vigour in a generic way, but channels plants into distinct drought coping strategies that can be matched to soil depth, water regime and fertility status in semi-arid systems.
Leaf length may determine particulate matter retention efficiency in trees and shrubs species: a case study in Faisalabad city
Globally, climate change has been a serious concerned especially in case of air pollution particularly fine particles termed as particulate matter (PM). Vehicle emissions, industrial chimneys, open waste burning, dust from building sites, and unpaved roads are the primary sources of PM. Although vegetation has been found to be effective in by filtering out PM from the atmosphere, however, PM removal efficiency varies from one specie to another. To fill this research gap the study focused on compering the PM retention efficacy of five native broad-leaf tree species and five native shrub species commonly found in Faisalabad city, Pakistan. Leaf morphology along with leaf orientation was also evidenced as they play a vital role in modifying the PM retention efficiency. The location for the experiment was carefully selected depending on the occurrence of the selected tree species within a 3±0.5 km radius. The high traffic site was selected for this experiment Club Road, Civil Lines (31°42'N 73°08'E). Findings have shown that among trees, Ficus benghalensisdemonstrated the highest PM retention ability (5.61g/m²), whereas Lantana camara emerged as the most efficient shrub (6.27g/m²), significantly exceeding all other species analyzed. Morphological and architectural features such as leaf length, leaf width and petiole length (19.6 cm, 10.7 cm, 4.6 cm, respectively) and twig-petiole and petiole-blade angle (108°, 222.6°) was also found highest in Ficus benghalensis. Furthermore, leaf length and leaf width was found positive correlated with PM retention across tree species. Therefore, it can be concluded that increased PM retention efficiency in Ficus benghalensis was related to larger leaf size and horizontal leaf orientation. This study contributes significantly selecting tree for urban environment however, further research including other species can be valuable before improving urban greenery in a heavily polluted, industrial city like Faisalabad.
Optimization of the composting process from rice straw for agricultural and environmental sustainability
The open burning of rice straw is a major source of air pollution and smog in South Asia. While composting offers a sustainable alternative, previous efforts have often failed due to suboptimal conditions and a lack of validation for local use. This study optimized the co-composting process for rice straw using locally available organic sources, i.e., cow dung, and grass clippings in a pit system under natural climatic conditions in Pakistan. We systematically tested nine mixing ratios of chopped rice straw with cow dung and grass clippings, separately and in combination (1:1), in a pit composting system. At maturity (20 weeks period), the quality of produced compost was assessed by studying the physicochemical properties of the produced composts and a phytotoxicity bioassay using okra seeds. Results demonstrated that a 5:5 vol/vol ratio of rice straw to cow dung combination produced statistically significant improvements (p ≤ 0.05) in compost quality. The mature compost was characterized by an ideal C/N ratio (1:27), balanced nutrient content (N: 0.64%, P: 0.31 mg/kg, and K: 0.21%), and significantly reduced phytotoxicity, as confirmed by enhanced growth of okra seedlings. This study provides a validated, farmer-friendly protocol that not only mitigates the harmful practice of burning rice residues but also converts waste into a valuable organic fertilizer, offering a practical solution to farmers to improve soil health and reduce environmental degradation.
Plant and Soil Fungal Diversity in Semi-Arid Urban Parks: Environmental Drivers from Hyderabad, Pakistan
Semi-arid areas have urban green spaces that can be classified as hotspots for biodiversity, but studies on flora and soil fungi are limited. A study was conducted using stratified quadrats to evaluate the diversity of plants and fungi in seven urban parks located in Hyderabad Cantonment, Sindh, Pakistan. Research methods included quadrat sampling to collect all specimens, culture-based methods for isolating fungi, and the determination of soil physicochemical characteristics to assess environmental conditions. The results showed that there are 105 different vascular plant species in the parks (40 species of trees, 26 species of shrubs, and 39 species of herbs). The most common vascular species include Azadirachta indica, Jatropha curcas, Cynodon dactylon, and Conocarpus erectus, with Rani Bagh (H' = 3.47 and 1-D = 0.93) and Zia Uddin Park having the greatest levels of biodiversity among the parks studied. This is primarily due to tree canopies that reduce human foot traffic over time. The results of the soil study showed that these urban locations were characterized by: (1) sandy soils that were slightly alkaline (pH 8.3–8.6), (2) low levels of organic matter (0.35–0.60%), and (3) variable salinity (EC = 0.37–9.52 dS m⁻¹). Across the seven parks, several genera of fungi were identified, with Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Trichoderma being the most dominant in areas that still had vegetative cover. Based on our analyses, the established pattern of vegetation structure and soil texture were more important factors in determining patterns of plant and fungi diversity than park size. Conservation efforts for urban resilience and health can be enhanced by establishing trees in urban areas, increasing soil nutrients, and planting native vegetation.
Effect of various electroculture materials on seed germination and growth of chilies (Capsicum annuum)
Chili (Capsicum annuum) production is frequently constrained by low germination rates and weak seedling growth, necessitating sustainable, non-chemical strategies to enhance crop establishment. This study evaluated the effects of electroculture on seed germination and early growth of chili under field conditions. Seed germination ranged from 57.50% in control plants to 67.50% under silver treatment, with iron treatment and magnetic treatment achieving 70.00% and 65.00%, respectively. Days to germination were slightly reduced under magnetic exposure (7.25 days) compared with control plants (7.75 days), indicating a modest acceleration in emergence. Electroculture significantly enhanced vegetative growth, with Magnetic treatment producing the highest plant height (36.16 cm), number of leaves per plant (33.75), branches (10.25), flowers per plant (12.00), and shoot biomass (9.93 g). Metallic treatments such as silver and iron primarily improved germination but had limited effects on subsequent vegetative growth, whereas copper treatment exhibited moderate effects across both germination and early growth traits. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) for vegetative and reproductive traits, while germination percentage and time to germination were less sensitive to treatments. Overall, the findings demonstrate that magnet-based electroculture promotes sustained vegetative and reproductive growth, providing a practical, eco-friendly approach to improve chili productivity. The results highlight the potential of electroculture as a low-input, sustainable strategy for vegetable production, reducing reliance on chemical inputs, improving crop performance, and supporting resilient agricultural systems. These findings provide a foundation for further research on the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying electroculture-mediated growth enhancement in chili.
Molecular Characterization of Collar Rot of Aloe vera caused by Fusarium phaseoli in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Aloe vera is a perennial, succulent, drought-tolerant plant that grows to a height of 60–100 cm. Its leaves are made up of rind, juice, and gel. During the winter and rainy seasons of 2022 and 2023, typical symptoms of collar rot were observed on A. vera plants in selected botanical gardens and commercial nurseries across Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Infected plants exhibited light to dark brown necrotic lesions at the collar region, with lesion diameters ranging from 0.2 to 3.0 cm. Hundred infected leaves from 100 different plants with the same symptoms were collected and processed for isolation. Infected leaves were cut into 4 mm and surface sterilized with 1% NaOCl and rinsed thrice with distilled water. These pieces were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and incubated for five days at 25 °C ± 2. The resulting colonies of fungus appeared white in color and spores were crescent in shape. Pathogen that consistently isolated from symptomatic tissues and identified as Fusarium phaseoli based on morphological characteristics and molecular characterization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and β-tubulin of ribosomal DNA. Pathogenicity was confirmed through controlled inoculation assays, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of F. phaseoli causing collar rot on A. vera in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.
Bhakkar Star – A Breakthrough Wheat Variety for Sustainable Farming in Pakistan
A new wheat variety, Bhakkar Star, has been developed through selection from CIMMYT germplasm. It combines high yield potential, tolerance to temperature stress and resistance to major diseases. From 2011 to 2018, the variety underwent preliminary and advanced yield trials at the Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar, in collaboration with provincial and national wheat research organizations. Morphologically, Bhakkar Star has a semi-erect flag leaf, white auricles, and a tapering head measuring 12-14 cm with 22-24 spikelets per spike. It demonstrates strong tillering capacity, producing about 140-145 tillers per meter row. The grains are ovate, medium-sized, amber-colored and weight 42-46 g per 1,000 kernels, with a protein content of 16%. The variety performs exceptionally well under poor sandy soils, early season sowing and terminal heat stress conditions. It also maintains productivity under late and very late planting environments, making it a versatile choice for farmers in hot irrigated and dry climates of Pakistan. Its high protein content, along with desirable gluten quality, contributes to excellent chapatti-making and bread quality. Bhakkar Star is resistant to prevailing strains of leaf and yellow rusts and shows a tolerant response to local stem rust strains. Recognizing its agronomic and quality traits, the Punjab Seed Council (PSC) has approved Bhakkar Star as a commercial wheat variety aimed at enhancing wheat yield potential for farmers in stress-prone environments.
Valorization of Citrus limon Peel Waste for Eco-Friendly Preservation: Extending Shelf-Life of Bakery Products
The fruit and vegetable processing industry generates approximately 30–50% of its input material as waste globally, contributing to environmental degradation and threatening food security. Among these wastes, citrus peels are rich in biologically active compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Citrus limon peel powder as a natural preservative in cupcakes, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic additives such as potassium sorbate. Cupcakes were prepared with 1% Citrus limon peel powder and compared with untreated control and 1% potassium sorbate treatments for their physicochemical, microbial, and sensory characteristics. Cakes containing lemon peel powder showed improved shelf life and reduced microbial counts compared to the control, indicating effective antimicrobial activity. In addition, antioxidant analysis confirmed the presence of phenolic compounds contributing to the preservation effect, while sensory evaluation revealed acceptable taste and texture throughout storage. These findings suggest that lemon peel powder can serve as a natural functional ingredient to enhance the shelf stability of baked goods while reducing dependence on synthetic preservatives. This approach not only valorizes agro-industrial waste but also supports healthier food systems and environmental sustainability.
Impact of Diluted Municipal and Sugar Mill Wastewaters on the Vegetative Growth of Oryza sativa L.
This study evaluated the physiological and biochemical responses of two rice varieties, Basmati-385 and Shaheen Basmati, to varying concentrations of municipal sewage water (MSW) and sugar mill effluent (SME) to assess the potential use of diluted wastewater for irrigation. A controlled experiment was conducted using five treatments: distilled water (control), raw undiluted effluent, and 25%, 50%, and 75% diluted effluents. Germination kinetics, seedling biomass, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), proline accumulation, and ionic composition (Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺) were analyzed to determine plant responses. Results demonstrated a concentration-dependent biphasic effect of wastewater treatments. The 25% dilution significantly enhanced germination percentage, root and shoot biomass, and photosynthetic pigment content in both rice varieties compared with the control, indicating that moderate dilution provided beneficial nutrients that promoted plant growth. In contrast, raw and highly concentrated effluents caused severe phytotoxicity, including reduced growth, impaired pigment synthesis, elevated proline accumulation, and increased cellular injury. Ion analysis showed excessive Na⁺ accumulation under higher effluent concentrations, whereas the 25% dilution maintained a comparatively balanced ionic status by enhancing K⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake. Overall, the findings suggest that properly diluted wastewater, particularly at 25%, may support rice growth and serve as an alternative irrigation resource. However, untreated or highly concentrated effluents may adversely affect plant physiology and productivity. Further investigations on heavy metal accumulation, grain quality, and long-term environmental impacts are necessary before recommending wastewater irrigation for sustainable agricultural practices.
Metal-tolerant Rhizobacteria mediated phytostabilization of heavy metal-contaminated soil: A Review
Heavy metal contamination from industrialization, mining, agriculture, and urbanization poses serious threats to ecosystems and human health. Toxic elements such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) persist in soils, accumulate in food chains, and disrupt ecological balance. Conventional remediation methods, including soil excavation and chemical treatments, are costly, unsustainable, and often damaging to soil quality. Phytoremediation, particularly phytostabilization, offers a promising alternative by using plants and their associated rhizobacteria to immobilize metals in the rhizosphere, reducing mobility and limiting groundwater contamination and food chain transfer. Metal-tolerant rhizobacteria enhance this process by producing siderophores, exopolysaccharides, biofilms, and phytohormones, which improve metal immobilization, plant tolerance, and soil fertility. They also suppress plant pathogens and aid nutrient uptake, further strengthening plant growth in contaminated soils. Despite these benefits, challenges such as poor biomass production, variable soil conditions, and uncertainties regarding long-term effectiveness restrict large-scale application. Future research should focus on optimizing plant-microbe partnerships and understanding their mechanisms under different environmental conditions. Rhizobacteria-assisted phytostabilization thus represents a sustainable, eco-friendly approach for managing heavy metal pollution while supporting soil restoration and agricultural productivity.
Performance Evaluation of a Constructed Wetland System for Treating Industrial and Domestic Wastewater in Southern Punjab, Pakistan
Water scarcity is an escalating global issue driven by rapid population growth, industrialization, and poor water management practices. According to the World Water Assessment Program, two thirds of the global population may face severe water shortages by 2025, with nearly half affected by 2030. In Pakistan, per capita water availability has declined from 5000 m3 year-1 in 1951 to approximately 1100 m3 year-1 placing the country at the risk of critical water stress. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have gained recognition as cost-effective, nature-based systems for treating wastewater, especially in regions struggling with pollution and freshwater scarcity. This study was conducted at C-block of MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, where a surface flow constructed wetland system was established to treat wastewater from the Wali Muhammad Distributary- a canal contaminated with untreated domestic and industrial effluents. The wetland consisted of sequentially arranged vegetated ponds designed for natural filtration. Over three weeks, wastewater samples were collected weekly and analyzed for key physico-chemical parameters. Statistical analysis was conducted using R software and significance was assessed using t-test at p<0.05. The system achieved notable reductions across various parameters such as pH (16%), EC (93.30%), carbonate (82%), bicarbonate (66%), total dissolved solids (TDS) 75%, total solid (TS) 84.43%, total suspended solid (TSS) 75%, biological oxygen demand (BOD) 84.23%, chemical oxygen demand (COD) 39%, potassium (K) 53%, sodium (Na) 75%, and calcium (Ca) 68%. These findings demonstrate high pollutant removal efficiency for sustainable treatment.
Organic Amendments and Biochar Alleviate Chromium Stress in Mungbean (Vigna radiata)
Chromium (Cr) contamination poses severe risks to crop productivity and food safety due to its toxicity and persistence. This study assessed the effectiveness of organic amendments cow dung manure, poultry manure, farmyard manure, biochar and lignite in mitigating Cr stress (25 ppm) in mungbean (Vigna radiata) under controlled pot conditions. Soil Cr fractionation, plant growth, and yield responses were evaluated. Cow dung manure emerged as the most effective treatment, reducing exchangeable Cr by 33.5% and increasing residual (immobilized) Cr by 147%, thereby limiting Cr mobility. Physiological and agronomic improvements were substantial, with increases in shoot length (45.8%), shoot biomass (315%) and seed yield (6,842%) over Cr-stressed controls. Poultry and farmyard manures provided moderate benefits, whereas biochar and lignite showed minimal impact. The superior performance of cow dung manure is attributed to its nutrient richness, enhancement of soil organic matter, and stimulation of microbial Cr(VI) reduction to less toxic Cr(III). Overall, results demonstrate that nutrient-rich organic amendments, particularly cow dung, offer a sustainable, low-cost solution for Cr remediation, improving both soil health and crop productivity. Field-scale validation is recommended to confirm long-term stability and optimize application strategies for managing Cr-contaminated agricultural soils.
Occurrence and Ecological Impacts of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in Lahore, Pakistan
The present study was conducted to establish baseline information on the diversity, distribution, and ecological implications of aquatic weeds in Lahore and surrounding habitats. Field surveys were carried out between 2021 and 2023 at randomly selected sites including Kasur Road, Raiwind Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Gajjumatta, and Shahdara, where drains and ponds were sampled and aquatic flora identified using standard floras and expert consultation. Water quality parameters indicated generally eutrophic conditions, with dissolved oxygen ranging from 4.5 to 9.2 mg/L (mean 6.8 ± 1.1 mg/L), electrical conductivity from 300 to 750 µS/cm (mean 520 ± 95 µS/cm), and turbidity between 7 and 36 NTU (mean 21.3 ± 6.7 NTU). A total of six dominant taxa were documented, with Eichhornia crassipes showing the highest frequency (86 ± 4.1%), density (63 ± 5.3 ind./m²), and cover (65 ± 3.8%), followed by Lemna minor (74 ± 6.2% frequency; 88 ± 7.4 ind./m² density; 53 ± 2.9% cover). Emergent species such as Typha angustifolia and Phragmites australis exhibited moderate distribution (57–60% frequency), while Pistia stratiotes (33 ± 3.6%) and Microcystis aeruginosa (25 ± 4.2%) were less abundant. The predominance of free-floating weeds, particularly E. crassipes and L. minor, highlights their adaptability to nutrient-rich and stagnant waters and underscores their role in altering aquatic ecology by reducing light penetration and oxygen availability. This first systematic report from Lahore emphasizes the urgent need for continuous monitoring and integrated management strategies, while also pointing to the potential utilization of invasive weed biomass in sustainable practices such as composting and biochar production.
Water-hyacinth, Common-reed, Duck-weed, Cattails, Algal biomass, Eutrophication, Genomic engineering of aquatic weeds
Co-application of Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles and Rhizobacteria Improves Growth, Physiology, and Biochemical Characteristics of Lettuce
Sustainable agriculture requires the inventive strategies that should be adopted to intensify crop production and stress resistance while minimizing the environmental impact. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have each demonstrated the potential to enhance plant performance individually. Their combined effects on crop physiology and biochemistry, however, are yet unexplored. Twenty selenium (Se)-resistant Gram-positive bacterial strains were obtained from soil of agricultural fields and screened for the major PGP characteristics including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and the production of phytohormones. Selective strains were employed to inoculate Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seeds. Treatment involved bacterial inoculation only, foliar SeNPs application, and combination of both. Growth factors (root length, leaf length, fresh weight), pigment content (chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids), protein content, and peroxidase activity were taken after 6 weeks under semi-field conditions. Combined application of chosen bacterial strains and SeNPs considerably promoted lettuce growth and stress-related biochemical reactions. NB11 + SeNP combination treatment displayed enhanced soluble protein levels by 75% and peroxidase activity by 65% against control (p ≤ 0.05). Heat map visualization validated strong positive correlations among enhanced growth and biochemical characters under combined treatments. PCA showed that the initial three principal components accounted for 77.1% of total variance with evident clustering of combined treatments showing significant multivariate improvement in plant performance. Synergistic application of SeNPs and Se-resistant PGPB is a promising method for enhancing plant growth, stress resistance, and nutritional content. This bio-based system facilitates sustainable crop management and provides a substitute for chemical fertilizers, particularly in stress-susceptible agricultural ecosystems.
Plant growth-promoting bacteria; Biogenic selenium nanoparticles; Rhizobacteria; Lettuce; Sustainable agriculture; Nano-enabled agriculture; Stress tolerance; Pigment stability; Plant-microbe interaction
Enhancing Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration and Spinach Growth through Organic Amendments
Spinach is an important leafy vegetable crop in Pakistan, with substantial cultivation area and market demand, contributing to both household nutrition and farm income. Agriculture and biodiversity are negatively impacted by climate change factors like rising atmospheric CO2 levels. So, the soil organic matter played an important role in maintaining the soil ecosystems and its biogeochemistry also in enhancing soil carbon sequestration dynamics. For that an experiment was conducted to enhance carbon sequestration using spinach crop in residual soil through organic manuring. Treatments were applied as Control (recommended fertilizers only); 1% organic amendment + 50% recommended fertilizers; 2% organic amendment + 50% recommended fertilizers; 1% organic amendment and 2% organic amendment. The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Soil and Environmental Science, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, using a Completely Randomized Design with five treatment combinations and three replications. Results demonstrated that carbon sequestration and spinach production were significantly (p<0.05) increased by soil organic amendment levels, 2% soil organic amendment proven to be more effective than 1%. Further, the application of organic amendment at higher level improved soil organic carbon, water use efficiency, infiltration rate and soil porosity and reduced soil bulk density compared to the control. Overall, the application of 2% soil organic amendment enhanced soil carbon sequestration, improved spinach growth, and increased soil health and water use efficiency. .
Spinach, Soil Carbon Sequestration; Organic Amendments; Plant Growth; Soil Health; Nutrient Management
Role of Organic Agriculture in Enhancing Soil Health: Implications for Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties
Soil health is fundamental to sustainable agriculture and food security. Organic agricultural practices have gained increasing recognition for its capacity to improving soil health. This study evaluates the effects of organic i.e. farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost (VC) versus traditional i.e. urea (U) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) farming practices on soil health indicators and wheat growth. Results revealed significant improvements (P<0.05) in both soil physico-chemical and biological properties under organic farming practices compared to traditional methods. Overall, the soil's physico-chemical properties, including organic matter (OM), porosity, and moisture percentage, significantly improved due to organic practices. Organic matter increased by 6.33-fold and 5.70-fold, porosity rose by 2.60-fold and 1.78-fold, and moisture percentage improved by 1.93-fold and 1.81-fold. . Conversely, a reduction in bulk density (BD) and pH was observed under organic practices, specifically vermicompost (VC) and farmyard manure (FYM). The bulk density decreased by 1.19-fold and 1.14-fold, while the pH declined by 1.19-fold and 1.12-fold, respectively, under VC and FYM treatments. While microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), and phosphorus (MBP) were enhanced by 2.18-fold, 3.64-fold and 4.1-fold owing to VC and 2.01-fold, 2.93-fold and 3.08-fold owing to FYM respectively. Similarly, the microbial community, including bacteria (3.45-fold and 6.36-fold), fungi (4.0-fold and 3.45-fold), and actinomycetes (6.36-fold and 4.0-fold), demonstrated a significant increase in population under VC and FYM. Correlation analysis showed that physico-chemical and biological properties are closely interlinked with each other and play a significant role in maintaining the overall soil health. The study highlights that organic farming significantly improves soil physico-chemical properties, boosts microbial biomass and diversity, and enhances overall soil health compared to conventional practices.
Evaluating the effects of varying zinc sulphate levels on wheat growth and productivity
Zinc deficiency in wheat hinders productivity, and the optimal application rate of zinc sulphate is unknown in arid climate, necessitating investigation into its impact on yield. The effect of various levels of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) on the yield and yield components of wheat variety Azric was investigated at the experimental research site of Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan during 2022-2023.The experiment was conducted with six treatments and three replications. The agronomic parameters studied were: plant height, spike length, number of spikelet per spike, number of grains/spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield kg/ha and straw yield kg/ha. The result of the study showed that T6 (ZnSO4@12 kg/ha) was better in performance as compared to control in growth and yield attributes of wheat including plant height (6.93%), spike length (24.2%), number of spikelet per spike (18.42%), number of grains/spike (18.61%), 1000-grain weight (25.58), grain yield kg/ha (60.25%) and straw yield kg/ha (9.96). Based on the results, it can be concluded that the application ZnSO4 at 12 kg/ha seems to be the most optimum and appropriate to get increased grain yield in wheat. This study is significant because optimizing zinc levels for wheat crops can improve crop yields, enhance nutritional quality, and increase zinc uptake, ultimately contributing to food security and human health.
Silicon in Plants: Molecular and Genetic Approaches Under Abiotic Stresses
Sustainable production of agriculture encounters significant challenges due to unpredictable and unfavorable environmental conditions. The incorporation of mineral components has become a fascinating and remarkable phenomenon distinct from the utilization of conventional and applied methods to alleviate abiotic stress condition. Use of silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the earth's lithosphere and plays a crucial role in the cellular and developmental processes of plants. Silicon (Si) is linked with improved germination, development, photosynthesis, gas exchange, photosystem efficiency, and yield characteristics in stressed and unstressed plant conditions. The beneficial effects of silicon are more prominent in silicon accumulating plants, particularly when exposed to various abiotic stress conditions. Silicon exhibited ameliorating effects on many abiotic stressors, including salt stress, drought stress, high temperature, and low temperature. Applying Si exogenously induces alterations in morpho-physiological and biochemical traits. Silicon occurrence and source, uptake accumulation and transportation are discussed in this chapter. Furthermore, efforts have been made to investigate the role of silicon-mediated improvements through genetic and molecular approaches including genomics and transcriptomics, proteomics, silicon nanoparticles and genome editing techniques. The objective of this chapter is to investigate the role of silicon in alleviating the adverse effects of abiotic stressors.
Role of Tillage, Organic Amendments and Nitrogen in Enhancing Growth and Yield Components of Maize
Appropriate tillage and nitrogen management from a suitable source can play a vital role in the optimization of maize (Zea mays L.) production. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim of investigating the effect of tillage, organic matter sources, and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield components of maize. The field experiment was conducted in Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) and was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement with three replications. Tillage (deep and shallow) and organic matter sources (Control, Cattle manure, berseem, and wheat straw) were arranged in main plots, and nitrogen fertilizer (urea source) (0, 80, and 120 kg ha-1) was arranged in subplots. Deep tillage plots recorded higher results for grain ear-1, thousand grains weight, biological yield, grain yield, and grain nitrogen content compared to shallow tillage plots. Among organic sources, berseem residue plots improved yield and yield components of maize as compared to other organic matter sources. Plots fertilized by 120 kg N ha-1 increased grain ear-1, thousand grains weight, biological yield, grain yield, and grain nitrogen content as compared to lower levels. Based on experimental results, it was concluded that deep tillage, berseem residue incorporation, and 120 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer could help farmers increase maize production in the Peshawar valley.