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Crop wastes could be applied in conjunction with synthetic fertilizers to satisfy crop nutritional needs and enhance soil fertility. A field experiment was carried out during winter 2019–2020 at the AMK Research Farm (Palatoo) Mardan, KPK (Pakistan) to investigate the combined effect of phosphorous (PS) and organic sources (OSs) on wheat productivity under different irrigation regimes. The experimental factors were: two irrigation regimes (limited and full irrigation), three inorganic sources of phosphorus (triple super phosphate (TSP), single super phosphate (SSP) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP)) applied at 90 kg ha−1, and three organic amendments (farmyard manure (FYM), mung bean residue (MBR), and canola residue (CR)) applied at a rate of 10 t ha−1. A control plot (no phosphorus or organic supply) was included. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was adopted. Among the fertilization strategies, SSP + FYM outperformed all other P fertilizers combined with legume or nonlegume residues in terms of grains per spike−1 (52), thousand-grain weight (41.6 g), biological yield (9.7 t ha−1), and grain yield (4 t ha−1). Under full irrigation, improved yield, yield components, and profits were obtained compared to the limited irrigation regime. Three clusters were obtained after applying an Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) conferred the positive effects of inorganic P with FYM on the wheat yield and its related parameters. This study indicated that the productivity of wheat under the SSP + FYM fertilization strategy was found to be more economical with respect to the benefit–cost ratio (BCR). The combined application of SSP + FYM was more profitable in terms of a higher BCR (3.25) than other treatments under the full irrigation regime.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intravenous Paracetamol versus intravenous Tramadol in terms of post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, Pak-Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi Pakistan, Jan 2020 to Feb 2021. Methodology: A total of 88 patients admitted for planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy were screened as per the selection criteria and were included in the study. They were further divided into two Groups. Each Group received 44 patients. Group-A received intravenous Paracetamol 1 g, while Group-B received intravenous Tramadol 100 mg, both given 6 hourly over 24 hours. Both Groups were evaluated for pain at regular interval via a Visual Analog Scale for pain, for the first 24 hours post-operatively. Results: Mean Visual Analog Scale score post-recovery at 0 minutes was 6.57±1.47 with Paracetamol and 6.84±1.39 with Tramadol, (p=0.38). The difference in both Groups remained non-significant when checked at regular intervals till 18 hours post-recovery where intravenous Paracetamol showed a clearly superior Visual Analog Scale score of 1.00±0.94 versus 1.66±1.06 with Tramadol, (p= 0.007). Thereafter, the difference disappeared again at 24 hours post-recovery. Conclusion: Paracetamol provides analgesia effectively when compared to Tramadol in the first 24-hour post-operative period. Moreover, it seems to be devoid of the adverse effect profile seen with opioid analgesics. Considering the results obtained, the routine use of Paracetamol as first-line analgesic post-operatively is highly recommended.

This study was carried out with the aim of understanding how farmers perceive and deal with fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in maize crops. Data based on a questionnaire were collected across nine districts of the Punjab province in Pakistan. Findings revealed that about 38% of farmers had medium-sized landholdings and had been cultivating maize crop for the last 11–20 years. Hybrid maize seed was used by 55% of the farmers, and 60% of the maize grown was used as fodder, as well as a cash crop. Surprisingly, only 39% of farmers were able to correctly identify FAW; however, the majority (72%) recognized the larvae as the most damaging stage. Although most of the farmers (71%) grew maize crops during both seasons, only 34% of the farmers recognized autumn as the peak infestation period of FAW. However, despite limited awareness, a high percentage (86%) of farmers managed FAW effectively using various chemical treatments. This study also highlighted the influence of some factors on farmers’ perception of FAW such as: age, farming experience, and maize cultivation practices. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of the basic biology and targeted management strategies for FAW to safeguard maize crops in the region.

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (syn. Podophyllum emodi Wall.), commonly known as Himalayan mayapple, is an endangered medicinal plant recognized as the primary natural source of podophyllotoxin, a potent compound with anticancer and antiviral properties. In this study, we developed an optimized protocol for the long-term preservation of P. hexandrum germplasm using a slow growth storage (SGS) technique, successfully preserving the viability and genetic stability of both callus and rhizome cuttings. In vitro cultured callus and rhizome microcuttings of P. hexandrum were conserved using the slow growth storage (SGS) technique in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium under cold conditions (5 °C), supplemented with different concentrations of sucrose, mannitol, and sorbitol in combination with calcium pantothenate and spermidine, to induce slow growth and maintain tissue viability. It was observed that sorbitol (5.5%) combined with spermidine (2 mg L −1 ), calcium pantothenate (3 mg L −1 ), and 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) (1.5 mg L −1 ) showed better efficacy than the mannitol (6.5%) combination in preserving and regenerating callus and rhizome microcuttings. In contrast, the combination with sucrose (6.5%) was the least effective. This study developed an effective in vitro protocol for conserving P. hexandrum , an endangered medicinal plant, through slow growth storage. A medium containing sorbitol, mannitol, spermidine (2 mg L −1 ), and calcium pantothenate (2 mg L −1 ) enhanced tissue viability, stress tolerance, and long-term survival of callus and rhizome explants while maintaining genetic stability during cold storage. These findings suggest that this protocol provides a reliable approach for the ex-situ conservation of P. hexandrum , ensuring the availability of genetically stable plant material for future research and medicinal use. This is the first report on the germplasm conservation of callus and rhizome microcuttings of P. hexandrum grown in Pakistan using the slow growth technique.

Insect physiology is affected by the presence of toxins in the surrounding environment of insects as well as their food sources. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of heavy metal exposure to two low concentrations (50 μg/g and 150 μg/g) of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) through artificial diet to the larvae on biological parameters of Asian armyworm ( Spodoptera litura Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Both Pb and Zn, even at low concentrations, had relatively high toxic effects on S. litura larvae ( P  < 0.01). S. litura larval weight and length suffered the maximum reduction when the larvae were fed on diet mixed with the high Pb concentration (150 μg/g) tested compared to the other treatments. At the same Pb concentration (150 μg/g), values of larva growth index, pupa growth index, immature growth index, standardized growth index, and fitness index were 4.66, 7.33, 7.82, 5.35, and 10.00 times lower, respectively, than those of control. At the same Zn concentration (150 μg/g), values of larval growth index, pupal growth index, immature growth index, standardized growth index, and fitness index were 5.61, 3.00, 3.04, 3.23, and 9.24 times lower, respectively, than those of control. The survival rate of S. litura larvae was also lower (12.5%) when the larvae were fed on diet mixed with Pb at 150 μg/g after 10 days of observation. Overall, the presence of those heavy metals in the environment, even at low concentrations, would exert an adverse impact on larvae development of this insect. From this point of view, findings could provide a basis for long-term evaluation of heavy metal risk and its impact on populations of important agricultural pests.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major migratory polyphagous insect pest of various crops. The essential nutrient and mineral profile of the host plants determines the feeding fitness of herbivorous insects. As a result, the growth and development of insects is affected. To determine the effect of the nutrient and mineral profile of different host plants (maize, castor bean, cotton, cabbage, okra, and sugarcane) on the growth and development of S. frugiperda, biological parameters like larval weight, pupal weight (male/female), and feeding and growth indices were calculated. The proximate compositions such as crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, and ash and mineral contents of the tested host plants showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The feeding indices on these host plants also differed significantly (p < 0.05). The maximum relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR), and consumption index (CI) were recorded in S. frugiperda larvae that fed on maize and castor bean leaves. The crude protein, dry matter, and ash contents in maize and castor bean were significantly higher and positively correlated with the RGR and RCR of S. frugiperda larvae. The larval, male and female pupal weights were the maximum in the larvae feeding on the castor bean host plant. These findings provide novel information based on nutritional ecology to develop sustainable integrated pest management strategies using selective crop rotation.

Elevated noise level is an emerging global problem. Therefore, the present work is conducted that can improve, increase, and integrate the already known issue in literature with new information coming from an emerging country such as Pakistan. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess the urban noise levels and traffic density of Chiniot and Jhang and (ii) to determine nonauditory health effects of noise levels on the residents of both cities. Noise levels were examined from 181 locations (103 from Jhang and 78 from Chiniot) and categorized into hospitals, educational, religious and recreational, residential, industrial areas, and traffic intersections. A-weighted noise level measurements were taken using an integrated sound level meter which recorded short-term road traffic noise continuously for 15 min at each location (LA eq15 ). The urban noise data showed 82% of the sites in Jhang (LA max = 103 dB) and 95% in Chiniot (LA max = 120 dB) exceeded the noise limits set by the National Environment Quality Standard of Pakistan (NEQS-Pak) and World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, higher intensity of noise levels (LA eq15 ≥ 100 dB) was recorded in Chiniot (17 sites) than in Jhang (1 site). Regression analysis showed a relatively strong relationship of traffic density with noise at Chiniot ( R 2 = 0.48) compared to Jhang ( R 2 = 0.31). However, spatial variability of noise with traffic density was observed in both cities. Survey study revealed that all the respondents in Jhang and Chiniot suffered from many noise-related health problems such as annoyance (53 and 51%), depression (45 and 47%), dizziness (61 and 65%), headache (67 and 64%), hypertension (71 and 56%), hearing loss (53 and 56%), physiological stress (65 and 65%), sleeplessness (81 and 84%), and tinnitus (70 and 62%) due to noise, respectively. We conclude that noise levels are higher in Chiniot primarily due to high road traffic and secondarily due to high population density. It is recommended that vehicle maintenance and family and urban planning could be effective measures to reduce urban noise levels.

Marigold (Calendula calypso) is a multipurpose ornamental plant, but its cadmium (Cd) tolerance and phytoremediation potential is unknown. The proposed study was carried out to unravel Cd partitioning, physiological and oxidative stress responses of C. calypso grown under Cd stress. Plants were grown for four months in pots having different soil Cd levels: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg kg−1 soil. Plant growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, leaf water contents, stomatal conductance, and membrane stability index were not decreased at 25 mg kg−1 Cd. At higher levels of Cd stress, activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX, CAT, POD) increased to mitigate H2O2 and lipid peroxidation. Cadmium uptake in plants increased with increasing soil Cd levels, and roots accumulated a greater portion of Cd, followed by shoots and flowers, respectively. On the basis of Cd accumulation and its tolerance, it was determined that C. calypso can be successfully grown for phytostabilization of Cd contaminated soils.

Canola is the second-largest oil seed crop in the world, providing oil mainly composed of long-chain fatty acids (C14 to C20). When mixed with fossil-diesel, canola-based biofuel can be used in passenger vehicles, trucks, or even in aviation. Canola is the most productive type of biofuel due to its oil’s long-chain and unbranched fatty acid composition, which makes it more fluid. However, canola yields are constrained by drought and salinity that can aggravate climate change, resulting in negative consequences. Therefore, it is becoming necessary for studies that involved the canola salt-tolerant genotypes to consider soil salinization by use of saline soil or salinized soil by a non-efficient irrigation method. This study was carried out to assess the effects of salinity on seed germination and the effect of CaCl2 (ψs = −1.2 MPa) on the promotion of regenerated plant memory when a new cycle of stress occurs. Our experiment shows that salt-stressed canola plants resulted in a high reduction in chlorophylls and carotenoids, with a high impact on gas exchange and a reduction in the efficiency of the chloroplast electron chain transporter, producing the negative effect of reduced molecules that affect the membrane integrity. However, canola seed priming could produce a memory in the regenerated plants when the second round of salt stress was applied. This research concludes that canola genotypes appear to have a tolerance mechanism against salt stress which could be an important trait for developing high-yielding canola varieties in future breeding programs under salt stress conditions.

Marine macroalgae, which typically colonize coastal areas, are simple plant organisms. They live on rocks in coastal regions and are classified into red, brown, and green macroalgae. These algae are an important natural resource in agriculture due to their ability to enhance the structural, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Marine macroalgae can be used to produce various biocidal molecules that are effective in controlling plant pathogens. Much of the literature on marine macroalgae and their derivatives focuses primarily on the pharmaceutical field, while their use in agriculture is still considered secondary. However, various studies and experiments have demonstrated their potential to play a significant role in crop protection and enhancement. This review aims to highlight the various applications of macroalgae in plant production. It also emphasizes the biotechnological importance of marine macroalgae derivatives as biofertilizers, molecules for controlling insects and microorganisms, and as plant growth conditioners. Compounds from macroalgae, such as fatty acids, carotenoids, polyphenols, and carbohydrates, are being investigated for their fungicidal, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects against various plant pathogens. Beyond enhancing crop production, macroalgae can also be considered multifunctional bioinoculants suitable for use in organic farming.