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To improve yield and shelf life of stock can enhance economic value to flowers growers globally. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various bio-stimulants on yield and quality of stock. Three cultivars of stock, viz. 'Cheerful White', 'Iron Rose' and 'Iron White' foliarly sprayed by bio-stimulants (Isabion and Tecamin Max) with three different concentrations (1 ppm, 3 ppm, and 5 ppm) with the different number of sprays (1, 2, or 3 sprays). The first spray was applied after one month of transplanting, while the other two were applied at fortnight intervals after the first spray. Fisher's Analysis of variance revealed that Isabion at 1 ppm as 1 spray, 3 ppm as 3 sprays, and 5 ppm as 3 sprays produced the highest plant height for three cultivars of stock. 'Cheerful White' had the highest stem length when plants were sprayed once at 1 ppm Isabion. Among cultivars, 'Iron Rose', produced highest leaf area (42.8 cm2) with 3 ppm Isabion application, when sprayed only one time. Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times with Isabion produced the thickest stem diameter followed by 2 and 1 sprays. 'Cheerful White' had maximum leaf total chlorophyll contents, followed by 'Iron White' and 'Iron Rose' (69.1 SPAD and 68.8 SPAD, respectively). Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times had the longest vase life. Cheerful White proved early cultivar of stock while Iron White were late cultivars when grown in agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad. Tecamoin Mix is recommended biostimulant for quality production of Mathiola incoma L. rather than isabion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve yield and shelf life of stock can enhance economic value to flowers growers globally. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various bio-stimulants on yield and quality of stock. Three cultivars of stock, viz. ‘Cheerful White’, ‘Iron Rose’ and ‘Iron White’ foliarly sprayed by bio-stimulants (Isabion and Tecamin Max) with three different concentrations (1 ppm, 3 ppm, and 5 ppm) with the different number of sprays (1, 2, or 3 sprays). The first spray was applied after one month of transplanting, while the other two were applied at fortnight intervals after the first spray. Fisher’s Analysis of variance revealed that Isabion at 1 ppm as 1 spray, 3 ppm as 3 sprays, and 5 ppm as 3 sprays produced the highest plant height for three cultivars of stock. ‘Cheerful White’ had the highest stem length when plants were sprayed once at 1 ppm Isabion. Among cultivars, ‘Iron Rose’, produced highest leaf area (42.8 cm² ) with 3 ppm Isabion application, when sprayed only one time. Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times with Isabion produced the thickest stem diameter followed by 2 and 1 sprays. ‘Cheerful White’ had maximum leaf total chlorophyll contents, followed by ‘Iron White’ and ‘Iron Rose’ (69.1 SPAD and 68.8 SPAD, respectively). Among the number of sprays, plants sprayed three times had the longest vase life. Cheerful White proved early cultivar of stock while Iron White were late cultivars when grown in agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad. Tecamoin Mix is recommended biostimulant for quality production of Mathiola incoma L. rather than isabion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Citrus reticulata was under environmental stresses. • Micronutrients and melatonin present in high concentration in ecotypes under stress. • Antioxidants were checked. • Effects of antioxidants were checked on photosynthetic pigments. • Melatonin and other antioxidants were alleviated in stress environment. A major commercial fruit in Pakistan, citrus plays an important role in the economy of the country. The current study examined antioxidant responses in citrus plants exposed to various abiotic stresses like industrial pollution, dust pollution, water logging, drought, and salinity, varying in soil properties and agro-climatic conditions, citrus species and cultivars are most susceptible to abiotic stresses in most citrus-producing countries. The effects of abiotic stresses on citrus plants and fruit physiology were studied in six different sites like Thal desert and pollution stressed areas of Faisalabad. A study of the physiological characteristics of various plants has revealed that citrus plants contain more chlorophyll as the concentration of melatonin increases. Integrative elemental and metabolic techniques have been used to study the potential role of melatonin in citrus defense against abiotic stress and to understand the interactions between melatonin and stress-related phytohormones at the elemental and metabolic levels. Citrus plants sensed abiotic stresses based on morphological observations and physiological analysis. Morphological analysis shows that the abiotic stresses adversely affected the leaves, stems and roots. Physiological analysis shows that antioxidant and micronutrients concentrations (boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl)) were also adversely effected in citrus plants. Iron concentration was also found higher in healthy plants with a slight difference. Results show that the activity of antioxidants was increased in stressed plants but the activity of melatonin was slightly changed in healthy plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Riparian vegetation and Phyla nodiflora was under industrial pollution stress. • Macronutrients and melatonin present in high concentration in ecotypes under stress. • Antioxidants were checked. • Effects of antioxidants were checked on photosynthetic pigments. • Melatonin and other antioxidants were alleviated in stress environment. This study explores the macro nutritional contents and endogenous melatonin in the structural differences of riparian flora and horticultural ecotype growing in industrially contaminated environments. Water pollution caused by anthropogenic activities poses uncompromising threats to rivers and water sources, resulting in the extinction of many species and the reduction of others to endangered status. Effluents from the industrial hub of Faisalabad are discharged into the Chenab River in Punjab province. As in other parts of the world, effluents from Faisalabad industries pose a great threat to native vegetation in the area. Therefore, this study was designed to verify the presence of industrial pollution. Moreover, the effects of industrial pollution on native vegetation and the survival strategies of adapted species were also assessed. Results showed that several abiotic stresses have been mitigated by endogenous melatonin in herbs and herb-based products. The survival of herbs depends on specific changes to biochemical compounds like melatonin content and vascular structures. Overall, industrial pollution harmed herbs' metabolism and antioxidant activity, although the reactions of specific species to industrial pollution varied. Changes in the concentration of endogenous melatonin metabolism have been identified as promising indicators for industrial pollution biomonitoring. Internal alterations of plants vegetating at various industrially polluted locations contributed significantly to the high level of tolerance of these plants. The typical reaction of all herbs to increased pollution was growth modification in terms of endogenous melatonin content, moisture content, carbohydrates, crude protein, and dry matter. Most of the proximate, melatonin and chlorophyll content were significantly high in indirectly affected vegetation and high in directly affected industrial pollution. Biochemical investigation specifies that in response to industrial pollution four species Calotropis procera, Eclipta alba, Phyla nodiflora (Ornamental plant) and Ranunculus sceleratus increased the primary metabolites like melatonin, carbohydrates, crude protein, crude fibers, and fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of various sowing times on flowering, pollen viability and seed yield of zinnia (Zinnia elegans) cultivars 'Lilliput' and 'Super Yoga' under Faisalabad, Pakistan conditions. Seeds of both Zinnia cultivars were sown in 128-cell plug trays at 20 days interval from March 14 to August 20, during 2019. Seedlings were transplanted in thoroughly prepared field beds after 15 days of each sowing, according to factorial arranged randomized complete block design, with three replications. Data were recorded for various growths, flowering traits, pollen viability and seed related parameters. Super Yoga excelled over Lilliput for most the studied traits except number of lateral shoots, flowers per plant, unopened flower buds, pollen viability and seed yield per plant; values of these traits were higher for Lilliput than Super Yoga. Significant variation among various sowing times was recorded in both cultivars. Seeds sown on March 14, 2019 performed best compared to later sowing times for plant height, number of lateral shoots per plant, length of the lateral shoots, leaf area, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, pollen viability, seed yield per plant and seed viability. However, total number of un-opened flower buds, seed weight per flower and 100-seed weight were more in April 03 sowing, although statistically similar to March 14 sowing. Seed yield declined gradually with delay in sowing; 66% less seed yield in June 20 sowing. Further delay in sowing did not produce seed. It was concluded that Zinnia should be sown by mid-March for getting high seed yield of good quality; later sowing, even during first week of April, resulted in 17.5% decrease in seed yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both species demonstrated shorter crop time with delayed sowings, but delayed sowing reduced stem quality. • All Matthiola cultivars produced flowers at similar times for each sowing date. • Planting at 30 × 30 cm spacing produced more florets than 15 cm × 15 cm. • Antirrhinum cultivars may be sown at same time, but Matthiola cultivars should be grown using staggered sowing times. • Antirrhinum and Matthiola cultivars may be sown on 1st October and transplanted at 22.5 × 22.5 cm for best cut stem quality. A field study was conducted on selected cultivars of Antirrhinum majus L. and Matthiola incana L. at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, to determine the best planting time and density to develop optimal planting protocols to grow these species as cut flowers in the sub-tropics. Antirrhinum and Matthiola seeds were sown five times at 15 or 16 d intervals on 15 Sept., 01 Oct., 15 Oct., 01 Nov. or 15 Nov. In a separate study, the optimum planting density was determined by transplanting seedlings at 15 × 15, 15 × 22.5, 22.5 × 22.5, 22.5 × 30 or 30 × 30 cm apart. For planting time, both species demonstrated shorter crop time with delayed sowings, but delayed sowing reduced stem quality. Cultivars of both species sown on 15 Sept. had the tallest plant height, 104.2 and 58.6 cm for Antirrhinum and Matthiola , respectively, along with the greatest number of leaves (176.7 and 28.9), leaf area (13.7 and 35.0 cm2), number of florets (32.8 and 14.8), floret diameter (41.3 and 47.3 mm), raceme length (27.2 and 14.6 cm) and stem diameter 14.8 and 9.9 mm for Antirrhinum and Matthiola , respectively, compared to those sown on 15 Nov. Moreover, vase life of stems of both species decreased (4.0 d for Antirrhinum and 5.5 d for Matthiola) with delayed sowing time. Among all tested cultivars of Antirrhinum, 'Admiral White' flowered the earliest, 'Potomac Orange' and 'Potomac Yellow' flowered mid season, and 'Potomac Rose' and 'Potomac White' took longest to produce flowers, while all Matthiola cultivars produced flowers at similar times for each sowing date. Antirrhinum and Matthiola planted at 30 × 30 cm spacing had greatest number of leaves (198.1 and 31.4 for Antirrhinum and Matthiola , respectively), leaf area (14.3 and 40.1 cm2), number of florets (32.4 and 15.4), floret diameter (36.1 and 47.7 mm), raceme length (26.2 cm of Antirrhinum only) and stem diameter (14.1 and 14.7 mm for Antirrhinum and Matthiola , respectively) compared to those planted at 15 cm × 15 cm. In summary, for extending harvest season, Antirrhinum cultivars may be sown at same time, but Matthiola cultivars should be grown using staggered sowing times. Antirrhinum and Matthiola cultivars may be sown on 15th September to 1st October and transplanted at 22.5 × 22.5 cm spacing for best cut stem quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-nine accessions were collected from arid and semi-arid areas of Pakistan to explore adaptive components in red-grained wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Single-line selections of these accessions were grown on an arid and a control site; that is, Uchkera Farm (UF) and Botanical Garden (BG), Faisalabad. The accessions grown at BG exhibited significantly better biomass and grain yield production than those grown at UF. Accession Ck5 from Chakwal produced the maximum grain yield (17.7 g plant−1) at BG and Jm3 (8.1 g plant−1) at UF. Among the eight accessions selected for further anatomical studies, Dg2 showed increased yield per plant at UF, which was related to root modifications like increased cortical region thickness, endodermal cell area, vascular region thickness, metaxylem area, and root hair length. Stem modifications included increased vascular bundle area, phloem area and stomatal density, while leaves showed increased cuticle thickness, bulliform cell thickness, trichome density, and length. Increased stomatal density and area were also found. Accession Jm3 showed a decrease in yield at UF. Root modifications in Jm3 included increased epidermal cell area, sclerenchymatous thickness, endodermal cell area, and root hair length. Stem modifications in this accession included increased stem cellular region thickness and sclerenchymatous cell area. Leaves had increased abaxial epidermal cell area, trichome number and length, and abaxial stomatal density. In conclusion, morpho-anatomical characteristics varied greatly in the red-grained wheat accessions at both experimental sites that have potential for incorporation into breeding efforts for drought tolerance in modern wheat cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]