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Cultivation of crops in salt-affected soils is a major challenge for growers. Despite the use of multiple amendments, salinity stresses adversely affect the crops to some extent. On the other hand, imbalance in the use of boron (B) as a nutrient also creates toxicity. Mismanagement of B fertilizer application decreases the growth and yield of crops. It is necessary to study in depth the adverse effects of salinity and B toxicity. This is why the current research work was conducted in a glass house at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia. The aim of study was to investigate the influence of salinity and B toxicity on carbohydrate partitioning, growth, and ionic composition of two Australian wheat varieties. There were four treatments, i.e., control, high B (15 kg ha−1), salinity (15 dS m−1), and B + salinity. The results showed that the salt-tolerant Halberd (HB) variety accumulated more Na+, B, and Cl− in their leaf sheath and kept the leaf blades free of these toxic ions as compared to the sensitive variety Westonia (WS). Water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC; i.e., glucose, sucrose, fructose, and fructans) concentration increased in response to individual as well as combined constrains of soil salinity and toxic B in the leaf blade of both tolerant and sensitive wheat varieties, but the increase was higher in the tolerant variety as compared to the sensitive one. The concentration of WSCs in leaf sheath of the salt-tolerant wheat variety was increased in response to stress conditions, but those remained low in salt-sensitive ones. Therefore, the salt-tolerant HB genotype was found to be a good source for future wheat breeding programs or to be grown by farmers in B toxic, saline, and B toxic–saline conditions.

Cultivation of crops in salt-affected soils is a major challenge for growers. Despite the use of multiple amendments, salinity stresses adversely affect the crops to some extent. On the other hand, imbalance in the use of boron (B) as a nutrient also creates toxicity. Mismanagement of B fertilizer application decreases the growth and yield of crops. It is necessary to study in depth the adverse effects of salinity and B toxicity. This is why the current research work was conducted in a glass house at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia. The aim of study was to investigate the influence of salinity and B toxicity on carbohydrate partitioning, growth, and ionic composition of two Australian wheat varieties. There were four treatments, i.e., control, high B (15 kg ha−1), salinity (15 dS m−1), and B + salinity. The results showed that the salt-tolerant Halberd (HB) variety accumulated more Na+, B, and Cl− in their leaf sheath and kept the leaf blades free of these toxic ions as compared to the sensitive variety Westonia (WS). Water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC; i.e., glucose, sucrose, fructose, and fructans) concentration increased in response to individual as well as combined constrains of soil salinity and toxic B in the leaf blade of both tolerant and sensitive wheat varieties, but the increase was higher in the tolerant variety as compared to the sensitive one. The concentration of WSCs in leaf sheath of the salt-tolerant wheat variety was increased in response to stress conditions, but those remained low in salt-sensitive ones. Therefore, the salt-tolerant HB genotype was found to be a good source for future wheat breeding programs or to be grown by farmers in B toxic, saline, and B toxic–saline conditions.

The intensive applications of chlorpyrifos (CPF) in agricultural production have resulted in lethal effects on the environment, particularly on aquatic fauna. Thus, present study was aimed to assess the haematological responses, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT]) activity, acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibition and histopathological alterations in liver and gill tissues of cold‐water fish rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in their native habitat, when exposed to CPF. In total, 240 fingerlings were subjected to various CPF concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 μg/L) for acute and sub‐lethal toxicity tests. Results revealed that increasing CPF concentration and exposure time have resulted in reduced erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit level; however, leucocyte count was increased. Additionally, decrease in AChE activity was also observed with increasing concentration. CPF concentrations at lowest exposure duration induced slight increase of SOD and CAT activity while the high exposure durations (14 and 21 days) exhausted the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Structural damages produced by CPF in liver tissues were hyperaemia, dilated central veins, sinusoids and degenerative changes, while the lesions observed in gill tissue were curling of secondary lamella, cell degeneration, cell necrosis, narrowing of water channels, hyperplasia, oedematous changes, fusion of secondary lamella and sloughing.

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is an unregulated, highly chlorinated flame retardant. It has been manufactured from past 40 years but its presence in the environment was initially reported in 2006. Later, it has been found in various biotic and abiotic environmental matrices. However, little attention has been paid to monitor its presence in Asia. Many studies have reported the occurrence of DP in the environment of Asia, yet the data are scarce, and studies are limited to few regions. The objective of present review is to summarize the occurrence, distribution, and toxicity of this ubiquitous pollutant in various environmental matrices (biotic and abiotic). DP has also been reported in the areas with no emission sources, which proves its long-range transport. Moreover, urbanization and industrialization also affect the distribution of DP, i.e., high levels of DP have been found in urban areas relative to the rural. Tidal movement also incorporates in transport of DP across the aquatic system. Further, bioaccumulation trend of DP in various tissues is kidney > liver > muscle tissues, whereas, blood brain barrier resists its accumulation in brain tissues. Additionally, gender-based accumulation trends revealed high DP levels in females in comparison to males due to strong metabolism of males. Furthermore, methodological aspects and instrumental analysis used in previous studies have also been summarized here. However, data on biomagnification in aquatic ecosystem and bioaccumulation of DP in terrestrial food web are still scarce. Toxicity behavior of syn-DP and anti-DP is still unknown which might gain the interest for future studies.

In Pb-factored soils, soil application of appropriate inorganic amendment along with cultivation of salt-tolerant crop species/genotypes for Pb immobilization can be a good choice. Hence, in saline-sodic and non-saline/sodic Pb-factored soils, Pb immobilization was observed as influenced by exogeneously applied inorganic amendments. Salt-tolerant rice cultivar Shaheen basmati was grown in present study. The current pot study consists of two factors: three inorganic amendments (i.e., gypsum, rock phosphate and di-ammonium phosphate) each with their three increasing rates along with uncontaminated and contaminated controls, and two types of Pb-factored soils (non-saline/sodic and saline–sodic). At harvest maturity, crop was reaped and straw, paddy yields and height of plant were noted. The results showed that Pb induced decrease in rice growth and physiological attributes (i.e., transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) counteracted by exogeneously applied inorganic amendments. Among the tested amendments, the highest gypsum application rate of 9 me Ca 100 g−1 soil was proved the most effective to improve rice growth, yield, physiological functions, and to reduce Pb concentration in rice both in saline-sodic and non-saline/sodic Pb-factored soils.

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is an unregulated, highly chlorinated flame retardant. It has been manufactured from past 40 years but its presence in the environment was initially reported in 2006. Later, it has been found in various biotic and abiotic environmental matrices. However, little attention has been paid to monitor its presence in Asia. Many studies have reported the occurrence of DP in the environment of Asia, yet the data are scarce, and studies are limited to few regions. The objective of present review is to summarize the occurrence, distribution, and toxicity of this ubiquitous pollutant in various environmental matrices (biotic and abiotic). DP has also been reported in the areas with no emission sources, which proves its long-range transport. Moreover, urbanization and industrialization also affect the distribution of DP, i.e., high levels of DP have been found in urban areas relative to the rural. Tidal movement also incorporates in transport of DP across the aquatic system. Further, bioaccumulation trend of DP in various tissues is kidney > liver > muscle tissues, whereas, blood brain barrier resists its accumulation in brain tissues. Additionally, gender-based accumulation trends revealed high DP levels in females in comparison to males due to strong metabolism of males. Furthermore, methodological aspects and instrumental analysis used in previous studies have also been summarized here. However, data on biomagnification in aquatic ecosystem and bioaccumulation of DP in terrestrial food web are still scarce. Toxicity behavior of syn-DP and anti-DP is still unknown which might gain the interest for future studies.

In Pb-factored soils, soil application of appropriate inorganic amendment along with cultivation of salt-tolerant crop species/genotypes for Pb immobilization can be a good choice. Hence, in saline-sodic and non-saline/sodic Pb-factored soils, Pb immobilization was observed as influenced by exogeneously applied inorganic amendments. Salt-tolerant rice cultivar Shaheen basmati was grown in present study. The current pot study consists of two factors: three inorganic amendments (i.e., gypsum, rock phosphate and di-ammonium phosphate) each with their three increasing rates along with uncontaminated and contaminated controls, and two types of Pb-factored soils (non-saline/sodic and saline–sodic). At harvest maturity, crop was reaped and straw, paddy yields and height of plant were noted. The results showed that Pb induced decrease in rice growth and physiological attributes (i.e., transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) counteracted by exogeneously applied inorganic amendments. Among the tested amendments, the highest gypsum application rate of 9 me Ca 100 g−1 soil was proved the most effective to improve rice growth, yield, physiological functions, and to reduce Pb concentration in rice both in saline-sodic and non-saline/sodic Pb-factored soils.

Combined salinity and toxic levels of B are usually found in the soils and ground water of arid and semi-arid regions. A pot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of combined stresses of B toxicity and salinity on the growth, yield, physiological and biochemical processes of wheat. The study comprised of twelve treatments including four levels of B (control, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg kg-1 ) and three levels of salinity (control, 100 and 200 mM NaCl). The results showed that at lower level of B i.e., 2.5 mg kg-1 , the growth, yield and physiological attributes of wheat were improved at both levels of salinity. While the higher B levels (5 and 7.5 mg kg-1 ) and salinity together reduced wheat growth, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance and yield. However, this decrease was higher in sensitive wheat genotype than tolerant one. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased with increasing salinity and B stresses either alone or in combination. An antagonistic salinityB interaction was observed as the reduction in growth and yield parameters in the presence of combined salinity and toxic B levels was less than the sum of reduction caused by individual salinity and toxic B.

Combined salinity and toxic levels of B are usually found in the soils and ground water of arid and semi-arid regions. A pot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of combined stresses of B toxicity and salinity on the growth, yield, physiological and biochemical processes of wheat. The study comprised of twelve treatments including four levels of B (control, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg kg-1 ) and three levels of salinity (control, 100 and 200 mM NaCl). The results showed that at lower level of B i.e., 2.5 mg kg-1 , the growth, yield and physiological attributes of wheat were improved at both levels of salinity. While the higher B levels (5 and 7.5 mg kg-1 ) and salinity together reduced wheat growth, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance and yield. However, this decrease was higher in sensitive wheat genotype than tolerant one. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased with increasing salinity and B stresses either alone or in combination. An antagonistic salinityB interaction was observed as the reduction in growth and yield parameters in the presence of combined salinity and toxic B levels was less than the sum of reduction caused by individual salinity and toxic B.

Microencapsulation of polyherbal formulation (PHF) extract was carried out by freeze drying method, by employing gum arabic (GA), gelatin (GE), and maltodextrin (MD) with their designated different combinations as encapsulating wall materials. Antioxidant components (i.e total phenolic contents (TPC),Total flavonoids contents (TFC), and total condensed contents (TCT)), antioxidant activity (i.e. DPPH, β-carotene & ABTS+ assays), moisture contents, water activity (aw), solubility, hygroscopicity, glass transition temperature (Tg), particle size, morphology, in vitro alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition and bioavailability ratios of the powders were investigated. Amongst all encapsulated products, TB (5% GA and 5% MD) and TC (10% GA) has proven to be the best treatments with respect to the highest preservation of antioxidant components and their antioxidant potential by DPPH and β-carotene assays and noteworthy for an ABTS+ assays, in addition, the aforesaid treatments also demonstrated lower moisture content, aw, particle size and higher solubility, hygroscopicity and glass transition temperature (Tg). All freeze dried samples showed irregular (asymmetrical) microcrystalline structures. Furthermore, TB and TC also illustrated the highest in vitro anti-diabetic potential due to great potency for inhibiting alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activities. In the perspective of bioavailability, TA, TB and TC demonstrated the excellent bioavailability ratios (%).Futhermore, the phytochemo-profiling of ethanolic extract of PHF was also revealed to find out the bioactive compounds.

Microencapsulation of polyherbal formulation (PHF) extract was carried out by freeze drying method, by employing gum arabic (GA), gelatin (GE), and maltodextrin (MD) with their designated different combinations as encapsulating wall materials. Antioxidant components (i.e., total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoids contents (TFC), and total condensed tannins (TCT)), antioxidant activity (i.e., DPPH, β-carotene & ABTS⁺ assays), moisture contents, water activity (aw), solubility, hygroscopicity, glass transition temperature (Tg), particle size, morphology, in vitroα-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition and bioavailability ratios of the powders were investigated. Amongst all encapsulated products, TB (5% GA & 5% MD) and TC (10% GA) have proven to be the best treatments with respect to the highest preservation of antioxidant components. These treatments also exhibited higher antioxidant potential by DPPH and β-carotene assays and noteworthy for an ABTS⁺ assays. Moreover, the aforesaid treatments also demonstrated lower moisture content, aw, particle size and higher solubility, hygroscopicity and glass transition temperature (Tg). All freeze dried samples showed irregular (asymmetrical) microcrystalline structures. Furthermore, TB and TC also illustrated the highest in vitro anti-diabetic potential due to great potency for inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. In the perspective of bioavailability, TA, TB and TC demonstrated the excellent bioavailability ratios (%). Furthermore, the photochemical profiling of ethanolic extract of PHF was also revealed to find out the bioactive compounds.

Atmospheric particles (total suspended particles, TSPs) mass samples (288) were collected by high volume samplers at nine sampling locations in Faisalabad, Pakistan from May 2012 to April 2013. These TSP mass samples were subjected to gravimetric and quantitative chemical analyses for determining trace elements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe) using atomic absorption spectroscopy and water-soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+, NH4+) and anions (Cl−, SO42−, and NO3−) by ion chromatography. The average TSP mass and elemental concentrations at all locations were found to be highest during the dry and lowest during the wet season. The crustal elements Ca, Fe, Mg, and Na were the largest contributors to TSP mass while elements of anthropogenic origin Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, and Zn had relatively lower concentrations and also showing a high spatial variation. The concentration of TSP and elements exhibited the maxima at the sampling locations characterized by intensive industrial and vehicular activities. The wind rose analysis and the UNMIX model applied to chemical speciation data both identified the same three primary sources of TSP: power plant/refinery, brick kilns, and roadways. The normalized dot product was successfully used to quantify the similarity between different source profiles extracted from UNMIX model. The coupling of UNMIX with wind direction analysis complemented each other and provided a complete assessment of source contributions and locations.

Modern civilization with the rapid growth in population, large scale urbanization and industrialization around the globe, results in deterioration of soil and irrigation water quality. It is becoming necessary to understand the responses of crops towards these environmental issues. Among various abiotic stresses, salinity is considered an important limiting factor for worldwide wheat production. High levels of boron (B) and salinity are a serious constraint to crop production around the world. Cropping on saline and B toxic land is restricted by the low tolerance of agricultural crops to these abiotic factors. Frequently, B and salt occur together, however, it is unknown whether the interactions of B and salt increase or decrease the tolerance of a plant to both of these stresses. Low concentration of B is essential to plant growth and may limit the plant growth and development in excess quantity especially under saline conditions. In this chapter the individual and interactive effects of salinity and boron toxicity on physiological and biochemical process in plants have been reviewed.

Atmospheric particles (total suspended particles, TSPs) mass samples (288) were collected by high volume samplers at nine sampling locations in Faisalabad, Pakistan from May 2012 to April 2013. These TSP mass samples were subjected to gravimetric and quantitative chemical analyses for determining trace elements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe) using atomic absorption spectroscopy and water-soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+, NH4+) and anions (Cl−, SO42−, and NO3−) by ion chromatography. The average TSP mass and elemental concentrations at all locations were found to be highest during the dry and lowest during the wet season. The crustal elements Ca, Fe, Mg, and Na were the largest contributors to TSP mass while elements of anthropogenic origin Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, and Zn had relatively lower concentrations and also showing a high spatial variation. The concentration of TSP and elements exhibited the maxima at the sampling locations characterized by intensive industrial and vehicular activities. The wind rose analysis and the UNMIX model applied to chemical speciation data both identified the same three primary sources of TSP: power plant/refinery, brick kilns, and roadways. The normalized dot product was successfully used to quantify the similarity between different source profiles extracted from UNMIX model. The coupling of UNMIX with wind direction analysis complemented each other and provided a complete assessment of source contributions and locations.