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Neurada procumbens (Neuradaceae) is an importent plant of the Cholistan desert and is traditionally been used for the treatment and control of diabetes, fever, inflammations and jaundice. The aim of the current project is to investigate the bioactive compounds, free radical scavenging capacity and the anti-inflammatory potential of Neurada procumbens separately for its aerial and floral parts in six different extracts. The phytochemical profile (total bioactive contents, HPLC polyphenolic quantification), anti-oxidant (DPPH and FRAP assays), anti-inflammatory (HRBC stabilization) activities of the Aqu, MetOH, n-But, EtAc, n-Hex, and DCM extracts from the aerial and floral parts of Neurada procumbens were quantified. Based on the current results, the aerial and floral parts of N. procumbens extracts have found to contain a significant amount of active metabolites including polyphenolic compounds such as 2,3 di MeO benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin dihydrate and t-ferrulic acid. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the plant were found to range from 28.13 to 78.9 GAE mg/g of plant and 17.23 to 68.23 RE mg/g of plant, respectively. DCM and n-But extracts of floral part exhibited comparatively higher antioxidant potential in DPPH (IC50

Osmotic stress is a major hurdle to the optimization of maize productivity. Limited availability of what the decrease the maize productivity due to alteration in metabolic activities. It also decreases the uptake of essential nutrients in the plants which resulted in limited photosynthetic activities. Such conditions resulted in poor plant growth and productivity. To overcome this critical issue, most scientists suggest incorporating organic amendments in the soil. These days incorporation of acidified carbon (AC) is becoming popular for the alleviation of abiotic stresses in crops. It can not only improve soil physicochemical properties but also increases the bioavailability of nutrients to plants. That's why the current study was conducted to explore the best application rate of AC for maize under osmotic stress. There were application rates of AC i.e., 0, 0.75, and 1.50% applied under 70, 50, and 30% field capacity (FC). Results showed that shoot (47.14 and 82.60%) and root length (32.19 and 69.76%), shoot fresh (102.40 and 135.22%) and dry weight (77.19 and 121.51%), root fresh (82.82 and 104.42%) and dry weight (59.17 and 80.30%) were significantly enhanced in maize by application of 0.75 and 1.50% AC under 30% FC. A significant decrease in the electrolyte leakage also validated the effectiveness of 0.75 and 1.50% AC for alleviation of osmotic stress in maize. In conclusion, 0.75 and 1.50% AC are effective in the improvement of maize growth and yield attributes in maize. More investigations are suggested at the field level to declare 1.50% AC as the best treatment for alleviation of osmotic stress.

Deficiency of micronutrients is a major hurdle for achieving good quality mango fruit and sustainable optimum yield. High soil pH and phosphorus fertilizers are major causes that restrict the bioavailability of micronutrients, such as zinc (Zn) and boron (B). In addition, low or no micronutrient application may create severe Zn and B deficiency in fruits, especially mango. The judicious use of Zn and B is critical to overcoming this problem. Application of both nutrients in the form of soil and foliar application can increase the uptake of Zn and B and the yield of mango fruit on a sustainable basis. However, time is needed to synchronize micronutrients to application methods. Therefore, the current experiment was conducted to explore the best application rate of both micronutrients to the application method in mango orchards. There were 14 treatments applied with three replications. For micronutrient application, soil and foliar methods were chosen. Results showed that 75SB + 0.8FB + 150SZn + 1.0FZn perform significantly best for the improvement in the fruit length (62 %), fruit width (57 %), pulp fresh weight (92 %), stone weight (72 %). Furthermore, a significant increase in total soluble solids (45 %) and a decrease in acidity (50 %) confirmed the imperative functioning of 75SB + 0.8FB + 150SZn + 1.0FZn over control. Furthermore, a significant reduction in total phenolic contents and juice pH validated the effectiveness of 75SB + 0.8FB + 150SZn + 1.0FZn over control in mango. In conclusion, Zn and B soil and foliar application is a better approach for achieving good quality mango fruit. Treatment 75SB + 0.8FB + 150SZn + 1.0FZn is best for mango growers to achieve maximum fruit yield. However, more investigation is suggested in different climatic zones to declare 75SB + 0.8FB + 150SZn + 1.0FZn as the best application amendment to maximize the yield and quality of mango.

This research work aims to isolate endophytic bacteria from the Ajuga turkestanica plant that have plant growth promoting properties. The microscopic, enzymatic and biochemical properties of the isolated endophytic bacteria are described. Twelve isolates of endophytic bacteria were isolated by standard microbiological methods. Isolated endophytic bacteria were identified by (MALDI-TOF MS). Endophytic bacteria isolated from the plant were detected in MALDI-TOF MS. Bacterial isolates were dominated by endophytic bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Siccibacter. When the growth-enhancing properties of cultivated plants used in sustainable agriculture were studied, the isolated bacterial strains showed positive results in siderophor, ammonia, indole acetic acid production, and nitrogen fixation properties. Numerous endophytic bacteria have been found to have the enzymatic activity of oxidase, catalase, amylase, lecithinase and lipase. The results showed that endophytic bacteria isolated from the plant A. turkestanica are have plant stimulating properties which can be shown as a candidate for the production of bioinoculants individually or as part of a consortium.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that neutrally occurs in soil. It is carcinogenic in humans and caused a significant decline in the plant’s growth when up has taken beyond the threshold limit. The fertilizers, manure, sewage sludge, and aerial deposition are the main source of cadmium contamination in soil. Furthermore, poor soil organic matter is also one of the allied factors which facilitate the development of Cd toxicity in soil. The decomposition resistance nature of biochar makes it an effective amendment for cadmium remediation. Through crop production, Cd enters the food system. Individual studies on biochar and compost are found in the literature but the combined effect of biochar and compost are rarely documented especially in maize crops. The current pot study was conducted in Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory, Multan, Pakistan. However, the current study was novel and conducted by using compost mixed biochar (CB) against Cd toxicity in maize. Four application rates of CB i.e., 0, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% (1.00CB) were applied under 3 levels of Cd i.e., 0 (0Cd), 2.5 (2.5Cd) and 5 mg Cd kg−1 soil (5.0Cd). Overall, results indicated that 1.00%CB remained significantly best at higher 5.0Cd for improvement in soil organic matter, plant height, root length, number of leaves, leaves fresh and dry weight, plant fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoids. A significant decrease in soil pHs, leaves anthocyanin and lycopene also validated the efficacious functioning of 1.00%CB over control in 2.5 and 5.0Cd. In conclusion, the use of 1.00%CB is a better approach to decrease Cd harmful effects to improve gas exchange attributes, growth and chlorophyll contents in maize. Long-term research is required on co-composted biochar toward mitigation of cadmium toxicity under different geographical locations.

Management of zinc (Zn) in calcareous soils is a major problem for higher rice growth and yield. Need of time is to introduce environmentally friendly approach for the management of Zn. Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) is one of such efficacious technique for enhancing the availability of Zn in these soils. The present study investigated the effect of different Zn application methods i.e., seed coating (SC; 1.25 g Zn/kg seed), seed priming (SP; 0.5 M solution) and soil application (SA; 4 mg ZnSO4/kg soil) alone or in combination with AMF applied in completely randomized design (CRD) on morpho-physiological growth and productivity of rice. Results showed that Zn SA + AMF remained significantly the best treatment for the improvement in germination, plant height, spike length and number of spikes than control + AMF and control with no AMF. A significant enhancement in 1000 grains weight (71.11%), total chlorophyll (40.38%), photosynthetic rate (16.17%) and transpiration rate (41.48%) validated the efficacious role of Zn SA + AMF over control + AMF. Significant increase in rice grains N (25.68 and 40.11%), P (29.41 and 25.00%), K (42.86 and 47.37%) and Zn (10.42 and 59.03%) signified the imperative functioning of Zn SA + AMF and Zn SA over control + AMF and control without AMF respectively. In conclusion, Zn SA has the potential to improve the rice growth nutrients uptake. However, Zn SA + AMF is better to approach than the sole application of Zn SA for rice. More investigations at the field level under different soil textures are suggested to declare Zn SA + AMF as the best treatment for improvement in the productivity of rice.

Utilization of industrial and household wastes as fertilizer while wastewater as irrigation are common practices in developing country's agriculture. These practices played an imperative role in the accumulation of heavy metals in soil. Among different heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) contamination in soils has been rising to an alarming level. The contribution of natural activities is relatively low over anthropogenic activities for Cd buildup in the soil. Its toxicity adversely affects human health, soil and plant productivity. Instead of chemicals remediation, a nature-friendly biochar is suggested as a promising remedy to reclaim Cd-contaminated soils. Owing to high stability, greater surface area, and exchange sites, biochar can adsorb heavy metals. Thus, significantly reducing metals mobility, bioavailability, and uptake of heavy metals by the plant. It has active functional groups like ketones, carboxylic, and diols that bind the Cd and other metals. Biochar can also mitigate the harmful effect of Cd by improving plant chlorophyll contents, photosynthesis activity, SOP, POD and CAT enzyme activity through better availability of essential. Furthermore, the application of acidified biochar into alkaline soil is also gaining attention. It plays a vital role in declining soil pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and improving the availability of immobilized nutrients. Scientists are also working on acidified carbon (AC) chemical production to investigate its potential benefits in high pH soils. This review will help to provide the basis for understanding the potential benefits of thermopyrolyzed biochar and chemically produced AC, especially in Cd-contaminated sites. However, more advanced and in-depth investigations are required to use chemically produced carbon as an amendment against Cd and other heavy metals toxicity.

In a greenhouse, parallel two experiments were carried out for the estimation of the impact of exogenous GSH (reduced glutathione) on photosynthetic properties, the efficiency of the photosystem II, and the H2O2-scavenging mechanism in chilli (Capsicum annum L.) seedlings. On the bases of pathogenicity, resistant and susceptible verities were selected. The application of GSH increased the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as photochemical quantity yield (YII). It declined the excitation pressure (1-qP) of photosystem and production of non-regulated energy dissipation [Y (NO)] in Xanthomonas campestris treated chilli leaves. In the addition of GSH, accumulation of reactive oxygen species was down and maintained the activity of ROS-scavenging enzymes (enzymatic antioxidants) in resistant and susceptible plants. Consequently, GSH supplementation relieves inhibition of production of bacterial toxin and photosynthesis primarily by overwhelming stomatal limitations, enhancing the performance of photosystem, and modulating the antioxidant protection mechanism to defend chloroplasts from oxidation. The Present study confirmed that seed priming with GSH in chilli plants to relieve biotic stress.