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Anthropogenic activities such as mining, manufacturing, and application of fertilizers release substantial quantities of cadmium (Cd) into the environment. In the natural environment, varying pH may play an important role in the absorption and accumulation of Cd in plants, which can cause toxicity and increase the risk to humans. We conducted a hydroponic experiment to examine the impact of pH on cadmium (Cd) solubility and bioavailability in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under controlled environmental conditions. The results showed that Cd concentration was significantly reduced in wheat with an increase in pH from 5 to 7, while it was dramatically increased at pH ranging from 7 to 9. However, in both cases, a significant reduction in physiological traits was observed. The addition of Cd (20, 50, and 200 μmol L-1) at all pH levels caused a substantial decline in wheat growth, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, nutrient availability, while elevated cell membrane damage was observed in terms of electrolytic leakage (EL), osmoprotectants, and antioxidants activity. In our findings, the negative effects of acidic pH (5) on wheat growth and development were more pronounced in the presence of Cd toxicities. For instance, Cd concentration with 20, 50, and 200 μmol L-1 at acidic pH (5) reduced shoot dry biomass by 45%, 53%, and 79%, total chlorophyll contents by 26%, 41%, 56% while increased CAT activity in shoot by 109%, 175%, and 221%, SOD activity in shoot by 122%, 135%, and 167%, POD activity in shoot by 137%, 250%, and 265%, MDA contents in shoot by 51%, 83%, and 150%, H2O2 contents in shoot by 175%, 219%, and 292%, EL in shoot by 108%, 165%, and 230%, proline contents in shoot by 235%, 280%, and 393%, respectively as compared to neutral pH without Cd toxicities. On the other hand, neutral pH with Cd toxicities alleviated the negative effects of Cd toxicity on wheat plants by limiting Cd uptake, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and increased nutrient availability. In conclusion, neutral pH minimized the adverse effects of Cd stress by minimizing its uptake and accumulation in wheat plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is a global problem, and almost more than 20% of the total cultivated area of the world is affected by salt stress. Phytoremediation is one of the most suitable practices to combat salinity and recently biochar has showed the tremendous potential to alleviate salt-affected soils and enhance vegetation. Trees improve the soil characteristics by facilitating the leaching of salts and releasing organic acids in soil. Moreover, in the presence of trees, higher transpiration rates and lower evaporation rates are also helpful in ameliorating salt affected soils. This study was designed to check the effect of different levels of biochar on the morph-physiological characteristics of three important agroforestry tree species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Vachellia nilotica, and Dalbergia sissoo, in saline soils. Farmyard manure biochar was applied at the rate of 3% (w/w), 6% (w/w), and 9% (w/w) to find appropriate levels of biochar for promoting the early-stage trees growth under saline conditions. Results of the current study revealed that maximum shoot length (104.77 cm), shoot dry weight (23.72 g), leaves dry weight (28.23 g), plant diameter (12.32 mm), root length (20.89 cm), root dry weight (18.90 g), photosynthetic rate (25.33 μ moles CO2 m-2s-1) and stomatal conductance (0.12 mol H2O m-2 s-1) were discovered in the plants of Eucalyptus camaldulensis at the rate of 6% (w/w). All tree species showed better results for growth and physiological characteristics when biochar was applied at the rate of 6% (w/w). In comparison, a decreasing trend in growth parameters was found in the excessive amount of biochar when the application rate was increased from 6% (w/w) to 9% (w/w) for all three species. So, applying an appropriate level of biochar is important for boosting plant growth in saline soils. Among different tree species, Vachellia nilotica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis both showed very promising results to remediate salt affected soils with Vachellia nilotica showing maximum potential to absorb sodium ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a native pest of Asia and preferably invasion on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop as a commendatory host plant. Commercially, G. hirsutum is known as white gold and is an important cash crop all over the globe. Limited studies were published to focus on certain dietary compositions against different cotton pests. Therefore, the present study was undertaken in the laboratory under controlled conditions (temperature: 27 ± 2°C and relative humidity: 60 ± 10%) to determine the impact of three different treatment diets (wheat germ meal, okra, and chickpea) on the biological aspects (lifetime, developmental period) of P. gossypiella. Results: Results revealed that the shortest larval time of P. gossypiella was observed on the okra feed diet while the longest period was recorded on the wheat germ diet. Meanwhile, the pupation delay was noted on the wheat germ diet. The dietary influence was also observed on adult stages of female and male P. gossypiella (43.00 and 37.50 days respectively) and compared with a standard diet (56.50 and 52.50 days respectively). Furthermore, larval weighed more on the okra and chickpea diet followed by the wheat germ diet, whereas highest pupal weight was observed on the standard diet followed by the chickpea diet and okra diet. Conclusion: Developmental parameters were significantly variant across all treatment diets, whereas the higher significant difference was reported on the okra diet. Therefore, the existing data of this study offers fruitful interventions for the future as a modified diet for large-scale and rapid mass production of P. gossypiella larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]