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Globally, urban areas are facing a rising issue of industrial pollution particularly due to heavy metals like Cadmium (Cd), which pose a threat to both plants and humans. However, plants response to Cd exposure varies based on factors like species, genetics, and growing conditions such as the type of soil and cultivation methods. This study focused on young tomato seedlings subjected to different Cd concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm) through a pot experiment, aiming to understand the impact of Cd on various morpho-physiological traits of the "MAYAR F1" tomato cultivar. The results exhibited amazing findings that the chlorophyll contents (21.93 nmol/mg), relative water contents (0.84%), electrolyte leakage (135.5 uS/cm) and leaf area (6.37 cm2) were highest at 300 ppm followed by control. While the maximum number of leaves (11) were noticed in control. Consequently, the study suggests that cultivating tomatoes in urban agriculture soils contaminated with Cd could be a viable option. Nonetheless, it emphasizes the importance of exercising caution and conducting further research to fully comprehend the potential long-term implications and associated risks of Cd exposure in urban agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper is an important Solanaceous crop that is cultivated all around the globe for its economical and nutritional value. In Pakistan, it is cultivated mainly in Sindh and Punjab province of Pakistan. However, average yield ha-1 is quite low as compared to the rest of the world. One of the main reasons for this low yield is poor phosphorous status. The current study was conducted to estimate the effects of organic application combined with PSB biofertilizers (Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria) on growth and yield of bell pepper. Organic amendments included leaf compost (LC), farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM). Bell pepper cultivar "Green Wonder" was used as test crop. FYM and PM showed better results as compared to LC in most of the measured parameters. Plant height in FYM and PM was 59.79 and 59.07 cm while PSB application produced 67.84 cm high plants. Maximum leaf area was 176.98 cm2 that for FYM and was further increased up to 204.43 cm2 when supplemented with PSB. Bell pepper yield was also maximum in FYM i.e. 1211.7 g while PM showed a value of 1077.6. g. However, when PSB was applied in combination with these treatments, yield plant-1 was further increased up to 1393.4 and 1227.6 g, respectively. Total soluble solids were statistically at par among all the organic amendments but higher than control. Ascorbic acid was maximum in PM (58 mg 100 g-1) and followed by FYM (55.53 mg 100 g-1). PSB application showed a value of 72.46 mg 100 g-1. It is recommended from these results that application of organic amendments and PSB should be practiced enhancing that yield and quality of bell pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are highly valuable crops enriched with minerals, vitamins, phenolics, and antioxidants required for daily human activities and to prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to elucidate the physicochemical and mineral evaluation of seven neglected local grape cultivars ('Kishmish', 'Sra Kishmish', 'Askari', 'Sahibi', 'Haita', 'Sundar Khani' and 'Toran') growing in Baluchistan, as it can help in future breeding, processing, and species conservation. Therefore, these cultivars were evaluated for different physical, biochemical, and availability of macro- and micro-mineral contents. In physical evaluation, the local cultivar 'Haita' showed maximum bunch length (19.72 cm) and bunch width (11.88 cm), while the highest bunch weight (527.33 g) was recorded in 'Sahibi'. Similarly, significant differences were noted in biochemical traits, and maximum total soluble solids (24.76%) and titratable acidity (1.58%) were observed in 'Sundar Khani', while the highest vitamin C (26.17 mg 100 g-1), total sugars (30.26%) in Sundar Khani, and nonreducing sugars (8.79%) were recorded in 'Haita'. The cultivars growing in Balochistan also showed variations in phenolics (113.79-346.50 mg GAE L-1) and antioxidants (85.77-90.87%). Likewise, the concentrations of macro- and microelements were also highly variable in these cultivars. Overall, among these cultivars, 'Toran' performed better in the agroclimatic conditions of Balochistan, as it has high yield attributes such as berry length, width, and weight. Moreover, it was also enriched with total soluble solids, antioxidants, and calcium contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) root extract in controlling rootknot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita species and to determine its effectiveness as an intercropped plant on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) morphological and quality traits as well as on soil attributes. The results of the in vivo study revealed that the highest mortality rate (82.33%) of nematodes was observed in T3 treatment (3:1 marigold root extract in distilled water) after 72 hours while minimum egg hatching (9.33) by nematodes was obtained after 12 hours with a similar concentration. Whereas, the pot experiment of intercropping with tomato showed that after 45 days of transplanting, the maximum plant height (79.14 cm), number of leaves (28.22) and leaf area (24.46 cm²) in tomato were obtained in the T3 treatment (Tomato 1 + Marigold 2 + Root knot nematodes (RKN) 1). Similarly, maximum fruit TSS (4.90 °brix) and shelf life (8.67 days) were observed with the same treatment. Concerning root-knot nematode infestation, the maximum number of galls (39.33) and eggs (38.66) on the tomato root system were recorded in T4 (Tomato 2 + Marigold 1 + RKN 2). However, the soil analysis of intercropped crops showed that there was no significant impact of marigold and tomato intercropping on soil pH and electrical conductivity, while this intercropping scheme slightly decreased soil nutrient levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most effective rooting hormone (IBA) concentration was determined by studies on the clonal propagation of olive semi-hardwood cuttings. A semi-hardwood cutting experiment was carried out on two different olive cultivars BARI zaitoon-1 and BARI zaitoon-2 cuttings with 0, 2500, 3500 and 4500 ppm IBA solutions planted in the same rooting media (sand). Studies have shown that these two varieties have great potential for proliferation through semi-hardwood cuttings. The cuttings were grown under SPTs for 90 days to assess rooting ability and shooting capability. The sprouting percentage, number of roots, root length, shoot length and survival percentage was the highest in cuttings treated with 3500 ppm IBA concentration, while cuttings without IBA treatment have the lowest results. Overall, 3500 ppm IBA treatment performed better than other treatments. The experimental results showed that semi-hardwood cuttings treated with auxin have potential for clonal propagation in simple and economical shaded polyethylene tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ampelographic and genetic analysis of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) genotypes is important for their breeding or any crop improvement program. This information has proved significantly helpful in maintaining germplasm and to develop new superior genotypes by selecting suitable planting material. This study revealed the morphological (qualitative & quantitative) traits and genetic diversity for 30 grapes genotypes, which were collected from Potohar (salt range) region of Pakistan. The data information for ampelographic (qualitative & quantitative) traits were recorded for consecutive 3 years and data was analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) method. Further, twelve SSR markers were used for grapes genotyping. Two SSR primers VVS4 and VVMD25 showed monomorphism in these genotypes while remaining ten SSR primers VVMD7, VVMD24, VMC4H6, VrZAG21, VVMD32, VrZAG25, VrZAG79, VMC4F3, VMC4A1 and VrZAG62 showed polymorphism in 30 grapes genotypes. The highest PIC value and maximum number of alleles were observed in primers VMC4A1, VVMD32 and VrZAG62. The result also identified a synonym genotype which showed 95.83% similarity between genotypes, BRI-001 and Sundar Khani. The Euclidean distance metric and the Ward's agglomeration method were used in an unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of all cultivars. This cluster analysis divided the genotyped into two main groups having further classes and subclasses between them, which revealed high potential for specific breeding goals. Hence, these data could be used for protection or patenting processes of existing or new grapes cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, urbanization and subsequent environmental changes are depleting freshwater resources around the globe. The reuse of domestic, industrial and agricultural wastewater is an alternative approach to freshwater that can be used for irrigation purposes. However, these wastewaters may contain hazardous and toxic elements, such as heavy metals that are hazardous for human health and the environment. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the concentration of macro, micro and heavy metals in cucumber irrigated with different resources (tap water, greywater, dairy water and wastewater). The results showed that the use of different irrigation resources has increased the level of macro (sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)), microelements (zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn)), and heavy metals (copper (Cu), barium (Ba), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)) in cucumber leaves and fruits. However, their levels were in the range that is safe for human health and the environment was as recommended by FAO maximum values of trace elements (Zn, 2.0; Fe 1.0; Mn, 0.2; Cu, 0.2; Pb, 5.0, and Cd, 0.01 mgL−1). Based on observations, it was also revealed that among different irrigation resources, the use of dairy water in cucumber improved its agronomic attributes and maximum plant yield (1191.02 g), while the different irrigation resources showed a non-significant impact on fruit diameter. However, total soluble solid contents (TSS) were more significant in cucumber fruits treated with wastewater (2.26 °brix) followed by dairy water (2.06 °brix), while the least TSS contents (1.57 °brix) were observed in cucumber plants treated with tap water. The significance of non-conventional irrigation water use in agriculture, particularly greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus) production, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]