Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient required for healthy life. Malnutrition resulting from low Fe in plant-based foods has caused serious problems worldwide. We propose that Fe biofortification of tomato through seed priming would be an innovative approach to address the problem Fe deficiency. This research was conducted to find the impact of Fe seed priming on germination, morphology, physiology, growth, yield, and final enrichment of Fe in fruit of tomato in two commercial hybrids. Tomato seeds were primed with different concentrations of iron sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4.7H2O) in the range of 1–15 mg L−1, resulting in differential accumulation of tomato fruit Fe contents. We observed a marked improvement in tomato seedling traits, yield contributing traits, fruit quality, biochemical attributes and physiological parameters. Interestingly, the Fe treatment concentration of 10 mg L−1 demonstrated improved tomato growth with a significant increase in fruit Fe contents to of 2.04 and 2.37 which are very much higher as compared to control having Fe contents of 1.47 and 1.49 ppm respectively. Fe seed priming of tomato represents as a cost effective and user-friendly strategy for tomato biofortification which triggers Fe acquisition and its final enrichment in tomato fruit.
ABSTRACT: Using an adjuvant to optimize and increase the foliar activity of post emergence herbicides is an acceptable way to reduce their side effects. Field researches were conducted to detect a suitable adjuvant for two post-herbicides namely, isoproturon+tribenuron and pyroxsulam against little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Treatments were, isoproturon+tribenuron at 1,025 g a.i. ha-1 (recommended dose) and pyroxsulam at 140.6 g a.i. ha-1 (recommended dose) alone or their reduced dose (75% of the recommended dose) isoproturon+tribenuron at 769 and pyroxsulam at 105.5 g a.i. ha-1, tank mixed with three different adjuvants viz. alkylethersulphate sodium salt at 400, fatty alcohol ethoxylate at 200 and sunflower oil at 1,000 mL ha-1. These treatments were applied at the two to three leaf stages of weeds. All the adjuvants enhanced the efficacy of herbicides; however, maximum herbicide efficacy against P. minor (93.50-97.66%) and C. arvensis (82-100%) was achieved with the application of isoproturon+tribenuron plus alkylethersulphate sodium salt, showing the lowest total weed dry weight (1.48, 0.88 g m-2). The maximum NPK-uptake was associated to the untreated control. Nutrient saving (55-95% N, 43-92% P, 55-95% K) was enhanced by the addition of all adjuvants to herbicides, with better weed control. The maximum yield (41 - 43% increase over weedy check) and yield attributes were recorded with reduced rates of isoproturon+tribenuron plus alkylethersulphate sodium salt, followed by the recommended rate of the same herbicide applied alone. In contrast, sunflower oil with pyroxsulam exerted greater control of little seed canary grass and field bindweed with more yield and yield related traits than alkylethersulphate sodium salt and fatty alcohol ethoxylate with pyroxsulam. These results demonstrated the improvement in the performance of reduced rates of isoproturon+tribenuron with the inclusion of alkylethersulphate sodium salt, with a dose higher than or equal to the recommended dose of the same herbicide, and this is the most cost-effective combination.
Iron (Fe) and iodine (I) are essential microelements required for a healthy life, with Fe playing a vibrant role in oxygen transport, and I is vital for cognitive development and thyroid function. Global Fe and I deficiencies affect a significant portion of the population worldwide, leading to widespread health concerns, especially anemia, impaired cognitive function, and thyroid disorders. This review not only inspects the potential of agronomic biofortification to enrich Fe and I content in tomatoes, but also highlights its bright future for crop nutrition. It discusses the latest developments in agronomic biofortification methods focused on improving the enrichment of Fe and I in tomatoes, emphasizing practical approaches such as seed priming, soil application, and foliar spray. Notably, the review explores the promising impacts of Fe and I biofortification on growth, yield, and improved fruit quality in tomatoes. Moreover, it offers an in-depth investigation of the efficacy of agronomic biofortification in enhancing the nutritional contents of tomatoes by combining the most recent research findings. It highlights the impact of agronomic biofortification in mitigating micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and its capacity to encourage sustainable agriculture and improve community health by enhancing crop nutrition.
Geographical distribution of thirty-eight cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), who were diagnosed in the department of Pathology, Rawalpindi Medical College and two private laboratories in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is presented. Majority (84.2%) came from Azad Kashmir, especially from areas around Poonch (e.g., Rawlakot-28.9%; Bagh-23.7%; Dirkot-5.3% and Pallandari-2.6%) and areas around Muzaffarabad (e.g., Chakothi-13.2% and Punja Sharif-5.3%). Only two patients (5.3%) belonged to Gilgit agency. Four cases came from villages around Murree, Rawalpindi and Abbottabad. These places are not known as endemic areas of VL. It is proposed that epidemiological studies for VL should be carried out in areas of Azad Kashmir, especially concentrating on the places from where patients keep on presenting for treatment in various hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and water scarcity are the biggest problems in the agriculture sector. These problems can arise in arid and semi-arid areas with water scarcity and low soil fertility. Cotton in south Punjab faces these problems during growth and development stages, so the yield results are lower than in other cotton-producing regions. This study was designed to assess the potential of different cotton genotypes grown on various water and nitrogen (N) applications. This study involves seven cotton crop genotypes with three irrigation levels, i.e., 18, 13, and 9 irrigations with N application at 200, 250, and 300 kg ha-1 under randomized complete block design (RCBD) factorial arrangement with three replications of each treatment. The data regarding plant growth, yield, and physiology was collected. The results indicated that Genotype IUB-13 showed a higher N uptake of 0.84% among the other seven genotypes tested at (T2). Among the seven genotypes tested, NAIB-878 demonstrated a significantly higher value of lint weight 1200 g in block-1 and T2. The finding of this study concluded that higher N levels under deficit irrigation could help to reduce the yield gaps by increasing the growth of cotton genotypes under the climatic conditions of Multan.
Researchers have extensively studied the significant biomass production of weeds, which competes with the main crops. The utilization of weeds, particularly aquatic ones like alligator weed, as organic nutrient sources, as compost and an organic mineral source could be beneficial in cropping systems. The hypothesis of this study suggests that by using alligator weed compost as a natural source of nutrients, garlic production can become less dependent on synthetic fertilizers, improve yield quality, and facilitate optimization of inorganic nutrients. The experiment included various combinations of alligator weed compost and nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers, including the recommended NPK, 250 kg ha−1 and 500 kg ha−1 compost, and these compost amounts were combined at 75%, 50%, and 25% of the recommended NPK dose. Nitrogen and potassium were applied in three splits, a full dose of phosphorus was applied at sowing while compost was applied before sowing. The combination of 500 kg ha−1 compost application and 50% recommended NPK showed the most promising results. Garlic bulb yield and quality significantly increased in all compost and NPK combinations, particularly with this specific mix. Bulb yield was increased by 41% over the recommended NPK usage during both study years. Additionally, the ascorbic acid and pyruvic acid contents in the bulbs increased by 99% and 6%, respectively, compared to the recommended NPK. Likewise, in plant phenology, the same compost and NPK combination increased the plant height at maturity and leaf length at maturity by 18% and 10%, respectively, over the recommended NPK. In summary, the use of alligator weed organic fertilizers presents a viable alternative to NPK fertilizers due to its ability to retain applied nutrients and supply essential nutrients. As we look ahead to changing climates, utilizing alligator weed compost could be a sustainable approach in cropping systems.
ABSTRACT: Using an adjuvant to optimize and increase the foliar activity of post emergence herbicides is an acceptable way to reduce their side effects. Field researches were conducted to detect a suitable adjuvant for two post-herbicides namely, isoproturon+tribenuron and pyroxsulam against little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Treatments were, isoproturon+tribenuron at 1,025 g a.i. ha-1 (recommended dose) and pyroxsulam at 140.6 g a.i. ha-1 (recommended dose) alone or their reduced dose (75% of the recommended dose) isoproturon+tribenuron at 769 and pyroxsulam at 105.5 g a.i. ha-1, tank mixed with three different adjuvants viz. alkylethersulphate sodium salt at 400, fatty alcohol ethoxylate at 200 and sunflower oil at 1,000 mL ha-1. These treatments were applied at the two to three leaf stages of weeds. All the adjuvants enhanced the efficacy of herbicides; however, maximum herbicide efficacy against P. minor (93.50-97.66%) and C. arvensis (82-100%) was achieved with the application of isoproturon+tribenuron plus alkylethersulphate sodium salt, showing the lowest total weed dry weight (1.48, 0.88 g m-2). The maximum NPK-uptake was associated to the untreated control. Nutrient saving (55-95% N, 43-92% P, 55-95% K) was enhanced by the addition of all adjuvants to herbicides, with better weed control. The maximum yield (41 - 43% increase over weedy check) and yield attributes were recorded with reduced rates of isoproturon+tribenuron plus alkylethersulphate sodium salt, followed by the recommended rate of the same herbicide applied alone. In contrast, sunflower oil with pyroxsulam exerted greater control of little seed canary grass and field bindweed with more yield and yield related traits than alkylethersulphate sodium salt and fatty alcohol ethoxylate with pyroxsulam. These results demonstrated the improvement in the performance of reduced rates of isoproturon+tribenuron with the inclusion of alkylethersulphate sodium salt, with a dose higher than or equal to the recommended dose of the same herbicide, and this is the most cost-effective combination.
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