Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mubshar Hussain, Syed Nasir Abbas Shah, Muhammad Naeem, Shahid Farooq, Khawar Jabran, Saleh Alfarraj
Summary: The concerns on weed control through herbicides are increasing due to their negative impacts on environment and human health. Therefore, alternative weed management methods are inevitable for sustainable crop production and lowering the negative consequences of herbicides. This study evaluated the role of different mulching treatments on suppressing weed flora in maize and sunflower crops. The results showed that plastic mulch and paper mulch had the highest suppression of weed flora compared to other treatments and significantly improved the productivity of both crops.
Article
Agronomy
Waclaw Jarecki
Summary: Sunflower is a good alternative crop for rotation and can be grown in light soils. The application of higher nitrogen doses and additional foliar fertilization positively affects the plant characteristics, yield, and quality of sunflower achenes.
Article
Agronomy
Edita Stefanic, Sanda Rasic, Pavo Lucic, Domagoj Zimmer, Anto Mijic, Slavica Antunovic, Bozica Japundzic-Palenkic, Marin Lukacevic, Dinko Zima, Ivan Stefanic, Anestis Karkanis
Summary: Field studies were conducted in Croatia to determine the influence of weed interference on sunflower yield and oil content. The critical period of weed control was found to begin at the two-to-four true leaf development stage and end when sunflower inflorescence began to open and flower. Increasing duration of weed interference negatively affected crop height, head diameter, and 1000-kernel weight, but not seed oil content.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Javed Shabbir Dar, Mumtaz Akhtar Cheema, Muhammad Ishaq Asif Rehmani, Shahnwaz Khuhro, Shahjahan Rajput, Ahmad Latif Virk, Sajid Hussain, Muhammad Amjad Bashir, Suliman M. Alghanem, Fahad Mohammed Al-Zuaibr, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Kamel Hessini
Summary: Water scarcity is a major concern for sunflower production in arid regions, and potassium application has been found to alleviate the impact of drought stress on plant growth and seed quality. Providing an optimum amount of potassium can help mitigate the adverse effects of water stress and improve yield and seed quality, especially during early growth stages.
Article
Plant Sciences
Khadiga Alharbi, Samia A. Haroun, Amany M. Kazamel, Mohammed A. Abbas, Safia M. Ahmaida, Muneera AlKahtani, Latifa AlHusnain, Kotb A. Attia, Khaled Abdelaal, Rasha M. E. Gamel
Summary: This experiment investigated the effects of different nitrogen fertilizers on the growth and nitrogen content of cowpea and sunflower plants, and found that fertilization with 50% potassium nitrate plus 50% urea had the best influence on the two plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Danish Ibrar, Shahbaz Khan, Talat Mahmood, Ali Bakhsh, Irum Aziz, Afroz Rais, Rafiq Ahmad, Saqib Bashir, Muhammad Nawaz, Nabila Rashid, Sohail Irshad, Saqer S. Alotaibi, Helena Dvorackova, Jan Dvoracek, Zuhair Hasnain
Summary: The study assessed 109 sunflower genotypes for diversity using morphological and molecular markers, confirming significant genetic variation and distinct grouping patterns among different clusters. Analysis revealed potential breeding parents for hybrid development, with suggestions for utilizing genotypes with similar genetic backgrounds for further breeding programs in sunflowers.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Muhammad Abdullah Aziz, Fahad Masoud Wattoo, Faheem Khan, Zeshan Hassan, Imran Mahmood, Adeel Anwar, Muhammad Fazal Karim, Muhammad Tahir Akram, Rabia Manzoor, Khalid Saifullah Khan, Mosaed A. Majrashi
Summary: Biochar applications have various effects on nutrient availability, growth and yield of crops depending on feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. The application of biochars prepared from different feedstocks increased soil nutrient availability and microbial biomass, leading to improved crop growth and yield.
Article
Agronomy
Romain M. Gloaguen, Diane L. Rowland, Zachary T. Brym, Chris H. Wilson, Hyen Chung Chun, Ray Langham
Summary: Irrigation decision support systems can help improve water use efficiency and prevent over-irrigation of drought tolerant crops. Developing DSS for newly introduced crops, such as sesame in the southeastern United States, presents challenges. By enhancing DSS like SesameFARM2, water application can be reduced to enhance crop water productivity.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad, Alia Riffat, Mumtaz Hussain, Mansoor Hameed, Ambreen Khadija Alvi
Summary: This study investigated the effects of nickel application on physiological and biochemical attributes of sunflower cultivars grown in sand culture. Results showed that increasing nickel concentration significantly decreased vegetative parameters and photosynthetic attributes, while low levels of nickel improved growth attributes to some extent. The study also found that high nickel concentration had negative effects on leaf water potential, osmotic potentials, and relative water contents, but increased leaf turgor potential and membrane permeability. Hysun-33 exhibited higher tolerance to nickel stress compared to SF-187.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
F. Hernandez, R. B. Vercellino, I Fanna, A. Presotto
Summary: Maternal genetic effects play an important role in determining seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling traits of crop-wild hybrids, especially under controlled temperature conditions. In hybridization studies, maternal effects should be taken into consideration, as they have cascading effects on early plant survival and phenotypic variation in the offspring.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiaxuan Bai, Xianmei Piao, Yanli Wang, Xiaoling Cheng, Mingfeng Feng, Yongming Wang, Rong Fu, Jinna Zhao, Shufei Yu, Ze Li, Libo Wang, Jian Huang, Jinhui Wang
Summary: Seven undescribed compounds, along with eighteen known compounds, were isolated from the water extract of Helianthus annuus L. flowers. The structures of these compounds were determined through spectroscopic analysis. Compound 6 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on the release of NO in MH-S cells, while compound 18 showed moderate inhibitory activity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Allah Wasaya, Tanveer Abbas, Tauqeer Ahmad Yasir, Naeem Sarwar, Ahsan Aziz, Muhammad Mansoor Javaid, Sheeraz Akram
Summary: The study shows that foliar application of 75mM BABA can be an effective option for sunflower growers to increase achene yield and net benefit under drought conditions. This treatment improved physiological traits, yield, and yield-related traits, resulting in significantly higher achene yield compared to other treatments. This finding suggests that foliar application of 75mM BABA may be a practical strategy for combating drought stress in sunflower cultivation.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mengxue Han, Jiasen Zhang, Lin Zhang, Zhaoguo Wang
Summary: Biochar is a commonly used soil amendment that has positive effects on improving soil quality, promoting resource efficiency of agricultural production, and reducing environmental pollution. The addition of biochar can significantly increase crop yield, water use efficiency, and nitrogen use efficiency. Key factors affecting the addition effect of biochar include soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, soil bulk density, biochar carbon content, and biochar carbon nitrogen ratio. Adding biochar with lower carbon content in soils with high bulk density and low nutrients can achieve a win-win situation in crop productivity and resource use efficiency.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Shide Dong, Guangmei Wang, Xiaobin Li, Yaohu Kang
Summary: The influences of sowing density on the growth performance of sunflower under fertigation conditions were studied. Increasing the spacing in the rows promoted stem diameter, plant biomass, and proportion of biomass allocated underground. A sowing density of 31,250 to 35,714 plants ha(-1) was recommended for sunflower cultivation under drip fertigation conditions.
Article
Agronomy
Joon Seon Lee, Lexuan Gao, Laura Melissa Guzman, Loren H. Rieseberg
Summary: The study revealed that under flooding stress, sunflower cultivars respond by upregulating genes for submergence and slowing down metabolism-related activities. Differential alternative splicing reinforces expression differences, with the resistant cultivar showing earlier and stronger upregulation of the alcohol fermentation pathway and a faster return to pre-flooding gene expression levels.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chao Wu, Youjin Song, Beibei Qi, Shah Fahadn
Summary: This study investigated the effects of heat stress on rice grain quality during the panicle initiation stage. The results showed that heat treatments significantly reduced the yield of brown rice, milled rice, and head rice, as well as the length, width, chalky grain amount, and grain chalkiness of rice grains. HDNT treatment had the most pronounced effects on rice. The genotype Shanyou63 was less affected by heat treatments and considered heat-tolerant, while the genotypes Liangyoupeijiu, Huanghuazhan, and especially Nagina22 were susceptible to heat stress during the panicle initiation stage.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Fariha Ilyas, Muhammad Arif Ali, Abdulaah Modhish, Niaz Ahmed, Sajjad Hussain, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Arshad, Subhan Danish, Adel M. Ghoneim, Ayesha Ilyas, Arslan Akram, Shah Fahad, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Rahul Datta
Summary: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in promoting plant growth and productivity, particularly under poor soil fertility. The balance between zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) application is important for maximizing crop yield. The study found that AMF colonization increases under deficient Zn and P conditions. Higher soil Zn levels inhibit germination and plant growth, but AMF inoculation greatly improves these factors. The optimal treatment for wheat growth in Zn-deficient conditions is the application of low Zn levels (30 or 60 mg kg(-1)) with 21 mg kg(-1) P, in combination with AMF inoculation.
CROP & PASTURE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wiqar Ahmad, Arbaz Khan, Muhammad Zeeshan, Ijaz Ahmad, Muhammad Adnan, Shah Fahad
Summary: The study evaluated the immobilization of heavy metals by different particle sizes of biochar and their impact on soil properties. The results showed that smaller particle sizes of biochar had better immobilization effects on heavy metals and improved soil physicochemical properties.
CROP & PASTURE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Neeshu Joshi, Sunita T. Pandey, V. Pratap Singh, Dinesh Jinger, Shourabh Joshi, Venkatesh Paramesh, Manoj Parihar, Rajesh Singhal, Talha Javed, Shah Saud, Shah Hassan, Depeng Wang, Chao Wu, Shah Fahad
Summary: By intercropping Brahmi with direct-seeded rice, weed management can be improved, pesticide usage can be reduced, and profitability can be increased.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zeshan Javaid, Ghazala, Muhammad Ibrahim, Abid Mahmood, Ali Ahsan Bajwa
Summary: The widespread use of pesticides leads to contamination of groundwater, which has negative impacts on the environment and poses a threat to life. A study conducted in 15 districts of the Punjab province in Pakistan revealed the presence of chemical residues from major pesticide groups in the water samples. Highly contaminated groundwater was found in districts with intensive pesticide use, while districts with lower pesticide usage had lower levels of contamination. This issue highlights the importance of implementing integrated pest management and non-chemical pest control strategies.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sajjad Hussain, Muhammad Mubeen, Wajid Nasim, Shah Fahad, Musaddiq Ali, Muhammad Azhar Ehsan, Ali Raza
Summary: Water scarcity and quality degradation worsened by climate change in Pakistan. Reducing agricultural water consumption and improving resource management are crucial. Excessive irrigation has caused severe water scarcity and reduced quality. This study used the CROPWAT model to determine irrigation requirements for cotton, rice, and wheat in Southern Punjab. The results showed the need for groundwater harvesting and water management technologies to alleviate water shortages.
Article
Agronomy
Sadaf Pervaiz, Humaira Gul, Mamoona Rauf, Heba I. Mohamed, Khushnood Ur Rehman, Humaira Wasila, Imran Ahmad, Syed Tanveer Shah, Abdul Basit, Masood Ahmad, Sultan Akbar, Shah Fahad
Summary: Salt stress disrupts plant metabolism and physiology, resulting in reduced growth, development, quality, and yield. To meet the increasing demand for food and address environmental concerns, the cultivation of salt-tolerant varieties or crop lines is necessary. This study investigated the salt tolerance of four flax lines based on agronomic attributes, yield, metabolites, enzymatic activities, hormones, lipid peroxidation, and ion analysis. The results showed that Alsi ARI-50 and Alsi ARI-22 exhibited greater salt tolerance compared to the other lines based on measured parameters.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Cong Zhao, Fang-Mei Li, Xiao-Ying Pan, Song Li, Yu-Fei Zhai, Shah Fahad, Hong-Yu Yu, Min Wang
Summary: This article proposes a flexible lateral-circuited piezoresistive sensor with a mechanotransduction structure. The sensor uses zirconia microspheres to weaken load dissipation and amplify mechanical stimulation, resulting in high sensitivity, wide detection range, fast response/recovery time, and high stability.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fazal Amin, Sami Ullah, Shah Saud, Muhammad Zahid Ihsan, Shah Hassan, Sunjeet Kumar, Taufiq Nawaz, Matthew Tom Harrison, Ke Liu, Imran Khan, Haitao Liu, Khaled El-Kahtany, Shah Fahad
Summary: This study explored the physiological responses of mung bean seed germination to osmotic potential, temperature, and their interaction. The results showed that an increase in temperature between 25 and 35 degrees C enhanced the germination rate, and the germination rate was more sensitive to changes than temperature. Studies utilizing the hydrothermal time model for seed germination patterns of Vigna radiata var. Ramzan have not been published.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Rashid Saleem, Ali Ahsan Bajwa, Shane Campbell, Mary T. T. Fletcher, Sundaravelpandian Kalaipandian, Steve W. W. Adkins
Summary: Pimelea is a genus of plant species that can cause animal poisoning, resulting in economic losses to the Australian livestock industry. The plants contain a toxin called simplexin, which can cause the death or weakening of cattle. This systematic review provides a valuable synthesis of the biology, ecology, and management of poisonous Pimelea species, highlighting potential areas for future research.
Article
Plant Sciences
Imran Khan, Sikandar Mahmood, Muhammad Umer Chattha, Muhammad Bilal Chattha, Shahbaz Ahmad, Masood Iqbal Awan, Fatmah M. Alqahtani, Mohamed Hashem, Haifa Abdulaziz Sakit Alhaithloul, Sameer H. Qari, Faisal Mahmood, Muhammad Umair Hassan
Summary: Salinity stress is a major limitation to crop production worldwide. The application of organic amendments can mitigate the negative effects of salinity and improve the growth, yield, and grain quality of crops. In this study, the impacts of farmyard manure (FYM) and press mud (PM) on rice crop under salinity stress were investigated. The results showed that salinity stress had deleterious effects on the growth, yield, and grain quality of rice, but the application of organic amendments effectively offset these effects and improved the crop performance. The combined application of FYM and PM further enhanced the growth, yield, and grain bio-fortification of rice. Therefore, the use of FYM and PM can be considered as a good practice for better rice production in salt-affected soils.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ying Jiang, Chang Wei, Qiujuan Jiao, Gezi Li, Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni, Parvaiz Ahmad, Tariq Shah, Shah Fahad, Jingjing Zhang, Ying Zhao, Fang Liu, Shiliang Liu, Haitao Liu
Summary: Silicon (Si) and Zinc (Zn) have been frequently used to alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity and are feasible strategies for crop safety production. This study evaluated the morphological, physiological-biochemical responses, and related gene expression of wheat seedlings to Si and Zn addition under Cd stress. The results showed that Si and Zn effectively ameliorated Cd toxicity and enhanced wheat growth, suggesting a synergistic effect between Si and Zn on Cd toxicity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Shah Saud, Zhaoyu Jiang, Shouyue Chen, Shah Fahad
Summary: Melatonin is an important plant growth regulator that regulates plant growth and development, improves plant stress tolerance, and delays aging. It has also been reported to have potential applications in preserving fresh horticultural produce. Recent research shows that melatonin plays a regulatory role in delaying postharvest senescence and quality deterioration in horticultural crops. This article discusses the synthesis pathway of melatonin, its levels and influencing factors in horticultural crops, and its effects on post-harvest physiology and quality, as well as future research priorities.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Khadim Dawar, Ishaq Ahmad Mian, Shadman Khan, Anwar Zaman, Subhan Danish, Ke Liu, Matthew Tom Harrison, Shah Saud, Shah Hassan, Taufiq Nawaz, Imran Khan, Haitao Liu, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Sana Ullah, Muhammad Ishtiaq Ali, Asif Jamal, Mo Zhu, Shah Masaud Khan, Khaled El-Kahtany, Shah Fahad
Summary: The study found that foliar zinc spray can alleviate cadmium toxicity, improve wheat yield and grain quality, increase zinc content, enhance photosynthetic parameters, significantly reduce cadmium concentration in leaves and grains, and improve stress tolerance.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
ShiYong Zheng, Hua Liu, Muhammad Hafeez, Xiaofeng Wang, Shah Fahad, Xiao-Guang Yue
Summary: In recent times, there has been a lot of interest from various stakeholders to discuss the credibility of the resource curse/blessing assumption. This analysis examines the credibility of the resource curse assumption using two key economic indicators - institutional quality and inflation - which are interconnected with financial development in developing nations. The study focuses on China as a developing economy and serves as a reference for similar economies. The empirical analysis from 1990 to 2020 shows negative correlation between natural resources and financial growth, supporting the resource curse hypothesis. However, government quality is positively associated with financial development, while inflation hampers it. Thus, policymakers should implement policies that discourage overexploitation of natural resources, promote political reliability, and encourage fiscal decentralization in China to foster positive financial development.