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Maintaining the soil quality in the arid dry system is vital for the restoring of the fertility of deserted rangeland soil in dry environments. There is a dire need to understand how the cultivation system modifications may change soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions, soil aggregation, and soil macro- and micronutrient contents in the arid environment. In this study, we selected five cultivation systems, viz., tomato, wheat, coconut, banana, and alfalfa. The samples of soils were obtained from different two layers (0 to 20 and 20 to 40 cm). Results showed that among all the cultivating systems, the highest values of SOC (12.0 and 11.32 g kg−1), particulate organic carbon (0.5 and 0.43 g kg−1), dissolved organic carbon (0.27 and 0.23 g kg−1), easily oxidizable carbon (3.10 and 2.60 g kg−1), available nitrogen (0.10% and 0.09%), available phosphorus (13.20 and 8.90 mg kg−1), available potassium (105 and 100 mg kg−1), available zinc (1.20 and 1.15 mg kg−1), available copper (2.90 and 2.75 mg kg−1), available boron (4.90 and 3.70 mg kg−1), macroaggregate fractions, mean weight diameter, and geometric mean diameter were sustained in the alfalfa and banana cultivation systems, respectively. However, microaggregates 2–0.25 mm were noted higher in the coconut cultivation system. SOC exposed a significant correlation with carbon fractions and available nutrients. This study confirmed that alfalfa and banana cultivation systems have the potential for storing, maintaining SOC in soils for better soil quality and for improving crop productivity and nutrient availability under the semi-arid dry environment.

Nitrate reductase plays an important role in preventing the occurrence of diseases and insect pests, which could rapidly reduce the accumulation of nitrate and induce the excess of soluble nitrogen compounds in plants. Tomato varieties “Myoko” (natural farming) and “Momotaro” (conventional chemical agriculture) were used in this study to show the positive correlation of the disease resistance and the enhanced nitrate reductase activity and the upregulated NR1, through the analysis of nitrate reductase genes, nitrate reductase activity. Disease resistance to early blight and mosaic virus was assessed, as was photosynthetic activity. Fruit yield and various biochemical parameters in fruit and leaves were determined. It was shown that Myoko F1 showed higher nitrate reductase activity compared to Momotaro, with significant differences seen in the expanding first leaf. This difference became more pronounced as the plants aged. Myoko and its parents exhibited higher NR1expression than Momotaro. A modified Gaussian function model was used to simulate the expression trend, revealing significant differences between the tomato lines. The expression level of the NR1and the daily average yield of tomato fruit during the growth period were simulated by the modified Gaussian curve equation (y= YMe−α(x−τ)^2+ YB(1 + βt)). Disease resistance to early blight was observed, with Myoko F1 showing higher resistance than Momotaro. The resistance was associated with higher nitrate reductase activity and NR1expression. And the fruit yield showed that Myoko F1 had slightly higher yield potential than Momotaro due to its disease resistance. Myoko F1 inherited yield heterosis from its parents. Nitrate and amino acid concentrations in leaves were lower in Myoko F1, consistent with its higher disease resistance, nitrate reductase activity, and NR1expression. At the same time, Myoko F1 exhibited higher concentrations of soluble sugars, organic acids, and vitamin C in tomato fruit compared to Momotaro, while nitrate concentration was lower. In addition, photosynthetic capacity (PC) was higher in Momotaro at the seedling stage but declined in the later fruit harvest period. Myoko and its parents maintained higher PC in the later stage, indicating better disease resistance and overall performance. In summary, Myoko F1’s prolonged optimal NR activity and NR1 expression, mediated by disease resistance, allow continued growth and yield despite biotic stressors. Further elucidating the connections between NR activity, senescence, and disease resistance will be valuable. Myoko F1 shows promise, but more work should explore its yield heterosis and suitability for fully natural, organic agriculture.

•Investigation of CsXTH genes in cucumber reveals their evolutionary background, structural motifs, and regulatory networks, categorized into four clades.•Key regulatory elements like CGTCA-motif, TGACG-motif, and microRNA Csa-miR169 modulate CsXTH gene expression, coordinating stress responses.•Chromosome mapping, Ka/Ks calculations, and protein-protein interaction analysis provide insights into structural and evolutionary dynamics, while sub-cellular localization studies reveal diverse cellular activities of CsXTH genes, highlighting their adaptive functions in cucumber.•Furthermore, CsXTH genes demonstrate roles in enhancing cucumber's defense mechanisms against both insect pests and abiotic stresses.

•Plant pests and pathogens cause a massive loss to crop productivity.•Chemical pest control methods pose environmental concerns.•The use of CRISPR-Cas tools accelerates the development of pest resistance in crops.•The adoption of insect and disease-resistant crops could be one of the most significant ways of pest control methods.•Disease and pest-resistant cultivars can provide optimum crop production without applying pesticides.

•Identified and investigated 33 cytochrome P450 (Cyp) genes in fall armyworm, crucial for metabolic pathways, resistance mechanisms, hormone regulation, moulting, development, phytotoxin response, and insecticidal detoxification.•Key genes—Cyp306a1-like, Cyp9e2-like, Cyp6l1-like, Cyp12b1, and Cyp6B2-like—were found to confer resistance against emamectin benzoate, tetrazolium, cyantraniliprole, and spinetoram.•Findings reveal these genes are essential for detoxifying insecticides, contributing to resistance in FAW populations.•Insights from this study highlight potential molecular targets for developing novel strategies for FAW management in agricultural ecosystems.

•PGPR associated with the plant stimulates plant growth and development.•Agriculture depends on rhizo-microbiome variety because it draws different patterns of microbial colonization.•Rhizo-microbiome microbes manage extracellular molecules, signaling chemicals, and improve soil texture.•One of the most effective and safest ways to increase productivity in agriculture is to use bio-fertilizers (PGPRs).•There is less information on how the PGPR mechanism and molecules influence metabolic pathways in root traits.

The potential of phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) to address important environmental issues about soil fertility and agricultural practices is examined in this article. A vital macronutrient for plant growth, phosphorus is frequently found in soil in insoluble forms, restricting the amount of phosphorus that plants may access. PSMs, which comprise a variety of bacteria and fungi, are essential in solubilizing phosphorus and increasing its availability to plants. Discussed are the relationships that PSMs have with plants and the variables that affect PSM activity, such as temperature, nutrient availability, and pH of the soil.The potential of PSMs to increase plant phosphorus uptake, boost agricultural productivity, and improve nutrient utilization efficiency is highlighted in the study. PSMs provide a more ecologically friendly option to chemical phosphorus fertilizers by decreasing river runoff and eutrophication. The paper also discusses the possible advantages of PSMs, which include better soil structure, less nutrient losses, and increased nutrient cycling, all of which support the sustainability of agricultural systems and general soil health.Although the article notes that the results have been encouraging, it also acknowledges that further research is required to determine the best ways to apply, formulate, and select plant soil amendments (PSMs) appropriate for different plant and soil systems. PSM integration is considered a viable path toward environmental resilience and sustainability, successfully tackling issues like resource conservation, nutrient runoff, and soil erosion.

Soil, air and water pollution have become a global problem due to unprocessed emission of toxic heavy metals into the environment. The uncontrolled increase in release of hazardous heavy metals such as arsenic into the soil and water is mainly due to the untreated industrial waste. The accumulation of heavy metals causes damage not only to soil and water flora but also have deleterious effects on human health. The conventional methods such as thermal treatment, excavation and land fill, electro-reclamation and acid leaching used for degradation were time and cost consuming with release of toxic products. In nature, there are microorganisms residing in soil, which are capable of degrading toxic metals through phytoremediation. In phytoremediation, rhizobacteria play an important role. Rhizobacteria not only prevent contaminated soil's fertility but also enhance the growth of plants by release of special plant growth hormones. Phytohormones secreted by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are major chemicals involved in metal uptake. This in situand environment friendly method of bioremediation is cost effective and efficient. The advance techniques such as genetic engineering have been introduced to increase the spectrum and degrading capacity of rhizobacteria.

AbstractThe present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and identify risk factors associated with brucellosis in humans at high risk in the Potohar plateau of northeastern Pakistan. A total of 262 serum samples were collected from persons of different occupational groups: veterinary personnel, milkers, abattoir workers, livestock farmers, and others (drivers, security guards, housewives). Data related to gender, age, occupation, contact with animals, brucellosis-related symptoms, consumption of raw milk, and geographical region were collected. The Rose Bengal plate test and the serum agglutination test were performed to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis. The overall seroprevalence was found to be 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.1, 10.6). Real-time polymerase chain reaction assay showed that all cases were affected by Brucella abortus. Individuals who consumed raw milk had higher odds of brucellosis seropositivity. This is the first report of human brucellosis related to B. abortusin high-risk professionals from Pakistan by the combined use of serological and molecular methods.

Background: The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum(Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a serious pest of stored grain commodities worldwide which results in considerable losses to stored wheat, Triticum aestivum(Linn.). Main body: The present laboratory bioassay was carried out to examine the efficiency of the fungus, Beauveria bassiana(Bals.) formulation (Racer TM), and Neem extract (NE), Eucalyptus extract (EE), and Tobacco extract (TE) against 3rd instar larvae of T. castaneum. The fungal formulation was applied at 0.3 × 108, 0.6 × 108, and 0.9 × 108conidia kg−1of the crushed wheat grains; as well, it was mixed separately with 5% concentrations of each plant extract under the laboratory conditions of 30 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5% RH. Mortality rate of the tested larvae was enumerated after regular intervals of times. Mortality of the larvae increased at the highest combined concentrations of the fungal conidial formulation and the plant extracts rather than their single treatments. The highest mortality rate of the larvae (71.32%) was recorded at the highest concentration binary mixture of (Racer TM+NE), whereas relatively the lowest mortality rate (15.54%) was enumerated in the combined treatments of (Racer TM+NE). Furthermore, the highest separate concentration of B. bassiana(0.9 × 108conidia/ml) persistently resulted in more larval mortality (32.68%) of 3rd instar larvae of T. castaneumthan the plant extracts (7.52, 9.89, and 14.61%), respectively. A noticeably greater rate of mycosis and sporulation was counted in the larvae of the insect in separate treatments of B. bassianathan in its combined applications with the plant extracts. The highest mycosis (85.13%) and sporulation (160.12 conidia/ml) was detected in the treatment, where the lowest concentration of B. bassiana(0.3 × 108conidia/ml) was used, alone. Conclusion: Hence, it was concluded that integrated use of these two bio-pesticides plus the fungus can be helpful in the integrated pest management program of T. castaneum.