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Background: Invasive plant species pose a global threat because they alter ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. The majority of plants form mutualistic mycorrhizal associations with mycorrhizal fungi, which contribute to the nutrient and water supply as well as diversity, competitive ability, and ecosystem productivity. In addition, the role of mycorrhizal interactions in plant invasiveness and the susceptibility or resistance of a habitat to invasion is increasingly recognized. However, the mechanisms by which mycorrhizae contribute to invasion remain unresolved. Scope Here, we provide an overview of the empirical evidence and discuss the prospects for mycorrhizaemediated plant invasion. Overall, mycorrhizal fungi appear to have impacts on plant invasion that depend on the similarities between the mycorrhizal associations of the alien and native plants. We introduce plant mycorrhizal niche space (PMNS) as a plant’s ability to exploit and shape the mycorrhizal fungi pool of a habitat based on its dependency on mycorrhizal fungi, traits and priority effects. Conclusions Collectively, the available evidence supports the idea that PMNS is independent of place of origin (invasive status). Understanding the drivers of the PMNS of both native and alien plant species may help to predict the potential invasiveness of plants and the invasibility of a habitat, to elucidate the role of the mycorrhizal fungal community in plant invasion and the impact of plant invasion on the structure of the mycorrhizal fungal community in new habitats (i.e., neighbour effect) and to improve restoration planning. In this regard, we highlight a number of knowledge gaps and discuss future research directions.

The study sought to evaluate the response of three groundnut genotypes (Binachinabadam-3, Dacca-1 and Zhingabadam) to various salt concentrations (D0 – Control, D1 – 2.5 dS/m, D2 – 5.0 dS/m, D3 – 7.5 dS/m, D4 – 10.0 dS/m, D5 – 12.5 dS/m) through observation of morphological and physiological characters. Based on relative performance of yield contributing characters and nutrient contents of leaves and stem, Binachinabadam-3 emerged to be a tolerant variety and based on root shoot characters, Dacca-1 appeared as tolerant while Zhingabadam always performed as sensitive variety. Salinity treatments had most adverse effects at flowering stage and followed the trend of sensitivity as flowering stage > vegetative stage> pre sowing stage > pod filling stage. All varieties were found to be tolerant up to salinity level of 7.5 dS/m.

Occurrence of chalkiness in rice is attributed to genetic and environmental factors, especially high temperature (HT). Te HT induces heat stress, which in turn compromises many grain qualities, especially transparency. Chalkiness in rice is commonly studied together with other quality traits such as amylose content, gel consistency, and protein storage. In addition to the fundamental QTLs, some other QTLs have been identifed which accelerate chalkiness occurrence under HT condition. In this review, some of the relatively stable chalkiness, amylose content, and gel consistency related QTLs have been presented well. Genetically, HT efect on chalkiness is explained by the location of certain chalkiness gene in the vicinity of high-temperature responsive genes. With regard to stable QTL distribution and availability of potential material resources, there is still feasibility to find out novel stable QTLs related to chalkiness under HT condition. A better understanding of those achievements is essential to develop new rice varieties with a reduced chalky grain percentage. Therefore, we propose the pyramiding of relatively stable and nonallelic QTLs controlling low chalkiness endosperm into adaptable rice varieties as pragmatic approach to mitigate HT effect

Pesticide helps to enhance agricultural production, however, it significantly affect both socio and environmental entities of a country. In Nigeria, pesticide is widely used, thus its traces have been detected in water, soil and air. Several studies have already indicated that most of the environmental ecology (air, water, and soil) in Nigeria has been contaminated by persistent organic pesticides like organochlorine and organophosphate. Other reasons of high pesticide residues present in Nigeria environment is due to inappropriate dosage applied of pesticides that leaves behind excess. However, its residues are found above safety levels in the air, water, and soil across the nation. Based on previous analysis, it is indicated that 125,000-130,000 metric ton pesticides are being applied annually in Nigeria. Despite banned of some pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane- and -Hexachlorocyclohexane, they are still being used by farmers in their agricultural production. Many of the Class 1 (high extremely toxic) pesticides are still being used in developing countries like Nigeria. Hence, there is need to sensitize and educate the general public especially the end-users (farmers) particularly on management practices of pesticides. Considering these entire hazardous situations, in this article the history of pesticide used in Nigeria has been reviewed in detail. The article also discussed the effects of pesticide use in Nigerian waters, soil and on crops. The risk of residual pesticide on agricultural workers, pesticide residue risk preventive measures by the Federal Government of Nigeria, banned and restricted pesticides in Nigeria, Nigerian Government and its efforts to eliminate persistent organic pesticides in use are also reviewed in details.

The effects of deficit irrigation technique on growth and fruit quality of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) was observed. The result shows that minimum weight of the yield was obtained from treatment grown with well watered (WW) condition. Plant height was affected by reduction of water application. Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) tended to decrease all means of growth parameter except stem fresh and dry weight. RDI shows significant effect on yields, where the reduction of 50% water produce more fruits compared to control plants. The impact of RDI was not significant effect on physiological change of roselle. Thus, RDI could be a feasible technique for Roselle production as it saves large amounts of water with reduction on plant growth but increase the yield as compared to well watered (WW) of roselle.

The experiment consisted of five treatments of fermented plant juice (FPJ) and fermented fruit juice (FFJ). The treated plants with FPJ and FFJ produced early flowers and fruits compared to untreated plants due to the enhanced production of auxin and essential nutrients. Total soluble solids were also observed to increase after 10 weeks of FPJ and FFJ application. Photosynthesis rate increased in all treatments except T3; while transpiration rate increased only at T4 compared to control. The findings we clearly suggested to use both combinations as FPJ water spinach for enhancing the vegetative growth of tomato plants than FPJ bamboo shoots (T3 and T5), while FFJ pineapple for better reproductive development of tomato plants rather than FFJ banana (T5) for ensuring future sustainable eco-friendly agriculture practices.

Study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two types of fertilizers (SRI and Kamila) on growth and physiological changes of MD2 pineapple. Results showed significant changes to the growth of the MD2 pineapple due to either use of soil with NPK or in combination. Application of NPK and SRI fertilizers showed the best performance on plant height and width from beginning until 10 weeks after treatment (WAT) while for leaf length fertilizer-Kamila combination showed the best performance until 10 WAT. Equally for the chlorophyll content, the treatment Kamila also showed the best performance at 6 MAT. Analysis of leaf of the pineapple plant showed that there was a decrease in nutrient content of most the elements in 3 MAT. But for nutrient analysis of soil, the outcomes showed that at 3 MAT the nutrients content increased especially in treatment of Kamila fertilizer combination. The nutrient contents of most of the elements were also very low from what has been expected, but the result of nutrient content in soil treated with Kamila - a controlled-release fertilizer showed a good result. Addition of controlled release fertilizer (Kamila) with SRI formulation showed positive improvement in the plant growth of pineapple variety MD2 compared to the plants without SRI formulation.

The application of indigenous microorganism (IMO) and system of rice intensification (SRI) Anak formulation on growth and nutrient uptake of rice variety MR219 at nursery level was carried out. Results showed the highest plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of rice variety MR219 when treated with IMO and SRI Anak formulation. Accumulation of N, P and K content in leaf and root tissue is much affected by spraying with SRI formulation. IMO had less influence in increasing the nutrient content in leaf and root tissue at nursery level. IMO and SRI formulation is potentially to be used as bio-fertilizer and bio-regulator to reduce environmental problems.

The physico-chemical properties of abscisic acid (ABA) and IAA treated roselle calyces stored in different storage temperature was determined in this study. Mature roselle was dipped in distilled water (control),10-4 mol/l of ABA and 10-4mol/l of IAA for 5 minutes. All treated calyces were kept at ambient temperature (23°C) for 4 days, or stored at cold storage (10°C) for 8 days. Low temperature (10°C) can prolong the shelf life of roselle about 4 days longer than ambient storage (23°C). However, plant growth regulator (ABA or IAA) only showed minimal effect on quality and shelf life of roselle. Therefore,the application of higher concentration of ABA or IAA as well as dipping for more than 5 minutes can influence the postharvest quality and shelf life of roselle calyces, respectively.