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The increase in world population especially in developing countries, where soil fertility and health are decreasing continuously, leading to soil degradation and desertification. Water scarcity in developing countries mostly under semiarid climates is one of the major problems that decrease crop growth and yield leading to food security problems. Integrated foliar nutrients management system could improve crop growth, yield and yield components of crops under arid and semiarid climates. There is lack of research to study the impact of integrated foliar nutrients management in field crops. Therefore, two field experiments were designed (2010–11 & 2012–13) with an objective to investigate the impact of integrated foliar nutrients management on wheat productivity under the semiarid condition. In experiment one, foliar spray of sole boron (B), sole zinc (Zn) and their combination (Zn + B) was applied at various growth stages (tillering, booting and anthesis) under irrigated vs. dryland wheat. It was concluded that integrated foliar application of Zn + B in one single split (0.2% each) or two equal splits (0.1% + 0.1% each) at booting stage increased yield and yield components of wheat. In experiment two, foliar macro nutrients [phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)] and micronutrients [boron (B) and zinc (Zn)] alone and in various combinations at boot and pre-anthesis stages was investigated. The results revealed that integrated use of foliar micronutrients (Zn+B) produced the highest spikes m−2, grains spike−1 and heavy seeds (grains). On the other hand, integrated use of foliar macro nutrients along with boron (P + K + B) produced longer spikes, more spikelets spike−1 and higher grain yield. Earlier foliar nutrients spray at boot stage increased wheat productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal pathogens exert severe qualitative and quantitative damages to wheat crop. Karnal bunt of wheat caused by Tilletia indica Mitra, Mundkur is a severe threat to global food security. Nonetheless, T. indica is regulated as a quarantine pest in numerous countries, which further aggravates the situation. Tolerant varieties and appropriate management practices for Karnal bunt are imperative to meet the global wheat demands. This two-year study explored the impact of fungicide [Fosetyl-Aluminium (Aliette)] application timing on allometric traits, disease suppression and economic returns of bread wheat. Four bread wheat cultivars differing in their tolerance to Karnal bunt were used in the study. Fungicide was applied as either seed treatment (ST), foliar application at heading (FAH) or ST + FAH, whereas no application (NA) was taken as control. Lasani-08 performed better than the rest of the cultivars in terms of allometric traits (plant height, leaf area, crop growth rate, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll content), yield and economic returns. Nonetheless, minimal disease severity was recorded for Lasani-08 compared to other cultivars during both years. The ST improved allometric traits of all cultivars; however, ST + FAH resulted in higher yield and economic returns. Cultivar Pasban-90 observed the highest disease severity and performed poor for allometric traits, yield and economic returns. It is concluded that ST + FAH of Fosetyl-Aluminium could be a pragmatic option to cope Karnal bunt of wheat. Nonetheless, Pasban-90 must not be used for cultivation to avoid yield and quality losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of dye disposal into the environment has received considerable critical attention. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the biodegradation and detoxification of Solvent Green 3 (SG3) by halophilic Hortaea sp. For toxicity examination, SG3 (before and after degradation) was inspected against two plants, which are Sorghum vulgare and Triticum aestivum. The maximum specific growth rate of the bacterium was 0.13 h−1. The fastest duration for the complete removal of the dye and chemical oxygen demand was achieved at the lowest concentration of the dye. The presence of Cu2+ performed a higher removal capability compared to other employed metal ions. The 1,2-dioxygenase performed the highest enzymatic activity (up to 488 U/L). The 1,2-dioxygenase and laccase were responsible for the biodegradation and detoxification of SG3. SG3 can be degraded by Hortaea sp. into lower toxicity compounds via two routes, which are initially transformed into 1,4-diaminoanthracene-9,10-dione and p-toluidine before degraded into phthalic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, respectively. The biodegraded product of SG3 achieved better the germination percentage, plumule, and radical lengths of the plants compared to SG3. In general, this study revealed that the dye can be completely removed by the bacterium and can be transformed into lower toxicity compounds. • Biotransformation and detoxification of SG3 using Hortaea sp. were investigated. • Toxicity properties of SG3 and the degraded product were examined against plants. • The dye and chemical oxygen demand can be completely removed by Hortaea sp. • 1,2-Dioxygenase and laccase were responsible for biodegradation of SG3. • SG3 can be degraded by Hortaea sp. into lower toxicity compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the rice–wheat cropping system (RWS), the continuous cropping of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) deplete soil fertility, and reduce crop growth and total rice biomass. In RWS, both phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are considered important nutritional constraints for reducing rice crop growth rates (CGR) and total biomass/biological yield (BY). The objective of this experiment was to investigate the impact of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, 120 kg P ha−1) and zinc rates (0, 5, 10, 15 kg Zn ha−1) on CGR and BY of three rice genotypes [fine (Bamati-385) versus coarse (Fakhre-e-Malakand and Pukhraj)] in Northwestern Pakistan during summer 2011 (Y1) and 2012 (Y2). The results revealed that higher CGR at various growth stages and total BY was obtained with the integrated use of higher phosphorus (80 and 120 kg P ha−1) and zinc rates (10 and 15 kg Zn ha−1). The lower CGR and BY were recorded when P and Zn were not applied (control) or when P and Zn were applied alone. In the case of rice genotypes, the highest CGR and BY were recorded for the hybrid rice (Pukhraj) than the other two genotypes. The CGR was increased to the highest level at the heading stage as compared to tillering and physiological maturity. The increase in CGR had a positive impact on the total BY of rice cultivars. The increase in BY had a positive relationship with grain yield and grower's income. It was concluded from the study that the combined application of higher P and Zn rates to the coarse rice genotypes (Fakhre-e-Malakand and Pukhraj) could increase CGR, total BY, crop productivity and profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous cropping of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) deplete soil fertility and reduce crop productivity as well as zinc (Zn) concentrations in rice grains and straw. Low Zn concentrations in rice grains have a negative impact on human health, while low Zn concertation in rice straw creates a nutritional problem for animals. The current high yielding rice varieties and hybrids remove large quantities of Zn from the soils, lowering the residual concentrations of soil Zn for the subsequent crop (e.g., wheat). Field experiments were conducted on farmers field in Malakand with the objective to evaluate the impact of various combinations of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1) and Zn levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 kg ha−1) on biofortification of Zn in grains and straw of rice genotypes [fine (Bamati-385) vs. coarse (Fakhre-e-Malakand and Pukhraj)]. The results revealed that Zn biofortification in rice genotypes increased with the integrated use of both nutrients (P + Zn) when applied at higher rates (80 and 120 kg P ha−1, and 10 and 15 kg Zn ha−1, respectively). The biofortification of Zn in both grains and straw was higher in the coarse than fine rice genotypes (Pukhraj > Fakhre-e-Malakand > Basmati-385). It was concluded from this study that the application of higher P and Zn levels increased Zn contents in rice parts (grains and straw) under the rice-wheat system. We also concluded from this study that Zn concentrations in rice grains and straw are influenced by plant genetic factors and Zn management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous cropping of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) deplete soil fertility, reduced crop productivity, and grower's income. Phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are considered important nutritional constraints under rice-wheat cropping system. One strategy to increase crop productivity and grower's income under the rice-wheat system is the balanced application of P and Zn fertilizers. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of sole and various combinations of P (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1) and Zn levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 kg ha−1) on productivity (grain yield and yield components) and profitability (net returns) of different rice genotypes (cultivars) (fine (cv.Bamati-385) vs. coarse (cv. Fakhre-e-Malakand and cv. Pukhraj)) and their residual effect on the income of the succeeding wheat crop (cv. Siran-2010). The results revealed that both rice and wheat productivity and profitability was higher with the combined application of both nutrients at higher rates (80 and 120 kg P ha−1 and 10 and 15 kg Zn ha−1). The highest productivity and profitability was obtained with the cultivation of hybrid rice "Pukhraj" (Pukhraj > Fakhre-e-Malakand > Basmati-385). It was concluded from this study that application of higher P and Zn levels and growing of hybrid rice increased productivity and profitability under the rice-wheat cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]