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Salinity stress is the most notorious among all abiotic stresses. It hampers the growth and productivity of crops via ionic imbalance, disturbance in the metabolic process and specific ions toxicity. The necessity of time is to introduce better organic amendment rates for its mitigation in cereal crops, especially maize. Therefore, a pot experiment was performed in the wirehouse of the Saline Agriculture Research Centre (SARC), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to evaluate the effect of farmyard manure and compost application rates in saline soil. A hybrid maize variety (Monsanto DK-6789) was sown and recommended doses of NPK were applied. Organic amendments (FYM and Compost) with their rates (recommended, 25% increased dose of recommended and 50% increased dose of recommended) were applied to assess the growth of hybrid maize with salinity levels (Control < 2dS m-1, moderate salinity_5dS m-1, High salinity_10dS m-1). Seven treatments each with three replicates were carried out by using Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The results of the study indicated that T4 (50% increased farmyard manure) and T7 (50% increased compost) were significantly varied in controlling the shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh weight and dry weight of maize over control at

English is taught as a compulsory subject from primary to graduation level in Pakistan. Even then, the failure rate of students in English subject is alarming, and communication skills in English are poor. This study was conducted to analyze the obstacles faced by students in learning English language, and to suggest possible solutions to overcome these obstacles. This study was conducted in girls higher secondary schools of Tehsil Faisalabad City. There were total 36 girls higher secondary schools in District Faisalabad. Nine girls higher secondary schools are in Tehsil Faisalabad City. From these nine schools, three girls' higher secondary schools were selected through simple random sampling. There were 17 English teachers who were teaching in these schools, then all the 17 teachers and 958 students were taken as population. All 17 English Subject teachers were the respondents, whereas the sample size for students was calculated 274 through online software with a confidence level 95% and confidence interval 5%. A proportionate sampling technique was used to select the respondents from students. For collecting data, a well-structured questionnaire was developed. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics i-e percentages, means and standard deviation through computer software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for interpretation and discussion of results. The results revealed that students are facing many problems in learning of English language (EL). It is suggested that the students should be provided EL learning facilities in schools as well as at houses.

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential plant macronutrient responsible for modulating many physiological or biochemical processes such as photosynthetic activity, amino acid synthesis and nucleotide metabolism. Agricultural soils with a more-than-adequate availability of calcium (Ca) have inherent Mg deficiency, potentially resulting in overall reduced soil productivity and crop yield potential. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the optimum soil application of Mg to increase crop growth and productivity under calcareous soil conditions. In addition to recommended soil application of mineral fertilizers, we applied the following four levels of Mg to the soil in the form of anhydrous MgSO4: control, 4 kg Mg ha−1 (Mg4), 8 kg Mg ha−1 (Mg8) and 16 kg Mg ha−1 (Mg16). Results showed that Mg16 application enhanced the plant height (21%), number of grains (18%), 1,000 grains weight (20%), grain yield (20%) and biological yield (9%) over control (p ≤ 0.05). Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were generally higher at the Mg8 and Mg16 levels than at the control level. Contrasting to increases in growth traits, the concentration of K significantly decreased in grains, leaves and shoots of maize along the soil’s Mg gradient (p ≤ 0.05). We suggest that Mg16 overcomes the deficiency of soil Mg and can increase the crop yield traits in calcareous soils. More investigations of the effect of soil Mg on various crops grown in calcareous soils may add to our knowledge related to the stressing impact of soil Mg on plant K concentration.

Chromium (Cr) toxicity is becoming one of a major issue for the cultivation of crops. Toxicity of Cr directly affects synthesis of chlorophyll and restricts Fe intake, which decreases crop growth. It is well documented that the reduction of Cr toxicity through the application of biochar. However, current experiment was carried out to investigate any positive effect of, banana peel waste biochar (BC) and foliar application of Fe (FFe) on growth and chlorophyll content of Spinacia oleracea L. under different levels of Cr toxicity. Seeds of Spinacia oleracea L. were grown under three levels of Cr i.e. control (Cr0), Cr35 (35 mg Cr kg−1 soil) and Cr70 (70 mg Cr kg-1 soil). Analyzed data confirmed that Spinacia oleracea L. seeds grown in 1% BC amended soils and 1000mM FFe, showed significantly better growth, Fe uptake and chlorophyll content as compared to control at Cr35 and Cr70. A significant improvement in shoot length (16.9 and 26.9%), root length (16.3 and 20.9%), plant fresh (15.5 and 28.3%) and dry weight (70.3 and 77.8%) as compared to control under Cr35 and Cr70, respectively, validated the efficacious functioning of 1% BC and FFe to mitigate Cr toxicity in Spinacia oleracea L. It is concluded that both 1% banana peel waste BC and 1000mM FFe have potential but sole application of FFe is more effective to alleviate Cr toxicity in Spinacia oleracea L. Fortification of Fe by foliar application is more effective comparative to banana peel waste biochar for improvement in growth, chlorophyll content and accessory pigments synthesis in spinach under chromium (IV) toxicity.

Background Organic mulches are widely used in crop production systems. Due to their benefits in improving soil fertility, retention of soil moisture and weed control. Field experiments were conducted during wheat growing seasons of 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 to evaluate the effects of Jatropha leaves mulch on the growth of wheat varieties ‘Wadan-17’ (rainfed) and ‘Pirsabaq-2013’ (irrigated) under well irrigated and water stress conditions (non-irrigated maintaining 40% soil field capacity). Jatropha mulch was applied to the soil surface at 0, 1, 3 and 5 Mg ha−1 before sowing grains in the field. Under conditions of water stress, Jatropha mulch significantly maintained the soil moisture content necessary for normal plant growth. Results We noted a decrease in plant height, shoot and root fresh/dry weight, leaf area, leaf relative water content (LRWC), chlorophyll, and carotenoid content due to water stress. However, water stress caused an increase in leaf and root phenolics content, leaf soluble sugars and electrolytes leakage. We observed that Jatropha mulch maintained LRWC, plant height, shoot and root fresh/dry weight, leaf area and chlorophyll content under water stress. Moreover, water stress adverse effects on leaf soluble sugar content and electrolyte leakage were reversed to normal by Jatropha mulch. Conclusion Therefore, it may be concluded that Jatropha leaves mulch will minimize water stress adverse effects on wheat by maintaining soil moisture and plant water status.

Fixation of carbon dioxide (CO2) for the production of organic compounds is carried out globally by microbes. These microbes provide food for the survival of heterotrophs in terms of organic C through CO2 fixation. The most familiar pathway of carbon (C) fixation is Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle. This pathway is adopted by plants, microbes, and algae for inorganic C fixation in natural environment. However, there are a number of other pathways as well that are specifically adopted by microbes for C fixation. By adopting these pathways, microbes follow diversified chemical and biochemical strategies. This chapter is providing basic knowledge about the fixation of CO2 by microbes, mechanism involved in the fixation of CO2, and the enzymes which regulate these mechanisms. Five major pathways, i.e., Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle, reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle, 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) cycle, reductive acetyl-CoA (rACo) pathway, and carboxylases, are discussed in this chapter. Four C-fixing pathway enzymes have been described in the chapter. In the near future, it is expected that new pathways will also be established due to number and diversity of microorganisms.

Linseed is an important industrial crop cultivated for its edible seeds and fiber linen. Organic fertilizers have beneficial effects on soil properties and quality of crops. Therefore, we conducted two field experiments during 2018&ndash, 2019 and 2019&ndash, 2020 to determine the effect of organic fertilizers on soil fertility, yield and fiber quality of linseed varieties Roshni, BL1 and Chandni under low soil moisture conditions. We prepared organic fertilizers from seed cake of Eruca sativa, leaves of Moringa oleifera and chicken peat in various combinations by composting method. The various formulations of organic fertilizers included OF1(1 kg seed cake of Eruca sativa), OF2 (1 kg seed cake of Eruca sativa +1 kg chicken peat), OF3 (1 kg seed cake of Eruca sativa + 0.5 kg chicken peat + 0.25 kg Moringa oliefera leaves) and OF4 (1 kg seed cake of Eruca sativa + 0.250 kg chicken peat + 0.5 kg Moringa oliefera leaves). Compositional analysis of organic fertilizers indicated that OF3 and OF4 had higher and may potentially sufficient quantities of NPK and organic matter. Both of these fertilizers significantly improved soil total N, available P, K, Zn and Fe contents. Growth response of linseed varieties to organic fertilizers was evaluated under water deficit stress (40% field capacity of soil) at tillering stage for one month. Water stress had significantly adverse effects on plant height, production of tillers per plant, leaf relative water content (LRWC), number of capsules per plant, thousand seed weight, total seed yield, straw yield, fiber length and fiber weight of linseed varieties. However, the application of OF3 and OF4 significantly enhanced plant height, tillers production, LRWC, seed yield, straw yield, fiber length and fiber weight under water deficit stress. Water deficit stress also resulted in a significant increase in the content of phenolics of both the leaves and roots. For each measured quality parameter of linseed varieties, organic fertilizer treatments resulted in higher values than untreated and irrigated control. We concluded that organic fertilizers particularly OF3 and OF4 significantly improved soil fertility and minimized negative effect of water deficit stress on plant height, tillers production, LRWC, seed yield, straw yield, fiber length and fiber weight of linseed varieties.

Toxicity induced by a higher concentration of lead (Pb) can significantly decrease plants growth, gas exchange and yield attributes. It also caused cancer in humans. Use of organic amendments especially biochar has the capability to alleviate Pb toxicity in different crops. Application of biochar can decrease the uptake Pb by roots in plants. However, high pH of thermo pyrolyzed biochar makes it unfit amendment for high pH soils. As Pb is an acute toxin and its uptake in rice is a major issue, current experiment was conducted with the aim to explore the efficacy of chemically produced acidified carbon (AC) for mitigation of Pb toxicity in rice. Leas has introduced artificially at the rate of (0, 15 and 30 mg kg-1 soil) in combination with 0, 0.5 and 1 % AC underground water (GW) and waste water irrigation (WW) in rice. Results confirmed that addition of 1% AC significantly improved plant height, number of tillers, spike length fresh and dry weights of spikes and straw, 1000 grains weight, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance over 0 % AC under GW and WW irrigations at 30 mg Pb kg-1 soil (30Pb) toxicity. A significant decrease in electrolyte leakage and plant Pb concentration by application of 0.5 and 1 % AC validated their effectiveness for mitigation of 30Pb toxicity in rice over 0 % AC under GW and WW. In conclusion, 1 % AC is effective amendment in the alleviation of Pb toxicity in rice irrigated with GW and WW at 30Pb.

Management of inorganic fertilizer is very important to obtain maximum crop yield and improved nutrient use efficiency in cereal crops. Fixation of phosphatic fertilizers in alkaline soils due to calcareousness is one of the major hurdles. It induces phosphorus nutritional stress that can decrease the yield of maize and wheat. Selection of a suitable application method and proper stage of crop for phosphorus (P) fertilizer has prime importance in better uptake of P and crop production. Among different application methods, soil and foliar application are widely adopted. In wheat and maize, knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + booting are critical stages towards P deficiency. That is why field trials were conducted to evaluate the supplemental effect of foliar P on maize and wheat yields. For that, 144 mM KH2PO4 was applied as foliar at knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + boot stages in maize and wheat, respectively. Soil application of 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P ha&minus, 1 was done through broadcast and band methods. Results showed that foliar spray of 144 mM KH2PO4 at knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + boot stages in wheat and maize significantly enhanced grains yield and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) where P was applied as banding or broadcast at the time of sowing. A significant decreasing trend in response to increasing soil P levels validated the efficacious role and suitability of foliar P. In conclusion, the use of P as foliar at knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + boot stages is an efficacious way to manage P fertilizer.