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In alkaline calcareous soils, where phosphorus is usually immobile and unavailable for plant uptake, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are essential for increasing the bioavailability of phosphorus in soils. Through the synthesis of organic acids and other processes, these bacteria solubilize inorganic phosphate compounds, greatly enhancing the cycling of phosphorus. The purpose of this review is to explore how PSB enhances phosphorus availability and how it interacts with the dynamics of organic matter in alkaline calcareous soils, which are common in many arid and semi-arid regions. Important findings from the literature show that PSB interact with organic matter to improve soil fertility overall in addition to increasing phosphorus availability. Research have indicated that temperature, pH, and inputs of organic carbon all affect PSB activity. The review also emphasizes the challenges presented by environmental factors that limit bacterial efficaciousness in phosphorus solubilization, as well as the symbiotic relationship between PSB and other soil microorganisms. This review has significant outcome for environmentally friendly farming. Growers can encourage more economical and environmentally friendly farming practices by lowering their reliance on chemical phosphorus fertilizers by using PSB as biofertilizers. By promoting nutrient cycling, accelerating the breakdown of organic matter, and possibly raising carbon sequestration, PSB activity also contributes to the long-term health of the soil. For sustainable agricultural productivity and environmental conservation, this research emphasizes the significance of microbial interventions in managing nutrient-deficient soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, banana peel powder (BPP) was used to remove carcinogenic crystal violet (CV) dye from aqueous solution. The BPP adsorbent was characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In batch sorption experiments, the maximum removal of CV was recorded 93% at optimum levels of operating parameters, i.e., pH 7.0, adsorbent dosage 0.1 g, contact time 10 min, initial adsorbate concentration 90 ppm and temperature 20 C o. The kinetics of the adsorption process was found best to follow the pseudo first order model with high value of R 2 (0.9999) and low values of error functions. The Langmuir isotherm model was the best fit with high R 2 (0.9552) low values of error models. The plots of Freundlich and D-R isotherms confirmed the feasibility ( n = 1.3109 L g − 1 ) and the physisorption nature ( E s = 0.1107 kJ mol − 1 ) of the process respectively. The negative values of thermodynamic parameters (Δ G & Δ H) revealed that the adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic in nature respectively. The results of the desorption study showed that 91% of the adsorbent was regenerated. The novelty of the present research is that no work has been reported till date to remove crystal violet dye by using banana peel specifically. The high adsorption and desorption efficiencies (>90%) suggest that BPP possesses characteristics to be used as an effective, fast and low-cost adsorbent for adsorption of CV dye from industrial effluents. Adsorption technique was employed to remove crystal violet dye by using banana peel powder. The hydroxyl ( OH − ) & carboxylate ( OH − ) groups on adsorbent surface provided excellent binding with adsorbate molecules. Equilibrium attainment in 10 min at neutral pH. 93% adsorption and 91% desorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balanced use of fertilizer is important to achieve optimum yields of wheat. Present study was conducted at farmers' fields in Rice-Wheat and Central mixed cropping zones of Punjab Pakistan for four years from 2019-20 to 2022-23. The objectives of the study were to determine economic optimum dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash nutrients for obtaining optimum wheat yields under irrigated conditions. The levels of N used in this study were (0, 53, 106, 160 and 212), for P2O5 were (0, 57, 114 and 171) and for K2O were (0, 30, 60) kg ha-1 of nutrients. These levels were incorporated in 11 treatments combination according to FAO central rotatory design. All P and K were applied at sowing whereas half N was applied at sowing and remaining N was top dressed at first irrigation. Results of 56 field trials conducted in these two zones indicated that 160 and 114 kilograms of N and P2O5 respectively per hectare proved economical doses for getting highest wheat grain yield in both these cropping zones. However, for K2O, the economical doses were 30 and 60 kg ha-1 for central and rice zones respectively. The study will help revisiting the current fertilizer recommendations. More experimentation is needed to go for imparting sitespecific nutrient recommendations for economical crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress is a significant abiotic plant growth restrictive factor; it is becoming a severe environmental threat. The microorganism in the rhizosphere especially fungi and bacteria can increase the plant production under stress conditions both by direct and indirect mechanisms. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of biogas slurry and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) at different levels of salinity to improve the growth and yield of pea (Pisum sativum). In field experiment biogas slurry @ 600kg ha-1and 800 kg ha-1 and PGPR strain "Bacillus subtilis" was applied along with 6dS m-1 and 8 dS m-1 levels of salt stress in addition to recommended doses of NPK fertilizer. The results revealed that the combined application of PGPR and biogas slurry under normal soil conditions increased shoot length by 30.27%, while under saline conditions it increased up-to 65.27%. Soil salinity reduced root length up-to 79.155% at 8 dS m-1as compared to control. Soil salinity reduced chlorophyll content 36.54% of pea decrease under salt stress, the application of biogas slurry under the same condition improved 29.26% chlorophyll content of pea but the combined application of PGPR and biogas slurry enhanced the chlorophyll contents 4.68% as compared to solely application of biogas slurry. CRD was used to analyze the data statistically. The results clearly indicated that the combined application of PGPR and biogas slurry is the best source to enhance the growth and yield of pea under normal as well as under salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization and industrialization are leading cause of food security issue in modern days, so there is dire need to efficiently utilize the scarce resources. Increased food per unit area is an indispensable factor to tackle food security. Therefore, a research survey was carried out to evaluate the salinity and fertility status of district Sahiwal to execute balanced and environment friendly fertilizer recommendation to the farmers to gain maximum output from different crops of this area. A total of 14490 soil samples were collected from two tehsils of Sahiwal (Tehsil Chichawatni and Tehsil Sahiwal) and analyzed for physico-chemical properties in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Sahiwal. About 81% soils had EC values (≤ 4.0 dSm-1) which were non-saline in nature and 74% of total soil samples exhibited normal pH value < 8.5. Organic matter status of 90% soil samples was deficient ≤ 1%. The available phosphorus in 45% samples were poor ( i.e., ≤7.0 mg kg-1), Potassium contents of most (70%) of the soils were satisfactory having 80-180 mg K kg-1 soil. The results of this study indicated that the most of soils of district Sahiwal are good for agricultural crops production but with low fertility status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]