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Pollution of air is among the serious issue that the world is confronting today in developed and developing countries. An escalating numberof automobiles and industries incessantly add toxic gases like SO2, NOx, and particulate matter into the atmosphere. Simultaneously,secondary pollutant tropospheric O3 formed by the reactions of primary pollutant is equally hazardous. Suspension of these contaminantsin air leads to damaging effects on human health and plant productivity and results in the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity.Human health issues associated with pollutants in air include cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, nervous and reproductive systemdisorders, lowered life expectancy, and mutations. Moreover, air pollutants negatively affect different morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the plants. Air pollutants generate reactive oxygen species that negatively affect various physiological pathways inthe plants inducing their anti-oxidative defense system to counteract oxidative stress. Air pollutants are also accountable for injury tovegetation and losses in crop productivity which is an increased cause of concern. Hence considering the air pollution menace, effectiveregulations, policies, and strategies should be developed for good human health, agricultural production, and food security.

Plants are inevitably grown in presence of sunlight, therefore bound to be exposed to natural UV-B radiation. Several studies have already been conducted with UV-B and medicinal plants and only few studies showed dose dependent variation. The present study aims to find out the variations and adaptation in Chlorophytum borivillianum under two different doses of UV-B radiation; ambient + low (3.2 kJm

Despite acting as environmental stress, UV-B also plays a regulatory role in the plant's growth and secondary metabolism. UV-B-induced changes show variations between and among the species. The present study mainly focuses on variations in carbon and nitrogen contents and their relation with the phytochemical constituents of Curcuma caesia exposed to two different doses of UV-B (ambient ± elevated UV-B for 1 h (2.4 kJ m

Tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) is found to be a severe threat to agriculture and natural vegetation. The present study was conducted to investigate the structural and functional changes in an intact seminatural grassland community when exposed to elevated O 3 (EO 3 ; ambient + 20 parts per billion) compared to ambient O 3 (AO 3 ) for 3 years using open-top chambers. Parameters such as species richness (SR), evenness ( E ), Shannon index ( H ′), β-diversity (BD), concentration of dominance (Cd), similarity index (SI), biomass in canopy layers, and community productivity were evaluated. Species like Cynodon dactylon , Dichanthium annulatum , Parthenium hysterophorus , Digitaria sanguinalis , Cyperus killinga , Oplismenus burmannii , and Commelina benghalensis showed higher importance value index (IVI), whereas Trifolium resupinatum , Desmodium triflorum , Melilotus officinalis , Oxalis corniculata , Eleusine indica , Cyperus rotundus , Malvestrum coromandelianum , and Lindernia anagallis showed lower IVI under EO 3 treatment compared to AO 3 . EO 3 enhanced BD and Cd, whereas SR, E , and H ′ in the community reduced. Biomass accumulation reduced maximally in top layer compared to bottom and middle canopy layers in both forbs and grasses fraction under EO 3 treatment. Higher reduction in total biomass compared to aboveground biomass indicates less carbon allocation toward root system. The results of the present study clearly indicates that 3 years of exposure at EO 3 level caused deleterious impact on grassland community by increasing O 3 -tolerant and decreasing sensitive species, thus resulting in a shift in species composition and community productivity.

Prolonged application of sewage-sludge may cause excessive accumulation of metal(oid)s in soil, leading to phytotoxic effects. Spread of contaminants in soil can probably be hindered by using an effective metal(oid) stabilizer. Pot experiment in open field conditions was conducted for five months to evaluate the metal(oid) (Al, Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr) stabilization potential of red mud (RM) in sludge-amended soil and its effects on growth, yield, oil quality parameters and metal(oid) accumulations in Brassica juncea cultivar Kranti. The test plant was grown at different RM concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15% w/w) in sludge-amended soil (soil/sludge: 2:1 w/w). As the total and phytoavailable metal(oid) concentrations in sludge were high, its application increased their concentrations in soil compared to the control (no RM and sludge). Increasing RM concentrations in sludge-amended soil effectively stabilized Cd followed by Cr, Cu, Zn and Al, leading to their reduced contents in plants coupled with enhanced growth performance and yield. Maximum plant (root and shoot) biomass (14.9%) and seed yield (40.4%) were found in 10% RM treatment, whereas oil content showed substantial increase with increasing RM treatments in sludge-amended soil. Mustard oil showed low rancidification, high long-chain fatty acids, saturated and polyunsaturated (ω-3 and ω-6) fatty acids within FAO ranges for edible oils under varying RM treatments compared to sludge-amended soil. Furthermore, high oleic and low erucic acid contents in mustard oil indicated a better oil quality under different RM treatments. Metal(oid) contents in seeds under different red mud treatments were within FAO/WHO limits for consumption. Thus, RM applications preferably 5 and 10% (w/w) in sludge-amended soil might be effective in stabilization of metal(oid)s using B. juncea cultivar Kranti coupled with better yield, improved oil quality and metal(oid)s within limits for human consumption.

Introduction: The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused serious adverse effects on the human race. There are limited data on maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: An observational descriptive study was conducted in the department of obstetrics & gynaecology at SMSR and Sharda hospital located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This medical college drains patients from entire Greater Noida and as well as from far-away places as referrals. All pregnant patients were included that came to this hospital from 1 April to 31 May 2021. These were the two dreadful months for the entire country in which so many lives were lost. All pregnant patients were labelled COVID-19 positive after undergoing either Rapid antigen test/RTPCR test taken from nasopharyngeal and oral swab. Aims & Objectives : This included assessment of the maternal morbidity and mortality, comorbidities & worsening of outcome due to COVID-19 infection in pregnant patients as well assessment of the effect of COVID-19 infection on fetus and newborn. Keywords: COVID- 19, Pregnancy, Maternal, Neonatal outcome.

Tropospheric ozone (O

The UV-B-induced signals play a crucial role in improving the analeptic values of medicinally important plants. Eclipta alba L. (Hassak), commonly known as False Daisy, holds supreme stature with its pharmaceutical association in treating various ailments, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine. The present study aimed to evaluate the response of E. alba plants exposed to ambient (AT) and two different supplemental UV-B doses (eUV-B, ambient ±7.2 kJ m-2 day-1), i.e., intermittent (IT) and continuous (CT) UV-B treatment for 130 and 240 h respectively. Antioxidative activities and medicinally important compounds (wedelolactone) were measured in different plants' parts at three growth stages. Under both the eUV-B treatments, the photosynthetic pigments were adversely affected (along with reductions in protein content) with a concomitant increase in secondary metabolites. Substantial variations in enzymatic antioxidants and non-enzymatic compounds showed the adaptive resilience strategies of plants against eUV-B. The wedelolactone content increased in leaves but compromised in stem and roots under IT. The results concluded that IT UV-B exposure led to the improvement of plant growth and the yield of wedelolactone compared to CT, suggesting its ameliorative role in improving the test plant's medicinal value.

Due to its deleterious and large-scale effects on the ecosystem and long-range transboundary nature, acid rain has attracted the attention of scientists and policymakers. Acid rain (AR) is a prominent environmental issue that has emerged in the last hundred years. AR refers to any form of precipitation leading to a reduction in pH to less than 5.6. The prime reasons for AR formation encompass the occurrence of sulfur dioxide (SO

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Ice plant) is an annual halophytic plant species spread in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. Information about the behaviour of halophytes under the future concentration of ozone (O3) is scanty. Therefore, we have assessed the effects of elevated O3 (ambient + 20 ppb), moderate salinity (200 mM NaCl), and their combined treatment (salinity + elevated O3) on various morphological, growth, physiological, biochemical and anatomical parameters of Egyptian ice plant. Under salinity stress, plant growth, percentage of pigmented leaf and its thickness, ROS levels, antioxidative enzymes, and ROS scavenging activities were increased, while photosynthetic pigments and efficiency were decreased compared to the control. Elevated O3 exposure led to reductions in most of the growth parameters and pigments, while ROS levels, histochemical localization of H2O2 and ·O2−, antioxidative enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants (betacyanin, phenolics, thiols and ascorbic acid) showed increases. Surprisingly, salinity alleviated the oxidative stress of elevated O3 due to the rise of SOD activity, antioxidant compounds, and a decrease of ·O2− production rate with concomitant increases of most of the growth parameters. Thick lower collenchyma and enhancement of xylem parenchyma under O3 and combined treatment suggested that anatomical acclimation also operated under O3 stress and salinity played a vital role in the growth of this plant under combined stress. Results showed that salt is essential for the optimum development of this species and its role is extended to alleviate the oxidative damage caused by elevated O3. The results further recommend the use of Egyptian M. crystallinum as a O3 tolerant crop for saline areas along the Mediterranean Sea coast.

Plants are the most dynamic, unique, plastic, adaptive, and fascinating organisms in the world, since evolutionary changes in climate, geography, and biogeochemical cycling have caused plants to uniquely adapt to their surroundings and sustain for long periods of time. Increasing concentrations of atmospheric gases and particulate matter (PM) have raised serious concerns over human and plant health. In this chapter, we have made efforts to understand the unique response of different plant types in Asian countries under different pollution loads with the following goals: (i) to understand the current status of air pollution-induced plant response in different vegetation types, (ii) to understand the differential ability of plants in coping with the air pollution stress, (iii) to understand the response of plants to emerging air pollutants, (iv) to understand the urban greenery and its relationship with air pollution, and (v) to provide future recommendations in fulfilling the research gap in the area of plant stress response assessment under air pollution stress.

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a major secondary air pollutant and greenhouse gas, and its impact on growth, yield, and its quality is well established in the case of crop plants. However, the effects of tropospheric O3 have not been comprehensively studied on medicinal plants. Therefore, a field study was planned on a medicinally important Sida cordifolia L. plant (commonly known as country mallow or Bala) to assess the expected changes on the morphology, growth, and leaf injury under elevated O3 (ambient + 20 ppb) by using open-top chambers (OTCs) at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment (DAT), while leaf and root metabolites were observed at 60 DAT. At all the growth stages, significant leaf damage was recorded as foliar injury symptoms. Most of the growth parameters also showed significant reductions at all the growth stages. Plants under elevated O3 showed a significant negative impact on most of the reproductive parts of the plant. Leaf weight ratio (LWR) showed significant increment at early stages while reduced at 90 DAT; however, root shoot ratio (RSR) showed a significant reduction at 60 DAT. The majority of the steroid metabolites showed an increase in root and leaves under elevated O3, while terpenes showed variable response. Due to O3 stress, most of the major metabolites showed an increase possibly due to their role in defense and other metabolic activities. Based on the outcomes, it is concluded that the future increase in the levels of tropospheric O3 will impact a significant effect on important metabolites of medicinal plants growing in tropical countries like India.

Abiotic stress, notably high ultraviolet-B (eUV-B), limit growth and productivity of many crop plants, but information on response of forage grasses to eUV-B radiation is rather limited. The present study was therefore conducted to increase our understanding of differential age-related responses on growth, metabolism and fodder quality of Cenchrus ciliaris-3108 (Buffel grass) to elevated UV-B (eUV-B: 7.2 kJ·m-2 ·day-1 ). Plant growth at both growth stages was notably reduced in response to eUV-B, except for the number of nodes and tillers at vegetative and reproductive stages. At anthesis, tillering increased due to the perennial habit of this plant, but leaf senescence reduced the number of leaves per tiller. Unlike ambient UV-B, eUV-B at the vegetative stage resulted in diversion of photosynthate for the formation of secondary metabolites (tannins and phenolics), providing dual protection from photooxidative damage and from herbivory. The forage biomass as well as quality showed a marked decline under eUV-B and relative nutritive value was reduced at both growth stages.

Barley and oat were irradiated with elevated UV-B (+ 3.6 kJ m−2 d−1; 280–315 nm) during the vegetative stage, and their performances were evaluated at the tillering and panicle development stages (PDS). Physiological and biochemical measurements revealed that barley and oat performed almost alike against UV-B at the tillering stage, but the stress imprints led barley to display better performance at the PDS. Chlorophyll content increased under elevated UV-B in both the test crops with a higher increase in barley. Also, efficient synthesis of UV-B-absorbing compounds, i.e. flavonoids and phenolics in barley at the PDS, protected the photosynthetic machinery. Both the crops showed stimulations in growth responses under elevated UV-B except for root length in oat at the PDS. At the PDS, the reduction in total biomass of oat was accompanied with increased biomass allocation to the root portion suggesting the limiting factor for growth was belowground. Results clearly showed that UV-B priming during the vegetative stage enhanced tolerance against stress at the PDS in barley, whereas oat showed recovery for most of the measured parameters except ascorbic acid and biomass. Therefore, improved plant tolerance against UV-B during the panicle growth in barley is meaningful for a higher productivity.

Soil salinity is a major threat to crop productivity all over the world including the Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) region of India. Therefore, a field study was conducted for two consecutive years in wheat growing areas in IGP affected by salinity. Plants grown at a saline site (Salempur, SLM) and a non-saline site (Rajatalab, RJT), were analysed for selected biochemical, physiological and yield traits. Results showed that photosynthetic rate was not significantly affected, but transpiration rate and stomatal conductance declined at saline compared to non-saline site. Photosynthetic pigments increased during vegetative growth period, but decreased during reproductive stage at SLM site, while anthocyanin showed an opposite trend. Membrane damage, solute leakage, H(2)O(2) and (·)O(2)(−) productions were intensified at saline site, SLM. Accumulation of osmolytes and antioxidants occurred in plants at saline compared to non-saline sites. K/Na and Ca/Na ratios in plants at SLM were reduced significantly compared to non-saline site, RJT. Biomass and yield also declined at SLM compared to RJT. Principle component and path analyses on the measured parameters clearly showed that defense strategies adopted by plants helped to maintain the photosynthetic rate but biomass and yield of wheat got compromised under high salinity.

Soil salinity is known to be a significant threat to food security for the increasing population, which is further aggravated under the climate change scenario. Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) is one of the most productive in the world and is most affected by salinity. To understand the modifications in soil characteristics under different management practices followed to reclaim salinity affected land, the present study was conducted at variously reclaimed saline areas of three districts of Uttar Pradesh situated in IGP. Soil from six sites (electrical conductivity (EC) ranging from 0.89 to 10.28 mS) following different management practices, RJT (Rajatalab, rice-wheat +organic), BBN (Beerbhanpur, rice-wheat +inorganic), MZM (Mirzamurad, rice-mustard +organic), BRP (Baraipur, rice-wheat +organic), DHR (Dharahara, rice-fallow +organic) and SLM (Salempur, rice-wheat +inorganic) were assessed for physical, chemical and biological properties during the vegetative stage and after harvest of crops. Soil quality index (SQI) based on representative parameters obtained by principal component analysis and yield of crops were also calculated at saline and non-saline sites. The SLM site showed highest salinity followed by BRP, DHR, MZM, while BBN and RJT were non-saline. Total organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial activity, and microbial biomass were low at saline compared to non-saline sites but were higher under organic matter amendment compared to inorganic. Activities of soil enzymes were negatively influenced while β-glucosidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were enhanced under higher salinity. Organic amendments were more efficient in improving the soil properties along with SQI at saline soil resulting into a better yield in all crop combinations compared to inorganic amendments.

Psoralea corylifolia L. is a traditionally and medicinally important, endangered plant of the family Fabaceae. Seeds obtained from it widely used in treatment of skin diseases like leprosy, psoriasis, leucoderma, vitiligo. The present study was aimed to assess the growth, physiology, anatomy, yield and essential oil content and composition of P. corylifolia in response to elevated UV-B (eUV-B; ambient + 7.2 kJm− 2day− 1). The results showed reductions in the growth and physiological parameters under eUV-B treatment (except chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoids content and water use efficiency which showed increment) while reverse trend was observed for UV-B absorbing compounds. The total thickness of leaves decreased by 13.8% under eUV-B exposure. Due to eUV-B exposure number of racemes, flowers and seeds, and the length of racemes significantly reduced whereas length of flowers, seed size and seed mass (thousand seeds weight) showed non-significant variations. The essential oil content of seeds showed increment by 46.4% under eUV-B treatment. The GC-MS analysis of essential oil revealed 28 major compounds from control and eUV-B exposed plants. Overall the monoterpenes showed reduction whereas sesquiterpenes and meroterpene showed increment. The metabolites caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and bakuchiol (possess anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory activities) were identified as major metabolites of essential oil, which showed increment under eUV-B treatment. The study displayed that eUV-B enhanced the content of essential oil with improvement in the quality of seeds in terms of medicinally important compounds of seeds.

Two common tropical grassland species, Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass) and Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel grass) of Indo-Gangetic plains were assessed for their responses under future level of O3 (ambient +30 ppb) using open top chambers. Plants were assessed for foliar injuries, pigments, growth, biomass accumulation, histochemical localization of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant defense system and ROS scavenging activities at two stages. Foliar injuries were noticed at an early stage in P. maximum compared to C. ciliaris. Significant reductions were observed in total chlorophyll, growth and total biomass in both species. Significant increases in contents of melondialdehyde and ascorbic acid in P. maximum while total phenolics and thiols in C. ciliaris were found. Histochemical analysis showed more production of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide in leaf tissues of P. maximum compared to C. ciliaris. It can be concluded that higher level of primary antioxidants (total phenolics and thiols) along with superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase scavenged O3 effectively in C. ciliaris causing less reduction of biomass which is used as a feed for cattles. In P. maximum, more photosynthates were allocated for defense, leading to higher reduction in total biomass compared to C. ciliaris. The leaf area ratio was higher in P. maximum compared to C. ciliaris under elevated O3. The study further suggests higher susceptibility of P. maximum compared to C. ciliaris under future level of O3 exposure.

The present field study was planned with an objective to unravel the mechanisms behind the differential responses of early and late sown wheat cultivars with respect to their defense capacity to scavenge ROS induced under elevated O3 (EO3). Experiments were performed under ambient and elevated levels of O3 (ambient + 20 ppb) to plants inside open-top chambers (OTCs). Ozone concentrations, stomatal flux of O3 and meteorological parameters were measured throughout the experiment. Contents of superoxide radicals ( O2−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and their localization, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzyme activities, ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents were measured at vegetative and reproductive developmental stages. EO3 exposure induced higher stomatal flux of O3 in early sown cultivars. Higher contents of O2−, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation were noticed under EO3 in all the cultivars but the magnitude of increases was higher in late sown cultivars at the reproductive stage. Activities of glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were higher in late sown cultivars under EO3. Ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents were significantly higher in early sown than late sown cultivars under EO3 treatment. The present study concludes that early sown cultivars are more efficient in their defense response due to higher induction of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, while the induction of enzymatic antioxidants was more distinct in late sown cultivars. Non-enzymatic linked defense mechanism requires additional metabolic cost than enzymatic defense, making early sown cultivars more susceptible to EO3. Differential response of early and late sown cultivars with respect to antioxidative defense against O3 stress suggests that yield responses are governed by the time of sowing and intrinsic defense responses of the cultivars. In future with rising trend of O3, early sown cultivars are expected to be more vulnerable to oxidative stress compared to late sown cultivars.

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) is inherent part of solar spectrum and tropospheric ozone (O3) is a potent secondary air pollutant. Therefore the present study was conducted to evaluate the responses of Helianthus annuus L. cvs DRSF 108 and Sungold (sunflower) to supplemental UV-B (sUV-B; ambient + 7.2 kJ m−2 d−1) and elevated ozone (O3; ambient + 10 ppb), given singly and in combination under field conditions using open-top chambers. The individual and interactive effects of O3 and sUV-B induced varying changes in both the cultivars of sunflower ranging from ultrastructural variations to growth, biomass, yield and oil composition. Reduction in leaf area of Sungold acted as a protective feature which minimized the perception of sUV-B as well as uptake of O3 thus led to lesser carbon loss compared to DRSF 108. Number- and weight of heads plant−1 decreased although more in Sungold with decline of oil content. Both the stresses when given singly and combination induced rancidification of oil and thus made the oil less suitable for human consumption.

Wheat cultivars namely HD 2987 [ozone (O3) sensitive], PBW 502 (intermediately sensitive to O3) and Kharchiya 65 (O3 tolerant) were chosen on the basis of earlier study to investigate the effect of elevated O3 (ambient + 30 ppb) on histochemical localisation assay, native-PAGE analysis, metabolites and enzymes of antioxidative and phenylpropanoid pathway as well as on reproductive structures and related yield losses. In the histochemical study, highly distinguished and intensified stains were found in leaf tissues of sensitive cultivar due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Greatest induction in activities of enzymes i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), glutathione reductase (GR) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) was found in sensitive cultivar HD 2987 compared to other two cultivars. Jasmonic acid was constitutively more in Kharchiya 65 while salicylic acid was maximally induced in HD 2987 indicating its higher susceptibility towards O3 stress. Modern cultivar HD 2987 suffered maximum oxidative stress and tried to overcome it by greatly enhancing antioxidative enzymes and also enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and 4-coumarate CoA ligase) with subsequent induction of flavonoids and total phenolics; but ultimately suffered greatest decline in reproductive structures development and final yield. While in PBW 502 both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants played important role in combating O3 stress. Earlier released tolerant cultivar Kharchiya 65 manifested maximum increase in non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, flavonoids, reduced glutathione along with jasmonic acid which offered resistance and probably rendered it most efficient in combating O3 stress. Further Kharchiya 65 showed high free radical scavenging activities compared to other cultivars. These findings will be useful for crop breeders to select O3 tolerant wheat cultivars for breeding purposes while developing cultivars for areas experiencing higher concentrations of O3.

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Ice plant) is an annual halophytic plant species spread in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. Information about the behaviour of halophytes under the future concentration of ozone (O