Country-wide, multi-location trials of Green Super Rice lines for yield performance and stability analysis using genetic and stability parameters.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important member of the family Poaceae and more than half of world population depend for their dietary nutrition on rice. Rice cultivars with higher yield, resilience to stress and wider adaptability are essential to ensure production stability and food security. The fundamental objective of this study was to identify higher-yielding rice genotypes with stable performance and wider adaptability in a rice growing areas of Pakistan. A triplicate RCBD design experiment with 20 Green Super Rice (GSR) advanced lines was conducted at 12 rice growing ecologies in four Provinces of Pakistan. Grain yield stability performance was assessed by using different univariate and multivariate statistics. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes, locations, and G x E interaction for mean squares (p < 0.05) of major yield contributing traits. All the studied traits except for number of tillers per plant revealed higher genotypic variance than environmental variance. Broad sense heritability was estimated in the range of 44.36% to 98.60%. Based on ASV, ASI, bi, Wi2, σ2i and WAAS statistics, the genotypes G1, G4, G5, G8, G11 and G12 revealed lowest values for parametric statistics and considered more stable genotypes based on  paddy yield. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model revealed significant variation (p < 0.05) for genotypes, non-signification for environment and highly significant for G × E interaction. The variation proportion of PC1 and PC2 from interaction revealed 67.2% variability for paddy yield. Based on 'mean verses stability analysis of GGE biplot', 'Which-won-where' GGE Biplot, 'discriminativeness vs. representativeness' pattern of stability, 'IPCA and WAASB/GY' ratio-based stability Heat-map, and ranking of genotypes, the genotypes G1, G2, G3, G5, G8, G10, G11 and G13 were observed ideal genotypes with yield potential more than 8 tons ha-1. Discriminativeness vs. representativeness' pattern of stability identifies two environments, E5 (D.I Khan, KPK) and E6 (Usta Muhammad, Baluchistan) were best suited for evaluating genotypic yield performance. Based on these findings we have concluded that the genotypes G1, G2, G3, G5, G8, G10, G11 and G13 could be included in the commercial varietal development process and future breeding program.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles enhanced wheat resistance to Bipolaris sorokiniana.

Agronomic crops can benefit from the application of nanoscale materials in order to control phytopathogens and improve plant growth. Bipolaris sorokiniana, a soil- and seed-borne fungus, causes severe yield losses in wheat. In order to determine the physio-chemical changes in wheat under biotic stress of B. sorokiniana, the current study aimed to synthesis silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Allium sativum bulb extract. Herein, we applied the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a foliar spray on two wheat varieties (Pakistan-2013, and NARC-2011) at the concentrations of 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L to suppress B. sorokiniana. Among all the applied concentrations of AgNPs, the 40 mg/L concentration demonstrated the most effective outcome in reduction of the intensity of spot blotch and improved the morphological, physiological, biochemical parameters, as well as antioxidant activity in wheat plant. Foliar application of AgNPs at 40 mg/L Pakistan-2013 and NARC-2011 wheat varieties significantly increased chlorophyll a 84.8% and 53.4%, chlorophyll b 28.9% and 84.3%, total chlorophyll content 294.3% and 241.2%, membrane stability index 7.5% and 6.1%, relative water contents 25.4% and 10.5%, proline content 320.5% and 609.9%, and soluble sugar content 120% and 259.4%, respectively, compared to control and diseased plant. This is the first study provides important insights into the role of phyto-mediated AgNPs in increasing resistant of wheat infected with B. sorokiniana. These findings offers valuable new insights that may be useful for reducing disease incidence in wheat fields.

Reimagining safe lithium applications in the living environment and its impacts on human, animal, and plant system.

Lithium's (Li) ubiquitous distribution in the environment is a rising concern due to its rapid proliferation in the modern electronic industry. Li enigmatic entry into the terrestrial food chain raises many questions and uncertainties that may pose a grave threat to living biota. We examined the leverage existing published articles regarding advances in global Li resources, interplay with plants, and possible involvement with living organisms, especially humans and animals. Globally, Li concentration (<10-300 mg kg-1) is detected in agricultural soil, and their pollutant levels vary with space and time. High mobility of Li results in higher accumulation in plants, but the clear mechanisms and specific functions remain unknown. Our assessment reveals the causal relationship between Li level and biota health. For example, lower Li intake (<0.6 mM in serum) leads to mental disorders, while higher intake (>1.5 mM in serum) induces thyroid, stomach, kidney, and reproductive system dysfunctions in humans and animals. However, there is a serious knowledge gap regarding Li regulatory standards in environmental compartments, and mechanistic approaches to unveil its consequences are needed. Furthermore, aggressive efforts are required to define optimum levels of Li for the normal functioning of animals, plants, and humans. This review is designed to revitalize the current status of Li research and identify the key knowledge gaps to fight back against the mountainous challenges of Li during the recent digital revolution. Additionally, we propose pathways to overcome Li problems and develop a strategy for effective, safe, and acceptable applications.