Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria induced metal and salt stress tolerance in Brassica juncea through ion homeostasis.

Soil heavy metal contamination and salinity constitute a major environmental problem worldwide. The affected area and impact of these problems are increasing day by day; therefore, it is imperative to restore their potential using environmentally friendly technology. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) provides a better option in this context. Thirty-seven bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of maize cultivated in metal- and salt-affected soils. Some selected bacterial strains grew well under a wide range of pH (4-10), salt (5-50 g/L), and Cd (50-1000 mg/L) stress. Three bacterial strains, Exiguobacterium aestuarii (UM1), Bacillus cereus (UM8), and Bacillus megaterium (UM35), were selected because of their robust growth and high tolerance to both stress conditions. The bacterial strains UM1, UM8, and UM35 showed P-solubilization, whereas UM8 and UM35 exhibited 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and indole acetic acid (IAA) production, respectively. The bacterial strains were inoculated on Brassica juncea plants cultivated in Cd and salt-affected soils due to the above PGP activities and stress tolerance. Plants inoculated with the bacterial strains B. cereus and B. megaterium significantly (p < 0.05) increased shoot fresh weight (17 ± 1.17-29 ± 0.88 g/plant), shoot dry weight (2.50 ± 0.03-4.40 ± 0.32 g/plant), root fresh weight (7.30 ± 0.58-13.30 ± 0.58 g/plant), root dry weight (0.80 ± 0.04-2.00 ± 0.01 g/plant), and shoot K contents (62.76 ± 1.80-105.40 ± 1.15 mg/kg dwt) in normal and stressful conditions. The bacterial strain B. megaterium significantly (p < 0.05) decreased shoot Na+ and Cd++ uptake in single and dual stress conditions. Both bacterial strains, E. aestuarii and B. cereus, efficiently reduced Cd++ translocation and bioaccumulation in the shoot. Bacterial inoculation improved the uptake of K+ and Ca++, while restricted Na+ and Cd++ in B. juncea shoots indicated their potential to mitigate the dual stresses of salt and Cd in B. juncea through ion homeostasis.

The Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Avena fatua Extract: Antifungal Activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici.

Using plant extracts as eco-friendly reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of nanoparticles has gained significant attention in recent years. The current study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the Avena fatua extract and evaluates their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol), a fungal plant pathogen. A green and sustainable approach was adopted to synthesize silver nanoparticles before these nanoparticles were employed for anti-fungal activity. The primary indication that AgNPs had formed was performed using UV-vis spectroscopy, where a strong peak at 425 nm indicated the effective formation of these nanoparticles. The indication of important functional groups acting as reducing and stabilizing agents was conducted using the FTIR study. Additionally, morphological studies were executed via SEM and AFM, which assisted with more effectively analyzing AgNPs. Crystalline behavior and size were estimated using powder XRD, and it was found that AgNPs were highly crystalline, and their size ranged from 5 to 25 nm. Synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antifungal activity against Fol at a concentration of 40 ppm. Furthermore, the inhibitory index confirmed a positive correlation between increasing AgNPs concentration and exposure duration. This study suggests that the combined phytochemical mycotoxic effect of the plant extract and the smaller size of synthesized AgNPs were responsible for the highest penetrating power to inhibit Fol growth. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents for the green synthesis of AgNPs with antifungal properties. The study concludes that A. fatua extract can synthesize antifungal AgNPs as a sustainable approach with robust antifungal efficacy against Fol, underscoring their promising potential for integration into plant protection strategies.

Managing Weed-Crop Interactions Enhances Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Chemical Components.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop worldwide, renowned for its nutritional richness and adaptability. Weeds are the main biotic factor deteriorating chickpea yield and nutritional quality, especially Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. The present study concerns a two-year (2018-19 and 2019-20) field trial aiming at evaluating the effect of weed management on chickpea grain quality. Several weed management practices have been here implemented under a factorial randomized complete block design, including the application of four herbicides [bromoxynil (C7H3Br2NO) + MCPA (Methyl-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) (C9H9ClO3), fluroxypyr + MCPA, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (C18H16ClNO5), pendimethalin (C13H19N3O4)], the extracts from two allelopathic weeds (Sorghum halepense and Cyperus rotundus), two mulches (wheat straw and eucalyptus leaves), a combination of A. tenuifolius extract and pendimethalin, and an untreated check (control). Chickpea grain quality was measured in terms of nitrogen, crude protein, crude fat, ash, and oil content. The herbicides pendimethalin (Stomp 330 EC (emulsifiable concentrate) in pre-emergence at a rate of 2.5 L ha-1) and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Puma Super 7.5 EW (emulsion in water) in post-emergence at a rate of 1.0 L ha-1), thanks to A. tenuifolius control, showed outstanding performance, providing the highest dietary quality of chickpea grain. The herbicides Stomp 330 EC, Buctril Super 40 EC, Starane-M 50 EC, and Puma Super 7.5 EW provided the highest levels of nitrogen. Outstanding increases in crude protein content were observed with all management strategies, particularly with Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW (+18% on average). Ash content was highly elevated by Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, along with wheat straw mulching, reaching levels of 2.96% and 2.94%. Crude fat content experienced consistent elevations across all treatments, with the highest improvements achieved by Stomp 330 EC, Puma Super 7.5 EW, and wheat straw mulching applications. While 2018-19 displayed no significant oil content variations, 2019-20 revealed the highest oil content (5.97% and 5.96%) with herbicides Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, respectively, followed by eucalyptus leaves mulching (5.82%). The results here obtained are of key importance in the agricultural and food sector for the sustainable enhancement of chickpea grain's nutritional quality without impacting the environment.

Sugarcane-bagasse-ash in enhanced mesophilic Co-digestion for biogas and nutrient recovery: A concept of developing rural circular bioeconomy.

Conductive agro-industrial wastes as accelerants in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic waste is a good technique for developing a rural circular economy, such as producing bioenergy and biofertilizer. This study disclosed the a role of sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA) in enhancing the bioenergy (biogas) yield and digestate fertility via anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of buffalo dung (BD) and vegetable residue (VR) under mesophilic conditions (37 á´¼C). Firstly, an optimal BD/VR ratio (1:3) was determined based on biogas yield by introducing five different BD/VR ratios (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1) into AcoD systems. Secondly, the biogas yield was increased further by adding SCBA at five different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt%). Experimental results disclosed that the 1.5 wt% of SCBA gave the highest cumulative biogas yield (153.67 mL/g VS), COD removal rate (31.18%), and fertility (5.08%). Moreover, a framework is suggested to understand the role of SCBA in the enhanced DIET mechanism. This work documents an environmentally friendly and economical technique for developing a rural circular bioeconomy via the AD of organic agro-waste.

Risk assessment of trace element accumulation in soil and Brassica oleracea after wastewater irrigation.

The risk assessment of trace elements has received substantial attention for the achievement of UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (UN-SDGs). The present study aimed to evaluate health and ecological risks associated with trace element accumulation in Brassica oleracea under wastewater irrigations from three different areas. This study, for the first time, compared the pros and cons of mixed water crop irrigation (wastewater with fresh/groundwater). A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the buildup of eight trace elements (As, Cu, Cd, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni and Zn) in soil and B. oleracea plants irrigated with wastewater alone and mixed with fresh/groundwater. Specific ecological [degree of contamination (Cd), potential ecological risk index (PERI), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo)], phytoaccumulation [bioconcentration factor (BCF) and transfer factor (TF)] and health risk models [chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), cancer risk (CR)] were applied to assess the overall contamination of trace elements in the soil-plant-human system. Moreover, these indices were compared with the literature data. The concentration of Cd, Fe and Mn exceeded the threshold limits of 10, 500 and 200 mg kg-1, respectively, for agricultural soil. Overall, all the irrigation waters caused significant pollution load in soil indicating high ecological risk (Cd > 24, PERI > 380, Igeo > 5, PLI > 2). Not all the mixing treatments caused a reduction in trace element buildup in soil. The mixing of wastewater-1 with either groundwater or freshwater increased trace element levels in the soil as well as risk indices compared to wastewater alone. The BCF and TF values were > 1, respectively, for 66% and 7% treatments. Trace element concentration in plants and associated health risk were minimized in mixed wastewater treatments. There were 22% and 32% reduction in HQ and CR when wastewater was mixed with freshwater and 29% and 8% when mixed with groundwater. Despite total reduction, a great variation in % change in risk indices was observed with respect to the area of wastewater collection. Therefore, mixed water irrigation may be a good management strategy, but its recommendation depends on soil properties and composition of waters used for mixing. Moreover, it is recommended that the freshwater and wastewater of the particular area may be continuously monitored to avoid potential associated health hazards.

Influence of Bacterial Secondary Symbionts in Sitobion avenae on Its Survival Fitness against Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum.

The research was focused on the ability of wheat aphids Sitobion avenae, harboring bacterial secondary symbionts (BSS) Hamiltonella defensa or Regiella insecticola, to withstand exposure to fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum. In comparison to aphids lacking bacterial secondary symbionts, BSS considerably increased the lifespan of wheat aphids exposed to B. bassiana strains (Bb1022, EABb04/01-Tip) and M. brunneum strains (ART 2825 and BIPESCO 5) and also reduced the aphids' mortality. The wheat aphid clones lacking bacterial secondary symbionts were shown to be particularly vulnerable to M. brunneum strain BIPESCO 5. As opposed to wheat aphids carrying bacterial symbionts, fungal pathogens infected the wheat aphids lacking H. defensa and R. insecticola more quickly. When treated with fungal pathogens, bacterial endosymbionts had a favorable effect on the fecundity of their host aphids compared to the aphids lacking these symbionts, but there was no change in fungal sporulation on the deceased aphids. By defending their insect hosts against natural enemies, BSS increase the population of their host society and may have a significant impact on the development of their hosts.

Pyramiding of Four Broad Spectrum Bacterial Blight Resistance Genes in Cross Breeds of Basmati Rice.

Pyramiding of major resistance (R) genes through marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a useful way to attain durable and broad-spectrum resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae pathogen, the causal agent of bacterial blight (BB) disease in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The present study was designed to pyramid four broad spectrum BB-R genes (Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21) in the background of Basmati-385, an indica rice cultivar with much sought-after qualitative and quantitative grain traits. The cultivar, however, is susceptible to BB and was therefore, crossed with IRBB59 which possesses R genes xa5, xa13 and Xa21, to attain broad and durable resistance. A total of 19 F1 plants were obtained, some of which were backcrossed with Basmati-385 and large number of BC1F1 plants were obtained. In BC1F2 generation, 31 phenotypically superior genotypes having morphological features of Basmati-385, were selected and advanced up to BC1F6 population. Sequence-tagged site (STS)-based MAS was carried out and phenotypic selection was made in each successive generation. In BC1F6 population, potentially homozygous recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from each line were selected and evaluated on the bases of STS evaluation and resistance to local Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) isolates. Line 23 was found pyramided with all four BB-R genes i.e., Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21. Five genotypes including line 8, line 16, line 21, line 27 and line 28 were identified as pyramided with three R genes, Xa4, xa5 and xa13. Pathological study showed that rice lines pyramided with quadruplet or triplet R genes showed the highest level of resistance compared to doublet or singlet R genes. Thus, line 23 with quadruplet, and lines 8, 16, 21, 27, and 28 with triplet R genes, are recommended for replicated yield and resistance trials before release as new rice varieties. Further, traditional breeding coupled with MAS, is a solid way to attain highly effective BB-resistant rice lines with no yield cost.

Urban noise assessment and its nonauditory health effects on the residents of Chiniot and Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan.

Elevated noise level is an emerging global problem. Therefore, the present work is conducted that can improve, increase, and integrate the already known issue in literature with new information coming from an emerging country such as Pakistan. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess the urban noise levels and traffic density of Chiniot and Jhang and (ii) to determine nonauditory health effects of noise levels on the residents of both cities. Noise levels were examined from 181 locations (103 from Jhang and 78 from Chiniot) and categorized into hospitals, educational, religious and recreational, residential, industrial areas, and traffic intersections. A-weighted noise level measurements were taken using an integrated sound level meter which recorded short-term road traffic noise continuously for 15 min at each location (LAeq15). The urban noise data showed 82% of the sites in Jhang (LAmax = 103 dB) and 95% in Chiniot (LAmax = 120 dB) exceeded the noise limits set by the National Environment Quality Standard of Pakistan (NEQS-Pak) and World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, higher intensity of noise levels (LAeq15 ≥ 100 dB) was recorded in Chiniot (17 sites) than in Jhang (1 site). Regression analysis showed a relatively strong relationship of traffic density with noise at Chiniot (R2 = 0.48) compared to Jhang (R2 = 0.31). However, spatial variability of noise with traffic density was observed in both cities. Survey study revealed that all the respondents in Jhang and Chiniot suffered from many noise-related health problems such as annoyance (53 and 51%), depression (45 and 47%), dizziness (61 and 65%), headache (67 and 64%), hypertension (71 and 56%), hearing loss (53 and 56%), physiological stress (65 and 65%), sleeplessness (81 and 84%), and tinnitus (70 and 62%) due to noise, respectively. We conclude that noise levels are higher in Chiniot primarily due to high road traffic and secondarily due to high population density. It is recommended that vehicle maintenance and family and urban planning could be effective measures to reduce urban noise levels.

Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with problematic smartphone use under the COVID-19 epidemic: The mediation models.

COVID-19 epidemic has brought wide psychological impacts on the young adults. To investigate the depression and anxiety symptoms and their associations with problematic smartphone use under the COVID-19 epidemic, a total of 847 Chinese undergraduate students joined in this study and were measured with their levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, resilience, perceived social support, the sense of school belonging and problematic smartphone use. Results showed that among the Chinese undergraduate students, the disorder rates of depression and anxiety symptoms were 29.16% and 46.64% respectively, and their symptoms ranged from mild to extreme severe. Depression and anxiety symptoms both positively predicted problematic smartphone use. Resilience, perceived social support and the sense of school belonging partially mediated both associations; resilience and the sense of school belonging exerted buffering effects, while perceived social support exacerbated the impacts. The current study advanced our understanding of the COVID-19 impacts and furthermore, suggested the protective factors for mitigating these impacts.

Unraveling the toxic effects of iron oxide nanoparticles on nitrogen cycling through manure-soil-plant continuum.

Soil contamination with metallic nanoparticles is increasing due to their increased use in industrial and domestic settings. These nanoparticles are potentially toxic to soil microbes and may affect their associated functions and thereby the nutrient cycling in agro-ecosystems. This study examined the effects of iron oxides nanoparticles (IONPs) on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics of poultry (PM) and farmyard manure (FYM) in the soil. The application of IONPs increased iron content in soil microbial biomass, which reflected its consumption by the microbes. As a result, colony-forming units of bacteria and fungi reduced considerably. Such observations lead to a decrease in CO2 emission from PM and FYM by 27 and 28%, respectively. The respective decrease fractions in the case of N mineralization were 24 and 35%. Consequently, soil mineral N content was reduced by 16% from PM and 12% from FYM as compared to their sole application without IONPs. Spinach dry matter yield and apparent N recovery were increased by the use of organic waste (FYM, PM). The use of IONPs significantly reduced the plant N recovery fraction by 26 and 24% (P < 0.05) from PM and FYM, respectively. All the results mentioned above lead us to conclude that IONPs are toxic to soil microbes and affect their function i.e., carbon and N mineralization of applied manure, and thereby the on-farm N cycling from the manure-soil-plant continuum.

Cadmium Partitioning, Physiological and Oxidative Stress Responses in Marigold (Calendula calypso) Grown on Contaminated Soil: Implications for Phytoremediation.

Marigold (Calendula calypso) is a multipurpose ornamental plant, but its cadmium (Cd) tolerance and phytoremediation potential is unknown. The proposed study was carried out to unravel Cd partitioning, physiological and oxidative stress responses of C. calypso grown under Cd stress. Plants were grown for four months in pots having different soil Cd levels: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg kg-1 soil. Plant growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, leaf water contents, stomatal conductance, and membrane stability index were not decreased at 25 mg kg-1 Cd. At higher levels of Cd stress, activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX, CAT, POD) increased to mitigate H2O2 and lipid peroxidation. Cadmium uptake in plants increased with increasing soil Cd levels, and roots accumulated a greater portion of Cd, followed by shoots and flowers, respectively. On the basis of Cd accumulation and its tolerance, it was determined that C. calypso can be successfully grown for phytostabilization of Cd contaminated soils.

Heavy metal exposure through artificial diet reduces growth and survival of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Insect physiology is affected by the presence of toxins in the surrounding environment of insects as well as their food sources. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of heavy metal exposure to two low concentrations (50 µg/g and 150 µg/g) of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) through artificial diet to the larvae on biological parameters of Asian armyworm (Spodoptera litura Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Both Pb and Zn, even at low concentrations, had relatively high toxic effects on S. litura larvae (P < 0.01). S. litura larval weight and length suffered the maximum reduction when the larvae were fed on diet mixed with the high Pb concentration (150 µg/g) tested compared to the other treatments. At the same Pb concentration (150 µg/g), values of larva growth index, pupa growth index, immature growth index, standardized growth index, and fitness index were 4.66, 7.33, 7.82, 5.35, and 10.00 times lower, respectively, than those of control. At the same Zn concentration (150 µg/g), values of larval growth index, pupal growth index, immature growth index, standardized growth index, and fitness index were 5.61, 3.00, 3.04, 3.23, and 9.24 times lower, respectively, than those of control. The survival rate of S. litura larvae was also lower (12.5%) when the larvae were fed on diet mixed with Pb at 150 µg/g after 10 days of observation. Overall, the presence of those heavy metals in the environment, even at low concentrations, would exert an adverse impact on larvae development of this insect. From this point of view, findings could provide a basis for long-term evaluation of heavy metal risk and its impact on populations of important agricultural pests.

Insecticide toxic effects and blood biochemical alterations in occupationally exposed individuals in Punjab, Pakistan.

Biomonitoring of people exposed to hazardous materials provides opportunities for early identification of several diseases, particularly in those individuals who are constantly exposed to pesticides, such as pesticide operators and workers in pesticide manufacturing industry. However, data on this hot topic are limited in Pakistan. In this study, insecticide toxic effects and biochemical alterations (i.e., damage in DNA and enzyme activity) were studied in blood samples of occupationally exposed individuals from Punjab, Pakistan. Eight out of twenty-seven blood samples (29.6%) of the pesticide operators were found positive in five insecticides, with the maximum concentration found for chlorpyrifos-methyl (0.039 µg/mL). Eleven out of twenty-seven blood samples (40.7%) of the pesticide industry workers were found positive in eight insecticides, with the maximum concentration found for endosulfan (0.051 µg/mL). Comet tail length was 16.88 ±â€¯4.57 µm in pesticide industry workers and 16.33 ±â€¯3.78 µm in pesticide operators, which were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that recorded in the control group (4.84 ±â€¯2.21 µm). Values of serum cholinesterase (SChE) concentration were slightly lower (P > 0.05) in exposed individuals, whereas values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in exposed individuals compared with control group. Exposure duration and total insecticide concentration in blood samples were positively associated with comet tail length, ALT activity, AST activity, and ALP activity, but negatively with SChE. DNA damage was higher in smokers vs. non-smokers. Also, a positive association was found between comet tail length and number of cigarettes per day. Overall, occupational exposure to insecticides can pose serious health risks to pesticide operators and workers in pesticide manufacturing industry, highlighting the necessity of personal protection in those groups for preventing exposure and resultant health disorders.

RETRACTED:Insecticide exposure affects DNA and antioxidant enzymes activity in honey bee species Apis florea and A. dorsata: Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). After a thorough investigation, the Editors have concluded that the acceptance of this article was partly based upon the positive advice of two illegitimate reviewer reports. The reports were submitted from email accounts which were provided by the corresponding author Christos A. Damalas as suggested reviewers during the submission of the article. Although purportedly real reviewer accounts, the Editors have concluded that these were not of appropriate, independent reviewers. This manipulation of the peer-review process represents a clear violation of the fundamentals of peer review, our publishing policies, and publishing ethics standards. Apologies are offered to the reviewers whose identity was assumed and to the readers of the journal that this deception was not detected during the submission process.

Combined application of compost and Bacillus sp. CIK-512 ameliorated the lead toxicity in radish by regulating the homeostasis of antioxidants and lead.

Lead (Pb) contamination is ubiquitous and usually causes toxicity to plants. Nevertheless, application of compost and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria synergistically may ameliorate the Pb toxicity in radish. The present study assessed the effects of compost and Bacillus sp. CIK-512 on growth, physiology, antioxidants and uptake of Pb in contaminated soil and explored the possible mechanism for Pb phytotoxicity amelioration. Treatments comprised of un-inoculated control, compost, CIK-512, and compost + CIK-512; plants were grown in soil contaminated with Pb (500mgkg-1) and without Pb in pot culture. Lead caused reduction in shoot dry biomass, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, relative water contents, whereas enhanced root dry biomass, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage in comparison with non-contaminated control. Plants inoculated with strain CIK-512 and compost produced significantly higher dry biomass, photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance in normal and contaminated soils. Bacterial strain CIK-512 and compost synergy improved growth and physiology of radish in contaminated soil possibly through homeostasis of antioxidant activities, reduced membrane leakage and Pb accumulation in shoot. Possibly, Pb-induced production of reactive oxygen species resulted in increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde contents (r = 0.88-0.92), which led to reduction in growth (r = -0.97) and physiology (r = -0.38 to -0.80), however, such negative effects were ameliorated by the regulation of antioxidants (r = 0.78-0.87). The decreased activity of antioxidants coupled with Pb accumulation in aerial part of the radish indicates the Pb-phytotoxicity amelioration through synergistic application of compost and Bacillus sp. CIK-512.

Pesticide exposure in the local community of Vehari District in Pakistan: An assessment of knowledge and residues in human blood.

The present study is based on cross-sectional data collected from rural and market areas of Vehari District in Pakistan to assess public awareness of pesticide risks and determine the levels of exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the local community. Blood samples were collected from 56 volunteer donors (VDs) including children, female workers, farm workers involved in pesticide business, farm workers involved in pesticide spraying activities, and people who were living away from agricultural fields. Blood analysis showed that VDs who were involved in spraying activities had significantly higher levels of OCP residues in their blood samples than VDs from the other groups, with mean concentrations of 1.13, 0.92, 0.68 and 1.96ngmL-1 for pp-DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan, respectively. However, VDs who were living away from agricultural fields had significantly lower levels of pesticide residues in their blood samples, with mean concentrations of 0.30, 0.19, 0.14 and 0.41ngmL-1 for pp-DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan, respectively. A survey of 179 volunteer respondents (VRs) showed that a significant proportion of the VRs had little knowledge of using the recommended amounts of pesticides (65.9%). Furthermore, the majority of the VRs was found using limited protective measures during pesticide use (62.6%) and was practising unsafe storage of pesticides (87.7%). In addition, most farm workers (88.8%) reported an increasing trend in pesticide use in their farms each year. Knowledge of pesticide risks on human health increased with formal education and training. Poor knowledge regarding pesticide risks and handling among inhabitants of Vehari District contribute to high exposure levels to OCPs, particularly among farm workers. Findings are useful for policy formulation aimed at reduction of pesticide exposure in Pakistan.