Appraisal of foliar spray of iron and salicylic acid under artificial magnetism on morpho-physiological attributes of pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants.

The appraisal of foliar treatment of iron (Fe) and salicylic acid (SA) on plant under artificial magnetism is very crucial in understanding its impact on growth and development of plants. The present study was designed to document the potential role of Fe and SA on pea (Pisum sativum L.) Matore variety exposed to different magnetism treatments (geomagnetism and artificial magnetism). Thus a pot experiment was conducted using Completely Randomized Design under factorial with three replicates. Various artificial magnetic treatment were applied in pots prior to sowing. Further, 15 days germinated pea seedlings were foliarly supplemented with 250 ppm Fe and 250µM SA, moreover after 20 days of foliar fertilization plants were harvested to analyze and record various morpho-physiological attributes. Data elucidate significant variations in pea plants among different treatments. Artificial magnetism treatments in combination with foliar application of Fe and SA significantly improved various growth attributes (root and shoot length, fresh and dry weights of root and shoot, leaf area), photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b and carotenoids) and the contents of soluble sugars. However, oxidative stress (H2O2 and MDA) enhanced under different magnetism treatment but foliar application of Fe and SA hampered the production of reactive oxygen species thereby limiting the concentration of H2O2 and MDA in plant tissues. Furthermore the accumulation of nutrients (iron, potassium and nitrate) profoundly increased under artificial magnetism treatment specifically under Fe and SA foliar treatment excluding nitrate where Fe foliar treatment tend to limit nitrate in plant. Consequently, the present research interestingly highlights progressive role of Fe and SA foliar treatment on pea plants under artificial magnetism. Thus, foliar supplementation may be suggested for better growth and development of plants combined with magnetic treatments.

Leading edges in bioremediation technologies for removal of petroleum hydrocarbons.

There is a worldwide concern regarding soil pollution caused by contamination of petroleum hydrocarbon, released during oil processing or production. Once a spill occurs, it disturbs the marine and freshwater ecosystem and greatly threatens human health. It usually requires complex technologies to remove it from soil. Petroleum hydrocarbons contain a range of chemicals which are extremely toxic and carcinogenic in nature. Although physical or chemical methods are widely employed for remediation, numerous studies revealed that bioremediation is a sustainable approach. Bioremediation is often preferred as clean and carbon-neutral solution. This review aims to provide series of sustainable solution for petroleum hydrocarbon degradation without exploiting the environment as well as opportunity to reuse treated media. Integrated and enhanced bioremediation technologies are more effective than natural degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in terms of shorter time period and percent removal efficiency. It comprehensively illustrates bioremediation assisted with bacteria, fungi, and algae either by integrated technologies or by enhancing the process. Most recent application methods of petroleum hydrocarbon bioremediation (in situ and ex situ) are also reported. There is dire need to explore different cost-effective biotechnological resources for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon by the screening of novel microbial strains or by the creation of genetically engineered bacteria to survive in harsh environment.

Chemical fractionation and risk assessment of trace elements in sewage sludge generated from various states of Pakistan.

In the developing world, rapid urbanization and industrialization produces an enormous volume of wastes daily. This study was aimed to explore the potential and risks associated with sewage sludge through the characterization and fractionation technique. Sewage sludge samples were collected from various wastewater treatment in five different cities of Pakistan. Considerable amounts of macro-elements were detected in all types of sewage sludge samples. The pHw of all sewage sludge were neutral to slightly alkaline in reaction. Total organic carbon (TOC) was maximum (18.73%) with Coca-Cola sewage sludge (CSS) while the minimum (14.69%) was with Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) sewage sludge (WSS). Percent relative distribution of cadmium (Cd) was higher in residual fraction (F4) up to 52% in the Nestle wastewater treatment plant, Sheikhupura (NSS). The chromium (Cr) concentration in Kasur sewage sludge (KSS) was extremely in mobile fraction (exchangeable) as compared with all other sludge samples, therefore showing a higher level of risk assessment code. While in the case of Iron (Fe), mobility was less and its maximum portion was noted in residual fraction (F4) of all sewage sludge samples. Percent distribution of manganese (Mn) showed variable trends for different sewage sludge samples. Zinc (Zn) concentration showed high mobility (exchangeable fraction) in case of NUST wastewater treatment plant, Islamabad (NTS) (31.16%) and WSS (37.83%) as compared with other sewage sludges. The risk assessment code indicated that Zn and Ni had a medium level of risk with I-9 Sector wastewater treatment plant, Islamabad (ISS), CSS, KSS, and NSS whereas these pose a high risk with NTS and WSS. Based on physicochemical properties, nutrients, trace elements, mobility, and risk assessment code, it was concluded that KSS should not be recommended at any application rate while NTS and WSS may be used at low application rates whereas ISS, CSS, and NSS may be used for agricultural crop production.

Evaluating the accuracy of morphological identification of insect pests of rice crops using DNA barcoding.

Accurate identification of agricultural pests is key requirement for the successful integrated pest management (IPM) program. However, due to limitations of conventional morphological methods, other molecular method like DNA barcoding is used. The current study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of morphological identification of insect pests using DNA barcoding. Morphologically, a total of 247 insect pests, representing 10 families, 18 genera, 22 species were identified. However, molecular identifications confirmed the presence of 11 families, 16 genera, and 20 species of agricultural pests. A total of 59 specimens were processed for DNA barcoding but genomic sequences of mt COI gene up to 600 bp were revived from 48 samples. Specimens that were misidentified through morphological studies were placed to their appropriate taxon, using this molecular approach. Results revealed the existence of clear barcode gap for different pest species. Moreover, the values of distance with the nearest neighbour recorded were higher than the maximum intra-sequence divergences for all species. It is concluded that DNA barcoding is a reliable technique for identification of agricultural pests, especially for immature stages when morphometric studies are ambiguous and will be helpful in the development of more effective pest management options for regulating pest species.