Syed Mohsan Raza Shah

Convolvulus arvensis L. is a noxious weed with high ecological and phenotypic plasticity that can thrive, adapt and invade under various environmental conditions. It was hypothesized that the infestation success of C. arvensis is linked with its microstructural and physiological variation, allowing it to infest across a range of crops. C. arvensis specimens were collected from various cultivated crops across the Punjab province of Pakistan. Sixteen crop types were selected, with all fields having received neither pre‐emergence nor post‐emergence herbicide applications. The soil analysis from different sites showed significant variability in physicochemical characteristics. Tallest C. arvensis plants were in the Hordeum vulgare field, a strategy to transcend the host crop for light. Regarding root and stem anatomical traits, the Medicago sativa population had the thickest epidermis, and largest cortical cells reflecting an adaptive response to arid conditions. Populations such as H. vulgare , Cicer arietinum , Saccharum officinarum , and Vigna radiata had massive sclerification of the vascular region, to withstand environmental stresses. The foliar anatomical features also revealed significant inter‐population variability. In the Oryza sativa , large aerenchyma cavities and small stomata was an adaptation for saline or arid environment. Anatomical traits, that is, aerenchyma development, vascular differentiation, and epidermal modifications were key indicators for its adaptation and to thrive in different habitats. These features reflect its significant ecological adaptability and phenotypic plasticity across diverse crops and environmental conditions.

Elevational gradients impose strong environmental constraints that alter plant structure and function. The study was conducted to compare morpho-anatomical variation in Cannabis sativa L. through a strong lowland-highland gradient (120-1770 m a.s.l.) in the Koh-e-Sulaiman region in Pakistan. The high-elevated populations (Fort Munro Lake, Fort Munro Road, and Fort Munro Hills) were of low temperature (6-8 oC), moderate precipitation (245-255 mm), and low soil salinity (ECe 1.21-1.34 dS m-1), and the low-lands populations (Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa Sharif, and Shadan Lund) were of higher temperature (44-48 oC), less rainfall (170-210 mm), and higher salinity level. There were more morphological changes in the lowland populations, with longer root and shoot lengths, more leaves, and greater leaf area, compared with the highland populations, which tended to be shorter. Anatomical observations of ecotypes showed structural changes in plant parts. The plants in the highland exhibited more reinforced protective and regulatory tissues, such as increased cortical and endodermal layers in roots and increased epidermal thickness in the leaves, which showed structural changes towards a colder and fluctuating environment. In contrast, the lowland populations had increased lamina and mesophyll thickness, greater size of the vascular bundles, increased stomata number and size, and increased pith tissues, which caused the increased conductivity of water and its gaseous exchange in warmer and saline conditions. Statistical analyses showed that there is a significant difference in traits along the elevational gradient. These findings indicate strong phenotypic plasticity of C. Sativa in terms of morpho-anatomical adaptations that support the ecological adjustment of the species to both extreme climatic and edaphic conditions of the Koh-e-Sulaiman region.

The bryophytes of Pakistan are poorly explored, particularly in high altitude regions of the Karakoram ranges. In the present study, extensive field surveys were conducted in Hunza, Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, from 2013-2017. The study deals with the taxonomic studies, particularly of the family Encalyptaceae. A total of six species were identified, belonging to the genus Encalypta within the elevation range of 2500 to 4100 m above sea level. Among these, Encalypta cilliata and E. spathulata were recorded for the first time from Pakistan. The relevant keys, description, currently known geographic distribution, color plates, location map, and precise ecological attributes in relation to habitat have been provided for each species. Consequently, the known diversity of Encalyptaceae in the country expanded to eight species, which underscores the significance of the Karakoram as a center of bryophyte diversity. Further surveys in remote valleys and higher altitudes are recommended to achieve a more comprehensive account of the national Bryoflora.

Weeds are the earliest and most severe limiting issue in crop production. Among weed control methods, the chemical method is a commonly used one, which provides better control of weeds, but induces resistance in weeds. To overcome these issues, allelopathy is the most effective and biocontrol method that is used for controlling weeds. This study was conducted to determine the allelopathic potential of Trianthema portulacastrum on the growth of the wild onion (Asphodelus tenuifolius) by the application of shoot and root aqueous extracts along with a synthetic herbicide. Different morphological, anatomical, and physiological traits were calculated. The results showed that the extracts of the shoot and root of T. portulacastrum significantly depressed all morphological and physiological parameters, except for total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, CAT, proline, and potassium ions. Anatomical parameters, such as adaxial stomatal density, were significantly decreased in the extract treatment as in the synthetic herbicide treatment. The extract of allelochemical intervention in physiological processes caused growth reduction in wild onion. Overall, the shoot extract in combination with the synthetic herbicide showed the inhibitory action. The shoot extract of Trianthema portulacastrum could be used as a bio-herbicide to control the wild onion weed.

Thirty-two (32) date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars of diverse origin were characterized morphologically to assess the extent of inter-cultivar variability. These cultivars originated in parts of Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. A great magnitude of inter-cultivar variation was found in the set of date palm cultivars, not only in quantitative, but also in qualitative morphological characteristics. A multivariate (cluster) analysis of the date palm cultivars showed a lesser degree of similarity in qualitative morphological characters as compared to quantitative morphological characters. Based on qualitative morphological characters of the trunk and leaves, most of the cultivars from Punjab and two from Baluchistan were closely similar to each other, and a similar pattern of similarity was noted in their quantitative morphological characteristics. Characteristics like color of spines, number of leaflets per leaf, and size, shape, and color of fruits and seeds were found to be suitable morphological selection criteria for the exact identification of date palm cultivars. Date palm cultivars Dakki (from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Chawara (from Baluchistan), and Hallawi-I (from Iraq) ranked better regarding fruit size, weight, and taste quality. Khudrawi (from Iraq) and Saib (from Punjab) were also likable, having large and tasty fruits.

Chromium (Cr) contamination from tannery wastewater (TWW) poses significant environmental and health risks particularly in regions where untreated wastewater is commonly used for irrigation. This study explores the potential of ornamental plants, Calendula officinalis L. and Verbena hybrida ,...

Plants inhabiting saline areas develop specific morpho-anatomical and physiological features to survive. Sporobolus ioclados is among the few grass species that dominate highly saline habitats. This is a salt excretory species and can potentially be important for phytoremediation of salt-affected lands. Three ecotypes of Sporobolus ioclados (Trin.) Nees (DF-Derawar Fort (LSE), BD-Bailahwala Dahar (MSE), LS-Ladam Sir) from the Cholistan Desert were evaluated to investigate structural and functional modifications for salt tolerance under controlled conditions in hydroponic growth medium using half-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Three salinity (NaCl) treatments were provided, namely 0 (control), 150, and 300 mM. All three ecotypes showed different structural and physiological modifications under salinity stress. Structural and functional traits were more developed in the HSE. Modifications. Structural features include intensity of sclerification and thicker leaves. Functional features were high concentration of toxic ions excretion, organic osmolytes accumulation, and maintenance of leaf turgor, photosynthesis and water use efficiency. All these confer it an excellent material for the phytoremediation as well as revegetation of highly saline lands.