Azizullah Khalili

1. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a significant oilseed crop in the tropics and subtropics that contains high levels of seed oil and is nutritionally desirable (Wang et al. 2014; Rauf et al. 2024)....

Salt stress is a major ecological stressor that reduces agricultural productivity by degrading fertile land into marginal soils and decreasing crop yield. 1 Over the last two decades, nearly 2000 h...

The Himalayan region is recognized as one of the world’s major biodiversity hotspots due to its remarkable altitudinal variation, high species richness, and exceptional endemism. Despite its ecological significance, the endemic flora of the western Himalayas remains insufficiently explored at the molecular level. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of multiple nuclear and chloroplast DNA barcode loci (ITS2, rbcL, trnH-psbA, trnA, trnV, rpoB, ycf3, and rbcLa) for the identification and phylogenetic assessment of 32 endemic and threatened plant species representing 31 genera and 24 families from the western Himalayan region of Pakistan, such as Thalictrum secundum Edgew. Aquilegia pubiflora Wall. ex Royle, Anemone obtusiloba D.Don and Delphinium cashmerianum Royle of family (Ranunculaceae), Pimpinella stewartii (C.B. Clarke) Nasir (Umbeliferaceae), Bistorta amplexicaulis (D.Don) Greene, and Bistorta affinis (D.Don) Greene (Polygonaceae) Abelia triflora R.Br. ex Wall. And Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae), Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. (Sapindaceae), Arisaema utile Nakai (Araceae), Coriaria nepalensis Wall. (Coriaraceae), Desmodium elegans DC (Papilionacea), Daphne papyracea Wall. ex Steud. (Thymelaceae), Epimedium elatum C.Morren. (Berberidaceae), Galium tetraphyllum. Nazim. & Ehrend. (Rubiaceae), Bupleurum lanceolatum Wall. ex August. and Heracleum polyadenum Franchet (Apiaceae), Impatiens edgeworthii Hook.f. (Balsaminaceae), Incarvillea emodi Chatterjee (Bignoniaceae), Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch., Cotoneaster frigidus var. affinis (Lindl.) Wenz., and Spiraea hazarica R.Parker (Rosaceae), Phytolacca latbenia (Moq.) H.Walter. (Phytolaccaceae), Rhamnus parvifolius Bunge. (Rhamnaceae), Thymus linearis Benth. (Lamiaceae), Jasminum leptophyllum Wall. ex G.Don (Oleaceae), Rhododendron lepidotum Wall. ex Hook.f. (Ericaceae), Swertia ciliata Roxb. ex Fleming. (Gentianaceae), Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (Rutaceae), Dioscorea balcanica Kosanin (Dioscoreaceae), and Deutzia staminea R.Br. ex Wall. (Hydrangeaceae). Among the tested markers, rbcL showed the highest PCR amplification (100%) and sequencing success (96%), followed by trnH-psbA (100% amplification, 80% sequencing success), whereas ITS2 exhibited comparatively lower sequencing efficiency (52%). BLAST analysis demonstrated ≥ 97% sequence identity for most taxa, and best Match/Best Close Match analysis indicated higher discrimination efficiency for rbcL and trnH-psbA compared with other loci. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis further confirmed taxonomic placement at the family, genus, and species levels. Overall, this study demonstrates that a multilocus DNA barcoding approach provides reliable species authentication and phylogenetic resolution for endemic Himalayan flora, contributing valuable molecular reference data to global databases and supporting conservation and taxonomic efforts in this biodiversity-rich yet understudied region.

Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) are essential nutrient elements, and their deficiency affects crop growth, productivity, and nutrient uptake due to their multifaceted role in plant metabolism, which has been well documented. Therefore, agricultural management strategies that can overcome these deficiencies are the need of the hour. In this context, a study was undertaken with the objective to assess the impacts of N and S applications, either basally or through split application (12.5, 25 and 50 kg ha⁻¹), on the nutrient uptake, productivity, use efficiency, and micronutrient content status in soybean seeds, and also the change in soil nutrient zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) content at different critical stages of soybean crop growth. The field trial was conducted utilizing a randomized complete-block design, and comprised fourteen treatments with varying N and S quantities. N and S were applied through basal and split applications in different combinations. The salient findings indicated that the highest seed, straw yield, N, and S uptake were obtained with the application of N25+25, S25+25, and did not significantly vary with N25+25, S12.5+12.5, N50, and N25+S50. The highest N use efficiency was recorded with the application of N25+S50, and S use efficiency with the application of N25+25, S25+25. The split application of N and S as N25+25, S25+25 significantly increased soil Zn and Fe content at R₂ and R₅ stages of soybean crop growth, as well as seed Zn and Fe uptake. It can be concluded that the basal and split application of N and S at the rate of 25 kg ha⁻¹ can improve soybean productivity through increased mobilization and assimilation by plants. The findings indicated that applying N and S separately, with 25 kg ha⁻¹ each basally and at the R₂ stage resulted in the highest nutrient uptake, and seed and straw yields. The nutrient use efficiencies, along with Zn and Fe uptake by seeds, exhibited noticeable improvements with this split application approach compared to the control. Furthermore, the soil Zn and Fe contents also experienced enhancements due to the split application of both Nand S fertilizers. These results underscore the potential benefits of temporally adopting optimized fertilizer application strategies to maximize agricultural productivity while ensuring efficient nutrient utilization and soil health maintenance. Further research and field trials could provide deeper insights into the long-term impacts and scalability of this approach across different crop varieties and environmental conditions.

Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) are essential macro-elements crucial for the proper development, productivity, nutrient uptake, and the building blocks of protein biosynthesis. The plant's N-metabolism is also influenced by S, and its deficiency can lead to a decline in the consumption of N from fertilizers. The objective of this research was to assess the impacts Temporal N and S applications on the nutrient uptake, productivity, use efficiencies and micronutrients content status in soybean seeds. The field trial in randomized complete block design carried out, experiment comprised fourteen treatments with varying N and S quantities. N and S were applied through starter and temporal applications in different combinations. The findings indicated that temporal application of individually N and S fertilization as 25 kg ha-1 as starter and 25 kg ha-1 as temporal applications at R2 stage enhanced the highest nutrient uptake, seeds and stalks yields. The use efficiencies, as well as the Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) uptake by seeds, showed an increase with the temporal application of both nutrients compared to the control. Furthermore, soil Zn and Fe contents were also enhanced with the temporal applications of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization. As a result, it could be decided that the nitrogen and sulfur temporal applications not only enhanced nutrient uptake, productivity and use efficiencies but also improved the micronutrient uptake by soybean. Furthermore, this practice contributed to an improvement in soil Zn and Fe content.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a vital cereal crop for food security in Pakistan. In Zn-deficient soils, its productivity and quality suffer, affecting grain yield, Zn bioavailability, and nutrition, which can lead to malnutrition. Field experiments were conducted using factorial randomized block design at the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan to evaluate the impact of wheat genotypes (G₁-TRB-72-311 synthetic hexaploid, G₂-TRB-89-348 advanced line, and G₃-Pirsabak-19-approved variety), Zn application methods (AM₁: no Zn application, AM₂: seed priming with 0.5% Zn, AM₃: soil application of 10 kg ha⁻¹ Zn, and AM₄: foliar application of 0.5% Zn), and the experiment also explored the use of ZSB (BF₁: with bacteria, BF₀: without bacteria) to cope with Zn deficiency. The study revealed significant impacts on wheat’s Zn content, uptake, and nutrient efficiency, arising from genotypes variance, Zn application approaches, and ZSB. TRB-72-311 synthetic hexaploid genotype with 0.5% foliar Zn and ZSB excelled, enhancing grain (17.8%) and straw Zn (23.1%), increasing total Zn uptake (55.0%), reducing grain phytic acid (11.7%), and boosting Zn-related efficiencies in wheat. These results prompt further discussion regarding the potential implications for agricultural practices. In conclusion, utilizing the TRB-72-311 genotype with 0.5% foliar Zn application and ZSB enhances wheat’s Zn content, uptake, grain quality, and addresses malnutrition.