Qudrat Ullah

Early diagnosis of basal stem rot (BSR) of Elaeis guineensis , caused by Ganoderma boninense , is restricted by limited understanding of presymptomatic host defence mechanisms and their underlying rhizospheric drivers. This study established an in situ spatial tri‐gradient framework (i.e., healthy→near affected→fully affected) across major production zones in southern Thailand to quantify macromorphological regressions alongside concurrent foliar and root biochemical signalling. Soil cores were systematically extracted across depth‐stratified grids to bridge the analytical gap between host physiological stress and subterranean environmental constraints. Our findings reveal that presymptomatic “near affected” palms act as a critical biological bridge, initiating a coordinated metabolic reorganization, marked by intermediate pigment loss (~38% chlorophyll b depletion) and localized antioxidant upregulation before visible canopy or structural decay. Under advanced colonization, total foliar chlorophyll dropped by up to 70.1%, accompanied by a 374.0% increase in root lipid peroxidation and a severe 62.9% depletion of root structural flavonoids. Factorial ANOVA and multivariate principal component analysis confirmed that these multi‐organ defence responses are significantly modulated by depth‐stratified edaphic matrices, with lower soil bulk density (0.94 ± 0.06 g/cm ³ ) and depleted organic carbon stocks (52.00 ± 3.28 t/ha) strongly correlating with accelerated pathogenesis. The novelty of this research lies in the simultaneous mapping of source–sink metabolic networks with high‐resolution subsurface soil properties, establishing the first spatially explicit diagnostic model for early BSR detection. This integrated bio‐edaphic approach provides a framework for conventional plantation management by linking early subclinical biomarkers with depth‐specific rhizosphere targets to enable site‐specific disease suppression in climate‐vulnerable agroecosystems.

Industrialization has significantly increased the productivity of agriculture but industrial wastes have also increased the contamination of agricultural soils. This is an increasing threat to the food safety, the stability of ecosystems and human health. Certain industrial by-products can provide short-term benefits to soil fertility and crop yields but can also introduce hazardous contaminants to agroecosystems, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and engineered nanoparticles. This review critically synthesizes the global evidence of sources, transport pathways, environmental fate and transfer to the food chain of industrial contaminants in agricultural soils. It emphasizes the paradox of high crop yields in spite of the clandestine build-up of toxic substances that deteriorate soil health, microbial diversity, crop safety and the long term sustainability of agriculture. The major challenges are poor management of industrial waste, lack of monitoring systems, interactions among pollutants, weak regulatory frameworks and limited knowledge about emerging contaminants under changing climatic conditions. The review also includes integrated mitigation measures such as sustainable waste management, innovative soil remediation techniques, phytoremediation, biochar use, precision agriculture and other stronger environmental policies to reduce the accumulation of contaminants and human exposure. Future perspectives emphasize the need for high-throughput monitoring tools, remote sensing, biosensors, digital soil mapping, improved risk assessment frameworks, and interdisciplinary research to better understand contaminant dynamics and develop resilient soil management strategies. In summary, the review emphasizes that sustainable agriculture should be assessed not only by crop productivity but also by soil health, environmental integrity and food safety. In the context of an increasingly industrialized world it is crucial to take a holistic and integrated approach combining scientific innovation with efficient policy implementation and continuous environmental surveillance for the protection of agricultural ecosystems and sustainable food production.

Abiotic stressors, including drought, salinity, and heavy metal contamination, pose escalating threats to global food security, challenges further exacerbated by climate change and progressive soil degradation. As a strategic geochemical amendment, biochar is increasingly proposed to enhance soil resilience and agricultural sustainability, directly supporting sustainable development goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This review critically evaluates biochar in stress mitigation, focusing on production principles, soil physicochemical adjustments, and changes in the soil‐plant microbiome and soil–plant–microbe interactions. Specifically, we synthesize data demonstrating biochar's multifaceted efficacy: regulating ion homeostasis to reduce Na ⁺ uptake by 20%–40% under saline conditions, enhancing water use efficiency by 15%–30% in arid environments, and immobilizing heavy metals to reduce cadmium (Cd) accumulation by 25%–50%. These synergistic soil–plant interactions further contribute to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). However, significant challenges remain regarding feedstock variability, dosage optimization, and long‐term field stability. Furthermore, performance discrepancies under combined multi‐stress scenarios underscore the urgent need for standardized biochar formulations. Integrating biochar into precision frameworks offers a promising geobiochemical frontier for modulating multi‐stress crop resilience and shifting soil–plant–microbe dynamics toward climate‐adaptive landscapes. Such advancements are essential for ensuring global food security for a projected population of 9.7 billion by 2050.

Pakistani spices, which are fundamental to both food and medicine, have strong anti‐inflammatory effects that are mediated by synergistic effects of bioactive ingredients such as curcumin, thymoquinone, and piperine. These agents are directed against major inflammatory processes, such as NF‐κB and COX‐2, and combinations are up to 78% more effective than single agents. Cultivation practices significantly influence bioactivity; for example, organic production increases curcumin content by 22%, while drip irrigation elevates diosgenin levels by 27%. But afterwards, post‐harvest operations such as sun‐drying decrease linalool by 30 percent, and high‐humidity storage diminishes essential oils by 22% in 2 months. Phytochemical stability is further undermined by environmental stress factors, including heat and heavy metal contamination, reportedly by as much as 30 percent in high temperatures. As demonstrated by clinical studies, traditional spice blends, administered with lipids, enhance the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2000% through piperine‐mediated inhibition of glucuronidation. Regional soil microbiomes and climatic conditions form phytochemical profiles, and terroir is also a source of medicinal quality. This review synthesizes knowledge from agricultural, environmental, and biochemical perspectives to illuminate how the cultivation, processing, and consumption of Pakistani spices can be optimized to maximize their anti‐inflammatory properties.

Microalgae is a disruptive technology for Carbon Capture and Utilization in a circular bioeconomy, showing volumetric productivity and CO2 fixation rates much higher than terrestrial plants. These organisms act as efficient biological carbon sinks due to specialized Carbon Concentrating Mechanisms that enhance inorganic carbon concentration at RuBisCO to maximize the Calvin–Benson cycle. Reported sequestration rates among microalgal strains range from 0.06 to 2.57 g L−1 d−1, with Haematococcus sp. at the upper end. Genetic and metabolic engineering improved performance, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii manipulation increased carbon fixation by 35%, while transgenic Chlorella sorokiniana achieved 88.5% carbon capture. Coupling microalgal systems with wastewater treatment enables nutrient recovery, removing up to 93% nitrates and 83% phosphates, yielding 3.21 g L−1 biomass. Optimal growth occurs at ~2000 lux and up to 35 °C. Although 5 vol% CO2 enhances biomass, 9 vol% can cause culture collapse. High PBR capital costs and energy-intensive harvesting remain major commercialization barriers.