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Allah Ditta

Shaheed Benazir bhutto university sheringal, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty Member

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Phone: +923018981229
Address: Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir (U), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

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Papers by Allah Ditta

Co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark in removing Ni and aminoazobenzene from contaminated wastewater

DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT, 2021

In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni an... more In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni and aminoazobenzene was investigated. For this purpose, the impact of different experimental conditions on the co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark was studied. In result, the maximum biosorption of Ni and dye was in the acidic range pH, that is, 6 and 4, with sorbent dosage of 1 and 0.8 g after 40 min of the experiment when both were at 4 ppm, respectively. In case of adsorption isotherms, both mono-and multi-layer adsorption occurred simultaneously in the case of Ni as clear from the R 2 values of isotherms (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.999) and (R 2 for Freundlich = 0.941). In case of dye, uniform monolayer adsorption was predominant (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.980) as compared to the multi-layered adsorption. The maximum amount of monolayer adsorption of Ni and dye onto the biosorbent was 0.60 and 0.348 mg g-1 , respectively. From the kinetics model, chemisorption was predominant in the case of both Ni and dye adsorption on biosorbent. In conclusion, the bark of Acacia nilotica has great potential for Ni and dye removal from co-contaminated wastewater.

Variation in Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Quality of Wheat under the Application of Different Zinc Coated Formulations

Applied Sciences, 2021

Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixa... more Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixation and indirectly involved in the production of growth hormones and internode elongation in crop plants. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effectiveness of the Zn blended, Zn coated and bio-activated Zn coated urea on the growth, physiological, yield, and quality of wheat. Three types of urea were prepared including bio-activated Zn coated, Zn coated and Zn blended urea. The bio-activated Zn coated urea was prepared by inoculating the powdered organic material with Zn solubilizing bacterium (Bacillus sp. AZ6) and then this material was mixed with ZnO. This bioactive Zn was coated on urea at the rate to formulate 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea. Moreover, Zn blended urea was prepared by mixing powder ZnO with urea while Zn coated urea with 1.5% Zn was prepared by mixing ZnO and urea under proper moisture conditions to ensure proper coating...

Promotion of Growth and Physiological Characteristics in Water-Stressed Triticum aestivum in Relation to Foliar-Application of Salicylic Acid

Water, 2021

The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid ... more The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid (SA) on growth attributes, biochemical characteristics, antioxidant activities and osmolytes accumulation in wheat grown under control (100% field capacity) and water stressed (60% field capacity) conditions. The total available water (TAW), calculated for a rooting depth of 1.65 m was 8.45 inches and readily available water (RAW), considering a depletion factor of 0.55, was 4.65 inches. The water contents corresponding to 100 and 60% field capacity were 5.70 and 1.66 inches, respectively. For this purpose, seeds of two wheat cultivars (Fsd-2008 and S-24) were grown in pots subjected to water stress. Water stress at 60% field capacity markedly reduced the growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble proteins (TSP) and total phenolic contents (TPC) compared with control. However, cv. Fsd-2008 was recorded as strongly drought-tolerant and performed better compared to cv. S-24,...

Phytoextraction of Lead Using a Hedge Plant [Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson]: Physiological and Biochemical Alterations through Bioresource Management

Sustainability, 2021

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach that can be used for t... more Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach that can be used for the remediation of metals in polluted soil. This study used a hedge plant–calico (Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson) to determine the role of citric acid in lead (Pb) phytoremediation by exposing it to different concentrations of Pb (0, 200, 500, and 1000 mg kg−1) as well as in a combination with citric acid concentration (0, 250, 500 µM). The analysis of variance was applied on results for significant effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables using SPSS (ver10). According to the results, maximum Pb concentration was measured in the upper parts of the plant. An increase in dry weight biomass, plant growth parameters, and photosynthetic contents was observed with the increase of Pb application (200 mg kg−1) in soil while a reduced growth was experienced at higher Pb concentration (1000 mg kg−1). The antioxidant enzymatic activities like superoxide dismut...

Balanced Use of Zn, Cu, Fe, and B Improves the Yield and Sucrose Contents of Sugarcane Juice Cultivated in Sandy Clay Loam Soil

Agronomy, 2022

Balanced use of micronutrients in soils is essential for optimized nutrient use efficiency, envir... more Balanced use of micronutrients in soils is essential for optimized nutrient use efficiency, environmental conservation and long-term sustainability of agro-ecological systems. As a result, maintaining correct micronutrient levels in the soil is essential not only to meet plant needs and maintain agricultural productivity but also to avoid nutrient build-up. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of micronutrient application on the yield and sucrose content expressed as the polarization of sugar cane juice (POL%) under field conditions. There were seven treatments, viz. T0 = No micronutrient application (control); T1 = ZnSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha−1; T2 = CuSO4 at the rate of 10 kg ha−1; T3 = FeSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha−1; T4 = borax at the rate of 2 kg ha−1; T5 = half dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 15, 5, 15 and 1 kg ha−1 and T6 = full dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 30, 10, 30 and 2 kg ha−1, arranged in randomized complete bl...

Exogenous Caffeine (1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine) Application Diminishes Cadmium Toxicity by Modulating Physio-Biochemical Attributes and Improving the Growth of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Sustainability, 2022

Leafy vegetables usually absorb and retain heavy metals more readily than most of the other crop ... more Leafy vegetables usually absorb and retain heavy metals more readily than most of the other crop plants, and thus contribute ≥70% of the total cadmium (Cd) intake of humans. Caffeine mediates plant growth and has proved to be beneficial against pathogens and insects. Therefore, it was hypothesized that foliar applications of caffeine could alter metabolism and reduce Cd toxicity in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Seven-day old spinach seedlings were provided with Cd (0, 50, and 100 µM) stress. Caffeine (0, 5, or 10 mM) foliar spray was given twice at after 20 days of seeds germination with an interval of one week. In results, Cd stress reduced photosynthetic pigments biosynthesis, increased oxidative stress, imbalanced nutrient retention, and inhibited plant growth. On the other hand, the caffeine-treated spinach plants showed better growth owing to the enhanced biosynthesis of chlorophylls, better oxidative defense systems, and lower accumulation and transport of Cd within the plan...

Biochar Enriched with Buffalo Slurry Improved Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Dynamics, Nutrient Uptake and Growth Attributes of Wheat by Reducing Leaching Losses of Nutrients

Land, 2021

The present investigation was conducted to understand the role of enriched biochar on soil nitrog... more The present investigation was conducted to understand the role of enriched biochar on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics, leaching losses of nutrients, and growth attributes of wheat. Buffalo slurry (BS) was used to enrich the biochar for 24 h and 2% biochar (SB) or enriched biochar (SEB) was used. Enrichment of biochar with BS as SEB improved the C and N contents of biochar by 33–310% and 41–286% respectively. The application of biochar (SB) and enriched biochar (SEB) reduced the net nitrification by 81% and 94%, ammonification by 48% and 74%, and carbon dioxide by 50% and 92% respectively as compared to control. The leaching losses minerals i.e., C (by 30%), N (by 125%), P (by 50%), K (by 82%), Na (by 9%), Ca (by 24%), and Mg (by 12%) was decreased in SEB treatments compared to control. The soil enzyme activities, microbial biomass (MBC and MBN), wheat agronomy, soil bulk density and soil pore density, mineral uptake from the soil, and mineral contents in the plant body were improv...

The Land Snail, Eobania vermiculata, as a Bioindicator of the Heavy Metal Pollution in the Urban Areas of Sulaimani, Iraq

Sustainability, 2021

Land snails are crucial consumers in the terrestrial environment and beneficial significant bioin... more Land snails are crucial consumers in the terrestrial environment and beneficial significant bioindicators to evaluate the chemical impact in the ecosystem, especially on urban lands. The present study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals such as As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in urban soil and study whether Eobania vermiculata acts as a bioindicator for heavy metal contamination in an urban area. Thirty soil and snail samples in triplicate from each sampling site were taken from the urban areas of Suliamani. After a microwave-assisted digestion procedure, every sample was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results showed that the concentration of chromium (Cr) in each snail sample was significantly high. The maximum Cr concentration (15.87 mg kg−1) was recorded in the snail sample collected from Ali Kamal Park, which was adjacent to a very crowded traffic road. The As concentration in snail samples ranged from 0.08 to 1.004 mg kg−1, and i...

Conservation status of black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in the Kumrat valley, Pakistan

Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is one of the vulnerable species classified by IUCN Red lis... more Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is one of the vulnerable species classified by IUCN Red list due hunting for its body parts and habitat fragmentation. The forest zone of Kumrat, is one of the important habitat for black bear. The primary objective of the study conducted was to determine the conservation status of Asian black bear in Kumrat valley. Pre-planned questionnaire and interviews were conducted for data collection. The results showed that black bears used to cause damage to the local property, crops and livestock and as a result, the community was hunting it ruthlessly. Illegal hunting and habitat loss in the form of deforestation, visit to forest areas for recreation and grazing of livestock were among the main anthropogenic activities causing threats to black bear. These activities resulted in gradual decline in their number and had brought it at the verge of extinction in the study area. To conserve this rare species, awareness among the people regarding its conserv...

Subtropical Broad-Leaved Urban Forests as the Foremost Dynamic and Complex Habitats for a Wide Range of Bird Species

Sustainability, 2021

Broad-leaved subtropical forests are the most productive, diversified, and complex ecosystems on ... more Broad-leaved subtropical forests are the most productive, diversified, and complex ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, they are currently under severe threat from anthropogenic activities, such as. deforestation, housing settlements, and agricultural expansion. In response to these severe effects, the present study was conducted to explore the current conservation status and population structure of a wide range of bird species inhabiting different subtropical broad-leaved urban forests of Pakistan. In total, 2879 individuals comprising 53 species and 28 families were detected between December 2017 and November 2018 as revealed through the distance sampling line transect method. The habitat selection among bird species varied according to vegetation structure and composition, food resources, adjoining habitats, and human settlements. According to IUCN Red List data, one species was deemed vulnerable out of 53 bird species, while the remaining 52 species were ranked as ofleast co...

Co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark in removing Ni and aminoazobenzene from contaminated wastewater

DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT, 2021

In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni an... more In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni and aminoazobenzene was investigated. For this purpose, the impact of different experimental conditions on the co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark was studied. In result, the maximum biosorption of Ni and dye was in the acidic range pH, that is, 6 and 4, with sorbent dosage of 1 and 0.8 g after 40 min of the experiment when both were at 4 ppm, respectively. In case of adsorption isotherms, both mono-and multi-layer adsorption occurred simultaneously in the case of Ni as clear from the R 2 values of isotherms (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.999) and (R 2 for Freundlich = 0.941). In case of dye, uniform monolayer adsorption was predominant (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.980) as compared to the multi-layered adsorption. The maximum amount of monolayer adsorption of Ni and dye onto the biosorbent was 0.60 and 0.348 mg g-1 , respectively. From the kinetics model, chemisorption was predominant in the case of both Ni and dye adsorption on biosorbent. In conclusion, the bark of Acacia nilotica has great potential for Ni and dye removal from co-contaminated wastewater.

Variation in Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Quality of Wheat under the Application of Different Zinc Coated Formulations

Applied Sciences, 2021

Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixa... more Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixation and indirectly involved in the production of growth hormones and internode elongation in crop plants. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effectiveness of the Zn blended, Zn coated and bio-activated Zn coated urea on the growth, physiological, yield, and quality of wheat. Three types of urea were prepared including bio-activated Zn coated, Zn coated and Zn blended urea. The bio-activated Zn coated urea was prepared by inoculating the powdered organic material with Zn solubilizing bacterium (Bacillus sp. AZ6) and then this material was mixed with ZnO. This bioactive Zn was coated on urea at the rate to formulate 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea. Moreover, Zn blended urea was prepared by mixing powder ZnO with urea while Zn coated urea with 1.5% Zn was prepared by mixing ZnO and urea under proper moisture conditions to ensure proper coating...

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 2 in a Group of Intravenous Drug Users Coinfected with HIV Type 1 in Portugal

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 2005

The prevalence of porcine sapoviruses (SaVs) and noroviruses (NoVs) in nursing piglets on three p... more The prevalence of porcine sapoviruses (SaVs) and noroviruses (NoVs) in nursing piglets on three pig farms in Ohio was studied. Fecal samples (n = 139) were collected from individual pigs and screened for caliciviruses by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using partial sequences of the RNA polymerase region. Three different SaV genogroups, including a newly emerging one (DO19 Korea-like) were detected. No NoVs were detected. Kobuviruses, emerging members of the family Picornaviridae, were detected by primers designed for SaV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of porcine DO19 Korea-like SaV and kobuvirus in the United States.

Nutritional, Medicinal, and Cosmetic Value of Bioactive Compounds in Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus): A Review

Applied Sciences, 2021

Fungi are vital to numerous industrial and household processes, especially producing cheeses, bee... more Fungi are vital to numerous industrial and household processes, especially producing cheeses, beer, wine, and bread, and they are accountable for breaking down organic matter. The remarkable medicinal and nutritional values of the mushrooms have increased their consumption. Agaricus bisporus belongs to the Agaricaceae family, and it is a top-ranked cultivated mushroom that is well known for its edibility. A. bisporus is rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, amino acids, fats, and minerals and has potential anticancer, antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammation properties. The bioactive compounds extracted from this mushroom can be used for the treatment of several common human diseases including cancer, bacterial and fungal infections, diabetes, heart disorder, and skin problems. A. bisporus has opened new horizons for the world to explore mushrooms as far as their culinary and medicinal values are concerned. In recent years, tyrosinase and ergothioneine have been extracted...

Diminishing Heavy Metal Hazards of Contaminated Soil via Biochar Supplementation

Sustainability, 2021

Depending on the geochemical forms, heavy metal (HM) accumulation is one of the most serious envi... more Depending on the geochemical forms, heavy metal (HM) accumulation is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world and poses negative impacts on soil, plants, animals, and humans. Although the use of biochar to remediate contaminated soils is well known, the huge quantities of waste used and its recycling technique to sustain soil in addition to its use conditions are determinant factors for its characteristics and uses. A pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design to evaluate metal forms and their availability under the application of garden waste biochar (GB) pyrolyzed at different temperatures, and a sequential extraction procedure was designed to fractionate Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu of the contaminated soil. The results show that the TCLP-extractable Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu were significantly decreased depending on the biochar addition rate, pyrolysis temperature, and tested metal. The acid extractable fraction was significantly decreased by 51.54, 2...

Quantitative Ethnobotanical Analysis of Medicinal Plants of High-Temperature Areas of Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Plants, 2021

Lack of proper infrastructure and the poor economic conditions of rural communities make them dep... more Lack of proper infrastructure and the poor economic conditions of rural communities make them dependent on herbal medicines. Thus, there is a need to obtain and conserve the historic and traditional knowledge about the medicinal importance of different plants found in different areas of the world. In this regard, a field study was conducted to document the medicinal importance of local plants commonly used by the inhabitants of very old historic villages in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. In total, 58 plant species were explored, which belonged to 28 taxonomic families, as informed by 200 experienced respondents in the study area. The vernacular name, voucher number, plant parts used, and medicinal values were also documented for each species. Among the documented species, Poaceae remained the most predominant family, followed by Solanaceae and Asteraceae. The local communities were dependent on medicinal plants for daily curing of several ailments, including asthma, common cold, sore th...

Promotion of Growth and Physiological Characteristics in Water-Stressed Triticum aestivum in Relation to Foliar-Application of Salicylic Acid

Water, 2021

The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid ... more The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid (SA) on growth attributes, biochemical characteristics, antioxidant activities and osmolytes accumulation in wheat grown under control (100% field capacity) and water stressed (60% field capacity) conditions. The total available water (TAW), calculated for a rooting depth of 1.65 m was 8.45 inches and readily available water (RAW), considering a depletion factor of 0.55, was 4.65 inches. The water contents corresponding to 100 and 60% field capacity were 5.70 and 1.66 inches, respectively. For this purpose, seeds of two wheat cultivars (Fsd-2008 and S-24) were grown in pots subjected to water stress. Water stress at 60% field capacity markedly reduced the growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble proteins (TSP) and total phenolic contents (TPC) compared with control. However, cv. Fsd-2008 was recorded as strongly drought-tolerant and performed better compared to cv. S-24,...

Removal Mechanisms of Slag against Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil and Plants for Sustainable Agriculture Development: A Critical Review

Sustainability, 2021

Potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution is a major abiotic stress, which reduces plant growth a... more Potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution is a major abiotic stress, which reduces plant growth and affects food quality by entering the food chain, and ultimately poses hazards to human health. Currently, the use of slag in PTE-contaminated soils has been reported to reduce PTEs and toxicity in plants. This review highlights the role of slag used as a fertilizer for better crop production and sustainable agricultural development. The application of slag increased the growth, yield, and quality of crops under PTE toxicity. The mechanisms followed by slag are the immobilization of PTEs in the soil, enhancement of soil pH, changes in the redox state of PTEs, and positive changes in soil physicochemical and biological properties under PTE toxicity. Nevertheless, these processes are influenced by the plant species, growth conditions, imposition length of stress, and type of slag used. The current review provides an insight into improving plant tolerance to PTE toxicity by slag-based fer...

Mitigation of Nickel Toxicity and Growth Promotion in Sesame through the Application of a Bacterial Endophyte and Zeolite in Nickel Contaminated Soil

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Nickel (Ni) bioavailable fraction in the soil is of utmost importance because of its involvement ... more Nickel (Ni) bioavailable fraction in the soil is of utmost importance because of its involvement in plant growth and environmental feedbacks. High concentrations of Ni in the soil environment, especially in the root zone, may retard plant growth that ultimately results in reduced plant biomass and yield. However, endophytic microorganisms have great potential to reduce the toxicity of Ni, especially when applied together with zeolite. The present research work was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of an endophytic bacterium Caulobacter sp. MN13 in combination with zeolite on the physiology, growth, quality, and yield of sesame plant under normal and Ni stressed soil conditions through possible reduction of Ni uptake. Surface sterilized sesame seeds were sown in pots filled with artificially Ni contaminated soil amended with zeolite. Results revealed that plant agronomic attributes such as shoot root dry weight, total number of pods, and 1000-grains weight were increased by...

Compost enriched with ZnO and Zn-solubilising bacteria improves yield and Zn-fortification in flooded rice

Italian Journal of Agronomy, 2018

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for humans, animals and plants, however, its deficiency has bee... more Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for humans, animals and plants, however, its deficiency has been widely reported around the world especially in flooded rice. Adequate amount of Zn is considered essential for optimum growth and development of rice. We hypothesised that management practices like Zn-mineral fertiliser, -compost, and -solubilising bacteria would improve Zn availability and uptake in flooded rice. A series of studies were conducted to find out the comparative efficacy of Zn-enriched composts (Zn-ECs) with Zn solubilising bacteria (ZnSB) vs. ZnSO4 for improved growth, yield and Zn accumulation in rice. There were six treatments viz. control, ZnSB, ZnO (80% Zn), ZnSO4 (33% Zn), Zn-EC80:20 and Zn-EC60:40. In all the treatments, Zn was applied at the rate of 5 kg ha–1 except the control. The treatment Zn-EC60:40 resulted in the maximum Zn release in soil as compared to ZnSO4 and all other treatments during incubation study. The treatment Zn-EC60:40 significantly improved r...

Co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark in removing Ni and aminoazobenzene from contaminated wastewater

DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT, 2021

In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni an... more In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni and aminoazobenzene was investigated. For this purpose, the impact of different experimental conditions on the co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark was studied. In result, the maximum biosorption of Ni and dye was in the acidic range pH, that is, 6 and 4, with sorbent dosage of 1 and 0.8 g after 40 min of the experiment when both were at 4 ppm, respectively. In case of adsorption isotherms, both mono-and multi-layer adsorption occurred simultaneously in the case of Ni as clear from the R 2 values of isotherms (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.999) and (R 2 for Freundlich = 0.941). In case of dye, uniform monolayer adsorption was predominant (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.980) as compared to the multi-layered adsorption. The maximum amount of monolayer adsorption of Ni and dye onto the biosorbent was 0.60 and 0.348 mg g-1 , respectively. From the kinetics model, chemisorption was predominant in the case of both Ni and dye adsorption on biosorbent. In conclusion, the bark of Acacia nilotica has great potential for Ni and dye removal from co-contaminated wastewater.

Variation in Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Quality of Wheat under the Application of Different Zinc Coated Formulations

Applied Sciences, 2021

Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixa... more Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixation and indirectly involved in the production of growth hormones and internode elongation in crop plants. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effectiveness of the Zn blended, Zn coated and bio-activated Zn coated urea on the growth, physiological, yield, and quality of wheat. Three types of urea were prepared including bio-activated Zn coated, Zn coated and Zn blended urea. The bio-activated Zn coated urea was prepared by inoculating the powdered organic material with Zn solubilizing bacterium (Bacillus sp. AZ6) and then this material was mixed with ZnO. This bioactive Zn was coated on urea at the rate to formulate 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea. Moreover, Zn blended urea was prepared by mixing powder ZnO with urea while Zn coated urea with 1.5% Zn was prepared by mixing ZnO and urea under proper moisture conditions to ensure proper coating...

Promotion of Growth and Physiological Characteristics in Water-Stressed Triticum aestivum in Relation to Foliar-Application of Salicylic Acid

Water, 2021

The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid ... more The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid (SA) on growth attributes, biochemical characteristics, antioxidant activities and osmolytes accumulation in wheat grown under control (100% field capacity) and water stressed (60% field capacity) conditions. The total available water (TAW), calculated for a rooting depth of 1.65 m was 8.45 inches and readily available water (RAW), considering a depletion factor of 0.55, was 4.65 inches. The water contents corresponding to 100 and 60% field capacity were 5.70 and 1.66 inches, respectively. For this purpose, seeds of two wheat cultivars (Fsd-2008 and S-24) were grown in pots subjected to water stress. Water stress at 60% field capacity markedly reduced the growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble proteins (TSP) and total phenolic contents (TPC) compared with control. However, cv. Fsd-2008 was recorded as strongly drought-tolerant and performed better compared to cv. S-24,...

Phytoextraction of Lead Using a Hedge Plant [Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson]: Physiological and Biochemical Alterations through Bioresource Management

Sustainability, 2021

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach that can be used for t... more Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach that can be used for the remediation of metals in polluted soil. This study used a hedge plant–calico (Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson) to determine the role of citric acid in lead (Pb) phytoremediation by exposing it to different concentrations of Pb (0, 200, 500, and 1000 mg kg−1) as well as in a combination with citric acid concentration (0, 250, 500 µM). The analysis of variance was applied on results for significant effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables using SPSS (ver10). According to the results, maximum Pb concentration was measured in the upper parts of the plant. An increase in dry weight biomass, plant growth parameters, and photosynthetic contents was observed with the increase of Pb application (200 mg kg−1) in soil while a reduced growth was experienced at higher Pb concentration (1000 mg kg−1). The antioxidant enzymatic activities like superoxide dismut...

Balanced Use of Zn, Cu, Fe, and B Improves the Yield and Sucrose Contents of Sugarcane Juice Cultivated in Sandy Clay Loam Soil

Agronomy, 2022

Balanced use of micronutrients in soils is essential for optimized nutrient use efficiency, envir... more Balanced use of micronutrients in soils is essential for optimized nutrient use efficiency, environmental conservation and long-term sustainability of agro-ecological systems. As a result, maintaining correct micronutrient levels in the soil is essential not only to meet plant needs and maintain agricultural productivity but also to avoid nutrient build-up. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of micronutrient application on the yield and sucrose content expressed as the polarization of sugar cane juice (POL%) under field conditions. There were seven treatments, viz. T0 = No micronutrient application (control); T1 = ZnSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha−1; T2 = CuSO4 at the rate of 10 kg ha−1; T3 = FeSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha−1; T4 = borax at the rate of 2 kg ha−1; T5 = half dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 15, 5, 15 and 1 kg ha−1 and T6 = full dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 30, 10, 30 and 2 kg ha−1, arranged in randomized complete bl...

Exogenous Caffeine (1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine) Application Diminishes Cadmium Toxicity by Modulating Physio-Biochemical Attributes and Improving the Growth of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Sustainability, 2022

Leafy vegetables usually absorb and retain heavy metals more readily than most of the other crop ... more Leafy vegetables usually absorb and retain heavy metals more readily than most of the other crop plants, and thus contribute ≥70% of the total cadmium (Cd) intake of humans. Caffeine mediates plant growth and has proved to be beneficial against pathogens and insects. Therefore, it was hypothesized that foliar applications of caffeine could alter metabolism and reduce Cd toxicity in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Seven-day old spinach seedlings were provided with Cd (0, 50, and 100 µM) stress. Caffeine (0, 5, or 10 mM) foliar spray was given twice at after 20 days of seeds germination with an interval of one week. In results, Cd stress reduced photosynthetic pigments biosynthesis, increased oxidative stress, imbalanced nutrient retention, and inhibited plant growth. On the other hand, the caffeine-treated spinach plants showed better growth owing to the enhanced biosynthesis of chlorophylls, better oxidative defense systems, and lower accumulation and transport of Cd within the plan...

Biochar Enriched with Buffalo Slurry Improved Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Dynamics, Nutrient Uptake and Growth Attributes of Wheat by Reducing Leaching Losses of Nutrients

Land, 2021

The present investigation was conducted to understand the role of enriched biochar on soil nitrog... more The present investigation was conducted to understand the role of enriched biochar on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics, leaching losses of nutrients, and growth attributes of wheat. Buffalo slurry (BS) was used to enrich the biochar for 24 h and 2% biochar (SB) or enriched biochar (SEB) was used. Enrichment of biochar with BS as SEB improved the C and N contents of biochar by 33–310% and 41–286% respectively. The application of biochar (SB) and enriched biochar (SEB) reduced the net nitrification by 81% and 94%, ammonification by 48% and 74%, and carbon dioxide by 50% and 92% respectively as compared to control. The leaching losses minerals i.e., C (by 30%), N (by 125%), P (by 50%), K (by 82%), Na (by 9%), Ca (by 24%), and Mg (by 12%) was decreased in SEB treatments compared to control. The soil enzyme activities, microbial biomass (MBC and MBN), wheat agronomy, soil bulk density and soil pore density, mineral uptake from the soil, and mineral contents in the plant body were improv...

The Land Snail, Eobania vermiculata, as a Bioindicator of the Heavy Metal Pollution in the Urban Areas of Sulaimani, Iraq

Sustainability, 2021

Land snails are crucial consumers in the terrestrial environment and beneficial significant bioin... more Land snails are crucial consumers in the terrestrial environment and beneficial significant bioindicators to evaluate the chemical impact in the ecosystem, especially on urban lands. The present study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals such as As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in urban soil and study whether Eobania vermiculata acts as a bioindicator for heavy metal contamination in an urban area. Thirty soil and snail samples in triplicate from each sampling site were taken from the urban areas of Suliamani. After a microwave-assisted digestion procedure, every sample was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results showed that the concentration of chromium (Cr) in each snail sample was significantly high. The maximum Cr concentration (15.87 mg kg−1) was recorded in the snail sample collected from Ali Kamal Park, which was adjacent to a very crowded traffic road. The As concentration in snail samples ranged from 0.08 to 1.004 mg kg−1, and i...

Conservation status of black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in the Kumrat valley, Pakistan

Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is one of the vulnerable species classified by IUCN Red lis... more Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is one of the vulnerable species classified by IUCN Red list due hunting for its body parts and habitat fragmentation. The forest zone of Kumrat, is one of the important habitat for black bear. The primary objective of the study conducted was to determine the conservation status of Asian black bear in Kumrat valley. Pre-planned questionnaire and interviews were conducted for data collection. The results showed that black bears used to cause damage to the local property, crops and livestock and as a result, the community was hunting it ruthlessly. Illegal hunting and habitat loss in the form of deforestation, visit to forest areas for recreation and grazing of livestock were among the main anthropogenic activities causing threats to black bear. These activities resulted in gradual decline in their number and had brought it at the verge of extinction in the study area. To conserve this rare species, awareness among the people regarding its conserv...

Subtropical Broad-Leaved Urban Forests as the Foremost Dynamic and Complex Habitats for a Wide Range of Bird Species

Sustainability, 2021

Broad-leaved subtropical forests are the most productive, diversified, and complex ecosystems on ... more Broad-leaved subtropical forests are the most productive, diversified, and complex ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, they are currently under severe threat from anthropogenic activities, such as. deforestation, housing settlements, and agricultural expansion. In response to these severe effects, the present study was conducted to explore the current conservation status and population structure of a wide range of bird species inhabiting different subtropical broad-leaved urban forests of Pakistan. In total, 2879 individuals comprising 53 species and 28 families were detected between December 2017 and November 2018 as revealed through the distance sampling line transect method. The habitat selection among bird species varied according to vegetation structure and composition, food resources, adjoining habitats, and human settlements. According to IUCN Red List data, one species was deemed vulnerable out of 53 bird species, while the remaining 52 species were ranked as ofleast co...

Co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark in removing Ni and aminoazobenzene from contaminated wastewater

DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT, 2021

In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni an... more In this biosorption study, the potential of Acacia nilotica bark in simultaneous removal of Ni and aminoazobenzene was investigated. For this purpose, the impact of different experimental conditions on the co-biosorption potential of Acacia nilotica bark was studied. In result, the maximum biosorption of Ni and dye was in the acidic range pH, that is, 6 and 4, with sorbent dosage of 1 and 0.8 g after 40 min of the experiment when both were at 4 ppm, respectively. In case of adsorption isotherms, both mono-and multi-layer adsorption occurred simultaneously in the case of Ni as clear from the R 2 values of isotherms (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.999) and (R 2 for Freundlich = 0.941). In case of dye, uniform monolayer adsorption was predominant (R 2 for Langmuir = 0.980) as compared to the multi-layered adsorption. The maximum amount of monolayer adsorption of Ni and dye onto the biosorbent was 0.60 and 0.348 mg g-1 , respectively. From the kinetics model, chemisorption was predominant in the case of both Ni and dye adsorption on biosorbent. In conclusion, the bark of Acacia nilotica has great potential for Ni and dye removal from co-contaminated wastewater.

Variation in Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Quality of Wheat under the Application of Different Zinc Coated Formulations

Applied Sciences, 2021

Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixa... more Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixation and indirectly involved in the production of growth hormones and internode elongation in crop plants. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effectiveness of the Zn blended, Zn coated and bio-activated Zn coated urea on the growth, physiological, yield, and quality of wheat. Three types of urea were prepared including bio-activated Zn coated, Zn coated and Zn blended urea. The bio-activated Zn coated urea was prepared by inoculating the powdered organic material with Zn solubilizing bacterium (Bacillus sp. AZ6) and then this material was mixed with ZnO. This bioactive Zn was coated on urea at the rate to formulate 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea. Moreover, Zn blended urea was prepared by mixing powder ZnO with urea while Zn coated urea with 1.5% Zn was prepared by mixing ZnO and urea under proper moisture conditions to ensure proper coating...

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 2 in a Group of Intravenous Drug Users Coinfected with HIV Type 1 in Portugal

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 2005

The prevalence of porcine sapoviruses (SaVs) and noroviruses (NoVs) in nursing piglets on three p... more The prevalence of porcine sapoviruses (SaVs) and noroviruses (NoVs) in nursing piglets on three pig farms in Ohio was studied. Fecal samples (n = 139) were collected from individual pigs and screened for caliciviruses by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using partial sequences of the RNA polymerase region. Three different SaV genogroups, including a newly emerging one (DO19 Korea-like) were detected. No NoVs were detected. Kobuviruses, emerging members of the family Picornaviridae, were detected by primers designed for SaV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of porcine DO19 Korea-like SaV and kobuvirus in the United States.

Nutritional, Medicinal, and Cosmetic Value of Bioactive Compounds in Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus): A Review

Applied Sciences, 2021

Fungi are vital to numerous industrial and household processes, especially producing cheeses, bee... more Fungi are vital to numerous industrial and household processes, especially producing cheeses, beer, wine, and bread, and they are accountable for breaking down organic matter. The remarkable medicinal and nutritional values of the mushrooms have increased their consumption. Agaricus bisporus belongs to the Agaricaceae family, and it is a top-ranked cultivated mushroom that is well known for its edibility. A. bisporus is rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, amino acids, fats, and minerals and has potential anticancer, antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammation properties. The bioactive compounds extracted from this mushroom can be used for the treatment of several common human diseases including cancer, bacterial and fungal infections, diabetes, heart disorder, and skin problems. A. bisporus has opened new horizons for the world to explore mushrooms as far as their culinary and medicinal values are concerned. In recent years, tyrosinase and ergothioneine have been extracted...

Diminishing Heavy Metal Hazards of Contaminated Soil via Biochar Supplementation

Sustainability, 2021

Depending on the geochemical forms, heavy metal (HM) accumulation is one of the most serious envi... more Depending on the geochemical forms, heavy metal (HM) accumulation is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world and poses negative impacts on soil, plants, animals, and humans. Although the use of biochar to remediate contaminated soils is well known, the huge quantities of waste used and its recycling technique to sustain soil in addition to its use conditions are determinant factors for its characteristics and uses. A pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design to evaluate metal forms and their availability under the application of garden waste biochar (GB) pyrolyzed at different temperatures, and a sequential extraction procedure was designed to fractionate Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu of the contaminated soil. The results show that the TCLP-extractable Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu were significantly decreased depending on the biochar addition rate, pyrolysis temperature, and tested metal. The acid extractable fraction was significantly decreased by 51.54, 2...

Quantitative Ethnobotanical Analysis of Medicinal Plants of High-Temperature Areas of Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Plants, 2021

Lack of proper infrastructure and the poor economic conditions of rural communities make them dep... more Lack of proper infrastructure and the poor economic conditions of rural communities make them dependent on herbal medicines. Thus, there is a need to obtain and conserve the historic and traditional knowledge about the medicinal importance of different plants found in different areas of the world. In this regard, a field study was conducted to document the medicinal importance of local plants commonly used by the inhabitants of very old historic villages in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. In total, 58 plant species were explored, which belonged to 28 taxonomic families, as informed by 200 experienced respondents in the study area. The vernacular name, voucher number, plant parts used, and medicinal values were also documented for each species. Among the documented species, Poaceae remained the most predominant family, followed by Solanaceae and Asteraceae. The local communities were dependent on medicinal plants for daily curing of several ailments, including asthma, common cold, sore th...

Promotion of Growth and Physiological Characteristics in Water-Stressed Triticum aestivum in Relation to Foliar-Application of Salicylic Acid

Water, 2021

The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid ... more The present work reports the assessment of the effectiveness of a foliar-spray of salicylic acid (SA) on growth attributes, biochemical characteristics, antioxidant activities and osmolytes accumulation in wheat grown under control (100% field capacity) and water stressed (60% field capacity) conditions. The total available water (TAW), calculated for a rooting depth of 1.65 m was 8.45 inches and readily available water (RAW), considering a depletion factor of 0.55, was 4.65 inches. The water contents corresponding to 100 and 60% field capacity were 5.70 and 1.66 inches, respectively. For this purpose, seeds of two wheat cultivars (Fsd-2008 and S-24) were grown in pots subjected to water stress. Water stress at 60% field capacity markedly reduced the growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble proteins (TSP) and total phenolic contents (TPC) compared with control. However, cv. Fsd-2008 was recorded as strongly drought-tolerant and performed better compared to cv. S-24,...

Removal Mechanisms of Slag against Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil and Plants for Sustainable Agriculture Development: A Critical Review

Sustainability, 2021

Potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution is a major abiotic stress, which reduces plant growth a... more Potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution is a major abiotic stress, which reduces plant growth and affects food quality by entering the food chain, and ultimately poses hazards to human health. Currently, the use of slag in PTE-contaminated soils has been reported to reduce PTEs and toxicity in plants. This review highlights the role of slag used as a fertilizer for better crop production and sustainable agricultural development. The application of slag increased the growth, yield, and quality of crops under PTE toxicity. The mechanisms followed by slag are the immobilization of PTEs in the soil, enhancement of soil pH, changes in the redox state of PTEs, and positive changes in soil physicochemical and biological properties under PTE toxicity. Nevertheless, these processes are influenced by the plant species, growth conditions, imposition length of stress, and type of slag used. The current review provides an insight into improving plant tolerance to PTE toxicity by slag-based fer...

Mitigation of Nickel Toxicity and Growth Promotion in Sesame through the Application of a Bacterial Endophyte and Zeolite in Nickel Contaminated Soil

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Nickel (Ni) bioavailable fraction in the soil is of utmost importance because of its involvement ... more Nickel (Ni) bioavailable fraction in the soil is of utmost importance because of its involvement in plant growth and environmental feedbacks. High concentrations of Ni in the soil environment, especially in the root zone, may retard plant growth that ultimately results in reduced plant biomass and yield. However, endophytic microorganisms have great potential to reduce the toxicity of Ni, especially when applied together with zeolite. The present research work was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of an endophytic bacterium Caulobacter sp. MN13 in combination with zeolite on the physiology, growth, quality, and yield of sesame plant under normal and Ni stressed soil conditions through possible reduction of Ni uptake. Surface sterilized sesame seeds were sown in pots filled with artificially Ni contaminated soil amended with zeolite. Results revealed that plant agronomic attributes such as shoot root dry weight, total number of pods, and 1000-grains weight were increased by...

Compost enriched with ZnO and Zn-solubilising bacteria improves yield and Zn-fortification in flooded rice

Italian Journal of Agronomy, 2018

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for humans, animals and plants, however, its deficiency has bee... more Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for humans, animals and plants, however, its deficiency has been widely reported around the world especially in flooded rice. Adequate amount of Zn is considered essential for optimum growth and development of rice. We hypothesised that management practices like Zn-mineral fertiliser, -compost, and -solubilising bacteria would improve Zn availability and uptake in flooded rice. A series of studies were conducted to find out the comparative efficacy of Zn-enriched composts (Zn-ECs) with Zn solubilising bacteria (ZnSB) vs. ZnSO4 for improved growth, yield and Zn accumulation in rice. There were six treatments viz. control, ZnSB, ZnO (80% Zn), ZnSO4 (33% Zn), Zn-EC80:20 and Zn-EC60:40. In all the treatments, Zn was applied at the rate of 5 kg ha–1 except the control. The treatment Zn-EC60:40 resulted in the maximum Zn release in soil as compared to ZnSO4 and all other treatments during incubation study. The treatment Zn-EC60:40 significantly improved r...