Identifying the abilities of biostimulants to improve vegetable production compared with conventional fertilizer

Vegetables are important agricultural products with numerous health benefits. Excessive chemical fertilization to meet the food challenge has resulted in environmental and soil health hazards. Considering this aspect, the current study was conducted with the aim to introduce biostimulants as an alternative to chemical fertilizers to improve soil quality, crop quality, and yield. In the first experiment, the response of radish was noted against the application of glycine (GLY), aspartic acid (ASP), lysine (LYS), vitamin B complex (VBC), and chemical fertilizers (CF). The biostimulants were sourced from Sigma Aldrich and Martin Dow Market Ltd. The results indicated that ASP has significantly improved the phenolic contents in shoot (1.01%) and root (12.23%) compared with CF. Additionally, total protein was significantly increased in shoot with GLY (251.81%) and in root with ASP (57.06%). Shoot ascorbic acid contents were significantly improved with ASP (179.90%), VBC (159.91%), and LYS (139.92%). Plant fresh and dry weight was improved with VBC (478.31%) and ASP (364.73%). The N and P concentrations in radish root were higher in VBC (25.93%) and LYS (100%). Soil organic matter was improved ASP (61.51%), followed by VBC (60.13%). Soil available P concentration was also enhanced with LYS (40.43%), ASP (31.20%), and VBC (23.19%). The second experiment was focused on identifying the response of turnip crop against the following treatments: chemical fertilizers (CF), Isabion® (ISA), 25% CF + LYS + GLY (CLG), 25% CF + ASP + GLY (CAG), and 25% CF + ASP + LYS (CAL). The biostimulants were sourced from Sigma Aldrich Syngenta, Pakistan. The results denoted that CAL and ISA significantly improved the phenolic contents in turnip shoot and root. The ascorbic acid in turnip shoot was improved with CAL (19.27%), CAG (18.13%), ISA (17.68%), and in root with CLG (26.96%). The P concentration in turnip shoot was significantly higher in ISA (19.25%), CLG (16.85%), and CAG (12.26%). Soil total N was improved in all treatments. ISA improved the available P concentration, whereas CF (67.87 mg kg−1) followed by ISA (65.93 mg kg−1) improved the soil available K. Both studies conclude that biostimulants capable of improving vegetable quality

Biostimulants as Plant Growth Stimulators in Modernized Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability

Plant growth stimulators (growth regulators + biostimulants; PGS) are chemical substances (organic/inorganic), helpful in plant growth and development. These are not considered as the replacement of fertilizers but can help in improved crop and soil quality. Both compounds can amplify the root biomass, nutrients translocation, enzymatic activities, crop yield, physiology, and nutrient uptake. Biostimulants are rich in minerals, vitamins, plant hormones, oligosaccharides, and amino acids. These compounds have a serious role to improve soil health, fertility, sorption, and desorption of nutrients. Hence, have a vital character in nutrients cycling, abiotic stress control, heavy metals bioavailability, and greenhouse gaseous emission. This chapter focuses on the discussions about the influence of plant growth regulators and biostimulants in crop production, soil health, heavy metal cycling, greenhouse gases emission with environmental sustainability. Whereas, the impact of biostimulants on greenhouse gases is a research gap

Biostimulants Application: An Innovative Approach to Food Security under Drought Stress

Climate change is a global threat to food security as it causes various biotic and abiotic stresses that adversely disturb agriculture production. With an increase in the worldwide population, the demand for food has also arisen. It is an immediate challenge for the scientific community to introduce an innovative tool to achieve food security with quality plant production and develop tolerance against abiotic stresses, specifically drought. Genetically modifications are effective and time-consuming, while biostimulants are in/organic substances with the potential to support plant development under stress conditions. This chapter focuses on the impacts of climate change on agriculture, challenges for agriculture sustainability and food security, the interrelationship between drought, climate change and food security, the potential role of biostimulants against drought, future aspects and challenges due to climate change specifically drought, and food security challenges. Various studies reported that the application of biostimulants results in enhancement of crop productivity and mitigates the harmful effects due to climate change. To ensure the quality of chapter, we collected references from well-reputed international journals using keywords ““biostimulants,” “drought,” “food security,” “agriculture sustainability,” and “climate change.” In conclusion, biostimulants has a potential to address adverse environmental conditions without affecting crop quality and yield loss

Comparative Performance of Various Disc-Type Furrow Openers in No-Till Paddy Field Conditions

Jabran, Khawar/0000-0001-8512-3330WOS: 000406709500072Different furrow openers are required to be evaluated for their suitability to manage rice straw for direct planting of wheat in paddy fields. This study was carried out to assess the straw-cutting ability and draft requirements of four different disc-type furrow openers (notched, toothed, smooth-edge single disc, and double disc) in no-till paddy fields. The openers were attached to an in-field traction rig equipped with S-type load cells, and tested using three operating depths of 30, 60, and 90 mm, and three traveling speeds of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 m s(-1). Vertical and horizontal forces acting on the openers were observed using LabVIEW software based data acquisition system. The results of this study indicated that the furrow opener type, operating depth, and speed significantly influenced the horizontal and vertical forces, as well as straw-cutting ability of the furrow openers. The highest draft and vertical force were noted for double disc-type furrow openers. The mean straw-cutting efficiency of notched, toothed, and smooth-edge single disc and double disc furrow openers were 12.4, 46.2, 11.4, and 78.5%, respectively. The double disc furrow opener (DD) produced the lowest level of hair-pinned straw and had the highest straw-cutting efficiency with a value of 88.6% at 90 mm operating depth, and therefore had the best performance in comparison with other furrow openers.HEC, PakistanHigher Education Commission of Pakistan; National Science and Technology [2013BAD08B04]; State Key Special Program of Soil Fertility Improvement and Cropping Innovation for High-Yield Efficiency in Rice Cropping Areas [2016YFD0300900]This manuscript represents a portion of Ph.D. research by the first author. Thanks to the HEC, Pakistan for providing Ph.D. Scholarship to the first author. Additionally, work was sponsored by the National Science and Technology Support Program (2013BAD08B04) and the State Key Special Program of Soil Fertility Improvement and Cropping Innovation for High-Yield Efficiency in Rice Cropping Areas (2016YFD0300900)

Organic manures: an efficient move towards maize grain biofortification

Abstract Purpose In a novel approach, certain organic wastes byproducts of agro industries were assessed for their ability to support maize growth and Zn bioavailability in maize grain. Methods In a field experiment, maize (Zea mays) was supplemented with farm yard manure (FYM), press mud (PM), fisheries manure (FM), and slaughter house waste (SHW) in combination with Zn soil application (ZnS) and Zn foliar spray (ZnF) with recommended doses of N:P:K (140:100:60 kg ha−1), respectively. Besides assessing the maize growth, grain, and straw yield, Zn bioavailability in maize grain was also studied. Results Organic materials combined with ZnS and ZnF significantly increased the maize yield and Zn bioavailability. PM + ZnS increased the grain yield by 69.71%, while FM + ZnF and FYM + ZnF increased the grain Zn concentration by 86.37 and 86.16%, respectively. Moreover, grain Zn content was greatly influenced by PM + ZnS and PM + ZnF resulted an average increase by 160%. Phytate concentration and phytae:Zn molar ratio in grain were decreased by 30.34 and 66.92%, respectively by FYM + ZnF. Estimated Zn bioavailability ranged from 0.92 to 2.04 mg Zn/300 g in maize grain, and was maximum by PM and FYM combined with ZnF. Conclusion Organic manures influence the nutrient uptake from soil, increase the product quality, and act as a good organic fertilizer. The current study revealed that organic manures can enhance crop growth and Zn uptake in grain in sustainable manner. It would be an eco-friendly approach by utilizing organic wastes annually generated by agro industries

Application of K and Zn Influences the Mineral Accumulation More in Hybrid Than Inbred Maize Cultivars

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop used for feeding humans and cattle globally. Deficiency of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) adversely impacts the maize crop productivity and quality. However, the application of these nutrients shows variant responses in different maize cultivars. To understand this perspective, the current study aimed at investigating K and Zn’s optimal concentration in different hybrid and inbred maize cultivars. The treatments were based on three zinc levels (0, 6, and 12 mg Zn kg−1) and K levels (0, 30, and 60 mg kg−1), and their respective combinations. The experiment results showed that combined fertilization approaches of Zn and K (Zn12K60) improved the plant biometric, and physiological attributes of maize crop. The results revealed a significant increase in plant height (45%), fresh weight (70%), and dry weight (45%). Similarly, physiological attributes significantly improved the relative water content (76.4%), membrane stability index (77.9%), chlorophyll contents (170%), and photosynthetic rate (130%) in both inbred and hybrid genotypes. Furthermore, Zn and K (Zn12K60) increased transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Ci), and internal CO2. In conclusion, maize hybrids (Neelam and DK-6142) were observed best compared with inbred (Afghoi and P-1543) cultivars with the combined application of Zn and K (Zn12K60). Thus, these inbred varieties should be preferred for fodder requirement with optimum fertilizer (Zn12K60) application in Zn deficient soils

Pesticides Xenobiotics in Soil Ecosystem and Their Remediation Approaches

Globally, the rapid rise in the human population has increased the crop production, resulting in increased pesticide xenobiotics. Despite the fact that pesticide xenobiotics toxify the soil environment and ecosystem, synthetic pesticides have increased agricultural yields and reduced disease vectors. Pesticide use has increased, resulting in an increase in environmental pollution. Various methods of controlling and eliminating these contaminants have been proposed to address this issue. Pesticide impurity in the climate presents a genuine danger to individuals and other oceanic and earthly life. If not controlled, the pollution can prompt difficult issues for the climate. Some viable and cost-effective alternative approaches are needed to maintain this emission level at a low level. Phytoremediation and microbial remediation are effective methods for removing acaricide scrapings from the atmosphere using plants and organisms. This review gives an overview of different types of xenobiotics, how they get into the environment, and how the remediation of pesticides has progressed. It focuses on simple procedures that can be used in many countries. In addition, we have talked about the benefits and drawbacks of natural remediation methods

Pesticides Xenobiotics in Soil Ecosystem and Their Remediation Approaches

Globally, the rapid rise in the human population has increased the crop production, resulting in increased pesticide xenobiotics. Despite the fact that pesticide xenobiotics toxify the soil environment and ecosystem, synthetic pesticides have increased agricultural yields and reduced disease vectors. Pesticide use has increased, resulting in an increase in environmental pollution. Various methods of controlling and eliminating these contaminants have been proposed to address this issue. Pesticide impurity in the climate presents a genuine danger to individuals and other oceanic and earthly life. If not controlled, the pollution can prompt difficult issues for the climate. Some viable and cost-effective alternative approaches are needed to maintain this emission level at a low level. Phytoremediation and microbial remediation are effective methods for removing acaricide scrapings from the atmosphere using plants and organisms. This review gives an overview of different types of xenobiotics, how they get into the environment, and how the remediation of pesticides has progressed. It focuses on simple procedures that can be used in many countries. In addition, we have talked about the benefits and drawbacks of natural remediation methods

Key Aspects of Plant Hormones in Agricultural Sustainability under Climate Change

Climate change is an emerging issue for modern agriculture and has generated biotic and abiotic stresses for plants such as cold, high temperature, heat, drought, uneven rainfall, and UV radiations. In addition to these, serious stress factors are emerging related to water availability, nutrient cycling, salinity-sodicity, and pest attacks. In recent years, such phenomena have attracted the research community to avoid the fatal influence of climate change on crop production and obtain more food helping in fulfillment of increasing food demand of population surge. The anthropogenic activities in the agroecosystem are among the major causes for global warming and proportion in climate change. Therefore, it is assumed that identifying various plant hormones and their utilization to improve plant metabolic activities would help maintain plant growth, survival, and production under severe climate change circumstances. This chapter focuses on identifying the key aspects of plant hormones to retard the negative impacts of climate change and support sustainable agriculture

Sugarcane Industrial Byproducts as Challenges to Environmental Safety and Their Remedies: A Review

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the major crops cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical countries, and the primary purpose is to obtain raw sugar. It is an important substance for sugar and alcohol production by both the sugar and beverage industries. During cane processing, various byproducts are obtained, namely sugarcane bagasse, bagasse ash, pressmud cake, sugarcane vinasse, and spent wash. There are many challenging problems in storage, and they cause great environmental pollution. This review discusses their properties by which they can be used for cleaner agricultural and environmental sustainability. Utilization of byproducts results in value-added soil properties and crop yield. Replacing chemical fertilization with these organic natured byproducts not only minimizes the surplus usage of chemical fertilizers but is also cost-effective and an eco-friendly approach. The drawbacks of the long-term application of these byproducts in the agricultural ecosystem are not well documented. We conclude that the agriculture sector can dispose of sugar industry byproducts, but proper systematic disposal is needed. The need arises to arrange some seminars, meetings, and training to make the farming community aware of byproducts utilization and setting a friendly relationship between the farming community and industrialists