Tackling Food Insecurity Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning-Based Crop Yield Prediction

Precise estimation of crop yield is crucial for ensuring food security, managing the supply chain, optimally utilizing resources, promoting economic growth, enhancing climate resilience, controlling losses, and mitigating risks in the agricultural industry. Accurate yield prediction depends upon several interactive factors, including crop genotype, climate conditions, soil fertility, sowing & irrigation plan, and crop management practices. For this purpose, remote sensing data and machine learning (ML) algorithms are emerging as indispensable tools that can significantly increase farm productivity while using minimal resources and reducing environmental impact. In this context, the study presents a framework for wheat grain yield prediction using three regression techniques including Random Forest, Xtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) regression, and Least Absolute Shrinkage & Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. Various aspects of the three models are investigated and results are compared to explore the optimal technique. Drone-based multispectral sensors are employed to acquire data from three wheat experimental fields with three different sowing dates (SD1, SD2, SD3), and the effect of the seeding plan on crop yield is examined. The prediction performance of models is assessed at different growth stages of the crop using several evaluation metrics. The results show that LASSO achieved the highest performance in April with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.93 and mean absolute error (MAE) of 21.72. The average annual predicted yield is 260.54 g/m2, 201.64 g/m2, and 47.29 g/m2 in the wheat field with SD1, SD2, and SD3 respectively. This study can help farmers and agronomists to make informed decisions about crop management activities such as planting & harvest plans, and resource handling

Aba Sensitivity as a Criterion for Drought Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Cultivars

Criteria used for evaluating drought tolerance of wheat cultivars demanding more time and efforts are usually not efficient and conclusive. Present study was conducted to evaluate ABA sensitivity as a criterion for evaluating drought tolerance of wheat cultivars at an early stage. Ten cultivars of wheat were subjected to drought at 3-leaf stage to select the most sensitive and two tolerant cultivars using mortality rate. Tatara was found the most susceptible whereas GA-2002 and Chakwal-50 were the cultivars with maximum drought tolerance. These cultivars were used to study sensitivity to applied absicic acid (based on germination index and relative growth inhibition rate) and physiological responses (leaf water content, chlorophyll stability index, coefficient of relative inhibition and proline accumulation) under drought stress. Highest ABAsensitivity was recorded in GA-2002 and Chakwal-50 whereas Tatara manifested minimum sensitivity. ABAsensitivity corresponded to physiological indices of drought tolerance. Results show that ABA-sensitivity is an efficient criterion that can be used to evaluate drought tolerance of wheat cultivars at early stage

Proteomic Analysis of the Effect of Inorganic and Organic Chemicals on Silver Nanoparticles in Wheat

Production and utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) are increasing due to their positive and stimulating effects on biological systems. Silver (Ag) NPs improve seed germination, photosynthetic efficiency, plant growth, and antimicrobial activities. In this study, the effects of chemo-blended Ag NPs on wheat were investigated using the gel-free/label-free proteomic technique. Morphological analysis revealed that chemo-blended Ag NPs resulted in the increase of shoot length, shoot fresh weight, root length, and root fresh weight. Proteomic analysis indicated that proteins related to photosynthesis and protein synthesis were increased, while glycolysis, signaling, and cell wall related proteins were decreased. Proteins related to redox and mitochondrial electron transport chain were also decreased. Glycolysis associated proteins such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase increased as well as decreased, while phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase was decreased. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were promoted in response to the chemo-blended Ag NPs. These results suggested that chemo-blended Ag NPs promoted plant growth and development through regulation of energy metabolism by suppression of glycolysis. Number of grains/spike, 100-grains weight, and yield of wheat were stimulated with chemo-blended Ag NPs. Morphological study of next generational wheat plants depicted normal growth, and no toxic effects were observed. Therefore, morphological, proteomic, yield, and next generation results revealed that chemo-blended Ag NPs may promote plant growth and development through alteration in plant metabolism

Antioxidant Enzyme Activities Correlated with Growth Parameters of Wheat Sprayed with Silver and Gold Nanoparticle Suspensions

Application of nanotechnology is crucial for a sustainable increase in food production to cope with the increasing food demand of the burgeoning population. Wheat production has to increase significantly for food security in Pakistan with the help of nanotechnology. In biological systems, utilization of nanoparticles has been increased due to their growth-promoting effects on germination, photosynthetic attributes, nutrient use efficiency and metabolic activities. An experiment was conducted with the objective to establish a relationship between growth parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity in response to silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs). Application of Ag (20 mg/L) and Au NPs (10 mg/L) significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase. Consequently, growth parameters: fresh and dry biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll (a, b) and total chlorophyll contents, also increased significantly. These results suggest that application of Ag and Au NPs has the potential to promote wheat growth through enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities

Deciphering of Microbes × Nitrogen source fertilizers Interaction for improving nitrogen use efficiency in spring maize

In this study the influence of combined use of organic and inorganic nitrogen (N) sources along with the beneficial micro-organisms on grain N uptake, N use efficiency and N utilization efficiency in maize was evaluated. Organic fertilizer (FYM) and inorganic N source (synthetic fertilizer) was applied in ratio viz. (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0) with and without beneficial micro-organism. Different levels viz. 100, 150 and 200 kg ha−1 of N was used to accelerate the efficiency of N. Results showed that combination of FYM and inorganic N (50:5) along with the application of beneficial micro-organism significantly increased the total N uptake, N utilization efficiency, highest stover grain and grain protein. However, maximum N uptake and protein contents were recorded with application of 150 kg N ha−1. Application of N (100 kg ha−1) gave the highest N-use efficiency and N utilization efficiency. In conclusion, N application level of 100 kg N ha−1, beneficial micro-organism and 50:50 ratio of inorganic and organic N was proved better in enhancing N-use efficiency and grain quality of maize

Chemo-Blended Ag & Fe Nanoparticles Effect on Growth, Physiochemical and Yield Traits of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The application profile of nanotechnology is increasing due to its influential effects on the environment. Recently, this field has gained tremendous magnitude in the agriculture sector as a potential improving agent for plant growth, slow-release fertilizer, and targeted delivery of agrochemicals for sustainable crop productions. A study was designed with the aim to explore the potential effects of nanoparticles mixed with organic chemicals on the growth and physiochemical properties of wheat. Synthesized silver NPs and iron NPs were characterized through SEM and a particle analyzer, which confirmed the fine particles of a size < 20 nm. The application of chemo-blended NPs enhanced plant height, shoot and root biomass and leaf area. Chlorophyll (a, b) and total chlorophyll contents were promoted with an application of blended NPs. Chemo-blended nanoparticles promoted total soluble sugars, total free amino acid contents and total protein contents of wheat. Antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase were significantly promoted with blended NPs. Yield related attributes were also promoted in response to nanoparticles blended with organic chemicals. These results suggest that the application of chemo-blended NPs may increase plant growth and development through the improvement of the physiochemical properties of wheat

Chemo-Blended Ag & Fe Nanoparticles Effect on Growth, Physiochemical and Yield Traits of Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i>)

The application profile of nanotechnology is increasing due to its influential effects on the environment. Recently, this field has gained tremendous magnitude in the agriculture sector as a potential improving agent for plant growth, slow-release fertilizer, and targeted delivery of agrochemicals for sustainable crop productions. A study was designed with the aim to explore the potential effects of nanoparticles mixed with organic chemicals on the growth and physiochemical properties of wheat. Synthesized silver NPs and iron NPs were characterized through SEM and a particle analyzer, which confirmed the fine particles of a size < 20 nm. The application of chemo-blended NPs enhanced plant height, shoot and root biomass and leaf area. Chlorophyll (a, b) and total chlorophyll contents were promoted with an application of blended NPs. Chemo-blended nanoparticles promoted total soluble sugars, total free amino acid contents and total protein contents of wheat. Antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase were significantly promoted with blended NPs. Yield related attributes were also promoted in response to nanoparticles blended with organic chemicals. These results suggest that the application of chemo-blended NPs may increase plant growth and development through the improvement of the physiochemical properties of wheat