Estimation of macro and micro nutrients in some important medicinal plants of Soon Valley, District Khushab, Pakistan

Plants are potential source of therapeutic values in different traditional medicine systems of the world. Ethnomedicinal uses of 10 medicinal plants (MPs) of soon valley (Khushab) of Pakistan were documented and explored for trace (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, Mn and Fe) and major (K, Na, Ca and Mg) elemental composition by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results depicted that Zn was 15.36 ppm in Convolvulus arvensis. Cu showed max conc. was in P. harmala (18.72 ppm). Cr was highest in Cannabis sativa (30.39 ppm). Ni conc was 30.39 ppm in C. sativa. B. campestris had highest value of Co (8.44 ppm) in analyzed specimens, while H. vulgare recorded least amount of 0.98 ppm. Cd concentration was 2.76 ppm in A. aspera. H. vulgare exhibited higher Pb higher concentration (32.64 ppm). The occurrence range of Mn was 74.60 ppm in P. harmala and 105.56 ppm in A. aspera. Fe in the studied plants was max in H. vulgare (1889.69 ppm). B. campestris exhibited higher concentration of Ca (4210.92 ppm). The contents of Mg were 13342.88 ppm in C. arvensis and 6350.63 ppm in A. aspera, respectively. The quantity of macro and micro elements in analyzed MPs was high and beyond the safety standards of WHO. It demonstrates that use of botanical medicines or its products by man may be fatal and injurious for health and culminating into death. It is necessary to study and accomplish thorough analytical research on herbal medicines (MPs) of Pakistan in order to bring them at par with international standards.Key words: Soon valley, elemental contents, medicinal plants, safety standards, Khushab, Pakistan

Concentrational study of nutrients related to chelators assisted sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) from artificially cadmium-contaminated soil

The present study investigates the appliance of cadmium (Cd) noxiousness and damage to nutrient concentration in sunflower hybrids, FH-533 and Hysun-33, as well as the role of natural and synthetic chelator’s oxalic acid (OA) and ethylene triamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) respectively in reducing the Cd toxicity in sunflower plant. Sunflower, known as heavy metal phytoextractor, was grown in soil artificially contaminated with soluble salt CdCl2 at 250 ppm and 450 ppm. Pot experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with three replicates for cadmium metal, chelating agents and sunflower hybrids at seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages. Application of Cd of 250 ppm and 450 ppm imposed the negative effect on shoot and root dry biomass by directly or indirectly disturbing the nutrient uptake. Maximum growth and nutrient uptake were observed when chelators (EDTA and OA) were applied alone respectively. In Cd contaminated soil the application of EDTA proved helpful in ameliorating the toxic effect of Cd250 on nutrient content of both sunflower hybrids as compared to Cd450, the Hysun-33 showed better results in terms of K, Ca, Fe, Zn, P, N as compared to FH-533, so it can be cultivated on Cd adulterated soil for better yield. The presented results offer a novel solution for optimization of sunflower cultivation on soil affected by Cd, as well as for increased health-promoting nutrients of sunflower

Genome-wide association for heat tolerance at seedling stage in historical spring wheat cultivars

Increasing global temperature has adverse effects on crop health and productivity at both seedling and reproductivity stages. It is paramount to develop heat tolerant wheat cultivars able to sustain under high and fluctuating temperature conditions. An experiment was conducted to characterize 194 historical wheat cultivars of Pakistan under high temperature at seedling stage to identify loci associated with heat tolerance using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A quantitative trait locus, TaHST1, on chr4A was also characterized to identify the haplotypes at this locus associated with heat tolerance in wheat from Pakistan. Initially, the diversity panel was planted under control conditions (25°C/20°C day and night temperature) in a glass house. At three leaf stage, plants were subjected to heat stress (HS) by increasing temperature (40°C/35°C day and night), while one treatment was kept at control condition. After 7 days of HS, data were collected for seedling morphology. Heat stress reduced these traits by 25% (root weight) to 40% (shoot weight), and shoot biomass was largely affected by heat stress. A GWAS model, fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU), identified 43 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) on all chromosomes, except chr7B, were associated under both HS and control conditions. Thirteen QTNs were identified in control, while 30 QTNs were identified in HS condition. In total, 24 haplotypes were identified at TaHST1 locus, and most of the heat tolerant genotypes were assigned to Hap-20 and Hap-21. Eleven QTNs were identified within 0.3–3.1 Mb proximity of heat shock protein (HSP). Conclusively, this study provided a detailed genetic framework of heat tolerance in wheat at the seedling stage and identify potential genetic regions associated with heat tolerance which can be used for marker assisted selection (MAS) in breeding for heat stress tolerance

Seed Nano-Priming with Calcium Oxide Maintains the Redox State by Boosting the Antioxidant Defense System in Water-Stressed Carom (<i>Trachyspermum ammi</i> L.) Plants to Confer Drought Tolerance

This paper explores the potential of nano seed priming with calcium oxide nanoparticles in maintaining the redox status in carom (Trachyspermum ammi L.) plants by modulating non-enzymatic antioxidants and enzymatic antioxidants. Calcium oxide nanoparticles were prepared in four testing regimes comprising 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm along with the control treatment of 0 ppm (distilled water). Priming was performed by soaking the carom seeds in the aerated water, and plants were grown under split plots corresponding to drought and water. Seed priming with 75 ppm CaONPs reduced hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde contents and electrolyte leakage by 23.3%, 35.9% and 31.6%, respectively, in the water-stressed carom plants. The glutathione s-transferase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase functions improved under water stress by 42.3%, 24.1% and 44.8%, respectively, in the carom plants raised through 100 ppm primed seeds with CaO_NPs. Priming induced better Ca2+ signaling, which affected the enzymes of the ascorbate glutathione cycle, enabling them to maintain redox status in the carom plants exposed to drought stress. The morpho-agronomic traits of carom plants in terms of number of umbels, hundred seeds weights, shoot and root length and biomass improved significantly upon seed priming treatments. Seed priming with CaO_NPs is a viable strategy to combat reactive oxygen species-mediated damages in the carom plants

Impact of Climate Change on Phenology of Two Heat-Resistant Wheat Varieties and Future Adaptations

Climate change (CC) is a global threat to the agricultural system. Changing climatic conditions are causing variations in temperature range, rainfall timing, humidity percentage, soil structure, and composition of gases in environment. All these factors have a great influence on the phenological events in plants’ life cycle. Alternation in phenological events, especially in crops, leads to either lower yield or crop failure. In light of respective statement, the present study is designed to evaluate the climatic impacts on two heat-resistant wheat varieties (Sialkot–2008 and Punjab–2018). During the study, impacts of CC on wheat phenology and annual yield were predicted considering six climatic factors: maximum temp, minimum temperature, precipitation, humidity, soil moisture content, and solar radiation using two quantitative approaches. First, a two-year field experimental plot was set up at five different sites of study—each plot a bisect of two sites. Phenological changes of both varieties were monitored with respect to climatic factors and changes were recorded in a scientific manner. Secondly, experimental results were compared with Global climate models (GMC) models with a baseline range of the past 40 years (1970–2010) and future fifty years (2019–2068) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 model analysis. Field experiment showed a (0.02) difference in maximum temperature, (0.04) in minimum temperature, (0.17) in humidity, and about (0.03) significant difference in soil moisture content during 2019–2021. Under these changing climatic parameters, a 0.21% difference was accounted in annual yield. Furthermore, the results were supported by GMC model analysis, which was analyzed by Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model. Results depicted that non-heat-resistant wheat varieties could cause up to a 6~13% reduction in yield during future 50 years (2019–2068)) compared with the last 40 years (1970–2010). A larger decline in wheat grain number relative to grain weight is a key reducer of wheat yield, under future climate change circumstances. Using heat-tolerant wheat varieties will not only assist to overcome this plethora but also provide a potential increase of up to 7% to 10% in indigenous environment. On the other hand, it was concluded that cultivating these heat-resistant varieties that are also ripening late culminates into enhanced thermal time chucks during the grain-filling period; hence, wheat yield will increase by 8% to 12%. In changing climatic conditions and varieties, ‘Punjab–2018′ will be the better choice for peasants and farm-land owners to obtain a better yield of wheat to cope with the necessities of food on the domestic and national level

Seed Priming with the Selenium Nanoparticles Maintains the Redox Status in the Water Stressed Tomato Plants by Modulating the Antioxidant Defense Enzymes

In the present research, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were tested for their use as seed priming agents under field trials on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for their efficacy in conferring drought tolerance. Four different seed priming regimes of SeNPs were created, comprising 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm, along with a control treatment of 0 ppm. Seeds were planted in split plots under two irrigation regimes comprising water and water stress. The results suggest that seed priming with SeNPs can improve tomato crop performance under drought stress. Plants grown with 75 ppm SeNPs-primed seeds had lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 39.3% and 28.9%, respectively. Seed priming with 75 ppm SeNPs further increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) functions by 34.9 and 25.4%, respectively. The same treatment increased the total carotenoids content by 13.5%, α-tocopherols content by 22.8%, total flavonoids content by 25.2%, total anthocyanins content by 19.6%, ascorbic acid content by 26.4%, reduced glutathione (GSH) content by 14.8%, and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content by 13.12%. Furthermore, seed priming with SeNPs upregulated the functions of enzymes of ascorbate glutathione cycle. Seed priming with SeNPs is a smart application to sustain tomato production in arid lands

Synergistic Influence of Yeast Extract and Calcium Oxide Nanoparticles on the Synthesis of Bioactive Antioxidants and Metabolites in <i>Swertia chirata</i> In Vitro Callus Cultures

The challenges in the production of metabolites of medicinal potential from wild plants include low yields, slow growth rates, seasonal variations, genetic variability and regulatory as well as ethical constraints. Overcoming these challenges is of paramount significance and interdisciplinary approaches and innovative strategies are prevalently applied to optimize phytoconstituents’ production, enhance yield, biomass, ensure sustainable consistency and scalability. In this study, we investigated the effects of elicitation with yeast extract and calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaONPs) on in vitro cultures of Swertia chirata (Roxb. ex Fleming) Karsten. Specifically, we examined the effects of different concentrations of CaONPs in combination with different concentrations of yeast extract on various parameters related to callus growth, antioxidant activity, biomass and phytochemical contents. Our results showed that elicitation with yeast extract and CaONPs had significant effects on the growth and characteristics of callus cultures of S. chirata. The treatments involving yeast extract and CaONPs were found to be the most effective in increasing the contents of total flavonoid contents (TFC), total phenolic contents (TPC), amarogentin and mangiferin. These treatments also led to an improvement in the contents of total anthocyanin and alpha tocopherols. Additionally, the DPPH scavenging activity was significantly increased in the treated samples. Furthermore, the treatments involving elicitation with yeast extract and CaONPs also led to significant improvements in callus growth and characteristics. These treatments promoted callus response from an average to an excellent level and improved the color and nature of the callus from yellow to yellow-brown and greenish and from fragile to compact, respectively. The best response was observed in treatments involving 0.20 g/L yeast extract and 90 ug/L CaONPs. Overall, our findings suggest that elicitation with yeast extract and CaONPs can be a useful strategy for promoting the growth, biomass, phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of callus cultures of S. chirata in comparison to wild plant herbal drug samples

Ethnomedicinal and folklore inventory of wild plants used by rural communities of valley Samahni, District Bhimber Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

The current study describes ethnobotanical (EB) and traditional ethnomedicinal (TEMs) uses of medicinal plants (MPs) of Tehsil Samahni area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Indigenous inhabitants of the area mostly reside in remote mountainous areas and depend on wild plants for life necessities and treatment of different diseases. This paper presents first quantitative ethnobotanical study describing the popularity level of MPs in indigenous communities by using relative popularity level (RPL) and rank order of priority (ROP) indices. The data of TEMs and EB uses were collected from 200 interviewees consisting of traditional herbal practioners (110) and farmers (90) from study area using structured and semi-structured interview methodology during year 2019. It was found that illiterate peasants have more knowledge and practice of TEMs than other people. A total of 150 plant species belonging to 58 families with botanical and local names, parts used, mode of recipes preparation, administration mechanism and TEMs uses were documented in systematic manner. It was explored that highest number (7.69%) of plants of Moraceae were used in TEMs and followed by species of Asteraceae (6.29%). The ethnobotanical data was analyzed by using quantitative ethnobotanical tools viz: informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value index (UVI), relative importance of plants (RIP), relative populatiry level (RPL) and rank order of popularity (ROP). The leaf ranked first (36.49%) and fruit 2nd (12.07%) being used in TEMs while prevalent use-form was decoction (29.28%), followed by tea (23.05%) and preferably taken as oral (46.66%). ICF analysis proved that diabetes, hypertension, rabies, snake sting and joint pains were the most prevalent occurring infirmities. The highest RFC (0.95) was found for Acacia modesta, followed by Boerhavia procumbens (RFC:0.87) and Berberis lycium (RFC:0.85). The relative importance of MPs was calculated by using UVI and Moringa oleifera showed highest (1.38), followed by Zanthoxylum armatum (1.25) and Withania somnifera (1.24) use-values. High UVI of plants depicts that these species are predominantly used in local health care system. The plants Phyllanthus emblica, Morus macruora, Justicia adhatoda and Melia azedarach depicted high values (1.00) of FL and RPL proving that these taxa are commonly used in indigenous medicines by local inhabitants and have better potential for drug discovery by ethnopharmacological analysis. Out of total, 26 species had more than 50% ROP index and Phyllanthus emblica and Flacourtia indica (ROP = 100) followed by Morus macruora (ROP: 97) were used to cure 'hypertension and hyperlipidemia' and 'cough, chest infection', respectively. It was found that 30% of total species were previously reported as medicinal while 70% plants were first time reported to be used in TEMs and authenticated by using of quantitative ethnobotanical tools. Ethnopharmacological potential of indigenous plants was confirmed by RIP and RPL indices which had been used to cure one or more body systems and were promulgated in the local herbal medicine system. The research provides clues to screen these plant species by using latest phytochemical and pharmacological analysis for novel drug discovery. This study will also be useful for conservation of bioculture traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and the most important is to conserve medicinal plants of the study area for future generations

Seed Priming with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Raises Biomass Production and Agronomic Profile of Water-Stressed Flax Plants

The current study is a field experiment set out to comprehend significance of the iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles for use as seed priming agents and their subsequent impact in alleviating water stress and improving agronomic profile of flax plants. The experimental layout consisted of a split-plot factorial design with one main plot divided into two subplots corresponding to drought and well-irrigated environment. Each of the subplots was divided into five rows of the flax plants raised from iron oxide primed seeds. The seed priming concentrations were 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm. Seed priming increased stem diameter, stem length, height, fresh weights, and dry weights of plant. The yield attributes, such as number of fruit branches, capsules, seeds per capsule, total fresh and dry stem’s fiber production, were also predominantly improved. The levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were found to decline by 66% and 71%, respectively, upon seed priming, and an enhancement in activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) was also observed by 28%, 56%, and 39%, respectively, documenting the potential of iron oxide particles in mitigating the water stress

Seed Priming with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Raises Biomass Production and Agronomic Profile of Water-Stressed Flax Plants

The current study is a field experiment set out to comprehend significance of the iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles for use as seed priming agents and their subsequent impact in alleviating water stress and improving agronomic profile of flax plants. The experimental layout consisted of a split-plot factorial design with one main plot divided into two subplots corresponding to drought and well-irrigated environment. Each of the subplots was divided into five rows of the flax plants raised from iron oxide primed seeds. The seed priming concentrations were 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm. Seed priming increased stem diameter, stem length, height, fresh weights, and dry weights of plant. The yield attributes, such as number of fruit branches, capsules, seeds per capsule, total fresh and dry stem&rsquo;s fiber production, were also predominantly improved. The levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were found to decline by 66% and 71%, respectively, upon seed priming, and an enhancement in activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) was also observed by 28%, 56%, and 39%, respectively, documenting the potential of iron oxide particles in mitigating the water stress