Bio-methane Production from Sorghum Elite Lines under the Climatic Conditions of Pakistan

Fossil foils are depleting dramatically to meet the ever blooming energy demands. Plant biomass is a best source of renewable energy which can be used for bio-fuel production in order to meet the energy demands. Therefore, this study was conducted for two consecutive years 2016 and 2017 to screen out best lines of sorghum for biomass yield, chemical composition and bio-methane yield. The results revealed that tested lines had differential responses for biomass yield, biomass quality and methane yield. Line 5018, performed remarkably and produced maximum leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD) and crop growth rate (CGR) followed by L-6024 whereas the minimum LAI, LAD and CGR were recorded for L-5025. Maximum plant height, leaves per plant and dry matter yield ha-1 was observed in L-5018, whereas the minimum plant height leaves per plant and dry matter yield ha-1 was recorded in L-5025. Likewise, L-5018 also had maximum protein content, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, lignin content and ash content whereas the L-1914 had the minimum values for these parameters amongst the tested li- nes. In addition, L-1914 produced maximum specific yield, however, L-5018 produced maximum methane yield ha-1 owing to higher dry matter yield ha-1. The results of this study suggested that L-5018 can be used to develop high biomass cultivars with good methane yield potential

Mulberry based zinc nano-particles mitigate salinity induced toxic effects and improve the grain yield and zinc bio-fortification of wheat by improving antioxidant activities, photosynthetic performance, and accumulation of osmolytes and hormones

Salinity stress (SS) is a challenging abiotic stress that limits crop growth and productivity. Sustainable and cost effective methods are needed to improve crop production and decrease the deleterious impacts of SS. Zinc (Zn) nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as an important approach to regulating plant tolerance against SS. However, the mechanisms of SS tolerance mediated by Zn-NPs are not fully explained. Thus, this study was performed to explore the role of Zn-NPs (seed priming and foliar spray) in reducing the deleterious impacts of SS on wheat plants. The study comprised different SS levels: control, 6 and 12 dS m−1, and different Zn-NPs treatments: control, seed priming (40 ppm), foliar spray (20 ppm), and their combination. Salinity stress markedly reduced plant growth, biomass, and grain yield. This was associated with enhanced electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl) accumulation, reduced photosynthetic pigments, relative water contents (RWC), photosyntetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomata conductance (Gs), water use efficiency (WUE), free amino acids (FAA), total soluble protein (TSP), indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), and nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, N, and P). However, the application of Zn-NPs significantly improved the yield of the wheat crop, which was associated with reduced abscisic acid (ABA), MDA, H2O2 concentration, and EL, owing to improved antioxidant activities, and an increase in RWC, Pn, Tr, WUE, and the accumulation of osmoregulating compounds (proline, soluble sugars, TSP, and FAA) and hormones (GA and IAA). Furthermore, Zn-NPs contrasted the salinity-induced uptake of toxic ions (Na and Cl) and increased the uptake of Ca, K, Mg, N, and P. Additionally, Zn-NPs application substantially increased the wheat grain Zn bio-fortification. Our results support previous findings on the role of Zn-NPs in wheat growth, yield, and grain Zn bio-fortification, demonstrating that beneficial effects are obtained under normal as well as adverse conditions, thanks to improved physiological activity and the accumulation of useful compounds. This sets the premise for general use of Zn-NPs in wheat, to which aim more experimental evidence is intensively being sought. Further studies are needed at the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic level to better acknowledge the mechanisms of general physiological enhancement observed with Zn-NPs application

Melatonin Induced Cold Tolerance in Plants: Physiological and Molecular Responses

Cold stress is one of the most limiting factors for plant growth and development. Cold stress adversely affects plant physiology, molecular and biochemical processes by determining oxidative stress, poor nutrient and water uptake, disorganization of cellular membranes and reduced photosynthetic efficiency. Therefore, to recover impaired plant functions under cold stress, the application of bio-stimulants can be considered a suitable approach. Melatonin (MT) is a critical bio-stimulant that has often shown to enhance plant performance under cold stress. Melatonin application improved plant growth and tolerance to cold stress by maintaining membrane integrity, plant water content, stomatal opening, photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient and water uptake, redox homeostasis, accumulation of osmolytes, hormones and secondary metabolites, and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through improved antioxidant activities and increase in expression of stress-responsive genes. Thus, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of MT induced cold tolerance and identify the diverse research gaps necessitating to be addressed in future research programs. This review discusses MT involvement in the control of various physiological and molecular responses for inducing cold tolerance. We also shed light on engineering MT biosynthesis for improving the cold tolerance in plants. Moreover, we highlighted areas where future research is needed to make MT a vital antioxidant conferring cold tolerance to plants

Machine learning and blockchain technologies for cybersecurity in connected vehicles

Future connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) must be secured againstcyberattacks for their everyday functions on the road so that safety of passengersand vehicles can be ensured. This article presents a holistic review of cybersecurityattacks on sensors and threats regardingmulti-modal sensor fusion. A compre-hensive review of cyberattacks on intra-vehicle and inter-vehicle communicationsis presented afterward. Besides the analysis of conventional cybersecurity threatsand countermeasures for CAV systems,a detailed review of modern machinelearning, federated learning, and blockchain approach is also conducted to safe-guard CAVs. Machine learning and data mining-aided intrusion detection systemsand other countermeasures dealing with these challenges are elaborated at theend of the related section. In the last section, research challenges and future direc-tions are identified

Mitigation of Cadmium Induced Oxidative Stress by Using Organic Amendments to Improve the Growth and Yield of Mash Beans [Vigna mungo (L.)]

Cadmium (Cd) stress is a serious environmental hazard that has devastating impacts on plant growth and productivity. Moreover, the entrance of Cd into the human food chain by eating Cd-contaminated food also poses serious health issues. Organic amendments (OA) possess an excellent potential to reduce the adverse impacts of Cd stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the potential of different OA in improving the mash beans growth and yield grown under Cd-contaminated soil. The soil was spiked with different concentrations of Cd (0, 10 and 20 mg/kg) and subjected to different OA, i.e., control, cow manure (5%), sugarcane press mud (5%) and a combination of cow manure (2.5%) and sugarcane press mud (2.5%). Results indicated that Cd stress induced a significant reduction in growth and yield traits, leaf water status, photosynthetic pigments, protein accumulation and anti-oxidant activities. However, the application of OA appreciably reduced the Cd-induced toxic effects and caused a significant increase in growth and yield. The application of 5% sugarcane press mud remained the top performer and it increased the mash bean growth and yield through improved photosynthetic pigments, leaf water status (56%) and reduced Cd uptake (18%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production (38.52%), electrolyte leakage (EL) (42.13%) malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation (55.88%) and increased accumulation of soluble protein (60.15%) and free amino acids (54%) through improved activities of anti-oxidant enzymes. Therefore, these findings suggested that the application of sugarcane press mud enhanced the growth and yield through reduced Cd accumulation, enhanced photosynthetic pigments, leaf water status, protein and amino accumulation and reduced H2O2, EL and MDA accumulation through a stronger anti-oxidant defense system

PGPR Inoculated-Seed Increases the Productivity of Forage Sorghum under Fertilized Conditions

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are used for seed inoculation. This study was carried out to determine the influence of seed inoculation with PGPR and different nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels on the productivity and quality of fodder sorghum. The study was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) under factorial arrangement at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during, 2014. The experiment composed of N and P levels such as 0%, 50%, 75% and 100% of recommended doses ha-1 and seed inoculation with PGPR1 (Azotobacter brasilense+Pseudomonas fluorescens) and PGPR2 (Azotobacter chroococcum+Pseudomonas flurescens) with un-inoculated seeds as control. The results revealed that application of N and P, and seed inoculation appreciably increased the productivity and quality of sorghum. Maximum green fodder yield (63.12 t ha-1), dry matter yield (14.51 t ha-1), crude protein (11.02%) and ash contents (8.97%) were recorded with recommended dose of NP. Regarding seed inoculation maximum green fodder yield (62.40 t ha-1), dry matter yield (14.09 t ha-1), crude protein (10.59%) and ash contents (9.07%) were recorded with PGPR1. In conclusion, application of recommended dose of NP and seed inoculation with PGPR1 significantly improved the forage productivity and quality of sorghum

PGPR Inoculated-Seed Increases the Productivity of Forage Sorghum under Fertilized Conditions

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are used for seed inoculation. This study was carried out to determine the influence of seed inoculation with PGPR and different nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels on the productivity and quality of fodder sorghum. The study was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) under factorial arrangement at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during, 2014. The experiment composed of N and P levels such as 0%, 50%, 75% and 100% of recommended doses ha-1 and seed inoculation with PGPR1 (Azotobacter brasilense+Pseudomonas fluorescens) and PGPR2 (Azotobacter chroococcum+Pseudomonas flurescens) with un-inoculated seeds as control. The results revealed that application of N and P, and seed inoculation appreciably increased the productivity and quality of sorghum. Maximum green fodder yield (63.12 t ha-1), dry matter yield (14.51 t ha-1), crude protein (11.02%) and ash contents (8.97%) were recorded with recommended dose of NP. Regarding seed inoculation maximum green fodder yield (62.40 t ha-1), dry matter yield (14.09 t ha-1), crude protein (10.59%) and ash contents (9.07%) were recorded with PGPR1. In conclusion, application of recommended dose of NP and seed inoculation with PGPR1 significantly improved the forage productivity and quality of sorghum

Composted Sugarcane By\u2011product Press Mud Cake Supports Wheat Growth and Improves Soil Properties

Restoring soil fertility is essential to sustain crop production in order to meet the needs of the ever-blooming population. In this light, the present investigation was carried on the same soil for two consecutive years (2014-15 and 2015-16) in Punjab, Pakistan, to determine the influence of press mud compost (PMC) and mineral fertilizers (NPK) on wheat growth, yield and soil properties. The experiment was composed of an unfertilized control and five inter-exchanging combinations of NPK and PMC (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100). 100% PMC (900 kg ha-1) was intermediate in wheat growth and yield between unfertilized and 100% NPK, this latter being the recommended dose of mineral nutrients (120, 100 and 60 kg ha-1 of the respective N, P2O5, and K2O). The 50:50 combinations of NPK and PMC determined the best growth and final yield (+19% vs. 100% NPK), despite an approximately 40% lower nutrient supply with respect to 100% NPK. Soils traits bulk density, pH, organic matter, total N, and available nutrients P and K significantly improved with 100% PMC. Based on the ANOVA, the 50:50 combinations of NPK and PMC was no worse than 100% PMC in bulk density, available P and K, and it was a good compromise between 100% NPK and 100% PMC in organic matter content. Therefore, conjunctive use of PMC and NPK fertilizers appeared a good choice to improve wheat productivity and soil properties. Additionally, the use of PMC will lower the reliance on mineral fertilizers while restoring soil fertility and assuring environmental protection

Forage Yield and Quality of Sweet Sorghum as Influenced by Sowing Methods and Harvesting Times

Sowing methods and harvesting times are the important management considerations for getting the optimum yield and quality of fodder crops. This study, investigated the influence of sowing methods and harvesting times on the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. Chinese sweet sorghum was grown by broadcast method, 30 cm apart lines and 45 cm apart lines and harvested after 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing, respectively. All the tested sowing patterns and harvesting times considerably affected the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. However, sowing in 30 cm apart rows produced maximum leaves per plant (13.09), fresh forage yield (38.1 t ha-1), dry matter yield (4.85 t ha-1), crude proteins (8.9%), ash contents (11%) and sugar contents (12.8%), respectively. Similarly, harvesting after 90 days of sowing gave highest leaves per plant (14.72), fresh forage yield (45.1 t ha-1), dry matter yield (5.60 t ha-1), ash contents (12.2%) and sugar contents (14.1%), respectively. These results suggested that sowing in 30 cm apart lines and harvesting after 90 days of sowing improved the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum under the semiarid region of Faisalabad

Forage Yield and Quality of Sweet Sorghum as Influenced by Sowing Methods and Harvesting Times

Sowing methods and harvesting times are the important management considerations for getting the optimum yield and quality of fodder crops. This study, investigated the influence of sowing methods and harvesting times on the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. Chinese sweet sorghum was grown by broadcast method, 30 cm apart lines and 45 cm apart lines and harvested after 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing, respectively. All the tested sowing patterns and harvesting times considerably affected the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. However, sowing in 30 cm apart rows produced maximum leaves per plant (13.09), fresh forage yield (38.1 t ha-1), dry matter yield (4.85 t ha-1), crude proteins (8.9%), ash contents (11%) and sugar contents (12.8%), respectively. Similarly, harvesting after 90 days of sowing gave highest leaves per plant (14.72), fresh forage yield (45.1 t ha-1), dry matter yield (5.60 t ha-1), ash contents (12.2%) and sugar contents (14.1%), respectively. These results suggested that sowing in 30 cm apart lines and harvesting after 90 days of sowing improved the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum under the semiarid region of Faisalabad