Drought is among the abiotic stress factors affecting plant growth and development. Bone meal (BM), a by-product of the agri-food sector, is a good option for drought stress mitigation. The present study was conducted through a pot trial to determine the effect of different concentrations of BM on morpho-physio-biochemical traits of wheat under drought stress. Experimental treatments included two levels of drought stress (control and drought stress) and various levels of soil-applied bone meal, i.e., 0, 1, 3, and 5% to wheat plants. The results revealed that the drought stress conditions significantly impacted the performance of the wheat plants. But the different BM levels had a significant positive effect on the growth, biomass, and photosynthetic pigments of the wheat plants. The treatment group (3% BM) showed improvements in leaf area (80.68%), root dry weight (22.22%), shoot dry weight (50.69%), and total chlorophyll content (33.51%). Furthermore, BM at the optimum level significantly modulated enzymatic antioxidants and yield characteristics of the wheat plants under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions compared with the control. However, higher doses of BM caused a decreasing effect on the growth, biomass, and photosynthetic attributes of the wheat plants. Overall, the optimal use of BM (3%) has immense potential as an effective and long-term approach for increasing drought stress tolerance in wheat.
Cenchrus ciliaris L. is a potential forage grass that is widely distributed in saline desert condition across Africa, Australia and Asia. To investigate the physiological and anatomical responses of Cenchrus ciliaris L. to salinity and nickel stress, plants were collected from their natural habitat and planted in the botanical garden of Government Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur, Pakistan in a Completely randomized design (CRD). Upon establishment, the plants were subjected to ten treatments, including different concentrations of salinity and nickel. After 15 days different parameters were studied. The results showed stress induces anatomical changes in the root, stem, and leaf to help organisms adapt to harsh environments. In root, salinity stress generally increased while nickel stress decreased phloem and pericycle area. In stem, salinity increased, whereas nickel decreased the areas of the hypodermis, vascular bundle, and sclerenchyma thickness. In leaf, salinity increased the adaxial epidermis, midrib area, bulliform cell, and sclerenchyma thickness, while nickel decreased the area of the metaxylem vessels, bulliform cells, and sclerenchyma thickness. The effects of combined stress varied based on the interaction between salinity and nickel, sometimes stabilizing the impact of each stress.
The morphological and anatomical responses of Cynodon dactylon growing under five tree species in Lal Suhanra National Park (LSP), Pakistan, were explored, with an open canopied site as the control. Leaf, stem, root and inflorescence characteristics were quantified and leaf, stem and root were analysed under a microscope. Analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, heatmap analysis and principal component analysis were used to evaluate the data. There was variation in responses of canopy species and plant tissues. On average Ziziphus mauritiana favoured the morphological and the leaf anatomical characteristics, while Acacia nilotica favoured the stem development and Syzygium cumini favoured the root anatomical characteristics. But the area of the vascular bundles and root-tissue measurements were decreased by several of the canopy treatments, suggesting possible restrictions. Therefore, the results show that C. dactylon is structurally plastic in response to different tree canopies and that tree canopy species is a key factor in C. dactylon understory growth and anatomical development.
Nanobiology, involving activities at the 1-100 nm size level, has become a key foundation of contemporary biomedical advancement, allowing interaction with the biological system at unprecedented precision compared to previously existing methods. In this review paper, we explore the current status of this field by considering the transition from empirical formulations to mechanisms and AI-based design processes. Important recent developments include stimuli-sensitive "smart" nanocarriers capable of payload release upon exposure to particular pathological conditions, such as pH changes, redox environment, and enzyme activity, and therapeutic diagnostic or theranostic nanoconstructs providing real-time diagnosis and targeted treatment. The article highlights the revolutionary role of nanotechnologies in multiple medical fields and describes examples like the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as mRNA vaccine delivery vehicles, application of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) targeting specific organelles and the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and incorporation of biomimetic scaffolding structures into regenerative medicine. However, despite the promising progress made within the field, an enormous "implementation gap" between basic research and its translation into practice exists and is mainly caused by problems such as difficult host immunogenicity responses, chronic nanotoxicity, and uncontrolled protein corona effects. In conclusion, we provide a forward-looking strategy for the discipline that emphasizes the adoption of sustainable "green" chemistry principles and the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence to optimize structure-property interactions. Nanobiology is positioned to provide responsible, individualized, and high-impact therapeutic solutions for the world’s most difficult diseases by addressing current knowledge gaps in nano-bio interactions and improving translational pipelines.
The presented research work was executed to assess the performance of 80 elite cotton genotypes in the National Coordinated Varietal Trial (NCVT) during 2025–26 under the agroclimatic conditions of the Bahawalpur zone, South Punjab, Pakistan. A significant amount of variability was observed among these cotton varieties in terms of plant height, plant population, boll number/plant, average boll weight (g), and seed cotton yield (kg ha-1). A seed cotton yield range of 546.5-1885.4 kg ha-1 was noted. Genotype code no. 552 produced the highest yield/ha (1885.4 kg ha⁻¹), followed by coded genotype 536 (1858.1 kg ha-1) and genotype 533 (1844.5 kg ha-1). The maximum count of mature bolls/plant was noted in genotype 525 (39.2 bolls/plant), while the top boll weight (g) was observed in the coded genotype 565 (3.4 g/boll). Analysis of correlation indicated positive associations of yield (kg ha-1) with boll weight (g) and final physical plant population. On the contrary, plant height (cm) represented a weak correlation with seed cotton yield. Furthermore, genotypes with cluster fruit bearing and medium height showed higher productivity compared to markedly taller entries. Varieties tagged as 552, 536, 533, 534, 535, and 537 were accredited as competent candidates for marketable producers that can also be incorporated into varietal improvement breeding programs or can be further tested for commercial cultivation in diverse environments.
One of the major challenges in sustainable food development is the effective utilization of waste generated from the fruit and vegetable sector. Pineapple (Ananas comosus) leaves are rich in fiber and are widely utilized for the production of natural fibers. The current research aimed to evaluate the influence of pineapple leaf powder on some hematological parameters and gut microbiota of two potential species, Catla catla and Ctenopharyngodon idella. Pineapple leaves contain bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme known for its beneficial effects on hematological health. Bromelain may influence blood coagulation by enhancing serum fibrinolytic activity. Around 120 fingerlings of both C. idella and C. catla were taken from ponds and divided into experimental and control groups with three replicates each. The control group was fed with basal pelleted commercial feed (Control), whereas the experimental group received feed supplemented with the pineapple leaf powder (PALP) at 2% body weight. After a 2-month trial period, hematological and gut microbiological analyses were conducted, and the data were analyzed using a two-factor factorial design. The results revealed a significant increase in gut microbial count when cultured on nutrient agar (NA) medium in the treatment groups compared with the control groups. Fish fed with PALP showed significantly higher red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) level, and hematocrit (Hct) level, while platelet count (PLT) remained unchanged as compared to the control group of fish. These findings suggest that PALP supplementation can positively modulate gut microbiota and improve hematological health of both cultured fish species, indicating its potential as a sustainable and beneficial additive in aquaculture.
Alcohol-induced toxicity is a significant health concern that can lead to organ damage, including renal impairment. Citronellol has demonstrated several bioactive properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. The study aimed to investigate the ameliorative properties of citronellol against alcohol-induced toxicity in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. The HEK cells were exposed to ethanol to induce cellular toxicity, followed by treatment with different concentrations of citronellol to assess its cytoprotective potential. Cell viability was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and crystal violet (CV) assay. Oxidative stress parameters, including glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were measured. Apoptotic potential was evaluated by assessing the expression levels of CYR61 and p53 proteins. Experiments were conducted in triplicate. Citronellol treatment improved cell viability in the ethanol-exposed HEK cells without causing cytotoxicity. A significant reduction in CYR61 protein expression was observed, while the p53 protein levels showed only a mild elevation. In addition, citronellol treatment did not significantly alter glutathione reductase or SOD activities compared with the control group. Overall, these findings suggest that citronellol confers protective effects against ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in human embryonic kidney cells, potentially by enhancing cell viability, attenuating oxidative stress, and modulating apoptosis-related pathways.
Twenty-five genotypes as germplasm were collected from different sources within the country and field-evaluated at the Nuclear Institute for Food & Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar, for plant type and yield, and related traits in non-replicated trials during 2019 and 2020. Based on an initial evaluation, nine genotypes (NKB-Kenya, NKB-RKBJ-269-Uganda, NCB-Kuram local, NCB-Afghani, NCB-China Bean, NKB-RKB-423-Ukraine, NKB-ERKBJ-470-Ethiopia, NKB-RKB-Argentine, and NKB-RKB-Ethiopia) were identified and selected for further evaluation in replicated yield trials in 2021 and 2022, as well as on kidney bean growers’ fields in Kurram in 2023 and 2024. In the replicated yield trials conducted at NIFA, the candidate genotype ‘NKB-Kenya (NIFA Lobia-25) performed better for grain yield (2,086 kg/ha) as compared to the check variety NIFA Lobia Red-22 (1,836 kg/ha). In the yield trials conducted at Kurram, NKB-Kenya (NIFA Lobia-25) out-yielded (2,044 kg/ha) the standard check (1,867 kg/ha). NKB-Kenya (NIFA Lobia-25) exhibited an average 11.6% yield increase over the check variety. Based on its better performance for yield and other agronomic traits, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Seed Council approved NIFA Lobia-25 for commercial cultivation in Kurram in particular and other kidney bean growing areas of KP in general.
Elevational gradients impose strong environmental constraints that alter plant structure and function. The study was conducted to compare morpho-anatomical variation in Cannabis sativa L. through a strong lowland-highland gradient (120-1770 m a.s.l.) in the Koh-e-Sulaiman region in Pakistan. The high-elevated populations (Fort Munro Lake, Fort Munro Road, and Fort Munro Hills) were of low temperature (6-8 oC), moderate precipitation (245-255 mm), and low soil salinity (ECe 1.21-1.34 dS m-1), and the low-lands populations (Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa Sharif, and Shadan Lund) were of higher temperature (44-48 oC), less rainfall (170-210 mm), and higher salinity level. There were more morphological changes in the lowland populations, with longer root and shoot lengths, more leaves, and greater leaf area, compared with the highland populations, which tended to be shorter. Anatomical observations of ecotypes showed structural changes in plant parts. The plants in the highland exhibited more reinforced protective and regulatory tissues, such as increased cortical and endodermal layers in roots and increased epidermal thickness in the leaves, which showed structural changes towards a colder and fluctuating environment. In contrast, the lowland populations had increased lamina and mesophyll thickness, greater size of the vascular bundles, increased stomata number and size, and increased pith tissues, which caused the increased conductivity of water and its gaseous exchange in warmer and saline conditions. Statistical analyses showed that there is a significant difference in traits along the elevational gradient. These findings indicate strong phenotypic plasticity of C. Sativa in terms of morpho-anatomical adaptations that support the ecological adjustment of the species to both extreme climatic and edaphic conditions of the Koh-e-Sulaiman region.
Elevational gradients form highly effective environmental filters which determine the morphological and internal pathways of plants, leading to adaptive changes in natural populations. Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal is an ecologically and medicinally valuable species commonly growing throughout the Koh-e-Suleiman Highlands of Pakistan, but its altitude-associated adaptive compensations are not well understood. This paper examined morphological and anatomical diversity in the populations of W. coagulans that varied in terms of altitudes with an aim of explaining structural adaptations in the face of environmental differences. Morphological parameters such as root length, plant height, leaf area, and number of leaves per branch had high site-specific variance, with maximum growth performance observed in the Lundi Saidan population and minimum growth performance seen in the Fort Munro Road population due to variation in environmental constraints in terms of altitude and temperature. Root anatomical characteristics, including epiblema thickness, cortical thickness, metaxylem area, endodermal thickness, and root radius, exhibited different patterns of adaptations with respect to efficiency of water uptake and ionic regulation. Stem structural characteristics brought about a variation in epidermal thickness, cortical thickness, vascular tissue, pith area, and stem radius as evidence of mechanical support and internal water storage. Further functional adaptations that were not previously mentioned regarding transpiration regulation and hydraulic conductivity were also revealed by leaf anatomical characteristics such as epidermal thickness, midrib thickness, vascular bundle area, metaxylem area, and stomatal density. The presence of both morphological and anatomical responses suggests a high level of phenotypic plasticity of W. coagulans, which allows populations to maximize growth, regulate water relations, and hence, tolerance to stress conditions along elevation gradients. These results provide new information about the adaptive structural solutions to highland medicinal flora and provide a scientific foundation for conservation planning and habitat-specific culture of W. coagulans in mountainous areas.
Abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures, are the common factors that inhibit the growth of plants. They act against the optimum environmental conditions, posing a threat to global food security with the loss of crop yields in large proportions. One of these is soil and water salinity which is one of the most dominant ecological constraints. This problem is experienced in large portions of the cultivated and irrigated farmland across the globe and also leads to significant agricultural and economic loss. Salinity causes osmotic and ionic stress in plants that results into physiological, anatomical, and morphological adaptation. Whilst sensitive species (glycophytes) perish, halophytes and some resilient grasses develop strategies to endure and flourish including ion homeostasis, compartmentalization, and production of compatible solutes. In this review, a special emphasis in given on the importance of native and salt-tolerant grass species such as Leptochloa fusca, Panicum antidotale, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Lasiurus scindicus, Aeluropus lagopoides, and Ochthochloa compressa showing a high level of resilience due to the multiple tolerance mechanisms. These grasses do not only constitute important parts of arid and semi-arid ecosystems, which serve fodder and habitat purposes, but also have tremendous prospects of phytoremediation and reclamation of saline soils. The knowledge of their adaptive mechanisms can be used to find promising areas of sustainable agricultural methods and restoration of the degraded lands with the increasing salinization.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is a neuropathic disease, mostly inherited in an autosomal recessive form. Primary congenital glaucoma (PGC) is characterized by increased intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage. It is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous eye disorder. To date, four genetic loci are reported to have been linked to PCG, including GLC3A, GLC3B, GLC3C, and GLC3D. The CYP1B1 gene resides in the GLC3A locus on chromosome 2. Mutations in the CYP1B1 gene are linked to PCG. It is most prevalent in countries like Pakistan, where consanguinity is common. Both familial and sporadic forms of PCG are common in Pakistan. This study was undertaken to analyze the mutations in the CYP1B1 gene in the cause of PCG in consanguineous Pakistani families. The CYP1B1 mutations linked to PCG in consanguineous Pakistani families were analyzed from a thorough analysis of the data available to date on Google Scholar, Medline, and PubMed, and were further demonstrated by a pie-chart diagram. The graphical representation of the percent prevalence of these mutations was accessed. A total of 98 missense, frameshift, and nonsense mutations were found. The missense mutation, p.Arg390His, was the most significant, particularly in Punjab, followed by the p.Glu229Lys mutation. In Pakistan, there is a higher prevalence of PCG in consanguineous families. Several mutations in the CYP1B1 gene cause PCG in the Pakistani population, with p.Arg390His being the dominant one. Knowledge of prevalent PCG-causing mutations in a population is useful in establishing prenatal and pre-symptomatic diagnoses for better glaucoma management.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a widely cultivated legume, is valued for its high protein and mineral content. However, its production has been inconsistent in recent years, largely due to biotic and abiotic stresses and limited genetic diversity. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly of iron and zinc, remain a global challenge and are often referred to as “hidden hunger”. The NRAMP (natural resistance- associated macrophage protein) gene family plays a crucial role in the uptake and transport of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn), and contributes significantly to plant responses under heavy metal stress conditions. In this study, a genome-wide analysis was conducted to identify and characterize NRAMP genes in the chickpea genome using bioinformatics approaches. Multiple sequence alignment was performed using the ClustalW method in MEGA 7 to examine conserved residues across NRAMP proteins from Cicer arietinum, Nicotiana attenuata, Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Solanum lycopersicum, and Solanum tuberosum. A total of nine NRAMP genes were identified in chickpea. The phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into five distinct clades. Additionally, physicochemical profiling revealed that Ca-NRAMP6 has the longest protein sequence, while Ca-NRAMP4 has the highest number of exons and introns. Protein interaction analysis indicated that only CaNRAMP 6 has a strong interaction with other proteins.
It is advantageous to use plant chemicals and ethnobotanical techniques while looking into new medications. One essential measure to distinguish the bioactive components of medicinal plants used in formal therapy is to identify the phytochemicals. In this study, 20 traditionally used medicinal plants were taken from Lower Dir, Pakistan. The medicinal plant species were identified and grouped into appropriate families. Standard procedures were used to screen these medicinal plants for the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, phlobatannis, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, and triterpenes. The phytochemical screening of 20 medicinal plant species revealed notable interspecific variation in secondary metabolites. It has been shown that nine different plant species' leaves, the whole plant body of 10 plant species and the flowers of one plant species contained major groups detected, that included alkaloids (57.1%) from 12 plants species, saponins (61.1%) from 13 plant species, tannins (95.2%) from all 20 species, steroids (52.4%) from 11 species, phenols (52.4%) from 11 species, flavonoids (76.2%) from 16 species, terpenoids (81%) from 17 species, triterpenoids (81%) from 17 species, and phlobatannins (42.9%) from 19 species. Tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids were the most widely distributed, while alkaloids and saponins were also prominent in several species. Rich profiles were observed in Chenopodium album, Ficus carica, and Vitex negundo, whereas Justicia adhatoda, Withania somnifera, and Silybum marianum showed bioactive constituents consistent with their reported therapeutic uses. These research findings confirm traditional medicinal healing practices and the pharmacological potency of the studied florist diversity.
Drought stress adversely affects plants throughout their life cycle, from seed germination to full maturity, by impairing metabolic and physio-biochemical processes, ultimately reducing yield. Riboflavin, a water-soluble vitamin, is pivotal in photosynthesis and has been reported to promote growth and stress resistance in plants. To evaluate the efficacy of riboflavin in mitigating drought-induced adversaries, a trial was carried out on two Brassica napus L. (canola) cultivars, Super and TM, in two different water levels: 100% (well-watered) and 60% (drought-stressed) soil field capacity. Each treatment was replicated three times. Seeds were pre-soaked in a 100 µM riboflavin solution for 14 hours before sowing, and foliar application was applied after a 30-day drought period. Water deficit stress was imposed 15 days after germination and maintained for 30 days, and plants were collected after 15 days to determine morphological and physio-biochemical parameters. Drought stress significantly suppressed leaf area, and shoot and root biomass of both canola cultivars; it also markedly decreased the levels of chlorophyll (a, b, and total). In contrast, under drought conditions, there was a rise in relative membrane permeability, chlorophyll a/b ratio, levels of H₂O₂, MDA, glycine betaine, total soluble proteins, ascorbic acid, and the activities of various antioxidant enzymes. Exogenous application of riboflavin, both as pre-sowing and foliar treatment, mitigated the harmful effects of water deficit by enhancing plant biomass, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents. Additionally, riboflavin increased total phenolic content, relative water content (RWC), and the activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes. Between both canola cultivars, cv. Super exhibited greater drought tolerance than cv. TM. Overall, the beneficial effects of riboflavin on canola growth under drought stress appear to be associated with improved osmoprotectant accumulation and strengthened antioxidant defense mechanisms.
The bryophytes of Pakistan are poorly explored, particularly in high altitude regions of the Karakoram ranges. In the present study, extensive field surveys were conducted in Hunza, Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, from 2013-2017. The study deals with the taxonomic studies, particularly of the family Encalyptaceae. A total of six species were identified, belonging to the genus Encalypta within the elevation range of 2500 to 4100 m above sea level. Among these, Encalypta cilliata and E. spathulata were recorded for the first time from Pakistan. The relevant keys, description, currently known geographic distribution, color plates, location map, and precise ecological attributes in relation to habitat have been provided for each species. Consequently, the known diversity of Encalyptaceae in the country expanded to eight species, which underscores the significance of the Karakoram as a center of bryophyte diversity. Further surveys in remote valleys and higher altitudes are recommended to achieve a more comprehensive account of the national Bryoflora.
An exotic mungbean genotype ‘V2802’ acquired from the World Vegetable Center (WVC) was hybridized with the Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV) tolerant variety ‘Ramzan’ in spring 2012 at the Nuclear Institute for Food & Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar, Pakistan. The F1 generation was raised in spring 2013, whereas F2-F6 populations were planted during the Kharif (Summer to Monsoon) seasons 2013-2017. Single plants/progenies’ selections were based on specific criteria, i.e., green seed color, better plant type, higher grain yield, and MYMV tolerance. A best-performing progeny, NFM-103-30 (NIFA Mung-25), was selected and evaluated in replicated yield trials at NIFA, various locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and in the National Uniform Yield Trials (NUYTs) across Pakistan during 2018–2023. At NIFA and other locations of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, NFM-103-30 (NIFA Mung-25) outperformed the check varieties, producing the highest average yield of 2,062 kg ha-1 compared to the check varieties Ramzan (1,768 kg ha-1), AZRI Mung-18 (1,698 kg ha-1), and NIFA Mung-19 (1,757 kg ha-1), with an average yield increase of 23.2%. In NUYTs conducted in 2022, NFM-103-30 (NIFA Mung-25) produced the highest mean yield of 1,323 kg ha-1 against the national check variety AZRI Mung Jumbo (1,267 kg ha-1) across KP. Similarly, during evaluation in NUYT-2023, NFM-103-30 (NIFA Mung-25) produced a grain yield of 1,207 kg ha-1, out-yielding the check variety NIAB Mung-2021 (1,010 kg ha-1). The candidate genotype/line also showed resistance to MYMV under field conditions. Based on its excellent performance in terms of grain yield across KP, the KP Seed Council approved NIFA Mung-25 as a new commercial mungbean variety for general cultivation in KP on August 6, 2025.
This study aims to evaluate the anatomical adaptive strategies of Antirrhinum majus under cadmium (Cd) toxicity in the presence of exogenous gallic acid (GA). The experiment was designed as a CRD (completely randomized design) to assess the morphological and anatomical traits under different concentrations of Cd toxicity (0 mM, 20 mM, 40 mM, 60 mM, and 80 mM) along with two levels of GA (10 mM and 20 mM). It was hypothesized that A. majus developed structural adaptations to overcome Cd stress with exogenous GA. Morpho-anatomical attributes of A. majus were negatively affected due to Cd toxicity by disrupting nutrient uptake, inducing oxidative damage, inhibiting photosynthesis, and altering tissue structure. The results of this study showed that at 80 mM Cd, root length was reduced by 44%, and a 22% decline was assessed in shoot length. A decrease was observed in plant height by 57%, leaf area by 42%, and dry weight by 77% in the 80 mM Cd compared to the control group. Gallic acid at 10 mM improved growth attributes under Cd stress, and 20 mM GA offered the maximum resistance. Plant height, leaf area, and biomass were improved, and they followed similar trends. Anatomical parameters were also adversely affected under Cd stress. At 80 mM Cd, maximum reductions were noted in the thicknesses of epidermis (36%), cortex (22%), xylem (12%), phloem (79%), and pith (14%) compared to the control group. Conclusively, Cd stress alone severely impaired snapdragon’s morphology and anatomical structures, whereas 20 mM gallic acid application mitigated these adverse effects.
The freshwater shortage and increased domestic effluents have led the farmers to utilize untreated sewage water for irrigation, owing to population growth and urbanization in Pakistan. Though sewage water contains essential plant nutrients, it is also a foremost source of metal contamination within the food chain. This study aimed to compare heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cr) contamination in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) grown in soils irrigated with sewage water, tube well water, and canal water in Sillanwali and Sargodha of Punjab, Pakistan. The areas were evaluated for heavy metal contamination using soil quality indices, including contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), estimated daily intake (EDI), and hazard quotient (HQ), which were duly computed for the collected samples. The physicochemical properties of the soil and water samples were also analyzed. The results indicated that the sewage-irrigated areas are more vulnerable to risk concerning metal contamination than those located along canals. Metal concentrations in sewage-irrigated areas were significantly higher in the edible parts of the vegetables; sewage water contained and transferred more metals than canal water; hence, it poses increased health and ecological risks. Peak concentrations were observed at site SW1 (sewage water, site 1) and were the lowest at site TW2 (tube well water irrigation, site 2). Since all metal index values fell below 1, it shows that all metal concentrations were within permissible limits.
Carassius auratus and Catla catla are polyculture species where growth and intensification have adverse effects on water quality, raising the risk of infection and disease prevalence. Due to these factors, the survival rate of farm fish is reduced. The demand for aquaculture continues to rise with human population growth, emphasizing the importance of well-formulated feeds in aquaculture success. High-quality feed can be prepared using industrial byproducts. It leads to minimizing feed expense, controlling disease outbreaks, and increasing net profit. This research work was conducted to study the impact of banana peel and cocoa husk on growth, microbial community, and pigmentation in C. catla and C. auratus. For this purpose, 30 specimens each of C. catla and C. auratus were randomly assigned to three groups: control (T0) and experimental (T1 and T2). T0 received commercial feed, whereas T1 and T2 were fed banana peel and cocoa husk diets at 2% body weight, respectively. For statistical analysis, a 2-factor factorial under CRD was performed. In the experimental group, length, weight, and specific growth rate (SGR) were non-significant between the species, but showed significant differences compared to the control group. In comparison to the control group, the bacterial count and pigmentation in the experimental group were significant. Because of their carotenoids and antioxidant qualities, banana peel and cocoa husk increased both species' immunological responses and pigmentation. Finally, integrating banana peel and cocoa husk into the diet of C. auratus and C. catla holds potential benefits in terms of reducing intestinal microorganisms, improving growth, and enhancing pigmentation of the fish species.
