Ijaz Rasool Noorka

Risk assessment of heavy metal and metalloid toxicity through a contaminated vegetable (Cucurbita maxima) from wastewater irrigated area: A case study for a site-specific risk assessment in Jhang, Pakistan

ABSTRACT The present research was conducted in district Jhang, Pakistan, to evaluate the concentration of metals/metalloids in soil and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) irrigated with domestic wastewater. Data revealed that the levels of metals and metalloids in soil samples from two different sites were below the safe limits except Cd, whereas, in the vegetable, the concentrations of As, Se, Ni, Mo, Pb, Mn, and Cu were above the safe limits. The levels of 12 metals and metalloids in the soil were ranged between 0.14 to 22.76 mg/kg at site-I and 0.16 to 22.13 mg/kg at site-II. The levels of these metals in the vegetable were found 0.35 to 61.13 mg/kg at site-I and 0.31 to 53.63 mg/kg at site-II. The transfer factor at both sites was highest for As and Co. The pollution load index recorded for Se, Cu, Cd, Mo, Pb, and Co was greater than 1. The daily intake of As, Mn, and Mo was above the oral reference dose, which reflects that the intake of pumpkin is not safe for the inhabitants of the selected sites. The control measures should be taken to phytoextract heavy metals and metalloids from polluted sites so as to reduce the health risks.

Biomass Partitioning and Genetic Analyses of Salinity Tolerance in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Biomass partitioning was studied in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) inbred lines and their hybrids differing in salinity resistance. Differential biomass partitioning was observed among resistant and susceptible lines as well as within resistant lines, which were grown in large pots. Traits such as number of dead leaves and total number of nodes may be used as dominant markers for understanding the mechanism of resistance to salinity. Multi-location trials differing for salinity levels showed low and non-significant heritabilities across the environment for biochemical traits showing their sensitivity to the environment and a significant G X E interaction. Thus selection could only possible within the salinity level for these traits. Contrastingly, morphological traits such as number of nodes showed significant heritabilities (narrow or broad sense) across the environment. These traits may be exploited by the selection of inbred lines across or with salinity levels. Among various salinity levels, 12 dSm−1 was found to be feasible for screening and selection as it promoted the additive type of gene action.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals and metalloids via dietary intake of a potential vegetable (Coriandrum sativum L.) grown in contaminated water irrigated agricultural sites of Sargodha, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Levels of Mo, As, Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb were determined in a vegetable commonly consumed in Pakistan. Samples were collected from three different sites (Ratokala, Phularwan, and Mailowal) supplied with three different water sources. Mo and Pb in water and Mo and As in C. sativum were higher than the suggested standards at the international level. Lower bioconcentration factor and pollution load index were seen at Site-I than at other sites. A positive association was found between the rhizosphere metals and those of the vegetable at all three sites. Enrichment factor at three sites ranged from 0.28 to 10.39. The highest value of daily intake of metals was found for Fe (0.245 mg/kg/day) and of the health risk index for As (70.41) at the wastewater inundated site. It is inferred that uptake of Mo, As, Cu, Ni, and Pb through C. sativum represents a high health danger to the individuals using this vegetable.

Sustainable Rural Development and Participatory Approach by On-Farm Water Management Techniques

Food security is a human right and represents a serious threat to humankind, originating as it does from a worsening shortage of irrigation water. The sustainability of rural development is purely subjected to ethnic, gender and racial discrimination. The present study takes a look at the On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) programme, a participatory approach providing technical know-how and capital shares for watercourse construction, and improving the capacity building and empowerment of farmers to help them combat poverty and become socially mobile. Mapping, designing and watercourse improvement are contributed by the government, while farmers are obligated to pay their share in the form of labour. Local farmers have the necessary know-how about the field geographical area, raw material, procurement and local customs. During the course of this study, four Tehsils of the district of Faisalabad, Pakistan, were chosen as experimental units. The project conclusion resulted in 33% more water being saved by improved watercourses. About 25% arid area was brought under cultivation by saving irrigation water as well as generating 30% more employment. Overall, 50% of the economic situation was improved in rural areas, which is really a great step forward in achieving sustained rural development.

Risk assessment of heavy metal toxicity through contaminated vegetable from sewage water: Implications for populace health

ABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the levels of metals and metalloids in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) irrigated with city wastewater. Soil and vegetable samples from two different sites irrigated with wastewater were wet-digested and analyzed. Arsenic (As) was found higher at both sites and Cr was many-fold lower at both sampling sites. Among all heavy metals, Mn and Zn were abundant. Highest value of coefficient factor was found for Cr and the lowest for Cd. The high transfer value was recorded for Cu at site-I and for Ni at site-II. Copper and Se showed negative and significant correlations between soil and vegetable, whereas Mn, Zn, As, Cd, Cr, and Ni showed positive but non-significant correlations. Pollution load index in this vegetable was found to be higher for Cd and lower for Cu. Health risk index at site-I was in the order of As > Mn > Mo > Pb > Cd > Ni > Zn > Se > Fe > Co > Cr > Cu, whereas the same order was observed at site-II of the sampling locations. Thus, the health risks of metals through ingestion of vegetables were of great concern in the study area.

Contamination of soil and carrots irrigated with different sources of water in Punjab, Pakistan

High levels of heavy metals in the vegetables are seriously influencing the ecosystem as well as causing many health glitches. Due to many factors like, discharge of untreated industrial effluent, mine tailing, fertilizer application and irrigation with different water sources, the levels of heavy metals increased in soils which further transferred in biological systems. The present study was designed to access bioconcentration of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, and Pb in soils and vegetables (carrots) irrigated with wastewater in Punjab, Pakistan. Result of the study showed that at both study sites concentrations of As and Cd were above the permissible maximum limits (PML). Similarly, concentrations of Mn, Ni, Mo, Cd, and Pb in the vegetable samples of both study sites were higher than maximum permissible limits. Overall, the accumulation of metals (Mn, Ni, Mo, Cd, and Pb) observed in carrots as well as in the soil was beyond the permissible limit that may cause human health disorders for their consumers.

Estimation of Heterosis, Heterobeltiosis and Potence Ratio Over Environments Among Pre and Post Green Revolution Spring wheat in Pakistan

Abstract: Globally wheat trade has a major and impacting role in political and economic relationships between nations. Twelve pre-green revolution and post green revolution wheat genotypes viz., Sehr-06, Pasban-90, C-273, Pari-73, SA-42, Fsd-08, Chenab-70, Blue Silver, Lasani-08, Pak-81, Uqab-2000, and Pothowar-73 and their direct and reciprocal crosses were evaluated. The study concluded significant differences and highest values in heterosis, heterobeltiosis and potence ratio were found among genotypes and their cross combinations for pollen viability (Sehr-06 × Blue Silver), flag leaf area (SA-42 × Fsd-08), number of grains per spike (Pak-81× Lasani-08) and grain yield plant -1 (Chenab-70 × Fsd-08). Under changing climatic condition and limited water provision an amalgamation of pre-green revolution and post green revolution may provide a genetic diversity to break the stagnant yield barrier to ensure food security.

Assessment of Trace Metal and Metalloid Accumulation and Human Health Risk from Vegetables Consumption through Spinach and Coriander Specimens Irrigated with Wastewater

This study focused on evaluating the metal and metalloid contamination and associated risks in the two vegetables crops, coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) treated with three water regimes, canal water, groundwater and municipal wastewater. These vegetables are widely consumed by people and are also used in traditional medicine for treating various disorders. Metal and metalloid accumulation (Zn, Pb, Se, Cu, As, Mo, Fe, Ni) was found higher in vegetables treated with wastewater. Wastewater treated soil had high pollution load index. Fe, Zn, As and Pb had higher values in water, soil and vegetables as compared to other studied metals. Overall, metal correlation for soil and vegetables was significant and positive except for Fe and Cu in spinach. The highest value for daily metal intake was estimated for Fe while Se had the lowest value for the same index. It was thus concluded that trace metal and metalloid accumulation was a major health concern for the public consuming these vegetables.

Performance of Raised Beds and Conventional Planting Method for Wheat ( Triticum Aestivum L.) Cultivation in Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistani farmers have adopted an over century old flat sowing conventional planting system. There exist other planting systems which are not common in Pakistan. In order to meet food demand of growing population in Pakistan there is a great need to explore alternate planting systems for better crop production and to improve livelihood of the poor farmers. In an effort of such exploration an experiment was conducted to study the effects of planting methods for varieties of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for grain yield and yield components. Experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications to compare the planting methods viz., raised bed and conventional planting method. The results revealed significant effect of planting methods on yield and yield contributing characters. Interactions between planting methods and varieties were also significant for some of the yield components. The mean grain yield (2.95 t ha−1) in raised bed planting method was 4 % higher than conventional flat sowing planting method (2.42 t ha−1), however, the variety V1 produced the highest grain yield (2.51 t ha−1) with raised bed planting method, and variety V3 produced the lowest (1.26 t ha−1) with flat planting method. All the yield components were significantly influenced by cultivars. Among the varieties, V1 was the best performer in bed planting system owing to desired yield components. It may be concluded that bed planting method is most suitable for wheat in irrigated area when appropriate genotypes are used. Among other factors, it is believed that the raised bed technology may improve wheat yield. The experiment also revealed that the raised bed planting method may be less susceptible to adversities of climate change because it portrays better ability to plant roots anchorage on beds, ability to withstand water stress and may help to conserve genetic resources via the promising genotype of Inqilab-91. It is recommended this genotype be further assessed in future research programmes to further improve its yield performance, thereby promoting food security in Pakistan.

Prospects of Inducing Resistance in Fodder Species against Toxic Ions and Metals

ABSTRACT Experiments were carried out with various salts and their combinations to ascertain the impact of these salts on seedling traits of fodder species and to identify tolerant species. Length-based traits showed a repressed effect, whereas weight-based traits were increased under salt stress. Furthermore, accumulation of Na+, Ca2+, and Cl− ions and metals (Cu2+, Fe2+, and Al3+) increased in various organs of seedlings due to various salt treatments. Contrastingly, K+, K+/Na+, and Ca2+/Cl− decreased, showing priority for specific salts. Seedling traits, such as shoot length sensitivity and shoot biomass, provide an effective mean of selection for tolerant or susceptible genotypes. Diverse types of tolerance mechanisms were present in cultivars to detoxify the effect of ions and metals. Cultivars that showed low susceptibility index, high shoot biomass, and high metal concentration were salt includers and could be utilized for bioremediation of the affected areas, whereas tolerant cultivars that showed low susceptibility index, metals concentration, and comparable shoot biomass to that of the control were salt excluders and could be utilized for fodder purposes.