Uzma Younis

Drought impact on Pb/Cd toxicity remediated by biochar in Brassica campestris.

Heavy metals toxicity in the human being is creating an alarming condition in the world. Not only are these metals largely effecting the growth of many plants but also the consumer’s health. In sector of agriculture for many years Pakistan is facing the reduction in availability of edible oil. The demand is fulfilled by importation by spending huge cost. Brassica campestris L. is very important oil seed crop of Pakistan that is providing 31% of total oil seed production in Pakistan. But due to toxicity of metals like Cd and Pb its growth and yield is decreasing. Keeping in view the importance of Brassica campestris L. in Pakistan an experiment was conducted using Pollutary manure biochar as a reclaiming agent for heavy metals and an amendment as drought stress reducer to check the improvement in yield of Brassica campestris L. It is found that biochar application not only gave positive correlation in immobilization of Pb and Cd but also improves the plants growth and yield. Enhancements in the Photosynthetic and Accessory pigments are observed regarding good vegetative growth. Thus biochar can be utilized in reducing the metals uptake as well as growth promoter.

Biometric and biochemical attributes of alfalfa seedlings as indicators of stress induced by excessive cadmium

Abstract The biometric and biochemical attributes of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) seedlings were studied after their exposure to 0-120 μM cadmium for 28 days using hydroponic culture. The growth, photosynthetic area and pigment contents (chlorophyll a, b and total) declined significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) in the presence of high cadmium concentrations (90 and 120 μM). A steady increase in lipid peroxidation assessed via MDA production was observed with increasing levels of cadmium. Cadmium uptake by the plant tissues was concentration dependent. The roots accumulated 1020 µg g-1 of cadmium which was two folds than leaves. An enhanced production up to 600 µg g -1 of proline was observed at higher levels of cadmium. Though, cadmium toxicity was expressed in terms of decline in growth variables, chlorophyll content and oxidative damage but restricted transfer of the metal to the aerial tissue and greater production of proline in response to higher metal content seems to alleviate cadmium toxicity. Thus, ability of alfalfa plants to tolerate high cadmium concentrations can be a manifestation of effective defensive mechanism derived from differential accumulation of metal in plant tissues in addition to enhanced production of proline.

Biochar affects growth and biochemical activities of fenugreek ( Trigonella corniculata ) in cadmium polluted soil

Cadmium (Cd) has no defined biological role and may enter the food chain from polluted soils. Biochar has been proposed as an organic amendment to minimize the toxic effects of Cd for plants grown on contaminated soils. In this study, biometric and biochemical attributes of fenugreek (Trigonella corniculata) grown on artificially cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg Cd/kg soil) at three levels of cotton-sticks derived biochar (CSB; 0, 3 and 5 %) were studied. Data show significant decline in the growth, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total, carotenoids, anthocyanin and lycopene), and physiological attributes (sub-stomatal CO2 concentrations, photosynthetic and transpiration rate) in the presence of high Cd concentrations (50 and 100 mg Cd/kg soil). However, the decline was reduced in the presence of CSB. A steady amplification in lipid peroxidation (assessed via Malondialdihyde (MDA)) and ascorbic-acid assembly was noted with increasing Cd. The concentration of Cd in the root and shoot also decreased with increasing CSB application rates from 3 % - 5 %. Overall, the greater production of protein, amino acids and sugar contents in response to higher application rates of CSB seems to be due to alleviation in Cd toxicity. Thus, cotton-sticks can be safely utilized in the form of biochar as amendment with additional benefit of reducing Cd bioavailability and toxicity to crop plants.

Dust Interception Capacity And Alteration Of Various Biometric And Biochemical Attributes In Cultivated Population Of Ficus Carica L.

The dust accumulation capacity of Ficus carica L. was evaluated from eight different sites in and around Multan. The impact of dust accumulation was observed via various biometric attributes (leaf area, leaf fresh and dry weights) and biochemical attributes (chlorophyll contents, carotenoids & ascorbic acid) from leaves of F. carica. The maximum dust accumulation was occurred in the plants growing at Road sides while, the minimum dust was found on plants growing at Bahauddin Zakariya University. Dust accumulation has caused a significant effect on almost all foliage and biochemical attributes of F. carica. A positive correlation was found between dust accumulation and biometric attributes in F. carica. Biochemical responses had shown an inconsistency as chlorophylls (a, b & total), carotenoids decreased and ascorbic acid contents increased with an increase in dust accumulation. A negative correlation was found between dust deposition and chlorophyll contents. Whereas, accumulation of ascorbic acid was associated with

Changes in Growth and Photosynthetic Attributes of Zea Mays Cultivars (Fh 810 & Yousaf Wala) In Response to Copper Stress

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of copper stress on FH 810 and Yousaf wala cultivars of Zea mays. From the study it is cleared that high concentrations of copper had negative effect on growth and photosynthetic attributes of both cultivars, as growth of plant decreased with increasing copper levels, same is the case with chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. FH 810 was more tolerant to copper stress than Yousaf wala cultivar. So, it is recommended that at high copper stress levels cultivation of FH 810 would be promoted than other one.