Lead (Pb) is a major environmental pollutant that affects plant morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes. Its higher levels in the environment are not only toxic to human beings but also harmful for plants and soil microbes. We have reviewed the uptake, translocation, and accumulation mechanisms of Pb and its toxic effects on germination, growth, yield, nutrient relation, photosynthesis, respiration, oxidative damage, and antioxidant defense system of rice. Lead toxicity hampers rice germination, root/shoot length, growth, and final yield. It reduces nutrient uptake through roots, disrupts chloroplastic ultrastructure and cell membrane permeability, induces alterations in leaves respiratory activities, produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and triggers some enzyme and non-enzymatic antioxidants (as defense to oxidative damage). In the end, biochar amendments and phytoremediation technologies have been proposed as soil remediation approaches for Pb tainted soils.

Identification of weed species with allelopathic potential and characterization of their adverse effects against associated crops is required for better understanding of weed-crop interactions. Phytotoxic activity of Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. on germination and seedling growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated under controlled conditions. Two separate studies were done with each of four organic solvent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, 1-butanol) and crude aqueous (1:10 and 1:20) whole plant fractions of E. dracunculoides using distilled water and 0.05% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as control. Different aqueous and organic fractions of E. dracunculoides had a significant bearing on germination attributes and seedling growth that varied among tested species. The final germination percentage of wheat remained unaffected; nevertheless, root and shoot elongation and biomass accumulation in these parts were significantly retarded. Aqueous fractions appeared more phytotoxic than organic fractions and suppressed chickpea germination by 35-53%. These aqueous fractions also reduced root (64-75% and 33-34%) and shoot (18-62% and 21%) length and root (32-33% and 42-46%) and shoot (7-32% and 80-84%) dry weight of wheat and chickpea, respectively. Among organic fractions, n-hexane was more suppressive to test species. Chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of four phytotoxins, furoic, p-coumaric, syringic, and caffeic acids, in aqueous whole plant (1:10) fractions. This study determined the phytotoxic allelopathic activity of E. dracunculoides against wheat and chickpea.

The germination ecology of Ambrosia artemisiifolia and A. trifida glyphosate susceptible biotypes sampled in marginal areas, was compared with that of the same species but different biotypes suspected of glyphosate resistance, common and giant ragweed, respectively. The suspected resistant biotypes were sampled in Roundup Ready® soybean fields. Within each weed species, the seeds of the biotype sampled in marginal area were significantly bigger and heavier than those of the biotype sampled in the soybean fields. A. artemisiifolia biotypes exhibited a similar dormancy and germination, while differences between A. trifida biotypes were observed. A. artemisiifolia biotypes showed similar threshold temperature for germination, whereas, the threshold temperature of the susceptible A. trifida biotype was half as compared to that of the resistant A. trifida biotype. No significant differences in emergence as a function of sowing depth were observed between susceptible A. artemisiifolia and suspected resistant A. trifida biotype, while at a six-cm seedling depth the emergence of the A. artemisiifolia susceptible biotype was 2.5 times higher than that of the A. trifida suspected resistant biotype. This study identified important differences in seed germination between herbicide resistant and susceptible biotypes and relates this information to the ecology of species adapted to Roundup Ready® fields. Information obtained in this study supports sustainable management strategies, with continued use of glyphosate as a possibility.

Reduction in herbicide usage without compromising yields can lead to less environmental harm and lower production costs. Field trials were conducted to appraise the efficacy of reduced doses (25, 50, and 75% of the label dose) of a post emergence sulfonylurea herbicide [Atlantis 3.6WG (iodo+mesosulfuron)] to control weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields of Punjab, Pakistan. Below-labeled-doses were quite effective in suppressing total weed density (72-95%) and biomass (83-94%), and wheat grain yield was increased by 22 to 48% over the weedy control, while label dose of iodo+mesosulfuron improved yield by 53%. Iodo+mesosulfuron at 25 and 50% of the label dose inhibited grass weeds by 43 to 64%, albeit their biomass was suppressed by > 80% over control. Wheat yields for reduced herbicide doses (50 and 75%) were not different with label dose. Economic analysis revealed that the maximum marginal rate of return was recorded for 50% of the label herbicide dose and was followed by that observed for 25% of the label dose. Reduced doses of herbicide can be an effective tool in minimizing herbicide inputs and lowering production costs in wheat production without compromising yields.

HIGHLIGHTS  Weeds have botanical superiority over crop plants especially owing to higher reproduction potential.  Prevalent manual and mechanical methods are eco-friendly but involve expensive labor.  Weed-seed bank management through mechano-chemical approaches integration is the potent future strategy.

Malnutrition a health disorders arising due to over or low use of minerals, vitamins and nutritional substances required for proper functioning of body tissues and organs. Zinc (Zn) is the most important mineral required for the normal metabolism of plants and humans. Zinc-deficiency is one of the major cause of malnutrition globally. Maize is highly susceptible to Zn-deficiency and inflicts Zn-deficiency to humans and other animals being nourished on it. This study evaluated the effect of zinc-lysine chelate alone (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) as seed priming and in combination with Zn-solubilizing bacteria (PMEL-1, PMEL-48, PMEL-57and PMEL-71)) on grain biofortification of autumn maize. The Zn accumulation in different parts (roots, stem, leaves, grains and cob pith) was quantified. Results indicated that Zn contents were 18.5% higher in the seeds primed with 1.5% solution of Zn-lysine chelate and inoculation of ZSB strains compared to control treatments. Seed priming with 1.5% Zn-lysine chelate in combination with ZSB inoculation significantly improved cob diameter and cob length by 16.75% and 42% during 2016 and by 11.36% and 34.35% during 2017. The increase in 100 grains weight over control was 18.4% and 15.27% for 2016 and 2017, respectively. The Zn contents were increased by 15.3%, 15.6%, 49.1%, and 33.0% in grain, cob-pith, stemand roots, respectively compared from control. Thus, the combined application of 1.5% Zn-lysine chelates along with ZSB inoculation could be used for combating malnutrition.

Soybean suffers a serious blow to forage yield and quality while in intercropping with cereal forages like sorghum. The aim of this field investigation was to optimize planting time and spatial arrangement for boosting yield, quality and profitability of intercropped soybean. Treatments included soybean sown 20 days before and after sorghum under different spatial arrangements (3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2 and 3-3 row proportions). The factorial arrangement was used to employ randomized complete block design (RCBD) for experimental execution with four replicates. Soybean sown 20 days prior to sorghum in 2-3 row replacement series was effective in yielding the highest yield attributes of soybean, which led to the highest green forage yield and dry matter biomass. The same intercropping system proved to be superior in generating the highest net income and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) (4.31).

Field experiment was performed to investigate the effect of adjuvant on efficacy of herbicides for weed management in maize under different sowing methods. Urea as an adjuvant was used to increase the efficacy of atrazine plus mesotrion herbicide. Weed density, fresh and dry weight of weeds, nutrient uptake (NPK) by weeds, yield and yield related components of maize were significantly affected by sowing methods and different chemical control treatments. Biomass of weeds were decreased in most cases, weeds were controlled in almost all treatments, herbicides' full and reduced doses were not superior to manual hoeing treatments. Interactive effect among sowing methods and various chemical control treatments significantly affected the weed density, cob length, weight of 1000 grain, number of grains per cob, grain yield and biological yield. Among weed parameters, maximum weed density and biomass was observed at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS), and at harvesting when maize was sown as a flat sowing method and sprayed with Mesotrion + Atrazine at the rate of 19.76 g a.i. ha -1 + 197.6 g a.i. ha -1 + 3% Urea, while maximum economic yield (7.51t ha -1 ) and biological yield (21.82 t ha -1 ) were found in ridge sown plots as compared to control treatment. The study suggested that the herbicide dose can be condensed up to 20% if urea solution is used as adjuvant to get the same effectiveness as with recommended dose, with no compromised maize yield.