Shahin Imran^1,2,#,*, Mousumi Jahan Sumi^3,#, Israt Jahan Harine⁴, Newton Chandra Paul¹, Md. Asif Mahamud⁵, Rakibul Hasan Md. Rabbi⁵, Marian Brestic⁶, Mohammad Saidur Rhaman^7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1073-1109, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064046 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Heavy metal (HM) accumulation in soil poses a major hazard to both ecological health and plant growth progressions. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) are examples of HMs that negatively impact the growth and development of plants, resulting in lower agricultural output and food safety concerns. Biochar (BC), a substance rich in carbon that is formed by pyrolyzing natural biomass, has demonstrated remarkable promise in reducing HM stress in polluted soils. Research has shown that BC effectively lowers plant uptake of metals, and enhances soil qualities,… More >

Muhammad Nazim^1,2,*, Abdul Ghafoor^3,*, Abida Hussain⁴, Mehwish Tabassum⁵, Aamir Nawaz⁶, Muhammad Ahmad⁷, Murad Muhammad^1,2, Muqarrab Ali⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 65-99, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.058970 - 24 January 2025

Abstract In recent years, the world has faced rising global temperatures, accumulative pollution, and energy crises, stimulating scientists worldwide to strive for eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions. Biochar has materialized as a favorable tool for environmental remediation, indicating efficacy as an efficient sorbent substance for both inorganic and organic pollutants in environmental field. These unique properties exclude improved surface functionality, porous morphology, large specific surface area (SSA), cation exchange capacity (CEC), robust adsorption capabilities, environmental stability, and embedded micronutrients. Biochar exhibited potential characteristics for environmental oversight, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, and soil fertility improvement. This review… More >

Mohamed M. Kamara^1,*, Nora M. Al Aboud², Hameed Alsamadany³, Abeer M. Kutby⁴, Imen Ben Abdelmalek⁵, Diaa Abd El-Moneim⁶, Motrih Al-Mutiry⁷

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 101-122, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.058033 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient vital for the growth and productivity of maize. However, excessive nitrogen application can result in numerous environmental and ecological problems, such as water pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, breeding maize hybrids resilient to low nitrogen conditions is crucial for sustainable agriculture, especially under low nitrogen conditions. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the combining ability and heterosis of maize lines, recognize promising hybrids, and study gene action controlling key traits under low and recommended N stress conditions. The half-diallel mating design hybridized seven maize inbreds, resulting… More >

Pratyush Kumar Das¹, Satyabrata Nanda^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3217-3235, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057956 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Insect pests cause severe crop damage, resulting in substantial economic losses and threats to global food security. Conventional insecticides are low-cost chemical agents that kill the target insects and some non-specific beneficial organisms. Due to their toxic and non-biodegradable nature, these conventional insecticides persist in the environment, thus causing pollution and accumulating in the food chain. The development of novel insecticidal products based on double-stranded (dsRNA)-based RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a sustainable tool to effectively control insect pests. The dsRNA-based insecticides are known for their specificity, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. The current review introduces the… More >

Fatima-Ezzahra Soussani^1,2,3, Youssef Ait Rahou^1,2,4, Chayma Ikan^1,2, Allal Douira³, Rachid Benkirane³, Essaid Ait Barka⁵, Rachid Lahlali^6,*, Abdelilah Meddich^1,2,7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.9, pp. 2415-2438, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.055050 - 30 September 2024

Abstract This study assesses the effectiveness of using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M) and compost applied alone or in combination (vs. conventional chemical fertilizer application (NPK)) on tomato resistance to vascular wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae. In this study, ten treatments were applied: (1) Control (2) M: Rhizophagus irregularis (3) C: Compost (4) MC: The combination of M and compost (5) NPK: conventional chemical fertilizer (6) V: plants infected with V. dahliae (7) MV: plants infected with a conidial suspension of V. dahliae and M, (8) CV: The combination of compost and V. dahliae, (9) MCV: The combination of M, compost and V. dahliae,… More >

Mingzhao Han¹, Susilawati Kasim^1,*, Zhongming Yang², Xi Deng², Noor Baity Saidi³, Md Kamal Uddin¹, Effyanti Mohd Shuib¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.9, pp. 2149-2166, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.054009 - 30 September 2024

Abstract It is imperative to enhance crop yield to meet the demands of a burgeoning global population while simultaneously safeguarding the environment from adverse impacts, which is one of the dominant challenges confronting humanity in this phase of global climate change. To overcome this problem and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizer, scientists now view the implementation of biostimulant strategies as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to achieving sustainable agriculture. Plant extracts are rich in bioactive phytocompounds, which can enhance plant resistance to disease, pest, and abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, and extreme temperature), and promote… More >

Muhammad Farhan^1,#, Manda Sathish², Rafia Kiran¹, Aroosa Mushtaq³, Alaa Baazeem⁴, Ammarah Hasnain⁵, Fahad Hakim¹, Syed Atif Hasan Naqvi^1,#,*, Mustansar Mubeen⁶, Yasir Iftikhar^6,*, Aqleem Abbas⁷, Muhammad Zeeshan Hassan¹, Mahmoud Moustafa⁸

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 581-609, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.046857 - 28 March 2024

Abstract

Plant growth and resilience to abiotic stresses, such as soil salinity and drought, depend intricately on nitrogen metabolism. This review explores nitrogen’s regulatory role in plant responses to these challenges, unveiling a dynamic interplay between nitrogen availability and abiotic stress. In the context of soil salinity, a nuanced relationship emerges, featuring both antagonistic and synergistic interactions between salinity and nitrogen levels. Salinity-induced chlorophyll depletion in plants can be alleviated by optimal nitrogen supplementation; however, excessive nitrogen can exacerbate salinity stress. We delve into the complexities of this interaction and its agricultural implications. Nitrogen, a vital element

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Saud Yonbawi¹, Sultan Alahmari², T. Satyanarayana murthy³, Ravuri Daniel⁴, E. Laxmi Lydia⁵, Mohamad Khairi Ishak⁶, Hend Khalid Alkahtani^7,*, Ayman Aljarbouh⁸, Samih M. Mostafa⁹

Computer Systems Science and Engineering, Vol.46, No.3, pp. 3847-3864, 2023, DOI:10.32604/csse.2023.036552 - 03 April 2023

Abstract Crop insect detection becomes a tedious process for agronomists because a substantial part of the crops is damaged, and due to the pest attacks, the quality is degraded. They are the major reason behind crop quality degradation and diminished crop productivity. Hence, accurate pest detection is essential to guarantee safety and crop quality. Conventional identification of insects necessitates highly trained taxonomists to detect insects precisely based on morphological features. Lately, some progress has been made in agriculture by employing machine learning (ML) to classify and detect pests. This study introduces a Modified Metaheuristics with Transfer… More >

Xuejun Zhang^1,#, Muhammad Amjad Bashir^2,#, Qurat-Ul-Ain Raza³, Xiaotong Liu¹, Jianhang Luo¹, Ying Zhao¹, Qiuliang Lei⁴, Hafiz Muhammad Ali Raza^2,3, Abdur Rehim^2,3, Yucong Geng⁴, Hongbin Liu^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.5, pp. 1349-1360, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.026952 - 09 March 2023

Abstract

The rapidly growing world population, water shortage, and food security are promising problems for sustainable agriculture. Farmers adopt higher irrigation and fertilizer applications to increase crop production resulting in environmental pollution. This study aimed to identify the long-term effects of intelligent water and fertilizers used in corn yield and soil nutrient status. A series of field experiments were conducted for six years with treatments as: farmer accustomed to fertilization used as control (CON), fertilizer decrement (KF), fertilizer decrement + water-saving irrigation (BMP1); combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer + water-saving irrigation (BMP2), and combined application

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Xiaotong Liu^1,#, Muhammad Amjad Bashir^2,3,#, Yucong Geng⁴, Qurat-Ul-Ain Raza², Abdur Rehim², Muhammad Aon², Jianhang Luo¹, Ying Zhao¹, Xuejun Zhang^1,*, Hongbin Liu^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.5, pp. 1555-1570, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.026735 - 09 March 2023

Abstract

The increasing world population has forced excessive chemical fertilizer and irrigation to complete the global food demand, deteriorating the water quality and nutrient losses. Short-term studies do not compile the evidences; therefore, the study aimed to identify the effectiveness of reduced doses of inorganic fertilizer and water-saving practices, hence, a six-year experiment (2015–2020) was conducted in China to address the knowledge gap. The experimental treatments were: farmer accustomed fertilization used as control (525:180:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹), fertilizer decrement (450:150:15 kg NPK ha⁻¹), fertilizer decrement + water-saving irrigation (450:150:15 kg NPK ha⁻¹), application of organic and inorganic fertilizer

… More >