Eco AgriTech Frontiers ISSN Online: 3080-3640 Frequency: Semi-Annual Submit Manuscript
FUTURE SCOPE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED
ELUCIDATING PLANT-SOIL-MICROBIOL INTERACTION IN BIOFERTILIZER-BASED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING SOIL FERTILITY AND CROP NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY
Sustainable agricultural intensification requires innovative nutrient management strategies that enhance productivity while preserving environmental integrity. This study evaluated the performance of biofertilizer-based nutrient management systems through integrated assessment of soil biochemical properties, microbial community dynamics, nutrient-use efficiency, plant physiological responses, yield performance, and sustainability indicators. The results revealed that biofertilizer application significantly increased soil enzymatic activities, microbial biomass carbon, and functional microbial diversity, leading to accelerated nutrient cycling and improved soil fertility. Nutrient-use efficiency indices for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were markedly higher under biofertilizer treatments, indicating superior nutrient recovery and internal utilization compared with synthetic fertilization. Enhanced chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, and stress tolerance mechanisms resulted in increased biomass production, yield stability, and resilience under abiotic stress conditions. Additionally, biofertilizer-mediated improvements in soil organic carbon, aggregate stability, and water-holding capacity contributed to long-term soil health and reduced environmental footprint. Integrated sustainability indices confirmed improved energy efficiency, reduced emission intensity, and greater system resilience under biofertilizer-based management. Overall, the findings demonstrate that biofertilizers effectively enhance soil–plant–microbe interactions and represent a viable, eco-friendly alternative for sustainable agricultural production.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Jamil, Iftikhar Ahmed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND GENETIC DISSECTION OF ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANCE FOR ENHANCED YIELD STABILITY IN STAPLE CROPS THROUGH PRECISION BREEDING APPROACHES FOR ENHANCED YIELD STABILITY IN STAPLE CROPS
Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metal toxicity pose major threats to global food security by severely constraining crop productivity and yield stability. In this study, an integrated experimental framework was employed to evaluate abiotic stress tolerance in staple crops through comprehensive performance comparison, physiological assessment, and multi-dimensional data interpretation. Comparative analyses revealed substantial genotypic variability across stress conditions, with distinct differences in stress modulation indices (α and β), photosynthetic efficiency, metabolic assimilation rates (μ), variance stability (σ²), and composite stress tolerance scores. Several genotypes consistently exhibited superior performance under both individual and combined stress treatments, indicating broad-spectrum resilience rather than stress-specific tolerance. Graphical and multidimensional visualizations further demonstrated nonlinear and synergistic interactions among stress factors, particularly under drought–heat and drought–salinity combinations. Integrated performance ranking identified elite genotypes with enhanced antioxidant capacity, improved ionic balance, and stable physiological functioning under adverse conditions. Collectively, the results highlight that abiotic stress tolerance is a systems-level trait requiring coordinated physiological, biochemical, and molecular regulation. The study provides a robust analytical framework for identifying climate-resilient genotypes and supports the application of precision breeding and advanced biotechnological strategies to enhance crop adaptation under changing climatic conditions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yusuf Zafar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INTEGRATIVE ANALYSIS OF PLANT GENOMIC PLASTICITY, SOIL MICROBIOME DYNAMICS, AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT TRAIT EXPRESSION FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTIVITY UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS
This study presents a detailed performance-based evaluation of complex systems using advanced quantitative indicators and multidimensional analytical approaches. A comprehensive results framework comprising nine comparative tables, nine graphical visualizations, and a conceptual synthesis was employed to assess efficiency, stability, productivity, and resilience across varying system configurations. The findings demonstrate that integrated and complexity-oriented systems consistently outperform baseline configurations, exhibiting higher α- and β-associated stabilization, improved μ-scale efficiency, enhanced θ-driven resilience, and superior Ω-weighted productivity. Graphical analyses reveal pronounced non-linear relationships, emergent behaviors, and trade-offs that underscore the limitations of single-metric or reductionist evaluations. Hybrid and pseudo–three-dimensional visualizations further illustrate how interactions among multiple drivers govern overall system performance. The results collectively confirm that synergistic integration and multi-scale coordination are key determinants of robust and sustainable outcomes. By combining rigorous quantitative comparison with visual and conceptual synthesis, this study provides strong evidence that holistic system designs offer substantial advantages in efficiency, adaptability, and long-term performance. These insights have important implications for future research, optimization strategies, and policy frameworks aimed at managing complex systems under dynamic and uncertain conditions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Farooq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Climate change–induced environmental stress poses a critical threat to global crop productivity, necessitating integrative approaches that capture the complexity of plant adaptive responses. This study investigates the interactive roles of plant genomic plasticity, soil microbiome dynamics, and environmental stress gradients in shaping climate-resilient trait expression. Using a multi-omics–driven quantitative framework, we analyzed genomic sensitivity coefficients, transcriptomic elasticity parameters, proteomic flux constants, metabolomic entropy indices, and microbial interaction metrics across stress conditions. The results reveal pronounced nonlinear genomic responses to combined abiotic stress, accompanied by transcriptomic buffering and coordinated proteomic–metabolomic reprogramming. Soil microbiome indices showed strong coupling with plant metabolic entropy and resilience scores, indicating a critical mediating role in stress mitigation. Integrated system-level analyses further demonstrated that resilience indices increase significantly when genomic, metabolic, and microbial responses are synchronized, highlighting emergent properties that cannot be inferred from single-layer analyses alone. Advanced graphical modeling confirmed complex, multivariate, and non-additive relationships across biological scales. Overall, this study demonstrates that climate resilience in crops is an emergent property of tightly coupled genotype–environment–microbiome interactions. The proposed integrative framework provides a robust foundation for precision breeding and sustainable agricultural strategies aimed at enhancing crop performance under increasingly variable climatic conditions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Iqbal, Rifat Hayat (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATION OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM. L) GENOTYPES FOR DROUGHT RESISTANCE THROUGH AGRONOMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
Drought stress represents a critical constraint to global wheat production, causing significant yield losses and threatening food security in arid and semi-arid regions. This study evaluates 50 diverse wheat genotypes for drought resistance through comprehensive analysis of 15 agronomic traits and 12 physiological parameters under controlled and field drought conditions across three growing seasons (2020-2023). Employing a split-plot design with three replications, genotypes were subjected to three water regimes: well-watered (80% field capacity), moderate drought (50% field capacity), and severe drought (30% field capacity). Results demonstrate that drought stress reduced grain yield by 35-72% across genotypes, with drought susceptibility index (DSI) values ranging from 0.38 to 1.65. Physiological characterization revealed that drought-resistant genotypes maintained 40-60% higher relative water content (RWC), exhibited 25-45% lower canopy temperature depression (CTD), and demonstrated 30-55% higher chlorophyll stability index (CSI) compared to susceptible genotypes under severe drought. Root architecture analysis showed that drought-tolerant genotypes developed 35-70% deeper root systems with 40-85% higher root dry weight, while maintaining 20-40% lower root-to-shoot ratio under stress conditions. Stomatal conductance decreased by 45-80% across genotypes under drought, but resistant lines maintained 25-50% higher photosynthetic rates through better water use efficiency (WUE) of 2.8-4.2 g/kg H₂O versus 1.2-2.4 g/kg H₂O for susceptible lines. Proline accumulation increased 3-8 fold under drought stress, with highest concentrations (18-25 μmol/g FW) observed in resistant genotypes. Multivariate analysis identified three principal components explaining 78.4% of total variation, with root traits, WUE, and RWC contributing most to drought resistance. Genotypic clustering revealed four distinct groups: highly resistant (8 genotypes), moderately resistant (15), moderately susceptible (18), and highly susceptible (9 genotypes). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 12 significant marker-trait associations for drought resistance traits, explaining 8-22% of phenotypic variation. This study concludes that integrative evaluation combining agronomic performance with physiological mechanisms provides effective identification of drought-resistant wheat genotypes, with root architecture, water use efficiency, and osmotic adjustment emerging as key selection criteria for breeding programs targeting drought-prone environments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rima Bibi, Muhammad Adeel Ahmad, Mazhar Iqbal, Hafiz Muhammad Jhanzab, Abdur Rauf khan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS IN IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF BROCCOLI
This study investigates the role of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in improving the nutritional quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), focusing on their effects on key nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. The experiment applied four different PGR treatments—gibberellic acid (GA3), cytokinin (CK), auxins (IAA), and abscisic acid (ABA)—at varying concentrations to assess their impact on the nutritional composition of broccoli. The results revealed that GA3 significantly enhanced vitamin C, carotenoid, and protein content, with a marked increase in antioxidant activity. Cytokinin (CK) treatment was particularly effective in boosting glucosinolate levels, which are linked to cancer-preventive properties. ABA also showed substantial improvements in antioxidant content, making it a potential agent for enhancing the health-promoting properties of broccoli. The study demonstrated that PGR treatments increased luxurious levels of essential minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium which increased broccoli micronutrient content overall. Experimental results demonstrate that PGRs synergistically enhance crop nutrient levels which points to their potential use in ecological agricultural systems for value improvement in vegetable crops. This study presents essential findings regarding PGR applications for enhancing vegetable nutrition while respecting both farming output and human health principles.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Asad Hameed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF DRIP IRRIGATION VS. FLOOD IRRIGATION ON WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND TOMATO CROP YIELD
This study investigates the comparative effects of drip irrigation and flood irrigation on water use efficiency (WUE) and tomato crop yield. Conducted in a semi-arid region, the research aimed to assess the efficiency of these irrigation methods in terms of water consumption, yield, and plant health. Results indicate that drip irrigation significantly outperforms flood irrigation, with a marked reduction in total water consumption, using only 50% of the water required by flood irrigation. Furthermore, tomato yields under drip irrigation were higher, with an average of 3.75 kg/m² compared to 2.85 kg/m² under flood irrigation. Water use efficiency was substantially greater for drip irrigation (0.0083 kg/L) compared to flood irrigation (0.0032 kg/L). Physiological parameters, including leaf area, plant height, and chlorophyll content, were also superior under drip irrigation, suggesting enhanced plant health and growth. Soil moisture content measurements revealed that drip irrigation maintained more consistent moisture levels at varying depths (10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm), whereas flood irrigation showed significant fluctuations. These findings provide compelling evidence that drip irrigation is a more water-efficient and productive irrigation method, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. The study underscores the importance of adopting water-efficient irrigation systems to optimize crop production while conserving water resources. The results of this research contribute valuable insights for farmers and policymakers aiming to improve agricultural sustainability in the context of global water shortages.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rashid Khan, Muneeba (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DEVELOPMENT OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED RICE WITH ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO SALINITY STRESS
The escalating salinization of agricultural soils poses a significant threat to global rice production, particularly in regions heavily reliant on rice as a staple crop. This study investigates the development of genetically modified (GM) rice with enhanced resistance to salinity stress through the incorporation of key genes involved in salt tolerance. Using a combination of molecular biology techniques, we generated transgenic rice lines overexpressing genes responsible for ion transport, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant defense. The transgenic rice lines exhibited superior performance compared to wild-type plants under varying NaCl concentrations. Key findings include significantly higher germination rates, improved root length, increased chlorophyll content, and elevated osmolyte (proline and trehalose) accumulation in transgenic plants under salt stress. Furthermore, transgenic rice displayed enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD), suggesting a more robust defense against oxidative stress induced by salinity. These results confirm the potential of GM rice in enhancing crop resilience to salinity and highlight the effectiveness of genetic engineering in addressing challenges posed by environmental stressors. The study underscores the promise of transgenic rice as a sustainable solution to mitigate the effects of salinity on rice production, although further field trials and regulatory evaluations are needed for broader application. The findings also emphasize the importance of integrating genetic engineering with conventional breeding to improve the salt tolerance of crops, ensuring global food security in the face of growing environmental challenges.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Dilawaiz Khan, Muhammad Shafique (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
STUDYING THE EFFECT OF LIGHT QUALITY ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC EFFICIENCY AND YIELD IN GREENHOUSE GROWN CUCUMBER
This study investigates the effect of light quality on photosynthetic efficiency and yield in greenhouse-grown cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.), with a focus on optimizing light conditions for enhanced crop productivity. The experiment utilized three distinct light treatments: red-blue light combinations, white light, and blue light only. Results revealed that cucumbers grown under red-blue light exhibited the highest growth performance, including increased plant height, larger leaf area, and enhanced photosynthetic rate. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements also indicated higher photosynthetic efficiency under red-blue light, confirming its positive impact on photosystem II activity. In terms of yield, the red-blue light combination significantly outperformed both white light and blue light treatments, producing the highest number and weight of fruits. Total biomass production followed a similar trend, with red-blue light resulting in the greatest biomass accumulation. The findings suggest that light quality, particularly the ratio of red to blue light, plays a crucial role in improving cucumber growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and yield in greenhouse environments. This research provides valuable insights into the optimization of light conditions for sustainable agricultural practices, offering practical applications for greenhouse farming systems aiming to increase crop productivity while maintaining energy efficiency. Future studies may explore the long-term effects of different light treatments on fruit quality and overall plant health.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Bilal, Nimra Samad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INVESTIGATING THE EFFICACY OF VACCINATION PROGRAMS FOR PREVENTING FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN CATTLE: A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continues to pose a significant threat to global cattle populations, necessitating innovative vaccination strategies to enhance disease control and prevention. This study evaluates the efficacy of various FMD vaccination programs from a medical perspective, with a particular focus on emerging technologies such as mRNA-based vaccines. Through systematic secondary research involving peer-reviewed publications, field trial data, and digital health monitoring systems, we compared conventional (inactivated, live-attenuated, recombinant) and advanced vaccine platforms (mRNA, microneedles, intranasal, nanoparticle-based). The results indicate that mRNA vaccines outperform traditional vaccines in protection rate (94%), duration of immunity (up to 12 months), and immunogenicity, including higher neutralizing antibody titers and enhanced T-cell responses. . Technological advancement in delivery systems such as the lipid nanoparticles enhanced on stability of the vaccines, as well as facilitated intracellular delivery which poses challenges to the use of mRNA technology. Also, new platforms such as the microneedle patches and AI in vaccine design also indicated enhanced compliance levels, decreased costs and increased immunogenic responses. Sub according to the regional statistics the cold chain compliance, digital monitoring system, and trained workforce for vaccine distribution also affect the coverage rates in and out of erstwhile endemic countries. Digital technology and AI solutions enhanced the overall efficiency of vaccination by tracking the process in real time and forecast for the result. In sum, based on the preliminary results of mRNA vaccines, advanced delivery platforms, and digital health integration, this work highlights that mRNA vaccines are a new model of veterinary medicine that is feasible, safe, and highly effective to control FMD in cattle populations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aftab Ahmed, Mukhtar Ahmad, Muhammad Umer Farooq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DEVELOPMENT OF CLIMATE-RESILIENT RICE VARIETIES THROUGH PARTICIPATORY PLANT BREEDING APPROACHES
The escalating impacts of climate change necessitate the development of resilient agricultural systems, particularly in staple crops such as rice. This study explores the application of participatory plant breeding (PPB) to develop climate-resilient rice varieties tailored to diverse agro-ecological zones. By integrating the indigenous knowledge of farmers with advanced breeding methodologies, including marker-assisted selection and machine learning-assisted phenotyping, the study evaluated a wide array of genotypes under real-world stress conditions such as drought, salinity, and heat. Across eight field trials involving farmer-managed and research-station plots, genotypes such as G11, G21, and G41 demonstrated superior performance in terms of yield (up to 5,800 kg/ha), drought and flood tolerance scores, and farmer preference ratings. The results, presented in eight comprehensive tables and ten comparative figures, revealed that genotypes selected through PPB maintained consistent productivity across multiple environments and stress regimes. Notably, G31 and G33 showed exceptional salinity and drought tolerance, respectively, while G72 emerged as the most socio-economically preferred genotype due to its grain quality and market value. The participatory approach enhanced local relevance and adoption rates, as farmers were directly involved in trait selection and field evaluation, ensuring alignment with their agro-environmental realities. Furthermore, the incorporation of digital tools and genomic selection models improved the precision of genotype-to-phenotype prediction, accelerating breeding cycles. The study concludes that participatory plant breeding is an effective, scalable, and inclusive approach to climate-resilient crop development. It bridges scientific innovation with community engagement, fostering sustainable food systems capable of withstanding climatic variability.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ahmed Mukhtar, Muhammad Arif (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL OF AGROFORESTRY INTERVENTIONS IN RICE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEMS
The escalating challenge of climate change necessitates agricultural systems that balance productivity with environmental sustainability. This study investigates the potential of integrating agroforestry practices into rice-wheat cropping systems as a strategy to enhance carbon sequestration, improve ecosystem services, and strengthen farmer livelihoods. Through a comprehensive secondary data analysis and literature synthesis, eight agroforestry models were evaluated across ecological and socio-economic parameters including above- and below-ground carbon stocks, soil organic carbon (SOC), crop yield response, water use efficiency (WUE), erosion control, income diversification, and adoption feasibility. Results indicate that silvopasture systems achieved the highest carbon sequestration potential (~34 Mg CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), while alley cropping excelled in crop yield enhancement (~18%) and homegardens led in SOC enrichment and water conservation. Mixed systems, incorporating multiple tree and crop species, demonstrated superior income diversification but required higher initial investment. Visual data from ten figures supported these findings, highlighting the trade-offs and synergies among different models. Erosion reduction was highest in windbreak systems (up to 58%), whereas homegardens and silvopasture exhibited greater resilience under drought scenarios. Socio-economic barriers to adoption, including labor intensity and capital cost, underscore the need for supportive policies such as subsidies, technical assistance, and market integration. The study concludes that context-specific agroforestry models—grounded in ecological suitability and farmer-centric design—can significantly contribute to climate mitigation, food security, and rural development in rice-wheat dominated regions. Agroforestry thus represents a viable and scalable solution to promote climate-resilient agriculture.
Copyright (c) 2024 Rashid Khan, Muhammad Dilawaiz Khan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATING THE ROLE OF BIOCHAR-AMENDED SOILS IN ENHANCING LEAF CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND YIELD OF PADDY CROPS UNDER WATER STRESS
This study investigates the role of biochar-amended soils in improving chlorophyll content and yield performance of paddy crops under water stress. A factorial field experiment using varying biochar doses (0, 5, and 10 t/ha) and irrigation regimes (100% and 50% field capacity) revealed significant improvements in plant physiological traits and soil quality. The highest biochar dose (10 t/ha) enhanced leaf chlorophyll content (45.2 SPAD), stomatal conductance (138 mmol/m²/s), and relative water content (87.9%), compared to the control. Yield components, including grain yield (5.3 t/ha), panicle number, and grain weight, also increased substantially. Soil analysis showed improved pH, organic carbon, water-holding capacity, and microbial biomass. Root and shoot lengths, leaf nutrient content, and enzymatic activities were also higher in biochar-treated plots. Even under water-stressed conditions, biochar improved physiological resilience and reduced the yield gap. The results confirm biochar’s effectiveness in enhancing crop performance and soil health under drought, supporting its application in sustainable paddy farming.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ayesha Irum, Muhammad Bilal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ADVANCING INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) STRATEGIES TO MINIMIZE PESTICIDE DEPENDENCY: SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES FOR ENHANCING CROP PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Modern farming systems rely more on IPM because it effectively replaces standard chemical pesticide practices to help agriculture be less harmful to Earth. The study evaluated whether IPM systems successfully decrease pesticide consumption with no repercussions to crop yield or quality. Fifty farmers from three zones took part in research as they blended conventional equipment with cultural techniques and biological control practices. Scientists gathered data over a year to assess pesticide usage amounts combined with insect counts and crop performance results. The IPM method improved pest control methods while producing 10-15% higher harvests and lowering pesticide use by 35%. Farmers support IPM as a dependable and effective system yet small-scale farmers confront spending obstacles that slow wide adoption. The research shows IPM creates an effective and environment-friendly solution that can replace pesticide-based farming in agriculture with many benefits for both farmers and nature. The research shows that integrated pest management offers major benefits for crop protection and reduces pesticide usage in farms. The research shows IPM methods help farms produce better crops with higher yields while using less farming methods that hurt the planet. Integrated pest management helps farmers solve insect problems in modern farming operations effectively with fewer pesticides. Introducing IPM requires spending on biological controls plus equipment and training but long-term health and environmental benefits outweigh the startup costs. Specialists in IPM find its farming practices welcome due to their willingness to use resources and training. Our research shows farmers need regulatory support to use IPM planting methods on their full range of produce. IPM maintains crops in a sustainable way to reduce pesticide usage increase farming success and preserve nature.
Copyright (c) 2024 Faran Muhammad, Muhammad Suleman Aziz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF AGROECOLOGICAL PRACTICES ON PEST CONTROL AND CROP YIELD IN SMALLHOLDER FARMS
This study explored the impacts of agroecological practices—including intercropping, cover cropping, organic amendments, and crop rotations—on pest control, natural enemy populations, and crop yields in smallholder farming systems. Through field trials conducted across twenty smallholder farms, data was collected on pest incidence, natural enemy abundance, crop yields, and farmer perceptions. Results demonstrated significant improvements in all measured parameters when agroecological practices were employed. Specifically, experimental plots exhibited approximately 40% lower pest incidence (mean reduction from 13.8 to 8.3 pests per plant) and a substantial 75% increase in natural enemy abundance (mean increase from 3.1 to 5.5 enemies per trap) compared to conventional, pesticide-dependent control plots. These ecological enhancements translated into a significant yield improvement of about 24%, increasing from an average of 2,204 kg/ha in control farms to 2,724 kg/ha in agroecologically managed farms. Farmer surveys revealed favorable perceptions toward agroecological methods, particularly regarding their efficacy, ease of adoption, and farmers' willingness to sustain these practices. The consistency of these positive outcomes across diverse smallholder contexts indicates that agroecological practices provide a scalable and sustainable approach to enhancing crop productivity, ecological resilience, and farmer livelihoods. Future directions include exploring long-term ecological and economic implications, addressing socio-economic barriers to widespread adoption, and optimizing practices tailored to specific regional conditions.
Copyright (c) 2024 Irfan Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING THE ROLE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS IN ENHANCING CROP GROWTH AND SOIL HEALTH: BENEFITS, APPLICATIONS, AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES
Soil quality deterioration has become one of the fundamental processes leading to soil degradation. The successful enhancement of crop returns and soil condition depends heavily on improving organic fertilizer practices on farms. The complete assessment demands detailed understanding about how crop yield and soil quality reacts to different levels of organic fertilizer application. This research evaluated how organic fertilizer applications affect crop yields besides soil quality and animal foraging patterns across wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) rotation fields in fluvo-aquic soil conditions. We utilized six treatment groups consisting of unfertilized N control (UC) and conventional chemical fertilization (TF with 600 N kg ha-1 yr-1) as well as recommended chemical fertilization (RF with 400 N kg ha-1 yr-1) accompanied by no organic applications and three different organic fertilizer application rates at low (RFLO: 15.0 t ha-1 yr-1), medium (RFMO: 30.0 t ha-1 yr-1) and high (RFHO: 45.0 t ha-1 yr-1). Research findings demonstrated that wheat yields increased by 26.4% to 44.6% and corn yield rose by 12.5% to 40.8% when organic fertilizer was used instead of RF plot application methods. Soil organic carbon content expanded to 110.6% at its best compared to the UC plot while reaching 74.0% above values from the chemical fertilizer treatment (TF and RF). Moreover, total nitrogen in the soil grew to 59.2% beyond UC plot values yet achieved 39.2% above chemical fertilizer treatment (TF and RF). Cheap combination use of inorganic and organic fertilizers throughout multiple years greatly enhanced soil enzyme activities of sucrose by 30.1%-51.9%, urease by 28.4%-38.3% and β-1,4-glucosidase by 34.6%-122.4%. The activities of nitrite reductase along with polyphenol oxidase and catalase showed significant reductions ranging from 27.3% to 49.9%, 8.5% to 26.3% and 23.3% to 34.3% thus showing lower activities than inorganic nitrogen fertilizer alone. The application of organic fertilizer led to increased feeding activity of soil animals up to 35.2% to 42.5%, whereas excessive inorganic nitrogen fertilizer caused a decrease in soil animal activity.
Copyright (c) 2024 Rima bibi, Muneeba (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATING THE BENEFITS OF AGROECOLOGICAL FARMING SYSTEMS FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS: ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND SOCIOECONOMIC RESILIENCE IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA
The ongoing issues regarding food scarcity, environmental resource depletion, and changes in climate within the Sub-Saharan African region necessitates the use of farming practices that are more ecologically sustainable and increase productivity and resilience. This paper examines the impact of agroecological systems on smallholder farmers’ productivity, sustainability, and socio-economic resilience. By evaluating key narratives portfolio such as agroecology, regenerative agriculture, sustainable intensification, and case studies from Ethiopia and Rwanda, the paper showcases successful innovations and best practices meant to address the smallholder farmers’ diverse challenges. The results reveal that integrated natural resource management, participatory watershed management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies identified can improve productivity, ecosystem services, and rural livelihoods. The study highlights the need for targeted, results-based approaches that are not only relevant to smallholder farmers’ multiple livelihood needs, but are also sustainable in the long run. Multiple studies confirm that these farming methods both increase crop yields while fixing environmental degradation and strengthen systems to handle climate threats. Successful adoption of agroecological approaches requires technical progress alongside community engagement and enabling regulations supported by constant financial backing as Ethiopian and Rwandan cases show. A successful approach must unite prolonged sustainable development plans together with quick food security requirements in order to achieve future progress. The development of both humans and the environment depends on applying nature-based solutions while connecting small-scale farmers to markets in addition to climate-resilient technology and financial resources. Smaller agriculturists who adopt targeted initiatives and support collaborative efforts between stakeholders will enhance their yields and economic flexibility while strengthening their resilience to climate changes.
Copyright (c) 2024 Norina Jabeen, Muhammad Shafique, Faran Muhammad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING PLANT-BASED PESTICIDES AS VIABLE ALTERNATIVES FOR CONVENTIONAL AGROCHEMICALS IN MAIZE FARMING
Plant-derived botanical formulations were evaluated as sustainable alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals for maize (Zea mays L.) pest and disease management. Six botanicals—neem (Azadirachta indica), basil (Ocimum basilicum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), sage (Salvia officinalis), celery (Apium graveolens), and Tagetes minuta—were assessed through laboratory bioassays, greenhouse trials, and simulated storage studies. Insecticidal assays against the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) demonstrated dose-dependent efficacy, with T. minuta and neem achieving the highest mortalities of 88% and 85%, respectively, at 1.0% concentration. Antifungal tests against Fusarium spp. revealed that thyme and sage essential oils inhibited mycelial growth by 72% and 68%, respectively. Seed germination and seedling vigor remained robust across all treatments (>90% germination; vigor indices 2,150–2,300), indicating negligible phytotoxicity. Residue analyses via GC-MS showed that active compounds degraded by over 50% within 30 days and fell below 0.30 mg/kg by day 60, aligning with food safety thresholds. Greenhouse evaluations confirmed significantly reduced disease incidence (15–40% vs. 60% in controls) and lower severity indices (0.9–2.8 vs. 3.8). These findings underscore the dual benefits of botanical pesticides—effective pest and pathogen control coupled with rapid biodegradation—supporting their integration into integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks. Field-scale validation, formulation optimization (e.g., nanoencapsulation), and economic analyses are recommended to facilitate adoption. This study provides a comprehensive, data-driven foundation for the development and deployment of plant-based pesticides in maize production, offering a pathway toward residue-free, environmentally responsible agriculture
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Shafique, Faran Muhammad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DEVELOPING MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHMS FOR PREDICTING SOYBEAN YIELD BASED ON WEATHER AND SOIL DATA
Accurate forecasting of soybean (Glycine max) yield under variable environmental conditions is essential for optimizing management decisions and ensuring food security. In this study, we developed a hybrid machine learning pipeline that integrates weather (cumulative growing‐season precipitation, mean temperature, solar radiation, humidity) and soil (moisture, organic matter, pH, texture) data using principal component analysis and recursive feature elimination. We trained Random Forest, support vector machine, and deep neural network models on a multi‐year (2021–2023), multi‐region dataset and evaluated performance via five‐fold cross‐validation and independent test sets. Random Forest consistently outperformed alternatives, achieving a lowest test‐set RMSE of 1.15 t/ha, MAE of 0.82 t/ha, and R² up to 0.87, while five‐fold MAE ranged 0.83–0.90 t/ha. Regional assessments revealed the East region had the highest accuracy and the West the greatest error variance. SHAP‐based analysis ranked cumulative precipitation and mean temperature as the top drivers of yield variability, supported by feature‐importance bar charts, scatter plots of predicted versus actual yields, and error‐distribution visualizations. Correlation heatmaps confirmed low to moderate collinearity among key predictors, validating the benefit of multi‐modal data fusion. Our approach demonstrates robust, interpretable yield forecasting and can be transferred to other crops and regions with local calibration. This decision‐support tool offers stakeholders a scalable solution for enhancing soybean productivity under climatic uncertainty.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Danial Ahmad Qureshi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE IMPACT OF LEGUME AND CEREAL CROP ROTATION ON SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND NITROGEN LEVELS
This study investigates the impact of legume and cereal crop rotation on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) levels across varied agroecological zones. Employing a randomized block design with standardized management practices, the research compares multiple crop rotation systems—including legume-cereal, legume-legume, cereal-cereal, and cereal monocultures—analyzing their effects at two soil depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) during three seasonal stages. The results reveal that legume-based rotations significantly enhance both SOC and nitrogen concentrations, with the most pronounced effects observed in the upper soil layer (0–15 cm). Mid-season stages recorded the highest nutrient levels, highlighting the temporal dynamics of nutrient cycling. Regionally, temperate zones exhibited the greatest improvements in soil fertility, likely driven by favorable climatic and microbial conditions. A positive correlation between increased SOC and nitrogen content and higher crop yields further substantiates the agronomic benefits of rotational systems. GIS mapping confirmed spatial variability in nutrient enrichment, offering insights into site-specific management strategies. Collectively, the findings emphasize that integrating legumes into crop rotations not only improves soil health and fertility but also enhances yield performance, contributing to sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural systems. This study underscores the importance of crop diversification as a strategic intervention for regenerating degraded soils and reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Suleman Aziz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0