Journal of Plant Production and Sustainability

Physiological selection of wheat synthetic back derived lines for drought and heat tolerance

2026-09-24T08:55:34+00:00

Drought and heat stress are major constraints to wheat production, necessitating the identification of genotypes with superior physiological mechanisms for stress adaptation. The present study evaluated 200 synthetic backcross-derived lines (SBLs) for drought and heat tolerance using germination, physiological, and yield-related traits. For drought screening at the germination stage, seeds were exposed to 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000), and germination percentage, shoot length, and root length were recorded. Significant variation was observed among SBLs, with germination ranging from 0 to 100%. Forty-seven SBLs exhibiting high germination also showed greater seedling biomass. Greenhouse evaluation of 193 SBLs and the check variety NARC-2009 under drought stress identified 31 SBLs as drought tolerant based on grain weight per spike, thousand-kernel weight, and relative water content (RWC). These lines exhibited only 10–20% relative yield reduction compared with 25–50% in the remaining lines. Heatmap and correlation analyses demonstrated positive associations of RWC and membrane stability index (MSI) with thousand-kernel weight, indicating their potential as reliable physiological indicators of drought tolerance. For heat tolerance assessment, plants were exposed to 40 °C for 5 h daily at the post-anthesis (milky) stage. Based on yield and physiological responses, 45 SBLs showed minimum reductions in grain weight under heat stress. These lines maintained higher grain weight per spike and thousand-kernel weight and exhibited greater proline accumulation. Correlation analysis further revealed a positive association between proline content and thousand-kernel weight under heat stress. Conclusively, the study identified promising SBLs with superior drought and heat tolerance and demonstrated that RWC, MSI, and proline accumulation are useful physiological traits for screening wheat germplasm. The selected lines may serve as valuable genetic resources for wheat breeding programs aimed at developing climate-resilient cultivars with improved productivity under drought and heat stress. © 2026 The Author(s)

Impact of enriched organic substrates and fertilizer on nutrient uptake and growth of maize (Zea mays L.)

2026-09-24T09:07:44+00:00

Most agricultural soils are deficient in essential nutrients and consequently depend heavily on chemical fertilizers for commercial crop production. The use of organic amendments such as compost can improve soil fertility while reducing environmental hazards. Therefore, this study hypothesized that the combined application of farmyard manure (FYM), compost and humic acid (HA) could improve nutrient uptake, growth and yield of maize more effectively than their individual application. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different organic substrates and fertilizers on nutrient uptake, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. FYM, compost and Humic acid were applied at 20 t ha⁻¹, 8 t ha⁻¹ and 12 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, either alone or in combination. The combined application of compost + FYM + HA (T7) produced the highest plant N, P and K uptake of 1996.7, 2.88 and 232.33 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, compared with 750, 1.55 and 88.33 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, in the unfertilized control (T0). Treatment T7 also recorded the highest germination (81%), grains cob⁻¹ (442), cob length (14.42 cm), 1000-grain weight (348.47 g), grain yield (1994.4 kg ha⁻¹) and harvest index (17.06%), whereas the corresponding values in T0 were 72%, 384.33 grains cob⁻¹, 11.72 cm, 323.33 g, 1272.2 kg ha⁻¹ and 12.07%, respectively. The highest plant height (139.40 cm) and grain rows cob⁻¹ were recorded under compost + FYM (T4), while total biomass was highest with sole compost application (11853 kg ha⁻¹). Conclusively, the combined application of compost, FYM and humic acid was the most effective treatment for enhancing nutrient uptake and major yield-related attributes of maize, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving maize productivity and soil fertility. This study may also support the development of economically viable and environmentally friendly fertilizer recommendations for sustainable maize production. © 2026 The Author(s)

Effect of different application methods of chelated zinc on growth, yield, and grain protein content of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.)

2026-09-24T09:20:02+00:00

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different methods of chelated zinc (Zn) application on the growth, yield, and grain quality of hybrid rice. The hybrid rice cultivar Fengyou-293 was grown under a fertilizer regime of 150–70–70 kg ha⁻¹ N–P–K. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising six zinc (Zn) application treatments. The treatments included an untreated control with no Zn application (T₁), seedling root dipping followed by foliar Zn application (T₂), a single soil application of Zn at 3 kg ha⁻¹ applied 10 days after transplanting (DAT) (T₃), a split soil application consisting of 2 kg Zn ha⁻¹ at 10 DAT and an additional 1 kg Zn ha⁻¹ before panicle initiation (T₄), and a combined soil and foliar application involving 2 kg Zn ha⁻¹ applied to the soil at 10 DAT followed by a 1% Zn foliar spray before panicle initiation (T₅), and two foliar sprays applied at 10 DAT and before panicle initiation (T₆). The results demonstrated that zinc application significantly affected several yield and quality parameters. The split soil application of zinc (T₄) produced the highest number of grains per panicle (242.75), biological yield (14.80 t ha⁻¹), and grain yield (4.205 t ha⁻¹). Significant treatment effects were also observed for harvest index, grain sterility, and protein content. In contrast, plant height, number of tillers per hill, panicle length, and thousand-grain weight were not significantly influenced by the different methods of chelated zinc application. The results demonstrated that the split application of chelated zinc, with 2 kg Zn ha⁻¹ applied at 10 days after transplanting followed by an additional 1 kg Zn ha⁻¹ before panicle initiation, was the most effective zinc management practice for enhancing both grain yield and quality attributes of hybrid rice. Further research should focus on evaluating split applications of chelated zinc under diverse environmental conditions and integrating this approach with nutrient management to enhance crop productivity and zinc use efficiency. © 2026 The Author(s)

Impact of nitrogenous fertilizer rates on Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) population dynamics in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

2026-09-24T09:42:56+00:00

Sustainable wheat crop production for improved growth and yield depends on the balanced use of nitrogenous fertilizers. However, their inadequate usage often provides a favorable environment for the sucking insect pests like aphids to flourish. Field research was performed to assess the effect of elevated levels of nitrogenous fertilizer on Schizaphis graminum population in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications at the research farm area of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (FAS&T), Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. Five different doses of nitrogenous fertilizers, i.e., 0, 50, 75, 100, and 125 kg/acre, were used. The results revealed a significant correlation between the average number of S. graminum per plant and nitrogen fertilizer application in both years. Infestation by S. graminum nymphs reached its highest levels during the 2^nd week of February and the 1^st week of March during 2024 while in 2025 peak was observed in 2^nd and 3^rd week of February. The first peak recorded 17.8 nymphs/plant, while the second peak reached 16.9 nymphs/plant on February 12^th during 2024. Similarly in 2025 first peak recorded 18.3 nymphs/plant, while the second peak reached 16.2 nymphs/plant on February 26^th and 12^th. The 2^nd and 3^rd week of February presence of S. graminum on wheat crops was observed from January 15^th through April 9^th, with the overall population peaking on February 26^th at 18.3 nymphs/plant. The study further examined the influence of varying nitrogen application rates, specifically 0, 50, 75, 100, and 125 kg/acre, on the population density of S. graminum. Nitrogen levels had a statistically significant impact on both nymph and adult populations in both years. The lowest population densities were recorded at application rates of 0, 50 and 75 kg/acre. © 2026 The Author(s)

Productivity and profitability of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. NSIC Pn18) as affected by indigenous microorganisms 6 (IMO6) bio-fertilizer application

2026-09-24T09:56:53+00:00

Bio-fertilizers provide essential nutrients that contribute to healthy plant growth and facilitate normal physiological development and are considered environmentally safer alternatives to conventional fertilizers. This study aimed to determine the effects of IMO6 bio-fertilizer on the productivity and profitability of peanut production. The treatments consisted of T₁, zero fertilizer; T₂, 2 t ha⁻¹ IMO6; T₃, 4 t ha⁻¹ IMO6; T₄, 6 t ha⁻¹ IMO6; and T₅, 30–30–30 kg ha⁻¹ N–P₂O₅–K₂O as the positive control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results revealed that the application of IMO6 bio-fertilizer significantly increased the number of days from planting to flowering, maturity duration, and plant height. Similarly, the highest leaf area index (LAI) was recorded in peanut plants treated with 30–30–30 kg ha⁻¹ N–P₂O₅–K₂O (2.65), followed by 6 t ha⁻¹ IMO6 (1.93). In contrast, the highest fresh herbage yield was recorded with 6 t ha⁻¹ IMO6 (8.87 t ha⁻¹), followed by 30–30–30 kg ha⁻¹ N–P₂O₅–K₂O (8.32 t ha⁻¹). The highest gross margin of PhP 92,110.00 ha⁻¹ was obtained from plants treated with inorganic fertilizer, followed by those treated with 6 t ha⁻¹ IMO6, which recorded a gross margin of PhP 72,070.00 ha⁻¹. The lowest gross margins were obtained with 2 and 4 t ha⁻¹ IMO6, primarily due to lower grain yield and the relatively high cost of IMO6 application. Based on the results, the application of 4–6 t ha⁻¹ IMO6 may be considered as a potential bio-fertilizer option for peanut production to improve crop performance while supporting the maintenance of soil fertility. © 2026 The Author(s)

Training needs assessment of olive growers for the enhancement of olive production in District Attock, Punjab, Pakistan

2026-09-24T10:14:38+00:00

Olive production has considerable potential to enhance farm income and contribute to Pakistan’s domestic edible-oil supply. However, the substantial gap between the potential and actual yield of olive orchards indicates the need to strengthen farmers’ knowledge and technical skills. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the training needs of olive farmers to increase olive production in two tehsils; Pindi Gheb and Jand of district Attock, Punjab, Pakistan. A descriptive and exploratory survey research design was employed, and data were collected from 130 olive growers in District Attock, Punjab, Pakistan, selected through a multistage sampling technique. A very low technical knowledge was found in olive farmers for fertilizer selection. Farmers revealed that they needed training in the area of factors affecting water requirement and reasons for prevalence of insect pests and diseases. Most of the farmers (88.5% & 100%) were well aware of facilities provided by extension field staff in their areas. The use of lectures, farm visits and instruction materials by extension field staff were highly efficient training methods and these methods were similarly ranked according to their effectiveness as 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd with mean values of 3.07, 2.64 and 2.09, respectively. Over the past year, a large number of farmers (53.8%) participated in only one training. The key qualities of a master trainer were professionalism, in-depth technical knowledge, and self-confidence, which ranked first, second, and third, respectively, with mean scores of 3.51, 3.46, and 3.45. The main qualities of the training material were clear, useful and timely provided and these qualities were ranked as 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd with mean values of 3.83, 3.71 and 3.58. Similarly, for the establishment of olive farms, it was observed that many farmers needed training in the fields including planting methods (87.7%), irrigation applications (86.9%), maintenance of plant density (87.7%), fertilizer application (88.5%), insect pest and disease management (85.4%). The findings suggest the need for targeted and demand-driven training programs focusing on technical knowledge, practical skills, and effective orchard management practices. © 2026 The Author(s)

Assessing the role of wheat production in improving rural livelihood and social well-being in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

2026-09-24T10:23:01+00:00

The study was aimed to assess the role of wheat production on the socio-economic and cultural events of rural masses and to evaluate its effect on health, education and livelihood of wheat growers in tehsil Shujaabad, Punjab, Pakistan. A survey was conducted among wheat growers (n = 250) using a multistage sampling technique. The findings showed that all respondents (100%) were growing wheat, while 28% reported that wheat production met their economic needs to a great extent, 45.2% to some extent, and 26.8% not at all. Wheat production reduced food insecurity to a great extent for 53.6% of respondents, was helpful for household income for 52.8%, and improved the social status of the family for 54.4%. Regarding sources of agricultural information, 64.8% of respondents sometimes and 29.6% often relied on fellow farmers, while 66.4% never used television and 13.2% often used it as a source of information. Wheat production had a considerable effect on livelihood, particularly well-furnished houses (mean = 2.69±0.69) and constructed toilets (mean = 2.62±0.74), while its contribution to children's education was also reported (mean = 2.02±0.77). Furthermore, 39.6% of farmers always arranged marriage ceremonies due to good wheat production, while 53.6% always invited relatives and friends to family functions. Only 10% of respondents owned a car, whereas 90% did not. Wheat production was significantly associated with sources of information (χ² = 12.77, p = .012), adoption of wheat sowing recommendations (χ² = 81.29, p = .000), and socio-economic development (χ² = 19.84, p = .001). It is concluded that wheat production makes an important contribution to the socio-economic and cultural well-being of rural households and is positively associated with socio-economic development. It is recommended that agricultural extension services should strengthen farmers' access to reliable information, promote recommended wheat production technologies, and enhance farmers' capacity to improve the socio-economic benefits derived from wheat production. © 2026 The Author(s)

Role of social and mass media in agricultural information dissemination among the farmers of tehsil Shakargarh, District Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan

2026-09-24T10:29:49+00:00

The current study was conducted to assess the role of the social and mass media in agricultural information dissemination among the farmers of Tehsil Shakargarh, District Narowal. The study data was collected from 120 respondents selected through random selection from different UCs of the Tehsil Shakargarh. The study population consisted of different ages, landholdings, annual family income and experience of crop production and livestock rearing. The data showed significant awareness related to social media (p = .011), while the effect of mass media was not statistically significant (p = .086). However, a significant proportion of social media users faced problems while using these sources of information (p = .015). The recorded data showed that 100% of the population of the studied area had mobile phones and radio, however 50.8% and 38.3% had television and laptops, respectively. Among the mobile phone users, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Facebook software applications had been using 92.5%, 80.0%, and 79.2% population, respectively. Most of the farmers (approx. 80%) of Tehsil Shakargarh were having education level of matric or above. In addition, majority of farming community (54.1%) were small land holders and owners of their arable lands. Therefore, most of them were experienced farmers, belonging to middle class families and had easy access to social and mass media information. Farming community of the studied area was having awareness about social and mass media as well. However, inefficiency of agricultural extension service providers was also reported in the area. That might be due to their negligence, prevailing nepotism or the lack of modern agricultural technologies and the extensions services. That's why a large part of farming community was facing obstacles using social and mass media materials and ultimately following the digital agriculture. It was concluded that farming community of the studied area had access to social and mass media more over agricultural information (i.e. crop production technologies, climate pattern, innovative tools, and modern machinery) has been disseminated. © 2026 The Author(s)

Current trends, challenges and future perspectives of organic agriculture

2026-09-24T10:43:25+00:00

Organic agriculture has emerged as a significant approach for promoting sustainable food production by reducing dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs, improving soil health, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Growing concerns regarding environmental degradation, climate change, food safety, and the long-term sustainability of conventional farming systems have increased global interest in organic production. This review provides a critical synthesis of the historical development, current trends, challenges, and future perspectives of organic agriculture. The evolution of organic farming from traditional ecological practices to a globally recognized sustainable production system is discussed, along with its increasing market importance and economic potential. The expansion of organic markets has been driven by rising consumer demand for safe and environmentally friendly products, improved awareness of sustainable consumption, and the development of organic value chains. The adoption of organic agriculture depends strongly on farmers’ knowledge, awareness, motivation, and access to supportive resources. This review highlights the importance of farmer education, extension services, technical training, market opportunities, economic incentives, and institutional support in encouraging the transition toward organic farming. Despite its environmental and socio-economic benefits, organic agriculture faces several challenges, including constrained access to organic inputs, elevated production costs, certification hurdles, insufficient technical knowledge, labor requirements, and challenges in accessing reliable markets. Addressing these constraints requires collaborative efforts involving farmers, researchers, policymakers, private organizations, and consumers. The review also emphasizes emerging opportunities for organic agriculture development through technological innovation, sustainable farming practices, improved policy frameworks, climate-smart approaches, and strengthened organic value chains. Future advancements in digital agriculture, biological inputs, ecological management strategies, and participatory research can enhance the productivity, profitability, and resilience of organic farming systems. In conclusion, organic agriculture represents a promising pathway toward sustainable agricultural development by balancing environmental conservation, economic viability, and food security. Continued research, supportive policies, and effective knowledge transfer mechanisms will be essential for expanding organic agriculture and maximizing its contribution to sustainable global food systems. © 2026 The Author(s)

Advances in cultivation, production technologies, and sustainable management of Olive (Olea europaea L.): A review

2026-09-24T10:50:54+00:00

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is an economically, nutritionally, and culturally important perennial crop cultivated extensively throughout Mediterranean and other regions. However, olive production is increasingly constrained by climate change, emerging pests and diseases, water scarcity, and the need to reduce environmental contamination associated with conventional crop protection practices. Recent advances in precision agriculture, plant protection technologies, remote sensing, molecular diagnostics, and endotherapy have created new opportunities for improving the sustainability and efficiency of olive production. This review synthesizes recent developments in olive cultivation and sustainable management, with particular emphasis on innovative approaches for the detection, prevention, and control of major pests and diseases. Trunk injection and endotherapy are examined as targeted delivery approaches that can improve the uptake and distribution of plant protection materials while potentially reducing off-target losses. Advances in nano-enabled and controlled-release formulations further provide opportunities for improving the efficacy, persistence, and targetability of crop protection products. The review also highlights the increasing application of unmanned aerial vehicles, multispectral and remote sensing technologies, machine learning, and digital phenotyping for early detection of plant stress, disease symptoms, weeds, and pest infestations and for site-specific management. Particular attention is given to major threats such as Xylella fastidiosa, Verticillium dahliae, olive leaf spot, olive knot, and important insect pests, together with the influence of climate change on their distribution and epidemiology. Integration of plant health monitoring, molecular tools, biological approaches, precision application technologies, and sustainable orchard management can contribute to more efficient and environmentally responsible olive production. Future research should focus on validating these technologies under diverse field conditions, improving delivery efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, integrating multiple data sources, and developing economically feasible management systems. Such integrated approaches can strengthen olive production resilience while supporting environmental sustainability, resource-use efficiency, and long-term productivity. © 2026 The Author(s)

Physicochemical properties, nutritional and health benefits of soybean oil: A review

2026-09-24T11:01:23+00:00

Soybean oil ranks among the most widely consumed and commercially significant edible vegetable oils worldwide because of its nutritional value, functional properties, and diverse food applications. This review comprehensively examines the chemical composition of soybean seed and oil, physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid profile, minor bioactive compounds, extraction methods, genetic modification, and nutritional and health-promoting properties of soybean oil. Soybean seed contains substantial amounts of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and biologically active compounds, Soybean oil contains a substantial proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid, oleic acid, and α-linolenic acid being the predominant components. Its physicochemical characteristics are evaluated using parameters such as iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value, free fatty acid content, density, viscosity and oxidative stability, are important determinants of oil quality, processing behavior, storage stability, and suitability for food applications. In addition to major lipid components, soybean oil and associated soybean fractions contain several minor compounds, including phytosterols, phospholipids, saponins, ferritins, and isoflavones, which contribute to their functional and biological significance. Different soybean oil extraction methods influence oil yield, composition, quality, and retention of bioactive constituents, while genetic modification provides opportunities to alter fatty acid composition and improve desirable technological and nutritional characteristics. Particular attention is given to the health effects of soy carbohydrates, lipids, isoflavones, and soy-derived phosphatidylserine. Evidence indicates that these constituents may contribute to improved lipid metabolism, cardiovascular health, blood pressure regulation, bone health, cognitive and memory function, and reduced risks associated with certain chronic diseases. Soy isoflavones are also discussed in relation to menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular disease, bone health, and cancer prevention. Overall, soybean oil and other soybean-derived bioactive components represent valuable nutritional resources with considerable potential for promoting human health. A better understanding of their composition, processing, and biological activities can support the development of improved soybean varieties, optimized extraction and processing technologies, and healthier food products. © 2026 The Author(s)