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Salt accumulation in soils poses severe challenges for crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Scarcity of rainfall and a high evaporation rate in these regions are considered major reasons for salt accumulation. It drastically reduces the leaching of excessive salts below the root zone of crops. The toxic effects of salts on plants can be greatly reduced with the use of biological and inorganic amendments. The present study was conducted to investigate the positive influence of gypsum (GP), composted cow dung (CCD) and the combined use of gypsum and composted cow dung (GP+CCD) on the growth, seed yield, and physiological and chemical attributes of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) in salty soil conditions. Saline-sodic soil was prepared using salts that include NaCl, Na2SO4, MgSO4, and CaCl2. It contained three levels of electrical conductivity (EC), i.e., 1.8, 6, and 12 dS m−1, and had a sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of 15. We noted significant deleterious effects of excessive salt stress on multiple attributes of the growth, produce, physiology, and chemical factors of sunflowers. However, treatment with GP+CCD improved all these attributes in all these conditions over the control treatment. Treatment with GP+CCD also significantly increased N, P and K contents over the control in the absence of salt stress, i.e., normal conditions. Conversely, treatment with GP+CCD caused an extreme decline in antioxidant enzyme activity (APX, GPX, CAT and SOD) and Na+/K+ ratio in seeds of up to 90, 75, and 71% over control at an EC level of 1.8, 6, and 12 dS m−1, respectively. This study suggests the combined application of gypsum and composted cow dung for better production of sunflowers in salt-affected soils, and augmented growth, yield, physiology, biochemistry and nutritional value in the sunflower seeds.
Muhammad Naveed; Muhammad Aslam; Zulfiqar Ahmad; Tasawar Abbas; Asma Al-Huqail; Manzer Siddiqui; Hayssam Ali; Irfan Ashraf; Adnan Mustafa. Growth Responses, Physiological Alterations and Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Amended with Gypsum and Composted Cow Dung. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6792 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Naveed, Muhammad Aslam, Zulfiqar Ahmad, Tasawar Abbas, Asma Al-Huqail, Manzer Siddiqui, Hayssam Ali, Irfan Ashraf, Adnan Mustafa. Growth Responses, Physiological Alterations and Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Amended with Gypsum and Composted Cow Dung. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (12):6792.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Naveed; Muhammad Aslam; Zulfiqar Ahmad; Tasawar Abbas; Asma Al-Huqail; Manzer Siddiqui; Hayssam Ali; Irfan Ashraf; Adnan Mustafa. 2021. "Growth Responses, Physiological Alterations and Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Amended with Gypsum and Composted Cow Dung." Sustainability 13, no. 12: 6792.
Development of successful biological weed control can help to resolve various environmental challenges created by the chemical and mechanical weed control. The current study is aimed at investigating the potential of allelopathic bacteria (hereinafter as AB) for biological weed control in wheat rather than the traditional areas of plant allelopathy, phyto-pathology, and insect biocontrol agents. Eleven strains of AB were obtained that were inhibitory to little seed canary grass of which 5 also inhibited wheat in our previous studies. The remaining strains indicated the potential for biological control of this weed in wheat. Five efficient strains were selected for this purpose to conduct pot and field trials. Seeds of little seed canary grass were sown together in potted soils with wheat seeds inoculated with AB strains. A subsequent field trial was conducted at a site selected based on chronic infestations of canary grass. Seeds of the weed and inoculated wheat were co-seeded directly in field soil. For inoculation, these strains were formulated in sterilized peat and applied to seeds. In pot trials, the invasion of little seed canary grass in wheat reduced wheat grain yield up to 59.9%. Four strains suppressed the weed which resulted in recovery wheat grain yield losses from 20.1 to 66.9%. The field trial showed that the invasion of little seed canary grass reduced wheat grain yields up to 53.9%. Four strains suppressed the weed which resulted into recovery of grain wheat grain yield losses 34.3 to 64.3%. These findings were consistent with improvement of other agronomic, physiological, and chemical parameters of the crop where the four strains of AB (L9, T42, 7O0, and O010) were applied.
Tasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed. Field application of allelopathic bacteria to control invasion of little seed canary grass in wheat. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2020, 28, 9120 -9132.
AMA StyleTasawar Abbas, Zahir Ahmad Zahir, Muhammad Naveed. Field application of allelopathic bacteria to control invasion of little seed canary grass in wheat. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2020; 28 (8):9120-9132.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed. 2020. "Field application of allelopathic bacteria to control invasion of little seed canary grass in wheat." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28, no. 8: 9120-9132.
Application of allelopathic bacteria (AB) for weed suppression may be helpful to solve various environmental challenges posed by conventional weed control techniques. In our earlier studies, around 400 strains of rhizobacteria of five weeds and wheat were isolated, screened for production of phytotoxic substances, and tested for phytotoxic activity on wild oat and little seed canary grass, and possible effects on wheat under laboratory conditions. We obtained 13 strains inhibitory to wild oat (Avena fatua L.) and 11 to little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor Retz.). Five of these (13 and 11) strains also suppressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) while others either stimulated or remained ineffective on wheat in separate bioassays. The success of any weed biocontrol technique, however, depends on its response under field conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate biological weed control of the five most efficient strains of AB under natural conditions in pot and field trials. Wheat was artificially invaded with wild oat in the pot trial through seeding. Wheat of the field trial was artificially invaded with wild oat and little seed canary through seeding. The selected strains belonged to pseudomonads (Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescence, P. aeruginosa, and P. alcaligenes) and their inocula were prepared using sterilized peat. The inoculated seeds of wild oat and wheat were sown together in a pot trial. The inoculated seeds of wild oat, little seed canary grass, and wheat were sown together in the field experiment. The field was selected based on chronic infestation of these weeds. However, weed invasion was ensured by adding seeds of weeds (inoculated with the respective strains of AB, according to treatment plan). A severe invasion of wild oat was observed in the pot trial, which reduced the grain yield of infested wheat up to 60.8%. The effectiveness of applied strains controlled 22.0–76.3% loss of grain yield of infested wheat. Weed invasion in the field trial reduced the grain yield of the crop up to 56.3% and effectiveness of the applied strains controlled 29.0–60.7% loss of grain yield of infested wheat. The study of other agronomic, physiological, and chemical parameters of the crop and weeds supported these findings. Harnessing the potential of these strains exhibited in our studies may be helpful to introduce an innovative, sustainable, and eco-friendly weed control technique for production of wheat.
Tasawar Abbas; Zahir Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Mona Alwahibi; Mohamed Soliman Elshikh; Mohamed El-Esawi. Field Performance of Allelopathic Bacteria for Biological Weed Control in Wheat: Innovative, Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Approach for Enhanced Crop Production. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8936 .
AMA StyleTasawar Abbas, Zahir Zahir, Muhammad Naveed, Mona Alwahibi, Mohamed Soliman Elshikh, Mohamed El-Esawi. Field Performance of Allelopathic Bacteria for Biological Weed Control in Wheat: Innovative, Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Approach for Enhanced Crop Production. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (21):8936.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTasawar Abbas; Zahir Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Mona Alwahibi; Mohamed Soliman Elshikh; Mohamed El-Esawi. 2020. "Field Performance of Allelopathic Bacteria for Biological Weed Control in Wheat: Innovative, Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Approach for Enhanced Crop Production." Sustainability 12, no. 21: 8936.
Conventional weed control practices have generated serious issues related to the environment and human health. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of alternative techniques for sustainable agriculture. The present study performed a large-scale screening of allelopathic bacteria from the rhizosphere of weeds and wheat to obtain biological weed control inoculants in the cultivation of wheat. Initially, around 400 strains of rhizobacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of weeds as well as wheat that grows in areas of chronic weed invasions. A series of the screen was performed on these strains, including the release of phytotoxic metabolites, growth inhibition of sensitive Escherichia coli, growth inhibition of indicator plant of lettuce, agar bioassays on five weeds, and agar bioassay on wheat. Firstly, 22.6% (89 strains) of the total strains were cyanogenic, and among the cyanogenic strains, 21.3% (19 strains) were inhibitory to the growth of sensitive E. coli. Then, these 19 strains were tested using lettuce seedling bioassay to show that eight strains suppressed, nine strains promoted, and two strains remained ineffective on the growth. These 19 strains were further applied to weeds and wheat on agar bioassays. The results indicated that dry matter of broad-leaved dock, wild oat, little seed canary grass, and common lambs’ quarter were reduced by eight strains (23.1–68.1%), seven strains (38.5–80.2%), eight strains (16.5–69.4%), and three strains (27.5–50.0%), respectively. Five strains suppressed the growth of wheat, nine strains increased its dry matter (12.8–47.9%), and five remained ineffective. Altogether, the strains that selectively inhibit weeds, while retaining normal growth of wheat, can offer good opportunities for the development of biological weed control in the cultivation of wheat.
Tasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Sana Abbas; Mona S. Alwahibi; Mohamed Soliman Elshikh; Adnan Mustafa. Large Scale Screening of Rhizospheric Allelopathic Bacteria and Their Potential for the Biocontrol of Wheat-Associated Weeds. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1469 .
AMA StyleTasawar Abbas, Zahir Ahmad Zahir, Muhammad Naveed, Sana Abbas, Mona S. Alwahibi, Mohamed Soliman Elshikh, Adnan Mustafa. Large Scale Screening of Rhizospheric Allelopathic Bacteria and Their Potential for the Biocontrol of Wheat-Associated Weeds. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (10):1469.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Sana Abbas; Mona S. Alwahibi; Mohamed Soliman Elshikh; Adnan Mustafa. 2020. "Large Scale Screening of Rhizospheric Allelopathic Bacteria and Their Potential for the Biocontrol of Wheat-Associated Weeds." Agronomy 10, no. 10: 1469.
Tasawar Abbas; Zahir A. Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Robert J. Kremer. Limitations of Existing Weed Control Practices Necessitate Development of Alternative Techniques Based on Biological Approaches. Advances in Agronomy 2018, 239 -280.
AMA StyleTasawar Abbas, Zahir A. Zahir, Muhammad Naveed, Robert J. Kremer. Limitations of Existing Weed Control Practices Necessitate Development of Alternative Techniques Based on Biological Approaches. Advances in Agronomy. 2018; ():239-280.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTasawar Abbas; Zahir A. Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Robert J. Kremer. 2018. "Limitations of Existing Weed Control Practices Necessitate Development of Alternative Techniques Based on Biological Approaches." Advances in Agronomy , no. : 239-280.
Allelopathic bacteria found to selectively inhibit weeds but not wheat in our earlier study were selected to evaluate their impact on three weeds and wheat under axenic conditions. Inoculated seeds of each species were sown in sand jars for 25 days. Results indicated that the applied strains variably inhibited germination of wild oat, little seed canary grass and broad leaved dock from 15.2 to 63.3, 18.5 to 58.7 and 18.4 to 60.5% and dry matter from 12.4 to 65, 22.8 to 81.4 and 21.7 to 71.3% than their controls, respectively. These effects were also evident in other growth parameters. Growth of wheat was significantly improved by four strains while others caused non-significant effects. Selectivity of these strains was also reflected in differential root colonization ability. These strains were characterized for various microbial and biochemical parameters. These strains may further be evaluated for their bioherbicidal activity under natural conditions.
Tasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed. Bioherbicidal activity of allelopathic bacteria against weeds associated with wheat and their effects on growth of wheat under axenic conditions. BioControl 2017, 62, 719 -730.
AMA StyleTasawar Abbas, Zahir Ahmad Zahir, Muhammad Naveed. Bioherbicidal activity of allelopathic bacteria against weeds associated with wheat and their effects on growth of wheat under axenic conditions. BioControl. 2017; 62 (5):719-730.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed. 2017. "Bioherbicidal activity of allelopathic bacteria against weeds associated with wheat and their effects on growth of wheat under axenic conditions." BioControl 62, no. 5: 719-730.
Conventional weed management systems have produced many harmful effects on weed ecology, human health and environment. Biological control of invasive weeds may be helpful to minimize these harmful effects and economic losses incurred to crops by weeds. In our earlier studies, plant antagonistic bacteria were obtained after screening a large number of rhizobacteria for production of phytotoxic substances and effects on wheat and its associated weeds under laboratory conditions. In this study, five efficient strains inhibitory to broad-leaved dock and non-inhibitory to wheat were selected and applied to broad-leaved dock co-seeded with wheat both in pot trial and chronically infested field trial. Effects of plant antagonistic bacteria on the weed and infested wheat were studied at tillering, booting and harvesting stage of wheat. The applied strains significantly inhibited the germination and growth of the weed to variable extent. Similarly, variable recovery in losses of grain and straw yield of infested wheat from 11.6 to 68 and 13 to 72.6% was obtained in pot trial while from 17.3 to 62.9 and 22.4 to 71.3% was obtained in field trial, respectively. Effects of plant antagonistic bacteria were also evident from the improvement in physiology and nutrient contents of infested wheat. This study suggests the use of these plant antagonistic bacteria to biologically control infestation of broad-leaved dock in wheat under field conditions.
Tasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Zubair Aslam. Biological control of broad-leaved dock infestation in wheat using plant antagonistic bacteria under field conditions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2017, 24, 14934 -14944.
AMA StyleTasawar Abbas, Zahir Ahmad Zahir, Muhammad Naveed, Zubair Aslam. Biological control of broad-leaved dock infestation in wheat using plant antagonistic bacteria under field conditions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2017; 24 (17):14934-14944.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTasawar Abbas; Zahir Ahmad Zahir; Muhammad Naveed; Zubair Aslam. 2017. "Biological control of broad-leaved dock infestation in wheat using plant antagonistic bacteria under field conditions." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24, no. 17: 14934-14944.