Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic metals accumulated in wheat grains. Daily intake of Cd through food is posing serious health problems. There is an urgent need to reduce the uptake and accumulation of Cd in wheat and other cereal crops. In this study, we investigated the potential of moringa leaf extract (MLE) in decreasing the Cd toxic effects in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. A.S. 2002. Sowing was carried out in pots under shade and natural light conditions. Two Cd concentrations (500 µM and 1000 µM) were applied with and without MLE (0 and 3%). Results revealed that plant growth parameters viz diameter of stem, number of leaves, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments were improved with MLE application under Cd stress. Moreover, biochemical attributes and osmolytes such as total soluble sugars, and soluble proteins, phenolic content and flavonoids were negatively effected by Cd stress and were improved under MLE treatment. Moreover, Cd stress enhanced phytotoxicity as higher ROS accumulation is observed under both stress conditions, whereas after MLE application MDA and H₂O₂ accumulation was significantly decreased. Based on current observations, MLE was effective in mitigating the biological and toxic effects of Cd by promoting the growth attributes and mineral contents in wheat. Further experiments are needed for discovering the molecular mechanisms underlying MLE and host plant interactions involved in Cd stress mitigation.

Climate change has affected the food supply chain and raised serious food concerns for humans and animals worldwide. The present investigation aimed to assess the effect of environmental factors along with three different levels of cutting (i.e., cutting 1, 2, and 3 at the vegetative, budding, and flowering stages, respectively) and spacing (i.e., 21, 23, and 26 cm) on quinoa biomass and quality to select the most suitable accessions. This experiment was repeated for two years using a split–split plot experimental design. The cutting × genotype × year and cutting × space × genotype interactions were significant for most quinoa morphological traits (except for leaf area and intermodal distance), where the maximum growth in number of leaves/plant (NoL), plant height (PH), fresh weight (FW), number of branches/plant (Br), and dry weight (DW) were observed during the second growing season. Cutting and spacing levels also showed significant effects on morphological and quality traits of quinoa. Among the different levels of cutting and spacing, cutting level 3 and spacing level 2 were more effective across both years at gaining maximum biomass and quality traits such as crude fat (CF) and crude protein (CP). According to the MGIDI, only two accessions (R3 and R9) fared better in both growing seasons, and selected accessions had positive morphological and quality traits. There were moderately significant negative correlations between PH, NoL, LA, FW, and DW and anti-quality traits such as neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), indicating that an increase in biomass decreased the concentrations of ADF and NDF in both stem and leaves. A comparison with oat accessions (G3 and G7) revealed that quinoa has higher CP and CF and lower NDF than oats in both stems and leaves (except for ADF). In conclusion, the combination of cutting level 3 and spacing level 2 (23 cm) is more suitable to obtain high-quality quinoa forage with maximum biomass production. Furthermore, the MGIDI is a useful tool for breeders to select genotypes based on their mean performance, stability, and desired traits.

Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.), locally known as jowar, is a vital summer fodder crop in Pakistan, significantly contributing to livestock sustenance. However, drought stress poses a critical challenge by reducing plant biomass and elevating hydrogen cyanide (HCN) content, a toxic antiquality component that endangers livestock health. This study aimed to identify sorghum genotypes with improved fodder yield and reduced HCN content under drought stress. Seventy diverse genotypes were evaluated in a hydroponic system under three polyethylene glycol (PEG) levels (0%, 5%, and 10%) in a two‐factor factorial experiment arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant ( p < 0.05) genotype, treatment, and genotype × treatment interaction effects across all measured traits, indicating considerable genetic variability in drought responses. Drought stress significantly increased root length (RL) (3.2–13.2 cm) and decreased several morphological traits including shoot length (SL), shoot fresh and dry weights (SFW and SDW), and chlorophyll (23.4–42.8 μg cm ⁻² ) and fodder quality traits including crude protein (CP) (15.4%–24.1%) and crude fiber (CF). Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 72.4% of the total variance in the first three components, identifying SDW, SFW, RL, and SL as key contributors to drought tolerance. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive and negative correlations among the traits under all normal and drought conditions. Despite these reductions, genotypes such as Sorg‐60, Sorg‐66, and Sorg‐7 showed superior performance in both biomass and quality traits, while Sorg‐53 and Sorg‐56 exhibited high sensitivity to drought. Based on PCA biplot positioning and trait performance, 20 genotypes (10 highly tolerant and 10 highly sensitive) were selected for field evaluation under normal and drought conditions using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Morphological, physiological, and fodder quality traits showed comparatively low reduction under drought conditions in tolerant genotype compared to drought‐sensitive genotypes. Statistical analyses supported the findings and highlighted promising genotypes for use in future sorghum breeding programs aimed at enhancing forage yield and nutritional safety under water‐limited environments.

Drought stress restricts growth and productivity in grain legumes, yet the integrative mechanisms underlying silicon-mediated drought tolerance in Vigna mungo (mash bean) remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role of silicon in mitigating drought-induced damage in two mash bean cultivars. To evaluate this effect, plants were subjected to different drought regimes with and without silicon. Data on growth traits, biomass accumulation, reproductive attributes, photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, water relations, antioxidant enzyme activities, phenolic compounds, nutrient dynamics, and expression of drought-responsive genes were collected and statistically analyzed. Multivariate analyses, including PCA and structural equation modeling (SEM), were used to elucidate relationships among measured variables. Drought significantly reduced plant growth, biomass production, and reproductive traits, accompanied by marked declines in net assimilation rate (up to 35–40%), stomatal conductance, and transpiration under 25% field capacity (FC). In contrast, drought increased WUE (49.7–56.2 µmol CO₂ mmol⁻ ¹ H₂O), antioxidant enzyme activities, and phenolic accumulation. Silicon supplementation substantially improved plant growth, restored photosynthetic performance, and enhanced antioxidant defense under drought conditions. Si-treated plants exhibited increased activities of SOD, CAT, and APX, higher phenolic content, improved water status, and upregulated expression of DREB2A , PIP2-1 , and TIP4-1 compared with non-supplemented plants. Multivariate analyses clearly separated drought and Si treatments, while SEM revealed strong relationships linking gene expression, biochemical defense systems, physiological processes, and plant growth responses. In conclusion, silicon supplementation significantly enhances drought tolerance in mash bean by improving photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and molecular regulation of water transport.