Irrigation of crops with domestic wastewater (DW) is a common practice in developing countries like India. However, domestic wastewater irrigation poses a risk of migration of toxic heavy metals to edible parts of crops, which requires serious measures to prevent their uptake. In this study, the effect of DW irrigation in comparison with Sarbal Lake water (SLW) and borewell water (BW) on soil characteristics and cultivated saffron (Crocus sativus L.) was investigated. For this purpose, samples of water, soil, and saffron (corm, petal, and stigma) were collected from the suburban area of Pampore, Srinagar district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The results showed that DW irrigation had the maximum significant (p < 0.05) influence on the physico-chemical and nutrient characteristics of the soil, followed by SLW and BW irrigation, respectively. The growth and yield parameters of saffron were also significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the case of DW irrigation as compared to SLW and BW. The quality ranking of the cultivated saffron was found to be in accordance with the ISO standard (III: BW and II: DW and SLW). On the other hand, DW irrigation showed a significant increase in heavy metal contents (mg/kg) of saffron plant parts such as As (0.21–0.40), Cd (0.04–0.09), Cr (0.16–0.41), Cu (7.31–14. 75), Fe (142.38–303.15), Pb (0.18–0.31), Mn (15.26–22.81), Hg (0.18–0.25), Ni (0.74–1.18), Se (0.13–0.22), and Zn (3.44–4.59), followed by SLW and BW. However, the levels of heavy metals did not exceed the FAO/WHO safe limits. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF), dietary intake modeling (DIM<0.006496), health risk assessment (HRI<0.028571), and target hazard quotient (THQ<1) analyses showed no potential health hazard associated with the consumption of saffron irrigated with DW and SLW. Therefore, the results of this study provide valuable insights into the optimization of irrigation sources for saffron cultivation.

A laboratory strain of Aedes aegypti (L) was subjected repeatedly to larval selection pressure with two bacterial insecticides, spinosad (Saccharopolyspora spinosa) and bacilod (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis). The results indicated that the mosquito Ae. aegypti acquired low resistance to spinosad and bacilod by about 3.1 and 2.4-fold, respectively, due to selection pressure for fifteen successive generations. The slope values of the selected strains were increased gradually from one generation to the next, indicating moderate homogeneity between individuals in their response to the test bio-insecticide. Moreover, larval selection with current bacterial bioinsecticides prolonged the time required to digest a blood meal. It showed an evident decrease in the reproductive potential of adult mosquitoes surviving selected larvae.

Numerous studies have shown that stress in plant cells and organelles with transport electron chains is related to RNA editing. The ATP synthase complex present in mitochondria plays a crucial role in cellular respiration and consists of several subunits. Among them is the b subunit, which is encoded by the mitochondrial atp4 gene. Computing-based analysis of the effects of RNA editing of the Withania somnifera atp4 gene in mitochondria leading to alterations in the b subunit of ATP synthase. Using the CLC Genomic Workbench 3, RNA editing analysis between the control and salt stress conditions was not significantly different. Depending on RNA editing, the tertiary structure model revealed a change in the states of the b subunit, reflecting differences in the central stalk and F1-catalytic domain. The study found that polar edits in the N-terminus of the b subunit allow for efficient H + ion selectivity and introduce a new coiled-coil alpha-helical structure that may help stabilize the complex. The most noteworthy finding of this study was the strong impact of these editing events on the tertiary structure of the b subunit, which has the potential to affect the ATPase activity and indicate that the editing in this subunit aimed to restore the original active protein and not as a response to salt stress.

Citrullus lanatus is the second most produced vegetable worldwide. Various insects, including the watermelon bug, pose a threat to this crucial crop. This study identifies the watermelon bugs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (mtCOI) locus. It also examines its susceptibility to Imidacloprid and Bifenthrin 10 % pesticides via feeding and topical applications. Moreover, the alcoholic extracts of Rhayza stricta and Juniperus procera were also evaluated as safe alternatives for control. Different Coridius species, including C. janus, C. chinensis , C. brunneus , C. nigriventris , and C. viduatus , four of them were first recorded in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the danger this invasive pest poses to watermelon cultivation. Imidacloprid was the most effective pesticide, with LC ₅₀ values of 2.45 and 3.37 ppm, whereas the LC ₅₀ values of Bifenthrin 10 % were 4.17 and 4.32 ppm for feeding and topical application, respectively. The resistance ratio for Imidacloprid was 1.37 times higher than that of Bifenthrin 10 %, which had a ratio of 1.04 times, in the feeding method compared to the topical method of application. J. procera extract was more effective, with LC50 values of 256.70 and 206.04 ppm, when administered by feeding and topical application, respectively. In contrast, the LC50 values of R. stricta extract were 556.93 and 651.98 ppm, under the same conditions. The relative resistance ratio of J. procera extract topical application was more effective than J. procera feeding method, R. stricta extract feeding, and topical application by about 1.25, 2.70, and 3.16 folds, respectively. The study emphasizes the importance of conducting bioassays for pesticides before their use in control programs.