The present research concerns the development of a new device and process intended for the purification and treatment of sulfurous elements, and more particularly, of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from the biogas produced at the time of the anaerobic fermentation in the purification stations. The controlled dumps or any other unit are likely to produce biogas with concentrations of H₂S harmful to the operation of the machines for the valorization of the produced biogas or deodorization. This device uses new biochar from a mixture of dehydrated digested sludge from sewage treatment plants and margins from traditional crushing units, followed by biological treatment in a liquid medium at a controlled temperature. The liquid medium is based on a margin (nutrient) with culture support (large granules of biochar) in suspension by the injection under the pressure of biogas coming from the biochar filter. Physico-chemical characterization of the biochar and a test practiced on the new device of raw biogas treatment were realized. The results showed that the newly synthesized biochar has a low specific surface and a highly undeveloped porosity. The spectrum corresponding to the images of the biochar reveals the presence of C, O, N, Al, Si, P, and Fe, as significant elements with the following respective percentages: 37.62%, 35.78%, 1.87%, 4.26%, 7.33%, 8.56%, and 4.58%. It is important to note that the C content of the biochar thus synthesized found by EDX is quite comparable to that estimated from ATG. Biogas treatment test results on the prototype object of the invention eliminated 97% of the H₂S from the biogas produced.

The current study was designed to assess the comparative morphology of eight olive cultivars with different geographical origins and diverse genetic backgrounds, introduced to a new climatic zone. The morphological parameters of eight (five exotic and three domestic) olive cultivars (Bari Zaitoon-1, Bari Zaitoon-2, Favolosa (FS-17), Koroneiki, Balkasar, Ottobratica, Leccino, and Arbequina) were compared at the experimental area of the Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan (29°24′0″ North, 71°41′0″ East, 401–421 feet above sea level). Plant height, number of leaves/15 cm shoot, leaf size characteristics (leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, and length/width ratio), leaf shape characteristics (margin, leaf axil, base, and apex angles), leaf pigments (Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll contents, and carotenoids), phyllotaxy, and leaf color and venation were recorded. The highest plant height (28 cm) was obtained by Bari Zaitoon-2 followed by Bari Zaitoon-1 (24 cm), both of which are domestic cultivar of Pakistan, while the shortest height (5 cm) was obtained by Koroneiki. Leccino displayed the highest average number of leaves (17.8) on main shoot, followed by BARI-2 (16.4) and the lowest score was from Balkasar (10.4). Leaf area ranged from 5.66 cm² (Bari Zaitoon-1) to 3.08 cm² (Koroneiki). The longest leaf length (5.74 cm) was found in Bari Zaitoon-1 and the shortest (4.04 cm) in Koroneiki, while the broadest leaves were found in Leccino (1.54 cm) and the narrowest (1.12 cm) in Koroneiki. Bari Zaitoon-2 led in leaf length to width ratio (4.058) followed by Bari Zaitoon-1 (3.772) with small lanceolate leaves hardly reaching the value of 4, with the lowest value illustrated by Leccino. The total chloroplast pigments were highest in FS-17 followed by Bari Zaitoon-1 and Bari Zaitoon-2, while the lowest was in Arbequina. Chlorophyll a was highest in Bari Zaitoon-1 followed by FS-17 and Balkasar, with the lowest rate in Arbequina. Chlorophyll b content of FS-17 was the highest whereas the Chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents in Arbequina were the lowest of all the cultivars. The highest value of total carotenoids was found in Balkasar followed by FS-17 with the lowest value in Arbequina. The phyllotaxy was categorized into three types, i.e., alternate, opposite, and whorled. The combination of two or more types was usually observed on the same branch. The whorl of four leaves was also present in rare cases. Leaf venation was both pinnate and reticulate. The leaf base of most (four) of the olive cultivars, i.e., Arbequina, Balkasar, Leccino and FS-17, were cuneate having acute, rounded, apiculate, and cuspidate leaf tips, respectively. The findings revealed remarkable variations in olive morphology, especially in the leaves and a successful record of the preliminary data of olive cultivars from the study area was made. The present research demonstrated that local olive cultivars have unique characteristics that differentiate them from imported cultivars. Thus, local cultivars provide novel genetic resources that should be conserved.

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV), transmitted by chrysomelids, is one of the major viral pathogens that has devastated rice production in Sub-Saharan Africa. RYMV is a member of the genus Sobemoviruses in the family Solemoviridae and harbors a positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA). Here, we used 50 RYMV strains, applying the codon usage bias (CUB). Both base content and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis revealed that GC-ended codons were more frequently used in the genome of RYMV. Further low codon usage bias was observed from the effective number of codons (ENC) value. The neutrality plot analysis suggested the dominant factor of natural selection was involved in the structuring of CUB in RYMV. Based on RSCU values, the RYMV and its host relationship indicate that the RYMV develops codon usage patterns similar to its host. Generally, both natural selection and mutational pressure impact the codon usage pattern of the protein-coding genes in RYMV. This study is important because it characterized the codon usage pattern in the RYMV genomes and provided the necessary data for a basic evolutionary study on them. Additionally, we recommend that experiments such as whole genome sequencing (WGS) or dual RNA sequencing (DRS) should be considered in order to correlate these in-silico findings with viral diseases in the future.

The pump-irrigated soils of the coastal Chaouia in Morocco are subject to changes in their qualities due to the quality of the irrigation water and their proximity to the sea. This work aims to approach irrigation water quality and the influence of these waters on the quality of agricultural soils. The study is based on the systematic and selective sampling of water and soils (19 water samples and 19 soil samples). Analyzed parameters mainly include the salinity and pH of the soil and water samples. The main results show that soil pH varies from 6.81 to 7.7. However, the pH of the water varies from 6.22 to 8.13. The electrical conductivity in soils varies from 12,260 μs/cm to 700 μs/cm and from 1123 μs/cm to 8120 μs/cm. The results of the analysis of soil salinity show that in moving away from the sea, the salinity decreases, and the salinity of the water samples follows the same trend. The Richard and Wilcox graphs show that most water samples taken near the sea are highly mineralized and have poor water quality. This paper presents important aspects of the feasibility of coastal agriculture and can be a source of inspiration for future research and planning of coastal agriculture.

Betula utilis is an indicator species of subalpine forest in the western Himalayan region, performing dynamic ecological functions and providing significant ecosystem services to rural mountainous communities that support livelihoods in harsh environmental conditions. The current study was designed to investigate the ecosystem services and regeneration patterns of Betula utilis forest in the subalpine zone of Kashmir, western Himalayas. The questionnaire method was used for collecting ethnobotanical and fuelwood data. The systematic quadrat method was used for assessing the regeneration patterns of B. utilis forest at 15 sites. B. utilis is a versatile plant with significant religious and cultural values, as well as being used for the treatment of various diseases in humans and animals. Results of fuelwood consumption revealed that mountainous rural communities consumed an average of 7.18 kg/capita/day. The linear regression analysis showed that fuelwood consumption values increase along the altitude of the investigated area. As altitude increases, the rural population uses more fuelwood for heating purposes to sustain their lives in harsh environmental conditions. The average seedling density was calculated at 1351.47/ha in the study area. Significant regeneration was observed in some sites, while others showed a lower regeneration rate due to immense anthropogenic pressure. The seedlings and saplings showed a higher number, ranging from 1429/ha to 911/ha, 1915/ha to 495/ha, 1054/ha to 623/ha, and 1493/ha to 436/ha on the south and north aspects, respectively. The north-facing aspect depicts more seedling and sapling numbers due to favorable conditions, whereas the south-facing aspect showed fewer numbers as compared to the north-facing aspect. Climate change and anthropogenic pressure significantly affect the long-term viability of Betula forests in subalpine zones because of their restricted ecological niches. Immediate management strategies are required to minimize these threats and implement effective conservation strategies and a sustainable forest management policy for the preservation of the subalpine forest in Kashmir.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in various regions of Pakistan has been reported which poses severe threats to the health of local communities through various exposure routes. There is relatively scarce data and information regarding Cd contamination status in the groundwater of Punjab, Pakistan, which is typically used for drinking purposes. The present research work was carried out to assess the concentration of Cd in the drinking water samples collected from the Khanewal district. Drinking water samples (196) were collected from different sources of groundwater (hand and electric pumps, tube wells) at different depths (50-400 feet) in rural and urban areas of four tehsils (Jahanian, Kabirwala, Khanewal, and Mian Channu) of district Khanewal. The collected water samples were evaluated for Cd level and physico-chemical properties such as electrical conductivity, pH, carbonates, cations, anions, and bicarbonates. It was noticed that 90% of collected samples of water were unsafe for drinking purposes as these contained higher levels of Cd compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit of Cd (3.0 × 10-3 mg L-1) in drinking water. Cd-induced health risks were also calculated concerning the hazard quotient (HQ), the average daily dose (ADD), and carcinogenic risk (CR) for humans who were reliant on the Cd-mixed water for consumption. Overall, the study found that people in the Khanewal district were at a severe/serious carcinogenic health risk due to Cd contamination in drinking water. This study highlights that management and monitoring steps are necessary for people in study regions, to decrease Cd-induced health issues and build effective remediation methods for Cd-contaminated water.