Agricultural soil quality degradation by potentially toxic elements, specifically cadmium (Cd), poses a significant threat to plant growth and the health of humans. However, the supplementation of various salts of silicon (Si) to mitigate the adverse effect of Cd on the productivity of peas (Pisum sativum L.) is less known. Therefore, the present investigation was designed to evaluate the exogenous application at various levels (0, 0.50, 1.00 and 1.50 mM) of silicate compounds (sodium and potassium silicates) on pea growth, gaseous exchange, antioxidant enzyme activities and the potential health risk of Cd stress (20 mg kg⁻¹ of soil) using CdCl₂. The findings of the study showed that Cd stress significantly reduced growth, the fresh and dry biomass of roots and shoots and chlorophyll content. In addition, electrolyte leakage, antioxidant enzymes and the content of Cd in plant tissues were enhanced in Cd-induced stressed plants. An application of Si enhanced the development of stressed plants by modulating the growth of fresh and dry biomass, improving the chlorophyll contents and decreasing leakage from the plasma membrane. Furthermore, Si addition performed a vital function in relieving the effects of Cd stress by stimulating antioxidant potential. Hence, a significant level of metal protection was achieved by 1.00 mM of potassium silicate application under the Cd levels related to stress conditions, pointing to the fact that the Si concentration required for plant growth under Cd stress surpassed that which was required for general growth, enzymatic antioxidants regulation and limiting toxic metal uptake in plant tissues under normal conditions. The findings of this research work provide a feasible approach to reduce Cd toxicity in peas and to manage the entry and accumulation of Cd in food crops.

The western region of Somaliland is prone to climate change and variability due to the widespread use of rainfed agriculture, which has been the practice historically since the colonization era; however, this mode of livelihood is losing its significance due to climate change. This research aims to examine the impact of climate elements’ trends (rainfall and temperature) on rainfed agriculture communities and how these changes affect the rainfed agriculture community. The specific objectives of this study are to determine the major trends of precipitation and temperature over the past three decades, and to assess the level of awareness of climate change in communities’ perception of environmental change in terms of rainfed agriculture. Hence, the study adopted a mixed-methodology approach to concluding the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the research. The main outcome of this study was that climate change has been an active challenge in western rainfed agriculture regions of Somaliland for the last three decades. Decadal precipitation and temperature trend analysis (1985–2015) indicated reduced rainfall both annual and seasonal, and an increase in annual temperature, both in terms of the maximum and minimum. The decrease in annual total rainfall from the Awdal and Waqooyi Galbeed regions was 2 mm/year and 1.5 mm/year, respectively, while in the long rainy season, the decrease of rainfall was 1.4 mm per season and 0.88 mm per season, respectively. In the case of maximum and minimum annual temperatures, both stations depict an increase in temperature. This increase in temperature was 0.043–0.045 °C for the Awdal region and 0.06–0.02 °C for the Waqooyi Galbeed. The qualitative phase of this study supported the quantitative observations, and respondents (≥45 years of age) reported decreasing annual rainfall, a declining long rainy season, and increasing maximum and minimum temperatures. Furthermore, participants mentioned an increase in the occurrence of drought, a reduction of rainfed agriculture productivity, the disappearance of indigenous plants and animals, and an increase of exotic plant species. In addition to that, respondents outlined current adaptation practices; however, these adaptation strategies are short-term, and farmers need more appropriate and practical adaptation practices in the future.

Climate change has become one of the most complicated challenges of the twenty-first century. Water scarcity is a significant threat to food security, and climate change has adversely affected the likelihood of extreme events such as drought. Selenium (Se) has been reported to mitigate abiotic stress effects, such as drought, on various plant species. The purpose of the current study was to observe the effects of foliar-applied Se to minimize the detrimental effects of water-deficient conditions. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the exogenous application of Se at various levels (0, 3, 6 and 9 mg L⁻¹) on the growth, physio-biochemical attributes and antioxidant defense system of lettuce plants growing under an irrigation water deficit from 85 ± 5% (control) to 35 ± 5% (drought stress). The results revealed that increasing water deficit stress linearly reduced plant growth and biomass by reducing relative water content (19.49%) and chlorophyll contents (23.95%) through increased electrolyte leakage (20.67%). However, foliar-applied Se significantly increased fresh and dry biomass under control and water-stressed conditions. Under drought stress, Se supply increased free proline content and the activities of SOD, POD and CAT in leaf tissues. The exogenous application of Se partly alleviated the effects of drought on lettuce by the upregulation of the antioxidant system and leaf soluble sugars and a simultaneous decrease in electrolyte leakage. This study further suggests that the upregulation of antioxidants and osmoprotectants is positively associated with the drought tolerance of lettuce. In conclusion, the exogenous application of Se (6 mg L⁻¹) has more potential to improve lettuce growth, physiological attributes and modulation of enzymatic antioxidant potential, which can be recommended for use to maximize lettuce productivity and quality in a dry environment. This research provides a promising, technically feasible strategy for mitigating drought stress in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of good health and zero hunger.