The agricultural sector is transforming with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), enhancing productivity, sustainability, and decision-making. AI technologies, including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), computer vision, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being applied to optimize various farming operations. This study is based on a descriptive literature review published in national and international journals and explores key AI trends such as precision farming, crop health monitoring, pest and weed detection, yield prediction, smart irrigation, agricultural robotics, climate forecasting, and supply chain optimization. AI-powered autonomous machinery reduces labor dependency while drone- assisted disease detection and AI-driven pest management minimize resource waste and environmental impact. AI-enabled predictive models have been shown to improve crop yield by 26%, reduce water use by 41%, and cut chemical usage by 33% (Addas et al., 2023). Despite its numerous benefits, AI adoption faces challenges such as high implementation costs, data accessibility, and the need for technical expertise. Ethical concerns, data privacy issues, and the potential reinforcement of power hierarchies in agriculture also pose significant challenges.

Lead (Pb) toxicity in the environment and plants has emerged as a significant global concern, primarily due to its entry into the human body through the food chain. Several physicochemical and biological techniques are being explored for Pb removal/immobilization. This study explored the efficacy of organic acids-citric acid (CA), acetic acid (AA), and tartaric acid (TA) in mitigating Pb toxicity in plants parts. The treatments included a control (CK, no acid treatment), citric acid (CA) at 0.25 mM (CA0.25) and 0.5 mM (CA0.5), tartaric acid (TA) at 100 mM (TA100) and 200 mM (TA200), and acetic acid (AA) at 100 mM (AA100) and 200 mM (AA200), each replicated in triplicate. Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) was used as the test crop. Our results revealed significant reductions in Pb concentrations in both plant parts (roots and leaves) as well as in soil following the addition of organic acid. Among the three acid treatments at different concentrations, tartaric acid (TA200) at 200 mM delivered the best results in reducing Pb accumulation in soil-plant system. It notably increased catalase activity (144 μmol g⁻¹), ascorbic acid (12,344 mg L⁻¹), superoxide dismutase (178 U mg⁻¹ protein), and glutathione (98.0 μg g⁻¹ FW), compared to citric and acetic acids treatments. Further, Pearson's correlation showed a strong negative relationship between Pb content and antioxidant activities, such as catalase, glutathione, and peroxidase (r > 0.90). This study revealed that the application of tartaric acid (TA), particularly at 200 mM through both exogenous and soil treatments, could be an effective strategy to minimize Pb accumulation in polluted areas.

Envisaging the Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) under Different Phosphorus Doses and Methods of Application

Six experiments were conducted for the enhancement in seed cotton yield by increasing water use efficiency and water savings in case of different planting methods of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop during the years 2014 & 2015, at three different locations in cotton zone of Punjab (Pakistan)...

The abrupt and extreme climatic conditions have paved ways for a shift in crop adaptability in their agro-ecological zones. To combat the uncertainty in crop yield, it is prerequisite to test newly developed crop genotypes to specific climatic conditions. Hence a two-year experiment was planned to evaluate the phenotypic performance and genetic potential of grain yield of six locally produced genotypes of Raya (Brassica juncea L.). The experiment was conducted at the research farm Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during 2018-19 to 2019-20. The study was laid out in Randomized complete block design and replicated four times. The observations were recorded for yield and yield determining components and final results showed that variety Bwp-Raya produced maximum grain yield (kg ha^-1) as 4856.5 kg/ha due to highest number of silique per branch as 169.25, grains per silique as 18.500 and 1000 grain weight as 4.015g. While among strains Brj-9070 produced maximum grain yield (kg ha^-1) as4278 kg/ha due to highest number of silique per branch as 168.50, grains per silique 18.250 and 1000 grain weight. This evaluation was crucial in order to determine the best performing Raya variety in arid conditions, so that farmers can select the best suitable variety according to climatic conditions prevailing in their areas.

A two-year field trial (2014-2016) was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of cultivating sunflower hybrid cultivars/varieties under semi-arid conditions of Pakistan. Nine hybrid cultivars/varieties, i.e. LG-5658, AG-SUN-8251, FSS-60, SY-4045, SMH-0917, US-444, KSF-777, Aftab-12 and Hysun-33 were grown in field area of Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Bahawalpur for two consecutive years. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications with a plot size of 3×7 m. All cultivars were assessed for yield potential in terms of plant population, plant height (cm), head diameter (cm), number of achenes head-1, seed index (g), 1000 grain weight (g), achene yield/ha (Kg). Statistical analysis of data showed significant differences for all parameters except plant population plot-1 during year 2014. Among cultivars, AG-SUN-8251 exhibited maximum plant population and plant height following KSF-777. After hysun-33, maximum number of achenes were recorded in KSF-777 following AG-SUN-8251. In case of seed index and 1000 achenes weight, LG-5658 stood best among cultivars. However, maximum yield per hectare was found in cultivar AG-SUN-8251 after Hysun-33 for both consecutive years.