Crop phenological development study evaluates the potential for adaptability and tolerance of genotypes to arid environment. Present study examined the effect of drought stress (100%, 75% and 50% FC), planting times (16-November, 01-December, 16-December and 01-January) and genotypes (Yocoro Rojo, FKAU-10, Faisalabad-08 and Galaxy L-7096) on phenological development, growth indices, grain yield and water use efficiency of drip-irrigated wheat. Development of wheat genotypes were measured at five phenological growth stages (tillering, jointing, booting, heading and maturity) and correlation of growth indices (30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS) were also estimated against final grain yield. Phenological development study measured early tillering in drought stressed plots, while at maximum, 31 days were taken to complete tillering stage. Days to complete 50% heading and physiological crop maturity were the most susceptible growth stages that resulted in a reduction of 31-72% in number of days to complete these growth stages. Wheat genotypes grown with 50% FC reported the shortest grain filling duration. The genotype, Fsd-08 presented greater adaptability to studied arid climate and recorded 31%, 35% and 38% longer grain filling period as compared with rest of the genotypes at 100-50% FC respectively. December sowing mitigated the drought and delayed plantation effects by producing superior growth and yield (2162 kg ha-1) at severe drought stress. The genotype Fsd-08 and L-7096 recorded the minimum plant height (36 cm) and the shortest growth cycle (76 days) for January plantation with 50% FC. At severe drought stress leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate were decreased by 67%, 57%, 34% and 38% as compared to non-stressed plots. The genotype, Fsd-08 and F-10 were the superior one and secured 14-17% higher grain yield as compared to local YR for severely stressed plots. The correlation between crop growth indices and grain yield depicted the highest value (0.58-0.71) at 60-75 DAS. So the major contribution of these growth indices towards grain yield was at the start of reproductive phase. It’s clear that booting and grain filing are the most sensitive growth stages that are severely affected by both, drought and delay in plantation.

A restricted dietary range and a deficit of essential minerals such as zinc (Zn) characterize the diets of under-nourished people. Zn deficiency is a global nutritional problem and intensity of the issue is even severe in developing countries. Cereal grains are key to fulfill a person’s daily energy requirements, but they have very low grain Zn concentrations, especially when grown in Zn-deficient soils. Zinc deficiency can be addressed in several ways viz., nutritional diversification, food enrichment and biofortification. Several limitations regarding nutritional diversification and food enrichment favored Zn biofortification as a perpetual solution of malnutrition. Among the potential biofortification options to rectify Zn deficiency, plant breeding approaches and agronomic biofortification offers major advantage. Current review appraised the possible role of Zn in plants, its uptake, translocation and partitioning efficiencies in cereal grains that is driven by various agronomic, breeding and biotechnological approaches. Moreover, review also discussed Zn application methods, Zn-phosphate hostility and indicators of Zn bioavailability which may improve Zn-use efficiency in rice. There is a genuine need to integrate Zn in rice production systems by using agronomic and conventional breeding tools. Likewise, agronomic biofortification is economically sustainable and practically adoptable solution to overcome the Zn deficiency issue in rice.

Use of synthetic herbicides to control weeds poses serious threats to sustainable agricultural production around the globe. The phytotoxic effect of different plant water extracts (i.e., sorghum, sunflower and mulberry) against weeds has been previously studied; however, their combined effects at different rates are yet to be explored. In this study, mixtures of allelopathic water extracts of sorghum + sunflower and sorghum + sunflower + mulberry were sprayed each at 12, 15, 18 and 21 L ha-1 at 40 and 55 days after sowing in wheat to control wild oats (Avena fatua), little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor), lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album) and swine cress (Coronopus didymus). A synthetic herbicide Affinity 50 WP (Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.75% + Isoproturon 50% applied at 1000 g a.i., ha-1) and a weedy check were kept as a control treatment. The increasing order of water extract dose 12-21 L ha-1 showed substantial reduction in total weed density and their dry biomass production of both narrow and broad-leaved weeds in all the treatment combinations. Mixture of sorghum + sunflower + mulberry water extracts each at 18 L ha-1 applied at 40+55 DAS resulted in an 87.14% decrease in total weed dry matter with a 19.5% increase in grain yield of wheat and higher net benefits of Rs. 100525 with 777.5% marginal rate of return. Nonetheless, application of sorghum + sunflower water extracts each at 12 L ha-1 at 40+55 DAS was more economical than the other treatments in terms of higher marginal rate of return of 799.82%. Based on this study, it can be suggested that the use of allelopathic plant water extracts in a mixture may act as a potential weed control strategy in wheat.