This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on apoptotic and proliferative genes in injured HepG2 cells. In silico analysis was performed using molecular docking of chemical compounds with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The different computational tools used were AutoDock Vina, BIOVIA DISCOVERY studio, and PyMOL. Drug likeness and toxicity were analyzed by SWISS ADMET. Cells that were 60-70% confluent were treated with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (100-2000 μM) and ascorbic acid (30, 60, 90 μg/mL). The MTT cell proliferation assay was performed to compare the proliferative potential of HepG2 cells treated with H₂O₂ or ascorbic acid with untreated HepG2 cells using 96-well plates. The lowest binding energy of VEGF with vitamin C -5.2 kcal/mol and L-ascorbic acid-2 glycoside -4.7 kcal/mol was observed by in silico analysis. Vitamin C was selected because it exhibited a high interaction with VEGF and fulfilled Lipinski's rule, and had better oral viability and pharmacokinetics compared to L-ascorbic acid-2 glycoside. Cell viability assays showed that vitamin C had significant apoptotic effects (P < 0.0001). After treating HepG2 cells with ascorbic acid, reduced VEGF (angiogenesis) was observed as determined by apoptotic and proliferative gene expression. Ascorbic acid treatment of HepG2 cells led to downregulation of the proliferation markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Ki67, and DNA topoisomerase II alpha. Increased apoptosis after treatment with vitamin C was observed due to upregulation of p53 and annexin V. The results of this study showed that vitamin C inhibited the growth of cancer cells, thus protecting HepG2 cells from oxidative stress. Vitamin C exhibited antiproliferative activity as observed in silico and in vitro, as well as by the inhibited expression of genes involved in protein synthesis.

Weeds pose a great threat to crop production subsequently distressing the equilibrium of agro-ecological systems globally. Instead of relying on chemical weed control, there is a dire need to explore alternative eco-friendly agricultural practices for weed suppression and sustainable wheat production. Mulching being eco-friendly could potentially serve the purpose towards weed suppression organically. To check the usefulness of mulching, two-year studies were conducted under field conditions in Haripur, Pakistan, during 2014 and 2015 to elucidate the response of various mulching materials for weed control in wheat. Six mulch material treatments were used along with Buctril super (used as check) at the rate of 1.235 L ha⁻¹ to control the most problematic weed species of wheat in Pakistan. Experiments were designed under randomized complete block design with four repeats. The analysis of data revealed a significant decrease in weed density, relative weed density, fresh and dry plant biomass at 25, 50 and 75 days after sowing (DAS) where Buctril super at 1.235 L ha⁻¹ and mulch of black plastic were used followed by sugarcane bagasse and dry leaves of mulberry, as compared with control (untreated). Higher density of weed, relative weed density, fresh and dry plant biomass were observed in test weed species of wheat where lentil was applied with wheat and dry leaves of mulberry were incorporated. Net economic benefits in the form of benefit cost ratio (2.55) were higher where grass clippings were applied followed by sugarcane bagasse (2.43), mulberry leaves (2.49), while the lowest net economic benefits (1.72) were obtained when lentil (grown as live mulch crop) with wheat was intercropped. It was concluded from the study that sugarcane bagasse and grass clippings could be a source to control weeds in the wheat with a minimum cost of production at Haripur, Pakistan, and similar agro-climatic environment.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a vital cereal crop for food security in Pakistan. In Zn-deficient soils, its productivity and quality suffer, affecting grain yield, Zn bioavailability, and nutrition, which can lead to malnutrition. Field experiments were conducted using factorial randomized block design at the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan to evaluate the impact of wheat genotypes (G₁-TRB-72-311 synthetic hexaploid, G₂-TRB-89-348 advanced line, and G₃-Pirsabak-19-approved variety), Zn application methods (AM₁: no Zn application, AM₂: seed priming with 0.5% Zn, AM₃: soil application of 10 kg ha⁻¹ Zn, and AM₄: foliar application of 0.5% Zn), and the experiment also explored the use of ZSB (BF₁: with bacteria, BF₀: without bacteria) to cope with Zn deficiency. The study revealed significant impacts on wheat’s Zn content, uptake, and nutrient efficiency, arising from genotypes variance, Zn application approaches, and ZSB. TRB-72-311 synthetic hexaploid genotype with 0.5% foliar Zn and ZSB excelled, enhancing grain (17.8%) and straw Zn (23.1%), increasing total Zn uptake (55.0%), reducing grain phytic acid (11.7%), and boosting Zn-related efficiencies in wheat. These results prompt further discussion regarding the potential implications for agricultural practices. In conclusion, utilizing the TRB-72-311 genotype with 0.5% foliar Zn application and ZSB enhances wheat’s Zn content, uptake, grain quality, and addresses malnutrition.

The deficiency of nitrogen (N) in soil restricts agricultural productivity and its overdosage pollutes the atmosphere. Nitrogen is a vital component of protein, chlorophyll and various physiological processes. When it is applied at a recommended dose, it may be lost through fixation, leaching, volatilization and denitrification, etc. Therefore, there is a dire need to harmonize the supply of nitrogen according to crop and soil requirements. Under this situation, precision nitrogen management is one of the best options. GreenSeeker^TM is an integrated optical sensor with a variable application rate and mapping system that measures crops’ nitrogen requirements. To ascertain the abovementioned facts, a research study was conducted at the National Agriculture Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan, to examine the response of fodder oat to nitrogen management (N0 = control, N1 = 80 kg ha⁻¹ basal dose, N2 = 40 + 40 kg ha⁻¹ split doses, N3 = 40 kg ha⁻¹ with one-time management with GreenSeeker^TM and N4 = 20 kg ha⁻¹ with two-time management with GreenSeeker^TM) and seed rate (S1 = 80, S2 = 100, S3 = 120 and S4 = 140 kg ha⁻¹). Data were recorded on the agronomic and physiological aspects of the crop and economic analysis was performed for GreenSeeker^TM-based N application against the conventional recommended dose of nitrogen application. Mean values showed that greater number of tillers plant⁻¹ (6), fresh weight (16572 kg) and photosynthetic rate (11.64 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) were noted in the treatment N4 (20 kg ha⁻¹ and two-time management with GreenSeeker^TM). Greater plant height (70.8 cm) and leaf area (64.14 cm²) were recorded in treatment N2 (40 + 40 kg ha⁻¹ split doses) as compared to the control. The effects of nitrogen on fodder oat were forecasted through NDVI. The results suggested that nitrogen treatment N4 (18 kg ha⁻¹) managed by GreenSeeker in the PARC Oat cultivar produced the maximum NDVI value (0.68) at the booting stage among all treatments. The correlation of NDVI at the tillering and booting stages with green fodder yield was positive (R² = 0.80). Therefore, the tillering and booting stages can be good depictive stages at early and later growth stages of fodder oat under the agro-climatic conditions of Islamabad, Pakistan. Based on the results, it is recommended to apply an initial dose of 20 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen along with two-time management with GreenSeeker^TM for obtaining more green fodder yield in fodder oat. In Crux, with N1, a total of 80 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen was applied to achieve an estimated net profitability of USD 582.13. With N4, a total 58 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen was used to achieve a net profitability of USD 836.16; therefore, this treatment was found to be environmentally safe as compared to N1 (80 kg ha⁻¹).

Wheat cultivars displaying water stress tolerance traits are highly desirable for water scarce regions of Pakistan. To achieve this aim, a 2-years field research experiment was undertaken to assess the outcome of water stress on physiological and agronomic traits at different growth stages in selected wheat cultivars. The experiment comprised evaluation of five wheat cultivars viz., Atta Habibb-2010, Siran-2008, Pirsabak-2008, Hashim-2008 and Pirsabak-2005 under water stress by skipped irrigation at each of the following growth stages: crown root initiation (CRI), tillering stage, pre-anthesis and milk stages, compared with well-watered treatment. Data of tillers number, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, drought susceptibility index and drought tolerance efficiency were evaluated. The two years data revealed significant impact of water stress on growth, physiological and yield traits of wheat, and preanthesis stage was found as most sensitive to water deficiency. For water stress at CRI, Pirsabak-2005 produced higher yield than the rest of the cultivars. Hashim-2008 followed by Pirsabak-2008 produced higher grain yield than rest under water stress at pre-anthesis stage; whereas water deficit at this stage adversely affected the performance of cv. Atta Habib, Hashim-2008 and Pirsabak-2008. Pirsabak-2005, Hashim-2008 and Pirsabak-2008 may be utilized as breeding material for development of local water stress tolerant wheat varieties.