Drought stress restricts the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) by disrupting its biochemical and physiological functions. The current study was conducted to evaluate the role of selenium (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg Se L⁻¹ as a foliar application) in improving okra tolerance to drought (control (100% field capacity-FC), mild stress (70% FC), and severe stress (35% FC)) imposed 30 days after sowing (DAS). Drought (severe) markedly decreased chlorophyll (32.21%) and carotenoid (39.6%) contents but increased anthocyanin (40%), proline (46.8%), peroxidase (POD by 12.5%), ascorbate peroxidase (APX by 11.9%), and catalase (CAT by 14%) activities. Overall, Se application significantly alleviated drought stress-related biochemical disturbances in okra. Mainly, 3 mg Se L⁻¹ significantly increased chlorophyll (21%) as well as anthocyanin (15.14%), proline (18.16%), and antioxidant activities both under drought and control conditions. Selenium played a beneficial role in reducing damage caused by oxidative stress, enhancing chlorophyll and antioxidants contents, and improved plant tolerance to drought stress. Therefore, crops including okra especially, must be supplemented with 3 mg L⁻¹ foliar Se for obtaining optimum yield in arid and semiarid drought-affected areas.

Drought stress restricts the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) primarily by disrupting its physiological and biochemical functions. This study evaluated the role of Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) in improving the drought tolerance of okra. Drought stress (3 days (control), 6 days (mild stress), and 9 days (severe stress)) and 4 doses of ANE (0, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) were imposed after 30 days of cultivation. The results indicate that drought stress decreases the chlorophyll content (total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid) but increases the activity of anthocyanin, proline, and antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Physiological and biochemical plant disturbances and visible growth reduction in okra under drought stress were significantly decreased by the application of ANE foliar spray. ANE spray (0.3%) significantly increased the chlorophyll abundance and activity of anthocyanin, proline, and antioxidants (APX, POD, and CAT). ANE regulated and improved biochemical and physiological functions in okra under both drought and control conditions. The results of the current study show that ANE foliar spray may improve the growth performance of okra and result in the development of drought tolerance in okra.

| Drought stress restricts the vegetative and yield attributes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L) primarily by disrupting its biochemical and physiological functions. The current study was conducted to appraise the Selenium (Se) role in improving the drought tolerance in okra. Drought stress (three days (control), six days (mild stress) and nine days (severe stress)) and four doses of Se (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg L−1) were imposed after 30 days of sowing. Our outcomes showed that drought stress decreases the number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, stem dry weight, root dry weight, fruit diameter, number of fruit per plant and 1000 seed weight. Visually reduction in vegetative and yield parametric quality okra plant okra were significantly alleviated by the foliar application of Se under drought stress. Se application of 3 mg L−1 significantly increased the number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, stem dry weight, root dry weight, fruit diameter, number of fruit per plant and 1000 seed weight. Se regulated processes, improved the vegetative and yield attributes of okra under water deficit conditions as well in control. The current investigation proved beneficial in improving the growth performance of okra, suggesting that foliar supplementation of Se may result in the development of drought mitigation in okra.

A research study “Comparison of sterilization methods and bags placement positions on biological and nutritional performances of oyster mushroom, was carried out at Nuclear Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Peshawar during spring, 2014. The experiment comprised of two factors that is sterilization methods (heat & chemical) and bags placement positions (ground, hanging and shelf). Experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) and was replicated three times. Analysis of variance revealed that sterilizing methods, bags placement positions and their interaction significantly affected the biological and nutritional performances of oyster mushroom. Heat sterilization method caused early spread of mycelia (43.3 days), early pin head development (45.4 days), early days to flowering (50.9 days), maximum mushroom size (22.2 cm), yield (1.8 kg), moisture content (85.4 %), minimum ash (0.7%), protein (3.1 %), fat (0.4 %), fiber (3.7 %) and carbohydrates (6.7 %). Among bag placement method early spread of mycelia (46 days), early Pin head development (48 days), early days to Flowering (53.5 days), maximum mushroom size (23 cm), yield (1.9 kg), moisture content (80.3 %), with lowest ash (0.6 %), protein (2.7 %), fat (0.4 %), fiber (3.5 %) and carbohydrates (6.6 %) were observed in ground bag placement positions. Thus from the present study, it is concluded that heat sterilization method and ground bag placement showed best results and hence recommended to enhance the biological and nutritional performance of Oyster mushroom.