Abiotic stresses, such as heat, salt, waterlogging, and multiple-stress environments have significantly reduced wheat production in recent decades. There is a need to use effective strategies for overcoming crop losses due to these abiotic stresses. Fertilizer-based approaches are readily available and can be managed in all farming communities. This research revealed the effects of sulfur-coated urea (SCU, 130 kg ha⁻¹, release time of 120 days) on wheat crops under heat, salt, waterlogging, and combined-stress climatic conditions. The research was done using a completely randomized design with three replicates. The results revealed that SCU at a rate of 130 kg of N ha⁻¹ showed a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) high SPAD value (55) in the case of waterlogging stress, while it was the lowest (31) in the case of heat stress; the control had a SPAD value of 58. Stress application significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the leaf area and was the highest in control (1898 cm²), followed by salt stress (1509 cm²), waterlogging (1478 cm²), and heat stress (1298 cm²). A significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lowest crop yield was observed in the case of heat stress (3623.47 kg ha⁻¹) among all stresses, while it was 10,270 kg ha⁻¹ in control and was reduced up to 35% after the application of heat stress. Among all stresses, the salt stress showed the highest crop yield of 5473.16 kg ha⁻¹. A significant correlation was observed among growth rate, spike length, yield, and physiological constraints with N content in the soil. The SCU fertilizer was the least effective against heat stress but could tolerate salt stress in wheat plants. The findings suggested the feasibility of adding SCU as an alternative to normal urea to alleviate salt stresses and improve wheat crop growth and yield traits. For heat stress tolerance, the applicability of SCU with a longer release period of ~180 days is recommended as a future prospect for study.

This study was aimed to document the floristic attributes of the pteridophytes of District Tor Ghar; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Total 41 species distributed in 20 genera and 10 families were recognized. Dryopteridaceae was the largest family with 12 species (29.26%). Second and third large family is Pteridaceae and Thelypteridaceae with 10 (24.39%) and 5 (12.19%) species respectively. Like-wise, Dryopteris was the largest genus with 6 (14.63%) species. The main families were Aspleniaceae, Blechnaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Equisetaceae, Lygodiaceae, Marseliaceae, Pteridaceae, Thelypteridaceae, and Woodsiaceae. Polystichum integrilobium (Ching ex Y.T. Hsieh) W.M. Chu ex H.S. Kung is reported for the first time for Pakistan and 33 species are new records for the Tor Ghar. These identified species were collected from different localities i.e. Shumli Bandi, Bandi, Pabal, Tilli, Panja Gali, Kotkay, Ganga , Judba, Seri Kohani, Tagram, Nabori, Tor Kandow and Kandar (Hussanzai).

The TUBBY gene family is a group of transcription factors found in animals and plants with many functions. TLP genes have a significant role in response to different abiotic stresses. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the TUBBY gene family in T. aestivum. Here we identified 40 TaTLP genes in wheat to reveal their potential function. This study found that TUBBY (TaTLP) genes are highly conserved in wheat. The GO analysis of TaTLP genes revealed their role in growth and stress responses. Promoter analysis revealed that most TaTLPs participate in hormone and abiotic stress responses. The heatmap analysis also showed that TaTLP genes showed expression under various hormonal and abiotic stress conditions. Several genes were upregulated under different hormonal and temperature stresses. The qRT-PCR analysis confirmed our hypotheses. The results clearly indicate that various TaTLP genes showed high expression under temperature stress conditions. Furthermore, the results showed that TaTLP genes are expressed in multiple tissues with different expression patterns. For the first time in wheat, we present a comprehensive TaTLP analysis. These findings provide valuable clues for future research about the role of TLPs in the abiotic stress process in plants. Overall, the research outcomes can serve as a model for improving wheat quality through genetic engineering.

Every crop breeding effort aims to increase production. Despite several advances, most worldwide breeding projects have traditionally focused on improving grain production potential, insect/pest and disease resistance, grain quality, and stress tolerance. Almost all rice breeding initiatives aim to increase grain yield. However, the value of this crop varies by area, country, and even within a country. Finding innovative ways to increase the genetic grain production potential of all kinds has significant ramifications. Rice breeders have improved crop yields significantly. The green revolution gave us semi-dwarf rice types, a new rice plant type, and hybrid rice. Conventional hybridization, ideotype and heterosis breeding, broad hybridization, genetic engineering, molecular marker-assisted breeding, and CRISPR-Cas9 are all possibilities for increasing yield potential. Pedigree is the most common breeding technique for enhancing rice, but hybrids and population improvement are also used. Many groups are still working to integrate biotechnology tools into breeding programs and balance budget allocation between conventional and innovative approaches. Modern technology, such as biotechnology, has recently increased agricultural productivity by improving crop yields and reviewing several genome editing methods to enhance rice production. Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), genetic engineering, ideotype breeding, RISPR-Cas9.