Broomrape (Orobanche cernua L.) is an obligate root parasitic weed that significantly reduces the qualitative and yield attributes of tomatoes globally. The efficient management of broomrape is challenging because of its complicated parasitic nature. Field trials were conducted to assess the influence of various irrigation scheduling and weed control strategies on broomrape, weed presence, and tomato productivity. The experiment was conducted with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and was replicated three times. Three irrigation intervals (3, 6, and 9 days) were assigned to the main block, while sub-blocks including treatments and year were taken as the source of variance (year × irrigation timing × treatments). The experiment comprised sixteen treatments, including transparent polythene, black polythene, weedy check (Control), sole weeding of broomrape only, weeding of all weeds, weeding except broomrape, humic acid 25 kg ha⁻¹+ copper oxychloride in single and split doses, copper oxychloride (1.5 kg a.i ha⁻¹ in single and split doses), ammonium sulphate 200 kg ha⁻¹ in single and split doses, copper sulfate (2 kg ha⁻¹ in single/split doses), and glyphosate 48 SL (1.5 kg a.i ha⁻¹) and pendimethalin 33 EC (1.44 kg a.i ha⁻¹). The results revealed that among the various irrigation intervals, the highest broomrape intensity (4.34 plant⁻¹) was observed with a9-day irrigation interval. Similarly, the highest weed density (35 m⁻²) resulted in a3-day irrigation interval. Furthermore, irrigation at a 6-day interval increased the plant height by 11%, fruit yield tons ha⁻¹ by 24.9 %, and produced the highest cost/benefit ratio (CBR) of (1:4). Black polythene, transparent polythene, and pendimethalin reduced the weed density by 92%, 89%, and 84%;weed dry biomass by 97%, 95%, and 91%; and broomrape intensity by 67%, 77%, and 28%. Conversely, the plant height increased by 24%, 23%, and 23.6%; and fruit yield by 286%, 270%, and 191%; and had the highest CBR of 1:5, 1:4, and 1:4, respectively, as compared to the weedy check. Consequently, an increase in irrigation frequency increases other weed densities and decreases the broomrape intensity plant⁻¹ of tomato. Therefore, black polythene could be recommended in a severely broomrape-infested field. Moreover, irrigation at 6-day intervals combined with pendimethalin and ammonium sulfate fertilizers revealed the lowest incidence of broomrape and other weeds and produced an economic yield.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop worldwide, renowned for its nutritional richness and adaptability. Weeds are the main biotic factor deteriorating chickpea yield and nutritional quality, especially Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. The present study concerns a two-year (2018–19 and 2019–20) field trial aiming at evaluating the effect of weed management on chickpea grain quality. Several weed management practices have been here implemented under a factorial randomized complete block design, including the application of four herbicides [bromoxynil (C₇H₃Br₂NO) + MCPA (Methyl-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) (C₉H₉ClO₃), fluroxypyr + MCPA, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (C₁₈H₁₆ClNO₅), pendimethalin (C₁₃H₁₉N₃O₄)], the extracts from two allelopathic weeds (Sorghum halepense and Cyperus rotundus), two mulches (wheat straw and eucalyptus leaves), a combination of A. tenuifolius extract and pendimethalin, and an untreated check (control). Chickpea grain quality was measured in terms of nitrogen, crude protein, crude fat, ash, and oil content. The herbicides pendimethalin (Stomp 330 EC (emulsifiable concentrate) in pre-emergence at a rate of 2.5 L ha⁻¹) and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Puma Super 7.5 EW (emulsion in water) in post-emergence at a rate of 1.0 L ha⁻¹), thanks to A. tenuifolius control, showed outstanding performance, providing the highest dietary quality of chickpea grain. The herbicides Stomp 330 EC, Buctril Super 40 EC, Starane-M 50 EC, and Puma Super 7.5 EW provided the highest levels of nitrogen. Outstanding increases in crude protein content were observed with all management strategies, particularly with Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW (+18% on average). Ash content was highly elevated by Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, along with wheat straw mulching, reaching levels of 2.96% and 2.94%. Crude fat content experienced consistent elevations across all treatments, with the highest improvements achieved by Stomp 330 EC, Puma Super 7.5 EW, and wheat straw mulching applications. While 2018–19 displayed no significant oil content variations, 2019–20 revealed the highest oil content (5.97% and 5.96%) with herbicides Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, respectively, followed by eucalyptus leaves mulching (5.82%). The results here obtained are of key importance in the agricultural and food sector for the sustainable enhancement of chickpea grain’s nutritional quality without impacting the environment.

Marigolds (Calendula officinalis L.) are valuable in ornamentation, human food, and other uses; to enhance productivity, plant growth regulators produce stimulatory effects, including salicylic acid (SA) and spermidine (SP), but there is a lack of scientific evidence about such effects in marigolds. The study assessed, under greenhouse conditions, changes in physico-chemical parameters, enzymatic activity, and bioactive compounds of marigold cvs. Hybrid and French marigolds were sprayed of SA (1 and 2 mM) and SP (2 and 3 mM) and compared to control (pure water). The SA at 2 mM improved leaf length (8.20 cm), flower height and diameter (5.32, 8.28 cm), flower fresh and dry weight (14.30, 1.5 g), and the maximum number of flower petals (55) in ‘Hybrid’. Similarly, 2 mM SA gave the maximum number of leaves (40.71) and stem thickness (5.76 mm) in ‘French’, but 3 mM SP promoted the maximum plant height in ‘Hybrid’. Superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities increased in ‘Hybrid’ with 2 mM SA; with this SA dose, ‘Hybrid’ had higher contents of total phenolic compounds (68.34 mg GAE g⁻¹), antioxidants (77%), carotenoids (110 mg 100 g⁻¹), and flavonoids (67.5 mg RE g⁻¹) than the control. The best dose for improving growth in both marigold varieties was 2 mM SA.

En tr ABSTRACT Effect of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) alone and in combination with different organic fertilizers on wheat (Tricticum avestium L.) Production was evaluated in a field study conducted at farmer field located in Swabi, Pakistan during 2017-18. Results exposed that among all the treatments, combined application of SSP at 100kg ha^-1 along with 6 t ha^-1 Poultry manure significantly improved the growth as well as yield parameters of wheat crop. On the other hand spike length remained unaffected by all the treatments in the prevailing soil and environmental condition. Combined use of SSP and PM were suggested for obtaining optimum yield of wheat crop. Effect of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) alone and in combination with different organic fertilizers on wheat (Tricticum avestium L.) Production was evaluated in a field study conducted at farmer field located Swabi, Pakistan during 2017-18. Results exposed that among all the treatments, combined application of SSP at 100kg ha^-1 along with 6 t ha^-1 Poultry manure significantly improved the growth as well as yield parameters of wheat crop. On the other hand spike length remained unaffected by all the treatments in the prevailing soil and environmental condition. Combined use of SSP and PM were suggested for obtaining optimum yield of wheat crop