Publications by authors named "Ahlam Khalofah"

The untreated disposal of industrial effluents that contain hazardous toxic metal elements such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe), causes major threats to the ecosystem. The present study aims to focus on the health of water bodies and riparian vegetation in the Sargodha district. Industrial effluents from sugar mill industries drain the Jhelum River and eventually pose a major threat to the riparian vegetation of the area as it does in other parts of the world.

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Irrigation with sewage water can offer benefits such as increased crop productivity, but it also has significant drawbacks that affect crops, soil quality, and human health. Given its diverse composition of toxins, including chemicals and heavy metals, sewage water can adversely impact both soil fertility and crop health. With this in mind, the objective of this research was to evaluate the potential health risks associated with iron (Fe) in vegetables, specifically leafy and root vegetables, irrigated with wastewater, canal water, and a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers.

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Melatonin (Mel), a multifunctional molecule, has emerged as a pivotal regulator of plant stress responses, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and modulating metabolic pathways. This meta-analysis evaluated the role of Mel in mitigating various abiotic stresses, including salinity, drought, heavy metals, light intensity, and humidity, across diverse experimental conditions in rice crop. The findings reveal significant improvements in enzymatic antioxidant activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), with notable increases in POD (77%) and CAT (61%) activities under hydroponic application.

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This study investigated the phytosociological patterns, soil physicochemical properties, and ecosystem services provided by native plants in Soon Valley. The primary objective was to assess variations in plant diversity, soil characteristics, and ecosystem services, specifically carbon sequestration and soil erosion prevention across six sites such as Khabeki (S1), Khoora (S2), Dape Sharif (S3), Anga (S4), Knotti Garden (S5), and Jallar (S6). Quadrat-based sampling and allometric equations were used to evaluate plant diversity and carbon storage potential, whereas soil erodibility was analyzed via the Universal Soil Loss Equation.

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Nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in recent years because of their potential applications in various fields, including medicine, electronics, and energy. Despite the growing interest in zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) because of their unique optical, electrical, and antimicrobial properties, traditional synthesis methods often rely on harmful chemicals and energy-intensive processes. This study presents a novel, eco-friendly approach to synthesize ZnO-NPs from leaf extract, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals and high-energy processes.

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Fusarium genera are widespread disease-causing fungi that severely reduce plant productivity and yield quality, particularly in corn. In this study, we investigated the antifungal potential of selected plant extracts against damping-off disease-associated fungi in sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata).

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Article Synopsis
  • Chromium (Cr) is a toxic metal that harms plant growth and causes oxidative stress, but melatonin (MT) can help mitigate these effects by improving photosynthesis and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.
  • MT also reduces Cr accumulation in leaves and promotes sulfur-based defenses, like glutathione, which detoxify heavy metals by increasing cysteine availability.
  • The study underscores the interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and MT in protecting plants from Cr toxicity, suggesting that MT could be used as a fertilizer to boost cotton plants' resistance to heavy metal stress.
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As versatile signaling molecules, melatonin (ML) and hydrogen sulfide (HS) are well-known for their roles in response to abiotic stresses. However, their cross-talk to the regulation of biochemical defence responses and secondary metabolite synthesis during salinity has received less attention. Here, the role of ML-HS interplay in inducing defensive responses and the biosynthesis of essential oil compounds in summer savoury plants under NaCl treatment was investigated.

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Nanoparticles (NPs) are important in regulating plant tolerance to salt stress. Peppermint is one of the most widely used aromatic plants, with a high sensitivity to salt stress. The present study investigated physiological and biochemical factors to understand better the behavior of cinnamic acid (CA) and cinnamic acid nanocomposite in salinity control in peppermint plants.

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The issue of mercury (Hg) toxicity has recently been identified as a significant environmental concern, with the potential to impede plant growth in forested and agricultural areas. Conversely, recent reports have indicated that Fe, may play a role in alleviating HM toxicity in plants. Therefore, this study's objective is to examine the potential of iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) and various sources of Fe, particularly iron sulfate (Fe SO or Fe S) and iron-ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (Fe - EDTA or Fe C), either individually or in combination, to mitigate the toxic effects of Hg on Pleioblastus pygmaeus.

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Exogenous application of phytohormones is getting promising results in alleviating abiotic stresses, particularly heavy metal (HMs). Jasmonate (JA) and brassinosteroid (BR) have crosstalk in bamboo plants, reflecting a burgeoning area of investigation. Lead (Pb) is the most common pollutant in the environment, adversely affecting plants and human health.

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Land suitability classification is a useful management practice to ensure planned and sustainable use of agricultural lands according to their potentials. The main purposes of this study were to analyze land suitability for bread wheat () cultivation and generate a land suitability map for wheat by integrating the analytical hierarchy (AHP)-fuzzy algorithm with the Geographical Information System (GIS) in the Tozanlı sub-basin located in the upper part of Yeşilırmak Basin, Turkey. Topographic (elevation, slope, aspect) characteristics of the basin and some of physical and chemical properties of soils (texture, pH, electrical conductivity, lime, organic matter, and soil depth) were used as criteria in determining the suitability classes.

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Wildfires significantly alter soil properties and result in vegetation shifts; therefore, rapid reforestation activities are needed in the forests affected by wildfires. The decreased nutrient in the soil is the obvious effect of wildfires; however, little is known about the reforestation of Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests with application of NPK fertilizers. Juniper forests are common in Asir and Taif regions of Saudi Arabia and vulnerable to wildfires; thus, reforestation is needed after the onset of fires.

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Article Synopsis
  • Conyza sumatrensis is a globally invasive weed, and this study examined the seed germination of four populations from diverse climates (arid, semi-arid, temperate, and humid).
  • Various environmental factors such as light, temperature, pH, salinity, and osmotic potential were tested, finding that arid and semi-arid seeds generally had better germination under both favorable and stressful conditions.
  • The ideal conditions for germination included a specific light duration and a temperature of 20°C, with germination negatively affected by extreme pH levels.
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Pollinators can detect the color, shape, scent, and even temperature of the flowers they want to visit. Here, we present the previously unappreciated capacity of hoverflies (Eristalis tenax and Cheilosia albipila) to detect the electric field surrounding flowers. Using hoverflies as key dipteran pollinators, we explored the electrical interactions between flies and flowers-how a hoverfly acquired a charge and how their electrical sensing ability for target flowers contributed to nectar identification and pollination.

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Heavy metals are primarily generated and deposited in the environment, causing phytotoxicity. This work evaluated fenugreek plants' morpho-physiological and biochemical responses under mercury stress conditions toward Ag nanoparticles and applications. The fabrication of Ag nanoparticles by was monitored and described by UV/Vis analysis, FTIR, and SEM.

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Housefly is a significant domestic pest, which causes nuisance. The use of insecticides is discouraged to manage housefly; therefore, alternative management strategies are inevitable. The current study investigated the impact of different plant extracts, i.

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Individual effects of application of nitrogen (N) and plant densities (PD) were reported in various studies; however an interactive effect of N and PD in cotton was not studied. To explore the benefits of interactive effects of N fertilizer and PD to increase the quality of cotton. This study was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement.

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Environmental contamination caused by various pollutants due to automobile emissions is an alarming issue. One important type of the pollutants are heavy metals, including chromium (Cr) added by the exhaust of toxic smoke of vehicles. These pollutants are added to forage crops cultivated near roadsides, soil and irrigation water.

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Wild and managed pollinators are the key component of biodiversity, contributing to important ecosystem services such as pollination and supporting human food security. Pollination by insects is a crucial component of the food chain that ensures the production of fruits and strongly affects the fruit quality, but the effect of insect pollination on fruit physiological and chemical parameters is largely unknown. The current study was conducted to determine the insect pollinators diversity and their relative abundance in the loquat () orchard during 2017-2019.

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Pepper's (Capsicum annum) response to bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearm inoculation (RSI) and abiotic stresses is known to be synchronized by transcriptional network; however, related molecular mechanisms need extensive experimentation. We identified and characterized functions of CabHLH113 -a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor-in pepper immunity to R. solanacearum infection.

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To assess comparative losses of (HP) relative to other weeds, the experiment was set during consecutive summer seasons 2018 and 2019 at the Research Farm MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. Experiment consisted three replications which were laid out under randomized complete block design. Experiment consisted of ten treatments viz: weeds free (whole season), HP free till 20 Days after emergence (DAE), HP free till 40 DAE, HP free till 60 DAE, all weeds free 20 DAE, all weeds free 40 DAE, all weeds free 60 DAE, weedy check (all weeds), weedy check except HP and weedy check containing only HP.

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They were shifting in land use increases salinity stress, significant abiotic stress affecting plant growth, limiting crop productivity. This work aimed to improve L. (linseed) growth under salinity using and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

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Selenium is a trace element essential to many organisms, including higher plants. At low concentrations, it enhances growth and development; however, it is toxic at high concentrations. The development of crops with proper levels of selenium will be worth for both nutrition and Se-based therapeutics.

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