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Promoting awareness and knowledge dissemination becomes a powerful tool for propelling both sustainability and profitability in navigating the complexities of contemporary agriculture. The perceived effectiveness and profitability are likely attributed to the high-value crops, particularly essential oils such as eucalyptus oil as lucrative. A sample size of 288 aromatic growers was selected from stratified random sampling in northern Punjab, Pakistan. This study delves into the prospects and challenges impacting farmers' knowledge concerning three distinct essential oil extraction (EOE) practices using ordinal regression analysis. The key findings revealed that the majority of the respondents perceived these practices as cost-effective, profit-driven, productive in terms of crop yield, and motivated towards adoption as statistically significant predictors. Conversely, limited market proximity, negative perception among peers, and scarcity of skilled workforce proved to be significant barriers triggering their perception toward adoption. The application of ordinal regression analysis knowledge provided a thorough understanding of decision-making processes among aromatic growers. This study contributes to the theoretical framework by highlighting the interconnectedness of economic factors and farmers' knowledge, providing a nuanced understanding of the drivers behind EOE practices. Hence, this study underscore the importance of this multi-faceted approach involving education, policy, and industry participation to promote a sustainable and profitable essential oil sector within the agricultural landscape of the Asiatic region. Therefore, it is recommended to enhance farmer education through targeted training programs, incentivize eco-friendly practices with supportive policies, and foster innovation through public-private partnerships to drive a profitable essential oil sector.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050201

Spraying agrochemicals on crop is essential to protect them from insects, pests and weeds. Different machine like knapsack, boom and aircraft are being commonly used worldwide to spray agrochemicals for crop protection. Knapsack sprayer is a common equipment used by the farming community in Pakistan. These sprayers have less field efficiency and can lead to operator discomfort and back pain. Tractor mounted boom sprayers and aircraft sprayers may also be used but these are very expensive equipments and small farmer cannot afford them. To address this farming community challenge, a small scale walk behind sprayer was designed and manufactured at Agricultural Engineering Workshop, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in 2020. This newly developed spraying machine is light weight and easy to operate in the fields. Performance of walk behind sprayer was evaluated in the term of effective field capacity, field efficiency and wheel slippage. Spraying machine can work for five hours after one recharge of a 12V battery. Pump produced pressure of 150 PSI and discharge rate of nozzles were 0.5 liters per minute. Overall machine has proven beneficial for the small farmer as it can easily spray 5 acres/day. The research findings showed that field efficiency of machine was 77.7% and slippage factor was 13.5%. It is concluded from the study that newly developed technology performed better as compared to knapsack sprayer therefore this machine is recommended to the farmers.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050202

Nickel (Ni) is an essential metal that causes soil toxicity at higher levels and reduces crop growth and quality. Therefore, the present study was planned to explore the soil phytoremediation potential of different ornamental plants (stock, snapdragon, and gladiolus) in Ni-contaminated soil. Stock, snapdragon, and gladiolus plants were grown in pots supplemented with different levels of Ni (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 µM) to analyze different growth, physiological, biochemical, and phytoremediation parameters. Results showed that a higher level of Ni (80 µM) significantly decreased growth and physio-chemical attributes of stock, snapdragon, and gladiolus. Maximum shoot length (15.40%), root length (16.00%), shoot fresh weight (6.75%), root fresh weight (15.19%), shoot dry weight (19.80%), root dry weight (27.52%), relative water content (12.29%), membrane stability index (10.64%) and total chlorophyll content (4.33%) were recorded in stock flower at 20 µM. Moreover, higher values for photosynthetic rate (27.81%), transpiration rate (9.23%), stomatal conductance (19.89%), and sub-stomatal conductance (44.19%) were noted in stock flower at 40 µM. Whereas, the maximum activities of catalase (20.41%), peroxidase (66.17%), and superoxide dismutase (64.48%) were measured in stock flower at 60 µM. Stock plants showed more tolerance against Ni toxicity than snapdragon and gladiolus based on a higher bio concentration factor (70.70%) and lesser translocation factor (46.44%) at 60 µM and 40 µM respectively. Conclusively, stock has performed better than snapdragon and gladiolus for phytoremediation of Ni-polluted soil.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050203

Soil contamination with pesticides and heavy metals due to excessive agricultural and industrial activities. Moreover, soil contamination has become an increasing environmental and public health concern. Effective remediation strategies are essential to restore soil health, reduce toxicity, and promote sustainable agriculture. The role of earthworms and radish (Raphanus sativus) in the phytoremediation of co-contaminated soils, specifically focusing on their abilities to mobilize and accumulate heavy metals and pesticides. Furthermore, earthworms, particularly Eisenia fetida and Pheretima posthuma, are ecological engineers; their activities enhance soil quality and facilitate the bioavailability of contaminants. Through bioturbation and organic matter processing, earthworms increase the accessibility of heavy metals and pesticides to plants, thus boosting phytoremediation potential. Vermitechnology, including vermicomposting, has significantly reduced metal toxicity, enhanced soil enzyme activity, and promoted microbial diversity. Radish plants, known hyperaccumulators, have demonstrated a substantial capacity to absorb metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As), as well as pesticides like triazophos and chlorpyrifos, with concentrations highest in the roots and shoots. Findings reveal that combined applications of earthworms and phytoremediation plants can improve the efficiency of contaminant uptake. Specifically, E. fetida exhibited superior performance in increasing metal and pesticide bioavailability to radish compared to P. posthuma. This study suggests that earthworm-assisted phytoremediation using radish is a viable, eco-friendly approach for mitigating soil contamination. Future studies should concentrate on field trials, the influence of different soil kinds, and additional synergistic plant and earthworm species to optimize bioremediation methods.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050204

Soil contamination with pesticides and heavy metals due to excessive agricultural and industrial activities. Moreover, soil contamination has become an increasing environmental and public health concern. Effective remediation strategies are essential to restore soil health, reduce toxicity, and promote sustainable agriculture. The role of earthworms and radish (Raphanus sativus) in the phytoremediation of co-contaminated soils, specifically focusing on their abilities to mobilize and accumulate heavy metals and pesticides. Furthermore, earthworms, particularly Eisenia fetida and Pheretima posthuma, are ecological engineers; their activities enhance soil quality and facilitate the bioavailability of contaminants. Through bioturbation and organic matter processing, earthworms increase the accessibility of heavy metals and pesticides to plants, thus boosting phytoremediation potential. Vermitechnology, including vermicomposting, has significantly reduced metal toxicity, enhanced soil enzyme activity, and promoted microbial diversity. Radish plants, known hyperaccumulators, have demonstrated a substantial capacity to absorb metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As), as well as pesticides like triazophos and chlorpyrifos, with concentrations highest in the roots and shoots. Findings reveal that combined applications of earthworms and phytoremediation plants can improve the efficiency of contaminant uptake. Specifically, E. fetida exhibited superior performance in increasing metal and pesticide bioavailability to radish compared to P. posthuma. This study suggests that earthworm-assisted phytoremediation using radish is a viable, eco-friendly approach for mitigating soil contamination. Future studies should concentrate on field trials, the influence of different soil kinds, and additional synergistic plant and earthworm species to optimize bioremediation methods.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050204

Phosphorus (P) application plays a crucial role in cotton growth by enhancing reproductive development and seed cotton yield. This study, conducted at the Adaptive Research Station in Sahiwal from 2021 to 2022, examined the effects of various phosphorus application methods on the productivity of cotton cultivar MNH-1020. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was employed, incorporating seven phosphorus treatments, including control (T1, no P) and different combinations of band placement, broadcast, and fertigation at 57 kg and 85 kg P₂O₅/ha. Results from Kharif 2022 indicated that the highest seed cotton yield (3119 kg/ha) was recorded in T7 (85 kg P₂O₅/ha, with half broadcast at sowing and half fertigated 60 days after sowing). The second highest yield (3022 kg/ha) was observed in T5 (85 kg P₂O₅/ha applied fully at sowing). In contrast, the lowest yield (2106 kg/ha) was obtained from T1 (control). A significant positive correlation (R² = 0.95 and 0.87) was observed between boll density, boll mass, and seed cotton yield. The findings suggest that applying 85 kg P₂O₅/ha, with a split application between sowing and 60 days post-sowing, optimizes phosphorus availability and improves cotton yield.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050205

Pakistan's cotton production ranks among the top in the world, yet its average yield remains far below the potential of its approved varieties. Poor photosynthetic translocation may be a limiting factor, but foliar sprays can rapidly provide essential nutrients during critical growth stages to help improve yields. In this regard, a two-year field experiment was conducted at the Adaptive Research Station, Sahiwal, under semi-arid conditions to investigate the effects of amino acid applications at 60, 90, and 120 days after sowing on cotton growth and yield. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, using cotton variety MNH-1020, sown with 75 cm spacing between rows and 22.5 cm between plants. Treatments included various amino acids compared with a water spray: T1 - Quantis @ 400 ml acre-1, T2 - Seamaxx @ 330 ml acre-1, T3 - Isabion @ 400 ml acre-1, T4 - water spray, and T5 - control. Results showed that amino acid treatments significantly influenced boll number, boll mass, seed index, lint percentage, and seed cotton yield (p < 0.05) during Kharif 2022 and 2023. The highest seed cotton yield (3865 and 4554 kg ha-1) was obtained from T1 (Quantis), followed by T3 (Isabion) with yields of 3762 and 4456 kg/ha. The lowest yields were observed in the control plot (T5) with 3051 and 4080 kg ha-1. The maximum boll weight, seed index, and lint percentage were observed from T1, followed by T3. No amino acid application in the control plot resulted in the lowest values for these parameters.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050207