The livestock sector relies heavily on fodder crops, with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) being a prominent, high-nutritional-value legume in Southeast Asia. However, heavy weed infestation remains a major obstacle to quality production. This two-year study (2023–2024), evaluated the forage yield potential and nutritional quality of two alfalfa varieties (V1=Supersonic and V2=SGD-2002) under five weed control systems, including Weedy check (H0), Weed free (H1), Pendimethalin (H2), Flumetsulam (H3) and combination of both pre- and post-emergence application Pendimethalin + Flumetsulam (H4). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) across both seasons confirmed the highly significant effect of the herbicide factor on all yield and quality parameters, establishing weed control as the primary driver of productivity. The (H1) treatment consistently defined the biological maximum, achieving the highest fresh fodder yield (36.67 t ha-1) and superior quality (lowest Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF)). While, the (H0) resulted in severe yield loss, with minimum fresh fodder yield (12.15 t ha-1). Among the chemical applications, the (H4) was the most effective for production and suppression. This treatment consistently achieved the maximum fresh fodder yield (29.42 t ha-1) and the best weed control efficiency (up to 69%). However, the single application of (H2) performed best for nutritional quality, yielding maximum crude protein (20.33%) and lowest ADF among chemical controls. In conclusion, the (H4) combined herbicide strategy performed best overall, significantly suppressing weeds and maximizing crop productivity across both years, making it the most suitable chemical recommendation for high-yield alfalfa production.
M. Hayat, Muhammad Ahmad Butt, Umair Gull et al.· Turkish Journal of Agricultu...· 0 citations
Microplastic (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) pollution presents a critical, globally pervasive environmental challenge, fundamentally threatening the sustainability of agricultural soil health and food production. The current state of knowledge regarding the impact of these ubiquitous plastic particles, typically defined as those between 1 μm and 5 mm, in terrestrial ecosystems. The paper identifies key pathways of contamination into farmlands, primarily stemming from the pervasive degradation of plastic mulching films. The extensive land application of sewage sludge (biosolids) as fertilizer and the use of contaminated wastewater for irrigation. The accumulation of MPs/NPs in the soil matrix is shown to induce significant ecological stress. Key findings reveal detrimental effects on soil physicochemical properties, disruption of native microbial communities and a measurable reduction in crop performance, evidenced by compromised nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency. A major concern addressed is the critical evidence of MP/NP translocation from the soil into the edible tissues of agricultural crops, which creates a direct pathway for human exposure and subsequent health risks via the food chain. To combat this rising threat, the paper underscores the urgent need for a cohesive, global response. Sustainable solutions must involve implementing robust policy frameworks, such as the FAO’s Voluntary Code of Conduct, accelerating the transition to certified biodegradable plastic alternatives and drastically improving international waste management, recycling infrastructure and use of biochar in agricultural lands. Future research is essential to quantify the full spectrum of long-term ecological risks, model MP transport dynamics and comprehensively assess the human health implications.
M. Hayat, Muhammad Arif, Ferzat Turan et al.· Discover Soil· 0 citations
Rice, wheat, and maize cereals are the major foundation of global food security. However, climate change makes it more challenging to achieve high crop yield, the challenge occurs due to improper management of cereal diseases and pests, and limitations of traditional breeding processes. This study aimed to update the process, limitations, and prospects of molecular tools for cereal breeding, and to explore the significance of marker-assisted selection, marker-assisted backcrossing, gene pyramiding, genomic selection, and modern breeding for improving yield, stress tolerance, and grain quality of cereals. Based on recent studies, we have explored the advances and applications of high-throughput genotyping platforms like the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and genotyping by sequencing technology in cereals. In this study, we found several limitations, such as a low number of studies with large amounts of data, genotype-environment interactions, lack of study findings at the field level, cost implications, and integration of complex multi-omics data. This study further reveals that many crucial agronomic traits are polygenic in their mode of inheritance, and the hidden genetic links make selection weak and uncertain. However, the application of molecular tools such as CRISPR/Cas genome editing, speed breeding, pan-genomics, artificial intelligence, and high-throughput phenomics provides sustainable solutions to these challenges in cereal improvement. The application of these modern breeding tools, combined with microbiome-assisted breeding and agricultural technologies in precision cereal breeding, opens new opportunities for enhancing yield and climate-smart, sustainable cereal production for global food and nutrition security.
M. Hayat, R. Cengiz, Umair Gull et al.· Plant Trends· 0 citations
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