Nowadays, humankind is in urgent need of energy generation and storage systems. The supercapacitor is one of the essential types of storage systems. The high cost of obtaining capacitor electrodes is the reason behind the researchers’ attempts to find low-cost sources. The need for the development of efficient energy storage systems is paramount in meeting the world’s future energy targets, especially when the energy costs are on the increase in addition to the escalating demand. Energy storage technologies can improve efficiencies in supply systems by storing the energy when it is in excess, and then release it timely. Batteries are slowly becoming obsolete due to their poor cyclability (limited to a few thousand) and long charge time (tens of minutes) in comparison to supercapacitors. On the other hand, supercapacitors have a long lifetime and fast charging times. Nowadays, the research focuses on advanced suitable electrode materials that directly reflect in supercapacitor technology enhancement. The researchers have prepared a variety of single components and hybrid electrodes by recycling various environmental wastes. The recycled materials include metal oxides (MnO2, Co3O4, etc.), carbon materials (carbon nanosphere, porous carbon nanoparticles, activated carbon), and hybrid materials (MnO2/graphene, CaO/AC). The obtained materials exhibited interesting structural and morphological properties as well as excellent energy storage behavior. The recycling technique provides a unique alternative cheap way

Electrospun nanofibers are a class of nanomaterials appropriate for various applications, such as smart films, filter membranes, catalytic supports, energy generation modules, conversion and storage, photonic and electronic sensors, biomedical scaffolding, and other devices. Electrospinning is a flexible and versatile technique for processing nanofiber materials; it consists of an electrohydrodynamic process in which liquids are electrified to create a beam and then stretched into fibers. The basic set up for electrospinning is relatively simple and, therefore, accessible to almost every laboratory. The main components are a high voltage DC power supply, a syringe device, a spinner, and a conductive collector. Due to the increasing consumption of polyethylene terephthalate-based products and their waste disposal issue, increasing environmental concern has led us to transform this waste into valuable products. This chapter focuses on the research studies of electrospun waste polyethylene terephthalate to produce nanofiber, applied in a different application.

Vehicle emissions create corridors of increased carbon and nitrogen concentrations near highways that influence surrounding ecosystems. This study used the leaves of a variety of wild plant species and soil samples to examine the extent of total carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) near highway M-2 and FSR in Punjab, Pakistan, in all four seasons of the year. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of C and N near roads in both plants and soils, indicating that a high proportion of vehicle derived C and N is deposited near roads. Compared to control samples, average soil C and N concentrations were increased by 174% and 519%, respectively, on the M-2 road. Similarly, 237% and 628% more C and N were measured in soil on FSR, respectively. The difference in mean concentrations of C and N among different seasons varied significantly. We inferred from these results that the level of C and N along roads depends upon the distance from the road, traffic volume, and seasonal variations. The raised level of C and N compounds could cause perilous impacts on the environment, especially to farmlands around major highways. Hence, farming activities like growing fruits and crops should be avoided near roads.

Taxonomic identification and classifications of insect pest genera Chrysodeixis and Ctenoplusia of the subfamily Plusiinae is very compulsory due to their phytophagous nature and potential to damage the cash as well as cereal crops. Taxonomy plays a key role in proper not only in identification and classification of the pest but also in designing a successful managing strategy. In current study, specimens of Chrysodeixis and Ctenoplusia genera were collected from different geographical areas of south Punjab, Pakistan and their diagnostic features were examined following taxanomic keys. The data of temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were also recorded during the study period. Genitalia was extracted by dissecting of the abdomen and inspected under Stereo microscope. The results revealed two new species, Chryodeixis maxus and Ctenoplusia oleraceaus, from south Punjab region in addition to previously reported species: Chrysodeixis furihatai. Suitable management of the voracious insect pest at appropriate time may help in sustaining the agriculture in Pakistan.

The Bt-cotton RH-647 was developed by Cotton Research Institute CRI, Khanpur has been acknowledged for its possesses superior plant characteristics and potential to yield out under harsh agro-climatic conditions of cotton productive district of Rahimyar Khan in Bahawalpur Division and southern Punjab in 2016. RH- 647 for its novel plant structure and improved fiber quality heat and drought tolerant to withstand successfully sustain yield out in harsh, highly variable hot and dry climatic conditions of and harsh seasoned. RH-647 was developed through one-way hybridization of elite parental genotypes accompanied by pedigree selection method through gene pyramiding technique for incorporation of excellent combinations of fiber traits and CLCuV disease tolerance with higher yield potential right from F1 population. The superior plant combinations were selected in F2-F6 generations were entirely based on phenotypic plant traits and progeny yield potential in field, plant shape, number of bolls per plant, average boll weight (g) and fiber quality traits over standard varieties. The single plant progenies were selected 56 sister lines were tested for Bt-gene (Cry1 Ac) were evaluated for high yielding performance for this superior cross and finally RH-647 as superior breeding line was bulked in year 2010. The strain was evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design in preliminary yield trials (PYT) and two years in Advance Yield Trials (AYT) trials and Zonal Varietal trials for two years. The superior line 647/10 was ensued for performance in variety attestation tests as RH-647. RH-647 performed best in two years varietal trials (NCVT and PCCT and DUS) conducted for two successive growing seasons (2014–2015 and 2015–2016). RH-647 yielded out significantly compared with standard varieties MNH-886, FH-142 and CIM 602. After completion of mandatory trials in year 2016, RH-647 was approved as new Bt. cotton variety “RH-647”. RH-647 is early in maturity with high yield potential and best suited for wheat-cotton cropping pattern. It has fluffy opening and is easy to pick, strongly tolerant to CLCuV disease, high Ginning out turn GOT% (40.2%) with improved fiber traits; staple length (28.3 mm), fiber strength (4.2ug/inch) is duly capable to fulfill all industrial requisitions.

In a natural ecosystem, the pathogen-plant-insect relationship has diverse implications for each other. The pathogens as well as insect-pests consume plant tissues as their feed that mostly results in damage. In turn, plant species have evolved specialized defense system to not only protect themselves but reduce the damage also. Such tripartite interactions involve toxicity, metabolic modulations, resistance etc. among all participants of interaction. These attributes result in selection pressure among participants. Coevolution of such traits reveals need to focus and unravel multiple hidden aspects of insect-plant–pathogen interactions. The definite modulations during plant responses to biotic stress and the operating defense network against herbivores are vital to research areas. Different types of plant pathogens and herbivores are tackled with various changes in plants, e.g. changes in genes expression, glucosinolate metabolism detoxification, signal transduction, cell wall modifications, Ca²⁺dependent signaling. It is essential to clarify which chemical in plants can work as a defense signal or weapon in plant-pathogen-herbivore interactions. In spite of increased knowledge regarding signal transduction pathways regulating growth-defense balance, much more is needed to unveil the coordination of growth rate with metabolic modulations in bi-trophic interactions. Here, we addressed plant-pathogen-insect interaction for toxicity as well as dependnce along with plant defense dynamics against pathogens and insects with broad range effects at the physio-biochemical and molecular level. We have reviewed interfaces in plant-pathogen-insect research to show pulsating regulation of plant immunity for attuning survival and ecological equilibrium. An improved understanding of the systematic foundation of growth-defense stability has vital repercussions for enhancing crop yield, including insights into uncoupling of host-parasite tradeoffs for ecological and environmental sustainability.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum)) is a major cereal
crop and staple food for large part of the world.
Unfortunately it is infested by large number of
insect pests during storage. Trogoderma granarium
is one of these pests. In developing countries like
Pakistan these insect pests are managed by fumigation
of highly toxic chemicals. Toxic chemicals
create problems with environment and human
health. Insecticidal properties of botanicals can be
manipulated to get rid of these chemicals. Moringa
oleifera has insecticidal properties against wide
variety of insect pests. It can be grown easily and
its growth is rapid as compared to other trees. Trees
of Moringa oleifera are frequently observed in
Pakistan. So, we tried to find its effectiveness
against Trogoderma granarium in six varieties of
stored wheat. Extract of Moringa oleifera in methanol
was used. Hundred gram grains of each variety
were treated with two concentrations i.e. 1% and
5% of Moringa oleifera extract. In case of control,
seeds were treated with distilled water only. Then
individuals were allowed to feed the treated grains.
Effects of its exposure on larvae, pupae and adults
were studied. Results indicated that it was highly
promising for management of Trogoderma granarium.
All concentrations performed better as compared
to control. Effectiveness of Moringa oleifera
extract was directly dependent upon concentration.

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCB) have severe impacts on marine and freshwater systems worldwide. They cause oxygen depletion and produce potent cyanotoxins that have detrimental effects on human and environmental health and deteriorate the water quality. Biological treatment of the water for control of cyanobacterial blooms and removal of cyanotoxins can be a more economical and environment-friendly way, as they do not result in production of undesirable by-products. Most biological treatments of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins have concentrated largely on bacteria, with little attention paid to algicidal fungi. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of the current status and the main progresses achieved in fungal biodegradation of HCB and cyanotoxin research. The available data revealed that 15 fungal species had high lytic activity against cyanobacteria, and 6 species were capable of degrading microcystins (MCs). Some fungal species (e.g., Aurobasidium pullulans and Trichoderma citrinoviride) have been identified to selectively inhibit the growth of cyanobacteria rather than beneficial species of other algal groups. Interestingly, some fungal strains (Trichaptum abietinum, Trichoderma citrinoviride) exhibited di-functional trait, being efficient in lysing cyanobacteria and degrading MCs released from the cells after decay. Beyond a comprehensive review of algicidal and toxin-degrading activities of fungi, this paper also identifies and prioritizes research gaps in algicidal fungi. The review also gives insights to the potential applications of algicidal fungi for removal of cyanobacterial blooms and their cyanotoxins from the aquatic environment.

Six ecotypes of Typha domingensis Pers. Jahlar (E₁), Sheikhupura (E₂), Sahianwala (E₃), Gatwala (E₄), Treemu (E₅) and Knotti (E₆) from different ecological regions were collected to evaluate the leaf anatomical and biochemical attributes under different levels of salinity and nickel stress viz; L₀ (control), L₁ (100 mM + 50 mg kg⁻¹), L₂ (200 mM + 100 mg kg⁻¹) and L₃ (300 mM + 150 mg kg⁻¹). Presence of salt and Ni in rooting medium consistently affected growth, anatomical and physio-biochemical attributes in all Typha ecotypes. Discrete anatomical modifications among ecotypes such as reduced leaf thickness, increased parenchyma area, metaxylem cell area, aerenchyma formation and improved metaxylem vessels were recorded with increasing dose of salt and Ni. The minimum anatomical damages were recorded in E₁ and E₆ ecotypes. In all ecotypes, progressive perturbations in ionic homeostasis (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, N) due to salt and metal toxicity were evident along with reduction in photosynthetic pigments. Maximum enhancement in Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) and modulated Malondialdehyde (MDA) activity was recorded in E₁ and E₆ as compared to other ecotypes. Accumulation of large amounts of metabolites such as total soluble sugars, total free amino acids content in Jahlar, Knotti, Treemu and Sahianawala ecotypes under different levels of salt and Ni prevented cellular damages in T. domingensis Pers. The correlation analysis exhibited a close relationship among different levels of salinity and Ni with various plant attributes. PCA-Biplot verified our correlational analysis among various attributes of Typha ecotypes. An obvious separation of Typha characters in response to different salinity and Ni levels was exhibited by PC1. We recommend that genetic potential of T. domingensis Pers. To grow under salt and Ni stresses must be investigated and used for phytoremediation and reclamation of contaminated soil.