A comprehensive microscopic investigation of the leaf epidermis, as well as anatomical and palynological research of selected Asteraceae species from the flora of Havali (Kahutta) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Pakistan, was carried out. This study includes 11 plant species comprising of Senecio jacobea, Leucanthemum vulgare, Halianthus annuus, Erigeron bonariensis, Achillea millifolium, Halianthus Linnaeus, Taraxacum officinale, Anaphalius nepalensis, Erigeron Canadensis, and Tagetes erecta. All the species studied were amphistomatic, with four different forms of stomata i.e tetracytic, anomocytic, anisocytic, and tricytic. The main stomatal type was tetracytic, followed by anomocytic. The abaxial epidermis has a higher stomatal density than the adaxial epidermis. Highest stomatal density was present Tagetes erecta while lowest is present in Conyza canadensis. In lower epidermis stomatal index was higher in Taraxacum officinale followed by Halianthus annuus and Tagetes erecta while in upper epidermis highest index was shown by Halianthus annuus. For this study species of family Acteraceae were properly collected. Furthermore, variation in pollen can be seen. List of palynomorph which includes family name, botanical name, local name, English name, flower colour, season and pollen description for the logical arrangement of these species. The logical ordering of these species was guided by dust characteristics such as form and pollen morphology. Palynological data has been found to be too big for taxonomists to calculate and make appropriate observations on their findings.

The biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is an important step in developing eco‐friendly and environmentally stable tools for ameliorating crop growth. In the current study, AgNPs were synthesized using Funaria hygrometrica and characterized using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The UV spectrum showed an absorption peak at 450 nm. SEM revealed an irregular and spherical morphology, FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of various functional groups, while XRD displayed peaks at 45.24°, 38.17°, 44.34°, 64.54°, and 57.48° 2θ. The effects of the F. hygrometrica‐mediated AgNPs on maize growth and germination were assessed at 0, 100, 300, and 500 ppm. The germination percentage and relative germination rate were increased to 95% ± 1.83% and 100% ± 2.48% at 100 ppm of synthesized AgNPs and then declined at 300 and 500 ppm. The length, fresh weight, and dry matter of the root, shoot, and seedlings were highest at 100 ppm NPs. The plant height, root length, and dry matter stress tolerance indices were also the highest (112.3%, 118.7%, and 138.20% compared with the control) at 100 ppm AgNPs. Moreover, the growth of three maize varieties, that is, NR‐429, NR‐449, and Borlog, were assessed at 0, 20, 40, and 60 ppm F. hygrometrica‐AgNPs. The results indicated the highest root and shoot length at 20 ppm AgNPs. In conclusion, seed priming with AgNPs enhances the growth and germination of maize and can ameliorate crop production globally. Research Highlights Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.‐mediated AgNPs were synthesized and characterized. Biogenic AgNPs influenced the growth and germination of maize seedlings. All growth parameters were highest at 100 ppm synthesized NPs.

The industrial wastes comprise toxic heavy metals in huge amount which is adequate to cause noxiousness to crop plants. The zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) are nutrients that are crucial for plant life especially for plants growth but these elements are poisonous to plants when they are present in high concentrations. The present study was conducted to isolate endophytic bacteria from Vibernum grandiflorum and to assess the endophytic bacterial strain Bacillus mycoid (Acc MW979613) and Rock phosphate potential to overcome the stress of zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) toxicity on wheat plant. The concentration of nickel (Ni) (100mg/kg) and zinc (Zn) (100mg/kg) was used and eight different treatments applications were made by using Bacillus mycoid (Acc MW979613) and rock phosphate. Rock phosphate (0.2g/kg) was added in soil and experiment was conducted using complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The results showed that Bacillus mycoid and application of rock phosphate (RP) significantly affected the plant growth and defense system. The treatment T12 was most prominent in which the shoot length was 57%, leaf width was 13%, protein content was 20% and sugar content was 34% higher than control respectively. In (T3) Cu content was 128%, Ca content was 219% and K content was 85% and in (T4) Mn content was 326%,Na content was 449% and K content was 84% respectively. It is concluded that Zn and Ni adversely affected the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) plant; however combine application of Bacillus mycoid and Rock phosphate (RP) suppressed the toxicity of zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) and increased plant growth, enzymes activity and nutrients uptake in wheat plants. The novel endophytic bacteria (Bacillus mycoid) and rock phosphate can be useful in combination to overcome metal stress which can improve plants growth and yield.

Wheat is the most significant cultivated crop in Pakistan, ranking first in terms of acreage and production among all cereals. Wheat grain morphology has been harvested and manipulated since the dawn of agriculture, and it remains a major breeding focus today. To establish, genetic basis of phenotypic variation in wheat grain morphology, the current research was conducted to develop a phenotyping method based on digital imaging to capture the grain morphology in bread wheat cultivars of Pakistan and to characterize variation in grain morphology in Pakistani wheat cultivars and their association with TaCWi genes. In this research 64 wheat cultivars were analysed by digital imaging approach. The images were captured using a flatbed scanner with a transparency adapter, and the imaging software image J 1.27 was used for analysis. The cultivars used in this study showed larger variation in grain morphology in more than fifteen descriptors. Measured dimensions included grain area, perimeters, height, width, circularity and solidity. Minimum grain area was showed by the T9 and maximum grain area was shown by the Pirsabak-2013, minimum grain perimeter was showed by the T9 and maximum grain perimeter was showed by the Barsat. Similarly, maximum grain area was exhibited by the Markaz-2019 and minimum grain area was shown by the C-271. Maximum grain perimeter was showed by the PARI-73 and minimum grain perimeter was showed by the C-271 respectively, under well-watered (WW) conditions. The coefficient of determination was also higher indicating the reliability and consistency of digital imaging method. Digital imaging allowed many aspects of development, functions, traits and health to be monitored and traced in ways previously unattainable. Our results are encouraging that large image data sets of grains can be processed by high throughput and accurate manner.