Vegetables are a crucial part of the food chain. Vegetables are abundant sources of proteins, fats, minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins and antioxidants. The consumption of leafy vegetables is steadily rising in both urban and rural communities. The rising content of cadmium (Cd) in the food chain through the wastewater poses a significant threat to growth of plants and human health. Cadmium interferes with plant processes like transpiration, nitrogen assimilation, photosynthesis, and respiration. Main purpose of this experiment was to investigate the side effects of various exposure durations and various Cd concentrations on the physiology and growth of spinach. This research was conducted using a factorial design with five Cd doses and three exposure durations (25, 50, and 75 days), set up according to CRD and applying three replications. Results indicated that leaf area, root length and plant height were impacted by Cadmium concentrations up to 40 mg kg-1. Additionally, biochemical, and photosynthetic parameters were also affected. Spinach showed tolerance to various levels of cadmium. The highest tolerance index for spinach was observed at 10 mg Cd kg−1 soil after 50 DoE, while the lowest tolerance index was recorded at 40 mg Cd kg−1 soil after 75 DoE. Cd accumulation in the vegetables, daily intake via consumption poses significant health risks. The findings suggest that both the duration of exposure and Cd dosage are critical in determining Cd toxicity, as evidenced by significant reductions in spinach growth and physiological parameters. Consequently, the consumption of such Cd-contaminated vegetables could pose serious health risks to humans.

Fruit and vegetables provide nutrition and food security, income-generating opportunities, ecosystem services, and contribute to cultural identities. Protecting these species, and by extension, demands urgent action. The present study is to understand the diversity of vegetables sold in the markets of Tirunelveli District Tamil Nadu. Field visits were made to the local markets in and around Tirunelveli covering nearly 30 km2. A major survey was done at Tirunelveli Town Wholesale Market Complex, Palayamkottai Market complex, and various farmer markets (Ulaver Santhai). A total of 62 species belonging to 41 genera and 19 families were identified in the study. Out of 62 species, 61 belong to angiosperms and 01 to fungi. Cucurbitaceae is the dominant family with 11 species. Brassica largest genera share 10 species. Totally 20 species of geophytic vegetables were recorded in the study area. Out of them majority (45% of the species) were monocots, and family Brassicaceae, is dominant with 5 species. The present study concluded with an appeal for sufficient, sustained funding to ensure a global rescue plan for vegetable diversity can shift the research and development agenda to focus on nutrition and well-being.

In recent years, biogenic approaches to crafting silver nanocomposites have garnered considerable attention outstanding to their potential in developing semi-healthcare and para-pharmaceutical consumer products. This study presents a novel, environmentally benign method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles operating the previously unexplored mucus derived from the Common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Thorough characterization of the resultant materials using UV–Visible Spectroscopy and FTIR Spectroscopy techniques confirms the successful formation of silver nanoparticles within the common carp mucus matrix. Subsequent testing against a diverse selection of bacterial strains, including Gram-positive (Escherichia coli) and Gram-negative (Bacillus subtilis), as well as a fungal strain (Terbinafine), using the well diffusion method, reveals potent antibacterial and antifungal properties exhibited by the silver nanoparticles embedded in the mucus matrix. Further experiments were conducted to ascertain the inhibitory concentration against both bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity assessments conducted via in vitro analysis using blood intriguingly heightened cytotoxic activity of the biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles within the biocompatible mucus, suggesting potential applications in anticancer therapies. Moreover, evaluation of antioxidant properties (DPPH, TPC, TFC) and enzymatic activities (SOD, POD, CAT, TSP) of the mucus-based nanoparticles demonstrates promising outcomes, indicative of their potential utility in formulating antimicrobial.

Soil contaminated with heavy metals has a negative impact on plant development and survival. On the other hand, plants have developed intricate physiological mechanisms to resist these kinds of environmental stimuli. Anthropogenic sources of emissions are the many industrial point sources, including transporters, smelters and foundries, present and former mining sites, and combustion byproducts. Mercury is released via the degassing of the earth's crust, whereas lead is emitted during its mining and smelting operations, from automotive exhausts by burning petroleum fuels coated with tetraethyl lead antiknock, and from old lead paints. The process of refining zinc releases cadmium as a byproduct and occasionally lead. Emissions are generally released during the mining and processing of metals. Stress from heavy metals affects plants absorb nutrients through interactions with other essential elements. Chromium restricts the quantity of nutrients the soil may absorb by forming insoluble compounds. An intriguing method for managing plastic waste, particularly micro/nano plastics, is photocatalysis. Through the use of suitable light energy, nanostructured semiconductors are excited, producing exciton pairs that react with surrounding water or moisture to produce highly reactive species like superoxide’s and hydroxyl radicals that can effectively oxidize organic species, including polymers. Climate variability affects the sustainability of human and environmental health together with other man-made and natural stresses.

Soil salinity poses a significant constraint on plant growth and productivity of maize. Salinity causes reduction in water content in plant tissues, ultimately reducing the photosynthetic capacity and resulting in decreased productivity. Normally in saline soils, chloride ions (Cl−) are particularly considered toxic to certain crops, but in case of maize, sodium ion (Na+) is the main ion responsible for toxicity due to its competition with K+ for binding sites at the plasma membrane. Mycorrhizoremediation which is an enhanced form of phytoremediation is one of the key players in remediation saline soils. Inoculation of these beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi can alleviate growth inhibition and the adverse effects of salinity in both halophytes and glycophytes by establishing symbiotic relationships with plants. AM fungi colonize the roots of maize plants, perform a crucial role in nutrient cycles in terrestrial ecosystems and own highly efficient and various mitigation mechanisms. Under saline conditions, AM fungi restrict the absorption and translocation of Na+ to shoot tissues and enhance the uptake of K+ in plants. An experiment aiming to enhance salt tolerance in maize through AMF symbiosis was conducted. In this experiment three AMF were evaluated at two salinity levels 66 mM and 100 mM. analysis of data revealed that AMF Ri collect showed showed highest percentage of root colonization at all salinity levels. While plants inoculated with AMF Ce CdG showed highest shoot and root biomass. Furthermore, plants inoculated with Sc CdG and Ce CdG showed a significant reduction in Na+ accumulation and enhance K+ accumulation in shoot and root tissues as compared to non-mycorrhizal plants.