Animal & Agricultural Science Digest (AASD)

The Impact of Pesticide Use on Soil Health and Long-Term Crop Sustainability: A Global Review

2025-11-15T19:26:15+00:00

The widespread adoption of synthetic pesticides since the Green Revolution has been a cornerstone of modern agriculture, significantly boosting global food production by controlling pests, diseases, and weeds. However, this reliance has come at a cost to the environment, particularly to soil health—the foundation of sustainable agroecosystems. This paper synthesizes global research on the effects of pesticide application on soil properties, biodiversity, and long-term agricultural productivity. While acknowledging the critical role of pesticides in safeguarding short-term crop yields and ensuring food security, the review presents substantial evidence of their detrimental impacts. These include the suppression of beneficial soil microbial communities (bacteria and fungi), a decline in the abundance and activity of soil fauna (e.g., earthworms), and the disruption of key biochemical processes like nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Over time, these changes can lead to reduced soil fertility, increased dependency on chemical inputs, and the accumulation of persistent toxic residues. Consequently, the long-term sustainability of cropping systems is compromised, manifesting as yield stagnation, increased pest resistance, and reduced resilience to environmental stresses. The paper concludes that a paradigm shift towards Integrated Pest Management (IPM), enhanced regulation of high-risk compounds, and the promotion of biological alternatives is urgently required to mitigate these negative effects and ensure the viability of global agricultural systems.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal Plants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

2025-11-15T19:28:26+00:00

Medicinal plants play a vital role in global health systems, particularly in developing countries where traditional medicine remains a cornerstone of primary healthcare. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, and terpenoids are bioactive compounds that confer protective effects against oxidative stress, which underlies numerous chronic diseases including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province of Pakistan, is exceptionally rich in biodiversity and ethnomedicinal traditions, yet remains underexplored in terms of systematic phytochemical and antioxidant analysis. This paper presents a cross-population analysis of phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of medicinal plants from KP, integrating existing studies with new perspectives on their public health relevance.

Data were synthesized from primary research studies, ethnomedicinal surveys, and laboratory analyses conducted in KP and across Pakistan. Commonly studied species included Berberis lycium, Withania somnifera, Ajuga bracteosa, Mentha longifolia, Ocimum basilicum, and Nigella sativa. Phytochemical screening consistently revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. Quantitative assays demonstrated high total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), correlating strongly with antioxidant activities measured by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays. Notably, Berberis lycium and Ajuga bracteosa showed potent radical scavenging capacity (IC50 values < 50 µg/mL), positioning them as strong candidates for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development.

Findings confirm that KP’s medicinal flora contains bioactive compounds of global pharmacological interest, validating many traditional uses. The implications extend beyond ethnopharmacology, offering pathways for local herbal industries, nutraceutical markets, and preventive healthcare strategies. However, limitations include seasonal variability, methodological heterogeneity across studies, and the need for in vivo and clinical trials. Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 9, and 15), these results highlight the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern phytochemical research to improve health outcomes and promote sustainable biodiversity use in Pakistan.

Precision Agriculture: A Multifaceted Approach to Enhancing Productivity, Sustainability, and Global Food Security

2025-11-15T19:30:36+00:00

Global agriculture faces the unprecedented challenge of producing significantly more food to feed a projected population of nearly 10 billion by 2050 amidst the constraints of climate change, water scarcity, and limited arable land. Conventional farming practices, often characterized by uniform input application, are increasingly seen as unsustainable and inefficient. In response, a technological revolution is transforming the agricultural sector through the adoption of Precision Agriculture (PA). PA is a management strategy that employs information technology and a suite of hardware and software tools to observe, measure, and respond to inter and intra-field variability in crops. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of PA, tracing its historical development and evaluating its core technologies, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, drones, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through a synthesis of empirical evidence, comparative analysis, and global case studies from the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa, the paper demonstrates that PA can significantly enhance crop productivity and yield stability while concurrently reducing environmental impact through the optimized use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. However, widespread adoption is hampered by significant challenges, including high initial investment costs, knowledge and training gaps among farmers, and digital infrastructure limitations, particularly in developing nations. The paper concludes that realizing the full potential of PA requires a concerted effort involving supportive government policies, innovative public-private partnerships, targeted research and development, and the integration of digital literacy into agricultural education. Precision Agriculture, therefore, represents not merely a technological shift but a systemic transformation essential for achieving long-term global food security and agricultural sustainability.

Anemia and Iron Deficiency Across Different Population Groups in Nowshera District: A Comparative Review

2025-11-15T19:33:33+00:00

Anemia and iron deficiency continue to represent significant public health concerns in Pakistan, with prevalence patterns varying across different age groups and populations. This paper synthesizes evidence from studies conducted in Nowshera District, examining three key groups: medical college students, school-age children, and pregnant women. Findings reveal a comparatively low prevalence of anemia among medical students (7.3%), largely attributable to higher health awareness and socioeconomic advantage. In contrast, school-age children demonstrate iron deficiency that adversely affects academic performance, even in the absence of overt anemia. The most critical concern is observed among pregnant women, where an exceptionally high prevalence (87.4%) at the time of delivery underscores systemic gaps in antenatal care, nutritional supplementation, and maternal health services. These variations highlight the role of education, dietary practices, and healthcare access in shaping anemia outcomes. The analysis emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions, including school-based nutrition programs, routine screening for at-risk groups, and strengthened maternal health strategies, to mitigate the long-term health and developmental consequences of anemia in Nowshera.

The Double-Edged Sword: Effects of Pesticide Use on Soil Health and Crop Sustainability in the Asian Agricultural Context

2025-11-15T19:35:31+00:00

The rapid expansion of agricultural production in Asia since the Green Revolution has been heavily reliant on synthetic pesticides to control pests and ensure food security. While instrumental in boosting short-term yields, the pervasive and often indiscriminate use of these chemicals poses a significant threat to the very foundation of agriculture: soil health. This paper examines the complex effects of pesticide application on soil ecosystems and its long-term implications for crop sustainability across Asia. Through a review of existing literature and analysis of regional case studies, we find that pesticides, particularly broad-spectrum and persistent formulations, exert profound negative impacts on soil microbial diversity, biomass, and enzymatic activity, disrupting essential nutrient cycling processes. Furthermore, pesticide residues alter soil chemistry and structure, leading to fertility decline and the accumulation of toxins. These degradative processes undermine the resilience of agroecosystems, potentially leading to yield stagnation, increased vulnerability to pests, and long-term unsustainability. The paper also acknowledges the role of pesticides in protecting crops and ensuring short-term productivity. However, it argues that the current trajectory of use is untenable. The findings underscore an urgent need for a paradigm shift towards Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the promotion of biopesticides, and the implementation of stronger regulatory frameworks and farmer education programs to safeguard soil health and ensure sustainable food production for Asia's future.