This study investigated the effects of boron toxicity and humic substance applications on cotton fiber quality and yield over two consecutive years, targeting boron toxicity issues in soils affected by agricultural and geothermal activities. The experiment evaluated varying concentrations of boron (0.6–1.8–5.4–16.2 mg B l-1) and humic substances (0–200–400 kg ha-1), with a focus on their effects on seed cotton yield, fiber length, fineness, strength, and gin efficiency. In the first year, the highest seed cotton yield was recorded at 452.5 kg da-1 with the B1 application, followed by 428.3 kg da-1 with B2. In the second year, increased boron application led to a notable decrease in seed cotton yield, with the lowest yield at 99.3 kg da-1 for the B4 application. The highest dose of boron also significantly reduced fiber strength, with the lowest recorded at 31.57 g/tex, and gin efficiency, which dropped to 37.98%. Humic substance applications showed limited influence on fiber quality parameters; however, the highest dose (H3) led to a significant increase in fiber strength to 33.47 g/tex in the second year. Cotton leaves accumulated substantial amounts of boron, reaching concentrations of 2048 mg B kg-1 during the flowering period of the second year, suggesting that cotton could serve as a hyperaccumulator in phytoremediation efforts for boron-contaminated soils. The study further determined that cotton can tolerate boron concentrations in irrigation water ranging from 1.8 to 5.4 mg B l-1, making it a viable crop in boron-affected regions. These findings provide critical insights into the potential of cotton as a resilient crop in environments with elevated boron levels, underscoring the need for further research to optimize cotton cultivation under such conditions.

Ruta montana L. is an annual aromatic plant of the family rutaceae. Quantitative analysis of the methanolic crude extract of Ruta montana L. yielded 8.43%, whereas the qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloid or coumarin. The Litchfield and Wilcoxon method calculated the LD50 of the crude methanolic extract of Ruta montana L. in Wistar albino female rats at 393.18 mg/kg. This allows the plant to be classified as moderately toxic. The subacute toxicity study of the methanolic crude extract of Ruta montana L. in female Wistar albino rats treated with 100 mg/kg (≈ 1/4 LD50) and intraperitoneally showed a significant increase in body weight of the rats treated at the 4th week. Animals treated and sacrificed after 30 days showed a disturbance of the relative mass of the organs. Biochemical parameters of hepatic function assessment showed a significant increase in PAL with elevation of AST and ALT, whereas those of renal function revealed a significant decrease in creatinine with an increase in urea. Hematologic parameters recorded a decrease in RBC, HGB and HCT. The histological sections of the treated rats reveal the existence of blood congestion in the central veins and liver tissues, foci of necrosis and steatosis in the liver, blood congestion and some glomerular atrophy in the kidneys, as well as blood congestions and developed follicles without oocytes in the ovaries.

Heavy metal toxicity can either be acute or chronic effects. Long-term exposure of the body to heavy metal can progressively lead to muscular, physical and neurological degenerative process. In this research, a total of 30 representative chocolate samples were collected from local shops and markets in Lahore. All the samples were analysed to assess the levels of Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Lahore. It was observed that the majority of chocolate samples contain heavy metals levels higher than the permissible limits as recommended by Punjab Food Rules (PFR) 2011. The levels of Pb ranged between 0.375 and 3.4 mg/kg with 90% samples having concentrations exceeding PFR allowable limit (0.5 mg/kg). Whereas, Ni concentrations varied from 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 80% samples were above the PFR limit (0.025 mg/kg). Further, Cr levels analysed between 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 53% samples had Cr concentrations higher than PFR limit (0.02 mg/kg). Similarly, Cd levels were observed between 0.50-3.25 mg/kg with 53% samples having Cd concentrations exceeding the PFR limit (1.0 mg/kg). Investigation indicates that the quality of available chocolates is not recommendable for eating because of the higher concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

Cypermethrin is a large spectrum action insecticide, globally employed to control pests in agriculture and some human and domestic animals ectoparasites. This study aimed to evaluate its toxicity and reproduction impairment in male guinea pig. Forty adult male guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups and orally submitted to 0, 92, 137.5 and 275 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. The weight of the liver increased significantly, while that of kidneys decreased significantly in treated animals compared to controls. Serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALAT, ASAT, total cholesterol, prostatic acid phosphatase increased significantly, while the testicular total protein level decreased significantly in groups given the insecticide relatively to the control. The testes weight, libido, serum level of testosterone, mobility, sperm count and the percentage of spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane decreased significantly in animals exposed to cypermethrin with reference to controls. The percentages of abnormal spermatozoa increased significantly in animals submitted to 137.5 or 275 mg/kg body weight (bw) of cypermethrin compared to control ones. On the testis histological sections of pesticide-treated animals, immature germinal cells were observed in the lumen of seminiferous tubules. Cypermethrin was toxic in male guinea pig and damaged reproductive parameters.