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Soil salinisation is a major constraint on food security and agricultural development, and remains a critical concern in the agricultural sector. In this study, we examined the effects of three straw return methods – straw mulching, straw burial, and a combination of straw mulching and burial – along with inorganic amendments (CaSiO₃ and MgSO₄) on maize growth, soil organic matter, bulk density, salinity, and the contents of individual salt base ions. A 120-day planting experiment was conducted using soil columns and included maize cultivation under irrigation and drenching conditions. The combined treatments (straw return with Ca-Mg application) were more effective in reducing salinity and improving soil properties than straw return alone. Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^–, and HCO₃ contents, as well as soil bulk density, decreased by 45.99–48.43, 28.07–28.36, 20.91–24.17, 18.93–21.03, and 7.64–8.40%, respectively. Regarding crop growth promotion, compared with the single treatment, the combined application of straw return with Ca-Mg (PI, SPI) resulted in a 6.46–8.30% increase in superoxide dismutase activity, an 8.66–10.83% reduction in malondialdehyde content, a 12.71–22.70% increase in total root length, a 13.41–24.14% increase in root surface area, and a 12.46–19.02% increase in root volume. Taken together, integrating straw return with a calcium-magnesium mixture represents a promising strategy for improving the quality of coastal saline soils.

Alluvial soils have high importance for both agriculture and biodiversity; however, these soils can also contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions including carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄). In this study, we examined GHG fluxes of three grassland and two cropland sites with alluvial soils in Abava river floodplain, Latvia (Europe). Soil CO₂ fluxes representing heterotrophic respiration (R_het) were determined using a portable CO₂ gas analyser, while ecosystem respiration (R_eco), soil CH₄ and N₂O fluxes were quantified using a manual closed chamber method combined with gas chromatography. Most alluvial soils acted as source of GHG emissions with the exception of two grassland site where annual CH₄ exchange reflected a slight CH₄ removal from the atmosphere. Mean total GHG emissions (sum of net CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) were 7.0 ± 3.3 t CO₂ eq./ha/year in grassland sites and 14.5 ± 4.8 t CO₂ eq./ha/year in cropland sites. Net CO₂ contributed the most to total annual GHG emissions with mean values of 6.2 ± 3.3 t CO₂/ha/year in grassland and 13.6 ± 4.8 t CO₂/ha/year in cropland sites. Although the number of study sites is limited, the results support that, in the context of climate change mitigation, grassland represents a more climate-friendly type of floodplain land use than cropland in the hemiboreal region.

Abiotic stressors are the main barriers to successful crop production in this era. The balance of redox and metabolic activities in plants is negatively impacted by abiotic stresses, which ultimately limit the plants’ capacity to grow and develop. The phytohormones are tiny molecules that control how plants grow and develop, as well as how they react to alterations in their environment. Phytohormone, gibberellic acid (GA) has been proven in a number of recent research to increase plants’ ability to withstand abiotic stress. By regulating numerous physio-biochemical and molecular processes, GA plays a crucial part in reducing the perturbations caused by abiotic stresses in plants. Recent findings have shown that GA controls the activity of antioxidant enzymes, stress-responsive genes, photosynthetic machinery, and reduced oxidative damage. Besides, GA has been involved in cross-talk with other phytohormones to regulate abiotic stress in plants. This review summarises the current research on the application of GA and discusses how GA might support crop growth and production in adverse conditions. The interaction of GA with other phytohormones, potential mechanisms for reducing abiotic stress in plants, the disadvantages of employing GA, and its promise for the future are also covered in this review.

Suaeda schimperi, a halophyte native to the Red Sea’s hyper-arid salt marshes, thrives in its extreme conditions (high salinity, minimal rainfall, and elevated temperatures). However, its adaptive tolerance mechanisms to these harsh conditions remain unclear. Herein, we investigated its growth responses and physiological mechanisms after short (5 days after treatment; DAT) and long-term (15 DAT) exposure to 0, 100, 200, and 400 mmol NaCl. Moderate salinity (200 mmol NaCl) enhanced growth, inducing 103.2% (5 DAT) and 40% (15 DAT) higher leaf biomass and 43.33% and 59.6% higher root biomass, respectively, compared to non-saline conditions. Deviation from moderate salinity reduced growth and disrupted ion balance, lowering K⁺, raising Na⁺, and increasing the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, particularly under high salinity. The moderate salinity-enhanced growth was associated with increased chlorophyll, glycine betaine, glutathione, betacyanin, and betaxanthin, as well as higher antioxidant enzyme activity (polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate, and peroxidase) at 5 DAT. At 15 DAT, sugar accumulation and unsaturated fatty acids increased, while malondialdehyde and saturated fatty acids decreased. These findings reveal multiple adaptive strategies that support S. schimperi’s physiological stability under extreme environments and highlight its significance in ecological restoration and breeding salt-tolerant crops under escalating soil salinisation and climate change.

Nitrogen fertiliser is a key determinant of rice yield and grain quality; however, the synergistic mechanisms through which nitrogen regulates root anatomical structure, physiological traits, and cooking quality in rice varieties with different eating properties remain unclear. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted using two moderate-eating-quality cultivars (Xudao 3 and Huageng 9) and two superior-eating-quality cultivars (Zhengdao C42 and Nangeng 9308) under four nitrogen levels (0, 0.59, 1.18, and 1.76 g/pot, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively). Cooking quality was assessed by amylose content, gel consistency, and alkali spreading value. The results demonstrated that, with increasing nitrogen application, amylose content, alkali spreading value, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, root aerenchyma area, and aerenchyma proportion decreased initially, then increased, reaching their lowest values at the N2 level. In contrast, gel consistency, root antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT), photosynthetic rate and cortical living cell proportion increased first and then decreased, peaking at N2 treatment. Compared with moderate-eating-quality varieties, superior-eating-quality varieties exhibited significantly lower amylose content, alkali spreading value, MDA content, and aerenchyma proportion, but higher gel consistency, living cell proportion, stele-to-root diameter ratio, antioxidant enzyme activities, and photosynthetic rate. Correlation analysis revealed that root antioxidant enzyme activities, stele diameter and living cell proportion were negatively correlated with amylose content, but positively correlated with gel consistency. Conversely, MDA content, aerenchyma area and aerenchyma proportion showed opposite correlation patterns. These findings indicate that an appropriate nitrogen application rate (1.18 g/pot) enhances root physiological activity, optimises root anatomical structure, and ensures sufficient source supply to the grain sink, thereby synergistically improving cooking quality – an effect particularly pronounced in high-eating-quality rice varieties.

The multifaceted nature of agricultural management and environmental factors complicates the production of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). This study evaluated 25 varieties (21 hybrids and four populations) in three growing seasons (2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23) in Poland. The focus was on yield, fat content, and resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The analyses revealed significant variability among the varieties, with the hybrids performing better consistently in terms of yield and fat content. The level of resistance to Sclerotinia was similar in hybrid and population varieties. Furthermore, DK Excited was found to be the highest-yielding variety, while Duke had the highest fat content. Derrick was the most resistant to S. sclerotiorum. Advocat and Dynamic were identified as the best varieties. In the analysed series of field trials, yield was found to be affected by high temperatures and a lack of rainfall in March, June, and July. For fat content, a lack of rainfall in July was the main limiting factor.

The impact of exogenously applied glycine betaine (GB; 0, 5, 10, 20 and 50 mmol) was evaluated in preventing Vigna radiata from the adverse effects of salt (100 mmol NaCl) stress. Salinity reduced growth parameters, such as plant height and fresh and dry weight of plants, while GB application significantly alleviated the decline. Salinity stress led to a decline in total chlorophylls and carotenoids, as well as a reduction in the net photosynthetic rate and gas exchange attributes, including stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO₂. However, GB supplementation significantly alleviated this decline. Salinity stress increased the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and methylglyoxal, while as applied GB reduced their accumulation, causing a significant decline in the lipid peroxidation. Application of GB, at all concentrations, increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes under normal and salinity stress treatments with 10 and 20 mmol concentrations, imparting the highest increase. Increase in the radical scavenging activity due to GB application was also supported by increased total antioxidant activity assays measured as percent DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging. In addition, GB-supplemented plants exhibited an apparent increase in the activities of glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II enzymes. Accumulation of osmotic compounds like proline, sugars and GB increased significantly due to GB application and showed a further increase in salt-stressed plants. More importantly, the GB-treated plants exhibited a considerable decline in sodium accumulation, causing a decline Na/K in them. Glycine betaine was effective in mitigating the deleterious effects of salinity.

The rhizosphere plays an important role in both farmland and urban areas, affecting water quantity and quality during surface water infiltration by increasing the heterogeneity of the aeration zone. The extensive application of antibiotics, their recalcitrance to degradation, and the resultant accumulation of antibiotics in soil-microbe-plant systems represent significant threats to the rhizosphere system, thereby threatening ecological stability and environmental and human health. This review synthesises recent findings on the migration and transformation of typical and common antibiotics within the rhizosphere. The main findings include that the absorption of antibiotics by plants is influenced by their molecular weight (MW) and octanol-water partition coefficient (log K_ow), allowing antibiotics to be divided into three classes: (1) antibiotics with high lipophilicity (log K_ow > 2) are mostly adsorbed by root lipids and rarely participate in the soil-plant transport process; (2) antibiotics with log K_ow < 2 and high MWs (MW > 700) are blocked outside the plant roots; and (3) antibiotics with log K_ow < 2 and low MWs (MW < 700) can enter plants through the roots and are transported via transpiration flow in plants. Antibiotics with log K_ow < 1 are more easily transported into plant tissues, including leaves. The rhizospheric microorganisms capable of participating in antibiotic migration and transformation are concentrated in Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The inhibitory effect of antibiotics on dehydrogenase, sucrase, urease, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase activities surpasses their promoting effect, reducing these enzyme activities by 6–35% on average. However, the promoting effect of antibiotics on peroxidase, acidic phosphatase, and manganese peroxidase outweighs the inhibitory effect, increasing enzyme activity by 2–23%. Furthermore, it is essential to consider the effects of plant age and root characteristics on antibiotic migration and transformation. The results of this review contribute to a better understanding of the migration and transformation of antibiotics within the rhizosphere.

Drought is a major abiotic stress limiting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) productivity. We evaluated 17 spring barley genotypes at the early leaf development stage under controlled laboratory conditions with optimal and drought treatments, integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular traits. Drought reduced relative water content (–1.3% to –3.2%), plant height (–14.7% to –29.6%), and dry biomass (–2.3% to –24.9%), while inducing strong proline accumulation (+23.6% to +454%) and pigment loss (chlorophyll a –10.1% to –79.5%; carotenoids –6.2% to –70.9%). Principal component and discriminant analyses identified plant height and chlorophyll a as the most reliable discriminators, whereas relative water content was less predictive of the species. Multivariate stratification separated tolerant (Argument, Exalis, Slaven, Malz, Valis), intermediate (Laudis 550, Tango, Kompakt, LG Belcanto, SK Levitus), and sensitive (Kangoo, LG Tosca, LG Flamenco, Karmel, Bojos, Nitran, Tadmor) groups of genotypes. Gene expression profiling of 12 genotypes revealed a modest induction of HvABF2 (1.77-fold), moderate upregulation of HvSOD1 (1.82-fold) and HvAPX1 (2.28-fold), and the strongest response in HvP5CS (3.29-fold), which did not consistently correlate with tolerance. Tolerant genotypes combined growth stability, pigment retention, and moderate osmotic adjustment, whereas sensitive genotypes relied on excessive proline accumulation, resulting in severe pigment and growth penalties. Overall, drought tolerance in barley at the early growth stage emerged from the coordinated regulation of growth, photoprotection, and stress-gene activation, providing a foundation that can guide the selection of genotypes for subsequent validation under field conditions and future breeding programmes.

Water deficit severely constrains sugar beet productivity by impairing photosynthetic capacity. However, the underlying structure-function mechanisms conferring photosynthetic resilience remain poorly characterised. This study investigates the temporal dynamics of photosynthetic limitations and structural adaptations in sugar beet during water deficit and subsequent rehydration. We found that water deficit significantly reduced the maximum net CO₂ assimilation rate (A_Nmax) and the Rubisco carboxylation rate (V_cmax) by impairing CO₂ diffusion and biochemical processes. The reduction in photosynthetic capacity is primarily and stably attributed to mesophyll limitation, while contributions from stomatal and biochemical limitations flexibly change with deficit degree and rehydration. Severe water deficit caused irreversible structural damage that hinders recovery even after rehydration, while moderate water deficit allows partial restoration of leaf and chloroplast function. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) demonstrated that CO₂ diffusion was governed by the volume fraction of intercellular air space (f_ias, β = 0.28) and surface areas of the chloroplasts exposed to leaf intercellular air spaces (S_c/S, β = 0.35), with S_c/S indirectly influencing mesophyll conductance (g_m) through fias mediation (β = 0.53). Severe water deficit caused irreversible fias reduction and chloroplast interface damage (59% cell volume loss). These findings establish that resilience to water deficit in sugar beet depends on mesophyll structural integrity, with f_ias and S_c/S as key modulators of gm recovery. The study advances understanding of stress recovery mechanisms in sugar beet and provides a framework for multiscale crop improvement in the context of climate change.

To clarify the effects of post-anthesis low light on grain yield and starch quality of waxy and non-waxy soft wheat, a field experiment was conducted from 2023 to 2025. Two wheat cultivars, Jinuo 2 (waxy soft wheat) and Quanmai 725 (non-waxy soft wheat), were employed as test materials, and four shading treatments (no shading, 10% shading, 20% shading, and 30% shading) were applied after anthesis. The regulatory effects of different shading intensities on wheat yield, grain quality, starch granule size distribution and starch viscosity properties were systematically analysed. The results showed that post-anthesis low light stress significantly reduced the grain number per spike, 1 000-grain weight and grain yield, while increasing the protein content, wet gluten content and sedimentation value of wheat grains. Under low light stress, the volume and surface area proportions of A-type starch granules increased, while those of B-type starch granules decreased. Under the same shading condition, Jinuo 2 exhibited a higher proportion of B-type starch granules and a lower proportion of A-type starch granules than Quanmai 725. With increasing shading intensity, the peak, trough and final viscosities, as well as the breakdown and setback values, of grain starch decreased continuously, and all viscosity parameters of Quanmai 725 were significantly higher than those of Jinuo 2. Furthermore, post-anthesis low light reduced the onset, peak and conclusion gelatinisation temperatures and increased gelatinisation enthalpy. Quanmai 725 had higher gelatinisation temperatures, whereas Jinuo 2 possessed higher gelatinisation enthalpy. Correlation analysis indicated that the volume distribution of B-type starch granules (≤ 10 μm) was significantly positively correlated with starch viscosity parameters, while A-type starch granules (> 10 μm) showed a significant negative correlation. In conclusion, post-anthesis low light reduces the yield and the proportion of B-type starch granules, increases the proportion of A-type starch granules, decreases starch pasting viscosity and elevates gelatinisation enthalpy in both soft wheat cultivars. Compared with Quanmai 725, Jinuo 2 is more sensitive to post-anthesis low light stress in terms of starch granule distribution characteristics.

Salinity stress poses an increasing threat to global rice production, particularly under climate change. Enhancing salinity tolerance is crucial to sustain rice production and food security. This study aimed to assess genetic variation among rice parental genotypes and their derived crosses under salinity stress by evaluating physiological, biochemical, agronomic, and yield-related traits. Seven diverse rice genotypes were used to develop 21 crosses using a half-diallel mating design in the summer of 2023. The parental genotypes and their derived crosses were evaluated in the summer of 2024 under controlled greenhouse lysimeter conditions. Salinity stress was induced by irrigation with water containing 10.60 dS/m, and soil salinity was maintained at 9.60 dS/m through controlled irrigation and drainage. Twenty key traits were studied, including phenological and agronomic attributes, yield traits, and physiological and biochemical markers such as relative water content, leaf CO₂ assimilation, proline accumulation, malondialdehyde content, and antioxidant enzyme activities, to assess salinity tolerance in rice genotypes. The results demonstrated highly significant variation among the evaluated parental genotypes and their derived crosses across physiological, biochemical, agronomic, and yield-related traits, indicating considerable genetic variability in the studied plant materials. The genotypes C9, R8, and R6 were identified as superior combiners contributing favourable alleles for salinity tolerance. Eleven promising F1 crosses exhibited enhanced growth, improved antioxidant enzyme activities, osmotic adjustment, reduced oxidative damage, and higher grain yield under salinity stress. Exploiting these plant materials can improve the development of novel rice genotypes tolerant of salt-affected environments, addressing the current challenges posed by climate change. Strong associations were observed among physiological, biochemical, agronomic, and yield-related traits, indicating an integrated network of responses that collectively contribute to enhanced salinity tolerance in rice.

Bees were exposed for 10 days to a sucrose solution containing acetamiprid at concentrations of 48, 4.8, and 0.48 mg a.i./kg of solution, corresponding to the maximum recommended field application rate and its 1/10 and 1/100 dilutions. An increase in mortality was observed at the highest tested concentration, with a cumulative mortality of 30.4% by day 10, whereas lower concentrations showed effects comparable to the control. In addition, the expression of selected genes related to detoxification (glutathione S-transferase, thioredoxin reductase), oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase 1, superoxide dismutase 2), immunity (abaecin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin), and neural regulation (acetylcholinesterase 1) was analysed. No significant changes were detected in most genes, except for sod2, which showed increased expression at the lowest concentration. Overall, the results suggest that acetamiprid exhibits relatively low chronic toxicity at environmentally relevant concentrations but may induce significant effects at higher or continuous exposure levels. These findings highlight the importance of considering both lethal and sublethal endpoints, including molecular responses, in assessing pesticide risks to honeybees.

Salinity stress is a major environmental constraint limiting crop productivity worldwide. The application of beneficial microorganisms is an effective strategy to improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study evaluated the role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae inoculation in enhancing physiological performance, oxidative stress tolerance, and yield of rice genotypes under saline-water irrigation. A lysimeter experiment was conducted during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Five rice genotypes were exposed to saline water (6 000 ppm) with and without inoculation. Gas exchange, water status, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and yield-related traits were assessed. The results showed that inoculation significantly enhanced CO2 assimilation (12.27%), stomatal conductance (15.71%), transpiration rate (8.78%), and relative water content (16.36%) across both seasons. Furthermore, inoculation significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) by 19.75% and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 23.72%. While superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) increased by 35.32% and catalase activity (CAT) by 20.63%. Grain yield per plant improved by 18.91% and biological yield by 12.84%, accompanied by a reduction in grain sterility (14.47%). The assessed genotypes exhibited significant variation across all parameters studied. IRRI-165 and Giza-179 exhibited superior performance and responsiveness. Giza-182 and Sakha-104 displayed intermediate levels, while Giza-177 was the most sensitive genotype. Multivariate analyses confirmed strong positive associations between inoculation and genotypic performance. Whereas genotypic performance was negatively associated with oxidative stress markers. These results suggest that S. cerevisiae inoculation improves rice performance under salinity stress. The enhancement may contribute to the integration of physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Therefore, combining microbial inoculation with tolerant genotypes provides a sustainable strategy to improve rice productivity in salt-affected environments.

This study investigated the alleviating effects and physiological responses to foliar-applied potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) on rice seedlings under high-temperature (HT) stress. An early indica hybrid rice, YLY17 (high-temperature-sensitive), was used as the planting material. Four treatment groups were set up: (a) NT – normal temperature; (b) NT + KDP – normal temperature with foliar application of different KDP concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4%); (c) HT – high temperature treatment without foliar application of KDP, and (d) HT + KDP – high temperature with foliar application of different KDP concentrations. At the three-leaf stage, rice seedlings were subjected to simulated HT stress (32~38 °C during the day and 26~32 °C at night) for 10 days. Growth indicators, photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant characteristics, osmotic adjustment substances, and related metabolic enzymatic activities of young rice seedlings were quantified, and the alleviating effect of KDP was comprehensively evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that HT stress significantly reduced plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight, decreased chlorophyll content and SPAD value, and decreased the net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), and transpiration rate (T_r), while increasing intercellular carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration (c_i). At the same time, it led to the accumulation of superoxide anion (O₂^–), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA), and induced increases in antioxidant enzyme and osmotic adjustment-related enzyme activities. Foliar spraying of KDP could effectively alleviate the above damage caused by HT stress, with 0.3% KDP being the most effective treatment. Compared with HT treatment, 0.3% KDP treatment significantly increased plant height, fresh weight and dry weight by 7.6, 10.6 and 10.2%, respectively, improved chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters, enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA, and promoted the accumulation of osmotic adjustment substances such as soluble protein (SP), proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS) and sucrose (SUC), as well as increased the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), sucrose synthase (SUS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS). The PCA results showed that the order of comprehensive physiological activity index was NT + KDP > NT > KDP + HT > HT, indicating that KDP enhances heat tolerance by coordinately regulating photosynthesis, antioxidant defence, and osmotic adjustments. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical reference for using KDP to alleviate HT stress in rice seedlings.

Combining phosphorus management with phosphorus-efficient cultivars is an effective strategy for improving rice quality. To investigate their effects on root characteristics and photosynthetic traits, a pot experiment was conducted with two rice cultivars differing in phosphorus efficient: Liangeng 7 (weakly efficient) and Yongyou 2640 (highly efficient). Four phosphorus rates (0, 0.44, 0.88, and 1.32 g/pot, designated as P0, P1, P2, and P3, respectively) were applied. A significant cultivar-phosphorus interaction was observed. Most root traits (the length, dry weight, volume, total absorption area, active absorption area, oxidation activity, and acid phosphatase activity) and photosynthetic traits (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance) initially increased and then decreased with increasing phosphorus rates, while the leaf intercellular CO₂ concentration showed the opposite trend. Liangeng 7 performed optimally under P2, whereas Yongyou 2640 reached its peak under P1. Compared with Liangeng 7, Yongyou 2640 exhibited better appearance quality, root traits, and photosynthetic parameters. Correlation analysis showed that root length, root physiological activity and leaf photosynthetic parameters (except intercellular CO₂ concentration) were significantly negatively correlated with chalkiness degree. These findings demonstrate that matching phosphorus supply to cultivar‑specific efficiency optimises root‑photosynthesis synergy, leading to superior grain appearance quality with less phosphorus input.

In pursuit of a low-cost, pollution-free, and scalable technology for remediating heavy metal pollution in mining areas, this study examines a gold mining area with heavy metal pollution (Cd, Pb, and Hg) and employs soil replacement, biochar passivation, and a combination of hyperaccumulators for the remediation. Results show that both soil replacement and the application of biochar significantly reduce the effective content of these three heavy metals, with pig manure biochar demonstrating superior passivation effects on Pb and Hg compared to fruitwood biochar. Combining biochar with hyperaccumulators leads to better results than using either method alone. The combined approach achieved maximum reductions of 69.8, 70.1, and 56.0% for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively. The application of biochar improves the originally coarse soil structure, with maximum increases in organic carbon, available potassium, available phosphorus, and total nitrogen under different treatments being 6.26 times, 4.66 times, 4.04 times, and 3.21 times, respectively. Biochar anchors heavy metals around roots, while hyperaccumulators utilise their excellent stress-resistant physiological characteristics to thrive in nutrient-deficient soil enriched with biochar, thereby absorbing the heavy metals anchored by biochar. The synergy of biochar and hyperaccumulators enhances their individual effectiveness, showing promise for remediating polluted mining areas.

This study evaluated the effects of hybrid, vegetation period duration, weather conditions, and harvest timing on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yield and technological quality under short-rotation cropping systems in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Field experiments were conducted in 2022–2024 on commercial fields using six industrial hybrids and five harvest intervals from late September to mid-November. Root yield, sugar content, sugar yield, α-amino nitrogen, K⁺ and Na⁺, invert sugars, and the technological quality index (Iq) were assessed using ANOVA, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). Extending vegetation from 185 to 200 days increased root yield by 11–12% and sugar yield by 0.8–1.2 t/ha. The optimal harvest window (10–25 October) provided the highest performance, with root yields of 68–73 t/ha, sugar content of 16.2–16.6%, and sugar yields of 14.6–16.3 t/ha. Early harvest resulted in reduced sugar content and Iq, whereas harvesting after 10 November did not increase yield and caused deterioration of technological quality due to elevated α-amino nitrogen and molasses-forming ions. PCA showed that over 85% of the total variation was explained by technological quality and moisture-related factors. Strube hybrids demonstrated greater stability under extended vegetation compared with KWS hybrids. These results define an optimal harvest window for maximising sugar beet productivity and quality under temperate meteorological conditions.

This study examined whether exogenous proline (Pro, 10 mmol/L, foliar) uniformly alleviates drought stress in peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) or whether its benefit intensifies with increasing stress severity. Plants were grown under four water field capacity (WFC) levels (95, 75, 50, 25%), with or without Pro, in a 4 × 2 factorial randomised design. Two-way ANOVA (Levene’s test confirmed homogeneous variance) partitioned each variable into WFC and Pro main effects and their interaction, followed by Tukey’s HSD (P < 0.05). Water deficit reduced growth and relative water content, increased osmolytes, disrupted ionic homeostasis (higher Na⁺ and Na⁺/K⁺; lower K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), activated antioxidant defences, and altered hormone levels (higher abscisic acid (ABA); lower indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃)). Pro significantly improved growth, water status, most osmolytes, antioxidants, IAA, GA₃, and essential oil (EO) yield, with no significant WFC × Pro interaction detected for these variables, providing no statistically detectable evidence that the magnitude of the effect differed among WFC levels. Pro’s effect on Na⁺, the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, and ABA instead showed a significant WFC × Pro interaction (P = 0.040, 0.046, 0.001), intensifying under severe deficit. EO yield showed a biphasic response, rising at 75% and 50% WFC and falling at 25%, with Pro further increasing yield and menthol content. Pro thus acts mainly as a consistent protectant with no detected WFC × Pro interaction, alongside a distinct, stress-dependent role in ion and ABA regulation under severe drought.

To clarify the regulatory mechanisms and optimal combinations of magnesium fertiliser application rates and machine-transplanting density on rice yield, quality, and magnesium uptake and utilisation in the hilly regions of Sichuan. This study utilised a two-factor split-plot design in field trials conducted from 2024 to 2025. The main plot was magnesium application rate, with four treatments: 0 kg/ha (Mg0), 30 kg/ha (Mg1), 45 kg/ha (Mg2), and 60 kg/ha (Mg3). With the secondary factor being machine-transplanting density, comprising three treatments: 14 cm × 30 cm (D1), 18 cm × 30 cm (D2), and 22 cm × 30 cm (D3). The study investigated the effects of interactions between magnesium fertiliser application rates and planting density on rice yield components, leaf physiological characteristics, dry matter transport, and magnesium fertiliser use efficiency. The results showed that, compared with the Mg0 treatment, the Mg3 treatment significantly increased rice yield, with the best results observed in combination with the D1 treatment, yielding a 14.52% increase over the Mg0 treatment. Dry matter transport in rice increased significantly with the application of magnesium fertiliser. Compared to the Mg0 treatment, the Mg3 treatment increased stem and leaf dry matter transport by 19.64%, and post-heading dry matter transport by 30.76%; the D1 treatment further optimised dry matter transport. Compared to the D3 treatment, the amount of stem and leaf dry matter transport, the transport rate, and the contribution rate to grain increased by 26.44, 34.28, and 40.32%, respectively. Magnesium uptake and utilisation efficiency were highest under the Mg3 treatment. Compared to the Mg0 treatment, magnesium uptake and utilisation efficiency increased by 31.25%, and the physiological utilisation rate of magnesium fertiliser increased by 24.71%; under the D1 treatment, the agronomic utilisation rate and uptake and utilisation efficiency of magnesium fertiliser increased by 38.22% and 20.20%, respectively, compared to the D3 treatment. Furthermore, the Mg3D1 treatment significantly increased the rice leaf area index and chlorophyll content, while simultaneously improving rice processing and appearance quality and reducing chalkiness and amylose content. This series of measures achieved synergistic optimisation of magnesium fertiliser application rates and machine-transplanting density.

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size, which are widely present and have become one of the major pollutants in the natural environment, and are increasingly recognised as emerging pollutants in agricultural ecosystems. Due to their small size and high mobility, MPs can easily migrate into farmland soils and attach to plant surfaces, thereby altering the physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soil. These changes may affect seed germination, plant growth, and physiological and biochemical functions. This review systematically synthesises current research on the impact of MPs on agricultural soil, focusing on their effects on soil structure, chemical properties and microbial diversity. The positive and negative effects of MPs on plant seed germination, growth, and physiological and biochemical processes are critically analysed. Furthermore, the potential ecological risks of MPs to soil and plant health are discussed. Mitigation strategies and future research priorities are proposed to address MPs contamination in agricultural systems. This study aims to provide both theoretical insights and practical references to support the prevention and control of MPs pollution in farmland soils, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural development and soil ecosystem resilience.

Carbohydrate digestive enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase can be used to treat and manage diabetes. By inhibiting these enzymes, carbohydrate digestion slowed down, lowering the level of glucose entry into the bloodstream and preventing postprandial hyperglycemia. However, the effectiveness of current antidiabetic agents is limited due to their adverse effects. Therefore, the current study explored natural inhibitors from the methanol extract of rice to combat this issue. Through an integrated approach, four different rice cultivars were analysed and found that red rice methanol extract compounds stigmasterol and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid interacted with α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Additionally, further research on stigmasterol directs the structure-activity relationship studies that aid in managing diabetic conditions.

Standard roses are a widely used ornamental plant in urban landscapes, valued for their attractive flowers and adaptability to various environmental conditions. This study investigated how different substrate types affect the growth and development of standard roses and their potential to improve the ecology of urban landscapes. Nine substrate conditions (rotted corn stover, decomposed shiitake mushroom residue, perlite, and combinations) were compared with field soil as a control treatment. The physical and chemical characteristics of each substrate were analysed, and the growth and development of standard rose plants were observed over six months. The results indicated that the substrate T4 (70% rotted corn stover, 15% decomposed shiitake mushroom residue, 15% perlite) achieved the highest evaluation index, leading to superior plant growth compared to other substrates. This combination provided optimal water retention, aeration, and nutrient supply, making it the most effective substrate for cultivating standard roses. Additionally, the use of these substrates can improve soil quality and reduce environmental pollution, offering a sustainable option for urban landscape management.

Sunflower serves as a valuable rotational crop, suitable for snack processing or sunflower seed oil extraction, proving to be a lucrative cash crop. To address sunflower yield uncertainties, this study employs meta-analysis to examine the impact of fertilisation. Utilising 41 studies and 392 pairs of observations based on four criteria, we found an overall 27% increase in sunflower yield with fertiliser application. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) individually applied raised yield by 23.37, 20.92, and 11.63%, respectively. Combined fertilisers (NP, NK, NP, and NPK) enhanced yield by 29.69, 28.40, 17.35, and 41.91%, respectively. Sunflower type minimally affects yield, while planting density significantly influences it. Combining local soil conditions and environmental factors with appropriate planting densities ensures maximum sunflower yield, fostering economic benefits for farmers. This study holds constructive implications for sunflower cultivation in China, contributing to increased yield.

The four-year field trial was conducted at the Rolnicze Gospodarstwo Doświadczalne Brody (Brody Experimental Farm), Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland. This study aimed to assess how different doses of gypsum and potassium (K) fertilisers influenced the nutritive value of the alfalfa-grass mixture. The following two experimental factors were duplicated: gypsum fertilisation – two levels (0 and 500 kg/ha) and K fertilisation – four levels (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg/ha). The sward was harvested three times at the full budding phase of alfalfa. The content of nutritive components: crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), crude ash (CA) and water-soluble sugars (WSC) by NIRS technique was assessed. The combined application of gypsum and K significantly increased the yields obtained only in the 1st and 3rd harvests of the sward. In the case of CP and WSC, the application of gypsum and K showed no significant effect on the content of these components in the sward. At the same time, it significantly influenced the higher content of CF and CA only in the case of the 2nd harvest. Analysing the influence of only the effect of K on the results obtained, a response of increasing CF content in the sward under the influence of increasing doses of this nutrient was noted. The average potassium content of the sward increased from a K0 fertilisation level to an application rate of K60. In the case of CA content, there was a successive increase with the application of successive fertilisation rates from K0 to a rate of K120. Based on the average yield results, a similar response was observed for the increase in yields obtained with increasing potassium fertilisation rates from K0 to K120. CP content increased due to gypsum fertilisation, as did the achieved sward yields of the alfalfa-grass mixture. The biomass of the alfalfa-grass mixture without gypsum fertilisation contained more WSC than the fertilised one.

Nitrogen management and irrigation methods play crucial roles in determining rice’s grain yield and quality (Oryza sativa L.). However, limited knowledge exists on how interactions between nitrogen forms and irrigation regimes regulate starch-metabolising enzyme activity to influence rice yield and quality. A soil-growth experiment was conducted using a high-lodging-resistance rice cultivar under three irrigation methods, namely, submerged irrigation (0 kPa), alternate wetting and moderate drying (−20 kPa), and alternate wetting and severe drying (−40 kPa), as well as three nitrogen forms, namely, ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), mixed ammonium + nitrate (50 : 50), hereafter denoted as 50 : 50, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^–-N). Results indicated that compared with the other treatments, alternate wetting and moderate drying interacted with 50 : 50 treatment, resulting in the following: improved grain yield by 11.7–21.0%, milling, appearance, eating and cooking, and nutritional qualities including milled-rice and gel consistency; and decreased chalky rice, chalky size, chalky degree, amylose content, and protein content by 20.0–23.1, 29.6–33.3, 44.1–48.5, 6.2–9.6 and 10.1–13.9%, respectively. The activities of adenosine phosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), starch synthase (SS), starch-branching enzyme (SBE), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) enzyme in the grains also improved, with an increase of 20.0–35.0, 11.8–20.0, 13.6–26.3 and 21.2–39.6%, respectively. Conversely, severe drying and NO₃^–-N treatment negatively impacted grain yield and quality due primarily to decreased SS activity in grains under each irrigation method. Correlation analysis showed that starch-metabolising enzyme (AGPase, SS and SBE) activity at 14 days after anthesis (DAA) and 28 DAA exhibited a positive correlation with grain yield, milling quality and gel consistency, whereas negatively correlated with appearance and nutritional qualities. In summary, the adoption of alternate wetting and moderate drying and 50 : 50 interaction treatment can synergistically boost grain yield by increasing the filled-grain rate and 1 000-grain weight and enhance grain quality of rice by upregulating the activities of starch-metabolising enzyme activity.

This study investigates the impacts of exogenously applied proline (Pro, 10 mmol/L) on the growth and productivity of wheat plants in saline environments. The findings indicated that increased NaCl concentrations, 60 and 120 mmol/L, further depressed the shoot and root growth parameters and flag leaf area. However, the Pro treatment ameliorated salt stress and improved all growth parameters, reducing the magnitude of such growth inhibitions compared to nontreated plants. It also enhanced the organic osmolyte accumulation, including Pro, total soluble sugars, and total soluble protein, implicated in osmotic balance and cell protection under stress. Furthermore, supplementing Pro improved ionic balance through a reduction in Na accumulation and an enhancement in the uptake of K, Ca, and Mg, thus mitigating the negative effects of salinity on nutrient availability. Pro treatment affected phytohormone levels, especially increasing auxin and gibberellins while decreasing abscisic acid under salt stress. Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, as well as nonenzymatic antioxidants like ascorbic acid and glutathione, were also enhanced by Pro, thereby protecting the plants against oxidative damage. Moreover, it was noticed that Pro treatment substantially improved all yield attributes of wheat plants, such as plant height, spike length, no. of spikelets/main spike, grain no./main spike, grain fresh and dry weights, and grain yield/plant through attenuation of the negative impact of NaCl. In this regard, Pro application appears to be a very promising approach toward mitigating the adversities of salinity in agriculture, especially in crop productivity in saline environments.

The grain filling and physiological traits of different phosphorus-tolerant rice cultivars and phosphorus fertiliser rates have not been fully studied. A pot-growth experiment with cv. Lianjing 7 (weak phosphorus tolerance) and cv. Yongyou 2640 (strong phosphorus tolerance) was conducted using four phosphorus rates, namely, 0 (P0), 0.44 (P1), 0.88 (P2), and 1.32 g/pot (P3). Results indicated that grain yield, net photosynthetic rate, soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in leaves, and adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) and sucrose synthase (SuSase) activity in grains increased and then decreased with increasing phosphorus fertiliser rate, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves decreased first and then increased. The above indexes of cv. Lianjing 7 and cv. Yongyou 2640 were optimal at P2 and P1 treatments, respectively. The grain yield, net photosynthetic rate, SPAD value, AGPase content, SuSase content in grains, and SOD and CAT activity in the leaves of cv. Yongyou 2640 were higher, whereas the MDA content was lower than those of cv. Lianjing 7. Correlation analysis showed that AGPase and SuSase activity in superior and inferior grains, photosynthetic rate, and SOD and CAT activity in the leaves were significant or highly significantly positively correlated with grain-filling rate and rice yield. Therefore, the adoption of appropriate phosphorus fertiliser rates can increase the activity of enzymes related to starch synthesis in different phosphorus-tolerant rice, enhance antioxidant systems in leaves at the filling stage, reduce leaf MDA content, and delay leaf senescence. These effects are beneficial to grain filling and increase grain yield.

Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta (MRD), where rice is the dominant crop, is increasingly impacted by salinity intrusion, highlighting the need for alternative cropping options. This study evaluated the growth and yield performance of quinoa, beetroot, and maize under three irrigation salinity levels (0, 2 and 4 g/L), with and without rice straw mulch (7 t/ha), in greenhouse conditions representative of the MRD dry season. Agronomic traits, physiological parameters, and changes in soil, including electrical conductivity (ECe), soluble sodium (Sol-Na⁺), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), were assessed. Results showed that quinoa demonstrated the greatest salinity tolerance, maintaining stable growth and yield under 4 g/L saline irrigation and soil ECe exceeding 15 dS/m. Beetroot’s yield was not significantly different under 2 g/L saline irrigation with straw mulching. Maize was highly sensitive to salinity and environmental stress, failing to complete its growth cycle under high heat and humidity, even in non-saline conditions. Across treatments, rice straw mulching significantly reduced soil ECe, Sol-Na⁺, and ESP, and improved crop performance under saline irrigation. Overall, quinoa and beetroot, especially when combined with mulching, offer promising alternatives for dry-season cropping in saline-prone areas of the MRD. In contrast, maize cultivation requires improved soil and environmental management under such conditions.

This study investigated how wheat (C3) and maize (C4) respond to soil thallium (Tl) contamination and elevated CO₂ (eCO₂), aiming to understand strategies for mitigating oxidative stress. Under eCO₂, both crops showed higher biomass production. However, high Tl concentration (120 mg/kg) significantly decreased fresh and dry weights by 31–59%, which translated directly to compromised yield. This growth decline is linked to impaired photosynthesis, evidenced by a 54–57% drop in net photosynthetic rate under elevated Tl. Such photosynthetic inhibition intensifies oxidative stress, marked by increased membrane damage and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Furthermore, photorespiration contributed to oxidative stress by generating H₂O₂, with increased activities of glycolate oxidase and hydroxypyruvate reductase rising by 122% and 201%, in wheat and by 179% and 39% in maize, respectively, in response to 120 mg/kg TI under eCO₂ conditions. Simultaneously, to mitigate oxidative damage, antioxidant defences were significantly enhanced, resulting in increased activity of the ascorbate (ASC)/glutathione (GSH) cycle, along with elevated levels of metallothionein and phytochelatin for Tl sequestration, as well as augmented glutathione S-transferase activity. Overall, findings reveal complex interactions between CO₂ and Tl, highlighting species-specific adaptive responses of C3 and C4 plants. C3 plants use photorespiration to combat oxidative stress, while C3 and C4 plants have strong antioxidant systems to reduce the effects of oxidative stress, promoting crop resilience and growth despite Tl toxicity.