Plant, Soil and Environment - In Press
Response of potato tuber yield to NPK fertiliser in China: A meta-analysisOriginal Paper
Shun Li, Lei Zeng, Ling Zhao
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an economically significant food crop in China, and increasing tuber yield is a national priority. We conducted a meta-analysis utilising 180 studies and 1583 pairs of observations to quantify the effects of fertilisation on potato tuber yield using data on climate, soil nutrients, and planting strategies. Compared with no fertilisation, fertilisation increased tuber yield by 33.64% overall. Applying single N, P, or K fertilisers increased yield by 33.64%, 23.37%, and 16.18%, respectively; combined NP, NK, and PK applications increased yield by 33.64%, 36.34%, and 19.12%, respectively. The greatest yield increase (49.18%) was achieved when NPK fertilisers were applied together. Average annual precipitation had the strongest effect on tuber yield, followed by cultivar identity and available soil potassium. Under appropriate fertilisation regimes, tailoring planting strategies to local climate and soil nutrient status can maximise potato yield and improve economic returns. These findings have implications for future potato cultivation in China.
Genotypic variation in physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional responses to drought stress in spring barleyOriginal Paper
Šarlota Kaňuková, Marcela Gubišová, Martina Hudcovicová, Jozef Gubiš, Katarína Ondreičková
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 optimal and drought conditions by 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 RWC was less predictive. 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 showed 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 associate with tolerance. Tolerant genotypes combined growth stability, pigment retention, and moderate osmotic adjustment, whereas sensitive genotypes relied on excessive proline accumulation with severe pigment and growth penalties. Overall, drought tolerance in barley emerged from coordinated regulation of growth, photoprotection, and stress-gene activation, providing a framework for selecting resilient germplasm for breeding programs.
Remediation of cadmium polluted acidic soil with dolomite and calcite to enhance soil health and Pak Choi growthOriginal Paper
Muhammad Shaaban, Lei Wu, Aneela Younas, Yupeng Wu
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils threatens crop productivity and food safety. This study examined dolomite and calcite amendments in reducing Cd toxicity in pak choi grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Treatments included: Control (CK), Calcite 1 (Cal1, 10 g/kg soil), Calcite 2 (Cal2, 20 g/kg soil), Dolomite 1 (Dol1, 10 g/kg soil), and Dolomite 2 (Dol2, 20 g/kg soil). Amendments significantly increased soil pH (P≤0.05), with Cal2 (6.5) and Dol2 (6.2) highest at harvest. Cd availability declined (P≤0.05), with Dol2 most effective, reducing Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure-extractable Cd from 0.03 to 0.01 mg/kg, NH₄NO₃-extractable Cd from 0.05 to 0.02 mg/kg, and CaCl₂-extractable Cd from 0.40 to 0.01 mg/kg. Dol2 improved biomass and chlorophyll content, while reducing Cd accumulation in shoots by 73.3% and in roots by 70% relative to the control. Antioxidant enzymes were regulated, with decreased peroxidase and superoxide dismutase indicating reduced oxidative stress, while Dol2 maximized urease, catalase, invertase, phosphatase, and phenol oxidase activities. Dissolved organic C and microbial biomass C also increased, enhancing microbial activity. Dolomite and calcite significantly lowered biological concentration factors, biological accumulation coefficient, and translocation factor, restricting Cd uptake. Overall, dolomite, especially at higher levels, effectively mitigated Cd toxicity, improved plant resilience, and enhanced soil health in contaminated systems.
Multi-trait evaluation of oilseed rape varieties
Katarzyna Waszak, Konrad Banaś, Jacek Broniarz, Tomasz Lenartowicz, Henryk Bujak, Agnieszka Łacka, Marcin Przystalski
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.
Exploring the impact of potassium fertilizer rate and split ratio on rice yield and quality in China: a meta-analysisOriginal Paper
Deng Lijuan, Wu Duoji, Yuan Weiqi, Wei Zongqiang, Huang Yanlan, Hu Zhihua, Wu Jianfu
Potassium (K) is crucial for rice yield and quality, but continuous yield increase reduces protein content, challenging the balance between high yield and quality. This study analyzed 3,178 case studies (1994-2024) on K management impacts on rice yield, grain protein, and amylose content, evaluating effects of K fertilizer rates, base-topdressing ratios, planting regions, and soil properties. The results showed that K application significantly increased rice yield, protein content and amylose content by 11.6 %, 2.0 % and 1.0 %, respectively. Importantly, we identified targeted K fertilization strategies tailored to different quality goals: optimizing for eating quality, nutritional quality, or synergistic improvement of yield and comprehensive quality. This study provides a scientific basis for precision K management to help growers balance rice yield with specific quality needs.
Effects of microplastics on farmland soils and plants: a review
Minhua Zhang, Weiguan Li, Qingkui Li, Aneela Younas, Muhammad Shaaban, Yuyang Li, Jing Liu, Yanfang Wang, Zhanqiang Ma, Zhaoyong Shi, Hongtao Shen, Ling Liu
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 recognized 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 synthesizes 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 analyzed. 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.