Plant, Soil and Environment - In Press
The effect of hydrogel and precipitation-thermal conditions on the yield and content of antinutritional compounds in potatoOriginal Paper
Krystyna Zarzecka, Marek Guga³a, Iwona Mystkowska, Emilia Rz±¿ewska
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted with potato to examine the effects of hydrogel application and weather conditions on total tuber yield and the content of potentially harmful compounds – glycoalkaloids and nitrates. The first experimental factor comprised three table cultivars: Lawenda, Rima and Provita. The second factor consisted of three treatments involving the application of the hydrogel AgroNanoGel Basic at two rates, 60 and 90 kg/ha, as well as a control treatment without hydrogel. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant effect of cultivar, hydrogel application rates and hydrothermal conditions in the study years on potato tuber yield. The highest yields were produced by cv. Lawenda, and the most favourable yield-forming effects were observed when the hydrogel had been applied at 90 kg/ha. The content of antinutritional compounds was significantly affected by the experimental factors and weather conditions in the study years. Cv. Rima accumulated the lowest levels of glycoalkaloids, whereas Lawenda contained the least nitrates (V). The hydrogel increased the content of both glycoalkaloids and nitrates relative to the control treatment, although their levels posed no risk to human health. Higher concentrations of antinutritional compounds were recorded in the dry and warm 2024 season than in the cooler and more humid year 2025.
Molecular responses of Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) as phytoremediator to phenanthrene soil pollution stressOriginal Paper
Sasan Mohsenzadeh, Nadereh Naderi, Zahra Janbazi, Mehdi Zarei, Mahdi Nazari
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) like phenanthrene are persistent environmental pollutants. This study evaluated the potential of Vetiver grass for the phytoremediation of phenanthrene-contaminated soil and investigated key detoxification mechanisms. Vetiver grass was exposed to various phenanthrene concentrations (0-4000 mg/kg), and its response was analyzed. The results demonstrated that Vetiver grass effectively removed phenanthrene from the soil, achieving a 68.9% reduction at the highest concentration (4000 ppm). This removal was accompanied by a significant upregulation of stress-related enzymes. Gene expression of Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) increased in both roots and shoots, with the highest levels observed at 4000 ppm. Similarly, the expression of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase (PAL) in roots was significantly enhanced at 250 and 4000 ppm. In conclusion, Vetiver grass shows high potential for phenanthrene phytoremediation. The enhanced expression of GST and PAL enzymes is a crucial molecular mechanism that mitigates phenanthrene toxicity and contributes to its successful removal from contaminated soil