Plant, Soil and Environment - Latest articles

Results 1 to 30 of 180:

Combined application of biochar and phosphorus influenced maize production and soil properties in the Yellow River Delta: a comparison between contrasting weather conditions

Xiaoqi Tang, Chunming Jiang, Hongjie Li, Jing Tian, Dawei Li, Xuan Zhang, Xiuli Ge, Xia Liu, Wenjun Gao, Guoli Liu, Wenjuan Li

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(8):581-594 | DOI: 10.17221/268/2025-PSE  

The Yellow River Delta, an important area of reserved arable land resources in China, is faced with the problem of crop productivity being typically limited by low soil quality. Developing techniques that raised crop yield without environmental damage was critically needed. To date, the knowledge about the joint impacts of biochar (C) and phosphorus (P) addition on soil properties and maize production under different weather conditions in this area is seriously lacking. Consequently, a full factorial field experiment including three biochar intensities (0 (C0), 5 000 (C1), and 10 000 (C2) kg/ha), three phosphorus fertilisation levels (0 (P0), 60 (P1),...

The changes in growth, yield, and biologically active compounds of essential oil in Trachyspermum ammi L. upon rhizobacteria and seaweed applications

Aya H. El-Nagar, Kholoud Z. Ghanem, Fahmy A.S. Hassan, Mohammed I. Fetouh, Rasha S. El-Serafy, Mohamed M. Moussa

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(8):565-580 | DOI: 10.17221/266/2025-PSE  

Using biostimulants to enhance plant growth and increase yield and secondary metabolites in medicinal and aromatic plants is an important strategy to achieve sustainable agriculture. The influence of two strains of nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria (NFB) of Azotobacter chroococcum (NFB1) and Azospirillum lipoferum (NFB2), three levels of seaweed extract (SWE; 0 (SWE1), 250 (SWE1), and 500 mg/L (SWE2)) and their interactions have been investigated on Trachyspermum ammi L. (ajwain) growth, fruit yield, and essential oil constituents for two winter seasons. Growth traits (plant height, number of branches, and fresh and dry weights) and...

Nano-silica modulates salt stress response in lettuce by enhancing growth, antioxidant activity, and mineral uptake

Ozlem Cakmakci, Suat Sensoy

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(8):553-564 | DOI: 10.17221/233/2025-PSE  

Salt stress is a significant abiotic factor that limits crop growth and yield. Nano-fertilisers, effective even in small quantities, have gained prominence for their ability to enhance plant growth and stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) at different concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/L solution) under varying saline water application levels (0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 dS/m) on growth parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, and nutrient uptake in lettuce. The greenhouse experiment followed a randomised complete block design with three replications. Results demonstrated that SiNPs effectively increased...

Wheat (C3) and maize (C4) adaptive responses to soil thallium toxicity under elevated CO₂ conditions

Wael A. Obaid, Samy Selim, Seham M. Hamed, Emad A. Alsherif, Shereen Magdy Korany, Hana Sonbol, Danyah A. Aldailami, Soad K. Al Jaouni

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(8):534-552 | DOI: 10.17221/239/2025-PSE  

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...

Harnessing chlorophyll and canopy reflectance indices relationship for grain yield, protein and starch content in maize cultivars under different nitrogen treatments

Muhoja Sylivester Nyandi, Ebenezer Ayew Appiah, Petér Pepó

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(8):525-533 | DOI: 10.17221/633/2024-PSE  

Crop production faces increased climate change and land degradation stresses, compromising global food security with the growing population. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a versatile crop used for food, feed, and raw materials, contributing significantly to global food systems. Abiotic stresses like drought and soil fertility limit its production. Fertilisation is an amelioration technique that optimises maize growth and yield by maintaining optimum nutrition and leveraging nutrient deficiency conditions. Precision agricultural tools like chlorophyll meters are essential for non-destructive chlorophyll assessment and nitrogen status. An experiment...

Optimising plastic-film mulching under drip irrigation to boost maize productivity through enhanced water and fertiliser efficiency in sub-humid regions

Xiaodong Bo, Fuqi Yao

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(7):509-523 | DOI: 10.17221/213/2025-PSE  

Global food security is increasingly threatened by the vulnerability of agricultural systems to climate variability, especially in sub-humid regions. Northeast China, a major maize-producing region, experiences low spring temperatures and erratic rainfall, which have prompted the widespread adoption of plastic-film mulching (PFM) combined with drip irrigation. However, systematic evaluations of how different PFM patterns affect crop productivity and resource use efficiency remain limited. This study systematically evaluated three PFM strategies – full ridge-furrow mulching (FM), ridge mulching (RM), and no mulching (NM) – in combination...

Effect of application of microbiological preparation and different nitrogen fertilisation on wheat yield elements

Suzana Kristek, Jurica Jović, Josipa Jantoš, Marina Martinović, Zdenko Lončarić

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(7):500-508 | DOI: 10.17221/18/2025-PSE  

Two-year experiments were conducted on two different soil types during 2021/22 and 2022/23 to study the impact of microbiological preparations, Mycor-FAZOS and Vitality-FAZOS, on the yield and quality elements of winter wheat cultivar Maja (Agrigenetics). The experiment was set up in a split-block design with four repetitions across two soil types, with 12 different variants on each soil type. The base plot area was 40 m2, and the effective plot area was 27 m2. The research factors included: A (soil type): A1 – gley soil; A2 – eutric cambisol; B (disease control): B1 – control; B2 – chemical pesticides; B3 – biopreparates...

Innovative use of mine tailings as a soil amendment for growing Pisum sativum L.

Mohammed Kharbouche, Khalid El Khalidi, Redouane Mghaiouini, Ahmed Aajjane, Bendahhou Zourarah

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(7):487-499 | DOI: 10.17221/91/2025-PSE  

This study investigates the benefits of using mine tailings (MT) to improve pea (Pisum sativum L.) growth and productivity on degraded agricultural soils in semi-arid environments. The research aims to evaluate the use of MT as an innovative soil amendment and to determine the optimal dose required to enhance the micronutrient availability of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe without affecting soil quality. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse pots with three different soil types amended with different MT doses (control and four doses). Soil samples were collected from the Doukkala region, one of the main agricultural areas in Morocco. Pea was grown in...

Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) resistance to ALS inhibiting and 2,4-D herbicides in Moroccan and Tunisian rainfed wheat fields

Zakia El-Mastouri, Pavlína Košnarová, Kateřina Hamouzová, Ezzedine Alimi, Josef Soukup

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(7):480-486 | DOI: 10.17221/45/2025-PSE  

Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) is one of the most problematic weed species, mainly in rainfed Moroccan and Tunisian cereal crops. The overuse of acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting and/or auxinic herbicides led to the spread of corn poppies resistant to both chemical families in this region. In order to identify and understand the selection drivers of resistance, appropriate characterisation of the resistance profile is necessary. Two experiments were carried out: biological sensitivity tests with ALS inhibiting herbicides (tribenuron-methyl and florasulam) and auxinic herbicides (2,4-d) were carried out with populations sampled in the field where...

An overview and current progress of gibberellic acid-mediated abiotic stress alleviation in plants

Md. Asif Mahamud, Shahin Imran, Newton Chandra Paul, Rakibul Hasan Md. Rabbi, Noushin Jahan, Prosenjit Sarker, Md. Najmol Hoque, Mousumi Jahan Sumi, Md. Asaduzzaman, Shams Ur Rehman, Marian Brestic, Viliam Bárek, Milan Skalicky, Akbar Hossain, Mohammad Saidur Rhaman

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(7):453-479 | DOI: 10.17221/137/2025-PSE  

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...

Gamma-aminobutyric acid improves cold tolerance of wheat seedlings

Changjuan Shan, Zhimin Yuan

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(6):441-452 | DOI: 10.17221/663/2024-PSE  

To provide a new agent to enhance wheat cold tolerance, we investigated the impacts of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on wheat antioxidant and photosynthetic capacity and growth parameters under cold stress (CS). CS significantly improved superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and gluathione reductase in wheat leaves. Meanwhile, CS also increased the contents of reduced ascorbate (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). However, CS significantly increased electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Compared with CS, GABA + CS improved the activities of the above antioxidant enzymes and the contents of antioxidants....

Improving yield by breaking the seed furrow and covering the soil after sowing in strip-tillage mode

Xinliang Zhao, Wei Zhang

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(6):426-440 | DOI: 10.17221/114/2025-PSE  

Based on strip-tillage technology, this study explores the optimal seedbed environment for maize growth through a three-year field agronomic experiment. A comparative analysis of two planting modes, flat planting and ridge planting, was conducted, and a two-factor, three-level experimental design was implemented (furrow-breaking width: 8, 10 and 12 cm; furrow-breaking depth: 2, 3 and 4 cm), with manual soil covering without furrow breaking as the control group. Analysis of the averaged data over three years indicates that furrow-breaking treatment significantly increased maize yield under both flat and ridge planting modes, highlighting the importance...

Increased uptake and accumulation of phosphorus and other nutrients by legumes enhance their bioavailability for non-legume species

Peltier Aguiar, Margarida Arrobas, Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(6):409-425 | DOI: 10.17221/85/2025-PSE  

Legumes are promoted in agroecosystems for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N), thereby reducing or eliminating the need for N fertilisation while also contributing N-rich organic residues, which non-legume species can subsequently utilise. In phosphorus (P)-poor soils, certain legumes appear to access less available forms of P, converting them into organic P and facilitating its use by non-legume species. This study evaluated seven legume species/cultivars and one grass species (as a control) in a trial conducted in low-fertility soils under four different growing conditions (location × year). The objective was to investigate the role of...

Salt stress mitigation in chickpea seedlings: a comparative study of zinc oxide nano and bulk particles

Nadiyah M. Alabdallah

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(6):398-408 | DOI: 10.17221/115/2025-PSE  

Nanotechnology plays a vital role in enhancing plant tolerance to salt stress; however, comparative studies on zinc oxide bulk particles (ZnO bulk) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in this context remain unexplored. Since zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient involved in enzyme activation, photosynthesis, and antioxidant responses, it is important to understand how ZnO bulk and ZnO NPs influence chickpea growth under salt stress. This study investigated the morphological and physiological responses of chickpea seedlings treated with ZnO bulk (50 mg/L) and ZnO NPs (50 mg/L) under varying salt concentrations (20, 40, 80, and 120 mmol/L). Salt...

Effects of soaking seeds with selenite on the physiological characteristics and quality of peanut sprouts

Sanchun Lei, Qiong Wu, Yuehong Liu, Minghao Hao, Rui Liu, Feiyan Yu, Lianhe Zhang

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(6):387-397 | DOI: 10.17221/160/2025-PSE  

The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological characteristics and quality of hypocotyls in the production of selenium-enriched sprouts from peanut seeds soaked in selenium (Se) solution. Peanut seeds were soaked with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 μmol/L Na₂SeO₃ for 12 h and then germinated. The results showed that the selenium concentration in peanut shoots increased with increasing levels of selenite soaking, and there existed a crossroads of selenite soaking concentration (5.0 μmol/L) when selenium concentrations in cotyledons and hypocotyls were equal. Below and above this concentration, Se concentrations...

Content of polyphenols and carotenoids in edible potato tubers with colored flesh

Krystyna Zarzecka, Katarzyna Rymuza

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(6):381-386 | DOI: 10.17221/109/2025-PSE  

Polyphenols and carotenoids are important bioactive compounds in potato tuber. Knowledge of these features makes it possible to select cultivars for cultivation, consumption, and processing with desirable properties. For this purpose, the content of polyphenols and carotenoids in edible potato tubers from different countries was analysed. The research material consisted of eight cultivars, including one light yellow – Eurostar, two with red flesh – Rote Emmalie and Herbie 26 and five cultivars with purple flesh – Provita, Salad Blue, Blue Annelise, Vitelotte Noire and Bora Valley. They were cultivated in a three-year, single-factor...

Phosphorus application rates affect the grain yields of different phosphorus-tolerant rice cultivars by regulating grain filling and leaf senescence characteristics

Danke Zhang, Yuyang Li, Hairun Li, Haojing Li, Xihui Zhao, Jing Cao, Guowei Xu

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(5):363-380 | DOI: 10.17221/125/2025-PSE  

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...

Seed germination strategy as an indicator of suitability for restoration of species-rich meadows

Faisal Anggi Pradita, Maria Janicka

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(5):353-362 | DOI: 10.17221/46/2025-PSE  

Restoration of Arrhenatherion meadows is limited both by the lack of local seed availability in natural habitats for self-restoration purposes and the lack of information on the germination of target species in these meadows. Understanding germination strategies can optimise local seed use. This study aimed to define germination strategies for groups of species based on relevant six germination parameters: germination capacity (GC), fresh ungerminated seed (FUS), median germination time, germination velocity, germination synchrony and germination uniformity. The germination test of 23 meadow species was performed according to ISTA (International Seed...

Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing

Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová, Michaela Kolářová, Radek Štencl, Prokop Šmirous, Marie Bjelková, Josef Holec, Martin Vašinka, Luděk Tyšer, Oldřich Látal

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(5):338-352 | DOI: 10.17221/12/2025-PSE  

The species diversity of the unique flora in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is currently threatened due to the absence of traditional grazing, which was historically used as a management practice. This study evaluates changes in floristic composition in areas near the Švýcárna and Ovčárna lodges, where cattle and sheep grazing was reintroduced in 2012 and 2014, respectively, after long-term abandonment. The floristic composition was assessed using permanent plots and analysed statistically. In total, 84 plant species were recorded in the Švýcárna experimental area over 12 years. All experimental plots throughout the study observed an increase in species...

Halophytic resilience in extreme environments: adaptive strategies of Suaeda schimperi in the Red Sea’s hyper-arid salt marshes

Farag Ibraheem, Mohammed Albaqami, Eman M. Elghareeb

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(5):320-337 | DOI: 10.17221/73/2025-PSE  

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....

The effect of soil tillage and sulphur fertilisation on content and ratios of macronutrients in the grain of spring triticale

Hanna Klikocka, Anna Podleśna, Bartosz Narolski, Janusz Podleśny

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(5):308-319 | DOI: 10.17221/113/2025-PSE  

The aim of the experiment was to determine the yield, content and uptake of macronutrients and their ratio in spring triticale, Milewo cultivar. The field experiment was conducted in the years 2014–2016 on Cambisols. The first experimental factor was a system of soil tillage (traditional (TRD) and reduced (RED)), and the second was sulphur fertilisation (0, 25 and 50 kg S/ha). Based on the study, it was found that the application of conventional tillage and the addition of sulphur fertilisation to NPK significantly increased spring triticale grain yield. The application of reduced tillage positively affected the increase in content and uptake...

Physiological and biochemical responses to cold stress in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) during the early growth stage

Ahmed A. Abbas, Muez Berhe, Habtamu Kefale, Somaya A. Hussien, Rong Zhou, Ting Zhou, Huan Li, Yanxin Zhang, Zhongbo Guan, Chris O. Ojiewo, Jun You, Linhai Wang

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(5):293-307 | DOI: 10.17221/79/2025-PSE  

Cold stress significantly impacts sesame during its early growth stages, with varying responses observed among different genotypes. Ten genotypes were evaluated for phenotypic response to various temperatures during germination. Cold stress at 10, 12, 14, and 16 °C inhibited germination, with zero germination at 10 °C. At 14 °C, genotypes showed significant germination variation, and it was selected as the threshold temperature for assessing cold tolerance in sesame. Four genotypes were grouped into two, and each group with extreme germination responses (high and low) were selected for further biochemical and physiological studies. Genotypes V5 and...

Exogenous proline enhances salt tolerance in wheat: regulating osmolytes, hormonal balance, antioxidant defence, and yield performance

Abeer Hamdy Elhakem

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(4):278-292 | DOI: 10.17221/97/2025-PSE  

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....

The impact of organic selenium on the growth and physiological traits of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. seedlings

Yi Luo, Xiaoqing Zhang, Yibo Zhang, Changjuan Shan

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(4):269-277 | DOI: 10.17221/348/2024-PSE  

This study examined the impact of selenomethionine (SeMet) on the growth and physiological traits of Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings. Application of SeMet significantly improved the photosynthetic performance by reducing stomatal limitation value (Ls) and increasing soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (g_s) and water use efficiency (WUE), compared to the control. Furthermore, SeMet also improved the photosynthetic performance by reducing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and increasing the actual photochemical efficiency of...

Soil lithium affects carrot growth by changing cation concentrations and physiological attributes

Hafiz Faiq Bakhat, Kunwar Rasul, Abu Bakr Umer Farooq, Hafiz Mohkum Hammad, Saira Afzal, Sunaina Abbas, Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Faiz Rabbani, Shah Fahad, Gabrijel Ondrasek, Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(4):259-268 | DOI: 10.17221/19/2025-PSE  

Lithium (Li) plays a significant role in human physiology and psychology; however, it is non-essential for plants. The extensive use of Li in industrial processes and battery-powered devices poses a potential global threat to living organisms. This study assessed the impact of varying soil Li concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg) on carrot (Daucus carota L.) plants. Results revealed that Li concentrations exceeding 40 mg/kg soil had detrimental effects on carrot growth. Compared to 0 mg/kg soil, Li concentrations of 60 and 80 mg/kg reduced shoot fresh biomass by 51% and 82%, respectively, and root fresh biomass by 68% and 89%, respectively....

Effects of silicon on the transport, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms of lead in Salix viminalis L.

Feifei Zhai, Menglong Yin, Jinmei Mao, Junxiang Liu, Haidong Li, Yunxing Zhang, Shaowei Zhang, Zhenyuan Sun

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(4):249-258 | DOI: 10.17221/8/2025-PSE  

Lead (Pb) is a harmful heavy metal that threatens ecosystems and plant growth. Silicon (Si) plays a crucial role in plant responses to heavy metal stress. In this study, the effects of Si on Pb2+ content and transport, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms in Salix viminalis L. under Pb stress were analysed, aiming to elucidate the detoxification mechanism of Si in S. viminalis under such conditions. Results showed that Si reduced Pb²⁺ in aboveground parts and increased it in roots, lowering its movement to leaves and stems. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of Pb²⁺ revealed that Si application promoted...

Inorganic improver and straw returning promote corn growth and improve the quality of saline soils

Jipeng Wang, Junchuan Huang, Xinyu Hou, Quangang Yang, Hong Pan, Hui Wang, Fei Han, Yanhong Lou, Yuping Zhuge

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(3):232-247 | DOI: 10.17221/35/2025-PSE  

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...

Long-term effects of sugarcane monoculture on soil pedomorphology and physicochemical properties in tropical agroecosystems

Anna Kusumawati, Amir Noviyanto

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(3):213-231 | DOI: 10.17221/648/2024-PSE  

This study investigates the impact of prolonged sugarcane cultivation on the pedo-morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties of three soil types: Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols, as a basis for determining the improvement step ensuring the sustainability of sugarcane production in Indonesia. Soil samples were collected from fields of sugarcane cultivated for 10, 20, and 30 years to analyse pedo-morphological and physicochemical properties. The results indicate that while Entisols and Inceptisols exhibited significant changes in soil properties with increasing cultivation duration, the pedo-morphology of Vertisols remained relatively...

Assessment of cadmium toxicity in buffaloes grazing on forages cultivated in diverse irrigated soils: a comprehensive analysis

Zafar Iqbal Khan, Menal Hamdani, Kafeel Ahmad, Asma Ashfaq, Shehnaz Fatima, Saqib Bashir, Ijaz Rasool Noorka, Hafsa Memona, Saif Ullah, Shahzad Akhtar, Mahmoud F. Seleiman, Nawab Ali

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(3):202-212 | DOI: 10.17221/42/2025-PSE  

This study investigated the potential risks of cadmium (Cd) toxicity in buffaloes grazing on forages that were cultivated in soils irrigated by various sources of wastewater. The absorption of trace metals (TM) by plants and their subsequent entry into the food chain pose a significant danger to grazing animals through the accumulation of contaminated fodder. The mean concentration of Cd in the water ranged from 0.18–1.78 mg/L, in the soil 0.63 to 1.87 mg/kg, in the forage 0.20 to 1.32 mg/kg, and in the blood 0.26 to 1.98 mg/L. Among all three sites, canal water (CW Site I), groundwater (GW Site II), and sewage water (SW Site III), the concentration...

Irrigation methods and nitrogen-form interactions regulate starch-metabolising enzyme activity to improve rice yield and quality

Haojing Li, Hairun Li, Danke Zhang, Mengmeng Jiang, Jing Cao, Guowei Xu

Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(3):185-201 | DOI: 10.17221/530/2024-PSE  

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),...