Plant, Soil and Environment - Latest articles
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Effects of drought priming at seedling stage on salt-tolerance physiology at flowering stage and subsequent seed setting of winter wheat
Yiguo Liu, Mengxin Li, Luoyi Liu, Fuye Bo, Haoyang Li, Lingyan Li, Xuejie Wan, Aiguo Wang, Xiaoqing Guan, Changhai Shi
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(9):542-555 | DOI: 10.17221/361/2026-PSE 
To explore cultivation techniques for improving winter wheat yield in saline-alkali soils, this study investigated the effects of seedling-stage drought priming on salt tolerance and related physiological mechanisms during later growth stages. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomised design. Three soil moisture levels – 40% (W1, severe drought), 60% (W2, mild drought), and 80% (W3, well-watered) of field capacity – were applied from emergence to jointing, followed by normal irrigation and saline irrigation at 1‰ (S1), 3‰ (S2), or 5‰ (S3) NaCl. Compared with W1 and W3, mild priming (W2) significantly reduced...
Dynamics of soil chemical properties along oil palm chronosequences and natural forests in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Kurniati, Nurlaela, Sri Mulyani, Ronny Mulyawan, Niken Nur Kasim, Ihsan Arham, Nirmala Juita, Sri Sukmawati, Desi Nadalia, Dian Utami Zainuddin, Muhammad Fahyu Sanjaya
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(9):534-541 | DOI: 10.17221/206/2026-PSE
Land use conversion from tropical forests to oil palm plantations substantially impairs soil fertility, yet the trajectory of soil chemical change across successive plantation ages remains poorly understood. This study investigated changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), nutrient availability, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and micronutrient dynamics along a chronosequence comprising primary forest, secondary forest, and oil palm plantations aged 6, 8, 10, and 12 years in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. SOC declined consistently following forest conversion and exhibited no meaningful recovery after 12 years of cultivation. Soil pH remained strongly acidic...
Cultivar responses to daylength and stem descent in aeroponic seed potato
Meksy Dianawati, Kiki Kusyaeri Hamdani, Yati Haryati, Bambang Susanto, Ika Cartika, Rahmat Awaludin Salam, Neni Gunaeni, Indijarto Budi Rahardjo, Agus Nurawan, Hanudin, Asih Kartasih Karjadi, Amisnaipa, Paulina Evy Retnaning Prahardini, Bagus Kukuh Udiarto, Sortha Simatupang
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(9):526-533 | DOI: 10.17221/388/2026-PSE
Extending daylength during vegetative growth may improve aeroponic potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growth but yield responses may depend on cultivar and canopy disturbance. Two cultivars, cvs. Atlantic Malang and Chipita, were grown under a natural 12 h day or a 16 h day created by 4 h supplemental LED lighting until 6 weeks after planting (WAP), combined with no stem descent or stem descent at 2 or 4 WAP. A split-plot randomised complete block design with five blocks was used; daylength was the main-plot factor and six cultivar-stem descent combinations were subplots. Data were analysed by split-plot ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test and principal...
Long-term effects of fertilisation systems on soil nutrient status, soil organic carbon content and crop productivity in a typical Chernozem under different crop rotations
Yaroslav Makukh, Svitlana Remeniuk, Vladyslav Riznyk, Snizhana Moshkivska, Tetiana Petrenko, Oleksandr Polovynchuk, Oleh Atamanіuk, Yurii Remeniuk, Ksenia Kopchuk
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(9):515-525
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of fertilisation systems and crop rotation structure on soil nutrient status, organic carbon (OC) content and stocks, and crop productivity in a typical Chernozem. The study was conducted during 2019–2024 as part of a long-term field experiment established in 1976 at the Bila Tserkva Experimental Breeding Station in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Four fertilisation treatments were compared in cereal-fodder-row (CFR) and cereal-row-crop (CRC) rotations: unfertilised since 1976, mineral fertilisation with straw incorporation, mineral + cattle manure fertilisation, and organic...
Radish growth and soil aggregate stability affected by microplastic contamination
Peter Šurda, Lucia Toková, Lenka Botyanszká, Natália Botková
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(8):503-513 | DOI: 10.17221/260/2026-PSE
The major objective of this study is to investigate changes in radish growth parameters (fresh and dry biomass and photosynthetic efficiency) and the stability of water-stable soil aggregates under contamination by different microplastic materials (high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS)) in contrasting soil types (Chernozem, Luvisol and Umbrisol). The study was conducted as a pot experiment under laboratory conditions, including three soil types and three microplastic types, with five replicates per variant. The results indicate that the effects of microplastics on plant biomass were significantly dependent...
Synergistic effects of magnesium fertilisation and machine-transplanting density improve rice yield and grain quality
Ran Wang, Lubing Jia, Jianming Ding, Keyuan Zhang, Xiaotian Jiang, Rongping Zhang, Yan Lan, Peng Ma
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(8):483-502 | DOI: 10.17221/239/2026-PSE
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...
Photosynthetic and related traits in variety-specific drought acclimation of soybean
Jiří Krucký, Václav Hejnák, Marek Popov, Jan Kubeš, Jana Česká, Ľubomír Harenčár, Milan Skalický, Pavla Vachová, František Hnilička
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(8):468-482 | DOI: 10.17221/274/2026-PSE
This study evaluated the acclimation of eight soybean varieties to water deficit through changes in photosynthetic performance and physiological, biochemical, and epigenetic traits. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in two treatments: control (80% water-holding capacity; WHC) and drought (40% WHC). Water status was assessed using relative water content and osmotic potential, while photosynthetic performance was evaluated using gas exchange, water use efficiency, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II, chlorophylls, and carotenoids. Total flavonoid content, reducing power, proline accumulation, and 5-methylcytosine content were determined....
Bacterial cellulose in sustainable agriculture: bibliometric map and critical review of agronomic applications and waste-valorised production
Ellen R.H Nyirenda, Chandrika S. Tantry, S. Divya, Elson Hunga, Manjunatha Bukkambudhi Krishnaswamy, Vidya Shimoga Muddappa
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(8):455-467 | DOI: 10.17221/476/2025-PSE
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a lignin-free nanofibrillar hydrogel with high water-binding capacity, mechanical strength, and biodegradability. Despite these properties, a Scopus bibliometric survey of 738 publications (2015–2025) showed that agricultural applications accounted for only 17% of BC research, while biomedical and materials-science applications dominated. This review contributes a bibliometric quantification of that imbalance; a four-function synthesis of BC as a cultivation substrate, soil amendment, seed or biological carrier, and agrochemical platform; and a production route-property-application matrix linking waste feedstocks to...
Foliar proline alleviates drought stress in peppermint via consistent growth and essential oil benefits, with stress-dependent regulation of ion balance and abscisic acid
Abeer H. Elhakem, Amira Hassan
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(7):438-454 | DOI: 10.17221/248/2026-PSE
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...
The effects of cadmium on the AsA-GSH cycle and antioxidant compounds in different cultivars of perennial ryegrass
Junlong Wang, Li Cao, Jinhuan Yi, Kai Zhou, Guilian Shan, Na Jiang
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(7):427-437 | DOI: 10.17221/121/2026-PSE
Cadmium (Cd) is a common heavy metal contaminant in agricultural soils; its high bioaccumulation potential and toxicity mean it enters the human body via the food chain, posing a health risk. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is renowned for its high tolerance to heavy metal toxicity and is frequently used in phytoremediation. This study examined growth morphology, activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant contents in two perennial ryegrass cultivars: WNS (Venus, low Cd accumulation) and YY (Excellent, high...
The effects of post-anthesis shading on starch granule size distribution and viscosity parameters in waxy and non-waxy soft wheat
Jing Li, Tingting Yang, Ruilian Zhang, Yang Liu, Abdul Rehman, Xiaomin Shang, Suhui Yan, Wenyang Li
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(7):413-426 | DOI: 10.17221/219/2026-PSE
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...
Chronic laboratory exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of Mospilan 20 SP (acetamiprid): effects and molecular responses in honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)
Imrich Szabó, Rastislav Sabo, Martin Staroň, Štefan Tutka, Marek Ratvaj, Lucia Sabová, Monika Sučik
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(7):403-412 | DOI: 10.17221/228/2026-PSE
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),...
Differential contributions of plant- and microbial-derived carbon to soil organic carbon under perennial and annual herbaceous species in a temperate desert grassland, Northwest China
Zexin Teng, Yuying Liu, Ümüt Halik, Jianing He
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(6):389-402 | DOI: 10.17221/127/2026-PSE
Desert grasslands are critical carbon sinks in arid regions, where herbaceous species selection plays a vital role in ecosystem restoration. While plant life cycle (annual vs. perennial) is known to affect soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, its influence on SOC molecular composition remains poorly understood. This study examined the accumulation and environmental drivers of plant- and microbial-derived carbon biomarkers (lignin phenols and amino sugars) across the 0–40 cm soil profile under four desert herbaceous species: perennial Karelinia caspica (Pall.) Less. and Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin., annual Chenopodium glaucum L. and Salsola lanata...
Response of Precision-Planted Soybean Morphology, Seed Quality and Yield to Varying Seeding Rates under Central European Conditions
Antonín Procházka, Pavel Procházka, Kateřina Hamouzová, Milan Kroulík, Václav Brant
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(6):380-388 | DOI: 10.17221/179/2026-PSE
In Central Europe, soybean is typically sown in narrow rows, whereas wide‑row precision planters offer more accurate within‑row spacing and greater flexibility for inter‑row cultivation and targeted applications. We evaluated whether soybean established with a 500‑mm precision planter responds to changes in seeding rate. A two‑year on‑farm strip trial (2023–2024) was conducted in Czechia with two determinate cultivars Satelia and Tertia in four target seeding rates (20, 40, 60, 80 germinating seeds/m²). Plant morphology, seed yield, and seed composition were assessed. Branch number (3.1–1 pcs/plant...
Enhancing salinity tolerance in rice using Saccharomyces cerevisiae inoculation: physiological and yield responses across diverse genotypes
Heba A. ElSherbiny, Alaa El-Dein Omara, Elsayed E. Gewaily, Walid F. Ghidan, Mahmoud E. Selim, Amany M. Badr, Dalal S. Alshaya, Khadiga Alharbi, Maha Aljabri, Ahmed A.A. Leilah
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(6):362-379 | DOI: 10.17221/178/2026-PSE
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...
Effects of foliar application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the physiological responses of rice seedlings under high temperature stress
Hui Xu, Lei Wang, Dongyue Sun, Wei Liu, Shuhua Jiang, Lijun Zhou, Lu Tang, Xin Gu, Muhammad Ahmad Hassan
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(6):347-361 | DOI: 10.17221/168/2026-PSE
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...
Plant phosphorus availability of pyrolysed pig slurry related to ammonium and nitrate nutrition
Diedrich Steffens, Ann-Kathrin Nimführ, Lukas Kehm
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(5):338-346 | DOI: 10.17221/524/2025-PSE
Excessive slurry applications in regions with intensive livestock production are overloading soils with phosphates, which can lead to water pollution. Pyrolysis of pig slurry solids creates a fertiliser that is potentially efficient to store and transport, hence creating the opportunity to export it from affected regions. This study aims to quantify the plant availability of phosphorus (P) from the pyrolysed pig slurry in different soils and in combination with the nitrogen application in the form of nitrate (NO3–) and ammonium (NH4+), respectively. A pot experiment with maize seedlings (Zea mays...
A global meta-analysis of fertiliser management on soil available and total zinc
Junyan Ren, Waseem Hassan, Qindi Zhang, Andong Cai
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(5):321-337 | DOI: 10.17221/23/2026-PSE
Soil available and total zinc are important indicators of soil zinc status, yet the global effects of different fertilisation practices on soil available and total zinc and the drivers of their variation remain insufficiently quantified. We conducted a global meta-analysis based on data extracted from published field studies. A total of 1 240 paired observations of soil available zinc from 94 studies and 364 paired observations of soil total zinc from 44 studies published between 1993 and 2024 were compiled. The effects of eight fertiliser types (mineral fertilisers without zinc [CF], compost, manure, zinc fertiliser, CF combined with either compost...
Co-inoculation of a halotolerant Bacillus strain and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for improving plant growth in saline soils
Xinyu Li, Fahu Li, Lu Wang, Yiming Qian, Tianyu Huang, Jianhong Han, Yongjun Fan
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(5):307-320 | DOI: 10.17221/110/2026-PSE
Soil salinisation is a major factor limiting plant growth and land utilisation in arid and semiarid regions. This study focused on the native halophyte Suaeda salsa in western Inner Mongolia to explore halophyte-associated microbial resources with plant growth-promoting potential under saline conditions. A total of 30 salt-tolerant bacteria strains were isolated from its rhizosphere. Among them, Bacillus infantis strain 29 tolerated up to 10% NaCl (w/v) and exhibited multiple plant-growth-promoting traits, including highly active 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphorus solubilisation,...
Nitrogen availability regulates the soil organic carbon sequestration by promoting microbial necromass and plant lignin phenol accumulation in orchard soil amended with organic residues
Dongmei Lang, Feiyan Zhu, Fengge Hao, Peng Zhang
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(5):298-306 | DOI: 10.17221/555/2025-PSE
Plant carbon (C) inputs and their subsequent microbial transformation affect the soil organic C (SOC) net sequestration. However, the characteristics of plant- and microbial-derived C and SOC sequestration under organic matter plus different nitrogen (N) levels in orchard soils remain unclear. Therefore, a pot experiment over 120 days was conducted to investigate the plant and microbial biomarkers in soils under 13C-labelled branches chip combined with N of 225 mg/kg (BRN1), 180 mg/kg (BRN2), 160 mg/kg (BRN3), 140 mg/kg (BRN4) and 0 mg/kg (BR). Branch residue and N addition increased the net SOC sequestration; the 13C recovered...
Selenium promotes soybean sprout growth via enhanced antioxidant capacity and nutrient mobilisation
Kaiwei Li, Lele Li, Yuqing Liu, Sanchun Lei, Minghao Hao, Qiong Wu, Feiyan Yu, Lianhe Zhang
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(5):284-297 | DOI: 10.17221/72/2026-PSE
Selenium (Se) biofortification of soybean sprouts presents a promising approach for enhancing dietary Se intake. However, the physiological mechanisms of Se promoting growth remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of selenite (Na2SeO3) at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 μmol/L on soybean sprout development over 72 h. The results indicated that 5.0 and 7.5 μmol/L Na2SeO3 significantly promoted hypocotyl elongation and biomass accumulation. Se predominantly accumulated in the radicle, followed by the hypocotyl and cotyledon. Moderate selenite levels enhanced the activities...
Selenite alleviates PEG-induced drought stress during rice seed germination through antioxidant regulation and osmotic adjustment
Ying Wang, Qing Zhu, Xue Luo, Gaogao Dai, Jingwen Hou, Feiyan Yu, Lianhe Zhang
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(5):271-283 | DOI: 10.17221/44/2026-PSE
Drought stress severely impairs seed germination. Selenium (Se) is a potential mitigator of abiotic stress, but its physiological mechanisms in alleviating osmotic stress during seed germination remain poorly understood. This study investigated how Se alleviates the inhibition of rice seed germination induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought. The results indicated that co-application of Se and PEG effectively alleviated the PEG-induced suppression of germination. Se significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase by 31.0%, peroxidase by 39.0%, catalase by 42.9%, and ascorbate peroxidase by 41.8%, along with elevating the...
Root yield and technological quality of sugar beet as affected by harvest time under the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Dmytro Kyselov, Svitlana Kalenska, Bohdan Mazurenko
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(4):259-270 | DOI: 10.17221/105/2026-PSE
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...
Biochar combined with hyperaccumulators: a strategy for remediation of heavy metal composite pollution in mining areas
Tingting Cao, Wei Wang, Jian Wang, Jinbin Li, Xubo Sun, Yan Xu
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(4):239-258 | DOI: 10.17221/503/2025-PSE
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...
Slow-release copper efficacy study on wheat: a sustainable solution for efficient crop micronutrient delivery
Farahnaz Nourmohammadian, Hessamoddin Solouki, Wilfried Dossou-Yovo, Cheng Jiang
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(4):228-238 | DOI: 10.17221/41/2026-PSE
This study evaluated a novel slow-release copper fertiliser (soileos Cu) as a sustainable alternative to conventional copper sources for improving wheat yield and nutrient use efficiency. Traditional Cu fertilisers are often limited by rapid leaching and low efficiency, especially on sandy soils with low organic matter, contributing to environmental pollution. They also exhibit low plant-use efficiency due to strong adsorption and immobilisation in soils rich in organic matter and clay minerals, thereby reducing copper availability in the soil solution and contributing to environmental pollution. A multi-scale approach was employed, including laboratory...
Synergistic root-photosynthesis responses to phosphorus rates optimise grain appearance quality in phosphorus‑efficient rice cultivars
Jing Cao, Li Wang, Qinyao Meng, Hao Cheng, Xihui Zhao, Guowei Xu
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(4):211-227 | DOI: 10.17221/35/2026-PSE
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...
Greenhouse gas emissions from alluvial soils in grassland and cropland in northern part of Europe’s temperate climate zone (Latvia)
Raitis Normunds Meļņiks, Arta Bārdule, Oleh Prysiazhniuk, Oksana Maliarenko, Inga Jansone, Sanita Zute, Aldis Butlers, Andis Lazdiņš
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(3):194-209 | DOI: 10.17221/323/2025-PSE
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 (Rhet) were determined using a portable CO2 gas analyser, while ecosystem respiration (Reco), soil CH4 and N2O fluxes were quantified using...
Nitrogen application rates mediate rice cooking quality by interfering with root anatomical and senescence physiological traits
Li Wang, Jing Cao, Hao Cheng, Qinyao Meng, Haojing Li, Guowei
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(3):172-193 | DOI: 10.17221/20/2026-PSE
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...
The effect of hydrogel and precipitation-thermal conditions on the yield and content of antinutritional compounds in potato
Krystyna Zarzecka, Marek Gugała, Iwona Mystkowska, Emilia Rzążewska
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(3):165-171 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2026-PSE
A field experiment was conducted with potatoes 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: the application of the hydrogel AgroNanoGel Basic at 60 and 90 kg/ha, and a control treatment without hydrogel. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant effects of cultivar, hydrogel application rates, and hydrothermal conditions in the study years on potato tuber yield. The highest yields...
Long-term effects of organic and mineral fertilisation on soil manganese dynamics and agricultural sustainability
Sarfo Kwaku Obeng, Martin Kulhánek, Jiří Balík, Jindřich Černý, Ondřej Sedlář
Plant Soil Environ., 2026, 72(3):155-164 | DOI: 10.17221/562/2025-PSE
Manganese (Mn) is often underestimated in plant nutrition. Its availability to plants is influenced by several factors, which can lead to Mn deficiency or toxicity. The objective was to evaluate the transformation of soil Mn over 21 years in a long-term field experiment. Fertilising with (i) sewage sludge 1 (SS1); (ii) sewage sludge 3 (3 times higher nitrogen (N) dose, SS3); (iii) farmyard manure (FYM); (iv) mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) and (v) mineral nitrogen in addition to straw (Nst) was studied to evaluate the transformations of Mn in soil using different extraction methods at the 5 locations. There was a general reduction...