Plant, Soil and Environment, 2021 (vol. 67), issue 4
Biochar remediation of soil: linking biochar production with function in heavy metal contaminated soilsReview
A. Taraqqi-A-Kamal, Christopher J. Atkinson, Aimal Khan, Kaikai Zhang, Peng Sun, Sharmin Akther, Yanrong Zhang
Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(4):183-201 | DOI: 10.17221/544/2020-PSE 
The focus of this study is on the soil physicochemical, biological, and microbiological processes altered by biochar application to heavy metal (HM) contaminated soils. The aim is to highlight agronomical and environmental issues by which the restorative capacity of biochar might be developed. Literature shows biochar can induce soil remediation, however, it is unclear how soil processes are linked mechanistically to biochar production and if these processes can be manipulated to enhance soil remediation. The literature often fails to contribute to an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which biochar alters soil function. It is clear that factors...
Changes in dry weight and starch content in potato under the effect of herbicides and biostimulantsOriginal Paper
Krystyna Zarzecka, Marek Gugała, Iwona Mystkowska, Anna Sikorska
Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(4):202-207 | DOI: 10.17221/622/2020-PSE
The aim of the study was to determine the interaction of herbicides and herbicides with biostimulants on the accumulation of dry matter and starch in potato tubers. In a three-year field experiment based on the method of randomised sub-blocks, two factors were taken into account. The first factor were potato cultivars: Bartek, Gawin, Honorata. The second factor were five methods of herbicides and biostimulants application: (1) the control object without chemical protection (CO); (2) herbicide linuron + clomazone (Harrier 295 ZC) (H); (3) herbicide linuron + clomazone (Harrier 295 ZC) and biostimulant Ecklonia maxima (Kelpak SL) - (H + K);...
Exogenous application of melatonin alleviates salt stress-induced decline in growth and photosynthesis in Glycine max (L.) seedlings by improving mineral uptake, antioxidant and glyoxalase systemOriginal Paper
Basmah M. Alharbi, Abeer Hamdy Elhakem, Ghalia S.H. Alnusairi, Mona H. Soliman, Khalid Rehman Hakeem, Md. Mahadi Hasan, Magdi T. Abdelhamid
Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(4):208-220 | DOI: 10.17221/659/2020-PSE
Soybean plants grown under NaCl were foliar sprayed twice with melatonin (MLT). Results revealed that salt stress reduced growth, biomass accumulation, photosynthesis, mineral uptake, the content of δ-aminolevulinic acid, chlorophylls, carotenoids and PSII efficiency. However, MLT application enhanced pigment synthesis and PSII activity. MLT up-regulated the antioxidant system and glyoxalase function resulting in reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reduced ROS in MLT-treated plants protected membrane functioning by reducing lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase activity. Nevertheless, MLT application reduced...
Effects of hydrogen peroxide application on agronomic traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought stressOriginal Paper
Weeraphorn Jira-anunkul, Wattana Pattanagul
Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(4):221-229 | DOI: 10.17221/628/2020-PSE
Drought stress is a major environmental factor limiting crop growth and productivity. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays an essential role during stress response by acting as a signal molecule that activates multiple stress tolerance mechanisms. In this study, the effects of H2O2 on agronomic traits were studied in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) was subjected to drought stress. H2O
Impact of cover crops in inter-rows of hop gardens on reducing soil loss due to water erosionOriginal Paper
David Kabelka, David Kincl, Jan Vopravil, Petr Vráblík
Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(4):230-235 | DOI: 10.17221/24/2021-PSE
Soil degradation caused by water erosion in sloping hop gardens is definitely a serious issue because the space in inter-rows is without plant residues for most of the year in traditional cultivation. Cover crops in inter-rows of hop gardens and their efficiency in soil conservation are assessed in this article. There is only little research available in this area, and our data bring unique information on water erosion in hop gardens. Technologies with different types of cover crops were always compared with the conventional cultivation. The research was conducted within the years 2016-2020. A field rainfall simulator was used to determine the soil...
Water productivity of two wheat genotypes in response to no-tillage in the North China PlainOriginal Paper
Yuzhao Ma, Naikun Kuang, Shengzhe Hong, Fengli Jiao, Changyuan Liu, Quanqi Li
Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(4):236-244 | DOI: 10.17221/27/2021-PSE
Uneven distribution of precipitation and overexploitation of groundwater resources threatens the sustainability of agriculture in the North China Plain. Adoption of water deficit-tolerant winter wheat genotypes coupled with timely, adequate farming practice is crucial to enhance sustainable crop production and water productivity in the region. The present study aimed to evaluate water consumption patterns and water productivity of two winter wheat genotypes (Tainong-18 and Jimai-22), under no-tillage or conventional tillage, over a period of four consecutive cropping seasons. Under no-tillage, Tainong-18 showed the lowest soil moisture consumption...
Cyanogenic glycosides can function as nitrogen reservoir for flax plants cultured under N-deficient conditionsOriginal Paper
Irena Siegień, Magdalena Fiłoc, Aleksandra Maria Staszak, Iwona Ciereszko
Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(4):245-253 | DOI: 10.17221/573/2020-PSE
Soil nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common phenomenon that plagues both naturally growing plants as well as agricultural crops, ultimately affecting their growth and productivity. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of short-term N deprivation on secondary metabolites production in developing and mature leaves of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Two weeks under low-N conditions decrease plant growth, N concentration, and soluble proteins content in leaves. Reduction in photosynthesis intensity was also observed. A decrease of cyanogenic glycoside content under N-deficient conditions was most visible in mature leaves. However, the content...