Plant, Soil and Environment, 2025 (vol. 71), issue 5
Physiological and biochemical responses to cold stress in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) during the early growth stageOriginal Paper
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...
The effect of soil tillage and sulphur fertilisation on content and ratios of macronutrients in the grain of spring triticaleOriginal Paper
Hanna Klikocka, Anna Podle¶na, Bartosz Narolski, Janusz Podle¶ny
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...
Halophytic resilience in extreme environments: adaptive strategies of Suaeda schimperi in the Red Sea’s hyper-arid salt marshesOriginal Paper
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....
Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazingOriginal Paper
Marie Mrázková-©týbnarová, Michaela Kolářová, Radek ©tencl, Prokop ©mirous, Marie Bjelková, Josef Holec, Martin Vaąinka, Luděk Tyąer, 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 ©výcárna 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 ©výcárna experimental area over 12 years. All experimental plots throughout the study observed an increase in species...
Seed germination strategy as an indicator of suitability for restoration of species-rich meadowsOriginal Paper
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...
Phosphorus application rates affect the grain yields of different phosphorus-tolerant rice cultivars by regulating grain filling and leaf senescence characteristicsOriginal Paper
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...