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As essential natural carbon sinks, woody plants play a key role in urban ecological restoration. The lignite-derived organic fertiliser (LOF) may promote plant growth and carbon sequestration by improving soil properties. This study investigated LOF effects on three typical woody plants – Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott. with taproots, Malus × micromalus Makino with fibrous roots, and Malus domestica Borkh. with both taproots and fibrous roots – focused on soil properties improvement during a three-year planting experiment (2021–2023). The results indicated that LOF application significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, with and without woody plants, by 82.3% and 54.9%, respectively. Concurrently, LOF influenced soil microbial characteristics, especially enhancing the 16S rRNA gene copy number by 0.99 times. For plant growth, LOF application increased root length, volume, and tip number in Malus domestica Borkh. by 37.4, 27.4, and 26.0%, respectively, and in Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott by 43.8, 76.7, and 26.6%, respectively. However, in Malus × micromalus Makino, while root volume increased by 3.8%, root length and tip number decreased by 10.0% and 26.9%, respectively. Additionally, the LOF application increased the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) values of woody plant leaves by 5.3%, indicating improved chlorophyll content and plant health. These findings demonstrate that LOF applications may significantly enhance soil quality and promote plant growth, contributing to improved terrestrial carbon sequestration.

Seed priming is an effective seed treatment procedure and has been shown to improve the emergence of seedlings in various crops. However, there is a lack of systematic research for these techniques in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), especially for combinations of priming agents. This study aimed to screen 22 biologically active compounds and then to evaluate the potential of combinations of these agents, assessing the dynamics of germination, seedling length, and performance, in a pot experiment for selected combinations. About half of the screened agents increased germination rate (on the 3^rd day) or seedling length (from 8% to 75%), where chitosan and green tea improved total germination and seedling formation. The selected combination of priming agents improved only seedling growth compared to hydropriming and control, where the combination of fermented weed juice + green tea and H₂O₂ + thyme infusion seems effective (+61%). In the pot experiment, only a combination of mixed priming with the coating method led to improved lucerne root growth (+33% compared to the untreated control). These results can contribute to the adoption of easily available, cost-effective, and sustainable treatments with the potential to accelerate germination and lucerne seedling development.

Oligopeptides constitute an important yet understudied component of soil’s dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) pool, representing a primary breakdown product of proteins. However, the mechanisms of oligopeptide uptake and utilisation by crop roots remain poorly understood in a plant nutrition context. We investigated the rate and spatial uptake pattern of ¹⁴C-labelled alanine and di- to pentapeptides of alanine in wheat and rice under sterile hydroponic conditions. Both species demonstrated the capacity to absorb N through amino acids and oligopeptides, with rice roots showing higher peptide uptake than wheat. Specifically, alanine absorption exceeded peptide uptake by 3–7-fold in rice and 6–9-fold in wheat. Using phosphor imaging, we demonstrated that alanine and oligopeptide uptake occurred throughout the root system, with the highest accumulation in the root tip and root hair regions. Further, spatial analysis revealed that peptide absorption rates in rice were 2–5 times higher in the 0–1 cm root section and 1.5–4 times higher in the 1–2 cm section compared to corresponding wheat root segments. We conclude that plants can directly take up amino acids and oligopeptides to acquire exogenous N, with marked differences occurring among species in both uptake efficiency and spatial uptake patterns.

In this study, the effect of abscisic acid (ABA; 150 μmol) or epibrassinolide (EBL, 3 μmol) in mitigating the adverse drought conditions was evaluated in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Vilma). Potted plants were subjected to two 6-day periods separated by a one-time rehydration. Results showed that water deficit increased the content of superoxide radical (O₂^•−), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, ABA and its metabolites. On the other hand, the studied cytokinins showed a rather opposite trend. ABA application maintained and later reduced the O₂^•− content. At the same time, the MDA level was lower but later increased, while the proline content was reduced compared to untreated plants. This indicates that ABA helps the plants cope with the initial stress phase. In addition, ABA-activated signalling pathways showed increased levels of ABA, auxins, salicylic acid or jasmonic acid. EBL even more increased O₂^•− and proline content. At the same time, EBL increased the content of auxins, jasmonic acid and later ABA. In contrast, a decrease in salicylic acid and cytokinins was monitored. These findings indicate that ABA contributed to improved stress responses through early phytohormone-mediated signalling and reduction of stress markers, whereas EBL appeared less effective under our experimental conditions.

Antimony (Sb) pollution from industrial activities poses a severe global threat, particularly impacting valuable medicinal crops like linseed, which are highly sensitive to heavy metals. This study reveals the remarkable potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as a sustainable solution to this challenge. Our research demonstrates that while Sb stress significantly impairs linseed growth and photosynthesis, it also triggers oxidative damage. AMF improved photosynthetic performance and water status, and notably enhanced the biosynthesis of crucial phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, and citric acid. These compounds are vital for both plant defence and human health. Furthermore, AMF promoted the accumulation of essential detoxifying agents, leading to a better redox balance and significantly reducing Sb uptake and translocation by 47%. This dual action not only bolsters the plant’s tolerance to Sb but also enhances its medicinal value by boosting health-promoting bioactive metabolites. These promising findings underscore AMF’s dual role: a powerful tool for phytoremediation and a natural enhancer of phytochemical quality. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide a sustainable, nature-inspired approach to safely cultivate medicinal plants in environments contaminated with heavy metals, underscoring the vital role of plant-microbe interactions in alleviating environmental stresses.

Heavy metal stress inhibits plant growth, but this impact is less studied and pronounced under climate change conditions. The present study investigates the physiological, biochemical, and agronomic responses of wheat (C3) and maize (C4) exposed to varying thallium (Tl) stress (60 and 120 mg/kg) under ambient (aCO₂) and elevated (eCO₂, 710 µmol/mol) CO₂ levels. High Tl exposure markedly reduced grain yield by 58% in wheat and 68% in maize at 120 mg/kg under aCO₂. However, eCO₂ partially offset the negative effects, increasing yield by ~20% in wheat and 36% in maize at 60 mg/kg Tl. eCO₂ enhanced photosynthetic activity under eCO₂, which increased the accumulation of soluble sugars under TI stress. These provide carbon skeletons for the synthesis of primary metabolites such as amino acids, organic acids and fatty acids. Although total fatty acid content declined under stress, the metabolic crosstalk initiated by improved photosynthesis and sugar availability enables plants to maintain key fatty acids (such as palmitic, linolenic, and oleic acids) essential for membrane stability and function. Amino acids, especially proline and cysteine, accumulated significantly under Tl stress. These primary metabolites, in turn, feed into secondary metabolic pathways, promoting the formation of phenolic acids and flavonoids that enhance antioxidant defence and stress tolerance. This metabolic cascade explains eCO₂’s capacity to alleviate TI stress and improve crop performance, and underscores the value of leveraging eCO₂ environments to support agricultural productivity and food security under challenging conditions.

Enhancing sustainability in agriculture requires innovative practices that boost crop productivity while conserving natural resources. This two-season field study (2023–2025) in sandy soils of El Sadat City, Egypt, evaluated the combined effects of nano-fertilisers and seed priming on the growth and yield of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Five fertilisation regimes, ranging from 100% conventional to 100% nano-formulations, were tested under both primed and unprimed seed treatments. The results demonstrated that the integration of nano-fertilisers with seed priming significantly improved sugar yield (up to 36.1 t/ha), sucrose content (20.35%), and nitrogen use efficiency (55.1 kg sugar/kg N). Post-harvest soil analysis showed improved nutrient retention, indicating enhanced environmental performance. This approach supports climate-smart agriculture by optimising nutrient input, reducing losses, and improving soil sustainability. Our findings highlight the potential of nano-agronomic inputs to contribute to global food security under conditions of climate change.

Agriculture faces increasing challenges due to climate change, underscoring the importance of beneficial microorganisms for enhancing crop resilience and improving soil health. However, the performance of microbial inoculant strains can vary widely depending on the cultivated species and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the ESALQ 1306 strain of Trichoderma harzianum, a soil fungus recognised as a biological control agent for crops such as soybean and strawberry, investigating its potential as a growth promoter in maize (Zea mays L.). Field experiments were conducted with three commercial cultivars (DKB255, DKB360, and 2B810) over two growing seasons, one under irrigation and the other under severe natural drought. The results revealed that Trichoderma (ESALQ 1306) significantly increased plant height, biomass, and grain yield, particularly under drought stress, despite lacking a formal recommendation for maize. The cv. DKB360 showed the greatest response, with yield increases of up to 60% compared to untreated controls. Inoculation also improved nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen, highlighting its potential to maintain soil health and fertility. These findings demonstrate that the ESALQ 1306 strain of Trichoderma is a promising soil bioinoculant for agriculture, capable of improving maize performance under both optimal and stressful conditions. However, it is important to emphasise that genotype-specific responses highlight the need to align bioinoculant application with selecting specific cultivars to ensure inoculation success. This insight is crucial for guiding future breeding programs and establishing clear regulatory guidelines for commercialising biological products, fostering sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

The study is focused on the evaluation of selenium, nitrogen and sulphur effects on yield, macro- and micronutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) and quality (Se content, starch, fibre, ash and fat) in wheat grain. Small-plot field experiments (10 m² each plot) were established on loam to clay loam mollic soil with total Se content 0.21–0.22 mg/kg in Želiezovce on the land of the Central Control and Testing Institute in Agriculture of the Slovak Republic. The effect of growing season on two sources of selenium, in the form of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃ · 5 H₂O) and sodium selenate (Na₂SeO₄), was monitored during the growth phase BBCH 29 (the end of the tillering phase) in a two-year experiment. The experiment included six foliar treatments in four repetitions, which were differentiated as follows: T1 – 30 kg N/ha; T1 Se0₃^2– – 30 kg N/ha and 20 g Se/ha; T1 Se0₄^2– – 30 kg N/ha and 20 g Se/ha; T2 – 30 kg N/ha and 10 kg S/ha; T2 Se0₃^2– – 30 kg N/ha, 10 kg S/ha and 20 g Se/ha; T2 Se0₄^2– – 30 kg N/ha, 10 kg S/ha and 20 g Se/ha. A statistically significant difference in yield was found between the growing seasons. Statistically non-significant impact of treatments on achieved yields was found. The highest average Se content in grain, 0.90 ± 0.28 mg/kg, was achieved on treatment T2 Se0₄^2–. The application of sodium selenite appeared to be less effective than selenate form in the evaluation of average Se content in grain, where statistically significantly higher Se contents (T1 Se0₄^2– 0.78 ± 0.22 mg/kg; T2 Se0₄^2– 0.90 ± 0.28 mg/kg) were found after selenate application. The application of two types of fertilisers and two forms of selenium did not significantly increase the content of N, P, Mg, and S in grain. The Fe content in the grain was increased by treatment T2 Se0₃^2–. The application of sodium selenate compared to sodium selenite significantly increased the starch content (T1 Se0₄^2– 56.39 ± 4.44%; T2 Se0₄^2– 55.87 ± 4.05) in the grain of spring wheat.

The common 1% oil cleanup criterion was tested for pasture production according to oil type and concentration, in soil types frequently contaminated in southeastern Mexico. Reductions in aerial biomass of Brachiaria humidicola were measured over six months in soils contaminated with crude oils of varying grades (light, medium, heavy, and extra-heavy). Dose-response curves for heavy crude-contaminated soils showed acceptable criteria (90% pasture) of 0.71, 0.56, 1.23, ~0.20 and < 0.10% oil for an Arenosol, Vertisol, Gleysol, Fluvisol and an Acrisol, respectively. Generally, for all crude oils, the 1% level resulted in pasture reductions of ~20–70, ~25–60, ~50–65, and ~35–65% in the Arenosol, Vertisol, Fluvisol, and Acrisol, respectively. Still, in the Gleysol it was variable (reduction of ~10% to an increase of ~15%). Thus, the 1% oil cleanup criterion may be suitable for some soils with large amounts of smectite clays and organic matter (such as Gleysols). Still, for most soils, it may not be strict enough to prevent soil fertility deterioration, and soils with large amounts of non-smectite fines may be particularly impacted. Therefore, lower cleanup levels need to be considered, as well as low-cost regenerative agricultural practices to recover soil fertility in contaminated soils, when these cleanup levels are not achievable.

The effect of mineral, organic (manure or straw + intercrop) and combined fertilisation on the development of soil nutrient contents over time and their mutual ratios was evaluated in a long-term field trial, IOSDV (established in 1984 at two sites), differing in the soil-climatic conditions. Three cropping cycles, from 2016 to 2018, 2019 to 2021, and 2022 to 2024, were studied in the following crop rotation: winter wheat-winter barley-root crop (sugar beet at Ivanovice na Hané and potatoes at Lukavec). Potassium and phosphorus in mineral fertilisers have not been applied since the year 2020 due to their high content found in soils after dry years with low yields. Consequently, their content decreased, most in the third rotation, both by the Mehlich 3 method and especially the exchange fraction extractable with NH₄-acetate (Ivanovice: P 5–14%, 32–40% and K up to 12%, 9–20% determined by Mehlich 3 and NH₄-acetate, respectively; Lukavec: Mehlich 3 – P increase: 5–16%, K decrease: 0–8%; NH₄^- acetate decrease – P: 10–13%, K 8–23%). The mutual ratio of nutrients equivalents K : Mg : Ca was lower than required values 1 : 2–3 : 10–15 at both sites and all studied treatments, however a slight increase was observed during the studied period, above all in system with only mineral fertilisation (Ivanovice: K : Mg : Ca from 1 : 1.2 : 5.6 to 1 : 1.4 : 6.8, Lukavec: from 1 : 1.0 : 7.7 to 1 : 1.0 : 9.6). A correctly balanced ratio of nutrients in the soil is important for maintaining soil fertility. In this long-term field experiment, the increase in nutrient levels in soils over reasonable levels was observed, highlighting the necessity of regular nutrient testing in agricultural soils, especially when multiple types of fertilisers are used simultaneously.

Effective weed management is crucial in the critical period of sugar beet production, but often lacks sustainability and environmental protection. Recent advancements in sensor-based weed control systems have rendered the latter a realistic prospect, which demands detailed analyses, especially under suboptimal field conditions. The present study analysed six robotic-assisted weed control systems (RAWS) in three experiments on sugar beets in 2024, conducted under dry soil and high weed pressure. The experiments included sensor-based inter-row and intra-row hoeing, spot- and band-spraying and were compared to a broadcast herbicide treatment and an untreated control. Weed control efficacy (WCE) in the intra- and inter-row areas, as well as weed species composition and crop plant damage, were assessed after treatment. The data show that intra-row WCE of two hoeing robots (Farming GT® and Robovator®) equipped with selective intra-row blades achieved up to 80%, which was higher than the broadcast herbicide control with 67% WCE. In the inter-row area, Farming GT® robotic hoeing and ARA® spot-spraying resulted in more than 90% WCE, which was equal to the broadcast herbicide application. Weed species composition was not affected by the different RAWS. Crop plants were affected by all hoeing treatments with maximum non-lethal burial rates of 33%. The highest lethal uprooting of crop plants occurred after Farming GT® robotic hoeing, at 5.5% overall. The results demonstrate the great potential of robotic weeding to replace broadcast herbicide applications.

This study investigates the effects of salt stress and gamma irradiation on growth, biochemical, and physiological responses in three sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars. Control plants were irrigated with fresh water (EC = 1.1 dS/m), whereas salt stress was imposed with an irrigation of 9 dS/m. Seeds were irradiated with gamma rays (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 Gy) before sowing. Exposure to salt stress reduced root yield (RY), sugar yield (SY), chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)). In contrast, oxidative damage increased, as indicated by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Interestingly, salt stress enhanced sugar content, with the Eudoro cultivar showing the greatest resilience, maintaining higher RY and SY and lower MDA compared to the other cultivars. Gamma irradiation at moderate doses (50–200 Gy) alleviated the effects of salt stress, with the strongest improvements in SY observed at 100 and 200 Gy. These treatments enhanced RY, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant activities, while also improving photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) and cellular integrity. Higher doses (> 200 Gy) reduced sugar content, indicating dose-specific effects. Eudoro exhibited superior salt tolerance, maintaining higher root and sugar yields (RY, SY) and reduced oxidative damage (lower MDA) under salt stress. These findings demonstrate that gamma irradiation at optimal doses enhances salt tolerance in sugar beet, offering cultivar-specific benefits for breeding programmes in saline environments.

The Ili region hosts China’s largest lavender cultivation base, yet soil bacterial diversity in its primary cultivation areas remains understudied. To address this, we compared soil bacterial communities across four major cultivation counties (Chabuchar, Agricultural Research Institute, Yining, and Huocheng). Essential oil profiles, soil properties, and bacterial community characteristics were analysed to elucidate microbial variations and environmental interactions. The results showed that: (1) The essential oil yield (1.14%) and linalool content (41.04%) in the Huocheng County cultivation area were significantly higher than those in other areas, and the essential oil quality was relatively the best; (2) the soil bacterial communities in different main cultivation areas shared certain commonalities. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, and Actinobacteriota were the dominant phyla, and their relative abundances varied by region and soil layer, and (3) the redundancy analysis results showed that soil bacterial communities were comprehensively affected by environmental factors such as pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, soil organic carbon, longitude, and altitude. The significant positive correlations between the abundance of Vicinamibacteraceae (Acidobacteriota) in Huocheng County soils and both soil total phosphorus and linalool content suggest a putative mechanism whereby this bacterial taxon enhances lavender terpenoid synthesis by facilitating phosphorus cycling. Overall, these results suggest that geographically driven climatic variations dynamically alter the soil bacterial community, thereby influencing lavender growth and the final essential oil quality.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils threatens crop productivity and food safety. This study examined the use of dolomite and calcite amendments in reducing Cd toxicity in pak choi grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Treatments included: control (CK), Calcite 1 (Cal1, 10 g/kg soil), Calcite 2 (Cal2, 20 g/kg soil), Dolomite 1 (Dol1, 10 g/kg soil), and Dolomite 2 (Dol2, 20 g/kg soil). Amendments significantly increased soil pH (P ≤ 0.05), with Cal2 (6.5) and Dol2 (6.2) achieving the highest values at harvest. Cd availability declined (P ≤ 0.05), with Dol2 being the most effective, reducing the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure-extractable Cd from 0.03 to 0.01 mg/kg, NH₄NO₃-extractable Cd from 0.05 to 0.02 mg/kg, and CaCl₂-extractable Cd from 0.40 to 0.01 mg/kg. Dol2 improved biomass and chlorophyll content, while reducing Cd accumulation in shoots by 73.3% and in roots by 70% relative to the control. Antioxidant enzymes were regulated, with decreased peroxidase and superoxide dismutase indicating reduced oxidative stress, while Dol2 maximised urease, catalase, invertase, phosphatase, and phenol oxidase activities. Dissolved organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon also increased, thereby enhancing microbial activity. Dolomite and calcite significantly reduced biological concentration factors, biological accumulation coefficients, and translocation factors, thereby restricting Cd uptake. Overall, dolomite, especially at higher levels, effectively mitigated Cd toxicity, improved plant resilience, and enhanced soil health in contaminated systems.

Drought is a major abiotic stress limiting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) productivity. We evaluated 17 spring barley genotypes at the early leaf development stage under controlled laboratory conditions with optimal and drought treatments, integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular traits. Drought reduced relative water content (–1.3% to –3.2%), plant height (–14.7% to –29.6%), and dry biomass (–2.3% to –24.9%), while inducing strong proline accumulation (+23.6% to +454%) and pigment loss (chlorophyll a –10.1% to –79.5%; carotenoids –6.2% to –70.9%). Principal component and discriminant analyses identified plant height and chlorophyll a as the most reliable discriminators, whereas relative water content was less predictive of the species. Multivariate stratification separated tolerant (Argument, Exalis, Slaven, Malz, Valis), intermediate (Laudis 550, Tango, Kompakt, LG Belcanto, SK Levitus), and sensitive (Kangoo, LG Tosca, LG Flamenco, Karmel, Bojos, Nitran, Tadmor) groups of genotypes. Gene expression profiling of 12 genotypes revealed a modest induction of HvABF2 (1.77-fold), moderate upregulation of HvSOD1 (1.82-fold) and HvAPX1 (2.28-fold), and the strongest response in HvP5CS (3.29-fold), which did not consistently correlate with tolerance. Tolerant genotypes combined growth stability, pigment retention, and moderate osmotic adjustment, whereas sensitive genotypes relied on excessive proline accumulation, resulting in severe pigment and growth penalties. Overall, drought tolerance in barley at the early growth stage emerged from the coordinated regulation of growth, photoprotection, and stress-gene activation, providing a foundation that can guide the selection of genotypes for subsequent validation under field conditions and future breeding programmes.

Rice paddy fields serve as an important source of stable food supply and a notable contributor to atmospheric methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Rice cultivar selection acts as a pivotal factor in regulating greenhouse gas (GHGs) of CH₄ and N₂O emissions from rice paddy fields. However, little is known about how different types of rice cultivars affect CH₄ and N₂O emissions. In the study, three types of rice cultivars, including Japonica-type Indica-Japonica hybrid rice (JHR: ZJY1578 and JHY5), Indica-type hybrid rice (IHR: ZZY8 and JFY2), and inbred rice (IR: J67 and XS121), were selected to evaluate differences in mitigating GHGs. Results showed that the total CH₄ and N₂O emissions of two Japonica-type Indica-Japonica hybrid rice cultivars were 49.81–60.01 kg/ha and 0.67–0.83 g/ha, respectively, which were lower than those of the other two rice cultivar types. The total equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions of CH₄ and N₂O (TCO₂-eq) of two Japonica hybrid rice significantly reduced by 16.7–46.9%, compared with the other two types of rice cultivars (IHR and IR). CH₄ contributed 85.5–89.9% to the GWP, while 65.6–80.4% in the field of planting inbred rice. The reduction in GHGs emissions is mainly attributed to yield, available carbon and nitrogen contents, root morphological characteristics, and functional genes. Consequently, GHGs emissions in paddy fields could be mitigated by selecting or breeding cultivars with high yield, lower root exudates, and greater root porosity.

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 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 levels of antinutritional compounds were significantly affected by the experimental factors and weather conditions during the study years. Cv. Rima accumulated the lowest levels of glycoalkaloids, whereas cv. 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 2025 season.

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 incubation, greenhouse experiments, and multi-site field trials. Copper release was quantified in water over 30 days. Greenhouse experiments compared soileos Cu with copper sulfate (CuSO₄) across multiple application rates, assessing grain yield, biomass, spike count, chlorophyll index (SPAD), and tissue and grain nutrient concentrations. Field trials were conducted at four sites in Canada and the United States with contrasting soil Cu availability. Soileos Cu exhibited controlled, non-linear Cu release with substantially reduced leaching compared to CuSO₄. In greenhouse conditions, soileos Cu achieved maximum grain yield, biomass, and spike number at 25–26% lower Cu application rates than CuSO₄, indicating higher nutrient use efficiency. Field trials confirmed that yield responses were strongly dependent on baseline soil Cu levels, with the greatest yield increase (up to 13.3%) observed at a Cu-deficient site. Overall, soileos Cu provides an effective and environmentally responsible strategy for improving Cu nutrition and wheat productivity, particularly under Cu-limiting conditions.

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 in SOC under branch residue plus N treatments was higher than the BR treatment. The highest newly formed C was found under BRN1, followed by BRN2 and BRN3; BRN4 had the lowest newly formed C. Branch residue and N increased lignin phenol content, which promoted syringyl-to-vanillyl and decreased acid-to-aldehyde ratios of vanillyl phenol, indicating branch-C retention in the soil. The microbial necromass C content under residue plus N treatments was higher than under the branch alone treatment, and the highest values were found under the BRN2 treatment. Additional N supply resulted in a greater contribution of microbial necromass C to SOC in soil under branch residue amendment, rather than plant C. Accordingly, BRN2 is considered optimal for net SOC sequestration by plant-derived and fungal necromass C.

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 L., cv. Amadeo) was conducted under glasshouse conditions to assess changes in plant-available phosphate from pyrolysed and freeze-dried solids in three contrasting topsoils with pH values of 5.2, 6.7 and 7.4 (in 0.01 mol/L CaCl₂). In two separate positive control treatments, P was applied in the form of rock phosphate and Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, respectively, instead of processed pig slurry. To eliminate nitrification in the treatment fertilised with NH₄⁺, the synthetic nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate (DMPP) was utilised. The plant P availability of the pyrolysed and freeze-dried product exceeded the plant P availability of rock phosphate on all tested soils, but pyrolysis lowered it compared to the freeze-dried treatment. Furthermore, the NH₄⁺ nutrition improved plant P availability compared to the NO₃^– nutrition. This indicates that pyrolysis potentially leads to the formation of tri- or octa-calcium phosphates rather than crystalline apatite and that the acidification of the rhizosphere by NH₄⁺ nutrition led to the solubilisation of P. Pyrolysis is a promising treatment for making a plant available P fertiliser, however freeze-drying led to an even better result. For the future, both procedures need to be compared economically to achieve optimal utilisation of the scarce resource P.

In order to provide a theoretical basis for the application of organic selenium (Se) in the production and cultivation of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. We investigated the effects of selenomethionine (SeMet) on the growth and physiological characteristics of S. ningpoensis seedlings. The results showed that SeMet significantly improved the antioxidant capacity by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in the leaves of S. ningpoensis, which significantly reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), as compared to the control. SeMet also significantly improved the water metabolism by increasing the transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency (WUE), relative water content, and water saturation deficit of S. ningpoensis leaves. Moreover, SeMet significantly enhanced photosynthetic performance by decreasing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and increasing the soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, net photosynthetic rate, PSII actual photochemical efficiency Y(II), photochemical quenching (qP), PSII photochemical effective quantum yield (F_v'/F_m') and apparent electron transport rate (ETR). Meanwhile, SeMet significantly improved the plant’s height, basal diameter, root/shoot ratio and dry weight of shoots and roots in S. ningpoensis. Various SeMet 30 and 60 mg/L SeMet concentrations demonstrated better effects on the growth and physiological characteristics of S. ningpoensis. The above results indicate that appropriate concentrations of SeMet can enhance the growth of S. ningpoensis and can be improved by increasing its antioxidant capacity, water metabolism, and photosynthetic performance. This provides a theoretical foundation for using organic selenium in growing and producing S. ningpoensis.

The Seriphidium transiliense desert pasture is an important spring-autumn pasture in northern Xinjiang, China, and has been subjected to grazing by livestock at different intensities, thus resulting in widespread deterioration of its biodiversity and ecosystem services. To understand the response mechanism of stoichiometric characteristics of desert vegetation to grazing, the leaf carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and C : N : P ratios of S. transiliense were studied under different grazing intensities. The results show that the control S. transiliense leaf C, N and P contents and C : N, C : P and N : P ratios were 458.79 ± 53.5 g/kg, 20.6 ± 7.18 g/kg, 2.83 ± 1.24 g/kg, 25.69 ± 11.08, 190.28 ± 75.65 and 8.21 ± 4.01, respectively. The differences in these characteristics varied with grazing intensity in accordance with sampling time, so both factors need to be considered comprehensively. General linear model (GLM) analysis indicated that grazing intensity had a strong main effect on S. transiliense leaf C, N, and P content, C : N ratio and N : P ratio. As grazing intensity increased, the leaf N content and N : P ratio increased (P < 0.01), and the C : N ratio decreased (P < 0.01). N content was the limiting factor for the growth of S. transiliense, but the grazing intensity, sampling year and growth season each affected the degree of N limitation. Our findings suggest that the remaining moderate stocking rate was essential for sustaining desert stabilisation in Xinjiang, and although S. transiliense could adapt its nutrient content and leaf stoichiometry to the grazing intensity, N was always the limiting element for the growth of S. transiliense.

Deep placement of controlled-release urea is an effective fertiliser management strategy for improving the maize productivity, but it is not clear whether and how controlled-release urea depth affects the stem and root lodging of spring maize. Two consecutive years of field experiments were conducted to elucidate stem and root lodging properties and their relationship between grain yield and lodging behaviours under various controlled-release urea placement depths. Results depicted that compared to broadcast nitrogen treatment (D0), deep controlled-release urea significantly decreased the stem lodging rate by 34.7–80.4%, which contributed to improving the mechanical characteristics of the internode by optimising the internode diameter and dry matter in the third basal internode as well as higher lignin content. In addition, due to a greater and deeper root system (root dry weight, root surface area, root length and root width) as well as larger angle, diameter, and tension of aerial root that significantly decreased root lodging rate (37.0–88.4%). Furthermore, deep placement of controlled-release urea significantly increased the 100-grain weight, grain number and harvested index by constructing a deeper and larger root system, which significantly improved maize grain yield by 14.2–38.5%, and the nitrogen use efficiency increased by 4.8–10.7%. The highest grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and lowest lodging rate occurred in controlled-release urea placement depths of 15 cm. Hence, our study suggests that controlled-release urea placement depths of 15 cm were an efficient nitrogen fertiliser management strategy to improve crop productivity as well as lodging resistance in spring maize.

Water deficit (drought) is an important environmental factor affecting physiological processes in plants. The present work focuses on the study of changes in physiological responses of juvenile plants (plants in the vegetative phase of growth BBCH 14–16) of selected sorghum genotypes Dokok, 30485, Barnard Red and Ruzrok to water deficit and after rehydration. Water deficit affected the observed physiological parameters – gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. Genotypic differences were also confirmed, with Dokok appearing to be the more sensitive genotype and Ruzrok and Barnard Red appearing to be tolerant. Following rehydration, these parameters increased but did not reach the levels of the control plants. A significant decrease in photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration (E) and fluorescence compared to the control was found in the water-deficient variant twice for 10 days and 6 days between rehydration periods. Only in the variant where water deficit (14 days) was followed by irrigation (10 days) transpiration increased in genotype 30485. Chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m) also decreased significantly in this cultivar. The results suggest that a rehydration period of 14 days is insufficient to restore the photosynthetic functions of stressed sorghum plants.

This work discusses the differences in the removal efficiency of heavy metals in soils along the China-Russia crude oil pipeline in different vegetation backgrounds. In this paper, two representative forest types, birch forest and larch forest, were selected for replicated sampling and experimental study in the soil of disturbed and undisturbed areas along the pipeline, respectively. The results showed that after ten years of vegetation restoration, the amount of heavy metals in the soil of birch and larch forests decreased, the Cu content in the soil under the background of the birch forest was higher than that of the larch forest, while the Zn, Mn and Pb contents were lower than that of the larch forest. The order of decreasing magnitude was Mn, Pb, Zn and Cu, and the overall decreasing rate of heavy metal content in larch forest soil was more obvious. The above conclusions indicate that vegetation restoration is an effective measure to alleviate soil heavy metal pollution.

To investigate the impact of different seedling transplanting times on rice growth, the present study evaluated seedling age and root pruning using treatments consisting of root pruning (RC20, RC30, and RC40) and no root pruning (CK20, CK30, and CK40). Quantitative analysis using curve fitting of the changes in dry matter accumulation (DMA) during the seedling and field stages was performed, and the changes in root parameters during the re-greening stage were observed. The results showed that the seedling stage could be divided into a gradual increase period, a rapid increase period, and a slow increase period. Transplanting at different time periods resulted in different transplanting shock effects. During the field stage, the DMA exhibited a slow-fast-slow "S" shaped curve as the developmental time progressed. However, significant differences were observed in growth parameters among the different treatments. Root injury promoted early maturity in young seedlings but also prolonged the whole growth period in older seedlings. The inhibitory effect of root pruning on rice root growth increased with young seedling age. The present results provide a theoretical basis for the design of seedling needle structure and the optimisation of rice seedling cultivation practices.

Most farmers use urea as a nitrogen fertiliser to raise mustard (Brassica juncea L.), although its nitrogen (N) content is quickly lost due to its hygroscopic nature. Nitrogen loss in the form of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitrates (NO₃^–) has been causing low nitrogen fertiliser efficiency in vegetable cultivation. This investigation aims to assess the impact of urea fertiliser coated with biochar or activated charcoal on losses of N₂O and NO₃^– concentration in the soil during mustard production. The experiment used a randomised block design with five treatments of urea fertiliser coated with biochar/activated charcoal. The observed data included N₂O flux, nitrate, and ammonia content in soil and water. The results showed that urea fertiliser coated with activated charcoal from corn cobs tended to suppress N loss more effectively than urea coated with biochar or activated charcoal from coconut shells. Biochar and activated charcoal from coconut shells suppressed N-N₂O loss as much as 3.1% and 52.5% (7 days after planting (DAP)), respectively, and 68.7% and 71.6% (21 DAP), respectively. Biochar and activated charcoal from corn cob reduce N-N₂O loss by 46.5% and 66.5% (7 DAP), respectively, and by 70.7% and 77.8% (21 DAP). Urea-coated activated charcoal fertiliser increases mustard plant biomass and nitrogen uptake. Biochar and activated charcoal from coconut shells and corncobs increase nitrogen use efficiency by 5, 24, 6, and 17%, respectively. Biochar/activated charcoal coatings are a promising technology for boosting nitrogen use efficiency in vegetable crops, including mustard crops.

Foliar application of selenium (Se) is an effective measure to increase Se concentrations in peanut pods. However, how the foliar application of amino acid-chelated selenite affects the photosynthetic characteristics of peanut leaves at the podding stage is still unclear. Here, the effects of Se on the activities of antioxidant enzymes, the concentrations of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and reduced glutathione (GSH), photosynthetic parameters, and Se concentration of peanut leaves were investigated by spraying selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite solutions, respectively. The results indicated that foliar application of Se could significantly increase leaf Se concentration. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), and transpiration rate (T_r) of leaves were significantly higher than those in the control. However, peanut leaves’ intercellular CO₂ concentration (c_i) decreased significantly. Further study found that the concentrations of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and GSH in peanut leaves increased significantly, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in peanut leaves were significantly higher than those in control. However, there were no significant differences between the foliar application of selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite. Thus, foliar application of selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite could effectively enhance the photosynthetic functions of peanut leaves, which was closely associated with the improvement of antioxidant enzyme activities and the concentrations of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and GSH, resulting in inhibiting chlorophyll degradation and improving the photosynthetic functions of peanut leaves.

Drought stress is one of the major threats to food security in the climate change scenario. Reducing the deleterious impacts of drought stress on the productivity of cereal crops is crucial. Hence, limited information has been available about the effect of the combined use of plant growth regulators and mineral fertilisers on promoting drought tolerance in maize seedlings. In this study, a pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of sole or combined application of silicon (Si) and putrescine (Put) to mitigate the detrimental effects of drought on maize. The experimental treatments were, i.e. control (CK), water spray, 4.0 mmol Si, 0.5 mmol Put, and 4.0 mmol Si + 0.5 mmol Put on maize crop grown at two different water-holding capacity levels (80% well-water condition and 40% drought stress). The experiment was arranged in a complete randomised design with factorial arrangements having three replications. Exposure of maize plants to drought stress at the reproductive phase (VT-tasseling) reduced the photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b, relative water contents, leaf area, yield and yield attributes. However, foliar application of Si and Put individually and Si + Put dramatically reduced these negative effects by improving photosynthetic pigments, relative water contents, and activities of enzymatic antioxidant defence. Drought stress-induced lipid peroxidation in the form of more production of malondialdehyde content, hydrogen peroxide and electrolyte leakage significantly declined due to the combined application of Si and Put compared to the respective control. Drought stress boosted the activities of key enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase) irrespective of the treatment application. Moreover, it was noted that the accumulation of osmolytes (proline and soluble protein) contents was increased by the combined application of Si and Put. Under drought stress conditions, combined foliar application of Si and Put considerably improved 22.70% cob length, 12.77% number of grains per cob, and 18.30% 100-grain weight, which ultimately enhanced maize’s 10.29% grain yield. From the current study’s findings, it was concluded that a combined foliar spray of silicon and putrescine at the reproductive phase is an effective strategy to enhance the maize yield in drought-prone areas.