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This work aimed to evaluate the influence of soil characteristics and the applied amount of nicosulfuron on the degradation rate in soil. Soil samples were collected at three localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Manjača, Kosjerovo and Tunjice. The experiment was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions. Plant protection product based on nicosulfuron (40 g a.s./L, OD) was applied in concentrations of 0.075, 0.15, and 0.30 mg a.s./kg of soil. Nicosulfuron residues were analysed by the modified QuEChERS method, followed by LC-MS/MS. Soils are classified as silty loams, with variations in mechanical composition and chemical properties. In slightly alkaline soil, the half-life (DT50) of nicosulfuron has increased (43.31 days) compared with DT50 (9.43–16.13 days) in acidic soils. The results indicate that soil characteristics and applied concentration significantly influence nicosulfuron persistence. Hence, it can be considered that nicosulfuron, applied to silty loam soils of Bosnia and Herzegovina, poses a low risk to subsequent crops and the environment.

New cropping practices such as single-grain seeding, lower seed densities with stronger cultivars, wide inter-row spacings and camera-guided side-shift control for weed hoeing facilitate mechanical weed control in oilseed rape. In a two-year field study in Southwestern Germany, camera-guided inter-row hoeing was compared to standard herbicide treatments and untreated control. Seeding with 12.5, 25 and 50 cm inter-row spacing was included as a second factor in the experiment. Weed and crop density were measured directly after treatment. Weed and crop biomass, oilseed rape root diameter and nitrogen uptake were assessed before winter. Seed yield was measured at harvest with a plot combine harvester. In 2021, hoeing in 50 cm inter-row spacing achieved equal weed control efficacy as the herbicide treatment (65–75%). In 2022, hoeing did not reduce weed density, probably due to heavy rainfalls during the first and second pass of hoeing. However, herbicide treatments controlled 92% of the weeds. In 2021, hoeing significantly increased oilseed rape shoot biomass and root diameter compared to the herbicide treatment and the untreated control. Hoeing in 50 cm inter-row spacing resulted in equal yield as the herbicide treatment. In 2022, weed control treatments and inter-row spacing had no effect on oilseed rape biomass, root diameter and yield. This study shows the potential and limitations of weed hoeing in oilseed rape. It also underlines the strong ability of modern oilseed rape cultivars to suppress annual broadleaved weeds.

In this paper, I elucidated the influence of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on wheat cadmium (Cd) tolerance. Research results manifested that Cd stress increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents. However, Cd stress decreased AsA/ dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and GSH/oxidised glutathione (GSSG) ratios, and inhibited photosynthetic performance and plant growth. Compared to Cd alone, GABA plus Cd improved wheat Cd tolerance by increasing the activities of above antioxidant enzymes, AsA and GSH contents, and AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios. Meanwhile, compared with Cd alone, GABA plus Cd also enhanced the photosynthetic performance by improving chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) contents and Car/Chl ratio, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and Chl fluorescence parameters maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, photochemical quenching, nonphotochemical quenching and quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry, which further promoted plant height and biomass. Compared to control, GABA alone also improved above indicators. Current results suggested that GABA can be applied as an anti-cadmium agent in wheat production practice.

Relation between wheat (Triticum aestivum) nutritional status determined at the beginning of stem elongation and during anthesis, respectively, and available content of phosphorus (P-M3) and zinc (Zn-M3) determined by the Mehlich 3 extractant was studied. Both one-year pot experiment with spring wheat and two-year on-farm trials with winter wheat were run on various calcareous soils (pH values of 7.18-7.94, median 7.80, P-M3 1-289 ppm, median 54, and Zn-M3 2-14 ppm, median 4), in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). Phosphorus nutrition index (ratio of phosphorus concentration in shoot biomass to critical phosphorus concentration - P_c) was calculated using the Belanger et al.'s model: P_c = -0.677 + 0.221N - 0.00292N(2), where both phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were expressed in g/kg shoot dry matter. Unlike phosphorus concentration in shoot biomass, phosphorus nutrition index significantly correlated with P-M3 content in soil. Optimal values of the phosphorus nutrition index were recorded if P-M3 was 51-68 ppm. Zinc concentration in shoot biomass more strongly correlated with P:Zn ratio (M3) in soil compared to Zn-M3 content in soil. P:Zn ratio in shoot biomass of 130:1 did not lead to phosphorus deficiency and corresponded to P:Zn (M3) ratio in soil of 9.3:1-14.3:1.

Sole biochar addition or exogenous melatonin application can decrease cadmium (Cd) toxicity in polluted soils and improve plant performance and growth. Yet the additive effects of biochar and melatonin application on plant growth, oxidative stress modulation and Cd absorption remain unclear. We conducted a pot experiment to study the combined effects of melatonin, biochar and Cd stress on pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedling growth, antioxidant enzyme activities, photosynthesis parameters and Cd uptake. Results showed that Cd addition significantly decreased pea growth, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (g_s), and increased intercellular CO₂ concentration (c_i) and oxidant enzyme activities when compared to non-Cd contaminated treatment. Exogenous applications of the biochar or melatonin alone significantly decreased the harmful effects of Cd stress and promoted pea seedling growth. Moreover, soil remediation with biochar could more effectively improve pea growth, chlorophyll contents, and photosynthesis parameters and contribute to Cd immobilisation; the melatonin treatment alone could more effectively increase antioxidant enzyme activities. The treatments of biochar and melatonin showed an additive result and had the largest promoting in pea growth, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lowest Cd contents in pea tissue and soil. These results indicate that the combined use of melatonin and biochar is more effective at reducing Cd uptake by pea tissues and alleviating Cd harm to pea plants.

Excessive nitrogen (N) and water input, which are threatening the sustainability of conventional agriculture in the North China Plain (NCP), can lead to serious leaching of nitrate-N (NO₃^--N). This study evaluates grain yield, N and water consumption, NO₃^--N accumulation and leaching in conventional and two optimized winter wheat-summer maize double-cropping systems and an organic alfalfa-winter wheat cropping system. The results showed that compared to the conventional cropping system, the optimized systems could reduce N, water consumption and NO₃^--N leaching by 33, 35 and 67-74%, respectively, while producing nearly identical grain yields. In optimized systems, soil NO₃^--N accumulation within the root zone was about 80 kg N/ha most of the time. In the organic system, N input, water consumption and NO₃^--N leaching was reduced even more (by 71, 43 and 92%, respectively, compared to the conventional system). However, grain yield also declined by 46%. In the organic system, NO₃^--N accumulation within the root zone was generally less than 30 kg N/ha. The optimized systems showed a considerable potential to reduce N and water consumption and NO₃^--N leaching while maintaining high grain yields, and thus should be considered for sustainable agricultural development in the NCP.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a year of cultivation and three agronomic measures (pre-crop, soil tillage, application of fungicides) on the yield of winter wheat grown in the crop rotation without the livestock production. The results from the years 2011-2017, except for the year 2012, from the Žabčice Field Experimental Station (49°01'20''N, 16°37'55''E) were evaluated. The soil texture is clay loam soil and the soil type is fluvisol. In the field trial, winter wheat was grown after two pre-crops (winter wheat, pea). Two soil tillage technologies, namely the conventional tillage - CT (ploughing - at a depth of 24 cm) and the minimum tillage - MT (shallow loosening - at a depth of 15 cm) were used. Two fungicide treatments against leaf and spikelet diseases were used, and they were compared to the non-treated variants. The obtained results showed that the grain yield of winter wheat was statistically influenced not only by a year of cultivation, but also by the pre-crop, the application of fungicides, and mostly by the interaction of these factors with the soil tillage. The importance of pea as a suitable pre-crop for winter wheat was confirmed as the grain yield was higher compared to winter wheat as a pre-crop by an average of 0.49 t/ha. It was also found that the MT is a more appropriate technology than the CT, on average by 0.12 t/ha over the six years. The importance of fungicide treatment was also confirmed, where the grain yield of winter wheat was higher by 0.26 t/ha compared to the non-treated variant. The presented results brought a new knowledge for winter wheat management practice in dry conditions.

The effects of biogas residue as a substrate on ginseng growth and its feasibility for ginseng cultivation are unclear. The present study used biogas residue at different concentrations and maturity levels to cultivate ginseng. The biological characteristics of ginseng, soil physiochemical indices, and ginseng and soil microbial communities were investigated. The results showed that with increasing ginseng content and maturity, the total fresh weight, total length and saponin content significantly increased. The enzyme activities of soil, NO₃^–-N, and available phosphorus also increased. The microbiome analysis revealed that with the addition of biogas residue, microorganisms related to plant growth promotion, such as Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadota and Mortierellomycota, were more common in the plant or rhizosphere soil. The results based on the co-occurrence network showed that the structure of the bacterial community was more stable than that of the fungal community with increasing biogas residue content. Our results indicated that biogas residue could be used as a ginseng cultivation substrate and promote growth.

Denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox), and ferric iron reduction coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Feammox) are the nitrogen removal pathways in natural ecosystems. In this study, the differences between these three nitrogen removal pathways in a Phragmites australis covered site (LW), artificial grassland covered site (CD), poplar covered site (YD), and topsoil tillage after harvesting reed site (GD) in the Yinchuan Yellow River wetland were investigated using isotope tracing, metagenome, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) techniques. No ³⁰N₂ accumulation was detected in ¹⁵NH₄⁺ addition incubations, indicating that Feammox was weak in all sites, which is consistent with a low abundance of the Feammox functional bacteria Acidimiprobiaceae sp. A6. The denitrification rates were 0.36 (LW), 0.5 (CD), 0.76 (YD) and 0.12 (GD) mg N/kg/day. The Anammox rates were 0.18 (LW) and 0.26 (GD) mg N/kg/day; other sites did not detect Anammox rate. Denitrification was the dominant pathway except for the CD site. The YD site had the highest abundance of denitrification genes, which was consistent with the denitrification rate.

Partial slow-release fertiliser substitution for urea combined with water-saving irrigation may synergistically improve rice yield, quality, water, and nitrogen (N) utilisation. A field experiment to evaluate different combinations of irrigation regimes: alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) and flooding irrigation (FI), and N strategies: N0 (no N fertiliser); N1 (100% conventional fertiliser); N2 (100% SCF – sulphur-coated fertiliser); N3 (70% SCF + 30% urea), and N4 (50% SCF + 50% urea) on efficient rice production. Results indicated that higher substitution rates of SCF (N2 and N3) increased total N and ammonia N in surface water, leachate, and soil while reducing nitrate N relative to N1. The N3 strategy showed the highest yields, dry matter, total N uptake, and water N utilisation due to a nutrient release pattern that matched rice growth requirements. AWD yielded 5% lower than FI, except for the N3 strategy, but protein content increased by 12%, and amylose content dropped by 17%. The structural equation model analysis suggested that SCF positively impacted yield by influencing surface water total N and soil total N. Our findings indicate that implementing AWD alongside a 70% SCF basal fertiliser and 30% urea topdressing can optimise rice yield and quality while effectively managing water and fertiliser resources in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin.

Aiming at the problems of shallow effective soil layering and low utilization rate of precipitation in the North China Plain. The effects of different subsoiling stages on soil physical properties and water use in winter wheat/summer maize fields were studied. Three kinds of tillage treatments were studied: rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm in October and no-tillage in June (RT), rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm in October and subsoiling to 35 cm in June (ST-J), subsoiling to a depth of 35 cm in October and no-tillage in June (ST-O). Changes in soil bulk density and soil compaction were consistent over two seasons. Compared to RT, in the 10-50 cm soil layer, ST-J and ST-O decreased the average soil bulk density by 6.18% and 5.66%, respectively, and the soil compaction in the 10-60 cm layer was reduced by 17.89% and 20.50%. ST was improved soil structure and increased the water content of deep soil. The water use efficiency (WUE) of ST-J and ST-O increased by 4.73% and 14.83%, respectively, and the maize yields by 2.90% and 11.35%, respectively. Considering the WUE and maize yields, it was considered that ST-O is more suitable for tillage in the North China Plain.

Finding an appropriate method with the highest rate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal from naturally polluted soils is an important research issue. A pot factorial experiment (using contaminated soil samples from the Isfahan Refinery, Iran) was conducted in a 90-day period to compare the following bioremediation strategies: (1) natural attenuation (NA): the inherent ability of soil for bioremediation; (2) bioaugmentation (BA): inoculating soil with PAH degrading microbes Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus; (3) biostimulation (BS): using N, P and K nutrients for the stimulation of bioremediating soil bacteria to achieve the C:N:P ratio of 100:10:1, and(4) bioaugmentation + biostimulation (BS + BA). Treatments NA (22.8%) and BA + BS (63.9%) resulted in the least and the highest rate of PAH removal from the soil. The 2-4 ring compounds had a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher rate of degradation than the 5-6 ring compounds. The highest rates were resulted by fluorene (76.41%) and acenaphthylene (72.28%) using the BA + BS treatment. However, the lowest degradation rates were resulted by indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene (10.05%), benzo [b] fluoranthene (10.17%), benzo (g, h, i) perylene (12.53%), and benzo [k] fluoranthene (13.67%), using NA treatment. The BA + BS treatments are the most effective method for the bioremediation of PAH polluted soils.

Groundwater in Saudi Arabia contains high concentrations of nitrates. Nitrates are respected as the main groundwater pollutant causing dangerous health and environmental influences. The removal of nitrate from groundwater in Al-Qurayyat, Saudi Arabia, was investigated in this work using palm wastes. Palm fibers (PFI) and palm fronds (PFR) were initially employed as feedstock for the manufacturing of adsorbents, which were activated by heating to 300 °C. The activation of PFI and PFR resulted in an increase in surface area. Batch tests were used to determine the best environment for nitrate adsorption on PFI and PFR. The best factors for nitrate removal were as follows: the contact time was 20 min, the initial concentration of NO₃^- was 20 mg/L, the dose was 2 g/L and the pH was 6. The adsorption capacity of the PFI and PFR was 72% to 77%. In terms of nitrate removal effectiveness under local optimal circumstances, comparisons with commercial activated carbon (CAC) and anion exchange resin (Purolite A 520E) revealed that PFI and PFR are inferior to CAC and Purolite A 520E. However, the PFI and PFR were able to remove nitrate economically even under the most basic operating parameters.

This work aims to differentiate the rural land of Slovakia in view of the possibility of effective sunflower growing. The differentiation is based on pedo-climatic and production-economic parameters. Soil categorisation took into account the correlation between the site properties (soil and climatic conditions) and the biological and agrotechnical requirements of the crops. Sunflower requirements were included in yield databases using software filters such that a given site property excluded or limited sunflower growing, which was reflected in predicted production. The prediction was subsequently interpolated into four suitability categories: soils unsuitable for sunflower growing, less suitable soils, suitable soils and very suitable soils. A map of categories of soil suitability for sunflower growing was created using a Geographic Information System on the distribution of soil parameters in Slovakia. According to our calculation in Slovakia, 18.8% of farmland is very suitable for sunflower growing, 24.9% is suitable, 16.6% is less suitable, and 39.7% is unsuitable for sunflower growing. These categories are characterised and specified in detail in the paper in terms of geographical, soil, climatic, production and economic parameters. The analysis of the actual sowing of sunflowers between 2018 and 2021 showed that 51% of the areas were located in very suitable soils, 32% in suitable, 10% in less suitable soils and 7% in unsuitable soils for cultivation.

Low water availability is a significant constraint on global crop production. Exploration is needed regarding plant responses to drought in interaction with biochar, encompassing optimised water use and carbon allocation strategies. The size of the biochar particles also plays an important role, especially in influencing the dynamics of water and plant growth. This study explored the potential impact of biochar treatment on radish growth and drought tolerance. Finer biochar particles lead to the most substantial available water content for plants, increasing at around 30%, while medium and larger fractions increase by about 22% and 16%, respectively, compared to control soil. The chlorophyll fluorescence technique showed improved water management of drought stress at larger fractions of biochar. Our research underscores the potential of biochar treatments for environmental stresses and water scarcity in modern agriculture.

Catharanthus roseus seedling was treated with different concentrations (1.5, 3.16, 15, and 30 mmol) and forms (K₂SO₄ and KNO₃) of potassium (K⁺) via Hoagland's nutrient solution. Ascorbic acid (AsA) was sprayed twice (plant days 68 and 78) with different concentrations (750 and 1 500 mg/L) on the leaves. Vinblastine, vincristine, tryptophan contents, D4H and DAT genes expression, peroxidase activity, and H₂O₂ content of leaves were measured. Potassium in KNO₃ form increased vinblastine (60%) and vincristine (50%), compared to 30% and 20% using K₂SO₄. Vinblastine and vincristine inhibit microtubule assembly and ultimately metaphase-arrested caused by the polymerisation. The genes expression was higher 3 times in KNO₃ and 2.5 times in K₂SO₄ in excess of K⁺. Foliar application of 750 mg/L AsA led to an increase in vinblastine (20%) and vincristine (16%). Both concentrations of AsA had the same additional effect on the expression of D4H and DAT about 30% and 60%, respectively, compared to the control plant. Tryptophan decreased 2.5 times in excess of K⁺ and 35% due to the exterior of AsA. H₂O₂ decreased while peroxidase activity increased along with AsA treatment. A positive interaction existed between the K⁺ and AsA on the amount of vinblastine, vincristine, tryptophan, and gene expression.

This study assessed both the soil and litter copper (Cu) levels and their relationships with soil microbial activity, in fruit-tree production areas of central Chile where Cu-based pesticides are intensively sprayed. Samples of soil (0-20 cm depth) and litter from a number of selected orchards (kiwi, table grape, plum, and cherry) were collected and analysed for their Cu content and C-induced soil microbial activity. Results showed that the mean total soil Cu level was 225 mg/kg and soluble soil Cu was less than 0.01% of total soil Cu, as expected from pH values of study soils (range of 6.33 to 7.93). However, leaf litter Cu content was 3-7 times higher than in soil (mean of681 mg/kg). Despite the soil and leaf litter Cu concentrations, no effect was observed on the C-induced soil microbial activity. We conclude that leaf litter exerts a protective role, preventing the entry of Cu into the soil and thus soil microbial toxicity.

In this study, the sorption characteristics of nicosulfuron herbicide in soils from different agricultural regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as factors influencing the sorption process, were evaluated. The analysis was performed using a batch equilibrium method. The obtained results showed that soils in Bosnia and Herzegovina are very versatile in terms of their characteristics. The Freundlich adsorption coefficient (K_f) coefficient ranged from 0.027 to 7.388, while the slope of the Freundlich isotherm (1/n) varied from 0.291 to 1.927. In soils with pH 4.31-7.60, 1/n was found to be less than 1 (0.337-0.547), and for the extremely alkaline soil with pH 8.2, 1/n was 1.927. Adsorption of nicosulfuron in the tested soils of Bosnia and Herzegovina was significantly correlated with the sand and silt content in the soil. Multiple linear regression correlating log K_f with the sand and silt content in the studied soils was also statistically significant (R² = 0.951; P = 0.0108). The results of this study indicate that in sandy soils, which are slightly or moderately alkaline, the adsorption of nicosulfuron is very low and only a small amount of nicosulfuron will be adsorbed.

Advocating proper phosphorus (P) fertilisation is necessary to save this limited natural resource and to save the investment in rice cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate changes in phosphorus availability, total phosphorus in soil, phosphorus buffering capacity, and phosphorus saturation in the long-term phosphorus fertilisation in the paddy rice system. Soil samples were collected in the harvest stage after seven consecutive crops over three years at Can Tho city, Vietnam. The applied phosphorus fertiliser rates were: no phosphorus fertilisation (P0), 17.4 kg P/ha (P17.4), and 26.2 kg P/ha as farmer’s practice (P26.2). The results showed that the soil phosphorus buffering capacity in P0, P17.4 and P26.2 treatments was 9.49, 9.08 and 9.04 mg/kg, respectively. The degree of phosphorus saturation of P17.4 and P26.2 treatments ranged from 17.7% to 25.5%, showing the medium to high risk of phosphorus leaching. This study indicated that the application of phosphorus rate higher than 17.4 kg P/ha might result in the reduced soil phosphorus buffering capacity in the intensive rice cropping system in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta region. Our results implied that the application of a rate lower than 17.4 kg P/ha/crop could be extended to the other rice-growing (double/triple rice) areas in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta region or other paddy rice on alluvial soils in Asia.

While nutrients are administered through various sources and combinations, herbicides are used for pre-plant and pre-emergence weed control in the tomato fields. Therefore, a study was conducted to understand the effects of nutrient fertilisation through inorganic and organic sources along with farmers practice and the application of three herbicides, namely glyphosate, pendimethalin, and metribuzin, individually or in combinations, on earthworm activity in tomato crops. The herbicides caused a significant reduction in earthworm biomass and escapement to the lower 15 cm depth. Application of pendimethalin and metribuzin to soils inorganically fertilised with major and micronutrients resulted in low survival rates and a high ecological risk quotient. The effect was attenuated when farmyard manure was applied. The study suggests that when 2 to 3 herbicides are applied in succession and combined with inorganic fertilisers as nutrient sources, stringent measures like adding organic nutrient sources, applying the correct herbicide combination, etc., must be followed to reduce their toxicity to earthworms. This helps to protect and sustain earthworm activity and biodiversity in the soil.

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.

Increased levels of the non-essential hazardous metalloid arsenic (As) in rice grains pose a threat to human health and the sustainability of the rice industry. In several counties, the average As contamination in polished rice has been detected to range from 0.002 to 0.39 mg/kg, which is above the safe limit of 1 mg/kg as recommended by the World Health Organisation. Beyond this limit, the digestive tract, circulatory system, skin, liver, kidney, nervous system and heart can be affected. Humans can develop cancer from consuming or inhaling As. In addition, long-term exposure to drinking water contaminated with arsenic has also been linked to a dose-response relationship with an increased risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Rice has been shown to be an indirect source of arsenic accumulation in human bodies. Under flooded paddy soil, trivalent arsenate (AsIII) occupies 87–94% of the total As, while under non-flooded soil, pentavalent arsenate (AsV) predominates (73–96% of the total As). This review aims to provide a thorough and interdisciplinary understanding of the behaviour of As in the paddy soil and transportation to rice grain and further investigate efficient ways to limit arsenic contamination. Supplementation of soil with specific mineral nutrients such as iron (Fe), sulphur (S) and silicon (Si) can significantly decrease the arsenic accumulation in rice grain by minimising its uptake and translocation. The hydrogen bonding potentials of uronic acids, proteins and amino sugars on the extracellular surface of soil microorganisms facilitate the detoxification of arsenic species. Further, rice is absorbed less when exposed to aerobic water management practices than anaerobic ones since it reduces the build-up of As in rice, and the solution is immobilised as in the soil.

In this study, Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S and ITS2 rRNA genes were used to determine the dynamic changes in bacterial and fungal communities and soil properties and enzyme activities in rhizosphere soil of ginseng under forest after 5, 10 and 15 years of cultivation and different growth stages. Results showed that the changes were particularly prominent in 10-year-old ginseng under forest, and the trends of organic carbon, alkaline hydrolysed nitrogen, and available potassium were extremely similar in different duration of the crop, especially in the middle stage of rapid root growth, when soil nutrient consumption was severe, and soil enzyme activities of rhizosphere were significantly reduced. The observed changes in soil properties and enzyme activities caused by the cultivation duration of the crop and growth stage could be explained by the variations in the microbiome. The microbial composition of 10-year-old ginseng under forest has undergone significant changes, at the genus level, both Acinetobacter bacteria and Kazachstania fungi exhibited a higher abundance; the abundance of Bacillota (Firmicutes), and Candidatus udaeobacter with significantly lower abundance. This study initially revealed the changes in nutrient utilisation of ginseng under forest at different cultivation duration of the crop and different growth stages, as well as the regulatory role played by microbes in this process preliminarily. We consider 10 years to be a critical stage for the long-term cultivation of ginseng in the forest, during which it is more sensitive to environmental factors and may exhibit special dynamic changes affecting its growth and quality. This provides a reference for further precision planting and harvesting of ginseng under the forest.

This study investigated the expression levels of FAD2 genes important for the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid at cotyledon, root and leaf tissues of four different safflower cultivars (Olas, Remzibey, Dincer and Gokturk) subjected to B by qRT-PCR. Safflower species were grown in a controlled environmental growth chamber for 21 days and then exposed to different B concentrations ranging from 20 to 1 280 μmol for 24 h. RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis and RT-PCR analysis were performed on root, cotyledon and leaf tissues exposed to B stress for 24 h. It was determined that the expression levels of FAD2 genes decreased in the safflower cultivars exposed to increasing B concentrations. Under B stress conditions, the expression levels of FAD2 genes revealed an overall pattern of increase and reduction up to 160 μmol relative to the control group, and they reached the highest expression level. After 320 μmol, the activity of FAD2 genes was almost absent at increasing concentrations. All results show that the application of B causes significant changes in the expression of FAD2 genes and plays an important role in the defence mechanism against increased B toxicity.

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.

Joint field experiments were established in Southwestern Germany to investigate the potential of herbicide savings on-farm sites with high densities of problematic weed species. From 2020 until 2024, 21 field studies were conducted in maize, soybean and winter wheat, all realised as randomised complete block designs with four replications. Mechanical weeding and two combined chemical with mechanical weeding methods were compared to conventional broadcast pre- and post-emergence herbicide spraying and an untreated control. Weed density, herbicide savings, greenhouse gas emissions and crop yield were determined for all treatments. On average, 142 weeds/m² were counted in the untreated plots. The most frequent weed species were Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli, Solanum nigrum, Stellaria media, and Veronica persica. Combined chemical with mechanical weed control in soybean and winter wheat was more effective than chemical and mechanical weed control alone. In maize, the combination of hoeing and herbicide application achieved equal weed control efficacy (WCE) as chemical weeding alone. Hoeing removed less intra-row weeds than inter-row weeds. Hoeing and harrowing had low WCE against Chenopodium album and perennial weed species. Combined treatments reduced herbicide use by 24–60% in relation to conventional herbicide treatments. Mechanical and combined weed control achieved equal yield as the conventional herbicide treatment. This study underlines the potential for herbicide savings by integrating mechanical weed control methods.

Quick and accurate nondestructive methods of water deficiency detection prior to the appearance of visible symptoms of plant deterioration as well as estimation of photosynthesis parameters are needed to effectively control conditions of plant growth, to manage crop productivity and to implement programs of "smart farming". The aim of our investigation was to analyse spectral characteristics of leaves diffuse reflection as evident in soft spring wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) of different drought resistance in optimal conditions and under the impact of soil drought; another objective was to determine the reflection indices that could serve as criteria in the phenotyping of genotypes according to their photosynthetic apparatus capacity and the efficiency of light use as well as in the forecasting of genotypes potential productivity and their drought resistance. Wheat plants of 4 drought-resistant and 4 non-resistant cultivars were grown under controlled conditions in the protected ground. In the vessels with simulated soil drought, the moisture content was 30% of total field capacity, while in the control sample it was 80%. Spectral characteristics of radiation reflected from the leaf surface were recorded with the spectrometer HR2000, and then reflection indices were calculated whose value is closely related to the activeness of the photosynthetic apparatus. The experiments conducted showed that in the system of interaction between the soil, the plant and the effective layer of the atmosphere all analysed diffuse reflection indices changed with the emergence of water deficit. The index of photosynthetic apparatus capacity (ChlRI) is less susceptible to short-term soil drought than the indices of the efficiency of light use in the process of photosynthesis (R₈₀₀, photochemical reflection index (PRI_mod) and flavonoid index (FRI_mod)) which change significantly, so that the degree of their change may be a reliable enough indicator of plant stress caused by water deficiency. It is advisable, however, when estimating and comparing the reaction of various plant cultivars, lines and new forms to the developed water deficiency, to include in the array of plants examined those cultivars whose optical properties and the range of their variation resulting from water deficit are known. This will ensure a more reliable ranking of analysed genotypes according to their drought resistance and will enhance the accuracy of the diagnosis.

In this experiment, we investigated the effects of drought combined with exogenous silicon (Si) and potassium application on super sweet corn growth and development. Drought stress caused decreases in the stem diameter, leaf area, cob length, cob diameter, 100 seed weight, seed number, cob yield, biologic yield, and relative water content (RWC), but proline content and catalase activity were higher under drought stress conditions. The results of a two-year experiment showed that potassium sulfate application and foliar application significantly increased RWC in drought stress conditions, and the highest increase was related to treatment with potassium sulfate in an amount of 25 kg/ha. Under normal irrigation conditions, with 25 kg of potassium sulfate per ha and Si foliar application, the maximum cob diameter (5.85 cm) was observed. Si application did not significantly affect proline content under normal irrigation conditions but increased proline content under drought stress. The highest proline content (10.77 mmol/g fresh weight) was recorded in the Si application using 25 kg of potassium sulfate per ha under drought stress conditions. Also, applying potassium sulfate with silicone foliar spraying had no significant effect on biologic yield under normal irrigation conditions. However, under drought stress treatments, biologic yield increased by applying 15 and 25 kg/ha of potassium sulfate and Si foliar spraying. In summary, applying potassium sulfate and exogenous Si can enhance the antioxidant system of the plant, promote the RWC, thus improving biologic and cob yield, and enhance the drought resistance of super sweet corn.

Exogenous carbon (C) not only regulates plant growth but also provides energy for microbes and improves the soil environment. We hypothesised that exogenous C could improve plant growth by affecting the soil environment. Therefore, pot experiments were conducted and peanut cvs. Huayu 22(H) and NN-1(B) were used under three different treatments (the control, single nitrogen (N), and N combined with glucose (CN)). The results showed that the abundance and diversity of N-fixing bacteria are obviously influenced by the C and N, and exogenous C can promote the restoration of microbial diversity. The relative abundances of Burkholderiales were increased under HCN and BCN to 9.8% and 9.5%, respectively, compared to the control (3.9%, 2.5%). The abundance of N fixation bacteria increased mainly due to the soil nutrient change. In comparison with the single N treatment, the addition of the C significantly decreased the soil NH4+-N and NO3--N contents by 31.0% and 13.3%, respectively. And the activities of soil urease and nitrogenase were significantly increased. Compared to the control, single N significantly limited the root development, while the addition of C played a promoting role in root growth. Plant N accumulation increased compared with the control, but there was no significant difference between N treatment and CN treatment. These results indicated that exogenous C promoted soil microorganism activity and strengthened plant growth by changing the soil environment.

However, its underlying mechanism remains largely undetermined. In this work, we examined the impacts of the continuous application of pig manure fertiliser for 10 years on wheat yield in the calcaric fluvisol soil with a texture of sandy loam, and the relationship between soil microbial community composition and soil properties was also analysed. The wheat yield, yield components and wheat biomass were analysed by collected aboveground part. Soil nutrient, enzymatic activity and microorganism compositions were analysed by collected soil samples at the filling stage. The results showed that long-term application of pig manure fertiliser could remarkably increase wheat yield by improving soil nutrient availability, enzyme activities, and microbial composition. Moreover, soil pH, nitrogen content, dehydrogenase and urease were closely related to the soil microbial diversity. In conclusions, the long-term application of pig manure in combination with term mineral fertiliser could optimise microbial community composition by regulating the interaction between microbial species and enhancing soil enzyme activity and soil fertility, leading to increased wheat yield.