Soil salinisation is a major factor limiting plant growth and land utilisation in arid and semiarid regions. This study focused on the native halophyte Suaeda salsa in western Inner Mongolia to explore halophyte-associated microbial resources with plant growth-promoting potential under saline conditions. A total of 30 salt-tolerant bacteria strains were isolated from its rhizosphere. Among them, Bacillus infantis strain 29 tolerated up to 10% NaCl (w/v) and exhibited multiple plant-growth-promoting traits, including highly active 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphorus solubilisation, potassium mobilisation and diazotrophic potential as indicated by growth on nitrogen-free medium. Under pot conditions, inoculation with strain 29, particularly in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), promoted plant growth under saline stress. In Suaeda salsa, the combined treatment significantly increased fresh weight and root length relative to the control, and positive growth responses were also observed in Zea mays and Medicago sativa. This study proposes an effective "halophyte-PGPR-AMF" synergistic strategy and provides a potential biological approach and microbial resource reference for improving plant growth and crop performance in salt-affected soils of western Inner Mongolia and other arid and semiarid regions with similar environmental 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.
Drought stress severely impairs seed germination. Selenium (Se) is a potential mitigator of abiotic stress, but its physiological mechanisms in alleviating osmotic stress during seed germination remain poorly understood. This study investigated how Se alleviates the inhibition of rice seed germination induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought. The results indicated that co-application of Se and PEG effectively alleviated the PEG-induced suppression of germination. Se significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase by 31.0%, peroxidase by 39.0%, catalase by 42.9%, and ascorbate peroxidase by 41.8%, along with elevating the concentrations of glutathione by 19.0% and ascorbate by 38.3%. Consequently, Se attenuated the PEG-induced burst of reactive oxygen species, reducing H2O2 by 21.0% and O2 londialdehyde concentration. Furthermore, Se partially restored osmotic homeostasis by increasing the accumulation of soluble sugars by 15.9%, soluble proteins by 11.4%, free amino acids by 18.4%, and free proline by 26.3%. It also counteracted PEG-imposed inhibition of hydrolytic enzymes, enhancing alpha-amylase and protease activities by 26.6% and 11.2%, respectively. Notably, Se accumulation in seeds was reduced under PEG stress, suggesting impaired the penetration of exogenous Se under PEG-simulated drought. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Se alleviates PEG-induced osmotic stress in germinating rice seeds by enhancing antioxidant capacity, maintaining osmotic balance, and sustaining reserve mobilisation. - by 19.1%, and alleviated lipid peroxidation, as reflected by a 20.0% decrease in ma-
Soil available and total zinc are important indicators of soil zinc status, yet the global effects of different fertilisation practices on soil available and total zinc and the drivers of their variation remain insufficiently quantified. We conducted a global meta-analysis based on data extracted from published field studies. A total of 1 240 paired observations of soil available zinc from 94 studies and 364 paired observations of soil total zinc from 44 studies published between 1993 and 2024 were compiled. The effects of eight fertiliser types (mineral fertilisers without zinc [CF], compost, manure, zinc fertiliser, CF combined with either compost [CFC] or manure [CFM] or zinc fertiliser [CFZn], and compost combined with zinc fertiliser [CZn]) on the soil available and total zinc content were assessed by meta-analysis. The results indicated that compared to the control group, soil available zinc content increased significantly under treatments CZn, CFZn, zinc fertiliser, CFM, manure, CFC, and compost by 158, 134, 133, 84, 78, 43, and 35%, respectively. Additionally, manure, CFM, zinc fertiliser, CFZn, and CZn treatments significantly enhanced soil total zinc content, with increases ranging from 25% to 32%. Applying zinc fertiliser at > 20 kg Zn/ha significantly increased soil-available zinc. In the medium-rate CZn class (10-20 kg Zn/ha), soil available zinc increased from 0.78 mg/kg in the control soils to 3.46 mg/kg in the treated soils. Among crop systems, wheat showed a stronger response in soil-available zinc, whereas rice-growing systems showed relatively larger increases in soil-total zinc under manure and CFM treatments. Fertilisation intensity, crop types, soil organic carbon, and soil pH emerged as key drivers of variation in soil available zinc, whereas the main drivers of soil total zinc varied among fertiliser types and were more often associated with fertiliser rate and crop types. When soil organic carbon was <= 12 g/kg or soil pH was > 7.5, applying CZn at 10-20 kg Zn/ha showed greater potential to increase soil available zinc. These findings suggest that soil zinc management should be optimised based on fertilisation intensity, crop type, soil organic carbon, and soil pH to improve zinc availability while avoiding excessive accumulation.
Selenium (Se) biofortification of soybean sprouts presents a promising approach for enhancing dietary Se intake. However, the physiological mechanisms of Se promoting growth remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of selenite (Na2SeO3) at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 & micro;mol/L on soybean sprout development over 72 h. The results indicated that 5.0 and 7.5 & micro;mol/L Na2SeO3 significantly promoted hypocotyl elongation and biomass accumulation. Se predominantly accumulated in the radicle, followed by the hypocotyl and cotyledon. Moderate selenite levels enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase; increased the concentrations of reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, and free proline; and effectively suppressed the accumulation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, thereby reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and alleviating oxidative stress. Concurrently, amylase and protease activities in cotyledons were stimulated, accelerating the hydrolysis of storage reserves. The resulting increases in soluble sugars, proteins, and free amino acids in the hypocotyl supported its elongation and biomass increase. In contrast, 10 & micro;mol/L Na2SeO3 suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated reactive oxygen species and MDA levels, and inhibited growth. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that moderate Se enhances soybean sprout growth primarily by increasing antioxidant capacity, reducing oxidative stress, and facilitating the mobilisation of storage reserves toward the elongating hypocotyl, thereby revealing key physiological mechanisms for cultivating high-quality, Se-enriched sprouts.
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.
This study evaluated the effects of hybrid, vegetation period duration, weather conditions, and harvest timing on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yield and technological quality under short-rotation cropping systems in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Field experiments were conducted in 2022-2024 on commercial fields using six industrial hybrids and five harvest intervals from late September to mid-November. Root yield, sugar content, sugar yield, a-amino nitrogen, K+ and Na+, invert sugars, and the technological quality index (Iq) were assessed using ANOVA, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). Extending vegetation from 185 to 200 days increased root yield by 11-12% and sugar yield by 0.8-1.2 t/ha. The optimal harvest window (10-25 October) provided the highest performance, with root yields of 68-73 t/ha, sugar content of 16.2-16.6%, and sugar yields of 14.6-16.3 t/ha. Early harvest resulted in reduced sugar content and Iq, whereas harvesting after 10 November did not increase yield and caused deterioration of technological quality due to elevated a-amino nitrogen and molasses-forming ions. PCA showed that over 85% of the total variation was explained by technological quality and moisture-related factors. Strube hybrids demonstrated greater stability under extended vegetation compared with KWS hybrids. These results define an optimal harvest window for maximising sugar beet productivity and quality under temperate meteorological conditions.
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.
In pursuit of a low-cost, pollution-free, and scalable technology for remediating heavy metal pollution in mining areas, this study examines a gold mining area with heavy metal pollution (Cd, Pb, and Hg) and employs soil replacement, biochar passivation, and a combination of hyperaccumulators for the remediation. Results show that both soil replacement and the application of biochar significantly reduce the effective content of these three heavy metals, with pig manure biochar demonstrating superior passivation effects on Pb and Hg compared to fruitwood biochar. Combining biochar with hyperaccumulators leads to better results than using either method alone. The combined approach achieved maximum reductions of 69.8, 70.1, and 56.0% for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively. The application of biochar improves the originally coarse soil structure, with maximum increases in organic carbon, available potassium, available phosphorus, and total nitrogen under different treatments being 6.26 times, 4.66 times, 4.04 times, and 3.21 times, respectively. Biochar anchors heavy metals around roots, while hyperaccumulators utilise their excellent stress-resistant physiological characteristics to thrive in nutrient-deficient soil enriched with biochar, thereby absorbing the heavy metals anchored by biochar. The synergy of biochar and hyperaccumulators enhances their individual effectiveness, showing promise for remediating polluted mining areas.
Combining phosphorus management with phosphorus-efficient cultivars is an effective strategy for improving rice quality. To investigate their effects on root characteristics and photosynthetic traits, a pot experiment was conducted with two rice cultivars differing in phosphorus efficient: Liangeng 7 (weakly efficient) and Yongyou 2640 (highly efficient). Four phosphorus rates (0, 0.44, 0.88, and 1.32 g/pot, designated as P0, P1, P2, and P3, respectively) were applied. A significant cultivar-phosphorus interaction was observed. Most root traits (the length, dry weight, volume, total absorption area, active absorption area, oxidation activity, and acid phosphatase activity) and photosynthetic traits (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance) initially increased and then decreased with increasing phosphorus rates, while the leaf intercellular CO2 concentration showed the opposite trend. Liangeng 7 performed optimally under P2, whereas Yongyou 2640 reached its peak under P1. Compared with Liangeng 7, Yongyou 2640 exhibited better appearance quality, root traits, and photosynthetic parameters. Correlation analysis showed that root length, root physiological activity and leaf photosynthetic parameters (except intercellular CO2 concentration) were significantly negatively correlated with chalkiness degree. These findings demonstrate that matching phosphorus supply to cultivar-specific efficiency optimises root-photosynthesis synergy, leading to superior grain appearance quality with less phosphorus input.
Alluvial soils have high importance for both agriculture and biodiversity; however, these soils can also contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). In this study, we examined GHG fluxes of three grassland and two cropland sites with alluvial soils in Abava river floodplain, Latvia (Europe). Soil CO2 fluxes representing heterotrophic respiration (Rhet) were determined using a portable CO2 gas analyser, while ecosystem respiration (Reco), soil CH4 and N2O fluxes were quantified using a manual closed chamber method combined with gas chromatography. Most alluvial soils acted as source of GHG emissions with the exception of two grassland site where annual CH4 exchange reflected a slight CH4 removal from the atmosphere. Mean total GHG emissions (sum of net CO2, CH4 and N2O) were 7.0 +/- 3.3 t CO2 eq./ha/year in grassland sites and 14.5 +/- 4.8 t CO2 eq./ha/year in cropland sites. Net CO2 contributed the most to total annual GHG emissions with mean values of 6.2 +/- 3.3 t CO2/ha/year in grassland and 13.6 +/- 4.8 t CO2/ha/year in cropland sites. Although the number of study sites is limited, the results support that, in the context of climate change mitigation, grassland represents a more climate-friendly type of floodplain land use than cropland in the hemiboreal region.
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.
Manganese (Mn) is often underestimated in plant nutrition. Its availability to plants is influenced by several factors, which can lead to Mn deficiency or toxicity. The objective was to evaluate the transformation of soil Mn over 21 years in a long-term field experiment. Fertilising with (i) sewage sludge 1 (SS1); (ii) sewage sludge 3 (3 times higher nitrogen (N) dose, SS3); (iii) farmyard manure (FYM); (iv) mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) and (v) mineral nitrogen in addition to straw (Nst) was studied to evaluate the transformations of Mn in soil using different extraction methods at the 5 locations. There was a general reduction in the pH during the experiment. Soil acidification caused by mineral N fertiliser increased the bioavailable Mn forms under NPK treatment. This Mn was mobilised from soil reserves, leading to depletion of Mn sources. Application of SS and FYM led to an increase in non-bioavailable Mn fractions, while the expected increase in biologically available Mn was not observed. As the high pH of soil limits Mn availability, foliar Mn application can be recommended for agricultural practice in high-pH soils. On the contrary, liming can be recommended for low-pH soil with high bioavailable Mn content to mitigate the risk of Mn toxicity.
Nitrogen fertiliser is a key determinant of rice yield and grain quality; however, the synergistic mechanisms through which nitrogen regulates root anatomical structure, physiological traits, and cooking quality in rice varieties with different eating properties remain unclear. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted using two moderate-eating-quality cultivars (Xudao 3 and Huageng 9) and two superior-eating-quality cultivars (Zhengdao C42 and Nangeng 9308) under four nitrogen levels (0, 0.59, 1.18, and 1.76 g/pot, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively). Cooking quality was assessed by amylose content, gel consistency, and alkali spreading value. The results demonstrated that, with increasing nitrogen application, amylose content, alkali spreading value, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, root aerenchyma area, and aerenchyma proportion decreased initially, then increased, reaching their lowest values at the N2 level. In contrast, gel consistency, root antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT), photosynthetic rate and cortical living cell proportion increased first and then decreased, peaking at N2 treatment. Compared with moderate-eating-quality varieties, superior-eating-quality varieties exhibited significantly lower amylose content, alkali spreading value, MDA content, and aerenchyma proportion, but higher gel consistency, living cell proportion, stele-to-root diameter ratio, antioxidant enzyme activities, and photosynthetic rate. Correlation analysis revealed that root antioxidant enzyme activities, stele diameter and living cell proportion were negatively correlated with amylose content, but positively correlated with gel consistency. Conversely, MDA content, aerenchyma area and aerenchyma proportion showed opposite correlation patterns. These findings indicate that an appropriate nitrogen application rate (1.18 g/pot) enhances root physiological activity, optimises root anatomical structure, and ensures sufficient source supply to the grain sink, thereby synergistically improving cooking quality - an effect particularly pronounced in high-eating-quality rice varieties.
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.
Drought is a major abiotic stressor that limits crop growth and is often associated with oxidative stress. We evaluated whether foliar silicon (Si) application affects primary root anatomy, plant height, and phenolic metabolism in three common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) cultivars (La Harpe, Panda, and Smuga) exposed to water deficit. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in four treatments: control; drought; control + Si, and drought + Si. Qualitative anatomical assessment revealed that Si promoted more advanced development of the primary root central cylinder, most notably in La Harpe under drought conditions, where a continuous ring of secondary xylem and a well-developed pith were observed. Drought significantly reduced plant height in all cultivars; Si partially alleviated this reduction in La Harpe and Panda, but not in Smuga. Drought generally increased total phenolic content (TPC) and phenolic acid content (PAC) in both leaves and roots, and Si further enhanced these responses, with the highest values under drought + Si. Overall, the results indicate cultivar-dependent effectiveness of foliar silicon (Si) and suggest that Si contributes to coordinated structural and biochemical adjustments under water deficit conditions. To assess the transferability of these responses, further verification across a broader range of genotypes and under different intensities and durations of drought is warranted.
Water deficit severely constrains sugar beet productivity by impairing photosynthetic capacity. However, the underlying structure-function mechanisms conferring photosynthetic resilience remain poorly characterised. This study investigates the temporal dynamics of photosynthetic limitations and structural adaptations in sugar beet during water deficit and subsequent rehydration. We found that water deficit significantly reduced the maximum net CO2 assimilation rate (ANmax) and the Rubisco carboxylation rate (Vcmax) by impairing CO2 diffusion and biochemical processes. The reduction in photosynthetic capacity is primarily and stably attributed to mesophyll limitation, while contributions from stomatal and biochemical limitations flexibly change with deficit degree and rehydration. Severe water deficit caused irreversible structural damage that hinders recovery even after rehydration, while moderate water deficit allows partial restoration of leaf and chloroplast function. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) demonstrated that CO2 diffusion was governed by the volume fraction of intercellular air space (fias, beta = 0.28) and surface areas of the chloroplasts exposed to leaf intercellular air spaces (Sc/S, beta = 0.35), with Sc/S indirectly influencing mesophyll conductance (gm) through fias mediation (beta = 0.53). Severe water deficit caused irreversible fias reduction and chloroplast interface damage (59% cell volume loss). These findings establish that resilience to water deficit in sugar beet depends on mesophyll structural integrity, with fias and Sc/S as key modulators of gm recovery. The study advances understanding of stress recovery mechanisms in sugar beet and provides a framework for multiscale crop improvement in the context of climate change.
Salinity stress poses an increasing threat to global rice production, particularly under climate change. Enhancing salinity tolerance is crucial to sustain rice production and food security. This study aimed to assess genetic variation among rice parental genotypes and their derived crosses under salinity stress by evaluating physiological, biochemical, agronomic, and yield-related traits. Seven diverse rice genotypes were used to develop 21 crosses using a half-diallel mating design in the summer of 2023. The parental genotypes and their derived crosses were evaluated in the summer of 2024 under controlled greenhouse lysimeter conditions. Salinity stress was induced by irrigation with water containing 10.60 dS/m, and soil salinity was maintained at 9.60 dS/m through controlled irrigation and drainage. Twenty key traits were studied, including phenological and agronomic attributes, yield traits, and physiological and biochemical markers such as relative water content, leaf CO2 assimilation, proline accumulation, malondialdehyde content, and antioxidant enzyme activities, to assess salinity tolerance in rice genotypes. The results demonstrated highly significant variation among the evaluated parental genotypes and their derived crosses across physiological, biochemical, agronomic, and yield-related traits, indicating considerable genetic variability in the studied plant materials. The genotypes C9, R8, and R6 were identified as superior combiners contributing favourable alleles for salinity tolerance. Eleven promising F1 crosses exhibited enhanced growth, improved antioxidant enzyme activities, osmotic adjustment, reduced oxidative damage, and higher grain yield under salinity stress. Exploiting these plant materials can improve the development of novel rice genotypes tolerant of salt-affected environments, addressing the current challenges posed by climate change. Strong associations were observed among physiological, biochemical, agronomic, and yield-related traits, indicating an integrated network of responses that collectively contribute to enhanced salinity tolerance in rice.
Changes in the content of mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, Na) and risk elements (Mn, Cd) in the assimilatory organs of selected plant species were studied along the altitudinal gradient of A-D zones polluted by alkaline emissions from the magnesite factory Lubenik (Slovak Republic). Multivariate statistical analysis and comparison with background values in other studies demonstrate persistent intoxication of some plants by Mg (all study plants), K (Lactuca saligna, Dryopteris filix-mas), Mn (Quercus polycarpa, Carpinus betulus, Betula pendula, Lactuca saligna) and Cd (Quercus polycarpa, Carpinus betulus, Betula pendula, Lactuca saligna). Overall, Lactuca saligna accumulated the highest amounts of Mg, Cd, Na and K near the magnesite plant, suggesting its potential as an effective bioindicator of elemental pollution. Unbalanced Ca/Mg ratios, lower than 1, were recorded predominantly in all plant species sampled near the magnesite plant; unbalanced K/(Mg + Ca) ratios were predominantly in woody species.
Hemp is becoming increasingly popular, and many new varieties are coming onto the market to meet the requirements of different industries. In this study, the seed and stem yield, seed nutritional properties and the biochemical characteristics of the inflorescences of seven European varieties (Fedora 17, Futura 75, KC Dora, Monoica, Santhica 27, Tiborszallasi, USO 31) were investigated in a 3-year field trial. Futura 75 and Tiborszallasi stand out as varieties with the highest potential in the conditions of the experiment (humid continental climate with oceanic influences, heavy soil). Futura 75 achieved the highest seed yield (505 kg/ha dry matter), stem yield (8 036 kg/ha fresh matter), protein yield (140 kg/ha) and oil yield (181 kg/ha). There were no differences in protein content (average 21.0%) among varieties. The total unsaturated fatty acid content was as high as 87.6% at Tiborszallasi. The best ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids was 3 : 1 in Tiborszallasi, which had also the highest oil content (30.2%), the highest total phenolic content (2.8 mg caffeic acid (CA)/g) and the best antioxidant potential (6.69 EC50 DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) mg/L). Most varieties had higher cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol contents in the inflorescence at seed maturity (from 0.22 to 3.3 for cannabidiol (CBD) and from 0.00 to 0.32 for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) compared to full flowering (from 0.17 to 4.33 for CBD and from 0.00 to 0.52 for THC, on average 2.64% for CBD and 0.19% for THC), presenting an opportunity for dual-purpose use.
