The intensive and long-term use of agrochemicals in intensive agriculture poses significant environmental risks due to the accumulation of heavy metals in soils. This study assessed copper (Cu) fractions, mobility, and ecotoxicity in calcareous soils under horticultural (HO) and field crop (FC) practices in the Atabey Plain, Türkiye. Twenty-seven surface soil samples were collected and analyzed using a seven-step sequential extraction procedure. Chemometric approaches, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Spearman correlation, were applied to identify the sources and distribution patterns of Cu. Results indicated that Cu was predominantly associated with residual fractions in both HO and FC soils, indicating limited overall mobility. However, HO soils exhibited higher total Cu concentration and greater proportions in labile fractions compared to FC soils. PCA revealed clear separation between the soil groups, with Cu enrichment in HO soils strongly influenced by anthropogenic inputs, whereas FC soils reflected more natural processes. Risk factor assessments based on contamination factor (CF) and risk assessment code (RAC) indicated moderated Cu contamination. In conclusion, to avoid high concentrations of mobile Cu in soils, soil properties should be taken into account, and particularly in orchards, alternative formulations to Cu-containing pesticides and cultural practices should be employed.
Soybean yield is strongly influenced by soil chemical properties, particularly soil acidity, which affects nutrient availability, plant development, and biological processes such as symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The use of effective soil amendments represents an important strategy for improving soil fertility and maintaining crop productivity under sustainable agricultural systems. A three-year field experiment (2023-2025) conducted at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda (ARDS Turda), located in the Transylvanian Plain, evaluated the effects of Terracalco 95, a highly reactive calcium oxide-based soil amendment (CaO >95%; PNA = 175; Carmeuse Europe S.A.), on soybean yield, grain quality, nodulation, and plant height (Felix variety). Seven treatments included an untreated control and Terracalco 95 applied at rates of 100 and 300 kg ha⁻¹ before sowing, after sowing, and at the 3-5 trifoliate leaf stage, using a randomized complete block design with three replications and 48 m² plots. The soil showed near-neutral pH values in water (6.74-7.78) but relatively high hydrolytic acidity (Ah = 6.07-6.41 meq 100 g⁻¹ in 2023), indicating substantial reserve acidity typical of clay-illuviated Phaeozems of the Transylvanian Plain. Following amendment application, hydrolytic acidity decreased markedly to 2.43-2.80 meq 100 g⁻¹ by 2024-2025 (-55 to -60%), confirming effective neutralization of potential acidity. Combined ANOVA across years (error df = 12) revealed highly significant year effects (p < 0.001) for yield, hectoliter mass, 1000-seed mass, fat content, and nodulation traits. Treatment effects were not statistically significant for any measured parameter; however, all Terracalco 95 treatments numerically exceeded the control, with mean yield increases ranging from 3.3% to 6.0% over the three-year period. The most consistent yield increases were observed for treatments V5 (+5.9%) and V7 (+6.0%), both corresponding to the 100 kg ha⁻¹ rate. Nodule number and nodule weight showed the highest treatment F-values among all analyzed traits, suggesting a possible stimulatory effect on symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Salinization is associated with a high content of sodium chloride (NaCl) in the soil, which affects adverse plant growth and agricultural yield. In this study, the role of endophytic fungus Aspergillus terreus Nf1 in the alleviation of NaCl stress in maize seedlings was investigated. The fungus was grown in Czapek medium with 100 mM and 200 mM NaCl. It resulted in growth promotion and an increase in flavonoids, salicylic acid (SA), and phenols; however, there was a decrease in the concentration of IAA and soluble sugars. Exposure to 70 mM and 140 mM NaCl in maize seedlings led to decreased growth in terms of length of roots and shoots as well as fresh and dry weights. Growth parameters were significantly improved in the case of treatment with A. terreus Nf1. In treated plants, there were increases in flavonoids, SA, phenolics, proline, and chlorophyll content as well as in MDA content reduction. The endophyte enhances maize's salt resilience, demonstrating that NF1 promotes growth by mitigating salt stress effects.
Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is a major agricultural pest responsible for significant crop losses worldwide, primarily through direct feeding and virus transmission. The extensive use of organophosphorus insecticides has led to the development of resistance in many field populations, posing a serious challenge for pest management. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of the S431F point mutation and the expression level of the acetylcholinesterase 2 gene (ace2) to omethoate resistance in M. persicae. Seven field populations and one susceptible laboratory strain were evaluated using bioassays, mutation screening, and gene expression analysis. Toxicity tests revealed a wide range of resistance levels, with resistance ratios (RR) varying from 3.69 to 207.73. The S431F mutation was detected in five populations, with frequencies ranging from 10% to 60%, and showed a positive association with resistance levels. In contrast, no mutation was detected in the two most susceptible populations. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated a significant down-regulation of ace2 expression in resistant populations compared to the susceptible strain. The reduction in gene expression ranged from 38.2% to 69.0%, suggesting a potential role in resistance mechanisms. The results demonstrate that both the S431F mutation and reduced ace2 expression contribute to omethoate resistance in M. persicae. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of insecticide resistance and may support the development of more effective resistance management strategies.
Amino Acid Permeases (AAPs) belong to a class of Amino Acid Transporter (AAT) protein family, which play a pivotal role in the transportation and selective transit of various biomolecules such as Nitrogen, Potassium, Sodium and various amino acids based on their size, structure, charge and though their specialized binding sites. Although AAPs have been extensively studied in vascular plants, they have not yet been explicitly reported in non-vascular bryophytes. In the present study, a total of 16 P. patens AAPs (PpAAPs) were identified that shared physical and chemical attributes with AAPs of Arabidopsis thaliana (AtAAPs). The selected PpAAP sequences shared a common domain with scale AtAAPs, confirming they belong to the same gene family. Furthermore, the average gene lengths of PpAAPs were found to be significantly higher than those of AtAAPs while the average protein lengths of the two were almost similar with the average of PpAAPs slighter higher than the latter. Similar was the instance for GRAVY (Grand Average of Hydropathicity) values where PpAAPs were higher as compared to AtAAPs. However, the average molecular weight (MW) and Theoretical Iso-electric point (pI) of AtAAPs was found higher than those of PpAAPs. Online tools suggested that all PpAAPs are hydrophobic and localized in the Plasma membrane, and share a significant degree of homology in their gene structures and protein motifs with AtAAPs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PpAAPs possess evolutionary divergence and variation among them while substantial evolutionary linkage was observed with AAPs of several other vascular plants, confirming common ancestry. The closest neighbors of PpAAPs were observed to be the AAPs of Cocus Nucifera, Vicia faba, Glycine max, Eucalyptus grandis, Zea mays, Cannabis sativa, Brassica rapa, Brassica napu, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Results proposed that the PpAAPs indeed belong to the Amino Acid Permease (AAP) gene family and shared significant structural and functional homology with AtAAPs.
