This bibliometric analysis offers a global overview of published research on use of biochar for combating soil salinity and drought in agriculture during 2013-2026. A total of 110 related articles were reviewed, with 4243 citations indicating high academic attention. Journal articles were the most represented, followed by reviews and book chapters, in line with the trend of synthesizing knowledge and conceptual frameworks. Keyword mapping, word clouds, treemaps, and BERT topic modelling found biochar-mediated soil amendment, crop stress tolerance, sustainable agriculture, and emerging cross-sections with nanotechnology as the core topics. Most of the leading contributions were from China, Pakistan, and India, assisted mainly by large publishers and funding agencies. Open access publications have increased in visibility, and network analysis has revealed solid international collaborations and under-explored research frontiers. The results provide insights into research patterns, knowledge gaps, and future prospects for biochar-based approaches targeting improvement of soil health and crop resilience against abiotic stresses.

In pursuit of sustainable agricultural advancements, this study was carried out over two consecutive years, examining the effects of interaction among arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, selenobacteria and nano zinc on the rhizospheric characteristics. The experiment involved two different levels of AM fungi, three levels of selenobacteria and nano zinc oxide each, replicated thrice in factorial randomized block design, under polyhouse conditions. The highest soil concentrations of zinc and selenium were obtained from the combination of AM fungi, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (selenobacterial strain), and 100 mg/L nano zinc. Additionally, there were elevated microbial counts, including total bacterial count, selenobacterial count, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria and AM spores. The interactive treatments also had a significant impact on soil enzymes. The AM fungi, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and 100 mg/L nano zinc together recorded increased enzymatic activities of acid phosphatase (55.47%) and alkaline phosphatase (66.69%) than control. This study offers significant findings for improving agricultural methods, which can significantly improve ensuring food security, thereby boosting the adoption of sustainable farming systems.

Groundwater is a principal irrigation water source worldwide; however, its quality is increasingly diminished by rapid urbanization, improper agricultural practices, and accelerating industrial activities. Groundwater management is especially important in areas where soil salinization and erosion are more probable, such as arid and semi-arid zones. In view of this, the Armavir region of the Republic of Armenia was selected as the study area, being an intensively cultivated agricultural zone. The objective of this study was to assess and map the quality of groundwater for irrigation using advanced methods, taking into account both climatic conditions and anthropogenic influences. A total of 72 groundwater samples were collected during the irrigation season from 41 unconfined and 31 confined aquifer wells. Key hydrochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, Cl−, HCO3−, CO32−, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+), irrigation indices (SAR, Na%, MH, RSC and PI), and graphical methods (Gibbs, USSL and Wilcox diagrams) were applied to assess groundwater quality. An integrated assessment was performed using the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), and spatial distribution was evaluated through geostatistical analysis and GIS mapping. Although certain individual hydrochemical parameters indicated limitations for irrigation in localized areas, particularly within the unconfined aquifer, the integrated IWQI assessment revealed that groundwater predominantly falls within the good to excellent categories across the study area, with more favorable conditions observed in the confined aquifer. These findings constitute an essential prerequisite for counteracting soil salinization and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Salinity is a significant abiotic factor limiting agricultural productivity worldwide, affecting nearly one-third of global agricultural land. The problem is becoming more severe through climate change, improper irrigation, and urbanization-induced soil alkalization. Salinity stress reduces seed germination through osmotic imbalance and ionic toxicity, which impair water uptake and metabolic activation. Seed priming technologies, including hydropriming, chemopriming, biopriming, and nanopriming, have emerged as strategies to mitigate salinity stress and improve crop establishment. Nanopriming involves soaking seeds in, or coating them with, a formulation containing nanoparticles (1–100 nm). This review discusses the mechanisms underlying nanopriming-mediated enhancement of seed performance under salinity stress. Physiologically, nanopriming improves osmotic homeostasis by regulating seed imbibition, increasing water potential, and enhancing ionic balance through reduced Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation and improved K⁺ uptake. It modulates hormonal balance by decreasing abscisic acid (ABA) while increasing gibberellic acid (GA), promoting germination. Biochemically, nanopriming enhances metabolic activation through increased α-amylase activity and mitigates oxidative damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and strengthening antioxidant defense systems, including enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR)) and non-enzymatic components. At the molecular level, nanopriming activates stress-responsive signaling pathways involving ABA, GA, ethylene, Ca²⁺ signalling, ROS-mediated regulation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-cascades, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress responses. These pathways upregulate genes related to aquaporins, ion transporters, osmolyte biosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes, and growth regulation. Nanoprimed seeds exhibit increased germination percentages, faster germination rates, improved vigour indices, enhanced growth, and increased stress tolerance. Despite these benefits, research gaps remain. Field-scale evaluations are limited, and understanding of nanoparticle fate in soil ecosystems is insufficient. Inappropriate nanoparticle parameters may induce phytotoxicity, oxidative damage, and ecological risks. Some studies report excessive ROS production and nanoparticle accumulation in plants, raising food safety concerns. While nanopriming represents an innovative strategy for enhancing seed germination under salinity stress, further research is needed to optimize formulations, establish safety thresholds, and develop standardized protocols for sustainable agricultural application.

Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint that threatens global food security by significantly inhibiting seed germination and early seedling establishment. Salinity disrupts all three phases of seed germination: Phase I (imbibition), where reduced water absorption capacity reduces seed hydration and delays metabolic reactivation; Phase II (lag phase), where ionic toxicity and oxidative stress impair enzyme activity, reserve mobilization, and cellular metabolism; and Phase III (radicle protrusion), where limited cell division and length prevent radicle emergence and seedling establishment. These disturbances reduce germination percentage, germination rate, germination index, germination energy, and plant vigor, while increasing average germination time. At the morpho-physiological level, salinity impairs water absorption, membrane stability, photosynthetic pigment accumulation, and root–shoot development. Biochemically, excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) causes cellular damage and metabolic dysfunction. At the molecular level, salinity alters the expression of the aquaporin gene family (PIPs, TIPs, NIPs, and SIPs), suppresses starch mobilization by reducing α-amylase, enhances abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, and inhibits gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis, all of which cause inhibition of germination and early growth. As a result, an effective strategy is needed to improve seed germination under saline conditions. Therefore, the second focus of this review is to critically evaluate the potential of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanobiochar (NBC) as emerging tools to mitigate salinity stress during seed germination. Current evidence suggests that NPs and NBC enhance water absorption, maintain membrane strength, improve nutrient availability, promote antioxidant defense systems, and regulate osmotic adjustment in saline environments. Furthermore, these nanomaterials alter key molecular pathways involved in aquaporin expression, hormonal homeostasis, and reserve mobilization, thereby promoting successful germination and seedling establishment. By combining recent advances in physiological, biochemical, and molecular research, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of salinity-induced germination disruption and highlights the potential of NP- and NBC-based approaches to improve crop establishment under saline conditions.

Aechmea bracteata is a vascular, symbiotic epiphyte that holds potential ornamental and ecological values. In vitro propagation techniques significantly enhance the rapid production of high-quality planting materials. However, highly sophisticated physico-chemical environments often suppress the normal growth and development of plants. Tissue density, velamen tissue, and cell wall thickening of roots confer mechanical support and are crucial for plants to achieve epiphytic adaptations. This study analyzed the impact of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on anatomical development in adventitious roots of A. bracteata. Cultures were established by inoculating surface-disinfected seeds (n = 24 explants per treatment & times; 3) on Murashige and Skoog's medium containing 0.5 mg & centerdot;L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and shoots were proliferated using 0.25 mg & centerdot;L-1 BAP and 0.15 mg & centerdot;L-1 alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The resulting shoots were subjected to rooting on half-strength MS medium containing altered concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid and NAA. The shoots were rooted on 1.0 mg & centerdot;L-1 NAA along with 3.0 mg & centerdot;L-1 SiNPs (hydrophilic silica). A completely randomized design was employed to conduct statistical analysis. The micro-structural analyses (n = 10 samples per treatment) of roots revealed that the application of SiNPs significantly improved rhizogenesis, velamen tissue, root cortex density, endodermis, and stele diameter. An elevated cell wall thickening was detected in the cells of SiNPs-derived roots. These features demonstrate the epiphytic adaptational developments in A. bracteata imposed by the SiNPs, supporting the survival of the plantlets in the in vivo environment. Further study could help to establish SiNPs as a functional nano-tool for enhancing epiphytic adaptation, acclimatization efficiency, and resilience in bromeliads. [GRAPHICS]

Intensive application of pesticides based on glyphosate (Gly) and copper (Cu) in agricultural systems has raised environmental concerns regarding their accumulation in soils and potential ecotoxicological effects on soil-dwelling organisms, thereby increasing the risks to soil fauna. The use of compounds with a high adsorption capacity, such as biochar, may promote the immobilization of these contaminants, reducing their bioavailability and toxicity in the soil. To assess the individual and combined effects of Gly and Cu in soil, as well as the mitigating potential of biochar, an avoidance test was conducted using Eisenia fetida in artificial soil, following International Organization for Standardization standard 17512-1. Treatments were distributed across three experimental blocks, involving four concentrations of Gly (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1) and Cu (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg−1), applied either individually or in combination. A fourth block included the two highest combined concentrations, with the addition of 1% (w/w) BioC. Avoidance behavior was observed in response to Gly or Cu exposure, with concentration-dependent responses. Avoidance rates ranged from 40% to 60% for Gly and from 40% to 87% for Cu. In the combined treatments, avoidance responses were more pronounced, ranging from 60% to 100%, also displaying a clear dose–response effect. In the treatments with the highest combined concentrations of Gly and Cu (Gly50-Cu100 and Gly100-Cu200), the application of biochar significantly reduced avoidance behavior by 29% and 27%, respectively. Biochar represents a promising strategy for mitigating soil pollution by reducing these pollutants' bioavailability and toxicity to edaphic organisms. Although standardized artificial soil enhances experimental control, validation under more realistic soil conditions is warranted.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of exogenous Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and phytohormonal combinations on in vitro propagation and morpho-structural developmental responses of Coleus forskohlii. The study also aimed to incorporate the residual morpho-anatomical effects of ZnO NPs observed during ex vitro rooting and acclimatization and to provide a robust platform for mass propagation of this medicinal plant. Nodal shoot segment explants (n = 24 explants per treatment × 3) were cultured on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), or N6-furfuryladenine (Kinetin/Kn). The highest shoot induction (98.6

Heavy metal pollution of soils has brought potential risk to the environment and human health. The chapter is a long-term study evaluating the extent of heavy metal pollution in soils of one of Armenia's most important mining regions. Soil samples were taken from various distances (0–20 cm) of the surface of both active and abandoned mining sites. The sampling sites were selected based on accessibility and their distance from contaminant sources. Three other baseline soil properties, pH, texture, and organic matter content, were also taken to aid interpretation. Analytical methods for ecological risk assessment indices like potential ecological risk index (PERI), pollution index (PI), Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) were useful for this study. The findings revealed that the concentration levels of some heavy metals were considerably higher than the local and world set standards, in close proximity to tailings and ore processing areas. Spatial distribution maps indicate a spatial association of heavy metals uptake with the distance from mining activities. According to the ecological risk assessment, there is high potential of phytotoxicity and wide contamination of food chain in treated sites. These results highlight the necessity for frequent monitoring and the application of reparation techniques such as phytoremediation to reduce heavy-metal risks in mining-affected areas of Armenia. The work adds to the limited literature on post-mining land use planning and environmental health in South Caucasus.

Elevated concentrations of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and microplastics (MPs), are of great concern to aquatic environments. These ECs are released into freshwaters due to improper waste management and may pose risk to freshwater biota and associated ecosystem processes. Conversely, biochar (BC) and biochar nanoparticles (BC-NPs) are nature-based products (NBPs), reported to remove some contaminants from environmental samples, particularly soil. However, knowledge about their impacts on freshwater ecosystems, alone or in the presence of emerging contaminants, is lacking. We investigated the impacts of Ag-NPs and MPs (polyethylene) on stream-dwelling microbial communities involved in leaf-litter decomposition, as it is a key ecosystem process, sensitive to water quality. Also, the impacts of the naturebased products, BC and BC-NPs, were assessed in the absence and presence of Ag-NPs or MPs. Both, Ag-NPs and MPs had negative effects on aquatic fungal communities, reducing reproduction, species richness, and altering species contribution, as well as on leaf-litter decomposition in a concentration-dependent manner. Neither larger particles nor nanoparticles of biochar showed any adverse effects on microbial decomposition at any of the concentrations, suggesting their eco-compatible nature in freshwaters; rather, BC-NPs stimulated fungal sporulation and leaf-litter decomposition. Moreover, the presence of these NBPs attenuated the negative effects of the tested ECs in a concentration-dependent manner, with more pronounced effects against MPs. BC-NPs showed greater alleviation efficiency than BC in aquatic ecosystems. This study emphasizes the importance of stream detrital ecosystem in ecotoxicological assessments and potential role of nature-based resources to deal with emerging contaminants.

Copper (Cu) contamination in vineyard soils present environmental risks and affect the respective quality and ecosystem functions. This study evaluated the mitigation effect of different soil conditioners on Cu lability and ecotoxicity. A vineyard contaminated soil, relative to four treatments, with (1% of biochar-BioC, nanobiochar-nBioC and chitosan-Chit), and without (control) conditioner, was incubated for two months under controlled conditions, and copper lability was assessed by DTPA extraction. The ecotoxicity was evaluated by a behaviour test, using Eisenia fetida as biologic model, with avoidance as an endpoint (A%). All amendments reduced Cu availability, with DTPA-extractable Cu decreasing from 29.2 ± 0.3 mg kg⁻¹ (control) to 28.3 ± 0.2 (BioC), 27.5 ± 0.2 (nBioC), and 26.6 ± 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ (Chit) order. Avoidance responses were -68% (nBioC), -48% (BioC), 12% (control), and 62% (Chit). Despite decreasing Cu lability, chitosan promotes the strongest avoidance response, suggesting a potential biocidal effect on earthworms. Conversely, in BioC and nBioC treatments, pH increase, surface sorption, and Cu complexation factors can explain both reduced Cu bioavailability and enhanced ecological compatibility, especially for the nanobiochar due to its higher reactivity. For this, nanobiochar presented the most balanced performance, combining effective immobilization with lower ecotoxicological impact, suggesting its potential as a sustainable amendment for remediating Cu-contaminated vineyard soils.

As an environmentally friendly and carbon-rich material, biochar holds significant application potential in waste valorization, water pollution remediation, and carbon sequestration. In recent years, machine learning has emerged as a powerful data-driven tool and is being increasingly applied in biochar research. This review systematically summarizes the fundamental concepts, preparation methods, and key application areas of biochar, with a particular focus on recent advances in its roles in carbon footprint reduction and resource utilization. The applications of machine learning in process optimization, material design, and life cycle assessment are thoroughly discussed. Moreover, the challenges related to data acquisition, model interpretability, and interdisciplinary collaboration are critically analyzed. Importantly, the review highlights that biochar application can reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 20%–70%, with carbon sequestration rates reaching up to 90% depending on feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. Machine learning models such as random forest and deep neural networks have achieved prediction accuracies exceeding 90% in forecasting biochar yield, surface area, and adsorption capacity, significantly improving design efficiency and environmental performance. Looking ahead, the integration of advanced techniques such as deep learning, multi-objective optimization, and self-supervised learning is expected to further enhance the environmental benefits and intelligent design of biochar, thereby offering strong technical support for global climate mitigation and the circular economy development.

Salinity stress is one of the most challenging constraints affecting wheat production, limiting both yield and nutritional quality. Wheat is one of the most important staple cereals as well as a major source of carbohydrates for a considerable portion of the world population, yet wheat has suffered from significant productivity constraints due to salt stress. Such stress adversely affects germination, vegetative growth, reproductive organ development, enzymatic activity, photosynthesis photostability, and hormonal equilibrium, eventually causing oxidative stress and drastic loss of crop yield. Furthermore, the reducing nutritional quality of wheat further aggravates the issues regarding malnutrition and food security, highlighting the need for effective mitigation strategies. Although various methods have been investigated, including plant breeding, genetic engineering, and agronomic management, they are labor, cost, and time-intensive. Nanotechnology is a novel, eco-friendly and efficient approach for controlling salinity stress and improving crop biofortification. Some common methods of applications of nanotechnology-based products like nanoparticles (NPs) are foliar spraying, soil amendments and seed priming, which have shown considerable promise in improving salinity stress resistance, nutrient absorption, and wheat yield. This review outlines the extent of contribution of NPs in alleviating salinity stress, as well as the enhancement of the nutritional qualities of wheat. This work uniquely combines both salinity stress adaptation and nanofortification strategies under one framework that filling crucial information gaps. Investigating the mechanisms underlying NPs interaction with plant systems is essential for designing effective, green, and cost-efficient nanotechnology tools for sustainable wheat production. In the long run, this knowledge will aid sustainable agricultural practices and food security worldwide.

This study explores methane emission trends across Greece, Armenia, and Rostov Oblast region of Russia from 2004 to 2023. Our analyses, based on remote sensing and advanced statistical techniques, showed a 1.3-1.8 °C increase in mean annual temperature over this 20-year period in all these three regions, with the highest and the lowest rates of annual warming in Armenia (0.104 °C) and Rostov Oblast of Russia (0.052 °C), respectively. Mean annual methane concentrations increased distinctly in these regions over this period. Greece showed the trend of highest correlations between methane emissions and temperatures, including mean annual and seasonal temperatures, highlighting substantial role of climate change in emission trends. The emission trends with on-ground observations revealed intricate connections between reduced precipitations, farming practices, waste disposal methods, and naturally occurring emissions in Greece. In contrast, Armenia exhibited weak correlations between temperature and methane emissions, with its farming, waste management, energy and manufacturing sectors playing a significant role in determining emission quantities. The Rostov Oblast of Russia demonstrated weaker association between methane emissions and temperatures than Greece and Armenia, with emission trends being primarily shaped by agricultural activities and natural discharges from wetlands. The forecast models predicted further rise in methane emissions over the 7-year period (2024-2030), with the highest elevation rate estimated for Russia. This study emphasizes the need for tailored mitigation strategies to address methane emissions effectively, considering region-specific factors. Advanced monitoring technologies provide crucial insights into the assessment and management of methane emissions in these diverse geomorphological regions.

Micropropagation and conservation using in vitro methods are one of the most important technologies used to maintain the gene pool and genetic diversity [...]

This review examines the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in abiotic stress management for sustainable agriculture and explores their potential environmental implications. NPs possess unique physicochemical properties that make them promising candidates for protecting crops against abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metals. The present work aims to elucidate the applications of NPs in mitigating abiotic stresses to promote sustainable agriculture, while also evaluating their potential environmental consequences. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted to decipher the state-of-the-art research on NPs, highlighting their advantages in enhancing crop resilience, particularly in the current era of climate change. In addition, a critical examination was performed on the potential drawbacks of NPs use, including environmental hazards, toxicity concerns, and unintended ecological effects. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dual nature of NPs in the context of abiotic stress management and environmental safety. By analyzing both benefits and risks, the present work offers researchers, policymakers, and practitioners a framework for evaluating the successful implementation of nano-enabled products in sustainable agriculture, while carefully considering their environmental impacts.

IntroductionFusarium verticillioides (Fv) is a major phytopathogen responsible for maize root rot, affecting crop productivity globally. A probable infection mechanism has been suggested in Fusarium, involving the disruption, and partial degradation of the plant cell wall by the colonizing fungal hyphae.MethodsIn this study, the highly virulent Fv DA42 strain was subjected to whole-genome sequencing, in silico secretome analysis and SEM structural analysis to elucidate its pathogenic mechanism.ResultsThe assembled genome comprised 175 contigs (=200 pb) totaling 42.27 Mb, with an N50 of 1.24 Mb and GC content of 48.51%. A total of 14,198 protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 997 (7.03%) correspond to classical secreted proteins. The predicted secretome includes 262 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), 62 proteases, 400 effectors, 481 virulence factors and 288 uncharacterized proteins. Functional annotation revealed enrichment in enzymatic activities such as pectinesterases, feruloyl esterases, and glucosidases, highlighting their role in host cell wall degradation. Chromosomal distribution showed secretome genes concentrated on chromosomes 4 and 8, with the highest density (49.2 genes/Mb) on chromosome 10. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed degradation of maize root hairs and epidermis seven days post-infection, this degradation may have occurred days prior to the observation. STRING analysis identified key proteins like FVEG_10795 (pectinesterase) and FVEG_09361 (feruloyl esterase) as central to coordinated enzymatic attacks.DiscussionThis integrative analysis offers crucial insights into Fv pathogenicity and provides a molecular basis for targeted antifungal strategies and resistance breeding in maize.

G LOBAL FOOD production is declining due to land degradation and cultivation issues, influenced by various factors, such as erratic changes in the climate, growing industrial and mining sectors, pesticide usage, and a greater reliance on wastewater for farming. Biochar offers a solution to maintain agricultural productivity by mitigating the adverse effects of climate fluctuations for example drought and waterlogging conditions are deteriorated factors for soil. They can immobilize both inorganic and organic pollutants through mechanisms such as co-precipitation, ion exchange adsorption, electrostatic attraction, and surface complexation, which lower their toxicity and bioavailability to plants in contaminated soils. Biochar application enhances the capacity of cation exchange and balance the acidity of the soil, water retention, microbial activity, and soil aeration. Consequently, biochar has been widely used as an additive to alleviate biotic stress in crops. This review examines how biochar amendments can assist plants in coping with adverse conditions, including salt and drought stress, and the role of biochar in fulfilling the goals of the different SDGs set by the United Nations. On pairing with stimulants like humic acid, compost, microbes, phytohormones, and nanoparticles, biochar may enable plants to endure and even flourish in harsh environments. Overall, biochar is an economical and effective method for addressing soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies, making it particularly suitable for plant cultivation in the affected areas.