Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Salwa E. Garamon Author-Workplace-Name: Chemistry Department, College of Science and Arts, Jouf University, Al-Qurayyat, Saudi Arabia Title: Synthesis and characterisation of some new non-conventional materials as low-cost adsorbents for removal of nitrates from groundwater in Al-Qurayyat city northern Saudi Arabia Abstract: 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. Keywords: water pollution, agricultural wastes, fronds, palm fibers Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 65-72 Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Year: 2022 DOI: 10.17221/339/2021-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/339/2021-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202202-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:68:y:2022:i:2:id:339-2021-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Noor Muhammad Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Yating Zheng Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Farhan Nabi Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Guotao Yang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Sumbal Sajid Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Abdul Hakeem Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Xuechun Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Youlin Peng Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Zartasha Khan Author-Workplace-Name: Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan Author-Name: Yungao Hu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, P.R. China Title: Responses of nitrogen accumulation and translocation in five cytoplasmic hybrid rice cultivars Abstract: To study the difference among cytoplasm at the different nitrogen conditions, a research experiment was conducted using five different cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) hybrid rice with nitrogen levels at N0, N1, N2, and N3; the nitrogen application rates were 0, 90, 180, and 270 kg/ha, from 2018 to 2019. Results showed that among tested cultivars of CMS hybrid rice, JW (J803A × Chenghui727) showed the highest yield in both years for the low nitrogen and high nitrogen treatments. The dry matter accumulation and translation of JW type in nutritive organs were higher than that of others during the low nitrogen level (N1). We concluded that the nutrient translocation within plants organs and dry biomass accumulation were highly dependent on CMS type and nitrogen application. This research indicates that selecting a rice cultivar with greater efficiency of nitrogen is favourable for raising the number of grains per panicle, grain yield, and nitrogen use efficiency. JW cytoplasm displayed great efficiency in low nitrogen, which is a potential cytoplasmic resource. Keywords: cytoplasmic male infertility, chlorophyll fluorescence, nitrogen utilisation efficiency, grain weight, vegetative organs Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 73-81 Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Year: 2022 DOI: 10.17221/354/2021-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/354/2021-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202202-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:68:y:2022:i:2:id:354-2021-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Seyed Basir Mousavi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran Author-Name: Saeed Sayfzadeh Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran Author-Name: Hamid Jabbari Author-Workplace-Name: Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Author-Name: Seyed Alireza Valadabadi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran Author-Name: Esmaeil Hadidi Masouleh Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran Title: Effect of auxin foliar application on seed yield and fatty acids composition of two safflower genotypes under late-season drought Abstract: To assess the response of two safflower genotypes to auxin foliar application under late-season drought stress using a factorial split-plot experiment with the randomised complete block design, a two-year experiment (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) was conducted in Iran. The watering regime as specified in two levels including, regular irrigation and drought stress in main plots and two safflower genotypes and auxin foliar application in two levels including non-foliar application (control) and auxin foliar application at a concentration of 30 ppm were categorised in subplots. Drought stress at the seed filling stage reduced the safflower seed and oil yield. Moreover, a significant drought-induced decrease in linoleic acid, palmitic acid and behenic acid content, as well as an increase in oleic acids, was observed in two safflower genotypes. Among two safflower genotypes, the early maturing genotype less affected by drought and Goldasht had higher seed yield than the Padideh by 814 kg/ha, respectively. Auxin foliar application alleviates the adverse effects of drought, which led to an 18% increase in seed yield and components. However, the auxin application had no effect on the safflower seed oil content but palmitic acid content was affected by auxin foliar application. Generally, safflower along with auxin application can be recommended to develop safflower cultivation in semi-arid areas. Keywords: early maturity, Carthamus tinctorius L., growth regulator, polyunsaturated fatty acid, spineless Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 82-88 Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Year: 2022 DOI: 10.17221/329/2021-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/329/2021-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202202-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:68:y:2022:i:2:id:329-2021-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shuwei Zhu Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Physiology and Drought Tolerance Germplasm Improvement of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Name: Tianping Gao Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Physiology and Drought Tolerance Germplasm Improvement of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Name: Zhen Liu Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Physiology and Drought Tolerance Germplasm Improvement of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Shandong Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Science for the Yellow River Delta, Binzhou University, Binzhou, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Tangyuan Ning Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Physiology and Drought Tolerance Germplasm Improvement of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Title: Rotary and subsoiling tillage rotations influence soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration and crop yield Abstract: Long-term single tillage causes serious deterioration of land quality and reduction of crop yield. Tillage rotation can alleviate the problems caused by long-term single tillage. However, the effects of different tillage rotations are still very limited. A tillage rotation experiment was conducted in the North China Plain to evaluate the impacts of tillage rotation on soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN) and crop yield. There were eight treatments with two main factors: tillage practice (four types: rotary tillage (R, 2002-2017), subsoiling tillage (S, 2002-2017), rotary to subsoiling tillage (RS, 2015-2017) and subsoiling to rotary tillage (SR, 2015-2017)) and straw management (two types: straw return (F) and straw removal (0)). RSF treatment yielded the highest SOC, at 12.53 g/kg. RSF significantly increased SOC by 41.4% compared to RF, while SRF significantly reduced SOC by 11.1% compared to SF. In addition, RSF significantly increased STN content by 21.7% compared with that under RF. Compared with SF, SRF promoted the uniform distribution of soil nitrogen in the 0-20 cm soil layer. Among the treatments, the RSF treatment yielded the highest SOC stock (SOCS) and STN stock (STNS), which were 67.68 t/ha and 6.63 t/ha, respectively. Compared with RF treatment, RSF treatment greatly increased SOCS, by 31.7%. Both tillage rotation treatments increased STNS by 13.3% under RSF compared to RF, and by 2.3% under SRF compared to SF. In 2016, the annual yield was highest under RSF treatment at 19.80 t/ha. In 2017, the annual yield was highest under SF treatment at 21.37 t/ha, and next highest under RSF at 20.94 t/ha. In summary, long-term rotary tillage followed by subsoiling tillage combined with straw return (RSF) can significantly increase SOC, STN and crop yield. The rotation of rotary tillage to subsoiling tillage combined with the straw return is an effective measure for improving soil quality and increasing crop yields in the North China Plain. Keywords: tillage conversion, tillage combination, C:N ratio, high productivity Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 89-97 Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Year: 2022 DOI: 10.17221/396/2021-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/396/2021-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202202-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:68:y:2022:i:2:id:396-2021-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zhentao Ma Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology and College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Baizhao Ren Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology and College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Bin Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology and College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Peng Liu Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology and College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Jiwang Zhang Title: Optimising the root traits of summer maize to improve nutrient uptake and utilisation through rational application of urea ammonium nitrate solution Abstract: The production of summer maize is greatly affected by nitrogen (N) sources through regulating root growth and distribution. Four N treatments in the field experiment were designed as UAN (urea ammonium nitrate solution was applied under traditional side-dressing method), urea (urea was applied under traditional side-dressing method), UWFI (UAN was applied underwater and fertiliser integration technology) and CK (no N applied). The results showed that the root length density, surface area density and volume of DH605 (mid-late hybrid) and DH518 (mid-early hybrid) under UWFI were higher than other treatments, especially in shallow layers. The root absorption area of each soil layer under N application treatments varied with the growth stage. The grain yield and the accumulations of N, P and K in the shoots showed the trend of UWFI > UAN > urea > CK. Compared with UAN and urea, the nitrogen agronomic efficiency of UWFI treatment increased by 40.5~78.6%, and the nitrogen partial factor productivity increased by 4.75~7.61%. Consequently, rational application of UAN would improve root traits, nutrient uptake and utilisation, and yield of summer maize. Keywords: Zea mays L., nitrogen fertiliser type, application method, root system, nitrogen efficiency Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 98-107 Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Year: 2022 DOI: 10.17221/335/2021-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/335/2021-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202202-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:68:y:2022:i:2:id:335-2021-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wenhao Zhu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Soil Resource Sustainable Utilisation for Commodity Grain Bases of Jilin Province, College of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, P.R. China Author-Name: Cuilan Li Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Soil Resource Sustainable Utilisation for Commodity Grain Bases of Jilin Province, College of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, P.R. China Author-Name: Shun Zhou Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Soil Resource Sustainable Utilisation for Commodity Grain Bases of Jilin Province, College of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, P.R. China Author-Name: Yan Duan Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Soil Resource Sustainable Utilisation for Commodity Grain Bases of Jilin Province, College of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, P.R. China Author-Name: Jingjing Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Soil Resource Sustainable Utilisation for Commodity Grain Bases of Jilin Province, College of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, P.R. China Author-Name: Feng Jin Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, P.R. China Title: Soil organic carbon characteristics affected by peanut shell biochar in saline-sodic paddy field Abstract: Biochar exhibits a profound impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover and dynamics, but the underlying mechanism under field conditions is still unclear. A three-year field experiment was performed to evaluate the impact of peanut shell biochar applied at rates of 0, 33.75, 67.5, and 101.25 t/ha (referred to as B0, B1, B2, and B3, respectively) on SOC content and chemical composition in a saline-sodic paddy field using stable carbon isotope composition and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance technology. With increasing rates of biochar, SOC and aromatic carbon contents and alkyl carbon/oxygen-alkyl carbon and hydrophobic carbon/hydrophilic carbon ratios increased, while alkyl carbon and oxygen-alkyl carbon contents and aliphatic carbon/aromatic carbon ratio decreased. The new carbon from biochar and rice residues accounted for 26.5% of SOC under B0 and increased to above 80.0% under B2 and B3. The decay rate of old carbon was faster in biochar-amended than in unamended soil. SOC content was positively correlated with alkyl carbon/oxygen-alkyl carbon and hydrophobic carbon/hydrophilic carbon ratios but negatively correlated with aliphatic carbon/aromatic carbon ratio. The results suggest that biochar can increase SOC content by increasing its humification, aromaticity, and hydrophobicity. However, negative priming is not the main mechanism for SOC accumulation during the short-term period. Keywords: carbon accumulation, biochar rate, saline-alkali soil, priming effect, Oryza sativa L Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 108-114 Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Year: 2022 DOI: 10.17221/426/2021-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/426/2021-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202202-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:68:y:2022:i:2:id:426-2021-PSE