Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Peiuyn He Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Huangdanni Ran Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Kaifeng Huang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, P.R. China Title: Effects of exogenous 2,4-epibrassinolide and its inhibitors on the seed setting and yield of Tartary buckwheat Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exogenous 2,4-epibrassinolide (EBR) on the yield of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.). A 2-year field experiment was conducted on Tartary buckwheat (cv. Jinqiao 2) with different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/L) of EBR and brassinolide (BRZ, inhibitor of brassinolide synthesis). The seed setting rate, agronomic traits, and yield initially increased and then decreased with an increase in the EBR application rate. The seed setting rate, agronomic traits, and yield decreased gradually with an increase in BRZ concentration, and yield was the lowest at 2.0 mg/L. The appropriate application of exogenous EBR could promote the increase of Tartary buckwheat yield. Compared with 0 mg/L (control), the 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L treatments increased yield by 13.53, 32.73, and 7.08%, respectively, while the high-concentration treatment (2.0 mg/L) decreased by 4.13%. In conclusion, the appropriate concentration of EBR treatment (0.5 mg/L) delayed the senescence of Tartary buckwheat by increasing its root activity and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves. Simultaneously, it increased the chlorophyll content of Tartary buckwheat leaves, enhanced photosynthesis, increased nonstructural carbohydrate content, and augmented the "source," increasing the seed setting rate and yield of Tartary buckwheat. This concentration is recommended for use in the production of Tartary buckwheat. Keywords: rhizosphere soil nutrients, pollen viability, concentration-dependent, grain weight Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 161-170 Volume: 71 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/669/2024-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/669/2024-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202503-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:3:id:669-2024-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bangning Zhou Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Heming Li Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Zuopin Zhuo Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Lei Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Maojin Yang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Jinshi Lin Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Fangshi Jiang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Yanhe Huang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Yue Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China Title: Effects of different mulching measures on soil physicochemical properties and phosphorus fractions in orchards in the southeast hilly region of China Abstract: Soil phosphorus plays an important role in the soil ecological environment and sustainable development of the fruit industry in the soil hilly region of southern China, but the impact of different mulching measures on soil available phosphorus and phosphorus fractions in orchards remains unclear. In this study, soil basic physicochemical properties, available phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus fractions and their interrelationships under natural grass cover (NG), film mulch (FM) and clean tillage (CK) in orchards were explored. Compared to CK treatment, both FM and NG treatments have been shown to increase the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and available nitrogen (AN). Additionally, compared with the FM treatment, the NG treatment increased total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available potassium (AK), and soil acid phosphatase (S-ACP), resulting in greater improvements in soil fertility. The NG treatment increased the contents of aluminium-bound phosphate (Al-P) and iron-bound phosphate (Fe-P) in the 0-40 cm soil layer, whereas the FM treatment decreased the contents of Fe-P and Al-P and increased the content of occluded phosphate (O-P). Compared with the CK treatment, the NG treatment significantly increased the available phosphorus in the 0-40 cm soil layer, whereas the FM treatment significantly decreased it. Redundancy analysis revealed that pH and S-ACP were the main factors affecting soil phosphorus components. Al-P, Fe-P, and S-ACP were the three factors with the highest correlations with available phosphorus. However, according to multiple stepwise analyses, only Al-P was directly related to available phosphorus. Overall, in the southeast hilly orchards, the NG treatment improved soil nutrient and enzyme activity and is considered an effective strategy to increase the biological effectiveness of phosphorus while reducing leaching losses. Keywords: macronutrient, availability, soil quality, bray1-P, citrus, multiple stepwise regression analysis Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 171-184 Volume: 71 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/675/2024-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/675/2024-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202503-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:3:id:675-2024-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Haojing Li Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Hairun Li Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Danke Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Mengmeng Jiang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Jing Cao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Guowei Xu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Title: Irrigation methods and nitrogen-form interactions regulate starch-metabolising enzyme activity to improve rice yield and quality Abstract: Nitrogen management and irrigation methods play crucial roles in determining rice's grain yield and quality (Oryza sativa L.). However, limited knowledge exists on how interactions between nitrogen forms and irrigation regimes regulate starch-metabolising enzyme activity to influence rice yield and quality. A soil-growth experiment was conducted using a high-lodging-resistance rice cultivar under three irrigation methods, namely, submerged irrigation (0 kPa), alternate wetting and moderate drying (-20 kPa), and alternate wetting and severe drying (-40 kPa), as well as three nitrogen forms, namely, ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), mixed ammonium + nitrate (50:50), hereafter denoted as 50:50, and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N). Results indicated that compared with the other treatments, alternate wetting and moderate drying interacted with 50:50 treatment, resulting in the following: improved grain yield by 11.7-21.0%, milling, appearance, eating and cooking, and nutritional qualities including milled-rice and gel consistency; and decreased chalky rice, chalky size, chalky degree, amylose content, and protein content by 20.0-23.1, 29.6-33.3, 44.1-48.5, 6.2-9.6 and 10.1-13.9%, respectively. The activities of adenosine phosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), starch synthase (SS), starch-branching enzyme (SBE), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) enzyme in the grains also improved, with an increase of 20.0-35.0, 11.8-20.0, 13.6-26.3 and 21.2-39.6%, respectively. Conversely, severe drying and NO3--N treatment negatively impacted grain yield and quality due primarily to decreased SS activity in grains under each irrigation method. Correlation analysis showed that starch-metabolising enzyme (AGPase, SS and SBE) activity at 14 days after anthesis (DAA) and 28 DAA exhibited a positive correlation with grain yield, milling quality and gel consistency, whereas negatively correlated with appearance and nutritional qualities. In summary, the adoption of alternate wetting and moderate drying and 50:50 interaction treatment can synergistically boost grain yield by increasing the filled-grain rate and 1 000-grain weight and enhance grain quality of rice by upregulating the activities of starch-metabolising enzyme activity. Keywords: rice (Oryza sativa L.), production, water management, water stress, nutrition, quality formation, starch synthesis Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 185-201 Volume: 71 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/530/2024-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/530/2024-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202503-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:3:id:530-2024-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zafar Iqbal Khan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Author-Name: Menal Hamdani Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Author-Name: Kafeel Ahmad Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, Baba Guru Nanak University, Nankana, Pakistan Author-Name: Asma Ashfaq Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Author-Name: Shehnaz Fatima Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan Author-Name: Saqib Bashir Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, P.R. China Author-Name: Ijaz Rasool Noorka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Author-Name: Hafsa Memona Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Zoology, Queen Mary College, Lahore, Pakistan Author-Name: Saif Ullah Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Author-Name: Shahzad Akhtar Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Author-Name: Mahmoud F. Seleiman Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Nawab Ali Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA Title: Assessment of cadmium toxicity in buffaloes grazing on forages cultivated in diverse irrigated soils: a comprehensive analysis Abstract: This study investigated the potential risks of cadmium (Cd) toxicity in buffaloes grazing on forages that were cultivated in soils irrigated by various sources of wastewater. The absorption of trace metals (TM) by plants and their subsequent entry into the food chain pose a significant danger to grazing animals through the accumulation of contaminated fodder. The mean concentration of Cd in the water ranged from 0.18-1.78 mg/L, in the soil 0.63 to 1.87 mg/kg, in the forage 0.20 to 1.32 mg/kg, and in the blood 0.26 to 1.98 mg/L. Among all three sites, canal water (CW Site I), groundwater (GW Site II), and sewage water (SW Site III), the concentration factor (CF) values were below the threshold of 1 (CF < 1), indicating the nominal environmental concern regarding Cd contents in the soil-plant interface. In addition, a prominent variation was noticed in the transfer factor (TF) of Cd across different sites, with the highest TF observed in Avena sativa L. at SW Site III (0.8) and the lowest in Pennisetum glaucum L. at CW Site I (0.27). Furthermore, the hazard quotient (HQ) exhibited a substantial fluctuation, ranging from 0.39 to 2.6, reflecting varying levels of potential health risks associated with Cd exposure. The outcomes of the current investigation suggested that the prominent increase in Cd levels was recorded at sampling site SW Site III due to continuous wastewater irrigation. Prolonged exposure and increased Cd absorption in buffaloes grazing at these sites could have harmful long-term effects on their health. The correlation analysis between Cd concentrations in water, soil, forage, and blood showed a positive but non-significant relationship for water-soil, soil-forage, and forage-blood interactions. This highlights the need for further research to assess the long-term implications of wastewater irrigation on heavy metal accumulation in livestock. Keywords: livestock farming, pollution, nutrition, animal fodder, bioaccumulation Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 202-212 Volume: 71 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/42/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/42/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202503-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:3:id:42-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Anna Kusumawati Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plantation Management, Polytechnic of Lembaga Pendidikan Perkebunan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Author-Name: Amir Noviyanto Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Stiper Agricultural University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Title: Long-term effects of sugarcane monoculture on soil pedomorphology and physicochemical properties in tropical agroecosystems Abstract: This study investigates the impact of prolonged sugarcane cultivation on the pedo-morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties of three soil types: Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols, as a basis for determining the improvement step ensuring the sustainability of sugarcane production in Indonesia. Soil samples were collected from fields of sugarcane cultivated for 10, 20, and 30 years to analyse pedo-morphological and physicochemical properties. The results indicate that while Entisols and Inceptisols exhibited significant changes in soil properties with increasing cultivation duration, the pedo-morphology of Vertisols remained relatively stable. All soil types developed Ap horizons due to sugarcane cultivation, with anthropogenic practices leading to more dynamic changes in surface horizons. Extended cultivation reduced soil organic matter, N-total, and available nitrogen, while phosphorus and exchangeable cation availability were influenced by mineral composition. Notably, cation exchange capacity (CEC) decreased in Entisols and Inceptisols but increased in Vertisols. For productivity, Vertisols demonstrated the most stable and highest sugarcane productivity with long-term monoculture cultivation. There is a need for tailored sustainable soil management across different soil types and practices to mitigate soil degradation and maintain nutrient availability to ensure the sustainability of sugarcane production in Indonesia. Keywords: Saccharum officinarum L., sugarcane sustainable Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 213-231 Volume: 71 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/648/2024-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/648/2024-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202503-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:3:id:648-2024-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jipeng Wang Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Junchuan Huang Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Xinyu Hou Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Quangang Yang Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Hong Pan Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Hui Wang Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Fei Han Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Yanhong Lou Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Yuping Zhuge Author-Workplace-Name: National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Road, Tai'an City, Shandong, P.R. China Title: Inorganic improver and straw returning promote corn growth and improve the quality of saline soils Abstract: Soil salinisation is a major constraint on food security and agricultural development, and remains a critical concern in the agricultural sector. In this study, we examined the effects of three straw return methods - straw mulching, straw burial, and a combination of straw mulching and burial - along with inorganic amendments (CaSiO3 and MgSO4) on maize growth, soil organic matter, bulk density, salinity, and the contents of individual salt base ions. A 120-day planting experiment was conducted using soil columns and included maize cultivation under irrigation and drenching conditions. The combined treatments (straw return with Ca-Mg application) were more effective in reducing salinity and improving soil properties than straw return alone. Na+, K+, Cl-, and HCO3 contents, as well as soil bulk density, decreased by 45.99-48.43, 28.07-28.36, 20.91-24.17, 18.93-21.03, and 7.64-8.40%, respectively. Regarding crop growth promotion, compared with the single treatment, the combined application of straw return with Ca-Mg (PI, SPI) resulted in a 6.46-8.30% increase in superoxide dismutase activity, an 8.66-10.83% reduction in malondialdehyde content, a 12.71-22.70% increase in total root length, a 13.41-24.14% increase in root surface area, and a 12.46-19.02% increase in root volume. Taken together, integrating straw return with a calcium-magnesium mixture represents a promising strategy for improving the quality of coastal saline soils. Keywords: abiotic stress, soil quality, desalination, soil salt reduction, soil modification Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 232-247 Volume: 71 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/35/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/35/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202503-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:3:id:35-2025-PSE