Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Feifei Zhai Author-Workplace-Name: School of Architectural and Artistic Design, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, P.R. China Author-Name: Menglong Yin Author-Workplace-Name: School of Architectural and Artistic Design, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, P.R. China Author-Name: Jinmei Mao Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Economic Forest, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi, P.R. China Author-Name: Junxiang Liu Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding; Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry; Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation State Forestry Administration, Beijing, P.R. China Author-Name: Haidong Li Author-Workplace-Name: School of Architectural and Artistic Design, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, P.R. China Author-Name: Yunxing Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Architectural and Artistic Design, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, P.R. China Author-Name: Shaowei Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture and Medicine, Henan Open University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Zhenyuan Sun Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding; Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry; Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation State Forestry Administration, Beijing, P.R. China Title: Effects of silicon on the transport, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms of lead in Salix viminalis L. Abstract: Lead (Pb) is a harmful heavy metal that threatens ecosystems and plant growth. Silicon (Si) plays a crucial role in plant responses to heavy metal stress. In this study, the effects of Si on Pb2+ content and transport, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms in Salix viminalis L. under Pb stress were analysed, aiming to elucidate the detoxification mechanism of Si in S. viminalis under such conditions. Results showed that Si reduced Pb2+ in aboveground parts and increased it in roots, lowering its movement to leaves and stems. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of Pb2+ revealed that Si application promoted the transfer of Pb2+ to vacuole-dominated soluble components (F4) and cell wall components (F1), which increased the binding capacity of the cell wall and the vacuolar storage compartmentalisation for Pb2+. Changes in the chemical forms of Pb2+ indicated that Si significantly decreased the proportion of more mobile, ethanol-extractable Pb2+ (FE) and deionised water-extractable Pb2+ (FW) while increasing the proportion of less mobile Pb2+ forms, such as NaCl-extractable (FNaCl), HCl-extractable (FHCl), and acetic acid-extractable (FHAc) Pb2+, thereby reducing its mobility. This study provides empirical support for the application of Si in the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. Keywords: heavy metal, toxic element, toxicity, accumulation, detoxification Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 249-258 Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/8/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202504-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:4:id:8-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hafiz Faiq Bakhat Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, Comsats University Islamabad Vehari-Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Kunwar Rasul Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, Comsats University Islamabad Vehari-Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Abu Bakr Umer Farooq Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biotechnology, Comsats University Islamabad Vehari-Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Hafiz Mohkum Hammad Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan Author-Name: Saira Afzal Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, Comsats University Islamabad Vehari-Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Sunaina Abbas Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, Comsats University Islamabad Vehari-Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Ghulam Mustafa Shah Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, Comsats University Islamabad Vehari-Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Faiz Rabbani Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, Comsats University Islamabad Vehari-Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Shah Fahad Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Author-Name: Gabrijel Ondrasek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Amelioration, Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid Author-Workplace-Name: Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Title: Soil lithium affects carrot growth by changing cation concentrations and physiological attributes Abstract: Lithium (Li) plays a significant role in human physiology and psychology; however, it is non-essential for plants. The extensive use of Li in industrial processes and battery-powered devices poses a potential global threat to living organisms. This study assessed the impact of varying soil Li concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg) on carrot (Daucus carota L.) plants. Results revealed that Li concentrations exceeding 40 mg/kg soil had detrimental effects on carrot growth. Compared to 0 mg/kg soil, Li concentrations of 60 and 80 mg/kg reduced shoot fresh biomass by 51% and 82%, respectively, and root fresh biomass by 68% and 89%, respectively. Elevated Li levels in the soil also increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content in shoots and triggered enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Additionally, soil Li disrupted the uptake and translocation of essential nutrients such as potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) from roots to shoots. This study concludes that while low Li levels may elicit a positive response in plants, higher concentrations significantly impair growth and could contribute to the accumulation of Li in the food chain. Keywords: psychopharmacology, alkali metal toxicity, physiological response, cations accumulation Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 259-268 Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/19/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/19/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202504-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:4:id:19-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yi Luo Author-Workplace-Name: Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China Author-Name: Xiaoqing Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Oilseed Crop Germplasm Innovation and Utilisation, Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Yibo Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China Author-Name: Changjuan Shan Author-Workplace-Name: Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Xinxiang Pasture Engineering Technology Research Center, Xinxiang, P.R. China Title: The impact of organic selenium on the growth and physiological traits of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. seedlings Abstract: This study examined the impact of selenomethionine (SeMet) on the growth and physiological traits of Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings. Application of SeMet significantly improved the photosynthetic performance by reducing stomatal limitation value (Ls) and increasing soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (gs) and water use efficiency (WUE), compared to the control. Furthermore, SeMet also improved the photosynthetic performance by reducing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and increasing the actual photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Y(II)), photochemical quenching (qP), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and apparent electron transport rate (ETR). Meanwhile, the findings indicated that SeMet was able to enhance the antioxidant capacity of S. miltiorrhiza seedlings by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby reducing the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Besides, SeMet notably impacted plant growth by promoting plant height, basal diameter and biomass. Among different concentrations, 60 mg/L exhibited the most favourable impact on photosynthetic performance, antioxidant capacity and the growth of S. miltiorrhiza seedlings. In summary, the appropriate dosage of SeMet can stimulate the growth of S. miltiorrhiza by enhancing photosynthetic and antioxidant capacities. These findings can serve as a solid theoretical foundation for the application of SeMet in the cultivation and production of S. miltiorrhiza. Keywords: Chinese red sage, medicinal herb, chlorophyll fluorescence properties, antioxidant activity Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 269-277 Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/348/2024-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/348/2024-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202504-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:4:id:348-2024-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Abeer Hamdy Elhakem Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia Title: Exogenous proline enhances salt tolerance in wheat: regulating osmolytes, hormonal balance, antioxidant defence, and yield performance Abstract: This study investigates the impacts of exogenously applied proline (Pro, 10 mmol/L) on the growth and productivity of wheat plants in saline environments. The findings indicated that increased NaCl concentrations, 60 and 120 mmol/L, further depressed the shoot and root growth parameters and flag leaf area. However, the Pro treatment ameliorated salt stress and improved all growth parameters, reducing the magnitude of such growth inhibitions compared to nontreated plants. It also enhanced the organic osmolyte accumulation, including Pro, total soluble sugars, and total soluble protein, implicated in osmotic balance and cell protection under stress. Furthermore, supplementing Pro improved ionic balance through a reduction in Na accumulation and an enhancement in the uptake of K, Ca, and Mg, thus mitigating the negative effects of salinity on nutrient availability. Pro treatment affected phytohormone levels, especially increasing auxin and gibberellins while decreasing abscisic acid under salt stress. Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, as well as nonenzymatic antioxidants like ascorbic acid and glutathione, were also enhanced by Pro, thereby protecting the plants against oxidative damage. Moreover, it was noticed that Pro treatment substantially improved all yield attributes of wheat plants, such as plant height, spike length, no. of spikelets/main spike, grain no./main spike, grain fresh and dry weights, and grain yield/plant through attenuation of the negative impact of NaCl. In this regard, Pro application appears to be a very promising approach toward mitigating the adversities of salinity in agriculture, especially in crop productivity in saline environments. Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., osmotic adjustment, ionic homeostasis, antioxidant enzymes system, phytohormonal regulation, yield optimisation Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 278-292 Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/97/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/97/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202504-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:4:id:97-2025-PSE