Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ondřej Szabó Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology and Crop Production, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Michaela Kovandová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology and Crop Production, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Zuzana Hrevušová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology and Crop Production, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Saniya Tyulendinova Author-Workplace-Name: S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Astana, Kazakhstan Author-Name: Josef Hakl Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology and Crop Production, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Improvement of lucerne germination and seedling performance through a combined seed priming method Abstract: Seed priming is an effective seed treatment procedure and has been shown to improve the emergence of seedlings in various crops. However, there is a lack of systematic research for these techniques in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), especially for combinations of priming agents. This study aimed to screen 22 biologically active compounds and then to evaluate the potential of combinations of these agents, assessing the dynamics of germination, seedling length, and performance, in a pot experiment for selected combinations. About half of the screened agents increased germination rate (on the 3rd day) or seedling length (from 8% to 75%), where chitosan and green tea improved total germination and seedling formation. The selected combination of priming agents improved only seedling growth compared to hydropriming and control, where the combination of fermented weed juice + green tea and H2O2 + thyme infusion seems effective (+61%). In the pot experiment, only a combination of mixed priming with the coating method led to improved lucerne root growth (+33% compared to the untreated control). These results can contribute to the adoption of easily available, cost-effective, and sustainable treatments with the potential to accelerate germination and lucerne seedling development. Keywords: legume, alfalfa, abiotic stress, bioactive stimulants, early growth enhancement Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 595-603 Volume: 71 Issue: 9 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/260/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/260/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202509-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:9:id:260-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Baozhen Li Author-Workplace-Name: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Changsha Research Station for Agricultural & Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, P.R. China Author-Name: Paul W. Hill Author-Workplace-Name: School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK Author-Name: Emily C. Cooledge Author-Workplace-Name: School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK Author-Name: Davey L. Jones Author-Workplace-Name: School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK Author-Name: Zhifan Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Changsha Research Station for Agricultural & Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Bengbu, P.R. China Author-Name: Yue Xie Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Bengbu, P.R. China Author-Name: Tida Ge Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for the Regulation of Soil Biological Functions and One Health of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo, P.R. China Author-Name: Jianlin Shen Author-Workplace-Name: Changsha Research Station for Agricultural & Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, P.R. China Title: Variation in the capacity for organic nitrogen acquisition along the root length of rice and wheat Abstract: Oligopeptides constitute an important yet understudied component of soil's dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) pool, representing a primary breakdown product of proteins. However, the mechanisms of oligopeptide uptake and utilisation by crop roots remain poorly understood in a plant nutrition context. We investigated the rate and spatial uptake pattern of 14C-labelled alanine and di- to pentapeptides of alanine in wheat and rice under sterile hydroponic conditions. Both species demonstrated the capacity to absorb N through amino acids and oligopeptides, with rice roots showing higher peptide uptake than wheat. Specifically, alanine absorption exceeded peptide uptake by 3-7-fold in rice and 6-9-fold in wheat. Using phosphor imaging, we demonstrated that alanine and oligopeptide uptake occurred throughout the root system, with the highest accumulation in the root tip and root hair regions. Further, spatial analysis revealed that peptide absorption rates in rice were 2-5 times higher in the 0-1 cm root section and 1.5-4 times higher in the 1-2 cm section compared to corresponding wheat root segments. We conclude that plants can directly take up amino acids and oligopeptides to acquire exogenous N, with marked differences occurring among species in both uptake efficiency and spatial uptake patterns. Keywords: amino acid uptake, crop nutrition, dissolved organic carbon, peptide transport Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 604-613 Volume: 71 Issue: 9 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/229/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/229/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202509-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:9:id:229-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Feiyan Yu Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Henan Jinxiwang Agricultural Science and Technology Company Limited, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Ying Wang Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Xue Luo Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Kaiwei Li Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Jingwen Hou Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Gaogao Dai Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Huimin Yuan Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Lianhe Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Henan Jinxiwang Agricultural Science and Technology Company Limited, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Title: Effects of PEG-simulated drought stress and selenite treatment on mineral nutrient homeostasis in wheat roots and shoots Abstract: Drought stress severely impairs seed germination and early seedling establishment, and disrupts the uptake and distribution of essential mineral nutrients in plants. This study investigated the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought and Na2SeO3 application on the accumulation and redistribution of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) in wheat roots and shoots. Under PEG-simulated drought, increasing PEG concentrations resulted in a progressive decline in nutrient concentrations in both roots and shoots, with significant reductions in K, Ca, S, Zn, and Mn in roots, and K, Ca, Mg, and Mn in shoots. However, Na2SeO3 application mitigated these adverse effects by enhancing nutrient redistribution during early seedling growth. Specifically, under 15% PEG-simulated drought stress, Na2SeO3 treatments significantly increased shoot K, Mg, Fe, and Cu concentrations, highlighting selenium's role in facilitating the translocation of these key elements. These results demonstrate that Na2SeO3 effectively mitigates drought-related nutrient imbalances and promotes ion remobilisation from germinating seeds to developing roots and shoots under water-deficient conditions. Keywords: osmotic stress, selenium supplementation, nutrient redistribution, abiotic stress mitigation, cereal crops Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 614-620 Volume: 71 Issue: 9 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/300/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/300/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202509-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:9:id:300-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alireza Golestanifard Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Soil Research, Tulln, Austria Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Agronomy, Tulln, Austria Author-Name: Markus Puschenreiter Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Soil Research, Tulln, Austria Author-Name: Robert Manglberger Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Soil Research, Tulln, Austria Author-Name: Marion Gotthard Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Agronomy, Tulln, Austria Author-Name: Herbert Eigner Author-Workplace-Name: AGRANA Research & Innovation Centre GmbH, Tulln, Austria Author-Name: Bernhard Spangl Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Statistics, Vienna, Austria Author-Name: Walter Wenzel Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Soil Research, Tulln, Austria Author-Name: Jakob Santner Author-Workplace-Name: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Agronomy, Tulln, Austria Author-Workplace-Name: Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Plant Nutrition, Giessen, Germany Title: Correlation of DGT-P and conventional soil P tests with rye shoot biomass and P uptake across temperate soils with differential soil properties Abstract: Several phosphorus (P) extraction tests are being used as soil P tests, but many studies have shown that the correlation of extractable P with plant yield and P uptake varies and sometimes is poor. Infinite sink extraction methods may be superior in estimating plant P availability. Soil P tests were evaluated for their power in determining plant-available P pools. Thirty arable soils covering different soil groups were tested for soil characteristics and extractable P pools. Rye was grown on these soils for six weeks and analysed for shoot yield and shoot P concentrations. Correlations between soil P concentrations, shoot yield and shoot P content were investigated. Extractable P pools mostly significantly correlated with soil pH, texture and amorphous iron oxide content. High and significant correlations were found among most of the extractable soil P pools, except for calcium acetate lactate (CAL)-extractable P. In contrast to previous studies, diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)-extractable P employed in our pot experiment did not perform better than other extraction methods in correlating with plant available P and uptake, likely because water availability was not a limiting factor of P diffusion. Plant-available P in the soils investigated in this study was controlled by P quantity (i.e. the amount of adsorbed P) and P intensity (i.e. the soil solution P). We conclude that the advantage of infinite sink extraction methods over equilibrium-based techniques becomes less apparent if P is not strongly intensity-controlled and water availability is not a limiting factor of P diffusion. Keywords: phosphorus, macronutrient, extractability, soil extraction, bioavailability, plant biomass, Mitscherlich function Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 621-637 Volume: 71 Issue: 9 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/308/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/308/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202509-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:9:id:308-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jaromir Janousek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic Author-Name: Zuzana Kovalikova Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic Author-Name: Alena Gaudinová Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Hormonal Regulations in Plants, Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jozef Lacek Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Hormonal Regulations in Plants, Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jiri Tuma Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic Title: Effect of abscisic acid and epibrassinolide on physiological and hormonal responses of tomato plants subjected to water stress Abstract: In this study, the effect of abscisic acid (ABA; 150 μmol) or epibrassinolide (EBL, 3 μmol) in mitigating the adverse drought conditions was evaluated in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Vilma). Potted plants were subjected to two 6-day periods separated by a one-time rehydration. Results showed that water deficit increased the content of superoxide radical (O2*-), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, ABA and its metabolites. On the other hand, the studied cytokinins showed a rather opposite trend. ABA application maintained and later reduced the O2*- content. At the same time, the MDA level was lower but later increased, while the proline content was reduced compared to untreated plants. This indicates that ABA helps the plants cope with the initial stress phase. In addition, ABA-activated signalling pathways showed increased levels of ABA, auxins, salicylic acid or jasmonic acid. EBL even more increased O2*- and proline content. At the same time, EBL increased the content of auxins, jasmonic acid and later ABA. In contrast, a decrease in salicylic acid and cytokinins was monitored. These findings indicate that ABA contributed to improved stress responses through early phytohormone-mediated signalling and reduction of stress markers, whereas EBL appeared less effective under our experimental conditions. Keywords: drought stress, oxidative stress, proline, tolerance, reactive oxygen species Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 638-649 Volume: 71 Issue: 9 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/151/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/151/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202509-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:9:id:151-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ahlem Zrig Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Engineering Processes and Industrial Systems, Chemical Engineering Department, National School of Engineers of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia Author-Name: Shereen M. Korany Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Hana Sonbol Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Emad A. Alsherif Author-Workplace-Name: Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt Author-Name: Foued Hammouda Author-Workplace-Name: Higher Institute of Management of Gabes and Higher Institute of Management of Tunis, GEF2A-Lab, Tunis, Tunisia Author-Name: Danyah A. Aldailami Author-Workplace-Name: Public Health Department, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Marwa Yousry A. Mohamed Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Mohamed S. Sheteiwy Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Author-Name: Maria Gabriela Maridueña-Zavala Author-Workplace-Name: Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador (CIBE), Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Guayaquil, Ecuador Author-Name: Salma Yousif Sidahmed Elsheikh Title: Physiological and biochemical bases of AMF-mediated antimony stress tolerance in Linum usitatissimum: enhancing growth, phytochemical production, and oxidative damage resilience Abstract: Antimony (Sb) pollution from industrial activities poses a severe global threat, particularly impacting valuable medicinal crops like linseed, which are highly sensitive to heavy metals. This study reveals the remarkable potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as a sustainable solution to this challenge. Our research demonstrates that while Sb stress significantly impairs linseed growth and photosynthesis, it also triggers oxidative damage. AMF improved photosynthetic performance and water status, and notably enhanced the biosynthesis of crucial phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, and citric acid. These compounds are vital for both plant defence and human health. Furthermore, AMF promoted the accumulation of essential detoxifying agents, leading to a better redox balance and significantly reducing Sb uptake and translocation by 47%. This dual action not only bolsters the plant's tolerance to Sb but also enhances its medicinal value by boosting health-promoting bioactive metabolites. These promising findings underscore AMF's dual role: a powerful tool for phytoremediation and a natural enhancer of phytochemical quality. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide a sustainable, nature-inspired approach to safely cultivate medicinal plants in environments contaminated with heavy metals, underscoring the vital role of plant-microbe interactions in alleviating environmental stresses. Keywords: medicinal plants, symbiosis, heavy metal, redox homeostasis, detoxification, physiological parameters Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 650-665 Volume: 71 Issue: 9 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/246/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/246/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202509-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:9:id:246-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Samy Selim Abdelsalam Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Soad K. Al Jaouni Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Haematology/Oncology, Chair of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University and Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Seham M. Hamed Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Emad A. Alsherif Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt Author-Name: Afrah E. Mohammed Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Workplace-Name: Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Natural and Health Sciences Research Centre, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Modhi O. Alotaibi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Danyah A. Aldailami Author-Workplace-Name: Public Health Department, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Wael A. Obaid Author-Workplace-Name: Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia Title: Species-specific responses of wheat and maize to thallium stress under elevated CO2: effects on yield, photosynthesis, and metabolism Abstract: Heavy metal stress inhibits plant growth, but this impact is less studied and pronounced under climate change conditions. The present study investigates the physiological, biochemical, and agronomic responses of wheat (C3) and maize (C4) exposed to varying thallium (Tl) stress (60 and 120 mg/kg) under ambient (aCO2) and elevated (eCO2, 710 µmol/mol) CO2 levels. High Tl exposure markedly reduced grain yield by 58% in wheat and 68% in maize at 120 mg/kg under aCO2. However, eCO2 partially offset the negative effects, increasing yield by ~20% in wheat and 36% in maize at 60 mg/kg Tl. eCO2 enhanced photosynthetic activity under eCO2, which increased the accumulation of soluble sugars under TI stress. These provide carbon skeletons for the synthesis of primary metabolites such as amino acids, organic acids and fatty acids. Although total fatty acid content declined under stress, the metabolic crosstalk initiated by improved photosynthesis and sugar availability enables plants to maintain key fatty acids (such as palmitic, linolenic, and oleic acids) essential for membrane stability and function. Amino acids, especially proline and cysteine, accumulated significantly under Tl stress. These primary metabolites, in turn, feed into secondary metabolic pathways, promoting the formation of phenolic acids and flavonoids that enhance antioxidant defence and stress tolerance. This metabolic cascade explains eCO2's capacity to alleviate TI stress and improve crop performance, and underscores the value of leveraging eCO2 environments to support agricultural productivity and food security under challenging conditions. Keywords: C3 and C4 plants, environmental toxicity, physiological responses, Triticum aestivum L., Zea mays L Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 666-679 Volume: 71 Issue: 9 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/328/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/328/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202509-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:9:id:328-2025-PSE