Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chau Thi Nhien Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam Author-Name: Cao Dinh An Giang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam Author-Name: Brooke Kaveney Author-Workplace-Name: Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia Author-Name: Jason Condon Author-Workplace-Name: Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia Author-Name: Tran Duy Khanh Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam Author-Name: Dang Duy Minh Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam Author-Name: Nguyen Viet Long Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam Author-Name: Nguyen Van Loc Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam Author-Name: Chau Minh Khoi Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam Title: Growth and yield responses of maize, beetroot, and quinoa to salinity and straw mulching Abstract: Vietnam's Mekong River Delta (MRD), where rice is the dominant crop, is increasingly impacted by salinity intrusion, highlighting the need for alternative cropping options. This study evaluated the growth and yield performance of quinoa, beetroot, and maize under three irrigation salinity levels (0, 2 and 4 g/L), with and without rice straw mulch (7 t/ha), in greenhouse conditions representative of the MRD dry season. Agronomic traits, physiological parameters, and changes in soil, including electrical conductivity (ECe), soluble sodium (Sol-Na+), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), were assessed. Results showed that quinoa demonstrated the greatest salinity tolerance, maintaining stable growth and yield under 4 g/L saline irrigation and soil ECe exceeding 15 dS/m. Beetroot's yield was not significantly different under 2 g/L saline irrigation with straw mulching. Maize was highly sensitive to salinity and environmental stress, failing to complete its growth cycle under high heat and humidity, even in non-saline conditions. Across treatments, rice straw mulching significantly reduced soil ECe, Sol-Na+, and ESP, and improved crop performance under saline irrigation. Overall, quinoa and beetroot, especially when combined with mulching, offer promising alternatives for dry-season cropping in saline-prone areas of the MRD. In contrast, maize cultivation requires improved soil and environmental management under such conditions. Keywords: alternative cropping system, crop resilience, mulch application, saline-affected soil Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 681-694 Volume: 71 Issue: 10 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/317/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/317/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202510-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:10:id:317-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Olya Surleva Author-Workplace-Name: Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical Technologies, University of Chemical Тechnology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Author-Workplace-Name: ''Sembodja'' LtD, Sofia, Bulgaria Author-Name: Katrin Chavdarova Author-Workplace-Name: Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical Technologies, University of Chemical Тechnology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Author-Name: Vilyana Kazanlaklieva Author-Workplace-Name: Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical Technologies, University of Chemical Тechnology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Author-Name: Lyudmila Angelova Author-Workplace-Name: Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical Technologies, University of Chemical Тechnology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Author-Name: Andriana Surleva Author-Workplace-Name: Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical Technologies, University of Chemical Тechnology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Title: Contribution to the turbidimetric method for sulphur determination in arable soils Abstract: Sulphur (S) plays an important role in agriculture, being the fourth major contributor to improved quality of crops and increased yields. The applied methods for the estimation of different forms of S in soil aimed at assessing the sulphur availability to plants in various conditions. Nowadays, the wider spreading of regions with sulphur deficiency imposes optimisation of the soil testing procedures in order to increase their availability for laboratories. This study contributes to improving the analytical performance of the turbidimetric method in determining water-soluble sulphate in soil after leaching with the CaCl2 reagent. The modified testing protocol showed: method limit of quantification of 5.0 mg/kg; precision as relative standard deviation less than 3%; recovery of fortified soil samples 103 ± 18%. The expanded uncertainty was 2.3 mg/kg SO42--S (K = 2, norm.). The proposed testing protocol was inexpensive, fast, used simple equipment and procedures, easily adoptable in regular laboratories, and showed characteristics suitable for the estimation of water-soluble sulfate in arable soils. A set of 546 soil samples was tested, and 74% were found to be sulphur deficient with SO42--S < 10 mg/kg and sulfur availability index < 6.0. Thus, the availability of laboratory analysis to a broader group of farmers could contribute to effective fertilisation programs, as the newly proposed fertiliser blending technologies are based on adequate estimation of sulfur availability in arable soils. Keywords: available sulfur, turbidimetry, soil testing, sulphate determination, standard addition Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 695-707 Volume: 71 Issue: 10 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/250/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/250/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202510-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:10:id:250-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Qianru Wu Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Intelligent Construction and Operation, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Name: Ruofan Bu Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Intelligent Construction and Operation, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Name: Taotao Wang Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Intelligent Construction and Operation, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Name: Bei Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China Author-Name: Kylan Jin Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Life Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA Author-Name: Liang Chen Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Intelligent Construction and Operation, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, P.R. China Title: Lignite-derived organic fertiliser enhanced the carbon sequestration capacity of woody plant by improving soil quality and promoting plant growth Abstract: As essential natural carbon sinks, woody plants play a key role in urban ecological restoration. The lignite-derived organic fertiliser (LOF) may promote plant growth and carbon sequestration by improving soil properties. This study investigated LOF effects on three typical woody plants - Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott. with taproots, Malus × micromalus Makino with fibrous roots, and Malus domestica Borkh. with both taproots and fibrous roots - focused on soil properties improvement during a three-year planting experiment (2021-2023). The results indicated that LOF application significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, with and without woody plants, by 82.3% and 54.9%, respectively. Concurrently, LOF influenced soil microbial characteristics, especially enhancing the 16S rRNA gene copy number by 0.99 times. For plant growth, LOF application increased root length, volume, and tip number in Malus domestica Borkh. by 37.4, 27.4, and 26.0%, respectively, and in Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott by 43.8, 76.7, and 26.6%, respectively. However, in Malus × micromalus Makino, while root volume increased by 3.8%, root length and tip number decreased by 10.0% and 26.9%, respectively. Additionally, the LOF application increased the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) values of woody plant leaves by 5.3%, indicating improved chlorophyll content and plant health. These findings demonstrate that LOF applications may significantly enhance soil quality and promote plant growth, contributing to improved terrestrial carbon sequestration. Keywords: terrestrial ecosystem, lignite-based organic fertiliser, soil amendment, soil organic matter, plant roots Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 708-721 Volume: 71 Issue: 10 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/265/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/265/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202510-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:10:id:265-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lamy Hamed Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environment and Agricultural Natural Resources, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Eman I. R. Emara Author-Workplace-Name: Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Title: Synergistic impact of nano-fertilisers and seed priming on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yield and quality traits Abstract: Enhancing sustainability in agriculture requires innovative practices that boost crop productivity while conserving natural resources. This two-season field study (2023-2025) in sandy soils of El Sadat City, Egypt, evaluated the combined effects of nano-fertilisers and seed priming on the growth and yield of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Five fertilisation regimes, ranging from 100% conventional to 100% nano-formulations, were tested under both primed and unprimed seed treatments. The results demonstrated that the integration of nano-fertilisers with seed priming significantly improved sugar yield (up to 36.1 t/ha), sucrose content (20.35%), and nitrogen use efficiency (55.1 kg sugar/kg N). Post-harvest soil analysis showed improved nutrient retention, indicating enhanced environmental performance. This approach supports climate-smart agriculture by optimising nutrient input, reducing losses, and improving soil sustainability. Our findings highlight the potential of nano-agronomic inputs to contribute to global food security under conditions of climate change. Keywords: climate-smart farming, nutrient dynamics, controlled release, sustainable cropping, soil health Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 722-734 Volume: 71 Issue: 10 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/357/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/357/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202510-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:10:id:357-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Renato Lustosa Sobrinho Author-Workplace-Name: Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco Campus, Pato Branco, Paraná, Brazil Author-Name: Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Health, Rural Engineering and Soils, School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP-FEIS), Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brazil Author-Name: Christiane Abreu de Oliveira-Paiva Author-Workplace-Name: Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil Author-Name: Carlos Eduardo da Silva Oliveira Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University (UEMS), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil Author-Name: Tiago Zoz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Mato Grosso do Sul State University (UEMS), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil Author-Name: Bruno Rodrigues de Oliveira Author-Workplace-Name: Pantanal Editora, Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, Brazil Author-Name: Guilherme Carlos Fernandes Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Karina da Silva Souza Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 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 Center, 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: Seham. M. Hamed Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Taciane Finatto Title: Mitigating drought effects in maize with Trichoderma harzianum (strain - ESALQ 1306): a bioinoculant for sustainable agriculture Abstract: Agriculture faces increasing challenges due to climate change, underscoring the importance of beneficial microorganisms for enhancing crop resilience and improving soil health. However, the performance of microbial inoculant strains can vary widely depending on the cultivated species and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the ESALQ 1306 strain of Trichoderma harzianum, a soil fungus recognised as a biological control agent for crops such as soybean and strawberry, investigating its potential as a growth promoter in maize (Zea mays L.). Field experiments were conducted with three commercial cultivars (DKB255, DKB360, and 2B810) over two growing seasons, one under irrigation and the other under severe natural drought. The results revealed that Trichoderma (ESALQ 1306) significantly increased plant height, biomass, and grain yield, particularly under drought stress, despite lacking a formal recommendation for maize. The cv. DKB360 showed the greatest response, with yield increases of up to 60% compared to untreated controls. Inoculation also improved nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen, highlighting its potential to maintain soil health and fertility. These findings demonstrate that the ESALQ 1306 strain of Trichoderma is a promising soil bioinoculant for agriculture, capable of improving maize performance under both optimal and stressful conditions. However, it is important to emphasise that genotype-specific responses highlight the need to align bioinoculant application with selecting specific cultivars to ensure inoculation success. This insight is crucial for guiding future breeding programs and establishing clear regulatory guidelines for commercialising biological products, fostering sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. Keywords: endophytic microorganism, drought tolerance, maize yield, biological inoculants, innovation, plant-microbe interaction Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 735-749 Volume: 71 Issue: 10 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/330/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/330/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202510-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:10:id:330-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ladislav Ducsay Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Alexandra Zapletalová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Mária Vicianová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Ladislav Varga Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Marek Slepčan Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Marek Rašovský Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Production, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Vladimír Pačuta Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Production, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Dávid Ernst Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Production, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Peter Hozlár Author-Workplace-Name: National Agricultural and Food Centre, Research and Breeding Station, Vígľaš Pstruša, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Daša Kubatková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Jakub Sitkey Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Nutrition and Genetics, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic Title: Influence of nitrogen, sulphur, and selenium foliar application on yield and accumulation of selenium in spring wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.) Abstract: The study is focused on the evaluation of selenium, nitrogen and sulphur effects on yield, macro- and micronutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) and quality (Se content, starch, fibre, ash and fat) in wheat grain. Small-plot field experiments (10 m2 each plot) were established on loam to clay loam mollic soil with total Se content 0.21-0.22 mg/kg in Želiezovce on the land of the Central Control and Testing Institute in Agriculture of the Slovak Republic. The effect of growing season on two sources of selenium, in the form of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3 . 5H2O) and sodium selenate (Na2SeO4), was monitored during the growth phase BBCH 29 (the end of the tillering phase) in a two-year experiment. The experiment included six foliar treatments in four repetitions, which were differentiated as follows: T1 - 30 kg N/ha; T1 Se032- - 30 kg N/ha and 20 g Se/ha; T1 Se042- - 30 kg N/ha and 20 g Se/ha; T2 - 30 kg N/ha and 10 kg S/ha; T2 Se032- - 30 kg N/ha, 10 kg S/ha and 20 g Se/ha; T2 Se042- - 30 kg N/ha, 10 kg S/ha and 20 g Se/ha. A statistically significant difference in yield was found between the growing seasons. Statistically non-significant impact of treatments on achieved yields was found. The highest average Se content in grain, 0.90 ± 0.28 mg/kg, was achieved on treatment T2 Se042-. The application of sodium selenite appeared to be less effective than selenate form in the evaluation of average Se content in grain, where statistically significantly higher Se contents (T1 Se042- 0.78 ± 0.22 mg/kg; T2 Se042- 0.90 ± 0.28 mg/kg) were found after selenate application. The application of two types of fertilisers and two forms of selenium did not significantly increase the content of N, P, Mg, and S in grain. The Fe content in the grain was increased by treatment T2 Se032-. The application of sodium selenate compared to sodium selenite significantly increased the starch content (T1 Se042- 56.39 ± 4.44%; T2 Se042- 55.87 ± 4.05) in the grain of spring wheat. Keywords: nutritional value, deficiency, biofortification, plant uptake, fertilisation Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 750-758 Volume: 71 Issue: 10 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/67/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/67/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202510-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:10:id:67-2025-PSE