Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 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: Qing Zhu 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Selenite alleviates PEG-induced drought stress during rice seed germination through antioxidant regulation and osmotic adjustment Abstract: Drought stress severely impairs seed germination. Selenium (Se) is a potential mitigator of abiotic stress, but its physiological mechanisms in alleviating osmotic stress during seed germination remain poorly understood. This study investigated how Se alleviates the inhibition of rice seed germination induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought. The results indicated that co-application of Se and PEG effectively alleviated the PEG-induced suppression of germination. Se significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase by 31.0%, peroxidase by 39.0%, catalase by 42.9%, and ascorbate peroxidase by 41.8%, along with elevating the concentrations of glutathione by 19.0% and ascorbate by 38.3%. Consequently, Se attenuated the PEG-induced burst of reactive oxygen species, reducing H2O2 by 21.0% and O2- by 19.1%, and alleviated lipid peroxidation, as reflected by a 20.0% decrease in malondialdehyde concentration. Furthermore, Se partially restored osmotic homeostasis by increasing the accumulation of soluble sugars by 15.9%, soluble proteins by 11.4%, free amino acids by 18.4%, and free proline by 26.3%. It also counteracted PEG-imposed inhibition of hydrolytic enzymes, enhancing α-amylase and protease activities by 26.6% and 11.2%, respectively. Notably, Se accumulation in seeds was reduced under PEG stress, suggesting impaired the penetration of exogenous Se under PEG-simulated drought. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Se alleviates PEG-induced osmotic stress in germinating rice seeds by enhancing antioxidant capacity, maintaining osmotic balance, and sustaining reserve mobilisation. Keywords: PEG treatment, physiological characteristics, Oryza sativa L., water deficit Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 271-283 Volume: 72 Issue: 5 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/44/2026-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/44/2026-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/44/2026-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202605-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:5:id:44-2026-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kaiwei Li Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Lele Li Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Yuqing Liu Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Sanchun Lei Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Minghao Hao Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Qiong Wu Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Luoyang Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Environmental Ecology, Luoyang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Feiyan Yu Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, 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: Lianhe Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, 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: Selenium promotes soybean sprout growth via enhanced antioxidant capacity and nutrient mobilisation Abstract: Selenium (Se) biofortification of soybean sprouts presents a promising approach for enhancing dietary Se intake. However, the physiological mechanisms of Se promoting growth remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of selenite (Na2SeO3) at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 μmol/L on soybean sprout development over 72 h. The results indicated that 5.0 and 7.5 μmol/L Na2SeO3 significantly promoted hypocotyl elongation and biomass accumulation. Se predominantly accumulated in the radicle, followed by the hypocotyl and cotyledon. Moderate selenite levels enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase; increased the concentrations of reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, and free proline; and effectively suppressed the accumulation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, thereby reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and alleviating oxidative stress. Concurrently, amylase and protease activities in cotyledons were stimulated, accelerating the hydrolysis of storage reserves. The resulting increases in soluble sugars, proteins, and free amino acids in the hypocotyl supported its elongation and biomass increase. In contrast, 10 μmol/L Na2SeO3 suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated reactive oxygen species and MDA levels, and inhibited growth. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that moderate Se enhances soybean sprout growth primarily by increasing antioxidant capacity, reducing oxidative stress, and facilitating the mobilisation of storage reserves toward the elongating hypocotyl, thereby revealing key physiological mechanisms for cultivating high-quality, Se-enriched sprouts. Keywords: Se biofortification, antioxidant system, physiological characteristics, reserve mobilisation, growth promotion Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 284-297 Volume: 72 Issue: 5 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/72/2026-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/72/2026-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/72/2026-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202605-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:5:id:72-2026-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Dongmei Lang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Feiyan Zhu Author-Workplace-Name: School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Fengge Hao Author-Workplace-Name: School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China Author-Name: Peng Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China Title: Nitrogen availability regulates the soil organic carbon sequestration by promoting microbial necromass and plant lignin phenol accumulation in orchard soil amended with organic residues Abstract: Plant carbon (C) inputs and their subsequent microbial transformation affect the soil organic C (SOC) net sequestration. However, the characteristics of plant- and microbial-derived C and SOC sequestration under organic matter plus different nitrogen (N) levels in orchard soils remain unclear. Therefore, a pot experiment over 120 days was conducted to investigate the plant and microbial biomarkers in soils under 13C-labelled branches chip combined with N of 225 mg/kg (BRN1), 180 mg/kg (BRN2), 160 mg/kg (BRN3), 140 mg/kg (BRN4) and 0 mg/kg (BR). Branch residue and N addition increased the net SOC sequestration; the 13C recovered in SOC under branch residue plus N treatments was higher than the BR treatment. The highest newly formed C was found under BRN1, followed by BRN2 and BRN3; BRN4 had the lowest newly formed C. Branch residue and N increased lignin phenol content, which promoted syringyl-to-vanillyl and decreased acid-to-aldehyde ratios of vanillyl phenol, indicating branch-C retention in the soil. The microbial necromass C content under residue plus N treatments was higher than under the branch alone treatment, and the highest values were found under the BRN2 treatment. Additional N supply resulted in a greater contribution of microbial necromass C to SOC in soil under branch residue amendment, rather than plant C. Accordingly, BRN2 is considered optimal for net SOC sequestration by plant-derived and fungal necromass C. Keywords: amino sugar, pruned branch, plant-derived C, N fertiliser, net SOC content Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 298-306 Volume: 72 Issue: 5 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/555/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/555/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/555/2025-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202605-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:5:id:555-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Xinyu Li Author-Workplace-Name: School of Energy and Environment, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China Author-Name: Fahu Li Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology, Vocational and Technical College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural, Baotou, P.R. China Author-Name: Lu Wang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China Author-Name: Yiming Qian Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China Author-Name: Tianyu Huang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China Author-Name: Jianhong Han Author-Workplace-Name: School of Energy and Environment, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China Author-Name: Yongjun Fan Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China Title: Co-inoculation of a halotolerant Bacillus strain and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for improving plant growth in saline soils Abstract: Soil salinisation is a major factor limiting plant growth and land utilisation in arid and semiarid regions. This study focused on the native halophyte Suaeda salsa in western Inner Mongolia to explore halophyte-associated microbial resources with plant growth-promoting potential under saline conditions. A total of 30 salt-tolerant bacteria strains were isolated from its rhizosphere. Among them, Bacillus infantis strain 29 tolerated up to 10% NaCl (w/v) and exhibited multiple plant-growth-promoting traits, including highly active 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphorus solubilisation, potassium mobilisation and diazotrophic potential as indicated by growth on nitrogen-free medium. Under pot conditions, inoculation with strain 29, particularly in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), promoted plant growth under saline stress. In Suaeda salsa, the combined treatment significantly increased fresh weight and root length relative to the control, and positive growth responses were also observed in Zea mays and Medicago sativa. This study proposes an effective "halophyte-PGPR-AMF" synergistic strategy and provides a potential biological approach and microbial resource reference for improving plant growth and crop performance in salt-affected soils of western Inner Mongolia and other arid and semiarid regions with similar environmental conditions. Keywords: saline-alkaline tolerance, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, soil salinity, crop tolerance, combined inoculation Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 307-320 Volume: 72 Issue: 5 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/110/2026-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/110/2026-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/110/2026-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202605-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:5:id:110-2026-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Junyan Ren Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Ecological Restoration, School of Life Sciences, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China Author-Name: Waseem Hassan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan Author-Name: Qindi Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Ecological Restoration, School of Life Sciences, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, P.R. China Author-Name: Andong Cai Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China Title: A global meta-analysis of fertiliser management on soil available and total zinc Abstract: Soil available and total zinc are important indicators of soil zinc status, yet the global effects of different fertilisation practices on soil available and total zinc and the drivers of their variation remain insufficiently quantified. We conducted a global meta-analysis based on data extracted from published field studies. A total of 1 240 paired observations of soil available zinc from 94 studies and 364 paired observations of soil total zinc from 44 studies published between 1993 and 2024 were compiled. The effects of eight fertiliser types (mineral fertilisers without zinc [CF], compost, manure, zinc fertiliser, CF combined with either compost [CFC] or manure [CFM] or zinc fertiliser [CFZn], and compost combined with zinc fertiliser [CZn]) on the soil available and total zinc content were assessed by meta-analysis. The results indicated that compared to the control group, soil available zinc content increased significantly under treatments CZn, CFZn, zinc fertiliser, CFM, manure, CFC, and compost by 158, 134, 133, 84, 78, 43, and 35%, respectively. Additionally, manure, CFM, zinc fertiliser, CFZn, and CZn treatments significantly enhanced soil total zinc content, with increases ranging from 25% to 32%. Applying zinc fertiliser at > 20 kg Zn/ha significantly increased soil-available zinc. In the medium-rate CZn class (10-20 kg Zn/ha), soil available zinc increased from 0.78 mg/kg in the control soils to 3.46 mg/kg in the treated soils. Among crop systems, wheat showed a stronger response in soil-available zinc, whereas rice-growing systems showed relatively larger increases in soil-total zinc under manure and CFM treatments. Fertilisation intensity, crop types, soil organic carbon, and soil pH emerged as key drivers of variation in soil available zinc, whereas the main drivers of soil total zinc varied among fertiliser types and were more often associated with fertiliser rate and crop types. When soil organic carbon was ≤ 12 g/kg or soil pH was > 7.5, applying CZn at 10-20 kg Zn/ha showed greater potential to increase soil available zinc. These findings suggest that soil zinc management should be optimised based on fertilisation intensity, crop type, soil organic carbon, and soil pH to improve zinc availability while avoiding excessive accumulation. Keywords: zinc deficiency, organic fertilisers, dose-response, soil properties, zinc accumulation risk Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 321-337 Volume: 72 Issue: 5 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/23/2026-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/23/2026-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/23/2026-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202605-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:5:id:23-2026-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Diedrich Steffens Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany Author-Name: Ann-Kathrin Nimführ Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany Author-Name: Lukas Kehm Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany Title: Plant phosphorus availability of pyrolysed pig slurry related to ammonium and nitrate nutrition Abstract: Excessive slurry applications in regions with intensive livestock production are overloading soils with phosphates, which can lead to water pollution. Pyrolysis of pig slurry solids creates a fertiliser that is potentially efficient to store and transport, hence creating the opportunity to export it from affected regions. This study aims to quantify the plant availability of phosphorus (P) from the pyrolysed pig slurry in different soils and in combination with the nitrogen application in the form of nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+), respectively. A pot experiment with maize seedlings (Zea mays L., cv. Amadeo) was conducted under glasshouse conditions to assess changes in plant-available phosphate from pyrolysed and freeze-dried solids in three contrasting topsoils with pH values of 5.2, 6.7 and 7.4 (in 0.01 mol/L CaCl2). In two separate positive control treatments, P was applied in the form of rock phosphate and Ca(H2PO4)2, respectively, instead of processed pig slurry. To eliminate nitrification in the treatment fertilised with NH4+, the synthetic nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate (DMPP) was utilised. The plant P availability of the pyrolysed and freeze-dried product exceeded the plant P availability of rock phosphate on all tested soils, but pyrolysis lowered it compared to the freeze-dried treatment. Furthermore, the NH4+ nutrition improved plant P availability compared to the NO3- nutrition. This indicates that pyrolysis potentially leads to the formation of tri- or octa-calcium phosphates rather than crystalline apatite and that the acidification of the rhizosphere by NH4+ nutrition led to the solubilisation of P. Pyrolysis is a promising treatment for making a plant available P fertiliser, however freeze-drying led to an even better result. For the future, both procedures need to be compared economically to achieve optimal utilisation of the scarce resource P. Keywords: phosphorus recycling, nitrification inhibition, plant phosphorus availability Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 338-346 Volume: 72 Issue: 5 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/524/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/524/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/524/2025-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202605-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:5:id:524-2025-PSE