Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ellen R.H Nyirenda Author-Workplace-Name: NITTE (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Department of Biotechnology, Nitte, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Chandrika S. Tantry Author-Workplace-Name: NITTE (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Department of Biotechnology, Nitte, Karnataka, India Author-Name: S. Divya Author-Workplace-Name: NITTE (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Department of Biotechnology, Nitte, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Elson Hunga Author-Workplace-Name: NITTE (Deemed to be University), Justice K. S. Hegde Institute of Management (JKSHIM), Department of Management, Nitte, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Manjunatha Bukkambudhi Krishnaswamy Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biotechnology, The Oxford College of Engineering, Bangalore, India Author-Name: Vidya Shimoga Muddappa Author-Workplace-Name: NITTE (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Department of Biotechnology, Nitte, Karnataka, India Title: Bacterial cellulose in sustainable agriculture: bibliometric map and critical review of agronomic applications and waste-valorised production Abstract: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a lignin-free nanofibrillar hydrogel with high water-binding capacity, mechanical strength, and biodegradability. Despite these properties, a Scopus bibliometric survey of 738 publications (2015-2025) showed that agricultural applications accounted for only 17% of BC research, while biomedical and materials-science applications dominated. This review contributes a bibliometric quantification of that imbalance; a four-function synthesis of BC as a cultivation substrate, soil amendment, seed or biological carrier, and agrochemical platform; and a production route-property-application matrix linking waste feedstocks to agronomic functions. Direct crop evidence remains limited. In a controlled tomato-seedling study, 0.01% BC increased substrate water-holding capacity by up to 14% and improved survival, root development, and nutrient availability under restricted irrigation. Supporting evidence from plant-derived cellulose and other biopolymer hydrogels demonstrates improved germination and soil moisture regulation, but should not be interpreted as direct validation of BC. Feedstock selection affects production cost, material properties, and application fit simultaneously. Multi-season field trials, matched comparisons with commercial substrates and hydrogels, standardised characterisation, and life-cycle and techno-economic assessments remain priorities. Keywords: bibliometric analysis, biotechnology, material science, soilless system, circular bioeconomy, nanofibers Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 455-467 Volume: 72 Issue: 8 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/476/2025-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/476/2025-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/476/2025-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202608-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:8:id:476-2025-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jiří Krucký Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Václav Hejnák Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Marek Popov Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jan Kubeš Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jana Česká Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Ľubomír Harenčár Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Milan Skalický Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Pavla Vachová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: František Hnilička Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Photosynthetic and related traits in variety-specific drought acclimation of soybean Abstract: This study evaluated the acclimation of eight soybean varieties to water deficit through changes in photosynthetic performance and physiological, biochemical, and epigenetic traits. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in two treatments: control (80% water-holding capacity; WHC) and drought (40% WHC). Water status was assessed using relative water content and osmotic potential, while photosynthetic performance was evaluated using gas exchange, water use efficiency, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II, chlorophylls, and carotenoids. Total flavonoid content, reducing power, proline accumulation, and 5-methylcytosine content were determined. Water deficit induced marked variety-specific changes across traits. The varieties Hana and Atacama maintained higher relative water content (RWC), less negative leaf osmotic potential (Ψs), and more favourable photosynthetic performance under drought, while the variety Atlas showed a favourable profile in several other traits. In contrast, the varieties Dornburg, York, and Impala showed a less favourable response, whereas the varieties Labrador and Zaria occupied intermediate positions depending on the trait evaluated. Multivariate and correlation analyses showed that photosynthetic performance was closely associated with plant water status, while stronger biochemical and epigenetic responses were more evident in less favourable or intermediate profiles. These results indicate that soybean acclimation to water deficit is coordinated and variety-specific and cannot be assessed using a single parameter. Keywords: water relations, chlorophyll fluorescence, phenotypic plasticity, water stress, Glycine max L Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 468-482 Volume: 72 Issue: 8 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/274/2026-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/274/2026-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/274/2026-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202608-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:8:id:274-2026-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ran Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Author-Name: Lubing Jia Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Author-Name: Jianming Ding Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Author-Name: Keyuan Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Author-Name: Xiaotian Jiang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Author-Name: Rongping Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Author-Name: Yan Lan Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Author-Name: Peng Ma Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, P.R. China Title: Synergistic effects of magnesium fertilisation and machine-transplanting density improve rice yield and grain quality Abstract: To clarify the regulatory mechanisms and optimal combinations of magnesium fertiliser application rates and machine-transplanting density on rice yield, quality, and magnesium uptake and utilisation in the hilly regions of Sichuan. This study utilised a two-factor split-plot design in field trials conducted from 2024 to 2025. The main plot was magnesium application rate, with four treatments: 0 kg/ha (Mg0), 30 kg/ha (Mg1), 45 kg/ha (Mg2), and 60 kg/ha (Mg3). With the secondary factor being machine-transplanting density, comprising three treatments: 14 cm × 30 cm (D1), 18 cm × 30 cm (D2), and 22 cm × 30 cm (D3). The study investigated the effects of interactions between magnesium fertiliser application rates and planting density on rice yield components, leaf physiological characteristics, dry matter transport, and magnesium fertiliser use efficiency. The results showed that, compared with the Mg0 treatment, the Mg3 treatment significantly increased rice yield, with the best results observed in combination with the D1 treatment, yielding a 14.52% increase over the Mg0 treatment. Dry matter transport in rice increased significantly with the application of magnesium fertiliser. Compared to the Mg0 treatment, the Mg3 treatment increased stem and leaf dry matter transport by 19.64%, and post-heading dry matter transport by 30.76%; the D1 treatment further optimised dry matter transport. Compared to the D3 treatment, the amount of stem and leaf dry matter transport, the transport rate, and the contribution rate to grain increased by 26.44, 34.28, and 40.32%, respectively. Magnesium uptake and utilisation efficiency were highest under the Mg3 treatment. Compared to the Mg0 treatment, magnesium uptake and utilisation efficiency increased by 31.25%, and the physiological utilisation rate of magnesium fertiliser increased by 24.71%; under the D1 treatment, the agronomic utilisation rate and uptake and utilisation efficiency of magnesium fertiliser increased by 38.22% and 20.20%, respectively, compared to the D3 treatment. Furthermore, the Mg3D1 treatment significantly increased the rice leaf area index and chlorophyll content, while simultaneously improving rice processing and appearance quality and reducing chalkiness and amylose content. This series of measures achieved synergistic optimisation of magnesium fertiliser application rates and machine-transplanting density. Keywords: nutrient utilisation, population structure, photosynthetic characteristics, purple soil, source‑, sink balance Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 483-502 Volume: 72 Issue: 8 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/239/2026-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/239/2026-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/239/2026-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202608-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:8:id:239-2026-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Peter Šurda Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Lucia Toková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Lenka Botyanszká Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Natália Botková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Title: Radish growth and soil aggregate stability affected by microplastic contamination Abstract: The major objective of this study is to investigate changes in radish growth parameters (fresh and dry biomass and photosynthetic efficiency) and the stability of water-stable soil aggregates under contamination by different microplastic materials (high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS)) in contrasting soil types (Chernozem, Luvisol and Umbrisol). The study was conducted as a pot experiment under laboratory conditions, including three soil types and three microplastic types, with five replicates per variant. The results indicate that the effects of microplastics on plant biomass were significantly dependent on the interaction between soil type and microplastic type. In Chernozem, PS contamination significantly increased both dry and fresh biomass production (by approximately 46% and 50%, respectively) compared with the control. This response was directly associated with increased photosynthetic efficiency and greater stability of water-stable microaggregates in this variant. These findings confirm the stimulatory effect of PS on plant growth in Chernozem. The presence of PS in Chernozem appears to promote the formation of stable microaggregates and decrease macroaggregates, thereby altering the pore system (distribution of micro- and macropores) and supporting plant growth and nutrient absorption. An improvement in the stability of water-stable microaggregates was also observed in Luvisol and Umbrisol under PS contamination (statistically significant in Umbrisol); however, these changes were not reflected in the analysed plant growth parameters. In contrast, HDPE and PVC microplastic pollution had no statistically significant effect on biomass production or photosynthetic efficiency in Chernozem, Luvisol, or Umbrisol. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the effects of microplastic contamination on soil properties and plant growth are strongly influenced by both the type of microplastic polymer and soil characteristics. Keywords: environmental contamination, pollutant, micro-particle effects, crop performance Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 503-513 Volume: 72 Issue: 8 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/260/2026-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/260/2026-PSE.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/260/2026-PSE.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-202608-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:8:id:260-2026-PSE