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Many companies depend on debt sources; they use them to finance their needs. Bank loans are the main debt sources to which companies have access. However, financing only with this source is associated with many risks. The paper’s main goal is to assess and quantify the indebtedness of wineries in Slovakia for 2013–2021 through individual debt ratios. The influence of financial leverage on return on equity (ROE) was tested. The data were drawn from the Register of Financial Statements. From the point of view of the total debt ratio, wineries show values higher than 65%. The presence of short-term debts, especially short-term liabilities, prevailed. The average share of equity reached a very low value of 11%. The average share of bank loans on financing operating activities was very low at the level of 8.53%. The return on assets (ROA) was lower than the cost of debt in most wineries, which means that increasing indebtedness had a negative effect on ROE.

Forest logging activities negatively affect various soil properties. In this study, we focus on the logging effects on soil water retention and associated pore size distribution. We measured the soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) on 21 undisturbed samples from three research plots: a reference area, a clear-cut area and a forest track. A total of 12 SWCC points between saturation and wilting point were determined for each sample with a sand box and pressure plate apparatus. The trimodal behaviour is highlighted by the dependence between soil moisture and suction. Therefore, we proposed a revised model by combining two exponential expressions with the van Genuchten model. The exponential terms describe the influence of macro-and-structural porosities, and the latter is used to calculate textural porosity. This new model with eight independent parameters was suitable to fit trimodal SWCCs in all samples. Results revealed that logging had the most destructive effect on large pores, and the soil on the forest track was the most affected. Both soil-air and available water capacity were reduced and the permanent wilting point increased as a result of damage to the soil structure and pore system. Observed increased organic carbon content in compacted soils can be attributed to slowed decomposition due to reduced air capacity and increased waterlogging susceptibility of damaged soils.

In 2007, the Chinese government introduced a temporary corn storage policy targeting four regions: Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. This policy aimed at stabilising grain markets and ensured farmers' income by providing price support for corn. Its implementation significantly impacted corn prices and the regional distribution of corn cultivation, offering a valuable case for analysing the economic outcomes of China's agricultural policies. This study adopts the adaptive expectations hypothesis to explore the policy's effects, focusing on its influence on farmers' price expectations (mean) and price volatility (variance). Using a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), we empirically investigate the policy's dynamic regional impacts on corn planting areas. The results show that the temporary corn storage policy significantly increased corn planting areas in the targeted regions, while simultaneously reducing planting areas in non-targeted regions due to negative spatial spillover effects. At the national level, the policy had no statistically significant impact on total corn planting areas, indicating that abolishing the policy alone is unlikely to rationalise or optimise the agricultural planting structure.

Restoration of Arrhenatherion meadows is limited both by the lack of local seed availability in natural habitats for self-restoration purposes and the lack of information on the germination of target species in these meadows. Understanding germination strategies can optimise local seed use. This study aimed to define germination strategies for groups of species based on relevant six germination parameters: germination capacity (GC), fresh ungerminated seed (FUS), median germination time, germination velocity, germination synchrony and germination uniformity. The germination test of 23 meadow species was performed according to ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) rules. The hierarchical clustering method and PCA biplot divided the species into five groups. Based on the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s test, the evaluation of six parameters in five groups showed that species such as Arrhenatherum elatius, Centaurea jacea, Plantago lanceolata, Tragopogon pratensis and Dianthus deltoides differed significantly in terms of higher GC, lower FUS and faster germination velocity than Lathyrus pratensis, Vicia angustifolia and Geranium pratense. Conversely, these three species had more synchronous germination than species such as Knautia arvensis and Briza media and expressed the shortest peak of germination period among other species. These six parameters potentially describe germination strategies across groups of species.

This study investigated the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and evaluated the protective effects of various treatments in immature female Wistar rats (N = 48). The rats were divided into 6 groups: Olive oil injection (negative control, G1); testosterone propionate (TP)-induced PCOS (G2); probiotic + TP (G3); myo-inositol (myo-ins) + TP (G4); U. dioica extract + TP (G5); W. somnifera extract + TP (G6). The body weight, body weight gain, and percentage gain were measured weekly and then transformed using the base-10 logarithm (log₁₀). TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 were weekly measured using ELISA kits. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were analysed in the serum and liver extracts. The W. somnifera significantly reduced the TNF-α levels (P < 0.01). The probiotic and myo-ins significantly elevated the IL-10 levels (P < 0.01). Both plant extracts moderately restored the IL-10 levels. The probiotic and U. dioica administration significantly reduced the IL-17 levels (P < 0.01). The W. somnifera administration also decreased the IL-17 levels, though the effect was less pronounced than that of U. dioica. The probiotic, myo-ins, and W. somnifera groups exhibited enhanced CAT activity (P < 0.05). W. somnifera showed significant increases in the SOD and GSH-Px activities (P < 0.01), showing the most dramatic improvement. The use of these four treatments as a monotherapy in this study resulted in different changes. Therefore, further investigation is necessary to evaluate the protective effects of combining duos or trios of these treatments against this disease.

The Asian rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) (Wood-Mason) is a major pest of rice, significantly reducing yields and challenging sustainable rice production. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biology, lifecycle and geographical distribution of the rice gall midge, along with the damage symptoms it causes in rice crops. The interactions between rice and gall midge, the pest's infestation mechanism and the plant’s defensive responses are also explored. Various management strategies are discussed in detail, including insecticides, cultural practices and resistant varieties. The review emphasises that breeding for resistance, especially through the pyramiding of resistance genes and integrated pest management approaches, shows the most promise for long-term control. Advances in crop improvement through breeding methods such as genotyping, phenotyping, field and greenhouse screening and the pyramiding of resistance genes are highlighted. The review emphasises the importance of monitoring virulence in gall midge populations to guide breeding efforts. The genetic basis of resistance is examined through studies of resistance genes, QTL mapping and marker-assisted breeding. Furthermore, molecular approaches, including metabolomic regulations, microarray analysis and biotechnological strategies, are reviewed for their potential in developing durable gall midge-resistant rice varieties. This article synthesises the current knowledge and highlights future research directions, such as identifying novel resistance genes, improving molecular breeding techniques, and developing integrated pest management strategies that combine genetic resistance with eco-friendly controls.

A 4-year-old domestic long-haired cat presented with acute, progressive, non-weight-bearing lameness of the left pelvic limb and reluctance to climb. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed decreased T2-weighted signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus in all lumbar intervertebral discs except L7-S1, with far-lateral T2-weighted low-signal material at L6–L7 surrounding the sixth lumbar nerve root. A diagnosis of far-lateral intervertebral disc extrusion at L6–L7 was made. Clinical signs resolved almost completely within 15 days of conservative management. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing MRI findings of far-lateral intervertebral disc extrusion in a cat, highlighting the importance of considering this condition in the differential diagnosis of acute unilateral pelvic limb lameness.

As a consequence of climate change and damage to coniferous forests, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the preferred plant species for forest restoration in Central Europe. European beech is generally regarded as pest-resistant. However, its vulnerability to secondary pests, for instance, gall-forming midges, may increase with environmental stress such as long drought periods. We analysed the abundance of two gall-forming insects, Mikiola fagi and Hartigiola annulipes, on European beech at 26 forest sites across the Czech Republic, spanning diverse climatic and environmental conditions, using generalised linear mixed models to evaluate the effects of abiotic factors and host tree characteristics. The results revealed that M. fagi was more abundant on younger trees, in stands with lower canopy closure, and under warmer spring conditions. In contrast, the abundance of H. annulipes declined in drought-affected areas. These patterns demonstrate species-specific responses of gall midges to host tree characteristics and climatic variables, suggesting that climate change may favour higher M. fagi abundance. Accordingly, our findings support the establishment of young beech stands under higher canopy closure, for example, beneath the shading of mature trees.

Magnetic fields, as a form of physical energy, exert an influence on biological activities. However, our current understanding of the impact of magnetic fields on wheat yield remains limited. In this study, our objective was to investigate the effects of magnetic field treatment of wheat plants on their yield, root growth, absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus and soil bacterial diversity. The experiments were conducted at two agricultural research stations in China, Zhengzhou and Xuchang. Plants were treated with magnetic fields of 20, 40, 60, and 80 mT induced by permanent magnets for chronic exposure. Untreated plants were considered as controls. Our result showed that soil nutrients were found to have a substantial impact on wheat nitrogen and phosphorus absorption, and wheat nitrogen and phosphorus absorption significantly affected wheat yield. The change in soil nutrient content was caused by the change in soil bacterial community diversity and abundance, and increased soil nutrients increased wheat yield. The results suggest that magnetic field treatment stimulated wheat plant growth and yield, and changed soil nutrient content through improved soil bacterial community diversity and increased soil nitrogen and phosphorous absorption.

Natural regeneration is a crucial factor in improving the economy of forest estates. The presented study analysed the economic parameters of three different approaches to forest regeneration: (i) artificial regeneration with Norway spruce, (ii) a 25% admixture of soil-improving and stabilising species (SSTS), and (iii) natural regeneration. The expenses for these specific operations related to individual regeneration methods were derived. These variants were investigated before the bark beetle calamity (2014) and after the outbreak (2023) for management sets (MS) 531, 551, 571, and 591, i.e. for acidic, nutrient-rich, gleyed, and waterlogged sites of higher elevations. In all cases, natural regeneration decreased expenses by approximately 2 000 EUR·ha^–1 (50 000 CZK·ha^–1) to 6 000 EUR·ha^–1 (150 000 CZK·ha^–1). The 25% admixture of SSTS increased the expenses. The proportion of natural regeneration subsequently decreased due to the bark beetle calamity from roughly 40% to 10% in recent years, which is comparable with the Czech Republic as a whole.

Growth traits belong to the most important economic traits in livestock. One of the genes involved in vertebrate growth and development is insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Therefore, in our study we hypothesised that within the sequence of rabbit IGF1 gene it is possible to identify a polymorphism that may influence growth, carcass or meat traits in rabbits. We identified 6 polymorphisms (g.89259430T>C; g.89259338C>G; g.89259328T>C; 89210029A>G; 89210349C>G and g.89194199C>T) within introns of the IGF1 gene. One polymorphism, g.89194199C>T, was analysed using polymerase chain reaction high-resolution melting (PCR-HRM). We performed the association analysis on 370 animals (males to females 1 : 1) of different breeds: New Zealand White × Flemish Giant crossbreds (NZW × FG), Termond White (TW) and Flemish Giant (FG). Results showed that for growth and slaughter traits in TW populations a significant association (P = 0.003) was found for slaughter weight (SW) when CT genotypes showed significantly higher values compared to CC genotypes (2 878.0 g ± 107.0 and 2 678.0 g ± 34.0, respectively). For TW rabbits we found a significant association (P = 0.009) for dissected bone weight in hind leg (HB) when CT genotypes (127.0 g ± 5.8) had significantly higher values compared to CC genotypes (112.0 g ± 2.4). For carcass traits and physical characteristics of meat we found for musculus longissimus lumborum in TW rabbits that the b* parameter value 45 min after slaughter was significantly higher (P = 0.001) for CT genotypes (1.88 ± 0.05) compared to CC genotypes (0.05 ± 0.02). We conclude that the use of identified SNP in breeding may be limited to some breeds.

Calcareous soils, typically characterized by low fertility, low organic matter and nitrogen content, and often deficient in phosphorus, zinc, and iron, as well as having low microbial activity, require the development of sustainable soil conditioners to improve fertility. To address these shortcomings and promote sustainable agriculture, biochar, especially with acidic character, may offer a promising solution. This study investigates the effects of modified biochar by H₂SO₄ and ZnSO₄ on soil properties and wheat yield under field conditions. For this purpose, biochar (B), acidified biochar (AB), Zn enriched biochar (BZn), and acidified-Zn enriched biochar (ABZn) were applied to the field at two different doses (0.5 and 1.0%) together with the control treatment (Ck) without biochar application. AB_1.0% was determined as the most effective treatment in decreasing soil pH (0.15 units), while B1.0% was determined as the most effective treatment in increasing organic carbon and cation exchange capacity, 13% and 32%, respectively. The effect of the treatments varied for specific nutrients. The highest antioxidant enzyme activities were found in acidified biochars where the lowest yields were obtained. Compared to the Ck, the highest catalase (CAT) (32%) was determined in ABZn_1.0%, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (56%) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (36%) were determined in ABZn_0.5%, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (28%) was determined in AB_0.5%. The highest proline (PRO), with the least decrease in yield, was found in the AB_1.0% application, which is 205% more than Ck. B and BZn treatments all increased the grain yield, and the highest increase was 20% in B_1.0% when compared to the Ck.

With the increase in the world population and the ensuing surge in organic waste, effective management strategies are crucial to prevent environmental pollution. This study aims to address this challenge by utilising organic waste (OW) as the substrate for the production of lactic acid (LA) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) through anaerobic bioprocessing. The substrates used, included grass, starch, and fruit wastes inoculated with non-sterile inoculum landfill soil (LS). The anaerobic bioconversion was performed by varying the substrate to the inoculum. The results unveil that a digester loaded with 150 g·L^–1 of fruit waste, exhibits the highest concentration of LA, reaching a significance of 25 mmol·L^–1. A digester fed with 100 g·L^–1 starch, also manifests significant LA production (18.50 mmol·L^–1). A digester, supplied with 150 g·L^–1 starch waste, showcases the highest VFA (92.5 mmol·L^–1). Intriguingly, the anaerobic bioprocessing of the grass substrate did not produce LA at all, yet al. the substrates showcased VFA production, albeit with fluctuating and lower concentrations. This study highlights the potential of incorporating simple sugar for enhanced LA production and starch-based substrates for increased VFA production when utilising LS as the inoculum. The anaerobic bioprocessing shows promising outcomes for the future development in sustainable waste utilisation.

Management of chronic non-healing wounds in cats requires a comprehensive approach. This report describes the treatment of a severe open skin wound on the skull using a combined approach involving allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A 12-year-old neutered male mixed-breed domestic cat presented with a non-healing chronic wound on the skull. The wound extended from the orbital to the occipital area and from the left to the right temporal region. Laboratory test results were positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and impaired kidney function. Sensitivity tests revealed resistance to several antibiotics. Due to limited skin reconstruction options, MSCs were administered subcutaneously at the wound edge once a month for three months. PRP was collected one month after the initial MSC administration and injected at the wound edge monthly between MSC treatments. The wound diameter was measured daily during saline cleaning. The cat received protein-supplemented food daily. Wound healing was observed two weeks after the MSC administration, gradually decreasing in size and closing completely within 5 months. This case demonstrates the successful application of MSCs and PRP for treating chronic wounds in cats.

Legumes are promoted in agroecosystems for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N), thereby reducing or eliminating the need for N fertilisation while also contributing N-rich organic residues, which non-legume species can subsequently utilise. In phosphorus (P)-poor soils, certain legumes appear to access less available forms of P, converting them into organic P and facilitating its use by non-legume species. This study evaluated seven legume species/cultivars and one grass species (as a control) in a trial conducted in low-fertility soils under four different growing conditions (location × year). The objective was to investigate the role of legumes in P and other nutrient uptake and accumulation in plant tissues. Some lupins and broad beans accumulated up to 30 kg/ha of P in their biomass, even without accounting for P in the roots. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in plant tissues were also significantly higher in legumes than in grass. In addition to concentrating certain nutrients in their tissues, legumes produced substantially more biomass due to their access to atmospheric N, resulting in considerably higher nutrient accumulation. Ca and Mg in some legumes exceeded 100 and 40 kg/ha in aboveground biomass, respectively, whereas in grasses, they remained below 4 kg/ha. Thus, when legumes are cultivated as green manure, these nutrients are returned to the soil in organic form, which can subsequently become available to non-legume crops through the mineralisation process of the organic substrate. Therefore, cultivating legumes not only enhances N availability for other species but also improves the cycling of other essential nutrients.

Two-year experiments were conducted on two different soil types during 2021/22 and 2022/23 to study the impact of microbiological preparations, Mycor-FAZOS and Vitality-FAZOS, on the yield and quality elements of winter wheat cultivar Maja (Agrigenetics). The experiment was set up in a split-block design with four repetitions across two soil types, with 12 different variants on each soil type. The base plot area was 40 m2, and the effective plot area was 27 m2. The research factors included: A (soil type): A1 – gley soil; A2 – eutric cambisol; B (disease control): B1 – control; B2 – chemical pesticides; B3 – biopreparates (seed treatment + foliar treatment) and C (nitrogen fertilisation): C1 – based on soil analysis; C2 – 70% of recommended application. Variables included grain yield (t/ha), grain protein content (%), hectoliter weight (kg), and plant height (cm). The highest average grain yield was achieved with variant B3C2, with a 12.50% increase compared to variant B2C1. Differences between these variants included 6.0% for protein content, 5.97% for hectoliter weight, and 7.93% for plant height. It was observed that Mycor-FAZOS seed treatment promoted root development, resulting in healthier, taller, more robust plants with a more uniform growth and darker colour than untreated seed variants (indicating increased photosynthesis index). The protection achieved with Vitality-FAZOS biopreparations (fungicidal microorganisms synthesising growth hormones) ensured healthier wheat plants, leading to higher seed yield and better quality parameters.

Cattle identification systems are advancing to meet the growing demands of precision livestock management, traceability, and ethical animal treatment. This study investigates three methods: body texture recognition, QR code collars, and numerical labelling, implemented using the YOLOv8 convolutional neural network. Each method was evaluated in terms of accuracy, scalability, adaptability to dynamic herd changes, and operational efficiency under various environmental conditions. Body texture recognition, while leveraging unique natural patterns and achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP50–95) of 0.78 proved limited by its reliance on frequent dataset retraining to accommodate changes in herd composition and susceptibility to misidentification in larger herds. QR code collars demonstrated adaptability in dynamic herds by enabling pre-trained convolutional neural networks to assign reserved codes to new animals without retraining, while removing animals involves simply deleting their codes from the system. This approach also achieved an mAP50–95 of 0.71, which was lower than the body texture-based approach, but offered greater flexibility in herd management. Despite this adaptability, this method demonstrated significant challenges in real-world environments. Occlusion caused by feeders, barriers, or animal movements, along with low-resolution imaging and poor lighting conditions, can compromise detection accuracy, particularly in larger herds with obstructive barn layouts. The numerical labelling method emerged as the most effective solution to dynamic cattle identification, achieving the highest mAP50–95 of 0.84. It provided a scalable and highly accurate approach that integrates seamlessly with automated systems. Unlike traditional body marking techniques such as ear notching and branding, numerical labelling is less invasive, painless, and highly scalable, aligning with ethical livestock management practices while maintaining consistent accuracy across diverse environmental conditions.

The present study investigates the differential protein expression levels between the frost-tolerant variety Qingda No.1 and the frost-sensitive variety Gannong No.9. The analysis was conducted using 4D-Label-free quantitative proteomics technology, with the samples collected prior to and after overwintering. The results showed that the protein expression of Qingda No.1 changed more significantly during the overwintering process, with 451 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) being identified, of which 224 were up-regulated and 227 down-regulated. In contrast, the protein expression of Gannong No.9 differed from that of alfalfa roots of the frost-sensitive variety, with 204 DEPs being identified, of which 93 were up-regulated and 111 down-regulated. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway was significantly enriched in both groups. Furthermore, enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and chalcone isomerase (CHI) were significantly up-regulated in the freezing-tolerant varieties. Protein interaction network analysis revealed the synergistic regulation mode of DEPs. The present study elucidated the metabolic adaptive mechanism of overwintering in alfalfa roots at the protein level, thus providing a theoretical basis for the selection and breeding of frost-tolerant varieties.

Indonesia is presently ranked as the first crude palm oil producer in the world. However, the palm oil industry faces significant challenges, including extensive criticism related to environmental degradation and social impacts. The circular bioeconomy concept emphasises sustainable production and consumption through the repurposing, recycling, and regeneration of resources to address these challenges. Integrating palm and cattle farming represents a promising approach to enhancing resource efficiency and sustainability in agricultural systems. This study employs a system dynamics analysis to model the circular bioeconomy in the palm oil industry, with a specific focus on addressing cattle feed shortages. The results demonstrate that utilising oil palm biomass can yield a total of 21 204.52 tonnes of feed and generate a yearly revenue of USD 317 020.14. Key findings indicate that integrating palm by-products into cattle feed not only addresses feed shortages but also reduces waste and enhances overall farm productivity. The implications of this study suggest that adopting circular bioeconomy practices in the palm oil industry can promote more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.

The study was carried out in the experiment with 16 provenances of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior Linnaeus) and 2 provenances of narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl) at a series of 5 parallel trial plots established in a gradient from lowland riverine to upland ravine sites. The role of the site, ash species and the provenance of common ash proved to have significant effects on the intensity of ash dieback (ADB) associated with the infection by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (T. Kowalski) Baral, Queloz & Hosoya at the age of 20 years. Narrow-leaved ash was healthier, surviving and growing better than common ash on the trials situated inside as well as beyond its natural range. The ADB intensity was lower in the medium altitude and more easterly located trial plots with a more continental climate. The provenance of forest reproductive material proved to have a significant effect on the ADB damage and survival rate as well as the growth of ash across the trial plots of the experiment.

Sri Lanka, as a developing tropical country, faces serious environmental challenges. Forests, as important ecosystems of Sri Lanka, are under pressure from intensive human activities and climate change. Invasive species represent a great hazard to autochthonous plant species and ecosystems, which are, at the same time, hosts to extraordinarily high biodiversity, of which a high percentage is endemic. In this paper, we reviewed the most challenging environmental problems of Sri Lanka and suggested the improvement of a number of them through silvicultural measures and cooperation with international experts, namely Czech foresters. We also reviewed the main forest biomes and addressed the specific problems and management of different forest types.

Chilli anthracnose, incited by Colletotrichum capsici, is a major disease affecting the quality and quantity of chilli production. Farmers greatly depend on synthetic fungicides for the management of the disease. However, the extensive and non-judicious use of chemical fungicides resulted in the development of fungicide resistance in the pathogen and associated human and animal health risks. Piriformospora indica, a beneficial fungal root endophyte, has been employed as an efficient and safe biocontrol agent for managing bacterial, fungal and viral diseases and enhancing growth and yield. Hence, the present study was carried out to establish the protective role of P. indica against the chilli anthracnose incitant, C. capsici. The enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathway involved in this tripartite interaction were also studied. The study demonstrates that P. indica restricted C. capsici growth in dual culture with 57.22% mycelial inhibition on the 15th day after inoculation. P. indica ‒ colonized chilli plants showed a delay in disease development, and significantly reduced the incidence and severity of chilli anthracnose disease compared to the control plants. Higher activities of defence-related enzymes viz. peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase, 4-coumaryl CoA ligase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and total phenol in the P. indica ‒ colonised plants revealed that the endophyte early resistance of plants against further pathogen invasions. The present study revealed P. indica to be an efficient biocontrol agent against chilli anthracnose. The results showed that P. indica reduced the infection of C. capsici by direct antagonism, activation of enzymes involved in plant defence and enhanced growth in chilli plants.

Periodic waterlogging is more common due to more frequent extreme precipitation but its impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) loss is obscure in straw-return farmland. We compared soil properties and biochemical characteristics of SOC (compositions of non-cellulosic and amino polysaccharides) in adjacent periodic waterlogged farmland (PWF) and non-waterlogged farmland (NWF) in a semi-humid warm temperate region. SOC mineralization was also measured at 60% (aerobic) or 100% (anaerobic) of field capacity at 25 °C for 82 days. The negative effect of periodic waterlogging on SOC contents and soil aggregate stability were observed in the 20–80 cm depth but were offset in topsoil (0–20 cm) due to straw-return. Periodic waterlogging increased the non-cellulosic sugar content and amino sugar content in SOC and the mass ratio of (galactose plus mannose) to (arabinose plus xylose) at 40–80 cm depth except at 0–40 cm depth. By the end of 82 days’ incubation, when aeration status changed from anaerobic to aerobic conditions, total C loss as CO₂ increased similarly (123.9%) in PWF and NWF soils in the top 40 cm, but more C loss occurred under PWF than under NWF (78.9% vs. 46.9%) in the 40–80 cm depth, which was probably ascribed to its higher non-cellulosic sugar and amino sugar content. Our result emphasized the importance of straw-return for maintaining soil quality under periodic waterlogged farmland.

To evaluate the effects of organic fertilizer and microbial agents on soil water and salt distribution, microorganisms, and crop yield on coastal saline-alkaline land, eight treatments were established, i.e., two maize varieties (Dajing Jiu 26 (J) and Quchen Jiu (Q)) and four organic fertilizer and microbial agent application methods (no organic fertilizer or microbial agent application (O₀M₀), single organic fertilizer application (O₁M₀), single microbial agent application (O₀M₁), and combined organic fertilizer and microbial agent application (O₁M₁)). The soil water content in the 40–50 cm soil layer under JO₁M₁ was 3.35% greater than that under JO₀M₀ at the mature stage. The soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) in the 0–10 cm soil layer under JO₁M₁ were 16.69% and 21.37% greater, respectively, than those under JO₀M₀ at the jointing stage. The actinomycete content was 58.79% greater in QO₁M₁ than in QO₀M₀. The urease activity was greater in O₁M₀ than in the other management practices. Compared with that in JO₀M₀ and QO₀M₀, the alkaline phosphatase activity in JO₁M₁ and QO₁M₁ was 47.36% and 33.97% higher, respectively. Compared with those of JO₀M₀, the catalase activity and sucrase activity of JO₁M₁ were 57.62% and 22.78% higher, respectively. Compared with JO₀M₀ and QO₀M₀, JO₁M₁ and QO₁M₁ increased the grain yield by 20.69% and 16.42%, respectively, and increased the biomass by 23.36% and 26.45%, respectively. In summary, organic fertilizer and microbial agents provide a scientific model for the rational use of saline soils and the development of their potential.

Pink oyster mushrooms are rich in protein, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals, making them a great addition to any diet. However, pink oyster mushrooms have the ability to accumulate high concentrations of heavy metals, some of which, such as cadmium, can cause adverse effects on human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of pink oyster mushrooms to absorb Cd from substrates contaminated with Cd and to assess the human health risks associated with the consumption of these mushrooms. An experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design and included four treatments (four Cd contamination levels i.e. 0, 20, 50 and 100 mg·kg^–1) with three replications. Cd accumulation in mushrooms increased with increasing Cd content in substrates and ranged from 1.8 mg·kg^–1 (non-contaminated substrate) to 23.8 mg·kg^–1 of dry mass (substrate contaminated with 100 mg·kg^–1 of Cd). On the other hand, total mushroom yield showed a decreasing trend with increasing Cd levels in substrates. The results of the present study suggest that pink oyster mushrooms possess the capability to absorb Cd from the substrate in which they grow. The obtained results for target hazard quotient (THQ) of Cd point to the conclusion that the consumption of mushrooms cultivated on the Cd-contaminated substrates could produce negative health effects.

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.

The primary objective of this paper was to compare the nutrient content (N, Ca, S, K, P, Mg) of bilberry biomass, both aboveground and underground, growing in different habitats along the altitudinal gradient. The research was conducted in protected areas of the High Tatras National Park (Slovakia). Two different habitats subjected to study, namely spruce forest stands affected by disturbances (D – disturbed forest stands) and stands unaffected by disturbances (U – undisturbed forest stands), were located at different altitudes: 1 100 m a.s.l., 1 250 m a.s.l., and 1 400 m a.s.l. We found significant differences in the soil nutrient content along the altitudinal gradient. The highest content of nutrients was detected mostly at the highest altitudes in both habitats. The minimum reached 0.01 g·kg^–1 (phosphorus), while the maximum was 8.33 g·kg^–1 (nitrogen). In the case of the bilberry biomass, we found statistically non-significant differences in the content of nutrients among the altitudes within both habitats (D vs. U). The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the aboveground biomass of bilberry had a significantly higher nutrient content compared to the underground biomass. Nutrient content in aboveground and underground biomass ranged from 1.00 g·kg^–1 (phosphorus) to 13.49 g·kg^–1 (nitrogen) and from 0.38 g·kg^–1 (magnesium) to 7.55 g·kg^–1 (nitrogen), respectively. The biological absorption coefficient (element content in dry biomass/element content in soil) reached the highest values mostly at the lowest altitude for both aboveground and underground biomass.

Multifunctional landscapes, such as agroforestry, that improve soil health are essential in sustaining terrestrial life by supporting various ecosystem services (ESs). However, decision-making often requires more attention to soil health because its parameters have no market value. In this study, we aim to evaluate soil health parameters in cacao agroforestry and monoculture and their degradation due to erosion and to estimate their indirect use value (IUV). We develop a soil health economic valuation approach bridged by ESs because the economic valuation of ESs tends to be better studied. We estimated the IUVs of the eight soil health parameters by using the direct proxy revealed prevalence valuation method on the basis of the valuation of the four ESs they support: water regulation, climate regulation, nutrient retention and biodiversity. The total IUVs for cacao agroforestry were USD 633 with Endoaquepts and USD 723 with Dystrudepts and for cacao monoculture were USD 415 with Endoaquepts and USD 575 with Dystrudepts. Soil carbon has the highest contribution to IUV, followed by soil nitrogen. Agroforestry not only increases IUV but also minimises its decrease due to erosion. Despite economic valuations being subject to uncertainty, these results encourage the internalisation of soil health values in sustainable land management design.

Owing to its role in mitigating CO₂ in the atmosphere, the total organic carbon (TOC) stock of soil, a key component of the terrestrial carbon cycle, is of significant interest as regards climate change. To determine TOC stock, it is first necessary to determine the soil's bulk density (BD), determined through intact soil sampling; however, in forest soils, it can be difficult to determine BD in soils with high levels of stoniness and/or tree root coverage. Furthermore, the method is time-consuming and labour-intensive, making it impractical for studies over large areas. In such cases, BD can be determined using a pedotransfer function (PTF) expressing the relationship between forest soil TOC and BD. The aim of this study was to determine a forest soil PTF using actual data obtained from 777 soil pits dug as part of the Czech Republic's National Forest Inventory (NFI). Within the NFI, BD is assessed from undisturbed core samples, while TOC is assessed from mixed samples from the same soil genetic horizons. Both generalised linear (GLM) and generalised linear mixed-effects (GLMER) models were used, with the final GLMER model best expressing the relationship for individual natural forest areas within the NFI dataset. The GLMER-based PTF described in this study can be widely applied to accurately estimate soil BD via TOC concentration at temperate forest sites where stoniness and/or root cover previously made it technically impossible to take undisturbed samples using standard methods.