Search Results (1,421)

To optimize container seedling cultivation of Chinese zelkova (Zelkova schneideriana Hand.-Mazz.), a three-factor completely randomized design was used to systematically evaluate the effects of container material, container size, and substrate composition on seedling growth, physiological traits, and root morphology. Different container materials, three container sizes, and multiple composite substrates were tested. Seedling height, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic characteristics, and root morphological indices were measured, and principal component analysis combined with comprehensive evaluation was applied to identify optimal treatments. The results showed that container size was one of the major factors affecting overall seedling quality, with large containers generally enhancing seedling height, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic capacity, and root development. Among container materials, B-type containers generally exhibited better overall performance under medium- and large-size conditions. Substrate composition showed a significant regulatory effect under appropriate container conditions, and the T₃ composite substrate, composed of yellow soil (40%), peat (10%), sphagnum peat (15%), vermiculite (10%), rice husk (15%), and corn cob (10%), achieved the highest comprehensive score. According to the PCA-based comprehensive evaluation, the T₃/A₃ treatment ranked first, followed by T₃/B₂. Overall, the combination of B-type containers, appropriate medium-to-large container size, and the T₃ substrate showed superior nursery performance. In particular, T₃/A₃ ranked first in the comprehensive evaluation, followed by T₃/B₂, indicating that both large black plastic containers and medium-sized B-type containers performed well under the T₃ substrate. Full article

Toxic aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) alter the hormonal balance of plants, leading to metabolic disorders and growth inhibition. Plants adapt to abiotic stress by optimizing phytohormone biosynthesis. However, the impact of toxic Al and Fe on plant hormonal status is poorly understood. Pea cultivar Sparkle and its mutant E107 (brz), accumulating Al and Fe due to disfunction of metal transporter gene OPT3, were cultivated in hydroponics supplemented or not with 80 µM of AlCl₃ or 300 µM of FeCl₃. Root and shoot biomass of E107 decreased due to Al or Fe treatments approximately by 30%, whereas growth of Sparkle was not affected. The Al and Fe content in the roots and shoots of the metal-treated mutant was circa twice that of Sparkle. Treatment with Al and Fe reduced the content of nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, S) in roots and/or shoots in both genotypes. Compared with Sparkle, untreated E107 possessed lower IAA and higher ethylene and tZR contents in roots but lower GA3, DHZ and tZ content in shoots. Mutant E107 had: lower GA3 and ethylene but higher DHZ, tZ and tZR contents in Al-treated roots; higher ABA, SA, IAA, GA3, DHZ, and tZ contents in Al-treated shoots; lower ABA and SA but higher JA, GA3, DHZ and ethylene contents in Fe-treated roots; higher ABA, SA, IAA, GA3, DHZ, and tZ contents in Al-treated shoots; higher ABA, JA, and GA3 but lower ethylene and tZR contents in Fe-treated shoots. Metal toxicity mainly reduced the content of phytohormones in roots and increased it in shoots. Hormonal disturbances were more significant in E107 than in Sparkle, and the effect of Al was stronger than Fe. Thus, toxic Al and Fe lead to complex, metal- and organ-specific changes in the hormonal status of E107. Hormonal changes might be associated with both defense reactions and the toxic effects of metals on plants. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable agriculture requires strategies that simultaneously recover soil quality, improve crop yield, and add value to food products. This study evaluates walnut shell biochar (450 °C) as a circular amendment applied at 0, 10, and 20 t ha⁻¹ to an arid soil cultivated with pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Onward) in San Juan, Argentina. Biochar enhanced soil porosity, respiration, organic carbon, and cation exchange capacity, resulting in higher plant biomass and a 30.9% increase in pod yield for the 20 t ha⁻¹ treatment. Pea grains were dehydrated by far-infrared drying at 70 °C, producing flour with improved lipid content, water absorption, and swelling capacity, which increased from 0.21 to 0.26 mL g⁻¹ under the 20 t ha⁻¹ treatment. The combined use of biochar and controlled drying highlights a viable pathway to close the soil–plant–food loop through resource valorization. This work contributes practical evidence of biochar’s multifunctional role in sustainable agri-food systems, aligned with circular economy principles. Full article

This study investigates how soil calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) supplementation influence mitragynine accumulation in Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), addressing the lack of quantitative thresholds in previous research. Seedlings from a uniform seed stock were cultivated in a controlled environment using a standardized soil mix (soil:peat moss:earthworm castings, 6:1:1). Following an initial growth phase, Ca and Mg were applied at three concentrations and in fixed Ca:Mg ratios (5:1, 10:1, 20:1) using gypsum and Epsom salt. Over a 45-day treatment period, growth parameters and mitragynine levels were assessed one week after the final application. Seedlings under control had the highest total biomass (102.35 g), significantly exceeding both the Mg-only and Ca:Mg treatments (64–84 g), and values above the typical upper threshold of 20 did not suppress growth, as evidenced by unchanged root-to-shoot ratios across treatments. In contrast, mitragynine accumulation was the highest under moderate Ca:Mg ratios (8–10), exhibiting a 2–14% increase relative to the control, suggesting that production of this alkaloid is more sensitive to nutrient balance than overall growth. These findings underscore the importance of nutrient ratios, rather than individual nutrient concentrations, in regulating both vegetative development and alkaloid production in kratom. Maintaining an appropriate Ca:Mg ratio can support efficient seedling growth as well as maximizing mitragynine levels. Preliminary field trials over a span of one month indicate that field-grown seedlings exhibit a similar result with high growth and mitragynine content in soils having a Ca:Mg ratio of 1:10. Future studies should test these responses under field conditions and over longer growth periods. Full article

The walnut cultivar ‘Yunxin No. 14’ is an early fruiting, high-yielding, and widely adaptable fruit tree with compact growth and superior nuts. Establishing a successful tissue culture system for this cultivar is crucial for its rapid clonal propagation and as a foundation for future genetic transformation. Using young fruits as explants, 3% NaClO sterilization for 20 min effectively controlled contamination and browning. Somatic embryos induced from zygotic embryos cultured on DKW medium with 30 g·L⁻¹ sucrose showed high proliferation and minimal browning. After a 4-day dehydration treatment using saturated NH₄NO₃, mature somatic embryos germinated rapidly on differentiation medium (DKW containing 1 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA and 0.1 mg·L⁻¹ IBA), reaching 90.0% germination. Optimal shoot multiplication was achieved on DKW medium supplemented with 2 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA and 0.3 mg·L⁻¹ IBA, yielding a proliferation rate of 91.1% and a proliferation index of 3.1. For rooting, shoots (~3 cm) treated with Clonex^® rooting gel were transferred to a low-cost, sugar-free vermiculite medium with gaseous CO₂ as the sole carbon source. Root initiation occurred within two weeks at a rate of 54.2%, significantly shortening the rooting phase. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in a peat:perlite:vermiculite (2:2:1, v/v/v) mixture under high humidity for two weeks before outdoor transfer, achieving an 88.6% survival rate. This study provides a reliable protocol for the micropropagation of ‘Yunxin No. 14’ and a valuable reference for other difficult-to-root woody species. Full article

Agriculture must shift to sustainable practices that support mitigation and adaptation, with crop diversification highlighted as a key adaptive practice. A field experiment was conducted in central Italy to study forage and grain production of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) intercropping (IC) comparing three nitrogen fertilizations (NF) (i.e., 0, 70, and 140 kg ha⁻¹) and two cropping systems (CS) (i.e., arable (AR) and silvo-arable (SIAR)) for two consecutive cropping seasons (2023–2024 and 2024–2025). Forage and grain production were determined at flowering and at maturity to identify temporal trends in resource use. Overall, the results demonstrated that poplar presence did not significantly impact IC productivity, as forage biomass at flowering was 5.00 t ha⁻¹ in AR and 4.77 t ha⁻¹ in SIAR in 2024, and 3.20 t ha⁻¹ in both cropping systems in 2025. Moreover, NF was the main driver of both forage and grain production, without significant interaction with the CS, and a moderate N rate (i.e., 70 kg ha⁻¹) was the most efficient, ensuring both wheat and pea productivity. The absence of a yield penalty in the IC in the SIAR supports the agroecological value of integrating annual intercrops with tree components. Full article

Overwintering peat fires are increasingly reported in the boreal regions, where they persist underground through winter and reignite in spring, intensifying greenhouse gas emissions and landscape degradation. This study investigates the conditions that enable peat fires to survive freezing and snow cover, and presents practical methods for their winter detection and suppression. We combined satellite data, UAV-based thermal imaging, time-lapse photography, and ground measurements of temperature, groundwater depth, and peat moisture to identify active overwintering hotspots. Our results show that these fires persist primarily where groundwater levels remain below 60 cm, particularly under tree roots, compacted soil, or elevated terrain that limits moisture recharge. UAV thermal imaging proved the most reliable detection tool, identifying 98% of hotspots. We developed and successfully applied a winter extinguishing method that involves mechanical disruption and dispersion of smoldering peat over frozen ground, allowing rapid cooling without re-ignition. These findings clarify the mechanisms sustaining overwintering fires and provide an effective approach for their mitigation, contributing to reduced emissions and improved management of boreal peatlands vulnerable to climate change. Full article

The application of organic residues in agriculture helps to replenish soil organic carbon (OC), improve soil fertility and biodiversity, reinforce aggregate stability, and favour water infiltration. Moreover, its application as a soil amendment alters the fate of herbicides applied to the soil. The objective here was (i) to evaluate soil quality by determining the physicochemical and biological parameters of an agricultural soil (Soil) amended with green compost (Soil + GC) over an arable pea–wheat crop rotation in a short-term experiment; and (ii) to study the dissipation and persistence of iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium applied in field plots sown with winter wheat under real field conditions. The experimental field design consisted of 24 plots (10 m²) involving 12 with control and 12 with GC-amended soils. The plots were sown with pea after GC application (~11 t ha⁻¹) in February 2023, and with winter wheat in October 2023. Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium (Hussar^® Plus, Bayer CropScience S.L., Barcelona, Spain) was applied in post-emergence at the agronomic dose (D1 = 176 mL ha⁻¹) and double dose (D2 = 352 mL ha⁻¹). Soil samples were taken from the plots to assess the soil physicochemical and biological parameters at six sampling times after GC application, with extraction and determination of residual herbicide and metabolite (metsulfuron-methyl) concentrations. In addition, the yield and characteristics of the pea and wheat grain crops were determined. The application of GC to the soil significantly increased pH (0.5 units by July 2024) and electrical conductivity (up to 5.2 times) compared to control soil, which remained constant throughout the experiment. The OC in Soil + GC increased by 40% in July 2024 compared to control soil. Total nitrogen content increased up to 2.0 and 1.3 times during the pea–wheat growing seasons in Soil + GC compared to unamended soil. Soil dehydrogenase activity, respiration, and biomass increased by up to 1.4, 2.2 and 1.4 times, respectively, in Soil + GC compared to unamended soil over the growing seasons. The soil microbial structure, determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, recorded no significant differences between the microbial groups in both soil treatments. A non-significant increase in pea and wheat yield was observed in Soil + GC compared to unamended soil. The results revealed an increase in the residual amounts of herbicide and metabolite, being slightly more persistent, with DT₅₀ and DT₉₀ values up to 1.6 times higher, in the Soil + GC plots over time. Much higher amounts of metabolite (DT₅₀ = 24.8–29.7 days) than iodosulfuron-methyl (DT₅₀ = 5.2–8.8 days) were found in all the treatments. This may be due to wheat plants intercepting the herbicide initially at the time of application in post-emergence, the rapid dissipation of the herbicide reaching the soil, and/or the higher persistence of the metabolite compared to that of the herbicide. Overall, the soil’s physicochemical and biological properties were improved in GC-amended soil, and organic amendment increased slightly the persistence of iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium and its metabolite in the soil. Full article

Peatlands cover approximately 10% (640,000 ha) of Latvia’s territory, of which about 51,000 ha is officially classified as degraded due to peat extraction and related activities. This study assesses the current status of peat extraction site recultivation in Latvia and evaluates future after-use requirements under contrasting policy pathways using a review of scientific literature, project reports, national statistics, and updated peat extraction licence records. A simple allocation model was applied to estimate recultivation trajectories for the nationally defined degraded peatland area under two scenarios: (i) a licence-expiry baseline scenario and (ii) an accelerated immediate-stop-peat-mining scenario. The results show that full recultivation would require average annual efforts of approximately 1500 ha yr⁻¹ under the baseline scenario and around 2000 ha yr⁻¹ under the accelerated scenario. Although European Union-funded projects and corporate initiatives have demonstrated the potential of rewetting, paludiculture, and renewable energy integration, only a limited number of sites have been officially recognised as fully recultivated or restored. Because ecological recovery of peatland functions may take decades, administrative closure alone does not guarantee climate or biodiversity benefits. A phased recultivation strategy linked to licence expiry and prioritising degraded and self-regenerating sites emerges as the most pragmatic pathway for Latvia, balancing European Union climate objectives, institutional capacity, and socio-economic constraints. Full article

Forest plantations, including those of Norway spruce, are increasingly threatened by drought in Central Europe. One of the measures understating this threat might be the use of drought-mitigative additives at planting. The effects of induced water limitation and the application of hydrogel Agrisorb and commercial ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) inoculum Ectovit on the development of 2 + 1 spruce seedlings were estimated in this study. The root systems of 2 + 0 seedlings were treated with the additives, along with their spring transplantation into peat-filled pots. The seedlings were then exposed throughout the entire growing season either to full watering (FW)—volumetric soil water content 70%, reduced watering (RW)—water content 40%, periodic watering (PW)—substrate rehydrated to 70% after drying to the wilting point (21%), or remained non-watered (NW). Survival, growth and chlorophyll fluorescence of the seedlings decreased proportionally to the increased drought intensity, while the highest root-to-shoot ratio and EMF colonization of roots occurred under PW and RW, respectively. NW seedlings died after 9 weeks of desiccation, whereas the EMF inoculum prolonged the survival time by one week. Ectomycorrhizas were formed predominantly with native EMF in all the treatments; nevertheless, compared with the uninoculated control, the formation of a treatment-specific EMF root morphotype and increased EMF colonization under PW and RW were observed on the inoculated seedlings. Both the EMF inoculum and the hydrogel increased survival under PW by approximately 15% but did not significantly affect growth, regardless of the watering regime. These results are limited to the experimental conditions and suggest a more dominant effects of the watering regimes compared with the additives tested. Full article

Background: The incremental model of doping behavior (IMDB) posits that doping develops over time through the habit of using performance enhancers such as dietary supplements. We investigated the association between dietary supplement use and beliefs and doping attitudes among Norwegian sportspersons. Methods: A total of 1441 subjects (females: 44%; age 31.3 ± 11.6 years) responded to an online questionnaire including measures of dietary supplement use and beliefs, performance enhancement attitude (PEAS), and a doping likelihood vignette. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression analysis. Results: 58% used dietary supplements. Dietary supplement beliefs were positively correlated with doping attitudes (r = 0.27 (PEAS) and r = 0.16 (vignette), p < 0.001). Among non-competitive respondents, younger respondents were more likely to endorse supplement use (r = −0.08, p = 0.073 vs. r = −0.30, p < 0.001) and doping use (r = −0.17, p < 0.001 and r = −0.21, p < 0.001). Males endorsed supplement use (Welch’s t tests > 5.19, p < 0.001) and doping (Welch’s t tests > 4.08, p < 0.001) more than females. Norwegian sportspersons are generally ambivalent about dietary supplements but opposed to doping practices in sport. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that younger, male, non-competitive, and supplement-endorsing participants were more likely to endorse doping likelihood. However, these differences were small, and participants were generally against doping. Conclusions: The associations between dietary supplement use and beliefs and doping attitudes are weak but compatible with the IMDB. The differences between groups are small; however, focusing on beliefs about dietary supplements in young, male, non-competitive persons may improve the effectiveness of anti-doping interventions. Full article

Returning organic amendments to saline–alkali soils constitutes a key strategy for soil amelioration, as it enhances crop productivity by modulating the rhizosphere microenvironment. In this study, straw, biochar, and peat were selected as representative organic amendments, and a two-year field experiment—employing a rotational cropping system of Sesbania and Triticale—was conducted to investigate their differential regulatory effects on rhizosphere properties and root development. Results demonstrated that all three amendments induced coordinated shifts in the rhizosphere “extract–microbiota–enzymes–nutrients” nexus, concomitant with significant stimulation of root growth. The hypothesized pathways through which different organic amendments improve the rhizosphere environment vary mechanistically: straw application appears to enhance alkaline phosphatase activity and enrich phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms; it is hypothesized that this promotes root growth by facilitating the mineralization of organic phosphorus. In contrast, peat amendment induces the most pronounced increases in esterase content and sucrase activity, and its growth-promoting effect is likely attributable to accelerated carbon and phosphorus cycling. Biochar, meanwhile, is associated with elevated catalase activity, improved potassium retention, and enhanced organic carbon sequestration; its beneficial function is postulated to stem from mitigation of oxidative stress. Collectively, this study provides initial evidence that distinct organic amendments modulate rhizosphere processes via divergent biochemical and microbial mechanisms—offering a theoretical foundation for their rational selection and application in saline–alkali soil remediation. Full article

Viticulture is a notable economic activity in the Mediterranean basin, and the inter-row area is managed through tillage, which has several disadvantages and can lead to soil erosion. Also, there has been an increased trend in utilizing cover crops in vineyards, as they provide several ecosystem services. The objective of our experiment was to study the growth and yield of monocrops of triticale, barley and pea, and their intercrops when they were grown in a Mediterranean vineyard. The results show that pea–triticale and pea–barley intercropping systems exhibited higher or earlier peaks in leaf area index (up to 180%) than monocultures, indicating complementary canopy structures that improved light interception. Intercrops consistently produced higher biomass, with triticale–pea yielding up to 11.63 t ha⁻¹, though grain yield was more variable and sensitive to environmental stresses during reproductive stages. The indices that were determined showed the significant advantage of the intercrops compared to the monocrops. Also, intercrops showed higher environmental resource use efficiency, as measured with Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) and Water Use Efficiency (WUE), compared to the monocrops. The present study demonstrates that cereal–legume intercropping in vineyards can increase biomass, grain production, and environmental resource use efficiency and can be used for sustainable intensification in Mediterranean cropping systems. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of thermocomposting followed by vermicomposting on the physicochemical properties of insect frass and its suitability as a germination and growth substrate for kale, tomato, and bell pepper. Vermicomposting improved frass stability by reducing pH, electrical conductivity, carbon content, and the C/N ratio, while increasing total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and calcium and magnesium availability, indicating enhanced maturity and nutrient retention. Peat–frass mixtures (20–100%), increased pH from acidic conditions in the control to near neutral in 100% frass and raised electrical conductivity from 0.67 dS m⁻¹ to the highest values in the pure frass treatment. Tomato seedlings exhibited strong tolerance and enhanced growth at all frass proportions, with seedling heights exceeding 33 cm compared with the control. Kale showed optimal growth at 20–60% frass, while 80–100% reduced early development. In bell pepper, emergence declined at high frass proportions, although seedlings grown with ≥40% frass reached heights of approximately 8.3–8.6 cm. Vermicomposted frass also influenced plant metabolism, increasing flavonoid accumulation and modifying antioxidant activity. These findings demonstrate that stabilized frass can serve as a sustainable substrate component, contributing to organic waste valorization and improved seedling production when applied at crop-specific proportions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Polyethylene (PE) mulching enhances crop productivity through microclimate optimization but introduces synthetic polymer-derived compounds into agricultural soils. Despite widespread use, biochemical and microbial impacts of PE mulch emissions remain poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of PE mulch emissions on soil metabolomes and microbial communities during field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation. Methods: A 75-day field experiment compared PE-mulched and non-mulched soils across five temporal sampling points (T0–T4). Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to identify PE-derived organic compounds in mulched soils. Microbial community structure was assessed through the phospholipids derived fatty acids (PLFA) approach, whereas mass spectrometric untargeted metabolomics was used to characterize the soil biochemical profiles. Results: Analysis identified 18 PE-derived organic compounds (n-alkanes, phthalates, and additives) in the mulched soils. PE mulching significantly increased bacterial abundance (anaerobic bacteria, actinomycetes, and aerobic bacteria) but suppressed all functional fungal guilds, particularly saprotrophic fungi (30% reduction) and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts. PE-derived organic compounds were associated primarily with the first RDA axis (RDA1), which alone explained 44.6% of the metabolome variance. These compounds presented strong positive correlations with organic nitrogen compounds and lipids and negative correlations with benzenoids and nucleotides. Pathway analysis revealed perturbations in energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and xenobiotic degradation pathways. Conclusions: PE mulch emissions differentially shift soil microbial communities and metabolic networks, with bacterial proliferation contrasting with fungal suppression. These findings highlight the complex trade-offs between agronomic benefits and soil biological impacts, emphasizing the need for sustainable mulching alternatives. Full article