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The plants are exposed to different abiotic stresses, including the salinity stress (SS) that negatively affect the growth, metabolism, physiological and biochemical processes. Thus, this study investigated the effect of diverse levels of foliar-applied GB (0 control, 50 mM and 100 mM) on maize growth, membrane stability, physiological and biochemical attributes, antioxidant enzymes and nutrients accumulation under different levels of SS (i.e., control, 6 dS m-1, 12 dS m-1). Salt stress diminished the root and shoot length, root and shoot biomass, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), relative water contents (RWC), soluble proteins (SP) and free amino acids; (FAA); and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, electrical conductivity (EC) and accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Na+ and Cl− ions. GB application significantly increased root and shoot growth, leaves per plant, shoots length, chlorophyll contents, gs, Pn and membrane stability by reducing MDA and H2O2 accumulation. Moreover, GB also increased the SP, FAA accumulation, activities of antioxidant enzymes and Na+ and Cl- exclusion by favouring Ca2+ and K+ accumulation. In conclusion, the foliar-applied GB increased Pn, gs, ant-oxidants activities, and accumulation of SP and FAA; and reduced the accretion of Na+ and Cl− by favouring the Ca2+ and K+ accretion which in turns improved growth under SS.

Aims Cover crops play an important role in soil fertility as they can accumulate large amounts of nutrients. This study aimed at understanding the nutrient uptake capacity of a wide range of cover crops and at assessing the relevance of acquisition strategies. Methods A field experiment was conducted to characterize 20 species in terms of leaf and root traits. Plant traits were related to nutrient concentration and shoot biomass production with a redundancy analysis. Acquisition strategies were identified using a cluster analysis. Results Root systems varied greatly among cover crop species. Five nutrient acquisition strategies were delineated. Significant amounts of nutrients (about 120 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen, 30 kg ha⁻¹ of phosphorus and 190 kg ha⁻¹ of potassium) were accumulated by the species in a short period. Nutrient acquisition strategies related to high accumulations of nutrients consisted in either high shoot biomass and root mass and dense tissues, or high nutrient concentrations and root length densities. Species with high root length densities showed lower C/N ratios. Conclusions The same amounts of nutrients were accumulated by groups with different acquisition strategies. However, their nutrient concentrations offer different perspectives in terms of nutrient release for the subsequent crop and nutrient cycling improvement.

Silicon (Si) effects on mineral nutrient status in plants are not well investigated. It is known that Si has a beneficial effect on plants under stressed conditions. The aim was to make a state of the art investigation of the Si influence: (1) on nutrient availability in four different soil types, namely clayish, sandy, alum shale and submerged soil; and (2) on accumulation of various nutrients in maize, lettuce, pea, carrot and wheat growing in hydroponics. Soil was treated with K2SiO3 corresponding to 80 and 1000 kg Si ha−1 and the nutrient medium with 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 μM Si. In general, Si effects were similar in all analyzed plant species and in all soil types tested. Results showed that, in soil, Si increased the availability of Ca, P, S, Mn, Zn, Cu and Mo and that of Cl and Fe tended to increase. The availability of K and Mg was not much affected by Si. Uptake from solution of S, Mg, Ca, B, Fe, and Mn increased; N, Cu, Zn and K decreased; P decreased/increased; and Cl and Mo was not influenced. Translocation to shoot of Mg, Ca, S, Mn, and Mo increased; Fe, Cu and Zn decreased; and K, P, N, Cl and B was not affected. It was concluded that, if plants had been cultivated in soil, Si-maintained increased availability of nutrients in the soil solution would probably compensate for the decrease in tissue concentration of those nutrient elements. The study shows that Si also influences the nutrient uptake in non-stressed plants.

Drained peatlands emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and cause downstream nutrient pollution. Rewetting aids in restoring carbon storage and sustaining unique biodiversity. However, rewetting for nature restoration is socio-economically not always feasible. Cultivation of Sphagnum biomass after rewetting allows agricultural production. In the short term, Sphagnum paludiculture is productive without fertilization but it remains unclear whether it sustains its functionality in the longer-term. We studied nutrient dynamics, organic matter build-up, and carbon and nutrient accumulation at a 16-ha Sphagnum paludiculture area in NW-Germany. Site preparation included topsoil removal and inoculation with Sphagnum and it was rewetted five and ten years ago and managed with mowing, irrigation, and ditch cleaning. The unfertilized sites were irrigated with (compared to bog conditions) nutrient-rich surface water and exposed to atmospheric nitrogen deposition of 21 kg N/ha/yr. Our data reveal that ten years of Sphagnum growth resulted in a new 30 cm thick organic layer, sequestering 2,600 kg carbon, 56 kg nitrogen, 3.2 kg phosphorus, and 9.0 kg potassium per ha/yr. Porewater nutrient concentrations were low and remained stable over time in the top layer, while ammonium concentrations decreased from 400–700 to 0–50 µmol/L in the peat profile over 10 years. Hydro-climatic fluctuations most likely caused the variation in ammonium in the top layer. We conclude that Sphagnum paludiculture enables rapid carbon and nutrient accumulation without active fertilization provided the biomass is not harvested, and provides perspective for bog restoration on agricultural peatlands. Large-scale application of Sphagnum paludiculture may mitigate environmental issues of unsustainable peatland-use.

Soil texture affects rice nutrient uptake and yield formation by influencing soil structure, microbial activity, and soil nutrient supply capacity. Analyzing the relationship between soil texture, nutrient content, and rice agronomic traits is of great significance for precise and efficient fertilizer application. The tillage layer (0–20 cm) of 31 paddy fields in China’s main rice-producing areas was collected to perform rice pot experiments, and soil texture characteristics, physicochemical properties, microbial-related indicators, and rice agronomic traits were measured and analyzed. The results showed that these soils could be classified into four types of soil texture: loamy sandy soil, sandy loam soil, silty loam soil, and silty soil. Analysis of variance showed that the available nitrogen (AN), available potassium (AK), and available phosphorus (AP) contents were the highest in silty loam, silty, and sandy loam soils, respectively, and silt loamy soil had the highest CEC. Principal component analysis (PCA) also showed that soil physicochemical properties can be distinguished to a certain extent according to soil texture types. For the relationship of soil texture parameters and soil physicochemical properties, soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), AN, ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), and microbial carbon (MBC) contents were positively correlated with soil clay content, AK was positively correlated with silt content, and soil phosphorus status was significantly related to pH. Mantel’s test revealed significant correlations between rice N, P, and K nutrient status, dry matter accumulation, and yield, and soil available nutrient content, MBC, pH, and soil texture parameters. Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that sand affected soil available nutrients by regulating pH, while clay can positively influence soil available nutrients by affecting soil organic matter mineralization and microbial activity, thus influencing nutrient absorption and yield formation in rice. Overall, in rice production, the silty and silty loam paddy soil with fine texture and higher clay content facilitates the mineralization of soil organic matter and the activity of soil microbes, resulting in more available soil nutrients, which benefits the rice absorption and accumulation of nutrients. Furthermore, a higher content of clay also promotes the distribution of dry matter to the panicle, thereby promoting rice yield formation.

Garlic cultivars in southern Brazil are virus-free, however, the rate of nutrient absorption and plant growth is unknown. The objective of this work was to determine the growth curve, production and nutrient uptake of three virus-free garlic cultivars. The experiment was conducted in Fraiburgo, SC state, in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. The treatments were arranjed in a factorial 3 x 10 scheme with parcel subdivided in time. The three cultivars (Ito, Caçador and Quitéria) were distributed in the parcels and ten collects (14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112, 126 and 140 days after planting) were the subparcel. The plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and extraction of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and Cu were determined. The three cultivars present differences in their growth curve and accumulation of nutrients. Nutrient extraction and dry mass accumulation are highly intensified after the plants differentiation into cloves. The maximum accumulation of all nutrients and the bulbs and total dry mass of plants occur at harvest. The nutrients absorption follows the sequence: K>N>Ca>P>Mg>Fe>Zn>Cu. Garlic cultivars in southern Brazil are virus-free, however, the rate of nutrient absorption and plant growth is unknown. The objective of this work was to determine the growth curve, production and nutrient uptake of three virus-free garlic cultivars. The experiment was conducted in Fraiburgo, SC state, in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. The treatments were arranjed in a factorial 3 x 10 scheme with parcel subdivided in time. The three cultivars (Ito, Caçador and Quitéria) were distributed in the parcels and ten collects (14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112, 126 and 140 days after planting) were the subparcel. The plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and extraction of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and Cu were determined. The three cultivars present differences in their growth curve and accumulation of nutrients. Nutrient extraction and dry mass accumulation are highly intensified after the plants differentiation into cloves. The maximum accumulation of all nutrients and the bulbs and total dry mass of plants occur at harvest. The nutrients absorption follows the sequence: K>N>Ca>P>Mg>Fe>Zn>Cu.

Aims The conservation tillage i.e. reduced tillage (incl. no tillage and minimum tillage) and straw return, plays an important role in the promotion of sustainable agriculture. However, comprehensive cognition is still weak on how conservation tillage improves soil. Methods Here, we collected 7613 paired observations from 308 publications to reveal the improvement of soil by conservation tillage in perspective of coupled soil nutrients and soil functional enzyme activities. Results (1) Conservation tillage had positive effect on soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, dissoluble organic carbon, available nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, microbial carbon, and microbial nitrogen (7.44–30.56%) via promoting soil enzyme activity, while significantly reduced nitrate nitrogen (-11.55%), and this effect was more concentrated in soil surface. (2) The accumulation of soil nutrients under conservation tillage was closely related to the soil functional enzyme activities with slope ranges from -0.07 to 0.94. The complexity of coupling and cycling among soil elements caused single soil functional enzyme and the accumulation of multiple nutrients were intensively related. (3) Soil depth contributes to differentiation of soil nutrients accumulation and is influenced by the type of tillage and crop. Besides, geography, climate and initial soil properties had limited moderating effects on nutrient response to conservation tillage. Conclusions Overall, conservation tillage promotes nutrient accumulation by improving the soil biochemical environment to enhance soil enzyme activity. This could effectively improve soil fertility and biochemical environment for sustainable agricultural development. The research could provide valuable references for sustainable agricultural management.

Micro-sprinkler irrigation has been a promising irrigation method to promote Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen production but their scientific irrigation frequency in improving yield and water use efficiency of P. notoginseng remains contradictory and inconclusive. The objective of this study was therefore to examine and propose a scientific irrigation frequency in water management of P. notoginseng cultivation considering their impact on soil water, soil available nutrients, root growth, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE). The micro-sprinkler irrigation experiment under shading and rain-shelter conditions was carried out in the growing season of P. notoginseng from 2017 to 2018.The treatments included four micro-sprinkler irrigation frequencies, such as IF1 (irrigation once every three days), IF2 (irrigation once every five days), IF3 (irrigation once every seven days), and IF4 (irrigation once every nine days) in 2017-2018. The results indicated that the IF3 treatment significantly increased the nitrogen accumulation of P. notoginseng (271.98 mg plant-1). In addition, the IF2 treatment enhanced the phosphorus accumulation (27.82 mg plant-1), potassium accumulation (408.38 mg plant-1), total root surface area (67.49 cm2 plant-1), total root volume (3.79 cm3 plant-1) and yield (702 kg ha-1). The IF2 treatment significantly increased WUE by 29.2%, 28.1%, and 37.7% compared with the IF1, IF3, and IF4 treatments, respectively. Our findings suggested that IF2 treatment increased the soil water content, reduced the soil nutrient content, increased the accumulation of phosphorus and potassium in P. notoginseng , promoted the root growth of P. notoginseng , and improved the quality and yield of P. notoginseng , providing a scientific theoretical basis for reasonable water control and green quality production in the cultivation of P. notoginseng under shade and rain shelter cultivation.

ABSTRACT Soil microbial communities interact with roots, affecting plant growth and nutrient acquisition. In the present study, we aimed to decipher the effects of the inoculants Trichoderma harzianum T-22, Pseudomonas sp. DSMZ 13134, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 or Pseudomonas sp. RU47 on the rhizosphere microbial community and their beneficial effects on tomato plants grown in moderately low phosphorous soil under greenhouse conditions. We analyzed the plant mass, inoculant colony forming units and rhizosphere communities on 15, 22, 29 and 43 days after sowing. Selective plating showed that the bacterial inoculants had a good rhizocompetence and accelerated shoot and root growth and nutrient accumulation. 16S rRNA gene fingerprints indicated changes in the rhizosphere bacterial community composition. Amplicon sequencing revealed that rhizosphere bacterial communities from plants treated with bacterial inoculants were more similar to each other and distinct from those of the control and the Trichoderma inoculated plants at harvest time, and numerous dynamic taxa were identified. In conclusion, likely both, inoculants and the rhizosphere microbiome shifts, stimulated early plant growth mainly by improved spatial acquisition of available nutrients via root growth promotion. At harvest, all tomato plants were P-deficient, suggesting a limited contribution of inoculants and the microbiome shifts to the solubilization of sparingly soluble soil P. Tomato plants inoculated with the bacterial strains showed a remarkably enhanced biomass production and nutrient accumulation triggered by the inoculants and likely also by the microbiome shifts.

The growth and productivity of wild lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) are closely influenced by various environmental factors, including soil composition, climate, light availability, and water levels. This review explores how these conditions and abiotic stress affect lingonberry populations in diverse habitats, from lowland regions to mountainous terrain. Light plays a critical role in flavonoid and anthocyanin synthesis, with solar radiation and photoperiod directly impacting fruit development. Additionally, altitudinal gradients influence the accumulation of polyphenols and vitamin C, while reducing plant height and pollinator activity. Soil types such as cambisols and podzols, often found in subalpine and alpine areas, are favorable for lingonberry growth. Climate factors, particularly winter temperatures and precipitation, significantly affect flowering success, with low temperatures and lack of snow cover negatively impacting fruit production. Forest type and density, including competing vegetation and nutrient availability, further determine the distribution and health of lingonberry populations. This review emphasizes the importance of favorable environmental conditions in promoting the vitality and yield of wild lingonberry, with potential implications for conservation efforts aimed at sustaining its productivity in natural habitats.