Soil microarthropods affect soil ecosystems in a manner that may contribute to balancing the goals of building soil health and controlling weeds in organic agricultural systems. While soil microarthropod feeding behavior can affect plant growth, their impacts on plant communities in agricultural systems are largely unknown. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of microarthropods on weed communities. A model weed seed bank was used in each mesocosm, which included yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem&Schult.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii S. Watson), water-hemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.). The study included three treatments: Collembola (Isotomiella minor, Schaffer 1896) abundance (none, low, high), soil microbial community (sterilized/non-sterilized), and fertilizer (presence/ absence of compost). A lab experiment examining individual weed species interactions with I. minor was conducted to elucidate the mechanisms driving the greenhouse experiment findings. Twenty seeds of each weed species were placed on moistened germination paper in containers with varying I. minor abundance levels (none, low, high, very high). Seed germination was recorded after five and seven days. In the greenhouse, the presence of I. minor increased total weed emergence during the first two weeks, but this effect diminished after three weeks. Increasing I. minor abundances generally decreased weed biomass, though this effect was greater in the non-sterilized soil. In the non-sterilized soil, I. minor presence decreased total aboveground weed biomass production by up to 23 %. The Amaranthus species, Powell amaranth and waterhemp, drove this effect with a 55 % and 32 % reduction in biomass, respectively. In tandem, the Amaranthus species had reduced abundances in the presence of I. minor. I. minor increased yellow foxtail germination in the lab, while not affecting the other weed species. This suggests that their effects on the Amaranthus weeds in the greenhouse were likely not caused by direct effects on germination, but instead through nutrient cycling or root herbivory. The proposed mechanism underlying these interactions is that I. minor can initially stimulate germination by feeding on seed coats, but when the seed coats are minimal can damage the seedling. Our findings indicate I. minor could impact weed growth in a manner that affects management decisions and outcomes.

When processing barley for the brewing and food industries, one of the process steps is the separation of barley grains. After separation, waste fractions are created that contain damaged grains, dust, stones, grass, clay residues, etc. The waste fractions therefore contain recyclable components. It is important to find a suitable way to use these waste fractions. This research is focused on the possibilities of applying torrefied waste fractions as soil enrichment to support plant growth. The first waste fraction contained lower-quality barley grains that are used as feed for livestock. The second waste fraction contained grass seeds and chaff and can be used as feed for forest animals. The third waste fraction, which contained aspiration dust, is currently being incinerated and disposed at biogas plants. Experiments were conducted with different ratios of torrefied fractions added to the soil and the values of total nitrogen were analyzed as an indicator of the benefit to the soil. The results showed that torrefied waste fractions exhibit positive properties for plant growth. The best results were achieved with a mixture containing 10 and 50 % of soil enriched with torrefied second and third waste fractions. Experiments confirmed a positive effect on plant growth, which suggests the possibility of applying this procedure in practice. Compared to current research, this method can contribute to the sustainable management of biowaste and its effective use for improving soil conditions with a high potential for sustainable agriculture.

The environmental pollution caused by the extensive use of plastic films in farmland and the discharge of large amounts of manure from animal husbandry has seriously affected the sustainable development of global agriculture and environment. In this study, using cow manure as raw material, a cow dung-based biodegradable liquid mulch (CD-BA) was synthesized through grafting polymerization and as an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional agricultural plastic film. By studying the effects of the proportion of cow manure raw materials and additives on the performance of liquid plastic film, the optimal CD-BA was synthesized with 48.36 wt% of cow dung, 26.77 wt% of glycerol and 2.08 wt% of quartz sand (red soil), respectively. The soil test results indicate that CD-BA has the capability to reduce soil water evaporation by 15%-42%, which is marginally lower than the 67% reduction observed with plastic mulch. Its temperature-increasing capacity ranges from 0.63 degrees C to 1.21 degrees C, which is comparable to the capacity of plastic mulch. Moreover, CD-BA achieves a soil degradation rate of 41.2%-69.5% within 120 days, significantly addressing the persistent non-degradability issue associated with traditional plastic mulch. In plant experiments, CD-BA demonstrated a 97.5% inhibition rate on weed seed germination, whereas CD-BA positively influenced crop growth and its drought resistance. This study provides a feasible resource utilization method for simultaneously solving the environmental pollution problems of animal breeding waste and farmland plastic film.

Plants can sustain various degrees of damage or compensate for tissue loss by regrowth without significant fitness costs. This tolerance to insect herbivory depends on the plant's developmental stage during which the damage is inflicted and on how much tissue is removed. Plant fitness correlates, that is, biomass and germination of seeds, were determined at different ontogenetic stages, vegetative, budding, or flowering stages of three annual brassicaceous species exposed to feeding by Pieris brassicae caterpillars at different intensities. Fitness costs decreased with progressive ontogenetic stage at which damage was inflicted. Feeding on meristem tissues on vegetative and budding plants limited the plant's ability to fully compensate for tissue loss, whereas feeding on flowers resulted in full compensation or overcompensation in Sinapis arvensis and Brassica nigra. Herbivory promoted germination of seeds in the following year, thereby causing a shift in relative contribution to the next year's generation at the expense of contributing to the long-lived seed bank. Herbivory intensity affected fitness correlates of B. nigra and to a lesser extent of Sisymbrium officinale, but not of S. arvensis, demonstrating that even closely related plant species can differ in their specific responses to herbivory and that these can differently affect reproductive output. In terms of fitness costs, annual plant species can be quite resilient to herbivory. However, the extent to which they tolerate tissue loss depends on the ontogenetic stage that is under attack. Seed persistence in the soil has been proposed as a bet-hedging strategy of short-lived species to increase long-term fitness. Herbivore-induced changes in seed germination can result in a shift in the relative contribution of seeds to the seed bank and next year's generation.

Anabasis articulata, a medicinal plant used in Algeria to treat various ailments, also has significant pastoral and ecological value. Assessing its tolerance to temperature changes and soil salinity is crucial for understanding its potential use in the restoration of salt-affected lands in dry and semi-arid regions. The objectives of the present work were to determine the optimal temperature for seed germination of an important medicinal species and evaluate the degree of tolerance to saline and thermal stresses during germination and early seedling stages of Anabasis articulata. Seeds were collected from individuals of two populations of Anabasis articulata located in Sed Rahal (Djelfa-Algeria) and Oued N'sa (Ouargla-Algeria). Seeds were germinated at seven salinity levels (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mM) and incubated at eight temperatures (5,10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 degrees C). The germination attributes studied were germination kinetics, germination percentage, germination rate, and the measurement of shoot and root lengths of seedlings. The statistical analysis revealed that salinity level and temperature variations significantly affected germination and post-germination characteristics. The highest germination percentages were obtained under non-saline conditions; salt stress delayed or limited the germination process and seedling growth. High temperatures (35-45 degrees C) have a more negative effect than lower temperatures (5-15 degrees C). Optimum temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees C. At these temperatures, even at a saline concentration of 600 mM, 46% of the seeds were able to germinate for the Sed Rahal station and 21 % for the Oued N'sa station. Sed Rahal exhibited higher final germination percentages, germination rates, and seedling growth compared to Oued N'sa, particularly under moderate temperatures and lower salinity levels, demonstrating better resilience to salinity and temperature extremes. Sed Rahal seedlings exhibited more reduction in root length at low temperatures, while Oued N'sa seedlings showed more reduction in shoot length at high temperatures. The results demonstrate that this species possesses significant ecological adaptation in germination and seedling stages, making it suitable for the restoration of damaged ecosystems and marginal areas.

Salinization is a significant global issue causes irreversible damage to plants by reducing osmotic potential, inhibiting seed germination, and impeding water uptake. Seed germination, a crucial step towards the seedling stage is regulated by several hormones and genes, with the balance between abscisic acid and gibberellin being the key mechanism that either promotes or inhibits this process. Additionally, mucilage, a gelatinous substance, is known to provide protection against drought, herbivory, soil adhesion, and seed sinking. However, limited information is available on the structure and thickness of seed mucilage in halophytes under different salinity conditions. In this study, the mucilage structure of the extreme halophyte Schrenkiella parvula was compared with the glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana in response to salinity. We found differences in the expression levels of genes such as ABI5, RGL2, DOG1, ENO2, and DHAR2, which are involved in seed germination and antioxidant activity, as well as in the mucilage structure of seeds of S. parvula and A. thaliana seeds at different salt concentrations. The responses of seed germination of S. parvula to salinity indicate that it is more salt-tolerant than A. thaliana. Additionally, it was found that S. parvula mucilage decreased under salt conditions but not under mannitol conditions, whereas in A. thaliana mucilage did not change under both conditions, which is one of the adaptation strategies of S. parvula to salt conditions. We believe that these fundamental analyzes will provide a foundation for future molecular and biochemical studies comparing the responses of crops and halophytes to salinity stress.

Quercus longispica is a dominant shrub in the Himalayan subalpine region, demonstrating high levels of persistence despite high seed predation and extreme climatic conditions. However, its seed germination ecology and adaptations for seedling recruitment remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of temperature, water potential, and insect damage on seed germination and seedling establishment. Pre-germination seed traits and seed-to-seedling ontogeny were systematically analyzed. Our results demonstrated that seed germination percentages decreased with increasing insect damage across all temperature and water potential treatments. Cool temperatures (5-10 degrees C) yielded the highest germination percentages, potentially due to the suppression of parasitoid activity and mildew growth. While drought conditions also suppressed parasitoid activity, they significantly increased seed mortality. Despite a decline in seedling performance with increasing seed damage, overall seedling establishment remained robust. Several adaptive traits enable Q. longispica to persist in its harsh environment. Multi-seeded, non-apical embryos combined with rapid germination help embryos evade or escape damage from parasitism and predation. The rapid elongation of cotyledonary petioles pushes the embryo axis into the soil, with rapid nutrient and water transfer from the cotyledon to the taproot, thereby avoiding the threats of predation, drought, cold, and wildfire. Additionally, temperature-regulated epicotyl dormancy at the post-germination stage prevents the emergence of cold-intolerant seedlings in winter. This study provides the first comprehensive description of seed-to-seedling ontogeny in this Himalayan subalpine oak, offering crucial insights into the adaptive mechanisms that facilitate successful seedling recruitment in the challenging subalpine habitats.

Selenium (Se) plays a crucial role in ameliorating the negative impact of abiotic stress. The present study was performed to elucidate the efficacy of soil treatment of Se in reducing salt-induced stress in Carthamus tinctorius L. In this study, three different levels of Na2SeO4 (0, 0.01, and 0.02 g kg- 1) and four levels of NaCl (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 g kg- 1) were applied. The findings revealed that while NaCl decreased seed germination parameters, growth characteristics, K+ content, relative water content (RWC), and photosynthetic pigments, it increased Na+ content, soluble carbohydrates, H2O2 content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The application of Se showed a positive effect on seed germination and growth characteristics under salinity conditions, which is linked to alterations in anatomical, biochemical, and physiological factors. Anatomical studies showed that treatment with Se led to increased stem diameter, cortical parenchyma thickness, and pith diameter under salinity stress. However, variations in the thickness of the xylem and phloem did not reach statistical significance. The application of Se (0.02 g kg- 1) raised Na+ content (7.65%), K+ content (29.24%), RWC (15%), Chl a (17%), Chl b (21.73%), Chl a + b (16.9%), Car (4.22%), and soluble carbohydrates (11%) in plants subjected to NaCl (2.5 g kg- 1) stress. Furthermore, it decreased H2O2 (25.65%) and MDA (11.9%) in the shoots. The findings of the current study advocate the application of the Se-soil treating technique as an approach for salt stress mitigation in crops grown in saline conditions.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major food grain crop predominantly grown in semi-arid regions. Nevertheless, its productivity is greatly affected by drought, posing a significant challenge to sustainable cultivation. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) seed priming, followed by storage at various temperatures, in enhancing drought tolerance in bread wheat. Seeds of bread wheat were primed with GABA (1 mu M) for 18 h at a 1:5 seed-to-solution ratio and subsequently stored at 15, 25, and 35 degrees C for six weeks. Post-treatment, the seeds were sown in soil maintained at either 75% (well-watered) or 40% (drought stress) water holding capacity. Drought stress delayed germination and impeded plant growth. However, GABA priming improved seedling growth, dry biomass, water content, and photosystem efficiency, while mitigating oxidative damage under drought conditions. Additionally, drought stress induced higher activities of antioxidant enzymes and leaf free proline and glycinebetaine contents, leaf soluble phenolics, and leaf GABA contents, all of which were further enhanced by GABA priming. Storage of primed seeds at 25 degrees C yielded the most beneficial results, followed by 15 degrees C. Overall, GABA seed priming, particularly when stored at 25 degrees C, significantly bolstered the antioxidant defense mechanisms and leaf proline and glycinebetaine, leaf soluble phenolics and leaf GABA accumulation, thereby sustaining photosystem efficiency and growth in wheat under drought stress.

The application of sanitary sewage using subsurface drip irrigation contributes to mitigating the current problems of water availability and food production. The aim in this study was to evaluate cowpea receiving sanitary sewage through drippers operating at different flow rates and depths. The drippers operated at flow rates of 1.6 and 3.8 L h(-1) and were installed at depths of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm. Cowpea was grown in 65 L pots filled with sandy clay soil in a greenhouse. Synthetic sanitary sewage was used and the amount applied to the pots was based on the limiting element, which in this case was nitrogen, for growing cowpea. Irrigation was managed using TDR probes. Germination and the physiological responses and morphology of cowpea roots were assessed. Capillary rise, when water was applied in subsurface, was not sufficient to evenly moisten the soil surface. The germination variables decreased as a result of the increase in drip installation depths. The distribution of water as the depth of the emitters increased was responsible for the damage to the physiological and morphological responses of cowpea roots. The flow rates of the drippers did not affect the germination of cowpea. Using the subsurface drip irrigation system was not appropriate for growing cowpea under the conditions of this study.