Plant and Soil最新文献

{"title":"Negative effects of elevated ozone levels on soil microbial characteristics: a meta-analysis","authors":"Xiaofei Lu, Jie Li, Xinyi Zhou, Xu Yue","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07309-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07309-6","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>The effects of elevated tropospheric ozone (O₃) concentrations on terrestrial ecosystems have been extensively researched by numerous O₃ fumigation experiments and syntheses. While the detrimental impacts of O₃ stress on aboveground plant physiological traits are well-documented, there remains a gap in our understanding of how elevated O₃ influences soil microbes and plant–microbe interactions.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Here, we synthesized data from 71 O₃ fumigation experiments conducted globally to evaluate the effects of elevated O₃ on soil microbial characteristics, including biomass, community composition, and extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Elevated O₃ led to an average reduction of 14.2% in microbial biomass carbon (MBC). It was largely attributable to decreased plant carbon input, as the effect size of MBC was closely correlated with declines in both aboveground and root biomass. Fungal communities appeared more vulnerable to O₃ stress than bacterial communities, as evidenced by a 10.7% decrease in fungal phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), while total and bacterial PLFAs were only marginally affected. Furthermore, the negative impacts on microbes intensified with increasing O₃ concentrations but tended to diminish over time. In addition, elevated O₃ significantly reduced hydrolytic EEAs, which target simple compounds, by 12.9%, while increasing oxidative EEAs, which degrade recalcitrant compounds, by 12.0%. It suggests that O₃ stress would affect the decomposition of soil organic matter by shifting EEAs.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Elevated O₃ impairs soil microbial growth and changes microbial C utilization strategies, which could profoundly impact C cycling in terrestrial ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143486019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spectral clustering analysis: discrimination of grass-herb roots and live-dead roots in VISNIR and SWIR regions","authors":"Pavel Baykalov, Gernot Bodner, Ivika Ostonen, Boris Rewald","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07306-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07306-9","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Hyperspectral imaging is becoming a key, high-throughput technique in plant research. However, its application to roots has not yet received sufficient attention. The aims of this study are to identify spectral features that distinguish fine roots from soil, non-woody roots of different species, and dead from living roots, and to identify appropriate analytical techniques.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Roots of <i>Alopecurus pratensis</i> (meadow foxtail) and <i>Urtica dioica</i> (nettle) and the rhizosphere were imaged in rhizoboxes in the wavelength range 400–1700 nm, covering both visible near- (VISNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) regions. Principal Component Analysis, K-means clustering, and Generalised Linear Model, Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis, and Distributed Random Forest models were used to classify groups. Wavebands critical for classification were identified.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Our results demonstrate the intricate nature of spectra clustering, highlighting the challenges in the VISNIR range and the promise of SWIR data for enhanced separability. While species differentiation is challenging, the determination of the living conditions of the roots is possible within the SWIR range. The analysis reveals the significance of specific spectral regions, notably those associated with water content and senescence, in distinguishing between living and dead roots. Water content regions (mainly 1245 nm and 1450 nm) were most important in discriminating between roots and soil.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>This study highlights the potential of spectral analysis, particularly in the SWIR region, for distinguishing roots by species and vitality. Further efforts are needed to develop robust methods for mixed data sets containing roots of different species and degrees of vitality.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mixed grass–legume pastures in integrated crop-livestock systems: A strategy to improve soil health and soybean yield in the Brazilian Cerrado","authors":"Luiz Gustavo de O. Denardin, Juliana M. A. S. Moraes, Davi S. Tavares, Gabriela C. Pires, Laércio S. Silva, Leandro P. Pacheco, Flávio J. Wruck, Marco A. C. Carneiro, Edicarlos D. Souza","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07307-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07307-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different mixed grass-legume pastures compared to single grass cultivation as the second crop of an integrated crop livestock system (ICLS) in Brazilian Cerrado on (i) soil organic carbon and nitrogen pools, (ii) microbial biomass, enzyme and microbial activity of the soil, (iii) soil health, and (iv) soybean grain yield in succession.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>In this experiment, the soybean was cultivated in the summer season, with the subsequent treatments with two grasses (<i>Urochloa ruziziensis</i> or <i>Urochloa brizantha</i>), single or intercropped with Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i>) or Pigeon pea (<i>Cajanus cajan</i>), and soil collections were carried out 2 years after the implementation of the experiment, which was in 2015.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Regardless of the grass species, Cowpea intercropping yielded 28% more soybeans than single-cropped grasses. The intercropping effects on soybean yield were directly related to improvements in soil biological and biochemical properties since there was a higher microbial biomass and activity, and enzymatic activity in the soil. In addition to the higher basal respiration and metabolic quotient (<i>q</i>CO₂), the lower microbial quotient (<i>q</i>MIC) indicates a microbial stress condition in grass monoculture compared to mixed grass-legume pastures.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>The mixed grass-legume pastures are effective strategies to increase C and N stocks in different soil pools under integrated crop-livestock systems, reflecting increases in soybean grain yield. Grass-legume intercropping in the pasture phase of ICLS is an additional tool to maximize soil health improvements and soybean yields in the short term.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical abstract</h3>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nano-silica/polymer composites increase the growth and development of Poa pratensis, Festuca arundinacea, F. rubra and Lolium perenne in sandy soil by facilitating the uptake of silica nanoparticles into cells","authors":"Jinke Yuan, Zuan Pei, Xiaohong Hu, Sheng Wang, Xipu Tian","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07313-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07313-w","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>A nano-silica/polymer composite (NSPC) was developed as an environmentally friendly agent and applied as a sustainable sand-fixing material. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the NSPC curing agent on enhancing the growth of plants in sandy soil and the role of silicon (Si) in plant metabolism.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Four different grasses (<i>Poa pratensis</i>, <i>Festuca arundinacea</i>, <i>F. rubra</i> and <i>Lolium perenne</i>) were grown in a monoculture pot experiment in a controlled growth chamber at 3 °C with a 12 h photoperiod. After the addition of NSPC to sandy soil, grass seeds were allowed to grow for 60 days. The changes in the total chlorophyll (Chl a + b) and carotenoid (Car) contents and the amount of Si, defined as the total silica, in grasses at different growth stages were determined. Seedling growth was measured manually by using measuring tape or handheld instruments such as Vernier callipers. The uptake and translocation of silica nanoparticles in the grass plants were investigated by transmission electron microscopy.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The results revealed that, compared with the control, NSPC treatment positively affected the seedling growth and Chl and Car contents of the grass. Furthermore, NSPC significantly promoted photosynthesis and increased the Si content of grass in sandy soil by facilitating the uptake of silica nanoparticles into cells.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>NSPC application to sandy soil improved the morphophysiological and biochemical responses of grass plants, leading to improved grass yield potential. This effect was attributed to the increased photosynthetic efficiency mediated by the cellular uptake of silica nanoparticles.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"66 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined effects of multifactorial drivers on soil organic carbon retention: the underestimated role of reactive minerals in arid ecosystems","authors":"Yuanqing Tang, Fei Xie, Fengjiao Wang, Zhongli Wang, Yangzheng Liu, Xinyue Jiang, Zhiyong Li, Wenhong Ma, Cunzhu Liang, Lixin Wang, Wei Wang, Frank Yonghong Li, Changwei Lü","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07314-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07314-9","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Soil organic carbon (SOC) content is regulated by the combined effects of multifactorial drivers. However, the interactions between SOC and these drivers, as well as the potential networks linking them, have rarely been quantitatively assessed.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Based on a large-scale soil survey from 260 sites across the Mongolian Plateau, we examined the direct and indirect effects of climatic, edaphic, ecological, and mineral factors (a total of 11 variables) on SOC, and assessed the sensitivity of SOC and reactive minerals (amorphous, free forms of Fe/Al-(hydr) oxides) to the aridity index (AI) through meta-analysis (<i>n</i> = 2405).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) increased linearly with SOC accumulation across the Mongolian Plateau. Boosted regression trees (BRT) analysis indicated that the mineral factor exhibited the greatest impact on SOC, accounting for 35.4% of the variance, followed by soil properties (23.6%), ecological (22.8%), and climatic factor (18.2%). Path analysis and variance partitioning analysis (VPA) revealed the distinguishing role of reactive minerals in SOC retention and the smaller direct effect of climate compared to its indirect effects.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>SOC and reactive minerals exhibited a positive responded to AI on a global scale, with a higher sensitivity to AI in arid regions. On the Mongolian Plateau, AI promoted substantial accumulation of metal-bound organic carbon (OC) and enhanced metal–organic associations. These findings revealed the complex interactions between climate, soil, mineral, and ecological factors in regulating SOC and highlighted the critical role of reactive minerals in SOC preservation in arid regions.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biogeochemical survey of the Allchar (North Macedonia) arsenic-thallium ore body: a focus on hyperaccumulator plants","authors":"Ksenija Jakovljević, Katerina Bačeva Andonovska, Mirko Salinitro, Tomica Mišljenović, Antony van der Ent","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07252-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07252-6","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>The Allchar site in North Macedonia has a unique geology exceptionally enriched in arsenic and thallium, making the local soils extremely toxic to plant life. Surprisingly, the mineralized soils at Allchar host a diverse flora, with unknown metal(loid) accumulation potential for most of these plant species. The main aim of this study was to determine the elemental profiles ('elementomes') of plant species growing naturally in the Allchar area and to assess their elemental accumulation in relationship to concentrations in the soil in which the plants grow.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Samples of in total 23 plant species (with at least 4 replicates per species) and their associated rhizospheric soils were collected in the field at the Allchar site in North Macedonia and analysed with monochromatic X-ray fluorescence analysis for total and DTPA-extractable metal and metalloid concentrations.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>High foliar concentrations of thallium were found in some plant species, being the most extreme in <i>Silene latifolia</i>, at 79,200 µg g⁻¹ thallium, whilst arsenic concentrations are generally low in most of the plant species analysed. Thallium hyperaccumulation (&gt; 100 µg g⁻¹) was found in the families Violaceae, Lamiaceae and Caryophyllaceae. Particularly high foliar thallium concentrations were found in <i>Viola arsenica</i> and <i>V</i>. <i>tricolor</i> subsp. <i>macedonica</i>, reaching up to 31,600 and 11,700 μg g⁻¹ thallium, respectively. The elemental concentrations in soil and plant samples reflect that of the local mineralogy of the three different areas investigated at the Allchar site, with the highest mean values for thallium and arsenic in the Crven Dol area, and 249 and 3970 μg g⁻¹, respectively, in the plants that were analysed.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>The present study led to the discovery of several new thallium hyperaccumulating plant species, such as <i>Clinopodium alpinum</i>, <i>Anthyllis vulneraria</i> and <i>Linum hirsutum</i>, whereas the thallium concentrations found in <i>Silene latifolia</i> are the highest thus far recorded in nature highlighting the potential of this species for thallium phytomining applications.\u0000</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143470747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined metal treatments cause marked changes in the ionomic patterns in Szarvasi-1 energy grass shoot biomass","authors":"Deepali Rana, Vitor Arcoverde Cerveira Sterner, Zoltán May, Gyula Sipos, Ferenc Fodor","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07296-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07296-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Trace metal (TM) contamination has been and still is a major environmental threat as pollutants are frequently released to the environment through various channels. High biomass plants used for energy production can be a good option for decontamination or stabilization of soils. In the present study we have tested Szarvasi-1 energy grass (<i>Elymus elongatus</i> subsp. <i>ponticus</i> cv. Szarvasi-1) under single or combined treatment with three TMs (Cu, Cd, and Pb) in three concentrations aiming to reveal bioaccumulation and ionomic characteristics.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>The plants were grown in soil spiked with Cd, Cu and Pb in single or combined treatments. Physiological and elemental data were collected, and the changes were evaluated using several multivariate analyses.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Germination, growth, chlorophyll (Chl) content and photochemical reflectance index (PRI) declined in the Pb &lt; Cu ~ Cd order whereas the relative water content and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the shoots were stable across the treatments. In the combined treatments the growth variables, Chl and PRI declined rapidly and MDA increased showing the exhaustion of detoxification capacity of the plant. The accumulation of TMs (bioconcentration factor) decreased in the following order Cd &gt; Cu &gt; Pb in both single and combined treatments but in the latter the accumulation pattern slightly changed in favour of Pb. The nutrient and trace elements showed a characteristic change in their pattern in the shoots.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Our study points to the limitations of the application of grasses such as Szarvasi-1 energy grass in phytoremediation projects conducted on soils with multiple metal contamination.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143470748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leaf litter decomposition in mixture depends on its own abundance and neighbor richness in an alpine meadow","authors":"Defei Liang, Gbadamassi G. O. Dossa, Zhen Ma, Chunhui Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07310-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07310-z","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Litter decomposition shapes nutrients dynamics and ecosystem functioning. Effects of component leaf litter abundance and species richness in a mixture on its own decomposition remain unclear.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Using leaf litter of 1 to 5 coexisting species, we manipulated the proportions of mixed litters (resulting in 106 different mixtures), and monitored the biomass decomposition of individual species component in mixtures over a year. For each species, we separately recognized two gradients: focal species abundance (i.e., leaf litter abundance) and species richness (i.e., the number of other plant species surrounding the focal species in mixtures) in mixtures. We then simultaneously considered both effects of litter abundance and richness on litter mass loss at species level.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Species abundance could increase its own litter decomposition (i.e., abundance effects) at least for <i>Thermopsis lanceolata</i> and <i>Anemone rivularis</i>, and species richness promoted litter decomposition of the reference species (i.e., richness effects) for each species. High quality of leaf litter (low cellulose:nitrogen, etc.) at species level promoted abundance effects, while low quality (high hemicellulose:phosphorus, etc.) enhanced richness effects.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>There were positive effects of component litter abundance and species richness in the mixture on its own decomposition, and the effects of both depended on its own initial litter quality. These results set a new path to improving our understanding of litter decomposition in natural ecosystems. This study suggests that in the future, theoretical models and experimental studies of litter decomposition need to consider the influence of abundance of litter components in the mixture.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143470746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The importance of reactive silica for maintaining soil health","authors":"Jörg Schaller, Markus Kleber, Daniel Puppe, Mathias Stein, Michael Sommer, Matthias C. Rillig","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07299-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07299-5","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aim</h3><p>Soil health is vital for the sustainability of ecosystem services such as food and fiber production, nutrient cycling and water supply. Soil health can be assessed through a combination of physical, biological and chemical metrics. There is emerging evidence that reactive silica is a strong factor controlling soil functions.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Scope</h3><p>We explain how reactive silica, specifically dissolved silicic acid and amorphous silica, can be used as a new metric for assessing soil health, complementing traditional metrics or even substituting for them.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>The pivotal role of reactive silica for soil health is particularly important under stress conditions that are typically associated with drought and soil degradation. The status of reactive silica indicates soil degradation earlier than the currently used metrics, because reactive silica depletion is followed by soil degradation. We recommend suitable methods and benchmarks for assessing reactive silica. Furthermore, we suggest further research to improve our understanding of the importance of reactive silica for soil health. We call upon the soil research community to include reactive silica as a metric for soil health assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"14 1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143462916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptome profiling of tomato fruit ripening and postharvest quality response to magnesium deficiency stress","authors":"Muhammad Ishfaq, Yongqi Wang, Muhammad Azher Nawaz, Haichao Zhou, Xuexian Li","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07298-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07298-6","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and scope</h3><p>Magnesium (Mg) deficiency occurs commonly in acidic soils and intensive crop production systems. How preharvest Mg limitation affects fruit postharvest quality remains, to date, elusive at physiological- and molecular-levels.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods and results</h3><p>Using turface-cultured tomatoes (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>), we investigated the multiple morphological characteristics of tomato fruit to Mg deficiency during three late growth stages by employing physiological and molecular approaches. Results showed that total Mg²⁺ concentration was decreased by up to 14.5–27.0% under Mg limitation (0.02 mM MgSO₄.7H₂O), and the concentration of competing cations (i.e., K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Na⁺) was increased in tomato fruits. The reduced biosynthesis and accumulation of carbohydrates (i.e., soluble sugars and starch) and carotenoids decreased the harvestable yield and impaired eleven important fruit postharvest characteristics (i.e., height, width, perimeter, pericarp, and color indexes). Hormonal imbalance (i.e., IAA, ABA, GA3, and ZR) likely delayed the fruit ripening process. Transcriptome profiling indicated the alteration of major biological processes and 119, 279, and 180 genes were differentially expressed at the green mature, breaker, and red mature stages, respectively. Consistent with transcriptomic, three sugar/sucrose transportation-related genes were differentially expressed in fruit tissues. Notably, the low accumulation of total free amino acids (30.5–62.3%) and soluble proteins (25.0–22.7%) in the fruit aligned with the differential expression of eight genes involved in amino acid transport/metabolism.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>These findings deepen our understanding of the essential role of Mg in providing carbohydrates and amino acids during fruit ripening and pave the way for genetic improvement to obtain high-quality fleshy fruit under Mg-deficient conditions.\u0000</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143462921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}