<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Naturally occurring lignans are present in seeds, nuts, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. Lignans play various roles in plants and their multipurpose functions of different organisms including humans is considerable. They are involved in plant defence mechanisms through their antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. The lignans content may be affected by a variety of factors such as genotype, tissue type, geographic origin, local environmental conditions, nutrition, and plant maturity. Interactive relationships between individual factors are also considered. This review aimed to summarize the biological functions of lignans for plants and empasize the importance of these compounds for the added value of individual genotypes of plant food resources. Understanding the biological functions of lignans in plants can provide solutions to the ever-increasing requirements for the production of functional foods. Flaxseed is the richest source of lignans, and as such is considered the model species for lignans studies. Within our review, one paragraph is focused on the properties and biological functions of flax lignans.
</abstract>

Biological functions of lignans in plants

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Parameters of Wheat Flour, Dough, and Bread Fortified by Buckwheat and Millet Flours</title>The composite flours were created from basic wheat flour and from buckwheat and millet flours used as additives in the weight ratio of 5-30%. Basic technological parameters of flours (ash content, wet gluten, gluten swelling, sedimentation index, falling number), rheological properties of dough, and sensory parameters of baked bread loaves (weight, specific volume, aroma, taste, structure) were studied. Additives influenced all traits of flours, doughs, and baked breads. From the technological and sensory points of view, baked breads with the addition of buckwheat were accepted up to the addition of 20% and breads with millet up to 5% (even though taste and flavour were accepted up to 15% addition).</abstract>

Parameters of Wheat Flour, Dough, and Bread Fortified by Buckwheat and Millet Flours

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Wheat (genus <italic>Triticum</italic>) is considered to be an important source of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites with numerous health-promoting effects. Many phytochemicals are responsible for the high antioxidant activity of whole grain products. However, there is a lack of information about composition of phenolic acids and their concentrations in different <italic>Triticum</italic> species. Despite the fact that the increased consumption of whole grain cereals and whole grain-based products has been closely related to reduced risk of chronic diseases, bioactive compounds found in whole grain cereals have not achieved as much attention as the bioactive compounds in vegetables and fruits. Recent studies have revealed that the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of whole grain cereals have been regularly undervalued in the literature, because they contain more polyphenols and other phytochemicals than was reported in the past. Phenolic acids represent a large group of bioactive compounds in cereals. These compounds play a significant role in the possible positive effects of the human diet rich in whole grain cereals, especially in wheat and provide health benefits associated with demonstrably diminished risk of chronic disease development. Ferulic acid, the primary and the most abundant phenolic acid contained in wheat grain, is mainly responsible for the antioxidant activity of wheat, particularly bran fraction. In this paper, selected phenolic compounds in wheat, their antioxidant activity and health benefits related to consumption of whole grain cereals are reviewed.</abstract>

Phenolic acids and antioxidant activity of wheat species: a review

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
As it has been practiced for many decades, agriculture has had a significant negative impact on the environment. More land, fertiliser, and pesticides had been used to increase the yield to meet the demands of an expanding population. Consequences included deforestation and soil degradation as well as the extinction of biodiversity, irrigation issues, and pollution, among other things. This has resulted in developing a new type of agriculture known as sustainable agriculture to remedy the situation. Specifically, the goal is to “meet the food and textile needs of society in the present without risking the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Using appropriate agricultural practices to implement sustainable agriculture is the most effective method of accomplishing this goal. According to research, farmers’ decisions to effectively adopt sustainable agricultural practices are influenced by a variety of factors. In this paper, we firstly give an overview of sustainable agriculture practices. Then, we review the various factors affecting the adoption of these practices, and finally, we highlight the gap found in the literature.
</abstract>

Sustainable agricultural practices adoption

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Evaluation of Adaptive Measures to Reduce Climate Change Impact on Soil Organic Carbon Stock In Žitný Ostrov Region</title>Climate change impacts on soil organic carbon sequestration rate were simulated by agroecological model DAISY. Daily meteorological data for the Danubian Lowland up to 2100 were generated according to emission scenarios SRES A2 and B1 using general circulation model CGCM3.1. Effect of gradual increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere was taken into account. Various crop rotations as well as various management practices including irrigation and crop residuals incorporation were considered in three variants: i/ rainfed, residuals not incorporated, ii/ irrigated, residuals not incorporated, iii/ summer crops irrigated and residuals incorporated. Modelling outputs confirm that conventional rainfed agro-technical practices without incorporation of crop residues resulted to significant loss of soil organic carbon in soil profile towards more distanced time slices. The irrigation and the incorporation of crop residuals including stems and leaves can reduce soil organic carbon losses. If it is combined with proper crop rotation the soil organic carbon stock in soil profile can even increase.</abstract>

Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Bratislava

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

Evaluation of Adaptive Measures to Reduce Climate Change Impact on Soil Organic Carbon Stock In Žitný Ostrov Region

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The response of rice roots and shoots and their causal relationships affecting yield under varying soil water condition are important related subjects of research. To understand the mechanism of response, studies were conducted using four water treatments: a) intermittent flooding through the vegetative stage (IF-V); b) intermittent flooding extended into the reproductive stage (IF-R); c) no standing water (NSW), maintaining soil at field capacity; and d) continuous flooding (CF) condition at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand.It was observed that the senescence of lower leaf and flag leaf was delayed under IF-V compared to CF water condition. This delay was associated with higher root oxidizing activity (ROA) rate (50% higher than CF), higher root length density (RLD) (52% higher than CF), higher biomass production (14% higher than CF) along with higher grain yield (25% higher than CF). The plants grown under NSW conditions had better growth at later growth stage and better yield performance compared to IF-R because of higher nitrogen availability and higher uptake rate under NSW water conditions (73% higher N uptake). However, under CF water condition the nitrogen availability was not a limiting factor but due to decreased root activity rate the dry matter production and grain yield significantly reduced compared to IF-V water condition.The results suggested that ROA and RLD are linked to shoot response and to dry matter production. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms should assist in achieving improvements in crop productivity through improved crop management practices in water-limiting environment.</abstract>

Intermittent Irrigation Enhances Morphological and Physiological Efficiency of Rice Plants

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study is focused on the evaluation of the efficacy of conventional fungicides against Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) on sugar beet. The results showed that the best protection against CLS was achieved by treatment with kresoxim-methyl + epoxiconazole (T1) and tetraconazole (T2). The second highest fungicide efficacy was detected after treatment with (kresoxim-methyl + epoxiconazole -T1) + difenoconazole -T2, followed by (azoxystrobin + cyproconazole) + difenoconazole, (prochloraz + propiconazole) + tetraconazole, <italic>Urtica dioica</italic> plant extracts + <italic>Salix</italic> spp. plant extracts, (trifloxystrobin + cyproconazole) + tetraconazole, and picoxystrobin + tetraconazole. The positive effect of fungicide protection on yield and sugar content was higher in the year with a higher occurrence of CLS. Good CLS management could increase the root yield by up to 19.34%, and sugar yield by up to 23.83% in comparison to the untreated check. The highest sugar yield was achieved in the treatment by (prochloraz + propiconazole) + tetraconazole, followed by (kresoxim-methyl + epoxiconazole) + difenoconazole, (azoxystrobin + cyproconazole) + difenoconazole, (trifloxystrobin + cyproconazole) + tetraconazole, picoxystrobin + tetraconazole, and <italic>Urtica dioica</italic> plant extracts + <italic>Salix</italic> spp. plant extracts. The results showed a strong relationship of root yield and sugar yield on fungicide treatment during the vegetation. The occurrence of fungicide resistance in <italic>Cercospora beticola</italic> population has an important impact on efficacy of applied fungicides in field conditions. The highest economic effectiveness coefficient was achieved at treatment by (prochloraz + propiconazole) + tetraconazole.
</abstract>

The Efficacy of Fungicides Against <italic>Cercospora beticola</italic> in Field Conditions

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Improperly used farming systems and agrotechnical practices with ongoing climate change can contribute to the reduction of the level of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks not only in intensively cultivated arable soils but also in grasslands. One of the ways to track changes in the SOC stock is the use of mathematical models. The RothC model was validated at the locality Suchý vrch, which hosts long-term experiments on grassland. The soil type is sandy-loam textured Cambisol. Validation was done for the period 1993 – 2009 on grassland with various applications of mineral and organic fertilisers. Results of validation show that the RothC model appropriately predicts the development of grassland SOCs and can be used in forecasting SOC stock in the future. Five different management scenarios, with carbon input 2.3 to 6.4 t/ha and three climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5) of the MPI climate model were used to track the changes of SOC stock on grassland in the period 2009 – 2100. Modelling results of SOC development show, that in the future, a relatively low-temperature increase (RCP 2.6) and a relatively high carbon input into the soil (6.4 t/ha) can ensure moderate carbon sequestration. However, between the low-carbon management scenarios (2.3 and 4.1 t/ha), SOC stocks are continuously decreasing in the RCP 2.6 climate scenario. At a significantly higher temperature (climate scenario RCP 8.5), that is expected in future, it will not be possible to maintain the current level of SOC stock not even at a high carbon input (6.4 t/ha).
</abstract>

Modelling of Soil Organic Carbon Dynamic on Grassland Under Different Management and Climate Scenarios

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Soil organic matter (SOM) represents one of the largest and most important reservoirs of organic carbon in terrestrial eco-systems. The quality of SOM (e.g., content of soil organic carbon, humic substances, humic acids, fulvic acids, and HA/FA ratio) is a key factor in determining soil fertility and productivity. The loss of SOM is currently considered a detrimental form of soil degradation. The study aims to evaluate the effect of mineral fertilising (NPK), farmyard manure, cattle slurry, and digestate applications in intensively used permanent grassland. The long-term field experiments were carried out at the locality Jevíčko, region of Boskovice Furrow Malá Haná (the Czech Republic). The effect of amending soil with different organic and mineral fertilisers was studied. Qualitative parameters of SOM, soil reaction, and the content of available nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) were followed. Results showed that the control (no organic input) and the NPK variants had the lowest SOM quality. Higher SOM quality was after the farmyard manure, Slurry, and Digetsate applications. The highest acidity (indicated by the lowest values of pH/KCl) was determined in the control, NPK, Slurry, and D variants. The most favourable soil reaction and available nutrient content were after the farmyard manure application. Humic substances spectral absorption in the UV-VIS and infrared spectral ranges showed that the highest absorbance and amount of aliphatic hydrophobic components were observed after the application of farmyard manure. The multi-criteria statistical evaluation, including principal component analysis and factor analysis, confirmed that amending soil with farmyard manure and slurry resulted in an increase in humic substances content and improved SOM quality.
</abstract>

Effect of Grasslands Fertilisation on Soil Organic Matter Quality and Nutrients Status

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The production of antioxidant flavonoids is an important aspect of plant defence mechanisms under stress conditions. The hypothesis of increased antioxidant flavonol quercetin and isoflavone content in soybean leaves subjected to UV-B irradiation and copper toxicity was proposed, and their accumulation was investigated using HPLC analysis. However, the accumulation of antioxidant quercetin was not induced by either UV-B irradiation or copper treatment. UV-B irradiation strongly induced isoflavone aglycones, mainly genistein, daidzein, formononetin, and to a lesser extent, biochanin A. Isoflavone glycosides, genistin and daidzin were also induced. Copper treatment, whether applied to leaves or root media, resulted in the accumulation of genistin and its malonylated form, whereas aglycones were only slightly affected. The higher accumulation of genistein over daidzein after copper treatment could be related to the higher chelating ability of genistein and its glycosides. Soybean isoflavones, which possess antioxidant and chelating properties, rather than flavonols, play a crucial role in the plant‘s defence mechanisms against both UV-B irradiation and copper toxicity.
</abstract>

Changes in Isoflavonoid and Flavonoid Content in Soybean Leaves Affected by UV-B or Copper

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The results of seasonal variation of total polyphenols (TPC), flavonoids (TFC) and phenolic acid (TPAC) accumulation and antioxidant activity of <italic>Artemisia balchanorum</italic> Krasch. × <italic>Artemisia taurica</italic> Willd. genotypes from the Kherson Oblast of Ukraine represented in this study. The total polyphenol content was identified by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and ranged from 20.51 to 132.52 mg GAE/g (gallic acid equivalent). The flavonoid content conducted with aluminum chloride reagent ranged from 8.16 to 70.77 mg QE/g (quercetin equivalent) and phenolic acid content determined with Arnova reagent ranged from 6.26 to 38.67 mg CAE/g (caffeic acid equivalent) depending on genotype and stage of growth. The antioxidant activity of investigated genotypes determined by the DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method (FRSA) varied from 4.68 to 10.38 mg TE/g (Trolox equivalent), molybdenum-reducing power of extracts detected by the phosphomolybdenum method (MRP) and was from 41.43 to 209.93 mg TE/g depending on genotype. The total polyphenol content, flavonoids and antioxidant activity by the phosphomolybdenum method increased from spring vegetation to flowering. The accumulation of phenolic acids and antioxidant activity by the DPPH method was uneven and depended on genotype and stage of growth. It was found a weak correlation between FRSA and TPC (<italic>r</italic> = 0.189), TFC (<italic>r</italic> = 0.211), and TPAC (<italic>r</italic> = 0.111) for genotypes. A strong correlation was found between MRP and TPC (<italic>r</italic> = 0.703), and TFC (<italic>r</italic> = 0.657). A moderate correlation was detected between MRP and TPAC (<italic>r</italic> = 0.481) for genotypes. The obtained data can be used for further breeding work to get genotypes with high antioxidant activity.
</abstract>

Genotype Variation of Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Activity of <italic>Artemisia balchanorum</italic> Krasch. × <italic>Artemisia taurica</italic> Willd

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The objective of this paper is to document the occurrence of pests recorded in a large-scale pilot field experiment, where a unique set of newly-introduced herbaceous energy crops was tested under conditions of eastern Slovakia. The set consisted of <italic>Elymus elongatus, Secale cereanum, Silphium perfoliatum, Galega orientalis, Sida hermaphrodita, Panicum virgatum, Amaranthus</italic> spp., <italic>Panicum miliaceum, Sorghum sudanense,</italic> and <italic>Sorghum bicolor.</italic> A total of 14 cultivars were tested on 4 sites during 4 crop years (2016 – 2020). At least 17 species of pests were recorded in total, as some of the species may represent the identity of the couple or several relative ones, which was rare only as usually a fower common species. The occurred pests list consists of <italic>Anisoplia lata</italic> Erichson, <italic>Agriotes lineatus</italic> L., <italic>Capreolus capreolus</italic> L., <italic>Deroceras agreste</italic> L., <italic>Oulema gallaeciana</italic> Heyden, <italic>Lepisma saccharinum</italic> L., <italic>Lepus europaeus</italic> Pallas, <italic>Meloe proscarabaeus</italic> L., <italic>Metcalfa pruinosa</italic> Say, <italic>Microtus arvalis</italic> Pallas, <italic>Philaenus spumarius</italic> L., <italic>Psylliodes chrysocephala</italic> L., <italic>Rhopalosiphum padi</italic> L., stemborers as any insect larva or arthropod boring into plant stem, <italic>Sus scrofa</italic> L., <italic>Aleyrodes proletella</italic> L., <italic>Tettigonia viridissima</italic> L., and <italic>Trialeurodes vaporariorum</italic> Westwood. Overall, the occurrence of pests was regular and scattered, and damages caused by them were negligible usually, but a total destruction of the crop stand even cultivar-specific was recorded too. Most of the meaningful pests are primarily field hunting animals and only secondarily commonly occurring insect species, which for further observations are desirable in order to capture the tendency of important pests’ overpopulation, confirming respectively. Although even rare finding of the single caterpillar of <italic>Xylena exsoleta exsoleta</italic> L. was recorded in a buffer zone, within the experiment no newly introduced pest species was recorded.
</abstract>

A case study – The occurrence of pests in stands of newly introduced energy crops in large-scale pilot experiments in conditions of Central Europe

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In order to assess the effects of green synthesized nanoparticles (GNPs) of Zn and Fe oxides on plant growth traits, photosynthetic capacity and nutritional quality of red radish (cv. Champion), two open field experiments were organised based on RCBD with four replicates. Treatments included: chicken manure, foliar application of ZnO + FeO (GNPs at a rate of 60 and 50 ppm, respectively), chicken manure plus ZnO + FeO (GNPs). This study revealed that growth and yield of radish plants significantly increased by ZnO + FeO nanoparticles application. The maximum vegetative growth, leaf pigments and root quality (diameter and weight) were recorded in plants treated with ZnO + FeO (GNPs) alone or in combination with chicken manure. Furthermore, the combined application of chicken manure with ZnO and FeO significantly improved the concentration of anthocyanins, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, crude protein and carbohydrates contents in radish root than single treatment. Similar trends were noted in photosynthesis rate, water use efficiency and values of Zn and Fe contents. In addition, health risk index for Zn and Fe were less than 1, which indicated to red radish plants supplied with ZnO and FeO GNPs were free of risks on human health. It was concluded that combination between chicken manure and ZnO + FeO GNPs can be considered as appropriate strategy for improving yield and nutritional status of red radish.</abstract>

Effect of Foliar Zno and Feo Nanoparticles Application on Growth and Nutritional Quality of Red Radish and Assessment of Their Accumulation on Human Health

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Plants and microbes have enormous importance in our daily life. Iron is said to be the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust from soil, still many plants face problem in uptaking iron because it is found in insoluble form, which severely restricts the bioavailability of this metal. In response to this, microorganisms present in soil such as <italic>Pseudomonas</italic> sp., <italic>Enterobacter genera</italic>, <italic>Bacillus</italic> and <italic>Rhodococcus</italic> produce special iron carriers or iron-binding compounds called as ‘siderphores’ or ‘siderochromes’. This paper is an attempt to review the importance of siderphores in enhancing plants’ iron utilisation strategies, the mode of transport of siderophores along with iron across the memberane and depending on the difference in their chemical structure, functional moiety and their source of isolation of four different types of siderophore (hydroxamates, catecholates, carboxylates and siderophore with mixed ligand). Siderophore and their derivative have large application in agriculture as to increase soil fertility and as biocontrol for fungal pathogen. This review unlike other reviews includes (1) types of siderophore, (2) the structural difference amongst them, (3) siderophore biosynthesis, (4) transport mechanism, (5) the genetics of siderophore and (6) their efficacy in human life.</abstract>

Siderophore: Structural And Functional Characterisation – A Comprehensive Review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Accumulation of heavy metals in edible crops is amongst major international concerns today. While consuming Lenjan variety of rice is very popular in Iran, limited evidence exists on its safety. Amid increasing public concern about the safety of locally grown and imported rice in the market, a field study was carried out to investigate uptake and translocation of Cd, Pb, Ni, and Zn by a local variety of rice crop (<italic>Oryza sativa</italic>) exposed to contaminated water. At harvest time and in paddy fields, 41 soil and plant samples were collected from four locations of Lenjan, central Iran; irrigated from Zayandeh Rood River. In the laboratory, different parts of the plant were milled, digested via acid digestion method, and then analysed for Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn were 1.07, 17.22, 1.73 and 13.75 mg/kg in the plant’s stem; and 1.27, 12.32, 1.099 and 19.39 mg/kg in its grain, respectively. In general, both in the plant’s stem and grain, the Cd and Pb concentrations were much higher than the FAO/WHO standard and labelled as harmful for consumers. Moreover, among the studied heavy metals, Ni transported very weakly, while Cd and Zn conveyed most easily into the plant’s stem and grain. Of course, Pb was the least mobile metal. However, it had highly accumulated in the plant’s stem and grain.</abstract>

Uptake and Translocation of Some Heavy Metals by Rice Crop (<italic>Oryza sativa</italic>) in Paddy Soils

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The influence of different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) ions (50 and 100 mg/kg soil) on growth, photosynthetic pigment content, Cd, and iron accumulation in faba bean (<italic>Vicia faba</italic> L. cv. Aštar) was studied under laboratory conditions. No significant changes were observed in the growth parameters of shoots (length, fresh, and dry weight). Both tested Cd doses resulted in decrease in root fresh weight by 31.7% and 28.68% and in dry weight by 32.2% and 33.33%, respectively. Increased accumulation of Cd was observed in roots (125- and 173-fold higher than in control) and shoots (125- and 150-fold higher than in control) as a result of applied doses of Cd. Increased accumulation of iron was detected in roots (1.45- and 1.69-fold higher than in control). Decrease in the content of chlorophyll <italic>a</italic> (by 25.52 and 24.83%, respectively) and chlorophyll <italic>b</italic> (by 6.90%) after application of Cd 100 as well as decrease in carotenoids (by 40.39 and 38.36%, respectively) was detected. Weak translocation of Cd from roots to shoots pointed to low phytoremediation potential of the tested bean variety in contaminated soil. However, the high tolerance of this cultivar, its relative fast growth, as well as priority of Cd accumulation in roots presume this plant species for phytostabilisation and revegetation of the Cd-contaminated soils.</abstract>

Effect of Cadmium on Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Iron and Cadmium Accumulation of Faba Bean (<italic>Vicia faba</italic> cv. Aštar)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium (PGPR) represents a wide variety of soil bacteria that, when grown in association with a host plant, result in stimulation of growth of their host. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of inoculation with a PGPR, Pseudomonas fluorescence, alone or in combination with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae (Nicol. &amp; Gerd.), on antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX)), phosphatase activity, solutes accumulation, growth and minerals nutrient uptake in shoots of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) affected by three levels of salt stress. Salinity decreased bean growth, regardless of the biological treatment and the salt stress level. The plants inoculated with P. fluorescence had significantly greater shoot biomass than the control plants at all salinity levels, whereas the mycorrhizal inoculation treatments were only effective in increasing shoot biomass at a low salinity level. The plants inoculated with P. fluorescence presented higher concentrations of shoots’ K+ and lower concentrations of shoots’ Na+ under high salt conditions. Salt stress increased shoots’ proline concentration, particularly in plants inoculated with the PGPR. Increasing salinity stress raised significantly the antioxidant enzyme activities, including those of total POX and CAT, of bean shoots compared with their corresponding nonstressed plants. The PGPR strain induced a higher increase in these antioxidant enzymes in response to severe salinity. Inoculation with selected PGPR could serve as a useful tool for alleviating salinity stress in salt-sensitive plants.</abstract>

Ph.D. of plant physiology, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran

Effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) on antioxidant enzyme activities in salt-stressed bean (phaseolus vulgaris l.)

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