Tai Liu^1,#, Huichun Xu^1,#, Sikandar Amanullah^2,*, Ye Che¹, Ling Zhang¹, Zeyu Jiang¹, Weiyi Bi¹, Lei Zhu¹, Di Wang^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 4117-4137, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.074131 - 29 December 2025

Abstract Heavy metal accumulation in agricultural soil is primarily driven by pesticides, polluted water, and industrial gas emissions, which pose threats to sustainable crop production. Chromium (Cr) stress has an adverse impact on plant development and metabolism, but approaches to reduce its toxicity and enhance plant resistance remain limited. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant involved in regulating various morpho-physiological functions of plants under different abiotic stresses. In this study, we investigated the impact of exogenous melatonin to mitigate the negative effects of potassium dichromate (PD) stress in melon plants and analyzed genetic modulation of morphological, physiological,… More >

Abd Al Karim Jaafar¹, Suleiman Salim¹, Dema Altheb¹, Mukhtar Iderawumi Abdulraheem^2,3, Andrés Rodríguez-Seijo^4,5,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 3945-3960, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.072520 - 29 December 2025

Abstract The use of organic fertilizers can be an opportunity to increase crop yield and improve soil fertility in semi-arid regions, since soils from these regions usually have unfavourable conditions for plant growth. This research investigates the effects of organic and mineral fertilization on the impact of soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter), availability of macro- (N, P and K), micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) and the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr) in soil and potato tubers grown under semiarid conditions. A field experiment was conducted in Raqqa Governorate (Syria) using… More >

Pooja Yadav^1,*, Ramin Farnood², Vivek Kumar^1,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.4, pp. 1181-1197, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.072564 - 26 December 2025

Abstract Heavy metal contamination in water sources is a widespread global concern, particularly in developing nations, with various treatment approaches under extensive scientific investigation. In the present study, we fabricated electrospun composite polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membranes exhibiting hierarchical surface roughness and superhydrophobicity for the removal of heavy metal ions via vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) process. The membranes were prepared by incorporating optimized dosing of silica nanoparticles, followed by a two-step membrane modification approach. These membranes exhibited notable characteristics, including elevated water contact angle (152.8 ± 3.2°), increased liquid entry pressure (127 ± 6 kPa), and… More > Graphic Abstract

Luthfi Hakim^1,*, Yunida Syafriani Lubis², Apri Heri Iswanto¹, Harisyah Manurung¹, Jayusman², Widya Fatriasari³, Petar Antov⁴, Tomasz Rogoziński⁵, Lee Seng Hua⁶, Nur Izyan Wan Azelee⁷

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.12, pp. 2355-2373, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0078 - 23 December 2025

Abstract Activated charcoals were synthesized from sugar palm bunches (SPB) of the native tree of Arenga longipes in Indonesia. The synthesized activated charcoal (AC) was characterized, and utilized as an absorbent for heavy metals (lead/Pb and copper/Cu) through thermal activation. The synthesis of AC was accomplished through furnace activation at temperatures of 500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C. Acid chlorides were blended with the SPB-AC samples at 5% impregnation level and subsequently subjected to washing for activation, resulting in the elimination of volatile substances and ash content, which facilitates the development of a porous structure in the activated… More >

K. Wang^a,b,*, G. L. Lian^c, Y. F. Qiao^d

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.10, pp. 889-904, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.2210.889

Abstract The remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD), characterized by its high concentrations of toxic metal ions and low pH, presents a significant environmental challenge. In this study, exfoliated two-dimensional MoS_₂ nanosheets were prepared using a liquid-phase ultrasonication method and evaluated for their efficiency in removing Cd^²⁺, Cu^²⁺, and Pb^²⁺ from aqueous solutions. Detailed structural and morphological analyses confirmed that the exfoliation process significantly enhanced surface area, pore volume, and exposure of reactive sulfur sites. Through isotherm and kinetic modeling analyses, the adsorption behavior was found to align with the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, which implies More >

Nadia Lamsaadi¹, Oumaima Maarouf², Soukaina Lahmaoui², Hamid Msaad², Omar Farssi², Chaima Hamim², Mohamed Tamoudjout², Hafsa Hirt², Habiba Kamal², Majida El Hassni², Cherki Ghoulam^3,4, Ahmed El Moukhtari^5,*, Mohamed Farissi²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3585-3610, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.072311 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Abiotic stresses, such as drought, heavy metals, salinity, and extreme temperatures, are among the most common adverse threats that restrict the use of land for agriculture and limit crop growth and productivity. As sessile organisms, plants defend themselves from abiotic stresses by developing various tolerance mechanisms. These mechanisms are governed by several biochemical traits. The biochemical mechanisms are the products of key genes that express under specific conditions. Interestingly, the expression of these genes is regulated by specialized proteins known as transcription factors (TFs). Several TFs, including those from the bZIP, bHLH, MYB, HSF, WRKY,… More >

Nada Zaari Jabri¹, Mohamed Ait-El-Mokhtar^1,*, Fadoua Mekkaoui¹, Najwa Rabah¹, Ilham Amghar¹, Ghizlane Diria², Abdelaziz Hmyene¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3687-3701, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071634 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) contamination is a major environmental stressor that adversely affects crop germination and early development. This study assessed the impact of increasing Cd concentrations (0.125 to 1 g/L) on seed germination and early seedling growth in three bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars: Achtar, Lina, and Snina. The results revealed a clear dose-dependent inhibitory effect of Cd. Germination percentage (GP) significantly declined with increasing Cd levels, while mean germination time was progressively delayed, particularly at higher concentrations. Vigor index (VI) also showed significant reductions, reflecting compromised seedling establishment. Morphological traits, especially shoot and root lengths,… More >

Hafiza Saima Gul^1,2,*, Mumtaz Hussain¹, Tayyaba Sanaullah³, Habib-ur-Rehman Athar², Ibrahim Al-Ashkar⁴, Muhammad Kamran⁵, Mohammed Antar⁶, Ayman El Sabagh^7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.9, pp. 2893-2909, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.058816 - 30 September 2025

Abstract The low efficiency of phytoextraction of lead (Pb) from agricultural fields poses a significant agricultural challenge. Organic chelating agents can influence Pb bioavailability in soil, affecting its uptake, transport, and toxicity in plants. This study aimed to assess the impact of citric acid (CA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) on chelate-assisted phytoextraction of Pb and its effect on growth and physiology of two cultivars (07001; 07002) of mung bean (Vigna radiata). The cultivars of mung bean were exposed to 60 mg·L⁻¹ lead chloride (PbCl₂) solution, with or without the addition of 300 mg·L⁻¹ CA or 500 mg·L⁻¹ DTPA, until… More >

Hua Zhang, Ganghua Li^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.5, pp. 1367-1399, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064632 - 29 May 2025

Abstract Soil naturally contains various heavy metals, however, their concentrations have reached toxic levels due to excessive agrochemical use and industrial activities. Heavy metals are persistent and non-biodegradable, causing environmental disruption and posing significant health hazards. Microbial-mediated remediation is a promising strategy to prevent heavy metal leaching and mobilization, facilitating their extraction and detoxification. Nickel (Ni), being a prevalent heavy metal pollutant, requires specific attention in remediation efforts. Plants have evolved defense mechanisms to cope with environmental stresses, including heavy metal toxicity, but such stress significantly reduces crop productivity. Beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in… More > Graphic Abstract

Shahin Imran^1,2,#,*, Mousumi Jahan Sumi^3,#, Israt Jahan Harine⁴, Newton Chandra Paul¹, Md. Asif Mahamud⁵, Rakibul Hasan Md. Rabbi⁵, Marian Brestic⁶, Mohammad Saidur Rhaman^7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1073-1109, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064046 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Heavy metal (HM) accumulation in soil poses a major hazard to both ecological health and plant growth progressions. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) are examples of HMs that negatively impact the growth and development of plants, resulting in lower agricultural output and food safety concerns. Biochar (BC), a substance rich in carbon that is formed by pyrolyzing natural biomass, has demonstrated remarkable promise in reducing HM stress in polluted soils. Research has shown that BC effectively lowers plant uptake of metals, and enhances soil qualities,… More >