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 >

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 >

Maryam¹, Mohamed M. El-Mogy², Muhammad Faheem Jan³, Iram Naz¹, Ishtiaq Ahmad^4,*, Riaz Ahmad⁵, Muhammad Tanveer Altaf⁶

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 623-640, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063763 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Various environmental stressors, such as salinity, heat, drought, and metals, present significant obstacles to crop productivity. This study delves into the adverse effects of metals, specifically focusing on cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) on plants. It explores the sources of these metals, examining both natural occurrences and human-induced activities, and investigates the mechanisms through which plants absorb them. Metal pollution, in particular, negatively affects plant and microbiome well-being, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that harm essential macromolecules. Traditional stress-resistant plant varieties necessitate substantial development, leading… More >

Chengyi Zou¹, Sara Zafar^2,*, Umbreen Bibi², Manzar Abbas³, Zuhair Hasnain^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 603-621, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062560 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Soil metal pollution is a global issue due to its toxic nature affecting ecosystems and human health. This has become a concern since metals are non-biodegradable and toxic. Most of the reclamation methods currently used for soils rely on the use of physical and chemical means, which tend to be very expensive and result in secondary environmental damage. However, microbe-aided phytoremediation is gaining attention as it is an eco-friendly, affordable, and technically advanced method to restore the ecosystem. It is essential to understand the complex interaction between plants and microbes. The primary function of plant… More > Graphic Abstract

Abdul Ghafoor¹, Maria Latif², Shafaqat Ali^2,3,*, Muhammad Munir^4,*, Muhammad Naeem Sattar⁵, Mohammed Ali Alshehri⁶

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2683-2705, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.055898 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils is a significant challenge for global food production and human health with the increasing industrialization and urbanization. There is a concern about introducing innovative techniques that are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and have the potential to alleviate metals, enhance crop growth, and protect plants against various environmental threats. For this, nanotechnology is one of the promising solutions having various applications in almost every field of life. This review explores various nano-based strategies that use nanoparticles (NPs) to lessen the harmful effects that heavy metals have on plants. Incorporated literature including published… More >

Guangyue Cai¹, Juanli Tu², Songhao Li³, Yifei Ruan³, Qifeng Wu³, Jiasen Wu^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.91, No.6, pp. 1245-1256, 2022, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2022.019599 - 14 February 2022

Abstract Soil heavy metal pollution is becoming more and more serious. Biomass charcoal application can play an important role in alleviating the toxicity of heavy metals in soils. Compared with other biochar, bamboo charcoal has more unique properties and may have a unique effect on heavy metal pollution. Zhejiang Province of Southeastern China is rich in bamboo resources. However, few studies related to bamboo charcoal application for heavy metal remediation in farmland were reported. In this study, four treatments with different amounts of bamboo charcoal application were set up through a field experiment, namely BC0 (no… More >

JAVARIA AFZAL^1,2,#, XIUKANG WANG^3,*, MUHAMMAD HAMZAH SALEEM^4,#, XUECHENG SUN¹, SHAHID HUSSAIN⁵, IMRAN KHAN⁶, MUHAMMAD SHOAIB RANA¹, SHAKEEL AHMED⁷, SAMRAH AFZAL AWAN⁶, SAJID FIAZ⁸, OMAR AZIZ⁹, KASHIF ALI KUBAR¹⁰, SHAFAQAT ALI^11,12, CHENGXIAO HU^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.6, pp. 1631-1649, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.014934 - 01 September 2021

Abstract Soil contamination with toxic heavy metals [such as cadmium (Cd)] is becoming a serious global problem due to rapid development of social economy. Iron (Fe), being an important element, has been found effective in enhancing plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. The present study investigated the extent to which different levels of Ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄) modulated the Cd tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.), when maintained in artificially Cd spiked regimes. A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions for 146 days, by using natural soil, mixed with different levels of CdCl₂ [0 (no Cd), 0.5… More >

Kangning Zhou¹, Yingying Zhang¹, Jiasen Wu¹, Chunying Dou^1,2, Zihao Ye¹, Zhengqian Ye^1,3,*, Weijun Fu^1,3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.90, No.4, pp. 1217-1232, 2021, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2021.014951 - 27 April 2021

Abstract

The hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance (S. alfredii) may be employed for zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd)-polluted soil remediation. However, the low phytoremediation efficiency, related to the low biomass production, limits its use with that purpose. In this experiment, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers, and organic manure were applied to investigate the phytoremediation ability of S. alfredii. Hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted using Zn-Cd polluted soil. The hydroponic experiment indicated that appropriate fertilizer application could increase (p < 0.05) the amount of accumulated Zn and Cd in S. alfredii. When N supply ranged from 0.5 to 2.5

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