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Electrochemical energy storage has utility in wide range of systems, therefore scientific community and energy stakeholders have been significantly focusing especially on it. By utilizing the novel BaS3:La2S3:Ho2S3 semiconductor, an alkaline earth-lanthanide composite chalcogenide (AE-LCC), which is developed by chelating with the diethyldithiocarbamate ligand, the current work, for the first time, seeks to enhance the performance of charge retaining devices in addition to electro-catalysis. This photo-active material exhibits exceptional optical properties with a band gap of 3.95 eV and heterogeneous crystallographic modes with a median crystallite size of 17.78 nm, due to its sustainable manufacturing process. Furthermore, infrared spectroscopy was used to identify metallic sulfide connections, which vary between 545 and 887 cm−1. Differently shaped particles that fused into a rod-like structure showed a higher volume-surface area ratio at multiple locations. The electrochemical performance of the BaS3:La2S3:Ho2S3 AE-LCC was assessed using a conventional three-electrode configuration with an initial electrolyte of 1 M KOH. BaS3:La2S3:Ho2S3 AE-LCC exhibits excellent specific capacitance of as high as 779 F g−1 and a power density of 10,145.28 W kg−1, making it an excellent electrode material for power storage applications. This remarkable electrochemical performance was further substantiated by comparable series resistance (Rs) = 1.25 Ω. The electrode generated an OER overpotential and a matching Tafel slope of 417 mV and 113 mV/dec by electro-catalysis. Conversely, the Tafel slope of HER activity was 310 mV/dec, and its overpotential was 233 mV. Highlights: Novel BaS3:La2S3:Ho2S3 semiconducting chalcogenide. Qualities with potential applications in the energy industry. Sustainable electrode adorned with BaS3:La2S3:Ho2S3. 10,145.28 W kg−1 of specific power density. Excellent energy storage with a specific capacitance of 779 F g−1. Commendably lower OER and HER overpotential and Tafel slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is capturing great interest worldwide due to their stirring applications in various fields and also individual application of selenium (Se) and biochar nanoparticles (BC−NPs) have been studied in many literatures. However, the combined application of Se and BC−NPs is a novel approach and studied in only few studies. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted to examine various growth and biochemical parameters in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under the toxic concentration of cadmium (Cd) i.e., 50 mg kg−1 which were primed with combined application of Se and BC−NPs i.e., 10 mg L−1. Our results showed that the Cd toxicity in the soil showed a significant declined in the growth, gas exchange attributes and nutrient uptake in T. aestivum. However, Cd toxicity significantly increased oxidative stress biomarkers, organic acids, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants including their gene expression in T. aestivum. Although, the application of Se and BC−NPs showed a significant increase in the plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, nutrient uptake, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds and their gene expression and also decreased the oxidative stress and Cd uptake in different parts of the plant. These results open new insights for sustainable agriculture practices and hold immense promise in addressing the pressing challenges of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils. [Display omitted] • BC NPs and Se-NPS synergistically reduce CD stress in wheat. • Enhanced growth and photosynthesis observed in wheat under CD stress. • Cd stress decreases nutrients but increases CD concentration. • BC and Se-NPS enhances defense mechanism and gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Salinity negatively affects maize productivity. However, calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) could improve soil properties and maize productivity. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the effects of CLS application on soil chemical properties, plant physiology and grain quality of maize under salinity stress. Thus, this experiment was conducted using three CLS application rates, CLS0, CLS5, and CLS10, corresponding to 0%, 5%, and 10% of soil mass, for three irrigation water salinity (WS) levels WS0.5, WS2.5, and WS5.5 corresponding to 0.5 and 2.5 and 5.5 dS/m, respectively. Results and discussion: Results show that the WS0.5 × CLS10 combination increased potassium (K 0.167 g/kg), and calcium (Ca, 0.39 g/kg) values while reducing the sodium (Na, 0.23 g/kg) content in soil. However, the treatment WS5.5 × CLS0 decreased K (0.120 g/kg), and Ca (0.15 g/kg) values while increasing Na (0.75 g/kg) content in soil. The root activity was larger in WS0.5 × CLS10 than in WS5.5 × CLS0, as the former combination enlarged K and Ca contents in the root while the latter decreased their values. The leaf glutamine synthetase (953.9 µmol/(g.h)) and nitrate reductase (40.39 µg/(g.h)) were higher in WS0.5 × CLS10 than in WS5.5 × CLS0 at 573.4 µmol/(g.h) and 20.76 µg/(g.h), leading to the improvement in cell progression cycle, as revealed by lower malonaldehyde level (6.57 µmol/g). The K and Ca contents in the leaf (881, 278 mg/plant), stem (1314, 731 mg/plant), and grains (1330, 1117 mg/plant) were greater in WS0.5 × CLS10 than in WS5.5 × CLS0 at (146, 21 mg/plant), (201, 159 mg/plant) and (206, 157 mg/plant), respectively. Therefore, the maize was more resistance to salt stress under the CLS10 level, as a 7.34% decline in yield was noticed when salinity surpassed the threshold value (5.96 dS/m). The protein (13.6 %) and starch (89.2 %) contents were greater in WS0.5 × CLS10 than in WS5.5 × CLS0 (6.1 %) and (67.0 %), respectively. This study reveals that CLS addition can alleviate the adverse impacts of salinity on soil quality and maize productivity. Thus, CLS application could be used as an effective soil amendment when irrigating with saline water for sustainable maize production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present years, the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) has received great attention due to increase in the nutrient accumulation by plants for improving the capability of agronomic Zn biofortification. Although, the emergence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs) as pollutants in agricultural soils is increasingly alarming, presenting significant toxic threats to soil ecosystems. The present work studied the impact of different levels of PVC‐MPs, namely 0 (no PVC‐MPs), 2, and 4 mg L−1, along with mercury (Hg) levels of 0 (no Hg), 10, and 25 mg kg−1 in the soil, while concurrently applying with ZnO‐NPs at 0 (no ZnO‐NPs), 50, and 100 μg mL−1 to rye (Secale cereale L.) plants. This study aimed to examine plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange characteristics, oxidative stress indicators, and the response of various antioxidants (enzymatic and non‐enzymatic) and their specific gene expression, proline metabolism, the ascorbic acid–dehydroascorbic acid (AsA–GSH) cycle, and cellular fractionation in the plants. The research outcomes indicated that elevated levels of PVC‐MPs and Hg stress in the soil notably reduced plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange attributes. However, PVC‐MPs and Hg stress also induced oxidative stress in the roots and shoots of the plants by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage (EL) which also induced increased compounds of various enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants, and also the gene expression and sugar content. Furthermore, a significant increase in proline metabolism, the AsA–GSH cycle, and the pigmentation of cellular components was observed. Although, the application of ZnO‐NPs showed a significant increase in plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, enzymatic and non‐enzymatic compounds, and their gene expression and also decreased oxidative stress. In addition, the application of ZnO‐NPs enhanced cellular fractionation and decreased the proline metabolism and AsA–GSH cycle in S. cereale plants. These results open new insights for sustainable agriculture practices and hold immense promise in addressing the pressing challenges of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of trees into diverse land-use systems holds potential for India to meet nationally determined contribution (NDC) targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. With a target of sequestering 2.5–3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030, the study focused on the widespread and economically viable eucalyptus-based agroforestry, practiced widely in various planting geometries tailored to meet industrial end-use requirements. In this context, a detailed study was conducted to quantify the influence of five planting geometries [3 m × 3 m, 6 × 1.5 m, 17 × 1 × 1 m (paired row) and two boundary plantations (east–west and north–south directions) at 2 m away from tree to tree] of eucalyptus on intercrops [dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)—barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) rotation] biomass, soil properties, and carbon stock of the system during 2009–2016. Results revealed that biomass accumulation of different tree components was 62.50%–74.09% in stem; 6.59%–9.14% in branch; 3.18%–5.73% in leaves; 12.20%–20.44% in stump roots; and 1.71%–3.48% in fine roots across the planting geometries. The mean carbon content of the stem, branch, leaves, and roots was 49.00, 47.00, 43.00, and 49.00%, respectively. Over the 8-year period, geometry of 3 × 3 m performed better in terms of total biomass production (344.60 Mg ha− 1 by tree biomass and 62.53 Mg ha−1 by intercrops). The independent parameter, DBH²H (DBH: diameter at breast height and H: tree height), was found to be a very good predictor of dry weight, followed by DBH alone. Among various functions (linear, allometric, logistic, Gompertz, Chapman, and exponential), the best-fit equation was allometric, i.e., B = 300.96 × DBH²H0.93 (adjusted R² = 0.96) for eucalyptus based on universal model adequacy and validation criteria. The carbon sequestration rate was maximum (20.79 Mg C ha−1 year−1) in 3 × 3 m followed by 17 × 1 × 1 m. The total carbon stock of eucalyptus-based system (tree + crop + soil) varied significantly under different planting geometries and sole crop rotation (dhaincha–barley). The higher carbon stock (237.27 Mg ha−1) was obtained from 3 × 3 m spacing and further partitioning carbon stock in trees—166.29 Mg ha−1, crops—25.01 Mg ha−1 and soil—45.97 Mg ha−1. The paired row spacing (17 × 1 × 1 m) yielded higher crop yield and net returns (Rs. 600,475 ha−1), underscoring wide spacing’s role in system productivity and sustainability. Tree-based systems were valuable components of agriculture, advocating for their widespread adoption to reduce CO2 emissions and generate income through carbon credits. These findings will provide crucial insights into sustainable land-use practices and advance India’s commitment toward adaptation of climate change mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity caused a widespread detrimental issue that hinders productivity in agriculture and ecological sustainability, while waste-derived soil amendments like biochar have drawn attention for their capacity to act as a mitigating agent, by enhancing the physical and chemical features of soil, and contributing to the recovery of agricultural waste resources. However, the information concerning biochar and salinity which affect the physicochemical characteristics of soils, crop physiology, and growth is limited. To investigate whether biochar mitigates the salinity stress on wheat crop seedlings, we grow them with salinity stress (120 mM), and biochar (20 tons ha−1), and its interactive effects. The soil properties of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and soil available phosphorus (SAP) decreased in the saline soil by 36.71%, 46.97%, 26.31%, and 15.00%, while biochar treatment increased SOC, DOC, and SAP contents by 7.42%, 31.57%, and 15.00%, respectively. On the other hand, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) contents decreased in all the treatments compared to the control. The root growth traits, SPAD values, leaf nitrogen, photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and reactive oxygen species decreased in the saline treatment while increasing in the biochar and interactive treatment. Thus, these activities resulted in higher leaves and root biomass in the biochar treatment alone and interactive treatment of salinity and biochar. According to principal component analysis, redundancy analysis, and the mantel test, using biochar in conjunction with salinity treatment was found to be more effective than salinity treatment alone. The results of this study suggest that biochar can be used as a sustainable agricultural technique and a means of mitigation agent by lowering soil salinity while increasing the biomass of crops. Biochar improves the physical and nutritional quality of soil and plant function. Salinity stress declined the physiological activities and biomass of the crop. Biochar mitigates the salinity stress in soil and enhances the plant functioning. Exposure to both treatments enhances the antioxidant enzyme activity and biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rate of germination and other physiological characteristics of seeds that are germinating are impacted by deep sowing. Based on the results of earlier studies, conclusions were drawn that deep sowing altered the physio-biochemical and agronomic characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Results: In this study, seeds of wheat were sown at 2 (control) and 6 cm depth and the impact of exogenously applied salicylic acid and tocopherol (Vitamin-E) on its physio-biochemical and agronomic features was assessed. As a result, seeds grown at 2 cm depth witnessed an increase in mean germination time, germination percentage, germination rate index, germination energy, and seed vigor index. In contrast, 6 cm deep sowing resulted in negatively affecting all the aforementioned agronomic characteristics. In addition, deep planting led to a rise in MDA, glutathione reductase, and antioxidants enzymes including APX, POD, and SOD concentration. Moreover, the concentration of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, proline, protein, sugar, hydrogen peroxide, and agronomic attributes was boosted significantly with exogenously applied salicylic acid and tocopherol under deep sowing stress. Conclusions: The results of the study showed that the depth of seed sowing has an impact on agronomic and physio-biochemical characteristics and that the negative effects of deep sowing stress can be reduced by applying salicylic acid and tocopherol to the leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of microplastics (MPs) as pollutants in agricultural soils is increasingly alarming, presenting significant threats to soil ecosystems. Given the widespread contamination of ecosystems by various types of MPs, including polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE), it is crucial to understand their effects on agricultural productivity. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different types of MPs (PS, PVC, and PE) on various aspects of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) growth with the addition of rice straw biochar (RSB). This study aimed to examine plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange characteristics, oxidative stress indicators, and the response of various antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and their specific gene expression, proline metabolism, the AsA–GSH cycle, cellular fractionation in the plants and post-harvest soil properties. The research outcomes indicated that elevated levels of different types of MPs in the soil notably reduced plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange attributes. Different types of MPs also induced oxidative stress, which caused an increase in various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds, gene expression and sugar content; notably, a significant increase in proline metabolism, AsA–GSH cycle, and pigmentation of cellular components was also observed. Favorably, the addition of RSB significantly increased plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds, and relevant gene expression while decreasing oxidative stress. In addition, RSB amendment decreased proline metabolism and AsA-GSH cycle in H. annuus plants, thereby enhancing cellular fractionation and improving post-harvest soil properties. These results open new avenues for sustainable agriculture practices and show great potential for resolving the urgent issues caused by microplastic contamination in agricultural soils. [Display omitted] • RSB mitigates MPs' effects on sunflower growth. • Study reveals RSB boosts plant antioxidant levels. • MPs reduce biomass and photosynthesis in sunflowers. • RSB enhances nutrient uptake and stress resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reports an innovative approach on sunlit driven heterostructure photocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 and removal of cefixime. In the present work, we have fabricated Mn/Mg doped CoFe 2 O 4 modified CaCr 2 O 4 decorated by Ag 3 PO 4 quantum dots (Ag 3 PO 4 QDs), a p- n -p nano heterojunction. The study promotes the photocatalytic production of H 2 O 2 and self-Fenton photocatalytic degradation of cefixime. Egg white-assisted synthesis of Mn-doped CoFe 2 O 4 causes the lattice oxygen defect, which enhances the photocatalytic activity. Lattice oxygen defect enable the adsorption of O 2 , which enable the conversion of •O2 in the valence band of CoFe 2 O 4 for the endogenous production of H 2 O 2. The higher in the surface area enhance the photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. Mn–CoFe 2 O 4 –CaCr 2 O 4 –Ag 3 PO 4 QDs enables the complete photocatalytic degradation of cefixime (99.9%) and the complete removal was determined by total organic carbon (TOC) removal and it was around 99.4%. Meanwhile the photocatalytic degradation pathway of cefixime was determined by LC-MS/MS. Reusability of the nano heterojunction was determined by six cycle test, and the reusability of the nano heterojunction was 99.8%. Further, the toxicity of the nanomaterial was studied in maize plant and the results shows that the nanoheterojunction enhances the maize growth. The study systematically reveals the robust activity of nano heterojunction for sustainable water treatment. [Display omitted] • The Mn/Mg–CoFe 2 O 4 –CaCr 2 O 4 –Ag 3 PO 4 QDs showed outstanding visible-light photocatalytic activity. • Mn/Mg–CoFe 2 O 4 –CaCr 2 O 4 –Ag 3 PO 4 QDs demonstrates good photostability and reusability. • It showed excellent photocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 due to its lattice oxygen vacancy. • Self-Fenton induced efficient photocatalytic degradation of cefixime. • Maize plant exposure of nanomaterial shows no detoxification and it induce the plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]