Soil acidity is a serious problem in agricultural lands as it directly affects the soil, crop production, and human health. Soil acidification in agricultural lands occurs due to the release of protons (H⁺) from the transforming reactions of various carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur-containing compounds. The use of biochar (BC) has emerged as an excellent tool to manage soil acidity owing to its alkaline nature and its appreciable ability to improve the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties. The application of BC to acidic soils improves soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), nutrient uptake, microbial activity and diversity, and enzyme activities which mitigate the adverse impacts of acidity on plants. Further, BC application also reduce the concentration of H⁺and Al³⁺ions and other toxic metals which mitigate the soil acidity and supports plant growth. Similarly, soil salinity (SS) is also a serious concern across the globe and it has a direct impact on global production and food security. Due to its appreciable liming potential BC is also an important amendment to mitigate the adverse impacts of SS. The addition of BC to saline soils improves nutrient homeostasis, nutrient uptake, SOM, CEC, soil microbial activity, enzymatic activity, and water uptake and reduces the accumulation of toxic ions sodium (Na⁺and chloride (Cl^-). All these BC-mediated changes support plant growth by improving antioxidant activity, photosynthesis efficiency, stomata working, and decrease oxidative damage in plants. Thus, in the present review, we discussed the various mechanisms through which BC improves the soil properties and microbial and enzymatic activities to counter acidity and salinity problems. The present review will increase the existing knowledge about the role of BC to mitigate soil acidity and salinity problems. This will also provide new suggestions to readers on how this knowledge can be used to ameliorate acidic and saline soils.

Climate-change-induced variations in temperature and rainfall patterns are a serious threat across the globe. Flooding is the foremost challenge to agricultural productivity, and it is believed to become more intense under a changing climate. Flooding is a serious form of stress that significantly reduces crop yields, and future climatic anomalies are predicted to make the problem even worse in many areas of the world. To cope with the prevailing flooding stress, plants have developed different morphological and anatomical adaptations in their roots, aerenchyma cells, and leaves. Therefore, researchers are paying more attention to identifying developed and adopted molecular-based plant mechanisms with the objective of obtaining flooding-resistant cultivars. In this review, we discuss the various physiological, anatomical, and morphological adaptations (aerenchyma cells, ROL barriers (redial O₂ loss), and adventitious roots) and the phytohormonal regulation in plants under flooding stress. This review comprises ongoing innovations and strategies to mitigate flooding stress, and it also provides new insights into how this knowledge can be used to improve productivity in the scenario of a rapidly changing climate and increasing flood intensity.

Salinity stress (SS) is a serious abiotic stress and a major constraint to agricultural productivity across the globe. High SS negatively affects plant growth and yield by altering soil physio-chemical properties and plant physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes. The application of micronutrients is considered an important practice to mitigate the adverse effects of SS. Zinc (Zn) is an important nutrient that plays an imperative role in plant growth, and it could also help alleviate the effects of salt stress. Zn application improves seed germination, seedling growth, water uptake, plant water relations, nutrient uptake, and nutrient homeostasis, therefore improving plant performance and saline conditions. Zn application also protects the photosynthetic apparatus from salinity-induced oxidative stress and improves stomata movement, chlorophyll synthesis, carbon fixation, and osmolytes and hormone accumulation. Moreover, Zn application also increases the synthesis of secondary metabolites and the expression of stress responsive genes and stimulates antioxidant activities to counter the toxic effects of salt stress. Therefore, to better understand the role of Zn in plants under SS, we have discussed the various mechanisms by which Zn induces salinity tolerance in plants. We have also identified diverse research gaps that must be filled in future research programs. The present review article will fill the knowledge gaps on the role of Zn in mitigating salinity stress. This review will also help readers to learn more about the role of Zn and will provide new suggestions on how this knowledge can be used to develop salt tolerance in plants by using Zn.

Deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT) is an innovative soil tillage technology that has been widely adopted in China and shown significant potential in enhancing soil quality, optimizing water use efficiency, and increasing crop yields across diverse ecological and agronomic conditions. DVRT utilizes a vertical spiral drill bit for deep plowing, which preserves soil structure, reduces soil compaction, and improves water retention, making it particularly effective in regions facing climatic challenges such as drought. This review synthesizes the effects of DVRT on soil’s physical and chemical properties, crop root systems, photosynthesis, and water use efficiency, demonstrating its advantages in promoting robust root development and improving nutrient utilization. Although the technology has been applied successfully across various crops and regions, its nationwide adoption remains limited. This paper emphasizes the need for further research to refine the theoretical framework of DVRT and develop tailored strategies for different local conditions. Additionally, integrating DVRT with other agronomic practices and advancing machinery design, supported by policy measures, is essential for maximizing its benefits. In conclusion, DVRT presents a promising approach for sustainable agriculture in China, contributing to improved soil quality, increased crop yields, and enhanced food security.

The parameters of the GR4J-CemaNeige coupling model (GR4neige) are typically treated as constants. However, the maximum capacity of the production store (parX1) exhibits time-varying characteristics due to climate variability and vegetation coverage change. This study employed differentiable parameter learning (dPL) to identify the time-varying parX1 in the GR4neige across 671 catchments within the United States. We built two types of dPL, including static and dynamic parameter networks, to assess the advantages of the time-varying parameter. In the dynamic parameter network, we evaluated the impact of potential evapotranspiration (PET), precipitation (P), temperature (T), soil moisture (SM), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) datasets on the performance of dPL. We then compared dPL with the empirical functional method (fm). The results demonstrated that the dynamic parameter network outperformed the static parameter network in streamflow estimation. There were differences in streamflow estimation among the dynamic parameter network driven by various input features. In humid catchments, simultaneously incorporating all five factors, including PET, P, T, SM, and the NDVI, achieved optimal streamflow simulation accuracy. In arid catchments, it was preferable to introduce PET, T, and the NDVI separately for improved performance. dPL significantly outperformed the empirical fm in estimating streamflow and uncalibrated intermediate variables, like evapotranspiration (ET). Both the derived parX1 from dPL and the empirical fm exhibited significant spatiotemporal variation across 671 catchments. Notably, compared to parX1 obtained through the empirical fm, parX1 derived from dPL exhibited a distinct spatial clustering pattern. This study highlights the potential of dPL in enhancing model accuracy and contributes to understanding the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of parX1 under the influence of climate factors, soil conditions, and vegetation change.

Soil flooding is a serious abiotic stress that can repress plant growth and yield. The intensity of flooding stress is continuously increasing owing to rapid climate change and changes in rain intensity and frequency. Biochar (BC) emerges as an important soil amendment to mitigate adverse impacts of abiotic stress. The role of BC against different stresses is well reported, however, its role under flooding stress is not determined yet. Thus, this experiment was conducted to determine the role of BC on the performance of brassica crops under flooding stress. The experiment was comprised of well-watered (WW) and flooding stress (FS) conditions and biochar application: control, 1% biochar, and 2.5% biochar. The results indicated that flooding stress stunted the plant growth and impaired the photosynthetic pigments, leaf water status, osmolytes yield and yield traits, and oil concentration and increased the electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The application of BC at the rate of 2.5% mitigated the adverse impacts of salinity and upgraded the antioxidant activities (~50-120%), reduced the oxidative stress markets (~70-300%), and increased the leaf water status, photosynthetic pigments, osmolyte accumulation, nutrient uptake, yield traits, and oil contents. In conclusion, BC application can improve the productivity and oil yield of brassica under drought stress by improving plant physiological and biochemical functioning. However, more in depth studies are direly needed to explore the mechanism of BC to induce flood tolerance.