Although growth stimulation at low arsenic doses was observed in several plants, few studies have focused on this phenomenon in more detail. The effects of different concentrations of arsenic (0–50 mg kg⁻¹ of soil: As0–As50) on the growth and selected physiological parameters of two maize cultivars (Zea mays L. cvs. Chapalu and MvNK 333) were tested. Cultivar MvNK 333 manifested a generally higher tolerance to As than cv. Chapalu, which may be related to the lower content of As in the tissues. The highest stimulatory effect of As was recorded at doses of As1 and As2 (cv. Chapalu), and at the As5 dose (MvNK 333), there was an increase in shoot elongation, biomass, and relative water content (RWC), as well as the content of photosynthetic pigments. The stimulatory effect of lower doses of As apparently represents an adaptation mechanism that is associated with water content regulation in the given conditions. The stomata of the studied cultivars were involved in this regulation in different ways. While cv. Chapalu exhibited increased numbers of stomata on both sides of leaves, cv. MvNK 333 instead responded to the given conditions with decreased stomata size. Although hormetic manifestations closely related to changes in stomatal number and size were observed, a typical stomatal hormetic response was not observed in the given range of As doses.

Cyanogenic glycosides (CGs) represent an important group of secondary metabolites predominantly of plant origin, characterized by their ability to release hydrogen cyanide upon enzymatic hydrolysis. These compounds are widely distributed across the plant kingdom, where they play a crucial role in defense against herbivores and pathogens. In recent years, advanced analytical tools have greatly expanded our knowledge of CGs by enabling the identification of less abundant forms. Based on the latest data from published scientific studies, this review presents a comprehensive overview of CGs, with a focus on their structural variability, biosynthetic pathways, ecological functions, and inherent toxicity. Special attention is given to the quantity and distribution of significant CGs in plants, as the available data is often heterogeneous, fragmented, and dispersed across the literature. Furthermore, the review explores emerging evidence regarding the biomedical relevance of selected CGs, including their putative anticancer properties and broader therapeutic potential. The findings presented in this review may be applied in fields such as pharmacology, toxicology, food safety, and plant biotechnology - either to enhance CG content for crop protection or, conversely, to eliminate such content in order to improve food safety.

The present study aimed to analyze the differences in the tolerance of fava bean (Vicia faba cv. Aštar) roots to cadmium in nitrate—Cd(NO₃)₂—and chloride—CdCl₂—solutions. The physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed. The tested doses of Cd (50, 100, 150 and 300 mg/L) did not influence the germination of seeds. However, considerable growth inhibition and dehydration were observed after 96 h incubation. The thickness of roots and rupture of cell membranes increased along with the increasing concentration of the metal in the solution. At a Cd dose of 300 mg/L, irrespective of the solution used, increased nitrogen concentration and no change in sodium content were observed. The content of magnesium increased due to the dose of 100 mg/L (cadmium nitrate) and the content of calcium increased due to the dose of 300 mg/L (in either nitrate or chloride). The correlation analyses pointed to a possible effect of nitrates in the applied solutions on the accumulation of Cd and some minerals in the roots of the given variety of fava bean. This may be important for both research and agricultural practice. The identification of crops with high tolerance to cadmium, as well as knowledge about the mechanisms of ion interactions at the soil solution–plant level, is important in terms of such crops’ use in the process of the remediation of cadmium-contaminated soils coupled with food production.