The present study examines the separate and synergistic effects of macroalgal extract and static magnetic field (SMF) on the germination of soybean seeds (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), cv. Abelina, seedling growth, chlorophyll, and carotenoids content in leaves. Algal extract was produced from freshwater green macroalga (Cladophora glomerata) using ultrasound-assisted extraction. The germination tests were conducted in two stages. Firstly, different concentrations of extracts, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, were applied to a paper substrate. The best results (taking into account germination percentage, seedlings length and weight, and pigments content in leaves) were observed for 20% and 80% extracts. At the same stage, germination of seeds exposed to SMF (exposure times for 3 and 12 min and magnetic inductions of 250 and 500 mT) was studied. The best developed seedlings were determined for the group treated at 3 min with a magnetic induction of 250 mT. In the final step, the simultaneous effects of 20% and 80% algal extracts and treatment with 3 min at 250 mT SMF were tested. Taking into account all the parameters, the simultaneous use of 20% extract and 3 min of 250 mT magnetic induction is recommended.

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) is expected to open up new crop cultivation perspectives in arable farming in order to significantly reduce nitrogen losses through leaching, N₂O emissions and to increase resilience under drought conditions. Therefore, this study investigated the properties of the roots as an alternative to grasses for forage production under drought conditions. Ten genotypes of ribwort plantain were compared under field conditions in northern Switzerland, focusing on the characteristics of the root system and the aucubin content in the leaves and roots. Aucubin, known for inhibiting the nitrification process in the soil, varied according to genotype and season. All tested genotypes showed higher aucubin content in leaves than in roots, which may indicate the greater importance of leaves in reducing soil nitrification. Dry matter yield and for the first time root characteristics, such as root length density (RLD) and specific root length (SRL), were evaluated at two different soil depths, and at different distances from the plants. The results showed that ribwort is well adapted to acquire water and nutrients in terms of rooting in topsoil. In addition, a second field experiment conducted in eastern Germany (Saxony) confirmed the plant’s ability to root deeply after one year of cultivation, reaching depths of up to even 1.88 m. The obtained results indicate the high capacity of ribwort plantain to take up water and nutrients also from deeper soil layers. To reduce N₂O emissions through the cultivation of ribwort plantain, the choice of genotype seems to be of great importance due to varying aucubin contents.

This study investigated the potential of Plantago lanceolata as an alternative plant to mitigate the environmental impacts of agriculture in the face of climate change. Eleven genotypes of ribwort were compared under field conditions in northern Switzerland, focusing on the characteristics of the root system and the aucubin content in the leaves and roots. Aucubin, known to inhibit nitrification process in the soil, varied according to genotype and season. The content of secondary metabolite in leaves was higher than in roots, which may indicate the greater importance of leaves in reducing soil nitrification. Dry matter yield and for the first time root characteristics, such as length density and specific root length, were evaluated at two different depths, and at different positions in the experimental plots. The results showed that ribwort is well adapted in terms of rooting in topsoil. In addition, the plant's ability to root deeply after one year of cultivation under field conditions has been demonstrated, reaching depths of up to 1.88 metres. This allows the plant to effectively absorb water and nutrients from the subsoil layers.