Josef Trögl

Miscanthus × giganteus (M × g) is a sterile allotriploid hybrid (M. sacchariflorus × M. sinensis) widely used for biomass production and generally considered genetically uniform due to clonal propagation and a strong founder effect. However, phenotypic variation observed in European-grown material suggests that this assumption may be oversimplified. This study compared biometric, morphological, and genetic characteristics of four M × g accessions used for agronomy field trials in Croatia (HR), Ukraine (UA), Germany (DE), and the Czech Republic (CZ). Biometric analysis revealed that the HR accession produced 1.6-2-fold higher biomass yield, primarily associated with a 1.5-3-fold increase in sprout number. The HR accession also exhibited distinct morphological traits, including stem pigmentation and trichome presence. Sequencing of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer markers (ITS1 and ITS2) identified seven polymorphic sites (four in ITS1 and three in ITS2) three of them unique to the HR accession, whereas UA, DE, and CZ displayed identical sequences. In silico comparison with reference sequences confirmed and further highlighted the marked divergence of the HR accession. Notably, variation at position 195 bp in ITS2 indicated fixation of a single ribotype in HR compared to heterozygosity in the remaining accessions. The results suggest the presence of limited genetic variation within M × g, despite its predominantly clonal propagation. The observed association between ITS polymorphisms and phenotypic traits in the HR accession indicates that intra-specific variation may contribute to differences in biomass performance. These findings highlight the potential for identifying and utilizing divergent accessions in future breeding and selection programs, while also suggesting that the assumption of strict genetic uniformity in M × g may require reconsideration.

Land degradation caused by industrial activity, pollution, and unsustainable land use poses a significant threat to global ecosystem functions. Miscanthus × giganteus (M × g), a sterile C4 perennial grass known for its high biomass productivity and tolerance to abiotic stress, has gained increasing attention as a phytomanagement crop for restoring degraded lands. A growing body of evidence suggests that the effectiveness of M × g in these environments is strongly mediated by its interactions with rhizospheric, endophytic, and mycorrhizal microorganisms. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the structure, function, and ecological roles of microbial communities associated with M × g, with a focus on their contributions to plant growth, nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and contaminant degradation. Particular emphasis is placed on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), endophytes, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as well as their roles in enhancing soil microbial activity, carbon sequestration, and phytoremediation of heavy metals and petroleum-based pollutants. While numerous studies have demonstrated positive microbial effects on M × g performance under controlled conditions, field-based evidence remains limited. Future research should prioritize long-term, multi-scale investigations and the development of tailored microbial inoculants for use in phytomanagement systems. By integrating plant–microbe interactions, M × g cultivation can be optimized not only for biomass production but also for ecological restoration of degraded environments. Graphical Abstract

Lebanon is one of the richest countries in water resources in the Middle East. Despite its small geographical area, it faces escalating environmental challenges, including air pollution, water pollution, soil degradation, and poor waste management, that compromise natural resources, biodiversity, and public health. This review compiles and analyzes scientific literature and official reports on Lebanese river pollution from 1994 to 2024. It presents the status of river water quality, identifies major pollution sources and types, including untreated sewage, industrial discharges, and agricultural runoff, and highlights the use of bioindicators, alongside governmental and non-governmental mitigation efforts. Findings indicate widespread contamination across most Lebanese rivers due to the presence of pathogens, potentially toxic elements, and organic pollutants. Water quality degradation has often impaired access to safe water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use. Although research and monitoring efforts have increased over the past decade, the implementation of control measures remains insufficient. Key challenges include fragmented environmental governance, lack of long-term monitoring programs, and limited public awareness. Addressing these issues requires integrated water resource management, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, promotion of sustainable agricultural and industrial practices, and expansion of research on emerging contaminants. The evidence presented in this paper highlights the urgent need for science-informed policies and coordinated multi-sectoral actions to mitigate water pollution, restore riverine ecosystems, and safeguard both environmental.

With a substantial rise in both domestic and worldwide copper mining rates over the past decade, Iran has become a major producer of copper in the Middle East. The increasing need for copper-based products in a variety of industries, including as information technology, electronics, transportation, and construction, is driving this rise. However, the expansion of copper mining activities has led to environmental degradation, particularly in mining sites where potentially hazardous elements (PTEs) have contaminated the soil. Despite these significant environmental impacts, they have often been overlooked, posing long-term environmental challenges as copper extraction continues. This research extensively reviews the literature (from 2000 to 2023) on soil contamination in Iran’s copper mining districts, focusing on PTEs. It evaluates the extent of potentially hazardous elements’ pollution in soils, comparing findings with global data, and explores remediation strategies employed in these regions. Results suggest that studies predominantly center around the Sarcheshmeh copper mine, highlighting copper, lead, and molybdenum as dominant PTE pollutants. Phytoremediation emerges as the primary remediation method used in these areas, indicating Iran's sustainable approach to addressing potentially hazardous elements’ contamination. This review recommends comprehensive monitoring of PTEs across all Iranian copper mines and further exploration of native plant species that successfully grow and stabilize potentially hazardous elements grow in copper mining areas remediation.