The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of different genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in the edaphoclimatic conditions of a semi-arid region. In the experimental design, a completely randomized split-plot (2 × 8), with 3 repetitions (blocks) was used. The experiment comprised 7 new genotypes and 1 local genotype as the first main factor and application of insecticide as a secondary factor. Two-factor analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) determined the differences between the treated and untreated plots. The results obtained in the experiment showed that the introduced genotypes V3 (IT07K-181-55), V7 (H4), and V5 (IT97K-556-4M) adapted well to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the study area and their yields were respectively 1019, 1015, and 841 kg/ha of grains in treated plots and 278, 517 and 383 kg/ha in untreated plots. Multivariate analysis revealed that the most important parameter was the germination rate. Finally, the best yield was obtained with the genotype V3 (IT07K-181-55), subjected to the use of insecticide, and with the V7 (H4) genotype in untreated plants. The findings presented in this research should be useful in crop system agricultural programs, particularly in the terms of selection of cultivating systems suitable for high-yielding cowpea.

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In this study, we aimed at understanding a relation between PAH accumulation in the soils of brownfields that differed in origin (i.e., waste after coal mining, power plant, zinc–lead- or iron-ore processing) and age (400 years old to present). PAH contents were determined after their extraction with 2-propanol using a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a flame ionisation detector (FID) and a FactorFour VF-5MS capillary column. Sources of PAHs were identified using positive matrix factorisation (PMF). In regard to the relevance of the variables that helped explain the PAH accumulation, a random forest (RF) method was used. PMF analysis highlighted the connection of PAH sources with the industrial activity performed in the area. PAH concentrations increased with the age of tailings, but always exceeded the threshold-effect levels, indicating their potential to cause harm to humans. The RF method showed that for 2–3-ring PAHs the most important factor was the carbon content followed by clay, site, depth, pH, and then nitrogen, while for other PAHs, only the N content and depth exceeded 50% importance. PAHs’ vertical distributions reflected the history and the time passing from the brownfield site formation. Severe contamination of the brownfield soils indicates the necessity for remediation measures, especially where there are plans to build on these areas.

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