Differential Response of Brassica Cultivars to Potentially Toxic Elements and Their Distribution in Different Plant Parts Irrigated with Metal-Contaminated Water

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Although there are some interesting points in this manuscript, there are several issues needed to revise before considering for publication.

Abstract: Major revision is recommended, especially language use. For example, L28: "best hyper-accumulator crop": --> the word "best" is not appropriate. Furthermore, the abstract just state the simple result without describe the main findings/ explanation.

Figures: All figures are at low resolution, not clear. Please make it at publish standard figures.

Results: Should focus on the main result. I feel authors want to show too much data. If possible, please reorganize data, which just use the important data. Some data can be uploaded as supplimentary sources.

 

Author Response

Point-to-point response is as under

1. Abstract has been modified to include findings as per the suggestion of the reviewer.
2. Figures are re-drawn to improve their resolution for the better display.
3. Comment is valuable, however, we have seriously thought to reorganize the data to present some data as supplementary. But reorganizing the data may not be possible because it will shift the focus of the paper  

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

The increasing concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils has greatly disturbed the soil quality and its productivity, therefore the manuscript „Differential Response of Brassica Cultivars to potentially toxic elements and their distribution in different plant parts irrigated with metal contaminated water” is of interest. Overall, the manuscript is well written, but to be published, it needs major changes in the results, discussion, and conclusion sections.

Congratulations to the authors.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

We are thankful to the encouraging comments of the reviewer. As there are no specific comments about the manuscript, we have reconsidered the results, discussion and conclusions.

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Editor:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to revise the MS entitled “Differential Response of Brassica Cultivars to potentially toxic elements and their distribution in different plant parts irrigated with metal contaminated water” by Saad Dahlawi and his/her colleagues that was submitted to “sustainability”. The MS submitted is suitable for sustainability, and some interesting results were showed. However, there are several requirements that have to consider by the authors. In this regard, the following comments are requested to be addressed by the authors:

 

Comment 1: Line 15 italic “Khanpur raya” “Sandal canola”. Please check the full text.

Comment 2: Line 45、Line 47 References should be added.

Comment 3: Why these three heavy metals are selected should be clearly added in the introduction, as well as the novelty of this article.

Comment 4: Line 93 Data sources and references should be added.

Comment 5: Serial number shall be added to the chapter subheading in the text.

Comment 6: Discussion section not deep enough, comparative analysis should be strengthened.

Comment 7: Line 413 Line 422 does not meet the journal requirements

Comments 8: Please carefully check the format of references, such as superscripts, capitalization, journal abbreviations, italic, etc.

For example,

Line 462 italic “Phaseolus vulgaris”

Line 487 italic “Brassica juncea”

Line 497 italic “Solanum nigrum”

Line 499 italic “Spilanthes calva”

Line 501 italic “Brassica juncea” 

I would suggest that the authors review and include the following recent studies about bioremediation and phytoremediation to improve the manuscript.

1.    Su, R.; Ou, Q.; et.al., Comparison of phytoremediation potential of Nerium indicum with inorganic modifier calcium carbonate and organic modifier mushroom residue to lead-zinc tailings. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, (16), 10353.

2.    He, L.; Su, R.; et.al., Integration of manganese accumulation, subcellular distribution, chemical forms, and physiological responses to understand manganese tolerance in Macleaya cordata. Environ Sci Pollut R 2022, 29, (26), 39017-39026.

3.    Han, L.; Chen, Y.; et.al., Mushroom residue modification enhances phytoremediation potential of Paulownia fortunei to lead-zinc slag. Chemosphere 2020, 253, 126774. 

Best regards,

Author Response

1. There is no need to italicize the names "Khanpur raya and Sandal canola" as these are not technical names, rather, these are common names.
2. References are added as per suggestion.
3. studied PTEs were selected because of their common occurrence in raw city effluent. This information is added in the introduction.
4. serial numbers are added to the subsections.
5. All technical names are italicized.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Acceptance recommendation

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

The increasing concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils has greatly disturbed the soil quality and its productivity, therefore the manuscript „Differential Response of Brassica Cultivars to potentially toxic elements and their distribution in different plant parts irrigated with metal contaminated water” is of interest. Overall, the manuscript is well written, from my point of view, the article can be published in the form in which it was revised.

Congratulations to the authors.