Radiation mutagenesis is widely applied in soybean breeding; however, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Spatial transcriptomics has emerged as a powerful tool for resolving gene expression heterogeneity, yet its application in radiation-mutagenized soybean embryos has not been reported. In this study, spatial transcriptomics was employed to analyze gene expression patterns in non-irradiated and X-ray–irradiated soybean embryos. Both groups were classified into 13 distinct cellular clusters, and comprehensive spatial transcriptomic atlases were successfully constructed. Differential expression analysis identified several key functional genes, including DNA repair–related genes (GmW82.19G089600 and GmW82.16G057600), stress-responsive genes (GmW82.06G256600 and GmW82.10G206900), and GmW82.13G274300. These differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were associated with stem development and exhibited consistently high expression in the epicotyls of both irradiated and non-irradiated embryos. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed significant involvement of pathways related to cellular stress response, regulation of DNA-templated transcription, oxidative stress response, and glutathione metabolism This study presents the first spatial transcriptomic profiling of soybean embryos under radiation stress, identifies key genes involved in DNA repair and stress responses, and provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of underlying radiation-induced mutagenesis in plants.

Zhenghui 084 (Xa7), IRBB21 (Xa21), CBB23 (Xa23), and IRBB27 (Xa27) were used as donor parents to develop gene-specific functional molecular markers and introduce target resistance genes into the wide-compatibility restorer line F7540 through gene pyramiding. The resulting improved restorer lines, along with recurrent parents, were inoculated with nine races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Six improved resistant restorer lines were then crossed with three indica male sterile lines (Tai 1S, Quan 9311A, Huazhe 2A) and three japonica male sterile lines (Chunjiang 16A, Chunjiang 88A, Huazhong 2A). Both hybrid combinations and parental lines were inoculated with two representative Xoo races, Zhe173 and PXO99, and agronomic traits were also evaluated. The results showed that nine restorer lines carrying various resistance genes were successfully developed through multi-generation selection. Among them, F7540-Xa7-Xa23-Xa27 exhibited high resistance to all nine Xoo races. F7540-Xa7-Xa23 and F7540-Xa23 also showed resistance or high resistance to all nine races. Lines F7540-Xa7-Xa21 and F7540-Xa7-Xa21-Xa27 were resistant to eight races, while F7540-Xa7 and F7540-Xa21 were resistant to seven and two races, respectively. Notably, F7540-Xa27 showed no resistance to any of the tested races. In the hybrid inoculation tests with Zhe173 and PXO99, all combinations involving F7540-Xa23 and F7540-Xa7-Xa23 showed disease resistance. Hybrids derived from F7540-Xa7-Xa21 crossed with japonica male sterile lines also exhibited resistance. Additionally, the combination of F7540-Xa21 and Quan 9311A was resistant to disease. Comprehensive evaluation of resistance and agronomic performance indicated that the hybrid combinations of F7540-Xa23 with Chunjiang 88A and Quan 9311A possessed excellent disease resistance and favorable agronomic traits, demonstrating high breeding potential.

Barley is the world’s fourth-largest cereal crop and serves as a staple food for farmers and herders in the Tibetan region of China. Starch, which accounts for 50%–70% of grain weight, is the primary component determining both yield and quality. While starch content directly influences grain weight, its structure dictates physicochemical properties and hydrolysis performance, ultimately affecting processing quality and end-use applications. Soluble starch synthase IIa (SSIIa) is a key enzyme involved in amylopectin biosynthesis, and natural polymorphisms in its gene play a significant regulatory role in starch structure and functionality. In this study, 165 Tibetan barley accessions were used to systematically investigate the effects of natural variation in the SSIIa gene on starch composition and properties through molecular marker identification and starch physicochemical analysis. Two major SSIIa gene variants (designated SSIIa1 and SSIIa2) were identified in Tibetan barley. Based on sequence differences, specific molecular markers were developed for efficient genotyping, revealing a characteristic 33 bp deletion that distinguishes the SSIIa2 genotype. Starch property analysis showed that, compared with SSIIa1, the SSIIa² genotype was associated with significantly higher amylose content, a larger average diameter and greater volume proportion of type B starch granules, and a higher pasting temperature. These findings clarify the natural variation pattern of the SSIIa gene and its influence on key starch quality traits in Tibetan barley, providing valuable molecular targets and a theoretical basis for quality-oriented breeding and functional utilization of this important crop.

Rice yield-related traits, as typical quantitative traits, are controlled by multiple genes with minor effects. Mapping these genes using single segment substitution lines (SSSLs) not only provides an ideal system for dissecting their molecular mechanisms, but also lays a critical foundation for whole-genome design breeding by minimizing interference from genetic background. In this study, the chromosome segment substitution line Z267—carrying five donor segments in a Nipponbare genetic background—was used to construct a Nipponbare /Z267 F₂ population, through which nine yield-related QTL were successfully identified. Further genetic dissection yielded five SSSLs and one double segment substitution line (DSSL). The results showed that all five SSSLs (S1–S5) carried positive-effect QTL that significantly increased grain length and secondary branch number, while also harboring negative-effect QTL that reduced grain width. In the DSSL (D1), multiple QTL interactions were observed: combinations of panicle length loci (qPL6 with qPL1), primary branch number loci (qNPB6 with qNPB1), and secondary branch number loci (qNSB1 with qNSB6) exhibited transgressive inheritance effects. Meanwhile, combinations of grain width (qGW6 with qGW1) and 1000-grain weight (qGWT6 with qGWT1) loci displayed sub-dominant effects. The genetic effects of grain length (qGL6 with qGL1) and plant height (qPH6 with qPH1) locus combinations were comparable to those of the single loci qGL1 and qPH6, respectively. Genetic effect analysis indicated that hybrid combinations of S1 and S5 could be effectively used to develop elite lines with taller plant architecture and slender grain morphology. Overall, this study systematically dissected the genetic effects of yield-related QTL, providing valuable theoretical insights and germplasm resources for elucidating molecular mechanisms and advancing whole-genome design breeding in rice.

Drought is one of the most severe abiotic stresses limiting the growth and development of maize. Identifying drought-resistant genes and applying them to the development of new drought-tolerant varieties is an effective strategy to address this challenge. In this study, the drought-sensitive inbred line B73 and the drought-tolerant inbred line SL001 were used to evaluate drought tolerance phenotypes. SL001 exhibited a lower degree of wilting and a significantly higher survival rate after rehydration compared to B73. In addition, under drought conditions, SL001 showed significantly higher relative water content and net photosynthetic rate than B73. Transcriptome analysis of B73 and SL001 under varying drought stress conditions identified a total of 11240 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 4354 were specifically expressed under moderate and severe drought stress, but not under well-watered conditions. These DEGs were mainly enriched in plant hormone signaling and plant–pathogen interaction pathways. Among them, two candidate drought-resistance genes, Zm00001eb439810 and Zm00001eb365420, were predicted and further validated by qRT-PCR. The results suggested that Zm00001eb439810 may positively regulate the maize drought stress response, whereas Zm00001eb365420 may act as a negative regulator. This study provides valuable genetic resources and potential targets for improving drought tolerance in maize.

Nitrate transporter 2 (NRT2) is a high-affinity nitrate transporter that plays a crucial role in nitrate uptake and translocation in plants. In this study, we identified a key low-nitrogen-responsive gene, BnNRT2.3-like, using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Bioinformatics analysis was conducted, and an overexpression vector of BnNRT2.3-like was constructed to generate transgenic plants. Key agronomic traits of rapeseed at the mature stage were evaluated through a natural pot experiment. At the seedling stage, we assessed nitrogen accumulation, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), chlorophyll content, expression levels of nitrogen utilization-related genes, and the activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS). The BnNRT2.3-like protein was found to have a molecular weight of 61.87 kD and an isoelectric point of 9.08, exhibiting typical features of the MFS superfamily and NNP gene family. Compared to the wild type (WT), BnNRT2.3-like overexpression lines showed increases of 9.1% in plant height, 20% in thousand-seed weight, and 62.1% in grain yield per plant. Significant improvements were also observed in effective branch height, main inflorescence length, number of siliques per main inflorescence, total siliques per plant, silique length, and average seeds per silique. Under low-nitrogen (LN) conditions, the overexpression lines exhibited an average increase of 1.22 cm in primary root length, a 0.633 g increase in fresh weight, and 55% and 13.6% increases in shoot and root dry weights, respectively, resulting in a 42.1% increase in total dry weight per plant. Shoot nitrogen accumulation was also 17% higher than in WT. Furthermore, under LN stress at the seedling stage, the overexpression lines demonstrated significant enhancements in nitrogen accumulation, NUE, NR and GS activities, and chlorophyll content compared to WT plants. Notably, expression levels of nitrogen utilization-related genes (BnNPF4.6, BnNPF6.3-like, and BnAMT1.1a) were upregulated in the leaves but markedly downregulated in the roots. Together, these findings demonstrate that BnNRT2.3-like overexpression enhances low-nitrogen tolerance and yield-related traits in rapeseed, providing valuable germplasm resources and a theoretical foundation for improving nitrogen use efficiency in Brassica napus.

VQ proteins, a plant-specific protein family characterized by a conserved VQ domain, have garnered considerable attention due to their critical roles in abiotic stress responses as well as plant growth and development. In this study, the Coix lacryma-jobi L. cultivar ‘Wanyi 2’ was used as the experimental material. A combination of bioinformatics analysis, quantitative real-time PCR, subcellular localization, and yeast two-hybrid assays was employed to characterize the molecular properties of ClVQ4. Its function in salt stress response was further investigated through heterologous expression in yeast and genetic transformation in Arabidopsis thaliana. The results revealed that ClVQ4 contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 594 bp, encoding a 197-amino-acid protein predicted to be an unstable, hydrophilic protein with an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.43. Cis-acting element analysis of the ClVQ4 promoter identified multiple hormone- and stress-responsive elements. The expression of ClVQ4 was induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and abscisic acid (ABA), and significantly upregulated under salt stress. Subcellular localization and yeast two-hybrid assays showed that ClVQ4 is mainly localized in the nucleus and cell membrane, interacts with Coix WRKY30, and can form heterodimers with other VQ proteins. Under NaCl treatment, the yeast strain expressing ClVQ4 exhibited enhanced survival. Furthermore, overexpression of ClVQ4 in Arabidopsis resulted in higher germination and survival rates and longer root lengths compared to the wild type (WT) under salt stress. Additionally, transgenic lines exhibited significantly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, and CAT) and significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content than WT, suggesting a positive regulatory role of ClVQ4 in salt stress tolerance.

To investigate the response mechanisms of foxtail millet cultivars with different shade tolerance to shading stress, Yugu 29 (YG29) and Baogu 25 (BG25) were used as experimental materials. Shading nets were applied during the grain filling stage to simulate shading conditions. We examined the differences between the two cultivars in yield traits, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and transcriptomic profiles. The results showed that shading stress significantly reduced yield, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance, while significantly increasing chlorophyll a and b contents as well as the activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Compared with BG25, YG29 exhibited higher yield, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, and antioxidant enzyme activities, along with a lower chlorophyll a/b ratio, indicating greater tolerance to shading stress. Transcriptome analysis identified 2,961 and 2,966 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BG25 and YG29 under shading conditions, respectively. These DEGs were significantly enriched in 24 and 16 Gene Ontology (GO) categories and 13 and 6 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways in BG25 and YG29, respectively. Four pathways were commonly enriched in both cultivars: photosynthesis-antenna proteins, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and cyanoamino acid metabolism. Further analysis of key metabolic pathways revealed that, under shading stress, YG29 showed lower expression levels of chlorophyll degradation-related genes (NOL, HCAR, SGR, PPH, and RCCR), and higher expression levels of genes related to carbon fixation (RBC, RCA, PEPC, MDH, GAPC, and FBA) and antioxidant enzymes (PRX, CAT) compared with BG25. These genes may play critical roles in the enhanced shade tolerance of YG29.

C-terminally encoded peptide (CEP) genes encode a class of secreted small peptides characterized by conserved structural domains near the C-terminus. These genes form a multi-member family that plays crucial roles in regulating various physiological processes in plants, including root development, nitrogen uptake, and responses to environmental stresses. In this study, members of the CEP gene family in potato (Solanum tuberosum, StCEP) were identified and analyzed for their physicochemical properties, conserved motifs, phylogenetic relationships, and promoter cis-acting elements. Expression patterns of StCEP genes were examined across different potato tissues and under various environmental conditions using RNA-seq data. Additionally, the function of salt-induced StCEP genes was validated through exogenous application of synthetic StCEP peptides. A total of 11 StCEP genes were identified in the potato genome, distributed across four chromosomes. The encoded StCEP proteins contained between 1 and 9 CEP motifs, with variability in motif number among members. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that StCEP family members clustered with CEP genes from Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum, forming two major clades comprising 21 and 26 members, respectively. Synteny analysis showed one syntenic gene pair between potato and A. thaliana, and 12 syntenic pairs between potato and S. lycopersicum. Promoter analysis indicated that StCEP genes are primarily regulated by light-responsive, hormone-responsive, developmental, and stress-related cis-elements. Expression profiling revealed that StCEP genes exhibit tissue-specific expression and are responsive to nitrogen availability, phytohormones (BAP, IAA, GA₃, and ABA), and both biotic (e.g., Phytophthora infestans, BABA, BTH) and abiotic (e.g., NaCl) stress factors. Furthermore, exogenous application of the StCEP2 peptide promoted adventitious root formation and enhanced salt tolerance in potato plantlets under in vitro conditions. This study offers valuable insights into the functional roles of StCEP genes in regulating plant development and responses to environmental stress, laying a foundation for future functional genomics and crop improvement research.

The introgression line BAd7-209, characterized by a high grain protein content (GPC) despite lacking a functional NAM-B1 gene, has been officially named the wheat cultivar Triticum aestivum L. ‘Chuannong 1 Sicaomai’. It was developed from a cross between wild emmer (as the male parent) and the high-yielding but low-GPC common wheat variety Chuannong 16 (CN16). In this study, BAd7-209 was used as the male parent and crossed with two low-GPC common wheat cultivars, Chuanyu 27 (CY27) and CN16, to develop both a recombinant inbred line (RIL) F_6:8 mapping population and an F₆ validation population. The objective was to investigate the genetic basis of high GPC in BAd7-209 and to identify genetic resources for high-quality wheat breeding. Across four environments over two consecutive years, BAd7-209 exhibited a mean GPC of 15.35%, significantly higher than that of the female parent CY27 (12.30%). However, its thousand-grain weight (TGW) was 46.08 g—significantly lower than CY27 (50.53 g). The RIL population showed a mean GPC of 14.01% and a TGW of 52.02 g, both significantly higher than those of the parent lines. This indicates that the high GPC from BAd7-209 and the high TGW from CY27 were effectively transferred to the RIL population, minimizing the influence of the concentration effect and enabling more accurate evaluation of GPC. A total of five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with GPC were identified, explaining 9.68% to 29.17% of the phenotypic variation. Notably, a novel major QTL, QGPC.sicau-YZ-6BS, derived from BAd7-209, was consistently associated with high GPC and accounted for 9.68%–29.17% of the variation. A functional KASP marker linked to this QTL was developed. Lines carrying this favorable locus exhibited significantly higher GPC than those without it (p < 0.01) across all tested environments and genetic backgrounds, with GPC increases of 17.89% and 41.20% in the mapping and validation populations, respectively. Additionally, thirteen novel wheat germplasm lines with superior traits—including grain quality, agronomic performance, and disease resistance—were selected from the 104 RILs. Their GPCs ranged from 13.99% to 18.08%, and TGWs ranged from 45.20 to 57.69 g. These findings provide valuable insights for future genetic research and the breeding of high-yield, high-quality wheat cultivars.

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting peanut production in Northeast China, and cultivating drought-resistant varieties remains the most effective strategy to mitigate its impact. This study aimed to investigate the effects of drought stress on the germination of high-oleic and common peanut varieties, and to evaluate their drought resistance at the germination stage. Polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) solutions at concentrations of 15.0%, 17.5%, and 20.0% were used to simulate water deficit conditions, while a treatment without PEG served as the control. The most suitable concentration for drought resistance screening was identified, and several drought-related indices were measured during germination. Principal component analysis (PCA), regression analysis, and cluster analysis were employed for a comprehensive evaluation of drought resistance at the germination stage. The results showed that: (1) Under different PEG-6000 treatments, germination traits were not significantly affected at 15.0%, while most traits were significantly inhibited at 20.0%. Therefore, 17.5% PEG-6000 was determined to be the optimal concentration for screening drought resistance in peanut varieties during germination. (2) PCA reduced eight individual drought resistance indicators into three independent composite indices. The drought resistance of 38 peanut varieties was ranked using the membership function method and a comprehensive evaluation D-value. (3) Cluster analysis grouped 19 common and 19 high-oleic acid peanut varieties into four categories based on drought resistance: extremely strong (4 varieties), strong (11 varieties), moderate (12 varieties), and weak (11 varieties), accounting for 10.5%, 28.9%, 31.6%, and 28.9% of the total, respectively. (4) Stepwise regression analysis identified an optimal regression model. Four indicators—germination rate, vigor index, fresh root weight, and dry root weight—were found to be effective for evaluating drought resistance in high-oleic peanut varieties at the germination stage.

To address the challenges of reduced potato yield, quality, and water–fertilizer use efficiency caused by suboptimal resource allocation at the northern foot of the Yinshan Mountains, this study examined the effects of various water and fertilizer supply levels on potato yield, tuber quality, and resource use efficiency. The goal was to provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing regional potato production systems to achieve high yield and quality while improving water and fertilizer management. Field experiments were conducted in Wuchuan County, Hohhot, from 2022 to 2023 using the potato cultivar “Dafeng 10”. A split-plot design was employed, with three irrigation levels (W1: 1800 m³ hm?², W2: 1440 m³ hm?², W3: 1080 m³ hm?²) as the main plots and three fertilization levels (F1: N-P?O?-K?O = 300-240-300 kg hm?², F2: N-P?O?-K?O = 240-192-240 kg hm?², F3: N-P?O?-K?O = 180-144-180 kg hm?²) as the subplots. Analysis of treatment responses revealed that moderate reductions in water and fertilizer inputs significantly enhanced tuber yield, improved tuber quality, and promoted more efficient use of water and nutrients. Specifically, the W2F2 treatment produced the best outcomes for yield, marketable tuber ratio, starch content, vitamin C, crude protein, and water use efficiency (WUE), with increases of 9.07%–10.79%, 1.22%–4.08%, 4.39%–4.86%, 3.28%–8.87%, 1.78%–11.92%, and 3.47%–5.84%, respectively, compared to the conventional treatment (W1F1). In contrast, the highest reducing sugar content was observed under the W3F1 treatment, which was 18.18%–19.05% higher than that under W1F1. The highest partial factor productivity of fertilizer (PFP) was achieved with the W2F3 treatment, representing a 47.46%–47.60% improvement over W1F1. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for comprehensive evaluation, and the W2F2 treatment achieved the highest PCA scores: 3.002 in 2022 and 3.481 in 2023. To further identify optimal irrigation and fertilization levels, a regression model was established using the comprehensive evaluation score as the dependent variable, and irrigation and fertilizer inputs as independent variables. The optimal evaluation score corresponded to an irrigation range of 1518.15–1533.93 m³ hm^?2 and a fertilizer rate of N–P?O?–K?O = 262.52–210.02–262.52 to 274.63–219.71–274.63 kg hm?². In conclusion, under the conditions of the northern foot of the Yinshan Mountains, an integrated water and fertilizer management strategy using 1518.15–1533.93 m³ hm^?2 of irrigation and 262.52–210.02–262.52 to 274.63–219.71–274.63 kg hm?² of fertilizer (N–P?O?–K?O) can synergistically improve potato yield, tuber quality, and resource use efficiency. Moreover, this strategy achieves water savings of 14.83%–15.66% and fertilizer reductions of 8.57%–12.49%.

To investigate the effects of intercropping maize with different leguminous crops on yield and system stability, a four-year field experiment was conducted starting in 2017 at the Zhangye Water-Saving Agriculture Experiment Station, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The study employed a single-factor randomized block design, including three intercropping patterns—maize ‖ pea (M‖P), maize ‖ faba bean (M‖F), and maize ‖ soybean (M‖S)—alongside corresponding monocultures. Grain yield was measured, and indicators such as overyielding, relative interaction index, and crop yield stability were calculated. Results showed that all three maize ‖ legume systems improved the yield stability of the leguminous crops. Among them, M‖S exhibited the highest legume yield stability, while M‖F showed the greatest improvement in legume yield stability compared to monoculture, with an increase of 184.18%. Although M‖P and M‖S also improved legume yield stability by 2.93% and 489.63%, respectively, these increases were not statistically significant. Analysis of maize yield stability revealed that maize in M‖P had 62.21% lower stability compared to monoculture. In contrast, maize yield stability in M‖F and M‖S improved, although no significant differences were observed among the three intercropping systems. Yield analysis demonstrated significant intercropping advantages for both maize and legumes. Maize yield increased most in M‖S, while faba bean had the highest legume yield increase. On average, the weighted yield of maize and legumes increased by 16.71% compared to monoculture. Specifically, yields in M‖S, M‖P, and M‖F increased by 27.02%, 16.75%, and 6.80%, respectively. Compared to monoculture legumes, intercropping increased yields of faba bean and pea by 82.24% and 71.48%, respectively, while soybean yield decreased by 14.63%, showing an overall performance ranking of faba bean > pea > soybean. Overyielding of maize across intercropping systems followed the order M‖S > M‖P > M‖F, with increases of 32.92%, 13.47%, and 0.30%, respectively. Relative Interaction Index analysis showed that the RIIM (Relative interaction index for maize) values for M‖P, M‖F, and M‖S were 0.05, ?0.01, and 0.14, respectively, while the RIIL (Relative interaction index for legumes) values were 0.25, 0.28, and ?0.08. Maize had a competitive advantage over soybean in M‖S; faba bean was dominant in M‖F; and M‖P displayed mutual promotion between maize and pea. Additionally, temporal niche separation was positively correlated with both overyielding and RIIL in legumes, and negatively correlated with RIIM. System-wide overyielding was significantly positively correlated with RIIM, and the overyielding of both maize and legumes was strongly positively correlated with both RIIM and RIIL. Therefore, intercropping maize with soybean presents a diversified planting model that ensures high and stable yields in the central region of the Hexi Corridor.

To clarify the effects of phosphorus application on yield formation and phosphorus use efficiency in late-sown rapeseed, a two-year field experiment using the cultivar Huayouza 137 was conducted in Wuhan, employing a single-factor design focused on phosphorus levels. The results showed that phosphate fertilizer application significantly improved the yield of late-sown rapeseed, with the number of pods per plant being the primary contributing factor (P < 0.05). Compared with the P0 treatment (no phosphorus), yields increased by 16.83%–24.63% and 22.99%–34.95% over the two years, while the number of pods per plant rose by 14.51%–37.46% and 26.35%–53.83%, respectively. Plant height, root crown diameter, silique thickness, effective branch height, number of effective branches, phosphorus content, phosphorus accumulation, dry matter weight, and lodging resistance all exhibited an increasing trend that eventually stabilized, with no significant differences observed between the P3 (120 kg hm^?2) and P4 (150 kg hm^?2) treatments. As phosphorus application increased, the phosphorus use efficiency initially rose and then declined, peaking under the P2 (90 kg hm^?2) treatment. Partial factor productivity of phosphorus decreased with increasing phosphorus rates, while agronomic efficiency was highest under the P2 and P3 treatments. The contribution rate of phosphorus was maximized under the P3 and P4 treatments. In conclusion, phosphate fertilizer application enhanced the yield, dry matter accumulation, lodging resistance, and phosphorus use efficiency of late-sown rapeseed. However, excessive phosphorus input led to reduced fertilizer use efficiency without further improvements in yield, biomass, or lodging resistance. Therefore, under the premise of maintaining stable yield and lodging resistance, phosphorus application at the P3 level is optimal for improving productivity and phosphorus use efficiency in late-sown rapeseed, thereby maximizing economic returns.

High-resolution mapping of crop planting structures is crucial for ensuring food security and optimizing agricultural policies. However, in practical applications, extracting crop planting structures using multi-source remote sensing data faces challenges such as satellite–UAV collaboration issues due to spectral resolution differences, and the interference of mixed pixels in satellite imagery during area information extraction. This study proposes a method for extracting crop planting structures based on UAV multispectral data with Planet Scope satellite imagery. Taking wheat, maize, grapes, and kiwifruit in the Baojixia Irrigation District as case crops, spatial distribution and area information were extracted. First, satellite spectral bands were corrected by calculating the reflectance ratio between satellite and UAV pixels, thereby refining the threshold for crop distribution extraction. Second, UAV images were classified using machine learning algorithms to estimate the proportion of pure crop areas within mixed satellite pixels. Finally, a genetic algorithm-optimized random forest model was employed to establish a quantitative relationship between vegetation indices and area weights in mixed pixels. The results showed that in the crop distribution map (6 m resolution) generated using the multi-source remote sensing approach, the number of overlapping pixels decreased by 35.75% compared to results from satellite imagery alone, demonstrating that integrating multi-source data can effectively mitigate the issue of “same spectrum, different objects.” Among the crops, wheat and maize had the most accurate area extraction. Compared with single-temporal satellite images, the relative error rates for wheat and maize in representative regions decreased by 19.17% and 38.49%, respectively. Overall, the relative error rates for wheat, maize, grapes, and kiwifruit area estimates were -4.83%, 0.51%, 6.55%, and 8.79%, respectively. The cross-scale collaborative observation approach from UAV to satellite proposed in this study provides technical and data support for crop management strategies in irrigation districts. It offers new perspectives for extending crop spatial distribution and area extraction from the field scale to the irrigation district scale, and contributes to advancing precision agriculture technologies in irrigated regions.

The cotton substrate-based simplified seedling raising technology can significantly reduce labor intensity. However, its widespread adoption is limited by the substrate’s poor water retention capacity after transplanting, which often results in low seedling survival rates and prolonged recovery periods. To identify effective strategies for improving the survival and early growth of transplanted cotton seedlings, this study used Sikang 3 as the experimental material and investigated the effects of foliar application of indolebutyric acid (IBA) at various concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg L^?1) during the 1-leaf-1-heart stage from 2022 to 2024. The results indicated that a concentration of 20 mg L^?1 (E1) was optimal for enhancing seedling survival and growth. Compared to the control (water spray, CK), E1 treatment significantly increased the survival rate of transplanted seedlings to approximately 99.0% and shortened the recovery period by 2–3 days. Fifteen days after transplanting, root mass per plant increased by 15.3%–19.5%, root active surface area by 7.0%–10.6%, and plant height by 13.1%–31.6%. Additionally, E1 treatment significantly promoted the uptake and accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium by 19.6%–22.1%, 7.2%–34.2%, and 22.1%–31.3%, respectively. At the boll opening stage, the dry weights of vegetative and reproductive organs increased by 4.4%–5.9% and 8.5%–10.0%, respectively, leading to a final lint yield increase of 8.5%–10.0%. Therefore, foliar application of 20 mg L^?1 IBA at the 1-leaf-1-heart stage is an effective approach to ensure near-100% survival of transplanted cotton seedlings, significantly shorten the recovery period, accelerate root system development and plant growth, enhance nutrient absorption, and ultimately improve yield. This technique provides essential technical support for the efficient and stable implementation of simplified cotton seedling raising and transplanting.

This study investigates the effects of combined organic and chemical fertilizer application on yield, quality, and selenium uptake in different sweetpotato types under selenium-rich soil conditions. It also aims to determine the optimal chemical fertilizer rate when applying a fixed amount of organic fertilizer (6×10³ kg hm^?2, providing a theoretical basis for efficient selenium-enriched sweetpotato cultivation. From 2023 to 2024, a two-year field experiment was conducted using two cultivars: the edible-type ‘Xinxiang’ and the starch-type ‘Shangshu 19’. The soil selenium content was 0.37 mg kg?¹, and seven fertilizer treatments were established, including combinations designed to improve and activate the soil: 100%, 70%, 50%, and 30% chemical fertilizer each combined with organic fertilizer; sole chemical fertilizer; sole organic fertilizer; and a no-fertilizer control. Selenium content in plant organs, tuber yield, and quality were assessed at harvest. Results showed that, under selenium-rich conditions, tuber yield of both sweetpotato cultivars increased initially and then declined as the proportion of chemical fertilizer decreased when combined with organic fertilizer. Under the 50% chemical fertilizer plus organic fertilizer treatment, both types of sweet potatoes achieved high yields, and the selenium content and accumulation were reached peak levels. The 100% chemical fertilizer plus organic fertilizer treatment enhanced protein content and soluble sugar accumulation in tubers, but also increased starch gelatinization enthalpy, which is unfavorable for gelatinization. In contrast, the 30% and 50% chemical fertilizer combined treatments promoted starch accumulation in both cultivars. Furthermore, the 50% and 70% chemical fertilizer combinations improved starch peak viscosity and breakdown values, while reducing setback values—enhancing sweetpotato eating quality. Overall, applying 50% chemical fertilizer in combination with organic fertilizer effectively improves both yield and quality of sweetpotato while maintaining selenium content across different cultivar types.

To explore the effects of nitrogen fertilization on endophytic microorganisms and seed quality in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a long-term field experiment was conducted using three nitrogen application rates: 0 (N-deficient, N0), 180 (N-optimal, N180), and 360 kg hm^?2 (N-excessive, N360). Endophytic microbial communities in mature seeds were analyzed via high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS regions, and seed quality parameters were measured to assess the relationships between microbial communities and seed traits under different nitrogen regimes. Nitrogen fertilization significantly reduced bacterial diversity but had no notable effect on fungal diversity. Changes in the composition of bacterial and fungal communities were mainly reflected in shifts in the relative abundance of genera. Nitrogen application also markedly decreased the complexity of both bacterial and fungal co-occurrence networks. Seed quality varied significantly among treatments. Oil concentration decreased with increasing nitrogen input—declining by 5.2% and 10.7% under N180 and N360, respectively, compared to N0. Mantel tests revealed a strong correlation between bacterial community composition and 1000-seed weight, while fungal community structure was significantly associated with oil concentration and the C/N ratio. Random Forest analysis identified several key microbial predictors of oil concentration, including the genera Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium, Naganishia, Rhodotorula, and Sebacina. In conclusion, nitrogen fertilization plays a critical role in shaping endophytic microbial communities and regulating seed quality in rapeseed. The close associations between endophytic microbiota and seed traits underscore the potential for harnessing plant–microbiome interactions to improve crop quality. This study enhances our understanding of how nutrient management influences plant-associated microbiomes and provides a scientific basis for optimizing agricultural practices through microbial engineerin

Cultivating suitable rice germplasm on saline-alkali land is a key strategy for the efficient utilization of such soils. Accurately evaluating salt-alkali tolerance throughout the entire growth period is essential for identifying tolerant germplasm. To comprehensively assess the salt-alkali tolerance of rice germplasm under 0.5% saline-alkali stress across the full growth period, this study conducted field surveys at 7–10 d intervals and applied the coefficient of standard deviation weighting method to integrate data from multiple assessments. The procedure involved three main steps: first, reassigning salt tolerance grades (original grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 were converted to 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively); second, calculating the standard deviation of these reassigned values across different materials in each survey to serve as dynamic weighting coefficients; and third, computing a weighted average of salt tolerance scores for each germplasm, from which a salt damage index was derived to determine the final tolerance grade. Using this method, a total of 1,200 domestic and international rice germplasm resources were evaluated. The results showed that 32, 437, 396, 301, and 34 germplasm accessions fell into salt tolerance grades 1 through 5, respectively, with grade 1 (highest tolerance) accounting for 2.7%. When combined with results from a separate evaluation under 0.3% saline-alkali stress, five germplasm accessions—“R223”, “12-1819”, “Daliang 317”, “Ziguinuo”, and “Enhui 1899”—consistently exhibited grade 1 tolerance in both phenotypic (0.5%) and yield-based (0.3%) assessments. These elite salt-alkali tolerant rice germplasm resources, characterized by both strong phenotypic performance and high yield potential under saline-alkali stress, provide valuable genetic materials for future studies on the mechanisms of salt-alkali tolerance and for breeding new tolerant rice varieties.

To identify high-yielding and high-quality Bromus inermis germplasm suitable for cultivation in Xinjiang, a three-year field trial was conducted from 2022 to 2024, systematically evaluating the adaptability of eight germplasm sources. Agronomic traits, forage yield, and nutritional quality were assessed, and a comprehensive evaluation was performed using cluster analysis and grey relational analysis to screen for locally adapted superior germplasms. The results showed that the coefficient of variation across 13 traits ranged from 3.87% to 12.02%, with dry forage yield exhibiting the highest variability. In terms of agronomic performance, both plant height and stem diameter increased significantly over successive planting years. Forage yield followed a trend of increasing initially and then declining, peaking in 2023. Notably, germplasm W3 exhibited a significantly higher cumulative yield than the others over the three-year period. Quality analysis revealed that crude protein content ranged from 9.14% to 13.51% across the years, while ether extract and crude ash contents were highest in 2022. Except for W7 and W8, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of the remaining germplasms increased annually. Based on grey relational analysis, W3 achieved the highest comprehensive score (0.7163) and is recommended as a preferred germplasm for Bromus inermis breeding and cultivation in Xinjiang.