Lodging has always been a key factor limiting the high and stable yield of wheat. Chemical anti-lodging regulator is an effective strategy to reduce lodging risk. Chemical anti-lodging regulators (CARs) spraying can control wheat growth, improve stem strength, and prevent lodging. However, the research and application of chemical control and lodging resistance in wheat high-yield cultivation have not been comprehensively reviewed.  Therefore, this paper collected and sorted out the wheat CARs registered in China, summarized the characteristics, efficacy and effects of different CARs on wheat stem structure and composition, root system, canopy structure, crop productivity and quality, and summarized the suitable application period of different CARs in realizing the synergistic improvement of wheat yield and lodging resistance with the goal of high yield and anti-lodging. In addition, the management measures of wheat lodging resistance (tillage mode, suitable density, nutrient level and water management), evaluation methods of wheat lodging resistance and the influence of CARs on key indicators were summarized. The research direction of CARs in wheat anti-lodging high-yield cultivation was prospected, aiming at providing precise control measures and theoretical support for promoting wheat high-yield and stable yield.

Aquaporins (AQPs), as key facilitators of water transport across cellular membranes, play an essential role in plant growth and adaptation to environmental stresses. Previously, the plasma membrane intrinsic protein gene SiPIP1;3 was cloned from a low-temperature expression library of Saussurea involucrata, a cold-tolerant herbaceous plant. To investigate the function of SiPIP1;3 under low-temperature stress, a plant expression vector containing SiPIP1;3 was constructed and transformed into cold-sensitive tomato plants. The results demonstrated that SiPIP1;3 expression significantly enhanced tomato tolerance to low-temperature treatment by promoting the accumulation of soluble proteins, soluble sugars, and proline, while reducing membrane lipid peroxidation. Moreover, field cultivation results revealed that SiPIP1;3 expression improved intercellular CO₂ concentration by increasing stomatal conductance in tomato leaves. This led to a marked improvement in net photosynthetic efficiency and water use efficiency, ultimately resulting in a significant increase in both the average fruit size and fruit number per plant. In conclusion, the expression of SiPIP1;3 significantly enhances low-temperature tolerance and fruit yield in tomato plants. This study provides a valuable genetic resource and establishes a theoretical foundation for breeding cold-resistant tomato varieties.

Drought is one of the most critical environmental stresses affecting global agricultural production, severely impairing crop growth and yield. Identifying drought-resistant genes in wild barley holds significant potential for the utilization of arid and semi-arid lands in northwest China. This study focused on the molecular characterization of the HvMYB2 gene and its functional role under drought stress. A 912 bp coding sequence (CDS) of HvMYB2 was amplified from the drought-tolerant wild barley EC_S1, encoding a protein of 303 amino acids. Conserved structure analysis revealed that HvMYB2 is an R2R3-type MYB transcription factor containing two HTH_MYB domains, and it was predicted to localize in the nucleus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HvMYB2 shares the highest homology (87.5%) with wheat PIMP1. Expression pattern analysis indicated that HvMYB2 is most highly expressed in the shoots at the seedling stage. Under drought stress, HvMYB2 expression was significantly upregulated in the drought-tolerant wild barley EC_S1. Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing HvMYB2 exhibited enhanced drought tolerance, characterized by higher relative water content, increased chlorophyll a and b levels, and reduced relative electrical conductivity. Additionally, these plants displayed lower stomatal conductance under drought conditions compared to wild-type plants. Conversely, silencing HvMYB2 in barley significantly reduced drought tolerance, resulting in greater water loss, increased cell damage, and higher stomatal conductance. These results suggest that HvMYB2 positively regulates drought tolerance in barley by modulating stomatal closure. Protein interaction predictions indicated that HvMYB2 may form a complex with the transcription factors HvMYB27 and HvMYB29 to regulate downstream gene expression. Promoter analysis of HvMYB2 revealed the presence of multiple drought-responsive and hormone-regulated elements. Notably, the insertion of a 181 bp specific fragment in the HvMYB2 promoter of wild barley significantly enhanced its transcription under drought conditions, potentially contributing to the strong drought tolerance observed in EC_S1. These findings provide new insights into the role of HvMYB2 in plant drought tolerance mechanisms and offer a valuable genetic resource for improving drought tolerance in barley.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a major oilseed crop globally, and improving yield remains a primary objective in rapeseed breeding programs. Yield in rapeseed is determined by three main components: siliques per unit area, seeds per silique, and seed weight. Although silique length is not a direct yield component, it influences both seeds per silique and seed weight, and thus indirectly affects yield. In this study, two parental lines with contrasting silique lengths and seeds per silique, YA and Zhongshuang 11, along with their 211 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), were used as experimental materials. The RIL population was genotyped through genome resequencing and grown in two environments: autumn in Changsha and summer in Mingle. Silique length and seeds per silique were measured, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted. The results identified a major QTL for both silique length and seeds per silique on chromosome A09 in both environments. Comparative RNA-seq analysis of pod walls from the two parents, conducted 3–21 days after flowering, indicated that genes involved in photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling transduction, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis play critical roles in pod wall development. Among the differentially expressed genes, BnaA09.CYP78A9, BnaC08.SCL13, and BnaA04.ARL, which are associated with auxin response and signaling transduction, were identified as candidate genes regulating silique length. These findings provide a foundation for fine mapping and exploring the regulatory mechanisms of genes controlling silique length in rapeseed, which could contribute to yield improvement in breeding programs.

Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF), a subfamily of the APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) family, plays critical roles in regulating diverse biological processes, including plant growth and development, hormone signaling, and responses to abiotic stresses. Investigating the functions of the ERF family in rice (Oryza sativa L.) provides valuable genetic resources for rice breeding. In this study, the OsERF104 gene (LOC_Os08g36920) was cloned. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the full-length coding sequence of OsERF104 is 849 bp, encoding a protein of 283 amino acids. OsERF104 contains a conserved domain characteristic of the AP2/ERF family and shares the highest sequence similarity with the AtERF96 protein in Arabidopsis thaliana, which is known to be involved in salt tolerance. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that the OsERF104 protein is localized in the nucleus, indicating that it functions as a nuclear transcription factor. Cis-acting element analysis of the OsERF104 promoter identified elements associated with hormone responses, abiotic stress, and light responses. To examine the role of OsERF104 under abiotic stress, its expression pattern was analyzed using RT-qPCR. OsERF104 was expressed in various rice tissues, with the highest expression observed in the leaf sheath. Its expression was downregulated by ABA and GA but upregulated by JA, PEG, and NaCl treatments. Transcriptional activation assays showed that the full-length and C-terminal fragments of OsERF104 exhibit transcriptional activity, while the N-terminal fragment and the AP2 domain alone do not. Transgenic rice lines of overexpressing or knocking out OsERF104 were generated via genetic transformation. Phenotypic analysis demonstrated that OsERF104-overexpressing rice exhibited enhanced sensitivity to ABA and increased tolerance to salt stress during the seedling stage compared with the wild-type ZH11. In contrast, oserf104 mutant rice displayed the opposite phenotypes. In conclusion, OsERF104 positively regulates salt tolerance in rice. This study provides a strong foundation for further exploration of the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of OsERF104 in rice.

The bZIP gene is widely involved in physiological processes such as seed development, light signal regulation, and stress response. However, little is known about the regulation of seed development by pea PastbZIP gene. In order to identify the PastbZIP gene family related to pea seed development and reveal its evolutionary relationship, this study used bioinformatics methods and seed development transcriptome data to identify and analyze the PastbZIP gene family, and mined the candidate PastbZIP genes related to seed development through comparative genomics, at the same time, it was verified by protein interaction network and qRT-PCR. A total of 62 PastbZIP genes were identified from the transcriptome data of pea seed development, and PastbZIP genes were divided into 9 groups according to phylogenetic characteristics, Different subfamilies showed evolutionary diversity and differences in protein physicochemical properties, gene structure, conserved motifs, etc. Collinearity analysis showed that pea had 54, 23, 8 and 22 pairs of collinearity gene with soybean, Medicago truncatula, Arabidopsis and faba bean, respectively. More important, it was found that the fragment replication was the main driving force for the expansion of the PastbZIP gene family, and the evolution of these genes was achieved through purification selection. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that PastbZIP was mainly enriched in plant hormone signal transduction pathways. The same is that the cis-acting elements of the PastbZIP promoter contain a large number of hormone response elements, and 60 PastbZIP (96.8%) genes contained five hormone response elements. Ten candidate genes related to seed development were found in pea by homologous comparison, and protein interaction genes also regulated seed development. In conclusion, this study was the first to identify and analyze the members of the PastbZIP family related to seed development in pea, and excavated the candidate genes related to seed development through homologous alignment. These results will provide important reference for the study of PastbZIP gene regulation of seed development.

Colored hulless barley and wheat are valuable and unique germplasm resources, with nutrient composition and content varying among grains of different colors. In this study, metabolomic analysis based on LC-MS was applied to grains from two colored hulless barley varieties and two wheat varieties at different days after pollination, including Ehei 720135 (EH720135), Guangzhou Blue Barley (GZL), Zhongke Zimai (ZKZM), and Nongda 4218 Zi (ND4218). A total of 936 metabolites were detected across the 23 samples, comprising 379 known substances and 557 unknowns. Cluster analysis and PCA revealed significant differences in the metabolite profiles of grains at different developmental stages. Most metabolites exhibited dynamic changes throughout grain development. In total, 687 metabolites showed differential abundances between the mature seeds of the four varieties, of which 206 were significantly different between the two hulless barley varieties and the two wheat varieties. Furthermore, 308 differential metabolites were identified between the two-colored wheat varieties, and 277 between the two colored hulless barley varieties. Further analysis revealed that metabolites related to flavonoids, such as catechins, flavonoid derivatives, and chrysoeriol, were significantly more abundant in mature hulless barley grains compared to colored wheat grains, suggesting that these may be specific functional components of hulless barley. This study not only enhances our understanding of the metabolic differences between hulless barley and wheat, but also provides a theoretical foundation for the development of functional foods using colored hulless barley and colored wheat.

The mechanical properties of peanut pods are critical reference indicators for mechanized harvesting, and selecting early-maturing varieties is a key strategy to meet market demand and improve agricultural production efficiency. In this study, we measured and analyzed peg strength, pod rupture force, and maturity rates in 499 peanut germplasm resources from around the world. The results revealed wide variation in peg strength (3.55–15.54 N), with the peg strength of mature pods (7.13 N) in 265 varieties being greater than that of immature pods (6.99 N). Significant or highly significant differences in peg strength across different maturity stages were observed in 38 materials. The force required to detach the plant from its petiole (7.51 N) was higher than that required to detach the pod from its petiole (7.11 N), with 48 peanut germplasm resources showing significantly or highly significantly higher plant-petiole detachment forces. Significant differences in pod rupture force were detected across three orientations: the lowest rupture force occurred when pods were positioned vertically, and the highest when positioned laterally. Peg strength was most strongly correlated with pod-petiole detachment force (r = 0.99, P < 0.01). Principal component analysis extracted four main factors related to mechanical properties, with a cumulative contribution rate of 63.83%. Multiple regression analysis identified pod-petiole detachment force, pod-petiole detachment ratio, pod layer thickness, peg strength of immature pods, and plant-petiole detachment force as the main factors influencing peg strength. Ultimately, 16 germplasm resources with early maturity and superior pod mechanical properties were identified. This study provides valuable insights for the development of early-maturing peanut varieties well-suited for mechanized harvesting.

Maize is a crop with high water demand, and drought is a major factor limiting its productivity. Building on previous findings and related research, we identified that the ZmHDZ6 gene is strongly induced by drought, and transgenic plants overexpressing ZmHDZ6 exhibit enhanced drought resistance. To investigate the downstream regulatory mechanisms of the maize transcription factor ZmHDZ6, RNA-seq was performed on transgenic maize plants overexpressing ZmHDZ6, while PER-seq (protoplast transient expression-based RNA sequencing) was conducted using protoplasts from the B73 inbred line. An integrative analysis of these datasets revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified by both methods showed consistent results in GO analysis, with their functions primarily associated with redox reactions. KEGG pathway analysis further demonstrated consistency in the benzoxazinoid biosynthesis pathway. Notably, RNA-seq DEGs were additionally enriched in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism pathways, while PER-seq DEGs were enriched in ribosome biogenesis pathways. Based on these findings, we propose that ZmHDZ6 enhances drought resistance in maize by regulating genes involved in redox processes and benzoxazinoid metabolism. Furthermore, through an integrative analysis of DNA binding motifs of the HD-ZIP I family and the promoters of 129 common DEGs (Co-DEGs), combined with gene annotation and motif physical location information, we narrowed potential target genes down to 16, of which 8 are closely associated with stress responses in maize. This study provides a detailed analysis of the regulatory network of ZmHDZ6 expression, offering valuable insights into the drought resistance mechanisms mediated by ZmHDZ6 and a reference for further functional studies.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important economic and oilseed crop in China, with pod traits playing a critical role in determining yield. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between the large-pod local variety “Dongguan Banman (DB)” and the small-pod variety “ZLA” was used to construct a high-density genetic map with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This map was employed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with pod traits across four distinct cultivation environments. A total of 30 QTLs were mapped to chromosomes A01, A03, A05, A06, A07, A08, B02, B04, B06, and B10, with logarithm of odds (LOD) values ranging from 4.04 to 34.17 and contribution rates from 3.1% to 33.52%. Among these, 13 major QTLs were associated with pod length, width, thickness, and 100-pod weight, showing LOD values between 4.41 and 34.17 and contribution rates between 11.21% and 33.52%. Notably, qPLA07 was consistently detected across all four environments, while qPWA08.1, qPWB02, and qPTB06 were stable in three environments. Additionally, 14 epistatic QTLs were identified, with LOD values ranging from 5.07 to 6.67 and phenotypic variation explained (PVE) from 4.21% to 21.84%. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of genes within the QTL regions of qPWA08.1, qPWB02, and qPTB06 identified four candidate genes: Ahy_A08g039622, Ahy_B02g057642, Ahy_B06g085859, and Ahy_B06g085890, based on gene functional annotation and expression analysis across peanut tissues. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for identifying key genes regulating peanut pod yield and for developing molecular markers to facilitate breeding programs.

MADS-box genes play a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development. While the functions of type II MADS-box genes have been extensively studied, there are relatively few reports on type I MADS-box genes in tomato. In this study, we cloned the type I MADS-box gene SlMADS79, which was found to be highly expressed in tomato roots, leaves, and lateral buds, suggesting its involvement in the regulation of vegetative organ growth. Using the classical tomato cultivar Ailsa Craig (AC⁺⁺) as background material, we silenced the SlMADS79 gene through RNA interference (RNAi). Compared to the wild type, SlMADS79-silenced lines exhibited reduced apical dominance and decreased plant height. The length, width, perimeter, and area of the leaves were smaller than those of wild-type plants. Additionally, root traits—including total length, total surface area, total projected area, volume, number of forks, and number of tips—were significantly reduced. Anatomical studies revealed that while the cells in the longitudinal sections of SlMADS79-silenced stems were smaller, their average number significantly increased. At the hormonal level, the contents of IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), tZR (trans-zeatin riboside), and CS (castasterone) were decreased in the SlMADS79-silenced lines. At the molecular level, the auxin response gene IAA3 and gibberellin synthesis gene GA3ox1 were significantly downregulated in the SlMADS79-silenced lines, while the cell cycle gene CyCA3;1 was significantly upregulated. This study further analyzes the biological function of the SlMADS79 gene at morphological, anatomical, hormonal, and molecular levels, expands our understanding of the type I MADS-box gene family in tomato, and provides a solid theoretical foundation for further research on plant architecture regulation in tomato.

Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in the carbon and nitrogen cycles, contributing significantly to the maintenance of soil ecosystem health. This study investigated the effects of drip fertigation combined with dense planting on summer maize yield and soil bacterial communities in Southwest China. Two treatments were established: traditional water and fertilizer management (F) and drip fertigation with dense planting (H). High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was employed to analyze the impact of these treatments on soil bacterial communities. The results revealed that the H treatment significantly increased maize yield and biomass by 30.92% and 56.03%, respectively, compared to the F treatment. Additionally, the H treatment markedly enhanced soil bacterial community diversity at different growth stages and altered bacterial community structure in 2022. At the taxonomic level, the H treatment increased the relative abundance of certain phyla, including Patescibacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota, as well as specific genera such as Chujaibacter, Sphingomonas, Jatrophihabitans, and Flavisolibacter. In contrast, the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota in the F treatment was associated with yield, while the relative abundance of Sphingomonas in the H treatment was linked to biomass. Furthermore, at the maturity stage, the relative abundance of bacterial communities from three phyla (Myxococcota, Acidobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota) and two genera (Ellin6067 and Gemmatimonas) in the H treatment was correlated with both biomass and yield. Notably, no such correlations were observed in the F treatment. Functional predictions using PICRUSt2 demonstrated that the H treatment enhanced the metabolic capacity of soil bacteria, particularly in pathways related to amino acid metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation, glycan biosynthesis, and other metabolic processes. In conclusion, compared to traditional water and fertilizer management, drip fertigation with dense planting not only improved soil bacterial community diversity and metabolic capacity but also increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial phyla (Patescibacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota) and genera (Chujaibacter, Sphingomonas, Jatrophihabitans, and Flavisolibacter). This treatment influenced yield directly or indirectly by reducing the relative abundance of potentially harmful bacteria (Gemmatimonadota) and increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Sphingomonas).

In the oasis irrigated regions of Northwest China, long-term use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers has resulted in significant problems, such as gaseous nitrogen losses and a decline in soil fertility. It is essential to study the effects of varying green manure incorporation rates and nitrogen application levels on crop yield and soil N₂O emissions. From 2019 to 2021, a field experiment was conducted in the Shiyang River Basin of the Hexi Corridor. After the harvest of spring wheat, hairy vetch was replanted, with four green manure incorporation levels established during its flowering stage: 7500 kg hm^?2 (G₁), 15,000 kg hm^?2 (G₂), 22,500 kg hm^?2 (G₃), and 30,000 kg hm^?2 (G₄). In the following year, prior to spring wheat sowing, two nitrogen reduction levels were implemented: a 15% reduction (N₁₅₃) and a 30% reduction (N₁₂₆), with a traditional nitrogen application without green manure (G₀N₁₈₀) as the control. The results showed that, compared to G₀N₁₈₀, the combination of green manure incorporation and nitrogen reduction significantly increased wheat grain yield while reducing N₂O emissions and emission intensity. The yield of G₄N₁₅₃ treatment was the highest, ranging from 9135.33 to 9250.42 kg hm^?2. Within the same level of green manure incorporation, a 30% nitrogen reduction significantly lowered N₂O emissions compared to a 15% reduction. Similarly, for the same nitrogen level, G₃ and G₄ significantly reduced N₂O emissions compared to G₁ and G₂. The study also found, the reduction in N₂O emissions primarily occurred before the wheat jointing stage, which was attributed to a notable decrease in soil nitrate and ammonium content as well as the activities of nitrate and nitrite reductases during the wheat sowing and seedling stages under treatments combining green manure with nitrogen reduction treatments. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between soil available nitrogen content, enzyme activities during the wheat sowing and seedling stages, and N₂O emissions (P < 0.01). Under a 15% nitrogen reduction, G₄ increased soil available nitrogen content during the wheat's flowering and maturity stages compared to G₁, G₂, and G₃, ensuring nitrogen uptake during the later stages of wheat growth. Overall, in the Hexi oasis irrigated region, the combination of green manure incorporation and reduced nitrogen application significantly enhanced wheat yield while reducing soil N₂O emissions and emission intensity. Incorporating 30,000 kg hm^?2 of green manure with a 15% reduction in nitrogen application provided the best results.

Delayed sowing significantly reduces the seedling emergence rate and overwintering biomass of oilseed rape. Ensuring high seedling emergence quality and increasing overwintering biomass are crucial strategies for improving the stress resistance and yield stability of late-sown oilseed rape. Using the rapeseed variety Zhongshuang 11, seven treatments were implemented, including a bare seed control (CK), basic pelletizing formulation (BC4), basic coating formulation (BC0), pelletizing with 2% fulvic acid (2%F) and 3% alginate oligosaccharide (3%H), and coating with 200 mg L^?1 fulvic acid (200F) and 400 mg L^?1 alginate oligosaccharide (400H). A field experiment was conducted in Wuhan, China, with sowing on October 26, to evaluate the effects of these treatments on germination, seedling growth, and yield performance of late-sown rapeseed. The results, this study investigated the effects of seed coatings containing fulvic acid and alginate oligosaccharides (via pelleting and coating) on improving seedling emergence, enhancing cold tolerance, and increasing overwintering biomass. Obtained over two years, showed that the emergence rate in the CK treatment was 53.6% and 59.4% in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons, respectively. Treatments with fulvic acid and alginate oligosaccharides significantly improved emergence rates compared to CK, BC4, and BC0. These coatings also increased dry matter accumulation during the overwintering period and significantly enhanced plant height and root collar diameter compared to CK. Yield performance varied among treatments. Compared to CK, yields of pelletized seeds with 2% fulvic acid and 3% alginate oligosaccharide increased by 11.35% and 13.05% in 2022–2023, and by 16.01% and 18.20% in 2023–2024, respectively. Improving cold resistance during the overwintering period was a critical mechanism for enhancing biomass and yield through fulvic acid and alginate oligosaccharide treatments. Both fulvic acid and alginate oligosaccharide treatments significantly increased soluble sugar and proline contents in rapeseed seedlings under low-temperature conditions, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduced the levels of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA), and O₂^?, thereby mitigating low-temperature damage. Notably, the soluble sugar content in seedlings treated with 400 mg L^?1 alginate oligosaccharide coating was 53.5% higher than that in CK, while the MDA content in seedlings treated with 200 mg L^?1 fulvic acid coating decreased by 53.38% compared to CK. Additionally, these treatments increased indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content in rapeseed seedlings. The findings of this study provide technical support for enhancing the stress resistance and yield stability of late-sown oilseed rape. 

In early 2024, the primary oilseed rape production areas in the Yangtze River Basin experienced low temperatures and cold wave events, which severely impacted winter oilseed rape production. To investigate the effects of combined nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer application on winter rapeseed yield and to examine the differential responses of rapeseed to these nutrients under freezing stress, a multi-site field experiment was conducted during the 2022/2023 (control year) and 2023/2024 (freezing stress year) growing seasons. The experiment included five treatments: no fertilizer application (CK), balanced application of N, P, and K (NPK), and treatments omitting nitrogen (–N), phosphorus (–P), or potassium (–K) based on the NPK treatment. By integrating meteorological data from the two growing seasons, rapeseed yield, yield components, shoot biomass, and harvest index were compared across multiple sites to analyze the response of rapeseed to freezing stress under different nutrient application conditions. The results showed that, compared to the NPK treatment, rapeseed yields in the –N, –P, and –K treatments were reduced by an average of 71.8%, 76.6%, and 13.4%, respectively, across the two growing seasons. This indicates that nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers significantly improved rapeseed yield, while the effect of potassium fertilizer was comparably smaller. When comparing the freezing stress year to the control year, rapeseed yields were significantly reduced across all experimental sites. Specifically, yields under the CK, –N, –P, –K, and NPK treatments decreased by an average of 43.6%, 30.7%, 48.9%, 43.2%, and 45.7%, respectively. A lower number of siliques per plant was identified as the primary cause of yield reduction, with average decreases of 37.6%, 44.3%, 32.3%, 22.3%, and 22.8% observed in the respective treatments. Additionally, the number of seeds per silique and shoot biomass were significantly reduced under freezing stress, while the harvest index showed a significant increase. Further correlation analyses between rapeseed yield, climatic variables, and basal soil nutrient content revealed that the number of days with extreme low temperatures during the freezing period was positively correlated with the severity of freezing stress. Moreover, the nutrient demands for phosphorus and potassium intensified under freezing stress. In conclusion, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are the primary nutritional factors contributing to high yield, while phosphorus and potassium fertilizers play critical roles in stabilizing yield under freezing conditions. A balanced application of N, P, and K fertilizers is essential for maintaining relatively high and stable yields in winter oilseed rape production.

Plant hormones are essential regulators of growth and development. However, the lack of a unified and efficient method for detecting endogenous hormones in potato has hindered in-depth research. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was combined with single-factor and orthogonal experimental designs to optimize the extraction methods for four phytohormones: salicylic acid (SA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid (JA). The optimized method demonstrated excellent repeatability and stability, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 10%, and significantly improved extraction efficiency compared to conventional methods. Using this optimized method, the hormone contents in the roots, stems, leaves, apical buds, and stolons of potato plants at 30 days of growth were quantified. The results revealed that endogenous SA levels were highest in the apical buds and leaves, IAA was most abundant in the shoot apex and stolons, ABA was concentrated in the leaves, and JA levels were higher in the roots and stolons. Additionally, the tubers of potato cultivars Huashu 1 and Zhongshu 5 were stored at 4°C, 22°C, and 28°C, and hormone levels during dormancy breaking were analyzed. The findings showed a general upward trend in IAA levels throughout storage, a fluctuating pattern in SA levels (initial increase, subsequent decline, and rapid rise), and a consistent decrease in ABA levels. The optimized extraction method developed in this study offers high efficiency, sensitivity, stability, and repeatability, making it suitable for the detection and analysis of these four endogenous hormones in potato. This research provides valuable insights into hormone synthesis and their regulatory mechanisms during dormancy and across various tissues in potato.

It is well established that either elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration or increased temperature alone can significantly influence wheat growth and yield. However, limited research has explored the combined effects of elevated CO₂ and increased temperature on wheat throughout its entire growth period. In this study, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum “Liangxing99”) was cultivated in environment-controlled chambers under two CO₂ concentrations (ambient and ambient + 200 μmol mol^?1 and two temperature regimes (ambient and ambient + 2°C). Phenological development, photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen assimilation, and yield were systematically investigated. Elevated CO₂ enhanced the net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency during the elongation, anthesis, and grain filling stages, while also increasing soluble sugar content during the grain filling stage. Although the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) decreased during grain filling, elevated CO₂ still increased biomass and yield by 32.8% and 30.0%, respectively, primarily by increasing the number of grains. In contrast, increased temperature shortened the overall growth period of winter wheat, reduced glutamate synthetase (GOGAT) activity during the elongation stage, and decreased soluble sugar, starch, and sucrose contents. Additionally, increased temperature lowered water use efficiency and GOGAT activity at anthesis, as well as sucrose synthase and GS activities during grain filling, resulting in a 12.2% reduction in biomass, though yield was not significantly affected. Elevated CO₂ mitigated the adverse effects of increased temperature by advancing flowering, extending the grain filling period, and alleviating the inhibition of photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation. Specifically, elevated CO₂ upregulated TaRUBP1 expression during elongation, which enhanced the net photosynthetic rate and increased soluble sugar content at elongation and sucrose content at anthesis. Moreover, elevated CO₂ upregulated TaGS2 expression at anthesis and TaNR expression during grain filling, which increased GS activity at anthesis and nitrate reductase (NR) activity during grain filling. These responses alleviated the inhibition of nitrogen assimilation caused by high temperature. Consequently, elevated CO₂ mitigated the negative effects of increased temperature on biomass production, while enhancing yield by 23.9% under elevated temperature, primarily through an increased number of grains. In summary, elevated CO₂ alleviated the negative impacts of increased temperature on winter wheat biomass by enhancing photosynthetic capacity, promoting the accumulation of photosynthetic assimilates, improving nitrogen assimilation, and extending the grain filling period. Additionally, it increased yield by boosting the number of grains under elevated temperature conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high temperature and drought stresses on wheat yield and their underlying physiological mechanisms. Two wheat varieties, Zhongmai 36 (ZM36) and Jimai 22 (JM22), were selected during the winter wheat growing season from 2022 to 2023. Three stress treatments—high temperature (HT), drought (DS), and combined high temperature and drought stress (DHS)—were applied after anthesis under field conditions in Beijing and Zhaoxian, Hebei province, along with a natural environment control (CK). The effects of the stress treatments on photosynthetic characteristics, leaf senescence, and grain yield were compared. Over the two-year period, the yield, grain number per spike, and 1000-grain weight of ZM36 in Beijing decreased by 18.0%–40.2%, 10.4%–16.3%, and 6.9%–22.7%, respectively, while for JM22, the reductions were 18.2%–32.8%, 3.1%–8.7%, and 4.0%–14.6%, respectively. In Zhaoxian, the yield, grain number per spike, and 1000-grain weight of ZM36 declined by 6.4%–27.8%, 8.2%–23.1%, and 2.9%–11.0%, respectively, while JM22 experienced decreases of 6.8%–35.3%, 8.0%–19.0%, and 0.6%–7.7%, respectively. The yield reductions followed the order: DHS > DS > HT. Additionally, the leaf area index (LAI) of both wheat varieties decreased by 14.4%–36.9%, the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) of the flag leaf declined by 11.2%–24.6%, and the leaf stay-green duration (Chl_total) was shortened by 1.8–5.0 days. As a result, the net photosynthetic rate (P_n) of the flag leaf decreased by 14.3%–39.6%, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) was reduced by 3.5%–10.5%, and the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) increased by 9.3%–27.8%. The combined high temperature and drought stress after anthesis had a much greater impact on the photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaves than individual drought or high temperature stress. Structural equation modeling revealed that leaf temperature (T_leaf) was negatively correlated with soil volumetric water content (SVC), SPAD, and P_n, while SVC was positively correlated with LAI, SPAD, P_n, and F_v/F_m. Furthermore, higher soil volumetric water content (30%–32% in the 0–20 cm soil layer) reduced canopy and leaf temperatures, delayed wheat leaf senescence, and improved photosynthetic efficiency. These findings provide a theoretical basis for strategies to achieve high and stable wheat yields under stress conditions.

The effects of salt stress on photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation, and distribution characteristics in different salt-tolerant maize varieties were investigated to provide a theoretical basis for breeding salt-tolerant maize and optimizing high-yield, stress-resistant cultivation in mildly and moderately saline-alkali soils. The experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2023 using the salt-tolerant maize variety Wansheng 69 (WS69) and the salt-sensitive variety Denghai 605 (DH605), with non-saline conditions as the control (CK). Two salt concentrations—low (1.5‰, MS) and high (3.0‰, HS)—were used to assess the effects of soil salinity on the material production performance of these maize varieties. Salt stress significantly reduced the leaf area index, chlorophyll content (SPAD value), and leaf photosynthetic potential of summer maize. Under high salt stress, the average photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), and transpiration rate (E) of DH605 and WS69 leaves decreased by 22.11%, 19.99%, 11.63%, and 13.51%, 13.42%, 8.81%, respectively, compared to CK, while the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (C_i) increased by 19.83% and 10.79%. Salt stress also impeded dry matter accumulation in summer maize, significantly reducing plant biomass, the maximum growth rate (W_max), and the maximum accumulation rate (R_max), while increasing the number of days required to reach the maximum accumulation rate (T_max). The proportion of dry matter accumulation after anthesis increased in salt-tolerant varieties but decreased in salt-sensitive varieties. Additionally, salt stress reduced the dry matter distribution to reproductive organs, leading to yield reduction. Under MS and HS treatments, the average yield of DH605 was 16.12% and 27.42% lower than CK, respectively, while the yield of WS69 decreased by 6.90% and 9.12%. After salt stress, salt-tolerant varieties maintained higher leaf area indices, SPAD values, and photosynthetic potential, with less reduction in photosynthetic performance, which helped sustain the accumulation of photosynthetic products. Overall, salt stress significantly decreased dry matter accumulation and distribution to reproductive organs after anthesis, reducing the harvest index and ultimately resulting in lower yields.

The key factors influencing the cooking and eating quality of brown rice noodles were investigated in this study. Field experiments were conducted in Liuyang, Hunan Province, in 2021 and 2022, using five noodle rice cultivars: Guanglu’ai 4, Zhongjiazao 17, Xiangzaoxian 24, Zhongzao 39, and Zhuliangyou 729. The cooking and eating qualities of brown rice noodles, starch component contents, and pasting properties of brown rice grains were analyzed. The results showed that brown rice noodles processed from Guanglu’ai 4 and Zhongjiazao 17 exhibited lower cooked break rates and cooking loss rates, along with higher chewiness and springiness, compared to those made from Xiangzaoxian 24, Zhongzao 39, and Zhuliangyou 729. Correlation analysis revealed that the cooking loss rate of brown rice noodles was negatively correlated with amylose content but positively correlated with time to peak viscosity and pasting temperature. Chewiness was negatively correlated with trough viscosity, while springiness was positively correlated with the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio and negatively correlated with time to peak viscosity. These findings indicate that amylose content, amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, trough viscosity, time to peak viscosity, and pasting temperature of brown rice grains are critical factors influencing the cooking and eating quality of brown rice noodles.

A floury endosperm mutant, we2 (white endosperm2), was identified from a ⁶⁰Co-irradiated mutant pool of the rice (Oryza sativa) variety Nipponbare. The phenotype and physicochemical properties of we2 were analyzed, and an F₂ population derived from a cross between we2 and the indica variety 9311 was used for fine mapping of the target gene. Compared with the wild type, we2 exhibited a white endosperm phenotype with irregularly shaped, loosely packed compound starch granules. The 1000-grain weight, total starch content, and amylose content in we2 were significantly lower than those in the wild type, whereas the lipid content was higher. Genetic analysis revealed that the floury endosperm phenotype of we2 is controlled by a single nuclear recessive gene. For map-based cloning, the we2 mutant was crossed with 9311, and F₂ individuals were analyzed. The WE2 locus was initially mapped to chromosome 6 and subsequently fine-mapped to a 244 kb genomic region containing 27 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that the expression levels of several genes involved in starch biosynthesis were reduced in the we2 mutant. This study provides a foundation for the cloning and functional characterization of WE2, contributing to a deeper understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying rice endosperm development.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-temperature stress on wheat varieties with different temperature adaptations and to assess the stress resistance of cold-type wheat. Two cold-type wheat varieties (“Lengzi 857” and “Lengzi 863”), two warm-type wheat varieties (“Nuanzi 58” and “Nuanzi 979”), and the control variety “Bainong 207” were selected as research materials. Photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and yield were measured during the grain-filling stage under high-temperature stress. The results showed that high-temperature stress reduced the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance in all varieties, while intercellular CO₂ concentration increased. The decline in net photosynthetic rate was most severe in the warm-type varieties (“Nuanzi 979” and “Nuanzi 58”) and least pronounced in the cold-type varieties (“Lengzi 857” and “Lengzi 863”). Antioxidant enzyme activity was generally higher in the cold-type varieties compared to the warm-type ones. High-temperature stress also shortened the grain-filling period by advancing the rapid filling phase, resulting in reduced thousand-grain weight and overall yield. However, yield losses in cold-type varieties were comparatively smaller, reflecting their stronger resistance to high-temperature stress. A positive correlation was observed between antioxidant enzyme activity and photosynthetic performance, suggesting that antioxidant enzyme activity is a key indicator for evaluating yield potential and stress resistance in wheat. In conclusion, this study underscores the superior stress resistance of cold-type wheat during the grain-filling stage under high-temperature stress, providing a scientific basis for breeding cold-type wheat varieties and advancing the understanding of stress resistance mechanisms in wheat.