Waterlogging is one of the important abiotic stresses during agricultural production, mainly inhibiting plant growth by low oxygen stress, ion toxicity, et al. Rapeseed is very sensitive to waterlogging stress, and waterlogging stress during any growth period can delay growth and development, and further affects rapeseeds yield and quality. Rapeseed mainly responds and adapts to waterlogging stress through excessive ROS clearance, energy metabolism transformating, and endogenous hormones regulating. In order to accelerate the genetic improvement of waterlogging tolerance in rapeseed, this article reviews the changes in demand for waterlogging tolerance improvement in rapeseed, the effect of waterlogging stress on the growth, development, yield and quality of rapeseed, the physiological and molecular mechanisms of rapeseed response to waterlogging stress, and the main technical approaches for waterlogging tolerance improvement. It will lay the foundation for in-depth research on waterlogging tolerance mechanisms and provide theoretical guidance for cultivating new waterlogging tolerance varieties in rapeseed.

HT1 (HIGH LEAF TEMPERATURE 1) is a protein kinase known for its role in regulating stomatal movement in Arabidopsis. However, its function in sweetpotato has not been reported. In this study, the IbHT1 gene was cloned from the sweetpotato line Xushu 55-2. The full-length CDS of IbHT1 is 1140 bp, encoding a 379-amino acid protein that contains a conserved STKc_MAP3K_Like domain, with a predicted molecular weight of 43.07 kD and an isoelectric point (pI) of 8.83. The genomic sequence of IbHT1 spans 2796 bp, comprising 3 exons and 2 introns. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the IbHT1 protein is localized to the cell membrane, and yeast assays confirmed it lacks transactivation activity. Expression of IbHT1 was down-regulated in response to 20% PEG-6000 treatment. Overexpression of IbHT1 significantly reduced drought tolerance in sweetpotato, while RNA interference (RNAi) of IbHT1 markedly enhanced drought tolerance. Additionally, 10 proteins interacting with IbHT1 were identified through yeast library screening. These findings suggest that IbHT1 may regulate drought tolerance in sweetpotato by interacting with other proteins.

Grain number per spike (GNS) is a key quantitative trait closely associated with wheat yield. To further investigate the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with GNS in wheat, 151 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Yangmai 4 (YM4) and Yanzhan 1 (YZ1) were used to construct a wheat hexaploid genetic linkage map. GNS was evaluated across four environments over three years. Three QTLs for GNS were identified on chromosomes 4A, 5A, and 5B. Among these, QGns.yaas-4A and QGns.yaas-5B were detected in two environments, with the favorable effect contributed by YM4. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by QGns.yaas-4A and QGns.yaas-5B ranged from 11.50% to 13.27% and from 5.59% to 10.99%, respectively, with physical intervals of 703.41–710.25 Mb and 77.62–365.60 Mb. QGns.yaas-5A was detected in all four environments, with the favorable effect contributed by YZ1. The PVE for QGns.yaas-5A ranged from 8.99% to 11.13%, with a physical interval of 495.34–512.39 Mb. The YZ1 allele at QGns.yaas-5A and the YM4 allele at QGns.yaas-5B significantly increased thousand-grain weight by 3.39% (P < 0.05) and 4.45% (P < 0.01), respectively. Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers for QGns.yaas-4A, QGns.yaas-5A, and QGns.yaas-5B were developed and validated in a natural population. Pyramiding the three favorable alleles showed a significant additive effect, increasing GNS by 13.75%. These findings provide theoretical and technical support for molecular marker-assisted breeding to improve GNS in wheat. 

High oil content is a crucial trait for breeding high-quality peanut varieties. Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying peanut oil content across multiple environments and identifying valuable genetic loci that enhance oil content would provide a strong foundation for developing high-oil peanut cultivars. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, derived from Jihua 5 and Kaixuan01-6, was used for genetic dissection and QTL mapping of oil content across six environments. The results showed that the absolute values of skewness and kurtosis for oil content in the RIL population across the six environments were less than 1, and the broad-sense heritability was 0.799. A total of 18 QTLs were identified, with LOD scores ranging from 13.62 to 22.58, accounting for 3.18% to 14.83% of the phenotypic variation. Notably, qOC_8-1 emerged as the most stable and major QTL, with the increasing allele contributed by Jihua 6. Joint QTL analysis across multiple environments revealed 11 QTLs associated with oil content, with LOD scores ranging from 5.59 to 16.87, explaining 2.32% to 7.69% of the phenotypic variation. Among these, seven additive alleles were derived from Jihua 6, while four were from Kaixuan01-6. Additionally, nine pairs of epistatic QTLs involving 13 loci were detected, with LOD scores ranging from 8.54 to 10.90, contributing to 1.91% to 2.55% of the phenotypic variation. In conclusion, these results indicate that peanut oil content is regulated by multiple genetic loci, with interaction effects between different loci. qOC_8-1 is a particularly valuable QTL for breeding high-oil peanut cultivars. This study provides valuable insights for future precision molecular breeding efforts targeting oil content improvement.

Bacterial blight is one of the most devastating bacterial diseases in rice production. The identification and utilization of resistance genes in rice breeding is the most economical and effective method for controlling this disease. Oryza meyeriana represents a valuable genetic resource due to its high resistance, and even immunity, to bacterial blight. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA and an 8908 bp genomic sequence (3695 bp+2252 bp+2961 bp) of OgXa13, a homolog of OsXa13, from Oryza meyeriana using transcriptome and genome sequencing. Sequence analysis revealed that the gene structure of OgXa13 consists of five exons and four introns, mirroring the structure of rice xa13/OsXa13, and its core promoter sequence is identical to that of the rice susceptibility gene OsXa13. A total of 21 amino acid differences were observed between OgXa13 and xa13/OsXa13, with four key substitutions located in the MtN3.1 domain. Overexpression of OgXa13 and its introduction into TP309 plants via genetic transformation significantly enhanced resistance to bacterial blight. It is hypothesized that the amino acid sequence differences contribute to the distinct functions of the OgXa13 and OsXa13 proteins, suggesting that OgXa13 could be utilized as a dominant resistance gene in rice breeding. Furthermore, knockout of the OsXa13 gene using CRISPR/Cas9 in Nipponbare T₁ homozygous lines also significantly enhanced resistance to bacterial blight, demonstrating that editing the susceptibility gene OsXa13 through CRISPR/Cas9 is an effective strategy for improving resistance. This study provides a valuable genetic resource and new insights for breeding rice with enhanced resistance to bacterial blight.

Tillering is a crucial trait that influences plant architecture and yield in rice. In this study, we identified a natural mutant with dwarf stature and high tillering, which we designated as dwarf and tillering 1 (dt1). The dt1 mutant exhibited significant reductions in panicle length, seed setting rate, grain length, grain width, thousand-grain weight, and the number and size of vascular bundle sheath cells compared to the wild type. Map-based cloning revealed that the dt1 phenotype was caused by an 8 bp insertion in the second exon of D17/HTD1 (LOC_Os04g46470), which encodes Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase 7 (CCD7), a key enzyme in strigolactone biosynthesis. Thus, dt1 represents a new allele of D17/HTD1. Additionally, the dt1 mutant showed significantly reduced germination rate, root length, and root diameter, all of which were restored by the exogenous application of the strigolactone analog GR24. Transcriptomic analysis identified 579 up-regulated and 506 down-regulated genes in the dt1 mutant. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the up-regulated genes were significantly enriched in pathways related to auxin response, endogenous stimulus response, and hormone response, while the down-regulated genes were enriched in pathways involved in cellular carbohydrate metabolism and histone methylation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that the up-regulated genes were associated with plant hormone signal transduction, whereas the down-regulated genes were linked to amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, as well as diterpenoid biosynthesis. These findings enhance our understanding of the regulatory roles of CCD7 and strigolactones in rice and hold significant theoretical implications for rice breeding.

Rapeseed exhibits strong resistance to salt-alkali stress. In this study, a strain of Serratia nematodiphila TG10 was isolated from saline-alkali soil in Tianjin. This strain can not only grow on a 6% NaCl R2A medium plate with a pH of 10.15 but can also colonize the roots and rhizosphere of rapeseed. Under salt stress, the TG10 strain promoted the growth of both Arabidopsis and rapeseed. In pot experiments using a 1.2% salt-containing matrix soil and saline-alkali soil from Harbin, TG10 treatment enhanced the fresh and dry weights of rapeseed, reduced Na? content, and increased the K?/Na? ratio. In experiments with saline-alkali soils from Tianjin and Jilin, TG10 treatment significantly increased the fresh weight, chlorophyll content, and proline levels in rapeseed. Transcriptome analysis of rapeseed grown in Jilin saline-alkali soil revealed that the cytochrome P450 metabolic pathway and glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway were significantly enriched following TG10 treatment, with significant upregulation of several stress-related genes. Additionally, the TG10 strain inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria in rapeseed and induced resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea. These findings suggest that S. nematodiphila TG10 can enhance the salt tolerance of rapeseed in various types of saline-alkali soils, providing a valuable resource and theoretical foundation for the biorefining of microorganisms in saline-alkali environments.

Winter-spring growth habit and photoperiodic response are two critical traits that determine the suitable cultivation areas for wheat. This study aimed to understand these traits in local wheat varieties from Gansu province by using molecular markers for the vernalization genes Vrn-1 and Vrn-B3, and the photoperiod gene Ppd-D1, to detect allelic variations and evaluate heading dates, winter-spring growth habits, and cold tolerance. The results indicated that 59.6% of the accessions carried only one dominant vernalization allele, with Vrn-D1 being the most common at a frequency of 67.4%. Other dominant vernalization alleles were primarily found in the spring wheat zone, with frequencies ranging from 0.5% to 11.0%. Varieties carrying two or three dominant vernalization alleles were rare (0.2%–8.9%). Additionally, 19.6% of varieties carried all recessive alleles, with this frequency increasing from the northwest to the southeast of Gansu. The photoperiod-insensitive allele Ppd-D1a had a frequency of 17.8%, and it was more prevalent in winter wheat zones than in spring wheat zones. In the winter wheat zones, varieties planted in autumn headed earlier than those in the spring wheat zones. Following spring planting, the frequency of headed varieties increased from the west to the center in the spring wheat zones, while it decreased from the southwest to the northeast in the winter wheat zones. The frequency of late-heading varieties was lower in spring wheat zones compared to winter wheat zones, where many varieties did not mature normally. After spring planting, the dominant vernalization alleles promoted flowering in the order of Vrn-A1a > Vrn-D1 > Vrn-B1. However, after autumn planting, the early heading effect of dominant vernalization alleles was not evident. For Ppd-D1b types, varieties with two or three dominant vernalization alleles headed later than those with a single dominant allele. In contrast, Ppd-D1a types displayed an additive effect of vernalization alleles, where Ppd-D1a significantly promoted flowering in wheat. There was a high consistency between the winter-spring growth habit determined phenotypically and that inferred from vernalization alleles, with habits gradually shifting from spring to winter types. Varieties with strong winter habits did not necessarily exhibit strong cold tolerance. However, most varieties with strong cold tolerance also exhibited strong winter growth habits.

Cotton fiber length is a crucial index of fiber quality, and analyzing its genetic basis is is significant for cultivating high-quality cotton varieties. To identify valuable loci related to cotton fiber quality, we utilized 40K SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) chips, were used to analyze fiber length-related QTLs in recombinant inbred lines (RIL) and SNP sites in natural populations of upland cotton. Four QTLs for fiber length were obtained from Q30-12 × 05SJ RIL, and located on chromosomes A05, D11 and D13, respectively. Twenty-four SNPs significantly associated fiber length were identified in natural populations, and located on chromosomes A01, A03, D05, D11, and D12, respectively. Based on the results of linkage analysis and association analysis, an overlapping region closely related to fiber length was found in the 23.99–24.01 Mb region of chromosome D11. Haplotype analysis revealed that the fiber length of germplasm carrying the Hap1 haplotype was significantly longer than that of the Hap2 haplotype. Approximately 95.3% of varieties from the Yellow River basin carried the Hap1 haplotype, whereas 45.5% of varieties from the northwest inland cotton region carried the Hap1 haplotype. More than half of the varieties from the northwest inland region with the Hap1 haplotype were related to the Yellow River basin cotton region. Three candidate genes, CML1, DTX51, and PCMP-E88, were discovered in the 28.4 kb region of Chr.D11 overlap interval by bioinformatics analysis, which may play an important role in cotton fiber elongation. In summary, the Hap1 haplotype identified in this study represents an excellent haplotype with significant application value for improving cotton fiber quality. Our results provide a reliable basis for analyzing fiber length-related loci and candidate genes on chromosome D11.

Peanut is an important oil and cash crop in China, with early maturity being a key breeding objective. However, the evaluation of peanut maturity is complicated by the indeterminate flowering and subterranean fruiting traits, leading to a lack of technology for assessing early maturity in peanut germplasm. Early-maturing germplasm resources are the foundation for early-maturing breeding. This study enhanced and optimized the method for evaluating the maturity of peanut pods and precisely assessed the pod maturity of 390 core germplasm resources using indicators such as the pod maturity index, the ratio of mature pods, and the average gray value of pods. The findings revealed that the maturity assessment results identified by the three indicators exhibited a considerable level of agreement and were able to accurately differentiate the pod maturity among various peanut germplasms. Correlation analysis revealed that the correlation coefficients of pod maturity across various seasons ranged from 0.48 to 0.54, suggesting a substantial influence of the photo-thermal environment on peanut maturity. The correlation coefficients between pod maturity and flowering time ranged from -0.32 to -0.59, indicating the significance of flowering time in determining early maturation of peanuts. The correlation coefficients between pod maturity and shelling rate per plant ranged from 0.29 to 0.48, underscoring the considerable impact of peanut pod maturity on yield. By integrating the three maturity indicators, a total of 28 early-maturing germplasms were identified, with four germplasms—namely ICGV95057, ICG4601, 82-56②, and Guihua 26—demonstrating early maturity under various photo-thermal environments. This research offers significant insights and resources for the genetic improvement and further investigations of early maturity in peanuts.

This study investigated the effects of low temperature (LT) and combined low temperature and weak light (LW) treatments during the early grain filling stage on rice yield, yield components, dry matter production, and rice quality. Two rice varieties, soft japonica rice Nanjing 9108 and conventional japonica rice Huaidao 5, were used as experimental materials. The gradient temperature in an artificial climate chamber was set to simulate the dynamic decrease in temperature during the early grain filling stage (from full heading to 20 days after full heading), with outdoor temperature and light conditions serving as the control (CK). The results showed that both LT and LW treatments reduced rice yield compared with CK. The yield reduction under LW was primarily due to a decrease in seed setting rate and 1000-grain weight. In contrast, LT reduced the seed setting rate but increased the 1000-grain weight. Both LT and LW treatments decreased the total dry matter weight and panicle dry weight, while dry matter accumulation in leaves and stem sheaths was higher compared with CK. Additionally, the SPAD values of leaf 1, leaf 2, and leaf 3 under LT and LW exhibited an increasing trend compared with CK. Enzymatic activities were also affected by LT and LW treatments. The activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) initially increased and then decreased, while the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased. Moreover, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ were higher under LT and LW compared with CK. In terms of rice quality, LT improved rice processing quality and appearance quality compared with CK, while LW deteriorated rice processing quality. Under LT treatment, amylose content increased, whereas gel consistency, protein content, and taste value decreased. Under LW treatment, amylose content and gel consistency decreased, protein content increased, and taste value decreased. Consequently, both LT and LW treatments reduced the eating quality of rice.

In recent years, high temperatures during the grain-filling stage have significantly reduced yields in summer maize. 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) has been shown to enhance plant resistance to abiotic stress. In this study, we investigated the effects of 6-BA application on grain filling and its physiological mechanisms in summer maize under post-pollination high-temperature stress. Two maize varieties were used: the heat-tolerant Zhengdan 958 (ZD958) and the heat-sensitive Xianyu 335 (XY335). High-temperature conditions were simulated using manually constructed shelters to study the effects of 6-BA on grain filling characteristics, starch accumulation, related enzyme activities, and endogenous hormone levels. The results showed that, compared to the control, high post-pollination temperatures significantly reduced the number of grains per spike and decreased starch synthase activity in the grains, leading to lower starch accumulation. This was accompanied by altered endogenous hormone levels, inhibited grain filling, and ultimately reduced grain weight (by 12.68%–15.21%) and yield (by 18.24%–22.35%), with the reductions being more pronounced in XY335 than in ZD958. However, 6-BA application under high temperatures significantly increased the number of grains per spike and enhanced the activities of sucrose synthase, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, granule-bound starch synthase, soluble starch synthase, and starch branching enzyme, leading to greater starch accumulation. Furthermore, high post-pollination temperatures increased the levels of zeatin riboside, indole-3-acetic acid, and abscisic acid while decreasing gibberellin levels. The application of 6-BA mitigated these adverse effects, resulting in an increased grain filling rate, prolonged filling duration, and a significant increase in grain weight (by 9.27%–11.18%) and yield (by 13.19%–15.47%), with the effects being more pronounced in XY335. In conclusion, applying 6-BA effectively improves grain filling and promotes starch accumulation in maize by regulating endogenous hormone levels, thereby alleviating the negative effects of post-pollination high-temperature stress on grain weight and yield.

The conflict between rice cultivation and rice-rapeseed rotation stubble is a significant issue in the Yangtze River Basin, with delayed sowing of rapeseed often resulting in slow growth, poor development, and reduced yields. Therefore, optimizing nitrogen management is critical for promoting pre-winter growth and improving the yield of late-sown rapeseed. In this study, we used the variety “Huayouza 137” and conducted large-scale split-plot experiments in Wuhan and Huanggang, Hubei Province. Four nitrogen application rates were tested: N0 (0 kg hm^?2), N1 (150 kg hm^?2), N2 (225 kg hm^?2), and N3 (300 kg hm^?2). Additionally, three fertilization methods were employed: S1 (basal application), S2 (basal application: topdressing at the 3-leaf stage in a 5:5 ratio), and S3 (basal application: topdressing at the 3-leaf stage in a 5:5 ratio). The study investigated the effects of different nitrogen rates and fertilization methods on growth, lodging resistance, and yield of late-sown rapeseed. The results showed that as nitrogen application increased, rapeseed yields in both Wuhan and Huanggang followed a pattern of initial increase and then stabilization. The difference in seed yield between N2 and N3 treatments was not significant, with N2 treatment increasing yields by 20.76% in Wuhan and 15.02% in Huanggang compared to N1. Root neck thickness, number of green leaves, dry matter weight, and yield components followed a similar trend of initial increase and then stabilization. However, Basal and upper stem strengths increased initially and decreased later, while the basal and upper lodging indices increased with higher nitrogen application rates, indicating a greater risk of lodging and reduced resistance to lodging at higher nitrogen levels. Nitrogen use efficiency also followed a pattern of initial increase and then decrease, with the N2 treatment achieving 24.60% and 42.20% increases in nitrogen utilization efficiency compared to N1, and 11.58% and 9.04% increases compared to N3 in Wuhan and Huanggang, respectively. With changes in fertilization methods, rapeseed yield exhibited a trend of increasing and then decreasing. Under S2, yields in Wuhan and Huanggang increased by 11.72% and 11.92% compared to S1, and by 6.16% and 6.66% compared to S3. Root neck thickness, number of green leaves, dry matter weight, and yield components all reached their maximum under the S2 treatment. The basal and upper stem bending forces in both Wuhan and Huanggang first increased and then decreased, reaching their maximum under the N2S2 treatment. Conversely, the basal and upper lodging indices were highest under the N3S3 treatment, indicating poor lodging resistance and a higher risk of lodging under these conditions. Nitrogen partial productivity, nitrogen contribution rate, agronomic nitrogen use efficiency, and overall nitrogen use efficiency were all highest in the S2 treatment. There were no significantly different yield effects between N fertiliser rate and application method in this experiment, and the interaction effect between N fertiliser rate and application method was not significant. In conclusion, the N2S2 treatment (112.5 kg hm^?2 applied at the base and 112.5 kg hm^?2 applied at the 3-leaf stage) was the optimal nitrogen application strategy for late-sown rapeseed, balancing yield and lodging resistance. The findings from this study provide a theoretical basis and technical support for nitrogen management in late-sown rapeseed cultivation in the Yangtze River Basin. 

The rapeseed-rice rotation system is a key cropping pattern in the Yangtze River Basin, where achieving high and stable yields is essential for food and oil security. Phosphorus (P) fertilization is a common practice in the cultivation of both rapeseed and rice. To assess the effects of P fertilization on the productivity and stability of this rotation system, a 7-year field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2023 in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. The experiment included five P fertilizer treatments: 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2. The study evaluated crop yield, P uptake, energy yield stability, and productivity risk. The results indicated that P fertilization significantly increased the yields of both rapeseed and rice, with a more pronounced effect observed in rapeseed. Specifically, rapeseed yield increased by 2.3 to 12.5 times, with the highest yield achieved at 90 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2. This increase was primarily due to a higher number of pods per plant, followed by improvements in seed weight and seeds per pod. Rice yield increased by 4.4% to 17.1%, peaking at 45 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2, largely due to an increase in effective panicle number per plant and grains per panicle. Phosphorus accumulation in the aboveground biomass of both crops increased with higher P application rates, with rapeseed showing a 5.0- to 11.8-fold increase and rice showing a 22.9% to 46.2% increase, leading to an annual rotation increase of 50.2% to 118.8%. The phosphorus recovery efficiency (PRE) for rapeseed peaked at P application rates of 45 to 90 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2, while for rice, the maximum PRE was observed at 45 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2. Beyond this rate, further P application resulted in decreased PRE. P fertilization also notably improved the yield stability of rapeseed, with the highest stability observed at 45 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2. Yield stability in rapeseed was positively correlated with the stability of P accumulation, the number of pods per plant, and the number of seeds per pod. In contrast, rice exhibited higher yield stability and P uptake than rapeseed, with no significant effect from additional P input. Overall, P fertilization significantly enhanced the system's annual energy yield, reaching its peak at 90 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2 during the rapeseed season and between 45 and 90 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2 during the rice season, thereby supporting high production levels. In conclusion, the optimal P fertilizer application rates for the rapeseed-rice rotation system are 90 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2 for rapeseed and 45 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2 for rice. These rates effectively balance maximum energy yield with system stability while optimizing P fertilizer use efficiency.

To evaluate the yield of a bean and cereal intercropping system and its relationship with root and soil enzyme characteristics, a two-year field experiment (2021–2022) was conducted in Zhangbei county, Hebei province, China. The study examined crop yield, root characteristics, and soil enzyme activities in oat and red kidney bean strip intercropping, with oat monoculture and red kidney bean monoculture as controls. The results showed that the land equivalent ratios (LER) for oat and red kidney bean intercropping were 1.07 and 1.08, respectively, over the two years. The partial land equivalent ratios (PLER) for oat were 0.63 and 0.72. While there was no significant difference in net income between intercropping and monoculture systems, the output-to-input ratio in the intercropping system was higher than in either monoculture. At the jointing stage, oat root length, surface area, and volume in intercropping were lower than in monoculture, but these parameters were higher at the filling stage in both the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil layers. For intercropped red kidney bean, the dominance of root morphological parameters shifted to inferiority as the growth stage advanced. Relay intercropping had minimal effects on oat soil enzyme activities but significantly increased the activities of C, N, and ALP acquisition enzymes in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil layers at the flowering and filling stages of red kidney bean. Partial least squares path analysis revealed that oat yield was primarily influenced by root characteristics, while red kidney bean yield was predominantly regulated by soil enzyme activities. In conclusion, oat and red kidney bean strip intercropping enhances system productivity, provides higher economic benefits, and the yield dynamics of oat and red kidney bean are driven by different underlying mechanisms.

To address the challenges of high nitrogen fertilizer input and unstable wheat yields in the Hexi Oasis Irrigation Area, this study investigates the effects of soil conditioners combined with slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on the dynamics of aboveground dry matter accumulation and yield-related indices in wheat under varying nitrogen application rates. The objective is to provide practical evidence for developing high-yield, efficient cultivation techniques with reduced nitrogen input in the Hexi Oasis Irrigation Area. The experiment was conducted from 2022 to 2023 in the Hexi Oasis Irrigation District, utilizing a split-plot design. The main plots included attapulgite (A), biochar (B), and a control with no conditioner application (C); the subplots consisted of two types of nitrogen fertilizer: conventional chemical nitrogen fertilizer (T) and slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (S); and the split-split plots involved two levels of nitrogen application: conventional nitrogen amount (N2, 180 kg hm?2) and a 30% reduction in N2 (N1, 126 kg hm?2). By measuring dry matter accumulation at different growth stages, dry matter translocation before and after anthesis, grain yield, and biomass, the study quantifies the maximum growth rate and its timing, elucidating the impacts of different soil conditioners combined with slow-release nitrogen fertilizers on wheat dry matter accumulation and yield characteristics. The results indicate that N1 reduced aboveground dry matter accumulation by 10.4% compared to N2, while slow-release nitrogen fertilizer increased it by 7.0% compared to conventional chemical nitrogen fertilizer. Both attapulgite and biochar increased aboveground dry matter accumulation by 8.9% and 10.9%, respectively. Considering the interaction of soil conditioners, nitrogen fertilizer types, and nitrogen application rates, the combination of attapulgite with slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and a 30% reduction in conventional nitrogen application (ASN1) and the combination of biochar with slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and a 30% reduction in conventional nitrogen application (BSN1) increased dry matter accumulation by 9.0% and 10.7%, respectively, during days 45–95 after emergence, and increased the dry matter accumulation rate by 9.7% and 12.6%, respectively, during days 45–90 after emergence, compared to no conditioner use with conventional chemical nitrogen fertilizer and conventional nitrogen application (CTN2). The fitting results show that ASN1 and BSN1 delayed the occurrence of the maximum growth rate by 3.1 and 4.2 days, respectively, and increased the maximum growth rate by 6.3% and 8.1%, respectively, compared to CTN2. ASN1 and BSN1 also enhanced the contribution of dry matter translocation before and after anthesis to grain yield, increasing the yield by 6.8% and 8.5%, respectively, with the main yield increase attributed to improvements in spike grain number and thousand-kernel weight. BSN1 further increased spike grain number and thousand-kernel weight by 7.8% and 8.1%, respectively, compared to ASN1, demonstrating a more pronounced yield-increasing advantage. Therefore, the application of biochar combined with slow-release nitrogen fertilizer can be considered an effective measure to enhance wheat yield in the northwestern irrigation region of China, even with a 30% reduction in nitrogen input.

Achieving a synergistic improvement in both rice yield and quality remains a major challenge in rice production. A thorough analysis and clear identification of key population traits that influence the coordinated enhancement of yield and quality are crucial for guiding rice variety improvement and optimizing cultivation techniques. In this study, two rice varieties, Xiushui 134 (XS134) and Huanghuazhan (HHZ), were used to evaluate different nitrogen management strategies, including conventional fixed nitrogen applications (N0, N1, N2, N3) and dynamic nitrogen applications based on SPAD thresholds (RTNM, S34, S37, S40). Key agronomic and physiological indicators were collected at critical growth stages, along with yield and grain quality data. Multi-objective regression models were employed to analyze how key agronomic and physiological traits influence rice yield and grain quality. The results showed as follows: (1) A trade-off generally exists between rice yield and grain quality index (GQI); as nitrogen application increased, yield improved, but GQI tended to decrease, especially under fixed nitrogen application. However, compared to N2, the RTNM treatment reduced nitrogen application by 32.01% to 58.02%, while maintaining stable yields and improving GQI by 3.10% to 38.34% (with the exception of XS134 in 2022). This suggests that dynamic nitrogen management can alleviate the yield-quality trade-off, promoting yield-quality synergy. (2) Correlation analysis indicated that 28 out of 50 static agronomic traits were significantly correlated with both yield and GQI (56.00%). The three "yield-quality" regression models demonstrated varying degrees of predictive accuracy for rice yield (R²: 0.74–0.83; RMSE: 0.40–0.49) and GQI (R²: 0.81–0.90; RMSE: 0.63–0.88). Feature importance analysis highlighted that population biomass during the tillering stage positively influenced both yield and quality (0.09–6.37). Conversely, plant height, leaf area index, and leaf weight exhibited trade-offs in predicting yield and quality, suggesting that careful evaluation and optimization of these "mutually exclusive" indicators are necessary, particularly when ensuring sufficient population biomass. Furthermore, the population net assimilation rate (NAR) during ear development showed a positive impact on both yield and GQI (0.06–1.00), indicating that the photosynthetic efficiency per unit leaf during this stage may be a key trait for achieving coordinated improvements in yield and quality. In summary, compared to conventional fixed nitrogen application, a dynamic nitrogen management strategy based on SPAD thresholds can achieve a certain level of synergy between rice yield and quality. Population biomass during the tillering stage and NAR during the ear development stage may serve as important reference indicators for achieving this synergy.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen application on the eating quality, nutritional quality, and milling characteristics of japonica rice. Four rice varieties were analyzed: Shennong 9816, Akita-Komachi, Beijing No. 3, and Yanjing 476. Four nitrogen levels were applied: 0 kg hm^?2 (N0), 50 kg hm^?2 (N1), 100 kg hm^?2 (N2), and 200 kg hm^?2 (N3), to assess their impact on rice quality and the grain morphology of finely milled rice. The results showed that the eating quality of Akita-Komachi was superior to that of Yanjing 476, Beijing 3, and Shennong 9816, and this superiority remained consistent across different nitrogen levels. As nitrogen levels increased, the eating quality (cooking taste value, appearance, viscosity, gel consistency), as well as the distribution of amylopectin A chain and B1 chain content, significantly decreased across all japonica rice varieties. Meanwhile, hardness, amylose content, and protein content significantly increased. Peak viscosity, holding viscosity, and final viscosity decreased with increasing nitrogen levels, although nitrogen had less impact on breakdown, setback, and pasting temperature. Furthermore, the surface texture of the fine milled rice powder transitioned from smooth to rough with increasing nitrogen levels, accompanied by larger particle size, more particles, and the appearance of cracks and voids. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between nitrogen levels and cooking quality traits (viscosity, appearance, cooking taste value) as well as RVA (Rapid Visco Analyzer) profile values (peak viscosity, holding viscosity, final viscosity). In contrast, nitrogen levels were positively correlated with hardness and the surface particle size of the fine milled powder. Surface particle size was negatively correlated with cooking quality traits (cooking taste value, appearance) and RVA profile values (viscosity, peak viscosity, holding viscosity, and final viscosity), but positively correlated with hardness. In conclusion, rice varieties with higher food taste values demonstrated a weaker response to nitrogen, particularly in terms of fine milling powder surface characteristics. 

The Middle Yangtze River basin is the most important region for rapeseed production in China. To investigate the impact of spatiotemporal changes in rainfall and temperature on rapeseed production in this region, we conducted a study using the elite rapeseed variety Huayouza 12, the control variety for the Middle Yangtze River group in the national rapeseed regional trial. The variety was planted at six test sites from 2013 to 2023, during which we recorded yield, quality-related traits, and other agronomic characteristics. Simultaneously, we collected meteorological data from each test site. We then analyzed the relationships between climate variables, such as rainfall and temperature during critical growth stages, and agronomic traits, including yield. The results showed that over the past decade, annual average rainfall significantly decreased. Rainfall during the sowing stage increased significantly and exhibited considerable fluctuations, while it decreased markedly during the seedling, flowering, and maturation stages, with relatively stable levels during the silique-developing stage. Additionally, the annual average temperature across the six sites increased significantly. Temperatures during the sowing and seedling stages decreased by approximately 2°C, fluctuated dramatically during bolting and maturation stages each year, and increased by more than 2°C during the flowering stage. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between increased precipitation during key growth periods and reduced yield, leading to rapeseed production decreases of 9.6%, 12.8%, and 6.7% in three separate years, respectively. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that rainfall during the sowing stage and average temperature during the seedling stage were negatively correlated with the number of siliques per plant but positively correlated with the number of seeds per silique and 1000-seed weight. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between rainfall during the sowing and silique-developing stages, as well as average temperatures during the sowing, seedling, bolting, flowering, and silique-developing stages, and the incidence of Sclerotinia disease. Given the observed spatiotemporal trends in rainfall and temperature, we suggest that special attention should be given to waterlogging in rapeseed cultivation. This includes breeding varieties with improved waterlogging tolerance, enhancing drainage and irrigation capacity in paddy fields, and strengthening the prevention and control of secondary disasters such as Sclerotinia disease to minimize waterlogging damage and ensure high and stable seed yields in rapeseed.

Doubled haploid (DH) technology is widely applied in commercial maize breeding, and the efficiency of haploid breeding can be improved by evaluating the haploid breeding performance of common germplasm. In this study, 17 genotypes were used to assess haploid breeding performance through haploid induction, identification, and chromosomal doubling. The results showed that the Reid germplasm exhibited a significant advantage in haploid induction and identification, with the mean haploid induction rate (HIR) ranging from 12.23% to 15.31% and the accuracy of haploid selection ranging from 95.27% to 96.37%. Substantial differences were observed among the inbred lines in terms of HIR and the number of haploids per ear (HPE), with HIR ranging from 9.68% to 17.51% and HPE ranging from 8.44 to 23.66. Zheng58 and B73 showed significant advantages in haploid chromosome doubling, with DH productivity in Zheng58 reaching 74.36% and B73 achieving the highest average seed set per haploid at 53.80. Cluster analysis revealed that Zheng58, Jing1110, Jing724, and JG296 were more suitable for haploid breeding, whereas Mo17, 4F1, and Qi319 were less efficient. These findings will aid in the planning of haploid breeding programs and provide a foundation for enhancing the efficiency of DH technology.

This study aimed to clarify the effects of straw return and phosphorus application rates on soil enzyme activity and yield formation of dryland wheat in western Henan. A split-plot experimental design was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, using the wheat variety Luohan 22. The main plot treatments were based on maize straw return: no straw return (S0) and full straw return (S1). The sub-plot treatments included four phosphorus application rates: P0 (0 kg hm^-2), P1 (75 kg hm^-2), P2 (112.5 kg hm^-2), P3 (150 kg hm^-2), and P4 (187.5 kg hm^-2). Soil enzyme activity, dry matter transport characteristics, grain filling dynamics, and yield and yield components were measured. The results showed that under the same phosphorus application rates, available phosphorus content and the activities of soil urease, sucrase, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers, as well as key grain filling dynamics parameters (V_max, T_max, W_max, V_mean, T₁, and T₂), were higher in the S1 treatment compared to S0. Similarly, under the same straw return treatment, these parameters initially increased and then decreased with increasing phosphorus application rates, with the highest values observed under the P3 treatment. In terms of dry matter transport, post-flowering dry matter assimilation and its contribution to grain in the S1 treatment were greater than in the S0 treatment. In the highest performing treatment (P3), these parameters showed significant increases of 38.67% and 5.76%, respectively. The interaction between straw return and phosphorus application rates had a significant impact on available phosphorus content, soil enzyme activities, dry matter transport characteristics, grain filling dynamics, and grain yield, with the highest values observed in the S1P3 treatment. Compared to S0P3, available phosphorus content and the activities of urease, sucrase, and catalase in the S1P3 treatment increased by 5.32%, 5.04%, 10.30%, and 2.92% in the first year, and by 7.37%, 3.88%, 11.64%, and 3.31% in the second year. Both straw return and increased phosphorus application rates improved spike numbers, grains per spike, thousand-grain weight, and overall grain yield. Except for thousand-grain weight, these indicators initially increased and then declined with increasing phosphorus rates under the same straw return treatment. Compared to S0P3, the S1P3 treatment significantly increased spike numbers and grain yield by 4.74% and 3.78% in 2020–2021, and by 9.06% and 4.51% in 2021–2022, respectively. S1P3 also significantly increased grains per spike by 5.25% in 2021–2022. In conclusion, full straw return combined with a phosphorus application rate of 150 kg hm^?2 (S1P3) is an optimal cultivation practice for dryland wheat in western Henan and similar ecological regions. 

The internode length of the main stem and lateral branches is a key agronomic trait influencing the yield per plant in peanuts. In this study, 390 natural peanut populations were used to measure the length of the first, second, and third internodes of both the main stem and lateral branches at maturity. A genome-wide association analysis was conducted using the mixed linear model (PCA+K model) in GAPIT3.0 software. The results showed that the internode lengths of the main stem and lateral branches followed a normal distribution and were significantly positively correlated. A total of 63 loci associated with the internode length of the main stem and lateral branches were identified. Three significant association sites and site clusters were discovered, including a notable association at A04_57397319 that co-located with findings from previous research. Five candidate genes were predicted within this region. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic basis and regulatory mechanisms of internode length in both the main stem and lateral branches of peanuts, laying a foundation for plant architecture improvement.