Abbreviation (ISO4): Chin Agric Sci Bull
Editor in chief: Yulong YIN
To provide a theoretical basis for scientific nitrogen fertilization, increasing yield and economic benefits, and reducing environmental risks, the effects of nitrogen application rate and nitrogen fertilizer type on potato growth, development and nitrogen utilization were studied. Using ‘Xisen 6’ and ‘Chuanyu 62’ as test materials, a randomized block design was employed with five nitrogen application treatments, including a nitrogen-free control (CK), conventional urea nitrogen at 67.5 kg/hm2, slow-release urea nitrogen at 67.5 kg/hm2, conventional urea nitrogen at 135 kg/hm2, and slow-release urea nitrogen at 135 kg/hm2. The results showed that the emergence occurred earlier under low nitrogen treatments compared to high nitrogen treatments. At the same growth stage and nitrogen application level, the emergence rate was higher under slow-release nitrogen fertilizer treatments than that of conventional nitrogen fertilizer treatments. With increasing nitrogen application rate, plant height, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content increased for both varieties. However, excessive nitrogen application reduced stem diameter. Agronomic traits were superior under slow-release nitrogen fertilizer treatments compared to conventional nitrogen fertilizer treatments. Plant nitrogen accumulation increased with higher nitrogen application rates. However, nitrogen agronomic efficiency, nitrogen production efficiency, nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) significantly decreased. At the same nitrogen application level, NUE was better under slow-release nitrogen fertilizer treatments than under conventional nitrogen fertilizer treatments. Within the experimental range, for ‘Xisen 6’, yield increased significantly with increasing nitrogen application. At the same nitrogen level, yields under slow-release nitrogen fertilizer treatments were significantly higher than under conventional nitrogen fertilizer treatments. The highest yield (58000.3 kg/hm2) was achieved with the 135.0 kg/hm2 slow-release nitrogen treatment, representing a 16.7% increase compared to the same rate of conventional nitrogen fertilizer. The yield of ‘Chuanyu 62’ increased first and then decreased with the increase of nitrogen application rate, and the differences among treatments were significant. The highest yield was achieved under the treatment of 67.5 kg/hm2 of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, reaching 43294.2 kg/hm2, which was significantly higher than that of the control (CK), compared with the conventional nitrogen fertilizer treatment at the same nitrogen application rate, the yield increased by 5.2%. Compared to conventional nitrogen fertilizer treatments, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer treatments also resulted in better marketable tuber rates and harvest indices. Scientific nitrogen application promoted plant growth and optimized dry matter accumulation and partitioning. Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer significantly improved emergence rate, facilitated higher plant nitrogen accumulation, and enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. Under the ecological conditions of this experimental region, applying slow-release nitrogen fertilizer at 135.0 kg/hm2 for mid-maturing varieties (such as ‘Xisen 6’) and at 67.5 kg/hm2 for mid-late maturing varieties (such as ‘Chuanyu 62’) can achieve higher yields and economic benefits.
To address the issues of inadequate expansion and low quality of upper leaves in Yunnan flue-cured tobacco, field experiments were conducted using ‘Yunyan 87’ as the test material in Dehong and Lijiang. The effects of three exogenous regulators, forchlorfenuron (KT), zeatin (ZT), and brassinolide (BR), as well as their concentrations and application timings on the expansion and quality of upper leaves were investigated. The results showed that: (1) application on the day of topping was optimal, significantly superior to application 7 days after topping; (2) single-agent treatments were more effective than combined treatments, with 20 mg/L KT showing the best promoting effect on leaf expansion. In Dehong, the leaf length and width increased by 9.85%-32.90% and 23.34%-41.27%, respectively, compared to the control. In Lijiang, the leaf area increased by 16.27%-31.30% compared to the control (water); (3) regarding appearance quality, the order of effectiveness was 10 mg/L KT> 20 mg/L KT> 1 mg/L BR> 0.5 mg/L BR, with weighted total scores increasing by 2.19%, 3.28%, 3.28%, and 1.82%, respectively, compared to the control, particularly in terms of oil content and color intensity; (4) for sensory quality, the order was 1 mg/L BR> 20 mg/L KT> 10 mg/L KT> 0.5 mg/L BR, with weighted total scores increasing by 11.17%, 10.18%, 5.73%, and 0.99%, respectively, compared to the control; (5) in terms of chemical composition, the optimal treatments resulted in nicotine, total sugar, and potassium-to-chlorine ratio within appropriate ranges. KT treatments reduced nicotine content by 3.80%-15.50%, mitigating the strength of upper leaves. In conclusion, applying 20 mg/L KT (to promote leaf expansion) or 1 mg/L BR (to improve quality) on the day of topping is the optimal approaches for high-quality production of upper leaves in Yunnan flue-cured tobacco. This study provides a reference for enhancing the yield and quality of upper leaves in flue-cured tobacco.
This study aims to analyze the effects of a novel biological organic fertilizer on tobacco cultivation, specifically its regulatory impact on the growth and development of flue-cured tobacco plants. A pot experiment was conducted to study the impact of five treatments on root indicators, agronomic traits, and biomass of flue-cured tobacco. The treatments included tobacco-specific compound base fertilizer (CK), tobacco-specific compound base fertilizer with composted organic fertilizer (O), tobacco-specific compound base fertilizer with microbial agents (M), tobacco-specific compound base fertilizer with ordinary microbial fertilizer (BOF1) and tobacco-specific compound base fertilizer with novel biological organic fertilizer (BOF2). At vigorous growth stage, the stem diameter, maximum leaf length, maximum leaf width and SPAD value of the two bio-organic fertilizer treatments were significantly higher than those of the other treatments (P<0.05). The root length of each treatment showed the order of BOF2>BOF1>O>M>CK, the order of root surface area was BOF2>O>BOF1>CK>M (P<0.05). The total fresh weight, shoot dry weight and total dry weight of flue-cured tobacco in BOF2 treatment were significantly higher than those in other treatments. At the early maturity stage, the plant height, stem diameter, maximum leaf width and SPAD value of BOF2 treatment reached the maximum value, and the fresh and dry weights of aerial parts were also the highest, which were 44.95% and 61.31% higher than those of CK. The correlation analysis showed that the root morphology of flue-cured tobacco was significantly correlated with the maximum leaf length, the number of effective leaves and the fresh weight of aboveground parts. Compared with the other treatments, the new bio-organic fertilizer significantly improved many agronomic traits of flue-cured tobacco, increased the growth rate of root system at early stage, enhanced the dry matter accumulation of aboveground and underground parts, and promoted the growth and development of flue-cured tobacco.
This study aims to investigate the impact of mechanized operations on flue-cured tobacco production in the tobacco-growing areas of Southern Anhui, identify key factors for the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomic practices in each production stage, and provide a basis for establishing a fully mechanized production system in tobacco production regions. Comparative experiments on mechanized operations were conducted in the Xuancheng tobacco area of Anhui Province for six key stages, including ridge-building, fertilization, transplanting, earthing up, plant protection, and topping and bud inhibition, as well as a fully mechanized trial. The effects of different operation methods on the agronomic traits, economic performance, and labor costs of flue-cured tobacco were analyzed. The results showed that the high-ridge without earthing up technique increased the number of effective leaves, reduced the length and width of middle leaves, improved tobacco yield, output value, and the ratio of middle and high-grade leaves, while reducing labor costs by 71.43%. The integrated ridge-building and fertilization technique increased plant height and the number of effective leaves, enhanced tobacco output value and the proportion of high-grade leaves, and reduced labor costs by 25.23%. Mechanical transplanting had no significant effect on the agronomic traits of tobacco plants but increased tobacco yield and reduced labor costs by 62.96%. A base-to-topdressing ratio of 1:1 was identified as optimal for southern Anhui, contributing to higher tobacco output value and an increased proportion of high-grade leaves. UAV-based plant protection technology promoted leaf length and width, improved tobacco yield and output value, and reduced labor costs by 34.44%. The integrated mechanical topping and bud inhibition technique had limited effects on agronomic traits, maintained stable tobacco yield, and reduced labor costs by 26.66%. Fully mechanized operations had a certain negative impact on the width of upper leaves but generally improved tobacco yield, output value, and the proportion of high-grade leaves, while reducing overall labor costs by 37.66%. In summary, the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomic practices had limited effects on the agronomic traits of flue-cured tobacco but ensured stable yield, with some techniques showing certain promotive effects. The most significant advantage was observed in labor reduction and cost savings, effectively improving work efficiency and substantially lowering comprehensive operational costs.
To determine the appropriate number of DNA pooled samples and reliable association algorithms for bulked segregant analysis (BSA) in pepper, this study used F2 segregating populations constructed from inbred lines with light-yellow (CSJ009) and green (CSJ010) immature fruit color. 30 (from a population of 220 F2 individuals in 2019) and 50 (from a population of 788 F2 individuals in 2021) extreme phenotype individuals were selected to construct DNA bulks, respectively, for whole-genome resequencing (WGRS) and BSA analysis. The mapping effects of SNP-index and ED algorithms were compared. The results showed that the sequencing depth of the 50-sample pool (average 50.92×) was higher than that of the 30-sample pool (above 35×), and the Q30 quality value was better (above 94.71%). The error rates of SNP and InDel marker detection were lower, but the mapping results were more complex. The SNP-index algorithm detected 235 peak regions (126 of which were negative peak regions) at the 99% confidence level in the 50-sample pool, making it difficult to lock onto the core candidate regions, while the 30-sample pool only detected 21 peak regions, mainly concentrated on chromosome 9. The ED algorithm detected 22 peak regions (all on chromosome 9) at the 99% confidence level in the 50-sample pool, and 13 peak regions (concentrated in the 29.5 Mbp interval on chromosome 9) in the 30-sample pool. Combined with the results of genetic linkage analysis verification, the SNP-index algorithm was more reliable than the ED algorithm. In conclusion, in the BSA mapping of pepper fruit color genes, the effect of constructing pools with 30 extreme phenotype plants is better than that with 50, and the SNP-index algorithm is more suitable for the initial mapping of target genes. The results provide a scientific reference for the experimental design of BSA gene mapping in pepper and similar crops.
Seed dormancy represents a core biological trait in plants for environmental adaptation and is of critical importance for population propagation, germplasm resource conservation, and agricultural and forestry production. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying dormancy induction and release are complex and diverse. Current research often focuses on conventional physiological and biochemical analyses, lacking systematic and comprehensive investigation, whereas omics technologies provide precise tools for deciphering these processes. To thoroughly review advances in the molecular mechanisms of seed dormancy and dormancy release, this article systematically summarizes the application and representative achievements of three prominent omics technologies in this field: transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Transcriptomics enables precise identification of key dormancy-related genes (e.g., DOG1 and hormone signaling pathway genes) and non-coding RNAs, revealing spatiotemporal specificity in gene expression. Proteomics facilitates the identification of differentially abundant proteins during dormancy transitions, elucidating the synergistic roles of hormone interactions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation, and energy metabolism. Metabolomics can pinpoint key metabolites involved in dormancy release (such as sucrose, proline, and lysophospholipids) and help construct a ‘gene-protein-metabolite’ association network. The review also notes existing limitations in current research, including insufficient integration of multi-omics data, limited species generality, and inadequate translation of research findings into practice. Accordingly, the review proposes that future studies should strengthen cross-omics data correlation analysis, expand research on wild and rare species, and accelerate the translation of basic research into breeding practices, thereby providing theoretical support and technical guidance for a comprehensive understanding of seed dormancy mechanisms and their application in agricultural production.
This study aimed to investigate the seed plant diversity and floristic characteristics of Jizu Mountain in Yunnan, to provide a scientific basis for the assessment, development, utilization, and conservation of seed plant resources in this region. Based on the baseline biodiversity survey data of Jizu Mountain collected from 2023 to 2025 (including 43 transects and 36 quadrats) and relevant literature, the APG IV classification system and Wu Zhengyi’s floristic regionalization criteria were applied to analyze the composition of families, genera, and species of seed plants, their floristic geographical elements, and the characteristics of rare and endangered plant resources. The findings revealed that: (1) a total of 1637 seed plant species belonging to 656 genera and 138 families were recorded, with angiosperms accounting for 99.45% and gymnosperms represented by 9 species in 5 genera and 3 families. (2) The floristic composition showed transitional features: at the family level, tropical elements predominated (tropical families/temperate families, R/T=1.68), while at the genus level (R/T=0.79) and species level (R/T=0.23), temperate elements were dominant. There were 704 Chinese endemic species (43.02%) and one species endemic to Jizu Mountain (Roscoea stenophylla). (3) Invasive plant species numbered 35 (2.14%), and 121 rare and endangered plant species were identified, including one nationally first-class protected plant (Taxus wallichiana), 20 nationally second-class protected plants, four key protected plants of Yunnan Province, and one critically endangered species in Yunnan. The Jizu Mountain region in Yunnan exhibits rich seed plant diversity, complex floristic composition, and significant endemism, serving as an important component of the montane flora in western Yunnan. This study provides a scientific basis for the conservation of regional plant resources. Future efforts should focus on strengthening the prevention and control of invasive plants, as well as enhancing in-situ monitoring and protection of rare species.
To explore the regulatory effects of brackish water irrigation concentrations on plant growth and fruit quality of tomato in the arid regions of Northwest China, a pot experiment was conducted using the cherry tomato cultivar ‘Xiangfei No.3’ as the test material. Four NaCl brackish water irrigation gradients were set: 0 g/L (CK), 1 g/L (T1), 2 g/L (T2), and 3 g/L (T3). We systematically analyzed the impacts of different treatments on tomato growth indicators (including plant height and stem diameter) and fruit quality indicators (such as soluble sugar, lycopene, organic acids, and sugar-acid ratio), followed by a comprehensive evaluation via principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that moderate brackish water irrigation significantly promoted tomato growth; the plant heights of T1, T2, and T3 treatments were all higher than that of CK at the mature stage. The T1 treatment exhibited the most significant promotion effect on soluble sugar accumulation, with the soluble sugar contents in the 1st to 5th ear fruits at the mature stage increased by 38.24%, 30.56%, 26.47%, 34.29%, and 24.14% respectively compared with CK. The T2 treatment significantly increased the lycopene content, where the lycopene contents in the 1st to 5th ear fruits at the mature stage were significantly higher than those of CK (P<0.05), with an increase range of 20.29%-29.31%. The T3 treatment achieved the highest sugar-acid ratio, which significantly optimized the flavor quality of fruits. At the green mature stage, the T1 treatment facilitated the accumulation of organic acids; the contents of malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, and oxalic acid in the first four ear fruits were all higher than those of CK, and the organic acid contents in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th ear fruits ranked the highest among all treatments. The PCA evaluation indicated that fruit quality indicators under high-concentration brackish water irrigation ranked higher at the green mature stage, while those under suitable-concentration brackish water irrigation (T1-T2) performed best at the color turning and mature stages. This study clarified the optimal brackish water irrigation concentrations for different quality indicators, providing a theoretical basis and technical scheme for the safe application of brackish water irrigation in cherry tomato production in freshwater-scarce areas of Northwest China.
Weiying watermelon in Sihong County is a national geographical indication agricultural product and a local specialty industry. In order to select more suitable small fruit watermelon varieties for planting in Weiying town, varieties of ‘Yuyi Heixiaobao’, ‘Taiwan Xiaolan’, ‘SP600’, and ‘Sumeng No.6’ were selected as the research objects. By comparing the differences in sensory and nutritional quality indicators of watermelons, and using sensory evaluation correlation, and principal component analysis and other multivariate analysis methods, the comprehensive evaluation of small fruit watermelons in Weiying town was carried out. The results showed that there were certain differences in the quality characteristics of the four small fruit watermelons. The sensory score of ‘SP600’ and ‘Yuyi Heixiaobao’ ranked first and second. ‘SP600’ had the highest content of sucrose, soluble solids, vitamin C and soluble dietary fiber. ‘Yuyi Heixiaobao’ had the highest content of sugar-acid ratio. ‘Taiwan Xiaolan’ had the highest content of organic acids and minerals. Sensory score was significantly correlated with sucrose glucose, total acid, sugar-acid ratio, and mineral content. Soluble solids were significantly correlated with sucrose, glucose, vitamin C and soluble dietary fiber. Minerals were significantly correlated with malic acid and total acid. Based on the principal component analysis, ‘SP600’ and ‘Yuyi Heixiaobao’ are more suitable for and planting in Weiying town, Sihong County.
This study aims to clarify the impact of compound microbial inoculants applied via foliar spraying on fruit color development, maturation, and quality attributes. Using 4-year-old ‘Fujiminori’ grape and ‘Busan 88’ cherry tomato as experimental materials, and two bacterial agent concentration treatment groups (T1: diluted 500 times, T2: diluted 300 times) and a blank control group (CK) were set up. The plants were sprayed at the initial fruit coloring stage and re-sprayed after 10 days. The coloring process, quality, and yield parameters were measured. The results showed that: (1) the color-promoting effect was significant. Under the T2 treatment, the time required for grapes to reach 90% coloration was 12 days earlier than CK, and the ripening of tomatoes was advanced by 7 days. (2) Fruit quality was significantly improved. Compared with CK, the ‘Fujiminori’ grapes showed a 22.07% increase in total anthocyanins, a 1.69% increase in soluble sugar, and a 27.73% increase in vitamin C content, while titratable acid decreased by 9.38%. For tomatoes, soluble sugar, vitamin C, and lycopene contents increased by 24.80%, 33.91%, and 35.08%, respectively, compared to CK, with titratable acid reducing by 18.82%. (3) Yield was simultaneously enhanced. Compared with CK, the hundred-berry weight and single-cluster weight of grapes increased by 32.93% and 22.25%, respectively, while the single-fruit weight and yield per plant of tomatoes increased by 5.58%-9.44% and 1.37%-5.92%, respectively. (4) Economic benefits were significant. Grapes reached the market 12 days earlier, with the selling price increasing from 8-10 yuan/kg to 20 yuan/kg. Similarly, tomatoes were marketed 7 days earlier, and their price rose from 10-15 yuan/kg to 20 yuan/kg. In conclusion, spraying the 300-fold diluted compound microbial agent synergistically promotes fruit coloration, ripening, and quality improvement, providing technical support for high-quality, efficient, and green cultivation of fruits and vegetables.
Flower color is the core of the ornamental and commercial value of orchids, and its formation is closely associated with the types, content, and deposition patterns of floral pigments. To systematically elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying pigment deposition in orchid flowers, this review summarizes the main pigment substances (flavonoids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls), with a particular focus on the molecular regulatory mechanisms of structural and regulatory genes in the anthocyanin and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways. Structural genes determine flower color types (e.g., red, purple, yellow) and color intensity through their expression patterns and levels, while regulatory genes control pigmentation patterns such as petal background color, spots, patches, and venation via spatiotemporally specific expression. Among these, the synergistic interaction between MYB and bHLH transcription factors plays a key role in the formation of pigmentation patterns. Additionally, this review analyzes how environmental factors such as light, temperature, and exogenous chemicals indirectly influence floral pigment metabolism by modulating the expression of key genes. Further efforts should aim to refine the molecular dynamic regulatory network of pigment synthesis in orchids and explore specific regulatory mechanisms underlying pigmentation patterns. This study aims to provide theoretical insights and practical support for future directed breeding and gene editing in orchids.
The study aims to clarify the difference of drought resistance among different herbaceous peony varieties, and screen the varieties with excellent drought resistance. In this study, three herbaceous peony varieties ‘Sandianhong’, ‘Chunxiao’ and ‘Shala’ were used as experimental materials. The potted natural drought method was used to set 0 day (non-drought treatment), 7 days (moderate drought), and 14 days (severe drought) treatments. Leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf circumference, leaf thickness, relative chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured to comprehensively evaluate drought resistance through correlation analysis and principal component analysis. The results indicated that: (1) under drought stress, the leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and leaf circumference of the three P. lactiflora cultivars decreased gradually with the increase of drought stress, and the leaf thickness increased. (2) The relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) and leaf nitrogen content (LNC) of the three P. lactiflora varieties gradually decreased with the increase of drought duration, and the SPAD and LNC of the 14 days drought were significantly different from those of the 0 day drought (P<0.05). (3) The F0 and F0/Fm of three P. lactiflora varieties increased after 7 days of drought, and decreased after 14 days; Fv/F0 decreased after 7 days of drought, but increased after 14 days; Fv, Fm, Fv/Fm and PIabs decreased with the increase of drought duration. (4) The chlorophyll fluorescence O-J-I-P curves of the three P. lactiflora varieties gradually increased with time, and gradually became gentle when passing through the P point. Under drought stress, the leaf morphological traits and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of P. lactiflora changed synergistically to adapt to drought environment. The drought resistance of three P. lactiflora varieties was ‘Shala’> ‘Chunxiao’> ‘Sandianhong’.
To overcome the low temperature limitations during the overwintering period of bougainvillea in the Yangtze River Delta region and promote its application and popularization in this area, this study used bougainvillea ‘Rose Red’ as the experimental material. Treatments included a control group (CK, pure water), 0.39 mmol/L (low-concentration), and 0.78 mmol/L (high-concentration) hydrogen-rich water (HRW) irrigation. Physiological and biochemical indicators as well as morphological performance of leaves during the overwintering period were measured. The results showed that: (1) low-temperature stress significantly increased electrolyte leakage rate, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS, including superoxide anion O2.- and H2O2) accumulation in bougainvillea leaves, with obvious leaf damage. (2) Low-concentration HRW treatment significantly increased chlorophyll content, maintained high photosynthetic capacity, promoted soluble sugar accumulation, reduced ROS generation and MDA accumulation, and decreased electrolyte leakage, thereby alleviating cold-induced damage. (3) High-concentration HRW treatment significantly aggravated the rise in the above injury-related indicators and intensified the damage caused by low-temperature stress. (4) Low-concentration HRW treatment enhanced cold resistance of bougainvillea by improving osmotic adjustment capacity and suppressing oxidative stress, while high-concentration HRW treatment produced the opposite effect. This study identified 0.39 mmol/L HRW as the appropriate concentration for improving the overwintering cold tolerance of bougainvillea, providing a new technical approach and theoretical basis for the large-scale application of bougainvillea in the Yangtze River Delta region.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of different growth substrates on seed germination and seedling development of Panax japonicus, identifying optimal substrate formulations to support its nursery cultivation. A single-factor randomized block design was adopted using field soil as control (CK), and six substrate mixtures (by volume) were set up, including Lijiang Shentu substrate (A1), coir dust: herbal residue: field soil= 1:3:5 (A2), coir dust: herbal residue= 5:5 (A3), coir dust: field soil= 5:5 (A4), herbal residue: field soil= 5:5 (A5), and coir dust: herbal residue: field soil= 3:1:5 (A6). Germination rate and seedling growth parameters were systematically evaluated. All substrates significantly enhanced germination rates (P<0.05), which ranked as A2>A6>A3>A5>A1>A4>CK. Substrate A4 exhibited the most pronounced growth promotion, increasing root biomass, rhizome diameter, rhizome length, and seedling fresh weight by 88.17%, 41.26%, 31.36%, and 94.3% respectively versus CK, while reducing seedling mortality by 65.09%. The comprehensive evaluation via membership function ranked treatments as A4(0.810)> A6(0.735)> A1(0.699)> A2(0.607)> A3(0.541)> CK(0.033). Substrate cultivation is recognized as an effective approach for enhancing seed propagation of P. japonicus. Among various substrate formulations, those based on coconut coir demonstrated superior performance compared to those incorporating medicinal herb residues. In particular, the mixture of coconut coir and field soil in a ratio of 5:5 and mixture of coconut coir, herbal residue, and field soil in a ratio of 3:1:5 achieved the best overall evaluation, showing significant synergistic promotion in both aerial and underground growth of seedlings. It can be used as the preferred substrate for P. japonicus seed propagation in production.
The large-scale generation of high-fiber agricultural waste poses significant environmental and resource challenges, necessitating breakthroughs in efficient resource utilization. This paper systematically reviews the sources and properties of agricultural high-fiber waste, as well as recent advances in its biological and abiotic degradation technologies, with a focus on analyzing the strengths and limitations of resource utilization strategies and exploring future directions within a multidisciplinary context. Through extensive retrieval and analysis of relevant domestic and international literature, the mechanisms of action, application outcomes, and existing bottlenecks of biological degradation (particularly microbial degradation) and abiotic degradation technologies are summarized, emphasizing both progress and shortcomings in current research. Analysis indicates that biological degradation is widely regarded as the most promising approach due to its environmental friendliness and economic potential. The integration of molecular biology and synthetic biology, such as gene editing and engineered strain construction, has significantly enhanced the efficiency of degradative enzymes and product conversion rates. However, challenges remain in the application of new technologies, including high pretreatment costs, inconsistent enzymatic efficiency, and potential safety risks associated with the large-scale use of engineered strains. Future research should focus on developing low-energy consumption pretreatment combined technologies, strengthening multi-disciplinary integration and innovation, and establishing a comprehensive biosafety evaluation system for genetically engineered strains, so as to promote the efficient, safe, and sustainable utilization of agricultural high-fiber waste.
To explore the safe utilization strategies for Cd and As co-contaminated pepper fields with excessive cadmium content, without modifying existing agricultural practices or compromising soil productivity, this study evaluated the effects of three amendments, namely Vedikang soil conditioner (WDK), Tuchuanbingke microbial agent (TCBK) and Jiangsu Tianxiang microbial agent (JSTX), on heavy metal dynamics in the soil-pepper system. The results showed that (1) WDK, TCBK and JSTX significantly reduced soil Cd content by 0.05-0.09 mg/kg (P<0.05) while increasing soil Cr content by 3.7-14.4 mg/kg (P<0.05). Notably, WDK and JSTX decreased soil As concentrations by 2.7 and 3.9 mg/kg, respectively, whereas TCBK exhibited a marginal As increment of 0.6 mg/kg (P<0.05). The effects of the three materials on the contents of mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in the soil were not significant (P>0.05). (2) Although Cd reductions in current-season peppers were statistically insignificant (0.018-0.027 mg/kg, P<0.05), all treatments significantly diminished Cd accumulation in previous-season peppers by 0.068-0.077 mg/kg (P<0.01). No significant alterations in Pb levels were observed across treatments, and Hg, As and Cr remained undetectable in pepper fruits. WDK and JSTX significantly increased the yield of peppers by 32.2% and 15.7%, respectively, while TCBK significantly reduced the yield by 7.8% (P<0.05). In summary, all three treatments, WDK, TCBK and JSTX, were effective in reducing soil Cd content and increasing soil Cr content, but their effects on soil As varied depending on the material, and had no significant impact on soil Hg and Pb. All three treatments could significantly reduce the Cd content of peppers in both current and previous seasons, but had no significant effect on the Pb content of peppers. WDK and JSTX could significantly increase the yield, while TCBK significantly reduced it.
The study aims to investigate the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in soils during soil formation in carbonate rock regions. Taking Hangzhou City as an example, the carbonate rocks are divided into three categories according to the lithology of the parent rock: pure carbonate rocks (including limestone and dolomitic limestone), carbonaceous carbonate rocks (including carbonaceous limestone and interbedded rocks of limestone and carbonaceous mud shale), and other impurity-bearing carbonate rocks (including argillaceous limestone, siliceous limestone, and interbedded rocks of limestone and argillaceous shale). Soil samples and their corresponding parent rock samples were collected simultaneously, and the contents of elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were analyzed. The quantification of As, Cd, and Hg was performed using atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS), respectively. Iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The results showed that the contents of As, Cd and Hg in the soils varied greatly due to the changes in the lithology of parent rocks, and followed the order: pure carbonate rock soil>carbonaceous limestone soil>argillaceous limestone soil. The average enrichment factors of soil As, Cd and Hg were 7.72, 10.05, and 6.17, respectively. The enrichment coefficients of As, Cd, and Hg in soil were positively correlated with the total content of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide in the parent rock and soil pH. The contents of As, Cd, and Hg in the soil developed from carbonaceous carbonate rocks were close to or slightly lower than those in their parent rocks (with average enrichment coefficients of 1.01, 0.91 and 0.92 respectively), and were less affected by the total content of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide in the parent rocks. The contents of As, Cd, and Hg in the soil developed from carbonate rocks containing other impurities were slightly higher than those in the corresponding parent rocks, with a relatively low enrichment degree (with average enrichment coefficients of 1.20, 1.64 and 1.29 respectively), and showed a slight positive correlation with the total content of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide in the parent rocks. The chemical forms of cadmium in soils developed from different parent rocks also showed certain differences. During the soil formation process of pure carbonate rocks, there was a significant enrichment of heavy metals; in the soils developed from carbonaceous carbonate rocks, heavy metals had inheritability and there was a slight leaching of heavy metals during the soil formation process; in the soils developed from carbonate rocks containing other impurities, heavy metals had both inheritability and enrichment, but the degree of enrichment was relatively low during the soil formation process.
This study is intended to clarify the role and mechanism of microbial agents in alleviating continuous cropping obstacles in apple orchards. A combination of pot experiments, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of soil remediation microbial agents and Trichoderma harzianum agent on apple seedling growth and the rhizosphere soil microbial community. The results showed that in continuous cropping apple orchard soil, inoculation with the soil remediation microbial agents significantly enhanced the SPAD value of apple seedling leaves, and rose by 12.15% when it compared with CK1. The inoculation of both soil remediation microbial agent and Trichoderma harzianum agent were more favorable to apple seedling growth than CK1. The application of soil remediation microbial agent and Trichoderma harzianum increased the apple seedling index by 146.51% and 25.58%, respectively. Meanwhile, total root length, total root surface area, average root diameter, total root volume, and root tip number were raised by 123.20% and 35.50%, 146.34% and 42.25%, 9.55% and 5.10%, 178.95% and 48.37%, 136.06% and 22.12%, correspondingly. Apple orchards which inoculated with the soil remediation microbial agents and Trichoderma harzianum agent significantly enhanced the phylogenetic diversity of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil while reducing the diversity and evenness of fungal communities. Inoculation with these two agents, the relative abundance of Trichoderma species was significantly higher than three control treatments, whereas the relative abundance of Fusarium species were decreased. Trichoderma and Fusarium species were key factors to the differences in the fungal community structure of rhizosphere soil. The relative abundance of Pyrinomonas was significantly lower in the two inoculated treatments compared to CK1. The soil remediation microbial agent treatment significantly decreased the relative abundance of Luteitalea while increasing the relative abundance of Luteitalea pseudomonas, whereas the Trichoderma harzianum agent treatment significantly increased the relative abundance of Lysobacte. Pyrinomonas, Luteitalea, Pseudomonas and Lysobacte were identified as important species driving differences in the bacterial community structure of rhizosphere soil. In conclusion, the application of the soil remediation microbial agent and Trichoderma harzianum agent in continuous cropping apple orchard soil substantially enhanced the microbial structure and function of the rhizosphere soil, benefited apple seedling growth.
The study investigates the effects of legume intercropping on soil nutrients and fruit quality in Ziziphus mauritiana orchards, a field experiment was conducted in a ‘Persimmon Jujube’ orchard. The dwarf early-maturing soybean cultivar ‘Cuilyubao’ was selected as the intercropping species. Two treatments were established: clean tillage and intercropping with ‘Cuilyubao’ dwarf early-maturing soybean, and arranged in a randomized block design. Soil pH and nutrient content were measured before soybean planting, during soybean harvest, and during Z. mauritiana harvest. Differences in fruit quality indicators were analyzed after fruit maturity. The results showed that the depletion of soil nutrients in the soybean intercropping area was significantly lower than in the clean tillage area. Upon completion of the entire growth cycle of Z. mauritiana, a comparative analysis of soil nutrients from the clean tillage treatment and soybean intercropping treatment against pre-experimental baseline levels (before soybean planting) revealed the following: soil organic matter content increased by 4.00 g/kg in the soybean intercropping area, while it decreased by 12.60 g/kg in the clean tillage area; hydrolytic nitrogen content declined by 4.62% in the intercropping area, compared to a 52.14% reduction in the clean tillage area; available phosphorus content decreased by 33.23% in the intercropping area, whereas it dropped by 90.60% in the clean tillage area; available potassium content fell by 14.81% in the intercropping area, contrasting with a 54.98% decrease in the clean tillage area; exchangeable calcium content rose by 4.60 cmol/kg in the intercropping area, but declined by 6.75 cmol/kg in the clean tillage area; exchangeable magnesium content increased by 1.80 cmol/kg in the intercropping area, while it decreased by 0.79 cmol/kg in the clean tillage area. The slower depletion rate of soil nutrients in the orchard following soybean intercropping demonstrates that intercropping with soybeans contributes to enhanced soil nutrient retention. Fruit quality analysis of Z. mauritiana from both treatments revealed that the soybean intercropping area demonstrated higher levels of soluble solids and soluble sugar compared to the clean tillage area, specifically, the soluble solids content increased by 13.43%, while soluble sugar content rose by 13.41%. These findings indicate that soybean intercropping not only enhances soil nutrient availability but also improves the fruit quality of Z. mauritiana. The intercropping pattern of Z. mauritiana and soybean can improve soil nutrient status through soybean nitrogen fixation and straw return, reduce nutrient loss, enhance the intrinsic quality of fruits, and provide a scientific basis for reducing chemical fertilizer use and promoting ecological cultivation in Z. mauritiana orchards.
To promote the resource utilization of sericulture byproducts, this study investigated the effects of initial particle size of mulberry branches on the composting process and compost maturity by mixing mulberry branches and silkworm faeces in equal mass. The results showed that although smaller particle sizes (<1 cm) could better increase the compost piles temperature and maintain it at a higher level, while also effectively promoting the degradation of organic carbon, piles with larger particle sizes (>1 cm) had appropriate bulk densities, which significantly promoted the degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose during the composting process. These larger-particle-size piles also exhibited a greater decrease in C/N ratio, indicating more thorough decomposition of organic matter and higher maturity efficiency. After composting, group C (particle size>2 cm) had the highest contents humus, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and total phosphorus and potassium, resulting in the best compost quality. Overall, controlling the mulberry branch particle sizes at 2-7 cm in compost piles made from a mixture of mulberry branches and silkworm faeces (at equal mass) facilitates the degradation of (hemi) cellulose and improves of compost quality.
The study aims to explore the effect of grass growing between rows on the microenvironment and fruit quality in Korla Fragrant Pear orchards, and to provide a theoretical basis for the promotion and application of grass growing technology in orchards in arid desert areas of Northwest China. In this study, a comparative treatment of grass growing and clean tillage was set up in the Korla Fragrant Pear orchard in the core production area of Korla Fragrant Pear. The temperature and humidity of the microenvironment of the lower, middle and upper layers of the canopy were monitored at fixed points throughout the year, and its impact on the orchard microenvironment and fruit quality was comprehensively analyzed. The results showed that: in terms of micro climate, grass growing treatment showed significant temperature and humidity buffering effect. Compared with clean tillage, the monthly average temperature of each canopy in the grass growing area was generally lower, and the temperature difference between treatments decreased with the increase of canopy, reflecting its stabilizing effect on the near-ground microclimate. The grass growing treatment can effectively reduce the temperature fluctuation in the middle and lower layers in winter, spring and summer, especially in the middle layer, with the temperature difference decreases by 13.36%-16.50%. At the same time, the grass growing treatment generally increased the relative humidity in the garden and significantly enhanced the humidity stability of each canopy (especially the middle and lower layers). The humidity difference in the lower layer decreased by 18.25% in winter, and that in the middle layer decreased by 14.81% in summer. In terms of fruit quality, the grass growing treatment significantly improved the comprehensive quality of Korla Fragrant Pear. In terms of appearance index, the single fruit weight was significantly increased by 19.23%, the fruit shape was effectively improved (the skew index was reduced by 18.75%) and the fruit hardness was reduced. In terms of internal indicators, the soluble sugar, sugar acid ratio and vitamin C content of grass growing treatment increased significantly by 4.16%, 8.48% and 8.75%, while the titratable acid content increased significantly by 8.70%, and the total polyphenols and total anthocyanins increased significantly by 135.27% and 40.82%, respectively. The inter row grass growing technology can effectively enhance the stability of temperature and humidity by improving the near ground microenvironment of Korla Fragrant Pear orchard, thus significantly improving fruit quality.
Rice bakanae disease has emerged as a major seed-borne fungal disease threatening China’s food security, and single chemical control is facing severe challenges. This paper systematically reviewed the latest progress in the comprehensive prevention and control technology of this disease. The pathogens and symptoms of rice bakanae disease were introduced, and the occurrence regularity of rice bakanae disease was expounded from the aspects of transmission route, infection cycle and epidemic regularity. The cause factors of rice bakanae disease were introduced from the aspects of variety resistance, pathogen accumulation, mechanical damage, meteorological conditions, seed soaking with fungicide, seedling raising methods and cultivation management. The research progress on agricultural control measures of rice bakanae disease were introduced from the aspects of selecting disease-resistant varieties, selecting disease-free seeds, seed treatment and strengthening field management. The research progress on biological control measures of rice bakanae disease focused on the screening of antagonistic bacteria and their inhibitory activity assessment, the exploration and application of biocontrol bacteria, and the utilization of biopreparations for disease management. It also summarized key chemical control strategies, including laboratory fungicide screening and seed treatment applications. The authors emphasized that effective management of bakanae disease should be based on agricultural control, integrated with chemical and biological control methods, to achieve comprehensive disease management and ensure the healthy and sustainable development of grain production in China.
This article reviewed the occurrence of soil-borne diseases of Pogostemon cablin and research progress on its rhizosphere microecology under continuous cropping, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for alleviating continuous cropping obstacles. The main soil-borne diseases of P. cablin included bacterial wilt incited by Ralstonia solanacearum and root rot caused by Fusarium oxoysporum. Plant pathogens in P. cablin disrupted the rhizosphere microecological balance, inhibiting the growth and development of plants, reducing yield and medicinal compound accumulation, and directly impacting planting benefits. Meanwhile, continuous cropping of P. cablin induced allelochemical release from its roots, triggering soil acidification and nutrient imbalance that restructured rhizosphere microbial community. The imbalance of the rhizosphere microbial community was identified as a pivotal factor driving disease development in continuously cropped P. cablin. Beneficial rhizobacteria suppressed soil-borne pathogens through competitive exclusion, antimicrobial metabolite production, and induced systemic resistance (ISR) mechanisms, whereas synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) supplementation alleviated the occurrence of continuous cropping obstacles. Recent advancements in multi-omics technologies (e.g., genomics, metabolomics) and SynComs have revolutionized soil-borne disease research, offering novel strategies for pathogen control and sustainable agricultural practices. Future research must prioritize clarifying the pathogen pathogenesis mechanisms, optimizing the application of SynComs, and constructing a comprehensive control system to provide theoretical basis and technical support for the sustainable development of the P. cablin industry.
The new flue-cured tobacco variety ‘YM2020’ is a mutant of ‘Yunyan 87’. To explore the optimal curing process for the middle leaves of ‘YM2020’, its curing characteristics were systematically evaluated and compared with those of ‘Yunyan 87’. A suitable curing process was also developed. Through dark-box and dynamic curing experiments, the yellowing/browning characteristics, moisture loss patterns, chlorophyll degradation dynamics, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity changes, and shrinkage rates of the tobacco leaves were determined. The results showed that ‘YM2020’ and ‘Yunyan 87’ had comparable ease of curing, with similar yellowing rates (complete yellowing within 72 hours). However, ‘YM2020’ had moderate curing tolerance [average PPO activity of 0.3-0.4 U/(g·FW)], which was lower than that of ‘Yunyan 87’ [PPO activity< 0.3 U/(g·FW)]. During the curing process, ‘YM2020’ exhibited a ‘slow-fast-slow’ moisture loss pattern, with a 12.6% slower chlorophyll degradation rate in the first 48 hours compared to ‘Yunyan 87’. Additionally, its shrinkage rates (length 19.61%, width 37.35%) were significantly higher than those of the control. Based on these characteristics, a phased temperature and humidity control process was proposed: during the yellowing stage (37-43℃), a gradual temperature increase to promote chlorophyll degradation; during the coloring stage (45-54℃), precise temperature control to balance material conversion and drying rate; and during the dry vein stage (54-62℃), a staged temperature increase to ensure complete drying of the main vein.
Based on the uniform design system, the influence of the key process temperature of threshing and redrying on the chemical composition of tobacco leaves was analyzed, and the process optimization control strategy was established to provide a theoretical basis for improving the chemical coordination and industrial availability of flue-cured tobacco leaves. The uniform design method was used to carry out the redrying processing test in Wenshan redrying plant, and multi-grade tobacco leaves with five fragrant flue-cured tobacco modules were used as raw materials. Combined with linear regression and redundancy analysis, the correlation between temperature parameters of moisture regain, drying and other process sections and chemical indexes such as total sugar, total nitrogen and sugar-alkali ratio after baking was explored. It was found that the temperature of the first moistening hot air and the temperature of the first moisture regain zone significantly increased the total sugar (correlation coefficient 0.650) and reducing sugar (correlation coefficient 0.561) by promoting starch degradation. The temperature of the second resurgence zone positively regulated the ratio of nitrogen to alkali (correlation coefficient 0.512) and the ratio of potassium to chlorine (correlation coefficient 0.359), and the temperature of the cooling zone significantly reduced the total nitrogen content (correlation coefficient -0.708). The temperature of the first drying zone had a two-way adjustment effect on the ratio of sugar to alkali (correlation coefficient 0.553). The temperature of the first moistening hot air, the temperature of the first resurgence zone, the temperature of the first drying zone, the temperature of the third drying zone, the temperature of the second resurgence zone and the cooling temperature are important process indexes affecting the coordination of chemical components and comprehensive quality of tobacco leaves.
In order to improve the content of dihydroactinidiolide in domestic paper-making reconstituted tobacco, the reasons for the high content of dihydroactinidiolide in imported reconstituted tobacco were analyzed. Three kinds of domestic reconstituted tobacco (tobacco 1 was without β-carotene colorant, and the contents of β-carotene in tobacco 2 and 3 were 55 and 85 μg/g, respectively), one kind of imported reconstituted tobacco (the content of β-carotene in tobacco leaves was 240 μg/g) and one kind of high β-carotene (the content of β-carotene in tobacco leaves was 330 μg/g) were selected to determine the content of dihydroactinidiolide in finished products and raw materials, and to track the dynamic changes of β-carotene and dihydroactinidiolide during 12 months of storage. Results showed that: (1) the retention rate of dihydroactinidiolide in domestic reconstituted tobacco (tobacco 1) without β-carotene colorant was only 30%, while that in domestic group (tobacco 2 and 3) and imported group (tobacco 4) with β-carotene colorant was 130%-375%, and the addition amount of colorant was positively correlated with the content of finished products. (2) The content of dihydroactinidiolide in imported reconstituted tobacco was much higher than that of raw materials, due to the use of β-carotene colorant in the process of reconstituted tobacco production by its degradation. (3) The large difference in dihydroactinidiolide content in domestic and imported reconstituted tobacco was due to the use of high content of β-carotene colorants in imported reconstituted tobacco, and in the process of storage, the high content of β-carotene degradation produced a high content of dihydroactinidiolide. This study can provide technical support for increasing the content of dihydroactinidiolide in domestic reconstituted tobacco. It also plays a positive guiding role in the use and storage of reconstituted tobacco.
This study aims to explore how the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can drive the intelligent transformation of modern agriculture, with the intention of providing a theoretical basis for the development of smart agriculture. This study employs the literature review method to systematically sort out the current application status of key technologies, including IoT, big data, and AI, in modern smart agriculture against the backdrop of the big data era. The findings indicate that IoT technology enables real-time monitoring of agricultural environments, big data technology provides data support for agricultural production decision-making, and AI demonstrates immense potential in areas such as intelligent breeding, yield prediction, and pest and disease identification. The deep integration of IoT, big data, and AI is the key for improving the level of intelligent production. At the same time, this paper analyzes the current challenges in data, cost, standards and talents, and looks forward to the future directions of cross-modal data fusion, lightweight AI, transfer learning, blockchain security and human-machine collaboration, in order to provide reference for related research and promote theoretical innovation and practice in this field.
ISSN 1000-6850 (Print)
Started from 1984
Published by: China Association of Agricultural Science Societies
