Abbreviation (ISO4): Chin Agric Sci Bull
Editor in chief: Yulong YIN
This study investigated the effects of different water and fertilizer application methods on dry matter accumulation, partitioning and yield of maize in the hilly region of central Sichuan, to elucidate the synergistic regulation mechanism of water and fertilizer, thereby providing a theoretical basis for alleviating drought stress during the early grain-filling stage and establishing a high-yield mechanized cultivation model. Using the maize cultivar ‘Chengdan 716’ as the test material, three treatments were implemented: integrated water and fertilizer management (YT), separate water and fertilizer application (FL) and a control group (CK). Parameters including dry matter accumulation, leaf area index (LAI), SPAD values, population photosynthetic potential, and yield components were measured to analyze the regulatory effects of different water and fertilizer management strategies. The results demonstrated that compared with CK, the YT treatment significantly increased maize yield by 23% (P<0.05). The 1000-kernel weight increased by 11%, ear diameter and kernel number per row increased by 3.1% and 23.1%, respectively. Moreover, the bald tip rate decreased by 45.7%. The YT treatment also resulted in higher dry matter accumulation, translocation, and contribution to grain yield from pre-silking vegetative organs compared to the FL treatment, with increases of 8.8%, 2.3%, and 1.7%, respectively (P<0.05). During the R1 to R(1+30 d) period, the population photosynthetic potential under YT was 21.2% higher than that of CK. At the milk stage, the LAI of YT was significantly greater than that of FL and CK. The peak grain-filling rate under YT occurred earlier, at 23 days after silking (milk stage), with a maximum grain-filling rate 66.3% higher than that of CK (P<0.05). In summary, integrated water and fertilizer management significantly enhanced kernel weight and yield by optimizing dry matter partitioning, improving population photosynthetic potential, and accelerating the grain-filling process. This study provided technical support for stress-resistant high-yield maize production and efficient water and fertilizer management in the hilly areas of central Sichuan.
To enhance the efficacy of simultaneous planting of millet seeds and fertilizers, a study was conducted to identify the most suitable fertilizer types for this model. The study evaluated the impacts of four types of fertilizers, including urea-formaldehyde slow-release compound fertilizer (N), coated controlled-release mixed fertilizer (B), seaweed membrane controlled-release mixed fertilizer (H), and ordinary compound fertilizer (CK), on millet growth, yield, and soil nutrient levels. The results showed that during the early growth stage, the root dry weight of millet under the N treatment was significantly lower than that of the other three treatments. However, from heading to maturity, both root and stem-leaf dry weights gradually increased across all treatments. Throughout the entire growth period, the root and ear dry weights under the CK treatment were the lowest. At maturity, the soil NO3--N content under the N treatment was the lowest, being 36.6% lower than that of the CK treatment. The NH4+-N, available potassium, and effective phosphorus contents under the N treatment were also the lowest during the flowering stage, with reductions of 75.77%, 10%, and 62.15%, respectively, compared to the B treatment. In terms of yield, fertilizer B outperformed H, CK, and N, with yields from the B and H treatments being 6.82% and 5.45% higher, respectively, compared to CK. RDA and Mantel analyses identified several key factors that promoted yield improvement, including NH4+-N and effective phosphorus content during flowering, as well as NH4+-N and pH levels in various soil layers at maturity. The differences in soil nutrient levels caused by the different fertilizers were important factors affecting millet yield. In the later stages of growth, the plants were primarily supplied with nitrogen and phosphorus, and the pH of the surface soil emerged as a key factor influencing yield. Under the mechanized seeding and fertilization model, fertilizer B had a more positive effect on millet growth and yield compared to fertilizers N and CK.
The study aimed to clarify the optimal fertilizer management scheme for winter rapeseed of the Chinese cabbage type in northern regions, and to understand the effects of different types and application rates of compound fertilizers on the dry matter accumulation and yield of winter rapeseed, thereby achieving green and efficient production. The experiment was conducted using winter rapeseed cultivar ‘Tianyou 1358’, a registered variety in Hebei Province, as the test material. Two compound fertilizer types were set: balanced fertilizer (C1) and rapeseed-specific fertilizer (C2), alongside seven application rates: 150 kg/hm2 (N1), 300 kg/hm2 (N2), 450 kg/hm2 (N3), 600 kg/hm2 (N4), 750 kg/hm2 (N5), 900 kg/hm2 (N6), and 1050 kg/hm2 (N7). The responses of dry matter accumulation and yield of winter rapeseed to fertilizer management were examined during the 2023-2024 growing season. The results indicated that: (1) the balanced fertilizer applied at the N5 rate and the rapeseed-specific fertilizer applied at the N4 rate significantly enhanced yield components, thereby increasing seed yield. (2) At the same application rate, the dry matter accumulation of rapeseed treated with rapeseed-specific fertilizer was higher than that with balanced fertilizer. The application of rapeseed-specific fertilizer promoted dry matter accumulation at the maturity stage to a certain extent and increased its contribution to seed yield; however, excessive fertilizer application failed to further improve dry matter accumulation in various vegetative organs. (3) Dry matter in winter rapeseed plants was primarily distributed in stems/branches, pod shells, and seeds, with the order of dry matter accumulation across organs being stems/branches> pod shells> seeds> roots. In conclusion, considering the yield-determining factors of winter rapeseed, rapeseed-specific fertilizer is more favorable for dry matter accumulation related to yield, thereby facilitating yield improvement. Among the seven fertilizer rates tested, the application rates of 750 kg/hm2 for balanced fertilizer and 600 kg/hm2 for rapeseed-specific fertilizer resulted in the highest rapeseed yield and dry matter accumulation, effectively promoting seed yield formation.
To investigate the relationship between the full-bloom stage of rapeseed and the cumulative effective accumulated temperature at different lower threshold temperatures, utilizing phenological observations of rapeseed development stages and corresponding meteorological data from 2001 to 2024 in Xinghua, three developmental phases were defined: from green-up to full bloom, from stem elongation to full bloom, and from initial flowering to full bloom. For each phase, cumulative effective temperatures were calculated using lower threshold temperatures of 0 ℃, 5 ℃, and 10 ℃. Correlation analyses between these accumulated thermal metrics and the timing of full bloom were conducted, revealing that the cumulative effective temperature (with a base temperature of 5 ℃) from initial flowering to full bloom exhibited the strongest statistical relationship. This variable was therefore selected as the primary predictor in a random forest regression model developed to forecast the full-bloom date. The resulting model achieved a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.928, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.5 days and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.04 days. The model presents excellent predictive performance, satisfactory fitting effect and high prediction accuracy. This model can be directly used for the operational forecast of the rapeseed full-bloom stage in Xinghua, providing scientific support for determining the holding time of the “Thousand Mounds Rapeseed Flower Festival” and possessing favorable practical application value and promotion prospects.
The weedy rapeseed (volunteer rapeseed) in the direct seeding area of rice-rape rotation is serious, which competes fiercely with cultivated rapeseed and reduces the yield and quality. The existing prevention and control technology is difficult to adapt to mechanized production. To elucidate the effects of tillage practices and pre-germination gibberellic acid (GA3) application on the occurrence of volunteer rapeseed and the yield and quality of cultivated rapeseed in rice- rapeseed rotation fields, thereby providing a basis for developing effective control strategies, the study was conducted in a long-term rice-rapeseed rotation field. Employing two tillage methods(rotary tillage and no-tillage) combined with varying rates of pre-emergence GA3 application (0, 2.25, 4.5, 9.0, 13.5, and 18.0 L/hm2), density of volunteer rapeseed, the yield and quality parameters of cultivated rapeseed, were measured. Results showed that volunteer rapeseed density significantly exceeded that of the cultivated crop, being 7.6-8.1 times and 5.0-6.1 times higher under tillage and no-tillage conditions, respectively. Emergence surveys indicated that tillage increased volunteer emergence by 176.9% and 131.7% compared to no-tillage. Under no-tillage, the GA3 treatment at 18.0 L/hm2 increased volunteer emergence by 192.3%-240.3% relative to the control (0 L/hm2). Regarding yield, cultivated rapeseed yields under all treatments were lower than those of volunteer plants, reaching only 48.61% and 60.23% of volunteer rape yields under tillage and no-tillage, respectively. In terms of quality, cultivated rapeseed exhibited an oil content (mean 43.14%) that was 16.5% higher than that of volunteer rape, while its glucosinolate content was 34.45% lower. High-concentration GA3 (e.g., 18.0 L/hm2) significantly increased cultivated rapeseed yield under no-tillage conditions (up to 1171.03 kg/hm2) and moderately reduced seed glucosinolate content. Combining tillage with pre-germination gibberellic acid regulation effectively suppresses volunteer rapeseed occurrence while enhancing the yield, oil content, and fatty acid composition of the cultivated crop. When integrated with irrigation-induced germination and crop rotation measures, this approach enables sustainable pest management in rapeseed production. In the future, the research on the activation mechanism of dormant seeds in different soil layers and the integrated prevention and control technology of agricultural machinery and agronomy can be further carried out to provide support for the green, high-yield and high-efficiency production of rapeseed in the rice-rape rotation area of Southwest China.
The continuous cropping obstacle of sugar beet has become a prominent problem restricting the high-quality development of sugar beet industry in Heilongjiang Province. Excavating the beneficial microbial resources of rotation system is the key way to realize green prevention and control. This study aimed to screen Sphingomonas strains with plant growth-promoting potential from sugar beet rotation soils in Heilongjiang Province, in order to alleviate continuous cropping obstacles. Bacterial strains were identified based on Gram staining, 16S rDNA sequencing, and PCR amplification. Their capacities for phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, potassium solubilization, and IAA production were evaluated. Pot experiments were conducted to determine the optimal growth-promoting inoculation concentrations. Three Sphingomonas strains were successfully obtained, namely W2 (Sphingobium abikonense), W9 (Sphingomonas panni), and W13 (Sphingomonas sp.). All three strains were capable of synthesizing IAA, with strain W13 exhibiting the highest yield (58.21 mg/L). Only strain W13 displayed preliminary evidence of nitrogen fixation potential, whereas none of the three strains demonstrated phosphate- or potassium-solubilizing activity. Pot experiments revealed that the optimal growth-promoting concentrations were 2.8×109 CFU/mL for W2, 4.2×109 CFU/mL for W9, and 1.0×108 CFU/mL for W13. In summary, the three isolated sphingomonas strains possess plant growth-promoting characteristics and can be used as candidate strains for special microbial agents for sugar beet. In the future, compound application of strains, field control effect verification and growth-promoting molecular mechanism research can be carried out to provide new technical support for green prevention and control of sugar beet continuous cropping obstacles.
The excessive application of chemical fertilizers has caused soil degradation and ecological pollution. The development of bio-green alternative technologies has become an urgent need for sustainable agricultural development. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the key biological resources for ecological cultivation, which can promote crop growth and stress resistance through nutrient activation, hormone regulation and signal communication. To clarify the application potential of PGPR to meet the cultivation needs of wine grapes in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia, and to provide theoretical support for the construction of green agricultural biological solutions, this paper systematically reviews relevant domestic and international research. It summarizes the traditional single-strain screening methods and synthetic community construction strategies for PGPR, and reviews their core growth-promoting mechanisms (nutrient mobilization, root system regulation, hormone network modulation, and volatile substance-mediated effects), as well as the application of transcriptomics technology in the study of interaction mechanisms. The paper focuses on analyzing the interaction pathways between PGPR and host plants. The research indicates that PGPR can significantly increase crop yields (by 14.96% to 56.67%) and enhance stress resistance through multiple growth-promoting pathways, and a number of excellent strains and key functional genes have been identified. This paper points out that current research faces problems such as poor colonization stability of PGPR in the field and unclear molecular interaction mechanisms. It proposes that future research needs to combine multi-omics technologies to optimize microbial community formulations, strengthen field validation, and promote the sustainable application of PGPR in precision ecological agriculture.
To investigate the regulatory effects of environmental temperature and humidity on Amomum villosum pollen germination and pollen tube growth. Aniline blue staining combined with fluorescence microscopy was employed to systematically observe pollen germination and pollen tube growth dynamics on pistils of Amomum villosum florets under varying temperature and humidity conditions. Results indicated that pollen could germinate within a temperature range of 15-40℃ and humidity conditions of 40%-100%. Under conditions of 25-30℃, pollen completed germination within 2 hours. Pollen tube growth exhibited extreme sensitivity to environmental changes. At 15℃ low temperature and under varying humidity (40%-100%), pollen tube growth was completely inhibited. At 20℃, pollen tube growth was influenced by humidity changes. Optimal pollen tube growth occurred at 25℃ and 30℃ under varying humidity (40%-100%) conditions. Pollen tubes extend to the base of the style within 8-12 hours post-pollination and enter the ovary within 12-24 hours. At 35℃, pollen tube growth rate decreased with increasing humidity. At 40°C under varying humidity levels (40%-100%), pollen tube growth was nearly completely inhibited. Short-term low-temperature (15℃) or high-temperature (40℃) stress also inhibited pollen tube growth, particularly under high-temperature (40℃) and high-humidity (≥80%) conditions, which completely suppress pollen tube development. Amomum villosum pollen exhibited strong environmental tolerance during germination, but pollen tube growth was sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations. Extreme temperatures (especially high temperatures and high humidity) should be avoided. These findings provide theoretical support for optimizing Amomum villosum cultivation management techniques, including quantitative temperature and humidity management in the field, high-temperature and high-humidity early warning systems, and the breeding of new pollen tube stress-resistant varieties.
Given the unclear objectives of coordinated improvement for early maturity, high yield and superior quality, and the absence of quantitative standards for elite parent selection in the Hubei cotton industry, this study aims to systematically analyze the variation characteristics and evolutionary trends of major phenotypic traits in upland cotton varieties from Hubei Province, and to screen germplasm resources with superior comprehensive performance, thereby supporting breeding innovation in the Yangtze river region. A total of 114 upland cotton varieties approved for release in Hubei Province from 2001 to 2023 were used as experimental materials. Eleven phenotypic traits, including plant height, number of fruiting branches, boll number, boll weight, lint yield, and fiber quality traits, were measured. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis were employed for comprehensive evaluation. The results showed that yield-related traits exhibited large variation ranges, with coefficients of variation for boll number, boll weight, and lint yield ranging from 7.25% to 23.98%, indicating high potential for breeding improvement. In contrast, fiber quality traits, such as fiber length and fiber strength, showed relatively low coefficients of variation (4.21%-8.02%), reflecting high genetic stability. With the advancement of breeding periods, phenotypic traits exhibited clear evolutionary trends, characterized by increased lint yield, reduced plant height and number of fruiting branches, shortened growth period, and gradual improvement in fiber quality. Based on cluster analysis, the 114 varieties were classified into three groups, among which Group III showed the best overall performance in both yield and quality. Principal component analysis extracted three principal components with a cumulative contribution rate of 67.44%. Based on the comprehensive evaluation model, 10 superior germplasm lines were selected from mid- and late-maturing varieties, and 5 superior germplasm lines were identified from early-maturing varieties. This study demonstrated that upland cotton varieties in Hubei Province exhibited continuous improvement potential in yield-related traits while maintaining stable fiber quality, and that comprehensive phenotypic evaluation was effective for identifying elite parental lines. The research findings provided a theoretical basis and elite germplasm resources for the synergistic breeding of early-maturing, high-yield and high-quality cotton varieties in the Yangtze river region.
Syndiclis anlungensis is an critically endangered plant endemic to Guizhou, China. Its natural regeneration is difficult and the seed germination rate is extremely low. The physiological and biochemical mechanism of germination is still unclear. To investigate the germination mechanism of Syndiclis anlungensis seeds and provide a theoretical basis for its germplasm conservation and artificial propagation, this study used seeds of S. anlungensis as experimental materials. Eleven physiological and biochemical indicators, including soluble sugar (SS), starch (ST), soluble protein (SP), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), α-amylase and β-amylase, as well as the contents of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA3), were determined at five germination stages using anthrone colorimetric method, Coomassie brilliant blue staining, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and other methods. The results showed that during seed germination, the ST content continuously and significantly decreased (a reduction of 60.68%), the SS content increased rapidly at the early germination stage and then tended to stabilize, while the SP content increased rapidly at the early germination stage and then gradually declined. Enzyme activities exhibited regular changes, in which SOD and POD activities significantly increased at the early germination stage, CAT activity continuously decreased, and the activities of α-amylase and β-amylase fluctuated slightly. Changes in endogenous hormone contents revealed that ABA content significantly decreased during dormancy release (from 17.66 ng/g to 2.18 ng/g), IAA showed an overall upward trend, and GA3 did not change significantly. Further analysis showed that the IAA/ABA and GA3/ABA ratios significantly increased after the S3 stage (radicle and hypocotyl development stage), indicating that this stage is a critical turning point for hormone balance regulation. Correlation analysis indicated that the germination process was highly significantly negatively correlated with ST content, ABA content, GA3 content and CAT activity (P<0.01), and significantly positively correlated with IAA content (P<0.05). In summary, the germination of S. anlungensis seeds relies on starch degradation as the main energy source; SOD and POD play positive regulatory roles in dormancy release; the decrease in ABA content is the key to breaking germination inhibition; and IAA plays an important role in the radicle and hypocotyl development stage. The S3 stage is a critical node for hormone balance regulation, and the synergistic interaction of nutrient metabolism, enzyme activities and hormone networks ensures the successful germination of the seeds. In this study, the physiological mechanism of its germination is clarified. In the future, artificial propagation research can be carried out in combination with exogenous hormone treatment and molecular regulation technology.
To identify the optimal anti-cracking agents formulation for sweet cherry under protected early cultivation, taking the cultivar ‘Tieton’ as the test material, 7 treatment groups (T1-T7) involving different combinations of organic fluid calcium, water-soluble fertilizers (formerly Jugu shenfeng), gibberellic acid (GA3), and plant element-rich nutrient solution (formerly Haiyangsu) were set up, with water spray as the control (CK). The responses of fruit characteristics, cell wall materials, and enzyme activities to these foliar applications were investigated. The results showed that these treatments significantly increased the protopectin and cellulose content, thereby enhancing cell wall stability and further reducing the incidence of fruit cracking. However, the application concentration required careful consideration. The most effective treatment was a 300-fold dilution of water-soluble fertilizers combined with 30 mg/L GA3 (T4); the combined application of a 300-fold dilution of water-soluble fertilizers and a 100-fold dilution of plant element-rich nutrient solution (T5) resulted in the optimal overall fruit quality. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in treated fruits were significantly higher than that in the control, while peroxidase (POD) activity was lower. This exogenous regulation was helpful to maintain the dynamic balance of the POD/SOD/CAT enzyme system, preserving cell wall plasticity and membrane integrity, which ultimately contributed to effective crack control. In addition, the application of either organic fluid calcium or water-soluble fertilizers increased the vitamin C content in the fruits, with the most pronounced effect observed when water-soluble fertilizers and plant element-rich nutrient solution were applied together. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that the combined application of GA3, plant element-rich nutrient solution, and water-soluble fertilizers effectively reduce the fruit-cracking rate of ‘Tieton’, and significantly improve the fruit quality, which provides scientific basis and practical guidance for the prevention and control of fruit cracking in facility early cultivation of sweet cherries..
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the spatial and temporal changes of vegetation coverage and its driving mechanism in the Shule River Basin. Based on the GEE platform and MODIS-NDVI data, optimal NDVI values were determined. The methods such as the Theil-Sen slope, the Mann-Kendall test, the Hurst index and geographical detector were employed to study the spatio-temporal changes of vegetation coverage and their driving factors in Shule River Basin from 2000 to 2022. The results showed that: (1) the mean NDVI in Shule River Basin from 2000 to 2022 was 0.18, with vegetation coverage accounted for 35.7% of the basin’s total area; low and moderate coverage accounted for 20.6% and 8.2%, respectively, the higher and highest coverage together accounted for 4.3%. The vegetation coverage pattern generally showed higher in the south and lower in the north, with the Qilian-Altun Mountains regions constituted the main area of vegetation coverage, accounted for 74.4% of the basin’s vegetation area; (2) in terms of temporal change, the vegetation coverage of the Shule River Basin generally showed a fluctuating upward trend during 2000-2022, with a growth rate of 3.5%/10 a. The growth rate was slower in the first 11 years (1.2%/10 a) and faster in the last 12 years (4.7%/10 a).; in terms of spatial changes, the vegetation in most parts of the Qilian-Altun Mountains and Hexi Corridor oasis zones showed an improving trend, with the improved area accounted for 32.7% of the basin, only 2.3% of the degraded area was located mainly in the northern part of the Mazong Mountains and in the towns and cities of the Hexi Corridor; (3) vegetation coverage improvement in Shule River Basin was primarily influenced by climate and human activities, temperature and precipitation were the main drivers of vegetation change, and their interaction provided a strong explanatory power. In the future, vegetation coverage will continue to be dominated by positive persistence, with local areas showing inverse persistence.
To explore the technical path of composting garden waste and promote its resource utilization process, this experiment selected garden waste as the main material and supplemented with urea, compound fertilizer and chicken manure to adjust the nitrogen ratio to carry out a 40-day aerobic composting. The aim was to comprehensively evaluate the effects of different external materials on key physical, chemical and biological indicators such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature and seed germination index (GI) during the composting process. The results showed that the temperature of the compost pile in the chicken manure treatment group rose the fastest, followed by the urea and compound fertilizer treatment groups. The addition of chicken manure not only significantly increased the temperature rise rate of the compost pile and prolonged the duration of the high-temperature stage, but also promoted the degradation and maturation of organic matter. The pH values of each treatment group throughout the composting process did not show significant fluctuations, and there were no obvious differences between the groups. Eventually, they all stabilized within the neutral range. There were significant differences in the EC values among the three treatment groups, with the average EC value of the chicken manure treatment group being significantly higher than that of the other two groups. After the composting process was completed, the GI values of all treatments exceeded 90%, reaching the basic standard for decomposition. Adding chicken manure during composting can effectively optimize the physical and chemical properties of the compost pile and accelerate the fermentation process. This study provided technical support for the efficient resource utilization of garden waste and has important practical significance for promoting the application of green compost products in agriculture and landscaping.
Wheat Fusarium crown rot has become a major soil-borne disease that threatens the safety of wheat production in the Huang-Huai wheat region and the Guanzhong wheat region in China. Its occurrence is closely related to the imbalance of soil microecology, but the mechanism of soil physicochemical properties and microbial community synergistically driving the disease is still unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the occurrence of Fusarium crown rot and the soil micro-ecological environment. Wheat and soil samples from diseased and healthy fields in the wheat-producing region of Guanzhong, Shaanxi Province were collected as the research materials. The differences in soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structure and wheat growth were then analyzed and compared. The results showed that the contents of total nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium in diseased soils were 10.9%, 9.2%, 25.1% and 16.0% higher than those in healthy soils, respectively. The distribution of dominant bacterial and fungal communities was more balanced in healthy soils, with Cladosporium, Vishniacozyma and Micrococcaceae identified as the core beneficial taxa. Pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium and Alternaria dominated in diseased soils. Compared with diseased wheat, healthy wheat exhibited increases of 26.4% in plant height, 8.7% in spike length, and 64.9% in flag leaf area, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that soil nutrients indirectly affect the occurrence of the disease by regulating microbial community composition. This study revealed the pathogenic chain of ‘high nutrient enrichment-pathogen advantage-microecological imbalance-wheat victimization’ in Guanzhong wheat area, and proposed a coordinated prevention and control strategy of ‘nutrient regulation coupled with microbial community optimization’. The potential biocontrol bacteria resources were clarified, and provided scientific support for the green prevention and control of wheat Fusarium crown rot, soil health improvement and high-yield cultivation. In the future, the research on the coupling technology of microbial agent creation and precision fertilization can be carried out.
The highland barley is the main food crop on the Tibetan Plateau, and its growth and yield is highly sensitive to climate change. To adapt to climate change, ensure food security on the plateau, and promote the high-quality development of the highland barley industry, based on the data on the development stage (DVS) of spring highland barley in Xizagê and the daily meteorological data on the average temperature, precipitation and sunshine duration collected from 1992 to 2024, the response of DVS of highland barley to climate change in the recent 33 years was analyzed, and the leading meteorological factors influencing DVS were also identified through several statistical methods such as climate trend, Pearson correlation coefficients, Mann-Kendall, Cramer and stepwise regression method. The results showed that: (1) the dates of various development stages of spring highland barley have delayed significantly at a rate of 2.77-9.64 days per decade, with the dough stage delaying the most, and the maturity stage delaying the least. The length of vegetative growth period (VGP) was slightly prolonged (0.62 d/10a), and the length of reproductive growth period (RGP) and whole growth period (WGP) was significantly shortened, with a rate of 3.63 days and 3.62 days per decade, respectively. (2) About 90% abrupt change in the delays of development stages occurred around 2010. Except for the sowing to three leaf stage, the abrupt change in the length of each development stage mainly occurred at the beginning of the 21st century. No abrupt change in the lengths of the VGP and WGP were identified, while the length of the RGP underwent a turning point from long to short growth period in 2013. (3) The slight increase in sunshine duration was identified as leading factor causing the extension of VGP length. The significant shortened length of RGP was attributed to the combined effects of a noticeable decrease in precipitation and a significant rise in temperature, and the significant increase in temperature led to the significant shortened length of WGP. The above results indicate that climate warming will shorten the whole growth period of highland barley and has an impact on yield formation. It is necessary to optimize planting management and breeding high-temperature resistant varieties to cope with climate change.
To explore the quality differences and key meteorological factors affecting the quality indexes of Hongshan vegetable shoots (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis var. purpuraria) in different planting areas in Wuhan, Hongshan vegetable shoots were harvested in 3 batches from 6 different planting areas from December 2022 to February 2023, and the main meteorological factors, reducing sugars, flavonoids, total phenols and anthocyanins in each planting area were determined, and the response of quality indicators of vegetable shoots to meteorological factors were analyzed. The results showed that there were significant differences in the quality of Hongshan vegetable shoots in different planting areas; reducing sugars exhibited the best stability coefficient, while anthocyanins showed the poorest; the key meteorological factors influencing the content of reducing sugars, flavonoids, total phenols, and anthocyanins were TMIN_15 (minimum temperature 15 days before harvest), TMAX_10 (maximum temperature 10 days before harvest), and TMAX_15 (maximum temperature 15 days before harvest), respectively; the lower the daily minimum temperature 15 days before harvest, the higher the reducing sugar content of Hongshan vegetable shoots; the higher the maximum temperature 10 days before harvest, the higher the content of flavonoids and total phenols; the higher the daily maximum temperature or the lower the daily minimum temperature 10 days before harvest, the more conducive to the accumulation of anthocyanins content in Hongshan vegetable shoots. In conclusion, the period of 10-15 days before harvest is the critical window for quality enhancement. Sunny weather during this period, characterized by high daily maximum temperatures, low daily minimum temperatures, and a large diurnal temperature range, is conducive to the accumulation of reducing sugars, flavonoids, total phenols, and anthocyanins in Hongshan vegetable shoots. The results of this study can provide important scientific guidance for the rational planning, harvesting and quality improvement of Hongshan vegetable shoots.
In order to scientifically evaluate the suitable planting areas for white tea, this study first identifies the key climatic and topographic factors influencing white tea growth based on its biological characteristics. Leveraging meteorological observation data from 1991 to 2023 collected by basic meteorological stations in the study area and neighboring regions, elevation is incorporated as a covariate to perform high-resolution interpolation of zoning factors using the ANUSPLIN model. A comprehensive suitability assessment model for white tea, integrating climatic and topographic dimensions, is then constructed via the fuzzy mathematics-based comprehensive evaluation method. Taking Xianfeng County of Enshi Prefecture as an example, this research conducts a zoning analysis of white tea planting suitability. The results indicate that most areas in Xianfeng County exhibit favorable conditions in terms of heat, moisture, and sunlight. With the exception of high-altitude regions characterized by significant topographic relief, including the southern part of Huolongping Township, the southern part of Pingbaying Town, and the western and northeastern parts of Huangjindong Township, the majority of the county is suitable for white tea cultivation and possesses the natural endowment necessary for producing high-quality white tea. The fuzzy mathematics approach enables a holistic consideration of the impacts of natural factors such as climate and topography on white tea cultivation. The zoning outcomes provide a scientific basis for Xianfeng County to optimize the layout of white tea planting by integrating the current status of white tea production and regional natural resources.
Walnut blight is the most serious bacterial disease in walnut production. Chemical control is easy to cause pollution and resistance problems, and green and efficient biocontrol resources are urgently needed. As an important biocontrol agent, Streptomyces caeruleatus WMF106 exhibits good antagonistic effect on the pathogen of walnut blight. To further understand the characteristics and secondary metabolites of this actinomycete, which is beneficial for the application of antimicrobial agent in the control of the disease, the whole genome sequencing of strain WMF106 was conducted, and the sequencing data were analyzed for gene prediction, functional annotation, and analysis of secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters. The results indicated that WMF106 genome consisted of one chromosomal DNA and two plasmid DNAs. The genome of chromosomal DNA was 10,377,577 bp long with the G+C content of 71.16%, encoding 9 253 protein-coding genes. Genes annotated in NR, eggNOG, Swiss-port, KEEG, GO, CAZy, TCDB, CARD, PHI, and VFDB databases numbered 8981, 7933, 5787, 2979, 6426, 510, 1319, 142, 7 and 1507, respectively. In addition, 36 biosynthetic gene clusters were identified, and several of them associated with antibacterial activity were detected, such as those responsible for the biosynthesis of collinomycin, 1,3,6,8-THN, coelichelin and ε-poly-L-lysine. The genome did not contain typical virulence factors and had high biosafety. The genetic background and biocontrol potential of strain WMF106 were clarified, which provided important genetic resources and theoretical support for the discovery of new antibacterial active substances and the development of biological control agents for walnut blight.
As the core probiotic species in the genus Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus acidophilus exhibits significant application potential in the context of the growing demand for antibiotic substitutes in livestock and poultry breeding, due to its unique characteristics such as acid tolerance, bile salt resistance, and lactic acid production. This article aims to systematically review the biological characteristics, physiological functions, and application status of Lactobacillus acidophilus in livestock and poultry production, clarify its application bottlenecks, and prospect future research directions, so as to provide theoretical support for its widespread adoption. Studies show that Lactobacillus acidophilus can improve the intestinal health of livestock and poultry by competitively excluding pathogenic bacteria and regulating the structure of intestinal microbiota; it can enhance the utilization rate of feed nutrients and promote the growth of livestock and poultry by secreting various digestive enzymes and optimizing the intestinal morphological structure; it can balance the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses of the body and enhance immunity by regulating the activation of immune cells and the secretion of cytokines. In livestock and poultry production, it can be used as a feed additive to improve meat and egg quality and reduce the incidence of diarrhea, as a fermentation strain to degrade anti-nutritional factors and enhance the nutritional value of plant-based feeds, and also as an oral vaccine carrier or adjuvant to stimulate mucosal immunity and reduce breeding costs. At present, Lactobacillus acidophilus faces challenges such as difficulty in maintaining activity during processing, inconsistent dosage standards, and incomplete clarification of its mechanism of action. In the future, research should focus on the breeding of heat-resistant and processing-tolerant strains, determining optimal addition doses, elucidating molecular mechanisms of action, and establishing unified evaluation standards, so as to further release its application potential in green livestock and poultry production and contribute to the sustainable development of the animal husbandry industry.
In order to understand the effect of late sowing on the production performance of oats, and screen late sowing varieties suitable for western Henan, 12 oat varieties were selected and sown in late November, and randomized block design was used to investigate phenological period, basic seedlings, tillering, plant height, yield, dry-fresh ratio, leaf-stem ratio and other data. The results showed that the growth period was 180-196 d, with ‘Qinghai 444’ being the shortest. The average seedling emergence period was 23 days, 10 varieties showed an increase in basic seedlings at regreening stage, which was analyzed as uneven emergence caused by low temperature. At regreening stage, the basic seedlings were 1.758-2.967 million plants/hm2, with ‘Temu’ being the highest. There were no tillers before overwintering, and 1.85-2.5 tillers per plant at regreening stage, with ‘Tianyan No.3’ having the most tillers. The plant height was 135.0-164.5 cm, and ‘Temu’ was the highest. The leaf-stem ratio was 0.285-0.344, and ‘Beiley’ was the highest. The dry-fresh ratio was 0.238-0.301, with ‘Temu’ being the highest. The fresh grass yield was 38382.1-53216.2 kg/hm2, and ‘Tianyan 70’ was the highest. The hay yield was 10683.4-13643.8 kg/hm2, with ‘Temu’ being the highest. The results of grey correlation analysis showed that ‘Tianyan 70’ and ‘Temu’ ranked first and second respectively in the comprehensive performance evaluation. In production, it is recommended that ‘Tianyan 70’ and ‘Temu’ are suitable varieties for late sowing in western Henan, and the seeding rate should be increased when late sowing.
At present, the quality evaluation system of flue-cured tobacco lacks stable and quantitative neutral characterization indexes. Petroleum ether extract (PEE) is closely related to the aroma and oil content of tobacco leaves, but its feasibility as a quality evaluation index is not clear. To explore whether the content of PEE in the initial cured tobacco leaves can be used as an indicator for evaluating tobacco leaf quality, the middle and upper leaves of the tobacco variety ‘Yunyan 97’ from Xuancheng area in the years 2023 and 2024 were used as experimental materials, multivariate statistical methods were employed to analyze the correlation between PEE content and conventional chemical components, appearance and sensory quality. The results showed that the PEE content in middle and upper cured leaves generally followed a normal distribution. For middle leaves, significant positive correlations with PEE content were found for total potassium, total nitrogen, nicotine, oil, color intensity and appearance quality score(P˂0.01), while significant negative correlations were observed for total sugar content, reducing sugar content and sugar to nicotine ratio (P˂0.01). For upper leaves, significant positive correlations with PEE content were identified for the content of total potassium, total nitrogen, nicotine, and color intensity, color (P˂0.01), as well as for oil content, sweetness, aroma quality and aroma quantity (P<0.05), significant negative correlations were found for the content of total sugar, reduced sugar, total phosphorus and sugar to nicotine ratio, offensive odor, total sensory quality score (P˂0.01), as well as for smoothness, irritation and aftertaste (P˂0.05). Regression models with both R2 and adjusted R2>0.500 were established : Ymiddle, PEE=6.715＋0.712Xtotal nitrogen＋1.350Xtotal potassium-0.236Xtotal sugar, Ymiddle,PEE=-0.839＋0.578Xcolor intensity＋0.395Xoil; Yupper,PEE=3.105＋1.562Xtotal nitrogen＋0.506Xnicotine-0.014Xtotal sugar, Yupper,PEE=1.124＋0.833Xcolor intensity＋0.036Xoil, Yupper,PEE=7.839＋0.471Xquality of aroma-1.218Xaftertaste＋0.385Xsweetness. In conclusion, PEE is closely related to the quality of flue-cured leaves. PEE content can be used as a potential indicator for evaluating the quality of the flue-cured leaves in Southern Anhui. The research results provide a new basis and method for the accurate evaluation, production regulation and industrial grading of regional flue-cured tobacco quality. In the future, the coupling mechanism between key components of PEE and sensory quality can be further analyzed.
To screen the characteristic metabolites of cigar tobacco leaves and analyze the aroma differences of cigar tobacco leaves under baking and drying conditions, two cigar varieties, ‘QX103’ and ‘QX108’, were used as experimental materials. After treating the materials with drying and baking preparation methods, metabolomics detection was conducted to explore the differences in the transformation results of volatile and semi-volatile metabolites in tobacco leaves caused by different preparation methods. 172 semi-volatile metabolites were obtained through pre-column derivatization GC-MS technology. The OPLS-DA model was constructed, and 56 differential metabolites were screened out. Most of the differential metabolites were upregulated in baked cigars. By using the headspace solid-phase microextraction GC-MS technology, 65 volatile metabolites were detected in the cigars after drying, and 104 volatile metabolites were detected in the cigars after baking, among which 46 were shared by both. Differential metabolite pathways were mainly enriched in various types such as organic acids, sugars, amino acids, and esters. The effects of the two modulation methods on the metabolite transformation of cigar tobacco leaves were different. The quantity and abundance levels of volatile aroma and semi-volatile metabolites in the tobacco leaves after roasting were higher than those in the tobacco leaves after drying. It provides a theoretical basis for the design and construction of cigar drying rooms and the temperature and humidity control of the drying process in the future.
Aphids are major agricultural pests that infest a wide range of host species, causing substantial damage and economic losses to crops. This study was conducted to provide a reference for the prevention and control strategies and sustainable management of aphid populations. While chemical control remains a primary method for managing aphid populations, the rapid emergence of pesticide resistance poses a growing challenge. This study summarizes the globally prevalent and highly damaging aphid species, elaborating on their host ranges, distribution, and modes of infestation. It focuses on analyzing the current development of resistance to various insecticides, including organophosphates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, as well as sulfoxaflor and spirotetramat. Research indicates that aphids develop resistance through multiple mechanisms, such as reduced target-site sensitivity, decreased cuticular penetration, and enhanced metabolic enzyme activity, with the overexpression of cytochrome P450 genes and mutations in nAChR genes serving as the primary mechanisms. Based on current resistance trends, it is recommended that future efforts should strengthen the development of novel mode-of-action insecticides, deepen molecular-level research on resistance mechanisms, and formulate integrated management strategies centered on insecticide rotation and biological control, thereby providing theoretical and technical support for achieving green and sustainable aphid control.
To clarify the control effect of 1,2-Dibenzoyl-1-tert-butylhydrazine (RH-5849) against the Spodoptera exigua and to facilitate its application, this study conducted topical bioassays to evaluate the toxicity of RH-5849 on the 3rd and 4th instar larvae of S. exigua at concentrations of 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/L. The results showed that RH-5849 significantly disrupted larval development and molting. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was 1619.352 mg/L for 3rd instar larvae after 96 h of exposure, and 634.610 mg/L for 4th instar larvae after 96 h. In addition, RH-5849 treatment induced morphological abnormalities, characterized by a progressive change in larval body color from natural brown to pale green or white. Moreover, the higher the concentration of RH-5849, the more significant the colors change. The dose-dependent effect of RH-5849 on S. exigua is not significant. Considering both larval stage and RH-5849 concentration, 250 mg/L RH-5849 demonstrates superior efficacy against 3rd-instar larvae compared to other concentrations, while 500 mg/L RH-5849 was more effective against 4th-instar larvae. These findings provide foundational data for the potential integration of RH-5849 into S. exigua management strategies, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other insecticides.
The pathogen and symptoms of rapeseed clubroot were introduced, and the occurrence regularity of rapeseed clubroot was expounded from the aspects of pathogenic conditions, infection process and infection cycle. The cause factors of rapeseed clubroot were introduced, including the lack of resistant (tolerant) varieties, continuous cropping and accumulation of inoculum, serious soil acidification, suitable meteorological conditions for disease occurrence and rough management. The agricultural control measures of rapeseed clubroot were introduced, such as the selection of resistant varieties, reasonable fertilization, improvement of acidic soil, regular rotation, strengthening bed disinfection and field drainage management. The application of several biocontrol bacteria or fungi in the biological control of rapeseed clubroot was reviewed. The main chemical control measures were summarized from the aspects of indoor agent screening, seed coating, seedbed treatment, and root dipping irrigation. In summary, on the basis of the above agricultural control measures, biological control, chemical control and other methods should be comprehensively utilized to achieve comprehensive prevention and control of rapeseed clubroot and ensure the sustainable development of China’s oil industry.
This study aimed to identify the pathogen causing black mold on stored ginger in Sichuan and clarify its key biological characteristics, so as to provide a theoretical basis for green control strategies. The pathogenic strain CDSJ1 was obtained by tissue isolation, and identified based on morphological characteristics, molecular biology (ITS sequence analysis), and verification using Koch’s postulates. The effects of temperature, carbon source, nitrogen source, and light conditions on mycelial growth and sporulation were investigated through single-factor experiments. The pathogen was identified as Aspergillus niger. The optimal growth temperature was 30 ℃; the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources were maltose and tryptone, respectively; and the highest sporulation level was observed under continuous light conditions. This study systematically identifies A. niger as the pathogen of black mold on stored ginger in Sichuan and elucidate its key biological characteristics, providing a scientific basis for the development of green postharvest disease management strategies.
ISSN 1000-6850 (Print)
Started from 1984
Published by: China Association of Agricultural Science Societies
