【Background】 Follicle development is characterized by a unique hierarchical progression in poultry, regulated by autocrine, paracrine, growth factors, and multiple functional genes. Granulosa cells are the most abundant functional somatic cells within the follicle, and their survival directly determines follicular growth, development, and maturation. Ferroptosis, a newly identified type of regulated cell death, has been closely linked to follicular development. USP18 plays an important regulatory role in ferroptosis, however, its function in duck granulosa cells remains unclear. 【Objective】 The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular regulatory mechanisms of USP18 in the process of ferroptosis in duck granulosa cells of laying ducks, so as to provide a theoretical basis and molecular targets for the genetic improvement of egg production traits in poultry. 【Method】 Four high-yield and four low-yield laying ducks aged 300-day-old were selected. Prehierarchical follicular tissues were collected from each group. The expression level of USP18 was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting in follicles of high-yield and low-yield laying ducks. Granulosa cells isolated from prehierarchical follicles were transfected with the interference fragment of USP18. The effects of USP18 on cell viability were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay and Calcein-AM/PI double staining. The effects of USP18 on intracellular oxidative status were evaluated using the reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The impact of USP18 on ferroptosis was examined using the mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit, the lipid peroxidation fluorescent probe, FerroOrange iron probe, and Prussian blue staining. Furthermore, the interaction between USP18 and GPX4 protein, as well as GPX4 protein expression, were analyzed by immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting.【Result】 The expression level of USP18 in prehierarchical follicles of high-yield ducks was significantly higher than that in low-yield ducks (P<0.01); USP18 knockdown significantly reduced granulosa cell viability (P<0.01), inhibited cell survival (P<0.05), promoted ROS accumulation (P<0.01), increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content (P<0.01), and suppressed the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (P<0.01); USP18 knockdown notably elevated lipid peroxidation levels (P<0.05), decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.05), enhanced mitochondrial membrane permeability (P<0.01), increased intracellular iron levels and iron deposition (P<0.01), increased the expression of ferroptosis suppressor markers ACSL4 and GPX4, and suppressed the expression of TFR1 (P<0.01); the interaction relationship between USP18 and GPX4 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays. Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation analyses further demonstrated that USP18 knockdown promoted ubiquitination and degradation of GPX4 protein.【Conclusion】 USP18 was highly expressed in the prehierarchical follicles of high-yield laying ducks. USP18 knockdown significantly increased oxidative stress levels and induced ferroptosis in duck granulosa cells. Moreover, USP18 was found to interact with GPX4 protein, and USP18 knockdown promoted ubiquitination and degradation of GPX4 protein. In summary, USP18 modulated ferroptosis in duck granulosa cells by suppressing the ubiquitination and degradation of GPX4.

【Objective】 The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of different levels of Mytilaria laosensis leaves feeding on the growth performance, plasma biochemical indicators, jejunal mucosal cytokine content, hepatic detoxification and antioxidant indicators, carcass quality and meat quality of Yellow-feathered chickens. This study serves to evaluate the application value of Mytilaria laosensis leaves as a potential forest by-product feed ingredient for yellow-feathered chickens.【Method】 A total of 720 six-day-old fast-growing mahuang Yellow-feathered chickens with similar body weights were selected and randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups using a completely randomized design. The feeding levels of Mytilaria laosensis leaves were 0% (control group), 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, 6.0% and 7.5%, and each group was set up with 6 replicates, with 20 chickens in each replicate (10 males and 10 females each), and the test period was 50 days. 【Result】 with the feeding levels of Mytilaria laosensis leaves increased, 1) During the period of 6 to 21 days of age, body weight, average daily gain, and eurobenefit index were increased quadratically (P<0.05), while feed conversion ratio and cost per kilogram gain decreased quadratically (P<0.05). From 22 to 42 days of age, both feed to gain ratio and weight gain cost were decreased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05). In the final phase of 43 to 55 days of age, body weight, average daily feed intake, feed to gain ratio, and weight gain cost were increased both linearly and quadratically (P<0.05), whereas the eurobenefit index was decreased in both linear and quadratic patterns (P<0.05). During the experiment of 6 to 55 days of age, the body weight, average daily gain, feed to gain ratio and weight gain cost of chickens were increased linearly and quadratically, while the eurobenefit index was decreased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05). 2) At 21 days of age, the plasma concents of TP, IgA, IgG, and the antibody titer against NDV-Ab were increased linearly (P<0.05). In contrast, the activities of ALT and CK, as well as the concentration of MDA were decreased both linearly and quadratically (P<0.05). At 55 days of age, compared with the control group, the TP concent was significantly higher in the 4.5% leaf group (P<0.05), while the TG concent was significantly lower in the 1.5% leaf group (P<0.05). 3) The feeding level of Mytilaria laosensis leaves had no significant influence on the organ indexes of chickens. 4) The contents of sIgA, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in jejunal mucosa were increased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the concent of IL-1β in the jejunal mucosa (P>0.05). 5)The activity of CarE in liver was increased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05), while the activities of AchE and MDA content were decreased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the activities of hepatic GSH-ST, T-AOC, and T-SOD (P>0.05). 6) The half-eviscerated rate of chickens was decreased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05), and the breast muscle rate was increased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05), and the abdominal fat rate was decreased linearly (P<0.05). 7) Compared with the control group, chickens in the 4.5% leaf group were demonstrated significantly higher redness (a*) values in the breast muscle at both 45 min and 24 h post-slaughter (P<0.05).【Conclusion】 In summary, the suitable of Mytilaria laosensis leaves can improve the growth performance, immune function, antioxidant and detoxification capacity, carcass quality and meat quality of yellow-feathered chickens. However, the feeding level of Mytilaria laosensis leaves requires precise control, as excessively high levels may adversely affect economic returns. According to quadratic regression model, combined with the body weight, average daily gain and feed to gain ratio as the main evaluation indicators, it is estimated that the appropriate feeding level of Mytilaria laosensis leaves for 6 to 55 days of age of fast-growing Yellow-feathered chickens is 2.75% to 2.90%. This study provided a scientific basis and experimental reference for the use of Mytilaria laosensis leaves as an unconventional feed ingredient in the rearing of yellow-feathered chickens.

【Objective】 This study aimed to investigate the effect of alcoholic-malolactic co-fermentation mediated by Lactobacillus brevis (LB-21) on the color quality of dry red wine, to provide the data support for optimizing this technology.【Method】 Using Marselan grapes from Turpan, Xinjiang, as raw material, alcoholic-malolactic co-fermentation treatments were designed with mixed inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC-19, Pichia fermentans Z9Y-3, and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus brevis LB-21 or Oenococcus oeni SD-2a). Concurrently, traditional sequential alcohol-malolactic fermentation group and single alcohol fermentation group served as the controls. After fermentation, the wines underwent conventional stabilization and were stored until June of the following year. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine CIElab color parameters (L^*, a^*, b^*, C^*_ab, h_ab, etc.) and multiple pigment indicators, including 520 pigment (520P), chromaticity of free anthocyanins (FA), total pigment (TP), polymeric pigment (PP), percentage of polymeric pigments (PP%), total phenols, and tartrate esters. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to identify key compounds responsible for color differences among the wine samples, and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to investigate compounds distinguishing the color characteristics of co-fermented samples.【Result】 Color differences among the wine samples primarily centered on CIElab parameter hue angle (h_ab) and pigment indicators such as 520P and TP. Compared with single alcohol fermentation, alcohol-malolactic fermentation increased red hue (a^*) and color saturation (C^*_ab) by 3.69%-13.74% and 7.24%-19.77%, respectively, and TP increased by 27.52%-47.41%, and PP by 4.39%-34.12%, respectively, significantly enhancing color stability (P<0.05). However, total anthocyanins and free anthocyanin levels decreased by 20.60%-25.69% and 14.03%-38.59%, respectively. PCA results indicated that under the alcoholic-malolactic co-fermentation treatment, the Lactobacillus brevis LB-21 group significantly outperformed the Oenococcus oeni SD-2a group in key indicators, including a^*, C^*_ab, TP, PP, and PP% (P<0.05). OPLS-DA analysis confirmed that L^*, a^*, C^*_ab, h_ab, ΔE_ab, and PP% were key color difference indicators in LB-21-mediated co-fermented wine samples, indicating this strain’s significant advantage in maintaining dry red wine color.【Conclusion】 Alcohol-malolactic three-strain co-fermentation, particularly the treatment mediated by Lactobacillus brevis LB-21, significantly enhanced a^*, TP, and PP in dry red wine, improved color stability, and outperformed traditional fermentation models in key color parameters. The optimized strain LB-21 and its application technology demonstrated substantial practical value for enhancing dry red wine fermentation processes.

【Objective】 This study aimed to establish a scientific framework for cucumber fruit quality evaluation by integrating the analysis of nutritional traits and flavor compound profiles across diverse germplasm resources with human sensory evaluation. 【Method】 Twelve cucumber lines/varieties with significant sensory variation (provided by Tianjin Cucumber Research Institute) were investigated. The measurements included three parts: first, nutritional traits of fruits, such as soluble sugar content (SSC), total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA); second, flavor compound content in fruits, such as total volatiles and key aldehydes [(E, Z)-2, 6-nonadienal, (E)-2-nonenal, (Z)-6-nonenal]; third, sensory evaluation of fruit quality, such as sweetness, juiciness, crispness, aroma, non-astringency, and non-bitterness. An integrated correlation analysis was performed to link sensory attributes with physicochemical profiles. 【Result】 In the sensory evaluation, non-astringency and sweetness had the highest weighting coefficients (27.12% and 25.49%, respectively), while the other four attributes (aroma, crispness, non-bitterness, and juiciness) ranged from 10.59% to 12.51%. Higher scores across these six dimensions indicated superior overall sensory quality. Furthermore, sweetness, juiciness, crispness, aroma, and non-bitterness of cucumber fruit sensory evaluation were (extremely) correlated with the SSC, TSS content and ascorbic acid content. In addition, cucumber flavor compounds (Z)-6-nonenal content showed significant correlation with sweetness, aroma, juiciness, non-bitterness and non-astringency in sensory evaluation, and it also had extremely significant positive correlation with the SSC, TSS and ascorbic acid content, respectively, while the ratio of cucumber flavor compounds (E, Z)-2, 6-nonadienal to (E)-2-nonenal was significantly correlated with non-astringency. Among the different cucumber varieties tested, line L2 generally exhibited higher levels of fruit SSC, TSS and ascorbic acid content, as well as the ratio of soluble solid content to titratable acid compared with the other lines. It also achieved the highest composite score across all those six sensory attributes. Consequently, line L2 demonstrated superior overall fruit quality. 【Conclusion】 The SSC, TSS, ascorbic acid content, (Z)-6-nonenal content, and the ratio of (E, Z)-2, 6-nonadienal to (E)-2-nonenal content of cucumber fruits could serve as effective indicators for the rapid evaluation of sensory and flavor quality.

【Objective】 The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in agronomic traits, nutritional quality, and metabolic components between Tibetan bunching onion and chive to elucidate their unique nutritional and metabolic characteristics, thereby exploring their distinctive resource value. These findings will provide a scientific basis for the exploitation of the unique resource value of Tibetan bunching onion, as well as for the promotion of the high-value utilization and varietal improvement of specialty vegetables in Xizang.【Method】 The materials used in this study were Tibetan bunching onion and chive. A systematic comparison of their agronomic traits and nutritional quality was conducted through physiological and biochemical analyses. The metabolic profiles of the subjects were analyzed using widely targeted metabolomics, with differential metabolites being identified using the criteria of VIP>1 and FC≥2 or FC≤0.5. Subsequent KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to elucidate the impacted metabolic pathways.【Result】 The results showed that there were significant differences between the two species in terms of pseudostem morphology, epidermal color, plant height, pseudostem length, leaf length, and single plant weight. Nutritional quality analysis showed that the dry matter, free amino acid, pyruvic acid, and crude fiber contents of Tibetan bunching onion were higher than those of chive, while the soluble solids, soluble sugars, vitamin C content, and sugar-acid ratio were significantly lower. Utilizing the widely targeted metabolomics-based technology, a total of 2 014 metabolites from 13 distinct classes were identified, predominantly comprising flavonoids, lipids, and alkaloids. Then 1 012 differential metabolites were identified by multivariate statistical analysis, of which 583 were up-regulated and 429 were down-regulated. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differential metabolites were significantly enriched in pathways associated with flavonoid biosynthesis, primarily encompassing the biosynthesis of flavones and flavanols, anthocyanin glycosides, and the biosynthetic pathways of kaempferol aglycone Ⅰ and quercetin aglycone Ⅰ. By constructing a flavonoid anabolic network and comparing the relative contents of metabolites, significant interspecific divergence in downstream flavonoid metabolite accumulation between Tibetan bunching onion and chive was revealed. The diversity was mainly due to the branch transformation of the common precursor dihydrokaempferol, which led to the synthesis and accumulation of different secondary metabolites, including flavonols (kaempferol and quercetin) and anthocyanins (cyanidin and delphinidin).【Conclusion】 Significant differences were observed in the agronomic traits, nutritional quality, and metabolite accumulation of the two Allium species. The Tibetan bunching onion had a high dry matter and amino acid content, a spicy and rich flavor, a coarse texture, and good storage resistance. In contrast, the chive was rich in sugars and vitamin C, and tasted sweet and fresh. Differentiation of the flavonoid synthesis pathway is mainly due to the transformation of dihydrokaempferol branches, which produce various metabolites such as flavanols and anthocyanins.

【Objective】 This study was conducted to perform a genetic analysis of tomato blossom-end scar size, with the aim of enhancing selection efficiency for this trait, accelerating the breeding process for small scar tomatoes, and laying a foundation for discovering key genes controlling blossom-end scar size and the genetic improvement of tomato varieties.【Method】 A small blossom-end scar line (P₁) was crossed with a large blossom-end scar line (P₂) to obtain F₁. The F₁ was self-pollinated and backcrossed with both parents to generate F₂, BC₁P₁ and BC₁P₂ populations. Blossom-end scar size and blossom-end scar index were evaluated across the six generations during the red ripening period of fruits. Genetic analysis was performed using the major gene plus polygene mixed inheritance model. The SEA software was employed to fit 24 potential genetic models. Candidate models were selected based on the maximum likelihood value (MLV) and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), and the optimal genetic model was determined by integrating the results of the Smirnov test, Kolmogorov test, and homogeneity test. Finally, based on the optimal model, the least squares method was used to estimate genetic parameters, including additive effects, dominance effects, epistatic effects, as well as major gene heritability and polygene heritability.【Result】 The differences in blossom-end scar size between the parental lines were extremely significant. At 55 days after the peak flowering period, the average blossom-end scar size and scar index of the large blossom-end scar parent (P₂) were 9.44 times and 8.29 times greater than those of the small blossom-end scar parent (P₁), respectively. The average blossom-end scar size and blossom-end scar index of the F₁ population were intermediate between the two parental lines. The BC₁P₁, BC₁P₂ and F₂ populations exhibited continuous variation in both blossom-end scar size and blossom-end scar index, with a wide range of variability and coefficients of variation ranging from 61.2% to 87.4%. The frequency distribution of the F₂ population showed a continuous skewed normal distribution. Genetic model analysis suggested that the optimal model for tomato fruit blossom-end scar size was a mixed two major gene plus polygene inheritance model with additive-dominance-epistatic effects (MX2-ADI-ADI). The heritability of major genes in the F₂ population was 93.05%, while the polygenic heritability was 4.68%. The two major genes mainly control this trait through negative additive effects. In terms of dominance, the first major gene tended to decrease the fruit blossom-end scar size, whereas the second major gene tended to increase it. These two genes showed partial dominance, with the second having a stronger dominant effect. Additive × additive and dominance × additive interactions increased blossom-end scar size, whereas dominance × dominance and additive × dominance interactions decreased it. 【Conclusion】 Tomato blossom-end scar size is a quantitative trait principally controlled by two major genes.

【Objective】 Sugars regulate the nitrogen transformation process in soil. However, the effects of different polymerization degrees of dextran on nitrogen conversion were not clear. This study focused on investigating the transformation characteristics of dextran-modified urea with varying degrees of polymerization in calcareous fluvo-aquic soil, analyzing the relationship between the polymerization degree of dextran and nitrogen efficiency, and revealing its functioning mechanism. It aimed to provide a solid theoretical basis for the application of different polymerization degrees of dextran in urea. 【Method】 Four types of modified urea were prepared by incorporating 1% glucose (monosaccharide, GU), maltose (2-poly, MU), oligomeric dextran (≈5-poly, OU), and polydextrose (≈20-poly, PU) into molten urea. Six treatments were designed: no fertilization (CK), conventional urea (U), and four dextran-modified urea treatments. A soil incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate nitrogen transformation, and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-NMR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the chemical structures, to uncover the urea conversion mechanism affected by dextran polymerization degree and structural changes. 【Result】 (1) Dextran-modified urea contained a Schiff base structure. (2) Compared with U, dextran-modified urea slowed urea hydrolysis and increased soil amide N content by 15.3%-37.1%, with the highest value in OU. (3) After the application of nitrogen fertilizer, the urease activity of the U treatment peaked at 1 d, whereas the urease activity of the dextran-modified urea treatment peaked at 2 d of incubation. (4) Ammonia volatilization accumulation of dextran-modified urea was reduced by 2.2%-12.9% compared with U. With the increase of the degree of polymerization of dextran, the accumulation of ammonia volatilization showed a gradually increasing trend. (5) At the end of the incubation, NO₃^--N content of dextran-modified urea was increased by 14.1%-30.5%. As the degree of polymerization of dextran increased, the nitrate nitrogen content first increased and then decreased. When the degree of polymerization was 3.35, the nitrate nitrogen content was the highest. 【Conclusion】 Dextran-modified urea effectively delayed urea hydrolysis, reduced ammonia volatilization, and enhanced soil NO₃^--N content. GU had the best impact on reducing ammonia volatilization, while dextran with a medium polymerization degree (3.35) had the best effect on improving the NO₃^--N content in the soil.

【Objective】 The zinc (Zn) uptake and translocation in wheat have a significant impact on grain Zn concentration. The aim of this study was to understand the relationships between pre-anthesis and post-anthesis Zn uptake and translocation, grain Zn concentration, and Zn rates across different regions, so as to provide the support to the scientific application of Zn fertilizer and the enhancement of wheat grain Zn biofortification.【Method】 Based on the location-fixed field experiment initiated in major wheat-growing regions of China at 2022, including Yongshou of Shaanxi, Baixiang of Hebei, Zitong of Sichuan, and Shucheng of Anhui, soil available Zn concentration, wheat yield, biomass, yield components and Zn concentration in various plant parts were analyzed to understand the regions varies for grain Zn concentration, pre-and post-anthesis Zn uptake, and transportation responses to different Zn application rates during the wheat growing season of 2023-2024.【Result】 The grain yield and yield components did not change with Zn application, but grain Zn concentration increased significantly. The biofortified target of 40.0 mg·kg^-1 and the highest of 51.7 and 80.7 mg·kg^-1 was achieved respectively in Sichuan and Anhui, but Shaanxi and Hebei could not, with the highest of 32.2 and 34.5 mg·kg^-1, respectively. For each 1.0 kg Zn·hm^-2 input, Zn uptake in pre-anthesis increased by 9.8, 7.4, 3.0, and 3.0 g·hm^-2 at Anhui, Sichuan, Hebei, and Shaanxi, respectively; Zn uptake in post-anthesis increased by 9.8, 8.3, and 0.97 g·hm^-2 at Sichuan, Anhui, and Hebei, respectively, but no significant increase was found in Shaanxi; Zn translocation in post-anthesis increased by 5.6 and 2.5 g·hm^-2 at Anhui and Shaanxi, respectively, and decreased by 1.6 g·hm^-2 at Sichuan, but no significant increase was found in Hebei. For the Zn uptake and translocation efficiencies, with each 1.0 kg Zn·hm^-2 input, the increase of 0.71, 0.53, 0.47, and decrease of 0.40 percentage points in pre-anthesis Zn uptake efficiency was observed at Shaanxi, Hebei, Anhui and Sichuan, respectively; the decrease of 0.71, 0.53, 0.47, and increase of 0.40 percentage points in post-anthesis Zn uptake efficiency was observed at Shaanxi, Hebei, Anhui and Sichuan, respectively; the decrease of 1.41 and 0.44 percentage points in post-anthesis Zn translocation efficiency was observed at Sichuan and Hebei, respectively, but not decrease in Shaanxi and Anhui; the decrease of 0.06 and 0.13 in anthesis Zn transfer index from root to shoot was observed at Sichuan and Anhui, respectively, but not decrease in Shaanxi and Hebei. 【Conclusion】 Wheat grain Zn biofortification was collectively influenced by Zn uptake and translocation processes. Compared with efficiencies of the pre-anthesis and post-anthesis Zn uptake, Zn uptake contribution, post-anthesis Zn translocation, and translocation contribution, the pre-anthesis and post-anthesis Zn uptake and translocation exhibited greater impacts by regions variations of wheat grain Zn concentration. Zn fertilization increased pre-anthesis and post-anthesis Zn uptake, while its effect on post-anthesis Zn translocation varied with regions. Compared with post-anthesis Zn translocation, the pre-anthesis and post-anthesis Zn uptake, exhibited greater impacts in wheat grain Zn concentration, particularly the post-anthesis Zn uptake. Therefore, enhancing the soil Zn supply capacity in main wheat production regions of China and promoting Zn uptake in wheat, particularly post-anthesis Zn uptake, could effectively increase grain Zn concentration and achieve the wheat Zn biofortification target.

【Objective】 Soil organic carbon (SOC) stability is significantly influenced by the functional group composition and carbon-fixing microorganisms. This study compared the differences in soil organic carbon structure and cbbL bacterial community structure under long-term fertilization regimes, so as to provide an understanding of the carbon sequestration potential and mechanisms of yellow-mud paddy soil.【Method】 In this study, the effects of no fertilization (CK), chemical fertilizer (NPK), chemical fertilizer + rice straw returning (NPKS) and chemical fertilizer + organic manure (NPKM) treatments on the characteristics of organic carbon functional groups and the community structure of carbon sequestration bacteria were studied by using ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform technology to determine the organic carbon structure and the community structure of carbon-fixing bacteria by high-throughput sequencing technology, respectively.【Result】 The co-chemical fertilizer and manure application (NPKS and NPKM) significantly increased the total SOC content in yellow-mud paddy soil,while the SOC content decreased with increasing soil depth. The contents of MOC and POC, as well as the POC/SOC ratio, decreased with soil depth, while the MOC/SOC ratio showed the opposite trend. NPKS and NPKM treatments also increased the content of aliphatic and aromatic carbon compounds, then enhancing the stability and complexity of soil organic carbon, with subsoil organic carbon being more stable than surface soil. Analysis of the α-diversity index of carbon-fixing bacteria in the soil revealed that fertilization significantly increased the diversity index of carbon-fixing bacteria, with the NPKM treatment showing the best results. The dominant bacterial phylum in paddy soil was Proteobacteria, and fertilization increased the relative abundance of this phylum to varying extents. The dominant genera were Sulfuricaulis and Sulfuritortus. In the subsoil, compared with the surface soil, the relative abundance of photoautotrophic microorganisms was reduced, while the relative abundance of chemo lithotrophic microorganisms was increased.【Conclusion】 Therefore, combined organic amendments (straw or manure) with chemical fertilizers not only enhanced SOC stability but also increased the diversity and abundance of carbon-fixing bacteria, restructuring their communities. NPKM was the most effective in stabilizing SOC and promoting microbial diversity, highlighting its role in sustainable yellow-mud paddy soil management.

【Background】 Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are key detoxification enzymes in insects and play important roles in the development of insect tolerance to chemical insecticides. Ethyl formate (EF), characterized by high efficacy, low toxicity, and low residue, is regarded as a promising green fumigant for stored-grain pest control.【Objective】 To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pest tolerance to EF, this study focuses on the important stored-grain pest Cryolestes ferrugineus, aiming to analyze the relationship between GST genes (CfGSTe1 and CfGSTd) and EF tolerance.【Method】 The present study conducted bioassays to determine the susceptibility of C. ferrugineus with three different levels of phosphine resistance to EF. Through synergistic assays with diethyl maleate (DEM), the potential enhancement of EF fumigation efficacy was evaluated, and the effects of EF treatment on GST activity were analyzed. According to the previous transcriptome data of C. ferrugineus, two key GST genes (CfGSTe1 and CfGSTd1) were identified and subjected to amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analyses. The temporal and spatial expression patterns of these two genes, as well as their transcriptional responses to EF fumigation stress, were further analyzed by using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Finally, the effects of CfGSTe1 and CfGSTd1 on EF tolerance were analyzed by individually silencing these genes using RNA interference (RNAi) technology.【Result】 Bioassay results showed that C. ferrugineus with varying levels of phosphine resistance exhibited no significant differences in sensitivity to EF, confirming the absence of cross-resistance between the two fumigants. The synergist DEM significantly enhanced the fumigant toxicity of EF, and the GST activity in insects was markedly increased under EF stress, suggesting that GSTs play an important role in the detoxification metabolism of EF. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses indicated that CfGSTe1 and CfGSTd1 encode 216 and 215 amino acids, respectively, both containing conserved GST catalytic sites and belonging to the Epsilon and Delta families. The RT-qPCR results indicated that both genes were highly expressed at the adult stage, primarily in the midgut, fat body, and Malpighian tubules, and could be significantly induced by EF exposure. After effectively silencing CfGSTe1 and CfGSTd1 via RNAi, the tolerance of C. ferrugineus to EF was significantly reduced, as evidenced by markedly increased adult mortality following fumigation.【Conclusion】 The CfGSTe1 and CfGSTd1 may play important roles in the detoxification metabolism of EF in C. ferrugineus, suggesting a close association with insect tolerance to this fumigant.

Farmers in China often use nitrogen (N) fertilizers to ensure adequate crop growth.  However, inappropriate applications have increased the risk of environmental pollution, lowered maize yields, and reduced profits for farmers.  Proper N fertilizer management is crucial for improving yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).  This study conducted a three-year experiment involving nine N treatments (0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315, and 360 kg ha^–1) on a field under nitrogen fertilizer precision management (NFPM) in Northeast China.  The results were compared with studies published within the past decade that analyzed yield and dry matter (DM) content under two management practices in Northeast China: conventional nitrogen fertilization management (CNFM) and water-saving fertilization management (WSFM).  The findings reveal that maize yield increases with rising N application rates up to 270 kg ha^–1, after which yield decreases.  The kernel number (KN) and kernel weight (KW) of maize grown under NFPM were 13.7 and 14.7% higher than those grown under WSFM, respectively.  Furthermore, they surpassed crops grown under CNFM by 38.4 and 21.2%, respectively.  The maximum total yield of the NFPM treatment was 41.8 and 78.8% higher than under WSFM and CNFM, respectively.  In addition, compared with CNFM and WSFM, NFPM significantly increased NUE across the various N-level treatments.  Optimizing nitrogen management can help farmers to achieve higher yields and promote sustainable agricultural development.

Plant height is an essential characteristic of agronomic traits, and an ideal plant height is essential for achieving high crop yields.  Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) has become a novel diploid C₄ model crop.  The proteomic profiles of the internode, node, and leaf in two foxtail millet varieties with different heights, Ci846 and Yugu 18, were investigated at the jointing stage in this study.  There were different degrees of enrichment in various processes, such as plant hormone signal transduction, the MAPK signaling pathway, and others.  In particular, the proper content of auxin could activate downstream SiARFs-SiSAURs expression, which enhances the length of internodes.  Haplotype analysis of SiSAUR-like revealed two differential haplotypes of associated plant height, Hap1 and Hap2.  The molecular marker SiSAUR-like-FCM1-2 can effectively separate materials into Hap1 and Hap2.  Two additional genes, designated SiGH3 and SiTCH4, were found to be associated with plant height regulation.  In conclusion, this study not only uncovers the crucial role of auxin regulators in modulating plant height during the jointing stage but also provides molecular markers that will be invaluable for molecular breeding efforts.  The findings of this research help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of plant height determination that can be used for crop variety innovation and breeding.

【Objective】This study aimed to develop novel glyphosate-resistant wheat germplasm using EMS mutagenesis to mitigate weed infestation in wheat fields. Resistant mutant plants were selected through field screening, and the mutation profiles of the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene as well as optimal application conditions were characterized, offering a practical approach for breeding glyphosate-resistant wheat varieties.【Method】A mutant population was generated by treating newly germinated seeds of Zhenmai 9 with EMS mutagenesis. Resistant mutants were isolated through multiple rounds of glyphosate screening in the field across M₂ and M₃ generations. Promising lines, including GR1, GR19, and GR23, were identified via pedigree selection, combined with yield and resistance phenotype screening. Mutation sites in the EPSPS gene were detected by PCR amplification and sequencing, while expression levels of TaEPSPS-4A, TaEPSPS-7A, and TaEPSPS-7D were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Field trials involving different glyphosate doses and application growth stages were conducted to systematically evaluate herbicide efficacy and determine the appropriate dosage and timing for safe application.【Result】The resistance mutant frequency in the M₂ population was 6.53×10^-6. In the M₃ generation, 43 mutant plants exhibiting tolerance to 4× the recommended glyphosate dose were successfully obtained. Sequencing analysis revealed that resistant lines GR1 and GR19 harbored 5 and 3 mutation sites in TaEPSPS-7D, respectively, whereas GR23 carried 5 mutation sites in TaEPSPS-4A. Expression analysis indicated that glyphosate treatment significantly downregulated most homoeolog genes in the three mutation lines, irrespective of whether those genes carried resistance mutations. Field trials demonstrated 100% weed control efficacy across all glyphosate treatments, significantly superior to isoproturon. As the glyphosate doses increased, wheat seedling height and fresh weight showed a decreasing trend, but most differences with the untreated control were not significant, indicating no substantial adverse effects on growth. Yield analysis revealed that treatment with 1× and 2× doses did not cause significant yield reduction, whereas 4× and 8× doses led to significant reductions of 3.04% and 4.63%, respectively. Growth stage-specific trials further indicated that spraying a 2× dose of glyphosate from seedling to jointing stages had no significant impact on plant growth, but application at the booting stage significantly reduced plant height, fresh weight, and grain yield, resulting in a 6.48% yield loss.【Conclusion】The combination of EMS mutagenesis and field screening successfully generated new glyphosate-resistant wheat germplasm capable of withstanding 4× the recommended glyphosate dose. Multiple point mutations in the non-active center of the EPSPS enzyme confered enhanced glyphosate resistance without compromising yield. For practical application of such resistant varieties, the optimal weed control window is during wheat green-up (early March), using 41% glyphosate isopropylamine salt at 840-1 680 g ae·hm^-2, diluted in 450 L·hm^-2 of water, applied as foliar spray to weeds under rain-free conditions.

【Objective】Soil salinization severely constrains the sustainable development of rice production. The specific goals are to: comprehensively evaluate the salt tolerance of rice core germplasm accessions at the seedling stage, investigate the morphological and physiological characteristics of different rice subspecies under salt stress, clarify the associated variations in their responses, and summarize their adaptive strategies, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for screening and breeding salt-tolerant rice varieties.【Method】The salt tolerance score (STS), plant height, root length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and SPAD were measured for 276 rice core germplasm accessions after treatment using 125 mmol·L^-1 NaCl for 6 days. The relative values of each trait, except for STS and shoot fresh weight were calculated, along with the shoot water content (SWC). T-tests, significance analysis and correlation analysis were used to explore the morphological and physiological differences for salt stress responses among different rice subspecies. Principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise linear regression were applied to screen key indicators for salt tolerance. The D-value was calculated to identify typical salt-tolerant accessions and salt-sensitive accessions, which were used to elucidate the regulatory patterns and response strategies of salt stress in different subspecies of rice.【Result】Salt stress affected the growth of seedlings of the three subspecies of rice. Compared with japonica rice, indica rice and AUS exhibited milder inhibitory effects from salt stress, and AUS demonstrated greater phenotypic variation. The STS, relative seedling height (RSH), relative root length (RRL), relative root dry weight (RRDW), relative SPAD (RSPAD) and SWC among the three subspecies of rice accessions were not significantly different. However, the relative shoot dry weight (RSDW) of indica rice was significantly higher than that of japonica rice and AUS, and the salt tolerance of temperate japonica rice seedlings was significantly higher than that of tropical japonica rice and admixed japonica rice. Correlation patterns of the seven salt-tolerance-related traits varied between the three subspecies. Three principal components were extracted from japonica rice, indica rice and AUS, with cumulative contribution rates of 82.587%, 80.117%, and 88.700%, respectively. Based on this, the D-values for the comprehensive evaluation of salt tolerance were calculated for each accession, and key parameters for salt tolerance were screened. It was found that RSDW is a common key indicator affecting the salt tolerance of rice seedlings, while RSH and RRDW are shared by japonica rice and AUS, and STS is the common key parameter for indica rice and AUS. In the three subspecies, high-D-value accessions and low-D-value accessions were selected to analyze root characteristics, ion balance, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and osmotic regulation substance content under salt stress. The root total number (RTN), root tip number (RN), total root length (TRL), and root surface area (RSA) of high-D-value accessions in the three subspecies were significantly higher than those of the three categories of low-D-value accessions. Among the three types of high-D-value accessions, the RTN and RN of indica rice were significantly higher than those of japonica rice and AUS. The root average diameter (RAD) of indica rice and AUS was significantly higher than that of japonica rice. AUS had significantly higher surface area and volume of roots in the 0.5-1 mm diameter range than japonica rice and indica rice, while japonica rice had significantly higher root volume in the 0-0.5 mm diameter range than indica rice and AUS. In terms of ion balance, the shoot Na⁺ content (SNC) of the three types of high-D-value accessions was significantly lower than that of the three types of low-D-value accessions. Among the three types of high-D-value groups, AUS had significantly lower SNC and shoot Na⁺/K⁺ (SNK) than that of japonica rice, japonica rice had significantly lower root Na⁺ content (RNC) than AUS, indica rice had significantly higher root K⁺ content (RKC) than AUS, and japonica rice and indica rice had significantly lower root Na⁺/K⁺ (RNK) than AUS. In terms of reactive oxygen species content, among the three categories of high-D-value accessions, the hydrogen peroxide content of japonica rice was significantly lower than that of indica rice and AUS. In terms of osmoregulatory substance content, among the three types of high-D-value accessions, the soluble sugar content of indica rice and AUS was significantly higher than that of japonica rice, and the proline content of indica rice was significantly higher than that of japonica rice.【Conclusion】Significant differences were observed in the morphological and physiological characteristics of rice germplasm accessions from different subspecies under salt stress. RSDW is a common key indicator affecting salt tolerance of rice seedlings. In response to salt stress, typical salt-tolerant germplasm from japonica, indica, and AUS developed distinct combinatorial profiles of regulatory modes, which varied in their emphasis on four key aspects: root morphological characteristics, ion homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and osmotic adjustment.

To address the uncertainty in the aging period of the characteristic flue-cured tobacco variety ‘CB-1’ lamina under northern climate conditions, which affects the suitability of raw materials for cigarette production, this study aimed to explore its optimal aging duration. Using redried lamina of middle leaves (C3F) and upper leaves (B2F) of ‘CB-1’ from Longyan, Fujian, natural aging was conducted for 24 months in the aging warehouse of Shandong Tobacco Industry. Regular measurements were taken for appearance quality, main chemical components, and sensory evaluation quality, with comprehensive assessment performed using cluster analysis. The findings showed: (1) As aging progressed, the color of leaves from both positions deepened, oil content decreased, and color intensity increased. For middle leaves, total sugar and reducing sugar contents peaked at 12 months of aging, increasing by 0.74 and 0.81 percentage points respectively compared to before aging, while total nitrogen and nicotine contents consistently declined throughout the aging period. For upper leaves, reducing sugar, nicotine, and total nitrogen showed a decreasing trend during aging. (2) The sensory scores for middle leaves in terms of concentration, aroma quality, aroma quantity, sweetness, and overall sensory quality reached their highest values at 12 months of aging, increasing by 0.2, 0.8, 0.5, 0.9, and 6.25 points respectively compared to pre-aging. The overall sensory quality score for upper leaves peaked at 18 months of aging, with an increase of 5.50 points. (3) Cluster analysis indicated that middle leaves aged for 12 and 18 months were grouped into one category, while upper leaves aged for 18 months clustered with those aged for 12 and 24 months. In conclusion, the optimal aging period for ‘CB-1’ middle leaves is 12 months (with 18 months as an alternative), and for upper leaves it is 18 months (with 12 and 24 months as alternatives). Future research could integrate temperature and humidity control, microbial community dynamics, and metabolic patterns of aroma substances to further elucidate the aging mechanisms of tobacco under northern climate conditions, thereby providing support for precise raw material management.

The paper aims to investigate the effects of sealed hypoxia versus natural oxygen supply, with or without summer temperature control, on the chemical components of tobacco leaves. Using tobacco lamina from Shaoguan (Guangdong) and Qujing (Yunnan) as the materials, four maintenance modes were applied: air-conditioned warehouse with sealed hypoxia, air-conditioned warehouse with natural aging, conventional warehouse with sealed hypoxia, and conventional warehouse with natural aging. The impact of storage conditions on chemical components during aging was analyzed. Compared to non-temperature-controlled conventional warehouses, temperature-controlled air-conditioned warehouses significantly slowed the rate of chemical changes in tobacco leaves, evidenced by gentler variation amplitudes in total alkaloids, polyphenols, pigments, and pH. Conventional warehouses notably accelerated pH decline and polyphenol oxidation. Under identical temperature control, sealed hypoxia more effectively retarded chemical changes than natural aging. Regional differences revealed that Qujing tobacco had higher initial polyphenol content (59.35 mg/g) and greater chemical variation than Shaoguan tobacco (29.06 mg/g), with rapid early-stage degradation stabilizing later. Temperature control is effective in delaying aging deterioration and stabilizing chemical components, particularly when combined with sealed hypoxia. For Guangdong-origin tobacco, the air-conditioned sealed hypoxia mode is recommended; for Yunnan tobacco, extended aging in temperature-controlled environments facilitates retention and conversion of aroma precursors. A differentiated storage strategy is proposed: ‘priority on temperature-controlled hypoxia for Guangdong, gradual aging dominance for Yunnan’.

In response to the lack of a systematic assessment system for the risk of foodborne pathogen transmission in large scale broiler farm, in order to accurately identify key risk factors, a risk index system for foodborne pathogen transmission in large scale broiler farm was constructed, including 4 levels I, 13 levels II, and 78 levels III, based on literature research and field investigations of 100 large scale broiler farm in 11 provinces across the country. The Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to determine the weights of the indicators and the order. The results indicate that: (1) The indicator system has passed the consistency test and is scientifically reliable. (2) Ranking of the proportion of core risk factors: disease prevention and control>biosafety> site facilities> management. (3) The primary risk factor is the detection of exogenous microorganisms (live vaccines, feed, and water) in disease prevention and control, with weights of 4.205%, 4.126%, and 3.999%, respectively. The second is the harmless treatment of dead chickens (2.847%) and disinfection facilities and equipment in the field (2.828%). This survey fills the research gap in the risk factors of foodborne pathogen transmission in large-scale broiler farms, clarifies the core risk points of foodborne pathogen transmission in large scale broiler farm, and constructs a scientific risk assessment system. In the future, the effectiveness of indicators can be verified through on-site monitoring data, and the indicator system can be optimized for different regions and scales of broiler farms to provide more targeted technical support for precise prevention and control.

To investigate the control effects of different types of traps on Grapholitha molesta in the field, this study compared the control effects of four types of traps on G. molesta in cherry orchards. A field experiment was conducted in a cherry orchard in Baoding using sex pheromones as attractants. The results showed that the triangular trap had the best trapping efficacy, capturing 394 moths in two weeks with 10 traps. The boat-shaped trap ranked second, capturing 207 moths, while the two general bucket-shaped traps captured 90 moths (with yellow lids) and 56 moths (with green lids), respectively. Through an investigation of shoot-breaking rates, it was found that all four traps effectively mitigated the shoot-breaking phenomenon caused by G. molesta. The CK group (control group) experienced a 12.46% increase in shoot-breaking rate within one week, whereas the triangular trap showed the slowest increase at only 2.38%, followed by the bucket-shaped (green) trap at 2.99%, the boat-shaped trap at 4.01%, and the bucket-shaped (yellow) trap had the worst effect at 4.92%. Additionally, by comparing the trapping of other insects by the four traps, it was found that the triangular trap and the bucket-shaped (green) trap captured 100% harmful insects, and the bucket-shaped (yellow) trap and boat-shaped trap had a certain degree of false capture of beneficial insects. The research results indicate that the triangular trap has the best trapping efficacy against G. molesta and can be promoted for application in production.

Based on the agricultural statistical data of Ziyang City from 2015 to 2023, this study analyzed the variation characteristics of the total amount of chemical fertilizer, the amount of fertilizer applied per unit area, the variety of chemical fertilizer and the proportion of nutrient input in Ziyang City, so as to provide reference for the green and high-quality development of agriculture in Ziyang City. Based on the analysis of the current situation of fertilizer application and the actual situation of local agricultural production, this paper put forward some countermeasures and suggestions for fertilizer management with the core of optimizing nutrient structure. The results showed that: (1) From 2015 to 2023, the total amount of fertilizer application showed an overall downward trend and went through three stages, including a rapid decline period, a steady decline period, and a gradual stabilization period. In 2023, it dropped to 44000 t, a decrease of 28140 t compared with 2015, with a decrease of 32.13%. (2) The amount of fertilizer applied per unit area in Ziyang City in 2023 was 111.6 kg/hm², a decrease of 6.15% compared with 118.9 kg/hm² in 2015. This was not only lower than the national (292.6 kg/hm²) and Sichuan (315.7 kg/hm²) levels of fertilizer application per unit area, but also far lower than the fertilizer application intensity standard of 250 kg/hm² proposed by the former Ministry of Ecology and Environment. (3) During the period of 2015 to 2023, the main fertilizer types applied in Ziyang City were nitrogen fertilizers (N) and compound fertilizer, which collectively accounted for over 80% every year. The proportion of phosphate fertilizers (P) ranged between 6% and 22%, and potash fertilizers (K) accounted for only 1% to 4%. Overall, the phosphate (P) and potash (K) fertilizers accounted for a relatively small proportion. (4) The N:P:K application ratio changed from 1:0.40:0.11 (2015) to 1:0.67:0.61 (2023). Notably, the ratio in 2021 (1:0.58:0.54) was the closest to the national average. Overall, the N:P:K application ratio remained imbalanced, especially the potassium fertilizers (K) consistently showing the lowest proportion. In summary, from 2015 to 2023, total fertilizer consumption and fertilizer application rate per unit area in Ziyang City showed overall declining trend, basically achieving the goal of “zero growth in fertilizer application”. However, structural imbalances in fertilizer product composition and nutrient input imbalances were persisted. Therefore, it was recommended that the optimization management of chemical fertilizer nutrients should follow the general principles of controlling nitrogen, stabilizing phosphorus and increasing potassium. Scientifically implement measures such as organic fertilizer replacement for chemical fertilizers, water and fertilizer integration, and agricultural mechanization should be extended to ensure the green and high-quality development of agriculture in Ziyang City.

The purpose of this study is to solve the contradiction between the application intensity and utilization efficiency of chemical fertilizers in the agricultural development of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, and to help the green transformation of agriculture. By analyzing the current situation of chemical fertilizer application in Xishuangbanna tropical region (including Jinghong City, Mengla County and Menghai County), the problems of blind fertilization and weak supervision were revealed. The article proposed countermeasures such as promoting soil testing and formula-based fertilization, constructing a low-carbon ecological tropical region, establishing a standardized fertilizer application evaluation system, and strengthening technical training and promotion of fertilizer application. The study emphasized the construction of a three-in-one precise regulation system of “environmental carrying- crop demand- nutrient cycle”, which provides a reference for the region to achieve fertilizer reduction and efficiency, promote sustainable agricultural development and rural revitalization strategies, and provide reference for agricultural green transformation in other tropical regions.

The increasing significance of urban green spaces has drawn attention to soil microbial diversity within park green spaces as a crucial indicator of ecosystem health. In this study, the lawn area of Fenghuangshan Talent Forest Park in Shenzhen City was taken as the research object, and the ecological impact of human trampling on soil microbial community was systematically evaluated for the first time. By integrating high-throughput sequencing technology, a systematic analysis was conducted on the alterations in soil microbial diversity, species composition, and community functions before and after trampling disturbance. This methodology effectively uncovers the negative impact mechanisms of trampling on soil microbes. The results showed that there were significant decreases in the species richness index of soil fungi (23%) and the Shannon species diversity index of bacteria (5%) after trampling. PcoA and NMDS analyses indicated that there were significant differences in the Beta diversity of soil microorganisms after trampling, suggesting that trampling substantially altered the soil microbial community structure of the lawn. In terms of microbial species composition, the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) sequence numbers for both fungi and bacteria decreased after trampling, with a notable increase in the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota. The FUNGuild fungal functional classification indicated that the relative abundance of plant pathogenic fungi significantly increased after trampling. This study quantified the negative effects of trampling on soil microbial communities in urban green space, and provided a scientific basis for sustainable management and soil remediation of park green space.

Against the backdrop of prominent soil management issues in traditional vineyards, organic mulching is a crucial measure for achieving sustainable soil management. This practice enhances soil fertility, improves soil structure, and regulates the microclimate within vineyards. However, there are relatively few studies on soil microorganisms and soil metabolism under organic mulching in vineyards at present. Research has found that organic mulching significantly enhances soil bacterial diversity and enriches key fungal functional groups such as lignin degradation by driving multi-stage decomposition processes. More importantly, organic coverage increases the accumulation of metabolites such as carbohydrates, organic acids, and lipids, activating core metabolic pathways and optimizing nutrient cycling efficiency The synergistic interaction network formed between microorganisms and metabolites further strengthens the functional stability of soil ecosystems in vineyards. This study provides a theoretical support for soil management and sustainable agriculture in vineyards, while also outlining future research directions in this field.

To promote the high quality development of the grassroots agricultural technology extension system, this paper combined the actual situation of grassroots agricultural technology extension work, sorted out the development status and the aspects to be improved of the grassroots agricultural technology extension system, and put forward targeted reform and construction strategies for the “1+N” grassroots agricultural technology extension system (where “1” referred to county-level experts and “N” referred to township technical backbones). At present, the grassroots agricultural technology extension work had achieved remarkable results: county-level institutions were fully equipped, extension methods had been upgraded towards diversification and informatization, and the “1+N” model had been gradually promoted, which effectively improved the grain quality and supply guarantee capacity. Meanwhile, there was still room for improvement in grassroots agricultural technology extension in terms of the adaptation of agricultural technology updating, the connection with farmers' diversified demands, and the optimization of the “1+N” coordination mechanism. Based on this, strategies such as optimizing the structure of the extension team, improving the coordinated linkage mechanism, building a diversified technical service platform, and promoting the targeted connection with differentiated demands were proposed from three dimensions: the construction of the “1+N” coordination mechanism, the updating of agricultural technology based on this model, and the connection with farmers' demands. This paper provided a reference for the reform of the grassroots agricultural technology extension system.

Regarding the insufficient utilization of vegetable waste biogas slurry and the unclear effects of vegetable residues biogas slurry irrigation on the yield, quality and soil quality of edible dock, using edible dock as the material, a pot planting experiment was conducted with four biogas slurry irrigation gradient treatments (T1: 8 L/m², T2: 10 L/m², T3: 12 L/m², T4: 14 L/m²) and a control treatment (CK) of clean water. The yield, quality, soil physical and chemical properties, and enzyme activities of edible dock were measured. The results showed: (1) Appropriate biogas slurry application significantly increased the yield and quality of edible dock. Compared with CK, the fresh weight of edible dock in each treatment increased by 134% to 233%, and the contents of chlorophyll, vitamin C, total sugar, reducing sugar and protein increased by 13.7% to 30.8%, 28.27% to 148.9%, 14.18% to 36.28%, 44.70% to 97.42% and 34.86% to 44.53%, respectively. The yield and quality improvement effect of T₃ treatment was the most significant. (2) Biogas slurry application improved soil physical and chemical properties. The contents of soil organic matter, available potassium and total nitrogen increased by 17.09%, 170.7% and 40%, respectively, and the pH increased by 15.56% to 21.3%. This effectively alleviated the problem of acidic soil. (3) Soil urease and β-glucosidase activities increased with the increase in biogas slurry application amount, and the peak activity of T3 treatment was significantly higher than that of other treatments. (4) Excessive biogas slurry (T4) led to a decrease in reducing sugar content and a decrease in nutrient utilization efficiency. The study showed that the optimal biogas slurry application amount for edible dock irrigation with vegetable residues biogas slurry was 12 L/m², which could synergistically improve crop yield, quality and soil fertility. Future field experiments can be conducted to verify, detect the risk of heavy metal accumulation in biogas slurry and soil, optimize the application period and frequency, and provide technical support for the large-scale agricultural use of vegetable residues biogas slurry.

To promote the high quality development of county-level characteristic agriculture, this study took the white tea industry in Zongyang County of Anhui Province as the research object, systematically analyzed its development status and the aspects to be improved, and put forward targeted optimization paths. Relying on superior natural conditions, the white tea industry in the research area had become one of the local pillar industries, with an existing planting area of 2 600 hm². The comprehensive output value had stabilized at around 250 million yuan in the past three years, and the foundation for the large-scale and standardized development of the industry had been gradually consolidated. At that time, there was room for optimization in the industrial development in terms of industrial foundation, infrastructure, brand recognition and industrial chain. Based on this, targeted countermeasures were proposed from 4 dimensions: optimizing the industrial foundation by building regional industrial clusters, constructing a professional tea trading market, and strengthening financial support and enterprise integration; consolidating infrastructure by promoting the transformation of ecological tea gardens and the application of mechanization, and building an IoT-enabled smart tea garden and a “peace of mind code” traceability system; advancing in-depth brand construction by forging the national geographical indication public brand of “Zongyang White Tea” and expanding promotion channels through an online-offline integrated model; improving the industrial chain by deepening the intensive processing of white tea (extending to the fields of tea polyphenol extraction and tea food research and development) and promoting the integrated development of tea and tourism featuring “tea garden sightseeing + cultural experience + homestay economy”. This study provides a reference for the high quality development of the white tea industry in similar counties.

Based on investigations, this paper analyzes the advantages and current status of brand development in Liancheng's sweet potato dried product industry, identifies areas for improvement in the current brand-building process, and proposes corresponding brand-building strategies. The sweet potato dried product industry in the study area possesses foundational strengths in standardized planting and production, clustered processing operations, and diversified product categories. A brand system comprising 142 trademarks has been established, and the regional public brand “Liancheng Red-heart Sweet Potato Dried” has gradually gained influence. The investigation reveals that there is still considerable room for improvement in areas such as corporate brand awareness, the effectiveness of regional public branding, brand marketing strategies, and market supervision mechanisms. In response, the following brand-building strategies are proposed: conduct specialized training in brand building to enhance corporate understanding and planning capabilities for brand strategy and encourage companies to define clear brand positioning; establish a synergistic mechanism integrating “regional public brand + enterprise-owned brand”, set up a unified operating entity, build a standardized production system and a product quality traceability platform, introduce anti-counterfeiting labels, and strengthen standardized brand use and whole-process supervision; integrate online and offline channels to enhance brand exposure and recognition through industry exhibitions, local festivals, search engine optimization, live streaming on new media platforms, short video contests, and other methods, highlighting product characteristics and cultural value; simultaneously, improve market mechanisms that combine brand protection regulations and product quality supervision to ensure product quality and safeguard brand reputation. This study provides practical insights for brand building in the agricultural industries in Liancheng and similar regions.

To explore the impact mechanisms of direct straw returning and carbonization returning on soil carbon sequestration, nutrient availability and structural stability in paddy soils, this study conducted a long-term field experiment with four treatments, including control (CK), direct straw returning, low amount of straw carbonization, and high amount of straw carbonization. The impact mechanism of straw carbonization on the stability of soil organic carbon in paddy field was systematically analyzed. The results showed that both direct straw returning and carbonization returning could effectively increase soil pH, organic carbon, available phosphorus, available potassium, alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen and microbial biomass carbon. The organic carbon of the three treatments increased by 1.9%-12.8%, and the treatment of high amount of straw carbonization was the most significant. The increase of microbial biomass carbon was between 18.0%-27.3%, and the treatment of direct straw returning showed the most significant. The proportions of low active organic carbon and inert organic carbon increased by 2.02%-7.46% after straw carbonization. In particular, compared with CK, the proportion of highly active organic carbon decreased by 5.8 percentage points, while the proportion of inert organic carbon increased by 4.3 percentage points. After three treatments, the content of >0.25 mm water-stable aggregates and >2 mm water-stable aggregates in soil respectively increased by 6.21%-9.25% and 14.53%-18.32%. In conclusion, straw carbonization returning could significantly improve soil acidification, increase the contents of soil organic carbon and available nutrient, increase the proportion of water-stable aggregates, and enhance soil carbon sequestration capacity. Among all treatments, the effect of high amount of straw carbonization returning was the best.

Taking the sericulture farmers in Dajie Town, Jingdong County, Yunnan Province as the research object, this paper conducts an empirical study based on the data of 312 survey questionnaires, using reliability and validity tests, descriptive statistics, and cross-analysis methods, and explores the constraints and optimization paths for the high quality development of sericulture industry. The reliability and validity tests indicate good internal consistency and reliability of the survey data, and the analysis factors have statistical validity. At present, the development of the sericulture industry in this region needs to focus on several key aspects, including the standardization of production technology, the expansion of market channels, the effectiveness of policy implementation, and the vertical extension of the industrial chain. In response, the following strategies are proposed: construct an “online + offline” dual-track training system to cultivate new professional sericulture farmers, introduce and promote high-quality varieties and green production technologies, and improve production efficiency and quality. Establish an information feedback mechanism, introduce supporting policies, and train young e-commerce talents. At the same time, tap into regional cultural resources to build characteristic brands and enhance influence. Improve industrial support policies, broaden funding channels, set up special funds, and establish a performance evaluation mechanism for fund use to ensure standardized and efficient use. Extend the industrial chain, support the construction of cocoon drying stations to solve the problem of fresh cocoon preservation, promote by-product development to increase added value, and realize benefit sharing through the “cooperative + farmer” model. The research results have important reference for the high-quality development of agricultural industries in similar regions.

To improve the quality of talent cultivation in the Forestry Technology major, this paper sorted out the current situation of fostering the craftsman spirit among the major's talents and put forward targeted practical paths in light of the actual development of the major. From 4 dimensions, namely curriculum system design, the cultivation and integrated management of teachers' craftsman spirit, school-enterprise collaborative education, and the guarantee system for cultivation, the paper identified the aspects with room for optimization and improvement in fostering the craftsman spirit for the major. On this basis, specific practical paths were constructed: first, promoting the reconstruction of the curriculum system, integrating the connotation of the craftsman spirit and industry standards, and innovating teaching and practical training models; second, building a teaching team with both the craftsman spirit and professional literacy, and strengthening the educational capacity through diversified learning, practical training and project-driven approaches; third, deepening the integration of industry and education, co-constructing “innovation and entrepreneurship + craftsman” bases, and improving the education model; fourth, improving the guarantee system, optimizing the evaluation, assessment and incentive mechanisms, and enhancing the integrated effect of teaching management and cultivation work. In terms of practical results, a total of 9 provincial, municipal and university-level teaching and research projects and 3 college students' innovation and entrepreneurship training programs were approved, 12 academic papers were published, and more than 300 students were guided in total, which improved the professional skills and vocational literacy of professional talents. This paper provided a reference for the talent cultivation of related majors.

This study reviewed the research on the drought resistance of Leymus secalinus and its application in ecological restoration, aiming to provide a scientific reference for the practical application and new variety breeding of L. secalinus. A combination of literature review and case analysis of ecological restoration practices was used in this study to elucidate the drought resistance mechanisms of L. secalinus from two aspects: physiological adaptive changes and morphological adjustments in tissue structure. It also comprehensively analyzed the unique advantages of L. secalinus in the field of ecological restoration by integrating its application techniques and patent achievements in vegetation recovery in sandy lands, slopes, degraded black soil meadows, and alpine grasslands. The results showed that L. secalinus had a high adaptability to ecological environments and could significantly increase vegetation cover under extreme conditions, thereby improving the ecological environment. Its rhizomes also played an important role in ecological restoration. However, the low seed-setting rate of L. secalinus currently severely restricts its large-scale application in ecological governance. Future efforts should focus on breeding L. secalinus to develop new varieties with high seed-setting rates, consistent traits, and stable yields. At the same time, new varieties with strong sexual reproduction capabilities should be cultivated to promote the large-scale application of L. secalinus in ecological restoration. This will provide a physical seed supply and technological support for desert control, saline-alkali land restoration, degraded ecosystem repair, and vegetation recovery in extreme environments.