Oral immunization is an alternative or supplementary approach that can significantly improve dog vaccination coverage, especially for free-roaming dogs.  Safe and effective oral rabies vaccines for dogs are still being sought.  In our previous studies, we generated a genetically modified rabies virus (RABV) ERA strain, rERAG_333E, containing a mutation from arginine (Arg, R) to glutamic acid (Glu, E) at residue 333 of the G protein (G_333E).  Our previous results demonstrated that rERAG_333E was safe for adult mice and dogs, and oral vaccination with rERAG_333E induced a strong and long-lasting protective immune response in dogs.  Here, we further investigated the safety and immunogenicity of rERAG_333E in non-target species, including suckling mice, rhesus monkeys, foxes, raccoon dogs, piglets, goats, and sheep.  Suckling mice studies demonstrated that the G_333E mutation significantly reduced the virulence of the ERA strain.  All of the suckling mice aged 10 days and above survived and showed no apparent signs of disease after intracerebral inoculation with rERAG_333E.  Animal studies demonstrated that rERAG_333E was safe in rhesus monkeys, foxes, raccoon dogs, piglets, goats, and sheep.  None of those animals inoculated orally with 10 times the intended field dose of rERAG_333E showed abnormal clinical signs before and after the booster immunization with Rabvac 3, an inactivated rabies vaccine.  Meanwhile, oral inoculation with rERAG_333E induced strong neutralizing antibody (NA) responses to RABV in rhesus monkeys, foxes, raccoon dogs, and piglets.  These results demonstrated that rERAG_333E has the potential to serve as a safe oral rabies vaccine for dogs.

Femoral head necrosis (FHN) is a common leg disorder in the poultry industry often leads to significant cartilage damage.  The mechanism behind abnormal apoptosis in FHN broilers, leading to cartilage damage, remains unclear; although endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) has been found to play a role in glucocorticoid-induced FHN broilers.  In this study, we collected samples from broilers with femoral head separation (FHS) and femoral head separation accompanied with growth plate lacerations (FHSL) in a broiler farm.  The aim was to investigate the potential association between the severity of FHN, bone remodeling and cartilage damage.  Additionally, primary chondrocytes were treated with methylprednisolone (MP) to construct an in vitro FHN model, followed by inhibition or activation of ERS or hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to further investigate the mechanism of apoptosis in cartilage.  The results suggested that cartilage appeared to be the appropriate tissue to investigate the potential mechanisms of FHN, as the degree of cartilage damage was found to be closely related to the severity of the disease.  Bone quality was only affected in FHSL broilers, although factors related to bone metabolism were significantly altered among FHN-affected broilers.  In addition, cartilage in FHN-affected broilers exhibited high levels of apoptosis and upregulated expression of ERS-related and HIF-1α, which was consistent with both in vivo and in vitro findings after MP treatment.  The results were further supported by treatment with HIF-1α or ERS inhibition or activation.  In conclusion, bone remodeling and cartilage homeostasis were affected in FHN broilers, but only cartilage damage was significantly exacerbated with FHN development.  Moreover, activation of ERS or HIF-1α resulted in apoptosis in cartilage, thus exhibiting a significant correlation with FHN severity.

The strawberry crimp nematode (Aphelenchoides fragariae) is a serious pathogen of ornamental crops and a significant quarantine concern in approximately 50 countries and regions, including China.  A nematode population belonging to the genus Aphelenchoides was isolated from symptomatic leaves of fuchsia plants (Fuchsia×hybrida Hort. ex Sieb. & Voss.) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.  Morphological and morphometric characteristics were determined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.  Detailed examination revealed diagnostic features consistent with A. fragariae.  Three ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions, i.e., partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA, D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), were amplified and sequenced.  Bayesian phylogenetic analyses based on these sequences placed the isolate in a well-supported monophyletic clade with reference A. fragariae specimens, clearly separated from other Aphelenchoides species.  Furthermore, host-suitability assays demonstrated that this nematode population not only infects and reproduces on Fuchsia×hybrida, but also on Fragaria ananassa and Pteris vittata, two known hosts of A. fragariae.  Collectively, morphological, molecular, and host-range evidence confirm the identification of this nematode as A. fragariae.  To our knowledge, this represents the first molecular and morphological confirmation of A. fragariae in China, and the first report of Fuchsia×hybrida as a natural host for this species.

In China, Xinjiang is a relatively independent epidemic region of wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, due to great population genetic divergence of Xinjiang with other inland epidemic regions.  In this region, race evolution was usually slower than inland populations.  However, many new races have recently been found, and therefore, it is necessary for more understanding of the virulence evolution of the Xinjiang population.  So, in this study, a 65 sexual progenies, derived from a Xinjiang single-urediospore isolate BGTB-1 of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici by selfing on alternate host barberry (Berberis aggregata).  It was phenotyped on the 25 single Yr lines, and genotyped by 19 kompetitive allele-specific PCR-single nucleotide polymorphism (KASP-SNP) markers.  As a result, the 65 progenies were identified as 56 various virulence patterns (VPs), and neither of which was identical to the parental isolate, showed 100% virulence variation.  Compared with the parental isolate, of all progenies, 39 (60.0%) had increased virulence, and 18 (27.7%) had decreased virulence.  All progenies exhibited avirulence to Yr10, Yr15, Yr32, and YrTr1 loci, and avirulence and virulence segregation at the remaining 21 Yr resistance loci.  The results showed avirulence to Yr5, Yr7, and Yr76 (A:V≈3:1) loci is controlled by a single dominant gene, and that to Yr6, Yr25, and Yr44 (A:V≈1:3) loci by a single recessive gene.  However, avirulence to the remaining 15 resistant loci including Yr1, Yr2, Yr3, Yr4, Yr8, Yr9, Yr17, Yr26 (=Yr24), Yr28, Yr29, Yr43, YrSP, Yr27, YrA, and YrExp2, with various avirulence and virulence segregation ratios, is controlled by two genes with different gene effects, indicating complex genetic traits of the parental isolate.  Totally, 65 dissimilar genotypes detected among progenies using overall molecular markers, by which a linkage map was constructed, with a genetic distance of 441.0 cM.  Interestingly, although the parental isolate was avirulent to Yr5, but 17 progenies showed virulence, showing the change of pathogenicity from avirulence to virulence at this resistance locus.  It was for the first time to report that progenies with virulence to Yr5 produced sexually from avirulent parental isolate at this resistance locus.  To our knowledge, this study offers an insight into inheritance, sexual reproduction and virulence variation of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici in Xinjiang, facilitating us to understand evolution of the rust pathogen in this region and accounting for Xinjiang population distinguished form other inland populations.  Additionally, it is necessary to further confirm the roles of sexual reproduction in the emergence of new races and affecting population genetic diversity of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici under natural conditions in Xinjiang.  

Plants encounter dynamic light environments in natural field conditions, and species differ in their physiological and biochemical mechanisms for acclimating to fluctuating light (FL).  The manner in which soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) coordinates multiple physiological adjustments to FL remains poorly understood.  This study assessed the effects of FL on soybean morphology and photosynthetic traits by examining changes in photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence under alternating high- and low-light conditions.  Results indicated that soybeans exposed to FL exhibited reduced dry matter accumulation, smaller and thinner leaves, and a lower Chl a/Chl b levels - characteristics typically associated with plants grown under continuous low-light.  Despite these morphological similarities, their photosynthetic gas exchange rates and photosynthetic capacity were maintained at levels comparable to those under steady high light, unlike plants grown under constant low-light.  Thus, acclimation to FL is distinct from adaptation to sustained low-light conditions.  Correlation analyses revealed that the decline in carbon assimilation under FL primarily stemmed from two factors: the slow recovery of stomatal conductance upon transition to high light and the delayed relaxation of nonphotochemical quenching when light intensity decreased.  Therefore, the reduction in carbon assimilation under FL cannot be attributed to low-light phase adjustments but rather reflects a lag in photosynthetic responsiveness to changing light conditions.

The breakthrough in super hybrid rice yield has significantly contributed to China’s and global food security.  However, the inherent conflict between high productivity and environmentally sustainable agriculture poses substantial challenges.  Issues such as water scarcity, energy crises, escalating greenhouse gas emissions, and diminishing farm profitability threaten long-term agricultural sustainability.  In response, we applied a holistic food–carbon–nitrogen–water–energy–profit (FCNWEP) nexus framework to comprehensively assess the sustainability of distinct crop management strategies across three sub-sites in Central China.  Field experiments were conducted in Hubei and Hunan provinces from 2017 to 2021 using a widely adopted elite super hybrid rice cultivar (Y-liangyou 900). Four crop management treatments were implemented: a control (CK, 0 kg N ha⁻¹), conventional crop management (CCM, 210–250 kg N ha⁻¹, 7:3 basal:mid-tiller fertilizer ratio), and two integrated crop management (ICM) treatments (ICM1, 180–210 kg N ha⁻¹, 5:2:3 basal:mid-tiller:panicle initiation fertilizer ratio; ICM2, 240–270 kg N ha⁻¹, 5:2:2:1 basal:mid-tiller:panicle initiation:flowering fertilizer ratio).  Variables assessed included grain yield, carbon footprint, nitrogen footprint, water footprint, energy footprint, nitrogen use efficiency, and economic benefits.  Our results showed significant yield variations, with ICM2 consistently outperforming CCM and ICM1 across all three sites.  In Jingzhou, Suizhou, and Changsha, ICM2’s grain yield was 30.2, 24.7, and 13.3% higher than CCM, respectively.  Net profits under ICM2 exceeded those of CCM and ICM1 by 31.8 and 115.2% in Jingzhou, 32.2 and 109.9% in Suizhou, and 15.4 and 34.0% in Changsha, respectively.  Integrated crop management, particularly ICM2, demonstrated improved nitrogen and energy use efficiency, leading to reduced carbon, nitrogen, water, and energy footprints.  Overall, composite sustainability scores derived from the FCNWEP framework indicated that both ICM2 and ICM1 exhibited higher sustainability levels compared to CCM.  This study provides valuable insights into practical management methodologies and offers recommendations for enhancing agricultural sustainability.

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are important sources of vegetable oil, protein, and forage.  The genus Arachis comprises nine intrageneric taxonomic sections encompassing 84 species.  Most Arachis species are wild plants that serve widely as forage and turfgrass.  Furthermore, wild Arachis species provide valuable gene resources for broadening the genetic diversity of cultivated peanuts.  To date, several key genes have been identified through the use of recombinant inbred lines derived from interspecific crosses within Arachis.  Despite this progress, the application of genetic engineering to enhance peanut traits remains limited.  This limitation arises primarily from the absence of a robust and reliable genetic transformation protocol for Arachis species.  Nevertheless, evidence indicates that successful genetic transformation of Arachis plants was first reported approximately 30 years ago.  Thus, a notable discrepancy exists between early reports of transformation success and the ongoing challenges in stably transferring candidate genes into Arachis genotypes.  This review summarizes existing methods for regeneration and genetic transformation in Arachis, aiming to advance understanding of transgenic technologies applicable to this genus.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 aims to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030.  However, global hunger and food insecurity have continued to rise at an alarming rate (UN 2023).  Subtropical regions are home to more than 30% of the world’s population, predominantly in developing countries where per capita farmland and food supply are only 40% of those in developed nations (FAO 2018).  Meeting the Zero Hunger target amid ongoing population growth in these regions requires a substantial increase in agricultural production while minimizing soil degradation and adverse ecological impacts.  This challenge is shared by many countries across South Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.

Against this background, the 4th International Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture for Subtropical Regions (ISSASR-4) was held from June 21 to 24, 2024, in Changsha, China, hosted by the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences.  The symposium brought together over 300 experts and scholars from nearly 30 countries.  Under the theme “Ecosystem Management and Agricultural Green Development in Subtropical Regions”, discussions focused on four key topics: (i) regional resources and ecosystem management for enhancing agricultural productivity, (ii) green crop and animal production, (iii) minimizing adverse environmental impacts of agricultural production, and (iv) the growing role of big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart farming.  Participants exchanged the latest research advances, identified major challenges, and explored countermeasures for agriculture and ecological sustainability in subtropical regions worldwide.

This Special Focus of the Journal of Integrative Agriculture (JIA) addresses these pressing issues by presenting empirical evidence and innovative solutions for agricultural green development.  It comprises 13 papers covering a wide range of topics related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus pathways in natural and agricultural ecosystems, with attention to microbial processes, land-use change, production management, and their effects on nutrient cycling and grain yield.  We hope this collection enhances understanding of ecosystem management and green agricultural development, offering actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.

Section 1: Regional resources and ecosystem management

This section examines three key areas: agricultural bio-resources, soil carbon and nutrient dynamics across ecosystems, and regional grain supply–demand matching.  Studies provide insights into bioinput-based agricultural frameworks, soil nutrient responses to climate change and anthropogenic influences, and the dynamic, heterogeneous patterns of grain matching.  Vermelho et al. (2026) reviewed microbial bioinputs, outlining their categories, mechanisms, global challenges, and Brazil’s production infrastructure and regulatory context.  Wang M M et al. (2026) reported moderate spatial variation with positive autocorrelation in soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), noting greater vulnerability to phosphorus and potassium limitation than to nitrogen, with soil properties outweighing spatial or environmental factors in explaining nutrient variation.  Another study by Wang L Y et al. (2026) identified climate and hydrological changes as key drivers of SOC loss in Dongting Lake, with accelerated loss occurring above 21.4 m elevation, suggesting that managed water levels during droughts could enhance carbon sequestration.  Wan et al. (2026) showed that plantations can mitigate climate change by increasing carbon storage at the aggregate scale in alpine regions.  Miao et al. (2026) demonstrated a scale-dependent mismatch in grain supply and demand, highlighting how interregional flows from 1980 to 2020 reduced deficit areas.  Together, these studies advance frameworks for sustainable ecosystem management.

Section 2: Green crop production in subtropical regions

Enhancing green crop production in subtropical regions requires practices that improve soil health and carbon sequestration while sustaining yields.  Given the vulnerability of subtropical croplands, effective strategies for maintaining SOC are critical.  Hua et al. (2026) found that long-term livestock manure substitution improves soil aggregate stability and reduces water erosion but increases lateral loss of labile organic carbon, revealing a trade-off.  Kautsar et al. (2026) reported that terrace reconstruction altered rice yields between field sides and modified SOC, TN, and decomposition dynamics in the 15–30 cm layer, with subsoil fertility determining productivity.  Wang J et al. (2026) demonstrated that massive granulated straw incorporation boosts SOC and crop yield in infertile soils, with accumulation efficiency ranging from 30.8 to 60.0%, primarily from plant residues.  These studies highlight practical pathways for sustainable soil management.

Section 3: Environmental impacts of agricultural production

Assessing and mitigating agriculture’s environmental footprint requires a multiscale understanding of soil ecological processes.  Pan et al. (2026) found that natural restoration enhances karst soil phosphorus-cycle multifunctionality more than artificial restoration or cropping, driven by increased SOC and bacterial network complexity, with rare phoD-harboring taxa playing a critical role.  Wang Y et al. (2026) reported that niche outweighs genotype in shaping pea fungal communities, with β-diversity driven by species replacement and deterministic assembly in niche-based groups.  Zhu et al. (2026) showed that SOC is higher in brown and yellow-brown soils and that spring irrigation significantly increases farmland SOC, supporting carbon sequestration.  Zheng et al. (2026) demonstrated that spatial factors govern carbon-cycling gene abundances in uplands, while biotic and substrate factors dominate in paddy soils, revealing an integrated “microbial carbon pump” in trace-gas cycling at a continental scale.  Collectively, these studies advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying soil functionality and greenhouse gas modulation.

Section 4: Big data, artificial intelligence and smart farming in agriculture

The integration of big data, AI, and smart technologies is pivotal for the digital transformation of agriculture.  This section presents a study on their practical application to environmental challenges.  Wang M H et al. (2026) developed an Android-based decision support system (CNPDSS) to control non-point source nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pollution.  Integrating GIS, a Bayesian predictive model, an optimization algorithm, and a smartphone interface, the system identified solutions that minimize both pollutant loadings and engineering costs in the Tuojia catchment, China.  Its adaptive design demonstrates potential for broader application, offering a scalable tool for sustainable water quality management.

This Special Focus underscores the critical intersection of ecosystem management and agricultural development in subtropical regions.  Through 13 studies organized across four themes - resource management, green production, environmental impact mitigation, and smart technology - the collection provides a science-based framework for enhancing productivity while preserving ecological integrity.  It offers concrete insights for achieving sustainable food systems and advancing the UN Zero Hunger goal in some of the world’s most vulnerable and vital agricultural landscapes.

【Objective】 The upper reaches of the Yangtze River represent one of China’s major rapeseed-producing regions, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the national supply of edible vegetable oil and improving the self-sufficiency rate of oil crops. However, the region is characterized by complex and variable climatic conditions, and traditional genetic improvement evaluation methods are highly susceptible to environmental interference, making it difficult to accurately track trends in varietal genetic potential. This study aimed to establish a method for tracing genetic improvement using annually top-yielding lines as representatives, thereby systematically revealing the genetic progress trajectory and agronomic trait evolution of rapeseed lines in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River from 2004 to 2023. The goal was to clarify the synergistic regulatory mechanisms of key agronomic traits in high-yield lines and provide theoretical support for high-yield and stable-yield rapeseed breeding. 【Method】 Annual top-yielding lines from the National Winter Rapeseed Regional Trials conducted in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River from 2004 to 2023 were selected as the study objects. A mixed linear model was used to separate environmental effects via the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) model. Linear regression, Pearson’s correlation analysis, standardized path analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were integrated to comprehensively assess yield genetic progress trends and trait variation patterns over the past two decades, and to construct a multi-trait synergistic regulation network. 【Result】 Both actual yield and BLUP-based yield of the rapeseed lines showed a significant upward trend from 2004 to 2023. The improvement of traits in high-yield lines exhibited clear stage-specific changes: from 2004-2013, breeding strategies emphasized compact plant type, with significant reductions in branching number, siliques per plant, and whole growth period; from 2014-2023, strategies shifted toward seed number type, with marked increases in siliques per plant and thousand-seed weight. Correlation and path analyses revealed that yield per plant is the core direct driving factor for enhancing population yield, while silique number per plant and branching number primarily contribute to population yield through indirect pathways via their effects on yield per plant. PCA revealed that the first five principal components all had eigenvalues greater than 1, cumulatively explaining 76% of the total variance. The PC1 axis, predominantly characterized by structural traits such as silique number per plant, branching number, and plant height, accounted for 29% of the variance, representing the primary dimension underlying inter-varietal differentiation, indicating a breeding trend from “single-trait breakthroughs” to “multi-factor synergy”. 【Conclusion】 The breeding focus for rapeseed in the upper Yangtze River has shifted from early-stage optimization of plant architecture toward late-stage enhancement of seed number. The study identified a high-yield model centered on yield per plant, supported by the coordinated improvement of branching number and siliques per plant, with balanced allocation to seed size traits. The lack of promotion area for high-yield varieties in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River from 2004 to 2013 indicates that the breeding direction in this region should comprehensively consider oil production and lodging resistance, in order to achieve sustained break throughs in rapeseed yield under different ecological and management conditions in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

【Objective】 Rapid on-site screening of genetically modified (GM) crops is crucial for effective biosafety regulation. To overcome the limitations of current detection methods, such as equipment dependency and operational complexity, this study developed a closed-tube detection system by integrating recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with split DNAzyme (MNAzyme). The system enables rapid, sensitive, and on-site detection of the GM soybean event DBN9004, supporting regulatory compliance and industrial safety management. 【Method】 Using GM soybean DBN9004 and its non-GM counterpart Jack as experimental materials, we firstly identified event-specific sequences for target detection through bioinformatics analysis. Then a recombinant plasmid (9004P) was constructed as a standard template. An asymmetric RPA system was designed to efficiently amplify the target sequence while generating abundant single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) products for MNAzyme activation. Critical reaction parameters were systematically optimized, including reaction temperature (35-60 ℃), probe concentration (125-1 000 nmol·L^-1), and RPA primer ratios (10 000﹕10 000 nmol·L^-1-10 000﹕31.25 nmol·L^-1). Sensitivity assessment was evaluated using gradient-diluted plasmids (8×10^-1-8×10⁵ copies/μL), while specificity evaluation was verified against ten GM crop lines (GTS40-3-2, ZH10-6, etc.). Field samples (n=13) were tested and compared with qPCR results. 【Result】 The method demonstrated exceptional sensitivity (8 copies/reaction), good repeatability (RSD=4.44%) and reproducibility (RSD=5.75%), absolute specificity for DBN9004 with no cross-reactivity against ten prevalent GM soybean varieties. Field testing demonstrated perfect concordance (100%) with qPCR results (n=13). 【Conclusion】 This study implemented an asymmetric RPA strategy to efficiently generate target-specific ssDNA amplicons. The resulting ssDNA products demonstrate specific binding affinity for pre-engineered split DNAzyme subunits (A/B), triggering their activation and subsequent continuous cleavage of fluorophore-quencher labeled substrate probes. Leveraging this molecular mechanism, we established a novel RPA-MNAzyme integrated platform for rapid and reliable detection of genetically modified soybean event DBN9004. By combining asymmetric RPA with MNAzyme cascade amplification, the method achieves dual-specificity recognition and signal enhancement. The closed-tube design prevents aerosol contamination, while the dual-mode output system accommodates both laboratory and on-site screening needs.

With the passage of time and the advancement of technology, crop breeding has gone through generations from 1.0 to 4.0 and is now moving towards generation 5.0. Although the 3.0 and 4.0 generations of breeding have received extensive attention, only hybrid breeding of the 2.0 generation can enable the parents to achieve genome-wide recombination, resulting in a large number of complex and unpredictable interactions within and between genes, which may be the basis for the emergence of breakthrough traits. Thus hybrid breeding still holds an important position. However, at present, taking rice as an example, the hybrid breeding operations carried out by the majority of breeders may still have issues that need improvement in terms of scientificity and efficiency. In light of the current situation, in order to select high-yielding, high-quality, and multi-resistant varieties, and to overcome the homogenization of varieties, hybrid rice breeding should pay attention to the following aspects. Firstly, the breeding goals should be combined with the local natural conditions and effectively coordinate the combination of advantageous traits. Only in this way can the high-yield, high-quality and highly-resistant high-level goals be achieved, so as to break through the homogenization of varieties. Secondly, because the F₁ generation combines the superior traits of both parents and has certain hybrid vigor, it may be the best-performing generation of the same combination. If F₁ performs poorly overall, it is difficult for its offspring to produce the expected types that meet the breeding goals. Therefore, this generation should be selected as a key generation, which is conducive to significantly improving the efficiency of breeding. Thirdly, in the early stage of breeding, the main task is to promote generations. To enhance the breeding efficiency, direct seeding should be adopted, which can save land and resources. During the breeding process, the current generation should be combined with the early-generation tests to increase predictability and further eliminate combinations to improve the breeding efficiency. Fourth, during the high-generation selection process, after field selecting, the panicle traits of the combinations should be further compared indoors to select the optimal combination, so as to achieve the best from the best. Finally, the intelligent varieties of the 5.0 generation of breeding are those that can adapt to the ecological and biological factors of the wide range of environments, and can meet the production needs with wide adaptability. Due to the complexity of the environmental conditions for crop growth, it is necessary to conduct extensive and long-term identification of the varieties to achieve the breeding goals. In conclusion, by optimizing the field operations and selection techniques in hybrid breeding, the breeding efficiency will be significantly enhanced, laying the foundation for the selection of breakthrough varieties.

The facility vegetable industry exhibits significant potential and advantages in promoting agricultural carbon sequestration and emission reduction. Systematically exploring its low-carbon development pathways holds substantial practical significance for Xi'an City in achieving the “Dual Carbon” goals. This study clarifies the disadvantages and advantages of carbon sequestration and emission reduction in the facility vegetable industry. Based on field research data from vegetable industry in Xi’an, it conducts an in-depth analysis of the key issues hindering carbon sequestration and emission reduction for facility vegetable sector in Xi'an. Subsequently, a “four-optimization” technical pathway system is proposed, encompassing improved variety selection and breeding, optimized greenhouse structure, precision cultivation management, and efficient recycling of straw resources. Finally, corresponding recommendations are put forward regarding policy incentives, standard system construction, carbon market mechanism exploration, and future research directions. The aim is to provide a systematic reference for the low-carbon development of facility vegetable industry in Xi’an, thereby effectively supporting regional agricultural green transformation and the realization of the “Dual Carbon” goals.

To address the issue of intensifying soil acidification threatening agricultural production, this study systematically reviews the current status and trends of research on soil acidification regulation in China. Based on 386 Chinese core journal articles from the CNKI database (2004-2024) focusing on soil acidification regulation strategies, bibliometric analysis was conducted using CiteSpace 6.4R1 software from the perspectives of annual publication volume, research institutions, author collaboration, and keyword clustering. The results show that: (1) the development of this research field can be divided into three stages: slow growth from 2004 to 2015, stable fluctuation from 2016 to 2021, and rapid growth from 2022 to 2024. (2) Collaboration among institutions and authors presents a pattern of “local concentration but overall dispersion,” with Huazhong Agricultural University (18 articles) and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (9 articles) as core research institutions. Author collaboration is mainly characterized by small-scale clusters, reflecting relatively weak overall coordination. (3) Keyword clustering formed 14 core themes, including “lime amendment,” “biochar application”, “straw return”, and “microbial regulation”. In recent years, “biochar”, “microbial inoculants”, and “calcium-magnesium fertilizers” have emerged as research hotspots. Research on soil acidification regulation in China has shifted from a single chemical amendment approach to an integrated chemical-organic-biological regulation paradigm. Current studies focus on technological pathways and crop planting patterns adapted to different acidified soil characteristics, providing important bibliometric references and technical support for the precise management of soil acidification, cultivated land quality protection, and sustainable agricultural development in China.

Grape anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is one of the most serious diseases affecting grape production. Biological control has emerged as a key strategy for managing this pathogen. Bacillus subtilis BS-1 exhibits strong antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides. To elucidate its mode of action and evaluate its field performance, we assessed the inhibitory effects of BS-1 on the mycelial growth and spore morphology of C. gloeosporioides, quantified chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities in its fermentation broth, and conducted field trials against grape anthracnose. The results demonstrated that strain BS-1 strongly inhibits C. gloeosporioides, producing an inhibition zone of 10.1 mm. The fungal pathogen failed to grow normally in BS-1 fermentation broth, with spores showing constriction and hyphae exhibiting swelling and abnormal morphology. Biochemical assays confirmed that BS-1 secretes chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase during fermentation. These findings indicate that the antifungal mechanism involves degradation of the pathogen cell wall by these enzymes, leading to growth inhibition. In field trials, the fermentation broth of BS-1 provided effective control of grape anthracnose, with an average efficacy ranging from 64.17% to 75.04%. In conclusion, B. subtilis BS-1 demonstrates strong potential for development as a biocontrol agent against grape anthracnose.

Allium fistulosum is one of the main characteristic economic crops in Tongxin, Ningxia, but the occurrence of soft rot disease affected the yield and quality of A. fistulosum. The analysis of the composition and diversity of endophytic bacterial communities related to the soft rot of A. fistulosum aims to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism of soft rot disease occurrence and determining the pathogenic bacteria. 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology and traditional isolation methods were used to compare the commonalities and differences of endophytic bacterial communities in healthy and soft rot plants of A. fistulosum. A total of 1334 OTUs were obtained from healthy and diseased samples, and the richness and diversity of endophytic bacteria were lower in diseased samples than in healthy samples. There were significant differences in endophytic bacterial communities between the two samples, with Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum, and its relative abundance in diseased and healthy plants was 82.51% and 43.49%, respectively. At the genus level, unclassified Enterobacteriaceae was the dominant genus in diseased samples (46.59%), while Chryseobacterium (11.98%), Pseudomonas (7.10%), and Flavobacterium (5.01%) were dominant genera in healthy samples. The bacterial strains isolated from healthy and diseased samples belonged to 11 genera, including 4 genera endemic to healthy plants, 2 genera endemic to diseased plants, and 5 genera owned by both. Among them, Bacillus and Microbacterium were endemic genera to healthy plants with high isolation frequency, which may be related to disease resistance of healthy A. fistulosum; Klebsiella and Pseudomonas were common genera, and had a high isolation frequency in diseased plants. This study confirmed that the changes of endophytic bacterial diversity and community composition in A. fistulosum were closely related to the occurrence of soft rot disease, but the identification of pathogenic bacteria still requires screening and detection using multiple methods.

Inner Mongolia is located in the upper reaches of the North China region, and its ecological environment is sensitive and fragile. In recent years, due to climate change and rapid economic growth, ecological environment problems have become increasingly prominent. Conducting ecological environment quality assessment and trend prediction in Inner Mongolia is of great significance for guiding ecological environment protection work. This article is based on the GEE platform, introducing aerosols (AOD) and desertification difference index (DDI), and constructing an improved remote sensing ecological index ARSEI to dynamically monitor and predict the ecological environment quality of Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2023. The spatial autocorrelation of Inner Mongolia's ecological environment quality is discussed using spatial autocorrelation, and the CA-Markov model is used to predict the future ecological environment quality of Inner Mongolia. The results show that: (1) this article introduces the aerosol AOD and desertification difference index DDI to construct the ARSEI index, with a PC1 contribution of over 87%, which can better concentrate the characteristics of various ecological indicators, with little difference from RSEI, and the grading results are basically consistent. It can more accurately evaluate the ecological environment quality of Inner Mongolia and has strong applicability. (2) The ecological environment quality in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2023 was mainly poor and moderate, showing a decreasing trend from east to west in spatial distribution. The Inner Mongolia region experienced severe degradation from 2000 to 2005, with a degradation area accounting for 21.18% and an improvement area accounting for 8.11%. Since then, the ecological environment quality has gradually improved. (3) The global Moran index of Inner Mongolia for six years has been above 0.606, and the spatial agglomeration characteristics within the region are obvious, mainly distributed in high-high and low-low patterns. The overall trend of improving the ecological environment quality center of each level in spatial distribution is from east to west and from north to south. (4) The ARSEI prediction indicates that the ecological quality deterioration in central and western Inner Mongolia is slightly higher than improvement potential in the future. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize ecological restoration projects in the ecologically fragile areas of this region.

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and advantages of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) in monitoring vegetation drought in forest and grassland ecosystems. A fluorescence health index (SHI) based on GOSIF (SIF product ) data was constructed and compared with vegetation health index (VHI) and meteorological drought index SPEI. Results showed that in 57% of the months, the correlation coefficient between SHI and SPEI was higher than that between VHI and SPEI, indicating that SHI was more responsive and sensitive to drought events. SHI showed a significant decreasing trend at annual and seasonal (spring, summer, autumn) scales, reflecting the overall alleviation of vegetation drought conditions during the study period. The spatial distribution pattern showed a “widespread drought in the west, less severe in the east”, with particularly significant changes in the northeast, southeast, and central-west of the region, demonstrating distinct regional differences. Overall, SHI based on SIF can more sensitively reflect changes in vegetation under drought stress, serving as an important supplement or improvement to the traditional VHI. The application of SHI in Inner Mongolia can improve the accuracy and timeliness of drought monitoring, providing a new remote sensing technology path for drought monitoring, risk assessment, and decision-making in ecologically vulnerable areas. This method has the potential to be extended to other regions or a global drought remote sensing monitoring system.

This research aimed to analyze the variations of agricultural climate resources during the key growth periods of grapes in Raoyang County and the influence of future climate change on the facility grape industry of Raoyang County. Based on the daily meteorological data from 1957 to 2023 of the Raoyang National Climate Observatory, methods such as interpolation and linear trend analysis were adopted to study the changes of agricultural climate resources during the grape growth periods in Raoyang County, to judge and predict the future development trend. The results showed that the heat resources in Raoyang County were stable, the average temperature in each growth period of grape was suitable, and the duration days and effective accumulated temperature of average temperature passing through 10℃ showed a continuous upward trend. The precipitation resources were unstable, and the precipitation in grape germination stage was less. However, the precipitation in fruit production stage was more, and the future change trend was not significant. The light resources satisfied the growth demands of grapes, while the average daily sunshine duration and the percentage of sunshine presented a remarkable downward trend. The air humidity fluctuated and the changing trend was not significant, the grape coloring and maturation period’s air humidity was relatively high. The wind force in April and May was relatively strong, and the 2-minute average wind speed showed a significant downward trend overall. In summary, climate change exerts a dual impact of “beneficial guidance + stress” on the grape industry in Raoyang County by altering the structure of agricultural climatic resources. The improvement of heat conditions is conducive to the cultivation of late-maturing varieties, and the instability of precipitation resources has higher requirements for the irrigation and water control systems in the vineyards, which is recommended to enhance the meteorological monitoring capabilities in the planting area and regulate soil moisture scientifically.

To explore the restoration effect of fallowing on the soil quality of degraded vegetable fields, a three-year positioning experiment was carried out on eight fallowing measures which included direct fallowing without removing the greenhouse, direct fallowing after removing the greenhouse, rotary tillage fallowing after removing the greenhouse, deep ploughing fallowing after removing the greenhouse, deep ploughing fallowing with rice husk after removing the greenhouse, deep ploughing and covering fallowing after removing the greenhouse, deep ploughing and planting green manure fallowing after removing the greenhouse and deep ploughing with lime after removing the greenhouse. The changes in soil quality indicators during different fallowing processes were dynamically observed. The results showed that all the above eight fallowing measures could reduce the contents of water-soluble salts, exchangeable acids, available phosphorus and available potassium in the soil to varying degrees, and increase soil organic carbon, water-stable aggregates, microbial biomass carbon, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, pH value and cation exchange capacity. Except for the direct fallowing without removing the greenhouse, all other fallowing measures could reduce soil bulk density, but all fallowing measures had a relatively small impact on total nitrogen, total phosphorus and slow-release potassium in the soil. Research suggested that the most suitable fallowing measures for restoring the soil quality of degraded vegetable fields included deep ploughing after removing the greenhouse and planting green manure, deep ploughing with rice husks after removing the greenhouse, and deep ploughing with lime after removing the greenhouse. Deep ploughing after removing the greenhouse and covering, as well as deep ploughing after removing the greenhouse, also had good effects. The effects of rotary tillage after the greenhouse was removed and direct fallowing after the greenhouse was removed were relatively small.

To explore the effects of different biochar-based fertilizers on soil properties and celery yield in facility settings, a plot experiment was used to compare the single application of organic fertilizer (T₁), the single application of biochar (T₂, the amount of biochar was 12 t/hm²), and the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer (T₃ to T₅, with biochar application rates of 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 t/hm²) on soil nutrients, celery yield and quality. The results showed that the T₄ treatment had the highest celery yield and the lowest nitrate content, which was beneficial to increasing yield and income. In terms of soil nutrients, the application of biochar increased soil organic matter and available potassium to varying degrees, but reduced soil available phosphorus content and EC value, with little effect on total nitrogen content. The increase in organic matter content compared to T₁ was 1.41% to 12.54%, and the increase in available potassium content was 4.13% to 9.81%. Regarding soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer in all treatments (T₃ to T₅) significantly increased soil microbial biomass nitrogen by 15.60%, 3.24% and 14.40%, respectively; only the T₄ treatment increased soil microbial biomass carbon content compared to T₁. In conclusion, the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer can improve soil physical and chemical properties and microbial activity to varying degrees, increase celery yield and quality. In the experiment, the application of 12 t/hm² of commercial organic fertilizer and 3.0 t/hm² of biochar had the best overall effect.

The southeastern foothills of the Greater Khingan Range in Inner Mongolia serve as a critical soybean production base in China, where the shifts in planting zones are vital for ensuring national food security. Based on meteorological data from 38 stations in eastern Inner Mongolia from 1961 to 2020, this study systematically analyzed the impact of climate change on soybean planting zones using climate tendency rate, Gamma distribution, and a small-grid estimation model. Results indicate a significant increase in thermal resources in the region: the average temperature during 1991-2020 rose by 1.11℃ compared to the 1961-1990 period, with ≥10℃ accumulated temperature increasing by 203.2℃·d and the frost-free period extending by 9.4 days. The total areas of potential soybean planting zones were expanded by 27195 km², with the northern boundary shifting approximately 101-224 km northward. The safe planting zones exhibited a slightly smaller northward shift (101-153 km) but were still expanded by 22,599 km². Climate warming has significantly enhanced the potential for extending the northern planting boundary of soybeans and promoting mid- and late-maturing varieties. These findings suggest optimizing soybean cultivar arrangements based on accumulated temperature zone shifts, providing scientific support for revitalizing soybean production in Northeast China.

To explore the regulatory effects of applying commercial organic fertilizer from fermented chicken manure on rice yield and soil physicochemical properties in a double-cropping rice system, a paired field experiment was conducted in sandy loam paddy fields derived from river alluvium in eastern Hunan Province. The treatments consisted of conventional chemical fertilizer and commercial organic fertilizer from fermented chicken manure (4.5 t/hm² per season). The effects of continuous organic fertilizer application on rice yield, soil physicochemical properties, and enzyme activities were systematically analyzed. The results showed that, compared with the control plots, although the organic fertilizer treatment did not significantly increase double-cropping rice yield (the increase range between 11%-15%), it significantly improved the soil physical structure: the soil bulk density decreased by 15%-16% in early rice season, and the stability of soil aggregates was significantly increased by 21%-61% (P<0.05). The contents of various soil carbon components showed an increasing trend. In Lutang Village, the total soil organic carbon content was significantly increased by 12% and 19% in early and late rice seasons, respectively; the contents of active organic carbon components (dissolved organic carbon and particulate organic carbon) increased by 29%-67%, and the mineral-bound organic carbon content increased by 14%-65%. The increase in available nutrient content showed spatiotemporal heterogeneity. In Lutang Village, the total nitrogen and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen contents were significantly increased by 26% and 21%, respectively, in the early rice season; in Fengyu Village, the alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen and available potassium contents were increased by 21% and 11%, respectively, in the late rice season (P<0.05). The response of soil enzyme activity to organic fertilizer application varied with the experimental site and rice season. In Fengyu Village, the activities of urease, acid phosphatase, and β-1,4-glucosidase were significantly increased by 93%-149% in the late rice season, while in Lutang Village, β-1,4-glucosidase activity was decreased by 23%-35% in both early and late rice seasons. Correlation analysis showed that rice yield was significantly positively correlated with soil organic carbon, available potassium, and mineral-bound carbon (Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.420-0.634), but was significantly negatively correlated with β-1,4-glucosidase activity (Pearson correlation coefficient was -0.506). In conclusion, commercial organic fertilizer from fermented chicken manure positively enhances soil fertility in double-cropping rice systems by improving soil physical structure, increasing soil organic carbon content, and modulating enzyme activities, though its effects are influenced by native soil properties and rice season.

Addressing the challenge of safe rice production in cadmium (Cd)-contaminated farmland, this study aimed to screen commercially available high-efficiency foliar inhibitors and evaluate their application effects. Two commercially available silicon (Si)-containing foliar inhibitors (Beierke and Guilifeng) were applied at two rates (3 and 6 L/hm²) in typical Cd-contaminated farmland in Yiyang City. A treatment without foliar inhibitor application served as the control group (CK). A total of five treatment groups were sprayed at the rice booting and heading stages. The study examined their effects on rice yield, Cd content in rice grains, and the Cd bioaccumulation factor, along with a health risk assessment. The results indicated that spraying the two Si-containing foliar inhibitors (3 and 6 L/hm²) during the rice booting and heading stages increased rice yield by 4.6% to 7.7%, reduced Cd content in rice grains by 24.5% to 42.5%, and decreased the Cd bioaccumulation factor in rice grains by 24.1% to 42.3%. Both inhibitors showed optimal performance at the application rate of 6 L/hm², and under the same application rate, Beierke demonstrated superior Cd reduction compared to Guilifeng. The application of two foliar inhibitors reduced the target hazard quotient (THQ) for adults and children by 24.2% to 42.1% and 24.3% to 42.4%, respectively, mitigating the health risks associated with rice consumption for the local population. In conclusion, the application of commercially available Si-containing foliar inhibitors during the rice booting and heading stages can increase rice yield in Cd-contaminated farmland, reduce Cd absorption and accumulation in rice grains, and mitigate health risks to human health. Among then, the use of Beierke foliar inhibitor at a dosage of 6 L/hm² yielded the best result. Future efforts should combine soil amendments (such as lime) to adjust soil pH and further reduce Cd content in rice to meet national standards, thereby providing a more comprehensive technical solution for the safe utilization of Cd-contaminated farmland.

This article reviewed the nutritional characteristics and application prospects of colored potatoes, analyzes the key areas that need to be focused on, and proposed corresponding strategies. Related in vitro and animal model studies have shown that colored potatoes have potential value in regulating blood lipids and antioxidation. They were widely applied in agricultural cultivation and scientific research, food processing, and ornamental agriculture. However, the current industrial development required focused attention on key aspects including variety breeding, market awareness, cultivation techniques, and pest and disease control. Based on this, the following strategies were proposed: the enhancement of variety breeding and genetic mechanism research, along with the improvement of the variety regulation system; the promotion of market awareness and competitiveness through multi-channel publicity and brand building; and the adoption of green and efficient cultivation techniques, coupled with the establishment of a monitoring, early warning, and integrated prevention and control system for pests and diseases. This study provides a reference for the rational utilization and sustainable development of the colored potato industry.

As a versatile material, biochar exhibits extensive application potential in environmental remediation due to its adsorption capabilities. Modification methods were summarized from 3 aspects: pore structure, surface functional groups, and loaded metal active components. In terms of pore structure regulation, activating agents such as ZnCl₂ and KOH can be used to tailor the pore structure of biochar, increasing its specific surface area and the number of active sites, thereby enhancing its adsorption capacity for gases (CO₂) and organic pollutants. Regarding the modulation of surface functional groups, methods including oxidation (introducing acidic oxygen-containing functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups using strong acids and strong bases), amination (introducing amino groups using urea or ammonia), and sulfonation (incorporating sulfonic groups with concentrated H₂SO₄) enable the directed introduction of oxygen-, nitrogen-, and sulfur-containing functional groups. These modifications improve biochar’s ability to adsorb heavy metals and organic pollutants. In the case of loading metal active components, employing metal salts (such as MgCl₂, FeCl₃, and ZnCl₂) facilitates comprehensive enhancement of biochar’s properties, including specific surface area, pore structure, pore size distribution, and surface functional groups. This review provides a valuable reference for the directed modification and improvement of biochar.

The relationship between forest and wildlife protection was explored through literature review analysis, and corresponding protection strategies were proposed based on the current status. In terms of the relationship, forests provide wildlife with habitats, food sources and a variety of ecological services, while wildlife plays an irreplaceable role in maintening ecological balance in forest ecosystems. At present, forest and wildlife protection still face challenges such as forest area, overutilization of wildlife resources and ecology environmental, which threaten biodiversity and the stability of ecosystems. To this end, it is necessary to strictly implement forest protection management systems, promote sustainable forest management methods, strengthen ecological restoration projects, and continuously improve the quality and coverage of forests; rely on sound laws and regulations to regulate the utilization of wildlife resources, increase law enforcement efforts, and raise public awareness of protection; at the same time, actively promote ecological restoration and green development, strengthen environmental monitoring and pollution control, and promote the coordinated and sustainable development of the economy, society and ecological environment. This paper provides a reference for forest and wildlife protection work.

In order to simplify the determination method of fertilizer application rate and accurately match the types and proportions of fertilizers. Utilizing a modified formula for calculating fertilizer rate, a trade-off selection method for determining fertilizer rate and a relative abundance method for matching type ratios were established. The trade-off selection method was used to calculate the required fertilizer rate for planting corn, wheat, and peanuts in sandy black calcareous soil, loamy black calcareous soil, and typical black soil in the Northeast Black Soil Region, which are close to the actual local fertilizer rate and indicate that the local fertilizer rate are not excessive. The relative abundance method was used to calculate the mixing or compound fertilizer ratios needed for different crops in various plots, recommending a N:P₂O₅:K₂O ratio of 25:10:15 for preparing mixed or compound fertilizers for corresponding soil types in the Northeast Black Soil Region to match suitable fertilizer rate. Under the scenario where the amount of available nutrients supplied from the soil equals the loss from the applied fertilizer, the fertilization rate should follow the principle，how much is needed for crops growing, how much to apply.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the "vegetable-vegetable" (eggplant-late flowering cabbage, VVR) and "rice-vegetable" (rice-late flowering cabbage, RVR) crop rotation patterns on the soil microecology of fields cultivating Zengcheng late flowering cabbage (a national geographical indication product). Using late flowering cabbage, eggplant, and rice as test materials, a field experiment was conducted to determine soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure under different rotation patterns. A systematic assessment of soil microecological differences was performed. Compared with the VVR pattern, the RVR pattern increased soil pH by 0.38-0.76 units, but reduced electrical conductivity, organic matter, and available nutrient contents by 7.3%-59.5%. RVR significantly enhanced sucrase and catalase activities (by 0.5- to 1.4-fold), and maintained higher and more stable bacterial alpha-diversity, with Chao1 and Shannon indices exceeding those of VVR by 13.4%-27.6%. Redundancy analysis indicated that pH, polyphenol oxidase, and acid phosphatase were key environmental factors driving soil microbial community variation, significantly affecting the relative abundance of several key microbial phyla, including Nitrospirota. Although the VVR facilitates nutrient accumulation, it carries a risk of soil acidification. In contrast, the RVR effectively maintains soil microecological stability through synergistic regulation of soil pH and key enzyme activities. This study provides theoretical support for optimizing soil health management in areas producing geographical indication agricultural products.