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For Selected: Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX Toggle Thumbnails Select Genetic diversity of H13 avian influenza viruses in migratory shorebirds in eastern China Mengdi Guan, Wenxi Li, Wenjun Shi, Mengjing Wang, Lili Liu, Yujiao Xie, Huihui Kong, Yujie Li, Hongke Xu, Mingfeng Liu, Xuan Yang, Zhanshuai Li, Anran Ren, Jing Guo, Xuyong Li DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.043 Online: 23 December 2025 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Coronavirus-like particles package the negative-strand genome of coronavirus Xinyu Yang, Wenzhen Qin, Ning Kong, Yuchang Liu, Guangzhi Tong, Tongling Shan DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.042 Online: 23 December 2025 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Research on lightweight detection of cotton leaf diseases based on self-supervised contrastive representation learning Meiqi Zhong, Linjing Wei, Henghui Mo DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.041 Online: 23 December 2025 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Cotton leaf diseases such as leaf spot, blight, and wilt are difficult to detect reliably in the field because lesions are small, low-contrast, and often obscured by complex backgrounds. We present RT-DETR-SDSL, a lightweight detector designed for real-world on-device deployment. Our main research line is a complementary three-part pipeline that aligns representation quality, lesion sensitivity, and edge efficiency: (i) we adopt MoCo v2 self-supervised pretraining on unlabeled field imagery to initialize the backbone and improve data efficiency under scarce labels; (ii) we propose a Decoupled Focused Self-Attention (DFSA) module that factorizes 2D attention along height and width and augments each axis with 1D dilated depthwise convolution, enlarging the effective receptive field around fine textures while suppressing background responses; and (iii) we propose a Teacher–Assistant–Student distillation framework coupled with a structured channel-pruning schedule to preserve accuracy while reducing parameters and storage for edge devices. To mitigate class imbalance and rare-lesion scarcity, we incorporate high-fidelity StyleGAN3 synthesis and targeted augmentations, and we use Grad-CAM++ to visualize decision evidence for interpretability. On challenging field datasets, RT-DETR-SDSL attains precision of 90.32%, recall of 87.52%, and mAP50 of 88.47%, outperforming strong baselines. The deployable model is 17.8 MB and runs at 14 fps on an NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX, striking a practical balance between accuracy and efficiency for precision agriculture. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Nano-biochar amendment reduces reactive gaseous nitrogen losses and improves grain yield in alternate wetting and drying paddy fields Yidi Sun, Tao Zong, Yuhao Zhou, Jianchang Yang, Xiaoping Xin, Weiyang Zhang, Wenhao Fang, Tong Shen DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.040 Online: 23 December 2025 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Biochar (BC) demonstrates considerable potential for reducing nitrogen emissions and improving crop yield. However, it frequently exhibits limited capacity and may increase ammonia (NH3) volatilization. Nano-biochar (NBC) is attracting growing attention due to its higher surface energy, but there is a lack of information for rice production systems, especially under alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Therefore，a two-year field experiment was conducted in 2023 and 2024, involving six treatments: continuous flooding (CF) without BC (ICFB0), AWD without BC (IAWDB0), AWD with 20 t ha-1 BC (IAWDB20), AWD with 5,10 and 20 t ha-1 NBC (IAWDNB5, IAWDNB10 and IAWDNB20). Their effects on reactive gaseous nitrogen losses (NH3 and N2O; Nr), floodwater nitrogen, soil environment variables, nitrogen uptake, grain yield, and nitrogen-related global warming potential (GWPN) were evaluated. Results showed that there was no significant difference in NH3 volatilization and grain yield between IAWDB0 and ICFB0 treatments, but AWD increased N2O emission by 41.71-53.25%. Compared with without BC addition, NBC application increased soil mineral nitrogen while decreasing floodwater NH4+-N, thereby reducing NH3 volatilization, N2O emission, Nr and GWPN by 5.92-34.41%, 9.95-25.49%, 6.37-33.39%, 12.20-26.11%, respectively, in AWD paddy fields. Compared to IAWDB20, IAWDNB20 reduced NH3 volatilization, N2O emission, Nr losses and GWPN by 12.97-13.45%, 9.47-17.26%, 13.69%, 9.95-17.89%, respectively, and IAWDNB10 showed no significant difference in 2023, but significantly reduced N2O emission, lowering GWPN by 7.81% in 2024. NBC also promoted aboveground dry matter and nitrogen accumulation in rice plants, ultimately increasing grain yield by 1.95-12.25%, and no significant difference was observed between IAWDNB10 and IAWDB20. Therefore, even with the biochar application rate halved, NBC can still enhance soil nitrogen content, thereby mitigating Nr losses and GWPN, while simultaneously improving grain yield in AWD paddy fields.   Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Convergent dynamics and shared mechanisms of three pool soil carbon mineralization under different grassland managements Junhao Feng, Ji Chen, Xiaowei Liu, Yudu Jing, Ke Liang, Qiang Yu, Changhui Peng, Liang Guo DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.030 Online: 22 December 2025 Abstract （4）      PDF in ScienceDirect       The mineralization dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in grasslands are crucial to terrestrial biogeochemical cycles. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying extracellular enzyme metabolism and microbial community structure during SOC mineralization across different carbon pools remain poorly understood. In this study, a 553-day incubation experiment was conducted to examine temporal changes in CO2 emissions, extracellular enzyme activities, microbial biomass, and microbial community composition in soils from both enclosed and grazed grasslands. Using a three-pool model, SOC dynamics were quantified within active, slow, and passive carbon pools, revealing a shift in the dominance of mineralization from the active carbon pool to the passive carbon pool during the long-term carbon turnover, with differences observed across grassland management strategies. Compared to grazed grasslands, enclosed grasslands exhibited an approximately 110% larger active carbon pool and higher initial SOC mineralization rates (significantly higher during the first 113 days), yet long-term microbial and enzymatic regulatory mechanisms—particularly shifts in microbial strategies, enzyme activity patterns, and their interactions with carbon pools—were similar across both management regimes. The observed shifts in carbon pool dynamics were driven by enhanced microbial capacity to decompose passive carbon, associated with substantially increased oxidative enzyme production (e.g., mass-specific oxidase activity increased by 190.6% in enclosed soil and by 256.1% in grazed soil) and elevated nitrogen and phosphorus demands. Notably, microbial communities shifted from fast-growing copiotrophic taxa (e.g., Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Ascomycota) to slower-growing oligotrophic taxa (e.g., Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Basidiomycota), with the oligotroph-to-copiotroph ratio increasing by 55.5–62.6% for bacteria and 96.9–247.5% for fungi. These changes were closely linked to shifts in enzyme activity profiles and stoichiometric ratios. Overall, this study provides mechanistic insights into how microbial ecological strategies and enzyme activities interact to regulate SOC mineralization across different pools under contrasting grassland management regimes. These findings advance our understanding of SOC turnover and improve predictive capabilities for carbon cycling, with broader implications for global climate change feedbacks. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select A mutation in BrPRPL1 causes leaf yellowing by influencing chloroplast protein translation in Chinese cabbage Xiaowei Ren, Xing Li, Jie Li, Jindi Fan, Mengyao Yuan, Yan Li, Daling Feng, Yin Lu, Hao Liang, Xiaofei Fan, Lei Sun, Kehui Ren, Mengyang Liu, Wei Ma, Jianjun Zhao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.029 Online: 22 December 2025 Abstract （3）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Leaf color directly influences the appearance quality and nutritional quality of leafy vegetables, determining their economic value. Here, we identify a golden leaf mutant, Mut298, from an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutant library of Chinese cabbage. Through the approach of forward genetics, it has been demonstrated that the phenotype of Mut298 is due to a single nucleotide substitution from C to T change glycine to arginine in the conserved domain of BrPRPL1, which encodes the large subunit ribosomal protein L1 of the chloroplast. Due to the PRPL1 mutation result in embryonic lethality in Arabidopsis, the function of PRPL1 in leaf development remains elusive. In this study, the mutation of BrPRPL1 causes a substantial reduction in the expression of key chloroplast-encoded proteins (RbcL, PsaA, and PsaB), and causing abnormal chloroplast development. Moreover, the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters are significantly lower in Mut298 plants than in wild type plants, resulting in golden yellow leaves in Chinese cabbage. This study details the impact of PRPL1 mutation on ribosome translation within chloroplasts and sets a foundation for future research into the regulatory roles of PRPL1 in plant growth and development. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Transcriptomic changes and VvMYBPA1 function analysis reveal the molecular mechanism of drought tolerance in grapevine Shuzhen Jiao, Yaping Huang, Shixiong Lu, Han Wang , Yanmei Li, Juan Mao, Baihong Chen DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.028 Online: 19 December 2025 Abstract （3）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Drought stress negatively affects grapevine growth and development. Grafting with rootstock is widely used to improve the quality of grape fruits and confer drought stress tolerance, but the underlying genetics and regulatory mechanism is unclear. Hence, we investigated the physiologic and transcriptomic profiles in the leaves of grafted SM/1103P (SM shoot/1103P root) and self-rooted SM (Shine Muscat) as well as roots of grafted SM/1103P and self-rooted 1103P under drought stress conditions. The results indicated that grafted grapevine effectively attenuated drought damage in grape leaves by increasing phytohormone levels and antioxidant enzyme activity, reducing H2O2 and MDA content. Transcriptomic profiling revealed a total of 11,855 and 11,197 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in grape leaves and roots respectively. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed based on the RNA-seq data, and five modules (greenyellow, black, turquoise, salmon and blue) were significantly correlated to drought stress. Pathway analysis showed that DEGs were enriched in the plant hormone signal transduction and MAPK signaling pathway. 916 transcription factor genes (TFs) belonging to different gene families were detected that may participate in regulating the drought stress. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain expression analysis of twelve drought stress responsive DEGs were used to verify the transcriptome data. Furthermore, overexpression of VvMYBPA1 in Arabidopsis thaliana and grape callus improved drought tolerance. Our findings provided new insights into to the regulation of mechanism for improving grapevine adaptation to drought.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Transcription factor CsHSFB2c suppresses CsTS1 and CsGS1 expression to reduce theanine biosynthesis under heat stress Qihong Zou, Bokun Zhou, Yilan Hu, Ping Li, Qi zhao, Hu Tang, Yujie Jiao, Xinzhuan Yao, Lin Chen, Litang Lu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.027 Online: 19 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Theanine content in tea plants is reduced by heat stress, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, a temperature gradient treatment (20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C) was performed to unveil the effect of heat stress on biosynthesis and accumulation of theanine. It was found that heat stress triggered metabolic alterations characterized by reduced theanine and increased catechin levels. In addition, heat stress up-regulated the expression of class B heat shock transcription factor gene CsHSFB2c, while significantly suppressing the transcription of key theanine biosynthetic genes CsTS1 and CsGS1. Functional studies showed that silencing CsHSFB2c increased theanine content, while its overexpression significantly reduced theanine levels. Consistent with these changes, silencing CsHSFB2c up-regulated the expression of CsTS1 and CsGS1, while overexpression of CsHSFB2c resulted in their down-regulation. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase reporter gene (Dual-LUC) assays showed that CsHSFB2c directly binds to the promoters of CsTS1 and CsGS1 and inhibits their expression. These results demonstrate that CsHSFB2c mediates heat-induced suppression of theanine biosynthesis by directly inhibiting the expression of CsTS1 and CsGS1. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving heat resistance and quality of tea plants through molecular breeding. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Superoxide anion-induced ferritinophagy is involved in ferroptosis occurrence of cashmere goat sperm during cryopreservation Erhan Hai, Boyuan Li, Yukun Song, Jian Zhang, Bingbing Xu, Yongbin Liu, Jiaxin Zhang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.033 Online: 19 December 2025 Abstract （12）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Ferroptosis is the primary form of regulated cell death in cashmere goat sperm during the freeze-thaw process, which significantly hinders the efficacy and application of frozen semen technology, yet its specific regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found it activated during the cooling-equilibration phase, linked to the degradation of critical ferroptosis inhibitory proteins like ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). Freezing causes superoxide anion accumulation via cytochrome b (CYTB) upregulation and reduced mitochondrial antioxidants, unblocked by ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1). Superoxide anions dose-dependently induce ferroptosis, mitigated by Fer-1. Autophagy/ferritinophagy inhibitors alleviate it, implicating ferritinophagy. This identifies superoxide anions as key mediators, offering new targets for sperm cryopreservation. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Integrated analysis strategy of genome-wide functional gene mining and transcriptome analysis reveals MALSU1 gene underlying intramuscular fat in Bamei pigs Tiantian Yuan, Yulin He, Minghao Cao, Dong Li, Yulong Wang, Lin Zhang, Xiang Li, Rongrong Ding, Gongshe Yang, Taiyong Yu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.032 Online: 19 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       The Bamei pigs (BM), an indigenous breed in Northwest China, is renowned for its superior meat quality. To uncover the genetic basis of its traits, we analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from 61 BM. Our results revealed that BM have a good genetic conservation status and distinct genomic divergence from Western breeds. We identified MALSU1 as a new candidate gene associated with intramuscular fat (IMF) by integrating selection signature analysis with public databases, such as PigGTEx, PigBiobank, and PigQTL. Overexpression and interference experiments of MALSU1 demonstrated that it regulates IMF by inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the differentiation of porcine intramuscular adipocyte primary cells. RNA-seq results further revealed that MALSU1 regulates IMF by inhibiting lipid metabolism and promoting lipid synthesis. Interestingly, a missense mutation (p.Arg10Leu) in the coding region of the MALSU1 gene was identified, which could promote the proliferation of intramuscular preadipocytes, suggesting an important role in IMF deposition. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select A single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomic atlas of the shoot apex reveals insights into the vegetative-to-reproductive transition in loquat Chongbin Zhao, Jiale Huang, Yuanyuan Jiang, Jie Jiang, Wenbing Su, Shunquan Lin, Guibing Hu, Xianghui Yang, Ze Peng DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.031 Online: 19 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Flowering time and subsequent fruiting significantly influence the economic value of fruit trees. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the vegetative-to-reproductive transition remain understudied, particularly at single-cell and spatial levels. Here, we present a single-nucleus (snRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomic (stRNA-seq) atlas of shoot apices in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), a perennial fruit crop with both nutritional and medicinal importance. From the snRNA-seq dataset, 42,546 nuclei were profiled and resolved into 22 clusters corresponding to seven major cell types. Pseudotime analysis reconstructed developmental trajectories, revealing bifurcated lineages toward external and internal tissues, and identified genes dynamically associated with cell differentiation. Comparative analysis between the pre-initiation and onset stages of floral bud initiation uncovered 3,329 differentially expressed genes, including 67 homologs of Arabidopsis flowering-related genes, with the most pronounced transcriptional changes observed in epidermal and shoot meristematic cells, underscoring their central roles in floral initiation. Moreover, 43 key candidate genes, such as EjCRY2 and EjAGL79, associated with pseudotime branch points critical for cell fate decisions were predicted to act within a regulatory network dominated by photoperiod- and circadian rhythm-related pathways. Finally, integration with stRNA-seq demonstrated well concordance with snRNA-seq results and supported cell-type annotations particularly for epidermal and shoot meristematic cells. Collectively, the marker genes and associated datasets generated here provide a valuable resource for advancing single-cell and spatial transcriptomic research in loquat and potentially other fruit tree species. In addition, the identified candidate genes represent promising targets for in-depth functional studies and for breeding strategies aimed at manipulating flowering and fruiting time in loquat. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select CmERFV-2 regulates CmCBF3 and CmMYB44 to inhibit sucrose accumulation in oriental melon fruit at low temperature Fan Yang, Ge Gao, Cheng Wang, Jingyue Guan, Hongyan Qi DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.022 Online: 17 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Low temperature is involved in regulating plant growth, development, and quality formation. The mechanism by which low temperature affects sucrose accumulation in oriental melon fruit is currently unclear. Here, ‘HS’ (High Sucrose) melons were used as the research material and treated at temperature of 30/18℃ (day/night) and 22/10℃ (day/night) at the stage of ethylene is about to be released. Low temperature significantly inhibited ethylene release and sucrose accumulation in melon fruit, while ethephon treatment at low temperature partially restored the ethylene production and sucrose content. Through Yeast One-Hybrid (Y1H), GUS activity analysis, and Luciferase assay, we found that the transcription factor CmCBF3 could bind to CmACO1 (ACC oxidase 1) promoter and inhibit its activity, thereby suppressing ethylene production. Overexpression CmCBF3 at low temperature significantly inhibited the synthesis of ethylene and sucrose. Further research had shown that low temperature promoted CmERFV-2 expression, and CmERFV-2 could bind to CmCBF3 promoter to further inhibit ethylene synthesis. In addition, CmMYB44, as a transcription factor that negatively regulated fruit ethylene production and sucrose accumulation, could inhibit the expression of CmACO1 and CmSPS1 (sucrose phosphate synthase 1). CmERFV-2 further affected the expression of CmACO1 and CmSPS1 by binding to CmMYB44 promoter, thereby regulating ethylene and sucrose content at low temperature. In summary, this study revealed the mechanism by which CmERFV-2 affects ethylene release and sucrose accumulation in oriental melon fruit, laying the foundation for cultivating high-quality melon varieties in low-temperature environment. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Study on regional rapeseed yield estimation based on data assimilation technology considering canopy photosynthesis and component succession characteristics Tiaohong Su, Yong Jin, Shangrong Wu, Shiwei Ruan, Hong Cao, Hu Zhong, Yongli Guo, Shaoxiong Guo, Hanxiao Meng, Yingbin Deng DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.025 Online: 17 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       To improve the accuracy of regional rapeseed yield simulations, in this study, a new assimilation system for estimating rapeseed yield based on a four-dimensional variational (4DVar) algorithm was proposed. In this assimilation system, the state variable that bridges crop models and remote sensing observations is the total photosynthetic area index (TPAI), which is composed of the leaf area index (LAI) and silique peel area index (SPAI) and can describe the characteristics of photosynthesis and component succession in the rapeseed canopy. First, on the basis of the proposed new bridging parameter, the crop model localization method was improved, and a crop model localization method combining the TPAI and specific pod area (SPA) was proposed. Second, on the basis of the proposed new bridging parameter, a rapeseed yield estimation system was constructed in which the TPAI inverted from the SAR data was assimilated. Finally, the system was applied to single-point and regional scales rapeseed yield estimation in the main rapeseed-producing areas of Hengyang city and Yongzhou city in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin in China. The results revealed that at the single-point scale, the R2 values between the simulated total dry weight of storage organs (TWSO) and total above-ground biomass (TAGP) and the yield measured in the field were 0.6313 and 0.7327, respectively, whereas the root mean square error (RMSE) values reached 807.6795 and 885.3617 kg ha-1, respectively. At the regional scale, the R2 values for the simulated TWSO and TAGP in relation to the yield measured in the field were 0.6456 and 0.6894, respectively, whereas the RMSE values reached 953.6547 and 1,238.4942 kg ha-1, respectively. The accuracy of the yield simulation using the TPAI as the bridging parameter is greater than that using the LAI as the bridging parameter. Additionally, the regional assimilation results were verified via county-level rapeseed grain yield data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The R2 value between the simulated mean county TWSO and the statistical value of rapeseed grain yield reached 0.8348, with an RMSE of 867.2809 kg ha-1. These results indicate that using the TPAI as a parameter to bridge crop models and remote sensing observations can result in high rapeseed yield estimation accuracy at both single-point and regional scales, providing a new technical methodology for monitoring regional rapeseed growth and forecasting yield. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Multi-objective integrated cotton cultivation (MOICC): A synergistic framework for sustainable production Yanjun Zhang, Jianlong Dai, Hezhong Dong DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.024 Online: 17 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Global cotton production faces mounting pressure to reconcile rising fiber demand with urgent sustainability imperatives, including water scarcity mitigation, greenhouse gas reduction, and agrochemical pollution control. Traditional practices, constrained by fragmented objectives and inherent trade-offs among yield, fiber quality, labor efficiency, and ecological impact, struggle to address these systemic challenges. Building upon previous concept of collaborative cultivation, this review for the first time introduces and comprehensively elaborates Multi-objective Integrated Cotton Cultivation (MOICC) —also referred to as Integrated Cotton Cultivation (ICC)—a transformative paradigm centered on three pillars: dynamic trade-off management (e.g., region-specific priority adjustment), systematic technology integration (precision seeding, dense planting, chemical regulation, water-nutrient synergy, targeted defoliation), and resource circularity (spatiotemporal optimization, waste recycling). MOICC leverages key physiological mechanisms—ethylene signaling enhancing stress-resilient seedling establishment; jasmonate-mediated pathways improving water/nutrient efficiency; canopy light competition coupled with hormonal regulation eliminating manual pruning; and growth regulators concentrating boll maturation—to overcome sustainability bottlenecks. Case studies from diverse Chinese agro-ecosystems (e.g., Xinjiang, Yangtze/Yellow River basins) and intercropping systems demonstrate significant synergies: yield gains (8–22%), resource efficiency improvements (water use efficiency increased by ≥20%, nitrogen productivity up to 35 kg kg-1), and enhanced environmental performance (labor reduction 30–40%, carbon footprint reduction 24–37%, agrochemical savings: nitrogen reduction of 15–20%, pesticides reduction of 25%). Crucially, MOICC resolves core conflicts through integrated optimization: yield versus quality (via≥70% inner-position bolls), labor-saving versus eco-safety (precision defoliant timing), and productivity versus emissions (root-zone nitrogen monitoring). Future research priorities include deciphering multi-scale stress adaptation, developing intelligent decision-support systems (e.g., AHP-NSGA-II integration), advancing carbon-neutral value chains, addressing socio-economic adoption barriers, and fostering policy synergy. MOICC establishes a conceptually globally scalable pathway toward high-yield, superior-quality, resource-efficient, and ecologically sustainable cotton production, providing a viable framework for sector-wide sustainability transition and demonstrating adaptability to other major cropping systems. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Long-term chisel plow tillage improves wheat productivity and soil nutrients of different cropping systems in the Loess Plateau Guorui Li, Jinghua Zhang, Xiong Wang, Qian Zhang, Yuqing Meng, Yueshan Song, Yaru Pang, Zhiqiang Lu, Weiyan Wang, Tong Li, Yuncheng Liao, Xiaoxia Wen DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.023 Online: 17 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Tillage practices and cropping systems affect crop production by altering the soil environment. Due to the sparse rainfall and lack of soil nutrients on the Loess Plateau, it is necessary to explore suitable tillage practices and cropping systems that can improve soil moisture and nutrient conditions, thereby maintaining crop yields. Based on a long-term experiment that was initiated in 2009 on the Loess Plateau, we explored the effects of different tillage practices (chisel plow tillage, CPT; zero tillage, ZT; plow tillage, PT) and cropping systems (summer maize (Zea mays L.)-winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), MW; summer soybean (Glycine max L.) -winter wheat, SW) on winter wheat growth, yield, soil moisture, and soil nutrients during three winter wheat growing seasons (2020-2023). Conservation tillage practices (CPT and ZT) increased soil moisture, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus (AP), soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen in topsoil (0-20 cm) compared with that under PT. The CPT among the two conservation tillage practices was more pronounced for soil nutrients and wheat production, increasing 0-1 m AP stocks and wheat yields by 3.3-31.9% and 1.2-27.6%, respectively, compared to ZT. SW positively affected soil nitrogen availability and AP content, as well as early winter wheat growth under conservation tillage practices. The combination of CPT and SW positively affected soil AP stocks and water storage across the three growing seasons, while increasing winter wheat yield in 2022-2023. Structural equation modeling indicated that soil water storage and available nutrient stocks positively regulated winter wheat yield by influencing yield components. Overall, CPT positively affected soil quality and wheat productivity under both the MW and SW cropping systems. This is a suitable strategy for promoting sustainable agricultural development in dryland regions. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Continuous cropping of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) induces disease suppression via microbial community shifts Rongchun Zheng, Faxi Li, Qiong Wang, Yingde Li, Youlei Shen, Zhibiao Nan, Tingyu Duan DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.021 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （12）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Continuous cropping presents various challenges including land degradation, the proliferation of soilborne pathogens, diminished yields. However, it can also foster the development of positive plant–soil feedbacks. The related microbial mechanisms and the potential impact of aboveground diseases on its formation remain unclear. This study systematically assessed the growth, occurrence of disease, soil properties and complexity and stability of the rhizosphere microbial network of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) across different continuous cropping years. In this study, although continuous cropping decreased crop yield and quality, it reduced disease prevalence. The establishment of disease suppression was linked to a decrease in the incidence of disease, reduction in the soil nitrogen, decrease in microbial diversity and asymmetric alterations in the complexity and stability of the microbial network. Key beneficial microorganisms recruited in rhizosphere, such as Bacillus, Sphingomonas and Arthrobacter, were identified as potential contributors to disease suppression. The microbial-mediated soil legacy of anthracnose-infected modulated the growth-defense trade-off of common vetch by influencing the allocation of N and activating the plant's induced systemic resistance. The study underscores the significance of microbial-driven suppression in modulating the beneficial microbiome and offers novel insights into sustainable strategies of disease management in agricultural systems. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Influence of variation in high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits composition at Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 loci on gluten microstructure and northern Chinese steamed bread quality Ke Ding, Weihong Huang, Kehui Sun, Huali Tang, Xi Li, Surong Wang, Hao Peng, Zhiyang Han, Xiaohui Li#, Yueming Yan, Ke Wang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.020 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （8）      PDF in ScienceDirect       High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) play a key role in determining wheat processing quality, but their contribution to NCSB quality has not been systematically elucidated. In this study, near-isogenic lines and chromosome substitution lines differing in HMW-GS compositions at the Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 loci were utilized to comprehensively assess the impact of gluten proteins on gluten microstructure, flour functionality, and NCSB quality through multiple analytical methods.  Unextractable polymeric protein content (%UPP), disulfide bond content, TGA, rapid viscosity analyzer (RVA) profiles, gluten aggregation behavior, and steamed bread-making trials were used to evaluate gluten structure and functional performance. CLSM and LCM-Raman analyses demonstrated that CB037B and SL/B significantly increased junction density, protein network area, and β-sheet content, while reducing lacunarity and α-helix content.  Steamed bread-making trials combined with dough rheological assessments revealed that although CB037B exhibited strong-gluten characteristics, the resulting steamed bread quality was lower than that of CB037A, supporting the concept that superior NCSB quality does not necessarily depend on higher gluten strength.  TGA further indicated that the weight loss pattern at 150°C (CB037A>CB037B>SL/B>CS) aligned with steamed bread quality rankings, whereas weight loss at 600°C corresponded more closely with conventional bread quality. Overall, this work provides valuable insights into the structure–function relationships of HMW-GS in wheat and introduces novel indicators for predicting both steamed bread and bread quality, offering guidance for breeding programs aimed at improving wheat processing performance in northern China. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Investigation of the fruity and fermented off-flavors in peanut oil via molecular sensory science, S-curve method, and molecular docking Pei Yu, Qian Luan, Jing Wang, Fei Lao, Haiming Shi, Xuebing Xu, Chunming Liu, Jihong Wu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.019 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （5）      PDF in ScienceDirect       The occurrence of fruity and fermented off-flavors significantly diminishes the quality and consumer acceptance of cold-pressed peanut oil (CPO). This study investigated the effects of freeze-thaw stress (0, 3, and 6 cycles) on the flavor of cold-pressed peanut oil and found that fruity and fermented off-flavors were significantly increased. Quantitative analysis and odor activity value (OAV) calculations confirmed ethyl 3-methylbutanoate (OAV=248) and ethyl 2-methylbutanoate (OAV=195) for fruity off-flavors, while butanoic acid (OAV=93) and 3-methylbutanoic acid (OAV=81) were key drivers of the fermented off-flavors. Crucially, the S-curve method revealed a synergistic interaction between ethyl 3-methylbutanoate and butanoic acid. Molecular docking revealed a preferential binding of ethyl 3-methylbutanoate to olfactory receptor OR11G2 (-7.2 kcal mol-1) driven by hydrophobic interactions. Butanoic acid was preferentially anchored in OR52E1 (-6.5 kcal mol-1), stabilized by a hydrogen bond to the receptor backbone and complementary hydrophobic interactions. These findings provide a scientific basis for improving the quality of cold-pressed peanut oil and preventing off-flavors. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Comparative analysis of quality characteristics and lipid profiles in Linwu and Shaoxing duck egg yolks based on untargeted lipidomics Hongbo Zeng, Guangmin Zhao, Taohong Shao, Bindan Chen, Wentao Lyu, Yue Zhang, Qian Lin, Hua Yang, Yingping Xiao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.018 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （3）      PDF in ScienceDirect       This study aimed to explore the quality characteristics and lipid profiles of egg yolks from Linwu and Shaoxing ducks using untargeted lipidomics based on UPLC-MS/MS. No significant difference in shell strength and Haugh unit between Linwu and Shaoxing duck eggs. The appearance of Linwu and Shaoxing duck eggs are markedly different, Linwu duck egg yolks exhibited higher total cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids levels. Shaoxing duck egg yolks had higher water content and monounsaturated fatty acids levels. Lipidomics analysis revealed that triglyceride (TG) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were the most abundant lipids, followed by phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and ceramides in Linwu and Shaoxing duck egg yolks. Linwu duck egg yolks had higher TG and PC levels, whereas Shaoxing duck egg yolks had higher PE level. The differential lipids between the Linwu and Shaoxing duck egg yolks exhibited higher carbon chain lengths and were mainly enriched in membrane components, lipid-mediated signaling, and transition functions. Furthermore, integrating of lipidomics with co-occurrence network analysis indicates that TG (19:1_18:1_20:3), PC (16:0_22:6), and PE (18:0e_18:1, 18:1e_20:1, and 18:1e_22:3) were potential indicators for differentiating Linwu and Shaoxing duck egg yolks. This study provides an important data support for improving quality and nutrition of egg products. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select LED light treatment modulates metabolite accumulation and gene expression to enhance flavor and alter pigmentation in litchi fruits Yan Li, Qiong Yao, Chuan Huang, Jing Wen, Siwei Wang# DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.017 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Litchi is renowned for its distinctive appearance, flavor, and nutrient composition. This study investigated the potential of nocturnal white LED light exposure, applied from the pre-second physiological fruit drop stage to harvest, to enhance the quality of ‘Feizixiao’ litchi. We focused on understanding its effects on the physical-chemical properties, aromatic profile, and gene activity. Our results showed that LED treatment significantly improved internal fruit quality by increasing the sugar/organic acid ratio in the litchi pulp and delaying the postharvest loss of key aroma compounds like 2,4-nonadienal and rose oxide isomers. Metabolomic analysis of the pulp identified 254 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), primarily associated with amino acid biosynthesis. Additionally, LED treatment altered the anthocyanin profile in the pericarp, significantly elevating the level of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, a key contributor to red pigmentation, even as it reduced the overall content of procyanidins. Transcriptomic data indicated that this shift may be attributed to LED-induced regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis genes. This work demonstrates LED light profoundly shapes litchi quality, offering valuable insights for balancing flavor and appearance in horticultural practices.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics page Page 1 of 19 Total 361 records First page Prev page Next page Last page