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Note: The papers published below will continue to be available from this page until they are assigned to an issue. To see an article, click its [PDF] link. To review many abstracts, check the boxes to the left of the titles you want, and click the 'Selected articles' button. To see one abstract at a time, click its [Abstract] link. Please wait a minute... For Selected: Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX Toggle Thumbnails Select SlCSAPlike-PGM interaction modulates starch accumulation to regulate leaf senescence in tomato Jiafa Wang, Yani Chen, Yiqing Zhang, Lanyu Cao, Tao Zhu, Xujun Sun, Minxuan Yang, Zhongyuan Wang, Guobin Li, Shujuan Tian, Xian Zhang, Junhong Zhang, Li Yuan DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.035 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Premature leaf senescence significantly impacts tomato yield and quality. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying tomato leaf senescence holds important theoretical and practical significance for extending tomato fertility and improving yield and quality. This study identified CSAPlike, a DUF1997 protein, as playing a crucial role in regulating leaf senescence. Overexpression of CSAPlike accelerated senescence, while knockout of CSAPlike delayed the senescence process. CSAPlike-OE plants exhibited reduced chlorophyll content, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, accompanied by ultrastructural degradation of chloroplasts including thylakoid disassembly and starch granule reduction. Transcriptome analysis revealed that CSAPlike may regulate the premature senescence process through a non-canonical mechanism independent of transcriptional regulation. Further screening and validation demonstrated that CSAPlike interacts with phosphoglucomutase (PGM), leading to impaired starch biosynthesis in CSAPlike-OE plants, which triggers energy deficiency and accelerates chloroplast degradation, ultimately resulting in premature leaf senescence. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which CSAPlike affects chloroplast stability and senescence progression through regulating PGM-mediated starch metabolism, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of leaf senescence and offering potential genetic targets for improving tomato yield by delaying senescence. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Assessing the impact of global soybean trade on reducing greenhouse gas emissions Yujia Yi, Liu Lv, Yangfen Chen DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.034 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Large-scale global soybean trade raises concerns about emissions and transfers of greenhouse gas (GHG) while meeting the demand of importing countries. In this study, we calculate GHG emissions embodied in global soybean trade from 2001 to 2022 by using life cycle assessment (LCA), and assess the impact of global soybean trade on reducing GHG emissions by employing counterfactual analysis. The results show that the expansion of international soybean consumption has driven a more than threefold increase in the GHG emissions. Due to large differences in emission factors from cultivation and relevant land-use change (LUC) across countries, global soybean trade has contributed to a reduction of 272.79 Mt CO2-eq in global GHG emissions in 2022 compared to the scenario of no trade. Since 2017, the GHG reduction contribution of global soybean trade presents an alarming trend of fluctuating or even deterioration influenced by factors such as geopolitical competition. Importing countries, represented by China, and exporting countries, represented by Brazil, have contributed to reduce GHG emissions by respectively mitigating domestic GHG emissions from agriculture and producing low-carbon products with comparative advantages. The study provides new evidence for the role of globalization in reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, it deepens the study and understanding of the environmental impact of agricultural trade by incorporating LUC emissions and assessing the overall impact. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select SlbHLH086/SlbHLH096-SlXTH23 module regulates the drought tolerance of tomato by altering cell wall components and thickness Hao Zheng, Jiao Dang, Zhengda Zhang, Qingpeng Li, Guobin Li, Tao Liu, Xiaohui Hu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.033 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （3）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Drought imposes a severe impediment to plant growth and development, cause yield and quality to decline. Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) is a kind of cell wall-modifying protein, and contributes to cell wall assembly. However, whether XTHs are involved in the drought stress of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and its mechanism and upstream regulatory factors remain unclear. Here, SlXTH23 is identified to negatively respond to drought stress in tomato. SlXTH23 knockout tomato plants increase the content of cellulose and hemicellulose, as well as the thickness of secondary cell wall in roots, and enhance drought tolerance. In contrast, SlXTH23 overexpressed transgenic tomato plants are sensitive to drought stress. Two basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, SlbHLH086 and SlbHLH096, are identified to directly bind and regulate SlXTH23. Silencing SlbHLH086 alone or in combination with SlbHLH096 enhances drought tolerance by stimulating the expression of SlXTH23 and promoting the thickness of secondary cell wall in tomato roots. Silencing SlbHLH096 renders plants sensitive to drought stress. In addition, SlbHLH086 interacts with SlbHLH096, and SlbHLH086 prevents the inhibitory effect of SlbHLH096 on the expression of SlXTH23. In summary, this study revealed the molecular mechanism that SlbHLH086/SlbHLH096-SlXTH23 module regulates the drought tolerance of tomato by altering cell wall components and thickness, providing a novel mechanistic insight for breeding drought tolerant tomato cultivars. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Grape DNA methyltransferase VvMET2b overexpression increases genome-wide methylation and enhances seed salt tolerance Fengxia Wang, Qinghua Liu, Ao Li, Zhanfeng Xu, Guangqing Xiang, Huiping Liu, Qingtian Zhang, Ke Li, Qian Mu, Yuxin Yao, Zhichang Zhang, Pengfei Wang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.032 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       MET1 encodes DNA methyltransferase 1, which is increasingly being identified as a major regulator of abiotic stress responses and adaptation. To explore the function of DNA methyltransferase 1 in salt stress, we cloned a grape (Vitis vinifera L.) MET1 subfamily gene, VvMET2b, and overexpressed it into A. thaliana. The phenotypic analysis of transgenic Arabidopsis revealed that VvMET2b improved seed germination and seedling survival under NaCl treatment. Detailed methylome analysis revealed that VvMET2b increased the global methylation level of transgenic plants and altered the quantity of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and DNA methylation types. Comprehensive transcriptome analyses indicated that many transcription factors, such as NACs, MYBs, and WRKYs were differentially expressed in VvMET2bOE plants under salt stress. VvMET2b overexpression induced the expression of cytokinin negative regulator type-A ARRs, the transmembrane transporter KAT1, inhibited the expression of MYB6, and the up-regulated expression of auxin-related genes Aux/IAAs and down-regulated expression of GH3s, expansin EXPA17 and tonoplast aquaporin TIP2 were mitigated. VvMET2b altered DNA methylation level of MYB6, TIP2 and EXPA17 and thereby may regulate the expression of these genes. Taken together, VvMET2b may regulate seed salt tolerance through DNA methylation changes and certain key gene expression.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select An efficient screening system at seedling-stage for genic male-sterile lines in pepper hybrid breeding Luzhao Pan, Jin Wang, Peng Tang, Yanlong Li, Yin Luo, Wu Miao, Jingcai Huang, Meiqi Wang, Lingling Xie, Chen Hu, Fan Zhu, Cheng Xiong, Zhongyi Wang, Xiongze Dai, Weimin Zhu, Xuexiao Zou, Feng Liu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.031 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Heterosis is a highly effective strategy for increasing yield and quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Although genic male sterile (GMS) lines offer advantages for seed production by avoiding the limitations associated with cytoplasmic male sterile lines, their use typically requires the labor-intensive removal of 50% of fertile plants during seed production. To address this challenge, we identified an anthocyanidin-absent (aa) mutant characterized by green hypocotyls at the seedling stage and yellow anthers. We identified dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (CaDFR) as a key gene regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in pepper through fine mapping and virus-induced gene silencing. Genetic segregation analysis revealed that CaDFR and CaDYT1 (a GMS gene) were closely linked. Based on this finding, we developed an efficient hybrid seed production strategy for screening sterile plants at the seedling-stage by combining the green hypocotyl morphological marker from the aa mutant with the male sterile line gms1 (CaDYT1 locus). In conclusion, we successfully cloned CaDFR, a key gene controlling hypocotyl and anther color in pepper. In addition, we proposed an efficient seed propagation strategy to accelerate hybrid seed production and facilitate the utilization of heterosis. This study not only deepens our understanding of the genetic regulation of pepper pigmentation but also establishes a practical framework for optimizing hybrid breeding protocols, thereby simplifying the pepper breeding process. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select MiERF023 positively regulates chlorophyll degradation in ethylene-mediated ‘Tainong no.1’ mango by targeting the promoters of MiPPH and MiPAO Xin Wang, Ying Wang , Shaobin Zeng, Jing Zhang, Dexin Ma, Yan Gong, Wen Li, Yuanzhi Shao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.030 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Chlorophyll degradation occurs during mango fruit ripening, contributing to the color and commercial value of the fruit. Ethylene response factors (ERFs) are recognized as important regulators of chlorophyll degradation. This study investigated the regulatory effects of MiERF023 on mango coloration through ethylene (ETH) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments. ETH treatment increased the activities of chlorophyll degradation-related enzymes (Chlase, MDCase, PPH, and PAO), activated the expression of chlorophyll catabolism genes (MiPPH and MiPAO), accelerated chlorophyll degradation, and promoted coloration of mango. In contrast, the opposite effects were observed after 1-MCP treatment. Meanwhile, the expression of MiERF023 was greatly induced by ethylene and inhibited by 1-MCP, then MiERF023 was isolated and characterized. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual luciferase reporter (DLR) assays demonstrated that MiERF023 binds to the promoters of MiPPH and MiPAO, upregulating their transcript levels. Transient overexpression of MiERF023 in tomato and mango fruits increased the transcript levels of MiPPH and MiPAO, accelerating chlorophyll degradation and promoting peel coloration. Collectively, these findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism by which MiERF023 modulates ethylene-mediated pigment metabolism，offering potential targets for improving sensory quality in postharvest mango fruits.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select A flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase regulates pink tuber skin in potato Hui Du, Jin Pu, Rongyan Wang, Yanhui Zhu, Pei Wang, Zhong Zhang, Guangtao Zhu, Chunzhi Zhang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.029 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （3）      PDF in ScienceDirect       The tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) exhibit diverse colors, primarily resulting from different levels of anthocyanin pigments. While the loci regulating the accumulation of red and purple pigments have been reported, the regulatory mechanism underlying the biosynthesis of pink anthocyanins in potato remains unclear. In this study, we identified the pink tuber skin locus Pink through a bulked-segregant analysis sequencing approach using a BC1S1 population segregating for tubers with red, pink, or yellow skin. We narrowed down the location of Pink to a 265-kb interval on chromosome 3. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed the anthocyanin biosynthesis gene Flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (StF3'H) as the candidate gene. Genetic transformation assays demonstrated that StF3'H is essential for the production of tubers with pink skin. Furthermore, we showed that the red tuber skin locus (R) is epistatic to Pink. These findings provide a new theoretical basis for the development of colored potatoes through molecular breeding and offer an important reference for exploring the complex regulatory mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis in potatoes. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select VvGA2ox5 positively improves drought tolerance in grapevine by activating the hormone signal transduction pathway Shixiong Lu, Juanbo Yang, Guangling Shi, Huimin Gou, Shuaiting Wang, Baozhen Zeng, Ning Wang, Juan Mao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.028 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Gibberellin 2-oxidases (GA2ox) play an important role in regulating the balance of bioactive gibberellins in plants, while the role in the drought response mechanism of grapes remains unclear. In this study, the subcellular localization analysis revealed that VvGA2ox5 was predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Transient transformation experiment on ‘Pinot noir’ grape leaves showed that overexpression of VvGA2ox5 reduced relative electrical conductivity (REC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased proline content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and expression of drought-responsive genes. In contrast, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) silenced strains showed the opposite results. Additionally, the overexpression of VvGA2ox5 in ‘Pinot noir’ grape callus and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) further validated its positive function. In the CRISPR-Cas9 grape callus, the experimental results were in contrast to the overexpression lines. Meanwhile, the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay screened a drought-responsive protein, VvDEH (Dehydration-induced 19 homolog 3). RNA-seq analyses showed that overexpression of VvGA2ox5 significantly participates in the hormone signaling pathway. Accordingly, VvGA2ox5 is a crucial regulation gene in enhancing drought tolerance in grapes and serves as a potential candidate gene for improving drought tolerance in plants. This finding offers significant theoretical support for drought tolerance breeding in grapes. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Is intra-household nutrition allocation equitable? Evidence from asymmetric expenditure responses in rural China Yang Gao, Zhihao Zheng, Ning Li DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.027 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （0）      PDF in ScienceDirect       To analyze intra-household nutrition allocation, we examine the differences in expenditure elasticities among demographic groups within rural households, employing an asymmetric model along with data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 2004 to 2011. Our analysis reveals significant heterogeneity in household nutrient allocation: during periods of expenditure expansion, households prioritize the nutritional improvement of vulnerable members, specifically children and the elderly, with a notable bias toward girls, often at the expense of prime-age adults, particularly women. Conversely, during expenditure contraction, households shift strategies to protect the nutritional intake of prime-age adults. This asymmetry underscores the complexity of intra-household distribution and provides critical insights for designing nutrition security policies that account for economic volatility. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select The genome-wide landscape of histone modifications dynamics in non-heading Chinese cabbage root tips under salt stress Hao Liang, Qifan Wang, Haijiao He, Xiaonan Zhang, Zishuo Wang, Yingshuo Zhi, Baishen Zhang, Wei Ma, Zhaokun Liu, Fuyan Liu, Qing Liu, Jianjun Zhao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.026 Online: 23 February 2026 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Non-heading Chinese cabbage (NHCC, Brassica campestris [syn. Brassica rapa] ssp. chinensis) is one of the most important leafy vegetables in China. As soil salinization becomes increasingly serious, salt stress limits the growth and development of NHCC, reducing its yield and quality. Previous studies have shown that histone modifications play an important role in plant salt-stress responses by regulating the expression of key genes, but little is known about such modifications in NHCC. Here, we used CUT&Tag-seq and RNA-seq to profile genome-wide H3K27ac and H3K27me3 modifications and transcriptome changes in NHCC root tips subjected to salt stress at 12 and 24 hours. Genome-wide levels of the repressive chromatin mark H3K27me3 increased under salt stress, whereas those of the active chromatin mark H3K27ac decreased. Genes whose H3K27ac and H3K27me3 levels responded to salt stress were associated with processes such as trehalose synthesis, transcription, membrane transport, defense responses, and cell wall structure. Among the cell wall-related genes with increased H3K27ac levels and expression under salt stress, there is a homologous gene of Arabidopsis pectin methylesterase inhibitor 4 (BcPMEI4). The virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assay confirmed that silencing BcPMEI4 significantly reduced the salt tolerance of NHCC, as reflected by decreased leaf area, reduced root area, and increased hydrogen peroxide levels. This suggests that the H3K27ac-mediated transcriptional activation of BcPMEI4 may enhance salt tolerance by regulating the cell wall pathway. In summary, our findings provide the comprehensive picture of changes in active and repressive chromatin marks in NHCC under salt stress, offering insight into epigenetic mechanisms of salt-stress response in NHCC and other Brassica crops. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Engineering an efficient tomato spotted wilt virus mini-replicon system for high-throughput antiviral compound discovery Xingwang Zhang, Nan Zhou, Yulong Yuan, Qinhai Liu, Tianyi Zhang, Shenghan Zang, Yangliu Dai, Baoyue Zhang, Jia Li, Min Zhu, Xiaorong Tao, Mingfeng Feng DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.025 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （7）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Plant viral diseases pose a persistent threat to global agriculture, requiring efficient platforms for antiviral agent screening to ensure sustainable crop protection. Here, we developed a simplified mini-replicon reverse genetics (RG) system for tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) based on co-expression of SR(+)eGFP replicon and L(+)opt genome in the absence of viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). Using this system, we demonstrated that the movement protein NSm and M(-)opt genome significantly enhance both the replication and cell-to-cell movement of the TSWV mini-replicon. We further constructed a tandem expression vector (SR(+)eGFP-M(-)opt), and established a novel dual-vector-driven TSWV RG system. Notably, this system achieved 100% systemic infection efficiency without requiring any VSR. This is unprecedented for plant negative-strand RNA virus reverse genetics. This optimized system enabled the screening of antiviral agents, among which ribavirin, ningnanmycin, chitooligosaccharide, cellobiose, azadirachtin, and copper sulfate (CuSO4) potently inhibited TSWV infection. Our study provides a new RG manipulation tool for functional genomics of plant negative-strand RNA viruses (NSVs) and a powerful platform for high-throughput antiviral agents discovery. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Mining genomic regions and candidate genes underlying QTL Qfcr.caas.7A-2 conferring Fusarium crown rot resistance in wheat via integrated GWAS and BSE-Seq analysis Peipei Wu, Hui Zhao, Minghe Wang, Ziming Wang, Ziyu Zhao, Xianrui Guo, Chunyan Mai, Huili Li, Liqiang Yu, Li Yang, Hongwei Liu, Yang Zhou, Hongjun Zhang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.024 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （5）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Fusarium crown rot (FCR), a major soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium species, threatens global wheat production. This study identified quantitative trait locus (QTL) for FCR resistance in wheat using genome-wide association study (GWAS) on a panel of 299 wheat cultivars/lines and bulked segregant exome sequencing (BSE-Seq) on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. Phenotypic evaluation revealed five wheat accessions with resistance levels comparable to the resistant control Sunco. Fourteen putative QTLs were mapped on chromosomes B, 2B, 2D, 4A, 5D, 6D, 7A, 7B, and 7D by GWAS, with the phenotypic variation explained by 3.73-6.64%. A major QTL (Qfcr.caas.7A-2) on chromosome 7A was consistently detected across all replications. BSE-Seq analysis confirmed enrichment of associated polymorphisms on chromosome 7A, encompassing the Qfcr.caas.7A-2 interval. Within this region, TraesCS7A02G53500. (encoding an RGA5-like protein) was prioritized as a candidate gene based on expression and phylogenetic analysis. Two kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers KASP-7079 and KASP-3538 were successfully developed and validated for Qfcr.caas.7A-2. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying FCR resistance and provide valuable resistance resources and molecular markers for FCR resistance breeding.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Characterization of defense responses in forage and food barley hosts during interaction with Epichloë endophyte Kamran Malik, Fangli Wei, Taixiang Chen, Chunjie Li DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.023 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （13）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Endophytes are prevalent in plants and significantly contribute to plant growth and development. In the present study, Epichloë bromicola endophyte strain WBE1 was artificially inoculated into wild barley (Hordeum brevisubulatum, natural host) and cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare, novel host) to obtain endophyte-barley symbionts. Physiological traits, such as callus formation, lignin content, cell mortality, early signaling molecules, second messenger endogenous signaling molecules, and the expression patterns of differential genes at different time periods were studied. The colonization rate of E. bromicola was 54.21% in wild barley and 9.91% in cultivated barley. Artificial endophytic infection enhanced callus growth, lignin content, and cell mortality in both hosts, with cultivated barley showing stronger resistance than wild barley. The infection induced the expression of early signaling molecules, and the O2- production rate as well as H2O2 and NO contents were increased in both hosts. During the early infection stage, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in cultivated barley increased by 12.24% and 54.60% compared with wild barley at 2 and 4 days post-infection, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that cultivated barley triggered an earlier and targeted defense response than wild barley, characterized by the stage-specific upregulation of genes involved in resistance-related secondary metabolite biosynthesis and key signaling molecules. Expression patterns showed upregulation of signaling molecules alongside downregulation of genes associated to oxylipin biosynthesis, lipid oxidation, cellular responses to environmental stimuli, oxidoreductase activity, and heme binding. These findings indicated that E. bromicola infection effectively triggered an enhanced and timely defense response in cultivated barley.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Polymyxin B inhibits T3SS gene expression via WspR in Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae Yudi Wang, Mingming Yang, Xianwei Xie, Bobo Zhao, Jinfang Zhou, Yuqing Yang, Yao Wang, Xihui Shen, Lili Huang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.022 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （6）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Kiwifruit bacterial canker (KBC), caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), severely threatens the kiwifruit industry. The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a key virulence factor in Psa, but the regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Polymyxin B1, the main component of polymyxin B, inhibits T3SS gene expression in Psa, yet its underlying mechanism is unclear. Cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), a crucial bacterial second messenger, is synthesized by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) containing a GGDEF domain. In this study, we identified and characterized PSA_1379 (WspR), a GGDEF domain-containing protein in Psa. Biochemical assays demonstrated that WspR exhibits DGC activity. Virulence assays showed that WspR negatively regulates Psa virulence. RT-qPCR analyses revealed that polymyxin B induces wspR expression. Additionally, polymyxin B upregulates intracellular c-di-GMP levels and inhibits the expression of T3SS genes through WspR. Bacterial two-hybrid and GST pull-down assays confirmed that WspR interacts with the transcription factor PsrA. Both WspR and c-di-GMP inhibit the binding of PsrA to the promoter of the T3SS master regulator hrpL, thereby suppressing PsrA-mediated transcriptional activation of hrpL and ultimately repressing T3SS gene expression. This study provides new insights into Psa virulence regulation and suggests potential targets for KBC control through the WspR-c-di-GMP pathway. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Impact of manure-derived dissolved organic matter on antibiotic transport in soil: A cross-scale study from molecular to column scale Xinyu Liu, Jianqiang Zhang, Xuyang Lu, Chen Liu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.021 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （4）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Land application of manure containing antibiotic residues poses significant environmental risks, primarily via leaching of these emerging contaminants into water resources. Despite extensive attention to antibiotic pollution, the mechanisms by which manure-derived dissolved organic matter (MDOM) influences their transport remain poorly understood. Using integrated techniques including fluorescence quenching and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, this study investigated molecular-scale interactions between eight typical antibiotics from five categories and four DOM species (humic acid, L-tryptophan, chicken MDOM and pig MDOM). These molecular interactions were linked to field-relevant conditions via soil column experiments and hydraulic modeling. Results demonstrated that the extent of antibiotic-DOM binding was determined by molecular HOMO-LUMO energy gaps (ΔE), following the order: quinolones (QLs)>tetracyclines (TCs)>macrolides (MLs)>sulfonamides (SAs)>chloramphenicols (CAPs). Protein-like species exhibited stronger antibiotic affinity than humic acid (HA), with chicken MDOM showing higher reactivity than pig MDOM. MDOM impact on antibiotic leaching strongly depended on their molecular binding strength, governing soil-water interface behavior. MDOM acted as a mobile carrier for weakly-bound antibiotics, facilitating transport via competitive adsorption, whereas it enhanced the retention of strongly-bound antibiotics through co-adsorption. These findings bridge molecular interactions and macroscopic leaching behavior in soil, providing a scientific basis for improving risk assessment and sustainable manure management in agricultural systems. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select First report of leaf vein death caused by Pantoea ananatis on rice in Jiangsu Province, China Xian Chen, Chunyang Xue, Oluwatoyin Oluwakemi Afolabi, Bao Tang, Yancun Zhao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.020 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （8）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Linked swine feed balanced strategy and manure management systems: Dual mitigation of nutrient element excretion and composting gaseous emissions Xiaomin Shi, Lin Lu, Shengkai Li, Haitao Wei, Ming Liu, Xiangfang Zeng, Shiyan Qiao, Junyan Zhou DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.019 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （7）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Intensive swine production causes nutrient losses and enhanced gaseous emissions during manure management, which disrupts nutrient cycling within agricultural systems and threatens agroecosystem sustainability. Prior research has typically examined feeding and manure management as isolated processes, failing to integrate these two components to improve system performance, and this gap limits the design of integrated agricultural systems. Here, we implemented a low-protein balanced diet (LPBD) system and compared it with a high-protein traditional diet (HPTD) to evaluate impacts on swine growth performance and nutrient-use efficiency, followed by sawdust co-composting of the resulting manures. System responses were quantified through integrated monitoring of nutrient excretion, compost physicochemical properties, and gaseous emissions, together with metagenomic profiling of microbial communities and functional genes and subsequent path modeling to resolve key interaction pathways across the feed–compost agricultural system. We found that LPBD improved C/N digestion synchronization, reduced protein/energy excretion, and maintained swine productivity, while markedly decreased CO₂, CH₄, N₂O and NH₃ emissions during composting. Metagenomics indicated that LPBD enriched N-cycling genes (nirK, nosZ, nifH) and restructured CAZyme repertoires and microbial communities, patterns consistent with lower NH₃ emissions and enhanced carbon cycling. Path modeling further indicated that diet-driven shifts in compost composition altered environmental factors and indirectly regulated gas emissions via enzymatic and genetic pathways. Overall, this integrated feed–compost strategy links livestock nutrition with environmental management, enhances nutrient cycling efficiency at the agroecosystem level, and provides a basis for sustainable, low-emission circular livestock systems. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select A comprehensive survey reveals high viral diversity and novel infections in pea and broad bean crops in Yunnan Province, China Wenhui Li, Shuting Yu, Changfang Long, Guanlin Tan, Steve Wylie, Hong Cai, Xiaojiao Chen, Pingxiu Lan, Fan Li DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.018 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （7）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Pea (Pisum sativum) and broad bean (Vicia faba) are important legume crops grown worldwide. Viral diseases pose a significant threat to these crops in China, particularly in Yunnan Province, where the year-round mild climate and continuous cropping systems create favorable conditions for virus infection and spread. From 2020 to 2022, a survey of viral diseases was conducted in pea and broad bean fields across six major regions of Yunnan Province, namely Kunming, Yuxi, Baoshan, Chuxiong, Dali, and Honghe. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) combined with RT-PCR was used to detect and identify viruses in 261 pea and 164 broad bean samples. Seventeen distinct viruses, including a new species, were identified in both pea and broad bean samples, whereas turnip yellows virus (TuYV) was detected only in pea samples. A novel virus, tentatively designated pea enamovirus 3 (PEnV-3), was identified based on the complete genome sequence of isolate YWD and phylogenetic analyses. Accordingly, we propose the species name Enamovirus pisi. Pea enation mosaic virus 1 (PEMV-1) and bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) were the most prevalent viruses detected in pea and broad bean crops, with detection rates of 54.02% and 81.10%, respectively. Co-infections with multiple viruses were common in both pea and broad bean samples, with 148 and 97 co-infected samples identified, respectively. The geographic distribution of the viruses varied considerably across the six sampling regions. PEMV-1, pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), BYMV, Brassica yellows virus (BrYV), and chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV) were the most widespread, occurring in all regions. In contrast, Vicia cryptic virus (VCV) was found only in pea samples from Dali, while PEnV-3 and clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV) were unique to pea samples from Kunming. In broad bean samples, BYMV and PSbMV were also the most prevalent, detected in five regions, whereas PEnV-3 was again confined to samples from Kunming. Regarding virus detection across crops and regions, Kunming exhibited the highest viral diversity in pea crops, with 15 different viruses identified, whereas Honghe had the lowest (9 viruses). Dali displayed the greatest viral diversity in broad bean crops (15 viruses), while Honghe showed the least, with BrYV as the sole virus detected. This study reveals several novel virus-host associations and previously unreported occurrences of viruses in specific region. To our knowledge, this study represents the first report of pea infection by BrYV, tomato yellow mottle-associated virus (TYMaV), Bidens mottle virus (BiMoV) and VCV. Additionally, its also documents the first report of TuYV in pea in China, as well as the first identification of ClYVV in pea in Yunnan Province. Similarly, infections of broad beans by BrYV and TYMaV are reported here for the first time. Furthermore, this study presents the first detection of BiMoV in China, and the first detections of VCV and ClYVV in Yunnan Province.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Dissection of genetic loci modulating heading date in common wheat Yueting Zheng, Zhenhai Jing, Haolong Feng, Yifei Yang, Jareer Abdullah, Chunyi Liu, Bangcai Zhao, Qianhui Xi, Fangyu Xiang, Qingmiao Yin, Ya Wang, Jiangmin Xing, Ge Kong, Lei Zhao, Xiaodong Yu, Congwei Sun, Feng Chen DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.017 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （5）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Heading date is one of the most important indicators to evaluate adaptation in wheat. In this study, we used three association panels to construct a genome-wide recombination landscape consisting of 97 recombination hotspots regions (RHR) in wheat. We further identified 1,043 RHR in six bi-parental populations, and 88 recombination hotspots overlapped with association panels. We next identified 2223 significant SNPs forming 55 clusters for heading date by phenotype-based genome-wide association studies (pGWAS), and 53 stable SNPs associated with 13 candidate genes were detected in at least two environments. Twenty-one QTLs were mapped in bi-parental populations and five QTL intervals overlapped RHR. By integration of collinearity analysis, recombination hotspots, and haplotype analysis, five homoeologous interval pairs were discovered, of which 7D_Hap1 advanced heading by 8.7 days. Further analysis showed that heading date-network genes were involved into transcription regulation and post-translational modification (PTM). Meanwhile, expression GWAS (eGWAS) on heading date regulatory core module identified 307 potential novel genes acting in heading date regulatory network. These findings provide new insights into wheat phenological adaptation and developed resources for developing climate-resilient wheat cultivars. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Co-applying mild alternate wetting and drying with biochar synergistically improves rice yield and quality Haotian Chen, Yunyi Gu, Shengkai Yang, Xiaohan Zhong, Meijie Jia, Wei Cai, Kuanyu Zhu, Junfei Gu, Kaifeng Huang, Hao Zhang, Zhiqin Wang, Zujian Zhang, Lijun Liu, Jianhua Zhang, Weiyang Zhang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2026.02.015 Online: 11 February 2026 Abstract （5）      PDF in ScienceDirect       To address the dual challenges of water scarcity and rising demand for premium rice, this study investigated the synergistic effects of mild alternate wetting and drying (Mild AWD) irrigation combined with wheat straw biochar application on rice yield and grain quality. A two-year field experiment (2023–2024) was conducted with the hybrid rice cultivar Yongyou 2640, with two irrigation regimes: continuous flooding (CF) and Mild AWD (re-irrigation at a soil water potential of −10 to −15 kPa at 15–20 cm depth), with or without a one-time biochar application (10 t ha-1). The results showed that co-application of Mild AWD and biochar significantly increased grain yield by 18.7% in 2023 and 13.4% in 2024 compared to CF alone. It also comprehensively improved grain quality: milling quality (head rice rate increased by 23.1–24.6%), appearance quality (chalkiness reduced by 36.4–38.2%), cooking and eating quality (higher peak viscosity, lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy), and nutritional quality (increased glutelin and decreased prolamin content and starch digestion). These improvements were attributed to enhanced root activity alongside leaf photosynthetic rate, which promotes the accumulation of photoassimilates in vegetative organs and their translocation to grains. Moreover, elevated activities of key starch synthases further enhanced starch biosynthesis and accumulation, which underpinned the improved yield and superior quality. We also identified that a minimum soil water potential of −10 to −15 kPa at a depth of 15–20 cm represents the optimal threshold for mild AWD in rice production. This research provides a cultivation approach for synergistically producing high-yield, high-quality rice, which shows promising potential for scalable implementation. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics page Page 1 of 21 Total 412 records First page Prev page Next page Last page