Table of Content

16 August 2026, Volume 59 Issue 16

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CROP GENETICS & BREEDING·GERMPLASM RESOURCES·MOLECULAR GENETICS

Genetic Composition Analysis of a New Multi-Resistant and High- Yield Wheat Variety, Chuanmai 82

YAO FangJie, YANG ManYu, GAN XueQin, YANG Ning, ZENG LingYun, LI Jun, YANG WuYun, YANG EnNian

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3465-3475.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.001

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【Objective】 Chuanmai 82 is a new multiple disease-resistant and high-yielding wheat variety bred from the durable disease-resistant germplasm Singh6, developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). This study aimed to construct a high-density genotypic map of Chuanmai 82, quantify the genomic contribution rates of its two parental lines, analyze its genetic composition, and clarify the parental origins of genetic loci associated with key traits such as disease resistance and yield. The findings provide a scientific basis for wheat variety improvement and the precise selection of parental lines in breeding programs. 【Method】 The wheat 100K SNP array was used to perform whole‑genome scanning of Chuanmai 82 and its two parents. This enabled a systematic analysis of its genetic architecture. Combined with the functional markers related to important agronomic traits and yield traits carried on the SNP array, the allelic genotype of Chuanmai 82 was analyzed to trace the genetic sources of its disease resistance and yield-related traits.【Result】 Whole-genome analysis indicated that the genetic contributions of the donor parent Singh6 and the recurrent parent Chuanong 16 to Chuanmai 82 were 16.36% and 83.64%, respectively, which aligns with the theoretical expectations of backcross breeding. The contribution rates exhibited a gradient difference across the subgenomes A, B, and D, with A>B>D. At the chromosomal level, the genetic fragments from Singh6 were not uniformly distributed, contributing 49.24% to 86.91% of the genetic components on chromosomes 1B, 2D, 4B, 5D, and 6A, forming significant large-segment donor regions. In contrast, Chuanong 16 contributed over 89% to most of the remaining chromosomes, constituting the genetic background of the variety. Functional marker-based tracing further demonstrated that the stripe rust, leaf rust, and powdery mildew resistance genes in Chuanmai 82 were predominantly derived from Singh6, while the pre-harvest sprouting resistance and yield-related genes were mainly inherited from Chuanong 16.【Conclusion】 This study accurately quantified the genetic composition of Chuanmai 82 at both the genome and chromosome levels. Notably, the genetic contribution of the donor parent Singh6 was concentrated on chromosomes 1B, 2D, 4B, 5D, and 6A, forming large-segment donor regions that retained the genetic diversity of the donor parent. Combined with functional marker analysis, some of these regions were enriched with rust and powdery mildew resistance genes from Singh6. Therefore, the optimal combination of these large-segment donor regions (carrying disease resistance genes) and the high-yield genetic background from Chuanong 16 is likely the key genetic basis for the synergistic enhancement of durable disease resistance and high yield in Chuanmai 82.

Evaluation and Genetic Analysis of Seed Vigor in Inbred Lines and Responding Hybrids in Shaan A and Shaan B Groups

CAO Fan, TANG Yao, WANG MengWei, ZHANG DongYuan, WEI YaBo, WU Shuang, ZHU WanChao, XU ShuTu, ZHANG XingHua, XUE JiQuan

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3476-3495.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.002

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【Objective】 Seed vigor is one of the key determinants of seed quality in maize, directly influencing emergence rate, seedling growth, and stand uniformity, thereby affecting final yield formation. This study aimed to identify high-vigor inbred lines and hybrids, uncover key genes involved in regulating seed germination, and provide a theoretical basis for breeding high-vigor maize varieties.【Method】 Twenty-two maize inbred lines from two heterotic groups, Shaan A Group and Shaan B Group, were used to produce 104 F₁ hybrids following an NC-Ⅱ mating design. Seed vigor was evaluated under both the standard germination test and the cold soaking germination test. Nine traits were recorded, including germination energy (GE), germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), seedling length (SL), root length (RL), dry weight (DW), vigor index I (VIⅠ), vigor index Ⅱ (VIⅡ), and vigor index Ⅲ (VIⅢ). Genotypic and phenotypic data were combined to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for major traits. Quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) significantly associated with seed vigor were identified. Public transcriptome data were further used to screen potential candidate genes and to predict their possible functions. 【Result】 Significant genetic variation was observed for seed vigor-related traits in both inbred lines and hybrids. Compared with the standard germination test, cold soaking treatment reduced GE, GP, and GI, and increased the range of phenotypic variation among genotypes. Most traits showed significant effects of genotype, treatment, and their interaction, indicating that seed vigor is mainly controlled by genetic factors. Germination traits were positively correlated with seedling growth traits and vigor indices. Several materials showed stable performance under different germination conditions and low sensitivity to cold soaking. Hybrids derived from KA105, KA088, KA085, and KA205 of the Shaan A Group, and KB088, KB060, KB168, KB076, and KB021 of the Shaan B Group maintained relatively high seed vigor under cold soaking conditions. Some inbred lines with moderate seed vigor were able to improve hybrid performance in specific combinations. GWAS detected 43 QTNs significantly associated with seed vigor, including seven loci that were shared by two or more traits under cold soaking conditions. Based on transcriptome data, 11 candidate genes were identified, of which eight had functional annotation and were mainly related to stress response and transcription regulation.【Conclusion】 Maize seed vigor is a quantitative trait under genetic control, and genetic variation is the main source of phenotypic differences. Seed vigor is regulated by multiple loci, with key genomic regions involved under low-temperature conditions. The accumulation of favorable alleles can improve seed vigor in hybrids, and hybrid performance is also influenced by specific genetic interactions between parents.

Effects of the GDSL Lipase Gene GhGELP23D from Gossypium hirsutum on Plant Cell Elongation Development

CHEN HaoHua, CHEN Gang, FENG JianTing, XIE Jing, LI QianQian, WANG Fei, LI HongBin

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3496-3508.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.003

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【Objective】 The GDSL esterase/lipase (GELP) family comprises a group of multifunctional hydrolases with broad substrate specificity and catalytic versatility, playing an essential role in plant growth and developmental processes. The GDSL lipase gene GhGELP23D from Gossypium hirsutum is highly expressed during cotton fiber elongation development. This study aims to investigate its function in plant cell elongation and provides references for the mechanism elucidation of GELP-mediated regulation of cell growth. 【Method】 The GhGELP23D was cloned from upland cotton fibers. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to characterize its physicochemical properties, structural features, and phylogenetic relationships. The promoter region was analyzed with PlantCARE to identify putative cis-elements. Expression patterns were detected based on public transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR validation. A GUS reporter construct driven by the GhGELP23D promoter was generated to examine the tissue-specific expression of GhGELP23D in stably transformed Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization of GhGELP23D was determined through transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines heterologously expressing GhGELP23D (GhGELP23D-OE) were obtained using the floral-dip method, and phenotypic analyses were conducted. Additionally, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) was employed to suppress GhGELP23D expression in cotton. Silencing efficiency was verified by RT-qPCR, and the resulting changes in fiber length were assessed in GhGELP23D-VIGS plants. 【Result】 GhGELP23D encodes a 356-amino-acid protein that is stable, weakly basic, and hydrophilic, containing a typical signal peptide but no transmembrane domain. Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR detection showed that GhGELP23D was highly expressed during cotton fiber elongation. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that GhGELP23D is predominantly localized to the extracellular space. Analysis of the GhGELP23D promoter indicated the presence of multiple cis-elements related to light responsiveness, hormone signaling, and stress response. Histochemical GUS staining showed that the GhGELP23D promoter can drive reporter gene expression in various Arabidopsis tissues, indicating broad tissue expression activity. Heterologous expression of GhGELP23D in Arabidopsis (GhGELP23D-OE) significantly enhanced plant growth and development, resulting in increased plant height and longer primary roots and root hairs. Furthermore, complementation of GhGELP23D in the mutant resulted in a pronounced recovery of primary root and root hair length similar to that of the wild type (WT). In cotton, the fiber length of GhGELP23D-VIGS lines was significantly reduced compared with that of empty-vector control plants, with an average decrease of approximately 13.14%.【Conclusion】 GhGELP23D encodes an extracellular GDSL lipase that is highly expressed during the fiber elongation stage of upland cotton and plays an important role in plant cell elongation development.

TILLAGE & CULTIVATION·PHYSIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY·AGRICULTURE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Ethylene and Gibberellin Synergistically Regulate Coleoptile Elongation in Rice

WU Bin, GE BingKun, QIN TianYu, XIAO GuiQing, QIN Hua

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3509-3518.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.004

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【Objective】 Ethylene and gibberellin are key phytohormones regulating rice coleoptile elongation, however, the interaction of ethylene and gibberellin in coleoptile elongation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of ethylene and gibberellin in regulating coleoptile elongation.【Method】 This study utilized transgenic rice lines of the core components of ethylene and gibberellin signaling pathways as experimental materials. The coleoptile lengths were examined with or without different phytohormone treatments. The expression levels of downstream genes of OsEIN2/OsEIL2 were detected by RT-qPCR. Yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays were further employed to verify the interaction between OsSLR1 and OsEIL2. 【Result】 Exogenous phytohormones treatment revealed that both ethylene and gibberellin promoted coleoptile elongation, and they exhibited a synergistic effect. Paclobutrazol (PAC, a GA biosynthesis inhibitor) treatment or overexpression of the gibberellin inactivation gene OsGA2ox3 weakened the promoting effect of ethylene on coleoptile elongation, whereas exogenous application of gibberellin partially relieved the 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene) inhibited coleoptile elongation, indicating that ethylene and gibberellin shared a common regulatory pathway in controlling coleoptile elongation. Further studies revealed that OsSLR1, a negative regulator of gibberellin signaling, interacted with OsEIL2. Moreover, OsEIN2/OsEIL2-regulated genes, such as OsERF63, OsERF73, OsHKT2; 1 and OsGY1 were also regulated by OsSLR1. The OsSLR1 loss-of-function mutant slr1 exhibited a long coleoptile phenotype, and the promoting effect of ethylene on coleoptile elongation was further enhanced in slr1, suggesting that OsSLR1 was involved in ethylene-mediated coleoptile elongation and signal transduction. 【Conclusion】 In summary, this study revealed that OsSLR1 served as a crosstalk node for the synergistic regulation of coleoptile elongation by ethylene and gibberellin, and it interacted with OsEIL2 to co-regulate downstream signaling pathways and coleoptile elongation. This study not only enriched the understanding of the phytohormone interaction network in coleoptile growth, but also provided a theoretical basis and useful genes for the breeding of rice varieties suitable for direct seeding cultivation.

Analysis of Interrelationships Among Yield Source, Flow, and Sink Traits in Soybean Cultivars

WANG Ke, GONG HaoRan, WANG YuBin, ZHANG YanWei, WANG CaiJie, LIU Xin, XU Ran

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3519-3540.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.005

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【Objective】 To evaluate the contributions of source, flow and sink traits to soybean yield, clarify the relationships among these traits during yield formation, reveal the key physiological mechanisms underlying soybean yield formation, and provide a theoretical basis for soybean breeding. 【Method】 Qihuang 34, Lindou 9, Weidou 9, and Hedou 12 were investigated during the pod-setting and seed-filling stages. The photosynthetic performance, assimilate partitioning, and dry matter accumulation were analyzed throughout plant development by using ¹³C isotope labeling. Source-flow-sink traits were comprehensively evaluated, and radar chart analysis was applied to characterize the coordination of these traits among cultivars during yield formation.【Result】 (1) The correlations between source, flow and sink traits and yield varied considerably. The contributions of these traits to yield ranked as follows: leaf area index > 100-seed weight > net photosynthetic rate > palisade tissue thickness > effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) > glutamine synthetase activity > glutamate synthase activity > mean sieve tube diameter > stomatal conductance > midrib diameter. (2) Significant interactions were observed among source, flow and sink traits. Source-sink interactions were reflected by positive correlations of net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate with 100-seed weight. Source-flow interactions were indicated by positive correlations of palisade tissue thickness and leaf thickness with net photosynthetic rate, whereas flow-sink interactions were represented by a positive correlation between mean sieve tube diameter and 100-seed weight. (3) Source, flow and sink traits differed markedly among cultivars. Qihuang 34 exhibited higher leaf area index, palisade tissue thickness, leaf thickness, net photosynthetic rate, ΦPSII, sustained dry matter accumulation in main stem pods, yield, 100-seed weight, glutamine synthetase activity, glutamate synthase activity, 3-day assimilate translocation to main stem pods and sustained assimilate translocation than the other three cultivars. Hedou 12 showed the largest midrib diameter, Weidou 9 had the highest seed number per plant, and Lindou 9 exhibited the greatest carbon assimilation capacity of branch pods. These results indicate that high soybean yield depends on the coordinated regulation of source, flow and sink traits rather than on any single trait.【Conclusion】 Among the four cultivars, Qihuang 34 achieved the highest yield owing to its larger leaf area index, stronger assimilate transport capacity, and greater 100-seed weight. Breeding high-yield soybean cultivars with coordinated source, flow and sink characteristics should prioritize germplasm with high photosynthetic efficiency based on ΦPSII, net photosynthetic rate and leaf area index, followed by evaluation of assimilate transport efficiency using leaf and vascular bundle anatomical traits and assessment of yield potential through nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities and sink capacity.

Identification of Yield-Limiting Factors Associated with Spatiotemporal Differentiation of Soil Nutrients in Long-Term Continuous Sugarcane Cultivation Fields

DENG Jun, AI Jing, WANG YuTong, DAO JingMei, ZHAO Yong, YE Song, DENG Yan, ZHANG FuSuo

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3541-3555.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.006

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【Objective】 This study aimed to reveal the spatiotemporal variation in characteristics of soil chemical properties and their relationship with sugarcane yield under long-term continuous cropping, identify the key soil factors limiting sugarcane productivity, and provide a scientific basis for sustainable soil management in sugarcane fields.【Method】 A space-for-time substitution approach was adopted with five continuous cropping duration treatments: CK (0 a), T1 (1 a), T2 (10-19 a), T3 (20-29 a), and T4 (>35 a). Sugarcane yield and soil chemical properties within the 0-60 cm profile (stratified into 0-20, 20-40, and 40-60 cm layers) were systematically analyzed, including pH, soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and available micronutrients contents. The integrated fertility index (IFI) was calculated using factor analysis combined with correlation coefficient analysis and the Nemerow composite index method. Two machine learning algorithms-Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and Random Forest (RF)-were employed to quantify the relative contribution of individual soil chemical indicators to sugarcane yield.【Result】 (1) Long-term continuous cropping significantly reduced sugarcane yield (P<0.05), with a 13.68% decline observed in the T4 treatment（>35 years）compared with the CK, and induced deterioration in soil chemical properties. (2) Soil acidification was intensified under continuous cropping, exhibiting significant layer-specific characteristics. Compared with the control (CK), the mean soil pH decreased to 4.60 after more than 20 years of continuous cropping. The subsurface layer (20-40 cm) exhibited the most severe acidification, with pH values significantly lower than the CK in the T3 and T4 treatment groups. (3) Soil nutrients exhibited obvious surface enrichment and accumulation of certain elements. The contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and available phosphorus in the surface layer (0-20 cm) were significantly higher than in deeper layers. Prolonged continuous cropping led to significant accumulation of available potassium and available zinc, increasing by 320.47% and 164.13%, respectively, in the surface layer. (4) The soil integrated fertility index (IFI) decreased significantly with soil depth. Although long-term continuous cropping improved average fertility in the surface layer, it exacerbated the variability and spatial heterogeneity of fertility in deeper soil layers. (5) Both XGBoost and RF analyses consistently identified soil pH in the 20-40 cm layer as the primary limiting factor determining sugarcane yield, with a relative importance contribution substantially greater than that of surface available nutrients and other soil indicators.【Conclusion】 Under long-term continuous sugarcane cultivation, soils exhibited a spatiotemporal soil pattern characterized by surface nutrient enrichment and severe subsurface acidification. Acidification in the 20-40 cm soil layer constitutes the core obstacle restricting sugarcane productivity. In practical production, management strategies should shift from surface-oriented nutrient application to deep amelioration targeting subsurface acidification.

PLANT PROTECTION

Advances in Mechanisms and Innovative Improvement Strategies for Wheat Disease Resistance

WU JianHui, ZENG QingDong, LIU ShengJie, WANG XiaoJie, HAN DeJun, KANG ZhenSheng

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3556-3576.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.007

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Wheat (Triticum aestivum) remains vital to global food security, yet diverse pathogens constantly threaten its stable production. To address these threats, the identification and utilization of resistant genetic resources is the most effective and eco-friendly approach to manage disease epidemics. Based on a systematic review of the molecular mechanisms of wheat immunity, this paper compares the infection strategies of biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens and elucidates the evolutionary arms race between wheat and its pathogens. Particular emphasis is placed on key immune regulatory mechanisms, including resistosome assembly and allele-specific evolution, modular cooperation mediated by kinase-integrated immune receptors, and host physiological homeostasis reprogramming driven by non-canonical resistance genes. In addition, the molecular basis by which pathogen effectors promote susceptibility through hijacking host immune pathways or exploiting hypersensitive response-associated cell death is discussed. Building upon these mechanistic insights, we summarize current strategies for resistance resource discovery and precision improvement, including the construction of panoramic resistance-gene atlases, the exploitation of novel resistance resources from wild relatives, and receptor optimization through targeted editing of key genetic loci. In response to the continuing evolution of pathogen populations and the increasing prevalence of multiple concurrent diseases, we further propose several emerging directions for resistance improvement, including the decoupling of immune activation from cell death, the evolution-guided design of universal immune receptors, and the establishment of multi-kingdom immune ecological barriers. These concepts provide a theoretical framework and technical foundation for the rational design of broad-spectrum and durable disease resistance in wheat.

Palmitoyl Transferase StPFA5 Regulates the Growth, Development and Pathogenicity of Setosphaeria turcica

YUAN Wei, ZHANG Tu, DONG GuangEn, SHI JinZhuo, LI HaiXiao, CAO ZhiYan, LIU Ning, DONG JinGao

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3577-3590.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.008

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【Objective】 S-palmitoylation is a dynamically reversible post-translational protein modification that exerts a key regulatory role in biological processes such as signal transduction, metabolic homeostasis, and protein localization and transport in organisms. However, its function in Setosphaeria turcica and its impact on the pathogenicity of this fungus remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of the palmitoyl transferase StPFA5 in regulating the growth, development and pathogenicity of S. turcica, and to lay a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying S. turcica growth and pathogenic processes mediated by S-palmitoylation.【Method】 StPFA5 was identified via homologous alignment and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. RT-qPCR was performed to determine the expression level of StPFA5 during the fungal infection process. The knockout mutant and complementation strain of StPFA5 were generated using homologous recombination technology. For the WT, ∆StPFA5 and C.∆StPFA5 strains, the growth rate and pathogenicity were determined, and hyphal morphology and hyphal germination were observed. Mycelial melanin was extracted by acid precipitation and alkaline dissolution, and the expression levels of melanin synthesis-related genes were detected by RT-qPCR. In addition, all strains were inoculated on PDA plates containing Congo red and CFW to assess the effect of StPFA5 on the cell wall integrity of S. turcica. Furthermore, proteomic and S-palmitoylomic analyses combined with database retrieval were conducted to identify differentially modified S-palmitoylation sites and their corresponding proteins in the WT and ∆StPFA5 strains, followed by functional annotation of these proteins.【Result】 StPFA5 shared the highest homology (80.35%) with PFA5 from Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Compared with the WT strain, ∆StPFA5 exhibited reduced colony growth rate, abnormal hyphal morphology and significantly decreased pathogenicity, and these phenotypic defects were restored to the WT level in the C.∆StPFA5 strain. Meanwhile, the melanin content in the mycelia of ∆StPFA5 was decreased, the expression of melanin synthesis-related genes was significantly down-regulated, and the sensitivity of ∆StPFA5 to cell wall stress was reduced. S-palmitoylomic analysis revealed that knockout of StPFA5 led to the downregulation of modification levels at 448 S-palmitoylation sites, and the proteins containing these downregulated sites were significantly enriched in biological pathways including amino acid anabolism, carbon metabolism, glycolysis, cell cycle and chromosome condensation. Combined with the phenotypic characteristics of ∆StPFA5, StPFA5 may affect the growth, development and pathogenicity of S. turcica by regulating the S-palmitoylation levels of proteins associated with these pathways.【Conclusion】 The palmitoyl transferase StPFA5 promotes the growth, development and melanin synthesis of S. turcica by regulating the S-palmitoylation modification levels of target proteins, and exerts a positive regulatory effect on the pathogenicity of this fungus.

SOIL & FERTILIZER·WATER-SAVING IRRIGATION·AGROECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT

Effects of Long-Term Single Application of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers on Soil Nitrogen Pool Components and Nitrogen Supply Capacity

WANG FangJie, XU JiuKai, ZHANG ShuiQin, XU Meng, LI YanTing, HAN JuanJuan, MENG FanLong, ZHANG Jing, YE XinXin, ZHAO BingQiang, YUAN Liang

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3591-3604.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.009

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【Objective】 The composition of soil nitrogen pool is an important indicator reflecting the sustainable productivity of soil. By quantifying the response relationship between changes in soil nitrogen pool components and the application rate of organic and chemical fertilizers, the cultivation characteristics of different nitrogen components in soil by organic and chemical fertilizers were clarified, so as to provide a theoretical basis for soil fertilization and optimizing nitrogen management in farmland soil.【Method】 This study used a long-term location monitoring experiment with different dosages of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer (starting in 2006) as a platform. Both organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer were set at 10 nitrogen fertilizer levels (calculated as N, with crop nitrogen application rates of 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, 500, and 600 kg·hm^-2 per season). The planting system was a double cropping system of winter wheat and summer maize per year. Plant samples were taken during the maturity period of maize in the summer of 2024 to determine nitrogen content, biomass, and maize grain yield. After the summer maize harvest, soil samples were collected in 0-20 cm depth to determine the total nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen content of the soil. The Bremner method was used to determine the organic nitrogen component content of the soil. 【Result】 (1) The total nitrogen content of the soil in both fertilization treatments showed a linear increase with the increase of nitrogen application rate. Compared with the no fertilization treatment, the increase in soil total nitrogen content in organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer treatments was 19.1%-273.5% and 8.8%-25.0%, respectively. For soil inorganic nitrogen, with the increase of nitrogen application rate, the soil nitrate nitrogen content significantly increased under both fertilization treatments. Under the same nitrogen content, the nitrate nitrogen content in soil treated with organic fertilizer was significantly higher than that of chemical fertilizer, ranging from 1.44 to 5.17 times, but the difference in ammonium nitrogen was not significant. (2) For soil organic nitrogen components, the content of total acid hydrolyzable nitrogen (THN) and non-acid hydrolyzable nitrogen (NHN) in organic fertilizer treatment increased with the increase of nitrogen application rate. The THN content of fertilizer treatment also increased with the increase of nitrogen application rate, but there was no significant difference between the treatments. In the components of acid hydrolyzed nitrogen, the content of acid hydrolyzed ammonium nitrogen (AN), amino acid nitrogen (AAN), and amino sugar nitrogen (ASN) increased with the increase of nitrogen application rate in both organic and chemical fertilizer treatments. However, the trend of changes in the content of acid hydrolyzed unknown nitrogen (HUN) was opposite, with organic fertilizer treatment increasing with increasing nitrogen application, while chemical fertilizer treatment showed a decreasing trend. The linear fitting results indicated that there was no significant correlation between NHN and nitrogen application rate in fertilizer treatment. Under both fertilization treatments, the content of various organic nitrogen components showed a significant linear positive correlation with nitrogen application rate. Among them, the HUN of fertilizer treatment showed a significant linear negative correlation with nitrogen application rate. Long term application of organic and chemical fertilizers has changed the proportion of various acid hydrolyzed nitrogen components to total soil nitrogen. The distribution ratio of chemical fertilizer treatment was AN (28.3%-32.5%)>AAN (25.1%-29.5%)>HUN (5.9%-10.0%)>ASN (2.6%-3.5%); the allocation ratio for organic fertilizer treatment was AAN (23.7%-31.4%)>AN (19.6%- 27.6%)>HUN (7.9%-12.6%)>ASN (2.3%-3.2%). (3) Correlation analysis showed that AN, AAN, and ASN were significantly positively correlated with nitrogen uptake in the aboveground parts of summer maize (P<0.01). 【Conclusion】 Under the winter wheat-summer maize rotation system in the North China Plain, the long-term application of chemical fertilizer and long-term application of organic fertilizer could significantly increase the soil nitrogen pool capacity. In acid hydrolyzed organic nitrogen, compared with the application of chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizer treatment significantly increased the content of AN, AAN, ASN, and HUN, thereby improving soil nitrogen supply capacity. AN, AAN, and ASN exhibited a highly significant positive correlation with the nitrogen absorption in the aboveground parts of summer maize, making them potential effective nitrogen sources for the absorption and utilization by summer maize.

Reducing Nitrogen Footprint of Maize Production with Intercropping Green Manure, Nitrogen Reduction, and Sesbania Biochar

WU JiaJia, LIU Rui, LI XinYan, ZHANG JiuDong, CHANG DanNa, CAO WeiDong

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3605-3620.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.010

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【Objective】 Intercropping maize with leguminous green manure can achieve fertilizer conservation and efficiency improvement. Biochar application is an effective measure to mitigate gaseous nitrogen loss form farmland. However, the impacts of nitrogen reduction under intercropping green manure combined with the biochar application on gaseous nitrogen loss and the system’s nitrogen footprint remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate this comprehensive practice to provide a technical approach for the green maize production in oasis irrigation areas of Northwest China. 【Method】 A two-factor field experiment was set up in 2021 at Wuwei Oasis Agricultural Experimental Station in Gansu Province. The experiment employed a two-factorial design. The main factor was nitrogen application system, including conventional nitrogen application (N100), 30% nitrogen reduction (N70), and 30% nitrogen reduction combined with sesbania biochar (N70S). The second factors were cropping patterns, including maize monoculture (MM) and maize intercropping with common vetch (IMC). Six treatments were formed: N100-MM, N100-IMC, N70-MM, N70-IMC, N70S-MM, and N70S-IMC. From 2024 to 2025, maize yield, nitrogen absorption and soil physicochemical properties were measured, nitrous oxide emission and ammonia volatilization were monitored, and the nitrogen footprint of the system was quantified by life cycle assessment method. 【Result】 Compared with N100, N70 decreased maize grain yield, aboveground biomass and nitrogen absorption by 7.9%, 6.1% and 4.7%, respectively. In contrast, N70S increased grain yield and biomass by 8.6% and 2.7%, respectively. IMC increased the yield by 3.8% compared with MM. Notably, N70S-IMC increased grain yield, aboveground biomass and nitrogen absorption by 12.6%, 4.3% and 4.0%, respectively, compared with N100-MM. The N70 reduced cumulative N₂O emissions and NH₃ volatilization by 16.0% to 25.2% and 9.9% to 24.7%, respectively, relative to N100. The N70S further reduced these emissions by 24.8% to 27.7% and 17.6% to 43.9%, respectively. Compared with N100-MM, N70-IMC and N70S-IMC reduced cumulative N₂O emissions by 12.1% to 20.1% and 20.1% to 35.8% and NH₃ volatilization by 15.3% to 24.3% and 11.2% to 20.1%, respectively. Soil analysis showed that, compared with N100-MM, N70-IMC decreased soil ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^--N), and microbial nitrogen (MBN) by 17.6%, 15.6%, and 9.6%, respectively. While N70S-IMC decreased NH₄⁺-N and soluble organic nitrogen (DON) by 15.6% and 7.3%, respectively, but increased total nitrogen (TN) and MBN by 3.9% and 25.0%, respectively. Random forest analysis indicated that soil NO₃^--N, NH₄⁺-N, MBN and DON were the key factors driving N₂O emissions, while NH₃ volatilization was mainly driven by NO₃^--N, NH₄⁺-N and TN. Life cycle assessment indicated that the nitrogen footprint under N70-IMC and N70S-IMC was decreased by 28.9% and 39.7%, respectively, compared with the N100-MM. Furthermore, the nitrogen footprint of the N70S-IMC treatment was 10.4% lower than that under N70-MM. 【Conclusion】 The combination of maize-green manure intercropping, 30% nitrogen reduction, and sesbania biochar application increased grain yield and nitrogen absorption, improved key soil properties, and lowered N₂O emissions, NH₃ volatilization, and the system’s nitrogen footprint, which was an effective path for green and sustainable maize production in the Northwest Oasis Irrigation District.

Effects of Reduced Nitrogen and Controlled Water Combined with Biochar and Nitrification Inhibitor on Nitrogen Losses in a Facility Soil-Tomato System

LI JinJin, ZHAO YuQing, LIU RuiYi, JI YanZhi, XIE JianZhi, GUO YanJie, ZHANG LiJuan

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3621-3639.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.011

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【Objective】 This study aimed to clarify the regulatory effects of the reduced nitrogen combined with controlled water, biochar, and the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on nitrogen losses within a facility soil-tomato system, so as to provide a scientific basis for efficient nitrogen use and sustainable green development in facility vegetable production.【Method】 A field plot experiment was conducted using facility tomato as the research object, with two irrigation treatments including traditional drip irrigation (TD) and reduced drip irrigation (CD). Based on this, eight nitrogen treatments were designed, including no nitrogen (TDN0, and CDN0), traditional nitrogen (TDN1, and CDN1), reduced nitrogen (TDN2, and CDN2), and reduced nitrogen combined with biochar and dicyandiamide (DCD) (TDN2+BD, and CDN2+BD). During the topdressing period, soil N₂O emission and NH₃ volatilization, NO₃^--N accumulation in the 0-100 cm soil profile, and tomato nitrogen uptake, yield, and fruit quality indicators were systematically monitored to quantitatively evaluate the synergistic regulatory effects of biochar and DCD under reduced nitrogen and controlled water conditions. 【Result】 Nitrogen application significantly increased soil N₂O emissions and NH₃ volatilization, with peak fluxes occurring 2-3 days after topdressing. Nitrogen reduction effectively suppressed gaseous nitrogen losses, and the combined application of biochar and the nitrification inhibitor DCD further enhanced the mitigation effect on N₂O emissions. Although biochar and DCD posed a potential risk of increasing NH₃ volatilization, this adverse effect was substantially alleviated by reduced nitrogen and controlled water conditions. Compared with conventional nitrogen application, nitrogen reduction significantly decreased total gaseous nitrogen losses by 45.7%-56.6% and reduced NO₃^--N accumulation in the 0-100 cm soil profile by 13.7%-16.2%. When biochar and DCD were applied on the basis of nitrogen reduction, total gaseous nitrogen losses further declined by 49.4%-59.0%, while the reduction in NO₃^--N accumulation expanded to 27.4%-30.0%, with a clear suppression of deep leaching. Both irrigation methods enhanced the synergistic mitigation effects of water nitrogen regulation. However, controlled drip irrigation demonstrated superior performance compared with conventional drip irrigation. Under controlled irrigation, the CDN2+BD treatment reduced total nitrogen losses by 30.0% compared with CDN1, with decreasing the net nitrogen loss rate from 3.3% to 2.5%. This treatment also significantly inhibited deep NO₃^--N accumulation and increased NO₃^--N retention in the 20-40 cm soil layer by 27.1%. In addition, biochar and DCD increased the apparent nitrogen use efficiency under controlled irrigation to 28.9%; TDN2+BD and CDN2+BD improved nitrogen use efficiency by 53.0% and 30.2%, respectively, compared with their corresponding nitrogen-reduction treatments (TDN2 and CDN2) (P<0.05). Furthermore, the controlled irrigation with biochar and DCD (CDN2+BD) achieved the highest tomato yield (115.93 t·hm^-2), while significantly enhancing fruit vitamin C content and improving soluble protein, soluble sugar, and total soluble solid levels.【Conclusion】 Reduced nitrogen application combined with controlled water, biochar, and the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) significantly decreased gaseous and leaching nitrogen losses, optimized soil nitrogen distribution, and improved nitrogen use efficiency and tomato quality, representing an optimal technical approach for nitrogen reduction and efficiency enhancement in facility vegetable production.

HORTICULTURE

Differential Aroma Metabolism and Key Regulatory Genes Identification Between Melting and Stony Hard Peach Flesh Types

YAO ZhenYu, DUAN WenYi, MENG JunRen, LI Ang, CHEN Ming, YUE ZongSheng, SUN ShiHang, PAN Lei, NIU Liang, CUI GuoChao, ZENG WenFang

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3640-3654.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.012

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【Objective】 This study aimed to elucidate the differentiation patterns of aroma metabolism during fruit development across distinct peach flesh types, and identify key regulatory genes governing cultivar-specific aroma profiles, so as to provide a theoretical basis for flavor improvement in stony hard peaches. 【Method】 The melting-flesh cultivar Chunmei and the stony hard cultivar Zhongtao 9 were utilized as experimental materials. Seven critical sampling stages were established throughout the fruit development cycle. Volatile compounds were profiled using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and Pearson correlation analysis was employed to pinpoint core genes significantly associated with key aroma compounds.【Result】 A total of 57 volatile compounds were identified, with significant variation in composition and content across cultivars and developmental stages. The stony hard cultivar Zhongtao 9 exhibited no detectable ethylene production throughout development, maintained high levels of C6 aldehydes (e.g., 2-hexenal) at the mature stage, and showed almost no accumulation of esters and lactones. In contrast, the melting-flesh cultivar Chunmei exhibited a typical ethylene climacteric peak at the S3 to S4 transition, accompanied by a 3.1-3.8 fold increase in ester content and a marked decrease in C6 compounds. Transcriptome analysis identified 2 806 DEGs, with clear separation between the two cultivars at all developmental stages based on clustering analysis. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that these DEGs were significantly involved in plant hormone signal transduction, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways. Correlation analysis identified 16 candidate genes associated with ester/lactone biosynthesis. Among them, BSK2 (Prupe.2G110200) and PpYUC11 (Prupe.6G157400/6G157500) showed strong positive correlations with hexyl acetate and γ-decalactone, respectively.【Conclusion】 Ethylene was a key regulatory factor underlying aroma quality divergence between the two peach flesh types. Impaired ethylene signaling in Zhongtao 9 likely restricted fatty acid metabolism at the C6 aldehyde stage, preventing downstream esterification and lactone biosynthesis. Candidate genes, such as BSK2 and PpYUC11, together with hormone signaling pathways, were identified as potential regulators of aroma formation.

Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Flavonoid Accumulation Characteristics in the Flesh of Red-Fleshed Grape and Self-Pollinated Progenies

WU PeiJing, SU Ling, CHEN YingChun, MENG Dong, YANG Qing, ZHANG Man, ZHOU XiaoMiao, TAO JianMin, ZHENG Huan, LI Bo, GONG Lei

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3655-3672.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.013

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【Objective】 This study investigated differences in flavonoid-related gene expression and metabolite profiles in the flesh of red-fleshed grape berries and their self-pollinated progenies, aiming to elucidate the metabolic accumulation characteristics of flavonoid biosynthesis, and provide insights into transcriptional regulation, so as to lay a theoretical foundation for improving flavonoid contents in grape berries and breeding new grape varieties. 【Method】 The red-fleshed grape germplasm Zhongshanhongyu (ZSHY), its self-pollinated progenies Nan 19 (N19) and Nan 30 (N30), and Muscat (MGX) were used as materials. Four pairwise comparison groups (ZSHY_vs_MGX, N30_vs_ZSHY, N19_vs_MGX, and N30_vs_N19) were established for targeting flavonoid metabolomics alongside transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of berry flesh. Enrichment analyses were subsequently conducted to characterize flavonoid metabolites accumulation, identify key structural genes, and dissect the transcriptional regulatory networks involved in flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. 【Result】 Based on targeted flavonoid metabolomics technology, a total of 104 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites were detected, and 62 core metabolites exhibiting significant differences were further identified. Notably, most flavonols and flavanols accumulated to substantially higher levels in ZSHY and N19 than in N30 and MGX. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these differential metabolites were predominantly enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, particularly responsible for anthocyanin, flavone, and flavonol biosynthesis. Transcriptome profiling identified 758 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were significantly overrepresented in flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. Furthermore, 30 core DEGs directly involved in flavonoid biosynthesis were screened, whose expression patterns were broadly consistent with the metabolite accumulation profiles, showing high transcript abundance in ZSHY and N19, but low expression in N30 and MGX. In addition, 22 transcription factors (TFs) significantly correlated with flavonoid structural genes were identified, mainly belonging to the WRKY, MYB, and ERF families. 【Conclusion】 Significant differences existed in flavonoid metabolism between the red-fleshed grape and its self-pollinated progenies. The elevated flavonoid accumulation in the flesh of ZSHY and N19 was closely associated with the upregulation of the key structural genes in the flavonoid pathway, and the identified TFs might play important regulatory roles in this process.

ANIMAL SCIENCE·VETERINARY SCIENCE

Identification of Candidate Genes Associated with Black-Tailed and White-Tailed Plumage Traits in B380 Chickens Based on Multi- Omics Analysis

REN MinPeng, ZHANG XiFei, GE HuaLiang, GENG LiYing, LI XiangLong, YU BaoJun, WANG KunYang, ZHANG ChuanSheng

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3673-3686.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.014

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【Objective】 To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying black-tailed and white-tailed feather coloration in Babcock B380 and to identify key candidate genes and loci associated with tail feather color. It provides a theoretical basis for poultry breeding and molecular breeding of feather color related traits.【Method】 A natural population consisting of 80 Babcock B380 hens with either black-tailed or white-tailed phenotypes was used in this study. The morphology and distribution of melanosomes within tail feather follicles were analyzed using histological sections observed under light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Transcriptome data were utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify co-expression modules associated with tail feather color and to screen hub genes within key modules. The expression levels of selected DEGs were subsequently validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, based on genotypic data from the natural population, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify genetic loci associated with black-tailed and white-tailed feather coloration in Babcock B380 chickens. The identified loci were further validated at the population level and subjected to integrative analysis. In addition, codon usage bias of PMEL mRNA was analyzed.【Result】 Microscopic observations revealed that melanosomes were predominantly deposited in the feather shaft region of chicken feather follicles, with the melanosome area being significantly greater in black-tailed chickens than in white-tailed chickens. Transcriptome analysis identified 373 DEGs, which were significantly enriched in melanin biosynthesis- related pathways. Key pigmentation-related genes, including PMEL, TYR, TYRP1, and SLC45A2, were highly expressed in black-tailed feather follicles. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 25 co-expression modules, among which the MEmagenta module was closely associated with melanosome biosynthesis. Integrated analyses of network connectivity and protein-protein interaction networks identified ten potential hub regulatory genes: PMEL, PIAS2, NDEL1, MSRA, HDLBP, GCNT4, FMR1NB, TBLX1, ST3GAL5, and RAB11A. qRT-PCR validation showed that the expression patterns of 4 DEGs were consistent with the RNA-seq results. GWAS identified a total of 968 significant SNPs located on chicken chromosomes 1, 5, and 34, which were annotated to 221 genes. Among these, 7 SNPs within the PMEL gene showed significant associations with tail feather color. Notably, the rs316665588 locus was significantly associated with black-tailed and white-tailed feather phenotypes. Codon bias index (CBI) analysis indicated that the mutation at this locus resulted in a transition from the rare codon UGU to the more frequently used codon UGC.【Conclusion】 The melanosome distribution area in feather follicles was significantly larger in B380 black-tailed chickens than in their white-tailed counterparts. Transcriptome analysis identified 4 key DEGs associated with plumage coloration and revealed 10 potential hub regulatory genes. PMEL was identified as a candidate gene underlying the black-tailed and white-tailed phenotypes in B380 chickens, and the synonymous T/C mutation at rs316665588 represents a key candidate locus contributing to the formation of black/white tail plumage.

The Key Transcription Factors Regulating Beef Cattle Muscle Development Screened by ATAC-seq

CHU HongEn, LIU Yuan, BAI Xue, YANG MengLi, LIU Tao, LI Fen, LI LanLan, MA Yun

Scientia Agricultura Sinica. 2026, 59(16):  3687-3698.  doi:10.3864/j.issn.0578-1752.2026.16.015

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【Objective】 As a ruminant animal, cattle has a long muscle growth and development cycle. However, the regulatory mechanism of chromatin accessibility on bovine longissimus dorsi is not clear during the development of longissimus dorsi. This study aimed to explore the differential chromatin accessibility of the longissimus dorsi muscle of Angus cattle and Simmental cattle, screen the key transcription factors affecting bovine muscle growth, and then construct the TF-gene regulatory network, so as to provides the theoretical basis and new molecular target for further study of the epigenetic regulation mechanism of bovine muscle development.【Method】 The longissimus dorsi muscle tissues of 24-month-old Angus cattle (AGS) and Simmental cattle (XM) with the same feeding and management methods were collected, and the amino acid content was detected according to the national standard Determination of amino acids in food (GB 5009.124-2016). SPSS 9.4 software was used to analyze the significant difference of amino acid content in longissimus dorsi muscle between groups by t test. The collected longissimus dorsi muscle tissue was subjected to ATAC-seq sequencing. By identifying the chromatin open area (peak), peak analysis, GO/KEGG functional enrichment analysis, and transcription factor binding site (motif) enrichment analysis were performed. Combined with the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained from the previous RNA-seq sequencing, a transcription factor-gene (TF-gene) regulatory network was constructed based on the GTRD database and the OmicShare Tools.【Result】 The results showed as follows：(1) The content of lysine (Lys), serine (Ser), arginine (Arg), histidine (His) and glutamic acid (Glu) in longissimus dorsi muscle of AGS group were significantly higher than those of XM group (P < 0.05); the content of proline (Pro) was the opposite (P < 0.05), indicating that the amino acid metabolic phenotype was significantly different between the two groups. (2) Chromatin accessibility was generally conserved between the two groups. A total of 29 140 peaks were detected in Angus cattle and 28 781 peaks were detected in Simmental cattle. The chromatin open regions between the two groups were mainly distributed at the transcription start site (TSS) ± 2 kb, and accounted for more than 84.57 % in the intron region, distal intergenic region and promoter region. (3) A total of 6 185 differential peaks were identified between the two groups, of which 5 030 peaks were up-regulated and 1155 were down-regulated. After the differential peak were annotated to related genes, GO/KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the differential peak-related genes were mainly enriched in classical muscle development-related pathways, such as anatomical morphogenesis, muscle structure development, actin filament-mediated, Hippo signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and actin cytoskeleton regulation. (4) Motif enrichment analysis showed that among the top 20 transcription factor binding motifs, the top four belonged to the MEF2 transcription family, which were MEF2C, MEF2A, MEF2D, and MEF2B, respectively. Further focusing on the intersection analysis of AGS-specific peak and differentially expressed genes obtained by previous RNA-seq sequencing, it was found that the binding sites of MEF2B and MEF2D were the most enriched, and the TF-gene regulatory network with MEF2B and MEF2D as the core transcription factors was successfully constructed. A total of 13 target genes involved in muscle development regulation were screened, including ACTA1, CKM, CLCN1, SLN, and MYOZ3. IGV visualization confirmed the presence of MEF2B and MEF2D binding motifs in the promoter region of the above target genes, and highly overlapped with the open region of ATAC-seq.【Conclusion】 In this study, the combined analysis of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq data revealed the differences in chromatin accessibility between Angus cattle and Simmental cattle during the development of longissimus dorsi muscle, and screened MEF2B and MEF2D as key transcription factors (TFs) regulating bovine muscle growth. The TF-gene regulatory network with MEF2B and MEF2D as core transcription factors was constructed, which provided a theoretical basis for further analysis of the epigenetic mechanism of muscle development in beef cattle and functional verification of CRISPR-Cas9.