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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 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 （11）      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 （4）      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 （2）      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 （1）      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 Select Genomic characterization, pathogenicity, and PRRSV-vectored vaccine protection of an emerging recombinant PRRSV strain FJNP22-1 Jiale Li, Wenna Shuai, Ziqiang Guo, Meng Luo, Liwei Li, Yanjun Zhou, Yifeng Jiang, Guangzhi Tong, Yifan Zeng, Jinbin Wang, Fei Gao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.016 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （6）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), the etiological agent of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), has caused substantial  economic losses to the global swine industry. In recent years, frequent genetic recombination and mutation events in PRRSV have given rise to numerous genetic  variants, presenting significant challenges for PRRS containment and eradication programs. In the present investigation, a novel PRRSV strain, designated FJNP22-1, was successfully isolated from an affected pig farm in Fujian Province, China, during a 2023 disease outbreak. Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome sequence identified FJNP22-1 as a member of Lineage 8 within the PRRSV-2. Notably, ORF5-based phylogenetic characterization revealed its classification within  Sub-lineage 1.8 of PRRSV-2. Genomic recombination analysis revealed that FJNP22-1 was a recombination strain derived from HP-PRRSV (Lineage 8, major parental strain) and NADC30-like (Lineage 1, minor parental strain), with seven distinct recombination breakpoints identified across Nsp2, Nsp3, ORF2, and ORF4 gene regions. Pathogenicity evaluation demonstrated that FJNP22-1 infection induced 100% morbidity in piglets, with clinical manifestations including pyrexia, anorexia and severe growth retardation. Necropsy findings confirmed marked pulmonary lesions, supporting the conclusion that FJNP22-1 exhibits high pathogenicity in swine. Furthermore, a novel recombinant PRRSV-vectored vaccine candidate (rPRRSV-E2), engineered via reverse genetics to express the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) E2 glycoprotein, conferred robust protection against FJNP22-1 challenge in piglets. This study enhances our understanding of PRRSV molecular epidemiology and provides valuable insights for vaccine development and PRRS control strategies in China. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Replacing soybean oil with soy sauce-separated oil in the diets of finishing pigs: The impact on the safety and nutritional value of roasted pork meat Teng Hui, Zhengfeng Fang, Yong Yang, Tao Liu, Teng Pan DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.015 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Soy sauce is a traditional Chinese seasoning with a history spanning 3,000 years Increasing the utilization efficiency of soy sauce-separated oil (SSO), a by-product of soy sauce processing, is essential for promoting its application potential. Therefore, this study is the first to investigate the use of SSO instead of soybean oil (SO) in the diets of finishing pigs (SSO-SO) to evaluate its impact on the safety and nutritional value of roasted pork meat via systemic tests (from breeding to processing and digestion). The results indicated that regarding nutrition, the SSO-SO reduced the ∑n-6/∑n-3 in the roasted meat and digestion product by 15 and 14%, respectively, and increased the essential amino acids (∑EAAs) content in the digestion product by 6%. In terms of safety, the SSO-SO promoted protein oxidation and non-polar heterocyclic amine (HAs) formation to some extent, while reducing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARs) value by 20% and decreasing cholesterol oxide product (COPs) content by 20-70% in the roasted meat. This study suggests that SSO shows promise as an alternative oil for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich pork processing without compromising safety and nutrition. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Tobacco pathogen-microbiome dynamics reveal dual-functional microbial resources for disease control and growth promotion Yinan Ma, Junzhou Li, Jing Liu, Sasa Zheng, Peipei Wang, Wen Zeng, Jiaqi Zhang, Kaiji Liao, Hailei Wei DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.014 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Tobacco bacterial wilt and black shank, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and Phytophthora nicotianae, respectively, severely threaten global tobacco production. Although the rhizosphere microbiome has emerged as a key factor in disease suppression, limited knowledge is available regarding how mixed infections by these pathogens reshapes microbial communities or affects soil health. Most existing studies focus on single-pathogen interactions, leaving a critical gap in understanding the complex microbiome responses to dual infections. Here, we investigated rhizosphere microbiome dynamics under single and mixed infections with these pathogens to identify microbial resources for disease suppression and growth enhancement. Using an amplicon-qPCR combined method, we demonstrated the restructuring of the microbiome. Healthy soils exhibited higher diversity and enrichment of beneficial taxa, including Sphingomonas and Rhizobium, whereas diseased soils were dominated by pathogens such as Ralstonia, with intensified diversity losses in mixed infected samples. Network analyses revealed collapsed microbial connectivity in diseased soils, indicating destabilized community resilience. Among the 2,048 rhizosphere isolates, Burkholderia orbicola ZY288 was identified as a potent biocontrol agent that suppressed pathogens and provided control effect by 53%–57% in greenhouse trials. Strain ZY288 also promoted plant growth via phosphate solubilization, protease activity, and ammonia synthesis, significantly increasing tobacco biomass and height. Phylogenetic and amplicon data linked strain ZY288 to disease-suppressive rhizosphere taxa, validating its ecological niche. Our findings highlight pathogen-driven microbiome shifts in tobacco soils and suggest that strain ZY288 is a sustainable biocontrol agent with plant-protective and growth-promoting capacities. This study advances microbiome-guided strategies for managing soil-borne diseases and promotes the integration of microbial ecology into agriculture. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Genome-wide association mapping revealed a major QTL for Septoria tritici blotch resistance in wheat Xiaoqian Wang, Chenchen Zhao, Qinglan Wei, Chengdao Li, Zhong-Hua Chen, Rajeev Varshney, Sergey Shabala, Meiqin Lu, Yunlong Pang, Meixue Zhou DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.013 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （3）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici, poses a major threat to global wheat production, adversely affecting both yield and grain quality. To identify the genetic loci controlling STB resistance, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using 13,098 high-quality SNPs across a diverse panel of 318 wheat accessions including Australian commercial varieties, Australian Grains Genebank, Chinese commercial varieties, and Chinese landraces. Disease resistance was evaluated over two consecutive years under field conditions. Population structure and principal component analyses revealed distinct genetic differentiation between Chinese landraces and other groups. Notably, Chinese landraces exhibited the highest proportion of resistant accessions. We identified a total of 14 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with STB resistance. Notably, three QTLs (qSTB-3B.1, qSTB-4A.2, and qSTB-6B) were consistently detected across all environments, with qSTB-4A.2 as a major resistance locus. Selection for the qSTB-4A.2 allele reduced the average disease score from 5.4 to 3.9. Furthermore, an additive effect was observed, where accessions carrying resistance alleles at both qSTB-4A.2 and qSTB-6B exhibited significantly lower disease scores than those with only the qSTB-4A.2 allele. Candidate gene analysis within these stable QTLs identified 27 promising genes including homologs of known disease resistance-related genes such as Lr34/Yr18/Pm38, and OsWAK1. These findings enhance our understanding of STB resistance genetics and provide robust markers and candidate genes for marker-assisted selection in breeding durable and disease-resistant wheat cultivars. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select PAL-mediated phenylpropanoid metabolism contributes to storage stability of postharvest Pleurotus eryngii under hot air treatment Minru Du, Wenhao Yue, Lingdan Lian, Sidi Wu, Jie Wang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.012 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Phenylpropanoid metabolism plays an essential role in storage stability of edible mushrooms. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is the rate-limiting enzyme of this metabolic pathway. However, its special mechanisms in regulating postharvest quality of Pleurotus eryngii remain to be determined. This study aimed to investigate the roles of hot air (HA) and PAL inhibitor (AOPP) on the postharvest storage stability of P. eryngii to reveal the potential regulatory mechanism of PAL. Results showed that HA treatment inhibited the increase in water loss, browning, electrolyte leakage rate and malonaldehyde (MDA) content in P. eryngii. It also elevated the contents of phenylpropanoid metabolites and enhanced the activities and expression levels of the key enzymes in basic phenylpropanoid pathway. However, the activated phenylpropanoid metabolism induced by HA treatment was inhibited by AOPP treatment, leading to severe quality deterioration. To further analyze the role of PAL, the overexpression and silencing transformants of PePAL2, one of the PAL homologous genes in P. eryngii, were constructed. The overexpression of PePAL2 up-regulated the expression of genes downstream of PAL and boosted the contents of secondary metabolites, whereas PePAL2-silenced transformants showed the opposite effect, indicating that PePAL2 was crucial to the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism. Overall, the results suggested that HA treatment activated the phenylpropanoid metabolism through PePAL2, thereby improving the storage stability of P. eryngii.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Highly Efficient Multiplex Precise Genome Editing in Porcine Cells Using epiCBE4max System Xianghua Xu, Bo Li, Lu Jing, Xuewen Xu, Shengsong Xie, Changchun Li, Xinyun Li, Xiaosong Han, Jinxue Ruan DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.011 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Low light stress at tasseling threatens high-density maize production by impairing silk emergence Yarong Zhang, Jianhong Ren, Shanshan Liu, Xinru Zhang, Guangzhou Liu, Xiong Du, Yanhong Cui, Zhen Gao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.010 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Low light stress during the flowering stage has become a limiting factor in high-density maize production. Understanding the combined effects of shading and planting density on maize yield is essential for improving productivity.  A three-year field experiment was conducted using six consecutive days of shading (25% light transmittance) initiated at tasseling, under three planting densities (4.5, 6.75, and 9.0 plants m-2; D1, D2, and D3).  Grain yield, photosynthetic rate, stem carbohydrate availability, silk growth dynamics, and sucrose metabolism and hormonal changes in silks were measured. Results indicated that shading-induced yield penalties were more severe at higher planting densitiy. Compared with ambient light conditions, shading reduced maize yield by 57.9, 59.0, and 84.2% at D1, D2, and D3, respectively, across the three years.  The reduction in kernel number per ear was the primary cause of yield decline.  The occurrence of barren ear tips indicated ovary fertilization failure rather than post-fertilization grain abortion.  Pollen viability remained unaffected by shading, whereas the number of silks emerging from the husk declined significantly, especially at higher densities.  A strong positive linear correlation was observed between kernel number per ear and emerged silk count (R2=0.94).  Furthermore, random forest analysis identified the number of emerged silks as the most influential factor affecting kernel set.  These findings together indicated that silk growth arrest determined final kernel number under shading at tasseling.  Further analysis revealed that shading induced carbon deficiency in maize, reducing sucrose content in silks.  This disruption impaired hormone-mediated cell expansion and consequently limited silk growth.  The mechanism of yield loss under the synergistic interaction of shading and planting density was thus elucidated, with silk growth arrest governing final kernel number.  Paying attention to accelerating silk growth is critical for maize production under low light conditions caused by high planting density, continuous rainfall, or similar stresses. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Up-regulation of PsbHLH3 assists the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the amber-flesh of black plums trigged by cold storage Yubei Wang, Ranran Xu, Yanyan Ma, Zhilei Zhao, Yuhong Gu, Jiankang Cao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.009 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Cold storage of amber-fleshed black plums induced the biosynthesis and accumulation of anthocyanin in plum fruit, which caused the color change of the flesh tissue when stored at low temperature. bHLH transcription factors had potential functions in response to cold induction and anthocyanin biosynthesis. To investigate the role of bHLH genes, two amber-fleshed and black-skinned cultivars (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Friar and cv. Angeleno) were selected as fruit material to conduct transcriptomic and bioinformatics analysis. The differentially expressed bHLHs genes were identified via RNA sequencing and verified by qRT-PCR. Ten bHLHs genes, containing 5 up-regulated and 5 down-regulated, were identified as the most significantly altered during cold-induced flesh reddening. The structure of these 10 bHLH proteins was characterized, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Among them, the gene evm.TU.Chr8.2504, identified as PsbHLH3, exhibits low temperature responsiveness and contains MYB-binding sites. Further experiments involving transient overexpression were performed to validate the function of PsbHLH3 in facilitating anthocyanin biosynthesis. The yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation demonstrated that PsbHLH3 interacts with PsMYB10.1. Dual-luciferase assay showed that PsbHLH3 promoted the activation of PsMYB10.1 on the promoter of PsUFGT, and consequently augmenting the transcription of structural genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis. The study indicated that low temperatures induced the up-regulation of PsbHLH3, facilitating the opening of ON/OFF molecular switch responsible for the flesh-reddening of plum fruit. This elucidates the role of PsbHLH3 in postharvest regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plums trigged by cold storage. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select An On-site Visual Assay Detecting Langya Henipavirus Based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Technology Lin Cheng, Haili Zhang, Xiaoai Zhang, Pei Huang, Xinlan Chen, Fangxu Li, Wujian Li, Wei Liu, Hualei Wang, Sandra Chiu, Zengguo Cao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.008 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Concurrent increases in planting density and potassium fertilizer application rate: an effective strategy for enhancing grain yield and improving lodging resistance in summer maize Hongchao Zhao, Xiangpeng Ding, Hongyang Dong, Baizhao Ren, Peng Liu, Jiwang Zhang, Junwen Chen, Bin Zhao, Jinyan Zhang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.007 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Increasing planting density is an effective strategy for enhancing the yield potential of summer maize; however, it substantially elevates the risk of lodging under adverse weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and strong winds.  Under these circumstances, potassium fertilizer plays a progressively critical role in improving lodging resistance.  Previous studies have primarily focused on the individual effects of planting density and potassium fertilizer application rate on maize lodging resistance and yield, with less emphasis on their integrative effects in the lodging resistance process.  In this study, two maize varieties differing in lodging resistance—Denghai 605 (DH605, lodging-resistant) and Xianyu 335 (XY335, lodging-susceptible)—were used as experimental materials. Three treatments were established: T1 (density, 67,500 plants ha-1; K2O, 180 kg ha-1), T2 (density, 82,500 plants ha-1; K2O, 180 kg ha-1), and T3 (density, 82,500 plants ha-1; K2O, 270 kg ha-1), to examine the mechanism through which concurrent increases in planting density and potassium fertilizer application rate affect lodging resistance and yield formation of summer maize.  In terms of yield improvement, the T3 treatment demonstrated a significant advantage, increasing the two-year average yield of DH605 and XY335 by 18.65 and 16.05%, respectively, compared to T1, and by 7.25 and 14.36% relative to T2.  In terms of lodging resistance, T3 promoted stem thickening and root system expansion while enhancing the activity of lignin biosynthesis-related enzymes (PAL, TAL, and CAD) in both stems and brace roots.  This facilitated increased synthesis and accumulation of lignin, thereby strengthening mechanical properties.  Consequently, the T3 treatment reduced lodging rate by 30.45% (DH605) and 29.42% (XY335) compared to T1, and by 51.21 and 55.90% compared to T2.  Overall, concurrent increases in planting density and potassium fertilizer application rate achieved dual improvements in both yield and lodging resistance in summer maize.  This approach provides a crucial reference for mitigating lodging risks under projected extreme weather events and ensuring high and stable production of summer maize. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Grain yield and nutrient uptake and utilization in spring-sown waxy maize under varying plant densities and fertilization regimes Zihan Wang, Shiduo Niu, Xiaoyu Yao, Guoqing Chen, Jian Guo, Guanghao Li, Dalei Lu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.006 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （2）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Increasing maize plant density (PD) is key to enhancing grain yield (GY), and one-time application of slow-release fertilizers represents an efficient and resource-saving practice.  However, the interaction between PD and fertilization mode (FM) in waxy maize production remains poorly understood.  This study systematically evaluated the interactive effects of PD and FM on dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation, translocation, and distribution, and their relationships with GY and N use efficiency (NUE) in waxy maize.  Two waxy maize varieties were grown across five PD levels (D1-D5: 4.5×104, 5.25×104, 6.0×104, 6.75×104, and 7.5×104 plants ha-1) and four FMs (F0, no fertilization; F1, conventional compound fertilizer at sowing plus urea topdressing at the six-leaf stage; F2, one-time application of amino acid compound fertilizer [Amino acid compound fertilizer (ACF)] at sowing; F3, one-time application of ACF at the six-leaf stage; total N-P2O5-K2O=225-75-75 kg ha-1) during the 2021-2023 growing seasons.  Although higher PD reduced kernel weight and kernels per plant, increased population density compensated for these reductions, resulting in greater GY.  Among all treatments, the D5F3 treatment (7.5×104 plants ha-1 with F3) achieved the highest GY, total score, and sustainability index.  This outcome was driven by greater post-silking DM and N accumulation, an improved harvest index, and enhanced leaf reserve translocation.  Given uniform fertilization rates across treatments, the higher yield under D5F3 led to superior N agronomic efficiency, N internal efficiency, N recovery efficiency, and N partial factor productivity.  In conclusion, increasing PD and postponing ACF application enhance GY primarily by improving post-silking DM and N accumulation and harvest index, while concurrently increasing NUE.  Field management strategies should therefore prioritize maximizing post-silking DM and N uptake to simultaneously improve yield and NUE in spring-sown waxy maize. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Inheritance, virulence variation, and genetic heterozygosity of sexual recombination between races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritic Maxinzhi Liu, Xinyao Ma, Bingbing Zhang, Xinyu Kong, Mudi Sun, Zhensheng Kang, Jie Zhao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.005 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （1）      PDF in ScienceDirect       New races are responsible for the breakdown of stripe rust-resistant wheat cultivars. Sexual reproduction of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, the cause of wheat strip rust, can generate new races with virulence variation. However, the role of inter-racial hybridization in generating new races and population genetic diversity has remained unknown. So, we hybridized two single-urediospore P. striiformis f. sp. tritici isolates, 4-14 and b-5, on barberry (Berberis aggregata) seedlings to establish single-aeciospore F1 progenies, and selfed the F1 progeny 1-2 to establish 85 single-aeciospore F2 progenies. All isolates were phenotyped on 26 Yr-single gene lines as differentials, and genotyped with the 20K genotyping-by-target sequencing (GBTS) chip for P. striiformis f. sp. tritici. The results showed that 58 different virulence phenotypes (VPs, VP1-VP58) were identified, and 57 VPs were new, showing high virulence variation (98.3-100%). Overall F2 progenies displayed different avirulence and virulence segregation ratios at 13 of 26 Yr loci tested, at which avirulence was controlled by one dominant or recessive gene, or by two genes with different gene effects. All F2 progenies showed a high level of heterozygosity (0.07-0.64), with a great difference of genotypic distribution, presenting a rich genetic diversity from sexual recombination. Genetic variation of the F2 progenies mostly occurred among individuals rather than among populations. A low correlation was detected between phenotype and genotype in the F2 progenies (R2=0.0257). This study provides an insight into understanding the role of sexual recombination in the origin of new races and high level of genetic diversity as well as evolution of the stripe rust.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Root-specific upregulation of the Na+/K+ transport genes mitigates salt stress in blueberry Huifang Song, Bingshuai Du, Xinyan Zhao, Kaiyue Feng, Lingyun Zhang, Yibo Cao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.004 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （5）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Soil salinization is a growing challenge for highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) production, but knowledge about its physiological and molecular responses to salt stress remains limited. To address this, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on differentially expressed genes from the roots and leaves of the salt-tolerant cultivar ‘Duke’ and the salt-sensitive cultivar ‘Sweetheart’. GO analysis revealed significant enrichment of ion transport and cellular ion homeostasis in the roots under salt stress. WGCNA identified a strong correlation between Na+ and K+ contents and the expression of hub genes VcHAK5, VcNHX1, and VcNHX2 under salt stress. These genes were significantly upregulated in the roots of the salt-tolerant cultivar. VcHAK5 encodes a K+-selective ion transporter in the plasma membrane, and VcNHX1 and VcNHX2 encode Na+- and K+-/H+ antiporters in the tonoplast. Knockdown mutants of these genes in blueberry calli showed hypersensitivity to salt stress. Furthermore, reciprocal grafting between salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant blueberry cultivars demonstrated that lower root Na+ content and Na+/K+ ratios are crucial for salt tolerance. This study provides the first comprehensive insights into blueberry responses to salt stress, identifies target genes and highlights the critical role of salt-resistant roots. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Legume introduction enhances rhizosphere phosphorus availability through organic acid-induced dissolution and microbial transformation: Insights from an 11-year field experiment in grassland Meiqi Guo, Tongtian Guo, Chuan Guo, Jiqiong Zhou, Gaowen Yang, Yingjun Zhang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.003 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （4）      PDF in ScienceDirect       While chemical fertilization offers a direct solution to restore soil fertility in degraded ecosystem, revegetation through legume introduction represents a more sustainable management strategy. However, the mechanisms by which legume introduction influence soil phosphorus (P) transformation, and how these processes respond to nutrient fertilization, remain poorly understood. Using one-time sampling from an 11-year field experiment, we investigated how the introduction of a legume (Medicago falcata L.) influenced rhizosphere soil P fractions, both alone and in combination with nitrogen (N; 5 g m-² yr-¹) and P (3.2 g m-² yr-¹) fertilization. Our findings reveal that legume introduction stimulated the mobilization of soil P by increasing organic acid concentrations and microbial P demand, as indicated by the microbial biomass N:P ratio. This resulted in significant changes in P pools, marked by a 97.4% increase in labile inorganic P, a 22.9% decrease in moderately labile inorganic P, a 9.6% decrease in moderately labile organic P, and a 3.7% decrease in non-labile P pool. In contrast, while N fertilization promoted the solubilization of moderately labile inorganic P and the dissolution of the non-labile P pool by lowering soil pH and enhancing the abundance of genes for inorganic P solubilization, it ultimately led to a 10.6% depletion of the labile P pool. Phosphorus fertilization increased labile inorganic P, moderately labile inorganic P, and non-labile P, yet it inhibited microbial P transformation processes. Importantly, legume introduction mitigated the negative impacts of N fertilization on bioavailable P and the negative effects of P fertilization on microbial P mineralization genes. These findings suggest that legume introduction is a sustainable practice to stimulate P cycling in natural grassland, highlighting the importance of activating microbial functions in grassland management and restoration.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select The PuMYB93-PuGSTF12 regulatory module promotes anthocyanin accumulation in ‘Nanhong’ pear fruit Huili Sun, Xinyue Wang, Qiuping Ren, Chunyan Liu, Xiaoqian Wang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.12.002 Online: 09 December 2025 Abstract （4）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Anthocyanins are important flavonoid pigments in the coloration of fruits. To identify candidate genes involved in anthocyanin accumulation, metabolic and transcriptome analyses were conducted in ‘Nanguo’ pear and its red sport cultivar ‘Nanhong’ pear. The results showed that ‘Nanhong’ pear had significantly higher anthocyanin and flavonol contents. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis showed that there were significant differences in the expression of genes involved in phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways between the two cultivars, with PuGSTF12 being the most upregulated gene in the ‘Nanhong’ cultivar. Further analysis identified a novel MYB transcription factor (PuMYB93), and its silencing repressed PuGSTF12 expression and anthocyanin accumulation, suggesting it plays an essential role in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Moreover, yeast one-hybrid analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and β-glucuronidase assay indicated that PuMYB93 can directly bind to the PuGSTF12 promoter to positively regulate its expression. Additionally, PuGSTF12 silencing suppressed the coloration of PuMYB93-OE peels, suggesting that PuGSTF12 act downstream of PuMYB93. Overall, the findings of this study show that PuMYB93 promotes anthocyanin transport in pears by regulating PuGSTF12 expression to further enhance anthocyanin accumulation.  Reference | Related Articles | Metrics page Page 1 of 18 Total 346 records First page Prev page Next page Last page