To explore the effects of biochar application rates under rotary tillage and deep loosening conditions on winter wheat yield and carbon and nitrogen status in soil, a two-factor randomized block experiment was set up by establishing two tillage methods (rotary tillage and deep loosening) and three biochar application rates of 0, 4.5, and 9 t·hm^-2. The differences in winter wheat yield and soil carbon and nitrogen were comparatively analyzed among different treatments. The results indicated that both tillage method and biochar application rate had significant impact on soil nitrate nitrogen residue, total carbon, total nitrogen, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen content in wheat field. The interaction between the two factors reached significant levels for soil total nitrogen and microbial carbon in both 2022 and 2023. In the 0-20 cm soil layer, compared to rotary tillage, deep loosening increased soil total carbon content and total nitrogen content by 13.9% and 29.5%, respectively. Additionally, deep loosening promoted the microbial carbon and nitrogen content in the 20-30 cm soil layer, leading to a significant decrease in soil nitrate nitrogen residue by 8.5%. Compared to no biochar application, the application of biochar had a promoting effect on the microbial carbon and nitrogen content in the 0-30 cm soil layer. It also reduced soil nitrate nitrogen residue in the 0-50 cm soil layer, with total carbon and total nitrogen content increased by 22.4% and 6.7%, respectively. In 2022 and 2023, winter wheat yield significantly increased under deep loosening compared to that under rotary tillage, with increase rate of 15.8% and 12.0%, respectively. Among them, the deep loosening with 9 t hm^-2 biochar application had the highest yield. Comprehensive analysis indicated that deep loosening combined with 9 t·hm^-2 biochar had the best effect, serving as a cultivation and biochar application combination for high yield and improved soil fertility, which is suitable for application and promotion.

As the only cereal accumulating triterpenoid saponins and steroidal saponins, oat has many medicinal and health functions. In this review, the research on saponins in oat was reviewed by systematically summarizing the relevant literature. The configuration and content of saponins in oat varied among different organ tissues and growth stages. The underground part of oat mainly contains triterpenoid saponins, while the aboveground part dominantly contains steroid saponins. The synthesis and accumulation of oat saponins are regulated by genotype, and also influenced by environmental factors and cultivation measures. The key steps of oat saponin biosynthesis pathway were summarized, and related enzymes (such as squalene cyclase, farnesyl pyrophosphotransferase, glycosyltransferase and so on) involved in the key steps were mined to promote the deep development and utilization of oat.

PBF factor is one of the protein factors regulating the expression of wheat endosperm specific gene, and plays an important role in regulating the expression of wheat seed storage protein genes. In this study, the CDS sequence of TaPBF3-5D was obtained from wheat germplasm ZY96-3 by RT-PCR, and its bioinformatics and gene expression were analyzed. The results showed that the CDS sequence of TaPBF3-5D had a total of 909 bp, encoding 302 amino acids. The encoded protein is a non-transmembrane unstable hydrophilic protein without signal peptide, and it contains 36 phosphoric acid sites. It is predicted to be located in the nucleus. Phylogenetic tree and multiple sequence alignment showed that TaPBF3-5D was more closely related to the PBF from common wheat. Quantitative fluorescence analysis showed that TaPBF3-5D gene was expressed in roots, stems, leaves, and seeds, with the highest expression in seeds, followed by leaves and stems, and the lowest expression in roots. It indicated TaPBF3-5D gene regulating the grain development of wheat through participating in the regulation of wheat grain storage protein gene expression.

The function of branching spike genes has been successfully suppressed during the development process of barley inflorescence. Gene mutations can reactivate the development of branching spikes in barley, leading to an ectopic expression of the spikelet and its florets on the rachis nodes of branched-spike, an increase in single-floret spikelet per spike and a decrease in flower fertility. Barley branched-spike is a recessive trait genetically controlled by a pairs of nuclear genes. The reported branched-spike genes in barley are distributed on Chr2HS, Chr3HL, and Chr4HS, belonging to different transcription factor gene families, with difference in genetic function, expression mode and interaction characteristic. This article summarized the research progress on the creation methods, agronomic and genetic characteristics of the reported branched-spike mutants, as well as the functions, expression characteristics and transcriptional regulation relationships of the branched-spike genes. We also explored the scientific problems that need to be elucidated and their solution strategies in the genetic research of barley branched-spike mutants.

As a crucial genetic resource, synthetic hexaploid wheat plays a key role in studying of kernel-related traits. In order to further explore the quantitative trait loci (QTL) of kernel-related traits in wheat, a RIL population consisting of 154 lines derived from a cross between XN389 and a synthetic hexaploid wheat (KU2098) was used as materials. Wheat 55K SNP array was used to construct the genetic map and QTLs for nine kernel-related traits were identified, including kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), kernel area (KA), kernel perimeter (KP), kernel length width ratio (KLWR), thousand-kernel weight (TKW), kernel protein content (KPC), SC (starch content) and wet gluten content (WGC). A total of 84 additive QTLs were identified across 21 wheat chromosomes, except for chromosome 7B. The individual QTL explained the phenotypic variation from 0.91% to 43.41%, with LOD values ranging from 2.54 to 39.96. Among them, 31 major and 10 stable QTLs were identified. A total of twelve QTL clusters, encompassing QTLs associated with kernel-related traits, were identified on chromosomes 1A(1), 1B(1), 1D(1), 2D(1), 4D(1), 5A(1), 5D(1), 6A(2), 6B(2) and 7D(1). In the corresponding physical interval of QTL cluster C8, two candidate genes related to kernel traits were identified. Four candidate genes related to quality traits were identified in physical region of QTL cluster C3. The QTLs can provide reference for yield and quality improvement of wheat.

In order to optimize the management decision-making scheme for high and stable yield of spring wheat and efficient utilization of water and nitrogen resources under different precipitation year types, the key parameters for wheat growth and development in the APSIM-wheat model based on the experimental data of spring wheat (Neimai 19) at the Shangkulini Farm Experimental Station and the Labudalin Farm Experimental Station in Eerguna City of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2009 to 2012 were determined. Using the calibrated APSIM-wheat model, the growth and development process of spring wheat under rain-fed conditions from 1967 to 2017 was simulated and analyzed. Three precipitation types (dry, normal, and wet) were identified based on precipitation, and the optimal water management periods were determined using the soil water deficit on photosynthesis (SWD_ef). Scenario models were designed with eight irrigation gradients (15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180mm) and thirteen N fertilization gradients (30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, and 300 kg·hm^-2), and combined with key indicators for water and nitrogen management decision-making (water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, and yield), the optimal water and nitrogen management modes for spring wheat under different precipitation types were explored. The results showed that: (1)The root mean square error (RMSE) of the simulated values of the spring wheat development stage module (emergence, heading, and maturation) in the calibrated APSIM-wheat model ranged from 1.17 to 3.64 days, and the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) ranged from 0.82% to 1.90%. The RMSE and NRMSE between the simulated and observed values of the yield module were 371.50 kg·hm^-2 and 8.54%, respectively, indicating that the APSIM-wheat model can well reflect the dynamic growth and development process of wheat under different precipitation types. (2)The SWD_ef during spring wheat tillering stage to jointing stage, jointing stage to heading stage, and heading stage to anthesis stages under rain-fed conditions were relatively lower, and under the premise of only one irrigation during the growth stage, irrigation during the jointing stage could alleviate drought stress and significantly improve yield. (3)The optimal water and nitrogen management modes during the jointing stage for spring wheat under wet, normal, and dry precipitation types were irrigation of 60 mm and N fertilization of 105 kg·hm^-2, irrigation of 60 mm and N fertilization of 120 kg·hm^-2, and irrigation of 30 mm and N fertilization of 150 kg·hm^-2, respectively. The corresponding yields were 4 810.96±551.43 kg·hm^-2, 5 378.06±768.86 kg·hm^-2, and 6 421.33±454.09 kg·hm^-2.

To explore the effects of organic fertilizer nitrogen replacing chemical fertilizer nitrogen on the growth, carbon and nitrogen metabolism of hulless barley in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, pot experiments were conducted under the same nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium application rates. The differences in growth characteristics, leaf carbon and nitrogen balance, and nitrogen metabolism enzyme activity of hulless barley variety Kunlun 14 were compared and analyzed among different proportions of organic fertilizer nitrogen replacing chemical fertilizer nitrogen (0%, 40%, and 100%, designated as ORF0, ORF40, and ORF100) treatments. The results showed that compared with ORF0, the root length and old leaf carbon to nitrogen ratio of hulless barley significantly increased under ORF40 treatment, while the changes in plant height, aboveground or root biomass were not significant. Under ORF100 treatment, plant height and aboveground biomass significantly decreased, but root length and biomass significantly increased (P<0.05), and carbon to nitrogen ratio of new leaves significantly increased. Compared with ORF0 treatment , the activities of glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in old leaves under ORF40 treatment were increased by 1.18%-2.53% and 17.39%-39.40%, respectively, from seedling stage to flowering stage. The GOGAT activity of new and old leaves under ORF100 treatment showed no significant difference, while the GDH activity significantly decreased. The activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) in the new leaves under ORF40 treatment was higher than that under ORF0 treatment during the heading and flowering stages. The activity of glutamine aminotransferase (GOT) in the new leaves was significantly increased by 22.22%-35.29% from seedling stage to flowering stage (P<0.05). The GS activity of both new and old leaves under ORF100 treatment significantly decreased. Overall, compared with the ORF0 treatment, the ORF40 treatment showed less variation in root length and plant height of hulless barley. The leaves showed more stable C/N, and the activities of GS and GDH increased in the old leaves, while the activities of GS and GOT increased in the new leaves. Both the new and old leaves under ORF40 treatment maintained a certain level of nitrogen metabolism ability, with the nitrogen metabolism ability of the old leaves being more stable, indicating that an appropriate proportion of organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizers is helpful for the stable growth and carbon and nitrogen metabolism of hulless barley plants.

To explore and establish a method for rapid analysis of genetic structure and genetic basis of important traits based on 0.1K prospect and 16K background arrays, a new wheat line Xinong 302 and its parents Xinong 865 and Bainong Aikang 58 were subjected to disease resistance identification during seedling stage and adult stage, respectively. The resistance characteristics of Xinong 302 and its parents to stripe rust were analyzed, and the wheat 16K background array was used to genotype Xinong 302 and its parents. Based on the differential SNP loci of 16K array genotypes between parents, the genomic segments of Xinong 302 from both parents were counted to determine its genome structure. Xinong 302 and its parental lines were genotyped by wheat 0.1K prospect selection array, and the genetic loci of stripe rust resistance inherited by Xinong 302 were determined, and the genetic basis of stripe rust resistance of Xinong 302 and the important trait-related genes/QTL loci contained in Xinong 302 were clarified. Xinong 302 showed weak resistance to CYR32 and CYR34 at seedling stage (IT=6), and highly resistance at adult stage under field conditions (IT=1, DS<5). The genetic contribution rates of Xinong 865 and Bainong AK58 to Xinong 302 were 64.28% and 30.22%, respectively. Xinong 302 aggregates multiple excellent genes/QTL loci from both parents, including multi resistance genes Lr27/Yr30/Sr2/Pbc1 and their epistatic interaction genes YrFDC12/PbcFDC12, resistance loci QYrak58.nwafu-7BL and QYrqin.nwafu-2AL[KG-1.5mm], resistance loci QFhb.hbaas-5AS and QFhb.hbaas-5AL[KG-1.5mm], dwarf genes Rht-2, Rht-8 and QPht/Slcau-2D.1, and thousand-grain weight locus QGl-4A[KG-1.5mm], among other important trait related genes/QTLs. This indicates that 0.1K prospect selection and 16K background arrays can be applied to analyze the genomic structure and genetic basis of important traits in new wheat varieties (lines). There is a significant difference in the genetic contribution rate between Xinong 865 and Bainong Aikang 58 to Xinong 302, with the genetic contribution rate of Xinong 865 being about twice of Bainong Aikang 58. Xinong 302 aggregates multiple excellent genes/QTLs related to important traits such as resistance to stripe rust, scab, dwarfism, and thousand-grain weight from both parents.

In order to explore the effects and mechanism of climate warming on the growth and yield of strong-gluten and high-quality wheat variety, Jimai 229 was used as the experimental material, and the effects of whole-growth warming on the growth and development, flag leaf senescence characteristics, and yield of Jimai 229 were investigated with the wheat grown at natural temperature in the field as control. The results showed that warming during the whole growth period increased the number of tillers, plant height, leaf area of the top leaf, SPAD value and above ground dry matter accumulation of Jimai 229 during the vegetative growth stage. However, it accelerated the decrease rate of leaf area and SPAD value of flag leaves after anthesis, and reduced dry matter translocation to spike. Warming had little effect on SOD, POD and CAT activities of flag leaves of Jimai 229 at the booting stage and anthesis stages, and MDA content and Pro content in flag leaves were at low level, which resulted in significant increase in the SOD activity of flag leaves, and reduced the POD and CAT activities to different degrees after anthesis, leading to the increase in MDA and Pro contents and the relative electrolytic leakage. Warming reduced the number of spikes and the thousand-grain weight of Jimai 229 by 20.3% and 10.0%, and the yield by 24.1%, with insignificant effect on the number of grains per spike. In conclusion, warming during the whole growth period can promote the vegetative growth of Jimai 229, which is not conductive to the photosynthesis and antioxidant action of wheat flag leaves during the reproductive growth stage, leading to accelerated senescence of the flag leaves and lower yield.

In order to reveal the toxic mechanism of Cu²⁺ stress on wheat seed germination and seedling growth, different doses of CuSO₄［0(CK), 30, 60, and 90 mg·kg^-1］ were added to 1/100 MS medium for soaking and seedling cultivation of wheat by hydroponics, and physiological indicators and growth parameters of wheat seeds, young leaves, and seed roots were measured. The results showed that compared with the CK, the amylase activity, starch granule decomposition rate, total soluble sugar, soluble protein and amino acid content, and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity of wheat seeds during germination under CuSO₄ stress were significantly decreased（P<0.05）, while the peroxidase (POD) activity was significantly increased. After seed germination, the activities of SOD, CAT, and POD in the seed roots increased with the increase of CuSO₄ concentration, but the activity of respiratory dehydrogenase, the content of superoxide anion (), and the fluorescence intensity of H₂O₂ all significantly decreased. Under CuSO₄ stress, Cu²⁺ was mainly accumulated in the seed roots of seedlings, leading to significant inhibition of root tip mitosis, and resulting in a significant decrease in plant height, root length, number of seed roots, and plant dry weight. In summary, the toxicity of Cu²⁺ to wheat seedlings exhibits a concentration dependent dose-response relationship. Cu²⁺ inhibits starch degradation during wheat seed germination by reducing amylase activity, causing oxidative damage and ultimately hindering seedling growth.