Selenium-enriched wheat is a viable strategy to address dietary selenium deficiencies in selenium-deficient regions. To explore the selenium uptake, translocation, and distribution patterns in various wheat tissues, a wheat line Chuanwen 2401 was used as the material. Four foliar spraying treatments were set up: three nano-selenium application rates of 7.5 g·hm^-2 (C₁), 15.0 g·hm^-2 (C₂) and 30.0 g·hm^-2 (C₃), with clean water as the control (CK), to analyze the effects on selenium absorption and translocation, selenium speciation in grains forms, nutrient element contents, ecological risks, dietary selenium intake, yield and yield components. The results showed that, foliar nano-selenium spraying significantly increased selenium content in various wheat tissues, and selenium content in wheat grain significantly increased by 25.5-126.8 fold. Compared with CK, selenium translocation coefficients showed significant changes, for example, TF of flag leaf and the 1st stem node, the 2nd leaf and 2nd stem node, the 3rd leaf and 3rd stem node, and the 4th leaf and 4th stem node were significantly reduced by 85.5%-91.3%, 64.7%-82.4%, 75.0%-75.0%, and 50.0%-83.3%, respectively. TF of rachis and glume, rachis and grain were significantly increased by 209.4%-718.8% and 111.4%-640.0%, respectively. Only selenocysteine (SeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet) were detected in CK grains, with SeCys accounting for the higher proportion. An additional selenium speciation, methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys), was identified in grains under C₁, C₂, and C₃ treatments, with SeMet being the dominant selenium form. Compared with CK, contents of Mn, Zn, Cu, and grain protein significantly decreased by 12.7%-15.6%, 4.1%-18.2%, 6.8%-16.1%, and 6.9%-22.7%, respectively. Fe content significantly increased by 46.4%-111.1%. The ecological risk index (Er) of the C₁ treatment was 51.6, which was closest to the safety threshold (40.0), and the estimation of daily selenium intake (EDI) was 297.2 μg, falling within the recommended range (60-400 μg). The Er value of CK was within the safety threshold, but its EDI was far below the lower limit of the recommended range. Both Er and EDI values of C₂ and C₃ treatments exceeded the safety/recommended ranges. Compared with CK, yield thous and graiin weight of C₁, C₂, and C₃ treatments significantly increased by 3.5%-8.5% and 2.8%-4.4%, respectively. Effective spikes and grains per spike showed no significant changes. In conclusion, foliar nano-selenium spraying significantly increased the selenium content and yield of wheat grains, and improved the wheat grains quality by regulating the selenium speciation, proportion, and nutrient element content. Among them, C₁ treatment (7.5 g·hm^-2) was the optimal foliar nano-selenium spraying concentration.

To investigate the dynamics of dry matter accumulation and translocation, nitrogen uptake and utilization, and grain yield of spring wheat under different mulching practices, a field experiment was conducted in 2024 in the rainfed region of Northwestern China. Four treatments were applied: plastic film mulching (PM), straw strip mulching (SM), crushed straw mulching (CM), and a non-mulching control (CK). The effects of these mulching practices on dry matter and nitrogen accumulation, distribution, translocation, nitrogen use efficiency, and yield formation were analyzed. The results showed that mulching promoted aboveground growth and nitrogen accumulation in spring wheat, with the magnitude of increase ranking as PM>SM>CM. Dry matter and nitrogen allocation responded synchronously to mulching practices. Compared with CK, PM significantly reduced the dry matter and nitrogen distribution proportions in leaves at anthesis by 6.73% and 16.55%, respectively. Meanwhile, SM significantly increased the dry matter and nitrogen distribution proportions in grains at maturity by 5.39% and 6.63%, respectively, compared with PM. Mulching markedly influenced dry matter translocation. Compared with CK, PM significantly increased pre-anthesis dry matter translocation by 84.04%, while CM significantly enhanced post-anthesis dry matter assimilation by 48.46%, with SM exhibiting intermediate values. All mulching treatments significantly increased both pre-anthesis nitrogen translocation and post-anthesis nitrogen assimilation, with increase rate of 35.22% (SM), 32.43% (PM), and 21.26% (CM) for the former, and 34.51% (PM), 17.07% (CM), and 8.95% (SM) for the latter. Mulching also differentially affected nitrogen utilization. PM exhibited the highest nitrogen uptake efficiency, whereas SM and CM showed significantly higher nitrogen harvest indices than PM and CK. Furthermore, all mulching treatments significantly increased grain yield compared with CK, with yield increase rate of 33.10% (PM), 16.09% (SM), and 12.98% (CM). These findings indicate that mulching enhances grain yield by optimizing dry matter and nitrogen accumulation, allocation, and translocation in spring wheat. Taking yield, resource use efficiency, and sustainability into consideration, straw strip mulching (SM) is a highly promising mulching technology in spring wheat production in the rain-fed areas of Northwestern China.

To investigate the differences in grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency among different wheat varieties and their physiological mechanisms, this study was conducted at the experimental station of Henan Agricultural University in Yuanyang County, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, during the 2023—2024 wheat growing season. Forty approved wheat varieties were used as experimental materials. Principal component analysis and comprehensive scoring were performed on four key nitrogen efficiency indices: nitrogen recovery efficiency, partial factor productivity of nitrogen, physiological nitrogen use efficiency, and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency. Combined with grain yield, wheat varieties were screened for yield and nitrogen efficiency levels, and physiological indices of different yield-nitrogen efficiency types were further compared to reveal the physiological basis underlying the differences in yield and nitrogen use efficiency. The results showed that grain yield and the four nitrogen efficiency indices varied significantly among varieties, with coefficients of variation ranging from 11.61% to 46.73%. Based on principal component analysis, comprehensive scores of nitrogen use efficiency indices, and yield levels, the 40 wheat varieties were classified into four types: high-yield and high-efficiency (11 varieties), high-yield and low-efficiency (5 varieties), low-yield and high-efficiency (10 varieties), and low-yield and low-efficiency (14 varieties). Analysis of dry matter accumulation and translocation revealed that high-yield and high-efficiency varieties had significantly higher aboveground dry matter and nitrogen accumulation at anthesis and maturity than other types. Compared with high-yield and low-efficiency varieties, they also exhibited greater preanthesis nitrogen accumulation and preanthesis nitrogen translocation. In addition, the leaf area index (LAI) attenuation rate from anthesis to grain filling was lower in high-yield and high-efficiency varieties (18.77%) than in high-yield and low-efficiency varieties (22.67%). Meanwhile, high-yield types maintained significantly higher SPAD values during grain filling. Under the experimental cultivation conditions, high-yield and high-efficiency varieties maintained high dry matter and nitrogen accumulation at anthesis. By optimizing leaf spatial distribution and prolonging functional leaf longevity, they sustained dry matter production during grain filling, thereby achieving higher grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency.

To investigate the effects of a self-developed compound agricultural probiotic inoculant on wheat growth, yield and grain quality, a field experiment was conducted using a new wheat line Dunmai 99-1 during the 2023—2024 and 2024—2025 growing seasons. Under a spraying volume of 250 L per plot (area 85.8 m²) each time, five compound inoculant application levels of 0, 25, 5, 25 ahd 50 L were set, and represented by CK, T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The inoculant was applied five times through drip irrigation from the seedling stage to the grain-filling stage. Agronomic traits, aboveground fresh weight, antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde content were determined at different growth stages, and yield components, grain yield, and grain quality traits were measured at maturity. The results showed that the compound inoculant significantly promoted wheat growth at the tillering, jointing and booting stages, and exhibited significant yield increasing effects. Compared with the control, the yield increase ranked as T3>T4>T2>T1. Among them, T3 showed the greatest yield advantage, with grain yields of 11 258.56 and 12 046.48 kg·hm^-2 in the two growing seasons, increased by 25.59% and 23.63%, respectively, compared to the control. In terms of grain quality, except that the starch content under T1 was slightly lower than that of CK in the 2024—2025 season, the starch content, crude protein content, wet gluten content, and test weight under the other treatments were generally higher than those of CK. Most grain quality traits showed an increasing trend with increasing inoculant application within a certain range, and T4 showed the best overall performance. In conclusion, the self-developed compound agricultural probiotic inoculant showed good potential for promoting wheat growth, increasing yield, and improving grain quality.

To investigate the occurrence of autumn wheat stripe rust and the transmission pathways of pathogen sources in the over-summering areas of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in Qinghai, systematic field disease surveys were conducted on the main over-summering host wheat in eastern Qinghai from August to November in 2023 and 2024. The results showed that overlapping host growth stages occurred in the eastern wheat-growing regions of Qinghai from August to October, allowing the pathogen to complete infection across different hosts. Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in Qinghai is unaffected by summer high temperatures and can successfully survive over summer in nearly all wheat-growing areas, with pathogen reproduction lasting until December. From August to October, abundant precipitation in eastern Qinghai led to severe disease occurrence in autumn-sown wheat seedlings. The average diseased leaf rate showed a linear positive correlation with precipitation, and a significant positive correlation was observed with precipitation in September of 2023 (P≤0.05). Based on airflow trajectory simulations, it is inferred that during the occurrence of stripe rust on autumn-sown wheat seedlings in the eastern wheat-growing areas of Qinghai, the disease can directly impact autumn seedling infections in Gansu and Ningxia. Moreover, through a single long-distance dispersal event, the pathogen can reach the Guanzhong Plain and even the wheat-growing regions of southern Henan, with the potential to threaten northwestern Hubei.

Wild emmer wheat, a close relative of common wheat, has many excellent traits and resistance genes. Its hybridization with common wheat helps to cultivate innovative germplasm, expand the genetic base of wheat, and enhance its stress resilience. Using the whole spike germination method (SGR), 28 new wheat lines derived from distant hybridization and backcrossing between wild emmer wheat and common wheat were evaluated for spike germination resistance, and the experimental materials were genotyped using 4 functional molecular markers for pre-harvest sprouting resistance (PM19-A1, myb10D, Vp1B3, and Dorm-B1). The results showed that the relative spike germination index of the 28 wheat progeny lines ranged from 0 to 1.09, with an average relative spike germination index of 0.38. Among them, six lines were highly resistant resistance, accounting for 21.43%; three lines were resistant, accounting for 10.71%; nine lines showed moderate resistance, accounting for 32.14%; two lines were susceptible, accounting for 7.14%; and eight lines were highly susceptible, accounting for 28.57%. By analyzing the alleles for pre-harvest sprouting resistance, the allelic combination PM19-A1a/Vp-1Bc/myb10-D1b/Dorm-B1a had the lowest average relative spike germination index of 0.13, while PM19-A1b/Vp-1Ba/myb10-D1b/Dorm-B1a had the highest average relative spike germination index of 0.70. Based on comprehensive phenotypic identification and molecular marker detection, six lines, namely MM-3-1, MM-3-5, MM-3-7, MM-3-0, MM-4 (12-20)-2, and MM-4-8, were selected for prioritizing utilization as germplasm resources resistant to pre-harvest sprouting.

Xinjiang is an independent epidemic region for wheat stripe rust in China. In recent years, the disease has shown a persistent and aggravated trend, posing a serious threat to grain production security. To investigate the distribution of stripe rust resistance genes and identify elite resistant genotypes in Xinjiang wheat germplasm resources, 188 wheat varieties (lines) cultivated in the Ili River Valley were evaluated for their resistance to the current predominant Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici physiological races (CYR32, CYR33, CYR34) and mixed inocula of Shuiyuan and Guinong pathogenic groups. Moreover, molecular detection was performed using 15 closely linked molecular markers for the following stripe rust resistance genes: Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, Yr18, Yr26, Yr29, Yr30, Yr52, Yr65, Yr75, Yr78, Yr80, Yr82, and Yr86. The results revealed that, among the 188 wheat varieties (lines), 106 accessions (56.4%) exhibited moderate resistance or higher levels of resistance over two consecutive years, including 11 highly resistant accessions, indicating a generally high level of resistance in the tested materials. Molecular marker analysis showed that the numbers of accessions carrying the resistance genes Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, Yr18, Yr26, Yr29, Yr30, Yr52, Yr65, Yr75, Yr78, Yr82, and Yr86 were 84 (44.7%), 149 (79.3%), 19 (10.1%), 106 (56.4%), 185 (98.4%), 181 (96.3%), 172 (91.5%), 76 (40.4%), 147 (78.2%), 107 (56.9%), 26 (13.8%), 60 (31.9%), 127 (67.6%), and 13 (6.9%), respectively. Among them, the number of materials that aggregated 3 to 12 resistence genes were 1 (0.5%), 3 (1.6%), 13 (6.9%), 21 (11.2%), 34 (18.1%), 58 (30.9%), 34 (18.1%), 16 (8.5%), 5 (2.7%) and 2 (1.1%) respectively. The Yr80 gene was not detected in any of the tested materials. In summary, 188 wheat varieties (lines) exhibited a high level of resistance to stripe rust. The 106 resistant germplasms screened can serve as resistance sources for breeding wheat resistant to stripe rust.

Wheat crown rot, caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, is one of the potential diseases limiting high and stable wheat yield. To clarify the resistance level of wheat varieties in Qinghai Province to crown rot caused by F. pseudograminearum, two highly pathogenic strains, 1802570 (Fp70) and 1800592 (Fp92), were selected to artificially inoculate 106 wheat germplasms from Qinghai. Resistance identification was conducted at both the seedling and adult plant stages. The disease index of each material was calculated, and the resistance level was analyzed. The results showed that none of the tested materials were immune or highly resistant to the two strains at either growth stage. At the seedling stage, five germplasms (4.72%) exhibited moderate resistance to Fp70, and three germplasms (2.83%) showed moderate resistance to Fp92. At the adult plant stage, seven germplasms displayed moderate individual resistance to Fp70 and Fp92. Among them, Mobo 1 showed moderate resistance to both strains at the adult plant stage, while Xinmaifan 4 exhibited moderate resistance to Fp70 at both the seedling and adult plant stages. Under infection by the two strains separately, a significant correlation between disease indices was observed only at the adult plant stage among the tested wheat germplasms. In conclusion, wheat germplasms in Qinghai Province generally exhibit low resistance to crown rot caused by F. pseudograminearum. The identified resistant germplasms may provide references for wheat resistance breeding in Qinghai Province.

To provide a reference for wheat breeding, this study conducted a statistical analysis on the yield, quality, disease resistance, and parental usage of wheat varieties approved in Shaanxi Province since 2000. Results indicate that a total of 317 wheat varieties were approved in Shaanxi Province from 2000 to 2025. Among these, 267 varieties were developed for the Guanzhong irrigation area (including 262 common varieties and 5 special-purpose varieties), accounting for 84.23%; 39 varieties were developed for dryland farming, representing 12.30%; and 11 varieties were developed for the regions of southern Shaanxi, constituting 3.47%. Among the 262 common varieties suitable for the Guanzhong irrigation area, yield exhibited an increasing trend with an average annual increase of 101.3 kg·hm^-2. Yield was positively correlated with plant height, kernels per spike, and thousand kernel weight. For quality traits, test weight, water absorption, and maximum tensile resistance showed a gradual increasing trend, while the content of protein and wet gluten, the stability time and the stretching area of the dough showed a decreasing trend. Among the 262 approved wheat varieties, 8 varieties (3.05%) were strong gluten wheat, 19 varieties (7.25%) were medium-strong gluten wheat, and 235 varieties (89.69%) were medium gluten wheat, with no weak gluten varieties recorded. The number of approved high-quality wheat varieties showed an increasing trend. Regarding disease resistance, among the 262 common varieties in the Guanzhong irrigation area, 40 varieties (15.2%) showed moderate resistance and resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB). Seventeen varieties (6.4%) showed high resistance or immunity to powdery mildew, and 45 varieties (17.1%) showed moderate resistance. Fifty-four varieties (20.2%) exhibited high resistance or immunity to stripe rust, while 123 varieties (46.2%) showed moderate resistance. For sheath blight resistance, among the 106 varieties investigated, 3 varieties (2.8%) and 22 varieties (20.8%) showed high and moderate resistance, respectively. In total, 65 varieties (24.8%) exhibited combined resistance to two diseases, and 36 varieties (13.6%) exhibited combined resistance to three or more diseases. Single cross combinations were the major breeding method, accounting for 82.02%. Analysis of parental usage revealed that among the 317 varieties, 409 parental materials were employed, with seven parents being used multiple times, including Zhoumai 16 (26 times), Xiaoyan 22 (18 times), Xinong 979 (16 times), Zhoumai 18 (14 times), Zhengmai 366 (13 times), Zhoumai 22 (10 times), and Xinong 822 (10 times). The study indicates that the number of high-quality wheat varieties approved in Shaanxi Province remains limited, with a lack of varieties with combined resistance to multiple diseases. Breeding methods are relatively singular, and the genetic background is relatively narrow.

The stability and variability of wheat quality influence its processing performance and end-use property. This study evaluated the quality performance and its stability of Lunxuan 49, a new high-quality strong-gluten variety, under diverse environments. Through field trials conducted at 18 locations in the Northern Part of Huang-Huai Winter Wheat Region, including Hebei, Shandong, and Henan Provinces, comprehensive analyses were performed on its milling quality, end-use quality, and the effects of soil physicochemical properties on quality. The results showed that averaged grain hardness, test weight, grain protein content, wet gluten content, dough development time, stability time, flour water absorption, tensile area and maximum resistance were 70.54 HI, 828.78 g·L^-1, 14.41%, 30.75%, 3.36 min, 16.92 min, 59.50%, 154 cm², and 710 BU, respectively. Most quality traits exceeded the strong-gluten wheat standards. The coefficients of variation (CV) for all traits were below 10%, except for development time, stability time, stretch area, tensile resistance and maximum tensile resistance. Baking quality analysis revealed that Lunxuan 49 (blended flour from 18 sowing sites) achieved a comprehensive score of 85, comparable to Australian mixed wheat, with superior texture properties (resilience: 46.4%, springiness: 97.68). Environmental interaction analysis revealed that Lunxuan 49 was sensitive to soil available phosphorus, pH, and electrical conductivity, while maintaining overall stability across diverse soil conditions. This study lays a theoretical basis for identifying optimal planting regions for Lunxuan 49. The high stability and broad adaptability of Lunxuan 49 play a critical role in accelerating the industrialization of strong-gluten wheat in Hebei, Shandong, and Henan Provinces.