The comprehensive effects of different fertilization treatments on soil fertility, enzyme activity and microbial community structure in rubber plantations were systematically investigated to provide a theoretical basis for sustainable nutrient management of rubber plantation soils. Using the rubber clone Reyan 7-33-97 as the research subject, five treatments were set, no fertilization (CK), conventional chemical fertilizer (CF), organic-inorganic compound fertilizer (OF), and two slow-release fertilizers with different release ratios (SF 25% and SF 50%). Soil chemical properties, enzyme activity and microbial community structure were measured to systematically explore the relationships among the factors. Compared with CF, OF treatment significantly increased soil organic matter (35.40%), available phosphorus (40.00%), pH (10.86%) and urease activity (54.84%). SF 25% significantly increased available phosphorus (43.00%) and catalase activity (19.23%). The available phosphorus content in SF 50% treatment showed no significant difference from CF, but was significantly lower than that in OF and SF 25% treatments. Microbial community analysis revealed that there were no significant differences in bacterial and fungal α-diversity across the treatments, but β-diversity analysis showed that fertilization treatments had a significant effect on the fungal community structure. Furthermore, both OF and SF 25% treatments significantly increased the relative abundance of Acidobacteria (93.47%, 64.58%), Chujaibacter (351.56%, 222.53%) and Ascomycota (38.43%, 11.13%) while decreasing the relative abundance of Rozellomycota. The SF 50% treatment significantly decreased the relative abundance of Glomeromycota (53.70%). In conclusion, organic-inorganic compound fertilizer (OF) and slow-release fertilizer (SF 25%) were more effective in improving soil fertility, enzyme activity and microbial community structure, and can be recommended as fertilization strategies for soil health management in rubber plantations.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), a nutrient-rich crop of significant economic importance, serves as a staple food in many Arab countries and regions, offering considerable potential for further development and utilization. Its genetic resources play a crucial role in driving innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of the date palm industry, garnering increasing attention from the scientific community in recent years. While phased research progress has been achieved, overall studies remain in an exploratory stage. Currently, the global date palm industry faces severe challenges, including climate change, cultivar deterioration, loss of genetic diversity, and threats from pest and disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need to accelerate in-depth research on the preservation, identification, evaluation and innovative utilization of date palm germplasm resources to overcome bottlenecks in achieving simultaneous improvements in yield, stress resistance and quality. This paper systematically reviewed the current status of date palm germplasm resources, encompassing core areas such as resource collection and conservation technologies, identification and evaluation systems, and strategies for innovative utilization. It further examined existing bottlenecks and challenges, proposed targeted solutions, and outlined future directions for development. This study aims to provide theoretical support and strategic guidance for the efficient development and innovative utilization of date palm germplasm resources, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and optimizing resource management.

We have discovered and reported a litchi male sterile line MS1 recently but the characteristics of this male sterile was still unclear. In this study, grafted litchi male sterile line MS1 was used as the experimental materials and all the materials were planted in plastic pots. Anther fertility of the litchi male-sterile line MS1, characterized by off-season flowering, was assessed via morphological observation and paraffin sectioning. The results demonstrated that MS1 produced a low proportion of male flowers during high-temperature seasons. Moreover, both male and female flowers lacked viable pollen grains yet exhibited parthenocarpic ability. This study confirmed the stable male sterility of the MS1 line under high-temperature conditions, which lays the groundwork for determining its sterility type, and provides preliminary strategies for achieving off-season flowering in litchi.

To clarify the genetic diversity characteristics of pollen morphology and the genetic relationships among pitaya germplasm resources, 63 pitaya germplasm accessions were used as the research materials in this study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe pollen micromorphology, 8 traits including polar axis length, equatorial axis length, and polar-equatorial ratio were systematically measured, and the diversity patterns of these traits were investigated through correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis. The results showed that the pollen grains of all 63 pitaya germplasms were N3P4C3 type, with tricolporate apertures and spiny exine ornamentation. The differences in pollen among the germplasms were mainly reflected in subtle aspects such as shape, size, germinal furrow traits and exine ornamentation. The pollen grains were prolate or subspheroidal in shape. The polar axis length ranged from 58.82 to 101.00 μm, the equatorial axis length ranged from 52.50 to 86.54 μm, the germinal furrow length ranged from 37.03 to 82.25 μm, the germinal furrow width ranged from 1.31 to 8.53 μm, the furrow spacing ranged from 25.14 to 53.88 μm, and the surface spine density ranged from 1.30 to 3.11 per μm². Among the quantitative traits, the coefficient of variation (CV) of germinal furrow width was the largest, while that of equatorial axis length was the smallest. Correlation analysis revealed that polar axis length had an extremely significant positive correlation with germinal furrow length and polar-equatorial ratio, and polar-equatorial ratio had an extremely significant negative correlation with furrow spacing. Cluster analysis showed that the 63 germplasms were divided into 3 major clusters at a Euclidean distance of 20. The first cluster contained 30 accessions including Yuhonglong, the second cluster contained 15 accessions including Yunnan No.5, and the third cluster contained 18 accessions including Bama Red Flesh. This study confirmed that pitaya pollen morphology presents abundant genetic diversity, and established a palynology-based technique for the classification and identification of pitaya germplasms, which can provide important theoretical support for the identification and genetic breeding of pitaya germplasm resources.

High yield with cold resistance clones is the core objective of rubber tree breeding in Yunnan. In this study, the cold-resistant clone GT1, which exhibits strong tolerance to radiative chilling injury, was selected as the female parent, and the widely cultivated fast-growing, high-yielding variety Yunyan 277-5 was used as the male parent. Through artificial isolated pollination, hybrid offspring were obtained. After a sexual family trial, individual plants with potentials were selected from the progeny population and entered into small-scale and large-scale clone comparative trials. This process led to the selection of an excellent clone, Yunyan 76-235, which is characterized by high yield and fast growth with the cold resistance and latex production type comparable to the clone RRIM600. Thirty years of systematic evaluation demonstrated that Yunyan 76-235 exhibits rapid early growth, with an average annual girth increment of 6.0 cm by the 6^th year after planting in the primary trial area, which is 115.4% of the clone RRIM600. It also shows high yield of dry rubber, with an average annual dry rubber yield per tree of 2.64 kg in years 1-5 of tapping in the small-scale clone comparative trials, representing 149.26% and 168.54% of the RRIM600 and GT1, respectively. In the large-scale clone comparative trials, the average annual rubber production per tree in years 1-13 of tapping was 4.6 kg, which is 140.12% of the RRIM600. Its cold resistance is stronger than that of RRIM600 but weaker than that of GT1 and Yunyan 77-4. The successful breeding of clone Yunyan 76-235 enriches the genetic resources for rubber cultivation in areas of Yunnan where prone to mild and moderate cold damage, providing variety support for the development and enhancement of the local rubber industry.

The aim of the study was to characterize the chloroplast genome structure and phylogenetic relationships within the genus Bulbophyllum. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the chloroplast genomes of B. rothschildianum and B. longissimum for the first time. Comparative analyses of codon usage bias, repeat sequences, and sequence variation were then conducted with the available chloroplast genomes from four previously published Bulbophyllum species. The chloroplast genome of B. rothschildianum and B. longissimum was 148 447 bp and 151 095 bp, respectively, both showing a typical circular quadripartite structure containing 126 and 129 functional genes. Codons encoding leucine exhibited the strongest usage bias, with codons ending in A/U being particularly abundant. SSR analysis revealed mononucleotide repeats (predominantly A/T type) were most abundant, and palindromic repeats dominated among long repeats. Highly variable regions were mainly located in non-coding regions and selected coding genes (e.g., matK and ycf1), with evident expansion and contraction at IR/SC boundaries. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 32 Bulbophyllum species formed a strongly supported clade and exhibited clear geographic differentiation into Asian and Central and South American lineages, with B. rothschildianum and B. longissimum clustering together within the Asian lineage and being closely related. The study would provide molecular insights into resource development, genetic conservation, and systematic research in the genus Bulbophyllum.

This study systematically analyzed the nutritional composition, active ingredient content, and antioxidant activity of Camellia oleifera Abel. seed cake (COSC) from Yunnan and Jiangxi provinces. The results revealed significant differences in nutritional composition between the two regional samples. COSC from Jiangxi exhibited higher moisture (8.57%), ash (12.31%), and total dietary fiber content (62.73 g/100 g), whereas the Yunnan sample possessed higher levels of crude fat (11.47%), crude protein (12.14%), and total amino acids (0.99 g/100 g). Both samples were rich in beneficial compounds, including vitamin E, vitamin K₃, oleic acid, and linolenic acid. The Yunnan sample contained higher levels of mineral elements such as phosphorus, sulfur, and potassium. Regarding bioactive compounds, Jiangxi COSC showed higher total phenolic (3.29 μg/mg) and total flavonoid (66.75 μg/mg) content, while Yunnan COSC exhibited higher polysaccharide (48.32 μg/mg) and tea saponin (222.10 μg/mg) content. Antioxidant activity analysis indicated that Jiangxi COSC demonstrated stronger DPPH radical scavenging capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), whereas Yunnan COSC showed superior ABTS cation radical scavenging activity. In summary, Yunnan COSC is suitable for developing high-protein supplements, while Jiangxi COSC is more appropriate for high-fiber feed applications. Both samples exhibited promising antioxidant activity, indicating potential for functional product development. This study would provide a theoretical foundation for the resource utilization and value-added applications of C. oleifera seed cake.

This study represents sequencing of the chloroplast genome of the tea plant variety Zhuyeqi, with a focus on analyzing its structural characteristics, codon usage bias, and phylogenetic relationships. The results revealed that its chloroplast genome had 157 072 bp, with 135 functional genes annotated. The GC content in the IR region was found to be the highest (42.96%), and several intron-containing genes, such as clpP and ycf3, were identified. Codon usage bias analysis indicated a relatively weak bias, primarily driven by natural selection (contribution rate of 86.6%). Optimal codons were mostly A/U-ending, deviating from expectations based on mutational pressure. Phylogenetic analysis further confirmed that Zhuyeqi formed a highly supported monophyletic clade with cultivated types such as Pu-erh tea and Baihao tea, demonstrating close maternal genetic relationships. This study would provide important insights into the evolution of Theaceae species and the functional optimization of chloroplast genomes.

Determining the appropriate nitrogen application rate for Ficus hirta Vahl. is one of the key cultivation techniques for establishing an efficient and ecological "rubber-Ficus hirta Vahl." agroforestry system. This study evaluated five nitrogen application treatments, 0, 150, 225, 300 and 375 kg/hm² (denoted as CK, N₁₅₀, N₂₂₅, N₃₀₀ and N₃₇₅), and conducted a comprehensive analysis of the suitable nitrogen rate from the perspectives of productivity, resource use efficiency, and ecological footprint. The results showed that, compared with the CK treatment, nitrogen application significantly increased the yield, biomass, and economic benefits. Among the treatments, N₂₂₅ and N₃₀₀ performed the best, achieving a yield of 15 438 and 15 150 kg/hm² and an economic benefit of 60 950 and 57 555 yuan/hm², respectively (P<0.05). Compared with CK, nitrogen application significantly improved solar utilization efficiency by 59.1%-76.9%, but significantly reduced carbon efficiency by 46.2%-73.7%. The partial factor productivity from applied nitrogen also decreased significantly with increasing nitrogen application (P<0.05). N₁₅₀ exhibited the best overall performance in resource use efficiency, followed by N₂₂₅. Similarly, N₁₅₀ showed the best overall performance in terms of carbon and nitrogen footprints, followed by N₂₂₅. Nitrogen uptake in Ficus hirta Vahl. across different treatments ranged from 117.8 to 174.0 kg/hm², with the CK and N₁₅₀ showing higher nitrogen uptake than nitrogen input. Taking into account the productivity, resource use efficiency, ecological footprint and sustainability of nitrogen supply, this study concludes that N₂₂₅ is the suitable nitrogen application rate for establishing an efficient and ecological "rubber-Ficus hirta Vahl." agroforestry system.

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) ranks as the world's third most important tropical fruit and is a significant economic crop in China's tropical regions. To investigate the role of the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) gene family in anthocyanin accumulation in pineapple and provide a theoretical foundation for germplasm improvement, this study identified and preliminary functionally analyzed members of the pineapple DFR gene family. A total of 17 dihydroflavonol 4-reductase genes were identified in the whole genome of pineapple, which were named AcDFR1 to AcDFR17 and distributed unevenly on 10 chromosomes. AcDFRs encoded proteins ranging from 313 to 378 amino acids (aa) in length, with molecular weights between 34.73 and 47.74 kDa and isoelectric points (pI) from 5.10 to 8.9. The secondary structure of AcDFR proteins primarily consisted of α-helices and β-sheets, with α-helix content ranging from 38.73% to 43.07% and β-sheet content from 13.24% to 15.64%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 17 AcDFRs formed four subfamilies. The motif arrangement and number of exons were similar among AcDFRs. The AcDFR genes promoter regions contained multiple cis-acting elements responsive to light, hormones, abiotic stress, growth and development. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed significant expression variations of AcDFRs genes across different pineapple tissues (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, pulp, peel), though most genes exhibited high expression in both pulp and peel. Cloning and identification of AcDFRs revealed sequences largely consistent with predicted sequences. Subcellular localization studies of the AcDFR1 in tobacco leaves via transient expression indicated localization to the cytoplasm and cell membrane. The findings would provide theoretical references for further investigation into the functions of the dihydroflavonol-4-reductase gene family in pineapple and for pineapple quality improvement.