The whiteness (WI) of wheat flour and its products is a key indicator influencing the commercial quality of wheat. Using 94 wheat varieties as experimental materials, the differences in flour WI and its products among different varieties and their influencing factors were investigated. The results showed significant differences in WI among wheat varieties, while the correlation analysis of flour and fresh noodle sheet color from the same material showed the same performance. Flour WI was highly significantly negatively correlated with grain hardness, grain protein content, wet gluten content, dough development time, and stability time; significantly negatively correlated with trough viscosity, final viscosity, and setback value; and positively correlated with gluten index, breakdown, and pasting temperature. Grain hardness, grain protein content, sedimentation value, pasting temperature, and breakdown accounted for 80.9% of the variation in flour WI. Gluten index, sedimentation value, pasting temperature, and breakdown had significant positive effects on flour WI, while grain protein content and grain hardness exerted significant negative effects. The negative correlation between flour WI and hardness was the strongest (r = -0.83), indicating that hardness is the key factor affecting wheat WI and color. The WI and color of flour and fresh noodle sheets from soft wheat were generally higher than those from hard wheat. The distribution frequencies of variation loci of quality-related genes, namely Pinb-D1b, Pina-D1b, Ppo-A1b, Ppo-D1a, TaPod-A1b, Lox-B1a, Psy-A1b, Psy-B1a/b, Psy-D1a, TaPds-B1b, TaZds-A1a, and TaLyc-B1b, were 54.7%, 2.2%, 21.3%, 3.9%, 8.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, 98.9%, 96.6%, 78.5%, 5.3%, and 53.8%, respectively. Thirteen high-WI soft wheat varieties, such as Yangmai 15, Yangmai 25, Chuanmai 93, Mianmai 902, and Yangmai 45, and high-WI hard wheat varieties, such as Zhoumai 36, Huaimai 33, Yangfumai 15, and Ningmaizi 218, were screened. The WI of high-WI soft wheat varieties was higher than that of hard wheat, and the ratio of superior color gene allelic variations in these varieties was higher than that of the overall materials. By strengthening the utilization of elite parents while emphasizing the pyramiding of superior color genes and the screening of related phenotypes, the WI and color of wheat varieties can be gradually improved.

To identify suitable plant growth regulators in flax production, enhance lodging resistance and increase yield, different levels of paclobutrazol [975 (D1), 1125 (D2), 1275 g/ha (D3)], uniconazole [750 (X1), 900 (X2), 1050 g/ha (X3)] and chlormequat [1200 (A1), 1800 (A2), 2400 mL/ha (A3)] were applied. The changes of plant growth and development, lodging resistance, seed yield and related traits of flax at different levels were studied with clear water as control (CK). The results showed that spraying three plant growth regulators affected the main agronomic traits of flax. Compared with CK, the number of effective branches of D1 treatment decreased, and the number of effective branches and the number of effective capsules per plant of A1 treatment were lower than those of CK. There was no significant difference in root length among the treatments. The root diameter of A2 treatment was significantly higher than that of CK, and the number of seeds per capsule of each treatment was lower than that of CK. The yield per plant of X2 and A2 treatments was significantly higher than that of CK, and the 1000-grain weight of D1 treatment was significantly lower than that of CK. The plant height and center of gravity height of X3 treatment decreased the most, which were 13.63% and 10.34%, respectively. The stem diameter of each treatment was increased compared with CK, and the D2 treatment increased the most, which was 17.5%. There was no significant difference in yield between any treatment and CK. The stem breaking resistance of A2 treatment was significantly higher than that of CK, and there was no significant difference between the other treatments and the control. The lodging index of each treatment was lower than that of CK, except for D1 and D2 treatments, the other treatments were significantly different.The correlation analysis showed that the effective number of capsules per plant, effective branch number, breaking resistance and root diameter were significantly correlated with the yield per plant, and the fresh weight and crown weight were significantly correlated with the lodging index. Through comprehensive analysis, uniconazole was better than chlormequat, chlormequat was better than paclobutrazol, and uniconazole 900 g/ha had better effect in flax production.

Microbial agents are a novel type of fertilizer that can promote the growth and development of plant roots, and they have an important impact on improving nutrient absorption and yield formation in crops. However, their effects on rice grain quality remain unclear. This study used two conventional japonica rice varieties, Nanjing 9108 and Huaidao 5, as experimental materials to investigate the effects of two microbial agents of Bacillus subtilis (BS) and Trichoderma harzianum (TH) on rice grain quality under field cultivation conditions. The results showed that compared with the treatment without microbial agent (CK), the application of the BS and TH had no significant effect on the processing quality of rice. However, the BS treatment reduced the chalkiness rate by 5.5%-5.7% in Nanjing 9108 and 6.3%-7.2% in Huaidao 5, with a slightly decrease in chalkiness degree. The TH treatment significantly reduced the chalkiness rate by 7.7%-12.0% in Nanjing 9108 and 9.3%-11.1% in Huaidao 5, while the chalkiness degree decreased significantly by 10.3%-10.6% and 12.4%-12.5%, respectively. In a two-year experiment, the BS treatment decreased the taste value of two varieties to varying degrees, while the TH treatment increased it, reaching a significant level in 2022. Additionally, after microbial agent application, the amylose content of the rice decreased, while gel consistency and protein content increased. The peak viscosity and breakdown value of rice flour increased, whereas the setback value decreased. In conclusion, the application of B. subtilis and T. harzianum microbial agents contributed to improving the appearance and nutritional quality of rice. Furthermore, T. harzianum also enhanced the taste value of rice.

To investigate the characteristics of aerial roots in maize inbred lines with different genetic backgrounds and their relationship with lodging resistance, 56 maize inbred lines were used as experimental materials. Eight aerial root traits were comprehensively analyzed using correlation analysis, path analysis, and cluster analysis. Stalk anti-thrust was measured using a plant stem strength tester as an evaluation index for lodging resistance, and the relationship between aerial root traits and lodging resistance was analyzed. The results showed that the coefficients of variation (CV) for all aerial root traits were relatively large, with the CV of the aerial root angle being the largest (31.70%) and that of the aerial root emergence time being the smallest (10.77%). Among the aerial root traits, all except emergence time and puncture resistance exhibited significant correlations with one another. Specifically, the number of aerial roots and the aerial root anchoring radius were highly significantly and positively correlated with stalk anti-thrust, with correlation coefficients of 0.560 and 0.522, respectively. Additionally, aerial root puncture resistance and the number of aerial root tiers also showed significant positive correlations with stalk anti-thrust. Path analysis indicated that both the direct and indirect effects of the number of aerial roots and the aerial root anchoring radius on the lodging resistance evaluation indicators were relatively large. Therefore, strengthening the selection and improvement of these two traits in lodging resistance breeding would help enhance the lodging resistance of maize varieties. Cluster analysis classified the tested inbred lines into four groups. Inbred lines in Group II, such as Xun M6968 and LH190, were characterized by high mean values for both stalk anti-thrust and aerial root traits, providing a germplasm foundation for the breeding of new lodging-resistant varieties.

Using ʻHongnuo 16ʼ sorghum as the experimental material and under equivalent nutrient input conditions, six treatments were established: no fertilization (CK), conventional fertilization (HF), and nitrogen organic fertilizer substitution ratios for nitrogen of 25% (NF25), 50% (NF50), 75% (NF75), and 100% (NF100). The results showed that compared with CK treatment, increasing the ratio of organic fertilizer substitution led to varying degrees of improvement in soil organic matter, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium contents. The activities of alkaline phosphatase, urease, and sucrase in soils treated with organic manure substitutions were significantly increased by an average of 40.8%, 13.6%, and 61.6%, respectively. Sorghum yield could be well fitted with a quadratic equation, with the highest yield obtained when applying cow manure at a nitrogen rate of 92.5 kg/ha theoretically. In this experiment, the treatment NF50 not only improved soil physicochemical properties and enhanced soil enzyme activity but also maintained sorghum at high productivity. Considering the responses in terms of sorghum yield and soil fertility as well as soil enzyme activity under different levels of organic manure substitution, it was suggested that an organic nitrogen substitution ratio of 50% was suitable for optimal application rates.

This study used wild Solanum torvum Swartz. as rootstock and cultivated eggplant Solanum melongena L. Yunqie 9 as scion. The grafting method was cleft grafting. The structure of graft union at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days after grafting was observed, and physiological indicators such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and soluble protein (SP) were measured to study the tissue structure and physiological characteristics during healing process after eggplant grafting. The results showed that the healing process of grafting between S. torvum Swartz. and Yunqie 9 could be divided into four stages, including isolation layer and callus formation stage (0-4 d), callus division and proliferation connection stage (5-7 d), cambium connection stage (8-9 d), vascular tissue differentiation and formation stage (10-12 d). The physiological indicators measured within 12 days after grafting showed that the changes in physiological characteristics of grafted seedlings and self-grafted seedlings were basically consistent. Among them, PAL activity showed an overall downward trend, SOD activity showed a “V” shaped change of first decreasing and then increasing, while POD activity and SP content showed an “M” shaped change. In addition, there were significant changes in most physiological indicators at four days after grafting; After six days, the SOD activity of all treatments showed an overall increase, and the increasing trend of SOD activity in grafted seedlings was more pronounced, with a difference of 19 times between the highest and lowest values; During the 6th to 8th days, the SP content of grafted seedlings rapidly increased and reached its highest value on the 8th day, which was 5.6 times the lowest value. In summary, the healing process between S. torvum Swartz. and Yunqie 9 could be basically completed 12 days after grafting, and the key healing time points might be 4, 6, and 8 days after grafting.

In order to investigate the influence mechanism of pH level on the growth and development of rice and nutrient uptake under different nitrogen forms, rice cultivar Guanghui 751 was grown with five pH treatments (pH 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5) to study the effects on the biomass accumulation, root morphology, and nutrient uptake of rice under ammonium-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen conditions hydroponically. The results showed that under ammonium-nitrogen conditions, the highest rice biomass accumulation was found at pH 6.5 treatment; compared with the pH 3.5 treatment, the shoot and whole-plant biomass accumulation increased by 146.6% and 142.5%, respectively. Plant height and maximum root length increased significantly; total root length, root surface area, and root volume increased by 612.6%, 317.8%, and 147.1%, respectively. The uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) increased by 159.5%, 114.3%, 181.9%, 241.4%, 124.4%, 74.9%, 173.4%, 366.2%, and 3058.0%, respectively. Under nitrate-nitrogen conditions, the highest rice biomass accumulation was found at pH=4.5 treatment; compared with the pH=3.5 treatment, the shoot, root, and whole-plant biomass accumulation increased by 36.7%, 49.6%, and 38.6%, respectively. Plant height and maximum root length increased significantly; total root length, root surface area, and root volume increased by 129.9%, 83.0%, and 47.5%, respectively. The uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn increased by 40.0%, 27.7%, 51.0%, 78.5%, 71.2%, 53.9%, 292.1%, 1449.5%, and 695.1%, respectively. In conclusion, the optimum pH values for rice under ammonium-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen conditions were 6.5 and 4.5, respectively. Under their respective optimum pH conditions, ammonium-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen primarily increased rice biomass accumulation by promoting root growth and development and increasing nutrient uptake.

As a commonly used bulk medicinal material in China, Astragalus membranaceus has seen increasing demand in recent years. However, the breeding and propagation of superior varietals are relatively weak, and currently cultivated varietals are inconsistent in quality and suffer from severe degeneration. Therefore, the breeding of superior strains of A.membranaceus is crucial for promoting the high-quality and sustainable development of the industry. In this study, using field-cultivated A. membranaceus as material, three new strains were bred from 2013 to 2023 using the “mass selection method” of systematic breeding based on agronomic traits such as stem color, pod characteristics, seed characteristics, and the number of leaflets. A systematic comparative analysis was conducted on their agronomic traits and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The results showed that strains 13-1 and 13-2 had green stems and pods, while 13-3 had anthocyanins-purple stems and light red pods. Strain 13-2 had the highest number of leaflets (27.9) and seeds (4.5). The fresh root yield of strain 13-2 was greater than that of 13-1 and 13-3 in the Weiheyanchuan and Beishan ecological areas; however, the yield of 13-3 was greater than that of 13-2 and 13-1 in the Southern Eryinshan area. Moreover, the disease incidence of 13-2 was lower than that of the other two strains in all three ecological areas. Additionally, 13-2 had the highest content of extracts and astragaloside IV, with the content of calycosin- 7-O-glucoside 2.6 times that specified in the Pharmacopoeia of the Peopleʼs Republic of China. Comprehensive analysis indicates that 13-2 performs better in agronomic traits, APIs, yield, and disease resistance, and has potential for application and promotion. This study also lays a foundation for the breeding of superior new varietals of A.membranaceus by providing germplasm material.

In order to clarify the suitable planting pattern and nitrogen application rate for rapeseed relay cropped rapeseed after wheat, a field experiment was conducted in Dalad Banner, Inner Mongolia. Five nitrogen application rate gradients (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg/ha) were set under three planting modes, including straw removal+tillage (T1), straw returning+tillage (T2), and straw removal+no tillage (T3). The optimal nitrogen rate was determined based on rapeseed biomass, nutrient accumulation, and economic benefits. The results showed that the aboveground biomass, carbon accumulation and potassium accumulation of rapeseed under T2 treatment were all higher than those under T1 and T3 treatments. Under T2 treatment, the average of fresh grass weight, dry grass weight, carbon accumulation, and potassium accumulation of all nitrogen application treatments could reach 60.5 t/ha, 8.0 t/ha, 2981 kg/ha, and 253 kg/ha, respectively. Nitrogen application rate significantly affected the biomass and nutrient accumulation of rapeseed under different planting modes. The biomass and nutrient accumulation of rapeseed increased with the increase of nitrogen application rate within the nitrogen application rate range. Compared with no nitrogen application treatment, the fresh grass weight and dry grass weight of rapeseed increased by 39.8% and 35.1% respectively when the nitrogen application rate was 30 kg/ha, 63.0% and 67.9% at 60 kg/ha, 78.1% and 89.0% at 90 kg/ha, 86.5% and 98.1% at 120 kg/ha. The trend of nutrient accumulation of rapeseed green manure was basically consistent with that of biomass. The input costs and outputs of rapeseed for different purposes varied under different planting modes and nitrogen application rates. Considering the factors such as biomass, nutrient accumulation, and economic benefits of rapeseed for different purposes under different modes, rapeseed can be planted with no-tillage method with wheat straw removal following wheat harvest. The optimal nitrogen application rate for rapeseed as silage feed is 120 kg/ha, and for rapeseed as green manure, the optimal nitrogen application rate is 90 kg/ha.

To elucidate the effects of nitrogen application rate and N-P-K ratio on the source-sink characteristics of small-seed hybrid rice, a field experiment was conducted using the small-seed hybrid rice variety Zhuoliangyou 0985 as material. The experiment involved four nitrogen application levels [120 (N1), 150 (N2), 180 (N3), and 210 kg/ha (N4)] and three NPK ratios [1.0:0.5:0.8 (F1), 1.0:0.5:1.0 (F2), and 1.0:1.0:1.0 (F3)]. The results showed that leaf area index (LAI), high-efficiency LAI, relative content of chlorophyll (SPAD values), and dry matter accumulation increased with increasing nitrogen application rate. There were no significant differences between N3 and N4 treatments, but both were significantly higher than the N1 treatment. Among different N-P-K ratios, the F3 treatment generally resulted in higher values, though the differences were not significant. Total spikelets and total sink capacity increased with the increase of nitrogen application rate, and the available filled ratio of sink capacity followed the order of N1 > N3 > N2 > N4. Under different N-P-K ratios, the effective filling degree of sink capacity was generally the highest in F2, though the difference was not significant. Effective panicles increased with the increase of nitrogen application rate, while the number of grains per panicle initially increased and then decreased. Both seed-setting rate and 1000-grain weight decreased with the increase of nitrogen application rate, but these differences did not reach a significant level. Yield showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase of nitrogen application, with the N3 treatment producing the highest yield. Among the interaction treatments, N3F2 achieved the highest yield, followed by N3F1. Correlation analysis indicated that LAI, high-efficiency LAI, leaf SPAD value, dry matter accumulation, total spikelets, total sink capacity, and effective panicles were extremely significantly and positively correlated with yield. The available filled ratio of sink capacity and seed-setting rate were negatively correlated with yield, while the number of grains per panicle was significantly and positively correlated with yield. No significant correlations were found between 1000-grain weight, grain-leaf ratio, and yield. Under the conditions of this experiment, N3F1 was considered the optimal treatment for Zhuoliangyou 0985. It had a relatively large leaf area, a high number of grains per panicle, a large sink capacity, and a high available filled ratio of sink capacity, with a moderate grain-leaf ratio, which coordinated source-sink relationship and achieved the dual effects of fertilizer saving and yield increase.