Search Results (87)

Food security is crucial for social stability and economic development. Ensuring food security in the arid region of Northwest China presents unique challenges due to limited water and soil resources. This study addresses these challenges by integrating a comprehensive water and soil resource matching assessment with grain production forecasting. Based on data from 2000 to 2020, this research projects the food security status to 2035 using the GM(1,1) model, incorporating a comprehensive index of soil and water resource matching and regression analysis to inform production forecasts. Key assumptions include continued historical trends in population growth, urbanization, and dietary shifts towards an increased animal protein consumption. The findings revealed a consistent upward trend in grain production from 2000 to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. Corn and wheat emerged as the dominant grain crops. Certain provinces demonstrated comparative advantages for specific crops like rice and wheat. The most significant finding is that despite the projected growth in the total grain output by 2035 compared to 2020, the regional grain self-sufficiency rate is projected to range from 79.6% to 84.1%, falling below critical food security benchmarks set by the FAO and China. This projected shortfall carries significant implications, underscoring a serious challenge to regional food security and highlighting the region’s increasing vulnerability to external food supply fluctuations. The findings strongly signal that current trends are insufficient and necessitate urgent and proactive policy interventions. To address this, practical policy recommendations include promoting water-saving technologies, enhancing regional cooperation, and strategically utilizing the international grain trade to ensure regional food security. Full article

The Fabaceae family, the third-largest among flowering plants, is nutritionally vital, providing rich sources of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Leguminous plants, such as soybeans, peas, and chickpeas, typically contain two to three times more protein than cereals like wheat and rice, with low fat content (primarily unsaturated fats) and no cholesterol, making them essential for cardiovascular health and blood sugar management. Since the release of the soybean genome in 2010, genomic research in Fabaceae has advanced dramatically. High-quality reference genomes have been assembled for key species, including soybeans (Glycine max), common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), and model legumes like Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus, leveraging long-read sequencing, single-cell technologies, and improved assembly algorithms. These advancements have enabled telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies, pan-genome constructions, and the identification of structural variants (SVs) and presence/absence variations (PAVs), enriching our understanding of genetic diversity and domestication history. Functional genomic tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, mutagenesis, and high-throughput omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics), have elucidated regulatory networks controlling critical traits like photoperiod sensitivity (e.g., E1 and Tof16 genes in soybeans), seed development (GmSWEET39 for oil/protein transport), nitrogen fixation efficiency, and stress resilience (e.g., Rpp3 for rust resistance). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and comparative genomics have further linked genetic variants to agronomic traits, such as pod size in peanuts (PSW1) and flowering time in common beans (COL2). This review synthesizes recent breakthroughs in legume genomics, highlighting the integration of multi-omic approaches to accelerate gene cloning and functional confirmation of the genes cloned. Full article

The gene flow rate in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a critical factor for establishing safe isolation distances between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM varieties and for ensuring varietal purity in rice breeding programs. This study refines existing gene flow models by disentangling two key components of rice pollen dynamics: quantitative pollen competition and genetic competitiveness. We define B as the proportion of GM pollen within mixed pollen, representing quantitative pollen competitiveness. The outcrossing parameter C_b reflects the likelihood of successful fertilization and seed development by foreign pollen, while the hybrid compatibility parameter C_p captures the relative fertilization success of GM versus non-GM pollen within the same pollen pool. Together, C_b and C_p characterize the genetic competitiveness of rice pollen. Our findings reveal a nonlinear relationship between B and the observed GM pollen rate G, which may exhibit either upward or downward curvature. A nonlinear model provides a significantly better fit to this relationship than a linear model, improving R² by 4.1–21.4% and reducing RMSE by 9.9–47.8%. The parameters C_b and C_p play central roles in determining gene flow; higher values correspond to stronger GM pollen competitiveness, resulting in higher gene flow rates and greater dispersal distances. Specifically, C_b sets the range of the B–G curve, while C_p determines its curvature. Full article

The gleyed paddy soils in subtropical China, characterized by poor structure, high reductive substances, and low fertility, pose challenges to sustainable agriculture. This study investigates the improvement effects of applying rapeseed green manure in combination with biochar or vermicompost through field experiments, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the organic improvement of gleyed paddy soils. The experiment included four treatments: control (CK), rapeseed green manure (GM), GM + biochar (GMB), and GM + vermicompost (GMVC). Soil physicochemical properties, aggregate stability, and fungal communities were analyzed after rice harvest. GM significantly increased the total nitrogen (TN) content in the 0–10 cm soil layer and decreased the Fe²⁺ and total glomalin-related soil protein (T-GRSP) contents. GMVC further increased the pH value, available potassium (AK) content, and Shannon index in the 0–10 cm soil layer, decreased the available phosphorus (AP) content, and increased the proportion of macro-aggregates (>2000 µm) and decreased the fractal dimension (D) in the 10–20 cm soil layer. Compared with GMVC, GMB more significantly increased the soil organic carbon content and regulated the ratio of EE-GRSP/T-GRSP in the 0–10 cm soil layer. Fungal community analysis showed Ascomycota dominance. Pearson analysis showed Westerdykella enrichment significantly correlated with reduced T-GRSP. Monte Carlo tests identified pH and SOC as key factors shaping fungal communities. The GMB strategy mitigates reductive stress, enhances nutrient availability, and activates microbial functionality. These findings offer insights and frameworks for sustainable soil management in subtropical rice agroecosystems. Full article

Zinc (Zn) fertilization is widely used in maize (Zea mays L.) production to alleviate Zn deficiency and improve biomass and grain yield. However, limited research exists on Zn management in maize cultivated in high-pH paddy soils following rice-based systems, where altered soil chemistry may affect Zn availability and plant uptake. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zn application rates on growth, yield, and Zn uptake in two hybrid maize varieties under such conditions. Field experiments were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 dry seasons in Phetchabun Province, Thailand, using a randomized complete block design with a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement and four replications. Treatments included four Zn rates (0, 5, 10, and 20.6 kg of Zn/ha), applied as Zn sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO₄·H₂O, 36% Zn) by soil banding at the V6 stage, and two hybrid varieties, Suwan 5731 (SW5731) and Suwan 5819 (SW5819). In 2019, significant Zn × variety interactions were observed for biomass, crop growth rate (CGR), and grain yield. SW5819 at 10 kg of Zn/ha produced the highest biomass (31.6 t/ha) and CGR (25.6 g/m²/day), increasing by 15.3% and 39.1%, respectively, compared to its own no Zn treatment. In contrast, 20.6 kg of Zn/ha reduced SW5819 biomass by 6.6% and 13.1% relative to SW5731 and its own no-Zn treatment, respectively. Grain yield in SW5819 peaked at 14.7 t/ha under 5 and 10 kg of Zn/ha, significantly higher than SW5731 under 0 and 5 kg of Zn/ha by 16.7%, while SW5731 showed no significant response. In SW5819, shoot and grain Zn uptake significantly increased under 5 and 10 kg of Zn/ha by up to 36.8% and 33.3%, respectively, compared to no Zn treatment. The lowest shoot Zn uptake was found in SW5819 under 20.6 kg of Zn/ha (264.1 ± 43.9 g/ha), which was lower than all its Zn treatments and all SW5731 treatments, showing a reduction of 19.4–43.6%. Zn application improved soil Zn availability, and Zn partitioning among plant organs varied with Zn rate and season. A moderate Zn rate (10 kg of Zn/ha) optimized maize performance under high-pH, rice-based conditions, emphasizing the need for variety-specific Zn management. Full article

The co-incorporation of green manure and rice straw is commonly used to increase rice yield and improve soil fertility in paddy fields. However, the effects on nutrient uptake and utilization of rice under the synergistic interaction mechanism in the Taihu Plain of the Yangtze River Delta remain unclear. Based on field experiments, this study investigated the effects of green manure with rice straw return (GMS) under different nitrogen (N) fertilization rates on rice yield, nutrient use efficiency, and soil fertility. The results revealed that green manuring significantly increased rice yield while improving the uptakes and use efficiencies of N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Green manure (GM) with 40% N fertilizer reduction (GM_N60) maintained the grain and straw yields and nutrient uptakes compared to winter fallow with 100% conventional N application (WF_N100). The N recovery efficiency in GM_N60 reached 45.52%, increasing by 41.26% compared to WF_N100. Rice yield and K uptake in the GMS with 40% N fertilizer reduction treatment (GMS_N60) was 10,058 and 15.41 kg/hm², increasing by 14.43% and 9.43% compared to winter fallow with rice straw return and 100% conventional N (WFS_N100). The N, P and K agronomic efficiencies in GMS_N60 increased by 77.04%, 50.22%, and 50.22% compared to WFS_N100, respectively. These findings indicate that rice straw return enhances the fertilizer-saving and yield-increasing effects of GM, promotes rice K uptake and improves P and K use efficiencies. The GM treatment increased the soil organic matter (SOM), total potassium (TK), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) contents. Among the soil fertility indicators, TK and SOM were the most important factors influencing rice yield and N uptake. In conclusion, GMS can maintain or increase rice yield with 40% N fertilizer reduction, improve nutrient use efficiencies, and increase the reuse of rice straw, thereby supporting green and efficient rice production in the southern Jiangsu paddy area. Full article

Reducing the use of chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) in agriculture while maintaining crop productivity is the main challenge facing sub-Saharan African family farming systems. The use of effective microorganisms (EM) is among the various innovative approaches for minimizing chemical inputs and the environmental impact of agricultural production and protecting soil health while enhancing crop yields and improving food security. This study sought to characterize the microbial biodiversity of local beneficial microorganisms (BMs) products from locally fermented forest litter and investigate their ability to enhance tomato plant growth and development. Beneficial microorganisms (BMs) were obtained by anaerobic fermentation of forest litter collected in four agroecological regions of Senegal mixed with sugarcane molasses and various types of carbon sources (groundnut shells, millet stovers, and rice bran in different proportions). The microbial community composition was analyzed using next-generation rDNA sequencing, and their effects on tomato growth traits were tested in greenhouse experiments. Results show that regardless of the litter geographical collection site, the dominant bacterial taxa in the BMs belonged to the phyla Firmicutes (27.75–97.06%) and Proteobacteria (2.93–72.24%). Within these groups, the most prevalent classes were Bacilli (14.41–89.82%), α-proteobacteria (2.83–72.09%), and Clostridia (0.024–13.34%). Key genera included Lactobacillus (13–65.83%), Acetobacter (8.91–72.09%), Sporolactobacillus (1.40–43.35%), and Clostridium (0.08–13.34%). Fungal taxa were dominated by the classes Leotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes, with a prevalence of the acidophilic genus Acidea. Although microbial diversity is relatively uniform across samples, the relative abundance of microbial taxa is influenced by the litter’s origin. This is illustrated by the PCoA analysis, which clusters microbial communities based on their litter source. Greenhouse experiments revealed that five BMs (DK-M, DK-G, DK-GM, NB-R, and NB-M) significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced tomato growth traits, including plant height (+10.75% for DK-G and +9.44% for NB-R), root length (+56.84–62.20%), root volume (+84.32–97.35%), root surface area (+53.16–56.72%), and both fresh and dry shoot biomass when compared to untreated controls. This study revealed that forest-fermented litter products (BMs), produced using litter collected from various regions in Senegal, contain beneficial microorganisms known as plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), which enhanced tomato growth. These findings highlight the potential of locally produced BMs as an agroecological alternative to inorganic inputs, particularly within Senegal’s family farming systems. Full article

The delayed decomposition of rice straw in Northeast China’s cold regions (winter temperatures < −20 °C) due to insufficient accumulated temperature requires innovative solutions. This study developed a synergistic approach combining microbial decomposition with mechanical burial. Pre-experiments identified optimal parameters for the liquid decomposing agent (100 mg/mL concentration, 6 g/m application rate). A novel combined machine was engineered with adjustable parameters: knife roller speed (200–300 r/min), burial depth (15–25 cm), and ground clearance (80–120 mm). Field trials demonstrated a 91.3% straw return rate under optimized settings (220 r/min, 100 mm clearance, 1.7 m/s speed), representing a 28.5% improvement over conventional methods. Spring burial enhanced straw decomposition to 83.6% within 60 days (vs. 67.2% in autumn), significantly increasing soil organic matter and available nitrogen. The integrated technology achieved 1.5 hm²/h operational efficiency, meeting regional agronomic demands. This study provides a replicable model for cold-region straw utilization, aligning with carbon sequestration goals in black soil conservation. Full article

Rice-based cropping systems are the predominant sources of livelihood for farmers in South Asia, where soil quality decline is a major concern. An experiment was conducted at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. It comprised two rice cultivars, ‘Manaswini’ (M) and ‘Hasanta’ (H), and three nitrogen management practices—100% soil test-based nitrogen (STN) (N₁₀₀), 75% STN + in situ green manuring (Sesbania) (N₇₅+GM), and 50% STN + green manuring (N₅₀+GM)—in the main plot. Meanwhile, sub-plots consisted of three tillage methods for succeeding toria–sweet corn, namely zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage (CT), and a furrow-irrigated raised bed (FIRB). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications to assess system nutrient uptake, productivity, and soil quality. Both rice cultivars were equal in terms of system nutrient uptake. The N₇₅+GM practice recorded the highest system NPK uptake (304.1, 70.34, and 343.5 kg ha⁻¹, respectively), enhancing the system N uptake by 10.7 and 7.4%, P uptake by 18.8 and 12.2%, and K uptake by 9.8 and 9.6% over N₁₀₀ and N₅₀+GM, respectively. ZT recorded the highest system NPK uptake (299.9, 70.6, and 339.7 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). The most promising treatments, M+(N₇₅+GM)-ZT and H+(N₇₅+GM)-ZT, recorded the maximum system economic yield (10.72 and 10.64 t ha⁻¹), residue yield (22.36 and 21.98 t ha⁻¹), biological yield (33.07 and 32.63 t ha⁻¹), and relative soil quality index (0.84 and 0.91). Correlation and principal component analyses exhibited positive and close relationships between all biological yield and soil quality parameters, except for micro water-stable aggregates, the fungal population, and the bulk density. The application of N₇₅+GM in M or H rice and ZT in succeeding toria–sweet corn can sustain productivity and soil quality in Eastern India. Full article

This study aims to develop an effective and reliable method for estimating rice quality indices and yield, addressing the growing need for rapid, non-destructive, and accurate predictions in modern agriculture. Field experiments were conducted in 2018 at the Suiling Water Conservancy Comprehensive Experimental Station (47°27′ N, 127°06′ E), using Longqingdao 3 as the test variety. Measurements included the leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf nitrogen content (LNC), and leaf spectral reflectance during the tillering, jointing, and maturity stages. Based on these parameters, spectral indicators were calculated, and univariate linear regression models were developed to predict key rice quality indices. The results demonstrated that the optimal R² values for brown rice rate, moisture content, and taste value were 0.866, 0.913, and 0.651, with corresponding RMSE values of 0.122, 0.081, and 1.167. After optimizing the models, the R² values for the brown rice rate and taste value improved significantly to 0.95 (RMSE: 0.075) and 0.992 (RMSE: 0.179), respectively. Notably, the spectral index GM2 during the jointing stage achieved the highest accuracy for yield prediction, with an R² value of 0.822. These findings confirm that integrating multiple indicators across different growth periods enhances the accuracy of rice quality and yield predictions, offering a robust and intelligent solution for practical agricultural applications. Full article

Mangrove swamp rice (MSR) production is critical for the diet of small farmers of coastal Guinea-Bissau. In mangrove swamp agroecosystems, rice is grown during the rainy season when freshwater and nutrients are abundant. However, small-scale farmers face challenges like unpredictable rainfall and rising sea levels, which increase soil salinity and acidity. This study aims to assess soil physical–chemical properties, paired with farmers’ local practices, to evaluate fertility constraints, and to support sustainable soil–plant management practices. This co-designed research contributes to filling a gap concerning the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices adapted to specific contexts in West Africa. In two regions, Oio (center) and Tombali (south), rice yields were measured in semi-controlled trials both in two agroecological settings: Tidal Mangrove (TM) and Associated Mangrove (AM) fields. 380 soil samples were collected, and rice growing parameters were assessed during the 2021 and 2022 rice sowing, transplanting, and flowering periods. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Multivariate Regression Analysis (MRA) were applied to understand trends and build fertility proxies in predicting yields. Significant spatial and temporal variability in the soil properties between agroecologies was found. Salinity constraints in Oio TMs limit production to an average of 110 g/m², compared to 250 g/m² in Tombali. Yield predictions account for 81% and 56.9% of the variance in TMs and AMs, respectively. Variables such as organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and precipitation positively influence yields, whereas sand content, pH, and iron oxides show a negative effect. This study advances the understanding of MSR production in Guinea-Bissau and underscores the importance of incorporating farmers’ knowledge of their diverse and complex production systems to effectively address these challenges. Full article

Paddy fields are the main agricultural source of greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) emissions. To enhance rice yield, various fertilization practices have been employed in rice paddies. However, the key microbial and abiotic factors driving CH₄ emissions under different fertilization practices in paddy fields remain largely uncharted. This study conducted field experiments in a traditional double-cropping rice area in South China, utilizing five different fertilization practices to investigate the key factors influencing CH₄ emissions. High-throughput sequencing and PICRUSt2 functional prediction were employed to investigate the contributions of soil physicochemical properties, CH₄-metabolizing microorganisms (methanogens and methanotrophs), and key genes (mcrA and pmoA) on CH₄ emissions. The results showed that CH₄ emission fluxes exhibited seasonal variations, with consistent patterns of change observed across all treatments for both early- and late-season rice. Compared to the no-fertilization (NF) treatment, cumulative CH₄ emissions were lower in early-season rice with green manure (GM) and straw returning (SR) treatments, as well as in late-season rice with GM treatment, while rice yields were maintained at higher levels. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that potential methanogens were primarily distributed among four orders: Methanobacteriales, Methanocellales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanosarcinales. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the relative abundance of the CH₄-related key gene mcrA and these microorganisms. Functional analysis indicated that these potential methanogens primarily produce methane through the acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways. Aerobic CH₄-oxidizing bacteria, predominantly from the genus Methylocystis, were detected in all the treatments, while the CH₄ anaerobic-oxidizing archaea ANME-1b was only detected in chemical fertilization (CF) and cow manure (CM) treatments. Our random forest analysis revealed that the relative abundance of two methanogens (Methanocellales and Methanosarcinales) and two environmental factors (pH and DOC) had significant impacts on the cumulative CH₄ emissions. The variance decomposition analysis highlighted the CH₄-metabolizing microorganisms explained 50% of the variance in the cumulative CH₄ emissions, suggesting that they are the key microbial factors driving CH₄ emissions. These findings provide guidance for the development of rational measures to reduce CH₄ emissions in paddy fields. Full article

The winter planting of green manure (GM) is widely used in South China to reduce chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer use, improve soil fertility, and maintain rice yields, but its effect on N runoff loss in paddy fields remains unclear. This study combines multi-site field experiments with a process model (WHCNS-Rice) to assess how GM with reduced N fertilizer impacts N runoff loss and its forms in the Yangtze River’s middle and lower reaches, considering different rainfall years. The network field experiments included four treatments: conventional fertilization (FR), conventional fertilization plus straw return (FRS), GM with a 40% N reduction (MR), and GM-straw combined return with a 40% N reduction (MRS). Monitoring the results showed that compared to the winter fallow treatment, the GM treatments reduced the peak and average total N (TN) concentrations by 11.1–57.9% (average 26.9%) and 17.1–27.3% (average 22.3%), respectively. The TN runoff loss under the GM treatment decreased by 3.50–10.61 kg N ha⁻¹ (22.5–42.1%). GM primarily reduced the runoff loss of dissolved inorganic N (DIN), with reductions at different sites ranging from 0.22 to 9.66 kg N ha⁻¹ (8.4–43.4%), indicating GM effectively decreases N runoff by reducing DIN. Model simulations of ponding water depth, runoff, TN concentration in surface water, and TN loss in paddy fields produced the consistency indices and simulation efficiencies of 0.738–0.985, 0.737–0.986, 0.912–0.986, and 0.674–0.972, respectively, indicating that the model can be used to evaluate water consumption and N runoff loss in the GM-paddy system. The simulations showed that GM with a 40% N fertilizer significantly reduced N runoff loss under all rainfall conditions, with the greatest reductions in wet years. Under wet, normal, and dry conditions, the GM treatments significantly reduced average TN loss by 0.37–5.53 kg N ha⁻¹ (12.77–29.17%), 0.21–5.32 kg N ha⁻¹ (9.95–24.51%), and 0.02–3.2 kg N ha⁻¹ (1.78–23.19%), respectively, compared to the winter fallow treatment. These results indicate that the combination of GM and a 40% reduction in N fertilizer can significantly reduce N runoff loss from paddy fields, demonstrating good effectiveness under various rainfall conditions, making it a green production model worth promoting. Full article

During storage, infestation by insect pests occurs, causing quantitative and qualitative losses in grains, which requires the control of these insects with phosphine gas. Rice husk has a high phosphine adsorption capacity, influencing the gas concentration during fumigation and potentially leading to inefficient fumigation. Additionally, the high sorption of rice husk results in a higher residue of phosphine in the grain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the phosphine sorption and phosphine residue in rice husk, paddy rice, and brown rice, as well as the industrial quality (head rice yield, rehydration capacity, cooking time, colorimetric profile) of brown and white rice during storage. To achieve this, fumigation of paddy rice, brown rice, and rice husks with 3.0 g·m⁻³ of phosphine was carried out for 240 h (recommended duration in the industry). A high sorption rate was observed in the rice husk (94.77%), paddy rice (97.61%), and, lastly, brown rice (35.17%). Due to the high sorption rate, only brown rice maintained a concentration above the recommended level for effective pest control (400 ppm for 120 h). Higher phosphine residues than permitted were observed in the rice husk (0.25 ppm). Lower rice head yields were observed in non-fumigated rice samples when analyzing the brown rice samples (66.21% for paddy rice and 65.01% for brown rice). A greater rehydration capacity was observed in fumigated samples at the beginning of storage when analyzing the brown rice samples (1.21 for paddy rice, 1.23 for brown rice), reducing the cooking time (24.00 for paddy rice, 23.80 for brown rice). More studies should be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of fumigation on paddy rice, considering the high sorption rate of the paddy. Full article

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål, 1854), is a pest of rice plants worldwide. Cordyceps javanica is a destructive entomopathogenic fungus known to attack leafhoppers or BPHs specifically. Live adult BPH samples were inoculated with isolated C. javanica PSUC002, and their interaction was morpho-histologically examined from 0 to 120 h post-inoculation (pi). We observed that the mortality of BPH continuously increased until 120 h pi (Day 5). Tissue alterations in the host were examined after infection using morphological and histological methods, including the Grocott Methenamine Silver stain test (GMS). Filamentous fungi were first found on the external integument at 12 h pi, and fungal conidia attached to the integument at 24 h pi. However, the initial degeneration of BPHs was identified by histology at 6 h pi especially in the integument and adipose tissue. We identified the degeneration and loss of integument and adipose tissue of infected BPHs at 12 h pi, and their necrosis was completed at 96 h pi. The enzymatic index of the sampled fungi (chitinase and protease) peaked at 7 days of incubation. This study demonstrated that C. javanica PSUC002 is useful to control the BPHs as an eco-friendly practice and will possibly be applied in agriculture. Full article