Search Results (1,985)

Meat quality serves as a pivotal determinant of consumer purchasing behavior and of the economic viability of the livestock industry; as such, research into its regulatory mechanisms is of critical significance for the development of modern agriculture. Traditional investigations into meat quality have predominantly centered on sensory and physicochemical assessments of ultimate phenotypic traits, thereby facing inherent limitations in systematically deciphering the intricate molecular regulatory networks underlying meat quality formation. By contrast, an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome effectively connects the cascade of “gene transcription—metabolic regulation—phenotypic determination,” which has emerged as a core methodological paradigm in contemporary research on the molecular mechanisms governing meat quality. This review systematically delineates the evolutionary trajectory and principal technological frameworks of meat quality evaluation systems, with a focused synthesis of recent advances achieved through combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses in the field of meat quality regulation. The scope of this review encompasses core transcriptional regulatory networks associated with meat quality attributes, pivotal metabolic pathways, signal transduction mechanisms, and protein degradation dynamics. Furthermore, the regulatory impacts exerted by genetic variation among breeds, nutritional modulation, rearing environments, and stress responses on meat quality characteristics are comprehensively elucidated. Integrative analysis reveals that combined transcriptome–metabolome approaches transcend the inherent limitations of single-omics investigations, systematically unraveling the hierarchical regulatory mechanisms governing fundamental meat quality traits, such as muscle fiber type differentiation, postmortem glycolytic progression, intramuscular fat deposition, and flavor compound accumulation. Such integrative strategies have facilitated the identification of functional genes and metabolic biomarkers with potential utility for the early prediction of meat quality outcomes. Concurrently, this review acknowledges persistent challenges confronting the field, including the absence of standardized protocols for multi-omics data integration, insufficient functional causal validation, and a discernible disconnect between research discoveries and practical industrial implementation. Building upon this comprehensive assessment, prospective directions for future multi-omics research in meat quality are proposed, accompanied by the formulation of an integrated end-to-end improvement framework spanning fundamental research, technological innovation, and industrial application. Collectively, this review provides a systematic theoretical foundation for the in-depth elucidation of mechanisms that determine meat quality and the precision-oriented regulation of quality-determining traits in livestock production practices, thereby offering substantial scientific guidance for quality improvement initiatives within the animal husbandry sector. Full article

Livestock manure management contributes substantially to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, making the adoption of low-carbon approaches urgent in ecologically sensitive regions. This study focuses on the County-wide Livestock Manure Resource Utilization Project in Danjiangkou City, the core water source area of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Based on field survey data, IPCC Guidelines, and a life cycle assessment framework, this study established a carbon accounting boundary covering excretion, collection, storage, treatment, and utilization stages. A scenario analysis was conducted to compare 2023 baseline emissions with 2026 project emissions and to quantify the carbon reduction potential. The research findings indicate that the overall carbon reduction rate following the project’s implementation reached 40.8%. However, the effectiveness varied considerably across the four management models. The Sedimentation–Crop Model and the Housing–Bedding Integrated Model, which employed integrated systemic interventions, achieved reductions of 61.50% and 60.09%, respectively. In contrast, the “124” Healthy Breeding Model and the Raised-Bedding Composting System, which relied primarily on single-stage upgrades, achieved reductions of only 32.04% and 27.70%. This disparity suggests that in decentralized livestock operations, isolated technological improvements fall short; meaningful decarbonization requires systemic interventions across the entire manure management chain. The findings provide a reference for low-carbon livestock manure management and regional development in ecologically sensitive areas. Full article

Allium spp. (alliums) are susceptible to rot-diseases caused by pathogenic Fusarium spp., including F. proliferatum (FP) and F. oxysporum (FO), which can cause severe crop losses. A series of pathogenicity tests of four FP isolates from garlic (Allium sativum), four FO isolates from garlic and three FO isolates from onion (Allium cepa var. cepa) were conducted on garlic seedlings and cloves, onion seedlings and bulbs, and shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) bulbs to determine the virulence of the isolates. A combination of PCRs and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), using ONT long-read technology, was used to identify genes encoding putative effectors. The FP isolates caused moderate to severe symptoms in garlic and contained homologues of SIX2, CRX1 and CRX2, and either SIX9 or SIX13. The FOC ex onion isolates caused severe disease symptoms in all allium species tested, while FO from garlic caused moderate to severe disease in garlic but only mild symptoms in onion and shallot. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae ex onion potentially contained homologues of SIX3, SIX5, SIX7, SIX9, SIX10, SIX12, SIX14, C5, CRX1 and CRX2. The most pathogenic FO isolate to garlic was Fo_VPRI44630 ex garlic, which contained SIX9, SIX13, C5, CRX1 and CRX2. The difference in virulence and putative effector profiles suggests evidence of host-associated differentiation, and as such, the f. sp. or race designation between FO ex garlic and FO ex onion should be investigated further. This is an important finding for future research into best management practices and breeding for disease resistance to FO and FP in garlic. Full article

Plant breeding innovation is an important strategic emerging industry related to sustainable agricultural development. The improvement of the level of industry–university–research (IUR) cooperation among plant breeding enterprises can help overcome breeding bottlenecks and promote technological innovation and has become one of the important topics of academic attention. Based on 290 enterprise survey questionnaire data, this study uses a structural equation model to conduct empirical research and finds the following: (1) satisfaction and effectiveness of IUR cooperation have a positive impact on the key core technological innovation performance of plant breeding enterprises; (2) absorptive capacity positively moderates the promoting effect of IUR cooperation satisfaction and effectiveness on the technological innovation performance of plant breeding enterprises; and (3) government support positively moderates the promoting effect of IUR cooperation satisfaction and effectiveness on the technological innovation performance of plant breeding enterprises. Therefore, this study reveals the mechanism of IUR cooperation in plant breeding enterprises on technological innovation and provides theoretical basis and practical guidance for plant breeding enterprises to cultivate long-term competitiveness and contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture. Full article

Weed control in rice remains a critical challenge in direct-seeded rice cultivation. This study combined field and laboratory experiments to compare the efficacy of nine herbicide combinations against weeds in dryland rice fields and to evaluate their impact on rice economic traits. A model was constructed using principal component analysis for comprehensive evaluation, aiming to identify optimal herbicide combinations for direct-seeded rice under shallow drip irrigation in Hinggan League. The results indicate that pendimethalin provides better pre-emergence control compared to oxadiargyl and pretilachlor. The combination of florpyrauxifen-benzyl + benzobicyclon provided optimal weed control efficacy and rice economic performance when applied as a foliar treatment. Forty-five days after application, weed control efficacy against Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. and Amaranthus retroflexus L. was 72% and 85%, respectively, with fresh weight reduction of 63%. Theoretical yield reached 4285.48 kg·ha⁻¹. At rice harvest, no herbicide residues were detected in rice straw or grains across all treatments, confirming the safety of the applied treatment for rice. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the comprehensive scores of each treatment, with pendimethalin + florpyrauxifen-benzyl + benzobicyclon achieving the highest score of 0.65. The study indicates that the combination of pendimethalin as a pre-emergence and florpyrauxifen-benzyl + benzobicyclon offers significant advantages in weed control efficacy and rice growth, achieving the highest comprehensive evaluation score. This combination holds important application value for weed control and grain yield assurance in direct-seeded rice fields. Full article

The breeding blanket is a key component of tokamaks, primarily responsible for extracting heat from fusion reactions and for tritium breeding, which is essential to ensure a fusion reactor’s fuel self-sufficiency. Recent technological advancements have led to the development of Dual-Cooled Lead–Lithium (DCLL) breeding blankets, which employ a liquid metal (specifically a Lead–Lithium eutectic alloy) as a heat transfer medium and tritium breeder, while helium gas is used to cool the structural components of the reactor. The interaction between the moving electrically conducting fluid and the strong magnetic field in the tokamak environment leads to magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects. The latter are characterized by the induction of eddy currents within the fluid and resulting Lorentz forces generated by their interaction with the magnetic field, which cause additional pressure losses and reduce heat transfer efficiency. This work investigates the pressure drop experienced by a Lead–Lithium flow within a rectangular section conduit under the action of an external, uniform magnetic field of different intensities. An analytical model was developed to estimate the total MHD-induced pressure losses along the channel for different values of the external magnetic field intensity and then benchmarked against relative computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics. This comparison allowed the validation of the analytical predictions as well as a better understanding of the influence of the applied magnetic field intensity on the overall pressure drop. Therefore, the aim of the analytical model is to provide analytical tools for reasonably accurate estimations of MHD pressure losses suitable for future preliminary design purposes. Full article

White-backed and Ash-grey cows yielded an average of 6212 kg and 6078 kg of milk per year, with 4.25–4.28% fat and 3.37–3.40% protein, while Holsteins averaged 10,694 kg with 4.47% fat and 3.45% protein. The study aimed to analyse the fatty acid (FA) profile of milk from two local cow breeds, compare them with that of Holstein cows, and evaluate the influence of lactation number, productivity indicators and milk colour. The study was carried out with White-backed (n = 40), Ash-grey (n = 49), and Holstein (n = 51) cows. Based on lactation number, cows were divided into two groups. Composite milk samples from all quarters of each cow were collected. Two additional milk samples were taken: 1st to assess milk colour and the second to determine the fatty acids profile. Productivity data of cows were provided from the Livestock Information System. Statistical analysis included calculating means and standard deviations or standard errors of the mean. One-way and two-way ANOVA (breed and lactation) were used, and Duncan’s test was applied to compare mean values between groups. White-backed cows contained greater proportions of C17:0, C17:1, C18:3 ω3, and C20:0 (p < 0.05), as well as higher total omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents. Parity did not have a significant effect on productivity indicators, but parity influenced the FA profile. Milk from 1st-lactation Ash-grey cows showed higher levels of PUFA and omega-6 fatty acids (p < 0.05). Milk from Ash-grey cows has more favourable visual attributes, indicating improved suitability for dairy processing, where colour uniformity is important for technological quality. Full article

A comprehensive understanding of plant diversity is essential for ecological research, conservation planning, and sustainable resource management. Advances in genetic technologies have transformed the assessment of plant biodiversity, enabling more precise and efficient characterization of genetic variation. Early molecular markers, widely used in the late 2000s, have largely been replaced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tools that require less DNA, are easier to use, and are supported by accessible commercial kits. The 2020s have seen the emergence of new, more accessible tools driven by cost reduction and efficiency improvements. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have further revolutionized the field by providing genome-wide insights into allelic diversity, structural polymorphisms, and epigenetic modifications. These innovations enhance the detection of adaptive variation, improve understanding of spatial genetic structure, and support the evaluation of environmental impacts on plant populations. Marker-assisted selection, now common in modern breeding, leverages genomic data to develop cultivars with enhanced resistance and desirable agronomic traits. Emerging tools such as environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, high-throughput phenotyping, and advanced bioinformatics workflows expand the capacity to monitor species, assess population viability, and identify key traits linked to adaptation. The present review aims to highlight these technological advancements and the more recent and useful tools available from Next-Generation Sequencing to genotyping-by-sequencing, discussing their role for conserving plant genetic resources, improving breeding programs, and deepening knowledge of plant biodiversity within changing ecosystems. Full article

Two-line hybrid rice breeding relies on photoperiod-/thermosensitive genic male sterile (P/TGMS) lines with reliable fertility transition across different environments. The fertility of japonica P/TGMS lines is intricately regulated by photoperiod and temperature, making it more challenging to breed japonica sterile lines with stable sterility than indica sterile lines. This complexity is one of the primary reasons the breeding and promotion of two-line japonica hybrid rice has lagged behind that of indica hybrid rice. Here, we report on Yun1032S, a novel japonica P/TGMS line bred in the low-latitude plateau. It was bred by crossing Peiai 64S, the famous P/TGMS line with the largest application area in China, with Yungengyou 1, a plateau japonica variety noted for its excellent cold tolerance and disease resistance. Yun1032S exhibited stable sterility and female-parent traits favorable for two-line seed production. The elite combination YLY7706 (Yunliangyou7706), derived from a cross between Yun1032S and Yungenghui7501, showed a stable and competitive yield and strong disease resistance in the 2022–2023 Yunnan provincial regional trials. To analyze the genetic basis of phenotypes, we performed whole-genome resequencing and functional loci analysis of the parents and found that they carry a great number of superior alleles, which account for their yield and disease-resistant performance. To assess the breeding value of Yun1032S, we analyzed heterosis of a new batch of combinations derived from Yun1032S and identified a new combination, Jian3, with greater yield potential than YLY7706. These findings not only enhance the breeding of japonica P/TGMS lines but also provide direction for future pairing of two-line hybrid combination breeding. The study presents innovative concepts that further integrate genomics with traditional breeding techniques. Ultimately, Yun1032S marks a significant milestone in japonica P/TGMS line breeding technology, opening new avenues for the development of the two-line system. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a critically important crop for oil, protein, feed, and food security in China. Expanding soybean cultivation into high-latitude regions represents one of the most direct and effective strategies to increase total production. In the present study, we employed KASP (Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) marker technology to systematically analyze 18 variant loci across 14 flowering-time genes in 443 soybean germplasm accessions adapted to high-latitude conditions in Arctic Village (Beiji Cun), Mohe City (>53° N), northeastern China. Our results revealed clear functional-tier-dependent selection gradients: key mutation sites (frequency > 96%) in upstream photoreceptors and core circadian clock genes, such as E2 and GmPRR3a, were nearly fixed in the population, whereas downstream flowering genes such as GmFT5b and GmFT2b remained under dynamic selection. Combinatorial analysis of early-maturity allelic variants identified 178 distinct genotype combinations, including six dominant types (n ≥ 10). Field phenotypic analysis demonstrated that the cumulative number of early-maturity alleles was significantly negatively correlated with flowering time, with specific allele combinations such as FT5a^A + FKF1b-hap3^T exhibiting particularly strong flower-promoting effects. A set of 80 highly enriched super-early-maturity accessions, including extreme materials such as MHL22002, were identified, providing valuable genetic resources and a theoretical framework for elucidating the flowering regulatory mechanisms of high-latitude soybean and for breeding super-early-maturing varieties. Full article

Mitochondria regulate nuclear genomes and their own genetic material, primarily to provide energy in eukaryotes. Currently, high-throughput sequencing technologies are being used to resolve the mitochondrial genomes of various edible fungi. However, the application of pan-genomes for the analysis of edible mushroom mitochondrial genomes remains unexplored. In this study, we conducted a comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of 31 Hypsizygus marmoreus strains (four newly sequenced monotypes and 27 public datasets), ranging from 98,284 to 111,087 bp. This variation was determined to be primarily driven by dynamic changes in non-coding regions, particularly intronic polymorphisms in the cox1 gene. Further, transfer RNA (tRNA) secondary structures exhibited atypical globular and elongated conformations alongside copy number variations. Additionally, codon usage showed a pronounced A/T bias, whereas core respiratory chain genes demonstrated an evolutionary pattern of strong purifying selection. Furthermore, the 31 mitochondrial genomes of H. marmoreus were found to harbor eight gene rearrangement patterns and five genetic clusters, and the pan-genome analysis (220,364 bp, 217 nodes) captured abundant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (InDels), and structural variations. This study provides breeding-relevant genetic markers and a genomic framework for H. marmoreus germplasm classification, genetic improvements, and the molecular breeding of stress-resilient varieties. Full article

Minor legume crops, including mung bean (Vigna radiata), cowpea, and adzuki bean, are crucial for global food security and sustainable agriculture, yet their genetic improvement has been hindered by narrow germplasm resources and lagging breeding technologies. This article systematically reviews the strategy of integrating polyploid breeding with mutagenic breeding as an innovative pathway to overcome the genetic bottlenecks of minor legumes. It focuses on insights gained from model plants and major legume crops like soybean and alfalfa regarding polyploid advantages and efficient mutagenesis techniques. Furthermore, it provides an in-depth analysis of the unique challenges and adaptation barriers encountered when transferring these paradigms to minor crops. Using mung bean as a representative case study, this review highlights specific challenges, including the creation of stable polyploid germplasm, the elucidation of complex regulatory mechanisms in polyploid genomes, and the technical bottlenecks in gene mapping and functional validation. The review also outlines future directions involving the integration of cutting-edge technologies—such as multi-omics, high-throughput phenomics, and gene editing—to establish a holistic research framework of “germplasm innovation-gene mapping-designer breeding”. This integrated approach aims to advance the breeding practices of minor legumes into a new era of precision design. Full article

Drought, a major abiotic stressor affecting global agricultural productivity, significantly reduces crop yields and threatens food security worldwide. As the primary organ for perceiving soil moisture signals and absorbing water, the crop root system architecture plays a pivotal role in plant adaptation to drought conditions. With the development of high-throughput imaging technologies (i.e., 2D/3D image acquisition), high-throughput genotyping platforms, and gene-editing technologies, significant progress has been achieved in the characterization of root traits and the dissection of molecular genetic regulatory networks underlying these traits in crops. This review comprehensively synthesizes recent advances in the phenotypic characterization, underlying molecular regulatory networks, and functional roles of key root architectural traits, including the root length, angle, density, and root hair development, in enhancing drought resilience. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges in the current research and provide an outlook on the future trend of integrating multi-omics, high-throughput phenomics, and genome editing technologies to breed new drought-resistant crop varieties with ideal drought-resistant root architectures. Full article

With the increasing consumer demand for high-quality lamb, crossbreeding has become a key technology for improving the production performance and meat quality of sheep. To evaluate the meat quality advantages and characteristics of Suffolk (SFK) and Hu sheep (HH) and their F₁ crossbreds (SH), thirty-six 3-month-old male lambs of SFK (n = 12), HH (n = 12), and SH (n = 12) were selected and raised in individual pens under the same nutritional and management conditions. After standardized feeding until 6 months of age, the Longissimus dorsi muscle was collected to determine meat quality traits, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and volatile flavor compounds. The results indicated that the L*, a* and b* values of the SH group were significantly lower than those of the parental breeds (p < 0.05), with tenderness being intermediate between the two parent breeds. Notably, drip loss and cooking loss were significantly lower in the SH group (p < 0.05), indicating superior water-holding capacity. In terms of amino acid profiles, the contents of non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) and sweet-tasting amino acids in the SH group were significantly higher than those of the parent breeds (p < 0.05), with the overall profile meeting the FAO/WHO ideal protein pattern. Analysis of fatty acid profiles revealed that the SH group had significantly lower total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (p < 0.05) and significantly higher levels of functional fatty acids (such as CLA), resulting in a significantly higher UFAs (unsaturated fatty acids)/SFAs (saturated fatty acids) ratio (p < 0.05) and superior nutritional value of fat. Furthermore, 32 volatile flavor compounds were detected in the SH group; among them, key aroma-active compounds such as isoamyl formate, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and acetoin were significantly higher than in the parental breeds (p < 0.05), contributing to a unique flavor profile. Consequently, this study systematically reveals the advantages of Suffolk × Hu F₁ crossbreds in terms of meat quality, nutritional value, and flavor characteristics, providing fundamental data for the optimization of crossbreeding systems, breeding selection, and the quality improvement of sheep meat products. Full article

Xanthoceras sorbifolium (Yellowhorn) is an underutilized, multipurpose, climate-resilient oilseed with emerging food and industrial potential. This review consolidates current knowledge on its botany, agronomy, kernel composition, extraction technologies, protein and bioactive functionality, food uses, regulatory considerations, and sustainability challenges. Yellowhorn offers high-quality oil with ≈94% unsaturated fatty acids (notably 3.5–4% nervonic acid), while defatted kernel meal contains 31–37% protein (w/w). The matrix also carries bioactives such as tocopherols in the oil (70–530 mg/kg), phytosterols (1420–2970 mg/kg), and saponins (up to 11.62%), alongside flavonoid extracts that show promising antioxidant activity (DPPH EC₅₀ ≈ 10.7 µg/mL). Extraction methods, including cold pressing, solvent systems, and supercritical CO₂, present trade-offs in yield (≈87.8%, ≈60.4–98.04%, and ≈56.5–89.63% respectively), bioactive retention, and scalability, while co-product valorization can improve economic and environmental performance. Regulatory acceptance in the U.S. will likely depend on a refined-oil, specification-driven Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) pathway supported by compositional and toxicological evidence. Sustainability priorities include breeding improvements and supply-chain development on marginal lands, valorization of co-products, and integration of life cycle assessment (LCA), both of which are currently under-reported for Yellowhorn. Future directions emphasize process optimization for simultaneous oil-protein recovery, selective purification of functional lipids, encapsulation for stability, and human studies to substantiate claims. Collectively, Yellowhorn represents a promising climate-ready ingredient system requiring targeted research to enable safe, scalable, and sustainable adoption. Full article