Search Results (9,229)

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) are key indicators of soil fertility; however, the dynamics of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions during winter wheat growth under different tillage systems remain poorly understood. This study examined the effects of three tillage practices: no tillage (NT), subsoiling tillage (SS), and deep tillage (DT) on four soil organic carbon fractions (SOC, soil organic carbon; EOC, easily oxidized organic carbon; DOC, dissolved organic carbon; POC, particulate organic carbon) and four nitrogen fractions (TN, total nitrogen; NO₃^–-N, nitrate nitrogen; NH₄⁺-N, ammonium nitrogen; DON, dissolved organic nitrogen) across five winter wheat growth stages (sowing, overwintering, jointing, filling and harvest) in the 0–50 cm soil profile. The results showed that SOC, its labile fractions, and TN all decreased with increasing soil depth, with tillage effects mainly confined to the 0–20 cm layer. SS achieved the highest SOC and TN contents in the topsoil, while NT and SS significantly enhanced the surface enrichment of C and N. In contrast, DT promoted more uniform nutrient distribution into the 30–50 cm subsoil. DON continuously accumulated throughout the growing season with faster accumulation rates under SS and NT; DOC peaked at the jointing stage, while EOC and NH₄⁺-N followed a consistent “decline–recovery–decline” seasonal pattern. SS yielded the highest total SOC stock (166.20 t ha⁻¹) in the 0–50 cm profile, particularly in the 0–30 cm layer. Correlation analysis showed that the coupling relationships among C and N indicators varied with soil depth, with the strongest positive correlation between SOC and EOC in the topsoil. Both SS and DT maintained higher soil water content (SWC) than NT in the 20–50 cm layers throughout the experimental period. In conclusion, SS emerges as the optimal balanced tillage strategy for dryland wheat fields on the Loess Plateau, simultaneously improving topsoil fertility, water retention, and C sequestration; meanwhile, DT is more effective for enhancing subsoil water and nutrient conditions. These findings provide a scientific basis for targeted tillage management to sustain soil fertility and productivity in rainfed dryland farming systems. Full article

To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the interaction between straw return and nitrogen (N) fertilization on yield formation, nutrient uptake, and soil N cycling in a continuous maize cropping system, a two-year positioning experiment was conducted. The study established two straw treatments (S0: 0 g/box; S1: 84 g/box) combined with three N levels (N0: 0 g/box; N1: 1.24 g/box; N2: 2.47 g/box). (The box refers to the cylinder used for planting maize.) The responses of maize yield, plant nutrient accumulation and partitioning, fertilizer-derived N ratio, nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (NUE), and soil microenvironment were analyzed. Results indicated that under N1 conditions, straw return had a negligible effect on crop growth and yield formation. Conversely, under N2 conditions, straw return significantly enhanced maize yield and promoted the accumulation of N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in plant tissues. ¹⁵N isotope tracing revealed a novel mechanism: rather than significantly altering direct fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency, straw return improved crop yield primarily by elevating indigenous soil N content and boosting the activities of N-transforming enzymes, thereby beneficially altering the ultimate environmental fate of the fertilizer N. Furthermore, straw return significantly boosted the activities of enzymes involved in N transformation and optimized the soil microenvironment. Collectively, straw return coupled with increased N application (specifically the S1N2 treatment) significantly maximizes maize yield, providing a theoretical basis for rational straw utilization and N management. Full article

Baby maize (Zea mays L.) is a high-value horticultural crop widely cultivated due to its short growth cycle and strong market demand. However, intensive production systems often rely heavily on chemical fertilizers, leading to reduced nutrient use efficiency and potential soil degradation. The present study investigated the potential of the Priestia megaterium Thr45 to enhance soil fertility, improve crop performance, and optimize fertilizer management in baby maize cultivation. A field experiment was conducted using a three-factor factorial design consisting of bacterial inoculation, different urea application rates, and different KCl rates. Soil chemical properties, plant growth parameters, yield components, and nutrient composition of edible cobs were evaluated. The results showed that inoculation with P. megaterium Thr45 significantly increased available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium in soil compared with the non-inoculated control. Inoculated plants exhibited higher chlorophyll content, greater leaf development, and increased plant height during early growth stages. Bacterial inoculation also significantly improved yield components, including ear number, ear yield, edible cob yield, and plant biomass. Furthermore, the nutritional quality of baby corn was enhanced, as reflected by increased protein and mineral (N, P, and K) concentrations in edible cobs. Significant interactions between bacterial inoculation and fertilizer treatments indicated that the beneficial effects of P. megaterium Thr45 were closely associated with nutrient management practices. Notably, comparable yield and nutritional quality were achieved under reduced nitrogen and potassium fertilizer inputs when combined with bacterial inoculation. These findings highlight the novel potential of P. megaterium Thr45 as an effective biofertilizer for improving nutrient availability, maintaining high productivity, and supporting sustainable baby maize production with reduced chemical fertilizer inputs Full article

Microbial inoculation represents an environmentally friendly biocontrol strategy that can enhance soil quality, improve crop growth efficiency, and promote sustainable agriculture. However, the long-term effects and ecological safety of non-native microbial inoculants in soil remain uncertain. Here, we explore and evaluate a safer and potentially more effective inoculation strategy—the reintroduction of native microbiota—to maintain agricultural ecosystem health. Native microbiota were extracted from black soil in northeastern China and reintroduced into the indigenous soil. Two treatments were established: original soil (control) and original soil with a mixture of native microbiota, each with nine replicates. Soil samples were collected at 0, 21, and 90 days post-inoculation. Using high-throughput sequencing and agronomic chemical analyses, we dynamically monitored soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, as well as microbial community composition. Crops were harvested at day 90 to measure dry weight, fresh weight, and SPAD values. The results revealed that the number of colonizing species was lower than the number of inoculated species, yet crop agronomic traits and chemical composition were significantly improved, particularly SPAD values and total phosphorus content. Soil abiotic factors exhibited limited resistance but retained partial recovery capacity, showing a notable increase in readily available potassium at days 0 and 21. Native microbiota inoculation promoted positive synergistic interactions within the microbial community. Furthermore, this study underscores the practical significance of cultivable microorganisms in agricultural applications. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of native microbiota reintroduction, highlighting its potential to optimize soil microbial communities, enhance soil properties, and improve crop performance, thereby providing a scientific basis for soil remediation and sustainable agriculture. Full article

The arachidonic acid (C20:4 ω6, ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 ω3, EPA) from Porphyridium purpureum endow this microalga with potential utilization value, but their distribution patterns remain poorly understood. In this study, a nitrogen concentration, a phosphorus concentration, light intensity and salinity were applied to investigate the synthesis and distribution patterns of EPA and ARA in P. purpureum by measuring growth, lipid content, lipid fractions, fatty acid composition, and the levels of EPA and ARA in storage lipids and membrane lipids. The results show that the optimal conditions for biomass accumulation were a nitrogen concentration of 0.75 g L⁻¹, a phosphorus concentration of 240 mg L⁻¹, a light intensity of 250–300 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ and a salinity of 50 ppt. Reducing the phosphorus concentration and increasing salinity enhanced the total lipid content, whereas changes in nitrogen concentration and light intensity had minimal effects on total lipid content. Low nitrogen concentration, low phosphorus concentration and high light intensity favored ARA synthesis, whereas the opposite conditions promoted EPA synthesis. Culture conditions could alter the distribution of ARA and EPA between storage lipids and membrane lipids. Increasing the nitrogen concentration, phosphorus concentration and salinity, as well as reducing light intensity, promoted the distribution of ARA and EPA in membrane lipids. Conversely, the opposite conditions enhanced their distribution in storage lipids. In conclusion, the synthesis and distribution of EPA and ARA in P. purpureum are influenced by culture conditions. To improve the yield of ARA and EPA, P. purpureum should be cultivated under nutrient-sufficient conditions. Full article

Karst rock desertification is an extreme form of land degradation that poses a serious threat to regional ecological security and sustainable development in Southwest China. Understanding the response patterns of plant communities and soil properties along desertification gradients is critical for developing effective ecological restoration strategies. This study focused on Qingzhen City, Guizhou Province, a representative karst desertification region. Using remote sensing to classify rock desertification intensity, together with systematic vegetation surveys and soil sampling, we investigated variation patterns in ecological parameters along the degradation gradient. The results revealed three key patterns. First, rock desertification was widespread across Qingzhen and exhibited pronounced spatial differentiation. Second, as desertification intensified, vegetation community structure became progressively simplified, transitioning from forests to shrublands. Biomass and vegetation cover declined from 77.25 kg/m² and 83% to 0.62 kg/m² and 15%, respectively. Notably, species diversity exhibited a bell-shaped relationship with desertification intensity, peaking at the potential desertification stage before declining under increasing environmental stress. Third, soil physicochemical properties showed complex nonlinear responses along the desertification gradient. Soil bulk density decreased, and pH increased with increasing desertification intensity, while volumetric water content fluctuated across stages. Soil total carbon and total nitrogen exhibited temporary enrichment during the light-to-moderate desertification stages, likely due to shifts in litter quality. Overall, these findings demonstrate that both plant communities and soil properties respond nonlinearly to rock desertification gradients. Together, the results enhance the understanding of the ecological processes underlying karst rock desertification and support the development of targeted regional restoration strategies. Full article

Postharvest decay results in substantial losses during yam storage. This study isolated microorganisms from decayed Lichuan yams and investigated deterioration mechanisms using physiological assays and UPLC-MS/MS. Among six isolates, Penicillium sclerotigenum was identified as the primary pathogen. Infection disrupted water-retaining structures, leading to increased weight loss and reduced water activity. It also disrupted carbon-nitrogen metabolism, leading to fluctuations in starch, sugar, and protein content. Although host defense responses were activated via phenolic accumulation and the upregulation of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, sustained infection resulted in severe membrane lipid peroxidation. Metabolomics revealed alterations in sugars, organic acids, and secondary metabolites, with the specific enrichment of sugar and amino acid pathways. Thus, P. sclerotigenum remodels yam energy metabolism and defense responses. This study clarifies the physiological and metabolic mechanisms underlying this fungal rot, providing a theoretical foundation for the development of preventive control strategies. Full article

Soil respiration (Rs) plays an important role in the carbon (C) dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems and is strongly regulated by nitrogen (N) inputs. While the impact of N fertilization on Rs has been widely documented in conventional farmland ecosystems, its patterns and influencing factors in perennial tea plantation systems are still poorly understood. In the study, we conducted a 15-year field experiment in a representative tea plantation to investigate the effects of different N rates (0, 112.5, 225, and 450 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) on Rs. Compared to the control (N0), soil pH decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 6.07%, 11.82%, and 16.12% under N112.5, N225, and N450, respectively. Concurrently, cation exchange capacity (CEC), ammonium (NH₄⁺-N), nitrate (NO₃⁻-N), and available phosphorus (AP) increased with increasing N rates, whereas available potassium (AK) decreased. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) initially increased and then decreased with increasing N rates, while dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content increased consistently. The Rs rate exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern with a single peak in August. The annual mean Rs rates were 2.79, 3.15, 4.06, and 3.85 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ for the N0, N112.5, N225, and N450 treatments, respectively. Soil temperature explained 55.41% to 61.08% of the variation in Rs rates across N treatments, and a composite model incorporating both soil temperature and moisture further improved the prediction of Rs dynamics. Cumulative soil CO₂ emissions (CCEs) over the study period ranged from 10,427 to 14,221 kg CO₂-C ha⁻¹ across treatments and were significantly negatively correlated with soil pH, and positively correlated with DOC, MBC, and NO₃⁻-N content. A non-linear relationship between N application rate and CCEs was observed, highlighting the complexity of optimizing N management for balancing productivity and climate mitigation in tea plantation systems. These findings provide a theoretical basis for developing rational N fertilization strategies and improving the predictive capacity of C cycle models in agroecosystems. Full article

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a crop used as a forage that possesses an exceptional nutritional profile and digestibility. Unfortunately, this crop has low seed yield. Within the framework of the “Legume Generation” EC-funded project, our team aimed to investigate the role of foliar boron application on pollen viability and pollen tube development, and to assess its overall effect on red clover cultivation. Plants of six commercial diploid red clover cultivars, Nika 11, Sofia 52, AberClaret, Milvus, Global, and S123, were field-grown and boron-treated by spraying with the commercial product “Lebasol”, 11% active water-soluble boron. To reach our purpose, the transcript levels of genes related to flower, pollen, and pollen tube development and boron transport were measured by qRT-PCR; pollen grain viability and count were assessed microscopically. For this research, eight genes were selected: Auxin Response factor (TprARF17); TprAPETALA3; Walls are thin (TprWAT1 and TprWAT2); NIPs genes (Nodulin Intrinsic Protein) TprNIP4;2, TprNIP7;1, TprNIP5;1, and TprNIP6;1. Additionally, total nitrogen content in leaves detached from field-grown boron-treated and untreated plants was assessed and compared with the expression levels of two TprNIP5;1 and TprNIP6;1 transporters. The fresh and dry biomass weight from the first and second cuts was evaluated, as well as the seed collected from the red clover plants. Seed germination percentage and vigor of seedlings were examined in vitro for both boron-treated and untreated groups of two specific cultivars. Collected data confirm that foliar application of boron affects pollen viability and plant development of red clover in the cultivation conditions of South East Europe. Full article

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCH) is traditionally recognized as both an edible and medicinal food source. Its rhizomes contain numerous bioactive compounds, notably polysaccharides and flavonoids, which serve as key constituents in functional food development. However, the cultivation of PCH is often hindered by allelopathic effects, which diminish its quality and restrict its industrial application. To mitigate these allelopathic influences, three types of biochars derived from maize straw (MB), rice husk (RB), and tea stem (TB) were applied at concentrations of 0%, 2%, and 4%. Initially, the physicochemical properties of these biochars were characterized, followed by an evaluation of their impact on (1) the synthesis of quality-related components, secondary metabolites, and allelochemicals within PCH rhizomes and (2) the fundamental physicochemical properties and bacterial community structure of the PCH rhizosphere soil. The findings indicated that the application of 4% RB significantly enhanced the content of total polysaccharides by 48.5%, total flavonoids by 30.2%, total saponins by 28.6%, and total polyphenols by 18.3%, while concurrently reducing protein (PRO) and free amino acid (FAA) concentrations in the rhizomes. Non-targeted metabolomic analyses revealed that biochar amendments (1) upregulated metabolites involved in the citrate cycle and galactose metabolism pathways, thereby facilitating energy supply and precursors for polysaccharide biosynthesis; (2) downregulated metabolites involved in the arginine biosynthesis pathway, which is unfavorable for protein and amino acid synthesis; (3) decreased the abundance of six identified allelochemicals, including 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan and andrographolide, with the most pronounced effect observed in the 4% TB treatment (T2); (4) improved soil physicochemical parameters such as pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and available potassium (AK); and (5) altered the rhizosphere bacterial community by enriching beneficial phyla, notably Myxococcota and Gemmatimonadota. These modifications in soil properties and bacterial community composition were closely associated with enhanced rhizome quality and a reduction in allelochemical accumulation. Collectively, the results of this study elucidate the potential mechanisms linking biochar application to allelopathy mitigation, optimization of soil microbial communities, and improvement of PCH rhizome quality. This research provides a theoretical basis for the production of high-quality PCH while concurrently minimizing allelochemical accumulation in its rhizomes. Full article

Excessive fertilizer application is a common practice in agricultural production in the North China Plain. To determine an optimal fertilization strategy for summer maize with nitrogen-fixing bacterial inoculation, we conducted a two-year field experiment (2022–2023) using the conventional fertilization rate (600 kg ha⁻¹ NPK; N:P₂O₅:K₂O = 28:8:10; 100F by default) as a control and examined the effects of fertilizer reduction (at 90%, 80%, 62.5%, and 50% of 100F) combined with Azotobacter chroococcum inoculation on maize plants and soil. Although fertilizer reduction increased free amino acid content, soluble sugars, proteins, and fatty acids contents were reduced. However, bacterial inoculation significantly enhanced all the above nutritional indices in maize leaves. Bacterial inoculation under fertilizer reduction conditions can enhance the activity of key nitrogen metabolism enzymes (i.e., GS and GOGAT), which further supports nitrogen, sugar, and lipid metabolism in maize plants. Additionally, bacterial inoculation promoted root development, biomass accumulation, and grain nutritional value while significantly increasing yield under reduced fertilizer conditions. The highest yield (11,454 kg ha⁻¹) was achieved with bacterial inoculation at approximately 87F (≈522 kg ha⁻¹ NPK), while the non-inoculated control reached a peak yield (11,032 kg ha⁻¹) only at around 90.5F (≈543 kg ha⁻¹). The complementary effects of bacterial inoculation with fertilizer reduction resulted in improved nutrient supply and modulation of soil microbial diversity. Inoculation of A. chroococcum increased soil ammonium and nitrate levels and decreased soil pH, though it was associated with a decline in overall bacterial richness, which may have persistent and adverse effects on the soil. Both fertilizer reduction and bacterial inoculation significantly altered microbial community structure, with notable interannual variation. Collectively, our findings suggest that moderate fertilizer reduction (9.5–13%) combined with nitrogen-fixing bacteria inoculation can support sustainable maize production by maintaining higher yield, enhancing nutrient use efficiency, and improving soil health. However, due to pH-lowering effects, long-term monitoring is necessary to assess the ecological impact of nitrogen-fixing bacteria inoculation on soil microbial balance. Full article

In permanently submerged coastal wetlands, interactions between biogeochemical processes and microbial communities strongly influence greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. To improve our understanding of how redox-driven processes shape GHG dynamics in these ecosystems, we investigated the relationships among iron (Fe) pools, microbial dynamics, and the potential GHG production in subaqueous soils from an interdunal wetland in San Vitale Park (Italy), permanently submerged and affected by seasonal oscillations of the saline water table. Two subaqueous soil columns (WAS-2 and WAS-4), collected from similar settings, were analyzed. Surface layers of WAS-4 showed higher salinity and carbonate content, whereas WAS-2 was characterized by overall higher Fe concentrations. Distinct vertical distributions of organic matter and sulfur (S) were shown along depth. Laboratory incubations revealed that nitrous oxide (N₂O) production was up to ten times higher in WAS-2 than in WAS-4, with peaks in the top 13–14 cm, consistent with more active nitrification-denitrification in surface layers. Methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes decreased with depth, reflecting reduced availability of labile carbon. Methanomicrobiales dominated CH₄-producing layers, indicating hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, while amoA-carrying Nitrosomonadales and Thaumarchaeota, occurred in shallow, organic-rich layers where ammonia supported nitrification and denitrification. Denitrifiers mainly belonged to α- and β-Proteobacteria, consistent with their direct contribution to N₂O peaks. Spearman’s correlations showed N₂O positively correlated to sulfur and labile carbon (C), supporting denitrification under moderately reducing conditions. CH₄ and CO₂ positively correlated with organic C (Corg), total nitrogen (TN), and reactive Fe forms, reflecting redox-mediated microbial respiration and methanogenesis. Trace elements (B, Cr, Cu, Ni) acted as micronutrients or inhibitors depending on concentration. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated depth-structured links among gas fluxes, soil chemistry (Corg, TN, S/C, CaCO₃, P), and microbial distributions: surface layers, rich in labile C and nutrients, supported active bacteria and archaea involved in decomposition, nitrification, and denitrification, whereas deeper layers hosted oligotrophic archaea adapted to inorganic substrates. Overall, Fe pools appeared to be associated with soil processes relevant to GHG dynamics, although the extent of their regulatory role remains uncertain due to potential alterations of redox-sensitive Fe fractions during sample handling. These results contribute to broader efforts to predict GHG emissions in submerged wetland soils by linking redox stratification, inorganic chemistry, and microbial functional groups. Full article

Robust quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) balances in tea plantations is critical for evaluating their contribution to agricultural carbon neutrality. This study aimed to develop data-driven models to quantify soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and N₂O emissions in Chinese tea plantations, evaluate their net GHG balance at the national scale, and assess the mitigation potential under alternative nitrogen management scenarios. Using a comprehensive national dataset, we compared multiple machine learning (ML) approaches with a conventional multiple linear regression (MLR) model to simulate N₂O emissions and SOC changes in Chinese tea plantations. All ML models substantially outperformed the MLR model, with the Random Forest (RF) algorithm achieving the highest predictive accuracy. The RF models yielded R² values of 0.68 for N₂O emissions and 0.67 for SOC changes, with no significant prediction bias. Variable importance and marginal effect analyses revealed strong non-linear controls. Mineral N fertilizer input was the dominant driver of N₂O emissions, followed by organic N input, soil clay content, and SOC. In contrast, SOC dynamics were primarily regulated by organic carbon inputs, tea plantation age, climate variables, and soil pH. National-scale simulations indicated an average N₂O emission intensity of 9.03 kg N₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and a mean SOC sequestration rate of 0.88 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Overall, SOC sequestration offset N₂O emissions, rendering Chinese tea plantations a net GHG sink (−2525 Gg CO₂-eq yr⁻¹). Scenario analyses showed that mineral N reduction increased net GHG uptake by 1804 Gg CO₂-eq, while organic fertilizer substitution achieved a substantially larger mitigation potential of 5961 Gg CO₂-eq. By integrating SOC sequestration and N₂O emissions within a unified modeling framework and applying machine-learning-based national-scale simulations, this study provides a more comprehensive and data-driven quantification of GHG balances in tea ecosystems, offering a scientific basis for evaluating their role in agricultural carbon neutrality strategies. Full article

Management of legume cover crops to reduce their cost by using no-tillage and reducing seed rate could increase their adoption. Despite the growing interest in cover crops, no information exists simultaneously regarding the potential of different species and how the sowing method and seed rate affect nitrogen (N) contribution and the yield of the subsequent maize crop. During a four-year field trial, under irrigated conditions in the Ebro valley (NE Spain), three leguminous cover crop species (pea, common vetch and hairy vetch), two cover crop seeding methods (conventional tillage and no-tillage) and two seeding rates (normal and 25% reduced) were tested and compared with a control treatment without a cover crop. The aboveground cover crop biomass and the N derived from biological fixation (BNF); aboveground biomass and total N in weeds; soil mineral nitrogen; and the effect on maize grain yield and N content were evaluated. Pea and common vetch produced more biomass (+76%) and had a higher N uptake (+50 to 60%) compared to hairy vetch. The sowing of the cover crops after no-tillage combined with a reduced sowing rate reduced biomass production by 14%. The percentage of nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) was above 60% for all species and the differences in total N derived from biological fixation (BNF) among treatments were related to the aboveground biomass. The introduction of cover crops reduced weed growth compared to the control especially in the no-tillage treatment. Cover crops increased maize grain yield by 12% and N uptake by 17% compared to the control treatment without a cover crop. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary protein levels during late gestation on nutrient digestibility, plasma amino acid profiles in jennies, and donkey foal growth performance. Twenty-four pregnant jennies were randomly assigned to one of three diets with different crude protein (CP) contents during late gestation: 12.48% (HP), 11.52% (MP), and 10.54% (LP) on a dry matter basis. All animals received the same diet immediately after parturition for a duration of 30 days. During the trial, two digestion experiments were conducted, blood samples were collected at 28 and 7 days prepartum, and weekly weight measurements of jennies and foals were recorded. The results indicated that the dietary protein level did not significantly affect feed intake in late gestation. However, apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE), and calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) was generally higher in the MP and LP groups than in the HP group, with MP showing the most consistent improvements across nutrients and timepoints (p < 0.05). Although the HP diet increased plasma concentrations of certain amino acids, including glutamic acid (Glu), valine (Val), methionine (Met), leucine (Leu), essential amino acids (EAAs), functional amino acids (FAAs), and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), and elevated serum levels of glucose (GLU), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (CRE), it failed to improve postpartum weight recovery in jennies, highlighting that weight dynamics during this period are governed by factors beyond dietary protein content alone. Specifically, the LP group exhibited significantly higher cumulative postpartum weight loss over weeks 1–4 than the HP group (p = 0.004). Regarding offspring performance, both HP and MP diets improved foal birth weight, weekly body weight up to 4 weeks, average daily gain, and body height compared to the LP group (p < 0.05), with no significant differences observed between the HP and MP groups. In conclusion, for jennies under the current confined feeding system, a late-gestation diet containing 11.52% CP was adequate to support higher nutrient digestibility in the jennies and better growth performance in their foals, compared to a lower protein level (10.54% CP). However, increasing the dietary CP to 12.48% provided no additional benefits in nutrient utilization or overall productivity. Full article