North West Agriculture and Forestry University

Integrated physiological and antioxidant responses in roots and shoots underpin aluminium tolerance in sesame

Aluminium (Al 3+ ) phyto-toxicity is detrimental to crop productivity on acidic soils across tropical and subtropical climates. Sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) is a high-valued oilseed crop of these regions, yet its physiological responses to Al 3+ toxicity is critically undefined c...

Interactions of pollen-stigma interface in fruit trees: A multiscale analysis of adhesion mechanisms

Abstract Inspired by sophisticated adhesion strategies in nature, physicochemical properties of pollen from three widely distributed fruit species (apple, pear, and kiwifruit) are investigated, and an novel adhesion mechanism for fruit tree pollination is proposed. Through simula...

PP cotton-wrapped subsurface drip irrigation can increase potato yield and sustainability in arid regions

Although subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) is widely used for shallow-rooted crops in arid regions, it still suffers from exogenous clogging, and effective, systematic physical protection measures are lacking. Therefore, a 3 × 4 two-factor factorial field experiment was conducted...

Exploring carpel evolution: morphological, anatomical, and STM gene expression evidence from Illicium carpel

Abstract The origin of the carpel is crucial for understanding the evolution of angiosperms. A key unresolved debate centres on whether ovules originate from leaf-like structures or shoot structures. We conducted morphological, anatomical, and gene expression investigations on fl...

How certification credibility and benefit framing shape heterogeneous consumer responses to sustainable products in e-commerce

On e-commerce platforms, sustainable products succeed or fail on a compressed product page where certification logos, benefit descriptions, and platform trust cues compete for attention. Retailers treat these cues as interchangeable signals, yet they address two different questio...

Evaluating mobile drip irrigation as a water-saving alternative to center pivot irrigation for large-scale alfalfa production

Mobile drip irrigation (MDI) has been proposed as a retrofit option to improve the water productivity of center pivot irrigation (CPI) for water-limited alfalfa production. However, how differences in root-zone soil water dynamics, inter-row soil evaporation, and short-term sap f...

Nor‐ seco ‐tremulane sesquiterpenoids from the endophyte fungus of Rhododendron capitatum : dual aphicidal and nematicidal activity with multi‐target toxic mechanisms

Abstract BACKGROUND Plant pests such as Acyrthosiphon pisum and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus pose destructive threats to crops and pine forests globally. Widespread application of synthetic pesticides has caused pest resistance and ecological risks, creating an urgent demand for ec...

Organic fertilizer substitution delays leaf senescence and improves source–sink balance in winter wheat under different precipitation types

Abstract BACKGROUND To elucidate the regulatory effects of organic fertilizer substitution on leaf senescence and source–sink relationships in dryland winter wheat under different precipitation types, a long‐term fertilization experiment was conducted in Heyang County, Shaanxi Pr...

Identification of a major locus controlling high-temperature tolerance in maize tassels

Abstract Background High-temperature stress severely affects maize production and leads to significant yield losses. Breeding maize varieties with enhanced high-temperature tolerance is an effective strategy to mitigate these adverse effects. Identifying quantitative trait loci (...

V 0 and V 1 domains of vacuolar H + ‐ ATPase play distinct roles in cadmium tolerance of Broussonetia papyrifera

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses a major threat to forest ecosystems, and Broussonetia papyrifera is a promising woody species with strong Cd tolerance and accumulation capacity. Vacuolar H + ‐ATPase (V‐ATPase) is central to ion homeostasis and heavy metal detoxification...

Adoption of complementary green production technologies among Ethiopian smallholder farmers

Abstract BACKGROUND Green production technologies (GPTs) are essential for improving the ecological sustainability and economic efficiency of agriculture. However, evidence on the joint adoption, intensity of use, and knowledge of multiple GPTs remains limited in Ethiopia. This s...

Sustained Theaflavin-Releasing Multinetwork Aerogel Absorbent Pads with Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities for Meat Preservation

Abstract Conventional meat absorbent pads remove exudate but fail to control microbial growth and oxidative spoilage. Here, we developed a multinetwork bioactive aerogel loaded with theaflavins through the synergistic assembly of gelatin, Mg2+, glycyrrhizic acid, and theaflavins....

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of a green hypocotyl-marked male-sterile line for hybrid seed production in Solanum lycopersicum

Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) is a self‑pollinating crop that exhibits significant heterosis. While F1 hybrid seeds offer high uniformity and strong stress resistance, the scarcity of male‑sterile materials means that production still relies on manual emasculation and pollinati...

Pure Spin Photocurrent in an Altermagnetic Photovoltaic Battery

Abstract Altermagnets, featuring momentum-dependent spin splitting without net magnetization, provide a promising platform for spintronic functionalities beyond conventional ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. Here, we propose an altermagnetic spin photovoltaic battery consisting...

Nonlinear Responses of Anaerobic Methane Oxidation to Water Table Drawdown in Peatlands

Abstract Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) serves as a key methane (CH4) sink that attenuates methane emissions from peatlands. Climate change has induced widespread water table drawdown in peatlands, but the response of AOM to the water table depth (WTD) and the temperature s...

MdKIM1-MdMYB306 enhances apple resistance to Cytospora mali via brassinosteroid biosynthesis under sufficient potassium status

Potassium (K) supplementation enhances apple (Malus ×domestica) resistance to Cytospora mali, thereby reducing apple Cytospora canker occurrence in the field. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying this K-enhanced resistance remain largely unelucidated. Here, we found...

Fulvic acid and hydrogen sulfide synergistically mitigate chromium stress in tobacco seedlings by regulating oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant defense mechanisms

Chromium (Cr) toxicity poses a significant threat to crop growth and agricultural productivity. Fulvic acid (FA) and hydrogen sulfide (HS) have emerged as promising agents for mitigating metal-induced toxicity; however, their combined effects on physiological and biochemical resp...

Symbiont effectors modulate plant signalling to increase host stress resilience

Abstract Plant colonizing mutualistic symbionts confer beneficial effects to their hosts, which often includes increased growth, and biotic and abiotic stress resilience. How these benefits are activated on a molecular level is mostly unknown. Here, we describe effector candidate...

How to promote the positive effect of agricultural digitalization on rural households' income under agricultural land transfer?

Purpose This study aims to clarify the mechanism by which agricultural digitalization (AD) boosts rural household income (RHI) in the context of agricultural land transfer (ALT) and explores countermeasures to strengthen this positive enabling effect. Design/methodology/approach...

Polyol/Alkali System Drives In Situ Cell Wall Reconstruction for Bamboo Self-Bonding

Abstract Traditional bamboo bonding processes face challenges such as formaldehyde emissions, procedural complexity, and high costs. This study proposed a strategy for in situ reconstruction of bamboo cell walls using a polyol/alkali system to achieve bamboo bonding. First, an aq...