【Objective】 To select millet varieties with favorable agronomic traits and stronger adaptability,providing theoretical references for millet production in the dryland region of northern Shaanxi. 【Methods】 Over three consecutive years（2022—2024）,the growth period and morphological characteristics of 20 millet varieties were observed,their agronomic traits were subjected to variation analysis,correlation analysis,and principal component analysis,and the adaptability was evaluated using the membership functions. 【Results】 Significant differences were observed in the growth periods of the 20 millet varieties,with the growth days ranging from 111 to 145 d. In the variance analysis,the coefficient of variation for 1 000-grain weight was the smallest（5.19%）,while the coefficient of variation for yield was the largest（37.70%）. The correlation analysis revealed that yield was significantly positively correlated with panicle length,grain weight per panicle,and single panicle weight（P<0.05）;grain weight per panicle showed significant positive correlations with panicle length and panicle diameter（P<0.05）;single panicle weight was significantly positively correlated with panicle length,panicle diameter,and grain weight per panicle（P<0.05）;the 1 000-grain weight was significantly positively correlated with grain weight per panicle and single panicle weight（P<0.05）. In the principal component analysis,the cumulative contribution rate of the first two principal components was 70.75%,with yield and panicle traits having the highest effect. The membership function evaluation results indicated that the varieties Liangyouzhonggu No. 5,Chigu No. 16,Jinqiang,Jingu No. 60,Aogu No. 8,Jingu No. 59,Longzhaojiugu,and Shipaogu had strong adaptability. 【Conclusion】 The comprehensive evaluation selected eight varieties：Liangyouzhonggu No. 5,Chigu No. 16,Jinqiang,Jingu No. 60,Aogu No. 8,Jingu No. 59,Longzhaojiugu,and Shipaogu,which are suitable for cultivation in the dryland region of northern Shaanxi.

【Objective】 To identify the members of WRKY transcription factor family of Ricinus communis,and provide a basis for further studies of the functions,evolution,and molecular breeding of the WRKY gene family members of R. communis. 【Methods】 Bioinformatics approaches were applied to analyze the physicochemical properties,secondary structures,conserved motifs,phylogenetic tree analysis,gene expression differences,and promoter cis-acting elements of proteins of WRKY transcription factor family members of R. communis. 【Results】 A total of 58 genes were identified in the WRKY gene family of R. communis. Analyses of physicochemical properties and secondary structure indicated that most proteins in WRKY transcription factor gene family were basic and hydrophilic proteins,and the secondary structure consists mainly of random coils. Protein conserved motif analysis showed that Motif1 and Motif2 accounted for a relatively high proportion. Phylogenetic tree analysis classified these proteins into nine subfamilies,and most subfamilies contained WRKY proteins of both R. communis and Arabidopsis thaliana. Gene expression difference analysis revealed that most of WRKY genes were expressed at least at one stage during R. communis development. Quantitative real-time analysis results indicated that the expression levels of three genes in leaves were lower than those in flowers and in seeds at 50 d. RcWRKY31 was almost not expressed in leaves,and RcWRKY57 showed relatively low expression in seeds at 25 d. These findings indicated that members of the same gene family exhibit certain differences in expression among R. communis leaves,flowers,and seeds. Promoter analysis showed that the promoter regions of WRKY gene family contain 12 cis-acting elements responsive to both biotic and abiotic stresses. 【Conclusion】 A total of 58 WRKY genes are identified in R. communis. These genes are involved in complex stress response and growth and development regulatory processes,thereby helping R. communis to cope with the adverse effects from environmental stresses and its own growth.

Plant seed size is a core determinant of crop yield,and its development is coordinately regulated by genetic information from both maternal and zygotic tissues. To date,several core pathways have been identified,including ubiquitin-proteasome,MAPK（mitogen-activated protein kinase） signaling,transcription factor regulatory pathway,G（guanosine triphosphate） protein signaling,IKU,and plant hormone. This paper reviews the research progress on molecular regulatory pathways of seed size in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa,elaborates on the functions,action mechanisms,and pathway interactions of key factors in the two major categories of regulatory pathways：maternal and zygotic tissues,and discusses the future research directions of molecular pathways of plant seed size,aiming to provide new insights for further refining the molecular mechanisms of seed size regulation.

【Objective】 To investigate the dynamic changes in sugar content and sucrose-metabolizing enzyme activities during watermelon fruit development at different sowing times,and to provide a reference for high-quality cultivation and quality improvement of watermelon. 【Methods】 The watermelon variety Qianli No. 4 was used as the experimental material. A spring experiment（sowing time Ⅰ and sowing time Ⅱ）and autumn experiment（sowing time Ⅲ and sowing time Ⅳ）were set. Fruit sugar content and sucrose-metabolizing enzyme activities were measured at different days after pollination. 【Results】 Glucose content was highest at 20 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅰ,26 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅱ,35 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅲ,and 26 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅳ （39.67,46.94,33.12,and 29.01 mg/g,respectively）. Fructose content was highest at 23 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅰ,29 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅱ,44 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅲ,and 44 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅳ（76.37,66.33,65.83,and 70.00 mg/g,respectively）. Sucrose content was highest at 29 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅰ,29 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅱ,44 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅲ,and 41 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅳ（64.57,43.61,38.63,and 38.54 mg/g,respectively）. Total sugar content was highest at 29 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅰ,29 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅱ,44 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅲ,and 41 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅳ（153.20,141.93,118.25,and 119.15 mg/g,respectively）. The activity of neutral invertase（NI） was highest at 26 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅰ,14 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅱ,44 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅲ,and 23 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅳ [1 757.33,1 837.93,1 607.89,and 1 890.57 μg/（min·g）,respectively]. The activity of acid invertase（AI）was highest at 23 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅰ,7 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅱ,38 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅲ,and 23 d after pollination in sowing time Ⅳ [1 645.44,1 541.99,1 404.88,and 1 604.70 μg/（min·g）,respectively]. In both spring and autumn fruits,the contents of sucrose,glucose,fructose,and total sugar were significantly or extremely significantly correlated with the activity of sucrose phosphate synthase（SPS）,sucrose synthase[（synthetic direction）,SSs],sucrose synthase[（cleavage direction）,SSc）],and the net activity of sucrose-metabolizing enzymes（P<0.05 or P<0.01）. 【Conclusion】 For watermelon fruits at different sowing times,fructose content is higher during the development stages,glucose content is higher at the early development stages,sucrose content is higher at the late development stages,and total sugar and glucose contents are higher in spring than in autumn;the activities of sucrose-metabolizing enzymes show fluctuating changes,and all invertase activities were higher. The differences in fruit sugar accumulation are related to the activities of sucrose-metabolizing enzymes.

【Objective】 To determine the optimal water and nitrogen ratio for mixed sowing of the leguminous green manure crop Vicia villosa and Avena sativa in field cultivation. 【Methods】 A randomized block design was adopted. Three irrigation levels （450,600,750 m³/hm²） were established,and three nitrogen application levels （0,45,90 kg/hm²） were set for each irrigation level,resulting in a total of nine water and nitrogen ratio treatments. The yield and quality of the mixed crops,and soil moisture,changes in physicochemical properties,and water and nitrogen use efficiency in the 0-100 cm soil layer under different water and nitrogen ratios were monitored. 【Results】 With the increase in soil layer depth,soil water storage amount first increased and then decreased,and the maximum value tended to shift to deeper soil layers with the increase in irrigation amount. During the growth period of mixed sowing of V. villosa and A. sativa,the maximum water consumption amount occurred in the 20-40 cm soil layer. The fresh forage yield and dry forage yield of the SF6 treatment （600 m³/hm² water+90 kg/hm² nitrogen） were the highest,with values of 42 965.00 and 14 990.00 kg/hm²,respectively;the water use efficiency （52.43%） was significantly higher than that of other treatments （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in nitrogen agronomic efficiency among different treatments （P>0.05）,but the nitrogen agronomic efficiency of the low nitrogen application treatments （SF2,SF5,SF8;average 36.33 kg/kg） was higher than that of the high nitrogen application treatments （SF3,SF6,SF9;average 22.67 kg/kg）. Compared with other treatments,the crude fat and crude protein contents of the mixed crops under the SF6 treatment were higher （4.96% and 15.45%,respectively）,while the neutral detergent fiber and crude ash contents were lower （55.76% and 7.39%,respectively）. 【Conclusion】 An irrigation amount of 600 m³/hm² and a nitrogen application amount of 90 kg/hm² are the optimal water and nitrogen ratio for mixed sowing of V. villosa and A. sativa. Under this condition,soil nutrient content,crop yield,and water use efficiency are improved,which is more favorable to increasing crude fat and crude protein contents and reducing neutral detergent fiber and crude ash contents of the mixed crops.

【Objective】 To explore the effects of different fertilization measures on soil fertility and crop yield during crop rotation cycles in the northern foothills of the Yinshan Mountains,Inner Mongolia. 【Methods】 From 2022 to 2024,four treatments were set：chemical fertilizer only（CK）,chemical fertilizer+organic fertilizer（M）,chemical fertilizer+straw（S）,and chemical fertilizer+green manure（G）. Under the conditions of a three-year fixed-plot rotation of potato-sunflower-oat,the effects of different fertilization measures on soil fertility were analyzed using soil physical and chemical properties combined with the fuzzy mathematics comprehensive evaluation method. The effects on crop productivity were analyzed using crop production energy. 【Results】 All different fertilization treatments affected soil physical and chemical properties,with the M treatment having the greatest effect. Compared with CK,the soil bulk density of the M treatment decreased by 6.37%-8.55%,the pH value decreased by 0.28-0.34,and the soil organic matter,alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen,available phosphorus,and available potassium contents increased by 35.61%-44.59%,23.47%-42.22%,40.84%-51.86%,and 26.77%-52.08%,respectively. In 2024,the integrated fertility index（IFI） of soil under M treatment was 0.83,reaching soil fertility of GradeⅠ,while both S and G treatments reached GradeⅡ. From 2022 to 2024,the potato yield was M>S>G>CK,and sunflower and oat yields was M>G>S>CK. The yield of the M treatment increased by 12.28%-29.65% compared with CK,with significant differences（P<0.05）. The total crop production energy over the three years was M>G>S>CK,and the M,S,and G treatments significantly increased by 28.28%,13.29%,and 15.24%,respectively,compared with CK（P<0.05）. 【Conclusion】 The combined application of chemical fertilizers and organic materials can improve soil organic matter and nutrient contents to a certain extent,thereby increasing crop yield,and the chemical fertilizer+organic fertilizer treatment performs the best.

【Objective】 To clarify the effects of different fertilization methods on the growth of sweet sorghum,soil physical properties,and soil organic carbon storage in the Loess Plateau region of eastern Gansu. 【Methods】 The experiment was conducted in Jingchuan County,Pingliang City,Gansu Province. A two-factor split-plot design was used. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied as the main plot with four nitrogen levels （T0,T100,T200,T300）. Organic fertilizer was applied as the subplot and two levels were set：combined application （T0Y,T100Y,T200Y,T300Y） and non-application. Naturally growing native alfalfa was set as the control （CK）. The effects of different fertilization treatments on sweet sorghum growth indicators,fresh biomass yield,root fresh weight,root dry weight,survival rate,and soil bulk density,total porosity,density,and organic carbon storage in the 0-80 cm soil layer were analyzed. 【Results】 Compared with T0 treatment,combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly affected plant height,maximum leaf length,and maximum leaf width of sweet sorghum. Among them,the T200Y treatment had the highest plant height of 412.60 cm; the T100Y treatment had the longest maximum leaf length of 112.91 cm; and the T300Y treatment had the widest maximum leaf width of 9.70 cm. The fresh biomass yield,root fresh weight,root dry weight,and survival rate of the T200Y treatment were the highest,with values of 110.66 t/hm²,16.34 t/hm²,6.03 t/hm²,and 94.00%,respectively,and all were significantly higher than other treatments （P<0.05）. Compared with CK and T0 treatments,combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers decreased soil bulk density and density,and increased total porosity. Under the T200Y treatment,the soil bulk density and soil density in the 0-20 cm layer were lower,and the total porosity was higher,with values of 1.12 g/cm³,2.28 g/cm³,and 53.33%,respectively. The T200Y treatment had the highest soil organic carbon storage in the 0-20,20-40,and 40-60 cm soil layers,with values of 30.96,27.54,and 24.25 t/hm²,respectively,which were increased by 5.0%,3.7%,and 1.1% compared with T0 treatment. 【Conclusion】 Under the treatment of 200 kg N/hm² combined with organic fertilizer,the fresh biomass yield,root fresh weight,root dry weight,and survival rate of sweet sorghum are significantly improved,the soil structure is effectively improved,and the soil organic carbon storage is increased,making it suitable for promotion and application in sweet sorghum cultivation.

【Objective】 To systematically optimize the fermentation and preservation processes of Bacillus velezensis LU4 with high-efficiency cellulase degradation activity. 【Methods】 Single-factor experiments and response surface analysis method were used to jointly optimize enzyme-producing conditions and determine the optimal fermentation parameters of the strain. To address the problem of contamination during storage of liquid microbial agents,a preservative screening experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of five preservatives（sodium diacetate,methyl paraben,dehydroacetic acid,sodium benzoate,and potassium sorbate）on viable bacterial counts and spore content in the fermentation broth. 【Results】 The optimal fermentation parameters obtained by response surface analysis method were fermentation time of 23 h,fermentation temperature of 23 ℃,inoculum size of strain LU4 of 3%,and initial pH value of 5. Under these conditions,the activity of carboxymethyl cellulase （CMCase） reached 74.268 U/mL,which was significantly higher than that before optimization. Potassium sorbate was the most suitable preservative. Its optimal application conditions were culture media pH value of 6 and an addition amount of 0.1%. After storage of the fermentation broth at 30 ℃ and 170 r/min for 30 d,the viable bacterial count was 4.83×10¹⁰ CFU/mL and the spore content was 4.20×10⁹ CFU/mL. This treatment could effectively control contamination by contaminating bacteria and had the least effect on strain growth. 【Conclusion】 The optimal fermentation parameters of B. velezensis LU4 are fermentation time 23 h,fermentation temperature 23 ℃,inoculum size 3%,and initial pH value 5,under which CMCase activity reached the highest level. When the pH value is adjusted to 6,and 0.1% potassium sorbate was added,contamination by miscellaneous contaminating bacteria can be effectively controlled,and the inhibitory effect on the growth of strain LU4 is the least.

【Objective】 To identify the pathogen causing Pythium root rot of tomato in Inner Mongolia,providing theoretical reference for accurate identification and scientific control of soil-borne diseases in greenhouse tomatoes in the region. 【Methods】 A total of 47 samples of greenhouse tomato seedlings with wilting of aboveground parts,black lesions at the stem base,and plant collapse and wilting were collected from three sites in Hohhot and Baotou,Inner Mongolia. Tissue isolation methods were used to isolate and purify the pathogen. Morphological and molecular biological techniques were employed for pathogen identification. Pathogenicity tests and re-isolation of the pathogen were conducted. 【Results】 A total of 21 isolates were purified and obtained from the 47 samples. On PDA medium,these isolates produced well-developed white aerial mycelium. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of oospores,oogonia,and antheridia,which were consistent with morphological characteristics of the Pythium. Further sequencing of the ITS and β-tubulin,followed by phylogenetic tree construction showed more than 99% homology when compared with the sequence of Pythium aphanidermatum. P. aphanidermatum was re-isolated and identified from artificially inoculated diseased plants,validating Koch′s postulates and confirming that the isolated P. aphanidermatum was the causal pathogen Pythium root rot of tomato. 【Conclusion】 P. aphanidermatum is the pathogen responsible for Pythium root rot of tomato in Inner Mongolia.

【Objective】 To analyze pollen viability and stigma receptivity of different Dahlia pinnata varieties,and to provide methods and a basis for parent selection in D. pinnata hybrid breeding. 【Methods】 Seventeen D. pinnata varieties were used as experimental materials. Among them,Genoa was used as a model variety for the screening of the pollen viability detection method and the optimization of the in vitro germination cultivation system. Then,pollen viability and stigma receptivity were compared,and finally hybridization experiments were conducted for validation. 【Results】 The in vitro germination method clearly showed pollen tube elongation in some of pollen grains,and could effectively distinguish viable from non-viable pollen. The optimal culture conditions were 25 ℃,3 h,and pH vaule 6.0,and the optimal culture medium was PEG 4000 20 g/L+sucrose 150 g/L+boric acid 50 mg/L+calcium chloride 80 mg/L. Among the 17 D. pinnata varieties,Genoa was a high-viability variety（germination rate≥50%）,and Lindsay Mitchell was a medium-viability variety（10%<germination rate<50%）. The tubular florets of Local Dahlia,Double Jill,Motto,Sir Alf,and Genoa showed extremely strong stigma receptivity,and all were rated as ++++. Two-way ANOVA showed that the main effects of pollen germination rate and stigma receptivity on seed-setting rate were extremely significant（P<0.001）. Double Jill×Genoa had the highest seed-setting rate（36.67%）,and Motto×Lindsay Mitchell was higher （31.67%）. 【Conclusion】 In D. pinnata hybrid breeding,materials with high pollen viability should be preferentially selected as male parents,and materials with extremely strong stigma receptivity should be used as female parents. The combinations Double Jill×Genoa and Motto×Lindsay Mitchell can improve hybrid success rates and are better parental combinations.

Research on grape genetic linkage maps is a crucial step in elucidating the relationships between important grape traits and molecular markers, and is also the basis for systematic studies of the genome and molecular marker-assisted breeding. At present, substantial progress has been made in the research on grape genetic linkage maps both domestically and internationally,such as QTL mapping for important traits including grape phenological stages,growth traits,berry firmness,berry size,berry skin color,berry aroma,seed number,phylloxera resistance,and downy mildew resistance. This paper reviews the construction of grape genetic linkage maps and QTL mapping for major agronomic traits and related studies over the past 20 years both domestically and internationally. It also analyzes the existing problems in grape genetic linkage map research and discusses future research directions. The aim is to provide a reference for identifying genes associated with important agronomic traits and for conducting molecular marker-assisted breeding of grape.

【Objective】 To clarify the dynamic growth response of peanut sprouts to temperature changes and to provide a reference for peanut sprout production. 【Methods】 Luhua No. 8,Yuhua 155,Yuhua 9326,and Yuhua 9719 were used as experimental materials. They were cultivated in darkness at environmental temperatures of 20,25,and 30 ℃. From the day of germination to flowering of peanut sprouts,hypocotyl length and fresh weight,radicle length and fresh weight,and radicle number were measured,and the length root to shoot ratio and the fresh weight root to shoot ratio were calculated. 【Results】 At 20,25,and 30 ℃,the growth time of each peanut sprout variety to flowering was 132,108,and 84 h,respectively. At flowering of each peanut sprout variety,the environmental temperatures for hypocotyl length （from high to low）was 25 ℃>30 ℃>20 ℃,while the hypocotyl fresh weight was 25 ℃>30 ℃>20 ℃. The environmental temperatures for radicle length（from high to low）of Luhua No. 8,Yuhua 155,and Yuhua 9326 were 25 ℃>30 ℃>20 ℃,and Yuhua 9719 was 25 ℃>20 ℃>30 ℃. Radicle fresh weight of Luhua No. 8,Yuhua 9326,and Yuhua 9719 were 25 ℃>30 ℃>20 ℃,while Yuhua 155 was 30 ℃>25 ℃>20 ℃. The radicle numbers of Luhua No. 8 and Yuhua 9326 were 30 ℃>25 ℃>20 ℃,while Yuhua 155 and Yuhua 9719 were 25 ℃>30 ℃>20 ℃. The environmental temperatures for length root to shoot ratio（from high to low） of Luhua No. 8,Yuhua 155,and Yuhua 9326 were 20 ℃>30 ℃>25 ℃,while Yuhua 9719 was 20 ℃>25 ℃>30 ℃. Fresh weight root to shoot ratio of Luhua No. 8 was 30 ℃>25 ℃>20 ℃,Yuhua 155 and Yuhua 9326 were 30 ℃>20 ℃>25 ℃,and Yuhua 9719 was 20 ℃>25 ℃>30 ℃. Correlation analysis showed that all growth traits of peanut sprouts were extremely significantly positively correlated at 20,25,and 30 ℃（P<0.01）. The correlation coefficients at 20 ℃ were 0.968 5 to 0.994 9,the correlation coefficients at 25 ℃ were 0.952 7 to 0.998 4,and the correlation coefficients at 30 ℃ were 0.976 9 to 0.997 9. 【Conclusion】 An environmental temperature of 25 ℃ can ensure optimal dynamic growth advantages for hypocotyl length,hypocotyl fresh weight,radicle length,radicle fresh weight,radicle number,length root to shoot ratio,and fresh weight root to shoot ratio of peanut sprouts.