Field Crops Research最新文献

{"title":"Long-term plastic film mulching increased maize yield and water use efficiency","authors":"Linrong Han ,&nbsp;Yuling Li ,&nbsp;Jun Zhu ,&nbsp;Zhongke Zhou ,&nbsp;Wucheng Zhao ,&nbsp;Yifan Yang ,&nbsp;Wenjuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Xuetong Zhang ,&nbsp;Feng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110105","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110105","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The Loess Plateau plays an important role in ensuring food security in China. In the past few decades, the plastic film mulching (PFM) system has been widely used in the Loess Plateau, but whether PFM technology can maintain the stability of yield and the sustainability of soil water in the Loess Plateau remains uncertain.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To clarify whether PFM technology can maintain yield stability and soil water sustainability in the Loess Plateau, and reveal the effects of PFM on water use, yield, and regional water balance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using a 12-year field experiment (2012–2023), meta-analysis, and data-driven modeling, we demonstrated the following.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>(1) In the Loess Plateau, compared to the CK treatment, PFM and film mulching with nutrient management (PFM+N) significantly improved both water use efficiency (WUE; +28 %, +31 %, respectively) and yield (+21 %, +33 %) in maize, and PFM+N synergistically enhanced yield stability (coefficient of variation 32.36 %) and sustainability (Sustainability Yield Index 0.5). (2) Future climate scenario simulations revealed that from 2021 to 2040, both CK and PFM treatments showed an increasing trend in the proportion of water-deficit areas across the Loess Plateau. However, PFM demonstrated critical compensatory advantages by improving precipitation use efficiency and optimizing annual soil moisture redistribution, effectively alleviating regional water imbalance. (3) Spatial analysis using data-driven models further indicated that PFM mitigated water deficits in the central, western, and northern regions (which have relatively low precipitation) through reduced evapotranspiration losses, whereas in southern areas characterized by relatively high precipitation, non-mulching practices proved more ecologically sustainable because excessive PFM use would disrupt natural hydrological cycles. while non-mulching practices proved more ecologically sustainable in southern areas where excessive PFM use could disrupt natural hydrological cycles.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Overall, the PFM system effectively alleviated the overall water consumption of the Loess Plateau, significantly increased WUE and maize yield, and, of great significance to sustainable development, the effect was best in low rainfall areas (Northwest of the Loess Plateau. Growing season precipitation: &lt;250 mm; non-cropped precipitation:&lt;200 mm). In the long run, PFM could effectively ensure water resource sustainability in the Loess Plateau, thereby laying a solid foundation for sustainable agricultural development in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110105"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144858198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Light-hormone crosstalk modulates vegetative branching and yield stability in dual-planting cotton systems","authors":"Jingyuan Zhou ,&nbsp;Ziqing Hua ,&nbsp;Yanjun Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhenhuai Li ,&nbsp;Shizhen Xu ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Tian ,&nbsp;Hezhong Dong ,&nbsp;Zhaohu Li","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Dual-planting systems, characterized by retaining two seedlings per hole, offer a labor-efficient strategy for cotton cultivation by suppressing vegetative branching (VB) without compromising yield. However, the mechanisms underlying VB inhibition and yield stability remain poorly resolved.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This study integrates ecological, physiological, and molecular approaches to unravel how light-hormone crosstalk modulates branching plasticity in dual-planting cotton. Field trials comparing single- (1S) and dual-planting (2S) systems were conducted over two seasons, coupled with canopy microclimate analysis, stable isotope (¹³C) tracing, transcriptomics, and hormonal profiling.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Results demonstrated that dual-planting reduced VB-sourced boll density by 56.3 % while increasing fruiting branch (FB)-sourced yield by 12.9 %, maintaining total seed cotton yield parity with 1S. Canopy restructuring under 2S lowered photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and red/far-red (R/FR) ratios at VB positions by 45.5–55.6 % and 38.4 %, respectively, intensifying light competition. This activated the phyB-PIFs-BRC1 signaling axis, triggering hormonal reconfiguration: suppressed auxin (IAA; 22.1 %) and cytokinin (CTKs; 24.3–52.2 %) levels alongside elevated jasmonate (JA; 49.7 %) and abscisic acid (ABA; 27.8 %). VB biomass correlated positively with PAR and growth-promoting hormones (IAA, CTKs) but negatively with ABA. Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes (<em>GhLHCB</em>, <em>GhPHYB</em>) and growth-promoting pathways (<em>GhYUC8</em>, <em>GhIPT1</em>), alongside upregulation of stress-responsive genes (<em>GhLOX1</em>, <em>GhPYL9</em>). Concurrently, ¹³C tracing showed preferential photoassimilate allocation to FBs, enhancing fiber quality (7.3 % longer, 12.4 % stronger fibers) without yield loss.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings establish a tripartite regulatory framework linking canopy ecology, hormonal dynamics, and light signaling to optimize resource partitioning. By elucidating the molecular basis of branching plasticity, this work provides actionable insights into breeding shade-resilient cultivars and refining high-density planting systems, advancing sustainable cotton production under labor-constrained scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110103"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144841318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) growth in paddy fields improved the appearance quality of rice but greatly deteriorated its taste","authors":"Liquan Jing ,&nbsp;Yu Su ,&nbsp;Yihan Zhao ,&nbsp;Yang Cai ,&nbsp;Mingyue Sun ,&nbsp;Fucheng Zhao ,&nbsp;Jianye Huang ,&nbsp;Lianxin Yang ,&nbsp;Yunxia Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>The prevalence of duckweed (<em>Lemna minor</em> L<em>.</em>) growth in paddy fields (DGP) has escalated in recent years, potentially due to climate warming and the eutrophication of irrigation water. However, limited attention has been paid to its significant impact on rice production, particularly with regard to rice quality.</div></div><div><h3>Objective or research question</h3><div>A field experiment at two locations was conducted to evaluate the influence of DGP on grain quality and elucidate its possible reasons.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Three rice cultivars (JFY2, NJ5055, and YY1540) were cultivated in both control and DGP plots throughout the entire rice growing seasons. The grain quality traits, as well as the pasting and thermal properties of rice flour, were assessed alongside ecological factors related to paddy water.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>DGP notably enhanced the appearance quality of rice grains by reducing the chalky grain rate, chalkiness degree, and chalkiness area by 25.1 %, 34.4 %, and 13.1 %, respectively. Conversely, DGP reduced the breakdown, gel consistency, and Δ<em>H</em>gel of rice by 10.0 %, 10.2 %, and 14.1 %, respectively, leading to an 8.0 % decrease in the taste quality of cooked rice. DGP had no significant effect on the processing and nutritional quality of rice grain, including protein and amylose contents, phytic acid, and the bioavailability of mineral elements, but increased the milled rice yield (7.8 %). DGP-induced reductions in daytime temperature (-0.94 ℃), diurnal temperature difference (-0.88 ℃), and pH (-0.4) of paddy water could enhance the appearance quality of rice. The significant deterioration in rice palatability may be primarily attributed to the latter two factors rather than the changes in protein and amylose contents.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>DGP significantly altered the ecological factors of paddy water, thereby improving the appearance quality of rice but greatly deteriorating its taste.</div></div><div><h3>Implications or significance</h3><div>The findings support sustainable rice production through rice-duckweed collaboration, providing a basis for better understanding the response of paddy field ecosystems to future climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110099"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144841338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling perennial sugarcane growth with the STICS soil-crop model in contrasted environments: Assessment of accuracy and robustness","authors":"Lelenda Florent Kebalo ,&nbsp;Antoine Versini ,&nbsp;Jean-Christophe Soulie ,&nbsp;Marion Ramos ,&nbsp;Léa Chevalier ,&nbsp;Maxime Chaput ,&nbsp;Mathias Christina","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sugarcane holds significant economic importance due to its role in bioenergy and sugar production worldwide. However, as global demand increases, research is needed to identify the best management practices for sustainable yield improvement, and modeling approaches can be helpful. Our study aimed to parameterize and validate the STICS soil-crop model for sugarcane growth in an extensive range of environments. This model is not sugarcane specific but allows for the simulation of all the components of the carbon and nitrogen cycles and is useful for many research studies. The parameterization dataset included 20 crop cycles with Reunion Island varieties (mainly R570), and the validation dataset included 62 crop cycles with R570 variety and 158 crop cycles with 30 international varieties. The model was parameterized with belowground (root length, biomass, and perennial reserve) and aboveground variables, including leaf area index, intercepted radiation, and biomass components (stem, leaves). Validation was performed on aboveground variables. The model satisfactorily simulated all aboveground variables except for leaf area and mass, which were less accurately simulated. Despite being parameterized only on Reunion Island varieties, the model was robust enough to simulate some aboveground biomass at harvest for many international varieties. Additionally, the climatic domain of validity of the model was evaluated, and error on biomass at harvest increased for both high and low-yielded environments (high or low water availability and temperature), indicating that future improvements could be carried out in a complementary work. The STICS model can be used with good robustness to simulate sugarcane growth under similar varieties and pedoclimatic conditions, allowing exploration of management strategies that can boost productivity while maintaining the sustainability of cropping systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110100"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144830885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of agronomic and physiological traits in high rolling-resistance varieties for mechanized ratoon rice production","authors":"Xing Yu ,&nbsp;Yuan Guo ,&nbsp;Haitao Zhang ,&nbsp;Hongshun Xiang ,&nbsp;Guodong Yang ,&nbsp;Chang Zheng ,&nbsp;Zhenmei Wang ,&nbsp;Dongliang Xiong ,&nbsp;Jianliang Huang ,&nbsp;Shaobing Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Reducing yield loss of ratoon crop from rolling damage on stubble during mechanical harvesting of main crop is essential for the widespread adoption of mechanized ratoon rice.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>There is tremendous variation in rolling resistance among rice varieties, yet limited information is available on the agronomic and physiological traits underlying high rolling-resistant varieties for mechanized ratoon rice production.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to determine the rolling resistance of 12 widely cultivated varieties and their stubble agronomic and physiological traits in the main crop. The rolling resistance was evaluated by the grain yield of the ratoon crop after rolling the entire plot during the harvesting of the main crop.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Results indicated that four high rolling-resistant varieties produced a ratoon crop yield of 5.41 t ha⁻¹ under crushing damage, 35.8 % higher than the other varieties, primarily attributed to increased spikelets per panicle, grain weight, and dry matter accumulation. Significant differences were observed among varieties in stubble agronomic and physiological traits in the main crop. Specifically, high rolling-resistant varieties had higher stubble non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration at maturity, as well as greater internode diameter, culm wall thickness, and breaking resistance of the 4th internode from top during the grain-filling period of the main crop compared to the other varieties.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our results suggest that the key traits associated with high rolling resistance include stubble NSC concentration and culm physical strength at the reproductive stage of the main crop.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Therefore, varietal selection and optimizing crop management practices to improve stubble agronomic and physiological traits of the main crop are critical for reducing the yield loss of the ratoon crop in mechanized ratoon rice production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110098"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144827573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bridging yield gaps in rice production through integrated crop and nutrient management with farmer groups","authors":"Hasil Sembiring ,&nbsp;Setia Sari Girsang ,&nbsp;Arif Anshori ,&nbsp;Erythrina Erythrina ,&nbsp;Pepi Nur Susilawati ,&nbsp;Andy Bhermana ,&nbsp;Yohanis Ngongo ,&nbsp;Sidiq Hanapi ,&nbsp;Darojat Prawiranegara ,&nbsp;Nuning A. Subekti ,&nbsp;Priatna Sasmita ,&nbsp;Irish Lorraine B. Pabuayon ,&nbsp;Rowena L. Castillo ,&nbsp;Zulkifli Zaini ,&nbsp;Roland J. Buresh","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110091","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110091","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>Studies have shown that rice yields in Asia can be further increased, but achieving higher yields with high efficiencies of resource use will require the development and use of management practices customized to reduce the specific yield-limiting constraints of farmers.</div></div><div><h3>Objective or research question</h3><div>We hypothesized that farmers’ yields could be increased to an attainable target through participation of technical experts with farmer groups to identify and implement a group-specific integrated crop and nutrient management practice (ICNM), which combined an improved rice variety, optimum population of transplanted rice, and one site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) practice designed to achieve sufficient spikelets for the target yield.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The ICNM of one farmer group was compared to the farmer’s management practices (FMP) of an adjacent farmer group at three locations with irrigated rice, two locations with rainfed lowland rice, and two locations in rainfed tidal swamps in Indonesia. Each group had 14–55 farmers. Yield gaps were estimated from the difference between yield potential — simulated using actual weather conditions at each location — and the yield measured for each farmer.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The FMP yields averaged 63–69 % of yield potential for IR 64 at irrigated locations and 53–60 % of water-limited yield potential for IR 64 at rainfed locations. The ICNM increased yield compared to FMP by about 20 % at each location, largely through an increase in panicles and spikelets per panicle. With ICNM, &gt; 40 % of farmers attained ≥ 80 % of yield potential at each irrigated location and &gt; 40 % of farmers attained ≥ 70 % of the water-limited yield potential at three of the four rainfed locations. The ICNM increased costs for fertilizer, seed, nursery management, and transplanting by an average sum total of USD 53 ha^–1, but ICNM reduced use of insecticide and fungicide. With ICNM, pesticide use was reduced by an average of two applications resulting in an average savings of USD 23 ha^–1. The ICNM reduced yield-scaled costs, and the added net benefit with ICNM averaged 307 USD ha^–1.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>One SSNM practice — agreed upon by a farmer group and then used by farmers in the group — combined with an adapted rice variety and adequate plant population increased yield and income, while achieving for many of the farmers a targeted fraction of simulated yield potential.</div></div><div><h3>Implications or significance</h3><div>The participatory development with a farmer group of one group-specific ICNM practice and the subsequent use of the ICNM practice by members in the farmer group provides a promising approach for closing yield gaps in Asian rice production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110091"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nitrogen fertilizer accelerated silk growth and increased grain yield of maize under low light stress","authors":"Wenwen Han ,&nbsp;Yarong Zhang ,&nbsp;Jianhong Ren,&nbsp;Xinru Zhang,&nbsp;Zhiyi Tang,&nbsp;Zhihua Wu,&nbsp;Lingxin Shi,&nbsp;Guangzhou Liu,&nbsp;Dahong Bian,&nbsp;Yanhong Cui,&nbsp;Xiong Du,&nbsp;Zhen Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Low light stress has become a major limiting factor for maize yield, with particularly detrimental effects during the flowering stage. As an essential nutrient, nitrogen not only enhances photosynthetic efficiency but also plays a key role in regulating plant physiological processes and alleviating abiotic stress. However, the mechanism by which nitrogen topdressing alleviates low light stress during maize flowering remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aims to investigate the physiological mechanism of nitrogen topdressing in alleviating the adverse effects of low light stress during the flowering stage on maize growth, development, and yield formation under different densities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A split-plot experimental design was employed, with planting density as the main plot factor (45,000, 67,500, and 90,000 plants per hectare; D1, D2, and D3). Normal light and shading (75 ± 5 % light-blocking started at the tasseling stage and lasted for 6 days) were set as the subplot factor. Nitrogen fertilizer level served as the sub-subplot factor, including normal base fertilization (180 kg ha⁻¹) and increased nitrogen application (240 kg ha⁻¹) with 60 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen topdressed at the V14 stage (14th leaf was fully expended).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results showed that shading significantly inhibited net photosynthetic rate, dry matter accumulation, silk number, and kernel number per ear, especially under high density. The application of nitrogen topdressing, however, enhanced dry matter accumulation and its allocation to the ear, improved carbohydrate availability, and increased the contents of sucrose, fructose, glucose, and cellulose of silks. Additionally, nitrogen topdressing stimulated the activities of sucrose synthase and soluble acid invertase enzymes, maintained hormonal balance, and elevated levels of Zeatin and Gibberellin A3, thereby increasing the length and number of silks and enhancing vitality and length of trichomes on silks. These showed significant positive correlation with kernel number per ear. Finally, nitrogen topdressing increased kernel number per ear and yield by 18.1 %, 31.8 %, 51.9 % and 24.2 %, 36.6 %, 58.1 % under D1, D2, and D3, respectively, under shading conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Nitrogen topdressing mitigated the yield loss caused by low light stress during flowering by promoting silk growth and increasing kernel number per ear. This study provided a valuable management strategy for maize production under low light conditions, especially in high-density planting systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110093"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144770958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing rice yield, quality and nitrogen utilization through side-deep placement of nitrogen and zinc fertilizers","authors":"Haipeng Zhang,&nbsp;Kailiang Mi,&nbsp;Jie Chen,&nbsp;Peiyuan Cui,&nbsp;Hao Lu,&nbsp;Hongcheng Zhang,&nbsp;Yanju Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nitrogen (N) surface-broadcasting often leads to N loss, reducing N utilization and harming the environment. Side-deep fertilization can mitigate N loss and fertilizer use but may occasionally compromise rice yields due to variable N availability. Integrating zinc (Zn) with N fertilization enhances both N utilization and rice yields through synergistic N-Zn interactions. However, the combined effects of side-deep placement of N with Zn on rice grain yield, quality, and N utilization remain underexplored. Therefore, a two-year field trial was conducted in the Yangzhou district of Jiangsu province, China, with five treatments: control with no N input (CK), surface-broadcast N fertilizer (T1), surface-broadcast combined N and Zn fertilizer (T2), side-deep N fertilizer (T3), and side-deep combined N and Zn fertilizer (T4). Compared with T1, T2-T4 significantly increased rice yield by 4.6 %-7.1 %, driven by higher panicle numbers, spikelets per panicle, seed-setting rate, and 1000-grain weight. T2 and T4 also promoted greater biomass accumulation, increased leaf area index, and delayed leaf senescence during grain filling, boosting yield formation. Moreover, T4 significantly enhanced the activities of key photosynthetic enzymes (RubisCO, RuBPcase, GoGAT, GS, NR, and POD) by 23.2 %-54.0 % compared with T1. These increases were closely associated with improved N and Zn uptake, leading to higher photosynthetic efficiency. T4 also improved grain quality by increasing brown rice rate, milled rice rate, head rice rate, and taste value by 1.5 %-8.0 %, while reducing chalky grain percentage and chalkiness degree by 6.5 % and 15.9 %, respectively. Additionally, N recovery efficiency (NRE) and aboveground Zn accumulation increased by 19.7 % and 46.0 %, respectively. In conclusion, side-deep placement of N with Zn supplementation is a powerful agronomic strategy that enhances rice yield, improves grain quality, and optimizes N utilization. This practice is crucial for advancing high-quality, high-yield rice cultivation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110096"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144770946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Increased yield stability of U.S. Midwest maize hybrids released during the last 40 years of breeding","authors":"Brenda L. Gambin ,&nbsp;Slobodan Trifunovic ,&nbsp;Sotirios V. Archontoulis","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3><em>Context</em></h3><div>Yield stability is a desirable agronomic trait. While newer maize hybrids are considered more stable across environments than older ones, debate remains due to lack of consensus in assessing this trait and a lack of robust multi-environment datasets.</div></div><div><h3><em>Objectives</em></h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate yield stability in maize hybrids over time and its variation across environments.</div></div><div><h3><em>Methods</em></h3><div>Data included 39 hybrids released from 1980 to 2020, tested in 27 U.S. Midwest environments over three seasons (2020–2022). Because breeders seek hybrids with high mean yields and low variability across environments, linear mixed-effects models were applied to examine yield in relation to year of hybrid release, focusing on the yield deviation (variability around the regression line) instead of traditional slope-based metrics. The lower the deviation, the higher the stability. Self-organizing maps were used to visualize genotype-by-environment (GxE) patterns and stability trends.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Results indicated significant positive yield genetic gains (123 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹; p &lt; 0.001). Absolute yield deviation was not significantly affected by breeding. Relative yield deviation (i.e. deviation relative to the regression line) decreased at a rate of ∼1 % per decade (p &lt; 0.001), with this reduction being more pronounced in the less productive environments. Patterns of GxE reinforced the higher stability of newer hybrids and allowed the identification of superior and stable genotypes, highlighting opportunities to explore physiological traits driving this improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These results support the success of modern breeding programs in enhancing both productivity and resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110092"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144766924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative use of maize grain embryo extract and bioactive compounds to enhance salinity tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)","authors":"El-Sayed M. Desoky ,&nbsp;Enas M.W. Abdel-Hamed ,&nbsp;Taia A. Abd El‑Mageed ,&nbsp;Ali Majrashi ,&nbsp;Atef F. Ahmed ,&nbsp;Hoda M. Abou-Elsebaa ,&nbsp;Walid F.A. Mosa ,&nbsp;Ahmed M. Saad ,&nbsp;Mohamed T. El-Saadony ,&nbsp;Synan F. AbuQamar ,&nbsp;Khaled A. El-Tarabily ,&nbsp;Ahmed Shaaban","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110072","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110072","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Salinity stress severely reduces wheat growth and productivity by impairing photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and membrane integrity while inducing oxidative damage. This study assessed the effect of grain soaking (GS) using maize grain embryo extract (MGEE) combined with foliar spraying (FS) of gibberellic acid (GA₃), ascorbate (AsA), or selenium (Se), in improving wheat performance under salinity stress. Field trials were conducted over two consecutive winter seasons (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) on loamy saline soils (ECe: 7.55–7.61 dS m⁻¹) using a split-plot design within a randomized complete block arrangement with three replicates. Among all treatments, MGEE × FS-AsA consistently produced the greatest improvements across physiological, biochemical, anatomical, and yield-related traits. Compared to the untreated control (GS and FS with water), MGEE × FS-AsA increased net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance by 144 and 133%, and enhanced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents by 57 and 37%, respectively. Relative water content and membrane stability improved by 39 and 95%, while oxidative markers—electrolyte leakage, MDA, H₂O₂, and O₂^•⁻—decreased by 61, 71, 74, and 42%, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase and super oxide dismutase) rose by up to 107%, along with substantial increases in non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate, glutathione, and α-tocopherol). Osmolyte accumulation and anatomical traits, including midrib width and mesophyll thickness, increased by 212 and 89%, respectively. Yield attributes such as 1000-grain weight, grain yield per plant, and total yield increased by up to 111, 112, and 104%, respectively. These findings suggest MGEE priming with FS-AsA as a sustainable strategy to enhance wheat tolerance to salinity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 110072"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144766980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}