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Increasing planting density is regarded as one of the most effective strategies for enhancing wheat productivity. However, it also increases the risk of yield reduction owing to lodging. Preliminary findings suggest that border effects can improve lodging resistance in drip-irrigated wheat systems. Therefore, to maximize grain yield and lodging resistance, we modified the normal drilling sowing (P1, set as CK1) by expanding the border space (EBS) to 20 cm and obtained the corresponding EBS drilling sowing pattern of P2 (drilling sowing, EBS to 20 cm). We also modified the normal uniform sowing pattern (P3, set as CK2) by EBS to 20 cm and obtained the corresponding EBS uniform sowing pattern of P4 (uniform sowing, EBS to 20 cm). A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield performance of four sowing patterns (P1–P4) across four planting densities: 570 × 10 4 plants ha −1 (D1), 630 × 10 4 plants ha −1 (D2), 690 × 10 4 plants ha −1 (D3), and 750 × 10 4 plants ha −1 (D4). In both years, the grain yield for all patterns initially increased with planting density and then declined. Compared to P1 and P3, the EBS patterns (P2 and P4) exhibited improved tolerance to high planting densities. Among the tested treatments, P4 pattern achieved the highest grain yield (8576–8779 kg ha −1 ), water use efficiency (15.5–16.0 kg ha −1 mm −1 ), and economic return (1991–2058 US$ ha −1 ) at D3. EBS enhanced canopy photosynthesis, optimizing the mobilization of pre-anthesis assimilates stored in vegetative organs toward grains during the filling stage. This redistribution mechanism sustained a high grain weight and spike number under high-density conditions. Furthermore, the improved photosynthetic capacity enhanced stem strength, thereby reducing lodging risk and improving yield stability. Additionally, uniform sowing promoted synchronous development of wheat spikes and reduced harvest losses. Overall, P4 was recommended for high-density drip-irrigated spring wheat systems because of its superior yield performance, stability, water use efficiency, and economic benefits.

The application of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies with high water-saving effects for processing tomatoes is an important current research trend. In this study, we aimed to reveal the patterns of growth, yield, and irrigation water productivity (WPI) in response to the water deficit in processing tomatoes under drip irrigation and plastic mulching in Xinjiang. To determine a more precise irrigation regime, various degrees of RDI treatments were applied to processing tomatoes in 2022 and 2023. A total of five water gradients were set up: RI (Regular Irrigation; 4500 m3/ha), W1 (4185 m3/ha), W2 (3870 m3/ha), W3 (3555 m3/ha), and W4 (3240 m3/ha). The results revealed that under RI, the yield and irrigation water productivity were 142 t/ha and 31.49 kg/m3, respectively. Compared with RI, W1 exhibited an increase in yield and irrigation water productivity of 12.13% and 22.39%, respectively; however, other treatments exhibited a decrease. The main reasons for the increase in yield under the W1 treatment were: the W1 treatment, improved photosynthetic performance, increased dry matter accumulation, and improved soil moisture conditions, thus promoting plant growth and development. In addition, in terms of water regulation at various fertility stages, moderate water deficiency at the seedling stage (S), flowering stage (F), and maturity stage (M) and rewatering at the fruit expansion stage (E) were more conducive to optimizing the yield structure. In conclusion, considering plant growth status, dry matter accumulation, yield, and WPI, we suggested that the W1 treatment is the optimal RDI mode most suitable for drip irrigation under mulching for processing tomatoes in Xinjiang. This study provided a theoretical and technical basis for the promotion of “water-saving and efficiency-enhancing” production of processing tomatoes.

In this study, the differences in chlorophyll fluorescence transient (OJIP) and modulated 820 nm reflection (MR 820 ) of cucumber leaves were probed to demonstrate an insight into the precise influence of melatonin (MT) on cucumber photosystems under low temperature stress. We pre-treated cucumber seedlings with different levels of MT (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol · L -1 ) before imposing low temperature stress (10 °C/6 °C). The results indicated that moderate concentrations of MT had a positive effect on the growth of low temperature-stressed cucumber seedlings. Under low temperature stress conditions, 100 μmol · L -1 (MT 100) improved the performance of the active photosystem II (PSII) reaction centers (PIabs), the oxygen evolving complex activity (OEC centers) and electron transport between PSII and PSI, mainly by decreasing the L-band, K-band, and G-band, but showed differences with different duration of low temperature stress. In addition, these indicators related to quantum yield and energy flux of PSII regulated by MT indicated that MT (MT 100) effectively protected the electron transport and energy distribution in the photosystem. According to the results of W O-I ≥ 1 and MR 820 signals, MT also affected PSI activity. MT 100 decreased the minimal value of MR/MR O and the oxidation rate of plastocyanin (PC) and PSI reaction center (P700) ( V ox ), while increased △MR slow /MR O and deoxidation rates of PC + and P 700 + ( V red ). The loss of the slow phase of MT 200 and MT 400-treated plants in the MR 820 kinetics was due to the complete prevention of electron movement from PSII to re-reduce the PC + and P700 + . These results suggest that appropriate MT concentration (100 μmol · L -1 ) can improve the photosynthetic performance of PS II and electron transport from primary quinone electron acceptor (Q A ) to secondary quinone electron acceptor (Q B ), promote the balance of energy distribution, strengthen the connectivity of PSI and PSII, improve the electron flow of PSII via Q A to PC + and P 700 + from reaching PSI by regulating multiple sites of electron transport chain in photosynthesis, and increase the pool size and reduction rates of PSI in low temperature-stressed cucumber plants, All these modifications by MT 100 treatment promoted the photosynthetic electron transfer smoothly, and further restored the cucumber plant growth under low temperature stress. Therefore, we conclude that spraying MT at an appropriate concentration is beneficial for protecting the photosynthetic electron transport chain, while spraying high concentrations of MT has a negative effect on regulating the low temperature tolerance in cucumber.

Low temperature severely affects the growth of pomegranate in the early spring during the production process under protected cultivation. To understand the molecular responses to cold stress in Tunisian soft-seed pomegranate, this study investigated the transcriptome profiles and physiological changes of pomegranate leaves exposed to cold stress (6 °C) and freezing stress (0°C). Some potential cold response/resistance genes involved in plant hormone signal transduction, photosynthetic systems and carbon fixation in the C4 pathway, and sucrose and galactose metabolism were identified. In addition, an analysis of physiological indicators indicated that both stresses caused cell membrane damage; the accumulation of soluble sugar, soluble protein and proline; and the occurrence of photoinhibition owing to the damage in photosynthetic apparatus and the decrease in light energy conversion efficiency and electron transfer rate as shown by the decrease in net photosynthetic rate [Pn], potential maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII [Fv/Fm], actual photochemical efficiency of PSII [YII] and photochemical quenching coefficient [qP], and the effect was much moresevere in pomegranate under freezing stress. This study results offer useful information to understand the molecular mechanism of pomegranate response to cold stress and also lay a foundation for the selection of major candidate genes to conduct molecular breeding for cold tolerance in pomegranate.

Rational irrigation and nitrogen management strategies are crucial for wheat growth. However, the optimal amount of water and nitrogen for the newly developed drip irrigated spring wheat system (TR6S, one drip tube service for six rows of wheat, with a row spacing of 10 cm and an inter-block space of 25 cm, saves drip tubes and obtains higher profits) in dry and semi-arid areas remains unclear. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted with four nitrogen levels (300, 270, 240, and 0 kg ha −1 referred N300, N270, N240, and N0) and four irrigation levels (4500, 4200, 3900, and 3600 m 3 ha −1 referred I4500, I4200, I3900, and I3600) during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 spring wheat seasons to analyze the effects of irrigation (I) and nitrogen (N) levels on grain yield, water-nitrogen use efficiency, profit, biomass accumulation, and nitrogen nutrient absorption status under TR6S. Compared with the traditional irrigation and nitrogen management strategy (N300–I4500, as control), lesser irrigation and nitrogen supply (I<3979 m 3 ha −1 and N<273 kg ha −1 ) saved cost but led to lower grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), agronomic efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer (AEN), and profit. However, a moderate reduction in irrigation and nitrogen supply (4500 m 3 ha −1 >I>3979 m 3 ha −1 and 300 kg ha −1 >N>273 kg ha −1 ) improved grain yield, WUE, AEN, and profit. The increase in grain yield was mainly related to the rise in 1000-grain weight and kernels per spike. Although the moderate reduction in irrigation lowered soil moisture status, the dry matter pre-stored in the vegetative organs before anthesis that gets redistributed into grains during grain filling was improved. Moreover, the moderate reduction in nitrogen supply resulted in a more reasonable nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) of wheat plant, which improved flag leaf area and chlorophyll relative content (SPAD) at the anthesis stage. This also played a positive role in biomass accumulation and redistributed, yield structure optimization. Considering comprehensively yield, WUE, AEN and profit, combination of 285 kg ha −1 N and 4170 m 3 ha −1 I was optimal irrigation and nitrogen application pattern for TR6S. This strategy can be applied to other arid and semi-arid regions.

This study investigated the protective effects of exogenous ascorbic acid (AsA, 0.5 mmol·L−1) treatment on salt-induced photosystem inhibition in tomato seedlings under salt stress (NaCl, 100 mmol·L−1) conditions with and without the AsA inhibitor lycorine. Salt stress reduced the activities of photosystem II (PSII) and PSI. AsA treatment mitigated inhibition of the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), maximal P700 changes (Pm), the effective quantum yields of PSII and I [Y(II) and Y(I)], and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) values under salt stress conditions both with and without lycorine. Moreover, AsA restored the balance of excitation energy between two photosystems (β/α-1) after disruption by salt stress, with or without lycorine. Treatment of the leaves of salt-stressed plants with AsA with or without lycorine increased the proportion of electron flux for photosynthetic carbon reduction [Je(PCR)] while decreasing the O2-dependent alternative electron flux [Ja(O2-dependent)]. AsA with or without lycorine further resulted in increases in the quantum yield of cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI [Y(CEF)] while increasing the expression of antioxidant and AsA–GSH cycle-related genes and elevating the ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG). Similarly, AsA treatment significantly decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species [superoxide anion (O2−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)] in these plants. Together, these data indicate that AsA can alleviate salt-stress-induced inhibition of PSII and PSI in tomato seedlings by restoring the excitation energy balance between the photosystems, regulating the dissipation of excess light energy by CEF and NPQ, increasing photosynthetic electron flux, and enhancing the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, thereby enabling plants to better tolerate salt stress.

Timely and accurate judgment of the nitrogen nutritional status of crops is the key to develop an optimal nitrogen application strategy. However, the evaluation criteria of nitrogen nutrition and nitrogen application strategies at each growth stage of wheat are not clear for the new type of drip-irrigated spring wheat system, TR6S (where one drip tube serves six rows of wheat, with a row spacing (RS) of 10 cm, inter-block space (IBS) of 25 cm and the lateral spacing (LS) of 80 cm, which achieved a lower drip-tube input and higher profit compared with the traditional planting system in Xinjiang). Therefore, we studied the recommendation mechanism of nitrogen fertilizer in different growth stages of wheat based on the critical SPAD values of leaves under TR6S. We set four nitrogen treatments (N1 (300 kg ha−1), N2 (270 kg ha−1), N3 (240 kg ha−1) and N4 (0 kg ha−1)) during two spring wheat growth seasons. The results revealed that the correlation coefficient (r2) between SPAD (soil plant analysis development) value and plant nitrogen content in the middle of first top leaf (L1-M) of wheat was higher than that in other leaf types and leaf positions under TR6S. A quadratic function relationship existed between a SPAD value of L1-M and grain yield. The critical SPAD values at the jointing, booting, anthesis, early milk, and late milk stages were 37.34, 39.40, 42.25, 45.57, and 35.91, respectively. In addition, through the establishment of the nitrogen application recommendation model for various wheat growth stages based on the critical SPAD value, the recommended optimal nitrogen application rates at jointing, booting, anthesis, early milk, and late milk stages were observed to be 69.4, 80.0, 90.8, 44.0, and 6.0 kg ha−1, respectively. This recommended nitrogen application strategy exhibited a better parallel relationship with the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) of each growth period than the conventional nitrogen application strategy. Therefore, it was more in line with the actual absorption and utilization of nitrogen in wheat of TR6S. In conclusion, the SPAD values of L1-M could be relatively more accurate to evaluate the nitrogen nutrition status of wheat. Compared to traditional nitrogen application strategy, reducing and delaying nitrogen application, recommended based on the leaf SPAD model, was more suitable for nitrogen utilization under TR6S. The results can be applied in other arid and semiarid regions.

Aiming at the problems of high safety risks, economic costs, and inefficiency in experimental research on boom-type roadheaders, this study proposes a virtual-real fusion experimental system for the cutting module. This system incorporates functions including digital modeling of coal-rock, simulation of mechanical properties of the cutting unit, and integration of virtual and physical experiments. To address the challenge of obtaining cutting tooth loads at coal-rock interfaces, a discretized digital coal-rock volume construction method is proposed. For rapid mechanical performance simulation of the cutting unit, a chain-type digital mapping body construction method is developed. Through deep learning, numerical simulation, and digital twin technologies, a virtual-real fusion platform was established, enabling virtual experiments to dominate the calibration of physical experiments. The system is capable of simulating pose variation and vibration trends of the entire machine during cutting. The minimum average error for stress at the cylinder base is 4.44 MPa, with a virtual-real system connection period under 100 ms. Based on this system, a reinforcement learning training environment was developed. Using Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), the control of the cutting unit was optimized to achieve low-stress state cutting, verifying the system’s feasibility.

The timely and effective control and repair of wound bleeding is a key research issue all over the world. From traditional compression hemostasis to a variety of new hemostatic methods, people have a more comprehensive understanding of the hemostatic mechanism and the structure and function of different types of wound dressings. Electrospun nanofibers stand out with nano size, high specific surface area, higher porosity, and a variety of complex structures. They are high-quality materials that can effectively promote wound hemostasis and wound healing because they can imitate the structural characteristics of the skin extracellular matrix (ECM) and support cell adhesion and angiogenesis. At the same time, combined with amino acid polymers with good biocompatibility not only has high compatibility with the human body but can also be combined with a variety of drugs to further improve the effect of wound hemostatic dressing. This paper summarizes the application of different amino acid electrospun wound dressings, analyzes the characteristics of different materials in preparation and application, and looks forward to the development of directions of poly(amino acid) electrospun dressings in hemostasis.

With the increasing development of economics in China, the performance evaluation and obstacle diagnosis for urban water ecological civilization construction (UWECC) have attracted more and more attention, this study analyzes the coupling relationship between social economy and urban water ecology by applying framework model of “Driving force-Pressure-State-Influence-Response-Management”, establishing the performance evaluation index system of UWECC. The group fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is developed to determine indicator weights and to find out the key influencing factors. A combination of fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) and cloud model is introduced for measuring UWECC performance level. The integrated model includes two parts. One component is that fuzzy set theory is combined with evaluation methods, proposing a FSE method. The other part is that cloud model is utilized to make up for this limitation of ignoring the internal randomness and ambiguity for the FSE method. Subsequently, the UWECC of Shizuishan City in China is selected from 2010 to 2019 as a case study, the results show that its UWECC performance scores gradually increased in the past ten years, the growth speed of which can be divided into three development stages: bad and slow-growth (2010–2014), intermediate but slightly fast-growth (2015–2017) and good and fast-growth (2018–2019). Besides, through making sensitivity analysis of indicators to each subsystem, it is found that their sensitivities show obvious differences. In terms of the main obstacle indicators affecting UWECC performance, they also present obvious temporal heterogeneity characteristics, that is, the obstacle degrees of indicators in the same stage have slightly smaller differences, and those of indicators in different stages exist significant differences. The demonstration conducted proves that the proposed method can be used not only to accurately understand the changes of UWECC through time but also to diagnose the crucial obstacle indicators, providing theoretical basis for improving UWECC performance of this urban in the future.