Chen Xu^1,#, Tianhao Luan^1,#, Zexin Qi², Xiaolong Liu³, Yaliang Liu⁴, Hui Sun⁵, Yueqiao Li¹, Ning Sun¹, Qian Li¹, Shaofeng Bian¹, Lihua Zhang^1,*, Hongxiang Zhao^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3703-3719, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071324 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Optimizing drip irrigation with straw mulch return represents a promising sustainable intensification strategy for revolutionizing regional water management. This 2-year controlled field experiment examined straw incorporation effects (removal and return) and drip irrigation levels (200, 350, 500 mm) on maize carbon-nitrogen metabolism, root bleeding sap characteristics, dry matter accumulation, and yield. Dry matter and yield increased with irrigation amount. Under 200–350 mm irrigation, straw return enhanced root bleeding intensity; elevated nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in bleeding sap; and promoted soluble sugar and hydrolyzed amino acid contents, establishing material foundations for yield formation. More >

Renjie Zhao¹, Yueqiao Li², Chen Xu², Zhian Zhang^1,*, Ziyang Zhou^2,*, Yihan Zhou³, Zexin Qi¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.8, pp. 1963-1980, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.053072 - 30 August 2024

Abstract Despite hybrid dominance contributing to the genetic improvement of crops, little is known about heterosis and inheritance patterns of endogenous substances in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) root bleeding sap. In this study, six sterile and six restorer lines of sorghum and 36 hybrid sorghum combinations formulated as incomplete double-row crosses were selected as test materials, and heterosis, combining ability, heritability, and their interrelationships of root bleeding sap endogenous substances in different hybrid sorghum combinations and their parents were investigated. The results showed that the root bleeding sap of the F1 generation of hybrid sorghum had… More >

Mingda Yang¹, Shouchen Ma², Fujian Mei¹, Li Wei¹, Tongchao Wang^1,*, Xiaokang Guan^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.90, No.2, pp. 417-435, 2021, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2021.013175 - 07 February 2021

Abstract Knowledge of the interactive effects of water and nitrogen (N) on physio-chemical traits of maize (Zea mays L.) helps to optimize water and N management and improve productivity. A split-plot experiment was conducted with three soil water conditions (severe drought, moderate drought, and fully water supply referring to 45%–55%, 65%–75%, and 85%–95% field capacity, respectively) and four N application rates (N₀, N₁₅₀, N₂₄₀, and N₃₃₀ referring to 0, 150, 240, 330 kg N ha^–1 respectively) under drip fertigation in 2014 and 2015 in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China. The results indicated that drought stress inhibited physiological activity of plants… More >