Variations in fertility and synchronization information is fundamental to seed orchard management. Our objective was to determine clonal variation and stability in strobili production, phenology, synchronization, and seed production in two generation clonal seed orchards (CSO) of Chinese fir. The number of female and male strobili and the phenology of 42 clones in both the 2.0- and 2.5-generation clonal seed orchards were investigated and recorded to calculate the variation and stability of fertility and synchronization. In both seed orchards, an obvious variation in gamete contribution was found among clones, indicating deviation from random mating. Female receptivity was in the pollen shedding stage, which is favorable to pollination. However, low synchronization (mean POij = 0.283) between clones indicated low overlap between female receptivity and pollen shedding. A higher POij value within clones than within outcrossing combinations indicated a high risk of selfing in two seed orchards, particularly for early- and late-flowering clones. The number of female strobili and POij (as female) significantly influence seed production. Overall, fertility and synchronization variation had notable consequences for seed production. Scientific genetic management is indispensable for promoting fertility uniformity and synchronization to obtain maximal genetic gain.

Ormosia hosiei is a tree species native to China that has been extensively used for ornamental and furniture purposes due to its valued timber. The mating system has substantial impact on genetic diversity and structure of plant natural population. Such information should be considered when planning tree planting for forest restoration. Here we used 12 microsatellite markers and described the mating system of single families and the population genetic diversity of O. hosiei. A high level of genetic diversity was observed in both adults and progenies, although slight differences existed among populations and their progenies, with the expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.763 to 0.794. Overall, O. hosiei displayed a predominantly outcrossed mating. The estimate of multi-locus outcrossing rate (tm) was high with low variations among families, ranged from 0.997 to 1.000. The value of tm-ts, ranged from 0.000 to 0.139, indicated that biparental inbreeding occurred in progenies. Therefore, to obtain a reasonable genetic representation of native tree species and prevent problems associated with inbreeding depression, we suggested effective in situ conservation by replanting seedlings, but seedling production for restoration purposes may require a much larger sampling effort than is currently used. Moreover, it is necessary to conduct further multiple population and multi-year experiments to verify our conclusions.

Reproductive synchronicity between parents influences the seed production and quality in seed orchards. Our objective was to determine clonal variation in fertility and phenological synchronization, as well as their effect on seed production, in a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) open-pollinated seed orchard. Significant variation of female fertility and male phenological synchronization occurred in the clones. The flowering of the male was 2 days earlier than the female. The gamete contribution of female and male were unbalanced between clones (the phenological synchronization indexes (PO_ij) were 0.000–0.585 (as female) vs. 0.000–0.385 (as male)). In general, the average PO_ij value of as a male was lower than as a female, but the number of male flowers were significantly higher than female, indicating that the management of female flowers should be enhanced. The average PO_ij of self-pollination was 0.298, higher than cross-pollination (0.236), indicating that there was a larger probability to selfing in the orchard. The middle phenological type possessed higher phenological synchronization indexes than early and late phenological type. Genetic control was stronger for number of female flowers (H² = 0.277) than for male and female initial stages and flower duration (H² = 0.193–0.239). We found a positive correlation between PO_ij and TSW (r = 0.756), SOsc (r = 0.612), and Cp (r = 0.337), suggesting the phenological synchronization determined the seed quality and yield. Comprehensively, this study provided fertility and phenology information for management of a Chinese fir seed orchard, as well as a reference for the establishment of advanced seed orchards of conifer trees.

The spread of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus has caused a critical shortage of traditional Poria cocos cultivation materials, making bag-based substrates an urgent alternative. Yet, how substrate stoichiometry shapes nutritional quality remains unclear. Using non-targeted metabolomics combined with redundancy analysis (RDA) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we profiled P. cocos cultivated on four substrates: healthy pine logs, pine wilt wood bags, oak bags, and pine needle/branch bags. Bag-cultivated P. cocos showed significantly elevated total amino acids, poria cocos acid, and total triterpenoids, with pine wilt wood bags (P1) performing best overall. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and the N/P ratio independently drove metabolomic variation (pairwise overlap < 5%). Nitrogen-line hub metabolites were negatively correlated with amino acid content, suggesting that suppressed lipid metabolism may free carbon skeletons for the accumulation of nitrogenous nutrients. Phosphorus-line hub metabolites were positively associated with polysaccharide indices, whereas the N/P ratio in line lipid amides showed strong negative correlations with polysaccharides under phosphorus limitation. These correlational patterns are consistent with a stoichiometric resource allocation model, although direct validation through controlled-element experiments is required. These findings provide quantitative guidance for optimizing bag-substrate formulations in P. cocos cultivation.

Pinus elliottii is an important afforestation species in the hilly regions of southern China, but long-term monoculture may lead to soil nutrient depletion and microbial community imbalance. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different understory medicinal plant intercropping patterns on soil properties, enzyme activities, and soil microbial communities in P. elliottii plantations, and to identify suitable intercropping patterns for forest-medicinal plant compound management. Method: Three intercropping patterns were tested: P. elliottii - Ficus simplicissima - Spatholobus suberectus (PHS), P. elliottii - Alpinia oxyphylla - S. suberectus (PAS), P. elliottii - Alpinia hainanensis - S. suberectus (PSA), with a pure P. elliottii forest serving as control (CK). Soil nutrient dynamics and enzyme activities were determined, and soil microbial communities were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Result: Under the same intercropping pattern, soil nutrients in the 0–20 cm layer were higher than those in the 20–40 cm layer. In the 0–20 cm layer, all three intercropping patterns significantly reduced amylase activity compared to CK ( P < 0.05). In the PAS pattern, acid phosphatase, neutral protease, and urease activities were significantly enhanced, with urease activity significantly higher in 0–20 cm than in the 20–40 cm layer. High-throughput sequencing revealed interactions among intercropping patterns, soil properties, and microbial communities. Intercropping significantly affected the structure, composition, and diversity of both soil bacterial and fungal communities. PSA showed pronounced effects on soil nutrient status and exhibited the highest bacterial and fungal ASV richness. Redundancy analysis (RDA) identified organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) as key drivers of microbial variation. Random forest and LEfSe analyses further identified key taxa, such as Acidibacillus and Thermosporothrix , as significantly associated with the intercropping effects. Functional prediction suggested that microorganisms may improve soil quality by regulating gene responses in “Metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides” and “Urea Cycle” pathways, as well as by secreting enzymes such as ferredoxin hydrogenase and β-mannosidase. Conclusion: Forest-medicinal plant intercropping improved soil quality and reshaped microbial communities in P. elliottii plantations. The PSA pattern showed the greatest potential for enhancing soil microecological functions and may serve as a suitable intercropping model for sustainable plantation management.