Melatonin has been regarded as a promising substance that enhances the abiotic stress tolerance of plants. However, few studies have devoted attention to the role of melatonin in improving salt tolerance in sugar beets. Here, the effects of different application methods (foliar application (100 μM), root application (100 μM), and combined foliar and root application) of melatonin on the morphological and physiological traits of sugar beets exposed to salt stress were investigated. The results showed that melatonin improved the growth of sugar beet seedlings, root yield and sugar content, synthesis of chlorophyll, photosystem II (PS II) activity, and gas exchange parameters under salt stress conditions. Moreover, melatonin enhanced the capacity of osmotic adjustment by increasing the accumulation of osmolytes (betaine, proline, and soluble sugar). At the same time, melatonin increased the H⁺-pump activities in the roots, thus promoting Na⁺ efflux and K⁺ influx, which maintained K⁺/Na⁺ homeostasis and mitigated Na⁺ toxicity. In addition, melatonin strengthened the antioxidant defense system by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, modulating the ASA-GSH cycle, and mediating the phenylalanine pathway, which removed superoxide anions (O₂^•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and maintained cell membrane integrity. These positive effects were more pronounced when melatonin was applied by combined foliar and root application. To summarize, this study clarifies the potential roles of melatonin in mitigating salt stress in sugar beets by improving photosynthesis, water status, ion homeostasis, and the antioxidant defense system.

The Songnen Plain, whose climatic conditions are perfectly suited to sugar beet growth, is located in northeastern China. Unfortunately, this region has a lot of saline-alkaline land, which is the most important factor limiting sugar beet production. This study was undertaken to determine whether biochar-based organic fertilizer could alleviate the negative effect of saline-alkaline soil on sugar beet yield and whether such an effect correlated with changes in nitrogen assimilation, antioxidant system, root activity, and photosynthesis. Three treatments were established: Chemical fertilizers were applied to neutral soil (CK), chemical fertilizers were applied to saline-alkaline soil (SA), and biochar-based organic fertilizer was applied to saline-alkaline soil (SA + B). Our results showed that saline-alkaline stress significantly inhibited the nitrogen assimilation and antioxidant enzymes activities in root, root activity, and photosynthesis, thus significantly reducing the yield and sugar content of sugar beet. Under saline-alkaline conditions, the application of biochar-based organic fertilizer improved the activities of nitrogen assimilation enzymes in the root; at the same time, the antioxidant enzymes activities of the root were significantly increased for improving root activity in this treatment. Moreover, the application of biochar-based organic fertilizer could improve the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, PSII (Photosystem II) activity, stomatal opening, and photosynthesis of sugar beet under saline-alkaline conditions. Hence, the growth and yield of sugar beet were improved by applying biochar-based organic fertilizer to saline-alkaline soil. These results proved the significance of biochar-based organic fertilizer in alleviating the negative effect of saline-alkaline stress on sugar beet. The results obtained in the pot experiment may not be viable in field conditions. Therefore, in the future, we will verify whether biochar-based organic fertilizer could alleviate the adverse effects of saline-alkaline stress on sugar beets yield under field conditions.

The addition of biochar-based organic fertilizer (BOF) can improve sugar beet yield, but its effects on the growth of sugar beet and on soil quality at different densities remain unclear. Six treatments, comprising two densities D1 and D2 (80,000 and 90,000 plant ha⁻¹) and three application rates B1, B2, and B3 (2.75, 3.25, and 3.75 t ha⁻¹) of BOFs + mineral fertilizer, respectively, are investigated in this research. The mineral fertilizers are typically used to supplement the total N, P₂O₅, and K₂O deficiencies. The BOFs were used in the soil before sowing, and the mineral fertilizer was added to the soil after the first pair of true leaves was grown. At 160 days after sowing (DAS), the root-to-shoot ratio under the D2B2 treatment was significantly higher than that under the other treatments. The effect of density on the photosynthesis rate of sugar beet was not significant. The BOF application amount and density exerted interaction effects on soil physicochemical properties and the activities of different soil enzymes affecting each other. Both the D2B2 and D2B3 treatments reduced the content of NO₃^–-N in the 40–60 cm soil layer. Combined 90,000 plants ha^–1 with 3.25 t ha⁻¹ BOFs can increase the soil nutrient content of the 0–60 cm soil layer, improve the rhizosphere soil environment, promote the uniform distribution of dry matter, and increase sugar production.

In Northeast China, waterlogging has emerged as a significant challenge due to climate change, particularly during the June–August period when spring maize (Zea mays L.), at the post-tasseling phase, impedes a comprehensive understanding of responses and the development of resistance technologies. 2-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy) triethylamine (DCPTA) is suitable for the entire lifecycle of various economic and food crops, improving crop quality and enhancing stress resistance. The study investigated the ear leaf photosynthesis in relation to the root antioxidant systems’ differential responses of spring maize to waterlogging among the tasseling (VT), vesicle (R2) and dough (R4) stages, and the exogenous DCPTA regulating effect. Results revealed that waterlogging inhibited root physiological activity due to oxidative damage. Consequently, the stomatal restriction and non-stomatal restriction on photosynthesis appeared successively, and R4 was the most sensitive stage. Pretreatment with DCPTA reduced stomatal restriction by maintaining water transfer to the leaf through maintaining root physiological activity via enhanced ascorbate–glutathione cycle. Delayed non-stomatal restriction appeared due to relatively stable chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activities, and VT stage exhibited the highest susceptibility to DCPTA. The study provides a necessary theoretical foundation for comprehending the physiological mechanisms underlying yield formation of spring maize under waterlogging stress in Northeast China, and offers valuable insights for the development of chemical regulation technology.

Melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy and metastasis of melanoma to other organs often results in a poor prognosis. ADP‑ribosyltransferase 3 (ART3) is involved in cell division and DNA repair. However, its biological function in melanoma remains unclear. In the present study, it was identified that ART3 is highly expressed in melanoma cells and melanoma tissues compared with the normal RPE cell line, and adjacent normal tissue, respectively. Small interfering RNA and short hairpin RNA were used to silence ART3 gene expression, and the results revealed that the silencing of ART3 inhibits the migratory ability of melanoma cells. The present study indicates that ART3 serves a notable role in the metastasis of melanoma and provides a potential therapeutic target for this disease.