Leaves are essential vegetative organs of plants. Studying the variations in leaf nutrient content and microbial communities of male and female plants at reproductive stages helps us understand allocation and adaptation strategies. This study aimed to determine the nutrient characteristics and microbial differences in the leaves of male and female Idesia polycarpa at reproductive stages. Seven-year-old female and male plants were used as test materials in this experiment. The samples were collected at three stages: flowering (May), fruit matter accumulation (July), and fruit ripening (October). The nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), potassium (TK), carbon (TC), and the pH of the female and male leaves were analyzed. In addition, the leaf microbial diversity and differential metabolites were determined using the Illumina high-throughput sequencing method and the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method at the reproductive developmental stages. This study found that male and female plant leaves had different TN and TK contents over time but no difference in TC and TP content. The significant differences in bacterial diversity between male and female plants and the richness of the fungi of male plants at the flowering and fruit maturity stages were observed. Proteobacteria, Pseudomonadaceae, Ascomycota, and Aspergillus were the dominant bacteria and fungi in the Idesia polycarpa leaves. The presence of microorganisms differed in the two sexes in different periods. Alphaproteobacteria and Sordariomycetes were the indicator groups for male leaves, and Pseudomonas and Sordariomycetes were the indicator groups for female leaves. Significant differences in phenolic acid were found between male and female leaves. A KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differential metabolites were enriched in metabolic pathways, amino acid biosynthesis, and the nucleotide metabolism. According to a correlation analysis, leaf TK and TP were strongly correlated with endophytic bacteria abundance and differential metabolite composition. This study revealed the changes in substances and microorganisms in the leaves of male and female plants in their reproductive stages. It provides a theoretical basis for developing and utilizing the leaves of Idesia polycarpa and for field management.

Meadow soil is a vital ecosystem component and can be influenced by meadow vegetation. Evaluating soil quality in mountain meadows subjected to different levels of tourism disturbance is essential for scientific research, ecological restoration, and sustainable management. This study aimed to evaluate meadow soil quality at different tourism-disturbance levels and attempted to establish a minimum data set (MDS) with compatible indicators for soil quality assessment of subtropical mountain meadows. We analyzed fifteen soil physical, chemical, and biological indicators in control check (CK), light disturbance (LD), medium disturbance (MD), and severe disturbance (SD) meadow areas in Wugong Mountain, west of Jiangxi, China. In addition, a soil quality index (SQI) was determined using the established MDS based on the integrated soil quality index. Average soil permeability, soil pH, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and number of fungal OTUs were finally introduced into the MDS to evaluate meadow soil quality at different tourism-disturbance levels. The study found that the soil of the Wugong Mountain meadow was acidic, the bulk density was loose, and the nutrient content was rich. Additionally, SQI decreased with increase in tourism-disturbance level. The mean SQI values of the Wugong Mountain meadow areas were: CK, 0.612; LD, 0.493; MD, 0.448; and SD, 0.416. Our results demonstrate that the SQI based on the MDS method could be a valuable tool with which to indicate the soil quality of mountain meadow areas, and the SQI can be regarded as a primary indicator of ecological restoration and sustainable management.

Aroma is an appreciated fruit property, and volatile flavor plays a key role in determining the perception and acceptability of fruit products by consumers. However, metabolite composition that contributes to the aroma in fruit quality is unclear. In this study, we detected 645 volatile organic compounds of ‘Panguxiang’ pear in total, including esters, alcohols, alkanes, acids, ketones, terpenes and aldehydes. In addition, the levels of sugars, organic acids and amino acids in ‘Panguxiang’ pear were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. In the aroma generation, glucose was the dominant sugar, followed by sucrose and fructose. At the development transferred storage stage, organic acids may not participate in aroma biosynthesis. The amino acids that may play potential roles in aroma substance synthesis are tyrosine and glycine. Through metabolomics analysis at different stages of ‘Panguxiang’ pear, we selected 65 key metabolites that were significantly related to glucose, sucrose, fructose, tyrosine and glycine, according to the trends of metabolite concentrations. Finally, we chose eight candidate metabolites (e.g., three esters, two aldehydes, one alcohol, one acid and one ketone) as the representative aroma substances of the ‘Panguxiang’ pear compared to the metabolome of the ‘Korla’ at stage Z5. Data and results from this study can help better understand the variations in aroma quality among pear varieties and assist in developing breeding programs for pear varieties.

Cunninghamia lanceolata is integral to soil conservation, climate regulation, and biodiversity maintenance, yet its ecological functions are threatened by drought. Functional trait trade-offs underpin hydraulic safety, but the plasticity of hydraulic strategies in C. lanceolata remains poorly understood. Here, the historical intensity of drought across different C. lanceolata regions were quantified using the Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) derived from satellite remote sensing. Seedlings sourced from these regions were subjected to drought under greenhouse conditions, and then water status, physiological traits, and metabolic responses were assessed to elucidate hydraulic strategies. The results revealed that TVDI effectively captured regional drought patterns, with the Dechang region experiencing the highest drought intensity, followed by the Hongya and Shiyan regions. The seedlings exhibited distinct hydraulic responses under drought stress. The highest drought-originated seedlings maintained a stable leaf water status, imposed stricter regulation of stomatal and biomass, and accumulated higher levels of antioxidants and defense compounds, indicative of a conservative strategy. In contrast, the low drought-originated seedlings showed greater fluctuations in leaf water content and potential, retained more aboveground biomass, and accumulated fewer defense compounds, reflecting an acquisitive strategy. The moderate drought-originated seedlings adopted an intermediate strategy, balancing growth and antioxidant accumulation. Overall, as the intensity of the drought increased across the provenances, C. lanceolata shifted from an acquisitive to a conservative hydraulic strategy. By linking provenance-specific drought regimes with physiological and metabolic responses, this study provides new insights into drought resistance mechanisms and informs species selection and forest management under climate change.

Idesia polycarpa is an important woody oilseed tree crucial for ensuring China’s grain and oil security. The expansion of I. polycarpa plantations has been accompanied by an increase in pests and diseases, with canker disease recently observed in two forests in Henan Province. Field surveys revealed a disease incidence of 70.12% among 328 surveyed trees, indicating a substantial threat to plantation health. The most virulent pathogen, strain SQ5, was identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea through molecular sequencing and morphological analyses. Strain SQ5 showed an optimum growth temperature of 25 °C and a mycelial lethal temperature of 60 °C. The pathogen thrives in acidic conditions and is promoted by light, with the ability to utilize various carbon and nitrogen sources. In vitro toxicity assessments identified four effective fungicides: 70% thiophanate-methyl (EC50 = 0.0169 µg/mL), 43% tebuconazole (EC50 = 0.0219 µg/mL), 20% octylamine acetate (EC50 = 0.0271 µg/mL), and 40% difenoconazole (EC50 = 0.0954 µg/mL). Field trials demonstrated that 43% tebuconazole (average efficacy = 35.29%) and 40% difenoconazole (average efficacy = 23.53%) exhibited superior control of I. polycarpa canker. This study represents the first systematic analysis of I. polycarpa canker and its control measures, laying a foundation for further research and field management strategies. Given the significance of I. polycarpa in Chinese forestry, this underscores the need for effective management strategies to sustain its productivity and mitigate risks associated with expanding plantations.