Despite its known significance in plant abiotic stress responses, the role of the RAV gene family in the response of Capsicum annuum to chilling stress remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified and characterized six members of the CaRAV gene subfamily in pepper plants through genome-wide analysis. Subsequently, the CaRAV subfamily was classified into four branches based on homology with Arabidopsis thaliana, each exhibiting relatively conserved domains within the branch. We discovered that light response elements accounted for the majority of CaRAVs, whereas low-temperature response elements were specific to the NGA gene subfamily. After pepper plants were subjected to chilling stress, qRT‒PCR analysis revealed that CaRAV1, CaRAV2 and CaNGA1 were significantly induced in response to chilling stress, indicating that CaRAVs play a role in the response to chilling stress. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vectors, we targeted key members of the CaRAV gene family. Under normal growth conditions, the MDA content and SOD enzyme activity of the silenced plants were slightly greater than those of the control plants, and the REC activity was significantly greater than that of the control plants. The levels of MDA and electrolyte leakage were greater in the silenced plants after they were exposed to chilling stress, and the POD and CAT enzyme activities were significantly lower than those in the control, which was particularly evident under repeated chilling stress. In addition, the relative expression of CaPOD and CaCAT was greater in V2 plants upon repeated chilling stress, especially CaCAT was significantly greater in V2 plants than in the other two silenced plants, with 3.29 and 1.10 increases within 12 and 24 h. These findings suggest that CaRAV1 and CaNGA1 positively regulate the response to chilling stress. Silencing of key members of the CaRAV gene family results in increased susceptibility to chilling damage and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity in plants, particularly under repeated chilling stress. This study provides valuable information for understanding the classification and putative functions of RAV transcription factors in pepper plants.

This study aims to provide information and theoretical support for the development planning of facility agriculture in desert areas. Using sensor monitoring, USB cable, and computer connection record, we measured the temperature, humidity, and heat transfer distribution of ordinary brick wall greenhouse (G1), composite wall greenhouse (G2), and assembled solar greenhouse (G3) in the Aksu desert area of Xinjiang. The results showed that G3 had the highest average temperature among the three types of greenhouses in the cold season; no difference was detected between G1 and G2 in the night temperature, while G3 has the characteristics of fast heating and cooling. On a sunny day, the heating rate of G1, G2, and G3 is 3.62, 4.4, and 4.77 °C/h, respectively. The cooling rate for G1 is 2.66 °C/h; 2.96 °C/h for G2; and 3.93 °C/h for G3. The heating rate for each greenhouse is nearly identical when it is cloudy outside, and the cooling rate of G1, G2, and G3 is 2.71, 4.2, and 4.34 °C/h, respectively. Moreover, the G3 north wall’s thermal insulation performance has clear advantages. Its wall surface can reach a temperature of 59.1 °C (G1 is 42.7 °C and G2 is 41.6 °C). This study showed that G3 possesses the virtues of effective thermal insulation; the rear wall has a small footprint and preserves the arable land; it also achieves the necessary environmental conditions for crop growth without the use of auxiliary heating.

The shitake mushroom (lentinula edodes) industry in the Gobi Desert region of southern Xinjiang has experienced rapid development and has reached a certain scale. To clarify the laws governing different cooling methods in greenhouses and identify suitable cooling methods for mushroom production in the Gobi Desert region, this study focused on monitoring the environmental changes in greenhouses using three different cooling methods: natural ventilation cooling, water-sprinkling roof cooling, and a fan and pad cooling system. The results showed that when combined with external shading (shade netting), natural ventilation cooling, fan and pad cooling, and water-sprinkling roof cooling, respectively, reduced the air temperature by 8.6 °C, 14.0 °C, and 15.2 °C. They also increased the relative humidity by 15.3%, 43.3%, and 51.2%, resulting in cooling efficiencies of 28.5%, 56.3%, and 68.1%, respectively. The water-sprinkling roof cooling system demonstrated the best cooling effect and temperature uniformity and had higher economic benefits. Therefore, the use of the external sprinkler cooling method in double-skeleton greenhouses is suitable for summer lentinula edodes production in the Gobi Desert region of southern Xinjiang.

Aerobic composting by microbial inoculation is a green and mild way to handle biomass. Here, three bacterial strains, including Bacillus halotolerans, Bacillus velezensis, and Bacillus subtilis, were compounded to obtain microbial agents, which were further used to obtain cotton straw compost. During this process, the influence of inoculation on cotton straw composting and the relatedness among its physicochemical properties are discussed. Results showed that inoculation extended the thermophilic period by 1–4 days and enhanced subsequent degradation of organic matter. The compost products were made to be fully decomposed, and the germination index (GI) of each treatment group all exceeded 80%. In particular, composting with microbial inoculants containing Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus halotolerans (1:1, treatment PM63-CS) resulted in higher total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), and humic acid (HA) contents. The influence of microbial agents on structural changes in resultant cotton straw compost was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N₂ adsorption–desorption techniques. Analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that inoculation improved the richness and diversity of the bacterial community. The interactions between microorganisms and environmental factors facilitated organic matter degradation and humification, which collectively influenced compost maturity. Furthermore, the application of PM63-CS to desertified soil improvement effectively enhanced the nutrient content of sandy soil and promoted the growth of cotton plants. In summary, the composite bacterial agent developed in this study can effectively improve the quality and maturity of compost products, potentially providing a feasible microbial-enhanced composting approach for the resource utilization of cotton straw.