Increased mobility of people around the globe has facilitated transferring species to new environments, where some have found suitable conditions and even become invasive. False indigo‐bush (Amorpha fruticosaL.) is a plant native to North America but has intentionally or unintentionally spread over the Northern Hemisphere, where it often becomes invasive. The plant is especially easily dispersed within the watersheds of large rivers, where seasonal flooding is regular. Seeds and other propagules are buoyant, and when the water recedes, new plants emerge, forming dense thickets where only a few other species can co‐exist. In order to sustain native biodiversity, spread control is needed. However, mechanical control and eradication measures currently in use are labor demanding and costly, while application of herbicides is limited. On the other hand, the plant possesses a number of beneficial properties, such as phytochemical applications (medical and insecticidal effects), biocoenotic uses (honey plant, ornamental features), and ecosystem services (soil stabilization, provision of food for animals, and fiber and biomass for industry, e.g., nanocellulose). For the reasons above mentioned, the plant is considered quite controversial, and the paper discusses both aspects: potential detrimental effects when introduced to new habitats and its beneficial uses for human society. In addition, the paper presents alternative measures of spreading control (e.g., grazing) and argues that exploiting it for beneficial purposes might help spread control, thus covering the expenses of controlling its distribution.

Screening genotypes with optimal root traits presents a promising breeding strategy for enhancing adaptability to abiotic stresses and improving resource use efficiency. This study evaluated root traits of 100 winter wheat genotypes under four treatments: control (C), low phosphorus (LP), PEG-induced drought (D), and a combination of LP and drought (DLP), using a semi-hydroponic phenotyping platform. Significant variations in root traits were observed 65 days after transplanting, with over 80% of traits being significantly affected by drought, phosphorus, or their interactions. Biomass and phosphorus content decreased under LP and drought, while root length and diameter in deeper layers increased, especially under drought stress. Combined stress led to the most severe reductions in biomass, P-content, and leaf number. Phosphorus acquisition efficiency was positively correlated with root length but inversely related to stress tolerance. High heritability traits, such as root number, root length, maximum root depth, leaf number, and biomass, hold potential for breeding programs focused on environmental adaptation, resource efficiency, and yield improvement. The substantial genotypic variation in root morphology under stress conditions highlights the potential for breeding stress-resilient wheat genotypes. This finding lays a foundation for wheat-breeding initiatives aimed at developing genotypes better suited to prevailing environmental conditions.

Introduction: Intercropping and mixed-cropping of plant varieties can increase yields; however, the impacts of root size and morphology on nutrient uptake and plant growth in these systems remain unclear. Methods: Two maize varieties with small root system (Shengrui 99, M1) and large root system (Zhongke 11, M2) were intercropped with soybean (D76–1609), and also grown under mixed-cropping conditions, with two phosphorus (P) levels (low P: 2.97 mg P kg ^-1 soil, LP, and high P: 175 mg P kg ^-1 soil, HP) under controlled environment. Results and discussion: Results showed that both intercropping and mixed-cropping conferred advantages over monoculture, with land equivalent ratios (LER) ranged from 1.87 to 2.53. The advantage of intercropping was greater under LP conditions, average 8.65% higher, while mixed-cropping performed better under HP conditions, increased by 26.20%. Nutrient absorption equivalent ratios were also greater than 1 in inter- and mixed-cropping systems. Intercropping with soybean enhanced maize root length under LP, with M2 showing a more pronounced response. Specific nutrient uptake per unit root length and nitrogen (N) and P competition ratios were significantly influenced by P supply and planting pattern ( P<0.05 ). Notably, under LP conditions, M2 exhibited stronger competitive ability for P, while M1 showed greater N competitiveness. Conclusion: These results suggest that genetic improvement of maize root size could enhance plant growth and improve resource competitiveness in intercropping and mixed-cropping systems. Furthermore, depending on P availability, larger root systems in maize could increase overall productivity in intercropping and mixed-cropping systems.