Reaumuria songarica, a drought‐resistant shrub, is widely distributed and plays a crucial role in the northern deserts of China. It is a key species for desert rehabilitation and afforestation efforts. Using the Maxent model to predict suitable planting areas for R. songarica is an important strategy for combating desertification. With 184 occurrence points of R. songarica and 13 environmental variables, the optimized Maxent model has identified the main limiting factors for its distribution. Distribution patterns and variation trends of R. songarica were projected for current and future climates (2030s, 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s) and different scenarios (ssp_126, ssp_370, and ssp_585). Results show that setting parameters to RM (regulation multiplier) = 4 and FC (feature combination) = LQHPT yields a model with good accuracy and high reliability. Currently, R. songarica is primarily suitable for desert control in eight provinces and autonomous regions, including Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Ningxia. The total suitable planting area is 148.80 × 10⁴ km², representing 15.45% of China's land area. Precipitation (Precipitation of the wettest month, Precipitation of the warmest quarter, and Annual precipitation) and Ultraviolet‐B seasonality are the primary environmental factors limiting the growth and distribution of R. songarica. Mean temperature of the warmest quarter is the primary factor driving changes in the distribution of suitable areas for R. songarica under future climate scenarios. In future climate scenarios, the suitable planting area of R. songarica will shrink, and the distribution center will shift towards higher latitude, potentially indicate further desertification. The area of highly suitable habitat has increased, while moderately and less suitable habitat areas have decreased. Increased precipitation within R. songarica's water tolerance range is favorable for its growth and reproduction. With changes in the suitable cultivation area for R. songarica, priority should be given to exploring and utilizing its germplasm resources. Introduction and cultivation can be conducted in expanding regions, while scientifically effective measures should be implemented to protect germplasm resources in contracting regions. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for addressing desertification resulting from climate change and offer practical insights for the development, utilization, introduction, and cultivation of R. songarica germplasm resources.

Seed priming can alleviate the negative effects of drought stress. The present study focused on exploring the effects of seed priming, drought and their interaction on the germination characteristics of Corethrodendron multijugum. We attempted to standardise an appropriate priming method for C. multijugum seeds by comparing the effects of various priming methods and drought stress on seed germination and seedling establishment to provide theoretical basis and technical support for subsequent cultivation and production. The results indicated that seed priming, drought stress and their interaction significantly (P < 0.01) affected all seed germination parameters and seedling establishment parameters, and germination was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with early seedling establishment under drought stress. Of the different priming agents used in this study, water, 0.5% KMnO₄, 0.3% H₂O₂ and 5% PEG-6000 significantly (P < 0.05) promoted seed germination and seedling establishment in C. multijugum. Among them, 0.5% KMnO₄ was the most effective in alleviating the effects of drought stress on germination and early seedling establishment. Morphologically, the beneficial effects of priming can be attributed to increased seed germination, elongation and biomass accumulation of seedlings.

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is an important cool season turfgrass species with a high cold tolerance, but it is sensitive to drought. It is valuable for the applications of Kentucky bluegrass to improve its drought tolerance. However, little is known about the underlying drought mechanism. In the present study, transcriptomic profiling in the roots and leaves of the Kentucky bluegrass cultivar ‘Qinghai’, in response to osmotic stress in the form of treatment with 2 h and 50 h of 25% (v/v) PEG-6000, was analyzed. The results showed that a large number of genes were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated under osmotic stress. The majority of genes were up-regulated in leaves but down-regulated in roots after 2 h and 50 h of osmotic stress, among them were 350 up-regulated DEGs and 20 down-regulated DEGs shared in both leaves and roots. GO and KEGG analysis showed that carbohydrate metabolism, polyamine and amino acid metabolism and the plant hormone signaling pathway were enriched in the leaves and roots of ‘Qinghai’ after osmotic stress. The genes involving in carbohydrate metabolism were up-regulated, and sucrose, trehalose and raffinose levels were consistently increased. The genes involved in polyamine and amino acid metabolism were up-regulated in leaves in response to osmotic stress and several amino acids, such as Glu, Met and Val levels were increased, while the genes involved in photosynthesis, carbon fixation and citrate cycle in leaves were down-regulated. In addition, the genes involved in plant hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction were altered in leaves after osmotic stress. This study provided promising candidate genes for studying drought mechanisms in ‘Qinghai’ and improving the drought tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass and drought-sensitive crops.

Aster varieties are widely used for medicinal purposes, landscaping, and ecological restoration, but their growth and reproduction are significantly threatened by the seed predator Tephritis angustipennis (Diptera: Tephritidae). The cultivation of pest-resistant varieties offers an effective, economical, and eco-friendly approach to managing T. angustipennis infestations. This study evaluates the impact of T. angustipennis on ten Aster varieties in the Three Rivers Source Region (TRSR), with a focus on population density, plant damage rate, and the activity of resistance enzymes and insect-resistant metabolites. The results classified the ten varieties into four resistance groups: one highly resistant variety [HR: Aster altaicus (MQAA)], four moderately resistant varieties [MR: Aster asteroides (DRAA), Aster flaccidus (QLAF), Aster tongolensis (BMAT), Aster poliothamnus (MQAP)], two moderately susceptible varieties [MS: Aster diplostephioides (QLAD), Aster souliei (DRAS)], and three highly susceptible varieties [HS: A. diplostephioides (MQAD), Aster yunnanensis var. labrangensis (MQAY), Aster farreri (MQAF)]. Notably, HR and MR varieties exhibited significantly higher activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), trypsin inhibitor (TI), and chymotrypsin inhibitor (CI), as well as higher contents of tannins (TN) and flavonoids (FN), compared to MS and HS varieties. Specifically, the HR variety (MQAA) showed the highest levels of CAT, POD, SOD, and TN, significantly enhancing its resistance to T. angustipennis. Statistical analyses further revealed that MDA, TN, FN, and antioxidant enzyme activities were found to be key factors influencing insect resistance across the different varieties and resistance levels. These findings enhance our understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance in Aster spp. and offer valuable insights for developing integrated pest management strategies. By identifying and promoting resistant varieties, this study lays the groundwork for effective, sustainable control measures that protect Aster crops from T. angustipennis damage.