Flag leaf senescence is an important determinant of wheat yield, as leaf senescence occurs in a coordinated manner during grain filling. However, the biological process of early senescence of flag leaves post-anthesis is not clear. In this study, early senescence in wheat was investigated using a high-throughput RNA sequencing technique. A total of 4887 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and any showing drastic expression changes were then linked to particular biological processes. A hierarchical cluster analysis implied potential relationships between NAC genes and post-anthesis senescence in the flag leaf. In addition, a large set of genes associated with the synthesis; transport; and signaling of multiple phytohormones (JA, ABA, IAA, ET, SA, BR, and CTK) were expressed differentially, and many DEGs related to ABA and IAA were identified. Our results provide insight into the molecular processes taking place during the early senescence of flag leaves, which may provide useful information in improving wheat yield in the future.

Biochar is beneficial as a clean, stable, and efficient soil amendment to improve rice quality and yield. However, there are few reports on the effects of no-tillage in combination with biochar application on rice growth, yield, and quality in regenerative rice systems. This study evaluated rice yield, grain quality, multiple antioxidant enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde content under four treatments: rotary tillage alone, rotary tillage + biochar application, no-tillage alone, and no-tillage + biochar. The results showed that the rice yield under no-tillage alone was 15% lower than that under rotary tillage alone, but that biochar application significantly increased rice yield by 10% and 20% under rotary tillage and no-tillage conditions, respectively, which might be attributed to the fact that biochar application increased panicle number, spikelet number per panicle, grain filling rate, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, biochar application also increased fine rice rate and protein content, meanwhile reducing chalkiness degree and chalky grain rate in both the main-season rice and ratoon-season rice. These results suggest that biochar application could enhance the yield and grain quality of ratoon rice, thus compensating for the no-tillage-induced yield loss. This study reveals the role of biochar in main-season rice and ratoon rice cultivation, providing a valuable reference for improved fertilizer utilization and cleaner agricultural production.