Exploring the phenotypic trait variation and diversity of Lycium ruthenicum germplasm resources can support selection, breeding, and genetic improvement, enhancing agricultural production. This study collected 213 wild Lycium ruthenicum seedlings from a resource nursery in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia. These seedlings originated from eight sources across four provinces. Using 11 pseudo-qualitative traits and 20 quantitative traits, the phenotypic variation of the germplasm was analyzed. The analysis involved the coefficient of variation, Shannon–Wiener index (H), Simpson’s genetic diversity index (D), principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and Q-type cluster analysis. The results showed that the variation range of 31 phenotypic traits across the 213 Lycium ruthenicum germplasm resources was 17.26% to 105.41%, with an average coefficient of variation of 39.85%. The H and D indexes ranged from 0.18 to 1.58 and 0.20 to 0.75, respectively. For the 11 pseudo-qualitative traits, the H and D ranges were 0.18 to 1.58 and 0.07 to 0.74, with average values of 0.77 and 0.42. For the quantitative traits, the H and D ranges were 0.54 to 1.49 and 0.25 to 0.75, with average values of 1.21 and 0.63. This indicates that Lycium ruthenicum germplasm resources exhibit significant phenotypic diversity, with quantitative traits showing higher diversity than pseudo-qualitative traits. Principal component analysis revealed that the cumulative variance contribution rate of the first 10 principal components was 74.03%, comprehensively reflecting the information of the 31 traits. Q-type cluster analysis grouped the 213 Lycium ruthenicum germplasm resources into six clusters, each with distinct phenotypic characteristics. This analysis also identified the trait characteristics and breeding value of each cluster. The results of this study provide valuable information on the genetic improvement, conservation, and evaluation of Lycium ruthenicum germplasm resources.

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (Black goji), a medicinal and economically valuable crop rich in bioactive compounds, remains genomically understudied despite its expanding cultivation. To overcome limitations of traditional markers in genetic diversity analysis and molecular breeding, we employed specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) to develop genome-wide SNP markers and elucidate the genetic structure of 213 L. ruthenicum accessions from natural and cultivated populations in Alxa, China. We identified 827,630 SLAF tags and 33,121 high-quality SNPs uniformly distributed across 12 chromosomes, establishing the first high-density SNP database for this species. Population genetic analyses revealed three distinct genetic clusters with <60% geographic origin consistency, indicating weakened isolation due to anthropogenic germplasm exchange. The Qinghai Nuomuhong population exhibited the highest genetic diversity (Nei’s index = 0.253; Shannon’s index = 0.352), while low overall polymorphism (average PIC = 0.183) likely reflects SNP biallelic limitations and domestication bottlenecks. Notably, SNP-based clustering showed <40% concordance with phenotypic trait clustering (31 traits), underscoring environmental plasticity as a key driver of morphological variation. This study provides the first genome-wide SNP resource for L. ruthenicum, enabling marker-assisted breeding and highlighting the need for standardized germplasm management to mitigate genetic erosion.

Veterinary drugs are widely present in animal manure and manure-based fertilizers, making their safety for use as soil amendments still ambiguous. This study investigated the concentrations of 17 typical veterinary drugs in animal manure and manure-based fertilizers from Shandong Province using solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and assessed their environmental risks to soil organisms based on risk quotient values. The established method demonstrated robust performance, with drug recovery rates ranging from 72.9% to 109%. Tetracyclines were identified as the most prevalent contaminants, with mean concentrations of 1522 μg/kg in animal manure and 144 μg/kg in manure-based fertilizers. Drug concentrations in manure-based fertilizers were generally lower than those in animal manure. Livestock manure contained higher drug concentrations compared to poultry manure. Influenced by farming practices, drug concentrations were higher in beef cattle manure than in dairy cattle manure, and higher in broiler manure than in layer manure. Manure-based fertilizers primarily derived their drug content from chicken, cattle, and sheep manure. Tetracyclines in swine and sheep manure posed high risks to soil organisms, while those in beef cattle manure and dairy cattle manure posed medium risks. In contrast, most drugs in manure-based fertilizers exhibited low risks. Comprehensive analysis of both concentration levels and ecological risks indicates that manure-based fertilizers represent a more feasible option for soil amendment. This study provides a theoretical foundation for better understanding the feasibility of applying animal manure and manure-based fertilizers to agricultural land.

Gut microbial symbionts are increasingly recognized as key modulators of host insect physiology and behavior, yet their role in pheromone-mediated chemical communication remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigated the wood-boring beetle Trigonorhinus sp., a pest of Caragana liouana, to determine the necessity of gut bacteria for male aggregation pheromone release. A combination of antibiotic-mediated bacterial depletion, quantitative PCR, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Y-tube olfactometry was employed. Antibiotic treatment resulted in a marked reduction in gut bacterial load and a concomitant decrease of more than 85% in the emission of two key pheromone components, 2,6,10,14-tetramethylheptadecane and heptacosane. Behavioral assays demonstrated that females no longer exhibited significant attraction to treated males. Furthermore, defined recolonization with a single cultured gut isolate, Acinetobacter guillouiae, was sufficient to rescue pheromone emission. This indicates that particular gut taxa, rather than microbial biomass alone, are essential for pheromone biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate a decisive role of gut bacteria in the chemical communication of Trigonorhinus sp. and highlight the potential of symbiont-targeted strategies for pest management.

Anthropogenic fires in agro-pastoral ecotones are understudied. Using Ordos data (1987–2020) and machine learning, we identified fire drivers and patterns. Fires clustered in eastern populated areas, increased after 2000, and peaked recently, with April seasonality. Human-related ignitions dominated. Slope, humidity, and precipitation consistently drove burned area. Fires shifted to lower, drier, cooler conditions, suggesting possible advancing fire season and increasing human influence. Ecological restoration has been associated with increased fuel continuity, and the temporal coincidence suggests a potential restoration–fire paradox, although this hypothesis requires direct testing. Management should prioritize spring vigilance and fuel integration; better data on human behavior and fine fuels are needed for early warning.