Traits estimated when grown alone may underestimate the competitive advantage and invasiveness of exotic species

Understanding the application-related properties of ultrashort-duration varieties rice starch in different planting seasons

This study investigated the physicochemical properties and digestive properties of rice starch isolated from four ultrashort-duration varieties (CPPC16, CPPC18, CPPC38 and CPPC52) grown in the early (April) and late (July) seasons, respectively. It was found that planting season was confirmed to significantly influence the properties of starch in duration varieties rice. Possessing higher apparent amylose content (AAC) in rice grown during early seasons contributed to the aggregation of amylose and recrystallization of amylopectin, resulting in an increase in retrogradation value (Δηsb), pasting temperature (Tps), and conferring higher G' to the starch gels. The larger granule size provides starch gels with higher water retention and viscoelasticity. In addition, synergistic effects of AAC, granule size, and molecular ordering (short-range) on digestion rates (k) were observed, the effect of a single factor was not determinative of the digestion rates. E18 and E38 starches exhibit elevated AAC (24.70 %, 25.36 %), enhanced structural order, and larger granule sizes (7.25 μm, 7.10 μm). These properties collectively impede enzyme diffusion and penetration into the starch matrix, reduce enzyme-substrate binding efficiency, suppress k (3.04 × 10-3 min-1, 3.13 × 10-3 min-1), and elevate resistant starch (RS) levels (72.66 %,73.96 %), demonstrating significant potential for low glycemic index food design. Meanwhile, the lower Δηsb (1219 cP) and Tps (78.28 °C) of L52 starch may have potential for application in the development of easy-to-swallow foods.

Digestate-based organic amendment substitution improves the red soil quality and pakchoi yield

This study investigated the effect of the partially substituting chemical fertilizers (CF) with digestate-based organic amendment (OA) on the amelioration of red soil and the growth of plant. OA with nitrogen substitution rates ranging from 10 % to 40 % were mixed with CF and applied to red soil in a pot experiment. The results indicated that plant growth was significantly enhanced in the treatment where 20 % of the CF was substituted with the OA (OA20) compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). Specifically, the OA20 treatment increased nutrient use efficiency by 54.76 %-100.42 % compared to the treatment using only CF. Furthermore, all OA treatments improved the quality of red soil, with the nutrient content significantly higher in the OA20 group than in the other treatments (p < 0.05). The parameters of total phosphorus (TP), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and total potassium (TK) significantly affected the soil quality index and plant growth, serving as reliable indicators of soil quality and plant yield. Microbial analysis revealed that the bacterial Chao index and the abundance of microorganisms involved in C-N nutrient cycling, such as Chryseolinea and norank_f__norank_o__Actinomarinales, were highest in the OA20 group. Significant correlations were observed between soil nutrient content (AN, AP, and TK) and the abundance of norank_f__norank_o__Actinomarinales and Chryseolinea, indicating their close relationship with pakchoi growth. Consequently, digestate-based OA may positively affect plant growth in acidic ecosystems by enhancing soil properties, inducing shifts in microbial community composition, and promoting the enrichment of potentially beneficial bacteria. This study provides valuable insights for the enhancement of low-quality soils and the resource utilization of digestate.

Trade-offs involved in the choice of pot vs field experiments

This article is a Commentary on Zhu et al. (2025), 245: 2202–2213.