Bioscience Method 2025, Vol.16 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm © 2025 BioSci Publisher, registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group, founded in British Columbia of Canada. All Rights Reserved.
Bioscience Method 2025, Vol.16 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm © 2025 BioSci Publisher, registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group, founded in British Columbia of Canada. All Rights Reserved. BioSci Publisher is an international Open Access publisher specializing in bioscience methods, including technology, lab tool, statistical software and relative fields registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group (SPG), founded in British Columbia of Canada. Publisher BioSci Publisher Editedby Editorial Team of Bioscience Methods Email: edit@bm.bioscipublisher.com Website: http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm Address: 11388 Stevenston Hwy, PO Box 96016, Richmond, V7A 5J5, British Columbia Canada Bioscience Methods (ISSN 1925-1920) is an open access, peer reviewed journal published online by BioSci Publisher. The journal publishes all the latest and outstanding research articles, letters and reviews in all areas of bioscience, the range of topics including (but are not limited to) technology review, technique know-how, lab tool, statistical software and known technology modification. Case studies on technologies for gene discovery and function validation as well as genetic transformation. All the articles published in Bioscience Methods are Open Access, and are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. BioSci Publisher uses CrossCheck service to identify academic plagiarism through the world’s leading plagiarism prevention tool, iParadigms, and to protect the original authors’ copyrights.
Bioscience Methods (online), 2025, Vol.16, No.5 ISSN 1925-1920 https://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm © 2025 BioSci Publisher, registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group, founded in British Columbia of Canada. All Rights Reserved. Latest Content Study on the Technology of Regulating the Flowering Period of Loquat and Its Influence on the Fruit Ripening Period JinyangMa Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 Research on the Optimization of Rice Production Management Models Based on Integrated Rice-Fish Farming Zufang Chen, Dapeng Zhang Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 238-245 Optimizing Irrigation and Fertilization Regimes to Enhance Yield and Quality in Kiwifruit Xuming Lv, Zhen Liu, Yeping Han Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 246-253 Study on the Effects of Green Manure Application in Legume Crop Rotation Dandan Huang Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 254-261 Research Progress and Trends in the Integration of Agronomy and Mechanization for Sweet Potato Cultivation in Hilly and Mountainous Areas Xiaowei Wang Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 262-269
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 228 Review Article Open Access Study on the Technology of Regulating the Flowering Period of Loquat and Its Influence on the Fruit Ripening Period JinyangMa1,2 1 Zhejiang Hemei Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., Lanxi, 321100, Zhejiamg, China 2 Zhejiang Agronomist College, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 253226321@qq.com Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5 doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0021 Received: 01 Jul., 2025 Accepted: 12 Aug., 2025 Published: 01 Sep., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Ma, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Ma J.Y., 2025, Study on the technology of regulating the flowering period of loquat and its influence on the fruit ripening period, Bioscience Methods, 16(5): 228-237 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0021) Abstract Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a subtropical fruit tree with high economic value, especially in southern China, where early market entry can significantly improve profitability. This study reviews the current biological understanding and technological progress on the regulation of loquat flowering time, focusing on its impact on fruit ripening time. We first investigated the endogenous hormonal mechanisms, environmental factors, and genetic factors that control loquat flowering and ripening. Subsequently, we summarized the main technologies used to regulate flowering time, including the application of plant growth regulators, agronomic techniques, and environmental treatments, and evaluated their subsequent effects on fruit quality, harvest time, and market supply. In addition, we discussed molecular biological methods such as gene identification, gene editing, and transcriptomics as emerging strategies for precision flowering regulation. Environmental impacts were also analyzed, and a case study from Guangdong Province was used to illustrate practical applications and farmers' responses. This study believes that effective flowering regulation can not only extend the supply season of loquat and improve market competitiveness, but also lay the foundation for future innovations in precision cultivation and sustainable loquat production. Keywords Loquat flowering regulation; Fruit ripening period; Growth regulators; Genetic control; Market timing 1 Introduction Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is native to China and a subtropical evergreen fruit tree that is popular for its early fruiting. As early as the Han Dynasty more than 2000 years ago, loquat had become one of the important fruit trees in southern China. Its fruits usually mature in spring and can enter the market before most fruits are on the market (Cai et al., 2019). Loquat is suitable for growing in places with warmer winters. Its fruits are rich in nutrients, such as sugars, organic acids, and some active substances that are beneficial to the body (Shah et al., 2023). Because of its rich nutrition and good taste, and the increasing popularity of loquats, its economic value has become increasingly high, and it has now become one of the most important fruit varieties in the domestic and international markets. Zhejiang is the main production area of loquat in China, and Lanxi is one of the three major loquat production areas in Zhejiang, with a loquat planting area of about 1500 hm2. Due to the suitable climate, fertile soil, and excellent variety, Lanxi loquat is famous for its beautiful color, tender flesh, sweet and sour taste, and rich flavor. It is a specialty of Lanxi and a Agro-product geographical indication in China. Unlike most fruit trees that bloom in spring, loquat flowers bloom in autumn and winter, and the fruit does not mature until spring (Peng et al., 2021). This unique flowering time brings new opportunities to growers, but also brings some problems. If the flowering period can be properly adjusted, not only can the fruits grow together, but the yield can also be increased, and the harvest time can be extended, which makes it easier to meet market needs. Now, many researchers are trying to find ways to solve this problem. They have tried some methods, such as cutting off part of the inflorescence, thinning out part of the flower buds, or adjusting environmental conditions and hormone levels in the plant. These practices can make the flowering time more appropriate, and can also make the fruit grow larger and better quality. As long as the flowering period can be regulated well, a more stable
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 229 supply of high-quality loquat fruit can be achieved, avoiding losses caused by weather changes, and at the same time improving the competitiveness when selling fruit (Nordi et al., 2025). The goal of this study is to sort out the current research results on the regulation of loquat flowering period and see how these technologies affect the time of fruit ripening. This study will introduce the research on the genes, physiology and planting methods of flowering regulation, and will also talk about the new progress in the molecular mechanism of flowering period regulation. In addition, the effects of these methods on fruit development, ripening process and post-harvest quality will be analyzed. These contents can provide some useful ideas for improving the yield, quality and market timing of loquat. 2 Biological Basis of Flowering and Ripening in Loquat 2.1 Endogenous hormonal control of flowering induction and fruit development The flowering and fruit development of loquat are regulated by a variety of plant hormones in the body. Studies have found that abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin (ZT) and gibberellin (GA3) can promote flowering, while indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) mainly affects the formation and differentiation of flower buds. During fruit development, IAA is highest in the final stage of fruit growth, but it drops significantly when the fruit begins to change color. The content of gibberellins and cytokinins slowly decreases from the beginning of fruit development. Abscisic acid rises rapidly after the fruit changes color and reaches its highest level when it matures, indicating that it is very important in the process of fruit ripening (Reig et al., 2016b). The changes of these hormones at different stages help loquat to smoothly transition from vegetative growth to flowering and promote the physiological changes required for fruit ripening (Reig et al., 2015). 2.2 Environmental cues influencing floral transition and maturation Environmental conditions such as light duration and temperature will also significantly affect the flowering and fruit ripening time of loquat. When the daylight duration is short, if exogenous GA3 is applied, it will inhibit the expression of flowering genes, so that flower buds cannot form normally. If the plant is subjected to drought stress before flowering, it will bloom early. But because it will enter a colder season later, this will slow down the development of the fruit and prolong the ripening time (Cuevas et al., 2018). These studies show that loquat is very sensitive to the external environment. By adjusting factors such as light, water and temperature, the timing of flowering and fruiting can be better arranged to make the planting effect more ideal. 2.3 Genetic factors regulating flowering time and fruit set The flowering process of loquat is also controlled by some key genes. For example, two genes named EjFT1 and EjFT2 work together to regulate flower bud differentiation. EjFT2 responds to light duration and gibberellin signals, while EjFT1 is related to the vegetative growth of the plant (Figure 1). There is also a class of transcription factors called SPL, including EjSPL3, EjSPL4, EjSPL5 and EjSPL9, which also play an important role. They activate downstream genes to allow plants to flower and develop fruits smoothly (Jiang et al., 2019a). In addition, some WOX genes, especially EjWUSa, were found to be related to early flowering (Yu et al., 2022). These genes receive signals from hormones and the environment while regulating the timing of flowering and fruiting, making the whole process more reasonable (Li et al., 2023). 3 Techniques for Regulating Flowering Period 3.1 Use of growth regulators (e.g., gibberellins, cytokinins) If you want to regulate the flowering time of loquat, spraying some external plant hormones is an important step. For example, gibberellin (GA3), when sprayed at the right time, can inhibit some key flowering genes, such as EjFT2 and EjSOC1. After these genes are suppressed, flower buds are not easy to form, but will promote plant vegetative growth instead of flowering (Jiang et al., 2020). In addition to gibberellins, there are other hormones that also play a role in regulating flowering. Cytokinins such as zeatin (ZT) and abscisic acid (ABA) are believed to help promote flowering. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) mainly affects the differentiation process of flower buds (Chi et al., 2020). These hormones do not work alone, they need to cooperate with each other to achieve the best effect. When to spray and how much to spray, these must be properly mastered. Only by controlling the time and dosage of medication, the effect of flowering regulation will be more obvious (Jiang et al., 2021).
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 230 Figure 1 Tissue-specific expression of EjFT1andEjFT2(Adopted from Jiang et al., 2025) Image caption: (A) Different tissues from loquat were analyzed. (B-C) Relative expression levels of EjFT1 (B) and EjFT2 (C) in different tissues. Error bars indicating SDfrom three biological replicates. The β-Actin gene served as an internal control. R, root; S, shoot; L, leaf; LB, leaf bud; FB, flower bud; Fl, flower; and Fr, fruit (Adopted from Jiang et al., 2025) 3.2 Agronomic practices (e.g., pruning, girdling, irrigation control) Some agronomic operations during planting can also be used to regulate the flowering period and improve the quality of the fruit. For example, cutting off the main inflorescence can promote re-flowering of loquats, which can delay the flowering and fruiting time by 2 to 4 months (Peng et al., 2022). If the number of flower buds is appropriately reduced, the fruit can grow larger and of better quality. Usually, retaining an appropriate number of buds in each cluster will achieve the best results (Nordi et al., 2025). New practices such as "double-head pruning" can make branches grow stronger and promote better fruit development because it can enhance early cell division in branches (Su et al., 2024). For example, irrigation control, especially irrigation after harvest, can advance the flowering period by 10 to 20 days, which not only does not affect the quality of the fruit, but also can obtain more yields earlier (Hueso and Cuevas, 2008). Figure 2 The effect of thinning flowers on loquat fruit (Photographed by Jinyang Ma) Image caption: A Before thinning flowers; B Artificial thinning flowers; C After thinning flowers; D Mature fruit after thinning flowers 3.3 Application of exogenous environmental controls (e.g., shading, chilling treatments) The flowering time of loquat can also be controlled by adjusting light and temperature. When short-day light and GA3 spraying are used together, flower-promoting genes such as EjFT2 and EjSOC1 are inhibited, while the
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 231 expression of the flower-suppressing gene EjTFL1 is increased, thereby preventing flower bud formation. After flower bud induction, if the temperature rises above 25 °C, EjTFL1 expression will decrease and flowering will be promoted; but if the ambient temperature is low, the plant will continue to grow vegetatively instead of flowering (Reig et al., 2023). These studies show that as long as the temperature and light are well controlled, the flowering time can be arranged according to needs, such as making the flowering period uniform or appropriately delayed. 4 Influence on Fruit Ripening Period and Market Timing 4.1 Shifting harvest windows to avoid market saturation By adjusting the flowering period of loquat, the ripening time of the fruit can be effectively adjusted, so that growers can avoid the period when there are too many fruits on the market. Methods such as cutting off the main inflorescence can make the tree bloom again, and the fruit will mature 2 to 4 months later than usual. In this way, the harvest period is extended and the fruit can be put on the market when the competition is not too fierce. In addition, by controlling the temperature of the soil, the fruit can be made to mature 8 to 10 days earlier, so that the time to market is more flexible. With these methods, growers can reasonably arrange the time of harvesting and selling according to market conditions and consumer needs. 4.2 Improvement in fruit quality traits (sugar content, texture, appearance) Flower thinning can significantly improve the quality of loquat fruit. If only four flower buds are retained per bunch of flowers, the fruits that grow out are usually larger, have higher sugar content, and look better. However, if too many flower buds are retained, although the yield increases, the quality of each fruit may deteriorate. In terms of genetics, for example, regulating the EjBZR1 gene can also help cells swell and make the fruit larger, which is also a new way to improve quality (Su et al., 2021). In addition, during the ripening process of the fruit, affected by genetics and planting management, changes in organic acids and some enzymes will affect the taste and texture. These changes also help to form a more ideal flavor (Deng et al., 2023). 4.3 Extension of supply period and enhancement of economic returns If the flowering and fruiting time of loquats is extended by adjusting the planting method or changing the environmental conditions, the supply time of fresh fruits will also be extended. This can avoid too many loquats appearing in the market at the same time and reduce the price drop caused by oversupply (Reig et al., 2016a). Once the supply period is extended, loquats can stagger the sales peak and sell at a good price in the off-season, which can also increase the income of growers. In addition, if the fruit is of higher quality and larger in size, it will be more easily accepted by consumers and the price can be sold at a better price. In this way, farmers will become more competitive in the market and their income level will become higher (Nordi et al., 2025). 5 Molecular and Genetic Approaches in Flowering Regulation 5.1 Identification of key flowering genes and their regulatory networks In recent years, scientists have found a number of important genes that affect loquat flowering and the regulatory relationship between them. The most core ones are two genes called EjFT1 and EjFT2, which belong to the "flowering locus T" family. EjFT2 is mainly involved in the formation of flower buds and is also affected by light duration and gibberellins; while EjFT1 is mainly related to vegetative growth and bud germination (Reig et al., 2017). Another gene called EjTFL1 (there are two versions: EjTFL1-1 and EjTFL1-2) prevents flowering and makes the plant more inclined to vegetative growth. This situation is more obvious under short-day conditions and when sprayed with GA3 (Reig et al., 2023). In addition to the above, many other genes are involved in regulating flowering, such as MADS-box genes (EjSOC1s, EjAP1s, EjLFYs), SPL family genes (EjSPL3, EjSPL4, EjSPL5, EjSPL9), and WOX family genes such as EjWUSa, which can promote early flowering of plants (Li et al., 2023; Yu et al., 2022). In addition, the two genes EjRAV1/2 and EjFRI inhibit the expression of flowering-related genes (such as FT and SOC1), thereby delaying flowering. These genes influence each other and integrate external environmental signals with signals in the plant body to finely regulate when to flower. 5.2 Advances in gene editing for targeted flowering time control Although there are not many studies on the use of CRISPR or other gene editing tools on loquat, there are studies that have used overexpression and other plant systems (such as Arabidopsis and strawberry) to test the functions
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 232 of these genes. For example, overexpression of EjWUSa, EjSPLs, EjSOC1s, and EjLFY-1 causes plants to flower earlier. This shows that they are positive regulatory genes that promote flowering and can become targets for gene editing in the future (Liu et al., 2017; Jiang et al., 2019a). Conversely, overexpression of EjTFL1s, EjRAVs, and EjFRI causes plants to flower later, which provides new genetic options for those who want to extend the vegetative growth period (Chen et al., 2020). These studies lay the foundation for the future use of molecular breeding and gene editing to control the flowering time of loquat. 5.3 Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses for mechanism elucidation Behind the flowering of loquat, there are actually many genetic changes involved. These changes sometimes begin before the flower is formed, or they may only appear after external intervention, such as hormone treatment. For example, hormones such as GA3 (gibberellin) will cause many gene expression responses after injection. In the RNA sequencing results, genes such as EjFT, EjSOC1, and EjSPL that promote flowering will be activated, while inhibitors such as EjDELLAmay be suppressed (An et al., 2021). Of course, not all loquat varieties are the same. Some varieties are born to bloom early, while others are late, and the difference can be seen by comparing the transcriptome. In early-flowering varieties, the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) signals and certain transcription factors on flower bud formation are more obvious (Xia et al., 2020). In addition to these, there are also many gains in proteomics research. Gene families such as MADS-box and WOX have been studied in other fruit trees before, and are now found to be closely related to flower and fruit development in loquat (Jiang et al., 2019b). These genes may not work alone, but their combination just fills the puzzle pieces of flowering regulation. In the final analysis, these "omics" tools are actually like microscopes, allowing us to see deeper and more detailed, and thus get closer to the true appearance of loquat flowering mechanism. However, the deeper the study, the more we will find that this system is not that simple. 6 Environmental and Climatic Considerations 6.1 Impact of climate change on flowering and ripening synchronization Temperature is an important factor affecting the flowering and fruit ripening of loquat. During the flower bud conversion period, if the temperature rises above 25 °C, the expression of the gene EjTFL1 that inhibits flowering will be reduced, resulting in easy flowering; but if the temperature is low, the plant will continue to grow vegetatively, and the flowering time will be delayed (Reig et al., 2023). Climate change will make this situation more complicated. The weather is getting hotter and hotter now, with fewer cold days and more extreme high temperature days. Although this can reduce the loss caused by frost, it is also more likely to cause heat damage to the fruit when it matures. These changes will affect the coordination of flowering and fruit development, making their timing less synchronized (Jiang et al., 2015). In addition, water stress has become more common under climate change. Drought may cause loquat to bloom earlier, but it may also delay the development of the fruit to a colder period, so that the fruit matures more slowly (Cuevas et al., 2018). 6.2 Regional differences in response to regulation strategies Climate conditions vary from place to place, so the same regulation method will have different effects in different places. Areas like Lishui, China, have good sunlight, suitable temperatures, sufficient water sources, and less frost, continuous rain, and high temperatures, making them ideal areas for growing high-quality loquats. But the situation is different in mountainous areas. In these places, frost may often occur during the young fruit stage, and high temperatures are also prone to occur during the ripening stage, so more flexible and locally appropriate management measures must be adopted. Some Japanese studies have made prediction models for different regions, and the results show that there will be significant differences in the flowering time and fruit development speed in different regions. This also shows that to do a good job of flowering regulation, you have to adjust the method according to local climate data (Konno et al., 2020). 6.3 Risk mitigation strategies under variable environmental conditions Not all loquat planting areas can easily cope with sudden changes in weather, especially when environmental changes are increasing. Sometimes, relying on experience alone is no longer effective. For example, irrigation depends on the situation. Water-saving irrigation sounds good and can promote flowering and fruit ripening, but if
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 233 the amount of water is not well controlled, it will affect the development of the fruit and even make the taste worse (Jiménez et al., 2022). Therefore, when to water and how much to water is not necessarily the more the better. There is also the issue of choosing a place to plant. Not everywhere is suitable. Valleys or small basins with stable climates are less likely to experience frost or extreme high temperatures, and are safer choices. Mountainous or windy areas, although the soil is good, are more likely to encounter sudden changes in weather and unstable yields. As for temperature, soil management can also come in handy. If the ground temperature can be raised in advance, the fruit can also mature 8 to 10 days earlier. This not only allows for earlier picking, but also increases the chances of avoiding bad weather (Reig et al., 2016a). Finally, don't forget that "living by the weather" can actually be supported by data. Many people have started to use temperature data to build models to predict flowering and maturity in advance. Although it may not be 100% accurate, it can at least let people know how to arrange it earlier, so as not to wait until things happen before cramming. 7 Case Study in China 7.1 Loquat production challenges and climate characteristics Growing loquats in China is not always an easy task, especially when the weather is unpredictable. Take Lishui, Zhejiang, for example. The area usually has enough heat and rainfall, but problems often occur during the young fruit stage. Frosts come and go, and in some years, they even freeze for ten consecutive days (Figure 3) (Jiang et al., 2022). The situation in mountainous areas is even more complicated. Not only are they prone to frost in early spring, but they may also encounter high temperatures when the fruits are about to ripen. Research data also mentioned that the three key periods of flowering, young fruit and ripening can withstand temperatures of -5℃, -3℃ and 30℃, respectively. If they exceed these temperatures, accidents are likely to occur. Guangdong is more detailed, and risk areas prone to high temperatures, frost and fruit wilting have been marked. In the final analysis, the significance of these zoning maps is actually to remind everyone: Don't plant blindly, but see if the local climate is suitable. In addition, sudden drops in temperature, continuous heavy rains, or long periods of cold air are also common in some production areas in northern China. These extreme weather events affect people every year, and many cases of crop yield reduction occur (Wang et al., 2009). Figure 3 Spatial distribution of climatic mean frozen injury days (FID) during loquat young fruit period over Lishui (Adopted from Jiang et al., 2022)
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 234 7.2 Techniques used to manipulate flowering and results When it comes to how to deal with these weather challenges, some people have actually already started. The most basic point is to first pick out places suitable for growing loquats. Places like river valleys and basins with sufficient sunlight, abundant water resources, and stable climate are naturally more reliable than other places, and there is less frost and heat damage. In addition to the trick of "choosing the right place", technical matters have not been left behind. For example, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which is commonly used now, is used to enhance the plant's resistance to cold. This substance can increase the activity of GST enzymes and enhance the plant's own antioxidant level. Simply put, it can freeze less (Huang et al., 2024). Of course, hormones alone are not enough. Many places are also trying to cultivate more cold-resistant varieties or adjust the daily management methods of orchards. Things like cold-proof cloth, reasonable pruning, and irrigation rhythm may seem ordinary, but if used correctly, they can also help loquats survive bad weather (Zhang et al., 2022). 7.3 Shifts in harvest timing, yield performance, and farmer adoption Farmers in some suitable areas have achieved good results by choosing planting sites and using planting techniques that are more suitable for the climate. Their yields are more stable and the quality of the fruit has improved. These methods also help adjust the harvest time so that loquats can mature away from frost or high temperature peaks. This not only reduces losses but also improves the stability of market supply (Jiang et al., 2015). These practices are most effective in some places with good natural conditions, such as Yingde City and Fengshun County in Guangdong, where the climate and soil are very suitable for loquat cultivation (Qiu et al., 2009). Now, more and more farmers are willing to use growth regulators and cold-resistant varieties, which not only makes their crops more resistant to adversity but also brings better economic benefits. 8 Future Directions and Technological Innovations 8.1 Integration of precision agriculture and remote sensing for monitoring phenology Many new agricultural tools are now being used to help grow loquats. Among them, precision agriculture technologies, such as remote sensing and environmental monitoring, have become a good way to monitor the flowering time of loquats and adjust flowering management. Some places have already used controlled environments, such as greenhouse cultivation, and combined with temperature and light regulation. This method can advance the harvest period of loquats by up to two months, indicating that there is great potential after the combination of technologies (Wang and Huang, 2010). In addition, by installing sensors and combining data analysis, the development of flower buds, flowering and fruiting can be monitored in real time. These data can help farmers take timely measures and help predict yields, making production arrangements more scientific. 8.2 Development of loquat varieties with flexible flowering potential The idea of making loquats bloom flexibly according to weather and market changes has actually been proposed more than once. However, the current breeding methods are more advanced than before, and the confidence to do this is also stronger. For example, researchers have found some key genes related to flowering. EjFT1, EjFT2, EjSPLs, EjTFL1s, EjWUSa-although these names are not easy to remember, they play a significant role (Jiang et al., 2019a). It does not mean that once new technologies are available, the problem can be solved immediately, but at least the direction is clear. The development of molecular breeding and gene editing, coupled with the addition of transcriptomes and proteomes, has given scientists the opportunity to "customize" new varieties with more flexible flowering times and easier management (Li et al., 2023). Interestingly, the regulation direction of some genes is the opposite. For example, SPLand WOXcan make loquat bloom earlier, while TFL1 can make it bloom later and extend the vegetative growth period (Yu et al., 2022). So whether to adjust early or late depends on demand. In the final analysis, breeding varieties that can adapt to different climates and catch up with the market rhythm is not something that can be achieved overnight, but it is no longer a difficult problem technically. 8.3 Prospects for sustainable, low-input flowering control methods Not all problems need to be solved by spraying. This statement is actually quite appropriate when applied to the regulation of loquat flowering. What many people are concerned about now is: Is there a way to regulate flowering without too much investment and make the fruit grow better? The answer is that some methods have
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 228-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 235 been proposed. For example, appropriately cut off some inflorescences, or use some new pruning methods. These seemingly simple actions have actually been proven to be effective in many experiments: they can affect flowering, extend the production period, and make the fruit larger (Su et al., 2024). Of course, it is not just traditional operations such as pruning that work. Research on the hormone regulation mechanism of loquat itself is also advancing. Now everyone knows more about which hormones affect flowering and when, and which genes are involved. Once this kind of information is thoroughly understood, low-cost solutions can be developed that do not rely on external chemical agents but are based on the plant's own regulatory ability. These methods may seem simple, but they can indeed reduce dependence on synthetic regulators, not only saving money, but also being more environmentally friendly. For growers, they can save trouble and cost while improving planting efficiency, and are indeed worth promoting. 9 Concluding Remarks When and how loquats bloom, people no longer just rely on experience to judge. Researchers have spent a lot of effort, starting from the genetic level. Like EjFT1, EjFT2, EjTFL1, EjSOC1, plus some MADS-box and SPL family transcription factors, these names are not easy to remember, but they do play an important role in this matter. However, knowing the genes is not enough, and the means of regulation must also keep up. Spraying gibberellin (GA3), adjusting the light time, and cutting the inflorescences-these sound like old methods, but in fact they have been proven to be effective in many experiments, and can make loquats bloom earlier or later. In this way, there is a choice of fruit ripening time, and the entire production cycle can be extended. On the other hand, molecular research and "omics" analysis are also not idle, providing many new perspectives to help us understand the details of these regulatory mechanisms more clearly. The more detailed the research, the more targeted the regulation, and the loquats grown are not only of stable quality and accurate time, but also more adaptable. Of course, it is easier said than done. It is not easy to get these technologies out of the laboratory. For example, gene regulation seems to be an ideal solution, but the results are often different in the actual environment. The temperature suddenly changes, the rain falls more, and the spring cold comes early-these may disrupt the plan. Sometimes even if the regulator is used, the flowers still fail to bloom as expected. In addition, the growth cycle of loquat is long. It takes several years from seedling to fruit. Want to quickly verify the effect of new varieties? Not so fast. Even if researchers have a direction, the breeding cycle is still very long, not to mention promotion. At present, finding a low-cost and environmentally friendly method may be a more realistic goal. Hormone regulation is certainly effective, but if we can better understand how hormones in plants work with environmental signals, we may be able to use less drugs and save labor. Future work will not only continue to explore those key genes (such as EjFTs, EjTFL1s, EjSOC1s and SPLs), but also speed up the pace of technologies such as gene editing and molecular markers. As for planting management, it cannot be stereotyped. Different regions have different climates, so there should be different plans-how to use regulators, how much inflorescence to cut, and which plot of land to plant should all be determined according to the local conditions. Finally, don't forget that precision agricultural tools are no longer new. Real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment will gradually become routine operations. In the final analysis, flowering seems simple, but it is a matter of many things. Anyone who wants to grow loquats well needs to work harder. Acknowledgments I thank the anonymous reviewers for critically reading the manuscript and providing specific comments that strengthened the coherence of the article. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The author affirms that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References An H., Jiang S., Zhang J., Xu F., and Zhang X., 2021, Comparative transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed transcripts associated with flowering time of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), Horticulturae, 7(7): 171. https://doi.org/10.3390/HORTICULTURAE7070171
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Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 238-245 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 238 Feature Review Open Access Research on the Optimization of Rice Production Management Models Based on Integrated Rice-Fish Farming Zufang Chen, Dapeng Zhang Hier Rice Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: dapeng.zhang@hitar.org Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5 doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0022 Received: 08 Jul., 2025 Accepted: 19 Aug., 2025 Published: 09 Sep., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Chen and Zhang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Chen Z.F., and Zhang D.P., 2025, Research on the optimization of rice production management models based on integrated rice-fish farming, Bioscience Methods, 16(5): 238-245 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0022) Abstract As an ecological farming model that integrates agriculture and aquaculture, integrated rice-fish farming has shown great potential in promoting green agricultural development, improving land use efficiency, and enhancing farmers’ economic returns in recent years. This study explores optimized rice production management strategies suitable for different ecological regions in China, focusing on the management structure, agronomic practices, nutrient regulation, environmental and economic benefits, and regional implementations of rice-fish systems. The findings reveal that through rational field design, coordinated crop-aquaculture management, and the optimization of water and nutrient control along with eco-friendly pest management, it is possible to simultaneously improve rice quality, enhance agricultural ecosystems, and increase farmers’ income. Based on representative models from Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Sichuan provinces, this study further proposes region-specific rice-fish management schemes with potential for wider application, providing valuable references for the development of an efficient, green, and sustainable modern agricultural system. Keywords Integrated rice-fish farming; Rice production management; System optimization; Ecological agriculture; Regional models 1 Introduction Integrated rice-fish farming is an agricultural method that combines rice cultivation with aquaculture. This method is more environmentally friendly and can also bring good economic benefits. Fish, ducks, or crayfish and other aquatic animals are raised in rice fields, and they can cooperate with rice. On the one hand, this can make the nutrient cycle in the field smoother, reduce pests, and improve the soil; on the other hand, it can also help increase food production (Jin et al., 2020). Farming aquatic animals can also bring additional income, while using less fertilizers and pesticides and reducing environmental pollution. Now, many places have already had similar traditional farming practices, and people are paying more and more attention to the role of this method in food security and sustainable agricultural development (Prakash et al., 2022; Anwar et al., 2023). Traditional rice farming methods rely heavily on fertilizers and pesticides. If they are used too much, it is easy to make the soil and water quality deteriorate, and the number of plant and animal species will decrease. These problems will make this farming method more and more difficult to sustain. As the input increases, the effect is declining, such as the soil fertility decreases, pests become more difficult to control, and the final yield does not increase much. Moreover, traditional methods often fail to make good use of existing natural resources, resulting in low efficiency and waste (Syed et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2023). Given the many limitations of traditional rice cultivation, there is an urgent need to optimize rice production management in the rice-fish integrated system. This study takes the rice-fish symbiotic system as the core, systematically analyzes its application mechanism and advantages in rice production management, combines typical breeding models in different regions, and optimizes and analyzes key links such as rice planting density, fertilization management, water regulation, and pest and disease control through field empirical surveys and production practice data, in order to improve the productivity and sustainability of the system by screening effective symbiotic breeding models. This is of great significance for expanding the application scope of rice-fish integrated breeding, meeting the needs of sustainable food production, and ensuring the long-term stability of agricultural ecosystems.
Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 238-245 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 239 2 Structural Components of Rice-Fish Co-Culture Management 2.1 Field layout and land shaping adaptations In the rice-fish co-cultivation system, how the fields are arranged and how the terrain is shaped are very important. These are directly related to whether rice and aquaculture can produce high yields together. Traditional paddy fields are generally transformed, such as digging ditches or opening ditches on the ridges of the fields, so that fish have places to hide and swim, so that they are easier to survive and grow faster (Jin et al., 2020). This is not only beneficial for fish farming, but also makes the water flow in the fields smoother and the nutrients more evenly distributed, which helps rice grow better. When designing fields, we should not only consider rice, but also take into account the needs of fish. For example, the water should not be too deep or too shallow, and the location of rice planting and fish activities should be arranged reasonably so that both can grow well. 2.2 Hydrological connectivity between paddy and aquaculture areas Effective hydrological connectivity is the basis for the success of rice-fish co-cultivation. This connectivity facilitates the effective exchange of water, nutrients and organisms between rice fields and aquaculture areas, thereby maintaining ecological balance and optimizing output benefits (Jiao et al., 2020). Scientific water management measures, such as precision irrigation and reasonable drainage, are the key to maintaining suitable water levels and water quality, providing a good living environment for fish and ensuring the absorption of water and nutrients by rice (Ohira et al., 2015; Du et al., 2022). 2.3 Framework for coordinated crop-aquaculture management Building a coordinated management framework is the key to achieving a benign interaction between rice cultivation and aquaculture. For example, when rice is planted and harvested should be in sync with when fish are released and caught, so that resources can be better utilized and conflicts between the two operations can be avoided (Li et al., 2025). Another benefit of putting fish in the fields is that fish can eat insects and weeds, which can help reduce pests and diseases. This method does not require too much pesticide, makes the entire system more stable, and increases yields. By establishing a systematic and integrated collaborative management mechanism, the rice-fish farming system can achieve higher economic and environmental benefits (Cazenave et al., 2024). 3 Agronomic Practices for Optimized Rice-Fish Integration 3.1 Adjusted transplanting methods and planting density Planting too densely or inappropriate transplanting methods will affect the effect of the rice-fish system. Adjusting the transplanting method and planting density is the key to increasing the yield of rice and fish. For example, planting rice with dry direct seeding (DSR) not only saves labor and water, but is also more suitable for the current climate than the traditional paddy field transplanting method (PTR). Planting too densely will leave fish no place to move; too sparsely, the rice will not grow well (Duan et al., 2019; Dou et al., 2021). Therefore, the density must be arranged reasonably so that both rice and fish can grow well and the ecology in the field will be more balanced. 3.2 Dynamic water management and alternate wetting-drying Dynamic water management, especially the "wet-dry" (AWD) irrigation technology, is a key strategy to improve water use efficiency and enhance crop resistance in rice-fish co-culture. "Wet-dry" (AWD) means sometimes letting the field dry for a period of time and then irrigating it. This can save water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and is good for the environment. At the same time, this method can also help adjust the temperature and quality of water, so fish can survive more easily and grow faster in such water (Figure 1) (Zhang et al., 2023). 3.3 Integrated pest management with eco-friendly approaches The rice-fish system also needs to prevent diseases and pests, but it cannot always rely on pesticides. Integrated pest management (IPM) is to use more environmentally friendly methods to deal with pests. For example, you can grow insect-resistant rice varieties, or you can rely on fish to eat some insects. In this way, less pesticides are used and the ecology of the field is healthier (Kabir and Rainis, 2015). Although this method is good, it is not used much now, mainly because farmers do not understand it and have not learned it. If there is more training and publicity, people will be more willing to use it, and the rice-fish system will become more stable and efficient.
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