Research Progress

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  Calcium Rich Karst Bedrock Reshapes the Latitudinal Pattern of Forest Species Diversity

  A new study led by Prof. Chen Hongsong at the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed that calcium rich bedrock can reshape the latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) within karst forests. These findings provide empirical evidence that geodiversity can modulate or even overturn the traditional LDG by altering soil formation and nutrient availability.

  Oct 30, 2025
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  New Progress in Estimating Soil Thickness on Karst Dolomite Slopes

  Recently, significant progress has been made in the study of soil thickness estimation on karst dolomite slopes by the research team led by Prof. Wang Kelin from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS, and other institutions. The study was conducted at the Huanjiang Karst Ecosystem Observation and Research Station in Guangxi. The findings have been published in the international journal Catena.

  Sep 25, 2025
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  Synthetic Microbial Communities Greatly Promote Compost Material Transformation and Crop Growth, New Advance

  In their latest three studies, a research team led by Professor Li Dejun from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has made significant progress in the field of synthetic microbial communities (SynCom) in enhancing lignocellulose degradation, promoting compost material transformation and crop growth.

  Jul 18, 2025
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  Gut Microbiota Contributes to Better Pork Quality

  Recently, a research team led by Prof. Kong Xiangfeng from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed that modulating gut microbiota offers an approach to improve commercial pork quality—potentially bridging the gap between the high meat yield of commercial pigs and the premium meat quality of Chinese indigenous pigs.

  Jun 26, 2025
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  The HAN2/OsABCB5 Regulatory Mechanism Unlocks Chilling Tolerance Secrets in Japonica Rice

  In a new study published in Nature Communication​, a team led by Prof. Mao Donghai from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture of Chinese Academy of Sciences elucidated the molecular mechanism by which the auxin efflux transporter HAN2/OsABCB5 regulates chilling tolerance in rice through the auxin signaling pathway.

  May 31, 2025
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  The Crosstalk Between Exosomes and Autophagy, A Cutting-edge Review

  High-quality pork products have become a key goal for swine industry. Intramuscular fat content and muscle fiber type composition are critical factors influencing meat quality. As important metabolic and secretory organs, muscle and adipose tissues interact with each other, and exosomes, as mediators of intercellular communication, have become a major focus of research. Recently, a research team led by Academician Yulong Yin, was invited to publish a cutting-edge review entitled "Intracellular and intercellular crosstalk between exosomes and autophagy" in the international journal The Innovation Life, where it was also selected as the cover.

  May 13, 2025
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  New progress in piglet modeling for evaluation of infant and young children's dairy protein nutrition research

  As an ideal model for human intestinal research, the pig, whose intestinal anatomy, enzyme system development and nutritional metabolism characteristics are very similar to those of infants and young children, has been widely used in recent years to evaluate infant formula and milk protein function research.

  Apr 16, 2025
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  Chinese Herbal Formula Ultra-fine Powder Enhances Egg and Meat Quality in Aged Laying Hens

  Recently, a research team led by Prof. Kong Xiangfeng from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed the mechanisms of dietary Chinese herbal formula ultra-fine powder (CHFUP) for improving egg and meat quality of aged laying hens.

  Apr 16, 2025
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  How Rock Outcrops Affect Soil Functions in Mountain Ecosystems

  In a recent study published in Functional Ecology on 31 March 2025, researchers led by Prof. WANG Kelin from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shed light on how the size and proximity of rock outcrops influence soil functions in these mountain ecosystems. The research team conducted a field study in mountainous karst regions of southwest China, a landscape characterized by numerous prominent rock outcrops. A total of 31 rock outcrops of varying sizes were selected and categorized into five diameter classes: 0-1 m, 1-2 m, 2-3 m, 3-4 m, and 4-5 m (FIGURE 1a). Plant litter and soil samples were collected at two distances (0-20 cm and 20-50 cm) (FIGURE 1b). Soil functions were assessed in five aspects, including nutrient provisioning, microbial growth efficiency, soil organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and plant-microbe symbiosis.

  Apr 02, 2025
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  Intensive Animal farms Amplify Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition and Aerosol Pollution

  A recent study led by Prof. Jianlin Shen from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed the significant environmental impacts of ammonia emissions from intensive dairy farms on atmospheric nitrogen deposition and aerosol pollution. The findings, published in the prestigious journal Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2025), provide critical insights into mitigating air pollution and ecosystem eutrophication caused by intensive animal farming.

  Apr 02, 2025