| Shaanxi Province has been recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as one of the world’s most suitable apple-producing regions and is the largest contiguous area for apple cultivation globally. The region's high altitude, abundant sunlight, and large diurnal temperature variation contribute to the superior apple fruit quality. However, abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and poor soil conditions, are major constraints limiting further improvements in apple quality and production efficiency in Shaanxi. A systematic evaluation of drought resistance, salt-alkali tolerance, and water and nitrogen use efficiency under drought conditions across diverse apple germplasm resources provides a critical foundation for breeding high-quality, stress-resistant apple cultivars and for ensuring the sustainable and high-quality development of the apple industry in Shaanxi. |
