Abstract: Against the dual backdrop of New Agricultural Science development and educational digital transformation, South China Agricultural University addresses core challenges in botany courses at agricultural and forestry universities, such as the disconnection between learning and application, insufficient knowledge internalization, and lack of student interest. With AI as a key enabling tool, the university has constructed a four-in-one support system of ‘resources-tools-scenarios-achievements’ and implemented a closed-loop teaching reform integrating theory-practice, science-education, and industry-education. By reconstructing hierarchical teaching content centered on ‘cell-tissue-organ-group-resource utilization’, building a multi-modal AI intelligent resource matrix, and implementing a ‘three-dimension, three-stage’ process-based assessment, the reform has achieved multi-dimensional improvement of students’ core competencies and qualities, enhanced teachers’ professional capabilities, and highlighted resource radiation effects. This reform provides a replicable paradigm for the digital transformation of botany courses in agricultural and forestry universities, helping to cultivate innovative and compound talents who embody the ‘Four Agriculture’ ethos (understanding agriculture, loving agriculture, strengthening agriculture, and revitalizing agriculture) and serve modern agriculture and rural revitalization.

Key words: AI empowerment, botany course, teaching reform, three-integration model, New Agricultural Science