The presented study comprehensively assessed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) hybrid populations of F₃–F₅ generations, comparing with the standard barley cultivars, Karagaydinckiy-5 and Astana-2000. The crossing of isolated barley cultivars of the international collection (obtained from Australia) proceeded under intense continental climatic conditions of Northern and Central Kazakhstan. Barley promising selected populations, i.e., Macguarie × Arna, Flinders × Tselinniy golozerniy, and Flinders × Omskiy golozerniy, showed early maturity (79–83 days), superior plant height (34.4–69.5 cm), and enhanced 1000-grain weight (56.6 g, 56.4 g, and 58.0 g, respectively), and populations, viz., Buloke × Karagandinckiy-6, Fathom × Donezckiy-9, and Onslow × Karabalykckiy-43, for productivity (1 m²) at 184 g, 116.4 g, and 140.1 g, respectively. Identified in the study were the correlation of productivity and its structural elements, particularly the grain weight per ear (r = 0.486) and grain weight per plant (r = 0.828), mainly determining grain productivity. The determination of structural features variation showed a significant excess (more than 20%) with varying levels. The level of variability of grain mass per plant has shown in hybrid lines, i.e., Fathom × Karagandinckiy-5, Onslow × Karagandinckiy-10, Admiral × Karabalykckiy-150, and Admiral × Donezckiy-9. In grains, the protein content ranged from 10.45% to 16.63%, and the excess over the standard cultivar resulted in the hybrid lines Franklin × Sabir (16.63%), Anodolu-86 × Donezckiy-8 (16.04%), and Flinders × Omskiy golozerniy (15.31%). Based on an average of the study years, the drought-resistant and high-productivity hybrid lines were Buloke × Karagadinckiy-6, Fathom × Donezckiy-9, Onslow × Karabalykckiy-43, Onslow × (Karagandinckiy-5 × Аrna), Bass × Karabalykckiy-150, Granal × CMB93H-805-F-1Y-1M-OY-17TRS-OAP, and Granal × CMB89A-380-1M-OGH-105GH-1B-1OY-OAP-19AP-OAP. These promising genotypes can benefit the development of drought-resistant and high-yielding barley cultivars through future breeding programs under prevailing environmental conditions.

Keywords: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), hybrids, breeding, drought, traits association, yield-related traits, protein content

Key findings: The study based on hybrid populations of world genetic resources of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under existing environmental conditions makes it possible to select and develop drought-resistant and high-yielding spring barley cultivars through the conventional breeding program and provide food security to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Cassava leaves’ consumption as vegetables are common in several Asian countries. They contain various nutrients, such as, anthocyanins, carotene, minerals, and vitamins. New varieties with high mineral contents in leaves need development to increase the leaves’ quality as vegetables. This study aimed to identify and characterize cassava genotypes of the MV10 generation resulting from gammaray-induced mutations based on the leaves’ morphology, growth characteristics, and mineral contents, using two cultivars and 10 cassava genotypes. All genotypes planted in a randomized complete block design had three replications. The leaf’s morphology and mineral contents underwent scrutiny on the third to fifth leaf below the apical shoot. The mineral content analysis used the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method. Data analysis comprised the ANOVA test and descriptive analysis. This study revealed petiole length, leaf lobe length, and leaf lobe width were significantly different between genotypes at four months after planting (MAP). However, no meaningful difference showed for the plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves among genotypes. In general, the leaf morphology consisted of purplish green apical leaves with present pubescence; the shape of the central leaflet is lanceolate; the petiole color is reddish to greenish; leaves are dark green with five to seven leaf lobes; leaf veins are reddish-green; smooth lobe margins; and horizontal petiole orientation. The genotypes affect mineral contents, as the genotype with the highest Mg contents was G6-2-15-5-3, and the one with the highest Zn contents was G2D1-422. Fe contents showed more variations between genotypes, and no genotype showed consistently high Fe contents. This research produced promising genotypes for Mg or Zn contents in leaves for future cassava varieties for vegetable production.

Keywords: magnesium, mutant putative potential, iron, leaves, zinc

Key findings: This study nominated the potential mutant genotype with a high Mg content, G6-2-15-5-3, and a high Zn content, G2D1-422. Genotype G3D2-413 may have a higher Fe content that still needs further confirmation.

Studies of the photosynthetic activity of perennial grass mixtures allow for describing the peculiarities of the formation of perennial grass species forage productivity in the dry steppe zone. The study aimed to evaluate the cumulative effect of perennial cereal and legume grasses as part of complex grass mixtures on photosynthetic activity, productivity, and nutritional value of mowing and grazing phytocenoses. Adapting multicomponent grass created from various species of perennial grasses to the continental climate of the steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan commenced, capable of resisting biotic and abiotic stresses due to biological characteristics and positively influencing other species in the phytocenoses. The study determined photosynthetic activity, the yield of green and dry masses, dry matter content, crude protein, metabolizable energy of natural pasture, single-species sowing of awnless brome, and multicomponent grass mixtures. The communal herbage obtained as a result of the study contained a large amount of crude protein (20.6%–24.7%), crude fat (2.0%–4.2%), crude fiber (18.0%–22.7%), crude ash (7.1%–7.7%), and nitrogen-free extractive substances (35.0%–44.1%). The results further enunciated that the perennial grass herbage in question had an average photosynthetic potential of 1,450,330 m²×day ha-¹ in single-species awnless brome crops, while in grass mixtures the said potential was higher, ranging from 1,510,250 to 1,815,250 m²×day ha-¹. The authors concluded that it was necessary to create mowing and grazing fields composed of productive and stable perennial grass mixtures on degraded pasture lands to increase available forage for farm animals and improve the system’s resistance to adverse conditions.

Keywords: Perennial grasses and legumes, grass mixtures, pastures, hayfields, photosynthesis, green and dry yield, nutritional value, chemical composition

Key findings: Multicomponent grass-and-legume concoctions of the first and second year of life ensure the formation of higher yields, the nutritional value of forage, and photosynthetic potential (PP) compared with single-species crops. Multicomponent grass mixtures with the participation of drought-, salt-, and frost-hardy crops (alfalfa, sainfoin, brome, wheatgrass) have high ecological adaptivity, grow and overwinter well, and have high viability, which allows for the successful use in improving old degraded hayfields and pastures.

The family Cactaceae comprises many genera, has taxonomic controversies at the species level, and yet has not been studied at the genetic level in Iraq. The presented study focused on species genotyping based on the RAPD-PCR method. The classification of six species, i.e., Hylocereus undatus, Aloe vera, Opuntia ficus-indica, Espostoa guentheri, Echinocactus grusonii, and Mammillaria elongata, ensued based on phenotypic characters to determine their precise taxonomic names and evaluate kinship by constructing the phylogeny tree RAPD-PCR. The short oligo primers showed the highest polymorphic bands (100%), with no monomorphic and basal bands correlated among these species. This highly polymorphic relationship indicated that each species has a superior identity and unique evolutionary trend. The oligo primers were considered productive by showing highly distinct and sharp bands, while others showed faint bands. This research confirmed the efficacy of RAPD primers in measuring polymorphism, comparing genotypes, and identifying Cacti species using specialized RAPD markers.

Keywords: Cactaceae, genotyping, RAPD-PCR, Opuntia, Mammillaria

Key findings: Using RAPD molecular markers, the study revealed a highly polymorphic relationship among the species of the family Cactaceae and has a superior identity and unique evolutionary trend.

Accurate data and relevant insights on parental corn inbred lines’ and hybrids’ genetic purity and diversity are essential for hybrid development and seed production. Here, the genetic purity and diversity of 19 parental yellow corn inbred lines were assessed using SSR markers. A total of 91 SSR markers were utilized, of which 61 were highly polymorphic and had high polymorphism information content value (PIC = 0.379). Genetic purity and diversity parameters were calculated from the generated SSR marker data. Observed pairwise genetic distances ranging from 0.257 to 0.808 implied high genetic dissimilarities among the accessions. Cluster analysis separated the parental lines into three distinct subclusters, which can potentially be a basis for generating heterotic groupings among the parental lines. Eight (8) out of the 19 parental lines showed considerable residual heterozygosity of ≤10%. Inbred line CML 431 displayed complete homozygosity across all 61 SSR markers. Inbred lines that have residual heterozygosity of >15% need purification through further breeding and selection. Out of the resultant F1 hybrids analyzed, only four (4) showed genetic impurity of ≤10%. It may be attributed to the intrinsic genetic impurity of parental line CML 452 (21.67%). In contrast, hybrids generated from two genetically pure parents (e.g., CML 431 and CML 575) showed low to no off-types. Overall, genetic purity and diversity determination of promising parental lines can be valuable for future yellow corn breeding programs in the Philippines.

Keywords: corn, SSR markers, genetic purity, genetic diversity, hybrid development

Key findings: The genotyping strategy employed in the study proved cost-efficient and effective in terms of identifying whether the corn genotypes are genetically pure or contaminated. Corn breeders can utilize the generated clusters as a basis for designing cross-combinations. Finally, the achieved set of SSR markers determined can help further assess successful hybridization among the corn genotypes used in this study.

In light of the scarcity of irrigation water, extreme wastage of water, saline soils, and the dominance of traditional water management methods, the presented research transpired in 2020 in the Directorate of Agriculture, ALHashimiya area, Hilla City, Iraq. The latest study aimed to investigate the effects of subsurface drip irrigation system (SDIS) and flood irrigation system (FIS), with three drip irrigation distances of 18, 20, and 22 cm on two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, i.e., ‘Tarm Hashemi’ (TH) and ‘Daillman Mazandarani’ (DM). The irrigation systems (SDIS and FIS) significantly impacted the growth and productivity traits of the rice crop. The SDIS ensures the addition of an appropriate amount of water to the plants by keeping wet the root zone without wasting water compared with the flood irrigation system. The interaction of rice cultivar Tarm Hashemi, SDIS, and drip irrigation distance (DID of 18 cm) resulted in the best performance for root growth traits, i.e., root length and root fresh and dry weight (17.66 cm and 1.80 and 0.85 g, respectively). It also provided the highest plant vigor index (PVI), biological, and grain yield (71.15 cm, 1,747.23, and 608.26 g.m^-2, respectively). Cultivar Tarm Hashemi proved superior to cultivar Daillman Mazandarani in managing the morpho-yield traits. The subsurface drip irrigation system during the growing season helped increase the productivity of the rice crop compared with the traditional irrigation system. Compared with FIS, the SDIS not only improved and enhanced the growth and grain yield, but also saved abundant water and nutrients.

Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), cultivars Tarm Hashemi (TH) and Daillman Mazandarani (DM), subsurface drip irrigation system (SDIS), flood irrigation system (FIS), drip irrigation distance (DID)

Key findings: The study focused on achieving the best growth results for the rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop, with the highest productivity emerging with the subsurface drip irrigation system and the planting distance of 18 cm. The reaction of rice cultivar Tarm Hashemi (TH) to the subsurface drip irrigation system gave the highest studied characteristics compared with the rice cultivar Daillman Mazandarani (DM).

Potassium (K) performs multiple essential functions in the plant, including enzyme activation and osmotic regulation. Citrus fruit quality gains considerable influence from potassium (K) fertilizer rate, application method, and sources used. The conducted field experiment assessed the impact and response of different levels of K applications on the quality and yield parameters of citrus fruit, determining a suitable time, stage, and K fertilizer dose for citrus trees. Comparing traditional K fertilizer, i.e., sulfate of potash (SOP), with new-generation potassium (NG-K) employed the use of foliar and soil (basal) applications. Treatments included (i) T1: Control (0 NPK), (ii) T2: Recommended NP and without K, (iii) T3: 500 g K as sulfate of potash (SOP) (basal), (iv) T4: New generation K (NG-K) fertilizer @1.5% (foliar), and (v) T5: 400 g NG-K fertilizer (basal). Observations revealed that citrus trees responded positively in growth characteristics, including fruit quality and physiological attributes, under both foliar and basal K fertilizer applications of different K sources. Notably, NG-K fertilizer proved a better source of K, whether applied as a basal dose or foliar spray. For growth characteristics like the fresh weight of leaves and fruit mass, obtaining the highest values of 35.2 and 172 g, respectively, resulted when applying a basal dose of NG-K. On the other hand, maximum total sugar content (13 mg L^-1) and juice content (40%) occurred under foliar-applied NG-K. Foliar application of K fertilizer proved to be more effective for better growth and fruit quality parameters than the basal application of SOP.

Keywords: Citrus, growth characteristics, potassium, fertilizer, formulation

Key findings: K fertilizer application improved the citrus fruits’ quality and quantity attributes irrespective of source, dose, and application method. However, among K fertilizer sources, newgeneration K fertilizers proved superior over commercial K sources (SOP). Regarding the application method, the foliar application gave better results and effectively improved the quality and growth attributes of the citrus fruits.

The tendency to use natural organic wastes is one of the environmentally safe applications in crop production. Therefore, the presented study aimed to determine the effect of adding mushroom and sulfur residues to gypsiferous soil and their efficiency in improving the production of broccoli ‘Balimo F1’ (Brassica oleracea var. ‘Italica’). The study set out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The 10 combined treatments of the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and sulfur residues consisted of 0% and 15% (SMS), and 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 S kg ha^-1. The interaction of the spent mushroom substrate with sulfur showed significant differences for most growth and yield-related traits of broccoli, including leaf length, leaves per plant, roots per plant, head diameter, head weight, total yield, and harvest index, as compared with the control treatments. Among all the treatments in broccoli, the highest total yield (148,702 kg ha^-1) resulted in the treatment SMS – 15% + Sulfur – 3000 kg ha^-1, followed by the total yields of 111,608 and 105,663 kg ha^-1 produced by the treatments SMS – 15% + Sulfur – 4000 kg ha^-1 and SMS – 15% + Sulfur – 2000 kg ha^-1, respectively. However, the minimum total yield in broccoli (28,295 kg ha^-1) came from the treatment SMS – 0% + Sulfur – 3000 kg ha^-1, followed by a total yield of 33,793 kg ha^-1 obtained in the treatment SMS – 0% + Sulfur – 4000 kg ha^-1. Overall, and compared with the control, a significant influence occurred due to the interaction of spent mushroom substrate and sulfur with levels of 15% and 3000 kg ha^-1, respectively.

Keywords: Broccoli, spent mushroom substrate (SMS), composting, sulfur, inorganic fertilizer, organic manure, gypsiferous soil

Key findings: For growth and yield-related traits of broccoli, a significant influence occurred due to the interaction of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and sulfur at the levels of 15% and 3000 kg ha^-1, respectively.

Shallot production has many challenges, including the anthracnose disease caused by the pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. Disease characteristics include severe twisting of leaves, neck elongation, and necrosis of leaves. This disease can cause yield loss of up to 100 percent. In addition to chemical control practices, resistant shallot varieties will be very useful in decreasing losses. However, information about existing shallot varieties resistant to C. gloeosporioides is limited. The study objectives are to identify the shallot varieties resistant to C. gloeosporioides and identify morphological characters and secondary metabolites of the leaves that may associate with the defense mechanism in shallot. Fourteen shallot varieties underwent a single factor use in a randomized block design in the field and laboratory experiments. The experiment transpired from January to June 2021. Planting healthy shallot bulbs of all genotypes in a polybag containing sterile media continued by artificial inoculation of C. gloeosporioides after the plant had 3–5 leaves. The field test showed that the Sumenep variety has the best resistant level to C. gloeosporioides, with a disease severity score of about 30.19%. On the other hand, the Blue Lancor variety is most susceptible, with a disease severity score reaching 95.05%. The study also found an indication that a possible resistance of shallots to C. gloeosporioides relates to the thickness of the palisade tissue (r =-0.8, P < 0.001), with the induced mechanism associated with the detection of the presence and increase of carbamic acid concentrations.

Keywords: Carbamic acid, defense mechanism, palisade tissue, secondary metabolite, Sumenep variety

Key findings: Identifying the resistance of leaf cellular morphology showed that palisade tissue is a character associated with shallot resistance to C. gloeosporioides.