The presented research comprised an anatomical study of the species Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth. in Iraq. The vertical section of the leaf blade, which passed through the midrib, appeared in a semi-circular form, and the upper surface of the epidermis showed the eglandular trichomes covering the surface of the leaf. The stomata that seemed to occur on both surfaces of the leaf, called amphistomatic, were of a paracytic stomatal type. The needle-type crystals also emerged on the surface of the epidermis. The vein course was of the brochidodromous type. The pollen grains were zonocolpate, hexacolpate, prolate to subprolate, and exine ornamentation, as recognized with three types. Moreover, the study determined the phenolic and flavonoid compounds, and the phenol and flavonoid concentrations were 1.993 ± 0.005 and 191.682 ± 2.273, respectively.

Keywords: Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth., leaf veins, stomata, pollen grains, phenol, flavonoid

Key findings: The C. scutellarioides is notably palatable and has medicinal values based on its biochemical and pharmacological formatting.

This study sought to investigate the importance of the inhibitory effect of medicinal plant extracts synergistically with algae extracts against pathogenic microbes. Herein, in vitro antibacterial effects of the Mentha spicata and Cladophora glomerata extracts underwent evaluation against three bacterial strains, i.e., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity of each extract, tested alone and in combination, helped evaluate their synergistic antibacterial potential. The results revealed the M. spicata extract alone has higher antibacterial potential against all the tested bacterial strains than the C. glomerata extract. Both extracts in combination showed a higher synergistic antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains than those of the standard drugs gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis authenticated the presence of different bioactive compounds, including 14 species of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the M. spicata extract. However, eight fatty acids were in the C. glomerata extract, as well as some essential oils, hydrocarbons, and sesquiterpenoids. The potent synergistic antibacterial effects of both extracts could most likely refer to the combined activity of bioactive constituents, especially palmitic, behenic, linolenic, oleic, arachidonic, 7-hexadecenoic, hexanoic, doconexent, and tetradecanoic fatty acids.

Keywords: Mentha spicata, Cladophora glomerata, fatty acids, antibacterial potential, synergistic effects

Key findings: In the presented study, the remarkable combined antibacterial activity of the M. spicata and C. glomerata extracts revealed the synergistic effects of their bioactive compounds against the tested bacterial strains.

The dry climate of the southern and southeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus has developed various problems for their land management. In this zone, the formation of soils resulted in a zone of intense neotectonic movements, particularly contrasting climatic conditions, on arid-denudation folded lowlands composed of Upper Pliocene and Quaternary pebbles, conglomerates, and loams. The soils in the forest-steppe arid zone belong to the brown earth type, with its various taxonomic units characterized by the widespread siallitic type of weathering. Using landscape zoning optimized the agricultural landscape. For zoning, generally the zonal, subzonal, district, and subdistrict taxonomic units were categories used. In each subdistrict, planning comprised the moisture content of the territory, the directives for the development of agriculture, the soil, and vegetation cover. In fact, the proposed measures sought to combat the erosion and drought by developing an appropriate territorial base. A gap has developed between progressive ways of using land and the traditional organization of the territory. Agriculture suffers the most, since within the framework of the old land management, the soil conservation may not be highly effective.

Keywords: Arid zone, landform, landscape type, agricultural landscape, zoning, taxonomic units, erosion, drought

Key findings: Geomorphological and climatic factors play a key role in the formation of the landscape in arid regions of the Greater Caucasus, and zoning based on these factors is highly important for the efficient organization of agriculture. Microclimate differences on the northern and southern slopes affect soil fertility and vegetation cover. Therefore, a differentiated approach is essential in arid zone agriculture, considering irrigation opportunities and erosion risks as key conditions for expanding arable land and increasing crop productivity.

The objective of this study was to synthesize, characterize, and modify rice and wheat straw biochar for various parameters (pH, EC, organic carbon and organic matter, N, P, and K). In this experiment, rice straw biochar (RSB) and wheat straw biochar (WSB) production applied temperature at 300 °C. These biochars’ chemical modification with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) resulted in four variants: HCl-modified rice straw biochar (MRSB-1); H₂SO₄-modified rice straw biochar (MRSB-2); HCl-modified wheat straw biochar (MWSB-1); and H₂SO₄-modified wheat straw biochar (MWSB-2). Comprehensive characterization revealed that rice and wheat straw biochar, when modified with HCl and H₂SO₄ changed the values of pH (7.6 to 5.4), EC (1.51 to 0.28), organic carbon (53.65 to 48.25), organic matter (92.28 to 82.99), N (1.68 to 0.84), P (2.66 to 1.54), and K (3.85 to 1.98). However, the impact of H₂SO₄-modified biochars remained more prominent than the others.

Keywords: Biochar, rice straw, wheat straw, modified, H₂SO₄, HCl

Key findings: Modifications of biochars with acids proved fruitful in all characteristics, but the use of H₂SO₄, when assessed, emerged superior to HCl.

Reports of the application of soil improvers, such as zeolite, microbes, and organic fertilizers, stated to provide better nutrition availability and improve the yield, as well as the nutritional content of crop plants’ edible parts. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different soil improvers on rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield and the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content in the grain. The experiment proceeded according to a split-plot design with three replications under irrigated conditions. The experiment’s main factor was soil improvers comprising six types, i.e., inorganic fertilizer as baseline control, while the other treatments had additional microbes, organic fertilizers, zeolites, microbes + organic fertilizers, and microbes + zeolites. The sub-factor comprised five rice cultivars, i.e., Sembada Hitam, Sembada Merah, Inpari 47 WBC, Inpari Arumba, and Ciherang. The soil improvers and rice cultivars significantly affected grain yield. Additional organic fertilizer and zeolite maintained the rice yield; however, the combination of soil improvers did not necessarily increase the yield. Furthermore, the soil improver, especially zeolite, and the rice cultivars have a significant effect on increasing Fe and Zn content in rice grains. Sembada Merah tended to have higher grain Fe and Zn content across the soil improver treatments.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), iron, microbes, organic fertilizers, pigmented rice, rice, soil improvers, yield, zeolite, Zn

Key findings: Results showed the soil improver and rice (O. sativa L.) cultivars have a significant effect on rice yield and grain Fe and Zn content. Sembada Merah had the highest grain Fe and Zn content across various soil improver treatments. Zeolite may associate with the increase of rice grain Fe and Zn content.

For investigating salt composition, the collected soil samples in the Shirvan Plain underwent study for groundwater depth and its minerality and the soil’s granulometric composition. Soil analysis revealed a higher salt content and minerality of groundwater based on the groundwater depth and closeness to the surface. In the Shirvan Plain, the soils were considerably of sulfate type, although the amount of gypsum (CaSO₄2H₂O) exceeds 2.0% without covering a large area. The most common salt was sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in slightly saline soils, sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃), calcium sulfate (CaSO₄), and magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) in moderately saline soils, and Na₂SO₄, NaHCO₃, NaCl, and CaSO₄ in highly saline soils. The contents of NaCl, CaSO₄, Na₂SO₄ and magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) were evident. The study further enunciated that soil salinization processes have covered a large area in the region with higher soil salt content and mineralization of groundwater. In the study area, salinization processes appeared more intense in areas where salt content was above 2.0% and the groundwater mineralization was higher than 30 g/l.

Keywords: Soil salinization, salt deposits, granulometric structures, groundwater mineralization

Key findings: In Azerbaijan, the Shirvan Plain and Ganja-Gazakh Massif sustain considerable effects from soil salinization. This article explores the key factors contributing to soil salinization in these regions, including groundwater salinity, soil characteristics, and human activities.

Under consistent soil utilization and anthropogenic influence, variations occur within the genetic horizons of the soil profile. In this context, the investigations based on structural and mineralogical processes of the gray soil formation are highly pertinent in the Sabirabad region, Azerbaijan. Soil scientists are diligent with conducting in-depth studies of the soils within the republic, ensuring their proper utilization. The following study aimed to comparatively analyze the long-term mineralogical processes under anthropogenic influence and soil exploitation in the Kura and Araz lowlands, Azerbaijan. In this zone, the arable soil analysis enables the assessment of their conditions, identification of the factors involved in the formation of the mineral composition, and assessment of the variations that occur as a result of irrigation and long-term fertilizer use. The soils’ elemental composition provides valuable insights into the soil formation processes, as the land’s genetic horizons exhibited distinct variations regarding this. Irrigation of meadow-gray soils has induced disparities both in mineral composition and the structural state of soils. In these grounds, determining the chemical elements, such as calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V), zirconium (Zr), chromium (Cr), and bromine (Br), was successful through spectrometric analysis.

Keywords: Gray soils, soil genetic horizons, anthropogenic influence, soil compaction, elemental composition, minerals, soil genesis, humus

Key findings: The soils’ elemental study revealed variations in the mineralogical composition of gray soils in the Sabirabad region, Azerbaijan. Morphological and mineralogical analyses indicate clay mineral accumulation at intermediate depths, which likely contributed to the soils’ compaction. The mineralogical composition provides a solid base for using appropriate agricultural techniques, particularly under changing climate conditions.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera L.) rhizomes are applicable in traditional medicine due to their therapeutic properties, which include compounds such as phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical properties, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and bioactive compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of N. nucifera rhizomes obtained from the Joto Reservoir in East Java, Indonesia. The results showed lotus rhizomes contain secondary metabolites, such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and terpenoids, with a total flavonoid content of 9.23 ± 0.04 mg/g QE. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) test indicated that the extract had a moderate antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ of 57.88 ppm. The GC-MS profiling confirmed 238 identified compounds in the crude ethanolic rhizome extract of N. nucifera. The bioactive compounds included linoleic acid (5.90%), hexadecanoic acid (3.61%), octadecadienoic acid (2.62%), stigmasterol 3.β (2.13%), Z-7-hexadecenal (1.73%), 24-norursa-3,12-diene (1.53%), lanosterol (1.51%), campesterol (1.28%), beta-sitosterol (1.14%), betulin (0.82%), and rolipram (0.60%). Further studies revealed the ethanol extract of N. nucifera rhizomes is a valuable source of many bioactive compounds, supporting its beneficial traditional medicinal uses for health.

Keywords: Lotus (N. nucifera L.), antioxidant activity, GC-MS profiling, Joto reservoir, phytochemicals

Key findings: Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoid, alkaloid, and phenolic contents, which can enhance the efficacy of herbal medicines. The GC-MS profiling of lotus (N. nucifera) rhizome extract identified bioactive compounds, such as linoleic acid, stigmasterol, betulin, and rolipram.

The upland rice cultivar Situ Bagendit, developed in Indonesia, is well-known for drought tolerance, rapid growth, high yield, and palatability. This study assessed its productivity under different fertilization treatments during the rainy season in an Oldeman’s E climate zone (3–4 wet months with ≥200 mm rainfall, followed by prolonged drought). Research began from October 15, 2022, until January 25, 2023, at the Class-1 Climatology Station, North Sumatra, Indonesia. A non-factorial randomized complete block design comprised four fertilization treatments (0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% of recommended N, P, K, and SiO₂ doses) and three replications. Fertilization treatments did not significantly affect plant height, nutrient uptake, tiller count, root volume, dry weight, generative-phase shoot dry weight, harvesting, flowering age, and production. However, the 100% dose (1.11 g N, 0.55 g P, 0.27 g K, and 2.55 g SiO₂ per plant) yielded the highest averages for root volume and dry weight, vegetative-phase shoot dry weight, filled grain weight, and reduced unfilled grain weight. This study highlights Situ Bagendit’s strong adaptability in the Oldeman’s E climate, demonstrating its potential for upland rice cultivation in such conditions.

Keywords: Upland rice cultivar Situ Bagendit, climate zone, fertilizers, phenology, growth and yield traits

Key findings: The upland rice Situ Bagendit variety demonstrated significant drought tolerance and rapid growth in Oldeman’s climate zone E. By applying 100% recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and silica, these considerably improved the growth and yield traits.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the most important legume crops worldwide because of its multiple uses and ability to grow over a wide range of climatic conditions. The presented study aimed to determine the efficiency of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and sodium azide (SA) concentrations on two faba bean cultivars. Two field experiments during the crop seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 took place at Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Genetically pure, uniform, dry, and dormant seeds of the faba bean cultivars Cairo-4 and Nubaria-1 received three different doses of EMS (0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15%) and SA (1500, 3000, and 4500 ppm). The results indicated EMS was more effective in inducing mutation than the SA. The mutagenic effectiveness appeared to be better with higher concentrations of both mutagens (EMS and SA). The possible reason for the decrease in mutagenic effectiveness indicated an association with a decreased concentration of both mutagens, which also revealed a less damaging effect.

Keywords: Faba bean (V. faba L.), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), sodium azide (SA), mutation, performance, yield components

Key findings: The EMS with a higher concentration proved more effective in inducing mutation than the SA in the faba bean (V. faba L.). The optimal doses of mutagens are crucial for enhancing the frequency of desirable mutations and minimizing undesirable ones in faba bean breeding programs.