This study aimed to evaluate the effect of moringa leaf extract and mineral fertilizer on the growth and yield traits of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), carried out during the growing season of 2024 at the University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq. The experiment layout was in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors: a) foliar application of moringa leaf extract (M) (0, 5, and 10 ml L^-1) and urea fertilizer (U) (0, 4, and 6 g L^-1) and three replications, resulting in 27 treatments. The study used hybrid cauliflower seeds (Green Stream). The foliar application of moringa leaf extract and urea fertilization significantly improved the growth parameters, such as head circumference, plant height, the number of leaves, petiole thickness, chlorophyll content, and stem length. Likewise, the treatments enhanced productivity indicators (head weight and total yield) compared with the control treatment. The most effective integrated treatment was the foliar application of moringa extract (10 ml L^-1) combined with urea fertilizer (6 g L^-1), which resulted in the highest productivity of cabbage.

Keywords: Cabbage (B. oleracea L.), moringa leaf extract, mineral fertilizer, chlorophyll content, growth and yield traits, cabbage, weight and total yield

Key findings: The most effective integrated treatment was the foliar application of moringa leaf extract (10 ml L^-1) combined with urea fertilizer (6 g L^-1), resulting in the highest productivity of cabbage (B. oleracea L.).

The presented study analyzes the international experience in conceptualization and assessment of land degradation in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a well-known fact that the traditional approach to differentiated interpretation of land degradation is insufficient and requires numerous adjustments. From ecological, economic, and social perspectives, the necessity of a comprehensive interpretation of land degradation needs substantiation. The importance of considering the close association of these aspects entails emphasis. In this study, the proposed land degradation underwent an analysis of the scale of degradation in the modern world. It was well noted that up to 40% of the planet’s soils reached degradation to some extent, and the total degraded land areas amounted to about 15% of terrestrial lands. The said problem is most acute in developing countries. Giving specific attention is essential to sustainable land management, which can ensure the prevention of land degradation to achieve significant ecological, economic, and social benefits.

Keywords: Land and soil degradation, assessment of soil and land degradation, sustainable land resource management, soil resource management, development goals

Key findings: The water deficit condition at the flowering stage caused a significant reduction in yield and its components in maize. The silicon treatment 6 mM L^-1 concentration notably enhanced the grain and oil yields and carbohydrates.

This study aimed to investigate the erosion processes effect on fertility parameters of mountainous chernozem-black soils in the Kedabek Region of Azerbaijan. The research area was characteristically of a predominantly mountainous relief, where surface erosion was widespread and represents a significant challenge to sustainable soil use and crop productivity. The collected soil samples from experimental plots revealed varying degrees of erosion for evaluating its extent and the prevailing effect on key fertility parameters. The presented results indicate that erosion disrupts the soil structure, reduces the functional capacity of arable lands, and eventually leads to a considerable decline in soil quality. Analytical results showed an increase in bulk and particle densities in eroded soils, which signified a correlation with the soil granulometric composition variations. Additionally, a consistent decrease in humus content and total nitrogen was evident across the soil profiles subjected to erosion. These variations underscore the detrimental effects of erosion on soil fertility and emphasize the need for targeted soil conservation and rehabilitation strategies in the studied region.

Keywords: Soil fertility parameters, soil erosion, humus and nitrogen content, predominantly mountainous relief, soil structure, soil conservation

Key findings: In the mountainous chernozem soils of the District Kedabek, soil erosion significantly affects the key fertility parameters. Eroded soils exhibited increased bulk and particle density, which has linkages with variations in soil granulometric composition. However, a marked decline prevailed in humus and nitrogen content across the soil profiles altered by erosion.

Rocambole (Allium scorodoprasum L.), a perennial bulbous vegetable belonging to the family Alliaceae, succeeded in its first-time introduction and examination under Uzbekistan’s agro-ecological conditions. The presented study sought to determine the morphological yield and economic efficiency of rocambole line K-24 by comparing it with the local garlic cultivar ‘Chidamli.’ Field trials conducted from 2016 to 2020 followed standard methods for varietal testing and statistical analysis. Rocambole line K-24 exhibited a longer growth duration (242 days) than garlic (221 days) and showed characteristics of a taller pseudostem (106 cm) and broader leaves (5.0 cm). The average bulb weight of rocambole line K-24 was 106 g with 5–6 cloves, while garlic bulbs averaged 62 g with 13–14 cloves. The rocambole line K-24 yield reached 44.0 t ha⁻¹, which was 63% higher than the garlic cultivar Chidamli (27.0 t ha⁻¹). Rocambole bulbs exhibited excellent marketability (100%) and maintained good storability until February–March. Economic evaluation indicated a net income of USD 2,240 ha⁻¹ and a profitability rate of 158.7%, highlighting its robust economic viability. Overall, rocambole can be a very promising vegetable crop for Uzbekistan, with significant value for crop diversification and as a genetic resource in breeding programs.

Keywords: Rocambole (A. scorodoprasum L.), garlic (A. sativum L.), morphology, yield-related traits, introduction, crop diversification

Key findings: Rocambole (A. scorodoprasum L.) produced significantly larger bulbs and higher bulb yield and showed more robust agronomic performance than garlic (A. sativum L.) under Uzbekistan’s growing conditions. The rocambole cultivar Baraka demonstrated excellent marketability, considerable storability, and high profitability, confirming its potential as a commercial crop.

The presented research aimed to formulate the recommendations for optimizing the ecological landscape and spatial conditions of the geographic areas in the context of climate change at the northeastern slope of the Lesser Caucasus, Azerbaijan. The detailed analysis determined that the Republic of Azerbaijan as a whole is an ecologically unstable territory. However, the territory of the Gazakh-Tovuz economic region is among the ecologically moderately stable territories. The territories of the Gazakh and Shamkir regions are ecologically unstable territories, and the territories of Agstafa, Tovuz, and Gadabay Rayon received classification as moderately stable territories ecologically. Overall, the research also identified that the cultivated areas showed characteristics of small holdings. The resulting investigations contain some proposals for promoting soil consolidation of the cultivated areas.

Keywords: Climate change, landscape, landscape planning, ecological stability coefficient, anthropogenic load, small contours, soil consolidation

Key findings: The ecological landscape and spatial conditions of the northeastern slope geocomplexes of the Lesser Caucasus, Azerbaijan, have succeeded in their studies. For ecological optimization based on landscape planning, the study made some recommendations.

This study explored the benefits of organo-mineral fertilization to unlock the full potential of ‘Golden Delicious’ (Malus domestica L. Borkh.) apple cultivation in Southeastern Kazakhstan’s irrigated chestnut soils. The research focused on assessing its effects on tree growth, fruit productivity, and the rhizosphere microbial activity. Field experiments conducted between 2021 and 2025 investigated the effects of various fertilization strategies on 3–4-year-old apple trees grafted on both MM106 and M9 rootstocks. The experimental design included an unfertilized control group, a mineral fertilization treatment (N₉₀P₉₀K₉₀), and several organo-mineral combinations incorporating Agroflorin, Al-Karal, BioSok Energy Plus, and vermicompost. Findings revealed organo-mineral fertilization significantly improved both the yield and quality of apple fruits, alongside enhanced storage performance. Specifically, the apple fruit yield saw a substantial increase of 39%–64% over the control group. Furthermore, soluble sugar and dry matter content rose by up to 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively. In light chestnut soils, a combination of vermicompost and BioSok Energy Plus fertilization delivered exceptional results for apple production. This treatment achieved the highest fruit yield, reaching 29.5 t per hectare, and remarkably extended shelf life to a full six months. Beyond these direct benefits, the fertilization also fostered a healthier soil environment by considerably increasing Azotobacter and Pseudomonas populations in the rhizosphere. This indicates a more robust nutrient cycle and heightened soil biological activity, confirming organo-mineral fertilization as a highly effective and sustainable strategy.

Keywords: Apple (M. domestica L.), Golden Delicious, organo-mineral fertilization, apple productivity, rhizosphere microorganisms, soil-plant interaction, fruit quality

Key findings: This research demonstrated organo-mineral fertilization significantly enhances apple (M. domestica L.) fruit yield. Yields increased by an impressive 39%–64% compared with the unfertilized control. The optimal fertilization strategy for maximizing fruit productivity involved combining NPK with vermicompost and BioSok Energy Plus.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) productivity has not yet fulfilled the domestic sugar demand; therefore, increasing productivity is necessary in Indonesia. However, addressing this issue can proceed through the development of new, superior sugarcane cultivars. The following study aimed to obtain ratoon crop (RC-1) clones derived through polycross with higher sugar yields than their female parent. The research ran from December 2021 to November 2022 at the Karangploso Experimental Station, Malang, Indonesia. Twenty-four clones resulted from crossing cultivar POJ 2878 with three other parental cultivars, Bululawang, 6535, and SIL-04, and one female parent. The study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications, using plots measuring 1 m × 5 m and a planting spacing of 110 cm. Based on the results, the 10 obtained sugarcane clones produced by polycross have the potential to increase sugarcane productivity (e.g., 19/P5/37, 19/P5/33, and 19/P5/27), which outperformed POJ 2878 consistently in stalk length, diameter, and weight, the number of stalks, and cane and sugar yield. Clones 19/P5/37, 19/P5/33, and 19/P5/27 exhibited increases in sugar yield of 11.57%, 10.28%, and 10.02%, respectively, compared with POJ 2878, suggesting higher production potential than the control.

Keywords: Sugarcane (S. officinarum L.), hybridization, polycross, clonal selection, sugar yield, ratoon crop, cultivar POJ 2878

Key findings: Eighteen sugarcane (S. officinarum L.) clones, obtained from the polycross of the cultivar POJ 2878 with three other parental genotypes, Bululawang, 6535, and SIL-04, along with one female parent clone, showed potential for high cane productivity.

The concerned study aimed to evaluate the effects of various pre-sowing treatments on germination parameters and morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits of amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) under normal (25 °C±2 °C) and low (4 °C±2 °C) temperatures. The different treatments comprised H₂O (control), gibberellic acid (GA₃), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), succinic acid (SuA), and salicylic acid (SA). The results showed GA₃ (300 mg/l), SuA (500 mg/l), H₂O₂ (50 mmol/l), SA (138 mg/l), and CaCl₂ (3000 mg/l) positively affected the amaranth seedlings’ germination and growth traits. GA₃, SuA, H₂O₂, and CaCl₂ had a better effect on amaranth seeds by enhancing the germination rate and seed energy and shortening the germination time. The treatments with SA, GA₃, SuA, H₂O₂, and CaCl₂ boost the total antioxidants, chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoid contents in the amaranth seedlings at room and low temperatures. H₂O₂ and CaCl₂ treatments further stimulated and increased the chlorophyll a and b contents, while GA₃ and H₂O₂ increased the carotenoid content in amaranth seedlings with chilling stress, revealing a positive anti-cold effect.

Keywords: Amaranth (A. hypochondriacus L.), pre-sowing treatments, low-temperature stress, plant growth stimulants, antioxidant system, photosynthetic pigments

Key findings: The results authenticated pre-sowing treatments with GA₃ (300 mg/l) and H₂O₂ (50 mmol/l) application considerably enhanced the carotenoid content in the amaranth seedlings under chilling stress conditions; they demonstrated a significant cold tolerance-enhancing effect.

Climate change has intensified drought and soil salinity constraints in arid and semi-arid regions, necessitating the identification of stress-tolerant crop genotypes for marginal environments. This study evaluated 12 amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) genotypes under arid and salt-affected field conditions in Chimboy District, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, during the 2023–2024 growing seasons. The experimental arrangement was in a single-factor design with three replications, and genotype assessment included biometric traits, germination, vegetation period, Fusarium wilt incidence, and yield components. According to analysis of variance, significant (p < 0.05) differences were evident among the amaranth genotypes for agronomic traits and yield performance. The genotype RRC-1027 (oqamarant) consistently showed superior performance, combining the highest vegetative growth (175.9 cm plant height; 190.8 leaves plant⁻¹), panicle weight (216.9 g), and improved productivity under saline conditions, with biomass yield (18.85 Mg ha⁻¹) and grain yield (4.45 Mg ha⁻¹). Genotype RRC-1027 also exhibited low Fusarium wilt incidence (6.8%) and the shortest vegetation period (113 days), indicating favorable adaptation under stress-prone environments. Overall, the results highlighted identifying RRC-1027 as a promising genotype for cultivation and further evaluation under arid and salt-affected agroecosystems.

Keywords: Amaranthus spp., climate resilience, salinity tolerance, yield stability, Fusarium wilt resistance, marginal agroecosystems, grain yield

Key findings: Genotype selection relied on agronomic data, facilitating targeted breeding approaches for developing climate-resilient and nutrient-rich amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) genotypes suited to challenging agroecological zones of Uzbekistan. The amaranth genotype RRC-1027 (oqamarant) exhibited considerable adaptability and the highest productivity under arid and saline conditions, attaining recognition as a promising genotype for cultivation in marginal areas such as the Aral Sea basin.

Increased rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is no longer sufficient due to climatic factors and soil fertility; overcoming these problems requires irrigation and fertilization technology. The following study investigated the effects of a fertigation system via water management technology along with organic and inorganic fertilization on the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.), conducted in 2023 in the South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. A nested factorial experimental design with three factors, namely, two water management systems (light surface and intermittent), three different types of organic fertilizers (silica, trichocompost, and harmony compost), and three doses of NPK fertilizer (250:150:100, 200:100:50, and 150:50:50), successfully transpired. The results showed the macak-macak irrigation system with a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers gave the best outcomes for various parameters. These were the number of tillers, panicle length, and the number of panicle branches, 1000-seed weight, the number of hollow grains per panicle, and dry grain weight per plot. The type of organic fertilizer and the dose of NPK increased the percentage of plant height. The best productivity was evident at a dose of NPK 150:50:50 in intermittent irrigation with a combination of trichocompost organic fertilizer with an average value of 13.57 kg plot^-1. A combination of light surface irrigation with trichocompost fertilizer gives the best results.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), irrigation, organic fertilizers, NPK, silica, trichocompost, yield traits

Key findings: A considerable increase occurred in the production of lowland rice (O. sativa L.) by using irrigation management and organic and NPK fertilizers. These different inputs used through the fertigation system showed a significant influence on the lowland rice crop.