Food security based upon the improvement in crop productivity and adaptation to drought conditions have developed due to climate change. Taro (Colocasia esculenta [L.] Schott.) is a widely recognized local food source with the potential to support food security in Indonesia. Exploring polyploidization has shown to enhance productivity and adaptability to existing environmental conditions. The presented study aimed to evaluate the effects of ploidy levels and their variations on the drought tolerance of Indonesian taro under greenhouse conditions. An investigation of five taro clones (Bentul diploid, Bentul tetraploid, Kaliurang diploid, Kaliurang tetraploid, and Bolang triploid) for drought tolerance used different watering intervals. The different clones revealed a significant effect on the growth and physiological characters. Results indicated tetraploid clones exhibited the lowest growth percentage, chlorophyll content, and relative water content; however, they showed increased proline, total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. This suggests tetraploid clones have a higher tolerance level than the other clones. The drought sensitivity index categorized diploid clones as sensitive, while tetraploid and triploid clones received the moderate category group. Moreover, results indicated polyploidization can potentially enhance taro’s drought tolerance, thereby, improving food security in the context of climate change and global warming.

Keywords: Taro (C. esculenta [L.] Schott.), polyploidization, triploid, tetraploid, abiotic stress, drought sensitivity index, screening

Key findings: A comparison among the diploid, triploid, and tetraploid taro (C. esculenta [L.] Schott.) clones revealed an increase in ploidy correlates with an enhanced adaptability to drought-stress conditions.

Intensive development of nanotechnologies makes it viable to determine the influence of nanocompounds on the productive properties of crop plants, considering the environmental factors due to current climate change. The presented study aimed to investigate the effects of silver nanoparticles on the seeds’ ability to germinate, variability of morphophysiological traits during the vegetation period, and grain yield of spring soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The wheat’s pre-sowing seed treatment with silver nanoparticles (silver nanoparticles in aqueous solution of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) reached evaluation for variations in morphophysiological traits in three cultivars, viz., Omskaya-36, Tyumenskaya-29, and Novosibirskaya-31. All the seed treatments, carried out once, had the seeds kept in prepared solutions for three hours, as well as, the control (in distilled water only). Field experiments took place in 2018–2020 at the biostation ‘Lake Kuchak’ of Tyumen State University, Tyumen, Russia. Seed treatment (Ag 1.0%) contributed to an increase in field seed germination in the cultivar Omskaya-36 (by 23.8%) during 2019. For grain yield, positive results occurred in the cultivar Omskaya-36 (by 23.8% compared with the control) in 2019–2020, while in Tyumenskaya-29 (by 25.9%) in all years of the study, and cultivar Novosibirskaya-31 (by 12.8%) in 2019–2020.

Keywords: Spring soft wheat (T. aestivum L.), cultivars, germination rate, flag leaf, chlorophyll content, grain yield

Key findings: The article discusses the results of studying the response of spring soft wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars to the use of silver nanoparticles, depending on the genotype, concentration of the material solution, and weather characteristics of the growing season.

The pertinent study presents the brief history, species composition, and ranking of the wild useful vegetation (medicinal, vitamins, and food) under natural conditions in the Zhetysu Alatau Region, Kazakhstan. Based on floristic analysis, recorded data established Northwestern part of Zhetysu Alatau has more than 161 species of useful plants, belonging to 89 genera and seven families. The leading families were Asteraceae (22 genera and 40 species), Rosaceae (15 genera and 30 species), Lamiaceae (15 genera and 24 species), Fabaceae (14 genera and 25 species), and Apiaceae (nine genera and 13 species). The study carried out taxonomic analysis of large families and list of useful plants in the Zhetysu Alatau flora. The plants’ classification relied on different ecological groups. According to beneficial properties, ranking the species reached four groups based on their use as medicinal (used as official, traditional, and oriental medicines), food, vitamins, and for technical purposes. Moreover, resource data on reserves of the most crucial medicinal plants (Inula helenium L, Origanum vulgare L., Achillea millefolium L., Hypericum perforatum L. Ajania fastigiata Poljak., Artemisia frigida Willd, Saussurea elegans Ledeb., and Ephedra equisetina Bunge.) in Zhetysu Alatau region, were valuable outcomes.

Keywords: Zhetysu Alatau Region, useful plants, medicinal flora, species composition, taxonomic analysis, economic importance, prospects, pharmacological activities

Key findings: In Zhetysu Alatau flora, 161 species of useful plants have reached validation, with all of them used as folk medicines (41 species as official medicines, 27 species as oriental medicines, and 36 species as vitamins), 46 species served as food, and 14 species have technical uses.

Identifying potent and stable silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) genotypes among the large population at early stages of development is one of the primary problems in silkworm breeding. For families with resilience to develop under stressful conditions in the embryonic period, the presented experiments transpired to identify the outstanding families during incubation at the highest temperature. During the wintering period of eggs, a sample of 100 eggs came from each breeding family. These 100 eggs sustained incubation at the temperature of +34 °C. In almost every line, the traits recorded for provocative and average incubation, and the viability of the larvae fully corresponded to each other. Breeding families with different characteristics underwent three grades’ division regarding egg livability at critical temperatures. The gradations contained families with high, medium, and low livability. Families performed well during provocative. Meanwhile, identification and selection also ensued under standard incubation conditions. Based on preliminary results, the families exhibited the varied response rate to stressful conditions during the embryo period. However, the families with resistance to high temperatures showed the maximum viability potential during the larvae feeding. In particular, L-31 (59.6%) and L-300 (51.4%) lines gave the highest viability rates, and using these lines have served to conduct additional studies. A plan of experiments is in progress for the future to improve these lines to the breeding level. Developing a dietary plan to feed individuals living in warm climates is ongoing, with much care given in a challenging environment.

Keywords: Silkworm (B. mori L.), eggs, incubation, larvae, viability, cocoon, shell ratio, heat shock

Key findings: The research involving incubation at a high temperature, newly developed lines of the mulberry silkworm (B. mori L.) and the selection of families with high vitality have practical implications. The latest results will enhance the theoretical understanding of sericulture and inspire practical applications, improving the quality and productivity of silk production.

Protected soil ground, facing considerable variations with high risks to develop a dynamic agriculture, play a vital role for the year-round supply of fresh and vitamin-rich vegetables and greens in Kazakhstan. The agriculture sector needs further exploration with the development of innovative technologies. An available supply of green vegetables regardless of the season allows new technologies to grow the green chard (B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) crops using hydroponics. The presented study sought to develop the rational chard in seedling complexes using hydroponic shelving units (hereinafter HSI4) for year-round production of vegetable to ensure the profitability of greenhouse production. For seasons conveyor chard cultivation in winter greenhouses on HSI4, the recommended use of hybrids requires Rubyn, Nevesta, and Bychya krov; with dark-green leaf plate Nevesta and Bychya krov, and with light leaf plate hybrid Rubyn in winter-autumn. For all-season conveyor chard cultivation, the hybrid Bychya krov was the best option, with a mixture of peat (80%) and perlite (20%). However, the highest yield obtained came from the Bull’s Blood and Bride hybrids (362.2 and 335.3 g plant^-1, respectively) in summer. The promising results may serve as bases for modern agricultural practices and technological innovation in greenhouse management, implementing hydroponic systems and substrate management for optimal crop yield.

Keywords: Chard (B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris), innovative technologies, conveyor growing, hydroponics, green mass, products, substrate

Key findings: For all-season conveyor cultivation of chard (B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) in winter greenhouses using low-volume hydroponics on HSI4, the study recommended using the Ox’s Blood hybrid with organic substrates.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a significant agricultural commodity, contributing approximately 75% of granulated sugar worldwide. In 2022, a decline in productivity occurred compared to 2019 and 2020. This prompted the development of a breeding program aimed to determine the optimum induction concentration of PEG-6000, identify sugarcane cultivars tolerant to drought stress, and analyze commercial sugarcane cultivars through molecular characterization of the P5CS gene. The research transpired at the PT Gunung Madu Plantations (PT GMP), Lampung, Indonesia. Three commercial cultivars, namely, GMP-3, PSJT-941, and GP-11, served as samples in this study. According to the analysis of variance, the results showed the optimum concentration for inducing drought stress was 20% with a treatment duration of five weeks on an in vitro culture. For the molecular scale using sugarcane genotypes in the greenhouse, the sugarcane cultivars with the potential for tolerance to drought stress were PSJT-941, GMP-3, and GP-11, respectively, as supported by sequencing results.

Keywords: Sugarcane (S. officinarum L.), drought stress, genotypes, greenhouse conditions, in vitro culture, molecular markers, PEG-6000

Key findings: In sugarcane (S. officinarum L.), the morphological observations, carried out at in vitro condition, showed the optimal concentration of PEG-6000 at 20% while at greenhouse condition, obtaining narrow leaf width characteristics for cultivars GMP-3 and PSJT-941, with the cultivar GP-11 owning the wide leaves. Molecular markers identified for the three cultivars ran through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, shared a close relationship with the research sample from Bogor, Indonesia.

Several laws have reached creation for studying the world cotton diversity, with an enormous theoretical and practical importance. For practical selection, the characteristics of special value are the bush shape, its durability and non-recumbency, types of branching, and the branches’ structure: the size, shape, and opening rates of the ripe bolls, quick entry into the crop, and quick ripening. Therefore, it is necessary to study its relationship with the day length and light period, to irrigation, soil fertility, characteristics of the saline soil, and the existence of other similar signs. From such diversity, it showed cotton is an extremely flexible crop with great opportunities for selection, including the selection of base material. Specifically, the diploid species, such as, Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium arboreum, has a great significance to selection. These old world cotton species are the results of centuries of evolution. Concepts about the origin, botanical composition, relations, evolution, and geographical distribution of cultivated and wild cotton species have been inaccurate until now. Therefore, it is obligatory to revise and update, correct, and supplement the existing information.

Keywords: Old world cotton, G. herbaceum, G. arboreum, diploid cotton, cultivars, collection, wild and cultivated, landraces

Key findings: The present review focuses on the advisory information on the history, development, and genetic potential of the old world cotton species. The findings were contributions by the different scientists from the cotton-growing countries, including China, India, USA, Pakistan, Brazil, and Uzbekistan. The presented compilation of the worldwide past findings will serve as a base source and an opportunity for improving the future research on cotton.

The Dayak Kanayatn tribe is legendary for using medicinal plants based on their grandparent’s experience. Therefore, the contemporary study aimed to determine the various plant species used to induce colostrum, carried out in 2023 in the Dayak Kanayatn community, Pasti Jaya Village, Bengkayang Regency, Indonesia. The study comprised four stages: herbarium development, plant sampling, plant identification, and data collection. The informers were 10 persons, comprising eight village shamans and two midwives. The identified plant species totaled 18, used to facilitate colostrum production. These included Chenopodium sp., Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. , Euphorbia thymifolia L., Euphorbia hirta L., Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) I.M. Johnst., Manihot esculenta Crantz, Arachis hypogaea L., Vigna radiata L. (R.Wilczek), Grona heterocarpos (L.) H.Ohashi & K. Ohashi, Ocimum basilicum L., Leonurus japonicus Houtt., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Moringa oleifera Lam., Musa x paradisiaca L., Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab & N.P. Balakr., Zea mays L., and Zingiber purpureum Roscoe. The commonly used plant parts are the leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. The plant parts consumed can be by eating and drinking, after processing first through boiling, sautéing, and cooking.

Keywords: Colostrum, Dayak Kanayatn, inventory, medicinal plants, method of processing, Pasti Jaya village

Key findings: The presented results provide information about the plant types, parts, and the processing method used to facilitate the colostrum. The latest study is useful for both residents of Pasti Jaya Village, Bengkayang Regency, Indonesia, and other communities, serving as a resource to aid mothers in addressing insufficient milk production by using traditional medicinal plants.

The timely research comprises analyses of chlorophyll content and morphological and yield-related traits and their mutual association in the 29 rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes (26 exotic and three local) under field conditions of Uzbekistan. Cluster analysis revealed the correlation of physiological, morphological, and yield-related traits in rice cultivars. Exotic genotypes, Aya, Goun, Haepyeong, IR- 50404, Junomjosoeng, Polizesti-28, WAB 880 138 2017, Vietnam-1, Vietnam-2517, and Guru, recorded with low levels of association between chlorophyll content and morpho-yield traits. However, the chlorophyll content of four other exotic rice genotypes, DD2, Vikant, IR-86, and WAB WARDA, emerged with the highest relationship with morpho-yield traits. Foreign cultivars, Dongjin, Kuraj, Novator, Diamong, Osmancik-97, Sonet, and local Nukus-2, were notable with above-average values of chlorophyll content and morpho-yield traits. Cultivars DD2, Vikont, IR-86, and WAB WARDA owned the highest levels of chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. Exotic rice cultivars, Chongwang, CNC11, IR-124, WAB 450 113 462, Vietnam-2, Vietnam-3, and local Iskandar and Lazurniy, appeared with a good index for plant height, spike length, grains per spike, and grain weight per spike.

Keywords: Rice, Oryza sativa L., cultivars, morpho-yield, physiological traits, chlorophyll, carotenoids, correlation

Key findings: Exotic rice (O. sativa L.) cultivars, Dongjin, Kuraj, Novator, Diamant, Osmancik-97, and Sonet, and local Nukus-2 emerged to be positive donors for initial selection for chlorophyll content and morpho-yield traits.

The presented research sought to investigate the new types of Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii) from the global gene pool for developing new cultivars with high productivity and economically valuable traits. In breeding of Sudanese grass, the main task was to develop the drought-resistant, highly productive cultivars with good product quality, adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of Kazakhstan. The latest manuscript summarizes the results of many years of research on the local collection and the exotic material of the Sudan grass. Samples selected as valuable starting material for breeding depended on economically important traits, including precocity, seed productivity, plant height, grain quality, and lodging resistance. Based on the research on precocity, the two cultivars Kiz 25 and Kiz 34, placed in the competitive nursery, had their full ripeness phase starting two days earlier (28.09) compared with the standard cultivar Aylana-2017, which reached full ripeness on 30.09. In the competitive nursery of variety testing, the highest grain yield resulted in the Sudan grass cultivars Kiz 4 and Kiz 25. By harvest time, the yield (2.21 t/ha) obtained during the full ripeness phase of grains was higher than the harvest made at the wax ripeness phase (2.27 t/ha).

Keywords: Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii), local collection, selection, competitive variety testing, seed cultivation technology, yield

Key findings: In the development of drought-resistant and highly productive cultivars of Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii), 80 out of 100 samples emerged viable, and based on precocity data, the cultivars Kiz 25 and Kiz 34 reached allocation in the competitive nursery. The Sudan grass cultivars Kiz 4 and Kiz 25 were distinct, with higher grain yield.