The priority of agricultural development is to ensure a significant increase in crop yields while improving soil fertility through the use of fertilizers and reducing the ecological burden on the environment. The following study sought to assess the role of foliar fertilization with amino acid (Amino Turbo) and humic acid (Ruter AA and Geogumat) fertilizers on the grain yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.). Field experiments conducted during 2023–2024 focused on the low-fertility soil, lightly irrigated sierozems, with phosphorus fertilizers as a baseline in the District Koksu, Zhetysu Region, Kazakhstan. Fertilizations occurred at key development phases, i.e., the first at BBCH (cereal development stage scale) 25–29 and the second at BBCH 30–31. Without foliar fertilizers, average yields were 3.26 t/ha in winter wheat and 3.07 t/ha in soybean. Ruter AA yielded the best result in winter wheat (4.64 t/ha), while Geogumat improved the soybean yield (4.13 t/ha). Amino Turbo was ineffective in winter wheat; however, it increased the soybean yield relative to the control. The combined application of humic and amino acid fertilizers with phosphorus supported 68%–84% yield potential in winter wheat and 92%–98% in soybean, maintaining optimal soil nutrient levels (20–40 mg/kg in wheat and 25–40 mg/kg in soybean). Overall, the humic acids (Ruter AA and Geogumat) significantly enhanced the yield potential, revealing the efficiency of this nutrient strategy for better plant growth and productivity.

Keywords: Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), humic acids, amino acids, leaf fertilizers, mobile phosphorus, growth traits, grain yield

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.

Trichoderma sp. is a promising biocontrol agent against phytopathogens that cause significant yield losses in various crops. The following study aimed to identify the Trichoderma spp. isolates through morphological and molecular characterizations and to select the most potential Trichoderma isolates antagonistic to the fungi species Colletotrichum sp. and Rhizoctonia solani. Trichoderma spp. colonies exhibited a flat elevation with a central regular edge, central yellow to green with white edges, and the highest degree of branching and pyramid-shaped conidiophores. The 17 isolates belonged to Trichoderma asperellum (13 isolates), T. gamsii (one isolate), T. harzianum (two isolates), and T. koningiopsis (one isolate). By dual culture assays, T. koningiopsis TR3 and T. asperellum Pan23.1 had the higher growth inhibition than others against the phytopathogen Colletotrichum, accounting for 75.86% and 82.76%, respectively. T. asperellum Kun4, T. asperellum Pan23.2, and T. koningiopsis TR3 demonstrated their supreme growth inhibition against the phytopathogen Rhizoctonia (85.00%, 87.50%, and 92.50%, respectively). The preliminary screening of isolates T. asperellum (Pan23.1, Pan23.2, and Kun4) and T. koningiopsis TR3 confirmed their ability as potential biocontrol agents. Therefore, further studies are essential to explore these four isolates as effective biocontrol agents for controlling the phytopathogens Colletotrichum sp. and Rhizoctonia solani.

Keywords: Trichoderma spp., biocontrol agent, antagonism, Colletotrichum sp., Rhizoctonia sp., growth inhibition, crop losses, ITS

Key findings: Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, the 17 tested isolates acquired from this study attained grouping in the same cluster identified as Trichoderma asperellum, T. gamsii, T. harzianum, and T. koningiopsis. Dual culture tests demonstrated that T. koningiopsis TR3 and T. asperellum Pan23.1 had the highest growth inhibition against Colletotrichum. The T. asperellum Kun4 and Pan23.2 and T. koningiopsis TR3 exhibited the greatest antagonism against the phytopathogen Rhizoctonia.

Merauke is a national rice storage extremely fundamental to ensuring food security in Indonesia. For improved rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain quality and harvest and postharvest activities, a physical grain characteristic assessment took place according to the national standardization of rice in Indonesia (SNI). Among five district sampling areas, the trait moisture content was below the SNI maximum standard, while both impurities-foreign matter and immature-chalky kernels met the SNI quality II. For the features of damage and yellow kernels, they passed the SNI quality III, and red-streaked kernels met the SNI quality II. Based on physical grain quality traits, categorizing 28 samples resulted in three groups through a principal component analysis (PCA), with a variability value of 30.87% (PC1) and a cumulative variance of 56.20%. A biplot of grain quality showed that samples Pan-M, Cem-J, Inp43-J, and Inp43-K were the outlier samples as influenced by certain characteristics, such as Pan-M having the highest immature-chalky kernels with a value of 7.54% and impurities-foreign matter with a value of 5.60%. Moreover, the sample Cem-J had the highest red-streaked kernels, with a value of 19.59%, and two other samples (Inp43-K and Inp43-J) had damage-yellow kernel values of 19.98% and 19.56%, respectively.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), cultivars, plant genetic resources, PCA, biplot analysis, physical grain quality

Key findings: Rice (O. sativa L.) genotypes grown in Merauke varied based on their physical grain characteristics. For grain quality, five characteristics met the SNI standard, while the moisture content was below the SNI maximum standard and still requires special attention. Proper harvest and post-harvest practices considerably improved the grain quality, positively impacting the market value.

Based on isolating Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus from the intercellular spaces of aseptically produced sugar beet root (Beta vulgaris L.) seedlings in sucrose-containing culture conditions, the following study determined the interaction of G. diazotrophicus, a non-nodulating endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacterium. The entire root system gained intracellular colonization by G. diazotrophicus after inoculating the plant with the bacterium. Sugar beet seedlings’ root tips and cotyledons inoculated with GUS-labeled genes bore scrutiny under a light microscope to examine the blue-stained G. diazotrophicus in the root cells’ cytoplasm. The favorable environment within the cell helped produce the nitrogenase nif gene. Novel inoculations with G. diazotrophicus underwent investigation for their ability to promote the non-nodular endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. The inoculations’ viability as a plant model for investigating the endosymbiotic theory of organelle generation in eukaryotic organisms is another vital question requiring answers.

Keywords: Sugar beet (B. vulgaris L.), GUS gene, G. diazotrophicus, nif nitrogen fixation, interaction, eukaryotic organisms

Key findings: Successful intervention of sugar beet (B. vulgaris L.) seedlings with GUS-labeled G. diazotrophicus occurred for the first time, expressing the possibility of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) as an alternative to Rhizobium bacteria.

The following study assessed the effects of UV rays and electromagnetic fields on the germination of promising medicinal and essential oil plants, sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). The exposure of seeds of S. officinalis L. to ultraviolet rays (UV) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) individually and in combination (UV + EMF) showed the most efficient was UV + EMF (81%) and UV (77%) exposed at the experimental field, District Muynak, Republic of Karakalpakstan. By treating the L. angustifolia L. seeds with ultraviolet rays (UV) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) individually and in combination (UV + EMF), results revealed varied germination rates. However, in lavender, the highest seed germination was notable with UV + EMF (80%) and UV alone (78%).

Keywords: Sage (S. officinalis L.), lavender (L. angustifolia L.), essential oil, medicinal use, UV rays, electromagnetic field, seed germination

Key findings: The sage (S. officinalis L.) and lavender (L. angustifolia L.) seeds’ exposure to UV rays and UV + EMF resulted in a significant increase in their seed germination, and both essential oil plants showed the same response.

The succeeding study sought to determine the mean performance of parental cultivars and heterotic effects in F₁ hybrids of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Six parental genotypes (Guliston, AN-Boyovut-2, Buxoro-102, Yuksalish, Shodlik-11, and Kelajak) underwent crossing to develop 30 complete diallel F₁ hybrids and evaluation in comparison with the standard cultivar (Guliston). The experiment layout in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) had three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the parental genotypes and F₁ hybrids for most traits, except the staple length. The F₁ hybrids Guliston × AN-Boyovut-2 and AN-Boyovut-2 × Buxoro-102 produced the most bolls per plant, while the F₁ hybrids Guliston × Yuksalish, Guliston × AN-Boyovut-2, and Shodlik-11 × AN-Boyovut-2 showed the maximum boll weight. Parental genotype performance individually did not reliably predict the hybrid performance, indicating the complex genetic interactions in F₁ hybrids. The heterosis analysis showed the hybrids Guliston × AN-Boyovut-2 and AN-Boyovut-2 × Buxoro-102 exhibited relative heterosis exceeding 15%–20% and heterobeltiosis above 10%–15% for bolls per plant and boll weight, respectively. The considerable heterotic effects in the F₁ hybrids for bolls per plant and boll weight suggest that utilizing heterosis breeding could be effective.

Keywords: Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.), hybrids, heterosis, heterobeltiosis, dominance, bolls per plant, boll weight, yield-related traits

Key findings: The upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) hybrid Gulistan × AN-Boyovut-2 showed the best performance for boll weight and bolls per plant in the F₁ generation and proved to be the promising genotype for further improvement through breeding programs.

Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivation face constraints, such as decreased soil fertility, biodiversity loss, increased pest and disease problems, and vulnerability to climate change. However, agroecology has gained recognition for its potential to address the environmental and social challenges in food production. This study aimed to investigate the agroecological aspects of cultivation through intercropping of maize and soybean in addition to organic and inorganic fertilizers to support the efforts toward better and sustainable food security. The research transpired in the District of Meureubo, West Aceh Regency, Indonesia. The study, carried out in a randomized complete block design, had two factors, i.e., cultivars (four groups of maize and soybean genotypes) and five fertilizer levels. The data recorded focused on the morphological characteristics of maize and soybean plants. The results showed the intercropping of maize cultivar Exotic + soybean cultivar Detap-1 with 25% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + 30 t/ha organic fertilizer gave the best performance. The lowest outcomes resulted in the intercropping of maize cultivar Bonanza + soybean cultivar Grobogan with 100% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), soybean (G. max L.), climate mitigation, food resilience, agroecological aspects, intercropping, organic fertilizer, morphological traits

Key findings: The intercropping of maize cultivar Exotic and soybean cultivar Detap-1 with 25% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + 30 t/ha organic fertilizer revealed the best performance of both crops.

The assessment of gene action in 10 × 10 half-diallel crosses in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was this study’s focus, carried out during 2023–2024 at the Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq. The experiment based on the said breeding material had a randomized complete block design layout with three replications. The genetic analysis revealed that the t² values were nonsignificant for all traits, and the additive genetic variance (D) was significant for all studied traits. Dominant gene variations (H1 and H2) were higher than the additive gene variance for all traits, with H1 values exceeding H2. The average degree of dominance was greater than one, indicating a predominance of dominant gene action. The ratio of dominant to recessive alleles (KD/RR) exceeded one, reflecting unequal distribution of alleles among the genetic structures.

Keywords: Bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), gene action, genetic parameters, additive and dominance genetic variances, average degree of dominance

Key findings: In the bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), the genetic analysis revealed that t² values were not significant for most traits, except spike count. The dominance genetic variances were higher than the additive genetic variance for all traits, indicating a greater influence of dominant genes.

Pitcher plants have undergone extensive cultivation as ornamental plants. Breeders made significant efforts on early sex identification, particularly before propagation. The following study may be the first investigation to identify the sex determination based on morphological and molecular traits of Sumatra’s endemic pitcher plant. Molecular markers applied related to sex determination comprised the primers DYT1, COX, OPA 15, OPD 05, UBC354, and OPY 7. The pitcher plant samples collected came from South Tapanuli and North Sumatra, Indonesia. Observations based on qualitative and quantitative morphological characters, as described in the descriptor, covered parts of stems, leaves, and pitchers. The results revealed considerable variations among the various species of N. sumatrana for stem surface texture, leaf shape, and upper leaf surface texture. Only the male plants exhibited 290 bp of DNA fragments amplified by the primer DYT1. Primer OPA-15 amplification produced 600 bp, OPD05 gave 850 and 650 bp, and UBC354 provided 900 bp of DNA fragments, found only in the female. The primer OPY7 amplified DNA fragments measuring 610, 680, and 750 bp, and they were evident only in the female. The presented research will be a valuable contribution to the development of an early sex determination system.

Keywords: Pitcher plant (N. sumatrana), genetic diversity, morphological traits, molecular analysis, sex determination

Key findings: In pitcher plants (N. sumatrana), the study based on sex determination was successful through morphological and molecular characterization. The presented research could help in the development of an early sex determination system in dioecious Nepenthes plants and would be greatly beneficial in their cultivation.

Accurate species-level identification of mushrooms is essential due to the extensive diversity in their morphology and ecological characteristics. Consequently, this study utilized the amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to facilitate the molecular identification of mushroom species. The rDNA-ITS (ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer) region of genomic DNA from 10 wild mushroom accessions collected in Sulaimani Province, Iraq, succeeded amplification using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. The PCR amplification products ranged in size from 680 to 800 bp and underwent comparison with sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. When comparing with GenBank data, BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) analysis revealed the identified mushrooms had sequence identities ranging from 93.8% to 100%. All identified mushroom accessions were at the species level, with all being newly documented species in Iraq. These include Volvariella bombycina (PP921334.10), Collybia nuda (PP921333.1), Amanita crocea (PP921336.1), Melanoleuca rasilis (PP921332.1), Stropharia coronilla (PP921331.1), Amanita lividopallescens (PP410315.1), Macrolepiota orientiexcoriata (PP410313.1), and Phallus hadriani (PP410312.1). Two of them (PP921329.1 and PP921330.1) belonged to the same species, Melanoleuca leucopoda. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship among the identified mushrooms. This work discovered the originality of the mushroom species, which expands the Iraqi mushroom diversity.

Keywords: Wild mushrooms, species, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), macrofungi, phylogenetic analysis, rDNA-ITS, evolutionary relationship

Key findings: The molecular identification of wild mushrooms by internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS4 primers) facilitated precise taxonomic categorization and successfully distinguished the closely related species. Phylogenetic analysis elucidated genetic links, offering evolutionary insights and accurately confirming species identification.