The following research comprised the evaluation of one local cultivar, ‘Durdona,’ and 15 exotic genotypes of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) for mean performance and traits association through morpho-yield attributes under field conditions of Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan. Results showed exotic mung bean lines AVMU2003, AVMU2004, AVMU1681, and AVMU2002 have better performance for morpho-yield traits than other genotypes. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between the grains per pod and grain weight per pod, as well as grain weight per pod and 1000-grain weight. The traits of number of grains per pod and grain weight per pod had a positive effect and major contribution in managing the seed yield in mung beans.

Keywords: Mung bean (V. radiata L.), multivariate analysis, morpho-yield traits, correlation, plant height, pods, seed yield, Tashkent Region

Key findings: Genotypes AVMU2003, AVMU2004, AVMU1681, and AVMU2002 have shown better performance for morpho-yield traits than other genotypes. These genotypes’ use can be effective in future breeding programs for improvement in mung beans.

A comparative evaluation of five cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars for economically valuable traits was successful through competitive varietal testing during 2022–2024 at the Agricultural Experimental Station for Cotton and Melon Growing, Turkestan, Kazakhstan. Overall, the vegetation period lasted for 117–126 days, boll weight was about 5.8–6.1 g, seed cotton yield measured 4.17–4.57 t/ha, and the fiber yield ranged from 38.0% to 39.8%. The results revealed the promising upland cotton cultivars exceeded the standard cultivar M-4005 and proved valuable in increasing cotton productivity. According to fiber quality parameters, overall, the fiber length ranged from 33.0 to 33.4 mm, micronaire (4.6–4.8 mic), fiber breaking load (4.7–4.9 g/s), and fiber fineness metric number (5470–5520). For fiber quality traits, the promising genotypes also exceeded the standard cultivar M-4005. The fiber of the newly developed cotton cultivars could receive a type IV-V fiber classification, valued for a higher price in the world market.

Keywords: Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.), cultivars, competitive varietal testing, growth period, seed cotton yield, fiber yield, micronaire

Key findings: The promising cotton (G. hirsutum L.) cultivars’ evaluation through a competitive varietal testing program helped identify the highest-yielding cultivars with improved fiber quality traits in the Turkestan Region, Kazakhstan.

The success in hybrid seed assembly depends upon the availability of strains with high receptivity and compatibility with their parental genotypes. The presented study aimed to characterize the maize germplasm and select high-yielding genotypes by studying them through morphological parameters, heritability, correlation, and multivariate analysis. The study had a randomized complete block design comprising 27 genotypes with three repetitions. These genotypes are those with wider adaptability obtained as procured from the Cereal Crops Instrument Standard Testing Centre, Maros, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The results showed the cob length and grain yield percentage were the best traits besides the harvest cob weight. Based on the path analysis, the cob length gave the highest direct effect (0.46), followed by yield percentage (0.45). An increasing cob length and yield percentage is relevant to increasing productivity, meaning this character can be beneficial as the most effective secondary quality in selecting maize genotypes. Direct effect is a trait influence that has an impact on the main character. Principal component analysis (PCA) through multivariate analysis can reduce numerous interrelated variables. Based on the PCA, the maize genotypes JHD 14 and JHD 15 were notably promising strains with the highest productivity.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), characterization, heritability, correlation, multivariate analysis, morphological parameters

Key findings: Knowledge of genetic variation is indispensable in predicting the performance of maize (Z. mays L.) hybrids to be developed, and that can considerably assist the breeders in selecting promising genotypes through breeding programs. Based on selection, JHD14 and JHD15 emerged as the best strains with the highest productivity potential.

The climatic conditions in Uzbekistan are highly favorable for cultivating leguminous crops, particularly the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In the recent past, infections with the bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) have been evident in various crops across the country, leading to a decline in grain yield and quality. Phytoviruses infect bean plants and manifest through specific disease symptoms with considerable damage in leguminous crops, especially beans, mung beans, and peas. According to a monitoring conducted in various districts of the Tashkent Region, the PCR analysis revealed that BCMV was the most widespread virus. The collected BCMV-diseased plant samples underwent molecular-genetic identification based on the capsid protein (CP) gene. The PCR product succeeded in sequencing, with the resulting isolate being registered in the NCBI database under the name ‘Bean common mosaic virus isolate UZ-1’ with the accession number PQ442186.1. Phylogenetic analysis of this isolate revealed 97% similarity with the Chilean isolate (LI9539.1) and 99% similarity with isolates from phylogenetic lineages in Vietnam (LC775775.1), Nepal (MW620828.1), Russia (KF919300), and Africa (AF361337).

Keywords: Common bean (P. vulgaris L.), RT-PCR, CP gene, bean common mosaic virus isolate ‘UZ-1,’ primer, phylogenetic analysis

Key findings: Using RT-PCR, the bean common mosaic virus isolate ‘UZ-1’ attained identification in the common bean (P. vulgaris L.) plants. The nucleotide sequence of the CP gene, responsible for encoding the viral coat protein, sustained assessment. Bioinformatics analysis resulted in the phylogenetic tree for BCMV-‘UZ-1,’ which helped in determining the evolutionary origin of the virus.

NODULE-INCEPTION (NIN)-like proteins (NLPs) are critical in regulating nitrogen (N) use in plants. Although NLPs are well-studied in various species, their characterization in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) remains limited. The identified VrNLPs totaling seven shared similarities in their physicochemical properties with Arabidopsis thaliana NLPs (AtNLPs). A comparison of conserved domains confirmed that VrNLPs, like AtNLPs, contain both the RWP-RK and PB1 domains, verifying their membership in the same gene family. Analysis of gene structures revealed similar exon-intron patterns between VrNLPs and AtNLPs; although, VrNLPs had shorter gene lengths. In contrast, the average protein lengths of VrNLPs showed higher similarity to those of AtNLPs. Both sets of proteins appeared to be hydrophilic, as indicated by the negative Grand Average of Hydropathicity (GRAVY) values. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that all VrNLPs are nuclear-localized. Overall, VrNLPs and AtNLPs share substantial homology in gene structure, protein domains, motifs, and physicochemical attributes. The phylogenetic analysis exhibited VrNLPs and AtNLPs as closest relatives, suggesting their evolution from a common ancestor alongside NLPs from other vascular and non-vascular plants (Oryza sativa, Zea mays, and Physcomitrella patens). An improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) could lead to higher yields with reduced fertilizer input, mitigating environmental pollution from excessive fertilizer use.

Keywords: mungbean, nitrogen, nitrogen use efficiency, Nodule Inception-like proteins, transcription factor

Key findings: This study identified members of the NLP gene family in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and provided a preliminary functional overview of VrNLPs. With their structural and functional similarities with AtNLPs, VrNLPs showed promising potential for enhancing NUE in mungbeans through molecular plant breeding and genetic engineering.

The effects of biofertilizer and biostimulant application on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were this study’s focus for evaluation. The experiment examined the irrigation of rhizobacteria in different combinations, including B0 (plants irrigated with water only); B1 (plants treated with inoculant containing A. chroococcum (8.8 × 10⁹) with 10 g plant^-1; B2 (plants treated with inoculant containing B. subtilis (7.5 × 10⁹) with 10 g plant^-1; and B3 (plants treated with A. chroococcum in 10 g plant^-1) plus B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.). The use of biostimulant under the trade name “Deflan,” which contained organic matter (18.4%), amino acids (10%), total nitrogen (3%), and organic nitrogen (3%), had three levels (0, 0.250, and 500 mg l^-1). The combination of both A. chroococum and B. subtilis at 10 g plant^-1 had an influential effect, which reversed an increase in root and vegetative growth, specifically the content of macroelements. A biostimulant spray significantly affected all parameters, especially the 500 mg l^-1 dose. Furthermore, a solidarity effect markedly appeared, which raised all vegetative parameters, especially the biofertilizer treatment A. chroococcum (10 g plant^-1) plus B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) with spraying biostimulant (500 mg l^-1). These results will contribute favorably to providing evidence for desirable effects from the interaction between biofertilizers and biostimulant spraying on tomato plant development.

Keywords: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), biofertilizers, rhizobacteria, azotobacter, Bacillus, foliar application, biostimulants

Key findings: The application of rhizobacteria and foliar treatment with biostimulant increased vegetative traits and mineral content of leaves, especially the mixture between A. chroococcum and B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Furthermore, foliar application of the biostimulant at a concentration of 500 mg l^-1 boosted all the parameters under study.

The following experiment on tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) transpired in the spring of 2023 at the Kerbala University, Kerbala, Iraq. A factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design and three replications comprised the investigations. The first factor was fish emulsion with four different concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%), while the second was vermicompost application with four different levels (0, 25, 50, and 100 g pot^-1) before moving the seedlings to pots containing them. The results showed adding fish emulsion at 2% concentration significantly affected the percentage of nitrogen and protein in the leaves, with averages of 3.407% and 21.29%, respectively. The outcomes also revealed adding vermicompost fertilizer at a level of 100 g was superior in phosphorus and carbohydrate contents in the leaves with averages of 0.482% and 379 mg 100 g^-1. As for the interaction between the factors, it was remarkably significant for all the traits under study. The findings confirmed the effectiveness of fertilizers resulting from organic waste, individually or in combination, to raise the efficiency of the qualitative traits of horticultural crops, as well as reduce the chemical fertilizers’ use in maintaining a sustainable and nontoxic ecosystem.

Keywords: Tarragon (A. dracunculus L.), fish emulsion, vermicompost fertilizer, biochemical traits

Key findings: In tarragon (A. dracunculus L.), the addition of fish emulsion (2%) had a significant effect on most biochemical traits in the leaves. Likewise, adding vermicompost with the highest dose (100 g pot^-1) significantly increased the phosphorus content in leaves.

An examination of the effects of industrial wastewater and groundwater irrigation on the growth and heavy metal accumulation in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was this study’s focus. Conducted during 2023–2024 in Baiji, Salah Al-Din Governorate, Iraq, the study additionally assessed the three types of bacteria’s role in reducing soil pollution and improving plant quality. Results indicated the average leaf height was 32.260 and 31.80 cm for industrial water and groundwater irrigation, respectively, enhancing to 34.7 and 38.0 cm with the addition of bacteria. Root length reached 11.70 and 8.70 cm with bacteria. The wet weight of leaves and roots was 32.600 and 49.00 g/plant, respectively, with industrial water, rising to 33.8 and 58.00 g/plant by adding bacteria. Nutrient concentrations (potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus) in leaves and roots increased with industrial watering to 3.639%, 4.933%, 3.113%, 3.673%, 0.219%, and 0.634%, respectively. With bacteria, the potassium and nitrogen values rose to 3.700%, 5.233%, and 3.967%); however, the phosphorus values slightly lowered (0.201% and 0.631%). Heavy metal concentrations significantly decreased with bacteria, and minimum values recorded in industrial wastewater and groundwater irrigation were for lead (0.087 and 0.384 ppm), nickel (0.017 and 0.207 ppm), cadmium (0.079 and 0.093 ppm), and zinc (0.594 and 1.997 ppm).

Keywords: Radish (R. sativus L.), industrial wastewater, groundwater, bacterial bioaugmentation, growth traits, heavy metal accumulation

Key findings: The addition of bacteria improved the growth traits and concentrations of primary nutrients in radish (R. sativus L.) irrigated with industrial wastewater and groundwater. The bacteria considerably helped in reducing the accumulation of heavy metals in leaves and roots. The results confirm the effectiveness of bacteria in improving plant quality and reducing soil pollution to enhance agricultural sustainability.

This study investigated the transport and accumulation of several heavy metals within the lower and upper parts of the wild plants Typha domingensis, Prosopis farcta, and Alhagi maurorum, belonging to the Al-Kasak and Al-Qayyarah sites in Iraq, which were collected in autumn. In the Al-Kasak refinery, results indicated the cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) showed significantly higher bioaccumulation in the root system (392.01 and 658.11 mg/kg, respectively) from dry weight compared with the dry weight of shoots (287.12 and 619.45 mg/kg, respectively). However, the lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) exhibited higher bioaccumulation in the shoot system (280.23 and 80.95 mg/kg dry weight, respectively). At the Al-Qayyarah refinery, Ni, Pb, and Mn appeared more accumulated in root parts (668.65, 270.61, and 156.24 mg/kg dry weight, respectively) than in the shoots for each plant (Prosopis farcta, Alhagi maurorum, and Typha domingensis). Meanwhile, Cd bioaccumulation was higher in the shoots (377.31 mg/kg dry weight). Additionally, the roots of Alhagi maurorum and Typha domingensis revealed higher accumulations of Ni and Mn (778.25 and 235.93 mg/kg dry weight, respectively) compared with the shoot system. At the Al-Kasak site, plants showed a higher bioaccumulation of Pb (13.38 mg/kg dry weight), following the order Pb<Ni<Mn11.14>3.93>1.44 dry weight, respectively). Then again, plants at the Al-Qayyarah site had the highest bioaccumulation of Ni (17.94 mg/kg), with the order of bioaccumulation as Ni>Mn>Pb>Cd (17.94>11.75>3.84>1.07 mg/kg dry weight, respectively). The maximum bioaccumulation of Mn was notable in the plants of Typha domingensis, Prosopis farcta, and Alhagi maurorum (28.86, 146.68, and 419.86 mg/kg dry weight, respectively).

Keywords: Wild plants, heavy metals, phytoremediation, bioaccumulation, biotranslocation

Key findings: At the Al-Kasak site in Iraq, the bioaccumulation of Ni, Cd, and Pb was higher in roots than in shoots, while the bioaccumulation of Pb and Mn was higher in shoots of wild plants. However, at the Al-Qayyarah site, the bioaccumulation of Ni, Pb, and Mn was greater in roots, while the bioaccumulation of Ni was superior in shoots of wild plants.