The presented research aimed to assess the contribution of various components, such as biomass and mortmass of the stand, young growth, undergrowth, living ground cover, and forest litter, to the total mass of organic matter used by the plant community. The study commenced in a coniferous-deciduous forest massif located in the Kish River valley, Markhal, Kish Village, Sheki Region, Azerbaijan, with five permanent sample plots allocated measuring 50 m × 50 m. The greatest contribution to the total mass of organic matter of the studied plant communities mostly consisted of perennial parts of the stand (87%) and mortmass of the stand (14%). However, the share of phytomass of deciduous species in the stand ranged from 32% to 98%, which indicates the incompleteness in the process of forest restoration succession. The forest litter contribution was no more than 3%, and the litter reserves were not high (0.18 to 1.21 kg m^-2), and the same was not typical for spruce forests, as in fact the litters belong to the destructive type. A higher catalase activity was evident in the mineral horizons of deciduous forest soils compared with the coniferous ones.

Keywords: Forestry, conıferous-decıduous forest ecosystems, biomass, enzyme activity, litters, organic matter, catalase activity, plant communities

Key findings: The study explored the ability of forest ecosystems to deposit carbon by biomass and mortmass and the contribution of phytomass of the aboveground and underground vegetation layers, as well as terrestrial detritus. In different plant communities, the study based on invertase and catalase enzymes has proven the importance of assessing biomass in conıferous-decıduous forest ecosystems.

Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), a perennial herb from the Poaceae family, is a widely valued plant for its essential oil and medicinal properties. Plants frequently encounter abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and heavy metals, which severely limit agricultural productivity. Transcription factors, including MYB (myeloblastosis), WRKY (pronounced worky), and bHLH (basic Helix-Loop-Helix), play pivotal roles in regulating plant responses to such stressors by mediating hormonal and developmental pathways. In this study, three salt concentrations (0, 75, and 150 mM) applied to C. citratus had their morphological parameters assessed after 30 days. The results revealed significant reductions in shoot length (73.8%–63.2%), root length (80%–65%), leaf number (72%–66%), tillers (88.4%–76.9%), and both fresh weight (85.5%–73.9%) and dry biomass (80.6%–68.6%) under increasing salt stress. Molecular analysis via PCR confirmed the expression of CcMYB, CcWRKY, and CcbHLH—homologs of Zea mays transcription factors—in C. citratus. These findings demonstrate a salt-responsive genetic mechanism in C. citratus that suggests the identified genes are promising candidates for developing salt-tolerant genotypes. This could potentially pave the way for cultivating C. citratus in saline soils and contribute to enhancing stress resilience in related herbaceous crop species.

Keywords: Lemongrass (C. citratus), salt stress, transcriptional factors, MYB, WRKY, bHLH

Key findings: Identification of salt stress responsive genes in lemongrass (C. citratus) species and their characterization under control and salt stress conditions was successful. This molecular study can benefit the genetic improvement of the C. citratus species.

A vineyard with diverse climatic conditions along the seaside affects the growth and development of the vines and grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). Therefore, knowledge about these factors is crucial for determining how viticultural practices need to be adapted to improve the grape yield and quality. The submitted study aimed to evaluate the effect of the terroir between the mountains and sea on the berry composition, grape ripening, and produced wines’ characteristics. In the vineyard located in Aghbash Village, within the Samur-Devechi lowland at the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and on the coast of Caspian Sea, several grape cultivars incurred assessment during 2023. The Saperavi, Merlot, Madrasa, Muscat, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Khindogni grape cultivars bore scrutiny for titratable acidity, pH, and sugar concentration. Correspondingly, wines produced from these grape cultivars also underwent analysis for ethyl alcohol content, residual sugar, titratable acidity, volatile acidity, extract content, and total and free sulfur dioxide concentrations as per standard procedures. The grape cultivars Muscat and Cabernet Sauvignon had lower sugar concentrations (21.2 g/100 cm³), and cultivars Muscat and Cabernet Sauvignon emerged with lower titratable acidity (5.0 g/L) and higher titratable acidity (6.4 g/L), respectively. However, cultivar Madrasa exhibited a higher sugar concentration.

Keywords: Grape (V. vinifera L.), Caspian Sea, Greater Caucasus Mountains, terroir, climate, technical grape cultivars, grape ripening, wine, physicochemical properties

Key findings: A vineyard comprising different grape (V. vinifera L.) cultivars with diverse climatic conditions along the seaside affects the growth and development and shows varied values for grape composition and maturity and the produced wines.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a perennial herbaceous legume widely cultivated to provide high-quality forage in the form of hay and silage. Animal husbandry should acquire a stable base of feed production support, as its further development and efficiency depend on the feed base, and the industry needs new approaches. The provision of livestock with high-protein feeds determines the need for intensive cultivation of perennial legumes, like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), which is a significant addition to protein in animal feeds. Perennial legumes should occupy 2–3 times the area in hectares, and crop rotation should ensure the sustainability of arable land and crop production. During field crop rotation, perennial grasses produce 0.15 to 0.6 tons of feed units per hectare and provide livestock with up to 1/4 of all feeds. Perennial legumes’ vital role is clear; in particular, alfalfa has great forage and agrotechnical importance in increasing soil fertility. In previous years, the trend has been the transition from chemical plant protection to biological measures with organic cultivation technology.

Keywords: Alfalfa (M. sativa L.), leguminous crops, forage production, high-protein feeds, biological preparations, foliar treatment, green and dry mass yield

Key findings: Exogenous application in the beginning of alfalfa (M. sativa L.) flowering with biological preparations (Organit P + Organit N + Biodux + Foliar) and external top dressing are possible to enhance the herbage density, generative stems, stress resistance, and plants’ preservation. The biological products Organica S + Foliar and foliar application boost the foliage and green and dry mass yields.

The volatile compounds emitted by hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) flowers play a crucial role in plant-insect interaction and natural insect resistance. This study aimed to analyze the volatile compound (VoC) profile of hot pepper flowers derived from four genotypes, comprising two parental lines and their two F1 hybrids. Volatiles’ sampling used the HS-SPME (Headspace-Solid Phase Micro Extraction), analyzed via GC–MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), and identified using the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) 14 spectral reference. VoCs entailed groupings based on the presence or absence of each compound. Data then underwent the principal component analysis (PCA). The study identified 133 volatile compounds in the flowers of the parental genotype and its F1 hybrid. F1 hybrid flowers obtained through cross-hybridization between the parental lines exhibited varied ratios of volatile compounds. PCA revealed the parental lines (A and B) and their reciprocal F1 hybrids exhibited distinct profiles of volatile compounds. Notably, the F1 hybrids produced additional repellents, such as D-Limonene, cis-jasmone, and farnesol, against insect pests. The analysis displayed 11 interesting pattern variations. Understanding the volatile composition of hot pepper genotypes is beneficial in breeding programs aimed at developing pest-resistant cultivars based on the antixenosis mechanism, thereby enhancing passive plant defense against pests and virus-carrying insects.

Keywords: Hot pepper (C. frutescens L.), flowers, nectars, volatile compounds, insect resistance, pests, plant defense, repellent, breeding program

Key findings: The study identified 133 volatile compounds with diverse ratios in four populations of hot pepper (C. frutescens L.). The F1 hybrids produced volatile compounds that act as pest repellents and attractants. These repellents could aid in pest management, especially against Bemisia tabaci and Myzus persicae.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production has had increasing challenges with rising temperatures due to climate change. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic potential of bread wheat F₃ populations and their parents under terminal heat stress using physio-morphic traits via a randomized complete block design. Five F₃ populations, derived from diverse crosses, entailed assessment in climatic conditions of Sargodha, Pakistan. Significant variation among populations emerged for all traits. The cross Punjab 76 × E109 outperformed in grain yield per plant (17.20 g), the number of tillers per plant (8.59), the number of seeds per spike (75.83), and cell membrane thermostability (CMS, 95.65%). Akbar 2019 × E145 and E116 × C228 also exhibited high-yield potentials. High heritability (0.99), genetic advance (9.12), and strong positive correlations appeared for grain yield with spike length, tiller number, and CMS. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that PC1 and PC2 explained 84.61% of the total variation, confirming trait clustering. Among parental lines, C271 (98.19 cm) and E121 (11.90 g) showed a good performance for plant height and yield, respectively. These results suggest that crosses like Punjab 76 × E109 and Akbar 2019 × E145 can serve as potential genetic sources for improving heat resilience and productivity in wheat.

Keywords: wheat (T. aestivum L.), F₃ populations, PCA, climate resilient, CMS, biplot, yield-related traits, grain yield

Key findings: Heat stress affects a lot of grain yield production of wheat (T. aestivum L.). A reduction of 3%–10% of grain yield occurred in wheat caused by an increase of each one °C ambient temperature. Out of five populations, three F₃ populations, such as Punjab 76 × E109 (17.20 g), Akbar 2019 × E145 (12.07 g), and E116 × C228 (11.53 g), yielded better for grain yield per plant than the parents under terminal heat environment. Therefore, these populations are candidate-breeding lines for developing heat-resilient wheat cultivars.

Schinus molle L., also known as Peruvian pepper, is a South American plant recognized for its vital bioactive compounds and high-quality seed oil, which shows potential for agro-industries. This study investigated the physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant activity of S. molle seed oil, particularly focusing on the genetic regulation underlying its oil quality. The oil’s extraction used cold pressing and Soxhlet methods, with its physical properties (density, refractive index, viscosity, and melting point) and chemical composition (acid, peroxide, and iodine values) also determined. Notably, the oil exhibited a high content of oleic acid (40.2%) and linoleic acid (38.1%), with significant antioxidant activity (tocopherol content: 34.5 mg/100 g and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl or DPPH radical scavenging activity: 82.3% inhibition). The results indicated genetic factors, including the FAD2 gene for fatty acid desaturation, play a crucial role in shaping the oil’s fatty acid profile and antioxidant potential. These findings underscore the importance of genetic regulation in optimizing the oil’s composition for agro-industrial applications, particularly in functional foods and cosmetics.

Keywords: S. molle, seed oil, physical properties, fatty acid composition, antioxidant activity, agro-industrial applications, functional food

Key findings: The S. molle seed oil exhibited the highest unsaturation, oleic, and linoleic acids as predominant among fatty acids, with significant antioxidant activity, including high tocopherol content and radical scavenging ability. Genetic factors influence the oil’s quality, affecting fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties, identifying them as a promising candidate for agro-industrial applications like functional foods and cosmetics.

The Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) is a commonly known resilient shrub indigenous to Central and Western Asia and Southern Europe. This important species possesses numerous ecological and economic significances. It also serves as a vital nutritional resource for bees within the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The presented study aimed to examine the phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of pollen grains derived from E. angustifolia. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) reached quantification at 26.117 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW and 0.449 mg QUE g⁻¹ DW, respectively, in pollen grains, employing the Folin-Ciocalteu and DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assays. The antioxidant capacity, as assessed through the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) method, showed the value of 485.491 μmol Fe (II) g⁻¹. Additionally, the DPPH assay resulted in the SC50 value (0.059 mg/ml). Utilizing reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC-PDA), six major phenolic compounds were identified, including ellagic and gallic acids. These findings underscore the potential applications of E. angustifolia pollens in food supplements and therapeutic contexts, thereby accentuating its rich biochemical profile along with ecological and medicinal importance.

Keywords: Russian olive (E. angustifolia L.), pollen grains, biochemical profile, phenolic compounds, antioxidant properties, ecological and medicinal importance, RP-HPLC

Key findings: The Russian olive (E. angustifolia L.) biochemical composition revealed six major phenolic compounds, including ellagic and gallic acids. These findings underscore the potential applications of E. angustifolia pollens in food supplements and therapeutic contexts.

Water shortage is the most yield-limiting factor in maize (Zea mays L.) crops, especially when the crop is at the seedling stage. In a maize breeding program, effective and reliable screening methods for water stress tolerance would be helpful. In this study, maize genotypes totaling 49 underwent evaluation against different water stress levels of 30%, 40%, and 100% field capacity at their early growth stages. The experiment transpired in the greenhouse of the University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. The data assessment used completely randomized design (CRD), principal component analysis (PCA), biplot analysis, and correlation matrix to identify the water stress-tolerant genotypes. The significant (p < 0.05) differences were evident among the genotypes for all traits. Among principal factors, the first three had eigenvalues greater than one. The components, PC1, PC2, and PC3, accounted for 60%, 80%, and 95.8% of the cumulative variability, respectively. The analysis concluded that the mean emergence time (MET) and desiccation tolerance index (DTI) revealed negative correlations, suggesting their limiting role in early seedling performance. However, the genotypes 15067, Pearl, Sultan, 15023, 14996, 15005, Akbar, Sahiwal-2002, and 14985 proved superiors in performance and behaved as the best possible candidates for future water stress-tolerant breeding programs.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), maize germplasm, water stress conditions, seedling traits, principal component analysis, biplot analysis, correlation

Key findings: Drought stress at the seedling stage significantly impairs maize (Z. mays L.) growth and vigor. In this study, several genotypes demonstrated superior performance under induced water stress, indicating potential water stress tolerance. Notably, genotypes 15067, Pearl, Sultan, 15023, 14996, 15005, Akbar, Sahiwal-2002, and 14985 exhibited enhanced emergence traits, desiccation tolerance, and recovery ability. These genotypes are promising candidates for incorporation into maize drought-resilient breeding programs.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a globally recognized food crop for its high nutritional value, primarily due to its excellent protein and oil content. Its grains are also abundant in essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, fiber, calcium, folic acid, and selenium. Additionally, soybean grains provide vital minerals such as magnesium, manganese, iron, and zinc. The unique biochemical composition of soybeans comprises proteins (49%) and fats (30%). The following research examined the seed oil and protein content of the exotic and local soybean cultivars cultivated as a recurrent crop in Uzbekistan. The study material included three each of the exotic Sparta and Selekta-201 (Russian selection), Nena (Kazakh selection), and local cultivars Ustoz-MMan-60, Toʻmaris-MMan-60, and Oyjamol, planted as repeated crops in 2020–2022 in the Samarkand and Navoi regions. In the environmental conditions of Uzbekistan, the highest seed oil and fat content were evident by sowing soybean as the main crop. However, as a repeated crop, the seed protein content was higher than the main crop.

Keywords: Soybean (G. max L.), exotic and local cultivars, repeated crop, grain yield, seed oil, proteins, carbohydrates

Key findings: The highest seed oil content resulted in the soybean (G. max L.) exotic cultivar Nena and local cultivar Oyjamol, planted as a repeated crop under the environmental conditions of Uzbekistan.