Root rot caused by Fusarium species is the major constraint in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production under arid and semi-arid conditions of Central Asia. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, pathogenicity, and molecular identity of Fusarium culmorum associated with chickpea root rot in Uzbekistan. During the growing season of 2025, collecting symptomatic chickpea plants transpired from fields in the Gallaarol District, Jizzakh Region, Uzbekistan, which yielded 10 Fusarium isolates. The selection of isolate GPEB-65 proceeded for detailed characterization. Morphological analysis revealed a rapid colony growth, reddish pigmentation, abundant chlamydospores, and the absence of microconidia, consistent with F. culmorum. The TEF1-α (translation elongation factor 1-alpha) gene sequencing confirmed species identity, with 99.8% similarity to reference strains. Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolate GPEB-65 within a strongly supported Fusarium culmorum clade, confirming its taxonomic identity. Two unique single-nucleotide polymorphisms (A7G and C205T) distinguished the Uzbekistani isolate from strains reported in Iraq and the United States. Pathogenicity assays demonstrated the highest virulence, with severe root necrosis and a disease severity index (79%), fulfilling Koch’s postulates through re-isolation. The results confirmed the presence of a highly virulent and genetically distinct F. culmorum population affecting the chickpea crop in Uzbekistan and provided a robust foundation for improved molecular monitoring and resistance breeding strategies.

Keywords: Chickpea (C. arietinum L.), Fusarium culmorum, root rot, TEF1-α gene, molecular identification, phylogenetic analysis, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

Key findings: This study confirmed F. culmorum as the causal agent of chickpea (C. arietinum L.) root rot in Uzbekistan. TEF1-α sequencing (99.8% similarity) and phylogenetic analysis placed the GPEB-65 strain within a considerably supported F. culmorum clade. Pathogenicity assays demonstrated the highest virulence, with a disease severity index at 79%, emphasizing the significant threat of this pathogen to regional chickpea production.

Selection of stable and high-yielding tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes is a challenging issue due to genotype-by-environment interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the yield performance and heritability among 10 tomato putative M7-mutant lines derived from gamma-ray irradiation and five commercial cultivars for agronomic and yield-related traits under two lowland environments, Bogor and Kolaka, Indonesia. Fifteen genotypes incurred evaluation in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in each environment. The results revealed that genotype-by-environment interactions significantly influenced the agronomic and yield-related traits of tomatoes. Higher fruit yield per plant and fruit number were prominent at Bogor (1069.63 g plant⁻¹ and 44.08 fruits plant⁻¹) than with Kolaka (434.29 g plant⁻¹ and 18.25 fruits plant⁻¹). It indicated that the Bogor environment was more favorable for tomato growth and yield production. The genotype G7 produced the most fruits per plant in both Bogor and Kolaka (95.58 and 30.81 fruits, respectively). Productivity showed a significant positive correlation with fruit weight and fruit diameter. Maximum broad-sense heritability was evident for plant height and fruit weight. The study revealed the potential of mutant tomato lines for developing high-yielding cultivars adapted to lowland environments.

Keywords: Tomato (S. lycopersicum L.), genotype-by-environment interactions, genetic parameters, heritability, agronomic and yield traits

Key findings: Genotype-by-environment interactions significantly affect the tomato’s (S. lycopersicum L.) fruit yield and its components. Tomato genotypes produced a higher fruit number and yield at Bogor than at Kolaka.

Garlic breeding suffers from limited genetic variability and poor adaptability to tropical lowland environments due to high temperatures and humidity. This study aimed to compare the genetic variability and selection efficiency of the M2 garlic mutants in two contrasting areas (highland and lowland) in Central Java, Indonesia. The experiment has an augmented research design. The results showed the analysis of genetic parameters confirms that the highland environment optimizes the expression of the genetic potential of the M2 garlic mutants. Conversely, with the environmental stress, the garlic mutants still exhibited sufficient variability for selection based on bulb weight. Obtaining a total of 29 mutants came from the highlands, and 13 were from the lowlands. The PCA biplot successfully validated the G × E interaction by explaining 55.41% of the total variance. Mutants H28, H29, H15, and H23 express potential as putative highland-adapted mutants. Meanwhile, mutant L9 displays adaptability to lowland areas. As a plant propagated vegetatively, garlic allows for the genetic fixation of induced superior traits in subsequent generations. Although there is a single-season constraint, screening these early generations using biplot analysis provides an efficient framework for initial selection.

Keywords: Garlic (A. sativum L.), gamma irradiation, M2 mutants, genetic variability, heritability and genetic gain, lowland adaptation, augmented design, yield traits

Key findings: The M2-generation garlic (A. sativum L.) mutants exhibited reduced heritability for vegetative traits due to high temperature and humidity stress in lowland areas. Nevertheless, the 13 mutants maintained the high bulb weight despite environmental stress, demonstrating that direct selection in the target environment was highly effective for isolating mutants resistant to high temperature and humidity.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop worldwide and is highly susceptible to infection by Aspergillus flavus. This pathogenic fungus can cause ear rot and produce toxic aflatoxin contamination in maize kernels. This contamination poses serious economic and health risks globally. Limited knowledge of maize resistance mechanisms to this fungus presents a challenge for scientists and farmers trying to select resistant varieties. This field trial aimed to assess the maize responses to A. flavus exposure during the autumn and spring of 2023–2024. Maize cobs from both inoculated and non-inoculated plants were harvested and shade-dried before analysis for various parameters. Results showed non-inoculated maize genotypes performed better than those inoculated with A. flavus, despite minimal visible infection symptoms across all genotypes. Exposure to A. flavus negatively affects the contents of protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and moisture of grains. The principal component analysis identified PBG-35, PBG-43, and PBG-16 as the top-performing genotypes, while PBG-80, PBG-81, and PBG-83 performed poorly under both conditions. The results revealed that inoculation with A. flavus reduces maize grain yield and quality even without visible infection signs. These resistant genotypes can be desirable in developing Aspergillus ear rot-resistant maize hybrids with a reduced risk of aflatoxin contamination through breeding programs.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), fungal infection, cob, inoculation, disease resistance, Aspergillus flavus, ear rot, seasonal variability, grain quality

Key findings: The changing climatic pattern worldwide causes significant biotic stress on maize (Z. mays L.), specifically Aspergillus flavus infection, ear rot, and aflatoxin contamination. Addressing these issues requires the identification and screening of resistant maize germplasm. Findings highlight the importance of disease-resistant germplasm for developing disease-resistant hybrids in maize breeding programs.

Understanding the genetic diversity of Durio testudinarius Becc. (Malvaceae) is essential for effective germplasm conservation and genetic resource management; however, molecular information on this wild durian species remains limited. The pertinent study aimed to carry out a comprehensive assessment on genetic diversity of the species D. testudinarius across five populations distributed in five regencies (Sambas, Landak, Sanggau, Sekadau, and Ketapang) in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. In this study, simple sequence repeats also supported barcoding deoxyribonucleic acid of 12 taxa of Durio species. The highest observed and expected heterozygosity values resulted in the Sekadau population (Ho = 0.363 and He = 0.453, respectively), although the species exhibited an overall low level of genetic diversity. DNA barcoding analysis showed the Sambas and Ketapang taxa of D. testudinarius clustered together with strong bootstrap support (93%). Moreover, D. testudinarius formed a distinct lineage that showed a clear separation from D. dulcis, D. zibethinus, D. oxleyanus, D. kutejensis, D. graveolens, D. lanceolatus, and D. acutifolius. The low heterozygosity values revealed limited gene flow among the D. testudinarius populations. Furthermore, the DNA evidence suggested that the germplasm recognized by deoxyribonucleic acid disclosed D. testudinarius accessions were genetically distant from other Durio species in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Keywords: D. testudinarius, species, DNA barcoding, morphology, SSR microsatellites

Key findings: The species D. testudinarius populations in Sambas and Ketapang exhibited distinct groups of Landak, Sekadau, and Sanggau. Based on DNA analysis, five accessions of the D. testudinarius accessions indicated obvious distinctions from seven other species, D. dulcis, D. zibethinus, D. oxleyanus, D. kutejensis, D. graveolens, D. lanceolatus, and D. acutifolius.

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) has a diverse germplasm, comprising 152 accessions that differ in productivity. These received evaluation during 2024 and 2025 for yield indicators and genetic diversity under field conditions in the North Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan. The accessions underwent grouping based on their productivity, with the efficiency of 16 SSR markers evaluated for genotyping the proso millet genotypes. According to analysis, 9% of the total genetic variability was evident among the yielding genotype groups, while 91% variability was within groups. The fixation index showed a moderate, however, significant genetic ranking between low-, medium-, and high-yielding genotypes (Fst = 0.091). AMOVA showed that 9% of the total genetic variation was in association with differences among the yield groups, while observing 91% within groups. Correlation analysis of the SSR markers and agronomic traits sought to identify the promising markers found capable of determining productive tillering in various proso millet genotypes. Three SSR markers (SSR 409, SSR 365, and SSR 331) had moderate to significant correlation with the studied traits; the marker SSR 409 also had the maximum PIC value (0.595). The PCoA has proven capable of separating low-, high-, and medium-yielding genotypes and possibly helped in reducing the duration of the selection process.

Keywords: Proso millet (P. miliaceum L.), germplasm, genetic diversity, agronomic traits, grain yield, SSR markers

Key findings: The SSR markers established significant associations with viable agronomic traits and served as useful tools for targeted breeding aimed at improving productivity and developing genetically enhanced proso millet (P. miliaceum L.) genotypes.

Drought reduces rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity by impairing leaf water status, activating abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated stomatal closure, and disrupting carbon-water trade-offs. Rice adapts to drought through rapid stomatal signaling, developmental modifications, and whole-plant integration of hydraulic regulation, mesophyll conductance, and canopy architecture. Growing evidence indicates that moderate reductions in stomatal density (SD) can enhance water-use efficiency (WUE) and drought tolerance with minimal yield penalties when coordinated with non-stomatal traits. However, extreme reductions in SD may restrict carbon assimilation and impair thermoregulation. Recent studies have identified SD-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes, alongside successful genome editing of EPF/EPFL family members, providing valuable targets for drought-resilient rice breeding. Rice deploys morphological, physiological, and molecular strategies to maximize WUE while sustaining photosynthesis under drought, including SD and aperture modulation, ABA and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signaling, and transcriptional regulation of drought-responsive genes and transcription factors. Despite these advances, key challenges remain in integrating stomatal traits with whole-plant hydraulics, root architecture, reproductive resilience, and genotype-by-environment interactions under field conditions. Future breeding strategies should combine physiological phenotyping with genomics, genome editing, and digital agriculture tools to develop climate-resilient rice cultivars capable of sustaining productivity under drought.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), stomata, drought stress, ABA-signaling, guard cells, drought tolerance

Key findings: Drought reduces rice (O. sativa L.) productivity by lowering leaf water status and inducing ABA-mediated stomatal closure, disrupting carbon-water balance. Moderate reductions in stomatal density enhance water-use efficiency and drought tolerance with minimal yield penalty, whereas excessive reduction limits carbon assimilation.

Genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) is a critical factor influencing soybean (Glycine max L.) performance and stability across diverse growing conditions. For developing high-yielding and stable cultivars, it is essential to understand how soybean genotypes respond differently to environmental variations. This study aimed to assess the GEI for agro-morphological traits and evaluate the soybean advanced lines and check genotypes for grain yield under two contrasting environmental conditions using parametric and non-parametric stability measurements. This study comprehensively compared multiple parametric and non-parametric stability statistics to identify soybean genotypes with both high productivity and broad adaptability under contrasting agroecosystems. The field experiment conducted had two diverse environmental conditions: the paddy field (soil texture clay) and the dry land (soil texture dusty clay) agroecosystems using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia. The results showed significant genotype-by-environment interaction effects for grain yield. The soybean advanced lines UM12, UM20, and UM05 emerged with the highest grain yield and adaptability to environmental variations and have the potential to be developed as new superior cultivars. The results will contribute and provide information on soybean breeding activities in the future.

Keywords: Soybean (G. max L.), genotype-by-environment interactions, nonparametric, parametric, stability

Key findings: Significant genotype-by-environment interaction effects were evident among the soybean (G. max L.) advanced lines for pod width, 100-grain weight, and grain yield. Genotypes UM12, UM20, and UM5 showed the highest grain yield and environmental adaptability, revealing their potential to be superior cultivars in the future.

Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is an important legume and industrial crop valued for its adaptation to arid and semi-arid environments and for its seeds rich in galactomannan (guar gum). These polysaccharides are materials widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, textile, and petroleum industries. With increased climate change pressure, including drought and high temperature, a concentrated interest in guar as a climate-resilient crop has risen. The following review summarized current knowledge on the adaptive potential of guar, with emphasis on drought tolerance mechanisms, physiological responses, and breeding strategies. Physiological adaptations and processes, such as stomatal regulation, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant activity, and maintenance of photosynthetic efficiency, contribute to drought tolerance. Guar genotypes with significant genetic variability provide opportunities for crop improvement through breeding. The genomic resources, molecular markers, and transcriptomic analysis offer promising tools for identifying genes associated with stress tolerance. Integration of physiological approaches with molecular breeding can further accelerate the development of improved guar cultivars. Such strategies could facilitate the expansion of guar cultivation in the new agroecological regions and support climate-resilient cropping systems.

Keywords: Guar (C. tetragonoloba), drought tolerance, genetic diversity, molecular markers, plant physiology, stress response, breeding strategies, genomics

Key findings: The review highlighted the adaptive potential, drought tolerance mechanisms, and breeding prospects of guar (C. tetragonoloba L.). Integrating physiological and genomic approaches can further support the development of drought-tolerant cultivars for arid regions.

Kazakhstan is a major wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) producer, with a planting area of 12–14 million hectares, and ranks third in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market for grains and flour production. In the future, Kazakhstan could produce more than 10 million tons of wheat, equivalent to the combined wheat production of Central Asia, Afghanistan, and the European Union. The following research aimed to identify methodological aspects comprising the development of the ideotypes (non-irrigated, dry steppe, and intensive) and new spring soft and perspective lines of wheat cultivars with a complex of valuable traits. The research source material was the spring wheat cultivars and hybrids and advanced lines. The establishment of spring wheat nurseries, records and observations, hybridization, evaluation, and statistical compilation of the recorded data proceeded using methodologies developed through domestic and foreign sources. Overall, the study identified the methodological aspects and research work directions and developed ideotypes and 29 cultivars of spring wheat and two cultivars of facultative soft wheat, approved for use in production in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Promising lines of soft spring wheat have succeeded in their identification for further breeding work. New varieties and promising lines are also new sources of valuable traits and properties for breeders and geneticists.

Keywords: Wheat (T. aestivum L.), breeding, cultivars and advanced lines, valuable traits, growing seasons, disease resistance, grain yield and quality

Key findings: The identification of methodological aspects about the wheat (T. aestivum L.) breeding was successful, as well as the development of ideotypes, 29 spring wheat, and two facultative soft wheat cultivars, which also reached approval for use in production in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Moreover, they are sources of valuable traits and properties for work in wheat breeding and genetics.