Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop, valued for its high-quality edible oil and protein-rich byproducts. Its economic and agricultural significance continues to grow due to increasing demand for vegetable oil and renewable resources worldwide. The following research provides a comprehensive analysis of sunflower biology, agronomy, and genetics, emphasizing traits crucial for its sustainable crop production. The description of sunflower taxonomy, classification, and morpho-biological features succeeded in highlighting its structural diversity and adaptability to diverse agroecological zones. Physiological and agronomic traits, such as growth dynamics, yield potential, and oil composition, attained examination in interaction with environmental factors and cultivation practices. Special attention focused on the sunflower’s resistance to major pests and diseases influencing global production. Furthermore, the study reviewed the genetic resources and molecular seed production tools, including marker-assisted selection and genomic mapping, which accelerate the development of improved cultivars with higher yield, better oil quality, and enhanced stress tolerance. The summary of data from national and international genetic collections resulted in tabular form. The findings underline the importance of integrating classical selection with molecular approaches to meet the challenges based on climate change and sustainable agricultural development.

Keywords: Sunflower (H. annuus L.), genetics, morphology, physiology, resistance, stress, seed production, molecular markers

Key findings: The study confirmed the substantial genetic and morphological diversity in the regional and global sunflower (H. annuus L.) collections, providing valuable resources for seed production. The integration of molecular markers and genomic technologies has considerably accelerated the identification of desirable traits, enabling the development of improved sunflower cultivars with enhanced yield, oil quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

This study aimed to determine the genetic behavior of three parental cultivars and their six F1 hybrids obtained through full-diallel crosses in cucumber. Variance components, broad-sense heritability, and genotypic, phenotypic, and environmental correlation coefficients underwent estimations for yield-related traits. The results revealed genotypic and phenotypic variances exceeded environmental variance for the studied traits. Broad-sense heritability estimates were high for most traits, indicating a significant genetic influence in trait expression. In the correlation analysis, total yield revealed significant positive genotypic association with early yield per plant (r = 0.642) and branches per plant (r = 0.432). In contrast, the total yield enunciated a notable negative correlation with fruit diameter (r = –0.393) and crust thickness (r = –0.404). Phenotypic correlation mirrored genotypic trends, especially between the total yield and early yield per plant (r = 0.642). In environmental correlation, the number of branches displayed a remarkable positive relationship with dry weight (r = 0.459) and harvest date (r = 0.422). Dry weight also showed a considerable positive correlation with crust thickness (r = 0.575). Additionally, the fruit diameter expressed a positive correlation with total yield (r = 0.551), and peel thickness had a highly significant positive correlation with early yield (r = 0.795).

Keywords: Cucumber (C. sativus L.), cultivars, diallel crosses, variance components, heritability, genotypic and phenotypic correlations, yield-related traits

Key findings: The study showed genotypic and phenotypic variances exceeded environmental variance for the yield-related traits in cucumber cultivars and their diallel F1 hybrids. According to the correlation analysis, a significant positive genotypic association appeared between total yield and early yield per plant.

Pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes are popular for their nutritional and functional benefits; however, exploring their genetic diversity has not received attention in Indonesia. The following study aimed to assess the genetic variation in 15 pigmented rice accessions from East and North Kalimantan using chloroplast DNA barcoding (matK and rbcL) and nuclear inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. DNA barcoding revealed no nucleotide polymorphisms, suggesting a common ancestry for rice accessions. The chloroplast genes appeared unsuitable for distinguishing closely related cultivars with the same genetic backgrounds. In contrast, ISSR analysis disclosed substantial nuclear genomic diversity. Eleven primers generated polymorphic profiles that grouped the rice accessions into four distinct clusters based on the 70% genetic similarity threshold. Group I included 10 cultivars from overlapping agroecological regions, while Groups II–IV contained genetically distinct accessions, including a divergent red rice cultivar from Setulang, Indonesia. The results underscore the effectiveness of ISSR markers in detecting intraspecific variation and highlight the genetic richness of pigmented rice. The study highlighted the significant genetic diversity in these pigmented rice cultivars, offering insights for conservation strategies and the development of superior cultivars through breeding programs.

Keywords: Pigmented rice (O. sativa L.), genetic variation, DNA barcoding, genomic analysis, ISSR

Key findings: Chloroplast DNA barcoding using matK and rbcL genes revealed no detectable genetic variation among the pigmented rice (O. sativa L.) accessions. However, ISSR markers detected substantial genomic polymorphism, and highlighting their potential for further improvement through breeding programs.

Potassium (K) is an important macronutrient and plays a vital role in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) growth and productivity; however, its availability is often lacking due to fixation and leaching in tropical soils. Improving potassium use efficiency via genotype selection is a crucial strategy to enhance sustainability in oil palm cultivation. The following study sought to determine the potassium use efficiency in six Dura × Pisifera oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) progenies under four K fertilizer levels (0%, 100%, 75%, and 50% of the recommended dose). The study used a split-plot design to assess the vegetative growth, dry biomass, and K uptake. Nutrient use efficiency indices, viz., agronomic efficiency (AE), recovery efficiency (RE), and internal efficiency (IE), entailed calculations. The results revealed genotypic effects on vegetative traits and potassium use efficiency parameters; however, the interaction effects between oil palm progenies and K doses were nonsignificant. Oil palm progenies P2 and P4 showed leading performance in vegetative growth, biomass production, K uptake, and multiple efficiency indices, indicating their potential as nutrient-efficient palms. Moderate K application (75%) performance emerged to be at par with full dose in some progenies. Early-stage screening proved feasible for identifying K-efficient oil palm genotypes, which offers a practical approach for breeding and nutrient management in sustainable oil palm systems.

Keywords: Early-stage screening, genotypic variations, growth traits, nutrient uptake, oil palm (E. guineensis), potassium use efficiency

Key findings: The Dura × Pisifera oil palm (E. guineensis) progenies responded distinctively to various doses of potassium. The progenies P2 and P4 showed leading performance in vegetative growth, biomass production, K uptake, and multiple efficiency indices, indicating their potential as nutrient-efficient palms.

This study aimed to determine the spatial variability of soil properties using arable lands at the Kokzhon deposit in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The research used Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images from 2016 to 2022, covering the spring-to-autumn periods. The indices NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index), NDMI (Normalized Difference Moisture Index), and NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge Index) reached their calculations using the raster calculator in the ArcGIS software environment. Spatial data processing took place in QGIS. Likewise, the conduct of channel resolution normalization and index calculation used the ‘nearest neighbor’ method. The highest vegetation index (0.7–0.8) resulted in favorable years, 2018 and 2020, indicating the optimum soil fertility in specific areas. However, the minimum vegetation index (0.1–0.3) pointed to the need for reclamation measures. The resulting maps allow for effective identification and zoning of fertile areas. The GIS technologies and satellite data application demonstrated the maximum efficiency in assessing soil fertility. The methodology considered spatial heterogeneity and monitored the dynamic variations to make decisions for the management of sustainable agriculture. The obtained results can be beneficial to develop strategies for restoring low-fertility lands and increasing crop yields.

Keywords: Soil fertility, GIS, remote sensing, vegetation indices, precision agriculture

Key findings: The study highlighted the use of GIS and remote sensing (Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8) to assess soil fertility in Southern Kazakhstan. Vegetation indices identified zones of high and low soil fertility, enabling targeted land management. The approach provides a scalable tool for improving agricultural planning in semi-arid regions.

The northeastern sector of the Lesser Caucasus, particularly the Shamkirchay reservoir basin in Western Azerbaijan, faces soil fertility degradation due to anthropogenic pressures and limited soil conservation efforts. In the region’s foothills, the said area is strategically vital for agriculture yet contains fewer, however, important forest ecosystems, notably alluvial meadow-forest soils. These soils covering around 558.76 hectares were evidently crucial for ecological and agricultural stability. From 2018 to 2025, six representative soil profiles (Sections 85, 126, 127, 128, 143, and 144) entailed studies to determine their ecological conditions. The soils’ morphological and chemical properties assessment included humus content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium, pH, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), and granulometric composition (sand, silt, clay, and dust). The data, as statistically analyzed, determined the present fertility level as well as identified their degradation trends. The emerging results underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation measures to preserve these vulnerable soil systems and support sustainable agricultural practices in this fundamental region.

Keywords: Alluvial meadow-forest, soil profile, morphological description, granulometric composition, fertility, diagnostic parameters, basin

Key findings: In the Shamkirchay reservoir basin, the alluvial meadow-forest soils revealed medium to heavy clay textures with a high fine particle accumulation in surface horizons and elevated humus and nitrogen levels in the AUca (dark humus/organic-rich) layer, indicating active organic cycling. Consistent calcium carbonate presence supports buffering capacity, while neutral to slightly alkaline pH and the moderate phosphorus and potassium levels sustain fertility.

The following study aimed to conduct an integrative scientometric and systematic review of seaweed-derived biostimulants and their vital role in sustainable agriculture, analyzing numerous publications (2000–2025) and the findings of 25 experimental studies. The Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases, keyword co-occurrence, thematic, and factorial analyses were approaches used to explore the global research trends, the important species, and agronomic impacts. Ascophyllum nodosum, Ecklonia maxima, and Gracilaria emerged as dominant species with consistent positive effects on crop performance, including crop growth and development, nutrient uptake, chlorophyll content, stress tolerance, and antioxidant activities. Leading journals and institutions, particularly those in China and India, drive innovation in this field. Field studies also confirmed dose-dependent efficacy, with foliar applications (0.1%–0.5%) and soil drenches (0.5–2 g/L) improving crop yields under abiotic stress conditions. Despite these benefits, gaps remain in extract standardization, molecular mechanisms, and large-scale application. This study underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches to translate marine biostimulant research into scalable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Keywords: Biostimulant, productivity, review analysis, seaweed, sustainable agriculture

Key findings: This review highlighted the Ascophyllum nodosum (brown alga) as the most studied seaweed species for boosting plant growth and development and stress tolerance through foliar and soil applications, despite challenges in standardization and scalability.

The potential study aimed to examine the influence of microorganisms, phytomass (green plants), and invertebrates on the agrophysical, agrochemical, and biological properties of mountain-forest brown soils. Mountain-forest dark brown soils develop in moderately warm and humid climate conditions. These soils have characteristics of air temperature from 6.0 °C to 11.9 °C), a large amount of precipitation (570–950 mm), low evaporation, and a high moisture coefficient (MC = 1.0–1.5). Mountain-forest dark brown soils remain confined to the lower belt of dry forests and shrubs. The total content and reserves of humus, total nitrogen, the composition, exchange cations, acidity, and temperature-humidity indicators entailed a comparative determination. Graphical analysis established the relationships between phytomass, the amount of microorganisms, and humus content. Likewise, the analysis identified the association between the total humus content and the absorption capacity of these soils, which limit the values of hydrothermal indicators of the soil biological activity. The results further revealed that in mountain-forest dark brown soils, the amount of microorganisms was greater than in mountain-forest brown soils, despite the phytomass reserves formation in the latter being 1.5–2.1 times more.

Keywords: Vegetation, microorganisms, agrochemical content, acidity, soil mesofauna, phytomass, bio-ecological indicators

Key findings: This study determined the effect of microorganisms, phytomass, and invertebrates on the agrophysical, agrochemical, and biological properties of mountain-forest brown soils. Sorption interactions, formed between the absorption capacity (cations and clay minerals) and soil humus, resulted in the formation of clay-humus complexes.

Forage crops’ shortage has risen due to increased population in Azerbaijan. Brassica napus L. as a forage crop provides the opportunity to obtain oil, seeds, and dry biomass as feed for livestock in winter. Increased soil load and anthropogenic variations considerably affect the state of modern soil cover in the Greater Caucasus, Azerbaijan. Therefore, the study on gray-brown soils under rapeseed vegetation as a forage crop is crucially necessary. The timely study comprising the effects of various factors on the physicochemical parameters of extrusion products made it possible to determine the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rapeseed oil. The standard deviations for the rapeseed with three sowing dates and density scenarios were 6%–23% and 17%–22%, respectively. The simulated biomass and grain yield of rapeseed with different sowing dates (standard deviation: 0.9–1.9 t ha⁻¹, Pe: 0%–35.3%) were notably generally better than those for different densities (standard deviation: 0.8–2.7 t ha⁻¹, Pe: 6.5%–90%).

Keywords: Gray-brown soils, soil section, forage crops, vegetation, harvest, green and dry biomass, seed yield, oil content

Key findings: This study examines the effect of rapeseed (B. napus L.) on the agrophysical, agrochemical, and biological properties of dark gray-brown soils. In addition to post-cut, stubble, and root residues, the predecessor itself, alfalfa, had a good effect on increasing fertility. The highest seed yield with a significant increase in biochemical components was a formation from rapeseed.

The expanding global population has surged from 500 million in the mid-18th century to 7.8 billion today, with projections indicating sustainability for 10 billion individuals. Hence, optimization of water and land resources is imperative to feed the growing population. This article examines the Mil and Karabakh Plains, an important agricultural region in the Kura-Araz Plain of Azerbaijan. Historically, the said area relied on natural resources like rivers and aquifers for irrigation until the construction of the Orjonikidze Canal in 1933. Subsequent initiatives, including the Old Khangizi and New Khangizi canals, also enhanced the irrigation capacity. Soil reclamation projects between 1971 and 1985 aimed to maximize the utilization of arable lands, as challenges, i.e., water scarcity, persisted. The introduction of the Main Mil Canal in 1976 and the New Khangizi Canal in 1985 bolstered water access. However, incomplete drainage systems considerably affect the hydrogeological conditions. Despite setbacks in the Mil Plain, the evolution of irrigation systems underscores the ongoing efforts of sustainably managing the water and land resources for better productivity.

Keywords: Water resources, canals, drainage, mechanical irrigation, kahriz, canal construction, drain construction, ground water

Key findings: The Mil and Karabakh Plains have seen considerable overgrazing, leading to soil degradation and vegetation loss. Overgrazing can also cause soil erosion and reduce the area’s crop productivity. The over-extraction has resulted in loss from agricultural runoff, and climate variability has contributed to water shortage in certain areas, affecting the ecosystem and crop production.