Uzbekistan’s local market presently sells mainly imported vegetable oil. However, the oil network has huge production capacity in covering a massive demand in Uzbekistan. The implementation of comprehensive measures progresses to develop the oil industry to increase production volumes and enhance finished products to meet population needs. Field experiments on amaranth’s (Amaranthus viridis L.) three cultivars (Gultojixo’roz “IKBA-TDAU 1”, and Giant) under typical gray soils of Uzbekistan showed that earlier sowing (April 10) with both planting schemes (70 cm × 15 cm and 70 cm × 25 cm) ensured better growth, phenological traits, and yield-related traits than late sowing (April 20). In the first planting period, grain yield exceeded the control by 0.16–0.4 t/ha, and 1000-grain weight was also higher. Amaranth seeds appeared to contain valuable bioactive compounds, including squalene, tocotrienols, omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins. The oil content ranged from 9.5% to 12.6%, depending on the amaranth cultivar, and the cultivars Gultojixo’roz “IKBA-TDAU 1” and Giant showed the highest oil content. The results highlighted amaranth’s potential as a source of oil, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins for use in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Keywords: Amaranth (A. viridis L.), cultivars, planting period, planting scheme, yield-related traits, oil content, bioactive compounds, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins

Key findings: Amaranth (A. viridis L.) with early sowing and planting schemes (70 cm × 15 cm and 70 cm × 25 cm) showed enhanced growth, phenology, and grain yield compared with late sowing. Amaranth seeds contained 9.5%–12.6% oil along with bioactive compounds. Cultivars Gultojixo’roz “IKBA-TDAU 1”, and Giant demonstrated superior grain yield and seed oil contents.

This study sought to design and validate biologically and eco-friendly methods for safeguarding soybean (Glycine max L.) and other bean crops against harmful pests, contributing to sustainable agriculture. In the context of the strategic goals of Kazakhstan’s agricultural modernization, this research emphasizes the development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies prioritizing biologically and environmentally safe approaches. Field observations proceeded between 2018 and 2021 and identified 55 families and 11 orders of soybean pests and 27 families and eight orders of bean pests. The latter included polyphagous and specialized species, such as Tetranychus urticae and Acanthoscelides obtectus. The study also evaluated the bioefficacy of various biological and chemical pesticides, particularly Actarophyte, Vertimek, and Actellic, in reducing pest populations and preserving the crop yield. The combined application of biopreparations showed higher pest suppression and economic efficiency than the conventionally used single-pesticide application methods. The results revealed timely application, especially at the budding and flowering phases, significantly reduced pest damage, including latent injury by bean weevils, during the storage. This research supports the transition toward sustainable agricultural practices by demonstrating the effectiveness of biopesticides and integrated crop protection measures tailored to local agroecological conditions.

Keywords: Soybean (G. max L.), other bean crops, main pests, pests control, protective measures, integrated pest management, biologically and environmentally safe approaches

Key findings: The study identified a diverse range of harmful pests (spider mites, pea aphids, and bean weevils) affecting soybean (G. max L.) and other bean crops in Southeastern Kazakhstan, causing severe damage. By using biological preparations, such as Actarophyte and Bitoxibacillin in an integrated system, we demonstrated high bioefficacy in controlling key pests and improving crop yield.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) has great potential as food, feed, and feedstock in the biofuel industries. Currently, its applications are still few, but research on foxtail millet as a feedstock is growing. Feedstock with high-cellulose and low-lignin content is desirable for feed digestion and biofuel production. The following study aimed at characterizing phenotypic variations related to feedstock utilization in eight Indonesian foxtail millet genotypes and identifying superior genotypes for feed or biofuel feedstock development. The experiment was in a randomized complete block design arrangement with genotypes as a single factor and three replications. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) percentage, cellulose content, lignin content, leaf number, and plant height emerged as key traits for selecting superior foxtail millet for feedstock. These traits showed high broad-sense heritability and moderate to high genotypic and phenotypic variation, indicating strong genetic control. Cellulose content displayed a significant correlation (p < 0.001) with lignin content, plant height, leaf number, tiller number, and heading time. These associations support their use in multi-trait selection. Heatmap clustering and PCA revealed substantial genotypic variability, enabling effective selection based on feedstock quality traits. Hambapraing, Mauliru2, and ICERI7 appeared as promising genotypes for further hybridization programs, contributing desirable traits for feedstock development.

Keywords: Biofuel, cellulose, genotypes, genotypic variability, feed, lignin, selection criteria

Key findings: Among eight Indonesian foxtail millet (S. italica L.) genotypes, Hambapraing, Mauliru2, and ICERI7 emerged as promising parental genotypes, offering favorable attributes for incorporating into breeding programs to improve the feedstock quality.

Chemical mutagenesis is an important approach in rice (Oryza sativa L.) improvement, as it can develop novel genetic variation for breeding programs. Sodium azide (SA) is one of the most effective chemical mutagens used in cereals; however, information on the sensitivity of Indonesian salt-tolerant rice cultivars to SA remains limited. This study aimed to determine the LD₅₀ values of SA in two salt-tolerant cultivars (Biosalin-1-Agritan and Biosalin-2-Agritan) and one high-yielding cultivar (Inpari 32 HDB). Three rice cultivars sustained exposure to varying SA doses, examining their germination traits, seedling vigor, and their survival responses through median lethal doses (LD₅₀) values. The results revealed distinct genotype-dependent responses. The rice cultivars Biosalin-1-Agritan and Biosalin-2-Agritan emerged with LD₅₀ values of 8.30 and 9.20 mM, respectively, indicating moderate sensitivity to SA. In contrast, cultivar Inpari 32 HDB demonstrated the highest tolerance with LD₅₀ (17.00 mM) with better performance in germination, synchrony, and growth across the SA doses. The root and shoot growth showed inhibition in a dose-dependent manner in all rice genotypes; however, the extent of inhibition was more severe in the Biosalin cultivars, particularly with doses of ≥6 mM. The rice genotypes screening provides a considerable baseline before chemical mutagenesis through SA doses in rice breeding programs.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), mutagenesis, sodium azide, screening, sensitivity, seed viability, seed vigor

Key findings: This study identified genotype-specific responses to sodium azide in rice (O. sativa L.), revealing salt-tolerant cultivars were more sensitive to chemical mutagenesis than a popular high-yielding cultivar. The LD₅₀ values provide critical baseline data for optimizing mutagenesis protocols in rice breeding programs.

Microclonal propagation outcomes of various cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars and rootstocks achieved their evaluation and establishment of combinations of optimal nutrient media and growth regulators for each genotype. The rootstock Krimskiy-5 showed the best response with 2.95 shoots and 1.84 cm length using the Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut (DKW) medium supplemented with 0.01 and 0.75 mg/l BAP (benzylaminopurine). Cherry rootstocks Gisela-5 and Gisela-6 produced 2.77 and 2.99 shoots, respectively, with similar conditions. In rootstock Colt, the use of 0.02 and 1.0 mg/l BAP resulted in 2.92 shoots with a 1.78-cm length. The cherry cultivars Bahor, Volove Serdse, and Revershon with mT (meta-Topolin) combinations in DKW medium provided shoot numbers above 2.9 and lengths over 2.1 cm. The cherry cultivar Kara Geles showed better performance with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and Thydizoronate (thidiazuron or TDZ), achieving 3.22 shoots. The cultivar Pink Napoleon exhibited the highest proliferation, with 3.42 shoots and 3.52-cm shoot length. Overall, the DKW nutrient medium combined with specific growth regulators demonstrated superior performance in shoot proliferation across most cultivars, whereas Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) media were less efficient. These findings contribute to the development of improved protocols for the micropropagation of cherry species.

Keywords: Cherry (P. avium L.), auxins (IBA, NAA), cytokinins (BAP, mT, TDZ), nutrient medium, shoot, microclonal propagation

Key findings: The highest micropropagation results resulted in the cherry (P. avium L.) cultivar Pink Napoleon using 0.02 mg/l NAA and 1.50 mg/l TDZ in DKW medium, producing 3.42 shoots and 3.52 cm length. This highlights the considerable synergistic effect of NAA and TDZ and the superior efficiency of DKW medium compared with MS and WPM.

The presented study investigated the diversity and phenetic relationships of endophytic bacterial communities isolated from three patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) cultivars found in Aceh, Indonesia, viz., Tapaktuan, Sidikalang, and Lhokseumawe. The obtained isolates totaled 77, coming from roots, stems, and leaves of the patchouli cultivars and entailing characterization based on morphological features. These include colony shape, margin, elevation, appearance, optical property, pigmentation, Gram reaction, and cell shape. The results demonstrated considerable morphological diversity across cultivars and plant organs, with Lhokseumawe exhibiting the highest diversity of isolates. Most isolates were Gram-positive, distributed mainly in the stem tissues. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and the Numerical Taxonomy System (NTSYS)-pc software revealed no distinct grouping of isolates by plant cultivar and its parts. However, organ-specific tendencies were evident. Cluster I consisted mostly of root-derived isolates (15 out of 27 isolates, 55.6%) (non-pigmented Gram-positive cocci), whereas cluster II comprised predominantly of stem- and leaf-associated bacteria (brighter-pigmented Gram-positive bacilli and Gram-negative bacilli, respectively). Although morphology-based traits provided useful preliminary insights, their limitations underscored the need for molecular approaches for accurate characterization. Overall, these findings offer a valuable basis for harnessing native endophytes in sustainable patchouli cultivation and disease management.

Keywords: Patchouli (P. cablin Benth.), cultivars, endophytic bacteria, isolates, cluster analysis, morphological features, microbial diversity, organ-specific tendencies

Key findings: The 77 endophytic bacterial isolates obtained from three patchouli (P. cablin Benth.) cultivars were morphologically diverse and did not cluster strictly by plant cultivar and plant parts. However, organ-specific tendencies were notable. The findings highlighted the limitations of morphological traits for bacterial classification and suggested that organ-specific microenvironments influence the diversity of bacterial endophytes.

This recent study aimed to determine the anatomical and biochemical aspects of the species Zamioculcas zamiifolia. The leaf vertical section revealed it has two sides, with the leaf mesophyll tissue comprising two layers: the palisade layer, a row of compact, elongated cells located under the upper epidermis tissue, and the spongy tissue, which appeared to be lobed with intercellular spaces. The epidermal examination showed the stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. The stomata were of two types; the first was paracytic, characterized by two guard cells surrounding the stomatal opening and parallel to the walls of the cells. The second type of stomata was tetracytic, wherein the stomata have four subsidiary cells surrounding them. The biochemical screening of Zamioculcas zamiifolia leaves revealed they are poisonous to humans and animals due to the presence of high levels of oxalate, cycasin glucoside, β-methylamino-L-alanine, and methylazoxymethanol, as observed through HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) analysis.

Keywords: Z. zamiifolia, anatomical, biochemical, stomata, organic acids, amino acids

Key findings: The species Z. zamiifolia specimens incurred studies through leaf cross-section, leaf epidermis, and HPLC analysis. Z. zamiifolia is popular as being palatable and having medicinal properties based on its biochemical composition and pharmacological developments.

Coelogyne is one of the orchid genera that grows in the Liwa Botanical Garden, Lampung, Indonesia. The subsequent study aimed to characterize the Coelogyne different species samples based on the morpho-anatomical characteristics of the stomata. Six leaf samples of the different species, as collected, had the paradermal sections examined microscopically to observe their stomata. The key stomatal traits studied included their aperture width, stomatal length, width, density, and index, and the number of stomata. The results indicated that overall, the epidermal cell width was 9.25 μm, stomata length was 19.65 μm, stomata width was 17.09 μm, stomata density was 17.67 mm², and stomatal index was 1.045%. The phenetic analysis based on the dendrogram divided the Coelogyne different species samples into two clusters (A and B), with similarity indices of 1.60 and 0.90, respectively. Meanwhile, the PCA values (2.4 and 0.093) emerged as greater than 0.02, which shows the contribution value of each group. The presented results provide a sound genetic base for the identification and conservation of different Coelogyne species at the Liwa Botanical Garden, Indonesia, and the potential applicative value of stomatal characteristics in ex situ conservation and taxonomic classification of Coelogyne.

Keywords: Coelogyne, leaf anatomy, orchid conservation, PCA, phenetic analysis, stomatal morphology

Key findings: The different Coelogyne species samples showed varied morpho-anatomical characteristics. The most influential characters were the stomata density, stomatal opening width, and stomatal index. The phenetic analysis divided the Coelogyne species samples into two clusters (A and B), with similarity indices of 1.60 and 0.90 and PCA values of 2.4 and 0.093, respectively, emerging greater than 0.02.

The identity of the epiphytic fern Pyrrosia stigmosa (Sw.) Ching succeeded in its confirmation through integrative morphological and molecular analyses in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This finding expands the known geographic distribution of the species and contributes novel data to the global systematics of the genus Pyrrosia. Specimens collected from Silokek Geopark and Mount Padang, Indonesia, underwent identification based on key diagnostic traits, including narrowly grooved costae, dentate rhizome scales, and scattered sori. Species identity verification used the chloroplast trnL-F intergenic spacer marker (IGS) sequencing, showing 99.55% similarity to P. stigmosa (GenBank accession JX103800.1). For phylogenetic reconstruction, a dataset of 50 accessions representing various Pyrrosia species as retrieved from the GenBank database attained alignment with the newly generated sequence. Maximum likelihood analysis placed the West Sumatran samples within a strongly supported clade together with P. costata, indicating a close sister-species relationship. The combined morphological and molecular evidence provides a robust basis for delimiting P. stigmosa from morphologically similar taxa. Ecologically, the discovery highlights the adaptability of P. stigmosa to both lithophytic and epiphytic habitats in limestone-rich forest systems. This study represents the first documented record of Pyrrosia stigmosa in West Sumatra, extending its known distribution range and offering valuable insights into the biogeography and systematics of Pyrrosia in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Pyrrosia stigmosa, Pyrrosia, morphological and molecular studies, taxonomy, trnL-F IGS, similarity, adaptability

Key findings: The investigation on Pyrrosia stigmosa (Sw.) Ching obtained a successful recording in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Maintaining the freshness of chili (Capsicum sp.) fruits is a major challenge under uncontrolled environmental conditions. This research aimed to investigate the response of various chili species to postharvest physiological and color variations. Chili fruits reached harvest at 80% maturity before storage in an ambient room temperature (25 °C–27 °C) with relative humidity (RH 60%–70%) for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. For assessing fruit quality, the evaluation of fruit weight loss (%), texture (Kgf), total soluble solids (%), and pericarp thickness (mm) ensued. The color variation determination comprised values of lightness, red-green coordinate, yellow-blue coordinate, hue angle, and chroma value. The genetic makeup of genotypes influenced the physiological quality and color of chili fruit during storage. Genotypes with high adaptation to the existing environment showed a smaller reduction in fruit quality traits. The stored ripe chili revealed a change in color brightness and sharpness. The chili genotype Katokon appeared with the highest level of adaptation to an uncontrollable environment, while the genotype Pesona was the least adapted. These two chili genotypes would be ideal for genetic studies related to long shelf life. The next challenge could relate to the interspecific crossing between the genotypes Katokon (C. chinense) and Pesona (C. annuum).

Keywords: Chili (Capsicum sp.), species, fruit freshness, fruit quality traits, weight loss, firmness, pericarp thickness, total soluble solids, color variations

Key findings: In chili (Capsicum sp.) genotypes, the use of physiological and color traits is rare to evaluate their diversity. Instead, using the phenotypic markers, such as plant height and fruit yield, is common. Determining the level of adaptation in chili fruits to the environment may be possible using physiological and color traits as an alternative method.