Anthracnose can cause yield losses of red bird pepper up to 80%, emphasizing the importance of developing new disease-resistant chili varieties. This research aimed to evaluate the 20 C. frutescens genotypes, comprising 11 commercial cultivars and nine advanced breeding lines, for morpho-yield-related traits and anthracnose disease resistance. The experiment layout in a randomized complete block design had three replications. The considerable correlation was evident for fruit weight per plant (0.97), fruit weight plot^-1 (0.99), and fruit per plant (0.82). The number of fruit with symptoms showed a moderate correlation (0.54) to yield. The genotype Sona achieved the highest fruit yield (15.38 t ha^-1), followed by Ori (14.57 t ha^-1), Bonita (14.19 t ha^-1), and Feira (11.00 t ha^-1). Cultivars Ori and Hiyung exhibited a disease index below 20%, suggesting considerable resistance to anthracnose and sustained grouping in the same cluster, indicating a greater genetic potential as parent lines in breeding programs. Although cultivar Feira showed the maximum fruit yield, recorded with the most number of symptomatic fruits, it obtained a susceptible classification to anthracnose. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of red bird pepper cultivars with improved fruit yield and resistance to anthracnose.

Keywords: Red bird pepper (C. frutescens L.), cultivars, advanced lines, morphological traits, fruit yield, anthracnose disease, resistant and susceptible genotypes, cluster analysis

Key findings: Red bird pepper (C. frutescens L.) cultivars Ori and Hiyung revealed the highest fruit yield and were distinct as resistant to the anthracnose disease. In contrast, Feira acquired a susceptible classification to anthracnose despite its considerable yield.

The conveyed experiment sought to test the effect of a novel biostimulant Albit-BR, on the growth, fruit yield, and quality traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experiment took place in 2024 in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, VNIISSOK, Moscow Region, Russia. The field layout had a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of two factors replicated thrice. The first factor comprised four tomato cultivars (Malets, Revansh, Talisman, and Fonaric), while the second factor included seven different doses of the biostimulant Albit-BR (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 50 L/ha) in comparison with non-treated plants (control). The results revealed the biostimulant Albit-BR application with different levels on tomato cultivars has shown significantly better effects on the growth, fruit yield, and quality parameters. The cultivar Malets treated with Albit-BR (2.5 L/ha) produced the highest yield (96.76 t/ha). Furthermore, the same cultivar treated with the biostimulant at 5 L/ha showed the maximum values of bioactive compounds—lycopene (23.02 mg/100 g) and beta-carotene (4.24 mg/100 g). Thus, the current findings indicated that the aforementioned biostimulant at 2.5 to 5 L/ha are required to be applied on tomato plants to improve its production potential with reasonably better quality.

Keywords: Tomato, biostimulant, Albit-BR, growth traits, fruit yield, quality traits, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, lycopene

Key findings: The interaction of different tomato (S. lycopersicum L.) cultivars with various levels of the biostimulant Albit-BR enunciated significant differences for growth, fruit yield, and the majority of the studied quality parameters.

The following study aimed to investigate the macrozoobenthos species composition, depth distribution, and seasonal variations in the South Caspian Sea sector of Azerbaijan. During the study period of 2018 to 2019, the identified macrobenthic organisms totaled 56, representing 10 systematic groups in the Azerbaijan sector of the South Caspian Sea. The most recorded species resulted in spring and summer (48–56 species), while the lowest appeared in autumn (28 to 32 species). The average annual biomass of macrozoobenthos ranged from 166.36 to 192.10 g/m², with a density of 1,281 to 1,994 specimens/m². These organisms with peak development occurred in summer (201.29 to 239.75 g/m²), while the lowest manifested in autumn (134.17 to 138.9 g/m²). Mollusks play a primary and vital role in the formation of the benthos biomass, comprising 63.8% to 64.9% of the total biomass. Species diversity and abundance were the highest at the sea depth of 25–50 m, with a total biomass and density range from 210.96 to 259.91 g/m² and 1,774 to 1,913 specimens/m², respectively.

Keywords: Macrozoobenthos, species composition and distribution, biomass, density, quantity, sea depth, seasons, South Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan

Key findings: By investigating the macrozoobenthos species composition, depth distribution, and seasonal variability, the identified macrobenthic organisms totaled 56, with an average annual biomass and density in the South Caspian Sea sector of Azerbaijan.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is vital for global food security, and increasing its yield is a key goal in tropical breeding programs. A unique double-ear maize from Kadatua Island, Indonesia, produces two ears per plant—a promising trait for higher yield if properly developed. However, this germplasm has a low yield, and its phenology and inheritance pattern require further understanding. This study aimed to characterize its phenological development and key genetic parameters for breeding improvement. The recorded vegetative and reproductive growth stages used leaf collar and kernel development benchmarks, respectively. Genetic parameters, as calculated from progeny, utilized North Carolina Design-I. Results showed the vegetative stage was similar to that of commercial hybrids (4–58 days after planting), while the reproductive stage progressed more rapidly (58–83 days after planting). Genetic analysis revealed the dominance variance was greater than the additive variance (P: 0.00–0.05) for all traits, except plant height. Broad-sense heritability ranged from moderate to high (0.65–0.83), and narrow-sense heritability was low to moderate (0.01–0.37) for reproductive traits. Strong positive correlations occurred between ear weight, ear length, stem diameter, and grain yield. The study suggests hybrid breeding is a promising approach to improving yield in this double-ear maize.

Keywords: Double-ear maize (Z. mays L.), phenological development, genetic parameters, heritability, dominance variance, hybrid breeding

Key findings: The double-ear local maize cultivar exhibited vegetative growth duration comparable to commercial hybrids. Genetic analysis revealed the dominance variance and the high broad-sense heritability play a major role in the expression of reproductive traits. Hybrid breeding strategies hold considerable potential for improving yield in this locally adapted maize population.

Drought stress and pod shattering are critical constraints in soybean (Glycine max) cultivation. The independent breeding strategies have progressed for each trait, and their integration remains limited. The global bibliometric analysis of soybean improvement research from 1959 to 2025 focuses on drought tolerance and pod-shattering resistance. The analyzed Scopus-indexed articles using the Bibliometrix Biblioshiny R package and VOS-viewer totaled 914. The analysis comprised general information, top authors, core journals, affiliations, citation impact, conceptual framework, and research gaps. Results showed a significant increase in publications after 2010, driven by molecular tools (quantitative-trait loci [QTL] mapping, genome-wide association study [GWAS], and ribonucleic acid sequencing, or RNA-seq) and high-throughput phenotyping. China and the USA lead in productivity and collaboration, with Northeast Agricultural University and the University of Missouri as key institutions. Core journals include Crop Science and Frontiers in Plant Science, while J.E. Specht emerges as the most influential author. The analyses using conceptual and co-occurrence revealed that drought tolerance is central in soybean research, while pod shattering remains peripheral. This imbalance highlights a research gap and need for integrated, multi-trait studies. The study proposes a novel hypothesis linking both traits through ABA–auxin hormonal crosstalk, with the PDH1 (Pod Dehiscence1) gene identified as a potential regulatory hub. Integrating these traits is essential for developing climate-resilient soybean cultivars.

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, breeding strategies, conceptual structure map, drought stress, pod dehiscence, Scopus database

Key findings: The bibliometric analysis of 914 publications (1959–2025) revealed the research on soybean breeding for drought tolerance and pod-shattering resistance has significantly intensified since 2010, driven by advances in molecular tools and high-throughput phenotyping, with China and the USA emerging as leading contributors. Drought tolerance emerges as a dominant factor, while pod shattering remains comparatively underexplored.

The conducted experiments sought to create inbred alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) lines based on the study of self-fertility, autotripping, inbreeding depression, and the general combining ability of lines in inbreeding generations from the first to the seventh generation. The self-fertility trait showed manifestations in all samples with a high value of up to 100% during artificial flower opening. Given the level of “autotripping” is insignificant (up to 5%), it limited self-fertility in freely propagated populations. The efficiency of inbreeding was successful in their establishment up to the second and third generations, where the lines achieved the highest value of the general combining ability effect. The developed promising lines served as a genetic basis for the formation of high-yielding cultivars (Kokbalausa, Kokoray, Osimtal, Kokshalgyn, and Shabyt 80) with the optimum effect of intrapopulation heterosis.

Keywords: Alfalfa (M. sativa L.), heterosis, self-fertility, autotripping, inbred lines, intra-populations, general combining ability, synthetic cultivars

Key findings: In alfalfa (M. sativa L.), the inbred lines have succeeded in developing with their optimal level of inbreeding. For developing synthetic cultivars, the use of inbred lines continued through GCA and intrapopulation hybridization and heterosis. Five cultivars of alfalfa have reached formation and inclusion in the State Register of Cultivars Approved for Cultivation.

Alternaria brassicicola is a major necrotrophic pathogen causing black leaf spot in cabbage and other cruciferous crops. This study aimed to characterize 19 pathogenic isolates of Alternaria spp. collected from three cabbage-growing regions in Egypt based on morphology, pathogenicity and genetic diversity. Molecular identification based on ITS sequence clustered the collected isolates along with A. brassicicola confirming their identity. Deep morphological analysis delineated the variations in conidial size and septation among the isolates. Pathogenicity test was performed on detached and attached leaves, showing wide variations in lesion size and disease severity among isolates. Genetic diversity analysis used five ISSR primers, generating 46 bands with 72.61% polymorphism. Cluster analysis grouped the isolates into two main clusters, although no clear correlation appeared between genetic patterns, geographic origin, or virulence. Antifungal in vitro assays showed differential sensitivity to difenoconazole, azoxystrobin, mancozeb, and copper oxychloride, with difenoconazole being the most effective at the recommended doses per each. The combined variation in morphology, virulence, genetic sequences, and fungicide sensitivity suggests high adaptive potential in local A. brassicicola population. These findings highlight the need for integrated disease management using diverse resistance sources and fungicide rotation strategies for sustainable control

Keywords: Alternaria brassicicola, genetic characterization, leaf spot disease, ITS sequencing, molecular markers, disease severity assessment, cluster analysis, resistance breeding

Key findings: High genetic, pathogenic, and fungicide-response variability among Alternaria brassicicola isolates underscores their capacity for rapid adaptation in cabbage fields. Accordingly, resistance-breeding programs should pyramid multiple resistance sources and screen candidate cultivars against a broad, representative panel of isolates to secure durable, wide-spectrum control of the leaf-spot disease.

Maize is one of the major crops in Indonesia; however, its national production remains fluctuating. The development of high-yielding hybrid maize cultivars with tolerance to low nitrogen is a vital aim to boost the production. The following research aimed to study the heterotic effects in 10 maize F1 half-diallel hybrids, evaluated under two nitrogen levels, to identify the high-yielding hybrids. The experiment layout had a split-plot design with two factors. The main plots received the nitrogen (N) levels (N1: 50% and N2: 100%), while the 10 F1 hybrids, five parental genotypes, and two check genotypes (NASA-29 and Pertiwi-3) entailed placement in the subplots. Calculating the analysis of variance and heterotic effects occurred for growth, ear, kernel, yield, and flowering traits, followed by heatmap and principal component analyses (PCA). The analysis of variance revealed significant interactions of nitrogen levels and maize genotypes for several traits. Heterotic effects were evident across nitrogen levels for all traits. Heatmap and PCA assisted in identifying the heterosis patterns. Overall, the maize hybrid H₉ (P3 × P5) excelled all other hybrids for most assessed traits, indicating better adaptability to low-nitrogen environments for use in the next breeding program.

Keywords: Growth and yield traits, half-diallel hybrids, heatmap analyses, heterosis, maize, nitrogen stress tolerance, principal component analysis

Key findings: The F1 hybrids revealed heterotic effects for studied traits in maize (Z. mays L.) (up to 21% in growth, 48% in ear, 66% in kernel, and -28% in flowering traits). Nitrogen-by-genotype interactions were considerable across all traits, indicating better adoption to low nitrogen stress. The F1 hybrid H₉ (P3 × P5) was superior for almost all traits for further breeding programs’ use. The heatmap analysis and PCA were notably useful in identifying heterosis patterns and potential hybrids.

Salinity stress is a major constraint in the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity, particularly at the seedling stage, where ion toxicity, osmotic imbalance, and oxidative damage severely impair early growth. This study dissected salt tolerance mechanisms across 20 diverse cotton genotypes subjected to three salinity stress levels: control (1.6 dS/m), moderate (12 dS/m), and severe (17 dS/m). Plants, evaluated at the fourth true leaf stage, had their key morphophysiological and biochemical parameters checked. Elevated salinity significantly reduced shoot and root biomass, while sodium accumulation and Na⁺/K⁺ ratios sharply increased, indicating disrupted ionic homeostasis. For plants to cope with this stress, antioxidant enzyme activities—superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)—markedly rose, reflecting activation of ROS detoxification pathways. The principal component analysis (PCA) differentiated tolerant and sensitive genotypes by integrating multiple traits. CIM-595, Mubarak, CIM-612, and FH-152 were distinct as tolerant genotypes with balanced ionic profiles and elevated antioxidant responses, whereas sensitive lines, such as SB-149, KZ-181, and AGC-999, performed poorly under severe salinity. These findings provide mechanistic insight into cotton’s adaptive strategies and offer robust targets for breeding programs in saline-prone agroecosystems.

Keywords: Cotton (G. hirsutum L.), salinity, seedling stage, salt tolerance, PCA, morphophysiological and biochemical traits

Key findings: This study identified salt-tolerant cotton (G. hirsutum L.) genotypes through principal component analysis, which identified CIM-595, Mubarak, CIM-612, and FH-152 as salt-tolerant genotypes. These lines maintained balanced Na⁺/K⁺ ratios and elevated antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating effective ionic regulation and oxidative stress mitigation. Their performance under high salinity supports their use in breeding salt-resilient cotton.

Heat stress during the reproductive stage, especially during flowering, can considerably diminish grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.). A meta-QTL analysis provides a powerful and stable approach to identify QTLs, regardless of the genetic background of the mapping population and the environmental conditions. In the presented research, 95 previously published QTLs underwent MQTL analysis, recognizing 37 most consistent MQTLs across the different genetic backgrounds and panels. The 30 MQTLs identified had narrow confidence intervals (<5 cM), with 20 having attributed over 10% of phenotypic variance, ranging from 2.4% to 40.55%. In 37 MQTLs, 10 main candidate genes representing 10 gene families were successful for selection based on high R² values. Two genes, LOC_Os02g04710 (OsOSC2) and LOC_Os06g05550 (OsGELP74), distinctly appeared with elevated transcript levels in the panicle tissue. The haplotype analysis revealed two rare haplotypes (H017 and H018) for OsOSC2, distinguishing indica and japonica. At the same time, OsGELP74 was evident across several accessions, with only one rare haplotype (H006) representing indica, tropical japonica, temperate japonica, and admixed accessions. The identification of such novel haplotypes associated with key heat-stress-related traits can help accelerate the development of heat-stress-tolerant rice genotypes in Vietnam.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), accessions, 3K RG, haplotype analysis, MQTL, rice heat tolerance, genetic backgrounds, phenotypic variance

Key findings: In rice (O. sativa L.), heat stress at the flowering stage severely reduces the grain yield, demanding targeted breeding for stable and heat-tolerant germplasm. Meta-QTL analysis identified the key genes and validated haplotype-based breeding for the development of heat-stress-tolerant rice genotypes in Vietnam.