Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier) is an economically important fruit crop grown commercially worldwide due to its known nutritional value. The demand for strawberries in the Philippines has been increasing but varietal development is slow due to the lack of genetic information on locally available germplasm. In addition, molecular marker resources for strawberries are limited. Here, we developed Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers to characterize strawberries cultivated in tropical environments, particularly in the Philippines. In silico mining generated a total of 219,239 SSR markers, from which 160,025 unique markers were identified. Polymorphism scoring and the variation on the expected alleles resulting to the synthesis of the top 160 markers were validated using representative strawberry cultivars from the core collection. All 70 markers produced successful amplicons from all the genotypes, but only 67 markers displayed polymorphism. Using UPGMA, genetic similarities among the cultivars were calculated generating a dendrogram which categorized the strawberry cultivars into 3 groups. The grouping clearly showed the separation of the diploid Fragaria vesca from the octoploid F. x ananassa cultivars, considered as group 1. Furthermore, Groups 2 and 3 contained cultivars from different geographical origins (US, Japan, and North America). The eight novel markers developed and validated here can be added to the genetic marker resource for cultivar verification, assessment of genetic diversity, and most importantly, marker-assisted breeding.

Keywords: In silico mining, Fragaria genome, Philippine strawberry cultivars, simple sequence repeats

Key findings: In silico mining from F. x ananassa genome sequence generated a total of 160,025 unique markers from which a subset of 70 markers was validated and approximately 95.7% (67 markers) are polymorphic. These markers were able to discriminate representative strawberry cultivars from the core collection of the BSU breeding program. It can also be utilized to further characterize and fingerprint these sets of germplasm as a prerequisite for a successful breeding programs.

The responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seeds to germination depend upon the point in the germination-through-emergence sequence at which seed environmental conditions conclude to promote germination and seedling development. Temperature and genotype can influence seedling vigor in upland cotton and help identify promising genotypes that could perform well under different temperature extremes. In the presented research, the nature of the development of cotton seeds largely depends on temperature conditions and the growing seasons, which provide information that determines their uniformity based on the thermal regime of germination. The physical and biological diversity of cotton seeds has close relations to the pattern of plant development and the influence of certain environmental factors on them. In the presented study, sowing seeds of three local cotton cultivars, AN-Bayaut-2, Tashkent-6, and Armugon-2, transpired on two dates (April 17 and May 10). The nature of cotton seeds’ development, largely dependent on temperature and growing season and on the thermal regime of their germination, showed different indicators. A discovery revealed that the germination of seeds decreased in areas with later-sown kernels. In terms of germination energy and other physiological functions, the best results were notable in seeds at the lower and middle stages of plant development. The cultivar AN-Bayaut-2 is adaptable to various environmental factors according to seed germination and vegetation period compared with other local cotton varieties, i.e., Tashkent-6 and Armugon-2.

keywords: Upland cotton (gossypium hirsutum l.), cottonseeds, seed germination, respiration intensity, productivity

Key findings: The nature of the development of cotton seeds largely depends on temperature and the growing season. According to germination vigor and other physiological functions, the best plants resulted from the grains of the bolls at the lower and middle stages of the harvest. The research has also established that the variety AN-Bayaut-2 proved superior to the other two cultivars based on seed germination and adaptation to various environmental factors during the growing season.

Conventional breeding is vital in improving yield-related traits and developing high-yielding cultivars. In the presented study, an evaluation of 15 F₁ hybrids compared them to their six parental genotypes for genetic variation of various traits. The results showed that the analysis of variance revealed significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences among the cross combinations and parental cultivars and among the parents and crosses. The mean sum of squares of parents vs. crosses also indicated substantial (P ≤ 0.01) for all the characteristics. The general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances were significant (P ≤ 0.01) for all traits studied in the F₁ generation. Three varieties, namely, Sakha108, Giza179, and Sakha109, were highly significantly positive for grain yield plant^-1, which means these varieties can benefit as good combiners to transfer the said trait in the breeding program. In SCA, seven crosses were negative in plant height and a negative value was desirable to avoid lodging and suitable for mechanical harvesting; however, positive significant values are preferable in the rest of the traits. The results indicated that the best crosses for grain yield plant^-1 and plant height were Sakha105 × Sakha102, Sakha105 × Sakha108, and Sakha108 × Sakha109. Conducting cluster analysis also exhibited the genotypes dividing into four groups. The first group included rice genotypes Sakha109 and Sakha108 alone. These cultivars, produced from a common parent Sakha101, could have genetic relations for three quantitative traits (flag leaf area, 1000-grain weight, and panicle weight). The second group, comprising Sakha 102 and Sakha 106, has a very similar genetic background because both cultivars share a common parent, Giza 177. In addition, these two rice cultivars had at par number of tillers plant^-1, 1000-grain weight, and panicles plant^-1. The third group included only Giza 179 belonging to Indica-Japonica varieties. A fourth group has Sakha 105 produced by different parents.

Keywords: rice (Oryza sativa L.), breeding, combining ability, genetic variation, genetic potential, genotypic and phenotypic variances, heritability

Key findings: The half-diallel method was for crossing between six parents of rice to produce 15 crosses. Three parents, namely, Sakha108, Sakha102, and Giza179, were suitable donors for some traits and could serve as better parents for use in breeding programs. Three crosses also gave a good result for grain yield plant^-1 and plant height. PCA and cluster analysis studied the similarity through quantitative traits, providing results that the varieties produced from the same parents cluster in one group.

The ultimate objective of breeding is to produce high-yielding cultivars that are fascinating to the farming community and end users, allowing for easy marketing. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct various tests on milling quality, physicochemical properties, and eating quality to determine the overall rice quality and evaluate the response of potential consumers. The presented study sought the complete rice quality and the consumer acceptance of 12 upland rice lines derived from superior parental genotypes. This research conducted in 2019 performed milling and eating quality assessments on milled and cooked rice, respectively. The milling quality analysis revealed that lines L-04, L-05, and L-06 produced middle-length grains, while others produced full-length grains. Rice from lines L-02, L-09, and L-12 were slender, while the rest were medium-shape. All upland rice lines also met the national standard (SNI 6128-2015) for milling degree (85%–100%), moisture content (9.85%–11.30%), chalky rice (0.06%–1.59%), and yellow rice (0.21%–1.77%). Lines L-03 and L-05 met the Medium-I quality standard with head rice recovery (HRR) values of 84.15% and 84.76%, respectively. However, lines L-01 and L-02 met the Medium-III standard with HRR values of 66.24% and 66.39%, separately. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed four principal physicochemical characteristics, i.e., degree of milling, length, width, and HRR. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) analysis displayed the overall liking as determined by the interaction of four descriptive factors, mostly taste and texture. Cooked rice of line L-12 (cross of cv. Inpago-8 × B11930F-TB-2) was the most liked compared with other cooked rice samples.

Keywords: milling quality, eating quality, hedonic, PCA, PLSR

Key findings: Upland rice production through cross-breeding of superior parental genotypes hopes rice meets consumer acceptance criteria and the Indonesian National Standard for Quality (SNI 6128–2015). PCA assisted in the clustering of the 12 resultant crossbred lines based on the physicochemical properties of their rice crops. PLSR analysis helped to reveal the correlation between the sensory descriptive scores and overall liking of the cooked rice from the 12 lines.

The experiment on oats transpired during the crop season 2021–2022 according to the split-plot design system of the full randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The potassium element was in the chief ingredients in three concentrations (0, 10, and 20 g L^-1). The genetic structures, secondary pieces, and results showed that the genetic appearance and environmental conditions under the three concentrations were positive and significant in all qualities. The natural and ecological manifestation analyses in laboratories showed complete, high, medium, and indirect effects in all features under study, with a varying percentage between spraying concentrations. With potassium, the qualities indicated a positive and valuable association with the raw protein of the grain summary of the plant at all levels and had notable indirect effects through some other characteristics.

Keywords: Oat (Avena sativa L.), genetic features, correlation, path analysis

Key findings: In the phenotypic and genetic correlations, the percentage (%) of ash had a desirable, positive, and significant association at the level of probability of 1% with the characteristics of crude fiber (%), soluble carbohydrates, and moisture percentage of all concentrations under study, yet was excessive in phenotypic associations (0.6403, 0.4874, 0.6171, 0.7781, 0.8885, 0.6613, 0.7362, 0.6193, and 0.7439); but the genetic associations, it reached 0.7399, 0.545, 0.6226, 0.8432, 1.0789, 0.6418, 0.7877, 0.9797, and 0.8561. However, the environmental correlation coefficients did not have a significant effect.

As wheat donors, wild species of the genus Aegilops L. play a vital role in practical breeding to improve wheat production because of their strong relationship and wide genetic diversity. Using nine simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers helped assess the genetic diversity in 96 collected samples of four species belonging to the genus Aegilops, i.e., Aegilops tauschii Coss (D), Ae. cylindrica Host (CD), Ae. crassa Boiss (DDM), and Ae. triuncialis L. (UC). The said collection came from 21 sites of various expeditions located in three regions of Southwestern Uzbekistan (Samarkand, Urgut, Kitab, and Shakhrisabz regions). Generally, 102 distinct alleles were found, with an average of 11.33 alleles per primer. The total number of species-specific amplicons was 35. The polymorphism detected varied from 28.6% (for the WSP107 primer) to 77.0% (for the WSP130 and WSP192 primers). The mean values of polymorphism information content (PIC) and expected heterozygosity (Ho) for all samples were 0.675 and 0.527, respectively. Based on nine SSR markers, on average, the genetic distance indices (GD) varied from 0.63 to 0.77. The highest genetic similarity (GD = 0.77) recorded occurred between the species Ae. crassa and Ae. cylindrica, whereas the least (GD = 0.48), between Ae. cylindrica and Ae. triuncialis with their taxonomic classification. Genus Aegilops samples from the same region often attain an identical subgrouping, which might be due to relatedness by genetic parameters. The gene pool of native species of the genus Aegilops from the Southwestern region of Uzbekistan may provide suitable alleles for wheat improvement and adaptation in the future.

Keywords: Aegilops L., Ae. tauschii, Ae. crassa, Ae. cylindrica, Ae. triuncialis, genetic diversity, Dgenome, SSR primers

Key findings: Results revealed from nine SSR markers a marker WSP513 was the most polymorphic. In the genus Aegilops L., the species Ae. tauschii showed the highest genetic diversity, and samples collected from Khazraty Bashi (21) enunciated the foremost polymorphism among the studied regions.

One of the most serious issues confronting the global food system is the wastage of approximately one-third of food at various points throughout the supply chain due to environmental and economic factors. Declines in production and food quality deterioration are concerns due to less awareness of the farming community and end users about the advanced technologies. Therefore, scientists face to develop cutting-edge technology to solve these problems and feed the bulging population to prevent starvation. Genetic engineering (GE) techniques can aid in several contexts to boost crop yields and quality. Biotechnology, genetic modification, and recombinant (r) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technologies are significantly beneficial in pursuing chief progress in food production and supply. This latest literature review illustrates the recent advances in GE, their sources, current trends, and future. GE foods from animals, microbes, and crop plants have altered DNA and introduced modified genetic characteristics. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are vital parts of the industrial food system, and most packaged foods contain GMO ingredients that received engineering for resistance to pesticides and herbicides. Several issues raise red flags concerning GMOs, including safety, effects on the environment, and ineffective usage of pesticides. Many people are anxious about GMOs; however, most do not understand the problems.

Keywords: biotechnology and genetic engineering, food security, less crop production, food quality, environmental factors, advanced technologies, people’s awareness

Key findings: Globally, scientists are trying to manage food waste in a better way to lessen poverty. The presented review shed light on advanced breeding techniques like using GMOs, biotechnology, genetic modification, and recombinant (r) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to improve crop yield sufficient to feed the community and prevent starvation.

The study of the Aktobe floristic district is a relevant task for assessing anthropogenic factors’ impacts on the flora of the steppe zone and developing measures to reduce the adverse effects of mining, metallurgical, and oil and gas facilities on the biodiversity of plant communities. The timely study evaluated the species composition and analyzed the saxicolous floral complex of the Aktobe floristic district, one of the most fascinating complexes based on florogenetics. The saxicolous complex flora comprised 219 species belonging to 119 genera and 39 families. However, the 10 leading families of the conglomerate manage 75.0% of the species composition of the saxicolous complex. Previous validations revealed that the saxicolous floral complex features have dominant families of Caryophyllaceae, Boraginaceae, and Chenopodiaceae and a more significant role for the Rosaceae and Scrophulariaceae. The saxicolous complex specificity has demonstrated the genera Potentilla and Centaurea as 2nd and 3rd position holders, respectively, and the presence of the genera Orobanche, Lappula, Atraphaxis, and Allium as the leading genera; however, they are unregistered among the other floral complexes. The analysis of geographical habitat types has shown that the Black Sea/Kazakhstan, Volga/Kazakhstan, and Eastern ancient Mediterranean habitat types are predominantly characteristic of the saxicolous floral complex. Twelve endemic species have also received recognition, assembling 60% of the endemic flora. Based on the analysis of species habitat, its ecological and biological features, and paleobotanical material available in literature sources, researchers have identified two groups of miscellaneous plants (Neogene and Quaternary) with their ages and endemic plants. Data also indicated the formation of the chief autochthonous core of the flora in the Pleiocene-Holocene.

Keywords: Flora, floristic complex, life forms, habitat, disjunction, relic, endemic plant

Key findings: The study and analysis of species composition in the saxicolous floral complex of the Aktobe Floristic District identified 12 endemic species, which generally comprised 60% of the endemic flora. Observations of the heterogeneity and heterochronism of the florogenesis processes also transpired based on the analysis of habitats, the phenomenon of disjunction, and the study of relics and endemic plants.

Hybrids with heterotic effects manifest themselves with a significant enhancement in growth and productivity traits compared with their parental genotypes. However, inbreeding resulted in decreased heterosis. Researchers believe that a noteworthy increase in F₁ hybrids for economic and biological attributes is evident due to heterozygosity and overdominance of the corresponding genes of different parents combined in one genotype. The presented study sought to determine the heterotic effects of sugar beet hybrids for economically valuable traits and select the best parental lines with crossing potential for productivity. Five different sugar beet hybrids, analyzed during the crop seasons 2021 and 2022 for accurate and hypothetical heterosis and the degree of dominance in F₁ generation for economically valuable traits like productivity and sugar content, transpired at the LLP – Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing (KazRIAPG), Kazakhstan. The crossing of the sugar beet line KazMS with pollinators, viz., VP24, VP44, OP17231, OP17232, and OP14044, changed the type of inheritance in hybrids for productivity from negative dominance in variants with pollinators (VP24, OP17231) to overdominance in variants with pollinators (VP44, OP14044). Based on the results, the conclusion indicated that the type of productivity inheritance in F₁ hybrids involving the same maternal line differed.

Keywords: Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), F₁ hybrids, heterotic effects, degree of dominance, crop productivity, sugar content, automated agricultural technologies

Key findings: The promising results may serve as a basis for developing a technological model to better manage sugar beet production at each specific stage of plant growth and development for various strengthening levels.

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is one of the premier staple foods consumed by one-third of the world’s population. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the only allohexaploid species with a genome formula BBAADD. Until now, from a selection point of view, a decline showed in the genetic potential of this type of wheat. However, the solution to this problem can be by developing high-yielding, disease- and pest-resistant cultivars using wheat-related species, ancient local landraces, and germplasm resources. Therefore, extensive study of the wheat gene pool using molecular tools, including identifying primary sources, is highly beneficial. For wheat improvement, breeding opportunities offer significant enhancements via genetic mapping approaches. The review focuses on the common wheat germplasm, wheat genetic approaches for genetic mapping, identification, and RWA (Russian wheat aphid) resistance, nested association mapping (NAM) population, DNA barcoding of Uzbekistan elite bread wheat cultivars, DNA marker-based screening of wheat germplasm for RWA resistance, future perspectives of wheat breeding in Uzbekistan, marker-assisted selection for abiotic stress tolerance, wheat stripe rust and its control strategies in Uzbekistan, epidemiology of the rust pathogens, pathogen characterization, and varietal resistance.

Keywords: wheat, Triticum aestivum L., ancient cultivars, germplasm resources, stripe rust (yellow rust), NAM population, DNA markers, DNA barcoding, marker-assisted selection (MAS)

Key findings: The review focuses on consultative information about Uzbekistan’s current status and prospects for wheat research. All past findings reported herein serve as a great source and opportunity to improve future wheat research for the breeding communities in Uzbekistan.