The presented manuscript deals with the issues of genesis and evolution of soil structure and crop plants in the Lower Amu Darya Region. The pertinent investigation also elaborates on wild plant characteristics in the desert zone and details of cultivated plants grown in the Lower Amu Darya region. The paper also discusses soil-forming processes and the structure of soils, which is the external appearance involved in specific changes from the vertical direction of its layers. Horizons always differ in color, structure, composition, and other morphological features. The article also describes the mechanical composition of the soils of these regions, including the formation of plants grown on highly saline soils, the morphology and characteristics of these plants, and the effective use of arable land to ensure food security in the country. Likewise, the most urgent problems today are increasing soil productivity and its protection and raising economic efficiency to obtain high-quality and ecologically clean products from every agricultural crop. The soils distributed in the lower Amudarya regions, including Karakalpakstan and Khorezm regions, are more or less saline. For the soils’ future effective use, salt-resistant and phytomeliorative crops, especially alfalfa, white corn, beets, melons, watermelons, and pumpkins, and oil crops, such as sesame, will give a high and high-quality harvest. As a result of the sand and dust-salty mixture rising from the dry bottom of the Aral Sea under the influence of the wind in the spring months, crops are drying up. Therefore, to prevent this, it is most practical and scientifically imperative to carry out phytomeliorative work in these areas to establish saxovull farms.

Keywords: Strategy, plant, land, soil mechanical elements, structure, natural meliorator, endemic, food, agriculture, Aral Sea Region, environmental protection

Key findings: The article discusses the issues of the genesis and evolution of plant and soil cover in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River and the zoning of agricultural crops to develop ecological conditions and reclamation soils.

Developing lowland tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a better strategy to resist global warming. Tomato expansion also requires an efficient and organized selection process, including breeding the advanced segregating populations. Using selection indices in combination with biometrical analysis, such as principal component analysis, path analysis, and the Smith-Hazel index, can further improve the effectiveness of the selection concept. Therefore, the presented research aimed to evaluate the lowland F5 tomato lines through various selection indices and select the potential genotypes for further preliminary yield tests. The latest study proceeded in an augmented design, divided into four blocks, with a randomized complete block design as an environmental scheme. For comparison, the five standard tomato cultivars, consisting of Chung, Gustavi, Mawar, Tymoty, and Karina, underwent repeated planting in each block to compare with 45 F5 lines. All the tomato genotypes’ analysis used correlation, path, and principal component analyses, and the Smith-Hazel index. Based on the results, the selection indices with a multivariate approach and genetic analysis proved effective in selecting tomato lines in the F5 populations. The PCA, Smith-Hazel, and path analyses were the best approaches for creating selection indices formed by three characteristics, namely, yield, the number of fruits per bunch, and the number of branches. The selection indices recognized and recommended the 23 tomato F5 strains for further studies in the preliminary yield testing.

Keywords: Path analysis, PCA, selection criteria, Smith-Hazel index, Solanum lycopersicum

Key findings: The Smith-Hazel, PCA, and path analysis proved better approaches in forming the selection indices in the presented tomato research. Based on these indices, the selection index formed was 0.22, the yield + 0.1 numbers of fruits per bunch + 0.06 number of branches. The selection indices recognized 23 lowland tomato lines, recommended for inclusion in the preliminary yield tests. However, the five promising tomato strains were MC 74.12.8, KM30.5.2, MC 74.12.5, MC 29.4.6, and MC 29.4.5.

Rodent tuber (Typhonium flagelliforme Lodd.) has anticancer bioactive compounds, including beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, octadecanoic, and hexadecenoic acids. Its mutant plants showed a higher cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells than its wild-type plants. In rodent tuber mutants, the genebased molecular markers associated with anticancer compounds have not reached identification. Designing the primer pairs at SNP sites observed in rodent tuber mutant lectin genes led to the latest study developing SNAP molecular markers. The exon part region of previous lectin gene sequences at 500 bp long also underwent analysis. In such a sequence, a three-point mutation helped analyze the amino acid transformation. A successful design of a pair of primers based on non-synonymous SNP sites was specifically for SNP sites that cause variations in amino acids. A non-synonymous SNP at the base of 183 bp changes threonine to arginine. Lec183 distinguished rodent tuber mutant plants better from their wild type in the amplification. The Lec183 marker detected a lectin gene SNP’s G allele and analyzed rodent tuber plants, which produced an amplification that determined the G allele level. The Lec183 is an effective marker for selecting rodent tuber-lectin mutation sites in large populations. This way helped obtain the rodent tubers with the highest anticancer bioactive compound more precisely and rapidly.

Keywords: Rodent tuber (Typhonium flagelliforme Lodd.), lectin gene, anticancer bioactive compound, specific primer design, SNAP, allele-specific marker

Key findings: Specific molecular markers designed with gene-based markers associated with anticancer bioactive compounds in rodent tuber (Typhonium flagelliforme Lodd.) plants are yet for study. Through primer lec183, the specific alleles in lectin genes can help differentiate the mutant and wild-type plants. The SNAP marker based on the lectin gene sequence could probably improve the accuracy of the selection of lectin anticancer compounds in rodent tuber mutant plants.

Amylose content (AC) and percentage of chalkiness (PC) are the two most important quality parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Breeding for high-quality medium-grain rice has been a decisive demand for the current market and consumption. This research aimed to study the crossing populations and the selection of early generations of promising combinations for evaluation in the next generations. The crossing populations’ assessment ensued for genetic variability (PCV and GCV), heritability (h2BS), and genetic advance (GAM) for the related traits. The promising rice population’s election for pure lines employed marker-assisted selection (MAS). The result showed three promising maternal cultivars (PY2, Sieu Ham Chau, and ML202) and paternal cultivars (M-202, Saturn, and Palmyra). Through the analysis of genetic parameters in the rice F₂ populations, the cross combination of ML202/M-202 was the choice because of its valuable genetic parameters expected with PCV and GCV ≥ 20%, h2BS ≥ 60%, and GAM ≥ 20% for both traits of AC and PC. The Chi-square test of the variables AC and PC in the cross-population ML202/M-202 indicated the segregated ratios of 3:1 in the phenotype and 1:2:1 in the genotype. Applying MAS to select the promising rice F₂ populations resulted in 92 individuals carrying genes identified with low AC and PC simultaneously. These individual rice genotypes became options for evaluation in the next generations.

Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), amylose content, chalkiness percentage, chi-square, genetic parameters, medium grain rice, molecular-assisted selection (MAS)

Key findings: In rice (Oryza sativa L.) F₂ populations, the parameters with PCV and GCV ≥ 20%, h2BS ≥ 60%, and GAM ≥ 20% were foreseeable for the rice quality traits, i.e., AC and PC for the selected cross. The Chi-square test of the AC and PC in the cross-population showed the segregated ratios of 3:1 in the phenotype and 1: 2: 1 in the genotype. The genotyping strategy employed in the study also proved cost-efficient and effective in terms of identifying the F₂ individuals carrying genes with low AC and PC.

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SABRAO Journal of Breeding and Genetics
56 (2) 681-694, 2024
http://doi.org/10.54910/sabrao2024.56.2.20
http://sabraojournal.org/
pISSN 1029-7073; eISSN 2224-8978

Date published: April 2024

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The domestic liquid bioorganic fertilizer, ‘BioEcoGum,’ which led to improved germination, also positively affected the growth and yield of cereals. The study sought to determine the influence of the domestic bioorganic fertilizer ‘BioEcoGum’ on the growth, development, and yield of the ‘Porumben’ corn (Zea mays L.) in southeast Kazakhstan. Processing of corn seeds with the bioorganic fertilizer ‘BioEcoGum’ activated and increased seed germination by accelerating biochemical functions, enhancing immunity and stress resistance (10%–20%), and improving foliar feeding for growth, development, and increase of grain yield by 50%–70%. In the Porumben 456 and 461 corn hybrids, the accumulation of root biomass during seed processing and double leaf emergence increased to 5.93 t/ha compared with the control production, recorded at 3.96 t/ha (without ‘BioEcoGum’), with a difference of 19.7 kg/ha (50%). Based on the presented results, the bioorganic fertilizer ‘BioEcoGum’ requires promotion for widespread use in corn cultivation in the southern regions of Kazakhstan.

Keywords: Corn (Zea mays L.), biohumus application, agriculture, soils, productivity, light chestnut soil

Key findings: ‘BioEcoGum’ fertilizer positively affected the growth, development, and productivity of the corn crop. Corn seed treatment also enhanced stress resistance and seed germination, improving the growth, development, and intensification of the grain yield (25% to 62%) with foliar application.

The presented study probed to compare two naturally grown oak species in the District Atrush, Dohuk Governorate, Northern Iraq. These two species were Quercus aegilops L. and Quercus infectoria Oliv., which belonged to the genus Quercus L. The research employed two methods to determine the comparative anatomical characteristics, i.e., chemically separating cells (Maceration) and mechanically separating cells using the Macrotome. The results showed significant differences in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the wood of the two studied species. It helps diagnose and separate the two species, which were similar in phenotypic attributes. Quercus infectoria acorns appeared with lengthier vascular elements than edible oak wood. However, the eating oak was distinguishable by the vessel elements, which had a larger diameter than the gall oak. The edible oak differed by the greater thickness of the vessel wall than that of the stump oak vessel. An edible oak also illustrated greater values of the vessel element cavity diameter, the inner diameter of the inserted holes, and the fiber length and diameter. However, the acorn gall demonstrates a fiber wall of superior thickness to the edible oak fiber wall. The Runkel ratio was 0.499 and 0.937 in the species Quercus aegilops and Quercus infectoria, respectively. Thus, according to Runkel’s ratio, the edible acorn was better in paper pulp manufacturing and the paper compared with the acorns.The qualitative traits also contributed to the diagnosis and isolation of two studied species.

Keywords: Genus oak, Quercus aegilops L., Quercus infectoria Oliv., maceration, macrotome, phenotypic traits

Key findings: The species Quercus aegilops and Quercus infectoria’s scrutiny for quantitative and qualitative differences in their wood can help distinguish the phenotypically same species. The Quercus infectoria acorns have lengthier vascular components than edible oak wood. The edible oak had higher ratios of the vessel element cavity diameter, the inner diameter of the inserted holes, and the fibers’ length and diameter than the gall and stump oak. Acorn galls had thicker fiber walls than edible oak galls.

The demand for pak choi plants always increases over time. Hydroponics is one technique for the quick cultivation of pak choi. The advantages of hydroponics are its easy setup anywhere that is healthy and clean, requiring minimal areas and still having optimal production. Usually, hydroponics uses AB mix nutrients from various brands on the market. However, this research used NPK 16:16:16 and NASA liquid organic fertilizer to find alternative nutrients to increase the growth and production of pak choi by formulating an effective combination of nutrients and growing media using the nutrient film technique (NFT) system. The research commenced at a greenhouse of the Universitas Teuku Umar, Aceh, Indonesia. The split-plot design employed had nutrients for the main plot, N1 = AB mix Goodplant, N2 = NPK fertilizer 16:16:16, and N3 = NASA liquid organic fertilizer; and the growing media in the subplots, M1 = husk charcoal, M2 = rockwool, M3 = cocopeat, and M4 = sponge. The studied parameters were the plant’s fresh and dry weights and chlorophyll a and b. The result showed that nutrition, growing media, and their interaction significantly affected the fresh and dry weights of the pak choi plants. The best combination of nutrients and growing media was AB mix nutrition and cocopeat (N1M3), which showed remarkable performance in increasing the growth and physiological traits of pak choi plants.

Keywords: Pak choi plants (Brassica rapa L.), hydroponic b nutrients, growing media, hydroponic NFT

Key findings: In the NFT hydroponic system, the plants grow in a shallow and circulated nutrient layer, and the plants can get enough water, nutrients, and oxygen. Application of nutrients and growing media significantly affected the fresh and dry weights of pak choi plants.

Pinus sylvestris L. is a widely used tree in landscaping, and therefore, its high-quality planting material is most relevant in Kazakhstan. The recent study evaluated the effects of the various biological preparations on the physiological growth of the P. sylvestris L. seedlings in the ordinary chernozem of Northern Kazakhstan. The study used several methods for evaluation, i.e., sowing and planting, measurements, data compilation, formulation, and analysis, and recommended computer software. In 2022, sowing 20 kg seeds of P. sylvestris ensued on a 0.4 ha area. For the agrochemical assessment of the experimental site, soil samples collected underwent a chemical composition analysis. The morphological parameters of the upper and lower parts of the seedlings also reached identification. Concerning the indicators of agrochemical assessment of the soil after using biological preparations, i.e., Agrarka (1.5%) and Agro-MIX (10%), the sum of macronutrients and exchangeable calcium and magnesium was high. The results also showed that the average number of seedlings incurred enhancements using the Agro-MIX (10%). Therefore, Agrarka and Agro-MIX can be helpful in forest nurseries as effective growth stimulators in growing planting material for tree and shrub species.

Keywords: Pinus sylvestris L., seedlings, biological preparations, soil chemical composition, Agrarka and Agro-MIX, agrochemical assessment, growth traits

Key findings: The growth stimulators, viz., Agrarka and Agro-MIX can be helpful for effective management of planting materials in the forest nurseries for tree and shrub species.

Potassium (K) is a crucial element required for the healthy growth of plants, as it activates many enzymatic reactions in the plant body. Nowadays, K-deficiency is widespread worldwide. The high cost of potassium fertilization and less awareness about the pros of external nutrition from K fertilizer application are possible reasons for K-deficient soils in Pakistan. Efforts are ongoing to improve the potassium use efficiency (KUE) and bioavailability of K from commercial potassium sources. Therefore, a field experiment commenced to minimize the bioavailable K losses using carbon sequestering fertilizer (CSF) under saline soil conditions (4 dS m^-1) using wheat as a test crop in Pind Dadan Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. The experiment ran in a three-replication randomized complete block design (RCBD) statistical scheme using four treatments, i.e., T1 = Control; T2 = Filter cake press mud (FCP) as CSF; T3 = Sulphate of potash (SOP); and T4 = SOP + FCP, using two wheat varieties, namely, Faisalabad 2008 (FSD-08) and Chakwal-50. Results implied that SOP application in combination with FCP (T4) performed best treatments with Faisalabad 2008 as the better variety than Chakwal-50 under saline growth environment. Maximum spike length (8.85 cm), the number of grains/spike (45), shoot dry weight (2.75 g), soil K contents (310 ppm), soil C content (1.03%), chlorophyll content (2.18 μmol m^-2), and H-ATPs (99.5) resulted in Faisalabad 2008 when applied with the combination of SOP and FCP (T4). Thus, the combined application of mineral and organic sources of CSF improved the wheat growth parameters and nutritional status of the soil.

Keywords: Carbon sequestering fertilizer, saline soil, potassium fertilizer, wheat

Key findings: Salinity stress severely affects the growth and quality of wheat. The K fertilizer application improved wheat crop quality, yield attributes, and survival in salinity stress scenarios. Combining K fertilizers with organic amendments helps improve K use efficiency and K bioavailability from commercial K sources. Among commercial K sources, SOP performed best in supporting wheat growth under a saline environment.

In the present era, the characteristics of agricultural development most exposed to the effects of global warming and irregular precipitation patterns remain scantily understood in the regions. The latest study aimed to identify the target regions with different degrees of variation in the average temperature, followed by their resource potential, conditions, strengthening, and production efficiency. Based on their groups through statistical studies, three groups of Russian regions attained partition (using a sample that included 77 Russian regions), with low (Group I – 20 regions), medium (Group II – 25 regions), and high (Group III – 32 regions) estimates of the linear temperature trend. In Group III, 72% of the regions appeared favorable for agriculture, according to the classification approved by the Russian Government. In Group I, 60% of the regions emerged as unfavorable. Based on the statistical indicators, these established that Group III has a considerable resource potential for agriculture, comprising 30% of agricultural lands, 36% of all crops, up to 50% of the area of fruit and berry plantations, 40% of milk production, and 69% of meat and meat products manufacture intended in this group of different regions. In Group III, conditions and intensification of production are developing more dynamically (the volume of subsidies allocated during the study period has increased almost five times), efficiency is higher (profit per 100 ha of agricultural land in Group I is 0.2 million rubles, whereas, in Group III, it equals 1 million rubles), with significant labor and human potential gathered there. This circumstance requires the development of a program for the adaptation of these regions to emerging climate changes.

Keywords: Agriculture, global warming, agricultural resources, intensification, milk and beef production, statistical analysis, rural population, gardening

Key findings: Presently, Russian agriculture is facing the challenges of global warming, with rising temperatures and uneven precipitation patterns, particularly affecting regions with the highest enhancement in the prevailing temperatures. Despite these contests, the areas with significant resource potential and intensive agricultural production have shown vibrant development, partially due to considerable state support and investment.