Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an oilseed crop flourishing in marginal lands. It has a high nutritional value because it is rich in protein and fat and has many health benefits. However, the varieties of this crop available in Egypt are very few. Seventeen new sesame lines incurred evaluation in two crop seasons, 2021–2022, for seed yield under eight environments comprising normal and drought conditions in sandy and clay soils. Applying 16 parameters and non-parameters of stability helped select stable and adaptive sesame lines under ideal and drought conditions, with the genotypes arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Line C5.8 achieved the highest relative productivity in sandy and clay soils and exhibited a good source for breeding programs under drought conditions. Four lines, C1.3, C9.15, C9.6, and C9.20, under eight different environments had higher seed yield than the control. A genetic-environment interaction (GEI) effect on seed productivity occurred in all sources of the combined analysis. The association between seed yield and stability parameters showed the possibility of using a selection index that included some of them to identify sesame genotypes with higher yield and genetic stability.

Keywords: sesame (S. indicum L.), parametric and non-parametric stability, drought, water productivity, seed yield

Key findings: According to parametric and non-parametric statistics, sesame lines C9.3, C9.7, C6.7, C2.2, C5.8, C9.6, C9.15, and C6.12 were more stable for seed production under different conditions. Lines C9.20, C9.6, and C9.15 showed higher water productivity than the control and showed a slight variation in yield under diverse environmental conditions, with these lines classified as biologically stable.

Evaluation of nine exotic cabbage varieties and a local variety commenced at the Research Field of the Department of Agriculture, Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Bangladesh, following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. This study aimed to identify the most suitable exotic varieties based on morphophysiological and biochemical traits compared with a check variety. Significant variations (P < 0.01) for all the characteristics, except chlorophyll content, emerged from the study. A highly significant positive association (r ≥ 0.75) was evident for the head diameter of cabbage varieties with head width, stump thickness, core length, and weight with folded and unfolded leaves. On cluster analysis, varieties V2, V3, and V10 were in the same clusters. About the PCA, PC1 accounted for 50.29% of the total variation. However, the maximum plant diameter (65 cm) occurred in V10, and the widest leaf petiole length (8.13 cm) was visible in V3. Yet, the highest head length (13.16 cm), head diameter (19.51 cm), head width (18.33 cm), weight with unfolded leaves (2.00 kg), and weight with folded leaves (1.44 kg) appeared in V10, which are very close to V2 and V3. Also, genetic parameters estimation and heatmap analysis revealed high genetic advance and positive variation, respectively, regarding head diameter, head width, and weight with folded and unfolded leaves. Finally, V2 and V3 varieties could better serve for further genetic improvement for cabbage growers and plant breeders in Bangladesh.

Keywords: biochemical, cabbage, genetic advance, morphophysiological, varietal improve

Key findings: Varieties V2 and V3 exposed substantial positive results regarding head diameter, width, and length, cabbage weight with folded and unfolded leaves, TSS, and vitamin C compared with the check variety. Further molecular study should continue with these two varieties against each trait for future breeding programs.

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA; Diuraphis noxia [Kurdjumov]) is one of the world’s most economically important and invasive pests of wheat, barley, and other cereals and has a crucial economic impact on autumnal wheat worldwide. The development of resistant cultivars may cause the continuous emergence of new RWA biotypes that are virulent for RWA control, emphasizing the need to determine new sources of resistance. Controlling RWA with systemic insecticides is economically expensive and hazardous to the environment and human health. Therefore, the most efficient way to control RWA is to ascertain and develop wheat cultivars with resistant genes. The presented study sought to determine the Dn genes in 25 wheat cultivars, including 19 cultivars from Uzbekistan’s wheat breeding program and six cultivars from Russian breeding. The PCR screening proceeded with six (Xgwm44, Xgwm111, Xgwm635, Xgwm337, Xgwm642, and Xgwm473) SSR markers associated with Dn genes to recognize the genetic polymorphisms among the wheat cultivars. The results helped researchers in breeding programs, genetic improvement, and pest management, contributing to the economic viability of wheat farming. In turn, it enhances food security and promotes financial stability at both regional and national levels by increasing wheat yields and minimizing losses.

Keywords: Bread wheat, Triticum aestivum L., cultivars, Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia), RWA, Dn genes, DNA markers, resistance

Key findings: According to the acquired results, seven Dn (RWA-resistant) genes, including Dn2, Dn4, Dn6, Dn8, Dn9, Dn626580, and Dn2401, gained identification in bread wheat cultivars. These tolerant wheat cultivars would be beneficial in future gene pyramiding-like molecular approaches for breeding communities.

Kapok (Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn) is native to the tropics of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and West Africa. This plant earned intentional introduction and cultivation in numerous tropical regions, including Indonesia. However, West Sumatra has experienced a decline in its population. The promising study aimed to assess the genetic variability based on nucleotide variation in several accessions of C. pentandra belonging to two different populations in West Sumatra through the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. In the presented study, eight sequences of C. pentandra from West Sumatra and 12 from GenBank – NCBI gained usage. The analyzed C. pentandra sequences identified 683 conserved sites and three polymorphic sites, with AT (34.8%) and GC (65.2%) contents. Nucleotide diversity was evident in the 64th, 149th, and 224th sequences. Also, recognizing four haplotypes showed a haplotype diversity (Hd) value of 0.4953. Overall, the genetic diversity was low (Pi = 0.00130). It is because of the C. pentandra plant’s introduction to several areas by humans (anthropogenic). In addition, the outcrossing mating system, seed dispersal through wind or water, and propagation techniques further contribute to its distribution and low genetic diversity. The prevailing results can add genetic information about the C. pentandra DNA sequence data based on ITS markers in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The obtained genetic data can serve as a basis for germplasm conservation strategies that have the potential for development in the future breeding program.

Keywords: Kapok (Ceiba pentandra L.), genetic variability, polymorphic sites, haplotype, ITS sequence data, nucleotide diversity, tropical regions

Key findings: The analyzed C. pentandra sequences identified three polymorphic sites and four haplotypes, indicating low genetic variability. The pertinent data can add genetic information about C. pentandra DNA sequences based on ITS markers in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This information can serve as a basis for germplasm conservation strategies and a source of genetic data that has the potential to develop in the breeding program.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the relevant strategic vegetable commodities in the world. Since garlic is a widely known sterile crop, developing new cultivars has relied mainly on clonal selection. Determining genetic variability among the local accessions of garlic is a vital step in a garlic breeding program. In the presented study, 14 local garlic accessions incurred evaluation for their genetic variability based on morphological traits and SSR markers. The results showed that local accessions displayed high genetic variability based on the morphological and molecular characteristics. Principle component analysis (PCA) indicated that 75.26% of total variation came from four PCs mainly determined by the traits, viz., plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, degree of leaf waxiness, intensity of anthocyanin coloration at the base of the pseudo-stem, bulb diameter, leaf density, cross-section shape of leaf, and the shape of the basal plate. Molecular analysis based on 10 SSR markers revealed that high allelic variation (2-12 alleles) was evident among garlic accessions with an average number of 6.4 alleles, and the average polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.67 (0.32–0.88). Nine out of 10 SSR markers showed a PIC value >0.5, indicating that these markers were more informative for the genetic variability analysis of the garlic. The phylogenetic analysis also signified that the 14 garlic accessions could become two main groups with a 0.58 similarity coefficient. These results could benefit further selection and assist Indonesia’s future garlic breeding program.

Keywords: local accessions, genetic variability, molecular markers, homonym, clustergram

Key findings: We used morphological traits and molecular markers (SSR) to reveal that Indonesian garlic accessions collected from different geographical regions had high genetic variability. This finding would substantially contribute to the groundwork for forthcoming garlic breeding programs.

The concerned study aimed to determine the correlation and direct and indirect effects to estimate the interaction between production parameters and the zinc content of plant tissues of early maturing rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. The study comprised the application of zinc at various crop phases, namely, without zinc (Zn0), zinc at the vegetative phase (Zn1), the vegetative and generative phases (Zn2), and the generative phase (Zn3) to three early maturing rice cultivars, Inpari 19, Inpari Cakrabuana, and Inpari Sidenuk. Data analysis used correlation and path analyses. The results revealed that rice grain yield positively correlated with most production parameters. The zinc analysis also showed a positive correlation between zinc content and rice plant tissues. The path analysis indicated that the clumping grain weight had a significant (P ≤ 0.01) positive direct effect (0.75). Meanwhile, panicle density had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) positive direct effect (0.51) on rice grain production per hectare. Path analysis of zinc content in tissues signified that zinc content in leaves had a very significant (P ≤ 0.01) positive direct effect (0.71), In contrast, zinc content in stems had an indirect positive influence (0.33) on zinc content in grain.

Keywords: Early maturing rice (Oryza sativa L.), zinc applications, yield and its parameter traits, correlation analysis, path analysis

Key findings: The results revealed that rice grain yield positively correlated with most production parameters. The zinc analysis also showed a positive correlation among the zinc content in rice plant tissues.

Maize breeding appears to be a key strategy to ensure global food security. Improving the grain yield and nutritional quality of maize can progress through breeding programs, where hybridization between two genetically contrasting inbreds might lead to producing superior hybrids. This phenomenon occurs as the developed hybrids are 100% heterozygous, and in consequence, expressing heterosis. However, to select parents for the ideal combinations, it is fundamental to understand the genetic status and the ability to combine the different inbreds. This review aimed to highlight the effectiveness of the general combining ability (GCA) and the specific combining ability (SCA) approaches to develop high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize hybrids adapted to Malaysia´s conditions. Maize breeders have applied various breeding methods, including the biofortification technique to augment the grain yield and nutritional quality of the crop. This technique is the most sustainable, feasible, and affordable one, as it offers more nutritious plants with the required micronutrients. Although a considerable amount of research has succeeded in identifying potential inbred combinations for specific traits and sites, the application of combining ability methods toward developing high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize hybrids adapted to Malaysia´s conditions has not been maximized. Therefore, it is important to understand the combining ability approaches to develop maize hybrids that could lead to the maximum output for combating the increasing maize global demand.

Keywords: Combining ability, grain yield, nutritional quality, maize breeding, biofortification

Key findings: This review points out the significance of the general and specific combining ability approaches to develop high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize hybrids.

The germplasm with heat-tolerant traits is one of the crucial targets effective in rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeding for climate change. Hence, the presented research aimed to improve heat-tolerant cultivars through traditional breeding and molecular markers for climate change adaptability. The results showed most of the studied rice genotypes had a wide range of variability for various traits, with this range also reflected among the tested crosses. The best crosses with the highest mean values for all traits were Giza178 × Giza179, Giza178 × IET 1444, Sakha104 × IET 1444, and Giza179 × IET 1444. The general combining ability (GCA) effects revealed cultivars IET 1444, Giza179, Giza178, and Sakha104 with significant positive GCA influences for tillers and panicles plant^-1, filled grains panicle^-1, and grain yield per plant. The best identified crosses for almost all traits were Giza177 × Giza178, Giza177 × Giza179, Giza177 × Sakha104, Giza178 × IET 1444, and Sakha105 × IET 1444. The principal component analysis (PCA) divided the seven rice genotypes into two groups. The first one included the sensitive rice cultivars, namely, Giza177, Sakha105, and Sakha101, and the second group comprised tolerant genotypes, i.e., Giza178, Giza179, IET144, and Sakha104. Using 18 SSR markers helped assess the genetic diversity in rice genotypes. The studied markers produced 204 alleles, with a mean of 11.33 per locus. A higher number of alleles per locus resulted from primers RM493, RM341, RM3297, and RM3330. The polymorphic information content (PIC), a reflection of allele diversity and frequency, was moderate and ranged between 0.157 for RM504 and 0.872 for RM3330, with an average of 0.756. Based on the SSR cluster analysis, rice genotypes formed two groups; the first group included the sensitive rice genotypes, while the second was the tolerant genotypes.

Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), germplasm, breeding, heat tolerance, genetic diversity, GCA and SCA, SSR markers, yield-related traits

Key findings: In the presented study, the four rice (Oryza sativa L.) parental genotypes, Giza178, Sakha104, IET 1444, and Giza179, were heat-tolerant, while three genotypes, Giza2177, Sakha 101, and Sakha105, were heat-sensitive. The crosses Giza177 × Giza178, Giza177 × Giza179, Giza177 × Sakha104, Giza178 × IET 1444, and Sakha105 × IET 1444 were notably high-yield crosses. Based on genetic diversity, Giza177, Sakha101, and Sakha105 genotypes were sensitive, and Giza178, Giza179, IET144, and Sakha104 were tolerant. The SSR markers RM493, RM341, RM3297, and RM3330 showed the highest alleles. The promising parental genotypes and their hybrids could be beneficial for developing heat-tolerant rice genotypes.

Wheat is a globally dominant staple food and one of the highest-consumed products because of its taste, texture, and bread quality. Genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advancement are essential to learning about the yield potential of crops. Finding out wheat’s heritability and genetic advance led to this study’s design at the research area of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, in 2021–2022. The experiment began using 27 wheat genotypes comprising nine parents and 18 F₃ populations evaluated in a random complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Highly significant variations observed came from analysis of variance among parents and F₃ populations for days to heading, plant height, tillers plant^-1, flag leaf area, spikelet’s spike^-1, the number of grains spike^-1, a thousand-grain weight, and biomass yield. The highest heritability estimates of 0.82, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.86, 0.76, 0.88, 0.86, 0.89, 0.87, 0.86, and 0.84 emerged from Watan × Janbaz, Fakhr-e-Sarhad × AUP-5008, Pirsabak-2005 × AUP-5008, Barsat × Tatara, Fakhr-e- Sarhad × Tatara, Pirsabak-2005 × Tatara, Watan × Tatara, Watan × AUP-5008, AUP-4008 × Janbaz, Barsat × Tatara, Watan × AUP-5008, and Barsat x Janbaz, respectively, for productive traits. The highest values of genetic advance were 32.71, 20.33, 35.08, and 34.24 for Fakhr-e-Sarhad × AUP-5008, Fakhr-e-Sarhad × Janbaz, Pirsabak-2005 × Tatara, and Watan × Tatara, respectively. The parental genotypes Janbaz and AUP-5008 were the most promising genotypes recommended for further evaluation in upcoming breeding schemes.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), F₃ populations, genetic variability, heritability, genetic gain, production traits

Key findings: The analysis of variance showed highly prominent variation among genotypes, parents, and F₃ populations for most traits observed. The parental genotypes, Janbaz and AUP-5008, and F₃ populations, Watan × Janbaz, Fakhr-e-Sarhad × AUP-5008, and Pirsabak-2005 × AUP-5008, exhibited the shortest plants, lengthiest spikes, highest spikelet’s spike^-1, higher grains spike^-1, early maturing, and remarkably high thousand-grain weight. Saleem-2000 × Janbaz hybrid was smaller and early ripening, with the highest grain yield spike^-1, biological, and 1000-grain weight. The hybrid, Watan × Tatara, showed shorter plants, long spikes, a broader flag leaf, the shortest days to heading and maturity, the highest grain yield spike^-1, maximum 1000-grain weight, and higher biological yield. Therefore, these genotypes have the potential to benefit future breeding programs.

Evaluating the stability of local areca nut accession across seasons and years is vital to understanding the production trend and potential. Genotypes with stability across seasons and years indicate their adaptability to different climates, pests, and disease attacks over time. This study aimed to evaluate the fruit and seed weights of 14 Indonesian local areca nut accessions to elucidate the G × E effect on these traits. The research transpired at the Kayuwatu Experimental Station, Palm Research Institute, Manado, North Sulawesi Province, from January 2017 to December 2021. The genetic materials were 14 accessions of areca nut, along with two earlier released local varieties (Emas Areca nut and Betara Areca nut). The experiment ran for five years in one location. The research showed that the G × E interaction significantly affected the fruit and seed weights. The Malinow 1 genotype had the heaviest fruit weight of 57.46 g, and the Betara genotype had a seed weight of 20.06 g. According to a parametric assessment, stable accessions were Betara, Galangsuka, Pinangwangi, SK1, and Malinow 1, and they had above-average fruit and seed weights. This study revealed different stability profiles among areca nut accessions, substantiating the importance of the G × E effect on yield.

Keywords: Areca nut (Areca catechu), dwarf areca nut, dynamic stability, nonparametric, parametric, tall areca nut

Key findings: This study identified stable areca nut accessions over the years based on fruit and seed weight characteristics, viz., Malinow 1, Galangsuka, Betara, SK1, SK2, and Pinangwangi.