Sweet corn is one of the essential food crops in Indonesia because of its many benefits, such as, being a source of carbohydrates, oil, flour, animal feed, and others. Corn demand increases yearly, needing a large land area to meet its requirements. However, planting maize during the dry season or low rainfall faces more challenges. Therefore, using drip irrigation is a solution to ensure corn growth and sustained optimal production. The presented study aimed to determine the effects of drip irrigation on the production of two varieties of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) and began from February to May 2021 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Teuku Umar, Meulaboh, West Aceh, Indonesia. The study used a randomized design (split-plot) each for two irrigation levels: without drip irrigation (T₀) and drip irrigation (T₁) in main plots on two sweet corn varieties, Bonanza and Paragon. The parameters observed were cob diameter with cornhusk (mm), cob diameter without cornhusk (mm), cob length with cornhusk (cm), cob length without cornhusk (cm), cob weight with cornhusk (g), and cob weight without cornhusk (g). Analysis of variance showed that the drip irrigation treatments had no significant effect on all the recorded parameters. However, the varieties had a highly relevant impact on the cob diameter and length and considerably influenced the cob weight. Then again, the sweet corn varieties showed nonsignificant differences for all other variables.

Keywords: Sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt), drip irrigation, production traits

Key findings: Drip irrigation is very effective and economical during the dry season, meeting the corn plants’ water requirements for their growth and development. Sweet corn cultivation with drip irrigation revealed enhanced cob diameter, length, and weight, and the sweet corn cultivars also had a highly significant effect on such traits.

Organic fertilizers’ usage enhances crop productivity and improves soil fertility and the surrounding environment in livestock complexes. The presented study assessed the effect of biofertilizers and poultry-based organic fertilizers on rhizospheric microbial diversity, yield attributes, and productivity of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Conducting field experiments started in 2021 in Northern Kazakhstan’s Southern carbonated chernozem of the steppe zone. Poultry manure application had three doses (5, 10, and 15 t ha^-1), while four types of biofertilizer of microbial origin consisted of Compo-MIX, Agro-MIX, Agrarka, and Trichodermin-KZ. The poultry-based organic manure resulted in the highest number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. By treating seeds with biofertilizers, Agrarka and Trichodermin-KZ, the organotrophic bacteria dominated the barley rhizosphere. The seed treatment with Agro-MIX, Trichodermin-KZ, and organic fertilizer (at the rate of 5 and 10 t ha^-1) resulted in a predominance of nonsymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Combined analysis of variance revealed that, on average, the organic and biofertilizers significantly increased plant viability, 1000-grain weight, and grain productivity. Combined application of poultry manure (10 t ha^-1) and biofertilizer Trichodermin-KZ gave the highest average values of grain productivity, i.e., 1,550 and 1,490 kg ha^-1 (15.5 and 14.9 quintal ha^-1), respectively.

Keywords: Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), poultry manure, biofertilizers, nitrogen-fixing and organotrophic bacteria, yield components, grain yield

Key findings: The presented study authenticated the positive effects of applying organic manure and biofertilizer on the yield attributes of spring barley. Seed treatment with biofertilizers, Trichodermin-KZ and Agrarka, and poultry-based organic manure (10 t ha^-1) significantly improved barley growth and productivity. In general, all treatments with biofertilizers provided better yields than the control.

The presented research describes the hydrogenation technology and the chemistry of vegetable oils and fats using powder and stationary catalysts. The hydrogenation technology process includes various equipment and materials, i.e., equipment for hydrogenation, laboratory flow reactor, autoclave for hydrogenation on powder nickel-copper catalyst, hydrogenation catalysts, and selection of alloy stationary catalysts and their structure. The hydrogenation process includes selecting alloy nickel-aluminum catalyst promoters, measuring the viscosity of hydrogenated fat, using static catalysts as forcontacts, kinetic regularities of cotton oil hydrogenation with new modifications of nickel-copper-aluminum alloy promoted catalysts, and reception of food hydrogenated fat by consecutive hydrogenation of cotton oil on powder and stationary catalysts. Modifying immobile nickel-copper-aluminum alloy catalysts also evolved with the addition of vanadium, rhodium, and palladium in the hydrogenation process. The cotton oil pre-contact hydrogenation on stationary and powder nickel-copper catalysts is a novel development. It ensures an increase in the physiological and nutritional value of margarine products based on hydrogenated food fat. Studying the influence of technological regimes of cotton oil hydrogenation on new modifications of stationary nickel-copper-aluminum promoted catalysts commenced. The obtained results established the technological parameters for acquiring food and confectionery salons by combining stationary and suspended catalysts. Likewise, a combination of stationary and suspended catalysts has instituted the industrial parameters for the production of food and confectionery salons based on the effects of technological regimes (temperature, pressure, oil, and hydrogen supply rates) of cottonseed oil hydrogenation on new modifications of stationary nickel-copper-aluminum promoted catalysts.

Keywords: Cottonseed oil, hydrogenation and recertification, chemistry of vegetable oil, powder and stationary catalysts, triacylglycerides, linoleic acid, ethylene

Key findings: The latest continuous technology of pre-contact hydrogenation of cottonseed oil with stationary and powder nickel-copper catalysts helped increase margarine products’ nutritional and physiological values based on edible hydrogenated fat.

Three bacterial isolates selected as plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria (PGPEB) from “Klutuk” banana (Musa balbisiana L.) gained scrutiny for first-time testing on black rice. The presented study pursued an investigation on the impact of endophytic bacteria inoculation obtained from “Klutuk” banana plants on the growth and production traits of black rice. For this research, the three bacterial isolates (K10, K324, and K111) served as inoculums for black rice seeds, testing for synergism. The three isolates inoculation into black rice plants used both single and consortium inoculation methods. With agar media, black rice growth observation began 14 days after plantation (DAP) while on soil, at 30 and 140 DAP with inoculation. Three isolates did not show any antagonistic reactions. Overall, isolate K10 showed less significant improvement in growth and yield traits of black rice compared with two other isolates, i.e., K324 and K111. With agar media, the endophytic bacteria inoculations did not show a significant effect on the growth of black rice, and even isolate K324 was inhibiting in action. However, on soil media, isolate K324 significantly enhanced the number of roots and shoot length in black rice compared with the control at 30 DAP. The single inoculation with isolate K111 has caused increased productivity based on the weight of the root, dry grain weight per clum, plant height, root length, leaf length, and panicle length in black rice. Isolate K324 promotes the growth of black rice on the soil media at 30 DAP, while isolate K111 improves the production traits on the soil media at 140 DAP. The study findings provide a significant basis for the positive impact of endophytic bacterial inoculation on black rice growth and yield traits.

Keywords: Black rice (Oryza sativa L.), endophytic bacteria, bacterial isolates, “Klutuk” banana, agar and soil media, growth and yield traits

Key findings: Endophytic bacteria isolates from “Klutuk” bananas have been illustrative of plant growth-promoting bacteria. Bacterial inoculation significantly improved black rice growth and yield traits. Isolate K324 enhanced the growth on soil media at 30 DAP, while isolate K111 enriched black rice growth and yield traits on soil media at 140 DAP.

A three-way cross is an artificial cross performed to assemble superior cultivars for increased soybean production. The presented study aims to evaluate the percentage of success in the single cross and three-way cross of soybean genotypes to enhance the genetic variability in the base population of the genetic material. The genetic material comprises three soybean cultivars, i.e., Grobogan, Anjasmoro, and Dega-1. The three-way cross design operation made various crosses. Parameters observed were plant morphology, percentage of cross success and seed formation in pods, number of seeds in pod, and the total seed weight. The results showed a relatively high (57.14%) success rate for the cross Grobogan × Anjasmoro, producing numerous one-seeded and two-seeded pods and 30 seeds per plant with a total weight of 5.4 g. However, the success rate in three-way cross (F1 descent [Grobogan × Anjasmoro] × Dega-1) was medium (35.37%). The results of crossing the three genotypes of parents will greatly determine soybean variability.

Keywords: base population, genetic variability, single and three-way crosses, soybean, superior cultivars

Key findings: The three-way cross is a crossing technique to increase genetic diversity. High genetic diversity will benefit the creation of new cultivars with the desired characteristics. The success of the three-way cross will ensure to increase soybean production.

Nepenthes spp. is a unique carnivorous plant with the modified leaf lamina as a pitcher to trap insects. Nepenthes usually produce lower traps near the base of the plant, and upper pitchers form a loop in the tendril, allowing it to wrap around the nearby plant. Pitcher plants, being insectivorous plants, can grow in nitrogen-deficient soils. In the Riau Archipelago Province, the intense land conversion to establish ecotourism in national parks disturbed the pitcher plant habitat, even though the pitcher plants have great potential as ornamental plants. Therefore, for in situ conservation, the existing endemic flora may benefit tourist attractions to support local ecotourism efforts. Based on the above discussion, the presented study aimed to characterize the pitcher plants’ diversity and analyze the relationship among its species using morphological markers in the islands of Bintan, Karimun, and Lingga, Indonesia. Based on the collection and identified pitcher plants, the study discovered that the genus Nepenthes comprises 25 accessions belonging to six different species, i.e., N. gracilis, N. × trichocarpa, N. reinwardtiana, N. ampullaria, N. rafflesiana, and N. × hookeriana. The cluster analysis grouped two main clusters that have a similarity coefficient of 31%–97% based on morphological characteristics among Bintan, Karimun, and Lingga accessions. However, the cluster constructions were more on the traits’ similarity than locality based. For principal component analysis (PCA), 19 morphological traits can benefit as diagnostic features to distinguish the pitcher groups. The study revealed that pitcher plants have diverse phenotypic plasticity in the Riau Archipelago, which is experiencing land conversion for tourism activities. The pitcher plants diversity has the genetic potential for ornamental plants development and is a biological wealth that requires conservation for research, tourism activities, and future generations.

Keywords: Nepenthes spp., pitcher plants, genetic diversity, morphological characters, cluster analysis, principal component analysis, Riau Archipelago

Key findings: Pitcher plant exploration transpired on three large islands (Bintan, Karimun, and Lingga) of the Riau Archipelago, with ongoing development as tourist centers. The existing diversity of the pitcher plants is a biological wealth and has the potential to flourish as ornamental plants through in situ conservation to support research and tourism activities.

Pinus merkusii is a potential wood that naturally grows in Central Sumatra (Kerinci) and North Sumatra (Aceh and Tapanuli), Indonesia. The Kerinci landrace has a different morphology from the other two Sumatran Pinus landraces, namely, Aceh and Tapanuli, but its placement is at the same taxonomic level. Hence, additional characters need evaluation to validate taxa on P. merkusii landrace belonging to Kerinci. This study aims to identify differences in genetic characters between Kerinci and Aceh (Rao and TAHURA [Taman Hutan Raya]) landraces using SRAP for long-term use and future conservation. DNA extraction ran from the leaves of 24 individual trees belonging to three populations of P. merkusii, i.e., one naturally occurring population in Kerinci and the two cultivated populaces found in Rao and TAHURA, Indonesia. Using seven SRAP combination primers, the analysis revealed an immense variety of alleles (bands). Overall, the amplification produced 62 bands, with nine, on average, per primary pair. However, most bands were polymorphic (91.79%), and only 0.57% were monomorphic. With 45% informative bands, the Kerinci landrace has the highest band variation. A combination of primer C (Me1 + Em3) at 900 bp and primer I (Me3 + Em1) at 1050 bp band size indicated specific bands that served as molecular characteristics. A crucial molecular characteristic distinguishes the landraces of P. merkusii found in Kerinci and other populations in Rao and TAHURA, Indonesia. The study revealed superior genetic variation among the P. merkusii populations evaluated.

Keywords: Sumatran pine (Pinus merkusii), molecular characterization, genetic conservation, Kerinci, landraces, SRAP

Key findings: Conservation and sustainable use of P. merkusii from Kerinci decline due to the reduction. The discovery of molecular characteristics in the form of a combination of primer C (Me1 + Em3) at 900 bp and primer I (Me3 + Em1) at 1050 bp is crucial for recognizing Kerinci pine tree populations and valuable for plant breeders to conserve and develop germplasm.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a globally prominent oil seed. Sulfur is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of crop plants. Compared with other crops, oilseed crops require more sulfur for their role in oil biosynthesis and as an essential constituent of amino acids, vitamins, proteins, and enzyme structure. Its deficiency results in poor utilization of NPK and, ultimately, crop reduction in yield and quality. Hence, the study investigated the effect of different levels of sulfur on the harvest and quality attributes of various sunflower hybrids. The experiment comprised four sulfur levels (0, 20, 30, 40, and 50 kg per ha) and four sunflower hybrids coded as C124 × RH344, C112 × RSIN82, C116 × RH344, and C208 × RH445. The recorded data underwent analysis statistically using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique, and treatment means comparison followed Tukey’s honest significant difference test (HSD) at a 5% probability level. The results showed maximum plant height at maturity (75.80 cm), head diameter (17.90 cm), leaf area per plant (2,309.21 mm²), 100-achene weight (10.60 g), achene yield (2,806.61 kg ha^-1), harvest index (26.58%), and oil content (48.46%), while minimum days to flower initiation (40.33 days) were evident when sowing hybrid C124 × RH344 with an application of 20 kg per ha sulfur.

Keywords: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), hybrids, sulfur, growth and yield traits, quality

Key findings: The 20 kg per ha application of sulfur performed best among all sulfur levels and hybrid C124 × RH344 gave superior performance among all four sunflower hybrids. Hence, sowing of hybrid C124 × RH344 with 20 kg per ha sulfur combined with recommended NPK (120–60–60 kg ha^-1) improved sunflower hybrids’ growth, yield, and quality.

The breeding material comprising 17 Iraqi wheat cultivars belongs to three different types, i.e., a) salinity-tolerant cultivars (Dajla, Furat, 1H, 2H, 2N, 3H, 3N, and 7H), b) drought-tolerant cultivars (Sham-6 and Orok), and c) local cultivars (Iraq, Iba99, Iba95, Abu Ghraib-3, Adnanin, Tamoze, and Alrashid) underwent qualitative characteristics and genomic analysis studies in 2021-2022, at the Biotechnology Research Center, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq. Measuring the percentage of protein, wet and dry gluten, and molecular fingerprinting used the randomly amplified polymorphic of DNA (RAPD) technique with six primers, with traits estimation using a dendrogram. The highest percentage of protein (24.5%), wet (52.7%), and dry gluten (27.3%) emerged from the wheat genotype Dajla. However, the recorded lowest percentages of wet (32.52%) and dry gluten (7.62%) appeared in wheat genotype Iba99. The cultivars Aadnania, Abu Ghraib-3, and Tamoze gave the lowest protein content of 9.45, 10.34, and 10.54, respectively. The cluster analysis divided 17 wheat genotypes into two large cluster groups. Amplification of all 365 loci used six primers. Fragments‟ size ranged from 100 bp to 2000 kb. The highest number of bands (73) was amplified with primer Pr-5, while the lowest number (48) was with primer Pr-1.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), salinity- and drought-tolerant genotypes, qualitative characteristics, RAPD primers, genomic analysis, cluster analysis, and phylogenetic tree

Key findings: Out of 17 wheat genotypes, cultivar Dajla showed the best performance by having an outstanding percentage of protein, wet, and dry gluten. The cluster analysis divided 17 wheat genotypes into two large clusters. The most frequent bands were amplified with primer Pr-5, while the lowest was primer Pr-1.

The article is a dedicated analysis of the production and use of mineral fertilizers globally, focusing on the agriculture of Kazakhstan. From 1950 to 2020, the fertilizer use ranged between 3.6–29.0 kg of NPK per hectare in arable agricultural land of Kazakhstan. The maximum benefit of fertilizers happened in 1986 in Kazakhstan, with 1,039 t of mineral fertilizers (active substances) applied at an area of 47% of the total arable land, while in 1965, the fertilized area was only 6.6% of the entire sown field. In Kazakhstan, the annual recommended need for mineral fertilizers is one million tons (active ingredient). The paper also discussed the influence of the long-term application of fertilizers on the leading indicators of soil fertility and crop productivity. Employing regression analysis also explored a high degree of probability of a positive relationship among the four viable factors, i.e., fertilizer use intensity, agrochemical indicators of the soil, crop plants yields, and their quality.

Keywords: Mineral fertilizers, humus, nutrition elements, agrochemical indicators of the soil, fertilizers’ efficiency, crop productivity

Key findings: In the agriculture of Kazakhstan, the fertilizer analysis indicates a low level of use. The annual need for mineral fertilizers for the entire sown area of the Republic was 2.5 million t in physical weight (including 1.2, 1.3, and 0.03 million t of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively).