Premature seed shattering in canola causes massive losses in yield by up to 50% in adverse climatic conditions. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, which belongs to the same family as canola, the Brassicaceae, eight genes participate in a shattering cascade. Phylogenetic reconstruction, syntenic relationships, genomics loci, promoter sequences, and identification of transcription factor-binding sites (TFBSs) faced shattering cascade genes’ analysis. Among these, three genes, SHATTERPROOF1, SHATTERPROOF2, and FRUITFUL (SHP1, SHP2, FUL), belonged to a MADS-box family implicated in fruit dehiscence zone and valve margin constitute a core regulatory module. But, in Brassica, the exact number of genes involved in shattering remained obscure. Grouping BnSHP1-N, BnSHP2-N, and BnFUL-N into their respective clades was according to phylogenetic reconstruction of core regulatory modules (SHP1, SHP2, and FUL) and from other species homologs. The eight shattering cascade genes showed no conservation, indicating their involvement in crushing through separate pathways. The increased number of homologs/paralogs in Brassica was due to occurrences of genome duplication or a triplication event during evolution. Exonization and intronization could be responsible for a variable number and size of the exons and introns in gene structures. Comparative genome synteny analysis of SHP1, SHP2, and FUL revealed correlation and evolutionary insights into gene region relationships in all Brassicaceae. Study results provided basic information on cloning, phylogenetic reconstruction, genomics loci, and identifying transcription factor-binding sites (TFBSs) of core regulatory module genes that might be helpful for developing shattering-resistant genome-edited plants to prevent future yield losses in canola.

Keywords: Brassica napus L, genome analysis, shattering genes, core regulatory module, homologs, exonization, intronization

Key findings: The phylogenetic reconstruction of SHP1, SHP2, and FUL genes and homologs from other species conglomerated BnSHP1-N, BnSHP2-N, and BnFUL-N into their respective clades. The rise in homologs in Brassica resulted from genome duplications or triplications that occurred during evolution. When analyzing gene structure, exons and introns may vary in size and number due to exonization and intronization. Comparative genome synteny analysis of SHP1/2 and FUL genes revealed correlation and evolutionary insights throughout the Brassicaceae. The promoter analysis unveiled that the expression divergence may correlate with their divergent promoters, where regulatory motifs, particularly CArG-boxes, might have played varying roles in the siliques of these plants.

Wheat genotypes grown in Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries cannot compete with commercial cultivars for productivity. These landraces are valuable genetic resources that could benefit in developing new cultivars enriched with nutritious microelements and other ingredients beneficial for human health. As a result of wheat research, for the first time, preserving the 31 landraces in their natural form in the remote territories of Uzbekistan ensued, including a catalog of compilation by determining their economic and morphologically valuable features. Based on cluster analysis and quantitative characteristics, local wheat genotypes attained five groupings with a compiled dendrogram. With the dendrogram, determining the morphological attributes of ancient local cultivars of wheat materialized, even though the grain color is the same, a sharp difference is noticeable, but still similar based on quantitative characteristics that ensure the grain yield. In ancient local wheat cultivars, plant height and 1000-seed weight have a weak correlation with other traits, and a strong positive association was distinct between the spike length and spikelets per spike and the number and grain weight per spike. The polymorphism of soft wheat landraces showed according to the electrophoretic spectra in the grain’s gliadin proteins. The electrophoretic parameters of gliadin proteins indicated that of the six samples of cultivar Kzyl-bugdoy listed in the catalog, only four have similar electrophoretic spectra. In cultivar Ak-bugdoy’s four specimens, three have identical spectra, while three from the cultivar Surkhak have different bands. Based on individual selection and according to electrophoretic spectra from wheat landraces, the release of the wheat cultivar Kairaktash was due to its high baking and nutritional value.

Keywords: wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), mountainous Uzbekistan, landraces, morphological analysis, quantitative characteristics, gluten content, electrophoretic analysis, gliadins

Key findings: The presented study sought to identify the potential soft wheat landraces based on quantitative traits and electrophoretic spectra of gliadin proteins in Uzbekistan. Adapted to the rainfed conditions of the Republic, the developed cultivar Kairaktash ensued through individual plant selection from ancient local wheat populations.

Heat stress has emerged as a chief problem impeding wheat crop productivity. In several crops, specific HSP90A genes have intensively managed induced fluctuations in temperature. A wheat plant with TaHSP90A transcripts had the potential to cope with temperature stress. It enables plants to survive in transient extremes of temperature and under heat stress. The presented study design enhanced temperature tolerance plasticity with high yield in wheat through a line × tester mating design containing lines (12) and testers (4) having a differential expression of TaHSP90A transcripts (TraesCS2A02G033700.1, TraesCS5B02G258900.3, and TraesCS5D02G268000.2), then hybridized to get the F1 (48) wheat hybrids. For heat treatment, temperature raising was only in the daytime, through the tunnel at anthesis (for two weeks). Data recording for several morphological and physiological parameters went along with the relative expression of TaHSP90A transcripts for hybrid evaluation. After one hour of heat treatment, the relative expression of TaHSP90A transcripts’ determination in the flag leaf followed. The manifestation of TaHSP90A transcripts’ upregulation was two folds in several hybrids after heat treatment. Best lines, testers, and selected crosses having TaHSP90A transcripts with high yield and heat tolerance compared with parents can further benefit breeding programs aiming toward tolerance against heat stress in changing climate scenarios.

Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., climate change, expression, TaHSP90A, food security

Key findings: This study mainly focuses on the upregulation of TaHSP90A transcripts showing a contribution to heat tolerance in wheat. Heat-tolerant wheat genotypes with TaHSP90A transcripts can produce significant yields under changing climate scenarios. The importance of this work lies in the potential for these genes by breeders to improve the plant’s natural defenses against heat stress.

In intraspecific F₁ diallel hybrids of Gossypium barbadense L., the inheritance study of traits plant height, boll weight, plant productivity, and 1000-seed weight, with combining ability analysis took place in 2020–2022 at the Institute of Genetics and Plant Experimental Biology, Academy of Sciences, Uzbekistan. These polygenic traits’ inheritance showed different ways in the fine-fiber cotton F₁ hybrids. The plant height trait’s inheritance with overdominance and intermediate level of the high/low-performance cultivars. The boll weight trait was mainly in negative overdominance with incomplete dominance of the low-performance cultivar. The inheritance of seed cotton yield had the positive overdominance main control, while the 1000-seed weight had negative and positive overdominance. According to combining ability analysis, the highest positive general combining ability effects resulted in fine-fiber cotton cultivars Surkhan-14 (ĝi = 8.71) and Bo’ston (ĝi =1.86) for plant height, Guzor (ĝi = 0.12) for boll weight, in genotypes Marvarid (ĝi = 2.44) and Surkhan-14 (ĝi = 2.95) for plant productivity, and in cultivars Marvarid (ĝi = 2.3) and Guzor (ĝi = 2.8) for 1000-seed weight. The F₁ hybrids Guzor × Surkhan-14, Marvarid × Bo’ston, and Bo’ston × Surkhan-14 showed the highest positive and desirable specific combining ability effects for 1000-seed weight and seed cotton yield. Results concluded that fine-fiber cotton cultivars Marvarid, Surkhan-14, and Guzor can benefit as initial breeding material in selecting high-yielding cotton cultivars.

Keywords: G. barbadense L., cotton cultivars, F₁ diallel hybrids, inheritance, heterosis, combining ability, yield traits, cotton productivity

Key findings: Results authenticated that it is feasible to use fine-fiber cotton cultivars Marvarid, Surkhan-14, and Guzor as initial genetic material in selecting high-yielding cotton cultivars.

Heterotic groups are necessary for high vigor in hybrid rice. However, hybrids produced from crosses between parents from different rice subspecies (i.e., Indica × Japonica) have extensive incompatibility issues exhibited by low seed sets. The study objectives were to evaluate the heterosis in grain yield and yield-related traits between hybrids produced from low and high parental genetic distances (PGDs) and demonstrate the heterotic group approach in rice. From PGDs, eight and three hybrids were assigned to the low and high PGD hybrid groups, respectively. Neighbor-joining clustering and model-based population structure analyses classified the hybrid parents into four heterotic groups, with the low and high PGD hybrid groups found consisting of intra-subpopulation and inter-subpopulation crosses, respectively. Replicated yield trials conducted at Beaumont, Texas, transpired in 2019 and 2020. The hybrids exhibited normal seed sets, with at least one of each hybrid’s parents determined to possess the wide compatibility S5n allele necessary for normal seed sets in wide crosses. Trait and standard heterosis values estimates included the number of days to heading, plant height, tiller density, and grain yield. Higher trait values and heterosis for tiller density and grain yield occurred in the high than the low PGD hybrid group, especially in the inter-subpopulation crosses with indica rice. PGD had consistent positive correlations with heterosis for grain yield (r = 0.41 to 0.60) and tiller density (0.28 to 0.36) in both years. PGDs aid in determining highly heterotic cross combinations for tiller density and grain yield and in forming heterotic groups. Heterotic grouping is advisable through cluster and structure analyses of genome-wide markers instead of identifying genetically-distant crosses based on pedigree information.

Keywords: Heterosis, heterotic group, hybrid, rice, yield, Oryza sativa L.

Key findings: Rice hybrids from wide-compatible parents in japonica × indica crosses were studied. Heterosis was higher in hybrids produced from parents with extreme genetic distances (PGDs). PGDs help form heterotic groups and in selecting highly heterotic crosses.

The climate is continuously changing, consequently increasing the drought-affected areas. As such, it challenges breeders to develop adaptive and drought-tolerant sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars through evaluation and inducing genes tolerant to drought. Hence, the recent study aimed to assess the sunflower hybrids during 2019–2020 under well-watered and stressed conditions in a splitplot design with four replications at the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. The observed data determined heterotic effects among 15 F₁ hybrids for days to 75% flowering, days to 75% maturity, stem diameter, head diameter, biological yield plant^-1, seeds head^-1, seed index, and seed yield plant^-1. The mean squares due to genotypes, treatments, and genotype by treatment were significant for all the traits, which exhibited that genotypes performed significantly across the environments for the above-cited traits. The F₁ hybrids, such as, Mehran × Pehawar-93, gave maximum negative heterotic effects for phonological traits which will benefit the development of short-duration sunflower hybrids. Further, F₁ hybrids like Thatta × UC-666 displayed higher heterotic effects for head diameter, stem diameter, number of seeds plant^-1, seed index, and biological plant^-1 and PSF-025 × B2 and HO.1 × B2 gave higher heterotic effects for the number of seeds head^-1 and seed yield plant^-1 under stress environment.

Keywords: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), split-plot design, well-watered and stressed-conditions, heterosis, heterobeltiosis, yield-related traits

Key findings: Four sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids, Mehran × Peshawar-93, Thatta × UC-666, PSF 025 × B-2, and HO-1 × B-2 showed promising that could benefit future breeding programs for hybrid crop development.

Accurate data and relevant insights on parental corn inbred lines’ and hybrids’ genetic purity and diversity are essential for hybrid development and seed production. Here, the genetic purity and diversity of 19 parental yellow corn inbred lines were assessed using SSR markers. A total of 91 SSR markers were utilized, of which 61 were highly polymorphic and had high polymorphism information content value (PIC = 0.379). Genetic purity and diversity parameters were calculated from the generated SSR marker data. Observed pairwise genetic distances ranging from 0.257 to 0.808 implied high genetic dissimilarities among the accessions. Cluster analysis separated the parental lines into three distinct subclusters, which can potentially be a basis for generating heterotic groupings among the parental lines. Eight (8) out of the 19 parental lines showed considerable residual heterozygosity of ≤10%. Inbred line CML 431 displayed complete homozygosity across all 61 SSR markers. Inbred lines that have residual heterozygosity of >15% need purification through further breeding and selection. Out of the resultant F1 hybrids analyzed, only four (4) showed genetic impurity of ≤10%. It may be attributed to the intrinsic genetic impurity of parental line CML 452 (21.67%). In contrast, hybrids generated from two genetically pure parents (e.g., CML 431 and CML 575) showed low to no off-types. Overall, genetic purity and diversity determination of promising parental lines can be valuable for future yellow corn breeding programs in the Philippines.

Keywords: corn, SSR markers, genetic purity, genetic diversity, hybrid development

Key findings: The genotyping strategy employed in the study proved cost-efficient and effective in terms of identifying whether the corn genotypes are genetically pure or contaminated. Corn breeders can utilize the generated clusters as a basis for designing cross-combinations. Finally, the achieved set of SSR markers determined can help further assess successful hybridization among the corn genotypes used in this study.

In light of the scarcity of irrigation water, extreme wastage of water, saline soils, and the dominance of traditional water management methods, the presented research transpired in 2020 in the Directorate of Agriculture, ALHashimiya area, Hilla City, Iraq. The latest study aimed to investigate the effects of subsurface drip irrigation system (SDIS) and flood irrigation system (FIS), with three drip irrigation distances of 18, 20, and 22 cm on two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, i.e., ‘Tarm Hashemi’ (TH) and ‘Daillman Mazandarani’ (DM). The irrigation systems (SDIS and FIS) significantly impacted the growth and productivity traits of the rice crop. The SDIS ensures the addition of an appropriate amount of water to the plants by keeping wet the root zone without wasting water compared with the flood irrigation system. The interaction of rice cultivar Tarm Hashemi, SDIS, and drip irrigation distance (DID of 18 cm) resulted in the best performance for root growth traits, i.e., root length and root fresh and dry weight (17.66 cm and 1.80 and 0.85 g, respectively). It also provided the highest plant vigor index (PVI), biological, and grain yield (71.15 cm, 1,747.23, and 608.26 g.m^-2, respectively). Cultivar Tarm Hashemi proved superior to cultivar Daillman Mazandarani in managing the morpho-yield traits. The subsurface drip irrigation system during the growing season helped increase the productivity of the rice crop compared with the traditional irrigation system. Compared with FIS, the SDIS not only improved and enhanced the growth and grain yield, but also saved abundant water and nutrients.

Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), cultivars Tarm Hashemi (TH) and Daillman Mazandarani (DM), subsurface drip irrigation system (SDIS), flood irrigation system (FIS), drip irrigation distance (DID)

Key findings: The study focused on achieving the best growth results for the rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop, with the highest productivity emerging with the subsurface drip irrigation system and the planting distance of 18 cm. The reaction of rice cultivar Tarm Hashemi (TH) to the subsurface drip irrigation system gave the highest studied characteristics compared with the rice cultivar Daillman Mazandarani (DM).

Potassium (K) performs multiple essential functions in the plant, including enzyme activation and osmotic regulation. Citrus fruit quality gains considerable influence from potassium (K) fertilizer rate, application method, and sources used. The conducted field experiment assessed the impact and response of different levels of K applications on the quality and yield parameters of citrus fruit, determining a suitable time, stage, and K fertilizer dose for citrus trees. Comparing traditional K fertilizer, i.e., sulfate of potash (SOP), with new-generation potassium (NG-K) employed the use of foliar and soil (basal) applications. Treatments included (i) T1: Control (0 NPK), (ii) T2: Recommended NP and without K, (iii) T3: 500 g K as sulfate of potash (SOP) (basal), (iv) T4: New generation K (NG-K) fertilizer @1.5% (foliar), and (v) T5: 400 g NG-K fertilizer (basal). Observations revealed that citrus trees responded positively in growth characteristics, including fruit quality and physiological attributes, under both foliar and basal K fertilizer applications of different K sources. Notably, NG-K fertilizer proved a better source of K, whether applied as a basal dose or foliar spray. For growth characteristics like the fresh weight of leaves and fruit mass, obtaining the highest values of 35.2 and 172 g, respectively, resulted when applying a basal dose of NG-K. On the other hand, maximum total sugar content (13 mg L^-1) and juice content (40%) occurred under foliar-applied NG-K. Foliar application of K fertilizer proved to be more effective for better growth and fruit quality parameters than the basal application of SOP.

Keywords: Citrus, growth characteristics, potassium, fertilizer, formulation

Key findings: K fertilizer application improved the citrus fruits’ quality and quantity attributes irrespective of source, dose, and application method. However, among K fertilizer sources, newgeneration K fertilizers proved superior over commercial K sources (SOP). Regarding the application method, the foliar application gave better results and effectively improved the quality and growth attributes of the citrus fruits.

The tendency to use natural organic wastes is one of the environmentally safe applications in crop production. Therefore, the presented study aimed to determine the effect of adding mushroom and sulfur residues to gypsiferous soil and their efficiency in improving the production of broccoli ‘Balimo F1’ (Brassica oleracea var. ‘Italica’). The study set out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The 10 combined treatments of the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and sulfur residues consisted of 0% and 15% (SMS), and 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 S kg ha^-1. The interaction of the spent mushroom substrate with sulfur showed significant differences for most growth and yield-related traits of broccoli, including leaf length, leaves per plant, roots per plant, head diameter, head weight, total yield, and harvest index, as compared with the control treatments. Among all the treatments in broccoli, the highest total yield (148,702 kg ha^-1) resulted in the treatment SMS – 15% + Sulfur – 3000 kg ha^-1, followed by the total yields of 111,608 and 105,663 kg ha^-1 produced by the treatments SMS – 15% + Sulfur – 4000 kg ha^-1 and SMS – 15% + Sulfur – 2000 kg ha^-1, respectively. However, the minimum total yield in broccoli (28,295 kg ha^-1) came from the treatment SMS – 0% + Sulfur – 3000 kg ha^-1, followed by a total yield of 33,793 kg ha^-1 obtained in the treatment SMS – 0% + Sulfur – 4000 kg ha^-1. Overall, and compared with the control, a significant influence occurred due to the interaction of spent mushroom substrate and sulfur with levels of 15% and 3000 kg ha^-1, respectively.

Keywords: Broccoli, spent mushroom substrate (SMS), composting, sulfur, inorganic fertilizer, organic manure, gypsiferous soil

Key findings: For growth and yield-related traits of broccoli, a significant influence occurred due to the interaction of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and sulfur at the levels of 15% and 3000 kg ha^-1, respectively.