The following study aimed to determine the effects of potassium fertilization on the growth and anthocyanin content of purple waxy corn (Zea mays L.). This research proceeded in a split-plot design with factorial arrangements, two factors, and three replications. The first factor comprised four purple waxy corn genotypes designated as main plots, i.e., two cultivars (Pulut URI and Srikandi Ungu) and two strains [1-3-1-2-B-II-(C4)-II, and 162.1-1-II-(C4)-II]. The second factor was the four levels of potassium fertilizer used as subplots: 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha^-1. The findings revealed the cultivar Pulut URI exhibited superior performance in the number of leaves and 1000-seed weight. The cultivar Srikandi Ungu showed the best performance in producing more anthocyanin content. The maize genotype 1-3-1-2-B-II-(C4)-II gave the best results for plant height, peeled cob weight, seeds per cob, and seed yield. On average, the potassium fertilizer at 150 kg ha^-1 appeared with the maximum plant height, number of leaves, cob weight, seeds per cob, and seed production. The cultivar Srikandi Ungu with potassium fertilizer 150 kg ha^-1 emerged as the best strategy by giving superior results for anthocyanin content and 1000-seed weight.

Keywords: Zea mays var. Ceratina Kulesh, cultivars, potassium fertilization, genotype, anthocyanin content

Key findings: Purple waxy corn (Z. mays L.) genotypes showed varied performance in anthocyanin content. Cultivar Srikandi Ungu with potassium fertilization of 150 kg ha^-1 was the best strategy for giving superior results for anthocyanin content and 1000-seed weight. Therefore, purple waxy corn with the highest anthocyanin content requires further development as a food alternative.

The effect of microbiological fertilizers on the leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments and the seed protein and oil content in introduced and local cultivars of soybean (Glycine max L.) planted as a repeat crop was this research’s focus for investigation. Based on the analysis, the microbiological preparation Rhizotorphin enhanced the leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids by 8.3%–16.7% and 1%–23.7%, respectively, as well as depending on the cultivar. The microbiological fertilizer Bioazot increased the leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids by 1%–18.7% and 1.04%–19.7%, respectively. The soybean grain’s protein content also significantly rose with the influence of biofertilizers. However, the highest grain protein content was evident in the introduced cultivar Arleta (40.47%) and local cultivars Ehtiyoj (39.38%) and Xotira (38.02%) treated with biofertilizer Bioazot. A negative relationship emerged between the seed protein and oil content in analyzing the seed oil characteristics in soybean cultivars under the influence of microbiological preparations. The soybean cultivars observed with a higher protein content resulted from the influence of microbiological fertilizers but showed a reduced seed oil content.

Keywords: Soybean (G. max L.), cultivars, microbiological fertilizers, Rhizotorphin, Bioazot, chlorophyll, carotenoids, oil, protein, oil content

Key findings: Results revealed microbiological fertilizers had a significant positive effect on the physio-biochemical processes of soybean (G. max L.). The microbiological fertilizer Bioazot seed treatment had a considerable positive effect on the leaf chlorophyll and grain protein content of the cultivars Ehtiyoj, Xotira, and Arleta.

This paper presents a study aimed at determining the soil’s biological activity using its enzymatic activity and the ability of urban soils to self-heal in various territories of the Lankaran Region, Azerbaijan. Results revealed microorganisms decreased to 2.0-1.0-0.8×10⁶/g soil at the depth of 70-80-100 cm in light and ordinary subtypes of gray-brown soils. In cultivated variants of these soils under grain crops, a similar trend was dominant, with a decrease recorded in the total number of microorganisms from 4.8-4.0×10⁶/g soil in upper horizons to 2.2-1.5×10⁶/g soil in lower horizons. In the composition of microorganisms in the soil of virgin origin and cultivated cenoses, non-spore-forming bacteria (74.9% and 75.3%) and actinomycetes (24.8% and 24.3%) predominated. However, in small-sized fungi and spore-forming bacteria, there existed a slight difference of 0.5% and 0.3% and 18.8%–25.1%, respectively. In irrigated variants of these soils, the humus content decreased quite moderately, from 2.09% in the upper layers (0–10 cm) to 1.35% in the lower layers (50–70 cm). The average number of microbiota in the 0–100 cm layer of the studied gray-brown soils varies around 4.1-3.7-1.8-3.5×10⁶/g soil.

Keywords: Anthropogenic factors, soil erosion, enzyme activity, cellulolytic activity, actinomycetes, small-sized fungi, spore-forming bacteria

Key findings: Cellulolytic activity is an important indicator of the intensity of destruction processes in the soil. Results showed that in individual horizons, the microbiota variations proved associated with the humus state of the studied soils.

The article presents data on the study of in vitro growth efficiency of regenerated plants and tuber yield of minitubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars under greenhouse conditions during 2022–2024. The shoot biomass growth and productivity of minitubers depended on the temperatures and biological parameters of potato genotypes. According to the results, the recorded maximum tuber yield formation appeared in cultivars Babayev, Tamasha, and Zhanaisan (84.6, 67.21, and 65.66 g/plant). The cultivar Babayev showed the best tuber yield, averaging over three years (72.5 g per plant and 1087.5 g/m²). Moreover, the cultivar Babayev displayed the highest multiplication rate in the experiment (6.0 minitubers per plant in 2024 and 5.4 pieces on average for three years). The said promising cultivar can be effective as a donor parent for tubers in future breeding. Similarly, the bioorganic fertilizers’ effect succeeded in determining the growth and development of virus-free test tube plants and the formation of potato minitubers. The findings revealed bioorganic fertilizers have a positive effect on the productivity of potato minitubers grown in the greenhouse. The biohumus in combination with liquid humic fertilizer increased the multiplication factor of the source material and its tuber yield in the primary seed production.

Keywords: Potato (S. tuberosum L.), cultivar, seed production, minitubers, biotechnology, greenhouse, bioorganic fertilizers, growth, productivity

Key findings: A series of experiments continued to ensure the maximum tuber yield of minitubers per unit area of potato (S. tuberosum L.) on protected soil. The organic fertilizers also revealed a positive effect on the growth and development of virus-free test tube plants and the formation of potato minitubers.

This study sought to identify the optimal general and specific combiners and the nature of gene action concerning morphological, yield, and fiber traits under the line-by-tester mating design. It utilized six Bt-gene-containing parental lines and three non-Bt testers, along with their 18 F₁ hybrids in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), with experiments held at the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. Eight characteristics, such as days to first flowering, plant height, sympodial branches per plant, bolls per plant, seed cotton yield per plant, fiber strength, and insect mortality (%), sustained scrutiny. The notable disparities in line-by-tester interactions revealed the significance of specific combining ability in hybrids, indicating the role of dominant genes in the manifestation of traits. The substantial mean squares attributed to lines and tester parents confirmed that the general combining ability (GCA) reflects the dominant influence of additive genes on the traits. The GCA estimation indicated the Bt lines IUB-13, FH-901, and Koonj, along with the non-Bt testers Chandi-95 and CRIS-585, emerged as the most effective general combiners for the studied traits. The nine hybrids comprised parental genotypes with high × high, high × low, and low × low GCA effects for earliness, yield, and fiber quality traits.

Keywords: Cotton (G. hirsutum L.), Bt-cotton, line × tester, GCA, SCA, insect mortality, earliness, seed cotton yield and fiber traits

Key findings: Among inbred lines, such as IUB-13, FH-901, and Koonj, and testers Chandi-95 and CRIS-585, become most recognized effective general combiners in cotton (G. hirsutum L.). They should be favorable for use in hybridization programs to develop superior cotton hybrids.

The following study investigated the molecular identification of five species of pests that infect stored grains, held from January 2021 to December 2022 in the Misan Province, Southern Iraq. Infected stored grains’ samples came from the General Company for grain trading in its three branches, local and central markets, and homes. Results of the presented study showed five species of pests belonging to the order Coleoptera. These species are Tribolium castaneum, Trogoderma granarium, Rhyzopertha dominica, Callosobruchus maculatus, and Oryzaephilus mercator. Using the molecular technique of polymerase chain reaction helped confirm the morphological identification by employing the gene mtCOXI and identify the mutations present in the local species by comparing with the species found in the NCBI. Results of the genetic analysis revealed differences in the sequences of the nitrogenous bases of the gene mtCOXI between the local species and the species recorded in the NCBI. Likewise, variances appeared with the tree drawn between the studied species and the standard samples. The five species of pests also received accession numbers OR343196, OR343199, OR313198, OR343194, and OR343197, respectively, as recorded in the NCBI.

Keywords: mtCOXI, stored grain pests, molecular identification, NCBI, Misan Province, Iraq

Key findings: Polymerase chain reaction technology (PCR) is an excellent technique for diagnosing insect pests that affect stored grains. It can also be effective to confirm species identification when a phenotypic similarity occurs between two species, such that, it is difficult to distinguish between them.

The following study focused on the identification of the current ecological state of soil-landscape complexes and ecological assessment of the plants and animals’ needs for their protection and rational use in the Shirvan Region, Azerbaijan. For the first time, an ecological-energetic assessment of soil-landscape complexes occurred, with a detailed soil bonitet scale compiled, coefficients of their comparative values determined, and maps of soil ecological-energetic assessment assembled with ecological massifs. Agrochemical measures succeeded development for surface and radical improvement of landscape complexes. The environmental assessment maps with scientifically based set of measures aimed at protecting the landscape ecosystems for managing soil fertility and increase their productivity. The main prerequisites for the development of desertification in Azerbaijan with an area of 1.3 million hectares were their high susceptibility to anthropogenic loads (unsystematic grazing, extreme overloads, and plowing of pasture lands) and the natural fragility. Pasture plants also revealed insufficient supply of nutrients: digestible protein, phosphorus, carotene, and the indicated microelements, and the deficiency is around 24%–28%.

Keywords: Plants, nutrients, landscape complexes, ecological-energetic assessment, microelements, ecological assessment, ecological state

Key findings: The inaugural conduct of an ecological-energetic assessment of soil-landscape complexes compiled a detailed soil bonitet scale, determined the coefficients of their comparative values, and assembled soil ecological-energetic assessment maps by ecological massifs. For surface and radical improvement of landscape complexes, the study developed agrochemical measures.

Oil palm seedlings require both macro and micronutrients for their growth and development processes. The following study aimed to determine the effect of compost manure made of empty fruit bunches and NPK compound fertilizer (16:16:16) and their interaction on the growth characters of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings. The study proceeded in a complete randomized design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement. The first factor was the compost manure of empty fruit bunches (EFB) of oil palm with 100 g (EFB1), 150 g (EFB2), and 200 g (EFB3) per plant. The second factor was the NPK compound fertilizer (P) (16:16:16) with three levels at 40 g (P1), 60 g (P2), and 80 g (P3) per plant. The study results revealed the best EFB compost at a dose of 200 g per plant can increase the oil palm seedlings’ growth in the parameters of stem base diameter, the number of leaves, leaf area, and dry weight of seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer was a dose of 60–80 g per plant, which can increase plant height, stem base diameter, the number of leaves, and dry weight of seedlings. The combination of 200 g EFB compost per plant and 60 g NPK fertilizer per plant can enhance the growth of oil palm seedlings in the main nursery.

Keywords: Oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings, compost manure, NPK compound fertilizer, factors interaction, growth characters

Key findings: Results showed the EFB compost (200 g plant^-1) increased the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer with a dose of 60–80 g per plant enhanced the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The combination of EFB compost (200 g plant^-1) and NPK fertilizer (60 g plant^-1) considerably improved the oil palm seedlings’ growth.

The tembesu (Fagraea fragrans) has the highest ecological and economic values; however, its seedlings rarely exist in the field. The reason is the constraints of natural seed germination and an infrequent vegetative propagation of shoots. Therefore, artificial propagation efforts are essential, including through tissue culture propagation. The following study examined the use of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) for shoot proliferation from shoot tip and nodal explants and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for root induction from in vitro shoots of tembesu. The study comprised two stages—shoot multiplication and root induction. The stimulation of shoot multiplication consisted of five treatments, i.e., 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/L BAP. Root induction treatment used ½ MS media with the addition of IBA, consisting of four concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/L IBA). Results showed the BAP treatment considerably enhanced the percentage of shoot formation and the number of shoots. The highest number of shoots surfaced in explants treated with 1 mg/L BAP, with 32 and 35 shoots from shoot tip and nodal explants, respectively. The best root induction occurred from in vitro shoot explants of tembesu on ½ MS medium containing 1 mg/L IBA, with an observed 100% root percentage and 7.6 root numbers.

Keywords: BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine), IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), root induction, shoot tip and nodal explants, shoot proliferation, tembesu (F. fragrans)

Key findings: In tembesu (F. fragrans), shoot tips and nodal explants were explants with high shoot regeneration potential through 1 mg/L BAP treatment. The best root formation emerged using 1 mg/L IBA treatment in ½ MS media.

This study presents results from determining the effects of biostimulants on the natural weight loss and biochemical composition of apples (Malus domestica L.) during long-term storage. Foliar application with 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg contributed to a significant decrease in average weight loss in apple cultivar Sinap Orlovsky fruits during long-term storage compared with the control treatment and other options. In apple fruits, the TSS content enhanced in all variants after storage, i.e., control (8.6%), 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg (12.5%), and 3% WPU Antifreeze + 3% WP Drip Ca+Mg (7.9%). At the end of storage, a significant decrease resulted in the titrated acids in apple, viz., 53.1% in control and 52.1% and 57.5% in variants with foliar treatments (with 1% and 3% solutions, respectively). Largely, the sugar content increased by 16.7% at the end of apple storage with 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg. The studies revealed a notable influence of meteorological conditions on the accumulation of TSS, organic acids, sugar content, and ascorbic acid in the apple cultivar Sinap Orlovsky.

Keywords: Apple (M. domestica L.), cultivar Sinap Orlovsky, weight loss, biochemical composition, long storage

Key findings: The biostimulant showed the highest efficiency by using 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg in apple (M. domestica L.) cultivation technologies to improve and preserve the quality of apples during long-time storage.