This study aimed to identify irrigation strategies that optimize water use while maintaining favorable growing conditions for apple production and providing a reliable agronomic background for varietal evaluation. Field experiments took place during 2016–2018 on mature Golden Delicious trees grafted on MM106 rootstock. Comparing four irrigation treatments included drip irrigation, sprinkling, combined drip–sprinkling irrigation (drip at air temperatures ≤25 °C and sprinkling at >25 °C), and surface furrow irrigation (control). During the experiments, the soil moisture maintenance in the root zone was within the optimal limit. The study recorded data on microclimatic parameters (air temperature and humidity), plant water-regime indicators (leaf water content, transpiration intensity, relative turgidity deficit), yield, fruit size, sugar content (°Brix), and irrigation water productivity. The highest apple fruit yield emerged in the combined irrigation (about 19.7 t ha⁻¹), followed by sprinkling and drip irrigation, while surface irrigation produced the lowest yield. Drip irrigation required the least water and resulted in the highest fruit sugar content, whereas surface irrigation showed the lowest water-use efficiency and fruit quality. Overall, combined irrigation proved the most effective method in hot, low-humidity environments, providing a balance between water savings, yield, and fruit quality.

Keywords: Irrigation methods, water productivity, apple fruit yield and quality, sugar content, microclimatic conditions, water regime of plants

Key findings: Combined drip-sprinkling irrigation most effectively mitigated heat and humidity stresses, resulting in the highest water productivity and fruit yield of the apple cultivar Golden Delicious under arid conditions. Drip irrigation minimized water use and produced fruits with the highest sugar content, while surface irrigation was the least efficient.

The tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) is a newly developed crop, gaining popularity as a tasty fruit with numerous medicinal properties in Vietnam. For tomatillo long-term cultivation, this study aimed to determine the effects of fertilizer combinations, plant spacing, and pruning on growth, yield, and fruit quality traits of tomatillo grown in An Giang Province, Vietnam. The results revealed the optimal fertilizer formula for promoting plant growth and development and quality traits of tomatillos, including the mineral-organic fertilizer ‘Dau Trau HCMK4,’ NPK (16-16-8+TE), and urea. The plant spacing of 70 cm × 60 cm helped increase stem diameter, leaf length and width, and fruit quality; however, it reduced plant height. Although plant pruning improved fruit diameter and size, it did not significantly affect the growth and yield-related traits. These data will aid in designing experiments and selecting appropriate cultivation methods for tomatillo to achieve higher and better-quality yields.

Keywords: Tomatillo (P. philadelphica), fertilizer combinations, plant spacing, pruning, growth and development, fruit yield and quality

Key findings: In cultivating tomatillo (P. philadelphica), the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers considerably enhanced plant growth and development and fruit yield with better quality. Additionally, proper plant spacing and pruning also showed positive effects on plant growth and fruit yield.

Brassica juncea L. is one of the major oilseed crops in Pakistan and globally, with productivity sensitive to environmental variation. Forty-five B. juncea genotypes, evaluated across four locations over two years in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, used a randomized complete block design with two replications. Significant (p ≤ 0.01) genotype and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) differences for seed yield and oil content led to genotype plus genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analysis to identify high-performing and stable genotypes across test environments. The GGE biplot view for mean vs. stability identified AUP-618, AUP-619, and AUP-623 for seed yield and AUP-625, AUP-626, and AUP-653 for oil content as high-yielding and stable genotypes. The polygon view revealed two mega-environments per trait, indicating crossover GEI. For seed yield, Peshawar and Mardan (2017-18) formed one possible mega-environment with AUP-600 and AUP-619 as winning genotypes, while Kohat (2016–17) and Bannu (2017–18) constituted the second with AUP-645. For oil content, Peshawar and Bannu comprised one potential mega-environment with AUP-645, whereas Mardan created the second with AUP-632. Furthermore, Mardan (2016–17) for seed yield and Peshawar (2017–18) for oil content emerged as the tentative ideal environments. GGE biplot analysis effectively identified high-yielding and relatively stable B. juncea genotypes for diverse Khyber Pakhtunkhwa environments.

Keywords: B. juncea, genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI), stability analysis, GGE biplot, seed yield, oil content

Key findings: The B. juncea genotypes AUP-618, AUP-619, and AUP-623 for seed yield and AUP-625, AUP-626, and AUP-653 for oil content succeeded in their identification as high-yielding and relatively stable genotypes. Two possible mega-environments, detected for both traits, indicated crossover GEI, with Mardan (2016–17) and Peshawar (2017–18) identified as the ideal environments for seed yield and oil content, respectively.

The succeeding study aimed to evaluate the influence of vanadium salt-based treatments on sugar accumulation, technological quality, and storability of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) roots under the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Field and storage experiments proceeded during 2022–2024, and the study included four different treatments of vanadium, i.e., control (no vanadium), low-dose foliar vanadium (0.25 L ha⁻¹, 50 g V L⁻¹), medium dose (0.5 L ha⁻¹), and high dose (1.0 L ha⁻¹). The vanadium application took place at the 6–8 leaf stage, and repeated treatment ensued before canopy closure. Roots harvested at full maturity sustained storage in field clamps for 120 days. The results showed sucrose concentration at harvest increased by 0.8%–1.5% in low and medium doses compared with the control (17.2% vs. 16.4%), while the higher vanadium dose caused a slight depression (16.0%). Storability showed a significant improvement, with losses of root mass and sucrose during 120 days of storage reduced from 14.5% (control) to 11.0% (medium dose). The excessive dose of vanadium caused a reduction in technological quality and increased root respiration rate. The results suggested that vanadium at optimal rates can enhance the sucrose yield and storability of sugar beet, although overdosing is detrimental.

Keywords: Sugar beet (B. vulgaris L.), vanadium salt, root mass, sucrose content, storability, Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Key findings: The vanadium salt-based low dose (0.25 L ha⁻¹) significantly increased sugar beet (B. vulgaris L.) root yield and sucrose content compared with the control. Vanadium also improved storability and reduced sugar losses during postharvest storage.

The succeeding study comprised a comparative analysis of three-year research (2020–2022) on the fauna and ecological distribution of orthopteroid insects (Orthoptera, Mantodea, and Dermaptera) in the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, Central Kazakhstan. Field surveys proceeded at 23 monitoring sites representing major habitat types, including wetlands, coastal zones, steppe, wormwood-grass communities, solonchaks, and stony biotopes. Overall, the recorded species totaled 46 belonging to eight taxonomic groups. The highest species richness resulted in the locust family Acrididae (25 species) and the bush-cricket family Tettigoniidae (12 species). Species distribution and abundance displayed considerable association with vegetation structure, moisture conditions, and the degree of anthropogenic impacts. In some habitats, population density reached up to 300 individuals per hour. The most widespread and dominant species were Chorthippus karelini, Euchorthippus pulvinatus, Chorthippus biguttulus, and Eremippus comatus, while the species Myrmeleotettix pallidus and Omocestus petraeus were dominating locally. An increase in the population of the potentially harmful species (Calliptamus italicus, Locusta migratoria, and Oedaleus decorus) also emerged. However, the documentation of several species occurred for the first time in the Korgalzhyn Reserve, including Roeseliana roeselii, Phaneroptera falcata, and Conocephalus dorsalis.

Keywords: Orthopteroid insects (Orthoptera, Dermaptera, Mantodea), Korgalzhyn reserve, ecological distribution, biodiversity, population, steppe stations, fauna of Kazakhstan

Key findings: With three years of study, identifying 46 species of orthopteroid insects succeeded in the Korgalzhyn Reserve, demonstrating the highest biodiversity across steppe and wetland habitats. Dominant species, such as Chorthippus karelini and Euchorthippus pulvinatus, revealed considerable adaptability to variations in vegetation structure and moisture conditions.

A biochemical analysis sought to determine the bioactive components in two determinate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars, viz., red-fruited cultivar Yamal and orange-fruited cultivar Utenok. For comparative analysis, both cultivars reached growth under two different growing conditions (organic and conventional farming systems) in the same agroclimatic zone. Organically grown tomato cultivars exhibited the highest values of soluble solids (SS), antioxidant activity, and total phenolic compounds. A considerable positive correlation was evident between the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 64 different compounds succeeded in their identification in the methanol extract, including 24 organic acids, two phenolic compounds, 15 carbohydrates, five amino acids, 13 sugar alcohols, and five other compounds. Concentrations of 35 identified compounds were higher in organically grown tomatoes. The organically grown tomato cultivar Utenok showed the highest carbohydrate content (52.52%). A considerable positive correlation emerged between the soluble solids and carbohydrates. The results authenticated the significant influence of both cultivars and growing conditions on the fruit’s biochemical composition and revealed organically grown tomatoes possess improved nutritional values. The distinct responses of the Utenok and Yamal varieties regarding carbohydrate accumulation confirm that biochemical composition is contingent on both genotypic factors and environmental conditions.

Keywords: Tomato (S. lycopersicum L.), cultivars, оrganic and conventional cultivation, biochemical parameters, DPPH method, primary and secondary metabolites

Key findings: Organically grown tomatoes (S. lycopersicum L.) exhibited the highest concentrations of soluble solids, antioxidants, total carbohydrates, fructose monosaccharides, and secondary metabolites (quininic, glutaric, and caffeic acids) compared to conventional tomatoes.

Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) is a promising crop because of its maximum nutritional values and ability to adapt to different soil and environmental conditions. Since amaranth has small seeds, it is crucial to sow the seeds at the optimal soil depth to ensure uniform germination and healthy seedlings, which eventually influence crop productivity. In this study, the sowing of amaranth cultivar Krepysh seeds with different sizes and specific gravity occurred in quartz sand at various depths (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm). Examining the relationship between sowing depth and initial growth intensity of amaranth seedlings was the goal of this research. The results showed a decline in the number of viable and healthy seedlings as sowing depth increased. Additionally, heavy seeds sown at 1–2 cm depth demonstrated relatively high emergence rates. Conversely, the optimal sowing depth appeared to be 2–3 cm for medium and light seed fractions. Sowing at less than 2 cm depth resulted in insufficient moisture in the upper soil layer, while seeds sown deeper than 4 cm led to a delayed and non-uniform germination and healthy seedling. The study concludes a sowing depth of 2–3 cm emerged as the most suitable for amaranth, as it improves seed germination and helps prevent drought stress.

Keywords: Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. cultivar Krepysh, friendliness and simultaneity of seedlings, sowing depth, seedling viability

Key findings: The optimal sowing depth for Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. cultivar Krepysh varied by seed fraction—heavy seeds perform best at 1–2 cm, while medium and light seeds do better at 2–3 cm. Sowing deeper than 4 cm notably delays emergence and diminishes seedling vigor across all seed types.

The innovative study comprised a comparative evaluation of phenotypic and anatomic characters of anthers in 14 citrus taxa grown in Iraq. The results revealed the classification of citrus anthers into three groups based on the apex shape—round in five taxa, round-flattened apex in three taxa, and acute apex in six taxa. The epidermis surface patterns also exhibited four groups—reticulated surface, pitted, smooth, and slightly disassembled. The tapetum was evident in three forms, viz., densely folded, folded orbicules, and almost unfolded. The anatomical study disclosed that the cross-section shape of the anther was like a butterfly in all taxa. The anther wall of the studied citrus taxa consisted of four distinct cell layers. The endothecium cells of the studied citrus taxa had the characteristic of semi-circular outline thickenings with needle-shaped crystals appearing in the anther tissue in some taxa. The stamen filament was irregular in the citrus taxa, comprising an epidermis with cuticle, followed by the cortex with raphides crystals, with the vascular bundle located in the center. The results confirmed that the citrus anther micromorphology and anatomy represent effective tools in supporting taxonomy and breeding by facilitating the differentiation of taxa and improving the understanding of relationships within Citrus.

Keywords: Citrus taxa, citrus anther, Iraqi citrus, anther anatomy, SEM

Key findings: Classification tools vary to differentiate taxonomic taxa down to the smallest structure; therefore, the anther’s adoption morphologically and anatomically served as one of the distinguishing marks between citrus taxa, and with hybridization, their characterization resulted in a high degree of convergence and similarity.

Currently, significant attention centers on cultivating rare fruit crops with unique properties worldwide. The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is also popular for its abundant and stable yield. Industrial plantation of cultivated cornelian cherry remains limited globally, which restricts the ability to meet the growing demands of this valuable fruit. Therefore, studying the morphological and biochemical composition of its cultivated cultivars can be an important research task. The following research analyzes the morphological and biochemical traits of fruits of five cornelian cherry cultivars grown in the Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan, as well as the content of photosynthetic pigments in their leaves. The study recorded the cornelian cherry fruit mass up to 2.88 g, length (22.47 mm), and width (13.80 mm). In cornelian cherry fruits, the dry matter content reached 20.2%, pH is 3.18, and sugar level is 10.88%. Leaf chlorophyll content ranged from 8.55 to 9.34 mg/kg. The study also identified D. destructiva as the primary fungal pathogen affecting cornelian cherry under the growing conditions of Uzbekistan. Infection by D. destructiva resulted in losses of dry matter (6.27%), sugars (7.18%), macroelements (34.37–755.78 mg/kg), microelements (0.05–3.22 mg/kg), and reduction in chlorophyll a and b (0.9–1.4 and 1.0–1.81 mg/g, respectively).

Keywords: Cornelian cherry (C. mas L.), morphological traits, biochemical analysis, macro- and microelements, chlorophylls (Chl-a and Chl-b), D. destructiva

Key findings: The morphological and biochemical traits and chlorophyll content determination were successful in the cornelian cherry (C. mas L.). The results revealed that anthracnose disease caused by D. destructiva leads to a considerable reduction in biochemical traits of fruits and leaf pigments.

Waterlogging represents one of the most destructive abiotic stresses, preventing global crop production, including tobacco (Nicotiana spp.), which experiences yield reductions reaching 83% under extended flooding conditions. This systematic review aimed to determine the tobacco-specific synthesis that combines metabolomic data from different genotypes with an assessment of proposed metabolic markers and identification of important research areas that require addressing in future investigations. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 18 peer-reviewed articles, which researchers selected from 571 records that the Scopus and Web of Science databases identified during the period from 2018 to 2024. The compiled evidence shows how waterlogging triggers tobacco plants to make controlled metabolic changes, affecting their antioxidant defense systems, anaerobic energy production, nitrogen-containing compound synthesis, and cellular communication pathways. Tolerant genotypes consistently exhibited enhanced antioxidant and fermentation enzyme activities and greater energy reserve retention than susceptible genotypes. Identifying enzymatic activities, energy-related metabolites, and Ca²⁺ ions was recurrent as candidate metabolic indicators.

Keywords: Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.), waterlogging, inundation stress, plant defense systems, metabolite profile, antioxidant enzymes, metabolic indicators

Key findings: According to the literature review, tolerant tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) genotypes maintained elevated levels of antioxidant and fermentation enzymes, higher energy reserves and ATP levels, and increased Ca²⁺ ion concentrations. These collectively serve as promising metabolic indicators for developing waterlogging-tolerant cultivars through breeding programs.