Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) contains chemical compounds useful for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and culinary industries and controls the growth of several bacteria and fungi species. Combining in vitro propagation with induced mutation by gamma-ray irradiation can increase the speed of the breeding process to get new varieties with a diverse morphology and high metabolite contents. This study aimed to evaluate radiosensitivity by determining the lethal dose of 50% (LD50) of lavender on in vitro node explants by gamma-ray irradiation and assessing the genetic diversity of lavender putative mutants through morphological observations at MV2 and MV3 generations. Results of the experiment showed the LD50 of lavender was at a dose of 26.1 Gray (Gy). The higher the dose of gamma irradiation, the fewer irradiated shoots survive. Furthermore, a variability of quantitative and qualitative characters in the MV2 and MV3 generation putative mutants occurred. The greatest variability in quantitative characters resulted in putative mutants from 20 Gy. The variability of quantitative features revealed high heritability values for all variables (≥0.5). Ten putative mutants, obtained through induction of gamma-ray mutation, exhibited a change in the leaf color (white or yellow variegation) at MV2 and MV3 generations.

Keywords: Lavender (L. angustifolia), heritability, lethal dose, putative mutants, qualitative characters, quantitative characters

Key findings: In lavender (L. angustifolia), 10 putative mutants characterized by morphological color changes in stem and leaf color emerged through gamma-ray mutation induction. This research shows these putative mutants exhibit improved quantitative characteristics compared to the control. Moreover, putative mutants from 20 Gy gamma irradiation have a high variability and biomass versus the control, and 40 Gy gamma irradiation is the potential material for further evaluation of their biochemical compound.

Tamarix L. (Tamaricaceae) is a taxonomically challenging genus. Six Iraqi species of Tamarix include T. amplexicaulis L., T. aphylla L. Karst., T. arceuthoides Bunge, T. gracilis L., T. mascatensis Bunge, and T. ramosissima Ledeb, which incurred evaluation for genomic diversity and taxonomic identities. The following study presents an analysis of the taxa from all previously described Tamarix species using nuclear and plastid DNA markers on fresh samples of Tamarix species. DNA genomic isolation proceeded by the ABIO pure extraction protocol. This study amplified one specific PCR fragment partially covering transposable pBS ISS to assess the pattern of genetic polymorphism in Tamarix species. Building a specific tree assessed the accurate genotyping of the observed variants and their phylogenetic distribution. Researchers focused on GenBank-searched sequences as DNA barcodes for a meta-analysis. Rectangular and circular cladograms explored displayed the different representations of integrated Tamarix sequences. The presented investigations revealed many interesting facts. This study pursued sequencing to reconstruct the phylogeny by integrating the sequencing results with robust evidence for the species classification and developing molecular markers based on ISS analysis of Tamarix conducted in Iraq.

Keywords: DNA barcodes, DNA sequences, phylogenetic analysis, ISS analysis, Tamarix, species, taxonomy

Key findings: According to ISS, the Iraqi Tamarix species’ isolation occurred by matching with GenBank-searched sequences as DNA barcodes for a meta-analysis. The highlighted details of their sequences had the total length of the amplified amplicons determined. These results were greatly analogous to earlier observations based on the phylogenetic analyses that supported the accurate placement of these isolates within their respective clades and correcting past phylogenetic findings on the relationships among Iraqi Tamarix species.

Maman is one of the food plants growing in Riau Province, Indonesia. It has the names joruk maman and African cabbage, typically eaten as a fermented vegetable. Its verification as Cleome gynandra L. synonym Gynandropsis gynandra by the matK and trnL-trnL-trnF intergenic spacer (IGS) used the DNA barcode sequences. The latest research aimed at molecular authentication of maman based on rbcL and ITS sequences and the evaluation of locus combinations (rbcL+ITS and rbcL+ITS+matK+trnL-trnL-trnF IGS). The DNA extraction utilized a modified CTAB method and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA11. The rbcL and ITS sequences were 839 and 672 bp in length, respectively. The results revealed the maman plant from Riau was distinct as C. gynandra / G. gynandra based on single- and multi-locus analyses. The results suggested a unique nucleotide was evident in the rbcL sequence in the maman from Riau. All the single and multilocus can be applicable as DNA barcodes for C. gynandra and G. gynandra.

Keywords: Maman plant from Riau, Cleome gynandra, Gynandropsis gynandra, ITS, rbcL, DNA barcode, phylogenetic analysis

Key findings: DNA barcoding is a useful technique for molecular verification in crop plants. The presented results could prove vital for researchers in recognizing maman plants (C. gynandra and G. gynandra) from Riau in the future.

Twenty-one crosses and seven parental lines’ assessment and their F_1s and F_2s used for enhanced grain yield under water stress imposed at the tillering stage was this study’s major focus. The research layout had a randomized complete block design with three replications. The traits in focus in this study were productive tillers plant^-1, spike length, the number of grains spike^-1, seed index (weight of 1000 grains in g), and grain yield plant^-1. Results revealed that genotypes were highly significant for all the studied traits in both generations, whereas treatments and their interaction were highly significant in the F₂ generation. The recorded higher mean values for all assessed traits occurred in non-stressed environments under both generations. As for the heterosis in grain yield plant^-1, the cross Bhittai x Inqilab showed the highest mid-parent heterosis, while NIA-Sunder x Khirman displayed much better parent heterosis, with the minimum reduction % produced by the TD-1 x Inqilab. For the inbreeding depression, NIA-Sunder and Khirman exhibited it. The F₂ generation produced a higher grain yield plant^-1. Such hybrids should serve for hybrid crop development in wheat.

Keywords: Heterosis, inbreeding depression, water stress, wheat genotypes, yield traits

Key findings: The varieties TD-1, Marvi-2000, and NIA-Sunder showed better performances, and the crosses, such as Bhittai x TD-1, Inqilab x Khirman, Bhittai x Marvi-2000, Bhittai x Khirman, NIA-Sarang x NIA-Sunder, and Bhittai x TD-1, displayed high heterosis and low inbreeding depression; thus, they should be effective to use for higher yield in wheat.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), being rich in protein, starch, and bioactive compounds, has become more recognized as a nutritious and healthy food crop. Mining germplasm resources with higher contents of nutritional factors will further improve their efficient use. In the present study, assessing the crude protein, total starch, total polyphenol and flavonoid, and vitexin/isovitexin contents occurred in 400 accessions of mung bean core collection. The results showed that overall, the crude protein content ranged from 21.26% to 31.14% with an average of 25.91%, whereas the total starch content ranged from 34.24% to 59.82% with an average of 40.19%. The total polyphenol content (2.07–5.89 mg/g) was higher than the total flavonoid content (1.13–2.76 mg/g), observing a positive correlation between these two factors. A significant positive correlation also emerged between the contents of vitexin (0.18–2.28 mg/g) and isovitexin (0.15–1.97 mg/g). Similarly, the results also specified that the wild germplasm had higher levels of nutritional components, except for starch. This study will lay a foundation for enhancing the utilization of mung bean resources in developing new varieties with high contents of bioactive compounds.

Keywords: Mung bean (V. radiata L.), crude protein, total starch, total polyphenol and flavonoid, vitexin and isovitexin

Key findings: The study showed higher variations for vitexin/isovitexin and flavonoid contents in mung bean (V. radiata L.) genetic resources. The contents of crude protein, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, vitexin, and isovitexin were notable at higher rates in the wild germplasm than breeding cultivars, with no obvious relationships among the contents of nutritional components, except for vitexin and isovitexin.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a primary food crop globally, susceptible to environmental fluctuations, particularly the heat stress. With climate change and its increasing threats, wheat’s response evaluation to the elevated temperatures during early growth stages is crucial for securing the crop and its yield. The presented study sought to assess the heat tolerance in 15 common wheat cultivars at the seedling stage under controlled conditions. Growing wheat cultivars ensued at the optimal (25 °C) and heat-stressed (35 °C) conditions. After seven days of growth, the seedling height, root length, and root number’s measurement underwent assessment for heat stress effects. The quantification of the degree of plants damaged used the Damage Index (DI), with heat tolerance evaluated using the Heat Tolerance Index (HTI). The results showed significant variations among the wheat cultivars for heat tolerance, and the two cultivars, Tuyatish and Nodir, displayed minimal growth reduction under the highest temperature, achieving maximum HTI values (98.3% and 89.6%, respectively). The cultivar FAWWON-IRR-D-77 exhibited a substantial damage and low tolerance under high-temperature stress. This study provides essential insights into heat tolerance mechanisms in wheat, forming a foundation for future breeding and molecular studies aimed at improving heat resilience in crops.

Keywords: Common wheat (T. aestivum L.), heat stress, seedling stage, early growth stage, heat tolerance, damage index, heat tolerance index

Key findings: This study identified significant variability among the common wheat (T. aestivum L.) genotypes for heat tolerance at the seedling stage. Cultivars Tuyatish and Nodir demonstrated the highest heat tolerance with minimal damage. The line FAWWON-IRR-D-77 exhibited substantial damage and low tolerance to high-temperature stress.

Combining mutation and anther culture technology could accelerate the rice breeding program. This research evaluated the agronomic performance of doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from anther culture of Inpari 42 GSR Agritan mutant in advanced yield trials. The research was conducted in Bogor and Indramayu, Indonesia from December 2023 to April 2024. The material used was 18 DH lines and two check varieties (Inpari 42 GSR Agritan and Inpari 45 Agritan). The experiment used a randomized complete block design with three replications and the rice genotype as a factor. The result indicated a variation in agronomic characters, yield components, and productivity of the DH rice lines. The interaction of genotype by location was notable in the vegetative plant height, the number of vegetative tillers, the percentage of filled and empty grains, the weight of 1000 grains, and productivity. Highly significant and positive correlations to productivity were evident in total grain, percentage of filled grains, the number of filled grains, grain filling period, and days of harvesting. Selection used the index selection method based on productivity, percentage of filled grains, total grains, and days of harvesting, which indicated the 12 DH lines need further evaluation in multi-location trials for their potential yield and stability.

Keywords: anther culture, correlation, green super rice, mutation, selection index, yield

Key findings: The combined mutation and anther culture technology, followed by the index selection method, can accelerate in obtaining advanced rice lines with good agronomic and productivity characteristics.

Brassica napus is an important oilseed crop, commonly grown worldwide for multiple purposes. A planned multi-locational experiment evaluated the morphophysiological and biochemical attributes of 80 Brassica napus genotypes. Data on various yield and oil-related parameters were evaluated for genetic variability, correlation (r), and broad-sense heritability (h²BS). The analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant variations among the genotypes for all studied traits. Plant height showed a positive correlation with erucic acid (0.290) and glucosinolate (0.264), while secondary branches revealed a positive association with seed yield (2.90). Principal component analysis indicated the first five principal components (PCs) contributed up to 73% of total variation, with the first PC representing the highest percentage of variation. The biplot suggests the genotypes Faisal canola, Diamond canola, AS-333, and HMU-1621B can be beneficial in breeding programs to develop new accessions with improved seed yield and oil-related attributes of Brassica.

Keywords: Biplot, genetic diversity, heritability, oil contents, PCA

Key findings: Eighty accessions, screened for yield and related traits, indicated the genotypes Faisal canola, Diamond canola, AS-333, and HMU-1621B exhibited the highest yield and fatty acid content.

Yield losses from stem borer (Lophobaris piperis Marsh) attacks have reached up to 72%. Currently, information on the preference and intensity of stem borer attacks on the black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is limited. This study represents the first effort to develop stem borer-resistant black pepper cultivars through inter-varietal hybridization. An assessment of stem borer preferences among 29 F1 hybrids and their five parental cultivars commenced under laboratory conditions. The F1 hybrids displayed a range of resistance levels, resulting from crosses between highly preferred and less preferred black pepper varieties. Among the 29 F1 hybrids, three were highly resistant, 12 were resistant, 10 were moderately resistant, two were moderately susceptible, one was susceptible, and one was highly susceptible. These findings provide a promising material for developing resistant black pepper cultivars that support integrated pest management strategies and promote environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), stem borer (Lophobaris piperis), damage intensity, inter-varietal hybridization, preference, resistance, susceptible

Key findings: The F1 hybrids production with various resistant categories came through hybridization among the preferred and less preferred black peppers (P. nigrum L.) cultivars. Three and 12 F1 hybrids attained categories as highly resistant and resistant, respectively, which can undergo studies for developing resistant cultivars in black pepper.

The following study sought to determine yield stability and quality traits in the vegetative generation of highly productive protoclones chosen through clonal selection in promising grape (V. vinifera L.) genotypes. In determining the degree of variability for various quantitative and qualitative traits, growing the selected protoclones of grapevines occurred under various environmental conditions. The newly identified clonal forms proved genetically more stable and homogeneous than their parental genotypes for phenotypic traits, and the degree of variability in their vegetative populations was much lower. The results further enunciated the relative stability of yield and quality parameters of highly productive clones, showing chief association with the clonal breeding.

Keywords: Grape (V. vinifera L.), promising populations, genetic variability, stability, yield and quality traits, quantitative and qualitative variables

Key findings: The newly identified clonal forms of the grape (V. vinifera L.) appeared genetically more stable and homogeneous than their parental genotypes for phenotypic traits. The degree of variability in their vegetative population was much lower, and the clonal selection was successful.