Intercropping is a well-known agricultural practice that capitalizes on the use of available land resources for higher output. The ensuing study aimed to identify the influence of intercropping on soil properties in the kiwi orchard after three years of intercropping. For the said study, two kiwi-based intercropping experiments took place. In the first experiment, the intercropping treatments were wheat intercropping (WI), oat intercropping (OI), pak choi intercropping (PCI), and no intercropping (NI) at Mianzhu County, China. In the second experiment, the treatments were corn intercropping (CI), pumpkin intercropping (PI), soybean intercropping (SI), and no intercropping (NI) at Cangxi County, China. The soil analysis comprised soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), available N, and available P, with the samples collected from five depths (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm). The results revealed PI (191.30%) and CI (86.03%) significantly improved the available N; PI (32.69%) significantly enhanced the available P; OI (31.30%) considerably boosted the total N; and all the intercropping treatments improved the total P, except SI, which reduced the total P (24.62%). Therefore, the intercropping in fruit orchards has the potential to improve soil fertility and keep soil healthy for future generations.

Keywords: Soil profile, soil nutrients, soil health, intercropping, wheat, oat, pak choi, maize, soybean, pumpkin, young kiwi

Key findings: In the kiwi fruit orchard, the intercropping systems enhanced the available land resources. It was also helpful in improving soil nutrients and fertility.

The silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) belongs to an important category of insects that have succeeded in their domestication around 5,000 years ago and utilization by humans for their specific needs. The vital studies discovered artificial sex control, radiation-induced mutagenesis, reinterpretation of the heterosis, and genetic principles of the quantitative traits in the silkworm. In quality traits, the cocoon quality depends on the genotypes and their hybrids in the silkworm. Less development and use of high-productivity breeds and hybrids with better indicators of silk quality caused less boost in raw silk output, silk yield, and cocoon silkiness in the sericulture industry. For developing such types of breeds and hybrids, one must know how the various qualitative and quantitative traits reached inheritance through various gene actions in silkworms. The productivity characteristics of different sexes in such types of organisms vary, and mostly, one sex contributes to key economic traits. It follows from this that a comprehensive assessment of sex determination, as well as the expansion of its practical application in industrial sericulture, will contribute to improving economic efficiency in the future. This is the basis for increasing the scale of production in leading countries that develop silk production.

Keywords: Silkworm (B. mori L.), B. mаndarina, B. mori, sex-marking, eggs, lethal, mutation, larva, cocoon

Key findings: This review focused on various past studies conducted on the sex genetics in silkworms (B. mori L.), which transpired in leading sericulture countries, such as China, India, Japan, Korea, Bulgaria, and Uzbekistan. The present worldwide research data will serve as a key source and opportunity for advancing future research on silkworms.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) is an important local crop supporting Indonesia’s food diversification. This study assessed the morphological and genetic diversity of 103 accessions collected from nine districts across low, middle, and high elevations in South Sulawesi. Morphological evaluation employed 34 qualitative and 13 quantitative traits, while genetic variation analysis used 16 inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. Cluster and principal component analyses (PCA) revealed wide morphological variation, particularly in leaf and corm traits, but no clear grouping by elevation, suggesting a strong influence of environment and seed exchange practices. ISSR markers displayed high polymorphism (89%–100%), with the primer UBC856 showing the highest informativeness (PIC = 0.426). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated most genetic variation resided within populations (85% at the district level and up to 98% across altitudinal zones), whereas among-population variation was scarce. A molecular dendrogram and PCA supported the absence of distinct genetic structuring by elevation. Overall, the findings imply the shaping of taro diversity is more by vegetative propagation and socio-cultural seed exchange than geographic barriers. These results provide a valuable basis for germplasm conservation, breeding strategies, and the development of improved cultivars to enhance local food security.

Keywords: Taro (Colocasia esculenta L.), diversity, domestication, ISSR primers, morphological traits, vegetative propagation, geographic isolation

Key findings: Genetic variation-based morphological traits and ISSR markers emphasize the potential of local taro (C. esculenta L.) germplasm as a crucial genetic resource for breeding cultivars adaptable to diverse agroecological environments.

Dendrobium is a genus of orchids comprising more than 1,000 species, renowned for its aesthetic appeal and commercial value. Species identification can take place by observing morphological characterization to determine the relationship among the species. This study builds upon previous research by conducting a comprehensive morphological characterization of the Dendrobium collection at the Liwa Botanical Garden. The morphological characterization proceeded using 25 leaf and flower traits, followed by an analysis of character variations and species grouping using the principal component analysis (PCA) and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averaging (UPGMA). The eight Dendrobium leaf samples (D1 to D8) showed some similarities and differences in their morphological traits. PCA analysis divided the samples into two main groups; Group I has a contribution of 82.448%, while Group II has 12.505%. UPGMA analysis produced a dendrogram showing two main clusters, A and B, and subclusters based on the same morphological characters. Cluster A comprised D7, D8, D6, and D5, while cluster B consisted of D2, D4, D3, and D1. Morphological grouping enunciated the relationship among the studied Dendrobium samples, and the highest similarity index indicated close kinship. Dendrobium species with morphological characterization can aid as an effort to preserve orchid germplasm in the Liwa Botanical Garden.

Keywords: Dendrobium, kinship analysis, morphological characterization, PCA, UPGMA

Key findings: Identification based on morphological traits, such as leaves and flowers, allows an accurate differentiation among the species. Morphological characterization of Dendrobium species is essential for supporting the breeding program and conservation of orchid germplasm in the Liwa Botanical Garden.

Anthracnose can cause yield losses of red bird pepper up to 80%, emphasizing the importance of developing new disease-resistant chili varieties. This research aimed to evaluate the 20 C. frutescens genotypes, comprising 11 commercial cultivars and nine advanced breeding lines, for morpho-yield-related traits and anthracnose disease resistance. The experiment layout in a randomized complete block design had three replications. The considerable correlation was evident for fruit weight per plant (0.97), fruit weight plot^-1 (0.99), and fruit per plant (0.82). The number of fruit with symptoms showed a moderate correlation (0.54) to yield. The genotype Sona achieved the highest fruit yield (15.38 t ha^-1), followed by Ori (14.57 t ha^-1), Bonita (14.19 t ha^-1), and Feira (11.00 t ha^-1). Cultivars Ori and Hiyung exhibited a disease index below 20%, suggesting considerable resistance to anthracnose and sustained grouping in the same cluster, indicating a greater genetic potential as parent lines in breeding programs. Although cultivar Feira showed the maximum fruit yield, recorded with the most number of symptomatic fruits, it obtained a susceptible classification to anthracnose. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of red bird pepper cultivars with improved fruit yield and resistance to anthracnose.

Keywords: Red bird pepper (C. frutescens L.), cultivars, advanced lines, morphological traits, fruit yield, anthracnose disease, resistant and susceptible genotypes, cluster analysis

Key findings: Red bird pepper (C. frutescens L.) cultivars Ori and Hiyung revealed the highest fruit yield and were distinct as resistant to the anthracnose disease. In contrast, Feira acquired a susceptible classification to anthracnose despite its considerable yield.

The conveyed experiment sought to test the effect of a novel biostimulant Albit-BR, on the growth, fruit yield, and quality traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experiment took place in 2024 in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, VNIISSOK, Moscow Region, Russia. The field layout had a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of two factors replicated thrice. The first factor comprised four tomato cultivars (Malets, Revansh, Talisman, and Fonaric), while the second factor included seven different doses of the biostimulant Albit-BR (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 50 L/ha) in comparison with non-treated plants (control). The results revealed the biostimulant Albit-BR application with different levels on tomato cultivars has shown significantly better effects on the growth, fruit yield, and quality parameters. The cultivar Malets treated with Albit-BR (2.5 L/ha) produced the highest yield (96.76 t/ha). Furthermore, the same cultivar treated with the biostimulant at 5 L/ha showed the maximum values of bioactive compounds—lycopene (23.02 mg/100 g) and beta-carotene (4.24 mg/100 g). Thus, the current findings indicated that the aforementioned biostimulant at 2.5 to 5 L/ha are required to be applied on tomato plants to improve its production potential with reasonably better quality.

Keywords: Tomato, biostimulant, Albit-BR, growth traits, fruit yield, quality traits, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, lycopene

Key findings: The interaction of different tomato (S. lycopersicum L.) cultivars with various levels of the biostimulant Albit-BR enunciated significant differences for growth, fruit yield, and the majority of the studied quality parameters.

The following study aimed to investigate the macrozoobenthos species composition, depth distribution, and seasonal variations in the South Caspian Sea sector of Azerbaijan. During the study period of 2018 to 2019, the identified macrobenthic organisms totaled 56, representing 10 systematic groups in the Azerbaijan sector of the South Caspian Sea. The most recorded species resulted in spring and summer (48–56 species), while the lowest appeared in autumn (28 to 32 species). The average annual biomass of macrozoobenthos ranged from 166.36 to 192.10 g/m², with a density of 1,281 to 1,994 specimens/m². These organisms with peak development occurred in summer (201.29 to 239.75 g/m²), while the lowest manifested in autumn (134.17 to 138.9 g/m²). Mollusks play a primary and vital role in the formation of the benthos biomass, comprising 63.8% to 64.9% of the total biomass. Species diversity and abundance were the highest at the sea depth of 25–50 m, with a total biomass and density range from 210.96 to 259.91 g/m² and 1,774 to 1,913 specimens/m², respectively.

Keywords: Macrozoobenthos, species composition and distribution, biomass, density, quantity, sea depth, seasons, South Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan

Key findings: By investigating the macrozoobenthos species composition, depth distribution, and seasonal variability, the identified macrobenthic organisms totaled 56, with an average annual biomass and density in the South Caspian Sea sector of Azerbaijan.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is vital for global food security, and increasing its yield is a key goal in tropical breeding programs. A unique double-ear maize from Kadatua Island, Indonesia, produces two ears per plant—a promising trait for higher yield if properly developed. However, this germplasm has a low yield, and its phenology and inheritance pattern require further understanding. This study aimed to characterize its phenological development and key genetic parameters for breeding improvement. The recorded vegetative and reproductive growth stages used leaf collar and kernel development benchmarks, respectively. Genetic parameters, as calculated from progeny, utilized North Carolina Design-I. Results showed the vegetative stage was similar to that of commercial hybrids (4–58 days after planting), while the reproductive stage progressed more rapidly (58–83 days after planting). Genetic analysis revealed the dominance variance was greater than the additive variance (P: 0.00–0.05) for all traits, except plant height. Broad-sense heritability ranged from moderate to high (0.65–0.83), and narrow-sense heritability was low to moderate (0.01–0.37) for reproductive traits. Strong positive correlations occurred between ear weight, ear length, stem diameter, and grain yield. The study suggests hybrid breeding is a promising approach to improving yield in this double-ear maize.

Keywords: Double-ear maize (Z. mays L.), phenological development, genetic parameters, heritability, dominance variance, hybrid breeding

Key findings: The double-ear local maize cultivar exhibited vegetative growth duration comparable to commercial hybrids. Genetic analysis revealed the dominance variance and the high broad-sense heritability play a major role in the expression of reproductive traits. Hybrid breeding strategies hold considerable potential for improving yield in this locally adapted maize population.

Drought stress and pod shattering are critical constraints in soybean (Glycine max) cultivation. The independent breeding strategies have progressed for each trait, and their integration remains limited. The global bibliometric analysis of soybean improvement research from 1959 to 2025 focuses on drought tolerance and pod-shattering resistance. The analyzed Scopus-indexed articles using the Bibliometrix Biblioshiny R package and VOS-viewer totaled 914. The analysis comprised general information, top authors, core journals, affiliations, citation impact, conceptual framework, and research gaps. Results showed a significant increase in publications after 2010, driven by molecular tools (quantitative-trait loci [QTL] mapping, genome-wide association study [GWAS], and ribonucleic acid sequencing, or RNA-seq) and high-throughput phenotyping. China and the USA lead in productivity and collaboration, with Northeast Agricultural University and the University of Missouri as key institutions. Core journals include Crop Science and Frontiers in Plant Science, while J.E. Specht emerges as the most influential author. The analyses using conceptual and co-occurrence revealed that drought tolerance is central in soybean research, while pod shattering remains peripheral. This imbalance highlights a research gap and need for integrated, multi-trait studies. The study proposes a novel hypothesis linking both traits through ABA–auxin hormonal crosstalk, with the PDH1 (Pod Dehiscence1) gene identified as a potential regulatory hub. Integrating these traits is essential for developing climate-resilient soybean cultivars.

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, breeding strategies, conceptual structure map, drought stress, pod dehiscence, Scopus database

Key findings: The bibliometric analysis of 914 publications (1959–2025) revealed the research on soybean breeding for drought tolerance and pod-shattering resistance has significantly intensified since 2010, driven by advances in molecular tools and high-throughput phenotyping, with China and the USA emerging as leading contributors. Drought tolerance emerges as a dominant factor, while pod shattering remains comparatively underexplored.

The conducted experiments sought to create inbred alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) lines based on the study of self-fertility, autotripping, inbreeding depression, and the general combining ability of lines in inbreeding generations from the first to the seventh generation. The self-fertility trait showed manifestations in all samples with a high value of up to 100% during artificial flower opening. Given the level of “autotripping” is insignificant (up to 5%), it limited self-fertility in freely propagated populations. The efficiency of inbreeding was successful in their establishment up to the second and third generations, where the lines achieved the highest value of the general combining ability effect. The developed promising lines served as a genetic basis for the formation of high-yielding cultivars (Kokbalausa, Kokoray, Osimtal, Kokshalgyn, and Shabyt 80) with the optimum effect of intrapopulation heterosis.

Keywords: Alfalfa (M. sativa L.), heterosis, self-fertility, autotripping, inbred lines, intra-populations, general combining ability, synthetic cultivars

Key findings: In alfalfa (M. sativa L.), the inbred lines have succeeded in developing with their optimal level of inbreeding. For developing synthetic cultivars, the use of inbred lines continued through GCA and intrapopulation hybridization and heterosis. Five cultivars of alfalfa have reached formation and inclusion in the State Register of Cultivars Approved for Cultivation.