This study explored the impact of sodium azide (NaN3) treatment on red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) ‘Jahira-2,’ a variety known for high yield but low 6-gingerol content. NaN3 application sought to increase genetic variability, tested at four concentrations (0, 100, 300, and 500 mg l^-1) on rhizomes, before growing in polybags. After initial treatment and harvest, replanting the M1V1 rhizomes continued to produce the second generation (M1V2). Six months after planting proceeded to morphological and rhizome characteristics’ assessment, with the 6-gingerol content measured nine months after planting using a TLC (thin-layer chromatography) scanner. Genetic analysis using RAPD with 10 primers confirmed variations among mutants, with the NaN3 treatment enhancing 6-gingerol content. A significant correlation occurred between rhizome yield and morphological traits. The principal component analysis identified 11 components, with four (eigenvalue >1) accounting for 82.83% of the total variability. Heatmap analysis clustered nine mutants, revealing distinct genetic variations. Phylogenetic analysis grouped M1V2 mutants into three clusters with a 0.62 similarity coefficient, indicating enhanced genetic diversity. These findings underscore the potential of NaN3 treatment in breeding programs to enhance red ginger’s genetic diversity and phytochemical profile.

Keywords: Cluster analysis, genetic variability, M1V2 generation, morphological traits, NaN3, red ginger (Z. officinale var. rubrum), rhizome yield, 6-gingerol content

Key findings: The NaN3 treatment increased the 6-gingerol content in the red ginger (Z. officinale var. rubrum) mutants.

The salinity tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes underwent scrutiny in saline and nonsaline conditions, as this study’s aim. In the first experiment, 20 genotypes cultivated in pots sustained screening for salt tolerance. The second experiment involved a field study conducted on 10 selected genotypes planted under non-saline (Ismailia) and saline (El-Arish) soil conditions for two crop seasons (2022–2023 and 2023–2024). The results revealed a substantial variation among the genotypes under both salt stress conditions. Despite a considerable reduction in growth, yield, and biochemical traits in the saline condition, the chickpea genotypes Azad, Giza-1, FLIP-03-27C, and ICCV-10306 exhibited tolerance and demonstrated superior performance in most growth, yield, and biochemical traits. Genetic measures for seed weight, branch, filled pods, and total pod count demonstrated the highest phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) under both environments. The genetic gain demonstrated significance for relative water content, chlorophyll content, plant height, pod count, whole pod count, and seed weight under both environments. The heritability of most traits suggested that additive genetic action was significant in their determination, indicating the selection based on these traits could be helpful in breeding programs to improve the chickpea yield.

Keywords: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), genotypes, salinity tolerance, genetic parameters, ISSR analysis, GCV and PCV, heritability, growth, and yield traits

Key findings: In screening of 20 chickpeas (C. arietinum L.) genotypes, Azad, Giza-1, FLIP-03-27C, and ICCV-10306 appeared as the most resilient to salinity. The results indicated substantial genetic diversity in genotypes, heritability, and genetic gain for key traits, suggesting potential improvement in chickpea under saline environments.

Iron (Fe) deficiency remains a major problem of nutrient disorder worldwide. Increasing genetic variability is crucial for breeding efforts to enhance Fe content in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains. The presented study sought to identify genetic variability of Indonesian rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes based on agronomic traits and grain Fe content, consisting of local varieties from Aceh (12), Riau (19), and Java (5). Likewise, other samples were two improved lines and two released biofortified varieties as checks. The study materialized in Central Java, Indonesia during the dry season of 2023, using a randomized complete block design with two replications. The Fe content measurement in brown rice samples used the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) method in the laboratory of the BRIN, Jakarta, Indonesia. The results indicated the tested genotypes had wide genetic variability. The Fe content revealed low heritability, and the other traits had medium to high heritability. The group of Java local variety had a higher Fe content than the other groups. The discovery of genotypes with high grain Fe content and acceptable yield performance emerged from this study, suggesting the prospect of their utilization in future rice biofortification efforts.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), agronomic traits, biofortification, Fe, genetic variability

Key findings: Rice (O. sativa L.) genotype Menor and Padi Malang-2 had the combination of high Fe content, shorter growth duration, and high yield. These genotypes were prospective for further utilization in future biofortification efforts.

The banana cultivar ‘Haji’ (Musa x paradisiaca L.) is native to the Lombok Island, Indonesia. The said cultivar has an excellent feature of lengthy shelf life and the potential to significantly improve the banana through breeding. However, cultivar ‘Haji’ has various local names and morphological variations, and therefore, its characterization by molecular markers is necessary to confirm the observed genetic variations. The presented study comprised the examination of the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2)’s capability as a marker to identify the banana cultivar ‘Haji.’ Genetic divergence analysis using ITS2 sequences revealed the banana cultivar Haji’s 10 accessions were closely related, with a divergence coefficient of 0.000 to 0.023. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS2 sequence showed all the banana accessions were in the same clade, separating from the out-group accession. The results authenticated all 10 banana accessions with different local names and morphological characters belonged to the cultivar ‘Haji’ (Musa x paradisiaca L.). These findings are vital in developing ITS2 as a DNA barcode for the banana cultivar ‘Haji’ (Musa x paradisiaca L.).

Keywords: Banana cultivar ‘Haji,’ DNA barcode, genetic divergence, ITS2, molecular marker, morphological characters, phylogenetic analysis, shelf life

Key findings: The size of the ITS2 sequence of the banana cultivar ‘Haji’ (Musa x paradisiaca L.) accessions was 220 bp, with a 10 bp base difference. The genetic divergence of the cultivar ‘Haji’ accessions based on ITS2 ranged from 0.000 to 0.023, indicating a close kinship. Phylogenetic tree construction showed the banana cultivar ‘Haji’ accessions belonged in the same clade and were far from the out-group accession.

Breeding maize (Zea mays L.) for stable production and adaptability poses a significant challenge because of the vital role of genotype and environment interactions. The presented study aimed to elucidate the maize hybrids’ response, estimating the genetic parameters and trait associations, to identify the stable hybrids under optimum and suboptimum conditions. The conducted experiment used an augmented randomized complete block design, where check varieties had three replications across three blocks. The combined analysis of variance revealed that genotype-by-environment interactions significantly affected the grain yield and most of the traits. The average grain yield under the suboptimum environment was lower than the optimum environment. Genetic variability belonged to the high category, whereas the heritability was in the range of moderate to high for most traits. Grain yield appeared notably correlated with plant and ear height, stay green, kernels per row, and anthesis-silking interval. The maize hybrids G02, G06, G07, G08, G09, and G10 emerged as stable based on stability statistics, while hybrids G06, G08, G09, and G10 were also considered stable based on the GGE analysis. The identified genetic variability, trait association, and stable maize hybrids could be beneficial in future maize breeding programs for further improvement in grain yield.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), optimum and suboptimum abiotic conditions, G × E interactions, hybrids’ response, genetic variability, traits association, yield-related traits

Key findings: Information on genotype by environment interaction effects, heritability, and trait association may be useful for selecting promising maize (Z. mays L.) hybrids. Six maize hybrids were identified as stable hybrids based on parametric and non-parametric stability.

Heterosis and combining ability are reputable fundamental breeding tools in assessing the performance of hybrids and the extent of the parents’ combining ability. In the present study, evaluating 11 yield-attributing traits of 15 hybrids of the field mustard (Brassica rapa L.) helped estimate the magnitude and direction of combining ability and heterotic effects. The hybrids evolved from six diverse parents following a half-diallel mating scheme at the research farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. The GCA effects showed that parents BARI-12, BARI-17, and BINA-10 for early maturity and plant height, while the parents BARI-6, BARI-14, and Maghi can be favorable as potential parents for yield-attributing traits. The hybrids BARI-6 × BARI-12 and BARI-12 × BINA-10 exhibited maximum negative SCA and heterotic effects for early maturity, and the hybrids BARI-12 × BARI-17 and BARI-14 × Maghi had the highest negative effects for plant height. Moreover, for yield and yield-contributing traits, hybrids BARI-6 × BARI-14, BARI-14 × Maghi, and BARI-17 × Maghi manifested higher SCA and heterotic effects than the other hybrids. The phylogeny and clustering analysis showed the developed hybrids have quite diversity, having been positioned in different clades. It suggests breeding superior recombinants could be effective from the segregating populations of hybrids.

Keywords: Mustard (B. rapa L.), combining ability, heterosis, genetic distance, early maturity, highyielding hybrids

Key findings: Promising findings indicate the early maturity and short-stature phenotypes incurred controlled by additive genetic effects. In general, non-additive gene action regulates the inheritance of most of the yield-attributing traits in B. rapa L. Overall, the hybrids, viz., BARI-6 × BARI-14, BARI-12 × BARI-17, and BARI-17 × Maghi could become potential lines in B. rapa L. breeding programs.

The assessment of the inheritance and heritability of quantitative traits in 36 hybrid populations of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under greenhouse conditions was the presented study’s focus. Results revealed the predominance of additive gene action for controlling the studied traits, indicating the possible effective selection in the F2 generation. For selection in early generation, the most accessible traits were plant height, ear length, and grains per ear, with their variability due to an additive gene action, which is more helpful to conduct targeted breeding work. Barley hybrid populations’ detection with the highest heritability coefficients for specific traits have shown in Rihane x Saule (for five traits) and three hybrids Syr Aruy x Donetskiy 8, Syr Aruy x Odesskiy 100, and Harmal x Saule (for four traits). This suggests selecting the highly productive hybrids adapted to stressful environmental conditions.

Keywords: Barley (H. vulgare L.), hybrid populations, breeding, selection, inheritance, heritability, additive gene action

Key findings: By studying barley (H. vulgare L.) hybrid populations under artificial climate conditions, the genetic criteria and intensive selection can be helpful for a comprehensive assessment of breeding material based on economic traits.

With climate change and global warming, a specific place is necessary for the selection of facultative soft wheat, as this crop has increased plasticity and adaptability to environmental conditions compared with the winter and spring wheat. In facultative wheat breeding, the use of classical methods can be via standard selection and sowing of hybrid populations alternately in autumn and spring. Facultative hybrid populations comprised facultative x facultative genotypes, winter x spring cultivars, and spring x winter cultivars. The duration of ‘germination-earing’ can serve as an additional indicator for selection and types of crossing: facultative x winter cultivars and spring x winter cultivars were the decision in breeding for better productivity. In seed production and to preserve the economically valuable properties of a facultative cultivar, it is necessary to use the ‘halves’ method. Facultative wheat is superior to winter sowing and has low sensitivity to vernalization but highly sensitive to photoperiod. However, few past studies carried out on facultative wheat breeding used modern biological methods and techniques. The production of facultative wheat is mainly a task carried out by the Krasnodar Territory (Russia) and the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2023, in the south and southeast of the Republic, the area sown with facultative wheat of the Kazakhstanskaya 10 variety amounted to 28,953.8 hectares.

Keywords: Facultative soft wheat, selection, photoperiodism, molecular markers, production

Key findings: This review article interprets the facts of facultative breeding materials obtained through classical selection and the cultivars developed in Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, New Zealand, and in South-East Kazakhstan, actively involved in production

An association of biotic and abiotic stress resistance has existed with modifying the genetic makeup of plant cells, and as a result, variations occur in some physiological and biochemical processes. Relatedly, the collection of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm and its assessment through morphological, genetic, and physiological parameters are practically significant. Studying the influence of the genotype-environment on the physiological and quantitative characteristics of bread wheat germplasm in Uzbekistan resulted in the environment influencing the wheat genotypes, with a hydrothermal coefficient of Ij = 1.43 in 2017. It gave the average grain yield from all the wheat nurseries at 6.84 t/ha. Meanwhile, in 2019, the hydrothermal coefficient was Ij = 0.69 with a grain yield of 6.77 t/ha. However, when the hydrothermal coefficient decreased to a negative value (Ij = -2.8), the average yield decreased to 6.48 t/ha. The identification of wheat genotypes succeeded according to environmental plasticity (bi) and stability coefficient (Si2) indicators, i.e., K-64 (bi = 0.5, Si2 = 1.8), K-74 (bi = 0.7, Si2 = 1.9), and genotype K-100 (bi = 0.4, Si2 = 0.9).

Keywords: Bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), genetic attributes, morphological traits, physiological processes, leaf, carotenoid, grain yield

Key findings: Regression analysis showed a one-mg increase in total chlorophyll content raised the productivity of 50 selected bread wheats (T. aestivum L.) genotypes by 12%. The three-year average of total chlorophyll ranged from 3.34 to 2.03 mg/g, with productivity also significantly reduced in wheat genotypes with low chlorophyll content.

A field experiment on olive (Olea europaea L.) saplings examined the influence of the Acadian seaweed extract and organic humic acid, carried out from March to November 2022 in an orchard located in Jazirah, Ramadi Region, Iraq. The study aimed to determine effects of foliar application of seaweed extract Acadian and organic fertilizer humic acid with concentrations of 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L^-1 on olive saplings’ foliage. Results showed spraying coefficients with individual treatments of Acadian and Humic fertilizers at the concentration of 1000 mg L^-1 significantly outperformed most studied traits. These provided the highest averages for main stem height (92.93 and 98.67 cm), main stem diameter (6.193 and 6.060 mm), leaf number (479.2 and 397.7), leaf area (602.4 and 455.1 cm²), leaf chlorophyll content (73.60 and 75.73 SPAD), dry weight of vegetative parts (97.87 and 91.40 g), and root system (23.13 and 18.07 g), respectively. The interactions of both factors at 1000 mg L^-1 concentration were superior on olive saplings for the main stem height (131.00 cm), main stem diameter (7.067 mm), leaves seedling^-1 (670.3), leaf area (689.0 cm²), leaf chlorophyll content (83.67 SPAD), dry weight of vegetative parts (122.33 g), and root system (28.33 g). The study concluded, based on results, that foliar fertilization, whether with biological or organic fertilizer, contributes positively and effectively to improving olive seedlings’ growth.

Keywords: Olive (O. europaea L.), Acadian seaweed extract, organic Humic, nutrients, vegetative, root system

Key findings: The results revealed a greater improvement in growth and morphological traits of olive (O. europaea L.) saplings with foliar application of organic fertilizers at a concentration of 1000 mg L^-1.