The article presents the results of a study in the agrocenosis of soft winter wheat to determine the effects of pre-sowing and early spring application of various forms and combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash fertilizers when growing it in the leached chernozem of the Western Ciscaucasia. The soil is characteristic of a satisfactory state of the structure, density: 1.26–1.42 g/cm³; active acidity (pH): 6.29– 6.58 pH; exchangeable (pH): 5.11–5.25 units; hydrolytic: 1.94–3.05 meq/100 g; the amount of absorbed bases: 27.5–31.2 meq/100 g; cation exchange capacity: 30.6–33.1 meq. /100 g; the soil saturation degree with bases: 90.2%–94.3%; and humus content: 2.93%. Fertilizers improve the nutrient regime of the soil. The average supply level with mineral nitrogen, high and mobile phosphorus, and very high mobile potassium has been well-defined. It could lead to an increase in grain when applying N120P30K60 – 1.28 t/ha (or 24.1%), N120P90K20 – 1.47 t/ha (or 27.8%), and N120P90K60 – 1.53 t/ha (or 28.8%). The grain yield of soft winter wheat was 6.58, 6.77, and 6.83 t/ha, respectively. The protein content in the grain varied from 13.2% to 14.3%. The collection of protein per hectare was 870.5, 948.5, and 958.3 kg/ha for the treatments N120P30K60, N120P90K20, and N120P90K60, respectively. The protein in the control was equal to 554.9 kg/ha. Dispersion analysis of the study results showed the share of the contribution of the factor “combination of fertilizers” was 75.95%. Similarly, the data analysis of the conditions of the agricultural year and combinations of mineral fertilizers has a smaller share – 19.24%. With the introduction of N120P30K60 and N120P90K20, the payback of mineral fertilizers by increasing the yield of soft winter wheat grain is the largest – 6.10 and 6.39 kg/kg a.i. NPK, respectively.

Keywords: Soft winter wheat, leached chernozem, Western Ciscaucasia, mineral fertilizers, nitrogen, grain yield

Key findings: Mineral fertilizers improved the feeding system by soft winter wheat grown on chernozem soil in Western Ciscaucasia. The payback of mineral fertilizers by winter wheat with an application of N120P30K60 and N120P90K20 was the highest (6.10 and 6.39 kg/kg a.i. NPK), respectively.

Wheat yellow (stripe) rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) is a dominant type of winter wheat disease. Developing new, highly productive varieties with increased immunological indicators helps to minimize the threat of rust spread. The progressive study searched the sources of resistance to the Pst populations and determined the effectiveness of Yr genes in Southeast Kazakhstan. Immunological studies ensued during 2018–2022 at the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant growing, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Wheat’s 23 isogenic lines and 193 winter wheat genotypes attained evaluation for their reactions against an artificially infectious background of infection mixed with Pst pathotypes. Determining the intensity of virulence, the effectiveness of Yr genes, and the resistance of genotypes to the Pst population transpired in the said region. During the vegetation period, based on weather conditions, the accumulated flow of the source, and the period of infection, wheat genotypes responded differently to the rust disease manifestation. The wheat genotypes found resistant to P. striiformis and promising for selection with immunity reached nomination. Their practical use centered on increasing the immunological potential of the new winter wheat cultivars for creation and further reducing the large-scale use of fungicides and the negative environmental consequences.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, isogenic lines, P. striiformis, wheat yellow rust, wheat stripe rust, rust resistance, immunity, conventional breeding

Key findings: The winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes resistant to P. striiformis and promising for selection with immunity were notable. Their practical use centered on increasing the immunological potential of new wheat cultivars for development and reducing the large-scale use of fungicides and the negative environmental consequences.

Rock melon (Cucumis melo L. var. Cantalupensis) is a commercial-type melon with a wide distribution worldwide. Rock melons with larger fruit sizes are more in demand in restaurants, the food processing industry, and large families. In breeding for larger fruits, the increased genetic variability through introgression and recombination is the main factor; then, it can continue to purify before becoming a parental line. The presented study sought to recognize the variability of the open-pollinated population and their performance after selfing. The experiment ran from September 2021 to July 2022 at the Field Experimental Station, Politeknik Negeri Lampung, Indonesia. The experiment consisted of two sub-experiments carried out without experimental design. There was wide variability in both quantitative and qualitative variables in the open-pollinated populations, except fruit flesh color, weight, and sugar content. Population after selfing (S1 population) had more uniform qualitative traits. All the fruits sampled were medium elliptic with netted rinds followed by two-color variants (greenish yellow and green). Also, narrow variability occurred for the traits, fruit diameter, weight, and sugar content, followed by low heritability for the quantitative traits.

Keywords: Genetic variability, heritability, introgression and recombination, melon (Cucumis melo L.), open-pollinated population, quantitative and qualitative traits, selfed (S1 population)

Key findings: In F₂ segregating populations, a wide diversity of quantitative and qualitative traits proved that intercross ably maintained variability as per Handy-Weinberg equilibrium theory. Besides, the high heritability was evident for fruit shape and color traits after selfing, particularly for elongated and green color traits. They seemed like simple allelic traits.

Appropriate parental selection is the breeder’s main concern to exploit the highest genetic diversity and generate superior genotypes for subsequent breeding programs. Hence, the presented investigation proceeded to evaluate 353 breeding lines of rice at three breeding zones (Rajshahi, Cumilla, and Gazipur) in Bangladesh in replicated yield trials during the Boro season of 2018–2019 to identify the best genotypes and utilize them as parental materials. Data recorded on 12 yield-related traits helped to determine the best breeding lines with higher predicted breeding values. The first five principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4, and PC5) represented more than 70% (75.1%) contribution to the variability of the data. Three hundred fifty-three rice genotypes incurred distribution into five clusters over three environments. Clusters I, II, III, IV, and V comprised 66, 51, 83, 79, and 74 genotypes, respectively. Based on estimated breeding values (EBVs), IR107971-B-B RGA-B RGA-202 showed the highest value (0.395), followed by IR 108000-B-B-B-B-13 (0.329), IR 103309-B-B RGA-B RGA-194 (0.321), IR 107982-B-41-1-2-1 (0.291), IRRI 174 (0.264), and IR 107976-B-B RGA-B RGA-254 (0.234). The lowest EBV (0.022) appeared in IR103309-B-B RGA-B RGA-204 among the top 20 genotypes. Both IR 103309-B-B RGA-B RGA-194 (0.321) and IR 107982-B-41-1-2-1 (0.291) could benefit as parents for further breeding programs having higher EBVs and higher genetic diversity.

Keywords: Rice, cluster analysis, estimated breeding values, parental materials

Key findings: EBVs and cluster analysis can assist breeders in selecting the best parents for the next breeding program. The top 20 genotypes based on EBVs with the highest genetic diversity may serve as parents to produce desired plant progenies crucial for the ever-growing populations. More specifically, IR 103309-B-B RGA-B RGA-194 and IR 107982-B-41-1-2-1 will be more effective as parents due to their higher EBVs and more genetic diversity.

The molecular identification of maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) and its effects on the morphophysiological traits of maize (Zea mays L.) was the focus of the presented research, intending to study the activity dynamics of two main types of enzymes, peroxidases, weakly binding to the membrane, and soluble peroxidases. The molecular identification of the virus engaged the use of the RT-PCR method. Results revealed that in the climatic conditions of Uzbekistan, red necrotic spotting, yellow mosaic with a large border on the edge of the leaf, curling of the leaves, yellow striped mosaic, and short stature all appeared in the maize plants. According to previous symptoms, the visual diagnostic methods used determine the maize yellow mosaic virus indications. In the existing study, the gene responsible for the protein coat synthesis (SR) nucleotide sequence served to diagnose the MDMV, and as a result, PCR tests showed yellow streaks on the leaves of maize plants. The mosaic and motility symptoms have been characteristic proofs of MDMV. The MDMV infects the maize plants in the initial growth phase (3–5 leaves), then the symptoms appear after a few days. Through morphological indicators, viral disease identification is possible at subsequent stages (6–7 leaves). Using spectrophotometry, the peroxidase enzyme activity in maize plants receives the virus infection to determine an early level of infectivity. The results confirmed that, in infected maize plants, peroxidase associated with the cell membrane was much more active than in control plants. It proves that contaminated Zea mays plants were in a stressful situation due to the virus. The RT-PCR method, widely used in diagnostics, sought to identify the virus species affiliation. PCR proceeded based on the virus соat protein (CP) gene.

Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), distribution, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), thylakoid

Key findings: Given the participation of the peroxidase enzyme in the protection mechanism of the maize plants from MDVM disease, its consideration for use succeeded on local maize cultivars with high peroxidase activity, such as, Sherzod, and acclimatized cultivars, i.e., Extra Early Dightau-209 and Hickax, for the selection of virus-resistant cultivars.

One of the major tasks faced by wheat breeders in Uzbekistan is to enhance wheat genotypes’ adaptability to soil and other environmental conditions and improve the grain quality, making the country self-sufficient in wheat grains and later becoming an exporter. Better results are achievable using the world wheat collection, including the CIMMYT germplasm. Determination of the positive correlation of physiological traits of new wheat cultivars, the importance of physiological indicators of water balance with productivity, and the vital role of these indicators in productivity level were the chief concerns. The timely study evaluated heat resilience, rust resistance, and grain yield in bread wheat genotypes. Bread wheat germplasm obtained from CIMMYT with a background of artificial infection of yellow rust incurred scrutiny for their rust resistance. A 15% incidence was detectable in seven genotypes; however, necrosis quickly formed around the symptoms of the disease in plant leaves, preventing its further development. Resistant wheat accessions, i.e., 1088, 1164 (R), 1006, and 1251 (MR), occurred as moderately resistant, showing high leaf area and grain yield. The average value of the genotypes was low, mainly due to the two rust-resistant samples, and the 1000-grain weight was 34.8 g and 34.6 g, respectively, and the grains per spike and grain yield were lower than the average. The chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content, relative water content, flag leaf area, and production traits of the genotypes К-1088 and К-1164 gained assessment, revealed to be physiologically effective under the field conditions of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Quantitative indicators of the productivity of these wheat genotypes indicated positive differentiation. Selection ensued for promising accessions to develop initial sources for producing the wheat genotypes with rust resistance and high grain yield under the environmental conditions of Uzbekistan.

Keywords: Bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), wheat yellow rust, rust resistance, heat tolerance, leaf area, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid, water content, grain yield

Key findings: By comparing with the standard check, a lower average value of the wheat accessions
was mainly due to the two rust-resistant genotypes, K-1164 and K-1289, which also have 1000-grain weights of 36.1 g and 34.8 g, respectively. The grain yield of these genotypes was also much lower than the average yield. Desirable chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, relative water content, leaf area of flag leaves, and higher grain yield were substantial in the wheat landraces К-1088, К-1082, and К-1164 and proved to be physiologically effective under environmental conditions of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Quantitative indicators of the productivity of these accessions provided positive differentiation, with these genotypes recording higher values than the rest of the entries.

The effects of biofertilizer and biostimulant application on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were this study’s focus for evaluation. The experiment examined the irrigation of rhizobacteria in different combinations, including B0 (plants irrigated with water only); B1 (plants treated with inoculant containing A. chroococcum (8.8 × 10⁹) with 10 g plant^-1; B2 (plants treated with inoculant containing B. subtilis (7.5 × 10⁹) with 10 g plant^-1; and B3 (plants treated with A. chroococcum in 10 g plant^-1) plus B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.). The use of biostimulant under the trade name “Deflan,” which contained organic matter (18.4%), amino acids (10%), total nitrogen (3%), and organic nitrogen (3%), had three levels (0, 0.250, and 500 mg l^-1). The combination of both A. chroococum and B. subtilis at 10 g plant^-1 had an influential effect, which reversed an increase in root and vegetative growth, specifically the content of macroelements. A biostimulant spray significantly affected all parameters, especially the 500 mg l^-1 dose. Furthermore, a solidarity effect markedly appeared, which raised all vegetative parameters, especially the biofertilizer treatment A. chroococcum (10 g plant^-1) plus B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) with spraying biostimulant (500 mg l^-1). These results will contribute favorably to providing evidence for desirable effects from the interaction between biofertilizers and biostimulant spraying on tomato plant development.

Keywords: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), biofertilizers, rhizobacteria, azotobacter, Bacillus, foliar application, biostimulants

Key findings: The application of rhizobacteria and foliar treatment with biostimulant increased vegetative traits and mineral content of leaves, especially the mixture between A. chroococcum and B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Furthermore, foliar application of the biostimulant at a concentration of 500 mg l^-1 boosted all the parameters under study.

The following experiment on tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) transpired in the spring of 2023 at the Kerbala University, Kerbala, Iraq. A factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design and three replications comprised the investigations. The first factor was fish emulsion with four different concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%), while the second was vermicompost application with four different levels (0, 25, 50, and 100 g pot^-1) before moving the seedlings to pots containing them. The results showed adding fish emulsion at 2% concentration significantly affected the percentage of nitrogen and protein in the leaves, with averages of 3.407% and 21.29%, respectively. The outcomes also revealed adding vermicompost fertilizer at a level of 100 g was superior in phosphorus and carbohydrate contents in the leaves with averages of 0.482% and 379 mg 100 g^-1. As for the interaction between the factors, it was remarkably significant for all the traits under study. The findings confirmed the effectiveness of fertilizers resulting from organic waste, individually or in combination, to raise the efficiency of the qualitative traits of horticultural crops, as well as reduce the chemical fertilizers’ use in maintaining a sustainable and nontoxic ecosystem.

Keywords: Tarragon (A. dracunculus L.), fish emulsion, vermicompost fertilizer, biochemical traits

Key findings: In tarragon (A. dracunculus L.), the addition of fish emulsion (2%) had a significant effect on most biochemical traits in the leaves. Likewise, adding vermicompost with the highest dose (100 g pot^-1) significantly increased the phosphorus content in leaves.

An examination of the effects of industrial wastewater and groundwater irrigation on the growth and heavy metal accumulation in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was this study’s focus. Conducted during 2023–2024 in Baiji, Salah Al-Din Governorate, Iraq, the study additionally assessed the three types of bacteria’s role in reducing soil pollution and improving plant quality. Results indicated the average leaf height was 32.260 and 31.80 cm for industrial water and groundwater irrigation, respectively, enhancing to 34.7 and 38.0 cm with the addition of bacteria. Root length reached 11.70 and 8.70 cm with bacteria. The wet weight of leaves and roots was 32.600 and 49.00 g/plant, respectively, with industrial water, rising to 33.8 and 58.00 g/plant by adding bacteria. Nutrient concentrations (potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus) in leaves and roots increased with industrial watering to 3.639%, 4.933%, 3.113%, 3.673%, 0.219%, and 0.634%, respectively. With bacteria, the potassium and nitrogen values rose to 3.700%, 5.233%, and 3.967%); however, the phosphorus values slightly lowered (0.201% and 0.631%). Heavy metal concentrations significantly decreased with bacteria, and minimum values recorded in industrial wastewater and groundwater irrigation were for lead (0.087 and 0.384 ppm), nickel (0.017 and 0.207 ppm), cadmium (0.079 and 0.093 ppm), and zinc (0.594 and 1.997 ppm).

Keywords: Radish (R. sativus L.), industrial wastewater, groundwater, bacterial bioaugmentation, growth traits, heavy metal accumulation

Key findings: The addition of bacteria improved the growth traits and concentrations of primary nutrients in radish (R. sativus L.) irrigated with industrial wastewater and groundwater. The bacteria considerably helped in reducing the accumulation of heavy metals in leaves and roots. The results confirm the effectiveness of bacteria in improving plant quality and reducing soil pollution to enhance agricultural sustainability.

This study investigated the transport and accumulation of several heavy metals within the lower and upper parts of the wild plants Typha domingensis, Prosopis farcta, and Alhagi maurorum, belonging to the Al-Kasak and Al-Qayyarah sites in Iraq, which were collected in autumn. In the Al-Kasak refinery, results indicated the cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) showed significantly higher bioaccumulation in the root system (392.01 and 658.11 mg/kg, respectively) from dry weight compared with the dry weight of shoots (287.12 and 619.45 mg/kg, respectively). However, the lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) exhibited higher bioaccumulation in the shoot system (280.23 and 80.95 mg/kg dry weight, respectively). At the Al-Qayyarah refinery, Ni, Pb, and Mn appeared more accumulated in root parts (668.65, 270.61, and 156.24 mg/kg dry weight, respectively) than in the shoots for each plant (Prosopis farcta, Alhagi maurorum, and Typha domingensis). Meanwhile, Cd bioaccumulation was higher in the shoots (377.31 mg/kg dry weight). Additionally, the roots of Alhagi maurorum and Typha domingensis revealed higher accumulations of Ni and Mn (778.25 and 235.93 mg/kg dry weight, respectively) compared with the shoot system. At the Al-Kasak site, plants showed a higher bioaccumulation of Pb (13.38 mg/kg dry weight), following the order Pb<Ni<Mn11.14>3.93>1.44 dry weight, respectively). Then again, plants at the Al-Qayyarah site had the highest bioaccumulation of Ni (17.94 mg/kg), with the order of bioaccumulation as Ni>Mn>Pb>Cd (17.94>11.75>3.84>1.07 mg/kg dry weight, respectively). The maximum bioaccumulation of Mn was notable in the plants of Typha domingensis, Prosopis farcta, and Alhagi maurorum (28.86, 146.68, and 419.86 mg/kg dry weight, respectively).

Keywords: Wild plants, heavy metals, phytoremediation, bioaccumulation, biotranslocation

Key findings: At the Al-Kasak site in Iraq, the bioaccumulation of Ni, Cd, and Pb was higher in roots than in shoots, while the bioaccumulation of Pb and Mn was higher in shoots of wild plants. However, at the Al-Qayyarah site, the bioaccumulation of Ni, Pb, and Mn was greater in roots, while the bioaccumulation of Ni was superior in shoots of wild plants.