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 study aimed at examining the impacts of various irrigation systems on passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) seedlings in addition to foliar treatments through N-P-K fertilizer (20-20-20). It was carried out in the greenhouse of the green university of Al-Qasim at Babil in Iraq between 15 September 2023 and 15 March 2024. Seedlings were planted using plastic bags with the capacity of 3 kg. The study was done under experimental design of randomized complete block design with two factors. The former factor comprised two irrigation systems, which included sprinkler and drip irrigation. The second reason was that of the foliar application of N-P-K fertilizer using three levels (0, 2, and 4 g L-1). The findings indicated that there were vast distinctions in the vegetative growth characteristics under investigation such as plant height, diameter of the stem, amount of branches, amount of leaves, and content of chlorophyll. The highest values were realized with the sprinkler irrigation system in addition to a compound fertilizer (N-P-K) of a concentration of 4g/L/L when compared to the drip irrigation system and the control treatment.

Keywords: Passion fruit (P. edulis Sims), irrigation methods, N-P-K fertilizer, foliar fertilization, vegetative growth, chlorophyll content

Key findings: Passion fruit (P. edulis Sims) showed the best vegetative growth values when it was combined with the sprinkler irrigation system and NPK fertilizer. Conversely, the treatment group that applied drip irrigation and applied no supplementary fertilizer, known as control treatment, did not have as many variations in the vegetative growth as compared to the other treatment groups.

Various processes can boost growth traits and the nutritional value of fruits. One such technique is the application of chelating substances for enhancing crop growth and productivity. The following study aimed to determine the effect of humic acid and chelated iron on the growth and nutritional content of apple (Malus domestica L.) cv. Sharabi, carried out in 2022 at the University of Kufa, Iraq, The experimental layout was in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment included nine fertilizer combinations of the humic acid and chelated iron in different ratios. Results showed the fertilizer combination of humic acid (5 ml L^-1) + chelated iron (30 mg L^-1) was superior in the apple seedling height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of shoots, carbohydrate content, and nitrogen content, with an increased average values (39.33 cm, 7.84 branches seedling^-1, 295.07 leaves seedling^-1, 33.01 cm², 43.46 g, 8.81 mg g^-1, and 2.42%, respectively). The fertilizer combination of humic acid (5 ml L^-1) + chelated iron (0 mg L^-1) excelled in the fresh weight of shoots and the chlorophyll content (99.18 g and 36.10 mg g^-1, respectively). For phosphorus content, the combination of humic acid (2.5 ml L^-1) and chelated iron (15 mg L^-1) was leading with an average of 0.57%, while for potassium content, the combination of excelled humic acid (5 ml L^-1) and chelated iron (15 mg L^-1) showed the highest average (3.90%) in the apple cultivar Sharabi.

Keywords: Apple (M. domestica L.), humic acid, chelated iron, growth and yield traits, nutritional content

Key findings: In apple (M. domestica L.), the fertilizer combination of humic acid (5 ml L^-1) + chelated iron (30 mg L^-1) proved superior in most traits, such as seedling height, the number of branches and leaves, leaf area, dry weight of shoots, and carbohydrate and nitrogen contents.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a nutraceutical commercial fruit crop of the subtropics. Twenty-one accessions of round or Gola cultivars were collected from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provinces having diverse climatic conditions. This indigenous germplasm bore investigation for 17 physicochemical fruit traits. The assessment sought to estimate variability and population structure. Accessions collected from Punjab had greater genotypic diversity and a wider genetic base than accessions from KPK. Several accessions proved superior for economically important consumer-related fruit traits, including fruit weight (FW), fruit size (FS), total soluble solids (TSS), ratio of TSS to titratable acidity (TA), and total sugars (TS). Most physical traits displayed positive correlations, whereas chemical traits had a negative correlation. Accessions with larger fruit size and fewer seeds indicated an association with lower TSS. Prevailing low temperatures in both areas enhanced fruit size and decreased total sugars. The principal component analysis (PCA) depicted higher loadings of FW, seed cavity weight (SCW), number of seeds (NS), and TS and grouping of most accessions of a locality in one cluster. The selected accessions, as vegetatively propagated, could serve as candidate varieties used for genetic association studies and as parental lines for the development of hybrids with better horticultural traits.

Keywords: Guava germplasm, biodiversity, fruit quality, principal component analysis, breeding

Key findings: The Round accessions, G₁, G₅, G₁₃, and G₁₈, are suitable candidates for better fruit weight and size. Meanwhile, the apple guava G₉ could be a strong parental candidate for reduced number of seeds, higher TSS, TSS:TA, and dark red skin—a consumer-preferred trait.

The experiment commenced in the shade house at Al-Mahaweel Horticulture Station, located in the north of Babylon Province, Iraq, from April to November 2021. It studied the effect of bio fertilizers and nanofertilizers on traits of some root and vegetative growth of orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). The experiment had a factorial setup (4 × 4) with a completely randomized design and three replicates. The two factors included nanofertilizer with four levels at 0, 1, 2, and 3 g L^-1 and corresponding symbols (N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively). The second factor was the bio fertilizers with four levels (control and azotobacter at 10 ml L^-1 pot, mycorrhiza at an average of 10 gm pot^-1, and a mixture of mycorrhiza and azotobacter as ground additive), symbolized as F0, F1, F2, and F3, respectively. The results showed the treatment of F3 excelled, giving the highest rate for the traits of the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, root length, and the number of roots. Their corresponding values reached 125.93 leaves plant^-1, 72.30 cm, 83.17 cm², 121.52 cm, and 7.89 roots plant^-1, respectively. The treatment of N3 stood out, and it gave the highest rate for the traits of leaf number, plant height, leaf area, root length, and numbers, with values at 66.15 leaves plant^-1, 139.01 cm, 94.64 cm², 138.38 cm, and 9.195 roots plant^-1), respectively. Meanwhile, the bi-interaction treatment (F3 + N3) was superior, providing the maximum values for all studied traits.

Keywords: Orange (Citrus sinensis L.), bio fertilizers, nanofertilizers, growth traits

Key findings: The treatment of F3 was excellent, and it gave the highest rate for the traits of the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, root length, and the number of roots.