The article presents data on the study of in vitro growth efficiency of regenerated plants and tuber yield of minitubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars under greenhouse conditions during 2022–2024. The shoot biomass growth and productivity of minitubers depended on the temperatures and biological parameters of potato genotypes. According to the results, the recorded maximum tuber yield formation appeared in cultivars Babayev, Tamasha, and Zhanaisan (84.6, 67.21, and 65.66 g/plant). The cultivar Babayev showed the best tuber yield, averaging over three years (72.5 g per plant and 1087.5 g/m²). Moreover, the cultivar Babayev displayed the highest multiplication rate in the experiment (6.0 minitubers per plant in 2024 and 5.4 pieces on average for three years). The said promising cultivar can be effective as a donor parent for tubers in future breeding. Similarly, the bioorganic fertilizers’ effect succeeded in determining the growth and development of virus-free test tube plants and the formation of potato minitubers. The findings revealed bioorganic fertilizers have a positive effect on the productivity of potato minitubers grown in the greenhouse. The biohumus in combination with liquid humic fertilizer increased the multiplication factor of the source material and its tuber yield in the primary seed production.

Keywords: Potato (S. tuberosum L.), cultivar, seed production, minitubers, biotechnology, greenhouse, bioorganic fertilizers, growth, productivity

Key findings: A series of experiments continued to ensure the maximum tuber yield of minitubers per unit area of potato (S. tuberosum L.) on protected soil. The organic fertilizers also revealed a positive effect on the growth and development of virus-free test tube plants and the formation of potato minitubers.

This study sought to identify the optimal general and specific combiners and the nature of gene action concerning morphological, yield, and fiber traits under the line-by-tester mating design. It utilized six Bt-gene-containing parental lines and three non-Bt testers, along with their 18 F₁ hybrids in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), with experiments held at the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. Eight characteristics, such as days to first flowering, plant height, sympodial branches per plant, bolls per plant, seed cotton yield per plant, fiber strength, and insect mortality (%), sustained scrutiny. The notable disparities in line-by-tester interactions revealed the significance of specific combining ability in hybrids, indicating the role of dominant genes in the manifestation of traits. The substantial mean squares attributed to lines and tester parents confirmed that the general combining ability (GCA) reflects the dominant influence of additive genes on the traits. The GCA estimation indicated the Bt lines IUB-13, FH-901, and Koonj, along with the non-Bt testers Chandi-95 and CRIS-585, emerged as the most effective general combiners for the studied traits. The nine hybrids comprised parental genotypes with high × high, high × low, and low × low GCA effects for earliness, yield, and fiber quality traits.

Keywords: Cotton (G. hirsutum L.), Bt-cotton, line × tester, GCA, SCA, insect mortality, earliness, seed cotton yield and fiber traits

Key findings: Among inbred lines, such as IUB-13, FH-901, and Koonj, and testers Chandi-95 and CRIS-585, become most recognized effective general combiners in cotton (G. hirsutum L.). They should be favorable for use in hybridization programs to develop superior cotton hybrids.

The following study investigated the molecular identification of five species of pests that infect stored grains, held from January 2021 to December 2022 in the Misan Province, Southern Iraq. Infected stored grains’ samples came from the General Company for grain trading in its three branches, local and central markets, and homes. Results of the presented study showed five species of pests belonging to the order Coleoptera. These species are Tribolium castaneum, Trogoderma granarium, Rhyzopertha dominica, Callosobruchus maculatus, and Oryzaephilus mercator. Using the molecular technique of polymerase chain reaction helped confirm the morphological identification by employing the gene mtCOXI and identify the mutations present in the local species by comparing with the species found in the NCBI. Results of the genetic analysis revealed differences in the sequences of the nitrogenous bases of the gene mtCOXI between the local species and the species recorded in the NCBI. Likewise, variances appeared with the tree drawn between the studied species and the standard samples. The five species of pests also received accession numbers OR343196, OR343199, OR313198, OR343194, and OR343197, respectively, as recorded in the NCBI.

Keywords: mtCOXI, stored grain pests, molecular identification, NCBI, Misan Province, Iraq

Key findings: Polymerase chain reaction technology (PCR) is an excellent technique for diagnosing insect pests that affect stored grains. It can also be effective to confirm species identification when a phenotypic similarity occurs between two species, such that, it is difficult to distinguish between them.

The following study focused on the identification of the current ecological state of soil-landscape complexes and ecological assessment of the plants and animals’ needs for their protection and rational use in the Shirvan Region, Azerbaijan. For the first time, an ecological-energetic assessment of soil-landscape complexes occurred, with a detailed soil bonitet scale compiled, coefficients of their comparative values determined, and maps of soil ecological-energetic assessment assembled with ecological massifs. Agrochemical measures succeeded development for surface and radical improvement of landscape complexes. The environmental assessment maps with scientifically based set of measures aimed at protecting the landscape ecosystems for managing soil fertility and increase their productivity. The main prerequisites for the development of desertification in Azerbaijan with an area of 1.3 million hectares were their high susceptibility to anthropogenic loads (unsystematic grazing, extreme overloads, and plowing of pasture lands) and the natural fragility. Pasture plants also revealed insufficient supply of nutrients: digestible protein, phosphorus, carotene, and the indicated microelements, and the deficiency is around 24%–28%.

Keywords: Plants, nutrients, landscape complexes, ecological-energetic assessment, microelements, ecological assessment, ecological state

Key findings: The inaugural conduct of an ecological-energetic assessment of soil-landscape complexes compiled a detailed soil bonitet scale, determined the coefficients of their comparative values, and assembled soil ecological-energetic assessment maps by ecological massifs. For surface and radical improvement of landscape complexes, the study developed agrochemical measures.

Oil palm seedlings require both macro and micronutrients for their growth and development processes. The following study aimed to determine the effect of compost manure made of empty fruit bunches and NPK compound fertilizer (16:16:16) and their interaction on the growth characters of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings. The study proceeded in a complete randomized design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement. The first factor was the compost manure of empty fruit bunches (EFB) of oil palm with 100 g (EFB1), 150 g (EFB2), and 200 g (EFB3) per plant. The second factor was the NPK compound fertilizer (P) (16:16:16) with three levels at 40 g (P1), 60 g (P2), and 80 g (P3) per plant. The study results revealed the best EFB compost at a dose of 200 g per plant can increase the oil palm seedlings’ growth in the parameters of stem base diameter, the number of leaves, leaf area, and dry weight of seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer was a dose of 60–80 g per plant, which can increase plant height, stem base diameter, the number of leaves, and dry weight of seedlings. The combination of 200 g EFB compost per plant and 60 g NPK fertilizer per plant can enhance the growth of oil palm seedlings in the main nursery.

Keywords: Oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings, compost manure, NPK compound fertilizer, factors interaction, growth characters

Key findings: Results showed the EFB compost (200 g plant^-1) increased the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer with a dose of 60–80 g per plant enhanced the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The combination of EFB compost (200 g plant^-1) and NPK fertilizer (60 g plant^-1) considerably improved the oil palm seedlings’ growth.

The tembesu (Fagraea fragrans) has the highest ecological and economic values; however, its seedlings rarely exist in the field. The reason is the constraints of natural seed germination and an infrequent vegetative propagation of shoots. Therefore, artificial propagation efforts are essential, including through tissue culture propagation. The following study examined the use of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) for shoot proliferation from shoot tip and nodal explants and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for root induction from in vitro shoots of tembesu. The study comprised two stages—shoot multiplication and root induction. The stimulation of shoot multiplication consisted of five treatments, i.e., 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/L BAP. Root induction treatment used ½ MS media with the addition of IBA, consisting of four concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/L IBA). Results showed the BAP treatment considerably enhanced the percentage of shoot formation and the number of shoots. The highest number of shoots surfaced in explants treated with 1 mg/L BAP, with 32 and 35 shoots from shoot tip and nodal explants, respectively. The best root induction occurred from in vitro shoot explants of tembesu on ½ MS medium containing 1 mg/L IBA, with an observed 100% root percentage and 7.6 root numbers.

Keywords: BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine), IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), root induction, shoot tip and nodal explants, shoot proliferation, tembesu (F. fragrans)

Key findings: In tembesu (F. fragrans), shoot tips and nodal explants were explants with high shoot regeneration potential through 1 mg/L BAP treatment. The best root formation emerged using 1 mg/L IBA treatment in ½ MS media.

This study presents results from determining the effects of biostimulants on the natural weight loss and biochemical composition of apples (Malus domestica L.) during long-term storage. Foliar application with 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg contributed to a significant decrease in average weight loss in apple cultivar Sinap Orlovsky fruits during long-term storage compared with the control treatment and other options. In apple fruits, the TSS content enhanced in all variants after storage, i.e., control (8.6%), 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg (12.5%), and 3% WPU Antifreeze + 3% WP Drip Ca+Mg (7.9%). At the end of storage, a significant decrease resulted in the titrated acids in apple, viz., 53.1% in control and 52.1% and 57.5% in variants with foliar treatments (with 1% and 3% solutions, respectively). Largely, the sugar content increased by 16.7% at the end of apple storage with 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg. The studies revealed a notable influence of meteorological conditions on the accumulation of TSS, organic acids, sugar content, and ascorbic acid in the apple cultivar Sinap Orlovsky.

Keywords: Apple (M. domestica L.), cultivar Sinap Orlovsky, weight loss, biochemical composition, long storage

Key findings: The biostimulant showed the highest efficiency by using 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg in apple (M. domestica L.) cultivation technologies to improve and preserve the quality of apples during long-time storage.

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.