The presented research sought to investigate the new types of Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii) from the global gene pool for developing new cultivars with high productivity and economically valuable traits. In breeding of Sudanese grass, the main task was to develop the drought-resistant, highly productive cultivars with good product quality, adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of Kazakhstan. The latest manuscript summarizes the results of many years of research on the local collection and the exotic material of the Sudan grass. Samples selected as valuable starting material for breeding depended on economically important traits, including precocity, seed productivity, plant height, grain quality, and lodging resistance. Based on the research on precocity, the two cultivars Kiz 25 and Kiz 34, placed in the competitive nursery, had their full ripeness phase starting two days earlier (28.09) compared with the standard cultivar Aylana-2017, which reached full ripeness on 30.09. In the competitive nursery of variety testing, the highest grain yield resulted in the Sudan grass cultivars Kiz 4 and Kiz 25. By harvest time, the yield (2.21 t/ha) obtained during the full ripeness phase of grains was higher than the harvest made at the wax ripeness phase (2.27 t/ha).

Keywords: Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii), local collection, selection, competitive variety testing, seed cultivation technology, yield

Key findings: In the development of drought-resistant and highly productive cultivars of Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii), 80 out of 100 samples emerged viable, and based on precocity data, the cultivars Kiz 25 and Kiz 34 reached allocation in the competitive nursery. The Sudan grass cultivars Kiz 4 and Kiz 25 were distinct, with higher grain yield.

The timely study aimed to assess the oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes through cluster analysis, genetic and phenotypic variations, and the heritability (broad sense) during the winter crop season of 2022–2023, held at the University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq. Three oat cultivars (Genzania, Shifaa, and Carrolup) were in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) sampling, with factorial arrangement and three replications. The results revealed for total grain yield, the genetic, environmental, and phenotypic variations, the values recorded were 1.143, 0.1746, and 1.3176, respectively, and the heritability (broad sense) was 86.74% for the said trait. The hierarchical cluster analysis showed the genetic convergence of the genetic structures between the cultivars Genzania and Carrolup amounted to 53.257, and the genetic distance of 12528.264 between the cultivars Genzania and Shifaa. However, the genetic distance between the cultivars Shifaa and Carrolup amounted to 11430.981. Therefore, based on the results, the cluster analysis helps draw the mutual relationship between oat varieties, making a comparison between them is easier.

Keywords: Oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars, genetic, environmental, and phenotypic variations, heritability, cluster analysis, genetic distance

Key findings: Cluster analysis proved efficient in analyzing the interrelationship and genetic kinship among the studied oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars and facilitating the selection process for cultivars with high genetic distancing while preserving the genetic origins.

The promising research aims to determine the response of three chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium R.) cultivars to the concentration of colchicine on polyploidization of plantlets. Node cuttings of three cultivars of chrysanthemum, Pinka Pinky, Lolipop, and Maruta, received four different concentrations of colchicine (0.025%, 0.05%, 0.075%, and 0.1%), for four hours before being sub-cultured to MS media. Observations on the plantlets for morphological and ploidy levels ensued in comparison with the control treatment. Results showed significant variations among chrysanthemum cultivars in response to the colchicine concentrations. Triploids (3n) and Tetraploids (4n) were evident on plantlets of cultivar Pinka Pinky at colchicine concentrations (0.025%, 0.075%, and 0.1%) compared with other cultivars resulting in diploids and mixoploids. In the cultivar Pinka Pinky, the morphological variations emerged from the plantlets of the triploids (3n) and tetraploids (4n) in leaves and root numbers, plant height, stem segment number, and length. This recent study put a baseline for further study on the polyploidization of chrysanthemums using different sources of explant.

Keywords: Chrysanthemum (C. morifolium R.), cultivars, colchicine concentrations, in vitro, polyploidy, morphological variations

Key findings: In chrysanthemum (C. morifolium R.) cultivars, responses to different colchicine concentration varied and resulted in various triploids and tetraploid plants. Induced polyploidization due to colchicine also developed morphological variations for the leaves and root numbers, plant height, and stems segment parameters of the chrysanthemum cultivars.

Extensive community exploitation caused a decline in Pandanus spp. population, with its natural habitats being converted into monoculture plantation areas, posing a threat to the species. Currently, limited information exists on the genetic diversity of Pandanus spp. from Sumatra, Indonesia. Therefore, the genetic diversity study is crucial for conservation and breeding purposes. The presented study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of Pandanus spp. germplasm from Sumatra using ISSR markers. Seventeen Pandanus species, collected from seven provinces, had their data analyzed using 10 ISSR primers, resulting in 50 total bands. The molecular analysis divided the Pandanus species into two main groups and five subgroups. The highest genetic distance (0.93) was evident between the species P. helicopus-1 from Riau Province and P. helicopus-2 from Bangka Belitung. However, the lowest genetic distance (0.20) appeared between the Pandanus species P. helicopus-2 and P. stenophyllus. Based on ISSR markers, Pandanus spp. from Sumatra can achieve clustering according to species diversity. The latest results provide valuable insights for planning the conservation strategies, optimal utilization, and future improvement of the Pandanus species.

Keywords: Pandanaceae, Pandanus species, genetic diversity, ISSR markers, molecular analysis, genetic distance, Sumatra

Key findings: Studying the genetic diversity of Pandanus spp. collected from various regions of Sumatra, Indonesia succeeded. Molecular analysis divided the species into two groups and five subgroups. Using ISSR markers, classification of Pandanus spp. from Sumatra can depend on species diversity. These findings can help in planning the conservation strategies, optimal utilization of the species, and future crop improvement programs.

A field experiment undertaking in spring 2022 assessed the impact of seven NPK fertilizer combinations on the gene expression and biochemical compounds of two Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) cultivars, held at the Kerbala Governorate, Iraq. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) layout had two factors and three replications. The first factor included NPK fertilizer combinations, while the second factor was the two Roselle cultivars (Iraqi-1 and Iraqi-2). The results showed cultivar Iraqi-2 contains missense mutations in codons 23 and 61 (CCA → CTA and ATT → AGT, respectively), which encode for amino acids (Pro → Leu and Ile → Ser, respectively) in the CHS gene. Missense mutations were also evident in codons 80 and 100 (TTG → TTC and CCA → TCA, respectively), encoding amino acids (Leu → Phe and Pro → Ser, respectively) in the F3H gene of the same cultivar. Cultivar Iraqi-1 proved superior in vitamin C, quercetin, hibiscetin, and gossypetin, with average values of 37.87, 0.387, 0.386, and 0.186 mg g^-1, respectively. In fertilizer combinations, combination 6 excelled in all the above-mentioned traits, with averages of 44.42, 0.410, 0.451, and 0.250 mg g^-1, respectively. The interaction between the factors was significant for all the traits under study.

Keywords: Roselle (H. sabdariffa L.), NPK fertilizer combinations, cultivars, gene expression, biochemical compounds

Key findings: The NPK combination (175:150:150 kg ha^-1) excelled in almost all the characteristics of Roselle (H. sabdariffa L.). The cultivar Iraqi-1 of Roselle was significantly superior for the studied characteristics. Therefore, before application, it is crucial to determine the balance among the macronutrients.

For the rational use of water resources, the use of drip irrigation system for corn (Zea mays L.) crop in Southeast Kazakhstan is a chief recommendation. The relevant research aimed to study the influence of soil tillage methods and drip irrigation systems on corn grain yield, carried out in 2019–2021 at the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Almalybak, Kazakhstan. During the research, the soil tillage provided a greater supply of plant residues in the cultivated layer due to better soil crumbling. With traditional and no-tillage, a slight decrease contributed to soil density, and agronomically valuable aggregates amounted to 62%–73%, indicating an excellent aggregate state of the soil. The application of ammonium nitrate and water-soluble mineral fertilizer through fertigation helps maximize the content of hydrolyzed nitrogen (61–68 mg/kg), mobile phosphorus (49–57 mg/kg), and exchangeable potassium (386–394 mg/kg). It proved aside with moldboard plowing, it is also effective with zero tillage. With drip irrigation, the additional use of mineral fertilizers promotes to increase the corn grain yield from 0.87 to 2.85 t/ha. However, the formation of corn grain yield largely depended on the use of mineral fertilizers, and the share of the contribution was mainly reliant on the year of research, ranging from 52.2% to 56.9%.

Keywords: Corn (Z. mays L.), hybrids, soil tillage, drip irrigation, fertilizers, soil fertility, yield traits, productivity

Key findings: For the rational use of water resources, using the drip irrigation system in corn (Z. mays L.) crop is a chief recommendation. The use of mineral and complex water-soluble fertilizers helps to improve corn productivity.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of inbreeding on seed set in forage watermelon genotypes obtained from different sources. The study, conducted in 2017, used watermelon genotypes from different sources under Konya ecological conditions. The planting of seeds in pots in the greenhouse produced seedlings, further planted in the trial area with a 200 cm × 100 cm spacing in May 2017. From 66 forage watermelon genotypes used in the study came fruits from both inbred and open pollinated genotypes flowers on the same plant. In 40 of these genotypes, the seed yields obtained in inbreeding appeared higher than the seed yields obtained in the open pollination. In the study, the seed yield (127.6 g fruit^–1) acquired from inbreeding was 16.3% higher than the average seed yield (109.7 g fruit^–1) from open pollination. This rate showed the success rate in inbreeding was high, with no self-incompatible in the forage watermelon genotypes used in the study, and inbreeding had no negative impacts on pollination, fertilization, fruit set, and seed yield.

Keywords: Fodder watermelon, genotypes, inbreed, pistillate flower, inbreeding, staminate flower

Key findings: The maximum receptivity period of the staminate flower was between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. in field conditions. No self-incompatibility occurred in the forage watermelon genotypes used in the study, and inbreeding had no negative impacts on pollination, fertilization, fruit set, and seed yield. Sufficient seeds can result in forage watermelon with controlled self-pollination made in accordance with the technique.

Sweet-waxy corn (Zea mays ceratina. L.) is one of the most widely consumed foods in Eastern Indonesia. Improving the productivity and quality of waxy corn by developing hybrid sweet-waxy corn with desirable traits directly affecting grain yield is crucial. The presented study aimed to determine the genetic variability and heritability and the traits with direct and indirect effects on the grain yield in sweet-waxy corn, conducted in 2023 at the Pasir Kuda Experimental Farm, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia. Seventeen sweet-waxy corn hybrids’ planting used a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Analysis of variance, genetic parameter estimation, correlation, and path analysis assessed data in this study. The results showed ear diameter (63.85%), ear length (66.31%), and ear weight without husk (76.78%) had a higher heritability. The values for the phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were moderate-high (11.09%–33.08%). The traits, ear diameter, ear length, and kernels per row had a significant positive correlation and positive direct effects on ear weight. In addition, plant height, ear height, and the number of leaves had a strong indirect effect on the ear weight without husk, which could serve as selection criteria.

Keywords: Correlation, genetic variability, heritability, indirect effects, path analysis, and sweet-waxy corn

Key findings: The traits, ear diameter, ear length, and kernels per row have a considerable positive correlation and the highest direct effects on the ear weight without husk in sweet-waxy corn (Z. mays ceratina. L.). These traits could benefit as selection criteria to enhance the grain yield in sweet-waxy corn.

Important problems may appear in the selections made by considering more than one characteristic in plant breeding studies, which can have resolutions by increasing the weight of suitable characteristics in the selection. Within the scope of this study, it aimed to develop the Weight-Based Ranking Method (WBRM) to make decisions according to multicriteria in forage watermelon, which had no prior use in forage watermelon breeding studies. Forage watermelon seeds’ sowing in viols in the greenhouse helped formed seedlings, later transplanted at 200 cm × 100 cm intervals in May 2017. An evaluation ensued according to the measurements and observations on the fruit rind color, shape of the fruit, the flesh color of the fruit, the number of fruits, fruit yield, rind thickness, Brix values in fruit, and seed yield. Significant differences were evident among the genotypes for the studied characteristics. The WBRM was successful for the selection of the most suitable fodder-type watermelon. In the WBRM, the score equivalents and percentages of the characteristics developed were within the scope of the study. The WBRM scores of the watermelon genotypes used in the study ranged from 108 to 714. The first 105 forage watermelon genotypes, with a total score of more than 500, gained selection for subsequent forage watermelon breeding studies. It was notable that the selection with the WBRM could be successfully beneficial in forage watermelon breeding and facilitate decision-making in selection.

Keywords: Breeding, forage watermelon, genotypes, selection, weight-based ranking

Key findings: It is difficult to select according to multicriteria in plant breeding. The WBRM technique and scores and percentages of characters used in selection, developed for the first time in forage watermelon breeding, was successful. Selection with the WBRM could be successful in forage watermelon breeding and facilitate decision-making in selection according to multicriteria.

Better understanding breeding values and their combining ability of favored traits is essential to identify potential parents and hybrids. Our study utilized shrunken (sh2) sweet corn (Zea mays L.) parental lines and their derived hybrids, where the parental lines have undergone long-term selections to improve adaptation, yield, and eating quality under the tropical savanna of Thailand. We aimed to estimate heterosis, combining ability, and gene action for agronomic traits and kernel carbohydrates of tropical super sweet corn hybrids carrying the sh2 gene. All observed traits exhibited substantial interaction between hybrid and season, non-additive inherited, and low narrow-sense heritability. Long-term selections may contribute to the overwhelming dominance variance on all observed traits. Genotype TSC/H3-7-2 in the dry season was promising as a general combiner for high yield, plant stature, and early flowering. Genotype W54/Allure showed a favorable tester for kernel carbohydrates. Hybrid ws160 × W54/Allure was stable across different seasons for eating qualities. The other hybrid, TSC/H3-7-2 × W54/Allure, can be an alternative in the rainy season. The information obtained from this study can assist breeders in developing super sweet corn hybrids for better yield and eating quality.

Keywords: Sweet corn (Zea mays L.), combining ability, gene action, heritability, heterosis, hybrid breeding, sugar

Key findings: Long-term selections contribute to remarkable dominance variance on the maize (Zea mays L.) traits observed in this study. Agronomic traits and kernel carbohydrates of sh2-sweet corn are non-additive inherited and exhibit negligible narrow-sense heritability estimates. We propose two hybrids, ws160 × W54/Allure and TSC/H3-7-2 × W54/Allure, as promising tropical sh2-sweet corn hybrids.