Twenty-one crosses and seven parental lines’ assessment and their F_1s and F_2s used for enhanced grain yield under water stress imposed at the tillering stage was this study’s major focus. The research layout had a randomized complete block design with three replications. The traits in focus in this study were productive tillers plant^-1, spike length, the number of grains spike^-1, seed index (weight of 1000 grains in g), and grain yield plant^-1. Results revealed that genotypes were highly significant for all the studied traits in both generations, whereas treatments and their interaction were highly significant in the F₂ generation. The recorded higher mean values for all assessed traits occurred in non-stressed environments under both generations. As for the heterosis in grain yield plant^-1, the cross Bhittai x Inqilab showed the highest mid-parent heterosis, while NIA-Sunder x Khirman displayed much better parent heterosis, with the minimum reduction % produced by the TD-1 x Inqilab. For the inbreeding depression, NIA-Sunder and Khirman exhibited it. The F₂ generation produced a higher grain yield plant^-1. Such hybrids should serve for hybrid crop development in wheat.

Keywords: Heterosis, inbreeding depression, water stress, wheat genotypes, yield traits

Key findings: The varieties TD-1, Marvi-2000, and NIA-Sunder showed better performances, and the crosses, such as Bhittai x TD-1, Inqilab x Khirman, Bhittai x Marvi-2000, Bhittai x Khirman, NIA-Sarang x NIA-Sunder, and Bhittai x TD-1, displayed high heterosis and low inbreeding depression; thus, they should be effective to use for higher yield in wheat.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), being rich in protein, starch, and bioactive compounds, has become more recognized as a nutritious and healthy food crop. Mining germplasm resources with higher contents of nutritional factors will further improve their efficient use. In the present study, assessing the crude protein, total starch, total polyphenol and flavonoid, and vitexin/isovitexin contents occurred in 400 accessions of mung bean core collection. The results showed that overall, the crude protein content ranged from 21.26% to 31.14% with an average of 25.91%, whereas the total starch content ranged from 34.24% to 59.82% with an average of 40.19%. The total polyphenol content (2.07–5.89 mg/g) was higher than the total flavonoid content (1.13–2.76 mg/g), observing a positive correlation between these two factors. A significant positive correlation also emerged between the contents of vitexin (0.18–2.28 mg/g) and isovitexin (0.15–1.97 mg/g). Similarly, the results also specified that the wild germplasm had higher levels of nutritional components, except for starch. This study will lay a foundation for enhancing the utilization of mung bean resources in developing new varieties with high contents of bioactive compounds.

Keywords: Mung bean (V. radiata L.), crude protein, total starch, total polyphenol and flavonoid, vitexin and isovitexin

Key findings: The study showed higher variations for vitexin/isovitexin and flavonoid contents in mung bean (V. radiata L.) genetic resources. The contents of crude protein, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, vitexin, and isovitexin were notable at higher rates in the wild germplasm than breeding cultivars, with no obvious relationships among the contents of nutritional components, except for vitexin and isovitexin.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a primary food crop globally, susceptible to environmental fluctuations, particularly the heat stress. With climate change and its increasing threats, wheat’s response evaluation to the elevated temperatures during early growth stages is crucial for securing the crop and its yield. The presented study sought to assess the heat tolerance in 15 common wheat cultivars at the seedling stage under controlled conditions. Growing wheat cultivars ensued at the optimal (25 °C) and heat-stressed (35 °C) conditions. After seven days of growth, the seedling height, root length, and root number’s measurement underwent assessment for heat stress effects. The quantification of the degree of plants damaged used the Damage Index (DI), with heat tolerance evaluated using the Heat Tolerance Index (HTI). The results showed significant variations among the wheat cultivars for heat tolerance, and the two cultivars, Tuyatish and Nodir, displayed minimal growth reduction under the highest temperature, achieving maximum HTI values (98.3% and 89.6%, respectively). The cultivar FAWWON-IRR-D-77 exhibited a substantial damage and low tolerance under high-temperature stress. This study provides essential insights into heat tolerance mechanisms in wheat, forming a foundation for future breeding and molecular studies aimed at improving heat resilience in crops.

Keywords: Common wheat (T. aestivum L.), heat stress, seedling stage, early growth stage, heat tolerance, damage index, heat tolerance index

Key findings: This study identified significant variability among the common wheat (T. aestivum L.) genotypes for heat tolerance at the seedling stage. Cultivars Tuyatish and Nodir demonstrated the highest heat tolerance with minimal damage. The line FAWWON-IRR-D-77 exhibited substantial damage and low tolerance to high-temperature stress.

Combining mutation and anther culture technology could accelerate the rice breeding program. This research evaluated the agronomic performance of doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from anther culture of Inpari 42 GSR Agritan mutant in advanced yield trials. The research was conducted in Bogor and Indramayu, Indonesia from December 2023 to April 2024. The material used was 18 DH lines and two check varieties (Inpari 42 GSR Agritan and Inpari 45 Agritan). The experiment used a randomized complete block design with three replications and the rice genotype as a factor. The result indicated a variation in agronomic characters, yield components, and productivity of the DH rice lines. The interaction of genotype by location was notable in the vegetative plant height, the number of vegetative tillers, the percentage of filled and empty grains, the weight of 1000 grains, and productivity. Highly significant and positive correlations to productivity were evident in total grain, percentage of filled grains, the number of filled grains, grain filling period, and days of harvesting. Selection used the index selection method based on productivity, percentage of filled grains, total grains, and days of harvesting, which indicated the 12 DH lines need further evaluation in multi-location trials for their potential yield and stability.

Keywords: anther culture, correlation, green super rice, mutation, selection index, yield

Key findings: The combined mutation and anther culture technology, followed by the index selection method, can accelerate in obtaining advanced rice lines with good agronomic and productivity characteristics.

Brassica napus is an important oilseed crop, commonly grown worldwide for multiple purposes. A planned multi-locational experiment evaluated the morphophysiological and biochemical attributes of 80 Brassica napus genotypes. Data on various yield and oil-related parameters were evaluated for genetic variability, correlation (r), and broad-sense heritability (h²BS). The analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant variations among the genotypes for all studied traits. Plant height showed a positive correlation with erucic acid (0.290) and glucosinolate (0.264), while secondary branches revealed a positive association with seed yield (2.90). Principal component analysis indicated the first five principal components (PCs) contributed up to 73% of total variation, with the first PC representing the highest percentage of variation. The biplot suggests the genotypes Faisal canola, Diamond canola, AS-333, and HMU-1621B can be beneficial in breeding programs to develop new accessions with improved seed yield and oil-related attributes of Brassica.

Keywords: Biplot, genetic diversity, heritability, oil contents, PCA

Key findings: Eighty accessions, screened for yield and related traits, indicated the genotypes Faisal canola, Diamond canola, AS-333, and HMU-1621B exhibited the highest yield and fatty acid content.

Yield losses from stem borer (Lophobaris piperis Marsh) attacks have reached up to 72%. Currently, information on the preference and intensity of stem borer attacks on the black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is limited. This study represents the first effort to develop stem borer-resistant black pepper cultivars through inter-varietal hybridization. An assessment of stem borer preferences among 29 F1 hybrids and their five parental cultivars commenced under laboratory conditions. The F1 hybrids displayed a range of resistance levels, resulting from crosses between highly preferred and less preferred black pepper varieties. Among the 29 F1 hybrids, three were highly resistant, 12 were resistant, 10 were moderately resistant, two were moderately susceptible, one was susceptible, and one was highly susceptible. These findings provide a promising material for developing resistant black pepper cultivars that support integrated pest management strategies and promote environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), stem borer (Lophobaris piperis), damage intensity, inter-varietal hybridization, preference, resistance, susceptible

Key findings: The F1 hybrids production with various resistant categories came through hybridization among the preferred and less preferred black peppers (P. nigrum L.) cultivars. Three and 12 F1 hybrids attained categories as highly resistant and resistant, respectively, which can undergo studies for developing resistant cultivars in black pepper.

The following study sought to determine yield stability and quality traits in the vegetative generation of highly productive protoclones chosen through clonal selection in promising grape (V. vinifera L.) genotypes. In determining the degree of variability for various quantitative and qualitative traits, growing the selected protoclones of grapevines occurred under various environmental conditions. The newly identified clonal forms proved genetically more stable and homogeneous than their parental genotypes for phenotypic traits, and the degree of variability in their vegetative populations was much lower. The results further enunciated the relative stability of yield and quality parameters of highly productive clones, showing chief association with the clonal breeding.

Keywords: Grape (V. vinifera L.), promising populations, genetic variability, stability, yield and quality traits, quantitative and qualitative variables

Key findings: The newly identified clonal forms of the grape (V. vinifera L.) appeared genetically more stable and homogeneous than their parental genotypes for phenotypic traits. The degree of variability in their vegetative population was much lower, and the clonal selection was successful.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production on acidic drylands needs optimization through breeding to develop drought-resistant cultivars. The rice cultivar Inpago-5 showed moderate tolerance to drought stress. However, further enhancing this tolerance can proceed by precise gene editing of the DREB (dehydration-responsive element binding) gene, utilizing the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats) /Cas9 system. The presented study aimed to engineer the single-guided RNA (sgRNA) targeting the DREB gene in rice cultivar Inpago-5 using the CRISPR/Cas9 approach. The use of the pRGEB32 plasmid harboring the Cas9 gene helped facilitate the cloning of sgRNA-DREB through the Golden Gate cloning technique and heat shock transformation. The sgRNA-DREB confirmation succeeded through colony PCR (polymerase chain reaction), followed by plasmid isolation and subsequent validation using PCR with specific primers and sequencing primers targeting the pRGEB32 vector. The latest analysis revealed the pRGEB32-sgDREB_sg1 and pRGEB32-sgDREB_sg2 transformed bacteria proliferated on LB+Kanamycin selection media, indicating successful insertion of sgRNA-DREB into the pRGEB32 plasmid. The verification through colony and plasmid PCR with specific primers confirmed the presence of a 425-bp amplicon. Sequencing data showed the correct insertion of sgRNA-DREB sequences at the designated site.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), cultivar Inpago-5, plant breeding, CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing

Key findings: The gene encoding rice (O. sativa L.) drought tolerance DREB4 succeeded integration into the pRGEB32 vector, with the sgRNA-DREB accurately inserted at the targeted site.

Heterosis and inbreeding depression are key considerations in potato breeding, particularly in regions with limited resources. Heterosis (F₁) and inbreeding depression (F₂) investigations ensued in 2022–2024 in eight different potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) hybrids generated from true potato seeds in Abbottabad and Battakundi, Pakistan. A randomized complete block design experiment transpired with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the potato hybrids for all traits, except the tuber germination percentage, signifying a substantial level of genetic variability. The Cardinal × Roko hybrid has demonstrated exceptional hybrid vigor for the number of medium tubers plot^-1, with high estimates of relative heterosis (61.78%), heterobeltiosis (61.78%), and standard heterosis (86.01%). The negative inbreeding depression observed for all studied traits, ranging from –0.364% to –187.67%, indicates inbreeding has significantly impacted the performance of hybrids. The noted positive correlations among potato traits provide valuable insights for breeding programs. Results concluded the cross combinations, Cardinal × Roko and Kuroda × Burna, exhibited significant and high heterotic values for the number and weight of medium tubers plot^-1, while desirable negative heterosis for days to maturity. It confirms these crosses have strong potential for release as new potato hybrids. Further evaluation of these hybrids in future breeding strategies can probe ultimate potential for resilience, yield, and other important traits.

Keywords: Potato, true potato seed, heterosis, inbreeding depression, Cardinal × Roko, Kuroda × Burna

Key findings: Given the heterotic effects, the hybrids’ cross combinations demonstrated superior mean performance for the evaluated traits compared with their parental cultivars. Cardinal × Roko and Kuroda × Burna were the best crosses due to the high number and weight of medium tubers plot^-1, positive heterosis, and desirable negative heterosis for days to maturity. Additionally, Battakundi has become a valid ideal environment for potato cultivation and future breeding programs.

The success of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) breeding depends on understanding the combining ability effects of the inbred lines. The study aimed to evaluate the general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and heterotic effects in yellow maize for various traits. Ten inbred lines’ crossing with three testers used the line-by-tester mating scheme. The resulting 30 F₁ hybrids underwent evaluation against two check genotypes in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during the kharif growing season of 2021 at the Cereal Crop Research Institute (CCRI), Nowshehra, Pakistan. Significant heterotic and combining effects were evident for the studied traits. Inbred lines YL-02 and YL-06 showed significant positive GCA for ear length, 100-grain weight, and grain yield. The F₁ hybrids YL-02 × YD-04 (8209.6 kg ha^-1) and YL-01 × YL-07 RC (6979.6 kg ha^-1) revealed maximum grain yield and significant positive SCA effects, indicating potential for yield improvement. Estimates of SCA were greater than GCA for all the studied traits, signifying the importance of the non-additive gene action in the inheritance of studied traits. Based on combing ability effects and yield performance, the F₁ crosses YL-02 × YD-04 and YL-01 × YL-07 RC are desirable for future breeding programs.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), hybrids, mean performance, combining ability, heterosis, heterobeltiosis, grain yield, gene action.

Key findings: The maize (Z. mays L.) inbred lines YL-01, YL-02, and YL-06 emerged with desirable and significant GCA effects. The F₁ hybrids YL-02 × YD-04 and YL-01 × YL-07 RC exhibited with significant SCA effects and maximum grain yield. These parents and hybrids could be beneficial in future hybridization programs of yellow maize.