This study used 20 chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.) introduced by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and one French variety. The genotypes’ sowing had a randomized complete block design with three replicates at the University of Dohuk, Iraq, during the harvest season of 2018–2019. Stability analysis revealed significant averages for all traits, except days to 50% flowering, secondary branches per plant, and grain pods. According to the analysis of variance, the chickpea genotypes showed significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences for all morphological and yield-related traits, except plant height, secondary branches per plant, the height of the first pod above the ground, and the grains per pod. The chickpea genotype FLIP09-114C, followed by four other local genotypes, including FLIP09-222C, FLIP09-230C, and FLIP09-220C, displayed the best performance and exceeded the rest of the genotypes for yield-related traits. The results provided positive phenotypic and genetic correlations between traits like secondary branches, grains per pod, and grain yield, and positive environmental correlations with 100-grain weight, primary branches, and pod number per plant. Meanwhile, negative correlations were evident with pod number per plant, and it was significantly negative among the number of grains per pod, grain yield, and the number of secondary branches per each plant.

Keywords: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), phenotypic and genetic correlations, selection indices, yield-related traits

Key findings: The results demonstrated the traits secondary branches per plant, grains per pod, and grain yield had significant positive phenotypic and genetic correlations; selection index I4, which included features related to pods per plant, appeared to be superior. This further confirmed genetic diversity observed in most chickpea genotypes and their variables, which may be effective to select promising genotypes with desirable traits to maximize crop productivity.

The greenhouse is a steel-framed building coated with UV-protective plastic sheets, having complete control over the climate factors to ensure optimal growing conditions for the plants within. In Iraq, the main issue is high temperatures in summer days, which directly affect plant growth and lead to considerable crop losses even if using a normal greenhouse. Furthermore, the lack of technological knowledge among the farmers influences the decisions regarding a suitable plant environment. In high temperatures, the life span of greenhouses is unknown, it being unmeasurable. The following study focuses on solving these issues by proposing a practical greenhouse design prototype to identify the optimal climate factors for plant growth inside the greenhouse. The proposed system used an Arduino microcontroller for controlling and monitoring the greenhouse. The collected data helped predict the expected life span of the proposed greenhouse design, which will be the foundation for developing the prototype by managing expenses for different factors, including energy sources, temperature control equipment, building material, and water resources. Compared with related research, this work is the first of its kind that predicts the lifespan of a greenhouse. The farming community with a little technological knowledge can easily utilize the said system, offering different options based on the identified climate.

Keywords: Greenhouse design, controlling system, Arduino system, building material, water resources

Key findings: The study aimed to evaluate the performance of the proposed greenhouse by predicting its life span using a methodology based on daily data comparisons. The system could be beneficial to the farming community for improving plant growth in the greenhouse. The system successfully implemented and achieved its aim to predict the lifespan and control the climate inside the greenhouse.

The following study comprised an evaluation of 21 genotypes, which includes six parental genotypes and 15 half-diallel F₁ hybrids, applying the path coefficient analysis. The experiment, carried out in 2022 on upland cotton, used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Musayyib Technical College of Babylon Governorate, Iraq. Path coefficient analysis enabled researchers to divide the correlation coefficient into direct and indirect effects, determining the relative contribution of each trait to seed cotton yield. The correlation analysis showed the seed cotton yield had a significant positive correlation with traits, such as the boll number, weight, ginning outturn, and seed index. The path coefficient analysis disclosed the seed cotton yield had considerable and direct effects from the ginning outturn and boll number. Correlation coefficient estimates indicated the ginning outturn contribution reached 21.12%, with the said trait becoming useful as a selection criterion to improve seed cotton yield. The coefficient contributions of the seed index and boll number were 11.49% and 8.83%, respectively, and the rest of the effects were 39.92%. The results revealed that the coefficient of determination of traits holds the highest relative importance as a major component of seed cotton yield. Breeders can use these estimates as selection criteria to enhance seed cotton yield in future breeding programs.

Keywords: Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.), half-diallel cross, path analysis, yield-related traits, seed cotton yield

Key findings: Path coefficient analysis revealed the correlation coefficient of various traits holds the highest relative importance in managing seed cotton yield in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.).

The following study aimed to determine the effects of potassium fertilization on the growth and anthocyanin content of purple waxy corn (Zea mays L.). This research proceeded in a split-plot design with factorial arrangements, two factors, and three replications. The first factor comprised four purple waxy corn genotypes designated as main plots, i.e., two cultivars (Pulut URI and Srikandi Ungu) and two strains [1-3-1-2-B-II-(C4)-II, and 162.1-1-II-(C4)-II]. The second factor was the four levels of potassium fertilizer used as subplots: 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha^-1. The findings revealed the cultivar Pulut URI exhibited superior performance in the number of leaves and 1000-seed weight. The cultivar Srikandi Ungu showed the best performance in producing more anthocyanin content. The maize genotype 1-3-1-2-B-II-(C4)-II gave the best results for plant height, peeled cob weight, seeds per cob, and seed yield. On average, the potassium fertilizer at 150 kg ha^-1 appeared with the maximum plant height, number of leaves, cob weight, seeds per cob, and seed production. The cultivar Srikandi Ungu with potassium fertilizer 150 kg ha^-1 emerged as the best strategy by giving superior results for anthocyanin content and 1000-seed weight.

Keywords: Zea mays var. Ceratina Kulesh, cultivars, potassium fertilization, genotype, anthocyanin content

Key findings: Purple waxy corn (Z. mays L.) genotypes showed varied performance in anthocyanin content. Cultivar Srikandi Ungu with potassium fertilization of 150 kg ha^-1 was the best strategy for giving superior results for anthocyanin content and 1000-seed weight. Therefore, purple waxy corn with the highest anthocyanin content requires further development as a food alternative.

The effect of microbiological fertilizers on the leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments and the seed protein and oil content in introduced and local cultivars of soybean (Glycine max L.) planted as a repeat crop was this research’s focus for investigation. Based on the analysis, the microbiological preparation Rhizotorphin enhanced the leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids by 8.3%–16.7% and 1%–23.7%, respectively, as well as depending on the cultivar. The microbiological fertilizer Bioazot increased the leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids by 1%–18.7% and 1.04%–19.7%, respectively. The soybean grain’s protein content also significantly rose with the influence of biofertilizers. However, the highest grain protein content was evident in the introduced cultivar Arleta (40.47%) and local cultivars Ehtiyoj (39.38%) and Xotira (38.02%) treated with biofertilizer Bioazot. A negative relationship emerged between the seed protein and oil content in analyzing the seed oil characteristics in soybean cultivars under the influence of microbiological preparations. The soybean cultivars observed with a higher protein content resulted from the influence of microbiological fertilizers but showed a reduced seed oil content.

Keywords: Soybean (G. max L.), cultivars, microbiological fertilizers, Rhizotorphin, Bioazot, chlorophyll, carotenoids, oil, protein, oil content

Key findings: Results revealed microbiological fertilizers had a significant positive effect on the physio-biochemical processes of soybean (G. max L.). The microbiological fertilizer Bioazot seed treatment had a considerable positive effect on the leaf chlorophyll and grain protein content of the cultivars Ehtiyoj, Xotira, and Arleta.

This paper presents a study aimed at determining the soil’s biological activity using its enzymatic activity and the ability of urban soils to self-heal in various territories of the Lankaran Region, Azerbaijan. Results revealed microorganisms decreased to 2.0-1.0-0.8×10⁶/g soil at the depth of 70-80-100 cm in light and ordinary subtypes of gray-brown soils. In cultivated variants of these soils under grain crops, a similar trend was dominant, with a decrease recorded in the total number of microorganisms from 4.8-4.0×10⁶/g soil in upper horizons to 2.2-1.5×10⁶/g soil in lower horizons. In the composition of microorganisms in the soil of virgin origin and cultivated cenoses, non-spore-forming bacteria (74.9% and 75.3%) and actinomycetes (24.8% and 24.3%) predominated. However, in small-sized fungi and spore-forming bacteria, there existed a slight difference of 0.5% and 0.3% and 18.8%–25.1%, respectively. In irrigated variants of these soils, the humus content decreased quite moderately, from 2.09% in the upper layers (0–10 cm) to 1.35% in the lower layers (50–70 cm). The average number of microbiota in the 0–100 cm layer of the studied gray-brown soils varies around 4.1-3.7-1.8-3.5×10⁶/g soil.

Keywords: Anthropogenic factors, soil erosion, enzyme activity, cellulolytic activity, actinomycetes, small-sized fungi, spore-forming bacteria

Key findings: Cellulolytic activity is an important indicator of the intensity of destruction processes in the soil. Results showed that in individual horizons, the microbiota variations proved associated with the humus state of the studied soils.

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.