The Mughan Plain irrigation has existed since ancient times in Azerbaijan, but no known organized and sufficient data are available on such activity. The presented study aimed to assemble the detailed information on the processes that occurred in the irrigated and raw soils of the Mughan Plain and quantify a system of complex measures to improve degraded soils resulting from anthropogenic effects in the recent era. Research showed that in Mughan Plain, the non-salinized soils were predominant in areas with a better collector-drainage system with proper agrotechnical and land reclamation measures. In those areas, the salts varied between 0.108% and 0.250%, while in some parts, the saline soils also appear. Weakly salined soils were also evident in satisfactory areas of collector-drainage systems, and the level of salts ranged between 0.26% and 0.50%, with the chemical composition as chloride-sulfate, sulfate, and sulfate-chlorine. Moderately saline soils mainly have a distribution in municipal lands and in the areas used for cotton crop up to some extent.

Keywords: Anthropogenic effects, granulometric composition, meadow-gray soils, alluvial-meadow soil, saline soils, groundwater and mineralization, land reclamation measures

Key findings: Anthropogenic effects caused variations in the research area soil, which led to variations in the humus, total nitrogen, and phosphorus content. In an investigation of the 40-year period, the absorbed bases and salts in meadow-gray and alluvial-meadow soils and an increase and decrease in their content were notable.

The growth and development evaluation of the ornamental plant Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre L.) applied with different doses of sewage sludge was the focus of this study. Sedum acre growing for two months continued in vessels containing 500 g of nutrient soil in the greenhouse. Chorological analysis showed the Crassulaceae species distribution covered three different areas of the Irano-Turanian Province. The experimental technique also met the requirements for the vegetation experiment. During the growing season, the morphological parameters of plants and the chlorophyll content in the Sedum acre L. leaves succeeded detection. The application of municipal waste developed the variations in ash content of the soil and positively affected the phosphorus and potassium contents. The work established an observable relationship between an increased dose of sewage sludge and the variations in acidity of the peat soil. In Sedum acre L., the obtained maximum plant biomass emerged with the recommended dose of sewage sludge and fertilization added to the soil.

Keywords: Goldmoss stonecrop (S. acre L.), ornamental plant, sewage sludge, leaf biomass, morphological indicators, flowering phase

Key findings: In Goldmoss stonecrop (S. acre L.), it is advisable to use fertilization in the soil. The phenological observations of Sedum acre L.’s different vegetative stages (flower bud swelling, flowering, fruit setting, and fruit ripening) emerge as first-time research, considering them as innovative from an environmental viewpoint.

Mass (cadastral) monetary valuation of land is one of the most relevant and crucial tasks in Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. This study aimed to analyze the feasibility and advantages of conducting cadastral monetary valuation of urban land using GIS technologies. The presented research, employing the content-analysis method and experts’ survey, reviewed key theoretical concepts related to the use of GIS technologies in land valuation. Moreover, it proposed an algorithm for classifying cadastral monetary valuation of urban land with GIS application, identifying the key activities where GIS technologies significantly enhance the land valuation. The study found that strict adherence to requirements and standards by executors and using GIS technologies in land valuation ensures the following: a) comprehensive information about the state land cadaster; b) timely and high-quality service delivery; and c) optimization of the workforce involved in land management and valuation. In conclusion, in the monetary valuation of urban lands, GIS technologies offer significant advantages, including automation, reduced project timelines with improved quality documentation, unlimited reproducibility of valuation results, and standardization of project materials.

Keywords: Urban land, urban land valuation, cadastral valuation, geographic information system (GIS), GIS technologies

Key findings: In the cadastral monetary valuation of urban lands, the integration of GIS technologies enhanced efficiency and accuracy. It automates data processing, reduces project completion times, and makes it more beneficial for optimizing land management and valuation processes.

This study focused on four cultivars of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) planted in DhiQar Governorate (Date Palm Genetic Bank Project): Al-Shawithi, Al-Barhi, Al-Khudrawi, and Jamal Al-Din. The study’s aim was to determine the genetic fingerprint of each cultivar and probe the genetic variation and relatedness among them. The use of the PCR-ISSR technique, which relies on analyzing DNA genetic material variation, was successful. The results showed the Al-Barhi and Al-Shawithi cultivars exhibited genetic diversity using the ISSR 4 primer, resulting in 16 genetic patterns. The ISSR 7 primer produced the most genetic patterns, reaching 23 patterns. When using cluster analysis for the cultivars, the Al-Shawithi cultivar’s isolation was evident from the rest of the cultivars. The results also indicated a genetic proximity between the Al-Khudrawi and Jamal Al-Din cultivars, while the Al-Barhi cultivar deviated somewhat from these two cultivars. This was prominent through the depiction of genetic ratio records.

Keywords: Date palm (P. dactylifera L.), genetic variation, ISSR primers, genetic fingerprint

Key findings: The date palm (P. dactylifera L.) cultivars Al-Barhi and Al-Shawithi exhibited genetic diversity using the ISSR 4 primer, resulting in 16 genetic patterns.

In crop plants, the leaves considerably serve as carbon sinks, as well as stems, roots, flowers, fruits, and seeds with photosynthetic activities. Concerning plant fruits, their photosynthetic activity mostly results from the anatomy of the fruit, its growth and development, and the surrounding microclimate. At the early stage, the fruits normally contain the highest score of chlorophyll and stomata and thin cuticles. However, some species keep stomata in their fruits even after ripening, but most species miss stomata disintegrating chloroplasts and miss functionality. The collection of different wild fruit species came from various areas of Iraq. The epidermis of fruits, as obtained by peeling the exocarp, had this study examine the epidermis, stomata, crystals, and trichomes. The study revealed the scattering of the stomata in the epidermis of the exocarp in the fruits of some species, while none in others. Moreover, the stomata vary among the plant species, with the study categorizing the wild fruit species into four groups. The collected different wild fruit species were Alcea rosea, Alhagi maurorum, Citrullus colocynthis, Convolvulus arvensis, Malvastrum coromandelianum, Ocimum campechianum, Physalis angulata, Portulaca oleracea, Prosopis glandulosa, Rubus ulmifolius, and Withania somnifera. The anticlinal wall of epidermal cells also differed among the different fruit species between straight and wavy. Likewise, the druse crystals appear in the species Portulaca oleracea, and various types of trichomes were evident in the different wild fruit species under study.

Keywords: Fruit species, fruit types, stomata, epidermis, crystals, trichomes

Key findings: The wild fruit species collection continued from the different areas of Iraq. The study showed diverse shapes and diffusion of the stomata in the epidermis of some species. However, in some wild fruit species, the epidermis missed the stomata.

The physiological and biochemical parameters’ evaluation of the broad bean (Vicia faba L.) exotic genotypes obtained from the ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) became this study’s aim. Particularly, when analyzing the plant leaf spectrophotometrically, the total water content in the plant leaf ranged from 74.9% to 88.9%. In the combing phase of broad bean, the leaf chlorophyll a was highest in the genotypes G-15 and G-29 (2.07 mg/g), chlorophyll b in G-29 was 1.27 mg/g, and carotenoid content in the genotype Bakla UNV-851 was 0.95 mg/g, while G-35 was higher for total pigment content (3.14 mg/g). At the flowering phase, the superior value recorded for chlorophyll a was in the genotype Bakla UNV-851 (2.10 mg/g), chlorophyll b was in G-35 (1.20 mg/g), carotenoid content was in Bakla UNV-851 (0.96 mg/g), and total pigment was in the genotype G-26 (3.22 mg/g). For chlorophyll a content, the supreme value resulted in the genotype Bakla UNV-851 (2.12 mg/g); chlorophyll b emerged to be higher in the genotype G-1 (1.47 mg/g), the carotenoid content was greater in Bakla UNV-851 (0.90 mg/g), and the total pigments were highest in the genotype Bakla UNV-852 (3.43 mg/g).

Keywords: Broad bean (V. faba L.), growth phases, photosynthetic

Key findings: The water deficiency in different growth phases of plants leads to disruption of physiological processes. The highest total water content resulted in the genotype G-22, while it was slightly lower in the G-50. The highest transpiration rate was evident in the genotype Bakla UNV-851 and the lowest in the genotype G-26.

For the first time, the determination of biological activity parameters found in the upper horizon (0–20 cm) of the mountain gray forest soil succeeded at the agrocenosis and natural biogeocenosis of the Sheki-Zagatala Economic Region, Azerbaijan. The use of integrated indicators of the ecological and biological state of soils (IIEBSS) summarized the variations in biological activities (humus content and reserves, microbial biomass carbon content and reserves, activity of hydrolase, and oxidoreductase enzymes) of the arable soils. A 45% IIEBSS decrease was evident in the cultivated soils due to soil degradation processes leading to a disruption of their ecological functions and a decline in their fertility. The pioneering study made a comparative assessment of the variations caused by the biological activity in the upper horizon of mountain gray forest soils’ biogeocenosis in the southern macroslope of the Greater Caucasus. Studies on soil biological indicators are few, and this research is vital to develop and boost ecotourism.

Keywords: Soil biological activities, soil degradation, soil fertility, mountain gray forest soils, Greater Caucasus, Sheki-Zagatala Economic Region, soil use for agriculture

Key findings: The progressive study predominantly depended on the effective use of forest soils with decisive importance. The study revealed soil stability was low in cultivated cenoses under long-term anthropogenic

The priority of agricultural development is to ensure a significant increase in crop yields while improving soil fertility through the use of fertilizers and reducing the ecological burden on the environment. The following study sought to assess the role of foliar fertilization with amino acid (Amino Turbo) and humic acid (Ruter AA and Geogumat) fertilizers on the grain yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.). Field experiments conducted during 2023–2024 focused on the low-fertility soil, lightly irrigated sierozems, with phosphorus fertilizers as a baseline in the District Koksu, Zhetysu Region, Kazakhstan. Fertilizations occurred at key development phases, i.e., the first at BBCH (cereal development stage scale) 25–29 and the second at BBCH 30–31. Without foliar fertilizers, average yields were 3.26 t/ha in winter wheat and 3.07 t/ha in soybean. Ruter AA yielded the best result in winter wheat (4.64 t/ha), while Geogumat improved the soybean yield (4.13 t/ha). Amino Turbo was ineffective in winter wheat; however, it increased the soybean yield relative to the control. The combined application of humic and amino acid fertilizers with phosphorus supported 68%–84% yield potential in winter wheat and 92%–98% in soybean, maintaining optimal soil nutrient levels (20–40 mg/kg in wheat and 25–40 mg/kg in soybean). Overall, the humic acids (Ruter AA and Geogumat) significantly enhanced the yield potential, revealing the efficiency of this nutrient strategy for better plant growth and productivity.

Keywords: Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), humic acids, amino acids, leaf fertilizers, mobile phosphorus, growth traits, grain yield

Key findings: The water deficit condition at the flowering stage caused a significant reduction in yield and its components in maize. The silicon treatment 6 mM L-1 concentration notably enhanced the grain and oil yields and carbohydrates.

Trichoderma sp. is a promising biocontrol agent against phytopathogens that cause significant yield losses in various crops. The following study aimed to identify the Trichoderma spp. isolates through morphological and molecular characterizations and to select the most potential Trichoderma isolates antagonistic to the fungi species Colletotrichum sp. and Rhizoctonia solani. Trichoderma spp. colonies exhibited a flat elevation with a central regular edge, central yellow to green with white edges, and the highest degree of branching and pyramid-shaped conidiophores. The 17 isolates belonged to Trichoderma asperellum (13 isolates), T. gamsii (one isolate), T. harzianum (two isolates), and T. koningiopsis (one isolate). By dual culture assays, T. koningiopsis TR3 and T. asperellum Pan23.1 had the higher growth inhibition than others against the phytopathogen Colletotrichum, accounting for 75.86% and 82.76%, respectively. T. asperellum Kun4, T. asperellum Pan23.2, and T. koningiopsis TR3 demonstrated their supreme growth inhibition against the phytopathogen Rhizoctonia (85.00%, 87.50%, and 92.50%, respectively). The preliminary screening of isolates T. asperellum (Pan23.1, Pan23.2, and Kun4) and T. koningiopsis TR3 confirmed their ability as potential biocontrol agents. Therefore, further studies are essential to explore these four isolates as effective biocontrol agents for controlling the phytopathogens Colletotrichum sp. and Rhizoctonia solani.

Keywords: Trichoderma spp., biocontrol agent, antagonism, Colletotrichum sp., Rhizoctonia sp., growth inhibition, crop losses, ITS

Key findings: Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, the 17 tested isolates acquired from this study attained grouping in the same cluster identified as Trichoderma asperellum, T. gamsii, T. harzianum, and T. koningiopsis. Dual culture tests demonstrated that T. koningiopsis TR3 and T. asperellum Pan23.1 had the highest growth inhibition against Colletotrichum. The T. asperellum Kun4 and Pan23.2 and T. koningiopsis TR3 exhibited the greatest antagonism against the phytopathogen Rhizoctonia.

Merauke is a national rice storage extremely fundamental to ensuring food security in Indonesia. For improved rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain quality and harvest and postharvest activities, a physical grain characteristic assessment took place according to the national standardization of rice in Indonesia (SNI). Among five district sampling areas, the trait moisture content was below the SNI maximum standard, while both impurities-foreign matter and immature-chalky kernels met the SNI quality II. For the features of damage and yellow kernels, they passed the SNI quality III, and red-streaked kernels met the SNI quality II. Based on physical grain quality traits, categorizing 28 samples resulted in three groups through a principal component analysis (PCA), with a variability value of 30.87% (PC1) and a cumulative variance of 56.20%. A biplot of grain quality showed that samples Pan-M, Cem-J, Inp43-J, and Inp43-K were the outlier samples as influenced by certain characteristics, such as Pan-M having the highest immature-chalky kernels with a value of 7.54% and impurities-foreign matter with a value of 5.60%. Moreover, the sample Cem-J had the highest red-streaked kernels, with a value of 19.59%, and two other samples (Inp43-K and Inp43-J) had damage-yellow kernel values of 19.98% and 19.56%, respectively.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), cultivars, plant genetic resources, PCA, biplot analysis, physical grain quality

Key findings: Rice (O. sativa L.) genotypes grown in Merauke varied based on their physical grain characteristics. For grain quality, five characteristics met the SNI standard, while the moisture content was below the SNI maximum standard and still requires special attention. Proper harvest and post-harvest practices considerably improved the grain quality, positively impacting the market value.