The objective of this study was to synthesize, characterize, and modify rice and wheat straw biochar for various parameters (pH, EC, organic carbon and organic matter, N, P, and K). In this experiment, rice straw biochar (RSB) and wheat straw biochar (WSB) production applied temperature at 300 °C. These biochars’ chemical modification with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) resulted in four variants: HCl-modified rice straw biochar (MRSB-1); H₂SO₄-modified rice straw biochar (MRSB-2); HCl-modified wheat straw biochar (MWSB-1); and H₂SO₄-modified wheat straw biochar (MWSB-2). Comprehensive characterization revealed that rice and wheat straw biochar, when modified with HCl and H₂SO₄ changed the values of pH (7.6 to 5.4), EC (1.51 to 0.28), organic carbon (53.65 to 48.25), organic matter (92.28 to 82.99), N (1.68 to 0.84), P (2.66 to 1.54), and K (3.85 to 1.98). However, the impact of H₂SO₄-modified biochars remained more prominent than the others.

Keywords: Biochar, rice straw, wheat straw, modified, H₂SO₄, HCl

Key findings: Modifications of biochars with acids proved fruitful in all characteristics, but the use of H₂SO₄, when assessed, emerged superior to HCl.

Reports of the application of soil improvers, such as zeolite, microbes, and organic fertilizers, stated to provide better nutrition availability and improve the yield, as well as the nutritional content of crop plants’ edible parts. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different soil improvers on rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield and the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content in the grain. The experiment proceeded according to a split-plot design with three replications under irrigated conditions. The experiment’s main factor was soil improvers comprising six types, i.e., inorganic fertilizer as baseline control, while the other treatments had additional microbes, organic fertilizers, zeolites, microbes + organic fertilizers, and microbes + zeolites. The sub-factor comprised five rice cultivars, i.e., Sembada Hitam, Sembada Merah, Inpari 47 WBC, Inpari Arumba, and Ciherang. The soil improvers and rice cultivars significantly affected grain yield. Additional organic fertilizer and zeolite maintained the rice yield; however, the combination of soil improvers did not necessarily increase the yield. Furthermore, the soil improver, especially zeolite, and the rice cultivars have a significant effect on increasing Fe and Zn content in rice grains. Sembada Merah tended to have higher grain Fe and Zn content across the soil improver treatments.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), iron, microbes, organic fertilizers, pigmented rice, rice, soil improvers, yield, zeolite, Zn

Key findings: Results showed the soil improver and rice (O. sativa L.) cultivars have a significant effect on rice yield and grain Fe and Zn content. Sembada Merah had the highest grain Fe and Zn content across various soil improver treatments. Zeolite may associate with the increase of rice grain Fe and Zn content.

For investigating salt composition, the collected soil samples in the Shirvan Plain underwent study for groundwater depth and its minerality and the soil’s granulometric composition. Soil analysis revealed a higher salt content and minerality of groundwater based on the groundwater depth and closeness to the surface. In the Shirvan Plain, the soils were considerably of sulfate type, although the amount of gypsum (CaSO₄2H₂O) exceeds 2.0% without covering a large area. The most common salt was sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in slightly saline soils, sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃), calcium sulfate (CaSO₄), and magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) in moderately saline soils, and Na₂SO₄, NaHCO₃, NaCl, and CaSO₄ in highly saline soils. The contents of NaCl, CaSO₄, Na₂SO₄ and magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) were evident. The study further enunciated that soil salinization processes have covered a large area in the region with higher soil salt content and mineralization of groundwater. In the study area, salinization processes appeared more intense in areas where salt content was above 2.0% and the groundwater mineralization was higher than 30 g/l.

Keywords: Soil salinization, salt deposits, granulometric structures, groundwater mineralization

Key findings: In Azerbaijan, the Shirvan Plain and Ganja-Gazakh Massif sustain considerable effects from soil salinization. This article explores the key factors contributing to soil salinization in these regions, including groundwater salinity, soil characteristics, and human activities.

Under consistent soil utilization and anthropogenic influence, variations occur within the genetic horizons of the soil profile. In this context, the investigations based on structural and mineralogical processes of the gray soil formation are highly pertinent in the Sabirabad region, Azerbaijan. Soil scientists are diligent with conducting in-depth studies of the soils within the republic, ensuring their proper utilization. The following study aimed to comparatively analyze the long-term mineralogical processes under anthropogenic influence and soil exploitation in the Kura and Araz lowlands, Azerbaijan. In this zone, the arable soil analysis enables the assessment of their conditions, identification of the factors involved in the formation of the mineral composition, and assessment of the variations that occur as a result of irrigation and long-term fertilizer use. The soils’ elemental composition provides valuable insights into the soil formation processes, as the land’s genetic horizons exhibited distinct variations regarding this. Irrigation of meadow-gray soils has induced disparities both in mineral composition and the structural state of soils. In these grounds, determining the chemical elements, such as calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V), zirconium (Zr), chromium (Cr), and bromine (Br), was successful through spectrometric analysis.

Keywords: Gray soils, soil genetic horizons, anthropogenic influence, soil compaction, elemental composition, minerals, soil genesis, humus

Key findings: The soils’ elemental study revealed variations in the mineralogical composition of gray soils in the Sabirabad region, Azerbaijan. Morphological and mineralogical analyses indicate clay mineral accumulation at intermediate depths, which likely contributed to the soils’ compaction. The mineralogical composition provides a solid base for using appropriate agricultural techniques, particularly under changing climate conditions.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera L.) rhizomes are applicable in traditional medicine due to their therapeutic properties, which include compounds such as phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical properties, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and bioactive compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of N. nucifera rhizomes obtained from the Joto Reservoir in East Java, Indonesia. The results showed lotus rhizomes contain secondary metabolites, such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and terpenoids, with a total flavonoid content of 9.23 ± 0.04 mg/g QE. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) test indicated that the extract had a moderate antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ of 57.88 ppm. The GC-MS profiling confirmed 238 identified compounds in the crude ethanolic rhizome extract of N. nucifera. The bioactive compounds included linoleic acid (5.90%), hexadecanoic acid (3.61%), octadecadienoic acid (2.62%), stigmasterol 3.β (2.13%), Z-7-hexadecenal (1.73%), 24-norursa-3,12-diene (1.53%), lanosterol (1.51%), campesterol (1.28%), beta-sitosterol (1.14%), betulin (0.82%), and rolipram (0.60%). Further studies revealed the ethanol extract of N. nucifera rhizomes is a valuable source of many bioactive compounds, supporting its beneficial traditional medicinal uses for health.

Keywords: Lotus (N. nucifera L.), antioxidant activity, GC-MS profiling, Joto reservoir, phytochemicals

Key findings: Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoid, alkaloid, and phenolic contents, which can enhance the efficacy of herbal medicines. The GC-MS profiling of lotus (N. nucifera) rhizome extract identified bioactive compounds, such as linoleic acid, stigmasterol, betulin, and rolipram.

The upland rice cultivar Situ Bagendit, developed in Indonesia, is well-known for drought tolerance, rapid growth, high yield, and palatability. This study assessed its productivity under different fertilization treatments during the rainy season in an Oldeman’s E climate zone (3–4 wet months with ≥200 mm rainfall, followed by prolonged drought). Research began from October 15, 2022, until January 25, 2023, at the Class-1 Climatology Station, North Sumatra, Indonesia. A non-factorial randomized complete block design comprised four fertilization treatments (0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% of recommended N, P, K, and SiO₂ doses) and three replications. Fertilization treatments did not significantly affect plant height, nutrient uptake, tiller count, root volume, dry weight, generative-phase shoot dry weight, harvesting, flowering age, and production. However, the 100% dose (1.11 g N, 0.55 g P, 0.27 g K, and 2.55 g SiO₂ per plant) yielded the highest averages for root volume and dry weight, vegetative-phase shoot dry weight, filled grain weight, and reduced unfilled grain weight. This study highlights Situ Bagendit’s strong adaptability in the Oldeman’s E climate, demonstrating its potential for upland rice cultivation in such conditions.

Keywords: Upland rice cultivar Situ Bagendit, climate zone, fertilizers, phenology, growth and yield traits

Key findings: The upland rice Situ Bagendit variety demonstrated significant drought tolerance and rapid growth in Oldeman’s climate zone E. By applying 100% recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and silica, these considerably improved the growth and yield traits.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the most important legume crops worldwide because of its multiple uses and ability to grow over a wide range of climatic conditions. The presented study aimed to determine the efficiency of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and sodium azide (SA) concentrations on two faba bean cultivars. Two field experiments during the crop seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 took place at Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Genetically pure, uniform, dry, and dormant seeds of the faba bean cultivars Cairo-4 and Nubaria-1 received three different doses of EMS (0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15%) and SA (1500, 3000, and 4500 ppm). The results indicated EMS was more effective in inducing mutation than the SA. The mutagenic effectiveness appeared to be better with higher concentrations of both mutagens (EMS and SA). The possible reason for the decrease in mutagenic effectiveness indicated an association with a decreased concentration of both mutagens, which also revealed a less damaging effect.

Keywords: Faba bean (V. faba L.), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), sodium azide (SA), mutation, performance, yield components

Key findings: The EMS with a higher concentration proved more effective in inducing mutation than the SA in the faba bean (V. faba L.). The optimal doses of mutagens are crucial for enhancing the frequency of desirable mutations and minimizing undesirable ones in faba bean breeding programs.

Crop losses due to insect pests pose a significant threat to food security and farming economics. Globally in crop plants, insect pest damage caused up to 38% of yield losses in crops. Excessive reliance on chemical pesticides has led to pest resistance and environmental harm, prompting increased interest in biological control using entomophages (beneficial predatory and parasitic insects). Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (1833), an egg parasitoid wasp, is a widely used insect to biologically control the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and other lepidopteran pests in Kazakhstan. However, distributing Trichogramma efficiently at the field scale remains challenging when done manually. The presented study explored the development and evaluation of a novel unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based system for the automated dispersal of Trichogramma in encapsulated form. The developed system integrates a custom-designed capsule delivery device integrated with a commercial drone, enabling precise, controlled release of entomophages over crop fields. The UAV-based system proved eco-friendly, labor-saving, and effective, achieving over 90% emergence rates and high parasitism levels, comparable to manual application.

Keywords: UAV, drone, Trichogramma evanescens, entomophages, biological control, capsule delivery, precision agriculture, cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)

Key findings: A UAV-based system, successfully developed for precise release of biodegradable capsules with Trichogramma for biological pest control, achieved over 90% emergence and high parasitism rates. It also matches manual effectiveness while offering eco-friendly and labor-saving management.

Refugia is a flowering plant often found in oil palm plantation areas, cultivated and grown wild, with pink and bright yellow flowers. The most common types of refugia plants belonged to the species Antigonon leptosus, Turnera ulmifolia, Cassia tora, Crotalaria pallida, and Crotalaria retusa. However, currently these types of refugia often become planted as edge plants to attract natural enemy insects such as predatory insects. The natural enemies’ attraction to plants is due to the flower shape, color, and the volatile compounds released by the flowers. The following study aimed to determine the flower volatile compounds and their function by interaction between plants and their environment using the glass chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results revealed the production of various types of secondary metabolite compounds by each refugia, such as octadecanoic acid, 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 9-octadecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, tetracosamethyl cyclododecasiloxane, and ester with different percentages. The ester content was 17.35% in A. leptosus, 56.91% in T. ulmifolia, 30.54% in C. tora, 36.35% in C. pallida, and 14.39% in C. retusa. This ester compound provides an aroma to the flowers, and it attracts natural enemies to make the refugia their microhabitat.

Keywords: Refugia plants, insect species, volatile compounds, GC-MS analysis, oil palm, microhabitat, flowers

Key findings: Refugia has various colors, shapes, and volatile compounds, such as acids—octadecanoic, 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy cyclohexanecarboxylic, 9-octadecenoic, pentadecanoic, and hexadecanoic, tetracosamethyl cyclododecasiloxane, and ester compounds. The ester content was the highest in the species T. ulmifolia (56.91%).

Global tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production faces a major threat of tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD), transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). However, the resistance to TYLCD can gain enhancement by managing the vector. In tomatoes, the trichomes act as physical barriers against whiteflies. Developing tomato cultivars with specific trichome types in higher density works as a promising alternative to insecticides. The presented study investigated the relationship between trichome types, their density, and resistance to TYLCD by inoculating the cultivated tomatoes with the whitefly transmission method. The trichomes’ analysis also succeeded under a compound light microscope, aiding the selection of cultivars with high trichome density and TYLCD resistance. A negative correlation appeared between the glandular trichome type VI density and TYLC virus (TYLCV) resistance. Highly resistant tomato accessions (KKU-T23157, KKU-T23160, KKU-T23163, and KKU-T23164) and moderately resistant accessions (KKU-T23152, KKU-T23154, and KKU-T23172) displayed all five types of trichomes, with type VI density of 32–55/mm² and 32.67–42/mm², respectively. Susceptible tomato cultivars had only three trichome types, with type VI density of 9–19/mm². The presence of high glandular trichome type VI density, Ty-2, and Ty-3 resistance genes contributed to the TYLCD resistance. These selected tomato cultivars proved valuable for future tomato breeding programs.

Keywords: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD), Bemisia tabaci, insect resistance, trichome morphology, Ty-2 and Ty-3 genes

Key findings: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes observed with the highest trichome density, particularly of glandular trichomes type VI, demonstrated considerable resistance to TYLCD via a mechanism that encompasses resistance to the viral transmission by Bemisia tabaci. The Ty-2 and Ty-3 genes’ presence enhanced the resistance to TYLCV.