Based on isolating Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus from the intercellular spaces of aseptically produced sugar beet root (Beta vulgaris L.) seedlings in sucrose-containing culture conditions, the following study determined the interaction of G. diazotrophicus, a non-nodulating endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacterium. The entire root system gained intracellular colonization by G. diazotrophicus after inoculating the plant with the bacterium. Sugar beet seedlings’ root tips and cotyledons inoculated with GUS-labeled genes bore scrutiny under a light microscope to examine the blue-stained G. diazotrophicus in the root cells’ cytoplasm. The favorable environment within the cell helped produce the nitrogenase nif gene. Novel inoculations with G. diazotrophicus underwent investigation for their ability to promote the non-nodular endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. The inoculations’ viability as a plant model for investigating the endosymbiotic theory of organelle generation in eukaryotic organisms is another vital question requiring answers.

Keywords: Sugar beet (B. vulgaris L.), GUS gene, G. diazotrophicus, nif nitrogen fixation, interaction, eukaryotic organisms

Key findings: Successful intervention of sugar beet (B. vulgaris L.) seedlings with GUS-labeled G. diazotrophicus occurred for the first time, expressing the possibility of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) as an alternative to Rhizobium bacteria.

The following study assessed the effects of UV rays and electromagnetic fields on the germination of promising medicinal and essential oil plants, sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). The exposure of seeds of S. officinalis L. to ultraviolet rays (UV) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) individually and in combination (UV + EMF) showed the most efficient was UV + EMF (81%) and UV (77%) exposed at the experimental field, District Muynak, Republic of Karakalpakstan. By treating the L. angustifolia L. seeds with ultraviolet rays (UV) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) individually and in combination (UV + EMF), results revealed varied germination rates. However, in lavender, the highest seed germination was notable with UV + EMF (80%) and UV alone (78%).

Keywords: Sage (S. officinalis L.), lavender (L. angustifolia L.), essential oil, medicinal use, UV rays, electromagnetic field, seed germination

Key findings: The sage (S. officinalis L.) and lavender (L. angustifolia L.) seeds’ exposure to UV rays and UV + EMF resulted in a significant increase in their seed germination, and both essential oil plants showed the same response.

The succeeding study sought to determine the mean performance of parental cultivars and heterotic effects in F₁ hybrids of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Six parental genotypes (Guliston, AN-Boyovut-2, Buxoro-102, Yuksalish, Shodlik-11, and Kelajak) underwent crossing to develop 30 complete diallel F₁ hybrids and evaluation in comparison with the standard cultivar (Guliston). The experiment layout in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) had three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the parental genotypes and F₁ hybrids for most traits, except the staple length. The F₁ hybrids Guliston × AN-Boyovut-2 and AN-Boyovut-2 × Buxoro-102 produced the most bolls per plant, while the F₁ hybrids Guliston × Yuksalish, Guliston × AN-Boyovut-2, and Shodlik-11 × AN-Boyovut-2 showed the maximum boll weight. Parental genotype performance individually did not reliably predict the hybrid performance, indicating the complex genetic interactions in F₁ hybrids. The heterosis analysis showed the hybrids Guliston × AN-Boyovut-2 and AN-Boyovut-2 × Buxoro-102 exhibited relative heterosis exceeding 15%–20% and heterobeltiosis above 10%–15% for bolls per plant and boll weight, respectively. The considerable heterotic effects in the F₁ hybrids for bolls per plant and boll weight suggest that utilizing heterosis breeding could be effective.

Keywords: Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.), hybrids, heterosis, heterobeltiosis, dominance, bolls per plant, boll weight, yield-related traits

Key findings: The upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) hybrid Gulistan × AN-Boyovut-2 showed the best performance for boll weight and bolls per plant in the F₁ generation and proved to be the promising genotype for further improvement through breeding programs.

Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivation face constraints, such as decreased soil fertility, biodiversity loss, increased pest and disease problems, and vulnerability to climate change. However, agroecology has gained recognition for its potential to address the environmental and social challenges in food production. This study aimed to investigate the agroecological aspects of cultivation through intercropping of maize and soybean in addition to organic and inorganic fertilizers to support the efforts toward better and sustainable food security. The research transpired in the District of Meureubo, West Aceh Regency, Indonesia. The study, carried out in a randomized complete block design, had two factors, i.e., cultivars (four groups of maize and soybean genotypes) and five fertilizer levels. The data recorded focused on the morphological characteristics of maize and soybean plants. The results showed the intercropping of maize cultivar Exotic + soybean cultivar Detap-1 with 25% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + 30 t/ha organic fertilizer gave the best performance. The lowest outcomes resulted in the intercropping of maize cultivar Bonanza + soybean cultivar Grobogan with 100% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), soybean (G. max L.), climate mitigation, food resilience, agroecological aspects, intercropping, organic fertilizer, morphological traits

Key findings: The intercropping of maize cultivar Exotic and soybean cultivar Detap-1 with 25% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + 30 t/ha organic fertilizer revealed the best performance of both crops.

The assessment of gene action in 10 × 10 half-diallel crosses in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was this study’s focus, carried out during 2023–2024 at the Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq. The experiment based on the said breeding material had a randomized complete block design layout with three replications. The genetic analysis revealed that the t² values were nonsignificant for all traits, and the additive genetic variance (D) was significant for all studied traits. Dominant gene variations (H1 and H2) were higher than the additive gene variance for all traits, with H1 values exceeding H2. The average degree of dominance was greater than one, indicating a predominance of dominant gene action. The ratio of dominant to recessive alleles (KD/RR) exceeded one, reflecting unequal distribution of alleles among the genetic structures.

Keywords: Bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), gene action, genetic parameters, additive and dominance genetic variances, average degree of dominance

Key findings: In the bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), the genetic analysis revealed that t² values were not significant for most traits, except spike count. The dominance genetic variances were higher than the additive genetic variance for all traits, indicating a greater influence of dominant genes.

Pitcher plants have undergone extensive cultivation as ornamental plants. Breeders made significant efforts on early sex identification, particularly before propagation. The following study may be the first investigation to identify the sex determination based on morphological and molecular traits of Sumatra’s endemic pitcher plant. Molecular markers applied related to sex determination comprised the primers DYT1, COX, OPA 15, OPD 05, UBC354, and OPY 7. The pitcher plant samples collected came from South Tapanuli and North Sumatra, Indonesia. Observations based on qualitative and quantitative morphological characters, as described in the descriptor, covered parts of stems, leaves, and pitchers. The results revealed considerable variations among the various species of N. sumatrana for stem surface texture, leaf shape, and upper leaf surface texture. Only the male plants exhibited 290 bp of DNA fragments amplified by the primer DYT1. Primer OPA-15 amplification produced 600 bp, OPD05 gave 850 and 650 bp, and UBC354 provided 900 bp of DNA fragments, found only in the female. The primer OPY7 amplified DNA fragments measuring 610, 680, and 750 bp, and they were evident only in the female. The presented research will be a valuable contribution to the development of an early sex determination system.

Keywords: Pitcher plant (N. sumatrana), genetic diversity, morphological traits, molecular analysis, sex determination

Key findings: In pitcher plants (N. sumatrana), the study based on sex determination was successful through morphological and molecular characterization. The presented research could help in the development of an early sex determination system in dioecious Nepenthes plants and would be greatly beneficial in their cultivation.

Accurate species-level identification of mushrooms is essential due to the extensive diversity in their morphology and ecological characteristics. Consequently, this study utilized the amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to facilitate the molecular identification of mushroom species. The rDNA-ITS (ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer) region of genomic DNA from 10 wild mushroom accessions collected in Sulaimani Province, Iraq, succeeded amplification using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. The PCR amplification products ranged in size from 680 to 800 bp and underwent comparison with sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. When comparing with GenBank data, BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) analysis revealed the identified mushrooms had sequence identities ranging from 93.8% to 100%. All identified mushroom accessions were at the species level, with all being newly documented species in Iraq. These include Volvariella bombycina (PP921334.10), Collybia nuda (PP921333.1), Amanita crocea (PP921336.1), Melanoleuca rasilis (PP921332.1), Stropharia coronilla (PP921331.1), Amanita lividopallescens (PP410315.1), Macrolepiota orientiexcoriata (PP410313.1), and Phallus hadriani (PP410312.1). Two of them (PP921329.1 and PP921330.1) belonged to the same species, Melanoleuca leucopoda. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship among the identified mushrooms. This work discovered the originality of the mushroom species, which expands the Iraqi mushroom diversity.

Keywords: Wild mushrooms, species, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), macrofungi, phylogenetic analysis, rDNA-ITS, evolutionary relationship

Key findings: The molecular identification of wild mushrooms by internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS4 primers) facilitated precise taxonomic categorization and successfully distinguished the closely related species. Phylogenetic analysis elucidated genetic links, offering evolutionary insights and accurately confirming species identification.

The agricultural industry has increasing threats from innumerable negative factors like drought, soil salinity, and the extreme temperatures, as the most noticeable worldwide. These constraints challenge the breeders to either improve existing cultivars or develop new cultivars of crop plants. With advanced biotechnology, the CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and associated Cas proteins) system is an effective tool for engineering certain features in various crops, including cotton, maize, soybean, wheat, and barley. Several agriculturally important traits have already gained improvements by using these tools; particularly, yield losses have reached reductions due to enhanced abiotic and biotic stress tolerance with improved quality, and the shelf life of fruits and vegetables is being prolonged. However, for maintaining global food security, the related research community should take measures toward searching for and developing new methods of agricultural advancements. Therefore, in the following review article, we emphasized on the effectiveness of applying the CRISPR/Cas system for improving drought, salt, cold, and heat tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.).

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), drought, salinity, cold, heat tolerance, gene, genome editing, endonuclease, CRISPR/Cas9

Key findings: Uzbekistan is a region designated with high aridity, salinity, drought, and water scarcity risks. The CRISPR/Cas9 implementation in plant breeding has emerged as effective for broadening the horizons and managing crop problems with a new look. The CRISPR/Cas9 method was evidently highly beneficial in improving salt, drought, and extreme temperature tolerance in maize (Z. mays L.).

Several viruses currently found in the maize (Zea mays L.) fields showed the primary and most crucial one is the maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) in Uzbekistan. The use of a combination of serological testing and next-generation molecular-genetic approaches helped assess the current reservoir of viruses observed in past disease outbreaks. The MDMV has gained proof to infect cereal grasses and maize. The presented results provide important strategies for the management of viral diseases in the sweet corn maize crop, as well as identifying potential future virus threats. The following study explores the distribution, symptoms, and diagnostics of MDMV. A pure homogeneous preparation of the virus immunized in the body of the experimental rabbit became the antiserum (Figure 1). In the isolated serum, determining the titer used the DID method, the AS titer was 1:16, and the amount of isolated AS was 12.5 ml. In addition, the conduct of molecular-genetic diagnosis used PCR. According to PCR results, MDMV appeared as the most common virus affecting maize crops in Uzbekistan. The PCR analysis revealed the maize sample with mosaic signs along the leaf veins and dwarfism was the causative agent of MDMV. The RT-PCR method performed relied on a fragment of the gene responsible for the synthesis of the MDMV shell.

Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), cultivars, maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), phytoviruses, plant diseases, yield-related traits, productivity

Key findings: The diagnostic results showed a considerable spread of MDMV in the maize (Z. mays L.) fields of Uzbekistan. The study obtained and identified a specific MDMV serum by molecular-genetic methods.

The following experiment on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) took place in the fall of 2021–2022 at the unheated greenhouse of the Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq. The experiment included two coefficients and three replications consisting of compatibility between two cucumber cultivars, Sayff and Fito, and four Atonik concentrations (0, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 ml L^-1). The research aimed to know the effect of Atonik on the cucumber’s physical and biochemical properties for cultivation in the Southern Region, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq. The cultivar Sayff emerged considerably superior in plant height, stem diameter, the number of leaves, and fruits’ total soluble carbohydrates from the leaves (156.86 cm, 0.486 mm, 40.825 leaves plant^-1, and 6.511 mg g^-1, respectively), except in the fruit content of vitamin C, which was highest in the cultivar Fito (91.25 mg 100 g^-1 fresh weight). The foliar application of Atonik (4.5 ml L^-1) considerably improved the morphological traits and biochemical composition of cucumbers. It provided the supreme rates of plant height, stem diameter, the number of leaves, total soluble carbohydrate content in fruits, and vitamin C (158.04 cm, 0.491 mm, 41.049 leaves, 6.818 mg g^-1, and 96.19 mg 100 g^-1 in fresh weight, respectively), as compared with the control treatment.

Keywords: Cucumber (C. sativus L.), cultivars, Atonik, morphological traits, physical and biochemical properties

Key findings: In cucumber (C. sativus L.), the foliar application of Atonik (4.5 ml L^-1) considerably improved the morphological traits and biochemical composition and provided the highest rates of plant height, stem diameter, the number of leaves, total soluble carbohydrate content in fruits, and vitamin C.