Oil palm seedlings require both macro and micronutrients for their growth and development processes. The following study aimed to determine the effect of compost manure made of empty fruit bunches and NPK compound fertilizer (16:16:16) and their interaction on the growth characters of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings. The study proceeded in a complete randomized design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement. The first factor was the compost manure of empty fruit bunches (EFB) of oil palm with 100 g (EFB1), 150 g (EFB2), and 200 g (EFB3) per plant. The second factor was the NPK compound fertilizer (P) (16:16:16) with three levels at 40 g (P1), 60 g (P2), and 80 g (P3) per plant. The study results revealed the best EFB compost at a dose of 200 g per plant can increase the oil palm seedlings’ growth in the parameters of stem base diameter, the number of leaves, leaf area, and dry weight of seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer was a dose of 60–80 g per plant, which can increase plant height, stem base diameter, the number of leaves, and dry weight of seedlings. The combination of 200 g EFB compost per plant and 60 g NPK fertilizer per plant can enhance the growth of oil palm seedlings in the main nursery.

Keywords: Oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings, compost manure, NPK compound fertilizer, factors interaction, growth characters

Key findings: Results showed the EFB compost (200 g plant^-1) increased the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer with a dose of 60–80 g per plant enhanced the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The combination of EFB compost (200 g plant^-1) and NPK fertilizer (60 g plant^-1) considerably improved the oil palm seedlings’ growth.

The tembesu (Fagraea fragrans) has the highest ecological and economic values; however, its seedlings rarely exist in the field. The reason is the constraints of natural seed germination and an infrequent vegetative propagation of shoots. Therefore, artificial propagation efforts are essential, including through tissue culture propagation. The following study examined the use of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) for shoot proliferation from shoot tip and nodal explants and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for root induction from in vitro shoots of tembesu. The study comprised two stages—shoot multiplication and root induction. The stimulation of shoot multiplication consisted of five treatments, i.e., 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/L BAP. Root induction treatment used ½ MS media with the addition of IBA, consisting of four concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/L IBA). Results showed the BAP treatment considerably enhanced the percentage of shoot formation and the number of shoots. The highest number of shoots surfaced in explants treated with 1 mg/L BAP, with 32 and 35 shoots from shoot tip and nodal explants, respectively. The best root induction occurred from in vitro shoot explants of tembesu on ½ MS medium containing 1 mg/L IBA, with an observed 100% root percentage and 7.6 root numbers.

Keywords: BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine), IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), root induction, shoot tip and nodal explants, shoot proliferation, tembesu (F. fragrans)

Key findings: In tembesu (F. fragrans), shoot tips and nodal explants were explants with high shoot regeneration potential through 1 mg/L BAP treatment. The best root formation emerged using 1 mg/L IBA treatment in ½ MS media.

This study presents results from determining the effects of biostimulants on the natural weight loss and biochemical composition of apples (Malus domestica L.) during long-term storage. Foliar application with 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg contributed to a significant decrease in average weight loss in apple cultivar Sinap Orlovsky fruits during long-term storage compared with the control treatment and other options. In apple fruits, the TSS content enhanced in all variants after storage, i.e., control (8.6%), 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg (12.5%), and 3% WPU Antifreeze + 3% WP Drip Ca+Mg (7.9%). At the end of storage, a significant decrease resulted in the titrated acids in apple, viz., 53.1% in control and 52.1% and 57.5% in variants with foliar treatments (with 1% and 3% solutions, respectively). Largely, the sugar content increased by 16.7% at the end of apple storage with 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg. The studies revealed a notable influence of meteorological conditions on the accumulation of TSS, organic acids, sugar content, and ascorbic acid in the apple cultivar Sinap Orlovsky.

Keywords: Apple (M. domestica L.), cultivar Sinap Orlovsky, weight loss, biochemical composition, long storage

Key findings: The biostimulant showed the highest efficiency by using 1% WPU Antifreeze + 1% WP Drip Ca+Mg in apple (M. domestica L.) cultivation technologies to improve and preserve the quality of apples during long-time storage.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) contains chemical compounds useful for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and culinary industries and controls the growth of several bacteria and fungi species. Combining in vitro propagation with induced mutation by gamma-ray irradiation can increase the speed of the breeding process to get new varieties with a diverse morphology and high metabolite contents. This study aimed to evaluate radiosensitivity by determining the lethal dose of 50% (LD50) of lavender on in vitro node explants by gamma-ray irradiation and assessing the genetic diversity of lavender putative mutants through morphological observations at MV2 and MV3 generations. Results of the experiment showed the LD50 of lavender was at a dose of 26.1 Gray (Gy). The higher the dose of gamma irradiation, the fewer irradiated shoots survive. Furthermore, a variability of quantitative and qualitative characters in the MV2 and MV3 generation putative mutants occurred. The greatest variability in quantitative characters resulted in putative mutants from 20 Gy. The variability of quantitative features revealed high heritability values for all variables (≥0.5). Ten putative mutants, obtained through induction of gamma-ray mutation, exhibited a change in the leaf color (white or yellow variegation) at MV2 and MV3 generations.

Keywords: Lavender (L. angustifolia), heritability, lethal dose, putative mutants, qualitative characters, quantitative characters

Key findings: In lavender (L. angustifolia), 10 putative mutants characterized by morphological color changes in stem and leaf color emerged through gamma-ray mutation induction. This research shows these putative mutants exhibit improved quantitative characteristics compared to the control. Moreover, putative mutants from 20 Gy gamma irradiation have a high variability and biomass versus the control, and 40 Gy gamma irradiation is the potential material for further evaluation of their biochemical compound.

Tamarix L. (Tamaricaceae) is a taxonomically challenging genus. Six Iraqi species of Tamarix include T. amplexicaulis L., T. aphylla L. Karst., T. arceuthoides Bunge, T. gracilis L., T. mascatensis Bunge, and T. ramosissima Ledeb, which incurred evaluation for genomic diversity and taxonomic identities. The following study presents an analysis of the taxa from all previously described Tamarix species using nuclear and plastid DNA markers on fresh samples of Tamarix species. DNA genomic isolation proceeded by the ABIO pure extraction protocol. This study amplified one specific PCR fragment partially covering transposable pBS ISS to assess the pattern of genetic polymorphism in Tamarix species. Building a specific tree assessed the accurate genotyping of the observed variants and their phylogenetic distribution. Researchers focused on GenBank-searched sequences as DNA barcodes for a meta-analysis. Rectangular and circular cladograms explored displayed the different representations of integrated Tamarix sequences. The presented investigations revealed many interesting facts. This study pursued sequencing to reconstruct the phylogeny by integrating the sequencing results with robust evidence for the species classification and developing molecular markers based on ISS analysis of Tamarix conducted in Iraq.

Keywords: DNA barcodes, DNA sequences, phylogenetic analysis, ISS analysis, Tamarix, species, taxonomy

Key findings: According to ISS, the Iraqi Tamarix species’ isolation occurred by matching with GenBank-searched sequences as DNA barcodes for a meta-analysis. The highlighted details of their sequences had the total length of the amplified amplicons determined. These results were greatly analogous to earlier observations based on the phylogenetic analyses that supported the accurate placement of these isolates within their respective clades and correcting past phylogenetic findings on the relationships among Iraqi Tamarix species.

Maman is one of the food plants growing in Riau Province, Indonesia. It has the names joruk maman and African cabbage, typically eaten as a fermented vegetable. Its verification as Cleome gynandra L. synonym Gynandropsis gynandra by the matK and trnL-trnL-trnF intergenic spacer (IGS) used the DNA barcode sequences. The latest research aimed at molecular authentication of maman based on rbcL and ITS sequences and the evaluation of locus combinations (rbcL+ITS and rbcL+ITS+matK+trnL-trnL-trnF IGS). The DNA extraction utilized a modified CTAB method and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA11. The rbcL and ITS sequences were 839 and 672 bp in length, respectively. The results revealed the maman plant from Riau was distinct as C. gynandra / G. gynandra based on single- and multi-locus analyses. The results suggested a unique nucleotide was evident in the rbcL sequence in the maman from Riau. All the single and multilocus can be applicable as DNA barcodes for C. gynandra and G. gynandra.

Keywords: Maman plant from Riau, Cleome gynandra, Gynandropsis gynandra, ITS, rbcL, DNA barcode, phylogenetic analysis

Key findings: DNA barcoding is a useful technique for molecular verification in crop plants. The presented results could prove vital for researchers in recognizing maman plants (C. gynandra and G. gynandra) from Riau in the future.

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.