Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a significant agricultural commodity, contributing approximately 75% of granulated sugar worldwide. In 2022, a decline in productivity occurred compared to 2019 and 2020. This prompted the development of a breeding program aimed to determine the optimum induction concentration of PEG-6000, identify sugarcane cultivars tolerant to drought stress, and analyze commercial sugarcane cultivars through molecular characterization of the P5CS gene. The research transpired at the PT Gunung Madu Plantations (PT GMP), Lampung, Indonesia. Three commercial cultivars, namely, GMP-3, PSJT-941, and GP-11, served as samples in this study. According to the analysis of variance, the results showed the optimum concentration for inducing drought stress was 20% with a treatment duration of five weeks on an in vitro culture. For the molecular scale using sugarcane genotypes in the greenhouse, the sugarcane cultivars with the potential for tolerance to drought stress were PSJT-941, GMP-3, and GP-11, respectively, as supported by sequencing results.

Keywords: Sugarcane (S. officinarum L.), drought stress, genotypes, greenhouse conditions, in vitro culture, molecular markers, PEG-6000

Key findings: In sugarcane (S. officinarum L.), the morphological observations, carried out at in vitro condition, showed the optimal concentration of PEG-6000 at 20% while at greenhouse condition, obtaining narrow leaf width characteristics for cultivars GMP-3 and PSJT-941, with the cultivar GP-11 owning the wide leaves. Molecular markers identified for the three cultivars ran through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, shared a close relationship with the research sample from Bogor, Indonesia.

Several laws have reached creation for studying the world cotton diversity, with an enormous theoretical and practical importance. For practical selection, the characteristics of special value are the bush shape, its durability and non-recumbency, types of branching, and the branches’ structure: the size, shape, and opening rates of the ripe bolls, quick entry into the crop, and quick ripening. Therefore, it is necessary to study its relationship with the day length and light period, to irrigation, soil fertility, characteristics of the saline soil, and the existence of other similar signs. From such diversity, it showed cotton is an extremely flexible crop with great opportunities for selection, including the selection of base material. Specifically, the diploid species, such as, Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium arboreum, has a great significance to selection. These old world cotton species are the results of centuries of evolution. Concepts about the origin, botanical composition, relations, evolution, and geographical distribution of cultivated and wild cotton species have been inaccurate until now. Therefore, it is obligatory to revise and update, correct, and supplement the existing information.

Keywords: Old world cotton, G. herbaceum, G. arboreum, diploid cotton, cultivars, collection, wild and cultivated, landraces

Key findings: The present review focuses on the advisory information on the history, development, and genetic potential of the old world cotton species. The findings were contributions by the different scientists from the cotton-growing countries, including China, India, USA, Pakistan, Brazil, and Uzbekistan. The presented compilation of the worldwide past findings will serve as a base source and an opportunity for improving the future research on cotton.

The Dayak Kanayatn tribe is legendary for using medicinal plants based on their grandparent’s experience. Therefore, the contemporary study aimed to determine the various plant species used to induce colostrum, carried out in 2023 in the Dayak Kanayatn community, Pasti Jaya Village, Bengkayang Regency, Indonesia. The study comprised four stages: herbarium development, plant sampling, plant identification, and data collection. The informers were 10 persons, comprising eight village shamans and two midwives. The identified plant species totaled 18, used to facilitate colostrum production. These included Chenopodium sp., Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. , Euphorbia thymifolia L., Euphorbia hirta L., Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) I.M. Johnst., Manihot esculenta Crantz, Arachis hypogaea L., Vigna radiata L. (R.Wilczek), Grona heterocarpos (L.) H.Ohashi & K. Ohashi, Ocimum basilicum L., Leonurus japonicus Houtt., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Moringa oleifera Lam., Musa x paradisiaca L., Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab & N.P. Balakr., Zea mays L., and Zingiber purpureum Roscoe. The commonly used plant parts are the leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. The plant parts consumed can be by eating and drinking, after processing first through boiling, sautéing, and cooking.

Keywords: Colostrum, Dayak Kanayatn, inventory, medicinal plants, method of processing, Pasti Jaya village

Key findings: The presented results provide information about the plant types, parts, and the processing method used to facilitate the colostrum. The latest study is useful for both residents of Pasti Jaya Village, Bengkayang Regency, Indonesia, and other communities, serving as a resource to aid mothers in addressing insufficient milk production by using traditional medicinal plants.

The timely research comprises analyses of chlorophyll content and morphological and yield-related traits and their mutual association in the 29 rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes (26 exotic and three local) under field conditions of Uzbekistan. Cluster analysis revealed the correlation of physiological, morphological, and yield-related traits in rice cultivars. Exotic genotypes, Aya, Goun, Haepyeong, IR- 50404, Junomjosoeng, Polizesti-28, WAB 880 138 2017, Vietnam-1, Vietnam-2517, and Guru, recorded with low levels of association between chlorophyll content and morpho-yield traits. However, the chlorophyll content of four other exotic rice genotypes, DD2, Vikant, IR-86, and WAB WARDA, emerged with the highest relationship with morpho-yield traits. Foreign cultivars, Dongjin, Kuraj, Novator, Diamong, Osmancik-97, Sonet, and local Nukus-2, were notable with above-average values of chlorophyll content and morpho-yield traits. Cultivars DD2, Vikont, IR-86, and WAB WARDA owned the highest levels of chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. Exotic rice cultivars, Chongwang, CNC11, IR-124, WAB 450 113 462, Vietnam-2, Vietnam-3, and local Iskandar and Lazurniy, appeared with a good index for plant height, spike length, grains per spike, and grain weight per spike.

Keywords: Rice, Oryza sativa L., cultivars, morpho-yield, physiological traits, chlorophyll, carotenoids, correlation

Key findings: Exotic rice (O. sativa L.) cultivars, Dongjin, Kuraj, Novator, Diamant, Osmancik-97, and Sonet, and local Nukus-2 emerged to be positive donors for initial selection for chlorophyll content and morpho-yield traits.

The presented research sought to investigate the new types of Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii) from the global gene pool for developing new cultivars with high productivity and economically valuable traits. In breeding of Sudanese grass, the main task was to develop the drought-resistant, highly productive cultivars with good product quality, adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of Kazakhstan. The latest manuscript summarizes the results of many years of research on the local collection and the exotic material of the Sudan grass. Samples selected as valuable starting material for breeding depended on economically important traits, including precocity, seed productivity, plant height, grain quality, and lodging resistance. Based on the research on precocity, the two cultivars Kiz 25 and Kiz 34, placed in the competitive nursery, had their full ripeness phase starting two days earlier (28.09) compared with the standard cultivar Aylana-2017, which reached full ripeness on 30.09. In the competitive nursery of variety testing, the highest grain yield resulted in the Sudan grass cultivars Kiz 4 and Kiz 25. By harvest time, the yield (2.21 t/ha) obtained during the full ripeness phase of grains was higher than the harvest made at the wax ripeness phase (2.27 t/ha).

Keywords: Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii), local collection, selection, competitive variety testing, seed cultivation technology, yield

Key findings: In the development of drought-resistant and highly productive cultivars of Sudanese grass (Sorghum × drummondii), 80 out of 100 samples emerged viable, and based on precocity data, the cultivars Kiz 25 and Kiz 34 reached allocation in the competitive nursery. The Sudan grass cultivars Kiz 4 and Kiz 25 were distinct, with higher grain yield.

The timely study aimed to assess the oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes through cluster analysis, genetic and phenotypic variations, and the heritability (broad sense) during the winter crop season of 2022–2023, held at the University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq. Three oat cultivars (Genzania, Shifaa, and Carrolup) were in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) sampling, with factorial arrangement and three replications. The results revealed for total grain yield, the genetic, environmental, and phenotypic variations, the values recorded were 1.143, 0.1746, and 1.3176, respectively, and the heritability (broad sense) was 86.74% for the said trait. The hierarchical cluster analysis showed the genetic convergence of the genetic structures between the cultivars Genzania and Carrolup amounted to 53.257, and the genetic distance of 12528.264 between the cultivars Genzania and Shifaa. However, the genetic distance between the cultivars Shifaa and Carrolup amounted to 11430.981. Therefore, based on the results, the cluster analysis helps draw the mutual relationship between oat varieties, making a comparison between them is easier.

Keywords: Oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars, genetic, environmental, and phenotypic variations, heritability, cluster analysis, genetic distance

Key findings: Cluster analysis proved efficient in analyzing the interrelationship and genetic kinship among the studied oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars and facilitating the selection process for cultivars with high genetic distancing while preserving the genetic origins.

The promising research aims to determine the response of three chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium R.) cultivars to the concentration of colchicine on polyploidization of plantlets. Node cuttings of three cultivars of chrysanthemum, Pinka Pinky, Lolipop, and Maruta, received four different concentrations of colchicine (0.025%, 0.05%, 0.075%, and 0.1%), for four hours before being sub-cultured to MS media. Observations on the plantlets for morphological and ploidy levels ensued in comparison with the control treatment. Results showed significant variations among chrysanthemum cultivars in response to the colchicine concentrations. Triploids (3n) and Tetraploids (4n) were evident on plantlets of cultivar Pinka Pinky at colchicine concentrations (0.025%, 0.075%, and 0.1%) compared with other cultivars resulting in diploids and mixoploids. In the cultivar Pinka Pinky, the morphological variations emerged from the plantlets of the triploids (3n) and tetraploids (4n) in leaves and root numbers, plant height, stem segment number, and length. This recent study put a baseline for further study on the polyploidization of chrysanthemums using different sources of explant.

Keywords: Chrysanthemum (C. morifolium R.), cultivars, colchicine concentrations, in vitro, polyploidy, morphological variations

Key findings: In chrysanthemum (C. morifolium R.) cultivars, responses to different colchicine concentration varied and resulted in various triploids and tetraploid plants. Induced polyploidization due to colchicine also developed morphological variations for the leaves and root numbers, plant height, and stems segment parameters of the chrysanthemum cultivars.

Extensive community exploitation caused a decline in Pandanus spp. population, with its natural habitats being converted into monoculture plantation areas, posing a threat to the species. Currently, limited information exists on the genetic diversity of Pandanus spp. from Sumatra, Indonesia. Therefore, the genetic diversity study is crucial for conservation and breeding purposes. The presented study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of Pandanus spp. germplasm from Sumatra using ISSR markers. Seventeen Pandanus species, collected from seven provinces, had their data analyzed using 10 ISSR primers, resulting in 50 total bands. The molecular analysis divided the Pandanus species into two main groups and five subgroups. The highest genetic distance (0.93) was evident between the species P. helicopus-1 from Riau Province and P. helicopus-2 from Bangka Belitung. However, the lowest genetic distance (0.20) appeared between the Pandanus species P. helicopus-2 and P. stenophyllus. Based on ISSR markers, Pandanus spp. from Sumatra can achieve clustering according to species diversity. The latest results provide valuable insights for planning the conservation strategies, optimal utilization, and future improvement of the Pandanus species.

Keywords: Pandanaceae, Pandanus species, genetic diversity, ISSR markers, molecular analysis, genetic distance, Sumatra

Key findings: Studying the genetic diversity of Pandanus spp. collected from various regions of Sumatra, Indonesia succeeded. Molecular analysis divided the species into two groups and five subgroups. Using ISSR markers, classification of Pandanus spp. from Sumatra can depend on species diversity. These findings can help in planning the conservation strategies, optimal utilization of the species, and future crop improvement programs.

A field experiment undertaking in spring 2022 assessed the impact of seven NPK fertilizer combinations on the gene expression and biochemical compounds of two Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) cultivars, held at the Kerbala Governorate, Iraq. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) layout had two factors and three replications. The first factor included NPK fertilizer combinations, while the second factor was the two Roselle cultivars (Iraqi-1 and Iraqi-2). The results showed cultivar Iraqi-2 contains missense mutations in codons 23 and 61 (CCA → CTA and ATT → AGT, respectively), which encode for amino acids (Pro → Leu and Ile → Ser, respectively) in the CHS gene. Missense mutations were also evident in codons 80 and 100 (TTG → TTC and CCA → TCA, respectively), encoding amino acids (Leu → Phe and Pro → Ser, respectively) in the F3H gene of the same cultivar. Cultivar Iraqi-1 proved superior in vitamin C, quercetin, hibiscetin, and gossypetin, with average values of 37.87, 0.387, 0.386, and 0.186 mg g^-1, respectively. In fertilizer combinations, combination 6 excelled in all the above-mentioned traits, with averages of 44.42, 0.410, 0.451, and 0.250 mg g^-1, respectively. The interaction between the factors was significant for all the traits under study.

Keywords: Roselle (H. sabdariffa L.), NPK fertilizer combinations, cultivars, gene expression, biochemical compounds

Key findings: The NPK combination (175:150:150 kg ha^-1) excelled in almost all the characteristics of Roselle (H. sabdariffa L.). The cultivar Iraqi-1 of Roselle was significantly superior for the studied characteristics. Therefore, before application, it is crucial to determine the balance among the macronutrients.

For the rational use of water resources, the use of drip irrigation system for corn (Zea mays L.) crop in Southeast Kazakhstan is a chief recommendation. The relevant research aimed to study the influence of soil tillage methods and drip irrigation systems on corn grain yield, carried out in 2019–2021 at the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Almalybak, Kazakhstan. During the research, the soil tillage provided a greater supply of plant residues in the cultivated layer due to better soil crumbling. With traditional and no-tillage, a slight decrease contributed to soil density, and agronomically valuable aggregates amounted to 62%–73%, indicating an excellent aggregate state of the soil. The application of ammonium nitrate and water-soluble mineral fertilizer through fertigation helps maximize the content of hydrolyzed nitrogen (61–68 mg/kg), mobile phosphorus (49–57 mg/kg), and exchangeable potassium (386–394 mg/kg). It proved aside with moldboard plowing, it is also effective with zero tillage. With drip irrigation, the additional use of mineral fertilizers promotes to increase the corn grain yield from 0.87 to 2.85 t/ha. However, the formation of corn grain yield largely depended on the use of mineral fertilizers, and the share of the contribution was mainly reliant on the year of research, ranging from 52.2% to 56.9%.

Keywords: Corn (Z. mays L.), hybrids, soil tillage, drip irrigation, fertilizers, soil fertility, yield traits, productivity

Key findings: For the rational use of water resources, using the drip irrigation system in corn (Z. mays L.) crop is a chief recommendation. The use of mineral and complex water-soluble fertilizers helps to improve corn productivity.