Cassava tuberous roots are rich in starch but deficient in micronutrients such as provitamin A. The cassava cultivar Carvita-25 is a yellow variant of a white-fleshed cassava genotype (Adira-4) obtained through friable embryogenic callus. The following study aimed to ascertain substantial disparities in metabolite profiles and gene transcripts associated with carotenoid-related characteristics. Genotype Carvita-25 contains β-carotene and its derivative apocarotenoid, responsible for the yellow coloration of the tubers. The metabolite profile exhibited discrepancies in metabolite composition between the cultivars Adira-4 and Carvita-25. Genotype Adira-4 contains the highest levels of amino acid compounds, peptides, and their derivatives, while genotype Carvita-25 contains more amine-type compounds. Differential transcription levels were notable among the genes responsible for carotenoid biosynthesis, Manes.02G081700.1 (PSY1). An enhanced transcription level of PSY1 was evident in Carvita-25 compared with Adira-4, while the lower transcription level of PSY2 resulted in Carvita-25 compared with Adira-4. The GO (gene ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses revealed the upregulation of 2,000 genes and downregulation of 1,772 genes in Carvita-25 compared with Adira-4. These comprise cytochrome P450 (CYP82D47), and bHLH family transcription factors were the candidate regulators of carotenoid-related genes in root tubers. This information can be further applicable to developing strategies for improving the quality of cassava plants rich in carotenoid compounds.

Keywords: Cassava genotypes, apocarotenoids, metabolites, phytoene synthase, transcriptome, yellow-fleshed cassava

Key findings: Carvita-25, a mutant cassava, has appeared to contain beta carotene and apocarotenoid metabolites with provitamin-A functions. The discrepancies in phytoene synthase genes and PSY1 and cytochrome 450 (CYP82D47) have been the identified primary factors contributing to variances in the carotenoid profile of Carvita-25 from Adira-4.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important export crop, requiring high-quality beans with sustainable production to meet market demands. For genetic enhancement, controlled hybridization provides a pathway to improving bean quality and increasing genetic variation in cacao. This study evaluated phenotypic variation in 16 quantitative traits of F1 progeny derived from four cross combinations and performed molecular characterization using 11 polymorphic markers. Data collection progressed in 2019–2021. Notably, the F1 hybrid TSH858 x DR1 emerged as promising by showing higher average pod weight and favorable bean counts per 100 g, aligning with AA/A quality grades. The F1 hybrid 5-1 (2) showcased the highest single dried bean weight and lowest pod index, indicating large bean sizes. Molecular characterization revealed the highest observed (0.64) and expected (0.56) heterozygosity, confirming the origins of hybrids. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.50, suitable for genetic studies. Distinct genetic relationships among the F1 progenies suggested that bean yield and quality variations stem from genetic variation. The results highlighted that strategic hybridization played a vital role in boosting genetic diversity and bean quality as key goals in cacao breeding programs.

Keywords: Cacao (T. cacao L.) breeding, bean quality, controlled hybridization, genetic variation, molecular characterization, heterozygosity, genetic relationship

Key findings: This study integrates morphological, agronomic, and molecular data to comprehensively evaluate the cacao (T. cacao L.) F1 hybrids. The combined use of phenotypic traits and molecular characterization strengthens the selection strategies for breeding. Emphasis on pod index, yield traits, and quality standards aligns the findings with practical breeding goals and industry needs.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes that combine high yield and pod-shatter resistance are essential for improving productivity, particularly under tropical conditions. The following study evaluated the agronomic performance and pod-shattering resistance of 16 soybean genotypes, including 14 elite breeding lines and two check cultivars, across two locations in East Java, Indonesia. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions (p ≤ 0.01) emerged for most agronomic traits, except plant height, empty pods, and seed yield. Seed yield ranged from 2.50 to 3.46 t/ha, with an overall average of 3.03 t/ha, and had a positive correlation with the number of nodes and filled pods. Four genotypes (G1, G4, G11, and G15) were highly resistant to pod shattering. Selection based on multiple traits using the GT biplot successfully identified six soybean genotypes (G1, G2, G4, G5, G8, and G15) that exhibited the best performance for filled pods, seed yield, and resistance to pod shattering. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of multi-trait selection using the GT biplot and provide promising candidate lines for developing high-yielding, pod-shattering-resistant soybean cultivars adapted to tropical environments.

Keywords: Soybean (G. max L.), yield-related traits, pod-shattering resistance, genotype-environment interaction, correlation, multiple traits

Key findings: In soybeans (G. max L.), the seed yield proved considerably and positively correlated with the number of nodes and filled pods. The high-yielding soybean genotypes with pod-shattering resistance and desirable agronomic traits identified through genotype-by-trait biplot analysis could serve as promising genetic resources for the development of new cultivars in breeding programs.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces represent a valuable genetic resource that can play an important role in sustainable crop production and biodiversity conservation for the future. However, the cultivation and genetic diversity of these landraces in the Mekong Delta have been unacceptable due to widespread adoption of high-yielding rice cultivars and intensive farming practices, leading to environmental degradation and biodiversity losses. The following study evaluated the morphological and grain traits of 65 rice landraces from the Mekong Delta, conserved in the Gene Bank of Can Tho University, Vietnam. The landraces underwent cultivation in field conditions and assessment based on the evaluation system of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines. Grain quality analysis focused on grain size and shape. The genome-wide association study was successful in identifying the genomic regions linked to the morpho-agronomic traits in landraces of the Mekong Delta using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Correlation analysis helped link the genetic characteristics with 11 traits, and candidate genes associated with 681 significant SNPs attained identification using the Rice SNP-Seek Database. The findings provided valuable insights into the genetic and phenotypic diversity of rice landraces for further improvement and germplasm conservation in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), landraces, genetic variations, biodiversity, agronomic traits, candidate genes, GWAS

Key findings: This study identified 46 candidate SNPs within 32 genes associated with 11 agronomic traits in 65 rice (O. sativa L.) landraces. Plant height and brown rice shape are the key traits for breeding, with new candidate SNPs linked to them.

The study aimed at examining the impacts of various irrigation systems on passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) seedlings in addition to foliar treatments through N-P-K fertilizer (20-20-20). It was carried out in the greenhouse of the green university of Al-Qasim at Babil in Iraq between 15 September 2023 and 15 March 2024. Seedlings were planted using plastic bags with the capacity of 3 kg. The study was done under experimental design of randomized complete block design with two factors. The former factor comprised two irrigation systems, which included sprinkler and drip irrigation. The second reason was that of the foliar application of N-P-K fertilizer using three levels (0, 2, and 4 g L-1). The findings indicated that there were vast distinctions in the vegetative growth characteristics under investigation such as plant height, diameter of the stem, amount of branches, amount of leaves, and content of chlorophyll. The highest values were realized with the sprinkler irrigation system in addition to a compound fertilizer (N-P-K) of a concentration of 4g/L/L when compared to the drip irrigation system and the control treatment.

Keywords: Passion fruit (P. edulis Sims), irrigation methods, N-P-K fertilizer, foliar fertilization, vegetative growth, chlorophyll content

Key findings: Passion fruit (P. edulis Sims) showed the best vegetative growth values when it was combined with the sprinkler irrigation system and NPK fertilizer. Conversely, the treatment group that applied drip irrigation and applied no supplementary fertilizer, known as control treatment, did not have as many variations in the vegetative growth as compared to the other treatment groups.

Various processes can boost growth traits and the nutritional value of fruits. One such technique is the application of chelating substances for enhancing crop growth and productivity. The following study aimed to determine the effect of humic acid and chelated iron on the growth and nutritional content of apple (Malus domestica L.) cv. Sharabi, carried out in 2022 at the University of Kufa, Iraq, The experimental layout was in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment included nine fertilizer combinations of the humic acid and chelated iron in different ratios. Results showed the fertilizer combination of humic acid (5 ml L^-1) + chelated iron (30 mg L^-1) was superior in the apple seedling height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of shoots, carbohydrate content, and nitrogen content, with an increased average values (39.33 cm, 7.84 branches seedling^-1, 295.07 leaves seedling^-1, 33.01 cm², 43.46 g, 8.81 mg g^-1, and 2.42%, respectively). The fertilizer combination of humic acid (5 ml L^-1) + chelated iron (0 mg L^-1) excelled in the fresh weight of shoots and the chlorophyll content (99.18 g and 36.10 mg g^-1, respectively). For phosphorus content, the combination of humic acid (2.5 ml L^-1) and chelated iron (15 mg L^-1) was leading with an average of 0.57%, while for potassium content, the combination of excelled humic acid (5 ml L^-1) and chelated iron (15 mg L^-1) showed the highest average (3.90%) in the apple cultivar Sharabi.

Keywords: Apple (M. domestica L.), humic acid, chelated iron, growth and yield traits, nutritional content

Key findings: In apple (M. domestica L.), the fertilizer combination of humic acid (5 ml L^-1) + chelated iron (30 mg L^-1) proved superior in most traits, such as seedling height, the number of branches and leaves, leaf area, dry weight of shoots, and carbohydrate and nitrogen contents.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a nutraceutical commercial fruit crop of the subtropics. Twenty-one accessions of round or Gola cultivars were collected from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provinces having diverse climatic conditions. This indigenous germplasm bore investigation for 17 physicochemical fruit traits. The assessment sought to estimate variability and population structure. Accessions collected from Punjab had greater genotypic diversity and a wider genetic base than accessions from KPK. Several accessions proved superior for economically important consumer-related fruit traits, including fruit weight (FW), fruit size (FS), total soluble solids (TSS), ratio of TSS to titratable acidity (TA), and total sugars (TS). Most physical traits displayed positive correlations, whereas chemical traits had a negative correlation. Accessions with larger fruit size and fewer seeds indicated an association with lower TSS. Prevailing low temperatures in both areas enhanced fruit size and decreased total sugars. The principal component analysis (PCA) depicted higher loadings of FW, seed cavity weight (SCW), number of seeds (NS), and TS and grouping of most accessions of a locality in one cluster. The selected accessions, as vegetatively propagated, could serve as candidate varieties used for genetic association studies and as parental lines for the development of hybrids with better horticultural traits.

Keywords: Guava germplasm, biodiversity, fruit quality, principal component analysis, breeding

Key findings: The Round accessions, G₁, G₅, G₁₃, and G₁₈, are suitable candidates for better fruit weight and size. Meanwhile, the apple guava G₉ could be a strong parental candidate for reduced number of seeds, higher TSS, TSS:TA, and dark red skin—a consumer-preferred trait.

The experiment commenced in the shade house at Al-Mahaweel Horticulture Station, located in the north of Babylon Province, Iraq, from April to November 2021. It studied the effect of bio fertilizers and nanofertilizers on traits of some root and vegetative growth of orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). The experiment had a factorial setup (4 × 4) with a completely randomized design and three replicates. The two factors included nanofertilizer with four levels at 0, 1, 2, and 3 g L^-1 and corresponding symbols (N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively). The second factor was the bio fertilizers with four levels (control and azotobacter at 10 ml L^-1 pot, mycorrhiza at an average of 10 gm pot^-1, and a mixture of mycorrhiza and azotobacter as ground additive), symbolized as F0, F1, F2, and F3, respectively. The results showed the treatment of F3 excelled, giving the highest rate for the traits of the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, root length, and the number of roots. Their corresponding values reached 125.93 leaves plant^-1, 72.30 cm, 83.17 cm², 121.52 cm, and 7.89 roots plant^-1, respectively. The treatment of N3 stood out, and it gave the highest rate for the traits of leaf number, plant height, leaf area, root length, and numbers, with values at 66.15 leaves plant^-1, 139.01 cm, 94.64 cm², 138.38 cm, and 9.195 roots plant^-1), respectively. Meanwhile, the bi-interaction treatment (F3 + N3) was superior, providing the maximum values for all studied traits.

Keywords: Orange (Citrus sinensis L.), bio fertilizers, nanofertilizers, growth traits

Key findings: The treatment of F3 was excellent, and it gave the highest rate for the traits of the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, root length, and the number of roots.

The following study aimed to examine the effects of EM Bokashi leaves (a biofertilizer) and several plant extracts in three distinct grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars. The experiment comprised three components: the first was the three grape cultivars (Summer Royal, Flame, and Crimson); the second was the two different doses of EM Bokashi (250 g per seedling); and the third was the application of plant extracts at four distinct concentrations—no spraying and 15 ml L^-1 each of the licorice root powder, roselle petals, and moringa leaves. The experiment adopted a factorial design using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The seedless cultivar Summer Royal resulted in a triple interaction with EM Bokashi at a dosage of 250 g. The interaction of seedling-1 with the foliage of aqueous moringa leaf extracts at a concentration of 15 ml L^-1 increased the volume of both components in the leaves. The iron and boron concentration, together with the total carbohydrate content in leaves’ auxins and cytokines, was comparable to the Crimson cultivar, which did not include effective microorganisms (EM Bokashi). However, this treatment exhibited the lowest average values for the examined features.

Keywords: Grape (V. vinifera L.), cultivars, bio-fermented organic fertilizer, plant extract, biochemical composition

Key findings: The EM Bokashi treatment at 250 g boosted the quality of the evaluated grapes (V. vinifera L.), while also increasing the amount of spraying with moringa leaf extract at 15 ml per liter. The findings indicated the potential of seedless grape varieties to adapt to diverse experimental circumstances.

The presented research comprised an anatomical study of the species Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth. in Iraq. The vertical section of the leaf blade, which passed through the midrib, appeared in a semi-circular form, and the upper surface of the epidermis showed the eglandular trichomes covering the surface of the leaf. The stomata that seemed to occur on both surfaces of the leaf, called amphistomatic, were of a paracytic stomatal type. The needle-type crystals also emerged on the surface of the epidermis. The vein course was of the brochidodromous type. The pollen grains were zonocolpate, hexacolpate, prolate to subprolate, and exine ornamentation, as recognized with three types. Moreover, the study determined the phenolic and flavonoid compounds, and the phenol and flavonoid concentrations were 1.993 ± 0.005 and 191.682 ± 2.273, respectively.

Keywords: Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth., leaf veins, stomata, pollen grains, phenol, flavonoid

Key findings: The C. scutellarioides is notably palatable and has medicinal values based on its biochemical and pharmacological formatting.