Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the foremost vegetable crops in Iraq and worldwide. Faba bean has also become a traditional food in different parts of the world, with cultivations mainly for their protein-rich pods. Faba beans sustain several fungal pathogen infections, which lead to considerable yield losses. Among these, the leaf spot disease is more prominent and considerably impacts the quality and quantity of faba bean production. In Iraq, the leaf spot disease has emerged as a significant problem in bean fields caused by several pathogens. In the presented work, sizable efforts focused on isolating and identifying fungal pathogens of the leaf spot disease in faba beans at the Basrah Governorate, Iraq. The study might also be the first report on the fungal species Exserohilum rostratum as a true pathogen of faba bean leaf spot disease in Iraq. The morphological and molecular diagnoses identified the pathogen by applying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. Searching the sequenced PCR products used the NCBI-BLAST website. The results proved a 99% similarity to the known fungus E. rostratum, with an eventual submission to NCBI under the gene accession number LC769969. The pathogenicity experiment materialized following Koch’s hypotheses to confirm the causative agent. The presented findings revealed the potential pathogenicity of this microbe on the aerial parts of the faba bean (V. faba L.) for the first time in Iraq.

Keywords: Faba bean (V. faba L.), Exserohilum rostratum, leaf spot disease, morphological and molecular identification, pathogenicity

Key findings: The appropriate study identified the fungal species Exserohilum rostratum as a potential threat in cultivating faba bean (V. faba L.) in Iraq. This research represents the first report of its pathogenic effect on aerial parts (stems, leaves, and pods) of the faba bean plants in Iraq.

A field experiment determined the effects of foliar application of zinc (0, 25, and 50 mg Zn L^-1) and manganese (0, 30, and 60 mg Mn L^-1) concentrations on growth variables of three mung bean cultivars (Indian Green VC6089A10, Indian Green VC6173B1319, and Indian Black Gold Star). The study commenced in the crop season 2022 at the College of Agriculture, District Ramadi, Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The experimentation followed a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement. The zinc levels showed significant differences for growth traits, and the 50 mg Zn L^-1 level exhibited the highest average characteristic for the vascular bundle thickness (232.1 μ). However, the manganese (60 mg Mn L^-1) exceeded the measurement of the lower stomata width (13.50 μ), and its comparative treatment (15.74 μ) outperformed the rest of the variants. The mung bean genotype Black Indian outshone the rest of the cultivars for most traits, such as lower stomata length (16.29 μ), but it did not differ significantly from the cultivar Green Vc6089a10 for the mentioned trait. The interactions of foliar application of zinc, manganese, and mung bean cultivars significantly influenced all these growth parameters.

Keywords: Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), leaf epidermis, stomata

Key findings: Zinc and manganese levels and their interactions in mung bean cultivars significantly influenced all the growth parameters. The mung bean genotype Black Indian outperformed most cultivars for most traits.

Mutation breeding can improve the flower color and biochemical content. French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) is an ornamental and edible flower plant used for medicinal purposes. The latest study aimed to obtain potential genotypes with modified flower morphology, which contain high polyphenol content and antioxidant activity induced by gamma irradiation in M4 populations. The plant material was a wild type (MG21 genotype), a local genotype from Takengon, Aceh, Indonesia, with red-orange tubular and ligulate flower types and its five mutants with different flower morphologies. The wild type and its mutant genotypes vegetative propagation reached planting from October 2022 until March 2023 at an altitude of 1100 m asl (6° 46′ 6.268″ N latitude, 107° 2′ 57.703″ E longitude). Flower morphology assessment ensued through various observations based on UPOV and RHSCC criteria, and phenotypic measurement employed a colorimeter. The polyphenol analysis determined the total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). The antioxidant activity estimation of T. patula used the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. The results also showed the diversity of mutant flower morphology, followed by different polyphenol contents and antioxidant activity. The highest TAC, TPC, and TFC were evident in Type-C (all-ligulate, red group), which was also higher than the wild type (tubulate and ligulate, red group). In addition, the highest FRAP occurred in Type-A (tubuligulate and ligulate, orange-red group), Type-B (all-ligulate, orange-red group), and Type-C, while the wild type was the lowest. The research revealed two potential mutant genotypes, type A and C, with high polyphenol content and antioxidant capability due to gamma irradiation in the M4 populations.

Keywords: French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), ornamental plant mutation, polyphenol, flavonoids, antioxidants, color analysis

Key findings: Two promising mutant genotypes characterized by different flower morphology and high biochemical content were obtainable through mutation in the local T. patula genotype. The latest research outcome offers insights into the potential traits of these mutants compared with the wild type. It also establishes correlation, encompassing the quantification of flower color using the CIELAB system to polyphenol content and antioxidant activity.

Crop production decreases because of water deficit stress conditions worldwide. Understanding genetic variation in enzymes and physiological responses of wheat genotypes under drought conditions is necessary to select tolerant genotypes for cultivation under drought conditions. These goals set 15 wheat genotypes for cultivation in the fall of 2022 with two irrigation interval regimes to evaluate their growth and yield-related traits for drought tolerance. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed highly significant differences among studied genotypes for all assessed traits. Genotype G11 gave the highest values in aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, spike per meter, grain yield, and biological yield (9.620 milliunits/mL, 975.8 spikes m^-1, 10.725 t ha^-1, and 29.568 t ha^-1, respectively). Genotype G1 emerges with the utmost value for glutamate dehydrogenase activity (9.62 milliunits/mL), G2 for tillers per meter (1030.0 tillers m^-1), G4 for spike length (11.17 cm), G6 for 1000-grain weight (40.8 g), G12 for grains per spike (40.9 grain spike^-1), and G14 for plant height (117.2 cm). Likewise, water level treatments exhibited a significant impact on the studied traits. However, genotype G11 was leading in grain and biological yields. The five-day irrigation interval treatment gave the highest values in all studied traits except for glutamate dehydrogenase activity. Therefore, the study concluded that wheat genotypes responded differently to water level treatments and water stress at 14-day irrigation intervals, which can benefit screening the wheat genotypes for water deficit stress.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), genotypes, genetic variation, irrigation intervals, drought conditions, growth and yield traits, aldehyde dehydrogenases

Key findings: Genotype G11 had the highest aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, spike count, grain, and biological yields (9.620 milliunits/mL, 975.8 spike m^-1, 10.725 t ha^-1, and 29.568 t ha^-1, respectively). Genotype G1 had the utmost glutamate dehydrogenase activity (9.62 milliunits Ml^-1), G2 for tillers per meter (1030.0), G4 for lengthiest spikes (11.17 cm), G6 for heaviest grains (40.8 g), G12 for grains per spike (40.9 grains spike^-1), and G14 the tallest plants. Furthermore, the 5-day water level treatment significantly affected the growth and yield-attributing traits.

Seven peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes underwent a molecular study. Using two indicators based on the PCR technique, namely, the RAPD and RE-RAPD indicators, cutting enzymes and custom prefixes from the RAPD marker determined the genetic relationship between the genotypes of the quantitative traits. The results showed that RAPD indicators could be beneficial in evaluating peanut genotypes in groups and estimating the genetic distance between them. Direct relationships to molecular genetics and the phenotype genetic distances, special uniting ability effect and the strength of the cross between the average parents, the strength of the hybrid on the best parents, and the average traits showed in parent four the maximum hereditary distance, with parent three exhibited the minimum hereditary distance based on the results of the phenotypic and RAPD indicators. The RE-RAPD indicators were also efficient in identifying 25 genetic mutations, as these mutations have become a diagnostic genetic fingerprint of most parents and an indication of the presence of specific sites, especially of parents, in their genome by using eight primers.

Keywords: Peanut (A. hypogaea L.), parental genotypes and hybrids, genetic analysis, genetic distance, phenotypic and molecular correlation, RAPD markers

Key findings: Peanut (A. hypogaea L.) genotype no. 4 and the hybrid 1 × 5 proved the leading genotypes for best performance. RAPD indicators were efficient in identifying phenotypic and genetic dimensions and mutations.

The latest study investigated the salt tolerance of 55 cotton genotypes at the seedling stage, focusing on morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits at four salinity levels (1.8, 10, 15, and 20 dSm^-1). Morphological parameters, including root and shoot lengths and weights, were adversely affected by increasing salinity levels. Chlorophyll contents decreased, indicating compromised photosynthetic efficiency. Sodium ion accumulation increased under salt stress, leading to altered ion balance. Biochemical assays highlighted increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, elevated hydrogen peroxide levels, and proline content, indicating oxidative stress. The AA-933 showcased exceptional tolerance to salt stress across various levels for fresh and dry root and shoot lengths and weights. Also, NIAB-824 exhibited impressive performance for rootrelated traits. The resilience of SLH-33 was particularly noteworthy, excelling in morphological features, including fresh and dry root and shoot lengths, especially under the highest level of salinity stress (20 dSm^-1). Likewise, CRIS-625, Hataf 3, and FH-498 demonstrated robust adaptability by maintaining elevated K⁺/Na⁺ ratios. Hataf 3 stood out as a top performer across various physiological and biochemical traits, such as chlorophyll contents, K⁺, K⁺/Na⁺, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, proline contents, and total antioxidant capacity, highlighting its remarkable salt tolerance. The biplot analysis further substantiated the distinct traits associated with different genotypes, aiding in identifying those with exceptional performance under varying salt-stress levels. This study highlights the importance of understanding salt-stress response in cotton, suggesting that breeding salt-tolerant varieties could improve crop resilience and productivity in challenging environments, promoting sustainable agriculture.

Keywords: Salinity, cotton germplasm, screening, oxidative stress, ionic imbalance, salt tolerance

Key findings: Based on morphological markers like root and shoot-related traits, SLH-33 was the top performer under all salinity-stress levels. Hataf 3 was the option as a salt-tolerant genotype based on the physiological (chlorophyll contents) and biochemical markers (K⁺/Na⁺, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, proline content, and total antioxidant capacity).

Terap (Artocarpus elasticus Reinw. ex Blume) is a native Indonesian plant that can be a functional and medicinal food source. The conservation of terap has focused on implementing the field gene bank at botanical gardens. These methods presented risks, such as aging, pest and disease susceptibility, and weather-related threats; thus, diversifying conservation strategies, notably through seed banking, is imperative to mitigate these challenges. This study aimed to determine the physiological maturity level and critical moisture content crucial for effective terap seed banking. When harvested, physiological maturity determination used three fruit colors: green, orange, and orange-fall fruits. The critical moisture content identification of seeds had seeds dried for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days in a room at 18 °C ± 2 °C and 55%–65% relative humidity, as predicted by regression analysis. The results indicated optimal quality and viability from physiologically mature orange fruits harvested 100–120 days after anthesis, with 35.31 g 100-seed dry weight and 75%–80% germination percentage. The germination evaluation revealed that the first count was 35 days after sowing, and the final count was 50 days after sowing. The seeds had 0.63% per 24 h germination rate, 64% germination uniformity, and more than 82% emergence ability. The critical moisture content was 36.93%, suggesting terap seeds are recalcitrant; hence, seed banking requires storage conditions to be moist. In addition, storing seeds can also proceed by in vitro techniques, using tissue culture and cryopreservation.

Keywords: Germination, moisture content, recalcitrant, seed banking, seed characteristic

Key findings: Terap fruits colored orange were physiologically mature fruits with physiologically mature seeds. The critical moisture content was 36.93%, suggesting terap seeds are recalcitrant. These findings will benefit terap germplasm conservation. Proper germplasm conservation will maintain the genetic diversity of terap and make it easier for breeders to manage the germplasms for their future work.

In sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) crops for further improvement, one of the breeding efforts can continue through colchicine-induced mutations. Previously, PT GMP had developed through breeding GMP3 cultivars by mutation induction using colchicine. Nevertheless, no studies have investigated how colchicine affects agronomic traits. This pertinent research complements the results of previous work, namely, observing the anatomical characteristics of stomata. The presented study sought to determine the agronomic traits of sugarcane cultivar GMP3 breeding through colchicine induction. The study perceived a descriptive analysis of the agronomic features of nine-month-old mutants of sugarcane cultivar GMP3, carried out in 2021 at the Gunung Madu Plantations, Lampung, Indonesia. The assessment compared the treatment means, with the data further analyzed through clusters and PCA analyses using MVSP software. The results revealed that 21 mutants of the sugarcane cultivar GMP3 had considerable genetic diversity, such as medium-sized leaf width, dark green leaf color, cylindrical internode shape, no dorsal plane hairs, leaf shape with branches at the edges of the leaves, medium internode length (>13 cm), and stem diameter (2.5–3.0 cm). The phenetic analysis showed the degree of relationship between the control and 21 mutants of the cultivar GMP3, with similarity indices ranging from 0.70 to 1.00, confirming the similarity of agronomic traits. The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated the relationship between the control and cultivar GMP3 mutants for qualitative traits with an eigenvalue (>0.20), revealing that 13 agronomic traits played a considerable role in cluster grouping. These findings can become a basis for future research on colchicine-mutated sugarcane.

Keywords: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), cultivar GMP3, colchicine mutation, agronomic traits, cluster and principal component analyses

Key findings: The 21 colchicine mutants of cultivar GMP3 revealed considerable diversity in agronomic traits, i.e., medium-sized leaf width, dark green leaf color, leaf shape with branches, no dorsal hairs, cylindrical segment shape, medium segment length (>13 cm), and medium-sized stem diameter (2.5–3.0 cm). The results obtained can benefit a basis for future sugarcane breeding through colchicine mutation.

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields are gradually increasing in Russian plains, though a limited yield exists, which could point back to insect pest incursion in wheat fields. However, in the past up to the present, yield losses due to insect pest invasion were approximately 20% annually. The latest study aims to determine the effectiveness of the insecticide Thiamethoxam (350 g/l) used in controlling insect pests through wheat seed treatment. The experiments laid out in 2019 and 2020 in the foothill zone of Abinsky, Astrakhan region, Russian Federation. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) used with four replications and a plot size of 100 m². The treatment included one winter wheat variety and four treatments: T1 = Kaytoks, KS @ 0.5 l/t, T2 = Kaytoks, KS @ 1.0 l/t, T3 = Cruiser, KS @ 1.0 l/t, and T4 = the control (untreated). Based on the crop season evaluation, a significant increase resulted in the pest population (4.74 to 26.57 adults/m²) in the control plots. The plots amended with insecticide Thiamethoxam (350 g/l) at the rate of 0.5 l/t showed lesser pest population (0.25 to 1.25 adults/m²), and plots with 1.0 l/t ranged from 0 to 0.5 adults/m². Results also revealed that insecticides of the manufacturers, i.e., Kaytoks, KS, and Cruiser, KS, proved effective in pest control, ranging from 80 to 100%. The wheat seeds treated with Kaytoks, KS (0.5 l/t) and (1.0 l/t) increased their yield compared with control by 9.3 to 14.8% (2019) and 15.6 to 17.3% (2020). Thus, to achieve insect pest control and yield increase in wheat varieties, seed treatment using Thiamethoxam (Kaytoks, KS) at an application rate of 1.0 l/t can be a vital crop protection tool for cereal crops and an eco-friendly method.

Keywords: Winter wheat, insect pests, insecticides, seed treatment, Thiamethoxam, grain yield

Key findings: Seed treatment with Thiamethoxam (350 g/l) significantly reduced the incidence of five key insect pests and increases winter wheat grain yield in the Astrakhan region, Russia. Thus, Thiamethoxam (350 g/l) can be a recommended option to the farming community for better pest control and increased grain yield.

This study assessed the leaf pigments and the activity of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzymes in soybean local cultivars, i.e., Genetic-1, Tomaris, Baraka, Nafis, and Sochilmas, under the influence of the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata. In local soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars during the budding and flowering periods, the A. alternata micromycetes influenced and decreased the chlorophyll a and b index compared with the control, validating the relationship of soybean leaf chlorophyll with the phytopathogenic micromycetes. Compared with the control variant, carotenoid content in the leaves of some soybean cultivars increased to varying degrees in variants with phytopathogenic micromycetes while decreasing in other genotypes to varying degrees. An outcome of the study revealed that the amount of leaf pigments in local soybean varieties infected with the phytopathogenic micromycete A. alternata is higher during the plant’s flowering than during its budding period. Compared with other soybean cultivars, the Baraka and Nafis appeared with enhanced peroxidase enzyme activity by the artificial exposure to the A. alternata fungus. The results further revealed that polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity also increased by 117.7% and 152.0% in the cultivars Tomaris and Baraka, respectively, under the influence of A. alternata micromycetes compared with the control. The activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme was higher in the soybean cultivars Tomaris and Nafis under the influence of A. alternata than in other cultivars and the control. The activity of the peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase enzyme, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase heightened in all the soybean cultivars under the influence of the phytopathogenic micromycete A. alternata compared with the control treatment.

Keywords: Soybean (G. max L.), Alternaria alternata, budding, flowering, chlorophyll, carotenoid, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, control, physiological and biochemical traits

Key findings: In the physio-biochemical defense system of the soybean (G. max L.), it was evident that a sharp increase of the protective enzymes occurred in resistant genotypes by showing considerable tolerance to the fungus A. alternata. Therefore, the local soybean cultivars Tomaris and Nafis were the choice resistant cultivars to A. alternata that can serve as base materials in future breeding programs to develop the soybean-resistant cultivars to alternariosis.