Phytochemicals are plant-based bioactive compounds produced by plants for their protection. In Allium species, the principal bioactive phytochemicals include organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, and saponins. Most of them have also displayed antioxidant activities aside from other biological properties. Selection for productivity, disease resistance, and long shelf life has brought the biologically active substances out of control of selection. However, at the same time, enhancement of their contents could result from hybridization with some wild species of Allium.

Keywords: Allium L., calorie content, biochemical composition, nutritional values, onions, chives, garlic, leeks

Key findings: Genus Allium L. species is a valuable source of biologically active compounds, such as vitamins, dietary fibers, antioxidants, and cholesterol-lowering compounds.

Information on the inheritance of adaptive traits to high plant density (HD) and low N (LN) in maize is a prerequisite for breeders to develop tolerant varieties to these stresses. The objective of the presented study was to estimate additive and dominance variances, heritability, and genetic advancement of the adaptive traits of tolerance to HD and LN stresses. Eight diverse maize inbred lines tolerant to HD and LN were options for diallel crosses. Parents and F1 crosses sustained evaluation in two seasons under nine environments, viz., three plant densities (high = HD, medium = MD, and low = LD) × three N levels (high = HN, medium = MN, and low = LN). A randomized complete block design with three replications functioned in each environment. Both additive and dominance variances were significant; dominance was appreciably higher than the additive variance in most cases. The degree of dominance was more in the over-dominance range. The highest heritability, along with the highest genetic advance, succeeded from the environment stressed for both HD and LN for leaf angle, penetrated light at the bottom of the plant, and leaf area produced 1g grain, and from the environment stressed for HD for plant height and 100-kernel weight. Moreover, the results suggested that heterosis breeding is the method of choice for the genetic improvement of most studied traits.

Keywords: Plant density, Low N, combining ability, additive, dominance, heritability

Key findings: The results of this study will help maize breeders plan a proper breeding program for improving hybrids tolerant to high plant density and low N stresses in Egypt.

Late sowing of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop correlates with high temperatures. Thus, temperature is one of the main restraining factors influencing wheat yield productivity, especially during the grain-filling period. The best solution to this problem is to evolve heat-tolerant genotypes. Yet, heat tolerance is a complicated issue, causing it a challenge to make a reliable assessment of it. High-temperature stress is a chief ecological constraint hampering the productivity of hexaploid wheat in most parts of the globe. Wheat genotypes, which persist against abiotic stresses, especially at terminal stress periods, are options to meet Pakistan’s food requirements in the coming years. In the current study, concerning SCA effects, the F₁ hybrids, such as TD-1 × Kiran-95, NIA-Sarang × TJ-83, Benazir × AS-2002, TD-1 × Kiran-95, NIA-Sarang × Benazir, and TJ-83 × AS-2002, expressed rewarding SCA effects for several characteristics under the heat-stress environment; hence, they could be alternatives in future wheat breeding programs. Heterosis may further be a pursuit for these crosses to get the advantage of hybrid vigor.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), heterosis, yield, heat stress, genotypes, physiological and yield traits

Key findings: Regarding SCA effects, the F₁ hybrids, such as TD-1 × Kiran-95, NIA-Sarang × TJ-83, Benazir × AS-2002, TD-1 × Kiran-95, NIA-Sarang × Benazir, and TJ-83 × AS-2002, articulated rewarding SCA effects for several traits under heat-stress environment. Hence, they can be options in future wheat (T. aestivum L.) breeding programs.

Coffea canephora × C. arabica-crossing direction has shown to have a complete post-zygotic barrier. The study sought to unravel the degree of seed failure of paternal excess interspecific hybridization of C. canephora × C. arabica. The present research was conducted at the Pakuwon Experimental Station, Indonesian Industrial and Beverage Crops Research Institute (IBCRI), from August 2019 until March 2022. The C. canephora “Sidodadi” hand pollination used freshly collected pollen from C. arabica “Mangening” and C. arabica “AGK,” as well as from C. canephora “Kriting” and C. liberica. The fruit set was observed three months after anthesis (MAP) and six MAP. Cherry fruit and seed morphometric traits were measured at harvest time, with the number of seeds with collapsed endosperm (empty seed) also recorded. The surviving healthy seeds subsequently were sown to observe germination percentage. The number of leaf pairs on developing seedlings was recorded at a 2-month interval. Results showed that paternal excess had generated larger fruit and seeds but mostly contained collapsed endosperm. Few healthy developed seeds could germinate and subsequently develop into seedlings that are more vigorous. Interestingly, the interspecific homoploid crossing of C. canephora × C. liberica also exhibited a robust post-zygotic barrier.

Keywords: Coffea, interploidy, parent-of-origin, paternal excess, reproductive isolation

Key findings: These findings could become preliminary information related to the early-acting postzygotic reproductive barrier between diploid maternal of C. canephora and tetraploid paternal of C. arabica. The low frequency of hybrid seeds succeeded to germinate and develop into normal seedlings. These novel F1 hybrids could potentially be integrated in future coffee breeding programs.

Zinc deficiency prevails in one-third of the world’s population, which is mainly due to the intake of cereals grown on zinc-deficient soils. Biofortification is a top priority among different solutions to this condition and is an agricultural intervention suitable for farmers and consumers due to accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a short-duration and high-yielding crop that can grow in two seasons per annum and is the most suitable cereal for biofortification. The present study investigated 150 genetically diverse maize inbred lines for grain-zinc contents, yield, and yield-contributing traits, employing an augmented field design. Significant genotypic diversity was prominent for the studied traits. The first four components of the principal component analysis (PCA) depicted an Eigen value of more than one, which explained 73.5% of the total variability. Among inbred lines, E102, E38, E92, E52, E91, E1, E93, E54, E28, E25, E72, E30, and E90 showed higher grain-zinc contents and average grain yields per plant in the PCA-based study. The grain-zinc contents were less than the desired level (33 mg kg-1) notified by HarvestPlus. Creating significant genetic diversity and exploiting its existing level for heterotic performance is a prerequisite to achieve the desired level of grain-zinc contents and yield. Correlation studies revealed a significant positive association of average grain yield per plant with the ear length, the number of grains per row, the number of rows per cob, and 1000-grain weight. Selection of inbred lines based on the standards of positive association with grain yield per plant could improve total yield.

Keywords: Maize, augmented design, biofortification, correlation coefficients, genetic variability, PCA

Key findings: Improving grain-zinc contents can succeed by selecting early maturing genotypes with less anthesis-silking interval (ASI). Lesser days to silking and days to tasseling cause early mobilization of available zinc from tassel to cob; hence, more zinc is available for grain under long grain-filling periods. High-kernel zinc contents improve grain weight due to enhanced carbohydrate supply for grain filling. Indirect selection to develop zinc biofortified maize genotypes should require high mean values for plant height, total grain weight, ear length, and grain yield and lower mean values for days to silking and days to tasseling.

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a fundamental approach for enhancing the cotton crop quality. However, the comprehensive bibliometric analysis within this research domain is still lacking. In August 2023, we conducted a scientific, computer-assisted review methodology based on the bibliometric record use of the Scopus dataset. Employing an innovative research methodology has gathered the data to descend prevailing research trends, influential journals, document types, prolific authors, and key countries related to MAS application in cotton research. The bibliometric analysis helped determine the current general research direction and trend of publications about MAS application in cotton research in the most prolific and distinguished journals and document types with years, authors, countries, and keywords. Data extraction, integration, and visualization employed the VOS-viewer, Microsoft Excel, and Map-chart. The presented review referred to 273 research manuscripts published in 72 journals retrieved from the Scopus database, with China and the United States identified as the most productive nations. Authors, including Zhan T, Zhang J, Guo W, Fan DD, and Yuan Y, emerged as influential contributors to MAS studies. The most important fields were agricultural and biological science, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. The latest review research will objectively assess the current state of MAS utilization in cotton research, offering valuable insights for individuals seeking information on MAS techniques in cotton and serving as a reference guide for researchers exploring further studies in this domain.

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, marker-assisted selection (MAS), cotton, Scopus database, collaborative network, co-accurate network, subject area

Key findings: The study provides a comprehensive overview of MAS research in cotton, emphasizing the leadership of China and the USA. Developing countries should strengthen MAS initiatives by collaborating with chief authors and organizations crucial for further advancements in this field.

The pertinent study assessed the different photosynthetic activity parameters in spring soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes based on diverse mineral nutrition levels. The dynamics of leaf area growth, photosynthetic potential, and net crop productivity at various developmental stages reached analysis. The determined average correlation between yield and flag leaf area for three research backgrounds showed that not all wheat genotypes responded equally to the mineral fertilizer due to their varied biological characteristics and genetic backgrounds. It was also evident that enhancement in leaf area and photosynthetic parameters appeared in wheat genotypes when applied with complete fertilizer doses. For instance, the following rates emerged for the maximum flag leaf area (12 300 m²/ha), the total leaf area (17 700 m²/ha), photosynthetic potential (0.960 million m²/day), and the net photosynthesis productivity (6.7 g/m² per day), with the average grain yield on this background was 3.3 t/ha. The increase in the number of nodal roots of spring soft wheat genotypes mainly responded to the different mineral nutrition levels. In the context of a 0.5 calculated dose of mineral fertilizer, seven out of nine wheat lines had 22% more nodal roots, and the utmost calculated dose of mineral fertilizer was 24% more than the control treatment (unfertilized background), which was crucial for increasing the productivity considerably.

Keywords: Spring soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), mineral fertilizers, photosynthesis, leaf area, photosynthetic potential and productivity, grain yield, nodal roots

Key findings: The results showed that based on the levels of mineral nutrition of spring wheat genotypes on the leaves‟ photosynthetic activity, root system development, and productivity, the genotypes differed in their reaction to the mineral fertilizers due to their varied biological characteristics and genetic makeup. The results also revealed that the considerable enhancement of leaf area and photosynthetic parameters in spring wheat genotypes surfaced when applied with the highest dose of mineral fertilizers.

The latest review discusses the chief metabolites of the genus Allium L., which characterize their nutritional qualities. The publications presented in the leading databases, such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and NCBI bore analysis. The vital active phytochemicals of Allium species include ascorbic acid, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Many believe these biologically active compounds can prevent cancer development, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Allium L., biochemical composition, nutritional values, calorie content, onions, chives, garlic, leeks

Key findings: The analysis of the experimental data on metabolites of onion crops based on their nutritional values in light of the functional nutrition concept is currently relevant. The genus Allium L. species are an integral part of the human diet and a valuable source of biologically active substances.

In the breeding program for high-yielding sorghum, grain quality improvement needs high consideration to meet consumer demands. Thirty sorghum genotypes underwent genetic variation evaluation, with 13 undergoing assessment for genotype by environment effects on the amylose content. The research proceeded in three Indonesian provinces from June–December 2022. The results showed genetic variations among the sorghum genotypes for amylose content and yield traits with a high and medium heritability for yield traits and amylose content, respectively. The genotype Demak 4 had the lowest amylose content (8.57%), and 10 genotypes with amylose content had a range of 10% to less than 20% (Keris M-3, 431, CK.2, Rumbia, Pulut 3, Keris, Gadam Human, 867.032, Lokal Bima 3, and Cantel Ketan), and 19 genotypes showed amylose content higher than 20%. No correlation between amylose content and yield exists. The analysis of combined variance showed that genotypes had a highly significant effect; however, location and the interaction of genotype and location had no significant influence on the amylose content of sorghum. Genotypes Pulut 3 and CK.2 consistently received a heterowaxy classification, with Demak 4 classified as waxy sorghum by growing in three different environments. This data would benefit the selection of promising genotypes for crossing and designing a breeding program to develop high-yield cultivars with low and medium amylose content.

Keywords: Amylopectin, GE interaction, rice, simultaneous selection, quality

Key findings: The information produced by this research would help breeders select parental candidates in a breeding program for developing high-yielding cultivars with low or medium amylose content. The recommended genotypes for sources of genes controlling amylose content are Demak 4, Pulut 3, 431, CK 2, Lokal Bima 3, and Cantel Ketan.

Plant breeding’s rewarding polyploidy analysis can happen by observing molecular characteristics. Previously obtained 21 sugarcane mutants had used colchicine induction on the GMP3 cultivar at the PT Gunung Madu Plantations, Lampung, Indonesia. However, little information emerged related to the informative molecular markers and analysis of molecular characteristics in sugarcane mutants. The presented research complements previous studies regarding the characterization of superior sugarcane mutants based on agronomic and anatomical attributes. The said research ran through PCR-RAPD amplification using five primers. The DNA band pattern diversity analysis ensued using MVSP program version 3.2. The cluster analysis through UPGMA also estimated the genetic distance. Polymorphic band assessment employing the polymorphism information content (PIC) also helps determine the informative level of the used primers. The PCR-RAPD markers’ screening results showed that four informative primers (OPN-07, OPB-19, OPA-04, and OPA-07) have PIC values ranging from 0.30 to 0.39. The molecular characterization showed that 21 GMP3 mutants had 35–60 DNA bands with 28 polymorphic bands and a similarity index of 0.47–1.00. The promising results would help increase sugar production and improve quality by inducing mutation in the sugarcane cultivar GMP3.

Keywords: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), sugarcane cultivar GMP3, cluster analysis, genetic distance, markers, molecular analysis, PCR-RAPD, polymorphism information content (PIC)

Key findings: In analyzing the molecular traits in colchicine-induced sugarcane mutants, the PCRRAPD markers OPN-07, OPB-19, OPA-04, and OPA-07 appeared relatively informative, with a PIC value of 0.30–0.39. The genetic variation analysis of 21 GMP3 mutants had 35–60 DNA bands with 28 polymorphic bands. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all sugarcane mutants have a similarity index value ranging from 0.47 to 1.00, with groupings based on mutagen concentration and soaking time.