Nanotechnology is a new and vital scientific transformation used in various fields globally. It has proven its recognition in agricultural sciences with environment-friendly fertilizers produced and applied, which are more efficient than traditional fertilizers. Nano-biotechnological techniques can benefit diverse processes related to plant biology, including seed germination, plant growth enhancement, plant nutrition improvement, secondary metabolites isolation, and protection provision against biotic and abiotic stress factors. Nanotechnology presents significant opportunities for agriculture due to its typical physicochemical traits, such as substantial surface area, heightened reactivity, adjustable pore size, and particle shape. These fertilizers have contributed to addressing the increasing challenges in crop production and food security and can meet the growing food demand of the world’s population. Studies have shown that this technology can improve field establishment by increasing seed emergence, plant growth, and yield even under different stresses. Notably, nanotechnology exploration in Iraq, particularly in agriculture production, has focused only on research purposes. Therefore, the current review emphasizes the importance of nanoparticles in the context of plant systems.

Keywords: Nanotechnology, nano-fertilizers, crop production, seed germination, medicinal plants, sustainable agriculture

Key findings: The presented review showed the value of using nanotechnology in crop improvement. Nanotechnology has become one of the prime technologies promising to advance agricultural practices and offer sustainable development by improving management and conservation tactics with reduced agricultural input wastage.

Drought is one of the consequences of climate change, negatively affecting crop yields. Current weather abnormalities showed that increasing plant resistance to temperature stresses needs special attention in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The article provides information on weather and climatic condition variations in winter-growing regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In 2021–2023, during the growing season, the increased air temperature in Kazakhstan (1.73 °C–2.60 °C) and Uzbekistan (1.97 °C–2.57 °C) materialized with decreased precipitation compared with the past average annual data. Recently, similar rainfall in these regions has been uneven during the winter crop-growing season. The current winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and their study methods had reports of chief indicators of drought tolerance. The influence of flag leaf parameters (length, width, and area), leaf rolling during drought, slowing down of “Stay-green” plant aging, plant pubescence, and waxy patina on drought tolerance of winter wheat came about based on past research. Winter wheat cultivar evaluations for productivity indicators occurred under natural drought conditions. Characteristics of modern drought-tolerant winter wheat cultivars planted in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were informative.

Keywords: Winter wheat (T. aestivum L.), climate change, drought, drought-tolerant indicators, breeding for drought tolerance, productivity

Key findings: Climate change toward aridity requires a detailed study of drought-tolerant traits in winter wheat (T. aestivum L.) worldwide. In drought conditions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, local varieties identified with high ear productivity and grain yield have been successful.

The differences in parental genotypes can lead to significant heterosis influenced by genetic control. Understanding genetic control enables the effective utilization of genetic resources to improve various traits in the local rice. The presented research sought to evaluate four rice F1 hybrids (KBP × PTT1, PTT1 × KBP, KBP × HKL1, and HKL1 × KBP) and their parental cultivars for the genetic variation on agronomic traits. The crossing of local rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Kum Bangpra (KBP) occurred with two improved rice cultivars, viz., Pathum tani1 (PTT1) and Hawm Khlong Luang 1 (HKL1). A completely randomized design with five replications ensued for conducting the rice experiment. Significant (P < 0.001) differences appeared among F1 hybrids and their parental cultivars for the flowering date, plant height, tillers per plant, and panicles per plant. The F1 hybrids of PTT1 as parent showed greater values for plant height, tillers per plant, and panicles per plant, and the F1 hybrids of HKL1 as parent showed more branches per panicle, spikelets per panicle, higher grain size, and grain weight. Significant heterosis was evident in F1 hybrids for most agronomic traits, except flowering date and seed set. Only the F1 hybrid Kum Bangpra × PTT1 revealed maternal effects. Using an improved rice cultivar as a parent for crossing with the local Kum Bangpra led to significant differences in F1 hybrids for gene control and inheritance, including maternal effects; therefore, the final selection should focus on that promising cross.

Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), parental genotypes, local rice cultivar Kum Bangpra, direct and reciprocal crosses, F1 hybrids, purple rice, agronomic traits

Key findings: Genotypic variations in F1 hybrids for agronomic traits were significant by utilizing improved rice cultivars PTT1 and HKL1 in crosses with the local rice cultivar KBP. The F1 hybrids of the parental cultivar PTT1 showed higher productivity at the vegetative stage, and the F1 hybrids of the parent cultivar HKL1 exhibited higher productivity at the reproductive stage.

The article explores the Kyzyl-Kum Desert and the Aral Sea plant and soil cover, the plant characteristics and regionalized cultural crops thriving in these regions, and the extraction of high-quality and environment-friendly products from that flora. This initiative aims to prevent the dispersal of 100 million tons of dust-salt mixture from the dried bed of the Aral Sea, carried by wind and storms and deposited onto agricultural fields. Therefore, in this area, the phytoremediation process through establishing saxaul plantations is crucial. Each saxaul tree bush can preserve more tons of sand with its roots, demonstrating robust growth in saline lands while utilizing mineralized groundwater. Additionally, saxaul trees contribute to maintaining the critical depth of groundwater within the normal range.

Consequently, this approach is the area’s natural barrier against secondary soil salinization and erosion processes. Similarly, it is noteworthy that today, the country’s population is growing fast, increasing its demand for food products. Based on this, obtaining high-quality and ecologically clean products from each cultivated agricultural crop is one of the most urgent issues today and the prime purpose of conducting research in these areas.

Keywords: Kyzyl-Kum Desert, arid bed of Aral Sea, phytoremediation, agricultural fields, saxaul plantations, groundwater, Amu Darya, soil cover, soil salinization, soil erosion

Key findings: Growing salt-resistant flora is viable under the natural conditions of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert and the arid bed of the Aral Sea, Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan, Caspian Sea.

Knowing the estimated genetic parameters and the relationship between yield and associated traits is pivotal to successful shallot breeding. The study’s objectives were to observe the effect of colchicine on the growth and yield characteristics of shallot (Allium cepa), investigate the genetic variability of shallot in the first generation, and determine the selection criteria for the shallot improvement program. The shallot bulbs received colchicine treatments ranging from 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm. The variance analysis revealed that colchicine treatments highly affected the shallot growth and yield characteristics in varying significance. It demonstrated that colchicine treatments were potent in inducing mutation and creating variability among populations of shallot; hence, it can be beneficial for shallot improvement. The highest values of the genotypic coefficient of variance, heritability, and genetic advance were evident in the 200-ppm population. Therefore, this study only recommends pursuing the 200-ppm population for the next generations. Path analysis exhibited that the trait of bulb fresh weight per clump had a high positive direct effect with bulb dry weight per clump, indicating its usefulness as a selection criterion for developing shallot genotypes with high-yielding next generations.

Keywords: Shallot (Allium cepa), colchicine, heritability, path analysis

Key findings: The 200-ppm population had a higher genotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability, and genetic advance than other mutated populations in the shallot (Allium cepa). The bulb fresh weight per clump trait can serve as selection criteria for developing shallot genotypes with high-yielding next generation having a high positive direct effect and heritability values.

Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important food, fodder, and industrial crop. Barley cultivars’ evaluation regarding trait variability using a variation factor further divided them into two groups. The first group included cultivars with a high variation factor (cv > 10%) based on the agronomic traits, viz., sprout density, dry biomass yield, number of plants before harvesting, and grain yield potential. The second group contained all other genotypes with a variation factor (cv = 6%) regarding morpho-physiological variables. These are number of nodal roots (cv = 0.8%–1.6%), flag leaf area (cv = 0.8%–1.6%), total leaf area (cv = 3.4%–5.7%), photosynthetic potential (cv = 0.06%–0.27%), photosynthesis net productivity (cv = 2.7%–5.6%), yielding capacity structural elements (grains per ear [cv = 1.0%–2.0%] and 1000-grain weight [cv = 1.5%–5.6%]). Cultivars Pamyat Raisy (1.8 t ha^-1) and Arna (1.7 t ha^-1) showed a reliable and enhanced yielding capacity compared with the reference cultivar Astana 2000 (1.6 t ha^-1), while other cultivars had an average yield potential (1.6 ± 1.8 t ha^-1).

Keywords: Barley (H. vulgare L.), variability, agronomic traits, morpho-physiological variables, grain yield potential, correlation, factor analysis

Key findings: Barley (H. vulgare L.) cultivars Pamyat Raisy (1.8 t ha^-1) and Arna (1.7 t ha^-1) were superior by the highest grain yield. A correlation was evident between grain yield in the study years with the grains per ear, productive stems, photosynthetic parameters, dry biomass yield, and the number of nodular roots during the “tillering – exit into the tube” period.

Genetic diversity and genetic gain are valuable parameters in plant breeding for assembling new cultivars. The presented study sought to identify the genetic diversity of the black soybean (Glycine soja L. Merrill) populations from crossbreeding and identify the broad sense heritability and genetic gain in yield-related traits. The set experiments proceeded in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two different environments/locations—Indramayu and Majalengka, Indonesia. The genetic material comprises 19 black soybean genotypes. The results showed that the genetic diversity in black soybean genotypes for grain yield and its attributes were broad, based on the principal component analysis, with a cumulative value of 80.55%. The environment greatly influenced heritability and genetic gains. High heritability and genetic gain were notable for seed length in the Majalengka location. In the Indramayu location, the demonstration of high heritability and genetic gains appeared for the number of fertile nodes and seed length. This information can serve as a basis for plant breeders to develop black soybean high-yielding cultivars in the future.

Keywords: Black soybean (Glycine soja L. Merrill), heritability, genetic gain, principal component analysis, yield related traits

Key findings: Information on genetic diversity, heritability, and genetic gain in yield-related traits is necessary to develop cultivars in crop plants. In black soybean populations, the genetic diversity for planting at two locations based on the principal component analysis was 80.55%. Heritability and genetic gain values among the populations for traits in two locations showed moderate to high values. This information can be beneficial in further selection to develop black soybean high-yielding cultivars.

The research investigates the diversity, bioprospecting, and conservation status of Pteridophyta in diverse habitats, focusing on the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park, Riau, Indonesia. The current research probes the diversity of pteridophytes and the conservation efforts of the Talang Mamak community in Riau, Indonesia, particularly in bioprospecting. It integrates ethnobotany and field exploration, utilizing ethnobotanical data as the primary database. Ethnobotanical data analysis used Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, incorporating respondent consensus factors and preference ratings. Conservation assessments adhere to the rigorous standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria. It uncovers 39 distinct Pteridophyta species belonging to 19 families. Engaging with the Talang Mamak community reveals nine plant species holding substantial bioprospecting potential, including Selaginella sp., Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm., and Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R.Br. A comprehensive literature review underscores the scientific importance of these findings, highlighting bioactive compounds in 50% of identified species. Conservation assessments, rooted in the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, designate five Pteridophyta species as endangered. Pteridophytes play a vital role in the daily lives of the community, from traditional medicine to spiritual and cultural practices. This research underscores the imperative of holistic conservation strategies integrating scientific knowledge with community engagement.

Keywords: Polypodiaceae, species, biodiversity, bioprospecting, conservation, IUCN, medicinal plants

Key findings: The study achieved to compile the species diversity of ferns in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park (TNBT), Riau, Indonesia, comprising 39 species belonging to 19 families. In the Pteridophyta potential, nine identified species comprised Angiopteris evecta, one of the most prominent species. The latest findings provide a profound understanding of the potential of Pteridophyta and a solid foundation for further biosystematics and bioactive compounds exploration.

Climate change and enhanced air temperatures adversely affect the wheat’s (Triticum aestivum L.) morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular properties and grain yield. Therefore, developing high-yielding and resistant bread wheat cultivars to abiotic factors is vital, along with their primary source under varied environmental conditions. In the presented study, monitoring the influence of high temperatures (30 °С and above) continuously during the grain maturation period, especially in grain filling, on grain quality and productivity has undergone thorough research in the southern parts of Uzbekistan. These Southern regions mainly grow winter bread wheat cultivars. In determining the heat resistance of winter wheat cultivars typically planted in the Republic and selecting the best ones, the experiments and observations materialized with optimum and late-sowing conditions. The study determined the temperature during the growth period and daily temperatures during the grain-filling period. The research was able to evaluate the influence of air temperatures on growth phases, plant height (cm), spike length (cm), spikelets per spike, grain weight per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain nature, and protein and gluten content and compare the results under optimum and late periods.

Keywords: Bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), cultivars, climate change, high temperature, heat resistance, growth phases, grain-filling period, grain yield and quality

Key findings: In wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars with late sowing, the spiking stage began 9–10 days later than the optimum sowing. Grain yield decreased by 1.53– 2.76 t/ha and 1000-grain weight by 0.25–9.85 g due to a rise in temperature during maturation. Heat-susceptible cultivars manifested a sharp decline in their productivity.

Increased consumption of edamame soybean (Glycine max L.) needs supplementation by production boosts through crop area and productivity expansion utilizing high-yielding varieties. This research aimed to identify the genetic diversity of germplasm soybeans. This research transpired in Leuwikopo Experimental Farm, IPB University, using a single-factor randomized complete block design with three replications. This research evaluated 28 soybean genotypes consisting of edamame and grain soybean. The results showed a diversity in morphological characters at a value of 84.62% dissimilarity level with two main groups. The edamame soybean genotype, G.AGS 439 x L Tegal-1, and grain soybean Dega-1 gave the highest weight of pods (79.677 g and 75.596 g, respectively) and the best agronomic characters, making them potential parents in crosses for yield improvement. BioMax-1 and Grobogan genotypes could serve for quality improvement with high sugar, protein, and low-fat contents.

Keywords: Dissimilarity, edamame, nutritional analysis, quality

Key findings: This study provided a high genetic variation in the soybean’s morphological, agronomic, and nutritional properties. It nominated the potential genotypes of edamame soybean (Glycine max L.) with a high fresh pod weight, namely, G.AGS 439 x L Tegal-1 and Dega-1 as grain soybean, and the genotype of BioMAX 1 and Grobogan has favorable nutritional properties.