The domestic liquid bioorganic fertilizer, ‘BioEcoGum,’ which led to improved germination, also positively affected the growth and yield of cereals. The study sought to determine the influence of the domestic bioorganic fertilizer ‘BioEcoGum’ on the growth, development, and yield of the ‘Porumben’ corn (Zea mays L.) in southeast Kazakhstan. Processing of corn seeds with the bioorganic fertilizer ‘BioEcoGum’ activated and increased seed germination by accelerating biochemical functions, enhancing immunity and stress resistance (10%–20%), and improving foliar feeding for growth, development, and increase of grain yield by 50%–70%. In the Porumben 456 and 461 corn hybrids, the accumulation of root biomass during seed processing and double leaf emergence increased to 5.93 t/ha compared with the control production, recorded at 3.96 t/ha (without ‘BioEcoGum’), with a difference of 19.7 kg/ha (50%). Based on the presented results, the bioorganic fertilizer ‘BioEcoGum’ requires promotion for widespread use in corn cultivation in the southern regions of Kazakhstan.

Keywords: Corn (Zea mays L.), biohumus application, agriculture, soils, productivity, light chestnut soil

Key findings: ‘BioEcoGum’ fertilizer positively affected the growth, development, and productivity of the corn crop. Corn seed treatment also enhanced stress resistance and seed germination, improving the growth, development, and intensification of the grain yield (25% to 62%) with foliar application.

The presented study probed to compare two naturally grown oak species in the District Atrush, Dohuk Governorate, Northern Iraq. These two species were Quercus aegilops L. and Quercus infectoria Oliv., which belonged to the genus Quercus L. The research employed two methods to determine the comparative anatomical characteristics, i.e., chemically separating cells (Maceration) and mechanically separating cells using the Macrotome. The results showed significant differences in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the wood of the two studied species. It helps diagnose and separate the two species, which were similar in phenotypic attributes. Quercus infectoria acorns appeared with lengthier vascular elements than edible oak wood. However, the eating oak was distinguishable by the vessel elements, which had a larger diameter than the gall oak. The edible oak differed by the greater thickness of the vessel wall than that of the stump oak vessel. An edible oak also illustrated greater values of the vessel element cavity diameter, the inner diameter of the inserted holes, and the fiber length and diameter. However, the acorn gall demonstrates a fiber wall of superior thickness to the edible oak fiber wall. The Runkel ratio was 0.499 and 0.937 in the species Quercus aegilops and Quercus infectoria, respectively. Thus, according to Runkel’s ratio, the edible acorn was better in paper pulp manufacturing and the paper compared with the acorns.The qualitative traits also contributed to the diagnosis and isolation of two studied species.

Keywords: Genus oak, Quercus aegilops L., Quercus infectoria Oliv., maceration, macrotome, phenotypic traits

Key findings: The species Quercus aegilops and Quercus infectoria’s scrutiny for quantitative and qualitative differences in their wood can help distinguish the phenotypically same species. The Quercus infectoria acorns have lengthier vascular components than edible oak wood. The edible oak had higher ratios of the vessel element cavity diameter, the inner diameter of the inserted holes, and the fibers’ length and diameter than the gall and stump oak. Acorn galls had thicker fiber walls than edible oak galls.

The demand for pak choi plants always increases over time. Hydroponics is one technique for the quick cultivation of pak choi. The advantages of hydroponics are its easy setup anywhere that is healthy and clean, requiring minimal areas and still having optimal production. Usually, hydroponics uses AB mix nutrients from various brands on the market. However, this research used NPK 16:16:16 and NASA liquid organic fertilizer to find alternative nutrients to increase the growth and production of pak choi by formulating an effective combination of nutrients and growing media using the nutrient film technique (NFT) system. The research commenced at a greenhouse of the Universitas Teuku Umar, Aceh, Indonesia. The split-plot design employed had nutrients for the main plot, N1 = AB mix Goodplant, N2 = NPK fertilizer 16:16:16, and N3 = NASA liquid organic fertilizer; and the growing media in the subplots, M1 = husk charcoal, M2 = rockwool, M3 = cocopeat, and M4 = sponge. The studied parameters were the plant’s fresh and dry weights and chlorophyll a and b. The result showed that nutrition, growing media, and their interaction significantly affected the fresh and dry weights of the pak choi plants. The best combination of nutrients and growing media was AB mix nutrition and cocopeat (N1M3), which showed remarkable performance in increasing the growth and physiological traits of pak choi plants.

Keywords: Pak choi plants (Brassica rapa L.), hydroponic b nutrients, growing media, hydroponic NFT

Key findings: In the NFT hydroponic system, the plants grow in a shallow and circulated nutrient layer, and the plants can get enough water, nutrients, and oxygen. Application of nutrients and growing media significantly affected the fresh and dry weights of pak choi plants.

Pinus sylvestris L. is a widely used tree in landscaping, and therefore, its high-quality planting material is most relevant in Kazakhstan. The recent study evaluated the effects of the various biological preparations on the physiological growth of the P. sylvestris L. seedlings in the ordinary chernozem of Northern Kazakhstan. The study used several methods for evaluation, i.e., sowing and planting, measurements, data compilation, formulation, and analysis, and recommended computer software. In 2022, sowing 20 kg seeds of P. sylvestris ensued on a 0.4 ha area. For the agrochemical assessment of the experimental site, soil samples collected underwent a chemical composition analysis. The morphological parameters of the upper and lower parts of the seedlings also reached identification. Concerning the indicators of agrochemical assessment of the soil after using biological preparations, i.e., Agrarka (1.5%) and Agro-MIX (10%), the sum of macronutrients and exchangeable calcium and magnesium was high. The results also showed that the average number of seedlings incurred enhancements using the Agro-MIX (10%). Therefore, Agrarka and Agro-MIX can be helpful in forest nurseries as effective growth stimulators in growing planting material for tree and shrub species.

Keywords: Pinus sylvestris L., seedlings, biological preparations, soil chemical composition, Agrarka and Agro-MIX, agrochemical assessment, growth traits

Key findings: The growth stimulators, viz., Agrarka and Agro-MIX can be helpful for effective management of planting materials in the forest nurseries for tree and shrub species.

Potassium (K) is a crucial element required for the healthy growth of plants, as it activates many enzymatic reactions in the plant body. Nowadays, K-deficiency is widespread worldwide. The high cost of potassium fertilization and less awareness about the pros of external nutrition from K fertilizer application are possible reasons for K-deficient soils in Pakistan. Efforts are ongoing to improve the potassium use efficiency (KUE) and bioavailability of K from commercial potassium sources. Therefore, a field experiment commenced to minimize the bioavailable K losses using carbon sequestering fertilizer (CSF) under saline soil conditions (4 dS m^-1) using wheat as a test crop in Pind Dadan Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. The experiment ran in a three-replication randomized complete block design (RCBD) statistical scheme using four treatments, i.e., T1 = Control; T2 = Filter cake press mud (FCP) as CSF; T3 = Sulphate of potash (SOP); and T4 = SOP + FCP, using two wheat varieties, namely, Faisalabad 2008 (FSD-08) and Chakwal-50. Results implied that SOP application in combination with FCP (T4) performed best treatments with Faisalabad 2008 as the better variety than Chakwal-50 under saline growth environment. Maximum spike length (8.85 cm), the number of grains/spike (45), shoot dry weight (2.75 g), soil K contents (310 ppm), soil C content (1.03%), chlorophyll content (2.18 μmol m^-2), and H-ATPs (99.5) resulted in Faisalabad 2008 when applied with the combination of SOP and FCP (T4). Thus, the combined application of mineral and organic sources of CSF improved the wheat growth parameters and nutritional status of the soil.

Keywords: Carbon sequestering fertilizer, saline soil, potassium fertilizer, wheat

Key findings: Salinity stress severely affects the growth and quality of wheat. The K fertilizer application improved wheat crop quality, yield attributes, and survival in salinity stress scenarios. Combining K fertilizers with organic amendments helps improve K use efficiency and K bioavailability from commercial K sources. Among commercial K sources, SOP performed best in supporting wheat growth under a saline environment.

In the present era, the characteristics of agricultural development most exposed to the effects of global warming and irregular precipitation patterns remain scantily understood in the regions. The latest study aimed to identify the target regions with different degrees of variation in the average temperature, followed by their resource potential, conditions, strengthening, and production efficiency. Based on their groups through statistical studies, three groups of Russian regions attained partition (using a sample that included 77 Russian regions), with low (Group I – 20 regions), medium (Group II – 25 regions), and high (Group III – 32 regions) estimates of the linear temperature trend. In Group III, 72% of the regions appeared favorable for agriculture, according to the classification approved by the Russian Government. In Group I, 60% of the regions emerged as unfavorable. Based on the statistical indicators, these established that Group III has a considerable resource potential for agriculture, comprising 30% of agricultural lands, 36% of all crops, up to 50% of the area of fruit and berry plantations, 40% of milk production, and 69% of meat and meat products manufacture intended in this group of different regions. In Group III, conditions and intensification of production are developing more dynamically (the volume of subsidies allocated during the study period has increased almost five times), efficiency is higher (profit per 100 ha of agricultural land in Group I is 0.2 million rubles, whereas, in Group III, it equals 1 million rubles), with significant labor and human potential gathered there. This circumstance requires the development of a program for the adaptation of these regions to emerging climate changes.

Keywords: Agriculture, global warming, agricultural resources, intensification, milk and beef production, statistical analysis, rural population, gardening

Key findings: Presently, Russian agriculture is facing the challenges of global warming, with rising temperatures and uneven precipitation patterns, particularly affecting regions with the highest enhancement in the prevailing temperatures. Despite these contests, the areas with significant resource potential and intensive agricultural production have shown vibrant development, partially due to considerable state support and investment.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an oilseed crop flourishing in marginal lands. It has a high nutritional value because it is rich in protein and fat and has many health benefits. However, the varieties of this crop available in Egypt are very few. Seventeen new sesame lines incurred evaluation in two crop seasons, 2021–2022, for seed yield under eight environments comprising normal and drought conditions in sandy and clay soils. Applying 16 parameters and non-parameters of stability helped select stable and adaptive sesame lines under ideal and drought conditions, with the genotypes arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Line C5.8 achieved the highest relative productivity in sandy and clay soils and exhibited a good source for breeding programs under drought conditions. Four lines, C1.3, C9.15, C9.6, and C9.20, under eight different environments had higher seed yield than the control. A genetic-environment interaction (GEI) effect on seed productivity occurred in all sources of the combined analysis. The association between seed yield and stability parameters showed the possibility of using a selection index that included some of them to identify sesame genotypes with higher yield and genetic stability.

Keywords: sesame (S. indicum L.), parametric and non-parametric stability, drought, water productivity, seed yield

Key findings: According to parametric and non-parametric statistics, sesame lines C9.3, C9.7, C6.7, C2.2, C5.8, C9.6, C9.15, and C6.12 were more stable for seed production under different conditions. Lines C9.20, C9.6, and C9.15 showed higher water productivity than the control and showed a slight variation in yield under diverse environmental conditions, with these lines classified as biologically stable.

Evaluation of nine exotic cabbage varieties and a local variety commenced at the Research Field of the Department of Agriculture, Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Bangladesh, following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. This study aimed to identify the most suitable exotic varieties based on morphophysiological and biochemical traits compared with a check variety. Significant variations (P < 0.01) for all the characteristics, except chlorophyll content, emerged from the study. A highly significant positive association (r ≥ 0.75) was evident for the head diameter of cabbage varieties with head width, stump thickness, core length, and weight with folded and unfolded leaves. On cluster analysis, varieties V2, V3, and V10 were in the same clusters. About the PCA, PC1 accounted for 50.29% of the total variation. However, the maximum plant diameter (65 cm) occurred in V10, and the widest leaf petiole length (8.13 cm) was visible in V3. Yet, the highest head length (13.16 cm), head diameter (19.51 cm), head width (18.33 cm), weight with unfolded leaves (2.00 kg), and weight with folded leaves (1.44 kg) appeared in V10, which are very close to V2 and V3. Also, genetic parameters estimation and heatmap analysis revealed high genetic advance and positive variation, respectively, regarding head diameter, head width, and weight with folded and unfolded leaves. Finally, V2 and V3 varieties could better serve for further genetic improvement for cabbage growers and plant breeders in Bangladesh.

Keywords: biochemical, cabbage, genetic advance, morphophysiological, varietal improve

Key findings: Varieties V2 and V3 exposed substantial positive results regarding head diameter, width, and length, cabbage weight with folded and unfolded leaves, TSS, and vitamin C compared with the check variety. Further molecular study should continue with these two varieties against each trait for future breeding programs.

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA; Diuraphis noxia [Kurdjumov]) is one of the world’s most economically important and invasive pests of wheat, barley, and other cereals and has a crucial economic impact on autumnal wheat worldwide. The development of resistant cultivars may cause the continuous emergence of new RWA biotypes that are virulent for RWA control, emphasizing the need to determine new sources of resistance. Controlling RWA with systemic insecticides is economically expensive and hazardous to the environment and human health. Therefore, the most efficient way to control RWA is to ascertain and develop wheat cultivars with resistant genes. The presented study sought to determine the Dn genes in 25 wheat cultivars, including 19 cultivars from Uzbekistan’s wheat breeding program and six cultivars from Russian breeding. The PCR screening proceeded with six (Xgwm44, Xgwm111, Xgwm635, Xgwm337, Xgwm642, and Xgwm473) SSR markers associated with Dn genes to recognize the genetic polymorphisms among the wheat cultivars. The results helped researchers in breeding programs, genetic improvement, and pest management, contributing to the economic viability of wheat farming. In turn, it enhances food security and promotes financial stability at both regional and national levels by increasing wheat yields and minimizing losses.

Keywords: Bread wheat, Triticum aestivum L., cultivars, Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia), RWA, Dn genes, DNA markers, resistance

Key findings: According to the acquired results, seven Dn (RWA-resistant) genes, including Dn2, Dn4, Dn6, Dn8, Dn9, Dn626580, and Dn2401, gained identification in bread wheat cultivars. These tolerant wheat cultivars would be beneficial in future gene pyramiding-like molecular approaches for breeding communities.

Kapok (Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn) is native to the tropics of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and West Africa. This plant earned intentional introduction and cultivation in numerous tropical regions, including Indonesia. However, West Sumatra has experienced a decline in its population. The promising study aimed to assess the genetic variability based on nucleotide variation in several accessions of C. pentandra belonging to two different populations in West Sumatra through the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. In the presented study, eight sequences of C. pentandra from West Sumatra and 12 from GenBank – NCBI gained usage. The analyzed C. pentandra sequences identified 683 conserved sites and three polymorphic sites, with AT (34.8%) and GC (65.2%) contents. Nucleotide diversity was evident in the 64th, 149th, and 224th sequences. Also, recognizing four haplotypes showed a haplotype diversity (Hd) value of 0.4953. Overall, the genetic diversity was low (Pi = 0.00130). It is because of the C. pentandra plant’s introduction to several areas by humans (anthropogenic). In addition, the outcrossing mating system, seed dispersal through wind or water, and propagation techniques further contribute to its distribution and low genetic diversity. The prevailing results can add genetic information about the C. pentandra DNA sequence data based on ITS markers in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The obtained genetic data can serve as a basis for germplasm conservation strategies that have the potential for development in the future breeding program.

Keywords: Kapok (Ceiba pentandra L.), genetic variability, polymorphic sites, haplotype, ITS sequence data, nucleotide diversity, tropical regions

Key findings: The analyzed C. pentandra sequences identified three polymorphic sites and four haplotypes, indicating low genetic variability. The pertinent data can add genetic information about C. pentandra DNA sequences based on ITS markers in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This information can serve as a basis for germplasm conservation strategies and a source of genetic data that has the potential to develop in the breeding program.