The experiment on oats transpired during the crop season 2021–2022 according to the split-plot design system of the full randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The potassium element was in the chief ingredients in three concentrations (0, 10, and 20 g L^-1). The genetic structures, secondary pieces, and results showed that the genetic appearance and environmental conditions under the three concentrations were positive and significant in all qualities. The natural and ecological manifestation analyses in laboratories showed complete, high, medium, and indirect effects in all features under study, with a varying percentage between spraying concentrations. With potassium, the qualities indicated a positive and valuable association with the raw protein of the grain summary of the plant at all levels and had notable indirect effects through some other characteristics.

Keywords: Oat (Avena sativa L.), genetic features, correlation, path analysis

Key findings: In the phenotypic and genetic correlations, the percentage (%) of ash had a desirable, positive, and significant association at the level of probability of 1% with the characteristics of crude fiber (%), soluble carbohydrates, and moisture percentage of all concentrations under study, yet was excessive in phenotypic associations (0.6403, 0.4874, 0.6171, 0.7781, 0.8885, 0.6613, 0.7362, 0.6193, and 0.7439); but the genetic associations, it reached 0.7399, 0.545, 0.6226, 0.8432, 1.0789, 0.6418, 0.7877, 0.9797, and 0.8561. However, the environmental correlation coefficients did not have a significant effect.

As wheat donors, wild species of the genus Aegilops L. play a vital role in practical breeding to improve wheat production because of their strong relationship and wide genetic diversity. Using nine simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers helped assess the genetic diversity in 96 collected samples of four species belonging to the genus Aegilops, i.e., Aegilops tauschii Coss (D), Ae. cylindrica Host (CD), Ae. crassa Boiss (DDM), and Ae. triuncialis L. (UC). The said collection came from 21 sites of various expeditions located in three regions of Southwestern Uzbekistan (Samarkand, Urgut, Kitab, and Shakhrisabz regions). Generally, 102 distinct alleles were found, with an average of 11.33 alleles per primer. The total number of species-specific amplicons was 35. The polymorphism detected varied from 28.6% (for the WSP107 primer) to 77.0% (for the WSP130 and WSP192 primers). The mean values of polymorphism information content (PIC) and expected heterozygosity (Ho) for all samples were 0.675 and 0.527, respectively. Based on nine SSR markers, on average, the genetic distance indices (GD) varied from 0.63 to 0.77. The highest genetic similarity (GD = 0.77) recorded occurred between the species Ae. crassa and Ae. cylindrica, whereas the least (GD = 0.48), between Ae. cylindrica and Ae. triuncialis with their taxonomic classification. Genus Aegilops samples from the same region often attain an identical subgrouping, which might be due to relatedness by genetic parameters. The gene pool of native species of the genus Aegilops from the Southwestern region of Uzbekistan may provide suitable alleles for wheat improvement and adaptation in the future.

Keywords: Aegilops L., Ae. tauschii, Ae. crassa, Ae. cylindrica, Ae. triuncialis, genetic diversity, Dgenome, SSR primers

Key findings: Results revealed from nine SSR markers a marker WSP513 was the most polymorphic. In the genus Aegilops L., the species Ae. tauschii showed the highest genetic diversity, and samples collected from Khazraty Bashi (21) enunciated the foremost polymorphism among the studied regions.

One of the most serious issues confronting the global food system is the wastage of approximately one-third of food at various points throughout the supply chain due to environmental and economic factors. Declines in production and food quality deterioration are concerns due to less awareness of the farming community and end users about the advanced technologies. Therefore, scientists face to develop cutting-edge technology to solve these problems and feed the bulging population to prevent starvation. Genetic engineering (GE) techniques can aid in several contexts to boost crop yields and quality. Biotechnology, genetic modification, and recombinant (r) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technologies are significantly beneficial in pursuing chief progress in food production and supply. This latest literature review illustrates the recent advances in GE, their sources, current trends, and future. GE foods from animals, microbes, and crop plants have altered DNA and introduced modified genetic characteristics. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are vital parts of the industrial food system, and most packaged foods contain GMO ingredients that received engineering for resistance to pesticides and herbicides. Several issues raise red flags concerning GMOs, including safety, effects on the environment, and ineffective usage of pesticides. Many people are anxious about GMOs; however, most do not understand the problems.

Keywords: biotechnology and genetic engineering, food security, less crop production, food quality, environmental factors, advanced technologies, people’s awareness

Key findings: Globally, scientists are trying to manage food waste in a better way to lessen poverty. The presented review shed light on advanced breeding techniques like using GMOs, biotechnology, genetic modification, and recombinant (r) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to improve crop yield sufficient to feed the community and prevent starvation.

The study of the Aktobe floristic district is a relevant task for assessing anthropogenic factors’ impacts on the flora of the steppe zone and developing measures to reduce the adverse effects of mining, metallurgical, and oil and gas facilities on the biodiversity of plant communities. The timely study evaluated the species composition and analyzed the saxicolous floral complex of the Aktobe floristic district, one of the most fascinating complexes based on florogenetics. The saxicolous complex flora comprised 219 species belonging to 119 genera and 39 families. However, the 10 leading families of the conglomerate manage 75.0% of the species composition of the saxicolous complex. Previous validations revealed that the saxicolous floral complex features have dominant families of Caryophyllaceae, Boraginaceae, and Chenopodiaceae and a more significant role for the Rosaceae and Scrophulariaceae. The saxicolous complex specificity has demonstrated the genera Potentilla and Centaurea as 2nd and 3rd position holders, respectively, and the presence of the genera Orobanche, Lappula, Atraphaxis, and Allium as the leading genera; however, they are unregistered among the other floral complexes. The analysis of geographical habitat types has shown that the Black Sea/Kazakhstan, Volga/Kazakhstan, and Eastern ancient Mediterranean habitat types are predominantly characteristic of the saxicolous floral complex. Twelve endemic species have also received recognition, assembling 60% of the endemic flora. Based on the analysis of species habitat, its ecological and biological features, and paleobotanical material available in literature sources, researchers have identified two groups of miscellaneous plants (Neogene and Quaternary) with their ages and endemic plants. Data also indicated the formation of the chief autochthonous core of the flora in the Pleiocene-Holocene.

Keywords: Flora, floristic complex, life forms, habitat, disjunction, relic, endemic plant

Key findings: The study and analysis of species composition in the saxicolous floral complex of the Aktobe Floristic District identified 12 endemic species, which generally comprised 60% of the endemic flora. Observations of the heterogeneity and heterochronism of the florogenesis processes also transpired based on the analysis of habitats, the phenomenon of disjunction, and the study of relics and endemic plants.

Hybrids with heterotic effects manifest themselves with a significant enhancement in growth and productivity traits compared with their parental genotypes. However, inbreeding resulted in decreased heterosis. Researchers believe that a noteworthy increase in F₁ hybrids for economic and biological attributes is evident due to heterozygosity and overdominance of the corresponding genes of different parents combined in one genotype. The presented study sought to determine the heterotic effects of sugar beet hybrids for economically valuable traits and select the best parental lines with crossing potential for productivity. Five different sugar beet hybrids, analyzed during the crop seasons 2021 and 2022 for accurate and hypothetical heterosis and the degree of dominance in F₁ generation for economically valuable traits like productivity and sugar content, transpired at the LLP – Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing (KazRIAPG), Kazakhstan. The crossing of the sugar beet line KazMS with pollinators, viz., VP24, VP44, OP17231, OP17232, and OP14044, changed the type of inheritance in hybrids for productivity from negative dominance in variants with pollinators (VP24, OP17231) to overdominance in variants with pollinators (VP44, OP14044). Based on the results, the conclusion indicated that the type of productivity inheritance in F₁ hybrids involving the same maternal line differed.

Keywords: Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), F₁ hybrids, heterotic effects, degree of dominance, crop productivity, sugar content, automated agricultural technologies

Key findings: The promising results may serve as a basis for developing a technological model to better manage sugar beet production at each specific stage of plant growth and development for various strengthening levels.

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is one of the premier staple foods consumed by one-third of the world’s population. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the only allohexaploid species with a genome formula BBAADD. Until now, from a selection point of view, a decline showed in the genetic potential of this type of wheat. However, the solution to this problem can be by developing high-yielding, disease- and pest-resistant cultivars using wheat-related species, ancient local landraces, and germplasm resources. Therefore, extensive study of the wheat gene pool using molecular tools, including identifying primary sources, is highly beneficial. For wheat improvement, breeding opportunities offer significant enhancements via genetic mapping approaches. The review focuses on the common wheat germplasm, wheat genetic approaches for genetic mapping, identification, and RWA (Russian wheat aphid) resistance, nested association mapping (NAM) population, DNA barcoding of Uzbekistan elite bread wheat cultivars, DNA marker-based screening of wheat germplasm for RWA resistance, future perspectives of wheat breeding in Uzbekistan, marker-assisted selection for abiotic stress tolerance, wheat stripe rust and its control strategies in Uzbekistan, epidemiology of the rust pathogens, pathogen characterization, and varietal resistance.

Keywords: wheat, Triticum aestivum L., ancient cultivars, germplasm resources, stripe rust (yellow rust), NAM population, DNA markers, DNA barcoding, marker-assisted selection (MAS)

Key findings: The review focuses on consultative information about Uzbekistan’s current status and prospects for wheat research. All past findings reported herein serve as a great source and opportunity to improve future wheat research for the breeding communities in Uzbekistan.

Soybean is an essential protein and oilseed crop, but environmental factors, such as photoperiod and altitude, highly influence its growth. Poor adaptability of soybean cultivars may result in a significant decrease in seed yield due to disruption of flowering or maturity. It is, therefore, vital to select cultivars adapted to specific regions of the world. Global climate change, causing increasing temperature and associated water deficit stress, may further challenge sustainable soybean production worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to understand genetic responses in soybeans induced by environmental variables. This review highlights previous research showing how several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) activated by photo-thermal responses affected soybean flowering. We discuss cytogenetic stocks, including chromosome segment substitution lines, and their role in introgressing novel genes from wild soybeans. A review of genes showing responses to various environmental variables that affect soybean adaptability is also ensued, with putative functions suggested. These include gene response regulation to temperature and heat stress, identified via genetic mapping, and emerged as tools for developing adapted soybean cultivars.

Keywords: Chromosome segment substitution lines, environmental adaptation, global climate change, soybean (Glycine max)

Key findings: Soybean is highly adaptable and may be an option to meet the demands of a growing global population in changing climate. Genetic and genomic resources exist to allow quick identification and exploitation of valuable allelic diversity. This review presents these resources and suggests efficient ways of applying them to increase abiotic stress resistance in soybeans.

The present aimed to study the effects of phosphate (P) fertilizer levels (0, 40, and 80 kg P ha^-1) on the growth and productivity of the Spanish and Turkish faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars, carried out in 2021–2022 at the Kirkuk, Iraq. The results showed that 80 kg P ha^-1 significantly influenced the growth and yield traits of faba bean, i.e., branches plant^-1, pod length, pods plant^-1, seeds plant^-1, seeds’ weight pod^-1, one-seed weight, 100-seed weight, seed yield plant^-1, and seed yield ha^-1. The Turkish faba bean cultivar performed better than the Spanish cultivar for yield-related traits. Interaction between phosphorus fertilizer levels and cultivars influenced all studied traits substantially, except days to 50% flowering and plant height. Correlation analysis showed that seed yield was significantly and positively correlated with branches plant^-1, pod length, pods plant^-1, seeds pod^-1, seeds plant^-1, seed weight pod^-1, one-seed weight, 100-seed weight, and seed yield plant^-1. Regression analysis indicated a strong relationship between seed yield and its components under phosphorus fertilizer levels. Turkish cultivar responded better to phosphorus fertilizer and performed superbly compared to Spanish cultivar. Therefore, the faba bean Turkish cultivar with 80 kg P ha^-1 fertilization could be recommendable for getting higher faba-bean seed yield.

Keywords: Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), cultivars, phosphate fertilizer, growth and yield-related traits, correlation coefficient, regression analysis

Key findings: The Turkish cultivar of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) performed better for yield-related traits than the Spanish cultivar. The phosphate fertilizer at 80 kg P ha^-1 significantly excelled over other levels and performed better for most growth and yield-related traits. However, phosphorus fertilizer levels showed nonsignificant differences for days to 50% flowering, plant height, and seeds pod^-1.

The presented study sought to determine the foliar application of potassium nitrate effects and addition of black tea leaf wastage to soil on the biochemical qualities (zinc, protein, oil percentage, and carbohydrate) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and the content of NH₄N, Na, Mg, Ca, Cl, and pH of the soil. The pot experiment commenced in the spring of 2022 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement having two factors and four replications in Al-Hindia city, Kerbala, Iraq. The first factor was a potassium nitrate compound comprising three levels (control, 1000, and 3000 g 1000 l^-1), and the second factor was black tea leaf waste mixed with soil in four doses (control, 25, 45, and 55 g 1000 l^-1). The results showed the impact of black tea wastes mixed with the soil of higher significance, increasing the NH₄N, Na, Mg, Ca, and Cl to 29.28 mg kg^-1, 3.75, 3.88, 5.88, and 6.79 mm l^-1, respectively, and higher impact in reducing the soil pH (7.54) at a concentration of 55 g 1000 l^-1). The black tea leaf waste (55 g 1000 l^-1) helped raise the treated wheat’s zinc, protein, oil, and carbohydrate percentages. The foliar application of potassium nitrate compound (3000 g 1000 l^-1) considerably affected increasing the proportion of zinc, protein, and oil in wheat grains.

Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., potassium nitrate, black tea leaf waste, zinc, protein, oil percentage, carbohydrates

Key findings: Black tea wastes mixed with high-quality soil increased the NH₄N, Na, Mg, Ca, and Cl of the soil to 29.28 mg kg^-1, 3.75, 3.88, 5.88, and 6.79 mm l^-1, respectively, and highly impacted reducing the soil pH (7.54) at a concentration of 55 g 1000 l^-1). Black tea leaf waste (55 g 1000 l^-1) also boosted the wheat’s zinc, protein, oil, and carbohydrate content. The potassium nitrate compound (3000 g 1000 l^-1) foliar application increased wheat grain’s zinc, protein, and oil concentrations.

An experiment on ginger (Zingiber officinale L.) commenced in 2020 using the plant growth incubator of the Laboratories, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences, University of Wasit, Iraq. The study aimed to investigate the effects of mineral sulfur fertilizer at concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 ml/l, and nano-sulfur with concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 ml/l on the plant height, the number of leaves, leaf content of total chlorophyll, leaf area, the tannin of plant, phytic acid, and essential oil of the ginger rhizome. It was evident that a single use of the previously mentioned variables significantly impacted ginger’s vegetative characteristics and chemical composition, particularly at high concentrations. Using the two-way interactions obtained distinct results. The treatment design was a factorial experiment (5 m × 5 m × 3 m) in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The study revealed significant enhancement in all attributes, whether the morphological and biochemical content achieved the highest mineral sulfur and nano-sulfur fertilizer concentrations alone, or in combinations.

Keywords: Ginger (Zingiber officinale L.), mineral sulfur and nano-sulfur fertilizers, morphological traits, biochemical components, volatile oil

Key findings: In the ginger (Z. officinale L.) plants, adding nano-sulfur fertilizer had a superior effect when in the nano state than in the metal ion sulfur and significantly improved the morphological and biochemical components.