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.

Discovering its genetic diversity and background is crucial for the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) genetic resources management and conservation. In the latest study, the start codon targeted (SCoT) molecular marker utilization determined the genetic diversity and set the distinctive genotypes in 10 seeded date palm (P. dactylifera L.) genotypes. The genotyping attained through SCoT markers assessed the genetic variations in the date palm genotypes by the dendrogram. The highest genetic similarity of 89% was evident between the date palm genotypes G8 and G9, while the lowest similarity of 71% was between the genotypes G10 and G1 and G1 and G8. Overall, 160 bands amplified through 10 seeded date palm trees ranged from 150 bp to 1600 bp. Having the lowest value of PIC grouped the markers SCoT-02, SCoT-03, SCoT-04, and SCoT-09 into a cluster based on the heat map plot. However, the genotypes G4 and G5 are in a cluster along with genotype G6. The genetic association stemmed through genetic parameters using PCoA, heat map, and genetic distance. These findings can help identify the genetic diversity of anonymous date palm genotypes.

Keywords: Date palm (P. dactylifera L.), date palm genotypes, genetic distance, genetic diversity, heat mapping, PCoA, SCoT markers

Key findings: The results enunciated that the highest genetic similarity of 89% was between the date palm (P. dactylifera L.) genotypes G8 and G9, while the lowest value of 71% was between the genotypes G10 and G1, and G1 and G8. Overall, 160 bands amplified through 10 seeded date palm trees ranged from 150 bp to 1600 bp. The markers of SCoT-02, SCoT-03, SCoT-04, and SCoT-09 were in a cluster. The genotypes G4 and G5 were in a cluster along with G6.

Conventional breeding approaches often rely on bi-parental crosses, in which analysis occurs only on two alleles, and genetic recombination in such a population is insufficient, limiting genetic diversity. Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations display large sets of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that exhibit a genetic mosaic of multiple founder parents. MAGIC populations result in a broader genetic base that has emerged as a powerful tool for genetic analysis and breeding for disease resistance in rice. This study developed the MAGIC population by intermating eight diverse founder parents. Conducting the molecular survey sought to analyze the genes resistant to bacterial blight (BB) and brown planthopper (BPH). The research used primers specific for Xa21, xa13, Xa4, and Bph1 in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The survey identified combinations of three genes: (Xa4+xa13+Xa21) in BR52 and (Xa4+xa13+Bph1) in BR43, BR44, BR48, and BR58. Two-gene combination (xa13 and Xa4) materialized in BR53, BR54, BR60, BR73, BR85, and BR86, while identifying a combination of xa13 and Bph1 in BR11, BR41, and BR99. Xa4 was present in 14, xa13 in six, and Bph1 in three lines. Screening the population against Xanthomonas oryzae validated the presence of BB-resistant genes. The consistent finding is that the RILs with a combination of two or more genes express a high level of resistance compared with the RILs with a single gene. The RILs with Xa4 and xa13 expressed more resistance than the lines with xa13 and Bph1. Employing the MAGIC populations approach remains to be effective for gene pyramiding.

Keywords: rice (O. sativa L.), MAGIC population, bacterial blight, brown planthopper

Key findings: Developing MAGIC populations succeeded in pyramiding multiple resistance genes for bacterial blight and BPH in rice (O. sativa L.). A combination of two and three genes pyramided in RILs helped enhance resistance against diseases, leading to durable resistant lines.

Cotton is one of the world’s most important natural fiber and cash crops. The research carried out studies of plants F₁-F₄ considering the importance of cytogenetic analysis of interspecific hybrids for identifying structural differences between homologous chromosomes of crossed forms and substitution of individual chromosomes or chromosome segments because of introgression of interspecific hybrids in cotton breeding. The article comprised a cytogenetic analysis of introgressive lines obtained through the participation of intergenomic crosses and F₁-F₄ cotton hybrids. The results revealed that in crossed variants of F₁-F₄ hybrid plants, the presence of open bivalents and univalents in PMC (pollen mother cell) showed the absence of complete conjugation in the chromosomes. It could be due to the structural differences between the homologous chromosomes in the crossed forms caused by exchanging chromosomes with alien ones. According to the tetrad analysis, the average value ranged from 95.65% F₁L-158/16 × Sultan to 99.61% F₁L-4747-48/16 × Sultan in F₁ hybrids. Based on the tetrad analysis in 16 combinations, the meiotic index ranged from 96.76 ± 0.34 to 99.54 ± 0.19 in F₂ hybrids and 96.51 ± 0.56 to 99.34 ± 0.30 in F₃ hybrids, and in 17 combinations, the range was from 97.14 ± 0.29 to 98.92 ± 0.12 in F₄ hybrids. It also confirmed that meiosis is preceding naturally in the remaining hybrid variants, with a decrease observed in the meiotic index. The results also increased the number of other types of gametes (Monod, dyad, triad, pentad, hexad, and polyad), negatively affecting normal gametes formation.

Keywords: Upland cotton, G. barbadense L., G. hirsutum L., hybrids, introgressive lines, meiosis, tetrad, sporadic, bivalent, degree of fecundity

Key findings: The cytological analyses of introgressive cotton lines and hybrids confirmed their donor ability to enrich the cotton genome. Results established the stabilization of the meiotic division that raised the meiotic index and pollen fertility. The structural differences between homeologous chromosomes confirm the introgressed fragments of wild forms and valuable traits in the cultivated cotton genomes.

The presented trial carried out at the District Baqubah, Diyala Governorate, Iraq, assessed the effects of three planting dates (15 October, 05, and 25 November 2018) and four levels of organic fertilizer (0, 150, 250, and 350 kg ha^-1) on the seed yield and chemical composition of the goat pea (Securigera securidaca L.). The experiment in a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement had three replications. The results showed that the 15 October planting was significantly superior in the percentage and yield of oil and the total content of phenols and glycosides, which amounted to 3.86%, 14.17 kg ha^-1, 1.23 mg g^-1, and 29.44 mg g^-1, respectively. The organic fertilizer treatment, 350 kg ha^-1, proved superior and provided the highest oil yield (14.48 kg ha^-1), while organic fertilizer, 250 kg ha^-1, was higher in the oil content (3.90%) and phenols (1.21 mg g^-1). The interaction between 15 October planting and organic fertilizer, 250 kg ha^-1, revealed a significant increase in oil percentage and the total content of phenols and glycosides, which amounted to 4.01%, 1.24 mg g^-1, and 29.68 mg g^-1, respectively. However, the interaction of the 15 October planting with organic fertilizer, 350 kg ha^-1, was superior in the oil yield (15.23 kg ha^-1).

Keywords: Goat pea (Securigera securidaca L.), planting time, organic fertilizer levels, seed and oil yield, phenols and glycosides

Key findings: The goat pea 15 October planting with organic fertilizer, 250 kg ha^-1, emerged superior in terms of significant enhancement in oil percentage, oil yield, and total content of phenols and glycosides.

Sweet corn is one of the essential food crops in Indonesia because of its many benefits, such as, being a source of carbohydrates, oil, flour, animal feed, and others. Corn demand increases yearly, needing a large land area to meet its requirements. However, planting maize during the dry season or low rainfall faces more challenges. Therefore, using drip irrigation is a solution to ensure corn growth and sustained optimal production. The presented study aimed to determine the effects of drip irrigation on the production of two varieties of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) and began from February to May 2021 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Teuku Umar, Meulaboh, West Aceh, Indonesia. The study used a randomized design (split-plot) each for two irrigation levels: without drip irrigation (T₀) and drip irrigation (T₁) in main plots on two sweet corn varieties, Bonanza and Paragon. The parameters observed were cob diameter with cornhusk (mm), cob diameter without cornhusk (mm), cob length with cornhusk (cm), cob length without cornhusk (cm), cob weight with cornhusk (g), and cob weight without cornhusk (g). Analysis of variance showed that the drip irrigation treatments had no significant effect on all the recorded parameters. However, the varieties had a highly relevant impact on the cob diameter and length and considerably influenced the cob weight. Then again, the sweet corn varieties showed nonsignificant differences for all other variables.

Keywords: Sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt), drip irrigation, production traits

Key findings: Drip irrigation is very effective and economical during the dry season, meeting the corn plants’ water requirements for their growth and development. Sweet corn cultivation with drip irrigation revealed enhanced cob diameter, length, and weight, and the sweet corn cultivars also had a highly significant effect on such traits.

Organic fertilizers’ usage enhances crop productivity and improves soil fertility and the surrounding environment in livestock complexes. The presented study assessed the effect of biofertilizers and poultry-based organic fertilizers on rhizospheric microbial diversity, yield attributes, and productivity of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Conducting field experiments started in 2021 in Northern Kazakhstan’s Southern carbonated chernozem of the steppe zone. Poultry manure application had three doses (5, 10, and 15 t ha^-1), while four types of biofertilizer of microbial origin consisted of Compo-MIX, Agro-MIX, Agrarka, and Trichodermin-KZ. The poultry-based organic manure resulted in the highest number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. By treating seeds with biofertilizers, Agrarka and Trichodermin-KZ, the organotrophic bacteria dominated the barley rhizosphere. The seed treatment with Agro-MIX, Trichodermin-KZ, and organic fertilizer (at the rate of 5 and 10 t ha^-1) resulted in a predominance of nonsymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Combined analysis of variance revealed that, on average, the organic and biofertilizers significantly increased plant viability, 1000-grain weight, and grain productivity. Combined application of poultry manure (10 t ha^-1) and biofertilizer Trichodermin-KZ gave the highest average values of grain productivity, i.e., 1,550 and 1,490 kg ha^-1 (15.5 and 14.9 quintal ha^-1), respectively.

Keywords: Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), poultry manure, biofertilizers, nitrogen-fixing and organotrophic bacteria, yield components, grain yield

Key findings: The presented study authenticated the positive effects of applying organic manure and biofertilizer on the yield attributes of spring barley. Seed treatment with biofertilizers, Trichodermin-KZ and Agrarka, and poultry-based organic manure (10 t ha^-1) significantly improved barley growth and productivity. In general, all treatments with biofertilizers provided better yields than the control.