Vetiver is one of the essential oil-producing plants, commonly called vetiver oil. With a deep, broad, and thick root system, the species is characteristically well-adapted to various environmental stresses, including salinity. The presented study strived to evaluate several vetiver ecotypes under diverse salinity stress conditions and identify the best with enhanced salinity tolerance. The said study continued in a completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial arrangement and two factors. The first factor was salinity stress comprising six varying levels, i.e., control (without salinity) and saline soils with 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 dsm^-1. The second factor consisted of three vetiver ecotypes: Bogor, Bojonegoro, and Padang. The results revealed that salinity stress levels, ecotypes, and their interactions significantly affected the growth, physiological, and oil yield traits, such as plant height, leaf area, number of tillers, chlorophyll a and b, root length and volume, and oil yield. Salinity stress at 16 dsm^-1 significantly impacted plant growth but enhanced chlorophyll a and b content. The ecotype Bojonegoro had better canopy growth, while the ecotype Padang had better root growth, resulting in higher oil production compared with the ecotype Bojonegoro. The ecotype Bojonegoro with 16 dsm^-1 salinity stress significantly increased chlorophyll a and b content, and the ecotype Padang showed the highest oil production without salinity stress compared with salinity stress conditions.

Keywords: Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L.), ecotypes, salinity levels, genotype by environment interactions, growth, physiological traits, oil production

Key findings: Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) ecotypes screening through different salinity levels are very useful for getting tolerant genotypes with enhanced growth and oil traits.

In the present era, assumptions on tugai forests consist of a complex floodplain ecosystem (reed-cattail thickets, gallery forests, halophytic shrubs, and grass biocenoses) of various ecological levels located from the water’s edge to the upper floodplains and riverine shafts. Anthropogenic transformations disrupted the natural dynamics of the tugai ecosystem. The presented study sought to characterize the current state of tugai forests in different regions of Kazakhstan to conduct monitoring of forest entomology and determine the reforestation potential of tugai plants in the floodplains of the Syr Darya and Ili rivers of Kazakhstan. The recent work focused on vital aspects associated with reinstating tugai forests. Special monitoring of forest pests progressed for the timely detection of their reproduction bulk, foci development, and plan extinction measures. The forest entomology monitoring results revealed the destruction of plants due to leaf-gnawing and gall-forming insect pests. A laid out 27 test areas investigated the dynamics of the undergrowth in tugai forests. The reproductive capacity of the plants, viz., Populus diversifolia, Elaeágnus angustifólia, Sálix acutifólia, and Salix wilhelmsiana, attained evaluation. Natural renaissance under the main forest-forming rocks’ characterization in tugai plantations was good.

Keywords: Tugai forests, floodplain ecosystem, forest entomology, leaf-gnawing and gall-forming insect pests, reforestation, Syr Darya and Ili rivers

Key findings: In the floodplains of the Syr Darya and Ili rivers of Kazakhstan, an assessment based on the tugai forests and their entomology ensued. The results of the forest entomology monitoring revealed the thrash of plants by leaf-gnawing and gall-forming insect pests. The reforestation features of the main forest-forming species’ validation also materialized.

This research’s objectives focused on using two male-sterile systems, apetaloid and petaloid types, as female parents for the F₁ marigold cut flower hybrid development. These female lines’ creation came from the same original line, the gynomonoecious line, with five backcrosses to obtain two female lines, FY1502 and FY1502AP. Their crossing with 10 male lines progressed during the summer from April to August 2016. Then, growing the progenies of 20 crosses and four commercial varieties as checks for characterization and evaluation continued in a lattice design with two replications. Planting them in six blocks contained 10 plants per treatment. The data recorded on eight horticultural characteristics include flower diameter, number of petals per flower, calyx length, peduncle length, flower weight, the number of days from sowing to first flowering, plant height, and plant bush diameter, as well as, the morphology of flowers. The results showed that progenies from two female apetaloid and petaloid with the same male line gave similar outcomes; all progenies produced male sterile double-flowers with golden-yellow flowers, except progenies of MY1501 and MY1502, which created yellow flowers. FY1502 gave the same superior F₁ progenies as FY1502AP in the diameter of the flower. Based on the results, both females could give good characteristics on flower diameter, calyx length, plant height and bush diameter, and early flowering. However, the heterobeltiosis of the F₁ progenies of a few vegetative and reproductive characteristics differed. The FY1502AP gave better progenies in peduncle length heterobeltiosis than those of FY1502 and slightly better for plant bush diameter, whereas FY1502 gave slightly better in flower weight heterobeltiosis than those of FY1502AP. The findings of this study indicate that this apetaloid type could benefit Thailand’s marigold seed production program.

Keywords: American marigolds (Tagetes erecta L.), F₁ progeny, male sterility, petaloid, apetaloid, horticultural characteristics

Key findings: Two forms of male sterile marigolds, apetaloid and petaloid, could give similar F₁ hybrids. The apetaloid line has an advantage over the petaloid one due to its stability in genetic control. Presently, the petaloid male sterility technique in Thailand is prevalent for hybrid marigold production. The results from this study show that marigold seed production in Thailand could employ this apetaloid type in the seed production program.

The material for this research resulted from the authors’ work during 2018–2020 at the Charyn Nature Park in different floodplain reservoirs of the Charyn and Temirlik Rivers, Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Their study of the fauna and ecology of Hemiptera followed the methods of route surveys and stationary observations. The simplest way to collect is to catch aquatic Hemiptera using aquatic entomological nets and account for potential water bugs. Corixidae has 21 species, while other families have one or two species. Their density comprised Gerridae (8–10), Corixidae (16–20), Naucoridae (3–5), Notonecta (8–9), and Ranatra (3–5) specimens/m², respectively. The mass species found included Ilyocoris cimicoides, Noton ecta glauca, Nepa cinerea, and Gerris costae. During the autumn survey, an observation revealed that the previously studied reservoirs have decreased in size, and some have even dried up. In the coastal part of the reservoirs, water scorpions (Nepa cinerea) were crawling along the bottom of the pool. Water backswimmers (Notonectidae) and toad bugs (Naucoridae) moved to deeper pond areas. Representatives of the Corixidae family were zoophytophages (21 species), with the remaining species being zoophages (12 species). Under the Charyn Nature Park conditions, most species were mono or univoltine (21 species), bivoltine (five species), and poly or multivoltine (seven species). The fauna of the Charyn State National Nature Park (SNNP) has the main characteristic of species of Hemiptera with Western Asia (40%), Trans-Palearctic (21%), Western Palearctic (18%), and Trans-Eurasian (12%) ranges. All the recognized species have a wide selection of hunting objects, feeding on aquatic invertebrates, including regulating the numbers of blood-sucking mosquito larvae (Culicidae).

Keywords: aquatic hemiptera, fauna, ecology, Charyn Nature Park, Charyn and Temirlik Rivers

Key findings: The prime purpose of the research was to identify the species composition of the aquatic hemiptera at the Charyn State National Natural Park, Kazakhstan, where no systematic exceptional study of the fauna of the aquatic hemiptera occurred before. However, two research articles have come out on aquatic hemiptera. Said insects, by species diversity and environmental appearance, are one of the groups most suitable for use in various environmental studies because of their best adaptation to different ecological conditions.

The 7S globulins (seed storage glycoprotein) isolated from soybean and chickpea seeds have the antifungal potential against the pathogenic fungus (Botrytis cinerea) causing gray mold in grapes assessing table grapes in vitro or postharvest by comparing with synthetic fungicide, Switch 62.5 WG. Conventional microbiological procedures estimated the in-vitro antifungal potential of the 7S globulins, such as linear growth curves and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Soybean-7S significantly inhibited the in-vitro growth of Botrytis cinerea by about 64.44%, 66.64%, and 76.67% when applied at 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL, respectively, followed by chickpea 7S with growth reduction of 52.22%, 54.44%, and 66.67%, respectively. The synthetic fungicide (Switch 62.5 WG) induced higher growth inhibition extents (83.33% and 86.66%) when applied at 50 and 200 μg/mL, respectively. The 7S-exposed B. cinerea displayed swollen hyphae compared with the control under scanning electron microscope examination. The 7S derived from soybean and chickpea inhibited gray mold development in table grapes when applied at 200 and 400 μg/mL for 30 days after infection with B. cinerea. The maintained disease severity was also minimal (40% and 25% for soybean-7S and chickpea-7S, respectively). An increased level of treatment (400 μg/mL) highly reduced the disease severity to only 7.5% after 30 days of storage at cold conditions for both proteins. The 7S globulin from legume seeds can be an alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling B. cinerea as a postharvest treatment. Developing these legume proteins as natural fungicides could also progress for the safe control of various plant pathogens, causing drastic crop losses.

Keywords: Grape (Vitis vinifera L.), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), 7S globulin, postharvest, linear growth curves, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Key findings: Soybean-7S significantly inhibited the in vitro growth of Botrytis cinerea by about 64.44%, 66.64%, and 76.67% when applied at 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL, respectively, compared with 52.22%, 54.44%, and 66.67% growth reduction by chickpea-7S, respectively. The synthetic fungicide (Switch 62.5 WG) induced higher growth inhibition, amounting to 83.33% and 86.66% with 50 and 200 μg/mL, respectively. The 7S-exposed B. cinerea displayed swollen hyphae compared with the control under scanning electron microscope examination.

Intensive farming has adversely affected soil fertility and ecosystems due to excessive chemicalization in the Kazakhstan Republic. The soil lacks organic matter, leading to declining fertility. Biologization has emerged to address this issue as a solution to improve soil fertility and enhance the growth and development of crop plants. This study aimed to determine the impact of organic fertilizers on the composition of soil microflora and biometric values in cultivating stone and pome fruits. The use of microbiological methods analyzed soil microflora and physiological bacterial groups. The research’s novelty lies in developing a technology that utilizes organic fertilizers and biological products to improve the activities of soil microorganisms and plant roots’ nutrition. Organic fertilizers ‘Bio juice Energy Plus’ and ‘Agroflorin’ positively influenced beneficial bacteria and fungi and significantly contributed to soil enrichment. Organic fertilizers and biological products support soil biological processes and replenish the nutrients, promoting sustainable agricultural productivity and reducing chemical dependency. The current study emphasizes the potential of organic fertilizers and natural products in enhancing soil fertility and supporting plant growth in Kazakhstan. Biologization also offers an eco-friendly approach to agricultural practices, ensuring agronomic productivity and the long-term good health of soils.

Keywords: Organic fertilizers, biological products, chemicalization, biologization, soil microorganisms, soil fertility, plant growth and development, stone and pome fruits

Key findings: The applied organic fertilizers, i.e., Agroflorin, Alkaral, and Bio juice Energy Plus, have proven efficient in improving the qualitative and quantitative composition of microbial association of soils under fruit crops. Research revealed that organic fertilizers boost the beneficial microorganisms and positively influence most physiological indicators in the apple tree culture compared with the control version. With positive results, the D-4 variant using organic fertilizer ‘Bio juice Energy Plus’ led and performed better.

In the conditions of Khoronk settlement of Armavir marz, Armenia, Helicoverpa armigera (syn. Chloridea armigera Hübner) and Spodoptera exigua (syn. Caradrina exigua Hübner) are the chief pests damaging the pepper plants in their larval stage. In crop season 2022, experiments on these pests in pepper fields tested the insecticides that mainly control the insects. The insecticides tested against Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera exigua included Eforia, Belt, Decis F-Lux, and Spintor. The Arrivo served as standard, and the experiment also had a control. As a result of the conducted research, the insecticides Belt, Decis F-Lux, and Eforia showed the highest biological and economic efficiency in controlling Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera exigua. The study also ran a biochemical analysis of the pepper harvest to know the effects of the applied insecticides on the peppers’ quality indicators.

Keywords: Pepper, Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera exigua, insecticides, biological and economic efficiency, qualitative indicators

Key findings: In the Khoronk settlement of Armavir region, Armenia, the Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera exigua are the chief pests of peppers, against which the insecticides Eforia, Belt, Decis F-Lux, and Spintor ran tests in the field experiments. Results revealed that insecticides Belt, Decis F-Lux, and Eforia showed the highest biological and economic efficiency in controlling these two crucial insects.

Determining the effects of the refugia plant on the whitefly population and the production of several cultivars of red chili (Capsicum annuum L.) was the focus of research conducted from March to June 2019 in the experimental garden, Faculty of Agriculture, Teuku Umar University, Meulaboh, West Aceh Regency, Indonesia. The genetic materials consisted of three chili genotypes, i.e., cultivar TM-999 and two hybrid cultivars, Lado F₁ and Lidia F₁. The experiment in a 3 × 2 split plot design had three replications. The factor studied was the presence of a whitefly. The Refugia (R) plants, used as main plots, included R0 = Control, R1 = Zinnia, and R2 = Kenikir. Red chili genotypes comprised the sub-plots, i.e., V1 = TM-999, V2 = Lado F₁, and V3 = Lidia F₁. The studied variables were the whitefly population determination, the percentage of attack rate, and the chili production per plot. The results showed that Refugia plants greatly affected the whitefly population, portion of pest attack rates, and chili production per plot. Specifically, the refugia plant highly affected the whitefly population (Refugia kenikir 1.41% compared with control 11.89%), the percentage rate of pest attack (Refugia kenikir 44.44% compared with 100% of check), and production per plot (kenikir 23.59 g compared with the control’s 23.07 g). Refugia plants are influential in reducing whitefly development/production.

Keywords: red chili (Capsicum annuum L.), chili production, Refugia plants, whitefly population

Key findings: Refugia developed a microhabitat that expects to contribute to efforts to conserve natural enemies. Refugia plants can be effective pest traps, especially whiteflies on red chili plants, because, in addition to providing temporary shelter for natural enemies of pests, refugia also benefits from biotic ecosystem interactions.

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is the most harmful postharvest disease responsible for the degradation of strawberries. The presented study targeted the preparation of 7S globulin from pea seeds to serve as an antifungal agent against B. cinerea in vitro and on the post-harvest strawberry to extend the fruits’ shelf life. The 7S globulin isolation from pea seeds and characterization employed various methods, such as SDS-PAGE, FTIR, and pH solubility curve. The molecular technique also helped confirm the identity of the causative microorganism of the gray mold disease in strawberries. Utilizing rRNA gene sequencing identified a fungal pathogen that causes gray mold as B. cinerea. The 7S globulin showed three protein bands corresponding to α/ (83 KDa), α (68 KDa), and β (60 KDa) subunits. The isoelectric point was notable at pH 5.8. The essential and non-essential amino acids occurred around 24.92% and 54.04%, respectively. The 7S globulin inhibited the mycelial growth of B. cinerea in a concentration-dependent manner. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) of B. cinerea subjected to 7S globulin showed swelling of both the fungal hyphae and conidia, significantly affected by the pea 7S-globulin treatment, entirely destabilizing and deforming their shape at 0.4 g/L. The 7S-globulin exposure maintained the fruit quality and stopped the strawberry’s natural deterioration. Results further authenticated that 7S globulin (isolated from pea seeds) revealed effective antifungal action against B. cinerea mycelial development via a membrane-targeted mechanism. The 7S globulin affects hyphal morphology, compromises plasma membrane integrity, and prevents post-harvest gray mold on strawberry fruits.

Keywords: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), Botrytis cinerea, gray mold disease, pea 7S globulin, antifungal activities, in vitro, strawberry degradation

Key findings: The pea 7S globulin inhibited the mycelial growth of B. cinerea in a concentration-dependent manner. The SEM of B. cinerea subjected to 7S globulin showed the swelling of both the fungal hyphae and conidia attaining significant effects from the pea 7S-globulin treatment, entirely destabilizing and deforming their shape at 0.4 g/L. The 7S-globulin exposure maintained fruit quality and stopped the strawberry’s natural deterioration.

A comparative assessment of 14 pearl millet genotypes transpired for growth and yield traits under arid conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. In this study, the green and dry plant biomass and grain yield of 14 pearl millet genotypes’ assessment ensued under rainfed conditions in Southeast Kazakhstan. For green biomass yield, the three pearl millet genotypes Bair Bajsa, HHVBC tall, and J-6 performed better and were high yielders ranging from 39.07 to 39.94 t/ha. The accumulation of dry biomass (as hay) was different and varied widely from 3.17 to 17.36 t/ha; however, the maximum dry biomass appeared in the genotype HHVBC tall. Genotype HHVBC tall was leading for green and dry plant biomass formation and has the potential for grain yield under rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. Drought always negatively impacted the production of fodder and grains; however, genotype HHVBC tall assures a stable plant biomass and seed production under arid conditions. In dry Southeast Kazakhstan, pearl millet, a drought-resistant crop, is a highly productive, valuable fodder and grain crop based on quality yields of biomass and grains. Subject to the cultivation technology and according to weather conditions, on average, the pearl millet genotypes form a green mass biomass yield of 40 t/ha and grain yield of 2.2 t/ha under rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. For cultivation in the Republic, it is necessary to expand pearl millet as an annual crop, most adapted to extreme agroecological conditions.

Keywords: Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), drought conditions, plant height, green and dry biomass, grain yield, Southeast Kazakhstan

Key findings: Pearl millet genotype HHVBC tall has a high potential for forming plant green and dry biomass but also showed a superior potential for grain yield under rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. As most adapted to extreme agroecological conditions of the Republic, a need to recommend expanding the cultivation of pearl millet is a must.