Zinc deficiency prevails in one-third of the world’s population, which is mainly due to the intake of cereals grown on zinc-deficient soils. Biofortification is a top priority among different solutions to this condition and is an agricultural intervention suitable for farmers and consumers due to accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a short-duration and high-yielding crop that can grow in two seasons per annum and is the most suitable cereal for biofortification. The present study investigated 150 genetically diverse maize inbred lines for grain-zinc contents, yield, and yield-contributing traits, employing an augmented field design. Significant genotypic diversity was prominent for the studied traits. The first four components of the principal component analysis (PCA) depicted an Eigen value of more than one, which explained 73.5% of the total variability. Among inbred lines, E102, E38, E92, E52, E91, E1, E93, E54, E28, E25, E72, E30, and E90 showed higher grain-zinc contents and average grain yields per plant in the PCA-based study. The grain-zinc contents were less than the desired level (33 mg kg-1) notified by HarvestPlus. Creating significant genetic diversity and exploiting its existing level for heterotic performance is a prerequisite to achieve the desired level of grain-zinc contents and yield. Correlation studies revealed a significant positive association of average grain yield per plant with the ear length, the number of grains per row, the number of rows per cob, and 1000-grain weight. Selection of inbred lines based on the standards of positive association with grain yield per plant could improve total yield.

Keywords: Maize, augmented design, biofortification, correlation coefficients, genetic variability, PCA

Key findings: Improving grain-zinc contents can succeed by selecting early maturing genotypes with less anthesis-silking interval (ASI). Lesser days to silking and days to tasseling cause early mobilization of available zinc from tassel to cob; hence, more zinc is available for grain under long grain-filling periods. High-kernel zinc contents improve grain weight due to enhanced carbohydrate supply for grain filling. Indirect selection to develop zinc biofortified maize genotypes should require high mean values for plant height, total grain weight, ear length, and grain yield and lower mean values for days to silking and days to tasseling.

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a fundamental approach for enhancing the cotton crop quality. However, the comprehensive bibliometric analysis within this research domain is still lacking. In August 2023, we conducted a scientific, computer-assisted review methodology based on the bibliometric record use of the Scopus dataset. Employing an innovative research methodology has gathered the data to descend prevailing research trends, influential journals, document types, prolific authors, and key countries related to MAS application in cotton research. The bibliometric analysis helped determine the current general research direction and trend of publications about MAS application in cotton research in the most prolific and distinguished journals and document types with years, authors, countries, and keywords. Data extraction, integration, and visualization employed the VOS-viewer, Microsoft Excel, and Map-chart. The presented review referred to 273 research manuscripts published in 72 journals retrieved from the Scopus database, with China and the United States identified as the most productive nations. Authors, including Zhan T, Zhang J, Guo W, Fan DD, and Yuan Y, emerged as influential contributors to MAS studies. The most important fields were agricultural and biological science, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. The latest review research will objectively assess the current state of MAS utilization in cotton research, offering valuable insights for individuals seeking information on MAS techniques in cotton and serving as a reference guide for researchers exploring further studies in this domain.

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, marker-assisted selection (MAS), cotton, Scopus database, collaborative network, co-accurate network, subject area

Key findings: The study provides a comprehensive overview of MAS research in cotton, emphasizing the leadership of China and the USA. Developing countries should strengthen MAS initiatives by collaborating with chief authors and organizations crucial for further advancements in this field.

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.