Lily (Lilium candidum L.) is an herbaceous, bulbous perennial plant belonging to the family Liliaceae. Studying floral parts of the Lilium candidum had samples collected from different gardens in Baghdad City, Iraq. The Flora of Turkey helped identify the measurements of the floral parts studied. The results found that flowers form funnel shapes, with snow-white colored petals with pink spots in the middle. Flowers are fragrant, with actinomorphic symmetry. Flowers comprising six petals had a cyclic arrangement in biseriate perianth. Petals were lanceolate-linear to lanceolate-shaped and six stamens were opposite with petals and free, and the anthers were versatile that open longitudinally. The cross-section shape of the stigma was triangular, consisting of epidermis with one row of globular cells surrounded by cuticles. The cortex comprises two main types of cells, the collenchyma cells found below epidermis, and chlorenchyma. The vascular bundles closed in three collaterals, and each tissue corner arrangement consisted of xylem and phloem covered by bundle cup fibers at the phloem side. Anthers take on cordate shape in cross section, and the epidermis consists of one row with globular cells surrounded by cuticle. The cortex cell has two main types of cells. In the first type, the two layers of collenchyma cells appear below the epidermis, while the second type of cortex was the parenchymal cells. The pollen grains were golden-yellow, ellipsoid size, shaped in polar and equatorial views, with several apertures and reticulated exine sculpturing.

Keywords: Lily (L. candidum L.), Liliaceae, floral parts, petals, stamens, stigma

Key findings: Lily (L. candidum L.) plant samples collected had their floral parts assessed. Lilium candidum is famous for being edible and medicinal functions based on its biochemical composition and pharmacological effects.

Climate change caused drought stress to become a critical challenge in maize (Zea mays L.) production, surpassing other environmental stresses. Understanding drought resilience mechanisms in maize is essential for breeding drought-tolerant varieties. This study evaluated the drought tolerance of two maize hybrids, Sancia and Agrister, under greenhouse conditions with four irrigation regimes: 90%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of field capacity (FC). Under severe drought (25% FC), the hybrid Agrister showed reductions in shoot length, leaf area, biomass, and chlorophyll content by 13.9%, 29.86%, 30.76%, and 13.7%, respectively, compared with well-watered conditions (90% FC). In both hybrids, electrolytic conductivity increased under drought, indicating membrane stress. Agrister, however, maintained lower levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) than Sancia, signaling a better antioxidative balance. A higher catalase and peroxidase enzyme activity marked Agrister’s response to drought, alongside increased phenolic compounds, strengthening its antioxidant defense system. The study concludes that Agrister’s superior drought tolerance makes it a promising candidate for cultivation in Tunisia’s arid regions, highlighting its potential in breeding programs focused on resilience to water scarcity.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), drought stress, chlorophyll content, biochemical traits

Key findings: Maize (Z. mays L.) hybrid Agrister excelled the hybrid Sancia under water-deficit conditions and showed better development of aerial parts and a higher drought tolerance. The genetic variability between the two maize hybrids highlights the potential for breeding drought-resistant maize.

Drought and salinity are major environmental constraints that severely affect crop productivity. Plants frequently encounter these abiotic stresses, with salinity-drought combinations posing a significant threat to plant growth. Both stresses induce physiological, biochemical, morphological, and metabolic variations through various mechanisms, ultimately altering plant growth and productivity. Individual stress negatively influences plant growth, photosynthesis, ionic balance, and oxidative status, while integrated salinity-drought stress has a more synergistic effect. The severity caused by each stress varies depending on the plant species and existing environmental conditions. For instance, drought stress may have a more severe effect on photosynthesis compared with salinity, while salinity itself has a more detrimental effect on root biomass. A key difference between the individual and combined stress responses associated with antioxidant production. Plants exposed to individual stress can enhance their antioxidant levels. However, under combined salinity-drought stress, this vital defense mechanism appears compromised, leading to increased oxidative stress. The presented review highlighted the significant negative impact of integrated and individual salinity and drought stresses on plant growth. Understanding the multifaceted plant responses at various levels and the genetic base of plant tolerance to drought and salinity is essential for developing strategies to improve plant resistance to these stressors.

Keywords: Abiotic stress factors, drought, salinity, osmotic and oxidative stress, plant growth, photosynthesis

Key findings: Integrated salinity-drought stress has a more detrimental effect on plants compared with individual stress. The severity of drought and salinity stresses can vary depending on the plant species and environmental conditions. Plants exposed to individual stresses can increase their antioxidant levels, however, comprising this mechanism under combined salinity-drought pressure.

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a widely cultivated root crop due to its substantial nutritional values, including elevated levels of essential vitamins and antioxidants. The apposite study aimed to determine the chromosomes’ mitotic time numbers. The research used a modified squash method, including chromosomes preparation steps, such as fixation, maceration, and staining. The comparison of two carrot cultivars, i.e., Berastagi and Ta-Fung, highlighted similarities in chromosome morphology, size, and karyotype formulas, with some disparity in chromosome formula unveiling their unique genetic attributes and distinctions. The established mitotic times and chromosomal formulas emerged as 09:00 AM–10:00 AM (2n = 2x = 18 m) and 09:00 AM–10:10 AM (2n = 2x = 14 m + 4 sm) for cultivars Berastagi and Ta-Fung, respectively, with their respective karyotypes and ideograms. In chromosome count, the congruence between the two cultivars highlights their shared genetic foundation and, albeit with structural variations. Such primary data of the presented research lays the foundation for future breeding research for improvement in both carrot cultivars.

Keywords: Carrot (D. carota L.), chromosome numbers, chromosome morphology and size, mitotic times, genetic diversity, ideograms, karyotypes, squash method

Key findings: In carrot (D. carota L.), the chromosome’s exact number, formulas, and karyotype have yet to be determined for two carrot cultivars grown in Indonesia. However, through this research, the mitotic times and chromosomal formulas’ establishment occurred as 09:00 AM–10:00 AM (2n = 2x = 18 m) and 09:00 AM–10:10 AM (2n = 2x = 14 m + 4 sm) for cultivars Berastagi and Ta-Fung, respectively, with their karyotypes and ideograms.

Mutation breeding is a promising technique used for improving crop plants’ performance, including tolerance to aluminum in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. The presented research pursued developing aluminum-tolerant rice lines through mutation in two local rice cultivars, ‘Mayas’ and ‘Adan’. Mutation induction using six doses of gamma irradiation included 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 Gy. The evaluation of root tolerance index proceeded for early selection of aluminum tolerant lines. In addition, root swelling, aluminum absorption, cross-sectional histology, and root lipid peroxidation incurred scrutiny. The results showed gamma irradiation (100 Gy) could produce aluminum stress tolerant lines from the cultivar Mayas. Aluminum-tolerant lines obtained totaled 91 through gamma irradiation in the local rice genotypes. The morphological traits of these aluminum-tolerant mutant lines underwent assessment for root elongation under stress conditions, root swelling occurrence, aluminum accumulation only at the root tip, cross-sectional histology with sclerenchyma thickening due to organic acids, and minimal cell wall damage. These lines need further evaluation to confirm their tolerance to aluminum stress, for rice cultivation on acid soils.

Keywords: Rice (O. sativa L.), mutation breeding, aluminum-tolerant lines, local rice genotypes, root tolerance index, cell wall damage

Key findings: Gamma irradiation (100 Gy) proved effective in producing aluminum-tolerant rice (O. sativa L.) lines. However, the higher doses of gamma irradiation negatively affected the performance of rice mutant lines, leading to disrupted plant growth and reduced aluminum tolerance.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) belongs to the Poaceae family and serves as a staple in many portions worldwide, as well as, in Pakistan. Wheat yield in Gilgit-Baltistan is comparatively low versus other parts of the country because cultivars developed suited other regions globally. Moreover, the country performs less due to unique agroecological conditions. This study progressed on 20 wheat accessions at the PARC-Mountain Agricultural Research Station, Chilas, District Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan, in 2018–2019. It used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates to assess the genetic variability and trait association in wheat. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation (%) was evident for characteristics, i.e., spike length, flag leaf area, tillers plant^-1, spikelets spike^-1, yield plot^-1, yield hectare^-1, and straw yield hectare^-1. Estimates of heritability were high for all traits under consideration. Estimated high broad-sense heritability (H²) tied with high genetic advance percent over means for spikelets spike^-1, flag leaf area, tillers plant^-1, seeds spike^-1, spike length, thousand-grain weight, yield plot^-1, straw yield plot^-1, yield hectare^-1, and straw yield hectare^-1. It indicated a simple selection based on phenotype would be effective for improvement during early generations.

Estimating correlation coefficients for various traits revealed that plant height, days to maturity, harvest index, straw yield plot^-1, and thousand-grain weight exhibited positively significant correlations with yield hectare^-1. Meanwhile, plant height, thousand-grain weight, days to maturity, and yield plot^-1 showed relevant correlations with straw yield plot^-1.

Keywords: Accession, coefficients of variation, correlation, genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance

Key findings: The genotypes AC-12, AC-13, AC-5, and AC-15 emerged as high-grain yielders, and AC-15, AC-23, and AC-12 proved as better straw-yielding genotypes. These wheat genotypes may benefit the development of new wheat varieties of the future for the agroecological condition of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Assessing the genetic potential of the early generation families of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) for growth and yield traits became this study’s aim. The experiment began in 2021 at the Njala Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Njala, Sierra Leone. The results revealed the yam families significantly (P < 0.05) varied for days to first emergence (DAYFE), days to 50% emergence (DAYSE), germination index (GI), seedling vigor index (SVI), and the number of tubers per plant. The Family TDr190016 germinated earliest (14.5 days); however, families TDr190053 and TDr190113 exhibited the longest germination period (> 20 days). Traits with high phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were germination index, seedling vigor index, percent seed emergence at 21 and 28 days after sowing, and pooled percent seed emergence (PSE). Broad sense heritability (HB) values ranged between 21.5% (pooled PSE) and 92.1% (SVI). Traits with the high broad sense heritability were days to 50% emergence (83.2%), germination index (74.6%), seedling vigor index (92.1%), percent seed emergence at 21 days (80.0%), and percent seed emergence at 28 days (62.8%). The yam families revealed the higher genetic advance for almost all traits except days to first emergence. In terms of various traits, the genetic effects of the early generation white yam families contributed more to the total phenotypic variability than the non-genetic effects, requiring more exploration for breeding.

Keywords: White yam (Dioscorea rotundata), progeny families, seed germination, growth and yield traits, genetic parameters

Key findings: Significant variation exists among the early generation families of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) for growth and yield traits. Genetic effects of the early generation white yams contribute more than the non-genetic effects to the total phenotypic variability.

Mungbean is a pulse crop of economic importance in Myanmar. The susceptibility of current grown mungbean varieties to the Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Disease (MYMD), utilized in the high premium-sprout market segment, is a major concern. Field-testing of seven improved mungbean lines across six locations in Bago and Yangon regions ensued in the post monsoon season of 2021–2022 and across four locations in Magway, Naypyitaw, and Mandalay regions in the monsoon season of 2022. Two promising lines (AVMU 1688 and AVMU 1690), with known resistance to all known species of the viruses causing MYMD, were further tested during the pre-monsoon season of 2023 and confirmed for resistance to the MYMD. Both lines showed good performance for seed yield per plant (9.70–10.57 g/plant) and were early maturing (62–63 days) during the monsoon season. AVMU 1688 showed with sprouting quality similar to Yezin -1 and the commercial reference standard. The seed color and luster (green and shiny) also meet the market requirements of the grain market segment. Both AVMU 1688 and AVMU 1690 lines may proceed to testing for potential release as a variety or could serve as donor parents for resistance to MYMD in the National Breeding Program.

Keywords: Mungbean, mungbean yellow mosaic disease, GGE biplot, sprouting

Key findings: Among the seven improved mungbean lines with MYMD resistance, two lines, such as AVMU 1688 and AVMU 1690, exhibited good agronomic traits, including high seed yield per plant and early maturity, suitable for the monsoon season. Particularly, the AVMU 1688 is on par with Yezin 1 in meeting the market preference, with its good sprouting quality and shiny green seeds.

This research aimed for an ecological evaluation of African millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) genotypes. It also sought to identify the high-yielding genotypes with a complex of agronomic traits resistant to harsh salinity stress conditions. For salt tolerance index (10%–20%) and in comparison to millet standard genotype (Hashaki-1), the cultivars WRai POP, IP13150, GB 8735, Sudan POP III, IP19586, JBV 3, HHVBC Tall, Sudan POP I, IP 22269, JBV 2, Rai 171, EMSHBC, and ICMS 7704 appeared as highly resistant to salinization and exceeded the standard genotype. These cultivars exhibited the highest germination percentage, survival, and conservation rate, and set apart by highest green mass yield, surpassing the standard cultivar (Hashaki-1) by 0.1–8.4 t/ha. Correlation analysis revealed with 2.0% chloride salinity conditions, the germination intensity, the 14-day-old seedling weight, and the seminal root length positively associated with the grain weight per panicle and green mass yield. The recommendation of these traits as selection criteria is suitable for use in practical selection to evaluate an extensive set of African millet breeding material.

Keywords: African millet (P. glaucum L.), source material, cultivars testing, selection, salt-tolerance, drought-resistance, germination intensity, green mass yield

Key findings: Water shortage, salinization, and soil degradation necessitate a reduction in other crops and their replacement with crops that consume less water in Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan. Ecological cultivars’ testing of African millet (P. glaucum L.) made it possible to identify the most high-yielding and adaptive cultivars to saline soils, which are now in progressive introduction in the Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan.

Cotton plant is a valuable technical crop grown in various regions of the world. For assessing the five colored cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes, the yield contributing traits received 60Co γ-ray irradiation at 0 (control), 100, 150, and 200 Gy. By treating colored cotton cultivars with 100 and 200 Gy rays, variations were visible in early maturity properties. An enhancement in bolls per plant were evident when treating the cream-colored cotton genotypes; however, a decrease occurred in the green-colored cotton genotype. Notably, the colored fiber genotypes treated with 200 Gy ray showed an increased number of bolls per plant. Colored fiber genotypes treated with 200 Gy ray caused a slight fiber elongation than with lower doses of 100 and 150 Gy and the control. The result further revealed cotton genotypes treated with 100 and 200 Gy rays positively affected the yield-contributing traits. The above properties can be beneficial in the selection and improvement of colored fiber cotton genotypes.

Keywords: Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.), colored cotton, genotypes, flowering, maturity, bolls per plant, seed cotton yield per plant, fiber length

Key findings: Colored fiber cotton (G. hirsutum L.) genotypes treated with 200 Gy had a positive effect on early maturity, bolls per plant, seed cotton yield, and fiber length compared with the 100 and 150 Gy and control.