AGROBIOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF INTRODUCED GRAPE VARIETIES UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Performance and adaptability of Gladiolus cultivars under the agro-climatic conditions of Tripura

This study aimed to evaluate the adaptability and flowering performance of eight Gladiolus cultivars under the agro-climatic conditions of Tripura. The objective of this study was to identify cultivars suitable for commercial cut-flower production in this region. Field experiments were conducted during the rabi season (2023–24) at the College of Agriculture, Tripura. Key flowering parameters, including days to spike initiation, rachis length, number of florets per spike and vase life were recorded and statistically analysed. Significant variations were observed among the eight cultivars for all recorded traits. 'Candyman' and 'DFR Glad-2' performed the best, showing early spike initiation, longer rachis, higher floret count and extended vase life. These results suggest that 'Candyman' and 'DFR Glad-2' are highly suitable for commercial cultivation in Tripura. These cultivars can enhance floriculture profitability and guide future breeding programs in similar agro-climatic zones.

Agronomic and Genetic Characterization of Table Grape Cultivars in Azerbaijan: Implications for Domestication-Related Yield Traits

In the Caucasus, considered a primary center of vine domestication, Azerbaijan stands out for its strong tradition of table grape production. Despite its richness, the Azerbaijani grapevine germplasm remains poorly characterized and scarcely represented in the international scientific literature, making this study one of the few peer-reviewed works devoted to it. Domestication and varietal selection have always been driven primarily by crop productivity. In this study, 25 table grape cultivars grown in Azerbaijan (10 of which were local varieties, while the remaining 15 were introduced varieties) were observed for 3 consecutive years. Phenotypic (ampelographic and agronomic) and genetic (microsatellite) data were collected. The ampelographic descriptions of all the observed cultivars have been produced and made available. Genetic analyses indicate the presence of multiple genetic backgrounds within the Azerbaijani germplasm, consistent with the role of the Caucasus region in grapevine domestication and diversification. Agronomic evaluations show that local cultivars are generally less productive (approx. −31%). Of particular interest is the introduced cultivar ‘Taifi Rozovyi’, which produces grapes that are about twice as large as the average for other genotypes, enabling an extremely high yield.

Agronomic evaluation of potential rootstocks for peach trees

Evaluation of Aonla Germplasm for Growth and Yield Attributes under Semiarid Conditions of Haryana, India

A field study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of aonla germplasm under the semi-arid conditions of Hisar, Haryana. The investigation was carried out at the experimental orchard of the Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, from 2018–19 to 2021–22. Five aonla cultivars, namely NA-4, NA-5, NA-7, NA-10 and Chakaiya, were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications. Growth parameters included plant height, plant spread in the north–south and east–west directions, and plant girth, while yield attributes included fruit length, fruit breadth, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. The pooled results showed clear variability among the evaluated cultivars. Chakaiya recorded the maximum plant height of 9.15 m and the highest plant spread in both north–south and east–west directions, measuring 9.10 m and 9.20 m, respectively. The maximum plant girth was recorded in NA-10 at 98.92 cm. Among fruit traits, NA-4 recorded the highest fruit length of 34.36 mm, while Chakaiya recorded the highest fruit breadth of 35.49 mm and fruit weight of 31.03 g. The highest fruit yield was recorded in NA-10 at 103.21 kg per plant, followed by NA-7 at 93.65 kg per plant. The findings indicate cultivar-level variability in the growth and yield attributes of aonla under Hisar conditions.

Comparison of the Yield of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) Varieties under the Climatic Conditions of Kabul

Buckwheat is gaining attention as a promising crop because of its nutritional value and ability to grow under diverse environmental conditions. This study investigated the performance of three buckwheat varieties Common Buckwheat, Devyadka, and Zyloni under the agro-climatic conditions of Kabul during the 2025 growing season. The field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, using a randomized complete block design with four replications across two contrasting field environments. Several growth characteristics, including plant height, leaf number, leaf width, and number of branches per plant, together with total biomass and 100-seed weight, were evaluated. The results revealed that plant height, leaf number, leaf width, and total biomass varied significantly among the varieties and between environments, with a clear interaction between genotype and environmental conditions. These findings indicate that the growth and productivity of buckwheat are strongly influenced by the environment in which each variety is cultivated. In contrast, the number of branches per plant and 100-seed weight remained relatively stable across environments, suggesting that these traits are less affected by environmental variation. Among the tested varieties, Devyadka produced the greatest vegetative growth and biomass under favourable conditions but showed greater sensitivity to environmental changes. Common Buckwheat maintained consistent performance across both environments, demonstrating strong adaptability and stable productivity, while Zyloni displayed moderate performance with reasonable stability. The study concludes that environmental conditions play an important role in determining buckwheat performance in Kabul. Considering both yield potential and stability, Common Buckwheat is the most suitable variety for cultivation under the variable agro-climatic conditions of the region.

Responses of cassava varieties to harvest timing under rainfed conditions in the Agreste region of Alagoas, Brazil

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the growth, ecophysiological performance, and yield of cassava varieties as affected by harvest timing under rainfed conditions in the Agreste region of Alagoas, Brazil. The experiment was conducted from April 2023 to December 2024, using a 2 × 5 factorial scheme in a randomized block design with four replicates. Two cassava varieties (Caravela and Pretinha) were assessed at five harvest times (12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 months after planting), with agrometeorological, growth, physiological, and yield variables monitored throughout the cycle. Although the regional climate, characterized by adequate annual rainfall and mean air temperature, was generally favorable for cassava cultivation, summer droughts limited vegetative growth. The Pretinha variety showed greater shoot dry biomass accumulation, reaching 51.4 t ha-1 at 20 months after planting (MAP). By contrast, Caravela exhibited superior root performance, achieving higher fresh root yield (61.5 t ha-1), dry root yield (34.6 t ha-1), starch yield (18.7 t ha-1), and harvest index (0.7). Physiological evaluations revealed significant cassava plasticity in response to seasonal water deficit, with coordinated adjustments in photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration across harvest times. Overall, Caravela is more suitable for industrial purposes, whereas Pretinha is better adapted to production systems that require high shoot biomass.