Under the changing climatic conditions, one of the most pressing issues in wheat production is the improvement of the yield quality, the lack of which has a negative impact on animal and human health. More than 25% of the world’s population are affected by micronutrient deficiencies in food products, a problem which is known as hidden hunger. Thus, effective micronutrient management is crucial for improving both the quantity and quality of wheat production by increasing the plant’s ability to tolerate various environmental stresses and diseases. In this review, previous works were assessed to investigate the significance of micronutrient fertilizers and their interaction effects on the wheat grain yield and quality, including high-quality and nutritionally rich products. The application of micronutrients mixed with macronutrients significantly increases plant growth, physiological traits, yield components, the grain yield, and the quality traits. Among the types of applications, the foliar application of nutrients is very profitable due to its efficiency in terms of economics, ecology, and the qualitative and quantitative yield. In short, in-depth studies are needed to determine the best concentrations, forms, and times of application of micro-fertilizers to the wheat field and to mitigate the challenges of the increasing wheat demand due to steadily rising world population growth and reducing the rates of nutritional deficiency.

The aim of our study was to examine the different concentrations of AuNPs as a new antimicrobial substance to control the pathogenic activity. The extracellular synthesis of AuNPs performed by using Phoma sp. as an endophytic fungus. Endophytic fungus was isolated from vascular tissue of peach trees (Prunus persica) from Baft, located in Kerman province, Iran. The UltraViolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis spectroscopy) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy provided the absorbance peak at 526 nm, while the X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy images released the formation of spherical AuNPs with sizes in the range of 10–100 nm. The findings of inhibition zone test of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) showed a desirable antifungal and antibacterial activity against phytopathogens including Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA (AG1-IA has been identified as the dominant anastomosis group) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The highest inhibition level against sclerotia formation was 93% for AuNPs at a concentration of 80 μg/mL. Application of endophytic fungus biomass for synthesis of AuNPs is relatively inexpensive, single step and environmentally friendly. In vitro study of the antifungal activity of AuNPs at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/mL was conducted against rice fungal pathogen R. solani to reduce sclerotia formation. The experimental data revealed that the Inhibition rate (RH) for sclerotia formation was (15, 33, 74 and 93%), respectively, for their corresponding AuNPs concentrations (10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/mL). Our findings obviously indicated that the RH strongly depend on AuNPs rates, and enhance upon an increase in AuNPs rates. The application of endophytic fungi biomass for green synthesis is our future goal.

The food security challenge is one of the most topical issues of the 21st Century. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the least food-secure region, and solutions are constantly being sought to alleviate the problem. The region’s exponentially growing population is in dire need of affordable and nutritious food. The “Gene Revolution” (genetic engineering) presents opportunities in which food security can be ensured in SSA. Genetic modification (GM) has potential to solve myriad problems currently being experienced in SSA agriculture, hence improving yields and reducing the costs of production. Most of the SSA countries have a precautionary stance towards GM crops; thus, only a handful of countries have approved the commercialized production of transgenic crops. The lack of understanding and sound knowledge about the GM system is reflected in the formulation of policies and regulatory frameworks for biosafety and their implementation. There is need to conscientize the policymakers and the public about the general principles of genetic engineering for better decision making. Considering the multiple beneficial aspects demonstrated by transgenic crops it will not be prudent to ignore them. The versatility of GM technology makes it adaptable to the food crisis in SSA.

Field and storage trials were conducted to assess the response of exotic and local yam genotypes to major diseases (anthracnose, yam mosaic virus (YMV) and dry rot) and pests (i.e., mealy bug and nematodes) for the identification of parents with desired complementary traits for crossing. The experiment was conducted at the Njala Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) experimental site in Sierra Leone during two cropping seasons, 2020 and 2021. A total of 113 genotypes of yam comprising 15 D. rotundata, 4 D. prahensilis, 7 D. esculenta, 74 D. alata, 7 D. bulbifera, and 4 D. cayenensis were assessed. Results showed a significant (p < 0.001) linear relationship between yield and disease severity among yam genotypes. In-field disease (anthracnose and yam mosaic virus) infection accounted for 38% of the total variation observed in the fresh tuber yield. Findings on fresh tuber yield revealed that for every ton increase in yield of yams, anthracnose and YMV severities at five months after planting (MAP) decreased by 0.5 and 3.1 units, respectively. About 30 genotypes had low infection of disease, of which two belonged to D. rotundata (TDr 205 and TDr 96/00587), two belonged to D. prahensilis (PSLY074-13 and BMSLY085-13), three belonged to D. bulbifera (MOSLY022-12, MOSLY024-12 and KESLY09-12), and one belonged to D. esculenta (WRSLY083-13), while the remaining were D. alata. About 27 genotypes had intermediate infection, and 14 had high disease susceptibility, all of which belonged to D. alata. Storage disease infection had a highly significant (p < 0.002) linear relationship among yam genotypes. Dry rot, mealy bug, and nematode infection accounted for 15.1% of the total variation in fresh tuber weight loss. The findings were relevant for selecting parents with complementary traits of interest targeted at yam population improvement.

Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers is possible by implementing environmentally friendly smart farming technology like growth regulators and foliar fertilizer interactions. The experiment was entitled “Effectiveness of novel growth regulator and fertilizer to improve spring wheat quality and yield production.” The field was conducted at Barybino, Moscow Region in 2023. The experiment comprised 16 treatment combinations in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) viz plant growth regulators (PGR) Centrino-1 (GR1), Centrino-2 (GR2), Centrino-3 (GR3), and Terrasay Fertilizer-1 (F1), Terrasay Fertilizer-2 (F2) and Terrasay-3 (F3) and Control (Co). The purpose of the research work was, to examine the effects of a new formulation of foliar fertilizer and PGR on the quality and productivity of spring wheat, and to determine the best way and right dosage levels of growth regulators and fertilizers to increase crop resistance, nutrient uptake efficiency of the crop. The results showed GR3F2 need-based led to the highest plant height (69.8cm) and leaf area (7.63 cm2). GR2F1 attained the highest number of tillers, root length, biological yield, grain yield, and gluten with a mean value of 3 tiller plant-1, 10.7cm, 11118 kg ha-1, 5042kg ha-1 and 12.30 respectively. GR1F3 and GR2F2 recorded the highest in protein, and carbohydrate with a mean value of 9.63%, and 89% respectively. In conclusion, proficient handling of plant growth regulators (PGR) and fertilizers (F) can be considered as a crop management strategy to boost yield and quality by improving chemical fertilization, utilization efficiency, and reducing environmental pollution.

Wheat is a cornerstone of global agriculture, particularly in temperate regions like Russia, where spring wheat predominates (Chengzhi et al., 2024). This study was conducted in 2023 at the Research Institute of Agrochemistry in Barybino, Russia, to investigate the impact of growth regulators and foliar fertilizers on plant growth and yield. The research focused on reducing lodging and stress while evaluating the efficiency of input utilization. Environmentally friendly smart farming technologies were implemented, and a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to assess the interactions of four different dosages of growth regulators and fertilizers. The impact of four distinct rates of plant growth regulators (PGRs), namely Centrino 1 (GR1 = 1.0 L/ha)), Centrino 2 (GR2 = 1.25 L/ha)), Centrino 3 (GR3 = 1.5 L/ha) and Control 0 (C0 = No application of growth regulator) in conjunction with varying rates of foliar fertilizer, Fertilizer 1 (F1 = 0.5 L/ha), Fertilizer 2 (F2 = 1.0 L/ha), Fertilizer 3 (F3 = 2.0 L/ha) and Control 0 (C0 = No application of fertilizer), on the quantitative traits of wheat was examined. The data indicated that the maximum plant height (73 cm) was recorded in the control plots. The GR1 and interaction between GR1 x F2 variables exhibited a substantial reduction in weed count (WC) and weed biomass (WB) across all treatments. Interaction between GR1 x F1 followed by GR1 x F2 treatments produced significantly higher number of spikelets/spike of 14.37 and 14.4, respectively compared to control. Among all treatments, GR2 x F1 treatment gave significantly higher spike length, 1000-kernel weight, biological yield and grain yield, with mean values of 6.96 cm, 37.4 g, 11118 kg/ha and 5042 kg/ha, respectively. Ultimately, the effective utilization of plant growth regulators and fertilizers as a crop management strategy enhanced yield, reduced environmental pollution and optimized resource usage.