Stem rust disease is widespread in the wheat-growing regions of Kazakhstan. Despite a large number of studies, the protection of wheat from the pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is considered one of the crucial problems. Chemical control has almost no impact on this disease and no exact result. The only effective way to control this disease is to cultivate resistant varieties and lines. Currently, 60 Sr resistance genes are known. Among them, Sr2, Sr22, Sr25/Lr19, Sr28, Sr36, and Sr39 gene sources are efficient at stem rust disease in different conditions of Kazakhstan. The molecular markers Xgwm533, CFA2019, PSY-E1, wPt-7004, Xgwm319 and Sr39#50 linked to Sr2, Sr22, Sr25/Lr19, Sr28, Sr36 and Sr39 were used, respectively. As a result of PCR analysis, the Sr2 gene was identified in six lines out of 16 lines, namely, GA951395-10-7/WX98D011-U38, Select, GA961565-27-6/KS99U673, GA961662-1-7/TAM107, VA01W-283/WX030513 and Sonalika. Five wheat lines were found as carriers of the Sr22 gene: Line c-19SB, Lutescens 7-04-4, Lutescens 220-03-45, GA961662-1-7/TAM107 and Line D 25 77. There are three lines that are carriers of Sr25/Lr19 gene sources, namely, Lutescens 220-03-45, Advance, and Line D 25 77. The Sr28 gene was identified in four wheat genotypes (GA951395-10-7/WX98D011-U38, Select, Advance and VA01W-283/WX03ASHTS0513) and the positive control W2691Sr2Bkt. An expected fragment (170 bp) for Xgwm319 properly for Sr36 gene was identified in four lines (GA951395-10-7/WX98D011-U38, Advance, VA01W-283/WX03ASHTS0513, GA961662-1-7/TAM107). The 10 wheat varieties were identified using primers Sr39 # 50R/F (Line C-19SB, Omskaya 37, Lutescens 7-04-4, Lutescens 220-03-45, Select, GA951395-10-7 / WX98D011-U38, Advance, GA961662-1-7 / TAM107’, VA01W-283/WX03ASHTS0513 and Line D 25 77). The studied sources of resistance can be used in breeding programs to create varieties of common wheat with durable resistance to stem rust.

Environmentally sound insect pest management strategies require continuous isolation and identification of effective biocontrol agents from different ecosystems. The quest for fungal isolates that are adapted to high temperatures is particularly significant, as they hold the potential to produce mycoinsecticides that are highly effective in semiarid and arid areas. This study aimed to collect new virulent isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) from Kazakhstan that show promise for controlling Colorado potato beetle (CPB) populations under arid conditions. Local isolates could be adapted to abiotic and biotic factors in the environment in which they survive. The findings of this study should provide insights into the species of EPF that inhabit a specific arid region of Kazakhstan, examining their traits in the regional climate, soil composition, and biological diversity. Throughout 2023–2024, a series of soil samples was collected from diverse locations within the Turkestan region of southern Kazakhstan for the isolation of EPF. The isolation of EPF was conducted using susceptible larvae of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a host that does not have specificity for particular species of EPF. Using this insect bait, 41 pure cultures of EPF were isolated from soils in the arid zone of Kazakhstan. Polymerase chain reaction analysis based on the TEF1-α locus showed that all the isolates were indistinguishable from Beauveria bassiana ARSEF 2860 species. However, analysis of the ITS locus revealed two cryptic species: B. bassiana and B. pseudobassiana. For laboratory evaluation of biological activity EPF, the second and third instars of CPB were collected from potato fields in southern Kazakhstan and placed in plastic containers. Test CPB larvae were treated with conidia suspensions at 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL and survival was recorded daily for 3 weeks. The results of the bioassays revealed that all the new Kazakhstan isolates were pathogenic to larvae CPB and caused complete mortality by the end of the 11-day. These results showed that new isolates of EPF were highly virulent against larvae CPB.

Biofortification of wheat has emerged as a sustainable strategy to combat global micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency, while simultaneously improving grain protein quality. Among available approaches, mutation breeding has gained renewed attention as a non-transgenic tool capable of generating novel genetic variability for nutritional enhancement. This review is based on a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed literature retrieved from major scientific databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Studies published between 2005 and 2025 were critically evaluated to compare the effectiveness, advantages, limitations, and future prospects of wheat biofortification approaches. This review critically evaluates the role of mutation breeding in wheat biofortification and compares its effectiveness with conventional breeding, agronomic biofortification, and genome editing technologies. Evidence from published studies indicates that gamma-induced mutant lines have achieved significant increases in grain Fe and Zn concentrations, as well as improvements in storage protein composition, without regulatory constraints associated with transgenic methods. However, variability in genetic stability, potential yield penalties, and genotype × environment interactions remain important limitations. Overall, integrating mutation breeding with advanced molecular tools and agronomic practices offers a promising strategy for developing nutrient-enriched wheat varieties and enhancing global food and nutritional security.

Gamma irradiation is an effective mutagenesis approach for developing wheat lines with improved agronomic performance and enhanced nutritional quality. This study evaluated the effects of gamma irradiation on biological yield, protein content, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), phytic acid concentration, and mineral bioavailability in mutant lines derived from three spring wheat cultivars (Zhenis, Almaken, and Eritrospermum-35). Mutant lines developed following 100 Gy and 200 Gy gamma irradiation were compared with their respective parental cultivars. Biological yield, protein, Fe and Zn concentrations, phytic acid content, and phytate-to-iron (Phy:Fe) and phytate-to-zinc (Phy:Zn) molar ratios were determined. Gamma irradiation affected biological yield and enhanced iron and zinc accumulation while reducing phytic acid concentration and phytate molar ratios, resulting in improved potential mineral bioavailability. In general, mutant lines developed at 100 Gy exhibited the most favorable combination of high biological yield, increased Fe and Zn concentrations, reduced phytic acid content, and improved mineral bioavailability. Principal component analysis (PCA) clearly separated mutant lines from their parental cultivars and identified superior genotypes associated with high biological yield, enhanced mineral accumulation, and lower phytate-related indices. Overall, these findings demonstrate that gamma irradiation, particularly at 100 Gy, is an effective strategy for improving biological yield, iron and zinc accumulation, and potential mineral bioavailability in spring wheat mutant lines, providing valuable genetic resources for future wheat biofortification programs.

Water deficit is a major constraint for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production, reducing canopy development, tuber filling, and quality-related carbohydrate accumulation. Foliar nutrition and amino-acid-based biostimulants may partially offset drought-induced limitations in root nutrient uptake and plant metabolic activity. This greenhouse pot experiment evaluated whether a phenology-based, sequential foliar nutrition program and amino acid supplementation can alleviate the effects of progressive reductions in plant-available water (PAW) on potato growth, yield, and tuber carbohydrate composition. Certified seed tubers of cv. Agria were grown in clay loam soil under a completely randomized design with three replications. Pots were maintained at four PAW regimes (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%), with three foliar regimes within each PAW level: (i) non-sprayed control, (ii) sequential foliar fertilization, and (iii) sequential foliar fertilization plus amino acids. Foliar applications were conducted four times from early vegetative growth to tuber bulking, using stage-specific water-soluble NPK formulations supplemented with micronutrients; the amino acid product was applied concomitantly in the combined treatment. Decreasing PAW reduced stem number, stem diameter, plant length, total leaf number, tuber yield, and tuber carbohydrate concentrations. Across irrigation regimes, sequential foliar fertilization improved vegetative growth and increased tuber yield relative to the control, and amino acids provided a further benefit. Yield responses exceeded changes in tuber number, indicating effects mainly on tuber growth rather than tuber set. Foliar treatments—particularly with amino acids—also increased tuber glucose, fructose, sucrose, and starch within each PAW level, suggesting improved carbon assimilation and/or sink activity under water limitation. Overall, a stage-targeted foliar NPK program integrated with amino acids is a practical strategy to reduce yield penalties and sustain tuber carbohydrate accumulation under deficit irrigation. Field validation across cultivars and mechanistic measurements are warranted to refine dose–timing recommendations.