Wheat landraces are considered a valuable resource of potential phenotypic variation that could be used in germplasm improvement. Here, we examined 588 local wheat genotypes collected from farmers’ fields at 127 locations around Van Lake Basin and evaluated the morphological diversity and trait associations using Multidimensional Scaling Analysis. Spike and yield traits were measured and scored according to the UPOV and ICARDA phenotypic characterization criteria. Multidimensional Scaling Analysis divided the wheat samples into four main groups based on the number of spikelets (NOS), number of fertile spikelets (NFS), thousand-grain weight (TGW), and number of seeds per spike (NSS) and indicated a strong correlation between NOS and NFS. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the glume and awn color of most of the genotypes was black, and they were within the locally known Karakılçık group. Only two genotypes were excluded from the Karakılçık group; No. 231 was within the Geverik local wheat group, and genotype No. 579 was found to be Tir. The Hevidik and Kirik groups had the same spike color, but the Hevidik group had spikes similar to compactum wheat, whereas the Kirik group had larger spikes. Finally, genotype No. 57 varied from all other genotypes when all the measured traits were taken into consideration. Overall, the Van Lake Basin landraces combine broad similarity with meaningful phenotypic heterogeneity shaped by local environments and traditional on-farm selection. These findings provide practical cues for conservation efforts and for the use of landraces as valuable resources in future wheat breeding programs.

For about a century, researchers have been working on haploidy approach. Progressively, they discovered the importance and usefulness of haploids in various research fields. On the other hand, it is suggested that climate change impacts on crop production, especially wheat, requires rapid and efficient methods of plant breeding to produce new cultivars with a sufficient level of biotic and abiotic tolerance to avoid significant production loss. Haploid plants are the source for producing homozygous pure lines and genetic variability for breeding programs. It reduces the time for producing pure and stable forms of new recombination by half in plant breeding. Furthermore, haploids are source for exclusive male plants generation, induction of mutations, stress resistance and tolerance cultivars, cytogenetic studies, and doubled haploid crops. This review presents a brief overview of the haploid wheat production methods and previous successful experiments on producing haploid wheat.

Purpose: Providing food for the world, growing population becomes more difficult with the increase of abiotic stresses due to climate change. The production of wheat, which is a major crop is under the threat of drought stress. The aim of this experiment was to find out to what extent biopriming reduced the effects of drought on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Slemani-2) seedling growth under in vitro conditions. Research Method: In vitro planted seedlings were subjected to drought conditions using three different watering regimes (normal [control], ½ reduced, and ¾ reduced) after biopriming the seeds with Azospirillum lipoferum, Frateuria aurantia, and Chlorella saccharophila. Physiological traits and growth characteristics were measured. ANOVA was performed according to the factorial layout in completely randomized experimental design with three replications using Microsoft Windows based COSTAT software (version 6.3). Findings: The experiment results showed that biopriming had reduced the effect of drought on chlorophyll concentration and root characteristics, especially under ½ reduced water application. A. lipoferum and C. saccharophila were more beneficial for the seedlings than F. aurantia. Physiological and growth characteristics such as chlorophyll concentration were enhanced using biopriming, hence photosynthesis, root characters, and nutrient uptake. Research Limitations: The availability of previous studies and data on the microorganisms used werethe main constrain in the study. Conducting a study under controlled greenhouse conditions until harvest might provide more information as more parameters will be measured and data collected, especially at the anthesis stage as it is a crucial stage. Originality/ Value: This research provides a possible method to reduce drought impact on wheat crops by suggesting biopriming with new microorganisms.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient efficiency and reducing the dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Developing these sustainable, effective products requires knowledge of the target plant and its associated microbial communities in the production landscape of interest. This study focused on AMF populations associated with Tir wheat in six main locations of Türkiye’s Van Lake Basin. The Erçek-Özalp-Saray region exhibited the highest organic matter values. Higher available phosphorous contents were found for Erciş-Patnos and Muradiye. The Erciş-Patnos region exhibited the highest AMF density (120 spores/10 g soil) and frequency (75%), while the lowest AMF density (45 spores/10 g soil) was recorded in Muradiye. Sand contents correlated positively with spore number and mycorrhizal frequency and negatively with silt and clay. Based on these results, Erciş-Patnos was elected as the best location for the isolation of AMF spores suitable for the development of microbial-based tools for Tir wheat cultivation. These results are very important in the current context of climate change, which mandates the use of low-impact environmental strategies. Further research should explore the interactions of AMFs with other microorganisms to optimize their ecological benefits. However, the results of this study provide a valuable basis for future investigations of AMF-based products for use in sustainable Tir wheat cultivation.

This research was carried out to determine the effects of some chemical fertilizers and plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR: Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subttilis, Lactococcus spp.) combinations on yield and yield components of five barley cultivars (Tarm, Beysehir, Konevi, Karatay and Kral). The research was carried out according to the randomized blocks in split plot design with three replications in the 2017-2018 vegetation period. Tarm cultivar had the highest values such as grain yield (423 kg/da), total yield (1748 kg/da), number of spikes per square meter (569.17), spike length (17.01) and 1000 grain weight (51.33 g). Kral cultivar had the lowest values ​​in grain yield, total yield, spike maturation time, number of spike per square meter, plant height, spike length and 1000 grain weight. 100+B application (10 kg/da DAP with sowing; 6.2 kg N/da + PGPR before stepping in spring) had the highest grain yield, total yield, spike maturation time and plant height values. It has been determined that the winter sowing time has a restrictive effect on the PGPR effect, therefore, barley planting in the early winter sowing period will be more beneficial on the PGPR effect.

Discovering the variation among genotypes is an important criterion for selecting the suitable cultivar for a certain environment. The study aimed to explore the genetic variation among 17 genotypes of barley based on grain yield and some related traits. Plants were grown under field grown conditions in the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 growing seasons, and plant height (PH), spike per square meter (SSM), spike length (SL), spikelets per spike (NSS), seed per spike (SPS), biological yield (BY), grain yield (GY), and thousand grain weight (TGW) were measured. Results indicated that PH ranged (51.7 to 81.33 cm) and (58.20 to 79.90 cm), SSM (374 to 582) and (418 to 701), SL (7.10 to 9.63 cm) and (6.87 to 9.13 cm), NSS (9 to 15) and (8 to 17), SPS (21 to 49) and (21 to 51), BY (3466.7 to 5905.3 kg h-1) and (3731.7 to 6080 kg h-1), GY (1442 to 2192 kg h-1) and (811.8 to 1763.7 kg h-1), TGW (34 to 55.67 g) and (33.47 to 52.63 g) for the first and second year of experiment respectively. The advanced lines measurement values were higher in the second year of the experiment. It can be concluded that the advanced lines Anka-08 and Anka-11 are promising in most of the parameters. Some of the old and new cultivars still preserve their yield potential.