The photoperiodic sensitivity of soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the limiting factors affecting plant growth and yield. At higher latitudes, early flowering and maturity with neutral reaction to photoperiods are required for adaptation of soybean plants to long-day conditions. Currently, the production and distribution of new varieties of soybeans adapted to widespread agricultural regions in northern Kazakhstan is in strong demand. Eleven soybean hybrid populations were obtained from crosses between 17 parents with four maturity groups, MG 000, 00, 0, and I. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was assessed for suitable SSR markers and successfully applied for genes E1, E3, E4, and E7, targeting homozygous genotypes with recessive alleles. The identified and selected genotypes were propagated and tested in the conditions of 53° N latitude in the Kostanay region of northern Kazakhstan. Finally, 20 early maturing F₄ breeding lines were identified and developed with genotypes e1 e3 E4 e7, e1 E3 E4 e7, and e1 E3 e4 e7, all completing their growth period within 92–102 days. These breeding lines were developed by MAS and should provide very prospective superior varieties of soybean for northern Kazakhstan through a strategy that may be very helpful to other countries with high latitudes.

A soybean germplasm collection was studied for the identification of accessions with low trypsin inhibitor content in seeds. Twenty-nine accessions, parental plants, and two hybrid populations were selected and analyzed using genetic markers for alleles of the Ti3 locus, encoding Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI). Most of the accessions had high or very high KTI (49.22–73.53 Trypsin units inhibited (TUI/mg seeds), while the two local Kazakh cultivars, Lastochka and Ivushka, were found to have a moderately high content of KTI, at 54.16–54.87 TUI/mg. In contrast, two soybean cultivars from Italy, Hilario and Ascasubi, showed the lowest levels of trypsin units inhibited, at 25.47–27.87 TUI/mg. Electrophoresis of seed proteins in a non-denaturing system showed a simple discrimination pattern and very clear presence/absence of bands corresponding to KTI. The SSR marker Satt228 was the most effective diagnostic marker among the three examined, and it confirmed the presence of the homozygous null-allele ti3/ti3 in cultivars Ascasubi and Hilario, which were used for hybridization with the local cv. Lastochka. Heterozygote F₁ hybrid plants and homozygous ti3/ti3 lines in F₂ segregating populations were successfully identified using Satt228. Finally, through marker-assisted selection with Satt228, prospective homozygous ti3/ti3 lines were produced for further application in the breeding program aimed at improving soybean seed quality in Kazakhstan.

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks) is a wheat disease causing substantial yield losses in wheat production globally. The identification of genetic resources with permanently effective resistance genes and the generation of mutant lines showing increased levels of resistance allow the efficient incorporation of these target genes into germplasm pools by marker-assisted breeding. In this study, new mutant (M₃ generation) lines generated from the rust-resistant variety Kazakhstanskaya-19 were developed using gamma-induced mutagenesis through 300-, 350-, and 400-Gy doses. In field trials after leaf rust inoculation, 75 mutant lines showed adult plant resistance. These lines were evaluated for resistance at the seedling stage via microscopy in greenhouse experiments. Most of these lines (89.33%) were characterized as resistant at both developmental stages. Hyperspectral imaging analysis indicated that infected leaves of wheat genotypes showed increased relative reflectance in visible and near-infrared light compared to the non-infected genotypes, with peak means at 462 and 644 nm, and 1936 and 2392 nm, respectively. Five spectral indexes, including red edge normalized difference vegetation index (RNDVI), structure-insensitive pigment index (SIPI), ratio vegetation index (RVSI), water index (WI), and normalized difference water index (NDWI), demonstrated significant potential for determining disease severity at the seedling stage. The most significant differences in reflectance between susceptible and resistant mutant lines appeared at 694.57 and 987.51 nm. The mutant lines developed were also used for the development and validation of KASP markers for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr3, Lr9, Lr10, and Lr17. The mutant lines had high frequencies of “a” resistance alleles (0.88) in all six Lr genes, which were significantly associated with seedling resistance and suggest the potential of favorable haplotype introgression through functional markers. Nine mutant lines characterized by the presence of “b” alleles in Lr9 and Lr10—except for one line with allele “a” in Lr9 and three mutant lines with allele “a” in Lr10—showed the progressive development of fungal haustorial mother cells 72 h after inoculation. One line from 300-Gy-dosed mutant germplasm with “b” alleles in Lr1, Lr2a, Lr10, and Lr17 and “a” alleles in Lr3 and Lr9 was characterized as resistant based on the low number of haustorial mother cells, suggesting the contribution of the “a” alleles of Lr3 and Lr9.

Genetic diversity and marker–trait association with yield-related components were assessed in 39 chickpea accessions from a germplasm collection with either spring or autumn-sown seeds in South-Eastern Kazakhstan. Chickpea accessions originated from Azerbaijan, Germany, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine, Syria, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Eleven SSR markers were used for molecular genotyping. Yield and yield components were evaluated in nine traits in experiments with spring and autumn seed sowing. The number of alleles of polymorphic markers varied from 2 to 11. The greatest polymorphism was found in the studied chickpea genotypes using SSR marker TA22 (11 alleles), while NCPGR6 and NCPGR12 markers were monomorphic. In the studied chickpea accessions, unique alleles of the SSR loci TA14, TA46, TA76s, and TA142 were found that were not previously described by other authors. An analysis of correlation relationships between yield-related traits in chickpea revealed the dependence of yield on plant height, branching, and the setting of a large number of beans. These traits showed maximal values in experiments with chickpea plants from autumn seed sowing. An analysis of the relationship between the SSR markers applied and morphological yield-related traits revealed several informative markers associated with important traits, such as plant height, height to first pod, number of branches, number of productive nodes, number of pods per plant, hundred seed weight, seed weight per plant, and seed yield.

Pod dehiscence is one of the main factors which play a vital role on the final yield of many crops including soybean and, therefore, it is important to elucidate genetic mechanisms associated with this trait. In this study, morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis was conducted for pod and pod-related traits on 170 soybean genotypes with diverse origins. Subsequently, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using Silico-DArT and DArT SNPs markers. In total, 48 QTLs were identified with 14 stable QTLs, mostly located on chromosomes 6, 13 and 16, corresponding to pod dehiscence and pod-related traits. From putative candidate genes, two most stable and important genes for pod dehiscence with known functions were emphasised from the QTLs: Glyma.13G184500 and Glyma.16G141100, encoding transcription factors DNA-binding bromodomain-containing protein and C2H2 zinc finger protein, respectively. Finally, a genomic prediction approach was implemented to select genotypes most resistant to pod dehiscence. GWAS-derived markers confirmed the stable prediction of pod dehiscence in studied accessions from different populations and the best non-dehiscent soybean genotypes were successfully selected.

Soda-saline soils pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity, particularly in regions like the foothill plain of the Ili Alatau in southeast Kazakhstan. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of different ameliorants, including phosphogypsum, elemental sulfur, and sulfuric acid, in reclaiming soda-saline soils and enhancing crop yields. The study was conducted under real climatic and production conditions at the "Amiran" LLP farm. Using a randomized complete block design, we assessed the impact of these ameliorants on soil composition and alfalfa yield over two cutting cycles. The experiment involved the application of phosphogypsum, elemental sulfur, and sulfuric acid to designated plots within the farm, each covering an area of 15m2. Soil samples were collected before and after treatment to assess changes in soil composition and salinity. Alfalfa, a resilient perennial crop, was selected for cultivation due to its tolerance to adverse soil conditions. Our findings reveal that all tested ameliorants successfully neutralized the toxic environment of soda-saline soils, resulting in improved soil conditions and increased crop productivity. Phosphogypsum treatment led to a reduction in bicarbonate and carbonate ions, an increase in sulfate ion concentration, and improved soil structure. Elemental sulfur incubation decreased bicarbonate and carbonate ions, further reducing absorbed sodium levels and enhancing soil fertility. Sulfuric acid treatment provided rapid results in reducing alkalinity and increasing sulfate ion concentration, leading to significant improvements in soil quality and crop yield. However, the reclamation of soda-saline solonetzes presented challenges related to soil heterogeneity and poor water permeability. To address these challenges, we recommend the implementation of mechanical destruction of the solonetz soil horizon and deep soil loosening, accompanied by the addition of ameliorants. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential of phosphogypsum, elemental sulfur, and sulfuric acid as effective ameliorants for reclaiming soda-saline soils and improving agricultural productivity in challenging environments. By adopting recommended reclamation strategies, farmers can overcome soil limitations and achieve sustainable crop production in regions affected by soda-saline soil degradation.