Ecological Genetics and Genomics最新文献

{"title":"Genetic diversity and identification of blast resistance genes through SSR markers in Bangladeshi aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces","authors":"Sumi Saha ,&nbsp;Md Mamunur Rashid ,&nbsp;Rabeya Khatun ,&nbsp;Md Sams-Al Safin ,&nbsp;Sohana Jui ,&nbsp;Mst Tanjina Shahanaj Turin ,&nbsp;Md Mamunur Rashid ,&nbsp;Md Arifuzzaman","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rice blast, caused by <em>Magnaporthe oryzae</em>, is a major constraint to aromatic rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) production in Bangladesh, leading to significant yield losses of up to 80% in susceptible cultivars. To assess the blast severity, genetic diversity and identification of resistance genes in aromatic rice land races, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the field and laboratory of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. The experiment was assessed with thirty aromatic rice genotypes of Bangladesh employing 10 blast gene-specific SSR markers. The results showed that the genotype differed significantly (P &lt; 0.001) for all blast-related traits. Five clusters were identified by using cluster analysis where Cluster I exhibited the highest level of resistance. High genetic variety was highlighted by the discovery of 51 alleles through molecular characterization utilizing the selected 10 SSR markers. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.55 to 0.81. Genotypic screening revealed six major blast resistance genes (<em>Pi-9</em>, <em>Pi-1</em>, <em>Pi-5(t)</em>, <em>Piz-5</em>, <em>Pi-b</em>, and <em>Pi-33</em>) across the genotypes, with 'Radhunipagol' demonstrating overall phenotypic resistance and carrying multiple resistance loci. The integration of morphological and molecular analyses revealed significant associations. The genotypes such as Radhunipagol, Adam Rice, Badsha Vog, Kalijira, Krishnavog, Long Kalojira, and Lal Shorai possess considerable potential for broad-spectrum blast resistance. These genotypes could be taken into consideration for further blast-resistance breeding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100481"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitochondrial COI-based genetic diversity and 16S rRNA-based microbiota profiling of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) from urban and peri-urban non-human primate breeding facilities in Indonesia","authors":"Dimas Novianto ,&nbsp;Upik Kesumawati Hadi ,&nbsp;Susi Soviana ,&nbsp;Supriyono ,&nbsp;Hasanatul Khuzaimah ,&nbsp;Uus Saepuloh ,&nbsp;Lis Rosmanah ,&nbsp;Suryo Saputro ,&nbsp;Suzy Tomongo ,&nbsp;Yuliana ,&nbsp;Ellis Dwi Ayuningsih ,&nbsp;Bella Fatima Dora Zaelani ,&nbsp;Sela Septima Mariya ,&nbsp;Huda Shalahudin Darusman","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100479","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Aedes albopictus</em> is a globally invasive mosquito and a competent arbovirus vector. To characterize its ecological, genetic, and microbial profiles in Indonesia, we examined populations from urban (Lodaya) and peri-urban (Dramaga) non-human primate (NHP) facilities. Ovitrap sampling conducted in January–February 2022 revealed consistently higher ovitrap indices and egg densities at urban sites, indicating that anthropogenic habitats are major drivers of proliferation. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the presence of <em>Ae. albopictus</em>, and sequencing of a 643 bp cytochrome oxidase I (COI) fragment verified species identity (&gt;99% similarity). Seven haplotypes, seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and one non-synonymous substitution were detected. Genetic diversity analysis showed high haplotype diversity (Hd = 1.0 urban; 0.8 peri-urban) but low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0029), suggesting recent demographic expansion and strong gene flow across sites. Microbiota profiling of pooled larval and adult midgut samples generated 784,336 high-quality reads, dominated by Proteobacteria (64.8%), Bacteroidetes (24.6%), and Firmicutes (3.8%). The major taxa included <em>Rahnella aquatilis</em>, <em>Serratia marcescens</em>, and <em>Asaia bogorensis</em>, with compositions differing by geography, sex, and developmental stage. These integrative data demonstrate that <em>Ae. albopictus</em> exhibits ecological plasticity, limited genetic divergence, and heterogeneous microbial associations. These findings provide a baseline for vector surveillance and highlight the relevance of combining molecular barcoding and microbiota profiling within a One Health framework for arbovirus risk assessment<strong>.</strong></div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100479"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology: Advancing sustainable agriculture and crop improvement","authors":"Behzad Hajieghrari ,&nbsp;Somayeh Hamrahi ,&nbsp;Sanaz Hemmati-Asl ,&nbsp;Hanieh Shahghobadi","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100483","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100483","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global food security, climate change, and sustainable agriculture are pressing challenges as the world population continues to rise. CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology offers a precise means to modify genetic material, enabling the development of resilient crops with enhanced yield, stress tolerance, and reduced environmental impact—often without introducing foreign DNA. Successful applications in rice (yield enhancement), wheat (disease resistance), and tomato (shelf-life extension) demonstrate the technology's versatility. This review critically evaluates the advantages and limitations of CRISPR/Cas9 for crop improvement, synthesizing current knowledge on technical capabilities, regulatory frameworks, and deployment challenges. Key advances include the development of high-fidelity Cas9 variants that reduce off-target effects by 50–90% and multiplex editing systems that enable simultaneous trait improvement. However, critical knowledge gaps remain: limited long-term field data on ecological impacts, species-specific delivery barriers for recalcitrant crops, and fragmented regulatory frameworks that create trade barriers and increase compliance costs. This review identifies these gaps and proposes research priorities—including field-level validation, harmonized regulatory approaches, and equitable access mechanisms—to realize the full potential of CRISPR/Cas9 for developing climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100483"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes to cold tolerance in western Ethiopia's mid-altitude environments","authors":"Pichiah Gomathinayagam ,&nbsp;Usman Mohammed Ali ,&nbsp;B.C. Nandeshwar ,&nbsp;Samuel Lema ,&nbsp;Mehdi Rahimi","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100442","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100442","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cold stress poses a significant and growing threat to rice production in mid-altitude regions, exacerbated by climate variability. This study assessed the seedling-stage cold tolerance of 35 diverse rice genotypes under natural field conditions in western Ethiopia's mid-altitude zone during the 2019 <em>Meher</em> season. Employing a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications, seedlings were exposed to natural cold stress, with average nocturnal temperatures of 13 °C and diurnal temperatures averaging 26 °C. Seedling establishment and visual injury, scored using the IRRI Standard Evaluation System (SES), were evaluated at 15 and 30 days after sowing. Analysis of Variance confirmed highly significant (P &lt; 0.01) genotypic differences, and mean separation using Tukey's HSD post-hoc test delineated distinct tolerance groups. Eight genotypes; NERICA 4, Hiber, Abay, Chewaqa, Gambella, Akkavach, Irib, and CO-51 demonstrated remarkable resilience, achieving the highest SES score of 1 (very tolerant) with dark green foliage. Among these, four genotypes (NERICA 4, Hiber, Abay, and Chewaqa) exhibited superior seedling establishment (&gt;73 % survival at 30 DAS) with minimal mortality (3.3–6.9 %) and elevated germination rates (66.6–82.3 %). In contrast, MTU 7029 and RGL 2537 were highly susceptible, suffering 100 % seedling mortality. The strong concordance between quantitative survival data and qualitative SES scores validates the robustness of the screening. The identified cold-tolerant genotypes, particularly the top-performing four, represent valuable genetic resources for direct cultivation or as parental lines in breeding programs aimed at enhancing climate resilience in rice. These findings underscore the importance of local adaptation screening and provide a foundation for developing cold-resilient varieties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100442"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling the phylogeny of seagrass species in Seriwe Bay, Lombok, Indonesia: Evidence from rbcL gene","authors":"Rizal M. Suhardi ,&nbsp;Ratna Susandarini ,&nbsp;Hilmi Hidayati ,&nbsp;Wira Rahardi ,&nbsp;Agung Hidayat","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100450","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100450","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seagrasses are essential marine plants that provide essential services, including nutrient cycling, food, carbon sequestration, and habitats for many organisms. However, they are increasingly threatened by habitat degradation and anthropogenic activity. Unfortunately, data on seagrass diversity and phylogenetics in Seriwe Bay, Lombok Island, is limited. This study aims to assess seagrass diversity and examine evolutionary links through <em>rbc</em>L gene sequences. Seven species of seagrass were identified: <em>Enhalus acoroides, Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila spinulosa, Cymodocea rotundata,</em> and <em>Cymodocea serrulata</em>. Phylogenetic analysis identified six clades associated with two families: Hydrocharitaceae (<em>E. acoroides, H. ovalis</em>) and Cymodoceaceae (<em>C. serrulata, C. rotundata, S. isoetifolium, H. pinifolia</em>), with bootstrap values more than 90 % whereas <em>Halophila spinulosa</em> cannot be detected by <em>rbc</em>L. These findings expand our understanding of seagrass biodiversity and are crucial for developing more effective conservation strategies in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100450"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole-genome analysis of proteases and multidomain lignocellulolytic enzymes in halophilic Cellulosimicrobium sp. LC18 from Malaysian mangrove sediment","authors":"Shanise Pui Kei Thean ,&nbsp;Ivan Kai Jie Lim ,&nbsp;Phoebe Zhi Yee Looi ,&nbsp;Tau Chuan Ling ,&nbsp;Kah Yaw Ee ,&nbsp;Ming Quan Lam","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100456","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100456","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Halophilic bacteria from mangrove sediments are valuable for enzymatic diversity in biotechnology. <em>Cellulosimicrobium</em> is a bacterial genus previously classified as <em>Oerskovia</em>, mainly known for cellulose degradability; little is known about its proteolytic ability. In this study, we present the whole genome sequence of <em>Cellulosimicrobium</em> sp. LC18, a strain isolated from mangrove soil collected at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve Eco Park, Kuala Sepetang, Perak, Malaysia. The genome of <em>Cellulosimicrobium</em> sp. LC18 is 5 Mbp in size, with a G + C content of 73.68% and contains a total of 4371 protein-coding genes. Based on genomics approach, the results indicated that the genome of <em>Cellulosimicrobium</em> sp. LC18 encodes at least 17 genes for distinct multidomain carbohydrate-active enzymes. Among these, four glycoside hydrolases with carbohydrate binding modules (GH-CBM) are associated with cellulose degradation, 11 GH-CBM associated with hemicellulose degradation, with one having carbohydrate esterase (CE) in its GH-CBM multidomain, and one multidomain of auxiliary activity (AA) or lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LMPO-CBM). In addition, of the genome harbours 11 protein-degrading genes (serine and metalloproteases), ten of which contain signal peptides, this salt-tolerant strain LC18 also exhibits protease activity <em>in vitro</em>. This study reveals protein and carbohydrate degradation potential, highlighting its prospects for enzyme discovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100456"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147384716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the microbial secrets of hydroponically cultivated Humulus lupulus","authors":"Tripti Singh ,&nbsp;Ashwani Mathur","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100446","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100446","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100446"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial signatures of maize soils: Shifts in bacterial community across bulk and spermosphere niches","authors":"Arulanandar Abishagu ,&nbsp;Ariyan Manikandan ,&nbsp;Pandian Kannan ,&nbsp;Narayanan Manikanda Boopathi ,&nbsp;A.R.U. Pragadeesh ,&nbsp;Murugaiyan Senthilkumar","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100447","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100447","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The spermosphere is a significant constituent of the plant micro-ecosystem, with a distinct role in seed microbial ecology, although it is relatively unexplored. Understanding maize spermosphere microbes is essential for optimizing agricultural practices and enhancing crop productivity. A field study was conducted to investigate the diversity of bacterial communities inhabiting bulk soils and spermosphere soils associated with maize crop using 16S rRNA V3–V4 amplicon sequencing. Overall, 1391 OTUs were identified and classified into 32 phyla, 77 classes, 167 orders, 337 families, 752 genera. Spermosphere shared phylum level features with the bulk soil, such as predominance of <em>Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Acidobacteria and Nitrospirae</em>. At the genus level, <em>Desulfallas, Chryseolinea, Stenotrophomonas</em> and <em>Niveispirillum</em> shows significantly higher abundances in spermosphere, while <em>Synechococcus, Corynebacterium,</em> and unclassified <em>Clostridiales</em> exhibit notable decreases. Functional prediction revealed 334 KEGG pathways and 6759 orthologs. Spermosphere soils showed higher organic carbon, microbial biomass and respiration than bulk soils, confirming their role as microbial hotspots and potential bioinoculant niches. Ammonia oxidation genes dominated in the spermosphere, whereas nitrate reduction and assimilation genes prevailed in bulk soil. The spermosphere exhibited greater microbial diversity and distinct taxonomic profiles, indicating differences from bulk soil. This preliminary study shows that germinating maize seed had developed a unique microbiome which indicates the importance of considering the spermosphere for developing new bioinoculants based on microbiome studies for sustainable agricultural practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100447"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A 16s rRNA amplicon-based study on the microbial taxonomic and functional diversity of eutrophic urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh","authors":"Khalid Shahriar,&nbsp;Md Wahid Murad,&nbsp;Lamim Muntasir,&nbsp;Md Anwar Hossain Adib,&nbsp;Md Miraj Kobad Chowdhury","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Natural bioremediation mechanisms and strategies of lakes largely depend on its bacterial community. Abundance of core bacterial taxa collectively determines the dominant bioremediation and metabolic adaptation strategies. Understanding the microbial diversity in urban lakes could contribute significantly in lake health management. 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing can capture the taxonomic and functional abundance which can generalize the functional trends in the given system and implement in bioremediation. This study implemented metagenomic approach to unveil the taxonomic diversity and functional potential of two eutrophic urban lakes (Ramna and Gulshan Lake) of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Our findings suggest that, sediment of Ramna lake (OTUs = 4864; Shannon Index = 7.369) was more diverse and enriched with taxa than water of Ramna (OTUs = 1520; Shannon Index = 4.572) and Gulshan Lake (OTUs = 1671; Shannon Index = 4.987). Proteobacteria and actinobacteria dominated the water of both Ramna (Proteobacteria = 31.01% and Actinobacteria = 50.94%) and Gulshan Lake (47.73% and 11.8%), while Acidobacteria was the key phylum in sediment of Ramna Lake (23.25%). Interestingly, water and sediment of the lakes shared extensive similarity in terms of functions, where transporters, amino acid, carbohydrate and xenobiotic metabolism were prominent. However, the comparatively less eutrophic lake was more abundant with transporters and metabolism and less abundant with bacterial motility and secretory function. Overall, we report a significant functional homogeneity and taxonomic heterogeneity in the trophic levels of the studied lakes. Given the predicted abundance of mercury-resistance function in KEGG annotation, we isolated and identified a <em>Bacillus</em> or <em>Cytobacillus</em> species bacteria that can withstand approximately 150 ppm mercury, which can have implication in metal bioremediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100455"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147384718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing wheat productivity and increasing the gene expression of TaCAT1 and enzymatic antioxidants under the influence of salicylic acid in desert environments","authors":"Mohammed Ismail Khalaf Al-Fahdawy ,&nbsp;Omer Ismail Al-Fahdawi ,&nbsp;Amer Hashim Abdulmajeed ,&nbsp;Harith Sadaa Madhan AlFahdawy","doi":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egg.2026.100444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A field study was implemented in Al-Tharthar, north of Ramadi in Al-Anbar Province, during the 2024–2025 season in a gypsum soil on a farmer's field, to study the impact of salicylic acid on the gene expression of the <em>TaCAT1</em> gene and the activity of the catalase enzyme and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, and the productivity of wheat. The study was implemented using a split-plot system according to the Randomized Complete Block Design. The study showed a pronounced effect of salicylic acid in enhancing <em>TaCAT1</em> gene expression. The higher concentration of salicylic acid (SA2) doubled the expression values (14.12, 14.02, and 10.43-fold in the three cultivars, respectively). This increase was reflected positively in elevating catalase activity, which helped reduce H₂O₂ accumulation in the plants. Furthermore, salicylic acid improved most yield-related traits. The cultivars varied in their tolerance to desert conditions, with Fatah (G3) outperforming the others in most traits. It recorded averages of spike length (9.17 cm), grains spike⁻¹ (43.00 grains spike⁻¹), grain yield (547.44 kg donum⁻¹), grain protein percentage (8.55 %), and protein yield (48.32 kg donum⁻¹). Other traits were distributed between the Hourani and Sham cultivars. Meanwhile, the SA2 treatment (200 mg L⁻¹) achieved the highest averages across traits: spike length (8.06 cm), grains spike⁻¹ (38.64 spike m⁻²), 500-seed weight (15.22 g), grain yield (500.75 kg donum⁻¹), grain protein percentage (10.61 %), and protein yield (53.46 kg donum⁻¹), Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between yield and all traits except for hydrogen peroxide activity, grain density per spike, and 500-grain weight, which showed a negative correlation with grain yield. Pathway analysis demonstrated the direct influence of spike length and number of seeds per spike on yield. As for indirect influences, Caltase enzyme played a significant role in improving most traits, resulting in increased yield.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37938,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Genetics and Genomics","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 100444"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}