{"title":"Assessment of beet leaf yellowing virus tolerance based on leaf yellowing in sugar beet","authors":"Yosuke Kuroda, Kazuyuki Okazaki, Kenji Takashino, Shigenori Ueda","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70201","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70201","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sugar beet (<i>Beta vulgaris</i>) production in Japan faces major challenges from virus yellows (VY), caused by beet leaf yellowing virus (BLYV) and transmitted by aphids. Outbreaks have reduced sugar yields, and breeding for tolerant varieties has not been conducted in Japan. This study marks the first step toward developing VY-tolerant varieties by testing three hypotheses: (1) leaf yellowing can be induced by artificial inoculation, (2) tolerance varies among breeding materials, and (3) differences in tolerance to yellowing disease can be evaluated. From 2017 to 2020, four sugar beet materials were grown in inoculated and uninoculated plots and assessed using two methods: the yellowing index (YI), scored as 0–3, and the yellowing area (YA), calculated from digital images. Triple antibody sandwich–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed that all BLYV-inoculated plants were infected and exhibited marked yellowing compared with uninoculated plants. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) applied to YI and YA data revealed that inoculation significantly influenced yellowing, symptoms progressed over time, and yellowing progression varied by material. Additionally, YI and YA were significantly correlated, with a Spearman correlation coefficient (<i>r</i>s) of 0.718. The significant correlations between YI or YA values and sugar yield loss (<i>r</i>s = 0.86–0.87) and root weight loss (<i>r</i>s = 0.80–0.83), but no significant correlation with Brix loss (<i>r</i>s = 0.32–0.46). These results validate the tested methods for evaluating BLYV tolerance and highlight the potential for breeding sugar beet varieties with enhanced tolerance. Moreover, the findings offer valuable insights for future VY tolerance breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70201","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144894273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Using X-ray computed tomography to quantify pore characteristics in a shrink-swell clay","authors":"Kathryn L. Watson, Briana M. Wyatt","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70196","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70196","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Shrink-swell soils swell when wetting and shrink when drying. This shrinkage creates cracks that may measure >10 cm in width and >1 m in depth when the soil is dry. Current numerical models are not able to accurately represent these dynamic pore characteristics and often soil shrink-swell processes are not taken into consideration at all. In order to incorporate these dynamic characteristics into numerical models, it is necessary to first quantify changes in pore characteristics—pore number, connectivity, size distribution, and tortuosity—that accompany changes in soil water content. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a technology used to visualize the internal structure of an object and can be used to observe and quantify pore spaces in a soil sample. The goal of this project was to improve our understanding of dynamic porosity in shrink-swell soil by using X-ray CT scanning to quantify pore space characteristics in shrink-swell soils at two soil water contents: after wetting and oven-dried. Three intact soil cores were wetted, scanned using X-ray CT, then dried and scanned again. ImageJ and MATLAB software were used for image processing and analysis of structural changes within the cores. Our results show a statistically significant difference in pore network characteristics between wet and dried cores, with higher porosity, smaller pores, lower connectivity, and higher tortuosity values for the wet cores. These results have important implications for numerical simulations of soil water flow, which often disregard porosity dynamics due to shrinkage.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70196","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144894340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amanuel B. Abraha, Eyob H. Tesfamariam, Wayne F. Truter, Khaled Abutaleb, Solomon W. Newete
{"title":"Aboveground physiological response and yield prediction of Chloris gayana and Digitaria eriantha grown in rehabilitated coal mined soils using random forest algorithm","authors":"Amanuel B. Abraha, Eyob H. Tesfamariam, Wayne F. Truter, Khaled Abutaleb, Solomon W. Newete","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70204","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70204","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A recent study demonstrated that a blend of amendments improved both the physical and hydraulic properties of reclaimed mine soils more effectively than standard mine treatments, suggesting further research on its impact on plant growth. Additionally, there is currently no published research that has examined the potential of the random forest (RF) algorithm for predicting the aboveground yield of <i>Chloris gayana</i> (Rhodes grass) and <i>Digitaria eriantha</i> (Smutsfinger grass) grown in reclaimed mine soils. To address this, a field trial of 36 bins consisting of nine treatments and four replications each was conducted in a randomized block design at the experimental farm of the University of Pretoria. The results showed that the dry matter yield, leaf area index, and leaf water potential were all significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) affected by the treatment. The blend of amendments increased aboveground dry matter yield by 70%–150% and leaf area index by 60%–95%. These improvements significantly enhanced productivity and, consequently, the carrying capacity of the rehabilitated land compared to the standard mine treatment of liming and fertilization. The most important wavelengths for predicting aboveground yield were located in the visible (400–700 nm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, yielding an <i>r</i><sup>2</sup> of 0.90, mean absolute error of 0.183 t ha<sup>−1</sup> and root mean square error of 0.255 t ha<sup>−1</sup>. These findings demonstrate that a blend of amendments can enhance the production potential of these grasses by improving soil nutrient availability. However, the longevity of these effects needs to be verified through long-term studies. The results also indicate that RF algorithm can accurately predict aboveground yield of <i>C. gayana</i> and <i>D. eriantha</i> accurately based on changes in the plant canopy spectral signature.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70204","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144894341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elia Scudiero, Amninder Singh, Gopal R. Mahajan, Dimitrios Chatziparaschis, Jayanta Banik, Konstantinos Karydis, Derek A. Houtz, Todd H. Skaggs
{"title":"Near-ground microwave radiometry for on-the-go surface soil moisture sensing in micro-irrigated orchards in California","authors":"Elia Scudiero, Amninder Singh, Gopal R. Mahajan, Dimitrios Chatziparaschis, Jayanta Banik, Konstantinos Karydis, Derek A. Houtz, Todd H. Skaggs","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70202","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70202","url":null,"abstract":"<p>High-resolution geospatial soil moisture measurements are needed to inform hydrological modeling and to guide water management in agriculture, especially in highly heterogeneous systems such as micro-irrigated orchards. In this research, we used a Portable L-band Radiometer (PoLRa) to map very high-resolution (<2 m) soil surface moisture in micro-irrigated orchards in Southern California. Almond (<i>Prunus dulcis</i> Mill.), olive (<i>Olea europaea</i> L.), and orange (<i>Citrus × sinensis</i> Osbeck) orchards grown on Monserate sandy-loam soil were surveyed from the Summer through the Fall of 2022. The sensor was mounted on an all-terrain vehicle and paired with a centimeter-level positioning system. PoLRa measurements were compared with ground-truth volumetric water content determined from soil cores collected at the study sites. The sensor data were calibrated to estimate surface soil moisture with an analysis of covariance linear regression approach. The lowest estimation errors were observed in the almond orchard, which had flat soil and no canopy interference. There, the root mean square error of the tested linear models ranged between 3.9% and 4.1%. Over the entire dataset, the root mean square error was 5.9%. This new sensor technology may be a means for improving understanding of water dynamics in complex and heterogeneous agricultural systems. Nevertheless, further research is needed to refine calibration models and address environmental variability and its effects on the sensor's measurements.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70202","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144885049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Screening of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for early seedling growth traits for drought tolerance under polyethylene glycol 6000","authors":"Mesfin Hailemariam Habtegebriel, Tileye Feyissa, Tesfahun Alemu Setotaw, Yemisrach Melkie","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70203","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70203","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Drought is an abiotic stress that significantly threatens global food security by reducing crop yields. This study aimed to evaluate the drought tolerance of barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.) using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000). A hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess 24 barley genotypes with potential drought resilience during the seedling stage. These genotypes were subjected to four levels of drought stress, applied using PEG-6000 at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%. The experiment followed a randomized factorial design with two replications. Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and PEG-induced drought stress levels (<i>p</i> < 0.001) on most measured traits, except root number, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight. The interaction between genotype and stress level was also significant (<i>p</i> < 0.001), except for shoot length, root number, chlorophyll content readings, shoot dry weight, and shoot water content. Four barley genotypes—G16, G24, G13, and G17—exhibited the highest drought tolerance. Overall, as the PEG concentrations increased, there was a decline in germination percentage, vigor index, root and shoot length, and both new and dry weight. The identified drought-tolerant genotypes show promise for cultivation in water-limited environments, as they can maintain better growth performance under drought stress. In the future, efforts should focus on field validation, genetic and molecular research, breeding programs, and collaborative initiatives to enhance drought resilience strategies under real-world conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70203","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Genotype by environment interaction and dry matter yield stability of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) genotypes in Western Oromia, Ethiopia","authors":"Yerosan Wekgari, Fikre Dereba","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70200","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70200","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Screening different germplasm and landrace collections of high-yielding forage crops improves feed availability and quality, addressing deficits in livestock production. The study was conducted to evaluate and identify high-yielding and stable Guinea grass (<i>Panicum maximum</i> Jacq.) genotypes for herbage yield, nutritional quality, and agronomic traits. Ten Guinea grass genotypes and one standard check variety (Degun guziya) were tested in randomized complete block design with three replications, using 5.4 m<sup>2</sup> plot area and 0.3 m row spacing. Seeds were sown at 10 kg/ha, with fertilizer application rates of 100 kg/ha NPS and 50 kg/ha urea. Agronomic traits, yields, and stability were measured and analyzed. Analysis of variance showed significant (<i>p</i> < 0.01) variations among genotypes, environments, and years for the number of leaves per plant (NLPP), herbage dry matter yield (HDMY), and seed yield. Genotype by environment (G × E) interactions significantly influenced NTPP and seed yield. Additionally, NLPP, leaf to steam ratio, HDMY, and seed yield were affected by genotype × environment × year interactions. Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction analysis indicated significant (<i>p</i> < 0.001) effects of genotype, environment, and G × E interaction, with genotype contributing 42.63% of the total variation, followed by environment (33.84%) and G × E interaction (23.53%). The maximum mean HDMY was recorded for genotype NG-0105 (15.01 t/ha), followed by NG-0104 (13.97 t/ha), across all environments. Stability analysis confirmed that NG-0105 and NG-0104 were the most stable genotypes, exhibiting yield advantages of 40.67 and 30.93%, respectively, over the standard check. Therefore, these genotypes are recommended for cultivation and release as new varieties in the tested environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70200","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rajkaranbir Singh, Robert C. Hochmuth, Diego Arruda Huggins de Sá Leitão, Simranpreet K. Sidhu, Ravinder Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Lakesh K. Sharma
{"title":"Nitrogen fertilizer placement and its influence on snap bean production in North Florida","authors":"Rajkaranbir Singh, Robert C. Hochmuth, Diego Arruda Huggins de Sá Leitão, Simranpreet K. Sidhu, Ravinder Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Lakesh K. Sharma","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70199","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70199","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In sandy soils or areas with abundant rainfall, nutrients tend to leach from where plant roots grow. Nitrogen (N) is a mobile element that is consistently at risk of being lost to the environment. In the spring of 2023, a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) study with two locations was undertaken at the North Florida Research and Education Center—Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV) in Live Oak, FL. The objective of the study was to evaluate how broadcasting and banding CRF application methods (CRF-BAND and CRF-BROADCAST, respectively) influence snap bean yield, pod quality, soil nitrate-N, N uptake, and leaf tissue N concentration. The Caprice cultivar was evaluated using a randomized complete block design with four replications using an N rate of 112 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> at two trials with different planting dates. The results showed no significant differences in yield between methods of N fertilizer application or trials. Snap bean width was greater under CRF-BROADCAST and at Trial 2. Shoot N uptake increased more pronouncedly over time under CRF-BAND when compared to CRF-BROADCAST. Leaf N concentration remained similar across trials under CRF-BAND, indicating an effective shoot N uptake when N fertilizer is banded irrespective of planting dates. The results highlight the potential environmental benefits of banding N fertilizers, particularly in reducing nitrate-N leaching in sandy soils. The findings provide valuable information for developing more sustainable and environmentally friendly nutrient management techniques for snap bean cultivation.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70199","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hima Varsha Madala, Ricardo A. Lesmes-Vesga, Calvin D. Odero, Lakesh Sharma, Hardev S. Sandhu
{"title":"Effects of planting methods and fungicide seed application on sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) growth and yield","authors":"Hima Varsha Madala, Ricardo A. Lesmes-Vesga, Calvin D. Odero, Lakesh Sharma, Hardev S. Sandhu","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70192","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70192","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sugarcane (<i>Saccharum</i> spp. hybrid) manual planting in Florida faces challenges due to labor shortages. Even though mechanical planting offers potential benefits, concerns persist about its impact on soil-borne diseases and crop establishment. To address these concerns, two on-farm trials using split-plot design determine the effects of planting methods (mechanical vs. manual) and fungicide treatments (Priaxor, Provysol, Quilt Xcel) on sugarcane growth and yield. Data collected included seed cane rate, tiller dynamics, physiological parameters, plant height, gap analysis, and yield components across two growing seasons. Results showed mechanical planting required nearly four times higher rate of seed cane compared to manual planting. Mechanical planting reduced tiller count at early growth stage, but it was compensated at the later stage with no significant difference compared to the manual planting at the later growth stage. Significant interaction between planting methods and fungicide treatments in one of the two trials showed that fungicide application significantly improved plant height (by about 18%), number of millable stalks (by over 30%), and cane yield (by approximately 40%) in mechanical planting but not in manual planting. The physiological parameters, such as soil plant analysis development and leaf area index, were not influenced by planting methods or fungicide treatments. This study shows that switching from current manual planting to mechanical planting may need some changes in planting practice such as fungicide seed cane treatment at planting. Further research is needed to understand how mechanical planting may affect the planting practices, crop management, and farm economics.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70192","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elias Dogiso, Wassie Haile, Tarekegn Yoseph, Bekele Lemma
{"title":"Effects of different land use types on soil characteristics and surface acidity in Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia","authors":"Elias Dogiso, Wassie Haile, Tarekegn Yoseph, Bekele Lemma","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70194","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70194","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Converting forests and grasslands to farms can impact soil properties and increase acidity. This study examines the effects of various land use types (LUTs) (cultivated, grazing, and forest) on soil characteristics and surface acidity in the Hula and Gorche districts of southern Ethiopia, analyzing 72 soil samples from six villages. The LUTs significantly influenced (<i>p</i> < 0.05) soil properties and acidity. Cultivated and grazing lands had higher sand content, bulk density, and levels of exchangeable acidity (EA) and acid saturation, but lower exchangeable bases and percent base saturation (PBS) compared to forest lands. In contrast, forest land had greater clay content, lower bulk density, and higher pH levels, indicating milder acidity. Total nitrogen and available phosphorus were also found to be lower in these areas. Soil organic carbon (SOC) levels were moderate in cultivated and grazing lands but high in forested regions. Significant correlations were identified in the chemical properties of the soil. Variations in soil SOC, cation exchange capacity, and PBS likely explain the differences in acid-buffering capacity across various land uses. The increased EA and lower pH in cultivated lands may enhance the availability of micronutrients, with soil acidity being a key factor that affects land use and micronutrient levels. The study recommends integrated strategies, including forest trees that enhance soil fertility and optimal agronomic practices, to manage soil acidity and fertility, aiming to increase crop productivity in regions facing similar challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70194","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aizaz Akbar, Aftab Jehan, Salman Khan, Zia-Ur Rehman, Shah Fahad, Khalil Ur Rahman, Waqar Hussain, Rozina Gul, Safi Ullah, Rashid Ul Haq, Cedric Mankponse Antoine Assogba
{"title":"Assessment of genetic variability and heritability for yield traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes","authors":"Aizaz Akbar, Aftab Jehan, Salman Khan, Zia-Ur Rehman, Shah Fahad, Khalil Ur Rahman, Waqar Hussain, Rozina Gul, Safi Ullah, Rashid Ul Haq, Cedric Mankponse Antoine Assogba","doi":"10.1002/agg2.70177","DOIUrl":"10.1002/agg2.70177","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.) is a vital pulse crop cultivated globally, especially in arid and semiarid regions. This study aimed to assess genetic variability, heritability, and interrelationships among yield and yield-related traits in 18 advanced chickpea genotypes using a randomized complete block design with three replications during the Rabi 2020–2021 season in Peshawar, Pakistan. Significant variation was observed for most traits, including seed yield, days to emergence, flowering, plant height, biological yield, and days to maturity, indicating enough genetic diversity among the genotypes. Moderate to high heritability estimates were recorded for key agronomic traits, suggesting the feasibility of genetic improvement through selection. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation analyses revealed strong positive associations of seed yield with days to 50% emergence, flowering, plant height, seeds per pod, days to maturity, and biological yield, which can serve as effective selection indices. Genotypes SL-03-29, MG5, and NDC-4-20-2 exhibited higher seed yields and are recommended for advanced yield trials and multilocation evaluations. Additionally, early-maturing genotypes such as NDC-15-01, NDC-4-20-4, and NDC-4-20-5 could be useful in breeding programs aimed at developing early maturing cultivars. These findings offer valuable insights for chickpea improvement and support the inclusion of stress-tolerance traits in future breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.70177","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144853841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}