Search Results (59)

Climate change, increasing aridification, and water scarcity are intensifying the vulnerability of irrigated agroecosystems in Central Asia to drought and secondary soil salinization. In this study, we assessed the spatio-temporal vulnerability of irrigated land in the Turkestan Region (Kazakhstan) using SPEI-3, NDVI, NDSI, Landsat imagery (2000–2025), spatial analysis, and copula modeling. A strong positive relationship was found between SPEI-3 and NDVI (Pearson’s r = 0.861; Spearman’s r = 0.851), indicating vegetation is highly sensitive to moisture availability. Moderate and severe droughts reduced NDVI values by 15–25%, exceeding 30% in the most vulnerable areas, while persistent salinity hotspots were identified in the southern and southeastern irrigated zones. Copula modeling quantified the relationship between SPEI-3 and NDVI using 23 paired annual observations (2000–2022). The best-fitting model, selected using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC = −31.074) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC = −29.939), revealed a nonlinear and asymmetric dependence between drought conditions and vegetation response. The probability of concurrent drought and vegetation degradation reached 0.55–0.70 in the most vulnerable areas. Integrated vulnerability mapping identified the Maktaaral, Zhetysay, Shardara, and Otyrar districts as the most vulnerable territories. The proposed framework supports drought vulnerability assessment and sustainable management of irrigated agroecosystems under climate change. Full article

Fruit mites, particularly Panonychus ulmi, Tetranychus urticae, and eriophyid mites, are among the most economically important arthropod pests in apple orchards, causing significant reductions in photosynthetic efficiency, fruit quality, and yield. Their management has traditionally relied on chemical acaricides; however, the widespread development of resistance, adverse effects on beneficial arthropods, and increasing environmental concerns have highlighted the limitations of pesticide-dependent control strategies. This review critically evaluates current advances in the management of major fruit mite species affecting apple orchards, with particular emphasis on Panonychus ulmi, Tetranychus urticae, and eriophyid mites. The biology, ecology, and economic significance of these pests are examined together with contemporary chemical control strategies, mechanisms of acaricide resistance, and sustainable resistance management. Particular attention is given to predatory mites, conservation biological control, habitat management, and ecological engineering as essential components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The review also examines the integration of biological, chemical, and cultural control measures within IPM programs and provides a regional perspective on fruit mite management in Southeastern Kazakhstan, highlighting local challenges, knowledge gaps, and opportunities for implementing ecologically based IPM systems. Emerging approaches, including precision agriculture, digital monitoring, molecular diagnostics, and climate-adaptive pest management, are also assessed. The available evidence indicates that sustainable fruit mite management requires a transition from pesticide-centered control toward integrated, ecologically resilient orchard protection systems in which biological control and IPM serve as the foundation, while chemical control functions as a targeted supporting tool. To our knowledge, no previous review has comprehensively integrated biological control, acaricide resistance management, ecologically based IPM, and region-specific challenges for fruit mite management in Southeastern Kazakhstan into a unified framework while also identifying key research priorities for Central Asia, including resistance surveillance, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and digital decision-support technologies. Full article

Latent viral and viroid infections represent a major phytosanitary threat to pome fruit production because infected propagation material facilitates the long-term spread of pathogens in orchards. This study investigated the prevalence of viral and viroid pathogens in apple and pear orchards of southern and southeastern Kazakhstan and evaluated the efficiency of integrated in vitro sanitation approaches. A total of 34 samples collected from commercial orchards were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) was the most prevalent pathogen detected across all surveyed regions, followed by Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV). Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), Apple hammerhead viroid (AHVd), Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), and Apple rubbery wood virus 1 (ARWV-1) were detected at lower frequencies. Notably, ARWV-1 and AHVd were detected exclusively in the Almaty Region, representing their first molecular detection in Kazakhstan. Mixed infections were common, and visual symptoms did not consistently correlate with molecular detection results, emphasizing the importance of RT-qPCR for reliable phytosanitary diagnostics. Integrated sanitation methods combining thermotherapy, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, and meristem culture effectively eliminated viral and viroid infections from infected apple and pear genotypes. Ribavirin at 15 mg L⁻¹ provided the optimal balance between antiviral activity and explant viability. Complete elimination of ACLSV, AHVd, ASPV, ASGV, ApMV, and ARWV-1 was achieved after combined treatment, while regenerated plants maintained stable micropropagation capacity. The obtained results demonstrate the necessity of routine molecular monitoring and support the development of virus-free certification systems for pome fruit crops in Kazakhstan. Full article

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) production is increasingly threatened by fungal diseases under conditions of intensive horticulture and ongoing climate change. In southeastern Kazakhstan, symptoms associated with Alternaria spp. have become more frequent in commercial orchards; however, molecularly confirmed data on the pathogen associated with these symptoms remain limited. This study aimed to identify, using multigene molecular phylogenetic analysis, an Alternaria isolate obtained from infected apple leaves and fruits, to confirm its pathogenicity experimentally, and to compare the susceptibility of apple cultivars to this pathogen. For molecular identification, nucleotide sequences of four genetic markers—the ITS region of rDNA, SSU, tef1-α, and RPB2—were obtained by PCR and sequencing. The sequences were compared with reference data from the GenBank database using BLASTn, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred using the maximum likelihood method based on a concatenated dataset of the four loci. The isolate KZ17 clustered within the A. alternata clade, with the broader node uniting this group with A. gossypina and A. longipes receiving a bootstrap value of 78%. A total of 20 fungal isolates were obtained from 112 symptomatic apple leaf and fruit samples. Among them, one representative isolate, KZ17, was selected for multilocus molecular identification and pathogenicity testing. The pathogenicity of isolate KZ17 was confirmed in inoculation experiments on apple microshoots under controlled conditions. Artificial inoculation of detached leaves and ripe fruits of 14 apple cultivars revealed significant cultivar-dependent differences in susceptibility. Lesion diameters ranged from 12.3 ± 0.20 to 19.2 ± 0.35 mm on detached leaves and from 15.0 ± 1.2 to 30.0 ± 2.4 mm on ripe fruits. The least susceptible cultivars were ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Zaman’, and ‘Maksat’, whereas ‘Voskhod’, ‘Saltanat’, and ‘Kamila’ showed the greatest susceptibility. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). This study provides the first multigene-based confirmation of the association of A. alternata with apple leaf and fruit lesions in southeastern Kazakhstan and demonstrates cultivar-dependent differences in susceptibility to this pathogen. These findings contribute to improved pathogen diagnostics, germplasm screening for resistance, and the development of plant protection strategies for commercial apple orchards. Full article

Petrophysical characterization of rocks is essential for the reliable interpretation of gravity and magnetic fields in ore districts where sedimentary, volcanogenic, and intrusive rocks occur in complex structural relationships. This study uses a database comprising 643 bulk-density determinations and 650 magnetic-susceptibility determinations obtained from drill-core and hand-specimen samples from the southeastern part of the Sarysu–Teniz uplift, Central Kazakhstan. In this study, these measurements are presented and interpreted in an aggregated form by the main lithostratigraphic and lithological groups; for each group, the number of determinations, weighted-average values, and diagnostic petrophysical characteristics are reported. The unit-level weighted-average density values range from 2.14 to 2.73 g/cm³, whereas mean magnetic-susceptibility values vary from 0 to 913 × 10⁻⁵ SI. Carbonate-dominated units, including limestones, marls, dolomites, and dolomitized limestones, are non-magnetic to practically non-magnetic, mostly at 0–14 × 10⁻⁵ SI. The highest values are recorded in andesite-basalts and quartz syenite porphyries, reaching 766–913 × 10⁻⁵ SI; granodiorites have an average value of approximately 452 × 10⁻⁵ SI. Density values partly overlap between sedimentary and intrusive rocks, especially within the interval range of 2.48–2.66 g/cm³, whereas magnetic susceptibility provides a more reliable criterion for distinguishing carbonate host rocks from magnetite-bearing magmatic assemblages. The combined density–magnetic susceptibility framework indicates that exploration targeting should prioritize bodies with elevated magnetic susceptibility or sharp magnetic gradients, especially where χ > 450 × 10⁻⁵ SI, provided that these features coincide with faults, lithological contacts, practically non-magnetic carbonate host rocks, and independent geochemical evidence or known mineral occurrences. Consequently, magnetic anomalies are interpreted as indirect structural–lithological indicators rather than as direct evidence of ore bodies. Full article

Common bunt (CB), caused by Tilletia caries and Tilletia laevis, poses a significant threat to wheat grain quality and yield. In organic farming, the development of resistant genotypes is the most effective way to combat the pathogen. This study aimed to identify new resistance sources against CB in international nurseries: Winter Wheat Nursery from Central Asia (WWN-CA) and International Common Bunt Resistance Nursery (CBUNT-RN), for strengthening winter breeding programs in Kazakhstan. Germplasm panels were evaluated against CB under artificial infection conditions in southeastern Kazakhstan and genotyped with KASP markers associated with QTLs (QBt.ifa-1AL, QBt.ifa-1BS, QBt.ifa-7AL and QBt.ifa-7DS) conferring bunt resistance. Results of immunological experiments and genotyping revealed 7 and 11 genotypes in WWN-CA and CBUNT-RN, respectively, and resistance to CB. CB incidence negatively correlated with SL (r = −0.23), NSS (r = −0.31), NKS (r = −0.41), and GWS (r = −0.44) (all p ≤ 0.01), in WWN-CA. ANOVA confirmed these findings, in which a pronounced reduction in these yield components was observed between inoculated and control HS groups (p ≤ 0.05). The QTL QBt.ifa-1AL on chromosome 1A shows promise for MAS against CB. The novel genetic knowledge and resistant resources identified here represent a valuable tool to enrich Central Asian germplasm with new alleles of resistance genes to advance organic farming in Kazakhstan. Full article

Surface soil grain-size distribution (GSD) is a fundamental terminal record of aeolian processes and land-surface erodibility. However, a macro-scale understanding of GSD spatial heterogeneity and its quantitative coupling with seasonal atmospheric circulation dynamics in Central Asia remains insufficient. Based on an extensive dataset of 325 surface soil samples across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, this study systematically investigates the GSD patterns and their climatic drivers. Our results reveal a pronounced spatial gradient: coarse-textured soils dominate the northwestern and eastern desert plains, whereas fine-grained sediments are sequestered in the southeastern mountain-basin systems. We demonstrate that this heterogeneity is rigorously governed by seasonal wind regimes: the Siberian High directs coarse particle entrainment and transport during spring, while the mid-latitude westerlies and local topographic modulation (e.g., the Tian Shan and Pamir barriers) control the fine-grained sorting continuum. Furthermore, the desiccated Aral Sea bed serves as a distinctive anthropogenic dust source, perturbing regional natural sorting patterns. These findings provide critical empirical constraints for dust emission modeling and underscore the sensitivity of Central Asian land surfaces to shifting atmospheric circulation patterns. Full article

The aim of this study was to characterize and determine the chemical composition features of the identified silver halides in the oxidation zone of the Arkharly deposit. The chemical composition of silver halides and associated mineral phases was determined using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The identified silver halides in the oxidation zone of the Arkharly deposit occur as concentrically zoned aggregates with a native silver core rimmed by silver halides of variable composition (Ag–Cl–Br–I). This indicates a significant role of supergene redistribution processes of silver. Based on their chemical composition, the silver halides of the Arkharly deposit form two clearly distinct groups differentiated by iodine content. The silver halides (iodargyrites) identified in the oxidation zone of the Arkharly deposit indicate enrichment of circulating solutions in iodine. Full article

This study analyzed precipitation and air temperature in the Zhambyl, Almaty, Zhetysu, Abay, and East Kazakhstan regions of Kazakhstan using data from the national meteorological network of the RSE Kazhydromet. The purpose of the study was to reveal the climatic changes and their spatial distribution throughout the study area. A modified Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s Slope estimator were applied to analyze aridity conditions in combination with the drought indices SPEI and Selyaninov hydrothermal coefficient, enabling analysis of the magnitude and statistical significance of trend changes from April to September for the period 1981 to 2023. The magnitude of the observed trends of the mean growing-season temperature increased by 0.211 °C decade⁻¹, while precipitation declined by 2.074 mm decade⁻¹, which indicates a decrease in moisture availability for crops in the southeast and east of Kazakhstan. The results of this study may be of interest to agricultural specialists, ecologists, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and hydrologists to develop activities aimed at preventing threats and mitigating the effects of climate change in Kazakhstan. The use of the above statistical methods in combination with drought indices is relevant in the context of climate change and worsening food security and can serve as a good indicator for determining when significant changes in climatic parameters occurred, which will be valuable information for making management decisions. Full article

Modern changes in natural and anthropogenic conditions in mountain ecosystems highlight the growing need to assess the status of medicinal plant populations and factors influencing their resilience. This study presents findings from a comprehensive investigation of three previously undocumented wild populations of Chelidonium majus L., discovered in the gorges of Kaindy, Shet-Merke, and Kolsai in the eastern part of the Kungey Alatau range. The research included analysis of phytocenotic conditions, population age structure, morphometric and morpho-anatomical traits of plants, along with physicochemical properties of soils. It was found that C. majus is associated with meadow-type moisture regimes and occurs spottily, mainly in moist microhabitats within open and semi-shaded plant communities. Population sizes ranged from 264 to 296 individuals, with average densities between 5.1 and 16.3 individuals per m². All studied populations exhibited complete ontogenetic spectra, dominated by generative stages (56.1–67.2%), indicating preserved reproductive potential despite limited recruitment at early developmental phases. Morpho-anatomical analysis revealed high phenotypic plasticity: under drier, poorer soil conditions, xeromorphic features developed, whereas mesomorphic structures prevailed in more favorable habitats. Soil analysis indicated that Shet-Merke population enjoys optimal growth and regeneration conditions. These results suggest that current C. majus populations in the region remain relatively stable, though strongly dependent on edaphic–hydrological and phytocenotic factors—underscoring the necessity of integrated monitoring to ensure conservation of medicinal plant resources. Full article

Background/Objectives: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major cereal crop in Kazakhstan; however, its productivity is frequently constrained by foliar diseases, particularly barley scald (BS) and net blotch (NB). Understanding the genetic diversity of barley germplasm and identifying resistance-associated alleles are essential for improving disease resistance in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and population structure in a collection of two-rowed spring barley accessions and to identify SSR alleles associated with resistance to BS and NB. Methods: A total of 86 two-rowed spring barley accessions were genotyped using 14 SSR markers. Phenotypic evaluation for BS and NB resistance was conducted under natural infection conditions across two environments in southeastern and southern Kazakhstan. Genetic diversity and population structure were analyzed using Neighbor-Joining (NJ) clustering, Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA), and STRUCTURE. Marker–trait associations were evaluated using MLM method. Results: Phenotypic assessments revealed significant environment-dependent variation in disease severity for both BS and NB. Population structure analyses consistently identified distinct genetic clusters within the collection. Seven significant (p < 0.05) allele–trait associations were detected. The Bmac209 176 bp allele exhibited the strongest association with NB severity at KRIAPG. Among the identified markers, Bmag206 246 bp was uniquely associated with reduced NB infection, whereas Bmag206 252 bp, Bmag613 176 bp, and HvLEU 186 bp were linked with higher susceptibility to NB and BS. Conclusions: The identified resistance- and susceptibility-associated SSR alleles provide useful diagnostic markers for marker-assisted selection and support the potential of allele pyramiding for developing barley cultivars with combined resistance to BS and NB. This study establishes a genetic framework to enhance barley disease resistance in Central Asian breeding programs. Full article

This study examined the phytochemical profiles and bioactive potential of Iris alberti, I. pallasii, and I. sogdiana collected from southeastern Kazakhstan. GC-MS analysis identified fatty acids, sterols, long-chain alcohols, and hydrocarbons in each species. The key phytosterols β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol were present in all three. I. alberti showed the highest sterol content of γ-sitosterol (28.49%) and campesterol (6.51%). I. pallasii contained significant amounts of hexacosanol (19.74%) and γ-sitosterol (13.24%), while I. sogdiana was notable for octacosanol (22.87%) and γ-sitosterol (12.18%). Fatty acid composition varied: I. sogdiana was rich in α-linolenic acid (4.77%) and palmitic acid (2.77%), I. pallasii had 3.96% and (3.48%). I. alberti contained dodecanoic acid (3.83%) and branched-chain fatty acids. Tannin content was highest in I. alberti (1.88%), while alkaloid levels were moderate across species (0.63–0.77%). Mineral analysis showed I. pallasii had the highest Ca (586.62 mg/100 g), Mg and K, whereas I. sogdiana had the highest potassium (538.36 mg/100 g). HPLC-DAD analysis revealed distinct phenolic profiles. Water–alcohol extracts from rhizomes of I. alberti had an IC₅₀ of 16.90 ± 6.04 µg/mL in DPPH and were inactive in ABTS. I. pallasii exhibited IC₅₀ values of 28.77 ± 2.93 µg/mL (DPPH) and 10.93 ± 7.29 µg/mL (ABTS), while I. sogdiana showed negligible activity in both assays. Ethyl acetate extracts displayed higher IC₅₀ values, consistent with lower phenolic content. Full article

The mealybug Trabutina serpentina has two generations in southeastern Kazakhstan. The second instars of the second generation overwinter. Between 2003 and 2005, for the second time in 50 years, a large reproduction of this pseudococcid was observed in the Ile River valley. The Kazakhstan populations of this species should be removed from the list of potential biocontrol agents for Tamarix ramosissima considered suitable for use in the USA, due to its demonstrated potential to harm American populations of T. aphylla, as shown in our host-specificity tests. Nonetheless, the species could be used for biological control of tamarisk in South Africa, Australia, and other countries, given its narrow host range, which excludes beneficial species in these regions. Full article

Wetlands in dryland regions are rapidly degrading under the combined effects of climate change and human regulation, yet long-term, seasonally resolved assessments of surface water extent (SWE) and its dynamics remain scarce. Here, we map and analyze seasonal surface water extent (SWE) over the period 2000–2024 in the Ile River Delta (IRD), south-eastern Kazakhstan, using Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI data within the Google Earth Engine (GEE) framework. We integrate multiple indices using the modified Normalized Difference Water Index (mNDWI), Automated Water Extraction Index (AWEI) variants, Water Index 2015 (WI2015), and Multi-Band Water Index (MBWI) with dynamic Otsu thresholding. The resulting index-wise binary water maps are merged via ensemble agreement (intersection, majority, union) to delineate three SWE regimes: stable (persists most of the time), periodic (appears regularly but not in every season), and ephemeral (appears only occasionally). Validation against Sentinel-2 imagery showed high accuracy F1-Score/Overall accuracy (F1/OA ≈ 0.85/85%), confirming our workflow to be robust. Hydroclimatic drivers were evaluated through modified Mann–Kendall (MMK) and Spearman’s (r) correlations between SWE, discharge (D), water level (WL), precipitation (P), and air temperature (AT), while a hybrid ensemble–occurrence framework was applied to identify degradation and transition patterns. Trend analysis revealed significant long–term declines, most pronounced during summer and fall. Discharge is predominantly controlled by stable spring SWE, while discharge and temperature jointly influence periodic SWE in summer–fall, with warming reducing the delta surface water. Ephemeral SWE responds episodically to flow pulses, whereas precipitation played a limited role in this semi–arid region. Spatially, area(s) of interest (AOI)-II/III (the main distributary system) support the most extensive yet dynamic wetlands. In contrast, AOI-I and AOI-IV host smaller, more constrained wetland mosaics. AOI-I shows persistence under steady low flows, while AOI-IV reflects a stressed system with sporadic high-water levels. Overall, the results highlight the dominant influence of flow regulation and distributary allocation on IRD hydrology and the need for ecologically timed releases, targeted restoration, and transboundary cooperation to sustain delta resilience. Full article

Photosynthetic prokaryotes known as cyanobacteria produce an extensive range of primary and secondary metabolites that serve multiple biotechnological and biomedical purposes. The non-model filamentous Phormidium species capture researchers’ attention through their biotechnological potentials from diverse metabolites and their ability to thrive in tough environments while producing bioactive compounds. In this study, a thermotolerant strain of Phormidium ambiguum was isolated from the Chundzha thermal springs in southeastern Kazakhstan and characterized morphologically, physiologically, and biochemically. This cyanobacterium demonstrated fast growth in its culture media along with significant accumulation of proteins (44.8% DM), carbohydrates (45% DM), and photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll a and valuable carotenoids, including b-carotene, myxoxantophyll and zeaxanthin. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of cyanobacterial non-polar extract identified 150 potential metabolites which include fatty acid derivatives, terpenoids and carotenoid-related compounds known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as immune system stimulation. Biological assays confirmed a weak antioxidant capacity in the DPPH test, while in immunological assays, the extract of P. ambiguum stimulated T lymphocyte proliferation and activation, as well as NK cell proliferation in vitro. It also exhibited moderate antibacterial activity towards tested Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. While additional studies are required to address environmental robustness, biosynthetic regulation, and practical scalability, the present findings indicate that P. ambiguum represents a valuable non-model cyanobacterium for exploratory bioprospecting. Its metabolite profile and observed bioactivities support further investigation of this thermotolerant strain as a potential source of immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial compounds under controlled conditions. Full article