ABSTRACT Background: The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of some endemic species of the genus Astragalus L. (Astragalus anthylloides Lam., Astragalus lycius Boiss. and Astragalus xylobasis var. angustus (Freyn & Sint.) Freyn & Bornm.) species, and the interaction between soil, climatic characteristics and desertification risk which affect the distribution of these species in the semi-arid environment of Çankırı, northwest Turkey. During the vegetation period in 2017, soil and plant samples were collected from 180 points. Desertification risk (DR) and environmentally sensitive area index (ESAI) were calculated for each sampling point using the desertification indicator system for Mediterranean Europe (DIS4ME). Results: According to the DIS4ME system in the forest areas, DR values for A. anthylloides and A. lycius were lowest with 0.49 (no desertification risk) and highest with 3.73 (moderate desertification risk), and with an average of 2.20 in the field (low desertification risk). For A. xylobasis var. angustus in grassland, the DR values ranged from a low of 5.01 to a high of 5.42. The ESAI values ranged from 1.34 to 1.50 in the forest areas where the species A. anthylloides and A. lycius were distributed, and they ranged between 1.33 and 1.47 for A. xylobasis var. angustus in the grassland areas. The results of the analysis between the DR values and Astragalus L. species changes according to the land use types and plant distribution. Conclusion: When the relationships between all three of these endemic species’ DR values are evaluated together, they emerged as the best plant species indicator for determining desertification status.

Graphical techniques have become important tools to show results of maize (Zea mays L.) breeding experiments in current literature. The present study compared different graphical techniques to determine the best parental lines and cross combinations for yield and kernel quality traits in maize breeding experiments. We measured single plant yield, protein content, oil content, carotenoid content, oleic acid, and linoleic acid in a 5 x 2 line x tester design. Genotype + genotype x environment (GE) biplot, principal component analysis (PCA) biplot, and polar plot were used to analyze data and compare them with conventional line x tester analysis. In the conventional analysis, parents with high means and positive general combining ability (GCA) values were A680 and HYA for single plant yield, IHP for protein content, IHO and HYA for oil content, A680 and Q2 for carotenoid content, IHP for oleic acid content, and A680 for linoleic acid content. The B73 tester exhibited positive GCA values for most investigated traits. The HYA x B73 combination was the best cross in terms of single plant yield, protein, and oil contents. Results showed that biplot methods had both advantages and disadvantages. The PCA biplots can be used alone while the GGE biplot and polar plots are both useful for combining ability, heterosis, and gene action analysis in a line x tester design. Overall, graphical analysis results were very similar to conventional analysis. Consequently, it was assumed that the graphical methods used could be useful to analyze/present data from maize breeding experiments carried out with a line x tester design.