Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN 0975-928X NAAS Rating (2024): 5.60 Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding (EJPB) is an official online publication of Indian Society of Plant Breeders (ISPB) initiated in 2009. The main aim of this journal is to promote the general advancement of plant breeding and to create a forum to bring together and facilitate the exchange of information amongst plant breeders involved in the genetic improvement of agricultural, horticultural crops and forest trees. This journal is published as a quarterly with four issues (March, June, September and December) per year. Articles in "Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding" are Open Access articles published under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC License — Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License . This license permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial purposes only, provided the original work and source is properly cited.
Genetic studies on variability for quantitative traits in finger millet (Eluesine coracana L. Gaertn)
In the present investigation, eighteen finger millet genotypes were raised in randomized block design to study about the genetic variability for quantitative traits. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was relatively high as compared to that of genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied. The traits namely grain yield / plant and straw yield / plant depicts higher value for phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation which indicates the occurrence of broader variability for these characters. All the characters exhibited higher heritability except finger width which showed their genetic capability to transmit genes from parents to their offspring with least impact of environment. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for number of fingers/ ear, finger length, ear head length, number of productive tillers, grain yield and straw yield showed that the additive gene action was predominant for these characters and favours effective selection. The present study revealed that there was significant variability is available in the experimental material and this might be effectively utilized for future crop improvement either through selection or via hybridization.
Finger millet, Heritability, PCV, GCV and Genetic advance as per cent mean
Genetic diversity for yield and morpho-physiological traits in foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.)
Genetic diversity is a cornerstone of successful plant breeding programs, particularly for enhancing yield and stress tolerance in crops like foxtail millet. This study evaluated the genetic divergence among 40 foxtail millet genotypes based on 18 yield and morpho-physiological traits using Mahalanobis D² statistics. The analysis revealed significant genetic variability, with genotypes grouped into six distinct non-overlapping clusters using Tocher’s method. Cluster I was the largest (14 genotypes), while Cluster II was monogenotypic, indicating high heterogeneity. Inter-cluster distances (506.52–3158.48) consistently exceeded intra-cluster distances (0–353.56), highlighting greater diversity between clusters. Cluster means varied significantly for traits such as days to 50% flowering (32.50–58.75 days), plant height (38.67–108.89 cm), and grain yield per plant (2.68–7.82 g). Cluster VI exhibited superior means for traits like days to maturity and panicle length, while Cluster IV excelled in grain yield and harvest index. Protein content (29.49%), transpiration rate (24.36%), and grain yield per plant (11.54%) were the primary contributors to genetic divergence. The results suggest that strategic hybridization between accessions from divergent clusters, particularly Clusters II and V, could generate superior recombinants with enhanced genetic potential for yield and stress tolerance in foxtail millet breeding programmes.
Clusters, Foxtail millet, Genetic diversity, Genotypes and Yield.
Copyright (c) 2025 Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding
Genetic studies in F2 generation of bhendi [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]
Genetic studies involving F2 segregants of bhendi arising out of two crosses viz., SKY/DR/RS/107 X Tiruchi Local and IC69257 X 770 along with their four parents and a check (Arka Anamika) was performed using twelve biometric traits recorded from randomly selected plants. Both PCV and GCV were of high magnitude for the number of primary branches at final harvest, internodal length, fruit yield per plant and the number of fruits per plant in both the crosses, indicating the importance of these traits in exercising selection. The traits, internodal length, plant height at final harvest, the number of primary branches at final harvest, the number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant had registered high magnitude of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean in both the crosses, revealing the preponderance of additive genes in control of these traits.
Bhendi, PCV, GCV, heritability in broad sense, genetic advance and F2 segregants
Genetic variability and yield analysis in rice
Twenty-six diverse genotypes were cultivated for two consecutive warm wet seasons of 2015 and 2016 to study genetic variation and the cause-effect relationship of different quantitative characters on seed yield in rice. The genotypes showed significant variation for all the characters. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were high for the flag leaf area, spikelet number, grain number, test weight and grain yield, and moderate for plant height, days to flowering, the number of panicle and primary branches per panicle. Heritability was high for days to flowering, plant height and test weight. Genetic advance as per cent of mean was very high for test weight and grain yield, moderate for plant height, flag leaf area and the number of grains, and low for spikelet fertility (%). Genotypic and phenotypic correlations of seed yield with plant height, flag leaf area, days to flowering, the number of primary and secondary branches per panicle, the number of spikelets and filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility (%) and test weight were significant and positive. Genotypic path analysis indicated that direct selection for test weight, the number of primary and secondary branches per panicle in a positive direction with restricted selection for panicle number and spikelet fertility would increase the grain yield of rice in the population.
Rice, variability, heritability, correlation and path coefficients
Correlation and path analysis studies on yield and yield components in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)
An experiment on correlation and path analysis involving thirty F1 and six parents of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) was carried during rabi, 2018 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The genotypic correlation coefficient was higher in magnitude than thecorresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient for most of the characters. The fruit yield per plant had exhibited ahighly significant and positive correlation with fruit length (0.837) and the number of fruits per plant (0.716). The genetic improvement of fruit yield thus can be obtained by selection for these yield components. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the characters viz., the number of fruits per plant (0.962), days to first harvest (0.922) and fruit girth (0.616) had a high positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant. Thus, the fruit yield per plant can be improved by making the selection of these traits in the yield improvement programme.
Brinjal, Genotypic Correlation, Phenotypic Correlation, Path Analysis
A5 cytoplasm: way to three way forage pearl millet hybrids
In the present study, two CMS lines viz., ICMA 03333 and ICMA 01777 based on A5 cytoplasm were used. These A5 lines were crossed with maintainers of different cytoplasmic sources during kharif 2016. The maintainer lines belong to A1, A4 and Violaceum cytoplasmic sources. The 15 F1 hybrids developed from the crosses were found to be fully sterile and could be used as potential seed parents to develop three way forage hybrids.
Pearl millet, A5 cytoplasm, Male sterility
Genetic improvement of greengram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) for yield through pod and seed characters
Grain yield is a polygenically controlled trait which depends on many other component characters. But all the component characters are not directly associated with seed yield. Trait based yield improvement is always convenient for the plant breeders. In the present investigation, association analysis was carried out with five greengram genotypes (VGG 15-030, VGG 16-029, VGG 16-046, VGG 16-058 and VBN (Gg)2) of different duration, pod length and seed weight categories. Among the five genotypes, VGG 16-058 an extra early (55 days) and bold seeded (5.24g). VGG 15-030 was small seeded (2.94 g) genotype with small pod length (7.8 cm). Association analysis revealed that, in all the duration, pod length and seed weight categories, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant and number of pods per cluster was positively correlated with seed yield per plant. Genotype (VGG 16-029) with long pod (10.1 cm) and medium sized seed (4.4 g) alone had positive and significant association of all the yield traits with seed yield per plant. Besides, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, the other yield attributes also can be considered like long pod (>10 cm) and medium sized seed (3.0-5.0 g) category as important parameters for the improvement of greengram yield.
Greengram, association analysis, earliness, pod length and seed characters
Assessment of stability performance and G X E interaction for yield and its attributing characters in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
The present study was undertaken to identify the stable genotypes for grain yield and yields related components with desirable performance under different environmental conditions taking forty wheat genotypes and were evaluated for two years (2017-19) with different dates of sowing. Pooled analysis of variance showed highly significant variations for genotypes, environments and genotypes x environments (G X E). Stability analysis for grain yield revealed that the genotypes LOK-1, NI-5439 and HUW-468 has a high mean value and non-significant regression coefficient (bi) and non-significant deviation from regression and found more stable across the four environments. Therefore the above mentioned genotypes were found most stable for grain yield and can be incorporated as breeding stocks in any future breeding programs aiming to produce high yielding lines of bread wheat.
Wheat, Genotype X Environment interaction, Stability, Yield performance
Genetic divergence among Ramnad mundu chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes for yield and quality
Genetic diversity among forty-seven genotypes of Mundu chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) was assessed for fifteen yield and quality characters during kharif 2018. The analysis of variance disclosed that significant difference present for most of the parameters studied, which indicated the existence of wide diversity among all Mundu chilli genotypes. Mahalanobis D2 statistic stated that the forty-seven genotypes were grouped into six clusters. The highest contribution for genetic divergence was dry fruit yield per plant (25.7%), Ascorbic acid (11.56%), 1000 seed weight (10.85%) and the number of seeds per fruit (10.5%). Among the clusters, the largest was cluster II containing 21 genotypes followed by cluster III (13 genotypes) and cluster I (10 genotypes) whereas, clusters IV, V and VI were grouped as solitary clusters (one genotype in each cluster). The highest inter-cluster distance was noted between clusters IV and VI (1588.27) whereas, the lowest was recorded between clusters II and V (192.44). Cluster III (144.94) has recorded the highest intra-cluster distance and the lowest was observed in clusters IV, V and VI (0.00). D2 cluster analysis revealed wide genetic distance (inter-cluster) between the genotypes of cluster I (PKMCA-38), II (PKMCA-20, PKMCA-32, PKMCA-33) and V (PKMCA-08). Hence, genetic improvement by crossing among these groups can exploit heterotic hybrids.
Ramnad Mundu chilli (Capsicum annuum L), Genetic divergence, Mahalanobis D2 statistic, Quality breeding, Spices.
Correlation and path coefficient studies for fruit component traits in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) hybrids
The present investigation was carried out at the ICAR-AICRP Palms centre, Coconut Research Station, TNAU, Aliyarnagar, Tamil Nadu during 2012 to 2020 with five location specific coconut hybrids along with two tall varieties as local adopted checks viz., West Coast Tall (WCT) and Kalpatharu. Correlation and path analysis was performed to assess the association among nut yield and copra yield with important yield contributing traits in Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Correlation and path analysis revealed that copra yield per palm was positively and significantly associated with the fruit component traits viz., nut yield per palm per year, de-husked nut weight, whole nut weight, copra weight, fruit breadth and fruit length. A positive correlation was found among fruit component traits viz,, fruit length, fruit breadth, whole nut weight, de-husked nut weight and copra weight. Path coefficient analysis showed that nut yield, de-husked nut weight, and copra weight recorded the highest positive direct effect on copra yield per palm. The results of the present study suggest that selection for high copra yield based on the total number of nuts per palm per year, copra weight per nut and de-husked nut weight in coconut would be rewarding for developing high yielding genotypes in coconut.
Coconut, fruit component traits, correlation, path analysis
Characterization of Jatropha hybrid clones grown under subtropical conditions of south India
Jatropha curcas L. is a tree borne oilseed crop and growing as a shrub as a living fence in a farmers’ field. Characterization is an initial step for the development of any plant database. The characterization of plant characters (plant height and growth habit), stem characters (stem colour and young shoot colour) and leaf characters viz., juvenile leaf colour, leaf shape, leaf texture, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length and petiole colour was recorded in 56 Jatropha hybrids. There was no difference in stem characters and leaf shape in all the hybrids. The other traits viz., plant height, growth habit, juvenile leaf colour, leaf texture, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length and petiole colour showed variation and categorized qualitatively as per the PPV&FRA descriptors. The plant height varies from 65.6 cm (CJH 1 and CJH 22) to 162.8 cm (CBM 1) and mature leaf length ranged between 4.4 cm (CBM 5) and 17.7 cm (TNMC 7). The results obtained in the present study could be useful for making the plant database for the Jatropha hybrids
Jatropha, Hybrids, Characterization, Distinctiveness, Uniformity, Stability
Genetic improvement of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var. motia) for herbage and essential oil yield through polycross method of breeding
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var. motia) is an important essential oil-bearing plant that is used worldwide in the soap, perfumery and cosmetic industries. It is a highly cross-pollinated crop and can be propagated sexually through seeds or clonally by slips. The main objective of the present investigation is to collect populations of palmarosa from different parts of India, to analyse the variability present within and between population, to study the correlation of different traits and to select the best performing clones in terms of growth, herbage and essential oil yield for raising the best performing clones in polycross nursery. The seeds of seven populations/varieties were collected from various parts of India and two hundred seedlings of each population were raised and transplanted to the field at the ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand, Gujarat, India. Observations on individual plants performance viz., plant height, number of tillers, dry herbage yield and essential oil yield were analysed for five harvests which were taken over a period of two years. For plant height, a maximum frequency of 32 per cent was recorded from 141 to150 cm in PRC-1, whereas, for the number of tillers it was 31.88 per cent from the Bengaluru collection that was between 81 and 110 tillers. Fresh and dry herbage yield showed a significant positive correlation with plant height, the number of tillers and oil yield. The correlation between dry herbage yield and the number of tillers was maximum (0.761), followed by dry herbage yield and essential oil yield (0.563) and the number of tillers and oil yield (0.417). Interestingly, a significant correlation of oil yield with plant height and number of tillers gives an indication that the improvement of the traits will not only increase the dry herbage yield but also increase the essential oil yield. Based on the performance of individual clones out of 642 clones evaluated, the best fifteen clones were selected based on the dry herbage and essential oil yield and named as DCM-1 to DCM-15. These clones were further utilized for raising polycross nursery.
Palmarosa, morphological characters, herbage yield, essential oil, polycross hybrids.
Development and evaluation of early maturing thermo tolerant Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss) genotypes for cultivation in semi-arid region of India
Heat stress at the seedling stage can increase mortality and has become an increasing threat for Indian mustard cultivation. Indian mustard is being predominantly grown under a rainfed ecosystem. In this context, the selection of heat tolerant genotypes may be one of the panaceas. Hence, this study was planned to evolve, evaluate and identify some of the promising early maturing heat stress tolerant from a pool of advanced breeding lines, to be used as probable donors for transferring heat tolerance. For this purpose, heat stress was imposed on 10 Indian mustard advanced breeding lines at the seedling period. The mean performance of the ten advanced breeding lines of Indian mustard with respect to morphophysiology revealed that the genotype DRMRHT-13-13-5-4 recorded earliest in maturity (117.5 days), high oil content (43.14 %) and seed yield of 3182.82 (kg/ha) which was 19.75 per cent higher seed yield over best check NPJ-112 under heat stress conditions. Similarly, the genotype DRMRHT-13-13-5-6 also recorded early in maturity (118.5 days), oil content (42.18%) and seed yield of 2964.92 (kg/ha) which was 11.55 per cent higher seed yield over the best check NPJ-112. There was a positive correlation between relative water content and membrane stability index (r=0.945) but both of these traits were negatively associated with excised-leaf water loss. Cluster survey classified 10 advanced breeding lines in five divergent groups. The tree diagram revealed abundant diversity between the Indian mustard genotypes for different characters and some magnitude of a consortium between different clusters. Based on the higher membrane stability index, water retention capacity of leaves, relative water content, minimum excised-leaf water loss and seed yield, advanced breeding lines DRMRHT-13-13-5-4 and DRMRHT-13-13-5-6 were identified as early in maturity and heat tolerant at a seedling stage which could be used in breeding programmes.
Indian mustard, Evaluation, Diversity, Early maturing, Thermo-tolerance, Physiological traits, Seed yield
A superior Proso millet culture, TNAU 202, was bred at the Department of Millets, CPBG, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and tested throughout the country for three years (2008 to 2010). Being a profusely tillering, short duration ( 73 days) culture with better culm strength, it is best suited for the drylands of India. It is a derivative of the cross involving PV 1453 x GPUP 16. It yields on average, 1872 kg/ha of grain and 3700 kg/ha of straw during kharif season. The panicle is loose and branched with more number of grains. The grains are medium bold with desirable grain and cooking qualities. Since it is a short duration crop, it is very well suited for contingency planting. It recorded an increased grain yield of 26.23 and 15.06 per cent over qualifying varieties TNAU 196 and TNAU 201, respectively in All India Coordinated Trials. It recorded 19.16 per cent increased yield over the check TNAU 145, 15.34 per cent over TNAU 151, 31.09 per cent over GPUP 21 and 7.10 per cent as compared to the K1. Hence, TNAU 202 was released for cultivation in different states of the country in the year 2011.
Proso millet, TNAU 202, grain yield, national variety
Diversity assessment and selection of candidate plus trees of Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston in Kerala
Ailanthus triphysa [Dennst.] Alston is one of the most important and extensively used trees for making match splints in India. Despite its multiple uses, the genetic variability of the trees is little explored. The study attempted to determine the genetic diversity and select candidate plus trees from various parts of Kerala. Thirty candidate plus trees were selected based on baseline regression of trunk volume to crown volume combined with scoring for qualitative characters. The tree height, GBH, crown diameter and clean bole height of the plus trees ranged from 20 to 37 m, 0.69 to 2.11 m, 3.5 and 9.75 m and 7 to 24 m, respectively. The selected CPTs can be used for tree improvement and development of superior quality planting material.
Growth and yield performance of diverse genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
A field experiment was carried out in the Vegetable Experimental Field, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar during kharif-2018 with twenty seven genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). They were evaluated to estimate the performance of genotypes on various traits like plant height, plant spread, the number of primary branches per plant, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, fruit length, fruit diameter, the number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plot. Analysis of Variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied. Days to first flowering and days to first fruit set was early in the Jawahar-99, Shalimar Tomato Hybrid-1, Roma, VRT-13, Kashi Hemanth and Kashi Anupam genotypes. Maximum fruit length and diameter was exhibited by Roma, 2016/TODVAR-3, 2016/TODVAR-11. The highest fruit yield per plot was exhibited by Kashi Sharad and Sel-07.
Mean performance, tomato, fruit length, average fruit weight, fruit yield
Morphological and molecular diversity of thermosensitive genic male sterile lines in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
An investigation was taken up to study the genetic relationship of thermosensitive genic male sterile lines developed at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore using morphological traits and SSR markers. Morphological and floral traits revealed a significant and wide genetic variation among TGMS lines. SSR markers survey using 100 SSR markers revealed that 27 were polymorphic, amplifying a total of 71 alleles with an average of 2.67 alleles. Based on the morphological characters, TNAU 18S exhibited better performance for a number of tillers per plant, angle of glume opening and panicle length and TNAU 45S expressed good floral characters. Cluster analysis differentiated six TGMS lines into four clusters. There is a difference in the dissemination of TGMS lines into different groups based on molecular and morphological data may be due to selection pressure, sampling error and genetic drift. The diverse TGMS lines obtained from cluster analysis could be used directly in the crossing program for the production of high heterotic two-line rice hybrids.
Rice, Thermosensitive Genic Male Sterility, Jaccard’s Similarity Coefficient, Euclidean Distance, Cluster analysis, SSR
Genetic variability studies for horticultural traits in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)
Genetic variability parameters were estimated for yield and yield attributing traits in twenty five genotypes of muskmelon during kharif, 2017 at College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Andhra Pradesh in randomized block design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed a highly significant difference for all the traits studied indicating a sufficient amount of variability exists in the genotypes. With respect to per se performance, the accession Suvarna was found to be better in performance for vine length and number of fruits per plant while maximum TSS, total sugars, fruit firmness and beta carotene was recorded by Alpur-1. In general, no single accession was found to be a better per se performer for all the traits under study. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation coupled with heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean were recorded for fruit firmness, β- carotene, yield per plant, fruit volume and number of fruits per plant.
Genetic variability, Heritability, PCV, GCV, Muskmelon
Tailoring genetic diversity of greengram genotypes through principal component and cluster analysis
One hundred genotypes of green gram were evaluated at the Pulse Research Station, AAU, Vadodara, Gujarat during summer 2019 for genetic diversity study based on six biometrical traits and to identify the best performing genotype suited to Gujarat. To determine the extent of variability existing among 100 green gram genotypes, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and the inter-relationship existing between biometrical traits through Pearson’s correlation analysis were carried out. The highest correlation was observed among the seeds per pod and pod length, pods per plant and the number of branches per plant. 100 seed weight had a negative and significant correlation with plant height, the number of branches per plant and pods per plant. According to the principal component analysis, two principal components (PCs) had eigenvalues more than unity and accounted to explain 67.37 per cent of the total variance that exists among six traits. PC1 and PC2 accounted for 39.88 and 27.49 per cent proportion of total variance, respectively. All traits were highly loading on PC1 except pod length and 100 seed weight which were loading on PC2. Three different groups of biometrical traits were observed in the component pattern. A hundred genotypes were classified into eleven clusters through the hierarchical cluster analysis method. Cluster I comprised a maximum number of genotypes followed by cluster VI, cluster II and cluster VII. Based on the cluster analysis, it could be recommended that crosses could be made between the genotypes of Cluster VIII and IX, Cluster VIII and X and Cluster X and XI which are distantly related. Lower plant height was observed in the genotypes under Cluster VIII and clusters X consisted of tall genotypes with a higher number of branches per plant. The highest pod length, pods per plant and seeds per pod were recorded under cluster IX. Cluster IV had a significantly higher 100 seed weight. Intraclass correlation (R2) was the highest for pod length followed by plant height and seeds per pod indicating that these traits played an important role in divergence.
Green gram, biometrical traits, correlation, PCA, cluster analysis
Genetic diversity in foxtail millet genotypes
A total of 80 foxtail millet genotypes were evaluated for ten quantitative characters at MARS (Main Agricultural Research Station), UAS (University of Agricultural Sciences), Raichur during kharif 2018 to assess the genetic diversity using Mahalanobis D2 statistic. The eighty genotypes were grouped into twelve clusters. The highest inter-cluster distance (6623.62) was observed between cluster-VIII and cluster-XII. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster VII (529.01). A high mean grain yield was observed in cluster-XI (59.72g). Plant height (46.96%) and grain yield (46.39%) have the highest contribution to the total divergence. The crosses between genotypes of the divergent clusters VIII and XII would manifest wide variability.
Foxtail millet, Mahalanobis D-Square, Clusters, Plant height, Grain yield and variability
Identification of high yielding inbred lines resistant to late wilt disease caused by Harpophora maydis in maize
Abstract Diseases are the major constraints in realizing the yield potential of maize. Late wilt disease (LWD) caused by Harpophora maydisis one of the recently reported and widely spreading diseases across the world. Identification of LWD resistant source is an economical and eco-friendly approach. An experiment was conducted to identify LWD resistant inbred lines by subjecting 290 inbred lines to artificial screening. The same set of lines were evaluated for yield and yield attributing traits separately. Inbred lines were subjected to screening by inoculating Harpophora maydis spore suspension to stalks. Disease severity and intensity were recorded in split opened stalks using a 1 - 9 scale. Estimates of yield and yield attributing traits were also recorded and 14 inbred lines with the disease score ≤4 were identified as resistant/tolerant. Two inbred lines namely, 78 and 32589 are both tolerant to LWD and best yielding lines which can serve as potential parents for developing hybrids
Maize, inbred line, late wilt disease, artificial screening, disease score
Morphological and molecular characterization of desi cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) landraces collected from different states of India
Exploration missions were conducted to collect, characterize and conserve valuable landraces of desi cotton from the different States of India. Sixteen accessions of desi cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) collected from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu was characterized based on the morphological and also using SimpleSequence Repeats (SSR) markers. Improved cultivars, such as G.Cot-25, Jayadhar and DDhc-11 were used asstandard checks. Morphological characterization for 18 qualitative and 12 quantitative characters underscores the variability found in the collected germplasm accessions. Diversity studies using morphological data grouped the accessions into three major clusters. Notably, a medium range of variability was observed for fibre length (18.31-23.74 mm), uniformity ratio (51.68-58.88 %), micronaire (3.10-5.62) and fibre strength (15.42-17.89 g/tex). Molecular genetic diversity among the collected desi cotton accessions was performed using 42 SSR primer pairs. Of these, 24 (57%) SSR primer pairs exhibited polymorphism. These primers produced a total of 49 alleles across all the collected accessions. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 3 with a mean of 2.04. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged between 0.09-0.45 with a mean value of 0.29.The observed heterozygosity values for the marker loci varied from 0.0 to 0.63 with a mean value of 0.16 as against the expected values (0.10 to 0.53 with the mean of 0.36). Diversity analysis using SSR markers grouped the accessions into three major clusters.
Characterization, desi cotton, G. herbaceum, landrace, SSR markers
A high biomass yielding legume fodder variety Desmanthus CO 2 suited for all states of India
A high yielding perennial herbaceous legume fodder variety Desmanthus CO 2 was developed at the Department of Forage Crops, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. It is a gamma ray mutant of Desmanthus CO 1. The mutant was identified owing to its superior performance in station trials conducted from 2013 to 2015. It was evaluated in Multi Location during 2015-17 and in On Farm Trial during 2016-18. Simultaneously it was also tested under the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilization Trials during 2016-18. The variety CO 2 (mutant TND 1308) registered an overall green fodder yield of 91.04 t/ha in all the trials which were 14.18 per cent increase over the national check CO 1. The mean dry matter yield was 115.1 q/ha which was 15.15 per cent over the national check CO 1. Similarly, it has the mean dry matter yield of 0.55 q/ha/day, the crude protein content of 15.58 per cent, Acid Detergent Fibre of 40.80 per cent, Neutral detergent fibre of 54.38 per cent and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of 60.06 per cent ensuring increased palatability, digestibility and intake rate. It ranked first at All India level during 2016 to 2018 for a green fodder yield (44.18 t/ha), dry matter yield (115.1 q/ha) and DMY (0.55 q/ha/day) which was 12.78, 15.15 and 14.58 per cent superior over the national check CO 1, respectively. Considering the green fodder yield and fodder quality of the culture TND 1308, it was proposed and identified for release as Desmanthus CO 2 for general cultivation throughout India.
Desmanthus, Hedge Lucerne, Green Fodder Yield, Legume fodder, Crude Protein
An assessment of genetic diversity and combining ability of elite castor genotypes suitable for rainfed conditions
A study was conducted to assess the diversity of 72 castor genotypes used as male lines in the hybrid breeding programme in India using multivariate analysis in addition to morphological characterization using DUS (Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability) testing guidelines of castor. Fifteen agronomical and three morphological traits were measured in 72 genotypes in field studies conducted for two years. The multivariate data set was subjected to genetic divergence analysis using Mahalonobis’ D2 static and clustered into nine subgroups following Tocher’s method in addition to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The genotypes from Clusters 1 and 5 and Clusters 2 and 5 are genetically diverse with 556.9 and 469.7 units while cluster 7 genotypes with higher mean seed yield are potential candidates as varieties after multilocation testing. In PCA, the first two canonical variants were significant and accounted for 68 per cent of the inter accession variability. Grouping of castor genotypes was also done based on four grouping characteristics of DUS guidelines like stem color, bloom, capsule spines and maturity. Combining ability analysis indicated that DCS-96, DCS-94, DCS-104, DCS-97 were good general combiners for seed yield while M-568 x DCS96 yielded 21 per cent standard heterosis over the best check DCH-177.
Principal component analysis, Mahalonobis’ analysis, Clusters, genetic distance and DUS guidelines.
Genetic analysis in F3 generation of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch Ex. Poir)
The study was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during 2018. The experimental plot was laid out in Randomized block design withoutreplication due to segregating population with four crosses P2 X P5, P3 x P5, P5 x P6 and P6 x P5 selected from the F2 generation based on the yield attributes of a single plant from the plant population and raised as F3 generation to find out GCV, PCV, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path analysis for growth and yield traits. Though in segregating generation the plant possesses bizarre of traits in plant population. However, a wider genetic variability was observed in the crosses. The mean performance for vine length (7.47), average fruit weight (1.15) and the number of fruits per plant (3.42) was estimated for the crosses P2 x P5, P3 x P5, P5 x P6 and P6 x P5. The PCV was registered high with low genetic advance over the mean for average fruit weight (40.44), the number of seeds per fruit (30.55) and fruit yield per plant (64.31). From the correlation it was revealed that the traits viz., average fruit weight (0.822), fruit diameter (0.417), the number of seeds per fruit (0.460) and hundred seed weight (0.340) showed a significant and positive association with fruit yield per plant in the F3 generation. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the biometric traits viz., number of fruits per vine (0.5767) and average fruit weight (0.981) showed a positive direct effect on fruit yields per plant and traits like fruit diameter (0.4566), fruit length (0.3221), flesh thickness (0.1728), number of seeds per fruit (0.5719) and hundred seed weight (0.4939) exhibited positive indirect effect through average fruit weight.
Heritability, GCV, PCV, genetic advance, pumpkin, Cucurbita moschata
A novel high yielding dual-purpose sorghum variety GDJ 1(Banas Surya) for semi-arid region of Gujarat
The new sorghum variety GDJ 1 (Banas Surya) breed through pedigree selection method from the cross between SPV 2113 × GFS 5 at Sorghum Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Deesa, Gujarat. The variety GDJ 1 was tested in a preliminary evaluation trial (PET) in kharif 2016. It was found promising and further it was tested in state multilocation trials from kharif 2017 to 2019. It was also tested under the AICRP-sorghum IVT trial in kharif 2018 as SPV 2565 at fifteen locations (Zone-I, II and III) across the nation. The sorghum variety GDJ 1 was tested under a total of 20 state trials against various check varieties viz., CSV 20, GJ 39, GJ 42, GDJ 1 and GJ 43. The mean performance of GDJ 1 for grain yield over 21 locations, including the preliminary trial was 2506 kg/ha. In the case of dry fodder yield, the mean performance over 22 location, including the preliminary trial was 167.0 q/ha. In North Gujarat, based on seven testing trials GDJ 1 exhibited high grain yield (2576 kg/ha) with an increment of 50.0, 50.7 19.6, 21.5 and 41.8 per cent, respectively and dry fodder (228.7 q/ha) with an increment of 49.8, 52.3, 10.9, 49.6 and 34.2 per cent over the years and locations against checks GJ 39, GJ 42, GJ 43, GNJ 1 and CSV 20, respectively. It matures within 100-105 days, tall in nature, very long and broad leaves, the long symmetric semi-loose panicle have a medium neck with long branches and medium glume length. The grain is medium bold and yellow-white. From the quality point of view the released variety have a fair amount of protein in grain (10.1%) and dry fodder (9.20%) and low tannin (0.215 mg/g) in grain indicated the good quality of grain and dry fodder. It is moderately resistant to diseases like leaf blight, anthracnose, grain mold, ergot and lower infestation of shoot fly and stem borer.
Sorghum, variety, grain yield, dry fodder yield and morphological traits.
Genetic appraisal of frost damage in mulberry germplasm accessions in temperate climate of Jammu and Kashmir, India
Sericulture is an age old traditional occupation in Kashmir which owns a temperate climate and its success is dictated by the quality of mulberry leaves. Like many other plants, Mulberry, Morus spp. is also damaged by frost and has been felt as an impediment in expanding the sericulture for two to three seasons from the present one season activity. The impact of winter 2018-19 on the mulberry accessions at Manasbal, Kashmir was measured during February –April 2019 in terms of frost damage and sprouting. Studies revealed large variability in frost damage ranging from 1.21 to 23.71 per cent. Morus alba accessions though recorded higher frost damage, offer higher scope and potential for frost tolerance breeding with reliable genetic estimates in terms of high GCV (72.37%), PCV (84.38%) and heritability (73.55%) but, had a low genetic advance (7.84%). A recently developed M. multicaulis variety, PPR-1 appeared to be a promising one for frost tolerance breeding as well as commercial cultivation.
Mulberry, Frost damage, Genetic estimates, Genetic Advance, Heritability, Temperate Kashmir
Line x tester mating design analysis with GMS based system for seed cotton yield, its component traits and fibre quality parameters in Asiatic cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.)
Sixteen parents and 28 F1 (14×2) genetic male sterility based cross combinations were evaluated in a line x tester mating design in Asiatic cotton (Gossypium arboreum). The statistical analysis was performed using the method developed by Kempthorne (1957) with the help of an OPSTAT computer program (developed by CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar). Sufficient variability among hybrids and their parents was found as the mean squares of genotypes for all the traits including fibre quality investigated were significant. The total genetic variability was partitioned to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA). The variance due to GCA was higher than SCA for fibre strength (g/tex) only. For other traits viz., seed cotton yield, plant height (cm), bolls per plant, boll weight (g), 2.5 % span length and micronaire value, the SCA was higher which reflects the role of both additive and non-additive types of gene action (dominant or epistatic). In the present study, additive variances were significant for a 2.5% span length, fineness and fibre strength and non-additive as well as additive gene effects for seed cotton yield, plant height, boll number, boll weight and ginning percentage. GCA was significant for male parents, G-27, DLSA-17, DLSA-8, PA-496, LD-713, LD-853 and LD-733 for seed cotton yield; G-27, DLSA-17, DLSA-8, PA-255, PA-304, PA405, PA-496 and LD-713 for plant height; G-27, DLSA-202, PAIG-8/1, PA-464 and PA-496 for bolls per plant; G-27, DLSA-202, PAIG-8/1, PA-464 and PA-496 for boll weight; DLSA-202, DLSA-17, PAIG-8/1, PA-405, PA-464, LD-733 for ginning out turn (GOT%); DLSA-202, DLSA-17, DLSA-8, PA-255, PA-464, PA-496, LD-713 and LD-733 for 2.5% span length (mm); DLSA-17, DLSA-8, PA-255, PA-464, PA-496 and LD-713 for lower micronaire value having fineness and DLSA-17, PAIG-8/1, DLSA-8, PA-255, PA-304, PA-496 and LD-713 for fibre strength (g/tex) which were considered as good general combiners. Similarly among 28 cross combinations, SCA was positively significant for 9 crosses for seed cotton yield, 11 crosses for plant height, 7 crosses for boll number, 10 crosses for boll wt, 9 crosses for GOT(%), 15 crosses for 2.5% span length, 8 crosses for micronaire and 8 crosses for fibre strength.
Asiatic Cotton, Combining ability, Seed cotton yield and its components, Genetic male sterility, Fibre quality traits.
Characterization of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex. Poir.) germplasm through genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance
Twenty five pumpkin germplasm from the north eastern region were evaluated for twenty traits for the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. The results revealed that analysis of variance showed that there was a highly significant variation for all of the considered characters. In the present investigation, PCV was recorded higher than the GCV for all the characters indicating the considerable modifying effect of environment in the expression of all characters studied. The highest PCV and GCV was observed for vitamin A (PCV=86.27%, GCV=86.23%) followed by cavity length (PCV=35.52%, GCV=34.24%) and 100 seed weight (PCV=30.04%, GCV=29.37%). The maximum estimate of heritability (in the broad sense) recorded for vitamin A (100%) followed by cavity length (98%), carbohydrates (98%), 100 seed weight (96%) and fruit yield per plant (95%). The highest genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for the characters vitamin A followed by cavity length, 100 seed weight and fruit yield per plant. Therefore, keeping the above point of view the genotypes could be select for the further breeding programme.
Variability, GCV, PCV, heritability, vitamin A content and genetic advance
Association studies with direct and indirect effects among different morpho-bio traits in Gossypium arboreum
The experiment was carried out at the Research Area of Cotton Section and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar (Haryana, India) during kharif 2017-18. The observations were recorded for different morphological and biochemical characters to assess the association among the traits and to estimate the direct-indirect effects through path analysis. Seed cotton yield was found positively correlated with various traits; strongest among them were lint yield (0.954, 0.956), boll weight (0.742, 0.768), and the number of bolls per plant (0.771, 0.799) at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest direct effect is contributed by boll weight (1.198) followed by the number of bolls per plant (1.181) to the seed cotton yield. Thus these two traits play a major role in the selection of high yielding seed cotton genotypes.
Phenotypic correlation, Genotypic correlation, Path coefficient, Direct-indirect effects, Seed cotton yield