Advanced Breeding Lines Research Articles

Screening of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm accessions for tolerance against post-emergence herbicide imazethapyr

In the present study, 200 chickpea genotypes including accessions from the ICRISAT chickpea core collection, ICAR-IARI advanced breeding lines and varieties were screened against imazethapyr (an Acetolactate Synthase inhibiting broad-spectrum herbicide) to identify the source of resistance to the post-emergence herbicide. Wide genetic variations were observed among chickpea genotypes. A total of eight genotypes, viz. ICC 1710, ICC-14061, GL 14054, IPC 10-134, ICCX 130012-B-B-B-B-25, ICC17255, ICCX110067-B-B-B-B 76-B-B, and ICCX110066-B-B-B-B-59-B-B showed tolerance to imazethapyr; hence, they were considered promising. The application of imazethapyr significantly reduced plant height, and 100 seed weight and increased days to 50% flowering and maturity. Plant biomass under herbicide treatment increased most likely due to an increase in the number of secondary branches. Weed control efficiency was 78.58% when imazethapyr applied at 80 g a.i. per ha at 40 days after sowing. Among the tolerant genotypes, IPC 06-77 and ICC 14061 gave the most consistent positive performance for yield and yield attributes under herbicide treatment. The herbicide-tolerant lines identified can be useful resources for undertaking genetic and physiological studies on herbicide tolerance and for the development of herbicide-tolerant cultivars of chickpea.

Population structure, favourable alleles and grain quality traits of promising advanced breeding lines of lowland rice adaptable to acidic soils

Population structure, favourable alleles and grain quality traits of promising advanced breeding lines of lowland rice adaptable to acidic soils

Characterization of phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance in selected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding material

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is the major common bean disease worldwide causing complete yield loss under favourable disease conditions. This study aimed to determine phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance for future use in breeding programmes. Twenty-two common bean varieties (CBVs) were selected basing on susceptibility to anthracnose, advanced breeding lines, improved variety resembling advanced breeding lines and the farmer variety widely grown in Tanzania. Selected varieties were planted in anthracnose hotspot fields and the same CBVs were planted in a screen house to validate resistance to anthracnose. Anthracnose infection score, leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole, plant vigour, canopy height and canopy width were recorded. Data on number of plants emerging; days to flowering; days to maturity; plant stands at harvest; and grain yield were also collected and analysed using R software. Phenotypic traits evaluated differed significantly among genotypes, environment and genotype by environment interaction. Seventy-five percent of phenotypic traits evaluated were positively correlated to anthracnose resistance.Highly-strong correlations to anthracnose were observed on number of days to maturity, plant stands at harvest, plant vigour and grain yield. Leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole and number of stands emerging were strongly correlated to anthracnose resistance. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis (AMMI) revealed highest contribution of environment on anthracnose infection-58.9% and grain yield −84.9% compared to genotype effects on anthracnose infection −32.7% and grain yield-15.7%. Based on these results, four traits – plant vigour, number of days to maturity, number of plant stands at harvest and grain yield – are recommended for selecting anthracnose-resistant varieties. NUA 48, NUA 64 and RWR 2154 were superior varieties, resistant to anthracnose and high yielding, while Sweet Violet and VTT 923-23-10 were most stable varieties across environments. Further on-farm research is suggested to assess their performance and identify traits preferred by farmers.

Validation of molecular markers associated with amylose content of F8 and F9 lines resulting from a crossing of Black Rice and Mentik Wangi

The development of black rice with a fluffier texture at Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, which began in 2004, was carried out by crossing local black rice with the Mentik Wangi variety. At present, six black rice advanced breeding lines are ready for multi-location yield trials. Meanwhile, developing molecular marker-based plant breeding methods can facilitate a more efficient selection process. An important stage in developing molecular markers is marker validation, which aims to test the effectiveness in determining phenotypes in various genotypic and in new populations that differ from others based on the link between the marker and the expected character identified. This research aimed to determine molecular markers that can differentiate the level of amylose content in populations of F8 and F9 lines. The research was carried out on 10 (ten) genotypes consisting of the control variety Logawa, IRPM 112-19- 56, black rice, Mentik Wangi, and six lines. The amplification of the RM190, Wx and SSIIa markers showed polymorphic band. Based on the simple linear regression analysis, in F9, the SSIIa marker had the highest coefficient of determination compared to other markers. Hence, it had the greatest possibility of being a marker for selecting rice based on amylose content.

Rapid and Non-Destructive Determination of Fatty Acid Profile and Oil Content in Diverse Brassica carinata Germplasm Using Fourier-Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Brassica carinata is one of the oilseeds in the Brassicaceae family, possessing seed quality traits such as oil with various fatty acid profiles suitable for many industrial applications. Determination of such quality traits using conventional methods is often expensive, time-consuming, and destructive. In contrast, the Near-Infrared Spectroscopic (NIRS) technique has been proven fast, cost-effective, and non-destructive for the determination of seed compositions. This study aimed to demonstrate that NIRS is a rapid and non-destructive method for determining the fatty acid profile and oil content in diverse germplasms of B. carinata. A total of 96 genetically diverse B. carinata germplasms that include accessions, advanced breeding lines, and varieties were used in this study. Reference data sets were generated using gas chromatography and the Soxhlet oil extraction method for fatty acid profile and oil content, respectively. Spectra data were taken from the wavenumber range of 11,500 to 4000 cm−1 using the Fourier-transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) method. NIRS calibration equations were developed using partial least square (PLS) regression with OPUS software, version 7.5.1. Higher coefficient of determination (R2val) and ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) > 3 were obtained for oleic acid (R2val = 0.92, RPD = 3.6), linoleic acid (R2val = 0.89, RPD = 3.2), linolenic acid (R2val = 0.93, RPD = 3.8), erucic acid (R2val = 0.92, RPD = 3.5), and oil content (R2val = 0.93, RPD = 3.6). Thus, the NIRS calibration models for the aforementioned fatty acids and oil content were found to be strong enough for prediction. However, the calibration models for palmitic acid (R2val = 0.78, RPD = 2.1) and stearic acid (R2val = 0.75, RPD = 2.0) showed relatively smaller R2val and thus became weaker in their prediction capacity. Despite their relatively lower R2, the calibration equations for palmitic and stearic acids could be used for approximate estimation and rough screening purposes. In conclusion, the calibration models that we have developed will be useful in applying NIRS as a high-throughput, non-destructive method for the screening of large germplasms in terms of their fatty acid profiles and oil content during the oil quality breeding efforts conducted on B. carinata.

Evaluation of Advanced F4 Groundnut Breeding Lines for Chlorosis Tolerance, Morphological and Yield Parameters under Lime-induced Iron Chlorosis Condition

Iron deficiency chlorosis, a major physiological disorder affecting the groundnut production worldwide and is prevalent in alkaline and calcareous soils with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Identifying and developing a chlorosis tolerant genotype is the best solution to overcome this major abiotic stress in calcareous soils. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, in June, 2019 under rainfed conditions to evaluate a set of sixteen advanced breeding lines along with three parents of groundnut checks for chlorosis tolerance, morphological and yield parameters. Associated traits like SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) and visual chlorotic rating (VCR) were assessed to evaluate the chlorosis tolerance. Among the parents, lime induced iron chlorosis (LIIC) tolerant parent, ICGV 86031 had recorded higher SCMR value and lower VCR (35.62 and 2.40, respectively) at 60 DAS with lower plant height, higher number of branches per plant, total dry matter production and pod yield (19.27cm, 5.20, 9.34g and 9.21g, respectively) at harvest compared to LIIC susceptible parents. However, among the derived breeding lines, TIP 16-5 recorded higher SCMR value and lower VCR (28.82 and 1.72, respectively) at 60 DAS with higher plant height, number of branches and total dry matter (26.29 cm, 5.33 and 12.80g, respectively) at harvest over the respective susceptible parent TMV 2. Further, TIP 16-5 and JIP 29-14 recorded about 50.47 and 31.46 per cent increased pod yield over their susceptible parents. These results indicate introgression of dry matter production, pod yield and chlorosis tolerance from the tolerant parent.

Quality assessment of flax advanced breeding lines varying in seed coat color and their potential use in the food and industrial applications

BackgroundWith the increasing consumer awareness of the strong relationship between food and health, flax became a promising functional food due to its bioactive nutraceutical composition. Intra-specific crosses of eight contrasting flax genotypes were performed previously, and within segregating F6 progeny families, we investigated a close-up composition of phytochemicals derived from whole seeds.ResultsThe considerable genetic variation among the flax F6 families suggested that intra-specific hybridization is essential in flax breeding to obtain and broaden genetic variability and largely affirmed the opportunity for selecting promising lines. Also, significant variations in the targeted metabolite contents and antioxidant properties were observed among brown and yellow-seeded families. Notably, brown-seeded families expressed the highest average values of saturated fatty acids, protein, fiber, tocopherol, phenolics, SDG, and SECO lignans. Yellow-seeded families represented the highest average content of unsaturated fatty acids and mucilage. The cultivation year significantly affects flaxseed’s composition and functional properties, presumably due to temperature, humidity, and sunshine time differences. Interestingly, the seeds obtained in warmer conditions were more potent and had more chemical constituents. The favorable genetic correlations among all evaluated traits suggest the possibility of joint genetic selection for several nutritional and phytochemical characteristics in flax. The current study highlights the importance and utilization of 19 top families as their seeds and oil play imperative roles in the pharmaceuticals and food industries. The antioxidant capacity of the seeds showed that families 84B, 23B, 35Y, 95Y, 30B, 88B, and 78B serve as a natural source of dietary antioxidants beneficial to human health. To increase the oxidative stability of the flaxseed oil, the quality evaluation identified some families with low levels of linolenic acid.ConclusionsThese findings are essential to improving flaxseed’s nutritional quality and therapeutic properties through a bulk breeding program.

Enhancing the potential of phenomic and genomic prediction in winter wheat breeding using high-throughput phenotyping and deep learning.

Integrating high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) based traits into phenomic and genomic selection (GS) can accelerate the breeding of high-yielding and climate-resilient wheat cultivars. In this study, we explored the applicability of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)-assisted HTP combined with deep learning (DL) for the phenomic or multi-trait (MT) genomic prediction of grain yield (GY), test weight (TW), and grain protein content (GPC) in winter wheat. Significant correlations were observed between agronomic traits and HTP-based traits across different growth stages of winter wheat. Using a deep neural network (DNN) model, HTP-based phenomic predictions showed robust prediction accuracies for GY, TW, and GPC for a single location with R2 of 0.71, 0.62, and 0.49, respectively. Further prediction accuracies increased (R2 of 0.76, 0.64, and 0.75) for GY, TW, and GPC, respectively when advanced breeding lines from multi-locations were used in the DNN model. Prediction accuracies for GY varied across growth stages, with the highest accuracy at the Feekes 11 (Milky ripe) stage. Furthermore, forward prediction of GY in preliminary breeding lines using DNN trained on multi-location data from advanced breeding lines improved the prediction accuracy by 32% compared to single-location data. Next, we evaluated the potential of incorporating HTP-based traits in multi-trait genomic selection (MT-GS) models in the prediction of GY, TW, and GPC. MT-GS, models including UAV data-based anthocyanin reflectance index (ARI), green chlorophyll index (GCI), and ratio vegetation index 2 (RVI_2) as covariates demonstrated higher predictive ability (0.40, 0.40, and 0.37, respectively) as compared to single-trait model (0.23) for GY. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of integrating HTP traits into DL-based phenomic or MT-GS models for enhancing breeding efficiency.

Evaluation of advanced breeding lines of tomato for fruit quality based on morphophysiological and biochemical traits

Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world considering its production potential and consumption rate. It serves as an essential source of important nutrients like vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and lycopene, contributing to a balanced and healthy diet. The fruit yield and other yield contributing traits in tomatoes are governed by polygenes and are quantitatively inherited akin to other crops. A study was conducted on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) during Kharif 2020 at the Zonal Agricultural Horticultural Research Station, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, to assess genetic variability and diversity and to identify superior segregants for shelf life and yield among 40 advanced breeding lines derived from a cross between Red Ball (More shelf life) × Arka Abha (High yield). Out of 16 characters studied, lycopene content, shelf life, pericarp thickness, pulp content, fruit weight, and five other yield contributing traits were positively skewed and were platykurtic, indicating the complementary form of epistasis. A relatively high range of PCV and GCV were observed for almost all the traits considered under study. The lines were clustered into 9 classes based on genetic divergence analysis. Two superior lines, G-32 and G-29 were selected for higher yield and increased shelf life.

Antioxidant and Secondary Metabolite Responses in Wheat under Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus L.) Infestation

AbstractWheat is one of the most important cereal crops grown in the Western Himalayas of India but its production is challenged by the insect “cereal leaf beetle (CLB)”. This study explores the impact of domestication and modern crop improvement on wheat's defense mechanisms against the CLB, a global threat to wheat cultivation. Sixteen diverse wheat genotypes having different ploidy levels were investigated, including wild wheat, landraces, mutants, advanced breeding lines, commercial varieties, and a Rye grass genotype. Genotypes with resistance genes, landraces, and wild wheat exhibited the lowest CLB infestation and oxidative damage. These genotypes displayed enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, such as peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and increased plant secondary metabolite (phenol and tannin) production upon CLB infestation. Resistant durum wheat demonstrated moderate responses and exhibited higher levels of flavonoid production. On the other hand, susceptible durum wheat genotypes, commercial variety Shalimar Wheat‐02 (SW‐2), showed high CLB infestation, ROS production, reduced antioxidant enzyme and secondary metabolite production. This may be because modern varieties like SW‐2 were not selected for insect resistance. These findings emphasize the significance of preserving genetic diversity from wild wheat and landraces to bolster wheat breeding programs against pests such as CLB. This study underscores the need to harness ancestral wheat lines to enhance insect pest resistance in modern wheat cultivars.

Deciphering Chickpea Breeding Lines through Genetic Potential and Trait Association Analysis

Exploring the genetic potential of chickpeas is imperative for strategic parent selection, targeted hybridization, and effective trait integration, resulting in development of resilient and high-yielding varieties. Hence, the current study aims to uncover the genetic potential and character associations of advanced breeding lines in chickpea, conducted at the Seed Breeding Farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, JNKVV, Jabalpur during the rabi season of 2021-22. The assessment of forty advanced chickpea breeding lines encompassed an analysis of genetic parameters, correlation, and path coefficients. The findings unveiled that, across all observed traits, the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV %) exceeded the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV %). The examination of genetic potential, utilizing phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability, heritability, genetic advance, and genetic gain, demonstrates a significant degree of variability within the genotypes for traits including total number of pods per plant, number of effective pods per plant, biological yield per plant, and seed yield per plant. The seed yield per plant exhibited high positive and direct effect and significant positive correlation with biological yield per plant and total number of pods per plant. Consequently, prioritizing these traits in future breeding programs could lead to the development of chickpea varieties with enhanced yield potential.

Assessing disease resistance and yield components in advanced breeding lines of common bean in different locations of northern Tanzania

Assessing disease resistance and yield components in advanced breeding lines of common bean in different locations of northern Tanzania

Performance of advanced breeding lines of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) under hill zone of Karnataka

An experiment was carried out to assess performance in twenty advanced breeding of brinjal along with three checks (Arka Keshav, Arka Neelanchal Shyama and Devanur Local) during Summer season 2022- 2023 at College of Horticulture, Mudigere. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results indicated that highest number of primary branches (17.52), number of fruits per cluster (3.19), fruit setting percentage (73.67 %), number of fruits per plant (37.45) and fruit yield per plant (1.78 kg) recorded in line CHMB-2, days to first flowering (28.22 days) and days to first harvest (37.04 days) recorded minimum days in CHMB-11, maximum number of flowers per cluster (7.06) recorded in CHMB -13, highest plant height in CHMB-6 (66.35 cm), maximum fruit length and fruit diameter in CHMB-18 (14.90 cm) and Arka Neelanchal Shyama (67.49 mm) respectively. With respect to quality parameters, maximum dry matter content (12.13 g/100 g) and minimum moisture content (86.97 %) recorded in CHMB – 7, highest fruit phenol content recorded in Arka Keshav (72.54 mg/100g).

Association studies for quality traits in advanced breeding lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Association studies for quality traits in advanced breeding lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Genetic variability and correlation studies on seed yield and yield components in advanced breeding lines of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate eighteen diverse mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilkeezek] advanced breeding lines developed at AICRP on MULLaRP for the estimation of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance, correlation coefficient for eleven quantitative traits and their association level with seed yield. The genotypes differed significantly for all characters under study. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for seed yield, number of pods per plant, branches per plant and clusters per plant. Association analysis indicated that, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant and chlorophyll content had positive correlation with seed yield. Maximum direct effect on seed yield was observed through number of branches per plant, the number of clusters per plant and dry matter. From the present findings it could be suggested that on the basis of genetic parameter correlation and path analysis, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant and number of pods per plant should be given topmost priority while formulating a selection strategy for improvement in seed yield of mungbean.

Heterotic combinations among advanced breeding lines of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

The present study aimed to examine the performance of hybrids developed from advanced breeding lines in brinjal. Fifty F1 hybrids including three checks of different fruit groups were evaluated for yield and quality attributes in randomized block design with three replications. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences for different characters in small round, big round and long hybrids except fruit length among small round hybrids. Among small round hybrids, SR-5 × SR-9322 showed the highest heterosis for the number of fruits per plant (60.80%) and fruit yield per plant (6.17%) over the standard check PBH-3. Among big round hybrids, BR-15-2 × SR-9322, PC-123 × JG, BR-324 × SR-9322 and MR-494 × SR-6793 showed significant heterosis for a number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant in comparison to standard check PBHR-41. Among long hybrids, the hybrid combinations, BL-47 × MR-494, BL-47 × BR-21-6, BL-47 × MR-431, BL-47 × BR-1142 performed the best for fruit yield per plant overcheck hybrid PBH-5. For quality traits such as dry matter percentage, total phenols and anthocyanin, SR-5 × SR-9322 and MR-494 × SR-9322 (small round hybrids), BR-15-2 × SR-9322 and BR-1142 × SR-6793 (big round hybrids) and BL-214 × MR-319, BL-23 × MR-319 and MR-494 × BL-72 (long hybrids) performed better than their respective standard checks. The best-performing hybrids in the present investigation can further be exploited for commercial release

Diallel approach for estimating hybrid superiority and combining ability of indigenous advanced breeding lines in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)

Diallel approach for estimating hybrid superiority and combining ability of indigenous advanced breeding lines in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)

Screening of advanced breeding lines of castor against sucking pests

Sucking pests viz., leafhopper and thripsare the major yield limiting biotic factors in castor. Growing resistant cultivars is an effective, eco-friendly and economical approach to manage these insect pests. Thirty three advanced breeding lines of castor were screened against the sucking pests along with susceptible and resistant checks during late kharif 2021.Among the 33 advanced lines screened, nine lines viz., MHC-9, JHB-1080, JHB-1098, SHB1075, JHB-1099, SLCH-286, MHC-46, MHC-26 and ICH-277 exhibited highly resistant reaction to leafhopper (hopper burn grade 0 on 0-4 scale). Eight lines viz., MHC-9, JHB-1080, ICH-901, JHB-1099, MHC-46, MHC-26, SHB-1073 and ICH-277 were found promising against thrips.

Phenotypic characterization, plant growth and development, genome methylation, and mineral elements composition of neotetraploid lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

Stable neotetraploid lines of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were produced from three phenotypically distinct cultivars (Annapolis, Eruption, Merlot) and an advanced breeding line (SM13-L2) using colchicine treatment of seeds or young seedlings. When tested under the greenhouse and field conditions, neotetraploids initially grew more rapidly than their diploid progenitors, however they reached their reproductive stage (bolting, flower bud formation, and flowering) substantially later. Seeds production on neotetraploids was delayed by more than 30 days compared to diploids. Tetraploid plants had fewer, but larger stomata and leaves, less chlorophyll per area, higher photosystem II photochemical efficiency, generally lighter root system, and produced less than 1% of seeds in comparison with diploids. Field-grown neotetraploids of all lines displayed a significant reduction in tipburn (1.8% vs. 22.2%, respectively), a highly undesirable physiological disorder. Changes in leaf and root mineral composition were detected in neotetraploids. Several elements were found in lower abundance than in diploids, most notably iron, calcium, and silicon. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) revealed 498 differentially methylated regions (DMR), with 106 of these regions having at least 50% difference in the level of methylation between neotetraploids and their diploid progenitors. At least 18 of the most prominent DMR were detected in proximity to genes predicted to be involved in plant development or reaction to biotic and abiotic stressors. Because neotetraploid lines have low seed production, they are not suitable for commercial cultivation. They can be used, however, in research to study the factors contributing to tipburn, traits affected by stomata size or density, and the effect of ploidy on resistance to environmental stressors.

Development of Mungbean Genotypes for Shattering Tolerance and Correlation Analysis with Biochemical and Morphological Factors Governing Pre Harvest Sprouting

Background: Most of the mungbean genotypes are prone to shattering. The indeterminate flowering habit of this crop leads to a spread of flowering and pod maturity on a single plant over the entire reproductive phase. Consequently, pods which develop at the earliest flower may shatter prior to 100% pod maturity. Sometimes losses due to pre-harvest sprouting will be as high as 60-70%. High yielding varieties developed/identified in recent years, despite their high yield potential, could not increase/stabilize the yields of this crop due to lack of resistance to pre-harvest sprouting. Therefore, an attempt was essentially made to develop tolerant varieties to pre-harvest sprouting in the current investigation. Methods: The F2 (Healthy and well dried) seeds derived from the crosses DGGV-2 ´ Pant Moong-1 were irradiated with 60 kR gamma rays for the creation of desirable variability. The gamma rays irradiated seeds were sown in during kharif-2017 along with their respective checks to grow the F2M1 generation. Further advanced to F2M2. The individual plants were critically observed at maturity for morphological traits viz., small pod beak length and angle, thick pod wall and hard seededness that determine the tolerance to PHS. The mutant lines were compared with the parental lines viz., shattering tolerant variety Pant Moong-1 as well as susceptible variety DGGV2. The putative mutants selected and tagged in F2M2 and the seeds were harvested separately and forwarded to develop the F2M3 mutant population (1000 plants) in summer-2018. The seeds from F2M3 generation were harvested on individual plant basis and were sown. 806 progenies were sown in augmented design along with the checks in each block during kharif 2019. Thus from the population of 24812 such derived plants, genotypes with small pod beak and angle, thick pod wall, hard seededness and higher epicuticular wax and lignin content were isolated in F2M3 and F2M4. Further a total of 49 advanced breeding lines along with a known shattering susceptible check were studied for the morphometric and biochemical parameters governing the pre harvest sprouting. Result: Lower PHS was recorded in DGGV-79 (0.02%), DGGV-125 (0.02%) and DGGV 195 (0.91%). Higher phenol content was recorded in DGGV-125 (9.43 mg GA eq /g) and DGGV-79 (9.37 mg GA eq /g). Higher lignin content was recorded in DGGV-125 (6.42 mg/g) and DGGV-79 (6.10 mg GA eq /g). Further correlation analysis revealed that negative correlation of PHS was observed for epicuticular wax (r= -0.983), phenol (r= -0.892), lignin content (r= -0.981) and hard seed percentage (r= -0.942). Significant negative correlation was observed between PHS and pod wall thickness (r= -0.570). Pod beak length recorded highly significant positive correlation (r= 0.911) to PHS. Genotypes with inherent tolerance to seed shattering hold a promise to minimize yield losses due to viviparous germination.