Agro-morphological Traits Research Articles

Morpho-molecular characterization of ethnic Bora rice for conservation and breeding

Glutinous Bora rice plays an important role in socio-economic and cultural livelihood of Boro tribes of Assam. However, neither systematic survey had been done, nor databanks are available on their detailed morpho-molecular characterization essential for breeding programme. Present study attempted to prepare a morphological database with molecular signature using a total of 22 Bora rice lines collected from upper Brahmaputra basin of Assam, which were phenotyped with 27 popular agro-morphological traits followed by marker based genotyping, sequence diversity study and expression profiling for selected genetic loci associated with low amylose content. Long day flowering and less number of tillers with panicles are the main discouraging traits of Bora rice that showed negative association with culm length. Among the 8 different phenotypic markers established, anthocyanin pigment in different parts of the plant and availability of awn may be used as identifying criteria for selection of the hybrid lines introgress with “Komal” trait. In marker based genotyping, all the studied marker loci were reported to be polymorphic with variable number of allelic forms and RM241 showed highest PIC value. In case of expression study, 5 days (after anthesis) old developing grains of selected Komal genotype (Aghani Bora) showed 90.9-fold down regulation of GBSSI (loci associated with amylose deposition in rice grain) with respect to the commonly grown popular rice (IR36). Phylogenetic relationship study with 5 different rice genomes (O. rufipogon, O. glaberrima, O. sativa japonica group, O. sativa indica group and IR36) based on sequence diversity of six major genetic loci (associated with starch deposition in endosperm) showed distinct relationship. Selected morpho-molecular markers (polymorphic between Bora and improved rice) were subjected to validation on hybrid population developed from selected Bora rice (Vogali Bora) and improved rice (IR36), which showed a promising response for use in marker assisted breeding program.

Diversity in Indian wheat (T. aestivumL.) germplasm for various agro-morphological traits

AbstractA better understanding of diversity in landraces is essential for planning crosses for the development of trait specific varieties with better adaptability and stability. In the present study, 120 wheat genotypes comprised of landraces, genetic stocks, released varieties and improved genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design for 14 agro-morphological traits. The clustering method and principal component analysis (PCA) programme of Statistical Package for Agricultural Research (SPAR1) was used for grouping the genotypes. These 120 genotypes were grouped into nine clusters based on agro-morphological traits. These nine clusters differed significantly on the basis of mean values for 14 agro-morphological traits. PCA showed that the two principal components (PC1 to PC2) exhibited about 49% of the total variability. Scatter plot was constructed by plotting scores of PC1 and PC2. Based on mean values obtained over two years, the diverse superior genotypes were identified for utilization in hybridization programme. From the present study, we conclude that cluster analysis grouped the landraces with greater agro-morphological similarity into one group rather than geographical isolation indicating that geographical origin may not be the only factor causing diversity. Further, released varieties exhibited superiority for grain yield, while many landraces had higher values for number of tillers in a meter, biomass and thousand-grain weight (TGW). Thus, for the improvement in TGW in released varieties, the hybridization between superior landraces for TGW from cluster ‘E’ and released wheat varieties from cluster ‘C’ could give desirable segregates.

Improving blast resistance of maintainer line DRR 9B by transferring broad spectrum resistance gene Pi2 by marker assisted selection in rice.

Hybrid rice technology offers great promise to further enhance rice production and productivity for global food security. Improving hybrid rice parental lines is the first step in developing heterotic rice hybrids. To improve resistance against blast disease, a maintainer line DRR 9B was fortified with a major broad-spectrum blast resistance gene Pi2 through marker-assisted selection. The rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is a major disease and can cause severe yield losses upto 100%. The NILs of Samba Mahsuri namely BA-23-11-89-12-168 possessing Pi2 was utilized as a donor parent. The PCR-based molecular marker tightly linked to Pi2 gene was used for the foreground selection at BC1F1 generation. The molecular marker tightly linked to the major fertility restorer gene Rf4 was used for negative selection (i.e., selection of plants possessing non fertility restoring alleles) at BC1F1 generation to identify maintainer lines. The positive plants with Rf4 gene were added to the restorer pool for restorer line development. At each stage, MAS for Pi2 coupled with stringent phenotypic selection for agro-morphological and grain quality traits were exercised. At BC1F3 generation, one hundred families were screened against blast disease at uniform blast nursery (UBN) and selected resistant lines were advanced to next generations. In the BC1F5 generation plants were subjected to agro-morphological evaluation for yield and yield-contributing traits. The selected plants at BC1F5 generation were crossed with DRR 9A to assess the maintainer ability of blast resistance lines and for further CMS line conversion for hybrid rice breeding for developing blast resistance rice hybrids.

Yield Components and Development in Indeterminate Tomato Landraces: An Agromorphological Approach to Promoting Their Utilization

Nowadays, increments in tomato yield seem to have reached a plateau. Tomato genebank collections have been recognized as a novel source for yield increments. The use of the diversity in Latin America for novel improved varieties is limited by the knowledge gap regarding field-grown tomatoes. As yield has complex, unresolved trade-offs, agromorphological traits become useful for further improvement. In this study, the development of successive clusters was studied in twenty-four Chilean tomato landraces to elucidate the relationships among agromorphological traits of flowers, inflorescences, and fruits. Plants yielded an average of 3297 g m−2, with a variation coefficient of 0.44. Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationships between yield components and plant phenology. Findings suggested a two-level compensation between average fresh fruit weight and the number of fruits, one on a plant basis and the second on a cluster basis. All traits evaluated had significant phenotypic correlations with yield traits. Growing degree days for a cluster to develop had a low negative phenotypic correlation with yield (−0.33***) and a high genetic correlation with the number of clusters (−0.90***). The number of set flowers, as opposed to the number of flowers, was significantly correlated with average fresh fruit weight (−0.17***), supporting the initiation of the trade-off after the fruit set. This study provides new insight into the plant agromorphology of indeterminate plants. In a global climate change context, further study of trade-off relationships is important for identifying genotypes able to sustain their productivity.

Molecular genetics and phenotypic assessment of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) landraces revealed remarkable variability of morpho-physiological, yield, and yield-related traits.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is highly valued for nutritional traits, stress tolerance and sustainability in resource-poor dryland agriculture. However, the low productivity of this crop in semi-arid regions of Southern India, is further threatened by climate stress. Landraces are valuable genetic resources, regionally adapted in form of novel alleles that are responsible for cope up the adverse conditions used by local farmers. In recent years, there is an erosion of genetic diversity. We have hypothesized that plant genetic resources collected from the semi-arid climatic zone would serve as a source of novel alleles for the development of climate resilience foxtail millet lines with enhanced yield. Keeping in view, there is an urgent need for conservation of genetic resources. To explore the genetic diversity, to identify superior genotypes and novel alleles, we collected a heterogeneous mixture of foxtail millet landraces from farmer fields. In an extensive multi-year study, we developed twenty genetically fixed foxtail millet landraces by single seed descent method. These landraces characterized along with four released cultivars with agro-morphological, physiological, yield and yield-related traits assessed genetic diversity and population structure. The landraces showed significant diversity in all the studied traits. We identified landraces S3G5, Red, Black and S1C1 that showed outstanding grain yield with earlier flowering, and maturity as compared to released cultivars. Diversity analysis using 67 simple sequence repeat microsatellite and other markers detected 127 alleles including 11 rare alleles, averaging 1.89 alleles per locus, expected heterozygosity of 0.26 and an average polymorphism information content of 0.23, collectively indicating a moderate genetic diversity in the landrace populations. Euclidean Ward's clustering, based on the molecular markers, principal coordinate analysis and structure analysis concordantly distinguished the genotypes into two to three sub-populations. A significant phenotypic and genotypic diversity observed in the landraces indicates a diverse gene pool that can be utilized for sustainable foxtail millet crop improvement.

Comparative Genetic Diversity Assessment and Marker–Trait Association Using Two DNA Marker Systems in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In this paper, the genetic diversities of 12 rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L.), representing Indica, Japonica, and Indica–Japonica varieties, were assessed using twelve ISSR and five SSR markers. In addition, the rice genotypes were evaluated for 11 agro-morphological traits in a two-year trial. Association mapping was performed to detect any association between the DNA markers and the agro-morphological traits. An association analysis was conducted considering the relative kinship among the genotypes and accounting for the population structure using the unified mixed-model approach to avoid possible false-positive associations. Seventy-three alleles were collectively produced by ISSRs and SSRs, with an average of 6.3 and 2.8 alleles per locus, respectively. Both marker systems were informative, and the average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.222 and 0.352 for ISSRs and SSRs, respectively. The average expected heterozygosity (Hexp) was 0.264 for ISSRs compared to 0.457 for SSRs. After using the false discovery rate (FDR) method, the association analysis revealed a total of 12 significant marker–trait associations with six agro-morphological traits, including the no. of unfiled grains panicle−1, panicle length, panicle weight, the no. of panicles plant−1, the no. of tillers plant−1, and 1000-grain weight. ISSRs showed seven significant associations with five markers, while SSRs showed three significant associations with three markers. The phenotypic variance (R2) explained by each marker ranged between 29.2% for the ISSR marker HB11 (associated with 1000-grain weight) and 49.3% for the ISSR marker HB8 (associated with the no. of tillers plant−1). The identified marker–trait associations reported herein may improve the expected gain of future molecular-based rice-breeding programs, particularly those designed for improving grain-related or harvest-related traits.

Identification of QTL Associated with Agro-Morphological and Phosphorus Content Traits in Finger Millet under Differential Phosphorus Supply via Linkage Mapping

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is one of the most important cereal crops for people in Asia and Africa. It supplies energy and nutrients for all people, particularly poor people in these continents. Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and grain quality, so an adequate amount of P is required for healthy plant life. There is considerable evidence that P deficiency affects the growths and yields of all cereals, including finger millet. The present study aimed at identifying the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for various agro-morphological and P-content traits under low P (LP) and high P (HP) conditions through linkage mapping. Two cultivars, IE-2606 (low-P-susceptible) and PR-202 (low-P-tolerant) were used to develop 100 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). In total, 55 QTL, associated with various agro-morphological (primary root length (PRL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), and root hair density (RHD)) and P-content traits (inorganic phosphate content in shoots (PiS), inorganic phosphate content in roots (PiR), and total P content in shoots (TPS)) were detected under LP conditions. Similarly, 37 QTL for various agro-morphological (PRL, RFW, SDW, and root hair length (RHL)) and P-content traits (PiS, PiR, TPS, and total P content in roots (TPR)) were detected under HP conditions. Biotic and abiotic stress-responsive candidate genes linked to a few QTL were also identified. The identified QTL associated with agro-morphological and P-content traits in finger millet under P deficiency could be used in breeding programs to develop finger millet with better P use efficiency (PUE). Furthermore, improving finger millet growth and yield under LP soil will help to reduce Pi application and eutrophication, which may help to improve the lives of poor farmers and maintain sustainable environments in Asia and African countries.

Molecular Breeding for Incorporation of Submergence Tolerance and Durable Bacterial Blight Resistance into the Popular Rice Variety 'Ranidhan'.

Ranidhan is a popular late-maturing rice variety of Odisha state, India. The farmers of the state suffer heavy loss in years with flash floods as the variety is sensitive to submergence. Bacterial blight (BB) disease is a major yield-limiting factor, and the variety is susceptible to the disease. BB resistance genes Xa21, xa13, and xa5, along with the Sub1 QTL, for submergence stress tolerance were transferred into the variety using marker-assisted backcross breeding approach. Foreground selection using direct and closely linked markers detected the progenies carrying all four target genes in the BC1F1, BC2F1, and BC3F1 generations, and the positive progenies carrying these genes with maximum similarity to the recipient parent, Ranidhan, were backcrossed into each segregating generation. Foreground selection in the BC1F1 generation progenies detected all target genes in 11 progenies. The progeny carrying all target genes and similar to the recipient parent in terms of phenotype was backcrossed, and a total of 321 BC2F1 seeds were produced. Ten progenies carried all target genes/QTL in the BC2F1 generation. Screening of the BC3F1 progenies using markers detected 12 plants carrying the target genes. A total of 1270 BC3F2 seeds were obtained from the best BC3F1 progeny. Foreground selection in the BC3F2 progenies detected four plants carrying the target genes in the homozygous condition. The bioassay of the pyramided lines conferred very high levels of resistance to the predominant isolates of bacterial blight pathogen. These BB pyramided lines were submergence-tolerant and similar to Ranidhan in 13 agro-morphologic and grain quality traits; hence, they are likely to be adopted by farmers.

Multivariate analysis of selected agro-morphological traits of common wheat genotypes for estimation of genetic diversity

Estimation of genetic diversity of plant species using agro morphological parameters is of very crucial importance in plant improvement programs. In view of that common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes consisting of stripe rust resistant genes were analyzed by cluster analysis, principle component analysis and coefficient of correlation analysis for determination of genetic diversity. Experiment was conducted in fields of Hazara University Mansehra Pakistan. Eight groups were categorized by cluster analysis using UPGMA clustering method. AOC-YR/ATTILA (CGSS97Y0061S-23Y-1B-1B) (Sdf31) and 10790 (sdf2) are reported as more diversified by cluster analysis. Based on principal component analysis the first five clusters showed 88.94% of genetic variation. Grains per spike contributed more (0.7) to total variation in PCI. While Harvest Index was the major contributor (0.8) to total variation in PCII. 1056 (Sdf5), AOC-YR/ATTILA (CGSS97Y0061S-32Y-1B-1B) (sdf30), 1072 (sdf6), 1076 (sdf9), and LALBMONO4*4/PRL//LALB (CGSS99Y00093S-2F1-22Y-9GHB-1GHB) (sdf32) were observed superior in flag leaf area, spike length, grains per spike, plant height, biological yield, plant yield and harvest index. AOC-YR/ATTILA (CGSS97Y0061S-32Y-1B-1B) (Sdf30) was found as early maturing genotype. Correlation analysis showed positive and significant association of plant yield with flag leaf area, spike length and biological yield, while it is highly negatively correlated to no. of days to maturity. More diversified genotypes identified in this studies can be used in future breeding programs along with utilization of superior genotypes in hybridization.
 Key words: cluster analysis, correlation, genetic diversity, principal component analysis, whea

Mapping QTLs for Super-Earliness and Agro-Morphological Traits in RILs Population Derived from Interspecific Crosses between Pisum sativum × P. fulvum.

Earliness in crop plants has a vital role in prevention of heat-induced drought stress and in combating global warming, which is predicted to exacerbate in the near future. Furthermore, earliness may expand production into northern areas or higher altitudes, having relatively shorter growing season and may also expand arable lands to meet global food demands. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for super-earliness and important agro-morphological traits in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from an interspecific cross. A population of 114 RILs developed through single-seed descent from an interspecific cross involving Pisum sativum L. and P. fulvum Sibth. et Sm. was evaluated to identify QTLs for super-earliness and important agro-morphological traits. A genetic map was constructed with 44 SSRs markers representing seven chromosomes with a total length of 262.6 cM. Of the 14 QTLs identified, two were for super-earliness on LG2, one for plant height on LG3, six for number of pods per plant on LG2, LG4, LG5 and LG6, one for number of seeds per pod on LG6, one for pod length on LG4 and three for harvest index on LG3, LG5, and LG6. AA205 and AA372-1 flanking markers for super-earliness QTLs were suggested for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in pea breeding programs due to high heritability of the trait. This is the first study to map QTLs originating from P. sativum and P. fulvum recently identified species with super-earliness character and the markers (AA205 and AA372-1) linked to QTLs were valuable molecular tools for pea breeding.

Multiple-trait model by Bayesian inference applied to environment efficient Coffea arabica with low-nitrogen nutrient

Identifying Coffea arabica cultivars that are more efficient in the use of nitrogen is an important strategy and a necessity in the context of environmental and economic impacts attributed to excessive nitrogen fertilization. Although Coffea arabica breeding data have a multi-trait structure, they are often analyzed under a single trait structure. Thus, the objectives of this study were to use a Bayesian multitrait model, to estimate heritability in the broad sense, and to select arabica coffee cultivars with better genetic potential (desirable agronomic traits) in nitrogen-restricted cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with 20 arabica coffee cultivars grown in a nutrient solution with low-nitrogen content (1.5 mM). The experimental design used was in randomized blocks with three replications. Six agromorphological traits of the arabica coffee breeding program and five nutritional efficiency indices were used. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm was used to estimate genetic parameters and genetic values. The agromorphological traits were considered highly heritable, with a credibility interval (95% probability): H2 = 0.9538 – 5.89E-01. The Bayesian multitrait model presents an adequate strategy for the genetic improvement of arabica coffee grown in low-nitrogen concentrations. Coffee arabica cultivars Icatu Precoce 3282, Icatu Vermelho IAC 4045, Acaiá Cerrado MG 1474, Tupi IAC 1669-33, Catucaí 785/15, Caturra Vermelho and Obatã IAC 1669/20 demonstrated greater potential for cultivation in low-nitrogen concentration.

Assessment of Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn.) Populations for the Agro-Morphological and the Quality Traits under Semiarid Condition

Crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum L. (Gaertn.)] is high adaptability to semiarid and arid regions, and also has good forage quality and palatability. The required new varieties have been improved by effective breeding programs for hay production and rangeland revegetation in arid and semi-arid conditions. The objectives of this study were to identify the agro-morphological and quality traits of the three advanced populations and the control population in crested wheatgrass. The advanced population G-465 was 7.68 and 1.92 t ha-1 in overall averages of fresh forage and hay yields, respectively. According to these values, it is seen that the G-465 advanced population is 5.93, and 6.07% higher than the control population in terms of both fresh forage and hay yields, respectively. Besides, no significant differences seemed among the study populations in crude protein content and relative feed value in 2015 and two-year averages. Consequently, the G-465 advanced population was good performance under semiarid conditions and it is advisable for similar circumstances. For identifying yield-related traits, correlation analysis was performed and high correlation coefficients occurred between fresh forage yield with stem diameter (0.474**), internode length (0.469**), flag leaf length (0.761**), and flag leaf width (0.711**). In light of these data, these traits should be taken into account in the selection of phenotypic plants. Moreover, cluster analysis was also done and its results showed that high similarity levels occurred between fresh forage yield and flag leaf length (88.06%), and between plant height and internode length (78.73%).

Genetic variability for agro-morphological traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under temperate rainfed conditions of Kashmir valley

Genetic variability for agro-morphological traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under temperate rainfed conditions of Kashmir valley

Multivariate analysis among advanced breeding lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under sub-tropical ecology of Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir

The present study aimed to determine the nature and extent of genetic divergence for agro-morphological and quality traits amongst advanced breeding lines of rice utilizing multivariate techniques. Based on the inter se D2 values, breeding lines were grouped into six non-overlapping clusters, indicating presence of diversity amongst the lines.  Cluster I and Cluster II were found to be the largest clusters consisting of 14 and 9 genotypes, respectively, while, the remaining four clusters were mono-genotypic. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and VI, while the maximum intra-cluster distance was recorded for cluster II. Breeding lines present in cluster II were observed to have highest cluster means for traits viz., plant height, total number of tillers per plant, amylose content, grain yield per plant and grain yield per plot indicating its superiority over rest of the clusters. Traits including grain yield per plot, grain yield per plant, days to maturity, 1000-grain weight, total number of tillers per plant and panicle length were observed to be the major contributors to genetic divergence. Principal component analysis extracted six principal components of which first five components viz., PC-I to PC-IV had eigen scores greater than one. This suggested that traits within these axis were of importance. Principal component analysis revealed that the traits viz., number of effective tillers per plant, grain yield per plot, plant height, panicle length and days to 50 per cent flowering contributed maximum towards genetic diversity.  Keywords: Rice, Genetic diversity and PCA analysis

Evaluation of Rice Recombinant Inbred Lines Developed from the Cross Rasi × Improved Samba Mahsuri for Drought Tolerance

Drought has been one of the most important limiting factors for rice productivity, particularly in the rainfed ecosystem. It is important to understand the genetic basis of drought tolerance in donor lines and develop drought tolerant rice cultivars, based on this information. We earlier identified the rice line, Rasi as tolerant to drought and developed a recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population consisting of 209 lines. These lines along with their parents were grown under well-watered and drought stress conditions in a two-year experiment (wet season 2020 and 2021) with drought stress imposed during reproductive stage. The study revealed high genetic variability for 12 key agro morphological traits associated with drought tolerance among the RILs. Of the 209 RILs, 59 showed superior performance over the checks and even the tolerant parent, Rasi under severe drought condition. Two RILs, RIL-33 and RIL-58 showed exceptional drought tolerance along with greater plot yield and grain weight under drought condition and they possessed medium slender grain type. These two lines can be a new novel genetic resource for drought tolerance in breeding programmes.

Morphological characterization and new variation in compound leaf of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) genotypes

The present investigation was executed under field conditions that favour normal growth and expression for all descriptors. A collection of 40 mungbean genotypes were characterised for 21 agro-morphological traits during the summer 2021 and 2022. The experimental material was  evaluated in three replications in RCBD and observations were recorded as per DUS guidelines. The  phenotypic assessment showed polymorphism for  the characters such as hypocotyl anthocyanin coloration, stem colour, leaf shape, leaf colour, leaf vein colour, petiole colour, flower petal colour, pod position, pod colour, pod curvature, seed colour, seed size etc. Some special character including yellow seed colour of local germplasm ‘yellow-mung’ diversified the crop. Furthermore, an increased number of leaflet viz. quadrifoliate and pentafoliate compound leaf variations were also observed rather than the normal trifoliate compound leaf of mungbean. The standard descriptors can be used as a marker to characterize the crop species for utilization of germplasm and conservation programmes. Keywords: characterization, compound leaf, DUS, greengram, polymorphism

Unravelling the G × E interactions using AMMI biplot for phenology and agro-morphological traits in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

In the present study, additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) biplot analysis was used to identify stable genotypes for days to flowering, maturity, plant height and number of branches per plant to dissect GEI in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). Trials were conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications over three consecutive years, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. ANOVA analysis revealed genotype and G×E interaction effects contributed significant sum of square for days to flower (97.31% and 0.56%); days to maturity (89.27% and 8.90%); plant height (98.29% and 0.70%) and number of branches per plant (86.40% and 2.41% respectively). The dissection of GE interaction for all the traits was mostly explained by the first and second principal component axis (IPCA1 and IPCA2). The SSI statistic fully sync with the results of the AMMI1 biplot analysis for all the traits of top ranked genotypes across the environments. Results of genotypes stability in AMMI1 and AMMI2 biplot analyses were shown differential response with some exceptions that indicates the different sets of genes were responsible for the cumulative expression of traits under study. In the present study environments imposed variable effects with few exceptions towards the genotype stability in both AMMI1 and AMMI2 analysis models for all the traits studied. Hence, the desirable genotypes identified in linseed for phenology and agro-morphological traits could be utilized in hybridization program and varietal recommendation under semi-arid conditions.

Study on Correlation of Agromorphologic Properties in Some Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) CRANTZ.) Genotypes

The correlation of agromorphological traits can be useful for breeders in the selection of plant genotypes. In this study, the rosette period (days), days of maturity, plant height (cm), 1000-seed weight (g), and seed yield (kg ha–1) characteristics of 42 different Camelina genotypes that grown in Ankara (middle Anatolia) and Şanlıurfa (southeastern Anatolia), and their correlations with each other, were investigated. The accessions showed different results depending on the location in terms of the studied characters in both locations under rainfed conditions. The results showed that the highest seed yield was obtained from the PI 311735 accession (3151.8 kg ha–1) in Ankara and the PI 650142 accession (3056.0 kg ha–1) in Şanlıurfa. While the rosette period (days), days of maturity, plant height (cm), and 1000-seed weight (g), in Ankara were between 152.3 and 132.3 days, 274 and 247 days, 103.8 and 59.5 cm, and 1.50 and 0.84 g, while there were between 108.8 and 88.8 days, 202.1 and 180.1 days, 115.4 and 59.2 cm, and 1.40 and 0.50 g, in Şanlıurfa, respectively. Results showed significant differences among the genotypes in all of the studied parameters. Correlation analysis of the genotypes in both locations on the mentioned parameters was also performed. Since climate and environment affect each agromorphological parameter differently, it was observed that a genotypic correlation independent of the climate and environment could not be explained in the Camelina sativa genotypes.

Numerical Taxonomic analysis for the estimation of Genetic Diversity among some traditional rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties of West Bengal

The use of numerical taxonomy in plant systematics is crucial because it allows for the improvement of traditional taxonomic data gathered from sources like as morphology, physiology, chemistry, anatomy, and cytology, among others, by utilizing a better and greater number of documented features. It has been determined that it is crucial to keep track of crop genetic resource management dynamics using the fundamental diversity data of traditional crop varieties or landraces. The protection of rice diversity and the use of diversity for rice breeding are strongly tied to the food security of this region because rice is the most significant staple food in South-East Asia. Traditional rice types continue to grow in many indigenous societies despite the relentless advance of modernization, which includes industrialization and land use rules focused on the market. Folk rice varieties are also grown in various areas of West Bengal. The genetic diversity among these traditional or folk types is the only source for future rice enhancement. In this study, many local rice varieties were gathered from various regions of West Bengal, and "richness data" was calculated utilizing this knowledge. Additional data on agro-morphological traits revealed considerable variations between genotypes. Wide variance among the folk rice genotypes was revealed by estimating mean, range, standard deviation, standard error, and coefficient of variation. Following numerical taxonomic analysis, classification of genotypes revealed high genetic diversity among West Bengal's traditional rice varieties. This genetic variety might be utilised in rice breeding, where it is challenging to get access to new technology.

Association and path analysis for agro-morphological traits among diverse wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm lines for Northern Hill Zone under rainfed conditions

The present investigation entitled ‘Genetic diversity analysis for agro-morphological traits and disease resistance under rainfed conditions in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)’ was conducted at Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan and the Molecular Cytogenetics & Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CSK HPKV, Palampur. The objectives were to assess the diversity amongst wheat genotypes using various agro-morphological traits and molecular markers, and screening of genotypes for disease resistance at seedling (yellow rust and brown rust) and adult plant (yellow rust and powdery mildew) stage. The experimental material comprised of 36 wheat genotypes along with four checks viz., HPW 368 (Him Palam Gehun 2), HS 562, Agra Local and LWH (Local Wheat Hango) were evaluated for different agro-morphological traits in α-Randomized Block Design with three replications during rabi 2021-22. Sufficient genetic variability was observed for all the traits viz., days to 50% flowering, flag leaf area, peduncle length, plant height, tillers per plant, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, biological yield per plant, grain yield per plant and harvest index except days to maturity, suggesting the scope of selection for these traits. Grain yield per plant showed significant and positive correlation with flag leaf area, tillers per plant, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, biological yield per plant and harvest index. Also, biological yield per plant and harvest index were observed as the best selection indices for increasing grain yield owing to high direct and indirect effects of these traits in path analysis. This study suggests that biological yield per plant and harvest index can be used as selection criteria in breeding study to improve the high yielding wheat genotypes.