Biometrical Characters Research Articles

Morphological Characterization and Genetic Variability Study on Early Maturing Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] Lines

Background: Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (2n=22)] is the second most important pulse crop in India after chickpea. In the present study, two-hundred early maturing (less than 140 days) pigeonpea germplasm accessions were evaluated for their genetic parameters based on morphological characters and were subsequently characterized as per the DUS descriptors for pigeonpea. Genetic variability of the population was assessed through genetic parameters and character association analysis. Methods: The plant material comprised of 193 pigeonpea genotypes along with seven checks and the experiment was conducted during kharif 2020-21 and 2021-22 in augmented design. Result: The twenty-one DUS characters were recorded at different crop growth stages. Out of those, the characters for plant height, branching pattern, time to 50% flowering, colour of base of petal, pattern of streaks on petal, pod colour, pod number of seeds, seed colour, seed colour pattern, seed shape and seed size exhibited variation across the accessions. The analysis of variance was executed for the eight different biometrical characters. The highest GCV and PCV value was obtained for the character seed yield per plant (19.91 and 21.4 respectively). Almost all the yield attributing characters except plant height showed high heritability indicating that selection for the characters for crop improvement would be highly effective. Highest genetic advance was observed for the trait pods per plant (42.34) and highest genetic advance as percent of mean was obtained for seed yield per plant (38.24). Correlation analysis among the characters for yield revealed that high positive correlation existed between seed yield per plant with pods per plant (0.580). The character for PH also showed high correlation with seed yield (0.185) which is indicative that high pods per plant and tall plant character contribute significantly towards yield enhancement.

Determining the yield performance of near isogenic lines (NILs) in maize

The present experiment was conducted at Department of Millets, Centre for Plant breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India to analysis the yield performance of sorghum down mildew resistant near isogenic lines in Maize.The objective of this study was to assess the yield performance of four sorghum downy mildew resistant NILs in maize. Four SDM resistant NILs viz., 79/936- C1-7-7-7-46-2, 79/936- C1-7-7-7-80-17, 79/936- C1-7-7-7-92-1 and 79/936- C1- 7-7-7-92-7 were used for this purpose. Nine biometrical characters viz.,days to 50% oftasseling, days to 50% of silking, Days to maturity, Plant height , Ear height, Cob length, Cob diameter, 100 grain weight and yield per plant were taken for analysis . The study revealed that all the four NILs showed better per se performance for yield contributing characters and more mean values than the parents hence, these four Near Isogenic Lines (NILs) may be used as a parent to develop hybrid in maize breeding programme.

Heterosis and combining ability studies in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

A line × tester analysis was carried out in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L. ) with four lines viz., VRI 3, SVPR 1, TMV 6, and TMV 7 and six testers viz., Thilathara, Thilak, TKG 55, RT 125, RT 127 and Thilottama. A total of 24 cross combinations were made and ten biometrical characters viz., days to 50 % flowering, height to first capsule, plant height, the number of primary branches, the number of capsules per plant, the number of capsules on main stem, capsule length, days to maturity, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant were recorded and analysed for combining ability and heterosis. In this present investigation, the variance due to SCA was higher than the variance due to GCA, which indicates that the inheritance of seed yield/plant is governed by non-additive gene action. Combining ability was analysed based on gca and sca effects. VRI 3 was the best general combiner among lines and among testers Thilathara was the best general combiner. The sca effects showed that seven hybrids viz., VRI 3 × Thilak, VRI 3 × RT 127, VRI 3 × Thilottama, SVPR 1 × Thilathara, TMV 6 × Thilathara, TMV 7 × TKG 55 and TMV 7 × RT 125 exhibited significant and positive values and these crosses can be evaluated further in advanced generations. Heterosis over standard parent was estimated and the highest positive significant heterosis for seed yield per plant was registered by the cross TMV 6 × Thilathara (39.32 %) followed by VRI 3 × Thilottama (21.41 %). Key wordsSesame, nature of gene action, gca effects and sca effects, heterosis

Increased illumination levels enhance biosynthesis of aloenin A and aloin B in Aloe arborescens Mill., but lower their per-plant yield

Leaves of Aloe arborescens Mill. are a relevant source of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical relevance. Notwithstanding, specialized cultivations of A. arborescens are still rather limited, and a straightforward agronomical research addressed to the obtainment of high-quality material is lacking. With the purpose to fill this gap, from 2016 to 2018, a trial was arranged to evaluate the growth and development of A. arborescens, along with the production of four active metabolites (aloin A and B, aloenin A, and isoaloeresin D) with varying some growth conditions. Two growth substrates (“A”- a commercial substrate, and “B”- the same substrate + 20 % perlite), two durations of pre-transplant open-air storage (“stress”, 7 and 14 days), and 3 illumination levels obtained by means of shadow nets with different mesh dimensions (SL: full sunlight; T50: 50 % shading; T70: 70 % shading) were tested, combined in a factorial experimental layout with 3 repetitions. In general, light intensity was the most crucial experimental factor, whereas the effects of growth substrate and pre-transplant stress were scarce and limited in time. The addition of perlite to the growth substrate gave the best results in terms of leaf size and root growth, without any significant effect on the yield of active metabolites. The increasing shading level caused a parallel increase of several biometrical characters of plants (height, number of leaves per plant and mean diameter of the stem), whereas the number of suckers per plant was positively affected by the increase of illumination level. The illumination level was also responsible for significant variations in the content of all secondary metabolites, except for aloin A, that resulted statistically not different among the illumination treatments (from 0.80 to 0.98 % in dry matter). The content of aloenin A and aloin B was higher in the plants exposed in full sun, statistically well differentiated from those exposed to 70 % shadow (2.0 vs. 1.4 % d.m. aloenin A, and 1.12 vs 0.86 % d.m. aloin B, in full sun and 70 % shadow, respectively). Contrastingly, the highest levels of isoaloeresin D were reached in the two shaded treatments (4.98 % in 50 % shadow and 4.89 % in 70 % shadow), whereas the full sun treatment reached the lowest value. The higher number of leaves in plants exposed at reduced illumination, however, brought to increased total amounts per plant of aloin (A and B) and aloenin A with increasing shadow levels.

Evaluation of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) based on correlation and path analysis

In this study, four lines and six testers of sesame were subjected to crossing in a line × tester mating design, during summer, 2019 and 24 hybrids were developed. All 24 F1 hybrids along with ten parents were raised in a RBD and evaluated. Biometrical data was taken for ten traits viz., days to attain fifty percent flowering, height to formation of the first capsule, height of the plant, the number of primary branches, capsules per plant, the number of capsules on the main stem, length of the capsule, days to attain maturity, thousand seed weight and yield per plant. ANOVA revealed that there existed a quite good significant difference for all the biometrical characters, among the lines, testers and hybrids indicating sufficient variability, which can be further utilized for genetic enhancement of the genotypes. Correlation analysis was used to understand the association between yield attributing characters and with yield. Correlation studies revealed that yield/plant expressed positive and significant correlation with height to formation of first capsule, height of the plant, capsules/plant and weight of thousand seed weight. Capsules/plant registered highly positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with yield/plant. Days to attain maturity exhibited a negative association with yield/plant. Path analysis was determined to understand the true relationship of yield attributing components among themselves and with the yield. Maximum direct effect on yield was contributed by capsules/plant followed by weight of 1000 seeds and length of capsule. Hence, the selection of genotypes based on capsules/plant, length of the capsule, weight of 1000 seeds will be quite effective in aiding yield improvement in further generations.

Nutritional and grain quality characters correlation with yield components in different conventional land races and improved varieties for in situ conservation in Tamil Nadu in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The aim of present research was to assess physicochemical and grain qualities of traditional land races and rice cultivars native to temperate region (Tamil Nadu) of India. Traditional varieties in India and across the Asia serious threat of extension because of arrival of high yielding varieties, hybrids, genetically engineered rice came for nowadays to increase the malnutrition and different human disease is the major problem. Trial material comprised of ten parents which comprised in six cultivars of female parents and four conventional landraces utilized as male parents, F 1 , F 2 and F 3 generation of six crosses. Parents and two crosses viz., IR 72 x Veeradangan, ADT 39 x Kavuni were chosen F 3 generation dependent on the biometrical characters present in quality and nutritional traits in grains. These desirable characteristics (nutritional, grain quality) exploit farmers to preserve these traditional and improved cultivars encourage farmers to cultivate.

Genetic divergence analysis of castor (Ricinus communis L)

Castor is an important non edible oil seed crop cultivated throughout the world in varied climatic situation, due to its wider adaptability. Genetic diversity plays a foremost role in developing a potent genotype. Hence the present study was attempted to group 68 castor genotypes into different clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Based on genetic distance, 68 castor genotypes were grouped into 14 clusters. Among the 11 biometrical characters studied, seed yield per plant has contributed more to the total divergence. The maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster XIV and minimal intra cluster distance was recorded in cluster II. Similarly maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster XIII and cluster XIV. The minimal inter cluster distance was observed between cluster III and cluster V. Thus the selection of genotypes from these diverse clusters will help us to arrive at potent segregants in future hybridization programme.

Ovarian maturatıon stages in Arabian carpet shark, Chiloscyllium arabicum, during reproduction and nonreproduction Seasons

The present study aimed to assess the ovarian tissue structure and plasma levels of the hypophysial-gonadal hormones, including 17-β estradiol, progesterone, GTH-I and GTH-II of the Arabian carpet shark, Chiloscyllium arabicum inhabiting the Persian Gulf in spring (April to July) and autumn (August to December). In this regards, a total of 60 C. arabicum female specimens were collected from the Bahrakan Port, in the north of the Persian Gulf. Fish were bleed after euthanization and biometrical characters and levels of 17-β estradiol, progesterone, GTH-I and GTH-II were measured. Fish were then dissected and samples were taken from the ovary and fixed in Bruin’s solution for 48 hrs. Histological sections were prepared using routine histological techniques and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Based on the results, four different developmental stages were observed in the ovary in spring, including stage I, stage II (primary oogenesis), stage III (mediate oogenesis), and stage IV (final oogenesis). However, only three first stages were detected in autumn samples. The plasma levels of the studied hormones were higher in spring. Based on the results, spring (especially mid-April to mid-July) is the reproduction season of C. arabicum in the Persian Gulf.

Comparative tree-ring anatomy of Fraxinus excelsior with Chalara dieback

We tested the hypothesis that the biometrical characters of wood elements in ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior L.) become modified in response to the progression of disease caused by Chalara fraxinea. Anatomical analyses were performed on wood samples collected at breast height from the trunks of groups of ash trees which contained healthy, weakened and dead trees. We measured (1) tree-ring width, (2) earlywood vessel diameter, (3) earlywood vessel element length, (4) fibre length, (5) fibre diameter, (6) fibre lumen diameter, and (7) fibre wall thickness. We showed that tree-ring width diminished in all analysed groups during disease progression. However, the greatest suppression of growth was observed in dead trees. In both weakened and dead ash trees, the reduction in tree-ring width was accompanied by diminished vessel diameter in the earlywood of the outermost annual rings. The annual rings of dead trees had shorter fibres having greater lumen diameter and thinner cell walls. Consequently, water conduction in the sapwood of dead ash trees was less efficient owing to reduced vessel diameter, and this seems to be one of the greatest disease-induced morphological modifications. All the anatomical modifications might be due to leaf loss and crown dieback triggered by Chalara fraxinea.

Comparison of selection indices using different weights for biometrical characters in bajra crop

Comparison of selection indices using different weights for biometrical characters in bajra crop

English

English

An application of principal component analysis for pre- harvest forecast model for wheat crop based on biometrical characters

An application of principal component analysis for the development of suitable statistical models for pre-harvest forecast of wheat yield based on biometrical characters has been illustrated in the present paper. The data obtained from the experiments on wheat under normal and late sowing situations have been utilised to develop the model. The result have revealed that the proposed model can provide reliable pre- harvest forecast of wheat yield in both the situations within the reasonable range of per cent standard error of 2.16 to 4.96 per cent.

Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and character association studies in F3 generation of cross JK8 x Peddasame (purple late) in little millet (Panicum miliare L.)

Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis was carried out for yield and yield components in 542 F3 progeny lines developed by crossing JK8 x Peddasame (purple late) in little millet during Kharif 2015. Seven biometrical characters were studied for estimating genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV), genetic advance, heritability (broad sense), genetic advance as per cent of mean, correlation co-efficient and path co-efficient among themselves. High GCV and PCV were observed for number of productive tillers per plant and per plant yield. High heritability was observed for plant height and 1000 seed weight. Number of productive tillers per plant showed maximum genetic advance as per cent of mean followed by grain yield per plant, panicle length and plant height. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for plant height and 1000 seed weight. Grain yield per plant possessed significant positive correlation with plant height, panicle length, number of productive tillers per plant and 1000 seed weight. Number of productive tillers per plant imparted maximum direct effect on grain yield followed by panicle length, 1000 seed weight and plant height. How to cite this paper : Nandini, C., Sujata, B., Krishnappa, M. and Aruna, Y.R. (2016). Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and character association studies in F3 generation of cross JK8 x Peddasame (purple late) in little millet (Panicum miliare L.). Asian J. Bio. Sci., 11 (2) : 244-249.DOI : 10.15740/HAS/AJBS/11.2/244-249.

An application of principal component analysis for pre- harvest forecast model for rice crop based on biometrical characters

An application of principal component analysis for the development of suitable statistical models for preharvest forecast of rice yield based on biometrical characters has been dealt with in the present paper. The data obtained from the two experiments on rice have been utilised to develop the model. The forecast yields of based onthese models have been found to be 24.25, 22.60 and 21.10 q/ha against the actual yield of 28.00, 23.56 and 21.85 q/ha, respectively, in experiment –I. For experiment –II the forecast yields were found to be 24.62, 28.06 and 29.43 q/ha against the actual yield of 28.82, 29.31 and 26.59 q/ha, respectively. These forecast yields are subject to maximum of almost 10 percent standard error. In most of the cases, the forecast yields were found to be close to the actual yield except in some cases. The values of R2, i.e. 79.80 and 72.60 for experiment –I and II, respectively, indicate the validity of the models. Statistical tool like viz. principal component analysis (PCA) has been first time applied to develop pre-harvest forecast model based on experimental data.

Estimation of mean performance in sorghum downy mildew resistant back cross progenies (BC3F1) of maize

The present investigation was carried out at Department of Millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India to identify the best performing sorghum downy mildew resistant progeny for agronomical traits. The objective of this study was to identify the better per se performance of the resistant progeny. Twelve biometrical characters of sixteen SDM resistant progenies viz., UMI 79/936-C1-3-2, UMI 79/936-C1-3-4, UMI 79/936-C1-7-2, UMI 79/936-C1-7-7, UMI 79/936-C1-29-8, UMI 79/936-C1-29-9, UMI 79/936-C1-29-13, UMI 79/936-C1-29-23, UMI 79/936-C1-29-35, UMI 79/936-C1-29-36, UMI 79/936-C1-67-3, UMI 79/936-C1-67-12, UMI 79/936-C1-67-25, UMI 79/936-C1-101-12, UMI 79/936-C1-101-13 and UMI 79/936-C1-101-14 were used for mean performance. Studies revealed that among the progenies, UMI 79/936-C1-7-7 and UMI 79/936-C1-7-2 showed better per se performance for yield contributing characters. These two progenies showed highest mean values than the other progenies. It exhibited more mean values than the parents for the characters viz., cob length, cob diameter, number of rows per cob, number of. kernels per row, cob weight, yield per plant, 100 grain weight. Based on the mean values progenies UMI 79/936-C1-7-7 and UMI 79/936-C1-7-2 confirmed as the best progenies.

Genetic Variability Studies in F2 and F3 Segregating Generations for Yield and its Components in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is the most important cereal on the globe, being the main source of energy and income for the majority of the world’s human population. In this study six crosses of F1 generation were advanced to F2 and F3 segregating generations for variability, heritability and genetic advance of rice genotypes. Among the six crosses studied, IR 72 x Veeradangan and ADT 39 x Kavuni exhibited superior per se performance in both F2 and F3 generations for almost all the biometrical characters studied including yield. The F2 and F3 populations of the IR 72 x Veeradangan and ADT 39 x Kavuni showed moderate PCV, GCV coupled with high heritability estimates and high genetic advance as percentage of mean for number of productive tillers per plant, number of filled grains per panicle and single plant yield.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF CHARACTER ASSOCIATION FOR POLYGENIC TRAITS IN SOME RECOMBINANT INBRED LINES (RIL’S) OF RICE (Oryza sativa L.)

Fourteen recombinant inbred lines (RIL’s) obtained from IR 30 and Basmati 370 were evaluated along with two popular varieties viz. Khitish (IET4094) and Minikit (IET 4786) for 14 biometrical characters during summer 2012 at Regional Research Station, New alluvial Zone, Chakadaha, Nadia, Bidhan Chandra KrishiVishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India., in Randomized Block Design with two replications. Except number of primary branches per panicle, grain breadth and kernel breadth all the characters studied showed significant differences among the genotypes. Four lines (S7, S10, S13 and S14) possessed significantly higher grain yield than superior check variety. The high estimates of GCV and PCV were obtained for number of panicle per plant, grain yield per plant, floret number per panicle, number of grains per panicle and panicle weight. High heritability was observed for number of panicle per plant, kernel L/B ratio, kernel length, 1000 grain weight and grain L/B ratio. High genetic advance was observed for number of grain per panicle, floret number per panicle, grain yield per plant, number of secondary branches per panicle and 1000 grain weight respectively while lowest genetic advance was observed in kernel breadth. Genetic advance as percentage of mean was highest for number of panicle per plant followed by grain yield per plant, florets number per panicle and Kernel L/B ratio while lowest was recorded for kernel breadth. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was obtained for number of grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight, kernel length and grain yield per plant. It indicated the predominance of additive gene action for controlling these characters. Therefore, these characters can be improved simply through selection. High heritability associated with low genetic advance was observed for panicle weight, grain length, grain L/B ratio and kernel L/B ratio. It suggested non–additive gene action for the expressions of these characters. The magnitude of genotypic correlation coefficient was in general higher than that of the corresponding phenotypic ones. Grain yield per plant was significantly positively correlated with number of panicles per plant, floret number per panicle and number of grain per panicle. The kernel length imparted the highest positive direct effect on grain yield per plant followed by number of grain per panicle, number of panicle per plant and panicle weight. Keyword: recombinant inbred lines (RIL’s), correlation, genetic advance, heritability and path coefficient.

Pre-harvest forecast models for wheat yield based on biometrical characters

Some statistical models for pre-harvest forecast of wheat yield based on biometrical characters in situation of normal and late sowing of wheat have been developed in the present paper. In both the situations, linear multiple regression model (model-I), where biometrical characters are used in the original form, has been found to be the best forecasting model as it has consistently smaller percent standard errors for the forecast yield of wheat alongwith maximum value of R2adj. (49 to 51%).

Gene effects and genetic analysis of indigenous land races and improved cultivars for yield and yield components in rice (Oryza sativaL.)

Rice is one of the crucial staple food crops and its unique grains assist to hold two third of world population. Generation mean analysis is commonly used in studies of inheritance of quantitative traits. Experimental material consisted of ten parents which included six high yielding varieties used as female parents and four traditional landraces used as male parents, F1, F2 and F3generation of six crosses viz., IR 72 x Veeradangan, ADT 39 x Kavuni, ADT 45 x Kavuni, ADT 43 x Navara, ASD 16 x Navara and TPS 4 x Kathanellu. Seven biometrical characters indicated that additive and dominance x dominance gene actions were predominant with duplicate type of gene action for five biometrical characters viz., plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, panicle length, number of filled grains per panicle and single plant yield. The epiststic effects, additive x additive [i] and dominance x dominance [h] were highly significant in most cases. The signs of (h) and (l) were opposite in all studied traits for most crosses. Non-allelic gene interaction was operating in the control of genetic variation in most studied traits. Also, the inheritance of all studied traits was controlled by additive and non-additive genetic effects, but dominance gene effects play the major role in controlling the genetic variation of the most studied traits. Present study indicated that early generation selection is effective and should be practiced for future breeding program.

Typical features, characterization and breeding objectives of Begait sheep in Ethiopia

Typical features, breeding objectives and morphological as well as biometrical characters of Begait sheep breed were studied in two districts (Setit Humera and Kafta Humera) of Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaires, recording body weight, linear body measurements and field observations were employed. Begait sheep breed is described as long and thin tailed (up to 50-cm long), with muscular body, short and smooth hair and polled for both male and female sexes. As reported by the respondents� growth rate (0.21), tail length (0.20), appearance/conformation (0.19) and coat colour (0.18) were the most important traits in selecting breeding rams. For breeding ewes� body size (0.27), age at first service (0.15), growth rate (0.14) and coat colour and tail (0.13) were their first, second, third and fourth traits, respectively. Sites and age had significant (P < 0.01) effect on body weight and most linear body measurements. Relatively, Kafta Humera had lower values in body weight and most of the linear body measurements than Setit Humera. The overall mean body weight and body length of female Begait sheep were 31.4 ± 0.4 kg and 62.5 ± 0.5 cm, respectively. The corresponding values for male Begait sheep were 34.5 ± 0.5 kg and 66.1 ± 0.5 cm, respectively. The existing traditional herding, breeding practices and trait preferences are the key breeding components that need improvement at smallholder farmers� in Ethiopia.