Component Traits Research Articles

Assessment of Heterosis and inbreeding Depression for Yield, and its Associated Components Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present investigation entitled was carried out at Main Rice Research Centre, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during kharif-2023 with an objectives to obtain information on manifestation of heterosis and extent of inbreeding depression involved in the inheritance of various yield attributing characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.). This study comprised three crosses using four diverse lines. The experimental material comprised of five generations each cross of pair parents i.e. P1, P2, F1, F2 and F3 of three different crosses were conducted in Compact Family Block Design with three replications during kharif 2023. For grain yield per plant all the three crosses (IRBB 55 × Mahisagar, IRBB 55 × GR-11 and IRBB 55 × TN-1) exhibited significant and positive relative heterosis as well as heterobeltiosis. Among them the highest mid parent heterosis of 39.67% and heterobeltiosis of 7.56% were exhibited by cross IRBB 55 × GR-11. This hybrid showed positive and significant relative heterosis for all the four important characters viz., productive tillers per plant, panicle length, grains per panicle and 100 grain weight. While, the inbreeding depression was found significant and positive for all the three crosses which is not desirable for grain yield per plant. Here, all the three crosses exhibited positive heterosis followed by positive inbreeding depression indicated that trait is under influence of non-additive type of gene action and heterosis breeding would be found rewarding for improvement for grain yield per plant.

How ‘dark’ are Latino: Implications for nascent entrepreneurship

Nascent entrepreneurs, individuals in the initial stages of establishing new business ventures, play a crucial role in both the economy and society. By focusing on personality and workplace dynamics this study analyzes the antecedents of individual's intention to embark on entrepreneurship by using survey data from 1497 employees across nine Latin American countries including Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Cuba, and Brazil. Our cross-cultural results reveal that a higher presence of all three components of Dark Triad traits—Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism—significantly enhances an employee's inclination toward entrepreneurship. Additionally, workers who have higher scores in these three traits perceive themselves as being ostracized or marginalized in the workplace due to their personality characteristics. This perception, in turn, makes them more interested in seeking alternative paths, such as starting their own business. Interestingly, males generally scored higher on Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism compared to females. However, in Cuba, females scored higher than males on all three traits. Geographically, Chilean employees had the highest scores for Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism, while Peruvian employees had the lowest scores for Machiavellianism and narcissism. Cubans scored the lowest in terms of psychopathy. These findings highlight the complex relationship between personality traits and workplace dynamics in influencing entrepreneurial intentions, offering valuable insights into the motivations driving entrepreneurial pursuits.

Carbon Isotopic Composition Reflects Intrinsic Water Use Efficiency But Not its Component Traits in Sugarcane

Water is the most important resource in plant growth and is a major limiting factor in sugarcane productivity worldwide. Improving water use efficiency (WUE) can increase sugarcane productivity relative to available water resources by increasing photosynthetic capacity relative to transpiration and stomatal conductance instead of decreasing stomatal conductance. Leaf carbon stable isotopic composition (δ13Cleaf) can serve as a proxy for intrinsic WUE (WUEi) because WUEi and δ13Cleaf are theoretically related through the link between intracellular and ambient CO2 concentrations (Ci/Ca) and leaf CO2 discrimination (Δ13Cleaf). In this study we surveyed 55 sugarcane genotypes for WUEi, leaf WUE (WUEleaf), Ci/Ca, and δ13Cleaf by gas exchange measurements and stable isotope analysis. We hypothesized that significant genotypic variation was found in WUEi, WUEleaf, and δ13Cleaf within the sugarcane population in Louisiana. We also hypothesized that both WUEi and δ13Cleaf and Δ13Cleaf and Ci/Ca were correlated and that δ13Cleaf could be used as a proxy for WUEi in sugarcane. Here WUEi and WUEleaf had a genetic effect and were controlled mostly by water loss (stomatal conductance or transpiration). WUEi, WUEleaf, Ci/Ca, and δ13Cleaf were correlated, but δ13Cleaf was not correlated with the component traits of WUEi (photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance). δ13Cleaf shows promise as a proxy for WUEi to at least be able to select the tails of the distribution, but the relationship between WUEi and δ13Cleaf may not be sufficiently strong to select WUE at a finer scale.

Genotype × Environment Interaction for Grain Yield and Its Component Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for Varietal Recommendations in Meghalaya State of India

The study aims to evaluate the stability of fifteen wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under varying sowing dates to identify genotypes with superior grain yield and stability in the North Eastern Region of India. The study also seeks to assess G×E using the Eberhart and Russell model and the AMMI model, to recommend suitable genotypes for cultivation in this region. This is a two-year field study conducted during the rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. Fifteen genotypes were sown on six different dates including E1 (27th Oct. 2017-18), E2 (6th Nov. 2017-18), E3 (16th Nov. 2017-18), E4 (27th Oct. 2018-19), E5 (6th Nov. 2018-19), and E6 (16th Nov. 2018-19) to evaluate the stability of these genotypes. This experiment was performed in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. All genotypes exhibited significant differences across the studied environments. The genotype-environment interaction was significant for most traits except days to 50% crop emergence, test weight, and harvest index. RAJ-3765 and HD-2985 were identified as high-yielding and stable genotypes across all environments, while HD-3118 and HD-2733 performed well in favorable conditions. The AMMI analysis revealed that HD-2985 and RAJ-3765 were the most stable, and WR-544 was the poorest performer. Genotypes RAJ-3765 and HD-2985 showed superior stability and yield across diverse environments, making them suitable for broader cultivation in Meghalaya. HD-2733 and HD-3118 were better suited for favorable environments, while WR-544 was the least adapted. These findings suggest the potential for expanding wheat cultivation in the region using these stable genotypes.

Assessment of Combining Ability and Gene Action in F1 Generation for Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L). Millsp.

To estimate combining ability and nature of gene action, twenty four pigeonpea crosses were developed from ten parents in Line × Tester fashion during Kharif 2022-23 and were evaluated in Randomized Block Design with three replications during Kharif 2023-24. The estimates of σ2gca were lower than the corresponding σ2sca for all the twelve characters studied indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action. Among the parents, the line GJP 1915 was found to be good general combiner for seed yield per plant and its yield contributing characters like plant height, number of primary branches per plant and pod length. The tester GJP 1820 was also good general combiner for seed yield per plant and its component traits like plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight. The cross BDN 2013-41 × UPAS 120 had registered the highest sca effect for seed yield per plant. The sca effect in this cross combination was also accompanied by significant and desirable standard heterosis and high per se performance for days to maturity, reproductive phase duration, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod and significant and desirable heterobeltiosis for days to maturity, reproductive phase duration, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight. The cross GJP 1915 × BLACKTUR had registered significant and positive sca effect for seed yield per plant which was also accompanied by highest per se performance for pod length. These cross combinations can be potentially utilized in future breeding programmes for exploitation of hybrid vigour.

Factors influencing faculty's adoption of engineering technology: A qualitative study

With technologies changing faster than ever before, engineering faculty must continuously update the technologies they use and teach to students to meet accreditation requirements and keep up with industry standards. Many do not, however. Additionally, existing models of technology adoption do not account for all variability within intention to use a technology, nor its actual use. Informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study examined which constructs from prior models apply to engineering faculty's adoption of industry-specific technologies, as well as other factors influencing faculty adoption of these technologies for their teaching or research. We interviewed 21 engineering faculty at a Midwestern United States STEM-focused institution about their adoption of engineering technologies. Deductive and inductive coding were used to identify themes within the qualitative data. Constructs from existing models were confirmed to influence faculty engineering technology adoption. We also identified specific Facilitating Conditions (Other People, Digital Resources, Non-Digital Resources, Time, and Formal Training) that faculty leverage to adopt new engineering technologies, and uncovered two additional themes—Access and Personal Traits, including several component traits (Persistence, Humility, Self Efficacy, Growth Mindset, Ambiguity Acceptance, and Curiosity) that influence faculty engineering technology adoption. We propose a new Theory of Faculty Adoption of Engineering Technologies specific to faculty adoption of new engineering technologies. These findings have the potential to help universities determine how to effectively support faculty in providing their students with relevant technological skills for entry into the engineering workforce.

Assessment of Genetic Diversity for Yield Component Traits and Grain Yield of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper

Due to its high nutritional content and ability to supply a diet rich in protein, pulses hold a special place in Indian agriculture. In contrast to the world's production of cereals, pulses are grown seldom in low-fertile soils under conditions of moisture stress, which eventually hides their actual yield capability due to inadequate management approaches. The current study's objective is to estimate the genetic parameters of 13 yield attributing traits in 20 genotypes of urd bean to choose more yield-contributed characters in urd bean. Number of pods per plant revealed high estimates of PCV, GCV and heritability. In the Metroglyph study, superimposition of genotypes was seen because to the near closeness of two variables used to display the genotypes. In this classification analysis made based on number of pods per plant and harvest index for all the 20 genotypes of urd bean form four complexes. Out of 20 genotypes, 4 genotypes like IC-331226, IC-261173, IC-385718, and IC-426495 were recorded highest index score and fell into different complex, hence used as parents for getting good combinations for future hybridization programmes.

Prioritization of candidate genes for major QTLs governing yield traits employing integrated multi-omics approach in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rapidly identifying candidate genes underlying major QTLs is crucial for improving rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we developed a workflow to rapidly prioritize candidate genes underpinning 99 major QTLs governing yield component traits. This workflow integrates multiomics databases, including sequence variation, gene expression, gene ontology, co-expression analysis, and protein-protein interaction. We predicted 206 candidate genes for 99 reported QTLs governing ten economically important yield-contributing traits using this approach. Among these, transcription factors belonging to families of MADS-box, WRKY, helix-loop-helix, TCP, MYB, GRAS, auxin response factor, and nuclear transcription factor Y subunit were promising. Validation of key prioritized candidate genes in contrasting rice genotypes for sequence variation and differential expression identified Leucine-Rich Repeat family protein (LOC_Os03g28270) and cytochrome P450 (LOC_Os02g57290) as candidate genes for the major QTLs GL1 and pl2.1, which govern grain length and panicle length, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that our workflow can significantly narrow down a large number of annotated genes in a QTL to a very small number of the most probable candidates, achieving approximately a 21-fold reduction. These candidate genes have potential implications for enhancing rice yield.

Genetic Component Analysis in Fruit Yield and Quality Traits in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

A half-diallel cross involving nine okra genotypes was utilized to investigate the inheritance of fruit yield and its component traits. Data from the F1 generation and the parent genotypes were analysed using Hayman's (1954) diallel method. The additive genetic component (D) was found to be significant for the traits like days to last picking in environment E1, and for the number of fruits per plant in environments E2 and E3, but non-significant across all environments for fruit yield per plant. The dominant components (H1 and H2) were found significant for all traits studied under all environmental condition. This revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions play a vital role in the expression of the traits studied. The dominant component's (H1 and H2) relative magnitude was greater than the additive component for most of the traits, suggesting the importance of dominance effects on expression of those traits. The average degree of dominance showed an overdominance effect for the traits studied. The ratio of dominant to recessive genes indicated that the parents had an excess of dominant genes for fruit yield per plant. Thus stated the presence of overdominance for yield, reciprocal technique is the most effective recurrent breeding scheme for producing improved hybrids.

Genetic components analysis of F1 and F2 generations for seed yield and its component traits in green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Genetic components analysis of F1 and F2 generations for seed yield and its component traits in green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Phenotypic performance and heritability of milk yield and its component traits of two types of Holstein German cattle.

Phenotypic performance and heritability of milk yield and its component traits of two types of Holstein German cattle.

A behavioral syndrome of competitiveness in a non-social rodent

Animals compete for limited resources such as food, mating partners, and territory. The outcome of this intraspecific competition should be determined by individual variation in behavioral traits, such as aggressiveness and dominance status. Consistent among-individual differences in behavior likely contribute to competitiveness and predispose individuals to acquire specific dominance ranks during parts of their adult life. Nevertheless, how dominance rank is correlated with animal personality traits remains largely unclear. In a first step towards better understanding these functional links, we studied trait integration into behavioral syndromes, using 26 captive male bank voles (Myodes glareolus). We repeatedly assessed boldness in an emergence test, exploration in an open-field test, aggressiveness in staged dyadic encounters, and the among-individual correlations between these behaviors. We further related these personality traits to dominance rank, from quantifying urine marking value (UMV), as marking in bank voles is related to dominance rank. We found repeatable variations in boldness, exploration, aggressiveness, and UMV, which were correlated at the among-individual level. Aggressiveness tended to be negatively correlated with body condition, a proxy for fitness. Thus, key personality traits and social rank are functionally integrated into a behavioral syndrome of intraspecific competitiveness. By joining social and non-social aspects of personality, our findings contribute to the ecological validation of personality traits and suggest how they contribute to higher-order component traits, such as dominance which directly affect fitness components.

Metabolomics Uncovers the Mechanisms of Nitrogen Response to Anthocyanins Synthesis and Grain Quality of Colored Grain Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Nitrogen (N) is a key factor for plant growth and affects anthocyanin synthesis. This study aimed to clarify the potential mechanisms of N levels (LN, 0 kg·ha-1; MN, 150 kg·ha-1; HN, 225 kg·ha-1) in anthocyanin synthesis and grain quality of colored grain wheat. HN increased the yield component traits and grain morphology traits in colored grain wheat while decreasing the processing and nutrient quality traits. Most quality traits were significantly negatively correlated with the yield composition and morphological traits. Anthocyanin was more accumulated under LN conditions, but other related yield and morphological traits of colored grain wheat declined. The anthocyanin content was the highest in blue wheat, followed by that in purple wheat. Cyanidin-3-O-(6-O-malonyl-β-d-glucoside) and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside were the predominant anthocyanins in blue and purple wheat. The identified anthocyanin-related metabolites were associated with flavonoid biosynthesis, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Therefore, the study provided information for optimizing nitrogen fertilizer management in producing high quality colored wheat and verified the close relationship between anthocyanin and low N condition.

A reduced vernalization requirement is a key component of the early-bolting trait in globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus)

Early bolting is a major breeding objective for globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.). It has been suggested that globe artichoke bolting time is linked to a vernalization requirement, although environmental conditions under which vernalized plants and controls have been grown may not always allow for proper comparison. Here, we defined morphological markers to monitor the vegetative-to-reproductive phase transition at the shoot apex and linked these to expression changes of homologs of key Arabidopsis flowering regulators SOC1, FUL, and AP1. Importantly, we developed an experimental setup where control and vernalized plants grow under comparable conditions. These tools together allowed for comparison of the vegetative-to-reproductive phase transition between early- and late-bolting genotypes and how they respond to vernalization. Our results show that vernalization requirement is significantly lower in early-bolting genotypes, supporting the hypothesis that the early-bolting trait is at least partly underlain by alterations in the network controlling vernalization response.

Phenotypic and transcriptomics characterization uncovers genes underlying tuber yield traits and gene expression marker development in potato under aeroponics.

Transcriptome analysis in potato varieties revealed genes associated with tuber yield-related traits and developed gene expression markers. This study aimed to identify genes involved in high tuber yield and its component traits in test potato varieties (Kufri Frysona, Kufri Khyati, and Kufri Mohan) compared to control (Kufri Sutlej). The aeroponic evaluation showed significant differences in yield-related traits in the varieties. Total RNA sequencing was performed using tuber and leaf tissues on the Illumina platform. The high-quality reads (QV > 25) mapping with the reference potato genomes revealed statistically significant (P < 0.05) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) into two categories: up-regulated (> 2 Log2 fold change) and down-regulated (< -2 Log2 fold change). DEGs were characterized by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Collectively, we identified genes participating in sugar metabolism, stress response, transcription factors, phytohormones, kinase proteins, and other genes greatly affecting tuber yield and its related traits. A few selected genes were UDP-glucose glucosyltransferase, glutathion S-transferase, GDSL esterase/lipase, transcription factors (MYB, WRKY, bHLH63, and BURP), phytohormones (auxin-induced protein X10A, and GA20 oxidase), kinase proteins (Kunitz-type tuber invertase inhibitor, BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-associated receptor kinase 1) and laccase. Based on the selected 17 peptide sequences representing 13 genes, a phylogeny tree and motifs were analyzed. Real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis was used to validate the RNA-seq results. RT-qPCR based gene expression markers were developed for the genes such as 101kDa heat shock protein, catechol oxidase B chloroplastic, cysteine protease inhibitor 1, Kunitz-type tuber invertase inhibitor, and laccase to identify high yielding potato genotypes. Thus, our study paved the path for potential genes associated with tuber yield traits in potato under aeroponics.

Epistatic interactions for seed yield and component traits in Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata)

Epistatic interactions for seed yield and component traits in Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata)

Study of Genetic Variability and Character Association for Yield and Components Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Germplasm in Bundelkhand Region

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a very important crop among the grain legume crops in India. It is grown in north India in the winter season on marginal and semi-marginal land as a commonly non-irrigated crop. Bundelkhand, a region in Uttar Pradesh, India, is notorious for its harsh climate, characterized by extreme heat and drought stress. Temperature fluctuate with highs reaching 50°C in summer and lows of 5°C in winter, exert substantial adverse effects on chickpea cultivation, impairing crop growth and yield and demand to have genetic resources used in breeding programs. The experiment aimed to characterize and evaluate 204 chickpea lines, including commercial varieties, to understand the magnitude of variability and the association of various yield parameters on the yield of chickpea based on 12 agro-morphological characters under Bundelkhand region. ANOVA shows that significant variation exists for most of the characteristics of chickpeas. Higher GCV and PCV were observed for plant population (GCV 24.92, PCV 31.22) followed by the number of secondary branches (GCV 21.61, PCV 26.55), number of pods per plant (GCV 12.92, PCV 18.47), seed yield per plant (GCV 11.39, PCV 21.98) and biological yield per plant (GCV 11.68, PCV 20.37), revealing that the environment plays a positive role in the expression of these characters. High heritability was found by 100 seed weight (96.41) followed by seed yield per plant (84.11) and number of pods per plant (66.26) and a high degree of genetic advance was found in the number of pods per plant (26.24) followed by biological and seed yield per plant (15.25 and 6.92). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found in seed yield per plant, followed by biological yield per plant, indicating selection could be rewarding in proper breeding programs. Correlation and path studies showed that biological yield per plant (r-0.91), number of pods per plant (r- 0.680), number of secondary branches per plant (r-0.46), number of seeds per pod (r-0.32) and 100 seed weight (0.29) turned out to be the main components for seed yield per plant in chickpea, stipulating that these characters could be desirable selection parameter.

Yield Trait Association Studies through Principal Component Analysis in Bi-Parental Population Derived from indica/tropical japonica Inter Sub-Specific Cross in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In the present investigation, a mapping population consisting of 189 lines derived from an inter sub-specific cross between an indica cultivar, ‘Samba Mahsuri’ and a tropical japonica accession, ‘Cuba 65’ was investigated to assess the trait contribution to variability employing principal component analysis (PCA). The study aimed at determination of inter-relationships among various yield attributing traits vis-à-vis individuals of the mapping population. Out of eleven principal components (PC), first four PCs exhibited Eigen value more than one accounting to a total of 68.73% cumulative variance among the characters. The first PC accounted for the highest variability (PC1 31.6%) to the total variability, followed by 14.51% (PC2), 12.69% (PC3) and 9.91% (PC4). The highest positive Eigen value observed for the tiller number (0.33) and panicle number (0.32) in PC1 indicated their pronounced effect in the overall variation in the population. The analysis revealed the traits that contribute maximum for the variation. PCA also revealed negligible effect of days to fifty percent flowering, grain size and spikelet fertility to the variability in the mapping population. Although all the studied traits except grain size showed significant positive association with grain yield; negative correlation was observed between some of the component traits. Panicle weight, thousand grain weight and grain number showed negative association with tiller number and panicle number. The latter two traits contributed to the maximum variability in the population. The trait associations identified in the present investigation will help in determining the selection criteria to be adopted in the development of high yielding cultivars involving indica/tropical japonica populations.

The influence of exercise intensity on comorbid anxious behavior in psychiatric conditions

Many experts have extensively studied the potential of exercise as a treatment option for psychiatric conditions, including depression and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite their core symptoms, these conditions exhibits comparable component traits, an anxiety. In this study, we explored the effect of exercise on behavioral abnormalities in psychiatric conditions, focusing on its intensity and emotional resilience. Shank3B knockout (KOSED) mice displaying self-injurious repetitive behavior and C57BL/6J mice, susceptible to stress as ASD and depression model, respectively, were subjected to moderate-intensity exercise (ME) for 2 weeks. ME mitigated the core symptoms (excessive grooming traits and behavioral despair) but did not exert a significant anxiolytic effect. Notably, exercise intensity has emerged as a critical determinant of its efficacy, as evidenced by a lower ventilation threshold and anxiolytic effect mediated by low-intensity exercise. The findings substantiate the notion that exercise is promising as a disease-modifying treatment, but intensity matters for emotional resilience.Graphical

Study of gene effects for seed oil yield and its component traits in bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Study of gene effects for seed oil yield and its component traits in bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)