Department Of Plant Breeding Research Articles

Morphological Characterization and Evaluation Of Snake Gourd Genotypes for Fruit Yield, Yield Attributes and Other Characters

The experiment was conducted at the research field of Horticulture Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Raman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) during the period from March to June 2017 to characterize and evaluate the snake gourd genotypes morphologically. In the study, 55 snake gourd genotypes collected from Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Genetics and Plant Breeding Department of BSMRAU, different seed companies and various parts of Bangladesh. The genotypes exhibited 67.3% cylindrical, 21.8% elliptical, 1.8% fusiform, 9.1% ovate shape fruit along with 56.4% green, 18.2% light green, 16.4% dark green and 9.0% white fruit. Seed colour with 38.2% was brown and 83.6% seed shape was elliptical. The fruit length varied from 12 to 54 cm while fruit diameter varied from 3.5 to 5.5 cm. Days to 1st female flower opening ranged between 44 and 62 days and nodes number on female flower initiation was between 12 and 26. Days to 1st fruit harvest varied from 54 to 72 days. The number of fruits/plants ranged from 8.33 to 27, whereas individual fruit weight varied from 90 to 325g. Fruit yield/plant ranged from 1.29 to 7.74 kg. Genotypes were TC01, TC03, TC04, TC05, TC07, TC08 and TC19 identified as early maturity. The genotypes differed significantly in most of the parameters and offer a good scope for selection of parent for crop improvement programme.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(4): 349-370, December 2020

Combining Ability and Heterosis Analysis for Seed Yield Related Traits in Brassica Napus

Brassica napus L. is important oilseed crop, having higher oil contents (40%) with low contents of glucosinolate and erucic acid, make it perfect for edible purpose. Ten Brassica napus L. genotypes were crossed in line × tester mating design. Seven high yielding female lines were crossed with 3 low yielding testers. The 21 F1’s along with parents were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three repetitions in the field of Department of Plant Breeding and genetics, UAF. Out of thirteen attributes, eleven attributes (plant height, days taken to flower initiation, days taken to 50% flower initiation, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of siliques per plant, siliqua length, seed yield per plant, 100-seed weight, seed yield per plot and oil content) showed significant results for all genotypes under study while two attributes (seed per siliqua and protein content) were non-significant. The parent ZN-M-9 was chosen as excellent overall combiner for plant height, days taken to flower initiation, days to 50% flowering and number of siliques plant-1 and ZM-M-6 and Rainbow identified as the excellent general combiner for the seed yield plant-1 and seed yield per plot, respectively. The cross ZN-M-9 × ZMR-3 & DGL × ZN-R-1 identified as good specific combiners for seed yield plant-1 and seed yield plot-1, respectively. The cross ZM-M-6 × ZMR-3 was selected as best for days taken to first flower beginning, days taken to 50% flowering, and oil content on the basis of better parent heterosis. The genetic information obtained in this research will be helpful for the breeder during their future breeding program

Agronomic Response of Bell Pepper to the Aplicatión of Ultrasol Chile® in Fertigatión to the Open Field

Aims: To determine the agronomic response of the bell pepper grown in open field to the application of the Ultrasol chile® fertilizer via fertigation.
 Study Design: It was with the completely randomized model with five treatments (T0 or control, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 g L-1 of Ultrasol chile®) and four repetitions each. The comparison of means was by Tukey ≤ .05.
 Place and Duration of Study: Experimental fields "the Bajío” Buenavista, Plant Breeding Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro. between June 2019 to December 2019.
 Methodology: In bell pepper five treatments were applied (T0 or control, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 g L-1 of Ultrasol chile®). The treatments were carried out via fertigation and applied three times a week, the applications started 15 days after the transplant and until the end of the cycle.
 Results: The yield behaved in a similar way with the applied doses of the fertilizer, however, they exceeded the control by more than 90%. Average fruit weight (AFW), fruit length (FL) and equatorial diameter of fruit (EDF) showed a differential statistical response, in which the application of 1 g L-1 of Ultrasol chile® via fertigation resulted in a better response and it surpassed the control in 120, 44 and 13.5% respectively. The height of the plant was statistically similar between the control and the 1.2 and 0.8 g L-1 treatments. The correlations indicate that the crop yield is a function of the AFW, FL and NFP, in turn the FL and EDF, are what determine the AFW.
 Conclusion: The most appropriate dose of Ultrasol chile® for bell pepper grown in the open field was 1 g L-1, since it improves the average weight of fruit, equatorial diameter of fruit and length of fruit, therefore, there is feasibility in the use of this commercial formulation.

Heterosis and correlation studies in F1 hybrids of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

The goal of the study was to determine whether the heterotic influence and phenotypic link between a numbers of yield variables in F1 hexaploid wheat hybrids could be controlled (Triticum aestivum L.). Our research trail was held at the Botanical Garden of Sindh Agricultural University's Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics in Tandojam, Pakistan. Six parental varieties (Sunhri, PBGST2, Sarsabz, TD1, TJ83, and Moomal) and nine F1 hybrids (TJ83 x TD1, PBGST2 x TD1, TJ83 x Moomal, TD1 x Moomal, TD1 x Sarsabz, Sarsabz x Sunhri, and TJ83) were supplied with material seed by the Department of Plant Breeding. After eight characters were evaluated, the experimental fields were selected and put into a randomised complete block design with four repetitions. The hybrids differed considerably (P 0.01) for every trait examined with the exception of plant height and maturity up to 75% of the time, whereas the parents showed no differences in grain yield. There was significant heterosis in the F1 hybrids, as seen by the mean square of the parent and the hybrid. Overall, maturity was important up to 75% of the time, even if it was negatively correlated with the majority of production metrics, meaning that genotypes with early maturation produced lower yields. The spikelets spike-1, seed index, and harvest index in plant-1 were all adversely connected with plant height, however grain yield was significantly and favourably correlated with all yield indices. These findings showed that choosing plants that produce more grain could be based on one or more yield components.

Coriander Seed Quality and Vigour Assessment as Affected by Bioregulators and Varied Irrigation Regimes Based on Climatological Approach

The evaluation of seed quality parameters in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) under different irrigation regimes based on climatological approach and varied compositions of stress mitigating chemicals was carried out in the Laboratory of Seed Technology Research Unit, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, JNKVV Jabalpur (M.P.). The investigation consisted of four Irrigation regimes ie IW/CPE 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 and stress mitigating chemicals (Salicylic acid, thiourea and KNO3) with different concentrations. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replicates during Rabi season (2020-21 and 2021-22). Marked influence of applied irrigation regime was exhibited by the seed lot collected from plots with IW/CPE ratio 0.8. The maximum standard germination of 82.89% was recorded in seeds from the plants which were grown in sufficient moisture content comprising of IW/CPE 1.2. Exogenous application of salicylic acid improved the seed germination parameters. The highest concentration was most effective in each treatment. Salicylic acid @ 150 ppm expressed better results. The results depicted higher test weight with 17.80g, higher plumule length of 15.75cm, radical length of 5.61 cm, seedling height of 21.36 cm, maximum magnitude 1841.64 and 28.33 of seed vigour index I & II respectively for Jawahar Dhaniya-10 was registered when the seeds harvested from plots with treatment combination of IW/CPE 0.8 along with foliar spray of salicylic acid @ 150ppm (I2C2). Higher content of 89.57% total solids was expressed under interaction of IW/CPE 0.6 with exogenous application of thiourea @ 500ppm (I1C3). Hence it can be concluded that treatment combination of IW/CPE 0.8 along with foliar spray of salicylic acid @ 150ppm (I2C2) ascertained better seed germination and quality attributes.

Ploidy study of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) through PMC’s method

Determination of the ploidy level of plants is utmost important for identification of species, selection of suitable parental lines and also to identify the relationships between species to determine the evolutionary patterns. In chrysanthemum species, chromosomes often have different degrees of differentiation, both between and within species. Total 30 genotypes of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) were used to study the cytology in the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping and Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana during 2019 with the objective to find out the genetic variation among the diverse genotypes of chrysanthemum. The ploidy level of 30 chrysanthemum genotypes was studied through meiotic study of pollen mother cells and for this study of meiotic chromosomes, stage and timings of bud collection is very much important. A range of ploidy level was encountered in chromosomal study of selected chrysanthemum germplasm and ploidy level was 2n= 52–116. This study indicated that polyploidy variation was found in all varieties of chrysanthemum selected for study. The elucidation of ploidy level of various crops and species provides foundation for understanding their genetic background, therefore, the results of present study will be further helpful for germplasm conservation of chrysanthemum flower crop.

Multivariate and Association Analyses of Quantitative Attributes Reveal Drought Tolerance Potential of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes

ABSTRACT Drought is a major abiotic stress that limits wheat productivity around the globe. Therefore, a two-year (2019 and 2020) study was conducted in the experimental area of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture & Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan to estimate the association of quantitative attributes under normal and drought stress conditions. Twenty-five wheat genotypes from different research institutes of Pakistan were selected. Experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) under field conditions with three replicates each. Two irrigation treatments were used, i.e., E1 with full irrigation and E2 with irrigation withheld at tillering and anthesis stages according to Zadoks growth stage scale. Significant differences were observed in studied wheat genotypes under both conditions for all the traits. Correlation analysis revealed highest positive association (r = 0.924**) between grain yield and flag leaf area followed by thousand grain weight (r = 0.754**) under normal conditions while biological yield was highly correlated with grain yield (r = 0.890**) under drought stress. PCA showed that out of the 12 PCs, only four were significant having eigenvalues >1; accounting for 83.33% and 79.12% of the total variation under normal and drought stress conditions, respectively. Furthermore cluster heat map divided the genotypes into four clusters and revealed that the most tolerant genotypes (Barani-17, Chakwal-50 and Johar-2016) were fallen into cluster 2 depicting their genetic relatedness. Based on tolerance indices, genotypes G11 (Barani-17), G12 (Ehsan-16), and G13 (Dharabi-11) were drought tolerant and G4 (Benazir-13), G20 (Punjab-2011) were drought-sensitive.

Trait Association Studies in Early Segregating Generations of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

Background: Cowpea is a major pulse crop in India. Developing cowpea cultivars with high yield and sustainable protein content contributes to food and nutritional security. Hybridization followed by careful selection of genotypes from the early segregating populations may produce a final cultivar with high yield coupled with high protein content. Methods: The genetic material used in the present investigation were derived from crosses of three cultivars i.e., H10 (Anaswara x PKB 3) and H11 (Anaswara x PKB 4). The crosses were evaluated in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur during cowpea season 2015-2017. Trait association based on correlation and path analysis was carried out with phenotypic data from F2 and F3 generations of the crosses. Result: In F2 generation of cross H10, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod displayed significant positive correlation with seed yield per plant. In F3 generation of cross H10, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight per plant exhibited significant positive correlation with seed yield per plant. In cross H11, number of pods, pod length, single pod weight, number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight revealed significant1 positive correlation with yield in segregating generations. On path analysis, various quantitative characters showed positive direct effects on seed yield. Selection of segregants based on the yield contributing characters is likely to be desirable for yield improvement in cowpea.

Effect of Different Treatments and Packaging Material on Germination and Seed Quality Characteristics of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) under Ambient Storage Condition (Variety-SiA-3088)

The current study was conducted in 2021 at the Lab Experimentation Center at the Genetics and Plant Breeding Department of the Naini Agricultural Institute at the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences in Prayagraj. Four replications and thirteen different treatments, including T0- control, T1: Cow urine at 2% for 6 hours; T2: Cow urine at 4% for 12 hours; T3: Cow urine at 8% for 24 hours. T4: 0.25 percent seaweed extract for 12 hours; T5: 0.50 percent seaweed extract for 12 hours; T6: 0.75 percent seaweed extract for 12 hours. T7- Tulasi leaf extract at 5% for six hours, T9: Tulasi leaf extract 15% for 24 hours, T8: Tulasi leaf extract 10% for 12 hours T10 has a 2 percent moringa leaf extract, T11 a 4 percent moringa leaf extract, and T12 an 8 percent moringa leaf extract. and three different types of packaging P1: polythene bag, P2: gunny bag, and P3: hermetic container taken for the second and fourth months of 2020–21, respectively. Analysis of variance data from the lab experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design showed that the foxtail millets seeds variety produced superior results for all of the characters under study, including germination percentage, shoot length, root length, seedling length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, and seed vigour index -1 and -2. Among the three packaging materials, the variety Sia-3088 treated with cow urine (T1-cow urine 2%) was found to be beneficial in all seedling features. Seeds were shown to be effectively stored in polythene bags with high percentage of germination under ambient storage conditions.

GENETIC VARIABILITY STUDIES FOR YIELD AND WITHIN BOLL YIELD COMPONENTS IN COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.)

Cotton is a prominent fiber crop all across the world, including Pakistan.. But the production of cotton is relatively low in Pakistan. As boll is the basic determinant for yield in cotton crop, the study on within boll yield parameters was carried out using twenty exotic accessions of cotton to check their variability for within boll yield components. The experiment was performed at the research area of the department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The genotypes were seeded in three replications following randomized complete block design (RCBD). At maturity, data were collected for different within boll yield parameters. The analysis of variance showed significant results for nine out of eleven parameters studied. Principal component analysis revealed that genotype ZB-18015 showed maximum variation with respect to all parameters because it was at a maximum distance from the origin followed by genotype ZB-18020, ZB-18019 and ZB-18018 respectively. Cluster analysis identified particular groups of genotypes that were having maximum similarity with each other. In addition, the findings of the current study revealed the potential of different accessions of cotton for development of high yielding varieties. This information may be used to devise breeding strategies in the future to enhance cotton production and variety development.

Character Interrelationship and Principle Component Analysis of Some Black Gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) Genotypes under Moisture Stress Deficit Environment

Two pot experiments were conducted with ten black gram genotypes during winter in the net house of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Assam Agricultural University, Assam. The present experiment was conducted to assess the character interrelationship and grouping of genotypes based on their performance under water stress. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment in a complete randomized block design with three replications and two environments (Non-stress & Stress environments). The plant was exposed to drought stress during the first flower bud initiation (i.e., 33 days after sowing). The genotypes were screened on the basis of the results of multivariate analysis viz., pearson correlation, path analysis, modified path analysis, cluster analysis based on usual Euclidean distance and principal component analysis. The Pearson correlation, path analysis and modified path analysis identified the proline content and pod per plant as the critical yield determinants under both the environments. Besides, other significant yield contributing traits for water deficit stress were leaf area, chlorophyll content, pod length and seeds per pod. Usual Euclidean distance-based clustering categorized the genotypes into three groups with substantial variation in cluster composition of both stress and non-stress environment. Based on the relationship of characters and genotypes to the PC 1, it can be concluded that the genotypes AKU 10-6 and SBC 40 can be selected for Number of seeds per pod, Chlorophyll content, number of pods per plant and grain yield per plant characters for breeding purposes in both the environments.

Correlation studies among morphological and yield-related traits in sunflower

Abstract Pakistan is in dire need of an oil and oil-based products For this, the prime objective is to pay serious attention to oilseed crops and mainly towards sunflower because the oil is of very good quality in terms of nutrition value; also the cake can be used as feed for animals. The crop can trim the import bill of edible oil. It takes only 130 days to reach maturity with comparatively less cost and highly divined in sense of plentiful yield. Thus breeders are trying to produce good quality accessions that may also fulfil the need of quantity where climate change is also the main issue. The present research was conducted at the Raja wala farm situated near the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during the year 2020–21. Twenty accessions of sunflower were sown in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. From each line, five plants were tested to check the genetic variability, correlation coefficient analysis for different morphological characters and yield-related traits of sunflower. The data of quantitative traits were recorded i.e. plant height (cm), the number of leaves/plant, head diameter (cm), internodal length (cm), leaf area (cm), 100 seed weight (g), total yield per plant (%), oil content (%) and protein content (%). Analysis of variance and mean comparisons of sunflower accessions had highly significant differences for all traits. Most of the character’s ranges are comparable with the ranges found in the literature. The accession G-32 showed good performance for oil content, protein content and head diameter. So, this breeding material can be used in the breeding program for the enhancement of sunflower yield. The accessions G-38, G-28 and G-32 showed good performance for total seed weight, 100 seed weight, oil content and protein content.

Response of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Genotypes for their Germination and early Seedling Parameters Grown Under Different Saline levels

Seedling establishment is a most critical stage that determined the crop production at later stages. An in vitro investigation was carried out at the Laboratory of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sri Karan Narendra College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) in Rabi season 2016-17 to study the response of fenugreek genotypes for their germination and early seedling parameters under five salt stress levels viz. 0.0 mM, 40 mM, 80 mM, 120 mM and 160 mM. Fifteen seeds of each genotype were sown in sterilized Petridish and seedling observations were recorded. Results revealed that the average value was found maximum in the control and minimum at higher salinity level for most of traits. Higher reduction was found at higher salinity levels for most of the characters viz., plumule length, radicle length, seedling length, plumule to radicle length ratio, plumule fresh weight, radicle fresh weight, plumule dry weight, radicle dry weight and seedling vigour index but germination percentage showed less reduction. The contrast between mean of various genotypes in control conditions (S0) versus Sm (mean of S1, S2, S3 and S4) for each character also showed that overall mean was highest in control as compared to the overall mean of salinity levels for all the traits. This investigation concluded that higher level of salinity (above 60 mM) adversely most affected to seed germination and other early seeding traits rather than (below 40 mM) lower salinity levels. Based upon the rank totals of genotype over different salinity levels S1, S2, S3 and S4 (Sm) and characters, the RMt-303 was found to be most desirable genotype followed by UM-385, RMt-143 and RMt-305. These lines would be used as a viable option under saline conditions and better exploit in hybridization programme.

Identification of Drought Tolerant Recombinant Inbred Lines and Estimation of Genetic Diversity by Clustering and Multivariate Analysis in Wheat RILs Populations

The current experiments were carried out in alpha lattice design at the Seed Breeding Farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh state, India, during 2019−20 and 2020−21 crop seasons, using 236 RILs population. The aim of current experiment is to assessment of genetic diversity and identification of promising recombinant inbred lines for irrigated and restricted irrigated conditions through PCA and cluster analysis. The drought selection indices viz. Relative drought index, yield stability index, drought resistance index, mean productivity, stress tolerance index and yield index were performed from two year grain yield pooled data. The principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed through drought selection indices. Drought selection indices viz. relative drought index, yield stability index, yield index were confirm strong positively associated with grain yield under restricted irrigated conditions while mean productivity, stress tolerance index and yield index were strong positively associated with grain yield under irrigated conditions. Moreover, high cluster mean, for grain yield under restricted irrigated condition with associated selection indices was confirmed by 77 inbred lines from cluster I. similarly 128 superior inbred lines were found for irrigated condition. The highest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster I and cluster III therefore the inbred line occupy by cluster I and cluster III were considered as most diverse lines and could be used in farther breeding program to achieve more recombination for drought tolerance.

Genetic Variability for Morphological and Biochemical Traits among the Interspecific F4-5 Populations of Brassica Species

The study was carried out to determine genetic variability, heritability, and genetic progress among the F4-5 population of Brassica species for several biochemical and morphological traits at Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, during the Rabi season 2018-19. In Pakistan, Brassica are economically important and high yielding oil seeds and it is needed to produce improved Brassica varieties for successful expansion of cultivation of oilseed crops. The genetic variability among 51 populations (genotypes) of four interspecific crosses Bn-531xBr-118, Bn-525xBr-118, Bn-514xBj-109 and Bn-510xBj-109 with six parents of Brassica species in paired rows of 4 m length with a spacing of 30 x 10-15 cm (row × plant). Data were recorded on ten different agro-morphological characters and six biochemical traits. The interspecific crosses of Brassica species highly performed all types of morphological traits in populations viz; 142, 129, 196, 186 and 142. Biochemical traits are highly performed in interspecific crosses of F4-5 populations other than parental genotypes. Majority had high to moderate heritability, whereas greatest had less environmental and genetic influence in the expression of these characters and had high heritability with substantial genetic advance. Interspecific crosses showed superior diversity for various traits and thus give a unique opportunity in further evaluation of these materials for profitable exploitation in next generations.

Evaluation of Growth, Physiological, and Quality Parameters on Seed Yield of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill

Fifty genotypes of Soybean, including two checks (JS 20-98 and JS 20-34), were evaluated to assess the effect of various growth parameters on the seed yield of soybean cultivars and to determine their variability in protein and oil content as well as the correlation between both qualitative characters and yield parameters. The study was carried out during the Kharif season of 2019 at Seed Breeding Farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, (MP). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), having three replications. In the present studies, the data regarding Leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), Chlorophyll content index (CCI), oil, and protein percentage showed that there were significant differences among all varieties. The results from these data were analyzed using PCA and correlation analysis. There was a significantly positive correlation of LAI at 30, 45, and 60 DAS with seed yield. There was a significant positive correlation between LAD-1 (30-45DAS) and LAD-2 (45-60DAS) with seed yield and positive correlation between CCI to seed yield. Significantly negative correlation between oil and protein percent with the seed yield of the plant was observed. It was found that genotype EC 456615 had the highest protein content (41.62%), and genotype EC 389170 had the highest oil content (21.50%) among the studied genotypes.

Evaluation the Genetic Variability and Association Analysis of Soybean (Glycine max (l.) Merrill for Some Physiological Parameters

The present study was carried out to estimate the important genetic parameters, heritability, genetic advance correlation, and path coefficient analysis in fifty advanced breeding lines of soybean. Randomized Block design (RBD) with three replications was used to design this experiment at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, JNKVV, Jabalpur in 2020. Genotypes were evaluated for eight traits based on important physiological growth parameters such as leaf area index 1 (30 DAS), leaf area index 2 (45 DAS) leaf area index 3 (60 DAS), leaf area duration 1, (30-45 DAS), leaf area duration 2 (45-60 DAS), seed filling duration, harvest index, seed yield per plant. All statistical analysis was done in CRAN R package. ANOVA revealed a sufficient amount of variability was found among soybean genotypes for all traits assessed, which gives an opportunity to plant breeders for the enhancement of these traits. The value of the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) is greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). The high GCV and PCV were observed for leaf Area Index 1, leaf Area Index 3, leaf Area Duration 2, seed filling duration, harvest index and seed yield. High heritability (0.8) coupled with high genetic advance as percentage mean (66.4) were recorded for leaf area index 1 (30 DAS). It indicates that the trait is governed by additive gene action and directional selection for this trait would be more effective for desired genetic improvement. Correlation coefficient study indicated that Leaf area index 1, leaf area duration1 and harvest index showed a significant positive correlation with seed yield. Greater LAI of soybean genotypes would be enabled greater radiation absorption during the seed filling period. Harvest index showed a significant positive direct effect along with a positive correlation with seed yield, which can be considered as suitable selection criteria for the development of high-yielding soybean genotypes.

Evaluation of Dhaincha Genotypes Based on Seedling Biomass Yield

To improve the fertility of the soil, several green manure crops are being cultivated. Dhaincha, is an ideal green manure crop used for the improvement of soil fertility and it also reclaims problematic soils. To screen out the Dhaincha genotypes based on the seedling biomass, a pot culture experiment was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, with four different genotypes namely Vellore local, Villupuram local, Sivagangai local and Pant dhaincha. Root length, shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root & shoot, base diameter, and biomass per plant were recorded at ten day of intervals till sixty days after sowing. All the parameters showed significant variation and increased steadily every ten days after sowing. Sivagangai local recorded the highest growth parameters than the other genotypes. The highest biomass yield was observed in Villupuram local (0.029 g/plant) at 10 DAS, indicating that it produces more biomass during the early stages of growth. At 60 DAS, Vellore local recorded a high total biomass yield (2.3 g/plant), followed by Villupuram local (1.2 g/plant), Sivagangai local (1.08 g/ plant), and Pant dhaincha (0.9 g/ plant). Based on the growth parameters and High biomass yield per plant Sivagangai local and Vellore local can be selected for further crossing programmes.

Digital Seed Morphometric Analysis of Nigerian Cultivated Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Varieties Grown Under Guinea Savannah Agro-ecology

This study investigated the varietal differences for morphometric properties among Nigerian cultivated rice varieties. Twenty-two rice varieties were grown under rain fed conditions in guinea agro-ecology at National Agricultural Seed Council, Abuja, Nigeria in 2017 and 2018. After 30 days of harvest, seed samples were collected for morphometric evaluation. The seed samples were evaluated in laboratory of the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in 2017 and 2018 using completely randomized design in three replicates. Seeds obtained from the 22 varieties in two years were assessed for: six morphometric (physical) characters: seed projected area, seed straight length (mm), seed curve length (mm), seed straight width (mm), seed curved width (mm), seed width length (mm) and seed perimeter (mm) using an Epson Scanner connected to a computer device to acquire image of the seeds. A reagent instrument from Reagent Instrument Inc. Canada was used for the digital image analysis by running the custom written software WinSEEDLETM (Pro Version). Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance and means were separated using Tukey’s HSD at 5% probability level. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and principal component analyses were also used. Significant varietal differences were observed for all seed physical characters evaluated. Seed physical characters (projected area, curve length, seed width, seed length and perimeters) were higher in 2018 compared to 2017. WAB 189 had superior physical characters. FARO 62 and FARO 22 had the least values for most of the seed physical characters. Most of the seed morphometric characteristics were strongly associated with one another. PC1 with seed projected area, straight length, seed straight width, seed curved width and seed perimeter contributed to the total variation observed. The study concluded that WAB 189 and FARO 50 with superior seed physical characters should be used for future seed improvement programme.

Assessment of genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and its contributing traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The entitled research work “Assessment of genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield & its contributing traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was executed Research cum Intractional Farm, Genetics and Plant Breeding department of IGKV Raipur (C.G.) during kharif 2021. The research material under research comprised of 50 rice germplasm lines including two checks namely Mahamaya and Rajeshwari, which were tested in RBD with two replications with the objectives viz. (1) To estimate genetic variability for yield and quality traits. (2) To study the association analysis among yield and other traits. (3) To analyse the direct and indirect effects on trait under study on grain yield. The observation of research investigation were recorded for total 24 characters viz. Days to 50% flowering, Number of tillers per plant, Panicle length (cm), Plant height (cm), 1000seed weight (g), Grain yield per plant (g), Biological yield per plant(g), Harvest index(%), Paddy length(mm), Paddy breadth(mm), Paddy length breadth ratio, Hulling (%), Milling (%), Alkali spread value, Gel consistency (mm), Amylase content (%), Kernel length (mm), Kernel breadth (mm), Kernel length breadth ratio, Hulled rice length after cooking (mm), Hulled rice breadth after cooking(mm), Cooked rice length (mm), Cooked rice breadth (mm). The analysis of variance showed that there was a highly significant variation in genotypes for all of the studied characters. A small difference between PCV and GCV suggests that the environment has little impact on the concerning traits. The NTPP, TSW, GYPP, BYPP, HI, M, HRR, ASV, GC, AC, KL: B, HRBAC, CRL and CRB had high heritability along with high genetic advance as a percent of mean indicates that the heritability is most likely caused by additive gene action and selection may be effective. Positive significant correlation was showed GYPP with NTPP, TSW, BYPP and HRR with H, M. These characters would be beneficial for increasing yield and choosing superior genotypes among rice cultivars. Positive direct effect on GYPP showed by the HI, BYPP, PLN, DTFF, NTPP, TSW and on HRR showed by PL, M, ASV, GC, KB, KL:B, HRABC, CRL revealed true relationship between them and direct selection for these traits would be beneficial for increasing yield.