Edible Oilseed Research Articles

Glycine betaine: A multifaceted protectant against salt stress in Indian mustard through ionic homeostasis, ROS scavenging and osmotic regulation.

Salt stress is a prevalent environmental issue that disrupts the redox balance and metabolic processes in plants, leading to reduced crop growth and productivity. Currently, over 6.74 million hectares in India are salt-affected, and about 75% of this land lies in states that are the major cultivators of edible oilseed crops (rapeseed-mustard). Therefore, this study focused on the efficacy of glycine betaine (GB) supplementation in mitigating the detrimental effects of salt stress in Brassica juncea L. (Indian mustard) plants. Indian mustard plants were subjected to salt stress [0, 50, 100, and 150 mM sodium chloride] 20 days after sowing (DAS), while a foliar spray of 20 mM GB was applied to the foliage at 50 and 70 DAS. The data showed that salt stress substantially reduced growth, photosynthetic rate, membrane stability, and yield by significantly increasing lipid peroxidation, ion toxicity, cell death, electrolyte leakage, and reactive oxygen species accumulation that triggered oxidative stress. Supplementation with 20 mM GB provided tolerance to plants against salt-induced toxicity since it substantially increased growth, biomass, water content, nutrient uptake, and photosynthetic efficiency. Additionally, GB enhances the accumulation of osmolytes, enhances the antioxidant defence system, improves ionic balance, and enhances cell viability. Taken together, the obtained data provides deeper insights into the beneficial effect of the exogenous GB application that could have biotechnological uses to enhance crop stress tolerance in challenging environments.

Management of Collar Rot Disease in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Caused by Aspergillus niger in Rajasthan Through Bio-control Agents

Background: Groundnut is an economically important edible oilseed crop. Groundnut suffers from seed, soil and foliar diseases. Among the groundnut diseases, collar rot is one of the economically important diseases. Collar rot is damaged regularly due to its seed and soil-borne nature. This disease is prevalent in almost all groundnut-growing states. Collar rot disease of groundnut is one of the most serious, destructive diseases and yield losses range from 13 to 52% and can be as high as 93.6% in some areas. Being mainly a soil-inhabiting pathogen, many environmental and soil factors are responsible for disease development. Methods: Field experiment was conducted for four years to find out effective control of collar rot of groundnut. Eight treatments including fungicides/bio agents along with control were laid in randomized block design with three replications. Efficacy of deep summer ploughing with mould board plough+Seed treatment with Tebuconazole followed by PGPR+Soil application of Trichoderma enriched in 250 kg FYM/ha at 35 and 80 DAS along with farmer practices as well as control was tested at ARS, Bikaner in RBD design during kharif season from 2017 to 2020 for management of collar rot diseases of groundnut. Result: The result of experiment revealed that deep summer ploughing with mould board plough+Soil application of Trichoderma @ 4 kg/ ha enriched in 250 kg FYM/ha+Seed treatment with Tebuconazole 2 DS @ 1.5 g/kg of seed followed by seed treatment with PGPR @ 625 g/ha of seed+Soil application of Trichoderma @ 4 kg/ha enriched in 250 kg FYM/ha at 35 and 80 DAS (T4) gave maximum germination (93.00%), minimum collar rot incidence (6.17%) and highest pod yield (4066.3 kg/ha) followed by deep summer ploughing with mould board plough+Seed treatment with Tebuconazole 2DS 1.5g/kg seed followed by PGPR @ 625 g/ha of seed+Soil application of Trichoderma @ 4 kg/ ha enriched in 250 kg FYM/ha at 35 and 80 DAS (T1) where germination (89.30%), collar rot (7.04%) and with pod yield (3661.9 kg/ha). All the treatment significantly were superior as compared to control, where minimum germination (82.00), maximum collar rot incidence (15.59 %) and minimum pod yield (2125.1 kg/ha) were recorded. As regard to ICBR, in different treatments, maximum ICBR ratio (1:20.68) was recorded in treatment consisting (T4): Deep summer ploughing with mould board plough+Seed treatment with Tebuconazole 1.5 g/kg seeds+Soil application of Trichoderma @ 4 kg/ha enriched in 250 kg FYM/ha at 35 and 80 DAS followed by treatment (T1).

Water use and yield response of rainfed safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in Vertisols with varying soil depths

AbstractSafflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an edible oilseed crop mainly cultivated in marginal lands. This study evaluates safflower crop water requirements to understand its feasibility to cultivate under rainfed ecosystem through a field experiment undertaken at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semiarid Tropics research farm, India. Eight improved and stress‐tolerant safflower cultivars (five spiny and three non‐spiny) were evaluated in Vertisols at three soil depths, that is, shallow: <0.60 m, medium: 0.60–1.20 m, and deep:1.20–1.80 m, over 3 years (2009–2012). Wet, normal, and deficit rainfall years were experienced during 2009/2010, 2010/2011, and 2011/2012, respectively. Soil moisture, crop yield, and growth parameters were measured, and field‐scale hydrology was captured through a calibrated one‐dimensional water balance model. Safflower responded to available residual soil moisture which varied with soil depth and rainfall received in different years. Total crop water use was 300–320 mm during the postrainy season, of which about 70% was extracted in deep Vertisols and 55% in medium Vertisols through residual soil moisture. In addition, 30% of water requirement was met through postrainy season rainfall. Safflower grown in shallow Vertisols could only meet 40% of crop water requirement. Spiny cultivar NARI‐H‐15 grown in deep soil recorded a maximum yield of 1890 kg ha−1 in the wet year. Seed yield from spiny cultivars grown in deep and medium soils was nearly similar (1500–1600 kg ha−1) during wet and normal years; a significant reduction in yield (>50%) occurred in shallow soils and also during a rainfall deficit year. Spiny cultivars produced 10%–50% higher seed yield compared to non‐spiny cultivars. Growing safflower in medium and deep Vertisols provides opportunities for crop intensification.

Rabi groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) yield in different agro-ecologies of eastern India: Factors analyses

Improving edible oilseed production is a need of the hour to ensure food security in India. Numerous efforts were made to fasten these efforts, including implementation of Cluster Frontline Demonstration (CFLDs). In this initiative, the groundnut crop has also been promoted in various parts of India in the form of CFLD under different agro-ecological zones of eastern India through the lead taken up by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, the Farm Science Centre (KVK) of Odisha and West Bengal. The assessment aimed at underlying the relative importance of the factors affecting the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield in this region. A study was carried out in the winter (rabi) season 2018–22, revealed that the application of improved technologies, namely seed treatment, use of biofertilizers, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), irrigation etc. increased groundnut yield to the tune of 46.83%. The benefit-cost ratio of demonstrated plot was much higher (2.04) against the traditional practices (1.63). Further, seed treatment, application of bio-fertilizer, and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) were the major determinants behind enhancement of groundnut yield. These critical factors can significantly contribute towards augmenting the yield of groundnut followed by enhancing the profitability of farmers, besides addressing the agroecological challenges in different agro-ecological zones of eastern India.

Optimizing Potassium and Iron Levels for Enhanced Sunflower Yield in Peshawar Valley

Sunflower cultivation is integral to meeting the demand for edible oil seeds, necessitating the optimization of plant nutrient application for optimal crop production. A field trial conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, during the summer of 2022 aimed to assess the impact of varying potassium and iron levels on sunflower yield and yield components. Four levels of potassium (0, 30, 45, and 60 kg ha-1) and four levels of iron (0, 5, 10, 15 kg ha-1) were investigated using a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications, maintaining one control plot in each replication. Iron sulfate and Muriate of potash were utilized as sources of iron and potassium, respectively. Results revealed that applying potassium at a rate of 60 kg ha-1 led to maximum head diameter (18.38 cm), thousand-achene weight (47.56 g), biological yield (7476 kg ha-1), and grain yield (2039 kg ha-1) accompanied by taller plants (169.3 cm). Similarly, iron application at a rate of 15 kg ha-1 resulted in increased plant height (159.2 cm), maximum head diameter (18.01 cm), 1000 achene weight (47.8 g), biological yield (7416 kg ha-1), and grain yield (2062 kg ha-1). Notably, the effect of iron on plant height was non-significant. Based on the findings, the application of potassium at 60 kg ha-1 and iron at 15 kg ha-1 is recommended for achieving higher sunflower yields in agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar valley. This study revealed the significance of tailored nutrient management strategies for maximizing sunflower productivity in specific region

Evaluation of Tebuconazole 6% FS against Collar Rot, Stem Rot and Root Rot Disease Complex in Groundnut

Groundnut regarded as “king of oil seed crops” is an economic important food legume and edible oilseed crop in India, which severely suffers from soil borne diseases of groundnut, collar rot (Aspergillus niger), stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) and root rot (Rhizoctonia solani) causing major havoc causes significant economic losses. The field experiments were conducted to find out the efficacy of Tebuconazole 6% FS as a seed treatment fungicide against collar rot, stem rot and root rot diseases complex in ground nut during Rabi 2014-15 and Rabi 2015-16. The treatment Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 4.0 ml/10 kg and Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 5.0 ml/10 kg of seeds were found be the best treatments for seed germination, root and shoot length in during both the seasons.During first season, Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 5.0 ml/10 kg of seeds and Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 4.0 ml/10 kg of seeds were recorded 1.77 and 2.14 per cent collar rot incidence, 3.07 and 4.23 per cent stem rot disease incidence and 4.93 and 5.05 per cent root rot disease incidence, respectively. Similarly during second season, Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 5.0 ml/10 kg of seeds and Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 4.0 ml/10 kg of seeds were recorded 1.89 and 2.06 per cent collar rot incidence, 4.05 and 5.13 per cent stem rot incidence and 5.74 and 5.94 per cent root rot incidence, respectively. The highest pod yield was obtained from seed treatment with Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 5.0 ml/10 kg of seeds i.e. 20.22 q/ha and 20.10 q/ha during first and second season, respectively and Tebuconazole 6% FS @ 4.0 ml/10 kg of seeds recorded 20.12 q/ha and 20.00 q/ha of pod yield during first and second season, respectively.

Biochemical Changes: Their Potential Role against Fungal Disease Resistance Development in Mustard

Rape-seed mustard is an imperative edible oilseed crop which is adversely affected by different biotic stresses causing import of edible oils from abroad. The experiment was carried out for screening mustard genotypes based on disease indexing and putative role of diverse biochemical parameters in development of resistant against three major fungal diseases. A modified 0-9 scale was used for rating of disease indicators to calculate disease incident (DI). In disease indexing, mustard genotypes L-4, GSC-7 and PC-6 were considered as immune against Alternaria brassicae, Maya, L-4, China, GSL-1, GSC-7, PC-5, PC-6 and RP-9 were classified as immune against Albugo candida while L-4 and PC-5 were found immune against Erysiphe cruciferarum. The study of biochemical constituents demonstrated that these immune genotypes accumulated higher osmolytes content including free proline content and total phenol under diseased condition showing their tolerance ability against these pathogens. The tolerant genotypes also had lesser lipid peroxidation rate as indicated by malondialdehyde content analysis to induce lesser effect on total chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins and soluble sugars including reducing and non-reducing sugars. These identified genotypes have wider scope for further phyto-pathological studies and utilization in development of fungal resistance breeding.

Genetic manipulation of Indian mustard genotypes with WRR-gene(s) confers resistance against Albugo candida.

Brassica species is the second most important edible oilseed crop in India. Albugo candida (Pers.) Kuntze, a major oomycete disease of oilseed brassica causing white rust, leads to 60% yield loss globally. The prevalence of A. candida race 2 (Ac2V) that specifically infects B. juncea, coupled with limitations of conventional methods has resulted in a dearth of white rust resistance resources in cultivated varieties. In an effort to develop resistant plants, Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation of three B. juncea genotypes viz., susceptible host var. Varuna, along with its doubled haploid mutant lines C66 and C69 (showing moderate tolerance to field isolates of A. candida) was initiated to transfer resistance genes (WRR8Sf-2 and WRR9Hi-0) identified in Arabidopsis thaliana against race Ac2V, that encode for Toll-like/interleukin-1 receptor-nucleotide binding-leucine-rich repeat proteins that recognize effectors of the pathogen races. Our results demonstrate that introduction of resistance genes from a tertiary gene pool by genetic transformation enhances disease resistance in B. juncea genotypes to a highly virulent Ac2V isolate.

TBO's and alternate sources of oils

Oils are triglycerides of glycerol with free fatty acids. The major source of edible oils in agriculture is from the seeds of crops like soya, groundnuts, rapeseed (mustard), sesame, sunflower, safflower etc. Tree-Borne Oilseeds, commonly called TBO`s, are not considered as sources of edible oilseeds, except for oil palm and coconut, and hence do not occupy an important place in the highly commoditized edible oil markets. However, they do have the potential to play major roles in agri-business due to several alternative uses they have, the most important of which is as raw material for production of bio-diesel, an environment-friendly substitute for petro-diesel, which is by far the highest used liquid petroleum fuel in transport and industry sectors. Some of the more potential TBO species are pongamia, simarouba, mahua, neem, jatropha, sal etc.

Comparative assessment of yield, oil content and fatty acid composition of spiny and non-spiny safflowers

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the edible oilseeds crops which is neglected due to its spiny nature that poses difficulties in field operations; however, this problem can be sorted out by introducing non-spiny safflower cultivars. Hence, a 2-year study (2020–2021 and 2021–2022) was planned to assess the production potential of spiny (5 accessions) and non-spiny (5 accessions) safflower germplasm and an experiment was laid out using randomized completed block design (RCBD) under semiarid conditions of Faisalabad (Pakistan). Agronomic and oil traits were targeted during study. In 2021, non-spiny safflower accession PI-198990 gave the highest seed yield and oil percentage as compared to spiny safflower. However, the highest linoleic concentration was noted in spiny PI-199829 accession whereas the greatest oleic acid percentage was determined in non-spiny PI-235660 accession. Principal component analysis unveiled two components accounting for 39.5% and 25.7% of total variation. Biplot graph indicated that seed oil content, seed yield and 1000-seed weight had the highest correlation in the 2nd group while in the 3rd group plant height, days to maturity and oleic acid were correlated. These targeted characters can be considered as suitable index for selection of safflower elite accessions for semi-arid conditions. In general, non-spiny safflower accession responded 19%, 4.3%,10.7%, 21.6%, 6.2% and 77.9% greater in plant height, number of branches, number of heads (capitula), 1000-seed weight, seed yield and oleic acid respectively. From the data of this 2-year studies, we concluded that spiny safflower accessions exhibited 1.2% and 16.3% more oil and linoleic acid content respectively.

Is increasing MSP result in increasing area under annual edible oilseed crops?

Oilseed crops are the second most important determinant of the agricultural economy, next only to cereals within the segment of field crops. The present study assessed the trend and relationship between MSP, CoC, area and productivity of oilseed crops. The data collected from secondary sources such as from DA&FW, CACP and frontline demonstration reports were used for analysis. The increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) during 2017 to 2021 ranged from 73.3% in rapeseed -mustard to 29.5% in niger crop. The Cost of cultivation (CoC) has increased steadily for all the oilseed crops. The area under different oilseed crop increased except for sunflower (-6.0%), safflower (-21.9%) and niger (-50.8). The productivity for all the oilseed crops showed increasing trend.

Contribution of oil palm towards self sufficiency in vegetable oil production in Telangana: An analysis

Oil palm as a crop is new to several districts of Telangana but the state ranks 6th in area, 2ndin production of oil palm in the country, while it ranks 1st in Oil Extraction Rate (19.22%) which is a model for fixing FFB price. Twenty six districts were identified suitable for the crop. After the introduction of oil palm in the state barely 10 years ago, the area has reached to 37,485 ha by the end of Vanakalam (Kharif) 2022. More area is coming up in Yesangi (Rabi) 2022, thus the area under oil palm should hopefully cross 80,000 ha by the end of 2022-23 season raising Telangana State to 2nd position in India (Department of Horticulture, 2021).With respect to edible oils, groundnut, sesame, soybean, sunflower and safflower are the edible oilseed crops cultivated in Telangana (Department of Food and Public Distribution, GOI, 2021), The annual per capita consumption of edible oil in Telangana was 14.64 L in the year 2016 (Food Consumption Pattern in Telangana State– 2017), the annual requirement of edible oils is 0.51million MT (calculated based on a population of 35 million).

Safflower heterosis for yield and its contributed characters

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the major edible oilseed crops grown in winter season in India. The first safflower hybrid released in India for commercial cultivation in all safflower growing regions was based on genetic male sterility system. Twenty two hybrids were tested using line x tester design involving two cytoplasmic male sterile lines during rabi 2018, using Randomized block design with three replications. Twenty two along with three checks 'A-1, PBNS-12, PKV Pink' were evaluated at the field of Oilseeds Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola during rabi 2019-2020 to estimate extent of heterosis in safflower genotypes. Among all the crosses, AKS CMS 2A x GMU 1183 (46.15 % and 44.30%) exhibited highly significant and positive average heterosis for number of seeds per plant over mid and better parent. crosses, AKS CMS 2A x GMU 184 (49.26% and 34.44%) exhibited highly significant and positive average heterosis for 100 seed weight, whereas, cross AKS CMS 2A x GMU 5149 (15.28% and 9.32%) exhibited highly significant and positive average heterosis for volume weight. The highest heterosis and heterobeltiosis in desirable direction were recorded for seed yield per plant in AKS CMS 2A x GMU 1654 (246.96. %) and the cross AKS CMS 3A x GMU 1183 (206.75%) showed highest and significantly positive standard heterosis over the checks i.e. PKV PINK, AKS 207 and PBNS-12.Biotechnological tools, such as genetic engineering need to be perfected for incorporation of mitochondrial male sterility causing factor of sunflower into safflower to develop safflower hybrids which can be more easily produced.

New endophytic strains of Trichoderma promote growth and reduce clubroot severity of rapeseed (Brassica napus).

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the world's third most important edible oilseed crop after soybean and palm. The clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae poses a significant risk and causes substantial yield losses in rapeseed. In this study, 13 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from the healthy roots of rapeseed (B. napus) grown in a clubroot-infested field and molecularly identified. Based on germination inhibition of resting spores of P. brassicae, two endophytic fungal antagonists, Trichoderma spp. ReTk1 and ReTv2 were selected to evaluate their potential for plant growth promotion and biocontrol of P. brassicae. The Trichoderma isolates were applied as a soil drench (1×107 spore/g soil) to a planting mix and field soil, in which plants were grown under non-infested and P. brassicae-infested (2×106 spore/g soil) conditions. The endophytic fungi were able to promote plant growth, significantly increasing shoot and root length, leaf diameter, and biomass production (shoots and root weight) both in the absence or presence of P. brassicae. The single and dual treatments with the endophytes were equally effective in significantly decreasing the root-hair infection, root index, and clubroot severity index. Both ReTk1 and ReTv2 inhibited the germination of resting spores of P. brassicae in root exudates. Moreover, the endophytic fungi colonized the roots of rapeseed extensively and possibly induced host resistance by up-regulated expression of defense-related genes involved in jasmonate (BnOPR2), ethylene (BnACO and BnSAM3), phenylpropanoid (BnOPCL and BnCCR), auxin (BnAAO1) and salicylic acid (BnPR2) pathways. Based on these findings, it is evident that the rapeseed root endophytes Trichoderma spp. ReTk1 and ReTv2 could suppress the gall formation on rapeseed roots via antibiosis, induced systemic resistance (ISR), and/or systemic acquired resistance (SAR). According to our knowledge, this is the first report of the endophytic Trichoderma spp. isolated from root tissues of healthy rapeseed plants (B. napus.), promoting plant growth and reducing clubroot severity.

The Indian oilseeds scenario : Challenges and opportunities

Vegetable oils are critical for the nutrition security of our people in India. Through technological means such as refining, bleaching and deodorisation, newer oils like cotton seed, sunflower, palm oil, soybean and rice bran have become popular in recent times. India occupies a prominent place in global oilseeds scenario with 12-15% of area, 6-7% of vegetable oil production, and 9-10% of the total edible oil consumption and 13.6% of vegetable oil imports. The oilseeds sector has remained vibrant globally with 4.1% growth per annumin the last three decades. In India, oilseeds account for nearly 3% of the gross domestic product and 5.98% of the value of all agricultural products. India hasrich diversity of annual oilseed crops on account of diverseagro-ecological conditions. Nine annual oilseeds, which include seven edible oilseeds, viz., groundnut, rapeseedmustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame, safflower and niger and two non-edible crops, viz., castor and linseed are grown in the country. Despite having the largest area under oilseeds in the world (26.77 mha), India currently imports about 50% of total oil requirement at a huge cost of ` 56,000 crores (2011-12). The proportion of import has increased from a meagre 3% in 1970-71 to almost 56% in 2012-13.

Comparative evaluation of penalized regression models with multiple linear regression for predicting rapeseed-mustard yield: Weather-indices based approach

Rapeseed-mustard (Brassica spp.) is one of the important edible oilseeds crops in India. The same level of weather condition impacts the growth and establishment of rapeseed-mustard plant differently in different stages of crop which lead to large intra-seasonal yield variations. Hence it is essential to give weightage to weekly weather conditions while fitting predictive model. In this present study, path-coefficient based weighted index was proposed along with existing unweighted and correlation based weighted index. The performance of penalized regression models viz. Ridge Regression, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Elastic Net (ENET) were compared with Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) for predicting rapeseed-mustard yield using weather-indices. The results revealed that the path-coefficient based weighting of weather parameters to the yield were stable than correlation based weighted-indices. Path-coefficient based weighted indices of maximum temperature, minimum temperature and windspeed were important variables in projection of yield. The performance of MLR was poor during validation of model due to overfitting issue. The performance of penalized models was stable in both calibration and validation of the model. The LASSO and ENET models that accompanied with coefficient shrinkage and variable selection were found to be the best fitted models for predicting Rapeseed-Mustard yield.

Enhancing water use efficiency in rainfed Indian-mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Mustard is the second most important edible oilseed crop of India. It accounts for more than 25 per cent of thetotal oilseed products in the country. A field experiment of Indian mustard was conducted during rabi 2018-19 atOilseed Research Farm, Kalyanpur, Kanpur (U.P.) using different doses of hydrogel and salicylic acid @ 2.5 and5.0 kg and 100 ppm, 200 ppm/ha respectively, using in Indian mustard variety Varuna. The results indicated that the doses of 5.00 kg/ha hydrogel and 200 ppm salicylic acid spray at flowering stage and siliqua formation stage was better. It gave more than 19.98 per cent higher grain yield in comparison to control.

LESION MIMIC MUTANT 1 confers basal resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in rapeseed via a salicylic acid-dependent pathway.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a major edible oilseed crop consumed worldwide. However, its yield is seriously affected by infection from the broad-spectrum non-obligate pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum due to a lack of highly resistant germplasm. Here, we identified a Sclerotinia-resistant and light-dependent lesion mimic mutant from an ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized population of the rapeseed inbred Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11) named lesion mimic mutant 1 (lmm1). The phenotype of lmm1 is controlled by a single recessive gene, named LESION MIMIC MUTANT 1 (LMM1), which mapped onto chromosome C04 by bulked segregant analysis within a 2.71-Mb interval. Histochemical analysis indicated that H2O2 strongly accumulated and cell death occurred around the lesion mimic spots. Among 877 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ZS11 and lmm1 leaves, 188 DEGs were enriched in the defense response, including 95 DEGs involved in systemic acquired resistance, which is consistent with the higher salicylic acid levels in lmm1. Combining bulked segregant analysis and transcriptome analysis, we identified a significantly up-regulated gene, BnaC4.PR2, which encodes β-1,3-glucanase, as the candidate gene for LMM1. Overexpression of BnaC4.PR2 may induce a reactive oxygen species burst to trigger partial cell death and systemic acquired resistance. Our study provides a new genetic resource for S. sclerotiorum resistance as well as new insights into disease resistance breeding in B. napus.

Policy interventions, market, and trade considerations with special reference to rapeseed and mustard

Rapeseed and mustard oil is one of the most consumed edible oils in India due to pungency and colour. India needs nearly 15-20 million tonnes of rapeseed and mustard seed to meet its growing demand as against current production of 9-10 million tonnes of seeds. As per WHO standards, mustard oil with low saturated fatty acid content and high mono unsaturated fatty acid content is a healthy oil and therefore needs special importance in domestic edible oil basket. Currently (2022-23), Government of India (GOI) is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) - (Oilseeds & Oil palm) for increasing oilseeds production and area expansion under oil palm. The NFSM (OS&OP) will be dropped and two new Scheme National Mission on Edible oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds and NMEO-Oil Palm will be implemented with the aim to enhance the edible oilseeds production and oils availabilityin the countrybyharnessing oilseeds and palmoil productivityand to reduce import burden on edible oils. Besides, NMEO-OS the private participation in technology demonstration, input supply, procurement of produce, value addition, infrastructure development and honey production are very much essential to increase edible oils production.

Spatio-temporal performance of major edible oilseeds in Andhra Pradesh

The current analysis examines the spatio-temporal performance of major edible oilseed crops viz., groundnut, sesame and sunflower in Andhra Pradesh using time series data from 1970-71 to 2018-19. The total period wasdivided into three sub-periods viz., Period I (1970-71 to 1985-86), Period II (1986-87 to 1999-2000) and Period III (2000-01 to 2018-19). Agro-climatic zones, in which these crops were consistently grown, were selected and theirperformance was evaluated using compound annual growth rates and decomposition analysis. Growth of area and production of groundnut and sunflower exhibited frequent declined growth rates, particularlyin Period III, signifying the underperformance of these crops. The performance of sesame was better vis-a-vis groundnut and sunflower. There was no significant decline in growth rates of yields, which could be partly attributed to efforts from the research community and government to increase the yield through various oilseeds development programmes. Although efforts were made towards increasing area, production and yield, the positive growth momentum of area and production could not be sustained. Shift of major oilseeds' cultivation towards competing crops, low profitability, unremunerative market prices, low farm level technical efficiency, increased costs of inputs, higher biotic and abiotic stresses etc., could be some of the reasons for this scenario. Location specific research with focus on hybrids and HYVs with high oil content, addressing the constraints to technology adoption, favourable price policies, enhancing capacityutilization of processing units, creatingmore efficient supply and value chains mayhelpin meeting the oil and oilseed requirements in the country.