Plant Height Research Articles

Combining ability and gene action analysis in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

The present research was conducted in Okra to study combining ability and gene action in a set of 28 F1s developed by crossing seven lines and four testers. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and observations were recorded on 12 traits viz. days to 50% flowering, days to first picking, number of internodes, number of branches plant-1, fruit length at maturity and harvest, number of fruits plant-1, number of seeds fruit-1, seed index, fruit weight, yield per plant and plant height. The results revealed that two lines viz., VRO-4 and Sel-2 were excellent general combiners for most of the traits in both positive and negative direction as per desirable traits. Cross VRO-6 x Varsha Uphar recorded highly significant SCA effects for eight traits and GAO-5 x GJO-3 for yield trait. Variance due to GCA was less than SCA, and the GCA/SCA ratio was less than unity indicating preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the traits. This suggested the feasibility of exploitation of heterosis. Keywords: Gene action, Fruit yield, Okra, GCA and SCA

Stability analysis on elite genotypes of Indian Mustard (Brassica Juncea L.) in Terai Agro-Climatic Region

Abstract Among the oilseed crops, mustard has gained precedence in the human diet due to its superior oil quality. Genotype × environment interactions have a significant effect on plant breeding because it reduces the stability of the genotypes in diverse environments. In order to assess the impact of environments on genotypes and determine the stable genotypes in terms of seed yield and yield attributing characters in the terai agro-climatic zone, seventy-one Indian mustard genotypes were evaluated during two consecutive years,namely, 2017-18 and 2018-19, focusing on nine quantitative characters across six environments. Eberhart and Russell model (1966) of stability analysis revealed that various genotypes exhibited adaptability to favourable and unfavourable environments for different characters, influenced by the different sowing dates over the two years. However, Rohini (SC) and KMR-15-14 to be well adapted in terai agro-climatic zone in respect to seed yield and plant height, while Pusa mustard 27 (EJ 17) were adapted to specifically favorable (rich) environment for the seed yield. In terms of secondary branches per plant and number of siliquae on branches, Pusa mustard 27 (EJ 17) showed adaptability across all types of environments. Therefore, Rohini (SC) and KMR-15-14 were identified as stable genotypes for optimum seed yield across different environmental conditions. Keyword: Mustard, G × E interaction, stability, , Regression, Deviation from regression, Brassica juncea

Response of Chitosan Salicylic Acid Nanoformulations on Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes of Strawberry cv. Winter Dawn

A field experiment was conducted during 2022-23 at horticulture farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. In this experiment, data showed that growth, yield and quality attributes of strawberry were significantly enhanced by Chitosan salicylic acid nanofromulation (CS-SA NF) @ 800-1200 ppm as compare to salicylic acid (SA) @ 100-300 ppm, bulk chitosan (BCH) @ 100-1200 ppm. According to the data the maximum values of growth attributes viz. plant height (25.92 cm), number of branches (11.84) and yield attributes viz. number of fruits per plant (28.68), fruit weight (20.02 g), yield per plant (659.65 g), estimated yield per hectare (366.47 qt.) and quality attributes viz. TSS (7.54 oBrix), ascorbic acid (62.91 mg/100g) and total sugar (7.30 %) were found maximum in CS-SA NF 800 ppm.

Genetic variability, diversity and principal component analysis in B and R lines of rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Hybrid technology is exploited in kharif (rainy) sorghum while the same is not the scenario in Rabi sorghum which is still dominated by landraces and varieties which have poor yield potentiality. Considering the necessity of development of heterotic hybrids, an attempt was made to screen hybrid parents (B and R lines) to assess variability and genetic diversity, for productivity traits. The study was conducted with 32 B and R lines at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur during 2021-22. PCV was observed to surpass GCV across all traits. The traits grain yield per plant, fodder yield per plant, grain number per plant, and harvest index exhibited notably high PCV and GCV. Plant height, panicle length, panicle harvest index, and harvest index recorded high heritability and genetic advance, suggesting their control by additive gene action and potential for improvement via selection. Cluster analysis classified the 32 genotypes into four groups. PCA condensed 14 traits into five principal components, capturing 81.50% of total variation. The genotypes remained scattered in all four quadrants in PCA- Biplot, showing large genetic variability in quantitative traits studied. Keywords: Genetic variability, heritability, diversity, clusters, PCA and rabi sorghum

Integrated Nutrient Management for Growth, Yield and Economic Assessment in Black Gram in Dehradun Valley

The field experiment was carried out at a designated location on the Agricultural Research Farm of Graphic Era Hill University in Dehradun during the kharif season of 2023 to study the influence of integrating organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on growth and productivity of black gram (Vigna mungo). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of nine treatments viz Control (T1), 100% RDF (20:40:20 Kg/ha NPK)(T2), Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 (T3) Bio nitrogen @ 20gm kg-1 seed (T4), 100% RDF+ Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 (T5), 100% RDF + Bio nitrogen @ 20gm kg-1 seed (T6), Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio nitrogen @ 20gm kg-1 seed (T7), 70% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio nitrogen @ 20gm kg-1 seed (T8), 100% RDF+ Vermicompost @ 5 ha-1+ Bio-Nitrogen (T9) each replicated thrice. Integrated Nutrient Management had significantly affected growth, yield and economics of black gram. Maximum emergence count (13.3 m2) was recorded with 70% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio nitrogen @ 20gm kg-1 seed which at par with 100% RDF + Bio nitrogen@ 20gm kg-1 seed (T6) and 100% RDF+ Vermicompost @ 5 ha-1+ Bio-Nitrogen (T9). Growth parameter viz. plant height, number of nodules/plant, dry matter accumulation/m2, branches/plant were reported to be significantly influenced by INM with 70% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio nitrogen @ 20gm kg-1 seed. Similarly, maximum seed yield (36.33 q ha-1) was obtained under 70% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio nitrogen @ 20gm kg-1 seed. Increase in seed yield with the application of by 358.1% and 233.3% was obtained over control (T1) and 100% RDF (T2). The study highlights that combining organic and inorganic sources of nutrients is a simple and effective strategy to improve initial plant stand of black gram crop, ultimately contributing to increased crop growth, yield and better economic returns.

Selection parameters for the improvement of seed yield and attributes in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

The present investigation was carried out with 53 genotypes of cowpea to study association among yield contributing traits. The genotypes were sown in a randomized block design replicated with three replications at the National Pulse Research Centre, TNAU , Vamban, Pudukkottai, during Kharif,2022. Observations on ten traits were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. The coefficient of phenotypic differences was substantially greater than the genotypic variation for all the characters under study, showing that the prevailing variation is mainly governed by the genotypic factor and substantial environmental factors. High heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean were observed for the traits seed yield and 100 seed weight. This showed the role of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits which gives the best chance of their improvement through simple selection. Association analysis revealed that number of cluster/plant and number of pods/plant had a significant and positive correlation on seed yield. Yield component traits viz., plant height, number of branches/plant, number of pods/cluster, number of pods/plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield were high inter-correlated among themselves. Furthermore, it was observed that the number of pods/plant, pod length, and 100 seed weight had the maximum positive direct effects on seed yield. So direct selection for these three traits could help to improve the seed yield potential of cowpea. Keywords: Cowpea, heritability, genetic advance, association analysis.

The potential of phenomic selection for the joint Ethiopian malt barley breeding program

AbstractPhenomic selection is an alternative approach to genomic selection that uses near‐infrared spectra information to predict the performance of genotypes. This research assessed the effectiveness of phenomic selection in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using data from 21 trials carried out at Bekoji, Kofele, Holetta, Debre Markos, and Debre Berhane in Ethiopia from 2018 to 2021. Fivefold cross‐validation analysis showed robust predictability for traits, ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 for days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, 1000‐kernel weight, and grain yield. Days to heading and days to maturity showed similar correlation patterns across the ranges of the wavelengths. Days to heading and 1000‐kernel weight were positively and negatively correlated along the range of the wavelength above 1800 nm, respectively. Forward validation using an independent set of genotypes provided predictability above 0.3 for all traits. This result underscores the effectiveness of phenomic selection and its potential application in low‐budget, small‐scale breeding programs. The study affirmed the Ethiopian barley breeding program could implement phenomic selection as a routine selection tool without extra cost.

Phenotypic Selection of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Elite Lines for Diseases Resistance and Yield Potential

Wheat diseases and pests globally threaten wheat production. Wheat rust diseases are the most distractive biotic constraint of wheat in Ethiopia. Therefore, this experiment aimed to select and develop wheat rust resistance bread wheat varieties for the farmers. The result of the study revealed highly significant variation existed among tested genotypes for Plant Height (PHT), Days to Heading (DTH), Days to Maturity (DTM), Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW), Hectoliter Weight (HLW), and Yield (YLD) at (P< 0.001). Out the forty-nine introduced genotypes, five genotypes: EBW222153, EBW222159, EBW222160, EBW222162, and EBW222164, showed resistance to moderately resistance for both yellow rust and stem rust diseases across the two test locations. Also, they delivered high average yield: 5.9 tha-1, 4.46 tha-1, 5.17tha-1,4.15 tha-1, and 4.79tha-1 respectively. Furthermore, all the above-mentioned genotypes, except EBW222162, showed significantly higher yield at (P<0.05) than the check variety, Shaki. Furthermore, EBW222153, EBW222159, EBW222160, EBW222162, EBW222164, and EBW222178 would resistance to moderately resistance for stem rust at Melkasa. Thus, the selection of these genotypes and advancing to the next stage of breeding pipelines enables to release noble bread wheat varieties for the farmers.

Genotype by environment interaction across water regimes in relation to cropping season response of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

Genotype × environment (GxE) interaction effects are one of the major challenges in identifying cultivars with stable performance across agri-environments. In this study we analysed GE interactions to identify quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) cultivars with high and stable yields under different soil moisture regimes, representing control conditions, waterlogging and drought. Waterlogging and drought treatments were artificially induced using normoxia, a combination of hypoxia-normoxia, and 10% PEG (Polyethylene glycol) under hydroponic growth conditions, respectively. Both waterlogging and drought conditions significantly reduced the plant height (PH), number of leaves (NoL) and number of branches (NoB), stem diameter (SD), leaf area (LA) and dry weight (DW) of quinoa genotypes. The genotype, water regime, and genotype by water regime effects all significantly affected the measured quinoa traits. Based on the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model for DW, the genotypes G18, Puno, Q4, 2-Want, Puno, Real1 x Ruy937 and Titicaca were found to exhibit tolerance and were stable across water regimes. A second-stage evaluation was conducted to test genotype × environment interaction effects in crop production field trials, selecting two contrasting seasons based on soil moisture conditions involving a diverse set of genotypes (58 varieties in total). Our results demonstrate significant variations in both growth and yield among the quinoa genotypes across the cropping seasons. The GGE analysis for grain yield indicate that field conditions matched to G × E under hydroponic experimental conditions and the cultivars G18, Q1, Q4, NL-3, G28, 42-Test, Atlas and 59-ALC were classified within a range of high productivity. Our findings provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms of wide adaptation, while identifying germplasm that enhances the water stress tolerance of quinoa cultivars at early growth stages.

An Enhanced Interaction of Graft and Exogenous SA on Photosynthesis, Phytohormone, and Transcriptome Analysis in Tomato under Salinity Stress.

Salt stress can adversely affect global agricultural productivity, necessitating innovative strategies to mitigate its adverse effects on plant growth and yield. This study investigated the effects of exogenous salicylic acid (SA), grafting (G), and their combined application (GSA) on various parameters in tomato plants subjected to salt stress. The analysis focused on growth characteristics, photosynthesis, osmotic stress substances, antioxidant enzyme activity, plant hormones, ion content, and transcriptome profiles. Salt stress severely inhibits the growth of tomato seedlings. However, SA, G, and GSA improved the plant height by 22.5%, 26.5%, and 40.2%; the stem diameter by 11.0%, 26.0%, and 23.7%; the shoot fresh weight by 76.3%, 113.2%, and 247.4%; the root fresh weight by 150.9%, 238.6%, and 286.0%; the shoot dry weight by 53.5%, 65.1%, and 162.8%; the root dry weight by 150.0%, 150.0%, and 166.7%, and photosynthesis by 4.0%, 16.3%, and 32.7%, with GSA presenting the most pronounced positive effect. Regarding the osmotic stress substances, the proline content increased significantly by more than 259.2% in all treatments, with the highest levels in GSA. Under salt stress, the tomato seedlings accumulated high Na+ levels; the SA, G, and GSA treatments enhanced the K+ and Ca2+ absorption while reducing the Na+ and Al3+ levels, thereby alleviating the ion toxicity. The transcriptome analysis indicated that SA, G, and GSA influenced tomato growth under salt stress by regulating specific signaling pathways, including the phytohormone and MAPK pathways, which were characterized by increased endogenous SA and decreased ABA content. The combined application of grafting and exogenous SA could be a promising strategy for enhancing plant tolerance to salt stress, offering potential solutions for sustainable agriculture in saline environments.

Coupling effects of irrigation amount and fertilization rate on growth and bioactive components of four-year-old licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) in arid regions of Xinjiang

Water scarcity, over-fertilization, and improper crop management practices severely limit the sustainable cultivation of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) in the arid regions of Xinjiang. To elucidate the impacts of integrated water and fertilizer management on the growth characteristics and bioactive components (glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin) of four-year-old licorice plants, a comprehensive four-year field experiment was conducted from 2019 to 2022.The experiment included four irrigation levels (W1: 2500 m³/ha, W2: 4000 m³/ha, W3: 5500 m³/ha, W4: 7000 m³/ha) and four fertilization rates (F1: 305 kg/ha, F2: 610 kg/ha, F3: 915 kg/ha, F4: 1220 kg/ha), following a completely randomized design. Results indicated that both irrigation and fertilization significantly influenced plant height, root length, root weight, root diameter, leaf area index, and root-to-shoot ratio. The optimal growth characteristics were observed under the W2F2 treatment. The contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin varied significantly among different water and fertilizer treatments, with the highest levels observed under the W2F2 treatment. Excessive irrigation (W4) and over-fertilization (F4) led to a decrease in these bioactive components. A comprehensive evaluation of the growth characteristics and bioactive components revealed that the ideal irrigation and fertilization parameters were 4000 m³/ha and 610 kg/ha, respectively. These parameters optimized plant development and bioactive component accumulation while ensuring efficient resource use. This study provides scientific evidence for optimizing irrigation and fertilization strategies to enhance licorice yield in arid regions, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices and improving economic benefits.

Effect of Neem Oil in Combination with Propiconazole and Organic Amendments on Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an annual herbaceous legume from the genus Vigna. Anthracnoses (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) is a serious disease in cowpea growing areas and occurs as pre-harvest as well as post-harvest brown to black spots appear on the leaves. Neem oil at different concentrations (0.5%, 1%,1.5%, and 2%) along with Propiconazole were tested @ 0.1% in vivo during Kharif 2023 for their efficacy against disease incidence, plant growth and yield parameters of Cowpea at the Central Research Field of the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The results of the present investigation revealed that it significantly reduced the disease incidence. Among the treatments the minimum disease intensity (%) at 75 DAS was recorded in T5 – Neem oil (2 ml/L) + Propiconazole 25 EC (0.1%) + VC@10gm/kg +SMC@10gm/kg (Foliar spray) was found to be significantly most effective treatment against Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) on Cowpea and recorded minimum disease intensity (%) at 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS, maximum plant height (cm), maximum number of branches, maximum yield (t/ha) and highest B:C ratio. The findings of the present experiment are limited to one crop season under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions, as such to validate the present findings; more such experiments should be carried out in the future.

Eco-friendly Management of Alternaria Leaf Spot of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Among vegetables, brinjal or eggplant is an economically important vegetable crop and second major vegetable crop next to potato in India. This crop suffers from various diseases, among different fungal diseases of brinjal, Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata has currently become one of the most important diseases for all brinjal varieties. Loss due to the disease has been estimated up to 25-30 per cent. Therefore, present investigation was undertaken at Central Research Field of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj during the Kharif of 2023-2024, for the management of leaf spot using botanicals, bio-agent, cow urine and a fungicide (treated check) for their efficacy in vivo against Alternaria leaf spot of brinjal incited by Alternaria alternata. Effects of different botanicals, bio-agent and cow urine were evaluated on different growth, disease management and yield parameters of brinjal crop under field condition by foliar spray of botanicals, cow urine and a bio-agent, along with seedling treatment with Trichoderma viride at selected concentration. The effects of treatments on growth parameter were recorded i.e. maximum plant height at 30 DAT (22.78 cm), 60 DAT (37.16 cm), 90 DAT (53.87 cm) and maximum number of leaves at 30 DAT (10.83), 60 DAT (31.80), 90 DAT (47.33) and maximum number of branches at 30 DAT (4.23), 60 DAT (11.40), 90 DAT (13.83). Among the treatments, neem leaf extract + Trichoderma viride was recorded significantly reducing disease intensity at 45 DAT (10.32%), 60 DAT (16.11%), 75 DAT (27.93%) of brinjal followed by clove extract + Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma viride + T. viride as compared to mancozeb (treated check) and control. The maximum yield was found to be in neem leaf extract + Trichoderma viride i.e. (16.63 t/ha) followed by clove extract + Trichoderma viride, and Trichoderma viride + T. viride as compared to mancozeb (treated check) and control and the most economical treatment was Neem leaf extract + Trichoderma viride i.e. (1:2.62).

Impact of Vermiwash on the Growth and Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata) MI6

Green gram (Vigna radiata) cultivation in Sri Lanka heavily relies on inorganic fertilizers, leading to environmental and health issues that necessitate the exploration of alternatives; therefore, a field experiment was conducted at the Adaptive Research Centre in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, to evaluate the impact of vermiwash on the growth and yield of the green gram variety MI6. Vermiwash was prepared using cow dung, banana fruit waste, mold leaves, and red worms (Eisenia fetida). Six treatments were established in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), including controls such as no fertilizer (T1) and 100% recommended inorganic fertilizer (T2). The remaining treatments combined half-doses of inorganic fertilizer with varying concentrations of vermiwash as a foliar spray: 25% (T3), 50% (T4), 75% (T5), and 100% (T6). The prepared vermiwash had a pH of 7.63 and contained total available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at 0.014%, 0.355%, and 1.500%, respectively. The highest plant height, leaf area index, and number of branches were recorded in T5 (42.13±0.21 cm, 10.48±0.28, and 3.67±0.31, respectively), showing no significant difference (P > 0.05) from T2. The lowest days for 50% of flowering were observed in T5 (42±0). The highest number of pods per plant, pod length, pod girth, seeds per pod, 100 seeds weight, and total yield (27.17±0.78, 11.27±0.17, 2.29±0.02, 12±0.22, 7.18±0.10 g, and 212±1.49 g) were observed in T5, significantly different (P < 0.05) from T2. This study suggests reducing inorganic fertilizer by half and combining it with 75% vermiwash (T5) for optimal growth and yield.

Plant Density and Location: Optimization of Growth and Quality of Cut Sunflower in Tropical and Subtropical Environments

The cultivation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a cut flower stands out in floriculture due to its aesthetic beauty and commercial value. Understanding how cut sunflower genotypes adapt to different edaphoclimatic regions and management practices is essential to optimize flower quality and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plant density and location on the development, growth, and quality of cut sunflower in tropical and subtropical environments. Plant densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 plants/m2 were evaluated in tropical climate and subtropical climate using a randomized block design in a factorial scheme. Results showed significant differences between locations for plant height, capitulum and stem diameter, final number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, phyllochron, and the developmental cycle. Plant density significantly influenced these variables except for plant height and developmental cycle. The interaction between location and plant density was significant only for capitulum diameter and final leaf number. The findings indicate that both planting density and location significantly influence the developmental cycle of cut sunflowers, with lower densities favoring more robust plants at harvest. A density of 30 plants/m2 is recommended for efficient space use without significantly compromising floral stem quality. All produced stems are marketable, suggesting that adjusting planting density can optimize production without compromising quality, adapting to specific regional conditions.

Sustainable farming practices enhance bacterial diversity and nutrient levels in sorghum rhizosphere soil

This research employs metagenomic analysis to explore bacterial diversity in sorghum rhizosphere soil in response to various sustainable farming practices and their impact on soil fertility. The field experiment with cotton-sorghum cropping system was conducted since 2020 and from 3rd cycle sorghum experiment, the soils were collected and subjected to metagenomics and nutrients availability analysis. We evaluated the impact of different farming approaches: Natural Farming (NF), Organic Farming (OF), integrated crop management (ICM), along with a control (No input farming). The results underscores the prevalence of Proteobacteria phylum across all farming practices, while Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes showed increased presence due to altered soil management and nutrient availability changes. Genus-level analysis revealed shifts in dominant genera, including Acinetobacter, Sphingomonas, Bacillus, and Candidatus nitrososphaera, across different farming practices. Post-harvest soil analysis indicated varied nutrient levels, with ICM showing enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium availability. ICM, utilizing a balanced mix of organic and inorganic fertilizers, promoted sorghum growth, yielding higher plant height and total dry matter compared to OF and NF, which performed similarly. The study emphasizes the efficacy of a balanced approach like ICM for improving crop production and soil nutrient availability. However, all diversified farming practices exhibited high soil biological diversity compared to the control, highlighting the necessity for continuous long-term soil monitoring across different farming practices to stabilize soil microbiomes, ensure nutrient availability, and support sustainable crop production.

Biostimulant application and green basil biomass production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of the biostimulant Stimulate® on the biomass production of green basil. A randomized block design was used, in a 5x2 factorial scheme with six replications, analyzing different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mL L-1 of water) and application method (single application and split into 2 times). Harvesting was performed 60 days after transplanting. The variables evaluated were plant height, counting of the number of secondary and tertiary shoots, root length and volume, fresh and dry matter mass, leaf area and essential oil yield. There was no interaction between the concentrations of Stimulate® and the application method. However, there was an increase in all variables analyzed with the concentration of 20 mL per L of water. The application of the biostimulant Stimulate® had an effect on biomass production, plant height, canopy diameter, secondary and tertiary shoots, length and volume of the root system, fresh matter mass of the aerial part and root. Increases in these variables were also observed in response to increased concentrations of Stimulate® and accumulation of green basil essential oil.

Genetic diversity, population structure, and a genome-wide association study of sorghum lines assembled for breeding in Uganda.

Sorghum is an important source of food and feed worldwide. Developing sorghum core germplasm collections improves our understanding of the evolution and exploitation of genetic diversity in breeding programs. Despite its significance, the characterization of the genetic diversity of local germplasm pools and the identification of genomic loci underlying the variation of critical agronomic traits in sorghum remains limited in most African countries, including Uganda. In this study, we evaluated a collection of 543 sorghum accessions actively used in Ugandan breeding program across two cropping seasons at NaSARRI, Uganda, under natural field conditions. Phenotypic data analysis revealed significant (p<0.01) variation among accessions for days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle exsertion, and grain yield, with broad-sense heritability (H²) estimates of 0.54, 0.9, 0.81, and 0.48, respectively, indicating a high genetic variability for these traits. We used a newly developed genomic resource of 7,156 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of this collection. On average, the SNP markers exhibited moderately high polymorphic information content (PIC = 0.3) and gene diversity (He = 0.3), while observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.07) was low, typical for self-pollinating crops like sorghum. Admixture-based models, PCA, and cluster analysis all grouped the accessions into two subpopulations with relatively low genetic differentiation. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified candidate genes linked to key agronomic traits using a breeding diversity panel from Uganda. GWAS analysis using three different mixed models identified 12 genomic regions associated with days to flowering, plant height, panicle exsertion, grain yield, and glume coverage. Five core candidate genes were co-localized with these significant SNPs. The SNP markers and candidate genes discovered provide valuable insights into the genetic regulation of key agronomic traits and, upon validation, hold promise for genomics-driven breeding strategies in Uganda.

Effect of Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc and Iron on Plant Height and Seed Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties

The present field experiment was conducted to study the effect of agronomic biofortification of zinc and iron on chickpea during Rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Jodhpur. The field experiment was laid out in split plot design comprised two varieties of chickpea (‘GNG-2144’ and ‘GNG-2171’) and three levels of iron fortification treatment including control (F0), 20 kg FeSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % FeSO4 (F1) and 25 kg FeSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % FeSO4 (F3) in the main plot and four-levels of zinc fortification viz. control (Z0), ZSB (SI) + 15 kg ZnSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % ZnSO4 (Z1), ZSB (SI) + 20 kg ZnSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % ZnSO4 (Z2) and ZSB (SI) + 25 kg ZnSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % ZnSO4 (Z3) in sub-plot. These three experimental variables make twenty-four treatment combinations were taken as experimental factors to study their effect on biofortification in chickpea. The results revealed that variety GNG-2144 recorded higher plant height and higher seed yield over variety GNG-2171. Among Iron levels treatment 25 kg FeSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % FeSO4 (F3) significantly recorded higher seed yield as compare to 20 kg FeSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % FeSO4 (F1). Moreover, Zinc fortification treatment ZSB (SI) + 25 kg ZnSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % ZnSO4 (Z3) was found significantly superior over the treatment ZSB (SI) + 15 kg ZnSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % ZnSO4 (Z1) and at par with ZSB (SI) + 20 kg ZnSO4 (SA) + 0.5 % ZnSO4 (Z2).

Plant growth regulator effects on red fescue seed crops in diverse production environments

AbstractStrong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. spp. rubra Gaudin) is a cool‐season perennial turfgrass widely used in temperate and subalpine regions around the globe. Although creeping red fescue turf is tolerant of shade, low fertility acidic soils, and drought conditions, creeping red fescue seed crops grown in optimal growing environments can lodge, ultimately reducing yield in regions where this important turfgrass is grown for seed. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of two plant growth regulators (PGRs), chlormequat chloride (CCC) and trinexapac‐ethyl (TE), on plant height, lodging, and seed yield of strong creeping red fescue over 9 site‐years in the Peace River region of western Canada. The study encompassed 6 site‐years with first‐year stands and 3 site‐years with second‐year stands. The PGRs were applied alone and in a TE + CCC mixture at the two‐node (BBCH 32–33, where BBCH is Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie) and early head emergence (BBCH 51–52) growth stages in first‐ and second‐year stands, respectively. The application of TE, CCC, and their mixture resulted in a differential decrease in lodging and an increase in seed yield in first‐year stands. However, PGRs applied at BBCH 51–52 on second‐year stands had no effect on seed yield but reduced plant height and lodging. This study found a negative correlation between seed yield and lodging. Among the PGR treatments, the CCC + TE mixture was the most effective in reducing lodging and increasing seed yield of strong creeping red fescue.