High Mean Performance Research Articles

Multi‐objective robust dynamic VAR planning in power transmission girds for improving short‐term voltage stability under uncertainties

Modern power transmission grids are facing more and more critical short-term voltage stability problems. This study proposes a novel robust dynamic VAR planning approach for improving the short-term voltage stability level under uncertainties including the peak load level, the maximum proportion of dynamic load, fault clearing time and deviation of the actual capacity of dynamic VAR compensators from rated capacity when contingencies occur. The robust dynamic VAR planning problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimisation model with objectives including the investment cost, the expectation and robustness of the short-term voltage stability level. The complexity of the planning model is firstly reduced by selecting severe contingencies and potential buses, leading to a simplified multi-objective optimisation model. Latin hypercube sampling is then used for the uncertainty quantification. The simplified multi-objective optimisation model is then solved by the combination of a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm called ${\rm \epsilon }$e-NSGAII and extreme learning machine-based surrogate modelling with adaptive training data sampling. This combination significantly reduces the unaffordable computing burden. Simulations are carried on the IEEE 39-bus system, illustrating that the authors proposed methodology is reliable with high computational efficiency, and offering decision-makers planning solutions with high mean performance and strong robustness with respect to the short-term voltage stability level.

Genetic Gain Increases by Applying the Usefulness Criterion with Improved Variance Prediction in Selection of Crosses.

A crucial step in plant breeding is the selection and combination of parents to form new crosses. Genome-based prediction guides the selection of high-performing parental lines in many crop breeding programs which ensures a high mean performance of progeny. To warrant maximum selection progress, a new cross should also provide a large progeny variance. The usefulness concept as measure of the gain that can be obtained from a specific cross accounts for variation in progeny variance. Here, it is shown that genetic gain can be considerably increased when crosses are selected based on their genomic usefulness criterion compared to selection based on mean genomic estimated breeding values. An efficient and improved method to predict the genetic variance of a cross based on Markov chain Monte Carlo samples of marker effects from a whole-genome regression model is suggested. In simulations representing selection procedures in crop breeding programs, the performance of this novel approach is compared with existing methods, like selection based on mean genomic estimated breeding values and optimal haploid values. In all cases, higher genetic gain was obtained compared with previously suggested methods. When 1% of progenies per cross were selected, the genetic gain based on the estimated usefulness criterion increased by 0.14 genetic standard deviation compared to a selection based on mean genomic estimated breeding values. Analytical derivations of the progeny genotypic variance-covariance matrix based on parental genotypes and genetic map information make simulations of progeny dispensable, and allow fast implementation in large-scale breeding programs.

Study onGenetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Seed Yield and Component Traits in Rice

A study on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for seed yield and component traits was made in 40 genotypes of riceduring kharif 2011-2012 at SHIATS, Allahabad. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the treatments for all the 13 traits under study.The genotypes namely CN 1446-5-8-17-1-MLD4 and CR 2706 recorded highest mean performance for panicles per hill and grain yield. The highest genotypic and phenotypic variances (VG and VP) were recorded for spikelets per panicle (3595.78 and 3642.41) followed by biological yield (355.72 and 360.62) and plant height (231.48 and 234.35).High heritability (broad sense) coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height, flag leaf length, panicles per hill, tillers per hill, days to maturity, spikelet’s per panicle, biological yield, harvest index, 1000 grain weight and grain yield, indicating that selection will be effective based on these traits because they were under the influence of additive and additive x additive type of gene action. Highest coefficient of variation (PCV and GCV) was recorded for tillers per hill (18.42% and 17.23%), panicle per hill (19.76 % and 18.68%), spikelet’s per panicle (34.30 and34.07 %), biological yield (28.31 % and 28.12 %), 1000 grain weight (15.57 % and 15 31 %) and grain yield (46.66% and 23.54 %), indicating that these traits are under the major influence of genetic control, therefore the above mentioned traits contributed maximum to higher grain yield compared to other traits, indicating grain yield improvement through the associated traits.

Cropping system diversification for food production in Mindanao rubber plantations: a rice cultivar mixture and rice intercropped with mungbean.

Including food production in non-food systems, such as rubber plantations and biofuel or bioenergy crops, may contribute to household food security. We evaluated the potential for planting rice, mungbean, rice cultivar mixtures, and rice intercropped with mungbean in young rubber plantations in experiments in the Arakan Valley of Mindanao in the Philippines. Rice mixtures consisted of two- or three-row strips of cultivar Dinorado, a cultivar with higher value but lower yield, and high-yielding cultivar UPL Ri-5. Rice and mungbean intercropping treatments consisted of different combinations of two- or three-row strips of rice and mungbean. We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the yield of each crop alone and in the mixture or intercropping treatments. We also evaluated a land equivalent ratio for yield, along with weed biomass (where Ageratum conyzoides was particularly abundant), the severity of disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae and Cochliobolus miyabeanus, and rice bug (Leptocorisa acuta) abundance. We analyzed the yield ranking of each cropping system across site-year combinations to determine mean relative performance and yield stability. When weighted by their relative economic value, UPL Ri-5 had the highest mean performance, but with decreasing performance in low-yielding environments. A rice and mungbean intercropping system had the second highest performance, tied with high-value Dinorado but without decreasing relative performance in low-yielding environments. Rice and mungbean intercropped with rubber have been adopted by farmers in the Arakan Valley.

Study of Some Flax Characters, Genetic Stability and their Relation to Yield

The present study consisted of twelve genotypes of flax which were evaluated over twelve environments (2 seasons (2013/14 and 2014/15), 2 locations (Etay El-Baroud Exp. Sta., El-Beheira Governorate and Ismailia Exp.Station, Ismailia Governorate) and 3 plant density (1000,1250 and 1500 seeds/m2)) These materials were evaluated in a split plot design with three replications at the twelve environments which-mentioned before. The mean square of environments (E) genotypes (G), and E x G interaction for all studied traits revealed highly significant differences, indicating a wide range of variation among genotypes, environments and these genotypes exhibited differential response to environmental conditions. The significant variance due to residual for all characters indicated that genotypes differed with respect to their stability suggesting that prediction would be difficult, which means that mean performance alone (mean yield) would not be appropriate. Interaction component of variance (σ2ge) was less than the genotypic variance (σ2g) for all characters except each of straw weight per plant, plant height and capsules number per plant. This was reflected in high value of heritability and low gap between GCV and PCV values for 1000 – seed weight, fiber percentage, oil percentage, seeds number per capsule, and technical length. These results indicating the possibility of using technical length as selection index for improving straw weight/plant and both of number of seeds per capsule and 1000- seed weight as selection indices for improving seed weight/plant. The criterion, yield stability (YSi) statistic indicated that only one genotype (S.541- D/4) exhibited superiority and stability for all straw characters, in addition to S.435-11/10/3 for each of straw yield/fad, technical length and plant height. Also, S.541- /6 gave high mean performance and stability (YSi) for seed yield/fad, oil yield/fad, 1000- seed weight and oil percentage. Therefore, the two strains (S.541-D/4 and S.435/11/10/3) may be recommended to be included in any breeding program for improving straw yield and its related traits and also, S.541-C/6 for improving seed yield and its related characters. Straw weight/plant was positive and significant correlated with each of technical length, plant height, and seed weight/plant. And also, plant height exhibited positive correlation with technical length. Whereas, seed weight per plant, exhibited positive correlation with both of capsules number/plant and 1000 - seed weight. Whereas, the correlation between oil percentage with both of 1000- seed weight and capsules number per plant was positive. These mean that the possibility of using both of technical length and plant height as selection indices for improving straw weight/plant and both of1000-seed weight and capsules number/plant and as selection indices for improving seeds weight/plant.

Estimation of genetic components of variation and heterosis studies in bitter gourd for horticultural traits

Gene action and magnitude of heterosis were studied by using diallel analysis (without reciprocal) of the 21 crosses derived by crossing seven diverse bitter gourd inbreds for earliness and yield components. Data was recorded for eleven quantitative traits. Proportion of genes with positive and negative effects at all loci (H2/4H1) in the parents were found to be less than 0.25 for most of the traits revealed the asymmetrical distribution of the positive and negative alleles. Days to 50% flowering, days to first harvesting, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), number of fruits per plant and yield per plant (g) exhibited below 50% narrow sense heritability, which indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action. The average degree of dominance (H1/D)1/2 revealed that over dominance gene action for most of the yield related traits. Heterosis over standard check (Pusa Do Mousami) was also observed for all the traits under study. The best performing F1 hybrids with high standard heterosis and mean performance for yield were found in crosses DBGS-54 × DBGS-2 (43.00%), DBGS-54 × Pusa Vishesh (37.89%) and Pusa Aushadhi × DBGS-54 (34.57%). Pusa Aushadhi × DBGS-54, Pusa Aushadhi × DBGS-57 and Pusa Aushadhi × DBGS-37 were best early yielding hybrids.

Stability analysis for nut yield and component traits in cashew

Thirteen cashew genotypes developed at different Cashew Research Stations of India, i.e. NRCC Sel.-1, NRCC Sel.-2, M 44/3, M 15/4, BPP 3/33, BPP 10/19, BPP 30/1, BPP 3/28, H- 303, H-320, H-255, H-367 and H-68 were planted at 7.5 m apart during 1994 at Cashew Research Station, AICRP on Cashew, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Odisha. Observations on various parameters like plant height (m), trunk girth (cm), canopy spread (m), flowering laterals per meter square, average nuts panicle−1, nut weight (g), apple weight (g), shelling percentage and nut yield plant−1 (kg) were recorded on four plants of each varieties for 14 years. Stability parameters for different characters were computed using the regression approach. There were considerable variations in yield and its contributing traits within genotypes, years and genotype × year interactions. Estimates of stability parameters revealed that no single genotype was stable for all the traits under study. The stability parameters for nut yield indicated that genotype H-320 was the most stable genotype among the group as it showed high yield per se performance, thus can be recommended for commercial cultivation along with regression coefficient around unity but the deviation from regression line was significantly different from zero. Whereas, BPP-3/28 and BPP-3/33 exhibited high shelling percentage with high mean performance for all vegetative growth characters, though low mean performance for nut yield, which can be utilized as parent in crop improvement programme with special reference to increase shelling percentage.

Genetic variability and divergence analysis for yield and yield contributing traits in released varieties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under partially reclaimed saline sodic soil

Genetic variability is the back bone of crop improvement programme, effectiveness of selection depends upon nature and magnitude of genetic variability present in the genetic material. The aim of the present study was that to identify the potential genotypes performing well under partially reclaimed saline- sodic soil (pH 8.6-8.9, EC = 4-4.2 dSm-1, ESP = > 15). Sixty four released varieties of barley collected from Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal were grown during rabi season 2010-11, showing wide spectrum of variation for various characters. The characters studied were yield and yield contributing traits; namely plant height, days to maturity, fertile tillers / plant, length of main spike, grains per main spike, 1000-grains weight, grain yield per plant. The data on 7 characters was utilized for estimation of mean, range and least significant differences. The varieties RD-2552(8.52), HBL-276(8.35), RD- 2592(8.17), PL-419(8.15), Kedar(8.11), PL-751(8.10), JB-58(8.06), K-508(7.96) produced higher grain yield per plant and showed high to very high mean performance for several other yield component also. These selected varieties can be used in breeding program and can be recommended direct cultivation under partially reclaimed salinesodic soil.

Stability analysis in pole type beans (P. vulgaris) under temperate conditions

The present investigation was undertaken during 2012-2014 to generate information through evaluation of the set of materials (breeding material, germplasm lines and other varieties at the farmers’ field along with the farmers’ variety as a check through stability using Eberhart and Russel Model. Trials were laid at various locations of three districts summing to a three mother trials with one grand mother trial at the research station. The yield and yield attributing traits of all genotypes were taken on ten competitive plants of both grand mother and mother trial. The genotypes WB-83 and WB-258 were selected and preferred by the farmers across locations. The genotypes were evaluated for stability analysis and showed divergence across locations. The mean squares of all the traits were significant reflecting that the material was genetically divergent. The pooled deviation was significant and the variance due to variety × environment was significant for various traits indicating that the variation in the performance of the genotypes is both unpredictable and predictable. Most of the genotypes were having higher mean than the average, bi less than unity indicating that the varieties were more specifically adapted to the unfavorable environments than favourable ones. Some of the genotypes having higher mean yield, bi > 1 and S2di tending to zero were specifically adapted to favourable environments. On the basis of stability parameters genotypes WB-83 and WB-258 were identified as the most stable genotypes for seed yield per plot across all locations on the basis of high mean performance and non-significant estimates of bi and S2di from unit and zero respectively, however latter genotype showed sensitivity to better environments for biological yield on the basis of significant bi estimates. Similarly these genotypes were identified as consistent for early flowering for all the locations.

Analysis and Handling of G × E in a Practical Breeding Program

Genotype by environment interaction (GE) is a reality in plant breeding and crop production, and has to be dealt with. There are but two viable options to deal with GE: to utilize it or to avoid it, depending on whether it is repeatable. Repeatable GE can be selected for (utilized) whereas unrepeatable GE has to be selected against (avoided). To utilize GE involves identifying repeatable GE, dividing the target region into subregions or megaenvironments (ME) based on the repeatable GE pattern, and selecting within ME. By definition, GE within ME is unrepeatable and has to be avoided. To avoid unrepeatable GE is to test in a sufficient number of environments (locations and years) representing the target ME and to select both high mean performance and high stability. My preferred analytic tool for identifying repeatable GE, ME analysis, representative test locations, and superior genotypes is GGE (genotypic main effect plus GE) biplots, which was demonstrated using oat (Avena sativa L.) yield data from multilocation multiyear trials. Some important issues on GE study, in relation to genotype evaluation, were discussed. These included the framework of multiyear multilocation trials, the distinction between repeatable and nonrepeatable components of GE, the need to consider both genotypic main effect (G) and GE, and the relative importance of mean performance (G) vs. stability (GE) in genotype evaluation.

GENETIC DIVERSITY OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The experiment was conducted with twenty one genotypes of potato at the experimental farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from November 2014 to March 2015 to estimate the genetic variability and diversity among the genotypes. The experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. All the genotypes varied significantly with each other for all the studied characters indicated the presence of considerable variations among the genotypes studied As per PCA, D2 and clusters analysis the genotypes were grouped into five different clusters. Clusters III had the maximum nine and cluster II and V had the minimum one genotype. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between I and V and the lowest was observed between IV and V. Genotypes in cluster I showed the maximum performance for number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll percentage, weight of individual potato and firmness. Cluster II showed maximum performance for total soluble sugar. Cluster III recorded the highest mean performance for dry matter. Cluster IV showed the maximum performance for number of potato per hill, weight of potato per hill and yield. Cluster V showed the maximum performance for specific gravity. Considering this idea and other characteristic performances, G8 (Shada pakri) and G17 (Shil bilati) from cluster IV; G4 (BARI-TPS-1) from cluster II; and G6 (Asterix), G21 (Granola) , G1 (Cardinal) and G2 (Diamant) from cluster I might be considered better parents for efficient hybridization programme.

Assessment of per se performance, combining ability, hybrid vigour and reaction to major diseases in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.

An experiment was carried out using seven cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile (CGMS) lines as females and seven diversified testers as males in a line × tester design. The analysis of variance for parents, females x males, hybrids and parents vs hybrids showed significant differences for almost all characters studied indicating the presence of sufficient variability among parents. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that mean squares due to females and line x tester interaction were significant for most of the characters. Thereby it is suggested that the variation in hybrids in respect of seed yield may be strongly influenced by the female lines. Analysis of variance revealed that the ratio of variance due to GCA to SCA was less than unity for all the characters indicating that these traits may be under the influence of non additive gene action and these characters are more likely to be improved through heterosis breeding. The gca effects of parents revealed that ICPA-2043, ICPA-2047, ICPA-2078, AKT-9913, BDN-2 and GRG-811 were good general combiners for seed yield and it’s direct compo-nents. The top three crosses exhibiting high specific combing ability effects along with their Per se performance, standard heterosis and gca status of the parents indicated that the cross combinations ICPA-2092 x GRG-811, ICPA-2043 x ICP-7035 and ICPA-2047 x RVKP-261 were good specific combiners for seed yield. These parental combinations are being used for exploitation of hybrid vigour. The good general combiners (ICPA-2043, ICPA-2047, ICPA-2078, AKT-9913, BDN-2 and GRG-811) and promising crosses viz. ICPA-2047 x GRG-811 and ICPA-2047 x BDN-2 were resistant for SMD and Fusarium wilt diseases, having high mean performance, positive sca effects for seed yield were identified from the present investigation and these may be useful in future breeding program.

Sex Differences in Memory Performance among Korean Children

This study was conducted to examine possible sex differences in memory ability among Korean children. A Korean version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) was administered to 314 Korean boys and 243 Korean girls between the ages of 7 and 15 years. Results indicated that Korean girls performed better than Korean boys on both memory tests. Five out of 9 memory measures (7 RAVLT, 2 RCFT) indicated a significant sex difference favoring girls. Of the remaining 4 measures, 3 indicated a higher mean performance for girls compared to boys. Effect sizes for the sex differences were relatively small in magnitude and mean d was .17 for RAVLT and .18 for RCFT. Many previous studies involving children as well as adults and older adults have shown significant differences in verbal memory performance favoring women over men. However, sex differences in visuospatial memory performance were less consistent across studies. Thus, it may be tentatively concluded that girls are superior to boys in verbal memory function. However, further studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion regarding sex differences in visuospatial memory function. Both biological and environmental factors likely contribute to sex differences in memory ability. However, given that sex differences in memory favoring women are found across different cultures and appear at a relatively early age, biological factors may play more important roles than environmental ones.

Studies on stability parameter and sustainability index for selecting stable genotypes of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

A comparative studies on stability parameters and sustainability index for selecting stable genotypes of sugarcane was carried out according to Eberhart and Russell Model, with sustainability index model. Stability analysis was carried out on seven sugarcane genotypes for cane yield (q/ha), CCS (q/ha), CCS % juice, Brix (%), Sucrose (%) and single cane weight (kg) at maturity stage (300 Days) on three year data viz; 2010-11,2011-12 and 2012-13. Based on the linear component (bi), non-linear response (s 2 di) and high mean performance (X) the genotype CoH-7261 and Co-6032 were found stable for cane yield (q/ha) and CCS q/ha yield, whereas genotype Co-7025 was found stable for CCS % juice, Brix %, Sucrose % and Single cane weight (Kg.) and on the basis of high sustainability index more than 90 % which indicated that these traits are least influenced by the environmental factors.

Selection of stable genotype on the basis of stability performance and sustainability index in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A comparative study on stability parameters and sustainability index for selecting stable genotypes of rice was carried out according to Eberhart and Russell Model. Stability analysis was carried out with twenty genotypes for grain yield and its contributing characters on three year data basis viz., 2010, 2011 and 2012. Based on the linear component (bi), non-linear response (s 2 di) and high mean performance (X), IET-21794 , IET-22110 and IET-22117 were found stable for grain yield (q/ha) , number of panicles /m 2 and panicle length (cm.) with high sustainability index of more than 90 % , indicated that these traits are least influenced by the environmental factors.

AMMI approach for grain yield and stability of maize (Zea mays L.)

Ninety one hybrids developed by diallel mating involving 14 inbreds were used to estimate stability for four yield related traits under moisture in rainfed, induced and across the environments.The AMMI model which had both additive and multiplicative effects had been applied for the data.The analysis of variance for stability revealed that for all the characters,the mean squares were significant for genotypes,environments,G x E interactions,PCA I, PCA II and PCA III. Among the genotypes, twenty nine genotypes recorded significantly superior mean performance for grain yield per plant in over all environments. Among the high mean performing genotypes, four genotypes viz., P1 x P7, P1 x P10, P2 x P6 and P8 x P11 recorded low interaction, twenty four genotypes with positive type of interaction and one genotype P7 x P13 with negative type of interaction with environment were noticed. Among the environments, L4 recorded low interaction. The environments L2 and L4 recorded positive type of interaction, while L1 and L3 recorded negative type of interaction. Stability analysis for grain yield indicated that hybrids viz., P1x P7, P1 x P10, P2 x P6 and P8 x P11 were showed stable in performance over the environments. The hybrid P1 x P7 was also found to be stable for hundred grain weight apart from grain yield per plant. The hybrids though exhibited high mean performance, depicting differential performance in rainfed, induced and overall environments under moisture conditions and thus were unstable

Do Live Versus Audio-Recorded Narrative Stimuli Influence Young Children's Narrative Comprehension and Retell Quality?

The primary aim of the present study was to examine whether different ways of presenting narrative stimuli (i.e., live narrative stimuli versus audio-recorded narrative stimuli) influence children's performances on narrative comprehension and oral-retell quality. Children in kindergarten (n = 54), second grade (n = 74), and fourth grade (n = 65) were matched on their performance on a standardized oral-language comprehension task and then were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 conditions that differed in how narrative stimuli were presented to children: live narrative stimuli and audio-recorded narrative stimuli. Kindergartners and 2nd graders in the live condition had higher mean performance on narrative comprehension, with effect sizes of .43 and .39, respectively, after accounting for age, gender, and school. No differences were found in narrative comprehension for children in 4th grade. Children's oral-retell quality did not differ as a function of condition in any grade. These results suggest that how narrative stimuli are presented to children (i.e., live versus audio-recorded narrative stimuli) may affect children's narrative comprehension, particularly for young children in kindergarten and Grade 2. Implications for assessment and instruction are discussed.

Stability analysis in bush type Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris l.)under temperate Kashmir conditions

Present investigation was undertaken during 2012–2014 to generate information through evaluation of a set of material at the farmers'field along with the farmers'variety as a check through stability using Eberhart and Russel model. The yield and yield attributing traits of all genotypes was recorded on ten competitive plants of both grandmother and mother trial. The genotypes were evaluated for stability analysis and revealed divergence across locations. The mean squares of all the traits were significant reflecting that the material was genetically divergent. The pooled deviation was significant and the variance due to variety × environment was significant for various traits indicating that the variation in the performance of the genotypes is both unpredictable and predictable. Most of the genotypes were having higher mean than the average, bi less than unity indicating that the varieties were more specifically adapted to the unfavorable environments than favourable ones. Some of the genotypes having higher mean yield, bi > 1 and Sdi2 tending to zero were specifically adapted to favourable environments. On the basis of stability parameters genotypes WB-185, WB-195, WB-966 and Shalimar Rajmash-1 were identified as the most stable genotypes for seed yield per plot across all locations on the basis of high mean performance and non-significant estimates of bi and Sdi2 from unit and zero respectively, however latter genotype showed sensitivity to better environments for biological yield on the basis of significant bi estimates. Similarly these genotypes were identified as consistent for early flowering for all the locations.

GIZA 11 AND GIZA 12; TWO NEW FLAX DUAL PURPOSE TYPE VARIETIES

Sixteen flax genotypes {13 promising lines and 3 check varieties viz., Giza 8 (oil type), Sakha 1 (dual purpose type) and Sakha 3 (fiber type)} were evaluated for straw, seed, oil yields and their related traits under twelve different environments; four locations (Sakha, Etay El-Baroud, Ismailia and Giza Exp. Stations through three successive seasons (2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14). These materials were evaluated in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the twelve above-mentioned environments. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes (G), environments (E) and G x E interaction for all studied traits except straw weight per plant, indicating a wide range of variation among genotypes, environments and these genotypes exhibited differential response to environmental conditions. The significant variance due to residual for all characters except both straw weight per plant and oil yield per fad indicated that genotypes differed with respect to their stability suggesting that prediction would be difficult, which means that mean performance alone would not be appropriate. Interaction component of variance (σ2ge) was less than the genotypic variance (σ2g) for all characters, indicating that genotypes differ in their genetic potential for these traits. This was reflected in high heritability and low discrepancy between phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficients of variability values for these traits indicating the possibility of using each of long fiber percentage, plant height and technical stem length as selection indices for improving straw weight per plant, as well as, using 1000-seed weight and capsules number per plant as selection indices for improving seed weight per plant. Yield stability (YSi) statistic indicated that S.541-C/3 and S.541-D/10 gave high mean performance and stability for straw, fiber, seed and oil yields per fad in addition to oil percentage, capsules number per plant and 1000-seed weight. Therefore, the two genotypes well be released under the name Giza 11 and Giza 12, respectively. These newly released varieties are of dual purpose type for straw, fiber, seed and oil yield. They may replace the low yielding cultivars Giza 8, Sakha 1 and Sakha 3.

Improvement of Basmati rice varieties for resistance to blast and bacterial blight diseases using marker assisted backcross breeding

Marker assisted backcross breeding was employed to incorporate the blast resistance genes, Pi2 and Pi54 and bacterial blight (BB) resistance genes xa13 and Xa21 into the genetic background of Pusa Basmati 1121 (PB1121) and Pusa Basmati 6. Foreground selection for target gene(s) was followed by arduous phenotypic and background selection which fast-tracked the recovery of recurrent parent genome (RPG) to an extent of 95.8% in one of the near-isogenic lines (NILs) namely, Pusa 1728-23-33-31-56, which also showed high degree of resemblance to recurrent parent, PB6 in phenotype. The phenotypic selection prior to background selection provided an additional opportunity for identifying the novel recombinants viz., Pusa 1884-9-12-14 and Pusa 1884-3-9-175, superior to parental lines in terms of early maturity, higher yield and improved quality parameters. There was no significant difference between the RPG recovery estimated based on SSR or SNP markers, however, the panel of SNPs markers was considered as the better choice for background selection as it provided better genome coverage and included SNPs in the genic regions. Multi-location evaluation of NILs depicted their stable and high mean performance in comparison to the respective recurrent parents. The Pi2+Pi54 carrying NILs were effective in combating a pan-India panel of Magnaporthe oryzae isolates with high level of field resistance in northern, eastern and southern parts of India. Alongside, the PB1121-NILs and PB6-NILs carrying BB resistance genes xa13+Xa21 were resistant against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae races of north-western, southern and eastern parts of the country. Three of NILs developed in this study, have been promoted to final stage of testing during the ​Kharif 2015 in the Indian National Basmati Trial.