Important Traits Research Articles

Exploring Genetic Variability, Trait Associations and Path Coefficient Analysis in Pea (Pisum sativum L.) to Advance Breeding Strategies

The experiment was conducted at seed breeding farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India during the rabi season (November, 2019–April, 2020) to estimate the parameters of genetic variability, assess the correlation among traits, and estimate direct and indirect effects. The ANOVA revealed that the mean sum of squares due to genotypes was highly significant for all the traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters. High values of phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for most of the traits, while moderate values of phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were recorded for 100 seed weight, pod length, days to 50% flowering and days to first flower opening. High heritability with high genetic advance as a % of mean was recorded for most of the traits. Moderate heritability and high genetic advance were recorded for the number of primary branches plant-1, secondary branches plant-1 and pod length, indicating the control of additive gene action. Meanwhile, high heritability with moderate genetic advance for days to maturity showed non-additive gene action. Correlation coefficients and path analysis for phenological and quantitative traits indicated that the most important traits are number of seeds plant-1, number of effective pods plant-1, biological yield plant-1 and harvest index. Hence, directional selection through these traits may effectively improve seed yield and its attributes.

Exploring the wild almond, Prunus arabica (Olivier), as a genetic source for almond breeding

During the process of almond (Prunus dulcis) domestication, essential traits, which gave plants the plasticity for facing unstable environmental conditions, were lost. In general, the domestication process often narrows the natural genetic diversity. Modern selections (i.e., breeding programs) dramatically accelerated this genetic bottleneck trend to a few successful almond cultivars, which are presently the founders of most commercial cultivars worldwide. The concept of utilizing wild species as a source for important traits and for the enrichment of the gene pool was deeply discussed in previous studies. However, in almonds and other Prunus species, deliberate utilization of wild species as a genetic resource for breeding programs is quite rare. To address these significant challenges, we generated an interspecific F1 population between the Israeli almond cultivar Um el Fahem (UEF) and a specimen of a local wild almond species, Prunus arabica (P. arabica), originating from the Judea desert. This interspecific F1 population possesses high phenotypic variability, and sixteen segregating traits were phenotyped. Among the segregating traits, we were able to genetically associate six agriculturally important traits, such as leaf chlorophyll content (LCC), flower size, and fruit size. The alleles for Self-Compatibility (SC) and kernel bitterness were previously mapped in almond and were reexamined on the background of the distinctive wild genetic material of P. arabica. Finally, phenotypic interactions between traits were suggested, such as rootstock perimeter and canopy area that were positively correlated with total yield in the F1 population. This study is a first step towards developing a well-characterized almond interspecies genetic population. The availability of such a genetic tool with detailed phenotypic analysis is crucial to address and explore the profound influence of almond wild species in Prunus genetic research and breeding. By using the interspecific population as the infrastructure, we show the advantages and importance of utilizing wild relatives.

Genome-wide association analysis reveals novel candidate loci and a gene regulating tiller number in orchardgrass

Tillers are specialized lateral shoots arising from axillary buds at basal nodes, and are also an important agronomic trait that determines the aboveground biomass and grain yield of various gramineous crops. So far, few genes have been reported to control tiller formation and most have been in the annual crop rice (Oryza sativa). Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) is an important perennial forage crop with great economic and ecological value, but its genes regulating tillering have remained largely unknown. In the present study, we used a natural population of 264 global orchardgrass germplasms to determine genes associated with quantitative variation in tiller number through genome-wide association study analysis. A total of 19 putative loci and 55 genes associated with tiller number were thus identified. Additionally, 26 putative differentially expressed genes with tiller number, including DgCYC-C1, were identified by RNA-seq and genome-wide association study analysis. DgCYC-C1 which is involved in cell division, was overexpressed, revealing that DgCYC-C1 positively regulates tiller number. These results provide some new candidate genes or loci for the improvement of tiller number in crops, which might advance new sustainable strategies to meet global crop production challenges.

Identification of Genomic Regions Associated with Differences in Flowering Time and Inflorescence Architecture between Melastoma candidum and M. normale.

Understanding the genetic basis of species differences in flowering time and inflorescence architecture can shed light on speciation and molecular breeding. Melastoma shows rapid speciation, with about 100 species formed in the past few million years, and, meanwhile, possesses high ornamental values. Two largely sympatric and closely related species of this genus, M. candidum and M. normale, differ markedly in flowering time and flower number per inflorescence. Here, we constructed an F2 population between M. candidum and M. normale, and used extreme bulks for flowering time and flower number per inflorescence in this population to identify genomic regions underlying the two traits. We found high differentiation on nearly the whole chromosome 7 plus a few regions on other chromosomes between the two extreme bulks for flowering time. Large chromosomal inversions on chromosome 7 between the two species, which contain flowering-related genes, can explain recombinational suppression on the chromosome. We identified 1872 genes with one or more highly differentiated SNPs between the two bulks for flowering time, including CSTF77, FY, SPA3, CDF3, AGL8, AGL15, FHY1, COL9, CIB1, FKF1 and FAR1, known to be related to flowering. We also identified 680 genes with one or more highly differentiated SNPs between the two bulks for flower number per inflorescence, including PNF, FIL and LAS, knows to play important roles in inflorescence development. These large inversions on chromosome 7 prevent us from narrowing down the genomic region(s) associated with flowering time differences between the two species. Flower number per inflorescence in Melastoma appears to be controlled by multiple genes, without any gene of major effect. Our study indicates that large chromosomal inversions can hamper the identification of the genetic basis of important traits, and the inflorescence architecture of Melastoma species may have a complex genetic basis.

INDETERMINATE DOMAIN Transcription Factors in Crops: Plant Architecture, Disease Resistance, Stress Response, Flowering, and More

INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) genes encode plant-specific transcription factors containing a conserved IDD domain with four zinc finger motifs. Previous studies on Arabidopsis IDDs (AtIDDs) have demonstrated that these genes play roles in diverse physiological and developmental processes, including plant architecture, seed and root development, flowering, stress responses, and hormone signaling. Recent studies have revealed important functions of IDDs from rice and maize, especially in regulating leaf differentiation, which is related to the evolution of C4 leaves from C3 leaves. Moreover, IDDs in crops are involved in the regulation of agriculturally important traits, including disease and stress resistance, seed development, and flowering. Thus, IDDs are valuable targets for breeding manipulation. This review explores the role of IDDs in plant development, environmental responses, and evolution, which provides idea for agricultural application.

Molecular markers and their importance for pig production and breeding: an overview

The DNA polymorphisms are changes in the sequence of nucleotide bases that result in genetic differences among two or more individuals. These polymorphisms have been used as molecular markers and contribute to studies in swine related to genetic diversity, pedigree analysis, selection, and discovery of genomic regions controlling economically important traits. Among the molecular markers, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Copy Number Variations (CNVs) have been most studied in pigs mainly due to their greater abundance in the genome, ease of detection and possibility of automation. The knowledge and application of information from molecular marker shave contribute to a more efficient and competitive pig production. Furthermore, in pig breeding programs, the molecular markers are especially important to allow higher efficiency in selection for traits with low heritability, difficult or expensive to measure, sex-limited, and that express later in the animal’s life, resulting in a higher prediction accuracy for these traits. Considering the relevance of DNA molecular markers for the development of pig production and the advances in research in this area, we aimed to present an overview of the main research results related to the discovery, contribution and implementation of molecular markers in pig breeding and production. This review contextualizes and summarizes important results and recent findings in order to update the reader and stimulate future research based on the identification and relevance of molecular markers applied to pig production.

Non-Targeted Metabolomics of Serum Reveals Biomarkers Associated with Body Weight in Wumeng Black-Bone Chickens.

Growth performance is an important economic trait of broilers but the related serum metabolomics remains unclear. In this study, we utilized non-targeted metabolomics using ultra-high-performance liquid phase tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to establish metabolite profiling in the serum of Chinese Wumeng black-bone chickens. The biomarker metabolites in serum associated with growth performance of chickens were identified by comparing the serum metabolome differences between chickens that significantly differed in their weights at 160 days of age when fed identical diets. A total of 766 metabolites were identified including 13 differential metabolite classes such as lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids and their derivatives, and organoheterocyclic compounds. The results of difference analysis using a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model indicated that the low-body-weight group could be differentiated based on inflammatory markers including prostaglandin a2, kynurenic acid and fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA), and inflammation-related metabolic pathways including tryptophan and arachidonic acid metabolism. In contrast, the sera of high-body-weight chickens were enriched for riboflavin and 2-isopropylmalic acid and for metabolic pathways including riboflavin metabolism, acetyl group transfer into mitochondria, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. These results provide new insights into the practical application of improving the growth performance of local chickens.

Character Counts: Psychometric-Based Credit Scoring for Underbanked Consumers

Psychometric-based credit scores measure important personality traits that are characteristic of good borrowers’ behaviors. While such data can potentially improve credit models for underbanked consumers, the utility of psychometric data in consumer lending is still largely understudied. The present study contributes to the literature in this respect, as it is one of the first studies to evaluate the efficacy of psychometric-based credit scores for predicting future loan defaults among underbanked consumers. The results from two culturally diverse samples of loan applicants (Sub-Saharan Africa, n = 1113; Western Europe, n = 1033) found that psychometric scores correlated significantly with future loan defaults (Gini = 0.28–0.31) and were incrementally valid above and beyond the banks’ own credit scorecards. These results highlight the theoretical basis for personality in financial behaviors, as well as the practical utility that psychometric scores can have for credit decisioning in general and the facilitation of financial inclusion for underbanked consumer groups in particular.

A Review on Integrating Bioinformatics Tools in Modern Plant Breeding

Bioinformatics has become integral to modern plant breeding, facilitating the analysis of large-scale genomic data, identifying key genetic markers, and enabling precision breeding techniques such as genomic selection. Advances in sequencing technologies and computational tools have accelerated the pace of crop improvement, allowing for the rapid identification of genes associated with important agronomic traits, including yield, stress tolerance, and disease resistance. The integration of bioinformatics in plant breeding also presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of data management, multi-omics integration, and the interpretation and validation of complex datasets. The role of emerging trends such as pangenomics, metagenomics, and epigenomics in expanding the scope of plant breeding, as well as the increasing importance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in enhancing predictive accuracy and optimizing breeding strategies. Personalized plant breeding and precision agriculture are identified as promising approaches for tailoring crop varieties to specific environments and farming practices, driven by bioinformatics tools that enable detailed analysis of genomic and phenotypic data. Ethical considerations and data privacy issues are also addressed, emphasizing the need for transparent and equitable practices in the collection, sharing, and use of genomic data. The importance of collaborative efforts and global initiatives in advancing bioinformatics-driven plant breeding, with a focus on fostering international cooperation, building capacity in developing regions, and ensuring open access to bioinformatics resources. As the field continues to evolve, bioinformatics will play a Important role in developing sustainable agricultural systems capable of meeting the demands of a growing global population while mitigating the impacts of climate change. The current applications, challenges, and future prospects of bioinformatics in plant breeding, offering insights into the critical role of this field in shaping the future of agriculture.

Economic values of some important traits for smallholder dairy production in Central Ethiopia

Economic values of some important traits for smallholder dairy production in Central Ethiopia

MicroRNA Temporal-Specific Expression Profiles Reveal longissimus dorsi Muscle Development in Tianzhu White Yak.

As a class of regulatory factors, microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating normal muscle development and fat deposition. Muscle and adipose tissues, as major components of the animal organism, are also economically important traits in livestock production. However, the effect of miRNA expression profiles on the development of muscle and adipose tissues in yak is currently unknown. In this study, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on Tianzhu white yak longissimus dorsi muscle tissue obtained from calves (6 months of age, M6, n = 6) and young (30 months of age, M30, n = 6) and adult yak (54 months of age, M54, n = 6) to identify which miRNAs are differentially expressed and to investigate their temporal expression profiles, establishing a regulatory network of miRNAs associated with the development of muscle and adipose. The results showed that 1191 miRNAs and 22061 mRNAs were screened across the three stages, of which the numbers of differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) and differentially expressed mRNAs (DE mRNAs) were 225 and 450, respectively. The expression levels of the nine DE miRNAs were confirmed using a reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and the trend of the assay results was generally consistent with the trend of the transcriptome profiles. Based on the expression trend, DE miRNAs were categorized into eight different expression patterns. Regarding the expression of DE miRNAs in sub-trends Profile 1 and Profile 2 (p < 0.05), the gene expression patterns were upregulated (87 DE miRNAs). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the identified DE miRNAs and DE mRNAs were enriched in pathway entries associated with muscle and intramuscular fat (IMF) growth and development. On this basis, we constructed a DE miRNA-mRNA interaction network. We found that some DE mRNAs of interest overlapped with miRNA target genes, such as ACSL3, FOXO3, FBXO30, FGFBP4, TSKU, MYH10 (muscle development), ACOX1, FADS2, EIF4E2, SCD1, EL0VL5, and ACACB (intramuscular fat deposition). These results provide a valuable resource for further studies on the molecular mechanisms of muscle tissue development in yak and also lay a foundation for investigating the interactions between genes and miRNAs.

Genetic improvement and conservation of goats in tropic

Goats indeed have a significant historical and contemporary importance in human civilization, particularly in the realm of agriculture and food production. Their adaptability and widespread distribution have made them crucial for various societies across the world. Goats have played a central role in the Neolithic agricultural revolution, aiding in the spread of human civilization globally. Their adaptability allowed them to thrive in diverse environments, contributing to the sustenance and expansion of human settlements. Goats are highly adaptable and are found in a wide range of geographical regions. Their presence spans across continents, from tropical to temperate climates, showcasing their ability to thrive in various environmental conditions. There is diversity in the production performance of goats based on the region of the world and the specific breeds. Genetic improvement programs aim to enhance economically important traits such as milk production, growth rates and fiber production, thereby increasing productivity and income for goat farmers. Understanding the genetic parameters such as heritabilities and repeatabilities for various traits is crucial for designing effective breeding programs. These parameters provide insights into the genetic potential of goats for traits like milk production, growth and fiber quality. Heritability estimates for reproductive traits, body weight, daily gain and direct and maternal heritability are important for implementing selective breeding strategies aimed at improving overall productivity and efficiency in goat farming. Genetic improvement programs have been implemented in tropical environments to enhance milk production traits in goats. Genetic improvements have also targeted fiber production in goats, with a focus on traits such as grease fleece weight and average fiber diameter. These efforts aim to enhance the quality and quantity of fiber produced by goats for various commercial purposes. Despite the importance of conserving goat breeds with unique characteristics, planned conservation programs in tropical regions are often neglected. It’s emphasized that preserving indigenous goat breeds in their native habitats is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring future resilience in goat farming.

SlJMJ14, identified via QTL‑seq and fine mapping, controls flowering time in tomatoes.

A major QTL, qLF2.1, for flowering time in tomatoes, was fine mapped to chromosome 2 within a 51.37-kb interval, and the SlJMJ14 gene was verified as the causal gene by knockout. Tomato flowering time is an important agronomic trait that affects yield, fruit quality, and environmental adaptation. In this study, the high-generation inbred line 19108 with a late-flowering phenotype was selected for the mapping of the gene that causes late flowering. In the F2 population derived from 19108 (late flowering) × MM (early flowering), we identified a major late-flowering time quantitative trait locus (QTL) using QTL-seq, designated qLF2.1. This QTL was fine mapped to a 51.37-kb genomic interval using recombinant analysis. Through functional analysis of homologous genes, Solyc02g082400 (SlJMJ14), encoding a histone demethylase, was determined to be the most promising candidate gene. Knocking out SlJMJ14 in MM resulted in a flowering time approximately 5-6days later than that in the wild-type plants. These results suggest that mutational SlJMJ14 is the major QTL for the late-flowering phenotype of the 19108 parental line.

Exploring plant diversity and aesthetic service of mountain and plain landscapes in semiarid ecosystems

Aesthetic services convey express people’s opinion about natural word and are crucial to the planning of biodiversity-related environmental protection. This study presents a comprehensive approach for quantifying the aesthetic services provided by landscapes using integrated plant traits in Iran’s semiarid Iranian ecosystems. Using the opinion of expert, the significance of each plant trait for aesthetic services was examined. According to the structure equation model, the most important traits for a species’ ability to provide aesthetic services were flower, leaf, fruit, crown, and stem respectively (p < 0.01). The weighted traits and the frequency of observed species in field data were integrated to quantify aesthetic services provided by plant communities A strong synergy relationship existed between aesthetic services and forbs diversity in semiarid ecosystems (p < 0.001). The findings showed that the plain had less potential to supply aesthetic services than the mountain landscape which is a hotspot plant diversity with twice as much potential (p < 0.05). The approach described in this study, which is based on the quantification of aesthetic services and combined with biodiversity, helps to alter the way that nature is used and to advance conservation efforts, taking into account the crucial requirement for human participation in conservation plans.

A Review and Meta-Analysis of Genotype by Environment Interaction in Commercial Shrimp Breeding.

(1) Background: Genotype-by-environment interaction (G×E) can adversely impact genetic improvement programs. The presence of G×E is mainly measured as the genetic correlation between the same trait measured in different environments where departure from unity can be taken as presence of G×E. (2) Methods: To understand the extent of G×E in shrimp production, a review and meta-analysis was conducted using the results from 32 peer-reviewed studies. (3) Results: Of these, 22 G×E studies were conducted on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) with fewer studies reported in other shrimp species. The most frequently studied traits were growth and survival, with relatively few studies on traits of economic importance. The meta-analysis demonstrated a moderately high genetic correlation (rg = 0.72 ± 0.05) for growth, indicating low to moderate levels of G×E with some re-ranking of breeding values across environments. However, substantial G×E was evident for survival where only a moderate genetic correlation (rg = 0.58 ± 0.07) was observed for survival across different environments. A re-ranking of breeding values is likely for this trait and genetic improvement of shrimp for survival in one environment may not be effective in other environments. The results from ANOVA-based studies show that G×E accounted for 6.42 ± 1.05% and 7.13 ± 3.46% of the variation for growth and survival traits, respectively. (4) Conclusion: The significance of G×E necessitates tailored genetic improvement programs in commercial shrimp breeding. We discuss the scope and challenges of G×E for shrimp breeding programs, including opportunities of implementing G×E in genomic selection programs.

Evaluation of Agronomic Traits, Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Properties of Sesame Seeds of Different Colors and Origin.

Rising health concerns regarding chronic diseases call for exploring natural sources of antioxidants and factors that influence their activity. This study evaluated the diversity of 112 sesame germplasms from Africa and Asia based on ten agronomic traits (seven quantitative and three qualitative), two antioxidant activities (ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities), and the content of one metabolite (TPC). TPC, DPPH, and ABTS were in the ranges of 4.98-87.88 µg GAE/mg DE, 3.97-46.23 µg AAE/mg DE, and 3.42-176.01 µg TE/mg DE, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed significant variations in agronomic traits, TPC, and antioxidant activities among the sesame germplasms (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the individual and interaction effects of seed color and the continent of origin on the levels of the quantitative traits, TPC, ABTS, and DPPH were analyzed, and the correlation among the traits was further evaluated. Diversity in TPC, ABTS, and DPPH was significantly associated with seed color and most of the quantitative agronomic traits (p < 0.05) but not with continent of origin. Principal component analysis revealed TPC, ABTS, DPPH, and five quantitative traits as the most discriminant traits. In general, six sesame accessions with high TPC and antioxidant activities (IT194356, IT170094, IT29971, IT185998, IT104246, and IT169623) as well as important agronomic traits were identified and, hence, could be used for developing improved sesame varieties.

Relationship of conflict resolution culture and personal characteristics of future doctors

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the relationship between conflict resolution culture and the personal characteristics of future doctors.Aim. The present research aimed to examine the relationship between the conflict resolution culture of medical university graduates and the key personality traits that influence a doctor’s professional activities: trust and aggressiveness.Methodology and research methods. The testing method employed various psychological tools, including O. I. Shcherbakova’s methodology for assessing the level of conflict resolution culture in individuals, J. B. Rotter’s Interpersonal Trust Scale, and the Bass-Darkey test, a standardised questionnaire designed to measure aggressive and hostile reactions developed by A. Bass and A. Darkey. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and factor analysis were utilised to process the data. The study sample consisted of 300 graduates from the medical faculty of Sechenov University, aged between 22 and 28 years.Results. Graduates exhibit an average level of conflict resolution culture (46.6), an average level of interpersonal trust (78.6), and elevated indices of hostility (52.73) and aggressiveness (53.09), along with a high level of resentment (59.58). Correlation analysis of the study data identified 14 statistically significant relationships between the components of conflict resolution culture and various forms of aggression; however, no statistically significant relationships were found with the level of interpersonal trust. The multiple regression model developed by the authors indicated that 22.8% of the high level of conflict resolution culture can be attributed to the low levels of physical aggression and suspicion.Practical significance. A significant contribution of this study is the identification of the relationship between conflict resolution culture and the personal characteristics of medical university graduates, such as trust and aggressiveness. This research lays the groundwork for developing programmes aimed at enhancing the professionally important personality traits of future doctors. It emphasises the prevention of aggressive behaviour, the cultivation of conflict resolution skills, and the promotion of effective communication with patients and colleagues, ultimately leading to an improvement in the quality of medical care.

The dominant white color trait of the melon fruit rind is associated with epicuticular wax accumulation.

Microscopic analyses and chemical profiling demonstrate that the white rind phenotype in melon fruit is associated with the accumulation of n-alkanes, fatty alcohols, aldehydes and wax esters. Serving as an indicator of quality, the rind (or external) color of fruit directly affects consumer choice. A fruit's color is influenced by factors such as the levels of pigments and deposited epicuticular waxes. The latter produces a white-grayish coating often referred to as "wax bloom". Previous reports have suggested that some melon (Cucumis melo L.) accessions may produce wax blooms, where a dominant white rind color trait was genetically mapped to a major locus on chromosome 7 and suggested to be inherited as a single gene named Wi. We here provide the first direct evidence of the contribution of epicuticular waxes to the dominant white rind trait in melon fruit. Our light and electron microscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) comparative analysis of melon accessions with white or green rinds reveals that the rind of melon fruit is rich in epicuticular waxes. These waxes are composed of various biochemical classes, including fatty acids, fatty alcohols, aldehydes, fatty amides, n-alkanes, tocopherols, triterpenoids, and wax esters. We show that the dominant white rind phenotype in melon fruit is associated with increased accumulation of n-alkanes, fatty alcohols, aldehydes and wax esters, which are linked with the deposition of crystal-like wax platelets on their surfaces. Together, this study broadens the understanding of natural variation in an important quality trait of melon fruit and promotes the future identification of the causative gene for the dominant white rind trait.

PSVII-9 Improvement of feed efficiency in Korean Hanwoo cattle: investigation of feed intake and analysis of residual feed intake (RFI)

Abstract Feed efficiency is an important economic trait in beef cattle production, and improving feed efficiency can reduce production costs and environmental impact. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a useful measure of individual feed efficiency, representing the difference between the actual feed intake of an animal and its predicted feed intake based on its body weight (BW) and growth. This study aimed to investigate feed intake and analyze RFI in Hanwoo cattle to improve feed efficiency. Data were collected from 120 Hanwoo steers (9 to 11 mo old) from six different test stations across the country. Individual daily feed intake of concentrates and forage was recorded over 70 d, and BW was measured at the beginning and end of the feeding trial. Daily feed intake was calculated using the TDN values of the concentrates and forage. Expected feed intake was estimated using a linear regression model based on metabolic BW and daily gain. RFI was calculated as the difference between expected and actual feed intake. Average daily gain ranged from 1.05 to 1.71 kg/d, and average daily feed intake ranged from 5.10 to 7.72 kg/d across the test stations. RFI values ranged from -0.84 to 0.95 kg/d, indicating significant variation in feed efficiency among the animals. This study provides valuable information on feed intake and RFI in Hanwoo cattle. Further research with a larger dataset is needed to develop a genetic evaluation model for RFI and to select animals with superior feed efficiency for improving Hanwoo cattle production.

Multi-environment evaluation of Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) selections for yield and essential oil traits under Western Himalayan conditions

Clary sage is an important aromatic herb that has a high potential for commercial cultivation under the diversified climates of the Western Himalayas. The present study was carried out to understand the performance of genotypes and their interaction with the varied environments prevalent in the Western Himalayas and to identify stable and best-performing genotypes. In the present experiment, ten superior selections were evaluated in four different environments as multi-location trials in a randomized block design with three replications during 2021 and 2022. The pooled analysis of variance revealed significant variations for genotypes, environments, and genotype × environment interaction for all the studied traits. The highest mean performance suggests that Env-1 has the most suitable conditions for clary sage cultivation. The genotypes CSIR-IHBT-SS-07 and CSIR-IHBT-SS-09 were found to be the best performers for fresh inflorescence weight (418.73 g/plant) and essential oil content (428.91 mg/Kg), respectively. The results of Eberhart and Russell’s regression-based model confirm that the genotype CSIR-IHBT-SS-07 is a stable and superior genotype for the economically important traits. Further, the gas-chromatography mass spectroscopic characterization of essential oil disclosed that CSIR-IHBT-SS-07 was unique in terms of the highest sclareol content (23.39–45.17 %) across all the test environments. Genotype + Genotype × Environment biplot analysis confirmed that all the test environments form a single mega-environment. The study is a pioneer in unraveling the stability response of clary sage in Western Himalaya and provides a strong base for the identification of superior genotypes and selection strategy for future genetic improvement programs of clary sage.