Interspecific Derivatives Research Articles

Genetic Variability Studies in the Interspecific Derivatives (S. indicum x S. mulayanum) of Sesame

The present study aims to assess genetic variability for agronomic characters in the interspecific population developed by hybridization between Sesamum indicum (Swetha til) x Sesamum mulayanum (IC-43144-1). Experimental materials were raised during late Kharif-2023 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad. A total of 80 F6 interspecific derivatives were evaluated along with four check varieties namely GT-10, Swetha Til, IC-43144-1 (S. mulayanum), CUMS-17 in Augmented Randomised Complete Block Design (ARCBD). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed, significant variability in the interspecific derivatives for all the traits studied viz., days for emergence, days for flowering initiation, days for flower session, days for maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, total number of capsules per plant, capsule length, test weight, harvest index and seed yield per plant. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) values were higher for the traits viz., total number of capsules per plant, harvest index, seed yield per plant, hence improvement through selection could be possible. Phenological traits such as days for emergence, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, total number of capsules per plant, harvest index and seed yield per plant exhibited a high heritability along with a high genetic advance as per cent of mean, indicating additive gene action in the expression of these traits. Simple phenotypic selection may be effective for improving these characters. So, the selection based on these traits should be prioritized in the selection process of interspecific hybrids of sesame breeding programme.

Genetic analysis and molecular validation of gene conferring petal spot phenotype in interspecific crosses of cotton

Cotton (Gossypium species) has received considerable interest from the geneticists, cytologists and evolutionary biologists since the last more than a century. Here, we explore the genetics of petal spot in the interspecific derivatives involving tetraploid and diploid cottons; and confirm the location of gene governing petal spot phenotype on chromosome A7 by demonstrating co-segregation of SSR marker NAU 2186 with petal spot phenotype. The presence of petal spot was observed to be dominant over its absence. Petal spot inheritance showed significant deviation from the expected Mendelian ratio in all the segregating populations indicating segregation distortion. The distortion was biased towards the hirsutum parent which has important implications from introgression point of view. We also report a strong association between petal spot and petal margin coloration phenotypes. Extant American cotton varieties generally lack petal spot and margin coloration phenotypes. These petal characteristics can serve as morphological markers during germplasm characterization.

Assessment of genetic diversity in interspecific derivatives of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Assessment of genetic diversity in interspecific derivatives of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Evaluation and identification of advanced inter-specific derivatives from crosses of Cicer arietinum with C. reticulatum and C. echinospermum for agro-morphological, quality traits and disease resistance.

Inter-specific hybridization is a key strategy in modern crop improvement, aiming to integrate desirable traits from wild species into cultivated backgrounds. This study delves into the evaluation and identification of advanced inter-specific derivatives (IDs) derived from crosses of cultivated chickpea with Cicer reticulatum and C. echinospermum. The primary aim was to incorporate desirable yield enhancement traits, disease resistance, and nutritional quality traits into cultivated chickpea. The IDs were assessed during rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23 in the northern plains zone of India. Significant amount of genetic variability was observed for key agro-morphological traits having high heritability and genetic advance. Superior derivatives were identified for early flowering, high seed yield, and resistance to Ascochyta blight, Botrytis grey mould, and Fusarium wilt. Significant variability for crude protein and total soluble sugar content was also observed among the derivatives. The findings highlight the potential of utilizing wild Cicer species to broaden the genetic base of cultivated chickpea for the development of robust, high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties with improved nutritional traits suitable for diverse environmental conditions. The superior derivatives identified in this study hold promise for future breeding programmes for improving productivity, disease resistance and nutritional quality.

Prebreeding and genetic enhancement of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.) using diploid wild Helianthus species in India

Pre-breeding activities using promising diploid wild Helianthus like Helianthus annuus (wild), H. argophyllus, H. praecox, H. debilis and H. petiolaris and popular cultivar (ARM-243B) have been initiated at ICAR Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to increase the frequency of desirable genes, wider adaptability and a broad genetic base. Wider variability was observed for yield and yield contributing traits besides disease reactions within and between species. Evaluation of a few populations for biotic stresses and yield related traits resulted in the identification of desirable introgression lines. The highest seed yield (42.5 g/plant) was reported in combinations with H. annuus (wild), H. petiolaris (40.2 g/plant) and H. debilis (39.8 g/plant). Interspecificderivatives derived from H. praecox were found resistant to powdery mildew. Interspecific derivatives of H. argophyllus, namely PB-1001, PB-1003, PB-1005, PB-1007, PB-1008, PB-1014, and PB-1019 were resistant to leafhoppers, while PB-1003, PB-1005, and PB-1007 exhibited resistant reactions to downy mildew under sick plot conditions. H. debilis derivatives viz., PB-120, PB-127, PB-128, PB-129 and PB-130 recorded >40% oil content. The pre-breeding lines derived from these interspecific cross combinations serve as an invaluable reservoir of genes for carrying out basic studies on the key traits as well as the exploitation of agronomically desirable traits in the AICRP sunflower breeding programmes.

Study of Genetic Variability for Yield and Quality Parameters in Newly Developed Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Interspecific Derivatives Over Two Seasons

Study of Genetic Variability for Yield and Quality Parameters in Newly Developed Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Interspecific Derivatives Over Two Seasons

Photosynthetic characteristics in wild, cultivated species and interspecific inbred lines of safflower

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), a multipurpose oilseed crop is the only cultivated species in the Carthamus genus. Carthamus spp. have been explored for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses but not for physiological efficiency. Photosynthetic traits of ten wild and ten cultivated species and six interspecific inbred lines were studied to understand the expression of the photosynthetic traits among them, and for trait introgression from wild species in interspecific derivatives. Relations among some physiological traits in interspecific inbred lines differed from those observed in wild and cultivated species. The high photosynthesis (Pn), low transpiration (E) and high intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) could be introgressed from the wild species, C. lanatus and C. turkesthanicusinto safflower cultivars. Inheritance of photosynthetic traitsfrom wild to cultivated speciesindicated that wild species are exploitable for safflower improvement. This study suggests the utilization of wild species for their high Pn, low E and iWUE characteristics for developing abiotic stress-tolerant safflower cultivars.

High yielding mutants from the introgression lines of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

An effort was made to generate variability for foliar disease resistance and productivity traits in groundnut using induced mutagenesis with gamma rays and ethyl methane sulfate (EMS) in three interspecific derivatives viz., ICGIL17105, ICGIL 17110, and ICGIL 17112 involving ABK genomes. A large population of M1, M2, M3 and M4 generations were evaluated along with the parents and checks to identify the promising mutants. Germinationpercentage decreased with an increase in the dosage of mutagen individually and in combination in the M1 generation. Dominant mutants with reduced plant height were observed along with the lethal mutants in the M1 generation. Gamma rays of 300 Gy and 0.3% EMS showed the highest mutagenic frequency and effectiveness for foliar disease resistance [late leaf spot (LLS) and rust] and productivity traits in the M2 generation. Interestingly, mutations were also observed for the taxonomic traits. Evaluation of M3 lines confirmed the superiority of three mutants over the respective parents and the best check (GPBD 4) for foliar disease resistance and pod yield. Superior mutants were checked for the type of allele at late leafspot (LLS) and rust resistance linked marker loci. Parents and the mutants had the resistant type of allele (like GPBD 4) at all the marker loci (GM1536, GM1954, GM2301, AhTE0498 and AhTE0621). Superior mutants are being evaluated in large plots in the station trial along with the parents and other elite varieties to check their performance towards developing them into commercial varieties.

Evaluation and identification of advanced lentil interspecific derivatives resulted in the development of early maturing, high yielding, and disease-resistant cultivars under Indian agro-ecological conditions.

The genetic base revealed by pedigree records of the majority of released cultivars appears to be narrow in major pulse crops, including lentils, because of the frequent use of the same parents and their derivatives in crop improvement programs. Therefore, corrective measures are needed to widen the genetic base by involving the genetic resources of a distinct gene pool. In this direction, rigorous efforts were made to introgress wild Lens taxa, L. culinaris ssp. orientalis, and L. ervoides into the backgrounds of cultivated varieties. Subsequently, genetic materials were advanced through the single seed descent method of breeding along with a rapid generation advancement (normal and off-season) approach. Two F10:11 interspecific derivatives of lentils were evaluated in augmented block design at two locations, viz. International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), India. The analysis of variance showed remarkable variability for all target characters at both locations. The heritability estimates were high, and correlation analysis exhibited a significant association between the majority of traits assessed at ICARDA and SKUAST, India. Further, SKUAST identified the most promising lines as “Jammu Lentil 144” and “Jammu Lentil 71.” These derivatives were further validated separately for their agronomic potential and resistance against major biotic stresses. The results revealed that Jammu Lentil 144 and Jammu Lentil 71 produced 16.65 and 9.40% more seed yield than local and national checks, including earliness, by 25 and 15 days, respectively. These promising interspecific derivatives were also found to be resistant to fusarium wilt, root rot, pod borer, and aphid infestations. The standard agronomy of these cultivars has also been assessed consecutively for 2 years at SKUAST. Overall, the pre-breeding efforts have resulted in the development of early maturing, high-yielding, and disease-resistant lentil cultivars for the Jammu region of India.

Alternaria leaf blight (Alternaria spp.) – an emerging foliar fungal disease of winter-summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) : A review

Alternaria leaf blight of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an economic important foliar fungal disease of winter (rabi)-summer groundnut. It is not only distributed in India, but also in other groundnut growing countries like Nigeria, Vietnam and Thailand. Its severity increases whenever the crop is facing any biotic and abiotic stresses. This disease significantly affects pod and haulm yield of groundnut causing a reduction in the pod (13–22%), haulm yield (24–63%) and kernel quality. In cultivated groundnut, very limited sources of moderate resistance are available to Alternaria leaf blight. Now efforts are being made to identify better and stable sources of resistance in cultivated groundnut germplasm and interspecific derivatives. Although cultural, biological and chemical control measures have been used for the management of Alternaria leaf blight but these involve high costs and time. Growing Alternaria leaf blight resistant cultivars is the most effective way to protect groundnut crop. However, conventional breeding approaches have been successful for developing moderate resistance groundnut varieties for Alternaria leaf blight. This review has made an attempt to consolidate the research developments in Alternaria leaf blight and resistance breeding in groundnut.

Identification of promising chickpea interspecific derivatives for agro-morphological and major biotic traits

The wild Cicer species is well-known for having climate-resilient and productivity-enhancing traits of interest. Therefore, wide hybridization could be used as a realistic strategy for introgressing prospective traits from wild species into the cultivated gene pool. The present study was, thus, undertaken to evaluate F7 chickpea interspecific derivatives derived from Cicer reticulatum Ladiz. and C. echinospermum P. H. Davis wild annual Cicer species. As a result, a set of six interspecific crosses were advanced using the single seed descent (SSD) method of breeding. The F7 generation of these crosses was assessed in two diverse agro-ecological regions of India. The data revealed a wide range of variation with respect to seed yield and its important component traits, which resulted in the identification of the most promising derivatives carrying desirable characters as indicated by range, mean, and coefficient of variation. Further, fruitful heterosis was also estimated as promising selection criteria for identifying superior lines for earliness and high seed yield, including resistance against prevailing stresses (ascochyta blight, botrytis gray mold, dry root rot, and fusarium wilt). The superior derivatives carrying putative characters could be recommended for further breeding and selection of genetic materials for developing suitable genotypes.

Identification of resistance to Fusarium head blight and molecular cytogenetics of interspecific derivatives between wheat and Psathyrostachys huashanica.

Psathyrostachys huashanica is a relative of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with many disease resistance genes that can be used to improve wheat disease resistance. In order to enrich the germplasm resources available in wheat genetics and breeding, we assessed Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance in 45 interspecific derivatives between wheat and Psathyrostachys huashanica during two years from 2017-2018. Two interspecific derivatives comprising, H-34-8-2-6-1 and H-24-3-1-5-19-1 were identified as FHB resistant lines. These two lines were examined based on their morphology and cytogenetics, as well as by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), molecular markers, and 660K genotyping array to determine their genetic construction. The results confirmed H-34-8-2-6-1 as a wheat-P. huashanica 1Ns long arm ditelosomic addition line and H-24-3-1-5-19-1 as a wheat-P. huashanica 2Ns substitution line. Assessments of the agronomic traits showed that H-34-8-2-6 had significantly higher kernel number per spike and self-fertility rate than parent 7182. In addition, compared with 7182, H-24-3-1-5-19-1 had a much lower plant height while the other agronomic traits were relatively similar. The two new lines are valuable germplasm materials for breeding FHB resistance in wheat.

Assessment of variability and association for seed yield and yield attributing traits among the interspecific derivatives of greengram x blackgram cross

The present investigation was carried out with 24 progenies in F4 generation of interspecific cross derivatives of Vigna radiata cv. VBN(Gg)2 x Vigna mungo cv. Mash 114 to study the variability and association among the yield and the yield component traits. A set of 24 F4 progenies from the interspecific cross between greengram (VBN(Gg)2) and blackgram (Mash 114) formed the basic genetic material for the present investigation. Variability studies recorded high Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for the traits viz., number of branches/ plant, number of clusters/ plant, number of pods/ plant and seed yield /plant. High heritability (h2) along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean (GAM) were recorded for the traits, plant height, number of clusters/ plant, number of pods/ plant and seed yield/ plant. Association studies revealed that the trait number of pods/ plant alone recorded high direct positive effect on seed yield/ plant. The results indicated that high magnitude of variability was present among the interspecific progenies for these traits. The high heritability and genetic advance might be due to presence of additive gene action. Hence selection based on these traits might be effective for genetic improvement among the interspecific progenies of Vigna radiata x Vigna mungo. The study indicates that the trait, number of pods / plant should be given due importance in selection programme for seed yield improvement in the interspecific progenies of greengram and blackgram.

Multivariate Analysis using D2 and Principal Component Analysis in Mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] for Study of Genetic Diversity

Background: Seventy breeding lines of mung bean were evaluated for 20 different characters and mean values were worked for genetic diversity by Mahalanobis D2 statistic. Methods: The experiments included 70 mung bean breeding lines which were collected from Plant Breeding Unit, Agricultural Research Station, Badnapur. They were grown during Kharif 2016 at experimental research farm Badnapur of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. The data were recorded for 20 different characters on 10 randomly selected plants. The statistical analysis were done by Mahalanobis D2 statistics.Result: The results of D2 analysis indicated the presence of considerable genetic divergence among these breeding lines. In the present study, inter-cluster distances were worked out considering 20 characters and these distances ranged from 240.96 (between cluster V and cluster VII) to 1080.72 (between cluster V and cluster VIII). The inter-specific derivatives were grouped into eight clusters. The maximum inter-cluster distance was between cluster V and cluster VIII. The maximum inter-cluster distance was between cluster V and cluster VIII (1080.72), followed by cluster II and cluster III (932.25), cluster IV and cluster VIII (910.11), cluster VII and cluster VIII (738.30), cluster I and cluster VIII (732.61), cluster VI and cluster V (660.49) and cluster II and cluster VI (494.93). This suggested that there is wide genetic diversity between these clusters. Based on these studies, crosses can be made between breeding lines of these clusters to obtain desirable results either in transgressive breeding or in heterosis breeding. Cluster VIII and cluster IV showed high mean values for most of the yield contributing traits like100-seed weight, shelling %, harvest index, pod length, primary branches per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, leaf width and days to shattering. So the lines from cluster IV and cluster VIII can be used for mung bean yield improvement programme.

Use of morpho-physiological and biochemical traits to identify sources of drought and heat tolerance in chickpea (

Productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) under current climatic conditions is severely limited by water deficit and high temperatures, either alone or in combination. Breeding for improved tolerance, and increasing understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying tolerance, are imperative for achieving yield stabilisation. We evaluated 36 chickpea genotypes including 21 interspecific derivatives (from the cross C. arietinum ICCV96030 × C. pinnatifidum IC525200), their parents, 10 elite genotypes, and three checks (drought tolerant, heat tolerant, drought and heat susceptible) under three environments: timely sowing with irrigation, timely sowing with drought stress, and late sowing leading to heat stress. Four parameters were considered: seed yield, proline content, membrane permeability index, and relative leaf water content. Although the average seed yield plummeted under both stresses, the impact of high temperature was more pronounced. Mean leaf water content declined, whereas membrane permeability index and proline content increased, under both stresses. Leaf water content showed a significant positive correlation with seed yield under all environments, and thus can be employed as an early-stage screening strategy in breeding programs for developing stress tolerant genotypes. Based on estimated stress susceptibility indices for seed yield, derivative line GLW605 was identified as a promising donor for both drought and heat tolerance. Additionally, three derivative lines (GLW607, GLW649, GLW677) were found tolerant to drought, and one derivative line (GLW669) showed tolerance to heat alone. Yield levels of the identified lines were statistically on par with respective tolerant checks. Results suggest that tolerance to drought and heat was successfully introgressed from the wild species, C. pinnatifidum, into the cultivated background. The promising derivative lines can be employed for developing multi-stress tolerant cultivars.

Identification and Confirmation of Resistance in Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] Derivatives to Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV)

Background: Mung bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV) is found to be one of the prime viral diseases of mungbean in Tamil Nadu state. Screening for MYMV resistance in field condition always remains a hassle for breeding society. The peculiar MYMV symptoms often failed in the field due to some factors such as environmental changes, whitefly genotypes, host factors etc. With the above perspective, the present study aimed to screen the mung bean derivatives against MYMV through a novel in vitro agroinoculation technique and further substantiation through whitefly transmission.Methods: Four interspecific derivatives (VGGRU 1, VGGRU 2, VGGRU 3 and VGGRU 4) generated by making crosses between mungbean VRM (Gg) 1 and rice bean (TNAU RED) along with the susceptible check VRM (Gg) 1 were agroinoculated with the MYMV infectious clone VA 239 (KA30 DNA A + KA27 DNA) and are further substantiated through whitefly transmission studies from the artificially reared whiteflies. Result: The agroinoculation results revealed that among the four interspecific derivatives, VGGRU 1 was found to be completely resistant to MYMV. The substantiation of the obtained result through whitefly transmission also revealed that 24 h Acquisition Access Period (AAP) and 24 h Inoculation Access Period (IAP) with Bemisia tabaci able to cause 65% infectivity in susceptible plant VRM (Gg) 1 and zero infectivity in VGGRU 1 and the results were PCR confirmed for the presence of viral DNA.

Genetic variability and inter-relationship studies in advanced interspecific derivatives of chickpea

The present study was undertaken to assess the variations and association among yield and its contributing traits in interspecific derivatives of chickpea. One hundred thirty chickpea interspecific derivatives of four wide crosses were evaluated for various agro-morphological traits. The analysis of variance revealed the presence of sufficient variability among the recombinant lines for all the traits studied. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were found to be higher for seed yield per plant, 100-seed weight, plant height and pods per plant. Likewise, moderate PCV and GCV were observed for biological yield per plant and harvest index. Selection will be effective for traits such as plant height, 100-seed weight, biological yield per plant, number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant and harvest index as they showed high heritability along with high genetic advance. Correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed that higher seed yield per plant can be obtained by selecting derivatives with high biological yield per plant, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight and harvest index. Overall interspecific recombinant lines viz; R-31 (Cross I - PUSA 372 X ILWC 229), R-12, R-27 and R-30 (Cross II - PBG 5 X ILWC 229), R-3 (Cross III -PBG 5 X ILWC 246) and R-6 (Cross IV - BGD 72 X ILWC 246) were found superior over the best check, Him Palam Chana 1 (DKG 986).

Deployment of yellow mosaic disease resistance in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] through interspecific hybridization

Mungbean yellow mosaic virus [Urdbean: New Delhi: 2011] Accession no. JQ398669.1, was found to be prevalent in both summer and kharif season causing Yellow Mosaic Disease (YMD) of mungbean. Since similar strain was observed in both the seasons, the short duration interspecific derivative lines of mungbean suitable for summer season were evaluated for YMD resistance in kharif season- a highly favourable environment for YMD epidemics during 2014-2016. Out of fourteen lines showing stable resistant reaction, few lines promising for other economically important traits were selected and again evaluated by whitefly mediated artificial inoculation technique for confirmation of resistance during 2017. The selected promising interspecific derivative lines showed no YMD symptoms except SML 1829. SML 1827 derived from interspecific cross between mungbean and rice bean showed highest yield among all interspecific derivatives. Further, rice bean specific segments were also identified in SML 1827 with SSR markers.

Assessing variability for disease resistance and nutritional quality traits in an interspecific collection of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

AbstractRust and late leaf spot (LLS) resistance sources involving Arachis batizocoi, A. duranensis, A. cardenasii and A. sps Manfredi‐5 were identified from field evaluation of interspecific derivatives (IDs) of groundnut in a disease nursery for two seasons. Although the sources displayed low levels of resistance compared to currently cultivated lines, they contribute allele diversity in groundnut breeding that has so far relied on alleles contributed from A. cardenasii for disease resistance. Multiple disease‐resistant and agronomically superior IDs, ICGVs 11379, 10121, 10179, 05097, 02411 and 00248 involving A. batizocoi, A. duranensis and A. cardenasii can be used in breeding for groundnut improvement. Genetic variability for resistance to rust and LLS, yield and nutritional quality traits was influenced by genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction effects in individual and pooled analyses. In case of FAD (fatty acid desaturase)‐mutant alleles that govern high oleic trait, allele mining of IDs (110) showed that frequency of mutation in ahFAD2B is rare, whereas of ahFAD2A is common. High oleic lines were not detected among the IDs.

Association analysis in the interspecific derivatives of Vigna mungo x Vigna mungo var. sylvestris for yield and its components

Association analysis in the interspecific derivatives of <i>Vigna mungo x Vigna mungo var. sylvestris</i> for yield and its components