Number Of Locules Research Articles

Ultrasound of the Gruberi Bursa With Cadaveric and MRI Correlation.

The purpose of this study was to describe the appearance and ultrasound characteristics of the Gruberi bursa using a cadaveric model and retrospective ultrasound imaging review. For the cadaveric study, ultrasound of the dorsolateral ankle of a foot-ankle specimen was performed and was followed by injection of latex between the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) tendons and the talus and dissection. For the ultrasound imaging review, the radiology database was searched for ultrasound studies performed from September 15, 2000, through April 1, 2015, to identify subjects with a dorsolateral foot or ankle fluid collection detected on ultrasound. Images were retrospectively reviewed to characterize the location and size of the fluid collection, assess for the number of locules, and evaluate the compressibility of the fluid collection. It was determined whether the ultrasound findings were significantly different from chance: CI and p values were obtained from performing a test for one proportion. Dissection of a cadaveric specimen revealed latex within a well-defined region between the EDL tendons and the dorsolateral talus; this location is consistent with a Gruberi bursa. For the image review, the imaging examinations of 162 subjects (age range, 16-88 years; 31 male subjects and 131 female subjects) were reviewed. On the ultrasound images, a fluid collection with its epicenter between the dorsolateral talus and EDL was found in 93% of ankles. Of the fluid collections identified on ultrasound, 98% were unilocular and 94% were anechoic. Of these fluid collections, 133 were assessed for compressibility, and 89% were compressible. The positive findings for a Gruberi bursa that were different from chance (p < 0.0001) were a fluid collection being located between the EDL tendons and the dorsolateral talus and being unilocular, anechoic, and compressible. The Gruberi bursa characteristically is located between the EDL and the talus; on ultrasound, the Gruberi bursa is most commonly unilocular, anechoic, and compressible.

Age-related differences in the sonographic characteristics of endometriomas.

Do sonographic characteristics of ovarian endometriomas vary with age in premenopausal women? With increasing age, multilocular cysts and cysts with papillations and other solid components become more common whereas ground glass echogenicity of cyst fluid becomes less common. Expectant or medical management of women with endometriomas is now accepted. Therefore, the accuracy of non-invasive diagnosis of these cysts is pivotal. A clinically relevant question is whether the sonographic characteristics of ovarian endometriomas are the same irrespective of the age of the woman. This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data in the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) database. The database contains clinical and ultrasound information collected pre-operatively between 1999 and 2012 from 5914 patients with adnexal masses in 24 ultrasound centres in 10 countries. There were 1005 histologically confirmed endometriomas in adult premenopausal patients found in the database and these were used in our analysis. The following ultrasound variables (defined using IOTA terminology) were used to describe the ultrasound appearance of the endometriomas: tender mass at ultrasound, largest diameter of lesion, tumour type (unilocular, unilocular-solid, multilocular, multilocular-solid, solid), echogenicity of cyst content, presence of papillations, number of papillations, height (mm) of largest papillation, presence and proportion of solid tissue and number of cyst locules, as well as vascularity in papillations and colour content of the tumour scan (colour score) on colour or power Doppler ultrasounds. Results are reported as median difference or odds ratio (OR) per 10 years increase in age. Maximal lesion diameter did not vary substantially with age (+1.3 mm difference per 10 years increase in age, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.4 to 4.0). Tender mass at scan was less common in the older the woman (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63-0.89), as were unilocular cysts relative to multilocular cysts (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.85) and to lesions with solid components (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.48-0.77), and ground glass echogenicity relative to homogeneous low-level echogenicity (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.94) and other types of echogenicity of cyst contents (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.81). Papillations were more common the older the woman (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.24-2.21), but their height and vascularization showed no clear relation to age. It is a limitation that we have little clinical information on the women included, e.g. previous surgery or medical treatment for endometriosis. It is important to emphasize that we do not know the age of the endometrioma itself and that our study is not longitudinal and so does not describe changes in endometriomas over time. The differences in the ultrasound appearance of endometriomas between women of different ages might be explained by previous surgery or medical treatment and might not be an effect of age per se. Awareness of physicians that the ultrasound appearance of endometriomas differs between women of different ages may facilitate a correct diagnosis of endometrioma. This study was supported in part by the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna (project code CPR-24750). B.V.C., A.C. and D.T. are supported by the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders, Belgium (FWO). The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Adaptability and stability of pepper hybrids under conventional and organic production systems

ABSTRACT Pepper is one of the main vegetable crops commercialized in Brazil and it is grown throughout the country. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and predict the genotypic values involved in agronomic traits of hybrid pepper in two different cropping systems in order to verify adaptability and genotypic stability. The experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station Luiz Jorge da Gama Wanderley from IPA, located in Vitoria de Santo Antão, Pernambuco State, Brazil, from October 2010 to March 2011. Seven hybrids were evaluated in two trials, the first in conventional farming system and the second in organic cultivation system. Randomized blocks were used with seven treatments, four replications and plots consisting of six plants. We evaluated the following fruit variables: total mass (MTF), total number (NTF), average length (CMF), average diameter (DMF), number of locules (NL) and average thickness of the pericarp (EP). Statistical analyzes and estimation of genetic parameters were based on mixed models of type REML/BLUP, using the statistical model and software SELEGEN 151. All traits showed good accuracy. The genotype average heritability (h2mg) was lower than 80% only for the trait NTF. Some characters had h2mg close to 100% such as CMF and DMF with 99.1% and 98.3%, respectively. The hybrids presenting a predicted genotypic effect higher than the average were: Atlantis, Máximos, Solario and Rubia R for NTF, Solario and Atlantis for MFT, Impacto, Máximos, Atlantis, Hebron and Rubia R to CMF, Solario and Enterprise for DMF, Solario, Impacto, Rubia R and Atlantis for NL and Solario and Enterprise for EP. Hybrids presenting the highest performance in the traits evaluated for each system were the same selected based on the joint analysis of the studied systems, showing stability and enabling their indication for organic and conventional cropping systems.

Phylogenetic placement and generic re‐circumscriptions of the multilocular genera Arenifera, Octopoma and Schlechteranthus (Aizoaceae: Ruschieae): Evidence from anatomical, morphological and plastid DNA data

AbstractRuschieae is the largest tribe in the highly speciose subfamily Ruschioideae (Aizoaceae). A generic‐level phylogeny for the tribe was recently produced, providing new insights into relationships between the taxa. Octopoma and Arenifera are woody shrubs with multilocular capsules and are distributed across the Succulent Karoo. Octopoma was shown to be polyphyletic in the tribal phylogeny, but comprehensive sampling is required to confirm its polyphyly. Arenifera has not previously been sampled and therefore its phylogenetic placement in the tribe is uncertain. In this study, phylogenetic sampling for nine plastid regions (atpB‐rbcL, matK, psbJ‐petA, rpl16, rps16, trnD‐trnT, trnL‐F, trnQUUG‐rps16, trnS‐trnG) was expanded to include all species of Octopoma and Arenifera, to assess phylogenetic placement and relationships of these genera. Three phylogenetic analyses were carried out, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Leaf anatomical sections were studied to further inform generic circumscriptions. The phylogenies showed Octopoma to be polyphyletic, with the type, O. octojuge, and the related O. nanum, resolved as sister to Zeuktophyllum and Smicrostigma, while the other species were placed in the Conophytum‐clade. Arenifera was also shown to be polyphyletic, with the type, A. pillansii, placed in the xeromorphic‐clade, and the remainder of the species recovered among the Octopoma species in the Conophytum‐clade (forming the Octopoma subglobosum–Arenifera spinescens subclade). Generic affinities of the O. subglobosum–A. spinescens subclade were assessed in relation to the sister taxon Schlechteranthus. The leaf anatomy was found to be informative within the study group. Bladder cells were observed in Arenifera pillansii, a hypodermis in Little Karoo Octopoma (O. octojuge, O. nanum, O. quadrisepalum) and epidermal cells forming blunt papillae in Schlechteranthus and the O. subglobosum–A. spinescens subclade. Upon assessment of the anatomical, morphological and phylogenetic data, Schlechteranthus is here expanded to include the species in the O. subglobosum–A. spinescens subclade. Eight new combinations are made in Schlechteranthus. As a result, Arenifera is again monotypic and the circumscription of Octopoma is refined to include three species restricted to the Little Karoo. Two subgenera within Schlechteranthus s.1. (subg. Schlechteranthus, subg. Microphyllus) are erected to accommodate differences in leaf size, capsule size, closing body size and locule number.

The correlation between VvYABBY5 expression and the ontogeny of tricarpellate fruit in ‘Xiangfei’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera)

ABSTRACTCarpel morphogenesis is crucial for seed development, and fruit size and quality, and carpel number is one measure of the level of plant evolution. A comparative study of morphogenesis and gene modulation was initiated to study the ontogeny of bi- and tricarpellate fruits. In our study, ‘Xiangfei’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera) was used as the plant material because of its high tricarpellate occurrence. Results showed that congenital fusion was the main pathway for tricarpellate ovary ontogeny. There were three ventral sutures on tricarpellate fruits in the period of flowering, and this feature was absent from bicarpellate fruits. From 20 to 40 days after flowering (DAF), the growth rate of tricarpellate fruits was greater than that of bicarpellate fruits. Four VvYABBY genes were identified from the grapevine genome by BLAST searches using the sequence of tomato SlFASCIATED (SlFAS is a protein that negatively regulates locule number). Real-time PCR determined the transcript levels of the VvYABBY genes in bicarpellate and tricarpellate ovaries. Only the transcript level of VvYAB5 in tricarpellate ovaries was lower than that in bicarpellate ovaries in different developmental periods. In situ analysis showed that VvYAB5 transcripts were detected in carpel primordia and placental tissue. Taken together, a tentative inference is that the VvYAB5 gene might play a role in tricarpellate fruit formation.

Fruit traits of pepper genotypes originating from open pollination

In different regions of Serbia people consume pepper fruits with various shapes, sizes and colors. In southern Serbia consumers prefer longer fruits, while in the northern part shorter fruits are more preferred. The aim of this paper was to evaluate four pepper genotypes (355, 356, 357, and 358) with shorter fruits originating from open pollination. These genotypes were compared with the parental line 354 with longer fruits. The fruits were harvested in technological maturity. Fruit (length, width, weight, and index), locule number, pericarp thickness, total soluble solids and fruit yield per plant were evaluated. The line 354 had the longest fruits (14.46 cm). Genotype 358 had the highest pericarp thickness (5.8 mm), while the genotype 357 had the highest fruit weight (105 g). Based on the evaluated traits, genotype 357 will be used for further selection because of higher fruit weight, and genotype 358 because of a thicker pericarp.

Inter-relationship for various components and path co-efficient analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicun L.)

The correlation and path co-efficient studies were conducted for sixteen genotypes of tomato at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture at C.S.K. Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur during 2012 and 2013. Findings clearly indicated that genotypic correlations were of higher magnitude to the corresponding phenotypic ones, thereby establishing strong inherent relationship among the character studied. Marketable yield had a positive and highly significant association with gross yield per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, total fruits per plant, average fruit weight, number of nodes, plant height and TSS content. Strong association of these traits revealed that the selection based on these traits would ultimately improve the marketable yield and it is also suggested that hybridization of genotypes possessing combination of above characters will prove more useful for getting desired segregants. Path co-efficient analysis revealed that gross yield per plant, ascorbic acid, pericarp thickness and average fruit weight had the highest positive direct effect on fruit yield at phenotypic levels. Number of locules per fruit, total number of fruits per plant, fruit shape index, number of marketable fruits per plant and TSS content also had positive direct effects. Hence, it would be rewarding to lay stress on these characters in selection programme for increasing the marketable yield.

Fruit size QTLs affect in a major proportion the yield in tomato

Yield is a complex trait that is affected by several genetic and environmental factors. Yield is defined as the amount of the part of interest that is harvested from a crop plant in a given area. We investigated the genetic basis of yield in an F2 population derived from a cross between Solatium lycopersicum L. and its most closely related wild species S. pimpinellifolium L. We found that average fruit weight, fruit diameter, and fruit length had a strong effect on yield. In addition, small effects on yield due to soluble solids content and locule number were also observed. A total of 25 different significant quantitative trait locus (QTLs) were detected for six traits (fruit length and diameter, fruit weight, yield, locule number, and Brix degrees). The percentage of phenotypic variation associated with single QTLs ranged from 4.19% to 12.67%. A strong co-location of QTLs among yield and fruit size traits was observed, suggesting that these QTLs play a role in the same expression process controlling yield. We also realized that the effects of soluble solids content on yield could be due to direct effects of fruit size QTLs linked to genes controlling soluble solids content. This result then may suggest that yield in tomato is mainly formed by fruit size QTLs, whereas the remaining factors may play a complementary role in the expression of tomato yield.

Genetic dissection of association among within-boll yield components and their relationship with seed cotton yield in F3 populations of Gossypium hirsutum L.

Only a little information is available on the genetic association of basic within-boll yield components of segregating populations. A total of 25 genotypes were evaluated for genetic diversity using SSR markers in 2012; of these, eight diverse genotypes were selected to attempt the generation of five crosses. From the progeny of these five crosses, five F3 populations were developed. Data for within-boll yield components were recorded by taking 30 observations (one observation average of five bolls) from each population, and analysed for genotypic and phenotypic correlations followed by the path coefficient analysis from the genotypic correlation. The highest genotypic correlation was observed between seed cotton yield per locule and number of seeds per boll (ranging from 0.654 to 0.972 for different crosses). Except number of seeds per locule and lint percentage, all the other within-boll yield components had a highly significant positive correlation with seed cotton yield, whereas the former two had a negative correlation. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of seeds per boll had a maximum direct effect on yield (ranging from 0.776 to 0.895 for different crosses), and also had a relatively high magnitude of the indirect effect via other traits. Differences were observed in the magnitude of correlation coefficients and direct/indirect effects for different populations, but the direction of genetic association always remained the same. The present study showed that number of locules per boll, seed cotton yield per locule, number of seeds per boll and seed cotton yield per boll can be used as efficient selection criteria for the improvement in seed cotton yield.

Heterobeltiosis, potence ratio and genetic control of processing quality and disease severity traits in tomato

Five inbred lines of tomato were crossed in a half diallel fashion to estimate the combining ability, mode of gene action, extent of heterobeltiosis and dominance effects in the inheritance of fruit yield, processing qualities and disease severity traits. A preponderance of non-additive gene action was detected for all studied characters except fruit weight, indicating that heterosis breeding is an appropriate strategy for their improvement. Maximum heterobeltiosis was observed for the percent disease index (PDI) of tomato leaf curl viruses (ToLCV), followed by the number of locules per fruit, PDI of early blight, fruit yield per plant, lycopene content of fruit, vitamin C content of fruit, total soluble solids content of fruit and acidity content of fruit. Partial- to over-dominance effects were involved in the inheritance of the studied traits. Three lines (CLN 2777E, BCT-115 and CLN 2777F) were identified as potential donors. We recommend that two hybrids (CLN 2777 F × CLN 2777 E and CLN 2777E × Ailsa Craig fulgens) would be appropriate for commercial use following further evaluation of their traits, as they exhibit desirable horticultural traits, particularly in the tropics.

PYRENE MORPHOLOGY OF THREE SPECIES OF Byrsonima Rich. ex Kunth (Malpighiaceae)1

ABSTRACT The species of the genus Byrsonima Rich. ex Kunth are of great medicinal and economic importance, but they are still poorly studied with respect to their propagules. This study describes, illustrates and comparse morphological aspects of the pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth, Byrsonima verbascifolia (L.) DC. and Byrsonima coccolobifolia Kunth occurring in areas of savannah of Boa Vista, Roraima. The pyrenes are globoid, obovoid to ovoid, with endocarp dark brown in color, with a corrugated and reticulate surface and corneous consistency. They possess distinctly septate locules with or without seeds, the outer wall of which are dark brown in color with corneous consistency and thin black inner walls also with corneous consistency. The number of locules and seeds per pyrene among the species varies. The seeds are exalbuminous, globoid, obovoid to ovoid, with a thin, smooth integument and are light-brown in color. They have radicular lobes and hypostasis. The embryo is continuous and axial with cylindrical spirally rolled cotyledons. The diameter of pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia is greater than in the other two species. The pyrenes of B. coccolobifolia are longer and heavier, while those of B. verbascifolia are lighter and the seeds have greater lengths, widths and thickness compared to the other two species studied. The three species have similar morphologies, differing in the size and weight of pyrenes and seeds.

Exploring a Tomato Landraces Collection for Fruit-Related Traits by the Aid of a High-Throughput Genomic Platform.

During its evolution and domestication Solanum lycopersicum has undergone various genetic ‘bottlenecks’ and extreme inbreeding of limited genotypes. In Europe the tomato found a secondary centre for diversification, which resulted in a wide array of fruit shape variation given rise to a range of landraces that have been cultivated for centuries. Landraces represent a reservoir of genetic diversity especially for traits such as abiotic stress resistance and high fruit quality. Information about the variation present among tomato landrace populations is still limited. A collection of 123 genotypes from different geographical areas was established with the aim of capturing a wide diversity. Eighteen morphological traits were evaluated, mainly related to the fruit. About 45% of morphological variation was attributed to fruit shape, as estimated by the principal component analysis, and the dendrogram of relatedness divided the population in subgroups mainly on the basis of fruit weight and locule number. Genotyping was carried out using the tomato array platform SolCAP able to interrogate 7,720 SNPs. In the whole collection 87.1% markers were polymorphic but they decreased to 44–54% when considering groups of genotypes with different origin. The neighbour-joining tree analysis clustered the 123 genotypes into two main branches. The STRUCTURE analysis with K = 3 also divided the population on the basis of fruit size. A genomic-wide association strategy revealed 36 novel markers associated to the variation of 15 traits. The markers were mapped on the tomato chromosomes together with 98 candidate genes for the traits analyzed. Six regions were evidenced in which candidate genes co-localized with 19 associated SNPs. In addition, 17 associated SNPs were localized in genomic regions lacking candidate genes. The identification of these markers demonstrated that novel variability was captured in our germoplasm collection. They might also provide a viable indirect selection tool in future practical breeding programs.

Morphometric Analysis of some Species in the Genus Vigna (L.) Walp: Implication for Utilization for Genetic Improvement

The genus Vigna (L.) Walp is a large cosmopolitan leguminous genus comprising both cultivated and wild species. Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Cowpea) is an important food legume that is widely cultivated in the tropics, but its production and storage are hampered by insect pests. The present study evaluated the intra-and inter-specific morphological variabilities among 20 accessions of six Vigna species, comprising wild and cultivated species. The species are Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, V. vexillata (A. Richard), V. oblongifolia (A. Richard), V. ambacensis (Baker), V. luteola (Jacq.) (Bentham) and V. racemosa (G. Don) (Hutch and Dalziel). Thirty-one morphological characters involving qualitative and quantitative vegetative and reproductive traits were used for the evaluation. Multivariate analysis such as Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) were employed to evaluate the intra and inter specific variabilities. The paired-sample T test indicated significant differences among the 20 accessions (p#0.000, df = 19) in their morphometric traits. The relative significant correlation observed among some traits such as pod length, number of locules per pod and number of seeds per pod indicated their closeness and potential for genetic improvement of cowpea. The PCA showed that reproductive traits such as days to 50% flowering (0.984), days to 50% ripe pod (0.993), number of pods per peduncle (0.340) and 100-seed weight (0.132) are the major traits that accounted for the variations among the species. The UPGMA using the average (between groups) segregated the 20 accessions into two main clusters, cluster I (comprising mainly wild Vigna species) and cluster II (comprising both wild and cultivated species). The taxonomic affinities and genetic diversity among the species are of great importance in the utilization of the species for food and nutrition, fodder for ruminant animals, cover crop for rotational farming and more importantly genetic improvement of cowpea.

Descrição de cultivares locais de feijão-caupi coletados na microrregião Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brasil

A distribuição de sementes comerciais ameaça erodir o germoplasma local em regiões tradicionais de plantio de feijões-caupi (Vigna unguiculata). O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as cultivares locais de feijão-caupi da Resex Alto Juruá e da microrregião Cruzeiro do Sul - AC. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos nos anos de 2011 e 2012, em sistema convencional e, em sistema de plantio em aleias, respectivamente. O delineamento experimental adotado nos experimentos foi de blocos ao acaso com nove tratamentos (cultivares), três repetições por tratamento, parcelas de 12 m2 e espaçamento de 0,45 m entre plantas e linhas. Foram observados vinte caracteres qualitativos e 21 quantitativos. A análise de variância conjunta dos experimentos apresentou significativo para genótipo, sistema de plantio e interação genótipo/sistema de plantio. A característica qualitativa com maior variação entre os genótipos foi subclasse comercial, seguida da cor do grão, pigmentação da vagem imatura, forma do folíolo apical, cor das folhas e curvatura da vagem. O hábito da planta, tendência a enrolar-se ao tutor, fixação da vagem ao pedúnculo e espessura de parede da vagem não apresentam diferenças. Dos caracteres quantitativos apenas número de dias até 50% das plantas em florescimento e número de lóculos/vagem não diferiram estatisticamente entre cultivares. Os valores médios para comprimento de vagem, comprimento do pedúnculo, número de vagens por pedúnculo e número de vagens por planta foram baixos, entretanto, o germoplasma coletado apresentou características valorizadas como ciclo precoce, arquitetura adequada da planta além da adaptação ao plantio em várzeas.

Floral biology of indigenous pummelo genotypes

Flower morphology and bud development of pummelo accessions CG-1, CG-18 and CG-151 were studied at the Pummelo Orchard of Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Akbarpur, Moulvibazar and the Horticulture Laboratory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University during 2008-2009. Pummelo flowers were bisexual, bore singly on leaf axils or in clusters with or without leaf on stem in all accessions, and colour were white. Calyx diameter varied from 0.94 in CG-1 to 1.02 in CG-18. Number of petals per flower ranged from 4.0 to 4.5. Anthers were yellow in colour and only CG- 151 produced few rudimentary styles. Diameter of stigma varied from 0.39 mm to 0.49 mm. Number of locules per ovary was in between 14.6 to16.0 and number of ovules per locules varied from 4.0 to 9.0. Stages of floral bud development from initiation to anthesis were divided into 9 distinct stages. In pummelo, a total of 27.7 to 31.2 days were required from a bud initiation to reach its fully developed stage. Suitable time for emasculation of pummelo flowers was found within 26 days from flower bud initiation. Between 3:00am to 5:00am, about 76% flowers were found to be opened and between 4:00pm to 5:00pm in all the three accessions, dehiscence of pollens was recorded. Abscission of stamen, petal and style started after 50.8, 76.4 and 162.3 hrs and completed after 128.4, 137.9 and 228.3 hrs of anthesis, respectively.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(2): 177-188, June 2015

Evaluation of physico-chemical characters and processing quality of some tomato hybrids

Nine new hybrids of tomato namely NBH-Shakti-2005, NBH-666, NBH-Deshi number-1, NBH-Tripti-2010, NBH-3355, NBH-333, SNTH-1, SNTH-2 and SNTH-3 were evaluated for various physicochemical characteristics and its suitability for processing into puree. The changes in quality characteristics of puree were studied in storage in ambient condition (Max. temp. 22.1°C to 38.9°C; Min. temp. 14.3°C to 26.7°C and R.H. 31 to 93 %). Average length, diameter and weight ranged from 4.29 to 7.07cm, 4.89 to 5.56 cm and 71.15 to 104.36g, respectively. Higher fruit weight of NBH-666 (104.36g) and NBH-3355 (101.66g) is accompanied by large fruit size (5.05cm length, 5.56cm diameter and 7.07cm length, 4.89cm diameter, respectively) compared to other varieties. Among the 9 hybrid varieties studies the variety SNTH-3 and NBH-Shakti-2005 were significantly less in weight and size. Locule number varied from 2.16 (in NBH-333) to 4.41 (in SNTH-1). In general, firmness of the hybrid varieties NBH-Tripti-2010, NBH-3355, NBH-333 and NBH-666 were high (>1kg/cm 2 ) while that of NBH-Shakti-2005 and SNTH-3 were low compared to other varieties. Juice yield was high in SNTH- 3, SNTH-2, SNTH-1, NBH-3355, NBH-Tripti-2010 and NBH-Deshi number-1 (above 80%). TSS content was high in NBH-Deshi number-1, SNTH-3 and SNTH-2 (>4 °Brix). Acidity and pH ranged from 0.26 (in NBH-333) to 0.53 (in SNTH-2) and 4.07 (in SNTH-2) to 4.43 (in NBH-333). Among the hybrids lycopene content was high in NBH-666 (2.56mg/100g), NBH-3355 (2.38mg/100g) and NBH-Shakti- 2005 (2.02mg/100g) while lycopene content of NBH-Deshi number-1 was least (0.95mg/100g). After preparation of puree, quality analysis and sensory evaluation revealed that NBH-666 and SNTH-1 were superior for processing, since these varieties possess higher chemical composition and scored high value for colour, flavour, consistency and overall acceptability score. Next preference can go to NBH-333 and SNTH-2. In storage however, the quality of puree deteriorated and after four months only the variety NBH-666 and NBH-333 retained the maximum colour, consistency, flavour and overall acceptability (total) as revealed from sensory score.

Genetic diversity among some productive genotypes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

This research was done at Vegetable Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu during spring and summer seasons, 2007-2009. D2-statistics revealed that β-carotene contributed maximally towards the genetic divergence followed by ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, alcohol insoluble solids, pericarp thickness, lycopene content and polygalacturonase activity. The 60 genotypes were grouped into 20 clusters. Fourteen (14) clusters were monogenotypic and cluster I possessed highest number of genotypes numbering 25. Out of 20 clusters, cluster VII is promising for minimum polygalacturonase activity and high average fruit weight, cluster VIII had highest number of locules per fruit, fruit yield per plant and yield per hectare and cluster XVII was superior for ascorbic acid. However, cluster XX was found promising for lycopene content, β-carotene and number of fruits per plants. The highest inter cluster D2 values were estimated between clusters XII and XX, followed by clusters XI and XX, clusters VII and XX, and clusters XV and XX, indicating that there is enough scope for the improvement of tomato crop by hybridization and selection. Key words: Genetic variability, genetic gain, heritability, tomato.

Rapid and reliable identification of tomato fruit weight and locule number loci by QTL-seq.

Bulk segregant analysis coupled with whole genome sequencing is a powerful approach and cost-effective method to identify loci controlling fruit traits in tomato. Domestication of fruit and vegetable crops was accompanied by selection for weight of the edible parts. Increases in fruit weight are controlled by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL). To date, only two fruit weight genes have been cloned and a third has been fine-mapped. Genes that control locule number also impact fruit weight and two of them are known. To efficiently identify additional tomato fruit weight (FW) and locule number (LC) loci, six F2 populations were generated from crosses between closely related tomato accessions for which the alleles of the cloned FW and LC genes were known. We employed the bulk segregant approach coupled to whole genome sequencing (QTL-seq) which led to the identification of three highly significant and newly mapped FW QTL. fw11.2 was located in the distal part of chromosome 11 above the known loci fas and fw11.3; fw1.1 in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 1; and fw3.3 located ~1.6Mb below the known fruit weight gene, SlKLUH/FW3.2. In addition, we mapped three LCQTL (lcn2.4, lcn5.1, and lcn6.1) although their significance was generally low. To confirm the location of the gene underlying fw11.2, we developed additional markers and conducted progeny tests. These results allowed us to narrow down the fw11.2 QTL to a region of ~750kb corresponding to 66 candidate genes. Our research approach provided a cost-effective and time-efficient method for the identification of additional genes involved in FW and LC that could be used for both fruit development studies and crop improvement programs.

Studies on the Performance of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) Hybrids under Plastic Tunnel

A study was carried out at the Horticultural Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad during 2009-2010 to investigate the growth and yield of sweet pepper hybrids under plastic tunnel. The experiment comprises five hybrids viz., Orobelle, Figaro, Green Beauty, Mighty, Capistrano with control Yolowonder. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were chronicled on number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant (kg), length of fruits (cm), diameter of fruits (cm), pericarp thickness (mm), number of locules per plant and yield (t haG 1 ). Orobella rank first regarding number of fruit/plant (43.47), fruit weight/plant (1.96 kg) and yield (51 t haG 1 ) followed by Figaro (32.84, 1.72 kg, 48.57 t haG 1 ) and Capistrano (41.48, 1.76 kg, 45.90 t haG 1 ), respectively. Mighty hybrid produced highest (5.98, 6.27 cm) value

Effect of EMS induction on some morphological traits of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L)

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is the only vegetable crop of significance in the Malvaceae family and is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Mutation induction has been accepted as a useful tool in plant breeding programs to provide maximum inheritable variability. During this study, the effect of chemical mutagen Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) at three levels, 0.175%, 0.350% and 0.525% and two soaking period, 18 and 24 h. studied for variation induction on agronomic traits of okra using factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. In the M2 generation, agronomic traits were recorded including plant height, pod number/plant, pod length, pod diameter, stem thickness, seed number/pod, pod weight, number of locules, 100 seed weight and seed yield/plant. Analysis of variance showed that EMS concentration was significant at the 5% level for pod length, stem thickness and seed yield/plant and was highly significant for plant height, number of locules and 100 seed weight at the 1% probability level. The interaction of dose×soaking duration were significant pod number/plant and seed yield/ plant at 5% level and the characteristic of 100 seed weight was significant at 1% probability level. Application of EMS mutation lead to increased plant height, pod number/plant, pod length, pod diameter, stem thickness, seed number/ pod, number of locules, seed yield/plant and decrease of seed weight in okra. These results demonstrating that EMS could greatly affect the most of studied characters in M2 generation which it would increase the efficiency of the breeding objectives.