Total Number Of Tillers Research Articles

Gene action studies in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The present investigation on “Studies on heterosis for yield and its components in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)” was conducted during Kharif-2020, at Department of Agriculture Botany, Vasantrao Naik Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, National Agricultural Research Project, Aurangabad and College of Agriculture, Golegaon. The experimental material included in the present study comprised of five females (lines) and twelve restorers (testers) and sixty crosses. The experimental material was evaluated for twelve characters viz., days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, earhead length (cm), earhead girth (cm), number of nodes per plant, plant height (cm), total number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, Fe content (ppm), Zn content (ppm), grain yield per plant (g) and grain yield per hectare (kg). The range of heterobeltiosis was from -33.13 % to 78.20 %. In case of heterobeltiosis, twenty-two crosses showed positive significant heterobeltiosis for grain yield per plant. The cross 02888 X 15006R displayed highly significant standard heterosis over AHB 1200 (43.45 %), AHB 1666 (72.14 %) and Dhanshakti (68.53 %). The standard heterosis for grain yield per plant ranged from -36.31 % to 72.14 %. The other crosses having highly significant and positive standard heterosis were 99111A X 15713R (41.07 %, 69.29 % and 65.73 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti), 99111A X 15020R (39.29 %, 67.14 % and 63.64 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti), 02333A X 15183R(36.31 %, 63.57 % and 60.14 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti) and 02333A X 15351R (37.50%, 65.00 % and 61.54 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti).

Multivariate analysis among advanced breeding lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under sub-tropical ecology of Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir

The present study aimed to determine the nature and extent of genetic divergence for agro-morphological and quality traits amongst advanced breeding lines of rice utilizing multivariate techniques. Based on the inter se D2 values, breeding lines were grouped into six non-overlapping clusters, indicating presence of diversity amongst the lines.  Cluster I and Cluster II were found to be the largest clusters consisting of 14 and 9 genotypes, respectively, while, the remaining four clusters were mono-genotypic. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and VI, while the maximum intra-cluster distance was recorded for cluster II. Breeding lines present in cluster II were observed to have highest cluster means for traits viz., plant height, total number of tillers per plant, amylose content, grain yield per plant and grain yield per plot indicating its superiority over rest of the clusters. Traits including grain yield per plot, grain yield per plant, days to maturity, 1000-grain weight, total number of tillers per plant and panicle length were observed to be the major contributors to genetic divergence. Principal component analysis extracted six principal components of which first five components viz., PC-I to PC-IV had eigen scores greater than one. This suggested that traits within these axis were of importance. Principal component analysis revealed that the traits viz., number of effective tillers per plant, grain yield per plot, plant height, panicle length and days to 50 per cent flowering contributed maximum towards genetic diversity.  Keywords: Rice, Genetic diversity and PCA analysis

Mutant Character of the M3 Generation of Red Rice (G16) Results by Gamma Ray Iradiation 300 Gy

This study aims to determine the character and heritability of the M3 generation of red rice (G16) mutant plants produced by gamma ray irradiation of 300 Gy. This experiment was carried out from May to September 2022 in Nyurlembang Village, Narmada District, West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) in a partitioned design. With a total of 25 treatments consisting of 22 genotypes of mutant plants and three comparison plants. The results of the observations were analyzed using the analysis of variance with a level of 5%. Then the significantly different treatments were further tested using the Honestly Significant Difference test at the 5% level. The results showed that the gamma ray irradiation treatment of 300 Gy in the M3 generation of brown rice (G16) caused differences in the characters of each genotype including the number of non-productive tillers, number of empty grain panicles, panicle length, weight of filled grain, total number of tillers, the number of filled grain and the weight of empty grain. The best character in mutant plants GM20, GM26, GM27, GM30, and GM52. Meanwhile, the heritability of the M3 generation mutant brown rice (G16) produced by gamma ray irradiation of 300 Gy was classified as high heritability values ​​obtained for the character of plant height, number of non-productive tillers, panicle length, number of panicle filled grain, number of empty panicles, weight of 100 grains, weight of full grain, weight of empty grain, and weight of grain per clump. Meanwhile, moderate heritability was obtained for the character of harvesting age and the total number of tillers and low heritability was obtained for the character of flowering age and the number of productive tillers productive tillers had low heredity

Overexpression of Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Gene OsNPF7.6 Increases Rice Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency.

Overuse of nitrogen fertilizer in fields has raised production costs, and caused environmental problems. Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice is essential for sustainable agriculture. Here we report the cloning, characterization and roles for rice of OsNPF7.6, a member of the nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family (NPF). The OsNPF7.6 protein is located in the plasma membrane, expressed in each tissue at all stages and is significantly regulated by nitrate in rice. Our study shows that the overexpression of OsNPF7.6 can increase the nitrate uptake rate of rice. Additionally, field experiments showed that OsNPF7.6 overexpression increased the total tiller number per plant and the grain weight per panicle, thereby improving grain yield and agronomic NUE in rice. Thus, OsNPF7.6 can be applied to be a novel target gene for breeding rice varieties with high NUE, and provide a reference for breeding higher yielding rice.

Screening of Herbicides in Transplanted Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn

Background: Weeds smother the finger millet due to crop’s slow growth during the initial stages which reduces the yield substantially by 5-70%. Intensive use of herbicides is gaining popularity among the farmers now a days due to its effectiveness in controlling weeds, timeliness and reduced cost. Methods: The current field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural university during kharif season, 2021 under irrigated condition with twelve herbicide treatments laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Result: Pre-emergence application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl 15 g ha-1 significantly reduced the total weed density and total weed dry weight at 90 days after transplanting over all the other herbicides used. This treatment also considerably improved the plant parameters such as plant height, total number of tillers, plant dry matter production, Grain and stover yield and yield parameters such as productive tillers, ear head weight of transplanted finger millet which was statistically followed by the application of pendimethalin 750 g ha-1 as pre-emergent spray. Similar trend was followed in case of net returns and B: C ratio. while lower plant parameters were observed with the application of tembotrione 12 g ha-1.

Performance of Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter] Varieties Influenced by Soil Compaction and Sowing Dates in Toke Kutaye District in Ethiopia

Tef is the most cultivated crop in terms of area and second most produced crop after maize in Ethiopia. Soil compaction, inaccurate sowing date and shortage of high-yielding varieties are crucial problems in the study area. Therefore, this experiment was carried out during the main cropping season of 2021 to study the effects of soil compaction, sowing dates and tef varieties on yield and yield components of tef in Toke Kutaye district. The treatments included soil compaction (compacted and un-compacted soil), three sowing dates and three tef varieties such as [Dedefe (as standard check), Quncho and Dagim]. Treatments were factorially arranged and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of the data indicated that days to 50% emergence, days to 50% panicle emergence, days to 90% physiological maturity and number of productive tillers of tef were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by main effect of soil compaction, sowing dates and varieties. Plant height, panicle length, total number of tillers, above-ground biomass yield, grain yield and straw yield of tef were significantly affected by the interaction of three factors. Highest plant height (124.26 cm), panicle length (36.26 cm), above-ground biomass yield (7.47 t ha-1), and grain yield (2.8 t ha-1) were recorded from un-compacted soil, in early sown Dagim variety. Therefore, farmers in the study area are advised to grow Dagim variety with July 15 sowing date without trampling the soil to improve tef production and yield. However, the experiment has to be repeated across locations and seasons to provide a reliable recommendation for improved tef production for similar agroecology.

Enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, growth and yield of wheat through soil urea hydrolysis inhibition by Vachellia nilotica extract.

Soil urease inhibition slows down the urea hydrolysis and prolongs nitrogen (N) stay in soil, resulting in an increased N uptake by plants. Apart from several chemical urease inhibitors, the urease inhibition potential of plant extracts is rarely reported. In our previous study, the soil urease inhibition by Vachellia nilotica leaf extract was reported; however, its role in relation to growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under pot and field conditions remains unknown. The acetonic extracts of 10, 20, and 50g Vachellia nilotica leaves were given code names viz. Vn.Fl-10, Vn.Fl-20 and Vn.Fl-50, respectively, and coated on 100g of urea individually. The enhancements of growth (total number of tillers, number of productive tillers, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, and 1000-grains weight) and yield (biological yield, straw yield, and grain yield) parameters of wheat by Vn.Fl-20 and Vn.Fl-50 coated urea treatments were compared with uncoated urea in a pot experiment. The experiment indicated that the Vachellia nilotica extract coatings were effective at improving N persistence in soil, as reflected by increased grain and straw N concentrations as well as uptakes. The reproduction of the aforementioned results, at the half and full recommended dose of urea under field conditions, reconfirmed the effectiveness of Vachellia nillotica coatings. Moreover, the Vn.Fl-20 and Vn.Fl-50 coated urea, at the half as well as full recommended dose under field conditions, proved equally effective in terms of higher biological, straw, and grain yield, and grain N uptake. The increments in the total number of tillers, number of productive tillers, 1000-grain weight, biological yield, straw yield, grain yield, grain N concentration, grain N-, and straw N uptake along with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) components, i.e. nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP), nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE), partial nitrogen balance (PNB), and nitrogen recovery efficiency (NRE) of wheat highlighted the superiority of Vn.Fl-20 coating over the hydroquinone (Hq) coating on urea at the full recommended dose under field conditions. Given the findings of this study, Vachellia nilotica leaf extract coating (Vn.Fl-20) can be used as a natural urease inhibitor to reduce urea hydrolysis and enhance wheat productivity.

Effect of Soil Compaction and Sowing Dates on Growth and Yield of Three Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter] Varieties in Toke Kutaye District, Ethiopia

Tef is a highly valued crop in Ethiopia as tef flour used to prepare Injera which is the most popular food of the country. However, its production and productivity are constrained by a number of problems, out of which soil compaction, inappropriate sowing time, and limited use of improved varieties are the most important. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during the 2021 main cropping season to evaluate the effect of soil compaction, sowing dates and tef varieties on yield and yield components of tef in Toke Kutaye district. Treatments were factorially arranged and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of the data indicated that days to 50% emergence, days to 50% panicle emergence, days to 90% physiological maturity, and number of productive tillers of tef were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by main effect of soil compaction, sowing dates and varieties. Plant height, panicle length, number of total tillers, biomass yield, grain yield and straw yield of tef were significantly affected by the interaction of three factors. Highest plant height (124.26cm), panicle length (36.26cm), above ground biomass yield (7.47 t ha-1), and grain yield (2.8 t ha-1) were recorded from un-compacted soil, from early sown Dagim variety. Therefore, it can be recommended that farmers of the study area can grow Dagim variety early third week of july without trampling the soil to enhance the tef production and productivity.

Early Vegetative Growth of Barley And Triticale Sown at Different Seed And Dap Fertilizer Rates under Rainfed Conditions

This study was carried out during the growing season 2020-2021 at two locations (Sumail and Zakho) to study the influence of different seeding (2,500000, and 3000,000 and 3,500000 seeds.ha-1) and DAP (0, 200, and 300 kg.ha-1) rates on some early growth characters of barley (Hordeum distichum L.) and Triticale (X Triticosecale wittmack). The experimental was designed as factorial of three factors in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Some early and pre harvest (flag leaf area, plant height, number of total tillers and number on fertile tillers) were measured. The results displayed significant superiority of all studied characters for Zakho location compered to Sumail location. Also, Barley surpassed Triticale crop in flag leaf area, plant height, but inferior in number of total and fertile tillers. Higher numbers of tillers were recorded in Sumail location of experiment with lower seeding rate (314.17 tillers) compared to Triticale or other seeding rate or Fertilizer treatments. DAP fertilizer treatment enhanced most of the studied traits while their effect was not reached significant level. The results recommend that the crops or varieties with fewer tillers are favorable in water limited environments and more studies are recommended mainly for Triticale crop as the studies on this crop in our areas are very rare rather than its economic importance in feeding and food processing

Early Vegetative Growth of Barley And Triticale Sown at Different Seed And Dap Fertilizer Rates under Rainfed Conditions

This study was carried out during the growing season 2020-2021 at two locations (Sumail and Zakho) to study the influence of different seeding (2,500000, and 3000,000 and 3,500000 seeds.ha-1) and DAP (0, 200, and 300 kg.ha-1) rates on some early growth characters of barley (Hordeum distichum L.) and Triticale (X Triticosecale wittmack). The experimental was designed as factorial of three factors in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Some early and pre harvest (flag leaf area, plant height, number of total tillers and number on fertile tillers) were measured. The results displayed significant superiority of all studied characters for Zakho location compered to Sumail location. Also, Barley surpassed Triticale crop in flag leaf area, plant height, but inferior in number of total and fertile tillers. Higher numbers of tillers were recorded in Sumail location of experiment with lower seeding rate (314.17 tillers) compared to Triticale or other seeding rate or Fertilizer treatments. DAP fertilizer treatment enhanced most of the studied traits while their effect was not reached significant level. The results recommend that the crops or varieties with fewer tillers are favorable in water limited environments and more studies are recommended mainly for Triticale crop as the studies on this crop in our areas are very rare rather than its economic importance in feeding and food processing

Genetic Variability and Association of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Yield and Yield Components

The present study consists of 21 rice genotypes including one check variety that were evaluated in 2021 to study genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient for thirteen quantitative characters. Observation recorded to study the genetic variability parameters, correlation coefficient and path coefficient for yield and its attributing traits. On the basis of mean performance MTU-1224 was found to be superior in grain yield per hill followed by, BPT-329, KNM-118 and MTU-1001 to give higher yield over the check (NDR 359). High to moderate estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for grain yield per plant followed by, harvest index, test weight, biological yield, number of spikelet per panicle, flag leaf width and number of total tillers. Grain yield indicated significant positive correlation with biological yield followed by harvest index and number of spikelet per panicle in terms of both phenotypic and genotypic level. Path coefficient analysis showed positive significant direct effects on number of spikelet’s per panicle, number of productive tillers, harvest index, test weight, panicle length, days to fifty percent flowering, flag leaf length and biological yield at genotypic level whereas it showed positive and significant direct effect for harvest index, biological yield., test weight, flag leaf width, number of productive tillers, number of spikelet’s per panicle and day to maturity at phenotypiclevel. Thus, these traits are identified as the efficient and potential for indirect selection for the improvement of rice productivity in the present experimental materials.

Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis for Grain Yield Characters of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

The present investigation with thirty-four accessions of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes (26 Advanced breeding lines (ABL’s),7 Dhan varieties and one check) were investigated to study variability, correlation and path analysis for yield contributing characters carried out at the Field Experimentation Centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during Kharif-2021 in Randomized Block Design with three replications. NDR 359 rice variety was used as the check. The data was recorded for 13 quantitative traits viz Days to 50% flowering, Plant height (cm), Flag leaf length (cm), Flag leaf width (cm), Number of total tillers per hill, Number of panicles per hill, Panicle length (cm), Number of spikelets per panicle, Days to maturity, Biological index, Harvest index (%), Test weight (g), Grain yield per hill (g) using agro-morphological traits. The mean sum of squares due to genotypes was highly significant for all the quantitative characters in ANOVA. The characters with high range estimates of GCV and PCV (Grain yield per hill), heritability (days to maturity) and genetic advance as percent mean (number of spikelets per panicle,) should be given top priority during selection. For character association, grain yield per hill showed positive significance with flag leaf length, number of spikelets per panicle, biological yield, harvest index, number of tillers per hill, biological yield because it help in determining the nature and extent of the relationship existing between the yield and its contributing components and their association.Path analysis further proved about the direct and indirect effect of characters on grain yield. Days to 50% flowering, flag leaf width, number of panicles per hill, biological yield, harvest index showed positive direct effect at both genotypic and phenotypic level indicating their importance in breeding programme. So direct selection of the above characters will be rewarding.

Response of Integrated Nutrient Management on Irrigated Wheat

Wheat is one of the most staple foods of the Nepalese diet which is grown in the winter season in most of the area of the country. The study was carried out during winter of the year 2019-2020 at College Agronomy Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat) to study the response of Integrated Nutrient Management in irrigated wheat under sandy loam soil. Experimental soil is low in organic carbon (0.39 %) and medium in available phosphorus (37.22 kg/ha) and potassium (247 kg/ha) with slightly alkaline (pH 7.85) in reaction. Application of 75% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha) treatment reported significantly higher growth attributes and yield attributes like plant height at 30 (25.76 cm), 60 (71.84 cm) DAS and at harvest (119.64 cm), length of spike (10.35 cm), number of effective (305) and total tillers (351), no of grains per spike (49.62). Wheat grain (6389 kg/ha) and straw yield (8950 kg/ha) were significantly higher in 75% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha). Crude protein content (13.75 %), soil organic carbon (0.48%) and available phosphorus (53.52 kg/ha) was higher by application of 75% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha). Soil microbial population after second and third irrigation was found to be significant by application of 50% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + NP consortium + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha), while after first irrigation response of treatment on soil microbial population, soil pH and EC were found non-significant (p=0.05).

Genetic Analysis for Grain Yield and Its Attributing Characters in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Irrigated Conditions of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

The present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic variability parameters, correlation and path analysis in 23 rice genotypes for 13 quantitative traits viz Days to 50% flowering, Days to Maturity, Plant height (cm), Flag Leaf Length (cm), Flag Leaf Width (cm), Number of total tillers, Number of Productive Tillers, Panicle Length (cm), Biomass (g), Harvest Index (%), Number of Grains per Panicle, Test Weight (1000 grain weight), Grain Yield per Plant per Plant (g). in Kharif 2021 season at field experimentation centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Uttar Pradesh in Randomized Block Design in three replications. Analysis of variance indicated high significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits. Genotypes SHIATS DHAN-6, KSRV-12, SHIATS DHAN-2, KSRV-140 depicted highest Grain Yield per Plant. All the characters had expressed high estimates of heritability. There is no evidence for characters expressing moderate and low heritability from the present investigation. The studies on GCV and PCV indicated that the presence of high amount of variation and role of the environment on the expression of these traits. The correlation among the yield and yield attributing characters revealed that Grain Yield per Plant per plant was positively and significantly associated at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. In Phenotypic and Genotypic path analysis a detailed analysis of diagonal values showed positive direct effect Grain Yield.

Mitigation Strategies of Heat Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through Adjustment in Sowing Temperature and Application of Bio-regulators

ABSTRACT Global warming, as a result of climate change, may destructively affect wheat yield potentially increasing food insecurity and poverty. The field experiments were laid out during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, to enhance wheat growth, quality, and productivity. The present experiment consisted of three sowing at different thermal environments (22°C, 20°C and 18°C) in main plot and eight foliar sprays of bio-regulators (control, water spray, salicylic acid @ 100 ppm, salicylic acid @ 200 ppm, thiosalicylic acid @ 100 ppm, thiosalicylic acid @ 200 ppm, thioglycolic acid @ 100 ppm, and thioglycolic acid @ 200 ppm) in subplot were set in a split-plot design with four replications. The pooled data indicated that crops are sown at 20°C (D2) attained maximum growth parameters i.e. (total number of tillers per square meter and plant height), heat indices (GDD and CTD), quality parameters (chlorophyll content of flag leaf stage, crude protein content in grain and protein yield), and yield (grain, straw and biological), also proved significantly superior over D1 (sowing at 22°C) and D3 (sowing at 18°C). The data further indicated that the above parameters were measured significantly higher in B4 (SA @ 200 ppm), which excelled over rest of the treatments. Therefore, enhancement in yield requires improved agronomic practices i.e. application of SA @ 200 ppm along with crop sowing at 20°C temperature in order to sustain enhanced productivity under heat stress.

Studies on variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes

The research work was conducted to study the variability parameters, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and quality traits in rice. Analysis of variance revealed the existence of significant differences among the genotypes for all traits under investigation. Traits viz., filled grain number per panicle and weight of 1000 grains showed high PCV and GCV. Total grain number per panicle, filled grain number per panicle, weight of 1000 grains, grain yield per plant, weight of panicle, head rice recovery, length of kernel after cooking, linear elongation ratio, length of kernel and kernel length/breadth ratio exhibited high heritability along with high genetic advance as percentage of mean. Days to 50% flowering and weight of 1000 grains had associated significantly positive with grain yield.  Filled grain number per panicle, days to 50% flowering, total number of productive tillers per plant, length of kernel after cooking, height of the plant and length of panicle exhibited a high positive direct effect on grain yield per plant per plant. Therefore, these traits should be exploited in the selection process to identify superior rice lines with higher yield and quality genetic potential. Keywords: Rice, Yield and quality traits, Variability, Correlation, Path analysis

Effects of Blended NPS Fertilizer Rates on the Yield Components and the Yield of Bread Wheat Varieties (Triticum aestivum L.)

The use of improper fertilizer type and amount, the cultivation of unimproved, low-yielding varieties and poor soil fertility are among the main obstacles limiting the productivity of wheat in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. A field trial was therefore initiated to evaluate the effects of blended NPS fertilizer rates on the yield components and the yield of bread wheat varieties and to identify economically justifiable amounts of blended NPS fertilizer in the study area. The experiment was set up in RCBD with three replicates in which three bread wheat varieties (Ogolcho, Jalane and Sanate) and five levels of mixed NPS fertilizers (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) were assessed in a factorial combination. The results showed that all properties of the bread wheat varieties were significantly (p <0.01) influenced by the main effects of the variety and the NPS fertilizer. The highest (0.43) and the lowest (0.36) harvest index were obtained from 150 kg ha-1 NPS. The interactions of the two main factors only affect the total number of tillers, the number of productive tillers, the aboveground biomass, the grain and straw yield. Similarly, the highest and lowest (11.04 and 1.13) agronomic efficiencies were obtained from the combination of 150 kg NPS ha-1 with the Sanate variety and 50 kg ha-1 with the Jalane variety. The highest profitability (82710 ETB ha-1) and a higher MRR (2305.8%) are obtained from the Sanate variety with an application rate of 150 kg ha-1 NPS. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the application of 150 kg ha-1 NPS and the cultivation of the Sanate variety could be the better choice of the farmers of the study area in order to achieve high yields with higher returns.

Assessment of Heritability, Genetic Advance and Correlation Analysis for Grain Yield Characters of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An investigation was carried out on twenty one rice genotype during kharif, 2021 at the experimental field of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SHUATS, Allahabad in Randomized Block Design with three replications to analyze heritability and genetic advance for 14 quantitative characters. A close examination of variability coefficients revealed that the differences between PCV and GCV were small indicating little influence of environment on the expression of the characters. High to moderate estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for number of tillers per hill followed by grain yield per plant, number of filled grains per panicle and biological yield. High estimates of heritability were observed for days to maturity, number of total tillers per hill, plant height, days to 50% flowering, grain yield per hill which suggested that these traits would respond to selection owing to their high genetic variability and certainly lead to improvement in grain yield. Moreover, the information generated from this study, can be exploited in future rice breeding program.

Impact of Different Nitrogen Amount and Seeding Rates on Growth and Yield of NERICA 4 Rice Varieties in Upland Conditions

With the recent breakthrough in the development of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) for the upland production system and the high demand for rice, farmers’ interest in growing upland rice has increased. A field experiment was conducted at Tsukuba International center, Japan from May to October 2019 to evaluate the response of rice to seed rate and nitrogen fertilizer application and also determine economically optimum seed rate and nitrogen level for NERICA-4 upland variety. The experiment contained factorial combination of four levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90 kg ha -1 and two seed rates (60& 80 Kg ha -1 ). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design plot arrangement with three replications. The results from this study indicated that seed rate showed no significant effect on total dry matter weight, plant length, SPAD value, Leaf area index, panicle number, spikelet number, ripening ratio and grain yield while the total number of tillers was significant. However, nitrogen fertilizer rates significantly (p < 0.05) affected in plant length, tiller number, SPAD value, dry matter and Leaf area index. Except 1000grain, all the yield and yield component parameters have also shown a significant increase up to the rate of 90 kg N ha−1. The highest grain yield (3340 kg∙ha−1) was recorded using 90 kg N ha −1 followed by 60 kg N ha −1 (3200 kg ha −1) and the lowest yield (2100 kg ha −1 ) was recorded from control . Marginal rate of return analysis is also showed that the treatment with N fertilizer rate of 90 kg N ha −1 and seed rate 60 kg ha −1 gave the highest Marginal rate of return 1217 % followed by the treatment with N fertilizer rate of 60 kg N ha−1 and seed rate 60 kg ha−1.The general trend of the data indicated that the fertilizer rate has a greatest impact on grain yield compared to the seed rate of rice crop. Based on this study using 60 kg/ha seed rate and application of 90 kg N ha −1 gives high grain yield for rice crop production at experimental site. Keywords: Economic profit, Seed rate, N fertilizer rate, Optimum grain yield, Marginal rate of return DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-9-04 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

Diversity Analysis for Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Rice Germplasm (Oryza sativa L.) Using Principal Component Analysis Approach

The present study was aimed to assess genetic variation among rice germplasm lines employing a multivariate biometrical approach, viz., Principal Component Analysis. Analysis of variance as per Augmented Block Design indicated the presence of sufficient genetic variation among rice germplasm lines, while estimates of components of variation revealed a maximum contribution of genotypic variance to the phenotypic variance, suggesting its exploitation through selection and hybridization. Simultaneously, correlation estimates revealed a significant positive association of grain yield with panicle length, 1000 grain weight and grain length indicating suitability of these traits for indirect selection. D2 statistics grouped germplasm lines into sixteen clusters and among these cluster I consists of 67 germplasm lines forming the largest cluster followed by cluster III (26 lines), cluster II (18 lines), cluster IV (15 lines), cluster V (13 lines), cluster VI (5 lines), cluster VIII (3 lines), cluster VII and cluster IX (2 lines each), while clusters X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI (1 line each). Inter cluster distances were found to be higher than intra cluster distances and the maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster IX and VI (73.47) followed by cluster IX and X (73.14). 
 Principal component analysis transformed eleven interrelated variables into four major principal components having an eigen value of more than 1, thereby, indicating that these components are responsible for a higher magnitude of variance in the population (76.60 per cent). Among these principal components, the first component accounted for 32.80 per cent of the total variation while, the second, third and fourth components explained 18.50 per cent, 13.90 per cent and 11.40 per cent of total variation, respectively. Factor loadings of the principal components revealed that principal component 1 had high positive loadings for grain length, panicle length, length/breadth ratio, 1000 grain weight and plant height whereas, principal component 2 had high positive loadings for total number of tillers per plant and number of effective tillers per plant indicating that the first two principal factors can be collectively designated as yield attributing factors. Principal component 3 had high positive loadings for grain breadth, 1000 grain weight and plant height, whereas, principal component 4 had high positive loadings for 1000 grain weight, days to maturity and days to 50% flowering. PCA biplots revealed that germplasm lines viz., GPL-1, GPL-4, GPL-131, GPL-128, GPL-20, GPL-127, GPL-135, GPL-100, GPL-130 were found to be superior performers for desirable traits and can be used as parents in hybridization programme.