Pseudostem Length Research Articles

Studies on genetic variability and heritability in bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) in the South-Eastern plains of Bihar, India

The study was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur during Rabi season 2021-22 with the objective to study genetic variability in onion (Allium cepa L.) for yield and yield attributing traits. The experimental material consisted of 15 onion genotypes from different locations in India. Experimental trial was laid out in a RBD with three replications. Analysis of variance was done by the method suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1967). The observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants of all genotypes for plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, pseudostem length, neck thickness, polar diameter, equatorial diameter, and average bulb weight. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters under study which implied a considerable amount of genetic variability in the genotypes included in the study. The highest average weight of onion bulb was recorded in genotype LC-1 (62.13g) which was statistically at par with LC-2 (58.53g), Patna Red (57.80g), Bhima Shakti (57.28 g) and Agrifound Light Red (56.87g). High PCV and GCV were recorded for pseudostem length and neck thickness. Moderate GCV and PCV were found in leaf width, average bulb weight, plant height, leaf length, equatorial diameter and bulb size index. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was exhibited by all the morphological traits. The genotypes LC-1, LC-2, Patna Red and Bhima Shakti were identified as promising ones for the yield and yield contributing traits.

Pola Penyebaran Varietas Pisang Roid (Musa spp.) Lokal Jatigede di Kecamatan Jatigede Kabupaten Sumedang

As time goes by and human efforts to plant and expand new superior species cause local species that are very diverse to be suppressed resulting in decline (inbreeding depression), even genetic drift. one of the local species is banana Roid from Jatigede District. Roid banana is allowed to grow wild without any special care from the local community. The purpose of this study is to identify the potential genetic diversity of local varieties of Roid banana (Musa spp.) in Jatigede District. This research will be conducted in November 2021 – January 2023 in three villages located in Jatigede Sub-district, namely Ciranggem Village, Jemah Village, and Mekarasih Village. The research was conducted using a descriptive method through exploration and characterization that refers to descriptors. Determination of the sample location was done by purposive sampling. Based on the results of the study, Jatigede Sub-district has a wide genetic diversity and distant kinship between Roid banana species. Characters that contribute to inter accession diversity are midrib width (LPt), bunch diameter (DTn), and pseudostem length (PPs). Accession MS1.3 was selected as a superior accession with the characters of the number of combs per bunch, leaf blade width 71-80 cm, leaf blade length 171-220 cm, and the number of rhizomes > 5 tillers..

Farklı Dikim Sistemlerinin ‘Azman’ Muz Çeşidinin Büyüme ve Verim Parametreleri Üzerine Etkileri

The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and yield of the Azman banana (AAA, Cavendish subgroup) variety subjected to increasing planting densities. The trial was prepared using single (1.8 x 2.0 m), pair (1.2 x 1.2 x 2.0 m), and triangle (1.5 x 1.8 m) row planting systems. There was a significant difference in pseudostem length, pseudostem circumstance, leaf length, and leaf width with regard to different planting systems. Maximum pseudostem length was observed in the single row system (216.00 cm), but maximum pseudostem circumstance was observed in the triangular row system (64.00 cm). The influence of plant population on yield and yield attributing characters were markedly observed. According to the planting systems, single row planting had the highest bunch weight of 34.66 kg, while no statistical difference could be determined in pair and triangular row planting. When the parameters related to the fruit were examined, there was no statistical difference between planting systems in terms of hand and finger numbers, but a significant difference was found between finger length and diameter. 
 At the end of the study, it is concluded that spacing of 1.2 x 1.2 x 2.0 m (pair row) gave higher total banana yield and economic profit than the spacing of 1.5 x 1.8 m (triangular row). However, longer and wider fruits were obtained in plant spacing 1.8 x 2.0 m (single row). Therefore, when calculated as the plant planted per decare and bunch weight, it was concluded that pair row planting can be recommended for banana growers.

Comparative Performance Response of Ten Economically Important Garlic Cultivars in Alluvial Soils of Punjab

All the varieties are not performed equally in all the agroclimatic and soil conditions. A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural farm of the Lovely Professional University, Punjab to evaluate the growth and yield performance of garlic cultivars in alluvial soil of Punjab. T Ten cultivars viz., Fewari, G-50, G-323, G-189, G-1, Parvati-2, G-389, G-384, G-282, and G-404 were considered as experimental treatments, The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block designand replicated thrice. Growth, yield attributes and yield were significantly varied among the varieties.. Garlic productivity has been declining and more improved breeding lines are required to enhance the productivity status. The selected cultivars were prominent among farmers and identifying the variation among germplasms may aid in genetic improvement among garlic cultivars. Plant height after 30 days of sowing shows significant difference among cultivars; the pseudo-stem length of G-389 cultivar recorded higher values as compared to others. Yield parameter like length of bulb, bulb width and clove length were recorded higher for Fewari and Parvati-2 cultivars. The cluster analysis based on growth and yield parameters segregates into two major clusters, viz., Fewari in one major cluster and the second cluster is segregated into further sub-clusters; sub-cluster 1 in second major cluster segregates G1, Parvati-2, G-189, and G-389 cultivars; however the sub-cluster 2 in second major cluster segregates G-323, G-282, G-384, and G-50 cultivars. Principal component analysis (PCA) show the close similarity between G-389 and G-189 cultivars and Fewari cultivars show high variation as compared to all other cultivars.

Effects of low-temperature acclimation on morphological and physiological indices of banana seedlings

Climate change has become the most important factor limiting the banana cultivation area, especially in countries with subtropical climates. To assess the effect of cold stress on banana, twenty-eight global and local cultivated clones were used for morphological and physio-biochemical evaluation. Methods: The banana clones were produced from shoot tips under in vitro conditions. When the plants were 20-25 cm in height and 5-6 leaves, they were transferred to climate-controlled rooms. The temperature of the testing room was gradually decreased every three days (from 28ºC day/22ºC night to 4ºC day/-1ºC night). After the seedlings remained at these temperatures, the temperature of the room was increased every three days (from 4ºC day/-1ºC night to 28ºC day/22ºC). When the treatment room reached control room conditions (28ºC day/22ºC night), measurements and analyses were started. Results: Low-temperature stress decreased pseudostem length, pseudostem diameter, leaf area, and leaf number of banana clones. The malondialdehyde contents (MDA) were increased compared with control; the chlorophyll content and fluorescence decreased significantly. When temperatures return to normal conditions (28ºC day/22ºC night), only eight banana clones managed to survive and twenty banana clones irreversibly died. After a gradual increase in temperatures, plants have continued to live and form new leaves. Conclusion: At the end of study, it was understood that the low temperatures applied would be sufficient to determine the low-temperature tolerance in banana clones and could work at lower temperatures

Nanotechnology on Breaking Corm Dormancy in Elephant Foot Yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson

Background: Nanotechnology is a fast developing science which has various applications in agriculture. Nanoparticles are broadly defined as the small particles with at least one-dimension size between 1 and 100 nm in diameter. Nanomaterials have the potential to penetrate the seed coat and enhance the ability of absorption and utilization of water, which stimulates enzymatic system and ultimately improves germination and seedling growth. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of nanoparticles and commercially used chemicals on breaking dormancy of Amorphophallus corms. Methods: Silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), cerium oxide (CeO) and zero valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles were synthesized successfully using chemical method and characterized for its size, shape and properties using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA) and Raman spectroscopy. Freshly harvested corms of Amorphophallus were treated with different concentrations (50 and 100 mg kg-1) of these five nanoparticles and commercially used chemicals viz., thiourea (100 and 200 mg kg-1) and potassium nitrate (1000 and 2000 mg kg-1), with three different soaking periods (2, 4 and 6 h). Result: The analysed data indicated that corms treated with ZnO @ 100 mg kg-1 for six hours registered the minimum number of days (47.0 days) for sprout emergence. The maximum sprout length (23.50 cm), sprout diameter (6.35 cm), pseudo stem length (31.00 cm), pseudo stem girth (7.35 cm) and vigour index (1591.7) were recorded in TiO2 @ 50 mg kg-1 for two hours.

Studies on the genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Studies on the genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis in Garlic was carried out at Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Undagamandalam. The experiment was conducted with seventy two accessions laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) and replicated thrice. High GCV was observed for average bulb weight, number of cloves, 10 clove weight, plot yield, yield/ha and marketable yield. Low PCV was recorded for days to 50% neck fall and days to harvest. High heritability was recorded for the characters viz., leaf length, pseudostem diameter polar diameter, average bulb weight, the number of cloves, 10 clove weight, yield per plot, yield/ha and marketable yield. In the correlations study, the traits viz., plant height, the number of leaves, leaf length, pseudostem length, pseudostem diameter, equatorial diameter, polar diameter, average bulb weigh, 10 clove weight were correlated with each other which will attribute to enhance the bulb yield. Similarly in path coefficients analysis, the characters viz., plant height, the number of leaves, leaf width, pseudostem length, pseudostem diameter, polar diameter, average bulb weight, the number of cloves, 10 clove weight showed a positive direct effect on yield. Therefore from the present investigation traits viz., pseudostem diameter, polar diameter, average bulb weight, the number of cloves, 10 clove weight and yield/ha emerged as important components for selection in garlic. Keywords: Garlic, PCV, GCV, Correlation

The influence of micronutrient dupplementation on onion growth, yield and quality (Allium cepa L.)

At the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, M.P. an experiment was done to see how micronutrient supplementation affected onion growth, production and quality during the year 2017-18. Twelve treatments containing different micronutrients along with control were applied and the observations were recorded on growth, yield and quality parameters. The highest plant height (67.34 cm), no. of leaves (13.60), leaf length (46.79 cm), pseudo stem length (13.39 cm), polar diameter (7.47 cm), equatorial diameter (8.84 cm), neck thickness (1.67 cm), marketable bulb yield plot-1 (17.01 kg), total bulb yield (297.87 q/ha) and TSS (15.670Brix) were recorded under T11 ( Soil application of ZnSO4+ Borax + CuSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1), where as lower values for above traits were recorded under T13 where only RDF was applied.

Stem and pseudostem growth play a key role in biomass accumulation of guineagrass in long regrowth cycles

Context Tall bunch-type tropical forage grasses are known for their rapid (true) stem elongation late in the regrowth cycle, even during the vegetative phase. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the stem and pseudostem growth pattern of ‘Mombaça’ guineagrass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) BK Simon & SWL Jacobs] grown in field conditions and how this relates to its high biomass accumulation during long regrowth cycles. Methods A guineagrass field was managed from December 2017 to January 2019, in three regrowth cycles of 10, 14 and 12 weeks duration. Individual tillers were assessed weekly to measure stem, pseudostem and leaf elongation, leaf appearance; and angle of insertion of the leaves. Aboveground biomass samples were taken weekly for biomass accumulation and leaf area index assessment. Key results At the beginning of each regrowth cycle, the pseudostem elongated while the stem length remained constant. Subsequently, the pseudostem length reached a plateau, while the stem length increased at a constant rate. Because of a positive relationship between pseudostem and leaf laminae lengths, the long pseudostem ensured the formation of long leaves in tall tillers and positive net leaf elongation in long regrowth cycles. Conclusions The high biomass accumulation reflected the continuous positive net leaf elongation by the tillers and was underpinned by the younger leaves being more erect than the older ones, allowing for lower self-shading of the older leaves and greater leaf tissue retention. Implications The high production of tropical forage grasses in late regrowth should be utilised with caution, as it is underpinned by stem elongation and meristem elevation.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE TRAITS AMONG PROGENIES OF ENSET CLONES ORIGINATED FROM SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

<p>The present cultivated enset (<em>Ensete ventricosum</em>) clonal landraces in Ethiopia originated from few wild progenitors. However, enset has a mixed mode of reproduction in which, the wild enset reproduces sexually through seeds, while cultivated enset is generally propagated vegetatively. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic structure of enset cultivars through genetic analysis of qualitative morphological traits and estimate their genetic variability by evaluating the quantitative agronomic traits data generated from progenies of cultivated and wild enset genotypes. Hence, seeds collected from six cultivated and four wild enset genotypes were used for this study. Data on four qualitative and six quantitative morphological traits were recorded from the progenies of the 10 enset genotypes. Progenies of seven enset genotypes segregated in a 3:1 segregation ratio while progenies of the remaining genotypes segregated differently for the qualitative traits considered. With regard to the quantitative traits, the progenies of the 10 enset genotypes differed significantly for five of the six traits except pseudostem length. The cultivated clones, in general performed better than that of the wild types. Moderate heritability (h2b) estimates and high genetic advances were obtained for leaf length (0.38, 62.0%), pseudostem circumference (0.35, 78.5%), and plant height (0.30, 19.1%) indicating selection for these traits indirectly improves economic yield of enset clones. This study demonstrated the possibility of creating genetic variation through selfing the existing enset genotypes for traits of interest and making improvements either through selection or crossing the elite types to develop novel enset cultivars.</p>

Light supplement by dark break shortens the growth period from bulblet to virus-free seed garlic

The garlic (Allium sativum L.) industry is faced with severe problems such as virus accumulation and low reproduction coefficients due to long-term asexual propagation. In vitro propagation may be an effective method to solve such problems. In the present study, a complete virus-free and rapid propagation technology system from explants to bulblets have been established based on a tissue culture method using the inflorescence of the introduced and domesticated Xinjiang purple peel garlic “Jiangjin No.1″ as explants. The inflorescences were divided into three groups based on the length ratio of the flower stem to the pseudostem to optimize the harvest time of explants. The result indicated that the inflorescences harvested during the stage when the ratio of flower stem length to pseudostem length was 08–0.9 had the best induction efficiency of bulblets. The obtained virus-free seed garlic and commercial garlic were tested for physio-biochemical and viral indices. Subsequently, the effects of different photoperiod treatments and culture media on the growth of plants originating from the bulblets were assessed. Our results indicated that the virus-free seed garlic and commercial garlic exhibited good virus-free effects and their quality was improved to a large extent. Concomitantly, the breeding efficiency was nearly five times higher than that of traditional breeding methods, resulting in greatly reduced production cost. The formation of underground bulbs was significantly affected by photoperiod treatment, while substrates had a slight influence. The underground bulb formation rate could reach 96% when the bulblets were cultivated on an inorganic substrate under the light source to break the darkness at night. The whole process from bulblets to virus-free seed garlic was completed in a relatively short period (four months) by providing the required nutrients regularly and replenishing artificial light. Compared with conventional field planting, the production period of virus-free seed garlic was shortened by approximately a year. Overall, our study can give important insights into the process optimization of virus-free seed garlic preparation, and make the reproduction, popularization and industrialization of seed garlic free of virus a reality.

Williams Banana Growth, Nutritional Status, Yield and Fruit Quality as Influenced by Spraying Humic Acid and Seaweed Extract

In order to study the response of Williams banana plant (Musa spp .) to spraying with humic acid (potassium humate) at 0.5%, 1% & 2% and seaweed at 0.25%, 0.50% & 0.75% three times yearly, a field experiment was conducted during 2018 and 2019 seasons at private orchard situated at Saft Al-Laban village El- Minia Governorate, Egypt, where the soil is silty clay loam. The obtained results confirmed that spraying Williams banana plants with humic acid at 0.5%, to 2.0% and seaweed at 0.25% to 0.75% significantly improved vegetative growth (in terms of pseudostem length, pseudostem girth, number of leaves/plant and leaf area), leaves chemical constituents (i.e. nitrogen%, phosphorus%, potassium%, and magnesium%), bunch weigh (kg)/plant, finger weight, as well as fruit physical and chemical properties (i.e. fruit weight, fruit dimension, pulp/peel ratio, TSS%, total sugars and total acidity%) compared to control plants. The combined spraying of humic acid and seaweed shows more effective in all studied characteristics than using each compound alone. The best results in the abovementioned parameters were observed in spraying humic acid and seaweed extract in combination at higher concentrations. However, non-significant differences were observed between the higher concentrations, neither for humic acid nor for seaweed extract. The results of the present study confirmed that important role of humic acid and seaweed extract in improving growth parameters, leaves chemical composition, yield, and fruit physical and chemical properties of Williams banana grown in silty clay loam soil under arid conditions.

Study on dispersion of genetic variation among Indian garlic ecotypes using agro morphological traits

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) a clonally propagated bulbous crop, is of high medicinal value owing to its sulphur-containing compounds. Although asexually propagated, garlic depicts wide genetic diversity in agro-morphological traits and biochemical composition. A study was conducted to dissect the extent of genetic divergence among 625 Indian garlic genotypes considering 21 agro-morphological traits. Pooled analysis exhibited significant variation among accessions for various morphological traits. Ward’s clustering method clustered germplasm collection into three distinct groups. Clustering pattern did not correspond with geographical origin of accessions. Strong and positive correlation of marketable yield with plant weight with leaves (r = 0.83), plant weight without leaves (r = 0.84), average bulb weight (r = 0.50), plant height (r = 0.58), pseudostem length (r = 0.59), number of leaves (r = 0.54) and weight of fifty cloves (r = 0.49) was recorded. These traits will be useful for direct selection in crops like garlic. Principal Component analysis minimised 21 components up to 12 vectors which measured nearly 90% variation. Conservation of such vital and diverse garlic genotype is prerequisite to assure successful selection breeding programme.

Canopy structure and morphogenesis of Italian ryegrass intercropped with red clover under cutting intervals determined by thermal sum

ABSTRACT: The canopy structure and morphogenesis of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was investigated after it was over seeded with Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) and intercropped with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Time intervals between cuts were determined by different thermal sums (125, 250, 375, and 500 degree-days [DD]). Cuts were conducted at a height equivalent to 50% of the average canopy height. Morphogenic and structural data were collected from July to October of 2016 and 2017, from a completely randomized block experimental design. Canopy height, extended tiller height, pseudostem length, and forage mass were fitted to linear equations according to the thermal sums. Interaction of ryegrass with red clover was the highest (12.1%) for longer cut intervals (375 and 500 DD). The leaf appearance rate (0.0080 leaf/DD), phyllochron value (128.8 DD), and senescence rate (0.10 cm/DD) of ryegrass were comparable between the different intervals. The slowest elongation rate (0.06 cm/DD) with the shortest interval duration between cuts (171.6 DD) was observed in the 125 DD interval. According to the findings from this 2-year experiment, the use of a 250 DD cut interval was recommended between grazing events, taking into account the efficiency of forage use, ryegrass leaf, stem ratio, and interactions with red clover in the canopy under rotational stocking.

Anatomical, morphological and growth responses of Thinopyrum ponticum plants subjected to partial and complete submergence during early stages of development.

Seedling recruitment and growth of forage grasses in flood-prone grasslands is often impaired by submergence. We evaluate the responses of Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Barkw. & Dewey to partial and complete submergence at two early stages of development. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out with plants at three expanded leaves (Experiment 1) or five expanded leaves stage (Experiment 2). In each case, three treatments were applied for 14 days: control (C), partial submergence (PS; water level to half plant height), and complete submergence (CS; water level to 1.5 times plant height). Submergence was followed by a recovery period of 14 days at well drained conditions. Assessments included plant survival, height, leaf blade and pseudostem length, soluble carbohydrates in pseudostem, and shoot and root dry mass accumulation at the beginning and end of the submergence, and at the end of the recovery period. Root aerenchyma formation was determined on day 14 in both experiments. Under PS all plants survived, and the impact of the stress was related to the plants' developmental stage. However, plants with five expanded leaves increased total plant biomass with respect to control by 48%, plants with three expanded leaves reduced it by the same percentage. This response could be related to a higher ability to form root aerenchyma (17 vs 10%), and an enhanced leaf de-submergence capacity due to promoted leaf blade and pseudostem lengthening. Complete submergence treatment compromised the survival of 70% of the individuals with three expanded leaves but did not affect the survival at the five expanded leaves stage. In any developmental stage (three or five expanded leaves) plants fail to promote enough elongation of leaf blades or pseudostems to emerge from the water, so that always remained below the water surface. Root aerenchyma was not increased by CS at either of these two plant developmental stages. The high amount and concentration of pseudostem total soluble carbohydrates of the larger (five expanded leaves) plants facilitated their recovery growth after submergence. Our results predict the successful introduction of this species in areas where water excesses can cause soil waterlogging or shallow-partial plant submergence, but suggest avoidance of areas prone to suffer high-intensity flooding that lead to full plant submergence as this would highly constrain plant recruitment.

Stem elongation in Pennisetum purpureum results from a fixed pattern of vegetative development potentially enhanced by the initiation of flowering

AbstractThe characterization of stem elongation is of fundamental importance in C4 tropical grasses as it affects forage quality and determines optimal management practices. The objectives of this study were to analyse the determinants of stem elongation and leaf area production in shoots of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Napier (elephant grass) using unstressed isolated plants. Three experiments were conducted in Brazil during the spring, summer and autumn seasons. Regular measurements of leaf and pseudostem length were performed on the main and primary axes. Ten destructive measurements were also performed during each experiment to monitor apical meristem height, internode length and the number of initiated leaves. The onset of stem elongation occurred at the same vegetative stage (i.e., appearance of leaf 13) irrespective of the seasons and experiments. The first internode to elongate belonged to phytomer 8, and a constant lag of five phyllochrons was systematically observed between internode production and its rapid elongation period. Higher stem and internode elongation rates were observed during the reproductive phase (autumn) versus the vegetative phase (summer and spring group). Maximal internode length reached 8–10 cm in summer and spring and 20 cm in autumn, at approximately phytomers 12–13. A similar pattern was reported for all primary axes irrespective of the experiments, the position of the first internode to elongate descending regularly down the main axis. These results provide key elements to predict the onset of stem elongation in the field from simple measurements. They could contribute to improving crop models for perennial tropical C4 grasses.

Genetic variability, heritability, and diversity analysis in short day tropical onion (Allium cepa)

The main aim of the present investigation was to assess the degree of variability, heritability and genetic advance in onion (Allium cepa L.) using 13 quantitative and four biochemical traits. PCV was higher than GCV for all the traits but the difference was less in plant height, pyruvic acid, leaf length, number of leaves, pseudostem length, pseudostem width, leaf width and total phenols indicating higher contribution of genotypic effect towards phenotypic expression. Highest heritability was observed for plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, pseudostemlength, pseudostem diameter, total phenols and pyruvic acid. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded in number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, pseudostem length, pseudostem diameter, total phenols and pyruvic acid indicating the presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits. Based on Euclidean distance and Ward’s minimum variance, all accessions were clustered into four groups. Cluster I comprised of accessions with highest yield, yield related traits and high pungency. Cluster II was the largest cluster and composed of accessions having highest TSS and dry matter content. Cluster III was the smallest cluster comprising ofaccessions having highest polar diameter and total phenols. Cluster IV comprised of accessions having low yielding potential. Five principal components (PC1 to PC5), having latent roots greater than one, accounted for 78.5% total variation. Cluster analysis and Principal component analysis (PCA) were in agreement for assigning genotypes into four clusters. In the first principal component, plant height, leaf length and pseudostem diameter were the most contributing traits, whereas dry matter, total soluble solids (TSS) and pyruvic acid were the principal traits of the second principal component. Based on squared cosine value (Cos2) for variables, average bulb weight, gross yield and marketable yield in positive direction and plant height, leaf length and pseudostem width in negative direction, were the major contributing traits. Squared cosine value (Cos2) for individual factor determined that Superex and Black Gold were the most prominent genotypes contributing towards PCA. This study would provide a better opportunity to select potential genotypes for yield related traits and help breeders in precise selection of promising diverse parents for purposeful heterosis breeding.

Growth of Brachiaria decumbens in Latosol contaminated with copper

ABSTRACT Brachiaria decumbens presents high rusticity, rapid growth, as well as easy implantation and management. The aim of the study is to evaluate the growth of brachiaria in soil contaminated with copper. An experiment following a 3 x 4 factorial design was carried. It comprised three plant ages (30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting) and four copper concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 80 mg of Cu per kg of soil). Plant age and copper concentrations have influenced the main pseudostem length, the number of leaves, as well as the leaf area, chlorophyll (SPAD), fresh and dry shoot matter, root system volume, and fresh and dry root system matter of plants. The lowest dry shoot matter accumulation was found at the concentration 51.24 mg Kg-1. The herein investigated copper concentrations have influenced the growth of Brachiaria decumbens. The lowest growth variable values were between 45.52 and 57.63 mg.Kg-1. Thus, brachiaria has shown potential to be used in Copper phytoremediation at concentrations below 45.52 mg Kg-1.

Evaluation and variability study in garlic

Thirty diverse genotypes of garlic (Allium sativum L.) were evaluated for important quantitative andqualitative traits. The genotype JAS 28 showed highest value for quantitative traits such as, leaf length (36.33cm), leaf width (1.74 cm), pseudostem diameter (0.84 cm), equatorial diameter of bulb (4.16 cm), average weightof bulb (27.0 g), marketable yield (117.0 q/ha) and total yield (118.0 t/ha). Further, maximum plant height (62.20cm), number of cloves/bulb (23.66) and average weight of bulb(27.0 g) were observed in the genotype JAS 16. The genotype JAS 5 had maximum polar diameter of bulb (3.82 cm) and matured in minimum days (137.33days), which could be easy selection for earliness along with high yield. Looking to the diversity among thegenotypes, the traits evaluated for variability analysis showed high PCV and GCV for number of cloves/bulb, pseudostem diameter and width. The heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent of mean amongthe genotypes was, however, high in case of marketable yield, total yield, average weight of bulb, leaf length, average weight of 10 cloves and pseudostem length. Thus, the present investigation showed maximum diversityamong the genotypes and the genotypes JAS 28 and JAS 16 were found to be good parental material to be used in breeding programme.

QTL analysis of morphological traits and pseudostem pigmentation in bunching onion (Allium fistulosum)

Pseudostems of bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) show wide variation in morphological traits and skin color. However, despite being one of the most important agronomic traits, molecular studies of bunching onion pseudostems remain limited. In this study, six morphological traits (plant height, leaf length, pseudostem length, leaf width, pseudostem width and number of leaf sheaths) along with pseudostem pigmentation indices were evaluated in two field trials using an F2:3 population derived from a single F1 cross between a white single pseudostem (non-tillering) and a red tillering bunching onion. Plant height was highly correlated with both leaf length and pseudostem length, but not the number of leaf sheaths. In contrast, the number of leaf sheaths was significantly negatively correlated with both leaf width and pseudostem width. A total of 27 QTLs for the six morphological traits were detected in 16 regions of 11 linkage groups, with a major QTL for the number of leaf sheaths repeatedly detected on Chr. 8. Meanwhile, two QTLs associated with pseudostem pigmentation were repeatedly detected on linkage groups Chr. 4a and Chr. 5a-2. The latter (qPig5a-2) was considered a major QTL, and its location estimated by marker genotyping of the F2 population around the qPig5a-2 region as being within a 7.6 cM interval.