Number Of Secondary Branches Research Articles

Analysis of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Yield-related Traits of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Linseed is recognized as an excellent source of essential minerals, nutrients, and is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), making it highly recommended for cardiovascular health. It is cultivated mainly for both linen and oil production, which is used for the production of paints, varnishes, and linoleum paste. The objective of the present investigation was to analyze genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for yield and yield traits among 75 linseed genotypes including ten checks using Randomized Block Design with three replications at Oilseeds Research Farm, Kalyanpur, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, (India) during Rabi season 2019-20. Analysis of variance revealed significant variation across all studied traits. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from low to high, with the lowest GCV and PCV observed for days to maturity, number of seeds per capsule, and days to 50% flowering. Conversely, the highest GCV and PCV values were recorded for seed yield per plant (g), number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, and plant height. All traits recorded the highest heritability. High heritability and genetic advance were recorded for seed yield per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, plant height, thousand seed weight, number of primary branches and oil content, indicating the presence of additive gene action for these characters. In conclusion, the genotypes studied show significant genetic variation for yield and its attributes, which should be leveraged in future breeding programs.

Estimation of Genetic Variability for Yield and Its Component Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present investigation was conducted with 12 chickpea genotypes, raised in randomized block design with three replications during the Rabi season 2023-2024 at at Organic Research Farm, Karguanji, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.). The experiment was laid-out in randomized block design with three replications of the plant geometry was maintained at 30 cm x 10 cm. The present experimental material showed a wide range of phenotypic variation for number of seed per pod, number of primary branches per plant, biological yield per plant and seed yield per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and harvest index whereas, low phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for plant height, 100-seed weight, days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity as revealed by high values of Coefficient of Range. The estimates of high heritability coupled with high genetic advance expressed as a per cent of mean were observed for biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant and number of pods per plant manifesting the preponderance of additive gene action on the expression of these traits. In the investigation, genotypes viz., RSG-44 and Aruna were superior not only for seed yield per plant but also related traits like 100-seed weight, biological yield per plant, number of pods per plant and number of primary branches per plant.

Genetic architecture of yield and yield contributing traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Genetic architecture of yield and yield contributing characters of five crosses in chickpea were performed by generation mean analysis. Non-significant χ2 values were noted for plant weight at harvest (PWH), number of pods per plant (NPd/P) and number of seeds per plant (NS/P) in cross-2; for number of secondary branches at first flower (NSBFF) and number of secondary branches at maximum flower (NSBMF) in cross-3 and for number of primary branches at maximum flower (NPBMF) in cross-4. Among these, PWH in cross-2; NSBFF and NSBMF in cross-3 and NPBMF in cross-4 were also non-significant regarding C and D scales. Non-significant scale coupled with non-significant χ2 values indicated only additive-dominance relationship for those characters and crosses that would likely be helpful in doing successful breeding plan easily for the development of potential lines in chickpea. Gene effects viz., additive [d], dominance [h], additive × additive [i] and dominance × dominance [l] were significant for different crosses and characters indicating involvement of additive, dominance, additive × additive and dominance × dominance gene interactions in the control of these traits. Most of the studied characters exhibited duplicate type of epistasis therefore, recurrent selection for these traits is suggested. Effective factor (K1) was less than one for all the characters and crosses indicating minimum one group of gene controlled the characters. Both broad (h2b) and narrow (h2n) sense heritability in majority cases were found to be high which indicates that selection for high heritability showing traits is likely to be effective. Mid-parent (MP) and better-parent (BP) heterosis found to be non-significant in maximum cases. All the characters and crosses showed non-significant inbreeding depression (ID) indicating a good sign for further genetic work.

Evaluation of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes Based on Morphological Traits in Agro-climatic Regions of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2023-2024 at the experimental farm of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding ,Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh .A Randomized Block Design With three Replications was conducted for the study.22 Characters were observed and recorded which included ten qualitative traits and twelve quantitative traits days to 50 percent flowering, Days to pod initiation ,days to 50% pod setting ,plant height ,number of primary branches , number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed yield per plant, biological yield, harvest index, seed index. Among all the genotypes ICCV-10 recorded best performance for seed yield per plant, days to pod initiation, days to 50 percent pod setting followed by among all genotypes. Followed by PG-06102 among all the genotypes. High PCV and GCV where recorded in number of seeds per pod, number of primary branches. The number of seeds per pod recorded high heritability. High seed index is recorded under genetic advance.

Efficacy of Different Priming Methods on Germination and Growth of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Under Field Conditions in Mugu, Nepal

Low seed germination and poor growth have been major problems in French bean production in the hilly region of Nepal. An effective solution may lie in seed priming, which enhances rapid and uniform seed emergence, thereby improving yield. A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of different seed priming methods on various varieties of French beans under field conditions in Chhaayanath Rara-4, Mugu, Nepal. The experiment was conducted in two factorial RCBD with three replications. Factor A was three French bean varieties; black, ghoratte, and red beans, and Factor B included two methods of priming; hydro and halo along with control. The results revealed that the germination parameter was significantly influenced by the method of priming and it was found non-significant in the case of varieties. Maximum germination percentage and higher speed of germination were found in seeds treated with hydro-priming. Similarly, the growth parameter was found significant for both varieties as well as priming methods. Vegetative growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, and number of primary and secondary branches were found significantly higher in hydro-primed seeds and ghoratte variety. Likewise, the yield parameters such as days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, and yield per hectare were found significantly higher in hydro-primed ghoratte beans. Hence, hydro-priming can be used as a simple and cost-effective technique to improve germination and growth of French beans along with suitable variety under field conditions in Mugu district, Karnali province, Nepal. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 12(3): 137-144.

Effect of Foliar-applied Plant Growth Regulators on Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) to Regulate Growth and Yield Attributes

This investigation was conducted to obtain the effect of plant growth regulator on growth, yield and quality. The experiment utilized a randomized block design with three replications and nine treatments, including a control. The four different plant growth regulators (PGRs) used were Benzyl adenine (BA, 10 and 20 ppm), Brassinosteroid (BR, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm), Jasmonic acid (JA, 50 and 100 ppm) and Salicylic acid (SA, 50 and 100 ppm), applied as foliar sprays at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2023-24 at the Vegetable Research Centre, Maharajpur, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The investigation revealed that BR at 0.5 ppm resulted in the maximum plant height (103.67 cm). The highest number of primary (15.53) and secondary (26.50) branches at harvest was achieved with JA at 50 ppm. Phenological observations indicated that JA at 50 ppm led to the earliest 50% flowering at 36.67 days. For yield attributes, the highest number of umbels per plant (42.13) and umbellets per umbel (6.31) were found with JA at 50 ppm. BA at 20 ppm showed the maximum number of seeds per umbel (36.40), test weight (10.84 g), harvest index (9.92), and seed yield (13.65 q ha-1). Economically, BA at 20 ppm provided the highest net return (Rs. 170735.81), gross return (Rs. 232117.39), and benefit-cost ratio (2.78). Therefore, it can be concluded that foliar sprays of BR, JA, and BA are effective on improving phenological traits, yield attributes, and economic returns in coriander cultivation.

Assessment of Combining Ability and Gene Action in F1 Generation for Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L). Millsp.

To estimate combining ability and nature of gene action, twenty four pigeonpea crosses were developed from ten parents in Line × Tester fashion during Kharif 2022-23 and were evaluated in Randomized Block Design with three replications during Kharif 2023-24. The estimates of σ2gca were lower than the corresponding σ2sca for all the twelve characters studied indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action. Among the parents, the line GJP 1915 was found to be good general combiner for seed yield per plant and its yield contributing characters like plant height, number of primary branches per plant and pod length. The tester GJP 1820 was also good general combiner for seed yield per plant and its component traits like plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight. The cross BDN 2013-41 × UPAS 120 had registered the highest sca effect for seed yield per plant. The sca effect in this cross combination was also accompanied by significant and desirable standard heterosis and high per se performance for days to maturity, reproductive phase duration, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod and significant and desirable heterobeltiosis for days to maturity, reproductive phase duration, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight. The cross GJP 1915 × BLACKTUR had registered significant and positive sca effect for seed yield per plant which was also accompanied by highest per se performance for pod length. These cross combinations can be potentially utilized in future breeding programmes for exploitation of hybrid vigour.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Herb Yield and Menthol Content of Japanese Mint (Mentha arvensis l.) Var. Kosi

Aim: To study about the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and menthol content of Japanese mint. Study Design: The experiment was carried out with 17 treatments in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: Research trial was carried out at P.G block, College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, SKLTSHU, Hyderabad during Feb-May 2022 and Aug- Nov 2022. Results: Among the different treatments, the results reported that the 75 % N + poultry manure 4 t/ha + Arka microbial consortium recorded maximum plant height (63.00 cm and 61.13 cm), number of primary branches (32.67 and 32.07), number of secondary branches (11.47 and 10.53), number of leaves (1130.67 and 1071.73), leaf area (19.73 cm2 and 18.23 cm2), fresh herb yield per hectare (246.62 q and 244.54 q) and essential oil yield (269.97 kg and 239.98 kg) which was statistically on par with 75% N + vermicompost 4 t/ha + Arka microbial consortium.

PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF Physalis peruviana FRUIT APPLYING DIFFERENT DOSES OF SIMPLE SUPERPHOSPHATE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

The present study aimed to investigate and determine the most relevant fertilization levels of Simple Superphosphate to increase fruit production and improve fruit quality for fresh consumption. The experiment was conducted at the EPAMIG Experimental Field in Lambarí, Minas Gerais, from September 2021 to November 2022. Five fertilization levels were tested: 150 grams/plot, 300 grams/plot, 600 grams/plot, and 1200 grams/plot, along with a control group (no fertilization). A significant increase in fruit production was observed at the higher dose (1200 grams/plot) compared to the control, representing a 54.06% increase in fruit production. Additionally, the total fresh biomass production increased by 19.43%, the number of primary and secondary branches per plant increased by 48.99%, the branch length increased by 4.26%, and the canopy diameter increased by 6.83% when compared to the control. All these characteristics were significantly different at the 95% confidence level according to the Scott-Knott test. We concluded that 300 grams/plot was the best fertilization dose to achieve higher production and acceptable quality.

Evaluating Panicle Architecture and Yield Characteristics in Medium Duration Rice Genotypes through Correlation and Principal Component Analysis

Panicle architecture is a crucial factor that significantly improves economic grain yield. The panicle exhibits considerable variation in its structure, including the number of branches, the length and weight of the panicle, and arrangement of the grains. These traits are not only vital for the plants reproductive efficiency but also for optimizing yield potential. This study focuses on assessing variation in panicle architecture among 31 different medium duration rice genotypes by employing principal component analysis and correlation analysis. This study aimed to dissect the complex relationship between different panicle characteristics. The findings revealed that the first three principal components together explained 60.3% of the total variability. In the first principal component (PC1), the traits SF, PBL, YPH, and HI had the highest positive eigenvalues, indicating their significant impact on overall genotype variations. The second principal component (PC2) was mainly influenced by TSP and SBN, while the third principal component (PC3) was driven by PW and SBL. These results suggest that grain yield is significantly affected by the traits SF, PBL, YPH, HI, TSP, SBN, PW, and SBL. The correlation analysis revealed that the number of secondary branches showed a positive association with unfilled spikelet. Spikelet fertility exhibited a strong positive correlation with yield hectare-1 and harvest index, highlighting its significance in overall yield improvement. Therefore, these components are crucial for differentiating rice genotypes with higher grain yield potential. By evaluating correlation and principal component analysis, we aimed to identify traits that can be targeted for crop improvement initiatives. The findings will contribute to the development of rice varieties that are better suited to specific growing conditions and have enhanced yield potential. This approach will enable the identification of key panicle architecture and yield and yield traits that optimize resource allocation and improve grain filling efficiency, ultimately leading to rice varieties with higher productivity and adaptability.

Influence of Bioformulation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

Panchagavya, an organic product has the potential to play the role of promoting growth and providing immunity in plant system. Panchagavya consists of nine products viz. cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd, jaggery, ghee, banana, Tender coconut and water. When suitably mixed and used, these have miraculous effects. Nigella sativa L. is an annual herb possessing wide range of medicinal uses apart from its commercial significance as a spice-yielding plant. It is used in folk (herbal) medicine all over the globe for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases and its organic cultivation has gained importance in recent times. Keeping this in view, a field experiment was conducted. The treatments composed of T1 (Panchagavya foliar spray @ 4%), T2(Panchagavya foliar spray @ 8%), T3(Panchagavya foliar spray @ 12%), T4(Panchagavya foliar spray @ 16%), T5(Panchagavya foliar spray @ 20%) and T6 (water spray- Control) were evaluated. Among treatment T5 (Panchagavya as foliar spray @ 20%) recorded the maximum plant height of 29.95cm, 60.45cm and 73.09cm respectively at 60,90 and 120 DAS, the maximum number of primary branches and secondary branches of 7.18/plant and 24.54/plant were recorded at 120 DAS. Highest projected seed yield of 566.39 kg/ha along with highest dry pod weight (0.32g) pod diameter (0.93cm), seed yield/plant (2.62g), 1000 seed weight (2.10g) along with the maximum essential oil content (1.06%) and highest B:C ratio of 1.88 with a highest net return of Rs.52982/ha recorded under the same treatment. T4 (Panchagavya as foliar spray @ 16%) recorded 2nd highest plant height of 29.51cm, 59.26cm and 72.71 cm at 60,90 and 120 DAS and 2nd highest Projected seed yield of 547.73 kg/ha with other characters like dry pod weight (0.30g), pod diameter (0.92cm), seed yield/plant (2.09g) and 1000 seed weight (2.09g) along with essential oil content of 1.01% and 2nd highest cost benefit ratio of 1.84 and net return of Rs.49850/ha which were at par with T5(Panchagavya foliar spray at 20%).

Foliar application of melatonin improve the number of secondary branches and secondary branch grains quality of rice.

Melatonin plays an important role in plant growth and development. However, little information is available about melatonin regulating rice panicle structure and yield. This study explored the regulatory effects and mechanisms of melatonin spraying before the panicle differentiation stage on rice panicle structure and grain quality. The results showed that spraying melatonin before panicle differentiation increased rice yield, which was mainly reflected in the increase in spikelets per panicle and the percentage of filled grains. In addition, melatonin treatment significantly increased the panicle length. The results of panicle structure analysis showed that the increase in spikelets per panicle caused by melatonin was attributed to the significant increase in the number of secondary branches, total number of secondary branch spikelets, and number of spikelets per secondary branch. The results showed that melatonin can increase the content of zeatin, auxin, and gibberellin, and reduce the content of abscisic acid. These results showed that melatonin affected panicle structure by regulating hormone content, thereby improving yield. In addition, melatonin improves the processing quality, appearance quality, and nutritional quality of secondary branch grains. The above results indicate that application of melatonin improves the number of secondary branches and the quality of grainss on secondary branches.

Study of Genetic Variability and Character Association for Yield and Components Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Germplasm in Bundelkhand Region

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a very important crop among the grain legume crops in India. It is grown in north India in the winter season on marginal and semi-marginal land as a commonly non-irrigated crop. Bundelkhand, a region in Uttar Pradesh, India, is notorious for its harsh climate, characterized by extreme heat and drought stress. Temperature fluctuate with highs reaching 50°C in summer and lows of 5°C in winter, exert substantial adverse effects on chickpea cultivation, impairing crop growth and yield and demand to have genetic resources used in breeding programs. The experiment aimed to characterize and evaluate 204 chickpea lines, including commercial varieties, to understand the magnitude of variability and the association of various yield parameters on the yield of chickpea based on 12 agro-morphological characters under Bundelkhand region. ANOVA shows that significant variation exists for most of the characteristics of chickpeas. Higher GCV and PCV were observed for plant population (GCV 24.92, PCV 31.22) followed by the number of secondary branches (GCV 21.61, PCV 26.55), number of pods per plant (GCV 12.92, PCV 18.47), seed yield per plant (GCV 11.39, PCV 21.98) and biological yield per plant (GCV 11.68, PCV 20.37), revealing that the environment plays a positive role in the expression of these characters. High heritability was found by 100 seed weight (96.41) followed by seed yield per plant (84.11) and number of pods per plant (66.26) and a high degree of genetic advance was found in the number of pods per plant (26.24) followed by biological and seed yield per plant (15.25 and 6.92). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found in seed yield per plant, followed by biological yield per plant, indicating selection could be rewarding in proper breeding programs. Correlation and path studies showed that biological yield per plant (r-0.91), number of pods per plant (r- 0.680), number of secondary branches per plant (r-0.46), number of seeds per pod (r-0.32) and 100 seed weight (0.29) turned out to be the main components for seed yield per plant in chickpea, stipulating that these characters could be desirable selection parameter.

Analysis of Genetic Architecture through Generation Mean Analysis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Crosses of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)

Generation mean analysis was deployed to study the inheritance of 12 yield and its component traits in two crosses viz. PR-2009-6 × ALBELI (Family A) and PR-2009-6 × RGN-73 (Family B) of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern& Coss] for parents P1 and P2, F1 , F2 , BC1 and BC2 generations. Analysis of variance showed presence of significant variability among families and also within families (among progenies) for various traits under study except for days to maturity, seeds per siliquae and siliquae length. Family A showed considerable interaction effects for siliquae on main raceme, number of seeds per siliquae and oil content. Family B displayed epistatic interactions for characters such as plant height, length of main raceme, siliquae on main raceme, siliquae length, oil content seed yield per plant and glucosinolate content. Fixable effects [d] and [i] were found important in the inheritance of plant height, seed yield per plant and glucosinolate content. Among non fixable effects, dominance [h] gene action was significantly important for determining length of main raceme, number of siliquae on main raceme, siliquae length, oil content, seed yield per plant and glucosinolate content. Interaction gene effects were found significant in controlling plant height, length of main raceme, number of secondary branches per plant, siliquae on main raceme, siliqua length,1000-seed weight, oil content, seed yield per plant and glucosinolate content. Thus, both main effects and epistatic effects were found important in controlling the various traits under study.

Standardization of Spacing and Fertilizer Levels for Growth, Yield and Flower Quality of French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.)

This study investigated the standardization of spacing and fertilizer requirements for optimizing the growth and flower quality of French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.). The primary objective was to identify the most effective treatment combination for maximizing farmer profitability and yield. The experiment utilized three fertilizer levels (F1: 225:60:60 NPK kg/ha, F2: 168.75:45:45 NPK kg/ha, F3: 112.5:30:30 NPK kg/ha) and three spacing levels (S1: 30 cm x 30 cm, S2: 45 cm x 30 cm, S3: 45 cm x 45 cm) in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that plant height increased with a decrease in spacing and an increase in fertilizer levels. The S1F1 treatment combination (30 x 30 cm spacing and 225:60:60 NPK kg/ha) exhibited higher plant height, plant spread, and the number of primary and secondary branches. Flower production was significantly influenced by a spacing of 30 x 30 cm and a fertilizer level of 225:60:60 NPK kg/ha. Higher levels of spacing and fertilizer, i.e., 45 x 45 cm spacing and a fertilizer level of 225:60:60 NPK kg/ha yielded superior results in terms of flowering duration, flower diameter, flower weight, and shelf life of the flowers on the plant.

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Correlation, and Path Coefficient for Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh

The experimental material consisted of 155 pigeon pea genotypes sown in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications during the Kharif, 2023-2024 crop season at the N. E. B. Crop Research Centre of G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. The genetic variance components, correlation, and path coefficient for seed yield and its components were estimated using these 155 pigeon pea genotypes. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values (> 20%) were recorded for traits such as the number of pods per plant (26.45%), number of secondary branches per plant (22.72%), and seed yield per plant (20.27%). In contrast, the lowest PCV estimates (< 10%) were found for days to maturity (7.39%) and days to 50% flowering (6.73%). High estimates of the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) (> 20%) were recorded only for the number of pods per plant (23.6%). The lowest GCV estimates (< 10%) were observed for hundred seed weight (9.63%), number of seeds per pod (9.55%), plant height (9.49%), pod length (7.18%), days to maturity (6.85%), and days to 50% flowering (6.5%). The hundred seed weight showed a high positive direct effect on seed yield per plant (Genotypic = 0.58, Phenotypic = 0.47) along with a positive and significant correlation (Genotypic correlation coefficient, (rg = 0.599); Phenotypic correlation coefficient, (rp = 0.485)). Based on this investigation, it is evident that exploring genetic variability, correlations, and path analyses provides a more effective approach for selecting superior cultivars for yield and related traits.

Performance of Seaweed Extracts on Yield and Quality of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) with Organic Input Management

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of the two consecutive years of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Horticultural Research Station, Mondouri, BCKV, Nadia, West Bengal to examine the effectiveness of seaweed extract on yield and quality of black cumin. The treatments were composed of 9 different doses of seaweed extract granule soil application, liquid foliar spray and control. Among the 10 treatments, T5 (e.g., SWE granules @4kg ha-1) recorded the highest average plant height of 29.80 cm, 59.45cm and 73.30 cm, at 60, 90 and 120 DAS and the highest number of primary branches (7,10) and secondary branches (24,10) plant-1 respectively at 120 DAS. Similarly, the highest seed yield of 536 kg ha-1 along with different yield attributing characters like the highest mean fresh pod weight (1.40g), dry pod weight (0.36 g) and pod diameter (0.91cm), seed yield plant-1 (2.76g) and 1000 seed weight (2.45 g) were recorded under the treatment T5. The highest B: C ratio (1.97) and highest net return (Rs.52816 ha-1) were also recorded under T5 during the same period of experimentation. From the above experiment, it may be concluded that the soil application of Seaweed Extract in granular formulation @ 4kg ha-1 has a positive influence on growth, yield and quality of black cumin.

Correlation and principal component analysis of bixin content and yield-related traits in Annatto (Bixa orellana L.)

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) is an important dye-yielding species harbouring huge variations in qualitative as well as quantitative traits. Identification of factors influencing bixin content and seed yield is an important breeding aspect, considering the economic importance of annatto for selection of elite genotypes based on morphological traits. Thirty-one trees plus were selected for the study, and sixteen quantitative traits were recorded for two years (2021 and 2022) to understand their association with bixin content and seed yield. Annatto has bivalve pods; however, trivalve pods were also observed during the study. A positive and significant association (r = 0.65) between bixin content and seed yield was observed from the correlation analysis. The study revealed that bixin content was highly correlated and influenced directly by the number of primary and secondary branches and hundred seed weight, while tree height, basal diameter, and the number of primary and secondary branches exhibit a significantly positive direct effect on seed yield, suggesting these traits as a reliable morphological marker for selecting highly productive genotypes. The thirty-one plus trees were grouped through hierarchical clustering into six clusters, with maximum bixin content and seed yield in Cluster I and Cluster III. The genotypes TNBi 0020, TNBi 0021, TNBi 0022, TNBi 0023, TNBi 0024 and TNBi 0037 can be utilized for mass multiplication and popularization for commercial cultivation of Bixa orellana.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management in China Aster cv. Arka Poornima Under Mid Hills of Himalayas

The present investigation was conducted to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on vegetative parameters of China aster cv. Arka Poornima under the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in simple randomized design (RBD) with eighteen treatments. The experiment was conducted at the Kakhali research farm of Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh during kharif season in 2023. For integrated nutrient management eighteen treatments were constituted with three levels of recommend dose of inorganic fertilizers (50, 75 and 100 %) and three biofertilizers viz., Azotobacter, PSB and KSB along with control. The observations for the vegetative parameters plant height (cm) at maturity, numbers of leaves, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, leaf area per plant, leaf area index and plant spread were recorded and analyzed. The plant height (91.40 cm), No. of leaves (356.13), No. of primary branches (12.40) and secondary branches (33.70) were found maximum in treatment T12 (RDF@75% + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB), while the lowest values were observed in T0 (control). The highest leaf area (27.49 cm2) was found in T8 (RDF@75% + Azotobacter), while the leaf area index (12.02) and plant spread (16.57 cm) were found in treatment T11 (RDF@75% + Azotobacter + PSB). The lowest values for leaf area (17.77 cm2), leaf area index (5.48) and plant spread (11.82 cm) were found in treatments T14 (RDF@100% + Azotobacter), T16 (RDF@100% + KSB) and T10 (RDF@75% + KSB), respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that, application of T12 (RDF@75% + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB) is best for the getting higher production in China aster followed by T11 (RDF@75% + Azotobacter + PSB). This study will reduce the use of inorganic fertilizer without polluting the soil and environment.

Genetic Variability and Heritability of Morpho-Agronomic Traits, Oil Yield and Fatty Acid Components in Linseed (<i>Linumusitatissimum</i> L.) Germplasm in Ethiopia

Comprehensive information on genetic variability and selection parameters is very crucial to design breeding strategies. However, very limited information is available in Ethiopian linseed germplasm. Therefore, the present study was conducted to estimate genetic variability, broad sense heritability and genetic advance; and determine selection for 19 quantitative traits using 126 genotypes (120 Ethiopian linseed accessions and six released varieties). The analysis of variance showed highly significant (P < 0.01) differences for all of the traits demonstrating the presence of high genetic diversity among the studied linseed genotypes. Higher differences between PCV and GCV estimates were observed for seed yield per plant and biological yield per plant, signifying the importance of environmental factors influence. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for seed yield per plant and biological yield per plant, indicating that this high heritability is due to additive gene effects and therefore, selection can be effective for the improvement of linseed for these traits. In addition, moderate heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance was recorded for oil yield per hectare, number of capsules, number of secondary branches, days to maturity, seed yield per hectare and plant height. These results indicated the existence of intermediate expression in these traits for both additive and dominance gene effect. In the present study, high heritability coupled with high GAM was observed for seed yield per plant and biological yield per plant, indicating greater contribution of additive gene action for the expression of these traits; and therefore, improvement can be achieved through selection in these traits.