Yield Trials Research Articles

Integrating phenotypic and molecular profiling for selection of promising advanced breeding lines for blast resistance in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice is susceptible to several major and minor diseases, with blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae being a significant constraint, leading to substantial economic losses worldwide. Exploiting genetic resistance in cultivars is a preferred strategy for managing this disease, offering an alternative to chemical control. The objective of this study was to identify advanced breeding lines (ABLs) with blast resistance, superior yield, and good grain quality using Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS). Leaf blast resistance screening revealed that 25 ABLs exhibited moderate resistance. Molecular analysis with 10 polymorphic markers linked to blast resistance genes (Pi1, Pi2, Pi9, Pi37, Pi38, Pi39, Pi54, Pita, Pitp, and Piz5) identified the highest number of positive alleles (8) in MTU1061, IR36, and SVGP-26. Additionally, seven ABLs (SVGP-1, SVGP-14, SVGP-23, SVGP-37, SVGP-38, SVGP-39, and SVGP-48) showed co-segregation of markers with blast resistance. Genetic diversity analysis revealed significant variability among the genotypes, indicating diverse genetic backgrounds. Based on their yield performance, quality traits, and resistance to blast, five parents (NLR 34449, NLR 40024, MTU 1061, MTU 3626, and IR 36) and five ABLs (SVGP-13, SVGP-16, SVGP-40, SVGP-47, and SVGP-32) were selected for further yield trials. The study identified high-yielding, blast-resistant lines with good grain quality and diverse genetic backgrounds as promising donor sources for improving blast resistance in rice breeding programs. These findings enhance the genetic base for developing resistant rice cultivars with improved agronomic traits.

Integrating univariate and multivariate stability indices for breeding clime-resilient barley cultivars

Studying genetic variability through the phenotypic performance of genotypes is crucial in the breeding program. Therefore, evaluating both yield performance and stability across diverse environments is essential in yield trials to identify high-yield potential and stable cultivars. In this study, we employed 12 univariate and 10 multivariate stability models to analyze how genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E) affect the yield performance of 32 barley genotypes across 10 environments. The environmental main effect explained 81.3% of the total variation, compared to 18.6% for genotypes and G × E interaction effects. Using the GGE biplot ‘which-won-where’ polygon, we categorized environments into five groups and genotypes into six groups, identifying eight genotypes with mean grain yield (GY) superior to the overall mean (4.43 tons ha− 1). Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) between GY and various stability parameters such as linear regression coefficients (bi), Perkins and Jinks’s stability parameters (Bi), environmental variance (Sxi2) and Tai’s environmental effects (αi), among others, as univariate stability measures. Additionally, nonparametric measures such as Nassar and Huhn’s (SI 6 and SI 3) and Thennarasu’s (NP I (3) and NP I (4)), TOP-rank stability and the yield stability index (YSI), showed significant correlations with GY. Both univariate and multivariate stability models highlighted genotypes G32, G1, and G27 as the most stable, exhibiting minimal yield variation across environments. Furthermore, G15, followed by G13, G7, and G9, demonstrated high stability based on multivariate measures. Accordingly, it might be safe to utilize the stability parameters of different groups concerning static and dynamic concepts of stability to avoid the possibility of estimating the same concept of stability. This study emphasizes the importance of utilizing a combination of univariate and multivariate stability models to assess genotype stability comprehensively and select “ideal genotypes” that offer both high yield potential and stability.

Multi-environment field trials for wheat yield, stability and breeding progress in Germany

Multi-environmental trials (MET) with temporal and spatial variance are crucial for understanding genotype-environment-management (GxExM) interactions in crops. Here, we present a MET dataset for winter wheat in Germany. The dataset encompasses MET spanning six years (2015–2020), six locations and nine crop management scenarios (consisting of combinations for three treatments, unbalanced in each location and year) comparing 228 cultivars released between 1963 and 2016, amounting to a total of 526,751 data points covering 24 traits. Beside grain yield, ten agronomic traits, four baking quality traits, plant height, heading date, maturity date and six fungal disease infection indices are included. Additionally, we provide management records, including fertilizer use, plant protection measures, irrigation, and weather data. We demonstrate how this dataset can address four agronomic questions related to GxExM interactions. Further potential applications of the dataset include empirical analyses, genomic and enviromic analyses for breeding targets, or development of decision-supporting models for agricultural management and policy decisions.

Plot‐level satellite imagery can substitute for UAVs in assessing maize phenotypes across multistate field trials

Societal Impact StatementMaize plays a key role in agricultural profitability and food security on six continents. Successful efforts to breed higher‐yielding maize varieties depend on replicated yield trials in many environments. Capturing in‐season data can help improve and accelerate the development of regionally adapted hybrids, but collecting these data can be impractical in many locations. We demonstrate that satellite remote sensing could play a similar role in crop performance assessment as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) but with far lower labor costs and the greatest ease of collection at remote field sites. This dataset and benchmarks have the potential to enable predictive models that could guide farmers and crop breeders in decision‐making.Summary Accurate early yield estimates at fields and plots offer potential benefits to farmers in optimizing their agronomic practices and breeders in screening thousands of varieties contributing to improving agriculture and food production systems. Effective approaches to track plant growth and predict yield require large datasets of remote sensing and ground truth data collected across multiple environments. Low‐altitude drone flights are increasingly being used to collect data from field evaluations of new crop varieties, while satellite imagery is being explored to track yield and management practices at regional scales. Satellite platforms exhibit logistical and technical advantages in scalability and accessibility and could facilitate plot‐level predictions, especially with steadily improving spatial resolution. However, plot‐level, high‐resolution satellite images capturing differences in genotypes from multiple environments with ground truth measurements are not publicly available. Here, we generated, described, and evaluated over 20,000 plot‐level images of over 80 hybrid maize varieties grown across the US corn belt under various management practices collected from (near simultaneous) satellite and drone (synonym UAVs, UASs) flights integrated with ground truth yield measurement. Of the six baseline models examined, models employing data collected from satellite images often matched the performance of models employing drone images for both within and cross‐environment yield prediction.

Registration of ‘Avant’ rice

Abstract‘Avant’ (Reg. no. CV‐161; PI 699954), an early‐maturing and high‐yielding long‐grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar, was developed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley, LA, and was approved for release in 2021. Avant was selected from the cross ‘Trenasse’//‘Cocodrie’/‘Jefferson’/3/‘Ahrent’/‘Cocodrie’// Cocodrie/‘LaGrue’. It demonstrated good yield potential and favorable agronomic characteristics in the 2017 preliminary yield trial. From 2018 to 2023, Avant underwent evaluation in 54 replicated trials across nine locations in Louisiana. Four high‐yielding commercial cultivars were included as checks: ‘Mermentau’, ‘Cheniere’, ‘CL153’, and ‘CLL17’. The grain yield of Avant was 9.5 t ha−1 compared to 9.3 t ha−1 for Mermentau, 8.8 t ha−1 for Cheniere, 9.5 t ha−1 for CL153, and 9.3 t ha−1 for CLL17 across 46 trials from 2018 to 2023. Avant was significantly shorter than Mermentau, Cheniere, CL153, and CLL17. It exhibits cooking quality similar to typical US long‐grain rice. Avant is susceptible to sheath blight, moderately susceptible to leaf blast and bacterial panicle blight, and moderately resistant to narrow brown leaf spot.

RELEASE OF NEW HIGH YIELDING MUNGBEAN VARIETY BAHAWALPUR-MUNG-17; SUITABLE FOR PUNJAB ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN PUNJAB (PAKISTAN)

Bahawalpur-Mung-17 was developed through a cross between VC-3726 an exotic line received from AVRDC, Thailand, and NM-36 which was a locally advanced line with the bold grain. Bahawalpur-Mung-17 was tested in a series of experiments for production technology and yield performance at the Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Bahawalpur and farmers’ fields in Yazman, Rahim Yar Khan, Hasilpur, Bahawalpur with average yield of 1465 Kg ha-1 coupled with N:P: K dose at the rate of 23:34:25 Kg/ha gave maximum yield when planted in row-to-row distance of 45cm apart. Bahawalpur-Mung-17 yielded among all candidate lines included in the National Uniform Yield Trial (NUYT)-2013 and 2014 with an average yield of 1020 and 1028 Kg ha-1 respectively at 15 locations across the country, with the highest grain yield of 1380 Kg ha-1 at AZRI-Bahawalpur during 2013 and 2475 Kg/ha at NIAB-FSD. Bahawalpur-Mung-17 outclassed, among 18 candidate lines in 2013 and 14 candidate lines in 2014 across the country, and stood on top of the victory stand. Punjab Seed Council approved it for general cultivation in Punjab. Bahawalpur-Mung-17 gave 26 % more yield than check NM-2011 in 2013 and has 8.43 % more yield and potential than best check AZRI MUNG-2006 and NM-2011 and showed moderately resistant to disease Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV) at maturity, morphologically different from existing mung bean varieties (light green) and drought resistant.

Vicia faba overcomes drought stress by spraying with Xerophytic Anabasis setifera extract

Drought stress is a prevalent environmental factor significantly impacting the faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crop. Anabasis setifera, a plant extract (ASE), has been found to potentially regulate plant responses to drought stress for the first time. The study examined the effects of applying an exogenous ASE on the physiological, biochemical, and yield responses of faba bean plants under three soil water regimes: well-watered (8-day irrigation intervals), moderate drought stress (12-day irrigation intervals), and severe drought stress (16-day irrigation intervals). The HPLC analysis of ASE revealed that it contains major phenolic compounds such as rutin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, and coumaric acid. The extract also contains catechin, quercetin, syringic acid, pyro catechol, and methyl gallate. The study found that faba bean plants showed enhanced drought resistance after treatment with ASE. This treatment improved growth parameters like shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, leaf and flower number, and reduced the negative impacts of drought stress on chlorophyll levels and metabolic activities. The study indicates that plants treated with ASE, including catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase, can significantly mitigate drought stress effects, improve yield trials, and enhance seed components, making it cost-effective and ecologically beneficial.

Genotype x environment interaction in cassava multi-environment trials via analytic factor.

The variability in genetic variance and covariance due to genotype × environment interaction (G×E) can hinder genotype selection accuracy, especially for complex traits. This study analyzed G×E interactions in cassava to identify stable, high-performing genotypes and predict agronomic performance in untested environments using factor analytic multiplicative mixed models (FAMM) within multi-environment trials (METs). We evaluated 22 cassava genotypes for fresh root yield (FRY), dry root yield (DRY), shoot yield (ShY), and dry matter content (DMC) across 55 Brazilian environments. FAMM was applied to estimate genetic values and environmental loads, revealing significant genetic variance, especially for FRY (0.16-0.92) and broad-sense heritability ([Formula: see text]) above 0.70 in advanced yield trials. In joint analyses, analytic factor FA4 explained over 88% of genetic variation for all traits despite high G×E and data imbalance. Positive genetic correlations were found between environments for ShY and DRY (0.99 and 1.0, respectively), while FRY and DMC showed negative correlations (-0.82 and -0.95). Latent regression analysis identified hybrids adaptable to a range of environments, as well as genotypes suited to specific conditions. Moderate correlations between environmental covariables (rainfall, altitude, solar radiation) and FA model loadings suggest these factors contribute to high G×E interactions, notably for FRY. The FAMM model provided a robust approach to G×E analysis in cassava, yielding practical insights for breeding programs.

Yield and quality features of some rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) genotypes

Rosemary has broad distribution in the world, especially in the Mediterranean region and naturally grows on the west and south coasts of Turkey. In this study, a total of 70 genotypes, with 58 local samples collected from different locations in Turkey and 12 foreign samples obtained from different countries located around the Mediterranean belt, were placed under morphological observation in 2021-2022 by creating an observation garden in the trial fields of Yalova Atatürk Horticultural Central Research Institute. As a result of the research, according to general averages for 2021 and 2022, among morphological and agronomic features, the plant height was 41.1 - 82.3 cm, green herb yield 268.2 - 1137.7 kg/ha, dry herb yield 66.2-110.6 kg/ha, dry leaf yield 51.9 - 71.5 kg/ha, and essential oil yield 0.2 - 2.9 ml/ha. Among quality features, the essential oil proportion was 0.4 - 4.8%, and phenolic compounds included rosmarinic acid (RA) 2.1 - 12.3 mg/g, carnosic acid (CA) 9.3 - 60.7 mg/g and carnosol (CAR) 1.3 - 4.9 mg/g. In conclusion, 9 rosemary genotypes identified with high green herb yield, dry leaf yield, phenolic compounds, essential oil proportion and essential oil quality are B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B52, B62, B69 and B70, and recommended to include these genotypes in repeated yield trials.

Registration of ‘Rulon’, a six‐row, spring feed barley

AbstractIn Utah, spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is commonly used in rotation with hay to supply the state's animal products industry. The objective of this research was to develop a spring feed barley cultivar with improved agronomic performance and adaptation to Utah's growing conditions. ‘Rulon’ (Reg. No. CV‐382, PI 705157, PVP no. 202400311) is a six‐row, spring feed barley cultivar developed and evaluated as UTSB10905‐72 and released in 2023 by the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (UAES). Rulon was derived from the cross UTSB2120‐36/‘Goldeneye’. Goldeneye is a six‐row spring feed barley cultivar released by UAES in 2005. UTSB2120‐36 was an F4‐derived experimental line from the cross ‘Century’/‘IdaGold II’. Rulon was selected through a modified bulk breeding scheme from the F2 to the F4 generations. Derived from the F4 generation, Rulon was tested in replicated yield trials in Logan, UT, from 2013 to 2020, the University of Idaho (UI) Extension Variety Trials in 2016 and 2017, and the Western Regional Spring Barley Nursery from 2016 to 2018. Rulon yielded an average of 5987 kg ha−1 in Logan, outperforming all check varieties, and showed similar days to heading compared to Goldeneye. In the UI Extension Variety Trials, Rulon showed higher kernel plumpness (95%) compared to the check varieties (76–88%). In the Western Regional Spring Barley Nurseries, Rulon ranked among the top five yielding entries in 15 out of 25 site‐years. Rulon was released on the basis of its high grain yield, excellent kernel plumpness, and high test weight.

Marker-assisted introgression of a major broad spectrum blast resistance gene Pi54 into a popular rice variety Warangal Samba (WGL-14)

Warangal Samba (WGL-14) is a widely known medium slender-grain rice variety that matures within 135-140 days. This variety has been extensively cultivated in Telangana, India, due to its high yield potential of 7-7.5 t/ha and its favourable cooking qualities. However, it is highly susceptible to rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. This research sought to improve the blast resistance of WGL-14 by incorporating the Pi54 gene, a widely recognized blast resistance gene, using (MABB) along with selection based on phenotypic traits. NLR-145, a high-yielding rice variety containing the Pi54 gene, was used as the donor parent and crossed with WGL-14 to produce F1 plants. The Pi54MAS marker, which is specific to the Pi54 gene, was employed for foreground selection in F1, BC1F1, BC2F1 and BC3F1 generations, while background selection involved 80 parentals polymorphic SSR markers and phenotypic traits observed in each backcross generation. At BC3F5 generation, 28 lines were selected for their strong resistance to blast, high yields, plant type, grain characteristics and other traits comparable to the recurrent parent. These 28 lines were tested in yield trials during the wet seasons from 2018 to 2020 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) in Warangal. At Advanced Varietal Trials (AVT), 3 lines namely WGL-1467, WGL-1472 and WGL-1473 were identified as having strong blast resistance and superior agronomic traits, closely resembling the original WGL-14.

Genetic Studies on Variability, Heritability and Genetic Gain of Yield and Yield Related Traits in Foxtail Millets (Setaria italic L.)

The present work comprised of 40 foxtail millet advanced breeding lines obtained from small millet scheme, MARS, Dharwad. These lines with checks viz., DHFT-109-3 and HMT-100-1 were evaluated in replicated yield trial at millet scheme, MARS, Dharwad, during rabi 2020-21 for assessing genetic variability, heritability, and genetic gain among 17 traits. Wide range of variation provides an ample scope for selection of superior and desired advanced breeding lines by the plant breeders for further improvement of these characters. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits under study. In the present study foxtail millet advanced breeding lines exhibited moderate PCV and GCV for the most important economic traits viz., panicle length (18.01 and 15.85 % 15.85% and18.01%), panicle girth (15.25% and 15.45%), productive tiller per plant (18.44% and 19.40%) and straw yield per hectare (19.92% and 21.39%). The high phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for characters viz., specific leaf area (21.08% and 22.44%), specific leaf weight (20.52% and 26.72%), grain yield per plant (9.32% and 10.99 %), grain yield per plot (8.85 % and 10.49%) and straw yield per ha (19.92 and 21.39). Most of the traits viz., plant height(79 %), flag leaf length(98%), flag leaf width ( 80%), number of productive tillers per plant (90%), panicle length(98%), panicle girth (97 %), SPAD at 50 per cent flowering (92%), test weight (63%), specific leaf area (88%), specific leaf weight (87%), grain yield per plant(71%) and straw yield per hectare (87%) showed the high estimates of broad sense heritability (h2 b) indicating the reliability of the estimates for variation between advanced breeding lines and effectiveness of selection.

Spatial analysis with unoccupied aircraft systems data in wheat breeding yield trials

AbstractAn important aspect of reliable cultivar development is good field trial evaluations. Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS also known as drones or UAVs) are a popular high‐throughput phenotyping tool that has been used to successfully evaluate plant stress and other canopy characteristics in a field. In precision agriculture applications, UAS imagery has been used to identify spatial variability in field settings. Here, we use UAS spectral imagery to improve field trial spatial analysis, better control spatial variability, and reduce errors for more reliable selections. UAS imagery data were collected across 47 breeding trials planted in an augmented complete block design (ACBD) or alpha‐lattice replicated designs from 2020 through 2023. Trials were evaluated using three spatial analysis strategies: linear models incorporating block effect, row‐column effect, or 2D splines. UAS‐derived spectral reflectance indices (SRI) were combined with each model as covariates. Modeling strategies were used across all trials and evaluated for autocorrelation, model fitness, and coefficient of variation (CV). Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used to assess model fitness. For spatial analysis trials, SRIs significantly lowered model AIC by an average of 38.4 for alpha‐lattice trials and 69.1 for ACBD trials. CV scores were also lowered when SRIs were utilized, with average CV values being 2.6 lower for alpha‐lattice and 2.1 for ACBD trials. This study highlights the potential for SRIs to improve the analyses of field breeding trials despite extreme environmental variables and climate conditions, improving experiment reliability and changing the way breeders plan and implement breeding experiments.

Breeding of new kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) cultivars with yellow (golden) fleshed and superior characteristics

The most widely cultivated species globally is Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Hayward’. However, in recent years, consumers have shown greater demand for new varieties with novel flesh colour, flavour and appearance in international markets. To meet these expectations, one breeding study was started in 2016 at the University of Guilan in Iran to develop new kiwifruit cultivars with superior characteristics. In this breeding program, 201 female and 534 male hybrid genotypes were obtained from combinations of six different parents using the controlled cross-breeding technique. The evaluations were carried out over three consecutive stages. In the first stage, 201 female hybrid genotypes and control (‘Golden’) were evaluated based on 25 phenological and pomological traits. In the second stage, hybrids passed the desired threshold values in 7 key attributes were selected. Sensory testing in the next stage evaluated these selected hybrid genotypes more. As a result of the first stage, 30 hybrid genotypes with fruit weight (90 ≥ g) were selected. Then, in the second stage, 21 hybrids that showed acceptable dry matter, hue angle, flesh firmness, soluble solid content, acidity, and ascorbic acid were selected. Finally, 13 hybrid genotypes received high scores in sensory testing, and just two hybrid genotypes represented a 100% of novelty with positive texture. These genotypes were selected as potential cultivar candidates. In future studies, fruit yield, disease/pest resistance, and post-harvest performance trials of the 13 selected candidates will be evaluated at different sites. Thus, the ones that give the best results will be introduced to kiwifruit growers.

Evaluation of Red &amp; Purple Skinned Advance Clones Suitable for Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

An experiment was conducted at ICAR Central Potato Research Institute, Regional Station, Patna, Bihar during the year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to evaluate 04 red skinned and 02 purple skinned Potato advance clones with 05 controls as popular potato varieties in confirmatory yield trials. The performance of advance clones was evaluated with respect to their yield and yield attributing traits, dry matter, nutritional status of the tubers. The experiment was planted in Randomized Block design with 03 replications, plant to plant distance was 20 cm and row to row distance 60 cm. The experiment was planted in two sets i.e. 75 days &amp; 90 days duration crop. The potato clones PS/16-02 &amp; PS/16-17 were selected on the basis of their remarkable high marketable tuber yield (26.29 and 22.45 t/ha in 75 days duration and 30.16 t/ha &amp; 25.81 t/ha at 90 days duration crop respectively). The nutritional status of the tubers were high, tuber shape ovoid to round, colour purple (PS/16-02) &amp; red (PS/16-17), shallow eyes and good organoleptic qualities after boiling and frying. The dry matter content of these selected advance clones were 20.17 &amp; 20.42 respectively. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the performance of advance clones for the above-mentioned traits and to select suitable advance clones for introduction in All India Coordinated Research Project on Potato.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Evaluated Under High Temperature Yield Trial in Ethiopia

The study was carried out to estimate genetic parameters of 49 bread wheat genotypes and standard check evaluated at Kulumsa and Melkasa using alpha lattice design with two replications. The analysis of variance result showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all traits (P&lt; 0.001), implying the presence of considerable genetic variability for these traits. Out of 50 genotypes, four genotypes such as EBW2113062, EBW2113039, EBW2113037 and EBW2113056 were the top yielding genotypes across the locations. Furthermore, 30 of the 50 genotypes gave grain yield above grand mean whereas 14 genotypes had grain yield above the check, Dursa(1295.05kg/ha). In the other word, about 60% of genotypes were with mean grain yield above the overall mean and 30% of them provided mean grain yield above the check, Dursa, variety. High and moderate heritability estimates were found for most of traits showing that the variation observed was mainly under genetic control. The highest PCV and GCV values were observed for grain yield at both locations indicating better opportunity for improvement in this trait via selection. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was generally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all characters at both locations. The difference between PCV and GCV was large in TKW followed by PHT and Grain yield indicating that these traits are influenced by the environment. However, differences between them were small for most of the traits indicating low effect of environment on the expression of characters at both locations. The genotypic correlations between grain yield with thousand kernel weights and hectoliter weight were highly significant showing their important contribution to grain yield. Therefore, the identified genotypes with better performance could be utilized in advanced bread wheat yield trial targeted for high temperature condition in the country.

&lt;b&gt;Performance of Candidate Varieties of Basmati Rice in Uniform Yield Trials&lt;/b&gt;

The primary focus of rice breeding research is now on developing high-yielding rice varieties with early maturing and physio-chemical features, such as improved cooking quality, aroma, and extra-long grain. This shift in focus is driven by the growing global demand for high-quality rice. Using traditional breeding methods to trait pyramid these extremely important traits while maintaining yield and quality is a challenging task. Good grain quality(aromatic), fertilizer responsiveness, and high-yielding varieties can help the farmers in Pakistan to increase their revenue despite global population growth and changing international market patterns. At the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku (RRI KSK), new, improved, high-yielding, extra-long grain lines with the qualities of early maturity, small stature, and good cooking with aroma are being developed through traditional breeding methods. The present study aimed to assess the genetic variability of these lines in terms of paddy yield and to discover superior high-yielding cultivars suitable for widespread cultivation. There were notable variations in paddy yield among the different entries in the pooled analysis. The highest average paddy yield (5010 Kg/ha) was seen in entry 10640-10-1-1-1, followed by entry 10684-3-1-2 (4990 Kg/ha) and PK 10434-6-2-1 (4550 Kg/ha) and suggested for general cultivation based on their mean paddy yield. A strong positive correlation was seen between the grain thickness grading of over 2.2 mm and the number of panicles per plant. The overall quality of the Uniform Yield Trials of Fine rice samples can be reported as excellent for PK 10306-15-5, PK PB-8 and PK 10678-2-1-1 over check Basmati-515. There will be a simultaneous increase in grain yield with improvements in these qualities.

Characterization of high-yielding aman rice genotypes through genetic and agronomic analysis

ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa L.) holds immense global significance, serving as a staple food crop that sustains billions of people and supports livelihoods across diverse cultures and economies, including Bangladesh. For food security in Bangladesh, there is a significant demand for high-yielding Aman rice varieties. We assessed genetic variability of 16 Aman rice genotypes, including 11 promising Aman lines and 5 established Aman cultivars in Bangladesh, with the aim of identifying high-yielding genotypes through a three-year field experiment. The examined genotypes displayed notable variations in both yield and agronomic traits contributing to yield, as evidenced by their greater range of coefficients of variance and genetic variability components. Traits such as effective tillers per hill (ET), filled grains per panicle (FG), plant height (PH) at 80 days after transplanting, and panicle length (PL) demonstrated notable correlations with grain yield (GY) throughout the three-year evaluation. Moreover, the higher broad-sense heritability (H 2) observed in ET, FG, PH, and PL traits suggested a substantial influence of genetic factors on the variability of the Aman rice genotypes. Principal component analysis based biplot and heatmap analyses revealed that the advanced lines BU acc4 and BU acc5 had higher harvest index and relatively greater GY compared to the other Aman rice varieties. These promising Aman lines could prove to be valuable materials for future multi-location yield trials or ongoing and forthcoming breeding programs aimed at enhancing high-yielding Aman rice cultivars.

Punjab Tar-1: A New Short Duration, High Yielding and Disease Resistance Long Melon Variety (Cucumis melo) Released in Pakistan.

The development of new crop varieties with favorable features is a continuing effort. With the passage of time, a cultivated variety becomes subjected to various biotic and abiotic plant stresses. This article describes development of an innovative and imaginative long melon cultivar called "Punjab Tar-1."This article discusses creation of a novel and inventive long melon variety known as "Punjab Tar-1." Current long melon varieties in Pakistan are sensitive to climatic conditions and susceptible to pest and disease attack. A New Short Duration, High Yielding and Disease Resistance Long Melon Variety (Cucumis melo) is released in Pakistan to address these current issues of long melon varieties A high yielding and early maturing variety of long melon “Punjab Tar-1” has been developed by Vegetable Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan through mass selection. Plants were selected from an open pollinated indigenous source population with main emphasis on earliness, fruit shape, color and taste and yield. Selection intensity was 15% in 1st three selection cycles and 30% in subsequent four selection cycles whereas yield trials were started from 8th selection cycle. The fruit of this variety has a strong longitudinal rib that makes it difficult for eating by caterpillars. This variety has wide adaptability and exhibits stable yield across multiple environments. Notably, "Punjab Tar-1" contains 10.59 % crude protein and 1.08% crude fat content. Genetic uniformity and distinctiveness of this variety was confirmed through SSR polymorphism. Punjab Tar-1 variety has been approved by Punjab Seed Council in its meeting held on 2021 and was recommended for general cultivation in Punjab, Pakistan. Its certified seed is available for farmers at Vegetable Research Institute, Faisalabad. This newly approved variety will aid to save the precious foreign reserves by reducing vegetable seed import bill. In Pakistan, seed market of long melon is occupied by improved varieties. In multi-location evaluation, one said variety has exhibited high yield and stability than exotic germplasm. This is the first variety developed in Pakistan having good taste, early maturity, long shape, and high yield potential. DNA fingerprinting has further confirmed that it is distinct from local material, having novelty and diversity.

Identification of Climate-Smart Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Germplasm for Optimum Moisture Areas of Ethiopia

Ethiopia's Bread Wheat Breeding Program conducts annual multi-environment yield trials to develop advanced wheat genotypes for Ethiopian wheat cultivation, ensuring a steady supply of new and improved varieties to meet production and marketing challenges. The objective of this research was to assess potential yield and the interactions between genotype and environment in wheat across multiple environments, as every cultivar has a distinct response to soil and climate. The BLUP analysis reveals that the 22AA and 22KU trials in 2022, along with 21KU trials in 2021 yielded high grain production, indicating optimal testing locations for distinguishing bread wheat genotypes and agroecologies. The study found that seven out of sixteen trials exhibited a higher genetic variance for yield, indicating high genotype discriminating power, with estimates ranging from 0.043 to 0.989 for genetic variance, 0.084 to 1.147 for error variance, and 72.7 to 96.4 for heritability. EBW202471 and EBW202473 are stable genotypes with good yield performance across correlated locations, with EBW202471 showing the highest yield (4.98 t/ha) and Deka showing a lower yield (4.07 t/ha). Three wheat genotypes, EBW202471, EBW202472, and EBW202473, were found to be moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to stem and yellow rust among 20 wheat genotypes. Finally, the two genotypes, EBW202471 and EBW202473, were advanced to National Performance Trials to evaluate their performance alongside top genotypes from regional federal research centers and to be released as new varieties.