Variance For Characters Research Articles

Morphological and Agronomical Characterization in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Germplasm and Combined Study of Heritability, Genetic Variance, Genetic Advances and Association of Characters

The present experiment was carried out during Rabi 2021-2022 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110 (U.P.). The material used in the present study comprised 103 germplasm accessions of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) having variability for various agronomic and morphological characters were obtained from the available germplasm in the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, SVPUA&T, Meerut. The number of genotypes are 103 including four check (DBW-71, DBW-222, DBW-173, HD-3226), the Plot size is10 row 2.5m length spaced at 0.25m and the date of sowing is 20 December, 2021 on Augmented experimental design. Twelve observations were recorded. In each plot, five plants from each genotype were arbitrarily selected and tagged to record the observations studied characteristics except days to 50 % flowering and days to maturity they were recorded on plot basis. The highest value of biological yield per plant was estimated in CSW-18 (45.16g), DBW-621 (51.45%) recorded a high value of harvest index and the maximum grain yield is from CSW-18 (15.94) g. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance observed for gluten content, grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index and number of productive tillers per plant.

Variability and Correlation Study on Lowland Green Super Rice in Western Ethiopia

Abstract The success of plant breeding activities entirely depends on the existence of genetic variability with respect to desired traits and selection skills of plant breeders. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the extent of variability, heritability genetic advance, and character association among yield and yield-related traits in lowland GSR. The experiment was conducted using 20 low-land green supper rice genotypes in the Northwestern part of Ethiopia at Pawe agricultural research center for three consecutive years from 2016-2018 main cropping seasons. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The results of the analysis of variance for yield and yield-related characters revealed that highly significant mean square due to genotypes observed for all traits studied, Higher phenotypic co-efficient of variation, compared to genotypic co-efficient of variation was recorded for all the traits studied indicating the variation is not only genetic but also influence of growing environment. The highest PCV was recorded for the trait plant height (32.6) followed by panicle length (23.3). Broad sense heritability analysis showed that days to heading (56.3), plant height (49.8), Days to maturity (42.4%), and panicle length (42.3%) were high. High heritability with the high genetic advance in percent of mean was recorded by plant height (49.8 & 33.54) followed by Panicle length (42.3 & 36.55) which confirms their additive gene action and direct selection of these traits depending on phenotypic expression would be effective for yield improvement. The positive and highly significant phenotypic correlation was observed between days to heading and days to maturity (r = 9385***) plant height was positively correlated with thousand-grain weight (0.50436*) and Panicle length (0.48312*). Grain yield showed negative correlation between Days to maturity (-0.044662*), but weak positive correlation was observed for days to heading (r = 0.33472), plant height (r = 0.18729) and panicle length (r = 0.08771). Therefore, the traits recorded high heritability and higher genetic advance; and the traits showed positive correlation and could be considered as suitable traits for selection and improvement to achieve high-yielding green super rice varieties in rain-fed environments.

IDENTIFIKASI KERAGAMAN FENOTIP KARAKTER KUALITATIF DAN KUANTITATIF KELAPA SAWIT (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) ASAL ANGOLA

The research entitled identification the phenotypic variance of qualitative and quantitative characters of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) origin of Angola. The objective of the study was to determine the specific characteristics of the oil palm population of dura and tenera Angolan germplasm on phenotypical characterization whether qualitatively and quantitatively as well. The research was conducted in seeds garden of the oil palm seeds company in Siak Hulu of Kampar District. The genetic material used in this study was oil palm germplasm as much as 1996 oil palms in 15.50 hectars. The Angola accession population consisted of 80 Dura accessions with 1,309 oil palms and 26 Tenera Accessions with 687 oil palms. The analytical method used is the Coefficient of Phenotypic Variation (KKF) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results show that the main component of the quantitative variable can explain the variation of the Angolan oil palm population by 79.76% with parameters such as oil to bunch (%), oil to fruit (%), dry mesocarpto fruit (%), relative leaf area (m²), wet mesocarp to fruit, frond length, palm height, number of leaves, periole width (cm), and petiole cross-section (cm²). The proportion of low KKF with a high O/B average is found in AGO001, AGO086, AGO101, and AGO 106.

Pendugaan Ragam Genetik dan Heritabilitas Beberapa Genotipe Padi Tipe Baru (PTB)

This study aims to determine the genetic variance and heritability of yield component and agronomic character of some new plant type (NTP) of rice genotypes planted on two different locations. The research was arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 12 treatments and three replications as a blok was nested in location (in two locations, i.e.: East Lampung and Tanggamus. The treatment consisted of 10 new type of rice genotypes, i.e.: IPB 3S, IPB 4S, IPB 5R, IPB6R, IPB117-F-7-2-1, IPB 117-F-7-7- 1, IPB 117-F-14-4-1, IPB 117-F-15-4-1, IPB 117-F-20-1-1, IPB 117-F-80- 2-1, and two control varieties, i.e.: Ciliwung and Ciherang. The flowering time, harvesting time, percent of filled grain per panicle, weight of 1000 grains, dray weight of plant, and yield potential have large genetic variability. Plant height, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, flowering time, harvesting time, panicle length, number of filled grain per panicle, number of grain sterility per penicle, percent of filled grain per penicle, weight of 1000 grains, weight of grain per panicle, and dry weight of plant have high heritability. Selection of NPT of rice genotypes was effective because its have wide genetic variability and can be done at an early stage in a character with high heritability.

Performance evaluation and genetic parameters estimation of multi-companies maize hybrids in Lamahi Dang, Nepal

Selection, a basic and crucial step of breeding, can be made efficient through the estimates of genetic parameters. Ten multi-company’s maize hybrids and two Nepalese maize hybrids were used as standard checks and evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance for different characters revealed significant differences for most of the characters among the genotypes used. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was observed to be higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits studied suggesting those traits interacted with the environment. The traits under study showed a wide range of heritability estimates (24%–90%). Among the characters, highest heritability and genetic advance were recorded for grain yield. Path coefficient analysis showed that the plant height, ear weight, number of kernel rows cob−1 and number of kernel row−1 and thousand kernel weight showed positive direct effect on grain yield. Ear weight and number of kernels row−1 had significant and positive correlation with grain yield. Therefore, much attention should be given to ear weight and number of kernels row−1 as these traits are helpful for indirect selection. Star 9, 10V10, and Shrestha were observed as superior and yielded higher than Rampur Hybrid 10 and Khumal Hybrid 2 in terms of grain yield.

Morphological Characterization of Guava Genotypes Based on Leaf and Fruit Parameters under Mid-hill Conditions of Nepal

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) popularly known as poor man's apple is one of the common fruit crops cultivated in terai, inner terai and hilly areas of Nepal. There are numerous genotypes available within the country but absence of their proper characterization is impeding guava improvement program The present study was carried out with six guava genotypes (Apple guava, Bangalore, pear shaped, KG-1, Illam Selection and Bari) to investigate morphological characters viz leaf qualitative and fruit qualitative and quantitative characters. The single factor experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with four replications at National Horticulture Research Centre farm, Khumaltar in the year 2019 and 2020 Four plants of each genotypes were studied which were planted in the year 2015. Four mature leaves and fruits were randomly collected for qualitative characterization and all marketable fruits were collected for the study under mid hill conditions. Among them Apple Guava and KG-1 were found promising due to its attractive fruit shape and size as well as preferable taste and aroma. While observing the fruit qualitative characters maximum fruit length was found in Pear Shaped (71.1 mm) and the minimum was found in Bari (50.2 mm). Similarly, the highest individual fruit weight was observed in Apple Guava (229.5 gm) and the lowest fruit weight was in Illam Selection (59.4 gm). Analysis of variance for different characters showed a high degree of variation among the genotypes. The variability in morphological characters generated valuable information which could be used for a choice of parents for guava breeding programs in the future.

Studies on Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Morphological Traits in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) for Arid Climate of Rajasthan

Background: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is one of the oldest spices crop of the world. It is the third largest seed spice in India after coriander and cumin. It is a Rabi season crop, mostly grown in sandy loam soil. The present study was carried out to get better information regarding GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance, pre requisite for formulating an effective breeding programme. Methods: Fifty-two accessions of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) including four checks viz., (AFg-1, AFg-2, AFg-3 and RMt-1) were evaluated in augmented complete block design (ACBD) in Rabi 2021-2022 for nine quantitative traits. Analysis of variance for agro-morphological characters showed in significant differences among the studied accessions indicating existence of wide variability. Adjusted mean values were used for estimation of genetic variability parameters. Result: The high to medium magnitude of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), high heritability coupled with high genetic advance were expressed by traits viz., number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant seed yield per plant and test weight. On the basis of per se performance of fifty-six accessions including checks it is concluded that selection of number of branches per plant and number of pods per plant could be effective in EC510598 and AFg-1. Likewise effective selection could be made in IC0624520 for early maturing. For pod length, accession EC510631 and for seed yield per plant EC510737, EC510536 and AFg-1 could be efficiently utilized for improvement of respective trait in fenugreek.

Inheritance of resistance against northern leaf blight of maize using conventional breeding methods

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the important cereal crops along with wheat and rice worldwide. The purpose of this study was to use classical genetic approaches to assess the resistance of various maize parents and hybrids to the northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) disease in two different locations in Egypt. Eight parents, 28 F1, and 2 check hybrids were evaluated. The analysis of variance showed high significant variations between maize parents and their hybrids for the studied parameters and NCLB disease, besides there are significant variations between both locations. Results of maize parents showed that Sids 63, Giza 602, and Giza 628 cultivars exhibited the highest values and were resistant to NCLB in both locations comparing with Nubaria 39 and Gemmiza 18 that were susceptible to NCLB disease. Concerning the maize hybrids, analysis of variance and mean squares of growth characters in both locations indicated high significant variations between the maize hybrids including the check hybrids. When combined between the two locations for current parameters against NCLB, the data pointed that the Sakha location values for maize hybrids were much closed to the combining data in parents and the hybrids detected high resistance to this disease comparing with Nubaria location. All tested maize lines (38 lines), including parents and hybrids were classified as follows, two lines were rated as 1 (highly resistant), three were rated as 2 (resistant), sixteen were rated as 3 (moderate resistant), eight were rated 4 (moderately susceptible) and nine were rated 5 (susceptible). The data explaining that the crossing between high resistant maize cultivars produced high levels of resistance to NCLB disease. Therefore, our results verified that classical breeding could efficiently increase the resistance levels of maize germplasm against NCLB disease by developing new cultivars with superior performance in terms of grain yield, disease resistance and grain quality.

The effects of cutout size and fibre orientation to the failure behaviour of glass epoxy and boron epoxy composite laminates

The composite laminate was widely used in aerospace, marine and automobile structure. The application of glass epoxy composite widely uses because of the lightweight demand from aerospace industry. The implementation of boron epoxy on the helicopter blade structure is one of the examples the of boron epoxy composite material. This research is to study the effect of square cut-out to failure behaviour of Glass Epoxy and Boron Epoxy composite laminates with various fibre orientations. The research is being conducted in two stages, which is numerical validation of the software used and failure analysis. The method of determining the failure analysis is accomplish by using the finite element method (FEM) with Maximum stress theory as the failure criteria. As the results, a significant variance of strength character between without cut-out and cut-out. The results for all three types of cut-out are somehow different with no cut-out results. The gap in between no cut-out and A1 cut-out is around 96.8% of percentage difference at 0° fibre orientation but at 90° fibre orientation, the different is reduce to 38.3% of percentage difference. By varying the result, the main finding for the research is that material removal effect due to cutting has an impact on the strength of composite laminates. The cut-out size and the direction of fibre orientation also does affect the failure behaviour of the composite laminates research result. Results gaps for all three cut-out sizes on 0-degree also different by around 5% in between A1 and A2 and decrease to 25.32% in between A2 and A3. Consistency is found on the results at 90-degree with different by 38.3% and 20.45%. Although it is not much, all the failure curves for cut-out shows gradually decrease by the increase of degree in fiber orientation after 50°. As the conclusion, it is proven that the current study is important in understanding the failure behaviour of the composite plate in which can be useful in contributing the knowledge for further study.

Cranial Morphology of the Flat-Headed Bat Myotis planiceps (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Context of American Myotis

Myotis planiceps is an insectivorous species with a distinctive flat-headed morphology among Myotis species. Its distribution is restricted to the northeastern Mexico highlands, and uses trees of Yucca carnerosana to roost. The particular ecological and morphological characteristics of this species make it a likely resource-use specialist. We evaluated the morphological specialization of M. planiceps as compared with thirteen American congeners belonging to different dietary categories, using a geometric morphometric protocol and multivariate statistical analyses. We estimated morphological differences across dietary categories, including M. planiceps as a separate group, and evaluated the effect of cranial size and diet on variations in cranial morphology. We found a significant differentiation of this species in all the cranial shape characters, with soft insectivores as the dietary group closest to M. planiceps. Additionally, diet explained similar percentages of shape variance in cranial and mandibular characters, and the highest interaction between diet and cranial size was recorded in the braincase. In general, the smallest sizes and thinner skulls were observed in soft insectivores. Our findings do not support a significant relationship between skull shape characters, described by the first principal component, and hardness of food items, but we found a significant association with the mandible shape. No phylogenetic structure was observed in the residual variance of these models. We found trends of change in cranial morphology associated with specialized habitats, the mandibular characters being more contrasting in the fishing bat M. vivesi, and the braincase morphology being more contrasting in M. planiceps, a species that lives in restricted habitats and probably feeds on soft insects.

Human Factors Influencing the Implementation of Cobots in High Volume Distribution Centres

Order picking is a logistics component of warehouse operations where substantial productivity gains are possible. In this study, we investigate implementation processes of collaborative order picking robots (cobots) and focus on the influence of human factors on their implementation in high volume distribution centres. These human factors are: resistance to change; organisational culture; communication on change; and leadership. Four case companies were selected that have experience with testing and introducing several types of cobot and have successfully implemented (at least) one type of cobot over an extended period. In-depth interviews with operational decision-makers led to the identification of 66 critical incidents related to human factors. The results demonstrate the importance of planning the implementation process in phases. Employees are hesitant or resistant to the change due to a lack of information, experience, and communication. The decisive role of the team leader is crucial to implement cobots successfully, and here the individual character traits (e.g., the variance in commitment, character, and motivation) influence the process as well. Although the introduction of cobots is not yet widespread, and the negative impact on the workforce (i.e., concerning job loss) is currently low, one should be aware of the possible future implications when robotisation becomes structurally embedded. Therefore, this article calls for a stronger link between human factors and the future of work, with a specific focus on reskilling and upskilling of logistics professionals in light of robotisation, rather than binary approaches in which robots are primarily seen as a threat to the current workforce.

Character and word reading in Chinese: Why and how they should be considered uniquely vis-à-vis literacy development

Two correlational studies from the same data set demonstrated the distinctiveness of character and word reading for Chinese reading development among 337 Hong Kong Chinese children in grades 1–3. Study 1 examined the cognitive-linguistic correlates of single-character reading and two-character word reading. Rapid automatized naming, morphological awareness and visual-orthographic skill independently explained variance in both character and word reading beyond age, grade, nonverbal IQ and vocabulary knowledge. Importantly, rapid automatized naming and morphological awareness additionally explained variance in word reading even after statistically controlling for character reading; there were no such unique correlates for character reading beyond word reading. Study 2 investigated the roles of character and word reading in reading comprehension. Both were individually significantly associated with reading comprehension even when a multifaceted measure of language comprehension was statistically controlled. Moreover, character reading and language comprehension significantly explained variance in reading comprehension through word reading; word reading and language comprehension uniquely contributed to reading comprehension in the model. Results suggest that character and word reading likely reflect slightly different processes in Chinese literacy: Theoretically, these results underscore the importance of models of reading that integrate unique features of Chinese. Practically, these results suggest that character and word reading may depend on different cognitive-linguistic processes which can be cultivated when teaching them, separately or together.

Evaluation of Released Tef (<i>Eragrostis tef </i>(Zucc.) Trotter) Varieties in Selected Districts in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Tef (<i>Eragrostis tef</i> (Zucc.) Trotter) is one of the most important staple food crops cultivated throughout the country. Evaluating and selecting high yielding tef varieties for the study area. Ten tef varieties including one standard check was planted using randomized complete block design at Endegagn, Cheha and Enamorina-Ener districts for two consecutive years; 2017-2018. The mean squares of varieties were highly significant (P≤ 0.01) for plant height and panicle length and significant for grain yield. The mean squares of locations were highly significant (P≤ 0.01) for all traits. The mean square of combined analysis for environment effect on variety (environment × variety/genotypes) were exhibited significant (P≤ 0.05) for plant height and highly significant (P≤ 0.01) for panicle length. Whereas non-significant for grain yield. So it was not necessary to perform analysis of variances for characters to each location. The highest mean grain yield was recorded for Nigus (1.44 t/ha) followed by Filagot (1.363 t/ha) and the least was Dukem (1.096 ton/ha). The tallest in plant height was variety Quncho (95.99 cm) with longer panicle length (33.84 cm) and the shortest was Simada (76.53 cm) but shortest panicle length was from Tsedey (25.79 cm). Whereas, in grain yield Nigus was the highest and stable across locations and Magna, Quncho and Tesfa were the 3rd, the 4th and the 6th stable across locations respectively. When we compare these locations, Endegagn is the potential area than Enemorina–Ener and Cheha districts. Grain yield had positive and highly significant (P≤0.01) association with plant height and panicle length at phenotypic level but non significance at genotypic level. Nigus, Magna and Quncho varieties performed best and high yielders in low rainfall spreading season at grain filling period. The result of the study revealed that Nigus, Magna and Quncho varieties should be used for low rainfall distribution season for tef production in the study area.

Morphological characterization and genetic analysis in bread wheat germplasm: A combined study of heritability, genetic variance, genetic divergence and association of characters

Abstract. The present study was conducted to assess the nature and magnitude of genetic variability and traits association of bread wheat genotypes for yield and related traits. A total of 180 genotypes were evaluated in alpha lattice design with three replications in 2017/18 cropping season. Data for 10 quantitative traits were collected and subjected to analysis of variance. The result from the analysis of variance revealed highly significant variability observed among genotypes for all traits studied. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) is superior over genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most traits but narrow variations were found between PCV and GCV for most of the traits. Heritability in broad sense and genetic advance as percent of the mean (GA%) were relatively higher for Kernels per spike and grain filling period. Grain yield showed positive and highly significant (p≤0.01) association with number of tillers, kernel per spike and plant height both on genotypic and phenotypic levels.The path coefficient analysis showed that spike length, plant height and kernels per spike had positive direct effect on grain yield on both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Divergence analysis (D2) grouped the total test germplasm into 10 clusters. Among those, clusters IV and IX showed the highest genetic distance and thus the possibility to develop segregating populations upon the crossing of widely related genotypes in those clusters. The results could help researches to utilize the most promising wheat genotypes of this study in future breeding programmes for enhancing desirable traits.

Identifying the relevant determinants of MS related fatigue: The role of the clinical indicators of disease and personality

Background and objectiveResearch on the factors contributing to multiple sclerosis (MS) related fatigue are far from conclusive. Some studies put forward that clinical aspects of the disease give rise to this symptom whilst others emphasize the effects of psychological factors on its etiology. This study investigated the relationship between clinical aspects of MS and personality with MS fatigue. MethodA total of 201 participants with MS of which 48 (23.9%) males and 153 (76.1%) females took part in this online study. Questionnaires were populated measuring clinical features of the disease (disease duration, type of MS, Expanded Disability Status Scale - EDSS), personality traits, and MS-related fatigue. Data was analyzed by hierarchical regression analyses. ResultsPersonality traits accounted for a greater variance in MS fatigue (R² = .482, p < .01) than clinical aspects of the disease, these results were conclusive after controlling for the sociodemographic variables and depression. Temperament explained in total 10.5% variance of fatigue and character an additional 4.0 %. High Harm avoidance (HA) (β = .229, p < .01) and low Self-directedness (SD) (β = −.217, p < .01) directly predicted fatigue. Also, temperament was shown to indirectly affect fatigue, through character. High HA and high Novelty-seeking (NS) through low SD predicted fatigue. The association between clinical features and fatigue was not observed unless paired with personality traits. EDSS in conjunction with HA and Secondary – progressive MS (SPMS) coupled with SD negatively affected fatigue levels. ConclusionPersonality traits directly and indirectly predicted MS-related fatigue. Furthermore, the impact of clinical indicators of disease on fatigue would not be observed unless these features occurred together with particular personality traits.

Mean performance and heritability studies of some ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) genotypes

In the present investigation, 29 genotypes of ridge gourd were grown during 2016-2017 at the experimental field of Regional Horticulture Research Station, Patuakhali, Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The mean sum of squares is due to various sources of variance for different characters of ridge gourd genotypes. The results indicated highly significant variation among the genotypes for the 11 characters studied viz., such as fruit length, fruit diameter, single fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, yield of fruit per plant. The genotype BD2975 showed the highest performance in fruit length (42.05cm) and weight of fruits (258.90g). While the genotype PK3 showed the highest performance in number of fruits per plant (28.67), respectively. Of eleven traits, eight showed high heritability (over 80%). The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients were recorded in the parameter fruit yield per plant (39.59% and 40.96%).&#x0D; Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(1): 45-55, April 2019

Natural diversity of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) in Kerala, India

Hundred variable types of rambutan collected from major rambutan growing tracts of Kerala were evaluated for various qualitative and quantitative traits in addition to sensorial perception with the prime objective of recording the existing variability and genetic wealth available in order to select and conserve the superior types. The study confirmed that rambutan collections varied widely in their physico-chemical traits and most of the traits showed the coefficient of variations above 20%. Clustering of rambutan collections based on qualitative traits using dendrogram gave rise to ten distinct clusters at the similarity coefficient status of 60%. The principal component analysis performed based on tree characters revealed the major contribution of leaflet length, leaflet width and petiole length towards the genetic divergence in rambutan and about 75% of the total variance in fruit characters was mainly determined by the traits such as fruit weight, aril weight, aril thickness, seed weight, seed width, titrable acidity, TSS and sugar content. Clustering based on principal components revealed the superiority of seventeen collections over others, which can be out-rightly recommended for cultivation. In the sensory analysis, Col.061, Col.021 and Col.042 were most preferred by panelists because of their better fruit weight, taste, juiciness and easy detachment of aril from seed. This study recorded the extent of divergence of rambutan types grown in Kerala which opens out great scope for selection and facilitates further crop improvement programme in rambutan. There is an urgent need to standardize the management practices including the varietal wealth in rambutan by using these genetic resources.

Detection of epistasis, additive and dominance components of variation for seed yield and its attributes in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

This study was conducted to detect epistasis and importance of additive and dominance variances for seed yield and contributing traits using 27 progenies produced by crossing nine lines with three testers, viz. NPJ 112, RRN 727 and their F1 in triple test cross fashion. Analysis of variance revealed the existence of epistasis for all the traits except secondary branches/plant and oil content. Its partitioning showed higher magnitude of (i) type for days to flowering, days to maturity and primary branches and (j+l) type for siliqua length, seeds/siliqua, 1000/seed weight and seed yield. Significant MS due to sums (L1i + L2i ) and differences (L1i- L2i ) for days to flowering, maturity, plant height, seeds/siliqua, 1000-seed weight and seed yield indicated the role of both additive (D) and dominance (H) variance in their inheritance. Estimates of D and H components revealed predominance of D for days to flowering, maturity, plant height, primary and secondary branches and 1000-seed weight and H for remaining 6 traits, viz. number of siliquae on main shoot, main shoot length, siliqua length, seeds/siliqua, oil content and seed yield. Non-significant correlation coefficient for all the traits except 1000-seed weight indicated the scatter of dominant alleles between testers. Degree of dominance (H/D)1/2 indicated over dominance for siliquae on main shoot, main shoot length, siliqua length and seeds/ siliqua. Thus, epistasis was an integral component with conspicuous role of both additive and dominance variance for different characters. Therefore, the study will be helpful in deciding the breeding strategy that would enable to utilize maximum proportion of fixable as well as non-fixable genetic variation in Indian mustard.

Using Raman spectroscopy to estimate the dates of carbon-based inks from Ancient Egypt

In the first study of its kind, we previously investigated Raman spectra of 17 papyri from the Columbia University Libraries collection, written in carbon-based black ink with well-established dates between 400 BCE and 1000 CE. Using a simple two-peak spectral model for the Raman spectrum of carbonaceous materials, we discovered small but statistically significant systematic variations in the spectral parameters with manuscript date. The purposes of this report are to present: (1) more-powerful statistical examinations of the correlation based on the two-peak spectral model and on a new three-peak model which includes spectral effects for amorphous carbon; (2) new data for additional ancient manuscripts, broadening the investigation; (3) a method for potentially exploiting the observed correlation to predict the dates of undated manuscripts of similar character; and (4) a hypothesis as to the underlying chemical basis of the observed spectral changes. We apply both linear and multiple linear regression analyses to the spectral models. We show that the three-peak model fits the experimental data much better than the two-peak model. Through the use of multiple linear regression, the three-peak model reduces significantly the overall correlation error. We find that our ability to predict dates for manuscripts that are similar to those of the study over the date range 400 BCE to 1000 CE is limited by intrinsic variations in the character of the pigments to about ± 118 years with 68% statistical confidence (or ± 236 years with 95% confidence). We confirm the observed correlation and prediction capabilities through a blind study of six additional ancient manuscripts and two late 19th- or early 20th-century fakes in the Columbia University collection. The data suggest that chemical degradation of amorphous carbon and chemical modification of graphitic crystals may both contribute to the observed spectral differences. This would also account for the magnitude of the variance in spectral character we observe, which possibly reflects differences in pigment manufacture processes as well as the effects of differences in chemical micro-environments after writing. The chemical degradation hypothesis receives additional support from previously unreported examination of two manuscripts from the collection of the Brooklyn Museum. The older of these, dated through conventional papyrological methods to 2323-2150 BCE, deviates from the linear regression models, but in a way consistent with chemical (i.e., non-linear) degradation. For comparison, we report Raman scattering for 8 different modern inks using the same protocol we developed for the ancient inks. Using statistical techniques based on Gaussian Mixture Modeling, we demonstrate differences between the spectral character of the inks of our base study and those prepared from modern reference pigments. This allows us to define a mathematical quantity that can distinguish between spectra of pigments that are spectrally similar to the ancient pigments studied here and those that are not. This new and non-destructive method produces a statistically robust indication of the antiquity and rough period (e.g., Ptolemaic, Roman, etc.) of the inks in question, if not the precise date. We hypothesize that the potential for greater precision is likely limited by the intrinsic variations in the spectral characteristics of the inks from manuscript to manuscript.

Morphological, anatomical and isozyme variability among taro (Colocasia esculenta) accessions from southeastern part of Central Java, Indonesia

Pitoyo A, Prameta AA, Marsusi, Suratman, Suranto. 2018. Morphological, anatomical and isozyme variability among taro (Colocasia esculenta) accessions from southeastern part of Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 1811-1819. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological, anatomical and isozyme variability among taro accessions from southeastern part of Central Java (Indonesia). A total of 20 taro accessions were collected from a wide range of sites during field surveys. Morphological characters measurements were taken on vegetative structures such as roots, stems, leaves, and corms. Anatomical characters were observed from both paradermal and transverse sections of leaf. Identification of biochemical markers was done by using peroxidase and esterase isozyme system. A UPGMA dendrogram among accessions was constructed based on the genetic similarity matrix by applying a cluster analysis using a computer programme, NTSYS Version 2.00. The analysis of variance for morphological and anatomical characters revealed that there was significant difference for majority of the tested traits indicating that there was a variability among the taro accessions. Polymorphism was observed using isozymes of esterase (12 banding pattern) and peroxidase (8 banding pattern). Based on the dendrogram at a level of 62 % similarity, taro accessions were segregated into two major clusters. In Cluster I, the closest relationship was shown between SKH and SKA accessions that had 96 % coefficient of similarity. The ten accessions from Klaten, Sragen, and Karanganyar were then clustered separately as Cluster II with coefficient of similarity 73.52 %.