Crop Improvement

One of the major issues facing humankind is global food security. A changing climate, coupled with a heightened consumer awareness of how food is produced and legislative changes governing the usage of agrichemicals for improving plant health and yield, means that alternative, more integrated and sustainable approaches are needed for crop management practices. To this end, there is increasing recognition of the value of the role of microbial inoculants in agriculture. The focus of this review is to understand how plant-growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can play a part in improving crop yield by promoting the health status of the plant through the sequestration of various nutrients and in the control of plant diseases.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original docum and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. Plant biotechnology, a major component of agricultural biotechnology, deals with various aspects of plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, and molecular biology techniques. Tissue culture methods offer a rich scope for creation, conservation, and utilization of genetic variability for the improvement of field, fruit, vegetable, and forest crops, and medicinal/aromatic plants. Micropropagation technology ensures true to type, rapid and mass multiplication of plants that possesses special significance in vegetatively propagated plant species. This technology has witnessed a huge expansion globally, with an estimated global market of 15 billion US$/annum for tissue-culture products. Some basic techniques of tissue culture, such as anther/microspore culture, somaclonal variation, embryo culture, and somatic hybridization, are being exploited to generate useful genetic variability for obtaining incremental improvement in commercial cultivars. Production of secondary metabolites, such as food flavors, food colors, dyes, perfumes, drugs, and scented oils used in aromatherapy, through cell cultures and hairy root cultures, are leading examples of molecular farming. Cryopreservation of germplasm at the cell/tissue/organ levels, in liquid nitrogen at −196 • C, is highly rewarding for establishing germplasm banks, especially for vegetatively propagated crops and rare, endangered plant species. During the past 15 years, remarkable achievements have been made in the production, characterization, field evaluation, and release of transgenic varieties/hybrids in several crops. Transgenic varieties/hybrids of maize, cotton, soybean, potato, tomato, and papaya are now being commercially grown on about 134 million hectares spread across 25 countries. Research in genomics allows high-resolution genetic analysis for physical mapping and positional gene cloning of useful genes for crop 153 154 S. S. Gosal et al. improvement. Molecular (DNA) markers help in precise characterization of germplasm, construction of saturated linkage maps, and DNA fingerprinting of crop varieties. Molecular markers are now increasingly being used for marker-assisted gene pyramiding and alien gene introgression. Current research, involving large-scale DNA sequencing, microarrays, and robotics, is heading towards gene revolution and nanobiotechnology.

Food security (a pressing issue for all nations) faces a threat due to population growth, land availability for growing crops, a changing climate (leading to increases in both abiotic and biotic stresses), heightened consumer awareness of the risks related to the use of agrichemicals, and also the reliance on depleting fossil fuel reserves for their production. Legislative changes in Europe mean that fewer agrichemicals will be available in the future for the control of crop pests and pathogens. The need for the implementation of a more sustainable
agricultural system globally, incorporating an integrated approach to disease management, has never been more urgent. To that end, the Valorizing Andean Microbial Diversity (VALORAM) project (http://valoram.ucc.ie), funded under FP7, examined the role of microbial
communities in crop production and protection to improve the sustainability, food security, environmental protection, and productivity for rural Andean farmers. During this work, microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) of 27 rhizobacterial isolates were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and their antifungal
activity against Rhizoctonia solani was determined in vitro and compared to the activity of a selection of pure volatile compounds. Five of these isolates, Pseudomonas palleroniana R43631, Bacillus sp. R47065, R47131, Paenibacillus sp. B3a R49541, and Bacillus simplex M3-4 R49538 trialled in the field in their respective countries of origin, i.e., Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, showed significant increase in the yield of potato. The strategy followed in the VALORAM project may offer a template for the future isolation and determination of putative biocontrol and plant growth-promoting agents, useful as part of a low-input integrated pest management system.

The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS) is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Sciences (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level. HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India).
The journal HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS) having International Impact (ICV: 27.39, GIF: 0.471; IBI Factor: 2.8; NJIF: 2.14; GSCIF: 0.364), publishes high quality peer reviewed/refereed original research papers, review articles and research notes on all aspects of Horticultural plants' research including agronomic management, plant nutrition, biotechnology, crop improvement, plant protection, plant physiology, cell & molecular biology, medicinal & aromatic plants, food & nutrition science, agroforestry, environmental science, plant medicinal properties, ethno-phytomedicine, technology dissemination etc.

Heterotic group classification has a crucial impact on maize (Zea mays L.) breeding efficiency in a hybrid-based breeding program. The objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate whether or not breeding efficiency could be improved using a three heterotic-group (TriHG) classification (Reid and non-Reid, and Suwan1 heterotic groups) system instead of a usual two heterotic-group (DiHG) classification (Reid and non-Reid heterotic groups) system; and (ii) estimate the impact of TriHG and DiHG systems on breeding efficiency, utilizing the same data in computing specific breeding efficiency (SBE) and general breeding efficiency (GBE) in a subtropical breeding program in southern China. Twenty-five adapted tropical and subtropical lines were crossed to six testers using a line × tester mating design. Data on grain yield were used to calculate SBE and GBE for comparing DiHG- and TriHG-based strategies. The TriHG classification system increased GBE by 77.8% over the DiHG system without a significant loss in SBE. We concluded that the TriHG system was better than the DiHG system for improving maize-breeding efficiency. Therefore, maize breeders may re-think their breeding strategy for improving breeding efficiency in long-term breeding programs by adopting the suggested TriHG system. Hybrid maize improvement programs, especially in the early stages of breeding for identifying hybrids with high yield potential, can be become more efficient by using three testers with one from each of Reid, nonReid, and Suwan1 heterotic groups. This would improve the chances of developing high-yielding hybrids in a breeding program with the available, diverse germplasm.

The potentially devastating impacts of climate change on biodiversity and food security, together with the growing world population, means taking action to conserve crop wild relative (CWR) diversity is no longer an option-it is an urgent priority. CWR are species closely related to crops, including their progenitors, which have potential to contribute traits for crop improvement. However, their utilisation is hampered by a lack of systematic conservation which in turn is due to a lack of clarity over their identity. We used gene pool and taxon group concepts to estimate CWR relatedness for 173 priority crops to create the Harlan and de Wet inventory of globally important CWR taxa. Further taxa more remotely related to crops were added if they have historically been found to have useful traits for crop improvement. The inventory contains 1667 taxa, divided between 37 families, 108 genera, 1392 species and 299 sub-specific taxa. The region with the highest number of priority CWR is western Asia with 262 taxa, followed by China with 222 and southeastern Europe with 181. Within the primary gene pool, 242 taxa were found to be under-represented in ex situ collections and the countries identified as the highest priority for further germplasm collection are China, Mexico and Brazil. The inventory database is web-enabled (http:// www.cwrdiversity.org/checklist/) and can be used to facilitate in situ and ex situ conservation planning at global, regional and national levels.

www.hortflorajournal.com                            NAAS Rating: 3.78
The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS) is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Sciences (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level. HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India)
The journal HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS) having International Impact (NAAS Rating: 3.78; ICV: 27.39, GIF: 0.471; IBI Factor: 2.8; NJIF: 2.14; GSCIF: 0.364; OAJI Impact Factor: 0.201), publishes high quality peer reviewed/refereed original research papers, review articles and research notes on all aspects of Horticultural plants' research including agronomic management, plant nutrition, biotechnology, crop improvement, plant protection, plant physiology, cell & molecular biology, medicinal & aromatic plants, food & nutrition science, agroforestry, environmental science, plant medicinal properties, ethno-phytomedicine, technology dissemination etc.

In Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss), a major oilseed brassica crop, oil yield is the ultimate trait of economic value, which is determined by seed yield (SY) and oil content (OC). SY, the end product of many complex biological processes, is influenced by many traits, such as plant height (PH), branch number, siliqua number, seed weight, seed size and pod length. It is difficult to accurately select for high-yielding genotypes based exclusively on SY, neglecting other yield-determining traits in commercial breeding programs. Therefore, it is desirable for breeders to simultaneously improve several traits of economic importance, most of which are quantitative in nature. The purpose of the present study was to develop selection indices for simultaneous selection of multiple quantitative traits to enhance selection efficiency of the mustard breeding program of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) located in Abohar, Punjab. A set of 487 diverse mustard genotypes, comprising germplasm accessions of Indian and European origin, advanced breeding lines, landraces, and cultivars, was evaluated using an alpha lattice design for 2 years (2015–16 and 2016–17) at the Regional Research Station of PAU, Abohar, District Fazilka (the major mustard-growing region of the Punjab state). Data on PH, main shoot length (MSL), number of primary branches (NPB), number of secondary branches (NSB), number of siliquae on main shoot (NSMS), siliqua length (SL), number of seeds per pod (NSP), 1000-seed weight  (TSW), SY on a plot basis and OC were recorded. To compute selection indices, economic weights, as determined via path coefficient analysis, were assigned to major yield-determining traits. Out of eight recorded agronomic traits, four traits, viz., NSMS, TSW, NSB and NPB, had larger direct effects on SY than other traits, and hence were assigned relative economic weights of 0.60, 0.20, 0.12 and 0.08, respectively. Selection indices were computed using different combinations of traits via Kang_SASPath computer program. When seven traits were used in a selection index (PH, NPB, NSB, NSMS, SY, TSW and MSL; or PH, NPB, NSB, NSMS, SY, TSW and OC), expected genetic advance (GA) at 5% selection intensity was about the same (9.55; selection efficiency or SE = 163% compared with selection based on SY alone).The GA was 9.46 (SE = 161%)for five traits, viz., NPB, NSB, NSMS, SY and TSW; and 9.30 (SE = 159%)for four traits, viz., NPB, NSB, NSMS, and TSW. These GAs were compared with the GA for SY only, which was 5.90 (benchmark; SE = 100%). We concluded that simultaneous selection based on multiple traits was always more efficient than selection based on SY alone. As there was only a small difference between the GA based on four traits (SE = 161%) and GA based on seven traits (SE = 163%), we suggest that mustard breeders use the parsimonious combination of four traits, viz., NPB, NSB, NSMS, and SY, to enhance SY and, consequently, oil yield in mustard.

The main objective of the journal ‘HortFlora Research Spectrum’  is to serve as a platform to  promote, publish  and  disseminate the R & D innovations and advances in all aspects of Horticultural Sciences and allied branches of botanical sciences & technology, and to facilitate closer interaction among the academicians, researchers and entrepreneurs at global scale. 
The journal HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), having International impact (ICV: 27.39; GIF: 0.364; IBI Factor: 2.8; NJIF: 2.14), publishes high quality peer reviewed/refereed original research papers, review articles  and research notes on all aspects of Horticultural plants’ research including agronomic management, plant nutrition, biotechnology, crop improvement, plant protection,  plant physiology, cell &  molecular biology, medicinal & aromatic plants, food & nutrition science, agroforestry, environmental science, plant medicinal properties, ethno-phytomedicine, technology dissemination etc. 
  Call for Papers
We would like to invite to the researchers/subject experts to contribute original research/review paper for peer-review and the earliest possible publication in the HortFlora Research Spectrum. HRS publishes high-quality solicited and unsolicited articles, in English, in all areas of horticultural sciences. The Journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence. Manuscript/paper may be submitted online as MS word attachment to the editorial office via e-mail to: [email protected]; [email protected]. 
HRS is fully committed to provide Print/PDF files of articles published to corresponding author's e-mail/address as soon as they are published. Abstracts and full texts of all articles published in the journal are also available open access online at: www.hortflorajournal.com

In the present study, we tested rice genotypes that included un(der)exploited landraces of Tamil Nadu along with indica and japonica test cultivars to ascertain their genetic diversity structure. Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were used for generating marker segregation data. A novel measure, allele discrimination index, was used to determine subpopulation differentiation power of each marker. Phenotypic data were collected for yield and component traits. Pattern of molecular differentiation separated indica and japonica genotypes; indica genotypes had two subpopulations within. Landraces were found to have indica genome, but formed a separate subgroup with low linkage disequilibrium. The landraces further separated into distinct group in both hierarchical clustering analysis using neighbour-joining method as well as in the model based population structure analysis. Japonica and the remaining indica cultivars formed two other distinct groups. Linkage disequilibrium observed in the whole population was considerably reduced in subpopulations. Low linkage disequilibrium of landforms suggests their narrow adaptation in local geographical niche. Many population specific alleles could be identified particularly for japonica cultivars and landraces. Association analysis revealed nine marker–trait associations with three agronomic traits, of which 67% were previously reported. Although the testing landraces together with known cultivars had permitted genomewide association mapping, the experiment offers scope to study more landraces collected from the entire geographical region for drawing more reliable information.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12041-012-0146-6

Recently developed strategies and techniques that make use of the vast amount of genetic information to perform targeted perturbations in the genome of living organisms are collectively referred to as genome engineering. The wide array of applications made possible by the use of this technology range from agriculture to healthcare. This, along with the applications involving basic biological research, has made it a very dynamic and active field of research. This review focuses on the CRISPR system from its discovery and role in bacterial adaptive immunity to the most recent developments, and its possible applications in agriculture and modern medicine.

The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Science (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level.
HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India).
Aims & Scope
The main objective of the journal ‘HortFlora Research Spectrum’  is to serve as a platform to  promote, publish  and  disseminate the R & D innovations and advances in all aspects of Horticultural Sciences and allied branches of botanical sciences & technology, and to facilitate closer interaction among the academicians, researchers and entrepreneurs at global scale. 
The journal HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), having International impact (ICV: 27.39; GIF: 0.364), publishes high quality peer reviewed/refereed original research papers, review articles  and research notes on all aspects of Horticultural plants’ research including agronomic management, plant nutrition, biotechnology, crop improvement, plant protection,  plant physiology, cell &  molecular biology, medicinal & aromatic plants, food & nutrition science, agroforestry, environmental science, plant medicinal properties, ethno-phytomedicine, technology dissemination etc.
The journal is Indexed/Abstracted in:  Index Copernicus International, Poland with ICV: 27.39 • Ministry of Science & Higher Education, Poland with 02 points • Global Impact Factor with GIF 0.364• Indian Science Abstracts • CAB Abstracts • CABI Full text • CAB direct • ICRISAT-infoSAT • Google Scholar• CiteFactor • InfoBase Index • ResearchBib  • AgBiotech Net • Horticultural Science Abstracts  • Forestry & Agroforestry Abstracts• Agric. Engg. Abstracts • Crop Physiology Abstracts • PGRs Abstracts • ResearchGate.net • getCited.com • Reference Repository • EBSCO host •OAJI.net • Journal Index.net• University of Washington Library • University of Ottawa Library • Swedish University of Agric. Sci. Library, Stockholm, Sweden; Univ. of Prince Edward, Island.
                                        Call for Papers
We would like to invite to the researchers/subject experts to contribute original research/review paper for peer-review and the earliest possible publication in the HortFlora Research Spectrum. HRS publishes high-quality solicited and unsolicited articles, in English, in all areas of horticultural sciences. The Journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence. Manuscript/paper may be submitted online as MS word attachment to the editorial office via e-mail to: [email protected]; [email protected] 
HRS is fully committed to provide Print/PDF files of articles published to corresponding author's e-mail/address as soon as they are published. Abstracts and full texts of all articles published in the journal are also available open access online at: www.hortflorajournal.com

Secondary metabolites are mainly derived from plants and are used by humans from time immemorial. A plant cell, tissue, and organ culture has an inherent capacity to manufacture valuable chemical compounds as the parent plant does in nature. In vitro plant materials are one of the good sources for the production of secondary metabolite and elicitation can be used as one of the important tool in order to improve the synthesis of these compounds. In a variety of plant cell cultures, elicitors have increased production of terpenoid indole alkaloids, isoflavonoid phytoalexins, serquiterpenoid phytoalexin, coumarins etc. Although elicitation has been carried out in large number of medicinal plants, we extensively studied it in Catharanthus roseus, because it is an important source of anticancer compounds Vinblastine (VLB) and Vincristine (VCR). The use of elicitor is also important in order to meet the market demands, for reducing production costs and for in-depth investigation of biochemical and metabolic pathways. This information helps us in manipulation of biosynthetic pathways which can be used as a powerful tool to make natural product-like compounds.

Genetic mitigation needs require a species-by-species and regionby-region analysis of projected environmental issues. This may be done through close interactions among breeders, farmers, and climate change scientists. Although adaptation is highly site specific, sets of sites may exist across the globe that face similar adaptation issues or where the current environment may represent projected future environment for some other regions. Such locations may be extensively utilized to screen available germplasm resources and also for raising crops continuously and naturally, developing crop populations as germplasm conduits for global plant breeding efforts. Comparing adaptation experiences between each of the world's geoclimatic groupings and promoting cross-learning is desirable. Participatory breeding and participatory varietal selection may help fast track the development of climate-resilient crop varieties and cropping systems aimed at multiple breeding targets. Such efforts may further be optimized by knowledge consolidation relative to CO 2 assimilation, nutrient dynamics, mixed cropping, vectors, pests, diseases, intercropping, water use, temperature responses, gene pools, and genomic resources in plants. Amalgamation of conservation genetics and genomics with breeding is essential to involve the whole adaptation process from bio-reserves to genes to cultivars. It is also advantageous to look for ways to create a balance between requirements of intellectual property rights, access and benefit sharing, and equitable access for farmers to breeding materials. Development of decision-support tools to help prioritize actionable strategies, technologies, and practices and to manage trade-offs is imperative. In addition, in biodiversity hotspots, both incentives and institutional support must be provided to empower indigenous farmers and conservators, particularly women. Present crop management and germplasm improvement strategies need to be integrated with new results and best practices from related knowledge domains. Increased investments in climate change research (adaptation and mitigation) are needed.

Plant biotechnology, a major component of agricultural biotechnology, deals with various aspects of plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, and molecular biology techniques. Tissue culture methods offer a rich scope for creation, conservation, and utilization of genetic variability for the improvement of field, fruit, vegetable, and forest crops, and medicinal/aromatic plants. Micropropagation technology ensures true to type, rapid and mass multiplication of plants that possesses special significance in vegetatively propagated plant species. This technology has witnessed a huge expansion globally, with an estimated global market of 15 billion US$/annum for tissue-culture products. Some basic techniques of tissue culture, such as anther/microspore culture, somaclonal variation, embryo culture, and somatic hybridization, are being exploited to generate useful genetic variability for obtaining incremental improvement in commercial cultivars. Production of secondary metabolites, such as food flavors, food colors, dyes, perfumes, drugs, and scented oils used in aromatherapy, through cell cultures and hairy root cultures, are leading examples of molecular farming. Cryopreservation of germplasm at the cell/tissue/organ levels, in liquid nitrogen at −196 • C, is highly rewarding for establishing germplasm banks, especially for vegetatively propagated crops and rare, endangered plant species. During the past 15 years, remarkable achievements have been made in the production, characterization, field evaluation, and release of transgenic varieties/hybrids in several crops. Transgenic varieties/hybrids of maize, cotton, soybean, potato, tomato, and papaya are now being commercially grown on about 134 million hectares spread across 25 countries. Research in genomics allows high-resolution genetic analysis for physical mapping and positional gene cloning of useful genes for crop 153 154 S. S. Gosal et al. improvement. Molecular (DNA) markers help in precise characterization of germplasm, construction of saturated linkage maps, and DNA fingerprinting of crop varieties. Molecular markers are now increasingly being used for marker-assisted gene pyramiding and alien gene introgression. Current research, involving large-scale DNA sequencing, microarrays, and robotics, is heading towards gene revolution and nanobiotechnology.

To discriminate maize inbred lines based on morpho-physiological and yield traits using D2 statistics and principal component
analysis (PCA), fifty five genotypes available at Department of Genetics and Plant breeding, Sam Higginbottom Institute of
Agriculture Science and Technology, Allahabad were tested during Rabi 2013-14 under irrigation condition in Randomized Block
Design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for 18 characters studied among the genotypes.
The D2 statistics displayed that cluster I, being largest group, comprises 37 maize genotypes followed by cluster II (13), III (3), IV
(1) and V (1). The maximum intra-cluster distance was obtained for cluster I (624.35) while cluster IV and V showedNull values for
it indicating homogeneous nature of the genotypes within the cluster. Further more, maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded
between cluster IV and V (22331.82) followed by clusters III and V (15174.83) and clusters II and IV 14480.99). D2 statistics and
principal component analysis (PCA) emphasized that days to 50 per cent tasseling, silking and maturity, anthesis-silking interval,
seed fill duration, cob weight, 100 seed weight and grain yield/plant were major contributing traits for total genetic diversity.
Research results indicated that the inbreds under study are highly diversified and hence, high heterotic hybrids would be resulted
through the crossing of diverse lines clubbed under different clusters as parent in any breeding programme aimed to enhance
grain yield.

The majority of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) depend on maize (Zea mays L.), which is mostly grown in drought-prone areas. Understanding the inheritance of drought tolerance would help in developing drought-tolerant maize hybrids that would help increase maize production under erratic rainfalls. Twenty-four maize inbred lines were subjected to NC design II to generate 96 single-cross hybrids. The 24 inbred lines and their 96 hybrids were evaluated under managed drought-stress conditions between 2002 and 2005 at Ikenne, Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of drought-susceptible and drought-tolerant inbred lines on performance of their hybrids, investigate mode of inheritance of drought tolerance, and determine the relationship between parental lines and their hybrids. Most crosses with at least one drought-tolerant parent produced tolerant hybrids, and the crosses between susceptible inbred lines produced susceptible hybrids. General combining ability (GCA) accounted for 55% to 87% of total variation among hybrids for most of the traits. Additive genetic effects influenced grain yield under drought stress. Correlation coefficient between grain yield of the inbred lines and their hybrids was positive and highly significant (r = 0.46***) under severe drought stress and relatively low (r = 0.30**) under mild drought stress and well-watered (r = 0.34**) regimes. Grain yield of inbred lines represented >20% of hybrid yield under severe stress. KU1409, 1824, 9006, 9432, and TZMI501xKU1414x501 had positive GCA effects for yield under drought stress and could be used for developing drought-tolerant hybrids.

Sixteen genotypes of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) were evaluated at Shambat (Sudan) for two consecutive seasons to assess genetic variability and heritability of different characters. Field experiment was conducted at Shambat Demonstration Farm in a randomized comp lete block design with three replications. Data were collected on thirteen plant attributes. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the sixteen genotypes for most of the characters studied. In general, the morphological characters had larger environ mental variances than their respective genotypic ones. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation was exh ibited by the seed yield/plant in both seasons. The highest genetic advance, 46.63 % in the first season and 170.13 % in the second season were obtained both for caly x yield/unit area. High values of heritability estimates (> 0.70) were recorded for days to 50 % flowering over the two seasons. On the other hand, the yield co mponents showed low heritability estimates (< 0.50) except for fru it weight in the second season.

Genotypes ϫ environment interactions (GEI) are more fully analyzed when genotypes and environments are well character-M. Leflon and M. Brancourt-Hulmel are affiliated with INRA Unité de Génétique et d'Amélioration des Plantes, Estrées-Mons, BP 136 80203 Péronne Cedex, France. C. Lecomte is affiliated with INRA, Station de Génétique et d'Amélioration des Plantes,

Mandarins (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) are much more perishable than other citrus fruits, mainly due to rapid deterioration in sensory acceptability after harvest. In the current study, we discuss the biochemical components involved in forming the unique flavour of mandarins, and how pre harvest practices influence taste, aroma and overall quality, consequently consumer sensory acceptability. A study on Nagpur mandarin orchards was carried out during 2009 with a view to have information about quality attributes among existing germplasm of Nagpur mandarin orchards in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan state. The three major mandarin growing tehsils viz. Jhalrapatan, Pirawa and Pachpahar comprising eighteen mandarin orchards were surveyed throughout the Jhalawar district. In each orchard, six trees were used as experimental material for analysis of fruit samples. The analytical study revealed that there is a plethora of variation location wise in physico-chemical attributes of Nagpur mandarin fruits. Average fruit weight ranged from 86.33 to 137.88 g, no. of fruits plant 1 − ranged between 616 to 1400, peel thickness ranged from 0.20 to 0.38 cm, juice percentage between 30.27 to 58.70%, total titratable acidity varied from 0.72 to 1.53 per cent, juice pH from 3.63 to 4.09, total soluble solids content from 7.66° brix to 11.83° brix , ascorbic acid content from 34.00 mg/100 ml to 41.83 mg/100 ml, whereas total sugar percentage and reducing sugar percentage ranged between 5.75 to 8.87 and 3.73 to 5.76 per cent, respectively. From the study, it seems that there is a great scope of utilization of variability of germplasm by exploration and selection of superior types. It will be useful in enhancing production, productivity and quality.

Drought is a major environmental constraint affecting growth and production of coffee. The effects of water supply on growth, biomass allocation, water relations, and gas exchange in two coffee progenies representing drought-tolerant (Siriema) and drought-sensitive (Catucaí) genotypes were compared. They were grown in 12-L pots until 4-months old, when they were submitted to two watering treatments for 60 d: plants receiving either 100% transpired water (control plants) or a fraction (about 40%) of the amount of water transpired by control plants (drought-stressed plants). Under control conditions, Siriema grew faster than Catucaí. Regardless of the watering regimes and progenies, relative growth rate (RGR) was positively correlated both with net assimilation rate (NAR) and long-term water-use efficiency (WUE), but not with differences in biomass allocation. Both progenies responded to drought stress through (i) similar decreases in both RGR and NAR with marginal, if any, changes in allocation; (ii) decreases in leaf water potential, which occurred to a greater extent in Catucaí than in Siriema, even though they have showed similar abilities to adjust osmotically and elastically; (iii) similar reductions in net photosynthesis due mainly to nonstomatal factors; and (iv) decreases in transpiration rate coupled with increased long-term WUE. However, the lower transpiration rate and the higher long-term WUE as found in Siriema relative to Catucaí under control conditions persisted under drought conditions. Overall, the major differences between these progenies were largely associated with differences in plant ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.de/jplph

The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Sciences (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level. HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India)

Advances in micro-irrigation techniques, i.e., drip and under-the-tree sprinklers, have facilitated greater adoption of fertigation especially for perennial crops including citrus (Citrus sinensis). Fertigation can improve nutrient uptake efficiency and minimize leaching of nutrients below the root zone, and thus can contribute to an increase in Ashok K. Alva is affiliated with the USDA-ARS, Vegetable and Forage

To solve the chronic problem of maize (Zea mays L.) kernel infection by Aspergillus flavus in the southeastern USA, genetic resistance to A. flavus is needed. A 2-yr study of a diallel cross of five parents containing the leafy gene (Lfy) was conducted to evaluate the inhertance of resistance to A. flavus during 2003 and 2004. The maize percent kernel

An efficient, simple, and rapid regeneration system was established for bananas (Musa sp.) using sections of corm containing intercalary meristematic tissues as explants. Six different cultivars of banana ('Mpologoma', 'Nakitembe', 'Mbwazirume', 'Pisang awak', 'Sukali ndiizi', and 'FHIA-17') with diverse genetic constitution and ploidy levels were regenerated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mgl −1 of 6-benzylaminopurine. All the cultivars showed relatively high regeneration efficiency. About 93-97% of the explants regenerated, producing, on average, 12-13 shoots from whole section and 16-19 shoots in total from quarter pieces of each section. Regeneration from intercalary meristematic tissues offers a simple, efficient method for transformation of a broad range of banana cultivars, including East African Highland bananas.

The present investigation was conducted during 2012 at Vegetable Research Centre, Pantnagar, U.S.Nagar, Uttarakhand. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 29 genotypes along with two checks in three replications. Genetic variability was studied for 17 quantitative characters. The results revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations were observed for number of fruit clusters per plant (49.84 and 51.16, respectively) and lowest for days to first fruit picking (1.51 and 1.41 respectively). Heritability was found low for days to first fruit picking (0.13%) and high for number of fruit clusters per plant (100%). High genetic advance was observed for 1000 seed weight (484.88) whereas lowest for fruit diameter (0.24). Genotypic correlation coefficient was higher than phenotypic correlation coefficient. Keywords : To mato, ge netic vari abil ity, ge netic ad vance, heritability, cor re la tion co ef fi cient.

The potentially devastating impacts of climate change on biodiversity and food security, together with the growing world population, means taking action to conserve crop wild relative (CWR) diversity is no longer an option-it is an urgent priority. CWR are species closely related to crops, including their progenitors, which have potential to contribute traits for crop improvement. However, their utilisation is hampered by a lack of systematic conservation which in turn is due to a lack of clarity over their identity. We used gene pool and taxon group concepts to estimate CWR relatedness for 173 priority crops to create the Harlan and de Wet inventory of globally important CWR taxa. Further taxa more remotely related to crops were added if they have historically been found to have useful traits for crop improvement. The inventory contains 1667 taxa, divided between 37 families, 108 genera, 1392 species and 299 sub-specific taxa. The region with the highest number of priority CWR is western Asia with 262 taxa, followed by China with 222 and southeastern Europe with 181. Within the primary gene pool, 242 taxa were found to be under-represented in ex situ collections and the countries identified as the highest priority for further germplasm collection are China, Mexico and Brazil. The inventory database is web-enabled (http:// www.cwrdiversity.org/checklist/) and can be used to facilitate in situ and ex situ conservation planning at global, regional and national levels.

Genomic selection (GS) has been implemented in animal and plant species, and is regarded as a useful tool for accelerating genetic gains. Varying levels of genomic prediction accuracy have been obtained in plants, depending on the prediction problem assessed and on several other factors, such as trait heritability, the relationship between the individuals to be predicted and those used to train the models for prediction, number of markers, sample size and genotype  environment interaction (GE). The main objective of this article is to describe the results of genomic prediction in International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center's (CIMMYT's) maize and wheat breeding programs, from the initial assessment of the predictive ability of different models using pedigree and marker information to the present, when methods for implementing GS in practical global maize and wheat breeding programs are being studied and investigated. Results show that pedigree (population structure) accounts for a sizeable proportion of the prediction accuracy when a global population is the prediction problem to be assessed. However, when the prediction uses unrelated populations to train the prediction equations, prediction accuracy becomes negligible. When genomic prediction includes modeling GE, an increase in prediction accuracy can be achieved by borrowing information from correlated environments. Several questions on how to incorporate GS into CIMMYT's maize and wheat programs remain unanswered and subject to further investigation, for example, prediction within and between related biparental crosses. Further research on the quantification of breeding value components for GS in plant breeding populations is required.

Genetically pure, uniform and dry seeds of greengram[Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] varieties Sujata and TARM-1 were treated with gamma radiation of variable doses (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 kR) to assess the extent of macro-mutations induced in the M2 generation and their scope for future use in plant improvement programme. The irradiated seeds were sown in the M1 field with their respective controls and harvested in bulk to raise the M2 generation in Randomised Block Design(RBD) with three replications. Wide spectrum of chlorophyll and morphological macromutants were observed in M2 generation. Among the chlorophyll macro-mutants, chlorina was the most frequent in both cultivars. Among the morphological macromutants, quadrifoliate was observed in highest frequency in variety Sujata and more poded type mutants in variety TARM-1. Number of macro-mutations induced increased with rise in doses. The frequency of morphological mutation was higher in variety Sujata as compared to variety TARM-1 suggesting higher sensitivity of the variety Sujata to gamma irradiation.

39 genotypes of tomato which were grouped
into 9 clusters and exhibited no association
between geographical and genetic divergence,
the clusters I (12) and II (11) contained highest
number of genotypes followed by clusters III
(5) and V (4) groups. The maximum intercluster
D2 value was observed between the
cluster III and V (80.36) and intra- cluster
distance was higher in cluster II (26.75). Among
the 21 characters average fruit weight (58.43%)
contributed maximum per cent to the diversity
followed by number of secondary branches
(19.43), number of fruits plant-1(11.61%).
Cluster III show high mean values for number
of seeds fruit-1 (120.89) and average fruit
weight (61.60). Cluster IX show high mean
values for secondary branches (17.33), fruit
length (4.60), pericarp thickness (5.0), number
of locules fruits-1(4.0) and fruit diameter (5.80).
Cluster V show high mean values for flower
cluster-1 (6.90), Number of fruits cluster-
1(4.59), T.S.S. (8.13), fruits plant-1 (153.02)
Cluster VI show high mean values for fruit
yield plant-1(3.57) and number of locules fruits-
1(4.0).Cluster VIII show high mean for days to
first flowering (45.53), day to maturity (87.60)
and days to 50% fruit setting (64.17),cluster
IV show high mean values for only fruiting
clusters plant-1 (42.10).

Adoption of improved maize ( Zea mays L.) varieties in the rainforest agro-ecology of Nigeria largely depends on yielding potential and resistance to common foliar diseases. The present study aims at assessing the combining ability of a set of adapted and exotic drought-tolerant maize inbred lines under irrigated and rainfed conditions in Nigeria. Ninety-six hybrids generated using a North Carolina Design II scheme, and four checks were evaluated in a 10 × 10 triple lattice with three replications under full irrigation in the dry seasons of 2010 and 2011 and under natural disease inoculation in the rainy seasons of 2011 and 2012. Hybrids differed significantly for all measured traits. Both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were mostly highly significant (P < 0.01) for all agronomic traits and leaf blight. Additive genetic effects were more important than non-additive genetic effects in controlling grain yield and leaf blight (GCA > 70%). EXL03, EXL06, EXL16, ADL33, and ADL47 had positive and significant female and male GCA effects for grain yield, and significant but negative GCA effects for leaf blight.

This short article is to comment on the methodology and conclusions of concerning the use of biplots to reveal crossover genotype-by-environment interaction (GE) patterns, which was published in Crop Science. applied GGE (genotypic main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction) biplot analysis to an Ontario winter wheat dataset and concluded that there were two megaenvironments for winter wheat in Ontario, i.e., eastern Ontario represented by locations E5 and E7, and southwestern Ontario represented by seven other locations , Yang et al. took this study as an example of "over-utilization or abuse of biplot analysis." Yang et al. applied a bootstrap procedure to the same dataset and concluded that the crossover GE pattern revealed by the biplot analysis was false. They advocated that any future use of biplots should be supplemented with a statistical test, such as the bootstrap procedure they introduced. We believe their conclusion and recommendation are unfounded and misleading.

Higher GCV as well as PCV was recorded for days to flower bud initiation, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of inflorescences per plant, number of flowers per inflorescence and L-DOPA yield per plant. High heritability estimates were coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for number of leaves at harvest, leaf area at harvest, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of inflorescences per plant, number of flowers per inflorescence, total dry matter production per plant, test weight of seeds, seed yield per plant and L-DOPA yield per plant. The correlation studies reveled that genotypic correlation was higher than the phenotypic correlation for most of the traits studied indicated that high heritable nature of the characters. seed yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with number of trifoliate leaves per plant (0.906, 0.786), leaf area at harvest (0.822, 0.689), number of days to flower bud initiation (0.755, 0.651), days to 50 per cent flowering (0.758, 0.641), number of inflorescence per plant (0.760, 0.713), number of pods per bunch (0.973, 0.868) and pod yield per plant (0.998, 0.757) and L-DOPA yield per hectare (0.873, 0.869) both at genotypic and phenotypic levels, respectively. L-DOPA yield per hectare (1.517) exhibited high direct positive effect on seed yield followed by days to 50 per cent flowering (1.141) and leaf area at harvest (0.531). Seed yield per plant (1.066) exhibited maximum positive direct effect on L-DOPA yield followed by number of trifoliate leaves per plant (0.818) and test weight of seeds (0.293).

n Andhra Pradesh
Coriander is grown nearly in
58,000 hectares in black soils
under rainfed conditions.
Andhra Pradesh occupies third
place in area and production in
India. A study was undertaken
to evaluate the performance of
promising coriander genotypes
selected from locally available
land races. Eleven genotypes
were evaluated in Randomized
Block Design with three
replications for three years from
2002 to 2005. Significant
differences were observed in all
the yield attributing characters
as well as yield among the
genotypes evaluated. Among
the genotypes evaluated, LCC-
216 recorded maximum yield
(863.2 kg/ha) followed by LCC-
212 (836.1 kg/ha) which are on
par with each other and
significantly superior to check Sadhana (624.8 kg/ha). The
increase in yield may be due to
the higher plant growth
indicated by higher plant
height, more number of
primary and secondary
branches, and higher number of
umbels per plant, umbellets per
umbel and number of mericarps
per umbel.

The present investigation was carried out with fenugreek genotypes obtained from different coordinating centers of AICRP on Spices. Pods per plant (36.5 and 34.61), number of seeds per pod (22.86 and 21.20) and seed yield (22.09 and 17.21) recorded highest coefficients of
variation (both phenotypic and genotypic), while it was low for pod length (11.43 and 7.32).
Heritability estimates were high for plant height (83.10), pods per plant (89.90) and seeds per
pod (86.00). Seed yield (60.70) and branches per plant showed moderate estimates of heritability. The characters viz. plant height, pods per plant, seeds per pod and seed yield which recorded high heritability also showed high genetic advance indicating operation of additive gene
action in the inheritance of these traits. These studies indicated that selection may be worthwhile in fenugreek for number of pods per plant, seeds per pod besides plant height for achieving higher yields.

The present study was needed to understand the genetic constitution of indigenous rice ( Oryza sativa L.) germplasm with respect to their resistance towards the blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Specifically, the objective was to identify landrace(s) of rice for the presence of effective rice blast resistance (R) gene(s) that can be employed in breeding programs for Eastern India. A set of 47 landraces that consistently showed resistant reaction to blast disease ( Magnaporthe oryzae) in multi-season evaluations in outdoor blast nurseries at Hazaribag, Jharkhand, was probed for the presence of known R genes. Seven DNA-based single nucleotide polymorphism (

Coriander is the most important seed spice crop in India. Selection is the most common breeding
procedure used in coriander and crossing is non-existent. The present study was conducted to
promote crossing as a breeding technique in coriander. It was found that coriander was
protandrous and the sex ratio was 1.75 to 2.07. The stigma was receptive from the 3rd day to 6th
day of anthesis indicating that artificial pollination on emasculated florets must be done repeatedly
on 3rd and 4th day of anthesis. Pollen was viable for two days in the field. Fresh pollen can be
stored in incubator at 25oC for three weeks with 88% retention of viability. Emasculation of
florets was carried out with the help of binocular loupe. Emasculation either in the morning
before anthesis or previous day evening was found to be suitable. For demonstrating the technique,
four parents were reciprocally crossed. Only three crosses were successful indicating the differences
in combining ability of the parents. Mean success among the crosses was 23%, fruit set among
the florets varied from 9.52-83.3% depending on the cross combination.

Agriculture (IITA) to make Nigeria the largest producer of cassava in the world, the adoption rate of elite cultivars by farmers is about 40% and that is unacceptable. In addition, all cassava cultivars presently grown in Nigeria are low in essential minerals, vitamins, and protein content, and high in cyanogenic content. Cassava with yellow roots contains elevated levels of β-carotene (pro-vitamin A), an essential nutrient, but they are not commonly grown in Nigeria. Because farmers select cultivars based on multiple criteria, participatory rural appraisal and selection are essential for a successful adoption of new improved varieties. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and sensory evaluation were conducted in Abia, Imo, and Ebonyi states of Nigeria to assess farmers' preferences for pro-vitamin A cassava. Some of the farmer-preferred traits included high yield, early maturity, tolerance to pests and diseases, sweetness, high amount of dry matter (DM) content, easy peeling, marketable roots, and roots that keep long in the ground without decaying. High pro-vitamin A cassava cultivars TMS 01-1368, TMS 05-1636, and TMS 05-0473 were better than farmers' cultivar

The present study was conducted during 3 consecutive years (2009-2010 to
2011-12) at Horticultural Research Station, Lam, Andhra Pradesh (India)
to evaluate ten promising and diverse genotypes of coriander (Coriandrum
sativum L.) procured from different states of India. Maximum yield was
achieved in genotype LCC-237 (959.0 kg ha-1
) followed by LCC-236 (897
kg ha-1
) which were on par with each other but significantly superior over
check variety Sudha (723 kg ha-1
). Considering the stability parameters for
yield, genotypes RKD-13 and LCC-236 with almost unit regression (-0.90
and 1.12, respectively) may be considered as stable genotypes. The genotype
LCC-236 with significant deviation in regression coefficient may be
considered as plastic genotype that outperformed other genotypes
including best check (Sudha) in all the seasons tested. The mean
performance of genotype RKD-13 was significantly lower than check
Sudha, hence considered as a poor yielder. Early flowering and maturity,
coupled with superiority in these traits, when correlated with yield was
found to be the reason for better performance of genotype LCC-236 under
diverse environmental conditions. This genotype also possessed high
essential oil content than other genotypes evaluated.

Genomic selection (GS) has been implemented in animal and plant species, and is regarded as a useful tool for accelerating genetic gains. Varying levels of genomic prediction accuracy have been obtained in plants, depending on the prediction problem assessed and on several other factors, such as trait heritability, the relationship between the individuals to be predicted and those used to train the models for prediction, number of markers, sample size and genotype  environment interaction (GE). The main objective of this article is to describe the results of genomic prediction in International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center's (CIMMYT's) maize and wheat breeding programs, from the initial assessment of the predictive ability of different models using pedigree and marker information to the present, when methods for implementing GS in practical global maize and wheat breeding programs are being studied and investigated. Results show that pedigree (population structure) accounts for a sizeable proportion of the prediction accuracy when a global population is the prediction problem to be assessed. However, when the prediction uses unrelated populations to train the prediction equations, prediction accuracy becomes negligible. When genomic prediction includes modeling GE, an increase in prediction accuracy can be achieved by borrowing information from correlated environments. Several questions on how to incorporate GS into CIMMYT's maize and wheat programs remain unanswered and subject to further investigation, for example, prediction within and between related biparental crosses. Further research on the quantification of breeding value components for GS in plant breeding populations is required.

Selection of genotypes at the seedling evaluation stage of cassava breeding for advancement is largely based on high heritability traits. Moreover, combining ability and family data at this stage are rarely analyzed, leading to a loss of potential genetic information. This study was conducted to estimate the general combining ability (GCA) of nine cassava parents and specific combining ability (SCA) of their crosses for storage root yield (SRY) and related traits, as well as to determine the gene action controlling these traits. Thirty-six full-sib cassava families were developed from a 9 x 9 half-diallel mating design and evaluated in a 6 x 6 triple lattice design. The family mean squares (MS) were significantly different for all traits assessed, suggesting significant differences among families for all traits. The GCA MS were significant for all traits, whereas SCA MS were significant for only storage root number (SRN). Percentage sum of squares attributable to GCA accounted for >50.0% of variability expressed by families in five of the seven traits studied, indicating predominance of additive gene effects in controlling expression of most traits. Parent CT4 was the best general combiner for SRY, SRN, and resistance to cassava brown streak and mosaic diseases, while crosses NASE3 x CT2, CT5 x CT3, and NASE3 x CT4 had desirable SCA effects for SRY. Correlation analysis indicated a possibility of selecting for SRY and quality 530 Downloaded by [41.190.150.170] at 22:25 17 July 2014 Cassava evaluation at the Seedling Stage 531 traits simultaneously. Simultaneous selection of these traits at the seedling generational stage of cassava breeding could reduce the cassava breeding cycle.