INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

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Authors: Vikash Kumar1 , Sanjay Sahay1 , Feza Ahmad1 , Vishal Nirgude1 , Ravi S. Singh2 * and Ashish Khandelwal3

Genetic divergence of 12 Cape gooseberry Indian genotypes for morphological parameters was estimated using Mahanalobis D2 -analysis. The genotypes were grouped into four clusters, the cluster-II was the largest with 5 genotypes followed by cluster I and cluster IV with 3 genotypes, and cluster III with 1 genotype. Clustering pattern indicated no association between geographical distribution of genotypes and genetic divergence. The inter-cluster distances were higher than the intra-cluster distance suggesting wider genetic diversity among the genotypes of different groups. The intra-cluster value was maximum in cluster I and II and minimum cluster III and IV. The inter-cluster D2 -values indicated maximum distance between cluster I and IV followed by between I and III, and between I and II, showing wide diversity between the groups. Fruit diameters, duration of fruit set to maturity, number of flower per branch, fruit weight and inter-nodal length showed maximum contribution towards total divergence among the genotypes. Thus, the genetically diverged genotypes identified in this study, could be used as parents in hybridization programme for getting desirable segregants. Highlights • Genetic divergence of Cape gooseberry was estimated by Mahanalobis D2 -analysis. • Genotype selection done by divergence method. • Diversity positively correlates with heterosis.

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Authors: R. Prabhu1*, N. Manivannan1, A. Mothilal2 and S.M. Ibrahim3

Genetic studies assist the breeder in understanding the inheritance mechanism and enhance the efficiency of a breeding programme. Knowledge of the way genes act and interact will determine the breeding system that optimizes gene action more efficiently and will elucidate the role of breeding systems in the evolution of crop plants. The generation mean analysis was employed in four crosses viz., CO 7 × GPBD 4, ICGV 03128 × GPBD 4, ICGV 03128 × COG 0437 and ICGV 03128 × VRI Gn 6 of groundnut to partition the genetic variance into additive, dominance and epistasis. Hence F1, F2 and F3 generations of each cross were evaluated along with their parents to assess the nature of gene action involved for various characters which in turn helps in formulating an effective and sound breeding programme in groundnut. In all the vegetative and reproductive characters, additivity, dominance and one or more of the epistatic effects determined the expression. Pedigree method of breeding followed by simple selection in later generation would be a meaningful breeding strategy to be followed in such crosses for the improvement of the characters under evaluation. Considering the kernel yield per plant, pod yield per plant and foliar disease incidence, the cross ICGV 03128 × GPBD 4 was adjudged as the best cross for further selection programme. Highlights • Groundnut is an important oilseed crop and a principle source of human nutrition in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. • Choice of appropriate breeding procedure depends on the type of gene action involved in the expression of the characters in a genetic population. • Generation mean analysis was employed to study the genetics of yield and its components in each of the four cross combinations in groundnut. • In all the vegetative and reproductive characters, additivity, dominance and one or more of the epistatic effects determined the expression. • Pedigree method of breeding followed by simple selection in later segregating generations will be a meaningful breeding strategy to be followed. • Based on the yield and foliar disease incidence, the cross ICGV 03128 × GPBD 4 was adjudged as best for further selection programme

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Authors: Jai Singh Patel1, Ram Sanmukh Upadhyay1, Harikesh Bahadur Singh2, Ravindra Nath Kharwar1, Mushtaq Ahmed1 and Birinchi Kumar Sarma2*

A simple and efficient protocol is developed for isolation of high quality RNA from roots and leaves of chickpea and pea. The procedure is based on use of SDS, sodium acetate and EDTA in an extraction buffer in order to eliminate polysaccharides and prevent oxidation of phenolic compounds. The current method is modification of a method described for RNA isolation from pea leaves only, and yields excess amount of high-quality RNA suitable for cDNA based gene expression analysis. The protocol requires only three disposable micro centrifuge tubes during extraction, single phenol extraction step and a single precipitation step to yield high-quality RNA. RNA extracted with this method was free from protein and phenolic contaminants as evident from gel electrophoresis analysis. This method is applicable not only for leaves but also for roots and shoots and equally applicable to both chickpea and pea. cDNA is prepared and PCR amplification have been done with universal ubiqutin primer to check the integrity of RNA and absence of inhibitory compounds in RNA samples, which proves the suitability of samples towards qRTPCR. Highlights • An efficient and cost effective method for RNA isolation from different parts of chickpea and pea. • Purity and quality of isolated RNA isolated was found sufficient for gene expression studies

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Authors: A Raja Gopala Reddy*and Madhumitha Mitra Sarkar

The experiment was conducted during the year 2011-2013 in Mondouri Horticultural research farm, BCKVV, Mohanpur, West Bengal to study the role of calcium and to identify its effective source and application time on the post-harvest, corm and cormel parameters of gladiolus with foliar application of calcium nitrate and calcium carbonate at different days (3-4, 6 leaf and spike emergence) after plantingand was conducted in Randomized Block Design with three replications.Analysis of variance study indicated that most of the treatments differed significantly among themselves except for days taken for basal floret open, no of corms per plot, corm weight and no of cormels per corm in both the years. The results obtained revealed that foliar spray of calcium favored most of the post-harvest, corm and cormel characters. Calcium nitrate was found superior to calcium carbonate in promoting various post-harvest, corm and cormelcharacters under study. Spraying of calcium nitrate at 6 leaves stage and spike emergence stage to gladiolus plant was most effective to influence the post-harvest, corm and cormelparameters and was found on par with calcium nitrate 300 ppm at 6 leaves stage for maximum characters like vase life, cumulative water uptake, days to incipient senescence, fresh weight of spike, days to senescence, corm diameter, corm thickness and cormel weight per plot. Highlights • Spraying at 3-4 leaf stage and spike emergence stage improves the vase life • Post-harvest and corm parameters are enhanced by calcium nitrate • Calcium nitrate increases the vase life of gladiolus spike

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Authors: Harwinder Kaur, Hari Ram*, Rajeev Sikka and Harinderjeet Kaur

Nitrogen (N) occupies a conspicuous place in plant metabolism because adequate supply of this nutrient associated with high photosynthetic activity, vigorous vegetative growth and a dark green color among cereal crops. In view of this, the field experiments were conducted during 2011-12 and 2012-13 to evaluate the effect of nitrogen with different wheat cultivars on growth and productivity. The soil was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen. The leaf area index and photo synthetically active radiation interception was higher in variety PBW 621. The 1000-grain weight and grains per ear were significantly higher in variety PBW 550 than other varieties. The variety DBW 17 had significantly higher tiller density. The variety PBW 550 gave significantly higher grain yield but statistically on par with variety PBW 621. The yield attributes, grain yield and quality parameters were highest under 150 kg N/ha. With increase in nitrogen level upto 120 kg N/ha, there was significantly increase in grain yield which was statistically on par with 150 kg N/ha. Agronomic use efficiency was significantly similar at 120 and 150 kg N/ha than other nitrogen levels. Therefore, there is need to save nitrogen fertilizers on soils low in nitrogen availability for wheat cultivars. Highlights • Wheat variety PBW 550 gave the highest grain yield which was almost similar with variety PBW 621 • Nitrogen levels of 120 kg/ha increased the grain yield significantly than other levels but similar to 150 kg N/ha.

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Authors: Rita Nongthombam1*, Kigwie Seyie2, Noren Konjengbam3, Brajendra Naorem3 and Pramesh Khoyumthem3

Most of the varieties show great degree of genotype x environment interactions for highlydesirable characters. Field experiment was conducted using fourteen genotypes of black gram during kharif season, 2009 and 2010. The data were analyzed according to the stability model as suggested by Eberhart and Russell (1966). The pooled analysis of variance due to genotypes was found highly significant for all the characters indicating genetic variability among the genotypes. Highly significant pooled deviation for all the characters except 100 seed weight was observed in all the genotypes that fluctuated significantly from their respective linear path of response to environments.From the estimated parameters of stability in the present study, genotypes RBU1012 and Pant U-19 were considered to be the most stable genotypes. Environments 6 was the best for yield and its components while environment 1 was the lowest for yield and its components. Highlights • 14 genotypes of black gram were selected for the study of stability analysis of high yielding varieties of black gram. • Genetic variability among the genotypes was indicated by the pooled analysis of variance due to genotypes. • Most stable genotypes were RBU1012 and Pant U-19, environment 6 was best for yield and its components and environment 1, the lowest.

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Authors: Sahadeo Sonkar, S.K. Singh*, Prudhvi Raj Vennela and D.K. Singh

Assessment of genetic diversity is very important in rice breeding from the standpoint of selection, conservation and proper utilization. The role of a broad genetic base and systematically characterized germplasm in the crop improvement of cultivated plants has been well recognized. To meet the continuously expanding needs of varietal improvements, the evaluation and characterization of all existing germplasm are required. Genetic variability studies are important in selection of parents for hybridization as sound crop improvement depends upon the magnitude of variability in the base population. In the present investigation 36 rice genotypes were studied for diversity studies using polymorphic SSR markers. These rice genotypes were grouped into two main clusters that is cluster I and II with similarity coefficient (0.00). Cluster I can be sub divided into two minor sub-groups IA, IB, and with similarity coefficient (0.15). Cluster IA consisted of 12 genotypes, whereas cluster IB consisted of 13 genotypes. The second main cluster can be also sub divided into two minor sub-groups that is IIA and IIB (0.25). This indicated presence of considerable diversity in the genotypes studied. Through diversity analysis, highest similarity was observed between cultivar URG-5 and URG-8 followed by NDR-359 and Pusa-6-B. The most diverse cultivars were Akshaya dhan and URG-24. Highlights • The highest similarity observed between cultivar URG-5 and URG-8. • The most diverse cultivar was Akshayadhan and URG-24. • This indicated presence of considerable diversity in the genotypes studied

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Authors: Krishna Kumar Jangid and Padmanabh Dwivedi

Tomato has important role in food and commercial utilization in the whole world. It is an undetached part of food due to its taste and nutritional value. It is full of minerals, vitamin and antibiotic characteristics. Climate change produces so many natural hazards such as abiotic and biotic stress in the plant. Drought is an important natural phenomenon which affects morphological, physiological, biochemical and yield attributes of plants leading to death. During water stress many physiological and molecular processes are disturbed such as root-shoot growth, water relation, mineral absorption, leaf expansion and orientation, stometal behavior, transpiration rate, photosynthesis and respiration rate, solute translocation, etc. Toxic elements such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during stress period create oxidative damage to the cellular organization. Plants have its antioxidant system to scavenge such harmful element and accumulate osmoprotectants such as proline, glycien betaine, etc to maintain osmotic adjustment. All these and many more aspects have been discussed in case of tomato plants in this review. Highlights • Drought stress exerts physiological impact on various growth and developmental stages in tomato plants. • Drought resistance mechanism, signal transduction and oxidative adjustment in tomato plants under drought stress are discussed.

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Authors: Shikha Sachan*1, V.K. Chandola1 and A.K. Lohani2

Rainfall is the most important climatic parameters influencing agriculture in Pune district of Maharashtra. Rainfall of this region is highly variable with respect to space and time and about 80-90% of precipitation falls in monsoon period from June to October resulting in drought and flood situation in the upper Bhima basin of Maharashtra. Therefore, for efficient water resources management, optimal crop planning and also for better understanding of rainfall behavior (i.e., distribution and minimum expected amount during crop growing period) probability analysis of rainfall was conducted. Probability analysis (at 50% and 80%) of monthly rainfall data of 13 raingauge stations of the left bank canal of upper Bhima basin viz., Urali, Loni Karbol, Kasurdi, Tajuproject, Yewat, Dahitane, Bhigwan, Madanwadi, Pondewadi, Kedgaon, Patas, Pimplegaon and Daund for the period from 1975 to 2002 was conducted. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) has been calculated using climatic parameters like sun shine hour, wind speed, maximum & minimum temperature and rainfall humidity for the period from years 1993-2005 by CROPWAT model. It was found that ETo is maximum (7.72 mm/day) during April and low in December (3.10 mm/day). Effective rainfall of existing rain gauge stations falling in different sub-basins, BM48, BM49, BM50, BM51 and BM68 have been estimated using the CROPWAT model. Finally net irrigation requirement of crops Kharif Cotton, Summer Cotton, Sugarcane and Rabi Sorghum have been find out for all the sub-basin. From this study it has been concluded that, the crop planning in the area, represented by Pimplegoan and Urali stations should be done keeping in mind maximum deficit of 187 mm and 113 mm of water respectively during July. Similarly in other stations maximum deficit of water was observed during September which indicate that while selection of crops for the areas represented by these stations the crops requiring less water during September should be selected. Highlights • Deficit rainfall for different months obtained through probability analysis of rainfall data at 50 % and 80 % probability and net irrigation requirement worked out through CROPWAT model. • The monthly rainfall deficit and Net irrigation requirement provided a road map for efficient crop planning