Genetic variability in CMS backcross generations and their maintainers in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Twelve genotypes of eggplant in BC3, BC4 and BC5 generations of CMS-lines derived from Solanum ae-thiopicum × Solanum melongena cross along with their maintainers were evaluated for eighteen quantitative charac-ters at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana. Analysis of variance depicted significant variation (P ? 0.05) for all the characters in all generations. High PCV and GCV values were observed for fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, number of fruits plant-1 and yield plant-1 in all generations indicating high variability in the germplasm. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found for peduncle length, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, number of fruits plant-1 and yield plant-1 in all generations indicating the predominance of additive gene action for these traits. Thus, selections can be made from present germplasm for the development of improved CMS inbred lines with varying fruit traits

An Investigation into the Mediating Influence of Customer Expertise on the Antecedents and Consequences of Affect within Professional Service Markets

This study examines the mediating influence of consumer expertise on the antecedents and consequences of Affect within a professional services market context. Whilst there is increasing evidence to suggest an empirical link between Affect evoked and satisfaction within such contexts, previous research has largely ignored the role of consumer expertise as a mediating influence. Using a scenario based approach, the objective of the study was to test for multigroup invariance among competing structural models based on the ability of the respondents to form expectation and performance assessments about the service they are receiving. The results indicate that it is important to examine different levels of consumer expertise in detail to better understand how certain characteristics such as experience and qualifications influence the priority and functionality attached to service attributes when making satisfaction judgments within a professional service context. This may in turn have broader implications for our contextual understanding of services

Assessment of gene action and combining ability for advancement of yield andits attributing traits in pansy (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.) through diallel mating design

Pansy is one of the most important bedding winter annual for sub-tropical climatic conditions. Twenty-eight F1 hybrids of pansy were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications, to study the combining ability for vegetative and floral characters. The analysis of variance indicated significant variability among all the genotypes for all the characters. The ratio of genetic component of variance indicated the equal importance of additive and non-additive gene action in governing the flower yield and its component traits of pansy. Estimates of general combining ability effects showed that parents Pa-64-1-5-14, Pa-62-4-12-18, Pa-63-1-7-25 and Pa-32-8-7-6 were good general combiners for most of the traits except stalk length and flower size. The specific combining ability effects showed that for yield traits the best cross combinations were Pa-64-1-5-14 × Pa-62-4-12-18, Pa-13-1-2-3 × Pa-47-1-3, Pa-11-1-3-7 × Pa- 62-4-12-18, Pa-64-1-5-14 × Pa-63-1-7-25 and Pa-11-1-3-7 × Pa-64-1-5-14. The study on gene effect of different characters indicated the predominance of non-additive gene effects for most of the characters. The gca variances was higher for branches number, flower size, days from bud initiation to flowering and flowers number than sca variances, indicating additive gene action, and progeny selection will be effective for the genetic improvement of these traits

GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION OF CORM AND CORMEL PRODUCTION IN GLADIOLUS

Twelve gladiolus genotypes were planted on five different dates from 10th October to 10th December, 2011 at fortnightly interval and traits for corm and cormel production were evaluated. The number of corms and cormels per plant were maximum under 10th October planting (1.75 and 24.37 respectively) and in cv. Punjab Lemon Delight (2.01) and Punjab Glance (41.52) respectively. The result of G x E interaction shows that the number of corms and cormels per plant in twelve genotypes under five different environments ranges from 1.00 to 2.66 and 1.66 to 75.00 respectively. The maximum corm weight and corm size was in cv. Rose Supreme (102.70 g and 5.66 cm respectively) and under 10th October planting (76.07g and 4.39cm respectively). The G x E interactions shows that the corm weight per plant and corm size ranges from 10.83 to 106.86g and 2.70 to 6.51cm respectively. It concluded that the best planting time with respect to corm and cormel production was 10th October while 10th December was least favourable

Production of Doubled Haploids in Onion: A Review

Onion suffers from high inbreeding depression and, as a result, inbreds that are developed lack genotypic and phenotypic uniformity. Gynogenesis has emerged as a potential strategy to address this drawback. Efforts have been made since the 1980s for identifying highly-responsive genotypes and for overall improvement of the protocol for bettering gynogenic frequency in onion. Besides improving media composition, identification of responsive explants and increasing the chromosome efficiency has remained a major area of focus over the years. This article purports to review progress made thus far in the induction of gynogenic haploids in onion, and challenges/opportunities associated with it

GENOTYPE × ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION OF CORM AND CORMEL PRODUCTION IN GLADIOLUS

Twelve gladiolus genotypes were planted on five different dates from 10th October to 10th December, 2011 at fortnightly interval and traits for corm and cormel production were evaluated. The number of corms and cormels per plant were maximum under 10th October planting (1.75 and 24.37 respectively) and in cv. Punjab Lemon Delight (2.01) and Punjab Glance (41.52) respectively. The result of G x E interaction shows that the number of corms and cormels per plant in twelve genotypes under five different environments ranges from 1.00 to 2.66 and 1.66 to 75.00 respectively. The maximum corm weight and corm size was in cv. Rose Supreme (102.70 g and 5.66 cm respectively) and under 10th October planting (76.07g and 4.39cm respectively). The G x E interactions shows that the corm weight per plant and corm size ranges from 10.83 to 106.86g and 2.70 to 6.51cm respectively. It concluded that the best planting time with respect to corm and cormel production was 10th October while 10th December was least favourable