Single seed-based high-throughput genotyping and rapid generation advancement for accelerated groundnut genetics and breeding research

The groundnut breeding program at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics routinely performs marker-based early generation selection (MEGS) in thousands of segregating populations. The existing MEGS includes planting of segregating populations in fields or glasshouses, label tagging, and sample collection using leaf-punch from 20–25 day old plants followed by genotyping with 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms based early generation selection marker panels in a high throughput genotyping (HTPG) platform. The entire process is laborious, time consuming, and costly. Therefore, in order to save the time of the breeder and to reduce the cost during MEGS, we optimized a single seed chipping (SSC) process based MEGS protocol and deployed on large scale by genotyping >3000 samples from ongoing groundnut breeding program. In SSC-based MEGS, we used a small portion of cotyledon by slicing-off the posterior end of the single seed and transferred to the 96-deep well plate for DNA isolation and genotyping at HTPG platform. The chipped seeds were placed in 96-well seed-box in the same order of 96-well DNA sampling plate to enable tracking back to the selected individual seed. A high germination rate of 95–99% from the chipped seeds indicated that slicing of seeds from posterior end does not significantly affect germination percentage. In addition, we could successfully advance 3.5 generations in a year using a low-cost rapid generation turnover glass-house facility as compared to routine practice of two generations in field conditions. The integration of SSC based genotyping and rapid generation advancement (RGA) could significantly reduce the operational requirement of person-hours and expenses, and save a period of 6–8 months in groundnut genetics and breeding research

High-density genetic map using whole-genome resequencing for fine mapping and candidate gene discovery for disease resistance in peanut

Whole‐genome resequencing (WGRS) of mapping populations has facilitated development of high‐density genetic maps essential for fine mapping and candidate gene discovery for traits of interest in crop species. Leaf spots, including early leaf spot (ELS) and late leaf spot (LLS), and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) are devastating diseases in peanut causing significant yield loss. We generated WGRS data on a recombinant inbred line population, developed a SNP‐based high‐density genetic map, and conducted fine mapping, candidate gene discovery and marker validation for ELS, LLS and TSWV. The first sequence‐based high‐density map was constructed with 8869 SNPs assigned to 20 linkage groups, representing 20 chromosomes, for the ‘T’ population (Tifrunner × GT‐C20) with a map length of 3120 cM and an average distance of 1.45 cM. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using high‐density genetic map and multiple season phenotyping data identified 35 main‐effect QTLs with phenotypic variation explained (PVE) from 6.32% to 47.63%. Among major‐effect QTLs mapped, there were two QTLs for ELS on B05 with 47.42% PVE and B03 with 47.38% PVE, two QTLs for LLS on A05 with 47.63% and B03 with 34.03% PVE and one QTL for TSWV on B09 with 40.71% PVE. The epistasis and environment interaction analyses identified significant environmental effects on these traits. The identified QTL regions had disease resistance genes including R‐genes and transcription factors. KASP markers were developed for major QTLs and validated in the population and are ready for further deployment in genomics‐assisted breeding in peanut

A new approach to micro-level energy planning--A case of northern parts of Rajasthan, India

The gap in demand and supply of energy can be met by optimal allocation of energy resources. In developing countries like India, demand for energy is constantly rising. Conventional energy supply options have failed to cope up with this increase. Therefore, it is required to plan the allocation at micro-level also. A micro-level energy planning thus becomes pragmatic for sustainable development. Micro-level energy planning aims at optimal resource allocation thereby reducing dependence on commercial energy and reducing associated environmental hazards, and opening new avenues for employment generation. This paper considers energy consumption patterns in northern part of Rajasthan, India to arrive at micro-level plan using multi-objective goal programming approach. Optimal energy resource allocation for various end-uses has been deduced. In conventional micro-level energy planning the region is defined as village or taluk or district. Inter-village energy mix have been attempted to define region for energy planning in the present text. The results of inter-village mix show that the energy mix of two villages at micro-level results in better utilization of available energy sources compared to an individual village. The methodology suggested gives the flexibility of defining a region to the energy planner.Micro-level energy planning Goal programming Inter-village mix

Modeling of hybrid renewable energy systems

Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) are becoming popular for remote area power generation applications due to advances in renewable energy technologies and subsequent rise in prices of petroleum products. Economic aspects of these technologies are sufficiently promising to include them in developing power generation capacity for developing countries. Research and development efforts in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies are required to continue for, improving their performance, establishing techniques for accurately predicting their output and reliably integrating them with other conventional generating sources. The paper describes methodologies to model HRES components, HRES designs and their evaluation. The trends in HRES design show that the hybrid PV/wind energy systems are becoming gaining popular. The issues related to penetration of these energy systems in the present distribution network are highlighted.Hybrid renewable energy systems Modeling Optimization Penetration potential

Wind Resource Assessment Using Computer Simulation Tool: A Case Study

AbstractWind resource assessment is the key step in windfarm deployment at pre-investment stage. In a wind farm, it is often the case that wind climate data is measured at one place and it is required to estimate wind resource potential at any other point in the vicinity. Also, the wind resource potential depends on the effect of terrain at the wind farm site. In this paper, using computer simulation software, the effect of terrain is considered in assessing wind resource potential at a site. A case study of actual wind farm consisting of 33 wind turbines installed at Tamilnadu, India is simulated using Meteodyn software to assess the wind power potential in-terms of capacity factor

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Not AvailableSeed germination and seedling vigour in aging seeds of 32 groundnut genotypes was studied under ambient storage conditions to assess the extent of variability for these traits under storage. The association, if any of these traits with seed soil content and seed mass was also examined. Both,seed germination and seedling vigour declined with aging of the groundnut seeds in all test genotypes. However, the rate of decrease varied among the genotypes suggesting significant genotypic difference and possibility of their improvement through breeding. Aging also has strong negative effect on both, root and shoot growth of the seedlings, but profound effect was observed on root growth. Seed germination and seedling vigour are not associated with seed oil content, but seedling vigour is positively correlated with seed mass. The results indicate the possibility of developing new groundnut genotypes that retained good levels of seed germination and seedling vigour even in storage for 12 months under ambient conditions. Further, it is also possible to combine enhanced high seed oil content with high seed germination and seedling vigour. As seed germination and seedling vigour are associated with pod yield, it may be desirable to evaluate the advanced breeding lines for these traits besides other yield and yield parameters.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTo assessthe determinants oftechnology adoption by sunflower farmers towards improved sunflower production technologies, a study was conducted in Akola district of Maharashtra. The assessment was done on a comparative basis between 60 each of farmers who participated in the frontline demonstrations (FLDs) organized by Crop Research Unit, Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, Maharashtra (FLD farmers) and farmers who did not participate in the FLD programme but belong to the same villages wherein FLDs were organized (non-FLD farmers). The respondents were selected through multi-stage random sampling procedure. There was highly significant difference between FLD and non-FLD respondents with respect to their adoption behaviour and sunflower productivity. There was significant difference among non-FLD farmers with small, medium and large size of land holdings with respect to their adoption behaviour and sunflower productivity, while there was no such difference was observed among the FLD farmers. Most of the non-FLD farmers had low to medium level of sunflower productivity, while most of the FLD farmers had medium to high level of sunflower productivity. Overall, there was 11% mean seed yield increase obtained by the FLD farmers over that of non-FLD farmers with ` 2254/ha additional net returns. The personal, socio-economical, biotic and abiotic determinants of sunflower production and perceived information needs were assessed and the strategies for improving the sunflower production scenario in the study area were suggested.Not Availabl

Enhanced quality factor of polyvinyl formal (PVF) based nanocomposites filled with zinc oxide and carbon black nanoparticles for wireless sensing applications

The present article deals with the preparation of polyvinyl formal based nanocomposites filled with zinc oxide (ZnO) and carbon black nanoparticles using colloidal blending technique. To explore the electrical and structural properties, PVF/ZnO/CBNP nanocomposite films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X- Ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface morphology of these nanocomposite films was evaluated using polarized optical microscopy (POM). The structural change in PVF nanocomposite was achieved by incorporating ZnO and CBNP, by homogeneous distribution in polymer nanocomposite. The electrical properties such as impedance and quality factor (Q – factor) of PVF/ZnO/CBNP composite films were elucidated using impedance analyzer in the wide range of frequency from 50 Hz – 20 MHz and temperature in the range 50°C – 150°C. Quality factor was measured as a function of temperature (50 – 150°C) and wide range of frequency from 50 Hz - 20 MHz. The PVF/ZnO/CBNP nanocomposite exhibits high Q-factor (439) for neat PVF films. The incorporation of ZnO at 10% decreases Q-factor to 36.1. Incorporation of CBNP at 5% and ZnO at 5% further reduces the Q-factor to 13.7. With further increase in CBNP content, the Q – factor was found to decrease7.38. Impedance values of PVA/ZnO/CBNP nanocomposites varied at different filler loading in PVF at 3% of CBNP (3.54 X 107Ω) to 10% of CB (1.48 X 107Ω). Increase in the CBNP wt% in PVF shows enhanced conductivity. Thus, based on the above results the PVF/ZnO/CBNP nanocomposites can be used for high – k capacitor applications and also for wireless sensing applications.The authors wish to thank the management of VIT University for providing the facilities for XRD, SEM, and AFM analysis through VIT-DST-FIST scheme. One of the authors M.K. Mohanapriya expresses sincere thanks to the management of Voorhees College, Vellore for their support.Scopu