Screening of Low Bitterness Bitter Gourd (momordica charantia) Parental Lines based on Low Calcium Contents and Other Morpho-physio and Nutritional Attributes

The bitter taste of Momordica charantia due to its high level of calcium content limits people from consuming it, although it has enough various beneficial nutrients. Parental line evaluation is prerequisite for any desired improvement activities through breeding.   In this regard M. charantia parental lines were evaluated based on bitterness (high Ca content) and morpho-nutritional attributes to augment additional value and opportunity to be commercialized. Field and laboratory experiments were carried out for three open-pollinated M. charantia varieties to screen low bitterness parental lines based on low calcium contents and other morpho-nutritional qualities, targeting to generalize this important vegetable crops for all types of consumers from child to older age. From the overall results of the study, Variety 2 showed better quality for numbers of fruits per plant, fruit weight (g), moisture content (%), chlorophyll content (mmol/m²), stomatal conductance (mmol/m²s) and nutrients content such as calcium (Ca), nitrogen (N), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe). Variety 3 had good quality for morphological parameters like plant height (cm), numbers of leaves per plant, leaf area (cm²), fruit length (cm), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), aluminium (Al) and copper (Cu). Variety 1 had the highest values only for number of branches per plant and amount of sodium (Na) content. After that, Variety 2 was identified for having lowest calcium (Ca) contents compared to the other two varieties. Thus, Variety 2 was selected as better parents to hold good promise for hybridization based breeding programs for varietal improvement in obtaining low bitterness bitter gourd but rich in other nutrient contents

Formulation and substantiation of homemade complementary baby food by selective feeding trial

The complementary food was prepared from dried grinded corn, bengal gram and sesame seed, banana, pumpkin and sugar with adequate amount. The results indicated that the crude protein, lipid, fibre, ash, moisture, energy and carbohydrate were higher than values in the proprietary formula. To evaluate the efficacy of this low cost complementary baby food on the growth of children between the age group 1 to 2 years and intervention program was carried out in an urban slum. For this trial feeding 18 children with various degrees of malnutrition were selected from slum dwellers by anthropometric indices. The children were classified as control and feeding group. The anthropometric indices of these children showed that control group suffers from continuous weight loss where as the feeding group showed positive correlation with the growth curve. Thus, complementary food processed from locally available food commodities must have a great potential in providing nutritious foods

Antioxidant compounds, antioxidant activities, and mineral contents among underutilized vegetables

Natural sources may be a method to introduce antioxidants in the human diet. Portulaca oleracea L., Peperomia pellucida L., and Trianthema portulacastrum L are underutilized leafy vegetables. The plants may be sources for total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), total carotenoid (TCC), and β-carotene but information is lacking. Antioxidant activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and macro- and microminerals contents were investigated in P. oleracea, P. pellucida and T. portulacastrum. Trianthema portulacastrum had the highest TPC (1.34 ± 0.13 mg∙g−1), TFC (0.58 ± 0.08 mg∙g−1), TCC (0.14 ± 0.01 mg∙g−1), and β-carotene (0.94 ± 0.18 mg∙g−1) values. The antioxidant activity and FRAP assay were highest in P. oleracea (0.91 ± 0.09 mg∙g−1); the DPPH assay for P. pellucida was highest (IC50 = 7 µg∙mL−1). The amount of K was highest in P. oleracea (55.470 ± 0.481 g∙kg−1). The amount of Mn was highest in P. pellucida (0.251 ± 0.002 g∙kg−1). The individual underutilized vegetables may be able to supply some antioxidant compounds and mineral contents for the human diet

Effect of Time of Tiller Separation on Grain Growth and Seed Yield of Transplant Aman Rice

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of time of tiller separation on grain growth and yield of transplant aman rice. The experiment consisted of 3 times of tiller separation viz. tiller separation at 25 (T1), 35 (T2) and 45 (T3) days after transplanting (DAT); and 5 levels of number of tillers kept hill-1 viz. intact hills (K0), 1 tiller kept hill-1 (K1), 2 tillers kept hill-1 (K2), 3 tillers kept hill-1 (K3) and 4 tillers kept hill⁻¹ (K4). The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. The unit plot size was 4 m 2.5 m. With a few exceptions, the highest grain growth parameters like number of panicles hill⁻¹, dry weight panicle-⁻¹, number of grains panicle⁻¹, dry weight grain-1 and grain growth rate were observed when tillers were separated at 25 DAT but the lowest values were found at 45 DAT. The grain growth rate decreased with the advance of time. The highest grain yield (5.25 t ha⁻¹) was obtained from tillers separated at 25 days after transplanting (DAT) but the lowest values (4.13 t ha⁻¹) were recorded when tillers were separated at 45 DAT. The maximum grain yield (5.88 t ha⁻¹) was found in intact hills, while the lowest values (2.64 t ha⁻¹) were obtained when 1 tiller kept hill⁻¹

Fruit Set Capabilities and Yield Variability among Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Germplasm Collections

In cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) male and female flowers’ production rate is not the same in every variety, which is the main cause to create variation in fruit set. Though natural pollinators (honeybees and flies) are significant catalysts in fruit settings, but if genetically the female flower production rate is lower then we cannot expect more fruits from that plant. Knowing the female flower-bearing characteristics of selected cucumber plants is important otherwise cannot expect the desired yield from the plant. Considering the overall issues, a study was conducted for the evaluation of performance of five cucumber varieties namely, Timun Putih Besar (TPB), Timun Hijau Manis (THM), Timun Hijau Tanga (THT), Timun Susu Besar (TSB), and Timun Putih (TP). The study was carried out in Nethouse 7 at the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture (FSA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Sandakan. Data on plant height (cm), numbers of leaves, days to first male and female flowering, total numbers of male and female flowers, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), fruit weight (g), total numbers of fruits per plant, total yield (kg), and leaf chlorophyll content were collected and analysed. The result showed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) among the varieties for days to first male and female flowering, total numbers of female flowers, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), fruit weight (g), total number of fruits per plant, total yield (kg) and chlorophyll content, respectively. Overall, Timun Hijau Manis (THM) significantly (p<0.05) exhibited the best performance for days to first female flowering (25.50 days), total numbers of female flowers (21.50), total number of fruits per plant (5.75), and total yield (1.99 kg) compared to other 4 varieties. Therefore, THM variety is highly recommended to farmers for the overall performances and yield followed by TBP, THT, TSB and TP cucumber varieties, respectively

Vermicompost induced growth and yield performance of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) at sustainable rooftop farming system

Rooftop farming is gaining rapid popularity in urban areas, especially since the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic. For housebound people rooftop farming is not only a way of   potentially management of their time but also the execution of creativity. For rooftop farming vermicompost (VC) can be the most sustainable media for growing high value fruits and vegetables crops. In this regard, an experiment was carried out as a rooftop farming system at Charfassion upzila in the Bhola district of Bangladesh to observe the growth and yield performance of capsicum (Capsicum annuum) grown in different combinations of vermicompost in the winter season (2020-2021). Different agronomic and yield parameters were measured at the intervals of 30, 60, and 90 days and at the final harvest of 120 days after sowing. Among the measured parameters a mixed type of performance was achieved from varied doses of vermicompost applications and inorganic fertilizer treatment. Among the measured valuable parameters; the highest fruit length (8.85 cm), fruit diameter (10.3 cm), no. of fruits (9.51 plant-1), total wt. of fresh fruits (405.32 g/plant), fresh fruits yield (11.26 t ha-1), no. of branches (30.0 plant-1), stem girth (6.3 cm), root fresh wt. (8.80 g/plant), stem fresh wt. (23.35 g/plant),  petiole fresh wt. (6.09 g/plant), total fresh biomass (65.54 g/plant), dry wt. of fruits (76.91 g/plant),  dry wt. of total fruits: biomass ratio (7.35) and benefit-cost ratio (12.40), respectively, were observed in T5 (20t VC ha-1). So, from the overall findings of this study T5 with 20t VC application ha-1 is recommended to achieve better growth and yield of capsicum through the sustainable way of rooftop and urban farming systems and to improve soil fertility status

Varietal performance and effect of planting method on yield and yield contributing characteristics of rice

The experiment was carried out to study the performance of two aman rice varieties (BRRI dhan31 and BRRI dhan41) under different planting methods (line sowing with sprouted seeds by drum seeder, haphazard transplanting and transplanting in line). Both the variety and planting method had significant effect on crop characters plant height, number of total tillers m-2, effective tillers m-2, grains panicle-1, sterile spikelets panicle-1, total spikelets panicle-1, grain yield except panicle length and 1000-grain weight. BRRI dhan41 produced the highest grain yield (4.06 t ha-1). Line sowing method with sprouted seeds by drum seeder showed better performance in respect of no. total tillers m-2 (415.81), effective tillers m-2 (401.85) and grain yield (4.80 t ha-1). The highest no. of total tillers m-2 (421.12), effective tillers m-2 (410.65) and grain yield (5.08 t ha-1) were recorded due to effect of the interaction of line sowing method with sprouted seeds by drum seeder and the variety BRRI dhan41

Microsatellite marker assisted molecular and morpho-physiological genetic diversity assessment in 38 genotypes of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Identification of genetic diversity and their relationships among breeding materials is crucial in crop improvement strategies. In this study, 38 sesame genotypes were characterized for their genetic diversity. The results revealed significant variations among various traits such as plant height, maturity, capsule plant-1 and seeds capsule-1. The number of capsule plant-1 showed significant positive correlation with seeds capsule-1. The highest heritability was found for the numbers of capsules plant-1 (98.67%). The 38 genotypes were separated into six distinct clusters. Comparison within the populations of the cluster IV and those of cluster VI had the highest capsules plant-1, seeds capsule-1 with enormous genetic diversity. For molecular characterization, 7 microsatellite markers and 5 SSR primers with polymorphism were finally chosen for genetic diversity analysis. Altogether, 19 alleles were identified among the 38 genotypes, and the average number of alleles per locus was 3.80. The lowest and the highest numbers of alleles were 3 and 5, respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.3201 to 0.5934 and SI-ssr30 showed to be highest at 0.5934. The UPGMA based clustering depicted a significant variation at molecular level among the sesame genotypes, having a coefficient of similarity between 0.29 and 1.00. The present study confirmed that extensive genetic diversity existed among the sesame genotypes and valuable agronomic traits may result in the development of high yielding genotypes

Competitive ability of cultivated rice against weedy rice biotypes – a review

Weedy rice has been identified as a threat to rice production worldwide. Its phenotypic and genotypic diversity and its potential to compete against rice in all development stages from germination to maturity have resulted in a loss of rice yield and grain quality, which is remarkably high in direct- seeded rice cultivation. Weedy rice dormancy varies, it has a higher germination rate, and tolerates deeper germination depth compared to rice cultivars. Interactions of weedy rice with cultivars often reflect early vigor, more tillering, nutrient utilization ability for shoot development with respect to rice cultivars even though the latter also show an improvement in shoot development under competition. An exponential relationship has been reported between cultivated rice loss and weedy rice density: this is true for all rice cultivars. The degree of loss is dependent on the competitive ability of the rice cultivar being studied, and each weedy rice biotype also interacts differently. Hence, the need for a comprehensive study of the biology of various weedy rice variants. Difficulties arise in the management of weedy rice due to its physiological, anatomical, and morphological similarities to cultivated rice. The manipulation of the environment to improve cultivated rice production and suppress the emergence of weedy rice variants is important in the management of weedy rice, as well as other cultural practices and use of pesticides. The development of herbicide-resistant rice cultivars is necessary to totally eliminate the weedy rice variants. This review provides information on the competitive ability of weedy rice against rice cultivars; this information is essential to create management options to control weedy rice

Validated Molecular Marker for Downy Mildew Disease Resistance Breeding of Sunflower: A Short Review

The oomycete pathogen Plasmopara halstedii responsible for sunflower downy mildew (DM), that is a significant and important disease that greatly affects the economy. As of now, there is no non-race-specific resistance for this disease and breeders are depended on race-specific resistance to control DM disease. On the other hand, using conventional breeding procedure introgression of the DM resistance genes is a long-term task due to the highly virulent and aggressive nature of the P. halstedii pathogen. Molecular markers that can be applied at the seedling stage, offers rapid response for selection with higher precision as well as a lower cost. There are currently 36 downy mildew resistance genes (R genes), designated as Pl (Pl1-Pl36, Plhra, and PlArg, in sunflowers, each with a unique linkage group (LGs). The availability of DM resistance genomic data of sunflower, related to Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) based markers with mine allelic diversity maximize the opportunity of utilizing Marker assisted selection (MAS) techniques for downy mildew resistance breeding. This review highlights the available genetic marker and their utilization at MAS techniques for enhancing downy mildew disease resistant breeding program of sunflowers