Genetics of growth and yield attributing traits of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) through six generation mean analysis

Understanding gene action of different traits is of utmost importance for formulating successful breeding programs. The population was developed involving Arka Neelachal Shyama and CARI-1 to inquire the gene actions controlling the inheritance of several growth as well as yield attributingparameters through six-generation mean analysis. Three parameter model revealed the insufficiency of the simpler additive dominance model for the evaluated traits, referring to the existence of inter-allelic interactions. Six parameter model was implemented to better understand gene actions. Most of the yield and attributing traits under study except number of branches showed a high estimate of dominance as well as environmental variance, disclosing a lower extent of heritability. The number of branches was observed to be controlled by duplicate epistasis. Hence, for the fixation of this trait, the best strategy is to exercise minimal selection during advance generations, followed by intense selection during later generations (F4- population onwards). The preponderance of the narrow sense type of heritability revealed that dominant effects were predominantly accountable for the existing genetic variation. Hence, recurrent selection followed by bi-parental mating and selection during the later stage of generations is advised to increase the occurrence of favorable alleles and accumulation of desirable genes

Molecular Markers Associated to Two Non-allelic Genic Male Sterility Genes in Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)

Male sterility is of high importance in hybrid seed production of hot and sweet peppers. Genic (or nuclear) male sterility (GMS) is a simply inherited (usually monogenic recessive) and highly stable trait. However, one major disadvantage of using GMS is 1:1 segregation of male sterile to male fertile plants in every subsequent generation. Molecular markers tightly linked to genic male sterility (ms) genes would facilitate an efficient and rapid transfer of ms genes into different genetic backgrounds through marker-assisted backcrossing. The two non-allelic genic male sterility genes ms3 and msw in hot and sweet pepper backgrounds, respectively, are monogenic recessive. Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) in an F2 population segregating for ms3 gene in hot pepper and in an F6 inbred near-isogenic line (NIL) population segregating for msw gene in sweet pepper yielded 9,713 and 7,453 single nucleotide polymorphism markers, respectively. Four candidate SNPs co-segregating with ms3 gene and one co-segregating with msw gene were identified by bulk segregant analysis and physically mapped to chromosomes 1 and 5, respectively. In hot pepper, two markers [HPGMS2 (CAPS) and HPGMS3 (dCAPS)] located 3.83 cM away from the ms3 gene and in sweet pepper the dCAPS marker SPGMS1 co-segregated (completely linked) with the msw gene were developed. These markers will increase the efficacy of the male sterility genes for pepper breeding, as they can be useful in developing the genic male sterile lines in parental inbred lines of commercial hybrids through marker-assisted backcrossing, hybrid seed production, and genetic purity testing of hybrid seeds

Genetic variability, character association and diversity studies in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

An experiment was conducted to assess the existing variability in brinjal germplasm based on Mahalanobis’s D2 statistic based on nine quantitative traits. The germplasm accessions were classified into six clusters, in which the highest inter-cluster distance was recorded between clusters III and IV. Cluster I exhibited a low mean estimate for days to 50% flowering; cluster VI showed high estimates of the mean for plant height, the number of primary branches per plant, average fruit weight, and 1000 seed weight. Cluster V recorded the highest number of fruits and fruit yields per plant. Principal component analysis revealed total variability of 53.09 per cent, contributed by PC 1 (30.83 %) and PC 2 (23.07 %). Traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, an average number of branches per plant, fruit length, and 1000 seed weight contributed positive significant component loadings for the first two PCs. High heritability and high GAM were also recorded for a number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, and 1000 seed weight. Fruit yield and the number of fruits per plant were positively and significantly associated with each other. Hence, simultaneous selection of these traits is advised for the genetic improvement in the brinjal breeding program

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Not AvailableThree major soil borne pathogens namely Phytophthora capsaici Leon causing root rot, bacterium Ralastonia solanacearum causing bacterial wilt and root- knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are pervasive across the major pepper growing parts of world mainly in the areas of repeated cultivation and poly houses impeding production as these pathogens are very difficult/ impossible to control. Repeated application of chemicals is in practice among the farmers and chemical management often leads to environmental pollution and the presence of pesticide residues in the fruits thus raises the concern of food safety and reduces the export potential. Recently grafting strategy using resistant root stock has been proposed mainly for protected cultivation. Resistance breeding through incorporating the resistant genes/QTLs is the best advocated strategy to circumvent these devastating soil-borne diseases which aim at developing a variety/root stock having combined and durable resistance. Marker assisted backcross breeding is the best method which ensures precise transfer of the resistant genes/QTLs of interest from the donors to the recurrent parent with accelerated recurrent parent genome which requires thorough knowledge on the molecular marker available for fore ground selection. This review mainly emphasized on the molecular markers available for breeding peppers for combined resistance to soil borne pathogensNot Availabl

Germination and Graft Compatibilty Study of Wild Solanum spp and Brinjal Root Stocks with Tomato Scions

The experiment was conducted at Central Horticultural Experiment Station, ICAR- IIHR, Aiginia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during kharif seasons of 2018 in collaboration with Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, to study the seed germination, days taken to reach grafting stage and grafting success (percentage) of rootstock and scion seeds used for grafting. The cultivated and wild species of brinjal and tomato were used as rootstocks with tomato Arka Rakshak F1 hybrid as scion. The experiment was conducted with 13 root stocks following statistical design CRD with three replications in pro trays to find out better root stock for grafting. A significant difference was recorded for the rootstock and scion parameters. Utkal Anushree had taken minimum number of days (6.67 days) for germination and the wild Solanum torvum had taken maximum number of days (16.67 days) to germinate, On the other hand, Arka Rakshak took least number of days (34.33 days) to reach grafting stage while the wild Solanum torvum reached to grafting stage within 56 days. The grafting success percentage ranged from 74.67 to 96 percent. Maximum grafting success (%) was recorded in Solanum torvum whereas minimum grafting success (%) was observed in S. sisymbriifolium wild solanum spp. root stock

Deciphering phenotyping, DNA barcoding, and RNA secondary structure predictions in eggplant wild relatives provide insights for their future breeding strategies

Abstract Eggplant or aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) and its wild cousins, comprising 13 clades with 1500 species, have an unprecedented demand across the globe. Cultivated eggplant has a narrow molecular diversity that hinders eggplant breeding advancements. Wild eggplants need resurgent attention to broaden eggplant breeding resources. In this study, we emphasized phenotypic and genotypic discriminations among 13 eggplant species deploying chloroplast–plastid (Kim matK) and nuclear (ITS2) short gene sequences (400–800 bp) at DNA barcode region followed by ITS2 secondary structure predictions. The identification efficiency at the Kim matK region was higher (99–100%) than in the ITS2 region (80–90%). The eggplant species showed 13 unique secondary structures with a central ring with various helical orientations. Principal component analysis (PCoA) provides the descriptor–wise phenotypic clustering, which is essential for trait–specific breeding. Groups I and IV are categorized under scarlet complexes S. aethiopicum, S. trilobatum, and S. melongena (wild and cultivated). Group II represented the gboma clade (S. macrocarpon, S. wrightii, S. sisymbriifolium, and S. aculeatissimum), and group III includes S. mammosum, and S. torvum with unique fruit shape and size. The present study would be helpful in genetic discrimination, biodiversity conservation, and the safe utilization of wild eggplants

Molecular Phylogeny, DNA Barcoding, and <i>ITS2</i> Secondary Structure Predictions in the Medicinally Important <i>Eryngium</i> Genotypes of East Coast Region of India

Commercial interest in the culinary herb, Eryngium foetidum L., has increased worldwide due to its typical pungency, similar to coriander or cilantro, with immense pharmaceutical components. The molecular delimitation and taxonomic classification of this lesser-known medicinal plant are restricted to conventional phenotyping and DNA-based marker evaluation, which hinders accurate identification, genetic conservation, and safe utilization. This study focused on species discrimination using DNA sequencing with chloroplast–plastid genes (matK, Kim matK, and rbcL) and the nuclear ITS2 gene in two Eryngium genotypes collected from the east coast region of India. The results revealed that matK discriminated between two genotypes, however, Kim matK, rbcL, and ITS2 identified these genotypes as E. foetidum. The ribosomal nuclear ITS2 region exhibited significant inter- and intra-specific divergence, depicted in the DNA barcodes and the secondary structures derived based on the minimum free energy. Although the efficiency of matK genes is better in species discrimination, ITS2 demonstrated polyphyletic phylogeny, and could be used as a reliable marker for genetic divergence studies understanding the mechanisms of RNA molecules. The results of this study provide insights into the scientific basis of species identification, genetic conservation, and safe utilization of this important medicinal plant species