Analysis of genetic relationships in cashew varieties using morphological characters and ISSR markers

In the present paper genetic relationships of twenty five varieties of cashew are described on the basis of morphological characters and ISSR markers. Results obtained for the phenotypic characters based on similarity coefficient were divided into four clusters with 70 per cent similarity. By means of similarity coefficients (SG), at 70 per cent phenon level the genotypes were broadly grouped into four clusters i.e., cluster I and cluster II both comprising of a single variety Bhaskara and Chintamani-1 respectively, cluster III having six varieties and cluster IV with 17 varieties. The analysis using ISSR markers allowed us to distinguish 25 varieties. A total of 81 distinct DNA fragments ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 kb were amplified by using 10 selected ISSR primers. Genetic similarity analysis was conducted for the presence or absence of bands in the ISSR profile. Cluster analysis clearly showed that 25 varieties of cashew could be grouped into two major clusters based on similarity indices. The first major cluster consists of Priyanka and Madakkathara-1, two moderate yielding varieties. The other major cluster was divided into two sub-minor clusters, one sub-minor cluster having single variety and the other sub-minor cluster was represented by 22 varieties. Among the 25 varieties, Kanaka and Vridhachalam-3 showed the highest similarity indices (92%). The analysis of genetic relationships in cashew using morphological traits and ISSR banding data can be useful for plant improvement, descriptions of new varieties and also for assessment of varietal purity in plant certification programmes

'It's like a burden on the head': Redefining adequate menstrual hygiene management throughout women's varied life stages in Odisha, India.

There has been growing recognition of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) as a significant public health issue. However, research has predominately focused on the experiences of adolescent girls in school settings. The purpose of this research is to examine detailed accounts of menstruation for women in rural Odisha, India at various life stages with a view toward improving international monitoring of MHM. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted to understand women's experiences of menstruation across four life stages (unmarried women, recently married women, married women, and older women). Thematic analysis was used to identify menstruation-related challenges and needs. We found women voiced needs that aligned with those captured by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) definition for MHM: access to clean materials, privacy for changing materials, soap and water for bathing, and disposal facilities for materials. However, we also found women require materials that are not only clean but comfortable and reliable; soap and water for more than bathing; privacy for the full spectrum of menstruation-related practices, not just when changing; and disposal facilities that are private and safe, not just accessible. Additionally, we identified needs that extend beyond the existing definition: pain management, social support, and an enabling sociocultural environment. Overall, women representing all life stages discussed menstruation challenges, including bathing, pain, and washing, drying, and storing cloth materials. Cloth management challenges were most acute for unmarried and recently married women, who were concerned that practices could reveal their menstrual status and harm their reputations, thus informing their preference for disposable materials, if attainable. We propose a revised definition of adequate MHM for this population that more comprehensively captures their needs. This definition may also prove useful for other populations, future research, creating measures of assessment, and guiding interventions and program priorities

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