Possibility of genetic improvement of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.)Millsp.) utilizing wild gene sources

Various wild relatives of pigeonpea,Cajanus cajan, namely some species ofAtylosia andRhynchosia, possess desirable characteristics that could be utilized for effecting genetic improvement of this crop. In total 73 cross combinations among two cultivars ofC. cajan and one accession each of eightAtylosia species and one ofRhynchosia were attempted. Twelve hybrids were obtained. Seven of these were analysed for F1 fertility and their utility for agronomic improvement of theC. cajan. Fertility behaviour of the different F1 hybrids varied and indicated that potential of gene transfer between the two genera,Atylosia andCajanus, was as good as within the genusAtylosia. From F2 and F3 families ofC. cajan × A. scarabaeoides andC. cajan × A. albicans, plants were selected with greater physiological efficiency and agronomic superiority. The prospects of transferring pod borer resistance and higher seed protein content from someAtylosia species to pigeonpea are discusse

Effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and physical fruit quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

The effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and fruit quality (physical) of chilli (Capsicum annuwn) cultivars was studied at Bikaner (Rajasthan, India). The cultivar Local Desi recorded significantly higher plant height, dry weight per plant, weight and volume per fruit. However, cultivar NP 46 prodnced maximum number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per hectare. Application of 100 kg N in combination with 25 kg P and 50 kg K per ha recorded highest fruits per plant. Maximum plant height, fresh weight and dry weight per plant, number of fruits and yield of fruits per plant were recorded in the widest spacing (55 cm x 55 cm); closest spacing (25 cm x 25 cm) produced highest fruit yield per hectare. The quality offruits was affected by spacings. Interaction effect of spacings, fertilizers and cultivars was non significant to affect growth, yield and fruit quality attributes. &nbsp

Effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and physical fruit quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

The effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and fruit quality (physical) of chilli (Capsicum annuwn) cultivars was studied at Bikaner (Rajasthan, India). The cultivar Local Desi recorded significantly higher plant height, dry weight per plant, weight and volume per fruit. However, cultivar NP 46 prodnced maximum number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per hectare. Application of 100 kg N in combination with 25 kg P and 50 kg K per ha recorded highest fruits per plant. Maximum plant height, fresh weight and dry weight per plant, number of fruits and yield of fruits per plant were recorded in the widest spacing (55 cm x 55 cm); closest spacing (25 cm x 25 cm) produced highest fruit yield per hectare. The quality offruits was affected by spacings. Interaction effect of spacings, fertilizers and cultivars was non significant to affect growth, yield and fruit quality attributes. &nbsp

Cross compatibility between chickpea and its wild relative, Cicer echinospermum Davis

Cicer echinospermum, a wild relative of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), has traits that can be used to improve the cultivated species. It is possible to obtain successful crosses between the two species, even though their cross progenies have reduced fertility. The reasons for this low fertility could be due to the two species differing in small chromosome segments or at genic level. Another limitation to the use ofC. echinospermum at ICRISAT Asia Center is that the species is not adapted to the short photoperiod which prevails during the chickpea cropping season at Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India. Future work will include screening the segregating progenies for monitoring traits from both the species through isozyme analysis and to incorporate these into good agronomic backgrounds following backcrosses

Induction, genetics and possible use of glabrousness in chickpea

A giabrous mutant was identified from progenies of chickpea seeds that were treated with ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS). The mutant has no shoot hairs in contrast to the dense hairs on normal chickpeas. The character is governed by a single recessive gene. This mutant can be useful in certain pathological and eniomological studies

Collection Strategies for Food Legumes

Food legumes are consumed as dry seeds, green seeds or the green pods with irmture seeds inside. They are rich i n protein and thus form a natural supplement to carbhydrate-rich foods. This paper addresses the principles of germplasm collection, with reference mainly to one important cool season food legume, chickpea (-Cicer a rietinum L.). Th i s species is known to have originated in Turkey, 'and the crop i s now cultivated under a much wider range of climatic conditions than occurs in that country, i.e., from temperate to subtropical. Chickpea is a self-pollinated crop. Germplasm accessions of chickpea are collected from dry seeds. Collection strategies and some guidelines are discussed in this paper. Other crops are referred to as examples of special cases or uses