Root architecture and rhizobial inoculation in relation to drought stress response in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris l.)

The present study was aimed at assessing the root traits and rhizobial inoculation in relation to drought in common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris. Drought caused the largest decrease in shoot biomass followed by plant height, while an increase was recorded inroot/shoot ratio. Rhizobial inoculation caused largest increase in shoot biomass followed by root volume and root biomass and smallest increase in rooting depth. WB-216 and WB-185 had better rooting depth in all treatments. However, WB-83 (92.67) had highest rooting depth under irrigated conditions and SR-1 had highest rooting depth under irrigated conditions treated with rhizobium (108.50). Similarly, WB-216 had highest root/shoot ratio under drought (2.693) followed by WB-185 (1.285) while lowest value was recorded for Arka Anoop (0.373). In rhizobium treated drought condition, WB-216 recorded highest root/shoot ratio (5.540) followed by SFB-1 (1.967). Under irrigated conditions (both with and without rhizobium), WB-185 recorded highest root/shoot ratio while lowest was recorded for SR-1 (0.166). The mean squares due to root depth, root biomass and root volume were significant whereas the mean squares due to water and rhizobium were non-significant. Among interactions the genotype x water regime was significant for rooting depth (5 % level), genotype x rhizobia was significant for rooting depth and root volume (1 % level) and the interaction of genotype x water regime x rhizobium was significant for rooting depth, root biomass and root volume (1 % level). The results reinforce the need to further analyse the potential of other soil microbes in common bean rhizosphere in amelioration of the effects of water stress

Character association in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) | Asociación entre caracteres en pimentón (Capsicum annuum L.)

The present investigation was carried out in 2007-08 using 25 chilli genotypes to elucidate the association of various yield attributing traits to develop a reliable set of traits for indirect selection. The data were observed from five randomly selected competitive plants from each replication for eight quantitative traits. The genotypic coefficients were higher in the magnitudes relative to corresponding estimates of phenotypic coefficients, which indicated high heritability of the traits under study. The fruits yield/plant exhibited highly significant correlation with number of fruits/plant, number of branches/plant and height of the plant, indicating the usefulness of these traits for improving upon fruit yield in chilli. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest direct effect on fruit yield/plant was exerted by average fruit weight followed by number of fruits/plant, number of branches/plant and plant spread, while as highest indirect effect on fruit yield/plant was exerted by number of branches/plant through number of fruits/plant, fruit length and fruit breadth through average fruit weight and plant height through number of fruits/plant. These traits can be used to develop an optimally reliable selection index for realizing improvements in fruit yield in chilli.Key words: Chilli, character association, correlation, path analysisRESUMENLa presente investigación se llevó a cabo en 2007-2008 utilizando 25 genotipos de pimentón para dilucidar la asociación de diversos componentes del rendimiento para desarrollar un conjunto confiable de caracteres para la selección indirecta. Los datos se observaron en cinco plantas bajo competencia y seleccionadas al azar de cada replicación para ocho caracteres cuantitativos. Los coeficientes genotípicos fueron mayores en magnitud relativa en comparación con las estimaciones del coeficiente fenotípico, lo cual indica una alta heredabilidad de los caracteres bajo estudio. El rendimiento de frutos/plantaexhibió una correlación altamente significativa con el número de frutos/planta, número de reamas/planta y altura, indicando la utilidad de estos caracteres para mejorar el rendimiento de frutos en pimentón. El análisis de los coeficientes detrayectoria reveló que el mayor efecto directo sobre el rendimiento de frutos/planta fue ejercido por el peso promedio del fruto seguido por el número de frutos/planta, número de reamas/planta y el dosel de la planta, mientras, mientras que los mayores efectos indirectos sobre el rendimiento de frutos/planta fue ejercido por el número de ramas/planta a través delnúmero de frutos/planta, longitud del fruto y ancho del fruto a través del peso promedio del fruto y la altura de la planta a través del número de frutos/planta. Estos caracteres pueden ser usados para desarrollar un índice de selección óptimamente confiable para realizar mejoras en el rendimiento de frutos en pimentón.Palabras clave: Pimentón, asociación de caracteres, correlación, análisis de trayectori

Natural Variation for Seed Physical, Biochemical and Culinary traits in Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Twenty genotypes of common bean including 17 breeding lines were evaluated for various seed physical, nutritional and culinary traits viz., seed colour, seed shape, seed brilliance, seed coat pattern, seed length, seed breadth and seed weight, traits protein content, phytic acid, raffinose, water absorption percentage, coat percentage, swelling and hydration coefficient as well as cooking score. Most of the genotypes were kidney shaped with plain seed coat and medium seed brilliance. Among biochemical traits, highest protein content was recorded for  Arka Anoop (22.15 %) followed by WB-341 (21.45 %), WB-216 (21.16 %) and WB-249 (20.99).  Low phytic acid was recorded in WB-970 (0.440 %), WB-258 (0.968 %) and WB-102 (1.068 %).  Low values for raffinose was recorded for WB-102 (3.800 mg/g) followed by WB-482 (3.833 mg/g). Highest water absorption percentage was recorded for WB-249 (136.363), Arka Anoop (131.818) and SFB-1 (126.923). The swelling coefficient was highest in case of WB-642 (300.000), WB-249 (266.667) and WB-335 (250.000) whereas lowest values for swelling coefficient were recorded in case of WB-341 (114.285), WB-216 (145.454) and WB-1006 (124.554). Among correlations between various seed physical, biochemical and culinary traits, raffinose was positively and significantly correlated with phytic acid. Phytic acid was also significantly and positively correlated with protein, coat proportion and 100-seed weight. Coat proportion was negatively correlated water absorption percentage, swelling coefficient, hydration coefficient as well as cooking time score. Cooking time score was positively correlated with hydration and swelling coefficients as well as seed weight but negatively correlated with coat proportion.Â

Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxidative Damage and Their Production, Detection in Common Bean (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.) under Water Stress Conditions

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) being small and highly reactive oxygen containing molecules play significant role in intracellular signaling and regulation. Various environmental stresses lead to excessive production of ROS causing progressive oxidative damage and ultimately cell death. This increased ROS production is, however, tightly controlled by a versatile and cooperative antioxidant system that modulates intracellular ROS concentration and controls the cell’s redox status. Furthermore, ROS enhancement under stress serves as an alarm signal, triggering acclimatory/defense responses via specific signal transduction pathways involving H2O2 as a secondary messenger. Nevertheless, if water stress is prolonged over to a certain extent, ROS production will overwhelm the scavenging action of the anti-oxidant system resulting in extensive cellular damage and death. DAB (3,3′-diaminobenzidine) test serves as an effective assessment of oxidative damage under stress. It clearly differentiates the lines on the basis of darker staining of leaves under water stress. The lines showing greater per cent reduction in yield parameters show greater staining in DAB assay underlining the reliability of using this assay as a reliable supplement to phenotyping protocols for characterizing large germplasm sets

Character association in Chilli

The present investigation was carried out in 2007-08 using 25 chilli genotypes to elucidate the association of various yield attributing traits to develop a reliable set of traits for indirect selection. The data were observed from five randomly selected competitive plants from each replication for eight quantitative traits. The genotypic coefficients were higher in the magnitudes relative to corresponding estimates of phenotypic coefficients, which indicated high heritability of the traits under study. The fruits yield/plant exhibited highly significant correlation with number of fruits/plant, number of branches/plant and height of the plant, indicating the usefulness of these traits for improving upon fruit yield in chilli. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest direct effect on fruit yield/plant was exerted by average fruit weight followed by number of fruits/plant, number of branches/plant and plant spread, while as highest indirect effect on fruit yield/plant was exerted by number of branches/plant through number of fruits/plant, fruit length and fruit breadth through average fruit weight and plant height through number of fruits/plant. These traits can be used to develop an optimally reliable selection index for realizing improvements in fruit yield in chilli.La presente investigación se llevó a cabo en 2007-2008 utilizando 25 genotipos de pimentón para dilucidar la asociación de diversos componentes del rendimiento para desarrollar un conjunto confiable de caracteres para la selección indirecta. Los datos se observaron en cinco plantas bajo competencia y seleccionadas al azar de cada replicación para ocho caracteres cuantitativos. Los coeficientes genotípicos fueron mayores en magnitud relativa en comparación con las estimaciones del coeficiente fenotípico, lo cual indica una alta heredabilidad de los caracteres bajo estudio. El rendimiento de frutos/planta exhibió una correlación altamente significativa con el número de frutos/planta, número de reamas/planta y altura, indicando la utilidad de estos caracteres para mejorar el rendimiento de frutos en pimentón. El análisis de los coeficientes de trayectoria reveló que el mayor efecto directo sobre el rendimiento de frutos/planta fue ejercido por el peso promedio del fruto seguido por el número de frutos/planta, número de reamas/planta y el dosel de la planta, mientras, mientras que los mayores efectos indirectos sobre el rendimiento de frutos/planta fue ejercido por el número de ramas/planta a través del número de frutos/planta, longitud del fruto y ancho del fruto a través del peso promedio del fruto y la altura de la planta a través del número de frutos/planta. Estos caracteres pueden ser usados para desarrollar un índice de selección óptimamente confiable para realizar mejoras en el rendimiento de frutos en pimentón

Asociación entre caracteres en pimentón ( Capsicum annuum L.)

The present investigation was carried out in 2007-08 using 25 chilli genotypes to elucidate the association of various yield attributing traits to develop a reliable set of traits for indirect selection. The data were observed from five randomly selected competitive plants from each replication for eight quantitative traits. The genotypic coefficients were higher in the magnitudes relative to corresponding estimates of phenotypic coefficients, which indicated high heritability of the traits under study. The fruits yield/plant exhibited highly significant correlation with number of fruits/plant, number of branches/plant and height of the plant, indicating the usefulness of these traits for improving upon fruit yield in chilli. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest direct effect on fruit yield/plant was exerted by average fruit weight followed by number of fruits/plant, number of branches/plant and plant spread, while as highest indirect effect on fruit yield/plant was exerted by number of branches/plant through number of fruits/plant, fruit length and fruit breadth through average fruit weight and plant height through number of fruits/plant. These traits can be used to develop an optimally reliable selection index for realizing improvements in fruit yield in chilli.La presente investigación se llevó a cabo en 2007-2008 utilizando 25 genotipos de pimentón para dilucidar la asociación de diversos componentes del rendimiento para desarrollar un conjunto confiable de caracteres para la selección indirecta. Los datos se observaron en cinco plantas bajo competencia y seleccionadas al azar de cada replicación para ocho caracteres cuantitativos. Los coeficientes genotípicos fueron mayores en magnitud relativa en comparación con las estimaciones del coeficiente fenotípico, lo cual indica una alta heredabilidad de los caracteres bajo estudio. El rendimiento de frutos/planta exhibió una correlación altamente significativa con el número de frutos/planta, número de reamas/planta y altura, indicando la utilidad de estos caracteres para mejorar el rendimiento de frutos en pimentón. El análisis de los coeficientes de trayectoria reveló que el mayor efecto directo sobre el rendimiento de frutos/planta fue ejercido por el peso promedio del fruto seguido por el número de frutos/planta, número de reamas/planta y el dosel de la planta, mientras, mientras que los mayores efectos indirectos sobre el rendimiento de frutos/planta fue ejercido por el número de ramas/planta a través del número de frutos/planta, longitud del fruto y ancho del fruto a través del peso promedio del fruto y la altura de la planta a través del número de frutos/planta. Estos caracteres pueden ser usados para desarrollar un índice de selección óptimamente confiable para realizar mejoras en el rendimiento de frutos en pimentón

Kala zeera (Bunium persicum Bioss.):

Kala zeera is a high value, low volume, and under-exploited spice crop that grows in mountainous regions of Kashmir in the Himalayas. It has received very little attention in terms of development, standardization of production technology, and plant protection management practices. Sher-e Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) and other organizations have instituted programs for systematic improvement of Kala zeera. In this paper, we offer a synopsis of the latest work being done in promoting this high value crop, which would have a beneficial effect for the encouragement of economic activity in the Himalayas

The resilience of rice under water stress will be driven by better roots: Evidence from root phenotyping, physiological, and yield experiments

Rice is the principal food grain crop of the world, grown on over 164 million hectares. Water is an important production constraint in food crops. Till recently, crop breeding efforts have mainly focused on the shoot, whereas most of the major drivers of the yield gap directly influence the root system, thereby implicating the plant's resource acquisition efficiency. Despite the substantial experimental evidence for the importance of root traits in drought tolerance, lesser efforts have been directed towards drought-adaptive root traits based on the selection index in rice. The above-ground components are easy to phenotype, and lesser efforts towards root traits stem mainly from the phenotyping bottlenecks of reliable recovery and evaluation of root traits. Moreover, greater phenotypic plasticity of root traits in response to changes in soil resource status, and lack of less costly screening techniques for roots is still a challenge, leading to comparatively lesser information about the potential role of roots in developing drought-resilient rice varieties. Root phenes are not as high in number as is the huge shopping list of above-ground traits and exploring the natural variation of root traits could assist rice improvement programs in developing varieties with desired root phenes for target environments. More importantly, elucidation of the relationship of root traits with the physiological and biochemical responses contributing to grain yield is also imperative. In this paper, we discuss the potential role of roots in determining the resilience of rice varieties for future farming systems based on evidence from root phenotyping, the relationship of root phenes with physiological efficiency and yield under water stress in rice

Gene/QTL discovery for Anthracnose in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from North-western Himalayas

Not AvailableCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important grain legume crops in the world. The beans grown in north-western Himalayas possess huge diversity for seed color, shape and size but are mostly susceptible to Anthracnose disease caused by seed born fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Dozens of QTLs/genes have been already identified for this disease in common bean world-wide. However, this is the first report of gene/QTL discovery for Anthracnose using bean germplasm from north-western Himalayas of state Jammu & Kashmir, India. A core set of 96 bean lines comprising 54 indigenous local landraces from 11 hot-spots and 42 exotic lines from 10 different countries were phenotyped at two locations (SKUAST-Jammu and Bhaderwah, Jammu) for Anthracnose resistance. The core set was also genotyped with genome-wide (91) random and trait linked SSR markers. The study of marker-trait associations (MTAs) led to the identification of 10 QTLs/genes for Anthracnose resistance. Among the 10 QTLs/genes identified, two MTAs are stable (BM45 & BM211), two MTAs (PVctt1 & BM211) are major explaining more than 20% phenotypic variation for Anthracnose and one MTA (BM211) is both stable and major. Six (06) genomic regions are reported for the first time, while as four (04) genomic regions validated the already known QTL/gene regions/clusters for Anthracnose. The major, stable and validated markers reported during the present study associated with Anthracnose resistance will prove useful in common bean molecular breeding programs aimed at enhancing Anthracnose resistance of local bean landraces grown in north-western Himalayas of state Jammu and Kashmir.Not Availabl

Explicating genetic architecture governing nutritional quality in pigmented rice

Rice is one of the most important staple plant foods that provide a major source of calories and nutrients for tackling the global hunger index especially in developing countries. In terms of nutritional profile, pigmented rice grains are favoured for their nutritional and health benefits. The pigmented rice varieties are rich sources of flavonoids, anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin that can be readily incorporated into diets to help address various lifestyle diseases. However, the cultivation of pigmented rice is limited due to low productivity and unfavourable cooking qualities. With the advances in genome sequencing, molecular breeding, gene expression analysis and multi-omics approaches, various attempts have been made to explore the genetic architecture of rice grain pigmentation. In this review, we have compiled the current state of knowledge of the genetic architecture and nutritional value of pigmentation in rice based upon the available experimental evidence. Future research areas that can help to deepen our understanding and help in harnessing the economic and health benefits of pigmented rice are also explored