Evaluation of yellow maize inbred lines for maturity and grain yield related traits using line×tester analysis

Thirty yellow maize inbred lines were selected from different source populations and planted in isolation with common male testers (YD-2 and YD-4) in 1:4:1 ratio at Cereal Crop Research Institute (CCRI) Pirsabak, Nowshera during spring-2014 (season–I). On the bases of best seed setting and other important traits, eighteen test-crosses were selected using line × tester approach. The developed 18 test-crosses, nine parental lines and two testers along with two check cultivars (Sarhad Yellow and CS2Y10) were grown in summer season-2014 (July – November) using two replications.Data were collected on various maturities and yield related traits via; days to pollen shedding, silking, ear height, plant height, 100-kernel weight, kernel row ear-1 and grain yield. Significant differences were observed among test-crosses for yield related traits mainly 100-kernel weight and grain yield. L-9 using YD-4 as a tester revealed minimum days to pollen shedding (50.5 days) and days to silking (52.5 days). L-3 using YD-2 as a tester recorded maximum plant height while, L-9 using YD-4 as a tester obtained maximum ear height and length. L-9 using YD-4 as a tester revealed high 100-kernel weight, grain yield and high GCA effect, while L-8 using YD-4 as a tester recorded high SCA effect for 100-kernel weight. L-9 exhibited high GCA effect for grain yield while, high SCA effect was obtained for L-2 using tester (YD-2). L-9 using tester YD-4 revealed maximum mid-parent and best-parent heterosis for ear length and grain yield. For maximum traits, L-9 was the best combiner followed by L-3 and L-6 using the same tester (YD-4) under conducted study

Characterization of sorghum germplasm for various morphological and fodder yield parameters

This study was performed to evaluate and characterize 24 sorghum accessions for various morphological and fodder yield parameters. The germplasm displayed considerable variability for leaf color, midrib color, panicle shape, days to 50% flowering, leaf area, flag leaf area, plant height and green fodder yield, while differences of smaller magnitude were observed for number of leaves and tillers plant-1. Genotype Fsd -sorghum was mature early with minimum days to maturity (63) while maximum plant height (232 cm) was observed for Acc.1692. Moreover, Acc.1827 exhibited maximum leaf area (447 cm2) and the highest green fodder yield at 50% maturity (58 t ha-1) was recorded for Acc. 1763. The results of this study indicate that significant genetic diversity exists among the sorghum accessions. The genetic potential of Fsd-sorghum, accessions 1692, 1827 and 1763 can be exploited in future sorghum breeding programs. Further, these genotypes are recommended for commercial cultivation to meet the fodder needs of the country.Keywords: Fodder, Sorghum bicolor, accession

A comparative analysis of machine learning approaches for plant disease identification

Background: The problems to leaf in plants are very severe and they usually shorten the lifespan of plants. Leaf diseases are mainly caused due to three types of attacks including viral, bacterial or fungal. Diseased leaves reduce the crop production and affect the agricultural economy. Since agriculture plays a vital role in the economy, thus effective mechanism is required to detect the problem in early stages.Methods: Traditional approaches used for the identification of diseased plants are based on field visits which is time consuming and tedious. In this paper a comparative analysis of machine learning approaches has been presented for the identification of healthy and non-healthy plant leaves. For experimental purpose three different types of plant leaves have been selected namely, cabbage, citrus and sorghum. In order to classify healthy and non-healthy plant leaves color based features such as pixels, statistical features such as mean, standard deviation, min, max and descriptors such as Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) have been used.Results:  382 images of cabbage, 539 images of citrus and 262 images of sorghum were used as the primary dataset. The 40% data was utilized for testing and 60% were used for training which consisted of both healthy and damaged leaves. The results showed that random forest classifier is the best machine method for classification of healthy and diseased plant leaves.Conclusion:  From the extensive experimentation it is concluded that features such as color information, statistical distribution and histogram of gradients provides sufficient clue for the classification of healthy and non-healthy plants

Yield performance with heritability measurements of half sib families obtained from maize variety Azam

This study evaluated the performance of 64 half sib families (HSF) derived from “Azam” variety of maize using partially balanced lattice square design with two replications. Data were recorded on grain yield and other agronomic traits. Observations showed difference in half-sib families for studied traits. Among the 64 half-sib families, minimum days to 50% tasseling (51 days) were observed for HS-49 while maximum (57 days) for HS-63. Minimum days to 50% silking (56 days) were counted for HS-6 while maximum (63 days) for HS-23. Minimum days to 50% anthesis (55 days) were counted for HS-1 and HS-6 while maximum (62 days) for HS-23. Similarly, minimum ASI (-2 days) were observed in HS-1, HS-15, HS-16, HS-28 and HS-63 while maximum (2 days) in HS-48. Minimum (60 cm) ear height was recorded for HS-11 and maximum (93.5 cm) for HS-28. Minimum fresh ear weight (1.3 kg) was weighted for HS-17 while maximum (3.2 kg) for HS-21. Grain moisture was recorded minimum (19.35 %) for HS-19 and maximum (31.25%) for HS-2. HS-42 showed minimum (28 g) 100 kernel weight while HS-5 showed maximum (47 g). Grain yield was minimum (2323 kg ha-1) for HS-17 and maximum (5742 kg ha-1) for HS-21. Maximum heritability estimate (0.92) was recorded for fresh ear weight, while minimum (0.41) was observed for ear height

Accumulation of desirable alleles for southern leaf blight (SLB) in maize (Zea mays L.) under the epiphytotic of Helminthosporium maydis

Abstract To accumulate desirable alleles for southern leaf blight (SLB) resistance and for grain yield, 76 inbred lines were evaluated under the epiphytotic of Helminthosporium maydis. Highly significant differences (P<0.01) were observed among the lines for SLB severity, area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and grain yield. The broad sense heritability (h BS ) obtained for SLB was 0.59, whereas it was 0.91 and 0.61 for AUDPC and grain yield, respectively. Selection differential (S) was positive for grain yield (835 kg ha -1 ) and was negative for SLB severity (-0.61) and AUDPC (-164.7), indicating a declining trend for these two disease parameters. On the other hand regression analysis also showed a negative effect for disease severity on the total grain yield and R 2 value was 0.1933. A negative correlation was observed for yield and SLB showing the importance of increase resistance to boost up the production of maize crop. The cycle of recurrent selection (RS) showed a reliable gain from selection while the expected response showed the extent of improvement in the next generation for SLB, AUDPC and other related parameters. On the basis of frequency distribution curve, the desirable lines for SLB resistance have been shown in different categories. This study revealed the effectiveness of RS for enhancing resistance against SLB and improvement of grain yield in maize crop. Using these parameters sufficient evidence were found for required variability in maize germplasm that can be manipulated in desirable direction for the welfare of humanity

To explore the pharmacological mechanism of action using digital twin

With the advent of medical technology and science, the number of animals used in research has increased. For decades, the use of animals in research and product testing has been a point of conflict. Experts and pharmaceutical manufacturers are harming animals worldwide during laboratory research. Animals have also played a significant role in the advancement of science; animal testing has enabled the discovery of various novel drugs. The misery, suffering, and deaths of animals are not worth the potential human benefits. As a result, animals must not be exploited in research to assess the drug mechanism of action (MOA). Apart from the ethical concern, animal testing has a few more downsides, including the requirement for skilled labor, lengthy processes, and cost. Because it is critical to investigate adverse effects and toxicities in the development of potentially viable drugs. Assessment of each target will consume the range of resources as well as disturb living nature. As the digital twin works in an autonomous virtual world without influencing the physical structure and biological system. Our proposed framework suggests that the digital twin is a great reliable model of the physical system that will be beneficial in assessing the possible MOA prior to time without harming animals. The study describes the creation of a digital twin to combine the information and knowledge obtained by studying the different drug targets and diseases. Mechanism of Action using Digital twin (MOA-DT) will enable the experts to use an innovative approach without physical testing to save animals, time, and resources. DT reflects and simulates the actual drug and its relationships with its target, however presenting a more accurate depiction of the drug, which leads to maximize efficacy and decrease the toxicity of a drug. In conclusion, it has been shown that drug discovery and development can be safe, effective, and economical in no time through the combination of the digital and physical models of a pharmaceutical as compared to experimental animals

Response of a maize composite to selfed progeny recurrent selection for earliness and yield traits

Population improvement through recurrent selection is a traditional breeding method that has been used in maize for over 60 years. Objectives of the research were to: a) evaluate effect of selfed progeny recurrent selection on earliness and yield traits, b) compare responses of cycle-1 (S1-line) and cycle-2 (S2-line) populations, and c) determine better strategy for improvement of maize source population «PSEV3». The experiments were carried out in partially balanced lattice square design with two replications. In cycle-1 and cycle-2 populations, the differ- ences were highly significant for all studied traits. Selfing in both cycles of selection, resulted increase in days to tasseling while reduction in population means for yield traits. In selected progenies, an increase was seen in mean values of yield traits; however, not in days to tasseling and grain moisture in both cycles of selection. Moderate to high heritability values were observed for almost all the traits in both cycles. Selection differential values were positive and high for grain yield, ear height, prolificacy, ear length, and 100-grain weight in cycle-1 and cycle-2. However, negative values of selection differential were seen for days to tasseling and grain moisture in cycle-1 and 2 populations. The expected responses for days to tasseling and grain moisture were negative in first and second selection cycles. Comparatively, larger and positive responses were noted in cycle-2 than cycle-1 for grain yield and its components. Selfed progeny recurrent selection method was found more effective in improving the maize source population «PSEV3” for earliness and yield traits

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Genotype X Environment Interactions for Five Corn (Zea mays L.) Populations Synthesized on the Basis of Seedling Root Morphology

Five corn populations synthesized on the basis of number of mesocotyl roots and degree of root branching were evaluated under controlled conditions of 3 moisture regimes and six temperature treatments. These genotypes were also tested for cold tolerance and yield performance over a diverse set of environments in South Dakota at 9 and 5 different locations during 1987 and 1988, respectively. The moisture treatments (well watered, moderately stressed, and severely stressed) significantly affected the expression of secondary roots, dry weight of the root, shoot and plant. Other seedling root traits were not significantly affected by the moisture treatments. Population 2, selected for high degree of root branching maintained that trait in all moisture regimes. A significant population x moisture interaction was observed for number of secondary roots and primary seminal root length. Populations varied considerably in their relative sensitivity to the temperature treatments (10 - 35 0C with 5 degree increments). Populations having a high degree of root branching responsed with less variations to temperatures compared to other populations. In yield ii evaluations, populations selected for a high number of mesocotyl roots and high degree of root branching outyielded other populations in all 3 environments during 1987. The 300 kernel weight did not vary significantly among populations. During the 1988 yield trials populations were similar in performance at two locations. At other locations populations differed significantly and populations with high number of mesocotyl roots and high degree of root branching were comparatively superior in performance. No significant differences were observed among populations for various morphological components e.g. leaf area, plant height and root pulling resistance. Populations with a high degree of root branching had the most negative solute potentials at full turgor during the anthesis stage. In cold tolerance studies no significant differences were observed among populations in 1987 (a warm spring) but in 1988 populations with a high number of mesocotyl roots and high degree of root branching had a higher percent emergence and accumulated greater amounts of dry matter than the other populations. Correlation coefficients determined among yield and other agronomic traits were either of lower magnitude or non significant. Correlations among seedling root characteristics were strong and highly significant