Genetic divergence in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Thirty genotypes of forage sorghum were studied for generating information on nature and magnitude of genetic variability and diversity for designing breeding programme. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design in three replications. The data were recorded on days to 50% flowering, plant height, leaf breadth, leaf length, leaf area, stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf stem ratio, total soluble solids, protein content and green fodder yield. Analysis of variance revealed a substantial amount of variability among the genotypes for all the characters under study, indicated a wide spectrum of variability among the genotypes. Highest estimates of the phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for plant height, leaf breadth, leaves per plant, leaf stem ratio and green fodder yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height, leaf area, stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf stem ratio and green fodder yield. Based on D2 – Statistics, 30 genotypes were grouped into six clusters. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster III and VI followed by IV and VI, indicating genotypes included in these clusters had wide genetic diversity. Genetic divergence and cluster mean indicates maximum heterosis and good recombinants may be achieved in crosses between genotypes of clusters III, IV and VI in varietal improvement programme. Thus, crossing between genetically diverse genotypes of cluster III with genotypes CSV 15, PC 1001, SPV 462, PC 3, SSV 84, PC 8 and cluster VI with genotype HJ 513 are expected to exhibit high heterosis and good recombinants with desired traits

Estimates of genetic components and regression analysis for grain yield and various morphological traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The present study was conducted to estimate the gentic components and regression analysis for grain yield and various morphological traits in bread wheat involving 10 parents and their 45 F1s (half diallel) during 2012- 13 and 2013-14. Significant additive (D) and dominance (H1) variance for the traits indicated that expression of these traits is control by both additive and dominance gene action. Average degree of dominance (H1/D)1/2 were more than unity for the traits (peduncle length, flag leaf area, productive tillers, biological yield, grain yield, harvest index) indicating the preponderance of over dominance gene action. The estimates of h2 were positive and significant for days to ear emergence, peduncle length, productive tillers, biological yield and grain yield indicated dominance of genetic components in F1s. Positive and significant values of F were estimated for days to ear emergence, days to 50% flowering, spike length, flag leaf area and grain yield in F1s indicating the preponderance of dominance and positive genes in the parents involved. The theoretical value (0.25) of (H2/4H1) for all the traits indicated asymmetrical distribution of positive and negative genes. The proportion of dominant and recessive alleles indicated presence of dominant alleles in the parents. The traits showing more than 30% narrow sanse heritability could be rewarding for further improvement in grain yield in bread wheat. Regression analysis indicated that the traits (days to ear emergence, days to 50% flowering, peduncle length, flag leaf area, productive tillers, harvest index, biological yield and grain yield) control by over dominance type of gene action. The parent RAJ 4246 contained maximum dominant genes for days to ear emergence and days to 50% flowering; HD 2733 for spike length and flag leaf area and HD 2824 for productive tillers, biological yield and grain yield used as donors in multiple traits breeding programme to develop high yielding wheat genotypes

Identification of heterotic cross combinations for various agromorphological and some quality traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A study was conducted to identify the best heterotic cross for various agromorphological and some quality traits involving 10 parents and their 45 F1s excluding reciprocals during 2012-13 and 2013-14. The higher magnitude of heterosis for all the agromorphological and quality traits was not expressed in a single cross combination. It varied from cross to cross due to diverse genetic background of their parents. The highest heterobeltiosis (35.68%, 11.11%, 11.44%), average heterosis (38.97%, 9.13%, 10.26%) and standard heterosis (31.09%, 7.84%, 10.41%) for grain yield, spikelets per spike and grains per spike respectively, was showed by HD 3095 x RAJ 4246 and this cross also showed highly significant (at <1% level of significant) heterosis for biological yield, flag leaf area, spike length and productive tillers. Whereas PBW 435 x RAJ 4246 were common for gluten content (8.52% and 7.72%), grain yield (33.11% and 33.64%), productive tillers (16.15% and 13.53%) and biological yield (36.27% and 21.98%) which showed superior average heterosis and heterobeltiosis respectively, therefore, these crosses may be exploit-ed in a national hybrid wheat breeding programme may offer genetic improvement in breeding for higher grain yield, agromorphological and quality traits in bread wheat. The presence of high heterosis for yield contributing compo-nents is not only for developing hybrids through exploitation of heterosis but also helps to produce transgressive segregants for developing of superior homozygous lines

A multicentric, double-blind randomized, homoeopathic pathogenetic trial of Allium sativum

Background: Homoeopathic drug proving is an integral part of Homoeopathic System of Medicine. It is the first step in finding out the pathogenetic powers of a drug. Objective: To elicit the pathogenetic response to Allium sativum in homoeopathic potencies on healthy human provers. Materials and Methods: A multi-center randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted at two centers of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH). Proving was conducted on 33 healthy provers after the pretrial medical examination. All the provers were given 12 doses of placebo divided in 4 doses/day for 3 days during the first phase of the trial. After randomization, in the intervention group (21 provers), Allium sativum (A. sativum) was proved in 6C and 30C potencies, in two phases. In the placebo group, 12 provers were administered placebo in the same manner. The symptoms manifested during the trial period were noted down by the provers and then elaborated by the proving masters. The generated data on A. sativum were then compiled and analyzed at proving-cum-data processing cell at CCRH headquarters. Results: Out of 21 provers who were on actual drug trial, only nine provers manifested symptoms. Drug was able to manifest symptoms in both the potencies, in more or less every part of the body. Conclusion: The pathogenetic response elicited during the proving trial expands the scope of use of the drug A. sativum and will benefit the research scholars and clinicians. The generated symptoms of this drug will carry more value when verified clinically