Development of genetic stocks of sunflower with resistance to sunflower chlorotic mottle virus / Conformación de recursos genéticos de girasol con resistencia al virus del moteado clorótico del girasol

ABSTRACT The common race of sunflower chlorotic mottle virus (SCMoV-C) can cause severe yield losses in susceptible genotypes of sunflowers if infection occurs at early plant stages. In Argentina, SCMoV-C is widespread in sunflower production fields and even if its incidence is generally low, in some cases it can reach up to 95%. To date, no complete resistance to SCMoV-C has been detected in commercial cultivars. In the search for resistant germplasm, wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) populations from Argentina were tested, as they were exposed to natural selective pressure during their naturalization. After artificial inoculation with SCMoV-C, symptom-free plants were selected and grown for controlled self-pollination, sibling crosses and crosses with inbred lines. Recurrent selection for non-symptomatic plants and self-fertility significantly increased the frequency of asymptomatic individuals after SCMoV-C inoculation in the development germplasm. After eight generations of recurrent selection and controlled crosses, four genetic stocks with complete SCMoV-C resistance were developed. These genetic stocks could be used for breeding programs and genetic studies. The genetic stocks were registered in the Active Sunflower Germplasm Bank of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, EEA-Manfredi), for maintenance and public distribution.

RESUMEN En los genotipos susceptibles de girasol, la cepa común del Virus del moteado clorótico del girasol (SCMoV-C) puede causar graves pérdidas de rendimiento si la infección ocurre en las primeras etapas del desarrollo de la planta. En Argentina, el SCMoV-C está muy extendido en los campos de producción de girasol y aunque su incidencia es generalmente baja, en algunos casos puede llegar hasta el 95%. Hasta ahora, no se ha detectado resistencia completa a SCMoV-C en cultivares comerciales. En la búsqueda de germoplasma resistente, poblaciones de girasol silvestre (Helianthus annuus L.) de Argentina fueron testeadas, ya que durante su naturalización estuvieron expuestas a presión selectiva natural. Después de la inoculación artificial con SCMoV-C, se seleccionaron y cultivaron plantas libres de síntomas y se realizaron cruzamientos controlados, entre hermanos, con líneas endogámicas y autofecundaciones. La selección recurrente de plantas asintomáticas y autofértiles aumentaron considerablemente la frecuencia de individuos asintomáticos después de la inoculación con SCMoV-C en el germoplasma en desarrollo. Después de ocho generaciones de selección recurrente y cruces controlados, se desarrollaron cuatro stocks genéticos con resistencia completa a SCMoV-C. Este germoplasma podría utilizarse para programas de mejoramiento y estudios genéticos. Los stocks genéticos fueron registrados en el Banco de Germoplasma Activo de Girasol del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA, EEA-Manfredi), para su mantenimiento y distribución pública.

Analysis of mosquito surveillance results among schools in YangpuDistrict before the fall semester begins / 预防医学

Objective@#To understand the situation of mosquito larva breeding and adult mosquito density among schools in Yangpu District, Shanghai Municipality before the start of the fall semester, so as to provide insights into mosquito prevention and control in schools.@*Methods@#A stratified sampling method was used to select four schools each from universities, primary and secondary schools, and preschool institutions as survey sites. A survey of mosquito larva breeding sites and adult mosquito density was carried out in August each year from 2021 to 2023. The mosquito larva breeding sites in small and large water bodies were investigated by visual inspection and spoon trapping methods, and adult mosquito density was investigated by human-induced stinging method. The positive rate of mosquito larva breeding sites and adult mosquito landing index were analyzed.@*Results@#Totally 1 253 mosquito larva breeding sites were investigated from 2021 to 2023, and the positive rate was 4.07% (51 positive sites). The positive rates of mosquito larva breeding sites in universities, primary and secondary schools and preschool institutions were 2.36%, 4.05% and 8.30%, respectively. The top three positive breeding sites in small water bodies were tyres (6.67%), small stagnant water in green belts (6.04%) and unused containers (5.92%), and Aedes albopictus was the dominant species (97.21%). The top three positive breeding sites in large water bodies were rainwater wells (3.90%), landscape water bodies (3.45%) and sewage wells (3.23%), and Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes albopictus each accounted for 50.00%. A total of 200 adult mosquitoes were captured from 2021 to 2023, with Aedes albopictus being dominant (93.00%). The total landing index decreased and then rebounded slightly from 2021 to 2023, with the highest seen in 2021 as 1.78 mosquitoes/0.5 hours per person. The highest mean adult mosquito landing index was 1.17 mosquitoes/0.5 hours per person in preschool institutions.@*Conclusions@#The positive rates of mosquito larva breeding sites and landing index of adult mosquitoes among schools in Yangpu District before the start of the fall semester from 2021 to 2023 were higher than the relevant provisions of the Shanghai municipal local standards. Aedes albopictus was the dominant species. Mosquito surveillance in schools should be carried out on a regular basis and hygiene management should be strengthened.

Establishment and genotype identification of hepatic stellate cell-specific Grk2 gene knockout mouse model / 中国药理学通报

Aim To establish a stable hepatic stellate cell ( HSC ) -specific G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 ( GRK2 ) knockout mice and provide the important animal model for further studying the biological function of GRK2 in HSC. Methods The loxP-labeled Grk2 gene mouse (Grk2

Genome-wide association analysis of agronomic traits related to eggplant fruits: a review / 生物工程学报

Eggplant is an important horticultural crop and one of the most widely grown vegetables in the Solanaceae family. Eggplant fruit-related agronomic traits are complex quantitative traits with low efficiency and long cycle time for traditional breeding selection. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools, genome-wide association study (GWAS) has shown great application potential in analyzing the genetic rules of complex agronomic traits related to eggplant fruits. This paper first reviews the progress of genome-wide association analysis in eggplant fruit shape, fruit color and other fruit-related agronomic traits. Subsequently, aiming at the problem of missing heritability, which is common in the genetic studies of eggplant quantitative traits, this paper puts forward the development strategies of eggplant GWAS in the future based on the hot spots of application of four GWAS strategies in the research of agronomics traits related to eggplant fruits. Lastly, the application of GWAS strategy in the field of eggplant molecular breeding is expected to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the future use of GWAS to analyze the genetic basis of various eggplant fruit-related traits and to select fruit materials that meet consumer needs.

Increased yield performance of mutation induced Soybean genotypes at varied agro-ecological conditions / Aumento no desempenho de rendimento de genótipos de soja induzidos por mutação em condições agroecológicas variadas

Abstract In soybean breeding program, continuous selection pressure on traits response to yield created a genetic bottleneck for improvements of soybean through hybridization breeding technique. Therefore an initiative was taken to developed high yielding soybean variety applying mutation breeding techniques at Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Bangladesh. Locally available popular cultivar BARI Soybean-5 was used as a parent material and subjected to five different doses of Gamma ray using Co60. In respect to seed yield and yield attributing characters, twelve true breed mutants were selected from M4 generation. High values of heritability and genetic advance with high genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) for plant height, branch number and pod number were considered as favorable attributes for soybean improvement that ensure expected yield. The mutant SBM-18 obtained from 250Gy provided stable yield performance at diversified environments. It provided maximum seed yield of 3056 kg ha-1 with highest number of pods plant-1 (56). The National Seed Board of Bangladesh (NSB) eventually approved SBM-18 and registered it as a new soybean variety named 'Binasoybean-5' for large-scale planting because of its superior stability in various agro-ecological zones and consistent yield performance.

Resumo No programa de melhoramento da soja, a pressão pela seleção contínua para a resposta das características de rendimento criou um gargalo genético para melhorias da soja por meio da técnica de melhoramento por hibridação. Portanto, foi desenvolvida uma variedade de soja de alto rendimento, aplicando técnicas de reprodução por mutação, na Divisão de Melhoramento de Plantas, no Instituto de Agricultura Nuclear de Bangladesh (BINA), em Bangladesh. A cultivar popular BARI Soybean-5, disponível localmente, foi usada como material original e submetida a cinco doses diferentes de raios gama usando Co60. Em relação ao rendimento de sementes e às características de atribuição de rendimento, 12 mutantes genuínos foram selecionados a partir da geração M4. Altos valores de herdabilidade e avanço genético com alto coeficiente de variância genotípico (GCV) para altura da planta, número de ramos e número de vagens foram considerados atributos favoráveis ​​ao melhoramento da soja, garantindo, assim, a produtividade esperada. O mutante SBM-18, obtido a partir de 250Gy, proporcionou desempenho de rendimento estável em ambientes diversificados e produtividade máxima de sementes de 3.056 kg ha-1 com o maior número de vagens planta-1 (56). O Conselho Nacional de Sementes de Bangladesh (NSB) finalmente aprovou o SBM-18 e o registrou como uma nova variedade de soja, chamada 'Binasoybean-5', para plantio em larga escala por causa de sua estabilidade superior em várias zonas agroecológicas e desempenho de rendimento consistente.

Increased yield performance of mutation induced Soybean genotypes at varied agro-ecological conditions

Abstract In soybean breeding program, continuous selection pressure on traits response to yield created a genetic bottleneck for improvements of soybean through hybridization breeding technique. Therefore an initiative was taken to developed high yielding soybean variety applying mutation breeding techniques at Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Bangladesh. Locally available popular cultivar BARI Soybean-5 was used as a parent material and subjected to five different doses of Gamma ray using Co60. In respect to seed yield and yield attributing characters, twelve true breed mutants were selected from M4 generation. High values of heritability and genetic advance with high genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) for plant height, branch number and pod number were considered as favorable attributes for soybean improvement that ensure expected yield. The mutant SBM-18 obtained from 250Gy provided stable yield performance at diversified environments. It provided maximum seed yield of 3056 kg ha-1 with highest number of pods plant-1 (56). The National Seed Board of Bangladesh (NSB) eventually approved SBM-18 and registered it as a new soybean variety named Binasoybean-5 for large-scale planting because of its superior stability in various agro-ecological zones and consistent yield performance.

Resumo No programa de melhoramento da soja, a pressão pela seleção contínua para a resposta das características de rendimento criou um gargalo genético para melhorias da soja por meio da técnica de melhoramento por hibridação. Portanto, foi desenvolvida uma variedade de soja de alto rendimento, aplicando técnicas de reprodução por mutação, na Divisão de Melhoramento de Plantas, no Instituto de Agricultura Nuclear de Bangladesh (BINA), em Bangladesh. A cultivar popular BARI Soybean-5, disponível localmente, foi usada como material original e submetida a cinco doses diferentes de raios gama usando Co60. Em relação ao rendimento de sementes e às características de atribuição de rendimento, 12 mutantes genuínos foram selecionados a partir da geração M4. Altos valores de herdabilidade e avanço genético com alto coeficiente de variância genotípico (GCV) para altura da planta, número de ramos e número de vagens foram considerados atributos favoráveis ao melhoramento da soja, garantindo, assim, a produtividade esperada. O mutante SBM-18, obtido a partir de 250Gy, proporcionou desempenho de rendimento estável em ambientes diversificados e produtividade máxima de sementes de 3.056 kg ha-1 com o maior número de vagens planta-1 (56). O Conselho Nacional de Sementes de Bangladesh (NSB) finalmente aprovou o SBM-18 e o registrou como uma nova variedade de soja, chamada Binasoybean-5, para plantio em larga escala por causa de sua estabilidade superior em várias zonas agroecológicas e desempenho de rendimento consistente.

Living fruits of Psychotria brachyceras Müll. Arg. (Rubiaceae) as the main larval host of Zygothrica orbitalis (Sturtevant, 1916) (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

ABSTRACT Zygothrica is a genus of Drosophilidae (Diptera) whose species utilize flowers and fungi for breeding sites, with records of fungi being used as courtship arena. Due to this habit, its representation in Drosophilidae surveys using banana-baited traps is generally low. However, Zygothrica orbitalis was well represented in a few samples with these traps. In this study, we report for the first time the breeding site of Z. orbitalis in living fruits of Psychotria brachyceras (Rubiaceae), noting that the use of living fruits is rare among Drosophilidae. The fructification of the plant occurs in the area of study from May to August, with previous collection records of the species in the Restinga (sandbank or strand) forest. Additionally, the emergence of some individuals of the invasive species Drosophila suzukii was observed, which highlights the necessity for continuous study of this plant to understand the dynamics between a native and an exotic species. Besides the ecological importance, our results are relevant for understanding the evolution of trophic resource use by the Zygothrica genus.

Recent Advances in Breeding of Mango (Mangifera indica): A Review

Mango stands as a significant fruit crop with global importance, thriving primarily in tropical and subtropical regions across the world. (Mangifera indica L.) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. This evergreen, sizable tree bears a beloved tropical fruit that enjoys local consumption and international trade. The choice of preferred mango varieties varies from one country to another. Generally, mango types from subcontinental Asian regions are monoembryonic, while those from South East Asian regions tend to be polyembryonic. Despite Mangifera indica's prevalence within the Mangifera genus, several other species within this genus share grafting and pollination compatibility with M. indica. These species can serve as valuable rootstocks or sources of novel genetic traits for breeders. Growing mango presents challenges due to the rapid decline in seed viability shortly after fruit maturity, typically within weeks. While a diverse array of mango varieties is available, inherent limitations exist, including extended juvenility, high clonal heterozygosity, the presence of only one seed per fruit, resilient seeds, polyembryony, early post-zygotic auto-incompatibility, and a substantial land requirement for hybrid evaluation. Breeders, however, benefit from the extensive variation and the ease of vegetative hybrid production. A successful mango cultivar must exhibit traits such as dwarfness, precocity, regular and prolific fruit bearing, appealing fruit of good size and quality, resistance to physiological issues, diseases, and insects, and an extended shelf life. A comprehensive understanding of mango phenology, inheritance patterns, and advanced techniques for hybridization has proven invaluable in addressing challenges like irregular fruit bearing, susceptibility to disorders and pests, and issues with taste and quality. The development of genetic markers has further reduced uncertainties in mango breeding and improved the management of hybrid populations.

Advancing Crop Improvement Through CRISPR Technology in Precision Agriculture Trends-A Review

The advent of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology has ushered in a new era in agricultural biotechnology, offering unprecedented opportunities for targeted genome editing and crop improvement. This review article presents a comprehensive examination of the advancements, applications, challenges, and future prospects of CRISPR technology within the context of precision agriculture. The integration of CRISPR with precision agriculture technologies signifies a major shift towards more efficient and sustainable farming practices, emphasizing the precise modification of crops to enhance yield, disease resistance, and environmental stress tolerance. The historical backdrop of agricultural biotechnology and the evolution of precision agriculture set the stage for understanding the transformative impact of CRISPR technology. CRISPR's superiority over traditional breeding and genetic modification techniques lies in its precision, speed, and cost-effectiveness. Detailed case studies of CRISPR-modified crops, such as disease-resistant wheat, drought-tolerant rice, and nutrient-efficient maize, highlight the technology's practical implications. These modifications not only enhance crop performance but also contribute to ecological sustainability and increased farmer income, demonstrating CRISPR's significant role in addressing global food security challenges. The application of CRISPR in agriculture is not without challenges. Regulatory hurdles, public perception, technical limitations, and ethical considerations present substantial obstacles to the widespread adoption of CRISPR-modified crops. The review addresses these challenges, offering insights into the complex interplay between technological innovation and societal acceptance. Further explores potential developments in CRISPR technology, including next-generation genome editing tools and the integration of synthetic biology. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations and adaptive policy frameworks to navigate the evolving technological and regulatory landscapes. The future of CRISPR in precision agriculture promises not only enhanced crop varieties but also a paradigm shift towards more data-driven, customized, and environmentally conscious farming practices. This review concludes that CRISPR technology, despite its challenges, holds immense promise for revolutionizing agriculture. Its continued development and responsible implementation are key to realizing its full potential in contributing to a sustainable and secure agricultural future.

Rootstocks: Importance in Fruit Crop Improvement

India is the second largest producer of fruits in the world with different fruit growing zones viz., temperate, arid and semi-arid, subtropical, and tropical zones. In this present era of climate change, fruit growers are facing environment-related problems such as sudden changes in temperature, irregular and heavy rainfall, and soil-related problems like compaction, salinity, alkalinity, and acidity. In addition to this, pest and disease incidence also play a major role in limiting fruit production. Objectives of rootstock breeding includes resistance or tolerance to biotic stress, adaptability to soil and environmental conditions, dwarfism, precocity in bearing, high yield and good fruit quality. The purpose of rootstock breeding varies with crops and geographical locations. Developing rootstocks resistant or tolerant to biotic stresses in apple (fire blight and woolly apple aphid), citrus (root rot, nematodes and viral diseases), grape (Phylloxera spp. and nematode) and mango (mango fruit fly and stone weevil) for specific tree characters (dwarfing, canopy management) and horticultural traits (yield and quality) are the important aspects in rootstock breeding. The reported rootstocks which are impactful in fruit cultivation like apple (MM-111), grape (Dogridge, 99-R, 110-R and 1103-P), and mango (Turpentine, Deorakhio and Olour). The use of rootstocks which are tolerant or adaptable to adverse climatic situations and biotic stress can be an alternative option for scientists and fruit growers to face the challenges encountered by the fruit industry.

A Comprehensive Review of CRISPR/Cas9 Based Strategies in Horticultural Crop Modification

The introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology represents a groundbreaking advancement in the realm of horticulture. It provides a precise and effective means for making targeted genetic alterations in a wide range of plant species. This abstract delves into the diverse applications of CRISPR/Cas9 within the domain of horticultural crops, with a particular emphasis on its crucial role in tackling issues related to climate change. This review paper outlines the diverse applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in horticulture, including trait improvement for enhanced stress tolerance, disease resistance, and yield optimization. It highlights specific examples of successful CRISPR-edited horticultural crops and their contributions to climate adaptation. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 in accelerating the development of new crop varieties tailored to thrive in changing climatic conditions. Additionally, the ethical and regulatory considerations surrounding the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in horticulture are addressed, as they play a crucial role in determining the broader adoption of this technology. Balancing the benefits of climate-resilient crop development with potential environmental and societal implications remains a critical aspect of its application. In conclusion, the transformative potential of CRISPR/Cas9 in horticultural crop improvement and its role in addressing climate-related challenges. By harnessing the power of genetic editing, horticulturalists can create more productive crops and better equipped to withstand the uncertainties of a changing climate. However, this technology's responsible and ethical use is imperative to ensure its long-term sustainability and benefit to society.

Streamlining Different Plant Breeding Methods to Enhance Water Use Efficiency in Agricultural Systems

The relevance of Water in human life and agro-ecosystems has been extensively illustrated for decades around the globe. Despite the reality that the earth is mostly surrounded by water, its utility has been limited to domestic consumption and agricultural purposes. Thus, tweaking water usage in agricultural systems has been a tricky problem in order to meet the requirements of the growing population and to obtain more crop yield per drop of water in agriculture. In this review, an attempt has been made to revisit the methods available to improve water use efficiency in agriculture.

Nanomaterial-induced Changes in Plant Physiology and Genetics: Implications for Crop Improvement Strategies

The utilization of nanomaterials in agriculture has gained significant attention due to their potential to induce changes in plant physiology and genetics, thereby offering new avenues for enhancing crop improvement strategies. This paper delves into the intricate interplay between nanomaterials and plants, shedding light on their molecular mechanisms of uptake and interaction. It explores the physiological responses that ensue following nanomaterial exposure, unraveling the intricate network of signaling pathways and stress responses. Moreover, the paper delves into the alterations in genetic expression triggered by nanomaterials, providing insights into the underlying regulatory mechanisms. The influence of epigenetic factors and potential transgenerational effects further accentuates the complexity of these interactions.Underpinning this understanding, the paper discusses the prospects of harnessing nanomaterial-induced changes to enhance crop traits. It investigates how these changes can be employed to boost crop resilience, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. The integration of nanomaterial-induced alterations into breeding and genetic modification strategies offers a promising approach for developing improved crop varieties. Ultimately, this comprehensive exploration of nanomaterial-induced changes in plant physiology and genetics highlights their far-reaching implications for revolutionizing crop improvement strategies in the face of evolving agricultural challenges.

Impact of Auxin and Gibberellin on Vegetable Crops: A Review

Plant growth regulators, also known as phytohormones, are a class of organic chemicals, either naturally occurring or artificially synthesised, that exert control over specific physiological processes in plants. The application of these substances elicits a range of effects on vegetables, encompassing seed germination, the disruption of seed dormancy, the commencement of flowering, the induction of gametocidal effects, the promotion of fruit set, the stimulation of parthenocarpy, and the facilitation of fruit ripening, among others. Auxin plays crucial factor in the development of several vegetable crops, including cucurbits. Notably, the application of Naphthalene acetic acid at a concentration of 10 ppm has been observed to exert a significant influence on sex expression, fruit set, and overall production in cucumber plants. The application of 4-CPA resulted in the greatest quantity of commercially viable fruit in tomato plants. The application of Naphthalene acetic acid at a concentration of 40 ppm exhibited the most substantial enhancements in leaf area, percentage of fruit set, total fruit production, as well as the quantity and weight of seeds per fruit in chilli plants. The treatment involving the application of 80 ppm Naphthalene acetic acid in brinjal resulted in the observation of increased fruit length, average weight of fruit per plant, and greatest fruit diameter. Gibberellin is also of significant importance, since it participates in using the gibberellic acid route to produce tomato plants that exhibit enhanced performance in both irrigated and water-limited environments, hence increasing their drought tolerance. The application of GA3 at a concentration of 75 ppm has been found to be highly beneficial in improving vegetative growth and yield characteristics in brinjal, as well as in several other vegetable crops as detailed in the present study. Additionally, they serve a crucial function in augmenting the output and productivity of many vegetables breeding programmes, and ensuring food safety.

Allelic Diversity of OsEPF2 Governing Stomatal Regulation in Rice

Rice production has been significantly hindered by frequent drought events in recent times, directly impacting food security and agricultural sustainability. In the current study, a set of 100 diverse rice accessions from 3K RG panel were evaluated for Epidermal patterning factor 2 (OsEPF2) loci which governs the stomatal density on the matured leaves by preventing excessive stomatal development. This plays an important role in drought tolerance in plants. Hence, this gene was selected for analyzing haplotype variation which revealed 27 SNPs and 59 INDELs. Seven significant non-synonymous SNPs, grouped the one hundred accessions into three haplotype groups with the allelic combination CGATGCG for H1, TTGGAAA for H2 and CGGGGCG for H3. This shows the allelic diversity of the population that can be potentially employed in breeding of rice varieties with improved drought tolerance and water use efficiency by assembling superior haplotype.

Enhancing Crop Resilience through CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Development of Disease-Resistant Cultivars

A major issue in agriculture is the protection of crops against diseases and pests. Plant breeding has been primarily responsible for the growth of disease-resistant cultivars. The use of gene editing techniques in plant breeding is essential for obtaining desired features. Clustered Regular Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPER)/Cas9 (CRISPR-related protein) is a new advancement in gene editing technology. It can be utilised in plant defence mechanisms against pathogen attack by recognising the bacterial immune system and destroying invasive pathogen genes. Advances in plant breeding through CRISPR/Cas9 integration have helped develop cultivars including hereditary resistance to bacterial and viral diseases. Future crop generations can acquire CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transgene resistance if the Cas9/sgRNA transgene has been isolated in the F1 generation. Cas9/sgRNA transgene separation makes CRISPR/Cas9 safe for use in plant breeding. Although CRISPR/Cas9 has proven to be a wonderful tool to revolutionize plant breeding and develop various disease resistant varieties, its effect on many plant physiological processes remains to be thoroughly investigated.

Identification and Analysis of Transgressive Segregants in F2 Rice Populations: A Cross-Study of Naveen x IR 64 Drt1 for Enhanced Yield Traits

Not all crosses display it, and only a small proportion of progeny in any particular cross may be transgressive, but it occurs frequently enough that plant breeding works as a matter of routine. The traditional thinking in plant breeding holds that transgressive segregants are the most rare individuals in the population. However, depending on the level or clarity with which the phenotypic is investigated, it is reasonable to believe that this phenomenon may be more widespread in plant breeding populations than is now recognized. In the present study the F2 segregants that surpassed both the parentals and had higher values than the increasing parent, were observed in the cross (Naveen x IR64 Drt 1) for all the characters viz plant height, number of panicles, panicle length, number of primary branches, number of filled grains, total number of spikelets and 1000 grain weight except for the character number of secondary branches. The maximum number of transgressives were observed for the character panicle length for the cross Naveen x IR 64 Drt1.

Introgression of Stay Green Quantitative Trait Locus (QTLS) into Elite Sorghum Variety by MABC

Sorghum is a major staple food crop for the people in semi-arid areas of Asia. Post-flowering drought is a global constraint of sorghum production. The study aimed to improve stay-green characteristics of GS-23 sorghum variety by transferring stg3A and stg3B QTL`s respectively from donor genotypes K260 and K359w of ICRISAT by using marker assisted backcrossing. The experimental material comprised of six basic generations P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 developed from crossing GS-23 × K260 and GS-23 × K359 were genotyped using a set of 133 SNPs and 79 SSR markers. Whereas, 53 polymorphic SNPs among parents and backcross F1s for stay green trait at maturity were used to track introgression of stay green trait. Similarly,10 SSR markers were found to be polymorphic were used to track introgression of stay green trait i.e., stay green trait QTL`s stg3A and stg3B from donor parent K260 and K359w respectively in GS-23 background across backcross population and to identify plants that were homozygous for the desired allele. In which 02 SNPs SnpSB0039 and SnpSB0093 were identified as polymorphic for both K260 and K359w. Whereas 17 SNPs identified polymorphic for K260 and 34 SNPs for K359w. These SNPs were validated in both F1 and BC1F1 populations of both the crosses. Similarly, out of 10 SSR markers utilized, 02 SSRs were identified polymorphic to K260 and 02 SSRs were identified for K359w. Whereas 06 SSRs were polymorphic to both the parents K260 and K359w. Prominent 02 SSRs viz., Xtxp 141_Fam and Xgap84_Vic found to be more reliable and polymorphic to both the parents. These SSRs were validated in both F1 and BC1F1 populations of both the crosses. The genotypic analysis revealed the presence of favorable alleles in homozygous conditions at markers loci associated with stg3A and stg3B QTL`s in BC populations, suggesting successful introgression of stay green QTLs from the donor parents to the recurrent parent. Therefore, our study demonstrated the utility of marker-assisted backcrossing for drought tolerance improvement of locally adapted sorghum variety.

Current Breeding Approaches in Pearl Millet to Enhance the Nutritional Quality

Pearl millet is an important millet crop, as it is a powerhouse of nutrition with capability to grow at harsh climatic conditions. It is able to overcome sudden climate changes and other natural disasters which can create food security problem by raising the price of foods there by reduce the availability of food materials. Pearl millet can be an alternative nutritious crop for the poor men which provide enough nutrition for active and healthy life. It is cheap source of nutrition when compared to other major cereal crops. While having its nutrition and health benefits, utilization of this crop is restricted due to lack of knowledge and poor keeping quality.Different breeding strategies like biofortification breeding, making of synthetic and composites, hybridization techniques by using A,B,R lines, Genomics, Speed breeding are frequently utilized in worldwide. Different improved lines with enhanced zinc and iron content may be used under hybridization programme to overcome the problem of low zinc and iron varieties. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide the information about nutritional profile, health benefits, biofortification process, current breeding approaches and future prospects.

Artificial Propagation of Indigenous Ornamental Fish Species via Nutritional Manipulation for Stock Enhancement and Conservation as a Step towards Environmental Sustainability: A Review

Indigenous flora and fauna of a particular habitat greatly impacts the environment in maintaining an ecological balance and equilibrium for the normal functioning of the ecosystem as a whole. Native fishes play a major role and holds a major niche in the ecosystem which needs attention at the moment for their conservation and protection, failure of which may prove to be detrimental to the environment. The rapid developmental activities and industrialization taking place currently are leaving a negative impact upon the natural ecosystem. These activities are a major reason for loss of habitat, deterioration, pollution, and degradation. The ornamental fish industry is a budding industry in India and the indigenous fish fauna of the country offers a good market but unfortunately, so far, the requirements and demand are fulfilled from the natural stock through manual collection. Rigorous exploitation of these species may result into loss of species diversity or reduction of stock, provided, anthropogenic causes necessitated by development and industrialization are already acting upon the ecosystem. Therefore, in this review we will discuss the implementation of captive breeding techniques through nutritional manipulation for fish species so that the wild stock is not made vulnerable and instead, the same shall be enhanced through ranching. Though this technique offers certain limitations such as genetical quality compromise, inferior breeding performance etc., nevertheless it still is a major tool in conservational biology. The review will provide insights to researchers on how to achieve captive breeding success by manipulating nutritional component in fishes and eventually with the information made available in this document certain practical implementations may be necessitated which will help us move closer to the broader aspect of biodiversity conservation and sustainability.