Development and Validation of Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Prediction Modeling for the Rapid Estimation of Biochemical Traits in Potato.

Potato is a globally significant crop, crucial for food security and nutrition. Assessing vital nutritional traits is pivotal for enhancing nutritional value. However, traditional wet lab methods for the screening of large germplasms are time- and resource-intensive. To address this challenge, we used near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid trait estimation in diverse potato germplasms. It employs molecular absorption principles that use near-infrared sections of the electromagnetic spectrum for the precise and rapid determination of biochemical parameters and is non-destructive, enabling trait monitoring without sample compromise. We focused on modified partial least squares (MPLS)-based NIRS prediction models to assess eight key nutritional traits. Various mathematical treatments were executed by permutation and combinations for model calibration. The external validation prediction accuracy was based on the coefficient of determination (RSQexternal), the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD), and the low standard error of performance (SEP). Higher RSQexternal values of 0.937, 0.892, and 0.759 were obtained for protein, dry matter, and total phenols, respectively. Higher RPD values were found for protein (3.982), followed by dry matter (3.041) and total phenolics (2.000), which indicates the excellent predictability of the models. A paired t-test confirmed that the differences between laboratory and predicted values are non-significant. This study presents the first multi-trait NIRS prediction model for Indian potato germplasm. The developed NIRS model effectively predicted the remaining genotypes in this study, demonstrating its broad applicability. This work highlights the rapid screening potential of NIRS for potato germplasm, a valuable tool for identifying trait variations and refining breeding strategies, to ensure sustainable potato production in the face of climate change.

Identification of new stable resistant sources and assessing agro-morphological performance of sponge gourd germplasm against Tomato Leaf curl New Delhi Virus incidence.

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (TolCNDV) causes yellow mosaic disease, which poses a significant biotic constraint for sponge gourd cultivation, potentially resulting in crop loss of up to 100%. In the present investigation, 50 diverse genotypes were screened for 3 years under natural epiphytotic conditions. A subset of 20 genotypes was further evaluated across four different environments. The combined analysis of variance revealed a significant genotype × environment interaction. Eight genotypes consistently exhibited high and stable resistance in the preliminary screening and multi-environment testing. Furthermore, genotype plus genotype × environment interaction biplot analysis identified DSG-29 (G-3), DSG-7 (G-2), DSG-6 (G-1), and DSGVRL-18 (G-6) as the desirable genotypes, which have stable resistance and better yield potential even under diseased conditions. The genotype by yield × trait biplot analysis and multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index analysis further validated the potential of these genotypes for combining higher yield and other desirable traits with higher resistance levels. Additionally, resistant genotypes exhibited higher activities of defense-related enzymes as compared to susceptible genotypes. Thus, genotypes identified in our study will serve as a valuable genetic resource for carrying out future resistance breeding programs in sponge gourd against ToLCNDV.

Commercial suitability and characterization of newly developed Erucastrum canariense (Can) sterile cytoplasm based cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines in Indian cauliflower.

The study presents the first to characterize novel Erucastrum canarianse Webb and Berthel (or Can) sterile cytoplasm-based CMS lines in Indian cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) and investigating their commercial suitability. Eleven Can-based CMS lines were examined for 12 agro-morphological and yield traits,18 floral traits, four seed yield traits together with three each of the Ogura (source: wild Japanese Radish) and Tour (Source: Brassica tournefortii) cytoplasms. All of the recorded floral and seed traits showed significant (P > 0.05) differences between the CMS lines of each group. Agro-morphological and yield traits in CMS lines and their maintainers, however, were non-significantly different. All the Can- and Ogura-based CMS lines showed flowering and appropriate seed formation by natural cross-pollination. Only two Tour cytoplasm-based CMS lines, Tour (DC-41-5) and Tour (DC-67), produced the smallest malformed flowers and stigma. The highest seed yield per plant in CMS lines was in Ogu (DC-98-4) and the lowest in Tour (DC-67). P14 and P15, two polymorphic mtDNA markers, were discovered for the Can CMS system for early detection. Five primers (ITS5a-ITS4, atpF-atpH, P16, rbeL and trnL), along with their maintainers, were sequenced and aligned to detect nucleotide changes including as additions and or deletions at different positions. The newly introduced E. canariense sterile cytoplasm-based CMS system in cauliflower is the subject of the first comprehensive report, which emphasises their potential as a further stable and reliable genetic mechanism for hybrid breeding.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Analyses in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Based on Agro-Morphological and Microsatellite Markers.

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is an important vine crop of the Cucurbitaceae family and is well known for its high nutritional and medicinal values. However, the genetic variation remains largely unknown. Herein, 96 diverse bitter gourd genotypes were undertaken for diversity analysis using 10 quantitative traits, and 82 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Out of 82 SSRs, 33 were polymorphic and the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.38. Marker, JY-003 revealed a maximum (0.81) PIC value and, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7 (average 3.46). The value of gene diversity showed the presence of a significant level of polymorphism among these genotypes. The unweighted pair group method (UPGMA) cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into two major clusters of which Cluster I comprised mostly small and medium-fruited genotypes of both M. charantia var. charantia and M. charantia var. muricata, whereas Cluster II included mostly long and extra-long fruited genotypes. Furthermore, these genotypes were divided into six distinct groups based on population structure analysis. The diversity analysis based on 10 quantitative traits revealed that earliness and high-yielding ability were exhibited by the predominantly gynoecious line DBGS-21-06 followed by DBGS-48-00. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first two components exhibited more than 50% of the total genetic variation. The present study deciphered a higher magnitude of agro-morphological and genetic diversity in 96 bitter gourd genotypes. Therefore, trait-specific genotypes identified in this study could be utilized in breeding programmes directed towards the development of improved cultivars and hybrids of bitter gourd.

Genetic analysis of heat tolerance in hot pepper: insights from comprehensive phenotyping and QTL mapping.

High temperatures present a formidable challenge to the cultivation of hot pepper, profoundly impacting not only vegetative growth but also leading to flower and fruit abscission, thereby causing a significant reduction in yield. To unravel the intricate genetic mechanisms governing heat tolerance in hot pepper, an F2 population was developed through the crossing of two distinct genotypes exhibiting contrasting heat tolerance characteristics: DLS-161-1 (heat tolerant) and DChBL-240 (heat susceptible). The F2 population, along with the parental lines, was subjected to comprehensive phenotyping encompassing diverse morphological, physiological, and biochemical heat-related traits under high temperature conditions (with maximum temperature ranging from 31 to 46.5°C and minimum temperature from 15.4 to 30.5°C). Leveraging the Illumina Nova Seq-6000 platform, Double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) was employed to generate 67.215 Gb data, with subsequent alignment of 218.93 million processed reads against the reference genome of Capsicum annuum. Subsequent variant calling and ordering resulted in 5806 polymorphic SNP markers grouped into 12 LGs. Further QTL analysis identified 64 QTLs with LOD values ranging from 2.517 to 11.170 and explained phenotypic variance ranging from 4.05 to 19.39%. Among them, 21 QTLs, explaining more than 10% phenotypic variance, were identified as major QTLs controlling 9 morphological, 3 physiological, and 2 biochemical traits. Interestingly, several QTLs governing distinct parameters were found to be colocalized, suggesting either a profound correlation between the QTLs regulating these traits or their significant genomic proximity. In addition to the QTLs, we also identified 368380 SSR loci within the identified QTL regions, dinucleotides being the most abundant type (211,381). These findings provide valuable insights into the genetics of heat tolerance in hot peppers. The identified QTLs and SSR markers offer opportunities to develop heat-tolerant varieties, ensuring better crop performance under high-temperature conditions.

Genetic Mechanisms for Hybrid Breeding in Vegetable Crops.

To address the complex challenges faced by our planet such as rapidly changing climate patterns, food and nutritional insecurities, and the escalating world population, the development of hybrid vegetable crops is imperative. Vegetable hybrids could effectively mitigate the above-mentioned fundamental challenges in numerous countries. Utilizing genetic mechanisms to create hybrids not only reduces costs but also holds significant practical implications, particularly in streamlining hybrid seed production. These mechanisms encompass self-incompatibility (SI), male sterility, and gynoecism. The present comprehensive review is primarily focused on the elucidation of fundamental processes associated with floral characteristics, the genetic regulation of floral traits, pollen biology, and development. Specific attention is given to the mechanisms for masculinizing and feminizing cucurbits to facilitate hybrid seed production as well as the hybridization approaches used in the biofortification of vegetable crops. Furthermore, this review provides valuable insights into recent biotechnological advancements and their future utilization for developing the genetic systems of major vegetable crops.

Impact of Foliar Application of ZnO and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on Seed Yield and Physio-Biochemical Parameters of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Seed under Open Field and Protected Environment vis a vis during Seed Germination.

Nutritionally rich cucumber seeds remain in demand in the agricultural, health and cosmetic sectors as they are essential for a successful crop stand establishment and seed-based products. However, the production of cucumber seeds is impeded by source limitation and nutrient deficiency. The foliar application of micronutrients can supplement this deficiency and overcome the physiological setback. An experiment was undertaken to compare the impacts of the foliar application of Fe and Zn, as nanoparticles and fertilizers, on the yield and seed quality of cucumber under open and protected environments. A foliar spray of nano-ZnO (ZnNPs) and nano-Fe3O4 (FeNPs) at 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1, as well as ZnSO4 and FeSO4 as fertilizer (0.5%), was conducted at the vegetative stage and pre- and post-flowering stages. The NPs had a greater efficacy in an open field than in the protected (naturally ventilated poly house) environment. The application of both NPs increased seed yield (51.7-52.2%), total chlorophyll content (15.9-17.3%) and concentration of Zn and Fe in the fruit and the seed, by 2.0-58.5% and 5.0-30.5%, respectively. A significant increase in starch, soluble proteins, soluble sugars and oil content was observed in the seeds from the NP treated plants. NP treatment also enhanced the germination-related parameters, such as percent germination (16.8-17.0%), rate of germination (18.0-22.2%) and seedling vigor (59.8-72.6%). The biochemical characterization showed a significant improvement in the seed water uptake and the activity of hydrolytic enzymes (amylase and protease) in the germinating seed. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide) and antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Peroxidase) in the germination process was indicated by an increase in their activities in the seeds from NP treated plants. Hence, the study proposes the potential benefit of the foliar application of 300 mg L-1 ZnNPs and 200 mg L-1 FeNPs at crucial stages of plant growth to improve the yield and seed quality in cucumbers.

Stability enhancement of beetroot betalains through copigmentation.

BACKGROUND: Like other natural pigments, betalains have a stability problem. Copigmentation can be explored to address this issue. In this study, black carrot anthocyanins were used for the first time as copigment with betalains so that copigmented betalains with enhanced stability could be developed to withstand deteriorative processing and storage conditions. RESULTS: Increase in hyperchromic and bathochromic shift with subsequent increase in black carrot anthocyanin extract (0.250 g L-1 ) addition from 0.2 to 1.0 mL L-1 was observed in native betalain pigments from 0.28 to 1.90 and 538 nm to 564 nm, respectively. For maximum recorded bathochromic shift, 0.8 mL L-1 addition of copigment was optimized. Copigmented betalain pigment showed better stability in comparison with native pigment, when exposed to light, temperature more than 60 °C and ≥1.0 g L-1 NaCl. At constant incubation time (3 h), copigmented betalains degraded up to 20.79-41.43% whereas the non-copigmented counterpart degraded up to 83.49-86.86% at 60, 75 and 90 °C, respectively. Lower rate constant (k) and enhanced activation energy (Ea ) showed higher thermostability of copigmented betalains. With constant light exposure, the half-life value of betalains was 145.2 h, which increased approximately twofold (274.08 h) after copigmentation. The t1/2 of betalain pigment at 10%, 15% and 18% salt addition was 81.12, 75.36 and 83.52 h, which increased to 186.96, 226.56 and 152.88 h after copigmentation. CONCLUSION: These findings support that black carrot anthocyanin is a potential and compatible copigment for water-soluble betalain pigment that enhances stability of betalains under extreme processing conditions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Marker-Assisted Pyramiding of Downy Mildew-Resistant Gene Ppa3 and Black Rot-Resistant Gene Xca1bo in Popular Early Cauliflower Variety Pusa Meghna.

Cauliflower is an important extensively grown cool season vegetable in India. Black rot and downy mildew are major devastating diseases reducing yield and quality of the crop. To tackle these through host plant resistance, a marker-assisted backcross breeding method was followed to pyramid a black rot-resistant gene (Xca1bo) and a downy mildew-resistant gene (Ppa3) from donors BR-161 and BR-2, respectively, into the background of Pusa Meghna cauliflower cultivar. Marker-assisted backcross breeding was followed up to BC2 generation using SCAR marker ScOPO-04833 and SSR marker BoGMS0624 for black rot and downy mildew resistance genes in foreground selection, respectively. In background selection, at each stage of backcrossing, 47 parental polymorphic SSR markers were used. The graphical genotyping of the five two-gene (Xca1boXca1boPpa3Ppa3) homozygous BC2F2 plants showed an average recovery of 85.44% of the Pusa Meghna genome with highest genome recovery of 91.7%. The genome contribution of donor parents (BR-161 and BR-2) was 8.26 with 6.34% of residual heterozygousity. The backcross derived pyramided lines BC2F2:3-7-16 and BC2F2:3-7-33 showed high resistance to both the diseases and exhibited higher yield and vitamin C content as compared with recipient parent Pusa Meghna. It is, therefore, evident from this study that resistant genes can be introgressed successfully into a Pusa Meghna cultivar without any yield penalty, benefitting farmers with reduced input cost and consumers with chemical residue free produce. Besides, the pyramided lines carrying dominant resistant genes can be exploited in a hybridization programme to develop hybrid(s) in cauliflower.

Effect of Temperature on Symptoms Expression and Viral RNA Accumulation in Groundnut Bud Necrosis Virus Infected Vigna unguiculata.

BACKGROUND: Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) (Tospovirus genus, Bunyaviridae family) infects the major crops of solanaceae, leguminosae and cucurbitaceae in India. Temperature is an important factor which influences the plant growth and development under diseased conditions. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we evaluated the effect of four different temperatures on the symptoms expression and viral RNA accumulation in the GBNV inoculated cowpea plants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the evaluation of viral symptoms and RNA accumulation, we used 2-3 leaf stage cowpea plants grown in the controlled conditions. GBNV was mechanically inoculated by sap method to the cowpea plants and inoculated plants were incubated at four different temperatures (30, 25, 20 and 15 °C). RESULTS: The first visible symptom of GBNV infection at the inoculated site was observed in the form of chlorotic spots which were converted into the necrotic spots as the infections succeeded. Some yellow mosaic symptoms were also observed at the systemic site during viral infection cycle. Plants incubated at higher (30 and 25 °C) temperatures showed a severe necrosis and a higher viral RNA accumulation at the inoculated site and facilitated the viral spread at the systemic site. However, viral RNA accumulation was less at the systemic site than the inoculated site. In contrast, symptoms' expression and viral RNA accumulation were decreased at the inoculated site at low (20 and 15 °C) temperatures, no viral symptoms were observed at the systemic site (15 °C); in addition to viral RNA accumulation suppression at this site. GBNV infection at the inoculated site induced the higher accumulation of H2O2 followed by the induction of cell death at higher temperatures (30 and 25 °C) than the lower (20 and 15 °C) temperatures. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that viral RNA accumulation parallels with the H2O2 production and induction of cell death by GBNV infection in cowpea plants is temperature dependent.