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Bambara groundnut is a highly nutritious underutilized legume with enormous potential to sustain food security in resource-poor countries. However, its potential for improvement through conventiona...

Genetic improvement of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) through conventional breeding approaches depends mainly on the availability of diverse germplasm and the amount of genetic variability present in the population. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the extent of genetic variability in the 1995 Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) Hevea germplasm core collection to determine the correlation and the direct and indirect effects of morphological and bark structural characters on latex yield. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the nine characters studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variations was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variations for all characters studied, suggesting that the apparent variation is not only genetic but also influenced by the growing environment in the expression of the traits. High heritability and high genetic advance were noted for latex yield, indicating the possibility of improvement for this character through phenotypic selection. Latex yield showed significant and positive correlations with plant girth, total number of latex vessel rings, total bark thickness, and total leaf area at both phenotypic and genotypic level. Path coefficient analysis revealed the highest direct effect of plant girth on latex yield, followed by total number of latex vessel rings and total bark thickness indicating the importance of these characters for yield improvement and their potential as reliable indicators for indirect selection in the established core collection.

Improved rice lines were developed frome three parents with the resistance or tolerance to bacterial leaf blight, blast and drought stress, respectively, using single-, double- and three-way crosses. The improved lines were assessed for agro-morphological and yield traits under non-drought stress (NS) and reproductive-stage drought stress (RS) treatments. The mean comparison of traits measured between parent plants and progenies (improved lines) were similar, and there were significant and non-significant differences among the parents and improved lines (genotypes) under NS and RS. Smilarly, there was significant and non-significant differences in the interaction among both parent varieties and improved lines for NS and RS. Cluster and 3D-model of principal component analysis did not generate categorical clusters according to crossing methods, and there were no exclusive crossing method inclined variations under the treatments. The improved lines were high-yielding, disease resistant, and drought-tolerant compared with their parents. All the crossing methods were good for this crop improvement program without preference to any, despite the number of genes introgressed.

As a crop for the new millennium Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) considered as leading legumes in the tropical regions due to its versatile advantages. The main intent of this study was to find out the high yielding potential genotypes and considering these genotypes to develop pure lines for commercial cultivation in Malaysia. Considering the 14 qualitative and 27 quantitative traits of fifteen landraces the variation and genetic parameters namely, variability, heritability, genetic advance, characters association, and cluster matrix were determined. ANOVA revealed significant variation for all the agronomic traits (except plant height). Among the accessions, highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were found for almost all the traits excluding fifty percent flowering date, seed length, seed width. The 16 traits out of the 27 quantitative traits had a coefficient of variation (CV) ≥ 20%. A positive and intermediate to perfect highly significant association (r = 0.23 to 1.00; P −1) with desirable traits. Group II had a maximum number of accessions while group III and group V had one of each. However, findings declared that the availability of genetic variance will be beneficial for this crop improvement through cross breeding as well as the plant breeders to prefer desirable traits in V. subterranea L. Verdc. for further breeding purposes.

Phenotypic associations among yield-related traits and the pattern of influence in crops are useful in evaluating, planning and selection criteria for the desirable traits. This research aimed to evaluate linear correlations and estimate the direct and indirect effects among morphological traits on oil yield of MPOB-Senegal germplasm. Data were collected annually for successive eight years (2000 to 2007) and was estimated for the phenotypic correlations, and decomposition into direct and indirect effects using path coefficient analysis. The result of the correlation and path coefficient analysis showed significant highly positive relations between some yield components and oil yield. Oil to wet mesocarp (OTWM) and bunch number (BNO) had high positive direct effect on oil yield while fresh fruit bunch (FFB), oil to fiber (OTF), fruit to bunch (FTB), and average bunch weight (ABWT) showed indirect effect on oil yield. In improvement of palm oil yield, traits that show high direct and/or indirect effect on oil yield should be considered. Hence, FFB, OTF, FTB, OTWM, and ABWT have maximum direct and indirect effect can be used effectively for the improvement of the palm oil yield of the MPOB-Senegal oil palm germplasm.

Chilli (Capsicum species) is an important spice and vegetable crop of the world. Capsicum species have been widely used in food as well as in pharmaceutical industries. This is because these specie...

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and blast are among the most destructive diseases of rice. In order to develop new varieties that can resist various races of the pathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Magnaporthe oryzae, which cause these two diseases, respectively, it is important to identify suitable markers and a marker-aided selection strategy. Seventeen foreground microsatellites associated with resistance against BLB and blast were screened for polymorphism for possible adoption in a breeding program for resistant cultivar development. A total of 472 background simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were also screened for polymorphism in order to recover the recurrent parent genome. All 72 F1 progenies were also analysed with the 17 foreground and 472 background markers in comparison to the alleles of their parents. The markers were validated using 218 BC2F2 plants. The result revealed six tightly linked polymorphic foreground markers (Xa21FR, pTA248, Xa13prom, MP, RM21 and RM13) associated with resistance against Xoo pathotype P7.7 and two microsatellites (RM6836 and RM8225) associated with resistance against blast pathotype P7.2. A total of 79 polymorphic background markers were identified for recovering the recurrent parent genome. The result also showed that the markers had goodness of fit (blast resistance) to 1:2:1 ratio for single gene model in BC2F2 progenies. These genetically confirmed microsatellite markers were recommended for use in marker-assisted backcross breeding and other marker-assisted selection of BLB and blast resistance genes in order to develop varieties with durable and broad spectrum resistance against the two major rice diseases.

Adopting environmentally friendly or green technology and incorporating new alternative substrates for a sustainable agricultural industry has garnered the attention of numerous researchers. Although super absorbent hydrogels have exhibited great potential, natural hydrogel-based absorbents have gained more interest due to their environmentally safe properties. The sources for the novel green polymer are easily obtained from agricultural wastes, such as polysaccharides, agarose, chitosan, and mucilage, with zero to minimal cost. The polymer also offers several attributes, including water usage and cost efficiencies, versatile application, and increasing plant growth. Furthermore, the polymer can act as a carrier agent and aid in improving the properties of planting mediums. The present review focuses on natural and chemical hydrogel-based polymers. It discusses their potential application in sustainable agriculture and the conservation of ecosystems by providing balanced protection for seeds, plants, and soil. Future perspectives based on previous investigations are also presented.

Eleven morphologically diverse cultivated eggplant accessions were used for hybridization following half diallel mating design to obtain 55 hybrids. Evaluation of hybrids along with the parents was conducted over two locations followed by randomised complete block design with three replications to study gene action and combining ability of 15 morphological and biochemical traits. The analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the environments and interaction of genotype and environment, except for fruit length to width ratio. Additive gene effects were significant for the inheritance of these traits and expression of these additive genes were greatly affected by environments. The general combining ability (GCA) was greater than their respective specific combining ability (SCA) for all traits except for fruit yield per plant. High values of GCA and SCA effects for characters of interest were dispersed among different genotypes. From this study it was observed that the best parental line was BT15 based on days to first flowering, total number of fruits per plant, total soluble solids and total phenol content. Besides, the parent BM5 showed good general combining ability effects for fruit yield per plant, fruit length and fruit length to width ratio and the parent BB1 performed good general combining ability for fruit diameter, fruit girth and fruit weight. Besides, other parents showed the best performance for only one trait. On the other hand, the hybrid BT6 × BT15 was reported bearing early flowering with high total phenol content and the hybrid BM9 × BB26 has high fruit yield with high soluble solids. Besides, the hybrid BM9 × BB1 has a high fruit diameter and fruit weight. All other hybrids except for these three (BT6 × BT15, BM9 × BB26 and BM9 × BB1) were shown the best performance for only one trait. Hence, based on the desired trait, the hybrid can be selected for future use after large scale evaluation.

Eggplant is an essential vegetable crop that is rich in health-related compounds, and the content of these compounds can be increased through grafting. It was reported that grafting with vigorous wild relatives’ rootstocks can improve eggplant’s fruit quality. The study was conducted to investigate the fruit yield, composition and physicochemical traits of Solanum melongena ME, CE, NE and TE scions grafted on wild relatives’ rootstocks of ST, SM and SI. The results show that a notable graft success (100%) was recorded in grafted (TE/ST) and self-grafted (TE/TE) plants using the cleft technique. Growth and yield traits indicated that CE and TE scions grafted onto ST, SM and SI showed better performance in all of the traits mentioned above in an open field across two years, except first flower formation which was displayed on non-grafted CE. In all the rootstocks studied—ST, SM and SI—there was no noticeable effect on carbohydrate, fibre, ash, pH and dry matter content. There was a notable effect of grafting ME/ST, CE/ST, ME/SM, CE/SI, ME/SI, ME/SI and NE/SM on the fruit length, fruit width, total soluble solids, fruit firmness and fat and protein content, respectively. Furthermore, antioxidants such as DPPH (ME/SM), total flavonoids (NE/SM) and total phenolics (TE/SI) had remarkable content of the above-mentioned physicochemical properties. Results show that ST, SM and SI represent a viable rootstock alternative to Solanum melongena or Solanum lycopersicum production.

This study investigated oil palm inflorescence sex ratio (ISR) and fruit set (FS) yield among 24 dura × pisifera biparental progenies on fibric peat soil, hybridized from ten genetic origins. Three-month intervals of data collection on ISR and “S-shape” procedure for FS determination were carried out in an independent complete randomized design for one year. Based on the assessment of individual progenies, analysis of variance revealed the existence of genetic heterogeneity. Five of the progenies had the highest ISR above 90%. However, 20.83% of the progenies (PK4841, PK4674, ECPHP415, ECPHP550, and PK4118) had the best normal range of ISR, indicating FS declined being influenced by ISR. Therefore, only 12.50% of the progenies (PK4674, PK4465, and PK4482) were above 60% FS critical level. Correlation analysis verified that ISR depends on the female flower and progeny PK4674 (65.78%) and PK4465 (62.62%) had the best FS and fruit to bunch. Among the parental origins, Deli Serdang × Cameroon was statistically the best for male flower production at 29.40% and ISR at 72.22%. The highest FS was recorded in Deli Banting × AVROS (54.00%) and Angola × AVROS (53.78%). However, molecular research, such as microsatellite molecular markers if concurrently used as a selection criterion with the present conventional study, could present further details to complement the present findings.

A full diallel mating design was used to hybridize seven pumpkin inbred parental lines, yielding 42 F1 hybrids, including reciprocals. The generated F1 hybrids, parental lines and commercial check hybrid were evaluated in two environments to investigate the per se performances, combining ability effects and magnitude of heterosis over mid-parent, better-parent and commercial check hybrids for yield, yield attributed, sweetness, total carotenoid and antioxidant traits, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance for most of the examined traits revealed highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) for GCA, SCA, reciprocal, maternal and non-maternal variances and their interaction with the environment. Since the inheritance of yield and its contributing fruit quality, and antioxidant traits is governed by non-additive gene action, it suggests heterosis breeding would be useful in obtaining further improvements in pumpkin. From the experiment, it was found that the paternal lines P1 (Gold Butter 315) for dry matter content and DPPH (%), P4 (Asian pumpkin) for total carotenoid content, P6 (Sarawak) for fruit number per plant and P7 (Australia-1) for single fruit weight, fruit flesh thickness, yield per plant and total soluble solid were shown to be good general combiners. In respect to per se performance, combining ability effects and magnitude of heterosis over mid-parent, better-parent and commercial check, the cross P2 (928 Fuxiang) × P1 (Gold Butter 315) and P4 (Asian pumpkin) × P5 (Sarawak) for single fruit weight and yield per plant, the cross P5 (Sarawak) × P2 (928 Fuxiang) for fruits number per plant, P1 (Gold Butter 315) × P7 (Australia-1) and P1 (Gold Butter 315) × P6 (Sarawak) for total soluble solid and dry matter content, P7 (Australia-1) × P2 (928 Fuxiang) for total carotenoid content and P3 (Ser Bajadi) × P1 (Gold Butter 315) for DPPH (antioxidant) were identified to be highly significant positive specific combiners and the highest performers, and these crosses may be exploited as commercial hybrids.

Water management is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing issues facing all countries in semi-arid and arid parts of the world. Global water consumption is predicted to increase by 50% in 2030, resulting in an acute water shortage. Presently, the agricultural sector consumes more than 70% of freshwater in most regions of the world, putting more pressure on water scarcity. Hydrogels are superabsorbent polymers that can hold plant nutrients and water when the soil around plant roots starts to dry out. Research evidence has revealed that water stored by hydrogel slowly returns to the soil, thereby increasing the volumetric water content of the soil. Hydrogel increases water use efficiency and irrigation intervals, decreases irrigation costs, and provides plants with the required nutrients and moisture. Numerous properties of hydrogels, including moderate water retention and high swelling, make them ideal as a safe delivery mechanism in agriculture for soil conditioners and agents for the controlled release of fertilizers. Numerous research publications on hydrogel polymer synthesis and its characteristics have been published. However, the current review emphasizes the critical role of superabsorbent hydrogels in an integrated approach for the balanced protection of seeds, plants, and soil to conserve the ecosystem.

This study was conducted to assess the Elaeidobius kamerunicus (EK) population density among the biparental dura × pisifera hybrids’ palms on deep peat-soil. Twenty-four hybrids derived from 10 genetic sources were used. Variance analysis showed that the EK population density varies between different oil palm hybrids, with a more noticeable variation of a low population mean in the male weevil across the hybrids. The highest weevil population mean/spikelet was attained on the third day of anthesis. The maximum monthly population of EK/spikelet (12.81 ± 0.23) and population density of EK (1846.49 ± 60.69) were recorded in January. Accordingly, 41.67% of the hybrids recorded an EK population density greater than the trial means of 973.68 weevils. Hybrid ECPHP550 had the highest mean of EK/spikelet (10.25 ± 0.11) and the highest population density of EK/palm (1241.39 ± 73.74). The parental mean population was 963.24 weevils and parent Deli-Banting × AVROS recorded the highest EK population density (1173.01). The overall results showed a notable disparity in the EK population among the biparental hybrids. Parental Deli-Banting × AVROS and hybrid ECPHP550 could be more useful to optimize the weevil population for pollination improvements in palm plantations. However, we suggest that volatile production should be included as a desirable trait in oil palm selective breeding.

In the establishment of oil palm seedlings, apart from the application of adequate amount of fertilizers, other sustainable plant nutrient sources are known to have the potential in enhancing vegetative growth and improve plants’ resistance against pests and diseases. The application of plant growth promoters is known to contribute towards sustaining healthy plant growth leading to strong plant defense mechanisms. The present study was conducted to determine plant growth promotion potentials of bacterium, Bacillus cereus (UPM15) and fungus Trichoderma asperellum (UPM16). Isolates B. cereus and T. asperellum were assessed on their effectiveness as plant growth promoters for oil palm seedlings. Plant growth-promoting potentials were evaluated in terms of their ability to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), a naturally occurring plant hormone of the auxin class, iron-chelating compounds or siderophores, and phosphate solubilisation, considered to be one of the most important traits associated with plant phosphate nutrition. A series of treatments was applied to establish the potential of B. cereus and T. asperellum as microbial inoculants in singles and mixed applications in an in vivo nursery study. The ability to solubilize precipitated phosphate and to produce siderophores was positively demonstrated by T. asperellum. Both B. cereus and T. asperellum were capable of producing IAA. The results showed that the former significantly contributed towards growth enhancement of roots and the later in growth promotion of aerial parts of oil palm seedlings. Mixture of these isolates yielded good vegetative growth. The study revealed the benefits of microbial inoculants that extended beyond their capacity as biofertilizers.

One of the most important and widely known plantation crops with high revenue returns is the Elaeis guineensis palm. To date, yield variability in fresh fruit bunches (YFFB) in Malaysian oil palm plantations is one of the key influences in low palm oil yield. Accordingly, an assessment of dura×pisifera progenies and their genetic origins on oil palm yield was investigated. Twenty-four derived progenies from 10 genetic sources were adopted as F1 hybrid-single generation and the standard approach for data collection of the yield and yield traits was followed for three sequential years. Variance analysis showed genetic differences between the progenies and their origins. Amid the progenies analyzed, 45.83% had YFFB above the trial mean. Progeny HPDP500 had the highest YFFB (191.74 kg/palm/year) and the highest bunch number (YBNO) was recorded in PKDP4474 (20.65 bunches/palm/year), and HPDP500 (20.53 bunches/palm/year). In year one and year three, the highest YFFB was reported, while in year one of data collection, the highest YBNO was recorded. Dura-Ulu Remis × Yangambi had the highest YFFB (175.81 kg/palm/year) and Tanzania × Nigeria recorded the highest YBNO (19.06 bunches/palm/year). High heritability and phenotypic coefficient of variation with a moderate genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits were further revealed. YFFB had a moderate positive YBNO relationship (r = 0.676; df =3, 23; p = 0.0001) and a weak positive average bunch weight correlation (r = 0.378; df = 3, 23; p = 0.0001). For tissue culture and hybridization programs for yield enhancement, progenies and origins with better performance may be used; however, the use of molecular research as a selection criterion seems to be worth further analysis.

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) is considered an emerging crop for the future and known as a crop for the new millennium. The core intention of this research work was to estimate the variation of landraces of Bambara groundnut considering their 14 qualitative and 27 numerical traits, to discover the best genotype fitted in Malaysia. The findings of the ANOVA observed a highly significant variation ( p ≤ 0.01 ) for all the traits evaluated. There was a substantial variation (7.27 to 41.21%) coefficient value, and 14 out of the 27 numerical traits noted coefficient of variation CV ≥ 20 % . Yield (kg/ha) disclosed positively strong to perfect high significant correlation ( r = 0.75 to 1.00; p ≤ 0.001 ) with traits like fresh pod weight, dry pod weight, and dry seed weight. The topmost PCV and GCV values were estimated for biomass dry (41.09%) and fresh (40.53%) weight with high heritability (Hb) and genetic advance (GA) Hb = 95.19 %, GA = 80.57 % and Hb = 98.52 %, GA = 82.86 %, respectively. The topmost heritability was recorded for fresh pod weight (99.89%) followed by yield (99.75%) with genetic advance 67.95% and 62.03%, respectively. The traits with Hb ≥ 60 % and G A ≥ 20 % suggested the least influenced by the environment as well as governed by the additive genes and direct selection for improvement of such traits can be beneficial. To estimate the genetic variability among accessions, the valuation of variance components, coefficients of variation, heritability, and genetic advance were calculated. To authenticate the genetic inequality, an unweighted pair group produced with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and principal component analysis was executed based on their measurable traits that could be a steadfast method for judging the degree of diversity. Based on the UPGMA cluster analysis, constructed five distinct clusters and 44 accessions from clusters II and IV consider an elite type of genotypes that produce more than one ton yield per hectare land with desirable traits. This study exposed an extensive disparity among the landraces and the evidence on genetic relatives will be imperative in using the existing germplasm for Bambara groundnut varietal improvement. Moreover, this finding will be beneficial for breeders to choose the desirable numerical traits of V. subterranea in their future breeding program.

This research was conducted to study the performance of biparental dura &times, pisifera (D &times, P) progenies and their parental genetic origins on fruit set and yield components. Twenty-four D &times, P progenies developed from 10 genetic origins were used for this study. Analysis of variance showed that there was genetic variability based on the evaluation of individual progenies. Deli Ulu Remis &times, Nigeria of progeny ECPHP500 recorded the highest bunch number (22.91), and fresh fruit bunch (184.62 kg palm&minus, 1 year&minus, 1) and Deli Banting dura &times, AVROS pisifera (ECPHP550) had the highest average bunch weight (10.36 kg palm&minus, 1). Progenies PK4674 (61.12%) and PK4465 (60.93%) had the highest fruit set, and the highest oil yield of 52.66 kg palm&minus, 1 was noticed by progeny PK4674. Estimation of variance components, coefficients of variation, heritability, and genetic gain were calculated to establish the genetic variability. To validate the genetic disparity among the progenies, an unweighted pair-group procedure with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and principal component was employed based on their quantitative traits. Through the UPGMA and principal component, the 24 progenies were clustered into 7 clusters, whereas cluster V had the highest fruit set (60.62%) and cluster IV had the highest oil yield (43.71 kg palm&minus, 1). For oil palm tissue culture and breeding programs, progeny PK4674 will be more useful for developing planting materials of high oil yielding with stable performance. However, we recommend that future studies incorporate molecular studies with conventional breeding.

Grafting is regarded as an integral component of sustainable vegetable production. It is important in the management of soil-borne diseases, and reports suggest that grafting with viable rootstocks can enhance crop growth and yield. This research was conducted using splices and cleft grafting techniques to investigate graft compatibility among varieties of high yielding eggplant scion (MCV1, MCV2, CCV1, CCV2, CCV3, NCV, and TCV) grafted onto wild rootstocks (MWR, BWR, and TWR) to study their morphophysiological and yield characteristics. High yielding scions grafted onto wild relative rootstocks were compared with two controls including self-grafted and non-grafted. All the scion had a high rate of germination (&ge, 95%) and remarkable graft success (100%) was recorded in MCV1, MCV2, and TCV using the cleft techniques. Generally, the use of rootstocks resulted in higher total and marketable fruit yield compared to the non-grafted and self-grafted scion plants, respectively. In particular, MWR and TWR rootstock conferred the highest vigour to the scion, resulting in the highest values recorded for total and marketable fruit yield, number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight. A similar result was obtained in fruit length and diameter, where long and wide fruits were observed in scions grafted onto MWR and TWR rootstocks, respectively. Grafting of high yielding eggplant scion onto resistant MWR, BWR and TWR eggplant rootstock was found to be beneficial for eggplant cultivation. The remarkable compatibility and vigour of the rootstock with scion led to the improvement in total and marketable yield of the fruits. As such, it can be concluded that the use of wild relative rootstocks of eggplant species can be a valuable method of improving eggplant production.

Climate change is primarily manifested by elevated temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and is projected to provide suitable cultivation grounds for pests and pathogens in the otherwise unsuitable regions. The impacts of climate change have been predicted in many parts of the world, which could threaten global food safety and food security. The aim of the present work was therefore to examine the interacting effects of water activity (aw) (0.92, 0.95, 0.98 aw), CO2 (400, 800, 1200 ppm) and temperature (30, 35 &deg, C and 30, 33 &deg, C for Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum, respectively) on fungal growth and mycotoxin production of acclimatised isolates of F. verticillioides and F. graminearum isolated from maize. To determine fungal growth, the colony diameters were measured on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. The mycotoxins produced were quantified using a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QTOF-MS) combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system. For F. verticillioides, the optimum conditions for growth of fumonisin B1 (FB1), and fumonisin B2 (FB2) were 30 &deg, C + 0.98 aw + 400 ppm CO2. These conditions were also optimum for F. graminearum growth, and zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) production. Since 30 &deg, C and 400 ppm CO2 were the baseline treatments, it was hence concluded that the elevated temperature and CO2 levels tested did not seem to significantly impact fungal growth and mycotoxin production of acclimatised Fusarium isolates. To the best of our knowledge thus far, the present work described for the first time the effects of simulated climate change conditions on fungal growth and mycotoxin production of acclimatised isolates of F. verticillioides and F. graminearum.

The pathogenicity of white-rot hymenomycetes isolated from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) trunks and their effect on the vegetative growth of oil palm seedlings were investigated under nursery condition. The hymenomycetes were selected based on their potential antagonistic ability against the pathogen Ganoderma boninense from a previous study. Rubber wood blocks (RWB's) pre-colonized with either one of the seven hymenomycetes or the pathogen G. boninense PER 71 were placed in direct contact with the roots of three-month-old oil palm seedlings using a sitting technique. After nine months, the seedlings inoculated with G. boninense were severely infected and the infection had spread throughout the seedlings, causing basal stem rot. By contrast, the fronds and boles of the seedlings inoculated with each of the seven hymenomycetes were symptomless until the end of the 18-months study. The frond length of seedlings inoculated with Trametes lactinea FBW or Clitopilus prunulus ST3 was about 2.7-fold greater than those of seedlings inoculated with G. boninense PER 71. Similarly, after nine months, the chlorophyll content of seedlings inoculated with Lentinus tigrinus FBJ G3 or Pycnoporus sanguineus FBR was approximately 60 or 59 SPAD units, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of seedlings inoculated with G. boninense PER 71. The seedlings inoculated with each of the seven hymenomycetes showed a similar growth pattern in terms of frond count, plant girth, plant height and frond length, at nine months. These findings suggested the non-pathogenic nature of the selected seven white-rot hymenomycetes on oil palm seedlings and their possible use as biological control agents against the BSR pathogen, G. boninense. The findings should be further explored for their biocontrol potential under natural field conditions.

This paper highlights major findings on genetic diversity of the 1995 RRIM Hevea germplasm collected from Brazilian states of Amazonas and Para. Results of this investigation revealed the presence of significant variations among genotypes of Hevea brasiliensis originating from eight different locations. Higher phenotypic coefficient of variation compared to genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for all characters studied indicating environmental influence on the expression of characters mentioned above. Latex yield recorded the highest magnitude of heritability coupled with the highest genetic advance signifying that selection of this character has a good response. The highest genetic distance was observed between Manaus and Atalaia do Norte while the lowest was between Benjamin Constant and Atalaia do Norte. According to cluster analysis, the eight collection origins were clustered into three groups. The first four components in the principal component analysis accounted for around 99. 70% in total variation of all main characters. These materials will be used for selection, genetic improvement and incorporation in Malaysian Rubber Board’s rubber breeding programme for the development of superior latex timber clones.

Given the increasing emphasis on sustainable agriculture, and concerns about the adverse effects of extensive use of farm chemicals, research attention is now being focused on reducing the dependence upon synthetic herbicides, and finding alternative strategies for weed management. Allelopathic properties of crop plants may allow us to use lower amounts of herbicides with benefits for the environment and human health. Considering these aspects, the present study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of six selected rice varieties (WITA-3, WITA-4, WITA-12, Woo-Co, Fukuhibiki and Kalizira) collected from Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) on seed germination and seedling growth of five weed species; Echinochloa crus-galli, Cyperus difformis, Cyperus iria, Fimbristylis milliacea and weedy rice. The aqueous extracts of all the rice cultivars caused inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling shoot-root length of all the weed species. However, the inhibitory effects of different rice varieties varied significantly based on the differences of weed species and weedy rice found to be the least affected compared to other weeds. WITA-12 resulted about 50% germination inhibition, 25% shoot length reduction and 23% root length reduction respectively compared to control. On the basis of average percentage inhibition, rice varieties ranked in order; WITA-12>WITA- 4>Fukuhibiki>Kalizira>Woo-Co>WITA-3. Our results suggested that there is a possibility of developing a new ecological weed management strategy using rice cultivars with higher allelopathic potentials. This means breeding of rice cultivars with higher allelopathic potential may provide natural and sustainable weed management options for rice growers.

The world’s food and agricultural programs have gradually declined into an unsustainable situation due to challenges such as increase in world population, varied agro-climatic regions, increase temperature, extreme sole-culture growing techniques, and water shortage. A considerable emphasis has been put on few staple food crops coupled with repeated dieting, food scarcity, and essential mineral deficits, frequently inducing dietary disorders. Because relying on staple crops may lead to serious food shortages in the future, we must adjust our dietary habits to include a diverse range of non-staple foods and maximize their use in order to achieve food security and reduce the nutritional gap. To assure healthy meals around the world, an authentic and reasonable strategy is presented to draw additional awareness towards variations in agricultural production techniques and dietary preferences. The EAT-Lancet declaration highlighted the importance of increasing agri-based foods to achieve sustainable health. Expanding overlooked crops with abundant genetic stocks and possibly beneficial characteristics is an approach that might meet food and nutritional security challenges. Although undervalued, pumpkin is a valuable vegetable herbaceous plant that contributes to global food and nutritional security. This crop has already been identified as a revolutionary age crop, balanced food, and more adapted to low soil and atmospheric circumstances than other major crops. This review paper focuses on the potential uses of pumpkin as an underutilized crop; diversification and development of hybrids, particularly hybridization breeding through diallel mating design; and how implementation of this “modern” technology would contribute to the breeding of the neglected pumpkin vegetable and stimulate productivity and nourish the world’s largest malnourished, deprived, and starved populations.

Seven mutants along with the mother variety were evaluated following randomized complete block design with four replicates at four rapeseed growing areas of Bangladesh during 2013-2014 to observe their performances regarding seed yield and yield attributes, and to select promising mutants having higher seed yield with short maturity period. Analysis of variance showed highly significant variations among the mutants and the check for most of the characters studied in individual location and combined over locations. The mutant RM-01-07 required the shortest maturity period except Rangpur and the mother variety Binasarisha-4 required the longest. At Mymensingh and Rangpur, mutant RM-02-07 produced the tallest plant. Both at Mymensingh and Magura, RM-01-07 produced the highest number of siliquae plant-1 and the mother variety produced the lowest siliquae plant-1. At Ishurdi, RM-10-07 produced the highest number siliquae followed by RM-03-07. Combined means over locations showed that the six mutants matured earlier except the mutant RM-03-07 and most of the mutants produced higher number of branches plant-1 compared to the mother variety. Results over different locations also showed that the three mutants RM-01-07, RM- 10-07 and RM-04-07 produced significantly higher seed yield (1912, 1846 and 1862 kg/ha, respectively) which was 15.1, 12.1 and 11.1% higher than the mother variety, Binasarisha-4 with seed yield of 1661 kg/ha. These three mutants had also the higher number of siliquae than the mother variety. This suggests that gamma rays irradiation can be fruitfully applied to develop mutants with higher seed yield and other improved agronomic traits in oleiferous Brassica.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 14(2): 141-146, December 2016

The study sought to evaluate the response of three groundnut genotypes (Binachinabadam-3, Dacca-1 and Zhingabadam) to various salt concentrations (D0 – Control, D1 – 2.5 dS/m, D2 – 5.0 dS/m, D3 – 7.5 dS/m, D4 – 10.0 dS/m, D5 – 12.5 dS/m) through observation of morphological and physiological characters. Based on relative performance of yield contributing characters and nutrient contents of leaves and stem, Binachinabadam-3 emerged to be a tolerant variety and based on root shoot characters, Dacca-1 appeared as tolerant while Zhingabadam always performed as sensitive variety. Salinity treatments had most adverse effects at flowering stage and followed the trend of sensitivity as flowering stage > vegetative stage> pre sowing stage > pod filling stage. All varieties were found to be tolerant up to salinity level of 7.5 dS/m.

Fifty-seven accessions of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) collected from seven states in Peninsular Malaysia were evaluated for their molecular characteristics using ISSR and SSR markers to assess the pattern of genetic diversity and association among the characteristics. Diversity study through molecular characterization showed that high variability existed among the 57 torch ginger accessions. ISSR and SSR molecular markers revealed the presence of high genetic variability among the torch ginger accessions. The combination of different molecular markers offered reliable and convincing information about the genetic diversity of torch ginger germplasm. This study found that SSR marker was more informative compared to ISSR marker in determination of gene diversity, polymorphic information content (PIC), and heterozygosity in this population. SSR also revealed high ability in evaluating diversity levels, genetic structure, and relationships of torch ginger due to their codominance and rich allelic diversity. High level of genetic diversity discovered by SSR markers showed the effectiveness of this marker to detect the polymorphism in this germplasm collection.

An experiment to study the effect of cobalt 60 gamma irradiation on agronomic traits of Malaysian rice variety, MR284, was performed by using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in Gamma Green House (GGH) located at Malaysia Nuclear Agency. The GGH facility can produce a low dose rate of chronic gamma-ray which causes less damage to the plant cell and eliminate undesirable traits as well as produce wide mutation spectrum. Seedlings in pots at the age of 14 days were exposed to gamma rayS in GGH at different dose rate from 0.03 Gy/hour to 0.66 Gy/hour for 77 days (flowering stage). Data on survival rate and growth performance such as plant height and tiller number were recorded every 7th day. The result showed that, chronically irradiated MR284 plant exhibited various significant responses of agronomic characteristic against different doses of chronic gamma irradiation. Based on the survival curve, growth reduction (GD50) for MR284 was recoded at 318.63 Gy based on filled grain per plant trait. At cumulative doses of 68.87 Gy and 167.25 Gy (0.07 and 0.17 Gy/hour, respectively), the rice seedlings demonstrated the highest plant height with maximum tillering and highest number of filled grains. Those rates are stimulating to the growth and development of the plants. This study helps explicate the dose-response on local rice varieties through chronic radiation in a Gamma Green House facility in Malaysia.

The acknowledged status of Moringa oleifera L. in sub-Saharan Africa, especially western Africa, has of recent accorded it the significance of being a good source of income to a large segment of many of its populace. Intensification of research into the realization of its full economic potential will be of utmost value to impoverished societies globally. One way to achieve this is the full exploration of all possible means that will facilitate its successful growth, propagation, and domestication. Even though it can be successfully raised through seeds, the high level outcrossing (64.3%) observed is a hindrance to realization of true to type trees. Vegetative propagation can be employed as an option to tackle the noted limitation, ease the cultivation process, and achieve the required realization of its economic potential. Our trial was carried out to study the influence of two growth media and three levels of indole 3-butyric acid (IBA) on root and shoot development in cuttings taken from a coppiced moringa tree existent in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Semi-hardwood cuttings of moringa, of between 20 and 30 mm diameter, cut into 25 cm length, were obtained, rinsed with a fungicide, then dipped, through their basal portion, inside varying levels (0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm) of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for between 7 and 10 seconds. The treated cuttings were then transplanted into a polyethylene bags (23 cm × 36 cm), containing two growth media - a munchong series soil (M) and a combination of a munchong series soil thoroughly mixed with biochar (MB) in a 3:1 ratio sequence. The trial was conducted inside a shade house where the humidity of the experimental area was manipulated through a regular daily manual hand sprinkling. Plant height, percentage of primary branch produced, leaf area, and dry matter (DM) were found to be significantly (P0.05) influenced. The MB growth media was observed to significantly affect the plant height, percentage root number, and root length as compared to the M growth media. For a successful vegetative propagation and subsequent domestication, the MB growth media coupled with a higher stem diameter size are recommended.

This study was carried out to evaluate the performance of pisifera (male parent) palms, their general combining ability, and to identify suitable pisifera palms for large scale production of oil palm planting materials. Twenty-four (24) Deli dura palms were nested into 10 Nigerian pisifera male parent palms to produce 1056 tenera (D × P) palms. Tenera palms were planted in two replicates with 16 palms/progeny/replicate. Data collection on yield and yield component traits carried out consecutively for six years. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the mean comparison and general combining ability were carried out. These were done to know the performance of each of the pisifera parent palms. Additionally, multivariate analysis in form of cluster analysis was done using the quantitative traits. ANOVA showed significant variability among the pisifera palms based on the traits. Fresh fruit bunch (FFB) of each pisifera palm ranged from 173.80 to 211.46 kg/palm/year (kg/p/yr) with a trial mean of 191.92 kg/p/yr, while the oil yield (OY) ranged from 60.24 to 44.06 kg/p/yr with a trial mean of 53.72 kg/p/yr. Based on their mean comparison and the general combining ability, four palms (P01, P03, P09 and P06) have been ranked to be high yielding and good general combiner for FFB and oil yield. While palm P04, P06 and P09 were found to be good combiners for palm height. From these result, four pisifera palms (P01, P03, P09 and P06) have been identified to be high yielding (in terms of FFB and OY), dwarf height and suitable as pollen sources for commercial production of D × P planting materials.

Background: Studies on genotypic and phenotypic correlations among characters of crop plants are useful in planning, evaluating and setting selection criteria for the desired characters in a breeding program. The present study aimed to estimate the phenotypic correlation coefficients among yield and yield attributed characters and to work out the direct and indirect effects of yield-related characters on yield per plant using path coefficient analysis. Twenty-six genotypes of chili pepper were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.; Results: Yield per plant showed positive and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) correlations with most of the characters studied at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels. By contrast, disease incidence and days to flowering showed a significant negative association with yield. Fruit weight and number of fruits exerted positive direct effect on yield and also had a positive and significant (P ≤ 0.01) correlation with yield per plant. However, fruit length showed a low negative direct effect with a strong and positive indirect effect through fruit weight on yield and had a positive and significant association with yield.; Conclusion: Longer fruits, heavy fruits and a high number of fruits are variables that are related to higher yields of chili pepper under tropical conditions and hence could be used as a reliable indicator in indirect selection for yield. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

This study aimed to evaluate seed dormancy type and germination pattern for oil palm seeds. Physical dormancy tests included imbibition of intact, scarified and heat-treated seeds to determine percentage of mass increase over time. Seeds were stored at room temperature for 32 weeks to monitor embryo growth and seed germination. Physiological dormancy was evaluated by pre-soaking the seeds in 150 mg L-1 GA3. Results showed that the seeds were unable to imbibe water. Morphological tests on seeds at room temperature indicated that an embryo length of 3.64 or 3.03 mm was required to initiate germination in tenera × tenera (T × T) and dura × pisifera (D × P) seeds, respectively. Heat treatment accelerated embryo growth, regardless of treatment duration. Application of exogenous GA3 did not significantly increase germination. The seeds recorded higher germination at 30°C compared with room temperature. Oil palm embryo growth potential increases with time to overcome mechanical resistance of the endosperm micropylar region. The embryo growth (length) greater than 13% is required to commence germination. Results indicate that oil palm seeds have a combination of both morphological and physical dormancy.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensisJacq) is one of the major sources of edible oil. Reducing the effect ofGanoderma,main cause of basal stem rot (BSR) on oil palm, is the main propose of this study. Understanding the oil palm defense mechanism againstGanodermainfection through monitoring changes in the secondary metabolite compounds levels before/after infection byGanodermaunder different fertilizing treatment is required. Oil palm requires macro- and microelements for growth and yield. Manipulating the nutrient for oil palm is a method to control the disease. The 3-4-month-old oil palm seedlings were given different macronutrient treatments to evaluate induction of defense related enzymes and production of secondary metabolite compounds in response toG. boninenseinoculation. The observed trend of changes in the infected and uninfected seedlings was a slightly higher activity forβ-1,3-glucanases, chitinase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase during the process of pathogenesis. It was found that PR proteins gave positive response to the interaction between oil palm seedlings andGanodermainfection. Although the responses were activated systematically, they were short-lasting as the changes in enzymes activities appeared before the occurrence of visible symptoms. Effect of different nutrients doses was obviously observed among the results of the secondary metabolite compounds. Many identified/unidentified metabolite compounds were presented, of which some were involved in plant cell defense mechanism against pathogens, mostly belonging to alkaloids with bitter-tasting nitrogenous-compounds, and some had the potential to be used as new markers to detect basal stem rot at the initial step of disease.

Recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery is the most important step of marker assisted backcross breeding. This breeding approach is used to develop new varieties by inserting a particular gene of interest into the background of a modern variety, and removing undesirable segments linked with the target allele, which can survive after many generations of backcrossing. The marker assisted backcrossing technique is the most effective way to minimize the limitation of conventional breeding, and recover the parental genome within 2–3 generations. MR219, A modern rice variety of Malaysia (susceptible to submergence) was crossed with a high-yielding submergence tolerant variety Swarna-Sub1 (donor) to produce a new submergence tolerant rice variety. Foreground selection for the sub1 gene was done using tightly linked markers. Estimation of RPG recovery was conducted in earlier generations with previously screened polymorphic SSR markers. A total of 385 SSR markers were tested to identify the polymorphism between the parents and 88 of them found to be polymorphic. Background analysis revealed 65.55–77.8 and 78.79–95.5 % recovery in BC1F1 and BC2F1 generations, respectively. In the BC2F2 generation the average RPG recovery was 95.37 % and that for the selected plant was 96.3 %. This study revealed the usefulness of marker assisted backcrossing for the quick recovery of a parental genome in a backcrossing population.

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Capsicum annuum, stress-responsive protein, electrolyte leakage, heat stress, thermal tolerance ABSTRACT. Experiments were carried out to study the mechanisms for heat tolerance in chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). To assess these mechanisms, six genotypes were evaluated for cellular membrane thermostability (CMT) and for HSP70 gene expression. The plants were grown in an experimental plant growth chamber. The mean value of CMT indicates that membrane integrity was not damaged by the high temperature treatment (50 8C) in most of the genotypes. The genotypes were classified as follows: heat-tolerant (greater than 60%), moderately tolerant (30% to 60%), and susceptible (less than 30%). The heat-tolerant plants recorded the highest CMTs at 89.27%, 88.03%, and 85.10% for AVPP0702, AVPP0116, and AVPP9905, respectively, which might be the reason for the change in their cell membrane thermostability. AVPP9703 and AVPP0002 showed CMTs of 15.87% and 18.43%, which might indicate their sensitivity to heat stress. Heat shock protein 70 kDa was identified and found to be differentially expressed under the heat stress. Under heat stress, significantly increased levels of theHSP70gene were detected after 2 h of temperature treatment at 42 8C, which indicated that this gene is quickly and sharply induced by heat shock. This was true for all genotypes tested, which were significantly up-regulated by more than 36.9-, 7.10-, 3.87-, and 3-fold for AVPP0702, AVPP0116, AVPP0002, and AVPP9703, respectively. The HSP70 gene was found to be significantly down-regulated under heat stress in 'Kulai'. AVPP0702, AVPP9905, and AVPP0116 could be considered as heat-tolerant genotypes, whereas 'Kulai' and AVPP9703 were found to be heat-sensitive genotypes in this investigation.

Assessment of the different desirable characters among chili genotypes has expanded the effective selection for crop improvement. Identification of genetically superior parents is important in assortment of the best parents to develop new chili hybrids. RESULTS This study was done to assess the hereditary assorted variety of selected genotypes of Capsicum annuum based on their morphophysiological and yield traits in two planting seasons. The biochemical properties, capsaicinoid content (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin), total phenolics content and antioxidant action determination of unripe and ripe chili pepper fruits were carried out in dry fruits. AVPP9813 and Kulai 907 were observed to have high fruit yields, with 541.39?and 502.64?g per plant, respectively. The most increased genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were shown by the fruit number per plant (49.71% and 66.04%, respectively). High heritability was observed in yield characters viz-a-viz fruit weight, length and girth and indicated high genetic advance. Eight groups were obtained from the cluster analysis. For the biochemical analysis, the capsaicinoid content and total phenolic content were high in Chili Bangi 3 at unripe and ripe fruit stages, while for antioxidant activity SDP203 was the highest in ripe dry fruit. CONCLUSION Higher GCV and PCV, combined with moderate to high heritability and high hereditary progress, were seen in number of fruit per plant, fruit yield per plant and fruit weight per fruit. These findings are beneficial for chili pepper breeders to select desirable quantitative characters in C. annuum in their breeding program. ? 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

In practice, progeny and individual palm selection are believed to be the most suitable breeding approach for improvement of quantitative traits in oil palm because their phenotypic expressions are strongly influenced by abiotic factors. Therefore progeny selection approach was applied in this study for the selection of high fresh fruit bunch (FFB) and dwarf oil palm planting materials. Cross between Deli dura and Nigerian pisifera resulted into 34 D × P full sib progenies with 1036 seedlings. For six consecutive years, data were collected on yield and yield component traits, while vegetative traits were recorded once. Bi-parental analysis was carried out using analysis of variance, followed by progenies mean comparison, variance components, heritabilities and cluster analysis. Highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) progeny effect was recorded in this study and this had a pronounced effect on the expression of all the quantitative traits. Progenies performance of FFB varied significantly and it ranged from 166.49 to 220.06 kg/palm/year (kg/p/yr) with trial mean of 192.93 kg/p/yr. Palm height after 8 years of field planting ranged from 1.67 to 2.78 m (control cross) with trial mean of 2.12 m. Broad sense heritability ( $${\text{h}}_{\text{B}}^{2}$$ ) was found to be very low (

Segregation distortion analysis in plant breeding is highly important because deviation factors are occasionally serious barriers for introgression of genes of interest into cultivated species. Also, the identification of major QTLs by high linkage disequilibrium is highly useful for breeders in order for crop improvement programs and the further fine mapping of particular genes. Consequently, simultaneous consideration of segregation distortion and linkage disequilibrium leads to developing fertile hybrids and normal inheritance of agronomically favorable genes. Hence, the goal of this study was to investigate genomic regions known to contain fragrance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in terms of segregation distortion and linkage disequilibrium pattern, and to seek for a possible relationship between them using codominant markers on chromosomes 3, 4, and 8 in a set containing 189 F2 progenies. For the first time, we discovered the presence and extent of segregation distortion and linkage disequilibrium across the fragrance chromosomal areas of rice. The high frequency of skewed allelic segregations in the chromosomes 3 and 4 supports reports of possible gametic selection (ga) and hybrid sterility (S) genes. Finally, the highest linkage disequilibrium values, the lowest recombination frequency, and the shortest distances were observed in the chromosomal regions without segregation distortion. High linkage disequilibrium correlations between markers at short distances may show that such markers can maintain high linkage disequilibrium with linked QTLs and are influential for both MAS and QTL mapping analysis. Moreover, an indirect relationship between segregation distortion and linkage disequilibrium was detected, and thus linkage disequilibrium maps were introduced as useful diagnostic tools for segregation distortion.

Genetic based knowledge of different growth traits including morphological, physiological and developmental plays fundamental role in the improvement of rice. Genetic divergence allows superior recombinants which are essential in any crop development project. Forty-one rice genotypes including bacterial blight (BB) resistant and susceptible checks were assessed for 13 morphological traits. Among the genotypes, almost all the traits exhibited highly significant variation. The higher extent of genotypic (GCV) as well as phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were noticed for number of tillers hill− 1, total number of spikelets panicle− 1, number of filled grains panicle− 1, and yield hill− 1. High heritability together with high genetic advance was observed for total number of spikelets panicle− 1, number of filled grains panicle− 1, and yield hill− 1 indicating dominant role of additive gene action in the expression of these traits. Number of filled grains panicle− 1 exhibited positive correlation with most of the traits. Yield hill− 1 showed a good number of highly significant positive correlations with number of filled grain panicle− 1, total number of spikelets panicle− 1, 1000 grain weight hill− 1, number of panicle hill− 1, and panicle length. The UPGMA dendrogram divided all the genotypes in to six major clusters. The PCA showed 13 morphological traits generated about 71% of total variation among all the genotypes under this study. On the basis of 13 morphological traits, genotypes such as IRBB2, IRBB4, IRBB13, IRBB21, and MR263 could be hybridized with genotypes MR84, MR159, MRQ50, MRQ74, PH9 and IR8 in order to develop suitable BB resistant rice genotypes.

A long term evaluation of a planting density trial on selected 15 dura × pisifera oil palm hybrids from six Malaysian seed producers was laid out in equilateral triangle in four planting densities, namely 120 (D1), 148 (D2-Control), 170 (D3) and 215 (D4) palms/ha at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Ulu Paka Research Station, Terengganu, Malaysia. Data on fresh fruit bunch (FFB), bunch number (BNO), bunch weight (ABW), fruit/bunch (F/B), oil/bunch (O/B), frond production (FP), rachis length (RL) and palm height (HT) were collected from 1987 to 2003. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of pooled data over years and densities showed significant differences among progenies (G) and agencies (A) for all traits, reflecting their varying genetic backgrounds. Variations in planting densities (D) were significant for ABW, F/B and FP. Statistical differences were detected in G × D interactions for ABW, RL and FP and A × D interaction for ABW. FFB yield among agencies ranged from 18.4 to 21.5 t/ha/yr. The highest BNO was obtained from agency A2. Oil per bunch varied from 25.9 to 28.2%; the highest was observed in Agency A1. HT of the 20-year old palms pooled over planting densities ranged from 8.99 (Agency A1) to 10.02 m (Agency A5) with the height increment (HI) among agencies ranged from 50 to 56 cm/yr. Variation for HT among densities was between 8.70 m (D1) and 10.43 m (D4) with height increment between 48.3 cm/yr and 58 cm/yr. FP ranged from 17.1 (D4) to 19.1 (D1) fronds/yr while RL ranged from 6.20 (D1) to 6.86 m (D4). Density D2 (Control) recorded the highest FFB (21.7 t/ha/yr) followed by D3 (20.9 t/ha/yr), D4 (19.2 t/ha/yr), and D1 (18.6 t/ha/yr). Generally, HT was significantly and positively correlated with FFB components. FP also associated positively with HT and ABW. RL showed negative correlation with FP across all planting densities but generally has no association with FFB and O/B. In this trial, density 2 (148 palms/ha) was the ideal planting density for maximum FFB and oil yield (6.0 t/ha/yr) per unit land area on inland soil and has been the standard practice of the oil palm industry.

Physic nut, Jatropha curcas L. is an important bio-fuel crop. The present study was conducted to determine the extent of genetic variation and relationship among 48 J. curcas accessions of from Malaysia using 14 morphological traits during 2009–2010. In respect of all traits, there were highly significant differences among the accessions. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was the highest for oil yield per ha followed by total no. of seed per plant and seed yield. Similarly, the genotypic coefficient of variation was the highest for seed yield followed by oil yield per ha and total number of seeds per plant. Broad sense heritability was high in general and exceeded 63.5% for all the traits studied. The percentages of genetic advance was higher (>70%) for total number of seeds per plant and seed yield. Morphological traits viz. total number of seeds per plant, total number of branches per plant, number of primary branches per plant and seed yields per ha exhibited a high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance. Seed yield was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) and positively correlated with plant height, total branches, leaf greenish, total number of seeds, number of fruits and oil yield. Based on UPGMA cluster and principal component analyses, the accessions, D-01-09 and B-03-02 (grouped into a single cluster) had above average seed yield, oil yield, number of fruits, total number of seeds, leaf greenish, plant height and primary branch compared to other accessions. For the improvement of J. curcas, two accessions (D-01-09 and B-03-02) could be used as parents and required to be hybridized with the accessions (B-02-05, B-02-01, B-02-04, B-05-05 and B-01-07) of distant clusters I and II.

Wide variability was observed for all the characters among 110 lentil accessions. Stem colour varied from normal green (45%) to purple (55%). Prominent and rudimentary tendrils were found in 60% and 40% of the accessions, respectively. Among the characters, flower colour showed the highest variation. White flower colour was observed in 49%, violet in 28%, white with blue veins in 20% accessions and the rest 3% were with blue flowers. Red cotyledon was shown by 90% while with yellow was shown by 10% of the accessions. Green, grey and brown seed coat was observed in 10, 66 and 24% of the accessions, respectively. Seed coat pattern with dots was found in 70% accessions and marbled seed coat pattern was shown by 15.5% while 14.5% did not show any seed coat pattern. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v41i2.13447 Bangladesh J. Bot. 41(2): 187-190, 2012 (December)

Nine traits of 11 cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. cerasiforme (Dunal) A. Gray) inbred lines exhibited a wide range of genetic variability. High geno- and phenotypic coefficients of variation were obtained for individual fruit weight (68.16 and 74.23%, respectively) followed by number of fruits/plant (58.8 and 68.34%, respectively). High estimates of heritability, genetic advance and genotypic coefficient of variation for the traits of individual fruit weight, number of fruits and clusters/plant were controlled by additive gene action indicating the possibility of selection to improve these characters. Fruit yield/plant showed low heritability along with low genetic advance and did not show significant and positive correlation with the remaining characters. It indicates that improvement of high yield through selection is difficult, rather hybridization can be effective for improving the fruit yield/plant. Among the lines, CH154 produced the highest number of fruits/plant (291) and highest fruit yield (1.89 kg/plant and 63.4 t/ha) and can be selected for cultivation under Bangladesh condition. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v41i2.13443 Bangladesh J. Bot. 41(2): 163-167, 2012 (December)

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate plant population and N-fertilizer effects on yield and yield components of maize (Zea maysL.). Three levels of plant populations (53000, 66000, and 800000 plants ha−1corresponding to spacings of 75 × 25, 60 × 25, and 50 × 25 cm) and 4 doses of N (100, 140, 180, and 220 kg ha−1) were the treatment variables. Results revealed that plant growth, light interception (LI), yield attributes, and grain yield varied significantly due to the variations in population density and N-rates. Crop growth rate (CGR) was the highest with the population of 80,000 ha−1receiving 220 kg N ha−1, while relative growth rate (RGR) showed an opposite trend of CGR. Light absorption was maximum when most of densely populated plant received the highest amount of N (220 kg N ha−1). Response of soil-plant-analysis development (SPAD) value as well as N-content to N-rates was found significant. Plant height was the maximum at the lowest plant density with the highest amount of N. Plants that received 180 kg N ha−1with 80,000 plants ha−1had larger foliage, greater SPAD value, and higher amount of grains cob−1that contributed to the maximum yield (5.03 t ha−1) and the maximum harvest index (HI) compared to the plants in other treatments.

Fragrance in rice is an appealing attribute to consumers. The increasing demand for fragrant rice highlights the need to develop fragrant rice variety that suit the preference of local consumers in addition to reduce fragrant rice imports. Marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) was employed to develop advanced fragrant rice lines from the cross between MR269 and Basmati 370. MR269 is a Malaysian high-yielding rice variety but non-fragrant and was used as recurrent parent whereas Basmati 370 is a well-known fragrant traditional rice variety and was used as donor parent for the fragrance gene. Two generations of backcrosses and a generation of selfing were conducted to introgress the fragrance gene and restore the recurrent parent genome in the backcross progenies. As a result, 14 advanced fragrant rice lines were developed. These advanced fragrant rice lines carried homozygous alleles for the fragrance gene, similar to Basmati 370. The average recovery of recurrent parent genome was 88.4%. Besides being fragrant, the advanced fragrant rice lines also had most of the morphological and agronomical traits similar to MR269. Grain quality of the advanced fragrant rice lines in terms of gelatinization temperature, amylose content and gel consistency are also similar to both parents. Besides, the advanced fragrant rice lines had 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline content similar to Basmati 370. MABC approach applied in this study has successfully introgressed the fragrance gene and accelerated the recovery of recurrent parent genome in advanced fragrant rice lines, therefore these lines can be delivered to the farmers and consumers for use in due time.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of varied salinity regimes on the morphological traits (plant height, number of leaves, number of flowers, fresh and dry weight) and major mineral composition of 13 selected purslane accessions. Most of the morphological traits measured were reduced at varied salinity levels (0.0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m−1), but plant height was found to increase in Ac1 at 16 dS m−1 salinity, and Ac13 was the most affected accession. The highest reductions in the number of leaves and number of flowers were recorded in Ac13 at 32 dS m−1 salinity compared to the control. The highest fresh and dry weight reductions were noted in Ac8 and Ac6, respectively, at 32 dS m−1 salinity, whereas the highest increase in both fresh and dry weight was recorded in Ac9 at 24 dS m−1 salinity compared to the control. In contrast, at lower salinity levels, all of the measured mineral levels were found to increase and later decrease with increasing salinity, but the performance of different accessions was different depending on the salinity level. A dendrogram was also constructed by UPGMA based on the morphological traits and mineral compositions, in which the 13 accessions were grouped into 5 clusters, indicating greater diversity among them. A three-dimensional principal component analysis also confirmed the output of grouping from cluster analysis.