Search

The present study involved assessment of 70 three-line hybrids obtained by crossing five CMS lines and 14 testers using line x tester mating design for combining ability and heterosis for 13 yield and grain quality traits. The Analysis of Variance identified significant difference among crosses and the ratio of GCA and SCA variances were less than unity indicating non-additive gene action for all the traits. The line COMS 24A and testers RNR 15048, WGL 32100, CBSN 504, CBSN 509, CBSN 511 and IR64 DRT were identified as best general combiners through gca effects. Among the hybrids, COMS 24A X WGL 32100, COMS 24A X CBSN 504, COMS 25A X CBSN 511, COMS 25A X CBSN 517, COMS 23A X IR64 DRT and COMS 23A X CBSN 509 demonstrated outstanding sca effects, mean and standard heterosis over CORH 3 and CORH 4. Two hybrids viz., COMS 25A X CBSN 511 and COMS 25A X RNR 15048 had medium slender grain type and hold promise for commercial exploitation in south India especially Tamil Nadu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present investigation was carried out with 35 rice genotypes under wet direct seeding condition at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jagtial, PJTSAU, Telangana, India during kharif (June to October), 2016. High GCV and PCV values for important yield contributing traits viz., 1000 grain weight (24.41, 24.62) and number of grains panicle-1 (26.17, 29.30) were observed. High heritable and genetic advance values for 1000 grain weight (98.30, 49.86) and number of grains panicle-1 (79.80, 48.16) indicated the role of additive genes and these traits can be improved by simple selections. Effective bearing tillers m-2recorded low values of heritability (25.40) and genetic advance (5.19) suggesting the exploitation of heterosis for improvement of this important yield character. Effective bearing tillers m-2 (0.7097**), plant height (0.5014**) and panicle length (0.3219**) exhibited significant correlations with yield, hence direct selection for these traits could improve the yield. Highest inter cluster distance was observed between clusters IV and VI (27.75) followed by III and VI (24.69), IV and V (22.34) and III and V (22.23) thus high heterotic hybrids can be developed by making crosses between genotypes of the clusters. 1000 grain weight (44.2%) contributed highest towards total divergence followed by days to 50% flowering (40.17%) and plant height (10.76). Genotypes from cluster V and VI can be used as parents in breeding programme for development of extra early varieties. Cluster II and IV recorded lowest means for plant height and hence genotypes from these clusters can be used as parents for development of dwarf varieties desirable for wet direct seeding condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate twenty four (24) genotypes along with 1 check variety (Pusa Navbahar) of cluster bean during kharif, July–September, 2019 at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Telangana, India to estimate variability, broad sense heritability and genetic advance for pod yield and yield attributing traits. The observations were recorded on various growth, yield and quality parameters. High estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for plant height, number of branches plant-1, pod length, pod weight and number of pods plant-1. Protein content, gum content and fibre content recorded moderate to high PCV and GCV. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as % of mean was observed for plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of clusters plant-1, days to maturity, number of pods plant-1, pod length, pod girth, pod weight, number of seeds pod-1, pod yield plant-1, pod yield ha-1, protein content, gum content and fibre content. High variability in conjunction with high genetic advance as % of mean indicating the predominance of additive gene action. These traits could be exploited through manifestation of dominance and epistatic components through heterosis breeding. The overall assessment showed that there was wide variability among cluster bean genotypes which has important implication for selection of cluster bean genotypes for yield and quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy hybrids, which combine marketizing and liberalizing reforms with social welfare programmes and state support to boost domestic production, are fast becoming the norm globally. How are neo-liberal and national-developmentalist agendas reconciled as governing practices, and what are their national and international outcomes and implications? This article focuses on the understudied case of India, arguing that a paternalist political rationality, which melds paternalist logics in neo-liberalism and the government's Hindutva civilizationalist politics, underpins its flagship economic policy, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-reliant India Mission). This policy, through production-linked incentives, aims to boost Indian manufacturing. India has benefited from a global push to diversify supply chains and forge new geopolitical partnerships, such as the Quad, to undermine China's manufacturing dominance and geopolitical assertiveness. Yet, its current approach consolidates the dominance of large firms, producing an elitist political economy, and does not address structural weaknesses through public investment in areas like research and education. This has implications for India's development, global trade and geopolitics. These arguments are made by identifying the paternalist logics in the theories and practices of neo-liberalism, and in Hindutva civilizationalist politics; assessing the aims of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan as elaborated by government officials; and evaluating the early outcomes of production-linked incentive schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poultry production in rural India is mostly a non-intensive venture comprising native chicken with low production potential but higher disease resistance and adaptability. Present study is attempted for developing a suitable cross for rural poultry production as well as identifying the genetic groups that are nicking well through a partial diallel cross. Methods: A partial diallel cross using three genetic groups/breeds of chicken viz. coloured synthetic male line (CSML), Local native chicken (Desi) and CARI-Red as the parent lines was designed. CSML was used as male and CR as female line only. The progenies were evaluated for crossbreeding parameters viz. combining abilities and heterosis for immune response and serum enzyme profile to identify the best combining parent lines. Result: Significantly higher (P<0.05) cell-mediated (CMI) and humoral immune response (HIR) and immune organ (spleen, bursa of fabricius and thymus) weights were recorded in CR purebred followed by Desi purebred, while CSML purebred exhibited lowest immunity. Variances for SCA differed significantly (P<0.001) for HIR and immune organ weights. Inconsistent but significantly higher (P<0.01) serum enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and AST/ALT ratio were recorded in triple cross and DCR. Variances for SCA differed significantly (P<0.05) for serum enzymes. Results revealed that the CARI-Red and Desi were the improver parent lines for better immunocompetence and serum enzyme profile, respectively in the crosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a vital vegetable crop known for its nutritional and economic significance, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Studying heterosis and combining ability in okra is crucial for enhancing its yield, quality, and resistance to pests and diseases. Heterosis can lead to superior offspring with enhanced traits while understanding combining ability helps in identifying the best parent combinations for breeding programs. Okra is an often cross-pollinated crop; therefore, exploiting heterosis is advantageous. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 at the Experimental Farm and Quality Analysis Laboratory, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India to evaluate the heterosis and combining ability in okra to facilitate the development of high-yielding, resilient cultivars. The experimental material consisted of an F 1 population of 30 crosses obtained from 10 parental lines crossed with three testers in a Line × Tester mating design, plus a standard check (Punjab-8). Estimates of heterosis (heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis) of the cross combinations UHFO-6 × Pusa Bhindi-5, UHFO-6 × Arka Anamika and UHFO-9 × Arka Anamika were high for inter-nodal distance, number of pods per plant, average pod weight, pod yield per plant, harvest duration, hundred seed weight, mucilage content, etc. Higher estimates of general combining ability (GCA) effects for pod yield per plant were observed in the parental lines UHFO-6 (123.47) and UHFO-9 (7.49). Among the cross combinations, UHFO-10 × Hisar Unnat (38.81), UHFO-2 × Pusa Bhindi-5 (38.29), UHFO-2 × Arka Anamika (17.42), and UHFO-5 × Arka Anamika (15.06) demonstrated higher estimates of specific combining ability (SCA) effects for pod yield per plant. The cross UHFO-2 × Hisar Unnat (160.00) exhibited the highest heterobeltiosis for mucilage content, while UHFO-10 × Arka Anamika (562.03) showed the highest standard heterosis for total polyphenol content. These cross combinations could produce okra with enhanced nutritional and medicinal properties. The highest GCA and SCA effects for pod yield per plant were observed in UHFO-6 (123.47) and UHFO-10 × Hisar Unnat (38.81), respectively. Identifying these parental lines and cross combinations based on their combining ability can result in the development of okra hybrids with substantially higher yields. In future, after multi-location trials, these parents and crosses can be released to replace existing okra cultivars (hybrids/varieties). Higher yielding and better quality okra cultivars can enhance the profitability for farmers, contribute to food security, and meet market demands more efficiently., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The wild Cicer species is well-known for having climate-resilient and productivity-enhancing traits of interest. Therefore, wide hybridization could be used as a realistic strategy for introgressing prospective traits from wild species into the cultivated gene pool. The present study was, thus, undertaken to evaluate F7 chickpea interspecific derivatives derived fromCicer reticulatum Ladiz. and C. echinospermum P. H. Davis wild annual Cicer species. As a result, a set of six interspecific crosses were advanced using the single seed descent (SSD) method of breeding. The F7 generation of these crosses was assessed in two diverse agro-ecological regions of India. The data revealed a wide range of variation with respect to seed yield and its important component traits, which resulted in the identification of the most promising derivatives carrying desirable characters as indicated by range, mean, and coefficient of variation. Further, fruitful heterosis was also estimated as promising selection criteria for identifying superior lines for earliness and high seed yield, including resistance against prevailing stresses (ascochyta blight, botrytis gray mold, dry root rot, and fusarium wilt). The superior derivatives carrying putative characters could be recommended for further breeding and selection of genetic materials for developing suitable genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is India’s most important cash crop and it is used for agricultural and industrial purposes for all over the world. The greatest way for identifying superior hybrids and best combiners of parents is by L×T design. For analyzing the combining ability and heterosis for various yield attributing variables as well as quality traits, the parents viz., four lines and four testers were crossed to produce sixteen hybrids. MCU5 × KC3 cross contributed to positive, highly significant heterosis for the traits viz., the number of sympodial branches, lint index and the number of bolls per plant, along with highly significant values of sca for the traits viz., the number of sympodial branches, seed cotton yield per plant and micronaire. CO14 × NDLH1938 had a highly significant sca effect for the trait of upper half mean length along with significant heterosis for the traits, viz., boll weight and seed cotton yield per plant. Therefore, MCU5 had the best gca value for the upper half mean length among the four lines. The KC3 tester had a high gca value, indicating that it contributes to additive genes among the four testers. For some traits, not all good combiners have good sca effects. In the majority of the qualities investigated, non-additive or dominant gene action was seen. Heterosis breeding can be used to exploit the amount of available vigour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mungbean is one of the most important legume crop with high nutritional value and is consumed in various forms in different parts of India. In order to meet its growing demand, there is a need to increase the yield through adoption of breeding approaches like heterosis breeding and breeding for high yielding varieties. This demands a critical study of the gene action involved in regulation of yield and yield attributing traits which can be achieved through generation mean analysis. Methods: In the present study, generation mean analysis was undertaken using five parameter model to estimate the nature and magnitude of gene action of yield and its component traits in six crosses of greengram. Result: Magnitude of dominance gene effect was reported to be higher than additive gene effect in most of the crosses. Either one or both the interaction components were found significant for all the traits besides number of branches per plant and hundred seed weight. It was evident from the study that the yield components could be improved by exploiting both additive and non-additive gene effects. The transgressive segregants thus produced will prompt the development of desirable high yielding genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, line× tester analysis was carried out at Castor-Mustard Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India during rabi 2018-19 (October 2018 to February 2019) in order to estimate all three types of heterosis (relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis) for identification of superior cross combinations of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern&Coss]. Thirty-five hybrids along with five CMS lines, seven testers and check GDM 4 were evaluated for ten different traits. The F1 generation of all the crosses exhibited fertility restoration with pollen fertility except F1 crosses with Vardan, Rohini and SKM 319 fertile line (0%). The remaining crosses exhibited pollen fertility ranging from 68.26% (Kranti×SKM 303) to 85.17% (Kranti×Mori 'R' 1-18). The analysis of variance for parents, hybrids and parents vs. hybrids revealed that mean sum of squares of parents were highly significant for majority of the characters except days to maturity. Whereas, hybrids differed highly significant for all the characters. Comparison of mean squares due to parents vs. hybrids was found significant for almost all the characters except number of seeds siliqua-1 and oil content. This indicates that considerable amount of genetic variability present among the parents and hybrids for all the characters studied. On the basis of per se performance, three hybrids viz., Kranti×Mori 'R' 1-18, SKM 9928×PusaAgrani and SKM 9928×Mori 'R' 1-18 were foundpromising for seed yield plant-1 over the standard check GDM 4. With respect to heterosis, one of the hybrid Kranti×Mori 'R' 1-18 (17.85 %)manifested significant and positive standard heterosis for seed yield plant-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk.) is an important medicinal species cultivated throughout the semi‐arid areas in India. The seed coat, commercially known as psyllium husk, is used as a laxative for treating irritation of gastro‐intestinal tract and relieving constipation. There is an urgent need to enhance its productivity to make the crop more profitable. Artificial crossing is difficult in the species because of its small‐sized sessile florets that are compactly arranged on a soft inflorescence axis. Male sterility has been reported in the species; however, no conclusive studies have been conducted to reveal the inheritance, mode of action, and cytogenetic basis of male sterility. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine (a) the histological and cytogenetic bases of anther development and microsporogenesis in male‐sterile and fertile plant types and (b) the genetic basis of male sterility. The study revealed that male sterility in psyllium was not attributable to meiotic abnormality or to tetrad abnormalities, but it was attributable to premature degradation of the tapetum layer, which subsequently causes the microspore degeneration, resulting in nonproduction of pollen grains. Male sterility was controlled by a single recessive gene, which was found to be stable across years and hence can easily be bred into any psyllium genotypes of breeders' choice. Newly developed male‐sterility‐maintainer line can be used to generate new sets of male‐sterile lines for hybrid seed production or harnessing hybrid vigor in the field. Core Ideas: Male sterility mechanism and genetics has been revealed in psyllium.In psyllium, meiosis and tetrad formation are normal in both sterile and fertile lines.Male sterility is due to the premature degradation of tapetum layer in the anther sac.Male sterility is controlled by a single recessive gene and stable across years/generations.Newly developed male sterile maintainer line can be used in hybrid vigor/ molecular genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continued efforts for the improvement of cocoon characters of domesticated silkworm were aimed at increased quality silk production. The main objective of silkworm rearing is to produce qualitatively and quantitatively superior cocoons, which in turn will have a direct bearing on the raw silk production. Therefore, it becomes imperative or essential to develop silkworm breeds/hybrids, which can with stand high temperature stress conditions. Sericulture, the viable agro-based industry aptly matches the socio-economic backdrop of rural India. One of the main aims of the breeders is to recommend silkworm breeds/hybrids to farmers that are stable under different environmental conditions and minimize the risk of falling below a certain yield level. Silkworm breeds that are reared over a series of environment exhibiting less variation are considered stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is grown under both arid and semi-arid conditions in India, where other cereals are hard to grow. Pearl millet cultivars, hybrids, and OPVs (open pollinated varieties) are tested and released by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (AICRP-PM) across three zones (A1, A, and B) that are classified based on rainfall pattern. Except in locations with extreme weather conditions, hybrids dominate pearl millet growing areas, which can be attributed to hybrid vigor and the active role of the private sector. The importance of OPVs cannot be ruled out, owing to wider adaptation, lower input cost, and timely seed availability to subsidiary farmers cultivating this crop. This study was conducted to scrutinize the presently used test locations for evaluation of pearl millet OPVs across India, identify the best OPVs across locations, and determine the variation in grain Fe and Zn contents across locations in these regions. Six varieties were evaluated across 20 locations in A1 and A (pooled as A) and B zones along with three common checks and additional three zonal adapted checks in the respective zones during the 2019 rainy season. Recorded data on yield and quality traits were analyzed using genotype main effects and genotype × environment interaction biplot method. The genotype × environment (G × E) interaction was found to be highly significant for all the grain yield and agronomic traits and for both micronutrients (iron and zinc). However, genotypic effect (G) was four (productive tillers) to 49 (grain Fe content) times that of G × E interaction effect for various traits across zones that show the flexibility of OPVs. Ananthapuramu is the ideal test site for selecting pearl millet cultivars effectively for adaptation across India, while Ananthapuramu, Perumallapalle, and Gurugram can also be used as initial testing locations. OPVs MP 599 and MP 600 are identified as ideal genotypes, because they showed higher grain and fodder yields and stability compared with other cultivars. Iron and zinc concentration showed highly significant positive correlation (across environment = 0.83; p < 0.01), indicating possibility of simultaneous effective selection for both traits. Three common checks were found to be significantly low yielders than the test entries or zonal checks in individual zones and across India, indicating the potential of genetic improvement through OPVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to assess the diversity of 72 castor genotypes used as male lines in the hybrid breeding programme in India using multivariate analysis in addition to morphological characterization using DUS (Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability) testing guidelines of castor. Fifteen agronomical and three morphological traits were measured in 72 genotypes in field studies conducted for two years. The multivariate data set was subjected to genetic divergence analysis using Mahalonobis' D2 static and clustered into nine subgroups following Tocher's method in addition to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The genotypes from Clusters 1 and 5 and Clusters 2 and 5 are genetically diverse with 556.9 and 469.7 units while cluster 7 genotypes with higher mean seed yield are potential candidates as varieties after multilocation testing. In PCA, the first two canonical variants were significant and accounted for 68 per cent of the inter accession variability. Grouping of castor genotypes was also done based on four grouping characteristics of DUS guidelines like stem color, bloom, capsule spines and maturity. Combining ability analysis indicated that DCS-96, DCS-94, DCS-104, DCS-97 were good general combiners for seed yield while M-568 x DCS- 96 yielded 21 per cent standard heterosis over the best check DCH-177. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Pearl millet breeding programs can use this heterotic group information on seed and restorer parents to generate new series of pearl millet hybrids having higher yields than the existing hybrids. Five hundred and eighty hybrid parents, 320 R- and 260 B-lines, derived from 6 pearl millet breeding programs in India, genotyped following RAD-GBS (about 0.9 million SNPs) clustered into 12 R- and 7 B-line groups. With few exceptions, hybrid parents of all the breeding programs were found distributed across all the marker-based groups suggesting good diversity in these programs. Three hundred and twenty hybrids generated using 37 (22 R and 15 B) representative parents, evaluated for grain yield at four locations in India, showed significant differences in yield, heterosis, and combining ability. Across all the hybrids, mean mid- and better-parent heterosis for grain yield was 84.0% and 60.5%, respectively. Groups G12 B × G12 R and G10 B × G12 R had highest heterosis of about 10% over best check hybrid Pioneer 86M86. The parents involved in heterotic hybrids were mainly from the groups G4R, G10B, G12B, G12R, and G13B. Based on the heterotic performance and combining ability of groups, 2 B-line (HGB-1 and HGB-2) and 2 R-line (HGR-1 and HGR-2) heterotic groups were identified. Hybrids from HGB-1 × HGR-1 and HGB-2 × HGR-1 showed grain yield heterosis of 10.6 and 9.3%, respectively, over best hybrid check. Results indicated that parental groups can be formed first by molecular markers, which may not predict the best hybrid combination, but it can reveal a practical value of assigning existing and new hybrid pearl millet parental lines into heterotic groups to develop high-yielding hybrids from the different heterotic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is one of the most important fibre crops of India. India is having highest cotton growing area however; its production per unit area is low and stagnant owing to several biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to increase productivity, high yielding, biotic and abiotic stress resistant hybrid/variety need to be developed. Hence, an attempt was made to assess the relationship between heterosis and genetic diversity. Identifying the best genotype combinations for the development of commercial hybrids of cotton remains the main challenge to cotton breeders. Genetic diversity of thirteen parents and heterosis in their forty hybrids which were developed by crossing 8 elite Lines with 5 carefully selected Testers in L × T fashion were used to assess the relationship between heterosis and genetic diversity for eleven important yield and yield contributing traits and three fibre related traits in intra hirsutum cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Diversity studies were conducted by using both Mahalanobis D2 statistic and by random 60 SSR markers, which inferred medium genetic diversity between parents. Correlation coefficient of genetic distance with F1 mean performance, mid, better parent heterosis and specific combining ability for all studied traits were statistically non-significant, indicating that prediction of heterosis for complex traits based on these two genetic diversity estimates is difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato leaf curl virus is a serious threat to an autumn-winter crop of tomato in North India, causing yield losses up to 90-100%. Therefore, nine resistant and one susceptible line (Punjab Chhuhara) of tomato were crossed in half-diallel fashion to develop 45 F1 hybrids. Parents and their hybrids were evaluated for yield and quality traits under natural epiphytotic field conditions. There were extensive differences in the performance of parental lines carrying similar and different resistance genes (Ty-X). Of three parental lines carrying Ty-2 gene, CLN 17 performed better than 2123D and 2123C in respect of mean and general combining ability (GCA) for total yield and fruit weight. Likewise, out of three parental lines incorporating two resistance genes (Ty-1 and Ty-2), the line CLN 138B had better mean values and GCA for total yield and fruit weight than CLN 138A and CLN 104. However, the parental line CLN 154 with three different resistance genes (Ty-1, Ty-2, Ty-3) showed the best GCA for total yield, and it was followed by genotype CLN 138B comprising of two resistance genes (Ty-1 and Ty-2). However, the parental lines carrying Ty-2 gene alone produced three useful hybrids expressing 19 to 28% heterosis over top parent for total yield. Four highly significant cross-combinations can be recommended for pedigree selection to develop superior inbred lines. The top parent CLN 154 yielding significantly higher than released varieties along with seven F1 hybrids manifesting 16 to 31% top parent heterosis for total yield can be recommended after multi-location evaluations. Overall, this study provides useful information on the successful leaf curl virus resistant gene combinations under the north-Indian conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was made to generate information on the heterotic pools amongst pearl millet hybrid parents. A set of 17 representative parents was selected from a diverse set of 147 hybrid parents using SSR based genetic distance (GD) and clustering pattern; 136 hybrids were developed in diallel fashion and evaluated at two locations in India. Moderate positive significant correlation (r = 0.37, p<0.01) and (r = 0.33, p<0.01) was found between GD and mid-parent heterosis (MPH) and better-parent heterosis (BPH), respectively, for grain yield for all the hybrids. Higher correlation between genetically closer individuals was observed for grain yield heterosis when the parents of B- and R- crosses had lesser genetic distance (<0.68 GD) in comparison to those parental combinations having GD higher than 0.68, indicating that the GD based predictions for grain yield are better when the parents are genetically related than when they are genetically diverse. In this study, all the pearl millet hybrid parents seems to exist in two broad-based heterotic pools; one each represented by seed and restorer parents as B × R hybrids showed highest mean heterosis for grain yield than either of B × B or R × R crosses. Further, four heterotic pools have been identified in this diverse set of hybrid parents of pearl millet, two each for seed parents (HPB1 and HPB2) and for restorer parents (HPR3 and HPR4). Among these, HPB1 × HPR3 was identified having the highest heterotic level, and could be further used to develop higher yielding pearl millet hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Oil Crop Sciences is the property of Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Indian mustard is mostly targeted for commercial cultivation as early sown or late sown crop with the expectation of higher yield. With this objective, genetical analysis (13 heat tolerant line × 4 heat susceptible tester) of yield traits were carried out. Per cent genotypic coefficient of variations for all 12 yield contributing traits in all three environments was low to high with variance ratio less than unity indicating non-additive genes action. The lines namely Urvashi in E1, PR 08-5 in E2 & P, and PRL 08-6 in E3 as well as testers namely RH 0304 in E1, E2 & P, and JMWR 08-3 in E3 exhibited highest GCA for seed yield. These genotypes, in series of crosses, showed high GCA effects in desirable direction for at least four yield contributing traits. For seed yield, five top ranking crosses were found entirely different for each environment indicating that heterosis manifestation was cross and environment specific. The most outstanding heterotic crosses for different environments were Urvashi × RH 0304 in E1, PR 08-5×JMWR 08-3 in E2, PRL 08-6×RH 0304 in E3 and across environments for seed yield along with high heterosis for 4-6 component traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty seven crosses generated in a line × tester fashion using 9 and 3 genotypes as a female and male parents were evaluated to study the e×tent of heterosis for dry pod yield and yield attributing characters in groundnut. Most of crosses showed significant heterosis over better parent (BP) and standard heterosis (SH) with undesirable direction may be attributed to non-allelic interaction with the large number of decreasing alleles for all the characters under studied. The cross combinations, AG-2245 × ICGV-95070 and AG-1 × ICGV-97079 e×hibited significant and positive heterobeltiosis (35.74 %) and standard heterosis (24.81 %) with mean performance of 17.64 gm. and 19.87 gm. for dry pod yield per plant. This two crosses also showed its heterotic effect for kernel yield per plant and number of mature pods per plant, respectively. Superior segregants with this crosses may be selected for further improvement in the pod yield and its contributing traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterosis breeding is a potential technique to improve yields in sesame. Twenty-four diverse sesame genotypes were used as male parents and highly adoptable 3 local varieties were used as female parents. Thirty-eight hybrids were produced during rabi, 2013 and were evaluated along with parents and 3 checks during summer, 2014 in Randomized Block Design at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Polasa, Jagtial, India. The data was recorded for 8 biometrical traits viz., days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, capsule length and number of seeds per capsule, 1000-seed weight and seed yield per plant. In this study, highly significant differences were recorded among sesame hybrids for all the traits studied. Further, 2 hybrids Swethathil x VS 07-023 and Swethathil x JL SEL 05-3 had recorded highest standard heterosis of 13.40% and 10.70% respectively. The same hybrids recorded statistically significant superior seed yield per plant ie., 28.7 g and 28.0 g respectively. These potential crosses can be utilized for further breeding program to develop potential purelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on development of F1 hybrid rice seed in India. It states that after the F1 hybrid rice there is a decrease in crop yields by heterosis and a programme was launched to promote F1 hybrid rice by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It mentions that farmers prefer high yielding varieties of rice but the comeback of F1 hybrid rice is widespread and vendors prefer to sell F1 hybrid rice packets which can be returned to company if it is not sold.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetable crops in India. Yield and white color of curd are most important characters of cauliflower determining the economics of cultivation of the crop. Six generation of cauliflower (P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2) were raised by crossing 2 popular varieties and 2 lines (Pusa Himjyoti x BR-161, Pusa Himjyoti x BR-207, Pusa Sharad x BR-161, Pusa Sharad x BR-207, BR-161 x BR-207 and Pusa Himjyoti x Pusa Sharad). Over-dominance had predominant role for marketable curd weight, curd diameter and curd depth. In marketable curd weight, the presence of dominance (h) and dominance x dominance (l) component of genetic variation along with duplicate type of epistasis were present. Curd color was determined by single gene with white being recessive. So, the genetics of characters studied will provide information in the improvement of yield and quality parameters of cauliflower. Besides these, the developed elite hybrids or breeding lines may be tested for yield and quality traits under different agro-climatic conditions for commercial exploitation of hybrid vigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The cytoplasmic-genic male-sterility system has been extensively employed for the production of onion hybrids. Molecular marker-assisted characterization of the cytotypes and genotyping at the restorer-of male-fertility (Ms) locus is important for the accelerated breeding of onion hybrids. Indian onion breeding has focussed more on open-pollinated varieties than hybrids. To accelerate the breeding efforts, marker-assisted selection (MAS) plays a pivotal role., Methods and Results: This study aimed to characterize the Indian breeding lines, varieties, hybrids, and exotic accessions for cytotype and Ms locus. For cytoplasm, cytotype markers, accD, and MKFR and for Ms locus identification, PCR markers AcPMS1 and AcSKP1 were employed. Bulk strategy to identify cytoplasm and Ms locus was tested. Sequencing of PCR products amplified by accD was also tried. Both the accD and MKFR were synonymous in cytoplasm identification except in T821 where T cytoplasm was identified. AcPMS1 was more reliable than AcSKP1 for Ms locus identification. Sequencing proved that N and T cytoplasm are identical. Bulking strategy can be used for cytotype identification but not for Ms locus., Conclusions: Indian onions have a predominance of normal (N) cytoplasm and homozygous recessive (msms) locus. This might be beneficial for hybrid development. S cytoplasm was identified in exotic varieties. For the first time, T cytoplasm has been reported from India. These findings will assist Indian onion breeders to develop MAS strategies for accelerating hybrid development programs. And for the release of onion hybrids with high productivity and uniformity., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Abstract: Estimates of additive genetic, reciprocal and average heterosis effects were obtained from a three by three complete diallel cross experiment for giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The data were generated in two batches. Three populations were sampled from the states of Gujarat (West), Kerala (South West) and Orissa (East) in India. The two mating batches of diallel crosses were combined in the analysis. A total 4773 animals (2233 in Batch 1 and 2540 in Batch 2) were tagged with VIA (Visible Implant Alpha numeric tags). A total of 2545 animals (979 and 1566 from Batch 1 and 2, respectively) were harvested with readable VIA tags and were; therefore available for analysis. The fixed effects included in the models were test environment (ponds 1 or 2 in batch 1, ponds 3 or 4 in batch 2), sex (male or female) and batch (1 or 2). Age at harvest was fitted as linear covariate. The genotype effect was partitioned into additive, non additive and reciprocal cross effects. Body weight, standard length and carapace length were recorded during tagging, sampling and harvesting. Estimates of additive genetic effect in the three stocks showed that the Kerala stock had greater body weight, carapace length and standard length, followed by Orissa then Gujarat. Average heterosis for body traits was low (3.1 to 6.3%) and not significantly different from zero. The results are discussed with respect to the choice of the most appropriate breeding strategy to improve the performance of M. rosenbergii in India. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A set of 20 crosses involving nine parents was studied to get information on the extent of heterosis over better parent (BP) and mid parent (MP) for yield and yield contributing characters in greengram. The maximum better parent heterosis for seed yield was observed to be 149.71% and that of mid parent found to be 159.69%. The crosses showing heterosis for seed yield was not heterotic for all the characters. PUSA 9672 × WGG 2, PUSA 9672 × TARM 21, PUSA 9672 × LGG 407, MGG 341 × LGG 407 and LGG 460 × LGG 407 hybrids were identified as promising for many desirable traits and they may be useful in exploiting hybrid vigour in greengram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini Nanda and Prasad) of castor has become a serious problem in Gujarat State, causing at times, heavy losses. The objectives to study the genetics of resistance to wilt in castor, six generations of four crosses were evaluated in the wilt sick plot and through root dip inoculation technique. The mean values of different generations in various crosses revealed that crosses involving both resistant parents gave highly resistant F1 generation and the level of resistance was maintained even in segregating generations. The inheritance of resistance to wilt of castor appear to be governed by polygenes with dominance and epistasis, therefore, heterosis breeding with choice of superior parents would be advantageous for enhancing the wilt resistance alongwith yield. However, for developing wilt resistant hybrids, both the parents should be wilt resistant. Such heterotic crosses can also be further exploited through breeding following recurrent selection and inter se mating in segregating generations for developing wilt resistant high yielding pistillate and inbred male lines of castor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining ability effects for some broiler traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were studied under warm-humid conditions of West Bengal, India. The data were collected on pure and cross line quails from a 3 x 3 complete diallel cross experiment for body weight of individual quail chicks from day old to 8th week of age at fortnight interval and conformation traits viz., breast angle, keel length and shank length at 6th and 8th weeks of age to estimate GCA, SCA and reciprocal effects. GCA, SCA and reciprocal effects were significant for most of the traits studied. The estimates of combining ability effects and heterosis effect of different genetic groups suggested that the ML (meat line) x SL (synthetic line) cross is suited best as broiler quail chick. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty diverse genotypes of fenugreek, collected from different parts of India, were grown under two agronomic practices during winter seasons of 2002-03 to 2004-05. Based on overall environmental indices, a “rich” environment and a “poor” environment were selected. Genetic divergence in fenugreek was evaluated. Clustering patterns indicated that 19 genotypes of the largest cluster in the poor environment were distributed into 6 clusters in the rich environment. This indicated that the rich environment made finer discrimination among genotypes as compared with the poor environment. A majority of the genotypes in Cluster 3 in the rich environment was common with Cluster 2 (containing genotypes from Gujarat) in the poor environment. The distribution pattern of genotypes in different clusters indicated that genetic divergence was, in general, not related to geographical differentiation. Genotypes having prefix IC had higher genetic distance with other genotypes than that among the rest non-IC genotypes and the distance increased in rich environment. This might be due to distinctness in some morphological traits, viz., higher number of branches, late flowering, numerous pods, and lower test weight of IC genotypes than that among the rest non-IC genotypes, the expression of which was enhanced in rich environment. Considering genetic divergence, per se performance of the genotypes as well as cluster means and response of the genotypes to different environments, crosses Rmt 1 × JF-21, Rmt 1 × GJ-1, Kalmi × GJ-1, JF-18 × GJ-1, GJ-1 × UM-301, UM-32 × IC-143867, Kalmi × UM-144, JF-18 × UM-32 are most likely to yield a considerable amount of heterosis in F1 generation and to provide a wide spectrum of recombinants in segregating generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] single cross hybrids, bred from high-yielding parental lines in favorable environments, are not well adapted to northwest India's arid zone. The objectives of these experiments were (i) to measure grain and stover yield heterosis in testcrosses of six landrace-based restorer populations and (ii) to understand how heterosis for biomass and harvest index (HI) affects heterosis for grain and stover yields in crosses of these populations. Six restorer populations and their testcrosses on 10 to 13 Al male-sterile lines were evaluated at two arid zone locations of northwest India. Heterosis was calculated as percentage advantage of testcross hybrids over parental restorer population. The range in individual testcross heterosis varied from -3% to +39% for grain yield and from -22% to +17% for stover yield. Variation in biomass heterosis accounted for 55% of the variation in grain yield heterosis and 84% of the variation in stover yield heterosis. Harvest index heterosis accounted for 38% of variation in grain yield heterosis and 13% of stover yield heterosis with a positive heterosis in HI resulting in negative heterosis in stover yield. The testcrosses with the highest biomass heterosis for each restorer population achieved 20% biomass heterosis level (combined with a mean 12% heterosis in HI), resulting in 32% grain yield heterosis and 18% stover yield heterosis. We concluded that heterosis for biomass was the major determinant of grain and stover yield heterosis in pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is considered an efficient genetic tool in pearl millet hybrid breeding. Of the several CMS sources available in pearl millet, A1 is the only CMS widely exploited to produce commercial hybrids in India. To explore the possibility of using alternate CMS sources, we studied the cytoplasmic effects of different CMS sources on agronomic characters in pearl millet. Five CMS (A) lines representing A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 cytoplasms, their respective maintainer (B) lines and eight restorer (R) lines were used to generate 40 A × R and B × R experimental crosses. The experimental material was evaluated at two different locations in India. Analysis of combining ability and heterosis revealed that A4 and A5 cytoplasms had desirable effects for earliness. The A5 CMS was found to be particularly promising, as compared to other CMS sources for improving grain yield. The study also indicated that the cytoplasmic effects on general combining ability (GCA) for various agronomic characters were largely non-significant. However, cytoplasmic effects on specific combining ability and heterosis were found to be modulated by cytoplasmic-nuclear interactions and influenced by the environmental conditions. The study also demonstrated the advantage of utilizing diverse male-sterile and restorer combinations in maximizing the productivity as well as for genetic and cytoplasmic diversification of hybrids in pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bottlegourd is a cultivated annual monoecious species with five wild perennial dioeciously species belongs to family cucurbitaceae. It is grown for its tender fruits, basically used as vegetable. The tender edible fruits are also prepared into sweets, pickles and other delicious preparations. In many cases of ailments it is a preferred vegetable because of its cooling effects and easy digestibility. Various plant parts have medicinal value too. It is known as poor man's vegetable in India, is now attaining fast popularity among health conscious urban elite, which has encouraged round the year cultivation of this potentially important vegetable, except in very cool regions during winter. Considerable amount of heterosis exists in this crop and is being exploited commercially due to easy hybrid seed production because of its monoecious nature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The experiment of two 3×3 complete diallele crosses was carried out with four wild river stocks (Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra and Sutlej) and one farmed stock (Local) of Rohu carp (Labeo rohita). The Local stock was included in both diallele crosses. In total, 864 fish were individually tagged at 6 months of age and reared for 14 months in three monoculture and two polyculture earthen ponds in Orissa, India. For harvest weight, total heterosis for each of the six stock crosses was low or negative and average heterosis was also low and in most cases not significantly different from zero. For survival, total and average heterosis was negligible and not significantly different from zero. It is concluded that genetic improvement through crossbreeding of Indian stocks of Rohu carp has little practical significance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Cucumber is fourth most important vegetable crop after tomato, cabbage and onion in Asia. In India, it possesses wide range of genetic variability for vegetative and fruit characters being centre of origin for majority of cucurbits. • Heterosis breeding provides an opportunity for achieving unique improvement in yield and other desirable attributes with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. • Cost of hybrid seed production is very high. The poor and marginal farmers cannot afford high cost of seed. Therefore, residual heterosis in F2 may be utilized to get heterotic effect with the lower cost of seed production. Manifestation of residual heterosis in the F 2 generation would offer the scope, as the growers need not to get the highly priced F 1 seed every year. Therefore, an attempt has been made to estimate the magnitude and direction of residual heterosis for different horticultural traits in F 2 generation of cucumber so that F 2 seeds may be utilized to get heterotic effect with lower cost of seed production. The present study comprised of experimental material of F 1 and F 2 population of 18 crosses, developed by crossing 6 lines and 3 testers. All the parents, 18 each of F 1 and F 2 along with the standard check Pusa Sanyog were evaluated for their comparative genetic evaluation. The analysis of data showed highly significant differences for all the traits under study. First filial generation (F 1) hybrid combination LC- × K-75 (104.93, 52.43 %) followed by LC-2-2 × Poinsette (91.54, 30.78 %) exhibited maximum estimates of heterosis for their respective better parent and standard check, whereas, residual heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis was maximum in the cross combination LC-2-2 × Poinsette (67.50, 24.47 %) followed by LC-12-4 × Poinsette (64.86, 22.51 %), LC-1-1 × K-75 (63.85, 35.45 %) and LC-1-1 × Poinsette (37.90, 13.99 %) respectively. Two cross combinations viz., LC-1-1 × K-75 and LC-2-2 × Poinsette were found promising for yield and yield contributing traits in both F 1 and F 2 generation. Presence of hybrid vigour for fruit yield in F 2 generations (residual heterosis) is attributed to additive and additive × additive gene interaction and such crosses were expected to give superior segregants, which may be handled through pedigree breeding method for further improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]