Search

SUMMARY In this study, seismic inversion is carried out using a genetic algorithm (GA) as well as a hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) approach to optimize the objective function designed for the inversion. An HGA is a two steps coupled process, where a local optimization algorithm is applied to the best model obtained from each generation of the GA. The study aims to compare the qualitative as well as the quantitative performance of both methods to delineate the reservoir zone from the non-reservoir zone. Initially, the developed algorithm is tested on synthetic data followed by its application to real data. It is found that the HGA for synthetic data is providing more accurate and high-resolution subsurface information as compared with the conventional GA although the time taken later is less as compared with the former methods. The application to real data also shows very high-resolution subsurface acoustic impedance information. The interpretation of the impedance section shows a low impedance anomaly zone at (1055–1070) ms time interval with impedance ranging from (7500 to 9500) m s−1*g cc−1. The correlation between seismic and well data shows that the low impedance zone is characterized as a clastic glauconitic sand channel (reservoir zone). In seismic inversion using an HGA, one can delineate the areal extent of the reservoir zone from the non-reservoir zone more specifically as compared to the GA-derived impedance. The convergence time of HGA is 4.4 per cent more than GA and can be even more for larger seismic reflection data sets. Further, for a more detailed analysis of the reservoir zone and to cross-validate inverted results, an artificial neural network (ANN) is applied to data, and porosity volume is predicted. The analysis shows that the low impedance zone interpreted in inversion results are correlating with the high porosity zone found in ANN methods and confirm the presence of the glauconitic sand channel. This study is important in the aspect of qualitative as well as quantitative comparison of the performance of the GA and HGA to delineate sand channels.

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers can serve as an important tool for characterization and genetic diversity evaluation in Indian mustard germplasm and varieties. For DNA fingerprinting of various Indian mustard varieties, it is necessary that a common set of SSRs be used by various laboratories so that the developed genetic profiles of various genotypes can be compared with one another. In this study, we evaluated the polymorphic potential of 350 SSR markers to derive a set of SSR markers for characterization of Indian mustard germplasm and varieties. Out of a total of 350 SSR markers evaluated, 310 (88.57%) SSRs produced polymorphic amplicons, while remaining 40 (11.43%) SSRs resulted into monomorphic products. The allele number varied from 2 to 7 with 3.22 average number of alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.24 (Ol09A01) to 0.75 (nia-m141a) with an average PIC value of 0.40 per locus. A total of 95 (31%) SSR markers evaluated were having PIC values more than the average PIC value, which constitute the representative set of SSR markers. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA)-dendrogram grouped all the 46 genotypes into two main clusters, while STRUCTURE analysis formed three subpopulations having admixture of alleles. This SSR marker set will facilitate systematic characterization and classification of various Indian mustard germplasm accessions and varieties.

Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] is a major edible oil crop of India. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research—National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) and ICAR—Directorate of Rapeseed Mustard Research (DRMR) together conserve one of the largest global collection of Indian mustard germplasm comprising 5950 accessions which includes indigenously collected landraces, exotic accessions, breeding lines, Improved/released cultivars, registered genetic stocks and other type of material of unknown origin. However, only a small fraction of this huge collection has been deployed in the breeding programme due to lack of information on majority of accessions. The objective of this study was to develop a core collection of Indian mustard to enhance utilization of conserved germplasm in crop improvement programme. For this purpose, the accessions were characterized at one ideal site (Bharatpur) using 14 agro-morphological traits and the resultant data was analysed using three state-of-the-art core collection construction tools—MSTRAT, Power Core and Core Hunter 3 (CH3), to obtain three core sets each with 595 accessions. The quality of these core sets was evaluated and compared using two genetic distance based metrices (E-NE & A-NE), several summary statistics, Shannon diversity index, phenotypic correlations etc. The core collection generated using CH3 which optimized simultaneously for both representativeness and diversity was found the best in capturing the genetic variation existed in the base collection for all the 14 traits. The diversity represented in the core collection will therefore, be a guideline to breeders for a wider use of the Indian mustard genetic resources available in the genebank for identification and introgression of new useful traits, as well as for delineation of their genetic basis particularly through marker-trait association.

Heat stress at the seedling stage can increase mortality and has become an increasing threat for Indian mustard cultivation. Indian mustard is being predominantly grown under a rainfed ecosystem. In this context, the selection of heat tolerant genotypes may be one of the panaceas. Hence, this study was planned to evolve, evaluate and identify some of the promising early maturing heat stress tolerant from a pool of advanced breeding lines, to be used as probable donors for transferring heat tolerance. For this purpose, heat stress was imposed on 10 Indian mustard advanced breeding lines at the seedling period. The mean performance of the ten advanced breeding lines of Indian mustard with respect to morphophysiology revealed that the genotype DRMRHT-13-13-5-4 recorded earliest in maturity (117.5 days), high oil content (43.14 %) and seed yield of 3182.82 (kg/ha) which was 19.75 per cent higher seed yield over best check NPJ-112 under heat stress conditions. Similarly, the genotype DRMRHT-13-13-5-6 also recorded early in maturity (118.5 days), oil content (42.18%) and seed yield of 2964.92 (kg/ha) which was 11.55 per cent higher seed yield over the best check NPJ-112. There was a positive correlation between relative water content and membrane stability index (r=0.945) but both of these traits were negatively associated with excised-leaf water loss. Cluster survey classified 10 advanced breeding lines in five divergent groups. The tree diagram revealed abundant diversity between the Indian mustard genotypes for different characters and some magnitude of a consortium between different clusters. Based on the higher membrane stability index, water retention capacity of leaves, relative water content, minimum excised-leaf water loss and seed yield, advanced breeding lines DRMRHT-13-13-5-4 and DRMRHT-13-13-5-6 were identified as early in maturity and heat tolerant at a seedling stage which could be used in breeding programmes.

Brassica carinata A. Braun (Ethiopian mustard) is an oilseed crop belonging to rapeseed-mustard group, with extensive food and industrial applications. It produces high quality oil ideal for aviation fuel, bio-jet for aircrafts and bio-diesel for airport vehicles besides its use as edible oil. In an attempt to analyze population structure and genetic diversity in a panel of 78 Ethiopian mustard accessions, 212 SSR markers had been employed. A total of 139 (65.57%) SSRs resulted into polymorphic amplicons, while 73 (34.43%) SSRs amplified monomorphic products. The allele number ranged from 1–7 with 3.03 average number of alleles per marker. PIC values were in the range of 0.02–0.53 with an average PIC value of 0.29 per marker. Gene diversity ranged from 0.02 to 0.50 with an average value of 0.37 per SSR marker. Overall, lower PIC values and gene diversity values indicated the presence of lesser genetic diversity among B. carinata genotypes. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA)-based dendrogram divided all the 78 accessions into two major groups, whereas, three subpopulations/subgroups were predicted by population STRUCTURE analysis. Further, this study provided a deeper insight into the population structure and genetic diversity of Ethiopian mustard in India and will help to improvise the breeding strategies for its genetic improvement.

In this study, we evaluated genetic diversity in a panel of 87 Indian mustard varieties using 200 genomic-SSR markers. A total of 189 SSRs resulted into positive amplification with 174 (92.06%) SSRs generating polymorphic products and 15 (7.94%) SSRs producing monomorphic amplicons. A total of 552 alleles were obtained and allele number varied from 2–6 with an average number of 3.17 alleles per SSR marker. The major allele frequency ranged from 0.29 (ENA23) to 0.92 (BrgMS841) with an average value of 0.58 per SSR locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.10 (BrgMS841) to 0.68 (BrgMS519) with 0.39 as mean PIC value. The gene diversity per locus ranged from 0.13 (BrgMS841) to 0.72 (ENA23 & BrgMS519) with a mean value of 0.48 per SSR primer pair. Both Unweighted Neighbor Joining-based dendrogram and population structure analysis divided all the 87 varieties into two major groups/subpopulations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) inferred the presence of more genetic variation (98%) among individuals than among groups (2%). A total of 31 SSRs produced 36 unique alleles for 27 varieties which will serve as unique DNA-fingerprints for the identification and legal protection of these varieties. Further, the results obtained provided a deeper insight into the genetic structure of Indian mustard varieties in India and will assist in formulating future breeding strategies aimed at Indian mustard genetic improvement.

Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata) is a very important oilseed crop of Ethiopian origin and is presently being cultivated in northeast Africa, some parts of Canada, France, Spain, Australia, China and India. Besides being used as an oilseed crop, it is having a huge potential for the production of biofuels including biodiesel. The presence of many agronomically desirable traits including resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses make this crop as a potential donor in interspecific hybridization for transfer of these traits into other oilseed Brassicas which are lacking in such attributes. On the other hand, certain undesirable traits like tall plant stature, long maturity duration, poor yield, low oil content, and poor oil and seedmeal quality vis-a-vis the presence of narrow genetic variability need the interventions of modern breeding and biotechnological techniques for improvement of this crop. In this review, an attempt has been made to compile various research efforts made by the plant breeders and biotechnologists to improve the potential of this crop with an aim to make it acclimatized and adapted globally.

Oilseeds in India accounted for 15.7% of the total arable land during 2017-18. The present paper discusses oilseeds and vegetable oil scenario in India; seed chain, current status of quality seed and strategies for seed production & development to enhance oilseeds output through bridging the vast untapped potential of the available technologies to reduce heavy dependence on oil imports. Of the nine annual oilseeds, groundnut, soybean, rapeseed-mustard and sesame during the last seven years (2012-13 to 2018-19) contributed 89.2-94.4% to acreage and 90.4%-95.0% to production of oilseeds. The area, production and yield of oilseeds attained an overall increase of 131.1%, 510.9% and 164.2%, respectively, from 1950-51 to 2018-19. Of the several programmes initiated to harness the vast exploitable yield reservoir of oilseeds, National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology launched during XII plan and Mega seed project during 2005-06, had great impact on enhanced availability of quality seed of newly released varieties and thus production of oilseeds. Considering annual growth of demand for edible oil, population growth and the per capita consumption of about 102.3 m t of oilseeds would be required by 2030. To meet this formidable challenge, the assets such as vibrant crop specific improvement programmes, 187 newly released high yielding varieties, improved crop management technologies, robust and effective seed chain and climate favouring seed production of diverse oilseeds are available in the country.

Since independence, India achieved a distinction from ship-to-mouth status to self dependent, food surplus and net exporter of food grains in 69 years and recorded an all time high (285.2 million tonnes) production during 2018-19 from meagre 50.8 mt during 1950-51. In spite of spectacular success in food production over the years, it is a great challenge to sustain high production as well as enhance it further to meet the future requirement, as the population continues to grow steadily with an annual growth rate of 1.10% and expected to be 1.42 billion and 1.48 billion by 2025 and 2030, respectively, from 1.32 billion during 2017; coupled with enhanced consumption of food grains due to rising income, necessitating an increase of 4.5% and 15.7% by 2020 and 2030, respectively, over the present food production. It is a great challenge in view of climate change, diminishing and degrading land and water resources, increasing biotic and abiotic stresses and loss of bio-diversity. The present paper discusses the trend of production and productivity of food crops from 1950-51 to 2018-19; assess the contribution of seed to food production, seed chain, quality seed production and scope of quality seed for enhancing farmers’ income and future strategies for seed research, production and development to sustain food production. Requisite assets such as a strong crop specific cultivar development programmes, 850 high yielding food crop varieties comprising 657 of cereals and 193 of pulses released during the last six years, robust and vibrant seed systems, quality regulatory mechanism, globally competitive seed sector and the largest arable land with 46 soil types across 15 agro-climatic zones favouring seed production of diverse crops are available for sustaining high food production and meet the future demand for seed and food. Ensuring availability of quality seed in adequate quantity though imperative, yet, itself is not enough to trigger the production if it is not coupled with achieving sufficient varietal diversity in seed chain preferably phasing out gradually the old and obsolete varieties and inducting recently developed high yielding and disease resistant varieties. The overall progress and outcome are largely dependent on Government policies and support, which require consistent and adequate financial resources for sustaining a vibrant seed production, farm power machinery, processing units, storage, seed testing, delivery systems and trained human resources besides remunerative prices to the farmers.

Glucosinolates are anti-nutritional factors present abundantly in the seed meal fraction of oilseed Brassica species. They are found in varying levels among different genotypes. Those genotypes containing less than 30 µmol/g are considered low/zero glucosinolate type and are preferred for edible purposes due to low pungency. Twenty two different genotypes were taken for the analysis of glucosinolates by spectrophotometry. A regression model was obtained using Ordinary Least Square technique which predicted a formula. Total glucosinolates (µmol/g) = 1.40 + 118.86 × A425, where A425 is the absorbance at 425 nm. The total glucosinolate content obtained by the prediction formula when compared with HPLC data showed a correlation coefficient of 0.942. This high correlation between the two data sets validated the developed methodology. This method also simplifies the estimation of total glucosinolates by excluding the use of HPLC or other sophisticated instruments.

In this paper we have introduced the notion of weak reduced module and weak rigid module as the generalizations of reduced module by working on the context of nilpotent elements of module and investigated some of its properties. Various results are extended for this generalization and some counter examples are constructed to validate the generalizations.

In present study, an attempt has been made to assess the genetic diversity among 50 genotypes of Indian mustard using agronomic traits and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Variability was observed for agronomic traits viz plant height (cm), main shoot length (cm), days to flower initiation, number of siliquae on main raceme, number of seeds per siliqua, seed yield per plot (g), biological yield per plot (g), harvest index (%), days to maturity and 1,000-seed weight (g). Cluster analysis based on agronomic traits revealed a high degree of diversity among the accessions. Maximum variability was recorded for biological yield followed by seed yield, while minimum variability was observed for days to maturity followed by days to flower initiation. RAPD marker OPB8 was found to be the most informative primer followed by OPB14, OPB11 and OPB2. Both agronomic traits and molecular markers were effective in discriminating genotypes into different clusters, however, clustering pattern varied for both agronomic traits and molecular markers. Different clustering pattern based on agronomic data and RAPD markers indicated lack of association between genetic and phenotypic diversity implying that polymorphism due to RAPD is not linked to phenotypic variation. There was no relationship between place of origin and clustering of genotypes, however, diverse genotypes could be identified on the basis of both and are likely to produce more variability in segregating generations as well as to serve as parents for high heterosis.

Variation in oil, protein, fatty acid profile, oil stability index, PUFA to SFA, MUFA to PUFA, ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acid ratio and glucosinolate content and their relationships were studied in 50 rapeseed-mustard (Brassica species) varieties. Variability was low for protein and oil content with CV 4.2% and 5.1%, respectively. The highest variation was recorded for oil stability index followed by oleic acid content. Erucic acid ranged from 0.4 % [TERI (00) R- 9903] to 55.3% (NDYS-2). The saturated fatty acids showed a range of 2.5–8.6% and most of the varieties had 10.0. All the varieties, in general had high glucosinolate content except GSC- 5, TERI (OE) R-03 and TERI (00) R-9903. Oil stability index had highly significant and positive correlation with oleic acid and MUFA to PUFA ratio. The relationship of oil content was significantly positive with ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acid ratio (r = 0.377**). Protein content and SFA were positively correlated (r = 0.314 *). Erucic acid exhibited negative and significant association with SFA (r = − 0.293*) and oleic acid (r = − 0.863**).

Six cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) systems, viz. moricandia, ogura, oxyrrhina, siifolia, tournefortii and trachystoma of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were characterized for agronomic and floral characteristics. Introgression of alien cytoplasm caused alterations in different floral traits in ogura, siifolia, tournefortii and trachystoma CMS systems. Varied response to different genetic backgrounds of CMS lines indicated the presence of cytoplasmic–nuclear interaction in alteration of floral traits. On the basis of floral characteristics, CMS systems could be grouped into distinct classes. Siifolia, tournefortii and trachystoma CMS lines had narrow petals, while moricandia, ogura and oxyrrhina had wider petals, which were distinguishable on the basis of visual observations. The ratio between length and width of petals were >2.0 in wide petal group but

A set of integrated weed management systems was assessed in forage oat (Avena sativa L.), cv. Kent, to compare efficiencies inter se in terms of mean forage productivity over different locations and different years, and relative agronomic effectiveness. Results for seven weed management systems were obtained for three consecutive years, i.e. 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98, at five locations of the Indian subcontinent. Two systems – use of weeder-cum-mulcher at the 3- and 6-week crop stages (WCS) and use of weeder-cum-mulcher at the 4 WCS plus application of 2, 4-D at 0.37 kg a.i. ha–1 at 6 WCS – were found to be effective and consistent over locations from year to year and over years from location to location. Pooled analysis over years and locations showed manual weeding at 4 WCS plus application of 2, 4-D at 0.37 kg a.i. ha–1 at 6 WCS, on the one hand, and use of weeder-cum-mulcher at 3 WCS plus manual weeding at 5 WCS, on the other, to have equal efficiencies and to be more beneficial than the other treatments. Recommendation of the latter system is of particular interest as this system merely involves mechanical operations which provide the benefits of soil mulching and carry no risk of biotoxicity due to herbicides in crop plants or adverse effects on soil through uninterrupted use of chemicals. Stabilitatsindizes fur Unkrautbehandlungsverfahren bei Futterhafer (Avena sativa L.) Eine Reihe von Unkrautbehandlungsverfahren wurde bei Futterhafer (Avena sativa L.) cv. Kent zum Vergleich der Effizienz im Hinblick auf eine mittlere Futterproduktion und deren Empfindlichkeit uber Standorte und Jahre sowie ihrer relativen agronomischen Effektivitat untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden fur sieben Behandlungsverfahren in aufeinanderfolgenden Jahren 1995/96, 1996/97 und 1997/98 an funf Standorten in Indien getestet. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass zwei Verfahren – Verwendung von Unkrautstriegel zum Mulchen in der dritten und sechsten Woche Entwicklung (WCS) sowie die Verwendung eines Unkraustriegels zum Mulchen zur vierten Woche WCB + Anwendungen von 2, 4 D 0, 37 kg a.i. ha–1 zur sechsten Woche vorteilhaft uber die Standorte und Jahre sind. Eine zusammenfassende Analyse uber Jahre und Standorte zeigte, dass Unkrautbekampfung mit Hand zur vierten Woche WCS + Anwendung von 2, 4-D mit 0, 37 kg a.i. ha–1 zur sechsten Woche mit einer Handbehandlungen und Verwendung eines Unkrautstriegels mit Mulchen zur dritten Woche WCS + Handverfahren zur funften Woche ebenfalls eine uberlegene Wirkung gegenuber den anderen Verfahren aufweisen. Die Empfehlung der zuletzt genannten Behandlung hat insoweit Bedeutung, da sie nur mechanische Bekampfung umfast und keine Auswirkungen biologischer Toxizitat als Folge von Herbiziden gegenuber den Kulturplanzen oder einer andauernden Behandlung gegenuber dem Boden hat.

Various efforts have been made to improve the bioavailability and to prolong the residence time of eye drops. Drug loaded polymeric nanoparticles offer several favorable biological properties. Thus, brimonidine tartrate (BT) loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles were prepared by inducing the ionic gelation upon addition of sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, SEM, particle size, polydispersity index (PI), DSC, IR, entrapment efficiency which gave an insight of physicochemical interaction that influenced the CS nanoparticle formation and entrapment of BT. In vitro release of BT nanoparticle showed sustained release over the period of 4 h in saline phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Both placebo and BT loaded nanoparticles had a mean particle size range of about 270-370 nm with PI less than 0.5. DSC studies demonstrated structural interactions between BT, TPP and CS matrix. Entrapment efficiency of the CS nanoparticles ranged from 36-49% depending on the CS:TPP weight ratio. In vivo studies confirmed a significant sustained effect of BT nanoparticles compared to conventional eye drops. These results suggest that BT loaded CS nanoparticles could help to reduce dosage frequency by sustained drug release in the treatment of glaucoma.

Comparison was made between random bulk and individual plant selection for grain yield and its contributing characters on the basis of performance of progenies derived from F2 plants under different groups. It was found that the progenies under both the methods produced yield, statistically at par, however higher estimates for component characters were observed under individual plant selection than that of random bulk in some of the populations. But this trend was not consistent across all the populations. It was concluded that it would be appropriate to advance the generation from F2 to F3 without any selection.

The present investigation was carried out to assess heritability, genetic advance and inter se associations of physiological, oil and seed meal quality characters in diverse accessions of Indian mustard. Significant mean sum of squares indicated genotypic differences for all the physiological and oil and seed meal quality characters investigated except protein content. Estimates of heritability and genetic advance were high for harvest index, specific leaf weight and total dry matter at 50% flowering suggesting the dominant role of additive gene action in their inheritance.The phenotypic and genotypic correlations of seed yield with biological yield/plant and harvest index were positive and significant indicating the usefulness of these characters in selection. Reduction in erucic acid would also bring forth correlated increase in oleic, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids owing to its negative associations with all the fatty acids except eicosenoic acid.

Inheritance of siliquae bearing pattern was studied in Indian mustard using F1, back cross (BC1, BC2) and F2 generations derived from a cross NIF-V (clustered siliquae type) and NRCHB 101 (dispersed siliquae type). Individual plants from segregating generations were grouped into two phenotypic classes viz. dispersed and clustered siliquae bearing pattern. The dispersed pattern was dominant over clustered siliquae bearing pattern. The estimated ratio of F2 plants fitted to an assumed phenotypic ratio of 15 dispersed: 1 clustered. A two gene model, each with two alleles and having duplicate gene action, is proposed to explain the inheritance of siliquae bearing pattern in Indian mustard. The information generated in this study will help in developing breeding strategy for utilizing this trait to redesign the mustard ideotype for high siliqua density.

Sixty germplasm accessions from India (27), Australia (25) and China (8) along with 5 check varieties (Bio-902, Bio-772, PCR-7, Rohini and Varuna) of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] were grown in an augmented block design with four blocks during rabi season of 2007–08 to assess magnitude and nature of variability for morpho-physiological and quality characters. Significant mean sum of squares due to genotypes indicated presence of substantial variability for all the morpho-physiological characters investigated except protein content. Seed yield/plant, secondary branches/plant, biological yield, 1000-seed weight, specific leaf weight at 50% and full flowering, leaf area index at full flowering and total dry matter at 50% flowering had high genetic variability and could be exploited through selection. The Chinese accessions were very late in maturity due to fact that they were selected under long day conditions and no seed could be harvested. Indian varieties such as GM-2, RGN-13, JM-3, VSL-5 and Australian accession JM-018 showed very low saturated fatty acids (

Effects of high temperature stress during terminal stage on crop growth and genetic parameters were investigated in 18 advanced breeding lines and 4 varieties of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] under normal (E1) and late sown (E2) conditions. Genotypes BPR 538-10 showed terminal heat tolerance for biological yield/plant, seed yield/plant, total dry matter (60 days after sowing (DAS), crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (4060 DAS) and heat use efficiency while RH 0216 possessed terminal heat stress tolerance only for biological yield/plant. Terminal heat stress decreased heat use efficiency by 16.1% in BPR-538-10 to 66.3% in BPR-327-1-B. Heat use efficiency had high PCV and moderate GCV under E1.The seed yield/plant exhibited significant and positive association with leaf area index (LAI) at 40 days after sowing (r= 0.434*), CGR during 40–60 DAS (r = 0.592**), total dry matter at 60 DAS (r = 0.590**), and heat use efficiency (0.795**) under high temperature stress. The study suggested that rapid leaf area development resulting in to high total dry matter production is vital for developing suitable varieties against terminal heat stress.

Twenty two Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.)] genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications during rabi 2008–2009 under two dates of sowing, viz., November 09 (E1) and November 25 (E2) to assess variability effects of environment on micro (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) and macro nutrients (Na, K). The results revealed that genotypes had substantial genetic variability for both micro- and macro-nutrients in seeds. However, the delayed sowing exposed the crop to heat stress especially during seed development appreciably reduced nutrients content. Both genotypic and phenotypic variations were high under delayed sowing (E2) except for Cu and Fe content. Genotypes CS-3000-1-1-1-5, BPR-538-10 and BPR560-6-B exhibited high Mn, Fe and Na content, respectively under both environments, E1 and E2 and would be potential sources for utilization in the breeding programme for enhancing nutritional value of the animal feed. Cu and Fe contents also showed consistently high heritability and genetic advance under both environments, implying that these characters could possibly be controlled by additive gene effects and could be improved by simple selection in segregating generations.

Urinary leak following renal transplantation is less common nowadays with better techniques. Bilateral scrotal extravasation following urinary leak is extremely rare. A history of filariasis in an endemic zone could mask and delay the diagnosis. One such case is described wherein ureteroneocystostomy was revised and the patient could be successfully managed following urinary leak.

In immediate postoperative period, many injectable analgesics are being used with diverse side effects. The present study was conducted on 75 patients of both sexes, who underwent various types of surgery, to evaluate pain relief in immediate postoperative period. The drugs used for producing postoperative analgesia are buprenorphine, pentazocine and nefopam, all by intramuscular route.