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In present study, different varieties of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat) were screened for total carotenoids, phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Among the genotypes studied, variety Jubilee (32.82 mg/100g) exhibited high total carotenoids followed by varieties Haldighati (26.71 mg/100 g), Little Orange (22.25 mg/100g), Liliput (20.77 mg/100g) and Star Yellow (19.21 mg/100g). Variety Jubilee also showed highest antioxidant activities of carotenoids {CUPRAC-Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (149.44 μmol trolox/g), FRAP- Ferrous reducing power (40.09 %), DPPH radical scavenging activity (11.24%)}. The total phenolic content varied from 1.26 mg GAE/g (Ram Lal Dada) to 31.14 mg GAE/g (Jubilee) on fresh weight basis. Further, five promising varieties having high carotenoids, were quantified for lutein and β-carotene using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Highest lutein content was found in variety Jubilee (19.90 μg/g) followed by varieties Haldighati (8.67 μg /g), Liliput (4.77 μg /g), Star Yellow (3.93 μg /g) and Little Orange (3.69 μg/g). Highest β-carotene content was found in Little Orange (5.51μg/g) followed by the varieties Haldighati (2.04 μg /g), Jubilee (1.77 μg /g), Liliput (0.54 μg /g) and Star Yellow (0.50 μg/g). A high correlation between carotenoids, total phenolic and antioxidant activities was observed. Variety Sadwin Yellow showed highest total carotenoid (0.48 mg/g) in leaves, whereas chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll was highest in variety Punjab Anmol (1.32 mg/g, 1.56 mg/g) and high chlorophyll b in variety Pusa Aditya (0.28 mg/g).

The path-coefficient analysis provides information about direct and indirect effect of other morphological characteristics on flower yield per plant, hence this investigation was undertaken to study the effects of various quantitative traits among marigold (Tagetes sp.) genotypes. The genetic variability and heritability in 21 genotypes of marigold confirmed that there is a colossal difference between the genotypes for yield and other 17 traits. The number of ray florets/ flower showed high heritability (99.95) together with high genetic advance (255.77) followed by fresh weight of flower and yield per plant. The study revealed that the PCV is more in comparison with GCV for all the traits which indicates, the contribution of the environment in the expression of traits. Correlation analysis between yield and yield attributing traits in marigold genotypes revealed high positive correlation of flower yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic levels with traits like plant height, plant spread, number of primary branches per plant, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, fresh weight of flower, flower diameter, number of ray florets per flower and flowering duration. Path analysis revealed that the characters like fresh weight of flower and number of flowers per plant are important characters affecting flower yield since they had high direct positive effect. The magnitude of genetic divergence of marigold collected from four different states of India showed the presence of wide genetic diversity. Characters of maximum association with yield have been identified and a selection programme based on the above traits shall be highly effective in improving flower yield of marigold.

The present study was carried out to screen six promising varieties of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), viz. Pusa Chitraksha, Lalit, Pusa Aditya, Basanti, Himanshu, and Pusa Sona in MS (Murashige and Skoog) media supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM/NaCl. As the concentration of NaCl increased, there was a corresponding decrease in shoot length, fresh weight, number of leaves and rooting percentage. Number of shoots per plant exhibited not much significant difference. Maximum reduction in plant growth was recorded in the variety Pusa Sona (60.60%) while minimum reduction was observed in variety Pusa Aditya (35.60%). The highest fresh weight was recorded in variety Pusa Aditya and lowest in the varieties Himanshu and Pusa Sona, when the medium was supplemented with 150 mM NaCl. Variety Pusa Sona (57.00%) had the maximum reduction in the number of leaves per plant and minimum was found in the variety Lalit (29.10%). Increasing salt stress had an adverse effect on rooting abilities of all the varieties. Under the control with no added NaCl, the rooting percentage was 100% among all the varieties. In medium supplemented with 150 mM/l NaCl, the maximum rooting was recorded in the variety Pusa Aditya (63.80%)) and Basanti (63.80%), whereas least was observed in the varieties Pusa Sona and Himanshu (22.00% and 41.80%, respectively).

A hybrid solar dryer was developed consisting of three shelves of 0.55 m2 area each in the drying chamber. This dryer works on the principal of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic system. The performance evaluation was done with rose and marigold flowers. It was found that both flowers when dried at 45°C were significantly (P

In vitro multiplied plants of doubled haploid line of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) derived through ovule culture, were subjected to evaluation of genetic uniformity using SSR markers in order to evaluate their genetic stability and/ or detect likely existing variations among in vitro derived plantlets. Leaf samples were taken from randomly selected 13 plants at post acclimatization stage, for checking the clonal fidelity of the in vitro derived regenerants by comparing them with the mother plant from which the leaf explants were taken. Out of 36 primers, 12 showed amplification in which clear and reproducible PCR profiles. Analysis of individual primers revealed that SSR primers produced same banding pattern which were shared by the in vitro leaf derived regenerants and the donor mother plant, which indicated that there was no variation observed within the tissue culture raised plants. All the banding profiles produced were monomorphic and were similar to those of the mother plant, and hence, showed that plants were true to type. Information presented in the study indicated that the in vitro regenerated plants were identical to the mother plant.

An efficient protocol has been developed for in vitro regeneration of double haploid line of African marigold variety Local Orange derived through ovule culture. Maximum survival (85%) of leaf explant was found in the treatment comprising of Bavistin (0.2%), Ridomil (0.2%) and 8-HQC (200 ppm). The surface sterilization treatment of explants with mercuric chloride (0.1%) for 3 minutes resulted in maximum survival (88.33%) and minimum contamination (18.33%). Three different portions of leaf explant (Tip, middle and basal) were used for regeneration. The treatment comprising MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/l) and NAA (0.25 mg/l) resulted in maximum percent regeneration (86.25), lowest number of days taken for callus initiation (3.05), minimum number of days for shoot regeneration (13.25), maximum number of micro shoots per explant (3.50), minimum number of days to reach the stage of sub culturing (5.75) with basal portion of leaf explant. Among the different explants, basal portion of the leaf was found as the best explant for maximum regeneration. The basal portion of the leaf explant was further treated with best regeneration treatment, i. e. BAP (0.5 mg/l) and NAA (0.25 mg/l) along with different concentrations of putrescine and it was observed that maximum percent regeneration (89.83%), minimum number of days for shoot regeneration (13.50), maximum number of micro shoots per explant (6.25) and minimum number of days to reach the stage of subculturing (5.75) were found in the treatment combination of BAP (0.5 mg/l), NAA (0.25 mg/l) and Putrescine (50 mg/l).

Genetic diversity in roses is unparalleled to any other flower crops. A large number of rose species is grown all around the world. There is a rich wealth of indigenous rose species such as Rosa brunonii, R. macrophylla, R. moschata, R. spinossisima, R. rubiginosa, R. wichuraiana etc. are grown wild in India. They are the important source of genes responsible for various traits, viz. both biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, fragrance, perpetual flowering, hardiness which need to be protected for further use in breeding programs. Morphological markers or traits based species identification are best for visualization, reproducibility and easy to use, besides serving as a reality check for molecular studies. In this study, 31 rose species were characterized for 18 vegetative characters as per PPV FRA guidelines for DUS testing of rose. Genetic diversity of rose species was done based on dissimilarity calculation, hierarchical cluster analysis, linear discriminant analysis and principal component analysis using R software. R. banksiae - R. chinensis‘Viridiflora’ and R. banksiae - R. rubiginosa showed the highest diversity while R. brunonii and R. dumalis shows least diversity. Species were divided into five major clusters using hierarchical cluster analysis which was validated by linear discriminant analysis. Here, both Indian originating species R. brunonii and R. moschata fell into the same cluster while significant diversity noticed in R. damascena and R. wichuraiana. Results of principal component analysis follow a similar pattern as of dendrogram. R. banksiae was most distinctly placed which is well supported as only thornless species used in the study. Although no single morphological traits can be used to differentiate species, it is necessary to create a passport data for further studies.

Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) is the most popular florist flower due to various colours, shapes and sizes. It belongs to the family Asteraceae. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different drying techniques on retention of flower colour and its related traits of Gerbera hybrida var. Doni. Maximum flower colour acceptability score (3.67), high acceptability of texture of dry flowers (3.67), minimum brittleness of dried flowers (2.33), minimum damage of florets (1.33) and maximum score (2.67) for the shape of embedded dry flowers were observed with vacuum air oven drying upto 60 days. Maximum colour retention up to 60 days was observed on the adaxial surface of the floret in vacuum drying (Y-O14A); however, on the abaxial surface of the floret, colour retention was seen maximum up to 60 days at room temperature drying, i.e. control (Y-12B) technique. Minimum reduction in flower size (5.22 %) was observed in vacuum drying; however, minimum reduction in flower weight (82.21%) was found in microwave drying technique. Vacuum air oven drying method was observed to be the best technique for retention of flower colour and related traits.

The present investigation was carried out at Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and seven treatments consisting of six varieties (viz. Selection 1, Bargusto, Panama, Panam, Palma and Tifdwarf 419) and Paspalum notatum species. These were evaluated for their suitability to be used as turfgrass under Delhi conditions. The suitability was evaluated on the basis of different morphological, physiological and biochemical traits. Out of evaluated varieties and species, Tifdwarf 419 exhibited better performance with respect to shoot dry weight (2.03 g/ 100 cm2), shoot fresh weight (5.78 g/100 cm2), root length (17.17 cm), root density (35.00 number/100 cm3), relative water content (86.96 %), chlorophyll a (2.63 mg/g fresh weight), chlorophyll b (0.53 mg/g fresh weight) and total chlorophyll (3.24 mg/g fresh weight) when compared to other varieties. Apart from these characteristics, short shoot length of 6.07 cm and high shoot density (331.27 number/100 cm2 area), along with good colour throughout the growing season was observed in Tifdwarf 419. Selection 1 also showed desirable shoot fresh weight (5.07 g/100 cm2), root length (16.10 cm), root density (28.87 number/100 cm3) and shoot density (395.40 number/100 cm2 area). The Cynodon dactylon varieties Tifdwarf 419 and Selection 1 were found to be most suitable to be used as turfgrasses in Delhi conditions.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are one of the important pattern recognizing receptors which are responsible for the induction of innate as well as adaptive immune response against a wide range of microbial components. Among different TLRs, TLR2 and TLR4 are expressed on the cell surface identifying Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial components. The present study was undertaken to analyze the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 genes in different buffalo tissues by using highly sensitive real-time PCR technique. Although the expression of both the genes was observed in all the 8 different tissues taken for the present study, the maximum expression of TLR2 was seen in blood followed by skin, lungs and spleen and the lowest expression was found in the uterus. TLR4 showed maximum expression in blood followed by skin, lungs, mammary gland of non-lactating, lactating buffalo and heifer and the lowest expression was seen again in the uterus.The findings suggest both the genes having important functions in blood and skin, the first line of protection for pathogenic challenge apart from other organs in buffalo.

An efficient protocol for in vitro multiplication of Rosa × hybrida L. cv. Happiness was standardized using axillary bud segments. Out of different pre treatments for explants, the highest explant survival (80.25%) was obtained with T1 pre-treatment comprising 0.2% Carbendazim + 0.2% Mancozeb-45 +150 mg/l 8-HQC for 4 hragitation on a horizontal shaker (200 rpm). Sucrose concentration of 30g/l in the medium was found to be optimum for in vitro shoot multiplication. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l BAP + 5.0 mg/l kinetin + 0.1 mg/l NAA + 0.5 mg/l GA3 was found most effective for culture establishment, however, MS medium comprising 2.5 mg/l BAP + 2.5 mg/l kinetin + 0.1mg/l NAA+ 0.5mg/l GA3 along with 40 mg/l adenine sulphate was found to be better for shoot proliferation with highest number of micro shoots (7.10 shoots/explant). Rooting of micro shoots was induced on half strength MS basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/l) and IBA (0.5 mg/l) rooting growth regulators. The regenerated plantlets were efficiently hardened in glass jars filled with coco peat + vermiculite + perlite (2:1:1) moistened with half strength MS medium salts and covered with polypropylene lids, thereafter, plants were successfully transferred to the glasshouse with good survival.

Identification and characterization of new cultivars is essential to meet DUS testing, address IPR issues and their utilization and conservation. Traditionally, morphological markers were used for germplasm characterization as being simple and irreplaceable. A total of 57 RAPD primers were screened and out of these 22 primers which gave sufficient amplification were selected for the study. Out of 207 bands generated, 175 were polymorphic with a polymorphism percentage of 84.54%. The polymorphism percentage ranged between 60% (OPA04) to 100% (OPA17, OPB-06, OPX14, OPX-19). The primer OPA08 generated least numbers of bands (4) and OPA06 generated maximum number of bands (17). The Rp values ranged between 0.82 to 8.18 for RAPD primers OPY-4 and OPX16, respectively with a mean value of 3.94 and the correlation between Rp and number of cultivars identified by each primer was fairly high (0.96). The primers OPX16, OPY6 and OPA04 distinguished higher number of cultivars of 49, 46 and 37 respectively. The UPGMA dendrogram indicated that the cultivars Maghi Orange and Maghi Yellow were sharing the maximum similarity (89%) and were close to Maghi White at a similarity level of 86%. The other cultivars sharing higher similarity levels were Flirt with Yellow Gold, Pink Cloud with Korean Small and Sadbhawna with Jubilee. RAPD proved to be useful for the characterization of the genotypes for their efficient utilization, management and IPR protection.

Despite of enhancing interest on turfs in India, all the available varieties of turf grasses in the country are being imported and are often poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted to begin a collection activity of turfgrass species, with the ultimate goal of identifying promising materials for further development of lawns suitable for various conditions. The present investigation conducted on eight species and four varieties of turf grasses depicted significant differences in all the growth related traits studied. All turf grasses under study exhibited fine leaf texture except Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees having medium coarse texture, Paspalum notatum Flugge and Argentine bahia having coarse texture and Poa pratensis L. which exhibited medium fine leaf texture. The Agrostis palustris L. exhibited maximum mean performance for shoot density/25 cm2 (277.33), whereas minimum was exhibited by Cynodon dactylon L. var Panama (57.67). The coefficient of variation was minimum for relative water content (GCV = 13.77, PCV = 14.60) and maximum for root length (GCV = 64.70, PCV = 66.46). Heritability estimates for all the traits were generally moderate to high. High heritability was observed for shoot density per 25 cm2 (98.00), whereas moderate heritability was observed for dry root/shoot ratio (64.12). High heritability along with high genetic advance was observed for shoot density per 25cm2 (h2 = 98.00, GA = 142.02) and germination percentage (h2 = 96.50, GA = 48.16).