Search

Present study was carried out during rainy (kharif) season of 2022 and summer season of 2023 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to identify cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes with enhanced morphological traits to resist leafhopper [Amrasca (Amrasca) biguttula (Shiraki, 1912)] infestations. To achieve this, 5 distinct genotypes were selected as parents, generating 10 F1 hybrids using the half-diallel method. Field and polyhouse experiments were conducted over a 30–120 days-interval. Genotypes, environments, and their interactions (G × E) played a significant role in confirming resistance. Infestation levels varied throughout growth stages, with the highest at 60 DAS (days after sowing). Microscopy analysis revealed glandular trichomes (GTs) and more single-celled non- GTs (NGTs) with complex dendritic branches (2–8) on primary stem leaves. Negative correlations of trichome density, trichome length and gossypol glands with leafhopper populations in both environments suggested a deterrent role. Conversely, leaf thickness positively associated, indicating potential pest preference. Stepwise regression highlighted combination of morphological traits, significantly contributed to greater leafhopper resistance, rather than a single factor. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting and breeding resistant cotton genotypes against leafhoppers.

Abstract Background For the purpose of utilising hybrid vigour to produce possible hybrids with a suitable level of stability, the knowledge of gene activity and combining ability is a crucial prerequisite before choosing desirable parents. The present study was carried out with six parents crossed in full diallel fashion and generated 30 F1 hybrids. These hybrids were evaluated in two replications in Randomized Block Design at Department of Cotton, TNAU for combining ability and gene action. Diallel analysis was carried out according to Griffing’s method-I (parents + F1 + reciprocals) and model-I and Hayman’s graphical approach by using INDOSTAT software. Results Analysis of variance for combining ability indicated that mean square values of GCA, SCA and reciprocals were highly significant for all the traits except for the uniformity index. RG763 and K12 showed highly positively significant GCA effects for most of the yield traits while PA838 and K12 for fibre quality traits, so they were found as best general combiners. PAIG379 × K12 and PDB29 × K12 for yield traits, and PDB29 × PA838, RG763 × PA838, and CNA1007 × RG763 cross combinations for fibre quality traits could be recommended for future breeding programms. Conclusion The results of both Griffing’s and Hayman’s approaches showed that non-additive gene action predominates as SCA variance was bigger than GCA variance, so heterosis breeding is thought to be a more fruitful option for enhancing GCA of many traits.

Global protein consumption is increasing exponentially, which requires efficient identification of potential, healthy, and simple protein sources to fulfil the demands. The existing sources of animal proteins are high in fat and low in fiber composition, which might cause serious health risks when consumed regularly. Moreover, protein production from animal sources can negatively affect the environment, as it often requires more energy and natural resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, finding alternative plant-based protein sources becomes indispensable. Rapeseed is an important oilseed crop and the world's third leading oil source. Rapeseed byproducts, such as seed cakes or meals, are considered the best alternative protein source after soybean owing to their promising protein profile (30%–60% crude protein) to supplement dietary requirements. After oil extraction, these rapeseed byproducts can be utilized as food for human consumption and animal feed. However, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) like glucosinolates, phytic acid, tannins, and sinapines make them unsuitable for direct consumption. Techniques like microbial fermentation, advanced breeding, and genome editing can improve protein quality, reduce ANFs in rapeseed byproducts, and facilitate their usage in the food and feed industry. This review summarizes these approaches and offers the best bio-nutrition breakthroughs to develop nutrient-rich rapeseed byproducts as plant-based protein sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the ever-increasing global demand for high quality rice in both local production regions and with Western consumers, we have a strong desire to understand better the importance of the different traits that make up the quality of the rice grain and obtain a full picture of rice quality demographics. Rice is by no means a 'one size fits all' crop. Regional preferences are not only striking, they drive the market and hence are of major economic importance in any rice breeding / improvement strategy. In this analysis, we have engaged local experts across the world to perform a full assessment of all the major rice quality trait characteristics and importantly, to determine how these are combined in the most preferred varieties for each of their regions. Physical as well as biochemical characteristics have been monitored and this has resulted in the identification of no less than 18 quality trait combinations. This complexity immediately reveals the extent of the specificity of consumer preference. Nevertheless, further assessment of these combinations at the variety level reveals that several groups still comprise varieties which consumers can readily identify as being different. This emphasises the shortcomings in the current tools we have available to assess rice quality and raises the issue of how we might correct for this in the future. Only with additional tools and research will we be able to define directed strategies for rice breeding which are able to combine important agronomic features with the demands of local consumers for specific quality attributes and hence, design new, improved crop varieties which will be awarded success in the global market.