Pantnagar Journal of Research

Cotton is the most important fiber crop globally, grown over tropical and subtropical regions world. The narrow genetic base of the cotton germplasm being used in breeding programs is one of the factors in failing to achieve appreciable amount of progress in improving fiber as well as yield contributing traits. Molecular markers have been successfully applied to estimate genetic diversity, besides their use in advancing the breeding cycle. ISSR markers were used to assess molecular diversity among nine elite genotypes in upland cotton in this investigation. Primers ISSR 32 and UBC 842 were recorded with maximum PIC value (0.68) indicating maximum contribution of these primers for diversity analysis. The NTSYS-pc UPGMA tree cluster analysis resulted that nine genotypes were quite distinct and were grouped in four clusters at 69% similarity index. The use of two genotypes from different clusters in hybridization could produce feasible heterotic combinations in forthcoming breeding programmes.

Heterosis was studied for 12 characters in 60 crosses developed by crossing 20 lines and tree testers (2 CMS & 1 TGMS) a line x tester mating design. Promising hybrids expressed highest SCA effects for grain yield were obtained with general combiners involved into different parental combinations of UPR 3403-4-1-1 x UPRI 95-167 (L1 x T1), UPRI 2008-62 x UPRI 95-17A (L20 x T2) and UPR 3428-4-1-1 x UPRI 95-17A(L11 x T2). The per cent estimate for standard heterosis for grain yield was recorded highest for UPRI 2008-39 x PUSA6A(L19 x T3) followed by UPR 3403-4-1-1 x UPRI 95-17A(L1 x T1) and UPRI 2008-62 x PUSA6A (L20 x T3). These identified hybrids have potential and can be channelized in rice hybrid development programme after further testing in station/multiplications trials.

A field investigation was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Kurnool (Dist.) in Andhra Pradesh during rabi season of 2009 and 2010 to assess the performance of three mustard varieties (Sangam, JD 6 and SEJ 2) and their response to three levels of phosphorus fertilization (20, 30 and 40 kg P2O5/ha). The experiment comprised of nine treatments and was laid out in randomized factorial design with three replications. The results revealed that among the varieties, SEJ 2 resulted in significantly more number of branches plant-1, number of siliqua/plant and there by higher seed yield (1018 kg/ha during 2009 and 917 kg/ha during 2010) as compared to JD 6 and SEJ 2 during both the years of investigation. Even though application of phosphorus @ 40 kg P2O5/ha significantly increased yield attributes and seed yield as compared to 20 kg P2O5 /ha, but was statistically similar to that of 30 kg P2O5/ha. Hence, study clearly indicated that for realizing higher mustard seed yield, sangam variety can be grown with an application of 30 kg P2O5/ha.

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2011-12 and 2012-13 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Kurnool (Dt.), Andhra Pradesh to evaluate profitable alternate crops (jowar, sunflower, foxtail millet, black gram, mustard, soybean and safflower) to chickpea. The results clearly indicated that in both the years of study, significantly higher seed yield (1595 and 1760 kg ha-1), maximum gross (Rs.55839 and 70408 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 45,839 and 55,408 ha-1) and B: C ratio (5.6 and 4.7) was recorded with chickpea among all the crops tested. However, among alternate crops evaluated, mustard and black gram resulted in significantly higher Bengal gram equivalent yield (BGEY) (1129 and 1034 kg ha-1; 853 and 1070 kg ha-1 during 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively), net returns (Rs.32,021 and 28,701ha-1; Rs.19,628 and 30,312 kgha-1 during 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively) and B:C ratio (5.3 and 4.8; 3.0 and 3.4 during 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively) compared to rest crops.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the major cereal crop in most of the developing countries. Black rice is a type of pigmented rice with black bran covering the endosperm of the rice kernel. Black rice ‘Chakhao’ is an aromatic and pigmented rice variety popular in Asia, whose demand and consumption is increasing day by day in India as well as in the world due to its numerous health benefits. Black rice is grown under rainfed condition in both upland and lowland rice ecosystem. It is not consumed as staple food but consumed as the functional foods because of its anthocyanin content, acts as major bio-active compound. Accumulation of anthocyanin (Cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside) in the pericarp, tegmen and aleurone layer promotes black color to rice grains. Anthocyanins are water soluble pigment which is responsible for the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of black rice. It has potential use in neutraceutical or functional food formulation.