Identification of Pod Shattering Resistance and Associations between Agronomic Characters in Soybean using Genotype by Trait Biplot

Background: Pod shattering has become the major problem in soybean production. The research aims to identify the pod shattering resistance and to assess the agronomic performances of 50 soybean genotypes and the association among agronomic characters. Methods: The research materials were 50 soybean genotypes which consisted of 47 lines derived from routine crossing programs and three check cultivars. The field experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with two replications. The data were observed for yield and its component traits. The oven-dry method was performed in the laboratory to assess the pod shattering resistance. Result: Variation among genotypes was found in the pod shattering resistance and agronomic characters. The genotype by trait biplot graph showed that pod shattering was negatively correlated with the days to maturity and plant height, but positively correlated with the seed size. Soybean genotypes of Grob/G100H-1-588 and G100H/Mhmr-4-993 were resistant to pod shattering and have a high seed weight per plant. These genotypes were potential for further varietal development or could be used as gene sources in the soybean improvement program for pod shattering resistance.

Per se Performance and Variability in Dwarf Roselle Germplasm for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits

A research study was conducted with nine dwarf Roselle germplasm of H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa at College of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India during first week, October, 2019 to 2nd week, January, 2020. The analysis of variance for yield and its contributing characters was found to be significant for all the characters. Based on mean performance, the Roselle accession SAS-14139-1 was the best performance for yield, number of fruits per plant and plant height. Seven accessions produced green calices with red tinging, which are having good demand in the market. Good amount of genetic variability was associated with the germplasm for majority of the characters. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for yield characters of the accessions. This is an indication that there is a store of genetic variability that can be exploited for the improvement of Roselle in India. There was also pronounced variation in yield and other morphological parameters, suggesting the possibility of evolving higher yield variants of Roselle through proper selection. High heritability was registered with plant height, number of branches per plant and fruit yield per plant. The present study identified agronomically better germplasm for yield exploitation coupled with high heritability characters for future varietal development and use as parents in further breeding programmes in Roselle, a future reliable vegetable crop.

Resistance to Red Rot Disease (Colletotrichum falcatum) Varies among Different Germplasm Sources of Sugarcane

Resistance of sugarcane varieties to red rot disease is essential for their successful commercial cultivation in Pakistan. Evaluation of sugarcane germplasm for red rot resistance is a basic component of the varietal development system in Punjab. The studies on varietal screening against red rot disease of exotic sugarcane germplasm were conducted at the research farm of the Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011. The screening test was carried out at different varietal development stages including sugarcane nursery-2, nursery-3, semi-final varietal trial, final varietal trial and National Uniform Yield Trial by using plug method of inoculation. In three years, 724 sugarcane genotypes were examined in screening test against red rot disease, which were developed from germplasm (fuzz), imported from different sugarcane breeding organizations of the world. Fuzz is a true seed of sugarcane used to develop new sugarcane variety(ies) through repeated selection in any varietal development program. The results of three years experimentation revealed that 425 genotypes were resistant, 141 moderately resistant, 48 moderately susceptible and 110 susceptible to red rot disease. It was also concluded that sugarcane germplasm belongs to the USA, proved to be superior for resistance to red rot disease with 91% genotypes followed by Brazil and Australia with 86 and 68% genotypes, respectively, which were classified in resistant and moderately resistant category. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers