Corn genotypes and crop seasons on the rate of putative haploids with the expression of gene R1-navajo

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influences of the factors corn (Zea mays) genotypes, crop seasons, endosperm texture, genetic background, and genetic basis on putative haploid rates (PHRs) according to the expression of gene R1-navajo (R1-nj). Forty-one corn genotypes were evaluated as pollen receptors, in crosses with the Krasnodar haploid inducer, in two crops (summer and winter), in the municipality of Maringá, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized with ten replicates (ears). The response variable analyzed was the PHR, determined by the proportion of putative haploids, obtained through the R1-nj marker, in relation to the number of diploid seeds in each ear. Subsequently, generalized linear models were used to choose the one best fit to explain the PHR in function of the tested factors. Crop seasons, genotypes, and the crop seasons x genotypes interaction affected significantly the PHR, showing the dependence of these factors on the expression of the phenotypic marker based on anthocyanin pigmentation and determined by gene R1-nj. The number of clusters formed by the genotypes was different in each crop season. Ten genotypes showed higher rates in summer than in winter. Endosperm texture, genetic basis, and genetic background did not affect the PHR.

Physiochemical Properties and Identification of Elite Genotypes for Improved Sorghum Breeding in Tanzania

Variability in physiochemical properties in sorghum is critical in cultivar development for optimum grain quality and crop resistance against fungal and insect pests. These traits are not well studied. The objective of this study was to characterize sorghum genotypes based on kernel phenotypic and biochemical traits and identify promising genotypes for better utilization of these traits in sorghum breeding. 98 sorghum genotypes comprised by the released varieties, breeding lines, hybrids and local cultivars were studied using qualitative and quantitative parameters. 75.51% of these genotypes have thick pericarp, 33.67% have testa layer, and 7.0% showed mostly-corneous endosperm texture. Results revealed a wide variability among studied genotypes in terms of phenotypic and biochemical properties (p<0.001). A cross IES11038 X A1GD 34553 recorded the highest 100 seed weight (6.2g). Pato and IESV 92174DL were the hardest genotypes with 110.33 and 108.4N respectively. Protein content ranged from 6.52 to 12.23%, of which Naco Mtama 1 and IESV 24030SH were the promising genotypes. Genotypes ICSA 88006 x IESV92172DL, ICSA15 x R8602 and GADAM recorded the highest starch concentration (79 g/100g). The identified elite genotypes could enable selection and hybridization of useful traits.

Characterization of Sorghum germplasm for various qualitative traits

Present study was performed to characterize 750 germplasm lines with 4 checks namely CSV17, CSV20, CSV27 and CSV21F for various qualitative traits of Sorghum. These 754 genotypes were sown in augmented RBD with 30 replications during Kharif 2014 at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur. Majority of the accessions showed poor early plant vigour (40.2 %), dark green leaf (88.6 %), non- tan leaf sheath pigmentation (60 %), drooping leaves (100 %), white midrib colour (51.6 %), senescence (60 %), loose panicle density (31.5 %), elliptical panicle shape (66.5 %), straw glume colour (48.2 %), 3/4 glume coverage (42.9 %), absence of awns (59.5 %), creamy straw seed (39.9 %), oval grain shape (48.8 %), medium seed size (43.7 %), non-lustrous seed (62.0 %), intermediate endosperm texture (50.3 %) and bicolor race (49.6 %). Very good early plant vigour, tan type leaf sheath pigmentation, drooping leaf orientation, straw glume colour, ½ glume covering, oval grain shape, intermediate endosperm texture appeared in all the 4 check. The results of this study indicated that considerable genetic diversity exists among the sorghum accessions.

Characterisation of the Physico-chemical Properties of Selected White Sorghum Grain and Flours for the Production of Ice Cream Cones

Six white sorghum varieties (MUC007/11, MUC007/27, MUC007/193, MUC007/80, MUC007/171, MUC007/174) available in Uganda were evaluated for their suitability as alternate materials for the production of ice cream cones. Physico- chemical properties of the sorghums were determined and correlated to the properties of the ice cream cones produced from them. Results from this study showed that the swelling power and pasting properties of the flours determined by amylose/amlopectin ratio and amylose content as well as the presence of lipids, dietary fibre, tannins and minerals. The break down viscosity (r=-0.825), the final viscosity(r=-0.834) and amylose/amylopectin ratio (r=- 0.782) attained had the highest correlation with the ice cream permeability and weight while hardness of the cone correlated with dietary fibre content (r=0.576), tannin content(r=0.75) and protein (r=-0.458). Hardness showed highest correlation with setback (r=-0.859) and final viscosity(r=-0.703) while texture showed highest correlation with hardness (r=- 0.662) and set back(r=0.778). The cone appearance correlated highest with particle size (r=0.696) and dietary fibre (r=- 0.693). An amylose content of about 28% and lipid content of about 3% with endosperm texture rated as 3 (scale ;1- corneous and 5-floury), 0.1% Tannins, 1.7% minerals and dietary fibre of 5%, in the epuripur variety produced the best sorghum ice cream cone.