A note on frost induced garlic (Allium sativum L. var. sagitatum Kuz.) mutant with larger aerial bulbils

A natural frost induced mutant of garlic (Allium sativum L. var. sagitatum Kuz. cv. Agri FoundParvati), producing normal clove-sized aerial bulbils, was isolated from extreme cold-aridtrans-Himalayan deserts of Ladakh (9,000–18,500 ft above MSL), India. The yield after aseason’s growth from mutated bulbils (42.3 g) was slightly less than that realized from secondseason’s growth in conventional bulbils (46.7 g) and greater than that from normal cloves(39.3 g). This mutant, ensuring commercial garlic production from aerial bulbils within asingle season itself, was stable over two successive generations. &nbsp

Genome-Wide Association Study and Pathway-Level Analysis of Kernel Color in Maize.

Rapid development and adoption of biofortified, provitamin A-dense orange maize (Zea mays L.) varieties could be facilitated by a greater understanding of the natural variation underlying kernel color, including as it relates to carotenoid biosynthesis and retention in maize grain. Greater abundance of carotenoids in maize kernels is generally accompanied by deeper orange color, useful for distinguishing provitamin A-dense varieties to consumers. While kernel color can be scored and selected with high-throughput, low-cost phenotypic methods within breeding selection programs, it remains to be well established as to what would be the logical genetic loci to target for selection for kernel color. We conducted a genome-wide association study of maize kernel color, as determined by colorimetry, in 1,651 yellow and orange inbreds from the Ames maize inbred panel. Associations were found with y1, encoding the first committed step in carotenoid biosynthesis, and with dxs2, which encodes the enzyme responsible for the first committed step in the biosynthesis of the isoprenoid precursors of carotenoids. These genes logically could contribute to overall carotenoid abundance and thus kernel color. The lcyE and zep1 genes, which can affect carotenoid composition, were also found to be associated with colorimeter values. A pathway-level analysis, focused on genes with a priori evidence of involvement in carotenoid biosynthesis and retention, revealed associations for dxs3 and dmes1, involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis; ps1 and vp5, within the core carotenoid pathway; and vp14, involved in cleavage of carotenoids. Collectively, these identified genes appear relevant to the accumulation of kernel color

A note on frost induced garlic (Allium sativum L. var. sagitatum Kuz.) mutant with larger aerial bulbils

A natural frost induced mutant of garlic (Allium sativum L. var. sagitatum Kuz. cv. Agri FoundParvati), producing normal clove-sized aerial bulbils, was isolated from extreme cold-aridtrans-Himalayan deserts of Ladakh (9,000–18,500 ft above MSL), India. The yield after aseason’s growth from mutated bulbils (42.3 g) was slightly less than that realized from secondseason’s growth in conventional bulbils (46.7 g) and greater than that from normal cloves(39.3 g). This mutant, ensuring commercial garlic production from aerial bulbils within asingle season itself, was stable over two successive generations. &nbsp

HALOGENS, ALCOHOLS AND POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE EXTEND THE STORABILITY OF HOT PEPPER SEEDS (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) UNDER ACCELERATED AGEING CONDITIONS

The feasibility of extending the storability of fresh hot pepper seeds, by modifying the storage atmosphere, using the respiration inhibitors and seed desiccants was examined. Halogens such as chlorine, bromine and iodine and methanol, ethanol and potassium permanganate were used for a period of 22 months under accelerated ageing conditions of high seed moisture and temperature. The various seed quality parameters – viability, vigour, speed of germination, seedling dry weight, and moisture content were evaluated. In the untreated control, decreased seed viability was observed within 10 months of storage. However, iodine and chlorine were proved effective in retaining high seed viability up to 90.7 and 88.0%, respectively, even after 22 months of storage. Chlorine treatment was able to retain the seed vigour (904.0), iodine (766.4), KMnO4 (754.4) and methanol (566.7) whereas the value of vigour index in control was 72.0. Chlorine and iodine were on par in their ability to maintain the speed of seed germination (25.2 and 24.8, respectively), followed by KMnO4 (20.2). Seedling dry weight was proved as a parameter not sensitive in estimating the seed quality since even after 22 months storage of seeds at atmospheres of chlorine, iodine, KMnO4 and methanol did not show any differences. KMnO4 sharply reduced the seed moisture content from 9.83 to 7.89% providing better storability over the contro

Effect of media composition on growth and flower attributes of lisianthus [Lisianthus grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinner]

The media composition and the other practices for the cultivation of Lisianthus under Indian conditions are detaile

Physiological response of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L. ) genotypes to drought

Drought is one of the major environmental stresses affecting crop productivity worldwide. Climate change is expected to result in a rise in the number and intensity of drought events in the coming decades, so climate-resilient crops that can withstand this stress are in high demand. There are few genotypes in cocoa where it can tolerate water deficit conditions. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the effect of drought stress on the photosynthetic and physiological parameters of six cocoa genotypes (Theobroma cacao L.) with two irrigation regimes (100% field capacity and 40% field capacity) under greenhouse conditions at Cocoa Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. The effect of water deficit conditions on gas exchange and physiological parameters such as relative water content, membrane stability index, chlorophyll stability index, and chlorophyll content were evaluated. Drought stress conditions resulted in reduced photosynthetic rate, relative water content, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability and membrane stability. All genotypes revealed significant differences for most parameters with two irrigation regimes. Among the cocoa genotypes, P.IV 19.9, which is classified as a highly tolerant genotype, recorded better results for all the parameters studied under water deficit conditions at 40 per cent FC. The findings of this study support the classification of these genotypes as highly tolerant, tolerant, and susceptible. These parameters may be used as the most promising indicators to screen for drought tolerance in cocoa. The results of the study revealed that photosynthetic and physiological parameters have a significant role in imparting drought stress tolerance to cocoa. Furthermore, these selected drought-tolerant genotypes can be used in future crop improvement programmes in cocoa