Maize (Zea mays L.) is a crucial global cereal crop for food, feed, and industrial use. This study explored the introgression of Zea nicaraguensis into maize lines LM13 and LM14 to enhance kernel traits. The BC1 F2 individuals, were compared with diverse maize varieties, including hybrids, popcorn, inbreds, sweet corn, and composites. Kernel traits were assessed through qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results showed significant genetic diversity, with LM13 lines exhibiting greater kernel length variability and LM14 lines displaying diverse kernel colours. Flint kernels predominated, indicating resilience and suitability for breeding. Heritability analysis revealed moderate heritability for endosperm colour, while genetic advance values indicated substantial potential for improving kernel dimensions and hundred-seed weight. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified kernel dimension traits, colour of top of the grain and hundred-seed weight, and endosperm colour as key differentiators, highlighting the genetic diversity within BC1 F2 lines. This study underscored the importance of wild relatives in maize breeding, providing insights for developing resilient, high-performing maize varieties to support sustainable agriculture and food security.
Seven advanced lines/varieties of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were selected for building the experimental materials. It consisted of 3 lines and 4 testers, mated in Line×Tester design during rabi season 2021-22. Fifteen parameters, including seed yield per plant (g), glucosinolate content (µmole/g), oil content (%), and erucic acid content (%), were assessed in RBD during the rabi season of 2022–2023 for parental lines and their 12 F1 s. Analysis of variance for combining ability showed significant differences amid treatments for all the characters; except for seeds per siliqua and siliqua density. Tester PWR 13-8 was a good combiner for a maximum of eight traits, including seed yield per plant and oil content. Lines NRCHB-101 and Kranti were good combiners for seed yield per plant. The cross-combination Giriraj × Heera for seed yield per plant, NRCHB-101 × PWR 13-8 for glucosinolate content, Kranti × PWR 13-8 for oil content, and Kranti × Donskaja for erucic acid content had the highest significant SCA effect. Cross combination Kranti × PWR 13-8 showed the highest mid-parent and better-parent heterosis for seed yield per plant. Cross-combination NRCHB-101 × PWR 13-8 showed the highest economic heterosis (222.81**) for seed yield per plant along with high estimates, i.e., -17.24** for mid-parent heterosis, -22.06** for better-parent heterosis and 26.88** for economic heterosis, for glucosinolate content. Cross Kranti × PWR 13-8 showed the highest mid-parent heterosis (5.97**), and Giriraj × Bio YSR showed the highest better-parent (5.07**) and economic heterosis (9.11**) for oil content.
A field experiment was convened at A-2 block (Rice Agronomy block) Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar on a sandy loam soil (Mollisol) during Kharif 2022 for the experiment of “study the impact of Nano Urea application under graded N rates on growth, productivity and nitrogen use efficiency of transplanted riceâ€. The soil was neutral in pH (7.5), medium in Organic Carbon content (0.64%), Low in Nitrogen (177.6 Kg/ha), moderate in Phosphorus (19.6 Kg/ha), and medium in Potassium (198.3 Kg/ha). The study was conducted using Randomized block design in 9 treatments and each has 3 replications and the Rice variety Dhan-24(PD-24) was used. The treatments embodied of T1 (100% RDN), T2 (75% RDN), T3 (50% RDN + 2 Foliar Spray of Nano Urea (AT, PI)), T4 (75% RDN + 2 Foliar Spray of Nano Urea (AT, PI)), T5 (100% RDN + 2 Foliar Spray of Nano Urea (AT, PI)), T6 (50% RDN + 2 Foliar Spray of Urea (AT, PI)), T7 (75% RDN + 2 Foliar Spray of Urea (AT, PI)), T8 (100% RDN (1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 ) + 2 Foliar Spray of Nano Urea (AT, PI)) and T9 (Control).The growth parameters were considerably influenced by different treatment at 30, 60, and 90 days after Transplanting (DAT) and upon reaching the maturity. At initial stages of crop growth, T1 has reported significantly higher plant height, tiller m-2, dry matter accumulation and SPAD value. But as the crop grew farther, the treatment T8 had much higher growth parameters that were comparable to those of T5. The yield attributing characters (number of panicles m-2, number of filled spikelet per panicle, number of unfilled spikelet per panicle, spikelet sterility, and grain weight per panicle) were significantly affected by various treatments. However, panicle length, number of spikelet per panicle and 1000 grain weight were found to be non- significant. The treatment T8 reported significantly higher yield attributes which were at par with T5. The treatment T8 also reported the highest grain, straw, and biological yields which were 11.9%, 8.5%, and 9.9% higher than T1 respectively. However, harvest index was not significantly affected by various treatments. The economics of rice production was also significantly affected by various treatments reporting the highest gross returns, net returns and B/C ratio in T8.
Drought is the one of the most hazardous abiotic stress resulting in huge losses to crop yield worldwide. Plants have evolved diverse ways to eliminate the harmful effect of different stresses. The acquisition of important plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in rhizosphere is the most effective mechanisms acquired by plants to ameliorate different stresses in soil. The objective of the research was to isolate, screen and characterized important PGP bacterial isolates along with potential of drought stress tolerance in Poly ethyle glycol (PEG)-6000 amended medium. About 232 bacterial isolates were isolated from different crop rhizosphere and subjected to drought stress tolerance assessment. Finally, 05 isolates were screened on the basis of critical drought tolerance and PGP characteristics (Zinc solubilization, Phosphate solubilization, siderophore production) under lab condition. The selected isolates were characterized morphologically, biochemically and through molecular methods using 16SrDNA region. The isolates will further act as repository of PGP characteristics along with water stress tolerance which can be tested and applied in field condition for plant stress amelioration.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic relationships with approximately 80% of terrestrial plants, enhancing root surface area and interacts with the rhizosphere. Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), a glycoprotein secreted by AMF, influences soil quality and promotes plant growth. This study investigates the effects of exogenously applied GRSP on finger millet seed germination in vitro. Two concentrations of GRSP were administered to observe it effect on root length, shoot length, and biomass production. Results showed that half-strength GRSP significantly enhances seedling growth, while full-strength exhibited zero to inhibitory effects. The root growth, shoot growth, biomass and seedling vigour index increased in GRSP treated MS media compared to control by nearly 70%, 81%, 43% and 75 % respectively. Comparative studies suggested a parallel perspective on the growth-promoting role of GRSP. The positive impact of EE-GRSP on finger millet seeds aligns with its humic acid-like properties, yet higher concentrations may contain impurities hindering growth. Hence, this study exhibits that GRSP is a potential growth promoter for finger millet.