Pigeonpea improvement: An amalgam of breeding and genomic research

In the past five decades, constant research has been directed towards yield improvement in pigeonpea resulting in the deployment of several commercially acceptable cultivars in India. Though, the genesis of hybrid technology, the biggest breakthrough, enigma of stagnant productivity still remains unsolved. To sort this productivity disparity, genomic research along with conventional breeding was successfully initiated at ICRISAT. It endowed ample genomic resource providing insight in the pigeonpea genome combating production constraints in a precise and speedy manner. The availability of the draft genome sequence with a large‐scale marker resource, oriented the research towards trait mapping for flowering time, determinacy, fertility restoration, yield attributing traits and photo‐insensitivity. Defined core and mini‐core collection, still eased the pigeonpea breeding being accessible for existing genetic diversity and developing stress resistance. Modern genomic tools like next‐generation sequencing, genome‐wide selection helping in the appraisal of selection efficiency is leading towards next‐generation breeding, an awaited milestone in pigeonpea genetic enhancement. This paper emphasizes the ongoing genetic improvement in pigeonpea with an amalgam of conventional breeding as well as genomic research.     

Inheritance and molecular mapping of restorer‐of‐fertility (Rf) gene in A2 hybrid system in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Inheritance of fertility restorer gene in pigeonpea was studied using F₂ and BC₁F₁ populations derived from cross AL103A × IC245273. It was found to be controlled by single dominant gene. Out of 228 SSR primer pairs, 33 primer pairs showed parental polymorphism, while four primers were found polymorphic in bulk segregant analysis (BSA). These four primers viz., CcM 1615, CcM 0710, CcM 0765 and CcM 1522 were used for genotyping of F₂ population and were found to be placed at 3.1, 5.1, 28.1 and 45.8 cM, respectively. Two of them, CcM 1615 and CcM 0710, evinced clear and unambiguous bands for fertility restoration in F₂ population. The Rf gene was mapped on linkage group 6 between the SSR markers CcM 1615 and CcM 0710 with the distances of 3.1 and 5.1 cM, respectively. The accuracy of the CcM 1615 was validated in 18 restorers and six maintainer lines. The marker CcM 1615 amplified in majority of male restorer lines with a selection accuracy of 91.66%.     

Reduced Germination and Seedling Vigor of Weeds with Root Extracts of Maize and Soybean,and the Mechanism Defined as Allelopathic

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Due to the negative consequences of synthetic herbicides use and their reducing effectiveness due to development of resistant weeds, promotion of...     

Extension of shelf life of tuberose flowers using a combination of gamma irradiation and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) preservatives and assessment of antimicrobial potency of senesced flowers

Tuberose cut flowers, available as loose flowers, were treated with gamma (γ) irradiation and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) preservative solutions for extension of shelf life. The flowers were packaged in low-density polyethylene bags, heat sealed and stored at 23 ± 2°C, 80% relative humidity (RH) and 4 ± 1°C, 40% RH, respectively. The flowers stored at these two temperature regimes were subjected to sensory evaluation and biochemical analyses. From these assessments, the longest shelf life of tuberose flowers was found to be 8 days at 23 ± 2°C, 80% RH (compared to 4 days for control) and 24 days at 4 ± 1°C, 40% RH (compared to 8 days for control) using combination treatment of low dose γ-irradiation (0.02 kGy) and preservative solutions (4% sucrose and 0.02% CaCl₂). Ethanolic extract of tuberose flowers of the most shelf stable set (stored at 4 ± 1°C), i.e. at the end of 24 days, showed antimicrobial potency against the common skin pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923 and MDR strains), suggesting utility of the senesced tuberose flowers for therapeutic applications. This preservation technique would promote export of tuberose flowers by extension of their shelf lives and allow utilization of these flowers, post senescence.     

Effectiveness of Combined Use of Mineral Oil and Insecticide Spray in Reducing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato Virus Y</Emphasis> (PVY) Spread under Field Conditions in New Brunswick,Canada

In the 2014 and 2015 crop seasons, the efficacies of different types, rates and combinations of mineral oil and insecticide foliar sprays for reducing Potato virus Y (PVY) spread were tested in controlled field trials in New Brunswick (NB), Canada. Experimental plots were planted with certified PVY-free Goldrush, supplemented with known virus-infected seed to raise PVY inoculum to 2.3% and 3% at the beginning of the 2014 and 2015 seasons, respectively. Treatments consisted of mineral oil-only sprays at different application rates, insecticide-only sprays of differing numbers, and several combined mineral oil and insecticide spray regimes, all compared to a no-spray control treatment. PVY spread to 18% (2014) and 22% (2015) of initially virus-free plants in no-spray control plots, with significant reductions observed in PVY spread in several treatments. Greatest PVY reductions, as low as 4% (2014) and 12% (2015), were in combined mineral oil and insecticide spray treatments, followed by oil-only sprays; while insecticide-only sprays did not significantly reduce PVY spread. As well as measuring PVY spread to marked test plants and randomly collected post-harvest tuber sample from the plots, exhibited similar treatment pattern for PVY incidence. Multiple logistic regression modeling confirmed the relative efficacy of combined oil and insecticide sprays for reducing PVY spread, while accounting for variable inoculum and aphid factors. Modeling also highlighted the importance of planting low-PVY seed initially, and of early application of foliar sprays. Local best management practice recommendations for reduction of in-field PVY spread were discussed.     

Analysis of residuals for stability assessment of rice genotypes

The analysis of residuals computes general adaptabilities (GAs) and specific adaptabilities (SAs) of genotypes similar to combining ability analysis. The residual analysis is simple and robust being based on the first-degree statistics, and is assumption-free. A unique statistic of ratio of variances (VR) of residuals for individual genotypes allows comparing their stability. The residuals analysis of genotype × environment (GE) interactions was performed for grain yield (t ha^?1) of 25 rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes, including two developed by marker-assisted selection for root traits quantitative trait loci (QTL), tested across 16 sites. Results were compared with the linear regression analysis for (i) full set of 16 sites showing adequacy of linear model and (ii) subset of nine-poor sites showing inadequacy of linear model. There was agreement between the two analyses for situation (i) but not for situation (ii) when the regression analysis fails because of nonlinearity but the residual analysis retains its validity.     

Bread wheat cultivar PBW 343 carries residual additive resistance against virulent stripe rust pathotype

With continuous outbreaks of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) epidemics and rapid breakdown of deployed resistance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars in North West Plains Zone (NWPZ) in India warrant knowledge and deployment of new and durable sources of resistance to stripe rust. Bread wheat cultivar PBW 343, until recently the most widely cultivated wheat variety in India, is now highly susceptible to stripe rust (score 9 on a 1–9 scale), whereas PBW 621 (score 5.05–5.65) and HD 2967 (score 5.40–6.20) show low levels of resistance. We conducted an experiment, spanning three crop seasons (2013–2014 to 2015–2016), in which parental lines, F₁ and F₂ populations, F₃ and F₄ families from two bread wheat crosses, PBW 621/PBW 343 and HD 2967/PBW 343 were generated and evaluated for stripe rust resistance against a virulent pathotype. While the F₁ revealed partial dominance, the segregation pattern for stripe rust resistance in F₂ and F₃ showed transgressive segregation for resistance in both crosses. Chi-square analysis indicated that resistant segregants possessed two genes, one contributed by PBW 621 or HD 2967 (depending on the cross) and the other, unexpectedly but obviously, came from the most susceptible cultivar, PBW 343. Possible genetic mechanisms for this residual resistance and implications for breeding programs are discussed.     

Integrated effect of population and weed management regimes on weed dynamics,performance, and productivity of basmati rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Weeds caused serious problem on yield reduction of basmati rice worldwide. Losses caused by weeds varied from one country to another, depending on the presence of dominant weeds and the control methods practiced by farmers; therefore, suitable plant population and weed management practices should be adopted. Keeping these in mind, a field experiment was carried out during kharif seasons of 2009 and 2010 at crop Research Centre of SVPUA&T, Meerut, India comprising 4 planting geometries, viz. 20, 30, 40, and 50 hills m^?2 as main plot factor, and 5 weed management practices (Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1, Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1 fb (followed by) one hand weeding, Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1 fb Almix @ 4 g ha^?1, two hand weedings and weedy check) in a split plot design with 3 replications. Experimental results revealed that plant population of 50 hills m^?2 proved superior over that of 20 hills m^?2 in respect of weed density, weed dry weight, number of tillers m^?2, yield attributes, grain, straw, and biological yields. The maximum grain yield (29.00 and 31.00 q ha^?1) and straw yield (51.30 and 52.50 q ha^?1) were recorded in 50 hills m^?2 followed by 40 hills m^?2 during 2009 and 2010, respectively. In respect of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium removal, a reverse trend was observed: the highest in 20 hills m^?2 followed by 30, 40, and 50 hills m^?2. As far as the weed management practices are concerned, both chemical and mechanical methods of weed control were found superior over weedy check. The lowest weed density, dry weight, and highest weed control efficiency, maximum length of panicle^?1, number of panicle (m²), and 1000-grain weight and grain yield of 30.40 and 32.60 q ha^?1 were recorded with two hand weedings which was at par with Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1 fb one hand weeding over rest of the weed management practices.     

Influence of crop establishment methods on yield,economics and water productivity of rice cultivars under upland and lowland production ecologies of Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains

A field study on assessment of crop establishment methods on yield, economics and water productivity of rice cultivars under upland and lowland production ecologies was conducted during wet seasons (June–November) of 2012 and 2013 in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. The experiment was laid-out in a split-plot design (SPD) and replicated four times. The main-plot treatments included three crop establishment methods, viz. dry direct-seeded rice (DSR), system of rice intensification (SRI) and puddled transplanted rice (PTR). In sub-plots, five rice cultivars of different groups like aromatic (Improved Pusa Basmati 1 and Pusa Sugandh 5), inbreds (PNR 381 and Pusa 834) and hybrid (Arize 6444) were taken for their evaluations. These two sets of treatments were laid-out simultaneously in two production ecologies, upland and lowland during both years. In general, lowland ecology was found favourable for rice growth and yield and resulted in 13.2% higher grain yield as compared to upland ecology. Rice grown with SRI method produced 19.4 and 7.0% higher grain yield in 2012 and 20.6 and 7.1% higher in 2013, over DSR and PTR. However, PTR yielded 13.1 and 14.5% higher grain over DSR during 2012 and 2013, respectively. On an average, Arize 6444 produced 26.4, 26.9, 28.9 and 54.7% higher grain yield as compared to PS 5, P 834, PNR 381 and IPB1, respectively. Further, the interaction of production ecologies × crop establishment methods revealed that, in upland ecology, SRI recorded significantly higher grain yield as compared to PTR and DSR, but in lowland, grain yield resulting from SRI was similar to the yield obtained with PTR and significantly higher than DSR. The latter two methods (PTR and DSR) yielded alike in lowland ecology in both study years. The production ecologies × crop establishment methods × cultivars interaction on grain yield showed that the growing of Arize 6444 cultivar using SRI method in upland ecology resulted in the higher grain yield (8.87 t/ha). But the cost of production was also highest in SRI followed by PTR and DSR across production ecologies and cultivars. Cultivation of hybrid (Arize 6444) involved higher cost of production than all other cultivars. Irrespective of crop establishment methods and cultivars, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were significantly higher in lowland compared to upland ecology. Owing to higher grain yield, SRI method fetched significantly higher gross returns and net returns over PTR and DSR. Average increase in net return with Arize 6444 was 68.8, 41.0, 37.7 and 33.1% over IPB 1, PNR 381, P 834 and PS 5, respectively. There was a saving of 30.7% water in SRI and 19.9% in DSR over PTR under upland ecology. Similarly in lowland ecology, water saving of 30.2% was observed in SRI and 21.2% in DSR over PTR. Due to higher yield and saving on water, SRI returned significantly higher total water productivity (TWP) (5.9 kg/ha-mm) as compared to DSR (3.5 kg/ha-mm) and PTR (3.6 kg/ha-mm) under upland ecology. In lowland ecology, also SRI (6.2 kg/ha-mm) resulted in higher TWP as compared to other two methods. However, DSR gave significantly higher TWP as compared to PTR. Among cultivars, hybrid Arize 6444 recorded the highest TWP in both upland and lowland production ecologies across crop establishment methods. Hence, growing of hybrid Arize 6444 with SRI method can enhance rice productivity and water-use efficiency in lowland and upland production ecologies of Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains and in other similar regions.     

Frequency and fertility restoration efficiency of Rf3 and Rf4 genes in Indian rice

Identification of new parental lines is crucial for developing ecology‐specific hybrids with ideal agronomic performance. We screened a total of 570 different ecology‐specific Indian rice varieties for the presence of fertility restorer genes, Rf3 and Rf4 using tightly linked markers DRRM Rf3‐10 and RM6100, respectively. Among these varieties, 13% carried Rf3Rf3/Rf4Rf4, 31% carried rf3rf3/rf4rf4, 6% carried Rf3Rf3/rf4rf4 and remaining 50% carried Rf4Rf4/rf3rf3 allelic combinations. A mini set of 40 varieties with variable allelic combinations of fertility restorer genes were testcrossed with WA and Kalinga‐based CMS lines. All the 80 F₁s were evaluated for spikelet fertility and fertility restoration ability. Rf3Rf3/rf4rf4 genotypes mostly behaved as partial maintainers or partial restorers. In contrast, rf3rf3/Rf4Rf4 genotypes were partial or effective restorers. However, double dominant genotypes showed better fertility restoration than the genotypes containing Rf3 or Rf4 individually. Some of the genotypes showed unexpected restoration pattern implying occurrence of other fertility restorer(s) apart from Rf3 and Rf4. The perfect restorers and maintainers identified in this study can be directly used in hybrid rice breeding.