International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 667-670, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

 A study on the nature of gene action for yield and yield components in exotic genotypes of Italian millet [SETARIA  ITALICA  (L.) Beauv]

Jamsetji Sidharth Johar

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to find out the extent of genetic variation, heritability and genetic advance for 13 characters in 34 exotic genotypes of Italian millet during Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009. High phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) coupled with high genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) were observed for grain yield per plant, ear weight, calcium content and carotene during both seasons. The trait 1000 grain weight recorded high PCV and GCV during Autumn, whereas number of productive tillers per plant and straw weight during Spring. Straw weight showed high GCV during Autumn. It indicated presence of wider variability for these traits in the genotypes studied. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean recorded for all characters except days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and plant height during both seasons reveals operation of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits and improvement in these characters is possible through simple selection.

Key words: Italian millet, gene action, Seteria, foxtail millet.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (3), pp. 607-609, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Floral characteristics and seed production in “Egusi” melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.)

Okorocha Eliot Emeka

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

A research was carried out in the experimental farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to study some aspects of floral, fruit and seed yield characteristic of accessions of “Egusi” melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.). It was observed that male flower anthesis occurred earlier than female flower anthesis. Male flowers opened between 30 to 32 days after seedling emergence while female flowers opened at 32 to 34 days after seedling emergence. Number of male flowers at first female flower anthesis was in the range of 27 to 32. First male flower bud was produced in the fourth node on the main vine while the first female flower bud was produced in the ninth node on the main vine in all the accessions. The male flowers were also produced in a higher proportion than the female flowers. The ratio of male to female flowers produced/plant was in the range of 4:1 and 7:1. Number of fruits/plant, fruit yield/plant (kg) and average fruit weight (kg) ranged between 3.42 and 4.54, 3.08 and 3.72 and 0.78, and 0.90, respectively. Number of seeds/fruit, number of seeds/plant, seed yield/fruit (g) and seed yield/plant (g) ranged between 162.82 and 190.88, 652.81 and 815.25, 18.8 and 23.02, and 76.52 and 101.74, respectively.

Key words: Egusi melon, accessions, flower, fruit.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 725-729, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
 

Full Length Research Paper

A study  on the intragenomic diversity and geographical adaptability of diploid cotton species revealed by cytogenetic studies

*Golshifteh R. Pedrad, Maz E. Karimloo and Nazanin Jobrani

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Iran.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract

Cotton is one of the most important crops in Iran, and is cultivated in different regions of the country. Gossypium herbaceum is one of the A-genome cottons, which is a potentially important genetic resource for cotton breeding programs. Collecting native cultivars of this species growing in different regions is a vital step in broadening variability of the gene pool. The G. herbaceum is one of the two cultivated species under cultivation in Iran, which is specifically adapted to a given environment and includes more than 40 ecotypes, named as landrace cottons. The present paper reports the intragenomic characteristics analysis of 42 G. herbaceum cultivars in the cotton genebank using cytological methods. The karyological studies showed variations within the species in the size of chromosome, chromosome volume and karyotype formulae. All cultivars possessed 2n=26 chromosome, but varied with regard to number of SAT-chromosomes (ranging from 1 to 3) and the chromosomes carrying secondary constructions. Karyotypes were of symmetrical type, having small chromosomes. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the cultivars as well as the chromosomes. Cluster analysis could group the cultivars in four distinct clusters. The present study indicates genomic differences among diploid G. herbaceum cultivars, which can be used in cotton hybridization programs in Iran or other countries.

Key words: Gossypium herbaceum, Intragenomic diversity, Adaptability, Karyotype.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 651-657, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Allelic data showing interconnectedness in rice species (Oryza sativa, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza barthii) and the interspecific hybrids (NERICA)

*Eregare D. K, Ohwofasa George and Owumi P. Desmond

Department of Biological Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The current level of genome coverage provided by microsatellite markers in rice is sufficient for DNA fingerprinting, providing Information on diversity and population structure which is expected to assist plant breeders by providing a more rational basis for expanding the gene pool and for identifying material that harbours alleles of value for plant improvement. Allelic data from the species studied revealed that rice interspecific hybrids (NERICA) were more closely related to Oryza sativa than to Oryza glaberrima which was closely associated to Oryza barthii than to O sativa. Comparative polymorphism between species showed that O. sativa, Nerica, Oryza barthii and O. glaberrima produced 51, 45, 40 and 36 alleles with 1461, 238, 305 and 445 polymorphic bands respectively with 17 SSR markers. Alleles ranged from 2 to 4 in O. sativa and nerica; from 2 to 3 in O. glaberrima and 1 to 4 in O. barthii. The average polymorphic information content and resolving power was highest in O. sativa (0.53, 0.63), followed by nerica (0.52, 0.62), next was O. barthi (0.29, 0.30) and least in O. glaberrima (0.22, 0.22). Alleles at RM508 were most reliable in profiling O. barthii genotypes. Definitive markers (RM240, RM488) for O. glaberrima and O. sativa (RM587) were obtained. Cluster analysis grouped the rice genotypes into ten clusters at a similar coefficient of 68% with genotypes of the same genetic similarity clustering together. Based on this study therefore, molecular fingerprinting and crop improvement could be advanced for breeding programmes.

Key words: Nerica, Oryza barthii,  Oryza glaberrima, Oryza Sativa, rare allele.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 662-666, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of common bean genotypes for yield stability in (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Sudan

Ahmed Salva al-Bashir

Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Common bean is an important food legume crop in Sudan. Drought and heat stress are considered the main factors responsible for low productivity. Nine common bean genotypes were evaluated for yield stability under different sowing dates and watering regimes in three field experiments conducted in the River Nile State-Sudan during 2003 to 2006. 10 test- environments were thus achieved, representing the combined effect of drought and heat stress. Stability analysis (Eberhart and Russel model) was performed to identify the most yield-stable bean lines under limited moisture and temperature stress. The genotypes Bellenber-1, COWU-3-94-9, S/Hashim/98 and the small seeded genotype DB 190-74-1, appeared to be the most stable. It was concluded that these genotypes can be used to improve common bean tolerance to drought and heat stress conditions in the Sudan.

Key words: Drought tolerance, heat stress, Hudeiba, River Nile.