Sougata Sarkar

Genetic Variability, Associations, and Path Analysis among Most Economic Traits in Red Sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Nature and amount of genetic variability, associations, and path coefficients were studied in the six traits of 45 genotypes of red sorrel. All the traits showed high heritability except medium for branches/plant (73.94), calyx yield (67.54 %), and low for seed yield (i.e., 41.85%), the highest being for days to flowers 50% (98.12 %) and lowest for seed yield/plot (41.85%). Seed yield/plot was significantly and positively correlated with plant height but negatively correlated with days to flower 50%. Fresh calyx yield is positively correlated with days to flower 50% followed by plant height, and branches/plant exhibited same trends at both genotypic and phenotypic level. However, only plant height and fresh calyx yield made the highest amount of direct and indirect contribution to seed yield/plot. Therefore, plant height and β-carotene serve as better selection criteria to improve red sorrel crop.

Genetics and Inheritance Pattern of Heterosis in Impact of Genetic Divergence in Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Fifty land races were collected from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan in India. 19 genetic stocks were examined for genetic diversity to identify parents for hybridization. Eventually, n2 diallel cross progenies were generated from the five diverse parents. Both additive and non-additive genetic variances were observed. The role of extra-nuclear factors such as cytoplasmic inheritance was very perceptible. The association between heterosis and average divergence was not very distinct. These parents also manifested better combining ability in desirable direction. After field evaluation trials, one recombinant from the heterotic hybrid 1×4 was released as concentrated poppy straw variety CIMAP AJAY in 2011.

Genetic Variability and Character Associations Among Economic Traits in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller)

Abstract: Foeniculum vulgare Miller (Fennel) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant, belongs to‘Apiaceae’ family. Its seeds are effective against diseases affecting chest, spleen and kidneys. Fennel seeds are associated with high oil content which is used as flavoring agent. Variation among 37 genotypes was highly significant for all economic traits indicating important genetic variations. Genetic associations studies revealed the significant and positive genetic associations between seed yield and plant height (r = 0.228) and seed yield with diameter of main stem (r = 0.259), respectively. The diameter of main stem is also highly significant and positively correlated with plant height (r = 0.482) and umbel/plant (r = 0.432). Therefore, these traits may be important for the selection of parents for plant height which is contributing indirectly to seed yield. Positive and significant genetic association was also noticed between t-anethole content and diameter of main stalk reveals that plant with thick stem has higher t-anethole content.

Traditional Plant Breeding in Ocimum

Ocimum spp. is an important medicinal and aromatic plant. It has many medicinal properties. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, fibers, iron, β-carotene, vitamins, phosphorous, calcium, protein, and in aromatic oils. It is also used for the treatment in stomach pain, cough and cold, diarrhea and indigestion. Asthma, ulcers, nausea, and ringworm can also be cured with Ocimum. It lowers the blood sugar level and increases lactation. CSIR-CIMAP is actively involved in genetic enhancement of the Ocimum species following with different breeding approach in view of traditional importance. At CSIR-CIMAP, available genetic stocks are seven Ocimum species—Ocimum sanctum—Krishna and Shyam tulsi, O. basilicum, O. kilimandscharicum, O. americanum, O. africanum, O. gratissimum, O. tenuiflorum, and 100 genetic stocks of O. basilicum and nine varieties, namely CIM Ayu, CIM Angana, CIM Saumya, CIM Kanchan, Vikarsudha, CIM Jyoti, CIM Sharada, CIM Surabhi, and CIM Snigdha. In future, there will be possibility to develop varieties for high oil and herb yield with high specific needs chemical like high eugenol, methyl eugenol, methyl cinnamate, geraniol, germacrene A and D, linalool, elemicin, s-elmene, (Z)-ocimine content with some other herbal products.

Genetic divergence analysis in Plantago germplasm

Plantago is an important medicinal plant valued for its seeds and husk which are used in indigenous medicine, all over the world. An investigation was carried out to assess the genetic divergence among 49 accessions of Plantago, comprising four species. Highly significant differences were noted for all nine economic traits indicating the existence of considerable genetic diversity. The germplasm could be grouped into six clusters and immense diversity among the accessions was indicated by the wide range of D2 values (2.487 7178.147). The cluster pattern was also confirmed by the canonical analysis. Panicles/plant was the highest contributor (25.21%) followed by panicle length (14.84%), whereas swelling factor was the lowest contributor (2.68%) to divergence. Five accessions were identified to be best either in panicle length, seed yield, husk yield or swelling factor. Three accessions were identified for dual preference and one for multiple preferences of economic traits and can be exploited for commercial cultivation.

Genetic Associations and Path Analysis of Economic Traits in Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariefolium Vis.)

Twentyone genotypes of pyrethrum were studied for genetic variability. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations was recorded for cinerin II concentration at 55.53 and 57.27 followed by pyrethrin II at 48.97 and 48.99 lowest for total assay at 25.46 and 28.25, respectively. Six traits showed high heritability 94.01% to 99.90%, the highest being for pyrethrin II (99.90%). Pyrethrin I with total assay and pyrethrin II with jasmolin II were positively associated. Pyrethrin I and II made the highest direct and indirect contribution to total assay, hence may form a good selection criterion for flowers yields and qualitative traits.