<div>Background: Cluster bean was cultivated as a catch crop without external fertilization, solely to recharge the soil fertility and to harvest the residual nutrient after maize crop; clusterbean had been included as a succeeding crop. Doubling the fertilizer for maize would leave more residues. Even though maize is an exhaustive crop, since the nutrient uptake was need based, the excess fertilizers were effectively utilized by cluster bean.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field research was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore under irrigated conditions. Experimental trials were adopted to estimate the effect of high density with nutrient management practices on maize which influences the performance of succeeding cluster bean under maize-cluster bean cropping sequence during Rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 by using cultivar Pusa Naubahar. No separate treatments were adapted to cluster bean crop.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of cluster bean sown after the high density of 1,33,333 plants ha-1 maize with nutrient level of 200 per cent RDF produced taller plants, higher drymatter production (636 and 607 kg/ha), increased yield attributes, higher yield (6.58 and 6.81 t/ha) and better economics (B:C ratio -1.87 and 1.94) in both the seasons. Post-harvest available nutrient status revealed that the higher population by closer spacing with increased fertilizer levels (T7) maintained its superiority during both the years. Moreover, this proved to be the most viable practice for production and residual nutrient uptake, by including pulse (cluster bean) as succeeding crop and soil health was effectively maintained by fixing atmospheric nitrogen by cluster bean.</div>

Effect of Maize High Density Planting on Cluster Bean Performance under Maize-cluster Bean Cropping Sequence

<div style="text-align:justify">The present experiments were carried out at Department of Horticulture, Dr. PDKV, Akola and Regional Research Centre, Amravati during the years 2013-14 and 2014-15. Fifty five genotypes of cluster bean were assessed for genetic divergence&nbsp;using Mahalanobis D2 technique. Among the characters studied in all four environmental conditions, gum content in seed&nbsp;(63.50%), plant spread (17.17%), number of primary branches per plant (4.65%), days to first flower (3.77%), hundred&nbsp;seed weight (2.09%), days to 50 % flowering(1.95%), seed to husk ratio (1.68%) and ten dry pod weight (1.35%) contributed&nbsp;95 percent to the total divergence. Genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters using Tocher&rsquo;s method. Cluster V was the&nbsp;largest group, involving 17 genotypes followed by twelve genotypes were grouped in cluster IV, eleven genotypes in&nbsp;cluster III and six genotype each in cluster I and II. The remaining solitary clusters (VI, VII and VIII) contained only one&nbsp;genotype each. The genotypes from the solitary clusters showed high divergence and useful in breeding. The intra-cluster&nbsp;distance ranged from 0 to 9.15. Cluster V possessed the highest intra-cluster distance (D2=9.15), followed by cluster IV&nbsp;(D2=6.34), cluster III (D2=4.71), cluster II (D2=3.31), and cluster I (D2=2.65). The clusters comprised of only one genotype&nbsp;had zero intra-cluster distance (cluster VI to VIII). The average inter-cluster distance reveled&nbsp; the maximum divergence(D&sup2;)&nbsp;between cluster V and VIII (D&sup2;=37.26) followed by cluster III and V (D&sup2;=29.92), cluster VI and VIII (D&sup2;=25.51). On the&nbsp;basis of inter cluster distance and performance observed in the present study a breeding programme involving genotypes&nbsp;for a specific character has been selected using cluster mean.</div>

Genetic divergence studies in cluster bean genotypes

<div>Thirty cluster bean genotypes collected from NBPGR Regional Station, Jodhpur was assessed to estimate the genetic divergence using Mahalanobis D2 analysis. The genotypes exhibited wide variability for all the characters studied. Thirty genotypes were grouped into V clusters. Cluster I consisted the maximum number of genotypes (12) followed by cluster II with 10 and cluster IV with 6 genotypes. Cluster III and V had only one genotype each. Intra cluster distance was maximum in cluster I with 12 genotypes indicating the high intra cluster diversity and inter cluster distance was highest between cluster V and cluster III (D2=174782.9) followed by cluster II and V (D2=115239.7), cluster III and IV (D2=78577.82), cluster I and V (D2 = 69202.2), cluster II and IV (D2 =41433.2). Mean number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/plant and pod yield/plant was highest for cluster V. Pod length, pod girth and pod weight were maximum in cluster III. Cluster IV and I was earliest to attain 50% flowering, days to first fruit set. Cluster III and II took minimum days for first harvest. Traits that contributed to divergence were pod yield/plant, days to 50% flowering and days to first fruit set. Hence while designing a crop improvement programme, parents for hybridization may be selected based on the inter cluster distance, mean performance of different traits and contribution of traits to divergence.</div>

<div>Genetic divergence analysis in cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]</div>

<div>Background: Watermelon is an important cucurbit with rich genetic diversity. A great proportion of this diversity remains largely unexploited in terms of mineral nutrient composition. 
 
Methods: The contents of eight different mineral nutrients were determined in eighty diverse genotypes. D2 statistics and principal component analysis were used to cluster genotypes and understand the underlying variations in mineral nutrient compositions of watermelon genotypes. 
 
Result: Large variations in the content of many mineral contents such as Na, K and Zn were recorded. D2 analysis placed the eighty watermelon genotypes into 8 distinct clusters. Cluster I comprised of maximum number of genotypes (68) followed by Cluster II (6). All other 6 clusters consisted of 1 genotype each. Among 8 clusters, cluster II showed highest intra cluster distance (342.14) followed by cluster I (279.07), whereas minimum intra cluster distance recorded in cluster III, cluster IV, cluster V, cluster VI, cluster VII and cluster VIII (0.00). Based on inter-cluster distance the maximum diversity was observed between clusters VIII and VI (3234.85). D2 statistics showed that potassium content contributed highest (25%) to divergence followed by magnesium content (22.7%) and manganese content (11%). Principal component analysis revealed that the first two principal components (PCs) together controlled 52.92% of total variability. Based on higher genetic distance among clusters and higher mean value of genotypes for nutritional traits, DWM 164, DWM 129, DWM 165, DWM 115, DWM 142, DWM 117, DWM 45, DWM 196 and DWM 12 could be exploited in breeding programme as potential donors for developing nutrient- rich watermelon varieties/hybrids.</div>

Genetic Diversity Analysis by D2 Clustering for Mineral Nutrient Composition of Watermelon Genotypes (Citrullus sp.)

Background: Cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] has a special contribution among the pulse crops and recognized as one of the important commercial crop of arid and semi-arid region. Being a leguminous crop it is a source to replenish nutrients especially nitrogen of the low fertility soils and enhances the soil fertility and also can withstand moisture stress. Various biotic and abiotic constrains in cluster bean were responsible for lowering average yield of crop as compared to its potential yield. Thus, it becomes imperative to sustain the productivity of clusterbean by gathering the information and behavior of disease distribution pattern in the zone. The current study therefore greatly emphasized to find out the occurrence and distribution pattern of diseases in major cluster bean growing areas grid region of northern Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An intensive survey was conducted with an objective to access the prevalence and intensity of diseases of cluster bean in sixteen village of three district of grid region of Madhya Pradesh between 2018-19 and 2019-20.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Investigation in respect of survey conducted concludes that alternaria leaf blight, dry root rot and bacterial leaf blight are the major concern diseases of cluster bean which directly affect the yield (Chand and Gandhi, 1978). Alternaria leaf blight (19.90%) and Bacterial leaf blight (11.60%) disease intensity was maximum in Gwalior district while maximum dry root rot (4.25%) incidence&nbsp; was recorded in Morena district.&nbsp;

Occurrence and Distribution of Cluster Bean Diseases in Grid Region of Madhya Pradesh

Cluster bean is an important legume cultivated mostly on marginal and sub marginal lands of arid and semi-arid regions. Overall, India produces around 80% of global cluster bean production. It is cultivated on more than 4 m ha in India, Rajasthan alone accounts for &nbsp;around 80% of the area and production. Owing to its demand in the international market, it has been introduced in the non-traditional growing areas like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Further, its cultivation is also being taken up under irrigated conditions during summer. Cluster bean seed (endosperm) is a source of a natural hydrocolloid (galactomannan/&lsquo;guar gum&rsquo;). The gum has unique abilities with multiple commercial applications like textile, printing, paper, cosmetics, mining, pharmaceutical, petroleum, natural gas, well drilling and oil industries. Green pods are nutritionally rich and are routinely consumed as vegetable especially in northern and western parts of India. Additionally, cluster bean has been reported to have beneficial effects when cultivated as an intercrop. Cluster bean meal (high protein content) obtained from seed coat and germ cell is an excellent feed for monogastric animals. Cluster bean cultivars with high gum content (&gt;32%) and viscosity (4000-5000 cps) are more preferred for export. The value of cluster bean exports from India has increased from Rs 242 crores (1994) to Rs 2100 crores (2012-13). This review presents the various aspects of cluster bean cultivation and its emergence as an important industrial crop.&nbsp;

Cluster bean [cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], an important&nbsp;industrial arid legume: A review

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Cluster bean crop is affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses which are responsible for its poor quality and low yield resulting in severe economic losses. Among the foliar diseases, powdery mildew caused by Leveillula taurica is an important disease causing the yield losses ranging from 50-55 per cent. So, there is a need to formulate suitable management practices against powdery mildew. 
 
Methods: Field experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to determine the efficacy of economically viable and effective fungicides, botanical and bioagent against powdery mildew of cluster bean. Observation on intensity of disease was recorded using 0-9 scale. The per cent disease index and yield per hectare were taken into consideration for statistical analysis.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among the thirteen combinations, two sprays of hexaconazole @ 0.1 per cent was found to be statistically significant in reducing the disease severity (11.75%) and enhancing pod yield (138.46%) upto 6.20 t ha-1 with C: B ratio of 1:3.23. The combined application of nimbecidine and Bacillus subtilis also showed significant impact on disease reduction as well as on yield of cluster bean. Relatively, the chemical, hexaconazole gave a higher benefit with minimum production cost and this approach is proposed to the cluster bean growing farmers to mitigate the powdery mildew.</div>

Management of Powdery Mildew in Cluster Bean using Fungicides, Botanicals and Bioagents

<div style="text-align: justify;">Thirty wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) were evaluated for 11 morphological and yield trait for analysis of character association (phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficient), path analysis and cluster analysis. The experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2014-2015 in a randomized block design with three replication. Days to 50% heading showed positive and significant correlation with &nbsp;flag leaf area and number of spiklet per ear; flag leaf area showed positive and significant correlation with 1000 grain weight; Plant height &nbsp;showed positive and significant correlation with &nbsp;spike length; spike length &nbsp;showed positive and significant correlation with &nbsp;1000 grain weight. Phenotypic path analysis showed &nbsp;biological yield and number of grain per spike had highly positive and direct effect on grain yield. Direct and highly positive effect on grain yield was shown by number of productive tillers, plant height, spike length, number of spikelet per spike genotypic path coefficient. Biological yield and grains yield per plant show highly positive and direct effect on yield with number of productive tillers, plant height, number of spikelet per spike and spike length. In &nbsp;cluster analysis the intra cluster distance ranged from 1.61 (cluster II) to 2.37 (cluster III and VI ). Thus the member of cluster II were &nbsp;least divergent and similarly the &nbsp;member of cluster III and IV were most divergent &nbsp;The maximum inter cluster distance was between cluster II and III followed by cluster IV &nbsp;and V , cluster VI and &nbsp;III and cluster VI and &nbsp;V that order therefore the accessions grouped in the five pair of cluster may be considered as most divergent.</div>

Evaluation of wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) for assessment of character association, path coefficient and cluster analysis

Eighteen genotypes of cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] were evaluated to estimate variability, broad sense heritability, genetic advance over mean and diversity for vegetable pod yield and related attributes, during summer 2014-15. Maximum range of variability was observed for number of vegetable pods per plant, number of clusters per plant and pod yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic gain in percentage was observed for number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, pod yield and days to first flowering. The maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster I and intercluster distance was high between cluster I and cluster III, this indicated wide range of variability among clusters. The per cent contribution towards genetic diversity was high for dry pod yield per plant (29.41%) followed by number of dry pods per plant (24.18%) and seed yield per plant (16.99 %).

Genetic variability and divergence studies in cluster bean&nbsp;(Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under hill zone of Karnataka, India

Background: Karnataka is predominantly known for cluster bean production. The evidences claims that the cluster bean production is not a profitable option and has many constraints, which hinders farmers to take up this enterprise. The current study aims to analyze the growth in area, to forecast seed demand and to work out the economics of cluster bean production in Karnataka. 
 
Methods: The current study was based on the field survey conducted in Karnataka during 2019-20, to collect the primary data from cluster bean entrepreneurs. The study has also used secondary data for analysis. Four major districts in Karnataka were selected for the study, based on the maximum area and highest production. From each district, 30 farmers were randomly selected for collection of primary data, constituting a total of 120 farmers. The Compound Annual Growth Rate and cost-returns techniques were employed for data analysis. 
 
Result: The study indicated that Karnataka has registered a declined trend of 3.12 per cent per annum and the total estimated area under cluster bean would be 2,720 ha during 2021-22. Hence, the seed industry should cater seed demand to the tune of 544 quintals for the said period. Total cost of cultivation was worked out to be ₹ 35,176 per acre. The study emphasize that this enterprise provides higher gross and net returns to the tune of ₹ 70,851 and ₹ 35,675 per acre, respectively, with the Benefit-cost ratio of 2.01, indicating its profitability. Lack of availability of High Yielding Varieties/hybrid seeds and high wage rate were the major constraints notified in cluster bean enterprise.

Effect of Maize High Density Planting on Cluster Bean Performance under Maize-cluster Bean Cropping Sequence

Genetic divergence studies in cluster bean genotypes

Genetic divergence analysis in cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]

Genetic Diversity Analysis by D² Clustering for Mineral Nutrient Composition of Watermelon Genotypes (Citrullus sp.)

Occurrence and Distribution of Cluster Bean Diseases in Grid Region of Madhya Pradesh

Cluster bean [cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], an important industrial arid legume: A review

Management of Powdery Mildew in Cluster Bean using Fungicides, Botanicals and Bioagents

Evaluation of wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) for assessment of character association, path coefficient and cluster analysis

Genetic variability and divergence studies in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under hill zone of Karnataka, India

Economic Analysis of Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] Entrepreneurs in Karnataka