Background: Maize has wider adaptability and high yielding ability among the cereals. North-East India is a hotspot of the biodiversity of maize. Lots of local germplasms are distributed throughout various eco-geographic situations of hills and the plains of the entire region. Characterization of local germplasm of maize helps to identify genotypes with different features and also depicts a picture on genetic variability in the genetic resources studied. 
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Methods: The present investigation comprised of a set of thirty five local germplasm along with five check hybrids in the crop was raised in augmented randomized block design duing rabi 2019 at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. Observation was recorded for twenty three quantitative characters. Analysis of variance and estimation of genetic parameter were done by using R software. 
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Result: The present study revealed that the genotypes differed significantly among themselves for all the characters except ear leaf width and leaf width. Moderate to high estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for all the traits except days to 75% dry husk, days to maturity and moisture content. Moderate to high estimates of heritability and genetic advance percent of mean were observed for all the traits. Grain yield per plant exhibited positive and highly significant correlation with traits namely ear length, ear diameter, kernel rows per ear, kernels per row, kernel length, kernel width and 100 kernel weights. PCA generated four principal components with an eigen value of more than 1.0 accounting for 67.74% of the overall variation present in maize germplasm. 
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Study on Genetic Variation, Trait Association and PCA of Different Quantitative Traits in Local Maize Germplasm

<div>Background: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) feeds more than half of the world population, but it is a poor source of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). Therefore, there is a need for Zn and Fe- biofortified rice in the food chain. For this, rice breeding needs to be re-oriented to improve the status of grain Zn and Fe content while increasing the yield potential. Identification of micronutrient-rich donors and their association study with agro-economic traits can pave the way for nutritional and food security. 
 
Methods: Zinc and iron content of a set of 92 rice genotypes was estimated in the aliquot of seed extract by using an Inductive Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) to explore donors and to study the degree of association of these micronutrients with agro-economic traits including grain quality traits and seed yield. 
 
Result: The top Fe (&ge;50 ppm) and Zn dense (&ge;40 ppm) genotypes identified were P44 mutant selection-1, ORCZ 75-3-1, Basudha, Malliphulajhuli, Tikimahsuri and Nikipankhia. P44 mutant Sel.-1 and ORCZ 75-3-1 had good yield potential (44 q ha-1). Grains/panicles and the number of effective bearing tillers/hill maintained an appreciably strong positive association with seed yield, while plant height had an inverse relationship. Grain Fe content positively correlated with panicle length. On the other hand, Zn is positively associated with tillering ability and grains/panicle. Grain Fe and Zn revealed strong a inter se positive association. Interestingly, grain Fe revealed no association, but grain Zn revealed significant positive relationship with seed yield. This envisaged better scope for genetic enhancement of grain Zn content along with substantial increase in grain Fe without any yield penalty.</div>

Phenotyping and Association Analysis of Grain Zinc and Iron Content with Seed Yield in Diverse Local Germplasm of Rice

<div style="text-align: justify;">A total of 2,456 germplasm accessions of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and its wild spp. having essential geo-coordinates (latitude and longitude)/locality information were analysed for spatial and diversity distribution through GIS tools. Analysis of passport data revealed that maximum number of germplasm accessions are collected from the states of Madhya Pradesh (438 accessions) followed by Jharkhand (387), Andhra Pradesh (326), Telangana (253), Bihar (249), Gujarat (230), Uttar Pradesh (188) and Maharashtra (178). India being the centre of origin and diversity of this crop, collecting resulted in augmentation of 86 landraces from 14 states. Among wild relatives of pigeonpea, only Cajanus scarabaeoides (46) and C. cajanifolius (6) were augmented. GIS mapping of 107 selected trait-specific germplasm (with regard to eight important morpho-agronomic traits) identified few areas &ndash; Akola (Maharashtra) for pod bearing length; Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh) for bold seed; and Banaskantha (Gujarat) for high pod number. Unexplored and underexplored areas as well as crop wild relatives belonging to genepool one and two are identified for future collection.&nbsp;</div>

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) and its wild spp. germplasm collection status, diversity distribution and trait-specific germplasm mapping using GIS tools in India

Background: Bean common mosaic disease (BCMD) caused by Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) has been regarded as one of the most important seed-borne and aphid vector transmitted destructive disease of cowpea not only affecting its yield but also reducing its grain quality globally. Since the dawn of crop improvement, germplasm served as the source of resistance for various biotic stresses. Currently, host plant resistance is the best, reliable, economic and environmental friendly practice of virus disease management. The objective of this study was to assess the response of diverse cowpea germplasm against BCMV under natural and controlled conditions followed by serological and molecular detection. 
 
Methods: In this study, 85 cowpea germplasm accessions and one known BCMV susceptible (C152) and one resistant (CP55) varieties are evaluated for their response to the BCMD in augmented block design (ABD). The reaction of cowpea accessions were assessed using percent disease incidence (PDI). Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM), Direct Antigen Coating-Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAC-ELISA) and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were used for confirming the BCMV. 
 
Result: Natural and controlled condition screening data analysis revealed a significant difference among diverse cowpea germplasm for BCMV diseases incidence. Based on field screening at Ranchi and New Delhi (2019 and 2020) and artificial confirmation. 24 out of 85 accessions were found to be immune and confirmed through DAC-ELISA and RT-PCR. As a consequence these accessions could be a potential new source of disease resistance for BCMV in breeding programs.Further, DAC ELISA of seed coat and Embryo revealed the presence of virus in 5% and 15% of samples tested. Accession IC418505 recorded highest disease incidence (40.0%).

Germplasm Screening for Identification of BCMV Resistance Sources from Diverse Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Germplasm using Serological and Molecular Diagnostics

<div style="text-align: justify;">Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is currently the most popular field cash crop grown in Zimbabwe. The farming of Virginia tobacco in Zimbabwe started during the late 19th Century with introduced varieties which succumbed to most of the locally occurring pests and diseases. One major pest of tobacco that threatens the success of growing the crop has been the root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood]. The pest attacks the root system of the crop from as early as the seedbed stage to such an extent that yield losses of above 90% can be realised if the nematode is not controlled. &nbsp;In Zimbabwe, the threat posed by the pest in the success of the tobacco farming industry was realised as early as the 1950s and one of the approaches used to contain it was breeding for resistance into the local tobacco germplasm among other methods such as chemical control and cultural practices like crop rotation. This paper is a review of the process that was followed in incorporating root-knot nematode resistance in flue-cured tobacco germplasm in Zimbabwe. It shows the sources/origin of the root-knot nematode (M. javanica) resistance currently present in the Zimbabwean Virginia tobacco (N. tabacum) germplasm and the methods used in transferring the resistance to elite germplasm currently used in modern breeding programmes. The current study also suggests the way forward for the future breeding research for root-knot nematode (M. javanica) resistance in continuity of the past 50 years of breeding effort for resistance to the pest.</div>

Incorporation of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood) resistance in the Zimbabwean elite Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) germplasm: A review&nbsp;

<div>Background: Horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) verd.] is an underutilized arid food legume known to grow well in diverse environmental conditions like poor soils, low rainfall etc. Horsegram is a drought resistant crop used for fodder, feed, seed, green manuring and in ayurvedic medicine. It is grown as Rabi crop in Andhra Pradesh. Compared to other pulse crops, efforts in conservation horsegram germplasm is poor which is essential for the future breeding purpose. There will be a danger of loss of germplasm if they are not collected and conserved. The Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh i.e., Araku region is a rich source of diversified germplasm of legumes, medicinal plants, millets and ancient crops. Among which, horsegram is one of the crop with wide diversified germplasm. Hence the present effort is done in collection and characterization of the germplasm for further use in the breeding process. Broadening the genetic base in horsegram through interspecific hybridization employing diverse germplasm will be useful in improving pest and disease resistance, grain quality, protein percentage and nutritional factors.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Expedition was conducted during Rabi 2018 and 25 horse gram seed samples were collected from the local regions of tribal tracts of Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh along with passport data using the GPS machine. The germplasm lines were evaluated and morphologically characterized during&nbsp;Rabi 2019 at Agricultural Research Station, Yellamanchili, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, for fifteen characters. Principal component analysis was carried out to identify the diverse germplasm lines and to know the contribution of the variables.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The investigation showed that all the horse germplasm lines are inherited to the farmers from their ancestors. Study revealed that, the seed yield per plant showed a range of 2.40 to 6.40 g and the days maturity recorded a range of 87 to 106 days. Principal component analysis showed that all the variables except 100 seed weight (g) showed positive loading. Among the variables plant height (cm), dry haulm weight (g) and seed yield per plant recorded maximum percentage of contribution. The genotypes HG-24, HG-7, HG-19, HG-15, HG-22 recorded highest positive scores. The genotypes HG-5, HG-10, HG-3, HG-16, HG-8, HG-4, HG-10, HG-24 and HG-7 has shown wide divergence which may be further adopted in the breeding programme for horsegram improvement.</div>

Exploration, Collection and Characterization of Horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verd.] Germplasm

<div>Background: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is the most important and diverse grain legume crop grown in tropics and subtropics. Assessment of local and regional plant genotypes is important for identifying diversity among germplasm and for crop improvement. The objective of present study was to characterize cowpea accessions collected from various households of western Maharashtra, India by using morphological traits. 
 
Methods: The field experiments were conducted on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) at BAIF-CRS Urulikanchan, during Kharif 2018 and summer 2019. The experiments were arranged in row design with minimum 10 individuals of each accessions spaced at 60 x 30 cm. Recommended package of practices were adopted throughout experimentation.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Traits such as semi-prostrate habit (41.9 percent), determinate growth (77.4 percent), straight pod (51.6 percent), smooth seed (71.0 percent), elliptic shape (67.7 percent) and yellowish-white seed colour (37.6 percent) were dominant in studied accessions. Time for first flowering ranged from 28 to 65 days; pod length ranged between 9.60 cm to 27.48 cm; seeds per pod observed between 7.20 to 16.40; 100-seed weight ranged between 12.00 to 36.00 g. Analysis of variance showed that all the characters were highly significant among the accessions. Results revealed that studied accessions are valuable germplasm for future breeding programs.</div>

<div>Evaluation of Cowpea Germplasm by using Agro-Morphological Characters</div>

<div>Background: Pigeon pea is an important dietary protein source for humans but the production was constrained by various biotic and abiotic factors. Breeding strategies were followed to improve yield and developing high yielding varieties but at the same time utilization of genetic resources have declined. Pigeon pea is native to India with huge natural genetic variability in the local germplasm and its wild relatives. So it is necessary to identify and select breeding material from germplasm with considerable genetic and morphological variability to utilize in breeding programmes. As an initial study, 200 pre-breeding lines developed were evaluated for morphological variability patterns. 
 
Methods: A total of two hundred lines selected from F4 generation of pigeon pea developed at ICAR-NBPGR were evaluated in Randomized Block design (RBD) during 2014-2015 kharif season under Indo-Swiss collaboration in Biotechnology at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai (TNAU). The accessions found to be superior in seed yield than the local check APK1were forwarded to the next generation (2015-2016) for assessment of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and association studies. 
 
Result: Qualitative traits were evaluated and variation in leaflet shape, stem colour, pattern of streaks and base seed colour were observed. All tested lines expressed greater variability for most of the traits. Maximum coefficient of variation was observed for number of pods per plant followed by number of primary branches per plant. Selection of traits with moderate heritability coupled with high genetic advance like number of pods per plant, number of primary branches per plant could help in crop improvement program. Seed yield was positively correlated with number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant and hundred seed weight. Potential genetic stocks and donors for high yield were selected based on hundred seed weight and seeds per pod. The accessions superior in number of pods and seed yield than check were forwarded to next generation for assessment. The identified trait-specific accessions will help in future breeding program.</div>

<div>Assessment of Genetic Variability and Traits Association in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] Germplasm</div>

<div>Background: The study on testes of local dog of Assam is of great value in regard to germplasm conservation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the gross and histomorphological examination of testes of male reproductive system. 
 
Methods: The testes were collected at the time of castration from Department of Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapra, Guwahati, Assam, India. The research was carried out for a period of one year in Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam. Then gross anatomical studies were made on it and the tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution and were processed as per the standard technique of procedure (Luna, 1968). The paraffin blocks were sectioned in Shandon Finesse microtome at 5 &micro;m thickness and the sections were stained with Mayer&rsquo;s Haematoxylin and Eosin staining technique for Cellular details as per the method of Luna (1968).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Grossly, the testes of local dog consisted of two surface viz., lateral and medial and two ends i.e. upper end and lower end. The upper end of the testes was occupied by the head of the epididymis and the lower end of the testes was occupied by the tail of the epididymis. Mediastinum testis was observed in the centre of testes of local dog. Histologically, the testes were covered by serous layer (Tunica vaginalis), connective tissue layer (Tunica albugenia) and vascular layer (Tunica vasculosa) from outside to inwards. Spermatogenic cells like spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa, and sertoli cells were observed in seminiferous tubules. The sertoli cells were attached to the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules. Cluster of Leyding cells were found between the semineniferous tubules and it contained large spherical nuclei. The epididymides were lined by pseudo stratified ciliated columnar epithelium.</div>

Macro and Micro Anatomical Observation on the Testes of Local Dog (Canis lupusfamiliaris) of Assam

Online database and information system for mungbean germplasm addresses the data management need in this crop by producing a user-friendly menu driven system that generates data entry forms, queries and reports and maintains a comprehensive database. The basic objective of this experiment was to develop online database and information system for mungbean germplasm, alongwith their characteristics and to analyze relationships between these characteristics. The developed system provides statistical summary for each evaluation descriptor and its various descriptor states. Presently, the database contains data on 550 mungbean germplasm accessions with evaluation for 26 descriptors. It provides secure data storage that can be shared over Intranet of Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur and will be linked with the website of Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur for access by genetic resource specialists, breeders and planners to differentiate genetic materials from possible duplications. A user-friendly interface for data entry has been developed for entry of data related to different characters of germplasm. 4 main reports viz., qualitative report, quantitative report, query-based report, and details report have been designed to enable quick and accurate retrieval of data.