Background: Employing resistant germplasm is one of the most practical and cost efficient approach for disease management. Neverthless, use of these resistant cultivars turns to be fruitless due to persistence of diversity among pathogen populations across different agroecologies. These variations facilitate the pathogen to adapt and thrive in diverse environmental conditions. The variants within a population can alter the pace of disease progression and potentially trigger disease outbreaks in other host lines, which could undermine the cultivar stability. Furthermore, pathogenic variability studies indirectly aid in discriminating between resistant and susceptible accessions. 
 
Methods: Five distinct isolates of Lasiodiplodia theobromae, associated with mango dieback and derived from five different mango varieties and five different districts in Kerala, were inoculated on six differential mango cultivars. Pathogenic attributes including PDI, PDS, incubation days, lesion size, and virulence index were assessed. The coefficient of infection was determined to discern the landraces for their level of resistance/susceptibility towards mango dieback. 
 
Result: Different virulence patterns were discerned for the isolates. The range for various pathogenic parameters, including PDI, PDS, incubation days, lesion size, and virulence index across different isolates, was recorded as follows: 33.33-100 per cent. 13.33-73.33 per cent, 9-17.33 days, 0.28-0.95 cm and 2.78-4.19 respectively. The parameter, virulence index indicated that the isolates KoKBn, KPB, and WMnMa were more virulent. The coefficient of infection calculated based on PDI and PDS identified the varieties Neelam, Bennet Alphonso, and Banganapally as susceptible and the remaining varieties Priyur, Muvandan, and Imam Pasand as moderately susceptible. 
&nbsp;

Pathogenic Variability of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon and Maubl. Causing Mango Dieback and Screening of Mango Germplasm for Disease Resistance

<div>Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important staple food in the lowland of North Shewa, Ethiopia. However, the crop is less researched in this area. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the performance of improved open pollinated variety maize with the participation of farmers&rsquo; using their selection criteria for cultivation in the lowland areas of North Shewa. 
 
Methods: Fourteen open pollinated maize varieties including local were evaluated in the lowland of Eastern Amhara at Eferatana Gedim district, Yimlo research station in 2016 and 2017 main cropping season. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Five agronomic and yield traits were collected in both cropping years. In addition, maize small holder farmers were participated to evaluate and score varieties using the matrix ranking method based on the farmers&rsquo; selection attributes. 
 
Result: The combined analysis of variance across years showed that highly significant (p&lt;0.01) difference for days to anthesis, grain yield. The highest grain yield was obtained from Melkassa-4 (5243 kg/ha) and Melkasa-2 (5115 kg/ha) while the lowest yield was recorded from Rare-1 (3294 kg/ha). The overall yielding ability of Melkasa-4 was higher as compared with the tested varieties. In addition, this variety was highly appreciated by maize farmers in both cropping years. Based on farmer&rsquo;s selection and yield potential, therefore, Melkassa-4 has recommended for the lowlands of North Shewa and similar agro ecologies in Ethiopia. Support is needed to scale-up and deliver such improved variety through involving farmers in the selection and dissemination of varieties that are adapted to their needs, as it incurred income, good in crop rotation and animal feed.</div>

Participatory Variety Selection of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties in the Low Lands of Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Background: Varieties identification is essential for protecting seeds sold to farmers from counterfeiting. Currently, the grow-out test (GOT) is used for varieties identification. This test is constrained by its long assessment, environmental dependency and subjective nature. Alternative test/tests are needed. This study aimed to determine the utility of microsatellite markers as a complement to GOT in varieties identification. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this study, six varieties of commercial maize hybrids released in Tanzania, herein coded as H1, H2, H3, H5, H6 and H9, were selected as candidates. For morphological evaluation, a field experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design, followed by the collection of phenotypic data. The qualitative data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA in SPSS v.20 software, while qualitative data were summarized in a frequency distribution table. On the other hand, by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), seven microsatellite markers were used to fingerprint the varieties. The PCR results were manually scored and transferred to GenAIEX v.6.5 and DARwin v.6. software for genetic distance and clustering analysis, respectively. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Quantitative data showed significant variation in all the tested varieties at p&lt;0.05, whereas 15 qualitative traits out of 21 showed phenotypic variations among the tested varieties. Furthermore, two microsatellite markers, namely phi080 and umc1071, out of the seven markers used in this study, proved useful in the fast and timely identification of two varieties (H1 and H2) out of six varieties. Nei&rsquo;s genetic distance ranged from zero to four; the highest measure of genetic distance was observed in H1, followed by H2 and the least measure was observed in both of the four varieties. Neighbor Joining clustered the varieties into three different populations that distinguished each of H1 and H2 from the rest of the four varieties. This study shows that microsatellite markers are a promising complement to GOT in varietal identification.

Assessment of Microsatellite Markers for Varieties Identification: A Case of Six Varieties of Maize Hybrids Sold in Tanzania

<div>Background: The research aims to enhance fruit quality and production of the Dashehari mango variety through micronutrient treatments in Rajasthan, India. Micronutrients play a crucial role in plant growth and development and their deficiency can lead to suboptimal yields and reduced fruit quality. This study seeks to investigate the effects of micronutrient application on mango trees, particularly focusing on the Dashehari variety, to improve both the quantity and quality of mango production. By understanding the impact of micronutrient treatments, the research aims to provide valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices that can optimize mango cultivation and contribute to increased agricultural productivity. 
 
Methods: The research administered borax, ferrous sulphate and zinc sulphate to soil and trees in 10 treatments. The soil of an 18-year-old mango variety named Dashehari was treated in the first week of October with foliar sprays throughout the flower bud initiation, full bloom and pea stage initiation stages. A three-replication randomized block design was employed for the investigation.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results show that the treatment known as &ldquo;T9&rdquo;-Application of borax to the soil in the amount of 125 grams, followed by the application of borax to the foliar in the amount of 0.2 per cent-produced the highest quality and quantity of mango fruit. Additionally, treatments of soil application of ZnSO4 per tree 125 g, followed by foliar application of ZnSO4 0.4% and soil application of FeSO4 per tree 125 g, followed by foliar application of FeSO4 0.4%, also showed promising results.</div>

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Maximizing Fruit Quality and Production of Mango cv Dashehari: The Impact of Micronutrient Treatments

<div>Background: Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is well known for its diversity in Indian subcontinent and 1000 well known varieties are present all over the India among them 40 to 50 are having commercial importance. The present experiment was carried out at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar during the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 to assess the genetic diversity in fifty mango cultivars using multivariate analysis over 25 physico-chemical characters. 
 
Methods: To assess the genetic diversity using D2 analysis and principal component analysis over 50 mango cultivars during 2 consecutive years. 
 
Result: In the present investigation, the first seven principal components with eigen values more than one contributed 78.50 % of cumulative variance among fifty genotypes. Fifty genotypes were grouped into eight clusters among them cluster I was the largest comprising of twenty-six genotypes. Average inter cluster distance ranged from 218.93 between cluster V and VII to 1475.21 between cluster IV to VIII. Intra cluster distance ranged from 0.00 in cluster V, VI, VII and VIII to 280.69 in cluster III. The present results are most divergent for fruit weight, total phenols content, total flavonoid content, DA reading, fibre content, beta carotene, antioxidant activity, fruit length, fruit thickness. Selection of genotypes from clusters that are far genetically and had the maximum association of physico chemical characters to obtain superior segregants in the advanced generation to improve the quality of breeding in the future.</div>

Assessment of Genetic Divergence by Using Multivariate Analysis for Physico Chemical Characters of Mango Table and Juicy Cultivars Grown in Telangana Region

Background: Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important tropical fruits commercialized and consumed worldwide fresh or processed, having an attractive color and distinct taste and aroma. The main objective of this study is to determine the level of selected essential and non-essential metals in Mango. 
 
Methods: The levels of essential and non-essential metals were determined in mango (Mangifera indica L.) samples collected from four different sites (Boloso Bombe, Boloso Sore, Damot woyde and Humbo) in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A 0.5 g dried powdered mango sample was digested with 1 mL of nitric acid (HNO3), 3 mL of perchloric acid (HClO4) and 1 mL of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 180&deg;C for 2:00 hours. The study focused on two mango varieties, the Apple mango and the Keitt mango. 
 
Result: The metal contents in the apple mango in mg/kg were found in the following order: Mg (20.04-0.34) &gt; Ca (1.49-6.78) &gt;Zn (2.32-4.23) &gt; Fe (2.77-2.85) &gt; K (2.03-2.41) &gt; Na (1.72-1.97) &gt; Mn (0.47-1.36) mg/kg; and that of the Keitt mango samples in mg/kg were in the order of: Mg (2o.08_20.34) &gt; Ca (0.95_5.84) &gt; Zn (2.69_3.66) &gt; Fe (2.69_2.90) &gt; K (1.91_2.77) &gt; Na (1.79_1.93) &gt; Mn (0.38_0.72) mg/kg, respectively. The levels of Cd and Pb were below method detection limit. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence level indicated that there is significant difference in the mean concentration of all metals between the four sample sites. There was good correlation between the levels of some metals (Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe K, Na and Mn) in both varieties of mango samples. From the results of this study it can be concluded that the studied mango varieties grown in the study area are good source of essential metals and free from the toxic metals: Cd and Pb.

Determination of Levels of Selected Essential and Non Essential Metals in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Cultivated in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

<div>Background: The introduction of polyembryonic rootstocks in the area of propagation is of great importance since they produce one zygotic and several nucellar plantlets. Proper identification of sexual embryo from each hybrid seed is necessary in order to preserve only the nucellar seedlings, which would help to maintain the rootstock&rsquo;s genetic characteristics as well as to overcome the major constraints in the area of fruit breeding especially in hybridization programme by eliminating the nucellar ones to advanced generations. Contrasting reports exists regarding the vigour of zygotic seedlings of polyembryonic mango genotypes. It is necessary to identify/ distinguish the zygotic seedling from the nucellar population at an early stage, for which, microsatellite analysis could be a reliable tool.</div>

<div> 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with 20 treatments replicated thrice. The twenty local mango landraces from Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) were screened for polyembryony and were geo-referenced. Germination studies were conducted. Microsatellite analysis of all the plantlets from two varieties which exhibited the highest polyembryony were done using SSR primers and their banding patterns were compared with those of their respective mother plants.</div>

<div> 
Result: Out of twenty mango varieties screened, seventeen were polyembryonic. Kappa Manga recorded the highest germination, germination index and seedling vigour index-I. Kotookonam Varikka recorded the highest polyembryony and followed by Kochu Kilichundan. Microsatellite analysis revealed that all the seedlings obtained from the respective stones of Kotookonam Varikka and Kochu Kilichundan had identical SSR profile to the mother plant, which indicated nucellar origin of seedlings having similar genetic composition to the mother plant.</div>

Screening of Mango Landraces for Polyembryony and Confirmation of Seedling Origin using Microsatellite Markers

<div>Background: Light is one of the environmental factors that greatly affect the growth and yield of crops in general, including soybean plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of shade on yield and yield components of soybean varieties. 
 
Methods: The research method was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The first factor was the kind of variety which consisted of two levels, i.e., Dena I and Anjasmara. The second factor was the level of shading, which consisted of four levels, i.e., 0, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40%. 
 
Result: The results showed that shade decreased the number of filled pods, dry pod weight per plant, 100 seeds weight and seed yield ha-1. As the shade increases, the lower the yield and component of soybean yields increases. The decrease in seed yield ha-1 of Dena I variety at 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40% shade was 22, 14 and 50%, respectively, while the Anjasmara variety was 9, 49 and 59%. Shade decreases yields and yield components of Dena I and Anjasmara varieties. In the higher level of shade, the yield reduction will increase.</div>

Soybean Varieties Respond to the Shade of Teak Trees

<div>Background:&nbsp;Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers causes&rsquo; harmful impact on soil, environment and human being, hence demand of organic food products has shot up recently. Organic farming aims to optimization of crop productivity rather than its maximization through renewal and strengthening of ecological processes and functions of whole ecosystem. Limited varieties information is available on long term performance of pulse crop varieties under organic cultivation system so far. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and yield performance of green gram varieties under organic production system. 
 
Methods: Eight varieties of green gram were studied under organic production system. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The recommended dose of nutrients for green gram is 15:40:00 kg ha-1 and manures were applied on nitrogen equivalent basis through organic sources. The observations on growth and yield parameters of green gram were recorded at the time of harvesting. Soil and plant samples were collected at time of harvest and analyzed for available nutrients in soil and nutrient content in seed samples. 
 
Result: The maximum plant height at harvest (62.47cm), number of primary branches per plant (5.18), number of pods per plant (27.27), number of seeds per pod (11.27) with highest seed yield (809.80 kg ha-1) exhibited by variety MUM-2 followed by RMG-975 (802.47 kg ha-1) and lowest seed yield (617.80 kg ha-1) was found in the variety MSG-118. MUM-2 variety recorded highest plant nutrient status as compared to other varieties. Among eight varieties of green gram MUM-2 and RMG-975 found better for organic farming in terms of growth, seed yield and quality aspects.</div>

Performance of Green Gram Varieties under Organic Production System

Background: Mango kernel oil is the edible oil present in the seed kernel of (Mangifera indica). Mango kernel oil recognizes its application in the cosmetic industry, food and confectionery industry. This work aims at the process development of mango kernel oil making. Mango kernel contains about 15% good quality edible oil.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study investigates variation of physicochemical characteristics between mango kernel oil extracted by cold press (CP) and Soxhlet extraction (SE) methods. Solvent extraction exhibited higher mango kernel oil yield (10.5%) as compared with the Cold press (4-5%).&nbsp; 
 
Result: There were significant variation observed in saponification value 109.69-131.30 mg KOH/g, unsafonifiable matter 65-0.72%, iodine value 41.85-44.33 g of I/100 gm oil, acid value 2.94-5.21%, peroxide value 3.08-4.14 mg/g and free fatty acid 1.47-2.24% of mango kernel oil produced by both the methods.&nbsp;