<div>Background: Mutation breeding is one of the cheapest and surest method of plant breeding. In mutation breeding program effectiveness and efficiency of mutagens could be helpful to realize the spectrum of desirable mutations in the treated populations. The effectiveness and efficiency of two mutagens EMS and gamma rays were studied in two varieties of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)Walp.].&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In the present investigation, the seeds of two varieties of cowpea, phulepandhari and VCM-8 were treated with gamma rays and EMS to obtain the spectrum and frequency of chlorophyll mutations in M2 generation. Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency were calculated using frequency of chlorophyll mutations. 
 
Result: The individual treatment of EMS was found to be more efficient than gamma rays to induce chlorophyll mutants. A progressive increase in mutation frequency of chlorophyll mutations was observed with increasing doses. Four different types of chlorophyll mutants, such as, chlorina albina, xantha and viridis were induced with effect of mutagens. The highest frequency of chlorophyll mutations was reported in the gamma rays. There was a dose dependent increase in the spectrum and frequency of chlorophyll mutations. The lower dosages of gamma rays and EMS were proved to be most effective and efficient. &nbsp;Among two mutagens used EMS was much more effective than gamma rays in both the varieties viz. &nbsp;variety phulepandhari and VCM-8.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Mutagenic Effectiveness and Efficiency in [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Variety Phule Phandari (PP) and VCM-8</div>

<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

Background: The seeds harvested from the field may not be homogenous in seed size, physical purity and viability in Black gram. Seeds are to be cleaned and graded using seed processing machineries to maintain uniformity of a seed lot. Every variety is having its individuality in seed size. Hence, the common recommendation of 2.8 mm sieve size recommended by Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards (IMSCS) for grading black gram seeds may not be suitable to recover a maximum quality seeds in all varieties while processing. The present study was carried out to identify a suitable grading sieve size for newly released black gram varieties for getting good quality seeds with better seed recovery during processing. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted at Seed Technology Research Unit, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal during the year 2020-2023. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with four replications. Four newly released black gram varieties viz., ADT 6, VBN 8, VBN 10 and VBN 11 were taken for the study. Specified quantities of unprocessed seeds have been sieved using slotted sieves of three sizes above (3.4 mm, 3.2 mm and 3.0 mm) and two sizes below (2.7 mm and 2.5 mm) the recommended sieve size of 2.8 mm for black gram varieties as per the IMSCS. The seeds retained over each sieves were collected separately and tested for seed quality parameters. 
 
Result: The results revealed that the seed recovery percent increased with decrease in sieve size while the seed quality parameters found higher with increase in sieve size.The sieve size of 2.7 mm (slotted) registered the maximum cumulative seed recovery of 87% and 89.9%, respectively in Black gram seeds of cv. ADT 6 and VBN 10 along with required seed standards. However, seeds retained from the sieve size of 3.0 mm (slotted) registered the maximum cumulative seed recovery of 91.2% and 87.5%, respectively in VBN 8 and VBN 11 with requisite seed germination and physical purity as per the IMSCS (75% and 98%). Hence, it is suggested that the sieve size of 2.7 mm may be considered as grading sieve size for seed processing in Black gram seeds of cv. ADT 6 and VBN 10 and 3.0 mm may be used as grading screen (Bottom screen) for VBN 8 and VBN 11 for getting good quality seeds with higher seed germination, physical purity and pure live seeds.

Standardization of Optimum Grading Sieve Size for Seed Processing in Black Gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Varieties

<div style="text-align: justify;">The wide gap between the present level of productivity and potential productivity (2 ton ha-1) of cashew nut in the country as well as in the state of Odisha is due to use of traditional varieties of low yield potential and &nbsp;non adoption of scientific orchard management practices. To address the issue of low productivity of cashew in the state, a multi locational trial was laid out during the year 2008 using clonal planting materials of twenty five released cashew varieties collected from different co-operating centres of AICRP on Cashew, India. &nbsp;The collected grafted plants were planted at a spacing of 7.5 m x 7.5 m following Randomized Block Design (RBD) having six plants per treatment and replicated twice. Recommended package of practices were adopted uniformly to raise a good crop. Data recorded on various vegetative growth parameters, yield attributing traits and nut yield of different cashew varieties revealed that Vengurla-7 recorded maximum for the vegetative parameters like tree height (5.45m), trunk girth (84.05cm) and canopy spread in North-South direction (8.75m) while canopy spread in East-West direction was recorded maximum in variety, BPP-8(8.75m). Maximum number of flowering laterals m-2 was recorded &nbsp;in variety, Chintamani-1(28.87) while BPP-8 recorded maximum nuts m-2(46.0). Number of nuts panicle-1 recorded maximum in variety, Bhubaneswar-1 (9.0). Nut weight(9.6 g) &nbsp;as well as kernel weight(3.02g) was recorded maximum in variety, Vengurla-7. Variety, Kanaka recorded highest shelling(32.76%) among the tested varieties. Nut yield was significantly maximum in variety, BPP-8 (16.75 kg plant-1) while that of lowest in variety Jharagram-1(1.60kg plant-1) at 7th harvest. TSS was recorded maximum in variety Bhubaneswar-1 while acidity was maximum in variety, Vengurla-4(0.22%). &nbsp;Yield is the ultimate target for any evaluation programme. &nbsp; From the study, it is be concluded that among the twenty five tested released varieties, BPP-8 was the &nbsp;best performing cashew variety under hot and humid climatic zone of Odisha.</div>

Performance of released cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) varieties under hot and humid climatic zone of Odisha &nbsp;

A field experiment was conducted during January 2012 to March 2014.  Five fodder cowpea varieties (V1- UPC  618, V2-UPC - 622, V3- Bundel Lobia-1, V4 - COFC - 8 and V5- CO-5) were evaluated for their drought tolerance under four soil moisture stress levels (M1- pre sowing irrigation + lifesaving irrigation, M2- pre sowing  irrigation + irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.4, M3- pre sowing irrigation + irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 and M4-pre sowing irrigation + irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8).  The investigation was conducted as two separate experiments, one in open and other in shade.  The experiments were laid out in split plot design with four replications. Observations on growth characters such as plant height, number of branches and leaf stem ratio were recorded. The results revealed that plant height and number of branches were maximum at irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8 both in open and shade.  Among the varieties, COFC - 8 recorded maximum plant height and number of branches at all irrigation levels in open and partial shade.


Growth characters of fodder cowpea varieties as influeced by  soil moisture stress levels

<div>Background: Blackgram is generally considered as a shade sensitive crop. Nevertheless, it fits well in intercropping, crop rotation and crop mixture in coconut gardens thus forming an integral part of cropping systems of the tropics. To encourage and extend blackgram cultivation in coconut gardens, suitable varieties tolerant to shade, need to be identified. The current study aims to screen shade tolerant blackgram varieties with respect to morpho-physiological characters and yield.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2019 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala, India. Uniformly spaced coconut palms of age above 40 years were selected having a light intensity of 40-46.5 Klux. Twelve promising blackgram varieties along with three cultures were evaluated under low light intensity in coconut garden. Morpho-physiological attributes and yields were recorded and analysed statistically. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Result: Superior growth attributes and physiological parameters like stomatal frequency, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate were recorded in varieties namely, DBGV 5, Sumanjana and VBN 5. These varieties were found tolerant to low light intensity with DBGV 5 recording significantly higher yield (1183.33 kg ha-1) followed by VBN 5 (916.67 kg ha-1) and Sumanjana (906.67 kg ha-1) and could be recommended as suitable for intercropping in coconut garden.</div>

​Identification of Low Light Tolerant Blackgram Varieties with Respect to Morpho-physiology and Yield

<div>Background: Jaggery, a traditional sweetener is produced from the sugarcane juice and its quality mainly depends on cane juice quality. It is specific to check, which sugarcane variety is producing the best jaggery in terms of its quality and recovery. Thus, this study was undertaken to screen five different promising early (CoH 160, Co 89003, Co 0238) and mid season (CoH 119, CoH 167) sugarcane varieties and to prepare and evaluate jaggery qualitatively. 
 
Methods: The different sugarcane varieties were harvested at proper maturity, weighed and crushed to extract juice in November, January and March. The juice was analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters viz., total soluble solids (oBrix), purity, pol, juice recovery (%) and commercial cane sugar (%). Good quality jaggery was prepared and evaluated for the sensory characteristics. The jaggery was evaluated quantitatively for physico-chemical parameters (reducing sugars, total sugars, sucrose, net rendement value, hardness and minerals.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The jaggery was found to have 8.50-10.70 per cent moisture, 68.82-78.95 per cent sucrose, 7.67-8.83 per cent reducing sugars and 1.45-2.63 per cent ash. The jaggery prepared from Co 89003 had significantly highest sensory scores over jaggery made from all other varieties. Jaggery made from CoH 160 variety was comparable with that of Co89003 variety. The early sugarcane varieties Co 89003 and CoH 160 were found to produce good quality jaggery as compared to mid-late varieties.</div>

Screening and Physico-chemical Study of Quality Jaggery Prepared from Different Early and Mid Season Sugarcane Varieties

<div style="text-align: justify;">Voluntary intake and plane of nutrition of adult sheep fed six varieties of hydroponic fodder i.e. Sorghum Sudan Grass, cowpea, horse gram, maize, jowar and barley as a sole feed was evaluated using four Nellore Jodipi rams. &nbsp;The average yield of fodder &nbsp;after 7 days of sprouting &nbsp;from 1 kg of seed was higher (P&lt;0.01) from maize and barley &nbsp;than from jowar seeds and it was 7.17, 8.07, 7.10, 9.13, 5.38 and 8.22 respectively from Sorghum Sudan Grass, cowpea, horse gram, maize, jowar and barley. &nbsp; The DM was 10.2 to 12.5 % among the fodder varieties with the CP and CF content ranging from 13.7 to 41.0% and 16 to 24%, respectively. The NFE was lower in cowpea and horse gram fodder and it was higher, 61.94% in maize fodder. Sorghum Sudan Grass fodder contained lower lignin of 3.03% while it was higher in cowpea, 10.94%. The &nbsp;DMI (% body weight) was 0.34, 1.11, 0.70,1.31,0.41 and 1.06 from &nbsp;barley, maize, cowpea, horse gram, jowar and Sorghum Sudan Grass, respectively and was lower than the recommended 2.6 to 2.8 % of body weight for maintenance of adult sheep. The DCP was 9.98, 34.49, 23.9, 9.34, 17.91 and 12.73 while the TDN was 45.83, 75.79, 68.08, 77.57, 64.07 and 77.63 % in Sorghum Sudan Grass, cowpea, horse gram, maize, jowar and barley fodder, respectively. The nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance of sheep was negative in all varieties. &nbsp;It was concluded that economic fodder production was possible with maize and hydroponic fodder as a sole feed did not meet maintenance requirements.&nbsp;</div>

Voluntary intake and plane of nutrition of sheep fed hydroponic fodder varieties

Compartmental bunding (CB) and improved chickpea varieties were evaluated in ten farmers&rsquo; fields during rainy-winter (kharif-rabi) seasons of 2012-13 in Vertisols at Bellary, India. Adopting improved chickpea varieties of BGD103 and JG11 during winter season increased the grain yields from 12.5 to 15.9%, respectively over locally cultivated A1 variety. The CB that was laid out during July (rainy season) conserved rainwater in-situ and further increased the grain yield of chickpea up to 36.7% in BGD103 and 43.9% in JG11. The increase in grain yield from 24.2% (JG11) to 27.8% (BGD103) indicates that CB is effective for in-situ rainwater conservation and improving profile soil moisture in Vertisols. However technology gap during study period was higher compared to extension gap and it was attributed to drought situation with only 81.2% of mean annual rainfall. Technology index was higher in this study and varied from 48.3% (Cultivation of BGD103 variety with CB) to 60.6% (Cultivation of JG11 variety without CB) indicating that technology index can be reduced and chickpea yields can be increased and sustained with adoption of improved chickpea production technologies including in-situ rainwater conservation practices at farmers fields. Correlation studies also indicate that grain weight, stover weight and total dry matter production per plant ultimately determine the chickpea grain and stover yields in the Vertisols of Bellary region during winter season. Higher gross and net returns with greater B:C ratio was observed with layout of farmers fields with CB and cultivation of JG11 variety.