The present investigation was carried out during Kharif 2014. The experimental material consists of 40 different genotypes of okra with three checks Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti and Pusa Sawani. The materials were grown in randomized block design with three replications during Kharif 2014 on the field of Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, VNMKV, Parbhani. The investigation carried out in the present study revealed that the genotypes 136 Thin, 003163, Kashi Pragati, Kashi Vibhuti and BO 13 showed &nbsp;better &nbsp;performance for traits namely plant height, length of fruit, calcium content, iron content, vitamin C content and fruit yield per hectare. Among the genotypes 136 Thin and 003163 had given highest yield. The high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for characters namely number of branches, yield per hectare, yield per plot and yield per plant. All these traits indicate additive effect showed response for selection. High heritability estimates were found for characters like number of branches, yield per plot, iron content, yield per plant, plant height, vitamin C content, number of seeds per fruit (dry fruit), fruit bearing node and calcium content indicated good inheritance of these characters. High heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance was observed for characters like plant height, calcium content, yield per plant and yield per hectare, indicated presence of additive gene action and phenotypic selection may become more effective for desired genetic improvement.

Genetic variability studies for yield, yield contributing and quality traits&nbsp;in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.]

<div style="text-align: justify;">Necessity demands observation and assessment of growth development of Mango ginger plants (with paucity of or no publication about its agronomy and pathology) as prerequisite to understanding their nature and avoid incorrect plant disease diagnosis (by taking for abnormal condition that which is normal). Hence, this study observed the morphological development of Mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) plants, a rare crop, and assessed for its plant height and number of leaves in the years 2016 and 2017. The rhizomes, the most economic part of the plant, was observed to emerge from corm and appeared finger-like with dome ends. Mango ginger leaves averaged 9 per plant stand and showed curling nastic movement. Sunlight and temperature had positive and significant effect on the daily curling and uncurling of leaves. Also, height parameter of Mango ginger plants was inconsistent when measured from soil level to tip of youngest leaf/apical bud; but when measured from soil level to peak/top (highest point attained at natural position above soil level) irrespective of what leaf made the upper boundary, plants increased in height with time. Significant difference existed in 2016 between the two different upper boundaries of plant height. This study: provide basic understanding of the morphology of Mango ginger plant; and gives original and significant insight on the nastic movement of its leaves, for better understanding of its fundamental botany, which may form bases for its disease identification and further investigation as an under-cultivated and underutilized crop (for colouring and flavouring drinks, and as: food preservative; medicine for cure of bacterial and fungal infection; anti-inflammatory and antipyretic; hypotriglyceridemic and hypoglycemic; anti-cancer with fertility potential)</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Morphological traits and Nastism of Mango ginger (Curcuma&nbsp;amada Roxb.)</div>

Cowpea is a major legume crop native to Africa and it provides food for man as well as livestock. Even though it is widely cultivated in Africa, a second domestication was probably occurred in Asia. Cowpea can thrive in a range of soil types, pH and temperatures. Besides, changing lifestyle and climate variability have brought in enough scope for its cultivation. Variability studies in cowpea are highly significant in order to identify superior genotypes for the further improvement of the crop. The genetic diversity analysis will help in the identification of potentially distinct genotypes with contrasting traits which can be used to operate effective selection of genetically diverse genotypes for yield improvement as well as nutritional enrichment and climate resilience. Hence, the present review is focused on the studies carried out in different parts of the world to characterize the genetic diversity in cowpea germplasm. This work was done at the Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala. The study reviewed and systematically evaluated the various practices implied to assess the genetic diversity in cowpea. Literature search was done during March, 2023- July, 2024. About 150 Research papers were screened from various data bases like Google scholar, ResearchGate and a total of 79 research papers were used to write this review article. Present review article reveals the significance of cowpea as a food&nbsp; and fodder crop and the characterization of cowpea genotypes as an important genetic resource for developing climate resilient crops. The review also shed light on origin and distribution of cowpea, cowpea breeding, tools for genetic variability assessment among cowpea genotypes, new and improved molecular markers that are utilized in research and future aspects of cowpea improvement for maintaining sustainable nutrition to society.

Genetic Diversity of Cowpea: Implications for Crop Improvement&nbsp; and Food Security: A Review

<div>Background: Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is main crop in subtropical and temperate regions as vegetable crop. It is affected by Phytophthora infestans causing a devasting disease late blight. The chemical pesticides used against this disease in this present scenario cause pollution (soil as well as water) and adversely affect beneficial soil micro-flora, grazing animals and human beings.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An experiment was designed at the Department of Botany, K.V. Subharti College of Science, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut (UP), India during 2017-2018. Three bacterial bioagents, Pseudomonas isolate 1 and 2 and Bacillus species was isolated from infected phylloplane and used against late blight pathogen, P. infestans. The efficacy of antagonistic bio-agents tested against mycelial growth, zoospore and zoosporangial germination of P. infestans by dual culture method and detached leaf method. 
 
Result: The present study focused on use of bio-agents or antagonistic bacteria to control late blight pathogen showed concentration biased potential inhibitory activity against mycelial growth, zoospore and zoosporangial germination.&nbsp;It means higher the concentration of bacterial isolate, greater the inhibitory effect on various tested parameters. Among the three tested antagonistic bioagents, Bacillus showed maximum zone of inhibition to late blight pathogen. The proved that the Pseudomaonas and Bacillus as potential antagonistic agent for ecofriendly sustainable management of pathogenic mycoflora, P. infestans.</div>

<div>Efficacy of Bacterial Isolates against Causal Agent of Late Blight of Potato, Phytophthora infestans</div>

<div>Background: Seed recalcitrance is a major problem associated with many tropical plants, limiting their natural regeneration. Vateria indica L. is a vulnerable and endemic tree species in South-Western Ghats of India, which is also recalcitrant. ABA and gibberellins are the most important plant hormones required for seed germination. It is the balance between ABA and GA which is responsible for desiccation tolerance in orthodox seeds. Exogenous hormones pretreatment has been also reported to influence seed germination. But such studies had been sparsely done in the case of recalcitrant seeds. This study aims to find out whether GA/ABA antagonism in recalcitrant plants is operating in the same way, like that in the orthodox seeds. 
 
Methods: The effect of the exogenous pre-soaking application of phytohormones viz. GA3 and ABA individually as well as their combinations on seed germination and growth of Vateria indica L. were carried out in the present work. The seeds were collected from April to July 2018 and the experiment was designed at Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram. When different concentrations of each phytohormone were externally given to the seeds, ABA reduced the germination and growth in almost all the concentrations. But GA3 gave better results. When combinations of GA3 and ABA were used, germination was poor in the sample where ABA was more than GA3, But in samples with same concentrations of both the hormones and with more GA3 gave better results.&nbsp; 
 
Result: This study clearly showed that GA3 when given externally along with ABA, might have affected the endogenous ABA in this recalcitrant seed and suppressed its retarding effect. Thus ABA/GA antagonism is working out, here, in the same way as in orthodox seeds. Since the germination of recalcitrant seeds is a less investigated area, the present study will form a basis and a lot more for further such studies.</div>

GA/ABA Antagonism in the Physiology of Seed Germination in the Recalcitrant and Vulnerable Tree- Vateria indica L.

<div>Background: Assessment and molecular characterization of genetic diversity among the Dolichos lablab (L.) have huge implication in scheming strategies for breeding. In India, there is less comprehensive information on the potential genetic diversity of lablab bean and this is a major challenge for systematic use of lablab bean in genetic breeding programs. To exploit the available trait of interest, the genetic diversity of the locally available genotypes must be known. The PCR-based SSR approach requires just nanogram amounts of template DNA, subjected to quick detection and less influenced by environment. In this manner SSR have been utilizing broadly to study hereditary assorted qualities of yields. 
 
Methods: In this study, genetic diversity on ten Indian Dolichos lablab (L.) genotypes were surveyed utilizing SSR markers at Department of Botany, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi during 2019-20 got from Indian gene bank. For SSR analysis, 5 primers were used for checking the diversity in Dolichos lablab (L.) and the performance of markers were measured by using 4 parameters (1) PIC, (2) Mean resolving Power, (3) Resolving Power and (4) MI.&nbsp; 
 
Result: SSR (05) markers produced a total of 51 bands, out of which 45 bands (88.23%) were polymorphic which varies from 6 (Primer-111) to 15 (Primer-AGB-9) with mean of 10.5 bands per primer. The polymorphic information content value ranges from 0.265 to 0.488 with a mean value of 0.390. The value of Matrix index is 3.2. The value of resolving power ranges from 2.2 to 12.60 with a mean value of 7.40. In the UPGMA dendogram, the 10 genotypes were separated into two main clusters with all the primers used. Our present examination uncovered that genetic markers might be effectively used for deciding hereditary variety and connections in Dolichos lablab (L.) genotypes and could be utilized as a part of breeding programs.</div>

<div>Simple Sequence Repeats Marker based Detection of Genetic Diversity of Indian Bean Dolichos lablab (L.) of Family Fabaceae</div>

<div>Background: Drought, extreme temperatures, salinity, chemical toxicity and oxidative stress are such environmental stresses, that are serious threats to agriculture globally and result in the deterioration of the environment and crops. To Study the effect of drought stress on seed germination and early establishment in different crop varieties, PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) induced drought stress is the most common screening method. The species and its variety, its growing conditions and the developmental stage of the plant, as well as osmotic concentration responded differently to osmotic stress. The current study aimed to study the effect of different concentrations of PEG-6000 in eight genotypes of lentil in order to understand the management and control of drought stress-related problems in crop plants. 
 
Methods: The experimental work was conducted during 2018-2019 at the Laboratory of Botany, S.S. Jain Subodh P.G. (Autonomous) College, Jaipur to study the effect of drought stress during early growth of genotypes of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) under osmotic stress. The plant material consisted of eight genotypes belonging to the macrosperma and microsperma subspecies of lentil (Lens culinaris M.). PL-4, L-4147, L-4594 and L-4596 belong to the microsperma subspecies and K-75, L-4076, DPL-15 and DPL-62 belong to the macrosperma subspecies. 
 
Result: In conclusion, due to their better values of germination percentage (GP%), germination relative index (GRI), seedling vigor index (SVI) and seedling growth under simulated drought conditions PL-4, L-4594, DPL-15 and DPL-62 stand out as the most tolerant lentil genotypes among eight species studied in this work. These genotypes showed a significant enhancement in germination percentage (%), germination relative index, seedling vigor index and seedling length under mild moisture stress. Our results confirmed that PEG-induced drought stress can be used to study the drought-tolerant species by studying a few parameters viz. germination percentage, germination relative index and, seedling vigour index, that will result in increased crop production.</div>

Effect of PEG-6000 Osmoticum on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Genotypes

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The present work was to evaluate biocomposted cocoa shell and jack fruit peel wastes and their effect on the vegetative development and yield parameters of Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L. Var. NS-620 (Cowpea). 
 
Methods: The experiments were conducted in the Department of Botany, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, during 2019.The experiments consists of various treatments of biocompost. Different growth stages of the plant sample were analysed for root length, shoot length, number of leaves, number of nodules, number of flowers, plant fresh weight and dry weight on 25, 50 and 75 DAS. The yield parameters of cowpea such as number of pods per plant, length of pod, number of seeds per pod, weight of seeds per pods, pod fresh and dry weight were analysed on 90 DAS. 
 
Result: The experimental result showed that T8 (Raw Jack fruit peel+10 g Pleurotus eous+10 g Pleurotus florida+Eudrilus eugeniae 5 t/ha-1) and T4 (Raw Cocoa shell+10 g Pleurotus eous+10 g Pleurotus florida+Eudrilus eugeniae 5 t/ha-1) treatment significantly increased the vegetative growth in root length, shoot length, number of leaves/plant, number of nodules, fresh weight and dry weight on 25 to 75 DAS and number of flowers on 45 DAS. Maximum increase in the yield parameters was observed in number of pods/plant, length of pod, number of seeds/pod, weight of seed/pod, fresh weight and dry weight of pod in Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L. as compared to other treatments and control. The main objective of the study was to develop high yielding and healthy vegetable crops with the help of biocomposted agroindustrial waste without damaging the environment.&nbsp;</div>

Impact of Cocoa Shell and Jack Fruit Peel Waste Biocompost Influence on the Growth and Yield Attributes of Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.)

Background: Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is an important small millet recognized for its nutritional richness, tolerance to changing climatic conditions and suitability for cultivation on low-fertility or marginal lands agricultural conditions. Most of the studies largely emphasized on the general nutritional composition and health benefits of millets, while comparative evaluations integrating biochemical characterization with multidimensional statistical approaches through method including principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster-based analysis are still scarce. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The present study was conducted during the Kharif cropping season of 2022-2025 at Department of Botany and Research field of Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. The experimental material comprised eleven genotypes of Kodo millet grown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising three replications for the evaluation of nutritional composition, identify superior genotypes and assess the relationships among nutritional traits using multidimensional statistical analyses. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed statistically significant differences among the kodo millet genotypes for all nutritional traits, indicating the existence of wide genetic variability that can be effectively utilized in crop improvement and breeding programmes. Protein content ranged from 7.8-10.4 g/100 g, carbohydrates from 57.5-64.4 g/100 g, fat from 1.8-3.15 g/100 g, ash content from 2.70-3.45 g/100 g and iron from 0.58-1.20 mg/100 g. Among the studied varieties, RK250-90 exhibited comparatively higher protein and mineral content, indicating superior nutritional potential. Principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, heat map and cluster analysis further confirmed nutritional diversity and relationships among traits. The positive association between protein and mineral content highlights the possibility of simultaneous improvement of nutritional parameters through breeding strategies. The findings identified genotype (RK250-90) as a promising genetic resource for biofortification and breeding programmes aimed at improving the nutritional quality of Kodo millet.

Estimation of Nutritional Profiling and Trait Association Analysis of Diverse Indian Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) Genotypes

Background: Sprouting susceptibility in mung bean is influenced by both morphological and physiological factors. Dormancy, a natural mechanism that delays germination under adverse conditions, is crucial in mitigating pre-harvest sprouting. Varieties lacking dormancy traits are particularly vulnerable, as their seeds are more prone to absorbing moisture and initiating germination prematurely. 
 
Methods: The objective was to evaluate the effects of these treatments on key agronomic traits such as pod production, seed size and seedling growth, with a focus on improving seed quality and dormancy resistance. Field trials were conducted using 10 varieties obtained from ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur using 7 treatments during the Kharif 2022-23 following field trials in augmented block design at the Crop Research Centre of Rabindranath Tagore University and laboratory experiments were conducted in the Botany Research Laboratory at Rabindranath Tagore University, Raisen in Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD) for evaluation of material. 
 
Result: The results demonstrated that GA3&nbsp;(T1) had the most significant positive effect across all cultivars, with the highest pod counts (e.g., V1T1: 40.45 pods) and seed sizes (e.g., V1T1: 3.37 mm horizontal seed size). Other treatments, such as IAA (T6) and KNO3&nbsp;(T5), also showed substantial improvements in pod production and seed development. In contrast, MH (T4) and ABA (T2) significantly reduced pod formation (e.g., V1T4: 11.25 pods), seed size and overall seedling growth, indicating their potential to induce dormancy and inhibit growth. The study concludes that GA3, IAA and KNO3 can be effectively used to enhance mung bean productivity, while MH and ABA should be carefully managed due to their suppressive effects. These findings have practical implications for improving seed quality and dormancy resistance in mung bean cultivation.

Physiological and Morphological Responses to Foliar Application of Dormancy Modulating Chemicals in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) Germplasm

Genetic variability studies for yield, yield contributing and quality traits in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.]

Morphological traits and Nastism of Mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.)

Genetic Diversity of Cowpea: Implications for Crop Improvement and Food Security: A Review

Efficacy of Bacterial Isolates against Causal Agent of Late Blight of Potato, Phytophthora infestans

GA/ABA Antagonism in the Physiology of Seed Germination in the Recalcitrant and Vulnerable Tree- Vateria indica L.

Simple Sequence Repeats Marker based Detection of Genetic Diversity of Indian Bean Dolichos lablab (L.) of Family Fabaceae

Effect of PEG-6000 Osmoticum on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Genotypes

Impact of Cocoa Shell and Jack Fruit Peel Waste Biocompost Influence on the Growth and Yield Attributes of Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.)

Estimation of Nutritional Profiling and Trait Association Analysis of Diverse Indian Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) Genotypes

Physiological and Morphological Responses to Foliar Application of Dormancy Modulating Chemicals in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) Germplasm