<div>Vegetables are the richest source of vitamins and minerals and play a major role in nutritional security. The primary objective of vegetable breeding is enhancing production and productivity. Breeders use various conventional and non-conventional breeding approaches for genetic advance. Recent advances in biotechnology helps to enhance the efficiency and shorten the time required to achieve the fixed goals in a breeding program, as well as to address the economic and ecological goals. Among these, haploid (H) and doubled haploid (DH) production through gametic embryogenesis has long been recognized as a valuable tool to help crop improvement. Haploid plants are the sporophytes with a gametophytic chromosome number and doubled haploids (DH) are haploids that have undergone chromosome duplication. Haploids and double haploids occur spontaneously in nature. Haploids can also be induced artificially by various techniques such as wide hybridization, pollination with irradiated pollens androgenesis, gynogenesis and finally further chromosome doubling results in double haploids. Production of double haploids in vegetables will shorten the breeding cycle and also DH technology is useful in reverse breeding, CMS line production, gene stacking and various other genetic studies.</div>


<p>Double Haploids for Vegetable Crop Improvement: A Review</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Alfalfa (<em>Medicago Sativa</em>), a perennial cross-pollinated plant, is one of the most important forage crops in the world with commercial value and ecological significance. However, due to the complexity of its genome, varietal improvement is difficult. Therefore, generating genetically homozygous materials have greater significance for breeding. In the current study, we aimed to identify the best tissue culture conditions to obtain haploid plants and double haploid plants.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> In this study, the haploid plants of alfalfa were obtained by combining tissue culture regeneration system with Flow cytometry. Different concentrations of colchicine were applied to the haploid plants using solid and liquid cultivation methods to determine the optimum conditions to obtain double haploid plants of <em>Medicago Sativa</em> L. cv. &lsquo;XinJiangDaYe&rsquo;.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>Among the two colchicine cultivation methods tested, the doubling rate of regenerated plants obtained by liquid cultivation method was higher and the leaves developed under this system have the best doubling effect among the three explants tested. Optimal doubling conditions for alfalfa haploid (<em>Medicago Sativa</em> L. cv. &lsquo;XinJiangDaYe&rsquo;) were identified. The double haploid plant material generated from the current study could serve as a genetic resource for developing the hybrid combinations and for analyzing genetic linkage in alfalfa improvement programs.</div>


<div>Haploid Culture and Double Haploid Induction in <em>Medicago sativa</em> L. cv. XinJiangDaYe</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> The present investigation was carried out during the cropping season of year 2019-20 to find out the most suitable growing condition as well as variety of Asiatic lily for the production of bulbs/bulblets under Hisar (Haryana) conditions.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The experiment was laid out in RBD (factorial) with three replications and twelve treatment combinations, comprising of three growing conditions (polyhouse of 200 &micro;, green shade-net of 50% shade and open field) and four varieties (Courier White, Tresor, Nova Lux and Red Stone).<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> These varieties of Asiatic lily when grown under polyhouse performed better in some parameters resulting in early bulb sprouting, maximum plant height and number of leaves/plant and the minimum days upto harvesting of bulbs, however, in other parameters <em>viz</em>. leaf length and width, weight of bulbs/plant, diameter of bulb and number of bulblets/plant, the shade-net condition was observed to be better than polyhouse. Overall, Tresor performed better, resulting in early bulb sprouting (5.11 days), minimum days (236.56) upto harvesting of bulbs and the maximum plant height (89.01 cm), number of leaves/plant (64.08), leaf length (9.50 cm), diameter of bulb (3.91 cm) and number of bulblets/plant (2.99)&nbsp;and it was followed by Red Stone which produced maximum weight of bulbs/plant (59.03 g) and observed next to Tresor in most of the parameters. Tresor grown under polyhouse took minimum days (231) upto the harvesting of bulbs, produced maximum plant height (115.13 cm) and number of leaves/plant (69.67)&nbsp;and it was closely followed by Red Stone grown under same condition. Further, under the shade-net, Red Stone produced maximum weight of bulbs/plant (65.30 g) followed by Tresor (63.93 g), while the maximum number of bulblets/plant (3.90) were produced by Tresor followed by Red Stone (3.44). Henceforth, Tresor and Red Stone when grown under polyhouse performed better in vegetative parameters and when grown under shade-net performed better in bulb parameters than the other combinations of growing conditions and varieties.</div>


<p>​Effect of Different Growing Conditions and Genotypes on Growth and Bulb Parameters of Asiatic Lily</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>The purpose of this research was to evaluate the growth and bulb yield of shallot (<em>Allium cepa</em> L.) varieties grown by TSS with different population.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> This study was carried out in the low dry land at Laleten Village, Malaka District, NTT Province, Indonesia, from March to August 2018. We investigated different plant populations per planting hole using a split-plot design with two factors and four replications. The main plot was the varieties (Trisula and Bima Brebes) and the subplots were the seedling population (100, 200 and 300 plants/m<sup>2</sup>).<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>There was no interaction between varieties and population for any of the measured parameters. The population only affected the plant height at the beginning of plant growth. A high plant population (300 plants/m<sup>2</sup>) gave the highest production of single bulbs but was negatively correlated with the bulb weight. Trisula variety produced significantly more single bulbs than the Bima Brebes one. The establishment of the TSS-adapted varieties could be recommended in this area.</div>


<div>The Effect of True Shallot Seed (TSS) Varieties and Population on Growth and Bulb Yield</div>


<div style="text-align:justify">Seed is the basic unit and most critical input for sustainable agriculture. &nbsp;Post sowing impact and production depends on seed quality. Availability of quality seed is either very costly or very difficult to arrange. Farmers can be seen queued in Kisan Mela and seed sale centres for purchase of quality seed. This seen provides an opportunity for farmers to grow crop for seed production which can fetch them more returns. Prime Minister&rsquo;s call to double the farmer&rsquo;s income by 2022 can be a materialized dream for farmers if they opt for State Specific Strategies for Doubling of Farmers Income-2022 Seed contribute approximately 15-20 in different crops production that can be increased to 45% by efficient input management.The developments in the seed industry in India, particularly in the last 30 years, are very significant. Govt policies are giving dividend to Indian farmers. The policy gave access to Indian farmers of the best of seed and planting material available anywhere on the world. &nbsp;The policy stimulated appreciable investments by private individuals, Indian Corporate and MNCs in the Indian seed sector with strong R&amp;D base for product development in each of the seed companies with more emphasis on high value hybrids of cereals and vegetables and hi-tech products such as Bt. Cotton. &nbsp;As a result, farmer has a wide product choice and seed industry today is set to work with a &lsquo;farmer centric&rsquo; approach and is market driven. &nbsp;However, there is an urgent need for the State Seed Corporations also to transform themselves in tune with the industry in terms of infrastructure, technologies, approach and the management culture to be able to survive in the competitive market and to enhance their contribution in the national endeavour of increasing food production to attain food &amp; nutritional security.</div>

Indian Seed Industry: Poised for a leap to help farmers in doubling their income

<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background:</strong> Problems shallot cultivation in tropical regions such as Indonesia, is low productivity. Planting material is one of the causes of low productivity. The planting material used is a bulb that has been used continuously. It is makes planting material susceptible to infectious diseases and viruses. Efforts can be made to reducing the attack of virus infections in the planting material of the bulbs is by using seeds. However, seed production in Indonesia is still low due to the difficulty of flowering and low viability of seeds. The aim of this research was to detect &nbsp;flowering ability from the source of bulbs flowering and non-flowering clumps using Hd3a primers and endogenous GA3, also the effect of age of bulbs to flowering of shallot.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> The study used a complete randomized block design. The treatment consisted of two factors with three replications. The first factor was source of bulbs flowering and non-flowering clumps. The second factor was age bulbs which consists of three levels, namely the 60, 80 and 90 days age bulbs. The contents of gibberellins was analyzed using HPLC analysis. Molecular analysis to determine the potential of flowering genes used SSR primer (Hd3a).<br /><strong>Result: </strong>Hd3a primer can be used as a marker of flowering shallot. Source of bulbs flowering and non-flowering clumps have the same flowering potential gene. The percentage of flowering in flowering clumps was higher than non-flowering clumps and correlates with endogenous gibberellins content. The age of bulbs indicates that older bulbs gave a higher percentage of flowering.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Detection of Flowering Ability on Several Bulbs Shallot Sources by using Hd3a and Endogenous GA<sub>3</sub> Analysis</div>

<strong>Background: </strong>Garlic is an aromatic spice with nutritional and medicinal values. Climatic variations such as drought, adversely affect Garlic&rsquo;s morpho-physiological, biochemical attributes and diminish its bulb quality. Soluble silica is a plant-available form of silicon (Si). Silica is beneficial for plant&rsquo;s healthy growth especially against stress conditions. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of soluble silica on the garlic plant growth, leaves chlorophyll content and bulb quality against drought stress.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> Garlic was cultivated during the <em>Rabi</em> season (2019-2020) in the experimental field Lohar pipliya (Dewas), India. Randomized experimental blocks consisted of six treatments as follows: T<sub>1</sub>- Control (well-watered), T<sub>2</sub>- Drought stress (water supply reduced by about 50%), T<sub>3</sub>- Drought + a basal dose of NPK fertilizers (BDF) in soil, T<sub>4</sub>, T<sub>5</sub>, T<sub>6</sub>- Drought + BDF + foliar sprays of 7.5, 10 and 12.5 ml L<sup>-1</sup> soluble silica respectively. Silica sprays were applied seven-time at a regular interval of 15-days. After 120-days of sowing, plant growth in terms of plants height and number of leaves plant<sup>-1</sup> were measured. 120-days leaves chlorophyll, MDA and proline content were estimated. Garlic bulb&rsquo;s quality in terms of fresh-dry weight and diameter were recorded at the final harvest.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Results revealed that drought significantly reduced Garlic&rsquo;s plant height, bulb quality (weight and diameter), chlorophyll (Chl-<em>a</em> and Chl-<em>b</em>) and increased MDA, proline content in contrast to the well-watered garlic. Fertilizers (BDF) feebly improved garlic bulb quality. However, fertilizers (BDF) supplemented with soluble silica sprays (7.5 ml L<sup>-1</sup>&lt;12.5 ml L<sup>-1</sup>&lt;10 ml L<sup>-1</sup>) significantly increased plant height, bulb weight and diameter, leaves chlorophyll, proline and reduced MDA content over the drought-stressed Garlic. Fertilizers (BDF) supplemented with Soluble silica maintained plant water content, reduced oxidative stress and increased leaves chlorophyll content. These resulted in good quality garlic bulbs in terms of weight and diameter despite the drought stress.

<p>Effect of Soluble Silica on the Plant Growth, Leaves Chlorophyll Content and Bulb Quality of the Garlic (<em>Allium sativum</em> L.) against Drought Stress</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Anestrus is one of the most commonly encountered infertility problems in cattle and buffalo in India. Jaffarabadi is one of the heaviest buffalo breeds of the world and is a native of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The breed is known for poor reproductive efficiency. To improve its reproductive efficiency, this study was undertaken on acyclic Jaffarabadi animals employing double Ovsynch protocol and its assessment through ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical and endocrine profile on a farm.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The study included acyclic post-pubertal Jaffarabadi heifers (age 42&plusmn;2 and 48&plusmn;2 months; Gr-I and Gr-II, n=6 each) and the postpartum lactating acyclic buffaloes (Gr-III, n=6) using a double Ovsynch protocol, which consisted of i/m injections of 20 &micro;g Buserelin acetate on days 0, 10, 17 and 26 and 500 &micro;g Cloprostenol sodium on days 7 and 24, with a timed insemination on day 27. Ovarian dynamics was monitored by performing ultrasonography using real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner together with blood sampling for hormonal and biochemical profile on each day of hormone therapy and then on days 0, 12, 21 and 35 post-AI. The animals inseminated at induced estrus/FTAI were followed for return to estrus, if any. Pregnancy was confirmed in non-return cases on day 35 by ultrasonography and on day 70 by per rectal examination. The findings on ovarian dynamics, plasma endocrine and biochemical profile were compared statistically between groups and periods and fertility rates between groups.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> In animals of treatment group I and II, a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in numbers of small follicles was observed on day 26. Number of large sized follicles was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher on day 26 in comparison to day 0 and day 7 in group III animals. Large and subordinate follicular diameters increased gradually, but the differences between periods were significant (p&lt;0.001) only in group III with the highest diameter of large follicle on day 17. Plasma FSH and LH concentrations differed significantly (p&lt;0.001) among groups at all-time intervals. Plasma LH in group I and III differed significantly (p&lt;0.001). Plasma estrogen level was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group II than group III. Plasma progesterone concentrations in group I and II animals were significantly higher on day 35 post-AI. Plasma insulin levels were significantly (p&lt;0.01) lower on all days for group III animals than group I and II. Blood glucose level was significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in group I on day 17 as compared to group II and III. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group III as compared to group I and II. The conception rates at first service/FTAI in double Ovsynch treated animals of group I, II and III were 66.66, 83.33 and 16.66 %, respectively. Thus it was concluded that ovarian structures and the plasma endocrine profile reflected the ovarian response to different hormonal injections and that double Ovsynch protocol could be a better choice for improving conception rate in post-pubertal acyclic Jaffarabadi buffalo heifers as compared to multiparous acyclic buffaloes.</div>


<p>Evaluation of Double Ovsynch Protocol in Acyclic Jaffarabadi Heifers and Buffaloes with Respect to Ovarian Dynamics, Hormonal Profile and Fertility</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier strategies for progress of agriculture sector in India were focused principally on raising agricultural output and improving food security. The net result is the farmer&rsquo;s absolute income remained low which lead to agrarian distress. The country also witnessed a sharp increase in the number of farmers suicides. It is apparent that income earned by farmers from agriculture is crucial to address distress and promote farmers welfare. The government is desiring and working towards doubling the farmer&rsquo;s income by 2022. Union budget 2016-17emphasizes the need to go beyond food security and provide farmers a sense of income security. The agriculture allied sector such as dairying, poultry, goatry, horticulture etc. will play crucial role in achieving the government&rsquo;s goal to double farmer&rsquo;s income by 2022. Dairying and livestock sector form the backbone of agriculture and its contribution to agriculture GDP is around 28%. The progress in the sector results in balanced development of the rural economy particularly in reducing the poverty amongst the weaker sections. Dairy is a more equitable agriculture occupation. To improve the share of dairying in farmers income, innovative measures are needed to be explored and shall be implemented on large scale.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Strategies for Doubling Income of Indian Farmers&rsquo; through Dairying: A Review</div>

<p>Double fortified salt (DFS) having iron and iodine, has been formulated for tackling the problems of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Since there is lack of scientific evidence on the effect of double fortified salt on different cooking methods, So the present research was designed to evaluate the availability of iron and iodine content from commonly consumed recipes using double fortified salt. Seven different recipes using different cooking methods were selected for the experimental trial. The findings of the present research work concludes that during boiling, open pan, pressure cooking and pan cooking method, salt should be used at the end stage of cooking process but for shallow frying, deep frying and steaming method, salt should be used at the beginning stage of cooking process for the maximum retention of total iodine and iron content (p&gt;0.05). So double fortified salt should be used in daily meal preparations to improve the nutritional status.</p>


Double Haploids for Vegetable Crop Improvement: A Review

Haploid Culture and Double Haploid Induction in Medicago sativa L. cv. XinJiangDaYe

Effect of Different Growing Conditions and Genotypes on Growth and Bulb Parameters of Asiatic Lily

The Effect of True Shallot Seed (TSS) Varieties and Population on Growth and Bulb Yield

Indian Seed Industry: Poised for a leap to help farmers in doubling their income

Detection of Flowering Ability on Several Bulbs Shallot Sources by using Hd3a and Endogenous GA₃ Analysis

Effect of Soluble Silica on the Plant Growth, Leaves Chlorophyll Content and Bulb Quality of the Garlic (Allium sativum L.) against Drought Stress

Evaluation of Double Ovsynch Protocol in Acyclic Jaffarabadi Heifers and Buffaloes with Respect to Ovarian Dynamics, Hormonal Profile and Fertility

Strategies for Doubling Income of Indian Farmers’ through Dairying: A Review

Availability of iron and iodine from commonly consumed recipes using double fortified salt