<div>Hybrid seed production technology requires cross pollination between parents of choice. Several physical and chemical techniques including manual or mechanical emasculation and male gametocide chemicals have been introduced each with respective disadvantages. Easy and quick technique such as environment sensitive male sterility is effected by environmental irregularities. Identification of commercial use of genetic means of male sterility systems like GMS and CGMS have brought revolutionary benefits to hybrid seed industry in many crops to feed an ever increasing human population. However, these strategies are complicated, laborious and require more cropping area for parental increase and maintenance including employment of sophisticated backcross breeding for line conversion and search for suitable restorers. The biotechnological methods (BMS) simplified the strategies each in its own approach, though having certain disadvantages too as for example, dual component Barnase/Barstar and Cystein protease/Cystatin approach needed herbicidal spray. The next generation hybrid breeding systems were developed utilising GMS system under nuclear control avoiding search for suitable restorers and cytoplasm-nuclear interactions. The era of genomics assisted breeding has facilitated well characterised study of several crop genes including male fertility genes which is a never ending approach. In combination with transgenic and genome editing approaches, the next generation hybrid breeding systems such as &ldquo;Seed Production Technology&rdquo; (SPT), &ldquo;Multi Control Sterility&rdquo; (MCS) and &ldquo;MGM-Maintainer approach&rdquo; have provided easy and well defined mode of utilising male sterility for hybrid seed production bypassing all the complications of traditional techniques.</div>

Next Generation Hybrid Seed Production Methods-Superior and Beneficial Biotechnological Approaches: A Review

Background: This review deals with natural hybridization, an important subject in conservation biology. This process is uncommon in terms of the total number of individuals involved, but is much less unusual if we consider the number of species that hybridize. Thus, natural hybridization may be an important process in the shaping of the evolutionary trajectories of many plant and animal species. The possible consequences of natural hybridization, which can either promote or prevent evolutionary divergence between taxa and will involve many ecological factors, are analysed here. 
 
Methods: Local AzePHA-16 samples (flowers light pink, beans striped on a green background, stems green, seeds purple) participated in the hybridization as a high-quality mother form. The introduced AzePHA-t/15 (with purple flowers, dark purple pods, anthocyanin-rich stem and light-brown seeds) samples were used as a high-quality father form. To confirm that natural hybridization had occurred and to determine the genetic characteristics of the hybrids, individual characteristics such as flower, fruit and seed color and shape, growth rate and yield were compared. 
 
Result: Natural hybrids have been obtained by cross-pollination between different genotypes of beans without human intervention. The observation of seeds and beans of different shapes and colors indicates that the parents have different genetic characteristics and that these characteristics are expressed in different combinations. The fact that hybrid plants have different phenotypes proves genetic variation. Our findings highlight the often underestimated conservation value of hybrid populations.&nbsp;

Natural Hybridization of the Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as a Method of Initial Material for Selection

Background: A two-year field study was conducted at the ICRISAT research farm during the rainy seasons of 2021 and 2022 to investigate the impact of crop geometry, crop establishment method and sustainable nutrient management practices on nutrient availability pattern and growth of hybrid pigeon pea. 
 
Methods: The experiment followed a split-split plot design. The collected data was analysed using radar graph and heat maps for nutrient availability and dry matter respectively. 
 
Result: Data revealing that transplanted plots registered higher nutrient availability and proportionate root and total dry matter production at various growth stages. Among plant geometry the root and total dry matter production was higher with 100&times;100 cm. when considering planting methods, transplanting with a square system of 100&times;100 cm, combined with an integrated nutrient management approach consisting of 150% (or) 100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and seed treatment with Rhizobium, resulted in average of 31.5% higher dry matter production over alone inorganic nutrient management practices. Thus, a square geometry of 100&times;100 cm, along with sustainable integrated nutrient management (100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, PSB and seed treatment with Rhizobium), resulted in higher nutrient availability and dry matter production. These findings highlight the importance of careful selection of planting methods, crop geometry and nutrient management practices for maximizing the nutrient mining for production of high dry matter production of hybrid pigeonpea.

Bio-inoculated Nutrient Management Influence on Soil Nutrient Availability Pattern and Growth of Hybrid Pigeonpea (ICPH 2740) under Establishment Methods and Crop Geometry

<div>Background: Forages of high quality are the most valuable commodity of any livestock activity and they serve as the basis for most of the rations in a forage-based diet. The lack of good quality seedlings/seeds, notably improved varieties, is the primary reason for the slow adoption of improved forage production technologies. Traditional establishment of bajra napier forage incurs more labour costs, harvesting sett material, transporting, preparing two budded setts and carrying to the planting area. Nearly three to four tons of green leaves stem materials are wasted for planting one hectare of area. In this situation, an alternate method is required to produce high-quality seedlings in a short period. This research objective compared single node bud chip seedling in different protray cell cavities and pot mixtures. 
 
Methods: The green shade net field study was carried out between 2019 and 2020, the effect of different pro-tray sizes (50, 60 and 98 cell cavities) and potting mixture (red earth, cocopeat, farmyard manure, vermicompost and root growth promoters like phosphobacteria bio-fertilizer and indole acetic acid (IAA) was taken in different combination for the establishment of Bajra Napier hybrid variety Co (BN)-5 seedling by using single node bud chip technology. The observation was taken up to 30 days in related to seedling growth and development. The observed parameter was statistically analysed in SPSS software. 
 
Result: Among the three different protray cavities and five different pot mixtures, 60 cavity protray with red earth + cocopeat + vermicompost (2:1:1) results revealed significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in seedling growth parameters among the different protray and growing media. The maximum seedling growth parameters like germination, numbers of the leaf, plant height, leaf length, width and root length (94.4 per cent, 8.17, 39.12 cm, 38.14 cm, 2.5 cm and 30.8 cm) were observed at 30 days aged seedlings followed by red earth + cocopeat + farmyard manure (2:1:1 ratio) and treated with IAA substance in 60 cavity protray.</div>

Bud Chip Method: A Potential In vitro Technology for Bajra-napier Hybrid (Pennisetum glaucum L. X P. purpureum Schum.) for Sett Multiplication

Forage requirement of livestock is generally met through low quantity and quality of crop residues often not enough for maintenance of animal health and productivity in India. Cereal-legume intercropping has been recognized as a beneficial crop production system for higher fodder production per unit area per unit time, especially, under rainfed conditions. Sorghum sudan grass hybrid and cowpea are some of the potential fodder crops which can provide good nutrition to livestock with higher forage yields and improve the fertility status of soil when grown in association. This paper reviews all the literature on various aspects of intercropping of cereals and legumes, mainly sorghum and cowpea, for better understanding and future strategies for improved production as well as quality of fodder.

Sowing methods and varying seed rates of cowpea on production potential&nbsp;of sorghum, sudan grass hybrid and cowpea: A review

Background: Molecular markers are the landmarks on DNA that identifies a particular sequence of base pairs coding for a character. SCAR (Sequenced Characterized Amplified Region) markers are proving to be more effective in identification of genotypes as they are PCR based co-dominant markers. In view of plant variety registration under PPV and FRA, 2001 molecular characterization/ identification of the variety is essential to ascertain the trueness of the variety, hence present studies have been planned and executed. 
 
Methods: In present investigation CGMS based chilli hybrid UARChH42 and its parental lines were identified using molecular techniques. A line, B line, R line and hybrid seedlings were used for DNA extraction and characterized on the basis of polymorphism with respect to sterility or fertility by using SCAR markers. 
 
Result: P1 and P2 and coxII-SCAR which are sterility specific markers could amplify A line and hybrid showing a definite band. CRF-SCAR 870 is a fertility specific marker amplified R line and hybrid. Also CMS-SCAR 130 and CMS-SCAR 130/140 were able to identified A line, B line, R line and hybrid. Two of the markers viz. orf-456-SCAR atp6-SCAR and were not able to specify any case of parental lines or hybrid identification. Hybridity of UARChH42 (JCH42) chilli hybrid was determined by any similarity in the banding pattern with any of its parent. This study would help in the fulfillment of the requirements of protection of plant varieties and farmers&rsquo; rights authority (PPVFRA), New Delhi for registration purpose.

Identification of Parental Lines and Hybrid using Molecular Techniques in CGMS based Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Hybrid UARChH42 (JCH42)

Background: The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to public health, emphasizing the urgent need for accurate, rapid and efficient detection methods. Conventional approaches for detecting AMR genes typically involve bacterial isolation followed by DNA extraction-procedures that are time-consuming, involve multiple steps and are not well-suited for routine screening. This study aimed to optimize a direct PCR method for the detection of AMR genes and to apply the standardized protocol for screening these genes in various sample types. 
 
Methods: A total of 150 samples (50 samples from each category) were collected from Chennai district, Tamil Nadu, India. The bacteria was isolated following standard protocols, DNA was extracted and PCR amplication was done to detect the presence of AMR genes. In the Direct PCR Master, PCR amplification was done directly from samples without the need for prior DNA extraction.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Escherichia coli was most prevalent in cloacal samples, followed by chicken meat and water, whereas Staphylococcus aureus was predominantly found in chicken meat, followed by water and cloacal samples. Regardless of the source, the genes tetA, sul1 and blaOXA-1 were consistently detected in E. coli, while tetA, sul1 and qnrA were most prevalent in S. aureus isolates. When comparing conventional culture dependent method with the direct PCR method, the latter showed a high concordance rate (&gt;76%) with the culture-dependent method, demonstrating strong sensitivity and specificity for most target genes. Additionally, the direct PCR approach offers several advantages, including reduced risk of contamination, a simplified workflow and shorter turnaround times. These benefits make it a promising alternative for rapid detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, especially in resource-limited settings or during outbreak situations.

Rapid Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Genes by Direct PCR Method: A Comparative Study with Culture-dependent Method

<div>Background: The agricultural sector is highly dependent on the availability and quality of seeds for a productive harvest. The global demand for food and water is expected to increase due to population outgrowth, urbanization and climate change. Soilless farming may change the face of agriculture by providing a more sustainable and productive alternative to traditional cultivation and is being largely exploited for vegetable cultivation.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experiment consisted of 12 treatments. Two parental lines (P1: TAG 1 and P2: TAG 2) were subjected to seed treatment (S1: Untreated and S2: Thiram @ 2g kg-1 and chlorpyrifos @ 3g kg-1) and twenty-eight days old seedlings were transplanted to soil (M1: Conventional) and soilless systems (M2: Hydroponics and M3: Aeroponics). Hybrid seeds were produced in all the system were analysed for the quality and economics of seed production in soilless system was worked out. 
 
Result: The results revealed that there was a significant increase in test weight (0.39 g), average seed length (0.52 cm) in the soilless system due to the continuous availability of nutrients at controlled condition. Although the cost incurred was comparatively higher in the soilless method, the gross return was 94.68 per cent higher under aeroponics and 79.22 per cent higher under hydroponics compared to the conventional method. The benefit to cost ratio was found higher in aeroponics (2.08) followed by hydroponics (1.97) and lower under the conventional method (1.87). It is inferred that soilless agriculture could be a promising tool for quality and healthy hybrid tomato seed production throughout the year within protected cultivation.</div>

​Economics Analysis of Tomato Hybrid Seeds Produced through Soilless Systems

<div>An experiment was carried-out with forty-eight hybrids of pigeonpea and two checks for nine characters at Agricultural Research Station, Tandur (Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the hybrids for all the nine characters studied. The results of genetic parameters revealed that, high genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic coefficients of variations (PCV) were observed for seed yield and number of pods per plant. Six characters viz., number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod length, test weight and seed yield exhibited high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean which suggested that these traits were amenable for further improvement following simple selection methods. Character association revealed significant positive association of seed yield with plant height,number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and pod length. Based on divergence studies, the hybrids were grouped into nine clusters in Tocher&rsquo;s method, cluster II (14 hybrids) was the largest followed by cluster I (13), cluster VI (9), cluster IV (6), cluster IX (4) and the remaining clusters were solitary (III, V, VII and VIII). Out of the nine characters studied, seed yield, days to 50% flowering, test weight and plant height contributed 85.62 per cent of the total divergence and these traits were found to be important factors for genetic differentiation in the hybrids. The overall results of the study revealed that, hybrids under cluster IV and VIII and cluster VII and VIII had maximum and minimum inter cluster distances respectively and possessing high genetic diversity for the characters viz. plant height, number of branches per plant, number of seeds per pod and yield.</div>

<div>Genetic Analysis of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] Hybrids for Yield and Yield Attributes</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The main cause for low yield in greengram is its susceptibility to Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV) which is the most prevalent and destructive viral pathogen cause 85% yield lose. Inter specific hybridization between Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo could be an alternate approach to develop MYMV resistant genotypes in greengram which leads to additional source of creating variability for desirable attributes including yield, nutritional quality, biotic and abiotic stresses. 
 
Methods: The present investigation was carried out at National Pulses Research Centre (NPRC), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vamban during 2016-2017. Interspecific hybridization has been effected between Vigna radiata var. VBN (Gg)2, VBN (Gg) 3 (as females) and Vigna mungo Var. Mash 114 (as male) during Summer 2016. The interspecific F1 hybrids, F2 and F3 populations were evaluated during Kharif 2016, Rabi 2016-17 and summer 2017 respectively. The F2 and F3 populations were evaluated for days to 1st flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of branches / plant, number of clusters / plant, number of pods / clusters, pod length (cm), number of seeds / pod, number of pods / plant, single plant yield (g.). The MYMV resistance has been confirmed under infector row method using CO 5 as susceptible check variety. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), Heritability (h2) in broad sense, genetic advance as per cent of mean, Skewness and Kurtosis were estimated for yield and yield components. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Four true F1 plants were recovered in Vigna radiata var. VBN (Gg)2 x Vigna mungo Var. Mash 114 cross combination. The fertile F1 had the shallow lobbed leaf of Vigna radiata var. VBN (Gg)2 and black colour seed of Vigna mungo var. Mash 114 with pollen fertility of 42.0 per cent and crossability of 12.50%. Most interestingly all the four interspecific F1 plants were free from MYMV disease. In F2 generation, only one healthy plant was survived which had a pod, stem and branching behaviour of blackgram and greengram characters of lobbed leaf and green seed colour. In F3 generation, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length and seed yield per plant had high GCV, high PCV, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Present study suggests that MYMV resistant cultivars of greengram can be explored through interspecific hybridization with Vigna mungo var. Mash 114 as a source of resistance and the hidden transgressive segregants can be recovered in F3 generation.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Interspecific Hybridization Between Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo Towards the Broadening of Genetic Base for MYMV Disease Resistance and Generating Variability</div>