<div style="text-align: justify;">17 microsatellite markers were used in this study to analyze genetic diversity of Qinghai Bactrian camels, conduct association analysis between microsatellite markers and body size or other traits and seek for microsatellite markers related to body size measurement of Qinghai Bactrian camels, thus providing a reference for marker assisted selection of Qinghai Bactrian camels. Results indicated that 17 microsatellite markers totally detected 65 alleles, average number of alleles was 3.0524, average heterozygosity was 0.6205 and average polymorphic information content was 0.5813, showing high polymorphism among the Qinghai Bactrian camel population. Association analysis results indicated that 8 microsatellites&mdash;LCA82, CMS18, CMS36, CMS104, CVRL101, YWLL29, YWLL36 and YWLL44&mdash;exerted different influences on body weight and body size of Qinghai Bactrian camels, especially LCA82 marker had a significant influence on all body sizes of Qinghai Bactrian camels. Specifically speaking, body height of BB genetic type was significantly higher than that of AA genetic type, chest circumference of BB genetic type was higher than those of AA genetic type and BD genetic type, body length and body weight of BB genetic type were significantly higher than those of AC, BD and AA genetic types, and circumference of cannon bone of BD genetic type was significantly higher than that of AA genetic type. 8 markers&mdash;LCA82, CMS18, CMS36, CMS104, CVRL1010, YWLL29, YWLL36 and YWLL44&mdash;had significant influences on chest circumference and body weight of Qinghai Bactrian camels. Markers LCA82, CMS36 and YWLL44 had significant influences on their body height, and microsatellite markers LCA82, CMS36, CVRL101 and YWLL44 could exert influences on body length of Qinghai Bactrian camels.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Association analysis between microsatellite marker polymorphism and body size trait of Qinghai Bactrian camels</div>

Background: In recent years, breeding of climate resilient varieties particularly for deficit moisture stress is the major focus for sustainable crop production. Molecular markers being independent of environmental influence, SSR based genotyping and marker-trait association can address such a complex trait with utmost precision for molecular breeding in mungbean. 
 
Methods: In the present study, ten SSR primer based genotyping was carried out in a set of elite germplasm lines to gauge genetic variation and explore marker-trait association under deficit moisture stress. 
 
Result: The DNA amplification resulted as high as nine amplicons with 52.8% polymorphism. The primer GmDREB-2 was shown to be highly informative while TM-VF displayed high discriminative power for varietal identification. The wild accession Vigna glabrescens followed by Dhauli and Phulbani local produced unique molecular finger print by a number of primers and as such turned to be highly divergent genotypes. Only thirteen significant marker-trait associations were explored among which a 1610bp CodA_3 marker had shown strong association (p&lt;0.001) with stress tolerance score and germination percentage under deficient moisture stress. While, GmDREB2_2, CodA_1 and TAA170_1 exhibited significant MTA with root length, ICCM 0249_5 with clusters/plant and both TAA 170_2 and RD 22_2 with seed yield/plant. The above trait-specific molecular markers may be considered useful for screening of parental lines and marker assisted selection in mungbean breeding program for deficit moisture stress tolerance.

SSR based Molecular Diversity and Marker-trait Association in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) under Deficit Moisture Stress

Background: Being a vital source of high-quality dietary protein, chickpea is an unavoidable legume. The present investigation was performed to study the applicability of the microsatellite markers linked with drought tolerance in Indian chickpea genotypes collected from different genetic background.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In Rabi 2021-22, forty chickpea genotypes including national check for drought tolerance, elite cultivars, released varieties and advanced breeding lines were screened employing forty microsatellite markers linked with drought tolerance associated traits.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among forty drought tolerance related microsatellite markers, twenty-six were found to be polymorphic and produced a total of 66 alleles, with a mean of 2.5 alleles per locus. Model-based population structure analysis clearly distinguished the drought tolerant genotypes including ICC4958, JG74, JAKI9218, JG16, JG6, JG14 and JG11. The principle coordinate analysis (PCoA) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) further confirmed these results. Findings of the present investigation would have a greater potential for further utilization in breeding of drought specific chickpea cultivar(s).

Prioritization of Microsatellite Markers Linked with Drought Tolerance Associated Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Background: The YMD is one of the serious viral diseases in blackgram and is being transmitted by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The development of YMV resistant blackgram varieties is one of the important aspects for sustainable blackgram production. Marker assisted selection and genetic transformation could be utilized in developing YMV resistant blackgram genotypes. 
 
Methods: We attempted to map the QTLs governing YMV resistance in blackgram employing parents i.e., PBG32 (susceptible) and PU31 (resistant). Parental polymorphic studies were conducted using 147 SSR markers and genotyping and phenotyping data were used for QTL mapping. The markers, CEDG097 and CEDG172 that flanked to qYMV1 QTL were validated in 25 blackgram genotypes. 
 
Result: SSR markers showed 16% polymorphism between the parents. By using F2 genotypic data, genetic linkage map was constructed and total genetic map length observed was 335.47 cm. Single QTL (qYMV1) for YMV tolerance was detected and located between markers CEDG097 and CEDG172 with LOD score value of 2.76. The PVE by qYMV1 is 13.10% and the QTL is tightly linked (0 cM) to the left flanking marker CEDG97, which denotes a major QTL. Genotyping of the 25 known blackgram genotypes employing CEDG097 and CEDG172 markers, CEDG097 showed 91% linkage in known resistant and susceptible varieties to the YMV disease reaction and CEDG172 exhibited 74% linkage in known varieties to the YMV disease reaction. The resistance alleles (PU31 allele) of both markers i.e. CEDG097 and CEDG172 were recorded in VBN7, LBG922, LBG933 and TBG130-1 hence, these genotypes can be considered as potent YMV resistant varieties and also can be used as donor parents in resistance breeding programmes.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Detection and Validation of Linked Markers Associated with Yellow Mosaic Virus Resistance in Urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] in Andhra Pradesh

<div style="text-align: justify;">Polymorphic variants of keratin-associated protein (KAP) 6.1 gene with wool traits of Sandyno and Nilagiri breeds of sheep were investigated in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples of 125 Sandyno, Nilagiri and Dorset x Nilagiri breeds of sheep along with 76 numbers of wool samples. A 528 bp segment was amplified by PCR using ovine specific primers for KAP 6.1 gene. SSCP analysis of KAP 6.1 gene in Dorset x Nilagiri crossbred sheep resulted in two genotypes for the A/B with no polymorphism. KAP 6.1 gene locus revealed allele frequencies of &nbsp;A, B, C, D and E in Sandyno sheep were 0.67, 0.23, 0.04, 0.01 and 0.04 and in Nilagiri were 0.75, 0.06, 0.11, 0.04 and 0.04 respectively. KAP 6.1 gene revealed departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. KAP 6.1 genes were found to have high degree of homozygosity (0.6667) in Nilagiri sheep. The effective number of alleles (Ne) for KAP 6.1 gene was 1.1690 and 1.7006 respectively in Sandyno and Nilagiri breeds of sheep. The PIC values for KAP 6.1 gene was 0.1341 and 0.3909 in Sandyno and Nilagiri breeds of sheep respectively. FIS values for KAP 6.1 gene was positive (0.1909) in Nilagiri breed and it was negative (&ndash; 0.0110) in Sandyno breed. Least squares analysis of variance showed significant (P&lt;0.05) effect between genotypes and between sexes for wool traits like GFW (kg), CWY (%) and FD (&micro;). Significant (P&lt;0.05) effect of breed (Sandyno and Nilagiri) was observed for all the wool traits (GFW, CWY, FD, SL and Medullation %). Significant (p&lt;0.05) higher CWY production was recorded for AC genotype (62.00 &plusmn; 1.73 %) while low value was recorded for BB genotype (56.25 &plusmn; 1.74 %). FD was found to be high in genotype AC (24.29 &plusmn; 1.17 &micro;) than in AA genotype (23.24 &plusmn; 0.49 &micro;). The homozygote AA was found to have more Medullation (%) and SL. Genotypes BB had higher GFW and lower CWY. The heterozygous genotype AC yielded more FD and CWY with lower most Medullation (%) and SL values. From the study, it may be concluded that KAP 6.1 gene might be a potential molecular marker for genetic selection of wool traits in Sandyno and Nilagiri breeds of sheep .</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Polymorphism of Keratin - Associated Protein (KAP) 6.1 gene and its association with wool traits of Sandyno and Nilagiri breeds of sheep</div>

<div>Background: The beta-defensin family antigens present on sperm surface suggestively play pivotal role in sperm fertility by aiding in various steps of sperm maturation, motility, capacitation, immune recognition and sperm-oocyte interaction in female tract. It is imperative to explore genetic polymorphisms to build a better understanding of individual variation in male fertility. The experiment was designed to identify DNA polymorphism in Sperm Associated Antigen 11B (SPAG11B) gene and to analyze association between genetic variants with sperm quality traits in buffalo bulls (Murrah) in ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from hundred and thirty Murrah bulls. A 395 base pair region covering partial Intron 2, Exon 3 and Partial Intron 3 of bovine SPAG11 gene was amplified and genotyped using PCR-RFLP method. The PCR amplified product was purified, sequenced and further ClustalW analysis was done to align edited sequence with reported Bos taurus sequence (AC_000158.1). Gene and genotype frequencies, effective number of alleles, level of heterozygosity and polymorphic information content of various genotypes were estimated by standard procedure. Seminal parameters (Post thaw sperm motility, sperm viability, acrosomal integrity, HOST and abnormality) were estimated and statistical analysis was carried out.&nbsp; 
 
Result: A novel SNP (G&gt;A substitution) at 2266 base of the SPAG11B gene was identified by sequencing. The fragment of SPAG11 gene containing 395 base pairs was amplified using PCR and digested with restriction enzyme i.e. MunI which showed three distinct genotypes viz., AA (266 bp and 107 bp fragment), AG (307 bp, 266 bp and 107 bp) and GG (373 bp fragment). Least squares means of seminal parameters for the SNP was estimated and compared after correction for non-genetic factors. Between genotypes, significant differences were found only for acrosomal integrity and was highest in AG (74.22&plusmn;0.72) followed by AA (72.6&plusmn;0.89) and GG (71.12&plusmn;0.97), respectively. The identified novel SNP of SPAG11 gene showed significant association with acrosome integrity with genotype AG being superior to other genotypes. However, an association cannot be established with other seminal parameters with this SNP, further studies are required in order to validate the impact of g.2266G&gt;A on sperm quality traits in a large population.</div>

SNP Identification in Sperm Associated Antigen 11B Gene and Its Association with Sperm Quality Traits in Murrah Bulls

Background: Field pea is an important cool season grain legume crop. This study was conducted on field pea to explore phenotypic and molecular diversity among field pea genotypes, catering to current and future crop improvement. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this investigation forty-six genotypes of field pea were evaluated in randomized block design to assess phenotypic diversity for morphological and quality traits, alongside molecular characterization using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Variability analysis displayed substantial variability for all traits among test genotypes. Cluster analysis grouped the all genotypes into three distinct multi-genotypic clusters with clusters II and III having highest inter-cluster distance. Molecular characterization revealed the detection of 43 repeatable alleles by 14 polymorphic SSR markers, spanning a size range of 150 bp (AA122) to 970 bp (AA504), with a maximum of 4 fragments intensified by AD147, D21, AA504, AA122 and A9. Utilizing Jaccard dissimilarity coefficients and UNJ methods, all forty-six genotypes were grouped into three clusters. This study on field pea facilitates the identification of diverse parent selections capable of producing desirable segregants in future breeding programs.

Assessment of Field Pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense) Genotypes for Morphological Traits, Quality Traits and Molecular Characterization using SSR Marker

Background: Maize has wider adaptability and high yielding ability among the cereals. North-East India is a hotspot of the biodiversity of maize. Lots of local germplasms are distributed throughout various eco-geographic situations of hills and the plains of the entire region. Characterization of local germplasm of maize helps to identify genotypes with different features and also depicts a picture on genetic variability in the genetic resources studied. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The present investigation comprised of a set of thirty five local germplasm along with five check hybrids in the crop was raised in augmented randomized block design duing rabi 2019 at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. Observation was recorded for twenty three quantitative characters. Analysis of variance and estimation of genetic parameter were done by using R software. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The present study revealed that the genotypes differed significantly among themselves for all the characters except ear leaf width and leaf width. Moderate to high estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for all the traits except days to 75% dry husk, days to maturity and moisture content. Moderate to high estimates of heritability and genetic advance percent of mean were observed for all the traits. Grain yield per plant exhibited positive and highly significant correlation with traits namely ear length, ear diameter, kernel rows per ear, kernels per row, kernel length, kernel width and 100 kernel weights. PCA generated four principal components with an eigen value of more than 1.0 accounting for 67.74% of the overall variation present in maize germplasm. 
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Study on Genetic Variation, Trait Association and PCA of Different Quantitative Traits in Local Maize Germplasm

<div>Background: Rice is the most important human food crop in the world and its production is affected by various biotic and abiotic stress including low soil fertility. Zinc deficiency is one of the most important micronutrient deficiencies limiting rice yield. The vast reserve of germplasm of rice grown in different eco systems could be screened to exploit the genotypic differences bfor zinc deficiency tolerance. With the advent of molecular markers, association mapping strategy based on non-random associations between causative loci and phenotype could be employed to resolve the complex traits like zinc deficiency tolerance. With this background, the current study is focused to explore the extent of variability for zinc deficiency tolerance using zinc deficiency score and quantitative traits among 44 germplasm accessions and to identify quantitative trait loci associated with zinc deficiency tolerance using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) marker-based association mapping. 
 
Methods: A set of 44 accessions consisting of landraces and improved varieties were selected based on their zinc deficiency score in field (Zn=0.64 ppm) screening experiment conducted in Regional Research Station, Paiyur, Tamil Nadu. Eight accessions from each Zn Def score group along with four other genotypes namely Savulu Samba, Kotta Nel, Paiyur 1 and ADT 39 were chosen for the study. Molecular analysis was carried out among the selected accessions using a total of 40 random Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) primers. 
 
Result: Our study revealed the existence of diversity at molecular level among the selected accessions. Clustering analysis separated the accessions in two major clusters which were in accordance with the population structure analysis which resulted with two sub-populations. Through our study we identified certain accessions namely, Karuppu Nel, Manipur Local and BAM 440 which recorded high yields along with least zinc deficiency scores implying their ability to act as donors for zinc deficiency tolerance under submerged condition. Subsequent association analysis which resulted in putative association of zinc deficiency score with critical plant traits such as plant height and number of productive tillers, revealed that association mapping could be a viable strategy for understanding genetic mechanism of zinc deficiency tolerance in rice.</div>

<div>Study on Analysis of Molecular Diversity and Trait Association for Zinc Deficiency Tolerance in Rice under Submerged Conditions</div>

<div>Background: Shuxuan cattle is one newly cultivated dual-purpose breed in Sichuan province, China, by crossing the indigenous Xuanhan cattle with external breeds. Body sizes have been widely regarded as the important breed characteristics in cattle. The current study was aimed to evaluate the body sizes and its molecular inherite marker for futhure herd improvement. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;In the present study, we first investigated a total of 11 body size traits and their overall distribution and pairwise relationships of 169 healthy Shuxuan cattle. Subsequently, the SNP c.A455G of melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene were genotyped among 169 Shuxuan cattle and subjected to association analysis with body size traits.&nbsp; 
 
Result:&nbsp;We revealed that adult females have the mean withers height of 113.5 cm, body length of 131.8 cm, chest girth of 157.5 cm and hip height of 104.8 cm, respectively. Among all these traits, the highest correlation was observed in withers height and hip height with spearman&rsquo;s coefficient of 0.85. We found that Shuxuan cattle had an average heterozygosity of 0.5008 and polymorphism information content of 0.3747. Accordingly to the very stringent criterion of Bonferroni multiple adjustments, only chest width was associated with different genotypes of this candidate SNP (P&lt;0.05). The results provide an overall profile of the morphological and growth characteristics in Shuxuan cattle.</div>